21 minute read
Members in Motorsport
FORMULA ONE QUALITY
In the world’s highest level of motorsport, you can find UFI Filters in use
UFI Filters says its expertise has been recognised for more than 40 years by the Formula 1 world. In fact, UFI Filters says that nine of the 10 F1 Teams use its products and more than 110 of UFI’s filters are used in every race. UFI’s products are in high demand also in other world-famous competitions such as Indycar, Formula 2, Formula 3, GTE and Superbike. The company supplies a total of 10,000 filters every year for this technologically demanding market, from engine oil filters to air filters and fuel filters (low and high pressure), hydraulic filters and “last chance filters” for the circuits containing cooling water and hydraulic oil.. UFI Filters says its expertise built up in the racing field can be found in all of UFI’s range, both for the OEMs – 95 percent of which, worldwide, choose UFI as supplier – and for the Aftermarket.
Founded in 1971, UFI Filters says it is a global leader in filtration technology and thermal management The Group, headquartered in Italy, has 19 industrial sites around the world with over 4,000 people in 19 countries, and it brings its fifty-year OEM experience to the Australian Aftermarket sector with its Sydney front-office. UFI Filters supplies the full range of air, oil, fuel, cabin, hydraulic and coolant filters as well as thermal management systems to the automotive sector: cars and motorcycles as well as commercial, heavy-duty and agricultural vehicles. The company is the developer and manufacturer of its own filtration media which it says allows it to create unique and ground-breaking products. It is also research-driven, holding 268 patents and reinvests more than five percent of its revenue in research and development. Further, it has 168 specialised technicians in three Innovation and Research Centres in Italy, India and China. For more information, visit www.ufifilters.com ZF says the most challenging racetracks and the most remote extremes of temperature have all been conquered by vehicles that depend on SACHS. Motor racing at these highest of levels can subject components to the absolute extremes of performance, temperature and durability that cannot be replicated in laboratories or test environments. ZF says that’s why ZF Aftermarket and its SACHS brand have been synonymous with global motorsport since 1923. ZF utilises its SACHS motorsport program as a development platform for its range of original equipment and aftermarket shock absorbers and clutches, and as validation of their performance and durability. Formula 1, World Rally Championship, Formula E, sports car competition, DTM German Touring Cars, off-road racing, drifting, and of course on home soil, the Supercars Championship, have all witnessed this proactive development and testing of SACHS products. Every year more than 10 million vehicles fitted with SACHS shock absorbers roll off assembly lines around the world, an impressive demonstration of ZF’s credibility and compliance as an original equipment supplier. Distinguished by their original equipment quality and innovative technology, ZF says SACHS shock absorbers are now ranked as the number one shock absorber in European car parc coverage. With the ideal combination of performance and dynamics, SACHS shock absorbers reportedly ensure perfect road grip and cornering behaviour, no matter what challenges the road may present. Locally, the SACHS range has over 3,000 shock absorber references, with a combination of mono-tube and twin-tube gas pressurised shock technology throughout the entire range. Additionally, over 385 strut mounts and bearings and more than 220 bump stop and boot kits are available. Shock absorber fitments are available for performance cars, family cars, SUVs, trucks, trailers and light commercial vehicles, with the specialised SACHS MAX range for 4x4, off-roadvehicles and light commercial vehicles. Clutches too are a core product from ZF’s SACHS brand, with more than 1,500 units on offer. Like its shock absorbers, SACHS clutches have a long history of performance and durability validation in all manner of motor racing, including Formula 1 and locally in Supercars. SACHS clutches can be ordered from ZF in Oceania individually, or as installation kits which include a pressure plate, clutch disc and release bearing, as well as special grease for ease of assembly.
PROVEN PERFORMANCE BY SACHS
SACHS and Australian Motorsport
Think Australian motorsport and you think Craig Lowndes, one of the most recognisable faces of the sport. A long-time member of the SACHS family, Craig is also the Product Expert for the brand in Oceania. Highly popular within the SACHS customer base, Craig’s background as a trained motor mechanic resonates strongly with those operating in the workshop environment. Craig is also one of the faces in an upcoming ZF “Tech Experts” campaign, where he is joined by nine other local ZF product and technical experts, to showcase the industry know-how and experience of the local team. For further information, please visit www.zf.com/au or call 1800 ZF SALES (1800 93 72537).
