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THE LOW DOWN ON ST GEORGE “It’s a challenging track and one of the tightest ones on the calendar.”
A G RAND PRIX TO REM EMB ER
An overview of all that happened during the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019.
A P R IL UP COMING STATE E VENTS
Check out the April upcoming club and state events for 2019 from all around Australia.
CONFEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN MOTOR SPORT
BR ING ON THE FOR EST
There is lots of anticipation behind the CAMS Australian Rally Championship’s opening round in Western Australia.
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CONTENTS 4
April upcoming events
9
Vale Charlie Whiting
10
A Grand Prix to remember
10
17 Faces of Albert Park 20
Two new board members for CAMS
22
Double dose of glory for Fireman Craig
24 The low down on St George 26
Bring on the Forest
28
Grigg-Gault too good in VSR Showdown
30
Ricciardo’s Racers launches into 2019
32
Harding and Thornthwaite too strong for Blue Range
35
Grand privilege for D2BD
36
Legend Jones leads glamorous Hall of Fame
38
Wood to represent Australia
41
A strong start for the Victorian Championship
42
Happy Birthday Aussie Racing Cars
44
Brockbank champion after dramatic night in WA
46
Young Jericho happy in Excels
17 26 28 36
COVER PHOTO Josh Howells returns to tackle to dusty roads of St George at Round 1 of the BFGoodrich CAMS Australian Off Road Championship. Photo: Alan Macintosh
851 Dandenong Road, Malvern East VIC 3145 PO Box 147, Caulfield East Vic 3145 Member Hotline. 1800 883 959 (9am - 7pm AEST) Telephone. 1300 883 959 or +61 3 9593 7777 Office hours. 8.45am - 5.15pm Monday to Friday Website. cams.com.au E-mail. info@cams.com.au
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SPE E D READ
APRIL UPCOMING EVENTS NEW SOUTH WALES
QUEENSLAND
5-7 April: Condo 750
5 April: St George 399
6 April: Ross Giddins Rallysprint
6 April: BSCC Short Course Challenge
6-7 April: CAMS NSW Motor Race Championship R2
13-14 April: Wondai Street Sprints
6-7 April: CAMS NSW Motorkhana Championship R3
14 April: Millmerran Dirt Sprint
6-7 April: CAMS NSW Off Road Championship R1
14 April: HSCCQ Motorkhana
7 April: Kempsey Sporting Car Club's Kick Off Khanacross
20-21 April: MSCR Reid Park Sprint & Drift
7 April: Ringwood Park Tar Series Championship R3
21 April: MG National Meeting
13 April: MG Car Club Newcastle's Young Driver Development Program
27-28 April: Whitsunday Sporting Car Club Gravel Khanacross
13 April: The Singleton Automotive Caves Classic Rally
27-28 April: NQORA 6 Hour Enduro
14 April: Bathurst Light Car Club's April Khanacross
27-28 April: IWMAC Come N Try & Autocross
14 April: Classic Rally Club's Hawkesbury Ramble 14 April: Coffs Mechanical Repairs Lap Dash 14 April: Combined Sports Car Association Supersprint R2 14 April: Hornet Khanacross 14 April: MG Car Club Newcastle's April Dirt Motorkhana 20 April: Toynats Motorkhana 20 April: GFB Junior Khanacross Round 2 20-21 April: The NSW 6 Hour Regularity Relay 27 April: Porsche Club NSW Supersprint Championship R3 28 April: CAMS NSW Supersprint Championship R2 28 April: Grafton Sporting Car Club's Hillclimb Series R2
Photo: Trapnell Creations
The 2019 CAMS New South Wales Motorkhana Championship travels to the New England Traffic Education Centre in Armidale for Round 3 on the weekend of 6-7 April.
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CAMS SPEED READ
A variety of historic and modern cars will share the spotlight on the streets of Wondai as they battle it out for top honours, while Sunday will see an impressive array of vehicles on display for fans to admire.
History will be the main attraction at Mallala Motorsport Park as a host of popular categories such as Formula 5000, Sports Sedans and historic open wheelers put on a show for fans. The SCCSA All Historic Race Meeting has a classic picnic race meeting atmosphere and has something for everyone. Photo: Mallala Motorsport Park
SOUTH AUSTRALIA AND NORTHERN TERRITORY 6 April: SCCSA Come & Try 1
TASMANIA 5-7 April: Tyrepower Tasmania SuperSprint - Supercars 13 April: NWCC Barrington Hillclimb 13 April: Tasmanian Off Road State Series R1
7 April: SCCSA Multi Club 1
13 April: MSCT TAR Khanacross
7 April: (NT) Alice City Tyrepower Khanacross 13 April: SDCC Junior Development Program Day 1 14 April: SDCC Khanacross R1
14 April: LCCT Club Super Sprint 27 April: HSCC Drift Practice 28 April: Tasmanian Hillclimb Cup R2
14 April: SEAC Motorkhana
29 April - 4 May: Targa Tasmania
14 April: Superkart Races and Regularity 21 April: Ultimate Motorsport Events GT Nationals 26 April: TRE State Rally 27-28 April: SCCSA All Historic Race Meeting (Picture above) 28 April: Scout Motorsport Club Tarmac JDP #1 28 April: Central Australian Rally Sports Club Khanacross
Photo: Marianne Donohoe
Round 1 of the Tasmanian Off Road State Series is taking place at Symmons Plains on the 13 April. The off roaders will compete for the first time in 2019 and kick off what should be a great season!
ACT 6-7 April: Mantic Clutch Hillclimb Championship - SDMA R3 7 April: MG Car Club Canberra Multi-Club Motorkhana 14 April: Southern District Motorsports Association's Heartkids Hillclimb
Photo: Matt Henderson Photo: Heartkids Hillclimb
The Central Australian Rally Sport Club holds another Khanacross at the Finke Desert Race Complex as a number of drivers test their skills on the iconic desert gravel of the Northern Territory.
Motor sport and charity come together for the annual time trial at the Southern District Motorsports Association's Heartkids Hillclimb.
