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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Fords International Line-Up a Chance at Bathurst

Staff, Wednesday September 28, 2005.

Page 1 of 1

Ford will take a strong line-up of five overseas-based drivers to this year’s Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst on Sunday 9 October.

Ford has not won Bathurst since 1998 and a chance of victory could be left to drivers who have more experience in European racing than Australian V8’s.

With the exception of the Super Touring win of Rickard Rydell (Sweden) in 1998, when two 1000 kilometre races were run at Mount Panorama; a European driver has not taken victory at Bathurst since Armin Hahne (Germany) combined with John Goss in 1985.

In fact European drivers have only taken three other wins, Rauno Aaltonen (Finland) in 1966, John Fitzpatrick (England) in 1976 and the legendary Jackie Ickx (Belgium) who took victory with Allan Moffat in the famous Ford 1-2 in 1977.

Overseas drivers aboard Ford cars this year are:
David Brabham (England) with Jason Bright at CAT Ford Performance Racing
Matt Halliday (New Zealand) and Alain Menu (Switzerland) at Orrcon Steel Racing
John Cleland (Scotland) with Dale Brede at Team BOC
Yvan Muller (France) with Craig Lowndes at Team Betta Electrical

Muller was a star at the recent Betta Electrical 500 at Sandown when he steered through tricky wet conditions while other regular V8 drivers struggled. His pairing with Lowndes for Bathurst is one of the hot chances for victory.

?I am very excited about Bathurst it is a track I really enjoy and our Sandown result has given me great confidence,” said Muller.

?It would be fantastic to win the double not too many Australian drivers have done that, yet alone a driver from Europe who is not used to these cars.

?By the end of my stint at Sandown I had started to really come to grips with the car, I will be out to repeat my Sandown performance and with Craig bring home Bathurst victory for Triple Eight.

One of Muller’s biggest fans is Lowndes.

?After the victory at Sandown we are all really looking forward to getting to Bathurst,” said Lowndes.

?We know the car was more than capable of another 500 kilometres.

?The preparation of both car and team has been the best of any V8 Supercar team I have been involved with.

?Ford has not won Bathurst since 1998 and we want to be the team to break that drought

?I am looking forward to driving with Yvan again he did a sensational job at Sandown.

?Yvan has actually done more miles around Bathurst than Sandown so I know he will get up to speed a lot quicker

?The team is growing in confidence and everything is really starting to come together for us.

John Cleland has become one of the most successful international co-drivers at Bathurst. 11 starts have brought a best result of second place with Brad Jones aboard a Ford in 2001. He’s the most experienced overseas-based driver to ever compete at Mount Panorama.

“Although I’ve been the highest placed overseas driver to be on the podium over the last few years it would be my aim to climb the next step and win the ‘Great Race’,” said Cleland

“You cannot count the Super Touring days, only the V8 Supercars are relevant!

“My desire to win this race is the same today as it first was with Peter Brock in 1993.

“It is without doubt one of the greatest races anywhere in the world. Everything about it is a challenge; the track, the distance and the awesome competition.”

The Halliday/Menu duo is the only all-international pairing in this year’s race.

Halliday was one of the star performers at the inaugural round of the A1 Grand Prix Series at England’s Brands Hatch last weekend. Halliday finished third in the first race and then fourth in the second despite having to start from pitlane when his car stalled on the warm-up lap.

Menu took pole position at Bathurst in the Super Tourer round in 1997 and like his European counterparts is highly regarded. This talented duo could spring a surprise at Bathurst.

All teams hit the track from Thursday 6 October for practice. Friday includes practice and qualifying, with Saturday including another practice session and top-10 shootout. Sunday’s 161-lap race starts at 10am.

Details for Bathurst:
Top-10 Shootout – Saturday 8 October ? 3.40pm
Race (161 laps ? 1000.293km) ? Sunday 9 October ? 10am

Circuit: Mount Panorama ? Bathurst (New South Wales)
Length: 6.213km

Ford?s V8 Line-up for Bathurst

Championship Standings after 9 of 13 rounds

For Further information contact:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing Australia
Phone: 03 9359 8190
Mobile: 0417 262 753
Email: bbeazle3@ford.com

Further information and high-resolution images relating to Ford Racing Australia can also be found at : media.ford.com

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