PRTC

BIGGEST PRIZE IN AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING REVEALED

The Stan Sainty Cup has been unveiled

The fastest drag racing series in the country, the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, demands an award as spectacular as the racing it serves up each round. When Top Fuel Australia’s Nathan Prendergast reached out to the Sainty Family late last season to ask if they could name the championship in Stan’s honour, the wheels quickly began turning. “And what an honour it is that we most graciously accepted,” Stan’s wife, Margaret Sainty, said. Top Fuel Australia wants to race for a purpose and with meaning. They see Stan as an Ambassador and pioneer for Top Fuel and could think of no one better to bestow this glory upon. “Stan was a master machinist who had an incredible talent for engine design,” Nathan said. “In life, Stan Sainty seemed unconquerable. He was big and strong, with the hands of a man who made his living by hard work. He was quiet, generous, uncomplicated; a humble figure who was just doing what he loved.” The Championship Trophy will be known as the Stan Sainty Cup, and the winner of the Australian Top Fuel Championship will be presented with the perpetual cup, which has been created by none other than Stan’s son, Terry Sainty. A smaller version of the trophy has also been made and will be presented to the Top Fuel Championship winner each year for them to keep. The Stan Sainty Cup has been 100 percent proudly made in Riverstone Australia in the Sainty Engineering workshop. Terry and his tradesman, Billy Foster, have spent more than 200 hours designing, machining, fabricating, welding, and polishing a truly unique trophy with meaning to capture the essence of both Stan Sainty and Top Fuel. The base of the trophy is made from a solid block of billet aluminium, just like a Top Fuel engine. It is CNC-machined with facets and engraved on the oval face and underneath as well. The vessel is crafted from titanium sheet and is argon tig welded. The shape is inspired by the rear wing struts on the dragster and set at an angle of 63 degrees. The stars of the Southern Cross have been cut out of the titanium cup creating a shadow and is a proud representation of the Australian culture and the constellation of stars that can only be seen from the southern hemisphere. The Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship congratulates Peter Xiberras on being the inaugural winner of the Stan Sainty Cup. The Cup was presented to Peter at round one of the 2022 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship, held at Alice Springs Inland Dragway on September 2. For more information, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au

FDA REGIONAL FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Motorsport Australia has announced 24 racers for the prestigious program

The participants for the 2022 Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) – Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program have been chosen with 24 drivers to attend Sepang International Circuit for the three-day event (26-28 September). The successful drivers, aged between 14 and 17 years old, were selected from a pool of more than 60 applicants and will now head to Malaysia where they will be evaluated on their driving, fitness and media skills. Following on from the intense testing program, up to two drivers may be selected to attend the FDA’s Scouting World Finals in Maranello, where they will go up against drivers from other regions in a bid for a potential place in the FDA for 2023. With Motorsport Australia running the Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program in 2022, the 24 selected teenagers hail from seven different countries highlighting the diversity of this year’s talent pool. Making up the field are drivers from Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. With all 24 finalists capable of being selected for the Ferrari Driver Academy’s Scouting World Finals,

Lincoln Taylor (pictured right) is one of 24 drivers to be selected for the regional selection program.

Motorsport Australia’s Director of Motorsport and Commercial Operations, Michael Smith, was looking forward to the event. “A big congratulations to all 24 drivers for being selected for this year’s FDA Asia Pacific and Oceania regional selection program, which is a massive achievement in itself,” Michael said. “We are thrilled with the huge amount of interest shown in the application process and I feel there is very little in it with all 24 drivers a good chance of progressing through to the next phase. “The Ferrari Driver Academy is an incredible opportunity for the aspiring youngsters, and to have a number of drivers selected from outside Australia is fantastic as it represents the strong diversity of this year’s competition. “The three-day intensive program will certainly challenge these young drivers in all aspects, and we look forward to seeing them in action at the magnificent Sepang International Circuit.” For a full list of drivers nominated visit www.motorsport.org.au

THOMAS RANDLE AND CASTROL RACE FOR PETER MAC

Vital funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation were raised at Sandown Raceway

