Eastern Creek- VIP Petfoods Main Event.

[maccas_no1]

It has arrived the leadup to the final Championship Round in 2003 and ultimately the deciding round for the Championship!!!!!

Ford Vs Holden Ambrose Vs Murphy

This is what AVESCO and every V8 fan in Australia wanted and now it comes down to two races, two drivers!!!!!!!!

This is going to be a Bare Knuckle Full On V8 Brawl, you can bet your bottom dollar Ingall will be out looking after Ambrose and I think Lowndes will be looking out for Ambrose also, who will be looking after Murphy?????? Will Rick be the battering ram????? I know Skaife will have no part in it as he is only out for himself and hates seeing Murphy doing better than himself, I reakon Tander will be looking out for Murphy

Will it be like a few years ago in the F1 and we find other drivers taking each other out?????? Next w/e we will know all the answers and we will have a worthy 2003 V8 Supercar Champion..................I hope like hell it's Ambrose he has driven very well and SBR have been a fantastic team................It's been a long time between drinks for Ford since 1997 and Glenn Seaton.

Go Marcos Ambrose, Go Ford

 

[Dasher39]

Your right Marty

IT HAS ARRIVED

The final battle, who earns the bragging rights. It has been a great championship. AVESCO will be stoked, Murphy nas done great 2nd half of the season and Ambrose has had a solid year. I know I wont have any nails left come Sunday night and I am praying like hell Murph comes out on top.

C'MON MURPH

 

[mongrelpunt]

Go Murph!

I personally hope Skaifey gets up (but that has as much chance of happening as a Carlton premiership next year), but as a extremely one-eyed Holden man, Murph has my vote.

I really hope that Bingall costs Ambrose the championship - I hate him with a passion and it would be sweet justice if the man that wins it after a Bingall incident was Greg Murphy!

 

[marcuz]

As a mechanic at rex gorrell ford here in geelong i have serious bias in this one. Although the majority of our staff are holden fans so work that out.

Ambrose drive that car's wheels off. Has been driving like a pussy these last few rounds. Do it for Ford Marcos.


GO FORD!!!!

 

[maccas_no1]

Ambrose will have to drive the wheels off the No 4 car this w/e or it will a very disapointing finish for 2003 and a wasted opportunity at the Championship, I think Ambrose will go for Broke this w/e he has nothing to lose and everything to gain

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Originally posted by maccas_no1
he has nothing to lose

u call the championship nothing???????

anywho!

i can not wait until sat & sunday - it will be one of the best races of the year! it will also come down to how the team-mates (R Kelly & Ingal) will go & if skafey decides to help murph out (after all he did buy out HRT which includes the K-mart team - I think )

GO DA MURPH!

 

[maccas_no1]

Originally posted by roostersgal4eva
u call the championship nothing???????

anywho!

i can not wait until sat & sunday - it will be one of the best races of the year! it will also come down to how the team-mates (R Kelly & Ingal) will go & if skafey decides to help murph out (after all he did buy out HRT which includes the K-mart team - I think )

GO DA MURPH!

No Skaife only owns HRT, K-Mart racing is owned by someone else

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Originally posted by maccas_no1
No Skaife only owns HRT, K-Mart racing is owned by someone else

oh! know who by any chance?????

Anywho - im sure that if skafey is out of contention, he'd help HOLDEN get a championship over FORD!

GO DA MURPH!

 

[maccas_no1]

Originally posted by roostersgal4eva
oh! know who by any chance?????

Anywho - im sure that if skafey is out of contention, he'd help HOLDEN get a championship over FORD!

GO DA MURPH!

No he wont he hates Murphy doing better than himself, Skaife is a sook,dont you remember Skaife and Murphy and there war of words at Bathurst????? Murphy will have to look after himself

 

[maccas_no1]

Originally posted by roostersgal4eva
oh! know who by any chance?????

!

Rick and Todd Kelly's Parents own K-Mart Racing

 

[Dasher39]

Originally posted by maccas_no1
I think Ambrose will go for Broke this w/e he has nothing to lose and everything to gain

I would reverse that Marty. NOTHING TO LOSE only the bloody championship. Ambrose has EVERYTHING to lose, Murphy is the one with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Ambrose is leading, if he loses badly he loses the championship. If Murph loses, he doesnt lose anything cos he never had anything. Ambrose has EVERYTHING to lose.

