SANDOWN: Hot property showcased at historic Sandown
28/8/2003 13:05 (Press Release) -
One of the hottest properties in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series will come in the form of Stone Brothers Racing duo Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall, as they team up for the first of the endurance races during the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 in Melbourne on September 12-14.
Individually, the duo has masterminded the number one post during the last six rounds of the championship and currently sit first and fourth respectively.
To some it may seem a risk to place the SBR pair together for the endurance campaign, however Ambrose maintains the decision is in keeping with the team's strategy.
"It's not a case of worrying about the 'what ifs' or 'maybes' that could occur during a race, but more about getting in the car and aiming for a successful run," said Ambrose.
"Sure, it may appear as a risk by putting Russell and myself together and could jeopardise our standings in the series, but then again it may also prove a masterstroke if things go according to plan."
Ingall can attest to some of the major misfortunes that occur in V8 Supercar racing having experienced a punctured tyre during the last round at Oran Park that ultimately cost him valuable championship points.
"After winning the BigPond 300 in Queensland leading up to Oran Park I thought things were finally starting to turn around for me," lamented Ingall.
"It was frustrating having to go to the pits after just four laps at Oran Park and even more so when I had absolutely no tyres left over the final few laps and had to relinquish a couple of spots.
"But that's history now and I'm really looking forward to teaming up with Marcos and having a decent crack at the endurance rounds.
"Everything is turning to gold at SBR and I'm sure our Falcon will have what it takes to bring the team even more success."
Sandown has a history plastered with major highlights on the Australian touring car circuit and during the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 the Ambrose/Ingall pairing could very well form the basis of yet another significant chapter.
Ambrose will have a tilt at securing a slice of all-time glory by claiming his sixth chequered flag for the season, which would edge him closer to a record seven season victories.
That feat has only ever been achieved by Allan Moffat in 1977, Jim Richards in 1985 and Holden Racing Team's Mark Skaife last year.
But Ambrose has time on his side with five rounds remaining in the series.
"Last year I enjoyed my best result for the season at Sandown in the final round of the championship," said Ambrose.
"I took the chequered flag in two of the three races to claim my first round of the year.
"That pretty much set the platform for the successes I'm enjoying this year so it'll be good to get back to where this great run began for me.
"Russell has an exceptional record in endurance races and is really starting to put it all together so that'll give us both added confidence towards the 500."
Ironically it was Ingall, partnered by Larry Perkins, who claimed the honours at Sandown in 1998 before the 500 kilometre race was moved to the Queensland Raceway.
"That seems like a long time ago and a lot has changed since then," said Ingall.
"But in saying that, endurance racing brings with it a whole new set of variables that will come into play.
"It's a whole new ball game and to be going into battle with Marcos, I couldn't be happier."
Stone Brothers Racing will be shooting for a record seven straight victories in the series and if they are to achieve that, it would also mark eight straight for Ford.
--Betta Electrical Sandown 500 press release
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