CAMS.COM.AU 5
VICTORIA
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
5 April: VSpec Performance 'Vic Time Attack' 2019
5-7 April: Make Smoking History Forest Rally
6-7 April: PIARC Super Sprint
6 April: Shannons Busselton Sprint
7 April: Gippsland Car Club Multiclub Hillclimb
6 April: Barbagallo Tuning Day
7 April: BCC VCAS Autocross & Motorkhana
6 April: Minon Ave Motorkhana
13-14 April: Terry Baker Motorsport Weekend
6-7 April: Northam Flying 50
19 April: Good Friday Appeal Car Display
12 April: WA Sporting Car Club
20 April: LiquiMoly BMW Clubs Australia National 2019 SuperSprint
13 April: Barbagallo Race Day
25-27 April: 2019 South West Stages - The MRF Tyres South Australian Rally Championship
19-21 April: Kickstarters Gascoyne Dash
28 April: Sandown 360 Regularity
20 April: Infinite Time Attack 28 April: Autocross
28 April: Round 4 of the Trydel Victorian Hillclimb Championship
Photo: Revved Photography Photo: Northam Motor Sport Festival Facebook
Don’t miss the PIARC SuperSprint which will take place on the 4.45km Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 6-7 April. This is a great event to come down with the family and enjoy two days of motor racing among other activities such as a Show 'N' Shine on the Sunday.
6 CAMS SPEED READ
Live bands, markets, car displays, children's entertainment and racing action are all part of the Northam Mitre 10 Flying 50's 20th anniversary weekend. The best part of it all is that it's free entry for all ages.
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8 CAMS SPEED READ
VALE CHARLIE WHITING CAMS was saddened to the hear the news of Formula 1 Race Director Charlie Whiting’s passing on the eve of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019. An instrumental figure in Formula 1, Whiting did more for the sport than his prominent role of Race director, a position for which he held for more than 20 years. Whiting’s career in Formula 1 began in the 1970s where he was a mechanic at Hesketh Racing and then Bernie Ecclestone's Brabham team in the 1980s before moving to the FIA. In 1998, he took on the role of Race Director where he also had a major hand in the creation of a variety of safety measures, the most notable being the introduction of the Virtual Safety Car. CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos paid tribute to Charlie’s passion for motor sport and the many contributions he made at all levels, including as Race Director. “On behalf of everyone at the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, I pass on my deepest sympathies to Charlie’s family, friends and colleagues,” Papadopoulos said. “Charlie was such a passionate contributor to motor sport and like everyone in the motor sport world, we are truly saddened by this shocking news. “Everyone in the FIA community will be impacted by this loss as he has been involved in the sport for such a long time.
TOP: Whiting had a great relationship with everyone he came across within the sport, from those in race control all the way through to those he inspected the track with as seen here at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. ABOVE: CAMS’ Director of Racing Operations Tim Schenken with Whiting at Albert Park during the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. As the event’s Clerk of Course, Schenken sat beside Whiting every year since he was appointed Formula 1 Race director in the late 1990s.
“I can confirm that all CAMS Officials at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 will wear black armbands over the course of the event to pay tribute to Charlie and the amazing life he led.”
CAMS.COM.AU 9
GRAND PRIX A
TO REMEMBER
10 CAMS SPEED READ
Photo: Formula 1 Media
BOTTAS POWERS TO ALBERT PARK WIN
HOW THEY FINISHED
1. Valtteri Bottas 2. Lewis Hamilton 3. Max Verstappen 4. Sebastian Vettel (03) 9419 0066 5. Charles Leclerc lifestylebrands.com.au 6. Kevin Magnussen 7. Nico Hülkenberg 8. Kimi Räikkönen 9. Lance Stroll 10. Daniil Kvyat 11. Pierre Gasly 12. Lando Norris 13. Sergio Pérez 14. Alexander Albon 15. Antonio Giovinazzi 16. George Russell 17. Robert Kubica DNF. Romain Grosjean DNF. Daniel Ricciardo DNF. Carlos Sainz Jr.
Mercedes AMG Petronas started their season in style as Valtteri Bottas secured an emphatic victory over teammate Lewis Hamilton.
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Bottas jumped Hamilton in the opening seconds and no one was able to catch the flying Finn, who also claimed the first ever bonus point for the fastest lap of the race. It was a horror day for CAMS Ambassador Daniel Ricciardo, who was pushed to the grass on the opening lap, losing his front wing and damaging his Renault in the process. While the team was able to replace the wing, he eventually pulled into the garage and retired after 30 laps.
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Photo: Mercedes AMG Petronas
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CAMS.COM.AU 11
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MCLAUGHLIN AND MOSTERT'S MUSTANGS SWEEP MELBOURNE Scott McLaughlin continued his dominant start to the 2019 season after claiming three out of the four Virgin Australia Supercars Championship races over the weekend. It could have been the perfect weekend for the Kiwi, however a collision with Cam Waters in the third race’s formation lap saw him forced to retire and lose his first points for the year.
LUIS LEEDS THE WAY It was a classic case of the current crop taking on the old guard in the CAMS PAYCE Australian F4 Championship’s debut at Albert Park as the returning Luis Leeds took out the round. After winning a thrilling qualifying session against 2018 champion Jayden Ojeda, Leeds backed up his performance with the first win of the season, while Ojeda dropped to fourth. The second race saw Antonio Astuti claim a surprise victory, while Leeds dropped to ninth and Ojeda fizzled out with a DNF. Ojeda made amends and won the third race but it was too little too late as Leeds’ runner-up sealed victory. Lochie Hughes and Ryan Suhle were rewarded for their consistency, finishing the round in second and third respectively. 12 CAMS SPEED READ
HOW THEY FINISHED
Fellow Ford Mustang pilot Chaz Mostert took advantage of the situation to pick up his first win of the season, while also claiming the Larry Perkins Trophy ahead of McLaughlin and 2017 champion Jamie Whincup.
ROUND 2 RESULTS
Photo: Dan Thompson Inset photo: Virgin Australia Supercars Championship
Race 1
Winner: Scott McLaughlin Runner-up: Fabian Coulthard Third: Cameron Waters
Race 2
Winner: Scott McLaughlin Runner-up: Chaz Mostert Third: Cameron Waters
Race 3
Winner: Chaz Mostert Runner-up: Jamie Whincup Third: Tim Slade
Race 4
Winner: Scott McLaughlin Runner-up: Chaz Mostert Third: Jamie Whincup
1. Luis Leeds 2. Ryan Suhle 3. Lochie Hughes 4. Jayden Ojeda 5. Antonio Astuti 6. Taylor Cockerton 7. Ryan Yardley 8. Jackson Burton 9. Tom Smith 10. Jackson Walls 11. Josh Smith 12. Dylan Thomas 13. Matt Holmes 14. Heath Collinson 15. Emerson Harvey 16. Christian Lester 17. Brenton Grigoul 18. Aaron Zerefos Photo: Dan Thompson
TWIGG HEADLINES THREEPOINTED STAR TRIUMPH The 2019 season began with a bang as the 2018 Endurance Champion Max Twigg led a dominant Mercedes AMG team to a podium lockout. Twigg won qualifying in convincing fashion before being awarded the first race win after McLaren pilot Fraser Ross’ car was disqualified due to homologation. Making his way down from the USA, Kenny Habul took out two race wins either side of a Peter Hackett win marking a perfect weekend for Mercedes. The other big news story was teenager Ryan How shwoing he was not afraid to mix in with the big boys, finishing in the outright top five on three occasions. Reigning champion Geoff Emery finished the weekend in fourth outright.
