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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

No Rest for Ford V8 Teams as Gold Coast Challenge Approaches

Staff, Friday October 18, 2002.

Page 1 of 1

The Gillette Challenge includes a pair of 22-lap race (approximately 100 kilometres in length), featuring compulsory tyre pit stops in each.

Up until this year, the Gold Coast Indy had included three 10-lap sprints, as part of a showcase event that didn?t count to the overall championship. The change to this year?s event has put a much bigger focus on good results, despite the numerous hazards on the confined street course layout.

?Street racing is unforgiving,? said Pirtek Racing?s Marcos Ambrose.

?In the past you could be a little conservative, but now with championship points on the line everyone will go for it.

?I see this event being as good as the likes of Adelaide, where all the drivers fight for the entire race?.

As per previous years, the V8 teams will operate from a separate pit/paddock area from the Champ Cars, but will move into the main pit area for all on-track action.

?There?s been a fair amount of logistical work required to make this all happen, and importantly the fans will get the very best show from the V8?s,? said Shell Helix Racing?s Steven Johnson.

?From our team?s point of view we are coming off a non-finish at Bathurst and this is home turf for us, so my teammate Paul Radisich and I are pretty determined to do well.

?Being the first winner of the Gillette Challenge for V8 Championship points would be a great title to have.?

With Bathurst just two weeks before Indy, all crews have had less than a week to get things ready for the Gold Coast event, as well as the following race outside Auckland a fortnight after that.

?The cars are loaded onto the boat to go to New Zealand three days after the Gold Coast race,? said OzEmail Racing?s Brad Jones.

?Our team is based in Albury (NSW), so our crew will stay on the Good Coast and work straight after the weekend.

?The last thing we need is a big repair job, but I?m not going to take it easy, the best place to be is out in front away from all the carnage.?

The V8 teams get their first taste of action on Friday with two practice sessions followed by qualifying. Saturday features a Top-10 Shootout followed by the opening 22 laps race. Sunday rounds out the action with the final 22 lap race.

Ford?s involvement is not limited to the V8 Supercars, with the Blue Oval supporting a number of leading Champ Car teams in the Gold Coast Indy 300.

Ford-Cosworth will power entries for Team Rahal?s Jimmy Vasser and Michel Jourdain Junior; Forsythe Racing?s Patrick Carpentier and Alex Tagliani; and leading rookie driver Mario Dominguez of Herdez Competition.

Details for Round 11 of the 2002 V8 Supercar Series:

Top-10 V8 Championship

Ford Racing Australia?s 2002 Gillette Challenge V8 Line-Up

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

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