The Racing Magazine Australia - Issue 28, March 2016 by The Racing Magazine

T H E

M A G A Z I N E

NUMBER 93 - APRIL 2016

A U S T R A L I A

WELCOME TO 2016!

the masters return Australian GT Trophy hits Shannons Shores

V8TC: THE NEXT GENERATION fuelling the championship

thenationals.com.au

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WELCOME TO 2016!

By Cameron McConville

On behalf of the board and executive of CAMS, welcome to the first round of the Shannon’s Motor Racing Nationals for 2016! Since its inception back in 2006, the CNRC (CAMS National’s Racing Championships) has gone from strength to strength under the Directorship of Rob Kirkpatrick and his small but dedicated team. As Rob steps back and hands over the reins, I can assure you that all of the great value, professionalism, excellent TV exposure and family friendly motor racing will continue. Whilst we are focused on the Sandown Round, there are plenty of new additions to the calendar for 2016. A brand new racing series launches with us in the GT Trophy class, which has been created. Created mostly due to the current success of Australian GT. The series caters for slightly older, but still blindingly quick, GT machinery and will run at five rounds including this weekend. It’s hard to not touch on the Australian GT Championship and both the Sprint and Endurance versions will join us in late May down at the Island for another massive weekend of sports car racing. Our goal this year is not to re-invent the wheel, just add even better value for our teams, drivers and spectators. So, keeping this in mind, we are delighted to welcome back Touring Car Masters to the Sandown event. The very popular muscle cars of the

‘60s and ‘70s will also have their own special paddock so make sure you check out the paddock map and see some of the legends of Australian Motorsport, including John Bowe and Jim Richards. Maintaining the open-wheel ‘feel’ of the Nationals this weekend is both Formula 3 and Formula Ford and the spectacular looking and sounding Sports Racers. We also welcome back two of the longest standing support categories of the Nationals, Kumho V8 Touring Cars and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, and if it is anything like last year the racing will be on in both classes. They are quickly becoming driver development categories in addition to great cost-effective racing. Additionally make sure you keep an eye on the loud and quick Sports Sedans as they join the program for another big year with some classic V8-powered racing. Finally, as you wander through the paddock please enjoy the latest products from Jayco and Sun Liner motorhomes and also the Shannons’ Big Rig parked within the TCM paddock. Shannons have been an amazing long-time supporter of motor sport and we are delighted to work with them again this year in what promises to be seven rounds of fantastic motor racingsport. Enjoy the Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Series for 2016!

in this issue 4 The Masters Return 7 Australian GT Trophy hits Shannons Shores 8 V8TC - The Next Generation 10 Race Fuels - Fuelling the Championships 12 Category Entry Lists 22 Weekend Schedule 24 Staff and Volunteer Thanks 24 Lap Records 25 TV Schedule

Publisher: Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Editor: Loren Hazelwood Graphic Designer: Bill Sgubin Photographer: Nathan Wong Contributors: Richard Craill, Mat Coch & Amanda Jackson Production: Skoop Printing Feedback Email: communications@ cams.com.au Advertising: If you would like to advertise please contact graham.sattler@cams.com.au

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the masters return WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: Dirk Klynsmith / Touring Car Masters “WHAT THESE cars are about,” John Bowe told his 30,000 closest friends via his Facebook fan page during the Clipsal 500 last month, ‘Is not about growing drivers’ egos, but entertaining folks who loved the era.” And in a nutshell the double Bathurst winner and 1995 Australian Touring Car Champion summed up why people go racing in the Touring Car Masters and why so many love watching it. Another post on the same page a day earlier showcased a group discussion between five drivers that any racing fan in Australia would kill to be part of – John Bowe, Jim Richards, Glenn Seton, Greg Ritter and Steven Johnson standing around and chewing the fat before hitting the track. Bowe’s social media encapsulates a series that tries to offer a window back to a time where racing was more about the camaraderie and the driving than it was digital numbers and TV ratings. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out why the Touring Car Masters garners such avid support from legends of the sport and fans alike. The huge variety of cars involved are fast, loud, spectacular to watch and driven hard. The mix of drivers – champions and part-timers doing it for the love alike – keeps the competition deep through the field. It’s open, accessible and fan friendly. You’d have to search a long way to find a pit wall or PR person keeping Jim Richards away from his seemingly ever growing legion of fans – those both old and new.

