Motorsport eNews Issue 17 - August 14-20, 2007

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Issue No. 017 14-20 August 2007

2008:

INGALL GOES RED

Blue options run out, so the Enforcer is going to PMM 2008:

DUMbRELL joins SBR

Editorial Editor: Grant Rowley grant@mnews.com.au Deputy Editor: Aaron Noonan noonz@mnews.com.au National Editor: Andrew van Leeuwen andrew@mnews.com.au Executive Editor: Phil Branagan editor@mnews.com.au

Australasian

The ‘A’ Team

Issue No. 017 | 14 – 20 August 2007

Production Graphic Design & Web: Jayne Uthmeyer design@mnews.com.au

Advertising National Sales Manager: Calvin Wood cwood@mnews.com.au P 03 9596 5555 F 03 9596 5030 M 0439 566 265

news 5 Dumbrell turns #9

PD replaces Ingall, again 6 Je suis dans Formule 1 Bourdais gets the nod 10 Dirty Deeds Done ARC and WRC latest 13 It’s a date, cuzzy Hamilton names the day

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chat 18 5 minutes with ... opinion 20 MDC 22 Branagan 38 The Punter

Contributing Writers F1: Joe Saward, Mark Glendenning, Adam Cooper, Paolo Filisetti Europe: Quentin Spurring, David Addison US: Martin D. Clark, Phil Morris Speedway: Greg Boscato, Geoff Rounds, Darren Sutton, Tony Millard (UK) Rally: Ryan Lahiff Drag Racing: Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Ken Ferguson, John Bosher National: Mark Wicks, Mark Jones, Aaron Shaw, Daniel Powell

race 22 Queen Adelaide 26 Smoke on the Water

Motorsport eNews is published by Australasian Motorsport News ABN 55 125 120 702 Publisher: C Lambden Copyright: Material published in Motorsport eNews is copyright and may not be reproduced in full or in part without the written permission of the publisher.

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International photos supplied by Sutton Images, www.sutton-images.com – click here to check out their exclusive poster deals

Marcos in the Media Out of control-tyres Hometown Heroes Sue wins in SA (Simon too) Stewart wins, Marcos DNQ

trade 34 Trade and Industry / Raceshop 36 Classifieds

Photographers Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Marshall Cass, John Morris/Mpix, AF1 Images, James Smith, Peter Bury, Neil Blackbourn, Chris Carter, Coopers Photography, Paris Charles, Bob Potts, Neil Hammond, Joel Strickland, Mike Patrick (UK)

TKR’s Shane van Gisbergen

welcome Formula Ford ace Ash Walsh tells it like it – before he takes the hurt to Tim Blanchard Check out the latest eNews supplements via http://www.mnews.com.au

John Morris/Mpix

Ingall changing colours ..

Former V8 Champ set to cross the divide again ... but he’s staying Queensland-based V8 SUPERCARS RUSSELL Ingall looks set to re-cross the Ford/Holden fence in 2008, to drive for the Paul Morris Sirromet Wines Commodore team.

As initially mooted in the June monthly issue of Motorsport News, Ingall will leave SBR at the end of the season and, with no options on the Ford side of the fence, the Enforcer will drive a Holden for the first time since leaving Larry Perkins’s team at

the end of 2002.

Ingall’s spot at SBR is to be taken by Paul Dumbrell (see other story).

The 2005 V8 Supercar champion still has a year remaining on his Ford contract. However, eNews sources suggest that with limited options available on the blue side of the fence, Ingall will forfeit the value of the contract (which is only paid if he drives a Ford-backed Falcon) and head to the Sirromet squad.

The move makes perfect sense. A successful Holden driver before his move to the Blue Oval, Ingall is still a good racer and is yet to finish out of the top 10 in the championship since first debuting full-time in V8 Supercars in 1996.

Having never burnt his bridges with Holden, an involvement with the Holden Performance Driving Centre would give Ingall the potential to become a ‘public face’ and the fact that the team is based

on the Gold Coast, like Ingall, is a major plus.

But the question remains whether he will do so alongside team owner Morris or young Kiwi Fabian Coulthard. It’s understood that the latter has a contract with the team so if Ingall joining was to move him sideways, the team will have to find him somewhere else to drive or pay him out.

There could also be the potential for Morris to stop driving full-time.

Britek keeps two in 2008 V8 SUPERCARS

John Morris/Mpix

BRITEK Motorsport will continue with two cars in 2008, after meetings with sponsors last week.

While team members were unavailable for comment, we understand that the team will maintain its current structure next year, with Jason Bright driving a Fujitsu-liveried entry and a second car in the colours of another sponsor. The exact makeup of the sponsorship line-up for this car is unknown, although eNews

believes that sponsors Irwin Tools and Caterpillar will maintain their association with the Bright-owned team.

The team had considered downsizing to a single-car effort next season and leasing its second licence, but that is now not going to happen.

Current driver Alan Gurr is contracted to the end of the season and may stay with the team, though the team has the opportunity to assess the form of endurance co-drivers Adam Macrow

and Warren Luff at Sandown and Bathurst.

Other drivers believed to be in contention for a 2008 seat include Andrew Thompson and former Britek driver, Steve Owen.

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... And so is Dumbrell!

Dumbrell will join the Ford brigade in 2008 with backing from Autobarn V8 SUPERCARS

PAUL Dumbrell will become a Ford driver for the first time in his career when he drives an Autobarn-backed Falcon for Stone Brothers Racing in the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series.

While the former V8 Development Series champion has only recently been added to the ‘possibles’ list to take over the Russell Ingall #9 seat, reliable eNews sources are

suggesting that the deal is signed, sealed and delivered for Dumbrell to join James Courtney in the team.

It’s understood that a multiyear agreement has been reached with Autobarn – owned by Dumbrell’s father Garry – to switch its backing from the Rod Nash/Marty Brant entry currently run for Steve Owen, to the Queensland team that has been looking for funding after the withdrawal of Caltex at the end of the year.

Dumbrell, who spent four years with Perkins Engineering before leaving to join Supercheap Auto/PWR Racing for this season, will ironically replace Ingall for the second time in his career, having taken the ‘Enforcer’s’ seat when Ingall initially headed to SBR in 2003.

The deal remains, at this stage, unconfirmed officially.

The deal effectively squashes rumoured efforts to sign current DJR driver Will Davison, who was seen as a contender

for the seat.

Davison has a contract with the Jim Beam-backed Ford team through until the end of next season. While he has stated his preference to stick with the team despite the tough financial times it has recently faced, he has said that he would look at his options if circumstances changed.

With Dumbrell now set to fill the SBR seat, Davison’s options outside of DJR would certainly seem limited.

So, who goes where now?

V8 SUPERCARS THE Dumbrell and Ingall moves create a major ripple effect throughout the V8 Supercar Series paddock.

The opening of a slot at Supercheap Auto/PWR Racing with Dumbrell’s departure at the end of the season opens at least one spot and, depending on what occurs with Cameron McConville (who is out of contract at the end of the season), potentially two.

A youngster who could be a potential signing is Andrew Thompson. The Fujitsu V8 Series driver won’t be back with

Howard Racing in 2008 and Thompson, who is still on a contract with DJR, could be a good young signing for Holden, who have generally missed the boat on young Ford pilots Whincup, Winterbottom, Davison and Courtney.

Interestingly, eNews reporters eyed Thompson chatting to Holden Motorsport Manager Simon McNamara at Queensland Raceway – not a massive thing however interesting. eNews would be led to believe that HSVsigned David Reynolds could also be high on the list of likelies at PWR. The Carrera Cup star is signed to HSV and will drive for

SCAR at Sandown and Bathurst.

Dumbrell’s departure to SBR also relives Independant Race Car’s of Autobarn support, which it has held for the past two years. The spot at the Marty Brant team seems likely to go to Tony D’Alberto, as part of team’s progession to main series.

Meanwhile, a question that is set to answered at Oran Park is the new 32nd licence owner.

