SPEED READ AUGUST 2016 EDITION
KEEPING ON TRACK
Plans and concepts revealed for motor sport facilities in Australia
POLARIS RZR CHAMPIONSHIP
SOLDIER ON IN MOTOR SPORT
WINTON FESTIVAL OF SPEED
We look at a new Australian off road championship
CAMS and Solider On develop an experience for our ‘Wounded Warriors’
The historic festival returns as a CAMS event for its seventh year
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
SPEED READ
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CONTENTS
GENERAL NEWS Keeping on track Fresh dirt: Polaris RZR Championship Soldier On into motor sport CAMS Academy: Class of 2016 DriftSquid’s rising profile Burson extend key role in grass roots motor sport Harbourside world rally speed test Rhodes conquers AORC crown WAMS chooses Connell for junior development Winton Festival of Speed Phillip Island 6 Hour Hall of Fame: ‘Gelignite’ Jack Murray Vale Steve Ashton Vale Tony Lentino
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Keeping on track
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CLUB CORNER
40 years of Victorian Superkart Club 20 Get involved with ARDC Startline 20 Challenge Bathurst 21 Boost your club with the Club Development Fund 22
Officials Gallery: VSCRC Round 3 23 New policy for motor sport passenger rides 24 Demistyfying the FIA technical historic passport 24 Championships updates 27
INFORMATION Contact CAMS What’s on in August
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851 Dandenong Road, Malvern East VIC 3145 PO Box 147, Caulfield East Vic 3145 Member Hotline: 1800 883 959 (9am - 7pm AEST) Telephone: 1300 883 959 or +61 3 9593 7777 Facsimile: +61 3 9593 7700 Office hours: 8:45am - 5:15pm Monday to Friday Website: www.cams.com.au E-mail: info@cams.com.au
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DriftSquid
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Hall of Fame: Jack Murray
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CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS … that’s where a Jayco will take you
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CAMPER TRAILERS
POP TOPS
EXPANDAS
CARAVANS
TOY HAULERS
MOTORHOMES
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GENERAL NEWS
KEEPING ON TRACK M ot or sport i n A ust ralia is e xp er ien ci n g u n p re c e d ente d levels of growth in lic en c e h old ers , per m itte d events and cl ubs, and w it h t hat c om es d eman d f or g reater a ccess to motor sp or t fa cilit ies a cros s Austral i a. VICTO RIA In Victoria, the City of Ballarat recently passed a proposal document outlining the business case of a motor sport facility within the region. It was endorsed with unanimous support from Councillors and the motor sport community. “It is our view that Victoria is screaming out for another world class track and with established tracks in both the north and south, the logical place for our next track is the west,” CAMS Chief Executive Officer Eugene Arocca said. “We have been actively working with the Council on this concept for some time and the last two years has seen a major step forward in the development of the motor sport and industry hub in Ballarat.”
NOR THERN TERR IT O R Y Whilst the eastern states of Australia represent a large majority of CAMS’ membership base, areas such as the Northern Territory hold enormous growth potential.
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With territory elections due in August, both Country Liberal and Labor parties have allocated funding to upgrade existing infrastructure for a range of motor sport facilities and initiatives. “Having advocated motor sport to the Northern Territory Government for the last couple of years, it is encouraging that we are seeing real progress with the way government – not just in the Territory but across Australia – is getting behind both professional and club level motor sport,” Arocca said. Supercars recently confirmed a deal that will ensure racing at Hidden Valley until 2030, with a potential night race from 2018. “Motor racing at night would be an amazing spectacle, and undoubtedly make for excellent television,” Arocca said. “Hopefully, night time racing will inspire even more Australians to participate in our sport, and possibly trigger
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
residential areas and is well positioned to major freight transport links,” Cr Tully said. “Redeveloping the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct will bring significant economic benefits to Ipswich and create up to 200 construction jobs for the local community. It is anticipated to generate more than $138 million of benefits per annum. “When fully developed we can expect the total investment at the precinct to exceed $220 million.”
S O UT H AUS T R AL I A Tailem Bend’s ‘The Bend’ Motorsport Park is Australia’s most eagerly anticipated new circuit facility in decades. Concept of planned extension at Queensland Raceway
Developed by local South Australian company Peregrine Corporation, the facility is currently under construction and is anticipated to be completed in 2017. Construction commenced in late March of this year, the circuit will feature four configurations with the longest being the 7.7km GT Circuit. The circuit will also carry a FIA Category 2 licence, which permits any FIA category besides Formula 1. It will also carry a FIM A/B licence to permit all forms of motorcycle racing. The venue will cater for a variety of disciplines including circuit racing, drag racing, drifting, karting, rally and rallycross.
I N S UM M AR Y Sam Shahin and V8 Supercar legend Mark Skaife planning the V8 Supercar circuit at Tailum Bend
other state governments to look at investing further in grass roots motor sport.”
QUEENSL AND Whilst new facilities are exciting propositions, the curation and upgrade of existing facilities is of equal importance. Ipswich’s Queensland Raceway is due to embark on a major redevelopment, which is to be lead by former Supercars director and Tailem Bend commercial manager Damien White.
