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ALBERT PARK SET FOR TWO-WEEKEND

By LUIS VASCONCELOS, AA STAFF

THE AUSTRALIAN Grand Prix

Corporation is reportedly considering a massive expansion for 2026 and beyond, with a full ‘all-Australian’ event on the weekend before the F1 Grand Prix – which is expected to move forward a week next year anyway, to March 8.

Auto Action understands that plans are afoot for Supercars – which has gradually been ‘downgraded’ during GP weekend over recent years, thanks to the introduction of FIA F2 and F3 – to headline the big motorsport weekend, featuring Australia’s leading national categories.

The double-whammy two-weekend concept would guarantee 10 days of action around the Albert Park track, with promotional events in town during that entire period. It would make the 2026 Australian Grand Prix the biggest motorsport festival worldwide.

Earlier F1 date aside, it is the concept of utilising the Albert Park circuit that week prior to the GP – ie the weekend of February 28/March 1 – that could shake up the local calendar, and have scheduling effects on major events traditionally scheduled pre-GP, such as the Adelaide Motorsport Festival and Phillip Island’s Classic Festival, which will face the need to move to an even earlier date.

If the Supercars weekend comes off – and there was some cynicism from Supercars insiders at the weekend – it would solve the issue of starting the

season with a bang after two lacklustre openings since the demise of the Newcastle race.

A Supercars Melbourne 500 weekend on the Grand Prix track could attract good crowds and provide the Victorian Government with a greater return on its investment in turning Albert Park into a race track every year, which is becoming more of an issue each year as the non-motorsport public eyes its $50m plus investment in the race every year.

If Supercars fails to embrace the vision and make it happen, a Goodwood style historic event is a possibility.

AA understands that Supercars is considering its options in Melbourne for the week before the Grand Prix. However, it is saying that this concept wasn’t on the radar – which could have been said to increase its bargaining power with the AGPC.

The big news is about the date, and that it confirms Melbourne will once again host the season opener for the Formula 1 World Championship.

A provisional calendar circulated to F1 teams at Albert Park over the weekend

provided F1 teams with the date of March 8.

The decision to move a few F1 races around next year to reduce the number of intercontinental trips for the teams, the FIA, Formula 1, and the media will force an earlier start to the 2026 championship. The first test is planned for the end of January in Barcelona.

With the completely new F1 Technical Regulations coming for next year, the teams and the FIA have agreed to hold not one, but three pre-season test sessions.

With the teams worried about the outof-the-box performance and reliability of the new Power Units, it has been decided that a first test will be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, from January 26 to the 30, with the teams each free to run on no more than three of those five days.

That first test will be held behind closed doors, with no fans, no media, and no TV broadcasting of the sessions.

A suggestion by an Australian national media outlet that the weekend before the GP would be an F1 test would seem to be wide of the mark – F1 teams

unlikely to want to be so far from home for key testing, and at a ‘street’ track, where accidents and damage are likely.

At the same time, Formula 1 is also planning to host a second all-in livery launch in 2026, following the commercial success of the F1 75 event in London. However, some teams are opposed, and a final decision about that will not be made anytime soon.

Should the event be held, it will have to be in the first 10 days of February, as a double test session is scheduled for Bahrain, the first to run February 12-14, followed one week later by the final three days of pre-season testing, at the same track, from February 19-21.

This means that, for the first time, Formula 1 will be running in Bahrain during the month-long Ramadan celebrations as, next year, that starts on February 16 and will end on March 18. While a Grand Prix cannot be held during that period, the circuit owners have agreed to host a three-day test session at the start of the celebrations – although the daily schedule of the sessions is still under discussion.

For Australian fans, the key outcome is that Albert Park’s Grand Prix will be held one week earlier than this year. The race is scheduled for March 8, which is on the Labour Day long weekend in Victoria.

The all-new ‘double weekend’ concept, if adopted, will see the Grand Prix weekend supported by F2 and F3 as it has been for the past three events, with the addition of the Formula 1 Academy series, with the previous weekend all-Australian in content.

GM THE WAKING GIANT

TRIPLE EIGHT’S DEFECTION TO FORD APPEARS TO HAVE WOKEN A SLEEPING GIANT IN SUPERCARS. ANDREW CLARKE SPOKE WITH THE GENERAL’S GLOBAL MOTORSPORT BOSS, ERIC WARREN, DURING HIS FIRST VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

IT IS not quite a ‘Don’t poke the bear’ moment in Australian motorsport, but it is close. And the recruitment of Triple Eight back in the Ford fold, seems to have awoken the Chevrolet bear, if the arrival of its global motorsport boss, Eric Warren, on our shores for the first time is any indication.

To be fair, he was doubling up his week in Australia with the Australian Grand Prix which, next season, will see the debut of Cadillac, but he was also seen scurrying around the Supercars enclosure and did visit a few of the teams in situ in his week down under.

Warren’s proper job title is Executive Director, Global Motorsports Competition for General Motors, and he is based at the General’s Charlotte Technical Centre which provides the link between road cars and race cars.

Jess Bala and Chris Payne, from GM here, organised a pretty full schedule for the heavyweight player who started his working life with the aerodynamics team at NASA. Bala and Payne have been centre stage since the Triple Eight to Ford announcement

and, while Warren wasn’t here on the ground with them, he was in constant contact as GM worked out what it wanted to do after losing its star team.

“We’re working on what will be an exciting new era for Chevrolet Racing,” Payne said from Albert Park. “Eric has been meeting with all of the teams, and we are close to finalising our plans.

“We’re excited by the opportunity to bring some of the very substantial resources and capabilities of GM Motorsports to Supercars.”

For Warren, it was about sitting back and taking stock. Where does Australia sit in GM’s global motorsport program?

And yes, he was in Melbourne partly for the Australian Grand Prix – and next year he will be here for the birth of Cadillac F1 – but he was also getting his head around Supercars, putting an arm around his teams and sussing out the landscape.

It would be fair to say that GM isn’t taking Australia for granted any more. It has woken, and it is serious.

“I wanting to come and meet a lot of the Supercars teams,” he told

...

Auto Action. “Any time you have an opportunity and a big change; you want to take a look and say ‘how do I raise the bar?’ And then, as we’ve grown GM motorsports globally with Chevrolet, a lot of the different technologies that we employ across our series really find an opportunity to reset, and so it’s been great.

“We spent a lot of time all week and all weekend getting to meet all the teams and we’ve got a good plan, I think, going forward.

“I think what’s been exciting is we’ve had great performance over the last years, and the visibility of it has been awesome. And then with Shane van Gisbergen and Scott McLaughlin going over to the USA and having great success in other series, we see it not only as just for the region but also for talent, and it expands our portfolio. The cars - the Gen3 cars - have got a lot closer to the next-gen car in NASCAR.

“So, I think there’s a lot of opportunity, and hopefully, we’ll move some talent and try some different things coming in both directions.”

Which all means he see Supercars as both a standalone opportunity and as part of a global platform. The latter is not something we hear much about from his key rivals at Ford, but it may be a silent agenda item.

“General Motors ... obviously we race globally, and we want to build our Australian position, reintroducing Cadillac into Australia, and so hopefully we’ll expand a lot of our customer affinity to the brand.

Eric Warren

After the shock of the Triple Eight move, GM is getting more involved; staying close to its Supercars teams ... Image: MARK HORSBURGH

GM F1 PLANNING AT FULL SPEED ...

“WE’VE LAID a lot of effort into Formula One for GM Motorsport, which is great. There’s a lot of technology and engineering going on out of Charlotte for Cadillac, and then there’s a facility in Fishers, Indiana, outside Indianapolis, and also a place in Silverstone – the three key markets for racing, as far as the UK and the US goes. We’re trying to get talent right now and build up all the capabilities and really big excitement for Cadillac moving forward.

“It’s definitely a technical meritocracy, and I’m glad there’s a cost cap,” he says of the headspinning budgets required to run in Formula 1. “I think there’s a lot of revenue and a lot of opportunity to recover those costs. At the end of the day, it’s a good business –Formula One’s done an excellent job, and the global reach of it really allows a lot of those costs to be incurred with the exposure and what it does to the brand.”

“It’s really how we use motorsports to build that and drive some of our increased sales.

“I think we ought to be smart. I think it’s the economics of working with the series and trying to figure out, trying to find a balance, with the teams,” he says referring to the more boutique rather than mass volume nature of the GM and Chevrolet business in Australia.

“Fortunately, in motorsports, we’ve built the technology up internally in engineering; we can apply that to racing without incremental spending from driving the engineering up.

“And of course, across the series, working with other OEMs to make it competitive – the series with the Gen3 car is really meant to keep some of the costs down so we can manage that and keep us here for the long term.

“It’s great,” he says of Toyota’s arrival in the series next season.

“We got the same actual competitors, and any time we can bring new OEMs in is exciting. It helps drive the competition, motivates our fans, and we like competing against the other OEMs in all the series we race in – and when another OEM comes in, it just talks about it as a testament to the health of the series and Supercars. I think it’s a great thing.”

In typical motor industry mode, Warren won’t be drawn on future models and what shape the car they will race in Australia in the future will take. There’s been plenty of talk about the Camaro no longer being in production, but its replacement body shell is important for both NASCAR and Supercars, which are silhouette tin-top categories.

The Camaro will continue into the near future in both categories.

“What we normally say is we don’t really want to talk about future products, but I can assure you we’re working hard on what’s next for Chevrolet and our racing series. We’ve got some good things coming down the road.

“Both series (NASCAR and Supercars) are proof of competition, and there’s a part of it that’s really the affinity of the brand and Chevrolet and GM to the fans, and so the nameplate is a part of it. But if you look across all the different series, it’s really the fan connecting to the company as a whole, and we’ve learned that that’s the most important thing.

“But we have some things that we’ll keep working on for the future and be able to announce that in due course.”

Warren arrived in Melbourne on the Tuesday before the Grand Prix and spent his time visiting race workshops – which impressed him – and then wandered the Supercars paddock talking to anyone and everyone.

“You’re always having people reach out to you and trying to look at that, so we keep an eye out on the horizon. And you have to stay in touch with the owners from different makes, because things happen and change around. Definitely I stay in contact and meet as many as I can and learn about them.

“You have to figure out who is good to stay on top of it; learn where the good owners and good talent in the series are; and that’s down to the engineers, the mechanics, and the drivers, the teams. As you look at a series and really get in and compete, it’s important.

“I think it’s great,” he says of his visits to the workshops, “it’s very similar to the NASCAR teams, how they’re set up. I went and looked at a few different garages and their shops and factories. I think it’s very similar, I think there’s a lot of opportunity, a lot of commonality across NASCAR particularly.

Warren is based in Charlotte, but keeps his finger in eight series globally, and is integral to what is happening with its F1 team, which is split between the US and a new based in the UK.

The past month has seen a lot of belly button gazing from General Motors. The Triple Eight move to Ford

shocked it, and created a need for massive self-reflection. The good news is that it has done and that and has come out swinging like a boxer after a bad round.

In the Gen3 era, Chevrolet has won 71 percent of all the races and Triple Eight has one more than half of its wins. But all its teams, except for PremiAir Racing, have won races, and all have finished in the podium at some stage.

“We are committed to the series, and we enjoy it. I think the racing’s great, and we look forward to the next several years.”

KYLE LARSON FOR THE ADELAIDE 500 … AND MAYBE MORE

KYLE LARSON is expected to race in this year’s Adelaide 500, in both the main race and Super2, and Eric Warren is going to try and make sure it happens after an aborted attempt to get Kyle Busch down under fell over because of the dollars required to run a Triple Eight wildcard last year.

The spool diff in our cars remains an issue, but if there is anyone outside Australia that can adapt to that, it is Larson.

“Kyle and I have talked about it already, and so a lot of that is based on the end of the NASCAR season. Hopefully, we’ll be able to put something together, and it’ll be really exciting to see.

“He’s pretty much successful in anything he drives; he adapts well, and I’m sure it’ll be a learning experience as all things are, but he’s pretty incredible in all kinds of different vehicles.

“He wins in everything ...” But what about Formula 1?

“I think he’d have a lot of fun at it and certainly would adapt quickly.”

Chris Payne

Jess Bala

OSCAR’S CLOSE CALL FAILS TO DAMPEN MELBOURNE’S PARADE

A RECORD MELBOURNE CROWD CAME PAINTED IN PAPAYA TO CHEER ON OSCAR PIASTRI AND HE WAS CLOSER THAN EVER TO SCORING A HOME AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX VICTORY, ONLY FOR THE LOCAL CURSE TO STRIKE AGAIN. HOWEVER, ONE MOMENT FAILED TO RAIN ON MELBOURNE’S PARADE … THOMAS MILES REPORTS

ONCE AGAIN Formula 1 fever was contagious as the fourth record-high attendance packed into Albert Park and witnessed arguably the circuit’s best race.

The passion was infectious as not even the wettest race day ever seen in the Victorian capital’s Grand Prix hosting history could dampen the spirits.

Almost each one of the new Melbourne record crowd of 465,498 dreamed of seeing one man on the podium – Brighton’s own Oscar Piastri and the McLaren driver not only thrived off their energy, but looked set to deliver on that promise.

The ninth-place finish for Piastri will never be a fair representation of how well he handled the pressure and performed behind the wheel all weekend.

The first crowd record was broken on Friday, but it was Saturday where Piastri put the foot down and propelled hopes of something special.

With the MCL39 on rails, in scorching conditions he sent the crowd into raptures when he recorded a 1:15.481s and went to the top with his final lap in Q3.

But just like in 2014, a rising British

talent spoiled the party with McLaren teammate Lando Norris denying the fairytale pole by just 0.084s.

Come race day, the rain arrived and created a challenge F1 drivers have only faced at Albert Park once before, in 2010 – a wet race.

This caught many out even before the race had properly begun and Max Verstappen’s prowess in the rain came to the fore, demoting Piastri to third out of the first corner.

But after 17 tense laps, it was Verstappen who cracked in the sketchy conditions and ran wide at Turn 11, allowing the pursuing Aussie to reclaim second spot.

This was the phase of the race where Piastri pushed expectations to new heights.

At this stage Lando Norris was more than 3s up the road, but his team-mate slowly pulled the race in his favour.

Across 14 scintillating laps, Piastri slashed the deficit to just seven-tenths, applying the blowtorch on his more experienced teammate.

Sadly, Piastri’s focus was disrupted by McLaren’s controversial call to instruct the #81 to back off, out of DRS range, from the #4.

Following Fernando Alonso’s highspeed shunt at Turn 7, the field was now crawling carefully on slicks, reset

behind the Safety Car with just 16 laps left.

Restarting second, it was at this moment where Piastri was closer than any other Australian to winning his home Formula 1 Grand Prix.

But sadly this is when the latest chapter of the home race curse arrived.

In shades of Malaysia 2001, both leading McLarens speared off at the rain-hit Turn 13.

Whilst Norris caught his car on the racing line, Piastri was not so lucky. The #81 went deeper into the gravel and skated back onto the track, but rejoined off line and at a more acute angle, skated across the tarmac and into the infield with grandstands gasping everywhere as the heartbreaking moment slowly unfolded in front of their eyes.

Suddenly, Piastri was bogged in the wet grass, but with the crowd’s cheers willing him on, he defied the leaderboard’s suggestions he was out by channelling some advice from his time at Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm and reversed his way back into the race. Despite rejoining down in 16th, he put in an inspired drive back to ninth, salvaging some much-needed points.

Throughout Practice, Qualifying, and the first 50 laps of the race, Piastri was in serious contention ... Above: Negotiating the Melbourne Walk took a considerable amount of time ... Images: GETTY IMAGES, PETER NORTON EPIC SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY/AGP CORP

If anyone needed a reminder of the level at which Piastri was driving, on the final lap he flew around the outside of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at the fast Turn 9-10 complex ...

Only the most committed can perform such a manoeuvre and it was a statement of his Aussie grit.

Although Piastri produced numerous unforgettable moments, he lamented his costly mistake and was devastated he could not give the crowd the podium they craved.

“I felt like pretty much every lap, apart from one, I drove an incredibly strong race and it’s a real shame not to have the result to show for it,” Piastri said.

“The pace was really strong, and obviously disappointed with the mistake I made, but I think that doesn’t take away completely from how strong the whole weekend’s been, for not just the team, but for myself.

“I feel like I’ve done a good job all weekend, so I think it wouldn’t be pessimistic of me to just write off the whole weekend because of one mistake.

“I tried to push a bit too much I guess.

“In those conditions it’s very difficult to judge just how slippery it’s going to be.

“I think from one lap to the next it had really changed a lot and I could see Lando going off in front of me, but I was also already in the corner, basically, so there wasn’t much I could do to slow myself down at that point.

“And then once you’re in the gravel and the grass you obviously try to keep the car as straight as possible.

“And then, obviously to get stuck in the grass like that was pretty unbelievable ... sat in the car, but I’ve only got myself to blame for being there, so it’s a shame.”

Importantly McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella was a supporting figure.

“I think Oscar was deserving to be in contention for the victory until the last moment. He drove exceptionally well,” he said. “I was extremely impressed and he was just a little unlucky.

“He is starting his third season but he looks like one of the most expert drivers that I have worked with.”

That is high praise from someone who has engineered world champions Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.

Unfortunately, it was yet another example of the home driver’s curse in Australia.

Now all three – Piastri, Ricciardo and Mark Webber – have started an Australian Grand Prix on the front row, but none of them have delivered the podium the crowd craves.

The

At least in 2014 Ricciardo stood on the podium and soaked up the applause following a special Red Bull debut.

However, even that second place was erased in history due to a disqualification for the car exceeding the fuel flow limit.

As a result, his best results in Melbourne were fourth in 2015 and 2018, matching Webber’s effort in 2012.

Webber also started on the front row twice, but neither went well. In 2010 he clashed with Hamilton while, in 2013, he slumped to seventh on the only lap due to a KERS issue.

Despite the curse returning, the rain-soaked crowd still lapped up every moment of the most dramatic F1 race staged at Melbourne as it remained unpredictable to the very end with Norris fending off Verstappen.

With almost every box ticked, aside from the weather, Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chair Travis

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Auld was delighted:

“it was an unforgettable experience for fans from all around the world with record-breaking attendance of over 465,000 people over four days,” he told the Herald Sun.

“The atmosphere has been truly second to none.

“Whilst our Aussie drivers had a challenging day, I’m sure they felt the support from every corner of Albert Park.

“Melbourne’s ever-changing weather was as present as ever, from sunshine to rain, but nothing could deter the passionate fans who turned out in full force.”

Melbourne staged the seasonopener for the first time in six years and everything just felt right.

People were everywhere, from the stands to the Melbourne Walk and new open Supercars paddock.

The 2025 race sets an extremely high bar both on and off the track for the future – and few doubt Piastri will be the one to break that curse.

There was plenty of papaya in the stands. Right: Record crowd; more signings ...

STONE SAYS HIS MINNOW TEAM IS A CONTENDER

MATT STONE RACING HAS BEEN THE POSTER CHILD FOR SUPERCARS’ GEN3 RACERS, PROVING THAT THE PLAYING FIELD IS EQUAL. STONE SPOKE WITH AA’S ANDREW CLARKE AFTER THE TEAM’S FIRST ONE-TWO FINISH IN THE MAIN GAME ...

GEN3 HAS been kind to Matt Stone Racing, a bunch of nononsense racers from the Gold Coast led by a second-generation team leader. The son of Jim Stone of the legendary Stone Brothers Racing, Matt Stone grew up with motorsport everywhere he looked, and today, he carries the Stone name in Supercars with aplomb.

He also says that if they can win races and score a one-two finish, there is no reason his small team can’t contend for the title –especially with the new Finals system that will be used for the first time this year.

In every season of the Gen3 era, MSR has secured victories, starting with Jack Le Brocq in 2023, followed by two wins with Nick Percat in 2024, and now a remarkable one-two finish at Albert Park that delivered Cam Hill his first win and the team its first quinella.

“It’s pretty spectacular, and coming back from the horror weekend we had in Sydney to achieve the best result we’ve ever had, here in Melbourne, is phenomenal,” Stone says.

“Credit to the drivers and the whole team for the effort they’ve put in. We gave ourselves a swift kick in the arse after Sydney and went back to basics, and then came here and delivered.”

Without being too glib about the Sydney results, he doubts any team has ever had a one-two finish from the last spot in the pit lane. The team now sits fifth in the garage order for Taupo ...

“We’ve seen the growth with Cam, and it coincides with the team’s growth.

“To get the first win and the monkey off his back, so to speak,

it’s great to tick that box so early in the season, and it means we can strive to see what the rest of the season can bring.

“For us, there are a couple of tracks we’re always brilliant at, a couple of tracks we struggle with, and then there are a bunch where we’re okay. We’ve got to harness a bit of the secret sauce from AGP and Tassie and see if we can’t apply that to some of those not our ‘specialty’ rounds.

“The most impressive thing the Red Bull cars do is they do it every week. We can beat them; we just can’t always beat them.

“I think I said to someone before the Friday race; it could be seasondefining because when your cars are close together in such a position, you could end up looking like fools because they threw it away, or heroes as they were.”

Several Safety Cars and restarts occurred during the Friday race,

adding to the tension. The levelheaded Stone said he wasn’t overly worried about his two cars out front, but the number of Safety Cars and restarts played on his mind as the race progressed.

“I don’t usually get that stressed, but with all the constant restarts there was the chance for a bit of chaos. The race wasn’t straightforward.

“There was a bit of stress, but I guess one of the beauties of the racing here at AGP is once the green flag is out, it’s out of our control – there’s no pitstops, and we’re just spectators. We just let the guys do what they do, and they did it brilliantly.”

Winning last weekend hasn’t changed the MSR focus on wins, but now it feels more real.

“We want to win the championship and Bathurst. I think we’re getting closer to that every year. If we can harness

what we’ve got this weekend, maybe this year, we can have our legitimate shot at those goals.

“We’ve got some bonnets on the wall of the workshop from the Super2 Championship – first race win, a few other milestones – and we got two empty spots for the championship and Bathurst wins.”

The minnows of the pitlane have been growing quietly and are nearly fully resourced and ready to join in the fight with both its cars.

“Whenever we’ve got a spare dollar, we’ll always look for what else we can bring in, be it equipment or personnel.

“This is the pinnacle of Australian motorsport and probably the most competitive touring car category in the world, and to win is such a hard job and such a monumental achievement.

To go one-two is pretty special, and, absolutely, we can do it again.”

Matt Stone Racing struck gold at the AGP event, with a stunning 1-2 on Friday ...

WASHED AWAY RACE

AFTER THREE enthralling days of action, the Melbourne SuperSprint ended on a damp note with the finale washed out and abandoned – and the decision was not universally popular.

Despite most drivers (especially veterans) believing it was unsafe to race, some others around the paddock were disappointed the show did not go on.

For the first time since the penultimate round of 2021, a Supercars race was abandoned with only two laps behind the Safety Car completed on a wet Sunday morning in Melbourne.

Whilst it would not have been a consideration at race control, teams would have been more nervous than usual given the cars needed to be freighted to Taupo just two days after the weekend.

Whilst the Queensland teams are going straight to New Zealand, the Victorian based teams also face the same turnaround, but have the luxury of going back to the workshop.

However, one Queensland based team owner who was not impressed was PremiAir’s Peter Xiberras.

“No, because we have wet tyres and windscreen wipers,” Xiberras quipped to Auto Action when asked if cancelling was the right call. I don’t understand, because we have raced in worse conditions before. We are here to race. If they want to keep the cars parked in garages we should have just stayed at home.

“They (Stanaway and James Golding) wanted to race – they were both 100 percent committed.

“It was clearly not our weekend and hopefully our luck will turn in the current weeks and months and we can show our worth.”

However, many of those behind the wheel suggested it would have been too dangerous to go racing as they experienced some nervy moments just behind the Safety Car.

The biggest beneficiary was championship leader Will Brown, who walked away with the Larry Perkins Trophy for a second time.

“Overall, I’m happy. A great weekend, but disappointing way to end though,” he said.

“I got wheelspin a few times and understeer through the puddle at Turn 5, but that was at 80km/h and ultimately it is when you are doing 180 km/h there is a big difference and it is hard to know.

“From previous races throughout my career it was just over the mark and, if someone did not make a mistake, I would have been very impressed.”

“To be honest the right call was made. The cars are going in containers tomorrow,” MSR’s Cam Hill added.

“It had the feel that if they started the race someone would have been caught out because there were rivers across the track, and if you go 5km/h too fast you just aquaplane.”

Team 18’s David Reynolds thought the nature of the track made it too dangerous.

“It was a massive fizzer, but I think that’s the right call,” he said.

“When we were out there, it started teeming down, and there was a lot of standing water in the really high speed parts, which is scary.

“I was having aquaplane moments under the Safety Car.

“If we were racing at Winton and

that sort of situation happened, I think we could have restarted, but this track’s too high-risk and too highspeed.”

At the other end of the experience spectrum was Aaron Cameron and he also agreed.

“I back the call to not race because we have just two days to get the cars to New Zealand and going around Turn 5 at 80km/h the car would start aquaplaning,” he revealed.

“To then go racing for five minutes, all you were asking for was trouble and the risk versus reward as a category was not there.

“At 80-100 km/h under the Safety Car I was having moments from the exit of Turn 4 all the way to Turn 9.

“It was sketchy and once we had to start to push I was not looking forward to it, but if we race, we race and it dried on the in lap, but the right call was made.”

Meanwhile, pole sitter Broc Feeney pondered whether racing could have taken place if it was not for the red flag:

“At the time when they red-flagged it, the rain was at its worst – it was raining a lot,” he said. “However, as soon as we pulled up in pit lane, the rain pretty much stopped.

“I felt like maybe if we kept going under safety car, we would’ve got racing. It felt like it dried up quite a bit on the track there.

“But look, they’ve made a decision. Obviously from my side, I’m gutted.”

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TEAMS AGREE ON NEW COMMERCIAL DEAL

FORMULA 1 announced on Sunday that a new Concorde Agreement has been signed by all the teams, with the document regulating all commercial aspects of the sport from the start of 2026 until the end of 2030.

Although the Commercial Rights Holder made no mention of the FIA in its statement, the Fédération has also agreed new commercial terms with Formula 1 and signed the document, along with the 11 teams that will be competing in Grand Prix racing from 2026 – Cadillac being the newcomer.

Coming just a few days after the announcement that Stefano Domenicali has extended his contract with Liberty Media and will remain as President and CEO of Formula 1 until the end of 2029, the announcement guarantees the stability the sport needs to continue to grow in the next five years.

While the terms of the new deal remain confidential, it’s widely believed the teams and the FIA have managed to negotiate better deals with Formula 1. This means

the prize money pot increasing by a small margin as there will be 11 teams sharing it from the start of next year, and the Fédération receiving a slightly bigger slice of the cake to be able to cope with the massive increase in operating costs due to the increase in number of Grands Prix and the need to employ a lot more personnel for its on-track operations.

One important change that is

already known is that the ‘dilution fee’ new teams have to pay to the existing ones will be raised from the current US$200 million (A$316m) to US$450 million (A$712m), with Cadillac allegedly accepting this new condition to enter the sport in 2026.

This new sum is a compromise between what the existing teams wanted to share between them and what Formula 1 was prepared

to accept. The teams had been collectively pushing for the ‘dilution fee’ to be raised to US$600 million (A$948m) but accepted the new sum, against getting a slightly bigger share of the sports profits put into the prize money fund.

With the FIA open to accept a 12th team in the future, this impressive sum could be a deterrent for any prospective entrant and the push for a higher fee seems to be the sport’s way to guarantee only manufacturers will consider joining Formula 1 in the future, as they would be the only companies with enough money to pay such a high fee.

With General Motors already paying US$450m (A$712m) to join the grid next year, the other 10 teams will receive US$45 million (A$71m) each during the 2026 season, on top of the prize money earned by previous deals, plus those related to their 2025 performance – meaning no one will be receiving less than US$110 million (A$174m) during next season!

Luis Vasconcelos

GASLY JUMPS TO DOOHAN’S DEFENCE

A DREAM F1 debut at Albert Park for Jack Doohan was scuppered on several fronts, masking a picture that was brighter than it looked.

Much is being made of the pressure that rests on Doohan’s shoulders, as is on every driver on the grid, but being a relative rookie on a one year contract adds to the scrutiny.

Doohan wasn’t the only rookie (or driver) to become unstuck in the treacherous conditions at the opening GP, or to suffer from the grip of bad timing.

Doohan’s teammate Pierre Gasly, who himself will be under the spotlight with Alpine’s Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore’s shadow looming over the French outfit, jumped to the defence of the young Aussie.

“Jack’s been doing a very good job all weekend and it’s just a shame – it was probably throwing him in the deep end with these sorts of conditions,” Gasly said.

“It was probably the toughest conditions on the

first few laps – it just felt like we were struggling for grip.”

