The 2024 Motorsport Australia MOZA Racing FIA Motorsport Games Esports Qualifier recently took place at Fortress Melbourne, with two drivers securing their place on Team Australia.
QUEENSLAND SUCCESS WITH MOTORSPORT PROGRAM Motorsport Australia hosted the latest instalment of its Women's Introduction to Motorsport program last month in Mount Cotton.
THREE-PEAT FOR BATES AND MCLOUGHLIN IN ADELAIDE HILLS
Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin claimed victory at the Adelaide Hills Rally adding a haul of points to their 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship tally.
BROWN AND PYE
SCORE SANDOWN
ENDURO VICTORY
Will Brown and Scott Pye have enjoyed a perfect start to the Supercars Championship endurance season, claiming the race win at the Sandown 500 this month.
BURTON AND BOQUIDA SECURE THEIR SPOTS IN SPAIN
The 2024 Motorsport Australia MOZA Racing FIA Motorsport Games Esports Qualifier recently took place at Fortress Melbourne, with two drivers securing their place on Team Australia.
Twenty-four of Australia’s top Esports drivers competed for the chance to represent their country at the upcoming 2024 FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia, Spain.
Held in front of an enthusiastic crowd, Jake Burton and Philippa Boquida took victories in iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione (ACC) respectively to claim the two spots for the highly anticipated international competition.
Competing across the two different platforms, the gaming venue saw drivers split into two groups of 12 drivers respectively – with a spot reserved for one driver from each platform on Team Australia.
The event began with the Esports GT Round One and last chance qualifier, followed by Esports F4 Round One and its subsequent last chance qualifier.
At the conclusion of the respective rounds and last chance qualifiers, the drivers who progressed to the
In the final handful of minutes of racing, Woods and Rivera’s battle boiled over into a collision, leaving the opportunity for Jake Burton to become the new race leader.
Burton’s path to victory made for dramatic viewing, having sat in the top four during the majority of the race and behind Vermillion Motorsports’ Zach Rattray-White.
It was a little bit unexpected to be honest. I made some mistakes early on which really hurt us
finals participated in a 30-minute race to determine the winner for their respective category.
With no mandatory pit stops, the iRacing F4 race begun with Damon Woods leading the race with Marcello Rivera following closely behind.
An experienced driver, Burton had not expected to win, having faced his own difficulties at the beginning of the race.
“It was a little bit unexpected to be honest. I made some mistakes early on which really hurt us. I thought I was out of it to be honest. I knew there was a chance that they [Damon Woods and Marcello Rivera] might come together,” Burton said.
“Fortunately for me they did, but a bit of a shame for Damon and Marcello, they put together a really good night,
Photos: MM Focus Photography
so it was a shame it happened but so excited to go to Spain and represent Australia and Motorsport Australia.
“It will be totally new, it's kind of fitting that the Olympics are around now as well. It's getting me a little patriotic, so I'm excited to get out there.”
“It's been really good, everything has been super professional, obviously out in these awesome Next Level Racing rigs, that's been so much fun.”
Next were the Assetto Corsa Competizione drivers ready to compete for the remaining ticket to Spain.
Philippa Boquida delivered a thrilling performance, starting from pole position and leading the race from start to finish.
Despite facing early challenges, included a track limit warning on
the first lap and a close call with Zach Smith, Boquida maintained position to take the win.
“I'm feeling pretty happy, I came here feeling a bit stressed, a little bit anxious, but in the end I had a big pace advantage and took advantage of it,” Boquida said.
Boquida will now represent Team Australia for a second time, having been part of the squad in the 2022 edition of the FIA Motorsport Games.
“I'm happy to represent the country again, it's such an awesome feeling,” Boquida added.
I'm happy to represent the country again, it's such an awesome feeling
“I got a track limit warning on the first lap, and had a little scare with [Zach] Smithy tapping the back of my car in turn four, managed to catch it, I was a bit scared but in the end I just drove off.”
