The Racing Magazine - Issue 25, September 2015 by The Racing Magazine

thenationals.com.au

EDITORIAL By Richard Craill OPEN WHEEL RACING has copped it lately. Alongside continued criticism surrounding Formula One’s current regulations and the ongoing bickering in the IndyCar paddock surrounding aero kits, schedules and a general lack of broader interest, both series lost two of their brightest stars in what ultimately turned out to be not dissimilar circumstances. Frenchman Jules Bianchi passed away after nine months in a coma battling head injuries sustained in last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, when he crashed his Murussia into the back of a poorly placed recovery vehicle on the side of the circuit. Justin Wilson survived for just a day after he was struck in the head by part of a carbon fibre nosebox dislodged when Sage Karam crashed at Pocono’s 500 mile race in late August. It was suspected by many that Bianchi would never awake, but Wilson’s incredibly tragic demise was a shock to us all and robbed the sport of Another Good Guy. Of course, the double hammer blow to motorsport has reignited the ongoing safety debate around open-wheel — or more specifically, open cockpit — racing cars and the need for some form of head protection. It is, of course, a good debate to have. Motorsport has done a fine job over the years of positioning itself as the Safest, Dangerous Sport around and in most ways you look it holds itself in good regard when you consider the serious injuries sustained in more mainstream sports around the world. Take Aussie Rules, for example. In 2006 Geelong’s Tom Lonergan bravely backed himself into a contest against Melbourne in what was just his seventh AFL game. He copped a knock to the Kidney in the contest and though hospitalised he was initially thought to be OK before his condition deteriorated overnight. He had 40 units of blood pumped into his system during surgery to remove the damaged organ and spent four days in an induced coma during his recovery. Compare that to James Hinchcliffe, the popular Canadian who was enjoying a solid start to his IndyCar championship this year in his first season with Sam Schmidt’s Honda-powered team – at least before he crashed at more than 220mph in practice for this year’s 99th Indy 500. As well as his body being violently subjected to more than 100Gs of force during the impact, a piece of suspension broke through the car and essentially impaled the popular 29-year old Canadian into the

Dallara tub. In another remarkable display of response and effort from the IndyCar Safety team — ostensibly the same people who saved Alex Zanardi in Germany all those years ago — Hinch was saved despite losing plenty of blood. In the same way that Lonergan returned to the field and ultimately became part of Geelong’s all-conquering 2011-premiership side, Hinch will undoubtedly return to the IndyCar track next year and will retain his status as one of the best drivers in the paddock. Without wanting to diminish the effect Lonergan’s injuries had on both he and his family, it’s more shocking that an impact on the footy field can risk one’s life as his did. It remains remarkable that someone can survive a crash at 350kph with ‘only’ the injuries that Hinch suffered. As I wrote earlier, it really is the most Safe, Dangerous Sport around. Which is why those that lead our sport must, absolutely must, not resort to kneejerk reactions when it comes to improving Safety. The process needs to be thoughtful, measured and detailed.

IN THIS ISSUE 4

Speed Shots

Pitlane Whiteboard

10 Main Feature BRIFFA BUILDING 16 Feature THE BEST EVER 18 Feature HAMISH STEPS UP

Yes, it’s desperately unlucky and cruel that we’ve lost Justin Wilson and Jules Bianchi and steps must continue to be taken to improve the safety of the sport, in the same way they were post Senna’s accident in 1994 and since every accident since.

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I just hope that they take a measured and analytical approach to it, rather than resorting to hysterics that some elements of the fandom and media have done following the recent spate of tragedies.

30 Television Coverage Lap Records

We should mourn the drivers who we’ve lost. We should all work together as a sport to improve the safety to make sure the chances of someone dying are limited further. And yet we need to remember that no amount of cockpit protection is going to stop serious injuries or worse in a sport where an object travelling at 300km/ hr can crash into a solid, immovable object in 0.1 seconds. People still play footy, despite the risks and without any padding, helmets or protection, in the same way that people still go skiing despite full knowledge that they could end up like Michael Schumacher. And people will continue to compete in the world’s Safest, Dangerous Sport. And I’m sure that’s the way Justin and Jules would have wanted it.

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Publisher

Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd

Editor

Richard Craill

Art Director

Sarah Anesbury – 121 Creative Hilton

Writers

Richard Craill, Amanda Jackson & Garry O’Brien

Chief Photographer: Nathan Wong Production

Kwik Kopy Printing Hilton

Feedback We want your feedback. Please email us at admin@thenationals.com.au Advertisers If you would like to advertise in the next issue of The Racing Magazine please contact 0414 294 153 or email admin@thenationals.com.au Disclaimer While reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided, Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd make no representation, express or implied, as to the accuracy, currency, reliability or suitability. Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd expressly disclaim responsibility for any damages that may be caused by or in connection with the information provided. THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 3

NOT QUITE ART... PORSCHE racer Grant Sparks’ wife, Merry, is a successful artist — but we’re fairly certain that this isn’t the kind of masterpiece that Grant had in mind during the most recent round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Queensland Raceway. Nathan Wong’s great capture shows a very, very near miss at the end of the back straight for the Queensland-based racer.

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TIME FOR HARVEST SHANE RYDING drives for Harvest Motorsport. We’d make jokes about the fact that this shot shows him ‘harvesting’ some dirt, but given he’s just fired his Mygale Formula 3 car off the road at 220km/hr, we’ll save him that cliché’. Fortunately for Shane and his team, the car was soon back on track. Fortunately for us, our photographer Nathan Wong was on site to catch it happen.

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PITLANE WHITEBOARD OUR PITLANE Whiteboard has been working hard on fixing Formula One this year and has weighed in on the current debate around team orders. Does it make any sense? You be the judge.

Follow the Pit lane Whiteboard on Twitter: @pitlaneWB * It goes without saying (but I’ve had an eraser held at my throat until I finish writing this bit, so I’ll say it anyway) that the views expressed in this column are most certainly, totally, absolutely and wholly 100% those of the whiteboard and NOT this publication or its associated entities.

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Formula 1 has a bad habit of coming up with ideas that at times seem like they’ve sifted through the bin of “Nahs” left out on the street by Gricey’s Fair Dinkum Department (see last issue), had a look and gone “yeah, that seems like a good idea.” The latest one is a new protocol for giving drivers messages on the radio, with the aim of stopping them from having any form of assistance from the pit crew. We believe that this is to dispel the rumour that Nico Rosberg is actually an Apple prototype for a new version of Siri. Me holding down the home button: “Nico, tell me which side of the track pole position is on.” Nico: “Sorry, Whiteboard, you’ll have to ask OK Lewis that.” We’ve had a look at the 36-item list. And you know what? If anything, it doesn’t go far enough. If you want Formula 1 to actually be a true test of driver skills, banning just information on bite points is not enough. You need to go all out. So here are my ideas to sort it out: Drivers should not be allowed to ask about their clutch. Especially you Lewis, despite the fact that you assert “it are a man bag.” Mate, it’s not. While we’re at it, a driver is not allowed to ask the team about podium hat angle and peak flatness, Instagram filter type, or which Kardashian he will be taking a selfie with later.