And with the chance of redemption only one week away as the championship head for the Chinese Grand Prix, Gasly backed him in.

“I’m confident he’ll come back next week and do the job he’s been doing very well.”

It also didn’t go unnoticed that Doohan matched his French mate for pace by Team Principal Oliver Oakes, saying he was “as quick as his team-mate if not slightly faster” at times.

“He’s had a lot slung at him for the past few weeks, and to come to this race – obviously there’s a lot of fan support for him, for him and Oscar Piastri to deal with all of that – throughout qualifying he just did a really good job.”

With Lewis Hamilton’s Q2 spin putting paid to Doohan’s realistic attempt to reach Q3, the conversation could’ve been vastly different. It brought back memories of him unluckily getting caught out with bad weather in last year’s F2 qualifying in Melbourne ... but as Oakes puts it, the pressure is what makes a driver in F1.

“By the same token, if you’re good and you can handle it, you deserve to be in F1. You are one of 20 drivers here, and you have to perform no matter what’s thrown at you.”

TW Neal

Stefano Domenicali with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. Image: GETTY IMAGES

Doohan (right) and Gasley –good pairing.

GM LOCKS AWAY SUPERCARS ENGINE SUPPLIER, T8 ENGINEER ... AND CRAIG LOWNDES

By Andrew Clarke.

IN A big fortnight for General Motors, it has moved to secure key components of its Supercars and Australian motorsport portfolio by locking down Craig Lowndes and KRE Race Engines, as well as recruiting Triple Eight’s technical director, Jeromy Moore.

There was plenty of speculation surrounding Lowndes’ position after Triple Eight Race Engineering announced a little more than a month ago it was going to Ford in 2026, for at least five years, with T8 boss Jamie Whincup openly stating that even though this year is the last year of T8’s contract with Lowndes, he was a wanted person for next year and beyond.

Lowndes will run his final race with the team at this year’s Bathurst 1000 when he lines up with Zach Bates –which could be his last ever run in the 1000.

He has won six Bathurst 100s with Triple Eight, and four of his seven in total for Holden/GM.

His past three seasons with the team have been spearheading the Supercheap Auto wildcard entry with a younger driver, leaving the future of that program in the air after this year’s race – though we believe discussions are under way with GM teams to find one able to run the programme.

“We are thrilled to continue our long-term relationship with Craig Lowndes. Craig is the perennial fan favourite – even to this day, some 30 years after his debut,” Chris Payne, General Manager Marketing Aftersales & Chevrolet Racing said.

“He has become the face of ACDelco to our loyal GM Trade customers. We have exciting plans for the years ahead, that will result in us working even more closely with Craig on GM Aftersales initiatives and Chevrolet Racing.”

He also said Lowndes racing career was not over, but exactly what shape it takes remains an open discussion.

On the engine front, Payne was adamant that Chev and Ford engines would never come out of the same engine shop. “

It is not happening,” he told Auto Action at Sydney Motorsport Park during the opening round, while also stressing that it was GM’s desire to

have KRE Race Engines continuing as its supplier.

The deal with KRE was swift.

“We believe that the powertrain is a critical part of the DNA in the sport of Supercars, and that the fans want to see that aspect of the competition continue with strong brand differentiation,” Payne said last week.

“We look forward to working with and extending our relationship with KRE in Supercars.”

KRE’s Ken McNamara told Auto Action at Albert Park that his first commitment was always to General Motors, and it didn’t make sense to switch to Ford with Triple Eight despite the long-term relationship between the two entities.

Moore’s recruitment to the GM ranks is not without its issues, with potentially a 12-month delay before he can start his new role. The engineer was largely responsible for the Gen3

chassis used by all manufacturers but has a six month notice period and a six month non-compete clause which may or may not be fully exercised by Triple Eight.

Eric Warren, GM’s executive director of global motorsports competition, has said he expects Moore will eventually land at GM’s Charlotte Technical Centre where his experience in sportscars and GT3 will help those programs, while Whincup indicated he thought Moore would have a lot to offer GM’s F1 program.

Locally, GM has a couple of more things to lock down in the next few weeks, including the appointment of a homologation team to replace Triple Eight, but that it will not be rushed into that decision.

Lowndes, KRE (top right) and Moore – locked in.

DRIVERS WONDERING WHERE THE LINE IS

NOT FOR the first time, driving standards and how they are policed have come into question, this time at the Melbourne SuperSprint.

Despite only three of the four races taking place and just one reaching the full distance, the second round of the season was littered with incidents.

Whilst the shorter sprint format and twisty nature of Albert Park lends itself to intense racing, some drivers are wondering where the line is.

One who went from the front of the pack to the back was Matt Payne, who was spun around on the opening corner of Race 6.

Whilst Payne is yet to personally approach driving standards observer Craig Baird, the Grove Racing Kiwi feels the uncertainty of what is and is not accepted is why there is so much action at the Melbourne SuperSprint.

“It was uncalled for really having to drive back through the field,” he told Auto Action.

“I did not get a really good start, but it does not help that you had people trying to go three-wide into a corner where, as we have seen, that usually

ends up with someone in the gravel.

“It is just strange. There are a lot of drivers in the field that race you really well and there are some others that don’t, so it is hard to pick who is going to do what.

“There seems to be a lot of inconsistency and there has not been too much said about what is right and what is not, but I am sure we will find that out soon.

“It is tough for drivers when they don’t really know what the limit is and that is why you are seeing a lot of

desperation out there at some points and really good racing at others.

“I am sure we will find that out in the not too distant future.”

Erebus’ Jack Le Brocq copped some of the most bad luck, seeing two much-needed top 10s go begging.

“It’s just a whole bunch of craziness – I don’t know what’s going on this weekend,” said a frustrated Le Brocq.

“It’s frustrating – I don’t know what’s going on at the moment.

“I feel like we’re DVS (Super2) and think we need to have a good hard

look at ourselves and clean up our act.

“The reins have been let loose a little bit over the last couple of rounds, and I’m all for seeing some good hard racing, but there’s a bit of silliness going on. I don’t know the answer to it.”

However, one driver who has contacted Baird for clarity is MSR’s Nick Percat and he actually believes things are now clear.

“I reached out to Bairdo, wanting to understand a bit more where it’s all at and I’ve got a real clear understanding of what we can do now,” he said.

“I was definitely confused after Sydney, but it looks the way the rules were applied with that amazing battle at the end of the SMP race, that is what I feel like ‘the go’ is.

“I think it puts on really good racing and great for the spectacle, the fans and sponsors.

“We’ve actually got people speaking about the sport and loving it.

“As long as it doesn’t get too out of control and we’re writing off cars, I think we’re at a really good point.”

Thomas Miles

CAMERON EAGER FOR MORE

AARON CAMERON was thrown into the deep end at Albert Park, making an unexpected debut replacing Aaron Love at Albert Park and has emerged unscathed and hungry for more.

Just three days before the start of the Melbourne SuperSprint, BRT announced it had parted ways with Love, whose co-driver Cameron would jump in.

The S5000 champion impressed instantly, going 10th fastest in his first session and, aside from a trip to the gravel in the first race, stayed out of trouble and finished as high as 19th.

In addition to the rushed nature of the solo debut, Cameron also had to deal with a broken toe sustained by a truck trailer and the fear of a bushfire creeping up to his family home.

“I am happy that it is over,” he told Auto Action. “It was a short, but very intense build-up and there was not much in our favour, but I had a lot of fun.

“This is what we all dream about and there has been a lot of hard work to get here, trying to find budgets, and I am a lot older than most, being 25.

“It is a special moment for myself, family and supporters and I am so thankful to CoolDrive and BRT for giving me a crack.

“I was disappointed to go in the gravel trap, but at the same time I don’t really mind because I am figuring things out.

“It has been a big learning experience and I had fun, but I just want to get back at it and do better.”

Due to the rushed build up, Cameron admitted the first practice was “nervewracking” but soon got into a rhythm and importantly “did not feel out of place” racing with maximising one-lap pace amid the pressure of qualifying identified as the biggest area of improvement.

The call for change was not taken

lightly by BRT given it had invested two years into Love from enduro wildcards, Super2 and Supercars.

Whilst no announcement has confirmed how long Cameron will be in the #3, Tim Blanchard revealed that fans can expect to see the former TCR in it for the rest of the year.

“We were struggling a bit and got to the point where it was not working and decided it was best to try something different,” Blanchard explained.

“Not ideal, because we had put a lot into Aaron and hoped he would be the next big thing and future of the team – but it did not work out that way and he will bounce back somewhere else.

“We have not officially formalised it, but the strong intention from both sides is that he (Cameron) will do the rest of the year.”

Thomas Miles

Short notice – but Cameron has grasped the opportunity. Image: MARK HORSBURGH

Percat vs Murray at the AGP. The Rookie impressed ... Image: MSR/INSYDE MEDIA

ALL CALM AT TICKFORD

DESPITE LOSING the championship lead and not scoring a single podium at Albert Park, there is no sign of panic inside the Tickford garage.

After Cameron Waters crushed the opposition at the Sydney 500, the lack of Tickford Mustangs at the front of the field was noticeable at the Melbourne SuperSprint.

This was particularly apparent in qualifying where Waters qualified 22nd and 19th for Races 4 and 6 respectively.

However, the Monster Mustang still gobbled up many in the field when it was time for racing as Waters somehow salvaged top 10 results in both of those races despite limited laps.

With those comeback drives backed up by a P6 on Saturday, the Mildura product still walked away with a solid haul of points, but it was not quite enough to stop Will Brown from snatching the championship lead.

Meanwhile, teammate Thomas Randle only appeared in the top 15

once thanks to a special drive on Thursday, which saw him slip from sixth to ninth in the championship.

Although the Sydney speed was not replicated, Waters’ race pace, and his improvement of 14 spots in the back-to-back Saturday qualifying sessions, provide enough proof for Tickford to know there is no need to over-react.

In fact, the team’s ability to regain ground and improve across the

PREMIAIR’S PAIN

THE WASHED out Melbourne SuperSprint finale was just the latest kick in the guts for PremiAir Racing in 2025.

Even before the season started, a fire disrupted its pre-season test and, aside from two top 10s to James Golding, whenever a ray of light appears, it disappears in an instant.

Incidents have ranged from from Golding hitting tyre bundles to Richie Stanaway suffering suspension damage from wheel-to-wheel racing leading to the #31 being taken out from the front of the field.

Even when things appeared hopeful on Sunday, with Stanaway qualifying and set to start fourth in conditions that suit him, the race was abandoned. It left Xiberras sitting in the paddock wondering when his luck would turn. However, he feels the building blocks to success are there.

“It was clearly not our weekend and hopefully our luck will turn in the

coming races and months and we can show our worth

“As a team we are all behind Richie and there is a reputation about his wet weather driving which would have been awesome for him to put on a display ... but not to be.

“The first round at Eastern Creek was very trying and the fire in testing disrupted the whole program from the get-go.

“This weekend we came out strong in practice and the boys had been showing some speed in qualifying.

“I don’t know if it was the red mist but it felt like drivers brains were a bit disconnected – but that is racing and it happens. We are on the right path and just have to keep bulldozing our way on. We will regroup and go again.”

It means it has been a difficult start to life at PremiAir for Stanaway, who finds himself 23rd in the championship, last of those who have completed both rounds.

weekend shows its in a much stronger position than previous years.

“Our qualifying pace was not up to spec initially, but we got on top of that even though it did not quite show up and we are still very happy with our race pace,” Tickford Team Manager Matt Roberts told Auto Action.

“We will go back to the workshop and try to identify why we were not fast on Thursday qualifying.

“The team is pushing pretty hard and in a much better space at the moment.

“Our systems and processes are a lot cleaner and efficient so we can draw on all our past history and learn from that.

“The team has expressed that, especially in the last six months, and hopefully we can continue that.”

Thomas Miles

But Xiberras stressed the Kiwi has settled in well inside the garage.

“Honestly he is a very nice young man,” he said.

“It feels like he is part of the furniture already and is fitting in really well, working great with the engineers.

“We just need an opportunity to showcase his talents.

“Taupo will be his home ground with a lot of support so we are looking forward to the round.”

The on-track suggles took place on a weekend where PremiAir firmed as the favourites to become GM’s new homologation team with Chevrolet representatives regularly sighted at the garage.

Thomas Miles

Waters’ race pace made for a lot of overtaking in a short time ... Image: MARK HORSBRUGH

Bad luck followed the PremiAir cars around at the AGP ...

NEW PADDOCK A WINNER

BEING KICKED out of the Albert Park pits created a problem for Supercars but, thanks to the new-for-2025 paddock, it might have been the best thing to ever happen at the event.

The radical, but innovative move from the AGPC to shift the Supercars paddock area from behind the support pits to behind the Senna Grandstand, outside of the final corner, brought the sport to the people.

‘Motorsport Straight’ gave the record-breaking crowd a chance to get a close and personal look at the cars, the stars and teams across all four days.

And to top it all off, a separate podium was erected where the drivers overlooked the fans.

It is a far cry to 2024 when Supercars was in its own bubble, tucked away and hidden from the rest of the event.

As a result, the new ‘People’s Paddock’ was a hit with drivers and owners alike.

“It was a tremendous effort to bring it over to the fans,” Tickford’s Matt Roberts said.

“You could not move in front of the pit garages and there might

have been at least 20,000 people at different times.

“It is a much better call to have the fan engagement and it is a big tick for the sport.”

“Where we are is awesome and I have never seen so many fans watching us,” PremiAir’s Peter Xiberras said.

“Honestly, it has been sensational. There have been years where we have been tucked away in a corner and no one knows we are there, but as far as fan engagement goes this has

been fantastic.”

The drivers have also thrived off the atmosphere.

“I think it has been fantastic,”

Cam Hill said.

“Last year some people might not have even known we were here at the track.

“It is great for the fans to see the teams working on the cars which they don’t get to see at many other rounds really.”

“Last year I felt like there were so many fans at the track, but also no-one, because we were tucked

away and saw almost no-one for the whole weekend,” Larry Perkins Trophy winner Will Brown said.

“Now, some fans might only be here to see F1, but then walk past our garages and think ‘how cool are these cars’ and hopefully they can become fans of Supercars.”

However popular the new paddock position was, it is unclear where the Supercars will be next year as there is the strong possibility the category could enjoy Albert Park all to itself (see News p3). Thomas Miles

HI-TEC OILS RACE TASMANIA SET FOR BUMPER WEEKEND

FOUR CATEGORIES will take to the track with 16 races in two days for the 2025 Hi-Tec Oils Race Tasmania on March 22-23.

Headlined by the V8 power of the Trans Am series, they’ll be joined by Hyundai Excels, Australian Prototypes, and the local Tassie Tin Tops.

Held each year at Symmons Plains Raceway since 2021, it never fails to draw in a passionate motorsport crowd as a highlight on the Tassie calendar, with Garry and Barry Rogers at the heart of the program.

With each category enjoying four races across two nine-hour on-track days, there’s also live coverage of the event from 1pm to

5pm via SBS,

It will be a huge start for the

and Bathurst 1000 winner Todd Hazelwood, PremiAir Supercars driver James Golding, and the likes of 2023 GRM title winner James Moffat, Dream Racing Australia’s Jackson Rice, and TCR forerunner Jordan Cox making his debut.

With the Australian Prototype Series also making its first appearance at the event alongside the SPARCO Tassie Tin Tops and the big field of ACL Race Series Hyundai Excels, there’s also the Drift League Tasmania bringing their smokey high octane stuff in between races.

Plus, there’s also a live-stream to the Race Tasmania Facebook page from 11:00am – 12:30pm.

TW Neal

Fox Sports and Kayo.

Trans Am machines, with a stellar field featuring reigning champ

Anton de Pasquale exits the all-new Supercars fan-friendly Paddock. Image: MARK HORSBURGH

Trans Ams are back at Symmons Plains ...

ROB ROY REVIVAL REVING UP

DUST OFF your picnic rugs, squeeze into your paisley shirts, and crack out the linseed oil, swing and pencil skirts … the third annual festival of historic motorsport is fast approaching on March 29-30, with the well planned heritage feel leading up to the Sunday’s Rob Roy Hillclimb in the beautiful Yarra Valley region.

With the MG Car Club of Victoria’s main event coming on the 30th, the organisers have also added live music and fashion shows to the flavour, all encapsulating that historic picnic race atmosphere to go alongside the classic motorsport action.

Saturday will also feature practice sessions and some competitive hillclimb runs in the afternoon.

The Rob Roy Revival will have

over 80 invited historic racing cars competing on the hillclimb track, running in classes for sports cars, racing cars and touring cars.

Whilst there will also be a particular focus on a giant marque’s 100th Aussie anniversary.

“We will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Ford Australia in 2025.” said MG Car Club Secretary Tony Lupton.

“Many great racing Fords will be competing and a highlight will be a special class for Falcon GTs. We will also showcase the best examples of classic Fords in the car club display.”

“The featured marque at the 2025 Rob Roy Revival will be Ford, whilst The Rob Roy Revival recreates the atmosphere of 1940s to 60s

motorsport.”

Spectators are encouraged to dress in period style. Hay bales, white picket fencing and officials in period dress will add to the atmosphere.

So bring a picnic lunch or enjoy the gourmet food available.”

It would also be remiss not to expect a certain two-time Bathurst 1000 winner to be there as event Patron … John Bowe AM, who will also be competing at the Hill Climb.

Located only 45 minutes from Melbourne in Smiths Gully, Christmas Hills, in the beautiful Yarra Valley, the

and anyone who enjoys a picnic atmosphere. Everyone is encouraged to wear their best vintage 50s and 60s gear and join in the revival spirit. For further event information go to https://www.robroyrevival.mgcc. com.au

SPEEDSERIES STAYS ON SEVEN AS ENTRIES FLOOD IN

THE NEW look SpeedSeries may be have a different feel in 2025, but it will have the same TV coverage.

After broadcasting the MA-run SpeedSeries last year, the Seven Network will continue to show the championship as it enters the new era under SRO Motorsport Australia.

Live and free coverage will be provided for all six rounds where GT World Challenge Australia is the headline category.

“We are extremely excited to re-sign the Shannons SpeedSeries with the Seven Network in 2025 and a big thanks to Renee Quirk and the team for their support once again,” said SRO Australia CEO Ben McMellan.

“Since the Seven Network took over the Shannons

SpeedSeries in 2024, fans around the country have been able to enjoy some of the best categories in the country put on a show from the comfort of their own home, so it was an easy decision for us to return.”

As the opening round at Phillip Island approaches, on the first weekend of April, a number of driver announcements have been made.

Reigning champions Arise Racing will be back with their Ferrari 296s. The first entry is locked in with Elliott Schutte and Supercars driver Jaxon Evans teaming up once again, while the team is still securing its second combination.

Looking to challenge them will be former Aussie open-wheel hope Alex Peroni alongside Mark Rosser, while Brit George King will race alongside Sergio Pires.

Numerous other GT3 and GT4 entries have also been revealed with more to come.

Thomas Miles

Rob Roy Revival is a great outing for motorsport lovers, classic car admirers

STONER ELEVATED AMONG NEW HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

A TOUCHED Casey Stoner admits he “does not feel worthy” of being elevated to Legend status as David Sera, Chris Matheson, Chad Reed and John Sidney have all been recognised as the latest inductees into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

The annual tradition on the Thursday of the Australian Grand Prix continued with the new inductees revealed at a special presentation on stage at Albert Park.

One of the very best on two wheels, Stoner has joined illustrious company. He joins an exclusive club alongside the very best, such as fellow world champions Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, and Mick Doohan.

In the space of just six years, Stoner rode into the history books by winning the 2007 and 2011 MotoGP titles for Ducati and Honda respectively, plus winning six straight GPs at Phillip Island.

Mick Doohan was on hand to welcome Stoner to the Legend’s club and the 21st century star was shocked by the honour:

“You grow up watching these great people who paved the way and Mick was someone I looked up to immensely and I don’t feel like I achieved anything like he did or the other racers,” Stoner said on stage with his family watching on.

“So to be inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame is something I am very proud of and cherish immensely.

“To get this status is something I don’t feel worthy of.”

The late Leo Geoghegan has become the first of his famous family to be induced into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, having won four national titles in the 60s and 70’s.

His daughter was on hand to be presented and she was brought to tears.

Jess Gardiner, Tayla Jones and Jemma Wilson have dominated the Women’s

International Six Day Enduro together, so it was only right they entered the Hall of Fame together.

Both Gardner and Jones have stood on the top step of the gruelling event, while all three impressively took all the trophies on offer in Slovakia in 2015 and they revealed on stage they are doing it again.

As Australia’s most prolific karter, David Sera is a worthy entry to the Hall of Fame at just 36.

All up, Sera has been crowned a national champion 18 times and 56 times a state champion.

Despite this success, he has not gone beyond karting, but still carves a career from the discipline and most importantly gives back by coaching youngsters and was “left speechless” by his latest honour.

Top Fuel drag racing two-wheel legend Chris Matheson was also appropriately recognised.

Recently, and incredibly, Matheson at 63 became the first to break the sixsecond barrier for the quarter mile – a feat equivalent to running the four minute mile.

Chad Reed was another famous twowheel figure to get into the hall of fame having been one of the best ever on dirt.

Reed twice became a world AMA Supercross champion and, despite battling injuries, he still won on three continents for a total of 19 championships.

Reed was not present at the awards, but is more than a worthy inductee.

When the Thunderdome reigned, engine guru John Sidney was one of the biggest names as his team ruled the ovals.

Sidney’s team was at the cutting edge of all oval racing down under, introducing pit strategy as Max Dumesny and Barry Graham guided the Valvoline backed team to glory. Thomas Miles

more sprintcar action

Inductees with long-serving MA figurehead and AGP Clerk of Course, Tim Schenken (left).

CANBERRA LEAD-OFF FOR ARC CAMPAIGN

THE AUSTRALIAN Rally Championship season opener looms on Match 21-23, with the Rally of Canberra (ROC) its perfect kick-starter.

The ROC outing heads up a six round calendar with the usual suspects of WA, Queensland, Victoria, Adelaide, and Tassie to follow, with Canberra to host 26 national crews on its rough and rocky forest roads, whilst fans are also treated to Friday’s Rally Show at Scotts Crossing to get up close with the machinery.

With NZ rally legend and two-time European European Rally champion Harry Paddon (and co-driver John Kennard ) joining the fray for his first full time ARC season, his Hyundai i20 N Rally 2 will provide the main challenge needed against the recently dominant

Bates brothers in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2s.

Hometown drivers Harry and Lewis Bates enter the season alongside respective co-drivers Coral Bates and Anthony McLoughlin, having taken the last four titles (L.Bates 2022), with Harry also having dominated the recent ROC events on his way to three titles in that time.

But it won’t be all Paddon and Bates machinery to provide the ROC heat, with 2014 champion and 2024 Queensland winners Scott Pedder (co-driver Glenn Macneall) brining a brand new Skoda Fabia Rally 2, whilst Paddon’s Hyundai will also have stern company via the i20 Rally 2s of the Alex Rullo/Steve Glenney, and Peter Rullo/Ben Searcy combinations.

Other notable ARC class pairings include Ford Fiesta R5 representatives Tom Clarke/Ryan Preston, Josh Redhead/Ray Winwood-Smith (2012 i20) and Stewart Reid in the Mitsubishi Mirage AP4. Heading up the Production Cup challenge will be the likes of Mick Hardick/ James Thornburn and Josh Wiedman/KJ Miller in a pair of Lancer EVO 6 P5s, whilst Andrew Penny/Rhys Llewellyn will contest in a ’95 WRX C3. Alongside the national 2WD and 4WD classic cups, Junior Cup, and state NSWRC and Production, ECCRS, and ACTRRS fields, there’s 35 crews all up to take on 207km of competitive distance (Sat102km/Sun-105km) in the Tidbinbilla and Kowen Forest regions.

TW Neal

Scott Pedder returns with a brand new Skoda Fabia Rally 2 car ...

READY FOR ‘LIGHTS-OUT’

THIS WEEKEND Joanne Ciconte and Ava Anagnostiadis will make history by becoming the first Australians to race in F1 Academy – and they are not there to make up the numbers.

In addition to breaking new ground in Australian motorsport, Ciconte, 16, and Anagnostiadis, 17, will be some of the youngest to ever race in the all-female series.

They will be doing so on the big stage with all seven races on the Formula 1 platform, starting with the sweeping Shanghai this weekend.

The championship then criss-crosses the globe from Saudi Arabia to Miami, Montreal, Zandvoort, Singapore and finally to the Las Vegas finale.

Both teenagers have ridden a rapid rise to the biggest female series in racing, but come to grips with the Tatuus F4-T421 car across some recent tests.

Anagnostiadis will drive for Hitech, having only first steered a race car in June last year.

Meanwhile, MP Motorsport’s Ciconte will become the youngest ever to

drive in the championship, snatching the record held by Chloe Chong, who raced in the inaugural season.

But don’t let the age fool you – she feels ready for the challenge.

“I definitely feel ready,” the Melbourne based driver told Auto Action

“Getting prepared for the first race, in China, will be a huge week of emotions and there will be a lot of pressure.

“I think being the youngest is remarkable, but I don’t think it is either an advantage or disadvantage.

“The aerodynamics are big, my being

new to Formula 4 in general, so getting used to something so different has been a huge step.

“There are a lot of good and competitive drivers on the grid with so much experience.

“That will keep me motivated to try and help me progress better.

“I am so excited to get on track with the visor down and race representing Australia.”

Having been a grid kid for Daniel Ricciardo at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, Ciconte’s journey has been fast.

The daughter of a karter “fell in love with the adrenaline of racing” as soon as he she had a taste herself, aged nine, before progressing up the karting ranks.

An opportunity through the Ferrari Driver Academy proved to be a breakout moment, where she drove a Formula 4 car for the first time and also caught the eye of three-time Grand Prix winner Giancarlo Fisichella and GT racer Marco Cioci, who remain her mentors as her career progressed from Australia to Europe where she got into the top 20 of some Spanish F4 races. Ciconte is heading into the opening round with an open mind.

“This year I am more determined than ever and have my eyes forward,” she said.

“It will be important to recognise what can go wrong and work on that, so I am just focusing on progressing across the season.”

Two 30-minute races kick off the season and will be broadcast on Fox Sports/Kayo this weekend.

Thomas Miles

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PETER DOULMAN

2 x BATHURST WINNER, 2L TOURING CARS OWNER/DRIVER TEAM GATORADE, V8 SUPERCARS

Ava Anagnostiadis

Joanne Ciconte

LOLA TRIPLE THUNDER

THE PENULTIMATE round of the SAS Autoparts MSC NZ F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series headed to the North Island for its fifth round of revived classic action at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park at the weekend.

After a damp Round 4 in Christchurch, Feilding’s Kevin Ingram headed for the ‘Thunder at the Downs’ leading the Open category (post-1972 cars) after taking out the prestigious Bert Hawthorne Cup in his ex-John Morton HU48R Lola T332.

And although he’d keep the series lead by 20 points after the weekend at the Downs, it would be two other Lola machines of two seperate models that would ultimately share the three race spoils.

Also, in the A category (pre-1972 cars) battle, it would prove to be Frank Karl extending his grip on a slender points lead in the delicately poised McLaren-make showdown.

Also returning for the weekend was some notable F5000 machinery –one being the McLaren M22 driven by Feilding’s Tim Rush, as well as Shayne Windelburn’s 1975 Lola T400

HU #8, a machine with some diverse history that once competed in the British Supersaloon Series in the early 1980s in BMW M1 bodywork, since converted back to its original condition by Windelburn.

To kick off the weekend of heritage action, the Lola-heavy front rows would seem to have been in some trouble early on after it was the Talon MR1 of Grant Martin that took pole by just 0.138s over Glenn Richards T332.

But a gearbox failure meant Clevedon’s Richards had the lights out running in the #63, and he would convert that into a 4.709 second win over six laps, with Ingram taking second over David Banks, who’s late switch to an MR1 gave some Talon representation on the podium.

Kicking off the second morning was

the handicap race, which saw Shayne Windelburn’s Lola T400 take out a 4.152s win in the lead-up to the feature race.

And whilst second would go to Bruce Kett in a T332, it would be the class title chasing Frank Karl rounding out the podium in his McLaren M10B for an important third place.

Come Sunday’s eight lap feature, it would again see the ex-Haas Racing Lola of Richards taking the win to cement a great weekend for the iconic British marquee.

And importantly for Ingram, although he’d run second again (+1.142s) to the sister Lola make, he made sure he’d largely spent the weekend ahead of his main championship rival in Tony Galbraith (T332) who could only manage fourth in the finale, with the Talon MR1 of Race 1 pole-getter returning to the track for a deserved podium.

