circlework February 2006
West Australian Motorsport News and Photography
PLUS - loads of stuff on two & four wheels, show reviews, and some old girls in oral dresses!
IN SEASON
- more drag racing than you can poke sharp pointy things at!
Page: 3. News Briefs 4. MCRC Road Racing 7. Supermoto 10. Rally Takes A Break 13. Circuit Racing 15. Event Reviews: Summernats & Motorvation
EDITORIAL
CONTENTS
Welcome to the second issue of Circlework. I reckon if we can get one out next month, it will be a new
record for consecutive releases. Of course I speak of the 2004 specification Circlework when it was written not by a hip young editor, but a crusty old photographer (Happy Birthday Brian). All jokes aside there is no doubt we will be releasing an edition of Circlework next month, and the month after that, and so on and so forth. We are having way too much fun to stop now! February is a pretty big month for motorsport. For the uni-directional racers, it is the height of the competition season. With Motorvation just gone, and the Westernationals on their way, it’s all happening in the world of the quarter mile. We even sent one of our snappers all the way to Motorvation’s big brother in Canberra to see how the West stacks up. The results are inside. For the circuit racers, February is kind of like the month before Christmas; filled with anticipation of the upcoming festivities. Of course, in this context festivity means the dawning of a new season. In just a few weeks the local season starts, the V8 Supercar season starts, and the Formula 1 season starts (bring on Albert Park!). Gee I love this time of year.
Andrew
18. 30 seconds with... 19. 30 seconds with... 21. Drag Racing 23. Those lovely florals 28. Parting Shot
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CONTACTS:Publisher: Circlework.com.au Editor: Andrew van Leeuwen (andrew@bwmedia.com.au) Photographers: Justin van Viersen, Brian White Valued Contributors: Karl Drummond, Geoff Whittle, Jamie Ferguson, Denise Stronach, Nick Dicembre, Brad Ludlow, Mitch Ladyman, Keith Challenor. Postal contributions may be sent to: Brian White Media, Post Office Box 237, North Beach, 6920, Western Australia. Emails may be sent via: online@circlework.com.au The opinions expressed in the magazine are not necesarily those of the publisher, writers...blah blah blah..... Cover Photo: A usually unseen moment by the public in drag racing - the sudden force of wind into the parachutes lifting the back end of most drag cars. Photo by Justin Van Viersen
--- News Briefs --THE ANNUAL
Pre-entries for QUIT TARGA WEST, due to be held on September 7-10, have hit the half way mark with almost 40 teams already signing on. The inaugural Targa held in 2005 was a roaring success with many teams jumping at the opportunity to have another crack at the winners crown in ‘06. The official 2005 DVD has been released and is available at Pitstop Bookshop. For more information visit www.targawest.com.au
A new motorsport magazine has been launched in Melbourne. THE ANNUAL – Australian Motorsport 2005 is a full colour 220 page limited-edition review of Australian motor racing, featuring results, photos, race reports and reactions from the ‘season that was’ in local and international racing. Get your copy now from the Pitstop Bookshop.
ALL TUCKETT OUT By the time this issue is released, Local rally ace Abe Tuckett will have tackled the big guns of tarmac rally at the 2006 Mt Buller Sprint. He will pilot his super quick Mitsi Evo 8. Tuckett made a name for himself on the black top during last year’s Targa West where we won almost every stage. All that stopped him from winning the event was a slip off the road on the final day. Tuckett’s results will be listed in the March issue of Circlework.
MARK REANEY UPDATE Modified racer Mark Reaney is making good progress after his crash at the Goldenstates in early December. He is now conscious and talking. A trust account has been setup for the family and donations can be made at any Bank West branch. The details for the account are Steve McGrath, Trustee for Mark Reaney, BSB 306048, and Account No. 0645179. An auction fund raiser is being held on the Sunday 26 of February at the Rockingham Navy Club.
SIMON’S SUPER XY Long time drag racer Simon Travaglini made his Summernats debut with his 512 cubic inch XY Falcon. The Falcon obviously made an impression with the judges and made the Elite Top 60 cars. This feat was made even more special considering the car has run 9.83 seconds at 137.82MPH untubbed and naturally aspirated.
TWO DOORS - SLAMMING Phil Gardiner and Anthony Begley have recently purchased Lindsay Murray’s VS Commodore Doorslammer Ute. They purchased the car minus engine and transmission, however the boys have contacts with many people and should have the necessary parts very soon. They will be running the car in AA/AP.
RAINOUT RESCHEDULED Northam Motorsports Park Promotor Rod Howe today confirmed that the 18th of February 2006 will see the re run event for Jan 14th rain out. The event will see Late Models as the main draw card and the event will be called the 2006 Late Model Masters. There will a 50 lap main Feature Race. The event will be round 7 of the Pace Transport Pro Dirt Series and is one week after the running of the 9th annual Western Australian Late Model Sedan Championship to be held at the Quit Motorplex on February 11th 2006. The AHG Sprintcar Series will re run their round at Northam on the 18th of March 2006. With the event being cancelled last Saturday, many spectators were turned away on Saturday night by track staff, which indicated the event was going to be well supported by the public.
MOTORGIRLS TV - CHANNEL 31 These girls are superstylin’, supercool, supercharged and devoted to motors. Watch the five exclusive Motorgirls as they seek to inspire, inform and intoxicate you with their extreme and enlightened way of presenting to you a whole new world of carburettors, chrome and burnt rubber. Produced and directed by Bushy, this 6 part series features not only herself, but Pauline Igglesden, Jill Banks, Felicity Bush and Louise Horwood. Motorgirls will hit the airwaves from the 28th February 2006 at Tuesday 7.30pm and Saturday’s at 10am on Access 31 and yeah…. it’s going to blow your hair back.
