Motorsport eNews Issue 31 - November 20-26, 2007 by V8 Sleuth

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Issue No. 031 20– 26 November 2007

HOlden Reshuffle Todd Kelly TO MOVE TO ...

CHAMPIONSHIP TIME WHINCUp’s TASSIE Win sets up finale thriller

Editorial Editor: Grant Rowley grant@mnews.com.au National Editor: Andrew van Leeuwen andrew@mnews.com.au Staff Journalist: Bill Riddell bill@mnews.com.au Executive Editor: Phil Branagan editor@mnews.com.au

Australasian

The ‘A’ Team

Issue No. 031 | 20-26 November 2007

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news 4 Holden Shuffle

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5 Kelly Truckin’ 7 V8s in Townsville 11 Kimi’s title 12 Loeb to F1!

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chat 18 5 minutes with ... opinion 20 Lambden 21 Branagan 41 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

Photographers Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Marshall Cass, John Morris/Mpix, AF1 Images, James Smith, Peter Bury, Neil Blackbourn, Chris Carter, Coopers Photography, Ash Budd, Paris Charles, Neil Hammond, Joel Strickland, Mike Patrick (UK) 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. Freelance contributions are welcome, and while all care will be taken, Motorsport eNews does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of material submitted. Opinions expressed in Motorsport eNews are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

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race 22 Whin-Cup? 32 Tassie supports 34 Young and Restless 36 Macau Magic

Musical Red Chairs Rick to do an Ambrose? Taking it to the streets Was it ever in doubt? Sebastien does Renault John Bowe Driving Under Pressure F(1)Arce? Tassie overload Whinners snatches lead FFord and Ute action Gary Young Performs best AP and Jarvis streets ahead

trade 38 Trade and Industry / Raceshop / Classifieds

welcome Big shot TV bloke Noonz thinks you should read eNews – right now! Check out the latest eNews supplements via http://www.mnews.com.au

Ash Budd – Digitally Modified

Is Todd Kelly

The Man in Black? V8 SUPERCARS

HOLDEN appears poised for a reshuffle of its V8 Supercar stars in 2008 – with Todd Kelly (and possibly Garth Tander) likely to move teams as a result. While Ford has its four leading drivers (Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards) locked into their respective teams for next season, the illness that has forced Jack Perkins out of Jack Daniel’s Racing may prompt a longer-term plan by Holden Motorsport to shift some of its stars to be fast-tracked by a year. With a number of drivers (including Kelly and Tander) contracted to the end of the next season, that time frame looked to be the first opportunity for any change. However, Holden sources are suggesting to eNews that there are discussions between Holden Motorsport and Walkinshaw Performance about shifting Kelly into a black Commodore for next season, alongside Shane Price.

Officially, Holden denies any such link: “There have been no discussions between Jack Daniel’s, Holden and Perkins Engineering about such a move,” said Holden’s PR man Tim Pemberton on Monday. However, that carefully-worded response is entirely consistent with Holden Motorsport and Walkinshaw Performance discussing, approving of, or even instigating such a move ... Kelly couldn’t comment when contacted on Monday. Two months ago, Todd seemed secure and was looking forward to another season as Mark Skaife’s team-mate in 2008, but this scenario will change that. Kelly’s experience would be an invaluable boost to JDR. Skaife and Rick Kelly have both driven Perkins cars (during testing) this season and commented favourably about their characteristics, and Price would doubtless benefit by having a driver with almost a decade’s V8 Supercar experience under his belt in the other JDR car.

AT the same time, the opportunity for a long-speculated move by Tander to the Holden Racing Team would be opened up by Kelly’s departure. Although there is no specific ‘intelligence’ on such a move at present, it makes a great deal of sense. Tander is seen within Holden management as the eventual successor to Skaife in Team Red, which he joined for Sandown and Bathurst in 2006, and scored pole position at the 500. There are reportedly concerns within Holden about the status of HRT and he fact that Toll HSV has out-performed the flag bearer over recent seasons. eNews has been told that there is a desire to re-establish HRT as the Holden ‘brand’ team, and Tander’s arrival is seen as one way to go about that. If both moves were to occur, the next question would be who would join Rick Kelly at Toll HSV – that is, providing that he is staying where he is (see story opposite). It’s Silly Season time in Red Land ... – ROWLEY/BRANAGAN

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Rickster in a Truckster

While HoIden’s racing management shuffle the deck, is the Champ looking Stateside? V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmi th NASCAR Media