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The gradual evolution of the rules in TCM along with a desire by management to keep the focus off winning championships and more about winning fans and new competitors alike climaxed at the Clipsal 500 in March with a mouthwatering field of drivers and cars. At the pointy end was, of course, Jim Richards in his stunning AMC Javelin – a car that doesn’t look like it should go as fast as it does. Bowe was there, now Holden Torana based much to the consternation of his long-time army of Ford supporting fans. New to the series, Greg Ritter hustled the six-litre Chevy Monza at the front of the field and drove it with all the aplomb and verve that you’d expect. Steven Johnson painted his borrowed Ford Mustang in the same livery as the legendary Ian ‘Pete’ Geoghegan ‘Super Falcon’ from the 1970’s, whacked a ‘Greens-Tuff’ logo on the side and won over just about any Ford fan there ever was. And those same fans then cheered for Glenn Seton when his Mustang out qualified Bowe’s Torana by 0.06s in qualifying earlier in the week. Then there was Andrew Miedecke’s Camaro, Jason Gomersall’s Torana, Andy Fisher’s Falcon and even an incredible Ford Capri Perana – V8 engine and all – mixed in with the Holden Monaro’s and Porsche 911s that are also a category staple. “Having legends like Richards and Bowe on the grid is great,” one younger fan told this author in the Clipsal paddock. “But I like the cars and how you can see them actually driving them. The cars slide around and even if it’s not a great race it

never feels like a procession.” Founded in 2007, TCM set out to offer Historic Touring Car Racing at a national level, without the usual pitfalls of Group N competition – i.e. reliability of old parts and a lack of commercial input to fund it – getting in the way. Over the years the series has evolved and grown into something that could be more classified as a ‘heritage’ category, rather than one confirming to historic regulations. These loosening of the otherwise rigid historic rules allow for cars that not only perform better, but are significantly safer and more reliable than their period counterparts. 2016 will see more of the same. For the first time in several seasons the category returns to the Shannons Nationals tour for two rounds – one each at historic Victorian venues, Sandown Raceway and Phillip Island. As well as being a long-time partner of the Nationals, Shannons has been a key supporter of TCM for a majority of its existence – not to mention their longstanding relationship with Jim Richards. So the Touring Car Masters tick a lot of boxes for a lot of people. Great cars, profile drivers, great racing and a decidedly old-school, non-digital approach to going car racing … and when they hit the track make sure you’re like JB: Save your Facebook posts for after the race and enjoy the proper, old-school touring car competition that is the Touring Car Masters.

“The huge variety of cars involved are fast, loud, spectacular to watch and driven hard.”

power circuit SANDOWN is dubbed the ‘Home of Horsepower’ and its two long straights make that title pretty apt. And while the TCM field is filled with cars offering plenty of ponies under the bonnets, everyone will keep one eye over their shoulder this weekend for Eddie Abelnica and his bright red, Melbourne’s Cheapest Cars XB Falcon. While we don’t know for sure if it’s got more grunt than any other car in the field or not, the fact it was clocked at 290km/hr at Bathurst last year (only 6km/hr down on the fastest V8 Supercar) makes it the fastest in the field. And at the home of horsepower that kind of straight line motivation is just the ticket.

richo is king IF HE weren’t as modest as he is, Jim Richards could argue that he’s the current king of Sandown. As well as winning the iconic Sandown 500 enduro twice – in 1985 and 1989 – he’s also dominated TCM racing at the venue. In eight rounds there, Richards has started 24 races, won eight of them and scored an incredible 19 podium finishes. He’s also scored three pole positions. The Shannons driver winning a Shannonssponsored TCM round at the Shannons Nationals? Hard to bet against!

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Australian GT Trophy hits Shannons Shores WORDS: Mat Coch

The opening round of the 2016 season marks the dawning of a new era for the Shannons Nationals. Having gone from strength to strength in recent years, the coming season boasts the addition of a brand-new category in Australian motorsport, one that is built on the foundations of the fast-growing CAMS Australian GT Championship. New for 2016, the CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series adds depth to the burgeoning category, providing a second tier competition and a dedicated series for Trophy, Challenge and Sports class cars for the first time. Owned by Tony Quinn, the man behind the hugely successful Australian GT Championship, the series shares a lot in common with its older sibling. Global interest in sportscar racing has exploded in recent years, with the category enjoying incredible success both locally and internationally. From the twists and turns of the world’s most known circuits to the intimidating undulations of Bathurst, Australia’s most revered circuit, GT racing is now poised to join the Shannons Nationals throughout the 2016 season. Beginning this weekend at the historic Sandown Raceway, the CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series

will take to the circuit at Phillip Island, Sydney Motorsport Park and Queensland Raceway with the world’s most exotic racecars given a new lease of life as they battle it out of a brace of 50 minute races. Each race will share more than a passing resemblance to the CAMS Australian GT Championship, with each including a compulsory timed pitstop as a way to balance the field and generate an exciting race to the flag. While each car is carefully measured to provide an even playing field, they retain their own strengths and weaknesses, creating a nailbiting form of racing with each car making gains in different parts of the circuit. And with the cars so evenly balanced, the difference comes down to the driver, who often share the car with a co-driver – each doing half the race each. A Pro-Am category, Australian GT’s structure allows for amateur drivers to race wheel to wheel with their professional counterparts, with each having the same chance at victory. Drivers are graded based on their experience which provides a means to balance the drivers as carefully as the regulations balance the performance of the cars. The difference between the CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series and the