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Road Racing The Motorcycle Racing Club of WA celebrated its 50th year anniversary in 2005 with another successful season both on and off the track. In February an anniversary/ reunion function was held at the Burswood on Swan where over 300 past and present members, competitors, and friends renewed friendships and viewed the extensive memorabilia display and motorcycles representing all era’s of racing. The on-track activities got underway in February and culminated with the final race day in November –the Kings of Wanneroo and Stars of Tomorrow, which saw up and coming rider Ben Stronach (SMB Racing Suzuki GSXR) take out the Kings Solo title, while Levi Dicandilo (Honda CBR600) took out the Stars of Tomorrow. The Sidecar Kings for 05 were Ollie Onesti and the late Warren Harvey. Five rounds of the WA State Road Racing Championships sponsored by Dicandilo Steel City were also run with fierce competition in all classes, with the majority of the championships coming down to the final round in October. In the premier class – the Steelblue Superbikes Honda rider Wayne Smith went into the final leading the Championship on 265 pts from Stuart Adams (Steelblue Yamaha) 259 points, Darren Naughton (Toll IPEC Suzuki) 221 and Ben Stronach (Drilling & Grouting Suzuki) on 209pts. Adams showed he meant business when he blitzed the first race with Ben Stronach overhauling Smith for second. In the second heat Stronach went one better taking his maiden win in the Superbike Class, with Adams second and Smith again third. Going into the final race of the Championship Adams and Smith knew exactly what had to be done; the winner of the race would secure the Championship title. Adams was not going to be denied and took the win from Smith and Stronach and that was the way they finished in the 2005 Champiionship. Naughton, who was riding with a rib injury from the Winton national round, finished just one point behind Stronach -a great achievement in only his second year. The super competitive BHS Engineering Supersport Championships was a hotly contested class all season with a number of riders sharing the round wins. Kawasaki Northside’s Ralph Mammoliti took the Championship from Brad Fletcher (The Honda Shop) and Jamie Boland Savage Suzuki). Cameron Stronach (Steelblue/Five Star Yamaha) finished fourth in his first year in the class. The North City Yamaha Superstock Series was won by Andrew Shand in only his second season of racing from Gary Jones and Jacob Furlong. Mark Schnierer took out the B Grade Series from Steve Mitchell and Brad Fletcher. In the 125GP and 250 Production Championships Tom Hatton (Allect HondaRS125) and Malcolm Brown (Myaree Tyre Service Aprilia 250) continued to show the way and easily secured their respective Championships. Hatton was never trouble at any stage of the season and Brown again scored maximum points taking his season’s tally to a massive 350 points.
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2005 Wrap Up by Denise Stronach
The Sidecar Championship finals saw Boddington duo Rob Hair and Chris Burrows go into the round with a solitary point lead, and after three hard races they emerged as Champions by four points. Past state and national champion Lindsay Fagan and passenger Bruce Rodgers finished 2nd with veteran Micky Robbins and passenger Karen Dore coming in a credible 3rd on a 600cc powered sidecar. WA was also well represented on the national level in 2005 by the achievements of Bryan Staring (Allect racing 600cc Honda). Running competitively in the national Supersport class to finish 5th overall, he secured a ride for the distributor backed junior development Honda team in 2006 in the Supersport class. Tom Hatton (Allect Racing 125 RS Honda) had his best season ever taking out first in the WA 125GP state titles and 4th overall in the national 125GP class, plus securing a ride as a Wildcard in the 125 MotoGP class of the World Championships at Phillip Island in October. Hatton looks set to continue his assault on the Aussie 125 titles next season hoping to take out the Australian title. Ben Henry (Vee Two Ducati) – a newcomer to the sport this season - put in some top performances and showed great promise for the future when he ran in both the national and state Superstock Championship classes in 05. He’s one to watch in 2006. Darren Naughton (Suzuki GSXR1000) also competed in most rounds of the tough national Superbike Series up against the factory back teams and gained valuable experience. Levi DIcandilo (QLD round) and Ben Stronach (final round Phillip Island) also ventured east to compete in a round each and both are keen to travel interstate again this year. A number of riders also trecked across to the MotoGP round to contest the support races at Phillip Island – Steve Mitchell (Yamaha), Leroy Maclou (Yamaha) and Russell Nash all experienced the thrill of the island track. In 2006 the Club will again promote 5 rounds of the State Championships, the Kings of Wanneroo meeting and host a round of the national Australian Superbike Championships (May 26-28th) all at Barbagallo Raceway.
