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Front Page
Ford Chases Unique Double on the Streets of the Gold Coast
Staff, Monday October 20, 2003.
Page 1 of 1
Ford will be out to score its eighth win of the V8 Supercar Series in the twin 100-kilometre Gillette Challenge, while it?s guaranteed a win in the ChampCar World Series as it?s the official engine supplier in 2003.
The narrow street track is punishing on both car and driver, but with V8 Supercar championship points on the line there will be no holding back.
Pirtek Racing?s Marcos Ambrose has a handy lead in the V8 Supercar Championship Series, but he?s well aware that the streets of Surfers Paradise will have to be respected.
?In terms of the championship we have to average a seventh place finish for the rest of the year to take the title,? said Ambrose.
?However, more than any other track the Gold Coast is a place where mistakes really can ruin your day, so you have to qualify up the front and steer clear of all the mayhem.
?We?ll remain pretty aggressive as we want to get our winning form back and close in on the championship.?
Last year?s V8 event was full of drama and surprise with Jason Bargwanna and Craig Lowndes finishing on equal-points at the end of the two races. Bargwanna awarded the round victory as he won the second race.
After switching teams and manufacturers in 2003, Bargwanna is optimistic about his chances in 2003.
?Before last year?s race I was probably one of the only people who thought I had a chance, but I made no mistakes and as others fell away we moved forward,? said Bargwanna.
?2002 was a story of contrasting races with fine sunny weather on the Saturday and then changeable conditions on the Sunday. Both Craig and I made the most of the opportunity in the second race, staying on dry tyres while others gambled on wet tyres and fell back through the pack.
?It?s a great place to win a race as the party atmosphere is always fun and the massive crowds really get behind the V8?s.
After finishing second with Glenn Seton at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst, CAT Ford Performance Racing?s Craig Lowndes believes the streets of the Gold Coast could bring further rewards.
?Our team is on a high right now, I feel confident and our car should be well suited to the street layout,? said Lowndes.
?You can?t be conservative as the others will eat you alive, it?s all about 100 percent driving all the way.
?Although it?s split in two 100-kilometre races, it?s actually one of the toughest events as the stop-and-go nature of street racing is always physically demanding?.
The V8s hit the track for practice and qualifying on Friday, with the top-10 shootout and the opening 22-lap race on Saturday afternoon. The final race will start just before midday on Sunday.
Championship Standings after 10 of 13 rounds
1. Marcos Ambrose ? Pirtek Racing ? Ford Falcon BA 1681pts
2. Greg Murphy ? KMart Racing ? Holden Commodore 1605pts
3. Russell Ingall ? Caltex Havoline Racing ? Ford Falcon BA 1493pts
4. Mark Skaife ? Holden Race Team ? Holden Commodore 1487pts
5. Steven Richards ? Castrol Perkins Racing ? Holden Commodore 1388pts
6. Craig Lowndes ? CAT Ford Performance Racing ? Ford Falcon BA 1382pts
7. Rick Kelly ? KMart Racing ? Holden Commodore 1324pts
8. Jason Bright ? Team Brock ? Holden Commodore 1291pts
9. Todd Kelly ? Holden Race Team ? Holden Commodore 1256pts
10. Garth Tander ? Valvoline Racing ? Holden Commodore 1176pts
Details for Surfers Paradise
Top 10 Shootout ? Saturday 25 October ? 12.15pm
Race 1 (22 laps ?98.956km) ? Saturday 25 October ? 3.50pm
Race 2 (22 laps ?98.956km) ? Sunday 26 October ? 11.55am
Circuit: Surfers Paradise Street Circuit
Length: 4.498km
Lap Records:
Qualifying ? Tander 1:51.0045 (2002)
Shootout ? Ambrose 1:50.7030 (2002)
Race ? Ambrose 1:51.8024 (2002)
Estimated top speed: 250km/h ? Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 155 km/h
Ford?s V8 Line-up for Gillette Challenge ? Surfers Paradise
#4 Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing
#9 Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing
#5 Glenn Seton - Ford Performance Racing
#6 Craig Lowndes - Ford Performance Racing
#19 David Besnard - Ford Performance Racing
#10 Mark Larkham - Orrcon Steel Racing
#20 Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing
#17 Steve Johnson - Shell Helix Racing
#18 Max Wilson - Shell Helix Racing
#21 Brad Jones - OzEmail Race Team
#888 John Bowe - OzEmail Race Team
#23 Mark Noske - INXS Team Ford
#31 Steve Ellery - Super Cheap Auto Racing
#65 Paul Radisich - Team Betta Electrical
#66 Dean Canto - Team Betta Electrical
#75 Anthony Tratt -Toll Racing
For further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing Australia
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
