Speed Read November 2016

SPEED READ NOVEMBER 2016 EDITION

AUSTRALIANS READY FOR WRC CHALLENGE Thirty-six Australians will start at the final round of WRC at Coffs Harbour

DRIVER FITNESS

CAMS SUPERLICENCE

HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP

Fitness can make or break your on-track performance

Formal pathway to Supercars arrives in 2017

Oastler makes it three from three

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CONTENTS

GENERAL NEWS Australians ready for WRC challenge Driver fitness: endurance and heat CAMS Superlicence to arrive in 2017 Benetton F1 back on the streets of Adelaide Poynting to the top Seven years of Targa High Country Final side-by-side for 2016 Oastler makes it three from three Mitchener becomes Rotax World Champion Festival of awesome An event with a difference Hall Of Fame: Frank Matich A world championship GP for Australia

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CLUB CORNER

CAMS Club Development Fund 26 Club Profile: Top End Drift Association 27 DriveIt sets sights on Townsville 27

Benetton F1 on the streets of Adelaide

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INFORMATION Championship Update Contact CAMS What’s on in October

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Seven years of Targa High Country

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World Time Attack

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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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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

AUSTRALIANS READY FOR WRC CHALLENGE AT RALLY AUSTRALIA A 36-strong Aussie contingent will start the closing round of the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship at the Kennards Hire Rally Australia.

Exactly half the entries are Australians in the biggest Australian WRC field since 2009, the first year Rally Australia was staged on the east coast.

With entries for the final round of the Kumho Tyre Australian Rally Championship and a round of the NSW State series still to be finalised, the Coffs Coast event on 17-20 November promises to be a thrilling competition.

Big names of the WRC top the list and although number one seed Sébastien Ogier arrives with his fourth world drivers’ title already secured, there will be plenty still to fight for.

Five drivers, including New Zealand’s Hayden Paddon, were in contention for the championship runner-up positions after Ogier clinched the championship in Spain in October.

The best-of-six WRC2 title will be fought down to the wire with Skoda factory drivers Jan Kopecky and Esapekka Lappi and former Junior World Champion Nico Fuchs of Peru dispatched to score points in Australia.

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The Australian contingent is led by Victorian Brendan Reeves, among 14 drivers entered under ASN rules, which admit cars without international homologation.

One of our most experienced international drivers of recent seasons, Reeves will be in his own Subaru.

It’s a top-quality list, also including Nathan Quinn (Mitsubishi), Harry Bates (Toyota), Ryan Smart (Mitsubishi), Molly Taylor (Subaru), Brad Marcovic (Subaru) and Adrian Coppin (Toyota).

Bates and Taylor will also be on the ARC entry list, in an enthrallingly close fight to keep Simon Evans from winning a fifth drivers’ title.

The 25th Rally Australia will kick off with a rally show and ceremonial start on Thursday, followed by three days of special stage competition, including the Destination NSW Super Special Stage on the Coffs Harbour waterfront on Friday and Saturday, and 313 kilometres of special stages.

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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

GREAT FREE ATTRACTIONS AT RALLY AUSTRALIA You don’t need a ticket to enjoy Kennards Hire Rally Australia—there’s plenty to see and do that’s FREE and near to Coffs Harbour.

C I T Y P RE S E N TAT I O N S TA G E CBD, Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour • Rally Show & Ceremonial Start Thursday, 4pm • Big-screen videos & updates Thursday-Sunday • Finish podium ceremony Sunday, 3.15pm

S E RVI C E PA RK C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour • Rally car service Friday, 11.29am Saturday, 11.33am Sunday, 11.17am • Souvenir sales Friday-Saturday-Sunday • Meet-the-Crews on stage Thursday, 12 midday Friday & Saturday, approx 8pm • WRC6 Challenge supported by Red Bull Friday-Saturday • C.ex Touring & Classic Car Show Friday-Saturday

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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

DRIVER FITNESS: ENDURANCE AND HEAT

Athleticism in motor sport is something that can be overlooked, however your fitness can make or break your on-track performance.

Different disciplines of motor sport have their own unique ways of training for particular events; elite Supercars drivers are even compared to long distance runners due to their high heart rates sustained over a long time period.

Damian Prasad, who works with the young drivers in the CAMS Academy as well as a being the head of Sports Science and Sports Medicine at Nissan Motorsport, says being race fit is one of the biggest factors when driving with heat stress during endurance events.

“Heat stress is a major factor in a race car driver’s performance during endurance races; it’s one of the reasons for increases in body temperature and subsequently high heart rates that may go up to 180 beats per minute,” Prasad says.

“The body’s core temperature heats up during competition and eventually leads to physical and mental fatigue with a resulting decrease in performance.

