Marcus Ambrose

[inter]

Just a post to stated that 3 round into the championship and i think ford australian are missing Marcus.
I will not hide the fact that i am a Ford supporter and most of all a Seton fan.
Wether you like him or not Ambrose had talent consistency and tenacity. He did not endire him self with the australian public ( but also Skaife, brock, Moffat, Johnson and all other succesfull drivers) tall poppie syndrome.
An other thing that ambrose had agains him is that more than 50% of the fans are holden supporters ( i assume).
Back to topic. Ambrose was always a better qualifier than Russel, he raced just as well and hard as russel. ( lately russel is more conservative). Dnf for ambrose were rare ( some spectacular ), he was as good as russel at accumulating points.

Currently Russel is leading the championship by clever driving and possibly making the most out of all sutiations, but he is not setting the world on fire.
the only other ford packege out there that is at the ponty end is the 888 package and the FPR.

Lowndes overdrives the car and uses all his natural ability to overcome situations, but he generally has 2 to 3 dnf every eason and this goes against this type of point system.
Bright is quick but hard on tyres ( rears and fades each race)
Winterbottom and whincup are fast but young? too early to tell.
Conclusion Ford misses Ambrose. And lets be fair maybe all he required is some great advisor re his pr skills?

my thoughts

[brchi17]

I'm sure there would be plenty here (me included) who haven't missed him one bit & others that agree.

I was once a Marcos fan, but his attitude lost me.

That said I think Ford are undergoing a wholesale change to their leading drivers with the likes of Mark Winterbottom & Jamie Wincup, showing that they're good enough in the early part of the season. Let's not forget the new drivers to the series like James Courtney and Will Davison who as also starting to show they are are good enough.

Let's not forget that Marcos was not an overnight sensation & he took a season to get up to his menacing speed. I think you might feel a little different in 12 months time.

cheers,

[TIC-302]

I was discussing the same thing with other ford and holden fans.

losing Ambrose has cut Fords presents on the track something shocking, the above mentioned ford drivers haven't got the "intimination" that Ambose use to have which always use to piss Holden drivers off(skaife and Murphy)

Ford fans could always rely on Ambrose being in the top 3-5 on any given race track, mostly he was always in the top 1 or 2 since 2003.

Ford fans could always rely on Ambose for a race win or a strong podium finish , somehow we don't get the feeling anymore from our current Ford drivers!

[szwadiak100]

It's spelt M-A-R-C-O-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[toddy05]

its actually spelt h-e-i-s-g-o-n-e-a-n-d-w-e-d-o-n-'-t-m-i-s-s-h-i-m!!!!Any idea how long that took to type.......talent like him has come and gone a plenty over the years, longevity and a broad fanbase appeal is what it takes to be the man of it all.......

[Malik]

Im no ford fan ... but I think given time Courtney is gonna come good...

I mean let's not forget... he IS a talented driver...

his first V8 drive was only last year and that was in a HRT car... so he has bugger all experience in a SBR falcon.... give him this season to settle then I think he could become a problem for Holden

best thing that ever happened to v8s was ambrose leaving...

MR FIGJAM has left the building...... someone lock the door.

[wayno]

Marcos is gone and I'm glad he's taken his 'amazing personality' somewhere else. I think it's been good for fords stocks as a lot more guys seem to be stepping up to the plate now. Must admit I'm puzzled by the Lowndes lack of consistency considering the team he's with. Also, Jason Bright has confirmed to me that he isn't an a grade driver.

[MarkHM]

I've wondered about Bright for a while...he seems to be a journeyman to use that great boxing expression. The 1000 and 24 hour results I believe have more to do with his co-drivers than him. I wonder if Craig will look back on his career and regret switching camps from HRT/Holden as his consistency and charmed life really haven't continued with Ford. I guess he was in the right car at the right time and started his tin top career on a high so it was always going to be downhill from there on...,

[wayno]

He's out of his depth and proved it at HRT I think. He was never even close to being consistently on a par with Skaife.

[MarkHM]

Jason or Craig?

[wayno]

Jason or Craig?

Jason. Definately not Craig!

