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SOME PEOPLE LIKE MOTOR RACING FOR THE CARS, SOME FOR THE DRIVERS. I LIKE IT FOR A BIT OF BOTH, ALL AT ONCE. By Richard Craill our minds at all times. The reason I follow this sport, often as a cheerleader for it in the times when Motorsport is about car and driver going others are talking it down, is to see good as fast as possible in a given time and/ drivers in good cars reaching or exceeding or distance. their maximum potential. It’s for this reason, I think, why Bathurst’s I don’t care if it’s Craig Lowndes versus shootout has become so popular over Maxi Buhk in the closing laps of the the years. It’s why lap records are always Bathurst 12 Hour this year, or Jamie discussed so often. It’s why people love Whincup crushing the V8 Supercars when two drivers at the top of their game field by a significant margin once again; crash into each other and get angry. I just want to see the cars and drivers in I could be a masochist but question doing what they I also love going out and do best to the absolute “After all, the watching testing. There is maximum of their sport is all about no pressure and no official potential. results and no reason other limits – but it One of the best races I than to try and improve ever saw in person was should be about car and driver before going a Ford Mustang versus racing the next time. pushing them, a little Lotus Cortina, I take a strange kind of at Sydney Motorsport rather than satisfaction out of going Park a few years back. ” restricting them. and sitting at a corner Each was driven as hard and watching a driver try as possible and each different lines, different braking points played to their strengths; Mustang in a and even throwing it off the road a straight line, Cortina through the twisty couple of times trying to find the limit. bits. Good god, it was fantastic. I did not After all, the sport is all about limits – but know the drivers, and wouldn’t recognise it should be about pushing them, rather them from anyone else if they came up in than restricting them. conversation but the battle remains. It’s pleasing to see that a lot of Australian It is hugely important that, in this time Motorsport, then, continues to reward when the sport is seemingly desperate the simple act of going as fast as humanly to become more ‘socially relevant’ by possible. introducing energy recovery systems, mandatory fuel limits and turbocharged As long as that concept continues to engines for efficiency, that we keep the thrive, I’ll keep watching.. and I’m sure bare basics of Motorsport in the back of many others will, too.
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Speed Shots
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News in Brief...
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Pitlane Whiteboard
10 Feature The Unlikely Champion 14 Feature Sports Racers 16 Feature V8TC - Keeping the Faith 18 Feature MALLALAVELLOUS. 21 Round 2 - Categories & Entries 29 Meeting News 30 Television Coverage Lap Records
Publisher Australian Motor Racing Pty Ltd Editor Richard Craill Art Director
Sarah Anesbury - 121 Creative Hilton
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CARPARKING Canon 30D, 70-200mm, 1/400 at f22, ISO 400. NO, this is not a very expensive, freakish car crash on Sandown’s pit straight; it’s perhaps the most diverse collection of racing cars you’re likely to see grouped together at an Australian race track – possibly ever. Included are the following classes: Sports Racer, V8 Touring Cars, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Formula Ford, AMChamps, Super Six Touring cars, Radical Australia Cup, Formula 3 and Australian GT (Sports Sedans didn’t quite make it). It wasn’t easy getting all these cars on the grid, together, and early morning rain made this a dicey challenge. But when they were all lined up, the clouds parted, the sunshine broke through and the racing gods smiled on an incredible collection.
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FORMULA FUTURE LOCKED AFTER MONTHS of uncertainty, the long-term future of Australia’s Formula Ford Series has been secured, with big fields set to return to the grid this year. A RESOUNDING vote of confidence in the new direction of Formula Ford racing in Australia has all but secured the categories longterm future, according to key figures within the series. 35 series entries have been received for the reborn Series – now running predominantly with Shannons Nationals rounds this year – with more than 20 cars expected at the Mallala season opener. A key reduction in operating and entry costs along with the reintroduction of the previously state level-only Kent-powered cars into the national scene has opened the shop front to ‘lad and dad’ racers as well as all-powerful teams like Sonic Motor Racing, Synergy Racing and Mike Borland’s eponymous Borland Racing Developments team. “The category has certainly been through some
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uncertainty,” said Michael Ritter, the Sonic team chief. “I don’t think that’s news to anyone, but I believe the formula that organisers have come up with now will be a strong one and guarantee a bright future for drivers, teams and administrators.” Ritter enters his 16th year of competition for Sonic with Formula Ford in 2014, armed with another barrage of bright young talent for 2014 in the landmark season. West Australian Nick Rowe and Victorians Hamish Hardeman and Christian Morina spearhead’s Sonic line-up this year. “I can honestly say I’m very excited about the future. With a new structure and National calendar in place and a philosophy of reducing costs the National Formula Ford Series positions itself as the leading driver development series in Australia and it’ll continue to provide a platform for our best young talent to learn their craft.”
The Formula Ford Association will run the series in 2014, Chairman John van Leeuwen indicating that a change in ideology has helped return competitors to the grid following several seasons of rising costs. “The main criteria for driver development is to provide a competitive series which is bred out of strong grid numbers and not what track or audience you are competing on. As a result of the shift to the Shannons Nationals programme we have more than halved entry costs, considerably reduced the travel and accommodation expenses for teams and implemented other cost reduction initiatives such as in season testing and tyre restrictions.” The new Australian Formula Ford Series will race at Mallala, Winton, Queensland Raceway, Wakefield Park, Sydney Motorsport Park and Phillip Island (Island Magic) this year.
Follow the series on Twitter @ShannonsNats
FIVE TIME
TAKES DSO ROLE Porsche ace to do double-duty in race control this year.
FIVE-TIME Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Champion Craig Baird has been confirmed in the role of Driving Standards Observer for the 2014 Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series. The Gold Coast-based New Zealander will dovetail the role with the DSO position for the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, which also competes on the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals program. Baird, a veteran of 19 Bathurst 1000 starts and 87 V8 Supercars Championship event appearances, takes over the role from Cameron McConville. “I was going to be at the Shannons Nationals events to do the GT3 Cup Challenge so it makes good sense for me to do both categories and helps split the costs for both as well,” says Baird, who also filled the role for GT3 Cup Challenge last season as well. “Cameron has been in the same role before so he has an open mind to that sort of thing, which is a win-win for both categories. At the end of the day, these categories are about the competitors enjoying their racing. The Shannons Nationals categories are about enjoyment and developing some skills. “There are certainly different skill sets in among the different drivers in the Kumho Series but the only way they will all enjoy it is if they can pack their car away on the Sunday night with no damage. Some guys are at the end of their career floating through having fun; others are trying to learn some skills and progress up the ladder. It’s always a balance but it’s all about keeping damage to
a minimum and enjoyment to a maximum.” The Kumho Series was introduced in 2008 as a category for cars that are no longer eligible for the V8 Supercar Development Series. It features ex-V8 Supercar Falcons and Commodores rev-limited to 7000rpm (500rpm less than V8 Supercars) using Kumho control tyres and has become an unofficial third-tier of the sport.
