ID :
31697
Sat, 11/22/2008 - 22:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/31697
The shortlink copeid
Ambrose's US ambitions on line at NASCAR
AAP - Tasmanian Marcos Ambrose has declared there will be no second chances if he fails to make an impact when he steps up to the premier NASCAR Championship in the US next year.
Ambrose has earned a promotion to America's most popular motor racing series from
the second tier competition after an impressive string of performances in limited
starts this season.
But he has indicated that unless he proves himself competitive from the start in
2009 his quest will be virtually dead.
"Next year is make-or-break for me," said Ambrose, at Symmons Plains on holiday to
watch the Tasmanian round of the V8 Supercar series he once dominated.
"I am in quality gear for the first time. I have paid my dues and I have had over
100 starts now so there are no excuses.
"I have got to get it done.
NASCAR has traditionally proved one of the most unforgiving categories of motorsport.
Among those who have battled to qualify in the super high-speed sport are ex Formula
One world champion Jacques Villeneuve and former F1 Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo
Montoya.
A two-time V8 Supercar champion, Ambrose had 11 starts in the full NASCAR
Championship this year as well as a full season in the Nationwide series including a
race victory.
He is set for a full year in the main game in 2009.
Despite his success as the first Australian to win a spot in NASCAR, Ambrose insists
his breakthrough has been more a matter of hard work than talent.
"There was no master plan," he said. "I have just fallen into it with passion,
commitment and enthusiasm.
"I still believe today that I have no more talent than anyone else. I pinch myself
that I have got this far. I am proud of what I have achieved so far."
Ambrose, who races for the JTG Daugherty Racing and the Waltrip team, said his
background in V8 Supercars set him up well for the US scene.
"The level here is high, you don't win a championship here unless you are really
good," he said.
"It taught me a great lesson - that you need good people around you. Definitely I
learned a lot here.
"Without winning a V8 Supercar Championship here I wouldn't have been able to go
over there anyway.
"And even when I got there I wouldn't have lasted five minutes unless I really knew
what I was doing. There's no doubt that what I learned here put me in good stead,"
he said.
Ambrose has earned a promotion to America's most popular motor racing series from
the second tier competition after an impressive string of performances in limited
starts this season.
But he has indicated that unless he proves himself competitive from the start in
2009 his quest will be virtually dead.
"Next year is make-or-break for me," said Ambrose, at Symmons Plains on holiday to
watch the Tasmanian round of the V8 Supercar series he once dominated.
"I am in quality gear for the first time. I have paid my dues and I have had over
100 starts now so there are no excuses.
"I have got to get it done.
NASCAR has traditionally proved one of the most unforgiving categories of motorsport.
Among those who have battled to qualify in the super high-speed sport are ex Formula
One world champion Jacques Villeneuve and former F1 Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo
Montoya.
A two-time V8 Supercar champion, Ambrose had 11 starts in the full NASCAR
Championship this year as well as a full season in the Nationwide series including a
race victory.
He is set for a full year in the main game in 2009.
Despite his success as the first Australian to win a spot in NASCAR, Ambrose insists
his breakthrough has been more a matter of hard work than talent.
"There was no master plan," he said. "I have just fallen into it with passion,
commitment and enthusiasm.
"I still believe today that I have no more talent than anyone else. I pinch myself
that I have got this far. I am proud of what I have achieved so far."
Ambrose, who races for the JTG Daugherty Racing and the Waltrip team, said his
background in V8 Supercars set him up well for the US scene.
"The level here is high, you don't win a championship here unless you are really
good," he said.
"It taught me a great lesson - that you need good people around you. Definitely I
learned a lot here.
"Without winning a V8 Supercar Championship here I wouldn't have been able to go
over there anyway.
"And even when I got there I wouldn't have lasted five minutes unless I really knew
what I was doing. There's no doubt that what I learned here put me in good stead,"
he said.