With 75,422 affiliated car club members in Australia, CAMS remains in constant dialogue with government across all levels to advocate for greater investment in the sport to cater for our large club level membership base. “Every single one of those 75,422 affiliated car club members are part of the CAMS community,” said Arocca. “We are at the centre of a huge, $2.7 billion industry, and CAMS’ continued growth allows us to broaden our role in government advocacy and engagement, ensuring that motor sport receives recognition for the major contribution it makes to the Australian economy. “It is for every one of these members that CAMS continues to work hard to achieve our mission - to have more people enjoying more motor sport.”
Ipswich Deputy Mayor Paul Tully said that White would oversee the first phase of the circuit’s $52.3 million redevelopment, whilst managing the facility’s day-to-day operations. “The precinct has the unique advantage of being established within a buffer zone away from high density
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GENERAL NEWS
FRESH DIRT: POLARIS RZR CHAMPIONSHIP Following on from the huge success of the inaugural series in 2015, the Polaris RZR Australian Championship has returned in 2016 with a six round calendar. The series is created for identically prepared and regulated Polaris RZR XP 1000s, sourced through a package offering via the championship.
The package includes the safety and technical requirements to help you get race ready, with base modification and compliance items including:
At each round, racers are able to race in a minimum of five heats on purpose built tracks, set up in Queensland, NSW, ACT and Victoria.
• CAMS approved roll cage and side rails
The championship also runs in conjunction with the SXS (Side by Side) Australian Championship.
How do I get involved? Competitors purchase a package to race in the championship, which includes the Polaris RZR XP 1000 off road vehicle.
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• Racetech seat and five-point harness • Window nets and side rails • Aluminium roof and off road number plate • Battery cut off switch, tow points and fire extinguisher • Lightweight side panels. The package also includes the championship entry fee, with the total cost equalling $37,000.
Round 4: 20-21 August, Albury/Wodonga NSW Round 5: 10-11 September, Mooroopna Vic Round 6: 29-30 October, Mt. Helen Vic
CC OO NN FF EE DD EE RR AA TT II OO NN OO FF AA UU SS TT RR AA LL II AA NN MM OO TT OO RR SS PP OO RR TT
ROUND 3 REPORT Rookie driver Chris Sutton came out swinging in his #321 Polaris RZR XP1000 in the third round of the Polaris RZR Australian Championship in Majura, ACT. With six race wins and one second from seven starts, Sutton dominated proceedings to finish on 41 points, ahead of Tadamitsu Niihori in second and Ewan McClue in third. The new course for 2016 at the ACT Motorcycle Club threaded its way like a ribbon through the hillside, with the big berms and flowing track keeping the drivers on their toes. Nathan Weissel gave the crowd a taste for the action to come during the first day’s shakedown, rolling his Polaris end for end at the top of the hill but was able to make quick repairs to compete in the main race. Sam Beck wasn’t as lucky, going end for end eight times off the finish line jump at the conclusion of race one. In a testament to the strength of the roll cages and safety gear, Beck was able to walk away from the spectacular crash unharmed. With the Mini Polaris out of action for the remainder of the weekend, Sam Beck stepped in to help out fellow competitor Peter Carr who had blown a head gasket in his Polaris that morning. The next round of the Polaris RZR Australian Championship heads to Albury in August, alongside the Australian SXS Championship. For more information on the Polaris RZR Championship, click here
S PS PE E DE D R RE AE AD D
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GENERAL NEWS
SOLDIER ON INTO MOTOR SPORT In a joint venture CAMS and Soldier On have developed a program to provide our wounded warriors with the opportunity to become involved in motor sport as officials.
“You don’t want to look back and think when I’m an older person, ‘you know I really would have liked to have gotten into that’ and miss the opportunity,” Shane said.
The program, which provides participants with access to key operational areas of officiating and theory training, assists with Soldier On’s ongoing initiatives to enhance, connect, inspire, empower and involve our wounded warriors in a community environment.
“I’m currently building an Under 2-Litre Improved Production Car to race next year if I get the opportunity, and I’d love to be driving as well as being an official.”
Training and Officials Manager David Mori believes the diverse range of officiating disciplines and categories on offer within motor sport not only meets the interests, but also the core knowledge and skill sets of individuals involved with Soldier On. “Soldier On participants really seemed to enjoy the theoretical training, they were attentive, involved and genuinely excited to be part of the program,” Mori said. Those involved in the program undertook the ‘Introduction to Motor Sport Officiating’ training module, and following the training were exposed to the varying officiating disciplines at the Shannons Nationals event in Sydney. Participant Shane from Newcastle mentioned his keen interest for not only becoming a motor sport official, but also getting on track in a car he is currently building.
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Participants at the end of the day were given the opportunity to actively participate as an official in an area of their interest. CAMS is continuing to work with Soldier On to run the program nationally.
SOLDIER ON’S MISSION To achieve the best-reintegrated generation of serving and ex-serving men and women in Australia’s history, and provides a suite of services and access to partner organisations to meet the needs of the wounded so they can start their journey to recovery. Click here to find out more information on Soldier On – helping our wounded warriors
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
CAMS ACADEMY: CLASS OF 2016 “Everyone’s been putting in an equal effort pushing themselves to the limit, finding new limits for themselves which is great,” Formula Ford driver Jayden Ojeda said. “People find new limits and that pushes other people to find their own new limits.” All the drivers concluded the camp with an appreciation of the position they find themselves in of living out their aspirations as racing drivers. “We’ve learnt over the weekend to just enjoy the moment, because it is awesome what we’re doing. Not everyone gets to do it,” Aussie Racing Cars driver Charlotte Poynting said. Rally driver Harry Bates also echoed Poynting’s thoughts on his appreciation of motor sport.
