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OCTOBER 2014

BACKING BLACK

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We go behind the scenes with the team that’s bringing back a kiwi label to the V8 Supercars championship.

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What happens when one of the elite A-Grade midget car engineers & chassis bulders returns to the three quarter class with a new chassis?

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We let Matt Wallace loose on the keyboard to desribe the first round of the Ssangyong Race Series.

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Nick Cassidy gives us an insight into what’s been going on with the three time New Zealand Grand Prix champ.

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We go over the final round of the NZRC championship, the Daybreaker rally.

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NEWS GUEST POST: NICK CASSIDY

8 SPEEDWAY: INTRODUCING THE CP3/4 THE GRID: 10 ON MATT WALLACE 12 SUPER BLACK PLUS Q&A: 16 MOTORSPORT BROCK MASKOVICH 18 NZRC 2014 DAYBREAKER RALLY PLUS Q&A: 20MOTORSPORT CHELSEA HERBERT

EDITOR Ayrton Brant editor@motorsportplus.co.nz DESIGN + IMAGING Ayrton Brant ADVERTISING COORDINATOR(S) sales@motorsportplus.co.nz CONTRIBUTORS Tim Clark, Super Black Racing, Chelsea Herbert, Matt Wallace, Nick Cassidy, Emerson Brant, NZRC, V8ST, Victoria Pickett/Impact Photographix.com PUBLISHER Motorsport Plus Ltd (09) 239 3495 PRINTERS PMP MAXUM Ltd. (09) 928 4200

Disclaimer MotorsportPlus Ltd. has a copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission of the publisher. Neither editorial opinions expressed or facts stated in advertisements are necessarily agreed to by the editor or publisher. Whilst all efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility will be taken by the publishers for inaccurate information or for any consequences of reliance on the information.

Snapshot

The 111 SuperBlack machine getting put through it’s paces at Winton Raceway, in the team’s only pre-Bathurst run.

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Snapshot

The mountains of Taihape were alive with with the sound of the NZRC recently, including some legendary Ford Escorts.

This machine of Kingsley Jones was no exception.

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LOST POINTS FOR LEWIS

EVANS & SvG CLEAN UP @ TAUPO

Old friends Shane van Gisbergen and Simon Evans just missed a perfect weekend as they won the first round of the BNT NZ SuperTourers championship at Taupo.

The V8 Supercar star and the fast-rising Aucklander dominated the first two races of the Rush Security Taupo 400 meeting in their Holden and looked set to make it a hat-trick, until fading tyres slowed Van Gisbergen late in the final heat and dropped him to third.

Evans, now one of the top resident drivers, scored his debut victory on Saturday and followed that up by winning the morning race as well. Van Gisbergen took the first stint the morning race and drove superbly in difficult, changing conditions to establish a good lead before handing over to Evans. These two have been mates since their junior karting days. “The track was wet and dry so it was hard to judge the grip,” Van Gisbergen said. “It was good to be driving on a nice wet tyre.” The Hankook wet-weather tyres proved to be grippy and durable.

Greg Murphy and Australian co-driver Jack Perkins came in second in another Holden although Murphy said the car’s setup was not as good as it had been. “The rear of our car is not good,” he said.

Andre Heimgartner profited from a decision to pit early to change to slick tyres as the track dried out, as he and Aussie Paul Morris brought their Holden home third for the second time.

The final race was shortened from 46 to 23 laps after a delay caused by a banner strung across the finish line. High winds had the banner flapping so violently it threatened to bring two poles crashing down across the track. Everyone started on slick tyres but rain began to fall on the warm-up lap with only Mitch Cunningham making the brave decision to pit before the start to fit wet tyres. “We rolled the dice – we had nothing to lose,” he said. After the others followed suit later, he held a sizeable lead.

“I’m rapt with the win,” Cunningham said. “It’s been a long time between drinks.”

Van Gisbergen’s tyres had faded; Evans said the tyre pressures may have been wrong. But the pair were not too disappointed at missing a rare perfect weekend.

“We’ve won the round and we’ve got the championship lead – we’re buzzing,” Van Gisbergen said.

The BNT NZ SuperTourers endurance series concludes with meetings at Hampton Downs and Pukekohe in November.

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Christchurch racer Jake Lewis made up for his lowly 21st placing on the starting grid of thirty one, for the penultimate round of the European 600 Superstock championship at Jerez, Spain. After a promising free practice but a difficult qualifying, Jake made a good start in the race and worked his way up the field to 13th and started battling with team mate Kevin Manfredi for some close quarter action. Making his move on his team mate on the last lap, the Agro On / Wil Sport/ Racedays Honda dropped a cylinder, Jake battled on to the finish, losing three places on the last lap to finish one place out of the points (16th).

A disappointed but philosophical Jake commented afterwards, “I made a good start and had worked my way up to 13th after a few laps. Then I had a hard fought battle with my team mate Kevin Manfredi for the rest of the race with a bit of rubbing and contact, then on the final lap I made my way past him again and going down the back straight my engine dropped a cylinder and cut out on me for a bit, losing three more places on my run to the finish line and ending up in sixteenth.”

“I’m really disappointed to be have missed points again by the finish but unfortunately that’s what happens sometimes in this sport it is tough.”

