Bob Jane T-Marts - Bathurst 1000

[gobbles21]

Bob Jane T-Marts - Bathurst 1000 - Armchair Guide

What: The Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 is the ultimate showdown between Ford and Holden V8 Supercar teams in Australia's premier endurance motor race over 1000km. When: Thursday to Sunday 9-12 October 2003

Where: Mount Panorama, Bathurst. The city of Bathurst is 210km West of Sydney along the Great Western Highway. The city can be reached by car or bus and is also serviced by its own airport. You can also catch a train to Lithgow and then a bus to Bathurst.

Track: 6.213km circuit length, with racing in an anti-clockwise direction.

Record Attendance: 163,840 over 4 days in 2002

Series: Round 10 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. The V8 Supercar Championship Series is the premier Australian motor racing series pitting the popular Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore V8 Supercars together over 13 rounds.

Support Categories: Konica V8 Supercars, Carrera Cup, Kumho Tyres MGF Trophy Series and Historic Touring Cars

On-Track Entertainment: Dirt Games Extreme Freestyle Motocross Displays, VB V8 Challenge, Victor Bray's Top Doorslammer, Motorbike Stunt Shows, Holden Stormriders, Bandag Bullet

Website: www.bobjanetmarts1000.com

Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster on phone 1300 136 122 or via the event website. They will also be available at the gate.

Accommodation: Bathurst has limited accommodation remaining. Limited camp sites will be available through the camp site office on site at Mt Panorama.

Television: Network Ten - Saturday 12 noon to 5pm, Sunday 7am to 5pm. Stay tuned to Network Ten news and Sport's Tonight for daily updates. The race will also reach North America (Speed Channel), throughout Europe (MotorsTV), U.K. (Five), China (CCTV), New Zealand (TV One) South Africa (SABC), Italy (Telenova), Argentina (TyC Sports), Asia Pacific (ABCAP) and now throughout Asia via Star Sports.
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RACE PROGRAM

THURSDAY OCTOBER 9
Historic Touring Cars Practice (20 minutes)
Carrera Cup Practice (30 minutes)
MGF Trophy Practice (20 minutes)
V8 Supercars Practice #1 (45 minutes)
Konica V8 Supercars Practice #1 (45 minutes)
Historic Touring Cars Qualifying (20 minutes)
V8 Supercars Practice #2 (60 minutes)
Carrera Cup Qualifying (20 minutes)
MGF Trophy Qualifying #1 (20 minutes)
Historic Touring Cars Race #1 (20 minutes)

FRIDAY OCTOBER 10
Konica V8 Supercars Practice #2 (30 minutes)
Carrera Cup Race #1 (20 minutes)
V8 Supercars Practice #3 (60 minutes)
MGF Trophy Qualifying #2 (20 minutes)
V8 Supercars Qualifying (Lower 50% - 45 minutes)
V8 Supercars Qualifying (Upper 50% - 45 minutes)
Konica V8 Supercars Qualifying (40 minutes)
MGF Trophy Race #1 (20 minutes)
Historic Touring Cars Race #2 (20 minutes)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11
Konica V8 Supercars Warm Up (20 minutes)
Historic Touring Cars Race #3 (20 minutes)
MGF Trophy Race #2 (20 minutes)
V8 Supercars Practice #4 (60 minutes)
Konica V8 Supercars Race (65 minutes)
Carrera Cup Race #2 (20 minutes)
V8 Supercars Top 10 Shoot Out (45 minutes)

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12
V8 Supercars Warm Up (20 minutes)
Carrera Cup Race #3 (20 minutes)
Pre-Race Activities (85 minutes)
10.00am - V8 Supercars Race - Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 (161 laps)

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2003 ENTRY LIST - BOB JANE T-MARTS 1000

