Ford Performance Racing Sydney preview

August 11, 2003 - Ford Performance Racing (FPR) is looking forward to the team's first V8 Supercar round at Sydney's popular Oran Park circuit this weekend. Sydney has been kind to this blue oval team, with CAT FPR Falcon driver Craig Lowndes securing runner up honours at the harbour city's Eastern Creek circuit back in April.

Well into the second half of this intensely competitive V8 Supercar season, FPR will be competing in Sydney with the team's three race-tested Ford BA Falcons, seeking stronger results for team drivers Lowndes, Glenn Seton and David Besnard.

Engineering work has been hectic at the FPR workshop with two new sub-assembly and mechanical staff appointed over the last three weeks. The team has continued detailed component and chassis design development between races to ensure better competitiveness at the fast and technically challenging 2.6 kilometre Oran Park circuit.

According to FPR Chief Engineer John Russell - "We have managed to bring the first BA Falcon V8 Supercar we built, Craig's CAT FPR Falcon, to the exact specifications of the other two FPR BA Falcons during the period between races. Development work aimed for introduction before the end of the season continues as does our preparation for the forthcoming enduros."

All FPR drivers are eager to return to the track this weekend, taking into account the 300 kilometre race format, which will be hard work for the drivers on the challenging and twisting figure-eight layout of Sydney's Oran Park Raceway.

#6 Craig Lowndes - "Oran Park is a great track to drive on - a real driver's track, we have never raced a 300 kilometre enduro there so it should be a very interesting race. I have had some great results in past seasons there - so I am reallly looking forward to it."

#5 Glenn Seton - " Oran Park is a very special place for me. This is where my racing career started - where I got my racing licence and where I first competed in a touring car with the Ford Capri. This venue also has very fond memories for me because it was the final round in my two Championship winning seasons in 1993 and 1997. I have had many great races there and my best qualifying result (7th) was at this round last year. I think this weekend has the potential to be the best yet in the Ford Credit FPR Falcon."

#19 David Besnard - "After our solid start with my new car at Willowbank I am eager to return to one of my favourite circuits, Oran Park. It is a challenging circuit that rewards bravery behind the wheel and it is also the first track that I ever raced at, so it is a special place for me."

Oran Park V8 Supercar action starts with 90 minutes of practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and the Top Ten Shoot-out on Saturday. The demanding 111 lap race is scheduled to start at 1:00pm on Sunday August 17.

FPR also confirms that the team will field a third FPR Falcon at the Sandown and Bathurst endurance races, with drivers to be announced shortly.

The team also takes this opportunity to extend their deepest sympathy to the family of Stewart McColl, a friend to all at FPR who will be greatly missed.

Oran Park circuit section descriptions by FPR drivers follow;

Craig Lowndes - "Turn 1 is the fastest corner on the track, you go back from 6th gear to 5th on the entry, as soon as you enter the turn you are applying the brakes and it is very easy to lock a front left and destroy a tyre."

Glenn Seton - "At turn 7 the road falls away a lot on the entry and the front spoiler rubs reasonably hard. It is important to use the inside kerb through the middle of the corner to get a good exit speed without running out of road."

David Besnard - "Turn 8 at Oran Park is one of my favourite corners in Australia. It is a very ballsy corner as the car gets light, you almost get airborne."

-fpr-