The fifth round of Shannons SpeedSeries saw a bumper crowd of more than 18,000 motorsport fans in attendance to watch the action at EVENTelec Race Queensland.
Cover photo by Speed Shots Photography
GIRLS LEAD THE WAY AT TRIPLE EIGHT RACE ENGINEERING
Last month a group of aspiring young women participated in the latest edition of the FIA Girls on Track Pathways event at Triple Eight Race Engineering.
The latest event in the series targeted young women aged 15-22 with a specific interest in engineering and mechanics, encouraging them to pursue studies in STEM with the goal of creating motorsport career pathways.
The event was hosted by Supercars presenter and Girls on Track Champion, Charlie Barlow, who ran the group through a packed program at the Triple Eight Race Engineering headquarters in Queensland.
The day kicked off with a video message from Girls on Track ambassador and General Motors Motorsports Integration Manager, Jess Dane, who welcomed the group and gave an update on her new role in the United States.
The group then listened to a panel discussion from the Triple Eight Race Engineering team featuring Engineer Andrew Edwards, Team Mechanic Gabrielle Clift and TG86 driver Summer Rintoule.
Following the panel discussion, participants took the opportunity to meet and network with the Triple Eight team.
Participants then got the chance to put their knowledge to the test with a practical engineering activity hosted by Triple Eight Data and Systems Engineer Isaac Baldry.
Challenged with programming software to upload into the Supercheap Auto Wildcard car using
Z by HP laptops, participants got the chance to see their program come to life on the dashboard of a Supercar.
The day finished with a workshop tour and question time with Triple Eight Team Manager, Mark Dutton.
The next instalment of the FIA Girls on Track pathways event will be held at Walkinshaw Andretti United in Victoria on Thursday 29 August.
Find out more about the program at motorsport.org.au/ girlsontrack
Photos: Kass Brumley
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BATES AND TAYLOR SECURE GIPPSLAND TOP HONOURS
Harry Bates and Coral Taylor have taken their latest Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) victory in a chaotic finish to proceedings at The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally.
The reigning champions executed a textbook endurance weekend in Gippsland, topping off 16 stages of rallying with maximum points in the Galvaniize Insurance Power Stage to lock up the top step.
The duo spent much of the Saturday locked in an intense battle with Championship challengers Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall, trading stage wins throughout the day to finish day one with four apiece.
With this weekend one of the ARC’s endurance events, no points are awarded on Saturday – with crews having to finish on Sunday before the standings are finalised.
With timings carried over into Sunday’s proceedings, Bates and Taylor enjoyed a 12.3 second lead to Pedder and Macneall as they tackled the hill climb stage first up.
Bates and Taylor had the measure of the of the Pedders Suspension and Brakes team for much of Sunday, claiming six of the eight stage wins to cement their third outright victory in 2024.
“It’s a very important one for the championship, obviously being the half-way point and second half of the season starting here,” Bates said.
“A strong one for us. Obviously, we led from the first to the last stage, so very happy with that. Even today when we backed off slightly, our pace was still okay.
“I’m looking forward to battling it out for the rest of the season with Scott, but it’s nice have a bit of a points advantage now.”
I’m looking forward to battling it out for the rest of the season with Scott, but it’s nice have a bit of a points advantage
For Pedder, while he would finish the rally third on the outright standings after the Power Stage, the damage to the Skoda Fabia R5 forced them to the side of the road for running repairs on the return to Pedders Rally Central.
Pedder’s misfortune saw Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin make it a one-two finish for Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia, followed by Eddie Maguire and Zak Brakey in third.
Photos:
Dan Thompson
Maguire and Brakey moved up to second in the overall standings after the weekend’s points haul, now 16 points clear of Pedder and Macneall ahead of next month’s Adelaide Hills Rally.
Turning the attention to the ARC Cups, and there were plenty of highlights throughout the field.
In the MainFix ARC Production Cup, Molly Taylor and co-driver Andy Sarandis would end her final round of her 2024 campaign with a class win – made even more sweet given she was able to overcome late mechanical dramas to hang on to the victory.
For the ARC Junior Cup, Mitch Garrad and co-driver Taylah Murphy continued their strong run of form to edge out Molly Spalding and co-driver Adam Branford.
Looking at this round’s ARC 2WD Cup, Nick Seymour and co-driver Matt Whitten continued their momentum from Saturday to take out an impressive class victory.
In the Trenching Systems Australia ARC Classic 2WD Cup, Ivan Thompson and Lachlan Nordsvan were victorious in their crowd favourite Ford Capri.