AMID tales of inter-team movement involving Holden’s leading drivers, comes suggestions that one – Rick Kelly – is considering trying his luck Stateside. There are suggestions that Rick’s recent trip to California was more than just a getaway, and that the 24 year-old, already with an impressive resume (Gold Star Champion 2002, V8 Supercar Champion 2006), could be looking to explore new challenges by following the path pioneered by Marcos Ambrose in NASCAR, starting with the Craftsman Truck series. While Kelly is contracted to the Toll/HSV team for 2008 – and any investigations may well be preliminary ones, with a view to 2009 and beyond – there would in reality be few hurdles if the youngster

decided to give it a go in ’08. While any US plan is unconfirmed (eNews was unable to contact Kelly on Monday for comment), there is a degree of certainty that, should he go to the USA, he would race a Chevrolet. At present, the best of Chevy

Truck teams is Billy Ballew Motorsports, with Kyle Busch in the driving seat on occasion. The combination is a winning one but, as with the move by Joe Gibbs Racing, it appears that the team will move to Toyota’s program for 2008. Two other pretty good

teams with no real funding in place are two of the smaller GM teams, Morgan Dollar Motorsports and Spears Motorsports. Both would welcome a driver with experience, even if it is not in NASCAR competition, and a suitable budget.

Another Aussie US-bound V8 SUPERCARS ELECTRONICS engineer Ken Douglas is set to join the Aussie exodus to Charlotte (North Carolina) to link up with NASCAR’s Aussie expat Marcos Ambrose.

NASCAR Media

After five years with the team, Douglas will complete his final race for Stone Brothers Racing at Phillip Island and undertake a ‘hand-over’ before heading to Charlotte to take up a role as Technical Director at JTG Racing (formerly Wood Bros), for whom Ambrose has (and will, in 2008) run National (nee Busch) series. “It’s an interesting

opportunity, and something I’m looking forward to,” the long-time SBR software guru told eNews on Monday. “Marcos is playing his part in building up a strong operation over there, and it will be a challenge. They have access to a high level of information and engineering tools over there, so the experience will be worthwhile.” Douglas’ initial contract is for two years, “although who knows where it will end up.” Former SBR engineer Paul Forgie is also at JTG, heading a test-team project.

BRIEFLY...

n V8 Supercar fans will be able to pay tribute to John Bowe at Phillip Island by signing one of the team’s removable pit walls. Fans will be able to write messages to JB as he retires from V8s. The wall will be in the V8 paddock near the Glenfords Racing pit garage at PI and will later go on display at PCR’s workshop. n Speaking of John Bowe,

the Team BOC bonnets that Bowe used at Pukekohe last year are on eBay for sale. The bonnets – one damaged and one straight – are sure to be hot property for collectors. The damaged bonnet was involved in Bowe’s frightening shunt on the front straight which broke the leg of photographer Scott Wensley.

Dirk Klynsmith

n First it was James Courtney and now we could see another Supercar hero join the reality fun on Channel 7’s other celebrity show, It Takes Two. The program puts a celebrity and a singer together and gets them to bang out some tunes in front of a live audience. Could V8s have a representative? eNews hears that a young star and a legend of the sport are among those who might be involved ... Who are they? We’ll give you a clue. One is a man of steel, the other is a former rock star ...

Canto on the move? V8 SUPERCARS

IS Dean Canto on the driver market? That was one of the questions being asked in the Symmons Plains paddock over the weekend as the Silly Season got into full swing. Pit lane gossip suggests that

Canto may be on the outer at the Garry Rogers Motorsport team after Phillip Island, with Greg Ritter one of the names emerging as a replacement for the 2008 season. Canto has had a tough year, having been entrusted with soley developing the team’s new VE Commodore

at the start of the year. Canto has also contended with the emergence of tream-mate Lee Holdsworth as a round winner. Despite that, Canto sits in 16th in the championship, just one place behind Holdsworth in the championship standings. – GRANT ROWLEY

Townsville gets PM’s nod V8 SUPERCARS AS reported in the ‘update’ edition of Motorsport eNews last Wednesday, the V8 Supercar Championship Series will go to Townsville in 2009. Confirmation of the race was, effectively, made last Wednesday when Prime Minister John Howard confirmed the government’s intention to support the event. “I am very pleased to announce that a re-elected Coalition Government will provide $10 million towards the establishment

of a V8 Supercar race facility at the Reid Park precinct in Townsville,” he said. This funding commitment will allow for the first V8 Supercar race to be held in 2009. “The Coalition’s contribution will provide for the development of a multi-purpose trade training facility that will act as the pit facility during the event.” Federal Labour had already confirmed its funding support, making the race a certainty. V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane said that the race would be held in July 2009.