LINDORFF STAKES TITLE CLAIM THE ABSENCE OF defending two-time champion Simon Tabinor has thrown the Dial Before You Dig Australian Super Six Touring Car Series wide open in 2014, with multiples of drivers looking like title chances following Sandown’s season opener. Commodore driver Travis Lindorff put his name forward as an early favourite by winning the
season opener, snaring victories in the first two races and a close second position in the finale’ to take the round. Holden driver Gavin Ross and Falcon ace Kane Baxter-Smith also were also extremely competitive at Sandown; Baxter-Smith the leading Ford and Ross a winner in race three – an early candidate for race of the year. The trio raced nose-to-tail in the opening laps
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before a breathtaking period of six corner saw the pair trade paint and positions and Ross jump from third to first in the process. Lindorff leads the standings with Ross and Baxter-Smith in close company; Luke Westall (Falcon) and Matthew Palmer (Commodore) in fourth and fifth, respectively.
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PITLANE WHITEBOARD It’s the anonymous Twitter account that has more shots at Roland Dane than he has at the pub on a Friday morning. And that’s saying something because, as far as whiteboard go, this one drinks A LOT. And we’ve given him a second column! After detailed negotiations, which I’m told involved the editor calling CAMS and being the first person to ask for a longer disclaimer, while the publisher was curled up in the opposite corner of the office in the foetal position, hands over ears, repeatedly yelling, “la la la la, I’m not listening:” I’m back. That’s not the only problem. Apparently Formula 1 has problems too. No, not the “Bernie is going to jail” problem, or the “Maldonado can’t even get to get the hotel lobby in the morning without walking into the door frame” problem. Formula 1 has a noise problem – they’re too bloody quiet. It came to light after the Australian Grand Prix. Some organiser bloke, on finding the cars are so quiet people were coming up to him and suggesting things like “it’s the Grand Prix, maybe you should have some more motor racing on the schedule instead of B-grade radio personalities looking to record ‘me having a major moment in the Turn 14 gravel trap’ as a secret sound for the brekky show next week; and the dudes on skateboards that weren’t good enough to get a gig in the Avril Lavigne music video,” thought this: “Maybe I’ll sue Bernie, because that Ecclestone bloke is the kind of reasonable man that will take something like that seriously, and I’m sure he won’t ask his butler to put that law suit in the shredder and watch while bathing in a diamond
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encrusted pool filled with one hundred dollar bills, laughing manically at the same time…” But apparently this is a problem, a major problem. We’ve given each team 200-gazillion dollars to build the best racing cars in the universe, and what we’ve got is a sound not too dissimilar to the last five minutes of My Kitchen Rules where the sassy twins from Victoria can’t get the soufflé to rise. Buzzzz, Whirrr, Sluuurp. The Merc sounds like a Dyson, and the Ferrari sounds like the Electrolux that the cleaner here uses. The Renault sounds more like a food processor, but I’m sure once it stops shredding internals like the Ginsu II knife you’d see in the infomercials at 3am after the race finishes on the tele, it’ll sound the same too. (By the way, where is the new Ginsu 3? Surely by now those R&D boffins at the Danoz Direct laboratory have something that cuts Carbon Fibre and Armco...) The obvious solution is to send it to the FIA Formula One Technical Working Group. That’s TWG for those that know the difference between an MGU-H and an MGU-K; unlike me who thought that an MGD is what you are left with in America when you run out of Budweiser. But given the TWG’s achievements after 72 meetings so far include renaming something that everybody else in the world calls an “Engine” to something else, and coming up with a set of
regulations leading to front wing designs that looks like something that got David Reynolds detention for mowing into the school oval in Year 9, I see only SFA coming from those SOB’s. LOL! I see only one solution. Black Flag them. Under 95db(A)? In you come. Not loud enough - sort it out. Ferrari can take their car down to Strathfield, the bloke there will have that MGU-H powering a JVC and play some MP3’s of some AC/DC or KLF, while installing Kimi a GPS, ASAP! Whatever happens, the sport needs to act promptly. If only because presently we can hear Ron Dennis and Dietrich Mateschitz moaning over the cars. Nobody wants that.
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 it’s associated entities.
RACER OF THE YEAR.. AGAIN? IN 2013, RICHARD MUSCAT was awarded the inaugural Racing Magazine ‘Racer Of The Year’ award, based on votes from industry representatives and a fan poll run online, which attracted more than 2,000 votes.
The young Victorian continued his winning ways at Sandown’s Australian GT Championship season opener in March, winning both races despite failing to qualify thanks to a technical issue. It is a good start to his defence of his Racer Of The Year award.. and yes.. it will be back in 2014, bigger and better than ever. We’re currently in the process of putting the basics
and eligibility of the award together for this year, along with a prize of commensurate value! Keep an eye on The Racing Magazine to find out more as the 2014 season progresses!