“Very big thankyou to my mechanic Steven for all his hard work, to Jeremy McWilliams and the Racedays team for all the effort they put in and to my sponsors for their great on going support, Stadium Finance , RaceSupplies NZ, WIL Sport, Charlton Hurrell Drainage, Arai, Daytona, Motorcycling NZ Inc and Fast Kiwi Media.”

Jake has five points in the Championship. The final race of the series is in France in early October.

AUS. FORMULA FORD TO REMAIN WITH SHANNONS NATIONALS

The Australian Formula Ford Series will remain on the Shannons Nationals bill for a second season in 2015.

The junior open-wheel class has enjoyed a resurgence this year under the management of the Formula Ford Association.

The FFA retook control of the category in the aftermath of CAMS decision to drop Formula Ford’s national championship status in favour of a new-for-2015 Formula 4.

Now open to both Fiesta and Kent powered Formula Fords, the series is running five rounds with the Shannons Nationals ahead of its finale at Phillip Island’s state-level “Island Magic” in late November.

Drawing little over a dozen entries to its events on the V8 Supercars calendar in 2013, in excess of 20 cars have raced in each of the opening three Formula Ford rounds this season.

Although a complete 2015 calendar has yet to be confirmed, the FFA’s national series coordinator Phil Marrinon says a full six round schedule with the Shannons Nationals is locked in.

“We wanted to bed down our 2015 plans early so that prospective competitors can prepare for the upcoming season,” he said.

“2014 has been a rebuilding year with a lot of work done behind the scenes by the Formula Ford Association to contain racing and administration costs and we are confident that the support we are currently experiencing will continue in the years to come.”

The next round of the Australian Formula Ford Series will take place at Wakefield Park on October 17-19.

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ANSTEY WINS CLASSIC TT AT ISLE OF MAN Bruce Anstey, riding the two stroke Valvoline by Padgetts Racing YZR Yamaha, powered to a stunning victory in the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT Race on the Isle of Man, making history on the way.

As well as establishing a lap record of 123.894mph (18:16.324) for the F1 class, Anstey’s time was also the fastest ever two stroke lap of the TT Mountain Course, breaking Ian Lougher’s record set on a 500 V-twin Honda in the 1999 Senior TT. Anstey dominated the race from the start and eventually won by over a minute from James Hillier with Russ Mountford securing the final podium place.

Anstey’s record breaking opening lap of 123.894 gave him a lead of 15 seconds over Dunlop who opened with 122.152 but it was all change at the end of the first lap with both Anstey and Dunlop opting to refuel.

Hillier and Steve Mercer on the Mistral Racing Kawasaki chose to go straight through, with Hillier leading Mercer by 17 seconds at Glen Helen on the second lap with Anstey almost six seconds behind Mercer in third following his pit stop. It was clear that Michael Dunlop was losing time on the second lap and by Ramsey Anstey had passed the Irishman on the road.

Hillier remained in the lead at the end of the second lap but with the Mistral Racing Man pitting at the end of the lap, Anstey moved back into the lead and with Michael Dunlop retiring in the pits at the end of his second lap, Anstey was firmly in control of the race. The Kiwi established a 53 second lead from Hillier at Glen Helen on the final lap and brought the YZR Yamaha home to win by over a minute from Hillier with Mountford a further nine seconds back in third.

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PADDON ON A ROLL IN WRC New Zealand’s top rally pairing, Hayden Paddon and John Kennard, have taken their best-ever result in a World Rally Championship car with a sixth place at the Coates Hire Rally Australia.

After an intense battle with the Citroën crew of Mads Østberg and Jonas Andersson throughout the event, the Kiwis were perfectly positioned to take advantage of Østberg’s demise with a broken suspension in the penultimate stage of the 20-stage rally based in the New South Wales coastal town of Coffs Harbour. Paddon and Kennard also finished the best of the three Hyundai Motorsport crews, but it was the battle with Østberg which Paddon seemed to enjoy most.

Paddon said: “Obviously to finish sixth overall is our best result with the team.

We’ve made really good progress in terms of performance and outright speed since Finland and we’re much closer to the leaders. We’ve done everything the team has asked of us.”

This weekend’s result is a career bestequalling finish, with Paddon and Kennard having finished in sixth place at Rally Australia in 2011 when they secured the FIA Production World Rally Championship title.

“This afternoon we were in the right place to take advantage of Mads Østberg’s problems and in fact, all through the rally there was never more than eight seconds between Mads and I so it was exciting to have a close fight like this, particularly on a Sunday which can often be a bit boring when everyone’s focused on safely getting to the end of the event.”

If you didn’t know already, The alliance between Team Penske and Dick Johnson Racing has seen the American giant buy a controlling stake in the V8 Supercars squad. Roger Penske confirmed during a teleconference that his organisation will hold a 51 percent share in the new DJR Team Penske entity.

Existing DJR man Ryan Story has been appointed managing director, while Penske will bring in a new team manager and technical director.

“We’ll have 51 percent of the entity and Dick (DJR) will have 49,” said Penske.

“We will take on the financial responsibility in a going-forward basis.“I think to me it’s an equal partnership and with Dick on the ground and Ryan being a managing

director, I think we’ve forged a great alliance.” The new joint-venture company will meanwhile control both of DJR’s Racing Entitlements Contracts.