After numerous attempts to secure a licence, the Sydney-based Walden Motorsport is believed to have secured preliminary rights to the entry, subject to final paperwork.

BRIEFLY... n As expected, Jim Beam Racing has confirmed the departure of Steve Chalker.

The team’s former General Manager, who stepped down from the boards of V8 Supercar and TEGA last month, has left by what the team described as “mutual” agreement.

Chalker, who was with the DJR team for five years, will not be replaced, his duties assumed by Sporting Director, Adrian Burgess.

McLaren Mercedes has decided to appeal against the decision of the stewards in Budapest to remove its right to score points in the Constructors championship in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

As things turned out, Hamilton finished first and Alonso third, so McLaren would have added 15 points to their total. Going to Istanbul, its lead over Ferrari would be 34 points instead of 19. n

n The latest former Formula 1 driver to sign up for the new Speedcar Series is 44-year-old Japanese Ukyo Katayama, who had a 97-race Grand Prix career between 1992 and 1997 with Larrousse, Tyrrell and Minardi.

The eight-round Speedcar Series will begin in November, visiting venues across Asia and the Middle East.

– QUENTIN SPURRING/STAFF

Sebastien signs on Bourdais announces move to Toro Rosso FORMULA 1 SEBASTIEN Bourdais has been signed to drive for Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2008.

The 28-year-old Frenchman has been released from his Newman Haas Lanigan Racing Champ Car contract in America for 2008 so that he can pursue his goal to become a Formula 1 driver.

He will team up with Sebastian Vettel next season, the young German now driving full-time for the team since the Hungarian GP. At 28, this was Bourdais’s last realistic chance of getting into F1 although it may not end up being the smartest move he ever made.

The former Minardi team has not been a very happy place in 2007 with the team management’s approach of blaming the drivers for most things having resulted in serious stresses and strains which in turn resulted in the recent departure of Scott Speed.

Tonio Liuzzi remains with the team for the moment but he may leave before the end of the year if there are better opportunities available to him.

Bourdais missed out on getting into F1 back in 2002 when he was the Formula 3000 Champion (albeit only after Tomas Enge lost points because of a drug offence), however, when Arrows collapsed he turned his attentions to the United States.

“I have had the best years of my racing career with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing,” he said.

“We have accomplished many things including three championships, and many victories and poles along the way and I hope to accomplish more yet this season.

“Now I feel it is time for me to go after another challenge.

I have had a very good experience with Toro Rosso while testing the car, and I hope to continue that.”

– JOE SAWARD

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sutton-images.com

McLaren or not much “We have two drivers who are contracted for several years FERNANDO Alonso does not into the future,” Dennis says. have to drive for McLaren in “We will respect our part of 2008 but if he chooses not the bargain – we hope that the to, he won’t be racing for any drivers respect theirs, because other team in Formula 1. that’s what a contract is about.

There has been much We will continue to function as speculation in recent days that a Grand Prix team with specific Alonso might quit McLaren values and if anybody does not because he does not feel want to be part of those values comfortable with the team and – irrespective of where they sit the rivalry with Lewis Hamilton. in the organisation – ultimately Last week The Times they will have a choice. But we newspaper in London reported will not deviate away from our that “well-placed sources” had values.” said that Ron Dennis had told Thus if Alonso no longer Alonso he could go. wants to drive for McLaren he This is very unlikely, as could sit out the 2008 season – McLaren will not give away but he will literally have to do one of its chief assets and allow just that … him to work for a rival team.

– JOE SAWARD

FORMULA 1 WITH Sebastien Bourdais confirmed at Toro Rosso, that means that Tonio Liuzzi is out of work, as all four of the Red Bull drives have now been assigned elsewhere in 2008.

Liuzzi has been the lead driver in the Red Bull Junior Team for the last four years, during which time he won the International Formula 3000

Championship and then had his career messed around by Red Bull politics. It seems that he has now finally fallen victim to the poisonous political shenanigans inside the Red Bull racing empire.

If there is no opportunity in F1, Liuzzi has indicated that he will join the increasing numbers of drivers making a living in the US. – JOE SAWARD

sutton-images.com

No room for Tone

sutton-images.com

FORMULA 1

BRIEFLY...

n The Pramac D’antin Ducati team has announced that Ivan Silva will race for the team at Brno next week. The Spaniard will again sub for Alex Hofmann, and raced with the team there last season when Hofmann filled in for Sete Gibernau in the works team. n Speaking of Brno, two wildcard entries in the 250 race are interesting. Wang Zhu and Zhou Hao Yun will both race Aprilias for the Zonshen Team of China. Hey, the local fans have to watch something after the Olympics end next year …

Richards ready to unwrap Prodrive F1 program FORMULA 1 THE Prodrive Formula 1 program is about to burst into life after months during which there has been no sign of any activity.

At the British Grand Prix, team boss David Richards said that “we have a partner.”

This is definitely McLaren and it seems that the deal will be for cars and engines.

Producing sufficient engines is not going to be a problem, given the engine freeze but building new chassis and keeping up a constant stream of parts in the course of a year would put a great strain on existing

structures.

McLaren will either have to expand its production capabilities or have sufficient faith in Prodrive to allow the team to manufacture McLaren parts.

Prodrive has its own composite manufacturing facilities, housed in a 1600 square metre facility in Milton Keynes. This supplies advanced composites to Prodrive's racing teams and for customers in the automotive, aerospace and marine industries.

The company already does work for a number of F1 teams (perhaps even McLaren) and so it is entirely

possible for design data for development parts to be transferred to Prodrive and the work done there.

Richards said at the start of July that finance for the team was well on the way to being completed and added that it would happen “in a month or so” – which would indicate that an announcement would come in August ...

– JOE SAWARD

sutton-images.com

n A Dutch court has dismissed a legal action brought by local residents, businesses and environmental organisations over the potential noise pollution caused by the Champ Car World Series race scheduled for September 2 on the Assen circuit.

Residents living in Baagelhuizen, near the track, brought the action jointly with the owners of the Witterzomer holiday park, which surrounds the facility, and three Dutch environmental organisations.

They claimed that the venue’s dispensation to exceed agreed noise levels for seven days each year had already been used up by the 2007 MotoGP and World Superbike races.

Timing is Everything sutton-im ages.com

n Suzuki will announce its driver lineup for the final two rounds of the World Rally Championship in Frankfurt next month.

The team will run its new SX4 WRC at the Tour de Corse and Wales Rally GB, with Francois Duval (who tested with the team in June) likely in one of the two entries. Toni Gardemeister and Gigi Galli are possibilities for the second entry. Speculation continues that one of the men in the frame for a full-time ride in 2008 is our own Chris Atkinson.

Next: di Montezemologate?

FORMULA 1 McLAREN and Ferrari will take up the cudgels in the ‘Stepneygate’ Affair on Thursday September 13 in Paris, when the International Court of Appeal of the FIA will hear Ferrari’s case against McLaren and McLaren’s defence.

McLaren is accused of cheating because, Ferrari alleges, it had access to confidential documentation that was found at the home of McLaren employee Mike Coughlan.

Interestingly, the court will be open to members of the F1 media. Rival teams have also been given the opportunity to make written submissions to the court and have been invited to attend the hearing to supplement their submissions with oral presentations. It is not

clear why the rival teams should be involved.

In the meantime, Luca di Montezemolo, the chairman of Ferrari, recently made a speech to students at Rome’s Libera Universita Internazionale degli Studi Sociali Guido Carli (a private university) designed to provide inspiration for them. Bizarrely, it included the following admission: “I was the world champion copier when I was in school,” he said.

“I think I had no rivals for technique and sophistication. I always found a way to sit near someone clever and generous who would let me copy. This goes to show that there is hope even for one who copies, because even that way, you can learn something."

– JOE SAWARD

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Back home in

Birmingham FORMULA 1

sutton-images.com

THERE is speculation that Birmingham could be in the early stages of a bid to become the home of the British Grand Prix.