BURSON AUTO PARTS AND LTFR JOIN FORCES
The Lamattina Top Fuel Racing team will carry Burson Auto Parts branding in 2022
Hot on the heels of the announcement that Australia’s Burson Auto Parts had taken on the naming rights of the 2022 Australian Top Fuel Championship (see page 8 of this magazine), the company announced another high-octane addition to the Burson Auto Parts racing stable. Burson Auto Parts has also formed a marketing partnership with one of Australia’s most successful Top Fuel Drag Racing teams, Lamattina Top Fuel Racing. This was spectacularly unveiled at the BAPCOR Victorian Distribution Centre in front of hundreds of team members at the end of 2021. This four-time Australian Top Fuel Championship winning team will showcase the proudly Australian themed Burson Auto Parts livery across one of its two Top Fuel dragsters. The Burson Auto Parts Top Fuel dragster will be driven by highly experienced racer Shane Olive in the 2022 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship. The Burson Auto Parts ambassador has been drag racing since he was 17 years old, having worked his way through the ranks in brackets such as Super Street, Super Sedan, Doorslammer, Fuel Altered and Nitro Funny Cars. Shane will be racing with more than 11,000 horsepower reaching speeds of more than 500kph and taking around 3.8 seconds to cover the 1,000 foot racing distance – making the earth shake each time he does so across a planned six events around the country. “I have worked on Top Fuel Dragsters and been around them most of my life. I have always admired the speed and challenge that these cars offer, and it is awesome to have the opportunity to race one with the Lamattina Top Fuel Racing Team and with the fantastic support of Burson Auto Parts. I’m so excited and thankful,” Shane said. “We have much of the same crew and some new faces to help the team run at the highest level this season, so it is business as usual with the second car, now featuring the support of the country’s leading trade supplier of parts, tools accessories and equipment in Burson Auto Parts - we are more than ready!” Team owner and champion drag racer, Phil Lamattina, said. Burson Auto Parts General Manager – Marketing, Anthony Hughes, is pleased to welcome Shane Olive and Lamattina Top Fuel Racing to the company’s extensive and exciting motorsport program. “We are fortunate to not only be sponsoring the Australian Top Fuel Championship from this year, but to also be on board with one of the country’s best drag racing teams in Lamattina Top Fuel Racing. There are few motorsport events that compare with the sound, speed and exhilaration of Top Fuel drag racing,” Anthony said. “We look forward to being a part of it in 2022 and beyond, joining our many other motorsport involvements from grass roots level upwards.” Burson Auto Parts says it is Australia’s most trusted trade supplier of parts, tools, accessories and equipment with more than 200 stores located across the country. The Australian company celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021. For more from Burson Auto Parts, visit www.burson.com.au
GATES INCREASES BATHURST PRESENCE
The Bathurst 1000 provided a fitting end to Gates Australia’s long partnership with Andre Heimgartner
With Repco the new major sponsor for the Bathurst 1000, Gates Australia had an increased presence at the 2021 event. Gates Australia had prominent track signage as well as some retro arcade gaming machines in the activation area at the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000, where attendees could play video games and also enter the draw to win one of four of the retro arcade gaming machines valued at $1,850 each. After not being able to attend the last couple of years, it was with excitement that a number of the Gates Australia Automotive Team were on-track to enjoy the event and got to indulge in a number of unique VIP experiences, including: • Sneak Peak of the next Gen3 Supercars • Pit Lane function • Team Garage Tours • Hot laps around Bathurst • Pre-race grid walks When it came to the racing, Gates Australia sponsored driver Andre Heimgartner and the Kelly Grove Racing Team battled hard throughout the race and despite a myriad of technical difficulties, Andre still delivered an admirable 19th place in the race, bringing his overall end of year ranking to 17th place in the driver standings. With the conclusion of the 2021 Supercars Championship, the long-standing partnership between driver Andre Heimgartner and Gates Australia also came to an end. In 2022 Andre is moving to a new team to continue his Supercar career, whilst Gates Australia will continue its sponsorship of the Grove Racing Team, and driver David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth. Gates Australia commenced sponsoring Andre a number of years ago when he started racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup – a proposal sent to Gates by his mother requesting sponsorship was enough to invest in the then young up-and-coming driver. After several