The event was hosted at Fortress Melbourne, providing a unique experience for competitors and spectators. The two races were also streamed live across Motorsport Australia’s social channels, with the full replay now available to watch on the Motorsport Australia YouTube Channel
Jake Burton and Philippa Boquida will next head to Valencia, Spain this October for the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games.
Photos: MM Focus Photography
QUEENSLAND SUCCESS WITH MOTORSPORT PROGRAM
Motorsport Australia hosted the latest instalment of its Women's Introduction to Motorsport program last month at the RACQ Mobility Centre in Mount Cotton.
The initiative returned to Queensland for the first time since October 2022 when the sold-out pilot event was held with great success and positive feedback from participants.
Designed to give women their first taste of motorsport in the familiarity of their own road cars, the program provided comprehensive insight across multiple topics and activities within motorsport.
The program began with participants being directed by driving instructors alongside experienced ‘buddies’ supporting the program.
The sessions were tailored to provide the women with an opportunity to develop basic motorsport knowledge, including vehicle theory and car preparation.
Some of the practical activities included car control exercises on a skid pan and a motorkhana course designed to test their new skills and knowledge in a safe and supportive environment.
With two timed motorkhana tests throughout the day, participant Amelia-Rose Francis emerged as the fastest driver, with only five hundredths of a second difference between her two tests completed in her Hyundai i20N.
Whether participants were longtime car enthusiasts or motorsport newcomers, the program had something for everyone, offering a friendly and supportive starting point for women who haven’t participated in motorsport before.
The event also provided valuable lessons on the various pathways into motorsport. From media, engineering, mechanics and more, the group was educated about the different opportunities available to them.
Zed Photography
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Your Next Motorsport Adventure Awaits
THREE-PEAT FOR BATES AND MCLOUGHLIN IN ADELAIDE HILLS
Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin claimed victory at the Adelaide Hills Rally after two days of action across the South Australian hills, adding a haul of points to their 2024 Bosch Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) tally.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia pair snagged their first heat and round victory of the year, beating out Harry Bates and Coral Taylor to make it a third consecutive win in South Australia.
Pedders Suspension & Brakes’ Scott Pedder and Glenn Macneall started their day in the same fashion as they did on Saturday, making a confident start on Stage Nine to take the first stage win of the day ahead of Lewis Bates and Anthony McLoughlin.
a bent right rear wheel to contend as they willed their Skoda across the line. Despite finishing the stage, Pedder and Macneall retired early to Service before rejoining ahead of Stage 12.
Anthony and I felt at one with the car the whole weekend and we’ve had some pretty good pace
Pedder’s progress was thwarted on Stage 10, with an impact on the Meadows stage leaving the team with
Pedder’s misfortune was to Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia’s advantage, with the Bates brothers trading places across the morning’s stages to lock up first and second position at the midday break.
Harry Bates and Coral Taylor initially looked to have the measure of their teammates, winning Stages 10 and 11 – however, the tables turned as Lewis went on to take the subsequent three stages before a service break.
“Super stoked with this whole weekend to be honest with you.
Anthony and I felt at one with the car the whole weekend and we’ve had some pretty good pace,” Bates said.
“I think that’s something that both Anthony and I can be really proud of, I think we managed our pace really well and pushed when we had to – I think overall we had the pace on the weekend.
Photos: Ozsportphotos
“Well done to Harry and Coral, they had a tough weekend, but awesome weekend for the team.”
There were plenty of spills across the field, with Tony Sullens and Kaylie Newell forced to retire their Peugeot 208 AP4 after veering off in the tenth stage and the pair were unable to repair the damage from the impact.
Notably in the ARC Junior Cup stakes, Molly Spalding and Matthew Dillion were also forced to retire after sustaining mechanical damage from an impact on Stage 13.
Jaidyn and Lucy Gluskie were able to nab the Junior Cup win from Mitch Garrad and Taylah Murphy, the pair recording a consistent Sunday to finish on top of the podium.
Bodie Reading and Mark Young took out the MainFix Production Cup, getting the better of Josh Wiedman and Nick Reid across the day’s ten stages.