Johnson said he was proud to be handing over the reigns to Penske with the goal of improving the team’s competitiveness.

“To be quite honest I think anyone would be more than happy to hand control of any motor racing business to the Penske organisation,” said Johnson.

“I’ve been in motor racing for a lot of years and we’ve had a lot of success, but in recent times the success hasn’t been what I got into this business for originally.

“At this point I see this as a way for us to be able to run at the front of the field in the future.”

MOTORSPORT PLUS MAGAZINE

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MOTORSPORT PLUS FEATURE

NICK CASSIDY 2014: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE

In a year that’s seen many a kiwi racecar driver see some time under the lights of the meida, there’s been on New Zealand racer that’s been grinding his way to the top and most wouldn’t even know it. Three time New Zealand grand prix winner Nick cassidy explains in his own words.

A busier than expected 2014!

From a January on the sidelines of Teretonga and Timaru, coaching drivers in the Toyota Racing Series, to the start of October where I am preparing for the biggest races of my career so far - what a year this has turned out to be!

The year started out in a great way for me, as some of you may know, where I jumped in the Toyota Racing Series for the final round at Manfeild and won my 3rd New Zealand Grand Prix, in succession. This was the first domino of the year to fall into place, with things happening one step at a time.

I was then invited to the final official pre season test of the Formula Renault EuroCup at Jerez, in which I had less than 48 hours to arrive from the point of the phone call! It was a bit risky at the time, but I knew that a good job could lead to more opportunities, and if not, a long way to fly for two days testing!

As it turns out, I ended the first day P6 overall - exactly what I was needing.

From this point onwards, is the difficult part in Motorsport. There are many teams over the world that want to talk, many series that have opportunities to drive in, but as is the way for many young kiwis, the funding that needs to go behind that is often a stumbling block. It was what hurt me most in 2013, not being able to compete in a full championship, and for 2014 I was determined to make sure that I would be in a race car for more than a one off round to be able to build on race weekends and performances.

I was very fortunate to have the backing from Mark Cromie Holden and Giltrap Group, and with this, was able to do a deal with Koiranen GP, one of the leading teams in Formula Renault EuroCup for the 2014 season.

I had two very strong team mates to learn from, but knew that mileage in the car wouldn’t come overnight. The EuroCup runs as the premier Formula Renault Championship in Europe, with 11 teams of 3 cars, with wild card entries added to rounds capable of extra grid size.

Due to the numbers, we qualify for every race, with every qualifying session being split into two groups, with the fastest group being on the pole line, and the other lining up on the outside.

The season got off to a tougher start than expected after the first two rounds.

As a team we were doing an ok job, as

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a driver I felt like I was doing an ok job, but still our results were always just on the outskirts of the top 10 for the first 2 rounds and not the upwards trend in performance we were all expecting.

It prompted changes. I went into the Nurburgring with a complete new package, and new belief - a round which re ignited my 2014.

From having a best qualifying result of 12th and race result of 11th from the 6 races thus far, the weekend gave signs of things that really had the potential to had been happening much earlier in the season. I was strong throughout practice, before qualifying below the lap record and P2 in my group on Saturday morning, to start me 3rd for the opening race of the weekend! Its times like these as a driver that do a lot for you, when the questions in your head are being answered, and for no particular change in preparation or approach.

The race was to be difficult, with the heavens at the Nurburgring opening that afternoon. It was my first wet session in the Koiranen car, but I had confidence from taking double pole in the wet at Manfeild earlier in the year.

It’s here where I find I learn the most from Europe, with experience helping to adapt to the different conditions with a short time period to learn. The lines, the grip level, and the car can change a lot from day to day, and its thus that ultimately cost me in the first race.

While running P3 mid race, I locked a front wheel into the first corner and ran very wide, dropping me to P8 where I would finish. It was disappointing to make an error like this, but from the day I had there were still many positives to take. To wake up the next morning and see rain wasn’t the best feeling.

Incredibly though, I had my best session of the year, pole in the wet of my group.

It was my first front row start in Europe, an awesome feeling driving past 38 other grid spots on my way to the front row for the start! The race was one of the most difficult I’ve ever experienced, and not helping that this was my best qualifying of the year. After a good start I was P2 in the opening laps, in the dry.

An early safety car halted things, before it started to rain over 3/4 of the track while under safety car. When the race restarted, I had a great restart and tried to make the most of it, attacking for the lead. Unfortunately I come off second best, and finished the race 5th, but have

got to be proud of battling for a win at that level in the EuroCup, and don’t regret going for it.

The Nurburgring was the start of 10 week period of driving for me, while most European drivers were on their boats enjoying the summer, I was making up for the lost driving time at the start of the year and making myself as sharp as I could. I had the honour of working with Toyota Racing New Zealand and Tatuus, to shake down and drive the new FT50 for the first time in Italy. I can’t write too much, but it was a great experience to be part of the program of a brand new car, something that is going to be fantastic for the development New Zealand Motorsport.

On top of this, I was also involved in a development program with a German Formula 3 team, developing Renaults Formula 3 for the new regulations in the European Championship this year. Any time in a Formula 3 car is a good time, and valuable laps to build on the short experience I had during 2013.

