FPR Prepares For A New Challenge In Perth This Weekend
8/6/2004 23:25 (Press Release) -
Ford Performance Racing (FPR) drivers Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton return to a very different hunting ground at Perth's Barbagallo Raceway this weekend for the fifth round of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series.
The major difference lies in the complete re-surfacing of the popular 2.4 kilometre Western Australian racing circuit, which makes this round a completely new challenge for every V8 Supercar team. Judging by the record pace that other state level racing categories have been setting on the new surface, we are in for some serious V8 Supercar speed this weekend in Perth.
CAT FPR Falcon driver and current Barbagallo Raceway lap record holder Craig Lowndes arrives in Perth today following his involvement in the team's 5,200 kilometre road trip from Darwin. Lowndes and some members of the team left Darwin on May 24 and visited thousands of racing fans from Katherine, Kununurra, Halls Creek, Broome, Port Hedland, Karratha, Carnarvon and Geraldton. Lowndes was joined on the trip by his wife Nat and son Levi, making the trip something of a working holiday.
Ford Credit FPV Falcon driver Glenn Seton is looking forward to the challenging weekend ahead on the virtually new Barbagallo circuit. The team has continued work on the BA Falcon chassis he raced in Darwin for this event, electing to delay the race debut of his new car until the Queensland 300 in July.
Both FPR drivers have enjoyed major V8 Supercar success in Perth. Lowndes has four consecutive round victories from 1996 to 2000 to his credit while Seton has won two Perth rounds in 1987 and 1995. Seton also won a V8 Supercar race at this venue in 1994.
#6 Craig Lowndes - "I have enjoyed some magnificent races in Perth and the new surface definitely brings a new dimension to it this year. Following the major performance gains we displayed in Darwin, we intend to make this a better round, approaching it as genuine contenders."
#5 Glenn Seton - "I expect the lap record to drop considerably this year considering what has been happening with other racing categories at Barbagallo since the re-surfacing. This should take away the tyre wear problems that we have encountered at this event in the past. Barbagallo Raceway has always been a great circuit for racing with several overtaking opportunities, so there is no doubt that the new surface will make it a new challenge for everyone - we plan to gain a strong result this weekend."
FPR Chief Engineer, John Russell - "The team go to Barbagallo keen to build on our credible performance in Darwin. To this end Glenn's will use the 2003 specification car for one last time in Perth. His 2004 car, although ready, will now be run at our forthcoming test allowing Glenn adequate time to "dial it in" prior to the Queensland round. Barbagallo is usually full of surprises and having been re-surfaced since the V8 Supercars last visit I am certain this year will be no different!"
The Perth V8 Supercar round will consist of three 42 lap (100 kilometre) races, with all three races including compulsory pit stops. The first race will be held on Saturday afternoon with the following two races held on Sunday. V8 Supercar action starts in the west with opening Practice in Perth on Friday.
FPR FACT FILE - PERTH
Craig Lowndes claimed V8 Supercar "ownership" of Barbagallo Raceway during four consecutive appearances at the Western Australian circuit from 1996 to 2000.
During this period, Craig won the round four times, racking up 12 sprint race wins from 12 starts. Lowndes did not compete in Perth in 1997, as he was racing in Europe. (Formula 3000)
The two current FPR drivers will be hoping that history repeats itself at Barbagallo Raceway this year. On two previous occasions, 1996 and 1999, Lowndes and Seton finished the round first and second respectively. Seton also finished second to his teammate George Fury in 1986.
Glenn Seton will be making his 16th appearance at Wanneroo / Barbagallo Raceway this year. Seton has been successful on two previous occasions winning the round in 1987, and again in 1995 when he won both races. Seton was also a race winner there in 1994.
Only one currently competing driver, John Bowe, has competed in more Western Australian Championship rounds, 17, compared to Seton's 15. This will be the 28th time that the Championship circus has visited this circuit.
Craig Lowndes is the current lap record holder at Barbagallo Raceway, having set a benchmark time of 57.9950 seconds around the 2.415 km circuit back in 1996. That record is expected to be smashed in 2004 as the formerly abrasive Perth circuit was completely re-surfaced earlier this year.
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