Rounding out the cups was Peter Dimmock and Paul Bennett, who claimed the Trenching Systems Australia 2WD Classic Cup – while
Timothy Hiles and Morgan Ward took out the second round of the Subaru WRX Challenge. Crews now turn their attention to the season final Buckby Motors Rally Tasmania in Burnie, Tasmania on 22-24 November.
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View full results for the Adelaide Hills Rally via the Subaru Results Hub
GILL'S FIRST JWRC SEASON DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Australian rally driver Taylor Gill and co-driver Daniel Brkic wrapped up their 2024 FIA Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) campaign in fourth place for the season.
The EKO Acropolis Rally Greece was the final JWRC round for 2024 and the Australian duo entered their season finale fresh from victory at Rally Finland.
However their title hopes were dashed in the fifth and final round as Gill and Brkic fell down the order after breaking a steering arm on Saturday of the rally. Despite the setback, the Australian duo still powered on to end their season in a respectable fourth place.
repeatedly across the year, having to overcome multiple mechanical woes and punctures to eventually finish every round in the points.
Having faced unfamiliar snow and tarmac surfaces throughout the first two rounds, Gill and Brkic shone on the familiar gravel surfaces of Sardegna in round three.
we’re very proud of our efforts this season and can hold our heads high
"The rough roads damaged the rear of the car, and we simply had to nurse it through. Initially, the rear control arm was bent, however, it eventually broke completely as we made it to the end of the day," Gill said.
“It was a tough pill to swallow, but we understand that in an event like this, these problems can come from nowhere."
The Australians were challenged
Their major highlights were a second place finish in Croatia, and culminating with a win in Finland, arriving as serious contenders for the 2024 Junior title.
The victory in Finland placed them second in the JWRC standings, with an only 12-point gap separating them from Estonians title leaders Romet Jürgenson and navigator Siim Oja.
“Regardless of the final outcome, we’re very proud of our efforts this season and can hold our heads high knowing we gave ourselves the best possible chance at championship victory in the last round," Gill said.
Gill was paired with Australian navigator Daniel Brkic throughout the year, with the pair relocating abroad as part of Gill's selection to the FIA Rally Star program in 2023.
“It’s easy to get ahead of ourselves, but we must remember that Rally Sweden at the start of the season was our first rally in the WRC,” Brkic said.
“To begin there and progress the way we have is a credit to Taylor, the FIA Rally Star program and our entire support team in Europe and back in Australia.
“At the start of the season, we didn’t know where we would stack up, but to know we can now mix it with the best juniors in the world fills us with confidence.”
Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, Gill and Brkic will return to Australia to preparing for their next steps in 2025.
With their future in the FIA Rally Star program still to be decided, they remain hopeful that their progress this year will secure them a place for 2025.
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BUMPER SYDNEY SCHEDULE TO DELIVER PULSATING RACING
The schedule for Race Sydney, the penultimate round of the Shannons SpeedSeries, has been released – with seven categories in action across three jam-packed days.
This year’s Race Sydney will feature Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia
Powered by AWS, Monochrome GT4 Australia, Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, First Focus Radical Cup Australia, Giti Australian Formula Open and Meguiar’s Australian Production Cars.
Race Sydney will be the final event of 2024 for the Porsche collective, with a Series winner to be declared on Saturday afternoon with their final race of the event and the year starting at 2.10pm.
It will also be a special round for the Fanatec GT World Challenge drivers, with the category to host a three-hour endurance race under lights on Saturday night.
Friday’s track action will begin at 8.45am and run into the evening and under lights until 7.50pm, with GT4 to enjoy an exciting qualifying battle under lights.
Saturday will also begin at 8.45am with qualifying for Radicals, before
Photo:
the GT3 enduro ends the day with its three-hour race starting at 6.45pm.
Sunday will be a slightly shorter day for fans and crews, with Giti Formula Open starting the day at 10.05am, while Meguiar’s Australian Production Cars ends the weekend and event with a 30-minute sprint with lights out at 4.05pm.
Broadcast windows for the event will be confirmed in the coming weeks, with Saturday and Sunday’s action to be screened on the Seven Network.
