Official Program
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o t e m o c l We exas !
WELCOME: Steve Sexton and Peter Trimble welcome you to a great weekend of racing! TIMETABLE: What’s happening and when this weekend CIRCUIT MAP: Find your way around the circuit CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS: More about this stunning facility
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INTERVIEW: V8 Supercars Race Director Tim Schenken
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V8 SUPERCARS: Preview of the V8 Supercars races PROFILES: A look at the V8 Supercars superstars PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE: The epic sports and GT series V8 SUPERCARS OFFICIALS
PORSCHE GT3 CUP TROPHY USA WEST: Porsche racing at its best CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS CALENDAR: Upcoming schedule D
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Race Director Tim Schenken Assistant To Race Director Lawrie Schmitt Clerk Of The Course James Foyle Steward Peter Drew Steward Trevor Neumann Steward Tim Mayer Medical Delegate Dr. Carl Le Technical Manager Frank Adamson Starter Damien White Investigating Officer & Driving Standards Observer Cameron McConville Timing Coordinator Ian Leech Recovery Coordinator Alistair Walker Safety Car Driver Jason Routley Safety Car Communicator Sarah Schofield Safety Dispatch Paul Leyton Marshal Communicator Kelly Dodson Marshal Communicator Joanne Jensen CCTV Operator Tyler Norling Secretary Of The Meeting Paula Taylor Incident Reporter Janna Levy Administration Sue Franco Timing And Scoring IMSA Scrutineering Suzanne Royce Control Admin Steve Bonjour V8 Supercars Media Manager Cole Hitchcock
RACE CONTROL
TIM SCHENKEN HAS ONE OF THE BEST JOBS IN V8 SUPERCARS AS RACE DIRECTOR. STEWART BELL CAUGHT UP WITH THE EX-F1 DRIVER TO CHAT ABOUT HIS ROLE, HOW THE SERIES HAS GROWN AND WHAT HE'S EXPECTING FROM RACING IN THE USA. Can you tell me what the race director role involves? TS: “Well that role is based on the same role that the FIA has for Formula One. It’s an official that goes to all the rounds and the idea is to make sure that all the procedures and the way the rules are applied in a sporting sense on the circuit are the same everywhere – so you have that consistency. I oversee the start procedure – although we have a permanent starter, which is Damien White – and also the countdown to the start procedure, the deployment of the safety car, the stopping of any car during practise, qualifying or racing,
managing bad sportsmanship flags and those sorts of issues. I work closely with the Clerk of the Course – we work together. It’s basically an overall management role.”
Americans have had a little bit of exposure to V8 Supercars via Speed Channel, but why do you think they'll love the series? TS: “Well, I suppose you could say that V8 Supercars are NASCARs on road circuits full time.We know that NASCAR has a huge following, it provides exciting racing,
principally on ovals.Well, we have much the same.We have a big following, but our racing is all on ‘road circuits’ and street circuits, of course. So I think that’s the best way to sum that up.”
What are your thoughts on V8 Supercars racing in the USA? TS: “I’m really looking forward to it. Austin is a fantastic facility; the Grand Prix last year here at Circuit of The Americas attracted a huge crowd. I hope we’re going to be able to do the same thing!”
ON DAMON HILL IX WORLD CHAMPI PR D AN GR 96 19 EN (RIGHT) WITH f TIM SCHENK
As a racer you've got an incredible amount of experience, including F1. Are you ever surprised by situations at race weekends? TS: “I would say almost every race meeting. My role is pretty much like a driver. I’m learning all the time, there’s always some new challenge and there’s always something different. You have to respond quickly and correctly to incidents, so it’s a challenge all the time. One of the great things about my job,
not only am I passionate about motor racing, but I’ve been able to work in it all these years – as a driver, I was a manufacturer, I was a team owner and now as an official. It’s challenging the whole time. It’s never boring.”
so I am really looking forward to this one. There are always challenges, there’s always something dramatic happening at those circuits for whatever reason. Those events always something turns up that’s a challenge.”