The driving time over summer was something that I had missed, but I must say that I am now feeling the best I have ever felt in a racing car, and the experience/kilometres I have got this year is far above anything I have had in the past. The big news however, is that I have just signed to run with a British Team T-Sport, to run the final two FIA European Formula 3 Races at Imola and Hockenhiem. A massive thank you has to go to ThreeBond in Japan for their support of the program, with these two European races being a build up for us, for the 61st Macau Grand Prix in November. I am massively excited for these races, and can’t wait to go to Macau for the most prestigious Formula 3 race in the world. The kick off for this program is very similar to the time this is printed, with an Official F3 test at Imola on the 7/8 October, before the first race weekend 10/12 October.

My full focus has turned to this for the final couple months of 2014, knowing that motorsport is a results business, and doing my best to secure the best result with the equipment available.

And for 2015? Toyota Racing Series?

Lets see.

Thanks for reading!

Nick Cassidy

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CLARK PERFORMANCE B R I N G I N G

B A C K

WORDS: AYRTON BRANT. IMAGES: AYRTON BRANT & IMPACT PHOTOGRAPIX

For those who may know, in the vast amounts of motorsport action I’m privileged to witness/be involved in, the dirt oval’s of premier speedway is my jam.

While growing up with a family involved at the hallowed Spring’s Speedway, I was fortunate to witness both sides of the fence, not only watching the greats on the dirt – but the legendary chassis builders and engineering masterminds that allow the elite drivers to show their true talents to the thousands of adoring spectators.

When I became old enough to understand what was actually required to run machines such as T.Q’s, SprintCars and A-Grade midgets; I began to realise there was a common denominator to some of the successful machines at the Speedway Track. To a point where my proverbial hero wall had seen drivers take a back seat to the icon this piece is based around. Tim Clark at Clark Performance.

This past season was one of triumph for the owner of the shop based near Manukau, South Auckland – with America’s Christopher Bell stealing the show in a newly developed CP3, running CSI Shocks powered by Toyota, in which Clark is the official distributor for. Not only Bell, but the rising stars in Brock Maskovich, Chris Gwilliam and James Cossey were amongst the front runners all season, leading to the inevitable – interest from the stepping stone to A-Grades, the Three Quarter Midget car class.

Though this won’t be Clark’s first foray into the class, with Clark Performance having a rich history of three quarter midget car racing.

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T H E

T H R E E

“The state of play in the New Zealand Three Quarter Midget car class may never be the same again.”

Q U A R T E R

The Clark Performance brand has claimed multiple wins and titles throughout the modern era of speedway – both here and abroad, as Clark’s T.Q chassis is the only chassis to claim titles in New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.A. Especially during the early 2000’s, when Clark and Bryce Townsend teamed up to have a reign of domination across the North American Speedway scene. In fact, the 2013/14 title winning Breka is one of Clark’s machines from 2006.

Bringing it back to current times, the Clark Performance business has grown massively, with its parts department, shock dyno and service. In just two years, 18 CP3 chassis have rolled out the door. A state of the art chassis is exactly what you’d expect from the car builder who is no stranger to the front of the field. The Torsion Rear, Spring front T.Q chassis will give the field another option, as well as a chance to become familiarised with layout of the next step, an A Grade machine. Tim explains; “I had a lot of calls from T.Q customers wanting to know when I was going to do a new T.Q. The market needed another injection like we did in 2000, so we are be back in the game with a new chassis and all new components.” “Back up service is what we pride ourselves on. We have a lot of guys come for set up info and modifications to their cars.” Because that’s exactly what you’re getting - the premier categories expertise, research and development, just three quarters the size.

With multiple chassis on order and the first few already handed to the owners, the state of play in the New Zealand Three Quarter Midget car class may never be the same again.

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MOTORSPORT PLUS MAGAZINE

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ON THE GRID

MATT WALL ACE DAYLE ITM SSANGYONG RACING SERIES UTE

MOTORSPORT PLUS GIVES THE FLOOR TO ONE OF THE GRASSROOTS STARS OF THE SRS, OWNER OF WESTSPEED AND KARTSPORT CHIEF, MATT WALLACE IMAGE: MATTHEW HANSEN I had a tough start to the weekend with a pretty average qualifying, ending up buried along way back in the pack.

Normally you would be really happy that you were nearly a second quicker than your best practice time, only problem in this case was that a lot of other teams/ drivers were settling in to their utes also and most of the field went quicker by a similar amount as us. Having said that, I was still taking positives out of it, as just like all previous sessions, myself and the team were learning and I was getting quicker and more comfortable with each outing in my Dayle ITM SRS ute.

With the hype that had been building around the series and the attention it had been receiving in the wider motorsport community (positive + negative), I think most drivers were hoping for a good clean race. Not knowing a lot of the drivers around me and how they were going to drive under race conditions, I have to say starting from P18 is not something I enjoyed, nor is it something I want to make a habit of!

The team had made some pretty big changes to my Dayle ITM ute after qualifying and it was definitely feeling much more drivable. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to use the setup I believe was faster, as there were a lot of drivers that were not thinking about the championship big picture.

