Frosty "hole-shot" specialist as Ford wins challenge

29 March 2009

Ford reclaims the Manufacturers' Cup as Frosty comes second in the final race

Mark Winterbottom got the perfect score for spectacular starts this weekend, snatching the lead in three-out-of-three races at Albert Park and getting another podium finish today.

The result helped Ford reclaim the Manufacturers’ Cup, won by Holden last year, in dominant fashion with the marque winning all three races.

In today’s race Frosty defended against the Ford Falcon of Craig Lowndes and Will Davison’s HRT car off the start line before the Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon had to concede to Lowndes, who was on better rubber. Frosty eventually finished second.

Steve Richards made up an incredible five places off the grid to run 12^th by the end of lap one. The Castrol FPR Falcon then ran on its own for much of the race, finishing 11^th.

FPR will be back in action next month as the V8 Supercars travels to Hamilton, New Zealand.

Mark Winterbottom - #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon

“We put a set of tyres on that were quite old today. I knew what tyres Craig had on; when he was behind me I was sideways and he was on the gas so there was no real point to block him out.

“The car was good on the tyres we had; it was pretty well balanced. We saved our worst tyres until last but all weekend we were making changes to the car and it was getting quicker and quicker despite the old rubber, which is really encouraging.  At Hamilton we’ll need a car that lasts the distance and that’s what we were trying to build today.”

Steve Richards - #6 Castrol FPR Falcon

“I had a good start and we carved through a bit. The car was better again in terms of pace and easier to drive. I had to make up a bit of time under brakes because it was just wouldn’t turn in.

“Whincup passed me at turn 13 under braking. I was just driving along on my own after that.

“I think Hamilton will be better because it’s a higher grip circuit but I still think that if we don’t fix the mid-corner under-steer that we have got that’s where we’re going to struggle.”

Tim Edwards - Team Principal

“It was a fantastic result for the team in the end. We knew we had a fast car in Adelaide but events conspired against us so it’s good to demonstrate the car’s as quick as we felt it was.”

Sprint Gas V8 Supercar Manufacturers Challenge

ALBERT PARK GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT

RACE THREE

• 01. Craig Lowndes, 888
• 02. Mark Winterbottom, #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
• 03. Russell Ingall, PMM
• 04. Will Davison, HRT
• 05. Jason Richards, BJR
• 06. Steven Johnson,  DJR
• 11. Steve Richards, #6 Castrol FPR Falcon