PHILIPPE SITTING PRETTY AFTER GRAND PRIX WIN Philippe Prette was the man to beat in all practice sessions but come the first race, he faltered and dropped down the order as Shell class’ Kazuyuki Yamaguchi won outright. In the second race, Prette was back where he deserved to be after a brilliant race, while two top-three finishes for Go Max was enough to secure a spot on the podium at the end of the round. A collision in race one for American James Weiland in the first race put him out of contention.
ROUND 1 RESULTS
Photo: Australian GT
Outright
Winner: Max Twigg Runner-up: Peter Hackett Third: Kenny Habul
GT4
Winner: Ryan Simpson Runner-up: Justin McMillan Third: Mark Griffith
Challenge
Winner: Nick Karnaros Runner-up: Shane Barwood Third: David Greig
Trophy
Winner: Ryan How Runner-up: John Morriss Third: Nick Kelly
Trofeo Pirelli AM Winner: Philippe Prette Runner-up: Go Max Third: Hector Lester
Shell Class
Winner: Yanbin Xing Runner-up: Kazuyuki Yamaguchi Third: Michael Choi
Shell AM Class Winner: Jay Park
Runner-up: Baby Kei Third: Andrew Moon CAMS.COM.AU 13
Photo: Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia
WOOD TOO FAST FOR LOVE It was an extremely tight finish to the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia as Dale Wood and Jordan Love took home two race wins each, however Love’s third place in the opening race cost him the round win. Posting the fastest time in qualifying and backing it up with the two race wins and two runner-ups was enough for Wood to secure victory over Love, while Warren Luff’s three third places was enough to seal the final spot on the podium. In the Pro-Ams, both Roger Lago and Liam Talbot had two class wins each but a DNF to Talbolt in the final race saw him out of the top five and Lago take victory.
Outright
Pro-Am
Runner-up: Jordan Love
Runner-up: Stephen Grove
Third: Warren Luff
Third: Sam Shahin
Fourth: Cameron Hill
Fourth: Anthony Gilbertson
Fifth: David Wall
Fifth: Tim Miles
Winner: Dale Wood
14
CAMS SPEED READ
Winner: Roger Lago
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16 CAMS SPEED READ
FACES OF ALBERT PARK There were many things to celebrate after this year’s highly successful Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, but something that can never be overlooked is the good work of the CAMS officials.
For four long days in March, 970 officials from all corners of the globe volunteered their services to help put on the magnificent show that was the 2019 Formula 1 season opener. From Flag Marshals to Pit Lane Marshals, debutants to veterans, every official had the common goal in being part of one of Australia’s premier motor sport events. Get to know some of the people who gave up their time for their passion at Albert Park.
CAMS.COM.AU 17 Photo: Revved Photography
TANYA SALAN “My Husband and I have been officials for around nine years. We travel around the country doing events as well as the Australian Grand Prix.” “We’ve been asked to go to Singapore and Silverstone but at this point we are not sure when. One day we will eventually do them, it’s definitely on our bucket list to go.”
MARIAM RABBAT “I was working as part of the medical team in Egypt at the Red Bull ‘Car Park Drift’ Championship but it’s always been my dream just to participate at a Grand Prix.” “I moved to Australia last year and my passion has always been Formula 1 so I just wanted to be as close to the track as possible.”
FERDINAND LAI “This is my fifth year as an official and my first year in Australia which is a little nerve-wracking, but it doesn’t matter because I love motor sport for the excitement, the thrills and the fumes. It’s just fantastic.” “There is not much difference between the two events [Singapore and Australian Grand Prix's], they both run pretty much the same however over here, the weather is nicer, the people are nice and on Sunday we have a BBQ which we don’t have in Singapore.”
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CAMS SPEED READ
MUHAMMED HAMZAH ZAFAR “I’ve been preparing for this for quite a while now. I’ve been looking at the rules and what to expect from them. I’ve also brushed up on the F1 rules in general and what to do in case of an emergency.”
“I’m really enthusiastic about the sport and I wanted to get involved and get the insights of how the event is run.”
MEL GOH “I think being this close to the action in your own country is amazing, the vibe is great, you kind of know the crowd as well and because we know the track so well, it just makes for really good viewing.” “I’m a Communications Marshall. So I’ll be chatting to race control quite a lot throughout the next four days. I’ve been doing that sort of role for about four years now but I’ve been involved in motor sport for about seven years.”
MICHAEL VAN DER ZANDEN “So excited to be here, you meet a lot of people and I’d rather help them than being helped so it’s nice to make a contribution to the event and yeah it’s a great spectacle.” “Many years ago we lived in Adelaide. Our place was right next to the Grand Prix track so that’s where I got my first taste of it and I thought wow, what a buzz!”
To learn more about what it take to become a CAMS Official, click here.
CAMS.COM.AU 19
TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR CAMS The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) is pleased to confirm Andrew Fraser and Thea JeanesCochrane have been appointed to the CAMS Board. Fraser, the former Deputy Premier and Treasurer of Queensland, has significant sports governance experience, including at the Australian Sports Commission, the National Rugby League (NRL) and New Zealand Rugby League. He is also currently the Chair of Sunsuper. Fraser said he was delighted to take on the Appointed Director role. “I was raised in the back of a family car dealership in North Queensland – and probably pre-programmed to be a motorsport fan,” Fraser said. “Joining the CAMS Board provides the opportunity for me to combine my recent background in sports governance, and my public and private sector experience to a sport that I love.
