SPEED READ A P R I L
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THE GRAND RETURN TO ALBERT PARK It's been a long time coming but the Australian Grand Prix has finally arrived.
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
AUSSIE APPOINTED IN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ROLE
Motorsport is a close-knit community and there are countless women playing a huge role in keeping the sport alive.
From a driver to an international category manager - Tom Drewer has certainly come a long way since his Formula Vee days in 2002.
M O T O R S P O R T . O R G . A U
HOWELLS COMPLETES ST GEORGE DOUBLE The AORC has begun with a bang as Josh Howells claimed a consecutive Cobb & Co Hotel St George 399 victory.
GE SH Q T A AN U N NO OT EW NS E ^ .C TO EL OM IG .A EN IB U/ T L CO ER E R VE
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INSURANCE FOR MOTORING ENTHUSIASTS | CALL 13 46 46 FOR A QUOTE | SHANNONS.COM.AU Shannons Pty Limited is an authorised representative of AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807, the product issuer. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. The Target Market Determination is also available. Call us on 13 46 46 for a copy. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situations or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. The information is intended to be of general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it - please make your own enquiries. All benefits in this offer are a summary only. Limits, conditions and exclusions apply. For a full description of the benefits and exclusions, please refer to the relevant PDS. Competition conducted by Shannons Pty Limited, of Level 23, 80 Ann Street, Brisbane Queensland 4000. Competition commences at 12am on 7/2/22 and closes at 11.59pm on 30/6/22 (Melbourne time) (Entry Period). Entry is only open to eligible Australian residents aged 18 years or older. Eligible Entrants must be opted in to receive Shannons marketing communications and must not opt out during the Entry Period. Maximum cost of call will not exceed 55 cents + GST from an Australian land line. Higher rates may apply for mobile phones or pay phones. Prizes drawn at 12pm on 14/7/22 at Engage Interactive, 24 Washpool Crescent, Woongarrah, NSW 2259. The winner will be notified by phone and email by 16/7/22 and published in The Australian newspaper on 18/7/22 and on the competition website. Permits: ACT TP 21/02309 SA T21/2078 & NSW Authority Number TP/00259. Images for illustrative purposes only. The Chevrolet Corvette will be provided to the winner as an unregistered vehicle. Registration or Club Permit for the Chevrolet Corvette, including any modifications required by the respective state or territory authorities (in order to effect registration or permits) will be the sole responsibility of the winner. ^Apply for and receive a new Shannons Motor Insurance (excludes CTP insurance) (“Motor Policy”) or a new Shannons Home & Contents Insurance Policy (includes building only, contents only or building and contents cover) (“Home Policy”) quote during the Entry Period. Limit 1 quote per vehicle or insured address. For the avoidance of doubt, an Eligible Insurance Quote for a combined building and contents policy constitutes one risk for the purposes of this Competition. **Applications made online for quotes must be submitted by 27/6/22, however, telephone applications will continue to be available until 11.59pm 30/6/22. Quotes and issue of policy are subject to Shannons normal underwriting acceptance criteria. *Purchase a new Motor Policy (excludes existing Motor Policy renewals) during the Entry Period. +Purchase a new Home and Contents Policy OR hold an existing fully paid Home and Contents Policy (current during the Entry Period). Customers that do not wish to participate in the competition can email enquiries@shannons.com.au. 1Actual period may be less than 365 days depending on the winner’s location and delivery/pick up date, however, won’t be less than 11 months residual benefit. The issue of Shannons Insurance is subject to Shannons normal acceptance criteria. The inclusion of this component of the prize does not constitute financial product advice or a recommendation to acquire any Shannons Insurance product. The issue of Shannons optional Roadside Assist is subject to the winner being issued the comprehensive car and motorcycle insurance portion of the prize and the Issuer’s normal acceptance criteria. Shannons Roadside Assist is only available 24 hours after it has been added to your comprehensive policy. 2 If the winner is a member of the Shannons Club with a profile image and enthusiast vehicle image at the time of the draw, they will receive $5,000 AUD cash. Full T&Cs and entry options at shannons.com.au/corvette.
CONTENTS 4
Celebrating International Women’s Day
6
Molly Taylor wins Her Way
8
Busy March sets up big year for development programs
10
Aussie appointed in major international role
12
Albert Park's grand return
14
Short fastest in Grafton hill climb
16
What's on in April?
18
Motorsport Australia kits up with Racer Industries
20
Safety makes the difference in Aitken’s fiery encounter
22
Mountain Men claim the hattrick of regularities
24
Club Business Workshop dates revealed
25
New Motorsport Australia Member Portal available
26
Graham enjoys epic win in Rainbow
28
Rullo takes out second Albany Sprint
30
NSW Supersports riding the wave
32
VHRR Classic lights up Phillip Island again
34
Recovery boost for Shannons Motorsport Australia
36
Party time for Shannons opener on the Island
38
Motorsport’s new era on Seven
40
Howells completes St George double
42
ARC to begin 2022 with a capital bang
44
Supercars’ starts 2022 in style
46
FIA update: rally stage safety guidelines
SPEED READ
COVER
After a rough start to the 2022 season, can Daniel Ricciardo rectify his 14th and a DNF with a good result on home soil? Photo by McLaren Media.
275 Canterbury Road, Canterbury VIC 3126 PO Box 172, Canterbury LPO Vic 3126 Member Hotline 1800 883 959 (9am - 5pm AEST) Telephone 1300 883 959 or +61 3 9593 7777 Website motorsport.org.au
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CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Every year the world celebrates International Women's Day on 8 March.
women in sport around the world, motorsport continues to find ways to be inclusive.
Motorsport is a close-knit community and there are countless women playing a huge role in keeping the sport alive.
The FIA Girls on Track has proven to be one of the biggest gateways into the sport as young schoolgirls are given rare insights into the sport by Ambassadors of women in motorsport.
From competitors, administrators, officials, volunteers to supporters, there are many women contributing to the sport in all capacities across every discipline. As there is a push for the growth in participation of
Speed Read casts a spotlight on some of the women in the sport around the country who contribute to making motorsport what it is.
HONNI PITT
TA S M A N I A N C I R C U I T R A C E R “For me, there aren’t many better opportunities where men and women get to compete against each other on equal footing. When I put the helmet on, there is no difference and I love it. “Sometimes it’s overwhelming for a young woman coming through the ranks but it’s very helpful to have a network of people to call on. “I think about my stepdaughter and she has a number of people she can rely on – just like I did with my dad growing up.”
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JO MAWSON
B MW D RIVERS CLU B MELBOURNE VICE PRESIDENT “I am a huge advocate of all men and women being treated as equals in motorsport and there shouldn’t be separate categories. “Although there have been times where I feel I have been looked down upon due to being a woman, I have always felt comfortable in motorsport with all the officials and competitors. “I truly believe that knowledge is everything in life and if you want to be treated with respect, you have to earn it and prove yourself, which I have done for a long time and it’s how I have got as far as I have.”
KIM ACWORTH QUEENSL AND R A L LY D R I V E R
“I wasn’t raised in motorsport at all. In fact, my family still scratch their heads at me starting this when I was a 32-year-old single mum with a two-year-old. “Becoming a rally driver is one of the best things I have ever done, and it gives me that competitive and sports fix. “The people are fantastic and I truly believe I will continue doing this for the rest of my life – well at least until I can’t walk.”
