V8 Supercars News & Results 2005

[JoeT]

Tasmania Secures V8 Supercar Contract Extention

Release Date: 14/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Tasmania has secured a two-year extension to its contact with the organisers of the V8 Supercar series, the Premier announced today. Mr Lennon said the extension would lock Symmons Plains into the Supercar calendar until at least 2010 in another major coup for Tasmanian motorsport.

“The State Government worked hard to secure the return of the V8s last year and our faith has been repaid,” Mr Lennon said.

“A record crowd of more than 62,000 people at Symmons Plains over the weekend was the best possible way of ensuring Tasmania’s future in the V8 circuit.

“Today, I’m able to announce that the State Government has reached an agreement with AVESCO, the organiser of the Supercar series, to extend Tasmania’s contract by a further two years.

“So now the V8s will roar at Symmons Plains until at least 2010 and I’m hopeful that continuing strong support from the Tasmanian community will ensure our partnership extends even beyond that.”

Mr Lennon said securing the contract extension was a significant coup for Tasmanian motorsport, given that some interstate circuits, such as Sydney’s Eastern Creek, were being taken off the calendar.

He said the State Government’s $5.2 million commitment to upgrading facilities at Symmons Plains had been crucial to securing the extension.

Under the extension deal, the State Government has agreed to pay AVESCO a $300,000 event fee to help organise and run the event.

Mr Lennon announced the extension in Hobart with AVESCO board member Garry Rogers.

“The potential for Tasmania to gain positive international exposure through hosting the V8s should not be underestimated,” he said.

“The V8’s are increasingly becoming a sought-after international product.

“With a round this year in Shanghai and next year in Bahrain, telecasting to 110 countries with a potential reach of 850 million homes worldwide; being a part of this event will deliver real benefits for Tasmania.

“Hosting the V8s at Symmons Plains is a great opportunity for Tasmania to sell its message and brand to a wide audience, as well as providing top entertainment for Tasmanians and attracting an extra 5,000 visitors to our State to watch the event each year.”

AVESCO Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach said the V8 Supercar series was alive and kicking in Tasmania.

“The huge success of this event has proved just what Premier Paul Lennon had predicted when he made it his personal mission to bring V8 Supercars back to Tasmania,” Mr Cattach said.

“The Premier said ‘build it and they will come’ and his vision has proven to be absolutely correct. The second successive record crowd of 62,019 at the weekend was testament to this.

“And not only is the event a massive success, the improvements of the facility are a legacy for all Tasmanians for the other 51 weeks of the year.

“From our perspective, it restores V8 Supercars as a truly national sport and as a sport of the people. We are extremely proud of the fact we are accessible to Australians in each state or territory, outside of the ACT."

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[JoeT]

'V8 Supercars Australia': Name Change To Reflect Continued Growth

Release Date: 15/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

An ever-increasing international presence and sustained domestic growth has prompted the Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company (AVESCO) to change its name to the more identifiable V8 Supercars Australia.

The country’s fastest growing sport’s received its certificate of name change from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission yesterday, clearing the way for AVESCO to become V8 Supercars Australia. The AVESCO name and acronym will no longer be used in any form.

With the V8 Supercar Championship Series now broadcast into more than 100 countries and 850 million homes across the world, the board of Australia’s fastest growing sport wanted the management arm of the series to have a more identifiable title.

“The acronym AVESCO is still unfamiliar to a lot of people but the moment you mention V8 Supercars people of all walks identify with it immediately,” V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane said.

“The international Motorsport community particularly in China and Europe are becoming very familiar with our product and know the name V8 Supercars. They are not generally familiar with AVESCO until the acronym is further explained.

“V8 Supercars could not be in better shape. Numbers across the board are up by 10 per cent or more and we are achieving our goals each year. The name change does not mean any structural change to the business.

“It is a step forward in our brand awareness in Australia and overseas. By changing our trademark name the hope is that it will become synonymous around the world. We also wanted to ensure our sport remains uniquely Australian.”

The registered trademark of the sport has always been V8 Supercars Australia which is depicted in the oval logo that sits atop the Championship Series motif.

The formal name change now means that V8 Supercars Australia is the official title of the sport’s governing body, formerly AVESCO.

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[JoeT]

Holden Sets Sights On Manufacturers' Award At Phillip Island Finale

Release Date: 21/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Garth Tander’s victory in the penultimate round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Symmons Plains has brought GM Holden one win away from clinching yet another Champion Manufacturers Award in the top touring car category in the world.

The Manufacturers Award is determined by the most number of round wins by a manufacturer in the championship. It was first awarded by AVESCO in 1999 and Holden has clean-swept it ever since, save for 2003.

If the same method were applied to the early years of the V8 Supercar category from 1993 onwards, Holden was been the Champion Manufacturer nine out of 12 times.

In a further confidence boost to Holden, the final round of the series will be run at Phillip Island, which is the test track of Tander’s HSV Dealer Team, the Holden Racing Team and Super Cheap Auto Racing.

All three teams have plenty of recent experience of the flowing 4.45-kilometre layout, a circuit that hasn’t hosted a V8 Supercar race since early in 2003.

It’s another venue that has truly been Holden country. From 1996 to 2002 Holden drivers won every time at Phillip Island, the seven-year streak only broken by changeable weather in 2003 that helped Craig Lowndes steal a win for Ford.

Tander and HSV DT teammate Rick Kelly head to the final round with plenty of confidence following their double-podium result at Symmons Plains as well as wanting to wrap up the crown for Holden on their home track.

The HSV team tested at Phillip Island last Thursday along with the Holden Racing Team and are confident that their track knowledge, particularly on the current generation Dunlop control tyre, will put them in a strong position.

“The Manufacturers Award is pretty important to Holden and if we could win two wins in a row to clinch it, particularly when Ford basically came out and announced they had it wrapped up pre-Tasmania, would be great,” said Tander.

