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Ambrose Wins Opening Race of V8 Decider and Closes in on Championship

Staff, Monday December 1, 2003.

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Pirtek Racing's Marcos Ambrose has all but wrapped-up the 2003 V8 Supercar Championship after winning the opening race of the VIP Pet Foods Main Event at Sydney's Eastern Creek.

Ambrose completely dominated the race jumping from his fourth starting position to second by the opening corner.

He was promoted to first after officials ruled a jump-start by Mark Skaife. The defending champion was called into the pits for a drive-through penalty. He went on to finish eighth.

After starting 14th, Ambrose's other title contender Greg Murphy dropped to the back of the field after a collision with Glenn Seton (Ford Credit Ford Performance Racing) on lap #18. He too was called into the pits for a drive-through penalty for the incident.

Up front Ambrose remained unchallenged and took the chequered flag by just under 15 seconds from Jason Bright, with Todd Kelly in third.

The result means that Ambrose only has to finish in 31st position (32 cars will start the race) to guarantee his first championship and Ford's first since Seton in 1997.

?It's great to bounce back, we were so strong today it was fantastic,? said Ambrose.

?I couldn't ask for too much more. To win and have my two challengers both encounter tough races is a dream scenario.

?The car has just been great throughout the weekend. In today's shootout it was good, but some others got better track conditions and they started ahead. I was not too concerned, as I knew it would be strong in the race and it didn't miss a beat.

?I was especially cautious at my pit stop. I came in a little slower than normal and the boys gave me a great stop and we stepped it up again once we rejoined the race.

?The car felt so good on the second set of tyres. I didn't have to push, just keep it on the road. I was given the times back to Bright by the crew and I had plenty in reserve.

?I can't wait until tomorrow's race. Get this thing wrapped up and give everyone, my team, the sponsors and the long suffering Ford fans the best day in six very long years.?

?It seems incredible that I had such a narrow margin in the championship before the start. Now all I have to do is finish 31st. I'm only keen on one position and that's first!?

Just as good a drive came from Stone Brothers Racing teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing) who climbed from 18th on the grid to finish fourth.

Ingall carved through the field throughout the 39-laps, underlying the strength of the Stone Brothers Racing BA Falcons.

?That was fun,? said Ingall.

?It was nice to go out with no pressure and just race hard from the word go.

?The car was so consistent throughout and didn't wear the tyres at all. To be able to pass other cars that had stopped later than me underlines just how good it was.

?Great to hit back after a shocker in qualifying. After that race result, I can't remember the shootout at all!

?The goal for tomorrow is to get my car on that podium and really drive this championship home.?

Ford finished with five cars in the first ten, including Max Wilson (Shell Helix Racing) in sixth, Craig Lowndes (CAT Ford Performance Racing) in seventh, and Jason Bargwanna (Orrcon Steel Racing) rounding out the ten.

Tomorrow's final race of the 2003 V8 Supercar Championship Series will be run over 250km (64 laps) and will include compulsory fuel and tyre stops. It starts at 2.30pm.

Top-10 Race One

1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
2. Jason Bight - Team Brock - Holden Commodore
3. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
4. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA
5. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Racing - Holden Commodore
6. Max Wilson - Shell helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA
7. Craig Lowndes - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA
8. Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
9. Paul Morris - Siromet Racing - Holden Commodore
10. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA

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

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