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.kumho.com.au/ECSTA-PS91
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WITH THREE, YOU CAN BANK IT. When one car is not enough, then maybe two is the option.. But in Bruce Banks’ case he needed three to pull off a surprise win in the 2013 Kerrick Australian Sports Sedan Series. GARRY O’BRIEN recounts this remarkable tale of three cars leading to one title. Words: Garry O’Brien Images: Nathan Wong THERE WAS no doubt that when pundits looked at who would likely win the title at the beginning of last year’s season, the name Bruce Banks was not at the top of anyone’s list. And the Tasmanian would certainly have agreed, for he too didn’t expect that he would likely trouble the title contenders. In fact he looked unlikely to even compete. Racing at Baskerville late in 2012, his Mazda broke an upright . . . and try as he might, he couldn’t get a replacement. “It was an IndyCar style of one, manufactured by Lola, and Albins, the company that was going to rebuilt it, was flat out building the transaxles for the V8 Supercars’ Car Of The Future,” said Banks. “I had pretty much given up on getting to Sydney Motorsport Park for the first round when Steve Vigurs rang me. He had built two of my previous chassis’ and had just completed a new one with a Chev Camaro body and 782hp Nascar engine that I could use.” Many of the suspension components in the Camaro came from the Bob Jolly Commodore/ Chev which had passed through the hands of
Rodney Woods and Ian Ross before Vigurs brought it. The new combination of Banks and Camaro qualified eighth for the opening race in which he finished sixth. In the next outing he was fifth and in the last, fourth. Meanwhile Tony Ricciardello made up for a dismal 2012, driving his Alfa/Chev to a comprehensive round victory. He qualified fastest and took all three races ahead of defending series winner Kerry Baily (Aston Martin/Chev) with Daniel Tamasi (Calibra/Chev) third. Overall Banks was fourth and left New South Wales trailing Ricciardello by 34 points. Mallala Motorsport Park was the next venue, very different from the Sydney venue. An emotional Jeff Barnes was a surprise winner of the Clem Smith Cup, the feature race at round two, making the right tactical calls while the fancied runners wallowed or had dramas in the wind and rainplagued conditions. Each of the races offered more twists and turns than a mystery novel. It was a stunner for the hallmark event as only Barnes and Daniel Tamasi
(Holden Calibra/Chev) managed to go the whole distance while Banks was a lap down in third. Ricciardello’s round was compromised when he hit the lapped and struggling Damien Johnson Holden Torana whilst in front. Meanwhile Darren Hossack looked to be off to a great result after easily winning the opening race but he made a late strategy call to switch to dry tyres as the field formed up, losing a couple of laps in the process and then retiring later with a blown head gasket. Banks maintained his fourth in the standings, but now only 30 points covered the top four. From South Australia it was off to Queensland for round three and a brief solace from the southern winter chills. Banks and the Camaro were becoming a quick combination as the Tasmanian became more familiar with the car and the move from rotary to V8 power. “I was getting used to the lineal power of the V8,” he confirmed Banks qualified seventh and faster than many that he would, under previous circumstances, see disappearing into the distance ahead. Dameon Jameson (Jaguar/Chev), Colin Smith (Holden Monaro/Chev), Anthony Cox (Saab/Dodge)
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and Barnes (Pontiac Trans Am) rounded out the top ten. In the first race Banks was fifth with only the heavy metal of Ricciardello, Hossack, Baily and Bradford ahead. Banks trailed the Bradford Camaro by 2.5 seconds for another fifth in the second before getting past his the Queenslander on the last lap of the final race for a fine fourth. Ricciardello set lap records at Queensland Raceway but loose body work meant a pitstop and a finish down the order. It was not all plain sailing for Banks either who had no brakes for much of the round. “At one point the fluid boiled and splashed all over me,” he recalled. Defending series winner Baily found himself back at the top of the points with Bradford second and Banks now up to third five points away. There was a 45 point margin to Baily. For the fourth round at the Phillip Island circuit in Victoria, Banks was back aboard his trusty Mazda steed. He was expected to not qualify as well as the last couple of rounds, and didn’t. But eighth wasn’t bad on the super-fast Victorian layout. The front runners were again in the wars. Not so much for anything mechanical but this time for excessive noise. That knocked out both Hossack and Baily while Ricciardello had a re-occurrence of the bodywork issue from Queensland which was later determined to be a damaged chassis from the Mallala accident. Baily was affected the most, losing his lead in the series and dropping to third overall. By virtue of consistency and some handy placings, namely a fifth and a fourth with a career-defining third in between, Banks had assumed the lead in the series.
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His had a 22 point margin over Bradford with Ricciardello another 14 points adrift. Baily was in the mix as well but would not compete at the final round due to business commitments. “With the way the points worked I thought I had a chance for sure going to the last round,” appraised Banks. But his optimism received a savage jolt when the Mazda expired in the first Saturday session. “I
Banks made the grid, finished third and that was enough for history books to record that a battler from the Apple Isle had snared the crown. was devastated at that point. Put simply it was a mistake on our part, and not the fault of the car. Basically it punched out a centre bearing and we had no spare engine.” At this point in steps Victorian Dean Camm stepped forward with the generous offer to race his Chev Corvette. “You have just got to win this championship he told me,” and with a sign-off by the rest of the field, it was all systems go. Ricciardello gave his best shot in a bid for title
number eight, and after scoring pole position, won all three races and took a new lap record – a time that was two tenths of a second faster than the new lap record set in Formula 3 on same day. But he fell 11 points short of the ultimate prize. Banks needed placings to hold off a points haulage from Ricciardello and Bradford. After a fifth in the opening foray, he followed up with a fourth, but there was further drama. “One of the headers fell off in race two and was run over. We had to fabricate a new header at the track and time was against us,” said Banks reliving the anxious time some months later. “I suited up and sat in the car – it was all I could do – and waited.” Banks made the grid, finished third and that was enough for history books to record that a battler from the Apple Isle had snared the crown. “It was Dean’s gracious offer that kept my chances alive and I also have to thank my fellow competitors for all giving their approval and allowing me to make the car change,” Banks said. “Then to win the title with all the late drama, it is hard to put into words the way I felt.” “A Tasmanian beat me for the title last year and another one beat me this year (2013), I think we should have them banned,” quipped the West Australian Ricciardello. From the two furthest states that compete in the mainly eastern seaboard situated series, West Aussies and Tasmanians have dominated the Australian Sports Sedan Championship/Series with eight titles each since it was revised in 1991.
SUPER
{SPORTS}
RACERS
It’s not just the World Endurance Championship – the home of LeMans Sportscars – that is having something of a renaissance at the moment.. Australia is getting it two. This year the Sports Racer Series steps up to the plate as a series to watch. AMANDA JACKSON chats to key contenders to find out what makes them tick. Words: Amanda Jackson Images: West Race Cars / Richard Craill / Sports Racer Series
2014 will be a year of change for the Australian Sports Racing Series, as it steps up to a truly National level for the first time. With spiritual links to the hugely popular sports car racing scene of the 70s and 80s, these LeMans prototype style sports cars offer scintillating performance, amazing dynamics and spectacularly close racing. All cars are designed to maximise aerodynamic performance, weighing just 400kg, with various marques powered by high-tech production-based motorcycle engines revving to 13,500 RPM; allowing them to lap circuits at V8 Supercar times. To find out more about what makes these amazing cars tick, we spoke to the men responsible for two of the many currently available Sports Racer makes. “The Sports Racer category is like no other category on offer in Australia and it is so great to see it stepping up to the Shannons Nationals,” said Adam Proctor, the 2013 Sports Racer champion who will run four Stohrs out of AP Racing across the 2014 Series, one of which Proctor will drive himself. “These cars have huge appeal and offer big bang for your buck – they echo LeMans style race cars, they have low-running costs and supreme performance with ultra-reliable, high-revving and low maintenance engines, are light weight and have excellent aerodynamics. “This all means that these cars are very fast lapping quicker than V8 Supercars and capable of a top speed of 250 kilometres per hour and well over 3 Gs while cornering.