“Naturally enough, we expect to be right up the front at our home track. It’s great to be back racing at Phillip Island. We’ve missed having a fast circuit like it on the calendar. It rewards you if you’re brave but punishes you if you do something out of control.”

HRT drivers Todd Kelly and Mark Skaife, fourth and fifth in points, are still mathematically in the title race at the final round but it would take an incredible turn of events for either of the ‘Team Red’ drivers to step onto the top step of the 2005 podium.

Of more concern for them is Castrol Team Perkins Racing’s Steven Richards. The sixth-placed driver in the series, Richards is only 21 points behind Skaife and 31 points behind Kelly in addition to coming off a second-place result at Symmons Plains.

Richards finished fifth in last year’s championship and sixth for the two years prior but is not heading to his team’s test track, as is the case with HRT. The Perkins team tests at Winton along with Dodo Racing and Garry Rogers Motorsport

Practice begins at Phillip Island on Friday at 1.00pm with a two-hour session. Qualifying, the Top 10 Shootout and a 100-kilometre race will be held on Saturday before two 140-kilometre races complete the 2005 season on Sunday.

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Ambrose Signs NASCAR Deal

AAP 21/11/05
www.smh.com.au

Dual V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose has signed a multi-year driver development deal aimed at easing him into NASCAR racing in the US.

The Tasmanian Pirtek Ford racer will drive with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing in the US, running a Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series next season.

He is expected to then step up to one of the team's Ford Fusions in the NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup series.

Wood Brothers is the most successful team in NASCAR's premier series and the most winning team in Ford Racing NASCAR history.

Past Wood Brothers drivers include NASCAR greats David Person, Neil Bonnett, Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker and Ricky Rudd.

Ambrose, who will leave for the US in January, said he was looking forward to "the next phase of my career."

"It's great to get this deal finalised before the final V8 Supercar race at Phillip Island next week," Ambrose said.

"I want to end the season on a high with a win and who knows, maybe a third title.

Team owner Eddie Wood said Ambrose had proved during testing that he could adapt quickly to the new cars.

"Marcos has quite a racing resume," Wood said.

"We will start him in the Craftsman Truck Series next season and watch his development closely."

Meanwhile, Supercar rookie Will Davison has signed a long-term contract with Dck Johnson Racing and will replace veteran Glenn Seton in the No.18 Ford Falcon next season.

Johnson, a five-time Australian champion, described Davison as "probably the most exciting young driving talent we've seen in V8 Supercars since the arrival of Marcos Ambrose."

"Since he tested with us early in the year he has impressed," Johnson said.

"Will did a fantastic job at Queensland Raceway in the middle of the year, and did a very good job at Sandown and Bathurst."

Davison said the deal was "a dream come true."

"All my life I have wanted to be a professional race driver and to now have that opportunity, and with Dck Johnson's team, is fantastic," he said.

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V8 Supercars To Introduce World First Fuel For 2006

Release Date: 25/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

V8 Supercars Australia today announced it had secured a world first 100 octane fuel for the 2006 V8 Supercar Series.

Shell Optimax Extreme, Shell’s new flagship 100 octane fuel successfully formulated with 5% ethanol, has been successfully tested by leading V8 Supercar teams Stone Brothers Racing, Dck Johnson Racing and the Holden Racing Team, with all reporting improved performance and cleaner burn.

Scientifically formulated in Australia, the breakthrough fuel formulation uses 5% ethanol as an octane-boosting, cleaner burning component and is designed specifically to deliver a higher level of engine responsiveness, sharper acceleration and enhanced power in many modern and high performance cars.

“Significant improvements in performance were reported by all teams which tested the Shell Optimax Extreme with a much cleaner burn that is good news for the environment and all of our V8 Supercar teams,” said Wayne Cattach, Chief Executive Officer V8 Supercars Australia.

“As a sport that involves car racing we are ever vigilant about the environment and maintaining community standards. To this end we have worked closely with the Environmental Protection Agency with regard to noise levels and emissions while we also play a very active part in the general community.”

Dck Johnson also believes the introduction of the fuel is a great coup for the sport. With his Ford Falcon BA race engine on the dyno at his DJR Queensland headquarters, Johnson completed tests using the current V8 Supercar Series official fuel, Shell Optimax as compared with new Shell Optimax Extreme.

“Our tests were conducted with limited tuning done to the engine to allow for the higher octane,” Dck Johnson said. “But even with straight comparisons between the fuels, we noticed significant improvements in performance with Shell Optimax Extreme.

"It's a higher octane petrol that will give V8 Supercars more power and more torque. Our data also suggests that Shell Optimax Extreme can also offer better fuel economy, which improves performance and is kinder on the environment.

“We also found that when taking up to 8% of the fuel out of the engine, and adjusting the timing to suit, it actually delivered better power, which to me, demonstrates Shell Optimax Extreme will deliver better fuel economy. I truly believe that the V8 Supercars will love Shell Optimax Extreme."

The Shell Optimax Extreme 100 octane fuel will be introduced at the Clipsal 500 next March.

Shell Retail General Manager, Johannes Risseeuw said, “Shell has had a long and proud history supporting motor racing so we are thrilled to be renewing our contract with AVESCO for the next two years.”

“We are also extremely excited that following positive testing, V8 Supercars Australia has chosen Shell Optimax Extreme, which is a world first “super-premium” fuel with 5% ethanol, as the official fuel of the 2006 series. But more importantly, the fuel used by the V8 racing cars next year will be the same fuel available at the service station pump for customers who drive modern and high performance vehicles,” he said.

The revolutionary 100 octane fuel will be manufactured at Shell’s Geelong refinery and is the first significant advancement in unleaded fuel technology since the introduction of Shell Optimax in 1999.