Nine drivers across different disciplines and categories of motor sport have joined together to be a part of the most recent CAMS Elite Driver Academy.
“At the end of the day that’s why you do it. For sure set yourself goals, be tough on yourself when you don’t perform, but remember that at the end of the day you’re doing it because you love it.”
Held across three days on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, the format was similar to the recently held CAMS Karting Academy. Winning Formula instructors Damian Prassad and Brett Stephens were on hand as trainers and mentors to the group. “They’ve been putting us through our paces,” drifting’s Jake ‘DriftSquid’ Jones said. “I’m tired as hell! But I guess it’s all part of learning… It’s been a pretty awesome journey to be honest.” Whilst the group of nine drivers all race in a variety of disciplines and categories, the common bond amongst all of the participants was striving to further improve. “I think it’s awesome! You come to the CAMS Camp and there’s so many people doing so many different things, but still in motor sport,” Formula 4 driver Jordan Love said. “You’re learning a bit about them and about what they do, so that’s always good. Just always learning the different sides of the sport you love, which is awesome.” Mixed with a bit of competitive instinct, the camaraderie amongst the drivers across the three days of training was a strong motivator for the group to persevere in the wintery conditions.
WATCH TH E V IDEO CAMS ACADEMY ELITE CL ASS O F 2 01 6 Circuit: Will Brown Josh Denton Jordan Love Jayden Ojeda Charlotte Poynting Alex Rullo Rally:
Harry Bates
Karting:
Beck Connell
Drifting:
Jake Jones
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GENERAL NEWS
DRIFTSQUID’S RISING PROFILE Jake Jones, best known amongst the drift community as DriftSquid, is one of Australia’s rising drifting stars and is starting to carve a reputation as one of the world’s top drifters. The discipline of drifting continues to grow in numbers across Australia, with CAMS adopting regulations for drifting in the last decade.
“There’s so many people around the world that can drift, and on that day when you have to be the best you can be, all it takes is the mental side of things that can end it. “It doesn’t matter how fit you are or whatever, if you have one issue with your mental side and it’s game over. “The mental strategies, for me, is probably more of a bigger deal than the physical side.”
Unlike most other speed events, drifting is unique as results are judged on technique as opposed to the clock or track position.
Jones’ next major appearance will be at an event in China in September, however his ultimate goal lies on the other side of the world.
“You’ve got your normal circuit racing and then you’ve got your drifting; it’s a judged sport,” Jones said.
“I want to get to America to do the Formula D USA circuit,” Jones said.
“There’s three main categories that they always look at – speed, line and angle.
“It’s the biggest in the world, the best drivers in the world and that’s literally my dream to make drifting a full-time career.”
“Just like a normal circuit racer they go through the same racing line, most of them go through the same one, on any track. “The judges will tell us we’ve got to follow a racing line or their racing line they want us to follow, we have to follow that with as much speed, as much angle and basically get judged on that.” Whilst talent is always a welcome trait amongst drivers, it is the mental preparation of drifters that matters in competition.
“One thing I have learnt, that’s probably something I haven’t always done, is literally embracing the moments that you do have,” Jones said. “When you’re in the moment, just be so thankful that you’re there. Give it your all.” A CAMS Level 2 Speed licence is all you need to take part in drifting. See the CAMS Calendar of Events to see when there’s a drift event near you, and get involved.
“The mental side is definitely a huge aspect of drifting,” Jones said.
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CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
BURSON EXTEND KEY ROLE IN GRASSROOTS MOTOR SPORT CAMS is pleased to announce the continuation of its partnership with Burson Auto Parts, focusing on supporting Australian grassroots motor sport and junior driver development. The Australian supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment have held a major part in junior and club development, supporting some of CAMS’ newest initiatives to drive growth in participation in motor sport over the past year. CAMS Chief Executive Officer Eugene Arocca is excited about Burson’s continued involvement in Australian motor sport. “We’re extremely pleased that Burson have extended their partnership, and we thank them for their ongoing commitment to CAMS, grassroots motor sport and junior driver development,” Arocca said. Burson Auto Parts General Manager of Sales and Marketing Damien Hill is pleased to align the Australian company with the nation’s emerging motor racing talent and club-level racing. “Supporting grassroots motor sport with CAMS and its junior level categories through our Burson Auto Parts Rookie of the Year, Future Star Awards and the CAMS
Club Development Fund is a great fit for Burson Auto Parts,” Hill said. “In doing this, we place our support across a wide number of racing categories and participants, while also encouraging the brightest young talent in the sport to pursue their goals. “We wish all of the drivers setting out on their careers every success and look forward to presenting our various Burson Auto Parts Rookie and Future Star awards at the completion of the season.” As a CAMS Official Partner, Burson will continue to support the Club Development Fund and will be an integral part of the CAMS State and National Awards evenings, supporting the CAMS State Future Star Award and being the official presenting partner of the national awards. Burson will also continue to support the Burson Auto Parts Rookie of the Year in the CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship. Burson Auto Parts are Australia’s trade specialist supplier of automotive parts, accessories and workshop equipment, with a 45-year history in the automotive trade market.