*Subject to change
Car No Team Driver Driver Car
1 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Todd Kelly Holden VY
2 Holden Racing Team Jim Richards Tony Longhurst Holden VY
3 Lansvale Smash Repairs Cameron McConville Tim Leahey Holden VX
4 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Russell Ingall Ford BA
5 Ford Performance Racing Darren Hossack Adam Mackrow Ford BA
6 Ford Performance Racing Craig Lowndes Glenn Seton Ford BA
8 Castrol Perkins Racing Paul Dumbrell Tomas Mezera Holden VX
9 Caltex Havoline Racing Mark Winterbottom Mark Noske Ford BA
10 Orrcon Racing Mark Larkham Jason Bargwanna Ford AU
11 Castrol Perkins Racing Steven Richards Larry Perkins Holden VY
13 Smiths Trucks/Lubrimax Steve Owen Phillip Scifleet Holden VY
15 K-Mart Racing Andy Priaulx Cameron McLean Holden VX
16 Team Brock Greg Ritter Marcus Marshall Holden VX
17 Shell Helix Racing Steve Johnson Warren Luff Ford BA
18 Shell Helix Racing Max Wilson David Brabham Ford BA
19 Ford Performance Racing David Besnard Owen Kelly Ford BA
20 Orrcon Racing Grant Johnston Kerry Wade Ford AU
21 OzEmail Racing Brad Jones John Bowe Ford BA
021 Team Kiwi Racing Craig Baird Mark Porter Holden VX
23 INXS Team Ford Neal Bates Rick Bates Ford AU
24 Romano Racing Wayne Wakefield Any McElrea Holden VX
29 Sirromet Wines Racing Paul Morris John Faulkner Holden VY
31 Super Cheap Auto Racing Steve Ellery Luke Youlden Ford BA
33 Garry Rogers Motorsport Jamie Whincup Allan Simonsen Holden VY
34 Garry Rogers Motorsport Garth Tander Nathan Pretty Holden VY
44 Team Dynamik Jason Richards Simon Wills Holden VY
45 Team Dynamik Nicolas Minassian Jan Magnussen Holden VY
46 Holden Young Lions Dale Brede TBA Holden VX
50 Team Brock Jason Bright Paul Weel Holden VX
51 K-Mart Racing Greg Murphy Rick Kelly Holden VY
55 Fujitsu Jose Fernandez TBA Ford AU
59 Pedders Suspension/Transtar Express Jame Miller Ron Searle Holden VX
65 Betta Electrical Racing Paul Radisich Rickard Rydell Ford BA
66 Betta Electrical Racing Dean Canto Matthew White Ford BA
69 Spies Hecker Racing Robert Jones Peter Doulman Holden VX
72 Smiths Trucks Pty Ltd Allan Gurr Christian D'Agostin Holden VX
75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Paul Stokell Ford BA
89 Gulf Western Racing Mal Rose Grant Elliott Ford AU
99 Thexton Motor Racing David Thexton Steve Voight Ford AU
888 OzEmail Racing Andrew Jones John Cleland Ford BA

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KEY STATISTICS

There has been a 500 mile or 1000 kilometre race at Mt Panorama every year since 1963 and since 1973 it has been for cars complying to the regulations for the Australian Touring Car Championship and since 1997 the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

NAME CHANGES
1963-65 Armstrong 500 (Miles)
1966-67 Gallaher 500
1968-1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500
1973-80 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 (Kilometres)
1981-87 James Hardie 1000
1988-95 Tooheys 1000
1996 AMP 1000
1997 Primus 1000 Classic (V8 Supercars)
1997-98 AMP 1000 kilometres (2-litre cars only)
1998-2000 FAI 1000 Classic (V8 Supercars)
2001 V8 Supercar 1000
2002-04 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000

MOUNT PANORAMA LAP RECORDS
Current Qualifying Record 2002 John Bowe Falcon AUXR8 2.08.3873
Current Lap Record 2002 Brad Jones Falcon AUXR8 2.09.5705
Outright Lap Record 2002 John Bowe Falcon AUXR8 2.08.3873

BATHURST RACE TIME RECORDS
Jim Richards/Mark Skaife Nissan GT-R 6:19:14.80 1991

2002 TIMES
Qualifying Lap John Bowe Ford Falcon AU 2.08.3873
Pole Time Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VX 2.08.8278
Race Mark Skaife/Jim Richards Holden Commodore VX 6:58:41.0260

[gobbles21]

Mt Panorama, Bathurst - Facts, Figures And Track Description

The following is a detailed lap of Mt Panorama to be used as the venue for the 10th round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 on October 9-12. Also find following thoughts, results and memorable moments relating to this venue from both Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall who will team-up in a Stone Brothers Racing Falcon with sponsorship from both Caltex Havoline and Pirtek.