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Lowndes Keeps His V8 Supercar Championship Series
Hopes Alive At Phillip Island

Release Date: 26/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Queensland’s Craig Lowndes kept his V8 Supercar Championship Series title chances alive when he took out the first of three races in the BigPond Grand Finale at Phillip Island today.

The Betta Electrical Ford driver, who gained his fifth pole of the season, was pushed back to third before forcing his way to win the first of three races at the last V8 Supercar Championship Series event of the year.

His race victory closed the gap to leader Russell Ingall to 41 points with two races remaining tomorrow that have 128 points on offer, 64 in each race.

Ingall (Caltex Ford) kept out of trouble to finish fifth today and one step closer to his first Championship crown. His Stone Brothers Racing team-mate Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Ford) finished third in today’s opening race to ensure Ford remain in the top three places in the Championship.

Tasmanian round winner and form driver Garth Tander (HSV Holden) was the meat in the Ford sandwich, finishing second today.

Ingall has 1810 points after today’s race, with 41 points back to Lowndes, 82 to Ambrose, 138 to Todd Kelly and 152 to Mark Skaife, who had another disappointing day on his favourite track, finishing15th.

The normally aggressive Ingall faces a nervous day tomorrow in search of his first Championship.

Ambrose believes the championship is firmly in the hands of his team-mate Ingall.

Tander had the dream start jumping both Lowndes and Ambrose on the front row, before pitting early. Lowndes stalled coming out of the pits to enable Ambrose to jump him, with the pair pushing ahead of Tander who had a slow out-lap.

Lowndes put the pressure on Ambrose, slipping through on Lap 15 while Tander also edged past the defending Champion who suffered from tyre issues late in the race.

Rick Kelly continued the strong form from the HSV Holden team in fourth ahead Greg Murphy.


BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Round 13
Race Day: Saturday, 10:40-11:25 Race Duration: 20 Minutes
Qualifying

Pos / Car / Team / Driver / Vehicle / Laps / Fastest Lap / Fastest Lap Time / Gap
1 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 13 7 1:33.2878
2 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 14 11 1:33.3008 0:00.0130
3 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 10 7 1:33.3460 0:00.0582
4 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 14 7 1:33.4863 0:00.1985
5 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 13 13 1:33.6467 0:00.3589
6 24 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VZ 14 14 1:33.7256 0:00.4378
7 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 11 2 1:33.7832 0:00.4954
8 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 10 9 1:33.7845 0:00.4967
9 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 13 7 1:33.8150 0:00.5272
10 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 14 11 1:33.8695 0:00.5817
11 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 15 11 1:33.8961 0:00.6083
12 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 15 14 1:33.9390 0:00.6512
13 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 14 10 1:34.0041 0:00.7163
14 11 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 15 14 1:34.0923 0:00.8045
15 5 Ford Performance Racing David Brabham Ford Falcon BA 16 7 1:34.1200 0:00.8322
16 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 16 8 1:34.1507 0:00.8629
17 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 16 14 1:34.2246 0:00.9368
18 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 15 14 1:34.3204 0:01.0326
19 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 14 3 1:34.3896 0:01.1018
20 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 15 7 1:34.4010 0:01.1132
21 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 16 16 1:34.4141 0:01.1263
22 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 16 8 1:34.4770 0:01.1892
23 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 15 13 1:34.4920 0:01.2042
24 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 15 7 1:34.5090 0:01.2212
25 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 15 15 1:34.5257 0:01.2379
26 48 WPS Racing David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 15 14 1:34.6671 0:01.3793
27 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 7 6 1:34.8744 0:01.5866
28 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 14 7 1:34.8874 0:01.5996
29 7 Autobarn Racing Owen Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 14 5 1:34.9223 0:01.6345
30 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 16 14 1:35.0476 0:01.7598
31 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Lee Holdsworth Holden Commodore VZ 14 14 1:35.1275 0:01.8397
32 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 14 14 1:35.1546 0:01.8668
33 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 8 7 1:35.2325 0:01.9447
34 44 Go Talk Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 10 10 1:35.7031 0:02.4153


BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Round 13
Race Day: Saturday, 11:40-12:10 Race Duration: 30 Minutes
Top 10 Shootout

Pos / Car / Team / Driver / Vehicle / Laps / Fastest Lap / Fastest Lap Time / Gap
1 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:33.2826
2 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:33.2884 0:00.0058
3 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:33.4077 0:00.1251
4 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 1 1 1:33.4950 0:00.2124
5 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1 1 1:33.5635 0:00.2809
6 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 1 1 1:33.6085 0:00.3259
7 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 1 1 1:33.6101 0:00.3275
8 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:33.8626 0:00.5800
9 24 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VZ 1 1 1:34.2467 0:00.9641
10 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 1 1 1:34.3097 0:01.0271


BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Round 13
Race Day: Saturday, 15:40-16:25 Race Duration: 100 Klms
Race 1