Any secret sound that is coming from the car cannot be identified unless you are the 5th caller on the radio. Teams cannot under any circumstances give away backstage passes to meet Ricky Martin at the post-race concert to lucky drivers. Any traffic reports must be concluded with an instruction to the driver that cheap tiles are available now for a limited time only from Frank’s Tile Warehouse in Moorabbin. Drivers cannot run any contest offering teams to pay their bills for a period of time. Last time Guido tried that we ended up in the Victorian Supreme Court. This rule especially applies to the Lotus team. Just because the Safety Car is the first car in line, doesn’t mean you can go all trucker and call it “rubber ducky.” In a similar vein, you may not refer to Parc Ferme as “Checkpoint Charlie.” Finally, drivers cannot ask the team whether the Safety Car window is square, round or arched. If the FIA can enact these measures with an undue amount of haste, we may just be able to save the F1 season.

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BRIFFA BUILDING Privateer racer Steve Briffa has made quite the impact in this year’s Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, contending for the title amidst a season of solid results in his bright yellow Commodore.

“Those guys are Jay Forrester (Crew Chief), Matt Gilfeather (Team Manager and Sponsor Coordinator), Josh Skeggs and Kevin Ta (Mechanics). Without all my guys doing an exceptional job we would not be where we are — I put my trust in their expertise and I have total trust in them, makes my job easy. “They are all individually important to our team, they all have day jobs and volunteer after-hours to work on the car and take weekends away from their families to go racing, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and their families for their valuable support. “I consider the entire team a tight knit family, without the support of family members we would not be able to do what we love. Before the Queensland round, Jay our crew chief received some devastating news with his father James Forrester struck by a tree which killed him instantly.

WORDS: Amanda Jackson IMAGES: Nathan Wong

“James had previously joined us at several race events, helping with the car and so this was shocking news to us all, and Jay literally attended his father’s funeral before driving from Griffith to Sydney and then driving the transporter to Queensland Raceway all in the same week. His dedication to the team is unique, as is that of Matt Gillfeather who also needs a massive thank you for his continual efforts marketing the Poco.com.au team.” The support of his team has been a key element in Briffa’s journey to the Kumho Series, which he rates as the best category he has experienced in his 26 years of racing — a racing career that commenced in 1983 after selling a Mazda RX7 to Ian Luff with a driver training deal with ‘Luffy’ included in the deal.

MAKING PLENTY OF WAVES in the Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series this year is Steve Briffa, in the Poco.com.au Holden Commodore VY Supercar. After a strong season, he currently sits fourth in the championship chase with just two rounds left to run. His championship status sees the New South Welshman enjoying his best year to date in the Kumho Series, with the privateer racer currently chasing the Eggleston Motorsport and MW Motorsport teams — and privateer rival Jim Pollicina — for title glory. As the season nears the ‘pointy end’, the smash repairer is feeling confident of strong results to come. “I’m feeling extremely confident, and the expectations are podiums at every round in the Poco.com supercar,” said Briffa. “The Poco crew have been doing an exceptional job preparing the car on a weekly basis and giving me a great car to race on race days. We are very proud to be punching well above our weight and I am very proud of the Poco V8 Supercar and the whole team for their dedication to the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series.

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“Our goals for the rest of this year are to continue getting podiums and keep accruing points towards a strong championship — we believe we have a strong chance at winning the championship or being in the top three. The Eggleston Motorsport and MW Motorsport teams are two very experienced campaigners and I’m happy that we are leading the privateer championship, but the team and I would like nothing more than to win the V8 Touring Car Series outright.” Aside from his strong results across this season, Briffa has also been receiving some attention for his age given the fact that the two drivers ahead of him in the championship — Alex Rullo and Liam McAdam — are only teenagers. “Alex, Liam and (their fellow teenage racer) Jake (Kostecki) have proven to be exceptionally fast at every circuit we’ve been to so far,” said Briffa. “Unfortunately I was turned around at Sandown by Jake and I believed this was going to be the trend for the year, but having said that they are proving to be very special talents and I’m sure they will go a long way if they are guided in the right direction.

“At first when I heard these young guys were joining the series, my first thoughts were ‘WTF!’. And after the first round I thought it was going to be a long and expensive year in regards to damage to the cars — but they have proven me wrong they are consistently fast, and in the right equipment I believe they can go all the way. “It has to be said that these three boys’ ages combined still don’t reach my age! The media has been unkind in regards to my age but it’s all in good humour. It doesn’t really bother me what other teams or the media may think, the Poco team does its own thing.” For Briffa, any opportunity to thank and recognise his team and supporters is an important one as a privateer racer. “It is a point of pride for us to represent for the privateers — we are a small Sydney-based team operating out of a smash repair business — we don’t have all the fancy equipment but what we do have is a great bunch of guys who are passionate about motorsport,” said Briffa.

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Since then, the New South Welshman has raced in Sports Sedans, Production Cars, the Commodore Cup, the V8 Utes, the Lotus Series, the MG Series and in Improved Production; including back to back sports sedan championships, two production car championships and a Bathurst 12 Hour win in 2009. “We began in the Kumho Series in 2013 after being involved with production cars for many years, purchasing an ex-Paul Morris Motorsport VZ V8 supercar which had run in the top ten consistently whilst in the main game. It was purchased by Scott Loadsman and Steve Owen drove it in the development series to victory in 2008,” said Briffa. “After we purchased it, we arrived at Sydney Motorsport Park for the first round having done no miles in the car — I was very excited after qualifying to find out that I have qualified in the second row in a field of 24 cars! “In 2014 we secured Poco The Super Home Market as a major Sponsor, we had top five finishes at every track and finished fifth in the Championship, and then Poco re-signed for this year which is now proving to be our best so far.

repair owner we would have put the car back in the truck after the first crash. But thanks to the true determination and spirit of the crew and their ‘never say die’ attitude we re-built the front end of the car 3 times!” While enjoying all that 2015 is delivering so far, the head of Briffa Smash Repairs already has big plans for next year. “2016 is showing as being an exceptional year for the V8 Touring car series with new teams and drivers joining us from the main game,” said Briffa. “The Poco Racing team has several things in the pipeline for 2016, more cars and more drivers, so stay tuned for the reveal! “A special thank you has to go to our major sponsor Poco The Home Supermarket — without their ongoing support we would not have been able to achieve what we have so far, and we are proud to announce that we have re-signed Poco.com.au for 2016,” said Briffa, who would also like to thank Ozzy Car Sales, Egan Fabrication, Warlord, Distinctive Image, Seatamer Boats, Alliance Motor Auctions, Propeller Drive Shafts, Fast Track V8 Experience and Holden Motorsport for their ongoing support.

