Marcos Ambrose on Symmons Plains future

Ambrose Delighted At Home State Race

Defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose is delighted at today's announcement that the V8 circus will be returning to his home state of Tasmania at the end of this year.

The Pirtek Falcon driver was on hand in Hobart today to help announce that the V8 Supercars will race at Symmons Plains near Launceston from November 12-14 as a replacement for the scheduled China race which has been postponed until June next year.

The deal has been supported by the Tasmanian government to the reported tune of $3 million over the next three years.

Despite growing up in Tasmania and having the nickname of the "Devil Racer", Ambrose has never raced a car at the Symmons Plains circuit and cannot wait for his Stone Brothers Racing Falcon to be rolled off the truck.

"To race in my home state of Tasmania is going to be a huge thrill," said Ambrose. "Tassie is only a small state, but it has some passionate sports fans and motor racing fans in particular.

"I have no doubt that we will see the biggest crowd ever at Symmons Plains in November.

"The event is also going to come at a vital stage of the season with just one round remaining before the season finale at Eastern Creek.

"Of course it would be fantastic to win my first ever V8 race in Tasmania, but then again, I would like to win anywhere."

The only car race Ambrose has contested in Tasmania was at the Baskerville circuit in his father's Targa road car -- this allowed him to gain his National Level license and compete in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.

The only time he has driven on the Symmons Plains circuit was during a test in the Alcorn Racing Commodore in 1997, which was being campaigned in the Australian Touring Car Championship by fellow Tasmanian Greg Crick.

The car was owned by John Alcorn and the test was overseen by engineer Bob Tindle, who passed away at the beginning of this year.

"I guess it is pretty amazing that I have raced on some of the greatest race tracks in the world, but never on the one where I grew up just 20 minutes away," said Ambrose.

"The test with Alcorn Racing was more of a nice gesture than a full-blown test. I think I only did about half a dozen laps, but it was a great experience.

"I guess that gave me a bit of a taste of V8 Supercars, but then I went off to Europe for a couple of years and when I finally joined the V8 Supercar ranks in 2001 Symmons Plains was off the calendar."

While he might not have raced there previously, Ambrose has no shortage of memories attending races meetings at Symmons Plains.

"I remember some great races out there in the early 90s when guys like Colin Bond were running their Ford Sierras out there," said Ambrose. "I remember chatting to 'Bondy' as a kid.

"Ironically, if I am ever chatting to Bondy now it means I am giving evidence in a stewards hearing because he is the Driving Standards Observer for the series.

"It was also the first place that I met Ross Stone. It is quite amazing that we have since won a championship together and are now heading back to Symmons Plains to contest a V8 Supercar round."

The next round of the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series will be held in Darwin on May 21-23.

-sbr-