MEDIA RELEASE 29 November 2004

Pirtek Racing's Marcos Ambrose was the fastest driver in today's opening
practice session for this weekend's final round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Eastern Creek in Sydney - but things did not go all his own way.


Ambrose, who only needs to finish 15th in the opening race of the weekend tomorrow night to clinch back-to-back V8 Supercar titles, had a frightening start to his weekend when he crashed his Pirtek Falcon towards the end of the morning session.

The Stone Brothers Racing crew managed to get the car back in one piece
for the second session in which he was also the fastest until Jason Bright
nipped him in the closing stages.

The morning incident is proof that Ambrose is not taking things lightly
this weekend, despite his comfortable position in the championship.

“We were just having a real go in the morning session on a trying track,â€￾
said Ambrose.

“I hit a puddle of water on the outside of turn one and speared off across
the wet grass. I am not too sure if it was a simple mistake or whether
we had a deflating front right, because it was flat after the accident.


“There was a decent impact, but thankfully there was not too much major
damage to the car. The guys did a great job to bend it back into shape
in time for the afternoon session.â€￾

A great run for Shell Helix Racing's Warren Luff who set the fifth fastest
time, ahead of fellow Ford drivers David Besnard (WPS Racing), Craig Lowndes (CAT Ford Performance Racing) and teammate Steven Johnson.

Tomorrow features further practice, qualifying and a top-10 shootout before prime time racing starting at 6.30pm.

Also this afternoon Seven Sunrise host David Koch and sports presenter
Mark Beretta strapped in for a ride with Ford Performance Racing stars
Glenn Seton and Craig Lowndes respectively. Both were left speechless and will return over the weekend to follow the team.

Top-10 practice time for the Big Pond V8 Grand Finale - Eastern Creek
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1:33.1291
2. Jason Bright - PWR - Holden Commodore +0.0545
3. Mark Skaife - Holden Racing Team - Holden Commodore +0.1903
4. Todd Kelly - Holden Racing Team - Holden Commodore +0.2778
5. Warren Luff - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.3072
6. David Besnard - WPS Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.3166
7. Craig Lowndes - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.4030
8. Steven Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.4270
9. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore +0.4437
10. Paul Morris - Siromet Racing - Holden Commodore +0.4473

Can't wait until tomorrow!

damnit i hate cliff hangers like these i get too nervous for ambrose . But then again come on ambrose blow the holdens away, WOOOP.

If he doesn't manage to win the championship then there's something very wrong as he only has to finish 15th in one of the three races!

Yere i know he only needs to finish 15th im just nervous that he is going to lose it and crash the thing, lets hope not, GO AMBROSE!

Good Luck Ambrose, better him smashing today than 2morrow or Sunday. Also heard today that Ambrose was voted No1 driver...and crash bandicoot came 8th (Kelly)

Gee, whats Ambrose doing we Ford Fans are nervous enough as it is, without him dinging up his Falcon. Probably all part of the entertainment aye

I saw the prang last night on late night news. It looked pretty harsh, I just hope there won't be any repercussions because of it. Hopefully everything has been repaired and there's no hidden damage