Acworth (right) with codriver Nicola Hoey
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 5
MOLLY TAYLOR WINS HER WAY Molly Taylor added another honour to her growing list of accolades in March, after she was named as the recipient of the 2022 Her Sport Her Way Award Trailblazers Award. The honour is awarded to those whose exceptional efforts over a long period of time have removed barriers for other women and girls in sport, and made it easier for them to participate and succeed, as well as creating a legacy.
branching out to off road where she ran in the Baja Aragon in Spain and won the inaugural Extreme E Series for Rosberg X Racing before debuting and finishing the famous Dakar Rally.
“It broadens horizons, whether they pursue motorsport or not”
It was a busy year in 2021 for the 33-year-old, who enjoyed three rounds in the 2021 FIA World Rally Championship, as well as 6 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
“It’s very special to do what you love and trying to do the best you can, so to recognize the bigger picture is pretty special,” Taylor said. “It came as a great surprise and I wasn’t expecting it.
“It’s been really rewarding to go to Girls on Track events and speak with the girls, opening the doors of possibility.
“For someone that hasn’t been exposed, it’s difficult to convey, but to see them come and experience motorsport has a profound impact because you see their eyes light up and lightbulbs switch on. “It broadens horizons, whether they pursue motorsport or not, hopefully the girls are exposed to an aspect that they love to do and that they can find a pathway or overcome any stereotypes.” Taylor received the prize during the annual NSW Office of Sport’s Her Sport Her Way awards ceremony in Sydney, which recognises and celebrates the achievements of leaders in womens’ sport.
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Photo: Mhari Dougal
BUSY MARCH SETS UP BIG YEAR FOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS Motorsport Australia’s development programs, FIA Girls on Track and Ricciardo’s Racers, have kicked off for 2022 with multiple events having occurred in March. Both began in Victoria on the same weekend with the FIA Girls on Track running at the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships event at Phillip Island, while Ricciardo’s Racers was held at METEC in Bayswater.
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Attending Girls on Track were 60 girls from Newhaven College, Glen Waverley Secondary College, St. Joseph's Crib Point Primary School and Our lady Star of the Sea Cowes, with ambassadors Jessica Dane, Shannen Kiely, Nadine Armstrong and Romy Mayer, as well as Champions Belinda Riseley and Karina Vasudevan all on deck to help run the show.
With participants made up of students from Unity College and Sacred Heart College and a handful other girls – the attendees took part in the regular activities, as well as receiving a tour of the circuit’s race control centre.
As for Ricciardo’s Racers, 30 girls and boys aged between 12-17 attended the driver education initiative run by experienced steerers Courtney Prince and Chelsea Angelo.
There were plenty of experienced motorsport personnel at the event, including Mayer, Vasudevan, Program Champion Felicity Wood, University of South Australia student Anita Trenwith, Lachlan Dalton, Sporting Car Club of SA’s Melissa Rees, Cassandra Hoare and Motorsport Australia Director, Kristen Bailey.
The FIA Girls on Track was again in action the following weekend with The Bend Motorsport Park hosting 30 girls for the event.
The South Australian event also saw a tour of Jam Motorsport, which was managed by another Girls on Track Champion in Courtney
Tyler – with one of the participants to begin an internship at the race team as a result of the program.
The following week will be at the Australian Grand Prix where a new format for the program will take place.
LOOKING FORWARD
Run as a Career Development and Mentoring program, 20 girls have been selected to participate where they will meet a number of women in the industry including Australian Sauber Motorsport employee Krystina Emmanouilides and 2016 ARC champion Molly Taylor.
April serves as a busy month for the FIA Girls on Track program, with this month’s RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) season opener in Canberra and the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix both hosting events. In Canberra, almost 60 girls have registered a spot at the event which takes place ahead of the Netier National Capital Rally. Hosted by Netier, Canberra’s first running of the program will see Armstrong, Dane and fellow Girls on Track ambassador Emily Duggen running stations at the event, with ANU Solar Racing Team running the STEM Workshop. A tour of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia pit area and reigning ARC champion Harry Bates' car will also be part of the event, where participants will spend time with Coral Taylor.
Five lucky individuals will then receive special internships to run after the event.
Click here for more information on Girls on Track.
Click here for more information on Ricciardo’s Racers.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 9
AUSSIE APPOINTED IN MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ROLE From a championship-winning driver to running an international category across multiple countries - Tom Drewer has certainly come a long way since his Formula Vee days in 2002.
to the United States where he dominated and won the 2008 IMSA Lites L1 Championship before finishing seventh in the 2009 IMSA Lites L1 Championship.
Midway through last month, Drewer was promoted to Radical Motorsport’s Motorsport Director and will be responsible for overseeing the operation of its three factory run racing championships and nine factory supported championships.
In 2014, Drewer joined the Radical Motorsport admin team to help grow the category, while also jumping behind the wheel of a Radical SR3 himself the following year to which he won the US Prototype Championship Series - PR-3 title.
The three championships Drewer will be running are the Radical Cup North America and both the Radical Challenge and Radical SR1 Cup in the United Kingdom.
“I’ve been lucky to experience the sport from grassroots to professional levels and I’m careful to always consider things from the competitor’s perspective” And Drewer enters the role with plenty of experience as a driver, having raced from 2002 to 2015. Starting off in Formula Vee in both the Motorsport Australia Victorian and South Australia State Championships, Drewer enjoyed stints in Aussie Racing Cars, the Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ Championship and the V8 Supercars Series, which is now known as the Dunlop Super2 Series. Amongst his racing commitments in Australia, Drewer also went
camaraderie and atmosphere off the track as possible. “In other words, making Radical Cup racing as fun and rewarding as possible. I’m looking forward to injecting these same attributes into all facets of Radical motorsport across the globe.”
Destined to achieve great things at Radical, Drewer helped establish Radical as one of the preeminent cars for Country Club race tracks across North America and played a major role in the Blue Marble Radical Cup's significant growth during 2016 and 2021. “I’ve been lucky to experience the sport from grassroots to professional levels and I’m careful to always consider things from the competitor’s perspective,” Drewer said of his appointment. “In the United States, we’ve focused on raising the on-track competition to gain credibility as a development series, while creating as much
Part of Drewer’s job will also see him work with Radical’s global dealer network, assisting them in their own one-make Radical championships and Radical Sportscars CEO, Joe Anwyll was thrilled to have him as Motorsport Director. “As we come into our 25th year, we look back on the incredible success of Radical around the globe, but we also look forward,” Anwyll added. “Our cars are impressive but it’s the on-track experience that keeps people coming back time and time again, and this appointment signals our commitment to delivering that for our customers and competitors around the globe” “Tom has done some brilliant work for us in North America over the past eight years, and we’re excited to see him apply his same passion, experience and dedication to our global motorsport operations.”
How #25 became 1 on the mountain. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
www.m1oils.com.au
It's hard to forget that infamous Friday morning in 2020 when the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix was cancelled because of COVID-19. Little did Australian motorsport fans know that they would have to wait more than two years until the best drivers in the world would battle it out in the fastest cars on our shores once more. Thankfully, after witnessing two entertaining opening races of the world championship and keeping updated through Netflix’s Drive to Survive, the wait is almost over with the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix 2022 to return to Albert Park this month. Of course, a lot has changed since that fateful day in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, including one of the most entertaining seasons in F1 history that saw Max Verstappen and Red Bull end Mercedes’ dominance over the competition – winning the championship on the final lap of the season. Australian Daniel Ricciardo also finished with Renault, now known 12 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
as Alpine, joining McLaren for the 2021 season, where he experienced the highs and lows of motorsport. First getting lapped by his teammate in the famous Monaco Grand Prix, Ricciardo then won the Italian Grand Prix in a chaotic affair - his first Grand Prix win since Monaco in 2018 – and leading Norris to McLaren’s first one-two since 2010. This year’s Australian Grand Prix will also give fans the first chance to see the brand-new Formula 1 cars zipping around Lakeside drive.
