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Clipsal 500, Adelaide 69 days, 7 hours, 23 minutes left
Five Star FG Falcon at Jarvis Ford
The all-new FG Falcon has become the first Australian-built car to receive a 5 (five) star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). The petrol FG Falcon sedan range was awarded the maximum 5 (five) star safety rating rating with a total score of 34.6 points (out of a possible 37 points), giving it the highest score ever recorded by a locally produced car in Australia by a significant margin. Read more>
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Podium eludes FPR in Bathurst's final laps |
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 12/10/2008
Ford Performance Racing looked certain to get its first Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 podium today, remaining in strong contention for the entire 161-lap race.
It was not to be, however, as a fierce last stint saw the Castrol FPR Falcon, piloted by Steve Richards, drop two places in the final three laps finishing fourth with the Orrcon Steel Ford Credit FPR Falcon crossing the line in seventh.
"The car today just wasn't in the window compared to last year; there's got to be something broken or bent because it just under-steered all day long," said Richo. "We couldn't get runs on people; I couldn't pass anyone down the straight.
The rear tyres got too hot and then you'd come into The Chase where you've got to push the brake harder to stop the car, but the rear tyres were just too hot and locked up. It was all fine up until the last safety car but the tyres were ruined after that.
"Given that, I'm pretty relieved but unbelievably disappointed at the same time. The guys actually did a great job all day just to keep us in the game. In the last stint the car looked and felt like it was capable of finishing second but then five laps from the end the tyres just went."
The result was a disappointment for the passionate team, which had set its heart on a win after the drama of last year when Mark Winterbottom lost the lead with just 14 laps to go.
In Championship terms, however, the result is a great positive as Frosty's title rival Jamie Whincup only pulled out a marginal lead whilst Garth Tander finished way down the order. FPR has also extended its lead in the teams' championship after HRT and 888's second cars scored few points.
"I'm disappointed not to be on the podium but you can only deal with what you've got and the car just wasn't making sense," said Frosty. "I'm sure when we get it back to the workshop there'll be a problem.
"Richo was fighting hard out there and it was a tough last couple of laps. I was nervous but you put your faith in his hands; you're just another fan hoping he'll get on the podium! But fourth is nothing to be disappointed with at Bathurst."
Round 11 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series is the Gold Coast Indy in two weeks' time.
Supercheap Auto 1000 - 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Rd10
Mount Panorama - Bathurst
RACE RESULT
1. Whincup/Lowndes, 888
2. Murphy/J.Richards, Tasman
3. Besnard/Courtney, SBR
4. S.Richards, Winterbottom, Castrol FPR Falcon
5. Jones/Wilson, BJR
6. Davison/S.Johnson, DJR
7. Canto/Youlden, Orrcon Steel Ford Credit FPR Falcon
Supercheap Auto 1000 - 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Rd10
Mount Panorama - Bathurst
Series Driver Points Report
1. Whincup (2316)
2. Winterbottom (2283)
3. Tander (2234)
4. Lowndes (1923)
5. Davison (1865)
6. S.Richards (1834)
7. Courtney (1802)
8. R.Kelly (1792)
Supercheap Auto 1000 - 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Rd10
Mount Panorama - Bathurst
Series Team Points Report
1. FPR (3930)
2. 888 (3903)
3. HRT (3336) |
Industry News
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Toyota first to export 100,000 cars |
19/12/2008
Toyota Australia is set to become the first Australian carmaker to export 100,000 vehicles in a calendar year.
The milestone car is due to be shipped from Melbourne on Christmas Eve, bound for the Middle East.
It will be among more than 2,100 Australian-built Toyota cars leaving Australia that day aboard the Positive Leader. |
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