What are some of your most memorable moments from your time as race director of V8 Supercars? TS: “I have to say that races which are
Are you looking forward to the racing at the Circuit of The Americas? TS: From everything I can see it’s going
always exciting are Bathurst, Adelaide, Gold Coast and whenever we go abroad,
to be exciting to drive on and it’s going to be a fantastic race to manage.” z
et ready motorsport fans – there’s a new racing star in town! One that delivers thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles at upwards of 185mph, care of 28 hard-charging 2900lb beasts that run 305cu in naturally aspirated V8 engines – putting out 635bhp. That emerging star is Australia’s V8 Supercars Championship – which
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touches down in the Lone Star State for this weekend’s inaugural Austin 400. You may not know the drivers’ names yet, but you’ll certainly be able to hear them – and the grunt of their V8 engines as they pound around the world’s newest and most exciting racing venue, the Circuit of The Americas. It’s undeniable that this fabulous venue and Austin, Texas, have made gigantic
waves in the world of motorsport, ever since hosting last year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix. It’s an exciting time to be stateside – and you’re in the box seat for all the action. General Motors (GM) Holden, Ford, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz AMG Customer Sports will all be showing their teeth in some of the closest motor racing on the planet. And it all starts here and now, deep in the Heart of Texas. f
AUSTRALIA’S V8 SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP BLASTS INTO THE USA FOR A NO-HOLDS-BARRED FIGHT FROM LIGHTS TO CHECKERED FLAG. STEWART BELL PREVIEWS THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES AND THE ACTION EXPECTED AT THE CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS IMAGES BY: EDGEPHOTOGRAPHICS
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f JAMIE WHINCUP
Cars of the Future Australians and Americans share many things in common, and when it comes to motor sport, both love big, powerful race cars above all else. In fact, there are only two motor sport categories in the world that are considered to be more popular in their own country than F1: NASCAR and V8 Supercars. The similarities don’t end there, either. "I suppose you could say that V8 Supercars are NASCARs full time on road circuits," says V8 Supercars Race Director Tim Schenken. V8 Supercars is certainly not new – and across more than 50 years has morphed and developed into what it is today from a number of now-historic categories. The improved production era from 1965–72, Group C from 1973–84 and international Group A from 1985–1992 all played their part, with the series formally taking shape as the Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) in 1993. It was at that point that the series locked in its heart as a fire-breathing V8 engine, and capitalised on the often-intense Australian rivalry between manufacturers GM Holden and Ford. From there, the ATCC was re-named V8 Supercars in 1997; and the sport’s organisers, teams and drivers have not looked back, building strength upon strength. f
“IT IS AN UNBELIEVABLY GOOD TRACK’ – FOUR-TIME CHAMPION JAMIE WHINCUP...
f WILL DAVISON f GARTH TANDER
David Reynolds f Interest is currently high in Australia,
with the opening round of the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship – the Clipsal 500 Adelaide – having grabbed 694,000 viewers, making it the most-watched sporting program of that weekend. And there’s good reason for that – the sport has been re-energised via a completely new set of technical regulations, known as ‘Car of the Future’. The entire V8 Supercars grid now uses a control chassis, onto which the teams can add their own bodyshell. They also have a larger amount of control parts, bigger tyres and wheels, better safety features – and are lighter – making for a much stronger base from which to race.
Schenken is adamant that the regulations have achieved their aim. "You have to move forward – and that’s a huge step forward in terms of standardising so many components on the cars," he says. As for what the new-generation cars are like to drive, Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford racer Will Davison says controlling the car’s rear end is currently the biggest challenge. "The brakes are more powerful so you can brake later; and the way the tyre works is different so you can carry a lot of mid-corner speed," he says. "I think we’ve (also) seen a lot of pretty wild shots of the cars oversteering (feeling loose) and a lot of drivers fighting the rear of the car, bouncing pretty wildly off bumps and kerbs. That’s
probably – in a nutshell – the nature of the cars at the moment." The sweeping changes have brought fresh blood to V8 Supercars in the form of new manufacturers Nissan and Mercedes-Benz (care of AMG Customer Sports) – and the crowds are loving it. In fact, over 17,600 people turned up to the official pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park in mid-February. "I think the fan base needed something to re-energise and excite them – and the new manufacturers and (Car the Future) platform has done that," says Jack Daniel’s Racing driver Rick Kelly. "It has proven it at every outing, with stronger attendance and stronger TV viewing figures.
