VOLUME 4 - ISSUE 20
IT’S OUR BEST OIL YET... WWW.CASTROLEDGE.COM.AU
30th OCTOBER 2014
PODIUMS FOR CASTROL CREWS AT GOLD COAST 600
Castrol-oiled V8 Supercars crews have enjoyed podium success at the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 with both the Nissan and Supercheap Auto entries making it to the rostrum. In Race 31 on Saturday Tim Slade and co-driver Tony D’Alberto put on a gutsy display under harsh conditions to finish third just ahead of Castrol-backed FPR drivers Mark Winterbottom and Steve Owen. The result was made even more impressive by the fact Slade had no drink bottle, cool suit or fan in his double stint. It was his second podium for the year and a career first for codriver D’Alberto. “It was a just a good, solid round for us.” Slade said.
“It’s really pleasing to put together a complete weekend, with two strong qualifying results and two strong races. The Walkinshaw cars have typically been strong at street circuits this year and the #47 Supercheap Auto Commodore was on song since we first hit the track.” On Sunday the Castrol-oiled Nissan Altima of Michael Caruso and Dean Fiore finished the endurance season off in fine style, taking third place at the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600. After qualifying just outside the top 10, Fiore drove the #36 Norton Nissan Altima into a competitive position before Caruso picked his way up to third place.
the (non-championship) Grand Prix,” Caruso said. “We’ve had some strong results this year and we’ve been gradually been improving the car. “To come here this weekend, it’s great to finish with a trophy.” Sunday saw Slade and D’Alberto continue to show strong speed with another top 10 qualifying result, however a phantom safety car forced them to run an alternative strategy after D’Alberto pitted. The next event on the V8 Supercars Championship will be held at Phillip Island on November 14-16.
“It’s great to get my second podium of the year – everyone forgets about
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2014 V8 Supercars Championship Championship Points 1
Jamie Whincup
2835
2
Mark Winterbottom
2433
3
Shane Van Gisbergen
2357
4
Craig Lowndes
2331
5
Fabian Coulthard
2192
6
Chaz Mostert
2147
7
James Courtney
2135
8
Scott McLaughlin
2019
9
Garth Tander
1806
10
Michael Caruso
1688
11
Will Davison
1626
12
Nick Percat
1620
13
Rick Kelly
1577
14
Jason Bright
1560
15
James Moffat
1526
16
David Reynolds
1504
17
Scott Pye
1482
18
Russell Ingall
1362
19
Tim Slade
1323
20
David Wall
1205
21
Lee Holdsworth
1186
22
Jack Perkins
1103
23
Todd Kelly
1076
24
Dale Wood
996
25
Paul Dumbrell
810
26
Robert Dahlgren
783
27
Paul Morris
645
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CASTROL BACKED SEBASTIEN OGIER SECURES SECOND WRC TITLE
Castrol EDGE-oiled Volkswagen driver Sebastien Ogier has won his secondstraight World Rally Championship title in style by finishing first at the Rally de Espana. He took victory by 11.3sec over Volkswagen team-mate and the only man still in contention to win the title, Jari-Matti Latvala The Frenchman becomes the eighth driver to lift the title more than once and all with one round remaining. Ogier built a comfortable lead on the first full day of the mixed-surface event. Latvala, who was disappointed with his speed on that gravel leg, attacked hard during the final two days on asphalt but Ogier had his measure. “It’s a great achievement to win one title but even better to take a second,” said Ogier. “It’s a confirmation and proves the first title was not a one-off.
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“It’s been a fantastic weekend, but it was tough. I pushed so hard on leg one and it was a long two days on Tarmac where I had to watch Jari-Matti flying. I had to be clever and keep watching him all the time.” Ogier’s victory was the 23rd of his career and Volkswagen’s 11th of the season, equalling the record set by Citroen in 2005 and 2008. Mikko Hirvonen’s third place in a Castrol-oiled Ford Fiesta RS was his second podium of the year, the Finn too strong for Mads Ostberg and Andreas Mikkelsen on asphalt. He finished 1min 42.2sec behind Ogier and 31.1sec ahead of Ostberg, a Saturday afternoon puncture ending Mikkelsen’s hopes. Dani Sordo closed on Ostberg throughout the final leg in his Hyundai i20 but the Spaniard fell 8.9sec short in fifth. Mikkelsen passed Thierry Neuville for sixth in the penultimate stage. However, he incurred a 10sec penalty after a timing error at the start of the final test and dropped behind again. Martin Prokop, Hayden Paddon and Nasser Al-Attiyah completed the leaderboard, Al-Attiyah inheriting 10th when Ken Block punctured a front left tyre in the final stage. The final round, Wales Rally GB, is based at Deeside on 13 – 16 November.
