V8 Supercars Rnd 13: Bigpond Grand Finale.

[maccas_no1]

Time to fire for one last time in 2004, in one week we will have know who the V8 Supercar Champion is for 2004. This is going to be a fantastc round at Eastern Creek with the twlight race on Saturday evening live on Ch 10 which is fantastic not only fo the fans but for V8 Supercars as a whole

Two more races on Sunday will finish what has been a fantastic, tight and intriguing 2004

Just one Question remains to be answered:

Can the 'devil racer' go Back To Back??????

 

[JUBJUB]

Aren't they using the shortened version of the EC track this week ?
It's where they cut out the Corporate Hill section.

Ambrose only needs 36 points to wrap up the championship.So if he finishes 15th or better in race 1,he wins the championship.

 

[stmookeyj]

Aren't they using the shortened version of the EC track this week ?
It's where they cut out the Corporate Hill section.

Ambrose only needs 36 points to wrap up the championship.So if he finishes 15th or better in race 1,he wins the championship.

They abandoned that idea some time ago because the Shortcut section was nowhere near safe enough to race on.

And Russell Ingall will have #98 this weekend. It's a sponsor's thingy.

 

[maccas_no1]

Aren't they using the shortened version of the EC track this week ?
It's where they cut out the Corporate Hill section.

Ambrose only needs 36 points to wrap up the championship.So if he finishes 15th or better in race 1,he wins the championship.

It wont matter where Murphy finishes????

 

[stmookeyj]

Nope, same for Bright. As long as Ambrose is 128 in front after Saturday, the fat lady's singing.

 

[Halo-9]

Finish in the top 15 in race one and the championship remains at Ford,SBR and Marcos Ambrose.

 

[maccas_no1]

Ambrose aims for second straight title at BigPond Grand Finale in Sydney
Release Date: 29/11/2004

V8 Supercar Champion (Marcos Ambrose) can score his second straight championship and Ford's first back-to-back titles since ******** Johnson in 1988 and '89, when he takes to the track for the Big Pond Grand Finale at Sydney's Eastern Creek from 3-5 December.

Ambrose needs to finish just one of the three races at Eastern Creek no worse than 15th place to take the title. However, it won't be a conservative Marcos Ambrose that takes to the track.

The Tasmanian's record at the Sydney track is impressive; 2 wins, a second place and three pole positions all from five starts. At the corresponding round last year he completed the double with victory in the round and the championship.

“Ford fans have waited far too long for back-to-back championships,” said Ambrose.

“******** Johnson is one of Ford's great names. To have the opportunity to be the first driver since him to give the Blue Oval two-straight titles has me even more determined to get the job done at Eastern Creek.

“The best place to be is up front, both in the race and the championship.

“I want to win the round, but for sure I need to be aware of the championship situation and that's the priority.

“I don't expect any of the other teams to simply give it to us and we wouldn't expect it any other way.

“Our Eastern Creek form has been good, but this is motor racing, anything can happen, just look at the previous round in Tasmania.”

On his homecoming to Symmons Plains Ambrose appeared to be in the box seat, finishing second in the first race, before winning the second. Then an engine failure in the final race of the weekend opened the door to his championship rivals.

His Stone Brothers Racing team has spared nothing in making sure Eastern Creek is a success with extensive preparation, that has included a full day's testing at the their home track of Queensland Raceway.

“We completed 42 individual races dating back to the opening round in Adelaide last year before our failure to finish in Tassie,” said Ambrose.

“I don't have a concern about our reliability going into the Grand Finale.

“Our team has worked extremely hard this year. One of the best ways to show my respect is to make sure I can play my part in helping my teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Racing) to second in the championship.”

Ingall is just 49 points away from second placed Greg Murphy.

“I've finished second in this championship three times, but never had the opportunity to give my team a 1-2 in the championship,” said Ingall.

“Within the team we're all determined to reach that goal. I won the last round in Tasmania, so we've got momentum and earlier this year we were extremely quick at Eastern Creek.

“The last couple of events at Eastern Creek have included heavy rain. I'm keen to see blue skies and plenty of those Ford blue flags around the track as we give it our best shot!”

The Big Pond Grand Finale format includes a twilight (26 laps) race on Saturday evening starting at 6.30pm local time. Network Ten will show this race live in eastern daylight savings states, providing the opportunity for Ambrose to secure the V8 Supercar title in prime time.

The final two 39-lap races of the weekend will be held on Sunday. All three races feature compulsory tyre stops.