“Fat is also a good insulator, therefore it will heat up the body quickly and not allow for the body to cool down effectively—if a driver has low body fat, the body doesn’t heat up as quickly and the onset of fatigue will be delayed, thus allowing for better performance.”

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Prasad also says that if a driver has good aerobic endurance levels, the heat works more efficiently to pump blood to the organs, muscles and brain to allow for more efficient cooling and functioning of the body under heat stress.

In the months and weeks leading up to endurance events drivers are physically and mentally preparing themselves for the grueling demands of the long incar stints, and training in this period also includes time spent at the gym working on muscular endurance and reactions.

On the week of the race, the training tapers off and the focus turns to nutrition plans, hydration strategies, therapy and recovery protocols to maximise the driver’s performance.

As well as training prior to the event, drivers will work on rehydration processes to properly refuel their bodies after their stint.

“After an endurance stint or race, the focus is on rehydration with a specific electrolyte formula, refueling with the right foods to top up energy levels and cooling the body down with ice baths and cooling protocols,” Prasad explains.

“All of these strategies are aimed at starting and accelerating the recovery process for the next stint or race.”

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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

Although Supercars drivers deal with high heat stress in 60-degree plus cabin temperatures, other motor sport disciplines use similar hydration processes.

TIPS FOR DRIVERS

Alex Walker, a Sports Physiologist for Fitness2Podium, has worked with drivers in different disciplines and explains the key similarities and differences between rally and circuit drivers.

“For any motor sport category, proper hydration is critical,” Walker says.

“For rally, since the drivers are able to carry food and liquid as well as being able to get out of the car in between most stages, heat stress does not play as much of a major role as it does for Supercars drivers.

“In combination with that, proper hydration through water or sports drinks is essential to prevent dehydration. Race suits generally do not allow for effective heat dissipation, hence adequate hydration prior will assist in reducing dehydration.”

Walker also discusses the use of cool suits and some of the disadvantages rally drivers have compared to circuit racers.

“Supercars have access to cool suits during the race, however with rally, proper hydration before the event is critical,” Walker says.

“Pre-cooling prior to a race start to lower body temperature may also be effective in slowing the onset of heat related effects during the race.”

Everyone reacts to heated temperatures in different ways, and increasing your aerobic fitness can improve your own on-track performance as well as improving your body’s condition during hot conditions.

Leading into the summer season of racing it’s important to develop a plan to overcome heat stress on the track—and it may even help you pick up those extra tenths at the next meeting.

• Correct hydration prior to the event/race start • Pre-cooling through the use of ice-vests or even ice baths • Improved aerobic fitness to deal with increased temperatures • Training in heated environments • Spending time in the car to become accustomed to the hot environment

DID YOU KNOW?

Supercars drivers require good strength levels not only in the neck and core muscles to resist G-forces, but also to apply braking forces of up to 80kg in the braking leg, and this may be up to 450 times per hour at a track like Mount Panorama.

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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

CAMS SUPERLICENCE TO ARRIVE IN 2017

CAMS, in conjunction with the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship (VASC), will implement a CAMS Superlicence structure as part of a formal driver pathway from 2017.

“Along with Supercars, we have raised concerns of a heightened level of risk. The CAMS Superlicence is intended to maintain the highest safety and driving standards across our sport.”

The CAMS Superlicence will model the FIA Superlicence system, as used in Formula 1®, with state and national race categories to qualify for CAMS Superlicence points.

CAMS, the Australian Motor Racing Commission and Supercars have agreed that a more robust system needs to be in place for young drivers to develop experience in lower categories before being eligible to compete at a professional level.

With the exception of current Supercars drivers and drivers that currently meet the criteria, future drivers must accumulate a minimum of 13 points before formally applying.

CAMS Superlicence points will be awarded retrospectively in 2017 from the previous five seasons (2012 onward) across the approved categories.

“Given that Supercars were recently included to the FIA Superlicence structure by the World Motor Sport Council, it was appropriate for CAMS to follow suit and implement a similar structure locally,” CAMS General Manager of Motor Sport Michael Smith said.

“Locally, CAMS has observed an increase in the number of young and inexperienced drivers racing powerful machinery in advanced categories of motor sport.

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“The progressions through karting, junior formulae and then into the Supercars Dunlop Series and Virgin Australia Supercars Championship are quite dramatic, and in conjunction with CAMS, we’ve worked on the Superlicence concept to ensure that young drivers are as prepared as possible when making these progressions,” Supercars Technical Director David Stuart said.

As a result of the CAMS Superlicence structure, age limitations will also be implemented across related categories through the pathway to Supercars.

A full table of categories and age brackets can be viewed at the CAMS website by clicking here

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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

BENETTON F1 BACK ON THE STREETS OF ADELAIDE CAMS Speed Read recently caught up with Josh Kean, as he prepares to drive Gerhard Berger’s 1986 Benetton Formula 1 car at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival this month.