2014 FIA DRIVERS´ STANDINGS 1.
Sebastien Ogier
242
2.
Jari-Matti Latvala
211
3.
Andreas Mikkelsen
150
4.
Mikko Hirvonen
108
5.
Mads Ostberg
92
6.
Thierry Neuville
91
7.
Kris Meeke
84
8.
Elfyn Evans
71
9.
Martin Prokop
42
10.
Dani Sordo
40
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CASTROL-BACKED SKODA SECURES EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Finishing with both cars on the podium – that’s the result of the professional performance of the whole team this weekend. “We’re delighted that the ERC title will now be decided among two ŠKODA driver teams. After successes in the APRC and in three national championships in 2014 already, this result in the ERC is another golden chapter in the successful history of the ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000.” ŠKODA has also dominated the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) which has already been decided. Castrol-oiled ŠKODA’s won the manufacturers’ and drivers’ standings of the APRC for the third time in a row. ŠKODA works driver Jan Kopecký (CZ) also secured the drivers title before the end of the season – ahead of his teammate Gaurav Gill (IND), who won the championship last year.
2014 ERC - DRIVERS
The European Rally Champion will be a Castrol EDGE-oiled ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000 driver once again this year. The works drivers Esapekka Lappi/ Janne Ferm (FIN/FIN) extended their lead in the overall standings with victory at the “Rallye International du Valais”, the penultimate race of the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) season. Only their Castrol-backed ŠKODA colleagues Sepp Wiegand/Frank Christian (D/D) can prevent them from
Pos
Driver
Pts
1
Esapekka LAPPI (FIN)
162
2
Sepp WIEGAND (DEU)
128
3
Craig BREEN (IRL)
104
4
Kajetan KAJETANOWICZ (POL)
100
5
Vaclav PECH (CZE)
63
winning the ERC title for drivers and codrivers now. The duo from the ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland team finished third at the rally in the Swiss canton of Valais. “I’d like to congratulate both sets of drivers on this fantastic result,” said ŠKODA Motorsport Director Michal Hrabánek. “Once again our two ŠKODA Fabia Super 2000s ran like Swiss watches.
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CASTROL HONDA WINS IN SUZUKA WITH TARQUINI Gabriele Tarquini drove his Castrol Honda Civic WTCC to a comfortable victory in Race 2 in the WTCC at Suzuka to deliver the second race win of the season for Honda in consecutive events. To the delight of the many Honda fans and associates here at the Honda owned circuit, the experienced Italian made his normal lightning start to drive away from the opposition to take the chequered flag 1.7 seconds ahead. To underline this excellent race performance Norbert Michelisz brought his Zengo Motorsport Civic home in third position. For Tarquini, WTCC World Champion in 2009, this victory continues his
remarkable record of winning at least one race in every season he has competed in the FIA World Touring Car Championship. “I am really pleased with my result,” said the smiling Italian in victory lane. “This was my chance to win and I took it. In order o win the race I knew I had to get away from the pack to quickly create a gap which I could do. I was confident because we know the Civic has good race pace. “It is never easy but I could control the pace and manage the gap right to the end. It is very important for Honda at their home track and not having an Italian race this year I now think this is my home event! I am really, really happy.”
An equally powerful start saw Michelisz up to third place on lap 1 and the young Hungarian stood proudly on the third step of the podium having taken victory here at Suzuka in 2013 and had finished Race 1 in fourth place. “I knew I had to make a fast start and I tried to pass Borkovic on the first lap so that I could give Gabriele some protection but although it is a very long lap here it is difficult to pass. I’m very happy to contribute to Honda’s success with my 3rd place result.” Tiago Monteiro finished both races in ninth position, while Shanghai winner Mehdi Bennani finished Race 1 in 11th place.
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2014 WTCC points Pos
Driver
Pts
1
José María López
422
2
Yvan Muller
305
3
Sébastien Loeb
275
4
Tiago Monteiro
174
5
Norbert Michelisz
169
6
Gabriele Tarquini
167
7
Tom Coronel
148
8
Tom Chilton
144
9
Gianni Morbidelli
108
10
Mehdi Bennani
85
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CASTROL EDGE-OILED AUDI CLAIMS DTM MANUFACTURERS CROWN With a one-two-three in the final round at Hockenheim Castrol EDGE-oiled Audi managed to recover the title in the manufacturers’ championship from BMW in the DTM.
champion Mattias Ekström in the Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline celebrated his second victory in succession and finished the season as the runner-up.