And in a hugely successful debut, the Subaru WRX Challenge inaugural victory would go to Timothy Clark and Leonie Clark – the pair consistent across the weekend to claim the win.
Crews now turn their attention to the Adelaide Hills Rally in South Australia on 13-15 September.
View full results for The Middle of Everywhere Gippsland Rally via the Subaru Results Hub
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Photo: Dan Thompson
Photo: Dan Thompson
Photo: Motorsport Australia Media
THE ULTIMATE MOTORSPORT PRIZE IS BACK IN 2024
Enthusiasts can now win one of the most coveted prizes in motorsport with the return of the 2024 Ultimate Motorsport Prize at Mount Panorama.
One lucky fan will be gifted the Ultimate Repco Bathurst 1000 experience as part of the raffle, with all proceeds going towards St Vincent’s Hospital’s Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit.
The money-can’t-buy experience will also feature a lap around Mount Panorama in the Supercars Course Car, four nights twin-share accommodation and an exclusive meet and greet with the legendary Dick Johnson.
Second prize includes two tickets to a 2025 Supercars event of the winner’s choosing, valid to any Australian or New Zealand resident race, plus two corporate paddock tickets, two course car rides and two grid walks.
The third winner will receive two general admission tickets to a 2025 Supercars event of their choice and a PIRTEK Racing Merchandise pack.
The combined prize pool for 2024 is valued at $29,900, with tickets available for purchase at $20 each.
The prize is brought to the public thanks to Pirtek, Speedcafe, Shell V-Power Racing Team, Supercars, National Motor Racing Museum, and Motorsport Australia.
WHAT'S IN THE PRIZE?
The Ultimate Motorsport Experience prize’s winner will enjoy the following perks and more at the 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000:
• Return trip for two to the 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000 from the winner’s nearest Australian capital city
• Four nights twin-share accommodation
• Winner waves the starter’s flag for the Repco Bathurst 1000
• Ride around Mount Panorama in the Supercars Course Car
• 3-day Supercars Paddock Club tickets (Friday to Sunday)
• Meet the race winners in PIRTEK Victory lane
• Exclusive meet and greet with the legendary Dick Johnson and VIP Tour of the Shell V-Power Racing Team pits
The Repco Bathurst 1000 takes place at the famous Mount Panorama on 10-13 October.
Head to ultimatemotorsportprize. com.au/bathurst2024 to buy raffle tickets now
• Behind the scenes tour of Mount Panorama - including visit to the top of the mountain and the podium
• VIP (after hours) tour of the National Motor Museum at Mt Panorama
• Helicopter flight around Mount Panorama
• Access to the grid before the race for the national anthem
• A personal tour of the Supercars TV compound
• A photo taken with the Peter Brock Trophy on the podium
• A visit to Motorsport Australia Race Control
• A signed photo with the race winners as the ultimate memento of the whole experience
• A personal VIP concierge host for the weekend
• Two PIRTEK merchandise packs
Your Next Motorsport Adventure Awaits
PHILLIP ISLAND: THE INSIDE STORY A FREE PREVIEW
Phillip Island is Australia's home of motorsport.
These are the untold stories of a century of racing.
There is no other motor-racing circuit in the world with the history of Phillip Island. Since 1928 it has hosted the Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the World Superbike Championship and many other races. It's revered as the world's best MotoGP track and is the second-fastest in the world by just 0.1 km/h.
Motor-racing journalist for more than 45 years, John Smailes delivers the definitive account of the circuit, featuring interviews with champions including Valentino Rossi and many others who made it the legend it is today. It's the gripping and untold story of an island unlike any other.
Speed Read is proud to provide a small excerpt from this history-rich book.
The Austin Motor Company was in trouble. Servicing the war effort had seriously depleted its cash reserves. Patriotically, Austin had slashed profit margins to build armaments.
The postwar marketplace had not bounced back, and volume was not enough to sustain the factory, at least not with the expensive mid-sized cars they were making. To make matters more complex, in 1914, Herbert Austin hadfloated the company, capitalised at £650,000. Understandably, his new investors were more demanding of immediate results than his family was— and they were harder to handle, too.
To top it off, Herbert, now in his fifties, had taken his eye off the ball. In December 1918 he’d bowed to the will of the people and agreed to represent them as the Conservative MP for Kings Norton, Birmingham. You can’t do both.