 

[mongrelpunt]

Has anyone heard the computations of the way the championship can be won? ie if Murphy finishes here, then Ambrose must finished here etc etc etc.

I heard that overall if Murphy wins, then Ambrose has to finish 9th or better to win, but I've also heard that if Ambrose wins race 1, then Skaifey is out of the running.

Can anyone shed any light on this situation?

 

[Dasher39]

mongrelpunt,

All I have heard is that Ambrose needs to finish in the Top 6 in both races to win the Championship. So a 4th and 5th place would see him Champion. Not sure whether that is correct or not though. Can someone please confirm.

 

[maccas_no1]

Originally posted by Dasher39
mongrelpunt,

All I have heard is that Ambrose needs to finish in the Top 6 in both races to win the Championship. So a 4th and 5th place would see him Champion. Not sure whether that is correct or not though. Can someone please confirm.

Basically Murphy has to win both races and hope either Ambrose crashes or fails to finish either one of the races or he finishes both races below 5th position.

Going on the Eastern Creek Round earlier in the year Murphy has not got a hope in hell results from last time round were:

1st Ambrose BA Ford Falcon XR8

2nd Lowndes BA Ford Falcon XR8

3rd Ingall BA Ford Falcon XR8

Murphy was 5th but I think he was still driving the VX and not the VY he is currently driving

All I can say it is going to be very very interesting this w/e!!!!!

BRING IT ON

 

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by mongrelpunt
Has anyone heard the computations of the way the championship can be won? ie if Murphy finishes here, then Ambrose must finished here etc etc etc.

I heard that overall if Murphy wins, then Ambrose has to finish 9th or better to win, but I've also heard that if Ambrose wins race 1, then Skaifey is out of the running.

Can anyone shed any light on this situation?

Mongrel
This is the points permutations from the Auto Action magazine two weeks ago.

If all three main contenders finish better than their current worse scores,the fundamentals to remember are these :

* Murphy needs to outscore Ambrose by 24 points to take the title on a countback [most recent win rather than total wins being tie-breaker]

* Skaife needs to outscore Murphy by a minimum 46pts and Ambrose by 70pts to take the title

* Ambrose must finish no worse than 11 positions behind Murphy over the two races to win the title

* Ambrose must not drop more than 34 positions to Skaife over the two races,while Murphy must stay within 21 positions.

* If none of the 3drivers score their worst points haul at the creek,Skaife is significtantly advantaged because he only drops 36pts,compared to Ambrose 96 and Murphy 114

* There's 192 points for the round.96 for each race.

 

[mongrelpunt]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
Mongrel
This is the points permutations from the Auto Action magazine two weeks ago.

If all three main contenders finish better than their current worse scores,the fundamentals to remember are these :

* Murphy needs to outscore Ambrose by 24 points to take the title on a countback [most recent win rather than total wins being tie-breaker]

* Skaife needs to outscore Murphy by a minimum 46pts and Ambrose by 70pts to take the title

* Ambrose must finish no worse than 11 positions behind Murphy over the two races to win the title

* Ambrose must not drop more than 34 positions to Skaife over the two races,while Murphy must stay within 21 positions.

* If none of the 3drivers score their worst points haul at the creek,Skaife is significtantly advantaged because he only drops 36pts,compared to Ambrose 96 and Murphy 114

* There's 192 points for the round.96 for each race.

Cheers. Clear as mud.

 

[maccas_no1]

So if Ambrose, Murphy and Skaife all do well Skaife could actually jump Murphy???????

I think in all honesty Ambrose has got it in the bag, he would have to have a disaster to not win it

Geez I am excited BRING IT ON

 

[mongrelpunt]

Ambrose isn't a sure thing yet.

The thing to remember is that (overall) there are only 6 points seperating each finishing position. So effectively, If Murphy wins both races, Ambrose must finish 2nd or 3rd in both races to take the title. If Ambrose in fact finishes 4th overall, he'll lose the title on the countback system, even though he's won 5 rounds compared to Murphy's 2 (plus this one).

Given Skaifey will be going all out, plus throw in Toddler, Rick Kelly, Brighty and Weel, as well as the other top Ford Drivers - Lowndsey, Radisich, the DJR Cars etc - and both Murph and Ambrose will have a tough time just finishing where they need to.

 

[maccas_no1]

Originally posted by mongrelpunt
Ambrose isn't a sure thing yet.