“Our aim this weekend was to win the manufacturers’ championship. And in the end we clearly decided it in Audi’s favor – not least thanks to a brilliant team performance.
The squad around Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich and Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport, with an impressive performance in the finale, converted a deficit of 21 points into an advantage of 30 points.
Last year’s champion Mike Rockenfeller in the Schaeffler Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Phoenix on clinching second place advanced to third place in the drivers’ standings.
“That drivers from all three Audi Sport Teams mounted the podium today speaks a clear language. On this weekend everyone could see how strong the Audi RS 5 DTM is. 15 in 30 possible podium places this year are an impressive tally.
In the 2014 season, Audi scored a total of 409 points, BMW 379 and Mercedes-Benz 222. One of the first people to extend their congratulations was soccer world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger, who watched DTM finale in the Audi pits. The runner-up’s spot and third place in the drivers’ championship were secured by Audi as well. The two-time DTM
Jamie Green in the Hoffmann Group Audi RS 5 DTM of Audi Sport Team Rosberg in third place made for drivers from all three Audi Sport Teams mounting the podium in the season finale. “Audi showed ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’: before the start of the race with the driverless RS 7 and in the DTM finale with a one-two-three victory,” said Dieter Gass.
“Congratulations also to Mattias (Ekström) and Mike (Rockenfeller) on taking the runner-up’s spot and third place in the drivers’ championship. We’re already looking forward to 2015 when we’re aiming to recover car number 1 as well.” The race winner Mattias Ekström, just like Mike Rockenfeller, started on the
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harder standard tires and thus had the right strategy. The two maintained their positions in the top ten throughout, and in the final stage, after switching to the softer option tires, were able to make up one position after another. Favored by a late safety car period, Ekström and Rockenfeller managed to intercept Jamie Green, who had been leading from the starting lap on, on the last two laps. “My Audi was again fantastic,” beamed Mattias Ekström following his second victory in the space of just three weeks. “Ever since things have been going better in qualifying, the races have been working out as well. This was a
great season finale for Audi, Team Abt Sportsline and also for me in front of a fantastic crowd. You can’t wish for a better farewell before the winter break.” With Timo Scheider (AUTO TEST Audi RS 5 DTM) and Miguel Molina (Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM) in positions six and nine, a total of five Audi drivers finished in the top ten and thus in the points. Nico Müller (Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM) finished the last race of his rookie season in 14th place, following a tough race. Adrien Tambay (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM) and Edoardo Mortara (Audi Sport Audi RS 5 DTM) retired after collisions but were still classified in positions 19 and 22.
2014 DTM Standings Pos
Driver
Pts
1
Marco Wittmann
156
2
Mattias Ekström
106
3
Mike Rockenfeller
72
4
Christian Vietoris
69
5
Edoardo Mortara
68
6
Martin Tomczyk
49
7
Maxime Martin
47
8
Pascal Wehrlein
46
9
Timo Scheider
44
10
Jamie Green
43
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DAVIDE FORE DOMINATES RACE OF STARS Italian Superstar Davide Fore has completed a perfect day at the Race of Stars on the Gold Coast, showing a true masterclass ending the day undefeated aboard his CRG. The five time World Champion had fellow Italian, Lorenzo Camplese right with him for the early part of the final, Camplese firing his CRG into the lead on the third circulation. Fore was all class though, charging on to take a stunning victory – while the battle for second intensified late in the race. Camplese was caught by Kiwi flyer Daniel Bray in his GP Kart. Bray was forced to recover from a DNF in the opening race and had to work his way forward. Camplese took a narrow third position ahead of four time World Champion Jonathan Thonon. Fifth was Patrizicorse Birel Dutchman, Marijn Kremers. The first of the Australians home was last year’s winner, Gold Coaster, Christopher Hays. Hays was ecstatic with his performance to come home in front of David Sera – the 17-time Australian Champion taking the fight right to the superstar Europeans for the
heat races, including a stunning pass at 160kph into turn one on Simo Puhakka early in the opening heat. Queenslanders Jason Faint (Energy), Kel Treseder (Energy) and Kyle Ensbey (Maranello) completed the top 10. “We’re very happy with the result, Team CRG worked very hard after we blew an engine in practice yesterday, so this is pleasing,” Fore said. “We came to Australia to win and give the people a show, I think we did that.” After qualifying the script couldn’t have been any better with arch-rivals Fore and Thonon on the front row and Aussie flyer Sera third. The elite Junior KF3 category saw Canberra racer, Zane Morse take a comfortable victory. After an incident yesterday that saw him have to repair his Tony Kart chassis, he drove a wheel perfect event taking all three races. American youngster, Juan Manuel Correa came home a fighting second. The Lotus F1 Team Junior Driver battled hard through the heats and then charged
forward in the final in a five way battle for second. Gold Coaster Zane Goddard (Tony Kart) delighted the home crowd with his third placed finish, sneaking home in front of Chris Sandrone (Exprit) and Aaron Cameron (Arrow). The TaG category was toughly contested with 50 of Australia’s best battling it out. Queenslander Cian Fothergill got himself back to the top step in national competition by dominating the event. He skipped away from the field to take the win. The battle for second raged literally from the first lap. The elbows were out literally from the first lap and in the end Harrington Doyle Racing Arrow pilot, Jarryd Ebzery took second, whilst Sydney ART GP racer Aaron Borg completed the podium. Mitchell Griffin (Exprit) and Mitchell Madden (Birel) completed the podium. In Junior National, Cody Brewczynski led an all New South Wales podium after a terrific race with Queenslander Jack Winter. Winter got crossed up coming onto the front straightaway for the final time and spun, leaving the door open to PCR’s Benito Montalbano to come home second and Kyle Bonser home third.