DATA DAY... Quirky facts and stats about V8 Supercars in the lead-up to the Austin 400 NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose, who currently drives for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Sprint Cup, was V8 Supercars Champion in 2003 and 2004. Prior to Dunlop becoming sole tyre supplier to V8 Supercars in 2002, Japanese racing-rubber manufacturer Bridgestone supplied the grid from 1999. During practice sessions, cars must exit the pit-lane in pit-garage order unless a car is waiting until all the other cars have exited. During pit-stops in the race, the cars may be attended by a maximum of six people across the prescribed line in the pit-lane. In the case of a dead heat, the drivers will share the prize and/or allotted to their place in the classification and the next available prize and/or points. Mark Skaife, five-time series Champion, and now V8 Supercars Commission Chairman, led the Car of the Future project to its fruition. There are four types of tyres used in V8 Supercars: hard; soft; wet weather; and also pre-marked which are previously allocated sets. V8 Supercars veteran Russell Ingall – who is known in the sport by his nickname ‘The Enforcer’ – will be running a Stanley Tools livery in Austin this weekend.
We’ve got more excitement and new teams at the front. "It’s taken on a new lease of life and taken a couple of steps in the right direction in what is a tough time for a lot of sports and the economy in general." Nissan have joined Jack Daniel’s Racing, with brothers Rick and Todd Kelly behind the wheel; and Norton 360 Racing, steered by James Moffat and Michael Caruso. The Kelly brothers have enjoyed working with the Japanese manufacturer. "It’s been great working with Nissan," says Rick Kelly. "We hadn’t worked closely with a manufacturer for a number of years – and for us to be engaged with all of their
activities and work with them on a daily basis is new for us. "We’re a factory team now. It’s really rewarding having our own team go from strength to strength with it and get to this level now. But obviously the satisfaction will only come when we start delivering results." Erebus Motorsport is running three Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercars, care of AMG Customer Sports, for drivers Lee Holdsworth (Irwin Racing), Tim Slade (Heavy Haulage Racing) and German racer Maro Engel in the SP Tools Racing car. f
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f ALL ACTION AT CLIPSAL 500 ADELAIDE!
f Holdsworth believes the dual
forces of Australia and Germany are what will help them move to the front and take on the established winners sooner rather than later. "Yes, absolutely, we can feel the momentum behind us," says Holdsworth. "We’ve also got a group of guys back at HWA (Mercedes AMG’s specialist group) in Germany at the AMG Customer Sports program 100 per cent behind us and making sure this is going to happen and this is going to work. "It’s great this year because we’re a 24/7 race team.While we’re working over here, they’re asleep; while we’re asleep, they’re working over there. It’s round the clock and I would say that not many teams have that capability." The international interest continues with the sport now sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA, the Paris-based governing body of world motorsport) and that has opened the doors to rounds held outside of Australia.
Since 2001, the V8 Supercars Championship has visited New Zealand’s Pukekohe Raceway; Shanghai International Circuit in 2005; Bahrain International Circuit from 2006–2010 and Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit from 2010 to 2012. Austin’s Circuit of The Americas is the next stop on the list – and it is a very promising one. "I think this is a very good fit for us, given there is a degree of crossover business," says Holden Racing Team driver Garth Tander. "At Holden we export to the USA; a lot of our sponsors do business in the USA, and a lot of teams’ sponsors do business in the USA. So that makes a lot of sense." It’s a brave move, as V8 Supercars will become the first Australian motor-sport ever to stage a full Championship event in the United States. But, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating – and close, exciting racing is what the series is known for. f
Maro engel
V8 Supercars Stars The competition of the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship has been white-hot so far, with seven different winners across the three Championship rounds held in Adelaide (South Australia), Symmons Plain (Tasmania) and New Zealand at the time of writing. The V8 Supercars also raced at Melbourne’s Albert Park as a very popular part of the support bill for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Driver of the #6 Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford, Will Davison is happy to be in the title chase. "We’ve laid a good foundation, a good starting point in what’s been a pretty tough three rounds for everyone," says Davison, who took one win and three podiums in the opening rounds. "The whole transition to the new car, the new era of V8 Supercars, has been