The thing to remember is that (overall) there are only 6 points seperating each finishing position. So effectively, If Murphy wins both races, Ambrose must finish 2nd or 3rd in both races to take the title. If Ambrose in fact finishes 4th overall, he'll lose the title on the countback system, even though he's won 5 rounds compared to Murphy's 2 (plus this one).

Given Skaifey will be going all out, plus throw in Toddler, Rick Kelly, Brighty and Weel, as well as the other top Ford Drivers - Lowndsey, Radisich, the DJR Cars etc - and both Murph and Ambrose will have a tough time just finishing where they need to.

I agree with you but the other drivers have to remember it is a Championship on the line, if either of these two are coming through get the **** out the way and let them battle it out, not only because it is the right thing to do but also for the spectical that the crowd wants to see, it is going to be on for young and old

 

[stmookeyj]

Running through all 33 entries, though 31-32 will start (dependant on Thexton making the cut and Romano's entry turning up)

NOTE: All points UNADJUSTED.

1. Mark Skaife, HRT VY, 3rd in championship (1859)
Needs a miracle to retain the championship, even he has admitted that. Round wins at Adelaide and Sandown (with Todd Kelly) the highlights of a trying year which has seen him lose his domination of the series.

2. Todd Kelly, HRT VY, 9th (1538)
Season ruined by 2 shockers at Eastern Creek and Winton where he failed to finish either race. Still has Sandown 500 glory to savour from a reasonably tough initial season in the red cars. Will be a factor this weekend given that his teammate is still in contention.

3. Cameron McConville, Lansvale VX, 19th (1047)
Struggled this year through reliability issues in a number of races, with the accident 3 weeks ago at Pukekohe adding to the list. WIll be local support given to him and the team as they are the only Sydney based team in the series. The fittest driver amongst the V8 paddock.

4. Marcos Ambrose, Stone Brothers BA, 1st (1989)
Current leader but has been looking very shaky in recent events. Has not been on the podium since he dominated at Oran Park. The last 4 rounds have been ruined by spins (Ingall into the trap at Sandown), lack of pace (Bathurst), Engine Troubles (Indy, though he still finished 4th) and flat spots on the tyres last round. Gunning to be the first Ford championship winner since 97, he has won at Eastern Creek, Winton, Barbagallo, Hidden Valley and Oran Park this season.

5. Glenn Seton, FPR BA, 15th (1203)
Actually enjoying a better season this year, highlighted by 2nd at the Mountain. Enjoying the freedom of concentrating only on driving, rather than taking the day to day operations of the team. A 2 time winner of the championship in 93 and 97.

6. Craig Lowndes, FPR BA, 5th (1646)
Has benefited from being in a team that is far more competitive this year. Scored FPR's first (and to date, only) win at a rain soaked Philip Island, possibly being the last championship round winner on the popular circuit. is chasing Ingall hard to get 4th spot in the championship, which would be his best result since leaving HRT.

8. Paul Dumbrell, Castrol Perkins VX, 30th (788)
From the moment he slammed into Paul Morris at the GP meeting earlier this year, it has been a rough ride for the 2002 Konica Champion. Rumour has it that if he does not perform well here he may be out of a ride for next year, though it seems unlikely.

9. Russell Ingall, Stone Brothers BA, 4th (1771)
The most recent defectee from Holden has had a mixed bag this year. He has been involved in his fair share of accidents, including 2 run ins with Greg Murphy. The good news for him though is that he has managed to do the Queensland Double this year (Ipswich and Indy). Even better news for him is that he can really have an influence on how the final championship picture is developed.

10. Mark Larkham, Orrcon AU, 24th (910)
The sentimental favorite for many, as the popular driver is having his last full-time drive in the series (he will still drive in hte enduros). Doubtful for a top 10, given the comparitive speeds of the BA and VY/VX to the AU, but he will give 100% to make it to the flag.

 

[stmookeyj]

11. Steven Richards, Castrol Perkins VY, 8th (1571)
Not always been smooth sailing for Richo, with the VY in the early stages not as reliable as hoped. As the team has sorted everything out though, Richo certainly has improved and will look to do so again here. May be one to watch in 2004.

15. Rick Kelly, K-Mart VX, 6th (1636)
It has been another year of improvement and the rewards are showing for the youngest driver in the paddock (19 years old). Made history by becoming the youngest ever winner of Bathurst, thanks to team mate Greg Murphy, but has found it a little more difficult since then. Has the talent and the poise, and will do anything to help Murph get the title.