This comes after the recent visit of representatives of the Birmingham City Council and regional development authority Advantage West Midlands to the Isle of Man Rally to see how the event was staged, with a view to staging a similar event in Birmingham as early as June 2008. If that event is successful, it could lead to discussions of a revival of a SuperPrix-style event.

The Birmingham SuperPrix was held for Formula 3000 cars,

on a street circuit in the south of the city between 1986 and 1990. It quickly became the second biggest motorsport event in Britain (after the British GP) increased hotel occupancy by 110 percent and brought in a great deal of cash for the city.

The race made a loss in terms of what the city had invested but, overall, it was commercially quite successful.

Surveys also indicated that the event was increasing public awareness of the city.

Despite the positives, the mood in the city council changed and the decision was taken not to go on with the race.

– JOE SAWARD

Mitsubishi consider ARC AUSTRALIAN RALLY

Joel Strickland

MITSUBISHI is in the process of finalising plans to return to the Australian Rally Championship within the next two years as a factory team.

The Japanese manufacturer withdrew factory support from the ARC at the end of the 2006 season, leaving Scott Pedder without a drive and the Ralliart team without a gravel-rallying program.

But now they are eyeing a return, with rumours emerging from last weekend’s Rally SA that a Mitsubishi factory team may materialise before the end of next season.

One potential hold-up is the homologation of the new Lancer Evolution X, which, according to former Mitsubishi team boss Alan Heaphy, could take until as late as mid-2008 to be finalised.

“There’s got to be a car to use, for a start,” said Heaphy. “And the homologation for the Evo X won’t be until July or August

[next year], so you wouldn’t do a gravel program before that.”

The late homologation of the new car points to a mid-2008, or even 2009 return of a factory outfit.

The drivers being touted to head the factory effort are former pilot Pedder and privateer star Steve Glenney, who finished second in South Australia last weekend.

The possible inclusion of a third manufacturer has come as welcome news

I’m ou

I’m in!

Both pics by Joel Strickland

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to the Championship organisers, who have confirmed that negotiations are in progress for Mitsubishi’s return.

“It’d be great to have another manufacturer involved in the NEC ARC,” an ARC spokesperson told eNews.

“We’ve always kept contact with [Mitsubishi], and from the ARC’s point of view it would be great to get them involved again.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

ut

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COMING THIS WEEK

Australia

Sexy Rexy for ‘08 WORLD RALLY THIS is what Subaru’s 2008 World Rally challenger will look like.

The company recently released photos of the new car, which is under development at Prodrive’s UK headquarters.

The new third generation GE/GH model car features a longer wheelbase than the current GD/GG incarnation, despite being 50mm shorter

in the body, and has better weight distribution.

The new car, which features all-new doublewishbone rear suspension, will also break the mould of using the two-door sedan bodyshell, instead utilising the five-door hatchback model.

Subaru is expected to unveil the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show, along with a raft of other new models, on September 11. WRC driver Petter Solberg will attend the launch, while testing of the next car is set to begin in November.

Are you guys in or out?

AUSTRALIAN RALLY SOME difficult decisions lie in wait for leading Subaru privateers Steve Glenney and Dean Herridge.

Following his amazing speed at last weekend’s Rally SA, Glenney confirmed plans to contest the remaining two rounds of this year’s series.

Herridge, however, has confirmed that with little hope of challenging Simon Evans for the title he’s seriously reconsidering his desire to compete again this year.

Adding to Herridge’s decision will be his three outings so far this year in the Chinese National Rally

Championship.

“The final Round in China actually clashes with the Rally of Melbourne,” he said.

“We have a decision to make; either spend our own money with no chance of winning the title in Melbourne, or get paid to compete with a factory team in China.”

– RYAN LAHIFF

V8 Supercars – Oran Park (Incl Fujitsu V8, Carrera Cup,)

International MotoGP – Brno WRC – Deutschland Champ Car – Denver

NexT Week(August18-19)

Australia

AMRS – Winton

International

F1 – Turkey NASCAR – Bristol Champcar – Zolder (Belgium) Indycar – Sonoma, CA WTCC – Oschersleben

NEED A CAR? CLICK HERE

11

BRIEFLY...

n Motorcross star Chad Reed was turning laps as part of TeamVodafone’s Driver Evaluation Day at Queensland Raceway yesterday (Monday) was eNews was going to press.

The Yamaha ace was joined

by Formula Fordsters James Moffat and Tim Blanchard as well as enduro driver Richard Lyons. n Speaking of Moffat, the Formula Ford ace will join John Bowe in the Lamborghini Gallardo for the Australian Tourist Trophy at Sandown in December.

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AUSTRALIAN GT CARRERA Cup Champion Craig Baird is the latest driver to make an appearance in the Australian GT Championship – and he may make further appearances.

Joining the recent influx of V8 Supercar stars John Bowe and Will Davison into the GT Championship, Baird took over Ted Huglin’s CCC Ferrari 360GT at Phillip Island on the weekend.

The car had been vacated by Allan Simonsen, who stepped into a Ferrari 430 for Mark Coffey Racing.

“They rang and asked if I was interested and, like most drivers, I’ll jump into anything!” said Baird.

“I love Phillip Island and the Carrera Cup isn’t racing there this year and I’ve done a bit of Ferrari racing in the Nations Cup days. So it was a good opportunity.”

Baird also said that he had been sounded out about a drive in the TT event at Sandown later in the season by a few different teams.

– AARON NOONAN

Come on down in a Camaro JIM Richards will be behind the wheel at the Sandown 500 – in the Biante Touring Car Masters Series.

‘JR’ will pilot Tony Hunter’s 1969 Camaro as a prelude to joining the series next year in a 1964 Ford Falcon Rally Sprint that he’s building, while the car owner lines up in his regular HQ Holden.

Should be interesting to see how Richo goes but you can bet it will be quickly ...

Dirk Klynsmith

n And Speaking of things Lambo, we hear Adam Sharpe will have a test steer of Bryce Washington’s ADRAD Gallardo with a view to teaming with Washington for the Tourist Trophy at Sandown at the end of the year.

This is no Porsche!

Dirk Klynsmith

n Hot on the wheel tracks of the newest McConville on the planet, Tasman’s Jason Richards and wife Charlotte welcomed their first child – daughter Sienna Jane – just as our last issue of eNews went to press last Monday. Coming in at 7lb 7oz, all are well.

news

Dirk Klynsmith

Book in for April Hamilton all go; Mark Porter Trophy to the victor V8 SUPERCAR drivers will be rolling around the streets of Hamilton in New Zealand on April 18-20, it was confirmed last week.

And they will be racing for a new trophy – the Mark Porter Memorial Trophy – named in honour of the Waikato driver, inset, who died at Bathurst last year.

The Hamilton 400, as the event will be known, will be limited to 55,000 fans for the first year, with nearly 20,000 grandstand seats.

Race promoters Caleta Streetrace Management Ltd said the confirmed date signalled a firm reality that

Dirk Klynsmith

V8 SUPERCARS

Assaillit steps up

the race is a goer.

“We are also honoured that the Porter family have agreed for that the drivers can compete for the Mark Porter Memorial Trophy, to be held in perpetuity for this event,” said CSM Managing Director Dean Calvert.

Dirk Klynsmith

DAMIEN Assaillit will drive for Fujitsu V8 Series team Prodigy Motorsport at Oran Park this weekend.

Assaillit will drive the #61 Ford Falcon BA and becomes the fifth person to drive the car, joining Clayton Pyne, Tom Drewer, Gene Rollinson and John McIntyre.

Assaillit has competed in the first three rounds of the Fujitsu V8 Series with Partington RacePrep in an AU Falcon. He currently sits 32nd in the series. This weekend will be his first-ever drive of a BA Falcon, however, the 17-year-old Queenslander will get a run in the car at an Eastern Creek ride day today (Tuesday).

“It will be good to get a run and see how it feels.