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a big one. So I thought hitting the ground with a good, clean start was going to be really important to set the tone and set the momentum for the year ahead. Now we’re really focused on obviously getting a little bit more performance from the car." Davison is fully aware that this year will be a non-stop fight from now until December and the final round: the Sydney 500. "There’s going to be no runaway winner this year," he says. "It’s going to be such a tight Championship, every dog is going to have his day throughout the year – so you have to accept that and make sure you stay calm and not make mistakes." Hot on Davison’s tail are the drivers from the reigning Champion team Red Bull Racing Australia, Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes.Whincup, a four-time Champion, took his first win for the year in New Zealand – but won’t be happy
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until the team is back at the front of the grid where it had been for so long. "Every year has its challenges, no more than this year," says Whincup, who is naturally calm as the reigning V8 Supercars Champion. "This year has certainly proven to be a big challenge for us to really refine this brand-new, what we call Car of the Future. We’ve had a relatively good start to the year, (Craig) Lowndes won in Adelaide and then I won a race in New Zealand. "We’ve had a couple of wins and a handful of podiums already this year, but coming from our usual standard in 2011 and 2012 we’re a little bit behind the eight ball. We’re working really hard behind the scenes to make sure that we improve the car.’ The Melbourne-born, Gold Coast resident believes that the team will soon find its feet and get back to winning ways”. f
f TODD KELLY PIT STOP f I’ve got absolutely no doubt that we will
get there," he says. "It’s just a matter of time and a lot of hard work. We’ve done it before, moving from different models of cars – from a BF Ford to an FG – and then, of course, we moved from Ford to Holden in 2010. So we’ve already made some massive changes within the team and succeeded every time – and we just see this as another challenge."
Just behind the Red Bull Racing Australia cars are the Holden Racing Team (HRT) boys, who represent the factory works effort of GM Holden’s long association with the sport. Although the past few years have been focused on re-building the squad, HRT are back on track and snapping at the heels of the leaders. "I think we are on the right track," says Garth Tander, who drives car #2 for HRT.
"We obviously had quite a bit of re-building to do within the team over the past four to five year period, really. Now with Steve Hallam (ex-F1) onboard running the show and Tony Dowe (ex-F1 and IndyCar) looking after the engineering department, I think we’ve got the right leadership and the right structure in place, and we’re starting to see the rewards from that. So I do have faith that HRT can be winning races on a consistent basis." f
"I COULDN’T BE MORE EXCITED ABOUT RACING IN AMERICA" – RICK KELLY
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. . n . o i t c a e Clos f Tander’s team-mate, 2010 V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney, is happy with the start to the year and believes the car this year is a positive step forward. "It’s been good," says the nine-time winner, who was an F1 test driver for The changes to V8 Supercars for this season are subtle, but wide-ranging, under the new-forJaguar Racing (now Infiniti Red Bull 2013 Car of the Future regulations. The look is basically the same; fans will get that same Racing) back in 2001 and 2002. "We’ve just been there or heart-stopping growl from the four manufacturers’ V8 engines and the fastest drivers from thereabouts most of the time.We Down Under and internationally will still compete for Championship glory haven’t had the blistering speed or the joys of driving out in front, so it’s been Chassis Design & Specification: Fixed Safety: Improved hard work but definitely a lot more There have been a number of changes, including a nowThe chassis design and specification (dimensions, etc) competitive and a better package to polycarbonate windscreen and collapsible steering column. of V8 Supercars will now be fixed, and can only be work with than what we’ve had constructed by accredited vehicle builders. The fuel cell has also been moved further forward. previously. Garth and I are relatively happy with the start of the year." Engine: Moved Specification Along with the established frontThe V8 engine is now mounted 100mm further back • Car: Ford Falcon FG, Holden Commodore VF, runners Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford, Red and down, improving the overall weight distribution Nissan Altima, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercar Bull Racing Australia and HRT, you can and protecting the unit in case of a front-impact. • Engine: 5-litre (305cu in) naturally aspirated V8; total minimum expect strong drives from Fabian engine weight is 200kg (440lb) Power