successful years in the support categories, Gates Australia followed Andre to a full-time Supercars driver position at Kelly Racing in 2018, replacing the legendary driver and team principal, Todd Kelly. The appointment showed the faith the team had in Andre’s ability and potential to be a top-line Supercar driver. Over the four years at Kelly Racing (now Kelly Grove Racing) Andre has been an invaluable asset for the Gates Australia brand not just through race exposure but also the high-level engagement he brought to many aspects such as client drive days, trade show/event appearances, social media, videos and more. Gates Australia would like to thank Andre’s for his commitment and passion over the last fiveplus years and wish him all the best in 2022 and beyond with his new team. For more information, visit www.gates.com
DJR BECOMES FIRST CARBON NEUTRAL SUPERCARS TEAM
DJR is carbon neutral for 2020 and 2021 and will continue to work to reduce its emissions
Dick Johnson Racing has become the first carbon neutral Supercars team and attained the FIA’s highest level of Three Star Environmental Accreditation, cementing its place as an industry leader on and off the track. To become carbon neutral, DJR engaged Colin Trinder, a Certified Environmental Practitioner with extensive experience in environmental management in motorsport, natural resource management and defence sectors. He has previously guided Motorsport Australia to attaining Three Star FIA Environmental Accreditation as well as leading the environment program for Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour to deliver a carbon neutral event. Colin calculated DJR’s greenhouse gas emissions for their 2020 base year and worked with the Team to establish their Environmental Management Plan and Quality Management System. In July 2021 DJR’s Environmental Policy was finalised, which identified the following key priorities for the Team: 1. Increasing recycling and reducing waste going to landfill from DJR’s operations; 2. Shifting to 100 percent renewable energy. 3. Funding new renewable energy projects which help offset DJR’s greenhouse gas emissions. 4. Reducing total energy use in its business operations and freight logistics. These four initiatives combine to substantially reduce and completely offset any carbon emissions from DJR’s entire operations, creating net zero emissions. While these initiatives make DJR carbon neutral, the team has also been working to improve habitats and enhance the recovery of biodiversity by restoring sustainable native forests and bushland. For each team member, DJR is planting the number of trees needed to completely offset their annual per capita average greenhouse gas emissions. In total, over 17,000 trees have been planted – 5,100 in Australia with Trees For Life and to date 12,220 trees planted in Nepal, India, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar with Tree-Nation. DJR will plant 1,700 trees per annum in an ongoing commitment to Trees for Life. Further, from 2022, with each merchandise purchase, a tree will be planted with Tree-Nation through their Net Zero Product service. One of the team’s engineers, Brad Eyes, has been appointed as DJR’s first Environment and Sustainability Manager and the team will continue to work to reduce emissions and maintain its carbon neutral status as part of its commitment to its FIA Environmental Accreditation. The team is also a member of the Australian Sports Environmental Alliance. For more information, visit https://environment.djr.com.au
AUSTRALIAN MOTORSPORT IS AN ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE
A study recently revealed motorsport’s significant contribution to the Australian economy, with a total gross annual output of $8.6 billion
With the national economy looking to rebuild after a difficult two years, Australian motorsport is primed to lead the charge for the sporting industry. Ernst and Young prepared the global study on four-wheeled motorsport together with the FIA and Motorsport Australia, Karting Australia and the Australian National Drag Racing Association (ANDRA). Locally, it was found that the motorsport industry provides $3.1 billion in direct output, while providing $5.5 billion of indirect output based on pre-COVID figures. The industry also supported 16,900 direct jobs and a further 29,900 indirect jobs in 2019, the year the study was based on. The sport also enjoyed support from approximately 18,900 unpaid officials and volunteers, creating a total workforce of 65,700. The Ernst and Young study looked at a range of factors, further emphasising the importance of the Australian motorsport industry on the country’s overall economy. Between Motorsport Australia, ANDRA and Karting Australia, the sport has a strong foothold across the country with a reported 188,112 people participating in the sport in 2019. The financial contribution of each competitor and their input to the overall economy is estimated at approximately $20,000 per year on expenses related to their involvement in the sport (not