'We'll Step Up' says Frosty

Frosty 1st in Practice

Eighteenth-fastest with minutes to go, track commentators had written-off Mark Winterbottom at Sandown today; 1:10.2125 later and he was top of the V8 Supercar Practice times.

"There's no need to rush these things; just build up to the quick times!" joked Frosty, but the relief was palpable as Ford Performance Racing collects the full weight of Ford fans' expectations after news that 888 will defect to arch-rivals Holden in 2010.

"From my point of view, you don't really worry about other teams too much," said Frosty. "I've had a few emails and a few fans have crossed over so we'll keep doing the best job we can and flying the Ford flag; we'll step up."

In the last three weeks FPR has worked around the clock to implement upgrades to the Orrcon Steel and Castrol FPR Falcons and Frosty's times today are encouraging for the weekend.

"I'm just proud of the guys to get the bits on the car for this round," he said. "There's been some long hours and a lot of development work."

Team-mate Steve Richards' last set of tyres did not get up to heat, but both drivers believe they will be competitive during tomorrow's qualifying at 11am.
 
"We always struggle to get heat into the front tyre here," said Richo. "We just worked through our lot and we'll have to think about it tonight."

Norton 360 Sandown Challenge - V8 SUPERCAR Races 13 & 14
SANDOWN INTERNATIONAL MOTOR RACEWAY
PRACTICE SESSIONS
1. Mark Winterbottom, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, 1:10.2125*
2. Jamie Whincup, 888, +0.0092
3. Will Davison, HRT, +0.0519
4. James Courtney, DJR, +0.1294
5. Fabian Coulthard, PCR, 0.1943
6. Craig Lowndes, 888, +0.1967

18. Steve Richards, Castrol FPR, +0.6244