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Cooper Webster and Bayley Douglas battled intensely for the Cadets victory. The pair came together in the final turn before Douglas crossed the line first – a position that was later awarded to Webster following a post-race stewards hearing.
Chaz Mostert made it two wins in as many weekends in the V8 Supercar driver Celebrity Race, taking a hard fought victory after an early stoush with Michael Caruso and Alex Premat. Erebus Motorsport’s Lee Holdsworth was second with David Reynolds third.
Overall the huge international presence at the Race of Stars, presented by Speedcafe.com added yet another brilliant chapter to Australian karting history and positioned the event squarely on the international map.
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CASTROL EDGE ENJOYS 600 SUCCESS The inaugural Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 was a huge success for Castrol Australia with plenty of exposure for our brand and a strong message throughout the event of Strength for Maximum Performance.
Television figures were also very strong with over 900,000 Australians tuning into the Seven Network’s telecast in Metro areas. Castrol also enjoyed extensive media coverage both on event and throughout the leadup.
184,723 people walked through the gates over three days on the streets of Surfers Paradise to enjoy action packed V8 Supercars action coupled with parties, performances, concerts and a bunch more entertainment as the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 lit up the city from start to finish.
Castrol’s association as naming rights sponsor of the event meant vast coverage in National print, radio and TV news plus extensive online coverage. Castrol also took part in a wide number of PR activities including the incorporation of our partnership with Warner Bros Movie World where Castrol V8 Supercar drivers were included as a part of the new Hollywood Stunt Driver 2 show which was covered by media.
Castrol also ran successful promotions with Queenslands two largest newspapers the Courier Mail (Sunday Mail) and the Gold Coast Bulletin. Castrol gave away two very unique prizes. One - a personal driving lesson with Castrol driver Mark Winterbottom at the Castrolsponsored Official V8 Supercars Driving Experience in Norwell. Two - the bonnet of Castrol driver and podium getter Tim Slade’s Supercheap Auto Commodore from the event. Both winners also received Castrol Racing merchandise packs and tickets to the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600.
Castrol utalised it’s association with Matt Mingay and the Hot Wheels Stunt Team to take Channel 9 and Channel 7 TV News journalists for a ride in the
Queensland Tourism’s latest marketing campaign IT’S LIVE in Queensland will also feature heavy Castrol branding thanks to this year’s partnership with
Along with fantastic event signage both on and off the track the Castrol EDGE brand was further bolsted through various other assets including the Hot Wheels Stunt Team, Showtime FMX, V8 Superfest, Friday Night Drags, our very impressive team of Grid Girls and plenty more.
drift utes for a feature piece in the 6pm bulletins.
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Queensland’s premier sporting event the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600. Over 130 guests of Castrol also enjoyed plenty of money-can’t-buy experiences at the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 including: pit tours, meet and greet with drivers, grid walks, garage experiences, behind the scenes tours and plenty more. Overall Castrol enjoyed some fantastic exposure and experiences as a result of its naming rights partnership with the Gold Coast event. The Castrol brand has enjoyed a rich history in motorsport and the brand and car racing have gone hand in hand over decades. Thanks to all the fans and supporters of the V8 Supercars Championship and we look forward to an exciting end to the season in 2014.
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