20 CAMS SPEED READ
“In my experience, most sports face multiple challenges, but the strengthening of CAMS in recent times is impressive, and I hope I can play a role in helping guide that continuing growth. “Ensuring the sport has the resources and the capacity to provide leadership, and support the clubs around the country is the primary task of all board members – and I am looking forward to joining the team.” Jeanes-Cochrane is highly regarded and globally experienced in the sports and entertainment industry. She has a proven track record in creating, producing, commercialising and managing a diverse portfolio of events and activities, including working on the Commonwealth Games and in motor sport, having worked on Supercars and Indy events. Jeanes-Cochrane said she was looking forward to the exciting challenges
being a CAMS Board member would present. “It’s a great honour and an opportunity to be posted to any national Board, certainly this is true in the case of CAMS. Our family has a very proud and distinguished history being deeply involved in Australian motor sport – I look forward to carrying on that tradition,” Jeanes-Cochrane said. “I am thrilled to have been given an opportunity to influence the landscape of Australian motor sport and especially proud to be the second female board member alongside Margot Foster. “My business ventures have seen me working with an eclectic group of people from London Museums, Real Madrid C.F, The Rolling Stones, to our own state governments’ with each venture bringing valuable learnings. I hope to bring these perspectives and my experience in dealing with different viewpoints to the Boardroom.”
“I am thrilled to have been given an opportunity to influence the landscape of Australian motor sport.” - Thea Jeanes-Cochrane
CAMS President Andrew Papadopoulos said the two new Appointed Directors would replace outgoing Board members, Tony South and Ian Gillespie, who have both served on the Board since 2012. Papadopoulos said Fraser and JeanesCochrane’s appointments were a coup for CAMS. “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome two highly qualified Directors on to the CAMS Board,” Papadopoulos said. “These are two terrific appointments for CAMS that will have a positive impact on everyone involved in motor sport, with both Thea and Andrew eager to utilise their skills and bring fresh ideas and viewpoints to our Board.
“CAMS is in a terrific position, with increased growth at all levels and continued investment in grassroots motor sport.” Papadopoulos also praised the significant contributions of both outgoing Directors. “It has been an honour sharing the Boardroom with both Tony and Ian who have contributed so much to motor sport in Australia,” Papadopoulos added. “They both deserve our heartfelt thanks and leave knowing that they have left a lasting legacy, given the significant contributions they have made during their respective terms.” Fraser and Jeanes-Cochrane will take part in their first CAMS Board meeting in April.
CAMS.COM.AU 21
DOUBLE DOSE OF GLORY FOR FIREMAN CRAIG There are many officials in Australian motor sport who put in many hours and hard work into their passion and one of those hard working volunteers is 2018 Castrol Victorian Official of the Year winner Phillip Craig. Since first joining the ranks as a CAMS official in 1999, Craig would have never imaged he would be the recipient of two prestigious state awards 20 years later. In early February, after dedicating years of service to the sport as a Fire Marshal, The CFA worker was rewarded for his efforts as a Chief Fire Marshal at the 2018 CAMS Victorian awards presented by Burson Auto Parts. Two weeks later, Craig was again named as the best of his discipline, taking home the Gray-Nicolls Sports Victorian Community Official of the Year at the prestigious Vicsport Awards.
22 CAMS SPEED READ
Remarkably Craig was surprised about winning both awards, despite so many years in the sport. “It is an honour and I wasn’t expecting it because it’s something you don’t think about achieving,” Craig said. “However I wouldn’t have even been considered if it wasn’t for the other officials in the Fire Squad and the other officials at the track as well. “It was really awesome having my named called out and really quite humbling. “There are a lot of good people in motor sport, both competitors and officials and to be selected for this award is very humbling.” Those close to Craig would feel the opposite and claim he is a more than worthy recipient due to his good nature
and his rise up the ranks throughout the years. While he may have made a name for himself as an official on Australian soil working at state events, the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship and the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, Craig also spent time abroad sharing his craft and knowledge in Asia. “I have had some awesome experiences through motor sport that include going to Singapore and South Korea,” Craig explained. “One of my favourite memories is in Singapore for my first international training session, where I was training fire marshals who were predominately from the country’s local emergency services.
Margot Foster presenting the 2018 Castrol Victorian Official of the Year to Phillip Craig Photo: Clinton Plowman
Photo: Revved Photography
“There are a lot of good people in motor sport... and to be selected for this award is very humbling.” - Phillip Craig
“It wasn’t that difficult to go over there and do it and it was very inspiring because the way that first Grand Prix was organised was pretty good and it was special. ‘But really, winning this award is the top of the cake because it’s something that you don’t expect to get and while Singapore and South Korea were pretty special, this is on another level.” Craig has achieved a lot in his time along with his wife who is also a CFA officer working as a Fire Marshal, however he has no intention of leaving the sport any time soon.
close to the cars. You get the noise, the vibrations and you get in for free. It’s just fantastic. “I’d like to thank my wife Jeanette because she has been so understanding. We spend a lot of time away from each other particularly with work but she has been really supportive throughout the years.”
To join find out more about what it takes to be a CAMS Official, click here.
‘I don’t have any short term plans of slowing down, I would really like to be doing this for sometime yet but only time will tell,” Craig added. “The best thing is that you have the best seat in the house and you’re up
CAMS.COM.AU 23
TH E
LOW DOWN ON
ST GEORGE Photo: Alan Macintosh
24 CAMS SPEED READ
LAST TIME THEY MET The 2018 BFGoodrich CAMS Australian Off Road Championship’s season opener began with young gun Toby Whateley shooting off to a sensational start and taking home the first section – the first time a SXS had won a section in the Championship. Whateley finished above Phil Lovett and Peter Carr, while eight-time Champion Shannon Rentsch sat outside the top three. In the second section, Rentsch began to steady the ship to pass Lovett and Carr had was forced to retire, while Whateley managed to hold onto his lead. He couldn’t hold it for much longer as Rentsch eventually caught him on the third and final section to claim the outright victory – the young South Australian eventually finishing behind Rentsch, while Lovett rounded out the podium.
TH E TR A CK In 2018, all the talk of the town was how good the new changes to the start finish line was for spectators and how the long straights made racing much closer.
“It’s a challenging track and one of the tightest ones on the calendar.”
“St George is a great track, if everything goes right.” - Alan Dixon
- Shannon Rentsch
More changes have been made to the North Queensland course that could now benefit the big trucks and make it an even playing field. Headlining the list of changes is the extra 20km added to the course, as well as the inclusion of wall jumps, with the dramatic “Hanks Baby” jump the most notable - a ramp akin to a Hollywood-style Grand Canyon jump. The event organisers have also made some significant changes to the track by widening it allowing fans to witness overtaking in some areas. With a lack of rain occurring over the previous months, it will be an event full of dust and as always, the Bakers Dozen will provide Spectators and competitors with a heap of entertainment throughout the weekend.