Pos / Car / Team / Driver / Vehicle / Laps / Race Time / Fastest Lap / Fastest Time
1 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 23 37:30.4916 5 1:34.6779
2 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:33.3138 2 1:34.8049
3 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 23 37:39.1339 6 1:34.7061
4 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:42.1792 4 1:35.1420
5 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 23 37:47.2869 5 1:35.2618
6 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:48.3437 4 1:35.1782
7 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:51.4189 15 1:35.6951
8 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 23 37:51.9302 7 1:35.6996
9 11 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:53.4706 4 1:35.4835
10 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:54.7884 4 1:35.5461
11 5 Ford Performance Racing David Brabham Ford Falcon BA 23 37:55.5580 8 1:35.5221
12 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:56.4473 7 1:35.9355
13 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 23 37:57.6964 4 1:35.3866
14 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:04.9255 4 1:36.1297
15 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:06.1200 4 1:35.8989
16 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 23 38:06.7568 5 1:36.1022
17 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:07.4540 4 1:35.6540
18 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:08.1120 3 1:35.8565
19 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 23 38:09.1708 4 1:36.0837
20 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:12.0213 3 1:36.0002
21 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 23 38:19.5410 4 1:35.8519
22 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 23 38:19.6269 4 1:36.3828
23 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 23 38:20.2910 14 1:36.4891
24 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 23 38:20.8303 9 1:36.3867
25 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Lee Holdsworth Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:23.9349 7 1:36.7944
26 7 Autobarn Racing Owen Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:24.3507 18 1:36.5214
27 24 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VZ 23 38:36.1483 5 1:35.4360
28 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 23 38:51.6846 16 1:36.6223
29 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 22 37:44.1863 10 1:36.2202
30 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 22 38:23.1331 5 1:36.4432
31 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 21 37:31.2192 4 1:34.8217
DNF 48 WPS Racing David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 15 27:09.1084 4 1:36.9913
DNF 44 Go Talk Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 12 38:51.4832 4 1:37.0024

Craig Lowndes


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V8 Supercars Round 13 Results: Phillip Island
BigPond Grand Finale

Release Date: 27/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

It was a double celebration for Stone Brothers Racing with defending champion Marcos Ambrose winning the final round of the V8 Supercar Championship at his swansong and his team-mate Russell Ingall grabbing his first Series title at Phillip Island today.

Ambrose won both races today in a dominant display for his Ford team, finishing ahead of the HSV Holden pair of Garth Tander and Rick Kelly at the event, who enjoyed their second straight podium finish.

But all the glory was for the 41-year-old Ingall, who finally achieved the breakthrough to win his first championship after nine years in the series.

He finished fifth overall for the final round to claim the championship on 1922 points, 57 points clear of Craig Lowndes with a further nine points to Ambrose, to complete a Ford trifecta in the series.

“I’m waiting for it to sink in. I’m very happy for the team and glad I can give one to them,” Ingall said.

“I’ve tried every which way to win this Championship and this was the last resort. You don’t win by just one thing. You have to be quick, you have to be smart, you have to know when to go and when not. Being good at one thing won’t win this championship.”

Ingall said he would have enjoyed racing more aggressively this season but with the current points system, consistency was the key to overall triumph.

“I had to change my strategy with this point system. After 10 years I will take what ever I can get,’’ he said in terms of his victory.

He paid tribute to his crew, Stone Brothers Racing and his team-mate Ambrose, who was lavish in his praise for Ingall.

It was also an emotional time for Ambrose, the two-time champion, in his final race before heading to the United States to further his racing career.

“This is an era in my life that I won’t forget. I would have never have dreamed that I would win two championships. I am a lucky, lucky guy. I owe a lot to Ford, my crew and Stone Brothers Racing.”

After a close early battle, Ambrose jumped both Lowndes and Tander in the pits to win the second race ahead of Rick Kelly and Ingall. While light rain fell at the start, the weather cleared to produce superb conditions.

Lowndes was the only driver with a faint chance of beating Ingall, needing 19 places between him and his Ford compatriot in the final race. Ingall gave some early flutters when he was forced on to the grass attempting to pass Steven Ellery on the main straight on the second lap.

He re-gathered and from that point was always near the front of the field. The pressure went on Lowndes, who was controversially given a stop-go penalty for a pit lane infringement by his crew. The Betta Electrical Ford driver had to force his way from the back of the field for 15th place to ensure he finished runner-up in the championship.

It proved total domination for the Blue Oval team who took out the Manufacturers Award with their seventh win of the series while Stone Brothers Racing emphatically won the Teams Points honours.

It was also a successful return to Phillip Island for the V8 Supercar series, with an official three-day attendance of 66,363, the largest ever at the circuit for any form of car racing.


BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Round 13
Race Day: Sunday, 11:45-12:50 Race Duration: 140 Klms
Race 2

Pos / Car / Team / Driver / Vehicle / Laps / Race Time / Fastest Lap / Fastest Time
1 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 32 51:45.7816 7 1:34.3861
2 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 32 51:52.1387 7 1:34.0821
3 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 32 52:03.0595 7 1:34.3027
4 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:05.7323 5 1:34.9805
5 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 32 52:05.8683 7 1:34.8898
6 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 32 52:06.6799 5 1:34.7036
7 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:06.9645 6 1:35.2428
8 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:12.4863 7 1:35.1281
9 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:17.3569 7 1:35.4233
10 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:17.7944 16 1:35.5238
11 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:19.3364 7 1:35.7804
12 24 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:23.5231 11 1:35.6489
13 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 32 52:29.6300 22 1:35.5360
14 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:38.8569 11 1:35.9977
15 11 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:44.3263 10 1:35.9753
16 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:44.9363 8 1:35.1114
17 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 32 52:45.1526 10 1:35.9230
18 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:45.5724 12 1:35.9703
19 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 32 52:46.4153 7 1:36.2890
20 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 32 52:47.0592 11 1:36.1659
21 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:51.3077 15 1:35.9140
22 5 Ford Performance Racing David Brabham Ford Falcon BA 32 52:52.4604 8 1:35.7013
23 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Lee Holdsworth Holden Commodore VZ 32 52:54.1367 5 1:36.2679
24 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 32 52:54.2946 7 1:35.8970
25 48 WPS Racing David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 32 53:07.6501 19 1:36.6456
26 44 Go Talk Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 32 53:14.4727 10 1:36.1025
27 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 32 53:17.7301 7 1:36.8485
28 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 31 51:46.5676 5 1:35.4601
29 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 31 51:56.5175 19 1:35.9894
30 7 Autobarn Racing Owen Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 31 52:30.0478 4 1:36.4743
31 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 30 52:53.2079 10 1:35.9637
DNF 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 15 25:12.3642 7 1:36.2380
DNF 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA


BigPond Grand Finale, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Round 13
Race Day: Sunday, 15:25-16:30 Race Duration: 140 Klms
Race 3

Pos / Car / Team / Driver / Vehicle / Laps / Race Time / Fastest Lap / Fastest Time
1 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 32 54:41.2786 9 1:34.9596
2 51 Super Cheap Auto Racing Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:43.3522 11 1:35.8939
3 15 HSV Dealer Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:44.4252 9 1:35.4915
4 16 HSV Dealer Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:45.4194 9 1:35.2245
5 9 Caltex Racing Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 32 54:45.5484 13 1:35.5409
6 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:45.9631 8 1:35.2658
7 6 Ford Performance Racing Jason Bright Ford Falcon BA 32 54:46.0926 11 1:35.9455
8 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:46.9760 12 1:35.9006
9 50 Super Cheap Auto Racing Paul Weel Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:49.5118 12 1:36.1331
10 88 Team Betta Electrical Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 32 54:51.1540 16 1:36.1891
11 18 Westpoint Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 32 54:51.3538 8 1:36.1156
12 45 WOW Sight & Sound Max Wilson Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:52.3760 9 1:36.0277
13 67 Sirromet-Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:53.4996 9 1:36.2163
14 021 Team Kiwi Racing Paul Radisich Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:54.6993 8 1:36.8662
15 888 Team Betta Electrical Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 32 54:55.5389 3 1:35.1566
16 3 Dodo Racing Jason Richards Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:55.5746 8 1:36.4084
17 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 32 54:56.4371 16 1:36.7811
18 17 Westpoint Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 32 54:56.7181 11 1:36.6003
19 11 Team Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:57.1693 14 1:36.3748
20 48 WPS Racing David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 32 54:57.7761 10 1:36.5382
21 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:58.3877 16 1:36.7435
22 25 Fujitsu Racing Steve Owen Ford Falcon BA 32 54:59.3440 9 1:36.6040
23 44 Go Talk Simon Wills Holden Commodore VZ 32 54:59.8155 9 1:36.7121
24 21 Team BOC Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 32 54:59.9815 8 1:36.3141
25 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 32 55:00.9875 8 1:36.8047
26 24 Team Perkins Racing Steven Richards Holden Commodore VZ 32 55:01.4317 11 1:36.3717
27 12 Team BOC John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 32 55:01.9480 8 1:36.8170
28 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Lee Holdsworth Holden Commodore VZ 32 55:05.6411 16 1:37.1311
29 8 WPS Racing Craig Baird Ford Falcon BA 32 55:19.3508 10 1:36.4009
30 52 Fujitsu Racing Matthew White Ford Falcon BA 31 55:22.9080 29 1:36.4860
31 5 Ford Performance Racing David Brabham Ford Falcon BA 30 55:07.8228 16 1:36.6829
DNF 7 Autobarn Racing Owen Kelly Holden Commodore VZ 23 39:41.4542 16 1:36.9932
DNF 23 Dodo Racing Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VZ 3 5:02.6823 3 1:37.2796


V8 Supercars Round 13 Points & Championship Points

Championship Position / Driver / Round 13 Points / Championship Points
1 Russell Ingall 168 1,922
2 Craig Lowndes 160 1,865
3 Marcos Ambrose 188 1,856
4 Todd Kelly 128 1,760
5 Mark Skaife 132 1,754
6 Garth Tander 182 1,734
7 Steven Richards 68 1,669
8 Rick Kelly 176 1,630
9 Jason Bright 96 1,566
10 Cameron McConville 92 1,501
11 Greg Murphy 168 1,500
12 Steven Johnson 80 1,460
13 Steve Ellery 150 1,424
14 Paul Radisich 140 1,384
15 Glenn Seton 70 1,353
16 Jamie Whincup 72 1,307
17 Jason Richards 110 1,295
18 John Bowe 40 1,235
19 Paul Morris 88 1,059
20 Paul Dumbrell 112 1,046
21 Brad Jones 36 1,027
22 Paul Weel 142 1,000
23 Craig Baird 26 980
24 Max Wilson 92 931
25 David Besnard 42 904
26 Jason Bargwanna 98 883
27 Greg Ritter 0 739
28 Andrew Jones 0 733
29 Mark Winterbottom 70 668
30 Matthew White 20 619
31 Anthony Tratt 0 511
32 Steve Owen 46 480
33 Alex Davison 0 469
34 Simon Wills 34 437

Marcos Ambrose


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Russell Ingall Wins 2005 V8 Supercars Championship,
Stone Brothers Racings Third Consecutive Championship

Release Date: 27/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

Stone Brothers Racing’s Russell Ingall claimed his first V8 Supercar crown at the BigPond Grand Finale at Phillip Island Raceway in Victoria today.

In his 10th year of V8 Supercar competition, Ingall finished fifth in the two final heats of the final round in his Caltex Falcon to collect his maiden crown ahead of fellow Ford driver Craig Lowndes.

Ingall’s SBR team-mate Marcos Ambrose finished his V8 Supercar career in style and gave Ford the V8 Supercar manufacturers’ title when he won the round with wins in both of today’s 32-lap races.

Ambrose, who won the last two V8 Supercar Championships, finished third in this year’s title chase in his Pirtek Falcon and now heads to the US to chase a career in the NASCAR series.

Ingall’s victory was the third consecutive championship victory for the Stone Brothers Racing outfit.

In the end he won the championship with 1922 points from Craig Lowndes (1865), Ambrose (1856), Todd Kelly (1760), Mark Skaife (1754) and Garth Tander (1734).


WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY…..

RUSSELL INGALL – CALTEX RACING

“I have a little bit of mixed emotions, but I am glad its over,” said Ingall.

“I guess I am waiting for it all to sink in. Maybe that will happen after a few VBs with the Caltex crew tonight.