“The car was great and the team did an awesome job, and everything went to plan for a change.”

“It’s every race car driver’s dream to be able to race in one of the V8 Supercars and the Kumho series gives us a platform to do this. I have been racing for 26 years in many different categories and to date this is by far the best. “The Kumho Series highlight for the Poco. com team so far would have to be taking second place in Winton this year. The car was great and the team did an awesome job, and everything went to plan for a change. “The lowlight ironically was Winton in 2014, with a lot of damage to the car caused by other drivers — we had several late nights repairing the car and if it wasn’t for me being a smash

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THE BEST EVER The Shannons Nationals has launched an ambitious plan to list the ten best drivers from a decade of motor racing. There’s plenty to choose from and we’re sure you’re wondering how it’s going to work… Richard Craill is your guide. WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: Nathan Wong / File ONE OF THE biggest issues motorsport journalists face on a day to day basis is the continued need and desire to rate current drivers against the very best that history has in the record books. Is Lewis Hamilton as good as Ayrton Senna? Is Will Power anywhere near the IndyCar road racer that Mario Andretti was? Does Jamie Whincup really compare to the great Allan Moffat or Dick Johnson? It is, of course, like comparing apples to ecologically-grown, whole food guava fruits from the tropical North: i.e, nearly impossible. The various advances over the time period, the increased competition and tightening of technical regulations to stamp out that one dominant car or team and even the changes to circuits make it very tough to compare drivers of different eras, like for like. And yet, defining drivers over the course of a decade becomes somewhat more plausible. Yes, there’s been changes and evolution of the last ten years of racing in Australia — but it’s infinitely simpler to compare 2006 with 2015 and get a reading on who’s been the best and brightest over that particular era. The changes in those 10 years are much less than the differences between Senna’s McLaren of 1988 and Hamilton’s 2014-spec Mercedes. So that’s what we’re going to do. With your help, we’re going out to find who fits the mould of the best driver from the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals of the series’ first 10 years. There are a huge amount of drivers — more than 1000 — to catalogue and categories as diverse as wild Sports Sedans to Formula 3 open wheelers to choose from. Drivers in the later stages of their careers and those at the start. The net is certainly pretty wide.

We’ll then combine those votes with those of a judging panel we’ve set up to cast their vote. The panel will include racing journalists and members of the media, series administrators, race officials and more. It will be a broad net of people designed to give the best overall view of who really is the ‘best and brightest’. Once those votes are lodged, we’ll find the definitive order and be able to list the Top 10 drivers ever to race on the Shannons Nationals program. Simple! We’ll roll out 10 through 6 at our penultimate round of the season at Wakefield Park, and then list the final five when we rock into Sydney Motorsport Park this November for our big season finale’. So tell your friends, get them to vote and share it wide on social media. Help us craft the definitive list of drivers that showcase the best and brightest of the last ten years of Australia’s top national-level racing scene. And, in this case, we truly believe the best driver will win. Just as motor racing should be.

Cast your vote as to who you think is the best driver of a generation.

So here’s how it works. We need you, the racing fan, the aficionado, enthusiast or competitor, to log on to www.thenationals.com.au now and click the link to our online voting portal. Cast your vote as to who you think is the best driver of a generation. In the same way that we set our Racer of the Year awards, those votes will then be graded and assigned points according to our scoring table.

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SIMPLY, SPALDING LUKE SPALDING is a fighter and, to use the old cliché, he’s a fighter on the track and off it too. Whilst battling for this year’s Australian Formula 3 Championship National Class, the bestjet.com Gilmour Racing driver has also been battling a rare form of Cancer. And yet, at Queensland Raceway, he sealed the F3 national class title amidst a season of continued improvement. WORDS: Sam Tickell IMAGES: Nathan Wong

“When you watch him on track, he is hard to miss.” LUKE SPALDING burst onto the Australian Formula 3 Championship this year in only his second year of car racing, after having raced karts for many years. With all that was happening in the world of Australian motorsport it has been easy to miss his progress but when you watch him on track, he was hard to miss. He has been unbeaten in the National Class in this year’s Championship, often racing amongst those in the outright class. His performances during the most recent round of the title fight at Queensland Raceway was impressive, and it was enough for him to wrap up the National Class title, run for the 2007-generation cars. His QR victory sealed the title and came after a weekend long battle with Roman Krumins. “We are pretty happy to wrap it up so early! We are thrilled, the pressure is off and now we can enjoy the rest of the series,” Spalding told Racerviews.com on the podium. “We had struggled for pace here this weekend — we struggled on Friday. We looked at the data and managed to sort it out — then the car was on rails and it became pretty easy. “It is difficult to get it right here — you want it set up for the slow corners but you have to have it set up for the quick corners or you’re going to get bombed down the straights. It is tricky getting that balance to get the win for the first and second corner and as little as possible for the straight.” “Overall it makes for awesome racing. In the draft you can make up time on the back straight and it makes for a lot of fun.”

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He has overcome more struggles than most should have to in their teenage years, having fought a rare and aggressive form of cancer — but the cancer didn’t stop him. In fact, he has continued to raise money, visit cancer wards and put an outwardly positive spin on an internally difficult situation. Spalding brought that attitude to the track too, engaging with young fans and had a heartfelt thanks to his team. As he looks to the future like all drivers, funding is at the top of the list. His 2015 campaign has been made possible by Gilmour Racing and in particular support from Bestjet.com. “We were racing Formula Vee last year and at a charity auction we mentioned to Errol that I was racing go-karts and Formula Vee and he said ‘come round and meet the team’. Once we met the team it was a really long process to put it together. “We did some test days, put in a lot of effort in to get the sponsorship and find the budget — it was a really long process.” Spalding has lofty ambitions for his racing future although, like most young racers, the future is a little cloudy. His ambition is something to admire and we all wait to see what is next, though it’s suspected that it may well carry eight cylinders and a Holden or Ford badge on the front. “I have no idea what is next — I would love V8 Supercars, so I think a Dunlop Series seat is what I will aim for.” For now though, Luke can enjoy his success, savour the Championship and as he said, enjoy the rest of the Formula 3 season.

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HAMISH STEPS UP HAMISH HARDEMAN has been one of the best and brightest within the Formula Ford ranks in recent years, but his recent move to the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge at Queensland Raceway continued a trend for that series. It’s become a place where young drivers can show their stuff as they build a career. WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: Nathan Wong

“The Carrera Cup field of years to come already looks plenty competitive.”

