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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Ford Teams Chase First Round Victory in 2002 at Sydney's Eastern Creek

Staff, Friday April 19, 2002.

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2001 V8 Rookie of the Year Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) took pole position as well as victory in the first race, with Shell Helix Racing?s Paul Radisich kick-starting his 2002 campaign with equal-third overall with Ambrose.

Ambrose set the V8 world talking in 2001 when he took pole position at Eastern Creek, and if not for a post-race stewards decision, was set for at least a podium finish.

?Our team has improved out of sight in the first two races this year and I?m very confident of a strong performance at Eastern Creek,? said Ambrose.

?Eastern Creek is somewhat similar to Phillip Island with a number of high-speed corners and a long front straight. Our Ford Falcon AUXR8 has plenty of grunt and that should give us an advantage at Eastern Creek.

?The win at Phillip Island in the opening race was a highlight, and if not for a collision in race two we could have scored an overall win.

?We do need to be consistent in all the races if we are going to challenge for round wins as well as a championship. Eastern Creek is the place I?m looking to start that run?.

Paul Radisich started the year with disappointment in Adelaide when he crashed heavily in practice, before failing to finish both races. Phillip Island was a consistent performance, but the Shell Helix Racing star is after an even stronger showing at Eastern Creek.

?The run Marcos had in qualifying and the opening race at Phillip Island clearly shows that the Ford teams can match it with the opposition,? said Radisich.

?Winning at Eastern Creek is about qualifying well and racing very hard, as passing can be difficult.

?Our pit work has continued to improve, which will be a key area in Sunday?s twin 150-kilometre races.

?I do expect plenty of stiff opposition, especially from the other Ford teams who also determined to take race wins in 2002?.

Eastern Creek will feature two 150-kilometre pit-stop races on Sunday, as well as a special 20-minute twilight sprint on the Saturday evening after the top-10 shootout.

For Sydney-based race fans this is the highest quality V8 racing ever seen at Eastern Creek, with a full field of 32 V8 Supercars set to take centre stage.

As in the previous round at Phillip Island, 13 drivers will fight for seven spots on the grid during pre-qualifying on Friday. These include Glenn Seton (Ford Credit Racing), Greg Ritter (Shell Helix Racing), Brad Jones (OzEmail Race Team), Mark Larkham (Orrcon Racing), Neil Crompton (00 Motorsport), Cameron McLean (VIP Pet Foods Racing) and Wayne Gardner (Caltex Havoline Racing).

Ford Racing Australia?s 2002 Eastern Creek V8 Line-Up

Top-10 Championship

Details for Round Three of the 2002 V8 Supercar Series:

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

****2002 Ford Racing Australia Media Guides and up to date statistics on all Ford V8 drivers are now available ? please contact Ben if you would like a copy****

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