including vehicle purchases) such as travel, maintenance, food and beverages, as well as race meetings. At a state level, New South Wales and Victoria were the biggest contributors in 2019, with the two states responsible for more than 50 percent of the sport’s national economic value with around 97,000 active participants. In 2019, prior to the COVID shutdowns, 9650 events were held throughout the country via the three Governing bodies with events in both rural and metropolitan regions attracting thousands of competitors each week. Given the high level of events, a variety of industries outside of the sport such as tourism, hospitality, retail and entertainment venues at local, state and national levels all benefit from motorsport’s presence, providing a significant and positive impact on a large number of communities. The findings compare favourably to the most recent survey undertaken in 2014. That survey revealed motorsport had a direct output of $2.7 billion dollars to the Australian economy, highlighting the rapid rise of the sport’s growth, with approximately $400 million more now being spent on an annual basis. With COVID impacting 2020 and 2021, Motorsport Australia, ANDRA and Karting Australia say motorsport has a unique opportunity to play a key role in the economic recovery of Australia, stating that competitors are ready and eager to start racing, travelling and spending in the coming 12 months. For more information, visit www.motorsport.org.au
WORLD CHAMPION PERFORMANCE
What a finish it was for the 2021 Formula One World Championship
Max Verstappen clinched the 2021 World Championship on the final lap, of the final race in one of the most frantic and entertaining F1 seasons of the last decade – what a victory it was. For 2021, Red Bull Racing launched out of the starting blocks, all guns ablaze with Max sweeping to victory in five of the first nine races. Clearly, Red Bull had stepped things up. There was no doubt they had the pace to take on the all-conquering Silver Arrows and wrestle the championship away from their death grip. Early in the 2021 season, there were suggestions from some opposition teams that Red Bull may have introduced illegal engine upgrades. However Red Bull’s Team Principle, Christian Horner, along with engine supplier, Honda acknowledged one of the keys to the RB16B’s championship-winning performance was the introduction of a revolutionary new Mobil 1 oil. “We have a new oil from ExxonMobil,” Christian said. “So, I think they can take all the credit….The engines are the same specification.” “ExxonMobil delivered a revolutionary new oil – that has helped push the team forwards,” ExxonMobil’s Global Motorsport Technology Manager, Tomek Young, said. “New components were incorporated as they were found to offer many benefits, including stronger interactions with metal surfaces and lower friction, helping deliver maximum power while offering protection and fuel efficiency. “These benefits translate into an ability to run the engine across a wider range of operating conditions and not be wound back.” Mobil 1 says this is the advantage of it being a technical partner – not just a brand sponsor. It says it was the same story at the 2021 Repco Bathurst 1000. Chaz Mostert and Lee Holdsworth in their #25 WAU Commodore were blisteringly fast all weekend. The duo topped many of the weekend’s timesheets (never out of the top three), culminating in Chaz dropping it on pole during Saturday’s Top 10 Shootout. While their raw speed was a result of many, many factors coming together, as WAU’s lubricant supplier, Mobil 1 yet again played a critical role in their outright speed and epic victory in the ‘Great Race’. Mobil 1 sends its congratulations to Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, plus Chaz Mostert, Lee Holdsworth, WAU and every other Mobil 1 technical partner across the world of motorsport who visited victory lane in 2021. For 2022, it says things are only going to get better. For Mobil 1 product details, along with distributor and stockist info, call MotorActive on 1800 350 622 or visit www.m1oils.com.au
DAYCO DRIVER AND TEAM FINISHES THIRD AT BATHURST
David Russell claimed a breakthrough Bathurst 1000 podium in December
After no fewer than 12 attempts at Australia’s greatest motor race, Dayco Ambassador David Russell raced to his first Bathurst 1000 podium in December after a giant-killing third place result with the Erebus Boost Mobile Racing team, partnering outstanding rookie Supercar driver Brodie Kostecki. Starting on the fifth row of the grid, David set the Boost Mobile Commodore up from the start, claiming five spots during his speedy opening stint. Fast forward to lap 94 of the gruelling 161 lap race and David held off multiple Bathurst Champion Craig Lowndes to retain fourth place all the way until his final driver change pitstop, handing the car over to Brodie for the run home. Brodie took his final stop for fuel and tyres on lap 139, moments before a Safety Car was called when Anton De Pasquale’s Mustang stopped at the exit of