Motorsport Australia Speed Read - October 2022

SPEEDREAD

NOWELL WINS MAIDEN KHANACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Barry Nowell is finally an Australian champion after the Victorian took out the Woodcroft Car Care Motorsport Australia Khanacross Championship last month.

BACK AT BATHURST

The Repco Bathurst 1000 has finally arrived with the iconic Mount Panorama to host Australian motorsport's biggest prize for the 62nd time.

AUTOFEST TO BRING THE BEST TO THE BEND October is shaping up to be a massive motorsport extravaganza in South Australia, with The Bend Motorsport Park at the centre of a mammoth event.

ARC CONFIRMS 2023 CALENDAR

The calendar for the 2023 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) has been confirmed with six rounds to make up the season.

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NOWELL WINS MAIDEN KHANACROSS CHAMPIONSHIP

Barry Nowell is finally an Australian champion after the Victorian took out the Woodcroft Car Care Motorsport Australia Khanacross Championship last month.

Held at the Mid Murray Motorplex in South Australia, 35 competitors competed in the first national Speed and Auto Test Championship event since 2019, with Nowell topping the time sheets after 14 runs of the multi-track circuit.

With a number of national champions entered in the event, including 2019 champion Bradley Clements, it made Nowell's achievement even more impressive.

Clements was Nowell’s biggest challenger across the weekend and ultimately finished second despite having car issues, while Samuel Humphries rounded out the top three a further 32 seconds off the winner.

In what was an intense affair between Nowell and Clements, the former’s victory was built on the back of winning seven runs, while he was aided by Clements having mechanical dramas and penalties on runs four and 11.

After four attempts at winning a national championship Nowell was pleased to finally achieve his goal.

“It feels great, especially since I’ve actually had a few goes at it and this is my fourth time since it has been running,” Nowell said.

“I haven’t been to every event of course but it is something that I have been trying for a while and it’s great to get there.

“The battle with Bradley and with his father on the first day was challenging and the event definitely ebbed and flowed. I felt the pressure right until the end because obviously you can’t make any mistakes.

“Right from the start, the times were fast and I was down a bit in the

Photo: Gillian Farnden

first run, so it was really just driving as fast as you could at all times while hoping the car held together and to not make any mistakes.

“All the people and competitors were all very welcoming and helpful to me, the club was very supportive and welcoming.

“When the Clements team had a problem with their car, all other teams supported them to allow them to use their cars, which highlighted the friendly level of motorsport.”

The Victorian wasn’t the only driver to benefit from the Clements’ car issue with Humphries capitalising on Clements’ father Michael having his campaign tainted due to the issues.

Having been in contention for the outright win, Michael’s big issue also came on run four where he

lost 40 seconds on the leaders and had to play catch up for the rest of the weekend – the experienced driver recovering nicely to finish fourth overall.

Rounding out the top five was SA rally driver Dale Cagney, who edged out the fastest junior for the day in Oscar Farnden by two seconds – Just nine seconds separated Humphries and Farnden, highlighting the closeness for the final podium spot.

Other notable results saw Motorsport Australia Motorkhana Champion Aaron Wuillemin finished in sixth place, Daniel Haselgrove as the fastest junior under 18 and Tanya Tillett as the fastest woman.

The next Speed and Auto Test event is the Motorsport Australia Hill Climb Championship on 14-16 October.

Nowell

Bradley Clements

Humphries

Clements

Cagney

Farnden

Wuillemin

Tillett

Tillett

Cagney

Bradley Harry

Ethan Pickstock

Nicholas Cagney

Daniel Haselgrove

Marc Tillett

Barry Nowell

Samuel Humphries

Wayne Mason

Photos: Gillian Farnden

“It was really just driving as fast as you could at all times while hoping the car held together”

ACU BRISBANE JOINS GROWING GOT PATHWAYS PROGRAM

The success of the FIA Girls on Track’s Pathway program in 2022 has seen another event added to the busy schedule, with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Brisbane Campus to host an event later this year.

Targeted at young women aged 15 – 22 years old, the FIA Girls on Track Pathways program aims to use motorsport as a tool to develop aspirations to pursue higher education qualifications.

With the opportunity to develop relationships with those who share a similar passion for motorsport and women currently employed in the sport, the program can provide the motivation and pathways for young women to get involved in the sport in all capacities.

Already there have been a number of FIA Girls on Track Pathway

programs held in 2022, including at the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix, the Penrite Oil Sandown Supersprint, and the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ event at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The event at ACU’s Brisbane Campus later this year will see up to 25 girls treated to a panel discussion featuring FIA Girls on Track ambassadors.

The discussions will focus on each individual’s pathway into the sport, as well as shining the spotlight on the different roles in motorsport, tackling the misconceptions of needing to be from a motorsport family to get involved and how to get employment in the sport.

There will also be a networking event between participants and ambassadors and the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring, where selected participants

can gain further assistance and support from the ambassadors for their journey into the sport.

The FIA Girls on Track ambassadors already confirmed to attend the event are Romy Mayer, Nadine Armstrong, Shannen Kiely, Emily Duggan and Kate Peck. Girls on Track champions Charlie Barlow and Nicole Bryant will also be in attendance.

The FIA Girls on Track’s Pathway Program at Australian Catholic University Brisbane takes place on Wednesday 9 November.

Interested attendees wanting to register a place in the event at ACU Brisbane can do so here.

Photo: Jules Ingall

WUILLEMIN GOES BACKTO-BACK IN MOTORKHANA CHAMPIONSHIP

Aaron Wuillemin is this year’s Motorsport Australia Motorkhana Championship winner, the first since 2019 and winning an entertaining battle with long-time rival Corinne East-Johnston.

With a huge field of 48 competitors tackling 10 tests in the national championship, Wuillemin ended up claiming a nine second victory over the three-time champion in East-Johnston, while Reece McIntosh rounded out the podium a further 11 seconds off.

Although East-Johnston came away with more test wins, a mistake on the fourth test and a hit flag on the fifth proved the major factor behind East-Johnston’s misfortune as the 2018 champion had plenty of pace throughout the event.

Holding a significant lead at the end of the first half, Wuillemin spent the rest of the event protecting his lead and playing it safe over the remaining tests.

In winning his second national title, Wuillemin was thrilled with his performance and revealed that it was his victory on the second test that proved the difference.

“It was a bit of relief to know that even after the long wait, I still had it in me to win and cemented the fact that I am the best in Australia and proved the first one wasn’t a fluke.