SR: Firstly, you must feel incredibly lucky to drive this amazing car! How did driving the car at the festival come about?

JK: Very excited to be driving this car at the festival—it’s not every day you get to bring the most powerful F1 car back to the streets of Adelaide!

I’m lucky enough to know the owner and be able to work side-by-side with him in getting the car set up and back racing at events and doing demos, especially at great events like the Adelaide Motorsport Festival.

SR: You recently had a shake down with the car at Mallala Motorsport Park, how did the car feel?

JK: I have had a couple of runs in the car and now I’m working with the guys to get the right balance in gearing and set up. Still more work to be done, but I’m enjoying every moment I’m in the car. I’ve got to give it to the guys who raced these things back in the day!

SR: You currently race in the Supercars Dunlop Series, what is this car like to drive compared to a Supercar?

JK: It’s very strange for me, especially the first time jumping into the F1. I’m so used to a V8 Supercar, which is a big heavy car—you need to have a lot of patience and they slide around a lot.

SR: Are you also competing in the other events at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival this year?

On the Sunday I’ll be driving one very special Ferrari, which is yet to be announced to the public. You’ll just have to come out and see it for yourself on the day.

SR: What is the fans’ reaction to the car?

I think car lover or not—seeing and hearing a Formula 1 car belting around a track is enough to get anyone excited and it’s so cool to have so many old F1 cars in one place at one time. It’s a truce credit to the event organisers.

SR: How can people get along to the event and see you drive the Benetton Formula 1 car?

It’s really easy to come down and check it out. You can buy tickets at the gate and you can come get up close with all the cars and drivers—something you won’t be able to do anywhere else in Australia.

ADELAIDE TO COME ALIVE IN NOVEMBER The Adelaide Motorsport Festival returns November 17-20. Catch up on last year’s event thanks to the Sporting Car Club of SA on YouTube.

In the F1 even though it’s pushing around 900-plus horsepower and is 30 years old, it does everything you ask, as long as you’re driving it fast enough for the aero to work, the brakes to get hot and get the tyres up to temperature. Obviously it’s something you show a lot of respect to because when it bites, it really bites, making it all that more exciting in my view.

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CATEGORIES

POYNTING TO THE TOP Poynting eventually eclipsed Clapperton in the final two laps, making a brave pass under brakes into turn one.

“I really enjoyed racing with Alyssa, and showing everyone just how competitive us girls can be,” Poynting said.

Clapperton, who made her Aussie Racing Cars debut in the Hampton Downs finale, was complimentary of the style of racing in the series.

Australian Charlotte Poynting has claimed the first CAMS Trans-Tasman Women’s Challenge trophy, ahead of her New Zealand rival Alyssa Clapperton, in the Aussie Racing Cars season finale at Hampton Downs.

Clapperton and Poynting started on the front row for Race Two, which would decide the CAMS Trans-Tasman Women’s Challenge winner.

“With an awesome start from Alyssa, I found myself in second position with the rest of the pack approaching very quickly,” Poynting said.

“We chopped and changed positions throughout the entire race, with it being one of the toughest wheel to wheel races I’ve ever had, without one nudge between us.”

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“It was a huge challenge taking on some of the best young drivers in Australia in a car that I didn’t have any experience in,” Clapperton said.

“To walk away from the feature racing having led for five laps in a car that I am still getting to grips with, and the times we were setting, is a huge achievement and one we can sure be proud of.”

Poynting also created more history for the series by also becoming the first female to win an Aussie Racing Car race. Starting from ninth on the grid in the weekend’s third race, Poynting lead the field home by 2.5 seconds.

“I started ninth and just put my head down and drove my absolute hardest,” Poynting said.

Poynting’s efforts have been rewarded further, with an invitation to test a prototype Aussie Racing Car at Pukekohe later this month.

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“We chopped and changed positions throughout the entire race, with it being one of the toughest wheel to wheel races I’ve ever had, without one nudge between us.”

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CATEGORIES

SEVEN YEARS OF TARGA HIGH COUNTRY Another large field will arrive at Mt Buller this November in preparation for the seventh running of the now iconic Targa High Country event.

The field again will be made up of a `Cavalcade of Motoring History’ in the true traditions of a Targa event and there are numerous teams in each competition who will be vying for the win.

As with all Targa events, there are always a few surprises along the way and the excitement is reaching fever pitch in anticipation of how it will all play out.

After taking out the win in this year’s Targa Tasmania in April, reigning Targa High Country winners Matt Close and Cameron Reeves will be eager to repeat the feat aboard their Porsche GT3.

“It’s awesome,” Close said at the conclusion of last year’s Targa High Country.

