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Front Page
Ambrose Sets the Pace in Practice for V8 Decider
Staff, Friday November 28, 2003.
Page 1 of 1
Pirtek Racing's Marcos Ambrose has set the fastest time in both of today's practice sessions for the VIP Pet Foods Main Event at Sydney's Eastern Creek.Ambrose enjoyed his best pre-race performance since last winning at Oran Park in August, as he set the benchmark throughout both of the day's 35-minute sessions.
Chasing his first V8 Supercar title, and Ford's first since 1997, the Tasmanian was delighted to be leading the way after practice.
?We've had a few tough races, so it's great to be back up the front,? said Ambrose.
?It's s big boost for all of us to start the weekend so strongly. We have some room for improvement and that is a positive sign going into the shootout tomorrow and the opening race.
?We haven't changed all that much on the car, rather gave it a fresh set of tyres at the end of the second practice and it went even quicker.
?I'm really happy with the car's feel and speed. We showed everyone that we're ready to not just wrap up the championship; we want to win this event.
?The shootout is a bit of a lottery, but we're going to do our best. It's going to be very important to qualify near the front.?
For the first time all 33-cars will take part in a single lap shootout to decide the grid. A random draw will decide the starting order for the shootout that's expected to take around 90 minutes to complete.
Ambrose's Stone Brothers Racing teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing) was Ford's next best performer in fourth.
Ingall was happy with his performance after his team ran a different set up to Ambrose.
?As a team we decided to go a different way to Marcos to maximise our efforts for success in the races,? said Ingall.
?I was quite happy with the car, especially the way it took care of the tyres. I feel very confident it'll be good for the races.
?We want to win as much as anyone out there this weekend. For Marcos's championship hopes that will benefit him, as the better we and the other Ford's perform, the worst it will be for the challengers?.
Fifth fastest was Shell Helix Racing's Max Wilson who continued his recent run of good performances in practice and qualifying.
?The car has been very good and when we put the new tyres on it just got better and better,? said Wilson.
?It's important to turn our practice form into a race result this weekend and with no championship on the line for us we'll give it everything.
?I know that it's important for Ford to win this weekend and I would be more than happy for us to win and Marcos take the title.?
A special ballot will be held tomorrow morning to draw the running order of the full 33car field shootout from 11.10am. The opening 39-lap race gets underway at 3pm in the afternoon, with the final race of the 2003 V8 Supercar Championship Series (64 laps) starting at 2.30pm Sunday.
Top-10 Championship - after 12 of 13 rounds (non adjusted)
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1:32.7999
2. Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore +0.3016
3. Jason Bight - Team Brock - Holden Commodore +0.4510
4. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.5914
5. Max Wilson - Shell helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.6466
6. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore +0.7027
7. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore +0.7268
8. Cameron McConville - Lansvale Smash Repairs - Holden Commodore +0.7929
9. Simon Wills - Team Dynamik - Holden Commodore +0.8271
10. Paul Radisich - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA +0.8693
Details for Eastern Creek:
Full Field Shootout - Saturday 29 November 11.10am
Race 1 (39 laps - 153.27km) - Saturday 29 November 3pm
Race 2 (64 laps - 251.52km) - Sunday 30 November 2.30pm
Circuit: Eastern Creek, New South Wales
Length: 3.93km
Lap Records:
Qualifying - Skaife 1:31.1923 (2003)
Shootout - Ambrose 1:30.8955 (2001)
Race - Skaife 1:31.7301 (2000)
Estimated top speed: 265km/h - Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 147 km/h
For further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Manager
Ford Racing Australia
Phone: 03 9359 8190
Mobile: 0417 262 753
Email: benb@global-marketing.com
Further information and high-resolution images relating to Ford Racing Australia can also be found at: media.ford.com