Attendees of the Ford V8 Superbreakfast at Parramatta's Crowne Plaza on Thursday 2 December will have the chance to win the ride of their life aboard the Pirtek Racing Falcon of V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose.

The hot lap with Ambrose will be the major raffle prize, with all proceeds going to Ford Racing's 2004 nominated charity, Breast Cancer research. So far in 2004 Ford Racing has raised $37,000 through events such as the Ford V8 Superbreakfasts.

Sydney race fans will get the chance to dine and chat with their favourite Ford V8 Supercar driver at the Ford V8 Superbreakfast from 7.30am to 9am.

Ford's resurgence in 2003 and '04 has generated plenty of interest. Due to overwhelming demand for driver appearances, Ford decided to bring everyone together for a massive pre-race function.

The Ford V8 Superbreakfast includes exclusive driver interviews, live show entertainment, highlights of the 2004 season, special gifts and giveaways.

Tickets are priced at $80 (plus booking fee) and can be booked through www.Ticketek.com.au or by calling 13 19 31.

Details for Eastern Creek:

Top 10 Shootout - Saturday 4 December 4.05 pm
Race 1 (26 laps - 102.18) - Saturday 4 December 6.30pm
Race 2 (39 laps - 153.27) - Sunday 5 December 12.30pm
Race 3 (39 laps - 153.27) - Sunday 5 December 3.40pm

Circuit: Eastern Creek, New South Wales
Length: 3.93km
Lap Records:
Qualifying - Skaife 1:31.1923 (2003)
Shootout - Ambrose 1:30.8955 (2001)
Race - Skaife 1:31.7301 (2000)

Estimated top speed: 265km/h - Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 147 km/h

Im pumped, bring it on

 

[rfctigerarmy]

Lets go Ambrose, Back to Back.

 

[ViperV10]

Go Marcos....go SBR.

15th or better in one of the three races is certainly attainable, however anything can happen. I do not forsee Ambrose having any trouble though because I highly doubt Greg Murphy or Jason Bright being able to win all three races and Marcos DNF in all of them.

Go Ingall for 2nd in the Championship though....that is possible, but it would take a fair effort.

 

[stmookeyj]

ENTRY LIST

1 SBR Marcos Ambrose BA
2 HRT Mark Skaife VY
3 TAS Jason Richards VY
5 FPR Glenn Seton BA
6 FPR Craig Lowndes BA
7 CPR Alex Davison VY
8 CPR Paul Dumbrell VY
10 LOR Jason Bargwanna BA
11 CPR Steven Richards VY
12 BJR John Bowe BA
14 SMI Lee Holdsworth VY
15 KMR Team Rick Kelly VY
16 PWR Paul Weel VY
17 DJR Steven Johnson BA
18 DJR Warren Luff BA
20 LOR Mark Winterbottom BA
21 BJR Brad Jones BA
021 TKR Craig Baird VY
22 HRT Todd Kelly VY
23 WPS David Besnard BA
24 WAL Garth Walden BA
29 PMM Paul Morris VY
31 SER Steve Ellery BA
33 GRM Cameron McConville VY
34 GRM Garth Tander VY
43 HYL Christian D'Agostin VX
44 DYN Simon Wills VY*
45 DYN Dale Brede VY*
48 WPS Owen Kelly BA
50 PWR Jason Bright VY
51 KMR Greg Murphy VY
75 PLR Anthony Tratt VY+
88 888 Paul Radisich BA
98 SBR Russell Ingall BA=
888 888 Max Wilson BA

*-Originally both Dynamik cars were to have started 1 lap behind, but this is now not the case pending an FIA appeal

+-PLR is Paul Little Racing, or Toll Racing

=-Ingall is using #98 as part of a sponsor's promo for Caltex Vortex.

 

[stmookeyj]

TODAY'S PRACTICE TIMES

P1
Ambrose (Despite an off late in the session with rear end damage)
Skaife
Ingall
Morris (The Dude)
Rock Dog
Junior Johnson
Murph
Wills
Bezzy
Not So
S.Richo
Lowndes
T.Kelly
JB
Ellery
Crash Bandicoot (R.Kelly)
McConville
GT
Bardley Jones
Weelie
Rat
Frosty
J.Richo
Bargs
Seto (Who also had an off)
Tratty
Bairdo
Dumbrell
A.Davison
O.Kelly
Holdsworth
D'Agostin
Brede
Walden
Wilson

