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Penske says V8 team for long term

27th February, 2015
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The billionaire backer behind Marcos Ambrose’s return to V8 Supercars has revealed his low expectations for the former champion during the 2015 season.

American Roger Penske, the head of transportation giant Penske Corporation and its motorsports arm Team Penske, bought into the Australian sport last year through Dick Johnson Racing.

The Clipsal 500 marks the debut of the new DJR Team Penske, with sole driver Ambrose on board car No.17.

In Adelaide to see his team’s first outing, the man from Ohio said despite his title-winning pedigree, he only expected baby steps from Ambrose in his first of two contracted years.

“I learned a long time ago, in racing you’ve got to start at the bottom,” he said.

“As I see the year, it’s going to be a building year.

“We’d like to be in the top half by the end of the season.

“I don’t want anyone to leave here today thinking we’re going to be sitting on the podium every weekend.”

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No one could get that impression after Ambrose’s first qualifying effort on his return to the sport.

The Tasmanian will start 24th of 25 cars in both of Saturday’s races, well off the pace of pole-sitter Jamie Whincup.

Joint team principal Dick Johnson said the partnership they had established was victory enough for him in year one.

“To partner with one of the very top teams in motor racing worldwide would be something that every single person in pit lane would love to be a part of,” he said.

Johnson and Penske did have an on-stage crash, with the touring car legend decrying plans to change engine specifications from 2017, after Penske endorsed them.

But 2017 is a long way off for DJR Team Penske, which has plenty of work ahead based on day one.

There are still many questions around the new team – not least they plan to run a sole Ford from their garage.

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Penske said he would “look at the landscape” regarding his team’s longer-term manufacturer, as well as its potential expansion in future.

A second car for endurance races is “potentially” on the radar but, now, his intentions appear as unclear as the mysterious contents of George Constanza’s Penske File.

One thing is clear, according to Penske.

“This isn’t a short-term stay for us, I can tell you that,” he said.

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