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Weel out – so who is in? PWR Racing set to leave the V8 scene after 10 years of ups and downs – V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

PWR RACING is leaving the V8 Supercar Championship Series – and the race is now on to secure his two licences. Despite denials within the past fortnight, the Kees Weel-owned team confirmed last week that its 10 year involvement in V8 competition would end at the completion of 2007. The confirmation brings to an end a season plagued with bad news and controversy. Weel announced a deal to sell the team to John Marshall at Winton, but the deal never progressed and the team had to retreat. On track, Cameron McConville and Paul Dumbrell have had a disastrous season, plagued with crashes and mechanical problems. Weel has said that he intends to keep his

Dandenong factory open, possibly servicing clients in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. There are a number of buyers in the market for V8 licences and high on the list of interested parties are Jim Morton and Marty Brant. Morton has been looking for a way into the main series over the past year and, with an FPR-prepared car, see story below, the chance to properly race at the elite level is looking one of the likely outcomes. Brant, on the other hand, is pinning his hopes on a number of deals to fall into place to secure the other PWR licence. Brant currently prepares the Autobarn Racing entry for Rod Nash Racing, but has been left on the outer, as Tony D’Alberto Racing is likely to take its reins for ‘08. – GRANT ROWLEY

Packing up after The Island: PWR will run its last race at Phillip Island.

Stars aligned V8 SUPERCARS Dirk Klynsmith

FORD Rising Star Racing will operate out of the Ford Performance Racing garages in 2008. The leading Fujitsu V8 Series team will utilise the factory Ford team’s Campbellfield (Victoria) workshop, using cars prepared and maintained by FPR. It is expected that FPR will prepare two cars for FRSR. If Morton gets his hands on a PWR licence, he is believed to be looking at entering the main series, possibly with Andrew Thompson. The other Falcon is likely to run in the Fujitsu Series, with a number of driving candidates

linked, although West Aussie Karl Reidler appears to have emerged as the favourite. The two camps started their partnership at Queens;land Raceway this year when Jim Morton bought an FPR Falcon for Michael Caruso to use. Since that deal transpired, FPR and FRSR have been ‘grouped.’ If Morton is unsuccessful in obtaining a main series licence, he could run two cars in the FV8 Series. – GRANT ROWLEY

BRIEFLY... n Christian Klien, Tonio Liuzzi, Adrian Sutil, Giedo Van der Garde and Roldan Rodriguez all tested with the Force India-Ferrari team at Barcelona last week. Klien was fastest overall but the team seemed to be more impressed with Liuzzi, based on the data and feedback he produced. n The title sponsor of Singapore’s maiden Formula 1 Grand Prix will be Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel). The event will be officially known as the ‘SingTel Singapore Grand Prix’.

Garry goes Walking

GRM goes for Walkinshaw motors in 2008 V8 SUPERCARS GARRY Rogers Motorsport will use Walkinshaw Performance engines in 2008.

Having built their own engines for the majority of the team’s V8 Supercar career, GRM has made the call to switch to WPpower, having been notably down on power compared to the other Holden teams over the past seasons. However, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that GRM

has taken large steps in 2007 with the speed of its chassis. Lee Holdsworth won the Oran Park round, and has qualified inside the top 10 on numerous occasions this year, including at Symmons Plains last weekend where he was fourth fastest. The combination of a GRM chassis and Walkinshaw engines may just be the ticket that will see the team rise to the top … – GRANT ROWLEY

n Team Australia drivers Will Power and Simon Pagenaud both took out awards at the annual Champ Car End of Season Banquet. Power received the Pass of the Year Award for his pass was on Pagenaud at Mont-Tremblant in Canada. Pagenaud got the Most Improved Driver Award.

n As part of the formalities of announcing what everyone knew already, Tech 3 Yamaha has confirmed that Colin Edwards and James Toseland will race the team’s M1s next season, and do so on Michelin tyres. The confirmation leaves Dunlop out of MotoGP, unless it can sign a team before the start of the season.

