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October a Memorable Month for Ford Racing in Australia

Staff, Wednesday November 1, 2006.

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Wins for Ford at Bathurst and Rally Australia, as well as the crowning of Sébastien Bordais in the Champcar World Series on the Gold Coast all made for a month-long celebration.

Sébastien Bordais took his third Champcar title on the Gold Coast

Victory at Bathurst to Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup (Team Betta Electrical) started the month on the biggest of highs. It was Ford’s first triumph at Bathurst since 1998; it was Lowndes’ first win at Mount Panorama since 1996; and Whincup’s debut win in Australia’s ‘Great Race’.

Last weekend’s win to the BP-Ford World Rally Team in Perth was another special moment. The victory to Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen marked many firsts. It was Ford’s first win at Rally Australia, an event that dates back to 1988; Hirvonen and Lehtinen’s first ever success in the World Rally Championship; and it has brought Ford to within sight of the Manufacturer’s title. Ford last won this title in 1979!

Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen in action at Rally Australia

“It’s been a great month for Ford and importantly for two of our leading models in Falcon and Focus,” said Ford Australia Racing Manager Ray Price.

“Bathurst is a very special race to win. It’s one of the most important events in Australian culture. For the Falcon model it’s a great achievement.

“Rally Australia is just as critical for Focus. The World Rally Championship is probably the toughest challenge in racing.

“The win in Perth was special for the team and Ford Australia. Not to be overlooked is that it’s been the team’s most successful year in the WRC with six wins. Victory at Monte Carlo, Sweden, Greece, Finland and earlier this month in Turkey all show just how good the Focus is.

“Ahead of us is November and some critical races. We have two rounds in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in Tasmania and then Bahrain. A win for any Ford team in either of those events or the final round at Phillip Island in December will earn us the Manufacturer’s championship. There’s also the driver’s title with Craig Lowndes in the middle of a big fight right now.

“Meanwhile, the BP-Ford World Rally Team will stay down this end of the world and compete at Rally New Zealand. It would be nice for them to wrap-up the Manufacturer’s title at that event.

“So roll-on November, we could be talking about the most exciting two months of the year for Ford Racing!”

The V8 Supercar Championship Series visits Symmons Plains in Tasmania on 10-12 November, then makes the long-haul trip to Bahrain on 23-25 November.

The Rally New Zealand is run outside of Hamilton on 17-19 November.

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