“Driving with Prodigy is a step in the right direction. We’ve been breaking into the top 10 here and there, but the next step is much harder, so this should give us an edge.”

Partington RacePrep is on the hunt for a suitable driver for the final two rounds at Bathurst and Phillip Island.

Employment opportunities with RACE ENGINEER

RACE MECHANIC

RACE MECHANIC

International Motorsport, New Zealand’s only factory supported Porsche race team, require the services of a full time race engineer for its Porsche GT3 Cup Team.

International Motorsport, New Zealand’s only factory supported Porsche race team require the services of a full time race mechanic for its Porsche GT3 Cup Team.

This upcoming season incorporates the new 997 model and the current 996 models.

New Zealand’s most successful motor race team, International Motorsport, requires the services of a mechanic for its Toyota Racing Series team.

This upcoming season incorporates the new 997 model and the current 996 models.

The role, based in Auckland will involve travelling to race meetings over the NZ Tier One summer series.

The role, based in Auckland will involve travelling to race meetings over the NZ Tier One summer series.

Applicants must work to a very high standard, have excellent attention to detail and possess fabrication skills. Previous experience with GT3 Cup cars would be an advantage but is not essential.

Applicants must work to a very high standard and have excellent attention to detail. Previous experience with a race team would be an advantage but is not considered essential.

Applicants must have a very high standard of work, attention to detail and be able to work as part of a team. Previous experience with single seater race cars would be an advantage but is not essential.

Please contact Andrew Cook on (09) 376 5064 for more details or email CV to andrewc@lifesport.co.nz Applications close 31 August 2007.

Please contact Andrew Cook on (09) 376 5064 for more details or email CV to andrewc@lifesport.co.nz Applications close 31 August 2007.

Please contact Stephen Giles on (09) 376 5064 for more details or email CV to stepheng@lifesport.co.nz

This is a full-time position based in Auckland and will require travelling to race meetings over the NZ Tier One summer series.

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A1 test hand out

BRIEFLY...

Team BOC is hosting two driver signings tomorrow (Wednesday) before this weekend’s V8 round at Oran Park. If you can’t make it to The OP (or you are going but you can’t get enough of Brad, Andy and co) then hurry along to Riverside Corporate Park in North Ryde from 7am-9am, or Advance Metal Products in Ingleburn from 12-2pm. Britek drivers Jason Bright and Alan Gurr will also be at Ingleburn to sign anything that stands still long enough!

A1 GRAND PRIX

n

n A karter died during a race meeting in WA over the weekend. 54-year old Graham Peterson was pronounced dead after his twin-engined kart left the circuit during a race meeting at Tom Price, 1130km north of Perth. At the time of writing it was not known what caused the crash.

AKA President Richard Erdmann said the Association would conduct a full investigation into the accident.

Peterson’s death is the first fatality in AKA competition since Nicole Franks lost her life in a street race at Wollongong in 2002. He is survived by his wife Pam and three daughters Bronwyn, Katherine and Rosslyn.

– STAFF/MARK WICKS

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n Two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Tony Longhurst will drive the Queenslanddesigned and built Skelta G-Force Sportscar during this year’s QUIT Targa West tarmac rally event in Perth on September 6-9. The Gold Coaster completed a test day of Ray Vandersee’s Honda S2000-powered machine and was suitably impressed.

“I probably put in a dozen laps around Queensland Raceway and it was a fantastic experience,” said Longhurst.

“I couldn’t believe the grip.

There was seriously more downforce than a V8 Supercar.”

A1 TEAM Australia and the Australian Motor Sport Foundation have joined forces, offering two rising Australian racing stars an opportunity to test the Team Oz A1 car.

Reigning Formula Ford Champion John Martin, left, and Formula Renault Italy driver Daniel Riccardo will get a chance to test the Alan Docking-prepared A1GP car, which will be raced next season by Ian Dyk. The pair will get a half day test at the Silverstone International Circuit on Tuesday 28 August (the first A1GP test day for the new season), while Dyk will get a full day on the Wednesday.

Davo wins, but punished in Star Mazda STAR MAZDA JAMES Davison has been stripped of victory for the second time this season in the Star Mazda Championship in the United States.

Despite winning at Elkhart Lake on the weekend, Davison was relegated to fourth position by stewards as he arrived at the podium to collect his trophy for apparently blocking.

His Velocity team was told that there would be no right of appeal and if the penalty were not accepted then it would be increased.

“I have every right to break the draft and defend my line, especially in the closing laps when all bets are off and the following driver has a massive slip stream advantage,” said Davison.

“I never moved in reaction to Ron (White) and if he decided to move to the same line I was

choosing then he has to be held accountable, not me.

“When I joined the series, it became apparent that there was considerable frustration and annoyance from the team owners and competitors at the incompetency of the officials with particular reference to the stewards and that this frustration had existed for some time.

“After having victories taken away at Sebring and now Road America, I can only conclude that the level of officialling is an absolute disgrace.

By what means did the stewards conclude that I should be moved to fourth and miss out on the prestige of the podium?”

Davison remains second in the series with the next round at Trois Rivieres in Canada this weekend.

Newcomer for V8 Utes V8 UTES V8 UTES has a new driver who will debut in the next round of the series at Indy.

Brisbane-based Peter Burnett has purchased the #42 Kanga Loaders Ford Falcon and will campaign in the final

two rounds of the season at Surfers Paradise, Symmons Plains and Phillip Island.

Big Gun Racing will maintain the Ute for the car racing rookie, who is competing in state-level Saloon Car racing to get in the swing of motor racing.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he told eNews.

“My son in law is involved in it. He got me involved in the racing side and getting my CAMS licence. I’ve always loved racing so now is as good a time as any to get involved.”

– GRANT ROWLEY

Howard Racing looks to Formula Ford REIGNING Fujitsu V8 Champion Howard Racing is considering an entry in the Australian Formula Ford Championship in the future.

The Queensland team currently runs three cars in the Fujitsu Series, as well as an expanded kart team. Team manager Warren Davis told eNews that entering a pair of

Formula Fords is the first step towards creating a platform to harness future driving talent.

“It’s an idea we are throwing around,” he said.

“We want to create a path from go-karts all the way through to V8 Supercar.

“At this point in time, it’s definitely a consideration of ours.”

Formula Forder Victoria Whitley recently tested one of

Peter Bury

FORMULA FORD

Howard Racing’s Ford Falcon BAs at Queensland Raceway.

– GRANT ROWLEY

WORLD OF OUTLAWS DOUBLE NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart has signed Knoxville Nationals winner Donny Schatz to join his World of Outlaws Sprintcar team for 2008.

Stewart, who won a Knoxville Nationals with Danny ‘The Dude’ Lasoski behind the wheel of one of his cars, is to team up with defending Outlaws Champion and current points leader Donny Schatz, who will join Paul McMahan.

“I’m excited about joining forces with a proven

John Morris/Mpix

Schatz signs with Stewart winner,” said Schatz, a proven winner himself, having won over 80 WoO races, including 14 so far this year.

“Tony Stewart has been a winner in everything he does, and his race team is no different. His organization has always been, and will continue to be, top-notch.”

Schatz’s DSM (Donny Schatz Motorsports) will merge with Tony Stewart Racing for the new program.

Stewart also runs teams in the USAC National Midget and National Sprintcar Championships.

Marcos debut delay No go at Watkins, but maybe later this year ...

MARCOS Ambrose’s anticipated Nextel Cup debut was washed away in the New York rains last weekend.

Inclement weather forced NASCAR official to abandon qualifying and, under the regulations, such circumstances mean that the field lines up in Owners’ Points order. Because he was one of 14 drivers shooting for eight starting spots behind the top 35 cars, he did not get a chance to qualify in Robby Gordon’s #77 Ford Fusion, left.

“It’s disappointing,” said Ambrose, who managed six laps in the interrupted session. “We thought we had a good shot at qualifying the car in, but that’s just the way it goes. It was dirty all day and drizzling with rain all day, so we knew that we were going to be up against it.”