THE GRADUAL, almost inadvertent shift of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli from ‘gentleman’ racer category to young driver development series has been one of the pleasant surprises of Australian Motorsport’s last decade. Whilst the series still caters for those just looking to race their mates in the excellent Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car, in recent years it has perfectly doubled as a feeder to Porsche’s own Carrera Cup — introducing the likes of Richard Muscat, Michael Almond and last year’s champion, Fraser Ross, into the top ranks of Australia’s best one make category. And this year, the story continues with a group of young stars making a mighty impact in their first year of racing in the Pirelli-supported series. Young James Abela won the Jim Richards endurance trophy at Queensland Raceway, whilst the even younger Dylan O’Keefe has been consistently quick and consistently competitive all year in his debut season as a 17-year-old Porsche racer. Joining the fray at Queensland Raceway last month was Formula Ford graduate, Hamish Hardeman. One of the top junior open-wheel drivers of the last two years, the 22-year-old carpenter from Victoria switched from Duratec to Porsche power at Queensland Raceway and did so with immediate results. He qualified 10th on his debut, just 0.9s behind pole-sitting teammate Ryan Simpson — who himself had 0.4s over second-placed O’Keefe. Sixth in his first ever Porsche race — the 40-lap Jim Richards enduro — was a fine result and was backed up by finishes of fifth and ninth in Sunday’s two sprint races, respectively. Impressive stuff, indeed. “It was always in my mind to move up from Formula Fords to Porsche Gt3 Cup Challenge,” Hardeman told SBS Speedweek.

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“I’ve got a goal to do Porsche Carrera Cup and I thought that GT3 Cup Challenge would be the perfect first step on the way to that. “I wasn’t the youngest person in Formula ford and I was starting to get a bit older, so I thought rather than spending another year in Formula Ford — and I could have potentially won the championship had I continued on — I wanted to speed the process up a little bit and jump into something that I want to drive as a Career. I’d love to go to Europe one day and race Porsche Supercup, so this was the best step for me.” In ‘jumping’ to the Porsche’s, Hardeman continued his relationship with Sonic Motor Racing not only one of Australia’s top Formula Ford outfits but a fairly handy Porsche outfit, too. Their driver Ryan Simpson is dominating this year’s GT3 Cup Challenge series and Carrera Cup guns Nick Foster and Nick McBride are arguably the two fastest amongst this year’s top-flight Porsche pack “Sonic already run Carrera Cup and GT3 Cup Challenge cars and I was run by them in Formula Ford so it worked well for the team as well as me and it fitted as well with my program as it did with theirs,” Hardeman explained. “Ryan definitely has these cars sorted out. He’s fast and he has a great understanding of how to get the best from them. Between Ryan and the Sonic boys there’s a great opportunity for me to learn and to really get into it.” “This wouldn’t be possible without Adina Apartments and Wild Planet Offroad. I’m very grateful for their support and I’m looking forward to representing them with pride this weekend. I’m working hard on the sponsorship and marketing side of my racing and it’s my intention to prove my value both on and off the track.” With young guns like Abela, O’Keefe, Jaxon Evans, Aaron Seton and now Hamish Hardeman coming through the Porsche ranks, the Carrera Cup field of years to come already looks plenty competitive.

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ROUND 6 PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT, VIC

SHANNONS AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING NATIONALS ROUND 6, PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT • SEPTEMBER 18– 20, 2015 AUTHORITY This Meeting is conducted under the International Sporting Code of the FIA, the National Competition Rules of the CAMS Ltd, the Race Meeting Standing Regulations of CAMS, Phillip Island Standing Regulations 03/2012, and Supplementary Regulations issued for this Meeting. CAMS Permit : 815/2009/01

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK MOTOR SPORT IS DANGEROUS In exchange for being able to attend or participate in the event, you agree: • to release Confederation of Australian Motor Sport Ltd (“CAMS”) and Australian Motor Sport Commission Ltd, promoters, sponsor organisations, land owners and lessees, organisers of the event, their respective servants, officials, representatives and agents (collectively, the “Associated Entities”) from all liability for your death, personal injury (including burns), psychological trauma, loss or damage (including property damage) (“harm”) howsoever arising from your participation in or attendance at the event, except to the extent prohibited by law; • that CAMS and the Associated Entities do not make any warranty, implied or express, that the event services will be provided with due care and skill or that any materials provided in connection with the services will be fit for the purpose for which they are supplied; and • to attend or participate in the event at your own risk. You acknowledge that: • the risks associated with attending or participating in the event include the risk that you may suffer harm as a result of: • motor vehicles (or parts of them) colliding with other motor vehicles, persons or property; • acts of violence and other harmful acts (whether intentional or inadvertent) committed by persons attending or participating in the event; and • the failure or unsuitability of facilities (including grandstands, fences and guard rails) to ensure the safety of persons or property at the event. • motor sport is dangerous and that accidents causing harm can and do happen and may happen to you. You accept the conditions of, and acknowledge the risks arising from, attending or participating in the event and being provided with the event services by CAMS and the Associated Entities.

OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING Series Director Meeting Director Series Steward Stewards of the Meeting Clerk of the Course Deputy Clerk of the Course Assistant Clerk of the Course

Rob Curkpatrick Peter Nelson Bradley Tubb Terry Buxton Lynn Cuttle Colin Smith Matt Balcombe Ken Smith

Secretary of the Meeting Deputy Secretary of the Meeting Judges of Start and Finish Chief Paddock Marshal Chief of Recovery Course Marshal Chief Marshal Chief Flag Marshal Chief Fire Marshal Chief Marshalling Area Compliance Checker Organising Committee

Peter Nelson Geoff Bull C. Smith M. Balcombe I. Leech A. Bond Danny Jonas Ken Johnston Skip Taylor Roger Chirnside Terry O’Callaghan Steve McCall Barry Parker Danny Jonas Colin Smith Matt Balcombe Geoff Bull Peter Nelson.

Acknowledgment is also made to the many officials who will be assisting at the meeting but whose names were not available when this programme was printed

general notices Apart from when permitted by law, dogs and other pets are not permitted on the race circuit property at any time while the Meeting is in progress. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in the Paddock area until after the last practice session or race has finished on any day.