CAMS Australian GT Championship is therefore subtle. The style of racing and calibre of drivers remains unchanged, and its grids will be filled with automotive exotica from Ferrari, Porsche, Audi and more, only they’ll be one-generation old with a few racing miles on the clock. But if the differences between the two are subtle, the importance of the CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series is not. Not only does it provide a new home for some of the most beloved racing cars in the country but it provides a new opportunity for drivers and teams to enter GT racing, one without the initial costs of a brand-new GT3-spec machine. With Trophy, Challenge and Sports class cars all eligible the CAMS Australian GT Trophy will also enjoy even greater diversity with everything from GT3 to GT4 and even Invitational class cars eligible to compete. The CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series therefore adds an important new perspective to GT racing in Australia, strengthening one of Australia’s fastest growing category’s and providing new opportunities for drivers, teams and fans. With five rounds ahead of us, the inaugural CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series won’t just witness the crowning of an all-new Series champion, it makes the beginning of an all-new era.

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V8TC: THE NEXT GENERATION It will be a new-look Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Cars Series that takes to the track this year. WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: Nathan Wong / V8TC Archive In the first major wholesale model update in the categories’ history, the unofficial ‘third tier’ of V8 Supercar racing will see an exciting influx of new machinery this season with the Holden VE Commodore and Ford Falcon FG now eligible for the first time. The next generation of Kumho contenders comes following V8 Supercars allowing their ‘Car of the Future’ chassis into for the Dunlop V8 Supercars Development Series for the first time this year. Such is the sheer volume of cars that have been constructed since the preCOTF models were introduced to V8 Supercar racing (the VE Commodore in 2007 and FG Falcon in 2009), there is a surplus that will now be catered for by these cars being made eligible for the Kumho Series from 2016 onwards. The rules update this year marks the first major change for the Kumho Series since Ford’s BF Falcon and sequential gearboxes were allowed to race three seasons ago. Several competitors have taken the opportunity to either upgrade or make their first step into the series with the later-spec VE Commodore or FG Falcons. Jim Pollicina has confirmed the entry of two ex-Tasman Motorsport VE Holden’s, one of which was raced by the late Jason Richards and fourtime Bathurst winner Greg Murphy. Pollicina has been a longstanding

8 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

frontrunner in the Kumho Series with his ex-Tasman VZ Commodore and will steer one car while the driver of the second was yet to be confirmed as we went to press. Meanwhile, Bathurst local Michael Anderson has purchased an ex-Ford Performance Racing FG Falcon raced by Mark Winterbottom ahead of his Kumho Series debut this year. In another notable addition, V8 Supercars team Brad Jones Racing will make their debut in the category running a VEII that has served in both the main game and Development Series, making them the first team to commit to racing in all three tiers of V8 racing in Australia simultaneously. Category Manager Liam Curkpatrick says the time is right for the next evolution of the Kumho-supported V8 Touring Car class. “Our last evolution of the category came nearly three years ago with the introduction of the BF Falcon and sequential gearboxes, so it’s time for us to take the next step,” he says. “While we are allowing these later model cars into the class, it would be unwise to jump to the conclusion that the cars currently competing will be rendered uncompetitive next year. “A well-prepared, well-driven and well-run VZ Commodore or BF Falcon will still be a very competitive car.” The introduction of the later model Commodores and Falcons does not

change the current eligibility of other cars in the category with all previous models of V8 Supercars - VP, VR, VS, VT, VY and VZ Commodores and EB, EF, EL, AU, BA and BF Falcons – remaining eligible, offering fans the tantalising prospect of incredibly diverse fields catering for more than 20 years of Australian V8 Touring Car / Supercar competition. In addition to the new model influx, the category will also lift its engine rev limit to 7,500rpm for 2016, bringing it into line with the V8 Supercars Championship and the Development Series. The Kumho Series has used a 7000rpm rev limit since it was first introduced in 2008. The series, which commences its ninth year as part of the popular Shannons Nationals this season, has the blessing of V8 Supercars and has emerged as effectively a third-tier of V8 racing in Australia. As well as competing at a pair of high-profile Shannons Nationals rounds this year, the Kumho Series will also race alongside their V8 Supercar big brothers at Winton Raceway and Queensland Raceway, as well as a headlining slot at the annual Muscle Car Masters event at Sydney Motorsport Park to end the year. Keep your eyes trackside when the Kumho V8 Touring Cars hit the track: 2016 is going to be another fiercely competitive year!

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fuelling the championships It might not be a sexy subject, but one Aussie company is proudly making the racing wheels go around thanks to a fire for all things fuel. WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: RaceFuels Archive

“FUEL,” says Mark Tierney, a director of Melbourne-based motorsport staple Race Fuels, “Is not a sexy part of going motor racing.” And that’s probably the truth. Despite distributing the product that quite literally makes the internalcombustion wheels go round, it’s hard to get people excited about their racing fuels. You put it in the tank and it makes the car go: as a consumable, it doesn’t change the outcome of a race for a spectator in the same way, say, a soft tyre does when compared to a hard. To most, it’s just a useable commodity that costs more money the higher the Octane number is. Naturally Tierney, a long time racer who now helms a business that distributes nearly one million litres of fuel around every state in Australia per year, doesn’t share that opinion. Race Fuels was founded in 2003 and started distributing ELF racing fuels and products in Melbourne and Tasmania.