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RALLY
HARBOURSIDE WORLD RALLY SPEED TEST A HIGHLIGHT FOR RALLY AUSTRALIA The Destination NSW Super Special Stage will be just one of the entertainment highlights on offer during the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship at Kennards Hire Rally Australia.
“The Destination NSW Super Special Stage will be in a scenic waterfront setting barely two kilometres from the city centre, where Kennards Hire Rally Australia will have officially started the night before,” Rainsford said.
Fans at the Super Special Stage will see WRC cars complete two runs on a 1.27 kilometre waterfront course on Jordan Esplanade, in the ‘Jetty’ recreation precinct of the host city.
“For a very inexpensive price, spectators will see the world’s fastest rally drivers and cars in action from great vantage points, in daylight.
The Destination NSW Super Special Stage will bring the up-close thrills of World Rally Championship spectating into the heart of one of NSW’s most popular tourist destinations. Against a backdrop of harbour and Pacific Ocean, stars such as World Champion Sebastien Ogier, Australia’s Scott Pedder, Mads Ostberg, Ott Tänak and recent round winners Andreas Mikkelsen, Hayden Paddon and Thierry Neuville will tackle a jump and a motocross-style berm corner on the new course. Rally Australia Chairman Ben Rainsford says the Destination NSW Super Special Stage promises a fun-filled experience for families and rally enthusiasts.
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“Finally the whole show will be finished in time for people to stroll out of the stage and enjoy dinner at one of the ‘Jetty’s’ many restaurants. It will be a brilliant experience of the best the World Rally Championship has to offer.” The traditional special stages of Kennards Hire Rally Australia will again traverse forestry and rural shire roads north and south of the Coffs Harbour service park and headquarters. Friday will feature spectator points around Taylors Arm and Urunga in Nambucca Shire and Saturday moves slightly farther north to locations at Talarm, Bowraville, Argents Hill and Newee Creek.
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OFF ROAD
RHODES CONQUERS AORC CROWN AND WAIKERIE THREE-PEAT South Australia’s Jack Rhodes and David Pullino claimed a hat-trick of event wins at the Waikerie Riverland Enduro last weekend, as well as provisionally wrapping up their first Australian Off Road Championship title. For the last two seasons, the Jimco team has been in the title hunt against outgoing record holders and eight-time champions Shannon and Ian Rentsch – placing second in 2014 and third last year – but were able to secure enough points at Waikerie to take out the 2016 title. “The team is a bit overwhelmed but we’re all just over the moon,” Rhodes said. “The team always works really hard and it hasn’t always gone the way we’d like it to but that makes us keep coming back and makes it all worthwhile when you can achieve this.” Finishing fastest in the prologue, the SA team dropped to third on the gird after the Top 10 Shootout behind Rentsch on pole and Glenn Owen and Mat Ryan in second. Owen got the jump off the start line but suffered a small onboard fire on the first lap in which both Rhodes and Rentsch pulled over to assist, later claiming back time. Rhodes continued his mission to stay within striking distance of Rentsch as well as staying ahead of Aaron and Liz Haby, who were the championship points leaders heading into the event and the ones to beat for title honours. A delaminating tyre saw Rhodes use the 60km pit return option on lap four for a quick tyre change, losing more than three minutes to Rentsch, however luck played in Rhodes
Racing’s favour when 12km from the finishline they passed Rentsch on the side of the track with engine issues. Greeting the chequered flag first in an overall race time of 3 hours, 15 minutes and 3 seconds, the local SA heros claimed their third straight Waikerie Riverland Enduro. Former Waikerie local driver Scott Schiller and Nathan Schultz finished second, however did not claim championship points as they were not AORC registered. Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt finished third outright and first of the Trophy Trucks. New Zealand Pro Buggy team of Raana Horan and Klem Christiansen were third on track at the finish line, but were relegated to fourth on times once Robinson crossed the line. The Habys were title leaders heading into Waikerie but technical issues in prologue put them on the back foot from the get go. Fastest finishers in the classes included Jeff and Jai Loader (#513) for Performance 2WD, Justin Watt and Dave Hartwig (#120) for Prolite Buggy, Graham and Bodie Tickner (#233) for Super 1650 Buggy, Kent Battle and Heath Lawson (#883) for Extreme 4WD, Cody Crocker and Greg Foletta (#619) for Superlite B, Tim Dewhurst and Tim Scott (#636) for Superlite A, and Amy Chapman and Lincoln Staude (#702) for Production 4WD. Final championship points will be released by the AORC in the coming weeks.