A big idea was needed, and in 1921, Sir Herbert and his son-in-law had one. They’d make a car for the common
man—fifteen years before Volkswagen had the same idea—and they’d build it on a production line to rival that of Ford’s Model T. It would be so cheap that it would cost no more than a motorcycle-and-sidecar outfit.
For the concept to work, profit margins would have to be infinitesimal. For that reason alone, the shareholders wouldn’t buy it. The risk-to-reward ratio wasn’t in their favour. Rebuffed, Austin started a skunkworks.
The plans for his baby car were drawn by eighteenyear-old draftsman Stanley Edge in the billiard room of Austin’s home. Three prototypes were built in a corner of the factory.
It set the Austin family on a collision course with their new shareholders, who revolted. Austin Motor Company was briefly put into liquidation, then bailed out almost immediately by the issue of £1.5 million in debentures repayable over five years. The purpose had been to loosen Austin’s grip on his company. It was a ploy. As part of the ‘rescue’, the banks insisted three senior external directors were appointed, and Austin was removed as managing director. As the man with his name on the hubcaps, he was allowed to remain chairman.
And then, miraculously, the Austin 7—696cc and 7.2 horsepower (5.3 kilowatts) of mini-magic—got up. Austin extracted his revenge by charging a family royalty of two guineas for every car sold. They made 290,000 of them and wiped out the cyclecar industry.
The plans for his baby car were drawn by eighteen-yearold draftsman in the billiard room of Austin’s home
Arthur Waite— handsome, six feet tall, straight of back, not yet 30, and a war hero (everyone who survived Gallipoli was)—became the super-salesman. He spearheaded a racing-based promotional blitz. He set class speed records on the steeply banked Brooklands circuit in Surrey. Then in 1923, with his trusted riding mechanic Alf Depper, he took a race-prepared Austin 7 to Monza in northern Italy and won the International Grand Prix for Light Cars.
This was the biggest of big deals. Bentley was carrying the British flag on
Photo: Chevron
the Continent and would win the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1924. But a year earlier, Waite’s baby Austin had blown away the opposition on their home soil. Buyers couldn’t help but be impressed.
Seven-mania spread the world. Austin 7s were manufactured under licence in the USA, Germany and France. Datsun in Japan survived a court action for knocking off the design and instead assembled under licence. Baby Austins arrived as rolling chassis in Australia, available to seven local coach builders. The completed 7s were sold under local names such as Comet and Meteor.
Sydney Albert ‘S.A.’ Cheney, a true Australian retail pioneer, saw the potential for a more lineal approach. In 1926, he secured the Victorian, NSW and South Australian agency for Austin, promising Sir Herbert he’d attack Ford, which had established manufacturing plants in each state to build its market-leading Model T.
would do the trick. They were packed off with instructions to double Austin’s market share Down Under.
Arthur made immediate contact with the VLCC and when he learned of their plans at Phillip Island, he telegraphed his father-in-law: ‘Send my race car.’
On 31 March 1928, Waite and riding mechanic Guy Barranger, a fellow AIF veteran, won what retrospectively became the first Australian Grand Prix—not in class, but outright, which was a surprise to all.
Waite and Guy Barranger, a fellow veteran, won what retrospectively became the first Australian Grand Prix
Arthur and Irene Waite came with the deal. Sir Herbert and Lady Helen thought a change of climate would be good for the kids. Their marriage had not yet been blessed with offspring. Perhaps a summer or two in Australia
Five weeks later, on 4 May, the winning Austin 7 was the smallest car on display at the biggest motor show then held in Melbourne, at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. The trajectory could only be upward.
But the Great Depression stopped that. Total Australian car sales had smashed through the 100,000 ceiling in 1929, peaking at 104,000. A year later, as shock waves from the New York Stock Exchange’s 1929 Black Thursday crash created a global financial catastrophe, total deliveries plummeted to 40,130. By 1932, just 13,921 new vehicles were sold. Cheney, listed on the stock exchange, went into liquidation. Arthur and Irene had already retreated to the United Kingdom, but their
anticipated clear succession was no longer an option. In their absence, the board’s control had tightened.
In the 1930 Ards Tourist Trophy (TT), a 660-kilometre enduro in Northern Ireland won by Tazio Nuvolari on Alfa Romeo, Arthur crashed his works Austin 7 on lap seven. He never raced again.
Arthur became a director of the Austin Motor Company, in charge of sales, service and promotions, but he did not ascend to managing director or chair.
Sir Herbert Austin was created Baron (Lord) Austin in 1936 and died from a heart attack in 1941, after once more seeing his factory given over to another war effort. His peerage did not pass on.