Fans attending the event will also be able to take advantage of the free grid walk ahead of the Saturday night endurance race with no special pass required.
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Photos: Speed Shots Photography
GIRLS ON TRACK'S SUPER EXPERIENCE AT WALKINSHAW ANDRETTI UNITED
Last month the FIA Girls on Track program headed to Victoria, with a group of ambitious young women spending the day at Walkinshaw Andretti United in the latest edition of the Pathways program.
This latest instalment of the 2024 series saw women aged 15-22 spend the day the Supercars’ teams Clayton headquarters, completing a stacked curriculum of presentations and activities across a broad range of topics in motorsport.
The group arrived at the facility ahead of a panel discussion lead by FIA Girls on Track Champion and Motorsport Australia’s Development Manager, Charlie Barlow, followed by a question-and-answer session with Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood.
From there, the 40 girls got the opportunity to watch Walkinshaw Andretti United mechanics practice pit stops before the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and learnt from some of the best in the pit lane.
The girls were then split into specialised groups to explore all facets of the team and its roles, covering engineering, mechanical, commercial and human performance – With Mostert and Wood on hand to give a driver’s perspective on each individual area, from media training to mechanical.
The participants were tasked with several activities across the afternoon, with one group asked to test their newfound marketing and digital knowledge by creating their own race results graphics, while the human performance group ran through a physical exercise plan.
The day finished with an address from Walkinshaw Andretti United CEO, Bruce Stewart, recapping the opportunities available to the young women available on the team-side of the racing world.
The next instalment of the FIA Girls on Track - Pathways event will be held at Sydney Motorsport Park for the next round of the Shannons SpeedSeries on Friday 18 October following the success of the weekend’s Sandown International Raceway event.
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SHANNONS SUPPORTS GIRLS ON TRACK
Shannons Insurance is the latest organisation to show its support of the FIA Girls On Track initiative, named as a Platinum Partner of the program until the end of 2025.
This latest announcement represents a further expansion of Shannons’ loyal partnership, the insurer also the official insurance partner of Motorsport Australia, naming rights partner of the Shannons SpeedSeries and official presenting partner of the Motorsport Australia Awards.
The extended partnership will see Shannons support Motorsport Australia in growing participation among women in the motorsport industry by facilitating learning opportunities and career pathways.
The FIA Girls on Track program gives girls and young women the opportunity to get an insight into the motorsport world across two unique program types.
Inspire program act as a first introduction to motorsport and are targeted at girls aged 8-15 years old, with the key focus on developing and encouraging interest in STEM subjects.
The Pathways program is designed to connect women aged 15-22 years old with industry leaders to create genuine career pathways into motorsport.
Shannons Insurance Executive Manager Stephen Nutbean said his organisation is pleased to extend their support to this valued participation program.
We’re excited to see how our support for Girls On Track can help provide opportunities and establish pathways for girls of all ages
“We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with the team at Motorsport Australia and extremely proud to be backing a program as impactful as FIA Girls on Track,” Nutbean said.
“We share a passion for Motorsport and are pleased to support the joint goal of increasing women’s participation in the racing industry.
“We’re excited to see how our support for Girls on Track can help provide opportunities and establish pathways for girls of all ages, with the aim of growing a passionate generation of young women in motorsport.”
Motorsport Australia CEO Sunil Vohra welcomed the extension of Shannons Insurance support through the FIA Girls On Track initiative.
“It’s wonderful to see Shannons Insurance expanding their longstanding partnership with Motorsport Australia to now support one of our most popular participation programs,” Vohra said.
“The FIA Girls on Track program is integral in growing women’s participation in motorsport, both as competitors and through establishing career pathways.
“Giving girls an insight into our industry and providing them a range of experiences is something we are very proud to be able to do and aligns with our ethos of encouraging more young women to enjoy more motorsport, more often.
“Thanks to Shannons ongoing support, we will be able to continue to facilitate an engaging and inspiring program for the remainder of 2024 and beyond.”