After moving forward a couple of times and then slipping back again, I eventually lost a position on the final lap to finish P17, only one up on my qualifying position. Despite not moving forward as much as would have liked I was I happy we were heading in the right direction and that I had made it back to the pits in one piece.

We woke Sunday morning to some pretty average weather. It was cold and

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wet leaving me feeling a little nervous. I don’t normally mind the rain but having only done one real test day and 8 or 9 laps in the rain while trying to scrub in our new tyres on my first test I wasn’t really to sure what to expect.

So, wet track, starting from P17 (finishing position from race 1) and one less lap to gain as many positions as possible……CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! As we rolled out the gate the rain had stopped but the track was still very wet.

Feeling it out on the rolling lap, I was confident the changes we had discussed in the pits and that the boys had executed I had a good setup under me. With the words of my crew chief Steveo ringing in my ears “Be a bit more aggressive this time Matt - if you come back with a bit panel rub then so be it”, we formed up behind the safety car.

As we approached the start, the safety car went lights out and the pace leading on to the start finish straight was reasonably quick. I was a bit annoyed with myself, as I carried a little bit too much speed through the last turn, causing my Dayle ITM ute to under steer just as the start lights went out meaning I missed the start a little, dropping back 3 or 4 car lengths.

Some pretty strong expletives were echoing around the cockpit at this time… I needn’t have worried though.

As I approached turn one I couldn’t believe my luck as the track cleared in front of me. I went high and wide and managed to drive around the outside.

This temporarily slowed progress as it unsettled my Dayle ITM ute, putting me sideways, with a bit of a tank slapper. I managed another pass going into turn 2 and then another as I went round the outside of turn 3 it gave me perfect position to complete that pass entering turn 4. At this point I was just thinking

“don’t stuff it up now” but my Dayle ITM ute felt like it was on rails at this point so I kept pushing as hard as I could making up another position under brakes going into turn 5. At turn 6 one of the front pack spun and I narrowly avoided him as he tried to get back on track. Up 6 places in about half a lap!!!

I would stay on the back of the top 10 for a few laps until Blake Harris caught me. We had a bit of a tussle late in the race until he made a small mistake and I was able to get a small gap. The chequered flag dropped and it’s a P11 finish. That was mega!!!

Points are now added up from the two races giving me a P12 start position for Race 3 until qualifying points are applied which dropped me to P15.

Another reason to qualify well as points for qualifying are only given for first to tenth.

Unfortunately I am going to have to wait until Round 2 at Hampton Downs Waikato 400 meeting to see how much we have improved the Dayle ITM ute and to try to climb the point’s ladder further as Race 3 was cancelled due to a “Force Majeure” caused by the banner above the Start/Finish line turning in to a sail when huge wind gusts blew across the track pulling down the start lights and the pole it was attached to on the pit wall. I was pretty gutted that this was how the inaugural round was going to finish but it is what it is.

I can’t wait for Round two but will definitely be trying to get some more seat time before it rolls around.

I have to say a huge “THANK YOU” to all my sponsors for making this opportunity a reality. Thanks to Dayle ITM, Redstag Timber, XtraDuctile 500E, Tyreworx New Lynn, stanleysigns.co.nz, Velocity New Zealand and of course also to Mototsport Plus Magazine.

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BACKING

BL ACK THE TEAM THAT’S BRINGING A KIWI BRAND BACK TO V8SC WORDS: AYRTON BRANT. IMAGES: SUPER BLACK RACING

S

be in a New Zealand team is great as there will be a lot of support around us,’’ Heimgartner said. ‘’Ant and I are new to the whole Bathurst thing so we go in with an open mind but everything is in place for us to do well, so I can’t wait. It is pretty special to be chosen to drive for a New Zealand team and to make my debut in their debut race is unique. Shane [van Gisbergen] did the same sort of thing and look where he has ended up, so hopefully I can follow in his footsteps.”

For Pederson, a talent who could be seen as under-rated, it is finally an opportunity to shine with the lights on bright. ‘’Firstly I am hugely excited and grateful for the opportunity and I can’t wait to get in the car for what is going to be a pretty special debut for Super Black,’’ Pedersen said. ‘’With a Kiwi team, Andre and I being Kiwis, it is all just really exciting. We certainly don’t underestimate the challenge. It will be really tough and we have to keep things in check in terms of our abilities and the expectations. ‘’Having FPR behind the project gives us confidence the team will be well-prepared and well-resourced. That ensures we have all the tools to have a successful debut.

Success for us won’t be winning the race but we have the confidence and security knowing the right people and ingredients for a good race are there.’’

In the only test before the big weekend, Ford Performance Racing team principal Tim Edwards and team manager Chris O’Toole were present to oversee testing.

David Reynolds’ race engineer, Nathaniel Osborne, ran the car at the test, while FPR star Chaz Mostert turned laps and assisted the young Kiwis throughout the day.

The chassis last raced by Mostert at the Australian Grand Prix in March, having previously been David Reynolds’ full-time ride in 2013,is being prepared for the race alongside the factory squad’s four preexisting cars.

“I’ve counted the number of people we’ve got here today because it’s more than I’ve ever had before to a test,” Pederson explained.

“It’s good that we’re doing it properly because we want to go to the Mountain and finish the race.

