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Albert Park: Caltex Racing Sunday report
CALTEX TROOPS FINISH FOUR-DAY EXPERIMENT The final day of competition at the Foster's Formula One Grand Prix was fairly uneventful for Caltex Racing's Russell Ingall. He did not make the best of starts in the 10-lap finale and that ultimately ...
Edited: Apr 4, 2006, 2:01 AM
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CALTEX TROOPS FINISH FOUR-DAY EXPERIMENT
The final day of competition at the Foster's Formula One Grand Prix was fairly uneventful for Caltex Racing's Russell Ingall.
He did not make the best of starts in the 10-lap finale and that ultimately cost him a few spots, of which he managed to claw back a couple.
Ingall again continued to experiment with bits and pieces on his Caltex Ford and finished the race in 12th place.
He did have some car speed when he managed to get a couple of clear laps, indicating that the Caltex team is heading in the right direction.
Ingall, the reigning V8 Supercar champion, is looking forward to getting back to the championship proper in New Zealand in three weeks time.
Crag Lowndes was the best placed Ford driver in the final race, finishing fifth in his Caltex-backed Team Betta Electrical Falcon.
His young team mate Jamie Whincup was ninth, while Ingall's Stone Brothers Racing team mate James Courtney was 15th in his Jeld-Wen Falcon.
Following criticism for his poor starts at the Clipsal 500, Whincup used this weekend's three races to work on his achillis heal.
Steve Richards was again the standout today and led the field from start to finish to take the race from Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly.
WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY
RUSSELL INGALL -- Caltex Racing
"It was pretty much the same as the last couple of days," said Ingall.
"We have definitely made progress, all though the race results don't necessarily show that.
"My start was a shocker and that probably cost us a top 10 result.
"We have chipped away all weekend and now have a much better base to build on before we head to New Zealand where points will again be up for grabs.
"I am also looking forward to our next test day where I am sure we can continue to work in the direction we headed this weekend.
"Bring on New Zealand."
JAMES COURTNEY -- Jeld-Wen Motorsport
"It was pretty much carnage again at the start, but thankfully I managed to stay out too much trouble," said Courtney.
"The first few laps were pretty tough, but then the car came back to us and we pressed on.
"It was good to finish another race and build on my seat time.
"I am sure we learnt plenty this weekend will be of value in the next points round in New Zealand."
CRAIG LOWDNES -- TEAM BETTA ELECTRICAL
"Today's focus was to keep both cars in the top ten and ensure they came home in one piece," said Lowndes.
"With no points on offer this weekend we, like most teams, took the opportunity to play around with car setup prior to the second round of the championship.
"This weekend's format was great practice for the three sprint races in New Zealand."
JAMIE WHINCUP -- TEAM BETTA ELECTRICAL
"Thankfully my starts got better as the weekend went on," said Whincup.
"This weekend was a blessing in disguise for me as I not only got to work on my starts but also simulate a reverse grid race after my spin on Friday.
"Today we played it safe but I was able to maintain position off the start which was great."
-cr-
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