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CIRCUIT
WAMS CHOOSES CONNELL FOR JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Women of Australian Motor Sport have confirmed Beck Connell from New South Wales as the 2016/2017 recipient of the WAMS Junior Development Scholarship. The 23-year-old has been racing for over a decade and most recently won the opening round of the NSW Karting Championships in KA3 Senior Light. She also has multiple wins, pole positions and podium finishes to her credit from competing across Australia. The kart racer is excited to receive the scholarship, and believes this opportunity will help her progress into sedan or open wheel racing in 2017. “The opportunities this scholarship has to offer will benefit me greatly as I am always eager to listen and learn from those with lots of industry experience,” Connell said. “I believe that what I can learn from this scholarship will help me not only grow professionally as a person, but also help me become a very successful female in motor sport … skills I will gain from this scholarship will no doubt help me and my racing career for the rest of my life. “Winning the WAMS scholarship means a lot to me,
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especially given over the past year I have worked very hard to achieve some top results.” WAMS Chairperson Sam Reid praised Connell for making the necessary improvements in her race craft, which led to her receiving the scholarship. “We have watched Beck really step-up in the past 18 months after attending the WAMS fitness camp,” Reid said. “The improvements she has made off track in her mental and physical preparation have made a huge impact to her on-track performances and she’s genuinely contesting for race wins in her karting.” Outgoing 2015/2016 JDS recipient Alexandra Whitely has found success in the SsangYong Actyon Racing Series Championship in New Zealand, finishing sixth overall including race and round wins. The program offers one up-and-coming female junior driver the chance to learn the necessary tools on and off the track to strengthen their chances of a successful career in motor sport, including media training, fitness, sports psychology and potential involvement in the CAMS Academy camps to develop their skills.
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OFFICIAL OIL PARTNER
In its 41st year, the Tatts Finke Desert Race added two more names to its illustrious ‘Kings of the Desert’ list thanks to Glenn Owen and Mathew Ryan who took victory in the car division. /
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CIRCUIT
WINTON FESTIVAL OF SPEED The Winton Festival of Speed returns for its seventh year, and as a CAMS permitted event, featuring a large array of historic machinery ranging from the ‘40s right through to the ‘90s. The touring car categories entered for the event represent two different eras, including Group N (‘60s and ‘70s) and 5L V8 Touring Cars, with cars from the early days of touring car racing in Australia from 1993 onwards. One of the highlights will be the Group S Sports Car Trophy, which will feature Austin Healey, Porsche, De Tomaso, MG, Alpha Romeo and more. In a first for the festival, the HQ Holdens will make an appearance, with the class being one of Australia’s longest-standing one-make series. Fans of historic open wheelers can also enjoy the Q and R Sports Racing and historic Formula Ford categories, while pre-war and post-war classics such as Bugatti,
Ford V8, Elfin and Australian Specials will participate in the Group J, K and L races. Festival of Speed chairman Ian Ross is expecting this year’s event to be one of the largest yet. “It is shaping up to be a huge event for spectators, who will be able to watch the cars on track but also talk to the drivers in the pits and admire the car club’s vehicles on trackside display,” Ross said. The Winton Festival of Speed takes place on 6-7 August at Winton Motor Raceway.
PHILLIP ISLAND 6 HOUR The event is one of Australia’s most popular regularity events, reaching maximum grid capacity each year. “This year we had close on 330 people competing, if you include team managers as competitors, and 50 teams,” Event Director David Bellenger said.
The 11th edition of the Victorian Six Hour Regularity Relay has been won by the four drivers of Team ALLBRANds at Phillip Island on Sunday July 31. The winning Team ALLBRANds entry, consisting of Richard Fairlam, Iain Johnson, Robin Browning and Dave Wood, claimed their second win after previously taking line honours in 2014. “Team ALLBRANds is the only team to win this event twice,” Team ALLBRANds Manager John Shepherdson said. “We dedicated the win to long time helper Alby Turner, who recently passed away. His wife and two sons were helping over the weekend, and it was very emotional at the presentation.”
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“This year we had 18 teams from interstate out of 50 teams, which is really good… We’ve filled the event to 50 teams for, apart from the first year, within a week of opening events. “The event this year filled, and it was oversubscribed, within two hours of the first piece of mail arriving.”
2016 VICTORIAN 6 HOUR RELAY PROVISIONAL TOP TEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
#41 #44 #8 #10 #1 #37 #11 #12 #4 #1
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ALL BRANds MX-5 Club of NSW Shake ‘N’ Bake MUCCing Around Deni Team Autobarn Mustang Z MUCCing Around City MUCCing Around Misfits Team PIARC ICC - 1
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HALL OF FAME
HALL OF FAME
W AT C H THE VIDE O AN INITIATIVE OF CAMS
‘GELIGNITE’ JACK MURRAY John Eric Murray was born on 30 August 1907 in Port Melbourne, Victoria. He left school aged 14, his first job in a bicycle shop, followed by farm work at Sea Lake and grape picking at Mildura. But it was the internal combustion engine and speed that fascinated him. By the late 1920s he had begun competing in motor sports, hill climbs, acceleration tests and endurance trials. When he moved to Sydney in 1932 he was employed as a test driver for Chrysler cars. The company sent him to the United States of America to inspect motor factories. On his return to Sydney, Murray started a motor garage at Bondi. Operated on eccentric business principles, it was largely a taxi service and repair facility. The premises were used to store a growing collection of memorabilia. After World War II Murray immersed himself in openwheeler racing. In a Bugatti-Ford V8, he came fifth outright in a Grand Prix event held at Bathurst in 1946. Murray became a national figure in the 1954 Redex Round Australia Reliability trial, in which he drove and won in a 1948 Canadian-made Ford V8 painted in grey primer and nicknamed the ‘Grey Ghost’. Chosen for its generous ground clearance and robust shock absorbers, it had already done 75,000 miles when Jack paid £700 for it. The name ‘Gelignite Jack’ reflected Murray’s use of the explosive to clear debris from outback roads and to mark his departure from (and sometimes arrival in) country towns during motor trials. A prankster, he contended that ‘Gelignite wouldn’t hurt a flea out in the open. It’s just the same as a cracker, only louder’.
