SANDOWN: Sandown Superstars unleashed at Betta Electrical 500
9/9/2003 21:26 (Press Release) -
There's a host of Australian V8 Supercar drivers well poised to add a further notch to their Sandown belt during the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 in Melbourne this weekend.
The standouts of the current crop, who've tasted more than their fair share of successes at the famous track, include CAT Ford Performance Racing's Craig Lowndes who'll team with Glenn Seton in the BA Falcon, Larry Perkins who joins Steve Richards from Holden's Castrol Perkins Racing, the evergreen John Bowe who'll suit up with Brad Jones in the Ozemail Ford and the classy veteran duo of Jim Richards and Tony Longhurst (Holden Racing Team).
Lowndes enjoyed success at Sandown during championship rounds in 1996 and 1998 and clocked the existing lap and qualifying records in 1999.
Added to his list of Melbourne achievements are back-to-back Sandown 500 victories partnering Greg Murphy (Kmart Racing) in 1996 and 1997.
But success in 1996 came at the expense of his 2003 partner Seton, who has also managed some memorable performances at Sandown.
"I guess as time goes on you get an opportunity to race with many drivers and until we became team mates at FPR, Glenn and I always raced hard and fast against each other," said Lowndes.
"The race in '96 was particularly special for me as it was my first Sandown 500 victory and a part of my Sandown, Bathurst and championship title trifecta."
Lowndes is currently placed seventh in the series, having secured round honours at Phillip Island, and then backing that up with a second at Eastern Creek and another second placing just three weeks ago at Oran Park.
"I really enjoy the Sandown circuit layout and I couldn't be happier with the race returning to its original format as a 500km enduro.
"I am looking forward to combining ideas with Glenn in regard to set-ups given his vast experience.
Ford Credit FPR Falcon driver Seton also boasts fond memories of Sandown. "Back in 1990 in the Ford Sierra with George Fury we won the race and the Australian Endurance Championship - so the Sandown 500 has great significance for me," said Seton.
"Through sheer consistency and reliability we won the race against all odds.
"In 1996 I diced with Craig for the last 40 laps of the Sandown 500 while leading and I was able to fend him off until the third last lap.
"I had an engine problem in the closing stages and it was devastating watching Craig power past me on the Sandown straight.
"I made amends though by winning all three Sandown races and the title the following year!"
Larry Perkins is another to have tasted success in both the single driver and endurance formats and as the reigning Sandown 500 titleholder he leaves no doubt where his preference lies as here gears up for this weekend's assault with Steve Richards.
"I'm pleased it's returned to the 500 format and for me it'll be a welcome return to the hot seat and to Sandown following my final drive here last year," said Perkins.
"We go into the race with good preparation.
"Steve will be doing the hard work while I'm happy to provide a support role.
If successful, Perkins will have the rare distinction of having won the 500 feature over three decades following successes in 1984 with Peter Brock, 1992 with Steve Harrington and 1998 with Russell Ingall.
"That's a statistic I hadn't even considered but I won't argue with the prestige that runs with becoming a part of it and it'll be something to look back on."
John Bowe (Ozemail Racing) was able to master back-to-back endurance successes at Sandown teaming with Dick Johnson in 1994/95 and hopes success at Sandown in 2003 can help elevate him from 13th position in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series.
"The field is wide open and full of potential winners with so many classy combinations," Bowe said.
"Everyone's a good chance and I definitely rate ours in Melbourne.
"It's terrific that we return to Sandown this weekend because it truly is the rightful home of motorsport and represents the capital of the entire industry with both Ford and Holden starting out here.
"We've had our dramas early in the year but with the added technical feedback from Brad Jones, we will have a very competitive package in the black #21 Falcon."
Richards and Longhurst have the rare distinction this year of being the only driver pairing to have sampled success together after winning the event in 1984.
Richards also boasts victory from 1989 when he teamed with HRT #1 driver Mark Skaife.
--Betta Electrical Sandown 500 press release
|
|