“We wanted to be competitive with Tony (Quinn), so we’re pretty happy. We kept benchmarking, but we just didn’t want to back off.

“Coming up Mt Buller the final time was probably the best drive I’ve ever had.”

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A new Mansfield Street Stage will be a highlight for the event. The street stage will also be the first time it will be included in the overall competition, with competitors having extra reason to master the technical course.

As for the future of Targa, its three events in Targa Tasmania, Targa High Country and Targa West are secure through to 2022.

“The introduction of clearly defined competitions with more cars in each competition is guaranteed to create greater excitement for competitors—and for those who finish on the podium, much more satisfaction in actually winning a Targa competition,” Event Director Mark Perry said.

“With contracts to run all three of our Targa events now in place until 2022 and with the necessary large scale changes completed, it promises to be an exciting period ahead and this will all start with the running of Targa High Country from 4-6 November,” Perry said.

Competition will start on Friday 4 November, with the event to conclude with an 18-kilometre run up Mt Buller on Sunday 6 November.

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CATEGORIES

FINAL SIDE BY SIDE OF 2016 The final round of the SXS Australian Championship saw a thrilling conclusion at Monza Park in Ballarat, with Nathan Weissel and 2016 Champion Cody Crocker tied for the outright win.

After two days and seven heats of competition in the Ballarat finale, the result also cemented Crocker as 2016 Champion and Weissel as runner up.

Brett Comiskey rounded off the Ballarat podium in third place, and finished the year 3rd in the championship standings.

Substituting for Matt Mingay aboard the Hot Wheels Polaris machine, American motocross star Sara Price enjoyed her first SXS meeting to finish second on debut.

Current Australian Rally Championship points leader Simon Evans continued his strong form in the championship to finish second, with Japan’s Tadamitsu Niihori rounding out the Ballarat podium in third place.

McClue was declared Champion, with Jarred Keyte as runner up and Niihori placed third overall.

Photos by DirtComp Magazine

“What a rad weekend racing for Team RZR in the SXS Australian Championship,” Price said.

“Took home a few wins and was on the box every race taking home a solid second place overall.

I want to thank Polaris Australia for a great time and the opportunity, along with the incredible hospitality, and Matt Mingay for letting me fly his Hot Wheels turbo around!”

Running alongside the SXS Championship, the Polaris RZR Australian Championship also concluded at Monza Park with Ewan McClue claiming the outright win.

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CATEGORIES

OASTLER MAKES IT THREE FROM THREE This year’s CAMS Australian Hill Climb Championship has been run and won, with Malcolm Oastler taking his third consecutive outright championship win at Bryant Park, Victoria.

TOP 10 OUTRIGHT 1. Malcolm Oastler 2. Brett Hayward 3. Greg Ackland 4. Dean Tighe 5. Garry Martin 6. Bruce Minahan 7. Peter Minahan 8. Peter Weichard 9. Ron Hay 10. David Mahon Click here to view full outright results

CLASS WINNERS Formula Ford: Thomas Inkster

After two days of fierce competition, Oastler pipped Victorian rival Brett Hayward by three-tenths of a second to take out the outright title, with Greg Ackland rounding out the podium.

Formula Libre 1301 to 2000: Brett Hayward

Dean Tighe finished a solid fourth ahead of Garry Martin and Bruce Minahan.

Historic Group N up to 2000: Peter W-Wilson

Formula Libre up to 1300: Garry Martin Formula Vee: Philip Staszczyk Historic Group N 2001 and over: Larry Kogge Historic Other: Steve Hill

Peter Minahan was seventh, with Peter Weichard, Ron Hay and David Mahon rounding out this year’s top ten outright positions.

Improved Production 1601 to 2000 (non 4WD): Michael O’Brien

Just six-seconds separated the top ten, and the circuit’s lap record was broken three times across the weekend of competition.

Improved Production up to 1600 (non 4WD) : Jess Harper

Eighty-seven competitors competed at the event, this year hosted by the Gippsland Car Club.

Improved Production 3001 and over (non 4WD): Peter Dixon Improved Production 4WD: Tim Blake Marque Sports Cars 1301 to 1600: Greg Sticker Marque Sports Cars 1601 to 3000: Paul Finch Marque Sports Cars 3001 and over: Mark Clair Open/Closed Sports Cars 1301 to 1600 (non 4WD): Sarah Pfeiffer Open/Closed Sports Cars 1601 to 3000 (non 4WD): David Casey Open/Closed Sports Cars 13001 and over (non 4WD): Ian Holdsworth Sports Cars (Clubman) up to 1600: Peter Brown Sports Cars 4WD: Kevin Mackrell Sports Sedans 1601 to 2000 (non 4WD): Garry McIvor Sports Sedans 3001 and over (non 4WD): Daryl Small Sports Sedans 4WD: Phil Heafey Sports Sedans up to 1600 (non 4WD): Peter McNiven Supersports: Wim Janseen Click here to view full class results

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CATEGORIES

MITCHENER BECOMES ROTAX WORLD CHAMPION Australian kart racer Lee Mitchener has etched his name in karting history, winning the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Sarno, Italy.

