Blue day for V8 Supercars.

by Matthew Agius

Stone Brothers Racing have once again imprinted their dominance on the V8 Supercar Championship Series, which concluded at Victoria's Phillip Island Raceway.

The 2003 and 2004 champions delivered Ford Australia the drivers', teams', and manufactures' titles with a fantastic final day of racing at the BigPond Grand Finale.

Caltex Racing driver Russell Ingall, became the newly-crowned V8 Supercar champion when he played a quick and consistent strategy to finish the weekend in fifth. The quadruple series runner-up (1998, 1999, 2001, 2004) secured his inaugural V8 title with Stone Brothers Racing - effectively keeping the number one plate at SBR for 2006.

"It's not bad, I can't complain about it - it's been a long time coming," said Ingall to Crash.net Radio. "I've been runner up four times in this championship since I've been in it, it's just great to finally grab it. It's been one hell of a year. I look at the crew and they're all worn out. I look at Marcos (Ambrose) and he's worn out and I can tell you that I'm bloody worn out.

"I think a lot (of people) were expecting me to crack under pressure, I don't think they realise I've been in a lot of sticky situations. I have done a lot of racing overseas, a lot of racing in England, and I can tell you that I've raced against some pretty hard drivers over there. To be quite honest I didn't find the weekend terribly hard mentally.

"It helped that the car was on the pace and we had a very quick car this weekend and that obviously makes the job a lot easier.

Ingall's teammate, outgoing dual champion and NASCAR-bound driver Marcos Ambrose, concluded his foreseeable V8 Supercar career by winning Sunday's two races in dominant fashion - setting the fastest lap in the final race, and also delivered Ford the manufacturers' championship by delivering the deciding win to the Blue Oval.

"My time in V8 Supercars has been pretty special and to go out with a win like we did today and to give Ford the manufacturers' title is extra special," said Ambrose.

"I have built up some tremendous friendships in this series up and down pit lane then you have everyone at Ford and Pirtek. I have many great friends in the Pirtek organisation and I will certainly miss those guys next year.

"There was a tear in my eye there at the end, but at the same time I am excited about what lies ahead. I had a terrific car this weekend and I guess to win the round was a great reward for all boys and a fitting way to go out.

"I have to thank Ford, Pirtek, my crew and Ross and Jimmy Stone and their families for all their support and giving me the opportunity for such success over the last five years."

In addition Stone Brothers Racing also was victorious in the newly formed teams' championship, whilst Craig Lowndes finished second in the drivers' championship in his SBR-powered Betta Electrical Falcon, thus the top three cars in the series operated with engines from the Yatala based squad.

In a tough weekend for Holden, some consolidation for their 2006 campaign came when both Holden Special Vehicles Dealer Team Commodores secured their second double-podium in as many rounds.

Super Cheap Auto Racing driver Greg Murphy notched a respectable weekend result at his team's nominated testing venue to claim a second placing in the final race. Whilst Todd Kelly, Jason Bright and Mark Skaife also secured strong race finishes at Phillip Island.

The final race of the weekend, and indeed the championship, was not without some disappointment - with Autobarn Racing's Owen Kelly and Dodo Racing's Jamie Whincup each retiring from the final sprint for 2005 with oil pressure dramas. The round also played host to the final curtain for several drivers and sponsorship arrangements.

Anthony Tratt will leave full-time driving duties after seven years driving for his privateer Toll Racing team for both Ford and Holden, with Toll set to sponsor the HSV Dealer Team in 2006. An accident for Tratt early in the weekend meant he didn't drive in what were to be the final races of his career, and also left car owner Larry Perkins rather an unhappy chap.

After several years with Ford and the past three with Holden, Paul Weel will also exit full-time driving when he seeks to focus on managerial responsibilities with his PWR Performance Products business.

Glenn Seton and Westpoint Financial will leave Dick Johnson Racing for new horizons after the Queensland based team elected to part ways with Seton with one-year remaining on his contract, and Westpoint is set to be replaced as major sponsor for DJR.

In the HPDC V8 Supercar Series, Dean Canto secured his second championship title for Ford when he finished behind Howard Racing's Adam Macrow in the final round of the championship. After a disastrous round at Wakefield Park where he failed to start two races, Canto recovered well, and benefited from a little luck, to win the 2005 title.

"Winning the title today is much more satisfying than 2000 because it's been so challenging," Canto said.

"After the incident at Wakefield Park we knew it was going to be tough to win. We just kept working as hard as we could hoping that those ahead of me would have at least one bad race and keep us in contention.

"Winning the championship has obviously been the focus for the year because I want to get into the main game. I've been strong and consistent, DJR has given me a fantastic car and we've all worked hard. We deserve this result."

Ferodo Triple Challenge - Race three
1. Marcos Ambrose, Pirtek Racing, BA Falcon
2. Greg Murphy, Super Cheap Auto Racing, VZ Commodore
3. Rick Kelly, HSV Dealer Team, VZ Commodore
4. Garth Tander, HSV Dealer Team, VZ Commodore
5. Russell Ingall, Caltex Racing, BA Falcon
6. Todd Kelly, Holden Racing Team, VZ Commodore
7. Jason Bright, Caterpillar Racing, BA Falcon
8. Mark Skaife, Holden Racing Team, VZ Commodore
9. Paul Weel, Super Cheap Auto Racing, VZ Commodore
10. Steven Ellery, Team Betta Electrical, BA Falcon

Ferodo Triple Challenge - Overall results
1. Marcos Ambrose, Pirtek Racing, BA Falcon
2. Garth Tander, HSV Dealer Team, VZ Commodore
3. Rick Kelly, HSV Dealer Team, VZ Commodore
4. Greg Murphy, Super Cheap Auto Racing, VZ Commodore
5. Russell Ingall, Caltex Racing, BA Falcon
6. Craig Lowndes, Team Betta Electrical, BA Falcon
7. Steven Ellery, Team Betta Electrical, BA Falcon
8. Paul Weel, Super Cheap Auto Racing, VZ Commodore
9. Paul Radisich, Team Kiwi Racing, VZ Commodore
10. Mark Skaife, Holden Racing Team, VZ Commodore

2005 V8 Supercar Championship winners
Driver: Russell Ingall, Caltex Racing, BA Falcon
Team: Stone Brothers Racing
Manufacturer: Ford
HPDC: Dean Canto, Gatorz Racing, BA Falcon