But there could be another chance for Ambrose to race in the Nextel Cup. “Robby promised me that he was going to give me another shot, so I’m going to twist his arm until he gives me one.

“The reception we’ve received from everyone has been big.

Instantly we’ve gone from anonymity to some form of status down pit lane.”

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Camry of Tomorrow

Joe Gibbs to drop GM for Toyota program in 2008 NASCAR

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GM Racing Media

WITH Toyota struggling with their current three-team line up of Team Red Bull, Bill Davis Racing and Michael Waltrip Racing, expect championshipwinning Joe Gibbs Racing to switch from Chevrolet to Toyota in 2008.

Gibbs has stayed loyal to the Pontiac and Chevrolet brands of General Motors since the team’s inception in 1991 and had Dale Earnhardt Jr decided to join Gibbs – and not Hendrick Motorsports – the team would have stayed under the GM umbrella, but with the team considered to be down the pecking order in manufacturer support, a move is coming.

Although nothing has been formally announced, 22-year old Kyle Busch – who is being replaced by Dale Earnhardt Jr at Hendrick next season – is expected to join Gibbs to take over from the struggling J.J. Yeley and team up with Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin in 2008. If the move materialises, Gibbs will have his hands full with three fiery drivers; Stewart is known for his hot head and Hamlin has shown streaks of volatility this season as well.

The engine department at JGR is expected to be run similar to that of Bill Davis Racing where Toyota will not supply a complete engine, but parts to make it run and Gibbs will carry out their own development of the powerplant.

Recent rumblings also have MWR shrinking to a two-car operation, with veteran Dale Jarrett retiring from driving at the end of the current Nextel Cup season.

Recent rumours that Red Bull will switch from Toyota to Chevrolet can be viewed as totally unfounded, although

the highly-funded operation did release team manager Marty Gaunt post-Pocono.

– MARTIN D CLARK

The Doctor & The Accountant MOTOGP TWO of Italy’s greatest motorcycle racers are under investigation by the country’s tax office.

Valentino Rossi and Loris Capirossi are both subject to enquiry, a taxation agency spokesman claiming that it was looking at Rossi’s possible tax evasion on undeclared revenues of 60 million euros ($97m) between 2000 and 2004.

In 2000, Rossi moved to Britain, to take advantage of favorable tax conditions.

Capirossi, who lives in Monaco, is being investigated over 1.3m euros ($2.1m) in income in 2001-02.

HERE COME THE ORANGE PEOPLE SUPERBIKES KTM has given the strongest indication yet that its new RC8 is headed for Superbikes – and maybe the SBK – in 2010.

The factory-backed HMC Racing team debuted its new Super Duke in a domestic series round at Miller Motorsports Park

in Alabama last weekend and the team is making no secret of its ambitions to move higher up the ladder.

Team owner Mitch Hansen admitted that the team plans to move up to Supersport and then Superbike, but both those moves with depend on the American AMA series rules allowing 1200cc twins to complete, as do the 2008 World Superbike regulations.

KTM is currently developing its new RC8 Vtwin, left, which is the make’s first full sports bike with an 1150cc version of the Super Duke’s 75-degree motor. There have been spy shots and rumours of the bike for the last three years but the bike’s development has been fraught with delays. It is expected to be officially unveiled in November.

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5 Minutes with ...

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN In less than a week this Kiwi teenager will make his V8 Supercar debut

ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

MOTORSPORT NEWS: Obvious one to start with, are you starting to get nervous about this weekend?

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: No not yet, but I reckon on Wednesday or Thursday the nerves will come on. I’m just really looking forward to it, it’s going to be pretty cool to get out there with all the guys I’ve grown up idolising.

Isn’t that a daunting thought?

Definitely. It’s big, racing the best guys from New Zealand and Australia …

What’s been your impressions of the V8s?

They’re really different to the single-seaters.

They’ve got plenty of power but they don’t stop or handle as good, but they’re still awesome cars.

Have you had a look at Oran Park?

Yes I did 80 laps there last year in a Formula Ford, so I know the place a little bit.

But it’ll be a different ball game in a V8 …

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Euan Cameron

Your career has so far been centred around the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, which is pretty different to V8 Supercars. Do you feel well enough prepared going into this?

Yes and no.

I mean these guys are all halfway through a season and I’m coming in having never raced a saloon car before. All I’ve had is three tests with Stone Brothers Racing in Jonathon Webb’s car.

There’ll be a few corners that were flat in the formula ford that I’ll have to brake for shane’s been to oran park ... but never in a v8!

Well there’ll be a few corners that were flat in the Formula Ford that I’ll have to brake for in the V8 Supercar.

Have you had a chat with James [Courtney] and Russell [Ingall] about driving these cars?

Yeah, I have. I’ve had a few chats

with them, nothing too serious, but they’ve given me a heads up on what to expect and how to approach it. It’s been good and I’ve really been trying to learn what I can off them.

You know, Russell’s been around, he’s won a championship, so he’s a good person to suck as much

information as possible out of.

Finally what are your expectations of the weekend?

I just want to keep it on the island and learn every time I go on the track.

It’s about moving forwards and gelling with the team, and making the most of it.

chat

Dirk Klynsmith

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Canadian Biff good for Marcos OPINION Martin D Clark NASCAR Correspondent numerous TV and radio interviews, Ambrose came across as Mr Nice Guy, and the media and fans alike were amazed at his positive reaction towards Gordon’s wipe-out tactics.

“I’ve been down this road before and I’ve been mad at drivers,” said Ambrose of his reaction.

“Afterwards I’ve regretted saying things I shouldn’t have said and regretted doing things I shouldn’t have done, so I guess I’m not a rookie in that sense.”

The likes of Tony Stewart and Kevin Harvick could learn

something from Ambrose’s level of professionalism – but controversy does go a long way to keep a sport interesting.

With his heavy Australian accent [Ed: What accent?]

Ambrose was already a US hit, but this drama has just added to his popularity.

No doubt the boys at NASCAR are also suitably impressed – if he was of black or latino decent, NASCAR would be really chuffed, Ambrose just doesn’t fit the demographic of the minority they’re looking for …

Marcos looks upon himself as a guest in the US, which is the right way to approach the start of his Stock Car career.

The sheer size of this sport, and his lack of success in the win column, can be humbling –

but it will come in time.

This business is all about chemistry. He recently switched crew chiefs to Ernie Cope (cousin of former Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope), and that is just the latest piece of the puzzle.

There will be many more pieces to place in the future.

Martin D Clark

THE rough-up between Marcos Ambrose and Robby Gordon at Montreal has done wonders to help jumpstart Ambrose’s NASCAR Cup career and helped him gain valuable attention.

To date, Ambrose and Juan Pablo Montoya are the only non-American born NASCAR drivers who appear to have a successful future ahead of them in the sport.

To put Ambrose in the same category as Montoya may seem optimistic to some, but so far he’s clearly proved he could be in the same league, in terms of their ability to race a Stock Car. But Ambrose really scored brownie points with his reaction to the recent Gordon incident. Post-Montreal, in

Letters

Have your say, email us at mail@mnews.com.au. Keep letters to the point.

Thanks for Wednesday I was a bit slow coming around to the idea of eNews.

Normally sitting down with a copy of MNews is good chance to get away from the computer, but after last Wednesday morning I have a new outlook.

I was expecting to find a boring inbox full of ebay ads and instead I read the great news that Marcos Ambrose would be making his Nextel Cup debut.

I just wanted to send a quick thanks for getting the story and layouts together so fast, I don’t even have to go past my inbox for the latest motorsport news from around the world.

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Despite sometimes feeling like the only NASCAR fan in Australia, it’s good to know I can get the latest from you guys. And even though I’m quite the Holden (and Chevy) girl, I’ll definitely be cheering Ambrose on this Monday morning. It’s great to see another Aussie in another top category overseas.

