|
Ford V8s set to light up Adelaide streets
MEDIA RELEASE 8 March 2002
FORD V8'S SET TO LIGHT UP ADELAIDE STREETS
Ford Racing will send 18 officially supported entries to the opening round
of the V8 Supercar Series, the Clipsal 500 on the streets of Adelaide between
March 15-17.
The Adelaide event has quickly become one of the highlights of the V8 calendar,
with the twin 250-kilometre races set to kick-start the 2002 season.
Adding to the excitement will be a pre-qualifying session at the Mallala
circuit on the Wednesday before the event.
Due to off-season changes in driver line-ups and team franchise ownerships,
a number of big stars including Craig Lowndes (00 Motorsport), Wayne Gardner
(Caltex Havoline Racing) and Tony Longhurst (Team Betta Electrical) will
be taking part in the session.
"With only limited time on the track that day, anyone who experiences problems
could have their weekend end early, but we feel very confident of getting
through," said Lowndes.
"The twin 250-kilometre races themselves are one of the biggest challenges
in V8 racing. Unlike other endurance races where we get to share the driving,
this one is done solo and it's very tough.
"I have had success in Adelaide with overall victory at the inaugural event
in 1999, as well as my first race win aboard a Falcon last year.
"I'd obviously like to get a round win this time around and get my championship
campaign off to a flying start."
Another star Ford performer of 2001 in Adelaide was Shell Helix Racing's
Steven Johnson who collected third overall.
"To be successful in the longer races you need to have a strong car and
a driver that can go the distance," said Johnson.
"The Sunday race last year was a great example of being up to the challenge
physically, as I was picking off guys who were clearly struggling.
"I know that the team's improved mechanically, and myself physically. Along
with teammate Paul Radisich, I believe the Shell Helix Race team has a
great chance in 2002.
Both 250kilomtres races feature separate compulsory tyre and fuel pitstops,
providing an all-important strategy element to the racing.
Ford Racing Australia's 2002 V8 Line-Up
#00 Craig Lowndes - 00 Motorsport
#27 Neil Crompton - 00 Motorsport
#7 Rodney Forbes - 00 Motorsport
#4 Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing
#5 Glenn Seton - Ford Credit Racing
#9 David Besnard - Caltex Havoline Racing
#36 Wayne Gardner - Caltex Havoline Racing
#10 Mark Larkham - Orrcon Racing
#17 Steve Johnson - Shell Helix Racing
#18 Paul Radisich - Shell Helix Racing
#21 Brad Jones - OzEmail Internet Racing
#888 John Bowe - OzEmail Internet Racing
#31 Steve Ellery - Super Cheap Auto Racing
#40 Cameron McLean - Paragon Motorsport
#43 Paul Weel - K & J Thermal Products Racing
#65 Max Wilson - Team Betta Electrical
#66 Tony Longhurst - Team Betta Electrical
#600 Simon Wills - Cat Racing
Details for Round One of the 2002 V8 Supercar Series:
Top-15 Shootout - Friday 15 March - 3.55pm
Race 1 (78 laps – 251.16km) Saturday 16 March - 2pm
Race 2 (78 laps – 251.16km) Sunday 17 March - 2pm
Circuit: Adelaide V8 Street Circuit
Length: 3.22km
Lap Record: Qualifying - 1m.25.1107s (Radisich 2001) - Race - 1m.25.8364s
(Lowndes 2001)
Estimated top speed: 240 km/h –Adelaide Straight
Estimated average speed: 135 km/h
|
Linear Mode