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“Of the various makes available, the Stohr has unique styling and superior aerodynamics which have made it the car to beat in Australia and the US. Using a Suzuki GSXR 1000cc engine, Stohrs have won three straight Australian Championships and 12 US National championships. “They are fantastic cars to drive – with such great aerodynamics they give the driver great confidence and the six speed sequential gearbox and paddle shift is a real bonus, providing a Formula One feel.” While the Stohr has won the last few championships, the West chassis is also a clear favourite amongst 2014 Australian Sports Racer entrants, with Aaron Steer‘s West Race Cars responsible for their production in Adelaide. “West has the largest number of Sports Racers in Australia and is the only Sports Racer that has been wind tunnel tested. Currently there are 18 Wests located across the country and we expect to see around 14 of those in action during the 2014 Series,” said Steer, who will race a West in the 2014 Series. “In my opinion you will not find bigger bang for your buck in Australian motorsport than what you will find in the Sports Racer series, I am so excited to see these cars showcased to our newfound larger community through this partnership with the Shannons Nationals. “These cars are capable of breaking forces in excess of 3Gs, corning forces of 3G, can travel from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds, are faster than a V8 Supercar and lap faster than Casey Stoner’s record at Phillip Island. They are very fun to drive
– the combination of braking, corner speed, an engine revving to 13,000 rpm and a paddle shifter makes you feel like you are playing F1 on your playstation! “To top it off, while they may be really fast, they are super easy to drive – my first time driving a race car was a West and it was so forgiving and user friendly, I was on the pace in no time. There is not a race day that goes past where the West doesn’t surprise me with its performance.”
“In my opinion you will not find bigger bang for your buck in Australian motorsport than what you will find in the Sports Racer series...”
Sports Racer in 60 seconds: • Makes:
West, Stohr, Spead, Radicals, Prince LSR
• Engines:
production-based motorcycle engines - most popular are Suzuki and Kawasaki, mid-mounted
• Rev limit :
up to 13,500 RPM
• Top speed : over 250kmh at some circuits • Gearbox : six speed sequential gearbox with paddle shift • Cornering load: 3Gs • Braking forces in excess of 3Gs • 0-100kmh in 2.7 seconds • Rear wheel drive • Space frame chassis
Want more? Go to www.sportsracer.com.au thenationals.com.au | 15
KEEPING THE FAITH Things were tough when the Kumho V8 Touring Cars Series was launched in the early stages of the 2008 racing season. Grids were limited and for a time, the future looked bleak. Now entering its seventh season, RICHARD CRAILL charts the progress of one of the sports success stories of the last decade. Photos by Nathan Wong FOUR CARS. That was it. When two Holdens, one VT and one VS, and two AU Falcons fronted at a chilly Mallala on Friday, May 16 2008 for the first round of a brand-new V8 series there were naturally doubts about its sustainability. But being the first round of a whole new concept, people a bold new experiment time to grow. Build it, the film said, and they will come. However when just three cars fronted at the next round at Eastern Creek a month or two later, there was a very good chance that what would ultimately become a third-tier V8 Supercar series would never actually get off the ground. The early days of what we now know as the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series were tough.. really tough.. but in a true test of preservation the organisers and early supporters stuck with it and now the result is a vibrant, tough and competitive series that not only gives a place to race for ex-V8 Supercars to race, but a place for drivers looking to step up to prove their worth. From that low of three cars in the middle of 2008, the series reached a high of 20 cars by the first round of the 2011 season and, by then, things were properly underway. The series had begun to develop its own feel, its own history and
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its own image beyond just a place for old cars to go and play. By the time that Chris Smerdon (2008) and Adam Wallis (2009) had won their titles in the series’ formative years, things got more competitive when Tony Evangelou, a driver with V8 Supercars main-game and Dunlop Series experience, won in 2010. Terry Wyhoon’s win in 2011 marked the end of a generation – a period before the series was discovered by young, wannabe V8 Supercar drivers looking for experience to drive the cars. When Josh Hunter made his debut in the opening round of the 2012 season, it was clear there had been a generational switch in the now Kumho series. The grandson of Speedway legend Garry Rush, Hunter was a Formula Ford graduate looking for a more affordable entry point – and arguably one at a level commensurate with his experience – to V8 racing. Despite a challenging season and with a still limited budget, Hunter proved his capabilities and won the title. That Shae Davies – who already had a Porsche Carrera Cup drive at the same time – did the same the following season was proof that the game had changed in V8 Touring Car land. The entry
of Ryan Simpson and noted driver developers, Sonic Motor Racing, into the series’ mid season continued the trend. It’s amazing how far the series has come across six seasons and after the challenging opening few years, it has delivered some incredible moments. Terry Wyhoon edging out Mackay youngster Justin Garioch by 0.08s at Sydney Motorsport Park in 2011 was great. The wild last lap of the third race in the 2013 season opener that featured one of the best last laps of the entire motorsport year, in any category: an incredible four or five car shootout that saw Shae Davies snatch victory from nowhere in the final turns. In the perfect example of something going ‘viral’, hundreds of thousands of people online were exposed to the series thanks to shaky, mobilephone filmed vision of Jim Pollicina leaping from eighth to first in the space of four hundred meters at Sydney Motorsport Park the same year. Its memories like these that legitimise the series’ position in the landscape. After all, how many people talk about the fact the series once had three cars these days? Zero.