Rhiannon miss.rhiannon@gmail.com ED: Hope you didn’t get too excited about your one-off Blue Oval support Rhiannon, poor Marcos didn’t get to make his debut thanks to the weather. Thanks for the kind comments about eNews

… we don’t want to make reissues a habit, but when the news is that big, it’s nice to know we can get it out nice and fast!

Rainy Day I logged on to NASCAR.com today just to have a sneak peak at how Marcos went on Cup debut, and was very disappointed with what I saw.

Just because of a little bit of rain the good ol’ boys didn’t venture out for qualifying, meaning the opportunity of a lifetime slips by for Marcos. But why?

Surely if a Friday arvo qualifying gets rained out, the session can be rescheduled to

Saturday or something, rather than just scrapping it entirely.

Very strange.

Anyway, why don’t they get out some grooved Goodyears and slip and slide like men!

Jamie Tan j_t@freemail.com WRC on SBS I’d just like to say what a great job SBS are doing with the World Rally Championship coverage.

I tuned in to check out the action from Finland yesterday (Sunday) and I was really impressed with how sleek the program is. Sure it’s a week late, but it was worth the wait to see Atko beat all but the

Talkin’ Tyres locals and Loeb in the Finnish forests, and I thanks SBS for showing it when no one else seems to want to.

Of course I already knew the result … eNews told me that the day after it happened!

Sharon Hue Seaton, SA No walk in the park While I love the thought of the V8 Supercars racing around Oran Park this weekend, I can’t help but feel a little saddened by it too.

I mean, we don’t even know when the last time they’ll be visiting our little track is now, all we know is that the end is near. And that sucks, because it’s been a great home for Touring Car racing in this country for many years.

Sure it ain’t glamorous like the Clipsal 500, or prestigious like Bathurst. But when the music stops, it’ll be a sad day for motor racing in this country.

Bradley Lanyon Ruse, NSW

TYRES have been on my mind of late (and no, the Branagan Family Truckster has plenty of wear left on its set).

Just like clockwork, Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi have rolled out the old faithful ‘Nobody cheers for tyres’ argument to lobby for the introduction of control and/ or free tyre regulations for MotoGP. Seems that the Texas Tyrenado and Il Doctore are tiring of watching Casey Stoner getting smaller on the horizon while they slide around behind. These men are heroes, Casey is young and Australian, he has Bridgestones – so their Michelins must be to blame.

This scenario rather supersedes recent events, which would see a medium-sized van arrive at any given European GP track, loaded with Friday night specials for Vale, perhaps Colin and the HRCs. Michelin was rapid to take advantage of its geography and after practice (and sometimes, qualifying) special, otherwise unobtainable rubber would arrive to save the day. Heaven knows how many GPs were won not by the Superstars but by unnamed, sleep-deprived technicians at Clermont-Ferrand.

Some years ago, I remember urgently jotting down a tirade from a V8 owner-

opinion Phil Branagan Executive Editor driver, who was loudly flaying at those luddites calling for control rubber in Supercars. He had a Brand X deal, he thundered, because he bloody well deserved it and others without the Superstar tyres had to lift their game.

Almost exactly two years later – after Brand X had decamped and taken its business to another team – there we were again, as he berated me for failing to see his logic in calling FOR control tyres.

There is nothing new under the sun.

Whether on two wheels or four, racers will always adjust their heart-felt beliefs to their circumstances at any given moment. As sure as the sun will rise on another Rossi victory – and another Edwards letdown – there will be pros and cons for both sides of the tyre argument.

And drivers; if you see me writing down your arguments with an ‘I’ve heard all this before’ look on my face; you are imagining it.

Surely …

eLETTER OF DIRTY DOG THE WEEK Know when to hold them … on the outcome enhances I’ve found a new fad of late. the enjoyment I get out of My local pub has recently the sport. had a Sports TAB built I go to Bathurst every year inside it. I was never much and I remember that they into gambling, but now have Sports TABs at the that the wife has recently track, but why can’t they left me, I’ve taken up have one at every circuit? something that not only And there should be more takes money out of my betting options. At the pocket, but sometimes moment, you can only put returns it! your cash on the winner of I love my motor racing, Race 1. and placing a small wager You should be able to bet

on the pole winner, round winner and all sorts of things.

Adrian Jones Canley Vale, NSW ED: eNews doesn’t condone excessive gambling; in fact it doesn’t condone gambling at all.

But it looks like you need a bit of lovin’. A pair of Dirty Dog sunnies are on their way, Adrian.

For a chance to win yourself a pair of Dirty Dog sunglasses, send your opinions to mail@mnews.com. au, or via snail mail Motorsport News PO Box 7072, Brighton, Vic 3186 21

AUSTRALIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 4 – RALLY SA

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Still The One ... Just Simon and Sue Evans may have won the Toyota Kluger Rally SA, but local lad Steve Glenney made life harder than usual.

By RYAN LAHIFF

Joel Strickland

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T

Joel Strickland

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HE name on the top step of the podium hasn’t changed, but for the first time this season Toyota Racing Development’s Simon Evans has had to fight all the way to the finish line.

Evans fought tooth and nail in South Australia with local privateer (and defending Rally SA winner) Steve Glenney from the outset to win the fourth round of the Australian Rally Championship, his first in South Oz. “This has been my bogey event for five years, we’ve come so close and let ourselves down every year,” said Evans.

“This time, it’s different. It was a hard fought victory and they are the most enjoyable ones.”

Glenney was left to rue two poor choices during Heat 1, the time lost allowing victory to slip from his grasp by just 0.9 seconds.

Two flat tyres during Heat 2 also blunted Glenney’s attack, although local knowledge was put to good use on the event’s longest stage with Glenney beating Evans by an amazing 21 seconds on that stage alone.

“Consistency let us down this weekend,” said Glenney.

“A couple of small errors yesterday and again today undid what could have been a win.”

A bout of the flu and a poorly handling Subaru had Dean Herridge on the back foot over the course of the weekend, but he made amends to finish third, albeit not quite in the same league as Evans and Glenney.

Instead, Herridge renewed his season-long battle with Neal Bates, the pair tying on points by the end of the weekend, with Herridge’s greater consistency allowing him to clinch third ahead of the Toyota driver who had to settle for fourth.

A largely trouble-free rally netted Brendan Reeves fifth, the emerging driver showcasing his maturity and talent throughout the weekend.

Ford was left to count the costs after another rollercoaster weekend of mechanical mayhem, starting with alternator concerns for both Fiestas of Michael Guest and Darren Windus.

A broken gearbox and a blown engine earlier in the year were quickly repeated by Windus, who retired a couple of stages into the event, while Guest was hampered with power steering and clutch concerns.

race

Joel Strickland

Local Yokel: Steve Glenney was blindingly fast on his home state roads, and gave Simon Evans quite a scare.

Joel Strickland

Joel Strickland

Dean Herridge’s ARC future may be in doubt, but his speed isn’t, the West Aussie finishing second in SA, above left. Youngster Brendan Reeves, above, finished a credible fifth, while the S2000 cars of Bates, left, and Guest, below had very different weekends ...

Joel Strickland

ARC | Driver’s points Joel Strickland

Points: S Evans 322, Bates 228, Herridge 218, Reeves 152, Guest 112, Eli Evans 108, Orders 98, Spencer Lowndes 84.

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NASCAR NEXTEL CUP ROUND 22 – WATKINS GLEN

A day at The ‘Glen Tony Stewart won an eventful Cup race while Kevin Harvick cleaned up in Busch. All in all, it was another Chevrolet domination at Watkins Glen.

By MARTIN D CLARK

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race NASCAR Media

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NASCAR NEXTEL CUP TONY Stewart spun back to 20th position halfway through the 90-lap Cup race at the fast Watkins Glen road course on Sunday, but fought back to the front.

Stewart’s cause for victory was aided when polesitter and race dominator Jeff Gordon spun at the tricky turn one while leading with two laps to run.

Then his challenger Carl Edwards went off-course in the penultimate corner, allowing Stewart to pick up the win in a truly entertaining race.