Competing in the DD2 Masters class for over 32-yearolds, Mitchener shadowed Finnish driver Antti Ollikainen for the majority of the final before making his race-winning move on the final lap.

ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS: SARNO, ITALY AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS RESULTS

Mitchener passed Ollikainen on the outside at turn two in a spectacular maneuver to take over the front running and claim the victory.

“I knew that anytime I got near him he was going to block so I had to surprise him. So I just drove my ass off and when he broke early and went to the inside coming into turn two, I made the move,” Mitchener said.

“It was a big move but I had to go for it, I knew he wouldn’t have expected it—especially there.

“This win is the culmination of many years of hard work, not only from myself but also the guys who have been right behind me. None more so than my Dad, Grant and Jace Lindstrom from Pro Karting along with Paul Gallo.

“A big thank you to Ian Black, Donald Stevens and the team at International Karting Distributors along with all of the other Australian drivers and team members who have supported each other here in Italy this week.”

Mitchener dedicated the win to his mother who lost her battle with cancer last year.

It is the first time an Australian-born driver has won the event since Tasmanian Ben George was victorious in Portugal during 2006.

All three Australian DD2 Masters drivers finished inside the top 10 with Kris Walton fifth and Scott Howard ninth.

Sydneysider Cody Gillis was on track for a podium finish in the Senior MAX class before a last lap incident ended his chances of a spot inside the top three.

Nine of the 14 Australians competing made it through to the finals stage with Hugh Barter and James Wharton finishing eighth and 17th in Mini MAX, Dylan Hollis ninth in Junior MAX and Sebastian Ruiz 30th in Micro MAX. Team Captain Troy Woolston finished 20th.

In an event that saw in excess of 350 competitors representing 50 countries, Australia finished third in the Nations Cup.

Micro MAX 30. Sebastian Ruiz Mini MAX 8. Hugh Bater 17. James Wharton Junior MAX 9. Dylan Hollis DNQ Cody Brewczynski DNQ Alec Morse Senior MAX 13. Cody Gillis DNQ Joshua Fife DD2 Masters 1. Lee Mitchener 5. Kris Walton 9. Scott Howard DD2 20. Troy Woolston DNQ Adam Lindstrom DNQ Nathan Tigani

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CATEGORIES

FESTIVAL OF AWESOME The 2016 edition of the Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge has been hailed as the best ever edition, with record attendance numbers and lap records tumbling.

Ian Baker, World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) Chief Executive Officer, was thrilled with the level of competition and general interest in the event, with thousands of local and international spectators converging upon Sydney Motorsport Park.

“This was merely a small indicator of what was by far the biggest event we have ever hosted,” Baker said.

“I sincerely believe we have succeeded in bringing an event to the people that they truly wanted to see and this has been a long time coming. Yes, the time attack racing is a huge part of it but these days it is so much more than that.”

The WTAC lap record of 2015 was broken on four separate occasions in 2016 alone, with Supercars driver

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Tim Slade setting a 1:22.19 aboard the MCA Suspension ‘Hammerhead’ Nissan S13.

In comparison, aside from the outright A1GP lap record set by Nico Hulkenberg in 2007, Slade’s time is faster than the 1:22.5131 Formula Holden lap record.

Rob Nguyen broke the Front Wheel Drive record with a 1:27.61 aboard a Honda CRX. In what is affectionately dubbed as ‘The Festival of Awesome’, WTAC is fast becoming one of Sydney’s top sporting events.

“Destination NSW have been amazing and I can assure you they will be happy with the influx of people from around the country and around the world,” Baker said.

“We estimate this event injects over $40 million into the Australian economy with much of the money staying right here in NSW.”

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WORLD TIME ATTACK CHALLENGE 2016

Photos courtesy of worldtimeattack.com

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MOTOR SPORT HISTORY

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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MOTOR SPORT NEWS

AN EVENT WITH A DIFFERENCE!

Club Challenge Australia, presented by CAMS, is an event with a difference; motor sport competitors have the chance to compete as a team for their car club—and CAMS affiliated car clubs have the chance to win cash prizes.

SR: Where are the events held?

Speed Read spoke with Ben Pretty, General Manager – Sport & Club Development.

BP: The events will be held across Australia giving every club in every state the ability to be represented. Pending the success of the event in each state, there are plans on it culminating in the best clubs from state qualifiers, traveling to one location for an all-out clash for ultimate bragging rights as the fastest club in Australia.