“It’s great to have won it twice. Looking forward to going to the 50th next year and going three in a row.”

As for East-Johnston, it was an event of missed opportunities as she drove well despite two rough tests.

“It was quite wet and difficult conditions,” East-Johnston said.

“However, congratulations to Aaron, who drove extremely well. It’s very exciting for him.

“To back my 2019 title is absolutely fantastic as there aren’t too many people to have won consecutive titles,” Wuillemin said.

“I think that with the extra two-year wait of due to COVID, there was a bit of unknown as to what people had done to their cars, but it was really good to get the event completed and to have such a consistent run.

“For my own performance, I am very disappointed because I got a lot of fastest times, so the car was handling well and I was driving well but a couple of costly errors lost me the event.

“It was disappointing and sad to let the team down but I can’t be too upset with second in Australia

Photo:

Images

“To back my 2019 title is absolutely fantastic as there aren’t too many people to have won consecutive titles”

either, as well as having four women from our family competing and doing well, which was fantastic.

“I am looking forward to next year as it will be a big event for my dad, who is the only driver to have been to every Australian motorkhana event – making it his 50th.”

Wuillemin wasn’t the only driver to walk away from the event as a national champion with Simon Caplet claiming the Australian Junior Championship after finishing 18th overall.

Following what was a highly successful event, event secretary Anette Truscott paid tribute to all the officials who braved the challenging conditions to help put the motorkhana on.

“I would like to give a big thanks to the volunteer officials for their wonderful work across the weekend,” Truscott said.

“Some came from other clubs, giving their time and working tirelessly all day without a break in not very good conditions for some of the day to keep everything going all day without complaint.

“Also, a big well done to the Holden Sporting Car Club of Queensland for running such a fantastic event.”

Two more Motorsport Australia Speed and Auto Test Championship remain for 2022 with the Motorsport Australia Supersprint Championship to run at Sydney Motorsport Park on 16 October and the Motorsport Australia Supersprint Championship to be held at Mt Cotton on 22-23 October.

Aaron Wuillemin

Corinne East-Johnston

Reece McIntosh

Daniel Wuillemin

James Newell

Phillip East

Brant Rayment

Noel Caplet

Gary Kotzur

Lauren East-Wuillemin

CLASS WINNERS

Davidson

Shanahan

Marken

East-Johnston

South Wales

Wuillemin

Wales

Photos: CH Images

TARGA WEST’S

SEPTEMBER SERIES SIZZLES

The City of Perth came alive in September with Targa West holding multiple events in the heart of Western Australia.

Taking place over one jam packed weekend, the event saw the Midland Toyota Targa Ellenbrook Sprint take place on Saturday and both the Engine Shop Targa Sprint Cup and City of Perth Targa Rallysprint held on Sunday, which ran as the final round of the coveted Targa Cup.

In addition to the exciting on track action in what was a perfect sunny day in Perth, there was plenty of entertainment including a display of more than 700 vehicles at Langley Park and on Riverside drive, as well as scenic helicopter rides, wheelie machines, remote control cars, BMX displays, gokarting and children entertainment.

With 103 competitors taking the track across both classes, spectators were also treated to plenty of on-track action.

Behind the wheel of a 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, Troy Wilson was in a league of his own in his first event in more than eight months as he finished the two-kilometre street stage 11 seconds faster than anyone else.

In front of a crowd of thousands, Wilson hit the ground running and in each of his attempts of the course – improved significantly until recording his best time.

Taking out second place was Cody Harris and co-driver Morgan Ward in their 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8 MR, while there was less of a difference between second and third - Peter Rullo and co-driver Jimmy Marquet just three seconds behind in third.

“The last thing you want to do is come out after eight months and have it end in tears. In every run I was a second faster than the

last, everything went perfectly to plan, well, almost,” Wilson said.

“The throttle was sticking a little bit at quarter-throttle which was pushing the car around the corners and we’re hoping to get the car sorted tonight, ready for tomorrow.

“I didn’t know what to expect racing in Ellenbrook because at an event like

AGE NO MATTER FOR WARD IN CITY SPRINT

this, there's no practice, you’re not allowed to drive on the course at all at speed, you have no idea of grip level, plus there’s big kerbs and buildings that can catch you out quickly.

“Best of all I was able to win and finish with all the wheels on and everything intact,” Wilson said.

Dick Ward has shown age can have no limits after the 80-year-old took out victory – guiding his 1967 Fiat Abarth TCR to victory in the Engine Shop Targa City Sprint.

Ward was the fastest overall after four runs of the 2.1-kilometre circuit, finishing only six-tenths ahead of Aaron Williams in the 2002 Mitsubishi Evo 7.

“I think this is my first outright win – I've done all the City Sprints over the years,” Ward said.

“This is the tail end of my racing career and today was a good day, I'm surprised at how well the car went, I'm very happy.”

Noel Moore rounded out the podium in his 2017 AMG A45, finishing seven-tenths behind Williams.

ENGINE SHOP

TARGA CITY SPRINT

Ward

Williams

Moore

Owens

Evans

Photos: CMR Photographic

SECOND PODIUM FOR WILSON

TARGA

Wilson made it back-to-back wins thanks to another convincing performance at the City of Perth Targa Rallysprint, coming away with an eight-second victory over closest rival Jurgen Lunsmann, while Peter Rullo rounded out the podium for the second time.

Wilson proved too good for the competition in his win, guiding his 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10 to the fastest time on each of the event’s four runs alongside co-driver, Frank Guildea across the day.

Although he comfortably won every run, it was not a walk in the park for Wilson, who was ecstatic with his victory.

“I’m happy to finish this tight, technical stage that has kerbing, fencing, bollards and everything,” Wilson said.

“I’ve got a brand-new co-driver and new crew chief, and yesterday was the first time behind the wheel for eight months, so I was a little rusty to start with and I started feeling really good right towards the end.”

“I still had the sticking issue with the throttle which gave us a fair bit of trouble

in the third run, so I had to adjust my driving, braking earlier to make it safer.”

Having convincingly won the event, Wilson’s biggest challenge came in the form of Jurgen Lunsmann and his codriving wife, Helen Lunsmann, who fell just three tenths short of a victory in the second run – the 2019 Tesla Model 3P+ driver eventually settling for second in event – which saw him claim the Targa Cup title.

“I’m pretty thrilled. Second in the Targa Cup yesterday and going one better today to be first in Targa Cup is very satisfying,” Lunsmann said.