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Through Murray’s career his attitude was never one of ‘win at all costs’. He enjoyed social interludes during which he could relax ‘telling lies’ with fellow competitors. Because of his public profile and his friendship with Evan Green, British Motor Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd employee, he was engaged as a driver in the 1968 London to Sydney Marathon and the 1970 World Cup Rally from London to Mexico City. Before the former he annoyed the authorities by illegally waterskiing on the Thames River past the Houses of Parliament. At the start of the 1968 event in London, his Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent was a little too close to Jack, who had a spare fire-cracker which quickly found its lit way into the pocket of the Prince’s Tweed sports coat! Despite his devil-may-care, laconic attitude, few were as well versed in the harsh motoring conditions of outback Australia. He undertook several landmark crossings to test automotive products and the reliability of newly released motor vehicles. Nonetheless, ‘Gel’ Murray was nowhere more at home than at his garage in his role as a self-proclaimed ‘Bondi Bodgie’. A teetotaller and non-smoker, advancing arteriosclerosis caused the amputation of his right leg in 1980 and the following year his Bondi garage burned down; he shrugged off both misfortunes. Survived by his wife, Ena May, and their two sons, he died on 11 December 1983 at Darlinghurst. A special run of three hundred scale models of the ‘Grey Ghost’ perpetuated the memory of ‘Gelignite Jack’. (Information courtesy of the Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 18, (MUP), 2012)
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VALE STEVE ASHTON Marathon, Rally Australia and Round Australia events. Steve joined the CAMS National Rally Panel (as it was known then) in 1990. The panel then became the Australian Rally Commission and in July 1995 Steve was appointed Deputy Chairman, a position he held until December 2006. He founded Rallycorp (which was the commercial arm of the Australian Rally Championship) in 1999 and was its Chairman until the end of 2009.
CAMS is sad to report the passing of Stephen Cameron Ashton, former Deputy Chairman of the Australian Rally Commission, former Chairman of Rallycorp and former rally driver. Steve passed away after a 15 month-long illness on the evening of July 25. Steve’s interest in rallying started 40 years ago whilst at university. With Rosemary Nixon (later to become his wife) as co-driver, Steve competed at club, state, national and international level. He also turned his considerable skill as a driver into campaigns in the Australian Safari, London to Sydney
From 2001 until 2007 Steve served in the role of FIA Observer at numerous events in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship. For his great contribution to motor sport, Steve Ashton was awarded Life Membership of CAMS in March this year. Steve was also one of the three founding partners in the well-known and highly-awarded Melbourne architectural firm ARM, which designed amazing buildings like Storey Hall at RMIT, the National Museum of Australia (in Canberra), Perth Arena, Hamer Hall and Melbourne Recital Centre and MTC Theatre. CAMS expresses its condolences to Ro and their two daughters Kate and Louisa, and all of Steve’s family and friends.
VALE TONY LENTINO Intended to promote young Kiwi talent, Super Black Racing fielded a single car for Andre Heimgartner in 2015 and continued with the Prodrive-run entry this year with new driver Chris Pither. Lentino was renowned for his passion for his country and his love of motor sport, which was central to the creation of Super Black Racing and his commitment to running only Kiwi drivers.
The CAMS and wider motor sport community were saddened to hear of the passing of Super Black Racing founder and owner Tony Lentino on 26 July 2016, following a 15 month battle with cancer. Lentino, 42, was the driving force behind the creation of the all-Kiwi Supercars team which has competed fulltime in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship for the last two seasons after making a wildcard debut at Bathurst in 2014.
A successful businessman, Lentino made his fortune in computers and website domains, eventually selling his Instra Corporation late last year. First diagnosed with lung cancer in early 2015, Lentino had been absent from the Supercars paddock for the bulk of this season as he continued his fight. Lentino, who passed away at his home in Wellsford, New Zealand, leaves behind his wife Emily and two daughters, Izabella and Sofia. Our sincere condolences go to Tony’s family and friends.
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CLUB CORNER
40 YEARS OF VICTORIAN SUPERKART CLUB club also raced at tracks in Brooklyn, Mount Gambier’s Mac Park, Winton, Calder, Broadford, Adelaide International Raceway and even sharing race meetings with motorcycle clubs. It wasn’t until 1986 that the club affiliated with CAMS, with sporting and technical regulations for superkarts coming under the CAMS fold around this period. Today, the club has over 100 members and enjoys representation on the CAMS State Executive and State Council. Over the decades, the club has had over 50 National Champions.
Last month, the Victorian Superkart Club celebrated 40 years of racing. Initially formed under the auspices of the Victorian Karting Association, the club was formed in early 1976 and was known as the VKA Road Race Division. The club’s roots can be traced back to the Corio track just outside of Geelong in Victoria. During this period, the
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“We wish to thank our members for their support and especially the many committee members and volunteers over the last 40 years who have given of their time in this exciting form of motor sport,” former Club President Rolf Greve said. “The club looks forward to continuing its rich tradition of building champions by offering its members the most affordable racing at the best circuits the country can offer.”