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“It started with me dropping a few drums down to Sandown or Phillip Island in the back of a BA Falcon Ute – we later added a box trailer – on Friday morning and then we were done for the weekend,” Tierney remembers. Today the business is the primary supplier of fuel to the V8 Supercars, Shannons Nationals, Australian GT, Bathurst’s 12 and 6 hour races and a host of other events. It makes for a busier schedule than days gone by. “Across the year we would be supplying product to several hundred people each weekend, and that’s before you take into account needing to deliver product to V8 Supercars and the Shannons Nationals. They all operate very professionally and expect a level of service that’s a bit more than dropping off the fuel drum and saying ‘seeya’. “The business is as much about providing that service and support to teams and drivers as it is actually

pumping fuel at race tracks.” The Race Fuels organisation is certainly larger than a Ford Ute and a trailer these days. An enormous B-Double transporter carries the fuel across the country with multiple staff on hand to ensure the product is properly and promptly distributed at each round. RaceFuels does not request pre-bookings, they believe it is their role to carry enough to cover all contingencies. “We have four types of fuel that we supply and we carry enough of each to make sure everyone that’s going to be at the race meeting is catered for, but we try to do more than that too,” Tierney explains. “At a lot of events like the Khumo V8 rounds, for instance, they’re only allowed to have 60 litres of fuel in the garage at a time so part of it is making sure that everyone is resupplied across the weekend. We go to them instead of them coming to us so that customer service side of things is very important.

“It’s a logistical challenge to say the least, the start of the year in particular. We’ve already been to the Bathurst 12 hour and Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, then back to Melbourne for the Grand Prix. Then it’s a quick turnaround to make sure we’re in Bathurst on the Thursday for the 6-hour and then we head back down to Sandown for the first Shannons Nationals event of 2016. “They all need fuel and in that month we’re supplying more than 1000 competitors directly. “We even go to the test days and spend a lot of time predicting who is testing where so we can plan our supply. It is not uncommon for RaceFuels to attend multiple circuits on the same day”. But wait, there’s more. In this day and age when you need to sign a waiver before you go to the bathroom, there’s a significant safety effort around the Race Fuels business to the point where it’s unlikely people could go racing without the procedures and standards companies like Race Fuels provide. Sean Scott, RaceFuels’ operations manager, has a full time job preparing the compliance paperwork ahead of a race meeting. “It’s a fact of life that the events wouldn’t get a permit unless they had a fuel management plan in place,” Tierney says. “There’s so many regulations and OH&S issues surrounding the control of dangerous goods in quantities that it’s not feasible for people to bring their own fuel to the track, especially at major events, any more. You just wouldn’t get a permit, so our role is to take that issue out of the equation and make sure it’s safe and we’re conscious of taking away everything we bring in.” Hailing from a passionate racing family, Tierney believes it’s critical that the enjoyment of the sport has to be number one in operating the business. “I think you have to be very fond of it to be involved at the level we are,” he says. “We try and go above and beyond to help people out. We’ve had several Melbourne teams without space in their transporter come to us and go ‘hey, could you take a drum back to Melbourne for us?’ and we’ll do it and drop it at their workshop. It’s no problem. “It’s all part of what we do and hopefully it’s making it better for everyone. We certainly get a buzz out of it.”

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touring car masters ON THE WEB: www.touringcarmasters.com.au The ProMasters return for another fight and will include the likes of John Bowe, Steve Johnson, Glenn Seton, Jim Richards, Greg Ritter and Mark King. ProAm also has a strong combination of touring cars, including current series leader Paul Freestone’s Chevrolet Camaro, alongside Jason Gomersall’s SLR Torana, Rusty French’s Mustang and Andrew Fisher’s XY GTHO, with all these different models to create entertaining racing. ProSports championship leader is 16-year-old Adam Garwood, who also races against his father Greg in the series. The roar of the Touring Car Masters returns to the Shannons Nationals in 2016, with Round 2 of the championship kicking off at Sandown after a gruelling round of the streets of Adelaide.

The Touring Car Masters will be one of the main features at the opening round of the Shannons Nationals, with their pit paddock featuring the Shannons Big Rig and display cars.

No Sponsor Name

First Name Surname State

Year Make

Model

Shannons Insurance

Jim

Richards

VIC

1964

Ford

Falcon Sprint

Overdrive Media

Bruce

Williams

VIC

1974

Holden

Torana SL/R 5000

Bendigo Retro Muscle Cars

Gary

O’Brien

VIC

1971

Holden

Monaro GTS

Jesus Racing

Andrew

Fisher

NSW

1971

Ford

Falcon XY GTHO

Sunliner RV

Greg

Ritter

VIC

1975

Chevrolet

Monza 2+2

Leukemia Foundation / Climate Air Control

Graham

Stewart

1972

Ford

Falcon XA GT

Giraffe Civil Contracting

Adam

Garwood

TAS

1974

Holden

Torana SL/R 5000

TIFS - Warehousing & Distribution

Steve

Johnson

QLD

1971

Ford

Falcon XY GTHO

Wilson Security / PAYCE

John

Bowe

VIC

1974

Holden

Torana SL/R 5000

Giraffe Civil Contracting

Greg

Garwood

TAS

1972

Ford

Capri Perana

Thunder Road Racing Team Australia

Glenn

Seton

QLD

1964

Ford

Mustang Coupe

iseek Racing

Jason

Gomersall

QLD

1974

Holden

Torana SL/R 5000

THD Motorsport

Leo

Tobin

VIC

1969

Ford

Boss Mustang

Melbournes Cheapest Cars

Eddie

Abelnica

VIC

1974

Ford

Falcon XB Coupe

Glennan Transport

Cameron

Tilley

NSW

1969

Valiant

Pacer

Lyndways Builders

Wayne

Mercer

VIC

1971

Ford

Falcon XY GTHO

Whiteline Racing / King Springs

Mark

King

QLD

1970

Chevrolet

Camaro RS

TIFS - Warehousing & Distribution

Tony

NSW

1969

Ford

Mustang Trans Am

Whiteline Racing / CAV Power

TBA

1969

Chevrolet

Camaro SS

John’s Furniture Removals

Allen

Boughen

QLD

1963

Mercury

Comet

12 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

porsche gt3 cup challenge ON THE WEB: www.gt3cupchallenge.com.au into Carrera Cup. Former GT3 Cup Challenge racers include Nick Foster, Richard Muscat and Matt Campbell. 2016 also sees the introduction of the Jamie Blaikie Scholarship, with former kart racer Jake Klarich awarded as the first recipient. McElrea Racing will run three cars for the season with Klarich, Jaxon Evans and Tim Miles, with Sonic Motor Racing Services will run their former Formula Ford racer Hamish Hardeman.

The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge returns to the Shannons Nationals calendar for 2016, following a strong and competitive season in 2015. The Cup Challenge was created to bridge the gap between club racing and the Australian Carrera Cup Championship, and is now known as the feeder category

Class A drivers will also include Tony Martin, Sam Shahin, Michael Vati, Anthony Gilbertson, David Ryan, Brian Finn and Ross McGregor, with Shane Barwood and Michael Tsigeridis competing in Class B. The Shannons Nationals is looking forward to seeing another strong year of racing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, with a mixture of young and older drivers in the series for 2016.

CAR #

DRIVER NAME

SPONSOR/TEAM NAME

CLASS

STATE

Tim Miles

CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory Partners

QLD

Tony Martin

Triffle Bar + Venue

QLD

Hamish Hardeman

Sonic Motor Racing Services / Adina Property Group

VIC

Sam Shahin

HTFU

Michael Vati

Zoo York

VIC

Anthony Gilbertson

Hallmark Homes

VIC

Shane Barwood

Melbourne Orthopaedic Group

VIC

David Ryan

Wrightlands GAM Soltronic

NSW

John Goodacre

GAP Solutions / Ezi-POS

Michael Tsigeridis

Hunter French Real Estate

VIC

Brian Finn

Laser 3D/Force Accessories

VIC

Jaxon Evans

Simulate-It/Willship

QLD

Jake Klarich

Super Rooster

QLD

Ross McGregor

Southern Star Windows

VIC

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AUSTRALIAN GT TROPHY ON THE WEB: www.touringcarmasters.com.au NO FIRST NAME

SURNAME DIVISION

SPONSOR

STATE VEHICLE MAKE

MODEL

ENGINE TYPE

Mathew

Turnbull

Trophy

Fire Rating Solutions

VIC

Lamborghini

LP-560 GT3

V10

Brendan

Cook

Challenge

Walz Group

QLD

Porsche

GT3 Cup Car MY09

V6 Boxer

Challenge

Exotic Track Days

Trophy

Rentcorp Forklifts

Porsche

997 GT3 Cup Car MY11

V6 Boxer

33 35

Indiran

Greg

Taylor

Trophy

Adina Apartment Hotels

NSW

Brenton

Griguol

Trophy

Koala Motorsport

Ferrari

F430 GT3

Tony

Alford

MARC

MARC Cars Australia

QLD

MARC

Focus V8

Rob

Smith

Trophy

Southern Star Developments

VIC

Audi

R8 LMS 2011

V10

(A) Jed

Wallis

Trophy

Warrin Mining Volvo CE

Porsche

997 GT3 Cup Car MY11

V6 Boxer

(B) Adam

Wallis

Con

Whitlock

Trophy

Whitlock Bull Bars

VIC

Audi

R8 LMS 2011

V10

Jan

Jinadasa

Trophy

JJA Consulting Group

VIC

Lamborghini

LP560 GT3

V10

Ryan

McLeod

MARC

MARC Cars Australia

QLD

MARC

Focus V8

Michael

Benton

MARC

MARC Cars Australia

MARC

Focus V8

Jake

Camilleri

MARC

MARC Cars Australia

MARC

Mazda V8

Morgan

Haber

MARC

MARC Cars Australia

QLD

MARC

Mazda V8

Brenton

Griguol

Invitational Trophy

Koala Motorsport

Ferrari

F430 GT3

Keith

Wong

Invitational Trophy

Veloce Motorsport ULX110

Porsche

GT3 Cup Car MY11

Brenton

Griguol

Invitational Trophy

Koala Motorsport

Ferrari

F430 GT3

Keith

Wong

Invitational Trophy

Veloce Motorsport ULX110

Porsche

GT3 Cup Car MY11

V6 Boxer

Tony

DeFelice

Championship

DeFelice Homes

VIC

Ferrari

458 GT3

TBA (A) Benny

Simonsen

Championship

DeFelice Homes

Ferrari

488 GT3

Turnbull

Invitational Trophy

Fire Rating Solutions

Lamborghini

LP-560 GT3

V6 Boxer

Andrea 99

Mathew

14 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

VIC

V10

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

australian formula 3 ON THE WEB: www.formula3.com.au Cooma’s Christopher Anthony and 15-year-old Cameron Shields. Roland Legge will embark on his third year in the championship with Adelaide-based team R-Tek Motorsport, joined by Nathan Kumar. Trent Shirvinton will make their return with possibly an expansion to two cars, as well as Harvest Motorsport with their Mygale chassis.

Australian Formula 3 in 2016 is set to be one of the most competitive seasons in years, thanks to several new and returning drivers providing the ingredients for a high level of racing. Double F3 Champion Tim Macrow will make his full-time return with Alpine Motorsport this year and is sure to be the one to beat, with the Victorian looking to add to his already impressive CV.

The Kumho Cup class also returns for 2016, with the entry-level class for F3 introducing a new points system that allows drivers to pick three of the best seven rounds over the season to score points, which opens the potential for teams to share the car with other drivers throughout the year. 2015 was full of breathtaking and competitive racing; especially at the finale at Wakefield Park and Phillip Island last year that had the best four-car fight in the series’ history … with at least half a dozen of those drivers expected to be contenders for podiums this year, Australian F3 in 2016 will not disappoint.

Applying the pressure to Macrow will be the team signed by McDonald’s Gilmour Racing, with the entries of

NO SPONSOR/TEAM NAME

CLASS

DRIVER NAME

STATE

VEHICLE

Team BRM

Championship

Trent Shirvington

NSW

MYGALE M11

R-TEK Motorsport

Championship

Roland Legge

QLD

DALLARA F308

R-TEK Motorsport

Championship

Nathan Kumar

NSW

DALLARA F307

R-TEK Motorsport

Kuhmo Cup

TBA

Gilmour Racing

Championship

Christopher Anthony

NSW

DALLARA F308

Harvest Motorsport

Championship

Alexander Woller

Germany

MYGALE M11

Gilmour Racing

National

Cameron Shields

QLD

DALLARA F306

Ross McAlpine

Kuhmo Cup

Ross McAlpine

NSW

DALLARA F302

AIE/Brookes/Alpine Motorsport

Championship

Tim Macrow

VIC

DALLARA F307

DALLARA F304

thenationals.com.au | 15

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

KUHMO TYRES AUSTRALIAN V8 TOURING CAR SERIES ON THE WEB: www.V8TOURINGCARS.COM.AU The Kumho Australian V8 Touring Cars has been a strong proving ground for racers making their way through the V8 Supercars categories, and have been a fan favourite of the Shannons Nationals.

The VE will be one of several newer models Commodores entering the ranks, with long time V8 Touring Car privateer Jim Pollicina running an ex-Tasman VE Commodore with teammate Anthony Loscialpo.

It will be a very different looking Kumho V8 Touring Car Series that faces the grid in 2016.

Long-time Kumho racer Chris Smerdon has also upgraded for 2016, entering a FG Falcon for 2016.

Gone are the two drivers fighting for last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s title with champion Liam McAdam and runner-up Alex Rullo, with both drivers graduating to the V8 Supercars Dunlop Series.

501 Peformance has signed Saloon Car graduate David Right to steer their ex-Ford Performance Racing Falcon, while Adelaide based THR Developments have grabbed V8 Supercars co-driver Taz Douglas.

Not only will their departure change things up for the season, but also the addition of the Holden VE Commodore and the Ford FG Falcon chassis.

Matt Stone Racing will also enter the series for the first time, running former-F4 racer Jack Sipp.

As well as the introduction of the new chassis to the series, one of V8 Supercars powerhouse teams Brad Jones Racing will be joining the Kumho grid for the first time.

Michael Anderson has purchased last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s runner-up car for this season, with Steve Briffa returning to the series in his yellow and red Commodore, and is tipped to be running two cars with Simon Emerzidis the second driver.

BJR will enter an ex-Dunlop Series Commodore for talented youngster Josh Smith, who is looking to emulate the pathway of McAdam and Rullo.

CAR # SPONSOR/TEAM NAME

CLASS

DRIVER NAME

STATE

VEHICLE

Haymans Virginia/JCH Electrical

Priv

Jason Heck

Qld

Ford Falcon BF

501 Performance

Pro

David Wright

Vic

Ford Falcon BF

MoComm Motorsports Communications

Priv

Jim Pollicina

NSW

Commodore VE

Poco/Simons Earthworks

Priv

Steve Briffa

NSW

Commodore VZ

Kenwood Homes

Priv

Michael Anderson

NSW

Ford Falcon BF

Brad Jones Racing

Pro

Joshua Smith

QLD

Rsport Race Engineering

Pro

Image Racing/Lubrimaxx

Pro

Leigh Moran

VIC

Ford Falcon BA

Savs Auto Electric/Westco Equip/ United Racing

Priv

Sam Morabito

Commodore VE

Tempest Solutions Air & Mechanical

Priv

Anthony Loscialpo

NSW

Commodore VE

Eggleston Motorsport

Pro

Vectra Corp/Lubrimaxx

Pro

Chris Smerdon

Ford Falcon FG

SA Racing Logistics/THR Developments

Pro

Taz Douglas

VIC

Commodore VE

Image Racing/Lubrimaxx

Pro

Commodore VE ll Commodore VE

Commodore VZ

Ford Falcon BF

MW Motorsport

Pro

Ford Falcon BF

Unichip Dynomotive

Pro

Jack Sipp

QLD

Commodore VE

Strong Excavations/ Kirra Automotics

Priv

Brendan Strong

NSW

Commodore VZ

WARLORD

Priv

Simon Emerzidis

NSW

Commodore VZ

16 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

FOR THE WORLD’S GREATEST CARS. The engineering challenge was simple. Build a tyre that defines what sports driving performance is all about. And leave nothing behind. So here it is, the Kumho ECSTA PS91, our best ever tyre for the world’s greatest cars. For more information visit www.ecstaps91.com.au

ECSTA PS91. IT’S PERFORMANCE DEFINED.

ADD KUMHO TO YOUR CIRCLE OF TRUST.

KUMHO.COM.AU

Proud Supporters of:

thenationals.com.au | 17

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

kerrick sports sedan series ON THE WEB: www.sportssedans.com.au As a Sports Sedan tradition, the Des Wall Trophy will be awarded to the winner of Race 3 this weekend in honour of the 2009 Sports Sedan Champion who sadly passed away in 2013. David Wall will be competing this weekend at Sandown, racing for his late father Des and competing for the Des Wall Trophy in his Dad’s old car. Crowd favourite Tony Ricciardello also returns to the series for 2016, after collecting his ninth Kerrick Sports Sedans Championship – totaling the most National Championships on record! The Kerrick Sports Sedans are arguably the most dynamic and exciting motor racing category in the county – with the noise and serious horsepower from these winged and wild racers being an awe inspiring spectacle. These cars are built and raced by an enthusiastic group of devotees chasing the ultimate power-to-weight performance and share a special place in Australian motor racing heritage.

Auto Union Motorsport will also be a team to watch out for at Sandown, running the entry of the Audi A4 driven by the talented Jack Perkins. If you are after some action-packed and thrilling entertainment, look no further than the Sports Sedans at Sandown as we celebrate their inception into the Shannons Nationals for their tenth season.

DRIVER NAME

SPONSOR/TEAM NAME

CLASS

VEHICLE

STATE

Tony Ricciardello

Ricciardello Racing

Alfa Romeo GTV

Jack Perkins

Auto Union Motorsport

Audi A4

Vic

Steven Tamasi

Domain Prestige Homes

Holden Calibra

Vic

Ken House

Xtreme Rotories

Escort

Vic

Stuart Inwood

A1 Towing

Corvette C5

NSW

Michael Robinson

Bell Real Estate

Holden Monaro

Vic

David Wall

Shannons, Wiilson Security, Payce

Corvette

NSW

Colin Smith

MR Automotive

Holden Monaro

Qld

Bruce Banks

BJ Banks Electrical

Mazda RX7

Tas

Andrew Brown

Andrew Brown Motorsport

Chev Camaro

Vic

Dean Camm

Five Star Fencing & Gates

Chev Corvette

Vic

Shane Bradford

Aston Air Conditioning

Chev Camaro

Qld

Steven Tamasi

Domain Prestige Homes

Nissan 300ZX

Vic

thenationals.com.au | 19

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

formula ford ON THE WEB: www.formulaford.org.au Following their success in state championships, New South Wales’ Lachlan Gibbons, Queensland’s Hunter McElrea and Western Australia’s Homan Ho will be stepping up into the national series. Former karters will also be making their way into Formula Ford in 2016, including the likes of Jordan Boys, Andrew Kahl, Jayden Ojeda, Nicholas Caroll and Aaron Cameron. Northern Territory’s Ben Reichstein also returns for the season, as well as seasoned racer Paul Zsidy and Peter Mayor. Daniel Holihan will be racing the older model Kent Formula Ford at Sandown. The Australian Formula Ford Series returns to the Shannons Nationals calendar for 2016, with this year’s field showing a wealth of experience alongside some newcomers to open-wheel racing.