Whilst Ingram did have the lead early, Richards rectified that soon into the race. There was also a brief red flag when Karl’s M10B spun at Turn 1, though the pre-’72 class leader

managed to rejoin for the restart. In hot conditions and with concerns over overheating cars, drivers were forced into a last-lap dash to the chequered flag, which saw Martin complete his charge from last to third after passing Galbraith in that last lap push.

But overall, the weekend belonged to Richards, who cemented third in the standings over the absent Michael Hey (McRae GM1).

“I’m very pleased—it’s been a weekend of superb racing,” said Richards.

“We owe a lot to Mark, my mechanic, for how well the car has been performing. Now I’m really looking forward to Invercargill, where we’ll have a few more drivers returning for the season finale— Michael Hey, Steve Ross, and possibly even Anna Collins, hopefully.”

To cap off its 22nd season, the series now takes a four-week breather, returning to the South Island to Invercargill’s Teretonga on April 11-13, the world’s most southern FIA graded circuit. TW Neal

McLaren Club ... Frank Karl heads Tony Roberts. Below: Glenn Richards, Lola T332.

Images: MATT SMITH

GREAT SUPPORT A HIGHLIGHT

WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A PROUD MOMENT TO SAVOUR AT HIS HOME GRAND PRIX INSTEAD BECAME A CRUEL HOMECOMING WAS OVER IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, WASHED AWAY BY THE CHAOS

THE AUSTRALIAN was one of two drivers who were the centre of attention for the 460,000+ fans in attendance. However, Son of Mick made a point of not getting bogged down in the pressure of the home race craze, instead prioritising the task on track as opposed to the novelties off it.

PRACTICE SESSIONS

COMPLETING HIS first lap of the 2025 season in front of the roaring fans, it was hard to ignore the distractions, but as the opening minutes of Free Practice 1 ticked by, the Australian got right to business. Coming to grips with the circuit’s twists and turns, it took the 22-yearold a few trial runs before he boosted his Alpine into the top 10 times, only for his positive progress to be disrupted by an early gravel-induced Red Flag.

The limited running was compounded by a second delay, this time lasting a while longer after fellow rookie Ollie Bearman found the wall at Turn 10. Not affording any additional time to be lost in the pitlane, Alpine was quick to react to the green light, sending the young Australian out for a busy final 10 minutes.

When the chequered flag fell, Doohan remained ahead of his teammate, rounding out his first session in Melbourne in P13. He also managed to end Free Practice 2 ahead of Pierre Gasly, being the only rookie (of six)

to outpace his team-mate in both practice sessions.

The start of Doohan’s FP2 campaign was quiet until the Australian came closer to the top 10 with a time of 1:18.199s, improving on his next tour of the 5.2km circuit by three-tenths.

Doohan’s Soft tyre runs allowed him to maintain his place on the border of the top 10 before an error left the Alpine driver asking the team to “check the car” as he “bottomed a bit on the exit of Turn 10.” However, apart from that minor error, each hour of practice gave the Australian a certain amount of confidence ahead into Saturday’s scorching hot qualifying session.

“My first few laps in front of my home crowd were amazing – lots of good emotions which I will be channelling through the whole weekend,” the Queenslander said.

“Today was a good day of learning across the two sessions, we are trying lots of different things to build our balance and make sure we are in a good place for tomorrow.”

QUALIFYING

THE AUSTRALIAN believed his run in the hour-long shootout was destined to end in Q3 – however, a stroke of bad luck would see a potential top-10 start taken out of his control.

Doohan was eager to vacate the pit lane at the start of Q1, being one of the first drivers to push his 2025 challenger around the streets of Albert Park.

As the rest of the field followed suit, the #7 had slipped down the order, running on the brink of the elimination zone before launching for one final attempt that saw him promoted beyond his teammate, in P8.

OF A RAIN-SOAKED ALBERT

As the light went green to start Q2, the Australian wasn’t scared to test the limits – but a track limits infringement meant he was forced to start from ground zero on his next run.

With a time of 1:16.863s, Doohan was confident that a move up to the order was well and truly on the cards, but when he rounded Turn 9 on his final lap, he came across yellow flags waving for a wayward Ferrari down the road ...

Forced to lift, almost all hope of a place in Q3 had faded, with matters worsening at the final corner sequence when Doohan was further held up by two slow-moving cars.

The Australian was thus condemned to start his first-ever Australian Grand Prix from 14th on the grid, with the familiar rookie faces of Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli in his mirrors.

As for his team-mate whose comparison is rumoured to carry substantial weight in these early races, Pierre Gasly managed to climb into the top 10, proving both A525s had the pace to be Q3 contenders in the process.

The Frenchman ultimately ended up qualifying in ninth, with his time of 1:15.980s almost a whole second quicker than Doohan’s lap was reduced to.

“We were unfortunate to be caught out by the yellow flag at the end of Q2 but these things happen and our pace

Jack had good pace ... just not the best of luck, which always helps on debut. Above: Jack was everywhere on the Melbourne Walk! Images: GETTY IMAGES, ALPINE F1, AGP CORPORATION

FOR AUSSIE JACK DOOHAN

CRUEL LESSON IN THE UNFORGIVING NATURE OF FORMULA 1 FOR JACK DOOHAN WHOSE LONG-AWAITED ALBERT PARK. AUTO ACTION’S REESE MAUTONE WAS ON HAND TO RECORD JACK’S AGP WEEKEND ...

looked strong before that,” Doohan said on Saturday.

“We need to focus on what we can control – when we had the possibilities we delivered. We made some changes between Free Practice 3 and Qualifying, which meant I felt more comfortable in the car straight away.

“Now our focus shifts to [Sunday]. The goal will be to maximise the opportunities that present themselves, especially with whatever the weather may bring.

We will need to position ourselves well strategically to get the best chance to progress up the field.”

The Australian added: “I think the positives, were being slightly in front of Pierre, both runs — not that that’s important, but it’s good confidence for myself. And yeah, I think we’re in a good place for tomorrow.”

“You know, first qualifying of the year, shaking off the cobwebs of the pressure, obviously, for everyone.

“New cars, new teams for some people. And yeah, I think we’re all pushing to the limit. We’re all humans and people make mistakes.”

THE GRAND PRIX UNFORTUNATELY, THAT would ring true for Doohan, with the Australian’s fate seeing him the second of six drivers to DNF in the harsh Race Day climate.

Witness to Isack Hadjar’s heartbreaking spin on the formation

lap, Doohan had to reset for the start procedure which was, as a result, delayed by 15 minutes.

When it came time for the grid to count the five lights down for the very first time in 2025, the Australian’s second Formula 1 race was tragically over before truly starting. Running side-by-side with Lance Stroll through the opening corner, Doohan wasn’t able to challenge the Aston Martin driver beyond that point, instead fighting to keep his position with Kimi Antonelli on the charge through Turns 3 and 4.

Doohan wouldn’t make it any further than the exit of Turn 5, however, with the unassumingly slippy white lines on the Albert Park streets causing the Alpine driver to lose traction and career into the solid concrete wall.

Onboard footage from Antonelli’s Mercedes showed just how easily the moment could have happened to anyone, with the rookie also being caught out by a lack of traction –however, managing to catch the car before causing damage.

The field flew by the crash site, leaving Doohan to slowly make his way back to the Alpine garage, receiving a round of applause from the crowd before reuniting with motorsport legend, his father, Mick Doohan.

“It was an unfortunate end to an overall positive weekend,” Doohan said.

“It was the result of a combination of factors which we will go over together as a team to learn from and ensure it does not happen again.

“It is a tough way to learn, but I have digested what happened and put it behind me to focus on what is ahead.”

“The positive learnings from the weekend outweigh the outcome from today – we were strong yesterday afternoon but caught out with the yellow flag.

“All the weekend the pace has been there so, as a team, we can take confidence going into every race weekend.

“We have back-to-back races, with Shanghai coming up next week, so we will regroup as a team and aim to come back even stronger there.

“Overall, the weekend has been great, the fans have been amazing, the atmosphere was incredible, and to have the opportunity to drive in front

of a home crowd for my season debut has been special.”

The Chinese Grand Prix will pose an unchartered challenge for the rookie, with the Shanghai weekend running as the first Sprint event of the calendar and, more importantly, of Doohan’s Formula 1 career.

The Australian will have just one practice session to come to grips with the Shanghai International Circuit before taking on Sprint Qualifying, setting the grid for the 19-lap dash. The Chinese Grand Prix action kicks off this Friday with Free Practice at 2:30pm AEST.

The treacherous conditions on Sunday caught out several debutants, including Jack. Below: Jack’s FP pace had raised eyebrows ...

AUTO ACTION PREMIUM

Continuing the proud tradition of quality print publications, the first edition of Auto Action Premium, an exciting blend of motorsport features and coverage, is available NOW.

Printing monthly, Auto Action Premium is the latest part of Auto Action’s multi-media coverage of motorsport, in Australia and globally, and takes us to another level.

IN THIS ISSUE:

n An expansive 12-page feature by Auto Action’s international man of history, Mark Bisset ,on Jim Clark’s 1965 racing season

n Our in-house F1 expert Reese Mautone looks at all the Formula 1 rookies for the 2025 season

n Our F1 man Luis Vasconcelos takes a look at the season ahead

n Supercars motorsport boss Tim Edwards talks about his first year on the ‘Other Side of the Fence’

n Speaking of Supercars, AA talks with the two new full time Supercar racers, rookies Kai Allen and Cooper Murray

n Shane van Gisbergen opens up about his NASCAR journey and talks with Andrew Clarke about his evolution in the world’s biggest tin-top series.

n Still on NASCAR, we were on the ground for the 2025 Daytona 500 and The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

n Sprintcar driver James McFadden talks about his dominant Sprintcar season.

n Aussie Daniel Sanders talks with AA’s TW Neal and relives his stunning Dakar win.

n With the soon-to-be-realised commitment to Supercars, AA looks into Toyota’s Australian racing past and reveal how its first forays into motorsport were conceived here in Australia.

n Aussie Rally driver Taylor Gill and co-driver Dan Brkic are into their second season in the ultra-competitive Junior WRC. They spoke to AA’s TW Neal about the program.

n And then there’s a look at the new Aston Martin Valkyrie, a howling V12 Hypercar targeting Le Mans glory … as is Ford with its return to Le Sarthe announced in the past month.

n Plus, we have plenty of race coverage and ‘News Extra’ inside ...

ON SALE NOW AT ALL PARTICIPATING OUTLETS OR SUBSCRIBE AND NEVER MISS AN ISSUE!

VALE: TOURING CAR ACE JOHN FRENCH

JOHN FRENCH’S DEATH, AT THE AGE OF 94 (30 DECEMBER 1930 – 12 MARCH 2025) TAKES ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING ELITE DRIVERS OF THE APPENDIX J HOLDEN 48-215 ERA ...

‘FRENCHY’ WAS born in Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland. His skill behind the wheel of the Holden 48-215 hinted at his talent and led to his first worksdrive.

Doubtless there was a massive difference in performance of the wheezy AMI Standard Vanguard he shared with Norm Beechey and Jim McKeown in the first 1960 Armstrong 500 at Phillip Island and the muscular Falcon GTs with which he is most remembered! The trio of touring car aces finished seventh outright. In 1962 French bagged the Australian GT Championship driving the Centaur Waggott at Lakeside. This Tim Harlock-designed machine

was powered by one of Merv Waggott’s trick Holden Greys fitted with a twin-cam cylinder head. He beat a strong field with Tony Basile’s Porsche Carrera second and Bill Pitt’s, Jaguar 3.4 third. French had arrived …

Into the mid-1960s French proved a successful businessman, operating a multi-franchise car dealership in Brisbane that distributed Alfa Romeo, Renault, Peugeot and Subaru. French achieved success with a Morris Cooper S’ locally and at Bathurst, where he was third in a works car shared with Timo Makinen in 1967. His giant killing performances in an ex-Alec Mildren Racing Alfa Romeo GTA enhanced his growing

reputation. In ’68 he won the Surfers 4-Hour in an Alfa Romeo GTV, beating the much-vaunted XR Falcon GTs; plenty of Bathurst Alfa GTV appearances followed.

By 1969, French was selected to race a Ford alongside Allan Moffat in the Sandown Three Hour. The pair won, bagging the Falcon GTHO Phase 1’s first major win.

In Falcons at Bathurst he was Q2 and fifth in a works HO Ph 3 in 1971 and, in 1972, Q3 and second in his Bryan Byrt Ford HO Phase 3. In 1978, having shared his Alfa 2000 GTV with Dick Johnson in 1974, French teamed with great mate Dick Johnson in a Falcon XC.

In 1980 French shared the

heartbreak of The Rock at Bathurst ... then the pair bounced back in 1981 to win aboard the Tru-Blu Ford XD Falcon in similar dramatic circumstances, when the race was ‘declared’ after the multi-car McPhillamy Park accident. French was leading at the time.

Johnson often described French as one of the most under-rated drivers in the country and “a great mate” with an infectious sense of humour.

French was Johnson’s daughter Kelly’s godfather.

John’s last professional race meeting was at Bathurst in 1987, in a Ralliart Mitsubishi Starion Turbo with Gary Scott and Akihiko Nakaya. Although French qualified the car, he didn’t race – the car was fifth.

In 2009 and 2010, aged 79, John participated in the Pirtek Legends on the Gold Coast driving Moffat’s 1973 GTHO Phase III Group C. This tearjerking return delighted fans and paid tribute to his enduring legacy.

Auto Action’s crew conveys its condolences and respect to John’s family and legion of friends and fans.

Mark Bisset

John French – shared the famed Tru-Blu Mustang with Dick Johnson (above right).

Right: Pushing the Series Production Falcon along in the 1971 Sandown 250 ... Images: AA ARCHIVES

NEW-LOOK FIELD FOR SPORTS SEDAN OPENER

THE NATIONAL Sports Sedans will launch their five round 2025 season at SMP on March 21-23 and, whilst there’s some familiar machines and faces absent, it’s opened the door for a host of exciting debutants.

There’s also a new sponsor jumping on board for the opener via the Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne based Advanced Car Carriers, with the transport company also a chance to join permanently, with Vic state competitor and Melbourne depot operator Cam McKee behind that move.

And in another early season move, the perpetual Des Wall Cup (normally reserved for SMP) has also been shifted to the final Phillip Island ‘Island Magic’ round, which ensures that Des Wall’s 2009 title winning Chevrolet Corvette GTS – rebuilt and raced by his son David Wall – will be guaranteed to compete, with the Walls family keen to take out the legacy trophy.

But in honing in on the opener, whilst the temporary Round 1 absence of champion Peter Ingram leaves a hole, it’s a big chance for the likes of Steve Tamasi to get a jump in his Calibra in the hunt for a second national title, as well as the likes of Ashley Jarvis in his Monaro, and the quick IRS GT SS of Geoff Taunton.

But in terms of the five new national debutants – including Cadel Ambrose/Micheal Rowell/Matt Sims/ James Harwood/Darren Saillard –there’s a great excitement for the 17-year old Ambrose in the new John Gourlay Audi A4.

Triggering memories of the lightning young Jordan Caruso in the previous Gourlay Audi, Ambrose comes with a big talent base, as evidenced by his round win at the Vic Sports Sedans opener at Sandown where he paced the likes of Brett Dickie for pole and two race wins.

Coming out of karting, Excels (where he also took the Vic round

win) and TGR 86, it looks like the Auto Union Gourlay team has unearthed another young jet.

There’s also the newly built Rowell Pace/IRC GT SS that impressed at the recent Bathurst 12 Hour Combined Sedans meeting where the Queenslander took a podium and qualified well in a large quality field.

And with Aubrey Sims’ BMW powered by an LS engine, Harwood’s Nissan R32 GTR, and Saillard competing in the former Scott Cameron Commodore VS, there’s plenty of toe amongst the newcomers.

All up, with the likes of Mark Duggan’s Aston Martin, Brad Shiels Fiat 124 coupe, Nick Smith’s Mazda RX7, and Steven Lacey’s IRC GT SS among the 17 car field, including six more state-based Sports Sedans on the grid, it’s anyone’s for the taking. Category manager and competitor Michael Robinson told Auto Action that it’s a fresh and

exciting start to the season.

“There’s quite a few new faces, so it’ll be quite an exciting opening and something different to what we’ve had in the past,” Robinson told AA.

“Cadel is one of the biggest additions with a fresh new look at the front end, and with some of the familiars and veterans there’s a good chance at getting a good jump at the championship if they can get a solid start in this Round 1.

“For some of the Sydney boys it’s a big chance – we haven’t opened at SMP for a long time. With a different mixture of drivers and cars, it’ll be a different start to what we’ve seen. All the new competitors have good quality cars, and they join a grid that will provide some very close racing.”

It bodes well for an exciting season, considering that there’s 10 regular competitors to come back in Round 2, and some great new machines still in the works.

TW Neal

Cadel Ambrose and the new John Gourlay Audi A4 – one to beat ... Image: SPORTS SEDANS SOCIALS

VALE: ALAN HAMILTON

THE LEGENDARY AUSTRALIAN PORSCHE IMPORTER, RACER, ENTREPRENEUR AND CAR ENTRANT PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 3, AT CABRINI HOSPITAL IN MELBOURNE, AGED 82

By Mark Bisset

BORN ON July 29, 1942, Alan’s health was impacted over the years by the huge accident he had in a Lola T430-Chev F5000 during the 1978 Australian Grand Prix at Sandown. Born into a family with a deep connection to the automotive world, Hamilton’s father, Norman, was

appointed as Australia’s Porsche importer in 1951. After completing his education at Camberwell High School, Alan joined the family firm. He soon started competing at club level. Things got more serious when he brought a Porsche 904/6 sports car home with him after a stint working in the Zuffenhausen factory in 1965.

He made his mark with this machine on the circuits and in the hills, winning the Australian Hillclimb Championship (AHC) with it at Collingrove in 1966. This car was succeeded by a pair of Porsche 906s. These 2-litre cars were never outright threats to Matich and Co, but were still front-runners.

‘Hammo’ won the Australian

Hillclimb Championship at Collingrove again in 1971 and in a Porsche Special at Ararat in 1981 –after he could no longer hold a fullcompetition licence because of his diabetes – and a fourth at Gippsland Park in 1989 aboard a Lola T8750 Buick.

Hamilton first stirred up the touring car ranks with a 911 T/R in 1969.

Alan Hamilton, outside the Porsche Australia offices. Image: PORSCHE AUSTRALIA NEWSROOM

Below: Alan backed and ran Alfredo Costanzo (here with the Tiga FA81) to four Gold Star titles. Image: AA ARCHIVES

This was succeeded by some other fantastic cars such as the 934 with which he won the Australian Sports Car Championship in 1977 (together on points with John Latham’s Carrera RSR) and which Allan Moffat raced to a win in 1980.

Later, the two car Porsche 944 Turbo and Porsche 935 team thrilled the crowds and were raced with great success by Colin Bond and Alan Jones.

Alan Hamilton, like Alec Mildren, Bob Jane and David McKay, was a bloke who put far more into motor racing than he took out.

Throughout the 1970-90s the Porsche business grew exponentially with a small tight-knit dealership group across Australia. Profits were up and so was Alan’s motor racing spend.

In 1971 Hamilton contested the Gold Star in a McLaren M10B Chev F5000, finishing a joint second with Kevin Bartlett.

Most enthusiasts recall his secondplace finish at Bathurst in 1977

co-driving Colin Bond’s Falcon GT Hardtop as part of Allan Moffat’s famous Falcon 1-2-form-finish victory. He made his Bathurst debut in 1969, co-driving Moffat’s works-GTHO to fourth place.

The terrifying F5000 crash in the Causeway-Dunlop Bridge stretch at Sandown Park happened during the 1978 Australian Grand Prix, while running second behind Graham McRae. The crash could have taken his life, instead breaking a leg and causing other fractures – and resulting in ongoing diabetes.

Hamilton wasn’t ready to leave the Australian Drivers Championship alone despite not being able to drive his cars.

He engaged Alf Costanzo as his driver and the pair won multiple Gold Stars in F5000 and Formula Pacific from 1980-84 with Lola T430 Chev, an ex-James Hunt F1 McLaren M26 converted into a spectacularly fast ground-effect F5000 car, and a succession of Tiga Fords.

Hamilton was well known in Melbourne for the sympathetic redevelopment of the historic Bryant & May match factory site in Richmond. Initially used as a base for the Hamilton Porsche business, it was the cause of great financial distress that cost the family the Porsche business.

Ultimately the former Bryant & May sold for a very substantial sum in the last few years.

Alan Hamilton built a winery business at Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula as he eased up. He remained active, intensely interested in motorsport and was as sharp as a tack in exchanges with the writer in recent years about all manner of topics.

A great driver and businessman and generous to a fault with many drivers whose careers he enhanced, Hamilton was a great friend to motor racing.

The Auto Action team offers its condolences and best wishes to his family and friends.

Pressing on, Alan Hamilton in the Porsche 906 Spyder at Longford 1967 - Image T. Watts. Above: Opposite-locking the 911 T/R at Hume Weir 1969 - Image Porsche Australia. Above left: The 934 at Hume Weir (Image: MARK BISHOP) and (lower) one of Alan’s most famous result – sharing the Colin Bond-Team Moffat Falcon in the iconic 1-2 in 1977 ...

HONDA SAYS HI TO WEC AND BYE TO INDYCAR?

HONDA IS ALMOST CERTAINLY SET TO THROW ITS INVOLVEMENT IN INDYCARS INTO THE WEEDS AND INSTEAD CHUCK THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN SAVINGS INTO A ‘GO FOR THE BIGGEST PRIZE IN MOTORSPORT’ ASSAULT ON THE WEC IN 2026.

IN WHAT will likely be a move causing absolute chaos at IndyCar HQ in Indianapolis, Indiana, Honda has decided to take it’s IMSA winning LMDh ARX-06 (or the next gen) racer to try and win the greatest prize of them all – the Le Mans 24 Hour. Is a Le Mans victory worth more to Honda than kissing the bricks at Indy? Oh shit yeah!

The move to a WEC program will be announced officially by Honda, rather fittingly, at Le Mans in June.

Insiders in Japan, speaking exclusively to a stupid old Aussie who just happens to know people who know

Wayne Webster OPINION

people, have said that Honda head office guys have had long talks with Honda’s US subsidiary and have questioned the IndyCar engine supply deal.

On a cost-versus-reward basis, Honda Japan just can’t see the sense in being one of only two engine suppliers (alongside Chevrolet) in the series and losing money along the way when it has a

kick-arse IMSA sports car that could easily take on the world.

And, with no third engine supplier on the radar, despite IndyCar’s years of trying, Honda is not just pissed off, but they’re going to piss off –once the company’s engine contract with the category expires at the end of ‘26.

take its entire Indycar engine budget and redirect it into a combined IMSA/WEC sports car effort that will be underwritten by the Japanese head office to pick up any overrunning costs.

Honda will honour its contract to supply IndyCar engines until the end of 2026 but after that, unless things change dramatically, they’ll be gone. They’ll be sad, but not for long.

The Meyer Shank involvement in the WEC may be a little diluted, with Honda with

From what I’ve been told, Honda in the US has been told to shift its focus and

The WEC effort will be underpinned by Honda’s current IMSA spearhead, Meyer Shank Racing which, I’ve been told, has already been quietly looking for factory space around the

Silverstone area in the UK as well as in Spain and Germany. However England is very much the preferred option. It seems that Americans can struggle with but ultimately speak and understand the English language but German and Spanish (unless it’s “I surrender” or “I was only following orders”) leaves them baffled. English also often baffles them, but they can adapt!

Maybe the English Channel can be renamed the American Channel to make the deal even more inviting!

Honda is reportedly set to take on the world with its Acura ARX-06 (or an evolution of it) – at the expense of IndyCar (above) in which it has been an engine supplier for years.

Below: The Hypercar era has breathed new life into the World Endurance Championship – and Le Mans – with multi-manufacturer competition.

Honda has been paying attention ... Images: GETTY IMAGES

determined to make it a real factory effort, with its own personnel taking the lead.

The cars will continue to be built in the USA (Make America Race Again) but will be, for the WEC campaign, based in Europe at a state-of-the-art facility with all mod-cons. If this includes an allyou-can-eat Dunkin’ Donuts outlet then count this guy in for a factory visit ASAP.

Probably went off script a bit then but, hey, who doesn’t love Dunkin’ Donuts? Crap coffee but GREAT donuts! I did the Pikes Peak event years ago and lived on Dunkin’ Donuts and beer. Ok … more beer than donuts but don’t judge me! Despite having one of the best LMDh cars in the world, Honda has been an IMSA-only entrant for many years, mainly because it’s funded entirely from its Acura (Honda’s Lexus if you will) division within the USA.

The current Acura racer, the ARX06, is a pretty nifty piece of kit. With a chassis sourced from Oreca, the ARX-06 is powered by a 2.4-litre twin turbo V6 with a Bosch supplied MGU. It has a claimed 500kW of power, but probably has a little more because no team ever shows all their cards in public.

It has, for the last few years, been one of the cars to beat in the IMSA series, winning both the Daytona 24 Hour and Petit Le Mans in 2023 and the 12 Hours of Sebring last year.

But now Japan has its eyes on a bigger prize – think Le Mans – and suddenly things change.

HRC US (Honda Racing Corporation) boss David Salters admits himself that the head office boys back in Japan are paying a lot more attention to his IMSA efforts these days and are, well, wanting to aim towards bigger and better things in Sports Car racing.

It’s a bit too early to speculate on the driving line-up, but the inside mail from Japan is that long time Honda alumni Yuki Tsunoda will be the first hiring as his F1 future is, well, pretty

much screwed after the end of this season.

Not surprisingly, Honda is being a little quiet about all this. But Salters, when pressed, has admitted that the big boys back in Japan want a WEC assault to happen. So, mate, make it happen.

“Are we interested?” smiles Salter. “Yes, we have an amazing car. The series is growing. Le Mans is Le Mans. Of course, we’re interested.”

But where does the money come from? Well, how about Indycar.

Honda could go a long way to funding a WEC program by doing nothing else but cancelling its Indycar supply deal, which the company already sees as a really dud return on investment.

The WEC, for instance, generates massive coverage around the world and allows manufacturers like Honda to run their own bespoke cars rather than just being an engine supplier like in IndyCars.

You can almost hear the heart attacks happening at Indycar HQ right about now.

“WEC is doing an amazing job,” admits Salter. “The series is in very rude health. Super-rude health. We have a car that I think will be good. As we’ve always said, we keep evaluating it, and we are seriously evaluating it, and we see how it makes sense, and

does it fit,” he adds with the smile of a teenager who knows where dad had hidden the beer.

But HRC has been even more proactive than that.

Most recently, Honda’s own personnel have stepped up to run one of the two IMSA cars run out of the Meyer Shank stable, which is basically a learning step towards the WEC move and that ensures the company has its own people in key positions and doesn’t have to rely on an outside provider.

“It’s the next step for us,” admits Salter.

“We’ve got a factory full of supersmart people that help make our race cars, power trains, control systems, vehicle dynamics, chassis setup – all that sort of stuff.

“So, we do most of the engineering under the bodywork. But the next challenge is actually racing our own cars. So, race engineering them, strategising them, all the things that go with that, which is the real pointy end of the stick.

“Why might we want to do that? Well, we’re here to learn. We’re here to challenge ourselves, and it seems like fun, in a masochistic sort of way!”

And maybe they’d like to do a couple of laps of the clock at a French place called Le Mans as well. Because that’s the prize Honda craves most of all.

CAMPBELL’S IMSA RETURN

AUSSIE MATT Campbell’s return to the IMSA Sportscar Championship, at the top of the Porsche Pyramid has wielded fruitful returns in Florida, after leaving the 12 Hours of Sebring with a second place on the GTP overall podium.

Alongside regular partner Mathieu Jaminet and third driver Kevin Estre in the #6 Porsche Penske 963, they finished just 2.239 seconds behind the sister #7 963 to deliver a onetwo.

It leaves Porsche in a powerful place to defend its Manufacturers and Drivers crowns, with the Campbell and Jaminet-led team sitting second in the standings over the #60 Acura ARX-06 team, and 91 points behind the #7 Nick Tandy/ Felipe Nasr Porsche.

After a third at the Daytona 24 and now a second at Sebring, it helped put away some of the demons from Porsche’s WEC Qatar opener where Campbell was the third driver in a struggling Penske 963.

And whilst Campbell is yet to turn on his prodigious qualifying skills in 2025, his in-race stuff has been as reliable as ever.

“The one-two finish is obviously

a banner result for Porsche Penske Motorsport. Congratulations to our victorious sister car,” Campbell said after the 12-hour slog .

“Today was incredibly long and tough for us; the race went back and forth. We experienced some difficulties in the intense heat of the early afternoon, but our Porsche was incredibly strong in the cooler evening.

“It’s terrific to score the maximum number of points together.”