PLEASE USE THE RUBBISH BINS PROVIDED acknowledgements The thanks of the motorsport fraternity in general must go to the following groups for their assistance with this Meeting: • Phillip Island Auto Racing Club officials for their manning and management of the meeting. • Phillip Island Operations P/L for their work in presenting the circuit and facilities as they are. • Victorian Fire & Rescue Service for the fire fighting equipment, the driver rescue facilities, and their expertise. • Victorian Flag Marshalling team for flags and marshals. • Rob Curkpatrick as the series director for his untiring efforts to make the series a success.

dear enthusiast, Welcome to this weekend’s Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, Round 6 for 2015, which brings to a conclusion the tenth year of PIARC’s (Phillip Island Auto Racing Club) partnership with this series which commenced as the Nationals in 2006 and morphed into the Shannons Nationals in 2007. This weekend’s event is promoted and organised by PIARC, and we wish you a warm welcome to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, which as always is beautifully presented by the circuit owners the Linfox Group via their Phillip Island Operations P/L management and staff. This series gives us the opportunity to showcase many national categories on this historically significant world class race circuit which this year celebrates its 63rd anniversary, and also celebrates 20 rounds of “The S Nationals” since their inception 2006, keeping you entertained with varied programs and great racing. This Meeting is the other end of the spectrum from May’s traditionally longer endurance focused races. with this weekend being packed with numerous short, sharp sprint races with eight differing categories, from exciting Porsche GT3s to pocket rocket Superkarts and a host of Touring Car and Sports Car categories between to keep not stop racing before your eyes. Porsche enthusiasts will receive a bonus this weekend with the new more classic based IROC Porsches making their Island debut. All of the marshals here today are volunteers who are trained by the sport for their various roles, and the majority of them are our own PIARC members. The remainder come from other dedicated groups who lend their specialities to what we are doing. These skills extend to services such as Medical, Fire, Flags, Timing and Scrutiny. We work in close cooperation with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) and with their support and involvement, we have a national licensing and training program for marshals at all the circuits in Australia. This provides for a consistently high level of skills and application of rules and procedures at CAMS events; a Dearis Enthusiasts, standard that widely recognised around the world. If you are interested in more involvement as either an enthusiast, spectator or maybe an official or driver, have a look at our PIARC website at www.piarc.com.au .You will find information and application forms for our various motoring based activities and ways you can join us in this exciting and demanding past-time we call motorsport. Through us, you can also gain access to motorsport including other events here at Phillip Island such as V8 Supercar races, International Motorcycle races, various National, State and Club based Race Car series, as well as the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park. We look forward to seeing you again here at the circuit later in the year or at our clubrooms at the Moorabbin Airport, where we enjoy our club life and social life away from the track. Best regards Welcome to this weekend’s Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, Round 6 for 2015, which brings to a conclusion the tenth year of PIARC’s (Phillip Island Auto Racing Club) partnership with this series which commenced as the Nationals in 2006 and morphed into the Shannons Nationals in 2007.

This weekend’s event is.promoted and organised by PIARC, and we wish you a warm welcome to the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, which as always is beautifully presented by the circuit owners the Linfox Group via their Phillip Island Operations P/L management and staff. This series gives us the opportunity to showcase many national categories on this historically significant rd world class race circuit which this year celebrates its 63 anniversary, and also celebrates 20 rounds of “The s Nationals” since their inception 2006, keeping you entertained with varied programs and great racing. This Meeting is the other end of the spectrum from May’s traditionally longer endurance focused races. with this weekend being packed with numerous short, sharp sprint races with eight differing categories, from exciting Porsche GT3s to pocket rocket Superkarts and a host of Touring Car and Sports Car categories between to keep not stop racing before your eyes. Porsche enthusiasts will receive a bonus this weekend with the new more classic based IROC Porsches making their Island debut.

All of the marshals here today are volunteers who are trained by the sport for their various roles, and the majority of them are our own PIARC members. The remainder come from other dedicated groups who lend their specialities to what we are doing. These skills extend to services such as Medical, Fire, Flags, Timing and Scrutiny. We work in close cooperation with the Confederation of Australian Motorsport (CAMS) and with their support and involvement, we have a national licensing and training program for marshals at all the circuits in Australia. This provides for a consistently high level of skills and application of rules and procedures at CAMS events; a standard that is widely recognised around the world.

• Competitors and the competitor groups for their participation & cooperation.

If you are interested in more involvement as either an enthusiast, spectator or maybe an official or driver, have a look at our PIARC website at www.piarc.com.au .You will find information and application forms for our various motoring based activities and ways you can join us in this exciting and demanding past-time we call motorsport.

• Team Medical Australia for medical services

Through us, you can also gain access to motorsport including other events here at Phillip Island such as V8 Supercar races, International Motorcycle races, various National, State and Club based Race Car series, as well as the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

• PIARC Recovery Team with the help through the year from Warragul Towing, Magic Towing, Waverley Towing and Bunyip Crane Trucks. • Dazzle Signs for assistance with event signage. • Bass Coast Shire for assistance with promotion

We look forward to seeing you again here at the circuit later in the year or at our clubrooms at the Moorabbin Airport, where we enjoy our club life and social life away from the track. Best regards

Geoff Bull President–PIARC.

Geoff Bull, President–PIARC To finish off 2015 at Phillip Island we have the V8 Supercar Championship Meeting on Nov 20 – 22 and the very traditional Island Magic Race Meeting on Nov 28 –29. To finish off 2015 at, Phillip Island we have the V8 Supercar Championship Meeting on November 20 to 22 and the very traditional Island Magic Race Meeting on November 28-29.

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 21

ROUND 6 PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT, VIC

ROUND 6 SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

1235

Qualifying 2

Radical Australia Cup

15 min

1255

Qualifying 2

Aust Superkart Championship

15 min

1320

Race 1

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champ.

9 laps

1345

Race 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

9 laps

1410

Race 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

8 laps

1435

Race 1

Radical Australia Cup

9 laps

1500

Race 1

Aust Superkart Championship

7 laps

1525

Race 1

Australian Sports Racer Series

9 laps

1550

Race 1

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

8 laps

1615

Race 1

IROC Challenge Series

9 laps

1640

Race 2

Radical Australia Cup

0600

Gates Open

0715

Registration

Office open for driver registration

0905

Practice 1

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

15 min

0925

Practice 1

Radical Aust Cup/Aust Sports Racer Series

20 min

0950

Practice 1

Aust Superkart Championship

15 min

1010

Practice 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

15 min

1030

Practice 1

IROC Challenge Series

15 min

1050

Practice 1

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champ.

25 min

1120

Practice 2

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

20 min

1145

Practice 2

Radical Aust Cup/Aust Sports Racer Series

20 min

1210

Practice 2

Aust Superkart Championship

20 min

1235

Practice 2

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

20 min

1300

Practice 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

15 min

1320

Practice 2

IROC Challenge Series

20 min

1345

Practice 2

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champ.

25 min

1415

Practice 2

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

20 min

1440

Sponsor Rides

Super 6 TC/V8 Touring Cars

20 min

1510

Sponsor Rides

Radical/Porsche GT3 Cup/IROC

20 min

1535

Practice 1

Aust Superkart Championship

15 min

1555

Practice 1

Australian Sports Racer Series

15 min

1615

Practice 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

15 min

1635

Practice 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

20 min

SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

22 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

07 00

Gates Open

0910

Qualifying 1

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

15 min

0930

Practice 1

IROC Challenge Series

15 min

0950

Qualifying 1

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champ.