“The car is stock standard and we’ve come to terms with tyre requirements and shock absorber settings, so we are pretty much at one with the car now.

“Shout out to car owner Jon Edwards and the TOCEVA charging crew for all their help along the way, and congratulations to Ross and the Targa team for their amazing efforts this year.”

“Yesterday was the first time behind the wheel for eight months, so I was a little rusty to start with”

Photo:

Photo:

TECHNICAL DELEGATES A KEY PART OF MOTORSPORT

There are many cogs in the giant machine of Australian motorsport, many of which are undertaken by hardworking volunteer officials who help the sport thrive on a daily basis.

Two women who instil the passionate mantra of Motorsport Australia officials at every event they attend are Felicity Wood and Stacey Paynter.

Each have a wealth of experience in motorsport and have gradually climbed their way up the ranks to assume high-profile roles, integral to the running of the sport

Both women currently serve as Technical Delegates for popular

national categories, Wood for the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia Racing 86 Series and Paynter for the Porsche Carrera Cup Championship.

Simply, a Technical Delegate's main purpose is determining vehicle eligibility.

At any event at which a Technical Delegate is in attendance, they will

have responsibility to determine all eligibility matters relating to their respective categories.

Working closely with a category’s Chief Scrutineer, one of the key roles of the Technical Delegate is to ensure consistency and uniformity of scrutiny decisions for each event, as well as the coordination of pre-event scrutiny, post-event scrutiny and parc ferme arrangements at each meeting.

Requiring a significant knowledge of cars, a Technical Delegate usually has a background as a scrutineer – a history that both Wood and Paynter both possess.

“Being an official gets you in the door and then you can network from there”

Photo: Revved Photography

For Paynter, more than a decade was spent as a scrutineer after she fell in love with being a Motorsport Australia official.

“I was in motorsport for about 20 years and a scrutineer for 10 years and I just sort of found out through my progression and fell in love with officiating,” Paynter said.

“As Technical Delegates, we're monitoring weights for the cars, ride heights, numbers, making sure measurements of angles are correct and basically, making sure everyone is following the rules.

“It's very important to promote opportunities like these to women. I come from a very supportive club in northern Victoria but opportunities like this, I didn't know existed until recently.

“I’ve already started using my position to try and start encouraging young girls to follow the FIA Girls on Track and progress with their motorsport developmentwhether its with driving, officiating, helping them with network opportunities and stuff like that.

“Girls shouldn’t think that just because they’re a girl that things aren't achievable. I had that mindset at one point and I kind of pushed past it and I'm so glad I did, because all of these opportunities are absolutely incredible.”

As for Wood, who also is heavily involved with the FIA Girls on Track program, she was one of the first women to hold a senior role in a national series and thoroughly enjoys it.

“I’m the first female for a national series and it's a wonderful role to be in as we are well supported by Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia," Wood said.

"I work in the paddock, so I seal gearboxes or I could be marking tires or working with the scrutineering team. I'm really enjoying the officiating, but at that level where it's the compliance side of things for the cars.

“Being an official gets you in the door and then you can network from there.

“It opens the door to being able to do anything no matter whether you're a female or male. I will still climb underneath my cars. Whether we're doing time-marking or lifting, we can do just what the boys can do so it doesn't matter.”

Click here to get a behind the scenes insight into Wood and Paynter’s roles in their respective series.

Photos: Revved Photography

AUSSIE RACING CARS ADDED TO MASSIVE ADELAIDE CARD

The support categories for the 2022 VALO Adelaide 500 have been confirmed with a blockbuster schedule to make up the weekend.

With the Repco Supercars Championship to headline the event, the categories featuring GT World Challenge Powered by AWS, Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters, S5000 Tasman Series and the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.

While Aussie Racing Cars’ official season has concluded for 2022, the category will use the event to host the opening round of its twopart Trans-Tasman Cup – the second round to be held at the Highlands Motorsport Park 10th anniversary in New Zealand early next year.

There will be plenty of stars expected to attend the round in December with 2022 champion Joshua Anderson, Lachlan Ward and Reece Chapman to headline the field.

South Australian Motor Sport Chief Executive Mark Warren was pleased to see the addition of the popular Aussie Racing Cars series to the event.

“Australia's premier motorsport categories will be on show at the VALO Adelaide 500, and we are thrilled to add the Battery World

Aussie Racing Cars to our exciting line-up of racing,” Warren said.

"The nature of the Adelaide street circuit makes our track the perfect opener for the newly-introduced Trans-Tasman Cup, which is set to be a prestigious prize in its own right.

“The Aussie Racing Cars is renowned for its exhilarating and close racing, and we anticipate the drivers to put on some exceptional racing for our fans to enjoy first-hand.”

Aussie Racing Cars Chief Executive Officer Brad Ward was equally excited to be the premiere event’s undercard.

“The Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series has a long and proud history of participation in the VALO Adelaide 500 event which we see as the premier event on the Australian Motorsports calendar,” Ward explained.

“As such, we thought it fitting to combine two of Australasia’s premier motorsport events to host the first ever Highlands Trans-Tasman Cup and we anticipate all of our best teams and drivers will assemble in Adelaide for round 1 of the Cup before heading to New Zealand in 2023 for the Cup decider at Highlands Motorsport Park.

“On behalf of all Aussie Race Cars drivers and teams I want to thank Mark Warren and the South Australian Motorsport Board as well as Tony Quinn (Owner of Highlands Motorsport Park) and Josie Spillane (CEO of Highlands Motorsport Park) for inviting the category to form a part of these two fantastic events.

“This special event in Adelaide will be epic. There is no doubt all our drivers will be pushing to the absolute limit to secure points for the Highlands Trans-Tasman Cup and I can’t wait to see a full field of wheel-to-wheel racing action on the streets of Adelaide in December.”

The VALO Adelaide 500 takes place on the streets of Adelaide city on 1 – 4 December.

Click here for more information on the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.

“We anticipate the drivers to put on some exceptional racing for our fans to enjoy

ENJOY YOUR DRIVE.

The Repco Bathurst 1000 has finally arrived with the iconic Mount Panorama to host Australian motorsport's biggest prize for the 62nd time.

Serving as the third last round of the 2022 Repco Supercars Championship season, there is plenty to look forward to over the weekend with championship leader Shane van Gisbergen a chance to secure his third title on the biggest stage of all.