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
CHALLENGE BATHURST The inaugural Challenge Bathurst is an exclusive opportunity to drive your own street or track-racing car on the famous Mount Panorama circuit this November. The event invites competitors to participate in either the Lightning – Competitive Sprint or the Thunder – Regularity Training. The ‘Lightning’ event will be hosted on 24-25 November, and is targeted towards elite and experienced motor sport competitors for those wanting to gain valuable practice for main events held at the Bathurst circuit throughout the year.
The ‘Thunder’ event will be hosted on 26-27 November; those wanting to qualify for the event must have a performance engineered car, CAMS Level 2 Speed Licence and a desire to train and improve skills. Entries are now open for Challenge Bathurst, and are expected to sell out. To find out more information on the inaugural Challenge Bathurst, please click here: http://www.challengebathurst. com
GET INVOLVED WITH ARDC STARTLINE The Australian Racing Drivers’ Club are hosting information open days for new competitors and race officials to get involved in motor sport. The next ARDC Startline information day will be held on 21 August at Sydney Motorsport Park. Register now via www. sydneymotorsportpark.com.au/startline
CAMS WELCOMES NEW AND RE-AFFILIATED CLUBS CAMS currently have 546 affiliated car clubs! Thank you to those who joined over the last month: •
Saloon Car Racing Association Inc.
•
NSW Commodore Owners Club Inc.
•
Saab Car Club of Australia Victoria Inc.
•
Dubbo Vehicle Restorers Club Inc.
•
Wyndham Classic’s Car Club Inc.
•
Southern Riverina Vehicle and Machinery Club
Member Club
If your car club is interested in affiliating with CAMS, please find more information here
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CLUB CORNER
BOOST YOUR CLUB WITH THE CAMS CLUB DEVELOPMENT FUND
Applications for the CAMS Club Development Fund (CDF) - supported by Penrite Oil, Burson Auto Parts and Famous Insurance - are now being accepted. After an overwhelming number of expressions of interest across the previous two rounds of CDF applications, CAMS affiliated Sporting Car Clubs can now apply for the fund all year round.
Since the Club Development Fund’s inception, over 40 car clubs have benefited from the initiative to date. CAMS has also invested over $50,000 directly into clubs to assist with club membership growth and making motor sport more accessible for juniors to get started.
State
Sport & Club Development Officer Email Shawn Fitzgerald
nsw@cams.com.au
VIC
Pravin Sinnan
vic@cams.com.au
(03) 9593 7777
SA/NT
Charise Bristow
sa@cams.com.au
(08) 8361 4801
QLD
Sharyn Cooke
qld@cams.com.au
(07) 3850 2400
TAS
Jenna Clarke
tas@cams.com.au
(03) 6227 5601
WA
Fiona Roth
wa@cams.com.au
(08) 9208 8500
NSW/ACT
Phone
(02) 8736 1219
FURTHER INFORMATION AND CRITERIA ON HOW YOU CAN APPLY CAN BE FOUND BY DOWNLOADING THE APPLICATION FORM LOCATED HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS State
Club
Event Date/s Location 17/9, 22/10
SMSP & Ansell Park
NSW
Sydney Off Road Racing Association
20/8, 12/11
Colo Park
Whitsunday Sporting Car Club Inc
28/8
Tonker Park & CQU Mackay
Mike Brown
SA
Tarmac Junior Development Program Association of South Australia Incorporated
Feb - Dec 16
Mallala, Collingrove & Monarto
Darren Mattiske
VIC
Austin Healey Sprite Drivers’ Club Inc
11/9
Bryant Park
Greg Corbin
VIC
Maffra and District Car Club
11/9
Boisdale
Stuart Henderson
VIC
Marque Sports Car Association Victoria
10/12
Phillip Island
VIC
Swinburne University Car Club
21/11
DECA, Haunted Hills & Wodonga Alex Hallett
NSW QLD
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Christian Autosports Club of Australia Inc
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
Contact
Neil Blackbourn
OFFICIALS
2016 VIC STATE CIRCUIT RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 3 - SANDOWN RACEWAY
SPEED READ
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UPDATES
NEW POLICY FOR MOTOR SPORT PASSENGER RIDES Getting non-competitors in the passenger seat of a race car is a fantastic way to promote motor sport; it can encourage future participation in the sport as a competitor, official or spectator.