In 1952, the Austin Motor Company merged with Morris Motors to become the British Motor Corporation. The Austin badge was phased out in 1988.
Arthur Waite passed away on 25 January 1991, aged 96. He and Irene never had children.
Phillip Island: The inside story of Australia's fastest racetrack, our home of motorsport is available for purchase at Allen & Unwin, and all good bookstores.
CALM NEWMAN COOL UNDER PRESSURE
This month’s Supercheap Auto Official Superstar is Matthew Newman, who has been nominated for his organisational skills and ability to successfully overcome challenges at last month’s WA Sporting Car Club Inc (WASCC) Round 4 race meet at CARCO.com.au Raceway.
Having recently obtained his silver event command licence, Matthew was tasked with completing the weekend program in ever-changing conditions at the raceway.
Matthew remained calm after a busy weekend of incidents, quickly and decisively managing the event as over 18 cars disrupted the gravel traps, and several found the wall over the course of the meet.
His operational skills were tested when a car rolled and damaged
the tyre wall near the pit entry, but he quickly organised and executed the rebuild to get competitors back on track to resume what was a successful two days of racing.
Matthew is well respected by his peers for his ability to plan well-operated WASCC race meets, then switch his focus on the day to deliver the event and adapt to challenges that arise and adjust the program accordingly.
Outside of last month’s meet, Matthew will be attending the Adelaide 500 and take up the opportunity to be a trainee section marshal for the event.
To thank Matthew for his many years of service, organisation, and dedication, he will receive a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin and certificate.
Do you know someone like Matthew; a Motorsport Australia official who deserves to be recognised for going above and beyond their duty?
Nominate now and your friend could win a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin, and certificate — with their story shared in Speed Read.
Submit your nomination to Speed Read
UNLEASH PEAK PERFORMANCE WITH DBA
When it comes to high-performance brake systems, Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) stands out with its innovative 5000 Series brake rotors.
Designed for high-powered street vehicles, track day use, club racers, rally drivers, and show vehicles, the 5000 Series promises exceptional performance under the most demanding conditions.
When paired with DBA's XP or RP brake pads, the synergy between these components elevates the braking experience to new heights, providing superior control and stopping power. Let’s have a look at the details.
ADVANCED DESIGN FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE
5000 Series rotors are exclusively engineered and manufactured at DBA’s Silverwater plant in Sydney, NSW.
At the heart of it is its composite two-piece design. This configuration combines high-carbon cast iron rings with aerospace-grade aluminium “Aluma-light” hats, securely fastened using National Aerospace Standards (NAS) bolts and crimp nuts.
WEIGHT REDUCTION AND HANDLING
By reducing the vehicle’s unsprung weight, the lighter rotor significantly improves vehicle handling - a crucial factor for high-performance applications.
The aluminium hats also allow for uniform radial disc expansion throughout the cast iron rings, minimizing the risk of warping under extreme heat conditions. Additionally, reduced heat transfer from the disc to the hub ensures cooler wheel hubs, preventing damage and prolonging its lifespan.
VERSATILITY AND COST EFFICIENCY
DBA's commitment to versatility is evident in their offering of both complete assemblies (hats and rings bolted together) and individual components. This approach provides drivers with economical replacement options, allowing the reuse of 5000 Series hats with new replacement rings. This not only reduces costs but also underscores DBA's focus on sustainability and long-term value for customers.
INNOVATIVE SURFACE DESIGNS
DBA’s 5000 Series Rotors offer a range of variants to meet diverse driving needs, each with distinct features tailored for specific performance and aesthetic preferences.
The 5000 Series HD variant boasts a smooth OE-style rotor finish.
For those in search of the ultimate in direct replacement performance brake rotors, the T3 variant is a prime choice. Featuring DBA’s patented T3 bi-directional slot design. This design enhances braking by providing more exit points for brake pad friction dust and gases, resulting in a quieter, more responsive, and smoother braking experience. The T3 slot is recommended for high-performance applications.
The XS variant offers a premium, nondirectional cross-drilled and slotted design, enhancing both braking performance and aesthetic appeal, making it a favourite for show cars.
The XD variant features a nondirectional cross-drilled and dimpled design, providing superior cooling benefits and structural support, although it is not recommended for track use.
DURABILITY AND PRECISION
Durability and thermal efficiency are paramount in the 5000 Series. DBA employs thermal stability profiling to the manufacturing process, which realigns the microstructure of the iron through heat treatment cycles, resulting in increased rotor stability and durability.
The CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) machine-turned finish minimizes disc thickness variation (DTV), reducing
the potential for pad ‘knock’ and premature wear. Lastly, thermographic heat paint markings on the rotors change colour at specific temperature thresholds, assisting drivers in monitoring braking temperatures and rotor fatigue, always ensuring safety and performance.
Brett Peters from Peters Motorsport in Queensland, who compete in the Australian Touring Car Masters amongst others, is one of many satisfied converts.
“Two seasons ago we changed from a European race brakes brand to the locally manufactured DBA rotors, and we find we get excellent longevity while they cost less,” Peters said.
“Our Team principal Rod Dawson is 100% convinced the DBA 5000 Series rotor is as good if not better than anything he has tried on a huge variety of race cars over 40 years.”
THE SYNERGY WITH DBA’S PERFORMANCE BRAKE PADS
The best braking results are achieved when the DBA 5000 Series rotors are paired with DBA's XP or RP brake pads. The XP pads, known for their high friction and consistent performance, perfectly complement the 5000 Series rotors. Using a carbon fibre friction composition, the XP pad is designed for drivers seeking high initial bite
and friction consistency from low to high temperatures, making it the ideal compromise for road driving and light track work. For those drivers with serious competitive ambitions, changing the set-up to RP pads will provide optimal performance at the track, thanks to the pads’ unique carbon-metallic friction formulation. Note that RP pads are not suitable for road use, as their minimum operating temperature cannot be guaranteed.
SETTING A NEW STANDARD
In conclusion, the DBA 5000 Series brake rotors, when paired with DBA's XP or RP brake pads, epitomize the fusion of advanced materials, innovative design, and precision engineering. Whether you're a high-performance street driver, a track day enthusiast, a club racer, a rally driver, or a show car afficionado, DBA’s brake combinations offer unparalleled performance, durability, and versatility.
For more information visit DBA.com.au, follow their social channels, or call 1800 730 039
WOMEN’S INTRODUCTION TO MOTORSPORT PROGRAMS FILLING FAST
Limited places remain for the next Women’s Introduction to Motorsport program dates, with the next two events to be held across Queensland and New South Wales.
Scheduled to run on Sunday 25 August, the initiative will return to Queensland for the first time since October 2022 when a successful sold-out pilot event was held at Norwell Motorplex.
This year’s event will be held at the RACQ Mobility Centre in Mount Cotton,
with two available session times in either the morning or afternoon.
Participants in both Queensland sessions will also be invited to a networking lunch, where they will have the chance to mingle with individuals from the motorsport industry and guests.
The next instalment of the program is locked in for Sunday 8 September from 5:30pm at Sydney Motorsport Park, offering participants a unique night-drive iteration of the intro event.
The program covers off a range of topics and experiences, all designed for participants to experience motorsport for the first time and in the familiarity of their own road car.
Participants will be guided by professionals as they learn the fundamentals of how to prepare a car, before moving through a range of track exercises focusing on car control and skill.
If you are involved in a Motorsport Australia Affiliated Club, you can deliver your own event, click here to submit an expression of interest, or for more information on the program, please contact development@motorsport.org.au
Register now for the Queensland or New South Wales events at motorsport.org.au/witmp
Photos: Chantel Collins
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IMPRESSIVE CROWD ENJOYS RACE QUEENSLAND
The fifth round of Shannons SpeedSeries saw a bumper crowd of more than 18,000 motorsport fans in attendance to watch the action at EVENTelec Race Queensland.
Spectators were treated to seven categories of on-track action across three days in perfect conditions at Queensland Raceway, with many more tuning in from home via the 7plus broadcast.
Over more than 23 hours of track time, the event featured racing from the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Trico Trans Am Series, Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS, Monochrome GT4 Australia, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia and Giti Australian Formula Open.
Rounding out the list, the TGRA Scholarship Series featured on the Shannons SpeedSeries lineup for the first time this year.
The weekend hosted a wide mix of racing, from short sprint races through to longer endurance events – the Monochrome GT4 Australia Series three-hour enduro a feature of Sunday’s proceedings.
It was two race wins for Tony D’Alberto in the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, with the remaining victory claimed by Ryan Casha in Race 2D’Alberto now sits 7th in the 2024 standings after his impressive showing.
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia drew fierce battles across the classes, with Alex Peroni and Mark Rosser of Team BRM/ACM Finance taking out their first win of the challenge on the Saturday – Will Brown and Brad Schumacher then became the first repeat winners in the series after winning Sunday’s race.
