Before heading to the United States to take on the good ol’ boys of NASCAR, Marcos Ambrose helped turn Ford’s fortunes around in the Australian arena.
The Blue Oval had been soundly beaten after Glenn Seton secured the 1997 Australian Touring Car Championship crown to the point where race wins were counted on one hand.
Ford came back in a big way courtesy of Australian boss Geoff Polites and Howard Marsden leading to a massive turnaround led by Ambrose.
The Tasmanian won back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004 ensuring angst within the Holden establishment leading to some awesome rivalries.
“The rivalry we had back in the day People look back at Supercars and that period from 2000 to 2006 was really just the height of rivalry in the sport,” said Ambrose.
“There was Skaife and Ingall, myself and Murphy, the Kelly boys were in there too – there was a lot on the line at the time.
“The crowds were massive, Ford and Holden were throwing cash at it to try to win on race day.”
Ambrose played both the hero and villain well, but reflected on what was an awesome time for the sport.
“All sports need heroes and villains. I think I was probably both at some point,” Ambrose admitted.
“To some I was a hero and others I was certainly a villain.
“I was just really proud to be part of that scene. I’ve got regrets, but I’ve also got things I look back on and think that was cool.”
“It was a wild time, a different time.
“It’s not what motorsport is today, but in my mind it was the glory days.”