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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Ford out to Extend Willowbank Win Streak to 5 Years

Staff, Tuesday July 19, 2005.

Page 1 of 1

Ford has won every V8 Supercar round at Queensland Raceway since 2001:

Defending two-time V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) heads the Driver's Title, as well as his Stone Brothers Racing outfit heading the Team's Championship. However, Ford is desperate for victory to get itself back into the Manufacturer's Cup race.

So far in 2005 Ford has scored wins with Ambrose in the opening round in Adelaide and round #4 with Craig Lowndes (Team Betta Electrical). With the Queensland 300 marking the beginning of the second half of the season, the Blue Oval is keen to close ground on Holden, especially with the big races at Sandown and Bathurst just around the corner.

The Manufacturer's Cup is decided on round wins. In a two-horse race, it's the first car maker to score seven round wins who will secure the Manufacturer's Cup.

Ford won the Manufacturer's Cup in 2003 on the back of Ambrose's first V8 Supercar title. However, Ford fell just one round short last year. Along with victory at Bathurst this is a major title Ford is keen to regain in 2005.

Winning the Manufacturer's Cup is not down to just one team's performance. With the likes of Stone Brothers Racing, Team Betta Electrical, Westpoint Racing and Orrcon Steel Racing all calling Queensland Raceway home, Ford fans have every right to feel confident of victory at Willowbank.

Unlike all previous events in 2005, where up to three races made up the final round result, Queensland features a single 280 kilometre (90-lap) race.

With tyre and fuel pit stops to be part of the race, a number of teams are confident that the longer format will suit them.

Amongst those confident of having a strong package is Orrcon Steel Racing. Last year the Orrcon team was the next-best performing Ford team to Stone Brothers Racing. 2005 has been a lot tougher, but after a strong showing in qualifying for the recent round in Darwin, the team is certainly happy to be heading home to Queensland Raceway.

"We have an updated engine package and we certainly know our way around Queensland Raceway," said Orrcon Steel Racing driver Jason Bargwanna.

"Things haven't gone our way so far in 2005, but now we have got some better speed from the cars and over 90-laps we're confident of being consistently fast. The key in the long races is to be consistently fast. No good being fast in the beginning and then falling away towards the end.

"It's the single longest stint we spend in the car all year long. Sandown and Bathurst is shared between two drivers, this is all down to the one man.

"I know Ford is keen to get another win at Queensland and I have no problem with it being our team to stretch that streak."

Another team and driver showing improved is Ford Credit / FPV Ford Performance Racing's Greg Ritter. With six rounds now behind him with the team he's keen to score a good result in Queensland.

"This is definitely a race I'm looking forward to," said Ritter.

"Over the years I've shown that I can mix it with the best drivers over the longer races. Despite driving for a Victorian-based Ford team and living in Melbourne, I have plenty of experience of Queensland Raceway both in races and extensive testing.

"It's an important race as you can grab a bag full of points, or loose a lot as well. I'm sure there'll be plenty of winners and losers come out of this event.

"It's also an important indicator to teams who will be strong in the big races at Sandown and Bathurst. We're pretty confident of having the right package for this weekend and beyond."

Teams hit the track from Friday for a two-hour practice session. Saturday's action includes qualifying and a top-10 shootout. Sunday's race starts at 1.45pm.

Details for Willowbank:
Top-10 Shootout - Saturday 23 July ? 2.20pm
Race 1 (90 laps ? 280.8km) ? Sunday ? 1.45pm

Circuit: Queensland Raceway ? Willowbank (Qld)
Length: 3.12km

Ford?s official V8 Line-up for Queensland

Championship Standings after 6 of 13 rounds

For Further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing Australia
Phone: 03 9359 8190
Mobile: 0417 262 753
Email: benb@global-marketing.com

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