“The early days of what we now know as the Kumho V8 Touring Car Series were tough.. really tough..�
WHERE THE ACTION IS! come trackside and join the south australian motor racing officials association For your ultimate motorsport experience visit www.samroa.org.au thenationals.com.au | 17
MALLALAVELLOUS. Clem Smith sits quietly in the background of Australian Motorsport and yet remains one of the sports more influential figures from the last 40 years. His circuit, Mallala Motorsport Park, has for more than thirty years provided the only place to race, consistently, in South Australia. RICHARD CRAILL chats to the Adelaide car dealer and noted Sports Sedan Racer THE IMPORTANCE of Mallala Motorsport Park to South Australian Motorsport is unquestionable and real. As the only permanent circuit in the state, its absence now would cripple the local industry who (at least for now) lack an alternative. If the public face of the sport in Adelaide is the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar event, Mallala has been its beating heart for thirty years or more. Founded as Royal Australian Air Force Base Mallala during World War two, the current circuit was the home of the RAAF No. 6 Service Flying Transport School before the taxiways and hangar hardstands were first used as a racetrack in the early 1960s, as CAMS looked to find a permanent home for the sport in South Australia following the closure of Port Wakefield. However, after more than ten years of solid use, the circuit fell into disrepair as the new Adelaide International Raceway (AIR), built just 20 minutes away by local racer Keith Williams, took over as the prominent circuit in the state. Enter Clem Smith: “(Mallala) Would have only been disused for 4 years, in 1971 they went down to AIR and it was ’76 when I started negotiations to buy and I think I ended up paying for it in ’77. Anything good from Mallala was taken down there to AIR; they didn’t rip the track up or anything like that, though I thought they had.” “The story was they sold it to a farmer and he had it up for sale in ’76. A very good friend of
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mine, the late Reg Sparks, who was a great guy for the sport, suggested we get it going again: People didn’t like AIR very much because it wasn’t a very interesting track, they liked the sharp, hard corners of Mallala as more of a drivers track. Reg said ‘why don’t we give it a go, put some money in and buy the thing.” Experience told Clem that this was a venture that needed to be taken alone. “I said: ‘If I have to do this, Reg, I will take it on but if you get a silly group of people together it is not going to work.’ So I put all the hard work in. It started off very different to what it is today. (I was) Not helped by CAMS by any means. There is a big story there, but it takes a while to tell it, and all the legal side...” The full tale of the efforts put into bringing Mallala back from the dead deserves to one day to be told in full: it is one of legal battles, alleged underhanded dealings from the opposition and not surprisingly, difficult dealings with CAMS. However, after years of struggle, finally.. “In 1982 we got a license and started racing again,” Clem remembers. “The only favour I had was that CAMS pulled the pin on Touring Cars at AIR and they had to come to me didn’t they?” Mallala’s ATCC return came in 1989 and continued for eleven years, including an incredible sight in 2007, when an 30,500 people crammed into the venue to see Peter Brock’s last visit.
History will show that the Clipsal 500 would take the V8’s away from Mallala, it’s days of attracting such crowds now well in its past. However, the facility remains solidly booked for both racing and the essential track days and corporate events that nowadays are the breadand-butter for circuits everywhere. Had it not been for Clem Smith, South Australian Motorsport might be a very different place altogether: and not all for the better.
“Had it not been for Clem Smith, South Australian Motorsport might be a very different place altogether: and not all for the better.�
thenationals.com.au | 19
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA
SHANNONS AUSTRALIAN MOTOR RACING NATIONALS Round 2, Mallala, South Australia • April 25-27, 2014 ORGANISATION AND STATUS The event shall be held under the International Sporting Code of the Federation Internationale de l’automobile (FIA,) the National Competition Rules of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS), the Race Meeting Standing Regulations published by CAMS, relevant Category Championship or Series Sporting Regulations as approved by CAMS, the Supplementary Regulation, and any Further Regulations or Bulletins that may be issued by either the Series or Meeting Organisers. This event will be conducted under aand in accordance with CAMS OH&S and Risk management Policies which can be found on the CAMS Website at www.cams.com.au. Insurance for this event is provided in accordance with Appendix 1 of the current CAMS Manual. Authorised under CAMS Permit No 814/2704/01
PROMOTER: Mallala Motorsport Park Pty Ltd 1050 South Road Edwardstown SA 5039 Phone: 08 8276 7744, Fax 08 8276 7290 Email: mallalamotorsport@bigpond.com Website: www.mallala.com
OFFICIALS OF THE MEETING Clerk of Course: David Mori Deputy Clerk of Course: Tony Aloi Assistant Clerk of Course: Rob Thiry Secretary of the Meeting: Joan Shearer Series Steward: Steve Lisk Stewards: Bradley Tubb (Chair), Kathy Schmidt, Phil Twigg Series Director: Rob Curkpatrick Judges of fact: Start: David Mori, Barry Frost or Deputy Finish: David Mori, Peter Green, Barry Frost or Deputy Chief Medical Officer:
Dr John Couper-Smartt
Chief Timekeeper: Barry Frost Chief Scrutineer: Tim Edmonds Communications: Emergency Coordinator Liam Meegan Speed & Noise Sue South Starter: Peter Green, June Bunker-Marratt Course Marshals: SAMROA Safety Car: Keith Williamson Course Car: Steve Lewis Chase Car: Rob Mead Chief Grid Marshal: Jason Thiele Chief Pit Marshal: Peter South
Chief Paddock Marshal: Fire & Rescue: Flag Marshals:
Women for Wheels SA Motor Racing Officials Ass
Chief Recovery Marshal: Ambulance and First Aid: Mallala Motorsport Park Equipment & Supply: Gordon Sweeney & Peter Winton Chief Flag Marshal: Adam Litchfield Asst Chief Flag Marshal: Ray McGuiness Series Commentator: Darren Smith Credentials Office: Sally Cowan Media Manager: Richard Craill Media Centre: Claire Williamson Documentation: Joan Shearer
ENTRIES The organisers accept entries and driver nominations in good faith. Every effort is made to adhere to the printed program of competitors but the promoter cannot accept responsibility for the failure of any driver or competing vehicle to appear. Although every endeavour is made to avoid inaccuracies in the description of competing vehicles, the organisers accept no responsibility for any that may occur. The organisers reserve the right to postpone, abandon or cancel the meeting or any part thereof.
IMPORTANT NOTICES AND GENERAL INFORMATION, DISCLAIMER EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY, RELEASE AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK MOTOR SPORT IS DANGEROUS In exchange for being able to attend or participate in the event, (and as a condition of the purchase or issue of a ticket), 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 grand-stands, 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 o or participating in the event and being provided with the event services by CAMS and the Associated Entities.
PROHIBITED AREAS The organisers of the event have made every effort to ensure the safety of spectators at this meeting. In the interest of public safety, all areas other than the official spectator areas are prohibited. The spectator areas are plainly defined and spectators are requested to keep behind the safety fence at all times. Do not walk on the circuit at any time, or move into prohibited areas. In the event of an accident on the circuit, the public must remain behind the safety fence as their entry to the race track may cause further accidents and hinder officials.