Heading into the round with a convincing 525-point lead over Cameron Waters, the 33-year-old will enter the event full of confidence, with he and co-driver Garth Tander having last won the race in 2020.

Should van Gisbergen and Tander win the race, Waters will need to finish no lower than fourth place to delay the Kiwi's celebrations, which will also keep himself in mathematical contention to win the title in the remaining two races of the season.

If the reigning champion doesn't win but still finishes anywhere in the top 10, Waters and co-driver James Moffat will need to make sure the Tickford Ford Mustang either finishes ahead or within four places.

Outside of SVG potentially winning his second consecutive title, there is lots more to look forward to, including the return of one of the undisputed kings of the mountain in Craig Lowndes.

Behind the wheel of a third Triple Eight Race Engineering entry, Lowndes will have Declan Fraser as his co-driver – the duo one of three wildcards.

Joining Lowndes and Fraser as wildcards is the sole privateer entry of Matt Chahda and Jaylyn Robotham, as well the experienced Richie Stanaway and four-time winner Greg Murphy.

However, all eyes will be on the #888 Commodore piloted by Lowndes and Fraser for much of the weekend, with the former reaching a significant milestone of becoming the first driver in Australian Touring Car Championship/ Supercars history to start 300 rounds.

The milestone equates to over 26 years since he made his debut at Eastern Creek Raceway in 1996, a race he managed to win.

Photos:

Lowndes will have his eyes on history if he were to take victory in the great race, taking his total tally to eight wins – a record that only Peter Brock has bettered.

However, this is not the only milestone for the weekendDavid Reynolds will become the 20th driver to reach 400 ATCC/ Supercars race starts, the 2017 Bathurst winner will be looking to add to his impressive resume this weekend alongside Team Australia representative at the upcoming FIA Motorsport Games and experienced GT racer, Matt Campbell.

Dick Johnson Racing will also be celebrating a special weekend at the mountain this weekend as they become the first team to reach 1000 ATCC/Supercars race starts.

There will be plenty of circuit debutants to keep an eye out for throughout the weekend as Jaxon Evans, Matt Payne, Cameron Hill, Aaron Seton, Chahda, Robotham and Fraser take to the famous circuit for the first time in their careers.

Each driver will be looking to mirror the efforts of Tickford Racing’s Brodie Kostecki, who impressed in his first full stint at the mountain by storming home to third place in 2021 and will once again take the track in the 2022 edition.

Jamie Whincup highlights the list of other notable drivers competing in the event as Zane Goddard, Fabian Coulthard and Michael Caruso return to the sport,

with Jaxon Evans and Campbell coming across from the GT class.

Extreme weather conditions across New South Wales means event organisers and teams will prepare for a wet circuit across the weekend, increasing the risk of the BP Ultimate Safety Car intervening on Sunday’s race.

Since the first edition of the event in 1963, which was then known as the Armstrong 500 before changing to the Bathurst 1000, there have only been two encounters that did not feature a safety car, being 1989 and 1991.

The 2022 Repco Auto Bathurst 1000 takes place at Mount Panorama on 6-9 October.

Meguiar’s

AUTOFEST TO BRING THE BEST TO THE BEND

The penultimate weekend of October is shaping up to be a massive motorsport extravaganza in South Australia, with The Bend Motorsport Park at the centre of a mammoth event.

Badged as The Bend AutoFest, a mix of national championships and popular South Australian events will make up a bumper schedule from 21-23 October.

Headlining the busy event is the finale for the 2022 Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships, which will see a number of national racing series and championships in action on the world-class international circuit.

Categories such as the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, Radical Cup Australia, GC Marine Australian Prototype Series, Australian Production Cars and Motorsport Australia GT

Championship will all be on show during Shannons’ 2022 season finale.

While there will be some of the finest cars on Australian soil racing on the circuit, fans will also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with a breathtaking collection of GT cars via the GT Festival.

Held inside the circuit’s Welcome Centre, the festival will have up to 20 cars in pristine condition on display for fans to marvel at, with the lineage of GT cars from past to present celebrated.

The other major national drawcard for the AutoFest is the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC), which will see Australia’s best rally drivers contest the Adelaide Hills Rally.

With crews to tackle 180 competitive kilometres over 28 special stages, a

large portion of the ARC’s penultimate round for the 2022 season will be held at The Bend - the picturesque shire roads of the Adelaide Hills the other location for the rally.

The Adelaide Hills Rally will act as a crescendo to the AutoFest, with the EROAD Power Stage to commence immediately after the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships track activity on Sunday afternoon.

Photo: Angryman Photography

Photo: Speed Shots Photography

While there is plenty going on from a national championship standpoint, the weekend will also welcome an event adored by many South Australian car enthusiasts - The Bend Classic.

Having built a reputation as one of the most prestigious events on the state’s motorsport calendar, The Bend Classic sees iconic racing machines of yesteryear up against some of the fastest open-wheelers in the country.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith was looking forward to what would be a massive weekend.

“It’s quite rare to have multiple major national championships running at the same time and even rarer to have them at the same location,” Smith said.

“There is a lot of work going into this event, and it’s a very exciting prospect to have both Shannons and the ARC both sharing the spotlight at a brilliant circuit such as The Bend.

“Add in a highly popular event like The Bend Classic, and it certainly whets the appetite of all types of motorsport fans. It will be great to see the circuit racing, historic, and rally communities combine, and even work together, under the one event.”

The Bend Managing Director Dr Sam Shahin echoed Smith’s thoughts and was proud to have a part in running the event.

“Events such as The Bend AutoFest will form the template for future motorsport events in Australia,” Dr Shahin said.

“The Bend is so proud to be in a position to work alongside Motorsport Australia to put on one of the biggest motorsport festivals this year.”

For those who can’t make it or want to watch it from the comfort of home, free broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The ARC’s EROAD Power Stage will be broadcast live on 7plus, with a full highlights package going out shortly after the event.

The Bend AutoFest takes place at The Bend Motorsport Park on 21-23 October.

Click here for more information on the event.

Click here to purchase tickets.

“It’s a very exciting prospect to have both Shannons and the ARC both sharing the spotlight at The Bend”

Photo: Ryan Schembri

Photo: The Bend Motorsport Park

VIC SUPERSPRINTS OFFER FIERCE COMPETITION AT THE ISLAND

The Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) successfully hosted the second round of the Motorsport Australia Victorian Supersprint Championships at the famous Phillip Island circuit last month.

Fifty-five entrants took to the track across the weekend to fight it out for the fastest lap time, with multiple classes participating throughout each session.

