Team Betta Electrical's Craig Lowndes has taken his third victory of the V8 Supercar season, winning the Betta Electrical 500 at Sandown.
Along with co-driver Yvan Muller of France, Lowndes beat home 33 V8 Supercars and inclement weather. The highlight was a dramatic run to the chequered flag when he passed Mark Skaife with just five laps remaining after trailing at one stage by over 50 seconds.
Lowndes' win has put Ford in front in the Manufacturer's Cup with five rounds wins to Holden's four.
Lowndes got a great start stretching a lead over 20 seconds before the first round of pit stops. It was during this time that the weather started to turn, with inconsistent drizzle forcing teams to make numerous stops.
It was in this middle stage of the race that Yvan Muller took the wheel. He maintained a strong pace, but had to make one extra pit stop than rival Skaife who took the #2 car from Todd Kelly. Muller even at one stage passed Skaife for the lead, but just a handful of laps later had to come into the pits to hand the car back to Lowndes for the run to the flag.
Lowndes then went on a mission over the last 48 laps, carving into Skaife's lead and grabbed first position in front of packed grandstand with five laps to run.
The result was Ford's second straight win at Sandown and third in succession following wins in Queensland (Lowndes) and Oran Park (Ingall).
"The car was great, the team was great and Yvan was just sensational," said Lowndes.
"A lot of people questioned the decision to put Yvan and I together, but today showed just how classy he is as a driver.
"I'm sure that if the weather didn't change so much, we would have probably won the race a lot easier. However, it's a pretty special feeling to fight for a win and that's what we did today.
"It was hard on the crew to make the right calls on the tyres. Even when I got back in for the final run I had wet tyres on. There were times when I was asking the crew should we change. We stuck to our guns and that was clearly the right decision in the end.
"The chase for Skaife was pretty exciting. The guys knew he had a couple of dramas and had to conserve fuel. We kept the pace up and with the gap coming down I couldn't believe how it all unfolded.
"Taking our third win of the year is great for me, the team and clearly Ford is delighted to once again win in its home town and take the lead in the manufacturer's title.
"Our team is really excited heading to Bathurst. Yvan and I will be strong, as well as our team-mates and the entire Ford group of teams. Ford hasn't won since 1998 and I think every supporter of the Blue Oval should be excited about Bathurst this year!"
Yvan Muller rated today's win as one of the top-five highlights in his career. Muller a champion in British Touring Cars as well as the Andros Ice Racing series has now ticked a big box in Australian V8 Supercars.
"For sure it's right up there in terms of my career," said Muller.
"I'm still to really get comfortable in these cars, but I'm delighted with my drive today and to win with Craig is simply fantastic.
"The wet weather was very tough, but I'm sure it's made me a more confident driver for Bathurst.
"As I had never driven one of these cars in the wet before I was not sure if my pace was quick enough. Believe me I was very happy to pass Skaife and give Craig the car in a strong position.
"Believe me it's not easy for any European or non-regular driver in the V8 Supercar Championship Series. I wanted to do these races because I know how big the challenge is."
Ford finished with five cars in the top-10. Lowndes and Muller's team-mates Steve Ellery and Adam Macrow were fifth, Jason Bright and David Brabham (CAT Ford Performance Racing) in sixth, Russell Ingall and Luke Youlden (Caltex Racing) in seventh, with Brad Jones and John Bowe (Team BOC) in ninth.
Championship leader Marcos Ambrose finished 14th. He started well, but an overheating engine after damage to the front bonnet forced extra pit stops.
Ambrose still heads Stone Brothers Racing team-mate Ingall in the championship chase.
Next up in the V8 Supercar Championship Series is the big one, the Super Cheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst on Sunday October 9.
Sandown – Top-10 Results
1. Craig Lowndes / Yvan Muller – Team Betta Electrical – Ford Falcon BA
2. Todd Kelly / Mark Skaife - Holden Racing Team – Holden Commodore
3. Jason Richards / Jamie Whincup – Dodo Racing – Holden Commodore
4. Rick Kelly / Garth – HSV Dealer Team – Holden Commodore
5. Steve Ellery / Adam Macrow – Team Betta Electrical – Ford Falcon BA
6. Jason Bright / David Brabham – CAT Ford Performance Racing – Ford Falcon BA
7. Russell Ingall / Luke Youlden – Caltex Racing – Ford Falcon BA
8. Paul Morris / Paul Radisich – Sirromet / TKR Racing – Holden Commodore
9. Brad Jones / John Bowe – Team BOC – Ford Falcon BA
10. Cameron McConville / Andrew Jones – Valvoline Racing – Holden Commodore
Championship Standings after 9 of 13 rounds
1. Marcos Ambrose – Pirtek Racing – Ford Falcon BA - 1486pts
2. Russell Ingall – Caltex Racing – Ford Falcon BA – 78pts
3. Steven Richards – Castrol Perkins Motorsport – Holden Commodore – 119pts
4. Craig Lowndes – Team Betta Electrical – Ford Falcon BA – 225pts
5. Todd Kelly – Holden Racing Team – Holden Commodore – 233pts
6. Mark Skaife – Holden Racing Team – Holden Commodore – 284pts
7. Garth Tander – HSV Dealer Team – Holden Commodore - 342pts
8. Jason Bright – CAT Ford Performance Racing – Ford Falcon BA - 390pts
9. Steven Johnson – Westpoint Racing – Ford Falcon BA – 444pts
10. Glenn Seton – Westpoint Racing – Ford Falcon BA - 448pts
Lowndes is Betta than the Rest at Sandown