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Ambrose and Radisich Ford's Best at Phillip Island

Staff, Monday April 15, 2002.

Page 1 of 1

Pirtek Racing's Marcos Ambrose has scored his first race win and finished equal-third overall with fellow Ford Falcon AUXR8 driver Paul Radisich (Shell Helix Racing), at the second round of the 2002 V8 Supercar Series at Victoria's Phillip Island.

Ambrose won a dramatic opening race by 0.2 of a second from Mark Skaife, but got caught up in a race-ending accident in the day's second 150-km/h race.

Mark Skaife took overall victory ahead of Todd Kelly.

As well as Ambrose's first race win, the day will long be remembered for a terrifying accident involving Jason Bargwanna at the start of the day.

Bargwanna's car was sent tumbling after contact with Greg Murphy. He was able to walk away, but his car was destroyed.

In a great race-long battle with Skaife, Ambrose was able to make the most of a quicker pit stop to hold Skaife off over the final laps of race one.

Race two once again featured a battle between Skaife and Ambrose, but the Ford driver was eliminated when he came into contact with fellow Falcon driver Max Wilson (Team Betta Electrical).

Another driver to have his race end in the same incident was Craig Lowndes, who crashed heavily into Wilson. Both drivers were shaken, but not hurt in the accident.

"Race one was clearly the highlight today, we showed that we can take the battle to the very best teams in this championship and come out on top," said Ambrose.

"Race two showed how V8 racing can also be cruel, as the collision with Max not only eliminated both of us, it also gave our rivals a massive points bonus.

"Our team has come away this weekend with a pole and a race win, I'm determined to complete the package with a round win at Eastern Creek in two weeks time".

After being forced to pre-qualify on Friday, Paul Radisich showed plenty of class this weekend to finish equal-third with Ambrose.

Radisich claimed eighth position in race one, before grabbing third in the day's final encounter.

"After crashing in practice at Adelaide and not finishing either of those races, this weekend is a great comeback," said Radisich.

"Our team made all the right calls on pit stops, and considering all the crazy things happening on the track we are delighted to have a car without a scratch.

"Our pace has improved throughout the weekend, and looking at what Marcos did in the opening race, I know that the Fords are up to the challenge".

Ford next goes racing at round three of the V8 Supercar Series at Sydney's Eastern Creek from April 26-28.

As well as two 150-kilometre races on Sunday, Saturday will feature a 20-minute twilight race.

Top-10 at Phillip Island
1. Mark Skaife 180 pts
2. Todd Kelly 144 pts
3= Paul Radisich - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon AUXR8 100 pts
3= Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon AUXR8 100 pts
5. Jason Bright 82 pts
6. Cameron McConville 78 pts
7. Tony Longhurst - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon AUXR8 76 pts
8= Glenn Seton - Ford Credit Racing - Ford Falcon AUXR8 - 60 pts
8= Steven Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon AUXR8 - 60 pts
10. Rick Kelly 57 pts

Top-10 Championship
1. Mark Skaife 580 pts
2. Greg Murphy 304 pts
3. Garth Tander 289 pts
4. Todd Kelly 252 pts
5. Steven Richards 221 pts
6. Craig Lowndes - 00 Motorsport - Ford Falcon AUXR8 216 pts
7. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon AUXR8 204 pts
8. Steven Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon AUXR8 180 pts
9. Tony Longhurst - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon AUXR8 178 pts
10. Jason Bright 170 pts

For further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing
Phone: (03) 9533 4455
Mobile: 0417-262 753
Email: ben@segalmedia.com.au

Subscribe to Fords News feed.

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