FPR RACES TO FOURTH IN TASMANIAN V8 SUPERCAR ROUN
29/11/2004 18:46 (Press Release) -
Ford Performance Racing (FPR) drivers Craig Lowndes and
Glenn Seton have managed to gain a strong points haul in the team's first
Tasmanian appearance at Symmons Plains Raceway this weekend.
CAT FPR Falcon driver Craig Lowndes finished the 12th round of the Championship
at 4th overall after gaining two 6th places and a 10th place finish in a
consistent and determined performance during the three closely contested
Tasmanian races.
Ford Credit FPV Falcon driver Glenn Seton managed to recover a points earning
result despite a 28th place finish in Saturday's first race (due to a team
strategy gamble on wet tyres) and a 19 second pit stop in the second race due
to a wheel nut problem. Seton finished the third race in 14th place after
starting from the rear of the field.
It was a weekend of three fast and furious V8 Supercar races in Tasmania, none
more confusing than the third 42 lap encounter, which saw a great deal of
confusion surrounding the ten lap deployment of the Safety Car and the race
order thereafter.
Despite this, the weekend was a highly competitive spectacle worthy of the
return of Australia's premier motor racing category to this island state after
an absence of five years. The local fans voted with their feet, with over
60,200 fans attending over the three days. (30,150 on Sunday).
Ford driver Russell Ingall was the winner of the round ahead of Holden drivers
Greg Murphy and Stephen Richards with CAT FPR Falcon driver Lowndes and Holden
driver Cameron McConville making up the Tasmanian top five.
#6 Craig Lowndes - "We had a good car today and after a great start in the
third race I had an early altercation with Marcos Ambrose that bent the
steering, but the car was still strong and I kept up the chase of the leading
group. Finishing fourth overall is a good result in the end, but the confustion
with the Safety Car made race three a very frustrating one. Although we came
here wanting to win this round, we have once again
displayed our constantly improving performance here in Tasmania."
#5 Glenn Seton - "The third race was a very enjoyable one but the only problem
was the Safety Car periods - these didn't provide enough race laps to pass the
cars in front. We had a fast car today and to come away from where we started
at 28th to finish 14th was better than what I thought we were in for. The team
has learned more from this round and it is a better result compared to where we
have been during the season."
FPR Chief Engineer John Russell - "An interesting weekend. To come out of the
round at fourth overall reflects the consistent progress that FPR is making.
Glenn drove a very good third race to reclaim credibility after my bad pit stop
decision yesterday. Good work by all."
With only one round remaining in the Championship (to be held at Sydney's
Eastern Creek Raceway on December 4 and 5), the 2004 Championship is far from
a foregone conclusion. Ford driver Marcos Ambrose leads with 1982 points,
followed by Holden rival Greg Murphy with 1831 points.
Release Date: 14/11/2004
Ford Performance Racing
|
|