Taking out top honours for the fastest lap of the weekend was Nick Cooper, who produced an event-winning lap time of 1:46.0557 in the 18th session

of the event – the J class winner going four-tenths faster than A4 class winner Graham Bentley.

Rounding out the top three with a time of 1:46.9213 was Peter Caretti, whose seventh session winning time saw the top three separated by less than a second. The state-level supersprint wasn’t the only event to be held on the weekend with the Victorian V8’s and Superkarts also putting on a show via their practice, qualifying and race sessions respectively.

Laser 3D/Force Accessories’ Brian Finn was the standout performer in the four Vic V8 races, which began with a one-second victory over Graeme Meer in the opening race.

Although Meer edged out Finn for

victory in the second race by less than one tenth of a second, Finn bounced back in the remaining two races to win both outings.

In the weekend’s Superkart races, Nicholas Schembri was left untouched throughout the weekend with convincing victories in each race of the 125 Gearbox class.

Martin Anderson won each 125 Max Heavy class session in similar fashion, with Rod Clarke and Jeremy Crust his nearest competitors across each race.

Russ Occhipinti dominated the 125 Max Light class, ahead of Sanuja Perera and Lucas Quattrocchi who battled for podium positions throughout.

The final round of the Motorsport Australia Victorian Supersprints Championship will take place at the iconic Sandown International Raceway in October.

Photos: Tony Donoghue

NATIONAL AWARDS NOMINATIONS UPDATE

As members will be aware, Motorsport Australia has been unable to hold a National Awards night for its 2020 and 2021 award winners due to the ongoing restrictions associated with COVID-19.

With a ceremony planned to take place in early 2023, there are a number of awards that have been held over in recent years and will instead be presented at this eagerly anticipated gala dinner.

Given the volume of historical awards that need to be handed out at this event, Motorsport Australia may not be able to present the majority of its awards this year.

Championship and Series winners will of course still be recognised as per previous years.

The format of the awards ceremony will then revert to ‘normal’ in 2024.

A small number of awards may be opened for nominations, including the annual Media Awards, in the coming weeks, with further updates provided on motorsport. org.au and future editions of Speed Read.

For further information, please email communications@ motorsport.org.au.

Photo: Flash Studio

STATE AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN

The 2022 Motorsport Australia State Awards season, proudly presented by Shannons Insurance, is officially underway with nominations now being accepted.

Following the success of this year’s virtual awards, the 2022 state awards season will again run in a similar format, with each state’s ceremony to be held online with details to be confirmed over the coming months.

Scheduled to be held throughout next February and March, the Motorsport Australia State Awards celebrate the achievements for both individuals

and clubs within each state who go above and beyond every year.

Service Stars, State Officials of the Year and State Events of the Year are just some of awards to be recognised in each virtual ceremony, in addition to the many champions of series and championships.

All Motorsport Australia club members, competitors and officials are encouraged to make a nomination for the 2022 State Awards and honour those who are deserving of formal acknowledgment for their work.

The nomination process is easy to complete online through a computer, tablet or mobile phone with nominations closing at 5pm AEDT on Friday, 11 November 2022.

The dates for the 2022 Motorsport Australia State Awards will be released in the coming months.

Click here to nominate for a State Award.

FDA ASIA PACIFIC PROGRAM PROVES MAJOR HIT

The first ever Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA) Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program held in person was held last month with the event proving a major success.

In what was an intense three days of testing, the 23 drivers invited to participate in the program at Sepang International Circuit did their best to impress representatives from the FDA behind the wheel of Formula 4 Cars.

More than 7000 kilometres and 1400 laps were completed over the course of the event as drivers showed plenty of pace and consistency in the cars.

were headed up by a number of experts from around the world.

Overseeing the program was Head of the FDA, Marco Matassa, who was thrilled that the event was finally able to take place after two years of delays.

“We have been waiting for this event for three years since we started our partnership with Motorsport Australia and this year is the big year,” Matassa said.

“The atmosphere has been magical and the enthusiasm of the group has been high and intense. It is a memory I will keep for a long time.

Malaysia. This is a great message for the whole community of motorsport.”

Matassa is now back home at Ferrari’s home base in Maranello to assess the data before a decision will be made to select the top two drivers in the coming weeks.

The two winning drivers from the regional selection program will then head off to Italy for the World Scouting Finals on 24-28 October with the winner of the global event to secure a seat in the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy.

Click here to view videos wrapping up the program.

While only six were able to progress through to the final stage on Wednesday, all drivers were highly impressive. They were able to take plenty away from the event courtesy of training courses focused on fitness and nutrition, data analysis, media and social media, as well as sponsorship, which

“The competition was really close and pretty tough. Overall the level has been really good and to make the call (for the top six) took long hours, because we had to look at all the data and lap times.

“It was not easy because there was a lot of data and it was a close battle.

“I would like to thank the drivers for coming - many of whom had to fly from all around the region to get to

“The atmosphere has been magical and the enthusiasm of the group has been high and intense”

OFFICIATING CLARK'S GATEWAY TO MOTORSPORT

DANIEL CLARK

At just 17-years-old, Daniel Clark had fallen in love with motorsport and wanted to get as close as he could to the action – his first step was to become a Motorsport Australia Official.

Clark took the initiative to reach out and ask about how he can get involved before getting officially signed up in 2021 and to his first Supercars event.

His willingness to always learn new skills, look out for others and his

overall attitude have all contributed to him being named as this month’s Supercheap Auto Official Superstar.

Not only is Clark an active official, but he is also competing in grassroots events and is now building his own Hyundai Excel race car to race in the X3 Series in New South Wales.

Clark’s superstar efforts will see him rewarded with a Supercheap Auto $200 gift card, a commemorative pin and certificate.

Do you know someone or would like to selfnominate to be next month’s Supercheap Auto Official Superstar?

Click here to submit your story.

FABULOUS OFFICIALS

With volunteer officials the lifeblood of the sport, Motorsport Australia is always looking for ways to acknowledge the passionate work of these individuals.

One of the ways Motorsport Australia celebrates the thousands of officials is through the Fabulous Officials program, which was initiated in 2011 as a way of recognising the fabulous officials with a formal acknowledgement of their outstanding contribution to motorsport in Australia.

The Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships’ visit to Sandown International Raceway last month was the perfect opportunity for three Victorian officials to receive awards for their outstanding work.