MT PANORAMA - A LAP WITH MARCOS AMBROSE

As you cross the start-finish line you take a deep breath and get ready for the next one.

You have to calm yourself down for the first corner (Hell Corner) because it is probably the easiest turn on the circuit. It is down to second gear for the corner and it is important to get a nice clean exit as the car drifts out wide.

It's then up Big Pond Mountain Straight which is one of the most important sections of the track when it comes to horsepower. You hit the rev-limiter in fifth gear just the other side of the rise, which is about three quarters of the way up the straight.

The braking zone is uphill, so it allows you to get on the pegs a touch later for the right hander into Konica Bend which is my favourite corner of the track. The corner is quite quick and is taken at the top of third gear, its is very enjoyable if the car is working right - if you can get a good run out of here yo can make up half a second.

You then charge up to Ford Cutting which involves a lot of concrete, cliff face and a big blind corner. The marshal here is your best friend all weekend because you simply don't know what to expect around the corner. This is a section of the track you really need to creep up on over the weekend.

The exit of the Cutting is the start of a section of track which I really class as one single stretch of lefts and rights where you need to use all the track if you can.

You then get to McPhillamy which is a great corner with a big crest on it. There is plenty of room on the outside if you go in too hot, but it can get quite exciting if you miss the entry to Skyline. You really have to commit here and your car has to be right, if you are thinking too much here then you are going to be in all sorts of trouble - it needs to come naturally.

A nice exit will get you across Skyline cleanly and into what I call the "downhill" section of the track. This is as much about staying off the brake as it is about staying on the accelerator. If you go in too hot you could crash two or three corners later because you just can't keep up with the car.

You then get to the VB Dipper which is a good bit of fun. It is not as dramatic as it looks on TV with a couple of wheels off the ground, it is actually a pretty smooth part of the track.

You are basically going as hard as you can from the Dipper through to Forrest Elbow. This corner can suck you in and so many guys carry too much speed into here and get caught out. I am very cautious on the exit because I have seen the video footage of Dick Johnson's crash through the trees here too many times.

There is a concrete wall there now, but you still get a little tingle when you think about Dick's crash there in the old Green Falcon. It is important to be slow into Forrest Elbow and fast out so you can get on the power as quickly as possible down Conrod Straight.

You hit top gear and about 300km just as you start to drift the car to the left of the track for the shute into Caltex Chase. This is the fastest part of any race track in the country and can be a bit scary. Once you are into the Chase you are virtually pushing the brake pedal through the floor.

You creep off the brakes and hopefully the car is straight for the left hander. If you lock the brakes here you will spear off through the corner and usually into the sand trap. It is third gear for the right-hand exit, which can be very slippery on older tyres.

Then there is a short run down to VIP Petfood corner, where again the car drifts to the outside and across the start-finish line for another run down Bob Jane T-Mart Pit Straight.

It is a very long lap and if you get any part of it wrong it is very hard to make up for lost time. There are so many variables on each lap with traffic, tyres and luck all playing a part. I can tell you one thing - a good lap here feels fantastic and is very rewarding.

THOUGHTS ON MT PANORAMA, BATHURST...

MARCOS AMBROSE - PIRTEK RACING
"Bathurst rates up there with the best events in the world. The circuit is unique in that it is as still as raw and challenging as it ever was. The very high-speed cornering sadly doesn't exist on too many tracks now days. It really is a place that sorts the men from the boys. Any track where you're your steering binds up in the middle of a corner requires plenty of bravery. This is the one race every Australian kid dreams of winning.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
"Definitely taking pole position in my first year there in 2001. That was a very special lap and one I could probably never do again, ever. I tried to last year and it all went wrong. You earn a front row start at this place.