“We just need to keep ticking the boxes and prepare as well as we can.”

uper Black Racing, a concept that had long been rumoured to exist since the inception of the ‘wildcard’ announcement from V8SC, said to involve some of New Zealand’s business and motorsport elite.

But for some, the question was, could it be the pathway that New Zealand’s motorsport talent had been looking for?

Or would it be something that was just too good to be true?

During the late stages of August; those questions were answered, as the stacked crowd at SkyCity’s Bar Twentyone could reiterate. Super Black racing is in fact the real deal. After the extravagant unveil to the raucous crowd; Super Black’s current backers would repeat their commitment, but stated that the future of the FPR built and run machine is still in the hands of New Zealanders. “This isn’t about Tony Lentino, it’s about helping the kids, I’m a donator to an organisation but I can’t do it alone.” “I can go into next year, but how do we make this thing go for 20 years?

“It needs support from others. If the country gets behind us and the right people come together this can go forever.”

For the two drivers announced prior to the night’s events, Andre Heimgartner and Ant Pederson, it is an opportunity they are keen on making the most of. For Heimgartner, a current DJR Development Driver who was granted temporary release to run the Super Black machine, was thankful for the chance; “It is a big For more info on the team, check out opportunity and to their facebook page facebook.com/ superblackracingteam.

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“This isn’t about Tony Lentino, it’s about helping the kids, I’m a donator to an organisation but I can’t do it alone.”

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“Ant and I are new to the whole Bathurst thing so we go in with an open mind but everything is in place for us to do well, so I can’t wait.”

-Andre Heimgartner

Sure Thing

MOTORSPORT PLUS Q&A

BROCK MASKOVICH #5 AUTOSURE CP3 ESSLINGER

The team at Motorsport Plus was fortunate enough to catch up with one of Speedway’s premier stars, Brock Maskovich. With an offseason that included showcasing his talents abroad, things continue to look up for the 2014 Midget Competitor of the year.

IMAGE: IMPACT PHOTOGRAPHIX

Brock! Since ending the 2013/14 New Zealand speedway season with some decent results, you headed abroad. Can you tell us more about your journey through the off season?

You enjoyed great results last year in your newly developed Autosure Clark Performance CP3 Esslinger, are we changing any of the formula for the 2014 season?

I had the most amazing time whilst over in America, the opportunity to race at USAC Midget week against the worlds best drivers really was an experience I will never forget.

The first night of racing was unfortunately cancelled due to rain! I was gutted that we missed one of the nights, but that is racing.

Second night was held at Putnamville speedway we drew 56th qualifying position not ideal as the track loses its condition, however we managed to qualify 37th out of 44 cars. This night continued to not be our night as I got caught up in my heat race & then ran out of tearoffs, I then finished 13th in the B-Main. This night was a real eye opener for me, the speed & quality of racing is just a whole another game than what we are used to in NZ. Night 3, drew position 7 for qualifying this was a great advantage compared to the night before, I then finished 6th in my heat which put me into the B-Main, however I made the top 6th which transfer to the main. I knew racing the main would be a huge challenge but the fact that I made it gave me the confidence I needed, I finished near the back of the field but was so pleased with even making it into the main.

Night 4, really pleased I qualified 14th fastest. My heat was pretty tough I just missed out on a transfer spot finishing 7th, I then got 3rd in the B-Main putting us into position 12 of the Main. After what seamed to be a never ending race with lots of passing and slid jobs we came out with the best result yet finishing in top 10!

Night 5 our last night, saw us qualify 14th quickest, then finishing 6th in my heat I again had to run the B-Main. Starting off grid 5, I got caught up with a car that spun in front of me, putting me to the rear of the field for the restart. Unfortunately we couldn’t come from the back to a transfer spot so that was the end of our nights racing.

Overall the whole trip was amazing and a huge benefit to my racing career. We have already started with plans to go back again next year and improve on the results achieved this year.

As if the trip was not exciting enough, I got some great news that I had won Midget Competitor of the year 2014, at the Speedway New Zealand Awards night held at Te Papa Wellington. This award is a real honour and is a tribute to all my sponsors.

The formula will mostly stay the same, however we are fortunate enough to have purchased a brand new Esslinger Motor. Which should keep us up to speed with all the big teams, we look forward to seeing what this motor can do for us.

With the CP Three Quarter TQ chassis getting debuted this year, can the fans look forward to potentially having a Maskovich name plate on one of the machines during the season?

Sadly I wont be debuting the new CP3, I am going to leave that up to the #71 of Danny Keene. However I have been offered the opportunity to run Danny’s Breka this season, this will be the #49 also sponsored by Autosure New Zealand.

Speaking of the 2014 season, what are your expectations going into it? With two highly successful seasons the last two years, is there anything left on the career list you want to achieve?

Yes, definitely one of my main goals will be to make the NZ test team, where I would represent my country. Topping that off would be to get some great results at the NZ Champs to be held in Christchurch, I had a great run there last year and really got a feel for the track.

Finally, we all know that the speedway game consumes life over the summer period and cannot be done solo.

Here’s your chance to thank those around you.

Firstly I can not thank my Dad, Leith, enough. He puts all his time & money into my racing career, making sure we have the best equipment and set up for race day. Also a Huge thank you to everyone who made my America trip possible, these are Cruiser Caravans, Falcon Advances LTD, Mud Pie Deli, Marsden Robinson Chow, Taylor Automotive, Wayne Scott Panel Beaters, M1 First Maintenance.