Estimated 635+ bhp Coulthard at Lockwood Racing, who won Wheels & Tyres: Bigger • Electronics: control MoTeC package including M190 ECU, three out of four races at the nonThe wheels and tyres have increased to 18-inch, Power Distribution Module, driver dash. Championship Grand Prix support event with the rubber supplied by Dunlop. The larger • Transmission: control Albins ST6 6-speed sequential and two races at the Tasmania Microsoft wheels mean that bigger brakes can be fitted, transaxle with integrated spool differential Office 365. meaning later braking. • Clutch: triple-plate carbon 7 and ¼ inch Also up there are the other New Zealand • Suspension: Front – double wishbone suspension with racers Shane van Gisbergen, who drives for Gearbox: Transaxle adjustable damper and cockpit adjustable front anti-roll bar TEKNO Team VIP Holden, and Scott McLaughlin Rear – control Independent rear suspension with adjustable The transmission has now moved to become a in the Fujitsu Racing GRM Holden. Both have transaxle, sitting over the back wheels. This damper and cockpit adjustable anti-roll bar. taken impressive wins this year – and will enables the differential and gearbox to be • Brakes: Front – AP Racing 6-piston caliper, 395mm ventilated continue to surprise and impress come Austin. combined into one assembly. discs, Rear – AP Racing 4-piston caliper, 355mm ventilated discs Although all teams are currently pushing full on • Wheels: 18in x 11in forged aluminium to get to grips with their new cars, everyone in the • Tyres: Dunlop control tyres Suspension: Independent pit-lane is looking forward to the Austin 400. • Chassis and Rollcage: control design from Pace Innovations Independent Rear Suspension (or IRS) has The cars will race on the shortened 2.4-mile • Fuel Capacity: 112 litres (24.5 gallons) now been adopted, with control pick-up National Circuit – and the format has been points and with cost-saving in mind, a • Weight: 1400kg (3080lb) with Driver confirmed as four 100km sprint races, with two control spec of uprights and wishbones. • Top Speed: 185mph plus each on Saturday and Sunday. f
UNDER THE HOOD...
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"THE NOISE, THE SPEED, THE RACING – EVERYTHING IS FANTASTIC ABOUT V8 SUPERCARS" – LEE HOLDSWORTH f "I couldn’t be more excited about racing in America," says Rick Kelly, who drives the #15 Jack Daniel’s Nissan Altima. "Back in 2007 I flew here to try and get more information on the NASCAR scene to try and get into some racing over here. It was quite a difficult step back then. I always wanted to race in North America, so when the Austin 400 was announced it was a dream come true. "I don’t think there is anyone in pitlane who is just flying in for the race meeting and flying out. Everyone has found any excuse to go over early and come back late – and I couldn’t be more excited about that. "We’re going to visit the Jack Daniel’s distillery in Lynchburg, just outside of Nashville; and we’re also going to visit the Nissan Altima plant in Nashville – and then fly over to Texas and go racing. So I can’t wait!"
f LEE HOLDSWORTH "It’s definitely something new and pretty exciting for V8 Supercars to take our whole series to America," says James Courtney. The chance to drive one of the most exciting racing circuits in the world is also a huge motivation, with all of the drivers looking forward to cracking this circuit’s secrets. "It’s an unbelievably good track," says four-time Champion Jamie Whincup. "We’ve had opportunities over the years to race on some really cool circuits and I think Circuit of The Americas is certainly right up there with the best tracks in the world. ‘We’re honestly pumped to get over here, we’re pumped to race in America, we’re excited that it’s on one of the best tracks in the world and a great result there would make for an unbelievably good weekend." However, the V8 Supercars Austin 400 is not just an event to look forward to for
the 28 drivers and the core Australian fan base. Americans will get their first taste of the V8 Supercars on home soil, and many paddock observers are expecting the local fans to take to it. I think that once the Americans see our racing, and they’ve had a bit of a taste of it already with Speed TV, they’re going to absolutely love it,’ says Lee Holdsworth, who drives the #4 Irwin Racing Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG V8 Supercar. "The noise, the speed, the racing – everything is fantastic about V8 Supercars. Also, the main thing that is similar to NASCAR, which they’re absolutely entrenched in, is that our drivers are also very approachable and accessible." One thing is for certain: the racing will be fast and furious; the atmosphere electric. The V8 Supercars Austin 400 is finally here – and it’s going to be a wild ride, from start to finish. z
V8 SUPERCARS PIT STOPS ARE RESTRICTED TO JUST SIX PEOPLE – A CAR CONTROLLER, SPIKE MAN (WHO ACTIVATES THE ON-BOARD AIR JACKS) AND FOUR WHEEL CHANGERS.
PIT STOPS
BUT WHILE SHORT ON PERSONNEL, V8 SUPERCARS ARE SUPER FAST ON ACTION, WITH THE RECORD STOP FOR A FOUR-TYRE CHANGE AT JUST 3.7 SECONDS!