The weekend saw epic battles across the four four Trico Trans Am races, with the provisional round win going to Todd Hazelwood after claiming three of the victories in his TFH Racing Ford Mustang.
Photos: Speed Shots Photography
It was a clean sweep across the three Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge races in Queensland with Oscar Targett recording the first three-peat of the series, wrapping up Round 4 by Saturday night.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia Scholarship Series saw two different winners across its three races, with Ben Stewart proving the most impressive of the field of future motorsport stars with his two race winsRace 3 was won by Max Geoghegan after a huge rollover disrupted the field.
The third round of the Monochrome GT4 Australia series saw its share of action, with Tom McLennan and Nathan Morcom taking out a maiden victory in Race 1 in their McLaren Artura GT4 on Saturday. Sunday morning then kicked off
with a mammoth three-hour endurance race, with Rylan Gray and George Miedecke taking top honours.
It was another clean sweep in the Giti Australian Formula Open, with Ryan MacMillan finishing first in all three races for the weekend –maintaining his top of table position in the AFO1 class.
The next round of the Shannons SpeedSeries will be at Sydney Motorsport Park for Race Sydney on 18-20 October.
Tickets for Race Sydney can be found at motorsporttickets. com.au
Photos: Speed Shots Photography
NEW ESPORTS NASCAR CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING NOW OPEN
The Motorsport Australia NASCAR Esports Championship has been locked in for 2025, with the qualifying series scheduled for later this year.
Motorsport Australia has partnered with the Australian NASCAR eSeries to deliver what will be the premier virtual stock car racing esports series in Australia.
The Motorsport Australia NASCAR Esports Championship Qualifying Series will consist of eight races taking place from early September to December. Entries for this qualifying series are now open and close on Friday, 27 September 2024.
Competitors will be able to nominate one drop round, with the best seven results contributing to their individual final points tally.
At the conclusion of the eight round qualifying series, the top 30 drivers based on points will earn their spot in the 2025 Motorsport Australia Esports NASCAR Championship.
Entrants will be tested across eight famous NASCAR circuit, with the qualifying series opening with 80 laps around the Daytona International Speedway on 1 September.
Drivers will then battle it out across the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway and Richmond Raceway to wrap up the first half of the series.
The top 30 will be decided across the final four weeks, with competitors looking to bolster their points total with strong performances across Texas Motor Speedway, Dover Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Each race of the series will consist of a 15-minute open practice, two timed qualifying laps completed in five minutes and then the race.
At the conclusion of the eight rounds of racing, the best of the best will progress to compete for the 2025 Motorsport Australia Esports NASCAR Championship.
Registrations for this qualifying series close on Friday 27 September, however entries for each individual race are open until the close of business on the Friday before each race.
Interested participants can find out more about the series and how to register at esports. motorsport.org.au
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NSW MOTOR RACE CHAMPIONSHIPS FIFTH ROUND ACTION
Sydney Motorsport Park played host to the fifth round of the 2024 Motorsport Australia NSW Motor Race Championship earlier this month.
Eight categories were in action across the weekend, with several drivers dominating their respective grids and achieving clean sweeps.
Multiple categories were showcased at state level, with Nissan Pulsars drawing the largest field of 26 competitors, followed by Improved Production with 24.
Other categories included Formula Cars, Formula Vee, HQ Holdens, RX8 Cup and SuperKarts.
The weekend featured several clean sweeps, one of which belonged to five-time New South Wales Champion Brett Osborn, who steered his Holden to cross the line first ahead of Luke Harrison in all three races.
Following the trend was Pulsardriver Jamie Craig, who opened the weekend by edging out his brother and current outright championship leader, Josh Craig, by just one second.
The gap was even smaller in Formula Vee as Luke Collet secured first place, Craig Sparke following in second by less than a tenth.
Rodney Baker had a flawless weekend in the Formula Cars category, winning every race.
Baker beat rival Douglas Barry comfortably by six seconds in Race 1, doubling the gap in Race 3 to finish 12 seconds ahead of Graeme Holmes.
In the Improved Production Under 2L Championship, Danny Castro Junior dominated the grid by taking first place in every race, he was followed by Michael Ricketts and Matthew Giuntini in second and third respectively.
Ben Sheedy claimed first place in the Improved Production Over 2L, followed by Joseph Lenthall in second and Steven Engel in third.
Michael Hazelton crossed the line first ahead of Jett Blumeris in the RX8 Cup category, while SuperKarts saw Laurie Fooks secure first with a comfortable 36-second lead.