SAFETY The fencing erected around this circuit is there for your protection. It is forbidden to stand, sit or climb on it.
PARKING Vehicles are permitted to enter and park on condition that the promoters and circuit owners are not under any liability whether in contract or in tort and whether for negligence as an occupier, or on any other basis or for any cause for action, for loss or damage to the vehicle or its contents no matter how or whether such may be caused.
PETS Pets are not allowed at Mallala Motor Sport Park during race meetings, unless approved by State Legislation.
APPRECIATION AND THANKS Mallala Motorsport Park thanks the following for their support; Competitors and Category Managers All Officials of the Meeting SAMROA (Flag Officials) SA Scrutineers Women for Wheels Gilbert Motor Bodies Austin 7 Club Timing Team Shannons Insurance Hi-Tec Oils Southgate Holden
thenationals.com.au | 21
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA like:
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22 | the Racing Magazine
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Practice 1
DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
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Australian Formula Ford Series
20 min
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Australian Sports Racer Series
20 min
945
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Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1010
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Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
1035
Practice 2
DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
20 min
1100
Practice 2
Australian Formula Ford Series
20 min
1125
Practice 2
Australian Sports Racer Series
20 min
1150
Practice 2
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1210
Lunch Break
Documentation to Category Managers
30 min
1240
Practice 2
Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
1305
Practice 1
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
30 min
1340
Practice 3
DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
20 min
1405
Practice 3
Australian Formula Ford Series
20 min
1430
Practice 3
Australian Sports Racer Series
20 min
1455
Practice 3
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1520
Practice 3
Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
1545
Practice 2
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
30 min
1620
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20 min
1640
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30 min
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20 min
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20 min
1230
Qualifying 1
Kumho Tyres Aust. V8 Touring Car Series
20 min
1255
Qualifying 1
Australian Sports Racer Series
20 min
1320
Qualifying 2
DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
20 min
1350
Qualifying 1
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
20 min
1420
Qualifying 2
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
20 min
1450
Race 1
Kumho Tyres Aust. V8 Touring Car Series
15 laps
1520
Race1
Australian Sports Racer Series
15 laps
1550
Race1
Australian Formula Ford Series
12 laps
1620
Race 1
DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
8 laps
1645
Officials Break & Demonstrations
30 min
1720
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
40 laps
Race 1
Jim Richards Trophy Race
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915
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Kumho Tyres Aust. V8 Touring Car Series
10 min
935
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Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
12 laps
1005
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14 laps
1035
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Australian Formula Ford Series
10 laps
1105
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15 laps
1135
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Kumho Tyres Aust. V8 Touring Car Series
15 laps
1205
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DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
8 laps
1235
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Clem Smith Cup
15 laps
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
1300
Clem Smith Cup Podium on Track
15 min
1315
Demonstrations
10 min
1335
Kumho Tyres Aust. V8 Touring Car Series
20 laps
Race 3
1415
Race 3
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
14 laps
1445
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Australian Formula Ford Series
14 laps
1515
Race 3
Australian Sports Racer Series
15 laps
1545
Race 3
DBYD Aust.Super Six Touring Car Series
8 laps
Des Wall Trophy
1615
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
Race 3
12 laps
thenationals.com.au | 23
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA
Australian Formula Ford Series ON THE WEB:
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state VEHICLE
2
Sonic/kTEQ
Nick Rowe
Vic
F/Ford
3
Sonic/Mornington Peninsula Brewery
Hamish Hardeman
Vic
F/Ford
4
Sonic/Calista Property Group
Christian Morina
Vic
F/Ford
10
State Fleet Services
Matthew Roseler
SA
F/Ford
11
Colin M Hill Engineering
Cameron Hill
ACT
F/Ford
13
Shockwave Signs/ToolForce
Jimmy Vernon
NSW
F/Ford
15
Borland Racing Developments
Tom Grech
Vic
F/Ford
20
Synergy Motorsport
Caitlin Wood
NSW
F/Ford
24
Express print
Nick Ellen
Vic
F/Ford
27
Synergy Motorsport
Jake Parsons
NSW
F/Ford
31
Gippsland Body Builders
James Golding
Vic
F/Ford
33
Gregory Edwards
Gregory Edwards
SA
F/Ford
49
CKAS/Kerkick/Voluparts/SnapOn/Mobil1
Thomas Randle
Vic
F/Ford
58
Symes Race Engineering
Steve Courtis
Vic
F/Ford
74
ZenGarage/SmogCarWraps/H2CoCo/ Synergy
Trent Grubel
NSW
F/Ford
75
Phoenix Project Management
Julian Lunetta
SA
F/Ford
77
James Garley
James Garley
NSW
F/Ford
87
Tim Hamilton
Tim Hamilton
Qld
F/Ford
88
Synergy/www.gregholloway.com
Greg Holloway
Vic
F/Ford
91
Light and Power Electrical
Christopher Slusarski
SA
F/Ford
94
Littleblackfox.com/CLPS
Jordan Lloyd
Qld
F/Ford
96
All Security Northside Fasteners "Browns"
Jimmy Bailey
Qld
F/Ford
97
Coates Hire
Liam McAdam
Qld
F/Ford
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
24 | the Racing Magazine
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA
Dial Before You Dig Australian Super Six Touring Car Series ON THE WEB: www.salooncars.net.au Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state VEHICLE
2
501 Performance
Ben Grice
QLD
AU Falcon
3
Inland Motor Body Works
Jason Leoncini
VIC
VT Comm
4
Auddino First National
Tony Auddino
WA
AU Falcon
6
Morphett Vale Garage
Wayne King
SA
VT Comm
7
Buyaustralianmade.com.au
Phil Gray
VIC
AU Falcon
10
BRE/ Morphett Vale Garage
Tony James
WA
VT Comm
16
Kleenduct Australia P/L
Harley Phelan