“The driver screwed up,” said Stewart of the spin.

“We couldn’t do anything with Gordon, we definitely had the best two cars of the day.”

Stewart headed Gibbs team-mate Denny Hamlin, Jimmie Johnson (who also spun early), Ron Fellows and Robby Gordon to the chequers. Edwards finished eighth from Jeff Gordon who salvaged ninth.

“The team deserved the win and the driver didn’t get it done,” remarked Jeff of his spin.

Earnhardt Jr knocked out of the all important top 12 in points last week by Kurt Busch, suffered a serious setback to his title hopes when his car lost an engine on lap 63 while running second. It was his fourth engine-related DNF this season. Junior finished 42nd and dropped to 14th in points.

Two points contenders Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton were wiped out in an incident on a restart with 18 laps to go when Juan Pablo Montoya was punted into the first corner by Martin Truex Jr. The clash caused JPM to spin and take out the two RCR Chevs with the luckless Jamie McMurray also getting a piece of the damage. A shoving match ensued between Harvick and Montoya at the accident scene, which necessitated a red flag.

Harvick seemingly unaware that Montoya was shoved into a spin.

“I though about kicking his ass,” said Harvick, while Montoya countered “I used to have a lot of respect for the guy, because he helped me a lot to start with, but I tried to tell him it was not my fault.”

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Impala, impressive: Denny Hamlin, above, finished second in his FedEx Chevrolet and maintains his second place in the Cup race.

Valvoline, you know what I mean: Former Champ Car driver Patrick Carpentier finished seventh.

NASCAR | Driver’s points Points: J Gordon 3384, Hamlin 3040, Kenseth 2952, Stewart 2939, Edwards 2824.

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BUSCH SERIES KEVIN Harvick used perfect pit strategy and saved fuel to win his second-straight Busch Series road course event on Saturday at Watkins Glen.

Harvick (who started 11th) headed 29 of the 82 laps in front of Jeff Burton. Pole-sitter Kurt Busch finished third after suffering brake issues, ahead of Paul Menard and rookie Brad Coleman.

Marcos Ambrose qualified a respectable seventh and moved up to fifth in the first two laps, passing Scott Pruett and Jeff Burton before pitting on lap 12.

Eight laps later while running 14th, Ambrose had the inside run on Alex Garcia who came down across the nose of Ambrose and spun.

The Aussie kept his line and ran second for a time behind Busch before pitting and then going off track twice, the second time slipping on an oiled-down track. Ambrose suffered handling issues and battled hard with road racing expert Boris Said in the waning laps to finish 13th.

“It was certainly an eventful day,” remarked Ambrose.

“Our fuel mileage was different from some others.

We missed the set-up on the rear of the car a little bit. We made a change; it’s my fault, we should’ve probably stuck with what we had.

“We brought it home probably four or five spots worse than we could have, but all considering, it’s not a bad day. We didn’t think we’d get the fuel mileage some others were trying for, so we didn’t do that strategy that cost us a few spots. I asked for a change for that last stop and made the car worse. We stopped again. A couple of things happened there that didn’t go our way but, all in all, it’s not a bad points day.”

BUSCH SERIES | Driver’s points Points: Edwards 3534, Reutimann 2768, Harvick 2743, Leffler 2614, Ragan 2586, (8th Ambrose 2395).

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GLOBE TROTTER BRITISH F3 MARKO Asmer has dominated the latest round of the British Formula 3 Championship, winning both races at Silverstone last weekend.

Aussie John Martin had a trying weekend, failing to finish the opener before coming home 13th in Race 2.

IT was a wild old race at Road America for Star Mazda on the weekend, with Ron White winning from the back of the grid.

But he wasn’t the first to cross the finish line – that honour went to Aussie James Davison, who was demoted to fourth post-race after being deemed to have been too defensive in the closing laps, see news story.

APRC FORMER Oz Rally Champion Cody Crocker has made it 10 wins from 10 starts in the AsiaPacific Rally Championship after winning Rally Malaysia.

Crocker led home fellow Subaru pilot Toshi Arai by a comfortable 24s, with Naren Kumar third.

Crocker leads the series from Katsu Taguchi.

SPEEDWAY GP LEIGH Adams, the seven time Australian Speedway Champion from Mildura, collected his second Grand Prix victory of the season in Malilla to keep the 2007 World Championship race very much alive.

Adams has now won five Grands Prix in his career, and four of them have been in Sweden.

It was a great night for the Australians as Jason Crump finished third, just 12 days after having keyhole surgery on his broken left knee-cap.

– TONY MILLARD

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IRL INDYCAR IT’S Groundhog Day for Tony Kanaan and Dario Franchitti in the IRL IndyCar Series.

Just like a week ago in Michigan, Kanaan took the race win at Kentucky. But also like the previous round, Franchitti, who was involved in another spectacular crash, stole the headlines.

This time it was after the race that Franchitti busted some air, crashing into the back of Kosuke Matsuura on the cooldown lap and flipping violently.

Even luckier to escape serious injury was Danica

sutton-images.com

STAR MAZDA

Tony Wins, Dario Flys – Take 2

Patrick, who spun when a rear tyre exploded and nearly collected a recovery truck that was on the track.

Kiwi Scott Dixon finished

second while AJ Foyt was third.

Points: Franchitti 518, Dixon 510, Kanaan 466, Dan Wheldon 388, Sam Hornish Jr 379.

Donny’s Day in Knoxville SPEEDWAY DONNY Schatz has defended his Knoxville Nationals crown on the weekend, winning the US$150,000 race while Aussie star Brooke Tatnell sped to a strong seventh place result in the feature.

Schatz started from pole position in the 47th running of the event, grabbed a sizeable lead early and was never headed to win from

Joey Saldana and Terry McCarl.

At the start of the 30lap championship A-main, outside front-row starter Paul McMahan got a slight advantage over pole-sitter Schatz, but Schatz used a big slide job in turn four to lead the first lap. The red flag came out just after that when Tim Kaeding rolled with Randy Hannagan also caught up in the carnage.

After the restart, Schatz was superb on the extreme high

Porsches and Aussies ALMS THE Penske Porsche duo of Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas have taken another outright American Le Mans Series race win, this time at Road America.

It was the sixth consecutive outright victory for the Porsche RS Spyder, finishing just under two seconds ahead of the Audi of Dino Capello and Allan McNish.

It was another good weekend for Australians in the ALMS, with Ryan Briscoe and Sascha Maassen finishing fourth outright, one place ahead David Brabham, who was sharing with Duncan Dayton and Stefan Johansson.

side of the half-mile, building a half-straightaway lead.

A red flag followed later when Jason Martin overturned, but no one could catch Schatz in the 25-lapper.

– GEOFF ROUNDS

How the Aussies went: Kerry Madsen – 3rd, C-Main Ryan Farrell – 18th, C-Main Skip Jackson – 22nd, C-Main Lynton Jeffrey – 8th, D-Main

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Looking Good, Champ CHAMP CAR IT really was a great weekend for Sebastien Bourdais.

With the news emerging that the defending Champ Car Champ will tackle Grand Prix racing with Toro Rosso next season, Bourdais took a big step towards one-last CCWS title with a dominant display at Road America.

Having blitzed the field in qualifying (by more than a second per session), Bourdais started the Elkhart Lake race a firm favourite. But, in the early stages at least, it looked as if his main title protagonist Robert Doornbos was going to make a race of it. That changed on Lap 24 when Doornbos ran wide, losing second place to Graham Rahal. He then made contact with his Minardi Team USA team-mate

Dan Clarke, taking him well and truly out of contention, and allowing Bourdais to skip to a 10s race win from Clarke and Rahal.

“It is obviously one of the best weekends for us this season,” said Bourdais.

“The McDonald’s car was great from the beginning when we unloaded to the end.

It was a great team win.”

Australian Will Power started the race from the front row, but suffered gearbox woes and finished 16th, furthering Bourdais’ advantage in the points.

The Champ Car World Series now heads to Europe, with the Belgian round at Zolder in a fortnight.

Points: Bourdais 250, Doornbos 213, Power 197, Justin Wilson 190, Rahal 170, Oriol Servia 170, Neel Jani 167, Simon Pagenaud 164, Alex Tagliani 161, Bruno Junqueira 138.

Champ Car Media Champ Car Media

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LamBoweghini!

SHANNONS NATIONALS

James Smith

JOHN Bowe heralded Lamborghini’s factory return to local competition by dominating the fifth round of the Australian GT Championship, held as part of the Shannons Nationals round at Phillip Island at the weekend.

Bowe survived wet weather in all three wins to clean-sweep pole and three races on his return to GT racing and the local debut of Team Lamborghini’s brand-new V10 Gallardo GT3.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the V8 Supercar ace, who was forced to withstand pressure from the series’ best-ever field, including Will Davison (Aston Martin), points leader Allan Simonsen and Craig Baird (Ferraris).

On his GT debut, Davison survived an offtrack excursion in Race 1 to score a fifth and two second places in the John Kaias-owned Aston Martin DBRS9.

Allan Simonsen made a successful debut of the Coopers Racing F430 Ferrari and extended his championship lead over Bryce Washington in the process.

Tim Macrow regained the lead in the Kumho Tyres Formula 3 Championship, winning a rainaffected first race with a last lap pass on James Winslow. Former series leader Charlie Hollings charged from sixth on the grid to second at the finish in a race held on a drying track – making tyre conservation a key factor in the result.

Leanne Tander continued her strong Phillip Island form to maintain her third place in the championship with a Race 2 win, her second for the year.

Macrow and Hollings completed the Race 2 podium after two dramatic races, while Macrow now leads his British rival by just two points with

Tander a further nine in arrears with two rounds to go.

After taking the Race 1 pole by a massive 1.3 seconds in a wet session, James Winslow struggled to third position in Race 1 before a broken gearbox in Race 2 essentially left the series a three-way fight, the Brit now a massive 42 points behind.

After missing out on a front row start to the in-form Brett Holdsworth and Michael Graham, Daniel Richert dominated the fifth round of the Empire Trade Commodore Cup championship by winning all three races.

The result gave the youngster the championship leader over Geoff Emery, who, along with Brett Holdsworth, brought home a podium finish in trying conditions.

Bruce Heinrich won two of the three races in the Supaloc Australian Saloon Car Championship, dominating proceedings until Kris Walton charged from the back of the field in the final race to record a strong win after an earlier DNF. It was, however, the third round in succession dominated by Heinrich who extended his championship lead.

Steve Briffa (Commodore) and Barry Morcom (BMW) split the wins in the Shannons Australian Production Car Championship, although Garry Holt maintains a championship lead despite a rough weekend.

Rodney Earsman won three HQ Holden National Championship races, John Wise the fourth.

– RICHARD CRAILL

Dirk Klynsmith

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Dirk Klynsmith John Morris/Mpix

Battle Royale: Tim Macrow and Leanne Tander’s F3 tussle continued at The Island, taking a win each, above.

Daniel Richert dominated Commodore Cup, left.

A Telling Storey NSW STATE ROB Storey has romped to victory in the latest round of the NSW State Formula Ford Championship over the weekend at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park Raceway with a clean sweep.

Storey didn’t put a wheel wrong throughout the weekend and had the measure of both second and third-placed drivers, CAMS Rising Star Daniel Erickson and reigning Champion Icon Motorsport driver Ben Morley, in all three races.

As a result, Storey has moved ahead in the championship point standings over Morley and Erickson.

In the Formula Vee action it

was Jason Cutts that walked away from the weekend with a perfect winning record, taking out all three races.

The battle in the third and final race proved quite intense, with Cutts taking a solid victory, but only after having to fend off the challenges of an impressive Daniel Reynolds and Cutts’ team-mate Adam Proctor.

Reynolds and Proctor completed the podium in second and third for the third race.

Defending Sports Sedan Champion Anthony Macready recorded his first win of the year by taking two out of the three races.

Early in the weekend it was Chris Jackson that dominated

proceedings by taking out qualifying and the opening race. However, a non-finish

by Jackson in Race 2 gave Macready the upper hand and saw him record wins in both Race 2 and 3. After starting from the rear of the grid, Jackson placed third in the final race behind winner Macready and Scott Butler.

Other winners over the weekend included Ian McLean (HQ Holdens), David Raddatz (Production Sports Cars), Jim Stewart (Combined Touring), Alexander Kenny (AF2 / Supersports / Clubman Challenge), Dave Loftus (Over 2 Litre Improved Production), and Jacky Yick (Under 2 Litre Improved Production).

– DANIEL POWELL

John Morris/Mpix

The Champ is back: Defending Sports Sedan Champ Anthony Macready was back in form at Wakefield Park.

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rear of grid

The Punter’s hometrack advantage

O

RAN Park is the Punter’s home race. Other than for 2001, when Mrs Punter chose just the wrong time to go into labour (though there was a TV in the waiting room!), it’s been a locked-in weekend, and this week is no different.

Oran Park is a unique place, not least because you can see the whole track most of the time (I guess you can at Queensland, but it doesn’t count – it looks so boring), and because the main straight is just about the only bit of straight road in the whole place.

That’s what makes passing so tricky, but there’s no doubt it is a driver’s track.

I mention that because of the chat that the circuit may be ‘replicated’ a bit further

down the road when the place gets turned into a housing estate.

The idea that someone – presumably the current owner, Tony Perich – is prepared to rebuild and maintain a race track is fantastic and I hope he really does go ahead.

There are many great things about Oran Park – especially that ‘ampitheatre’ feeling, but personally I’d be cautious about copying the design one hundred percent. Using Oran as a basic start you could, with a few changes, make a brilliant track. I hope that, come the day, Perich runs some sort of design competition and keeps the ‘official’ types (who gave us QR to start with) away from it!

It’ll be sad to see the place go as there has, mainly in the more distant past, been

Odd Spot

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It’ll be sad to see the place go as there has been some great days there some great days there. The fact that it used to be the last round of the championship, when it was the Shell Series, made for some tense races (remember Richo in the BMW v Seton in the Nissan?), but for me the biggest day of them all was ’97 when Brock raced there for the last time, during that farewell tour year (even though he came out of retirement a couple of times). I can’t recall grown men being

so emotional at a race track.

And for drama, how about the Larkham/Morris startline shunt?

No doubt we’ll miss the place as and when it goes, but if he is serious about rebuilding, then Perich will get my vote for motorsportsman of the year. In these days of ‘government this’ and ‘government that’, to see private enterprise continue to play its part would be great.

100 not out

year later when he drove for the Young Lions outfit – and it wasn’t his first title round.

That came at the aforementioned Eastern Creek opener in ’99 – and a massive crash at turn one – thanks to a deflated tyre – followed.

“It was a large hit and totally destroyed the car,” Kelly recalled this week. “I won’t forget that either.”

The ‘Toddler’ has clocked up eight round wins (nine if you count Adelaide this year where he scored the most points but brother Rick won the Sunday race) and has scored five pole positions.

HRT heads will want to mark down Symmons Plains’ penultimate round of the series too ... Skaifey hits the 200 there ...

John Morris/Mpix

THE milestones continue in V8 Supercar stats world and Todd Kelly is the latest to contribute, clocking up his 100th championship round start this weekend at Oran Park.

The HRT pilot becomes the youngest driver to hit the mark at age 27, undercutting Garth Tander by two and a half years.

One of the four original Holden Young Lions, Kelly made his V8 Supercar debut in the enduros in 1998 with John Faulkner and then his V8 championship debut at Eastern Creek in 1999.

Which puzzled us why the Holden Motorsport PR gurus told us initially that he’d crashed in his V8 debut ... At Albert Park ... And in 1998!

True, he was involved in a hit with Tony Longhurst, but it was a

punter@mnews.com.au

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