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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Lowndes Leads Ford Charge at Sandown 500 Qualifying

Staff, Monday September 4, 2006.

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They headed seven Ford teams in the top-10, with pole position going to Garth Tander and co-driver Mark Skaife.

Starting on the second row will be the CAT Ford Performance Racing Falcon of Jason Bright and Mark Winterbottom, with the WPS Racing Falcon of Max Wilson and David Besnard starting at position #4.

On the third row is the second WPS of Jason Bargwanna and Craig Baird, with the Jeld-Wen Motorsport Ford of James Courtney and Glenn Seton alongside.

The First Rock Home Loans Falcon of Steven Johnson and Will Davison will start at position #8.

As the current series points leader and defending race champion, Lowndes was satisfied with his front row position.

"This is a long race and we have worked very hard on making sure we have the best race car," said Lowndes.

"We were the quickest in yesterday's practice session, but to not be the fastest again is not a big drama.

"In terms of the car's feel it's just where we want to be. There is talk about some rain tomorrow, so we all will have our work cut out over 500 kilometres.

"We have had an excellent preparation before arriving in Melbourne, and our plan has pretty much hit the mark. Now we can get on with the actual race."

Team-mate Jamie Whincup had time behind the wheel in this morning's co-driver's session.

"I have been working totally on race preparation and not having to worry about qualifying," said Whincup.

"It's been a different weekend for me, but when you have a team-mate like Craig Lowndes to do all that I haven't been worried.

"The weather will determine a lot of things, including who will start the race. The good thing with us is that we have two top-10 drivers so we can be flexible if required.

"I finished third here last year, I'm certainly hoping for an even better result tomorrow."

After scoring three pole positions in 2006, many people thought Bright could score another today.

"We have had great qualifying speed, but have not been able to turn that into race results," said Bright.

"So I'll be happy to have the best race car tomorrow, as that's what really matters.

"I was the nominated co-driver, so I got to do the co-driver's session as well as qualifying today. I've had more than enough time in the car.

"We have a very strong car underneath us, and with Mark sharing the driving duties, I feel confident of being in the mix come tomorrow afternoon."

Although it's the CAT #6, the Falcon is Winterbottom's regular #5 Ford Credit / BroadIP Falcon.

"It's my car and it's the newest Falcon in the stable," said Winterbottom.

"I'm very comfortable in the car, so Jason got the chance to drive it in the co-driver's session just to get more familiar with it.

"I'll get quite a bit of time in the morning's warm-up, and I have not even got out of civilian clothes today.

"I'm very excited about prospects for the race. Jason and I like the car the same and that means no compromise for either of us."

Tomorrow's 161-lap Betta Electrical Sandown 500 gets underway from 1pm.

Top-10 Shootout - Sandown 500.

1. Garth Tander / Mark Skaife : Holden Racing Team : Holden Commodore 1:10.6102
2. Craig Lowndes / Jamie Whincup : Team Betta Electrical : Ford Falcon +0.7369
3. Jason Bright / Mark Winterbottom : CAT Ford Performance Racing : Ford Falcon +0.8113
4. Max Wilson / David Besnard : WPS Racing : Ford Falcon +0.8606
5. Jason Bargwanna / Craig Baird : WPS Racing : Ford Falcon +1.0094
6. James Courtney / Glenn Seton : Jeld-Wen Motorsport : Ford Falcon +1.1675
7. Jason Richards / Andrew Jones : Tasman Motorsport : Holden Commodore +1.2528
8. Steven Johnson / Will Davison : First Rock Homes Loans Racing : Ford Falcon +1.2581
9. Ryan Briscoe / Jim Richards : Holden Racing Team : Holden Commodore +1.1702*
10. Steve Owen / Tony Longhurst : Autobarn Racing : Holden Commodore +1.7617

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