20 min

1015

Qualifying 1

Radical Australia Cup

15 min

1035

Qualifying 1

Aust Superkart Championship

15 min

1055

Qualifying 1

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

15 min

1115

Qualifying 1

Australian Sports Racer Series

15 min

1135

Qualifying 2

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

15 min

1155

Qualifying 1

IROC Challenge Series

15 min

1215

Qualifying 1

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

15 min

9 laps

SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 0700

Gates Open

0910

Warm up

Radical Australia Cup

0920

Race 2

Aust Superkart Championship

7 laps

0940

Race 2

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champ.

9 laps

1010

Race 2

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

9 laps

1035

Race 3

Radical Australia Cup CPS

40 min

1125

Race 2

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

8 laps

1155

Race 2

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

8 laps

1220

Race 3

Aust Superkart Championship

7 laps

1240

Race 2

IROC Challenge Series

9 laps

1305

Race 2

Australian Sports Racer Series

9 laps

1330

Race 3

Formula 3 Australian Drivers Champ.

14 laps

1405

Race 3

Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge

9 laps

1430

Race 3

Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series

12 laps

1505

Race 3

DBYD Aust Super Six TC Series

8 laps

1530

Race 3

IROC Challenge Series

9 laps

1555

Race 3

Australian Sports Racer Series

9 laps

1620

Race 4

Aust Superkart Championship

10 laps

5 min

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 23

DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG AUSTRALIAN SUPER SIX TOURING CAR SERIES

ROUND 6 PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT, VIC

ON THE WEB: WWW.SUPER6TOURINGCARS.COM.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

RADICAL AUSTRALIA CUP

Blackwell Race Engines

Gavin Ross

VIC

VT Comm

Martin Engineering

Grant Johnson

VT Comm

ON THE WEB: WWW.RADICALSPORTSCARS.COM

Auddinofn.com.au

Tony Auddino

AU Falcon

GAG/Hinde Transport

Ben Grice

QLD

AU Falcon

Coates Hire

Gary Beggs

QLD

AU Falcon

Silkgate Group

Ian Chivas

NSW

AU Falcon

Industrial Galvanizers

Aaron King

VIC

VT Comm

Cachet Homes

Vince Ciallella

VT Comm

Zedtec Engineering

John McClevety

QLD

AU Falcon

selby.com

Simon Tabinor

VIC

VT Comm

Morphett Vale Garage

Wayne King

VT Comm

Kleenduct Australia P/L

Harley Phelan

VIC

VT Comm

Truckphones.com.au

Brent Edwards

VIC

AU Falcon

501 Performance

TBA

VIC

AU Falcon

Martin Engineering

Matt Martin

VT Comm

Lighthouse Electrical

Ashley Jarvis

QLD

AU Falcon

Lighthouse Electrical

Dion Jarvis

QLD

AU Falcon

Premium Racing Parts

David Wright

VIC

AU Falcon

James Kielly

QLD

VT Comm

Dial Before You Dig

Mark Primmer

NSW

AU Falcon

Dial Before You Dig

TBA

AU Falcon

Brownes Chill

Brad Boley

VT Comm

Pakenham Tyres

Travis Lindorff

VIC

VT Comm

Luke Fraser Racing

Luke Fraser

VT Comm

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

STATE

VEHICLE

Vantage Freight

David Crampton

NSW

Radical

Axiom Wealth/Radical Aust

Simon Haggarty

NSW

Radical

Axiom Wealth/Radical Aust

Tony Haggarty

NSW

Radical

First Focus

Peter Paddon

NSW

Radical

Excalibur Racing

Neale Muston

NSW

Radical

RAW Racing

Kim Burke

NSW

Radical

EXEDRA Motorsport

TBA

VIC

Radical

Radical Australia

Greg Smith

NSW

Radical

Radical Australia

Oliver Smith

NSW

Radical

Radical Australia

TBA

NSW

Radical

Industrie Racing

Nick Kelly

NSW

Radical

TBA

VIC

Radical

KUMHO TYRES AUSTRALIAN V8 TOURING CAR SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.V8TOURINGCARS.COM.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

STATE

VEHICLE

JCH Electrical

Jason Heck

QLD

Ford Falcon BF

Cachet Homes

Chris Lillis

VT Comm

Scott's Rods Exhausts

Lindsay Kearns

QLD

AU Falcon

Poll Performance/Mocomm

Jim Pollicina

NSW

Commodore VZ

501 Performance

Tony Evangelou

VIC

Ford Falcon BF

Performance West

Garry Hills

VT Comm

Poco.com.au

Steve Briffa

NSW

Commodore VZ

Coates Hire

Bryce Fullwood

QLD

VT Comm

Glen Postlethwaite

VIC

VT Comm

All vehicle Services Taree

Sam Lee

NSW

AU Falcon

Rod Dawson

Mason Barbera

QLD

Ford Falcon BA

JCV Automotive

John Vergotis

NSW

Ford Falcon BA

Image Racing/Lubrimaxx

Leigh Moran

VIC

Ford Falcon BA

Falcon Spares/Engine Master

Matt Chahda

NSW

Ford Falcon BA

Eggleston Motorsport

Liam McAdam

QLD

Commodore VZ

Vectra Corp/Lubrimaxx

Chris Smerdon

Ford Falcon BA

STR Truck Bodies

Matthew Palmer

VIC

Ford Falcon BF

Image Racing

Michael Hector

NSW

Ford Falcon BF

Arcoplate/Penrite Oils

Jake Kostecki

Ford Falcon BF

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

ADG Engineering/Precise Precut/GCPF

Lyle Kearns

QLD

Commodore VZ

West Race Cars

Josh Cranston

NSW

RFR F1000

Performance West

Alex Rullo

Ford Falcon BF

Orlando Phoenix

Terry Peovitis

RFR F1000

Strong Excavations/ Kirra Automotics

Brendan Strong

NSW

Commodore VZ

Aventis Racing

Adam Cranston

NSW

RFR F1000

Douglas Barry Specials

Steven Devjak

NSW

Ford Falcon BF

Hughes Motorsport/Pro Vinyl

Sue Hughes

NSW

Radical SR3

Taylor Collision/ Badge

Michael Whiting

West WR1000

Hughes Supercar Services

Philip Hughes

VIC

Radical SR3

West Race Cars

Jason Makris

West WX10

Bryan Stoeckel

Jonathan Stoeckel

VIC

West WR1000

Laucke Flour Mills

Mark Laucke

West WX10RS

West Race Cars

Aaron Steer

West WR 1000

West Race Cars

John-Paul Drake

West WX10

For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au 24 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS RACER SERIES ON THE WEB: WWW.SPORTSRACER.COM.AU

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 25

AUSTRALIAN SUPERKART CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 2

ROUND 6 PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT, VIC

ON THE WEB: WWW.SUPERKARTSAUSTRALIA.ORG

PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE ON THE WEB: WWW.GT3CUPCHALLENGE.COM.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