[MarkHM]

Phew, I hoped that's what you meant! That was about to be confrontational and I was going to get HSVGOD onto you

[rehau]

He's out of his depth and proved it at HRT I think. He was never even close to being consistently on a par with Skaife.


Are you talking about lowndes or Bright?

[MarkHM]

read above

[VXfan]

I agree Bright didn't get the results like Skaifey during his time at HRT but then again we are talking about a time when Skaife was the absolute best(some of us still think he is;) ) so any team mate could have 'looked' 2nd rate imho.
Another case of a driver doing really well for Holden before moving to Ford?(Bright was 3rd in the championship in 2003 for PWR)
Ingall appears to be the only real success story here.
Back on topic,I think it's a little unfair to say that Ford are going downhill since Marc'O's left although I certainly don't miss him!:D
Cheers,
Tony.

[Martin Thomas]

I think its quite the opposite. MarcIs was the only who liked like winning in his time for the fords with holden drivers scrapping over the rest of the points and sharing them around. Now Ford has a few drivers who can win a race, and FPR are showing some form, too. I think this year looks to be a cracker, if you leave the reverse grids and stupid point system out of the equasion.
Race for race, I think it's been great and looks to stay that way..

[Leigh]

I wonder if Craig will look back on his career and regret switching camps from HRT/Holden as his consistency and charmed life really haven't continued with Ford. ,
Regret getting the old fiddle that's worn, tired and slow...not a chance...

Many forget that HRT had won 2-3 races before Lowndes...Lowndes brought them to the top! He created the right place!

Bright proved at HRT that the old fiddle was no good...likewise at HRT/PWR (using 4th hand fiddles:eek:)...

[HRT 1-2]

I agree with Martin's view besides, the MarcAs argument is based on speculation that he would have been able to get the #4 closer to the front this year! I'm not sure SBR have got the car speed?

[wayno]

I agree with Martin's view besides, the MarcAs argument is based on speculation that he would have been able to get the #4 closer to the front this year! I'm not sure SBR have got the car speed?

This year SBR are certainly not the quickest car out there. That honour would go to 888 for mine.

[HRT 1-2]

Quickest car or quickest Ford?

[1370]

Hahaha,

Like him or loathe him, there is one undeniable fact. He was the only man who could steer an AU competitively. Does anyone remember Phillip Island 2002? The argument stops there for me pretty much- race car drivers are there to win, not wallow in cosy mediocritity.

He's missed, that's for sure!

[HRT 1-2]

Hahaha,

Like him or loathe him, there is one undeniable fact. He was the only man who could steer an AU competitively. Does anyone remember Phillip Island 2002? The argument stops there for me pretty much- race car drivers are there to win, not wallow in cosy mediocritity.

He's missed, that's for sure!

My post you quoted was in relation to Wayno's statement regarding 888!

[wayno]

Quickest car or quickest Ford?

Over a run I still think quickest car. Looking at long runs I still think the Ford is kinder to its tyres, but before this comes into it I believe the Holden is quicker.
Just my humble opinion of course.

[brchi17]

Over a run I still think quickest car. Looking at long runs I still think the Ford is kinder to its tyres, but before this comes into it I believe the Holden is quicker.
Just my humble opinion of course.

The Holden seems to be able to put in a faster lap time over a single lap, but over a longer run the Ford has the potential to be more consistent due to being kinder on it's tyres.

That said I think we're splitting hairs as we're really talking about 10ths and 100ths of a second. :)

[Leigh]

The Holden seems to be able to put in a faster lap time over a single lap, but over a longer run the Ford has the potential to be more consistent due to being kinder on it's tyres.

I think you'll find that there is only 1 Falcon that is kind on its tyres...and that driver had the lowest tyre wear of the field when he ran a HRT:eek:

The Commodes are by far the quickest in a straight line...falcons are marginally quicker under brakes/around corners...Lowndes constant 100% makes his vehicle look faster!

[awawaw]

why all the marocs bashing? ive never understood it. is it because he's a big fish from a small pond? is it you mainlanders dont like us small fish coming over there and beating you all? you'd better watch out, cause i plan to do it too.

[wayno]

why all the marocs bashing? ive never understood it. is it because he's a big fish from a small pond? is it you mainlanders dont like us small fish coming over there and beating you all? you'd better watch out, cause i plan to do it too.