“This is a fantastic result for Ford, Caltex, Bosch and everyone involved with Stone Brothers Racing.

“So many people have worked so hard for this moment and I am happy it has finally come.

“I had a few moments out there in both races, but I guess they all seem “moments” when you have the championship on the line.

“At the end of the day, you don’t slower in the head as you get older, just physically.

“If you can keep yourself fit, you are in the game and I plan to do that for sometime yet.

“Now we have number one on the door we are the target for next season and we need to ensure we are ready.

“We will review of weaknesses over Christmas and fix them. Then we can blast into 2006 as the champions.

“You have to be smart and quick to win this championship. You have to do absolutely everything. What ever it takes.

“Our job was made easier this weekend because the Caltex Falcon was quick, but because of our situation we could not really show how quick it was.”

MARCOS AMBROSE – PIRTEK RACING

“My time in V8 Supercars has been pretty special and to go out with a win like we did today and give Ford the manufacturers’ title is extra special,” said Ambrose.

“I have built up some tremendous friendships in this series up and down pit lane then you have everyone at Ford and Pirtek.

“I have many great friends in the Pirtek organisation and I will certainly miss those guys next year.

“There was a tear in my eye there at the end, but at the same time I am excited about what lies ahead.

“I had a terrific car this weekend and I guess to win the round was a great reward for all boys and a fitting way to go out.

“I have to thank Ford, Pirtek, my crew and Ross and Jimmy Stone and their families for all their support and giving me the opportunity for such success over the last five years.”



Ingall Stays Out Of Trouble On Road To Glory

AAP 28/11/05
www.drive.com.au

After playing the bridesmaid for four years, The Enforcer finally has his hands on the V8 Supercar championship trophy.

Russell Ingall is a bridesmaid no more. The Enforcer finally put years of heartache behind him by winning his first-ever V8 Supercar Championship title at Phillip Island yesterday.

The 41-year-old Ford driver famously posed in a bridesmaid's dress for a newspaper at the start of the season but yesterday he was showered in glory, his fifth place in the final round securing him the title at his 10th attempt.

A four-time series runner-up, Ingall claimed the 2005 title with 1922 points, holding off a rampaging finish from Craig Lowndes on 1865 and finally beating his Stone Brothers teammate Marcos Ambrose who won yesterday's round to almost complete a team quinella on 1856 points.

With six drivers in contention heading into the round, Ingall's fate wasn't sealed until the final race as Lowndes still had a flicker of hope of overcoming a 37-point deficit if Ingall suffered mechanical trouble or fell foul of officials.

But it was Lowndes who was "left with a sour taste in my mouth", after being given a drive-through penalty for a pit lane infringement which dropped him from second to 25th. A desperate sprint to regain his pointscore runner-up position proved successful though as he finished 15th.

Amid all the drama Ingall, too, had his scares, surrounded by drivers rubbing his bumper, but he safely negotiated any fracas and cruised to the title.

A tearful Ingall celebrated by driving a lap around the circuit hanging out of his Falcon doing burnouts and then taking a pair of scissors to the bridesmaid's dress.

"By about the 48th Jim Beam tonight it will be sinking in quite nice," said Ingall the 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2004 runner-up. "I could not think of a better way or better team to win it with."

Ingall's championship, however deserved, has been tempered by the fact he won just one round and two individual races throughout the year.

Runner-up Lowndes managed four round victories and 12 race wins, but fell victim to his own misfortune when he suffered car trouble at four early rounds.

Ingall admits to taking a cautious approach to the season. He set his own "record" of not visiting the judiciary during the year, as he y stood on the podium only three times including his Oran Park win. Faced with criticism that his consistency, not speed, won the title, Ingall was too jubilant to care.

"After 10 years I will take whatever I can get, I am not fussy," he said. "I had tried every which way to win it. Bash and crash and bucking the system and this was the last resort. You have got to be everything to win this championship, you don't win this by being smart and not quick.

"It has been hard changing my attitude. If you ask me did I enjoy it more I would say no because I like getting in and having a race. It was **************** hard work, but it was worth it."

Ambrose, the 2003-2004 champion, fell just short in his quest to win a third consecutive title in his final V8 season before departing for NASCAR in the United States.

Ambrose finished third in the title race after his round victory yesterday but will forever rue his heated Bathurst collision with rival Greg Murphy which cost him at least 64 points. He was also penalised 25 points by race officials for his racing style in Perth.

"It is a great way to finish this year in style," Ambrose said. "We won the first race and won the last race but everything in between was just a bad dream.

"It would have been great to win the championship but I am happy to hand it over to my teammate."

Ambrose's final-round victory, ahead of Holden's Garth Tander and Rick Kelly, ensured Ford won the manufacturers' title while his Stone Brothers team also celebrated winning the team's overall pointscore.

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More Thrills & Spills Assured For V8 Supercars Fans In 2006

Release Date: 27/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

The board of V8 Supercars Australia has announced that in 2006 all three-race format events will include a reverse grid to add to the colour and action of Australia’s fastest growing spectator sport.

It coincides with a major announcement by host broadcaster Network Ten that more of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will feature on television in 2006, the most coverage the sport has ever received.

The reverse grid format, where the fastest car starts from the rear of the starting grid, has been trialed successfully in the newly named Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series for the past two years.

It will make its debut at Championship Series events in New Zealand, Perth, Shanghai, Darwin, Oran Park, Surfers Paradise, Bahrain, Tasmania and Phillip Island in 2006.

“The introduction of the reverse grid is designed to create more interesting racing and increase the great spectacle of the sport that has been largely responsible for our continued growth,” V8 Supercars Australia Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach said today.

“It will encourage our leading drivers to emphasis their skill in working from the rear of the grid and give some of our up and coming talent the chance to mix it at the front of the pack. There will be plenty of incentive for both ends of the grid to perform in those middle races.