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Car Controller
The person in charge of each stop, the Car Controller ensures the driver stops right on his mark. He oversees the stop, then when all jobs are complete he releases the car back out onto pit lane, making sure he has a clear path before storming back out onto the track.
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Spike Man
A seemingly unimportant position, the Spike Man’s role is vital. He inserts the air hose into a nozzle to activate the on-board jack system to bounce the car off the ground, then drops it back when the wheel changers are finished. Miss the spike and cost the team vital seconds in a pit stop. Release it too early or too late and you also lose vital time.
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Wheel Changers
There's no three crew members per wheel here like Formula 1, nor two per wheel like NASCAR.V8 Supercars teams have just one wheel changer per wheel. But that doesn't stop them from performing at an incredible level. Putting their hi-tech rattle guns onto the single wheel nut as it slides to a stop, the team’s four wheel changers can change a 23kg (50lb) wheel and tyre in less than four seconds!
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TEAMS & DRIVERS RED BULL RACING AUSTRALIA
1 UP # C N I WH
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xxx Xxxxxx Jun 21 1974 : TEAM: BIRTH 996 F O E 1998, 1 DAT : 1999, n io p Cham
R #2 22 NDE A EY # T N H T R T COU cing Team GARcing Team
Ra Holden Mar 31 1977 TEAM: H: T IR FB DATE O : 2007 n io p Cham
HOLDEN RACING TEAM
Ra Holden Jun 29 1980 TEAM: H: T IR FB DATE O : 2010 n io p Cham
TEAM HIFLEX
3 TO # R E B AL Y D' TON HIFLEX Dec 9 1985 TEAM: H: F BIRT O E DAT
IRWIN RACING
TH WO R S D L HO LEE ing
#4
ac Irwin R Feb 2 1983 TEAM: IRTH: B F O DATE
KW MARCrew FPR
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ax Pepsi M May 20 1981 TEAM: TH : IR B F DATE O
PEPSI MAX CREW FPR
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6 ON # S I V DA WILLCrew FPR
ax Pepsi M Aug 30 1982 TEAM: H: T IR B F D A TE O
JACK DANIEL'S RACING #7 ELLY K D TOD cing
Ra aniel's Jack D Oct 9 1979 : TEAM: H F BIRT DATE O
TEAM BOC
# 15 LLY E K RICKl's Racing
anie Jack D Jan 17 1983 TEAM: H: IR B F T 2006 DATE O : Champion n io p m Cha
#8 IGHT R B ON JAS
OC Team B Mar 8 1973 TEAM: TH: IR B F DATE O
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g ls Racin SP Too Aug 27 1985 : M A E T H: F BIRT DA T E O
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PIRELLI WORLD CHALLENGE THIS IS HOW RACING SHOULD BE!
f 9 ALEX FIGGE, 6 RANDY POBST – VOLVO S60; 46 RYAN DALZIEL PORSCHE 911 GT3
he Pirelli World Challenge Championship drivers take to Circuit of The Americas for the first time in the history of the series this weekend. GT and GTS classes will compete in Rounds 4 and 5, while Touring Car and Touring Car B-Spec classes open their 2013 season with a triple-header for Rounds 1 to 3. Pirelli World Challenge races are a proverbial candy store for sports-car enthusiasts, as the four classes competing at Circuit of The Americas provide a competitive slot for nearly every sports car and sports sedan available. Races are
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between 20 and 50 minutes from start to finish and begin with the series’ trademark standing start, an electrifying explosion of engine revs and tire squeal.The sprint format of Pirelli World Challenge races guarantees each driver is giving 100 percent from start to finish, because there are no scheduled pit stops, or driver changes. It’s like watching the intensity of the final lap, every lap.
