Stone Brothers Racing Queensland test notes

Stone Brothers Racing yesterday headed to the Queensland Raceway for the first test day of 2004. Throughout the day the team showed some very promising signs for their defence of their inaugural V8 Supercar Championship.

Although the team hadn't constructed two new BA Falcons during the off season like last summer the workload has still been extremely heavy in the workshop with the team rebuilding both cars from a bare shell in preparation for their Championship defence in 2004.

With yesterday being the first time the cars have hit the track in 2004 Team Owner Ross Stone was pleased with the minor improvements the team have made throughout the summer.

"It was a very positive day for the team. Both cars showed very promising signs and put in some very consistent laps," said Stone.

"Both cars ran perfectly all day long reacting to all the changes we made in the right manner. But the real test will come next week at the Grand when all the teams are there fighting to be at the front of the field."

Both team drivers, Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall immediately showed signs of good pace throughout the test day.

Ambrose, the defending V8 Supercar Champion completed a total of 90 laps aboard his Pirtek Racing Falcon throughout the day with no signs of problems, testament to the hard work of the team during the off-season.

"It was good to get back in the seat after what has felt like a long off season," commented Ambrose.

"With test days so limited this year it is important to make every test count and yesterday was no different with the team using the day to it's full advantage."

"The day was not only for the drivers to get back into the swing of things but also the crew as these days they are an extremely vital part of the team. They have worked tirelessly during the off-season and it is pleasing to the see this effort rewarded in outright car speed and consistency."

Throughout the day Ingall and the Stone Brothers Racing team continually worked with different set ups on his Caltex Havoline Falcon with the aim of immediately being on the pace at next weekend's events at the Melbourne Grand Prix.

"If every test day this year goes as well as what ours did yesterday I think we are in for a very good year," says Ingall.

"Straight out of the box the car was pretty good and we made some minor changes throughout the day that improved the set up allowing me to be confident heading into next weekend."

Following yesterday's test day Stone Brothers Racing will now focus on the Non Championship event as a part of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne beginning on March 4.

-sbr-