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BRANDLE CLAIMS GOLD CITY VICTORY
Mel Brandle and Liam Brandle emerged victorious at the Markwell Group Gold City 450, the duo claiming outright honours in the fourth round of the BFGoodrich Motorsport Australia Off Road Championship (AORC).
Brandle was able to capitalise on his strong Saturday, fastest in the first section and maintaining the lead through the second and third sections to finish more than a minute clear.
Currently leading the Prolite class as well as holding second place in the outright standings, the Brandle pair enjoyed an issue-free weekend to set up a mouthwatering Championship finale in Kalgoorlie in October after there were mechanical dramas for Championship leaders Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt on Sunday.
Robinson will lead the Championship heading into the season finale, but the gap has now closed with the Brandles quickly closing in thanks to their Queensland victory.
“Over the moon, we just can’t believe it,” Brandle said following the win.
“We got seeded back there at the start of those last couple of laps and we just had to go out there and do our own thing, run our own race, and we got there in the end.
“We don’t really try and push for an outright win. Don’t get me wrong, when the helmet goes on, we do our best, but to do it – we’re over the moon.
“Consistency, that track out there was definitely what people call a drivers track. I reckon I spent more time sideways out there than I did going forward. There’s a lot of concentration, a lot of hard work that goes in to doing that.”
Price, improving their Saturday result by two positions to finish one minute and 36 seconds behind the leaders.
The fastest of the SXS Pro class finishers in Charters Towers, Ackroyd and Price made up their ground in Section 2 –finishing the course a second faster than the leaders to contribute to a swift overall time.
I reckon I spent more time sideways out there than I did going forward
The New South Wales crew beat out James Mogford and Michael Mogford to claim Transportable Shade Sheds SXS Championship round honours.
Moving up the leaderboard to complete the course in second outright was Glen Ackroyd and Michael
Mirroring their Saturday third outright finished, the Mogford’s completed the remaining two sections in impressive
Photos: Terry Hill
form to secure their place on the last step of the podium in Queensland.
The locals Charters Towers campaign was bolstered by their strong Section 1 performance, secondonly to the Brandles for fastest on the first run of the track.
What remained of the top 10 benefitted from multiple DNFs across Sunday’s proceedings, notably Championship leaders Beau Robinson and Shane Hutt –the Trophy Truck driver retiring in Section 2 with converter issues.
Despite a strong Saturday showing, Pro Buggy teammates Roydn Bailey
and Simon Herrmann also had their campaign cut short with a premature retirement in Section 2 after hitting a tree on Sunday afternoon – the pair walking away uninjured.
Fourth and fifth position were claimed by fellow Queensland crews Laurence Svenson and Janelle Svenson, also topping the Pro Buggy class, and Glenn Brinkman and Jaclyn Hughes.
Michael Shipton and Paul Chorlton finished first in the Performance 2WD class and seventh overall, while Thomas Stephens and Toby Stephens rounded out the SXS Pro Top 10 finishers.
Klaus McGhie and Jason Muchenberg topped the Extreme 2WD class, while Norman Parker and Tyson Park led all day in Production 4WD to finish 10th outright.
Declan Cummins and Maxcine Cooney claimed the SportsLite honours, while Ross Newman and Jessica Jackson took out the SXS Sport category.
View full results for the Markwell Group Gold City 450 at aorc.com.au/results
LEGENDARY TOUGHNESS. MADE
Photos: Terry Hill
RECOVERY KEN KEEPS RACING ON TRACK
This month’s Supercheap Auto Official Superstar is Ken Johnston, who has been nominated for his recovery efforts while representing Phillip Island Auto Racing Club (PIARC) at this month’s Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series round six at Phillip Island Circuit.
Known to fellow officials as ‘Kage’, Ken is a long-term recovery official with many years of valued service to the PIARC who can be trusted to always work to a high standard.
Johnston was challenged from the get-go over the weekend in Phillip Island, jumping into action in Race two when a car broke down on the formation lap and executing a textbook recovery prior to the race starting to avoid a safety car.
There was no rest come the start of the race, with a car stalling on the grid resulting in a safety car period – Ken was able to back up his initial efforts with another recovery executed in record time.