Pirelli World Challenge GT (Black windshield banners) The high-horsepower Pirelli World Challenge GT Class has always provided the ground-shaking rumble and thunder
in the series. There are some intriguing story lines developing for this year’s battle for GT Drivers’, Manufacturers’ and top Team honors. 2012 Champions Cadillac Racing return with Drivers’ Champion Johnny O’Connell and veteran hotshoe and former Champion Andy Pilgrim piloting the CTS-Vs. Cadillac looks to repeat in all three categories in 2013 and it will be hard to knock them off the top step. Heading into the Texas races, Pilgrim sits second in the Drivers’ Championship while O’Connell is fourth. After an up and down 2012, K-PAX Racing returns with Randy Pobst and Alex
Figge piloting the Volvo S60s.The first half of 2012 was mostly disappointing for K-PAX as mechanical gremlins and on-track mishaps plagued the team. But the last three races of last season saw both Pobst and Figge take convincing wins at Mid-Ohio and Sonoma. Can Pobst and Figge carry last year’s season-ending momentum into and through 2013 to reclaim the glory achieved in 2010 when Pobst won the GT Drivers’ Championship and Volvo won the GT Manufacturers’ Championship? Both Pobst and Figge have encountered some tough luck in the first three races of the 2013 season, still, Figge sits third in the
championship standings heading here. Mike Skeen returns to pilot the Hawk Performance Chevrolet Corvette. In the past two years, Skeen has proved that he is a top driver winning three races in 2011 and two in 2012. If Skeen and CRP put it all together, this could be a Championship season for the up-and-coming driver. Skeen sits fifth heading into this event. GMG Racing return in GT in 2013 with a fresh new look. James Sofronas and crew bring three Audi R8s to the battle, and James is joined by Duncan Ende and Bret Curtis. Could the switch from Porsche to Audi be the answer? In the
battle for the Drivers’ Championship, Sofronas has finished in the top five in four of the last five seasons. Heading here, Sofronas sits atop the Drivers’ Championship standings having won races at St. Petersburg and Long Beach. Two other accomplished sports car racers are piloting the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in Pirelli World Challenge GT competition. Affectionately dubbed the ‘modern Gullwing’, Tim Pappas and the Black Swan Team and Peter LeSaffre and Green Hornet Racing are driving the SLS AMG GT3 in the series – a race car that is based on the SLS AMG road car. f
f 95 BILL SIEGLER – PONTIAC SOLSTICE; 2 MIKE SKEEN– CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Pirelli World Challenge GTS (Grey windshield banners) This year’s battle for the GTS Championships (cars are identified by the grey windshield banner) looks to be the most competitive of any of the four classes with the current drivers’ Champion and a number of former Champions, plus up-andcoming drivers, all vying for top honors. The 2013 GTS season will be a battle that pits Japanese, Korean and German engineering against good old American brawn. RealTime Racing’s Peter Cunningham, the all-time Pirelli World Challenge wins leader, piloted his Acura TSX to yet another Drivers’ championship in 2012 – his seventh World Challenge Drivers’ title. Cunningham, and teammate Nick Esayian also claimed the GTS Manufacturers’ Championship for Acura. The RealTime team will be tough to beat. Cunningham sits third in the GTS Drivers’ Championship coming here. After a tremendous rookie season last year, Andy Lee returns behind the wheel of his Chevrolet Camaro to battle for the top spot overall. Lee finished second overall in the 2012 Drivers’ Championship with an impressive four wins claiming the Rookieof-the-Year award. Lee has had a tough
start to the 2013 season and sits eighth in the driver Championship standings. Veteran hotshoe and former Trans Am Champion Jack Baldwin fought tooth and nail with Cunningham and Lee last year and ended up third overall in 2012. Baldwin finished third f PETER CUNNINGHAM – ACURA TSX with 1185 points, behind Lee (1264) and Cunningham (1366). Baldwin returns behind the wheel of his Porsche Cayman. Arriving here, Baldwin leads in the GTS Drivers’ The 2013 season marks the sophomore Championship. season for the Kinetic Motorsports Kia GT veterans Blackdog Racing move Optimas in Pirelli World Challenge. from GT to GTS with Tony Gaples being Accomplished winning sports car racer joined by former GT and Touring Car Nic Jonsson joins the series to pilot one of Champion Lawson Aschenbach in the Optimas along with Mark Wilkins who Chevrolet Camaros. Gaples finished 8th will pilot the other Kia. Wilkins and Jonsson overall in 2012. Aschenbach has had a now sit fourth and fifth respectively in the strong start to the 2013 season and sits 2013 GTS Drivers’ Championship. f second coming to Texas.
f ERIK DAVIS – FORD BOSS MUSTANG 302S
Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car 2013 Preview (Light Grey windshield banners) Compass360 Racing drivers Brett Sandberg, Remo Ruscitti and Ryan Winchester will field the team’s trademark orange and black Honda Civics. Winchester finished third overall in the 2012 Drivers’ Championship and Compass360 Racing claimed both the Manufacturers’ Championship for Honda and the overall Team Championship. Winchester is the odds-on favorite to claim the TC Drivers’ Championship in 2013. Tristen Herbert, the 2011 TC Rookie of the Year, will be piloting one of two 2013 STaSIS REVO Group Volkswagens Jetta GLIs with his sights set on the top drivers’ prize. If Herbert can avoid the on-track incidents that plagued him in 2012 he’ll most likely battle Winchester for top honors this season.