The cars were brought in to make the racing more entertaining and after two rounds in 2022, that seems to have worked with Ferrari and Charles Leclerc reaping the benefits – the Monégasque driver on top of the standings ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz. Fast forward to the Australian Grand Prix and there is plenty to look forward to – so much so that tickets to both the Saturday and Sunday have fully sold out. In addition to Formula 1, an exciting list of categories make up the support
Photo: Renault Sport
ALBERT PARK'S GRAND RETURN
Photo: Edge Photographics
Photo: Speed Shots Photography
card - the Repco Supercars Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship and S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship (Motorsport Australia Gold Star) all sharing the famous circuit. Outside of the racing, the Targa Florio Parade and the MSS Security Ultimate Speed comparison will also be sure to entertain fans. There will also be plenty of other off-track activations including food stalls, merchandise, live entertainment and hundreds of car displays courtesy of Motorsport Australia affiliated car clubs. Despite all the many changes fans will have to get updated with ahead of the Grand Prix, one thing that hasn’t changed is the passion and dedication of all Motorsport Australia volunteer officials. Again, hundreds of officials will be on deck throughout the four-day event to help run one of the biggest events on the Australian sporting calendar.
The Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix 2022 takes place at Albert Park in Melbourne on 7-10 April.
FORMULA 1 SCHEDULE FRIDAY 8 APRIL
1:00 – 2:00pm: Practice 1 4:00 – 5:00pm: Practice 2 SATURDAY 9 APRIL
1:00 – 2:00pm: Practice 3 4:00 – 5:00pm: Qualifying SUNDAY 10 APRIL
1:00 – 2:00pm: Drivers’ Parade 3:00 – 5:00pm: Race All times are AEST
Click here to view a full track schedule.
Photo: Edge Photographics
OUR DEDICATED OFFICIALS More than 780 volunteer officials will be on hand at Albert Park this month to help make sure this year’s Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix runs smoothly. Having been voted as the FIA’s Best Team of Officials of the Season in 2020, it will be the first time the many dedicated individuals reunite since going above and beyond two years ago. The FIA was particularly impressed by the dedication of the team of officials on the Friday morning of the cancelled 2020 event; those officials knew there was a very real chance of cancelation but showed up anyway. That is true dedication and loyalty. “It’s been a long time coming but I am sure the many Motorsport Australia officials will be keen to get back to what they love doing,” Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca said. “They do a fantastic job every year and I am sure 2022 will be no different, though I have no doubt it will be a special event after two missed years. “With such a major event on the horizon, I want to thank the hundreds of very passionate individuals for once again stepping up to be involved with this year’s Australian Grand Prix.”
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 13
Photos: CH Images
SHORT FASTEST IN GRAFTON HILL CLIMB
James Short has won the first round of the Grafton Sporting Car Club’s hill climb series in style, claiming an emphatic two second victory.
With 59 competitors entered in the event and getting five attempts up the course, it took Short just two to post an unbeatable time as he enjoyed a brilliant second run of 45.76 seconds. Remarkably, his first run of the day was almost 10 seconds off his best time, however Short bounced back nicely in
the second to steer his 2017 Jayton Mk 1 to the eventual event-winning time. Short came close to beating his own time on runs four and five, getting within a second, however his sub-46 time proved too elusive for the Jayton pilot. Finishing the event as runner-up was Dave Morrow, whose 47.36 second run on the final attempt of the day saw him steal second place from Newton Short. Newton had been occupying second place since the second run of the day when he posted a 47.40 behind James and looked set to secure the position until Morrow guided his 1986 Krygger Suzuki to his best time of the day. On his last attempt, Newton almost regained the spot from Morrow, but fell just short to post another 47.40 – settling for third place as a result. While the top three all steered formula libres, the best tin top car was Raymond Wedd, who drove his 2010 Subaru STI to fourth place with a time of 47.99 seconds, two seconds faster than Stanley Pobjoy
who rounded out the top five in his 1980 Volkswagen Special. Other notable results saw the event's fastest woman in Joanne Stanton finish 13th overall with a time of 52.59, while Andrew Hughes was the best junior on the day with a time of 58.12 seconds. The next round of the hill climb series takes place on 30 April.
Click here to view the full results.
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WHAT'S ON IN
Events in many states may be postponed or cancelled due the current COVID-19 restrictions.
APRIL?
Please refer to government restrictions in your area and Motorsport Australia's Return To Race guidelines: motorsport.org.au/COVID19
NEW SOUTH WALES AND ACT
1 April: FIA Girls On Track 1-3 April: Netier National Capital Rally 1-2 April: World Time Attack Challenge 2022 2 April: Rockstar Automotive Mini'Dulla Rally 2-3 April: NSW Motorkhana Championship R3 3 April: Motorsport Australia NSW Supersprint Championship R2 3 April: MGCCN MK2 Dirt Motorkhana 9-10 April: Motorsport Australia NSW Motor Race Championship R2 9-10 April: IROAD and INNOVV Hillclimb Championship R3 10 April: Coffs Coast Khanacross R2 14-15 April: The Wondaiah 15-17 April: Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour 15-18 April: 22 MG National Meeting 16 April: Alfesta 16 April: Toynats Motorkhana 23 April: Midstate Freight Oberon Stages 23 April: SCCA Supersprint - CSCA Series R2 24 April: Club Lap Dash 29 April - 1 May: Hat Head Rally 30 April: Toyosports Dave’s Day /Night Autocross 30 April: PCNSW Tony McKnight Motorkhana Championship R2
NSW: 15-17 April - Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour A record entry list of 70 cars has been confirmed for this year's HiTec Oil Bathurst 6 Hour - including reigning champions Rob Rubis, Shane Smollen and Shane van Gisbergen.
NORTHERN TERRITORY 1-3 April: NT Motorkhana Championship - R2 and Test & Tune 2-3 April: Simpson Enduro 10 April: CARS Autocross 16 April: Track R2
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Photo: Historic Touring Car Association of South Australia
SA: 23-24 April - Morgan's Financial All Historic Mallala Classic cars and a classic South Australian race track combine to make the 2022 Morgan's Financial All Historic Mallala - an event with more than 100 classic cars on show.
