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Seton Set for Fun in the Sun

Staff, Monday May 13, 2002.

Page 1 of 1

Ford Credit Racing's Glenn Seton heads to the fourth round of the 2002 V8 Supercar Series at Darwin's Hidden Valley between May 17 - 19 confident of success following an outstanding build-up which has included a pre-race test.

The team tested their Ford Falcon AUXR8 Supercar at Winton Raceway in Victoria on Tuesday 7 May with the focus on improving traction on the new Dunlop control tyre.

Despite sitting in 18th position in the championship, Seton is fully aware that a strong result in Darwin could boost his position to within the top-10.

"Hidden Valley could kick-start our 2002 challenge that's for sure," said Seton.

"We have three races which carry a total of 240 points, I'm just 94 points away from the top-10, so getting our championship challenge back on track in the Top-End is an achievable goal.

"Our test at Winton went very well, we've made a range of improvements, especially in the front end of the car.

"V8 racing is so close right now that we're only talking about finding fractions of seconds. However, we are confident that we've now hit the mark in the car's set-up and we can be a force at Hidden Valley."

The Hidden Valley program is one of the toughest on the calender with practice, qualifying, a top-10 shootout and the opening 58-kilometre race on the Saturday alone! Sunday concludes the weekend with two 101.5-kilometre races with compulsory tyre pit stops.

To cope with temperatures expected to be in the mid-30s, Seton will be carefully monitored by the experienced crew of the Chubb Fire Ford MediRace team during the event.

To help combat the heat in the car, the Ford Credit Racing team has fitted extra air ducts aimed at keeping cabin temperatures down. Seton will also wear a specially designed cool-suit while racing.

"It's one of the most demanding events on drivers," said Seton.

"The heat factor can not be underplayed, especially over the closing laps of what will be three very tough and close races.

"We have taken every possible measure to combat the heat and we feel that we'll have an advantage over a number of crews in that area".

Due to a late change in the regulations 36-cars, and not 32, will race at Hidden Valley. This change has seen the scrapping of the controversial pre-qualifying session on the Friday afternoon. Instead a practice session split into two groups will be held from 4pm local time on the day.

Details for Round Three of the 2002 V8 Supercar Series:
Top-10 Shootout - Saturday 18 May -3.30pm
Race 1 (20 laps - 58km) Saturday 18 May - 5.05pm
Race 2 (35 laps - 101.5km) Sunday 19 May - 11.15am
Race 3 (35 laps - 101.5km) Sunday 19 May - 2.30pm

Circuit: Hidden Valley, Northern Territory
Length: 2.9km
Lap Record:
Qualifying - 1m.08.4938s (Tander 2001)
Shootout - 1m.08.4552s (Skaife 2001)
Race - 1m.09.0149s (Bright 1999)
Estimated top speed: 280 km/h - Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 147 km/h

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

Jon Matthews
Team Manager
Ford Credit Racing
Phone: (03) 9706 8901
Mobile: 0418-880 851
Email: gsrteam@bigpond.com

****2002 Ford Credit Racing Media Guides and up to date statistics are now available - please contact Ben if you would like a copy****

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