STATE

VEHICLE

Dunlop Kartsport/BRC Engines/Wizzer

Gary Pegoraro

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Maddern Oil Pty Ltd

Charles Maddern

PVP

MJR Bricklaying/Slipstream Signs

Martin Latta

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Wizzer Engines/ SKE

Tony Lappas

SK EVO

Ciscos/Art Motorsport/KPI

Anton Stevens

VIC

PVP

Rockpress Fabrications PSR

Phil Silcock

QLD

Avoig Elise PSR

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

STATE

VEHICLE

Scott Taylor Motorsport

Scott Taylor

QLD

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Top Torque Engines

Matt Bass

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Orrcon Steel/Taylor Engineering

Jono Taylor

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Redback Racepaint (ACT)

Paul Campbell

NSW

Avoig Elise

Autobarn

Tim Miles

QLD

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Slipstream Signs/Burbank Homes

Dale Williams

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Wrightlands Property Group

David Ryan

NSW

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Peter Ford Catering, Burbank Homes

Jordan Ford

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Dexion/Allstar Equipment

Dylan O'Keeffe

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Slipstream Signs/Burbank Homes

Tyler Williams

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Sonic Motor Racing/Adina Apartments

Hamish Hardeman

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Bakker Superkarts/Ringwood Kart Centre

Garry Haywood

VIC

Bakker X4

htfu

Sam Shahin

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Your Amigo

Ilya Harpas

Anderson/Maverick

Kinpath Group

John Karytinos

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

TecHome.com.au, Middletons Printing

Jason Smith

QLD

Anderson/Maverick

Melbourne Orthopaedic Group

Shane Barwood

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

KJB Accountants & Business Advisors

Kristian Stebbing

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Scott Taylor Motorsport

Aaron Seton

QLD

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Stockman Superkarts

Jeff Reed

NSW

Stockman/MR2

Sonic Motor Racing

Jon Trende

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Coach Design

Russell Jamieson

QLD

Anderson/Maverick

Merry Sparks Art

Grant Sparks

QLD

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Scoresby Paving/Wizzer/Art Motorsport

Raff Pironti

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Emery Motorsport

Geoff Emery

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

GioVa Racing/FCS Racing/Avoig SK

Adam Stewart

ARDC

Anderson

AWC Motorsport/Signpoint

Sam Walter

TAS

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Stockman Superkarts/Macs Marine

Warren Mcllveen

NSW

Stockman 115

Horsley Park Gun Shop

James Abela

NSW

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

North Shore Boats

Paul Clarke

Anderson/Maverick

GAP Solutions

John Goodacre

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Colourite Painting

Mark Robin

NSW

Stockman/MR125

Dial Before You Dig

Jon McCorkindale

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Xtreme Karting

Chris Nolan

QLD

Stockman MR2

Power Street Racing

Michael Tsigeridis

QLD

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Win Excavations

Craig Brook

QLD

Anderson/Maverick

Hunter French Real Estate

Brian Finn

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Beyal Stud Rams, Hughes Bros Removals

Scott Appledore

VIC

Anderson/Maverick

Laser 3D/Force Accessories

Ryan Simpson

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

GioVa Racing

John Pellicano

NSW

Avoig Elise

Sonic/Parramatta Smash Repairs

Jaxon Evans

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Shiftmn

Michael Nicholas

QLD

Stockman/MR2

McElrea Racing/N2C

Ross McGregor

QLD

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

Avoig Superkarts/Rat Pack Racing

Aaron Cogger

NSW

Avoig Elise

Southern Star Windows

McGregor

VIC

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup

L & J Custom Kitchens & Joinery

Lee Vella

NSW

Avoig Elise Mk3

KJB Accountants

Geoff Lawrence

VIC

Stockman MR2

IROC CHALLENGE SERIES

Lewis Plumbing Qld, Zahl 1 Karting

Daniel Lewis

QLD

Anderson/Maverick

Zahl 1 Karting, Laser Central

Timothy Weier

QLD

Anderson/Maverick

ON THE WEB: WWW.IROCSERIES.COM.AU

Denture Professionals

Mark Hansen

Zip Eagle 2

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

duttongarage.com

George Nakis

VIC

Porsche 911

Jimjoca Motorsport

James Calvert-Jones

VIC

Porsche 911

SAMEX

Rob Black

Porsche 911

Skye Sands

Rusty French

VIC

Porsche 911

Sportsmed.SA

Greg Keene

Porsche 911

Mark Poole Motorsport

Rory O'Neill

Porsche 911

Sportsmed.SA

Amanda Sparks

Porsche 911

On Demand Electrical

Graeme Cook

Porsche 911

Surimex

Peter Eames

VIC

Porsche 911

Red Rock Winery

Rohan Little

VIC

Porsche 911

Kalus Kenny Intelex

Sven Burchartz

VIC

Porsche 911

For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au 26 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP ON THE WEB: WWW.FORMULA3.COM.AU

Car

SPONSOR

DRIVER

state

VEHICLE

R-Tek Motorsport

Nathan Kumar

NSW

Dallara F307-Opel Spiess

QLD

Dallara F311-Mercedes

R-Tek Motorsport

Rolland Legge

R-Tek Motorsport

TBA

Quicksilver Shirvington Racing

Trent Shirvington

NSW

Mygale M11-Mercedes

McDonalds Gilmour Racing

Jon Collins

NSW

Dallara F311-Mercedes

Dallara F304-Opel Spiess

Cetnaj Harvest Motorsport

Shane Ryding

VIC

Mygale M11-Mercedes

Ross McAlpine

NSW

Dallara F304-Renault Sodemo

AIE/Brookes/Alpine Motorsport

Tim Macrow

VIC

Dallara F307-Mercedes

GP Racegear Australia

Paul Scott

QLD

Dallara F304-Renault Sodemo

Jani-King Ricky Capo Racing

Ricky Capo

VIC

Dallara F311-Mugen Honda THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 27

ROUND 5 RECAP BACK-TO-BACK Touring Car round victories for young stars Alex Rullo and Ben Grice highlighted a massive fifth round of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals at Queensland Raceway, near Ipswich, in August.

15-YEAR-OLD Alex Rullo won his second Kumho V8 Touring Car round of the year while Grice stormed to another clean-sweep of a Super Six Touring car round to lodge his championship credentials. Jack Perkins was another to sweep all three races this weekend, dominating in his maiden Kerrick Sports Sedan triumph, while Cameron Hill won his third successive Formula Ford round of the season — with just one round remaining for the open wheelers. Victories by Jon Collins (Formula 3), Ryan Simpson (Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge), Beric Lynton (AMChamp) and Josh Townsend (Sports Racer) completed a massive day of racing.

PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE PRESENTED BY PIRELLI RYAN SIMPSON took the broom to the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli field, sweeping the three race weekend thanks to a string of two victories on Sunday — backing up his commanding win in the 40-lap Sunday night race. The Sydney driver was in his usual imperious form at Sydney Motorsport Park, breaking the lap record comfortably in race two — setting the new benchmark at 1m10.9903s. Simpson won the professional class with youngsters Dylan O’Keefe second and James Abela third. Abela on Saturday evening sealed the Jim Richards endurance trophy award for the McElrea team. Hamish Hardeman’s Porsche debut was one of the talking points of the weekend — the Formula Ford graduate converting sixth in the Jim Richards enduro to fifth and ninth places in Sunday’s two races, respectively. Geoff Emery edged out Tim Miles and podium debutant Sam Shahin for the honours in the Porsche’s elite class, while Jaxon Evans won the competitive class B fight over Aaron Seton and Jim Campbell.

28 | THE RACING MAGAZINE

AMCHAMP BERIC LYNTON in the Alphera Financial Services BMW1M made it two wins from two days in round three of the AMChamps. Lynton took the lead with 15 laps to go after a thrilling battle with the Sherrin brothers BMW — who had lead for the majority of the race up to that point. The #18 Sherrin Rentals BMW ran strongly all day, taking the lead on the first lap before the Poll Performance/Mocomm HSV of Pollicina and Lillie overtook them on the second lap. However, their lead would be short-lived, with a punctured left front tyre just laps later seeing them pit from the lead, handing it back to the Sherrin brothers entry who would go on to lead for the majority of the race from that point. The potential for an outright victory would slip from the grasp of the Queensland brothers however, when during an epic dice for the lead with Lynton with 15 laps to go saw Grant Sherrin have an off-track excursion on turn 3 — allowing Lynton through for the lead, where he stayed. Power steering issues sidelined the Rick Bates ProDuct Mitsubishi, while Bob Pearson retired later in the race with smoke billowing from his identical car.

KERRICK SPORTS SEDAN SERIES JACK PERKINS’ second round in the Kerrick Sports Sedan series has resulted in a dominant three-race sweep of the series’ third round of 2015. The Audi driver, filling in for injured regular pilot Darren Hossack, not only took pole and every race victory but set a new Sports Sedan lap record for the venue in the process. Tony Ricciardello finished second in races one and two however dropped down the order in race three after an exhaust issue slowed his progress. After their furious battle for the lead in Saturday’s opening race, Ricciardello seemed to have limited answer to the Audi’s pace on Sunday, falling ten seconds behind in race two and trailing the Audi again in race three before his dramas struck. Steven Tamasi finished third in both Sunday races and Tom Randle fourth in the Kerrick SAAB. Shane Bradford won the battle of the TransAm class whilst Keith Kassulke was the leader of the three-car MARC Cars Australia in-race battle.

FORMULA 3 AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP JON COLLINS has extended his lead in the Australian Formula 3 Championship following a commanding feature race victory at Queensland Raceway.

Collins assumed an early lead in the Formula 3’s 18-lap feature race whilst behind the Gilmour Racing driver some wild racing ensured on the opening lap — Ricky Capo, Roland Legge and Chris Gilmour going three wide into turn three as they battled for second place. Legge ran wide at the turn, spearing off into the gravel and down to the back of the field whilst Capo edged Gilmour for second. Collins sprinted away in front to win the race from Capo and a recovering Legge, who set a series of fastest laps on his charge through the field to the podium. Luke Spalding battled Roman Krumins for victory in the Formula 3 National class, the pair trading the lead on several occasions before the local driver was able to assume his position at the top of the class — and fifth outright.

KUMHO V8 TOURING CARS SERIES AFTER SURVIVING all kinds of drama to win his maiden Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series round at Winton in June, Alex Rullo had a much clearer pathway to victory in his second career round win at Queensland Raceway. Rullo scored pole and a perfect three-race sweep at QR to charge his way up the championship standings with back-to-back round wins. His cause was helped when nearest rival Liam McAdam was turned around into the gravel trap in a combative final race on the Sunday afternoon. McAdam had battled Rullo for the lead early in the race however the pair made contact at turn two — when McAdam was on the outside — with the Commodore driver coming off second best. A new lap record for the Eggleston Motorsport driver was small consolation for the disappointing end to his otherwise consistent weekend. McAdam now leads Rullo by just five points at the series’ half way point, Jim Pollicina third overall and first in the privateer class.

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP CAMERON HILL won the fifth round of the Australian Formula Ford Series and placed one hand on the championship trophy in the process thanks to two race wins at Queensland Raceway. Hill won race two with relative ease but had to spend 10 laps of continued onslaught from Luis Leeds and Will Brown in a breathless finale’ before he could seal his third straight round victory. Hill won the round by one point and has now won eight of the last nine races in the open-wheel category. Luis Leeds finished second, surviving a thrilling last-lap battle with Will Brown in the finale’ to hold on to second spot for the race and round in his DREAM Motorsport Mygale.

Hill, Leeds and Brown each set identical fastest lap times in the 10-lap finale’, showcasing the competitive nature of the series this season — despite Hill’s apparent domination. Will Brown and Christian Morina tied on 25 points each for third overall, Brown getting the result on a countback thanks to his race three finish.

DIAL BEFORE YOU DIG SUPER SIX TOURING CAR SERIES BEN GRICE has taken his streak of race wins to six in the Dial Before You Dig Australian Super Six Touring Car Series following success at Queensland Raceway. Backing up from his dominant performance in Sydney last month, the Gold Coast-based second-generation driver stormed to three comfortable victories ahead of fellow Holden driver and defending champion, Gavin Ross. Queensland Ford driver Ashley Jarvis finished third for the round thanks to two thirds and a fourth — Gary Begs scoring a podium in race three after a storming drive. Lindsay Kearns and Brent Edwards completed the top five.

SPORTS RACER SERIES THE F1000 racers within the Australian Sports Racer Series have found great success, with Joshua Townsend clinching the first ever race and then round win for an F1000 while Adam Cranston took over the points lead. Townsend would take not one but two race victories by the time the day was out, and was joined on the round podium by Michael Whiting (second) and Cranston (third) — with Whiting and Cranston proving that in racing, consistency really does count. The Sports Racer weekend was highlighted by an incredible three-way fight for victory in race two that saw Townsend charge from third to first in one lap of racing, ultimately edging out Mark Laucke by 0.06s in one of the races of the year. Laucke struck dramas in the third and final race, allowing Adam Cranston to jump to the points lead following three rounds.

“Townsend would take not one but two race victories by the time the day was out.”

THENATIONALS.COM.AU | 29

ROUND 6 PHILLIP ISLAND GP CIRCUIT, VIC

TELEVISION COVERAGE SHANNONS NATIONALS TV Speedweek on Sunday at 2pm on SBS1

Round 6 phillip island gp circuit, 18–20 september 4th October Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Aust Formula 3 Championship Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series 11th October Aust Super 6 Touring Cars Australian Sports Racer Series IROC Challenge Series

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PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT