Sports Journal - Issue 2 - Summer '16 by Sportsnet Holidays

SUMMER 2016 | year 01 - issue 02

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7 INTERVIEW

3 REVIEWS Find out what our guests have to say about their experiences with Sportsnet Holidays

Duco Events CEO, Martin Snedden, on organising the NRL Auckland Nines

10 F AST FACTS Wrap your head around some of the stats from Australian Open 2015

11 EVENTS Read-up on some of our highlights from the year so far

12 DESTINATION We head to beautiful Malaysia to take a look beyond the city-scape

15 CALENDAR Find out what’s coming up in sport over the next 6 months

OFFICIAL TOUR OPERATOR

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2016 The sun is out and winter is just a fading memory. Summer is on the way and that means Australian Open 2016 is just around the corner! Ever wondered how Melbourne ended up as the host of Australia’s premier championship? To find out, we decided to take a look into the history of the Australian Open. From it’s humble beginnings as the Australasian Championships, to its designation as a major tournament, to its signature blue courts; there’s over a century of history to wrap your head around! PAGE 08

4 6 13

V8 SUPERCARS

AUCKLAND NINES

ISLE OF MAN

We’re coming into the last year that V8 Supercars will only feature V8s. To mark the occasion, we take a look at the competition’s history, how the series works and what goes into a V8 Supercar.

‘The Greatest Weekend’ is coming in February 2016! We caught up with rugby league legend, BILLY SLATER, to chat about his upcoming debut at the 2016 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines.

TT 2015 was a rough year for Aussie racer, CAMERON DONALD, after multiple near misses in the Senior TT. We sat down with the two-time TT winner as he looks towards the Isle of Man TT 2016.

journal

2 SUMMER 2016

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editor’s note

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It is no secret that Australians have a love of sport and an unrelenting desire to travel within Australia and abroad. This sporting culture turned out to be the driving force behind the creation of the Sportsnet Holidays (Sportsnet) brand in August 1998. Right from the start, Sportsnet’s business plan was simple: make it easy for Australians to attend their favourite sporting events (to “see it live!”), no matter where the event or fixture was being staged in the world. By remaining true to its core business strategy of dedication to excellence, Sportsnet has achieved some memorable milestones in its 15 year history. Sportsnet arranges travel for up to 20,000 clients (and growing) to attend sporting events in Australia and around the world each year.

WHO WIL L BE

T’S HERE! Issue 02 of the Sportsnet Holidays Sports Journal has been six months in the making and what a great six months it has been! With so many of our staff travelling to take thousands of Sportsnet clients around the globe, experiencing some of the greatest sporting events of the year these past months, our offices have been left looking a little deserted. However, as the year starts to wind down and the Sportsnet office returns to full strength, we now have a brief chance to reflect on the year, as well as look forward to another huge summer of sport. We’ve had so many events over the past six months that I can’t possibly name them all. The first of our highlights though would have to be the Isle of Man TT. What an unbelievable trip we had this year! Great weather, fantastic experiences and incredible racing were all on offer for our 200-odd guests! In this issue, you’ll be able to read an interview with two-time TT winner, Cameron Donald, as he reflects on his 2015 campaign. The Bathurst 1000 was huge this year, as 200,000plus V8 Supercars fans descended on Mount Panorama to witness the final year that we’ll see Ford provide factory backing (at least until the race format changes in 2017) to any team! You can read over a bit of history of V8 Supercars and the current race structure on page four or flick to page eleven for our wrap-up of this year’s race.

Of course, the biggest event of the year was Rugby World Cup 2015! Our team has worked away tirelessly for the past four years in preparation to send thousands of Sportsnet clients halfway around the globe to experience what we think, was one of the greatest Rugby World Cup’s ever! The Rugby World Cup certainly didn’t disappoint and it was so good to see the Wallabies match up against the All Blacks in their first ever Final! Now our focus turns to summer and two of our biggest sporting events of the year: Australian Open 2016 and the 2016 Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines. Flick over to page six of this issue and you’ll find interviews with Melbourne Storm Fullback, Billy Slater, and DUCO Events CEO, Martin Snedden, who chat about the 2016 edition of the Nines. Read on to brush up some of the key milestones of the 111 year history of the Australian Open as well as some of the stats from AO2015. Thanks for your support and we hope you enjoy Issue 02 of our Sports Journal.

GREG HO media producer

‘King of the Mountain’ IN 201 6 ?

2016 BATHURST 1000 PACKAGES COMING SOON!

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SUMMER 2016

Sportsnet’s Official Isle of Man Ambassador

Australian Open 2015 Very happy with everything! I am not very savvy with these things and whenever I rang and asked a question, no matter how silly, I always got an answer that satisfied me. I actually rang when I got home to let Sportsnet know how pleased I was with my package. Seats and accommodation were excellent. Julie, Queensland Was very impressed with our seats – accommodation excellent. I have attended before, but seats were better through Sportsnet. Will definitely do again. I go with my husband normally, but will go again with my team, plan is every second year. Better seats through Sportsnet! Amanda, New South Wales

2015 Isle of Man TT I found the overall experience great. It was an experience that we’ll never forget and Sportsnet provided a wonderful experience that allowed us to see the TT from several different angles i.e. the dinner with the riders, different viewpoints each day etc. I have spoken highly of Sportsnet and the service and experience they gave us, and have recommended you to many family and friends. Chris, Western Australia The entire host crew worked their butts off, from rescheduling due to changes out of their control, to just generally making sure everyone knew what was happening and when. 10/10 to all of them. The TT tour was a fantastic experience, the Sportsnet crew deserve a bonus for their efforts. Can’t wait til the next one! Ian, Queensland Prior to actually leaving for this package, I was unsure how it would go but keeping an open mind on what service and user experience would be delivered for the cost. Whilst I could of perhaps organised quite a bit myself, a couple of aspects I couldn’t such as the Riders Panel Evening, which was an enriching part of the experience...so as I’ve returned home, this has allowed me to share a diverse and outstanding user experience as I talk to family and friends. The easiest measure for me is two questions, would I do it again and would I use Sportsnet? In approximately a nanosecond, yes to both. I’ll be back with my brother in law! John, Victoria

Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines 2015 We had a real great time at the Auckland Nines! As it was our first time we weren’t sure what to expect, but everything went smoothly and was better than we expected. It was an awesome weekend! Craig, New South Wales