PRACTICE 2
Not So
Ambrose
Skaife
T.Kelly
Rock Dog
Bezzy
Lowndes
Junior
S.Richo
Dude
Wilson
Ellery
GT
Rat
Bardley
Ingall
Bargs
Weelie
JB
Wills
Dumbrell
Bairdo
J.Richo
Frosty
Seto
O.Kelly
McConville
MURPH!
Crash Bandicoot
Holdsworth
Brede
A.Davison
Tratty
Walden
D'Agostin

 

[maccas_no1]

Everything is looking a treat so far for Back To Back

 

[JUBJUB]

Details for Eastern Creek:

Top 10 Shootout - Saturday 4 December 4.05 pm
Race 1 (26 laps - 102.18) - Saturday 4 December 6.30pm
Race 2 (39 laps - 153.27) - Sunday 5 December 12.30pm
Race 3 (39 laps - 153.27) - Sunday 5 December 3.40pm

I've just looked on the V8 Supercar site and noticed that they've listed Race 1 as now starting at 6.15pm

Saturday Race 1 100 Klms 18:15 - 19:05
Sunday Race 2 150 Klms 12:30 - 13:40
Sunday Race 3 150 Klms 15:40 - 16:45

 

[stmookeyj]

Listed now at 6:15 to accomodate the LIVE TV for those with Daylight Saving on the East Coast.

 

[maccas_no1]

Listed now at 6:15 to accomodate the LIVE TV for those with Daylight Saving on the East Coast.

Bring It On 15th or better that's all I want If it happens you will all know about it

 

[JUBJUB]

Qualifying

1 Mark Skaife
2 Marcos Ambrose
3 Todd Kelly
4 Jason Bright
5 David Besnard
6 Max Wilson
7 Craig Lowndes
8 Paul Radisich
9 Garth Tander
10 Russell Ingall
**************************************
11 Jason Bargwanna
12 Steven Johnson
13 Paul Morris
14 Steven Richards
15 Warren Luff
16 Steve Ellery
17 Jason Richards
18 Brad Jones
19 Cameron McConville
20 Simon Wills
21 Rick Kelly
22 Greg Murphy
23 Glenn Seton
24 Mark Winterbottom
25 John Bowe
26 Paul Dumbrell
27 Alex Davison
28 Owen Kelly
29 Dale Brede
30 Anthony Tratt
31 Lee Holdsworth
32 Paul Weel
33 Christian D'Agostin
34 Garth Walden
Craig Baird

Top 10 shootout starts a 4.10pm

 

[maccas_no1]

Ambrose Pole

Two hours away from Back to Back!!!!!!!!

 

[maccas_no1]

Race 1 results:

1st Marcos Ambrose Ford BA
2nd Craig Lowndes Ford BA +11.80sec
3rd Jason Bright Holden VY

Championship done and dusted well done 'Devil Racer'

For all the Ford fans after years of crap and being ridiculed and dealing with the troubled AU, this is pure,sweet GLORY...............ENJOY

 

[JUBJUB]

Todd Kelly might need to find a new home .Skaife might not want to keep him after their coming together.

Maybe Rick's been giving Todd driving lessons.

 

[JUBJUB]

Two from two for Ambrose.
He led a Ford 1 [Ambrose] - 2 [Radisich] - 3 [Lowndes].

A shame Ambose didn't pass Murphy on the last lap.He could've waved to the Whinging Kiwi as he lapped him.

 

[YOTC]

Two from two for Ambrose.
He led a Ford 1 [Ambrose] - 2 [Radisich] - 3 [Lowndes].

A shame Ambose didn't pass Murphy on the last lap.He could've waved to the Whinging Kiwi as he lapped him.

lmao

 

[maccas_no1]

Complete and Utter Ford Domination at Eastern Creek Ambrose did it in style winning all three races in destructive fashion, can anyone stop the 'Devil Racer' or Ford for that matter in 2005???? The future looks awesome with such great driver's Ford now have Ambrose,Ingall,Lowndes (now with a better team), Bright, Besnard (finding good form) Im Excited

 

[JUBJUB]

Lowndes (now with a better team)

and a team that will have an engine that is a lot better than this years.

888 had a good finish to the season.Both The Rat & Max were up top of the points for the round.

The Skaife/Ingall battle in Race 3 was entertaining.