“It’s a good track for us, however they've taken away a few of the tight corners out which will make it better for the pro-buggies.” - Toby Whateley
The 2019 course will see competitors tackle 399km through six laps of the 67km course.
THE ENTRY LIST
THE SCH EDU LE Friday 5 April
11.00am: Long Course Reconnaissance
It’s going to be a massive weekend in Queensland as 75 crews have entered the St George 399, 15 more drivers than last year.
12.00pm: Scrutiny at George Showground
The Championship’s biggest names are back with reigning champion Shannon Rentsch looking to begin his title defence on a high, while Toby Whateley is once again shaping up to be his biggest challenger.
7.00am: Prologue Reconnaissance 7.55am: Prologue 11.00am: Section 1
The South Australian also leads the biggest class of the weekend with the SXS Turbo class boasting more than a third of the field with 26 drivers, one of those being 2018 CAMS DEWALT Australian SXS Champion Simon Evans.
Satur day 5 April
Sunda y 6 April
7.30am: Section 2 and 3
2017 Champion Matthew Martin also returns to the championship after a disastrous beginning to his 2018 campaign, with the hopes of getting back onto the winners' list.
CAMS.COM.AU 25
BRING ON THE FOREST
There is lots of anticipation behind the CAMS Australian Rally Championship’s opening round in Western Australia. With the Make Smoking History Forest Rally taking place on 5-7 April, Speed Read has a look at some of the important facts ahead of the rally.
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LAS T TIM E THE Y ME T
Last year’s event saw the debut of not just one Skoda Fabia R5, but two, as Adrian Coppin and Eli Evans made history in the ARC. It was a mixture of fortunes for the two drivers though as Evans began the charge to his fourth ARC title with a clean sweep victory, while Coppin struggled to find his form and finished ninth. A second in the first heat and a third in the second saw Contel Communication’s Steve Glenney and Andy Sarandis claim their second consecutive round runner-up finish. A tight battle for the final step on the podium between 2016 champion Molly Taylor and Glen Raymond saw Taylor come out on top by two points despite finishing fourth in both heats. Rounding out the top five was Eureka Rally winner Harry Bates after having car issues on the first heat to score little points in the first heats. The Toyota Yaris recovered in the second heat to finish behind Evans but it was too little too late.
THE CRE WS
It is going to be a busy weekend in Western Australia for the season opener as 48 crews do battle in the forests of Nannup. Some regular faces from last year will be part of the field including Harry Bates and Lewis Bates in a pair of Toyota Yaris AP4s, as well as Molly Taylor who will be in a brand new Subaru WRX.
“Really pumped to get back out there. A lot of anticipation, especially with a brand new car.” - Molly Taylor
“It’s a big year for us representing Toyota Gazoo. With a twocar team everyone is geared up for this event.” - Harry Bates
While last year’s event saw the inclusion of the world-class Skoda Fabia R5, this year will see the inclusion of three G4 cars, led by Justin Dowel in the Hyundai i30.
SC HE DU LE
Joining Dowel are the New South Wales-based Irishmen in Richard Dalton and JJ Hatton with Dalton to be behind the wheel of the Fiesta and Hatton the Hyundai i20.
Frid ay 5 Apr il
18:10 – Heat 1 Section 1
Other key figures will be Western Australian champion John O’Dowd, who will be driving Evan’s Championship Skoda, while second year driver Luke Anear recently secured 2018 ARC runner-up Steve Glenney as his co-driver.
7:00 - Heat 1 Section 2 10:00 – Clubman Rally 18:15 – Heat 2
THE STA GES
Crews will undertake more than 215 competitive kilometres across the three-day event starting with the Super Special Stage at Barnard Park in Busselton on Friday evening. There will be 19 stages around Nannup and East Nunnup with five of these being super special stages.
Sat urd ay 6 Apr il
Sun day 7 Apr il 7:00 – Heat 2
Keep up to date with all the news from the event at rally.com.au
“Due to fires occurring in February, event organises were forced to remove two stages and change the Service park back to the streets of Nannup like previous years.
CAMS.COM.AU 27
GRIGGGAULT TOO GOOD IN VSR SHOWDOWN
JAYDEN OJEDA
CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship
NICK VOON Espor ts driver
ROSS RIZZO Espor ts driver
LEE PARTRIDGE Aussie Driver Search
Ethan Grigg-Gault has been crowned the VSR Invitational Showdown champion at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 after winning a thrilling Grand Final against fellow simulator racer Ross Rizzo. With four Esport gamers taking on four real-life drivers in a knockout style draw on the two Motum Simulators, the eight competitors raced each other on a simulated Albert Park circuit. Grigg-Gault's day was faultless thanks to a seamless run to the Grand Final, while Rizzo’s journey was a bit more difficult. Rizzo faced a stubborn Jayden Ojeda in the semi-final with both drivers spinning out multiple times, however it was Rizzo who managed to recover fastest and set up a final with Grigg-Gault.
In the Grand Final, Grigg-Gault flexed his muscles and showed why he was always going to be hard to beat, eventually crossing the line ahead of a gallant Rizzo. “I’m absolutely ecstatic at the moment,” a jubilant Grigg-Gault said post-race. “I just came to the Australian Grand Prix to do a bit of spectating and I got invited to this awesome simulator event. “I thought I’d come and have a crack and in the end we managed to come away with the win and I’ve got an awesome trophy to show for it. “There are some very good drivers here on display so to come away with the win in the end, I am very happy.”
DAVID CRAMPTON Radical Australia Cup
DAVID HAINES Espor ts driver
ETHAN GRIGG-GAULT Espor ts driver
ANTONIO ASTUTI
CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship
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CAMS SPEED READ
AKES R IC C IA R D O T O N T H E S IM
JAYDEN OJEDA
CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship
ROSS RIZZO Espor ts driver
arquee at to the CAMS m During his visit Grand Prix an ali str lex Au the Formula 1 Ro e Motum th iardo got on 2019, Daniel Ricc course a rk Pa rt be the Al Simulator to give Peroni. ex Al g Australian run against youn
ROSS RIZZO Espor ts driver
ETHAN GRIGG-GAULT Espor ts driver
DAVID HAINES Espor ts driver
ETHAN GRIGG-GAULT Espor ts driver
ETHAN GRIGG-GAULT Espor ts driver
CAMS.COM.AU 29
RICCIARDO’S RACERS LAUNCHES INTO 2019
Photo: Revved Photography
Ricciardo’s Racers 2019 dates have been confirmed with CAMS ambassador Daniel Ricciardo on hand at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix to launch this year’s program. Ricciardo’s Racers teaches 12 to 17-year-olds the basics of motor sport and builds their skills through fun driving exercises in their own car under the guidance of experienced coaches. The goal of the CAMS’ initiative is to give young kids the chance to progress to club level events and work their way into motor sport. As part of the launch, four Ricciardo’s Racers graduates got the opportunity to pose with their hero in the CAMS marquee at Albert Park including Louise Gouveia, who benefited from taking part in a session last year. “Doing Ricciardo’s Racers is just a really good experience and I loved it,” Gouveia said. “I really enjoyed it because I got to
30 CAMS SPEED READ
learn a lot of things about driving and get an actual race car driver in the car with me to teach me. “It was great because the coaches help you a lot and teach you a lot of things you should know about racing.” Following the success of the 2018 program, this year will see more sessions take place across the year, with 11 events occuring across the country. Of the 11 sessions, nine will be dedicated to the level one and two courses, focusing on the fundamentals of car control and car control in the wet. Victoria’s Winton Raceway and Luddenham Raceway in New South Wales will host the only level three sessions in 2019.
