Ambrose and Ford form long-term partnership
15/5/2001 21:44 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Rookie of the Year-elect Marcos Ambrose has signed a long-term deal with Ford – even before his debut victory at Hidden Valley Raceway last weekend.
In for the long haul: Ambrose will receive even more Ford service after signing a long term deal.
Pic: Michael Shaw
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Ford boss Geoff Polites had seen enough of the 24-year-old Tasmanian before Hidden Valley to know he was on a winner, securing Ambrose’s signature on a Ford contract late last week.
"Marcos has had a long association with us and is a great asset to Ford," President Polites said.
"Marcos is 100% committed to winning – in or out of the race car and so are we. His enthusiasm is infectious, spurring his own Pirtek team along, as well as everyone involved in Ford Racing.”
At just his fourth Shell Series round, on a racetrack he’d never seen before the event, Ambrose drove his Stone Brothers Racing-prepared Pirtek Falcon onto the top tier of the podium with a dazzling performance in all three races.
And he’s been just as impressive elsewhere, overcoming inexperience with sensational qualifying pace and brilliant race performances.
Ambrose – who’s competed on the same stage as Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen in Europe, defeating both to win the European Formula Ford title – was thrilled to finalise his immediate future with the Ford Racing squad.
"I have had great success with Ford in the past, especially my days in Formula Ford, now I'm after further victories in Australia's leading category, V8 Supercars," Ambrose said.
"Having a long term commitment in any sport is hard to come by, so to know what my future holds lets me concentrate on racing.
"I have a two-year deal with Pirtek Racing, and I want to continue to make the most of that opportunity – if everything works out, we will all be winners."
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