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3 April: Motorsport Australia SA Motorkhana Championship R2 3 April: Superkart Race Meeting Including Modern Regularity 3 April: Zagame SuperSunday 10 April: Port Neill Motorkhana 10 April: Ray Pank Winter Cup 1 23-24 April: Morgan's Financial All Historic Mallala
TASMANIA
2 April: Precision Exhaust 31 Bends of Barrington 2 April: Symmons Plains 150 3 April: MG Car Club Of Tasmania Motorkhana 9 April: Motor Sports Club of Tasmania Khanacross Series R2 10 April: Prospect Fire Brigade Come and Try day and BBQ 26 April - 5 May: TARGA Tasmania
QUEENSLAND
2-3 April: Mt Cotton Hillclimb R2 2 April: CCCC R1 Bitumen Motorkhana Come and Try 3 April: Empowering NQ Women through Motorsport Show and Shine
10 April: Motorkhana/Khanacross 10 April: TCAC Motorkhana Series R1 10 April: MAC Dirt Sprint R 15-17 April: Rockynats 02 23 April: Grip Attack Mt Cotton Hillclimb
VICTORIA
2-3 April: Porsche Club Vic Sandown 6 Hour Regularity 2 April: MSCA Super Sprint 2 April: BMWDCM International Women's Driver Training/Come and Try Day 3 April: Avalon Motorkhana R1 3 April: BCC VCAS Autocross and Motorkhana 3 April: Maffra and District Car Club R2 4-7 April: Targa Florio Australian Tribute 7-10 April: Formula 1® Heineken®
Australian Grand Prix 9-10 April: DSCC Autocross & Khanacross R3 9 April: VMCi Group5 Round 3 Motorkhana and Come n Try 10 April: METEC Driver Training Session 16 April: BCC Salesyard Dash 16-17 April: Easter Motorkhana and Family Fun Day 24 April: CCRMIT Lardner Park Motorkhana 28 April - 3 May: National Rally 30 April: METEC Khanacross
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3 April: Novus Glass Winvale Park Stages 7 April: Infinite Time Attack 9 April: SWTCC Test and Tune day 30 April - 1 May: Bunnings Trade Perth SuperNight
Photo: Otherside Productions/Wishart Media
TAS: 26 April - 5 May - TARGA Tasmania The biggest event on the Tasmanian calendar takes place this month with TARGA Tasmania - the round serving as the grand finale for the 2021/2022 Motorsport Australia TARGA Championship.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 17
MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA KITS UP WITH RACER INDUSTRIES Racer Industries, suppliers of a wide range of motorsport accessories, is the latest to partner with Motorsport Australia. Established in 2006, the family-owned Australian business supplies race suits, gloves and boots, race underwear, seats and harnesses, Driver safety apparel, fuel systems, fire extinguisher systems, steering wheels and components, race preparation parts and equipment and Hyundai X3 parts among a host of other products. The new partnership will see Racer Industries be the Official Race Accessories Partner of Motorsport Australia, the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship.
Racer Industries is also a key supporter of the various Hyundai Excel categories across Australia, supplying a number of key parts for the cars which are growing in popularity.
“At Racer Industries, we have a passion for supporting all our competitors, but particularly those at the grassroots level”
Mathew Nilsson, Business Development Manager – Performance at Racer Industries said he was pleased to be supporting Motorsport Australia and its events, while supporting grassroots competitors with access to affordable race gear. “At Racer Industries, we have a passion for supporting all our competitors, but particularly those at the grassroots level who are so important to motorsport,” Nilsson said. “We aim to provide competitors with the best gear at the most affordable
18 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
prices, and as a family-owned Australian business, we’re pleased to be able to source those important products for the Australian market that might not always be easy to find.
“Racer Industries sources its products directly from the manufacturer, so we can provide the best quality gear at great prices and make sure that we can provide whatever competitors might need quickly. “Racer Industries is proud to partner with Motorsport Australia and also support the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship where we’ll be able to support and supply all teams with some really great race gear.”
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca thanked Racer Industries for its support. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Racer Industries into the Motorsport Australia family,” Arocca said. “The team at Racer Industries do a great job in supplying competitors across all levels of the sport with high-quality, professional race wear and we know our members will benefit from having access to their wide range of products.
“We look forward to sharing a great range of deals and products with our members over the coming months through our Member Rewards program, as well as seeing the Racer Industries team at our Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship events.”
Click here for more information about Racer Industries and their products.
Fire & Safety Systems Ltd
Photo: Peter Weaver
SAFETY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN AITKEN’S FIERY ENCOUNTER Many motorsport fans will have seen the scary Romain Grosjean crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix when the Frenchman escaped from his fiery wreck. Thankfully not many participants will personally relate to the dramatic moments the thenHaas driver experienced. However, one person who experienced a close call with fire in his race car was Phillip Aitken.
20 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Entered in the LB Sports class at last month’s Phillip Island Classic, Aitken was enjoying a solid weekend in a one-of-a-kind 1956 Vauxhall Special to lead his class until disaster struck in the category’s third race for the weekend. Reaching the end of the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit’s main straight, he could see a fire brewing under the engine of the car owned by his friend George Coad, and it was growing by the second.
At 200km/h, Aitken was experiencing a driver’s worst fears. With his feet and hands feeling the brunt of the fire that had now made its way under the dash, Aitken had to find a way to stop the car despite being unable to brake heavily due to the excessive heat at his feet. The 69-year-old was forced to press his foot on the brake in small intervals and eventually he was able to slow down and get the car to a halt on the grass.
As the fire continued to roar through the engine, Aitken safely jumped out and managed to find a fire extinguisher and began trying to contain the fire. Not long after, the quick-arriving fire marshals were at the scene preventing more damage to the car, while Aitken was whisked away by the medical team and looked over in the medical centre. “It was a difficult experience to go through and it was extremely hot in the car,” Aitken said.
“It felt like there was a blowtorch coming out of the dash, it was that hot and even though I knew my life wasn’t in danger, I thought that I was in trouble and I was at risk of getting badly burnt.” Although Aitken did suffer serious burns on his hands and on his foot, fortunately there was no other significant damage – much to the surprise of the Victorian.
“Because of the quality of the fire suit – there was no damage whatsoever on my leg”
“I don’t actually know what caused it in the end, but I think that it had something to do with the front carbonator. I won’t know until after the Grand Prix when we take off the body.
“It happened out of nowhere - honestly the car was running perfectly up until that point and then at the end of the main straight, I could see flames coming out of the bonnet before feeling the flames through the firewall and right up onto the dash.
Having had lots of time to review the incident in his head, Aitken credited his wellbeing to a few factors.
“I was actually quite surprised that I wasn’t as bad as I was and I put that down to the safety gear I was wearing,” Aitken explained. “Yes, my thumb and fingers were burnt, but after feeling my right leg in the thick of the flames, I was sure it was going to be worse, but because of the quality of the fire suit – there was no damage whatsoever on my leg. “The suit was the most amazing thing – I can’t believe I felt so much
Photo: Phil Taylor
but there is not a single mark on my leg. Absolutely amazing. “My shoe also protected my feet from sustaining much more damage – in fact if you replace the laces, they are essentially untouched. “But not only am I highly grateful for my safety equipment, but also to the officials who played a role in helping me and making sure the car didn’t sustain any more damage. “The doctors attending to me were fantastic and the fire marshalls did a wonderful job in saving the car – which I was more concerned about to be honest. “Overall, I am relieved and grateful both myself and the car didn’t come out of this incident worse.”
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 21 Photo: Peter Weaver
MOUNTAIN MEN CLAIM THE HATTRICK OF REGULARITIES The NSW 6 Hour Regularity Relay took place in March with 33 teams contesting in the event at the Sydney Motorsport Park.
With each team nominating a lap time and getting points for how close they steer their car to that time, it was a familiar name who took out the victory – the Panorama Mountain Men. Sharing the driving duties for the team were Stewart Temesvary, Bryan Shedden and Glenn Thomas and the three drivers notched up 119 laps of the Eastern Creek circuit.