SR: What is CAMS Club Challenge Australia?

SR: Who is eligible to enter?

BP: Club Challenge Australia is a one day team hill climb event, open to all CAMS Affiliated ‘Sporting’ Car Clubs.

Clubs are encouraged to enter a team of three to five to compete on their behalf, with the top three teams taking home a cash prize for their club!

BP: All current CAMS Affiliated ‘Sporting’ Clubs are eligible to enter a team of up to five to compete on their behalf. Team members must be current and financial members of their respective club for 2016/2017 and must hold a CAMS Level 2 Speed Junior Licence or higher to compete.

SR: Why did CAMS create Club Challenge Australia?

BP: Club Challenge Australia was created to achieve better engagement between CAMS, our affiliate clubs and their members. Most importantly, we wanted to do something that gives back to our car clubs—hence the reasoning behind a low cost entry and the offering of generous prize money which will be awarded directly to the winning teams’ car club.

SR: What is the aim of Club Challenge Australia?

BP: Our aim is simple—to create the largest grassroots team motor sport competition in Australia.

SR: How can different classes of cars compete against each other?

BP: Each competitor races against class records— results are determined by the best time, divided by the record, multiplied by 100 to give a percentage. The percentages for each team member are then added together and divided by the number of participants for each team to determine the overall team percentage.

The team with the lowest percentage at the end of the event will be the Club Challenge Australia winner.

SR: Sounds great! When is the first event?

BP: The first Club Challenge Australia event will be hosted by the MG Car Club of Queensland and run at Queensland’s Mt Cotton Hillclimb, on November 12, 2016. Keep an eye out for event dates in other states (for 2017).

SR: When do entries open and close?

BP: Entries for the Mt Cotton event opened on 7 October, 2016 and close on November 7, 2016.

SR: How can I find out more about Club Challenge Australia?

BP: Head to our website or contact Club Challenge Australia Event Manager, Charise Bristow by email charise.bristow@cams.com.au or phone 08 8361 4801 SR: How can a club enter a team?

BP: Each team member can enter online via CAMS Event Entry by clicking here.

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MOTOR SPORT HISTORY

HALL OF FAME

AN INITIATIVE OF CAMS

FRANK MATICH Frank Matich was a highly successful motor racing competitor in the 1960s and 1970s; he was an outstanding test, development and racing driver and also built his own range of Matich sports cars and open wheel cars.

He won five Tasman Series international races, two Australian Grands Prix, the 1970 New Zealand Grand Prix, the 1973 Australian Drivers’ Championship and a number of other Australian Racing titles.

Demonstrating his calibre as a driver, Matich took pole position in the Tasman International Series race at Warwick Farm in 1964 against the likes of Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Denny Hulme and Graham Hill and had a fierce 50-lap battle with Jim Clark at Lakeside the following year. So impressed was Clark that when Matich pitted with a problem, Clark waited for him to rejoin so they could continue their battle.

In the 1960’s he turned down several offers by F1 teams to take his career offshore; Lotus patriarch Colin Chapman once approached Matich to drive for him but the Sydney racer elected to remain with family and focus on building and competing in cars in Australia.

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Matich’s SR3 and SR4 examples, which reflected CanAm cars, were powered by Oldsmobile and Repco engines and took the domestic scene by storm.

By 1972 Matich landed the Australian Drivers Championship in his own A50 Repco Holden. Matich was doing domestically what Jack Brabham did on the biggest stage of them all in grand prix racing by winning in cars of his own manufacture.

He also had the special ability to develop tyres and was instrumental in Goodyear’s racing activities after his success in developing Firestone rubber.

Matich retired from competition driving in 1974. He formed motorcycle racing team Matich Racing in 1981, fielding some of Australia’s best motorcycle riders for the next five years, before its final year of operation in 1986.

Frank Matich passed away in 2015, aged 80. He was inducted into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame in 2016.

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MOTOR SPORT HISTORY

A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GP FOR AUSTRALIA Then there was the problem that cars being imported into Australia—even racing cars—are subject to import duties. So the government came up with the quite elegant solution of decreeing the race precinct to be a customscontrolled area. Even while the cars were on the track they would be, in effect, impounded and within customs.

Bernie Ecclestone had not been a supporter of the concept from the get-go. He needed a push, and got one with a phone call from Schuppan, who knew Ecclestone personally.

In 1984, Calder’s five year deal to run the Australia Grand Prix had run its course. South Australian local, racing enthusiast and businessman Bill O’Gorman, wrote to John Bannon, Premier of South Australia, suggesting that they attempt to secure a world championship Grand Prix—and Bannon liked the idea.