VIC
VT Comm
17
Batteries Direct & Nippys
Matt Lovell
SA
AU Falcon
18
Truckphones.com.au
Brent Edwards
VIC
AU Falcon
21
AG Panel & Paint
Dylan Richter
SA
EB Falcon
25
Steet Fighter
Brad Day
SA
VT Comm
27
Transley Solutions
Luke Westall
NSW
AU Falcon
38
Blackwell Race Engines
Gavin Ross
VIC
VT Comm
41
Dial Before You Dig
Mark Primmer
NSW
AU Falcon
42
Dial Before You Dig
Cameron Moss
NSW
AU Falcon
51
Casey Accident Repair
Travis Lindorff
VIC
VT Comm
56
PPG Racing
Kane Baxter-Smith
QLD
AU Falcon
64
Cachet Homes
Chris Lillis
WA
VT Comm
81
Rick Gill Motorcycles
Rick Gill
WA
AU Falcon
56
Baxter Electrical
Kane Baxter-Smith
QLD
AU Falcon
64
Cachet Homes
Chris Lillis
WA
VT Comm
67
Scotts Rods Exhausts
Lindsay Kearns
QLD
AU Falcon
68
Wayne Bates Racing
Wayne Bates
VIC
AU Falcon
81
Rick Gill Motorcycles
Rick Gill
WA
AU Falcon
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
thenationals.com.au | 25
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge ON THE WEB: www.gt3cupchallenge.com.au
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state VEHICLE
2
Fleetplus
Scott Taylor
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
3
Eva Racing/Evolve Technic
Peter Fitzgerald
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
6
SAFE-T_STOP
Richard Gartner
NSW
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
7
Racing Dynamics/Fabeto Racing
Jack Falla
WA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
9
Fleetplus
Tim Miles
NSW
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
13
htfu
Sam Shahin
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
15
ULX110 Blend Oil Veloce Motorsport
Keith Wong
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
16
Kinpath Group
John Karytinos
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
22
Bill Campbell Builders
Matt Campbell
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
44
Merry Sparks Art
Grant Sparks
QLD
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
51
Warrin Mining Volvo Construction
Adam Wallis
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
65
Porsche Centre Brighton/TRP/Torque Money
Fraser Ross
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
66
Gap Solutions/Sektor
John Goodacre
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
68
Superbullitt Racing/Thomson Geer
Michael O'Donnell
SA
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
69
Dial Before You Dig
Jon MNcCorkindale
NSW
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
99
Southern Star Windows
Ross McGregor
VIC
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
Australian Sports Racer Series ON THE WEB: www.sportsracer.com.au Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state VEHICLE
1
AP Racing
Adam Proctor
NSW
Stohr
2
AP Racing
Darren Barlow
NSW
Stohr
3
West Race Cars
Aaron Steer
SA
West
7
Yasser Shahin
Yasser Shahin
SA
Radical
14
Ken's Exhaust Systems
Roger I'Anson
SA
West
16
MSR Motorsport Fabrication
Mark Short
SA
Prince
53
Bryan Stoeckel
Jonathan Stoeckel
VIC
West
56
West Race Cars
John-Paul Drake
QLD
West
61
Laucke Flour Mills
Mark Laucke
SA
West
65
Racemoves
Graeme Cook
SA
West
66
West Race Cars
James Winslow
NSW
West
88
CRC Industries/ Kitten
Gerrit Ruff
SA
West
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
26 | the Racing Magazine
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series ON THE WEB: www.sportssedans.com.au
Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state VEHICLE
1
BJ Banks Electrical
Bruce Banks
Tas
Mazda RX7
4
Auto Union Deutsche
Darren Hossack
Vic
Audi A4
5
B&M Ricciardello Motors
Tony Ricciardello
WA
Alfa Romeo GTV
8
Pfitzner Performance Gearbox
Simon Pfitzner
SA
Falcon
9
Domain Prestige Homes
Steven Tamasi
Vic
Holden Calibra
21
Moonbi Oil Traders
Phil Crompton
Qld
Ford Mustang
32
Bell Real Estate
Michael Robinson
Vic
Holden Monaro
44
MR Automotive
Colin Smith
Qld
Holden Monaro
67
Stawell Cartage
Bruce Henley
Vic
Mazda RX8
68
Aston Air Conditioning
Shane Bradford
Qld
Chev Camaro
81
The Car Mine/Liqui Moly/Meguiars
Charlie Senese
Qld
Chev Corvette
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series ON THE WEB: www.v8touringcars.com.au Car
SPONSOR
DRIVER
state VEHICLE
3
Fernandez Motorsport
Jose Fernandez
NSW
Ford Falcon BA
4
Kustom Workz/Supercar Parts & Sales
Shane Hunt
Qld
Ford Falcon BF
8
Poco Racing
Steve Briffa
NSW
Commodore VY
12
JCV Automotive
John Vergotis
NSW
Ford Falcon BA
14
selby.com.au
Simon Tabinor
VIC
Ford Falcon BF
18
Falcon Spares/Engine Master
Matt Chahda
NSW
Ford Falcon BA
21
Century 21 Hazelbrook
Chris Delfsma
NSW
Ford Falcon BA
24
STR Truck Bodies
Ford Falcon BF
38
Eggleston Motorsport
Commodore VZ
39
Vectra Corp/Lubrimaxx
45
THR Motorsport/Wemake Horsepower
48
STR Truck Bodies
Matthew Palmer
Vic
Ford Falcon BF
51
THR Motorsport/Wemake Horsepower
Craig Dontas
SA
Commodore VZ
54
Eggleston Motorsport
Justin Ruggier
NSW
Commodore VZ
57
ADG Engineering/Precise Precut/GCPF
Lyle Kearns
Qld
Commodore VZ
88
Parramatta Smash Repairs
Ryan Simpson
NSW
Ford Falcon BF
Chris Smerdon
SA
Ford Falcon BA Commodore VZ
For more entry information, visit www.thenationals.com.au
thenationals.com.au | 27
HERE’S TO ANOTHER 75.. The opening round of the 2014 Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals was held at Sandown Raceway in late March.. and it was an absolute belter! Relive all of the thrilling action from the season opener – the historic 75th Nationals round held since it’s inception in 2006! THE SHANNONS Australian Motor Racing Championships concluded their celebratory 75th round in style with a packed weekend of racing at Sandown Raceway in Melbourne, between March 28-30. Six top categories put on a show with a series of ultra-competitive sprint and endurance races entertaining in perfect conditions at the suburban Melbourne venue and in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. The day finished with the Australian Manufacturers Championship (AMCHAMP) Sandown 3-Hour Classic, won by Melbourne father-son combination Rob and Shane Marshall, driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RS. The pair survived the gruelling race that claimed several fancied runners early, to take the victory by less than 50-seconds ahead of the Sherrin Rentals BMW 135i driven by Grant and Iain Sherrin. The two leading cars completed 123 laps (380km) across the three hours and led home the thirdplaced Mazda 3 MPS driven by Jake Camilleri and Scott Nicholas by four laps. Just twelve cars finished the tough race with the pole sitting Mitsubishi of Garry Holt and Stuart Kostera amongst the casualties – that car sidelined with mechanical issues on lap 60. The cars finishing on the outright podium also each won their respective class battles (A, B and C) whilst the Class D battle came down to a fight to the line between two Honda teammates: the Conroy Motorsport pairing of Jake Williams / Geoff Rands edged out the sister car of Kev Herben and Luke King by just 0.2 seconds in the fight for class victory and fifth outright. The AMChamp season of endurance continues at Phillip Island in May with the second running of the epic Great Southern Four hour enduro. Richard Muscat wrapped up a perfect weekend in the Australian GT Championship Presented by Pirelli, sweeping to his second victory in as many starts in his Erebus Motorsport SLS AMG GT3
