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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Lowndes too Good in Queensland

Staff, Monday July 25, 2005.

Page 1 of 1

Team Betta Electrical's Craig Lowndes has scored his second win of the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series and Ford's fifth consecutive win at the Queensland 300 at Willowbank outside Ipswich.

Lowndes led home a Ford 1-2 ahead of two-time V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing). Ambrose has extended his championship lead.

Ford finished with six cars in the top-10, with Russell Ingall (Caltex Racing) in fourth, Steven Ellery (Team Betta Electrical) in seventh, Jason Bright (CAT Ford Performance Racing) in ninth and Steven Johnson (Westpoint Racing) in 10th.

Lowndes slotted into second place to Ambrose after the start. However, he was able to pass Ambrose in the pitlane after he chose to take two tyres, while Ambrose took four during a safety car period on lap #13.

Upon the re-start Lowndes was able to control the race, as both he Ambrose drove through the field. The Team Betta Electrical Falcon was superior over the 77-lap run to the flag.

"We're delighted with the result, clearly a great effort from the team and again Ford has shown its strength in Queensland," said Lowndes.

"We came into this weekend very confident of being on the pace. We tested last week and we had a great package from the outset. The competition was tough ? no doubt about it. Beating not just Marcos, but Ingall and the like is never easy.

"The car was very consistent throughout the whole race. When we made the tyre stop the track changed. It got quite slippery, but the car was terrific.

"Also for the team it's been great. Steve Ellery in seventh means we've got both cars heading in the right direction.

"Marcos has showed over the last couple of years that consistency is the key to winning the title. We've had a few slip-ups in the first half of the year, but I'm sure today's performance is a true indication of things to come."

For Ambrose second place was a strong result after a tough run in recent races. His result has extended his championship lead over Steven Richards to 105 points.

"Great day for Ford as the Falcon again showed that it's a weapon at Queensland Raceway," said Ambrose.

"Craig's car was terrific, especially after we changed tyres. The track really did change and we didn't quite have the right set-up for that.

"The decision to go for four tyres was a championship team decision. It was still a long way to go in the race and having four fresh tyres was the best option. I don't think it would have mattered if we got out in front of Craig, he simply had the better car at the end of the day.

"The result really is a great launching pad for the second of the season. There's some very important races coming up, including Bathurst. We feel that despite not winning today we've got things back on track for that race and the championship chase.

"You can't win them all. Sometimes a strong result like what we had today is just as good. Right now I know that we've done our title chases no harm with this result."

The single 280 kilometre race format had a number of dramatic moments. None more than a barrel rolling accident for Jason Richards. Richards was sent flying through the air after a clash with Paul Morris. Richards walked away from the accident, but his car was destroyed. For his part Morris received a 60-second time penalty in pitlane.

The V8 Supercar Championship Series heads down the east coast to Sydney's Oran Park for round eight on August 12-14. That will be a twin 140-kilometre race format. This will be the last event before the two driver endurance races at Sandown and Bathurst.

Queensland ? Overall Results

1. Craig Lowndes ? Team Betta Electrical ? Ford Falcon BA
2. Marcos Ambrose ? Pirtek Racing ? Ford Falcon BA
3. Garth Tander ? HSV Dealer Team ? Holden Commodore
4. Russell Ingall ? Caltex Racing ? Ford Falcon BA
5. Steven Richards ? Castrol Perkins Motorsport ? Holden Commodore
6. Todd Kelly ? Holden Racing Team ? Holden Commodore
7. Steven Ellery ? Team Betta Electrical ? Ford Falcon BA
8. Greg Murphy ? Super Cheap Auto Racing ? Holden Commodore
9. Jason Bright ? CAT Ford Performance Racing ? Ford Falcon BA
10. Steven Johnson ? Westpoint Racing ? Ford Falcon BA

Championship Standings after 6 of 13 rounds

1. Marcos Ambrose ? Pirtek Racing ? Ford Falcon BA 1166pts
2. Steven Richards ? Castrol Perkins Motorsport ? Holden Commodore ?105pts
3. Russell Ingall ? Caltex Racing ? Ford Falcon BA ?115pts
4. Todd Kelly ? Holden Racing Team ? Holden Commodore ?134pts
5. Mark Skaife ? Holden Racing Team ? Holden Commodore ?212pts
6. Craig Lowndes ? Team Betta Electrical ? Ford Falcon BA ?256pts
7. Garth Tander ? HSV Dealer Team ? Holden Commodore -307
8. Steven Johnson ? Westpoint Racing ? Ford Falcon BA ?323pts
9. Greg Murphy ? Super Cheap Auto Racing ? Holden Commodore -338pts
10. Glenn Seton ? Westpoint Racing ? Ford Falcon BA ? 381pts

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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