Geoff Riddle, Anthea Ma and Graeme Bell were the three recipients of the Fabulous Officials Award, which was presented by the Chairman of the Victorian State Officiating, Mark D Thompson.

“It gave me a great deal of pleasure and pride to present the awards to

the three worthy recipients in front of their peers,” Thompson said.

“As Chairman of the Victorian State Officiating Panel. I am constantly reminding our volunteer officials to keep an eye out for fellow officials doing good deeds and exceptional work.

“Volunteer officials are instrumental in ensuring motorsport in Australia can operate safely and successfully within the rules and regulations and that is why we wish to personally thank our hard-working officials and recognise their sustained and selfless participation as a Motorsport Australia Accredited Official.”

GEOFF RIDDLE

Geoff is currently the secretary of the V.S.A.P and puts an exceptional amount of effort and time into organising panel meetings, detailed minutes, preparing bulletins and sending reminders of events coming up.

Geoff's work as a Chief Scrutineer for Phillip Island has been outstanding, while he has a remarkable wealth of knowledge and willingness to help fellow scrutineers solve problems or source the correct answers.

ANTHEA MA

Anthea has been in motorsport for about five years as a Pit Lane/ Grid Official and has excelled in the various roles she has undertaken over the years.

Reliable, displays initiative, professional in her conduct as an official, willing to learn different roles and take on senior roles as well as putting her hand up for anything that needs to be done.

GRAEME BELL

Serving on multiple panels and working hard as an official at all events, Graeme has a nurturing attitude and has a passion to train people to make sure they know what they are doing correctly. If he sees someone in trouble, he is there.

Graeme works tirelessly to help people and is very professional, hard working and passionate about motorsport. He has volunteered to help a new club as Clerk of Course without a second thought.

“It gave me a great deal of pleasure and pride to present the awards to the three worthy recipients”

MAKING THE COFFS COAST RALLY 'SUPER'

This year’s Coffs Coast Rally will welcome Supercheap Auto as the event’s naming rights partner.

To be known as the Supercheap Auto Coffs Coast Rally, the event is the final round of the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC), as well as the finale of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) which will see a host of national and international rally crews descend on the iconic Coffs Coast region.

The event, to be held on 25-27 November, will feature a wide range of rally cars across some world renowned stages, some previously used in Rally Australia.

Kiwi WRC driver Hayden Paddon has confirmed his participation in the event, taking on local stars including Harry and Lewis Bates in what will be a massive battle. Spectating the event will be free for the entire weekend, including access to the Service Park at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

Supercheap Auto Managing Director Benjamin Ward said fans would get the opportunity to experience the Supercheap Auto Clubhouse, which had been a feature at Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships events in 2022.

“The Supercheap Auto Coffs Coast Rally will showcase the best drivers across Australia and the Asia Pacific region and we are thrilled to be partnering with Motorsport Australia on this international event,” Ward said.

“As part of our support of this event, rally fans will get the opportunity to experience our Supercheap Auto Clubhouse, which provides plenty of entertainment, food and drink as well as driver appearances throughout the weekend. It’s a really unique experience, right in the heart of the Service Park.

“We’re looking forward to ‘making it Super’ on the Coffs Coast in November.”

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations Michael Smith thanked Supercheap Auto for their ongoing support of motorsport.

“Supercheap Auto are a great supporter of all levels of motorsport and we’re excited to be working with them at the Supercheap Auto Coffs Coast Rally,” Smith said.

“The event promises to be a fitting finale for the ARC, as well as a super spectacle with the APRC component of the event bringing some world-class international rally drivers to Australian shores.”

The Supercheap Auto Coffs Coast Rally takes place on 25-27 November.

Photo: James Forrester Photography

“The Supercheap Auto Coffs Coast Rally will showcase the best drivers across Australia and the Asia Pacific region”

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ARC CONFIRMS 2023 CALENDAR

The calendar for the 2023 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) has been confirmed with six rounds to make up the season.

In what is a similar schedule to this year’s championship, the 2023 ARC season will be spread over eight months and will welcome many of the same events.

The biggest change to the schedule for crews to make note of is the season opener, which moves from

the nation’s capital to the Apple Isle for the Rally Launceston.

The popular National Capital Rally, which has held the honour of opening the ARC season since 2019, will now run as the grand finale - the notoriously difficult rally the perfect place to wrap up the season.

In between Tasmania and Canberra are visits to Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia with favourable gaps scheduled between each round.

Photo: Chantel Collins

Photo: Angryman Photography

Photo: Dakar Press Team Australia

Following on from Tasmania’s opening round at the end of March, the ARC heads out west in the middle of May for the Forest Rally before heading to Queensland in July.

After heavy rain forced the cancellation of this year's Rally Queensland, the Brisbane Sporting Car Club will have another attempt at running the 50th edition of the rally.

A similar order to 2022 succeeds the season’s third round with Gippsland Rally to take place in August and South Australia to host the Adelaide Hills Rally in October.

The season will then wrap up in November with the National Capital Rally.

“A six-round season is a good representation for what a competitive championship should be, as we head to all corners of the country and allow a decent amount of downtime between each round.

“I think having these bigger breaks is significant for the longevity of the season, as it gives teams more time to work on their cars ahead of each round – especially in the opening three rounds where there are three events requiring the most amount of travelled distance.

“This calendar is also favourable to all event organisers and clubs, as crews having more time to prepare may be the difference on if they

go or not, which will help with entry numbers at each event.

“There is also the added benefit of Tasmania and Canberra happening in warmer seasons, meaning that nice weather should play a big role in attracting competitors.

“All in all, we’re content with this calendar and really looking forward to what will be another fantastic season of the ever-growing championship.”

The 2022 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship season has two rounds remaining with the Adelaide Hills Rally up next on 21-23 October.

Motorsport Australia Director of Motorsport & Commercial Operations, Michael Smith was happy with the diversity of the calendar.

“We’re really pleased with how the 2023 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship schedule is looking and there are plenty of benefits for all stakeholders,” Smith said.

“We’re really looking forward to what will be another fantastic season of the ever-growing championship”

Photo: Epic Sports Photography

MOTORSPORT AUSTRALIA RENEWS PARTNERSHIP WITH INTEGRAL UNI PROGRAM

Monash Motorsport and Motorsport Australia have agreed to a multi-year partnership supporting the university’s motorsport education program.

