Ambrose ready for challenge

Ambrose back to plan A for V8 Supercar Championship Series

The gloves are off between Ford's Marcos Ambrose and Holden's Steven Richards as they head into the next round of the championship at Winton Motor Raceway on July 23-25.

Ambrose, who drives the #1 Stone Brothers Racing Pirtek Falcon, successfully appealed against a stewards' decision to strip him of his points from winning the Queensland 300, and has been re-installed to the top of the championship standings.

He goes into the Winton round with a 58-point lead over Steven Richards who drives the #11Castrol Perkins Motorsport's Commodore VY.

"It is nice to be rewarded for all the hard work last weekend and be back in the championship lead," Ambrose said.

But second placed Richards is not so sure about it.

"Obviously it is much better to go to the lead through racing on the track rather than through stewards' decisions as long as we are competing against legal cars," Richards said.

The scene is thus set for a thrilling race at Winton.

Operations Manager Ford Racing, Stephen Kruk, who was thrilled with the outcome, said it was great to have Marcos back in the lead of the championship.

"We look forward to Stone Brothers and the rest of the Ford teams fighting for victory at Winton in a couple of week's time."

But so is Steven Richards, the driver who held the lead from Sunday to Thursday.

"I'm also looking forward to racing at Winton," Richards said.

"Winton is my nominated test track and I'm a member of the Benalla Auto Club that operates it, but I don't think that gives me some significant advantage.

"The only advantage is the ability to extract the best performance under the specific Winton conditions.

"But the car has been performing very well and I hope it won't be different at Winton," Richards said.

Winton Chief Executive, Mick Ronke, said this latest turn of events will make the round at Winton a memorable one.

"Usually there is always plenty of action at Winton and this will continue when the flag drops for the 300km race on July 25th. But given the mood of the top contenders, it looks like it is going to be door-to-door, nose-to-tail racing in the best tradition of Winton," Mr Ronke said.

Besides the V8 Supercars, there will be a quality line up of support categories that will run on the program which include Carrera Cup, Formula Ford, Historic Touring, Aussie Racers and the Kumho Lotus Challenge.

For tickets or bookings for Winton Motor Raceway's camping facilities, please call (03) 5766 4235 or email race@wintonraceway.com.au. More information can be found at www.wintonraceway.com.au

-avesco-