We had an exceptional holiday. Sportsnet made everything about the holiday easy – from getting on the plane to getting home. We would use Sportsnet again and would recommend to friends. Lisa, ACT

Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 2015 Sportsnet was the first agent that was able to sell me some packages for this event. No other agent was able to tell me when they may have a package available. I also wanted to get accommodation for three guys in central Bathurst and get tickets to a covered stand if available. I must say that Sportsnet provided everything I wanted and it was so easy to sort out. Congratulations Sportsnet Frank, Wellington, New Zealand Thank you for a brilliant experience. Everything was so easy, and so well organised. Will recommend you to everyone, and will definitely book through for next time :) Megan, South Australia

NRL Grand Final Had a fantastic time, the ‘Rock the Boat’ tour was sensational my husband is still telling everyone about it. Was so glad to be part of the whole experience. Thank you! Julie, Queensland

2015 Formula 1® Singapore Grand Prix Every aspect of the experience was amazing. All of the above exceed our expectations. My husband especially enjoyed the “meet and greet” segment with David Coulthard. Caroline, Western Australia We had a great time in Singapore and will definitely book with Sportsnet for future events when finances permit Susan, ACT Absolutely fantastic package and one of the greatest experiences I’ve had! Cory, Queensland

Melbourne Cup Carnival The way Sportsnet “delivered” made it a truly memorable experience for my wife and I. I would recommend Sportsnet and look forward to using them again in the future. The team were very good at communicating and helping us with all our various queries. In my mind, Sportsnet equals quality and assurance that it will be done right. Steve, Queensland

JOIN AUSSIE ROAD RACING LEGEND, CAMERON DONALD AT THE 2016 ISLE OF MAN TT WITH SPORTSNET! MORE INFO: www.sportsnetholidays.com/

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journal

4 SUMMER 2016

Inside Supercars Body

History

V8 Supercars series racing has had a short but varied history. The concept of a formula based around V8-engined Fords and Holdens racing in the Australian Touring Car Championship was established in 1991. In 1993 the 5.0 litre V8 Group 3A Touring Cars (Fore-runner to V8 Supercars) replaced the Group A category, effectively spelling the end of turbocharged cars in Australian touring car racing. In an effort to keep manufacturers on an even-footing, a parity formula was introduced at this time. In 1996, the category was renamed V8 Supercars and two years later the expansion of the series began, with additional race circuits added including: Hidden Valley, Adelaide, Canberra and Pukekohe, NZ. In 2003, Project Blueprint was introduced to create fairer racing by eliminating most of the differences between the Holden and Ford cars. In 2010, the New Generation V8 Supercar (Car of The Future) concept was unveiled with the main objective being the reduction of costs per car through the use of control parts. This would help to allow other manufacturers to join the series. Since then Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo have joined the competition series.

1960’s

The Australian Touring Car Championship (The championship which would later evolve into V8 Supercar Championship) was established, featuring production based sedans. Between 1960 and 1968, the championship was decided by a single race which was held at a different location each year.

Over the years theV8 Supercars series has had a number of different names: • Australian Touring Car Championship (1960 - 1998) • Shell Championship Series (1999 - 2001) • V8 Supercar Championship Series (2001 - 2010) • International V8 Supercars Championship (2011 - current)

The Championship

The Drivers Championship is awarded to the driver who accumulates the most points over a season. At each championship event, there is a maximum of 300 points available should one driver win each race at the event. Depending on the number of races at each event, a different point scale is applied to achieve this result.

Race Formats

There are three types of events held in V8 Supercars, each with it’s own race format: Super Sprint Events, Super Street Events and Endurance Cup events. Super Sprint The Super Sprint format features two fifteen-minute qualifying sessions on the Saturday which decide the grid for the two 100km races held the same day. A single twenty-minute qualifying session is held on Sunday morning to decide the grid for the 200km race held later that day. The exception to this is the ITM Auckland 500 which features an extra twenty-minute qualifying session on the Friday for an additional 100km race held on the same day.

The winner of the 1st Championship was David McKay in his Jaguar 3.4lt. In 1963, Bathurst hosted its first Armstrong 500 (The 500 mile endurance race which would later become the Bathurst 1000) on the Mount Panorama circuit. It was won by Bob Jane and Harry Firth. In 1969, the Australian Touring Car Championship is held as a race series for the first time, spanning five rounds.

1970’s

In 1970, an Australian built car (the Holden Monaro GTS 350) wins its first Australian Touring Car Championship, driven by Norm Beechey. In 1972, the future ‘King of the Mountain’, Peter Brock, wins his first Bathurst Classic driving a Holden Torana XU-1.

Super Street The Super Street event features two fifteen-minute qualifying sessions held on the Friday to decide the grid positions for two 125 km races held the following day. On Sunday, there is a twenty-minute qualifying session followed by a ‘Top 10 Shootout’ (top ten qualifiers complete a single flying lap each to determine starting grid position). This sets the grid for the single 250km race held later that day. Endurance Cup Endurance events require two drivers per car. Teams were previously able to pair two full-time drivers in one car, however in 2010 a rule change required that each full time driver remain in their own car and be joined by a co-driver not competing in the series. There are 3 Endurance Cup events (Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600), each utilising a different qualifying and race structure. The Sandown 500 features a single 500km race, the Bathurst 1000 features a single 1,000km race and the Gold Coast 600 features two 300km races held over two days.

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In 1973, Group C regulations are introduced to the Australian Touring Car Championship and the Bathurst enduro race. The 500-mile Bathurst enduro race was also extended to a 1000km race in the same year. The first ‘Top 10 Shootout’ is held at Bathurst in 1978.

1980’s

7 8 14 9 5 1

11 16 6 14 2 12 4 3

1. Clipsal 500 Adelaide

2. F ormula 1® Australian Grand Prix

3. Tyrepower Tasmania

4. W P I

Super Street

*Non-Championship

Super Sprint

Sup

Privateer, Dick Johnson crashes from the lead in the 1980 HardieFerodo 1000 at Bathurst. Viewers donate money to help get him back on track, which was matched dollar for dollar by Ford. The following year, Johnson wins the Australian Touring Car Championship in the car those donations paid for. In

1985, the Australian Touring Car Championship adopts Group A regulations, allowing international manufacturers including Volvo, Jaguar, BMW, Nissan and Mitsubishi to compete. Turbocharged cars begin to dominate over the heavier V8s. In 1989, Dick Johnson and John Bowe win at Bathurst in a Shell Sierra turbo. It is the last time that a single car has led for an entire race to claim victory at Bathurst.

PHOTOS: © REPRODUCTION

V8 Supercar Facts

Each manufacturer builds their car body around the same control chassis, with minor allowances made to ensure that the cars bear some resemblance to their production vehicle counterparts. To improve driver safety, the driver seat is positioned towards the centre of the car with extra reinforcement used on the roll cage on the driver’s side. All cars have an aerodynamics package consisting of a front spoiler and splitter, side skirts, and a rear wing. The aerodynamics package for each manufacturer is designed to ensure that nearidentical downforce and drag numbers are produced for each different car.

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TRIVIA

SUMMER 2016

• Craig

Lowndes has the most race wins in a single season with 16 wins in 1996 - his first championship season.

• Jamie

Whincup holds the record for the most Driver Championship titles: (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014)

•M ark Skaife holds the

record for most wins at the same track, with 15 at Oran Park Raceway, Sydney. Murphy has the record for the most race wins without winning a Driver Championship, with 28.

•A llan

Moffat and Mark Skaife are tied for the record for the most consecutive wins, each with 6.

•P eter

Brock holds the record for the most pole positions, with 57 and the most wins at Bathurst, with 9.

•M ark Skaife holds the

•H olden

• Greg • Russell

Ingall holds the title for the most race starts with 579

• Craig

Lowndes holds the title for the most race wins with 101.

• Holden

holds the record for the most Manufacturer wins, with 484.

•F ord

Racing Team holds the record for the most team race wins, with 176.

record for most wins at the same track, with 15 at Oran Park Raceway, Sydney.

has accumulated 319 manufacturer wins.

Wheels and Tyres All cars use 18-inch control wheels produced by Rimstock, with tyres supplied by Dunlop. Race teams are able to choose between a hard and soft compound slick tyre. Depending on the event, race teams may be required to use both compounds during the race. There is also a grooved tyre available for wet conditions.

Cost The New Generation V8 Supercar regulations and inherit control parts are intended to reduce the cost of building a car (without engine) from approximately $450k to $250k. The cost to build an engine has also been estimated to reduce from $120k to $50k.

The Cars

Weight

The New Generation V8 Supercar regulations control a number of aspects of the cars to help ensure parity between the manufacturers.

There is a minimum weight set for each car of 1,410kgs including the driver. Of this weight, the driver has to factor a minimum of 100kgs. However this consists of the driver in full race apparel, the seat, and any ballast required to meet the weight requirement. In addition to this, there is a minimum load requirement of 750kgs over the front axle inclusive of the engine which has a minimum weight of 200kgs.

Engine All cars in the V8 Supercars Championship must be rear wheel drive with a front mounted engine. Each car uses a 5.0 litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine capable of producing up to 485kW or 650bhp. Manufacturers are able to choose between using a generic engine provided by V8 Supercars or an engine based on one from their own line as long as it meets the above specifications. All engines are electronically limited to 7,500 rpm with a compression ratio of 10:1. The cars also run on E85; an 85% ethanol / 15% unleaded fuel blend to help reduce the environmental impact. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by up to 50%.

WD-40 Phillip Island

5. P erth 400

6. Winton 400

7. SKYCITY Triple Crown Darwin

8. Castrol Townsville 500

9. Coates Hire Ipswich 400

10. KL City GP

11. Sydney Motorsport Park

12. Wilson Security Sandown 500

13. Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000

14. Gold Coast 600

15. ITM Auckland

16. Sydney 500

per Sprint

Super Sprint

Super Street

Super Sprint

Super Street

Super Sprint

Endurance Cup

Super Sprint

Super Street

1990’s

The Holden Racing Team (HRT) is established in 1990 and claims its first Bathurst 1000 win in the same year. In 1991, ‘Godzilla’ () becomes the first Japanese car to win the Bathurst 1000, driven by Mark Skaife and Jim Richards. In 1993, the Australian Touring Car Championship adopts the rules which would lead to the V8 Supercar Category. In 1994, Holden claim its first Australian Touring Car Championship in 14 years. In 1996, Craig Lowndes

wins his first championship in his in his rookie year with HRT. In 1997, the category is re-branded as ‘V8 Supercars’, however the series remained as the Australian Touring Car Championship until 1999. In 1999, for the first time, the Bathurst 1000 is included as a part of the V8 Supercar Championship. Control tyres, supplied by Bridgestone are also introduced to the championship in the same year.

2000’s

A secondtier development series (Now known as the Dunlop Series) is introduced in 2000. The V8 Supercar Championship holds its first overseas race in New Zealand in 2001. In an effort to create parity in 2003, Project Blueprint is introduced, adding standardisation to certain parts of the Holden and Ford vehicles including suspension and aerodynamics. In 2005, a V8 Supercar Championship round is held in Shanghai, China. In 2006, the ‘King of the Mountain’, Peter Brock is killed in a tarmac rally event in Perth. The Peter Brock Trophy is introduced in the

same year for the winners of the Bathurst 1000, with the first being claimed by his protege, Craig Lowndes alongside team-mate, Jamie Whincup, in their Triple Eight Ford Falcon. Sequential gearboxes were introduced in 2008 and were compulsory by the year’s end. The E85 fuel blend was introduced in 2009 with emissions being reduced by 50%. However, fuel consumption increased by 30% to reach the same power levels.

2010’s

In 2011, ‘Car of the Future’ (New Generation V8 Supercar) plans were officially announced. The changes would introduce a significant number of control parts which included the chassis, cooling, fuel and electronics packages. The changes were predominantly aimed to reduce the costs to put a car together with the hope that more manufacturers would enter the competition. In 2012, Nissan confirmed they would enter the Championship from 2013 with the Altima. Erebus Racing joined the competition

running the E63 AMG MercedesBenz and in 2014, Volvo entered the competition with the S60. In 2014, Ford confirmed that it would no longer enter a factory team in the V8 Supercar Championship after 2015. The move coincides with the discontinuation of the Falcon model. In late 2014, V8 Supercars announced plans for changes to be introduced in 2017 which will see two-door coupes as well as turbocharged four and six cylinder-engined vehicles become eligible to enter the competition.

journal

6 SUMMER 2016

interview

5 Minutes with Billy the Kid We caught up with Melbourne Storm star, Billy Slater, at the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines launch to chat about his debut at the 2016 tournament. We asked what the man who many would call the game’s ‘greatest ever fullback’ will bring to ‘the greatest weekend’. TEXT & PHOTO: GREG HO

Q: Before we get down to the nitty gritty, how is the shoulder injury? A: Yeah the shoulder’s going well. I’ve had the sling off for a couple of weeks now so, I’m into my rehabilitation, getting physio a few times a week. Hopefully I’ll be training in a couple of weeks so everything’s on track. Q: So you’ll be ok for your Auckland Nines debut? A: Yeah, I’ll be fine for the Auckland Nines. I haven’t played in the Auckland Nines in the last couple of years so I’m excited about it. It’ll be my first time at the Auckland Nines - I hear so many good things about it. Players come back saying it’s a great weekend so I’m looking forward to getting over there and being involved in it. Q: It’s a very different playing style, how do you think it’s going to suit you? A: Yeah look, I think the playing style of the Auckland Nines is something that’s exciting. You get a lot more space than you normally would in an NRL game, but you still have your defensive structures, there’s still enough players on the field to really set up a defence. I’m excited about the tactical side of things but also about the ad lib footy that it’s going to present as well.

Q: W hat is it that makes the Auckland Nines such a great event for the fans? A: I think the Auckland Nines is a great event for the fans because it’s exciting, number 1. You get out there, the fans seem like they’re having a great time, they dress up. You get to see every single team in the NRL at the one place over two days. It’s such a carnival atmosphere, you get to interact with the players, there’s nothing else like it. Q: W ill we be seeing you down at the Fanzone on the Friday? A: Yeah, I’ll be at the Fanzone like all the other players. You know that’s what makes it great about the Auckland Nines is you get out into the community and fans interact with the players. That relationship with the community is great! Q: W ith you in the team next year, do you think we’ll see the Storm in the finals? A: H aha, hopefully we’ll see the Storm in the finals! I’m not gonna say that I’m going to make the difference but I’ll be doing my best when I get out there. WATCH THE INTERVIEW ON SPORTSNET TV: sportsnetholidays.com/sportsnet-tv

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SUMMER 2016

Organising the Nines We caught up with the CEO of Duco Events, Martin Snedden, for a quick chat about what it takes to put together the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines and what’s new for 2016 Q: You were involved in organising Rugby World Cup 2011 and the ICC World Cup. How does organising an event like the Auckland Nines compare? A: Every time you get involved in delivering a major event, it’s so much fun because you’re working with real quality both on and off the field. The Rugby World Cup was a fantastic memory and New Zealand did a fantastic job of delivering it in 2011. So it’s great to get into the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines and get my teeth into a great brand, terrific teams, a whole bunch of stars; putting them all together over a two day period in a great stadium and just allowing the beauty of rugby league to shine. And also the fun in the stadium. People are there to not only enjoy the league but to have a great time and enjoy the experience and it’s our job to make sure they do have a great experience. Q: You took over the reins of the Auckland Nines in 2015. What changes can we expect to see in 2016? A: Well, there were a few things that happened in 2015, the Cricket World Cup was happening in Eden Park just a few weeks later and we had some restrictions. This year, for 2016, we’ve got the teams back on the field warming up. I think not only the fun of what’s happening on the field with the games but actually having the teams that are playing next, out there in front of the stands warming up - that was a real feature of the 2014 event. So that’ll be back for 2016! We’re also making sure that we keep evolving how we engage with fans in the stadium. Just the sort of competitions you run during the day for people in the stands; the use of the big screen to have fun with. All of it’s about not just having people in the stadium watching what’s happening on the grass but actually being an active part of it. That’s what we really want is fully engaged fans.

Q: The Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines takes place in February, but when does preparation start? A: Oh, preparations start the moment that the previous one finishes really. We spent 3 months probably, after the 2015 Nines just talking to all sorts of people, trying to get a real feel for how they thought that it went. To listen to the good points and the points that need improving on and making those changes. Then the preparations for 2016 got into swing in June. Now we’re out there, we’re selling tickets, we’re selling packages. We’re desperately keen to get as many Aussies across the ditch as we can, supporting not just their own team but all of the other teams that are there too. It’s all go, and it’ll be really intensive leading into the tournament in a few weeks time. Q: So new for 2016 is the option for Aussies to cruise over the ditch to the Auckland Nines. A: Oh, well that’s going to be a bit of fun too. P&O are on-board working with Sportsnet to put together packages, so if you’re sitting there in Sydney or nearby, you decide you want a bit of a holiday first. Four days on a boat going across the Tasman, land in the city of Auckland on the Thursday. Hit Nines fever and from that moment on, for the next four days, just sink into rugby league heaven really and just love the experience inside the stadium and outside. Q: So who’s your insider tip to take out the Dick Smith NRL Auckland Nines in 2016? A: Well, you know, I’m a Kiwi and my heart’s with the Warriors so I’d love to see them shine! But I really love seeing the stars of the game who turn out in each of the teams and we saw it last year with that fantastic Souths team and Adam Reynolds sort of taking control of

T O U R

PROFILE

Date of birth: 23/11/1958 Place of Birth: Mount Eden, Auckland Career Highlights: Professional Cricketer New Zealand (1980 - 1990) Test Caps: 25 Test Runs: 327 Test Wickets: 58

JOIN THE

D E

•C EO

New Zealand Cricket (2001 - 2007) • CEO Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (2007- 2011) • Director International Cricket Council (2014 - current) • CEO Duco Events (2014 - current)

the tournament really. There was the really hard-fought final with the Sharks and at full-time, the scores were equal and they battled away just to get that break to win the tournament. Then for 2016, the thought of Billy Slater appearing for the first time. Man, that will be fantastic! Plus Shaun Johnson on the comeback trail. The Nines is set up for not only really skillful play and good defence, but it just gives a little bit of space for those little guys with that extra special appeal to shine, so I can’t wait to see Billy out there!

F R A N C E

W I T H AU S S I E CYC L I N G L EG E N D

PHIL ANDERSON

SPORTSNETHOLIDAYS.COM

journal

8 SUMMER 2016

History of the

Australian Open As modes of transport developed and improved, players both domestic and international attended the championship in greater numbers. In 1946, the first U.S. Davis Cup players arrived by aircraft. The tournament and Australia’s reputation for producing high level players continued to grow and by the 1960’s, Australia dominated the world forum of tennis, with the majority of top class players being Australian.

First held in 1905, the tournament was then known as ‘The Australasian Championships’ and was played Warehouseman’s Cricket Ground in Melbourne (now known as the ‘Albert Reserve Tennis Centre’) as an amateur championship. The tournament was originally played on grass courts and was managed by the ‘Lawn Tennis Association of Australia’ (LTAA) who would later become ‘Tennis Australia’.

In 1969, the Australian Championships became the Australian Open and in doing so, opened entry to professional players for the first time. The tournament was held at Milton’s grass courts in Brisbane and was won by Rod Laver in the men’s competition and by Margaret Smith Court in the women’s. The winner’s received $5,000 and $1,500 respectively in prize money.

The tournament was hosted in various cities between Australia and New Zealand including: Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Christchurch and Hastings. The dates that the Australasian Championships were played fluctuated regularly. Some years the championships would be played in January, some years March. In 1923, the tournament was hosted by Brisbane and was held in August. From 1924 to 1977 however, the tournament was played in January. In its infancy, the Australasian Championships struggled to attract players to compete as it was competing with other Australasian competitions. At the time, New Zealand and each Australian state had its own championship. In addition, the remoteness of Australia and New Zealand, even between states made travel a daunting task and many international players in particular never played the Championships. By the 1920’s however, the Australiasian Championships was attracting greater numbers of international players and in 1923, the International Lawn Tennis Federation designated the tournament as being a major championship from the following year. Three years later, in 1927, the tournament’s name was changed to the ‘Australian Championships’.

In 1972, it was decided that the Australian Open would permanently be hosted by Melbourne as it attracted the biggest patronage of any Australian city. The ‘Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club’ became the home of the Australian Open that year and the tournament continued to be held there until 1988. 1977 was the year that saw two Australian Opens played; one in January and the other in December. The decision to hold two Australian Opens in the one year came after Australian Open organisers moved the date of the Grand Slam to December in an attempt to appease competitors who were unhappy with the tournament being so soon after the Christmas break. The Australian Open continued to be played in December until 1987 when it was moved back to January. As a result, no Australian Open was played in 1986. By 1983, the tournament had grown so much in popularity that the International Tennis Federation instructed the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia to change the site of the championship as Kooyong was no longer suitable to service such a big event. Five years later, in 1988, The Australian Open debuted at it’s new home, Flinders Park (later renamed Melbourne Park). The change of venue brought with it another change. The court surface would no longer be grass. Instead, a new hardcourt surface called Rebound Ace would be used. The new site, featuring the brand new National Tennis Centre

also meant that the Australian Open would become the first Grand Slam to feature an arena with a retractable roof. By 1993, attendance numbers at the Australian Open had reached 332,926 and were continuing to grow. As a result of the growing attendance figures, Flinders Park received a facilities upgrade in 1996 to the tune of $23 million. The upgrade effectively doubled the size of the park and included two new show courts and the addition of Garden Square. Two years later, Flinders Park was renamed ‘Melbourne Park’. Another two years later and the event organisers marked the turn of the century by naming Melbourne Park’s centre court after Australian tennis great, Rod Laver. In the same year, to cope with the continuing growth in attendance numbers, a new stadium court was built (also featuring a retractable roof) and in July, 2000, Vodaphone Arena was opened. In 2001, for the first time, the Australian Open offered equal prize money for both males and females to demonstrate a move towards gender and sporting equality. With Vodaphone Arena open, fan attendance numbers were able to grow to a new record figure of 543,834. In 2003, Show Court One was renamed ‘Margaret Court Arena’ in honour of the great Australian women’s player who won more Grand Slam titles than any other player in history. In 2008, after 20 years, the Rebound Ace surface was replaced by the famous blue Plexicushion surface we see today. In the same year, New South Wales made a bid to host the Australian Open from 2016. In response, Victoria announced a commitment of $363 million to put towards renovations and further development of the Melbourne Park complex. Amongst other improvements, the plan included the addition of a retractable roof to Margaret Court Arena. This would mean that the Australian Open would feature a record, 3 arenas with retractable roofs. This meant that if necessary, the entire Australian Open could be played indoors. The upgrades also included upgrades to Rod Laver Arena and the addition of 8 new indoor courts and 13 outdoor courts. In 2015, the refurbished Margaret Court Arena was unveiled, complete with retractable roof. Record crowds flocked to Melbourne Park with 703,899 fans pouring through the gates. Prize money also hit a new record in 2015 with the prize pool reaching a staggering $40 million. FOR MORE SPORTS STORIES: blog.sportsnetholidays.com

PHOTO: © WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN IS AUSTRALIA’S biggest tennis tournament and is one of the world’s most renowned. Played in January each year, it is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events and represents major season opener. While the Australian Open has maintained its namesake since 1969, it’s roots stretch back to the beginning of the century.

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SUMMER 2016

1905 Australasian Championships established at Warehouseman’s Cricket Club, Melbourne, Australia

1911 Norman Brookes claims first Singles title

1922 Inaugural year for women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles

1924 Australasian Championships are designated as a major championship by ILTF

1925 Daphne Akhurst Cozens wins her first Women’s Singles title

1926 Norman Brookes becomes first president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia.

1927 Tournament is renamed ‘Australian Championships’ and is played at Kooyong for first time

1969 Australian Championships change name to ‘Australian Open’. Rod Laver becomes first Australian Open Men’s Singles Champion. Margaret Court becomes first Australian Open Women’s Singles Champion

1972 Melbourne and Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club become the home of the tournament

1974 Evonne Goolagong Cawley becomes first indigenous Australian to win an Australian Open Singles title

1976 Mark Edmondson becomes the last Australian (to date) to win the Men’s Singles title.

1977 Two Australian Opens played in one year due to change of date from January to December

1988 Australian Open is moved to Flinders Park (Now known as Melbourne Park) and play surface is changed from grass to Rebound Ace

1997 Martina Hingis becomes youngest player to win Singles title (16 years & 4 months)

NORMAN BROOKES PROFILE Date of birth: 14/11/1877 Lives in: St Kilda, Victoria Height: 1.80 m Played: Left Handed Nickname: The Wizard Grand Slam Singles titles: 2 Grand Slam Doubles titles: 4 Davis Cup titles: 6 Highest ranking: 1 After Tennis: President of the LTAA (Tennis Australia) 1926 - 1955 Honours: • Knighted in 1939 • Australian Open men’s singles trophy named after him • Inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1977

1998 Flinders Park is renamed ‘Melbourne Park’

2001 Equal prize money offered for both Men’s and Women’s Singles Champions

2008 Rebound Ace surface is replaced by famous blue Plexicushion surface

2015 Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams both set new records for most Australian Open Singles titles won. Record attendance figures exceed 700,000 for first time in history

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10 SUMMER 2016

fast facts 49

4,763

NATIONS REPRESENTED

RACQUETS

OFFICIAL TOUR OPERATOR

57km+

OF STRING USED TO RESTRING

703,899

FANS ATTENDED IN 2015

13,000,000+

14,000+

AUSTRALIANS REACHED VIA THE DOMESTIC TELEVISION BROADCAST DURING THE TOURNAMENT

HOURS OF TOTAL COVERAGE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE BEEN AIRED AROUND THE WORLD

650+

JOURNALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS

704

PLAYERS ACROSS ALL AUSTRALIAN OPEN EVENTS

256

PLAYERS IN MAIN DRAW SINGLES TOURNAMENTS

2,708,837

25,288,767,438,848

SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS

380

BALLKIDS

BYTES OF INTERNET TRAFFIC

8,412 staff,

1,200,000+

CONTRACTORS AND VOLUNTEERS

40 shots

LONGEST RALLY IN 2015

360

CHAIR UMPIRES, LINES-PERSONS AND HAWK-EYE REVIEWERS

6,200,000+

VIDEO ON DEMAND PLAYS

USERS OF AUS OPEN MOBILE APP

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SUMMER 2016

events Bathurst 1000 As the race leaders took the opportunity to pit during the safety car, Jamie Whincup ignored team orders SUPERCHEAP AUTO BATHURST 1000 6 - 9 Oct, 2016 Bathurst, Australia

HIDDEN AWAY IN BATHURST, in inland New South Wales sits the most iconic circuit in Australian racing. Mount Panorama’s racing history stretches back almost 80 years. It has played host to a variety of races including the Australian Grand Prix, The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, the Bathurst 12 Hour and of course, the Great Race, the Bathurst 1000. The 2015 edition of the Great Race would mark the end of an era as Ford is set to pull its factory backing from the V8 Supercars Championship at the end of the season.

This year, over 200,000 V8 Supercars fans descended on the town of Bathurst which, on any other weekend, boasts a population of around 33,000 people. The town’s hotels and those of the surrounding towns were booked out months ago. Cities of tents sprung up around the circuit as well as in Bathurst itself, as the town’s new residents settle in for Australia’s most iconic race. Of course, the first big piece of news for the weekend was that last year’s winner and pole favourite, Chaz Mostert, had suffered a bad crash during a practice session on Friday. Mostert clipped the inside wall coming into Forrest’s Elbow which sent him bouncing off the outside and inside walls. His Ford’s nose was lifted over the wall, taking out a trackside official’s stand, leaving three officials injured and Mostert himself with season ending breaks to his leg and wrist. On to race day and a wet Top 10 Shootout had put David Reynolds and Dean Canto into pole position. Mixed weather conditions meant that a lot of team strategy came into play with Jamie Whincup initially taking a big advantage by switching to wet tyres early and pulling out a 35 second lead. However, as the track dried, it was Winterbottom and Reynolds who switched back to slicks early and ate away at Whincup’s lead.

Late in the race, it was Scott Pye’s crash and the ensuing safety car that ultimately set the stage for the dramatic close to the race. As the race leaders took the opportunity to pit during the safety car, Jamie Whincup ignored team orders and stayed on the circuit to avoid queuing up behind his team-mate, Lowndes, in the pits. This move looked to put the Red Bull team in 1-2 until Whincup passed the safety car and was handed a drive-through penalty once the race restarted. Craig Lowndes was left to lead the race, while Coulthard and Reynolds battled for 2nd place. Eventually though, both cars ran wide, allowing Mark Winterbottom to slip into 2nd place. The podium was rounded out by Garth Tander after he made up multiple places in a spectacular piece of driving. So Bathurst was wrapped up for another year with fan favourite, ‘Lowndsey’ claiming his sixth Bathurst crown. He joins Larry Perkins and Mark Skaife as the equal third most successful driver at Bathurst after Jim Richards and Peter Brock. Of course, Bathurst in 2016 promises to be massive as it will be the final year that we see the Great Race run exclusively by V8’s! Already, we can’t wait to make the pilgrimage back to The Mountain!

what’s on now! Brisbane International

The Brisbane International is Australia’s first tennis tournament of the year. For many years it has been the traditional Australian Open warm-up tournament for many top seeded players. The tournament is held on outdoor hard courts at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane. The Brisbane International’s roots trace back to the early 1970’s and the Grand Prix tennis circuit and was originally played in Adelaide (as the Australian Open was being played in Brisbane).

World Rugby HSBC Sydney Sevens

It wasn’t until 2009 that the tournament changed location to Brisbane and the newly completed facilities it now calls home. In 2014, Lleyton Hewitt famously defeated Roger Federer in the men’s final to claim his record 3rd Brisbane International title. BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL 2 - 10 Jan 2016 Brisbane, Australia

Sydney will become the fourth Australian city to have hosted a leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series when the tournament makes its debut at Allianz Stadium in February 2016. Rugby Sevens is a variant of rugby union featuring teams made up of seven players per side rather than the traditional fifteen. Matches are held on the same size field as standard rugby union and feature

Super Bowl 50

It is regarded by many as the greatest annual sporting spectacle on the planet! The Super Bowl marks the end of the NFL season and sees the top team from the National Football Conference face off against the top team from the American Football Conference to decide the nation’s greatest team. To date, the National Football Conference lead the American Football Conference 26-23 in Super Bowl victories.