Their attention will now turn to the Long Beach street circuit in California on April 12 for a 100 minute stoush, invoking memories of Campbell’s 2024 Grand Touring Prototype heroics when, on a utterly rinsed set of Michelins, he fought onto the podium to help deliver Penske a 1-3 with a defensive

masterclass for the ages.

That was also the 963 machine’s first ever podiums in WEC or IMSA (one day ahead of its Portugal WEC podium).

Also scoring a podium at the 12 Hours of Sebring was fellow Aussie (and NZ and US citizen) Hunter McElrea, finishing third in the TDS Racing LMP2 ORECA 07.

TW Neal

WHARTON DETERMINED TO BOUNCE BACK

IT WAS a tough introduction to life as a full-time driver in the FIA Formula 3 World Championship for James Wharton at the weekend.

Wharton could not have started his rookie season with ART at a better location, being in front of an adoring crowd at his home town, Melbourne.

However, the comforts of home were not kind to him on the track as the 18-year-old boy from Bundoora had a character-building weekend.

After qualifying 22nd, his Sprint race started promisingly as he rose four spots on the opening lap.

However, it did not last much longer as he got caught in a three-car tangle at Turn 11 also involving Rafael Camara and Laurens Van Hoepen.

After the Saturday heat, the rain arrived on Sunday and Formula

3 was the only other race that actually started aside from the Grand Prix.

Very few racing laps were possible in the soaked conditions and Wharton struggled at the start, losing two places before the early first interruption.

But unlike some, he managed to survive and came home 22nd when the race was red flagged on lap 18.

Wharton will get a chance to get more accustomed to the ART at a three-day test on Bahrain on March 26-28 before the second round at the same circuit on April 11-13.

He admitted it was a challenging weekend at Albert Park, but will be stronger for the experience.

“It was a tough first weekend of the season,” Wharton said.

“We had high expectations, but the pace wasn’t there from the start. Free practice didn’t go as planned, making qualifying difficult, and starting from the back led to a challenging Sprint race, where we got caught in an incident.

“The feature race was even tougher due to wet conditions.

“Despite the struggles, we made good progress and head to Bahrain testing with valuable insights.

“Hopefully, we can put everything together for a stronger start and a cleaner weekend in the next race.”

Thomas Miles

Image: DUTCH PHOTO AGENCY

L to r: Estre, Jaminet and Campbell

CLIFFHANGER SAVES THE DAY

ALTHOUGH THE final result was frustrating for locals, Sunday’s Grand Prix itself may have taken the sting out of an issue that motorsport – here and internationally –needs to deal with.

With Jack Doohan’s early exit and Liam Lawson’s car issues, it all rested on Oscar Piastri to ignite the home crowd and – for most of the race – he did.

He was faster, disposed of Verstappen, and closed in to within DRS range of his team-mate … only to get a ‘hold position’ message as they came to lap some cars. Interesting one, that, when they debrief … In the end it came down to that single moment when the lead pair arrived at the second-to-last corner to find a relative wall of water, no grip, and a one-way pass off the road.

Max Verstappen can’t have believed his luck. Far enough back to heed the warning, he briefly glimpsed the P1 trophy, only to see Norris – just – gather it up, while Oscar slithered helplessly off onto the grass at the final corner.

All that will be covered elsewhere in AA, but I hope Oscar woke up yesterday feeling a bit better than he seemed after the race. He was ‘doing the business’ and to even describe what happened as ‘a mistake’ is misleading. We’ve all seen it happen before. There is just nothing you can do – it’s much the same as oil on the road without a warning … On reflection, McLaren might have pitted them a lap earlier, but …

His charge, back to points, was a message. Press on, Oscar – China this week and 22 more after that. Albert Park confirmed to me that he’s on the case – that tiny

eight-hundredths gap to pole illustrates it.

It was a riveting afternoon, with the other highlight the superb debut of Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes. He’s 18 for goodness’ sake. On Monday he was hanging out with mates at the Todd Road kart track at the Stars of Karting GP-week event … Toto’s got a good ‘un there. The drama of the GP masked what was, earlier in the day, a classic illustration of one of motorsport’s big issues.

Formula 3, 2 and Supercar races were on the card – in the end drenched fans got half an F3 race. The other two never started.

That’s not good enough. For modern technology cars, it’s a fail.

If ‘global’ formula race cars and Supercars can’t run in what was some moderate

rain … something’s amiss. What is it? Yes, there was a bit of ‘standing water’ –but hey, the public can’t understand how they drove there in a downpour and the best race cars in Australia (and the world) couldn’t. The fans prepared for the rain and sat there … race cars didn’t perform.

Motorsport has, over recent times, become a bit obsessed with riskmanagement – some fair enough, some over the top. It’s a modern frustration for older motorsport ‘hands’ who got hooked on it when there was a slightly higher degree of risk and less babysitting. Like mountain climbing, MotoGP and so on, risk, to a degree, is part of the attraction, for competitors as well as fans.

There are those who think risk management has gone

too far – and Sunday was an example. However, the stewards who red flag races are simply carrying out policy, so it’s not their fault. The underlying problem is that motorsport remains unprepared for moderately adverse weather.

F2 and F3 cars, no matter what the reason, can’t deal with it – and they should be able to. Go back in time and all three of those races would have started.

A real ‘monsoon’ wet tyre option for F2/3? Maybe of slightly bigger diameter to lift the cars fractionally and reduce aquaplaning? I’m not remotely an engineer, but there must be a way for formula cars to deliver under those conditions – and it needs to be part of the armoury.

And Supercars – apparently with an okay wet anyway … what happened there? Is there any credence to the suggestion that Tuesday’s container load-up for NZ affected that decision?

Interested to see Paul Morris, online, seriously questioning the decision to abandon the

Supercar race. ‘The Dude’ is (along with The Bend owner Sam Shahin) a recent addition to the Motorsport Australia ‘Risk Management Committee,’ which is a good thing – the more ‘real motorsport’ people on those sorts of bodies the better … as sometimes the decisions overlook the fact that the subject matter is an ‘action’ sport with an audience. If the F1 race hadn’t been fortunate enough to start when the worst rain had gone and delivered a riveting race, ‘risk management’ on Sunday might have been related to 150,000 people wanting their money back! Somehow, in case it happens again (and it will), the sport – from FIA for F1/2/3 to Motorsport Australia for Supercars in particular, need a strategy, a solution, so that spectators who come to AGP-style events prepared for moderately bad weather aren’t faced with cars and categories that aren’t … But, in the meantime, thanks Oscar – it may have ended frustratingly, but your efforts saved the day …

with Chris Lambden CL ON CALL

Too wet to race? Really? Embarrassing ... There’s an issue to be sorted. All the fans got on Sunday was Supercars behind a Safety Car.

Image: PETER NORTON

PUBLISHER - EDITOR Bruce Williams

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Andrew Clarke

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Caroline Garde

NATIONAL EDITOR Thomas Miles

HISTORICS EDITOR Mark Bisset

FORMULA 1 Luis Vasconcelos

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Reese Mautone, Timothy W Neal, Bruce Moxon, Riccardo Benvenuti, David Batchelor, Ava Stone, Edwina Williams, Geoffrey Harris, John Lemm, Martin Agatyn, Chris Lambden, Pete Trapnell, Ray Oliver, Toby Cooper, Craig O’Brien, Paris Charles

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: editor@autoaction.com.au

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PRINT AND

DIGITAL COMBINATION

HITS THE SPOT

IT IS the afternoon of Friday, March 14, and I am watching the Grand Prix at Albert Park on the box here in North Queensland.

I have been to check the letterbox and was pleased to receive my edition of Auto Action Premium.

You should be pleased with the postage time to Townsville.

I eagerly opened AA Premium to see what you had come up with and was pleased to see in your editorial mention that print is returning around the world.

I have been looking at your digital magazine but have to admit I only skip through it and just look at the breaking controversial news.

So I was pleased to see what you had come up with in AA Premium.

It’s good to see updates on WAU and Toyota and 888 and Ford and what is developing, also the news on Targa and the Gold Star, F1 Academy and then delving into some stuff on F1 rookies, vintage Le Mans, the Blue Oval back at Le Mans, then into some great stuff on Toyota’s history in Oz motorsport, Jim Clark and SVG and his updates.

I think you have hit the nail on the head with the fortnightly digital magazine for news updates and for the tech heads and the Premium edition for those of us more yearschallenged.

I know that in my previous correspondence I expressed uncertainty about staying as a yearly

subscriber, which was a big call as I have been a buyer of AA since the 1970s and a subscriber for many years.

Well, from what I can see you have done with AA Premium, I will be around for probably as long as I have left, however long that may be.

Well done to the AA team and keep up the good work.

Peter Webb Townsville, Queensland.

BY GEORGE, AA’S

NEW

PREMIUM EDITION IS A WINNER

LOVE THE format of the new Auto Action Premium. I have been an irregular reader of the ‘newspaperstyle’ AA, but prior to Bathurst I always get a copy.

Hope you do a feature on it prior to the race this year as you’ve done in the past.

Also hope Niki Lauda gets a Premium article like Jim Clark did.

Finally, I think I’m likely to buy the magazine more often now than I did in the past.

Good luck and all the

best for the future of Auto Action.

George Nascimben Sydney, New South Wales

‘GREEN-EYED MONSTER’ SHOULD BE WATERS UNDER THE BRIDGE CAMPED AT Kingston on the Murray, overlooking Wachtel Lagoon in South Australia’s Riverland, I have just finished reading latest the Auto Action (fortnightly) digital magazine.

Your write-up on the Sydney Motorsport Park event made reference to the term ‘Green-eyed Monster’ for Cam Waters’ Monster Energy Mustang.

I think the car was also described this way this during the live TV coverage.

I feel another name needs to be found for this car to give it the individual identity it deserves.

‘Green-eyed Monster’ is iconic to the Gibson Motorsport ‘00’ of Craig Lowndes/Neil Crompton.

I love the name and it suits the Waters car, but like the True Blue and

Green’s Tuff associated with Ford legend Dick Johnson, it’s past tense. Having said all that, we are still at Kingston, and here is my take on the Supercars at the Grand Prix.

Thursday had it all.

James Courtney crashed as heavily as the ASX200.

Broc Feeney had all his ducks in a row. Unbeatable and untouchable for the whole race.

Cam Waters monstered all in front to finish a credible sixth.

Friday’s race proved that a win for all teams is just a “stone’s throw” away Congrats to Matt Stone Racing as a team.

Saturday it looked like MSR was up for a Bull fight until outsmarted by the Red Bull to lose second to give the Bulls a one-two finish.

Umpire’s call on Sunday and there are always winners and losers with the decision.

Another great weekend of racing.

Nomadic Phil Kingston, SA

Auto Action Premium, our monthly print, 132-page, feature-based print magazine, launched last week to very positive reviews – thanks to you all.

VOWLES’ SHOCK TREATMENT IS PAYING OFF AT WILLIAMS

FOR THE average Australian fan, any mention of Williams brings back memories of Alan Jones and his 1980 World Championship, or the team’s great run of success that lasted a good 25 years.

But it’s undeniable that since the end of the partnership with BMW, 20 years ago, the British team has slipped down the order, slowly but surely.

There was a brief revival at the start of the sport’s hybrid era, in 2014, when having Mercedes engines really paid off, but instead of building on that brief success, Williams failed to capitalise and find the big sponsors that would allow it to invest in the latest technologies.

That inevitably led to the need to go racing with drivers that had more money than talent and into the vicious circle of no money, no good drivers, no results; even less money … Having resisted selling the team for too long, the Williams family finally accepted the inevitable but then, at first, Dorilton Capital didn’t seem to find the right way forward for the team.

The arrival of James Vowles changed everything. Coming straight from Mercedes, the team that dominated the sport for seven straight years, the English engineer knew what it took to race at the front in Formula 1, but was shocked to find out how far behind Williams was, even in the most basic areas – from manufacturing to logistics, from admin to communication between departments.

with Luis Vasconcelos

INSIDER

A more conservative leader would have focused his early work on getting the basics right before moving on to bigger things, but Vowles reasoned there was no time to lose and used the ‘no pain, no gain’ approach. With the full backing of Dorilton Capital, Vowles decided to attack all areas where the team was seriously behind the competition and, with manufacturing being the area where a bigger change was required, took risks that hurt the team’s short-term prospects.

We all remember that one year ago there was just

one Williams on the grid here in Melbourne, as one of the chassis had been too damaged in practice to be repaired in time for qualifying or the race and there was no spare monocoque, even back at the factory. It was a situation that lasted up to the middle of May, forcing the drivers to err of the side of caution to avoid being left with no car to race, and committing the mechanics to many hours of work at the track to repair damaged parts, as there were no new ones available to replace them.

As a consequence of the pain endured one year ago, Williams now has an efficient manufacturing department and has been able to attract good engineering talent from teams like Mercedes, Red Bull and Alpine, so it’s clear already that this year’s car is considerably more competitive than the 2024 car.

Vowles is not only very ambitious, he’s also a very shrewd negotiator, as demonstrated by the fact he convinced Carlos Sainz to join a team that was only ninth in the championship – when the Spaniard had on his desk offers from Audi and Alpine, for example. The Englishman has revealed he first approached Sainz at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and was relentless in his pursuit of the best driver that was on the

market for 2025, winning his battle after eight months of lengthy meetings and negotiations.

Vowles’ arrival at Grove was like a shock to the system for this once great team, but there’s no doubt the shock therapy is starting to work.

With Sainz and Albon on board, Williams has one of the best line-ups on the grid and is now focusing on making the race team more reactive and efficient, to maximise the better car and extra talent that is now sitting in its cockpits. Obviously, there will be more growing pains coming the team’s way, as there are no real shortcuts to success – but if what Vowles has done in the last 12 months is anything to go by, Williams return to the front of the grid will be just a matter of time.

James Vowles (centre) – his Williams management is reaping benefits already ...

FIA FACES LEGAL CHALLENGE OVER “GAG ORDER”

THE FIA is set to find itself challenged in court after several members of the World Council for Motorsports were blocked from attending the last meeting, having refused to sign a new NonDisclosure Agreement that President Mohammed Ben Sulayem presented them with.

That was the message David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK – the British motorsports federation – sent in a letter to his fellow members, that was then circulated to the BBC, among other British media outlets.

Listing the reasons he no longer supports the Emirati, after voting for him in the last election, the Prodrive boss explained that “for some time now I’ve had concerns about the erosion of accountability and good governance within the FIA.” Richards then proceeds to detail that “an issue has recently emerged that has compelled me to take a stand and needs an explanation.”

He explained that one of the reasons he supported Ben Sulayem’s bid to become FIA President was his promise to be a ‘hands off’ leader, appointing and empowering a competent CEO to do the daily job, but stated that “I’m afraid that over the last three years there has

been a distinct failure to meet these promises. In fact, the situation has progressively worsened with media reports confirming that numerous senior members of the FIA and volunteer officials have either been fired or have resigned under an opaque cloud.”

One of the recent changes introduced in the FIA’s operations in particular has convinced Richards the Fédération is heading in the wrong direction:

“The scope of the Audit and Ethics Committees has been severely limited and now lacks autonomy from the authority of the president, while our UK representative, who

challenged certain matters, was summarily removed along with the chair of the Audit Committee.”

Then, on the most recent episode that has divided the FIA, Richards insists that “various techniques have also been deployed with the effect of limiting the proper function of the World Motor Sport Council –primarily the use of e-voting which removes the opportunity for much needed discussion and debate on key subjects. This has become increasingly worrying. The final straw for me, three weeks ago, was being asked to sign a new confidentiality agreement that I regarded as a gagging order’.”

From Richards’ point of view, “the construction of this new confidentiality agreement does not comply with the Statutes of the FIA and contradicts the promise of transparent governance we had voted for.

“I therefore asked that we debate the matter at the World Motor Sport Council, which was just days away, rather than having it forced upon us as a condition of attendance.

My request, along with those of a few other members who shared our views, was denied and we were barred from attending the meeting. This was in total breach of the FIA statutes that require all elected members be given full access to meetings.”

He then made it clear that a legal challenge is on the way, saying that “we have informed the FIA that unless they address the issues we’ve raised, we will be engaging in further legal action,” before concluding that “in a year when the president will either be re-elected or a new one appointed, it is more important than ever to remind the FIA of their responsibilities and continue to hold them to account on behalf of the sport and their members worldwide – and that’s what I intend to do.”

DOMENICALI’S CONTRACT EXTENSION

FORMULA 1’S announcement that Stefano Domenicali will remain as its President and CEO until the end of 2029 has been extremely well received by all in the paddock, the work the Italian has done since he replaced Chase Carey in the job being praised by all.

Drivers and Team Principals all applauded the extension of contract with most key people in Formula 1 believing that the sport

will continue to prosper under the Italian’s leadership.

World Champion Max Verstappen is clearly happy with the announcement, the Dutchman saying that Domenicali’s contract extension “is great for Formula 1. First of all, he’s a great person. I get along very well with Stefano as well, so I’m very happy that he’s staying around for a longer period of time!”

Sitting alongside, Oscar Piastri added that “I think what he’s been able to help with the sport has been very appreciated. His door is always open to us as driver; he’s very easy to talk to; very receptive of our ideas and concerns if we have any. So I’m very happy that he’s sticking around for a long time.”

Veteran Fernando Alonso, who worked with the Italian over a decade ago in Ferrari, also gave

the thumbs up, explaining that “Stefano listens to us. I think with his character and personality, he’s one person that glues all the egos of Formula 1, all the team’s interest, that sometimes is not in the interest of everybody.

“Stefano has managed to put common sense in some of the decisions and obviously tries to listen to everyone – everyone has a different opinion, but he’s a good listener and he’s I think a

Image: PACE IMAGES

Richards (right) backed Ben Sulayem for the job – things have chamged ...

LOWDON: HALF A DOZEN DRIVERS ON CADILLAC’S SHORTLIST

CADILLAC FORMULA 1’s Team

Principal Graeme Lowdon has confirmed the new team is in talks with “at least half a dozen drivers” – in an online media session last week.

Being the manager of Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu, Lowdon confirmed his charge is part of his shortlist but assured that “there are checks and balances in place” for the choice of Cadillac’s first two drivers, denying there will be any favoritism towards the former Sauber driver.

Lowdon admitted that “my phone has certainly been busy, that’s for sure. There are easily half a dozen, if not more, candidates out there who offer extremely good credentials to be in Formula 1 or to be in Formula 1 again.”

The Englishman refused to mention names, but admitted that, “because we only came in recently, we missed out on the previous drivers’ market, that saw so many changes in the field. Fortunately, though, we’re in from the start on the 2026 drivers’ market and there’s a good number of really good drivers available, in Formula 1 and outside Formula 1 right now, so we feel we are in a good position.”

The main question surrounding

the future Cadillac drivers was Colton Herta’s status, as the American driver was the clear favorite for the seat when Michael Andretti was leading this project and remains a strong candidate, according to American sources.

Lowdon, however, pointed out that “he doesn’t have a Superlicence – if that were to remain the case, then that’s clearly

APPLAUDED

good boss for the sport.”

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff also thinks along the same lines:“Stefano’s track record speaks for himself. When you look at it, since he’s been the CEO of Formula 1, we’ve gone from strength to strengths.

“What I like is that he knows the business inside out. He’s been on the other side as a Ferrari Team Principal. And then he’s been in Lamborghini as a CEO,

so he’s seen the corporate side of things.”

Finally, McLaren CEO Zak Brown added that “with Stefano confirmed for the foreseeable future, Chase Carey back with us and Derek Chang, whom I’ve known for more than 20 years, in the leadership, we couldn’t be in better hands to continue the very steep progression the sport has been making in the last few years.”

an impediment for him. We can’t choose a driver who doesn’t hold a Superlicence,” but admitted “he’s obviously a very quick driver.” But being American doesn’t guarantee you a seat in his team, Lowdon said, because “Formula 1 is not a playground. This is the pinnacle of world motorsport and that’s why we need to select drivers on merit.

And luckily for us, there are a lot of

Stefan Domenicali –re-appointment has been well-received. Image: GETTY IMAGES

good drivers out there.

“The obvious question is whether we’ll have American drivers. Personally, I see no reason why an American driver can’t be selected on merit as well. It’s certainly something that I think the fans would like to see. And I see no reason why that can’t happen. But the overriding objective is merit. We’ve got a job to do here.”

While Lowdon (left) manages Zhou Guanyu (right), he says that won’t be a factor. Image: F1

FEW OPTIONS LEFT FOR RED BULL IF MAX LEAVES

McLAREN HAS kicked off the 2026 Silly Season with the announcement last Wednesday morning that Oscar Piastri’s contract has been extended at least until the end of 2028.

Zak Brown’s team has a good track record of signing new drivers or extending existing deals more than a year ahead of schedule and, if that’s a good way to guarantee stability in the team, it’s also the best possible way to get rid of any attempts other teams may have to snatch your drivers.

Piastri is thus secure at McLaren until (at least) the end of 2028 and team-mate Norris until the end of 2027, while down at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton’s contract runs until the end of 2026 but Charles Leclerc’s deal is valid until the end of 2029! On top of that, it’s known that

Mercedes has Kimi Antonelli secured on a rolling contract for many years to come, but team-mate George Russell is on his last year of contract, being the only driver in a top team without any sort of deal for 2026.

This could become particularly relevant if, as more and more people in the paddock believe, Max Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull Racing at the end of this year

Should Verstappen actually leave Red Bull, Horner (left) has few top options. Russell (below left) and Sainz (right) might potentially be out of contract as of today, but that situation is unlikely to remain.

and move to Aston Martin, where the biggest ever driver contract is waiting for him and where he can reunite with Adrian Newey and Honda. The Dutchman has a long-term contract with Red Bull but has enough exit clauses that allow him to get out of the deal almost any time he wants and seems increasingly disappointed with the direction the team is taking. Should Max jump ship, there

are only two realistic alternatives Christian Horner can contemplate: hire free agent George Russell or negotiate with Williams for the release of Carlos Sainz at the end of 2026.

It’s an open secret the Spaniard’s deal with Williams includes the possibility of him leaving if any of the top four teams comes calling and, even if his release would cost Red Bull a bit of money, it would certainly be worth paying.

But knowing Russell is on Red Bull’s radar – and with no other top drivers available on the market, as he’s unlikely to bid for Sainz’s services for 2026, having turned down the possibility of hiring him for this year – Toto Wolff is likely to offer a new deal to the English driver as soon as possible, to avoid any attempts to lure him away.

Wolff’s first choice might well be to offer a deal to Verstappen but the Austrian knows he cannot match the financial offer Aston Martin has already made, so securing a contract extension with Russell would protect his team’s position. (If Verstappen suddenly became interested in joining the German team, Antonelli could easily be shifted to another team for one or two years, to make way for the Dutch driver).

Should Verstappen opt to leave Red Bull, with Russell remaining at Mercedes, Christian Horner will be desperately short of good alternatives for 2026. Of course, Sainz would be a good solution, but the Spaniard knows he’s not really wanted by Horner or Marko, having been snubbed in favor of Liam Lawson this year and may well opt to edge his bets on a WilliamsMercedes for 2026 and beyond – as there’s no guarantees Red Bull’s own Power Unit will be competitive against the likes of Honda, Mercedes and Ferrari.

Images: RB CONTENT POOL, MERCEDES F1, WILLIAMS F1

MATESCHITZ BUYS COMPLETE ECCLESTONE COLLECTION

RED BULL Chairman, Mark Mateschitz has bought Bernie Ecclestone’s complete racing car collection for an undisclosed price after the duo agreed to a private sale in the last week of February.

The former Formula 1 supremo had decided to put his collection, valued at over US$500 million, up for sale in an auction, but the Austrian billionaire decided to make him a direct offer and the sale was agreed and made public.

The man who led Formula 1’s commercial side for more than 40 years had a collection of 69 valuable Formula 1 cars, most of them some of the very rare Ferraris that were preserved by the Scuderia in the 1950s and 1960s, as Enzo Ferrari’s philosophy was to scrap all the chassis that he no longer needed (and hadn’t sold to private drivers) to use their metal for the construction of new chassis.

That’s the reason why none of

the groundbreaking Tipo 156s that dominated the 1961 season survived and the ones that are now used in historical and demonstration events are mere replicas, built in the last 25 years, after the Italian’s death.

Among Ecclestone’s Ferraris were the title-winners driven by Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, Mike Hawthorn and Alberto Ascari, as well as the most valuable Brabhams – the team Ecclestone owned from 1971 until the end of 1987 –including the two championshipwinning chassis driven by Nelson

in 1981 and 1983. Explaining his decision to sell his entire collection, Ecclestone explained that “I am 94 years old and, with luck, I might have a few years longer. Who knows? But I didn’t want to leave Fabi (his wife) wondering what to do with them if I was no longer around. I love all my cars but maybe I should have done this five years ago … but I never got around to it until now.”

Clearly Ecclestone was very happy the collection will remain together under the new ownership, explaining

that “these are unique vehicles. They have written sports history and mark technical milestones. They embody 70 years of F1 history, so it means a great deal to me to know that this collection is now in the very best of hands. Mark is the best and most worthy owner we could ever imagine.”

The 32-year-old Austrian admitted that “ I am very pleased that Bernie has placed his trust in me to take care of this historically significant collection,” promising that, “it will be carefully preserved, and expanded over the years and, in the near future, it will be made accessible to the public at an appropriate location.”

Given Red Bull owns its own Grand Prix circuit, in Spielberg, its likely the Austrian will build a new museum in the land around the circuit to display his car collection. Another possibility is a separate building next to Hangar 7, next to Salzburg airport, where his late father’s amazing airplanes collection is on display as well.

FERRARI CONFIRMS CARDILE’S LEGAL BLOCK

FERRARI HAS confirmed it has taken legal action to prevent former Technical Director Enrique Cardile from joining Aston Martin until the middle of July, insisting on the oneyear gardening leave that was part of the Italian’s contract when he decided to join Lawrence Stroll’s team. Cardile is the man hired to make the connection between new Technical Partner Adrian Newey and the Aston Martin design team. The Italian was reportedly already working at the Silverstone factory when Ferrari took the matter to the Court of Modena and saw its rights recognised.

That forced Cardile to delay his full integration into Aston Martin until July 18, midway through the season, which will surely reduce the impact the Italian engineer will have in the design and development of next year’s AMR26-Honda.

In a brief statement, Ferrari confirmed that it had taken legal

action, explaining that, “with reference to the recent news regarding the timing of Enrico Cardile’s arrival at Aston Martin, Ferrari clarifies that a few weeks ago the Court of Modena, upholding the requests of the Company, ordered Enrico Cardile to immediately cease any form of collaboration with Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team until next July 18.”

The Italian team went on to detail that “in this urgent procedural phase, the Court of Modena found that our former employee was already violating the non-compete commitment with Ferrari, whose purpose was precisely to prevent other F1 teams from gaining an unjustified competitive advantage by hiring Cardile earlier than allowed, causing irreparable harm to Ferrari.”

What Ferrari didn’t openly outline is whether there’s now a legal case against the Italian engineer and Aston Martin with the goal to seek compensation for that breach of

contract – but the wording of the statement seems to indicate that is the case.

Given the Scuderia mentions an “urgent procedural phase,” it’s logical to believe there will be more phases in this process. Given that the judges in Modena have already ruled that Cardile “was already violating the noncompete commitment with Ferrari,” the next step is to take the matter into the civil court and demand compensation.

The reason Ferrari has decided to take strong action against Cardile, and possibly Aston Martin, comes from the way the Italian engineer acted when he decided to move teams. Rather than approach Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur and inform him of Aston Martin’s offer, sources from the team told us that Cardile simply sent a letter giving notice of his decision to leave and that clearly rilled the Frenchman.

This action is also a warning to anyone at Maranello who may have

received offers from other teams –and the word in the paddock is that Mattia Binotto is trying to poach one of his former employees to Sauber. They will all have to read very carefully their own contracts and, should they decide to leave, either find an amiable solution that will allow them an early start in their new teams or accept sticking to the ‘gardening leave’ specified in their contract.

Piquet,

Enrique Cardille. Image: SF

HILL HOISTS WINNER’S TROPHY

CAM HILL BACKED UP HIS FIRST PODIUM ON THURSDAY AT ALBERT PARK WITH HIS FIRST WIN THE NEXT DAY. ANDREW CLARKE SPOKE WITH THE RACE WINNER ...

IT HAS taken Cameron Hill only a little more than 50 races to become a winner in the main game of Supercars – and now that he has that notch on the post, he is aiming for more. The 28-year-old driver from Canberra won national championships in Formula Ford and Porsche Carrera Cup before a single season in Super2, which led to his main game debut with Matt Stone Racing in 2023.

He watched team-mates win races and slowly worked his way to the front of the field. Eight times in his 56 races, he finished in the top 10, and he boasted a best finish of fifth at the Bathurst 500 at the start of last year.

He has never looked out of place, but he has also never looked like a serious threat—until now.