At the conclusion of the race, Ken finished the job by clearing a broken car and cleaned the remaining oil on the track to a high standard ahead of the afternoon’s proceedings.
To thank Ken for his many years of service, organisation, and dedication, he will receive a $100 Supercheap Auto gift card, commemorative pin and certificate.
KEN JOHNSTON
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BROWN AND PYE SCORE SANDOWN ENDURO VICTORY
Will Brown and Scott Pye have enjoyed a perfect start to the Supercars Championship endurance season, claiming the race win at the Sandown 500 this month.
Starting the race from pole, the pair enjoyed a near-perfect Sunday to edge out Red Bull Ampol Racing teammates Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup.
In what was a historic 60th anniversary event for the Victorian round, the onetwo finish for Red Bull was a standout
start to the first of two massive Supercars rounds – with plenty of momentum heading into the iconic Repco Bathurst 1000 in October.
Brown and Pye were thrilled with their top step performance, which also doubled as a result which extended Brown’s Championship lead.
“Stoked to get the win. It's so cool. First, endurance round win, first Sandown 500 win,” Brown said post-race.
So pumped for everyone at the team to get a one-two, it’s really exciting.
“Absolutely stoked and cool to do it in my first year with Red Bull Ampol Racing. So pumped for everyone at the team to get a one-two, it’s really exciting.”
Co-driver Pye also relished the opportunity in his first outing in Red Bull colours.
“My whole objective for this year is to put myself in a position where I'd have an opportunity for success in Red Bull Ampol Racing. I’ll take that every day of the week,” Pye added.
Photos: EDGE Photographics
“There's no guarantee in motorsport, but this team is the best in pit lane. I'm just so grateful to be a part of it now and to tick that off the list straight away is huge.”
In what was another impressive performance on Sunday, James Golding and David Russell rounded out the podium in their Premi Air Camaro.
The race itself saw plenty of action throughout the afternoon, with plenty of safety cars and a full course yellow adding to the strategy battles up and down pit lane.
The focus of the Supercars paddock now turns to the marquee event of the year, the Repco Bathurst 1000. The race that stops the motorsport nation takes place at the iconic Mount Panorama on 10-13 October.
WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION REACHES RECORD HIGH IN VICTORIAN FLAGMARSHALLING TEAM
Women lead the way at the recent fourth round of the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship (VSCRC), with more than 40% of the flag marshalling team that day made up of female officials.
It has been fabulous seeing the numbers increasing - we realised it was pretty special
Numbers of women officials have steadily increased across the previous round of the Championship, culminating in the impressive cohort in attendance at Sandown International Motor Raceway last month.
The ten women held key positions across the event, on post and in the control tower, demonstrating their growing influence and development among the event’s group of officials.
Victorian Flag Marshalling Team President, Suzanne Arnott, expressed her pride in the growing diversity in the club underscored by last month’s event.
“It’s great to see so many coming and trying, and then staying as well.” Arnott said.
“As President of the Victorian Flagmarshalling Team it is wonderful to see so much more diversity in the club. It was my goal when taking on the role to make the club more inclusive and welcoming.” Arnott said.
Arnott highlighted the significance of this moment, particularly given her tenure in the sport.
“It has been fabulous seeing the numbers increasing - we realised it
was pretty special and our socials posts covered it as well,” she said.
“It was always quite novel to have a girls-only post, over the 30 plus years I've been doing this.”
With two more rounds left to unfold, the VSCRC aims to build on this momentum, encouraging even more women to participate and create an experience that will enhance their motorsport careers.
The fifth round of the Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship will take place at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on October 4-6.
BARKER CLAIMS 2024 VICTORIAN HILL CLIMB CROWN
Mike Barker is the 2024 Motorsport Australia Victorian Hill Climb Champion after the sixth and final round of the year, claiming his first Championship in the category.
Competing in his Hayward 06, Barker came out the victor over rival David Moran, putting an end to their season-long battle and finishing top of the table with 90 points.
Barker’s impressive achievement was bolstered by three first place finishes, culminating in the title win and ending Mahon’s champion status over the past three seasons.