O’Gorman also phoned CAMS. President John Roxburgh and secretary general John Keeffe attended a meeting at Adelaide Town Hall, at which the proposal was canvassed. A committee was formed, a track was laid out and investigations made as to what needed to be done to get Formula 1 to Adelaide.

On all levels, plans were bring made to make it happen.

John Roxburgh persuaded John Keeffe to bring Tim Schenken from the USA to Melbourne for an interview to enhance CAMS staffing with a person well known and respected in Formula 1. CAMS made him an offer, and he came.

On June 19, SA-born Vern Schuppan won the Le Mans 24 Hour Race and suddenly a lot more people in the state were excited about motor sport.

But there were problems. One was that the federal and state governments were about to ban cigarette advertising within sport. That looked to be a potential deal breaker until the SA government overcame that by mandating that it would only act on its legislation after three other states had done so.

“Bernie said, ‘You don’t get it, no one is interested in going to Australia, no one’s heard of Adelaide’.

“I told him that he had a street circuit, support from the city council and the state government and budget, and that he should be looking at this seriously.”

Ecclestone still wavered and when a delegation visited the French GP to meet with him, he was clear on one thing; if there was to be a race in Adelaide, he wanted a long-term commitment, with a three-year contract and an option for three more.

Then in July 1984 Formula 1 visited Dallas for the first time. The race, held in heatwave conditions and on a blatantly under-prepared track, was an unmitigated disaster and it was immediately apparent that Formula 1 would never return.

O’Gorman backed his hunch and leapt on a plane to seek a meeting with Ecclestone.

“He was worried about the timing of the TV (for European viewers) and I explained that Adelaide was only half an hour’s time difference... He said it was OK, and when I said we wanted one in ’86, he replied, ‘If you really want it, you will have to take it in ‘85’,” O’Gorman recalls.

The Premier announced it to a stunned world. They had pulled it off – a three year deal. It was the deal of the century and it changed the course of the AGP forever.

READ MORE Be armed with more knowledge than has ever been documented before; purchase your numbered and signed copy of CAMS: The Official History.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SPEED READ

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Let ’s C el ebrate S t at e Mot o r S por t!

PRESENTED BY

2016 Event Dates NSW/ACT: Saturday 3rd December 2016 WA: Wednesday 7th December 2016 VIC: Friday 9th December 2016

2017 Event Dates SA/NT: Saturday 4th of February 2017 QLD: Friday 10th of February 2017 TAS: Saturday 25th February 2017

cams.com.au 24

Click Here To Buy Tickets Now!

CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT

CHECK THE FIA TAG Before you go racing, no matter what your level, be sure you’re equipped with the right safety equipment.

2003 FIA World Rally Champion and 2014/2015 FIA World Rallycross Champion Petter Solberg explains the cuttingedge FIA-approved safety equipment he uses, which is available to all drivers.

SPEED READ

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CD LO U B LCEO PR AN GE RE S P R E A D

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.

CONTACTS State

Sport & Club Development Officer Email Shawn Fitzgerald

nsw@cams.com.au

Phone

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

(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 26/11

Cooma

NSW

Sydney Off Road Racing Association

12/11

Colo Park

SA

Tarmac Junior Development Program Association of South Australia Incorporated

13/11

Mallala, Collingrove & Monarto

VIC

Marque Sports Car Association Victoria

10/12

Phillip Island

NSW

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Cooma Monaro Historical Automobile Club Inc

CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT

Contact

Julian Besestri Darren Mattiske

CLUB CORNER

TOP END DRIFT ASSOCIATION as Daniel Prior, James Mardell, Matt Bennetts, Anthony Cece, Catherine ‘Driftcat’ Hewitson and John Grupillo, competing against our local competitors in the Northern Territory.

The series has an amazing level of camaraderie between all teams. This exposure is closing the gap to our local compatriots while giving TEDA competitors a taste of southern competition.

We also provide demonstrations at events such as Gazzanats and Powercruise.

Speed Read recently caught up with the Top End Drift Association after they became affiliated with CAMS. SR: How long has the Top End Drift Association been established for, and how did it all begin?

The Top End Drift Association (TEDA) was initially formed as a club in 2007. Shane Davidson had approached the local motor sport body North Australian Motor Sports Club (NAMSC) and discovered there was no structure specifically for drift events. With the help of Jeff Dunkel, they organised informal meetings with like-minded enthusiasts to discuss the possibility of forming a committee to represent drifting in the Northern Territory.

In 2016 the club successfully submitted its constitution to become an Incorporated association.

SR: What types of events does TEDA participate in?

TEDA caters for all levels of skill with numerous on-andoff track training days. We have become proficient at developing local talent to take to the track in a battle format at our state level championship series.