16. Paul Weel, PWR Team Brock VX(?), 11th (1414)
Weelie is having his best year in V8 Supercars, any conincedence given that is is his 1st year driving for Holden. Apart from the Bathurst disaster he has enjoyed a consistent year regularly scoring over 120 points in hte round. Could press claims to be team #1 driver next year if upward pattern continues.

17. Steven Johnson, DJR BA, 14th (1229)
After lean times for the team woned by his illustrious father, Junior is starting to find the mark as the car finally shows us what it can do under his steering. He'll keep plugging away until he can't plug away no more.

18. Max Wilson, DJR BA, 18th (1070)
Always a good qualifier, seemingly always caught up in a mess come race day. That pretty much summed up my opinion of Max Wilson in the 2 years he has been in the series. Looked godd last time out at Pukekohe, before a dumb overtaking move for the lead came unstuck at turn 2. Could be his last drive, as rumours have him returning to Brazil, racing in Japan or even returning to CART.

19. David Besnard, FPR BA, 22nd (978)
A disappointing year for the former Stone Brothers pilot. Has been pasted by many after silly display of driving at Indy, where he caused mayhem. Looks as if he'll be moving on to the 888 franchise for next season, but will be keen to impress to ensure that he does get a seat.

20. Jason Bargwanna, Orrcon BA, 16th (1190)
The most hyperactive driver in the series, especially when he wins. Has started to get a grip on the BA Falcon, with some of his better results being early on in the AU. Best known this year for driving at Hidden Valley with only 3 doors.

21. Brad Jones, Ozemail BA, 20th (1031)
Just one of those years that Jones may want to forget. Hardly anything has gone right for him this season, and it seems the luck has deserted him. Once quoted as saying this is the hardest series he has ever raced in, after a long career in Auscars and Super Touring in partcular.

021. Craig Baird, Team Kiwi VX, 28th (796)
Another who may find himself out of a job after a disappointing season this year. Really struggled in a team that was expected to go places this season. Will be looking to finish off the season on a positive note after mediocre performances.

 

[stmookeyj]

23. Mark Noske, Noske AU, 27th (797)
Only racing because his father managed to get a lease on the 2nd Lansvale L1 entry. Has had battles with sponsors all season, losing at various stages of the season ICS, Panasonic and INXS. Never been the same driver after a major prang at the Creek in 1999 in the HYL car. Not expected to figure in a high position but did get into the shootout at Barbagallo.

24. Wayne Wakefield, Romano VX, 53rd (156)
The team has not appeared in a race since the Sandown 500, so this entry could well be a scratching before racetime. However, Wakefield may keep the ride in the 24 car after Paul Morris bought the Romano L2 entry, so the driver who seems to get a bum deal most of the time should be arund in 2004.

29. Paul Morris, Sirromet VY, 23rd (930)
Remarkable effort to rebuild a near written off VY after the GP. Had a very good mid season run in the middle of the year, with Queensland and Sandown being highlights. Should benefit from additional data now that he has purchased the Romano franchise.

31. Steven Ellery, Super Cheap BA, 17th (1119)
At one stage, many would have predicted that this was his last race in his own team with no sponsors. After 6 magical weeks at Sandown and at the Mountain, boy how things have changed. The 2 enduro podiums have now elevated him in the championship standings, and he now has solid backing for next season. Might be worht a punt as a roughie.

33. Jamie Whincup, GRM VX, 29th (792)
Another rookie who has struggled, so much so that his future is uncertain. Maybe found the step up in class too demanding. If he loses his seat, he may be driving Monaros next year.

34. Garth Tander, GRM VY, 12th (1389)
Inconsistancy, and at times, unreliability has plagued the experienced driver in the Valvoline camp. Has mixed some encouraging performances at Oran Park and Phillip Island with some shockers at Winton and Indy. Has been rumoured to be driving Monaro's next year, but that looks like being another stupid rumour.

44. Simon Wills, Team Dynamik VY, 21st (1026)
It is always tough for a driver to go into a new team and get them set up. Realistically, the year has been as good as it can be hoped for Wills, who like many of the VY runners has had some problems with reliability and consistency. Keeping upbeat and hoping for a good finish to the year.