Announced at the formal launch of the team’s M22 car last month, Motorsport Australia Chief Executive Officer and Monash alumni Eugene Arocca was in attendance and believed Monash’s pioneering work on electric vehicles will benefit the sport in the future.

the learning of our own team members but learning of the future generation as well,” Khathuria said.

“We want to have primary school, and secondary school students come into university and see what STEM and engineering is all about.”

Monash Motorsport’s M22 car is a project that students have worked on since 2020, after the pandemic interrupted plans for the team to compete in Europe.

M22 encapsulates the team’s most ambitious concept, which was to create a 4WD autonomous, integrated vehicle that has the capacity for driver or driverless racing.

and dynamic events. The dynamic event focusses on the performance of the car on track whilst the static competition is more about pitching the car as a business, focussing on the cost and design of the car.

“Partnering up with an elite organisation like Monash Motorsport gives us a really good insight into those innovations and how we can work together for our benefit, for the benefit of motorsport,” Arocca said.

Chhavi Khathuria, CEO at Monash Motorsport, hopes the renewed partnership will inspire the next generation of motorsport enthusiasts through STEM and engineering.

“The goal of the partnership is essentially to inspire the next generation of motorsport; we are really passionate about not only

Khathuria commended the work of the team for their efforts over the past two years in bringing this project to life.

“This is not just a management team. Every single member has been coming in, manufacturing, testing, making sure that they are putting in the work on the car,” Khathuria said.

“For all of us, it has come to be this really exciting and emotional moment to come together and celebrate what this car looks like right now which is the most exciting part.”

The Formula Student competition is comprised of two parts, static

Monash Motorsport has a rich history in Formula SAE, having won the regional championship multiple times as well as being crowned champions during the 2018 Formula Student UK.

The M22 car will compete in two forms of competition later this year at the 2022 Formula SAE-A competition, to be held at Victoria’s Winton Motor Raceway on 8–11 December.

“The goal of the partnership is essentially to inspire the next generation of motorsport”

Click here to view highlights from the night.

WHAT'S ON IN OCTOBER

NEW SOUTH WALES AND ACT

6-9 October: Repco Bathurst 1000

October: Round 6 Porsche Club NSW Inc Supersprint Championship

October: Khanacross #5

October: Girls on Track

October: Whiteline Tarmac Rallysprint Series 2022/2023 - Round 1

14-16 October: 25th Anniversary Nabiac Airport Challenge

15 October: Round 6 Porsche Club NSW Inc Supersprint Championship

15 October: Cody McKay Motorsports Sponsor Day

15 October: DSCC 2022 Autocross Series Round 8

15 October: TCC Dirt N Dust Khanacross

15 October: Classic Cruise

16 October: October Breakfast Run

16 October: 2022 Australian National Supersprint Championship

16 October: October Come N Try Motorkhana

16 October: Club Motorkhana - Round 3

October: Lotus In The Vines

October: Display/Picnic Day

October: Junior Development Motorkhana

NT: 7 October - 2022 NT Motorkhana Championship - Round Seven

The seventh round of the state series will see drivers compete in a short, technical course designed to be fun and challenging for all ages and categories.

23 October: CSCA Round 7

CSCA Super Sprint Series

October: Concours

October: October Breakfast Run

October: PCNSW Tony McKnight Championship 2022 - Round 6

October: Motorsport Australia NSW Motor Race Championship Round 7

October: October Supersprint

October: 2022 Kosciuszko Automotive Monaro Stages Rally

October: October Mountain Straight Hill Climb

NORTHERN TERRITORY

QUEENSLAND

15-16 October: CCCC Dirt Khanacross Series Round 4

15 October: Round 7 Cheapa Auto Spares 2022 Sprint Series

15-16 October: Racing Together Open Day

15-16 October: 2 Day

/ Junior IDrive

16 October: TCAC Khanacross Series Round 4

16 October: Geary Sports Annual Concurs and Club Display

16 October: Queensland Women's Introduction to Motorsport

October: Australian Hillclimb Championship

QLD: 20-23 October - Australian Hillclimb Championship

The 76th running of the Australian Hillclimb Championship will take place at Mount Cotton and will see the best hill climbers from around the country do battle for the discipline's greatest prize.

7 October: 2022 NT Motorkhana Championship - Round Seven

October: Track Round 5

October: Alice Hosetech and Industrial Supplies/Jaws

NT Titles Round 2

October: FNQ Rd 7

Gravel Khanacross - Embers

October: Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500

October: Rd 4 2022 QldNSW Sprint Challenge & Rd 4 2022 Short Circuit Touring Cars Series

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

6 October: 2022 Barossa Supertour

8 October: Come and Try 2 Hillclimb

8 October: Slideshow Alley

9 October: Collingrove Challenge 4 Hillclimb

9-10 October: Motorsport Australia SA

Motorkhana Championship Round 5

15 October: Ricciardo's Racers

15 October: DENISE GOSDEN MEMORIAL

LADIES & JUNIORS ENDURO

17 October: Streaky Bay Khanacross

19-23 October: 2022 UME

Adelaide Hills Rally

20-23 October: Shannons Motorsport

Australia Championship - Round 6

28-30 October: Motorsport Australia

SCCSA 2022 SA Hillclimb Championship

30 October: SEAC Motorkhana

Series 2022 Round 5

TASMANIA

8 October: Precision Exhaust

31 Bends of Barrington

22-23 October: 2022 Tasmanian Circuit Racing Championship Round 5

VICTORIA

15-16 October: SDCC

Khanacross Come and Try

15-16 October: Innes Motors Mt

Tarrengower Historic Hill Climb

16 October: AKADEMOS 2022

16 October: Sandown Spring Sprint

16 October: All Nissan Day

16 October: MADCC Round 7

16 October: BMW Drivers Club

Melbourne 2022 Traction Tyres/Yokohama

Drivers Championship Round 7

19 October: Spring Shuffle

22 October: Impreza WRX Club Round 3 Motorsport

23 October: MSCA Super Sprint

23 October: Kyneton Car Club

Junior Development

23 October: Gippsland Car Club Khanacross

23 October: Interclub Rob

Roy Hillclimb Round 3

30 October: Annual Car Show

30 October: METEC Motorkhana

& Khanacross

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

6 October: Infinite Time Attack

8 October: SWTCC Round 5

9 October: PCWA SSR7 Wanneroo

20-23 October: 2022 Black Diamond

Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race

27 Oct - 6 Nov: 2022 Perth

- Sydney Marathon

28-30 October: Joondalup

Festival of Motoring

29 October: 2022 eV Challenge

Powered by Synergy

SA: 15 October - Denise Gosden Memorial Ladies & Juniors Enduro

The Denise Gosden Memorial Ladies and Juniors Enduro honours the late Denise Gosden, promoting the sport for women and young drivers. For the first time ever, the event will also be fundraising for the McGrath Foundation.