SUPER BOWL 50 7 Feb 2016, San Fransisco, US

WORLD RUGBY HSBC SYDNEY SEVENS 6 - 7 Feb 2016 Sydney, Australia

seven minute halves rather than forty. As a result, play is generally much more open and fast-paced, with tries being scored much more frequently. The Sydney Sevens will feature fifteen nations competing over two action packed days for top honours and crucial points in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

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12 SUMMER 2016

destination

Malaysia One of South East Asia’s favourite holiday destinations, Malaysia is a country where ‘something for everyone’ is more of a daily itinerary than a promise!

KUALA LUMPUR

sports packages

KL CITY GP

WITH CULTURE, CUISINE, JUNGLES, beaches and accommodation to suit every budget, and with Festivals happening across the country throughout the year, you can be sure that whatever time you visit Malaysia, there will be plenty on offer! Packed with attractions, experiences and activities to meet every traveller’s needs, it is truly the ideal holiday destination. From its picturesque white sandy beaches, UNESCO World Heritage sites, national parks, eclectic cities, adventure activities and rainforests abundant with nature, it is a bubbling melting pot of cultures, ethnicities and religions. Throw friendly and welcoming people into the mix, along with some of the best cuisine on the planet, and the Malaysian experience is hard to beat. If your ideal getaway involves exploring the jungle like Tarzan and Jane, or extending your deep love for sports while seeing the world, then you have even more reason to hop on over to Malaysia! Here are our top three picks that will thrill even the most seasoned travellers and sport fans…

SHELL MALAYSIA MOTORCYCLE GRAND PRIX

PETRONAS F1® MALAYSIAN GRAND PRIX Designed by Hermann Tilke who is responsible for some of the most well-known Formula One circuits, Sepang is one of the most technical circuits in world racing. The combination of long high-speed straights, and tight twisting corners make the track very complicated, but also perfect for overtaking as the track itself is very wide. The drivers love it, and along with Malaysia’s distinct atmosphere, it makes for an experience unique in Formula One. Book your ticket and see the action in person!

Specifically built for speed and exciting racing, the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia is one of the world’s best. The 2,300 acre complex which also houses a hotel, shopping centre, golf course and other sports facilities cost over $100 million to construct and was built in just 14 months, holding its first Grand Prix in April 1999 and setting the standard for race circuits worldwide. With four slow corners following two long straights and ten medium to high-speed corners, the wide track is particularly favourable to overtaking manoeuvres and plenty of open throttle! One of the longest laps in MotoGP is made all the more gruelling for riders by intense heat and humidity.

A full field of V8 Supercars will head to Malaysia in 2016 for a Championship event after a successful demonstration this year. The KL City Grand Prix will be staged from August 12-14 and becomes the 15th event on the 2016 V8 Supercars Championship calendar, running in addition to the current local rounds and the non-championship Formula One Australian Grand Prix. The street circuit weaves through the Malaysian city centre with the stunning backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers, and was described as ‘crazy but awesome’ by many of the big name drivers. The V8 Supercars were met with enthusiasm by locals earlier this year with a crowd of over 200,000 at the inaugural event. Approximately 10,000 Australian fans are expected to travel to the 2016 event. Will you be one of them?

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPORTS PACKAGES, PLEASE VISIT: sportsnetholidays.com

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SUMMER 2016

Isle of Man TT: Cameron Donald “...it’s a make or break year for Norton to get that bike up into the top 10 where it needs to be for the whole project to be taken seriously.” TEXT: GREG HO

PHOTO: PETER LAMONT

Q: What have you been up to since we saw you at the the 2015 Isle of Man TT? A: I was very excited about going over and doing the Classic TT this year. As much as it’s fun, it gives me some more circuit familiarisation and track time. But in my first big win in a while in Malaysia the other week, I crashed in race two. Broke a bone and did some tendon damage in one of my hands. So I had to sit the Classic TT out because I want to get myself right and start building now for TT 2016. It’s going to be a big year for me ‘cause it’s my third year with Norton and it’s a make or break year for Norton to get that bike up into the top 10 where it needs to be for the whole project to be taken seriously. So that’s a huge thing in itself and it’s a big thing for me to be able to pilot the bike to that position. So I’ve been training extremely hard since the return from TT 2015, doing a lot of racing. More racing than the last couple of years in Asia and other series to build my bike speed up. All in the plan of 2016 getting back to where we need to be and to where Norton need to be. Q: Aside from your own results, what were your thoughts about this year’s TT? A: Looking back at the Senior (TT) in 2015. Looking at Hutchy back from injury and looks like he was on a roll, winning. John (McGuiness) having a hell of a TT, doing terribly. Then in the Senior, it all turning around. No-one saw that coming! John to win the Senior again, with an outright lap record! Five, six riders breaking 132mph! One of the greatest Seniors in history! The TT over the last few years, it just seems to build and build. Every year you go there, no matter who’s showing form on the cards, it turns around in the races to results. And now we’ve got another Aussie, Dave Johnson, who did a brilliant lap too. Of course I want to be the leading Aussie, because I’m competitive, but it’s great to see other Aussies up there showing their face and I think that’s fantastic! It’s good for the spectators coming from Australia that they’ve got another rider to follow. Of course, our Kiwi spectators coming out have got Bruce (Anstey) who’s getting older every year, his beard’s getting longer and greyer, and he’s just getting faster.

PROFILE

Date of birth: 28/09/1977 Lives in: Melbourne, Australia Team: Norton Bike (2015): SG4 Racing Number (2015): 19 TT Debut: 2005 TT Wins: 2 TT Podiums: 10

Q: At this stage, have you given much thought about the 2016 Isle of Man TT? A: So TT 2016’s going to be interesting. There’s still a bit of time between now and then. It’s going to be interesting to see who changes teams and brands of bikes and how that works for the riders but it’s definitely shaping up to be another cracker. All I can worry about is what I’m doing. So that’s train my arse off, prepare, do a lot of racing on competitive machinery in other places in the world like Asia, and build myself up. Hopefully Norton can get that bike working the way it needs to to get a result but it’s exciting times. Q: Are you in communication with Norton regularly? A: Yeah, I’m talking to Norton regularly. Part of my plan for the Classic TT was to test new chassis’ and electronics. That’s running late, which is racing - everything runs late. But I think what’s crucial for Norton is that we test a new chassis and a new platform this year. Because if it waits until next

year, time will get away. We need to test something to get a lot of data for Norton to work on in the Winter, so I’m talking to Norton weekly and I’ll be heading back to the UK or Europe to test in the coming months. So that’ll be exciting and I look forward to being able to share some footage of that, cos that’s going to be a big step to allow us to make those steps that we need to for next year. Q: Are you going to continue your campaign with Padgetts next year? A: At this stage, probably not. It’s great and it’s something that I think Clive (Padgett) would probably be happy to do again. But I myself, working with two high profile teams was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be as far as the focus on Norton allowing me to give the time that I need to be competitive with Padgetts. I still need to ride another race class and Norton have got an idea of putting together a stock bike and me actually riding another brand of bike under their banner to get that track time. That’s going to be another interesting thing to see how that develops as well.