The winner of this year’s series will also test in the US in a USF2000 car, and will also have the opportunity to attend a shootout event to earn (USD) $200,000 to race in the series.

2014 championship-winning team Sonic Motor Racing Services returns with Leanne Tander, who will step into the team’s Mygale SJ10A and will be alongside Max Vidau for the season.

DRIVER NAME

SPONSOR/TEAM NAME

CLASS

STATE

VEHICLE

Max Vidau

SonicMotorRacing/HiTec Oils

Formula Ford

VIC

Mygale SJ10A

Paul Zsidy

Esteel(AUST)PtyLtd

Formula Ford

VIC

Spectrum 012

Hunter McElrea

Eximm/ToruaNetworks

Formula Ford

QLD

Mygale SJ069

Jordan Boys

JordanBoysMotorsport

Formula Ford

NSW

Mygale SJ11A

Andrew Kahl

Synergy Motorsport

Formula Ford

NSW

Spectrum 012

Homan Ho

Fastlane Racing

Formula Ford

Stealth S3

Peter Major

FastlaneRacing/ShamrockCivil

Formula Ford

TBC

Lachlan Gibbons

Lachlan Gibbons Motorsport

Formula Ford

NSW

Mygale SJ07

Jayden Ojeda

Raceworks/SMSDiesel/VHT

Formula Ford

VIC

Spectrum 014

Daniel Holihan

DHR/AngloAustralianMotorsport

FF1600 (Kent)

NSW

Mygale SJ08

Leanne Tander

SonicMotorRacing

Formula Ford

VIC

Mygale SJ10A

Nicholas Carroll

WilsonSecurity/Frontier/Spectrum

Formula Ford

VIC

Spectrum 011C

Ben Reichstein

Reichstein Motorsport

Formula Ford

Mygale SJ15

Jake Hobbs

Hobbs Motorsport

FF1600 (Kent)

NSW

Comtec Spirit K08

Aaron Cameron

MelbourneSatellites/Spectrum

Formula Ford

VIC

Spectrum 014

20 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

sports racers ON THE WEB: www.formula3.com.au The Sports Racer cars are designed to maximise aerodynamic performance while weighing just 400kgs, and are powered by high-tech production-based motorcycle engines. The category also includes Supersport Cars such as Radical SR3 and Minetti along with Formula 1000 cars. In 2016, look out for the battles deeper in the field with the ‘championship within a championship’ for the F1000 and Radical racers.

The Australian Sports Racer Series is one of Australia’s newest and exciting motor racing categories, and it returns for another season with the Shannons Nationals.

This season will also see the return of the national champion Mark Laucke, 2014 runner-up Roger I’Anson and reigning Division 2 and Formula 1000 champion Adam Cranston.

These Le Mans prototype-style sports cars are fast, affordable, and offer scintillating performance, amazing dynamics and spectacularly close racing.

CAR # DRIVER NAME

SPONSOR/TEAM NAME

CLASS

VEHICLE

STATE

Aaron Steer

West Race Cars

F1K

RFR F1000

David Crampton

Vantage Freight Services

RAD

Radical SR3

NSW

Terry Peovitis

Orlando Phoenix

F1K

RFR F1000

Josh Cranston

Aventis Racing

F1K

West WR 1000

NSW

Joshua Townsend

DSR Downunder

F1K

Nova Race LSR F1000

QLD

Roger I’Anson

Ken’s Exhaust Systems Berri

SR1

West WR 1000

Mark Short

MSR Motorsport Fabrication

SR2

Prince

Peter Johnston

PJS Air

RAD

Radical SR3

NSW

Michael Whiting

Taylor Collision/ Laucke Flour

SR2

West WR1000

Chris Sutton

Sutto’s Motorcycle Supply

RAD

Radical SR3

NSW

Philip Hughes

Hughes Supercar Services

RAD

Radical SR3

VIC

Jason Makris

West Race Cars

SR2

West WX10

Jonathan Stoeckel

Bryan Stoeckel

SR2

West WR1000

VIC

Mark Laucke

Laucke Flour Mills

SR1

West WX10RS

Adam Cranston

West Race Cars

SR1

West WR1000

NSW

John-Paul Drake

West Race Cars

SR2

West WX10

Gerrit Ruff

CRC Industries Australia

SR2

West WR 1000

thenationals.com.au | 21

round 1 sandown raceway, VIC

round 8 schedule friday 1 april 0700

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