While they did eventually win the six-hour event, it proved quite a difficult task with the team involved in an entertaining battle against fellow Mazda MX5 Club of NSW team, Barge Racing.
"The event was not without its challenges for most of the teams, with one of the Panorama Mountain Men drivers having to isolate due to catching Omicron just three days before the event.
In what was a see-saw affair, both crews enjoyed the lead at multiple points with Barge Racing’s David Johnson, Rohan Matthews, Sean Byers and Michael De Maio having held the lead heading into the final hour.
“The fact that all podium spots were taken by teams from the MX-5 Club of NSW is a fantastic result for the club and we really enjoyed the battle with the Barge Racing crew and the fact that the lead was constantly changing.
As the laps kept coming, so did the points and it took the Panorama Mountain Men until the final stages to secure their win – just three points separating the two teams at the conclusion of the six hours.
"A big thank you to our dedicated pit crew of Brendan Thomas, Charlie Williams, Fiona Shedden and Ross Reichardt, without whom the win would not have been possible."
In picking up the win, the team became one of the first around the country to win the three major regularity relays within a 12-month period, after they won the Victorian 6 Hour at Phillip Island and the Alfa Club 12 Hour Relay at Winton Victoria last year. "It was nice to have another successful regularity relay and become the reigning champions at three of the major regularity relay events," Temesvary said following on from the event. 22 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Rounding out the podium and confirming a Mazda MX5 Club of NSW podium lockout was Maria and Gerardo Martin, Kim Jacobs, Andrew Digney and Peter Barnwell for team Pissed 'N' Broke.
Click here to view full results from the event.
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CLUB BUSINESS WORKSHOP DATES REVEALED Motorsport Australia has confirmed its 2022 Club Business Workshops calendar with six free courses to take place over the course of the year. The initiative is aimed at giving individuals at Motorsport Australia affiliated clubs a chance to upskill in different areas, as well as help develop those in positions of high responsibility. A range of different topics will be covered throughout 2022 - including workshops focused at financial management or creating extra money to strategic planning, club management fundamentals and creating safe environments. All but one of the six courses will involve three sessions, while the
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Motorsport Australia National Insurance Program will be just one session in July. Each session will begin from 7pm AEST and will be recorded, giving registered participants a chance to play back later. The first workshop to be held will be “Show me the money!’, which will be about easy ways to create extra money for clubs and will take place on 19 April, while more courses will be released throughout the year.
Click here for more information or to register online.
CLUB BUSINESS WORKSHOP SCHEDULE "Show me the money" Easy ways to create extra money for your club Tuesday 19 April 3 sessions Healthy, welcoming clubs Create safe environments and easily manage conflicts at your club Tuesday 31 May 3 sessions Money matters Creating good financial management practices at your club Wednesday 22 June 3 sessions Motorsport Australia National Insurance Program - Clubs Thursday 21 July 1 session Welcome to the committee Club management fundamentals Tuesday 2 August 3 sessions "Fail to plan, plan to fail" The power of strategic planning Wednesday 14 September 3 sessions
NEW MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA MEMBER PORTAL AVAILABLE
Motorsport Australia is proud to reveal its new look Member Portal, which is now available to use. Providing users with a cleaner interface, the newly designed dashboard will allow members to easily navigate their way around the portal and complete their tasks. The portal will continue to hold the important information for Motorsport Australia members and affiliated clubs, such as officials’ and competition licences, club information, certifications and credentials.
for existing and new officials following the recent uploading all bronze training modules online.
“A lot of hard work has gone into building this new design... and I think it will certainly make life easier for everyone involved in motorsport”
While only competitors have been able to fully utilise the portal in previous years, the updated portal will now also allow motorsport officials and media to use it and submit applications. The portal will also allow those with existing media accreditation to renew without the need for paperwork and receive the benefits of accreditation instantaneously – although media will have to wait until the end of 2022 to utilise the new system in readiness for the 2023 motorsport season.
Existing members will also be able to renew their licences, while new members can apply for their initial Motorsport Australia licence.
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca was thrilled with the launch of the new member portal.
The new design continues the push to enhance the overall experience
“A lot of hard work has gone into building this new design for our
member portal and I think it will certainly make life easier for everyone involved in motorsport,” Arocca said. “As the world turns digital, Motorsport Australia is committed to constantly evolving and providing our members with digital licences, instant information updating and online certifications in an easy to use experience. “We are always looking for ways to improve the overall experience for our members and I believe this new user-friendly interface is a great step forward with less paperwork and less time consumed for our members. It also makes good sense from an environmental sustainability point of view.”
Click here to login to the new look Member Portal.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 25
Sportslite pilot Steven Graham won an epic battle in the Victorian Off Road Racing Register’s Rainbow Rises 240 last month – beating Luke Erceg by just 22 seconds. With 33 crews taking part in the club’s dress rehearsal for the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) round at the same location later this year, Graham and Erceg put on a show for the whole 28-lap event. Starting off on top though was another AORC driver in Jason Richards, who won the one-lap first section by more than 10 seconds.
Unfortunately a difficult second section saw Richards pull out for the rest of the event, leaving Graham and Erceg to fight it out – the latter ending section two with a comfortable lead of more than half a minute. While Graham ended up winning the third section, it was only by one second, leaving Erceg still in the box seat. However Graham pegged back the buffer with a 23-second section win before securing the victory on an epic final section with a commanding 32-second section win over Erceg. Rounding out the podium a further 11 minutes off the pace was Brendan Payne, who claimed third place by an even smaller margin than Graham – just three seconds the difference between he and Darren Marks in fourth. In addition to their podium placings, Graham (Sportslite), Erceg (Prolite) and Payne (Probuggy) enjoyed class victories, while Sportsman Buggy winner Dean Williams and SXS Pro winner Glenn Pike both finished inside the top 10. Although they just missed out on a top 10 finish, Peter Sibson the fastest of the Extreme 2WD crews and Andrew Cameron the best of the Performance 2WD class, with both finishing 11th and 12th respectively.
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VORRA will be hosting the fifth round of the 2022 BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship season, the Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro, on 2-4 September.
Click here to view the outright results.
Photos: Jake Williamson
GRAHAM ENJOYS EPIC WIN IN RAINBOW
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Photos: CMR Photographic
RULLO TAKES OUT SECOND ALBANY SPRINT The Auto One Targa Albany Sprint was a roaring success last month with Alex Rullo making it back-toback wins in the popular event.
“We put a whole new computer in the car, and to be honest, we just tried to get the car here, we only got it going a few days ago,” Rullo said.
Taking place in the picturesque Middleton Beach, 73 competitors tackled the challenging 2.8 km course and had multiple attempts at posting the fastest time for the day, however it was Rullo who came away with the outright win.
“The hill climb at Middleton Beach would have to be my favourite – I love the track, love the layout, it’s very fast, and we managed to snag a win which is great, I’m really happy.