“The board believes it will be wonderful initiative that will only grow interest in the sport.”

The points score system has also been modified to accompany the change. All events will be worth a total of 320 points. On three-race weekends the first race will be worth 128 points to the winner, 64 points in the second and 128 points for the third sprint.

“We have carried out some modeling on the concept to determine what would work best and it was decided that with the closeness of the field, with only one second separating 34 cars at some circuits, it was prudent to place less point emphasis on the reverse grid race.

“Whilst we want to add to the spectacle we also want to maintain the closeness of competition and ensure that the hard work of leading teams won’t be compromised and that the legitimacy of the result won’t be compromised.”

The order of the reverse grid will be decided following race one. If a driver fails to finish the first race his starting position in race two will be determined by qualifying times. The grid for the third and final race at these events will be decided by aggregate finishing positions and again qualifying if required.

The drop your worst round system that was successfully implemented in 2005 will remain. Drivers will be able to drop their worst points total from all events up to and including the Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst.

Network Ten are pleased to announce a number of changes to their coverage in 2006.

The most significant change is an additional 30 minutes to Network Ten's regular Sunday race broadcasts. Previously, these broadcasts have been 2.30pm to 5.00pm - they will now commence at 2pm.

The other significant change is the introduction of Saturday night coverage for sprint rounds that feature Saturday races. The Saturday night broadcast will immediately follow TEN's AFL broadcast and go for one hour.

Network Ten's general manager, sport, David White said: "The continued growth of V8 Supercars warrants increased coverage and we hope these extensions to our broadcasts assist the sport to expand even further."

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2005 V8 Supercars Championship Series Awards

Release Date: 29/11/2005
www.v8supercars.com.au

The comeback kid Craig Lowndes has capped his best season in several years by capturing three major awards at the V8 Supercar Championship Series annual dinner tonight, including the prestigious Barry Sheene Medal.

Newly crowned V8 Supercar Championship Series Champion Russell Ingall was also honoured for capturing his first Championship after four previous runner-up titles. Ingall achieved the feat in the final event of the year, the BigPond Grand Finale at Phillip Island yesterday.

The ever popular Lowndes won the coveted Barry Sheene Medal for his outstanding leadership, personality, fan appeal and sportsmanship. He also scooped the pool in the Champion Pole Award and the RPM People’s Choice Award as the most popular driver.

A team of panellists from the major metropolitan media, motorsport magazines, former drivers and Network Ten commentators voted at every round of the Championship to award the Barry Sheene Medal that honours the former Motorsport legend and V8 Supercar commentator.

V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane congratulated Lowndes on his great achievements across the year that personifies the late Barry Sheene.

“Barry was a champion in all walks of life. He was what life is all about and a brilliant man who will never be forgotten by this Championship or the thousands of people he touched during his life,” Mr Cochrane said.

Lowndes won four events this year and appeared in Pole Position five times times. But some poor results cost him the Championship won by Ingall for his ultra-consistency across all 13 events throughout 2005.

Lowndes was also presented with his award for finishing second in the Championship to Ingall, with Marcos Ambrose completing a Ford trifecta in third for season 2005.

Ingall and Ambrose’ team Stone Brothers Racing took the 2005 Champion Team of the Year Award.

Dck Johnson Racing’s Grant Denyer won the Mike Kable Rookie of the Year Award for his debut season in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in which he finished 10th, ahead of some more season campaigners.

Holden racing Team’s Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly were honoured for their Bathurst victory.

Ford’s successful year continued with the Manufacturer Award for the most event victories that was decided in the very last round. The award was decided on round wins for the year, won 7-6 by Ford with victory yesterday to Ambrose. The Holden Racing Team again won best presented award.

Young rising star Dean Canto was duly recognised for winning the 2005 HPDC Championship. Bartercard Miss V8 Supercar Riana Crehan was also introduced as the 2006 Face of the Series.

The Gala Dinner hosted the heavyweights of Australian Motorsport, every V8 Supercar driver, team owners, the V8 Supercars Australia Board, business identities, leading media and political dignitaries.


2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series Awards

Privateers Cup Champion: Gary MacDonald, Kanga Loaders Racing

HPDC V8 Supercar Series Champion: Dean Canto

V8 Supercars Australia Media Award: Bruce Newton

Best Volunteer Group: Super Cheap Auto 1000

Hall of Fame – Special Category: Clipsal 500 Adelaide

Champion Manufacturer of the Year: Ford

Mike Kable Rookie of the Year: Grant Denyer, Dck Johnson Racing

Bathurst Champions: Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly

Champion Pole Award: Craig Lowndes, Team Betta Electrical

RPM Viewer’s Most Popular Driver: Craig Lowndes, Team Betta Electrical

Champion Team of the Year: Stone Brothers Racing

Barry Sheene Medal: Craig Lowndes, Team Betta Electrical

Best Presented Team: Holden Racing Team

2005 Champion: Russell Ingall, Caltex Racing

2005 runner-up: Craig Lowndes, Team Betta Electrical

2005 second runner-up: Marcos Ambrose, Pirtek Racing

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Toll & HSV Dealer Team Confirm V8 Supercars Alliance

Holden Special Vehicles 21/11/05
www.hsv.com.au

The dual Bathurst-winning Holden Special Vehicles Dealer Team and Australia’s biggest transport and logistics provider, Toll Holdings Pty Ltd, will go racing together next year.

The two organisations jointly announced that Toll had signed on as major sponsor for the team in Australasia’s premier motor racing arena, the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

The new-look team will be known as Toll HSV Dealer Team. The racing Holden Commodores of star drivers Rick Kelly and Garth Tander will both carry the familiar orange Toll livery throughout the 2006 season, which for the first time will include a round in Bahrain as well as rounds in Shanghai, Auckland and all Australian states.