 

[stmookeyj]

FINAL STANDINGS FOR THE SEASON

Marcos AMBROSE 2174
Russell INGALL 1936
Jason BRIGHT 1920
Greg MURPHY 1913
Steven RICHARDS 1819
Rick KELLY 1793
Todd KELLY 1623
Jason BARGWANNA 1526
John BOWE 1502
Steven JOHNSON 1416
Garth TANDER 1396
Mark SKAIFE 1294
Cameron McCONVILLE 1292
Jason RICHARDS 1245
Glenn SETON 1237
Brad JONES 1235
Paul WEEL 1192
Mark WINTERBOTTOM 1190
Paul RADISICH 1188
Craig LOWNDES 1182
Warren LUFF 1149
Paul MORRIS 1071
Anthony TRATT 1047
Paul DUMBRELL 1018
Steve ELLERY 991
Simon WILLS 929
Craig BARID 925
Max WILSON 865
Tony LONGHURST 856 (Missed 3 Rounds)
David BESNARD 790 (Missed 1 Round)
Dale BREDE 393
Greg RITTER 372 (E)
Cameron McLEAN 360 (E)
Fabien COULTHARD 330 (E+1)
Mark NOSKE 305 (1E+5)
Alex YOONG 278 (E+1)
Tomas MEZERA 272 (E)
Alex DAVISON 256 (E+2)
Jim RICHARDS 248
Christian D'AGOSTIN, Luke YOULDEN 240 (C.D: E+1, L.Y: E)
Kurt WIMMER 236 (E)
Neil McFADYEN 226 (E+1)
Owen KELLY 214 (E+2)
Mark PORTER 202 (E+2)
John McINTYRE 199 (E+1)
Garth WALDEN 185 (E+4)
Tim LEAHEY, Steve OWEN 164 (E)
Jamie WHINCUP 160 (E)
Nathan PRETTY, Alan SIMONSEN 156 (E)
Matthew HALLIDAY, Mark LARKHAM, Matthew WHITE, Marcus MARSHALL 152 (All E)
Paul STOKELL 144 (E)
Peter BROCK, Jason PLATO 140 (E)
Charlie O'BRIEN 132 (E)
David BRABHAM, Alan GURR 128 (E)
Adam MACROW, Alain MENU 120 (E)
Grant ELLIOTT 100 (E)
Lee HOLDSWORTH 34 (E+1)
David KRAUSE (2), Phil SCIFLEET (1E+1), Terry WYHOON (1), David THEXTON (2), Dean CANTO (E), John CLELAND (E), Will DAVISON (E+2), Andrew JONES (E), Yvan MULLER (E) 0


(E)-Enduro Driver
(E+x)-Enduros plus some normal rounds
(1E)-One Enduro
(x)-Normal Rounds Driven

 

[stmookeyj]

RACE WINNERS (26 Races):

Marcos AMBROSE (11): Adelaide [Both Races], Pukekohe R1, Qld Raceway, Oran Park R2, Sandown 500 [With Greg Ritter], Gold Coast R1, Symmons Plains R2, Grand Finale [All 3 Races]
Rick KELLY (4): Eastern Creek [April], Hidden Valley R2, Bathurst 1000 [With Greg Murphy], Symmons Plains R1
Jason BRIGHT (4): Pukekohe [Race 2 and 3], Barbagallo [Race 2 and 3]
Russell INGALL (1): Hidden Valley R1
Todd KELLY (1): Hidden Valley R3
Mark SKAIFE (2): Barbagallo R1, Oran Park R1
Cameron McCONVILLE (1): Winton
Greg RITTER (1): Sandown 500 [With Marcos Ambrose]
Greg MURPHY (2): Bathurst 1000 [With Rick Kelly], Gold Coast R2
David BESNARD (1): Symmons Plains R3 [At least that's what the results say]

ROUND WINNERS
Marcos AMBROSE (5): Adelaide 500, Qld Raceway, Oran Park, Sandown 500 (with Greg Ritter), Grand Finale
Rick KELLY (2): Eastern Creek (April), Bathurst 1000 (with Greg Murphy)
Jason BRIGHT (2): Pukekohe, Barbagallo
Cameron McCONVILLE (1): Winton
Greg MURPHY (2): Bathurst 1000 (with Rick Kelly), Gold Coast
Russell INGALL (1): Symmons Plains
Greg RITTER (1): Sandown 500 (with Marcos Ambrose)

POLES
Steven RICHARDS (3): Barbagallo, Symmons Plains, Bathurst 1000
Marcos AMBROSE (3): Eastern Creek (April), Grand Finale, Qld Raceway
Greg MURPHY (1): Adelaide 500
Mark SKAIFE (4): Pukekohe, Hidden Valley, Oran Park, Gold Coast
Craig BAIRD (1): Winton
Rick KELLY (1): Sandown 500