the Cutting. Shane van Gisbergen and Cameron Waters stopped under yellow flag conditions and ultimately made Brodie and David’s fight for the podium even harder. The Dayco sponsored duo lost track position despite lapping faster than anyone on the track, with Brodie sensationally chasing down Cameron Waters for third position before taking advantage of an issue with Shane van Gisbergen’s right front tyre. Brodie flew across the top of the mountain and past Shane, narrowly avoiding disaster when he clipped the wall on the way through at The Grate section of the 6.2 kilometre circuit, taking the final podium spot. This outstanding performance by David and Brodie marks the second podium for the Erebus Motorsport team at the Bathurst 1000, (the team won the Great Race in 2017), helping to earn the team fifth place in the 2021 Supercar Teams’ Championship. Long term Dayco Ambassador and one of Australia’s most talented endurance race drivers, David Russell said that this result was like a dream come true. “It is an amazing feeling, this is a race that I grew up watching and wishing to be one of the heroes on the Bathurst podium one day,” David said after the race concluded. “It has been a long time coming and certainly not from a lack of trying – I’ve had all kinds of devastating things happen here during my career, but I kept chipping away and I finally had a driving combination and team that has made it happen, so I couldn’t be happier. “I fitted in with the Erebus team like family and Brodie was just incredible to race with. This was by far the best car that I have ever driven at Mount Panorama, and it was thrilling to be able to make up positions from the start and hand the car back to Brodie in a strong position to continue the fight for our first Bathurst podium.” For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com
BURSON AUTO PARTS BLITZES AUSSIE MOTORSPORT
The company had more of a presence than ever in Aussie Motorsport in 2021
Burson Auto Parts supplies Australia’s automotive technicians with a wide range of parts, tools, and equipment for numerous makes, models, and engines. In 2021, the company embarked on a major motorsport marketing program that included five high profile cars featured in four of Australia’s major motorsport categories. Burson Auto Parts is an Australian aftermarket specialised company that has long supported motorsport from the grass roots level all the way up to the big leagues, but never quite at the level as the past year. In 2021, the Burson Auto Parts racing fleet included left and right-hand side driving race cars which are front wheel drive, rear wheel drive and all wheel drive and powered by V8, four-cylinder and five-cylinder engines. Amongst the fleet were two Peugeot TCR Australia cars (one that scored a Phillip Island race victory earlier in the season), one Audi TT RS Production Car (which won three races out of three on debut in November 2021), one Ford Mustang Trans-Am car, and one state of the art S5000 open wheeler racing car. According to Burson Auto Parts General Manager - Marketing, Anthony Hughes, the Australian company’s motor racing program has organically grown to become the most comprehensive of the automotive aftermarket industry. “Even with the disruption to motorsport during 2021, we have still managed to promote Burson Auto Parts, our valued supplier partners and sister BAPCOR brands, like Chicane Tools, to a vast automotive technician and enthusiast fan base. We were proud to see our motorsport program grow so strongly across a number of categories,” Anthony said. All of the Burson Auto Parts racing cars taking part in these motorsport categories were meticulously prepared by Garry Rogers Motorsport, one of the country’s premier motor racing engineering companies, overseen by the highly experienced Burson Auto Parts team driver and team manager, Jason Bargwanna. “We are proud to have made Burson Auto Parts one of the most prominent brands in Aussie motorsport during 2021. Together we have all endured this turbulent time, but we came out of it with a bang – a turbo charged V8 all-wheel drive high downforce combo bang!” Jason said. “Both Ben and I believe in the team at Burson Auto Parts and their specialised team members around the country. Their passion for racing is evident and we love cheering on the other racers that champion the brand. I am just glad we can be part of the story and etch our name in the motorsport history books together with Burson Auto Parts.” In addition to these major motorsport categories, Burson Auto Parts was also the presentation sponsor of the Excel Series and additional Burson Auto Parts support was provided for junior motorsport and club level community and customer sponsorships for competitors and associations. These include other teams and drivers competing in the Excel Series, SuperKarts, V8 Jet Boats, HQ Racing, Sprintcars along with several local, state and national motoring enthusiast events. To find out what Burson Auto Parts is up to for the 2022 season, visit www.burson.com.au