28 | the Racing Magazine
– but it wasn’t an easy victory. The Victorian star had to work his way through the field following the compulsory pit stops and only worked his way into the lead within the last fifteen minutes after a competitive battle with Aston Martin driver Tony Quinn. Muscat then had to hold off a chasing John Bowe in the Maranello Ferrari in the closing stages before he could secure the victory and an early lead in the GT standings. Bowe and co-driver Edwards finished second in the Ferrari with an impressive drive from Ben Eggleston seeing his Aston Martin DBRS9 ultimately score third and the trophy class victory. A late race scuffle including Tony Quinn and lapped runner Jim Manolios (Ferrari 458) saw both cars damaged in the closing stages, Quinn losing a potential podium in the process. The Australian GT Championship returns to the Shannons Nationals in May this year, with the running of a 101-lap endurance race on the Saturday of the May 23-25 event. Tim Berryman defeated Neale Muston in the final Radical Australia Cup 50-minute enduro, leading the defending class champion for much of the race before holding him off in a tense finish to the race. Muston was closing on the leader within the final few minutes of the race however a rare mistake saw him run off the circuit, surrendering any chances of continuing his incredible run of victories in the competitive Sports Car class. Jon Corbett finished third, Chris Medland fourth and Greg Smith fifth – all running the V8powered SR8 entries. Oliver Smith edged out Robert Baird by just 0.9 seconds to win the SR3 ‘Race within a race’ battle. He’d never raced a Porsche at his home circuit before the Sandown round, but that didn’t stop Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented by Pirelli series leader Fraser Ross from sweeping to victory in round two of the one-make series at Sandown. Following John Goodacre taking the race one
victory on Saturday, Ross confidently won both of Sunday’s 12-lap sprint races to firmly entrench himself on top of the GT3 Cup Challenge standings heading into the endurance races that make up the middle segment of the season. Jon McCorkindale finished third, behind Goodacre, for the round to continue his good run of form. Matt Campbell won the Class B battle in his slightly older-specification 997 GT3 Cup Car. Ben Gersekowski continued his good form to take out round two of the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, winning both races and the round in emphatic fashion. The Gilmour Racing Dallara driver had never won prior to this weekend, but Sandown delivered strong results for the Queenslander and helped close him to within three points of championship leader Simon Hodge. Hodge finished third in the feature race after battling teammate – and 2013 championship runner-up – John Magro for the duration of the18-lap feature. Local driver Chelsea Angelo continued her good form in the F3 National Class, taking victory in style after nearest rival Garnet Patterson found the wall. 16-year-old Roland Legge and Nathan Gotch battled for the Kumho Cup, Legge winning the feature race and Gotch taking the class points lead. Gavin Ross charging from third to first in a single corner mid-race to take the victory in the final race of the Dial Before You Dig Australian Super Six Touring Car Series season opener, but it was Travis Lindorff who won the round overall. Two race wins on Saturday was enough for Lindorff to continue his good Sandown form (he won at the circuit last year) and take the round victory ahead of Ross and Kane Baxter-Smith. Lindorff won the first two races in style and leads the championship, but was unable to hold back the irrepressible Ross and Baxter-Smith in a racethree thriller. Ross jumped from third to first midrace in a breathtaking sequence of corners that had the trio scuffling for nearly a full lap.
ROUND 2 Mallala, SA Shannons insurance is for motoring enthusiasts just like you, with features like: n Choice of repairer n Agreed value n Multi-Vehicle & Multi-Policy discounts n Limited Use & Club Plate cover n Laid up cover n One excess free windscreen claim per year n Total Loss Salvage options n Home Contents Insurance including $10,000 enthusiast cover for your collectables & tools n Towing & storage costs as a result of loss or damage n Pay by the month premiums at no extra cost Call Shannons on 13 46 46 for a quote on your special car, daily drive, bike or your home, and speak with a genuine enthusiast.
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INSURANCE FOR MOTORING ENTHUSIASTS | CALL 13 46 46 FOR A QUOTE | SHANNONS.COM.AU Shannons Limited ABN 91 099 962 636 an authorised representative of Australian Alliance Insurance Company Limited ABN 11 006 471 709 (AFSL 235011), the product issuer. Some benefits only apply to comprehensive vehicle cover. Shannons has not taken account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. First refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement at shannons.com.au or by calling 13 46 46.
Shannons Nationals TV Speedweek on Sunday at 2pm on SBS1
ROUND 2 Mallala Show 1
Sunday 11th May (1 Hour)
Aust Super Six Touring Car Series
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series
Kumho Tyres Aust V8 Touring Car Series
Show 2
Sunday 18th May (1 Hour)
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
Formula Ford National Series
Australian Sports Racer Series
‘Shannons Nationals’ on Fox SPEED dates & times TBA Live Internet TV from 9.00am on Sunday via www.thenationals.com.au
LAP RECORDS Category
Driver
Vehicle
Date
Time
V8 Touring Cars
Scott Loadsman
Commodore VY
15/05/2011
1.10.3755
Porsche GT3
David Stevens
Porsche GT3
25/06/2006
1.09.7070
Sports Sedan
Tony Ricciardello
Alfa Romeo GTV
18/05/2008
1.05.9536
Saloon Car
Bruce Heinrich
Commodore VT
23/08/2008
1.18.8580
Formula Ford
Roger I’Anson
Van Diemen RF06
24/08/2008
1.11.1108
Sports Racer
James Winslow
West WR 1000
2/11/2013
1.06.4538
30 | the Racing Magazine
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OR A QUOTE | SHANNONS.COM.AU
6 471 709 (AFSL 235011), the product issuer. Some benefits only apply to nt Product Disclosure Statement at shannons.com.au or by calling 13 46 46.