Photo: Dave Oliver
2019 CALENDAR 13 April: Sandown - Level 1&2 18 May: Sydney Motor Sport Park - Level 1&2 13 July: Sandown - Level 1&2 17 July: Barbagallo Raceway - Level 1&2 31 August: Winton Raceway - Level 3 21 September: Sandown - Level 1&2 23 September: Norwell Motorplex - Level 1&2 3 October: Sydney Motor Sport Park - Level 1&2 4 October: Luddenham Raceway - Level 3 12 October: Baskerville Raceway - Level 1&2 16 November: The Bend Motorsport Park - Level 1&2
Click here for more information on Ricciardo’s Racers
HARDING AND THORNTHWAITE TOO STRONG FOR BLUE RANGE Michael Harding and Jason Thornthwaite have taken top honours in the Light Car Club of Canberra’s first event for 2019, the Subaru pilots claiming the 2019 Blue Range Rally Sprint. With competitors having the option to complete five runs of the two stage event, the best four run times for each stage were accumulated into the crews’ final score. Only needing the minimum required run times for each stage, Harding and Thornthwaite were too strong all day for their rivals, ending the event with a 37-second victory over CAMS Australian Rally Championship (ARC) regulars Andrew Penny and Rhys Llewellyn. The first stage saw a close battle between the two Subaru crews as Penny and Llewellyn got their fastest time of the stage on their fifth run, reducing the gap to just five seconds in the process.
The ARC pair continued to press in the second stage, posting the same time as the leaders in the first run, however it’s as close as they got with Harding and Thornthwaite stepping it up in their remaining three runs to extend the outright gap. At the end of the day, Harding and Thornthwaite were just too good for Penny and Llewellyn as both crews comfortably sealed a one-two Subaru lockout. Finishing on the last step of the outright podium a further two and half minutes behind the top two was Mitsubishi Mirage pilots Aaron Casmiri and Adriana Pallister. The pair also ended the day with the 2WD class title.
Photos: James Ford
Rounding out the top five and class top three was the number one car in Peter Dimmock and Peter Hellwig’s Datsun 240Z, the pair’s second stage costing them a higher finish. The Light Car Club of Canberra’s next event in April is the second round of the National Patios Khanacross Series after hosting the opening round in March.
Click here for the full results from the 2019 Blue Range Rally Sprint.
Casmiri and Pallister didn’t have it all their way though as the outright fourth placed Holden Commodore driven by Russel Winks and Steve Hodgkin finished less than 30 seconds behind the 2WD class winners.
MIDDLE: Andrew Penny and Rhys Llewellyn
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ABOVE: The Datsun 240Z of Peter Dimmock and Peter Hellwig
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GRAND PRIVILEGE FOR D2BD Dare To Be Different (D2BD) has started for 2019 as 24 school children enjoyed the activities at this year’s Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. Coming from Keilor Heights Primary School, Wattleview Primary School and Hillsmeade Primary School, the young kids took part in a variety of activities that educated them about the different aspects of motor sport. Under the guidance of D2BD ambassadors Jessica Dane, Romy Mayer, Bonnie Beard and Emily Duggan, the children took turns on the Motum Simulator, completed a Pit Stop Challenge, created and coded automated racing machines in a LEGO Workshop and underwent a reaction and fitness challenge. Eszter from Hillsmeade revealed how awesome it was to be part of the program.
“I think we’re very privileged to take part in D2BD... It was really a fantastic experience” - Eszter, Hillsmeade Primary School “I think we’re very privileged we got to take part in Dare to be Different at the Australian Grand Prix” Eszter said. “Only a few schools get to do it and we’re apart of it so that is really cool. “Today we learnt that being in motor sport involves a lot of team work and patience to get the car ready and it was really a fantastic experience.” Orania, from Keilor Heights Primary School, was also thrilled to be part of the first D2BD program for 2019. “I loved this experience because it’s something you don’t do every day and I just really like doing things that not everyone gets to experience.” The Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019 was the first D2BD program for 2019, with the next one to take place at Virgin Australia Supercars Championship team Erebus Motorsport’s headquarters in Melbourne on 22 May.
CAMS.COM.AU 35
LEGEND JONES LEADS GLAMOROUS HALL OF FAME Photo: Clinton Plowman
Alan Jones MBE is officially a ‘Legend’ of motor sport, after his elevation at the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame, presented by Famous Insurance.
Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, was also a surprise guest at the event, sharing his insights into the opening round of the Formula 1 season.
Thirteen motor sport identities were also inducted into the Hall of Fame at a sold-out gala dinner at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Meanwhile, it was a proud night for the highly decorated Jones, as he was elevated to Legend status. Jones was inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame dinner in 2016 and is a deserving recipient of the prestigious honour.
With FIA President Jean Todt in attendance, all guests took part in a standing ovation to honour FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting who sadly passed away on the eve of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2019.
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Winning the Formula 1 World Championship in 1980 with Williams, Jones ended his illustrious 10-year career with 12 Grand Prix victories from 116 starts, as well as having domestic
success which included the 1993 Bathurst 12 Hour. The night also saw three other special awards given out, starting with the Speedcafe.com Spirit of Speed Award, which rewards the work of motor sport officials and volunteers. Husband and wife Alf and Maureen Capri were joint winners for their contribution to karting in Queensland. Meanwhile, Indy 500 winner Will Power and Dakar champion Toby Price both took home the Ronald J Walker Award for excellence, an accolade awarded to the performance of an Australian in world motor sport.