Like a lot of people I used to respect Marcos, even though in my eyes he drove for the wrong crowd. Where he lost people's respect is in the consistent arrogance he has shown for the general public. Numerous examples have been mentioned in various threads here over time.
He deserves everything he gets.

[brchi17]

why all the marocs bashing? ive never understood it. is it because he's a big fish from a small pond? is it you mainlanders dont like us small fish coming over there and beating you all? you'd better watch out, cause i plan to do it too.

Yes, i no longer like Marcos Ambrose.

Why ?

Because of his arrogant attitude that he displayed towards other drivers and fans during his final two season here in Australia.

I now rejoice & take great please every time I read about him failing in the Craftsman trucks :D !!!

[MarkHM]

Quite agree, the race tracks are a fairer, safer place to be now he';s gone. The Yanks deserve him!

[Luke Orreal]

I am really sick of the whinging on this forum. This is my last post. You really are a bunch of old women.

Later.

[MarkHM]

By sonny

[brchi17]

I am really sick of the whinging on this forum. This is my last post. You really are a bunch of old women.

Later.

have a nice day, I hope you've enjoyed your stay :D

[Dingo]

I think many drivers have contempt for the viewing public.

Ambrose is one of the few who came across as being contemptuous of said public.

[MarkHM]

I am really sick of the whinging on this forum. This is my last post. You really are a bunch of old women.

Later.

...and old men too:D

[Dingo]

I am really sick of the whinging on this forum. This is my last post. You really are a bunch of old women.

Later.
If you can't take the heat, etc.

I hear Marcos has his own forum where you can worship him to your heart's content...

[MarkHM]

www.wearabalaclava.com

[Dingo]

www.wearabalaclava.com (http://www.wearabalaclava.com)
Cannot find balaclava... :D

[MarkHM]

www.ohnotheresmurphy.com.au

[MarkHM]

and the shared web site with rick Kelly www.wearelegendsinourownbathwater.com (http://www.wearelegendsinourownbathwater.com)

[inter]

I started this thread as a discusiion topic, i thought in a fairly intelligent was but it has now turned out to be an Ambrose bashin one. That was not my intention??????????


inter

[MarkHM]

Sorry, I got carried away

[Dingo]

I started this thread as a discusiion topic, i thought in a fairly intelligent was but it has now turned out to be an Ambrose bashin one. That was not my intention??????????
The road to hell is paved with good intentions, inter.

My initial post wasn't trying to bash Ambrose per se. My point was that for all of Ambrose's racing ability, Ford Australia is probably suffering less than had they lost someone like Lowndes to the USA, purely on popularity alone.

[Luke Orreal]

Well I wouldn't have expected anyhthing less.

Oh and by the way, I am a big Steven Ritchards fan.

Grow up!!

[VXfan]

Well I wouldn't have expected anyhthing less.

Oh and by the way, I am a big Steven Ritchards fan.

Grow up!!
Hang on,wasn't ur previous post ur last one?:confused:
Cheers,
Tony.

[Dingo]

Well I wouldn't have expected anyhthing less.

Oh and by the way, I am a big Steven Ritchards fan.

Grow up!!
We're not the ones threatening to leave just because of a little criticism of an ex-V8 Supercar driver...

[MarkHM]

I'm biting my tongue and keeping quiet

[Dingo]

I'm biting my tongue and keeping quiet
I should do the same, but if there's one thing I can't stand, it's people who jump up and down and whinge and threaten to leave just because they don't like the way the thread is going, then accuse us of being immature...

[MarkHM]

I agree, sounds just like the sort of thing our Minister of Foreign Affairs would do

[Leigh]

I might buy Women's Weekly on the way home tonight...beats this thread:rolleyes::eek:

[1370]

Because of his arrogant attitude that he displayed towards other drivers and fans during his final two season here in Australia.

I now rejoice & take great please every time I read about him failing in the Craftsman trucks :D !!!

Arrogance? That's a very subjective term. You probably have had it in for him because of his success. Look up the word schadenfreude. I guess some people are the go-getter types and some just don't have the guts to achieve.

