Las Vegas — Orrcon Steel Racing's Jason Bargwanna has scored back-to-back fifth place finishes at the non-championship V8 Supercar support event at the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park.

Top-10 results for Race No. 3 of the V8 event

1. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore 2. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore 3. Garth Tander - Valvoline Cummins Racing - Holden Commodore 4. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore 5. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA 6. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 7. Steve Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA 8. Paul Weel - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore 9. Steve Ellery - Super Cheap Auto Racing - Ford Falcon BA 10. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA

After his fighting fifth place finish yesterday, Bargwanna once again showed the potential of the Orrcon Steel Falcon in the final 10-lap race.

The race was won by Jason Bright ahead of Steven Richards, with Garth Tander third and Greg Murphy fourth.

For most of the race Bargwanna was holding fourth position, but Greg Murphy forced his way past with just three laps remaining.

“We made some changes to the car for today's race and it wasn't quite as good as yesterday,” said Bargwanna.

“In saying that we got a great deal out of this weekend. We're confident of having a strong package for the opening race of the championship in Adelaide in a couple of weeks.

“Importantly we know the car can get better, and that's got everyone in the team excited.”

Defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) put in the drive of the race to climb from a starting position of 26th to finish on the bumper of Bargwanna.

Following many frustrations this weekend, Ambrose picked cars off lap after lap. He's confident of a strong showing in Adelaide.

“I wish today was twice as long,” said Ambrose.

“Yesterday we had leaves clog up our radiator screen and end our challenge, today the car was a jet.

“We have come away this weekend with a great result and a straight racecar, so it's all go now for the real championship stuff in Adelaide.”

Ford finished the Grand Prix weekend with five cars in the top 10, with Shell Helix Racing's Steve Johnson in seventh, Steve Ellery (Super Cheap Auto Racing) in ninth and Caltex Havoline Racing's Russell Ingall rounding out the 10.

Teams will regroup in Adelaide in two weeks time for the opening round of the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Clipsal 500.

Split into a 250km race on the Saturday and 250km on the Sunday, the Clipsal 500 is one of the premier events of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.