Photos: Clinton Plowman
Click here to read the full story.
2019 INDUCTEES Legend: Alan Jones - Motor Racing
Allan Horsley - Special
Marcos Ambrose - Motor Racing
Craig Lowndes OAM - Motor Racing
Hope Bartlett - Motor Racing
Stefan Merriman - Off Road
Phil Crump – Motorcycle: Speedway
Larry Ormsby - Drag Racing
Max Dumesny - Speedway - Cars
Eddie Thomas - Drag Racing
David Fellows - Off Road Ray Fisher – Motorcycle: Motocross Evan Green - Rally Eric Hinton – Motorcycle Road Racing
CAMS.COM.AU 37
WOOD TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA
Caitlin Wood has made it through to the historic W-Series after an intense five-day qualifying session at Spain’s Circuito De Almeria. Wood was part of the 28 applicants that were selected after an intense first round in Austria that including intensive tests, trials and appraisals. The testing comprised of on-track exercises, mental and physical fitness assessments and media and presentational exams that gave the experts ideas on each driver, as they prepare for the new series that begins in May. Following the first round, Wood along with 27 other females underwent a variety of track tests in the brand-new Tatuus T-318 Formula 3 cars. As well as getting on track, the drivers spent time also getting to know the teams behind the Series’ major partners - Hitech GP who looks after race operations and Hintsa Performance who manages the drivers’ fitness. After being named as one of the successful 18, a speechless Wood was thrilled she was able to take a big step in her career. “It feels surreal. It's a once in a life time opportunity and these drives don't really exist,” Wood said. “It’s really exciting to be part of the inaugural season and and I'm really looking forward to racing.
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“I didn’t just want the W-Series, I needed it” “A lot of people have asked me what would it mean to me to get in this series and unlike most of the drivers, I didn’t just want the W-Series, I needed it. “I needed this championship to further my career and I think that’s the difference between the other drivers and myself.
W SERIES DRIVERS Caitlin Wood, Australia Jamie Chadwick, UK Sabre Cook, USA Marta Garcia, Spain Megan Gilkes, Canada Esmee Hawkey, UK Jessica Hawkins, UK Shea Holbrook, USA Emma Kimilainen, Finland Miki Koyama, Japan Sarah Moore, UK Tasmin Pepper, South Africa Vicky Piria, Italy Alice Powell, UK
“I am really thankful for this opportunity and I am really going to try to make the most of it.”
Gosia Rdest, Poland
The W-Series kicks off at Hockenheim in Germany on 3-5 in May.
Fabienne Wohlwend, Liechtenstein
Naomi Schiff, Belgium Beitske Visser, Netherlands
DANE OFFERS SUPPORT TO CAITLIN Jessica Dane, Chair of the recently formed CAMS Australian Women in Motor Sport Commission (AWMSC), has congratulated Caitlin Wood on her selection in the inaugural W-Series. “Caitlin has been making her mark in Europe for several years and it’s fantastic to see her talent recognised on the global stage of the brand new W Series. The women taking part are already wonderful role models and the category will help them reach many more young girls around the world who will no doubt look up to them and be inspired.
“For four Australians to have made the initial longlist of 60 drivers was excellent in itself, it’s a testament to the female talent we have here in Australia. "There’s plenty of work still to be done, but these women are helping to pave the way for future generations. “I’ll certainly be watching the W Series and cheering on Caitlin, it should be an incredible experience for her and all the women involved.”
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CAMS.COM.AU 39
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Photos: Revved Photography
A STRONG START FOR THE VICTORIAN CHAMPIONSHIP More than 240 cars have taken part in the opening round of the 2019 CAMS Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship at Sandown Raceway. In an action packed weekend that featured a mixture of classic and modern cars across 10 categories, spectators and fans a like were treated to entertaining show of tough but fair racing. Headlining the 10 categories were the Hyundai Excel Trophy Series and the Improved Production Cars with both categories attracting a healthy field of 39 cars. The Excels also had a special separate Masters series going on throughout the weekend, while the event’s hosts, The MG Car Club of Victoria also held a separate competition with invited British Sports Cars sharing the track. The season opener also saw Victoria’s staple circuit categories take part, which included Formula Vee, the Porsche 944 Challenge, HQ Holdens, Sports Sedans and Formula Ford. The next round of the CAMS Victorian State Circuit Racing Championship at Phillip Island on 4-5 May.
Porsche 944 Challenge 1. Cameron Beller 2. Paul Crocitti 3. Ken Rowland
Motorsport Parts Australia Excel Trophy 1. Jordan Raceline 2. Liam Gretgrix 3. Adam Bywater
Motorsport Parts Australia Excel Masters 1. John Agosta 2. Brendan Avard 3. Dylan Innes
Formula Vee 1. Jake Rowe 2. Nicholas Jones 3. Adam Slattery
Sports Sedans 1. Brett Dickie 2. Ian Cowley 3. Dean Camm
MGs and Invited British Sports Cars 1. Philip Chester 2. Robin Bailey 3. Ben Muller
Improved Production Cars
1. Luke Grech-Cumbo 2. Nathan Robinson 3. Gary McKay
Formula Ford 1. Benjamin D'Alia 2. Cody Donald 3. Kyle Gurton
Formula Ford 1600 1. Brendan Jones 2. Peter Fitzgerald 3. Byron Thomas
HQ Holdens
1. Raymond Jardine 2. Andrew McLeod 3. Jake Bekkers
Saloon Cars
1. Travis Lindorff 2. Adam Lowndes 3. Anthony Beare
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSSIE RACING CARS In any facet of life, reaching a 20th year milestone is always something to commemorate, be it an anniversary for a wedding, employment or friendship.
Ward’s background came from Karting and after spending many years in the category, he decided it was time for something new and different.
In motor sport, we get to enjoy similar milestones and for the Aussie Racing Cars Series, they were able recently celebrate their official 20 year anniversary.
Thus a new category was created and the first four cars that Ward built were so popular around the motor sport world, that he was inspired to make more.
While Phil Ward technically formed Aussie Racing Cars 22 years ago as a hobby, it has since blossomed into a popular category attracting drivers from all over the country.
“Out of all the cars I ever raced... these are the best things you can drive”
With this year’s field, current owner Tony Quinn and Ward all on hand to enjoy some good old-fashioned competition and - Phil Ward cake in celebration of the milestone year, the founder was proud what his baby has become.
