Pirtek takes Ambrose support to new generation

Marcos Ambrose and Pirtek are one of the most iconic combinations in Australian motorsport this century and his daughter Tabitha is taking it to a special new era through Formula Ford.

Two decades on from Marcos Ambrose’s final Supercars season racing the Pirtek SBR Falcon, his daughter Tabitha Ambrose will race the same famous colours in Formula Ford.

Tabitha Ambrose, 19, will stand out racing the iconic colours on the #45 in the Stars and Renegades Formula Ford Series, which is part of the Hi-Tec Oils Super Series at Winton this weekend.

The PIRTEK Spectrum Formula Ford will be prepared by Marcos Ambrose Motorsport with former Supercars endurance driver Adam Macrow.

The special Pirtek colours Tabitha will race with in Formula Ford.

Tabitha Ambrose is not only following in her father’s footsteps, but is well on the way to forging her own career.

She started her racing career a couple of years ago in a Hyundai Excel and had her first drive in a Formula Ford with great success in the opening round of the NSW Championships at One Raceway.

She flew to pole position by two tenths before recording a dominant clean sweep across the three races.

Formula Ford is a fitting platform for the new era of Pirtek and Ambrose as it was a massive part of Marcos’ rise to Supercars.

Marcos finished second in the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 1997 before moving to England where he won the European Formula Ford title in 1999 and the rest is history.

Marcos Ambrose last raced Pirtek colours in V8 Supercars for SBR in 2005. Image: Mark Horsburgh/LAT

Just two years later Ambrose was racing the Pirtek SBR AU Falcon in V8 Supercars, winning in his debut season before dominating in the BA Falcon and going back to back in 2003 and 2004.

But now it is all about Tabitha as he steers the Pirtek and Ambrose story into a new era.

“To have PIRTEK as the naming rights partner on our new Formula Ford and be announced as a PIRTEK ambassador is an incredible honour at this stage of my career,” said Tabitha.

Tabitha Ambrose dominating Formula Ford in the NSW season opener at One Raceway. Image: Riccardo Benvenuti/Priceless Images

“It is also humbling to be carrying the number 45 in PIRTEK’s 45th anniversary year.

“Obviously I was not even born when dad won the Supercars championships in the PIRTEK Falcon for SBR, but that era was a memorable one for Ford fans and there is not a day go by where I don’t see images of that car or have someone want to talk to me about it.

“While I want to win like everyone else out there, and that is our goal, no one is pressuring me with unrealistic expectations – within the team or outside of it.

Tabitha Ambrose ready for the next chapter with Pirtek.

“I feel like I am winning by just being out there, learning and being on this journey.

“I also understand that I am a female in what has been regarded as a man’s world, but as far as I am concerned I am just a racer doing everything I can to be competitive.

“I have an enormous amount to learn about all aspects of this sport and that will continue as I take each new step in my career.

“It is a pretty special feeling each time I pull on the PIRTEK Racing suit or team shirt and I know it brings a bit of a smile to dad’s face.”

Marcos Ambrose is touched and proud to see his daughter race with the same famous colours on the national stage.

Tabitha Ambrose will race Pirtek colours this weekend.

“PIRTEK have been an incredible supporter of Australian and international motorsport for almost three decades and to have been in a position to reward them with two Supercars championships (2003, 2004) remains one of the true highlights of my career,” he said.

“I was constantly reminded that PIRTEK would be enthusiastic supporters of Tabitha if she chose to pursue a full-time motorsport career, but there were several personal hoops we had to jump through before having a serious discussion.

“Tabitha is passionate about the sport, has been prepared to do the hard work in and out of the car over the last couple of years and is not afraid to get her hands dirty and that’s why we are in the position we are today.

“We are looking forward to the next chapter in Tabitha’s journey this year, but there are no crazy expectations from any of the stakeholders.

“We want to do everything as professionally as we can for ourselves and our partners, learn more every time we head to the track and ensure we have plenty of fun along the way.”

TABATHA AMBROSE SCHEDULE 2025

February 14-16 (Vic) – Sandown Raceway (Vic)
February 23-24 (NSW) – One Raceway (Morgan Park, Goulburn, NSW)
February 28-March 2 (HSS, Vic) – Winton (Vic)
March 29-20 (Vic) – Calder Park (Vic)
April 11-13 (Vic, AC) – Winton Motor Raceway (Vic)
May 10-11 (NSW) – Winton Motor Raceway (Vic)
May 16-18 (Vic, AC) – Phillip Island (vic)
May 30 – June 1 (HSS) – Sydney Motorsport Park (NSW)
June 6-8 (AC) – One Raceway (Morgan Park, Goulburn NSW)
June 28-30 (HSS) – Queensland Raceway (Qld)
July 25-26 (NSW, AC) – Sydney Motorsport Park (NSW)
August 22-24 (Vic, AC) – Sandown Raceway (Vic)
September 19-21 (SA, AC) – The Bend (SA)
September 26-28 (HSS) – Mallala Motorsport Park (SA)
October 3-5 (Vic) – Phillip Island (Vic)
October 18-19 (NSW) – One Raceway (Morgan Park, Goulburn, NSW)
October 31-November 2 (HSS) – Winton (Victoria)

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