In what proved to be an entertaining duel between he and Steve Jones, the former Supercars driver ended up taking out the win by just short of seventh tenths – his final time of 1:25.33 enough to claim the win. Jones got the better start of the two, winning the first run, but from the second run onwards, it was Rullo and his Lamborghini Gallardo who went fastest on each run, despite the Evo driver getting within a second on the final two occasions. 28 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
“At the start of the day with the rain, we weren’t sure how many dry runs we’d get, and we knew Steve Jones would be extremely quick in his car. “In the last run, I put it on the line, there was nothing left in the car - it was pretty cool to battle it out with Steve, we both got our quickest times on that last run.” Rounding out the podium behind the top two was Mark Cates in his 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, who won a tight battle of his own against Matt JamesWallace and Jurgen Lunsmann in a
Photo: Elevation Digital
2019 Tesla Model 3P+ electric car – less than seven tenths separating the trio. Remarkably Lunsmann was occupying top spot after the first run and sat second until the fourth run when he was surpassed by Jones and Cates. While the sprint took place on the Monday, there was plenty
of action leading up to it with the Auto One Targa Quaranup Rallysprint and Quaranup Sprint running on the Sunday. Up first was the rallysprint where every competitor had a co-driver and it was Troy Wilson who guided a 2010 Mitsubishi Evo X to the
win alongside Gav Russell with an unbeatable time of 1:15.92. The Sunday also saw Auto One Targa Quaranup Sprint take place where competitors got four runs at the 2.55km course up to the historic Camp Quaranup and it was JamesWallace who claimed the video. Serving as the perfect preparation to the main event, James-Wallace steered his 1993 Nissan GRT R32 with a time of 1:23.09 to secure his second title at the event. “The car was fantastic, really good, and it was loving the cool Albany air which is good for turbo charged cars,” James-Wallace said. “I really enjoy the hill climb, there’s nowhere else in WA where you can belt up a hill at speed, it’s great fun. “I was born in Albany, so it’s good to go back and see the family and hit a home run in the home town.”
For more information and full results, click here.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 29 Photo: CMR Photographic
Photos: Ray Filetti
NSW SUPERSPORTS RIDING THE WAVE After a strong start to the year, the Industrie Clothing NSW Supersports Championship will enjoy its second round later this month. Inspired by the Australian Sports Car Championship that ran from the 1960s to the 1980s, the New South Wales based category has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, attracting a number of national level stars in the sports car community. Some of the names to regularly contest the NSW competition will be familiar to fans of the Radical Cup Australia and GC Marine Australian Prototype Series, including Peter Paddon and Garth Walden Racing drivers Peter White and Stephen Champion. In its three most recent rounds, the category has enjoyed its three largest fields on record, with February’s 23-car entry list just six shy of the highest ever field in a single race meeting – last year’s October round at
Sydney Motorsport Park as a support category to the Repco Supercars Championship holding that honour. Similar to the national competition, the NSW championship fields three classes at every round. The most popular field is Class 1, where pilots of the 1500cc SR3 Radicals star, while Class 2 boasts a more LMP3 style, where Radical SR8 and SR10s, Wolf Tornado S, Stohr WF1, West WX10s and the older West WR1000s all battle it out. The category’s Class 3 serves as a nod to the pure pace that sports
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cars can boast with the classic PRB, Lotus, Westfield, Birkin, and Amaroo Clubman often the vehicles of choice for competitors. The Industrie Clothing New South Wales Supersports Championship returns to Eastern Creek for the second round of the 2022 season on 8 April.
Individuals interested in competing in the Championship can get more information here.
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Photo: Revved Photography
VHRR CLASSIC LIGHTS UP PHILLIP ISLAND AGAIN After celebrating its 50th anniversary late last year, the Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) has continued a busy period with one of the biggest editions of its popular Phillip Island Classic Festival.
more than 400 cars across the nation featured in the three-day event.
Taking place at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, the annual race meeting is one of the biggest Historics event around the world as
Just as impressive as the eclectic mix of cars were the sizable entry lists for many of the categories, most notably the 55 entrants competing
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With 20 categories on display through multiple races across the weekend, there was a large range of classic cars that appealed to fans of all kinds.
for the Formula Ford Perkins Cup and the Regularity - winning the Perkins Cup was Jonathan Miles in a 1989 Van Diemen RF89. One of the other most highly anticipated races for the meeting was the special Peter Brock Trophy, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of Peter Brock’s famous 1972 Bathurst win.
Photos: Revved Photography
Held on the Sunday afternoon, 22 cars battled it out over five laps for the prestigious cup with West Australian Aldo De Paoli steering his 1969 Chev Camaro to a five second victory over Jason Humble. Following on from the event, Clerk of Course Mike Herlihy was proud of all the efforts of the people who contributed to running the famous meeting. “The meeting went extremely well, and everyone involved with putting it on was incredibly happy with the outcome of the event,” Herlihy said.
“There was a significant number of entrants and huge crowds which gave the meeting a great atmosphere.
effort from all the officials who volunteered their time to help the event run as smoothly as they did.
“One of the challenges we knew we were going to have was getting people into the circuit due to the QR scanning and of course, there was a bit of tension heading into the event.
“Even though it was listed as a threeday event, there was private practice on the Thursday, so to ask the officials to front up for four days and do what they did – words can’t describe how magnificent of a job they did.”
“However, we had up to 36 people working throughout the weekend, making sure that attendees didn’t have to wait as long as they did and even that turned out pretty good, so we’re stoked. “It was a significant effort from those people and also an outstanding
Click here to view all the winners from the weekend.
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 33
Photo: Speed Shots Photography
RECOVERY BOOST FOR SHANNONS MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA Motorsport Australia has bolstered its recovery team with the addition of the powerful Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar. A dedicated recovery team will be on hand to assist at all Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships events, including the first event at Phillip Island in March. Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith said recovery was becoming an increasingly important part of race meetings. “We have a really talented pool of recovery officials across Australia who do amazing work at all levels of the sport,” Smith said.
and cleaning up after significant incidents to maximise racing time.
reach and clear an incident in the most efficient way possible.
“Leading up to this year, our focus for Motorsport Australia promoted
“A big thank you to Nissan for their support of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships.”
“That’s why for all Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships events, we’ll have the Nissan PRO-4X Warrior team on stand by ready to assist with any complex recoveries”
“They give up their time, energy and often their own equipment to help events run smoothly, negotiating tight schedules
events is to have a consistent recovery team available at each event who know the cars and circuits well. “That’s why for all Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships events, we’ll have the Nissan PRO-4X Warrior team on stand by ready to assist with any complex recoveries that come their way. “The inclusion of the Nissan PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar is a significant boost, given the Warrior’s towing capacity and ability to carry necessary equipment to
34 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Launched in 2021, the new Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar has been lauded as the world’s toughest Navara. A true Warrior 2.0, the Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar adopts the improvements made by Nissan and the new Navara PRO-4X, and has also reacted to real-world customer feedback to create a unique flagship vehicle that is tailor-made for Australia and Australian conditions. Acting as the new halo model to the Navara range, the new Warrior was locally developed by leading automotive-engineering company Premcar at its state ofthe-art facility in Epping, Victoria.
Bernie Quinn, Engineering Director at Premcar was delighted with the Navara joining the Shannons' team. “We are excited and proud to supply the Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior to Motorsport Australia. The Warrior’s go anywhere toughness and legendary reliability makes it the perfect choice as a recovery vehicle. Whether you are in the outback, taking the family camping or stuck in a sand trap, you can depend on the toughest Navara ever, the PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar.”
Photo: Speed Shots Photography
PARTY TIME FOR SHANNONS OPENER ON THE ISLAND The Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships kicked off for 2022 last month with a huge opening event at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. More than 14,000 spectators, the biggest crowd in recent times, were on hand at Phillip Island to enjoy three days of non-stop action as seven national categories battled it out for round honours. On track, there were plenty of talking points across the three days within each category. 36 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
From former Supercars star Fabian Coulthard enjoying a successful Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series debut with the round win, to Jordan Caruso beating the Precision National Sports Sedan Series’ long time number one in Steve Tamasi at the end of the weekend. Owen Kelly was also another driver to overcome a reigning champion to claim top honours, beating last year’s winner Nathan Herne in the Turtle Wax Trans Am Series.