Back on topic, for the times that I have been to the race track or to fan days, he's always signed my posters, shirts etc. And more importantly, he won on the track!

[inter]

i must say that on all the easter creek / oran park and bathurst round, also one indy he was great with my son with signature and photo. not sure if it was luck or ??? i dont know.

one son follows seton and the other ambrose

now they follow ingall and lowndes


just my thoughts

[Martin Thomas]

Perhaps its just me, but..
You can put in the hours, be nice to all the kids who manage to find you, work on your polish, have advisors help you out, do the courses and so on.

When things are a bit strained, unexpected or don't go to plan, the real character comes out. Thats why I don't like Warne, Hewitt or Ambrose. You'd be a mug to say they are no good at their sports.

Some people have the occasional dummy spit and make mistakes. But some consistently look like they are painfull people to be around. Pressure (not neccesseraly all on the field/track)can tell a lot about someone, IMHO.

I would prefer my kids to idolise McGill before Warne anyday, But I'm not at all as cometetive as many people I know, so that will have a big bearing on my views. I "judge" sportsmen by more than their results.

Seton compared to Morris. That incar footage after Setons driveshaft broke in '93(?) says a lot about the man.
Morris whenever some thing goes wrong, usually makes me cringe with his interview.

[KiwiRallyFan]

www.ohnotheresmurphy.com.au (http://www.ohnotheresmurphy.com.au)
Mark, I've fixed your link, it seemed to be broken... www.ohnotheresmurphy.com.au (http://www.decradoor.com/herodoors02.html)

http://www.nzmotorsport.co.nz/itemdata/news/image/ large/6196.jpg

[brchi17]

Arrogance? That's a very subjective term. You probably have had it in for him because of his success......

Quite the opposite. I was cheering loud when he won at Phillip Island all those years ago in the AU & used to like the bloke :o

It was his whinge in NZ about the other Ford drivers not letting him past & helping him win that got my goat.

Up until that point in time I was a big fan, but he lost me with this and subsequent comments that he made during his 2nd championship year.

[VXfan]

Mark, I've fixed your link, it seemed to be broken... www.ohnotheresmurphy.com.au (http://www.decradoor.com/herodoors02.html)

http://www.nzmotorsport.co.nz/itemdata/news/image/ large/6196.jpg
No wonder Murph looks happy,the door pic makes him look taller!:D
Cheers,
Tony.

[Leigh]

It was his whinge in NZ about the other Ford drivers not letting him past & helping him win that got my goat.

Up until that point in time I was a big fan, but he lost me with this and subsequent comments that he made during his 2nd championship year. I remember sitting in the pits (when I used to be able to get a pit lane pass) at Sandown a few years ago, and Grech was running up and down pit lane telling other Holden teams to let Skaife through...

Guess who won the championship that year...

Careful how you tar and feather people!

Ambrose was probably guilty of telling the broader public about what REALLY goes on!

If Ambrose had of lost the Championship that year, and it came down to a few points that were taken by another Ford driver, that team would have lost its sponsorship the following year (oh hang on, they did;)...)

Commercial realities...

[1370]

I remember sitting in the pits (when I used to be able to get a pit lane pass) at Sandown a few years ago, and Grech was running up and down pit lane telling other Holden teams to let Skaife through...



And there is nothing wrong with that.

And neither was it wrong of Marcos of expect help from other Ford drivers that late into a season where he and he alone had the ability to do what couldn't be done the rest of the waste-of-space Ford drivers for SEVEN years. The day someone can out pace HRT (with maybe the exception of Lowndes) I will retract my statement.

Can you imagine Masa not pulling over for Michael in an F1 race when a championship is at stake?

[wayno]

I am really sick of the whinging on this forum. This is my last post. You really are a bunch of old women.

Later.

Ok. Sorry you feel that way. How dare anyone have an opinion that differs from yours. :rolleyes:

[wayno]

Well I wouldn't have expected anyhthing less.

Oh and by the way, I am a big Steven Ritchards fan.

Grow up!!

Welcome back!

[spoonster05]

I remember cheering for Marcos in his early days as well despite being a Holden fan as he seemed like a nice laid back bloke but IMO the more races he won the worse his attitude got unfortunately...