“I am very proud of it as a category and where it is now is fantastic,” Ward said. “I took part in a race in Adelaide not long ago and I loved it. I hadn’t done one for a couple of years and it was just as fun as it was all those years ago. "To do it again and get involved was great. It was terrific seeing how it all rocks along now as well as experiencing all the 30 odd cars. “Out of all the cars I ever raced, and I have driven a lot in my day, these are the best things you can drive and people say the same thing once they drive them. “I never really worked a day in my life. I always built my own cars and raced my own cars. It’s great to say that even today, people are having so much fun driving them.
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Now, 22 years later since those first four cars were built, more than 500 drivers have competed in the series and Ward believes that was his motivation all those years ago. “The cars are so good to drive and so fun and to be honest, back in the day, I didn’t about think what was going to happen or what it could be because I just loved it,” Ward added.
“There are so many people that have competed in the category, just about everybody has had a drive in an Aussie Car Racing car and loved it. “I am retired now but my sons Brad and James help Tony Quinn run the category and I am very proud of them. “They worked hard helping me building it up from the ground and now have done a really good job with maintaining it. “They are good boys and they run it really hard so I am just so proud of them and of what the category has become.” Aussie Racing Cars will hold its second round of the season as part of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship at Symmons Plains on 5-7 April.
Photo: Nathan Wong
CAMS.COM.AU 43
BROCKBANK CHAMPION AFTER DRAMATIC NIGHT IN WA
Photo: CMR Photographic
After five months of competition, the Shannons Targa Rallysprint Series has concluded with only two-hundredths of a second determining the winner.
“I made a pretty big error and nearly nailed a tyre bundle which almost cost me the win, but thankfully the results worked in my favour.”
Chong’s dramatic finish placed him ahead of Greenham in the round, effectively handing Brockbank the title by one sole point due to the standings.
In front of a large crowd at the Perth Motorplex Complex, the fifth and final round of the series saw Paul Brockbank claim the title by one point in what was a nail-biting finish.
It was the closest end to a season in the series’ nine-year history as Troy Wilson won his second round of the year, however the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X pilot was not in title contention after missing the opening three rounds.
Remarkably, Brockbank took home the title, despite not winning one round in the series, his consistent form earning him a well deserved title.
“I drove pretty conservatively all night and just tried to play it safe,” Brockbank said. “Everyone stepped their game up so much that by the last run I had to properly send it otherwise I would have lost the championship.
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The final laps of the round saw Mark Greenham in the box seat to take the series victory after sitting in second place, however a brilliant final lap from Daniel Chong saw him jump the Mitsubishi Evo 9 driver by twohundredths of a second.
As the series continues to grow in popularity due to its Thursday night slot, more than 100 drivers took part in the Shannons Targa Rallysprint Series’ series finale to wrap up a successful season.
TOP: Daniel Chong's EVO 9 FAR LEFT: Commodore smoking up the Motorplex LEFT: Targa Cup 4WD up to 3.5L class winner Cody Harris ABOVE: Greenham, second place winner of Round 5 Photos: CMR Photographic
“I drove pretty conservatively all night... I made a pretty big error and nearly nailed a tyre bundle which almost cost me the win” - Paul Brockbank
CLASS TITLE WINNERS
ROUND WINNERS
Targa Cup 2WD up to 2.0L: Andrew Carrick
Round 1: Peter Major
Targa Cup 2WD over 2.0L: Blaise Paris
Round 3: Peter Major
Targa Cup 4WD up to 3.5L: Cody Harris
Round 5: Troy Wilson
Round 2: Dean Douglass Round 4: Troy Wilson
Targa Cup 4WD over 3.5L: Steve James Targa Cup Gravel: Bryan Smith Open Rallysprint 2WD up to 2.0L: Foky Fok Open Rallysprint 2WD over 2.0L: Rod Willis
CAMS.COM.AU 45
YOUNG JERICHO HAPPY IN EXCELS There is always something nice about seeing a young driver enter their first proper series and South Australian Hayden Jericho is one of those feel good stories. Like many young motor sport fans, Jericho started in karting at eight-years-old where he slowly learned his trade and worked his way up the field, before wining the State KA4 junior title and being awarded the Kevin Jenner Award in 2015. In 2017, he got his first taste of driving a car through the SA Tarmac Junior Development program, where he passed with flying colours and the 14-year-old fell in love with the Excel series and chose his path.
“Last year was always about learning and this season we are already planning a few improvements to the car and hoping to be super competitive in 2019 in both South Australia and selected events in Victoria.
“The cost is relatively cheap, the racing is always very close and there's big fields so there is always someone to race.”
All those years of Karting ignited his passion for motor sport and the program set up his next step in the Excel and in 2018, he got his chance to show off his skills through the popular Excels category in the CAMS South Australian Circuit Championships. From there, Jericho had a solid debut season racing, picking up multiple top 10 finishes throughout the year, which included a number of fifth places in the second and final rounds of 2018. With Jericho going around again in 2019, the young driver looks to learn 46
CAMS SPEED READ
- Hayden Jericho more from the category and continue building on his career. “I’ve really enjoyed my first-year racing Circuit Excels, have met some fantastic people and competed against some of the best Excel racers in Australia such as Michael Clemente and Asher Johnstone,” Jericho said. “The great thing about the Excel class is the cost is relatively cheap, the racing is always very close and there's big fields so there is always someone to race against.
“I want to thank my sponsors Castrol Edge, Murdoch Insurance, Burgess Paint n Panel, Gadget Graphics and Mc Cues Bakery, as well as the Sporting Car club of SA for a great series and the track officials who volunteer their time for us to compete.” With the 2019 South Australian Excels series now underway, Jericho is now sitting pretty in fifth after a great opening round at Mallala, with Clemente occupying top spot. The Excel Series’ next round takes place at The Bend Motorsport Park on 29-30 June.
Did you know? The Kevin Jenner Award is presented to a South Australian driver who has shown excellent sportsmanship, great commitment and lots of improvement throughout a season.
CONTACT US The CAMS member hotline will be open until 7.00pm AEST (5.00pm WST and 6.30pm CST) So for all your motor sport needs call the CAMS Hotline or visit the website at www.cams.com.au Email. memberservices@cams.com.au
#WEAREMOTORSPORT l Hit up CAMS on social media for photos from CAMS events, news, videos and other great motor sport content.
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CAMS.COM.AU 47
The Trydel CAMS Victorian Hill Climb Championship has seen its third different winner in as many rounds as reigning champion Garry Martin opened up his 2019 account with a brilliant win. Photo: Wayne Holness
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