45. Jason Richards, Team Dynamik VY, 26th (816)
It is always tough for a driver to go into a new team and get them set up. Realistically, the year has been as good as it can be hoped for Richards. It would have been even better had he been able to make the all or nothing pass at the end of the Sandown 500. Mind you after the Pukekohe roll it suppose it could have been worse. If it is wet he will be one to watch.

 

[stmookeyj]

50. Jason Bright, PWR Team Brock VX/VY (?), 7th (1584)
Hard to believe that Bright was actually the championship leader at the start of the season, which he held for a while. Championship aspirations dashed after a chance meeting with Con Crete and another car at Bathurst. Best of the regular BX runners, but will definitely be in a VY for 2004.

51. Greg Murphy, K-Mart VY, 2nd (1983)
And so to the form driver of the moment, inspired by the qualifying lap of a lifetime round the mountain. Since then he won Bathurst, finsihed 2nd at Indy, swept Pukekohe (again) and gave Brocky his ALLEGED 10th Bathurst win. Coming down the outside with a run stronger than a great stayer, but if he score more than 114 he may be disadvantaged due to the silly rules.

65. Paul Radisich, 888 BA, 10th (1477)
Admittedly has slipped under the guard of many to sneak into the top 10 for the season. This can be put down to a strong finish, with a lean spell in the 2 rounds directly before the enduros killing hopes of a top 5 or even a title shot. Always a talented driver, he is starting to recapture the form of 2001 when he regularly was the best Ford man.

66. Dean Canto, 888 BA, 25th (899)
Under pressure the most of anyone this weekend. It appears likely that he will be shown the door and may be left in the cold. It is unfortunate for the inaugural Konica series champ as it seems the potential will never be fufilled. Certainly the bulk of his results this year have not been to much to write home about.

75. Anthony Tratt, Toll BA, 31st (612)
As unlikely as it may seem to many, this man may be holding the balance of power. He drives for team opwner Paul Little, who is looking to offload the L2 franchise he owns. That is rumoured to be going to the FPR team. As for Tratt, he has battled with the mysteries of the BA ever since it was debuted at Oran Park. Expect to see him at the back of the field, but love the paint work.

99. David Thexton, Thexton AU, 35th (348)
Has failed to qualify no fewer than 6 times this season, hence the nickname 'speedy'. When he does qualify, the only way he gains positions is by others dropping out. May be considering running in the Konicas next year, and handing the main game duties to someone else.

888. John Bowe, Ozemail BA, 13th (1373)
The 1995 champion has had a number of decent results this year. Not really noticed by the press, JB has just gone about his business and in usual JB style, has had some good results. Plenty of rumurs regarding his future, but personally he is better off staying with Ozemail.

 

[maccas_no1]

Originally posted by stmookeyj


65. Paul Radisich, 888 BA, 10th (1477)
Admittedly has slipped under the guard of many to sneak into the top 10 for the season. This can be put down to a strong finish, with a lean spell in the 2 rounds directly before the enduros killing hopes of a top 5 or even a title shot. Always a talented driver, he is starting to recapture the form of 2001 when he regularly was the best Ford man.

He is a fantastic driver and I was VERY surprised DJR let him go and especially for that lil Brazillian Monkey

He will better next year I reakon with a much better financially supported 888 team

 

[stmookeyj]

PRACTICE 1, NOTE David Krause has replaced Wakefield in car 24, and I know bugger all about him.

Ambrose 1:32:8504
Skaife 1:33:0213
McConvile 1:22:2961
Ingall 1:33:5181
Bowe 1:33:7095
Dumbrell 1:33:7384
Radisich 1:33:8630
R.Kelly 1:33:8813
Johnson 1:33:9113
Whincup 1:33:9140
Morris 1:33:9169
Wilson 1:33:9182
Weel 1:38.9811
Canto 1:34:0773
S.Richrads 1:34:2039
Besnard 1:34:2569
Murphy 1:34:3018
Jones 1:34:3533
Tander 1:34:5140
Bargwanna 1:34:6229
Ellery 1:34:6499
Wills 1:34:6551
T.Kelly 1:34:8905
Seton 1:34:9615
Lowndes 1:35:0296
Jas Richards 1:35:0540
Noske 1:35:1318
Larkham 1:35:2427
Baird 1:35:5935
Tratt 1:36:2049
Krause 1:36:3807
Thexton 1:38:1102
Bright NO TIME