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Front Page
Disappointing End to Darwin Round for Lowndes
Staff, Sunday May 13, 2001.
Page 1 of 1
Ford racer Craig Lowndes' Darwin round ended with a forced exit from race two this morning and a damage bill between $30 - $40,000 after an altercation with Cameron McLean on lap 10.The 26 year-old was preparing to come in for a compulsory pit stop in the first 100km race of the day, when his 00 Falcon was caught up in a lose by McLean coming onto the straight. After being hit on the left-hand side by the errant vehicle, Lowndes was then guided into the armco barriers trying to pass as McLean recovered.
"I really couldn't go anywhere on the second contact. I hit the armco in third gear at about 160km per hour, and crinkle-cut the side of the car along it for 15 metres or so. Among many other battle injuries I lost the steering and couldn't guide the car towards the pits, so I remained parked until the end of the race," Craig Lowndes said.
The Gibson Motorsport XR8 Falcon suffered major structural and suspension damage in the incident, and was unable to be safely repaired in time for the final race.
"Obviously we're disappointed, but that's racing. There was no point lodging any protest; the contact was unintentional because Cameron's car was out of control.
"Basically we've completely lost the left and right front suspension, and damaged the steering rack and chassis rails. And there's few panels that aren't looking sick.
"We don't know the extent of the damage until we get the car back to the workshop, but Fred Gibson has estimated she'll be a $30 - $40,000 job," he said.
"I guess I'd sum up the weekend as fairly average for Gibson Motorsport, but at least we were able to retrieve some good data on the track for next year's round. And I'm happy that fellow Ford recruit Marco Ambrose has managed to wrest a round from my old team-mate Mark Skaife," Lowndes smiled.
Team principal Fred Gibson is typically sanguine about his team's round misfortune.
"This team and driver combination has performed to the highest standard in every round this season, but every team has to expect a shocker now and then," Fred Gibson said.
"We're not looking forward to the long nights ahead before Canberra, but we'll have the 00 machine up and firing for the GMC400 next month."
For further information contact:
Frances Hoy
Gibson Motorsport Media Relations
Mobile: 0419 778 312