www.mcrcwa.com.au
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photos: Justin van Viersen & Brian White
Freeze Frame
Solo speedway riders are a hardcore bunch. The aim is to lay it down and keep the throttle wide open for as long as you can hold it off the ground. Nice work son! Photo: Brian White
Out with the Old by Mitch Ladyman The 2005 SupermotoWA Club Championship is ‘done and dusted’ with Five Star Yamaha rider Darren Nash back-end steering his WR450F to victory. He finished the season just ahead of Franzone VOR’s Dean Taylor, with 854 vs. 828 points respectively. Tagging the tail of these two was Brett Stewart on the 650 Husaberg FSE, with a season total of 640 points. A tricked up factory YZ450, imported from the East for the final round, saw Ian Gray’s smile turn vile when it popped a piston in practice. Grayso watched quietly from the side lines as his season standing ‘swan-dived’ from a comfortable 3rd at the end of Round 3 to a heart breaking 9th when the sun finally set. But such is racing and such is the attraction of supermoto taking just about every competitor back and forth from zero to hero within one short season. September was a huge month for SupermotoWA. On Saturday the 17th, the day before the final Club championship round, 11 riders rallied together and went country for the first ever Northam Motorcycle Festival. Set amongst the fumes and fury of the Historics and MCRC bikes, KTMs, Kwakas, Hondas, Huzzas, Huskys and VOR’s lit up the street strip for the 3000+ fans; turning it on, and on a couple of occasions, churning it into the bitumen. It was a truly unique experience for those riding, with spectators enjoying every second of the demo riding up close and very personal. Also thrown into the pot were the tyre-tearing antics of Matt Mingay and Robbie Bolger. Taking stock of the season that has passed, Darren Nash summed up his victory as being the most low maintenance and trouble free championship he’d ever had the pleasure of winning. “I didn’t do much at all to the bike, just brought it with the motard kit………and rode it” he said. “I played a bit with basic settings
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Supermoto (steering rake, suspension), but hardly spent a cent. That is what is great about this sport. In road racing tyres last a race day. In supermoto they last half a season and it is great to shred tyres for the crowd after a good win. When your road racing, if someone brings to down to the tarmac you are looking at $3000+ in repairs. This [supermoto] might cost you a lever or a scratch on your plastics; you just get up and keep riding”.
young blood. The majority of competitive motorcycle riders in the 18 – 30 bracket are already dedicated to motorcross or road racing. However, a healthy portion would be keen to throw a set of 17”s on the dirt bike if there were more days in the weekend. It may come as a surprise, but there are virtually no Club members racing who fall into this age group!
The Nash family is synonymous with motorcycling in WA, and Darren’s sublime style is a delicate mix of speedway, road racing and motorcross. It is that eclectic experience that makes Nashy so well suited to supermoto. That is not to say he had it easy. Darren is the first to admit that Dean Taylor was a demon in the dirt and, had the Cockburn and Wanneroo dirt sections comprised a greater portion of the track, Dean would have taken it to him in a much bigger way. Similarly, he said Ian Kibble (Bikers Corner WR450F) remains an unknown quantity going into 2006, but will most certainly pose a threat to his next shot at the title. Darren, like many others, is in for the long haul and is looking forward to the 2006 season. He believes that supermoto is still pre- pubescent and has plenty of room from a huge growth spurt. Many of the season’s events have clashed with other major motorcycling race rounds, which has resulted in modest race registrations and spectator numbers. In a period of blissful reminiscence (reflecting back on his distant speedway days) Nashy idealized the notion of supermoto under lights on a balmy summer’s night. This fantasy may well become a reality in 2006 with the Club committee considering a range of options for the next season. Whatever the solution, a reduction in calendar conflicts will see not only more spectators and riders, but a potential boom in turn-out amongst the
photo: Justin van Viersen
Testimony to the forward inertia of SupermotoWA, the Club has recently imported Australia’s current #3 Mark Avard from the Eastern states for a coaching clinic. Mark spent the day drilling riders on all the essential ingredients needed to become a competitive supermoto racer. With the likes of Kibble and Nashy posting 1:09’s at Cockburn in January and August, respectively, and Australia’s best only seconds quicker, throwing down 1:06 – 1:08’s when they came to play in during the KTM Husaberg Supermoto Cup, it is easy to see that it won’t be long before SupermotoWA is backing its way into the national rounds. Over the coming months SupermotoWA will continue to host ride days and will be planning the race calendar for next year. It is highly likely that the club will play host to an inter-discipline Summer Series that will see motocross, superbike, enduro and supermoto riders converge on the track at sunset for a 4-round shoot out spectacular under lights. The sparks will most certainly be flying!
...and in with the New by Mitch Ladyman On the back of a terrifically successful 2005 Club Championship, Supermoto WA is laying on not one, but two race series for 2006. January to March will see the staging of the Franzone TM Supermoto 2006 Interclub Summer Series. This three round series will be immediately followed up by the 2006 Supermoto WA Club Championship. As if that wasn’t enough, the Club are entertaining the idea of a massive East vs. West race event in October, similar in size and scope to the hugely successful 2005 KTM Husaberg Cup that attracted more than 10 of Australia’s most successful motorcycle racers mixed in a field of over 30 riders. Already the Summer Series is shaping up to be huge. WA Superbike State Championship 2nd and 3rd place getters Wayne Smith and Ben Stronach are confirmed to be on board. Wayne Smith is almost a regular anyway, showing up to compete on a number of occasions in 2005. “B” Grade road racer, Steve Mitchell is also rumoured to be backing his way into the series. WA Supersport 3rd place getter and 2005 Spectators Choice recipient Jamie Boland is also in the fray. Strett Cull, who made several appearances in 2005, is likely to commit more fully to the 2006 supermoto season. Throw in a few big name dirt bike riders, and stack that lot up against Supermoto WA’s pride and joy, Darren Nash and Dean Taylor (the latter whom will bring the exotic Franzone Motors TM to the track), and it is going to be a full-on year of racing.
The question is: Why do all these guys want to come and play supermoto? There are many answers to that question. First and foremost, it is because supermoto is the only level playing field to discover the best of the best in Western Australian motorcycle sport. The tracks are 20% dirt and 80% bitumen, and the bikes are dirt bikes with road tires. Therefore, no one has an unfair advantage. But to dig a little deeper, it is necessary to speak with some of these guys first hand. International speedway champion, Steve Johnston’s racing career started in junior motocross. He progressed into the senior ranks and raced for two years before making the transition to speedway at the age of 18. After racing in WA for a further two years he took off to Europe in 1992, intending only to race for a year or so. 14 years later he is still doing it. Over his career he has racked up several State championships, and was third in Australia in 2005. He has represented Australia on multiple occasions in the Speedway World Cup and is the first and only Australian to win the European Grass Track Championship. Steve’s interest in supermoto began last year when he was a day late for entry to the KTM / Husaberg Cup and had to be content with waving a flag. Watching from the sidelines had him wiping the drool from his chin. On return from Europe this year he was given a 450exc by KTM Australia to practice on and maintain his fitness. So he set it up for motard; an exercise that only took 6 hours, including suspension mods. He had found his “off-season” sport. Steve talks enthusiastically about the relaxed nature of supermoto racing and is basically just “stoked” to be a part of the sport in WA. photo: Brian White
For all of the action log on to www.supermotowa. com.
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photo: Justin van Viersen WA Premier Class Motocross Champion Steve Mouritz stepped away from motocross more than 18 months ago. Despite his commitment to high profile racing in other disciplines, such as representing Western Australia in the Tour of Siam (a 7 day road cycling endurance event), Steve has long been looking for that adrenalin fix. By his own volition he has now committed to supermoto: a motorcycle sport that is thrilling, without the threat of further attrition to his body. Steve said that supermoto is a physically demanding and technically skillful sport that he is perfectly well suited to. Though frequent, accidents are often less brutal than in motocross. And it is not just Steve that is realizing this. Many former two wheel racers are getting back on the bikes and right into supermoto, such as 250 Australian GP Champion Allan Watts, who will race this year side-by-side with Darren Nash on tricked KTM SMR560s for Motorcycle City KTM Bridgestone. However, Steve won’t be taking the passive approach when the lights turn green. He has his eye on the Summer Series title, and believes he is a contender for a large chunk of championship points. And he has the hardware to do it on with the Honda Shop supplying Steve with a new Honda to launch his assault. However, he may miss the January event due to current commitments to cycling in Thailand over the ensuing weeks. Nevertheless, said Steve “ if someone gets my bike to the track, and if I am off the plane on time, I will be on the bike and gunning for points”. Needless to say plenty if supporters will put their hands up to make sure Steve is ready to race Round 1 of the Franzone TM Summer Series, because this man is poetry in motion in the dirt, and no slouch on the tar.
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Rally Takes a Break by Karl Drummond
rally
For WA rally people, now is the off season. Why, I hear you ask? The Paris to Dakar rally is running, and that’s a hot arduous event…. This is true, and although racing through the desert does pose some (serious) hazards, one of those is not bush fire. Luckily, sand does not burn very well, unlike Australian bush in the hot dry conditions found during our summer. Also, it’s hot and dusty enough in November for Rally Australia and the Darling 200, let alone in the middle of January when it can hit 38+ for days on end. It may seem strange for a sport built on challenging conditions to be concerned with weather; however weather plays a large part. Too hot and too dry and the risk of fire is bad. Too wet and roads become flooded and degrade so badly that they cannot be driven on. We saw the cancellation of stages and an entire rally due to the weather in 2005. Besides all of the above, time is needed to relax and let bank balances recharge. Away, from the competitor’s side, many have tirelessly worked to help rallying in WA. Robyn Feaver, a long time photographer with WA rallying, has decided to take a break. Whilst I’m sure we’ll see her smiling face out on some stages during the season, for the moment we won’t have access to some of Robyn’s great photos. More hard working people doing things for the sport are the Rally WA crew. Lyndon Dodson and his team worked hard in 2005 to maintain www.rallywa.com and also found the time to cover every round of the WARC & Clubman series. The 2005 DVD box sets of each competition are now on sale via The Pitstop Bookshop, a well known store amongst Motor sport enthusiasts. Again in 2006, it is likely we will find Paul Deakin and Steve Nicholls from Rally WA greeting competitors for an interview at the end of stages, which ends up being shown in all sorts of places, as well as on the DVDs. Also returning to support WA Rallying in 2006 is Duetime. Kim Pollard and his team have proved extremely popular with rally people. The Duetime team provides a local results service that arguably rivals the WRC results. During WA rallies, Duetime keep all informed with progressive results in service parks, as well as the wider community with live results via their website: www.duetime.com.au . Duetime also plan to have further innovations added to the web site during 2006. If you haven’t been to the site, have a look. Duetime is a handy source of WA Rally statistics.
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photo: Brian White
The WA Rally Calendar has now been drafted and is about 90% accurate (see sidebar). Again, not all dates and details have been confirmed yet, so pencil in only. The firm dates and event details will be confirmed as the year progresses. For those observant readers out there, yes there is a possibility that Clubman competitors may be able to compete in up to seven Clubman rallies, six of those possibly counting toward series points. As yet this has not been confirmed and requires approval from the Rally Panel and CAMS, amongst other stakeholders. Want to know more? Contact the rally organizers or the rally panel.
2006 PROVISIONAL WARC CALENDAR Lewana Stages 8th April Balingup
Quit Forest Rally 18th - 21st May Busselton/Nannup
Safari Rally 24th June Boddington
Experts Cup 29th July Collie
Stirling Stages 24th September Harvey
Telstra Rally Australia Trial Event 15th October Mundaring
Rally Australia 26th-29th October Perth
Darling 200
25th November Jarrahdale The long awaited 2005 WARC DVDs are ready! Using a similar format to last year, the DVD’s come as a two disc set box set. Disc one is a documentary review of the 2005 season including commentary, rally footage and interviews, whilst Disc 2 is uncut footage and includes all WARC competitors and interviews.
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photo: Justin van Viersen
The DVD box set is available exclusively through the Pitstop bookshop chain of stores and is in stock now. The similar 2005 WA Clubman box set will be available from Pitstop shortly as well
Freeze Frame
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With the approach of some hot days have you thought about pursuing an action motorsport that might keep you cooler? This has got to beat sitting at a start line with no air-conditioning!. Photo: Justin van Viersen
Ward Sets Summer Alight by Andrew Van Leeuwen
Circuit
Usually summer circuit racing is restricted to the February Night Masters meeting, leaving an all-to-larger gap in between the final and opening rounds of consecutive seasons; but not this summer.
Round 2: The first event of the new year was held on the ‘National’ layout of the hill, offering a new challenge to the competitors.
The Western Australian Sporting Car Club have taken full advantage of their new ‘Jack’s Hill’ hillclimb circuit and introduced the 2005-2006 WASCC Summer Hillclimb Series.
The change of layout did little to deter Ward, the purple Fiat flying up the hill on its final run to set a scorching time of 39.22s to take FTD and further Ward’s series lead. Once again it was Ledger in second place with a 40.04s pass o n his final run. After languishing mid field for much of the event, Pete Morley pulled something special out on his last run to rocket up to third place with a 41.41s in his Westfield.
With three of the four rounds completed at the time of writing, Dick Ward heads the series in his screaming Fiat Arbarth. Here’s how it has happened thus far: Round 1: The series kicked off with an event on the slightly shorter ‘Targa’ configuration of Jack’s Hill on the 17th of December. Each competitor was given a practice and five timed runs to lay down their best effort. Dick Ward never looked troubled, setting an FTD of 34.17s on just his third run. Kim Ledger was the only other driver to enter the 34s bracket with a 34.72s in his TFR LeMans on his third run. There was a hefty gulf behind them before Rolly Water’s 36.09s in third place.
Round 3: Back to the ‘Targa’ course and Dick Wards winning streak was finally broken by none other than Gary West. West made good use of his national championship winning Lola F3000 to smash Ward’s ‘Targa’ course record with an FTD of 29.88s. Ward kept his championship hopes well and truly alive with second outright and a personal best of 33.18s, while Ledger maintained his run of podiums with third in the TFR. With just one round left to run, Ward heads the series by three points from Legder. Results of the final round next issue!
photo: Justin van Viersen
photo: Brian White
events
Summersun Festival by Les Smith
SUMMERSUN - FEBRUARY 10 - 19
photos: Brian White
Summersun is a chance to blast back to the past, in ten magical days of celebrating that fabulous era when Rock ‘n’ Roll was born. Summersun will resurrect the fun of the Fifties, in settings from Northbridge to the Valley, Joondalup to Rockingham, from Burswood to the sea. Summersun is about music. The streets will come alive with awesome entertainment as Perth’s top Rock ’n’ roll and Rockabilly bands take to openair stages and club venues. Guest appearances by Perth’s Rock ’n’ Roll legends, past and present, will promise more than just a glimpse of that fabulous bygone era. Summersun is about cars. Hot rods, cool customs, American originals and classic cars will be out in force during Summersun. Incorporating the famous Big Al’s Poker Run, cruises, displays and a round of the Nostalgia Drag Racing Series, Summersun will have enough horsepower, chrome and sparking paint to last all winter long. Summersun is about dance. Bodgies in jeans and leather jackets, their widgies in tight pencil skirts. Slick-back hair and bobby socks. Hep cats jiving’. Supported by a huge social dance competition starting January 18, Summersun will give everyone an opportunity to rock the nights away. Whether it’s an opportunity to reminisce or a chance to glimpse at those phenomenal 50’s, Summersun will be fun for everyone, in 50’s style. The extravaganza that is the 2006 Summersun Festival will set Perth rocking!
Friday 10th - Official Opening, Northbridge : Saturday 11th - Big Al’s Poker Run, Burswood Park : Sunday 12th - Summersun Fair, Bassendean Oval : Monday 13th - Jailhouse rockabilly, Lake St Northbridge : Tuesday 14th - Valentines in the Valley, Swan Valley : Wednesday 15th - Summersun Twilight Cruise, to Rockingham : Thursday 16th - Blast from the Past, Mustang Bar : Friday 17th - Rockabilly Stroll, Rockingham : Saturday 18th - Nostalgia Drags, Motorplex : Sunday 19th - Summersun Gala, Rockingham Beachfront
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If you’ve never had the chance to visit our Nation’s capital during the mecca of all car shows then you really don’t know what you’re missing! Fours days of cruising, mega dollar cars, burnouts, booze, broads, and of course, the ACT Federal Police force. This year was my third summernats in total and second working for Street Machine magazine, the show’s major sponsor. It’s changed a lot since the first time I attended in 1991 - back then the main cruising took place from the NATEX centre, down Northbourne Avenue into the heart of the city, then everyone just did a u-turn and came back to the Natex - this would continue almost all day and night for two of the four days. It didn’t take long however for some numbnuts to do the wrong things. The first year I was there an over zealous patron lost control of his LJ Torana and plowed into spectators, signalling the beginning of the end of cruising on public roads. This year, 2006, again a car plowed into spectators but this time it was inside the confines of the showgrounds - you probably saw it on the news. I hope it’s not a sign of further restrictions but you have to ask who’s brainwave it was to think that cyclone fencing was adequate safety for spectators during a drifting display. The cruising is a main attraction at Summernats. In scenes reminiscent of Moses parting the Red Sea, throngs of bogans clear the crowds only long enough for a rampant VL Turbo to ‘pull a skid’ before meshing back together, eyes always on the lookout for a sheila who’s happy to get her puppies out in front of a few thousand complete strangers. The show just seems to get bigger and better. As technology advances
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there seems to be a swing towards the hi-tech department, be it injection setups or the most intricate audio installations you could imagine. Fours days just isn’t enough to have a good look at everything Summernats has to offer. There is always a fair contingent of West Aussies that make the trek across the country - some take their cars, others just jump on a plane. With airfares getting cheaper there’s no real excuse not to get some mates together and go join in the fun. For a complete wrap up check out the Street Machine Summernats magazine - on sale in March.
Summernats 19 by Brian White
Motorvation 2006
photos: Brian White & Justin van Viersen
by Keith Challenor
‘Get Motorvated’ was the slogan and it wasn’t all that long after you’d paid and walked through the turn style at Quit Motorplex before the hype of Motorvation 2006 hit you. For the first time in years there was a threat of rain on Saturday, but the car gods must have been happy because it held off all day. Scorching is what the weather was on Sunday, and the competitors didn’t wait that long to help heat things up, with a record number of cars setting fire not only to there tyres, but to motors and paintwork as well. The quality of show cars in the marquee was second to none with some flawless efforts such as the Pontiac GTO and the 58 Chevy. The Super cruises were that large that anyone would have thought there was a major traffic jam down Kwinana way.
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There’s something very unforgiving about concrete barriers, and the ones at the Motorplex must have held a grudge with the Toranas that entered. One very loose hatchback in the slalom found that out after over correcting and not getting power down; sliding 10 metres before collecting the wall. The other pure grunt sponsored Torana hit the wall in the burnout comp harder than Grant O’Rourke did in 2002, and limped away with a very much mangled rear end, although finishing off his tyres in spectacular fashion. Car clubs and speed companies were out in full force. Mark’s Workshop in York had a very nice display which included an 800hp Windsor powered blown Vortech XH Ford Ute. Ingo Fregin ended up taking out Motorvation Dyno King in his shmick 1968 Ford Falcon XW pushing out 525 hp at the rollers as well as taking out the V8 Forced Induction/Nitrous category. Only 20 hp less in the V8 normally aspirated was Bruno Tassone in his XC Falcon. What the crowd was really sitting close to the action for was the burnout demonstrations by Gary Myers and George Separovich. They didn’t disappoint, their cars absolutely breath taking at peak revs with the superchargers whistling away. It took only seconds for them to shred a set of rubber in seconds each time they entered the snake pit. As loud as the V8’s cruising around were, no one could block out the sound of the ‘Sounds Xplosive Audio’ - dB Drag Racing. The results haven’t been released but they could well have been cracking the 150 db mark. For the final results of Motorvation 2006 check the officlal website - www.motorplex.com.au
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30 seconds with : Promotional girls are abundent at most car shows. We spoke to Kym at Motorvation. ...
What are you promoting today Kym? Some great businesses, Vivid Window Tinting, Shogun Motorsports, and Red Earth Creations that do car decals and signage. Have you got a favourite car here today? Gary Myers Mustang definately! So you’re a Ford fan! I love them... Car shows a bit of a meat market? Sure is. There’s some interesting characters here. I think I’ve heard every chat up line that’s ever been invented! Young open wheeler gun Michael Patrizi is off to the old country to race Formula BMW. Here’s what he told Circlework. Are you excited about moving to the UK? Certainly am. The first time in a new country is always a challenge, especially with the cold weather, but it’s going to be great. What is your initial schedule over there? I have four days of pre-season testing before the testing ban comes into effect on the 1st of February, and I will be getting aquianted with my new team (Motorworld) and setting up my place in London. Do you expect to be competitive? Very competitive. I’m not going over there to come second. I really hope to win the championship. Will the cars be any different to what you were racing in Asia? No it’s the same basic car, but each team likes different setups and I think Motorworld’s cars will be second to none.
9. photo by Brian White
How do you approach learning a new circuit? I try and play as many computer games as I can to learn the visual aspect of the circuit. When I get on the track I drive the first lap as slowly as possible and hit every kerb. You need to really feel what your driving on.
photos: Justin Van Viersen
30 seconds with : Gosnells’ own Shannon Brown offered Circlework an insight into Motorvation 2006.
What do you like most about Motorvation? George Separovich’s Monaro. Are you a Ford or a Holden guy? What do you think? Holden! Cubes or Revs? Cubes. Look what the RX-7 did. Revs are for girls… Which car at Motorvation would you most like to take home? Separovich’s Monaro. What are you drinking today? Coke. I must be high on tyre smoke. www.missmotorsport.com
Brake Fades & Brain Freeze Nothing to do with brakes or noggins, this is one of the unfortunate hazards of motorsports! Come home soon little rotary! Photos: Justin van Viersen.
drag racing by Nick Decembre
Traditionally Speaking The Boxing Day tradition finally returned for Drag Racing on the last meet for 2005 at the Motorplex. Since the move to the Quit Motorplex there has not been a Boxing Day meet which was once a tradition at Ravenswood. This year the Nitro Funny Cars of Ashley Bailey and Ricky Monserat were the feature event. Unfortunately both cars had teething problems as they are almost brand new. This didn’t stop the Bailey brothers from trying to get both cars down the track, however on the night they were plagued with mechanical failures.
Mod Bike saw Adam Ewing race Justin Townson with Ewing taking the win with an 8.515 at 153MPH. Daniel Gregorini broke out against Shane Wynd in Super Sedan. Gregorini dialed in 9.62 and run a 9.609 at 138MPH. Super Street saw one of the closest races of the night with Nick Benedetto losing to the ever consistent Neil Scott. Both cars dialed in with identical times, the race saw the quicker reacting Scott take the win. Another hole shot victory went to Kody Petterson against Shane Weston in Junior Dragster. Kody’s quicker reactions saw Weston lose.
Top Comp saw the usual cars run under their respective indexes. George Separovich drove the Torana to a 6.321 at 221MPH against the red light of John Zappia. John McSweeney met with Trevor Morrison in the A final of Top Comp with McSweeney taking the win with a 6.607 at 212MPH. In Super Comp, the neat BA Falcon of Allen Puglia met with Errol Quartermaine’s turbo charged Ford powered Torana. Allen Puglia won his first meet of the season with a 8.148 at 165MPH. Steve McGrath in his Fiat Topolino beat Matthew Abel from the Northern Territory in Supercharged Outlaws on a hole shot. He ran a 7.317 at 178MPH. Mark Mackay continued to impress in Modified beating James Duffy with an 8.832 on a 8.79 dial in. Comp Bike was won by Greg Durrack running 8.265 at 168MPH to beat Russell Cotton.
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photo: Justin van Viersen
Yanks Jet to Victory photo: Justin van Viersen The USA Jet car meet again proved to be an exciting event for new comers to drag racing at the Quit Motorplex, with American Chuck Haynes bringing his two Jet Dragsters ‘Volcano’ and ‘Gravity Storm’ to Kwinana for a display of firepower. As usual, Quit Motorplex Director Gary Miocevich got the call up to pilot Gravity Storm. He was able to win the first round with a 5.814 at 263MPH to Haynes’ slow reacting 5.766 at 274MPH. However, Haynes upped the ante with a win in the second and third heats to give USA a 2-1 victory over Australia. In a dramatic end to the meet, Haynes’ parachute failed to open on Volcano in the final, forcing him to opt for the sand trap at the end of the track. In other racing, Top Comp saw Doug Bird run a personal best of 6.140 at 211MPH, which is also the record for BB/A altered. Not to be out done in AA/ A, Mark Sheehan got a little lose at half track and took out some reflectors. However his ride did not end there, as his parachutes failed to deploy leaving Mark beached in the sand trap at the end of the track. The night belonged to Doug Bird who met with John McSweeney in the A final. Bird ran a 6.291 taking the win, however he damaged a cylinder head with a flame coming out of the motor down the track. The final of Super Street saw a double breakout. The tough Torana of veteran Vince Belladonna beat Yvette Greg in her super neat XE Falcon. Alistair McClure beat Ralph Lewis with Lewis red lighting by the narrowest of margins in Super Sedan. Terry Stacey in his RR/G Mazda had a solo in Super Comp, his opponent Geoff Chaisty was unable to make the final. Ian Foster was on song in his VS Commodore Ute in the final of Super Charged Outlaws. He dialed in an 8.45 and ran an 8.459 to beat the 34 Coupe funny car of Tony Argentino. Adam Ewing was not able to repeat his win of the previous meet; red lighting to Les Holden in the final of Modified Bike. Hank Robertson also red lit in Modified against Jeremy Ball. Ball ran a 9.083 on a 9.05 dial in. Junior Dragster also saw a double breakout with Ethan Hort running a 10.204 on a 10.23 dial in, however his opponent Laurence Adamos broke out by less to take the win. Russell Cotton made it to another final in Comp Bike, however he lost again to Neil Anderson running a 9.518 at 150MPH.
Breaking News – Round 5 Top Fuel Australian Championship
TOP FUEL STOP PRESS
Phil Read and Darren Morgan re-wrote the history books on Saturday the 28th of January 2006 at the Quit Motorplex. Together they staged the fastest and quickest Top Fuel Drag Race in Australia. Both cars clocked identical terminal speeds at 319MPH. The faster reacting Phil Read winning on a holeshot with a 4.717 against Darren Morgans quicker 4.685. West Aussie Allan Dobson was out in the first round throwing the black belt off the blower. Other first round casualties were Steve Read lifting the blower off the engine and Terry Sainty losing to Darren Morgan. Rachelle Splatt made it through the first round however she smoked the tyres out of the hole in the second round against Phil Read. Morgan had the solo in the second round and decided to run the car down the track, running a 4.808 and destroying parts along the way. This did not stop them from coming back in the final and along with Phil Read broke the Australian record. Full story to come in the March issue of Circlework.
A Letter From Jo Reaney Mark has been a motor sport fanatic since he was born; he and his Dad were always at the track. When he was 12 the family left sunny England and headed to Perth. Mark lived at Claremont and Wanneroo, and when not there he was tinkering on his own machines at home. Mark has been a Mopar man since an early age and has owned the odd Chrysler or ten. He has flag marshaled at Wanneroo, Oran Park, Bathurst, Canberra; fire and rescued at Parramatta City Raceway; watched drag racing on both sides of the country; speedway in 4 states, 1 territory and another continent; NASCAR in two countries; circuit racing at most of the major venues; done karting, circuit racing & drag racing. Lucky for me he isn’t partial to rally or I would never see him. Then one day he had a good idea, let’s go drag racing. So he found a little 6 cylinder looking or a new home, and the rest is history. Two seasons in the little car then we got the big car - 2 extra cylinders - much faster. This was to be the second season with this car; last year got us the state championship for Modified. Mark was so proud. This season he wanted to do better, I don’t think this is what he had in mind. Six weeks down the track and he is doing exceptionally well considering the initial prognosis wasn’t good. He should be at Shenton Park soon and will do even better then. We are hoping to be able to take him to the track for the April meeting. I am sure he would love to see every one then and thank them for all the things that are being done, till then I will thank every one now.
photo: Brian White
Thank you all. Jo Reaney
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WA Gears Up for Nationals Held over the Labour day long weekend in Perth the Westernationals is Western Australia’s largest Drag Racing event. This year the 35th running of the event will consist of Round Five of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship series, Round Five of the Australian Top Bike Championship series and Round Three of the Australian Drag Racing Series for all racers. It also gives a chance for all racers to reset national records and accumulate points in the Australian Drag Racing Series. With that in mind there are a number of Western Australians who will be looking at this event to bring home a Gold Christmas tree and have a shot at the National Championship. In Top Doorslammer West Aussie John Zappia will have a good crack at running a five second pass in front of his home crowd. However Ben Bray will have the “Edge” - his aptly named new Monaro CV8, and he will be looking to move up the points table. The other contenders in Top Doorslammer will be eager to improve on their performances from the Goldenstates held in December 2005. Top Bike field also looks sensational with Brett Stevens on the Jack Daniels nitro Harley along with team mate Troy McLean, South Australian Dennis Grant and host of local riders including Jay Upton, Kim Stevens and Mark Drew along with the boys from Attitude Racing of Ian Ashelford, Mark Ashelford, Brett Jonas and Syd Standring. In Group 2 those who are looking at running well at the Westernationals include Doug Bird who has already run 6.14sec, well under the index and record, and Mark Sheehan who has also run well under the record and index. George Separovich already holds the BB/G record, and now moving to AA/G he too has run under the previous record held by the O’Rourkes. Current BB/AP record holder John McSweeney is also running consistently under the index and will have a good shot at the Westernationals. Super Stock will be a nail bitter as well with most of the WA boys running under their respective indexes, and the host of eastern states drivers coming over to have a crack at upsetting the local guys. Terry Stacey’s blown rotary RX7 and Graeme Simm’s super small stroke Chev powered Supra are two of the toughest Super Stock racers in Australia, along with Geoff Chaisty who is back on target with his Commodore running just on record time. The wild Nissan 300ZX of Mick “Patch” Frossos moving up to Super Stock from Super Sedan is not too far of the pace either. The Group 3 guys and girls will all be tuning in their dial ins over the next few weeks as they too have points at stake. 24.
photo: Brian White
Freeze Frame
Again another firey mishap. Bam Bam’s beautiful 1957 Chev pop’s a fuel hose and winds up impersonating a campfire. All we need is some guitars and a chorus of Kum-Ba-Yah! Photo: Brian White
Weird on the Web
If you’re heart is yearning for the good old days of classic cars and girls who could hide a refridgerator in their beehive hairdo’s, fret no longer! The Internet is a great place to find pretty much anything, so we found this web page dedicated to car ads from yesteryear. Enjoy :)
www.a-c-d.dk/girls/girlscars.htm
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coming events
To have your event listed please email details to: online@circlework.com.au - this is a free service. Events and dates noted here may not be correct at time of printing. It is advised you check with venues and organising bodies for clariďŹ cation of events.
FEBRUARY:
MARCH:
APRIL:
4: Hillclimb (Jacks Hill, Barbagallo) 4: ACE Ford cruise (various) 5: Chrysler day (Bassendean Oval) 10 - 19: Summersun Festival (Various) 11: Drift Battle (Barbagallo) 18: Speed Event Series (Barbagallo) 19: Max Action Motorkhana (Belmont) 24 - 26: Dutton Rally (Various) 26: Motorkhana (Bunbury)
4-5: Offroad Racing Championships (Yealering) 4: Nightmasters (Barbagallo) 5: Max Track Attack (Belmont) 6-10: Lake Gairdner Speed Trials (South Australia) 17: Sprint Event (Collie) 18: Max Action Motorkhana (Belmont) 26: HCMC Round 1 (Barbagallo) 25: Regularity Trials (Barbagallo) 26: Motorkhana Championships (venue t.b.a.) 31: Formula 1 Grand Prix (Melbourne)
1: Round the Houses (Northam) 2: Khanacross Test n tune (Benger) 8-9: Auto Trader Trophy (Barbagallo Raceway) 8: Lewana Stages Rally (Balingup) 8: USA Jet Drags (Motorplex) 15: Drift Championships (Barbagallo) 15: Off Road Racing (Hyden) 16: Max Action Autokhana (Belmont) 20-23: Perth Motor Show 23: Historic Bike HCMC Ride Day (Collie) 29: Speed Event Series (Jacks Hill)
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Model: Miss Motorsport 2005 Runner-Up, Jaimee Montgomery
parting shot
Miss February from the 2006 Miss Motorsport calendar is Jaimee Montgomery. We will be running the next Miss Motorsport pagant in a couple of months so keep your eyes peeled to www.missmotorsport.com for updates! Photo: Jamie Ferguson