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n Kawasaki will not bring out a new MotoGP bike for next season. Anthony West and new recruit John Hopkins will race modified version of the ZX-RR raced during 2007, the American already pleased with the supply of new parts used in testing so far at Valencia and Sepang. With one more test before the winter break, both riders are looking forward to Phillip Island’s January test where there will be a number of new things to try on the alreadystrong green machines.

BJR makes Changes at Albury V8 SUPERCARS BRAD Jones Racing has undergone a management restructure.

The Albury-based team has employed Chris Close as the outfit’s General Manager – a position that was recently created to give the team a stronger management base and allow team owners Brad and Kim Jones to concentrate on the commercial side of their business. It’s the second time that

Close has worked for the team, having been part of BJR back in the Audi Super Touring days. “We are progressing our business and growing it at the same time,” Kim Jones said. “He’ll be in charge of the dayto-day running of the team – staff management and the processes. “It allows Brad and I a chance to focus on the bits of the business that we haven’t concentrated on as much in the past. “We need to focus on the

commercial aspects of the team, servicing our partners and growing our business further, in light of what we’ve got going on in 2008.” BJR is now preparing for its final round of V8 Supercar competition in Ford Falcons. The team will acquire new Walkinshaw Holden hardware over the off-season. The team is also looking for new staff, namely a number one mechanic and other positions.

– GRANT ROWLEY

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FUJITSU HITS 30 AT THE ISLAND The Numbers Game V8 SUPERCARS THE final round of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series features the smallest entry list of the year (30), but there are someinteresting names re-appearing in the field for ther finale.

Grant Denyer will drive for Matthew White Racing, having severed his ties with Ford Rising Stars Racing. The television star will drive the car that White qualified on the front row of the grid in the last round at Bathurst. Former Fujitsu Series regular Phil Scifleet will return to the series, driving the second HPM Falcon AU alongside Aaron McGill. Scifleet will drive the car that Ryan Brown used at Bathurst. With HPM’s sponsorship of McGill’s

team coming to an end at the conclusion of the Phillip Island, the team won’t have the experienced Luke Youlden in its armoury. Youlden will continue to drive the ANT Racing Ford Falcon BA, but not in HPM colours. There will also be a Fujitsu V8 debutant in the field. Ash Samadi, the Carrera Cup regular, will drive for Sydney Star Racing in a Commodore VX, with a view to competing in the entire series next year.

– GRANT ROWLEY

V8 SUPERCARS EXPECT to see the V8 Supercars race in 2008 with their car numbers on the rear windows.

The concept was trialled on Garth Tander’s Toll HSV Commodore VE at Symmons Plains last weekend, and is likely to be implemented next year. There were a number of different alternatives mooted, including larger NASCAR-style numbers on the doors and alternate coloured numbers on the windows for two-car teams. However, it is expected that the cars will compete with the numbers on the rear windows, slightly smaller than what was trailed, to allow room for the driver’s name underneath the number. The introduction of this concept is reportedly to aid officials in distingishing cars in accidents and melees. The pay-off for the teams is that it frees up more space on the driver’s doors of the cars, allowing more space to sell to sponsors ...

– GRANT ROWLEY

Honda adds Brawn FORMULA 1

OVERALL control of Honda’s Formula 1 effort will now centre on the UK, following the appointment of former Ferrari guru Ross Brawn as team principal.

After his one-year ‘sabattical’ ends next week, Brawn will have full responsibility for designing, manufacturing, engineering and racing Honda’s Formula 1 cars and will work alongside Nick Fry, who continues as Chief Executive of the team. Fry said that he had spent seven months chasing Brawn and that the hiring of the

former Ferrari engineer as the Honda team principal was “a clear indication of Honda’s intention to remain and be successful in Formula 1.” Both men will report to Honda board member Hiroshi Oshima, who is Honda’s general manager of the corporate communications division. This is an interesting shift in emphasis and suggests that attitudes to F1 have changed in Japan as the programme was previously run entirely by the engineers at Honda R&D. The lack of success may have led the company to move the

emphasis to marketing, thus leaving the British end of the operation to get on with running the show without undue influence from Tokyo. Brawn said that he had some very amicable discussions with Ferrari about returning to Italy but said the team did not offer him the challenge he was looking for. “Honda has a fantastic racing heritage,” he said. “They have the commitment to meet the challenge. There are not many opportunities in F1 that give you that.”

– JOE SAWARD

It’s Timo Time FORMULA 1 TIMO Glock is expected to be named as the second driver for the Toyota F1 team for 2008 following confirmation from BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen that Glock is not under contract with BMW in 2008.