Photo: Revved Photography

TYLER ADDS MORE SILVERWARE TO SUCCESSFUL 2022

The Motorsport Australia SA Rally Championship (SARC) continued last month with the popular MSS Rally Barossa taking place.

A bumper field of 38 crews were entered in the eight-stage state championship event, which saw 2017 RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) champion Nathan Quinn claim victory.

Behind the wheel of his Mazda RX2 alongside Ray Winwood-Smith, Quinn proved too strong for the competition, winning all but one stage and ending up with a 30 second victory ahead of Guy Tyler and Steve Fisher.

With Quinn entered as an invitational and ineligible for championship points, Tyler and Fisher were gifted top honours – a result that propelled them to the top of the standings alongside Jamie Pohlner and Adam Branford.

While they finished more than two minutes behind the winning

Mitsubishi Magna, the SARC’s penultimate round for the 2022 season proved a solid event for Pohlner and Branford after the duo came away with third in the SARC and fourth overall.

Splitting Tyler and Pohlner on the SARC podium was Declan and Zoe Dwyer – the Mitsubishi Lancer drivers finishing one and half minutes off the winners.

The final round of the SARC is the Adelaide Hills Rally which also hosts the ARC on 21-23 October.

Click here for full results.

Photos: Rush Media

KALGOORLIE READY FOR THRILLING AORC FINALE

The BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship will reach its climax at the end of this month with the Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race.

After what has been one of the most challenging seasons to date, the AORC heads to Western Australia to run at an event finally getting its chance to shine on the national stage.

A massive entry list of 93 crews will do battle in the season finale with the field enjoying a good spread across all 11 classes.

Despite the impressive entry list, all eyes will be fixed mainly on just

two crews, with the championship experiencing one of its closest title fights in recent times.

Sitting on top of the summit is Jake Swinglehurst, who alongside sister and navigator Kate, holds a small lead over Ryan Taylor heading into the final. Both Swinglehurst and Taylor have been the two front-runners for almost the whole season.

Swinglehurst's consistency a just reward for his position on top, while multiple podiums to Taylor makes him a worthy contender for the title – however the Queenslander may rue a disappointing result in Finke.

From the two Pro Buggy contenders to the Trophy Truck guns, Brett Comiskey and Brent Smoothy also remain within reach of the title as a result of Kalgoorlie offering points and a half.

The quartet headline the regular all-star AORC cast making their way out west that include the likes of Mel Brandle, Garry Turnbull, Greg Gartner, Geoff Pickering, Justin Montesalvo and Warren Luff.

Of course, with Kalgoorlie already being extremely popular amongst Western Australian off roaders, there is a large contingent of high-profile locals entered.

The grand return of Beau Robinson and the in-form Shane Elphinstone headline the list of potential victors – with both drivers having won at this event in previous years.

There are also drivers who haven’t had the chance to go up against the best in the country with Adam Trewhella, Stephen KetteridgeHall and Troy Schoen among those capable of causing an upset, as well as claiming a win in the Motorsport Australia WA Off Road Championship.

Just seven and half points separate James Cook, Glen Ackroyd, Greg Campbell and Glenn Brinkman – and with all four having little to no experience in Western Australia, there is no telling who could win the SXS title.

A total of 363 kilometres over three sections await crews with the first lap of the challenging 121-kilometre course to take place on Saturday morning before the remaining two laps are held on Sunday - lap two in the morning and lap three in the afternoon.

In addition to the race, there will also be special Cash for Dash optional activation following Friday’s Prologue, where 10 crews will battle it out for $5000 on a special course.

There is just as much star power entered in the KINCROME SXS Motorsport Australia Championship, which has a title fight even more intriguing than the outright battle.

Four drivers are truly in contention for top honours and fittingly all four drivers are locked in for Kalgoorlie.

The Black Diamond Drilling Kalgoorlie Desert Race takes place in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia on 21-23 October.

Click here to see the entry list.

Photo: Tony Donoghue Photography

Photo: Tony Donoghue Photography

Photo: Dakar Press Team Australia

SHANNONS’ SANDOWN PARTY CARRIES ON

The Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships enjoyed a welcome return to Sandown International Raceway last month despite poor weather threatening to ruin the party.

With an action-packed schedule, a massive entry list of 125 teams and drivers and a record attendance expected, the stage was set for a brilliant weekend.

And although there was heavy rain on all three days, which caused a number of sessions to be suspended on Saturday, the show still carried on and all six categories kept the thousands of spectators entertained all weekend. Making up the list of categories was the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Turtlewax Trans Am Series, Australian Production Cars, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia, the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters and the Fanatec GT World

Challenge Australia (Motorsport Australia GT Championship).

Throughout the weekend were a number of eye-catching narratives in each category, with one of the most notable being in the TurtleWax Trans Am Series where Nathan Herne was crowned champion for the second-year running.

Herne continued his rivalry with fellow contender Owen Kelly and had done enough in the opening two races

to set himself up – the youngster eventually winning the title in the final race, despite losing to Kelly.

While the title fight in Trans Am wrapped up, there were other categories who moved a step closer to a thrilling climax for their 2022 seasons – the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia title fight destined to go to the final round at The Bend after both contenders Thomas Sargent and Ryan Wood enjoyed success.

Photos: Speed Shots Photography

In the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters, the gap is even smaller between the two contenders with Ryan Hansford holding a slender five point lead over John Bowe – the former’s race two win enough to put him on top ahead of the final race.

The Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series was entertaining for different reasons as saw three different drivers enjoy victories – all of whom celebrated with different purposes.

Having revealed his livery for the FIA Motorsport Games, Aaron Cameron enjoyed the perfect preparation, winning the first race of the weekend, before Ben Bargwanna won his first race on Sunday morning and 2019 champion Will Brown took out the final outing for the weekend.

for the Australian Production Cars and the GT World Challenge Australia, both categories enjoyed races in the wet conditions with a number of contenders staking their claim for their respective titles ahead of The Bend AutoFest later this month.

Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships will conclude its 2022 season at The Bend Motorsport Park on 21-23 October.

WAX TRANS

Photos: Speed Shots Photography

CONTACT US

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