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (After Round 9, 2003)
2003 Points standing: 1st (1519 points)
2003 Adjusted points after dropping worst round: 1st (1423)
Debut: 2001
Starts: 35
Poles: 13 - Sandown, Oran Park, Queensland Raceway, Winton, Eastern Creek (2003); Phillip Island, Oran Park, Winton, Qld 500, Sandown (2002); Eastern Creek, Qld 500, Bathurst (2001)
Race wins: 9 (Last win - Oran Park (Round 8, 2003)
Round wins: 7 - Oran Park, Hidden Valley, Barbagallo, Winton, Eastern Creek (2003), Sandown (2002); Hidden Valley (2001)

MT PANORAMA, BATHURST - RECORD - CO-DRIVER
2002 - Qualified 8th; Overall: 21st (Paul Weel)
2001 - Qualified 1st; Overall: DNF (Matthew White)

THOUGHTS ON MT PANORAMA, BATHURST...

RUSSELL INGALL - CALTEX HAVOLINE RACING
"When you think of legendary races, you automatically think of Bathurst. Some of the antics that go on off the circuit are almost as amazing as the ones on it. It is quite an amazing circuit with its length and average speed. It is certainly one of the most challenging circuits in the world. It also has the potential for some of the biggest shunts if you get it wrong. I have won the thing twice and been very close a couple of other times. It is certainly on the "I want" list for any driver. When you look at how many guys have been trying for so long without winning it, it makes you feel privileged to be someone who has."

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
"In 2001 while in the lead with only one stint to go, watching the car come down pit lane and seeing it appear looking like it has run into cow. Unfortunately, Larry had hit the tyre wall only a few metres from the pit lane entrance. It was another one which had gotten away and caused me nightmares for another 12 months."

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (After Round 9, 2003)
2003 Points standing: 4th (1331 points)
2003 Adjusted points after dropping worst round: 5th (1423)
Debut: 1996
Starts: 91
Poles: 1 Winton (2001)
Race wins: 21 (Last Win - Queensland Raceway, 2003)
Round wins: 9 - Queensland Raceway (2003), Winton (2001); Qld 500 (1999); Lakeside, Mallala, Hidden Valley (1998); Phillip Island, Winton (1997); Calder (1996)

MT PANORAMA, BATHURST - RECORD - CO-DRIVER
2002 - Qualified 4th; Overall: 2nd (Steve Richards)
2001 - Qualified 3rd; Overall: 8th (Larry Perkins)
2000 - Qualified 9th; Overall: 11th (Larry Perkins)
1999 - Qualified 5th; Overall: 7th (Larry Perkins)
1998 - Qualified 9th; Overall: 2nd (Larry Perkins)
1998 - Qualified 4th; Overall: DNF (Greg Murphy - 2-litre)
1997 - Qualified 4th; Overall: 1st (Larry Perkins)
1996 - Qualified 7th; Overall: 6th (Larry Perkins)
1995 - Qualified 3rd; Overall: 1st (Larry Perkins)
1994 - Qualified 11th; Overall: 5th (Win Percy)
1990 - Qualified 17th; Overall 17th (Kevin Bartlett)

[gobbles21]

FORD CHASES MOUNTAIN GLORY

With seven victories from nine races so far in 2003, Ford has its best chance since 1998 to win Australia's premier motor race, the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst on Sunday October 12.

The BA model Falcon has proved the car to beat this year, and in particular the Stone Brothers Racing cars of Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) and Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing).

After sharing the driving duties at the recent Betta Electrical Sandown 500, the pair will once again drive the #4 car at Bathurst.

Ambrose has been the star of 2003, winning five rounds of the V8 Supercar Championship Series to hold a handy lead in the title chase.

"Russell and I have the Sandown race under our belt as well as another test day, > so we are ready for the Bathurst challenge," said Ambrose.

"The last victory for Ford was by our team back in 1998 and it would be great to give them and the very patient Ford fans a win in 2003.

"I have had a very good year so far with five wins, but there's one race I want and it's the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000."

Ingall has two wins at Mount Panorama (1995 and '97) and is keen to notch up his first aboard a Ford to continue his charge up from fourth on the championship ladder.

Despite a spin at the Sandown event while in the lead, Ingall still believes that having Ambrose and himself in the one car is the right option.

"There's one thing for sure, it will not happen again. I've left that behind me and now it's onto the race that really counts," said Ingall.

"I have no doubt that I'm with the best team and co-driver out there. We deserve to be the favourites and if we have a clean run we'll be in a position to win > the race.

"As Sandown proved nothing is a certainty and Bathurst is the toughest challenge of them all, but we're up for the challenge."

Bathurst has had its fair share of hard luck stories, but none come bigger than Glenn Seton. Despite winning two V8 Supercar titles, Seton has never won at Bathurst and 2003 marks his 20th start at Mount Panorama.

For the first time since 1988, Seton will go to Bathurst as a driver only, having >old his team to form Ford Performance Racing in the off-season. The other trump card is his co-driver Craig Lowndes, who has tasted Bathurst glory in 1996 and has won three V8 Supercar titles.

The duo will share Lowndes' #6 CAT Ford Performance Racing BA Falcon.

"I came second in 1987 and sitting out front in 1995 had an engine failure within ten laps of the finish, but I'm determined to win the race and this year I feel > very confident," said Seton.

"Our car is well suited to Bathurst and with Craig I know we're in with a very good chance of winning the race.

"I know a lot of people are keen to see me finally win it, but I can tell you no one is more eager than me!"

Another strong Ford duo at Bathurst will be experienced campaigners Brad Jones and John Bowe in the OzEmail BA Falcon.

Bowe has tasted success at Bathurst twice in 1989 and '94. The second win was when he beat Jones and Lowndes in a memorable late race battle while driving with Dick Johnson in the Shell Helix Racing team.

Jones' other two second placings came in 1997 (Super Tourer race) and in 2001.

Bowe set the fastest time in last year's qualifying session and Jones set the fastest ever race lap around Mount Panorama, before a broken suspension component > put them out of contention.

"I hate the term bridesmaid and that's what my Bathurst record shows," said Jones.

"We've had a great car at Bathurst over the past two years, but it's our fourth placing at Sandown a few weeks ago that has us very confident.

"If there's one place where you need experience it's Bathurst. Between us John and I have 36 starts, and as our form from last year shows we have the pace to be one of the teams to watch."

In terms of a dark horse prediction, the team to look out for is the Super Cheap Auto Racing pair of Steve Ellery and Luke Youlden.

The runners-up at Sandown, both drivers and their small but dedicated team have hit form at the right time of year.

"Sandown was a great result for us we out-drove and out-smarted a lot of top teams," said Ellery.

"This sport is as much about confidence as well as having a strong car and team, right now we have all three elements and we are ready for the big one.

"We don't mind the tag of 'underdog' as it lets us run our own race and that's what we are determined to do at Bathurst."

Teams first hit the track for practice on Wednesday, with another practice session on the Thursday before qualifying on the Friday. Saturday includes the final practice session and top-10 shootout with Sunday 1000km race starting at 10am.

[Geoffy Pie]

man i can't wait, i'm gonna sit in front of the tele all day with a mate and watch this glorious race. My tip is the great Greg Murphy hehe this guy is a champ and would love to see him win

Then of course the japanese GP is on straighter after and hopefully couldthard will take schumacher out, Kimi raikkonen will go on to win the race and the world championship

[gobbles21]

Murphy wont be able to beat Ambrose

My podium finnishers are:

1 - Ambrose FORD

2 - Jones FORD

3 - Radisich FORD

in a clean sweep for FORD

[tazza2000]

COMMODORE COMEBACK

Skaifey to make it 3 in a row

[Geoffy Pie]

that's pretty funny gobbles 3 Ford's in the top 3, YOU'RE DREAMING
Go Holden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gobbles21]

Not dreaming Geoffy. It's a calculated prediction.

(Calculated by the fact that FORD's are so much better)

[Geoffy Pie]

ok i'm gonna stop coz if i keep going it'll never stop
we all know holden's are better so no more arguing

[Donny]

Gobbles, I almost deleted your post for gratuitous profanity !!

Four gratuitously profane 4 letter words in one post ??!!

I was going to say, "Tell him he's dreaming, Geoffy" but you already did.

[gobbles21]

no comment

[Donny]

Greg Murphy (Commodore) is provisional pole with the fastest lap ever at Bathurst.

[Geoffy Pie]

go murphs oh yeah go murphs yeah yeah!!!!!!

hopefully this can continue through saturday and sunday

[Go_The_Mighty_Magpies]

GO SKAIFEY!!!!!!

Skaifey to make it 3 in a row... like the lions...

as long as a holden wins im happy

[HAL]

Oh. . . . interesting comparison.