It was a simmering rivalry in its early stages back in 2005, the emerging Ford star and the established Holden leader.
Debuting in 2001 following a successful stint overseas, Marcos Ambrose made an immediate impact for Stone Brothers Racing as it transitioned to become the Blue Oval’s leading team. When Ambrose debuted, it was in the middle of a period of domination by the Holden Racing Team.
The factory Holden team set the seeds for a period of domination in 1996 when Craig Lowndes took his first of three Australian Touring Car Championships, plus the endurance events at Sandown and Bathurst with Greg Murphy.
HRT weren’t able to back it up in 1997, but the next five seasons were a different story as Lowndes returned from a disappointing European adventure to take the next two Supercars titles. This continued with Skaife as he completed a hat-trick of titles and two Bathurst wins in the ‘Golden Child’.
However, 2003 proved a turning point with Ford’s BA Falcon entering the fray and changing the fortunes for Blue Oval off the back of growing investment by Australian boss Geoff Polities.
Through this, Ford Performance Racing was formed through an allegiance with international rallying and circuit racing powerhouse Prodrive.
This proved unsuccessful as Stone Brothers Racing led the Ford charge together with Ambrose and Holden defector Russell Ingall.
After two championship wins for Ambrose and a fall of form by HRT, 2005 provided a change of fortune for Skaife as he returned to contention, but Perth failed to aid in his bid.
A particular moment was after the start in Perth when the two clashed at the opening corner and went into the sand trap. Skaife was bunkered, but Ambrose skipped away and continued to finish fifth.
It proved a fiery encounter.
“It’s very disappointing, it changes the championship that sort of stuff,” said Skaife post-incident.
In fact Ingall tasted victory for the first and only time at the end of 2005.