We also run the annual State of Origin Drift Series, which includes well-known names from South Australia, such

SR: What does it mean for your club to be affiliated with CAMS? To be affiliated with CAMS gives TEDA new opportunities to develop new and exciting events. Having direct contact with CAMS with regards to submitting regulations and discussing areas of concerns allows us to fine tune our events to provide maximum safety and minimum exposure. It’s about being able to put on a good show, and increasing the sport and TEDA brand awareness.

SR: What makes your club unique to the others?

TEDA is unique in the fact that it is a non-for-profit organisation; it is managed internally with an emphasis on club moral and self-improvement. By controlling our future we are able to ensure we always have an adequate resource of officials and active members to help do the heavy work. This club belongs to its members.

SR: How can someone become a member and get involved with TEDA? To become a member of our club contact us through our Facebook page or email us directly via adrnlnrush@hotmail.com

DRIVEIT SETS SIGHTS ON TOWNSVILLE Driver training company DriveIt is leading a proposal to see a motor sport and driver training facility to be developed in the west of Townsville.

More information on the project can be found at the DriveIt NQ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ DRIVEITNQ

DriveIt NQ Limited has a lease in place with the Townsville City Council, and its Development Application has been submitted for assessment.

The facility aims to accommodate a 3.5km circuit amongst facilities for drag racing, speedway, off-road and rally, motocross, radio controlled cars and camping.

It is anticipated that the project will provide immediate jobs to the region and provide an economic benefit conservatively estimated at $22 million per annum.

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CAMS UPDATES

CAMS MEMBER REWARDS OF THE MONTH IN THE INDUSTRY

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CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT

C H A M P I O N S H I P U PD AT E

Each month we will feature a selection of results from recent events around Australia.

VI RGI N A U S T R A LI A SU P ER C AR S, G O L D C O AST

P O I NTS U PD AT E A US T RALIAN PR O D U CT IO N CAR SE RIES

SID E BY S I DE AUS T R AL I AN CH A M P I O N S H I P

V I R GI N AUS T R AL I A S UP E R C AR S C H AM P IO NS HIP

1. Luke Searle 270 2. Paul Morris 270 3. Beric Lynton 266 4. Tim Leahy 210 5. Tony Alford 189

1. Cody Crocker 2. Nathan Weissel 3. Brett Comiskey 4. Iain Hughes 5. Adam Swindale

1. Shane Van Gisbergen 2. Jamie Whincup 3. Craig Lowndes 4. Scott Mclaughlin 5. Will Davison

173 149 142 134 119

2812 2664 2427 2351 2235

R A CE RE S U L T S CAMS WA S PE E D EVE N T S E R IE S P1 Q1 1 2 3 4 5

Graham Renn Phillip Morley Brent Matthews Marcel Every Gary Thorn

W RX CL U B SP R INTS S P RI N T 16 1 2 3 4 5

Timothy Beddoe Michael Bouts Mohammed Eleter Robert Gosling Ivan Susigan

V ICTOR IA N S TATE CIRC U IT R A CING CHAMP IONSHIPS 2016 R OUND 5 SALOON CA R S R ACE 2 1 2 3 4 5

Timothy Rowse David Wright Damien Mitchell Aaron Paterson Tony Auddino

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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

A Dynotech Dyno Tune Can Provide The Ultimate Performance Gain 30 C O N F E D Dynamics E R A T I O N O F Aon U S T1800 R A L I A 796 N M O T200 O R S Or P O R email T Call Dyno sales@dyno.com.au

Does your Life/Income protection policy cover you for motor sport?

Gallagher Life Solutions can provide CAMS members with life, trauma, total permanent disablement and income protection insurance solutions that DO cover you for motor sport.

Call to find out more 1800 776 785 | ajg.com.au/cams | life@ajg.com.au Endorsed by

WHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER TARGA HIGH COUNTRY Mt. Buller and surrounding Shire of Mansfield 03/11/2016 - 06/11/2016 GORBA MALLEE SHIELD SHORT COURSE Geelong Motorsports Complex 05/11/2016 - 05/11/2016 CHALLENGE BATHURST Mount Panorama, Bathurst 24/11/2016 - 29/11/2016 LEGANA TYRES AND MORE KHANACROSS ROUND 5 Powranna Motorsports Complex Ballarat Rovers Motorcycle Club 26/11/2016 - 26/11/2016

GET INVOLVED BY ATTENDING AN EVENT IN YOUR STATE! VISIT THE CAMS EVENT CALENDAR HERE SPEED READ

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DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD

RICCIARDO CELEBRATES HIS THIRD PLACE IN MEXICO

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS

Wolk

ERP | AMS | CRM |CMS | eCommerce

THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIAN SPORT COMMISSION RECOGNISES THE CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT LTD (CAMS) TO DEVELOP MOTOR SPORT IN AUSTRALIA 32

CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT