Castrol EDGE Racing Australia Newsletter - September 7, 2011

VOLUME 1 - ISSUE 18

CASTROL’S

SUPER SPECIAL EFFORT

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7th SEPTEMBER 2011

NEFF KNOCKS ‘EM AT INDY FPR BOYS HOON IT UP

REA RETURNS

RALLY IS BACK IN OZ!

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SUPER SPECIAL – CASTROL TAKES RALLY OZ TO THE

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CASTROL E EDGE!

C

astrol EDGE is set to give the World Rally Championship an edge, taking on the naming rights sponsorship of the Super Special Stage in Coffs Harbour.

The night time tarmac format is unique to Australia, always a crowd pleaser, the fast paced and street circuit design allows for more action and greater spectator viewing.

It was a superstar meeting when the Castrol EDGE backed Ford Abu Dhabi Rally Team and the Castrol EDGE supported Wallaby – James O’Connor – met 250 meters above Sydney city to make the announcement.

This year the cars will run in groups of three, 30 seconds apart, this translates into edge of your seat racing, with the best of the best only separated by headlights.

Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala, along with Wallabies World Cup player James O’Connor took to Sydney’s Tower Skywalk before the Ford Abu Dhabi Team takes on the Coffs Harbour roads over the four day event.

Hirvonen – who won the event last year and Latvala will take on the stage, which runs along the Coffs Harbour Marina and launches the event on Thursday night.

It is the first time the World Rally Championship will run on the Coffs Harbour roads and also marks a new change for Castrol EDGE also announcing its new formula – which now includes titanium.

The additional protection provided by the Titanium Fluid Strength Technology ensures up to 40% extra strength in reducing metal-to-metal contact when engines are at their most extreme. It is Castrol’s best oil yet.

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RALLY AUSTRALIA

READY TO ROLL

The 2011 Rally Australia has a new setting in the picturesque town of Coffs Harbour, the four day event will see the best of the international rally drivers and Australian drivers compete.

The Citroen pair of Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier are currently leading the drivers championship as well as the manufacturers championship, however the Castrol EDGE-supported Ford Abu Dhabi pair of Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala are sitting just behind the Frenchmen in third and fourth.

Hirvonen will be the first to remember the last Australian round in 2009 where he took the win from Loeb after a time penalty pushed Loeb who had been given the win, out of first place post event.

The Rally, which is running from September 8-11 kicks off on the Castrol EDGE Super Special Stage which has a marina

setting this year, the cars will be running in groups of three in 30 second intervals, ensuring edge of your seat viewing.

The new style event, which was moved from it’s spiritual home in Perth to the Northern Rivers region in 2009 and now to Coffs Harbour for 2011 runs over a mixture of all-gravel shire and forestry roads, while the Castrol EDGE Super Special Stage will use an all-asphalt course.

With only three more rounds after Australia the Ford Rally pair will be keen to take some points off the Citroen pair who have only been out of the winning seat once in 2011, with Hirvonen taking that win.

With the promise of a brand new rally, with entirely new stages the Castrol EDGE supported Ford Abu Dhabi Team are keen to forge their own records and take a one-two finish.

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NEFF TAKES NATIONALS WIN! Mike Neff has changed the record books; winning not only the 57th annual Mac Tools US Nationals but clean sweeping the four NHRA ‘Majors’ in the 2011 season for John Force Racing.

“In the final you are sitting there strapped into the car in the water box and you hear Bob Frey talking about the Mac Tools US Nationals and I was trying to block that out.

The Indiana native took a ninth qualifying position at the beginning of the day and turned that around to take four round wins and land on the top tier of the winners’ podium.

“It was really hard. I was seeing everyone give me the thumbs up before I ran. I was just trying to down play it.”

The last time a competitor took a clean sweep of the four NHRA ‘Majors’ was John Force himself in 1996.

Neff tried to play down the enormity of what the win could mean for him and his career during the event but was reminded of it at every possible turn.

“Everything just went so fast today. I was just really trying not to think about (winning the US Nationals),” said Neff.

“Every round I would tell myself, ‘This is just another qualifying run or just a test run that doesn’t mean anything.’

“I was just going to go up there and make a run. I was trying not to get caught up in the moment.

Team boss – running a special Nationals inspired livery for one weekend only – was knocked out in the first round by Bob Tasca III – who ultimately went on to sidle up against Neff in the Final.

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REA

RETURNS J

onathon Rea took to the Nurburgring for the World Superbike Championship claiming two top 10 positions after a three-month absence due to injury.

Rea was able to finish tenth in the first race after climbing to sixth before losing pace, his Castrol Honda team-mate for the German round, Makoto Tamada suffered from handling issues to finish in 17th position.

The second race was hampered by torrential rain that produced many casualties including Tamada who was one of five to DNF. After a favourable starting position Rea quickly moved to second place but he fell victim to the tight first corner firstly dropping to fourth then crashing on lap 12.

He was able to fight back to fifth position before race leader Noriyuki Haga

crashed out shortly before the race was cut short, pushing him to a fourth place finish.