The Motorsport Australia NSW Motor Race Championship will return to Sydney Motorsport Park for round six of the 2024 season on 28-29 September.
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ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2024 MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA HILL CLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP
The Gippsland Car Club will host the country’s best hill climb competitors in October for the 2024 Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship.
Colloquially known as the Haunted Hills, competitors will test themselves on the famous Bryant Park hill climb over the last weekend of October.
The event forms part of the 2024 Motorsport Australia Speed and Auto Test Champions, with four events showcasing their respective disciplines and serving as the pinnacle of grassroots motorsport.
Kicking off the four championships, the hill climb will see competitors return to the fan-favourite Gippsland track for the first time since 2018.
Entries for the 2024 Championship are currently open, with entries closing on 27 September 2024.
Gippsland Car Club representative Rhys Yeomans was pleased to see the entries flowing in, the field taking shape for what’s set to be a competitive championship.
We've had great response from hill climb competitors, with 70 entries received so far
“We've had great response from hill climb competitors, with 70 entries received so far, 25 of these being from interstate.” Yeomans said.
“The entrants include multiple past Australian hill climb champions including Dean Tighe, Dean Amos, Greg Ackland and Brett Hayward, along with State champions like Mike Barker and David Mahon.”
The event will run over four days, with Thursday and Friday dedicated to practice and the timed competition scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
Competitors will be eager to maximise practice time to come to grips with the course layout, altered this year to challenge the 2024 entrants.
“We will use the figure eight layout at Bryant Park for this event, which has not been used for an Australian hill climb event previously,” he added.
“We do have a lead up multi-club hill climb on 1 September, where we expect many competitors to attend to get in early practice for the main event.
“For spectators, there are many vantage points for viewing the action around Bryant Park, along with access to the pits to get up and close with the vehicles and drivers.”
The 2024 Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship will be held in Gippsland from 24-27 October.
Entries are open via Motorsport Australia Event Entry.
Photos: Trapnell Creations
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AORC GOLDEN TICKET TO CHARTERS TOWERS
The Queensland town of Charters Towers will be home two Australia’s best off-road competitors in August the Markwell Group Gold City 450 returns for its second year on the Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC) calendar.
Moving from series-opener to the fourth round in 2024, the 450-kilometre Queensland challenge could prove pivotal in the championship standings ahead of the final round in Kalgoorlie.
Competitors will return to the Millchester Motorsport Facility this year, the varied course located an hour and a half outside of Townsville in Charters Towers.
Drivers will face a redefined track layout offering a unique backdrop for the AORC, promising an exciting mix of high-speed sections and technical segments designed to challenge this year’s entrants.
With a view to improve the course, 15km of additional track has been
added for this year’s event – increasing the total length of a lap to 55km.
In addition to the extended track length, organisers have opted for the widening and removal of last year’s tightest corners as well as completed upgrades to service roads around the course.
The event’s 450 competitive kilometres will comprise of a 10km Transportable Shade Sheds Prologue, two sections of 165km each and one 110km section – the sections representing three and two laps of the course respectively.
The 2024 Markwell Group Gold City 450 takes place on 30 August – 2 September at Charters Towers, Queensland.
Photos:
DJH
MORGAN-HORAN ETCHES NAME IN AORC HISTORY IN LOVEDAY
Last month’s Loveday 400 saw a new name added to the BFGoodrich Motorsport Off Road Championship (AORC) history books, with Boston Morgan-Horan and navigator David Morgan storming the field to claim their first AORC victory. It was a trophy truck podium in South Australia, with the Extreme 2WD competitors dominating the Loveday 4x4 Adventure Park course. Brett Comiskey and Corey Cooper finished the Loveday event in second, just 24 seconds behind Horan, while Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt claimed valuable Championship points rounding out the podium in third – four minutes behind the round winners.
Horan put on a show on Sunday, with consistency across the day’s 200km of running ultimately proving to be decisive, despite heading into Sunday with a big gap to claw back.
“It was pretty rough out there, I just had to baby the car the last few laps there,” Morgan-Horan said.
“I think it worked in our favour starting in the first Heat, because we started up the front there and got clear air. It was good to follow some cars before the track cut up.”
The win held extra significance for the Horan family, with Boston’s brother passing away in New Zealand earlier this year.
Prior to Sunday’s session, first place looked all but locked up by Riverlandlocals Aaron and Chelsea Haby – the pair finishing top of the table in both the Transportable Shade Sheds Prologue and both Saturday sections.