The summer break was spent reflecting on what was needed to make his third season better than his second – what was needed for podiums and wins … and now with only six races run in the season, he has one of each from the races in Melbourne, and a bit of a ‘what if’ for the final race that was cancelled because of the rain.

“It’s been an incredible weekend,” he said of the four-day Australian Grand Prix weekend, where he finished third in the Larry Perkins Trophy. “One of those ones where it all falls into place.

“I feel like we’ve been knocking on the door for some good results for a little while, but I’m very pleased that it came together so nicely.

“I recognised that I had a lot more I could be doing off the track,” he said of his summer of reckoning.

“I had a very busy schedule with the race team that I used to run. This year, we’ve made a call to cool the jets a bit. I have done everything in my power to be the best that I can be, focussing on the little things to make sure I am the best prepared I can be.

“I wouldn’t say I have more relaxation time; it’s not like I’m just sitting at home twiddling my thumbs. If anything, the things I used to struggle to find time for have now become a bigger priority … training, recovery, and even time in the sauna have taken on more importance.

“Looking back, I probably didn’t value recovery enough. After a race

weekend, I’d be hopping on a plane to the next event, sometimes doing four weeks in a row. At the time, I’d just brush it off, thinking it was fine. But eventually, you realise how fatigued you are.

“Now, everything I do revolves around one question: is this making me a faster and a better-prepared driver?”

In short, we could now argue that some of the things he was doing weren’t helping, which is why he has been working on both the physical and mental aspects of performance, although he feels we are not yet ready to discuss the latter properly in motorsport.

“In this sport, success isn’t just about individual effort – you need

the right people in your corner. I’m lucky to have some incredible people behind the scenes, all playing their part in making sure I perform at my best.

“The mind is a bit of a taboo subject sometimes; we don’t like to talk about the mental aspect too much, but in some ways, it’s the most important.

“I really took a hard look at myself and asked, “What’s the difference between me and the Red Bull cars?”

As a Triple Eight customer, we have access to the same setups, so what’s setting them apart? Why are they winning and I am not?

“I came to the conclusion that it’s their mindset. They have a culture of success, and everyone in that team truly believes they can win. That belief makes all the difference.

“So, I figured, if I could shift the way I think and approach things with that same confidence, maybe I’d see better results too. And so far, it seems to be paying off.”

In qualifying on Thursday, he nailed third and second on the grid for the

two races. He ran third for the entirety of the Thursday race and then jumped into the lead of the Friday race at Turn 1 from his front-row start.

Teammate Nick Percat also got the jump on the pole-sitting Broc Feeney, and it was a Matt Stone Racing one-two for the entire race, the pair managing the gap and maybe even with Percat doing enough to protect his younger teammate.

Having Percat play rear gunner was perfect; it changed the focus and meant it was eyes forward more than on the mirror.

“On Thursday, I was calm, I just focused on settling in, and that’s how it played out. Getting my first podium was great, but Friday was different.

“I knew the opportunity in front of me, and that made me nervous. In the meetings, we ran through all the scenarios—if Broc gets the start, if we’re second and third, how do we apply pressure? Plan A, plan C, plan F and whatever.

“Thinking about all that was stressful, but once the race started,

I focused on getting to the first corner first. Once I was in the lead, I reminded myself this was normal.

“Back in the junior categories, when I had success, I never doubted myself in the lead. It doesn’t matter that this is a different category – the mindset stays the same. If you execute a perfect race at the front, you’re hard to beat.

“In the grand scheme of things, it hasn’t been that long, but three years without a trophy feels like a lifetime. There were moments, especially last year, where it felt like there was still a huge mountain to climb.

“But we kept pushing, knowing we weren’t far off. This year, we’ve made a few key changes – Caleb [Mutsaerts], my engineer, and Mark [Goodluck], my number 1, have fitted in seamlessly, and I’m really happy with the team we’ve built. One thing I was especially pleased with in Sydney was how well everything came together on our side of the garage.

“This weekend, both cars were extremely competitive, which is a huge credit to the entire MSR team.”

The journey for Hill has been one full of challenges and learning on the job. As the opportunities appeared, he grabbed them and then tried to make it work. Hindsight says it may have been easier to crawl before walking, but where’s the fun in that?

“It’s funny ... that’s happened a few times in my career. When I moved to Carrera Cup, I jumped straight from 86 instead of spending a year in Sprint Challenge, which might have been beneficial.

Cam Hill leads team-mate Nick Percat to a sensational 1-2 ... Above right: The sign tells the story. Right: Team owner Matt Stone – thrilled with the team’s progress and result.

Below: There was a fair old crowd on hand to join in the team celebration. Bottom: Out of Turn 1 and Cam has the lead – he felt “comfortable” with it ... Images: MSR-InSyde Media

“But circumstances and opportunities have always been the deciding factors.

“When an opportunity comes up, you have to take it. I recognised that getting in was the most important thing, even if it meant learning on the go.

“Then, when all those driver changes happened, and Todd left for Blanchards, an opportunity opened up here. I kept calling Matt Stone until he finally answered – I’m sure he’s glad he took that call now.

“Learning on the main stage was tough. Some guys come in with more Super2 experience and almost look like second-year drivers from the start, I definitely felt like a first-year driver, but I was okay with that. It was all about managing expectations.

“There’s always pressure, but a big positive was extending my contract halfway through my first year.

Knowing I had two more years ahead gave me the runway to focus on the little things.

“I identified areas where I wasn’t happy and knew I had more to give. That was a big motivator. If I had reached the end of last year feeling like I had done everything and it still wasn’t working, I might have felt pressure or disappointment.

“But instead, I saw how close I was and how much I could still improve. I came into this year with a really positive mindset, and achieving results so early is great validation that I’m on the right path.

“One big thing for me is simply enjoying car racing without putting the weight of the world on my shoulders.

“I was disappointed with qualifying this morning (eighth and second) because I knew I had the potential to be higher, but that’s okay. The job

remains the same every time you get in the car – you focus on going as fast as possible.

“Winning doesn’t change my selfbelief – it’s already there. However, it can help rally more support, which is always positive. I was confident leading up to that race, so proving myself was truly rewarding.”

Now, the focus starts to shift. He is a race winner and he is in the top 10 of the championship –, and if he can hold that, it is enough to make the Supercars Finals.

“It’s still early in the season, and with the way the Finals are structured, the focus is on taking it one race at a time. The goal is to be in the fight, and when we get to that final stage, we’ll start thinking about what a championship run might look like.

“Things can change quickly in this sport. If we make it to the Finals, we’ll absolutely aim for the championship, but for now, it’s about taking it race by race. We have a strong car this weekend, so the focus is on making the most of it.

“When you’re having a tough weekend, the goal is to minimise the damage. Cam Waters’ bounce back on Thursday was a true championship drive. For me, it’s about focusing on what I can control. Everyone else will make their own decisions – I just have to stay locked in on my own performance.”

What a weekend ... Cam Hill is now a Supercars race winner. Top left: Part of winning is the post-race interview ... Above left: In car, ready to go ... Above: ‘Winner’ chassis sticker and trophies ... the frills of success. Above right: Turn 1 in Thursday’s race – hanging outside Jack Le Brocq into Turn 1 ...

He is now the 87th winner in the Australian Touring Car Championship, and that places him in elite company in the six decades of the series. For now, that is satisfying, but it won’t be for long.

“My partner Emily and I were talking about it on the way home – not many people get to achieve this in their entire career. So, we can definitely hold our heads high and just enjoy the job of going racing.”

For team owner Matt Stone, the win and the team’s one-two finish were just more steps on the path to the top. He has faith in the young Canberran, but faith always has a time limit.

“Cam made a big progression from year one to year two but still had a lot to learn,” Stone told Auto Action after the win.

“Coming into year three, we wanted him to take that same step again, and this weekend is evidence he has done that.

“He is putting in the effort, working well with the engineering team, and delivering the results.”

This season started roughly for Hill and the team, and they left the first round in the last spot of the team’s championship. Hill felt that was not reflective of the weekend, but the points are the points, and they were last.

CAREER RESULTS

The focus of the whole team was for that not to be the case when they left Melbourne.

“It was disappointing to be at the bottom of the team championship standings after Sydney, but I didn’t walk away feeling like it was a disaster,” Hill said.

“A few things cost us results, like the penalty in Race 2. Looking at the current driving standards, there seems to be a shift in philosophy, so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out too. Then, in Race 2, we had the refuelling issue (he was sent down the pitlane with a refuelling churn still attached to the car), which set us back.

“But I wasn’t stressed. I made the Shootout, and every time I got the most out of the car, I was close to the Red Bull guys on one-lap speed.

I walked away thinking ‘That’s okay. If we tighten up a few things, we can make a big improvement.’

“I didn’t necessarily expect to be on the front row at a GP, but I wasn’t worried about how we’d bounce back. I just knew we needed to execute.”

And that is what they did.

Hill sits in eighth in the Drivers’ championship after Melbourne, and the team is fifth – up from 12th - in the critical Teams’ championship that sets pitlane.

What will be interesting now is to see how quickly they can back up a weekend like Melbourne and if Hill’s new regime continues the small improvements that make a big impact on the results.

We won’t have long to wait for some of the answers with New Zealand not far away.

BRAKE CLEANER

EMOTIONAL BLIGHT WINS AUSTRALIAN LATE MODEL TITLE

KYE BLIGHT was the toast of Perth Motorplex as he took a second Australian Late Model title on 7/8 March.

At the initial start Blight and Brent Vosbergen went side-byside with the latter taking the lead up high.

To make matters worse for Vosbergen, American visitor Myles Moos also surged to second and the leading pair skipped away.

After 10 laps, little separated the leaders and lapped traffic was about to create the defining moment of the race.

As Blight went under Veronica McCann to put her a lap down, he ended up just cutting her nose off.

She turned to avoid contact but Moos touched the back of her car and spun to a stop to bring out the yellows.

However, all positions were reinstated and Blight got the jump.

The last caution was created by Brendan Hucker, who went head on into the Turn 2 fence.

But the late restart was not going to stop Blight, from Moos by nine-tenths.

Jamie Oldfield raced his way to third a distant 4s back, while Vosbergen ended up falling to seventh.

However, Blight revealed fuel saving caused some headaches in the closing stages.

As a result he released all of his emotions when he crossed the line and took the chequered flag:

“As soon as I crossed the line I couldn’t stop crying – I was like a little baby,” he said.

“The floodgates opened. It means so much.

“We came to the races to have fun as a family and friends group and I hope that every single one of those people had fun because I sure as hell bloody did.

“Those guys drummed it into to me all week – ‘don’t be a dummy, save as much fuel as you can.’

If I’d run out of fuel they wouldn’t have let me live it down

for the rest of my lifetime.

“We saved as much as we could under caution but, I’m telling you, as soon as that green light came on there was no saving.

“I think the firewall is bent from

the throttle. There was no saving tyres, none of that junk. I just drove the absolute shit out of it for 40 laps!”

The 2026 Australian V8 Dirt Modified Championship will be held at Hi-Tec Oils Toowoomba Speedway on May 2-3. Thomas Miles

2025 AUSTRALIAN LATE MODEL TITLE RESULTS

1. Kye Blights, 2. Myles Moos, 3. Jamie Oldfield, 4. Joe Chalmers, 5. Kodee Brown, 6. Brad Blake, 7. Brent Vosbergen, 8. Luke Halliday, 9. Todd Bayley, 10. Jason Oldfield, 11. Veronica McCann, 12. Craig Vosbergen, 13. Lachlan Onley, 14. Jacob Croker, 15. Callum Harper, 16. Jay Cardy, 17. Rod Musarra, 18. Darren Kane, 19. Beau Oldfield. DNF: Ben Nicastri (33), Brendan Hucker (33), Warren Oldfield (28), Joe Godsey (20), Brad Smith (13). Total Time: NTT. Winning Margin: 0.904. Fastest Lap: 15.927, Kye Blight.

Kye Blight (above and below) – a delighted Late Model champion. Images: RICHARD HATHAWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Joe Chalmers runs the inside line. Above right: Warren Oldfield.

McHUGH DRIVES TO ANOTHER TITLE

LACHLAN MCHUGH has added another crown to his growing career by taking out the 2025 LS-360 Australian Sprintcar Championship.

In an intense race at Simpson Speedway in Victoria, McHugh raced his way clear after a fierce battle with Jock Goodyer.

Whilst a mistake would ultimately prove costly for Goodyer, McHugh also had to beat Brett Milburn and Jamie Veal, who were also pacey.

Having won the title on the same day five years earlier, Milburn converted pole into an early lead over McHugh, but his charge was brought to a quick end due to a first-corner red.

Daniel Store in took big tumble and with Buckingham also involved a stoppage was required.

Again Milburn took the fight to McHugh at the second attempt at racing and looked to have the #V2 covered coming out of the opening bend.

However, McHugh used his experience to get a great run out of Turn 4, which slingshotted himself down the main straight and down the inside to snatch the lead at the first corner.

But his efforts were not rewarded as at the same moment Daniel Jones spun at Turn 3 and stopped the race yet again.

This time Milburn got a strong

restart, which left McHugh on the back foot on this occasion.

Not only did he lose ground on the Turn 4 bumps, but he lost second to Goodyer and third to Tate Frost.

As drivers finally enjoyed some green-flag racing, McHugh took five laps to ignite his fightback as he pounced on a mistake from Frost.

After around 10 laps lapped traffic bunched up the top three as Milburn’s lead was wiped out.

This set up a tense period of nose to tail racing as the race flew into the second half.

Eventually the pressure was too much and Goodyer was the first to make a move on Lap 20.

He found a small opening on Milburn coming onto the back straight and launched an attack down the inside.

Goodyer had no dramas making it stick and immediately building a lead as Milburn found himself trying to stop McHugh from performing the same move at the following lap.

It proved to be an instant replay as McHugh also slid down the inside as Milburn was demoted from first to third in a lap.

It was now a race between the big names with about a quarter of a straight separating them.

However, this advantage hardly lasted two laps as lapped traffic caused Goodyer headaches.

A busy train became particularly costly at the start of Lap 24 when Goodyer got trapped at Turn 1, which opened the door for McHugh to sneak down the inside and steal the lead.

With the roles reversed Smith almost cost McHugh the lead, but Goodyer could not quite get close enough.

Another five laps went by with the top two running nose to tail before the race-defining moment.

In attempt to keep up with McHugh, Goodyer got out of shape coming out of Turn 2 and slid down to the bottom of the track where he collided hard with Symons.

The clash took both out of action and set up a nine-lap dash to the flag.

With his nearest rival no longer a factor, McHugh blazed into the distance at the restart as Milburn had Veal to worry about.

The #68 thought about a dive at Turn 3, but could not quite make it stick as Milburn held him off with Frost and Pestka rounding out the top five.

However, McHugh was a cut above the rest and enjoyed an untroubled run to the chequered.

But the Queenslander said it was anything but behind the wheel as the track conditions were a challenge on a wet night.

“It was tough,” he told Clay Per View.

“I expected the track to go back away after that rain, but it chopped up and got heavier as the race went on.

“It was a bit of a handful, so I am just happy to get the win and I am starting to make a habit of getting the #1 off Jock.

“It was a lot of fun.

They (track staff) did a great job considering the rain and I made the right moves in lapped traffic.”

“I was hoping to go back-to-back for Domain as this race means a lot to him and he’s a great supporter of mine.” McHugh continued. “It was great to get the win for him.”

Thomas Miles

McHugh leads Veal at Simpson. Lower right: The podium (l to r) – Frost, McHugh and Milburn. Bottom right: Shane Steenholdt went out in a big way ...

Images: AIDEN FREEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

MacDONALD WINS NSW MODIFIED SEDAN SEDAN TITLE

NATHAN MacDONALD took out the 2025 New South Wales Modified Sedan Championship at Castrol Lismore Speedway Saturday night, March 15.

Second across the line was Aidan Raymont, while third placing in the 25-lap title decider was filled by Greg Worling.

Macdonald started at the front of the field and was never headed. However, he did not have an easy run for the win as he was pressured by Max Clarke for most of the distance.

Clarke was one of the hard luck stories of the championship after his bonnet flew off with only three laps remaining. He pulled to the infield where officials also removed the car’s front bumper, but his attempt to rejoin the event – for one final shot at victory – was thwarted after a flat left rear tyre ended his race.

Earlier, Clarke had recorded the fastest lap of the title when he put down a time of 15.208 seconds (94.687 km/h) in pursuit of Nathan Macdonald.

The entertaining title was

highlighted by some intense racing in the battle for the minor placings. Worling, Raymont, Shane Macdonald, Darren Lester and Quinton Clarke were all in strong contention.

Despite a race stoppage in the initial part of the championship, the cut and thrust dicing for positions again picked up at the green light – and this was the trend right to the chequered flag! Raymont made his move into second when he went around Worling as the race entered its latter stages for the top three final order in the run to the chequered flag.

Nathan Macdonald set the scene earlier in the night when he took out

the opening heat and followed up with another victory in Heat 5. Other heat winners were Max Clarke, Greg Worling and Madison Harkin.

The final top 10 NSW title readout was: Nathan MacDonald, Aidan Raymont, Greg Worling, Shane Macdonald, Quinton Clarke, Will Roeser, Leonie Knight, Brett Schmidlin, Chris Blackburn, (as

NOONAN FINDING HIS FEET

THE MOVE into Sprintcar racing is a massive step, but third generation speedway racer Koby Noonan (right) is currently finding his feet during his first full 360 LS Sprintcar season.

After spending the past three seasons in the state-based VSC Sprintcar class, which included winning last season’s VSC Sprintcar Club Championship point standings, the 23-yearold from Bairnsdale in Victoria has this season moved into the 360 LS Sprintcar class and is improving with every outing.

“I’m really enjoying the 360 LS Sprintcar class and being able to travel to the country’s biggest tracks, such as Premier Speedway, and being able to improve as a racer up against regular strong competition,” expressed Noonan, who is a third generation speedway racer with his dad Mark being a former Sprintcar racer and his pop Ray competing in A Grade Sedans in the 1970s.

“The 360 LS Sprintcar class is gaining more and more momentum around the country, and with our team running the budget friendly LS engine, it’s allowing us to be competitive but not breaking the bank in the process.”

Noonan and his team made their first interstate trip and took on the 410 Sprintcars at Canberra’s ACT Speedway last Saturday night, and he well and truly stood up to be counted by taking out a heat race win, and a top 10 finish in the feature race.

Currently sitting inside the top 10 of the Victorian 360 LS Series point standings, Noonan has a busy end to his 2024-25 season campaign.

“There are half a dozen race meetings left to the season, and my goal is to get to maintain my top 10 spot in the Victorian Series with consistent runs to finish out the season,” Noonan commented.

finishers in the 16 car field), while Max Clarke was credited with 10th in lap running order.

The V8 Dirt Modifieds were also programmed as Seiton Young emerged the feature race winner.

This was another exciting main event as there was little between the top finishers with Brayd Stevenson runner up and David Clarke third. Fourth placegetter Kyle Armstrong deserves credit for his impressive drive in the latter stages which almost earned him a top three placing. V8 Dirt Modified heats were won by Brayd Stevenson, Scott Quirk, Luke Dunn and Young.

Other main event winners on the night were Liam Guymer (Junior Sedans New Stars), Lawson Clarke (Junior Sedans – Top Stars), Michael English (RSA Sedans – listed as Nathan Forbes on transponder info).

The next scheduled fixture at Castrol Lismore Speedway will feature the traditional running of the time honoured East Coast Super Sedan Grand National on Saturday night, April 5.

Dennis Newlyn

“From now until the middle of May, I’ll only have a couple of weekends off, so I’m excited about getting plenty of track time and being able to continue my learning curve in Sprintcar racing.”

The next event on Noonan’s season schedule is going to be the Victorian 360 LS Sprintcar Title at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway on the Saturday night of March 29.

MacDonald heads for victory. Below: Victory dais, from left to right: Shane Macdonald, Aidan Taymont, Nathan Macdonald, Greg Worling, Quinton Clarke. Images: TONY POWELL

KEEN SCORES ANOTHER MAJOR WIN

DESPITE FOCUSING the majority of his 2024-25 season campaign on his rookie 410 Sprintcar season with the Cowara Motorsport team, Michael Kenn (pictured) still captured a third Western Australian title victory of his career.

The 28-year-old from Bunbury has, in recent seasons, had a tough run with engines in the Limited Sprintcar class but his persistence was rewarded as he created history by scoring his fifth King of Wings win at the Perth Motorplex.

With only a handful of appearances in Limited Sprintcars to his name, he was hungry to drive to his third ever Western Australian Limited Sprintcar Title win.

After battling with engine woes heading into the 2025 Western Australian Title at Albany Speedway, which saw the team damage their engine after they had recently finished second in the Krikke Boys Shootout event at the Perth Motorplex, Keen was forced to borrow a reliable engine from his pop, Paul Keen.

As a thank-you for the loan of the engine, Keen and his team ran the car # 116 in honour of pop’s wonderful support.

Interestingly Keen’s two previous Western Australian Limited Sprintcar Title victories in 2016 and 2021 also occurred whilst using car # 116.

When it came to Keen’s 2025 Western Australian Title campaign, he had a near perfect night as he was second quickest in qualifying time trials, before domaining both of his heat races and then leading the title-deciding feature race for the entire 30-lap distance.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to pick up my third Western Australian Title win, and it was a great relief to put the full night together and have it, being the biggest event on the Limited Sprintcar calendar,” expressed Keen.

“With running both the Limited Sprintcar and 410 Sprintcar on the same weekend in completely different areas of the state, it was a massive effort from the entire team, and winning the Western Australian

Title was the best possible way to reward them.

“I can’t thank pop (Paul Keen) enough for the loan of the engine, as we have been struggling with engine reliability in recent seasons, so it was fantastic to be able to use his engine and bring home a Western Australian Title win.

“Pop has always been a massive supporter of my racing from the beginning, so it’s special that all three of my Western Australian Title wins have been with his heavy involvement – especially with running his car number on all three occasions.”

Daniel Powell

STEWART WINS ON HOME SOIL

MICHAEL STEWART (right) drove Bohud Racing Team to more success by taking victory on home soil at Canberra’s ACT Speedway.

Stewart scored a sixth feature race victory of the 2024/25 season in he 410 Sprintcar race on March 8. After winning both of his qualifying heat races and scoring second in the Dash before driving to victory from the outside of the front row in the 30-lap event, where the Mad Harry’s Steel Sprint Car Shootout was on the line. The Bohud Racing Team driver overcame Mick Saller and Lachlan Caunt.

For Stewart, who classifies himself as a Canberra boy, it was very special to record back-to-back wins.

“It’s always an unreal feeling to be racing at my home track in front of a large crowd,

It includes many of my family, friends and supporters,” said Stewart.

“Racing at my home track in front of all of my supporters comes with a bit of extra pressure, but I like to use it as extra motivation to go out there and put on a show, especially

since the Sprintcars only race at ACT Speedway once a season.

“I can’t thank the Bohud Racing team enough for putting a great car under me all night, and it’s great to be able to reward them for all of their efforts with the best possible result.

“In the feature race, the track was fantastic and quite fast, so starting from the front row I was able to get to the lead early on and hold it all the way through to the finish.

“We struggled a little bit to get good speed off the corners – it wasn’t enough to deny us of the win, and I had a good battle with minor podium finishers Mick (Saller) and Lachlan (Caunt).”

Also being decided was the Legend Cars ACT title where Australian champion Rob Rawlings Jr beat Tyler Humphries and Brad Rawlings.

Meanwhile, in the Sedans, James Hodak was consistent all night to beat Johnny Ralph and Mitch Coulson.

The next meeting at ACT Speedway is on April 5.

Thomas Miles

Image: WE LOVE CARS PHOTOGRAPHY

Image: COCHRANE PHOTOGRAPHY

Image: RICHARD HATHAWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

MAIOLO STEALS IT

THE 20TH round of the 2024-25 Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series was a thriller as Brad Maiolo (above) pulled off something special.

Maiolo came from 15th to claim a stunning A-Main that went down to the wire.

Early on, Callum Williamson appeared destined to get an important win in his championship charge, dominating from pole.

He led the first 28 laps, only to lose it to Maiolo just three laps from home as the #77 could not be stopped after missing the last round and having a new crew chief for the final three rounds of the season.

Having started from down in 15th, Maiolo took advantage of a dramatic opening sequence of laps.

The start was marred by a crash in the first turn, involving a handful of cars, with Queenslander Ryan Newton, back in the Monte Motorsport W17, and Taylor Milling in the W25 out of the show.

There was another red light a couple of laps later involving Tim King and Aaron Chircop on the back straight.

Williamson’s next attempt at building a lead was brought undone by a spinning Andrew Priolo.

Across the first 15 laps Maiolo had flown from 15th to fourth and was in the mix.

He then picked off Kaiden Manders to be third and stole second from Dayne Kingshott, who had held the spot all day.

Next in his sights was Williamson and not even the dominant #3 had an answer to the flying #77.

Maiolo ended up taking a special first win of the season by six tenths, while Kingshott was also within a second back.

Thomas Miles

VEAL WINS VIGIL

JAMIE VEAL (above) continued growing his legacy in the Victorian Sprintcar Championship record books by winning a fifth at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway on Saturday night.

Starting from the third row he had to work for it and after an almighty battle with rising youngster Todd Moule, Veal emerged victorious for the third straight year.

Moule and Veal produced an amazing battle, passing each other for the lead almost every corner for two tours with around 10 to go before the veteran powered ahead again.

“The longer the race went on it got worse and worse and it was getting dicey behind the lapped cars and it made me work for it,”

Veal said.

“She was a handful for the whole night.”

An instant caution meant that barley a corner could be completed of racing and the second attempt was an arm wrestle.

Court and Moule went side-byside and the #D26 looked to have the edge before finding air coming

onto the back straight.

This allowed pole-sitter Court to regain the lead as Veal settled into fifth, but quickly started making moves, picking off Rae and Pestka with a good move on the inside.

The battle for the lead resumed in just three laps where Moule pulled off an impressive slider on Court at Turn 3.

A spin created the next caution and Veal looked dangerous on the low groove when racing resumed and slid into second ahead of Court, who offered a brief resistance.

However, Court could not handle the pressure and soon found himself sliding down the order with Hallett now in the top three as Moule built a big gap.

A long green flag run allowed the drivers to settle into a rhythm and just when Moule’s lead was being eaten by lapped traffic, the lights went red.

At the halfway mark Court’s promising night ended in heartbreaking fashion, rolling over at Turn 2.

Just three laps later the reds

returned and Hallett was the latest big name to become a victim, getting too high at Turn 3 and tumbling over.

At the restart it was an intriguing fight for the lead with Moule up high and Veal down low.

The #V35 pulled a slide job at Turn 3, only for the #D26 to immediately retake the lead.

This sparked a special sight as the pair produced an instant replay the following lap.

This pair pulled moves on each other for four consecutive corners until finally Veal made the decisive pass at Turn 1.

Despite having run the low line so effectively, Veal used the high line to pull a gap on Moule across the final 10 laps and the SWI Racing driver won again.

Pestka pushed hard to join them on the podium, while Rusty Ponting won the Junior Formula 500s Feature.

Title month continues with the 360/LS Victorian Sprintcar Title next up at Premier Speedway on Saturday March 29.

Thomas Miles

TITLE LEADERS SHOW HOW IT IS DONE

THE STAGE is set for an exciting finale of the 2024-25 Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series as points leaders Dyane Kingshott and Callum Williamson stepped it up in the penultimate round.

The 21st round was held at Perth Motorplex where the top two in the standings were faster than the rest.

Ultimately Williamson (right) charged from third to claim an important win, but championship leader Kingshott ensured his rival could not eat into his advantage.

As a result, 56 points separate them ahead of the title decider at Perth Motorplex on Sunday, March 29.

Williamson started the show by being second quickest in his qualifying group and converting a third place on the grid to victory in his heat race. Meanwhile, Kingshott was quickest in his qualifying group and finished second in his heat.

But having stopped the clock at 13.286s Taylor Milling was the fastest over one lap.

Michael Keen won the first heat race from Ryan Lancaster and Chad Pittard – in a race that was marred by contact between Daniel Hartigan and Jason Kendrick where the latter was left winded from a big series of rolls.

Impressively the team managed to rebuild the W11 for him to start at the back of the B-Main and qualify 24th for the feature race.

Ryan Newton managed to overcome Kingshott in the second heat, while Williamson raced his way to the front in his sprint.

In the big race, Newton’s victory hopes, starting from fourth, were dashed when he was involved in an early crash.

This saw the Queenslander fall to 18th, but he still fought his way back to 11th.

Coyle was a non-finisher as was Milling who rode a wheel on a late restart and crashed into the pit exit game.

Harrison

Kendrick and

were also non-finishers in an intense race.

Up front Kaiden Manders put in an important charge from ninth to third and win best of the rest honours behind the leaders.

Maiolo and Michael Keen rounded out the top five.

Now all eyes turn to March 29 where Williamson and Kingshott will go head to head for the title at the same venue.

Thomas Miles

PITTARD’S POWER BOOST

CHAD PITTARD (with team, right) has taken the next step in his speedway career in the 20th Maddington Toyota Sprintcar Series round by making his 410 Sprintcar debut.

After spending the past three seasons in the Limited Sprintcar class, where he is currently on track to successfully defend the WA Limited Sprintcar Association point standings crown, the 25-year-old from Bunbury in Western Australia jumped into his WX # 92 RAM Bunbury / Pittard Motors-supported Triple X car with a 410 engine that was purchased from the east coast-based Saller Motorsport team towards the end of last year. Pittard prepared with three practice sessions on Wednesday night at the Perth Motorplex, which proved to be very productive for him

and his team.

“It was great to get a few practice runs around the Perth Motorplex, as it allowed me to get my first laps in a 410 Sprintcar without the pressure of

it being on a race night,” Pittard said.

“There is a massive difference between a Limited Sprintcar and a 410 Sprintcar, so those early laps were a real eye opener for me, but

hopefully it’s going to hold me in good stead for tomorrow night.”

When it comes to the plans for the remainder of his 2024-25 season campaign, Pittard is also going to feature in the grand finale on March 29 but still chase the WA Limited Sprintcar Association points.

“The plans are to run two out of the last three 410 Sprintcar shows at the Perth Motorplex, but I’ll miss the March 15 round due to it clashing with my Limited Sprintcar commitments,” explained Pittard.

“The team and I are very excited about our move into 410 Sprintcars, especially being a part of the Maddington Toyota Series, as the level of professionalism both on and off the track within the series is unlike anything else in the country.”

Thomas Miles

Inglis,

Peet,

Golding

Image: SUPPLIED

Image: RICHARD HATHAWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

SILVER FOR SUNLINE RACING IN THE RIVERLAND

DESPITE THE 40-plus degree heat scorching South Australia’s Riverland district on March 9, there was still lots of action at Waikerie’s Sunline Speedway, which celebrated 25 years of racing.

The event started with a special 25th Anniversary tribute and plaque awarded to track promoter Jen Lemar and recently passed Robbie Stevens.

The headline class was the Hayes Racing presented 2025 South Australian Junior Sedans Title. From the drop of the green Cruz Carlin made the most of his front row start to lead 19 of the 20 laps before a racing incident with the hard pressing Will Fallon brought upon the caution lights which saw Carlin sent to the rear for the restart.

With a green, white and chequered flag scenario Fallon snared an unlikely win which

was still provisional at time of writing, followed by James Peacock, Steane Cusson and Ryan Burns.

Henry Brumfield and Brodie Reichstein were next, turning in the best results for the home state. Nick Hall claimed victory and in doing so wrapped up the fourth and final round of the annual V6 Sprints King of the Riverland Series.

Chasing him for the podium was Renee Pfeiler, Brenton Phillips and Beau Allman.

The Murray River Regatta for Modlites proved a thrilling affair as the pocket rockets produced very entertaining racing.

Jacob Carlier survived a tough fight to claim victory from the everpressing Jake Armstrong who had charged from deep in the pack.

Dylan Richter was next but would have to make the position

the hard way – after causing a stoppage he was sent to the rear for the restart.

Mick Hayden produced his best result for fourth, despite mechanical challenges and not finishing a heat all night he got it right in the end.

The Junior Sedans New stars also gave a great showing with Demi Jennings backing up her last feature win at Waikerie with back-to-back successes.

She was followed by fellow Borderline Speedway club members James Becker, Aidan Gartner and Cody Gartner.

The two Super Sedans of Nev Nitschke and Kym Leyson provided some solid scratch demonstration runs, with the duo swapping positions over the final, crossing the finish line door to door.

Paris Charles

RENMARK HOSTED the opening night of the River Murray Regatta for Modlites with 14 cars in the mix.

Jake Armstrong went on to take a flag-to-flag victory Dylan Richter and Justin Chadwick, while fast female Nicole Rowley made a welcome return in fourth. Local racer Evan McAllister was fifth after a battle with Brian Chadwick, Jacob Carlier, Brett Stephens and Levi Alexander.

The annual King of the Riverland for V6 Sprints contested the penultimate round of their annual series.

Nick Hall and Damien Eve shared the front row and from the get go to finish they would remain in those positions.

Brenton Philips, Waikerie’s Renee Pfieler and Kym Simon rounding the finishers as Beau Allman and Toby McCarthy clashed and retired on the spot.

The Junior Sedans were out in force with two classes all keen to run.

The Top Stars final went to Jayden Garner over Demi Jennings, Bree McAllister, Ollie Bartlett, Riley Greig and Victorian Rebecca Johnstone aboard the only rear-wheel-drive car in the field.

The lesser experience New Stars also put on a great display of racing. The first four placings were all competitors from the Borderline Speedway club located in Mount Gambier with Demi Jennings leading the way ahead of Aidan Gartner, James Becker and Cody Gartner. With only two Street Stocks on the card the Holden Commodores of Phil Watson and Lucas Warnett provided some fast paced scratch races.

Paris Charles

2025 South Australian Junior Sedan Champion Will Fallon celebrates with a victory lap. Image: PARIS CHARLES

21 Demi Jennings celebrates with a victory lap after winning the Junior Sedans Top Stars feature race.

A NEW KOSTECKI STAR

MELBOURNE’S GRAND Prix

week started off with a bang with the Stars of Karting Event at Port Melbourne’s Todd Road facility on the Monday before the big race.

The star of the show was in the youngest category, Cadet 12, where Jay Kostecki won a 10-way fight for victory.

The West Australian put his international experience to good use and produced a level-headed drive.

The 10-year-old flew from 15th on the grid to snatch the lead late in the 11 minute Feature race.

Jarvis Hindle was another to stage a late race charge and was rewarded with second place, while Jensen Damaschino, who had been at the front of the field from the single practice session held in the afternoon, was third.

Leading the race at one point was Oliver Williamson despite qualifying 20th – a solid drive in the sole Sprint race that would determine the grid for the final, saw the Wollongong racer earn a third row start and would ultimately come home fourth.

Despite the presence of PremiAir Racing Supercars driver, James Golding, Jac Preston dominated the premier KZ2 Gearbox class.

After Toby Dvorak got the early start, Preston took the lead with Golding keeping a close eye on the duo in front.

Golding also took advantage to get into second, but didn’t have the pace to chase down the Queenslander.

Reigning and two time Australian KZ2 Champion, Sam Dicker had to work his way through the field.

But he did so in a systematic way and the Flatout Karts racer claimed third.

In KA2 Junior and TaG 125, it was the dominators of the weekend’s Victorian Kart Championship that continued their streak just 24 hours after tasting victory in Oakleigh.

Liam Carr has signalled that he is a favourite for the Australian Title this year taking an extraordinary victory in KA2 Junior.

After sitting in second in the

Feature race for some time, he made a decisive move on another impressive pre-Australian Championship campaigner in Ayrton Dalmaso – who has benefitted from joining Empire Kartsport with an OTK chassis underneath him.

Once Carr got to the lead, there was no question as to how it would end.

The Hurstville NSW driver opened up a 3s lead to become the Junior Star of Karting with Dalmaso second.

Completing the podium was one of the best performances of the day from local driver Anashe Manyau.

Manyau had the best drive of his KA2 career to get himself on the podium, which will be a huge confidence booster.

In TaG 125, it was ultimately Jace Matthews who added to his two Victorian Titles from the weekend.

The TaG Final was intense from the get go – a nine kart incident bringing it under full course caution.

Once the chequers dropped, it wasn’t over, with the first two across the line – Jaiden Pope and Hayden Thompson – penalised for a restart infringement handing the win to CXR racer, Matthews. Max Walton was elevated to

The Stars of Karting attracted a number of stars, none bigger than Mercedes F1 rookie, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, plus PremiAir Supercars driver James Golding, Aussie F3 racer James Wharton and F1 Academy rookie Aiva Anagnostiadis all watching on.

The next major event on the Karting Australia calendar will also be in Melbourne at Todd Road on March 28-30 where many will return for the opening round of the SP Tools Australian Kart Championship.

Thomas Miles

second with Jackson SouslinHarlow claiming third.

Steve Dimopoulos, Heather Cunsolo, Tom Mottram, James Wharton, Aiva Anagnostiadis, Sammy Jansen van Vuuren and Alana Gurney. Left: Liam Carr was victorious in the Elite Junior class.

Jay Kostecki enjoys the spoils of victory after his Cadet 12 win, alongside Jarvis Hindle and Jensen Damaschino. Images: PACE IMAGES

LOEB SHINES UNDER SYDNEY STARS

BACK IN 2000 STADIUM AUSTRALIA WITNESSED

CATHY FREEMAN’S CHAMPIONSHIP RUN – A QUARTER OF A CENTURY LATER IT WAS MOTORSPORT’S TURN TO CROWN NEW CHAMPIONS AT THE FAMOUS CAULDRON ...

A WEEK before Formula 1 came to Melbourne, Sydney became the centrepiece of the motorsport world as Australia hosted the Race of Champions for the first time.

The crowd was not as big as Sydney 2000, but it brought some of the biggest names around the globe to take on some home heroes, who did not back down.

Whilst the likes of Brodie Kostecki and Chaz Mostert had their moments, the event became all about WRC legend Sebastien Loeb.

After winning the multi-driver Nations Cup with F2 driver Victor Martins on the opening night and beating Mostert in the final, Loeb became the first driver to do the double at a single ROC meeting –which has been held for 33 years.

It was Loeb’s fifth time being named as the ROC Champion of Champions, having also done it in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2022, ensuring he jumped

clear of four-time winners Didier Auriol (France) and Mattias Ekström (Sweden).

“To win the fifth ROC Champion of Champions is great for me,” said Loeb.

“It is also special to become the first driver to win both the ROC Nations Cup and the Champion of

Champions at the same event.

“It really could not have been a better weekend for us.

“Once we won the Nations Cup, I had achieved something from the event and I could relax and enjoy myself even more.

“When I first came to the Race Of Champions I was a young driver and

every time it is different.

“But the atmosphere is always the same – everyone is having fun and all the drivers are happy to share and discuss things and enjoy a few drinks.

“In the car, of course, you want to win, but outside we are having a good time.”

To make ROC happen, the grass of Stadium Australia had disappeared in favour of the twisty two-lane temporary circuit that is used to put drivers head-to-head.

The 1km track was fully asphalt with an overpass and numerous hairpins.

The inaugural Sydney event included the likes of four-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel, Mercedes F1 winner Valtteri Bottas, reigning Supercars champion Will Brown, two-time Bathurst winner Mostert, Extreme E’s Molly Taylor, nine-time WRC champion Sebastien Loeb, 11-time X-Games Gold

It was Sebastien Loeb vs late substitute Mostert in the Champion of Champions final – the rally star (below) won ... just – having won the Nations Cup the night before.

medalist

Australian Dakar winner Toby Price.

The opening night began with Finland’s Valtteri Bottas and Heikki Kovalainen vs Team Great Britain’s David Coulthard and Alister McRae, who were eliminated.

When the quarter finals arrived, the first local group of Off Road team Molly Taylor and Toby Price fell victim to Team Germany’s Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher.

The other local hope – Kostecki and Brown – were lined up against USA’s Kurt Busch and Travis Pastrana and found themselves on the back foot.

Kostecki missed the start against Busch, but the 2023 Supercars champion put in a mighty final lap to snatch a 0.7s win from multiple car lengths back.

The special drive pushed Team Australia into the semi-finals against Team Germany that featured former Formula 1 stars Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher.

After Brown lost to Vettel, Kostecki needed to beat Schumacher to stay alive and did just that.

This forced them into a tie-break

where Kostecki got the better of Vettel in a Toyota 86 Cup car to give the home crowd a massive moment to cheer.

France overcame the All Star team of Chaz Mostert and Johan Kristoffersson also in a tiebreak to book their spot in the final.

Both Brown and Kostecki loved the experience:

“I asked Will’s opinion on how to drive the rally car and he said ‘just don’t crash it’,” laughed Kostecki.

“It has been a surreal couple of days after getting the late call up because of the weather in Queensland – and let me just say, I hope everyone will be safe up there in the next 24 hours.

“Like Will, and I guess Victor (Martins), I grew up idolising a lot of these drivers and we are out there racing against them. And doing it inside the Australian Olympic stadium.

“The final was just a great battle, maybe the difference is that they got home a little earlier than us last night. Maybe we might have to change that this evening.

“It was cool that Will and I could team back up to do this together, but I guess it is every driver for themselves tomorrow night. I have already ‘unfriended’ him.”

“To be honest, we just wanted to make sure we were not last and eliminated in the first round,” said Brown.

“Brodie dragged me through one round and I dragged him through another and somehow we ended up in the final, which was just fantastic.

“The final was such an amazing battle – we just fell a fraction short which was not a bad result for our first attempt at the ROC Nations Cup.

“This whole thing has just been an amazing experience and hopefully we get the chance to do it again.”

On Saturday night, where individual honours went on the line, Mostert overcame Bottas and Busch in the opening group races before facing off with Vettel and winning by threetenths.

This set up an all Supercars showdown with Brown in the semis and the WAU driver beat the Triple Eight champion by a single tenth and two-tenths.

This saw Loeb and Mostert go head to head in the finale.

The nine-time WRC champion threw down the gauntlet by taking the opening heat in the finale by 0.27s in the Polaris RZR.

This put the WAU driver in a must-win scenario and he gave it everything, only to fall 0.16s short when they jumped into the FC2 Rallycross car.

“Just to make the final as the first Australian was a real honor,” said Mostert.

“It was always going to be a big ask to beat an amazing nine-time World Rally Champion in the final, especially in a couple of rally/off-road vehicles, but we gave it a crack.

“Going in and out of different cars was really difficult at first, but by the end of the weekend you sort-of got used to it and the car you were probably scared of the most at the start was one of my favourites.”

Who knows when or if ROC returns down under – but in 2025 it wrote a unique chapter in Australian racing history.

Thomas Miles

Travis Pastrana, NASCAR star Kurt Busch, seven-time FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson, former F1 driver Mick Schumacher, duel ERC champion Hayden Paddon, and two-time

Top: Travis Pastrana supplied some entertainment. Above: The entrants send a message to Michael Schumacher.

Top right: Vettel vs Molly Taylor! Right: Valterri was flying high. Below: Celebrating Mostert’s final result in Aussie style. Bottom: Toby Price was right in it ...

ADELAIDE ALIVE

WITH SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS MACHINERY AND DRIVERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ON SHOW, THE ADELAIDE MOTORSPORT FESTIVAL WAS YET AGAIN A HIT ...

THOUSANDS OF fans and hundreds of classic race cars squeezed into Victoria Park for the annual event. At the former home of the Australian Grand Prix where the likes of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost were victorious, some past cars and F1 personalities were in the South Australian capital. There was also plenty of Supercars stars and one of them took top honours.

Just days before his big announcement of leaving Triple Eight, Craig Lowndes took out the Shootout by just a hundredth of a second. Lowndes drove a Pagani Huayra R to

Only one hundredth of a second split

the pair ahead of TCR

GT racer Garnet Patterson was also fastest in a Vern Schuppan Porsche 962C sports car.

The Top 10 Shootout saw some of the fastest cars get pushed to the limits around the Victoria Park complex.

The Ferrari 296 Challenge and Audi R8 GT3 were next best, setting the fifth and sixth quickest times, followed by a Ford AU Falcon, Porsche GT3 RS, Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Nissan R32 GTR Skyline.

The one-lap Shootout is where the

glory around the shorted circuit of the Adelaide parklands street circuit. He snuck ahead of another former

Supercars star in Tim Slade, who drove a Brabham BT62.

champion Josh Buchan behind the wheel of a Rodin Sintura.

Porsche and Commodore (John Harvey’s ‘Big Banger’) prepare to lead the street parade. Above: Marcos’ NASCAR is back ... Bottom right: Six wheels on Tony Quinn’s Tyrrell wagon ... Images: PETER NORTON, JOHN LEMM, AMF

Want to see your category event or news story included in the

Send your information, images and contact details to team@autoaction.com.au or give

fastest cars on show get pushed to their limits.

But that is just part of the show.

At the same tarmac that hosted the Australian Grand Prix from 1985-1995, there was a strong F1 flavour at the event with the likes of Valtteri Bottas, Damon Hill, David Brabham, Thierry Boutsen, Guenther Steiner and David Croft all on show.

Hill reunited with the Brabham BT60B, which he raced in his very first F1 season in 1992.

Whilst Hill showed enough to get a call up from Williams the following year, the car itself did not make it to the Adelaide finale due to the Brabham team folding five races earlier in Hungary – but it got the chance 33

There was a strong group of American muscle, but one car with a local connection caught the most eyes.

The car Marcos Ambrose drove to NASCAR Cup Series glory was seen for the first time in Australia at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival. Ambrose steered the iconic yellow and black #9 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford Fusion to famous back to back wins at Watkins Glen in 2011 and 2012.

After Warren Luff gave it a shakedown at Queensland Raceway, BTCC champion Jake Hill drove the car around the streets of Adelaide, but he was not the only one, with speedway legend Barry Graham also getting the chance at the tender age of 76.

Unfortunately, one of them did have a scrap with the wall – Scott Pye driving a Chevrolet Monte Carlo had a moment at the Senna Chicane after discovering the steering wheel was not completely attached ...

Like Hill, who won the final Adelaide Grand Prix in 1995, another former winner was in the house in the form of

Whilst Boutsen won the wet 1989 race in a Williams, he got to drive the

1990 Benetton that took the trophy off him in the hands of Nelson Piquet.

Aussie 90s hero Brabham got to drive a car bearing his own name, the BT59, which he steered on the same track in the 1990 Australian Grand Prix, plus the BT60B.

Bottas marked his return to the Mercedes F1 team by driving a DTM race-winning Mercedes 190E and Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé in the SA capital.

The very first F1 car to complete a lap of the Adelaide street circuit, the Beatrice Haas Lola THL1 driven by Alan Jones, returned to the track four decades on.

One of just two Jaguars to record a F1 podium, the R2 that Eddie Irvine drove to third place in the 2001 Monaco Grand Prix also popped eardrums with a screaming V10.

The iconic Tyrell P34 six-wheeler also turned heads as did a number of Le Mans sports cars including Mazda 767B, the Nissan R88C, the Lola T610 and the pair of Porsche 962s.

This saw the Dale Earnhardt Jr Budweiser #8 run with some scuff marks across the remainder of the weekend.

A feature car on show was the very first Nissan GT-R R32.

Whilst ‘Godzilla’ would go on to dominate Australian motorsport and take famous back-to-back Bathurst wins, the original GT-R, called GMS 001 did not have the greatest start to life.

Despite victories to give Jim Richards the 1990 ATCC title, Mark Skaife crashed heavily during qualifying for the Adelaide Group A support races and even had a roll.

Since that incident, the car had not been seen since, but a chance ‘find’ by Gibson Motorsport team manager Alan Heaphy and a meticulous restoration by Peter West, saw the original GT-R reborn and on full display at Adelaide.

This was just one of numerous stunning former Supercars and touring cars ranging from John Harvey’s #25 HDT VK Commodore ‘Big Banger’ Brad Jones’ 2001 AU, a Peter Brock Ford Sierra and much, much more.

TW Neal

Craig Lowndes won the AMF Shootout in this handy piece of kit!. Below left: First Godzilla GT-R – fully restored; LeMans Mazda and Porsche 962s on parade ... Below: Brabham and Benetton head the F1 line-up. Above right: One of Peter Brock’s Ford Sierras ...

CLASSIC ACTION

THE 2025 ISLAND CLASSIC WAS AS GRAND AS EVER WITH FAMOUS CARS AND DRIVERS FLYING AROUND THE ICONIC CIRCUIT UNDER GLORIOUS SKIES.

Jonno Webb shows the way in C&A Touring Cars. Images: NEIL HAMMOND/REBECCA HIND/REVVED PHOTOGRAPHY/VHRR

A TOTAL of 347 cars wowed fans with entries coming from as far as England and America to take part at the VHRR event. THOMAS MILES breaks down each category…

HISTORIC TOURING CARS

THE FORD and General Motors rivalry was on full show in

Historic Touring Cars and it was a competitive affair.

Despite taking pole by over 2s, Paul Stubber was unable to win the opening race in his Camaro, which was taken out by Aldo De Paoli, another Camaro driver. Fellow WA driver De Paoli overcame Brendan Woods in a tight contest as Stubber only managed fifth.

But Stubber was back on Saturday and set a record pace to win by just over a second from De Paoli. He only got faster as the weekend went on and dominated the remaining four races.

Q AND R SPORTS

THERE WERE some special Sports Cars in Q and R Sports and they

produced some tight racing.

The car with the overwhelming pace was the Elfin MS7 driven by Thomas Tweedie. He took pole by a whopping 7s and recorded a crushing clean sweep, while the likes of Kevin West (Norax C2) Peter Nowlan (Mallock 16 B) and Alex Kluver (Lola T332) fought for best of the rest.

GROUPS J,K,LB SPORTS & RACING AND FORMULA VEE

THE STRONG field full of historic open wheelers and sports cars combined to produce plenty of variety.

There was everything from Abby Wingett in an Elfin F Junior to Malcolm Reid in a Cooper Porsche and American Ernie

Want

Nagamatsu driving his bright red Old Yella MK II that pays tribute to Dave MacDonald.

It was a different McDonald, Nicholas, driving a Repco Holden, who dominated the first race before MG driver Conor Ryan had his moment in Race 2.

It proved to be extremely competitive with David Reid

also victorious before McDonald returned for the finale.

GROUP S MOSQUITO SQUADRON

THIS CLASS lived up to its name with almost 30 cars battling for honours and producing close racing.

The Datsun 2000 was the car to have initially with Damien Daly

leading John Geist, but Porsche then hit back thanks to Geoff Morgan.

In Race 3 it was the turn of the Americans with Terry Lawlor’s Shelby being unstoppable.

The fourth and final race proved to be a battle between the latest winners and Morgan emerged on top.

GROUP C AND A TOURING CARS

A FAN favourite category was Group C&A Touring Cars, where there was a strong selection of V8 muscle from the 70s and 80s.

Just like towards the end of the Group A era, the Ford Sierra was the car to have.

This time it was Jonathon Webb leading the way in a Sierra 1-2 ahead of Chris Stillwell, while best of the rest was Ben Grice driving his father’s STP VH Commodore.

It was rinse and repeat in all four races as the Sierras were untouchable.

Simon van Grootel and Ryan Bailey (both MGBs ) lead a bunch in Group S. Top: Tom Tweedie’s Elfin MS7 has a gap in Q&R Sports Cars ...

Above: Guido Belgiorno-Nettis took up his usual spot ahead of the single-seater combined field.

5L TOURING CARS

IN A further treat, a massive haul of V8 Supercars also revved up the crowd with numerous cars and liveries from the 2000s returning to the Island.

Eggleston Motorsport led the way by bringing a huge fleet of Holdens including returning Rick Kelly’s 2006 HSV Dealer Team VZ Commodore to the scene where it won the championship. The car that ended up emerging on top was another ex-Kelly Commodore, with Bailey Collins steering a VE raced from 2012 that is owned by his dad. Collins won the first two races before he suffered a blown front tyre, which resulted in a “very scary” off track excursion.

As a result, Ben Eggleston in the Rick Kelly VZ then took over proceedings ahead of 15-year-old Ryan Wyhoon in a Tim Slade SBR FG Falcon and took back-to-back wins. The fifth race for the category was also the final event of the weekend and Martin Wagg was victorious in the ex Garth Tander 2016 HRT VF Commodore.

Other special cars included Jamie Whincup’s 2016 VF, Rick Kelly’s 2007 VE, Webb and Will Davison’s 2016 Bathurst winner, Dean Canto’s 2003 Triple Eight BA, Tony Longhurst’s EF Falcon and more.

FORMULA FORD

THERE WERE more than 30

Formula Fords buzzing next to Bass Strait and the margins were tight. Nicholas McBride initially took pole and took a thrilling half a second win over Andrew Reid.

He then went back-to-back as Jonathan Miles snatched second in a tense fight as just over a second covered the following four cars. But Race 3 was the one that

Bill Hemming’s Elfin MR8 shows the way to Todd Willing’s March 722 and a bunch of single-seaters. Below: Peter Harburg steers the mighty Porsche 917DCS. Below right: Ernie Nagamatsu and Old Yella ... Bottom: Ben Eggleston piloted Rick Kelly’s Commodore. Images: NEIL HAMMOND/REBECCA HIND/REVVED PHOTOGRAPHY/VHRR

mattered with the Perkins Cup on the line – and it delivered.

Jonathan Miles led early, but could not stop McBride from retaking the lead on lap three. However, Miles did not give up and pushed McBride all the way with only three-tenths splitting them.

It was even closer for the final step of the podium with Will Faulkner just 0.02s ahead of Alex Davison. As Miles retired, McBride completed a successful weekend by beating Declan Foo in the finale.

Q&R RACING, F5000, F1 & INDY CARS & INVITED THIS CAVALCADE of open wheelers was a head-turner, with IndyCars and Formula 5000s screaming, but of course a Formula 1 car led the way.

Guido Belgiorno-Nettis in the 1985 Ferrari 156 driven by Michele Alboreto 40 years ago proved untouchable. Belgiorno-Nettis won all five races to give the Ferrari fans plenty to cheer about. However, the fight for best-ofthe-rest was anything but straightforward.

Vincent Holland (Ralt RT21) Thomas Randle (Formula Holden)

and Paul Zazryn (Lola T332) all shared stints in second.

Randle especially had an interesting weekend as he narrowly avoided a wallaby which jumped out alongside him between Siberia and Hayshed.

The Supercars driver in his openwheeler return found himself rising from last to fifth in the first race due to an engine issue in qualifying.

GROUPS M,O SPORTS AND RACING, FORMULA JUNIOR BRABHAM WAS the brand to have as it filled four of the top five positions in the opening race.

Leading the way were a pair of BT30s driven by Sean Whelan and Andrew Robson.

Only two-tenths split the pair in both of the Saturday races as they sped away from the pack with Laurie Bennett the lone ranger in his Elfin 600 in third.

Whelan enjoyed some more breathing space in the fourth race, but that was not the case in the finale.

Although Robson got within two-tenths, he could not quite get close enough as Whelan did the clean sweep in his special BT30.

REGULARITY

REGULARITY SAW over 50 cars chase consistency and the first to nail it was Philip Lewis in the GT40, compiling 45 points.

In the next session it was Stewart Webster’s Porsche 356 emerging on top.

Group 3 was a close run thing with the top four split by just three points and creeping clear was Daniel Brazdil in his Bluebird. It was not until the final session that Jacob Wingett recorded the biggest points haul with 49 in his Excel.

A packed Formula Ford grid prepares for launch. Above: Familiar? Alan Grice’s STP Commodore, piloted by Ben Grice ... Top: Bailey Collins pilots the former Perkins Engineering VE.

ACKLAND SETS HOT PACE

GREG ACKLAND (right) came close to record-breaking time on his way to victory in the second round of the 2025 Trydel EZIUP and GO Victorian Hill Climb Championship at Bryant Park. Instead of running the traditional clockwise course, the Gippsland Car Club chose to run the rarely used ‘Reverse Figure 8’ layout, with competitors heading down past the clubhouse at the start of the run.

After an untimed practice session on Friday, the 69-car field was ready for battle on Saturday in hot and dry conditions.

Ackland was on fire instantly and showed just how fast the track was on his first run, coming within six-tenths of his outright course record with his opening run. This time of 51.82s in his Ninja GA8 was ultimately fast enough to win the event comfortably by almost 2s.

Queenslander Dean Tighe was rewarded for his trip back down to Victoria by ending up second fastest. He claimed best of the rest

honours with a 53.54s in his Empire Wraith while Alan Foley made up the podium in his RFOLEY open wheeler with a 54.16s.

This meant reigning VHCC champion Mike Barker had to settle for fourth with a 56.04s, as David Mahon rounded out the top five with a 56.83s.

In the battle of the tin-tops, Mirko Grbic came out on top in his Time Attack Mitsubishi Evolution with a best time of 59.84s.

He was the only such competitor to lap under a minute with Brent Coleman next best in his WRX with a 61.53s.

Zachary Hanlin was third in his BMW M140i with a 63.34s.

Christine Crombie was once again the fastest female in the field, with a best time of 69.84s in her BMW 135i.

There were some close class battles on show.

Scott Slater had to break a record (68.05s) to beat Harold Roberts by just three-tenths after five runs in Formula Vee. It was similarly close in Formula Libre up to 1300cc as another record breaker in Ewen Moile (Ramblebee Mk8 - 57.83s) overcame Matthew Healy by 0.45s.

Lasith Liyanage (Subaru BRZ –67.75s) took out Production Sports up to 2000cc by beating Ian Speight’s Mazda.

But by far the closest battle was in Sports Sedans 4wd with Thomas Foley (Audi S3 – 63.93s) sneaking clear of Jordan James (Mitsubishi Evolution – 64.01s) by a slender 0.09s.

In addition to Slater there were a number of other class records broken.

Ewen Moile (Formula Libre Up to 1300cc – Ramblebee MK8 - 57.83s); Dean Tighe (Empire Wraith – 53.54s) Formula Libre 2001cc and over; Sei Vella (Sports Cars Open/Closed up to 2000cc – Mazda MX5 - 64.50s); Casey Pilcher (Sports Cars Open/Closed 2001cc to 3000cc – Datsun 260Z –73.21s); Rhys Yeomans (Improved Production up to 1600cc – Honda Civic – 63.93s); Zachary Hanlin (Improved Production 3001cc and over – BMW M140 – 63.34s); Brent Coleman (Improved Production 4wd – Subaru WRX – 61.53s); Steven Weymouth-Wilson (Historic Ground N up to 2000cc – Morris Cooper S – 68.64); Craig Webb (Historic Other – Cyclo Kawasaki – 68.26s).

Thomas Miles

TIGHE TAMES THE MOUNTAIN

THE NSW Hillclimb Championship competitors were lucky enough to take on Mount Panorama and David Tighe (pictured) made the most of it.

The first two rounds of the 2025 NSW Hillclimb Championship was a special occasion with over 70 drivers getting the chance to go as fast as they can getting to the top of the world famous Bathurst circuit.

The season opener saw drivers take on the tricky Esses section going down the Mountain.

This is where Tighe started his perfect weekend on the front foot by being the only driver to record a 23s time.

He started in the 25s before being the first driver to dip into the 24s window on his second attempt.

Despite a drama on Run 4, Tighe found the maximum from his Empire when it mattered.

With Miles Hoare coming within a tenth, the pressure was on and Tighe delivered, punching out not one but two 23.71s times.

This blew the field away as runnerup Hoare, the only other Formula Libre over 2001cc runner was 1.1s adrift.

Impressively Phil Heafy pushed his Mitsubishi Lancer to the limit and secured third with a 25.19 ahead of Peter Brown’s Clubsport.

Rounding out the top five was Time Attack 4WD competitor Mirko Gerbic in an Evo.

Top Junior was Austin Carter by a comfortable 5s.

When competitors moved to the

other end of the track for a blast from Mountain Straight to the top, the gap to Tighe only further widened.

He was now in a league of his own, smashing the field by almost 3s.

Tighe’s very first run was enough to take top honours by going into the 43s window, something none of his rivals could match.

On his next attempt he dipped into the 42s before going all out on his final run and being rewarded.

A 41.62s was some statement to end the weekend.

Best of the rest honours was a much closer battle and ultimately went to Heafy on this occasion as he pushed his Lancer hard enough to get a 44.31.

This was just two tenths clear of Grbic, who also waited until his last

run to get a personal best time. The third round of the NSW Hillclimb Championship is hosted by the Wollongong Sporting Car Club at Huntley Hillclimb Dapto on April 5-6. Thomas Miles

Image: JOJO SEVEN70 PHOTOGRAPHY

Image: SCOTT KAUTER

JONES’ STREAK HITS SOME WALLS

HARRI JONES’ run of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia wins is over after Jackson Walls returned to the category with a splash at Albert Park.

In a round full of drama that produced three different winners, Walls took the honours from Dylan O’Keeffe and Marcos Flack.

This ensured Jones had to settle for fourth, but he still retains the championship points lead.

The weekend started in very familiar fashion with the #1 Jones Motorsport 991 taking pole by twotenths and converting that into victory.

But the opener did not go entirely to plan for the reigning champion.

Jones led 11 of the 12 laps, but a big crash for Matt Slavin coming out of Turn 2 set up a one-lap dash.

This saw Jones renew his rivalry with former SuperCup rival

Alessandro Ghiretti and they came to blows.

Ghiretti made an aggressive move at the second turn to wrestle the lead and took the chequered flag – however, he received a 5s penalty for weaving when the Safety Car lights were out.

This allowed Jones to make it four from four, with O’Keeffe and Walls promoted to the podium as Ghiretti fell to seventh.

Rookie Oscar Targett was in contention for a top 10, but spun on the final lap.

Pro Am went to Sam Shahin from Rodney Jane.

The Friday evening sprint turned into a dramatic affair.

Jones again led early, controlling the first six laps ahead of Walls, only for another restart to catch him out.

This time Jones went off

himself at the opening turn in an uncharacteristic mistake, dropping the #1 down to seventh.

This allowed Walls to take over proceedings and he held off Bayley Hall to take an important win ahead of Flack, while Jane survived the race to take Pro Am.

There was plenty of drama with seven cars failing to finish including Max Vidau and Shahin, who were caught in some Lap 6 craziness.

French EMA Motorsports driver Ghiretti was determined to leave Albert Park with some success and he left his mark in the final race.

The race was an enthralling affair with O’Keeffe taking the lead from Jones at Turn 1, but they carried on arguing throughout the first lap.

Behind them Jones settled in third ahead of Ghiretti, but the pace of the #91 soon proved to be

significant in the heat.

After picking off Jones on lap four, he only needed another three laps to snatch second from Walls.

This set up an intriguing battle for the lead between O’Keeffe and Ghiretti, but ultimately the pace of the Frenchman proved too strong. He pulled off a smart move through the double right handers of Turns 11 and 12 and did not look back.

O’Keeffe consolidated second and Walls locked down third, which was enough to take the round win.

There was late drama with Jones and Hall wrestling for sixth and the #1 won out as Hall dropped to 12th.

Despite Shahin winning Pro Am, Dean Cook was the only retirement, on the opening lap.

Carrera Cup returns at the Darwin Triple Crown on June 2022. Thomas Miles

Image: PACE IMAGES

Walls leads as Targett spins and Ghiretti cuts the grass...

MELBOURNE MADNESS

THE WEIRD, WACKY, WEATHER AND EVEN THE WILDLIFE ALL PLAYED STARRING ROLES IN A MELBOURNE SUPERSPRINT THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR SOME TIME.

DESPITE THE minimal racing laps, there was drama at every turn with new stars being born and established ones enhancing their credentials.

The Melbourne weather lived up to its ‘four seasons in one day’ tag and filled the depths of many’s imaginations … THOMAS MILES braved the elements.

FEENEY’S VICTORY FEATHERS AND TEAM ORDERS

AFTER COMING close in Sydney, Broc Feeney arrived at Albert Park determined to strike back and he did just that in emphatic style.

Feeney found the perfect response to the opening round disappointment by taking both poles on offer on

the opening day of the Melbourne SuperSprint before dominating the 18-lap Thursday night sprint.

The #88 was never headed across the sprint and ended up taking an easy 1s win over teammate Will Brown and Cameron Hill, who celebrated an impressive maiden podium.

In fact, the only moment that created a hint of concern was caused by the wildlife.

Collecting a duck is not usually something a sportsperson in Melbourne wants, but it proved the opposite for victorious Feeney.

After opening up a second on the field on the first lap, he lost a third of that gap on lap two when he unexpectedly came across a flock of ducks on the exit of Turn 10.

Despite a number of close misses, sadly, Feeney did strike a duck and there were still the feathers on the bonnet to prove it after he cruised to his first victory of 2025.

Feeney admitted that, as sweet as winning was, he felt bad about taking out a member of the Albert Park wildlife.

“Unfortunately, there were some animals on the track ... but apart from that it was a good and smooth sailing race,” he said.

“For about three laps there was a yellow flag at Turns 9 and 10.

“There were two groups either side of the track and unfortunately one lap I came through and there were two in the middle.

“By the time you see it with the tyre

bundle I was like ‘oh no’ and there was nothing I could do. I feel bad talking about it. I killed it and was like ‘dammit’ ... it’s not a good thing.”

Even if he wanted to, Brown was never going to attack Feeney as Triple Eight had deployed team orders to protect the one-two.

As a result, the deciding moment was off the line where Brown could not get close as Feeney enjoyed a supreme start.

“I guess it is one of those things. In our team we always make sure there is some sort of team orders because at the end of the day our plan is to finish 1-2,” Brown said.

“The team do not care if it is me or Broc, but it is mainly about managing the race.

Familiar sight at Albert Park. Triple Eight has the track sussed ... Below: Unfortunately a wandering duck paid the ultimate price for Feeney’s success ... Right: Cam Waters made a brilliant recovery from a grid 22 start to finish sixth in the opener. Lower right: Day 1 wasn’t so good for James Courtney. Images: PETER NORTON/MARK HORSBURGH/SUPPLIED

“I would have (made a move) if Broc was not my team-mate, but at the end of the day he would have got going. “Broc was the fastest car out there today as we saw in qualifying and could have pulled away if he wanted to.”

WHACKY RACES

WHILST IT was calm at the front of the field, it was anything but further back with action occurring at almost every corner.

At the forefront of it was Waters as the championship leader found himself on the back foot, starting all the way down in 22nd. Even the limited laps could not stop him from making a critical charge back to an outstanding sixth and salvage critical points.

He tore through the pack with Tickford teammate Thomas Randle being the rear-gunner and, despite all the drama unfolding around them, the Mustangs were kept clean.

The first victim of the shenanigans was Stanaway, who held fourth after a fast start, but got muscled down the order after a clash with Kostecki.

Things would soon go from bad to worse for PremiAir as he was sent to 16th after being forced off in a threewide duel with Murray and Mostert.

This occurred just seconds after Golding dropped from 10th after whacking the Turn 10 tyre bundle.

All the rookies were involved in incidents. Kai Allen spun and whacked the outside wall of the final corner after losing a side-by-side battle with Macauley Jones, while Murray also rotated at Turn 3.

Aaron Cameron also found himself beached in the Turn 3 gravel after both he and Jones locked up and toured the outfield.

Kostecki emerged from the drama best of the rest behind the podium finishers with a charged-up Ryan Wood breathing down his neck. Wood had put in one of the better drives of his career, climbing from 17th to fifth.

But Le Brocq was the hard luck story, sitting fourth before being turned around by former teammate Kostecki.

“Just got nailed a few times by people and then had to decide whether I was going to have a crash or preserve myself, but I think there’s some good lessons,” said 12th-paced Heimgartner.

“There was plenty of carnage out there with people crashing into each other and some average moves, which unfortunately we were on the receiving end of a couple,” Jaxon Evans reported.

BRT BATTLES

AFTER AN un-ideal build up replacing a driver just three days before the Melbourne SuperSprint, Blanchard Racing Team would have hoped to enjoy a clean start to proceedings, but this wish was not granted.

James Courtney suffered a big crash in Practice 2, losing the rear end at the fast Turn 5.

With the left hand side destroyed, this left BRT in a race to repair the car inside four hours to get the #7 on the grid for Race 4.

The BRT crew gave it everything, but sadly fell just two minutes short.

“We were about two to three minutes away from making it – if we were in our own pit lane we would have been racing,” he told Auto Action.

“Everything on the left hand side and the rear of the car was destroyed – transaxle, rear clip and whole left hand side, so we had a fair amount of damage.

“As disappointing as it was to miss the race, it was a remarkable effort from the team to get it so close in such a short timeframe.”

“As soon as I turned in I just lost the rear straight away,” Courtney recalled of the crash.

“It was so bizarre that it happened so early. As soon as I put any input in, it snapped so aggressively.

“It is very disappointing for the team given the week we have had and this was the last thing we needed.”

HEROIC HILL

BOOSTED BY a maiden podium on Thursday, Cameron Hill went even better on Friday by producing an unforgettable result.

Hill, who entered the weekend with only one top-five from his previous 56 starts, was on fire.

He was thrilled with third, but the best was yet to come as he knew an opportunity for something even bigger was in prospect having secured a front row start in qualifying a day earlier.

Despite being nervous overnight, Hill drove like a veteran at the front of the field, nailing the start to drive clear of pole sitter Feeney.

To give MSR even more reasons to cheer, Percat was also on the move from third and, with the help from his team-mate, also passed Feeney at Turn 3.

Suddenly MSR was in dreamland with both cars heading the field and keeping Triple Eight at bay.

It was the perfect race with smart set-up creating speed, Hill controlling the race amid numerous restarts and Percat using his smarts to initially prevent Feeney and then Brown from stopping history.

As a result, Hill was never challenged as he became the 86th driver to win a ATCC/Supercars race and one of the most unlikely, but popular.

“You could say I’ve been working for this a long time. Man, I just had a good feeling about today,” he said.

“I was so nervous before the race because I recognised the opportunity I had if we could get off the line. Man ... unbelievable.

“My sole focus was to get to the first corner before Broc and we managed to help Nick get through as well and he helped me out, so we did what they did to us yesterday.

“Thanks to Nick and the whole team.”

HANGING ON

YET AGAIN the relatively calm look at the front of the field was a false representation of what was going on deeper in the pack.

In the fight for third between the Triple Eight teammates, Brown overhauled Feeney on lap eight of the 11-lap dash.

After the #88 had been beaten by the MSR Camaros, Brown then snuck past after the youngster made a mistake

coming out of the final corner.

“Broc made a bit of a mistake coming onto the main straight so I just drove past him really. It was not really a pass,” Brown recalled.

“I just touched Nick and we had a bit of a race on the second-to-last lap, but I did not really have enough for these guys. They did a fantastic job.”

The race had hardly got going before the first Safety Car arrived with Le Brocq at the centre of more pain.

He was side by side with Wood in the fight for eighth and only one could make it through the fast Turn 5. A doorto-door clash sent the #9 around and spearing head on into the inside wall.

Only one further lap was possible before the Safety Car rallied once again.

Jones, Randle and Reynolds were three-wide coming into the opening corner and the Tickford driver hit the Team 18 Camaro at turn-in, sending the #20 spinning into the gravel.

“I got the best start I’ve ever got in my life, and then just settled into my rhythm,” Reynolds said.

“I tried to pass a car and then got hung out on the wrong side of the track. Randle was on my inside and I didn’t know there was another car on his inside ... so three cars don’t go into one corner.

“I was on the outside and just got spun out, so that was it.

“I haven’t had one race all year when nothing has gone wrong.”

Later in the race Stanaway was battling in the top 10 before he became the latest victim.

A whack with Mostert coming out of Turn 3 caused near terminal steering and suspension damage on the #62, which sent the Kiwi spiralling from 10th to 21st.

ONE LAP KING

FEENEY WAS again unstoppable over one-lap, taking both poles yet again in Saturday morning’s back-to-back qualifying sessions.

As a result Feeney surpassed Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin to

Kai Allen leads a train of cars. Above: MSR 1-2 – superb result for a team on the rise.

take the most poles record at Albert Park all to himself with six.

Since 2017, qualifying sessions have been held for all four races and this was the first time one driver has taken a quartet of poles across a single weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.

In ideal, overcast conditions, Feeney was unstoppable with his Race 6 effort the fastest – 1:46.1369s.

Now he can be called the one lap king of Albert Park and he does not mind:

“It is a very cool stat to have and four in one weekend may not ever happen in my career again. That is super special,” he said.

“I have been really strong here the last three years and got a pole and a win in each of them.

“Something has clicked and the team is always very strong here.

“For me we have had seven front row starts this year and our qualifying which was a weakness 18 months ago is not a strength and I am proud of that.

“But I would love to have four wins instead of poles.”

BIG NAMES COLLIDE

IN RACE 7 qualifying, Brown made a mistake in the second sector and his following push lap was only good enough for 18th.

Mostert also found himself in a similar situation, having had a big scare at Turn 8, finding not only the grass, but also the fence.

The WAU driver went for a third push lap at the last possible moment, but got baulked.

Coming out of Turn 7, Mostert had to back off with Brown crawling on the racing line as the Mustang even made light contact with the reigning champion.

As a result Mostert had to settle for 24th on the grid, while Brown was

not much better, starting 21st having received a three-place grid penalty for the incident.

However, Brown put his hand up for making a “rookie mistake.”

“It was a brain fade on my behalf to be honest,” Brown said.

“I locked up and ran off on my first lap so I had to do a second one and then did a cool down lap.

“I was probably a bit frustrated but I thought I got the chequered flag and just was not thinking.

“I thought I was on an in lap and generally the team would say Mostert is on a fast lap.

“But because he stuffed up his first lap it was just him on his own and there were so many things that combined.

“I did not get told by the team so it was not until he actually hit me and I thought ‘what the hell was that? Has a bulldozer come out on the track’ and then I saw Chaz and thought ‘oh no what have I done?’

“I am upset with myself because that was a rookie mistake I have seen rookies do, and I try not to do that.

“I pride myself in not holding people up in qualifying so it was completely on me.”

Despite the tough session and heated moment, Mostert took it well, understanding Triple Eight was not aware he had started another lap.

“It was not completely Will’s fault. In qualifying we rely a lot on team communication and obviously he had no idea that I was on my lap,” Mostert said.

“Usually every time this happens it is ‘I never got told you were on a lap’ so it’s back to the team.”

There was also more pain for Courtney, with the #7 Mustang being disqualified from qualifying for failing a technical inspection.

THE KEY MOVE

LITTLE DID they know it at the time but Saturday evening’s sprint would ultimately determine the Larry Perkins Trophy.

Once again it was a Triple Eight front row lockout and the events of Thursday suggested that whoever would make it to Turn 1 first would win out.

Having again gone on a podium streak without standing on the top step, Brown was determined to go all the way. And the reigning champion did just that, getting the jump and holding firm on the inside line to take control.

As Brown headed the field, this left Feeney exposed to Percat during the short bursts of racing amid the Safety Cars.

After the first restart, the MSR driver went for it and snatched second from Feeney with a well set up move coming out of the final corner.

The MSR driver then applied the blowtorch on leader Brown, but before he could mount an attack the Safety Car returned.

It was at this moment Percat’s power steering issues became apparent and as a result the #10 offered little resistance to Feeney when he reclaimed the position.

This brought the Bulls line astern again and Feeney made a late charge, but to no avail as just half a second split them at the chequered flag.

Although team orders were in play on Thursday, this was not the case on Saturday night as they pushed hard to the flag.

“That was always the plan, but we got a call that we were right to race towards the end,” Brown confirmed.

“Both of us went for the fastest lap and that was a big thing.”

POWERFUL PERSISTENCE

PERCAT USED his head, hands and knees to somehow overcome not only a grave power steering issue but also fend off the DJR Mustangs and score a sensational podium.

Having battled the Bulls early on, Percat was soon forced to turn his attention to hanging onto some silverware.

During the final lap the #10 was smoking and lost significant ground.

Many thought Percat was done when Kostecki passed him at Turn 11, but the MSR driver hit back to snatch the position after three corners of hard, but fair racing.

Cam Hill got the jump and led into Turn 1 on Friday ... Below: Team-mates Wood and Mostert in close company.

The Shell Mustangs swarmed Percat, but the 2011 Bathurst winner perfectly placed his Camaro and knees to regain track position at the penultimate turn and hang on.

Amid all the drama, Davison even pounced on Kostecki and snatched fourth by 0.16s.

But all the applause was for Percat, who got creative to give MSR its latest reason to celebrate.

“The last lap through (Turn) five it clearly let go and I thought ‘holy hell, what do I do here?’ Percat said.

“I have long legs so I could hold my knee on the wheel through the high speed sections to survive.

“If that happened to me when I was 14th, I would have been in the gravel trap, but when you are racing against champions and good drivers that does not happen.

“They were really good to race. Brodie is a true racer so when I blocked hard he did not turf me.

“If the race went another lap longer I would have either been 14th or in the gravel.”

NOT

GIVING IN PERCAT WAS not the only driver to make headlines as Matt Payne experienced quite the journey behind the wheel.

Starting third, the Grove Racing Kiwi harboured ambitions of at least standing on the podium for the first time in 2025.

However, those dreams disappeared as early as the first turn.

With the Kiwi on the outside of a three wide battle, contact between Will Davison and Cooper Murray saw the #99 send the #19 into a spin.

As a result Payne found himself last, but this did not prevent him from charging through the field.

Even though only 12 racing laps were possible, the young Kiwi still blazed his way to 11th and fell just two-tenths short of the top 10.

Unfortunately it is the latest chapter in the growing story of near misses for Payne at Albert Park after separate incidents ruined two races he was leading last year.

Whilst many were impressed by his drive, Payne was disappointed he was scrapping for points rather than a podium.

“It was uncalled for really having to drive back through the field,” he told Auto Action

“It was really disappointing because we got ourselves in such a good position in qualifying.

“I did not get a really good start, but

it does not help that you had people trying to go three wide

“It is disappointing to end up turned around. Wrong place, wrong time.

“The drive through the field was really good. I just took every opportunity I could get, basically.

“We had a pretty speedy car, but just disappointed I had to do that.”

Other impressive drivers were put together by fellow Mustang pilots Ryan Wood and Cam Waters.

For the second time in the weekend, Waters was on the comeback trail and regained eight spots to soar to ninth.

However, it was not quite enough to stop Brown from stealing the championship lead.

Wood also impressed to score a strong sixth.

The young Kiwi once again showed why he is not afraid to get aggressive and take it to the big boys.

After having some especially close shaves with Kostecki, the #2 finished sixth.

PUSHING TOO FAR

YET AGAIN more incidents kept the crowd entertained with the opening lap producing three incidents alone.

In addition to the Payne spin, Golding, Reynolds, Fullwood and Mostert all had their races effectively ended by first-lap dramas.

By Turn 4 Reynolds found himself spinning around for the second time in the weekend.

After half spinning Thomas Randle at the opening corner, the Team 18 veteran found himself rotated for the second time in the weekend.

As part of a gaggle of cars utilising the Turn 4 run-off, Fullwood tripped over the right corner of the #20 Camaro, sending it into a spin.

Percat holds off the pair of DJR Mustangs. Above: Sunday’s wash-out confirmed Will Brown’s overall win and the Larry Perkins Trophy.

Brown leads on Saturday as Payne rotates. Right: Stanaway is a wet weather star, so was probably disappointed that Sunday was cancelled after an exploratory lap ...

Both cars required trips to the pits and whilst the #14 limped home, Reynolds still fought his way to 18th. Before too long Turn 11 became the major hot spot.

At the very first tour it caused carnage with Mostert getting a lunge on Murray all wrong.

The #25 locked up and torpedoed into fifth-placed Golding, punting the #31 into the sand.

Mostert was given a 30s penalty for careless driving and dropped from seventh to 22nd.

“That is a bit of a difficult one to swallow,” Golding said.

“I turned into Turn 11 and basically just before the apex I got a massive hit in the rear – I think Mostert got out of control and just took me out.

“I was stuck in the gravel trap and went a lap down.”

It was yet another blow for the battling PremiAir squad.

“I don’t rate Chaz as a dirty driver and that was a little bit out of character for Chaz,” owner Peter Xiberras told Auto Action.

“This whole weekend, the brains have been disconnected, but that is racing and these things happen ...”

Erebus rookie Murray had a wild race. Starting a career best fifth, the #99 was amongst the action, but got muscled down to 10th by the end of the opening lap.

Murray had a number of hairy moments, most significantly at Turn 8 where he found the outside wall at the high-speed sweeper.

After dropping to 13th, his wild race finally came to an end on lap five.

Possible contact with Macauley Jones ensured the #99 became the

latest to take a trip to the Turn 11 gravel and finding the fence meant he was the only DNF.

It was devastating for the young man, who had earlier been on a high for qualifying fifth and third.

WASH OUT

AFTER SATURDAY’S scorcher, Melbourne naturally produced a biblically wet Sunday.

Whilst this created lots of excitement for just the second weather affected Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne and first since 2010, it was bad news for Supercars.

The rain had not stopped all morning and by the time the 14-lap finale arrived the track was soaked.

Just two laps behind the Safety Car were possible before the reds were waved and the race was called.

The last abandoned Supercars race was Race 30 of the 2021 season, the last leg of the Sydney Motorsport Park quadruple header.

This was great news for Brown in particular.

Having won it last year, Brown also

held on to the Larry Perkins Trophy by 10 points over Feeney and Cameron Hill, who shared a win each across an enthralling weekend.

The Triple Eight driver is the first person to win it for a second time after Jamie Whincup (2018) Chaz Mostert (2019) and Shane van Gisbergen (2022).

If the race went ahead he would have been unlikely to do so, starting 21st.

“Overall, I’m happy. A great weekend, but disappointing way to end though,” he said.

“Obviously, we couldn’t go racing in those conditions, but I sort of got very lucky with the race getting suspended, and no points being awarded.

“I was still got wheelspin a few times and understeer through puddles at Turn 5, but that was 80km/h and ultimately it is when you are doing 180 km/h there is a big difference and it is hard to know.

“From previous races throughout my career it was just over the mark and if someone did not make a mistake I would have been very impressed.

“Not the way I want to win the Larry Perkins Trophy.”

Perhaps the ducks did have the last laugh after all.

With only seven points splitting Brown and Waters, an intriguing Sprint Cup chase will resume across the ditch in Taupo on April 11-13.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

MIGHTY MARC Marquez carried on his unbeaten streak in Ducati colours with another perfect performance in Argentina.

Having doubled up in the Sprint and Grand Prix of both Thailand and Argentina, Marquez has four wins from four attempts.

However, the #93 star had to work a lot harder for victory at Termas de Rio Hondo as brother Alex gave it everything.

But once again, Marc proved too good, getting the move done with four laps to go.

As a result, the Marquez brothers have headed the field in all four races so far in 2025.

After the #93 took pole by twotenths over Alex Marquez and the impressive Joan Zarco, rain loomed for the Sprint, but never eventuated. Marc Marquez started strong and hit the lead and was never headed as Alex settled into second.

Zarco struggled off the line and dropped to sixth, which ensured Francesco Bagnaia returned to third. A fight for the lead threatened with

Marc unable to break away from Alex, before the Ducati star put the foot down with three laps left and pulled almost a second to put the Sprint to bed.

Bagnaia had a lonely ride to third, while Zarco worked his way back up to fourth after picking off Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Australia’s Jack Miller just finished outside the top 10 in 11th.

Lorenzo Savadori, Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder retired with the Pramac Yamaha rider having a clash with Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer.

THE GRAND Prix started in warmer conditions, but the start was the same with Marc Marquez leading Alex as Bagnaia again jumped Zarco.

Behind them there was drama with Marco Bezzecchi flying into the gravel taking Fabio Quartararo with him.

The Ducati and LCR riders continued to battle for a number of laps before the Italian eventually proved too strong.

However, soon they were not fighting for third with Franco Morbidelli flying past them both on the softer rear tyre.

Whilst a Marc Marquez win appeared a formality, suddenly it was not, on lap four, when the Ducati rider made a surprise mistake at the first turn.

This allowed Alex Marquez to snatch the lead and he put up a much sterner test than Thailand.

It was not until lap 18 that Marc Marquez had a serious look, but he outbraked himself at Turn 5.

The deciding moment came four laps later as Marc flew past Alex on the main straight and within two laps here was already more than a second up the road.

Bagnaia could not quite get close enough to knock Morbidelli off the podium, while Miller just clung onto points in 14th.

Despite being victorious, Marc Marquez thought Alex pushed him very hard.

I’m impressed with my brother, Alex,” he said.

“In one part of the race I was thinking to finish second because he was riding super smooth, super good, always keeping the corner speed.

“I mean his tyre was not smoking. I said ‘ok, this guy today has another level’. Then in the end I survived. I took a risk, as you saw, I took a lot of risks - maybe too much in some points of the race.

“But happy to go out with 37 points again and continue with a very good atmosphere inside the garage, because the Ducati Lenovo team did an amazing job. But also inside the family.”

Ominously for the MotoGP field, the next race is at one of Marc Marquez’s happiest hunting grounds, COTA on March 29-31.

Thomas Miles

MOTOGP POINTS STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 2

1: Marc Marquez 74 points

2: Alex Marquez 58

3: Francesco Bagnaia 43

4: Franco Morbidelli 37

5: Johann Zarco 25

Marquez Bros ... MotoGP has never seen anything like it ...

FLORIDA: THE PORSCHE STATE

PORSCHE PENSKE completed a unique Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) sweep of the opening IMSA Sportscar Championship rounds in Florida after it completed a onetwo finish at the 73rd 12 Hours of Sebring.

Again, it was the flawless #7 963 that took it out with Daytona 24 winners Nick Tandy/Felipe Nasr/ Laurens Vanthoor as America’s Sunshine State became the Porsche State, delivering the manufacturer a record extending 19th Sebring, and its first in 17 years.

The sister #6 machine piloted by Aussie Matt Campbell/Mathieu Jaminet/Kevin Estre was 2.239 seconds in arrears, and 2.778 seconds to the good over the third placed #93 Acura ARX-06.