Mahon in his Dallara Hayabusa F394 missed out on racing in two rounds this year, but was still able to take victory in Round Four and continue to maintain podium position to keep his title fight alive.
Jordan James finished third outright in his Mitsubishi Evo 4, competing in all rounds and showing strong performances to conclude the season with 43 points.
James brought his best racing in Round Three after finishing fourth outright, proving an impressive drive in the wet and slippery conditions that weekend.
James also was secured the highest placed Tin Top in the 2024 season, ahead of David Bell in eighth and Zachary Hanlin in 10th.
Matthew Healy and Keith Wilson enjoyed a tight battle throughout the season, with the drivers finishing within points of each and both having missed out Rounds Three and Five.
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This resulted in Healy and Wilson finishing with the same amount of championship points (32), leading to Healy taking fourth and Wilson placing fifth outright.
Although he only competed in two races, Patrick Malanaphy finished in an impressive sixth outright with a total of 30 points.
Malanaphy was able to rack up a significant points haul over the two rounds, with a total of 17 points in Round One and 13 points in the final round, highlighting his competitive potential.
With the 2024 Victorian Hill Climb season now wrapped up, champion Mike Barker will be celebrated in October at the MGCC Club Rooms.
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CQ CRANE HIRE GOLD RUSH HILLSPRINT: A THRILLING SHOWCASE OF GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORT
CQ Crane Hire Gold Rush Hillsprint is a grassroots competition is quickly making a name for itself in the motorsport community, taking place at Mount Morgan, Queensland from 13-14 July.
Over 120 drivers came from far and wide, to conquer the mountain alongside local talents.
Australia's longest hill sprint track stretches over three kilometres and features 26 challenging corners and a 160-metre elevation change - 118 entrants tackled this demanding course over two days, offering non-stop action.
Competitors had the opportunity to complete eight runs, each with a chance to improve their times - Dylan Cothil, driving a 2010 Nissan R35 GTR, maintained his title with the fastest time of 1:41:82.
Rockhampton, driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Evo 7, finished tenth.
There was only a 0.2-second difference between the outright second place finisher Ray Vandersee, driving a 2009 Skelta Spyder, and Phillip Heafy, driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Evo VI. These times were both achieved on the last run of the day.
This event wouldn't be what it is today without the support of everyone here
Notably, Riley Stennett, a 16-year-old local, broke into the top 40 fastest cars, showcasing the event's range of talent and vehicle diversity across ten classes. Among the top local talents, John Martin from Yeppoon, driving a 2001 BMW M3, secured fourth place, and Wayne Stevens from
The event's success was a testament to the dedication of the event committee, made up of volunteers, reflecting the community's love for motorsport.
Support from sponsors and the Rockhampton Regional Council’s community assistance program were crucial in bringing this event to life.
Competitors and spectators alike praised the event - one competitor exclaimed, "Best weekend of my life," while another driver thanked the organisers for "another amazingly run event."
Aaron Black, President of the Central Queensland Motorsport Club, acknowledged the collective effort, stating, "This event wouldn't be what it is today without the support of everyone here."
Ray Vandersee, the event’s firstever winner, chose the Gold Rush Hillsprint as the venue to announce his retirement from motorsport at age 75, expressing his deep affection for the event.
Spectators of all ages enjoyed the event, which only required a gold coin donation for entry, making it an affordable and inclusive experience. The appearance of a 2016 McLaren 520C in the pits particularly wowed fellow competitors and fans.
The Central Queensland Motor Sporting Club Inc. (CQMSC), established in 1959, is one of the largest car clubs north of Brisbane. Organising approximately 12 events annually, CQMSC has built a reputation for safety and professionalism, earning the favour of local and interstate competitors alike.
The CQ Crane Hire Gold Rush Hillsprint is poised for growth, promising to inspire future generations of drivers and fostering a strong motorsport community. With its successful grassroots foundation, the event is set to become a staple in the motorsport calendar for years to come.
Final event results can be seen at cqmsc.asn.au
Photo: The Courier Mail
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