It was pretty rough out there, I just had to baby the car the last few laps there
“At the start of the year I didn’t think I was going to race again, due to my brother passing away to motorsport – but here I am, and I’m glad I came back with a win.” Morgan-Horan said.
A near flawless showing on the Saturday, the Habys artfully navigated the wet conditions in their Pro Buggy to finish four minutes clear at the top of the leaderboard ahead of Sunday’s finale.
However, in a cruel twist, that four-minute advantage quickly disappeared in the opening session of Saturday’s proceedings when the pair faced engine issues.
Photo: Photox
Photo: Dan Thompson
Photo: Tony Donoghue
Photo: Brett Lehmann
The issues proved ruinous for the South Australians, taking the pair out of contention completely to finish their campaign in the pits.
In one of the closest class battles of the day, the Transportable Shade Sheds SXS Motorsport Australia Championship went down to the wire.
James Mogford and Michael Mogford would be declared winners of the popular SXS class with the pair finishing just 3.8 seconds ahead of nearest SXS rivals in Lachlan Bailey and Nathan Sracek. Glen
Ackroyd and Michael Price rounding out the SXS podium in third.
“We laid everything on the track, we had nothing left, so we had to wait around to see the boys come in. 3.8 seconds behind me and Lachy [Bailey] at the finish – that’s good racing,” Mogford said.
“Next round’s Charters Towers so we’re looking forward to that, and heading into Kalgoorlie. There’s some fast people up the front, and we’re really looking forward to competitive racing.”
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In the other classes, there were plenty of exciting battles up and down the field, as well as a number of highprofile retirements which could have implications on the AORC title battle with just two rounds remaining.
The BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship heads north to Charters Towers in Queensland for its penultimate round of 2024, the Markwell Group Gold City 450 on 30 August – 1 September.
Photo: Tony Donoghue
Photo: Tony Donoghue
TALENTED APPLICANTS GEAR UP FOR FDA IN SEPANG
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program is gearing up for action this September with some of the region’s most talented drivers.
The FDA program is open to all aspiring drivers aged between 14 - 17 years from the Asia Pacific and Oceania regions.
Taking place at Sepang International Circuit, 25 teenagers will battle it out in the latest Top Speed prepared Tatuus Formula 4 Generation 2 car in front of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy scouts, competing for a place in the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy Finals in Italy later this year.
Participants will get the chance to experience the same chassis used in the FIA Formula 3 UAE Championship, making this an
opportunity like no other with real application in a junior racer’s career.
In addition to this, the program offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including media training, professional fitness coaching and testing and driver analysis and training by Formula 4 race engineers
Recent Formula 1 debutant and impressive Formula 2 driver Oliver Bearman is among a talented list of recent program graduates.
Applications closed on 16 June, with more than 100 drivers applying for the 2024 iteration of the program.
The Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program takes place at Sepang International Circuit on 15-19 September.
VALE BOB WOOTTON
Motorsport Australia is mourning the loss of distinguished delegate and long-time administrator, Bob Wootton.
Bob passed away on Friday 26 July at Wagga Wagga Hospital at the age of 78, he was a loved father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
Bob started his driving career at the age of 18, initially participating in gymkhanas and hill climbs at the old Amaroo Park circuit.
Enjoying a long career in racing, Bob competed in hill climbs at Silverdale, Dapto, Grafton, Bathurst, Gunnedah, Canberra, Ringwood and many more.
A member of the Southern Sporting Car Club, Bob joined the New South Wales Hill Climb Panel in 1990 and
was elevated to the chair of the panel in 2026 after 26 years of service.
In his time as chair, Bob was instrumental in the establishment of the Cooma Hill Climb, as well as the reinvigoration of the Gunnedah Hill Climb venue to be able to state events.
Bob joined the New South Wales Scrutiny Panel In 2022, of which he remained a member of until his passing – maintaining his involvement through illness and hospital stays.
In 2023, Bob received a Motorsport Australia Service Award for his exceptional and ongoing contribution to Motorsport over the years.
Bob was also a supporter of Bathurst Light Car Club Wollongong Sporting Car Club.
After moving to Temora in 2024, he started the Temora Sporting Car Club - his hope was to teach young people how to drive in motorkhanas and khanacross.
Rest in peace, Bob.
CONTACT US
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So for all your motorsport needs call the Motorsport Australia Hotline on 1300 883 959, or visit the website at motorsport.org.au Email memberservices@motorsport.org.au
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