The #7 963 also became the first machine to complete the Daytona/ Sebring double in the same season, with lead British driver Nick ‘Mr 24’ Tandy becoming the 10th driver in history to complete the unofficial (non-sequential) Triple Crown of Endurance Racing (Le Mans/ Daytona/Sebring), adding the recent 12 hour win to his Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hour wins.

“You rarely see a single event without any faults or mistakes or

anything like this,” Tandy said postrace.

“We’ve just been celebrating with 24 people that have just flawlessly run a car for 36 hours (Daytona and Sebring combined) and it’s just a testament to what Porsche and Porsche Penske has put together as a group of people … It was a Porsche Penske perfect run.”

After the pole position was taken by the lightning Dries Vanthoor in the #24 BMW M Hybrid (1:47.091), much of the #7’s in-race battle was with the Earl Bamber-led #31 Cadillac V-Series.R. But as the cooler night conditions came in the dying hours, the 963s really came alive on the Medium Michelin tyre to take total control.

In the LMP2 class it was Inter Europol Competition which took the win over the Tower Motorsports ORECA 07 prototype by 1.117 seconds, whilst Antipodean ace Hunter McElrea took another LMP2 career podium with the TDS RACING team, finishing in P3.

And for the GTD Pro and GTD classes, Porsche doubled up with the #77 AO Racing 911 R GT3 (992) over a pair of BMW M4 GT3, whilst the latter was won by the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.

In searing temperatures the GTP fight was hot from the get go as the lights turned green at 10:10am, with Nasr putting the #7 ahead early, a lead that would last through the hour until the first full course yellow

caught them off guard. Porsche wouldn’t regain the lead from the #31 Cadillac until the halfway mark, but a long green run saw the latter wrestle it back.

After a big pit cycle, Tandy would find the lead once more with two hours and six minutes remaining, with he and Nasr holding onto it. They would be challenged once more after the ninth and final yellow left a 31 minute sprint to the chequered, but Nasr would pull away from the sister machine and the Acura, with the #25 BMW and challenging Cadillac also overcoming the customer Proton Porsche. The second Whelen Cadillac would also top the other JDC Miller customer 963, whilst in its first ever IMSA GTP race, the Aston Martin Valkyrie finished in P9 over the second Acura.

The one-two for Porsche softened the blow from a tough WEC openerno-show for the Penske garage, with the field now heading across the continent for a California double header.

First up is the street circuit for the Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 12, followed by a trip to Laguna Seca on May 11.

TW Neal

The #7 Penske Porsche ran a flawless race ...

Below: Vanhoor (BMW) led into the first corner.

THE BELL TOLLS FOR THREE

CHRISTOPHER BELL set a NASCAR Next Gen record with a third straight Cup Series victory a week ago with a thrilling win at the Phoenix Raceway’s ‘Desert Oddball.’

The 312-lap encounter ended up in a two-corner side-by-side duel with Bell’s Joe Gibbs Racing team-mate Denny Hamlin, with the Toyota’s split by just 0.049s after a two-lap shootout, with Kyle Larson running a close third.

It was the Oklahoman’s second straight win at the Oddball, nailing his 12th career victory after leading for 103 laps, with his Atlanta/COTA/Phoenix streak marking the first triple since Larson in 2021, and the 30th such feat on record.

Bell’s following attempt (Round 5) in Vegas will have seen him have a crack at four straight, with just seven drivers having achieved that record, whilst he was also looking to achieve the season

starting four-out-of-five milestone set by Bill Elliot in 1992.

In the epic run home, Hamlin held the highline with a few close moments that would have made the garage wince, with one of the eventual factors being the charging Larson, whose late shove assisted Bell with a surge at the chequer.

Phoenix also marked just the second time in Next Gen points racing that teams could juggle two compounds of Goodyears, with two sets of Option tyres and six of the Primary. With the Option tyres being quicker, but with a faster drop-off, it set up a chess game across the garages, as Bell explained in Victory Lane.

“How about that one, race fans?

Oh my gosh!” Yelled jubilant Bell, after matching his own season record of three wins after just four outings.

“Whenever you’re sitting there dreaming it up, that’s about as

ugly as it gets. You put the red Option tyres on, and you’re like ‘all right, what I don’t want to happen is go 20, 30 laps, get a yellow.’

“That happened. Then we went 10 more laps, had another yellow.

“It was all about who could get clear on the restart. Neither of us could. We were racing really hard coming to the line.”

With the two team-mates side-by-side, owner Joe Gibbs’ description of the hairy duel was simply: “I was ready to upchuck!”

With Hamlin getting his best result of the year, he was diplomatic about the battle.

“It was the first time we were able to get some clean air all day,” Hamlin said.

“I had kind-of position on the #20 (Bell). I knew he was going to ship it in there. He had to use me … he could. Obviously we just kind-of ran out of racetrack there.”

The race also saw the debut of British driver Katherine Legge (the

17th woman to compete in a Cup Series race) who unfortunately retired with 100 laps remaining with a broken left-rear toe-link.

In a 10-caution affair, there was also a massive seven-car wreck on a 99th lap restart which sent all seven drivers behind the wall permanently.

That included Shane van Gisbergen in the Trackhouse Chevrolet who’d climbed from 31st to 19th before retiring with steering issues as a result, after Chase Briscoe clipped Justin Haley in a tight pack.

“They were racing four-wide. I hopped over a wheel and there wasn’t much I could do,” SVG described.

“I tried to pull it up and got a bit loose. We were getting better and better as the race went on.”

Next up was the Pennzoil 400 at the D-shaped 2.4 km Las Vegas Motor Speedway for 267 laps (see opposite).

TW Neal

Bell, Hamlin and Larson –that’s the finish ...

THE BANK TELLER CASHES IN

NASCAR’S ROUND 5 visit to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday produced a popular win via the Wood Brothers Racing team, with Josh Berry taking a maiden win in the squads famed #21 Mustang Cup Car.

In Berry’s first season for the North Carolina team, the 34-year old Tennessee native delivered them its 101st Cup Series victory on a track where he’d previously taken two XFinity wins, and his first in the bigtime in his 52nd start.

What initially looked like a tight fight with Trackhouse’s Daniel Suarez with 19 laps remaining, turned into a 1.358 second pullaway win as Berry led for a race total of 18 laps on the 2.41 km D-shaped Tri oval.

Berry – who used to work as a bank teller to get out of school hours – was side-by-side on lap 249 of 267 at the restart, with his Mexican opponent not surrendering the lead until lap 252. And whilst it was still a dead heat which inched between them by the 253rd, the Mustang had

cleared the #99 Chevrolet by the next trip around.

“Oh man, I don’t even know what to think,” Berry said after celebrating on the roof of his Ford.

“Just awesome, I love this track. Las Vegas has been so good to me. So many great moments here.

“I’ve just struggled in the Next Gen car here. But crew chief Miles Stanley and this whole 21 team, everybody at Wood Brothers Racing gave me a great car today. Just battled and battled and battled. Man, it was our day. I just can’t believe it.

“Such a fight with Daniel there at the end, beating and banging on a mile-and-a-half … crazy! Whoever was going to get out front was probably going to win. We were able to get in front.”

The victory also ended the remarkable three-race winning streak of Christopher Bell, whose weekend saw him start at the rear due to an unapproved throttle body change.

However, Bell still made it up to second but a mistake in pit lane after Shane van Gisbergen’s spin off Turn

2 on lap 107, saw the tyre changer not secure his left front properly, putting an end to his historical bid for a fourth straight.

For the winner, his shot at the win came to fruition on a lap 195 caution after a seven-car wreck on the backstretch.

That briefly gave him the impetus in Stage 2 after a green-pit cycle saw a dangerous looking Kyle Larson – who had led 61 laps for a race high – was forced to restart in 18th place, with Berry working up from seventh.

Working the banked high line, he first encountered Suarez and the lead on lap 234, before series champion Joey Logano took the lead.

The ninth and final caution came when Noah Gragson hit the wall hard at Turn 2, with another full field pit-dive ensuing to take fuel out of the equation, with Suarez and Berry leading that final stretch charge out of the lane.

All up there were 32 lead changes from 13 drivers with Austin Cindric (1) and Larson (2) taking the Stage wins.

As for that #21 winning Wood Brothers Mustang, it once again proved to be the source of joy for maiden Cup wins, with Berry being the fourth driver to capture his first win in it, the last being Harrison Burton in 2024.

In a season that’s only produced three winners thus far, the field now heads back to Florida to the Miami Speedway on March 23 for 267 laps at the Homestead oval, with William Byron leading Bell in the regular season title race over Tyler Reddick, Chase Elliot, and Alex Bowman.

Following Miami, is Martinsville, Darlington, and Bristol.

TW Neal

A new face on the NASCAR top step – Josh Berry. Right: The Wood Brothers team was pretty ecstatic ...

FORMULA 2 WASHED OUT BY WILD WEATHER

THE LONG-AWAITED 2025 Formula 2 season opener at Albert Park was cut short by unrelenting weather, with torrential rain forcing the cancellation of Sunday’s Feature Race and leaving fans to shelter as the weekend’s drama was washed away.

As for Friday, there were nearperfect conditions to kick the Australian Grand Prix on-track action off, with the feeder series field starting their campaign off with a 45-minute practice session.

One of the more experienced drivers in the category, Victor Martins revealed himself as the fastest driver of the opening practice in Melbourne, setting a solid time of 1:32.587s at the end of

Josh

a red-flagged-riddled session.

Alexander Dunne was the first to become stuck in the gravel at Turn 11, with Oliver Goethe later stopping on track after his own journey offcourse.

With less than two minutes remaining, the session was redflagged for a final time, with two drivers going off at Turns 10 and 13 meaning the session could not be restarted.

Rolling out for a frantic Qualifying, Martins looked like a strong contender for pole position across the 30-minute shootout.

However, a late charge from F3 graduate Gabriele Minì saw the coveted position being snatched by the Italian who recorded an

untouchable time of 1:29.286s.

Securing himself third on the Feature-race grid, Jak Crawford withstood the momentum shift of an early Red Flag to cross the line threetenths off the benchmark – however for all three, the celebrations would soon shift to disappointment when treacherous weather meant the Feature Race would not be completed on Sunday. Coming as no surprise to the drenched spectators hiding under any shelter they could find, the Formula 2 Feature Race was cancelled due to unsafe weather conditions. Delayed, the cars took to the track with limited expectations of going racing as they lapped behind the Safety Car.

However, as the rain intensified, the

race was red-flagged.

In hindsight, the focus for Formula 2’s weekend is now on the Sprint Race where Joshua Duerksen instantly stole the lead of the race from pole-sitter, Leonardo Fornaroli. From there, the AIX Racing driver was tasked with defending from the eager Italian while also managing two Safety Car restarts.

On Formula 2 debut, Fornaroli didn’t have the pace on his side, settling for second place ahead of Hitech TGR’s Luke Browning, who rounded out the podium.

Formula 2’s next outing will be at the Bahrain International Circuit, with Round 2 running across April 11-13.

Reese Mautone

Duerksen took out the Sprint race. The Feature? Didn’t happen ...

CÂMARA’S CRASH COURSE IN ALBERT PARK CHAOS

FORMULA 3 roared into 2025 action at Albert Park, launching the season with high-stakes racing and a touch of chaos – courtesy of Mother Nature’s unpredictable influence.

Across qualifying and two intense races, the weekend saw breakout performances, stunning victories, and an onslaught of surprises, setting the tone for an actionpacked championship fight in 2025.

Starting the season opener on the front foot, Rafael Câmara set the pace in the opening practice session, giving the field a small teaser of what the Trident driver was destined to unleash in a highly competitive qualifying session.

Câmara finished Free Practice ahead of MP Motorsport’s Tim Tramnitz in second and Mari Boya of Campos Racing in third, setting a time of 1:34.652s just prior to one of many Red Flag interruptions across the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, the field of 30 drivers sped out of the pitlane to commence the all-important qualifying session, determining the grid for Sunday’s Feature Race and revealing the reverse grid order for the Sprint. From the outset, Trident teammates Câmara and Noah Strømsted showed a fierce amount of pace – however, the combination of yellow flags, traffic and red flags kept that under wraps until it came to crunch time.

With just five minutes remaining, Brando Badoer lost control and crashed into the barriers at the exit of Turn 2, causing a Red Flag. However, he wasn’t alone in causing a late disruption as another Red Flag soon followed.

Christian Ho came to a stop in his DAMS Lucas Oil car, while Théophile Nael, running with the third fastest time to his name, exited the pitlane with his airbox still attached — an incident that required

a post-session investigation by the Stewards.

As a result, Câmara and Strømsted’s traffic-free flying laps had earned Trident a 1-2 start for the Feature, a necessary position with carnage forecast for Sunday.

For the Sprint, the reverse grid order saw Santiago Ramos, Matías Zagazeta and Roman Bilinski starting the sweltering 20-lap dash as the top three drivers.

The opening half for the Van Amersfoort Racing driver was relatively simple, giving the Mexican the ability to hold onto the lead as

the five lights went out. Behind, the final two podium places were up for contention, with Martinus Stenshorne wasting no time in making his motives clear from fourth on the grid, completing a standout double overtake to move into P2. The Hitech TGR driver was given a reprieve on lap nine, when Ramos ran wide at Turn 13 to give him DRS – however, even with the rear-wing advantage and daring attacks at Turn 11, Stenshorne couldn’t find a way through.

The same could be said for Bilinski who began closing in on

Stenshorne, but was forced to sit idle in P3 as the chaotic first Sprint of the season came to an end behind the Safety Car.

Rain belting down on the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, made driving on Sunday a daunting task for the young competitors, and made it no surprise to see so many incidents occurring across the reduced 20 laps of racing.

Starting from Pole Position, Câmara didn’t put a foot wrong despite the torrential weather conditions, speeding off into the distance to win the Feature Race with confidence on debut.

His teammate cemented a Trident 1-2 to start the season, fending off attacks from Nael through multiple Safety Car restarts.

Although early, the championship standings see Trident leading the charge on 54 points, 25 points clear of VAR as the field packs up and heads to Bahrain for an inseason test, taking place from 2628 March before Round 2 in Sakir.

Reese Mautone

Câmara was a standout winner in the Feature.

Câmara was a standout winner in the Feature. Below: Sprint runner-up Martinius Stenshorne. (Image: PETER NORTON)

NORRIS CONFIRMS McLAREN’S FAVORITISM

LANDO NORRIS CONFIRMED HIS STATUS AS THE FAVORITE FOR THIS YEAR’S FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A DOMINANT WIN IN THE SEASON OPENER, THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX.

By LUIS VASCONCELOS

ONLY TEAM-MATE Oscar Piastri

had the pace to challenge the English driver in the Albert Park circuit, but having spent 10 laps stuck behind the fast-starting Verstappen proved costly. The young Australian driver’s challenge started to fade when he was instructed to sit behind Norris on lap 30 and then completely derailed when he, and Norris, were caught out by a sudden heavy shower and lost one lap trying to get out of the grass on the exit of Turn 13, while Lando escaped more easily. With a couple of showers making life difficult for everybody, as

tyre choice became extremely complicated for all drivers and teams, Verstappen made the most out of

a better call from Red Bull and the successive Safety Car periods to put pressure on Norris in the final seven

laps. But the McLaren driver kept his cool and led all the way, starting the championship in the best possible way, while Piastri did an amazing recovery in the last seven laps, gaining four places to finish in P9. With the favorite tag firmly attached on its back, McLaren showed the prognostics were accurate by securing a front row lock up, Norris beating Piastri by 0.084s but, more significantly, leaving Verstappen nearly 0.4s behind! Given that in Q1 the top 17 fitted in less than 0.7s, it was clear McLaren had been sandbagging and had the quickest car in Australia. Rain was in the forecast, to the point

Norris set the pace in Qualifying, just eight-hundredths up on Piastri, but led most of the way on a wet Sunday. Below: Russell had an almost lonely race en route to third – here managing a gravel-covered apex ... Images: GETTY IMAGES, PETER NORTON-EPIC SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY, RED BULL CONTENT POOL

that a delayed start was considered, but the downpour came much later than expected, so the race went ahead as schedule but with everyone on Intermediate tyres, as it had been raining intermittently since the previous night. Both McLarens had reasonable starts but Verstappen had more traction, drawing level with Piastri and having a look at taking the lead into Turn 1.

Blocked by Norris on the outside, the Dutchman saw Piastri take the inside line, but had a better exit from Turn 2 and moved up to second place immediately. A heavy crash from Doohan brought out the Safety Car, still on lap one, and when racing resumed, the Red Bull driver managed to stay between the two McLaren for a while. Verstappen was, however, pushing his tyres too hard and went long into Turn 11 on lap 17, allowing Piastri through. From then on, the pace gap to the two McLaren grew quickly, with Piastri slowly but surely catching Norris until, unexpectedly, on lap 30, the youngster was instructed to “hold position”.

The Australian retorted that “I’m faster, but OK” … but may have lost a bit of focus as he went wide in Turn 6 just two laps later. Ironically, seconds later a new instruction came over the radio, telling him that, “you’re free to race now” – when the gap had grown to 2.7s …

PIASTRI DREW THE SHORT STRAW

TEAM PRINCIPAL Andrea Stella explained that “when he gave the first instruction, we had to go relatively soon through some backmarkers while the cars were close together and the conditions on track were still a little tricky with intermediate tyres that were running down a bit in terms of their rubber.”

The Italian added that “at the same time, we were receiving some updates on the weather forecast and that led us to close, for a short period of time, the internal racing between our two drivers until we had clarity as to the weather prediction and the matter of overtaking the backmarkers.”

Stella than concluded that

“once this was completed and the weather was assessed, then we reopened the racing.”

It proved that lightning can strike twice for, on lap 33, as soon as Piastri was told he could race Norris, the Safety Car was sent out as Alonso had crashed on the exit of Turn 7.

With the track now dry enough for slicks, Piastri had to let the gap for Norris grown a bit, to avoid double-

TOO MANY MISTAKES HURT FERRARI

FERRARI WAS the main loser of this first Grand Prix of the season. Believed to be second only to McLaren in terms of pure pace, the Scuderia fought at the front until the start of Q3 but then started to make a number of small mistakes that proved very costly by the end of the race.

As track temperature went up for Q3, Ferrari didn’t react as efficiently as its rivals and left the tyre temperatures plus the front wing flap untouched. The consequence was that understeer increased and the tyres started to overheat more in the final sector.

The drivers tried to make up for it but couldn’t avoid small mistakes that led to Leclerc and Hamilton ending up in seventh and eighth place respectively, beaten by Tsunoda and Albon – and almost 0.7s off the pole position time!

In the race, they even had light contact in the first corner, as Leclerc dived in after a poorer start. The Monegasque continued to make progress, passing Albon and Tsunoda before Turn 4!

Progressively losing ground to Russell, Leclerc was not threatened from behind while on Intermediates, but on slicks had a spin on cold tyres and saw Tsunoda get by. As the rain intensified, Ferrari kept both drivers out three laps too long and that was the final mistake that doomed the Scuderia’s chances, Leclerc finishing the race in eighth place while Hamilton was passed by the recovering Piastri on the last lap and dropped to P10.

A clearly frustrated Leclerc admitted that “we were definitely very off in terms of pace compared to the McLarens and Max – we were struggling today. The Intermediates seemed to fall off in the first stint pretty fast, so there’s a lot of work to be done. That has been a weakness that we’ve had since quite a few years; I think we’ve been quite up and down whenever it was raining, and we’ve got to work on that.”

More positive than his team-mate, Hamilton said “today was a crash course on how to drive a Ferrari in the wet, as I hadn’t done one lap in these conditions since I joined the team – so at least there will be a lot of data to go through before we get to China.”

Even trying to put a positive spin on his first weekend in red, Hamilton rued the call made by the team when the heavy shower hit the track, explaining that “unfortunately, they said it was just a short shower, so I thought ‘I’m going to stick it out as long as I can and keep it on the track.’ They didn’t say more rain was coming and all of a sudden, more came. I think it was just lacking that bit of information from our side.”

Lewis’ Ferrari debut was difficult, with a single point to show for it. Below: Tough, tough moment for debutant Isack Hadjar, who had qualified a very good 11th, but crashed on the parade lap.

Norris converted pole into a good start.

stacking in the pits but such was the gap to Verstappen he kept his P2, slotting behind his team mate.

LATE SHOWER BRINGS CHAOS FOR (ALMOST) ALL

AFTER A lengthy Safety Car period the race resumed on lap 42 with DRS made available one lap later.

It was then that a heavy shower hit the track, first in the last three corners and soon spreading around the lap. Being the first two cars on the scene, both McLarens went off at Turn 12 but, while Norris managed to recover quickly, Piastri went off-line into Turn 13, spun and got stuck on the grass.

The Australian admitted that “I guess I tried to push a bit too much, but in those conditions it’s very difficult to judge just how slippery it’s going to be.”

He added that, “from one lap to the next it had really changed a lot and I could see Lando going off in front of me, but I was also already in the corner, basically, so there wasn’t much I could do to slow myself down at that point.”

The most frustrating part came immediately after because “once you’re in the gravel and the grass, you obviously try to keep the car as straight as possible. And then, to get stuck in the grass like that was pretty

unbelievable, I just sat in the car … but I’ve only got myself to blame for being there, so it’s a shame.”

With teams making different decisions, Norris, like most drivers, dived into the pits for Intermediate

tyres, but Verstappen stayed out, “because it was only really wet in the last sector, so I thought if I could survive that, I’d be okay. Even if Lando would get past me, it was expected to dry up, so he’d have to pit again.”

Ah, the best laid plans … As the rain intensified, the Dutchman was forced to pit as well resuming still in P2 and free of any pressure from behind once the Safety Car – out on track after Lawson and Bortoleto crashed on the same lap – peeled into the pits with just six laps to go. It was now or never for Verstappen but, even with Norris going wide in Turn 6 and losing downforce after damaging the floor, the final result didn’t change.

SIX TENSE LAPS

NORRIS ADMITTED that “the last two laps were a little bit stressful: I’m not going to lie. I went through the gravel, got a lot of damage, so just tricky conditions, but these are the ones that are enjoyable, fun, and unpredictable.

“This time, we got it right and ended up on top.” He then admitted that “when we boxed for inters, half the track was completely dry, so Max’s tyres were two laps fresher and hadn’t been used in the dry, and that’s why it was tough to stay ahead.”

The Dutchman admitted that “when Lando had a little moment on entry of six, he lost a lot of momentum there and that’s why I got close and got DRS.” However, “it’s very hard to pass around here but I’m just very happy to bring it home, score good points. This

On the charge! – a frustrated Piastri went around the outside of Lewis Hamilton on the last lap to grab an extra point ... Top: The final Safety Car came out courtesy of Fernando Alonso. Team-mate Stroll managed a decent sixth place. Above: New face Andrea Kimi Antonelli drove a superb race ands finished a well-deserved fourth ...

is a decent starting point for us.”

Talking about the performance gap to McLaren, Verstappen pointed out that “you could see in that first stint, we were lacking a little bit of pace compared to McLaren, but it’s still 18 points more than what I had here last year, so I’ll take that.”

MERCEDES SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS

PIASTRI’S MISFORTUNE

allowed George Russell to score an unexpected podium for Mercedes. The German team had downplayed its chances of staring in Melbourne but the W16 was on the pace almost instantly and with Ferrari underperforming,

the British driver found himself in a comfortable fourth place both in qualifying and for most of the race. Promoted to third place after the McLaren duo’s off, Russell had no pace for Norris and Verstappen in those final six laps, admitting that, “I was hoping something would happen in front as they were both pushing hard, but that was not the case.”

Still, for the first time with the current Technical Regulations, Mercedes starts the season with a competitive car.

But, for the British driver, the key for this good result was the approach he took: “I made a decision quite early on that the best way to approach this race

was just to bring it home. If I risked it more, there was no extra reward on the table because they were just so far ahead. So, I’m pleased to come home with this result, because I don’t think this is probably our strongest circuit. Especially after yesterday with the hot temperatures, I was also very happy with the P4 in qualifying.”

And what to say of rookie Kimi Antonelli? Out in Q1 after damaging the floor of his car in the last run of the session, the Italian also spun in Turn 4 early on but didn’t put a wheel wrong from then on, was helped by his team making all the right strategic calls, and ended up in a superb fourth place after some pretty daring moves.

That’s why the teenager was delighted at the end of the race, explaining that “I’m really, really happy. There’s so much going on – we got all the possible worst conditions for a first race. We got wet, slicks on damp, on dry and then back to wet. Definitely a really, really eventful race, but I’m really happy how it was managed from my side and from the team.”

Antonelli admitted that, “I did a couple of mistakes, especially the spin. But the conditions were super, super tricky and those white lines were a killer. The team really helped me throughout the whole race and made all the right calls. And I definitely cannot complain about today.”

Williams was the surprise package of the weekend, being the fifth-quickest car right from the start. Albon did a better job than Sainz in qualifying and then didn’t put a wheel wrong in the race to score a strong fifth place on merit. The chaos caused by the brief but heavy shower, together with solid driving and great strategic calls helped Stroll and Hulkenberg to P6 and P7 respectively, giving their teams a much better start of the season than what they could have achieved on pure pace.

Liam Lawson had a rough weekend – here throwing up some gravel. Left: Williams starred – with Albon snaring fifth place points. Lower left: The podium.

1975: MOFFAT TO THE RESCUE

ALLAN MOFFAT represented Australia on the big stage by driving a BMW to glory in Sebring.

Called into the BMW team after Grand Prix star Ronnie Peterson was unable to race, Moffat was teamed with Brian Redman in one of the two BMW 3.3L Group 2 cars at the 23rd Sebring 12 Hour.

Last year’s winners Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood, in a Porsche, were sidelined early after the start.

The car clashed with a Chevrolet Corvette with a broken half shaft.

The Hans Stuck and Sam Posey BMW took the lead soon after until an oil leak resulted in a blown engine.

At that time Moffat/Redman was lying in second place and most of the driving had been done by the Englishman.

1985

Robbie Francevic pulled off a surprise first win in the Volvo 240T by a comfortable margin at Symmons Plains.

Francevic dominated the meeting by taking pole and never being headed in the race, with Dick Johnson again forced to be second best in the Mustang.

Jim Richards overcame Peter Brock in a fierce fight for third, only for the JPS BMW to slip to fifth with gearbox issues at the end.

The versatile Colin Bond was still winning on the dirt by taking out Toshiba National Rallysprint.

They inherited the lead with a three-lap margin over the next car, a Porsche driven by driven by Michael Kayser and Billy Bowls.

After nine hours they had completed 180 punishing circuits of the bumpy 5.2 mile airport course for a total of 936 miles.

Redman, who had driven for more than five hours said he was dehydrated from the intense heat and was reported to have avoided head-to-head racing.

The miles completed, total laps and average speed were records for grand tour machines at Sebring.

BACK HOME the extraordinary news of the Sandown Australian Touring Car Championship meeting being cancelled was making waves.

1995

For the first time the Australian Touring Car Championship went sprint racing around Mount Panorama and John Bowe used consistency to take the honours. Despite not winning a race, a pair of second place finishes were enough for Bowe to take the round.

Dick Johnson won the opener, but a rear wing issue sent him spinning at 280km/h at The Chase in the second race that was won by Mark Skaife.

In the aftermath, Bowe was not impressed by the “Holden fringe people” who were pushing for changes to the parity of the Falcon.

This almost unprecedented step with regard to a top championship meeting was taken in view of the fact that so few entries had been received at closing date. It was intimated that many drivers refused to enter because of Sandown’s rather restrictive muffler regulations, although those drivers who talked to Auto Action gave other reasons.

Sydney drivers in particular were only receiving their entry forms on the actual closing date.

2005

Marcos Ambrose started his final full V8 Supercars season in dominant and familiar fashion, taking a second straight clean sweep of the Clipsal 500.

After just missing out on pole to Rick Kelly, Ambrose was untouchable in the #1 Pirtek BA Falcon, winning both 78-lap races comfortably.

The weekend also marked Craig Lowndes’ Triple Eight debut and it started off well by being second best in the round with a pair of podiums.

There was plenty of drama in Sepang where Fernando Alonso gave Renault back to back wins. However, the hopes of Mark Webber, starting fourth, were destroyed by Giancarlo Fisichella, who tripped over the Williams.

2015

After just one championship round and two meetings, Marcos Ambrose made the shock decision to pull the pin on his Supercars comeback with DJR Team Penske.

After the Clipsal 500 and Australian Grand Prix, Ambrose vacated the #17 in favour of Scott Pye before returning at the enduros.

“There’s two things I’m trying to get: a feeling of what it’s like to have a winning car and then there is the feedback from the car,” Ambrose said.

“The other thing is what kind of feedback is the car giving me? Because the suspension packages are vastly different – those things will come with time.”

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