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Some day, all this red stuff will be yours: Ross Brawn, left, and protege, Stefano Domenicali.

Italy 1, France 0 FORMULA 1 STEFANO Domenicali has replaced Jean Todt as the head of Ferrari’s Gestione Sportiva.

Todt will remain as the head of the Ferrari road car company. The news contrasts with statements made in recent weeks by Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, which suggested that Todt would

remain in charge of the F1 project. Domenicali, 42, has spent most of his career at Ferrari, working in different departments, learning the business and has long been seen as a man who would one day take over the running of the team. The decision is a blow for Todt. He said in August that he was “not at all prepared

to retire” and that he was not thinking at all about it, hoping that he could continue in F1 “for a few more years”, citing the example of Bernie Ecclestone, who is more than 15 years older than Todt. The big difference is that Ecclestone owns at least part of the company he runs. Todt does not.

– JOE SAWARD

There had been a dispute over the terms of an agreement between BMW and Toyota and the first contract presented to the Contract Recognition Board was rejected because the terms of the original deal clashed with the terms of a previous contract lodged by BMW. It seems that a new contract has now been prepared and that means that Glock is free to race for Toyota next year. Toyota has also announced that Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi, a product of the Toyota Young Drivers Programme, is to be the team's third driver in 2008. Kobayashi moved to Europe in 2004 and spent two years in Formula Renault, winning the Italian and Eurocup titles in 2005, and then moved into Formula 3 in 2006 with the ASM team.

– JOE SAWARD

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FORMULA 1 THE FIA International Court of Appeal’s rejection of the McLaren appeal against the result of the Brazilian Grand Prix confirms Kimi Raikkonen as 2007 F1 Champion.

In a nevertheless bizarre outcome (what else!) the hearing decided that McLaren did not have a right to appeal anyway. The four appeal court judges ruled that the expression “parties concerned” did not cover all parties whose interests may

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Mercedes a right of appeal, nor does it indicate that any such appeal, if lodged, would be admissible.” The bizarre thing is that the decision came at the end of a hearing that lasted for two days. The discussion about whether the appeal was admissible occupied the first hour of the first day and the rest of the hearing went ahead.

– JOE SAWARD

Finally! Racedeadline

Some you win, some you lose: Timo Glock’s GP2 title has left him with a Toyota Formula 1 drive.

be affected by the decision in question and said that McLaren should have protested the result of the race within 30 minutes of the publication of the official publication of the results. McLaren did declare its intention to appeal and it was noted by the FIA Stewards, who stated that their decision and the classification of the race were subject to appeal. The Court of Appeal said that this did not “on its own confer upon Vodafone McLaren

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In Colin’s steps FORMULA 1-WRC SEBASTIEN Loeb is to test a Renault Formula 1 car.

Hamilton considers $100 million float FORMULA 1

LEWIS Hamilton is reported to be considering starting a company to consolidate all his earnings and then selling off 10 percent of this firm to investors.

Treating sportsmen as commodities has been going on for some years now amongst teams and some of the driver managers, but the idea that a driver can benefit from treating himself as a commodity is relatively new. There is some logic in the idea as it would mean that Hamilton would be able to get a considerable sum of money very early in his career. (This would, it seems, help him to cope with the stresses and strains involved in his life and help to buy him a certain amount of peace and quiet). The share issue would probably raise about US$100m

which Hamilton would then earn back in the course of his F1 career. Justin Wilson was the first F1 driver to undertake such an idea back in 2003 when he needed to raise US$2m to pay for a Formula 1 drive with Minardi. He offered shares in a company called Justin Wilson plc, which owned all the rights to the future income from Justin's career (his racing, sponsorship and promotional earnings) for 10 years. It was structured so that investors would first double their money and after that be entitled to share 10 percent of the company's earnings until the end of the 10 year period. Around 900 investors took the plunge.

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The three-time World Rally Champion will drive an R27 at Paul Ricard in France on December 5. The news comes as part of an co-operation between oil companies Total and Elf, which will also result in Renault driver Heikki Kovalainen getting to drive Loeb’s Citroën C4 Rally car. This will not be the Frenchman’s first road racing experience, having competed in Le Mans 24hrs in the past. Nor will it be the first time that a WRC driver has tested an F1 car, with the late Colin McRae testing a Jordan in 1996.

The Ideal Christmas Present

– JOE SAWARD

The Indi 500 (by Taj Mahalboro) FORMULA 1 THERE will be an Indian Grand Prix in 2010.