The new partnership forges one of the strongest alliances in V8 Supercars, combining the skills of the current front-running team owned by John and Margaret Kelly’s Kelly Racing Team and the resources of Toll and Australia’s leading premium car manufacturer, Holden Special Vehicles and its Dealer Network. As well, the team will continue to be backed by GM Holden Ltd and will draw on the technical resources of Tom Walkinshaw Performance Group.

Welcoming Toll aboard as new major sponsor, John Kelly said Toll was a perfect fit for the team – dynamic, focussed and successful.

“Like us, Paul Little and his team like to win,” Kelly said. “Together, we intend to deliver the strongest partnership in V8 Supercars. This season started out as a tough one for our team, but thanks to the support of Holden, the HSV Dealer Network and our other sponsors, we have made great progress, culminating in Garth’s win and Rick’s third placing at Symmons Plains last week.

“With the combined support of Toll, Holden, HSV Dealers and our other sponsors in 2006, we intend to ensure that progress not only continues but accelerates.”

The agreement to sponsor the Toll HSV Dealer Team in 2006 marks a major step in Toll’s motor sport commitment, paralleling its own business growth. Paul Little Racing, which started in Porsches in the late 1990s, has backed Anthony Tratt’s privateer Toll Racing V8 Supercar activities in recent seasons.

When the Toll management team expressed an interest in taking Toll’s motor sport involvement to a new level with a top-10 team, Tratt was instrumental in forging the new alliance.

Toll Managing Director Paul Little said that throughout Toll’s recent years of growth and acquisitions, Tratt’s Toll race team and high-profile V8 events had provided a common area of interest that all Toll employees and customers could relate to.

“There was momentum there from sponsors, employees and our small but passionate team that the time was right for a step up,” he said.

“Toll is a successful company by any measure, and I was very conscious of the need for us to have on-track success or withdraw altogether.

“Toll couldn’t wish to a join a more competitive and professional team. We expect to be very competitive and successful.”

HSV’s John Crennan said the new partnership elevated the Toll HSV Dealer Team to “the heavyweight division with an expectation to be a serious championship contender”.

“The great thing about the Toll association is they understand racing,” he said. “With a CEO being a racer who has not only been behind the wheel but also understands the complexities and science of running race team, it makes for a successful association.

“As well, both of our companies are in transport – we are both in the business of making sure the wheels go round and also pleasing customers. It is great fit.”

Toll HSV Dealer Team will be looking to add a championship win to its list of successes, which include back-to-back victories in the Bathurst 1000 in 2003 and 2004 when the team was known as Kmart Racing.

Current driver Rick Kelly became the youngest-ever Bathurst winner in those victories. His 2005 teammate, Garth Tander, also is a Bathurst winner, racing to victory in the 1000km classic in 2000.

The new-look Toll HSV Dealer Team will hit the track for the first time in one of Australia’s biggest V8 races – the Clipsal 500 – in Adelaide in the first round of the 2006 season on March 23-26.

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Super Ambrose Ready For US Adventure

Michael Lynch 05/12/05
www.smh.com.au

Marcos Ambrose is set to shift from V8s to NASCAR.

In his five years in the V8 Supercar championship, Marcos Ambrose left a lasting legacy — one that may grow even more impressive in hindsight, now that the Stone Brothers Racing ace is seeking fresh challenges in the United States NASCAR series.

Since putting his Pirtek Racing Falcon on pole position at his very first race start in March 2001, Ambrose has been one of the men to beat. In 65 starts, the Ford star stood on the top of the podium 15 times and has amassed 18 pole positions. He took the chequered flag for finishing first in 27 races, although the biggest prize of all, Bathurst, eluded him.

In five championship seasons, Ambrose only once finished further back than third. He was champion in 2003 and 2004, bringing the title to Ford for the first time since Glenn Seton in the late 1990s.

While Ambrose may not have been the most popular champion — he had a sometimes ambivalent relationship with the media and was not always enamoured of the public relations duties that go with being the face of the series — his driving ability is without question.

Even this season, he looked to be in control of the championship for much of the year until his costly non-finish at Bathurst, which allowed his teammate Russell Ingall to seize the initiative.

Ingall secured the title with his steady approach at Phillip Island, but Ambrose went out in a blaze of glory with two race wins to wrap up the round.

There was the hint of emotion after last weekend's final round, but Ambrose is looking forward to the next phase of his life, which will begin in the US early next year.

"My time in V8 Supercars has been pretty special, so to go out with a win is extra special. I have built up some tremendous friendships in this series up and down pit lane, then you have everyone at Ford and Pirtek. I have many great friends in the Pirtek organisation and I will certainly miss those guys next year. There was a tear in my eye there at the end but, at the same time, I am excited about what lies ahead."

Ambrose, if all goes to plan, will be based in the US for the foreseeable future, having signed a multi-year driver development deal with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing. The agreement means the Australian will drive a Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series next season, with an eye towards driving a Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Busch Series and Nextel Cup series in the future.

Wood Brothers Racing has been in the NASCAR premier championship longer than any other team and it is the most successful Ford squad in NASCAR history.

"It's an honour to be chosen from a long list of drivers who would love to be with Wood Brothers/JTG Racing" Ambrose said earlier this year.

Team owner Eddie Wood is excited about his prospects. "We have been blessed with some great drivers in our 55-plus years in NASCAR and we had the opportunity to do some testing with Marcos this summer. He adapted quickly to these cars and we believe that, given time, he can add to our rich driver history."

Ambrose plans a move to the US with wife Sonja and newborn daughter Tabitha in early January.


Marcos Ambrose

Team: Stone Brothers Racing, Team Pirtek Ford

V8 Supercar Rounds: 65 (2001-2005 inclusive)

Round Wins: 15

Pole Positions: 18

Race Wins: 27

Championships: 2 (2003-04)

Age: 29

Marcos Ambrose


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