While landing a pair of Top 10 finishes at the Sandown SuperSprint last month was a highlight for Castrol Racing’s Thomas Randle, the biggest achievement of his weekend was realised offtrack, with Thomas and Castrol teaming up to raise over $47,000 for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation. Driving a purple-tinged #55 Castrol Racing Ford Mustang, the weekend served as a major fundraising initiative for ONTrac at the Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service. ONTrac at Peter Mac is a multidisciplinary service providing care for adolescents and young adults affected by cancer. A collaboration between Castrol, Tickford Racing, and the Randle family, the fundraising initiative was a particularly personal one for the 26-year-old Victorian. Diagnosed with testicular cancer in early 2020, Thomas sought support from the service throughout his treatment, and now serves as a member of the Victorian Youth Cancer Action Board, helping to improve services and support for young cancer patients and their families. Now 18 months cancer-free and in the midst of his first full season in the Supercars Championship, Thomas was excited to give back to the service that supported him on his journey. “It was an honour to represent Peter Mac on the grid at the 2022 Sandown SuperSprint,” Thomas said. “Peter Mac was instrumental in treating me during my period with testicular cancer, while also providing me with further assistance from the ONTrac at Peter Mac service, which provides support to adolescents and young adults affected by cancer.” With Castrol Australia kicking off the fundraising drive with a contribution of $10,000, Castrol Brand and Product Marketing Manager Jan Willink, expressed his delight in supporting the ONTrac at Peter Mac service through Tickford’s rising star, Thomas Randle. “Castrol is extremely proud to support the work done by Peter Mac through their adolescent and young adult cancer service,” Jan said. “Whether it’s raising awareness, funds, or simply providing unique opportunities for those involved with Peter Mac programs, we’re thrilled Castrol could play a small role.” In addition to driving donations, Castrol worked to create lasting experiences for young people in the Peter Mac program by providing 100 passes to the Sandown SuperSprint to young patients. Over a dozen young people also got the ride of their life with Thomas at the team’s Ride Day, riding shotgun aboard the Castrol Racing Mustang. “I know that the most enjoyable laps Thomas Randle has driven this year in the Castrol Racing Mustang were those with passengers from Peter Mac,” Jan said. Several fundraising opportunities were rolled out across the Sandown race event, allowing fans to directly support young people with cancer. Notably, one race fan walked away with the raceused bonnet of the No. 55 Castrol Racing Ford Mustang, with Lloyds Auctions managing an online auction across the weekend, from which all proceeds went directly to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation. The auction of the bonnet alone raised $3100 for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation. “We felt privileged to auction the number 55 supercar bonnet to raise funds for a much-needed cause,” Lloyds Auctions Chief Operations Officer, Lee Hames, said. Dr Jeremy Lewin, Medical Director of the ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Service, welcomed the support from both Castrol and Thomas, which will help drive attention and donations to the service that aims to improve outcomes for young people with cancer. “We are thrilled to have such fantastic support from Thomas and the team at Castrol Racing through their program across the Sandown weekend,” Dr Lewin said. “Our service exists to help young people with cancer navigate the extra challenges we know they face. The years 15-25 are a critical period for a person’s development and trajectory in life, and facing a cancer diagnosis and its treatment during that time can be particularly disruptive. “The service provides a range of supports aimed at improving outcomes and experiences of young people with cancer. We have worked closely with Thomas since his own cancer diagnosis in 2020, and are delighted to see him doing so well today, and also by his work in support of our service.” Supports provided by ONTrac at Peter Mac are designed to sit alongside a young person’s cancer treatment and cover everything from exercise and nutrition to mental health, and help to navigate education, employment or family challenges that can arise. For more from Castrol, visit www.castrol.com.au

BURSON AUTO PARTS SECURES MOTORVATION NAMING RIGHTS

It has been a massive year for Burson Auto Parts

Following the success of its partnership with the Australian Top Fuel Championship, Burson Auto Parts has just inked a deal to secure the naming rights to Motorvation 37. “To say we are excited to have Burson Auto Parts on board for Motorvation 37 is an understatement,” Motorvation Co-Promoter, Andy Lopez, said. “We’ve worked with them across many of our events, and most recently, we’ve helped them to engage with the large and hugely passionate drag racing community as the naming rights sponsor of the Australian Top Fuel Championship.” Motorvation is Australia’s longest-running car festival, and Western Australia’s wildest horsepower extravaganza and the team at Burson Auto Parts are already putting plans in place to ‘go big’ at this iconic event that will run from the 3rd to the 5th of February 2023 at the Perth Motorplex. “While the dust is still settling on Summernats, February at the Perth Motorplex will be the place to be for everyone who lives cars and breathes horsepower,” Burson Automotive Pty Ltd State Sales Manager – WA, Louis Sanders, said. “I can’t give too much away just yet, but I can assure you that we’ve got some cool ideas in the pipeline that we know punters will appreciate.” Motorvation attracts more than 20,000 people and 500-plus entrants and is just one of the motoring lifestyle events promoted by Andy and his hard-working Summernats team. “In addition to Motorvation, we also own Summernats and Motorex and partner with the Northern Territory Government and Rockhampton Council on Red CentreNats and RockyNats, respectively,” Andy said. “The combined annual attendance at these five unique events exceeds 220,000. As Australia reawakens after a couple of tough years, numbers are up, punters are voting with their feet, and we expect that trend to continue in 2023.” Andy reported that product sales by traders at their events have already exceeded $30 million. “Our fan base is engaged and committed,” Andy said. “They’re not afraid to open up the wallet and support those brands, like Burson Auto Parts, who partner with us to deliver the events they love.” Earlier this year, Summernats announced a partnership with Media Scrum (www.mediascrum. com.au) to provide traders and sponsors with an increased level of service, and this relationship is reportedly already bearing fruit. “Media Scrum is kicking goals,” Andy said. “They are smashing our trade sales targets and are setting a new benchmark for sponsor collaboration. They work hand-in-hand with our events team to develop unique activations for traders and sponsors that drive ROI, improve customer engagement, and ultimately increase sales.” For more about Motorvation, visit www.motorvation.com.au For more about Burson Auto Parts, visit www.burson.com.au