A passenger ride should be an enjoyable and memorable experience for all involved and it is important that it is conducted in a manner that is as safe as possible. CAMS has put in place a policy that covers motor sport passenger ride activity at all types of CAMS-permitted motor sport events where a passenger is carried in a vehicle at speed. The policy provides administrative, operational and apparel guidelines for the event organiser and/or category manager, the team and/or driver and the Clerk of the Course to work together to put on a safe and successful passenger ride activity. The policy applies from 1 July 2016, with the exception of the apparel requirements for passengers, which will be phased in over a six-month period and will become mandatory from 1 January 2017. To view the Motor Sport Passenger Ride Activity Policy and FAQs click here
DEMYSTIFYING THE FIA HISTORIC TECHNICAL PASSPORT The CAMS Australian Historic Motor Sport Commission (AHMSC), has announced the introduction of the FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP), as an alternative form of documentation to the traditional CAMS Certificate of Description (CoD) for vehicles competing in historic racing in Australia. The addition of the HTP to the Australian historic scene will open further opportunities for many participants. What is the HTP? The HTP is an internationally accepted document that describes the specification in which vehicles are eligible to compete in international historic events. The HTP is much more detailed than our CoD, and incorporates many more photographs, making the task of eligibility checking a more objective process. Why do we need the HTP? Firstly, CAMS has no intention, or desire, to unwind our unique but administratively demanding CoD process. However many have questioned the reasoning behind the permanent acceptance of HTP vehicles here. 1. The FIA HTP is the primary form of documentation used for vehicle eligibility in historic motor sport competition worldwide; 2. With the ever-increasing opportunities for Australians
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to race overseas, a HTP is generally required to participate; and 3. The number of vehicles being purchased by Australians with existing HTP documentation, for use here in historic competition, is increasing and this is an issue that has to be recognised and managed. Furthermore, as a FIA ASN (National Sporting Body), CAMS is obliged to issue a HTP to a compliant vehicle resident here, whether or not the owner plans to take it overseas. A demanding process – not a short-cut Applying for a HTP is not a simple or cheap process: fees are payable to both CAMS and the FIA; the requirement to comply very precisely with all requirements of FIA Appendix K and the original published specifications or homologation documents for each make, model and variant are onerous. This is certainly no short-cut to historic acceptability. Read more on the FIA Historic Technical Passport here View FAQs about the FIA Historic Technical Passport here For further information, contact the CAMS Historic Department on historic@cams.com.au
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
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SPEED READ
25
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
CAMS MEMBER REWARDS OF THE MONTH IN THE INDUSTRY
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CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
CH A M P I O N SH I P U PD AT E
Each month we will feature a selection of results from recent events around Australia.
V I CTORIAN STAT E C IR C UIT R A CI N G CH A M P I O N S H I P S R D 3 P O I NTS U PD AT E FOR MU L A V EE
IM PR O VE D PR O D U CT I O N C AR S
H Y UN DAI E XC E L
1. James Dean 100 2. Heath Collinson 88 3. Jake Rowe 84 4. Matthew Holmes 81 5. Blaine Grills 70
1. Troy Lloyd 80 2. Anthony Groves 79 3. Luke Grech-Cumbo 74 4. Nathan Robinson 69 5. Jason Fankhauser 68
1. Adam Bywater 2. Kaide Lehmann 3. Timothy Yates 4. Brendan Avard 5. Neville Blight
SP ORTS C A R S RACE 3
P O RS CH E 9 44 RA CE 3
SALOON CA R S R A CE 3
1 Steven McLaughlan 2 Rod Salmon 3 James Augustine 4 Richard Mensa 5. Graham Williams
1. C. Lewis Williams 2. Cameron Beller 3. Vince Misuraca 4. Brad Winter 5. John Goddard
1. Timothy Rowse 2. Damien Mitchell 3. David Wright 4. Glen Postlethwaite 5. Aaron Paterson
98 82 82 77 66
R A CE RE S U L T S
Full results from the VSRC Round 3 available HERE
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INFORMATION
CONTACT CAMS The CAMS member hotline will be open until 7:00pm AEST (5:00pm WST & 6:30pm CST) So for all your motor sport needs call the CAMS Hotline or visit the website at www.cams.com.au Email: memberservices@cams.com.au
#WEAREMOTORSPORT
l Hit up CAMS on social media for photos from CAMS events, news, videos and other great motor sport content.
SEND US YOUR STORIES! If you have a motor sport story which you think should be told, get in touch with us and it could appear in Speed Read. If you have pictures or videos of motor sport you would like to share with us, we encourage you to do so. They could appear on our website, social media platforms or in Speed Read. Please email communications@cams.com.au We look forward to hearing from you!
2016 CAMS TECHNICAL & SPORTING BULLETINS The list of Bulletins released this year appears on the CAMS website. These bulletins are issued according to Rule 238(ii) of the National Competition Rules (NCR).
PLEASE REFER TO THE CAMS WEBSITE FOR THE LATEST CAMS BULLETINS
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WHAT’S ON IN AUGUST Tenterfield Travellers Aussie World to Tentrefield and return 05/08/2016 - 07/08/2016 Quit Targa West Localities of Perth, Wanneroo, Swan, Kalamunda, Mundaring, Toodyay, Chittering and Bullsbrook 11/08/2016 - 14/08/2016 “Master of Mallala” 2016 State Championship Round 3 Mallala Motorsport Park 20/08/2016 - 21/08/2016 Gunnedah Mount Porcupine Hillclimb Apex Drive Procupine Lookout Gunnedah 28/08/2016 - 28/08/2016
FOR MORE EVENTS IN YOUR STATE VISIT THE CAMS WEBSITE EVENT CALENDAR HERE SPEED READ
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DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD A ‘SHOEY’ AND SECOND PLACE ON THE PODIUM IN GERMANY FOR RICCIARDO
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
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THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN SPORT COMMISSION RECOGNISES THE CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT LTD (CAMS) TO DEVELOP MOTOR SPORT IN AUSTRALIA 30
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT