'Bathurst' and 'winning it' are two phrases that haven't been uttered by a Ford fan during October since 1998, but as
Matthew Agius concludes in his two-part exclusive, Ford's chances to win the Great Race have dramatically improved in 2006.
November 15th 1998: Jason Bright and Steven Richards take FAI Bathurst 1000 by just over ten seconds from Russell Ingall and Larry Perkins. And since then...nothing - Ford hasn't won the Bathurst 1000 for seven years. It is a streak that has seen many a Ford fan avoid talk of the race - a record that can be broken this weekend. Sandown winners Jason Bright and Mark Winterbottom, 2005 Bathurst polesitter Craig Lowndes and teammate Jamie Whincup, veterans John Bowe and Brad Jones and ever-consistent Steve Johnson and Will Davison are all in with a chance to win at Bathurst.
Ford will support thirteen cars from seven teams in this weekend's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. WPS Racing's two cars do not have Ford backing.
Stone Brothers Racing
#1 Caltex Racing BA Falcon
Russell Ingall/Luke Youlden
The reigning champion will be joined once again by 2005 enduro co-driver Luke Youlden. Ingall and Youlden struggled at Sandown, but despite this, their 2005 Bathurst top-ten finish is one that can be improved on this year. Ingall is a double Bathurst 1000 champion, whilst Youlden has stood on the podium at both endurance venues twice with Super Cheap Auto Racing in 2003. On paper the pair appears fit and capable of a top ten result again this year, however the big question mark is over the capabilities of the car – Stone Brothers Racing hasn’t been the quickest this year and their Bathurst record has been too inconsistent. It seems unlikely that the Ingall/Youlden combination will be a win-contender, however with the Enforcer not challenging the frontrunners on a regular basis in 2006 and his co-driver seeking a chance to prove for the 2007 championship, there may be a surprise in store from the Stones lead entry.
Rating: 7
#4 Jeld-Wen Motosport BA Falcon
James Courtney/Glenn Seton
The Jeld-Wen Motorsport team of Glenn Seton and James Courtney head to Bathurst with the task of attempting to secure a win for Seton before his forever retirement from V8 Supercar racing. Seton’s successful V8 Supercar career has never been graced with a Bathurst victory. Courtney famously crashed the #22 Holden Racing Team Commodore at the top of the mountain when he was touted as being a future champion – evidence that not even the best hotshot can tame the mountain. Seton is experienced, but has had a slower transition back into racing after sitting 2006 on the sidelines. The second Stone Brothers Racing car has shown flashes of brilliant pace, but it will be the capabilities of the drivers that determine the outcome of the Jeld-Wen team’s race.
Rating: 7
Ford Performance Racing
#5 Ford Credit/BroadIP BA Falcon
Matthew Halliday/David Brabham
For his only outing in this year’s series, David Brabham will join A1GP driver Matthew Halliday in the Ford Credit Falcon for Bathurst. Brabs missed out on Sandown due to overseas commitments, but his ability at Bathurst is reflected in his offer to drive in selected sprint rounds after last year’s event replacing Greg Ritter. Matt Halliday will be completing his fourth outing at Bathurst since 2003 and judging by his Sandown performance and Bathurst experience should perform well. The Ford Credit machine is quick and reliable – a vast improvement from this time last year – and the pair are capable of finishing inside the top fifteen.
Rating: 6
![Jason Bright - Ford Performance Racing [pic: FPR]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/260662.jpg)