Of course, there were also a number of current champions continuing with their rich run of form with Chris Perini (Radical Cup Australia), Joey Mawson (S5000 Australian Drivers' Championship) and Yasser Shahin, who teamed up with International ace Christopher Mies to win the Motorsport Australia GT Championship ProAm round. Rounding out the categories was the Australian Formula Ford Series, which saw Valentino Astuti win the second round of its 2022 season.
Photo: Speed Shots Photography
Outside of the racing, there was an exciting atmosphere around the island with Thursday night’s street party in town highly successful, while the Hot Wheels Stunt Team put on a show for fans at different points of the weekend.
PRECISION NATIONAL SPORTS SEDAN SERIES
For the three race-days of the event, the atmosphere continued to have high energy as fans were treated to an electrifying spectacle.
1. 2. 3.
The Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ next event will be the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour later this month, before heading to Sydney at the end of May.
Tickets for the round at Sydney Motorsport Park on 27-29 May 2022 are available here.
1. 2. 3.
Jordan Caruso Steven Tamasi Shane Woodman
RADICAL CUP AUSTRALIA Chris Perini Jordan Oon Peter Carr
TURTLE WAX TRANS AM SERIES 1. 2. 3.
Owen Kelly Nathan Herne Tim Brook
S5000 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP 1. 2. 3.
Joey Mawson James Golding Cooper Webster
SUPERCHEAP AUTO TCR AUSTRALIA SERIES 1. 2. 3.
Fabian Coulthard Dylan O'Keeffe Jordan Cox
FANATEC GT WORLD CHALLENGE AUSTRALIA
PROAM 1. Yasser Shahin/Christopher Mies 2. Liam Talbot/Chaz Mostert 3. Tony Bates/David Reynolds AM 1. Matt Stoupas 2. Michael Sheargold/Garth Walden 3. Gary Higgon/Paul Stokell GT 1. 2. 3.
TROPHY SERIES Brad Schumacher Brett Hobson Dean Koutsoumidis
GT4 1. Ross Poulakis/Sam Brabham 2. Mark Griffith 3. Madeline Stewart
AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD SERIES 1. 2. 3.
Valentino Astuti James Piszczyk Cameron McLeod
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 37
Motorsport fans can enjoy highlights and extended coverage of the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) and BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) in 2022, with both championships to be broadcast on 7mate and 7plus. Extended coverage of both championships will be available on demand on 7plus, while highlights will be screened on 7mate throughout the 2022 Rally and Off Road seasons. The EROAD Power Stage will also be screened on 7plus on the Sunday of each rally, including crowning the winner in the coverage. Each ARC round will feature a 60-minute recap show on 7mate and
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7plus, while a 30-minute show will air on 7mate and 7plus following each AORC round, aside from the iconic Tatts Finke Desert Race, which will instead feature an action-packed 90-minute feature presentation on Seven. Seven Melbourne Managing Director and Head of Network Sport, Lewis Martin, said: “We are ecstatic to deliver all the high-octane action to motorsport fans across the country in 2022 with the rally and off road championships. “After suffering through two COVIDimpacted seasons, we cannot wait to deliver key moments from this year’s championships straight to fans, right here on Seven, Your Home of Sport.”
Motorsport Australia CEO, Eugene Arocca, thanked Seven for supporting rally and off road as the host broadcaster of each championship. “We’re thrilled to have a home on Seven for our rally and off road championships both on 7plus and 7mate in 2022,” he said. “Both these championships have had it tough in recent years with interrupted seasons, but 2022 is promising to deliver something special with huge interest from competitors and fans alike. “Rally and off road are exciting disciplines, with amazing vision captured at these events and we’re pleased to be able to provide
Photo: Terry Hill Photography
MOTORSPORT’S NEW ERA ON SEVEN
Photo: Peter Norton/Epic Sports Photography
expanded coverage across the screens of Seven this season,” Mr Arocca said. 7plus has fans covered for every round of the ARC with the Friday Preview Show and Sunday Power Stage available on demand. Then, catch all the best action in the 60-minute highlights show for every round, available on 7mate and 7plus.
The first round of the AORC, the Cobb & Co Hotel St George 399 is now available to watch.
2022 RSEA SAFETY MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
2022 BFGOODRICH MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1: Netier National Capital Rally, ACT, 2-3 April
Round 1: Cobb & Co St George 399, QLD, 18-20 March
Round 2: Make Smoking History Forest Rally, WA, 20–22 May
Round 2: Pooncarie Desert Dash, NSW, 6-8 May
Round 3: Rally Launceston, TAS, 25–26 June
Round 3: Tatts Finke Desert Race, NT, 11-13 June
Round 4: Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland, QLD, 22–24 July
Round 4: Can-am Loveday 400, SA, 30-31 July
Round 5: Gippsland Rally, VIC – 27–28 August
Round 5: Hindmarsh Shire Rainbow Desert Enduro, VIC, 2-4 September
Round 6: AGI Sport Adelaide Hills Rally, SA, 21-23 October
Round 6: Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race, WA, 20-23 October
Round 7: Coffs Coast Rally, NSW, 25-27 November
MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 39
Photos: Terry Hill Photography
HOWELLS COMPLETES ST GEORGE DOUBLE The BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) has begun with a bang as Josh Howells claimed a consecutive Cobb & Co Hotel St George 399 victory.
Taking out second place for his first career podium was Ryan Taylor with Kye Floyd, while returning nine-time AORC champions Shannon and Ian Rentsch rounded out the podium.
Driving alongside regular navigator Eric Hume, Howells produced a masterclass performance throughout the weekend – having led the record field from start to finish.
Despite what turned out to be dominant display for Howells, it was far from it, as he had to navigate through a number of issues across the weekend. From finishing second behind Beau Robinson in a duty Prologue to breaking one of his buggy’s front arms and losing fuel in section one, an extremely mature performance from Howells further illustrated why he is considered one of the championship’s top contenders. “Back to back victories sounds good – I didn’t expect it but it feels good,” Howells said.
40 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Photos: Terry Hill Photography
“We had little hiccups along the way and that is always a thing, but we were able to get over them and move forward and we were lucky enough to keep the pace when we did have issues. “Even though we kept our cool and pushed through, I have to give a massive shout out to my team who gave me a car that made it possible to race at the pace I needed to race. It was unreal.”
finish seventh place alongside new navigator Sarah Corrigan, while a strong final section from Matt Huxley and Tobi Turnbull saw them replace Phil Lovett and Luke Stanley in eighth place overall.
“I have to give a massive shout out to my team who gave me a car that made it possible to race at the pace I needed to race”
Finishing in fourth place after another impressive weekend in St George was Michael Spokes and Brad Rogan – the duo also capping off victory in Prolite class. Possibly the best recovery drive for the weekend belonged to the fifth placed Jake and Kate Swinglehurst, who started the race in 39th – a mighty effort to claim their first ever AORC top 10 finish.
Ally Howells was another driver to enjoy a maiden top 10 finish, the Prolite driver
Lovett wouldn’t have been too disheartened though with the experienced campaigner leaving St George with the KINCOME SXS Motorsport Australia Championship victory.