Q: Teams to watch for next year? A: Like always it’ll be Honda. I mean, they’re the winning team with John and Connor (Cummins) on-board. Will they have them on for 2016? Some say contracts are already in place. We won’t know ‘til they make the announcement. And as we’ve seen with Michael Dunlop walking out of Yamaha after the first couple of nights of practice, you don’t really know what someone’s going to race until they line up on the start grid. Road racing can be pretty unprofessional at times with riders jumping ship and that’s why we love it! Because it’s different, you know, it’s no Formula 1 or MotoGP. So teams to watch, we’ve got Hutchy showing huge form, coming back on the Kawasaki. Will he stay there? BMW with the full factory backing now with Guy Martin and William Dunlop which, unfortunately didn’t turn out to much. William crashed and got injured. Michael (Dunlop) crashed and got injured. Guy Martin didn’t deliver yet again! So, you know, some things never change. Even when riders do change brands of bikes, what’s going to happen next year, who knows? Q: What do you think will be on the cards for the functions that Sportsnet will run in 2016? A: It was a surprise for our guests this year, but for me to be able to go and have a chat to a couple of mates like Bruce (Anstey), John (McGuiness) and Hutchy (Ian Hutchinson) and get them to come in and chat to our guests was pretty amazing. We ended up I think, getting five current TT winners at one panel. I actually don’t know of that being done anywhere ever! So that was something I’m quite proud of and I want to thank the boys for coming along to meet our guests, that was fantastic! Then we had some drinks after the Senior and that was really cool too. When the dust was settled, to be able to relax, have a beer or a bourbon and share some of the experiences of the guests this year. That was the biggest thing for me; not just to talk about my TT, but for people to say “we watched here”, “we met him”, or “we saw this bike do that” - that was really, really neat. That was cool. So hopefully we can do more of that and really interact with the people on the tours. There’s also the bus tours, which is fantastic for me to be able to take guests on a lap of the course and really explain what I’m doing on the bike, on the track they were standing on that day, or will be standing on later that afternoon to watch the practice or races. ATCH THE W INTERVIEW ON SPORTSNET TV: sportsnetholidays.com/ sportsnet-tv

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14 SUMMER 2016

Melbourne Cup Carnival THE 2015 SPORTSNET CUP DAY GALA BREAKFAST AT THE PALLADIUM AT CROWN WAS OUR MOST SPECTACULAR YET! Our guests were able to have their hair and makeup done in the NAK Pamper Palace before having their photo taken with the official replica Melbourne Cup. Entertainment was provided throughout the morning and included special guest performances from Cosentino - The Grand Illusionist and pop music icon, Daryl Braithwaite!

Sportsnet Cup Day Gala Breakfast

Oaks Day Champagne Brunch THIS YEAR, WE PREMIERED OUR LATEST MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL EVENT, THE OAKS DAY CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH!

Sponsored by Myer and Estee Lauder and held in the stunning, Myer Mural Hall, our guests were kept entertained by Champagne Ambassador, ‘The Champagne Dame’ and a very special performance from iconic songstress, Kate Ceberano. All the while, sipping on Monthuys Pere et Fils Brut French Champagne as well as a selection of wines proudly supplied by Grays Wine.

www.tropicaisland.com | sales@tropicaisland.com

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SUMMER 2016

calendar

TO ACCESS COMPLETE SPORTS CALENDAR, PLEASE VISIT: sportsnetholidays.com

1, 3 & 4

2. NASCAR Daytona 500

It’s the “Superbowl of Stock Car Racing”! The Daytona 500 is widely regarded as the most prestigious and important race in NASCAR. The ‘Great American Race’ is one of the most watched races on the planet with 20 million viewers tuning in to see 43 900hp Stock Cars compete over 500 miles for the coveted, Harley J. Earl Trophy.

18/01

MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/ events/motorsport/daytona-500/

21/02

1. Australian Open 2016

It’s the first major tennis tournament of the year and is a favourite for many players. For two weeks during Summer there is no better place on Earth than courtside at the world-famous Melbourne Park, to share in all the action and exhilaration of Grand Slam® tennis! MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/events/ tennis/australian-open-packages/

03/03

3. Clipsal 500 Adelaide 2016

It’s been described as “the best touring car event in the world”, and with good reason! The Clipsal 500 Adelaide is four days of roaring V8 Supercars action! With nightly concerts, air displays and fireworks, you’re guaranteed a weekend of excitement and entertainment. Australia’s largest domestic motorsport event, the Clipsal 500 draws massive crowds in excess of 270,000 every year! MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/events/v8-supercars/clipsal-500-adelaide/

28/05

6. 2016 Isle of Man TT

17/03 4. Formula 1® Australian

Grand Prix 2016

The opener to the world’s premiere race series is in our own backyard! The Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix held at the beautiful Albert Park Circuit against a Melbourne CBD backdrop is arguably the most popular racing event on the Australian motorsport calendar! MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/events/ formula-one/australian-grand-prix/

04/04 5. 2016 US Masters

Scheduled for the first full week of April, the Masters Golf Tournament (otherwise known as the US Masters) is the first of the four majors to be played each year. Unlike the other major championships, the US Masters is held each year at the same location, Augusta National Golf Club. MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/events/golf/us-masters/

SPORTSNET ARE PROUD TO BE OFFICIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH:

With a racing history stretching back over 100 years, the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) is regarded as the oldest, most dangerous and most prestigious motorcycle race in the world. The event features some of the world’s bravest riders hurtling around the 60.7km circuit at an average speed of over 210km/h with top speeds in excess of 320km/h! MORE INFO: sportsnetholidays.com/events/motorsport/isle-of-man-tt/

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16 SUMMER 2016

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