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Front Page
Winterbottom Scores Podium at NZ V8s
Staff, Monday April 24, 2006.
Page 1 of 1
Ford Credit / Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom has scored a career-best second overall at the PlaceMakers V8 International at Pukekohe outside of Auckland.
Defending V8 Supercar Champion, Russell Ingall (Caltex Racing), finished third and is now leading this year’s title race.
Mark Skaife took overall victory.
Today’s two races included the reverse-grid format for the first time.
On the opening lap, eight cars were involved in the same accident, with Jamie Whincup (Team Betta Electrical), John Bowe (Team BOC), WPS Racing’s Jason Bargwanna and Max Wilson, as well as Steven Richards and Paul Radisich all forced to the pits.
Bowe was able to return to the track, but nine laps later he crashed heavily into the barriers after his throttle jammed open. Bowe was OK, but the massive impact destroyed a guardrail and a photographer suffered a fractured leg.
The race was stopped for an hour while the track crew repaired the fence.
Winterbottom claimed third position in that race after starting from 24th. In the day’s final race he repeated that effort, finishing behind Skaife and Craig Lowndes (Team Betta Electrical).
Winterbottom’s previous best overall result was fifth place at Bathurst in 2004.
Following victory to 23-year-old Jamie Whincup in Adelaide, the result for 24-year-old Winterbottom is further good news for Ford’s young guns.
“This is a great result for the team and I’m delighted to have brought it,” said Winterbottom.
“The team showed at the end of last year that it had the pace. Adelaide just wasn’t our event; this weekend is an indicator of where we are.
“I was really looking for a top-10 result this weekend. I thought a podium was a couple of events away. We were quick from the outset and I then thought a top-5. Second overall is fantastic.
“We still have some more to come, but our method of chipping away is working very well and we’ll aim for that again in Perth.
“The team worked really well this weekend. Everyone was relaxed and all the planning paid off and our pit stops were good.
“The reverse-grid race really worked in our favour. I knew that if we kept out of trouble in the first few laps we would be OK. We had absolutely no dramas in that race and that allowed us to attack in the final race.
“I really enjoyed battling with the likes of Skaife and Lowndes. It gives you a lot of confidence when you are battling with great drivers in quality cars. We held our own out there and I know that our opposition have new respect for Ford Performance Racing”.
Russell Ingall also kept clear of all the dramas in the reverse-grid race and was in a position to battle for the win in the final race. However, a slow pit stop and a locking brake ended that charge.
“I can’t be disappointed with that final race ? we are leading the championship,” said Ingall.
“We had a poor run in Adelaide, but still got a top-10 result. To have a strong showing this weekend is a big leap forward.
“I must say that we have to improve to hold off some of these Ford teams, it’s certainly not a lone hand from the Ford side anymore.
“The reverse-grid race worked well for us, but you have to have good car speed. Making the most of the opportunities in those races will require a car that has plenty of pace.
“Our car speed is returning and we’ll be much better off going into the race in Perth.”
The next round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be back across the Tasman and across to the other wised of the country at Perth’s Barbagallo Raceway on 12-14 May.
PlaceMarkers V8 International ? Overall results 1. Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore 2. Mark Winterbottom Ford Credit FPR Ford Falcon 3. Russell Ingall Caltex Racing Ford Falcon 4. Craig Lowndes Team Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 5. Steven Johnson First Rock Racing Ford Falcon 6. Rick Kelly Toll HSV Holden Commodore 7. Garth Tander Toll HSV Holden Commodore 8. James Courtney Jeld-Wen Motorsport Ford Falcon 9. Paul Dumbrell Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore 10. Steven Richards Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore Championship after 2 of 13 rounds 1. Russell Ingall Caltex Racing Ford Falcon 540 pts 2. Rick Kelly Toll HSV Holden Commodore -1 pt 3. Garth Tander Toll HSV Holden Commodore -38 pts 4. Steven Richards Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore – 58 pts 5. Steven Johnson First Rock Racing Ford Falcon – 65 pts 6. Jamie Whincup Team Betta Electrical Ford Falcon – 66 pts 7. Paul Dumbrell Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore – 76 pts 8. Craig Lowndes Team Betta Electrical Ford Falcon – 112 pts 9. Mark Winterbottom Ford Credit FPR Ford Falcon – 119 pts 10. Paul Morris Siromet Racing Holden Commodore – 138 ptsFor Further information:
Ben Beazley
Media Coordinator
Ford Racing Australia
Phone: +61-3-9359 8190
Mobile: +61-417-262 753
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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