“I was really excited to get back on the bike on Friday after three months off but I struggled to get a rhythm in race one and I had some front grip problems and felt a lack of acceleration out of corners,” said Rea.

“In race two it rained right on the start, which was then delayed. I crashed out of fourth going into turn one, which was really unfortunate, but luckily I was able to pick the bike up and rejoin in fifth place.”

“When Nori Haga crashed out of the lead I got back to fourth so I was happy with the result.”

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THE V8 SUPER SCHOOL FLYING THE CASTROL RACING FLAG The Castrol EDGE supported V8 Super School took to the Gold Coast show over the weekend to promote safer driving.

Making their mark at the yearly show, they produced one of the more colourful and interactive displays.

The motor-centric display allowed patrons to get up close to Russell Ingall’s Supercheap Auto Commodore and a drag racing car.

Fans were also able to take on the V8 Super School simulator as well as chat with some of Australia’s most accomplished driver trainers.

CAMILLERI TESTS A V8 SUPERCAR Production car driver Jake Camilleri took to Steve Owen’s VIP Petfoods V8 Supercar for a test drive at Queensland Raceway on Monday.

Camilleri normally drives a Castrol EDGE backed Grand Prix Motorsport Mazda 3 MPS in the Australian Manufacturers Championship – he is currently the series leader.

The V8 Supercar testing day was a first for Camilleri, having never driven a V8 Supercar before, the Paul Morris Motorsport Team were impressed with his feedback and ability.

The second generation racecar driver has also just been announced as one of the four promising young drivers off to do two 24-hour races under the Racer Industries banner in a Holden Astra VXR. They will compete in a 24-hour race in Barcelona, then a Britcar 24 Hour race at Silverstone.

The Barcelona race takes place September 23-25.

TRUST SYNTHETICS TRUST CASTROL EDGE THE SPECIALISTS WHEN IT COMES TO EXTREME POWER & PERFORMANCE WHY SYNTHETIC OILS?

Get the best protection for your engine by choosing a high quality synthetic oil.

Synthetic oils offer significant advantages over mineral oils.

HIGH TEMPERATURE STABILITY: Synthetic oils are able to withstand higher operating temperatures under which mineral oils begin to break down. Synthetic oils provide optimum lubrication at extreme temperatures reducing wear and extending engine life.

FASTER LUBRICATION ON COLD STARTS: Synthetic oils remain more fluid at cold start up temperatures, circulating faster to protect moving parts within the engine. Because synthetic oils flow quicker, the engine reaches optimal operating efficiency sooner.

Mineral oils on the other hand, tend to thicken in colder temperatures making the engine less efficient.

BETTER EVERYDAY PROTECTION: Synthetic oils are most resistant to the chemical degradation that comes with everyday driving.

Synthetic oils provide better protection for your engine under normal as well as arduous driving conditions, minimising oil degradation and protecting against harmful deposits.

CASTROL EDGE SPORT 10W-60 CASTROL EDGE SPORT 0W-40

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WHY CASTROL EDGE?

At Castrol we know a thing or two about synthetic engine oil. In fact, we developed the very first fully synthetic racing oil.

We’ve poured over 100 years of experience and lubricant technology into Castrol EDGE, the best engine oil we’ve ever made.

PROVEN PERFORMANCE IN EXTREME CONDITIONS: Castrol EDGE is able to withstand higher operating temperatures under which other engine oils begin to break down. Tests prove that even after blasting an engine at 340ºC, it is still running 72 hours later.

Castrol EDGE will also protect your engine at start up with its superior cold flow properties. At -55ºC Castrol EDGE still flows while the competitor synthetic oil has almost solidified.

Castrol EDGE’s synthetic technology provides outstanding protection at extreme temperatures, reducing wear and extending the life of your engine.

MAXIMUM POWER FOR LONGER: Get the best performance out of your engine by choosing Castrol EDGE. Tests prove that Castrol EDGE delivers maximum horsepower for up to 45% longer than competitor synthetic oils.

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HOONIGANS!

KEN BLOCK TAKES ON A V8 SUPERCAR World Rally driver Ken Block drove a Ford of a different variety on the eve of his Australian Gymkhana World Tour Stop last week at Calder Park.

Block – who is known for his ability behind the wheel of his Hybrid Function Hoon Vehicle – participated in a Ford swap, he exchanged keys with FPR’s Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom.

With Davison and Winterbottom taking his Fiesta to the extreme, Block tried his hand at one of the Castrol-backed FPR Falcons.

Davison later tweeted about the experience, “had the best day today with Ken Block,” he said.

“Did a car swap with him – and his Gymkhana Fiesta is so sweet! Serious weapon. He loved the Falcon V8 Supercar.”

GREAT PERFORMANCE

DEMANDS STRENGTH. No matter the challenge in-front of you, it takes strength to perform at your best.

That’s why we seek out the toughest environments to test Castrol EDGE, so you know you can drive the way you want whenever you want.

Castrol EDGE. Strength to perform. Freedom to drive.