Touring Car B-Spec 2012 Preview (White windshield banners) Entering into its second year of competition, the battle for team and driver championships in the Touring Car B-Spec class will be hotly contested. The number of teams entered in the class has doubled from 2012 and will again feature up and
coming drivers in platforms like the Kia Rio, Mazda2, Honda f JACK BALDWIN – PORSCHE CAYMAN S Fit, Mini Cooper, Chevrolet Sonic, Ford Fiesta and the Fiat 500. Modifications are limited in this class to manufacturer specified performance spring and shocks to keep overall cost down. The class is designed to give up-and-coming drivers the costeffective opportunity to run in a professional racing series. Shea Holbrook made tremendous strides in 2012 in Touring Car and moves into the TCB class Championships and will also figure for 2013. The Honda Fit driver could play a prominently in the outcome of the drivers’ significant factor in the Drivers’ Championship if her progression continues title in 2013. Honda Fit driver Joel Lipperini finished into this season. Holbrook finished fourth second in Round 3 at Canadian Tire overall last year in TC with an impressive Motorsport Park last year and will also be 10 top 5 finishes. Holbrook’s teammate a contender for the Drivers’ P.J. Groenke, also running a Honda Fit, comes over from the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2013. z
PIRELLI GT3 CUP TROPHY USA WEST here are three sprints races per weekend and focused practice sessions conducted by professional coaching drivers in assisting the series driver’s in developing their race craft skills.
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The 2013 Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West racing series is a racing series dedicated to providing a safe racing environment for all participants where fierce competition can be found at every corner of the race track. The goal is for the
drivers to be‌On Track with Competence. In 2009, Pirelli Tire North America became our Tire Partner and we have continued our growth for those drivers committed to developing their racing skills and craft. As we moved into 2012, Pirelli Tire North America renewed its support for the series along with Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) sanctioning the series as one of the two series in the United States who offer the one-make platform racing
series. With the commitment from Pirelli Tire and PMNA, in 2012 the series was established as the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West racing series. A critical component of the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West racing series is the continuing education where drivers are given the opportunity to participate in advanced driving technique sessions with professional coaching drivers as well as participating in one-on-one coaching sessions on
COMPETENT MOTORSPORT LLC WAS FOUNDED IN FEBRUARY 2007 AND STARTED THE DRIVERS CUP USA RACING SERIES FOR PORSCHE 996/997 GT3 CUP CARS. THE CHARTER OF THE SERIES IS TO DEVELOP THE DRIVER’S RACE CRAFT THROUGH FOCUSING ON ‘COMPETITIVE SEAT TIME’, CAR CONTROL AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ALL INCLUDED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EVENT WEEKEND
mastering ‘car control’, ‘situational awareness’, and utilizing the technology of their car in a race environment. The Porsche GT3 Cup car offers a delivered race car to the customer with all the technology to date that Porsche Motorsport has developed. It is our task to assist them to become competent with the technology provided from the factory. The Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West series in 2013 is comprised of twenty-one (21) races for drivers competing for the
championships in three Classes (Platinum, Gold, and Silver) at some of North America’s most challenging racing venues. The first event was held at Auto Club Speedway as part of the Festival of Speed on April 5th–7th. Other venues for the 2013 season include Portland International Raceway for the Rose Cup Races, Sonoma Raceway for the FIA WTCC races, Miller Motorsports Park for the Utah Grand Prix, and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
We enjoyed the opportunity to participate last year for the inaugural return and opening of the Circuit of The Americas with Formula One’s return to the United States after a seven year absence. It was a pleasure and thrill for our drivers and the Series. For additional information regarding the Pirelli GT3 Cup Trophy USA West series, please visit the Competent Motorsport website: www.competentms.com z