Big thank you to Autosure New Zealand for coming on board for another season I look forward to seeing what the future brings for Brock Maskovich.

You also brought home a stack of trophies at the recent Auckland Midget Car Drivers’ Club awards. Give us a run down of the night.

We were stoked to bring home some different awards this year, including Outstanding Achievement, Top Feature Wins, and also my crew chief Steve Morris came away with Crew Chief of the Year. It was a great night put on by Yvonne & Brent Holden and the rest of the committee.

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WORDS: NZRC. IMAGES: EMERSON BRANT

MASON’S RACE TO VICTORY @ DAYBREAKER RALLY

T

he Masterton pairing of Richard and Sara Mason have taken victory in the final round of the 2014 Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship driven by VINZ, the GoPro Daybreaker Rally.

With seven out of eleven stage victories over the 196 kilometres of fast flowing gravel in the Manawatu and Taihape districts, the Mason pairing and their BNT Subaru finished the event with a winning margin of 42.9 seconds over Nelson driver Ben Hunt and co-driver Tony Rawstorn. Tauranga’s David Holder with experienced World Rally Champion codriver John Kennard completed the podium finishers for the event. Mason, Hunt and Holder also completing the season as the overall championship podium.

The Manawatu based event, which started and finished in Palmerston North was challenging finale to the National Rally Championship, with a 3.50am start and two early morning stages before daybreak providing a real challenge for teams.

The Masons seized the initial vantage with a dominant first stage victory. Their run to victory wasn’t all plain sailing though with Richard admitting to a rookie error in not securing the bonnet pins correctly on a touring stage. A broken windscreen from the loose bonnet proving to be the only issue for the Masons as they proceeded to win the first seven stages of the event and build a comfortable lead.

The win completed a dominate season for the pair with five wins from the six championship rounds, a record fifth National Championship for Richard, and the Daybreaker win also making Sara the most successful co-driver in National Rallying history with 25 round victories.

Ben Hunt was the closest challenger all day, winning three stages to secure second for both the rally and the championship. David Holder who had been second coming into the final round, had to settle for third, but also claimed the National Junior Rally Title for drivers under 25, after an impressive first season in the 4WD category. The top six places were rounded out by Canterbury Subaru driver Matt Summerfield, Tauranga Mitsubishi driver Phil Campbell, and Palmerston Norths Tony McConarchy in his Evo Lancer.

Te Aroha’s Lance Williams claimed the 2014 Rookie title in his Subaru Impreza after an impressive first season in the championship.

The 2WD category was dominated by the class champion for 2014, Hawkes Bays Max Bayley having another strong run in his Ford Fiesta, Cambridge driver Brent Taylor had an impressive run in his Toyota 86 to win Open 2WD ahead of Canterbury driver Hamish Anderson, who by finishing second in the class did enough to secure back to back Open 2WD titles. Hawkes Bay driver Ron Davey piloted his Ford Escort to victory in the BNT Historics ahead of Hamilton’s Gary Smith.

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ABOVE: Ben Hunt powers through SS01 at approximately 4am..

TOP: NZRC Champ Richard & Sara Mason on their way to victory at the 2014 Daybreaker Rallly.

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NZRC CHAMPIONS BY CLASS

Overall & 4WD - Richard & Sara Mason VINZ FIA 2WD - Max Bayley & Phillip Deakin Open 2WD - Hamish Anderson & Sarah Brennan BNT Historics - Marcus Van Klink & Dave Neill Gull Rally Challenge 4WD - Darren Galbraith & James Bracefield Gull Rally Challenge 2WD - Jeff Torkington & Hilary Gandy Junior Rally Champion - David Holder Rookie Champion - Lance Williams Manufacturers Champion - Subaru Teams Cup - Team Mason (Mason, van Klink, Taylor)

FINAL 2014 NZRC STANDINGS 1. Richard Mason (Masterton) 2. Ben Hunt (Nelson) 3. David Holder (Tauranga) 4. Matt Summerfield (Rangiora) 5. Lance Williams (Te Aroha) 6. Phil Campbell (Tauranga) 6. Graeme Featherstone (Te Aroha) 8. Andrew Hawkeswood (Auckland) 9. Dave Strong (Auckland) 10=. Matt Jansen (Christchurch) 10=. Richard Baddock (Christchurch)

ABOVE RIGHT: Tony McConachy in action in the early stages pf the Daybreaker.

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MOTORSPORT PLUS Q&A

CHELSEA HERBERT P O I N T-T O - P O I N T S S A N G Y O N G R A C I N G S E R I E S U T E B R E K A / F O N TA N A A- G R A D E M I D G E T

Motorsport Plus caught up with the new kid on the block, with the world at her feet - Chelsea Herbert. After recently completing another sucessful kartsport season, a string of announcements sees her shot into the limelight First off, introduce Chelsea to our readership! For those who somehow may not of read any major news lately.

Hi everyone, I’m Chelsea Herbert and fifteen years of age. I am a year eleven at Albany Senior High School and currently in the midst of NCEA level one exam preparation. I love sport and I play netball, touch rugby, I also do two styles of dance – Scottish and Jazz Ballet.

But out of all my activities, it goes without saying that motorsport comes out on top. I have raced karts for eight years and started way back when I was seven, after being made to wait a year

by Dad’s commands – so he could focus on my brother and his racing. From this, I have been offered two drives for this up and coming 2014/15 season. I will be competing in the SsangYong Racing Series which is a new championship and already has been such a buzz to be a part of. Not only will my Ssangyong Actyon Race ute be what I race this season, but I am also very fortunate to have been given a season long drive in an A-Grade midget with excellent backers behind me in Matt Thompson and Shayne Snookes.

Most will recognise you from the prominent Kartsport career you’ve had so for. How did the 2013/14 season go for you?

Kartsport has been my concentrated form of motorsport for eight years of my life and I do not regret a single race!

Throughout my years of Kartsport there has been many highs, but with that, comes several lows. Low points tend to come with valuable learning lessons which will be put to the test in future races.

The 2013/14 Kartsport seasons haven’t been as full as what it has been in the past, but the meetings that we did do, I managed to pick up my fifth Mt. Wellington club championship, my Auckland Area Schools Championship title, a very close contested 1 Hour Enduro, that had myself out infront with one other the whole way, resulting in a last lap of continuous position swapping to end with a second place.

Going into this season, you’ve had a few major announcements, beginning with the Hyundai backed Pinnacle programme. Explain a bit about the programme and how you were selected.

On the 28th of February this year I was presented by Debbie Tanner (former Olympic triathlete) an official certificate to certify my inclusion of the first ever 26

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induction into the Pinnacle Programme.

This has been a result of the programmes selection panel believing in my potential for more motorsport, leadership and confidence in speaking. The programme has been such a highlight to my year so far, with their guidance to my goal setting, receiving a scholarship to go on the Spirit of Adventure as part of Pinnacle. This led me to giving a speech to the Hillcrest Inc. Lions Club and I also get to talk to a teen parent unit as part of having some work experience for a school project.

I cannot wait to find out if I get to advance to the next round of the programme (only 10 of the 20 move forward), which is Outward Bound and would be another life changing opportunity.

Then there’s what some what call the peak of Speedway, the A-Grade midget car. Your car owners/ backers, Matt Thompson and Shayne Snookes, are legends of the game - is there any more added pressure entering this season with people so highly rated supporting you on your debut?

Without a doubt it makes me slightly nervous and a touch scared knowing I’m going into such a high class, popular form of motorsport – with no dirt experience, besides the two laps I to do when I was two years younger in a friends quarter midget. I guess the most pressure on me right now is to be in my fittest and strongest condition and be able to have my head in the right space, to be able to become quickly adaptable and hopefully come up to competitive race pace.

I am very thankful to have such a knowledgable people behind me such as Matt and Shayne.

Have you had a chance to set some goals for the 2014 Speedway season?

Goal setting for my debut speedway season? Not so much, but I am definitely looking at top ten finishes in the Ssangyong Racing Series and I hope to push myself and do my best to achieve this.

Originally making some feature races and I understand this can be tough, but I’ve got to set my goals high so I can push myself to mental and physical limits, which when achieved, can taste so much sweeter!

Last in your trio of announcements, you have been selected to run a Ssanyong Race Series machine. I see you have tested recently (at the time of writing), tell us about your first

experience with racecars with a roof and gears.

I definitely have not waited for the traditional daddy and daughter driving lessons thats for sure!

Having to get used to the whole three pedal concept, a gear stick, a roof over my head, no wind flowing through the vents on my helmet and getting used to remembering that the vehicle I am driving is not all within arms reach, I guess has to just come to me after a little bit of seat time. There hasn’t been much time for me to get my head around it all, but with much concentration I think I’ve got to a point that I am satisfied to compete with the best in the field.

I’m guessing most drivers will have a supporting cast to get them through the 2014/15 SRS, how about yourself? Who will be handling the off track duties of the CHR machine?

Mostly my Dad will be handling everything off track but because there is so many of us, it is not very hard to imagine the ute taking a few trips throughout the season to Bays Car Painters to get patched up.

Is there anyone else you’d like to thank for supporting career so far and in the future?

Yes, firstly with a doubt a huge thank you goes to my Mum and Dad, also I can’t forget about my brother, all his help does not go unnoticed. I would also like to thank my all my sponsors for making the first round of the SRS in Taupo possible. Point-to-Point, they truly made an impact on the weekend and made everything a lot easier for us. Bays Car Painters, Sabelt at Race Products, Classic Car Cover, Replay cameras, Renegade trailers, Herbert Fabrication and Engineering and lastly but not at all the least of my thank you’s goes to iSign It, for making the car look awesome for the first round. Thank you everyone! I would also like to say thank you in recognition to Eric Thompson’s work behind the scenes of Chelsea Herbert Racing.

I’m sure throughout the come season you’ll attract a raft of new fans of Chelsea Herbert; is there anyway they can keep up to date with you?

Yes, there are many ways for fans to keep up to date with all my racing.

They can visit my website – www. chelseaherbert.co.nz or like my facebook page, Chelsea Herbert Racing. Or finally, they can check out my Instagram account, @ChelseaHerbertMotorsport.

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