Having led the class after the first two sections, Lovett went conservative for the final lap and did what he had to do to hold off the fast charging Greg Campbell and Zachary Marsh – the former finishing 10th outright. Splitting the SXS crews was Brett Comiskey and Corey Cooper – the Queensland veteran guiding his former Toby Price run Trophy Truck to ninth and the Extreme 2WD class.
The BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship now to the newest inclusion on the calendar – the Pooncarie Desert Race on 6-8 May.
Click here to view the full results from the event.
Click here to view the highlights on 7plus.
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Photo: Peter Norton/Epic Sports Photography
ARC TO BEGIN 2022 WITH A CAPITAL BANG After a false start in 2021, the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) returns this month with the Netier National Capital Rally. Following on from a hugely successful testing session and season launch in Canberra at the start of March, the nation’s capital will welcome a huge field of 52 crews. Up to 177 competitive kilometres over three heats await the 32-registered ARC crews in Canberra with the endurance event to be spread across 13 picturesque stages. A star-studded line up has been confirmed for the rally with reigning champions Harry Bates and John McCarthy, along with Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia teammates Lewis 42 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA SPEED READ
Bates Anthony McLoughlin the two crews setting the benchmark. The current titleholders aren’t the only former champions on the entry list with 2018 champion Eli Evans, 2017 champion Nathan Quinn and 2014 champion Scott Pedder all confirmed.
is the debut of Repco Supercars Championship two-time champion Shane van Gisbergen in the Bull Australia Skoda Fabia R5.
“Can’t wait to get on the first stage of the Netier National Capital Rally”
Outside of the former champions, there are a number of other drivers to look out for - most notably Arron Windus, Brendan Reeves, Luke Anear and Guy Tyler. Of course one of the major headliners for the opening round of the ARC
The official action gets underway on Saturday 2 April where crews will begin the first of seven stages at 7:21am local time.
After completing 109 competitive kilometres over the first three sections on the Saturday, ARC crews will have a shorter day on Sunday with 73 kilometres over six stages to take place, including the 10-kilometre EROAD Power Stage, which will wrap up the event on Sunday afternoon.
Photo: Peter Norton/Epic Sports Photography
After winning the last four ARC rounds in Canberra, reigning champion Harry Bates was ready for the tougher competition in 2022. “I think there is no doubt that we’re going into this year with stiffer competition than previous years and that excites me. I encourage all competition and it drives me to do better,” Bates said. “Can’t wait to get on the first stage of the Netier National Capital Rally.” There will be plenty of ways fans can keep up to date with the rally. Outside of the national championship, the Canberra-based rally will host the commencement of the 2022 season for the Motorsport Australia NSW Rally
Championship, East Coast Classic Rally Series and ACT Regional Rally Series. Fans attending the event can view the cars live via the multiple spectator points or up close for free at the ARC Service Park. Those unable to make it can stay updated via the ARC’s social media platforms, the live blog on the championship’s website or through rallyresults.com and rallysafe, which will be displaying live timing. As part of the ARC’s recent deal with the Seven Network, the EROAD Power Stage will be screened live on 7plus from 2pm AEST on Sunday 3 April. Following on from the event, a bumper 60-minute event highlights show will
be available free and on demand on 7plus from 12 April or on 7mate at a time and date to be confirmed. The 2022 Netier National Capital Rally takes place in Canberra on 2-3 April.
Click here to view the entry list.
Click here for spectator information.
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Photos: Edge Photographics
SUPERCARS’ STARTS 2022 IN STYLE The Repco Supercars Championship 2022 season has kicked off in style with two entertaining rounds having taken place in March. Getting the season underway at the start of the month was Sydney Motorsport Park with the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight, before Symmons Plains hosted the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint three weeks later. While there have been a few surprise stories for the opening two events of the year, it’s been business as usual for Shane van Gisbergen and Triple Eight Racing as the reigning champion won four of the first five races.
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With two 250km races run at Eastern Creek, there was plenty of anticipation for the new season, but van Gisbergen stamped his authority on the competition, claiming a 20 second win over Anton De Pasquale. In the event’s second race, there was more chaos as van Gisbergen had an error-riddled run, allowing Chaz Mostert to back up his race one podium with a race two win – the Queenslander moving to the top of the standings for the first time in his career. Heading to Symmons Plains for the second event for the year, the Red Bull Ampol Racing showed why the Launceston-based track has been their home away from home in recent times.
Photos: Edge Photographics
Ahead of the round, the Queenslandbased team had won 14 out of the 17 races and van Gisbergen added another three to that remarkable stat after a dominant weekend. The Tasmanian round also saw David Reynolds and Cameron Waters pick up their first podiums for the year, while Broc Feeney claimed his first ever Supercars podium – the young rookie doing it in just his fourth outing. As a result of his highly successful weekend, van Gisbergen now leads De Pasquale by 67 points in the Championship standings, while Mostert trails Will Davison by 23 points in the battle for third place. April will see Supercars on one of the biggest stages in Australian sport with the grand return of the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix, before heading out west for the Bunnings Trade Perth SuperNight at the end of the month.
CHAMPIONSHIP TOP 10 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Shane van Gisbergen - 562 points Anton De Pasquale - 495 Will Davison - 440 Chaz Mostert - 417 Brodie Kostecki - 387 Broc Feeney - 382 Cameron Waters - 382 William Brown - 316 David Reynolds - 311 Tim Slade – 306
BEAUREPAIRES SYDNEY SUPERNIGHT RACE 1 1. 2. 3.
Shane van Gisbergen Anton De Pasquale Chaz Mostert
NED WHISKY TASMANIA SUPERSPRINT RACE 3 1. 2. 3.
Shane van Gisbergen Will Davison Cameron Waters
RACE 4 1. 2. 3.
Shane van Gisbergen Broc Feeney David Reynolds
RACE 5 4. 5. 6.
Shane van Gisbergen Will Davison Anton De Pasquale
RACE 2 1. 2. 3.
Chaz Mostert Brodie Kostecki Anton De Pasquale MOTORSPORT.ORG.AU 45
Photo: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool
FIA UPDATE: RALLY STAGE SAFETY GUIDELINES The FIA has released a new bulletin addressing a number of new safety measures to be put in place. Targeted at drivers and organisers for rally events, the bulletin addresses areas such as the Stop Control and stage access provides recommendations about each area. Both areas are popular amongst fans but can also be dangerous if not managed correctly as cars are often approaching at high speeds and instantly decelerating to a stop, meaning there is a chance that cars could lose control upon arrival.
STOP CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS •
The Stop Control (SC) must have fire extinguishers at hand should they be required for any situation when a car arrives at this location
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The SC should not be positioned within 150m of any main or adjoining road that is not closed for the competition
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On some events the SC can be busy with media looking to get quotes from the crews as soon as they complete the special stage
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The marshals should outline how they want to work with the media before the cars arrive so that everyone can conduct their duties safely and efficiently
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In addition, spectator control needs to be well planned with sufficient space for fans to get a glimpse of their heroes while still remaining at a safe distance from the cars themselves
STAGE ACCESS RECOMMENDATIONS •
The access to the stage finish should be closed 30 min before the first competing car is due to ensure there are no spectators moving on the stage itself
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It is important that organisers put in place a proper and safe pathway to circulate spectators before this closing time
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This same process should apply at the stage start as well
Click here to view the FIA's Rally Safety Guidelines.
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