Ambrose struggles in the wet.

Marcos Ambrose finished seventh in the second round of the V8 Supercar series in his Pirtek Falcon after running towards the front of the field for the majority of the race.

The defending series champion has now slipped to second on the points table in the 2004 championship race to Steve Richards 360 to 348.

Ambrose was frustrated towards the end of the race and was lucky to escape major damage to his Falcon when Todd Kelly made his way back on to the track after spinning.

Contact was made which spun Kelly again - in turn he was then hit at moderate speed by Jason Richards which badly damaged the front of his Commodore.

"It was a pretty tough race," said Ambrose. "To finish was really a credit in the end. We looked pretty good early because we had gone with a half dry set-up, but once the heavy rain came we really struggled.

"We really lacked grip and then obviously lacked the speed needed to keep with the leading few. I am happy to get the points we did and now we have to put our heads down for New Zealand."