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4/11/2007
Ford Performance Racing (FPR) has become back to back Desert 400 Champions after a competitor numbing three race performance by Orrcon Ford Credit FPR Falcon driver, Mark Winterbottom at the Bahrain International Circuit this weekend. After taking the Desert 400 Pole position in qualifying, his fourth Pole position of the season, Winterbottom dominantly won Friday's opening race, following it up with a second crushing victory in today's second race and a fast paced third place in the third and final race to take his first solo V8 Supercar round victory and the second V8 Supercar round victory of his career.
Castrol FPR Falcon driver Steve Richards drove superbly to overcome a disappointing opening race to make his way from 25th to 6th in the second Bahrain heat. He was competing strongly within the top five when a damaged rear panel caused by an impact from Dean Canto at the first corner that forced him into the pits under the mechanical black flag. Then the team received a 15 second pit lane penalty for not immediately pitting to rectify the damage. This dropped the Victorian driver to the back of the pack. Richards finished race three in a frustrating 25th place. The car speed displayed by both FPR Falcon drivers this weekend in Bahrain was truly extraordinary, with Winterbottom easily racing to his two race victories with a ten second and a seven second margin respectively over his closest opponent. His points haul of 65 points saw him earn FPR their second Desert 400 Champion's title in the first two V8 Supercar rounds to be staged at this spectacular Middle Eastern racing circuit. FPR's Winterbottom headed up an all Ford podium in Bahrain, with James Courtney finishing second and Steve Johnson taking third overall. The 26 year old driver has also elevated his Championship position from 8th to fifth with two rounds remaining. Team mate Richards is 7th in the Championship standings after collecting 12 points despite his misfortune in races one and three. Both drivers' efforts have elevated FPR into fourth in the V8 Supercar Teams' Championship chase with two rounds (a total of six races) remaining. #5 Mark Winterbottom -"This has been a long time coming - to have the speed that we have had and not get the results has been very disappointing for the team. This weekend all went smoothly and when it is like that you get the results. It is great to have gained my first solo win at this major international event and to keep the team's undefeated Desert 400 Champions' title in tact. The team did an outstanding job this weekend." #6 Steve Richards - "There isn't much that I can say about the third race, as we had a car that was good enough to be on the podium but due to damage inflicted by others we paid a heavy price. The second race was very rewarding as we were able to show how good the car was by moving through the field very well. Congratulations to Mark on his first solo round win, he has worked very hard for it. I am looking forward to Tasmania and Phillip Island, where we will once again be able to show what our cars can do." FPR Team Principal, Tim Edwards - "We knew that we had the fastest cars in the field over the last four rounds and it was great to translate this into a major result. Full credit to Mark for an outstanding drive throughout the weekend, he is clearly in the zone as is his team mate Steve - but luck didn't fall his way today. Six more races and six more wins along with two more Pole positions is the target!" The FPR crew returns to Australia immediately to prepare for the penultimate round of the 2007 V8 Supercar Championship to be held at Tasmania's Symmons Plains Raceway from November 16 to 18. The Prodrive team would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bahrain International Circuit management, staff and members of the Gulf region media for their outstanding support at this fantastic event. Click on Team FPR / 2007 Calendar and select Round 12 to view full Desert 400 results. |
