FPR: Lowndes seventh in Sandown Shootout
13/9/2003 21:16 (Press Release) -
The highly anticipated V8 Supercar race debut of Ford Performance Racing's (FPR) multiple champion CAT FPR Falcon driver combination of Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton will start tomorrow's Betta Electrical 500 from seventh on the grid.
Lowndes' qualifying result of tenth earned the team a place in the Top Ten Shootout, where the 29-year-old driver gained three starting grid places with his impressive single fast lap time of 1:12.6823s.
FPV FPR Falcon drivers Adam Macrow and Darren Hossack will start from 22nd on the grid, after Macrow's impressive qualifying lap time of 1:11.9750s, which was just 2/100ths of a second faster than Ford Credit FPR Falcon teammate David Besnard (1:11.9948s).
All three FPR qualifiers' lap times were within one second of Paul Radisich's fastest qualifying lap time of 1:11.0674s. David Besnard and co-driver Owen Kelly will start tomorrow's 161-lap race from 23rd on the grid from 35 starters, the drivers confident of a consistent race package for tomorrow.
Pole position went to SBR Falcon driver Marcos Ambrose with Holden drivers Mark Skaife and Greg Murphy rounding off the top three.
Today's practice and qualifying sessions were held in cool and partly cloudy conditions, with heavy wind gusts. The threat of rain loomed throughout, but all V8 Supercar sessions remained dry. The forecast of showers during Sunday's race will throw another factor into FPR's Sandown race strategy for their three cars and six drivers.
#6 Craig Lowndes - "It was fantastic to make up three starting positions in the Shootout and the lap was a good one, but it was hard to generate enough heat into the rear tyres with just one lap, as it always is. We spent the day still working the car out for the race and I am confident that we can develop a strong race set-up from the work Glenn and I have done so far."
#19 - David Besnard - "We're struggling with set-up here this weekend as we're still learning the ins-ands-outs of our new car. I am a bit disappointed with where we ended up on the grid and I'm hoping that it will rain for the race. Owen and I have been consistent throughout, which is the key for strong results in these long races, so we shouldn't be overlooked for a strong result here together."
#5 Adam Macrow - "I'm pretty happy with qualifying and I was amazed by the performance of the car on new tyres. It was my first time on new tyres and I went drove within myself to not make any mistakes. I'm just cruising up to it, but the more time I spend in the car the more comfortable I get with it. I'm really looking forward to the race as I believe that Darren and I have developed a great race package together."
FPR Chief Engineer, John Russell - "Craig did the best that we could expect considering that we have struggled with car set-up at this race meeting. Credit goes to Adam Macrow for a very good effort with such little time in the car. I am looking forward to an exciting race, with the weather expected to throw up a few surprises."
FPR's three BA Falcons will be on track tomorrow at 9:55am for the warm-up with the 500km race scheduled to start at 1:00pm.
--Ford Performance Racing press release
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