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Home Team: Force India will be racing on home soil in 2010.

A deal has finally been signed that will take F1 to India at a completely new racing facility which will be built beside the new Taj Expressway, which will link New Delhi with the city of Agra, location of the Taj Mahal, India’s most important tourist destination. This will also be close to the Taj International Airport that is being built at Jewar, on the plains of the River Yamuna, to the south east of New Delhi. The racetrack will be part of the Greater Noida development, a planned township, which aims to become a high technology cluster with educational establishments, a large number of international companies and a major Expo Centre for international standard exhibitions and conventions. The plan is for a 5km track on a 700-acre site. The circuit will, unsurprisingly, be designed by Tilke Associates.

– JOE SAWARD

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Lights! Cameras! Action!

Qatar night MotoGP gets thumbs up from The Night Riders MOTOGP MOTOGP’S night race will go ahead after successful testing of the lights at Qatar.

Last week, Loris Capirossi (Suzuki), Marco Melandri (Ducati), James Toseland (Yamaha), Anthony West (Kawasaki) and Alex de Angelis (Honda) all tested at the Losail track and declared themselves happy with the lights.

“The difference from when we first tested here at night is amazing,” said Capirossi. “Back then I wasn’t too sure what was possible, but the lighting is perfect out there! There’s hardly any difference between day and night riding in these conditions, and of course it’s going to be more exciting to race at night. There’s no problems with shadows or reflections, I’m very happy with this.”

Following the test, during which riders touched 300kmh on the brightest parts of the track, Toseland commented that he thought he could even ride with a tinted visor, just like in the daytime … American company Musco will complete the job prior to the March race, during which all practice and qualifying sessions, and the race, will be completed under lights.

Quicky Hayden MOTOGP

HONDA has thrown down the gauntlet by topping the latest MotoGP test at Sepang.

Nicky Hayden led an American 1-2 in Malaysia, even if he used a 2007 bike with Michelin’s latest qualifying tyre to do the business. “We wanted to check a couple of details with the 2007 machine just before we said goodbye to it,” said the Kentucky Kid. “Today we also worked through a lot of stuff on the new 2008 machine, mainly

engine mapping, electronics and tyres before we get to work on the chassis proper in the up-coming tests.” Colin Edwards was secondfastest for Tech 3 Yamaha, more than a second back from Hayden, while John Hopkins continues to impress Kawasaki’s team, taking third fastest time. There is one more test at the end of the month at Jerez, where Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are both expected to test – the Italian on Bridgestones for the first time – before the winter blackout comes into affect.

COMING THIS WEEK

Australia AMRS – Oran Park Island Magic – PI Classic Adelaide (Hist)

SEPANG MOTOGP TEST Rider Hayden Edwards Hopkins Dovizioso Vermeulen Capirossi Lorenzo West de Puniet Toseland

Bike Tyre Time Honda M 2m00.59 Yamaha M 2m01.81 Kawasaki B 2m02.04 Honda M 2m02.12 Suzuki B 2m02.44 Suzuki B 2m02.58 Yamaha M 2m02.64 Kawasaki B 2m02.65 Honda M 2m02.70 Yamaha M 2m03.55

International A1GP – Malaysia

Nex T Week (December 1-2) Australia V8 – Phillip Island (incl FV8, Fford) International WRC - Great Britain

NEED A CAR?

CLICK HERE Honda Ppro Images

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John Morris/Mpix

Greg Murphy Racing to expand ... again FUJITSU V8S GREG Murphy Racing will expand its fleet of race cars in 2008. Currently fielding two Fujitsu V8 Supercars, plus a Carrera Cup Porsche, the Melbournebased team will add an extra Fujitsu V8 entry, and possibly another Porsche. GMR will take delivery of the last of Tasman Motorsport’s VZ Commodores, which has sat in

Tasman’s shop as its spare. GMR’s 2007 drivers Dale Wood and Sam Walter will both remain with the team next year, and team owner Kevin Murphy told eNews that the addition of a third car will help push the cars up the grid. “We need to expand to keep GMR moving forward,” he said. “The Fujitsu series was new to our team this year, but everyone’s done an exceptional job.

“Sam has had some bad luck in the second half of the season, and it hasn’t been his fault. “Dale has done an outstanding job. The podium at the last round at Bathurst was a great effort. He can be a main series driver. His sole ambition is to be there.” The GMR cars will receive a bonus next year, with the team set to use the latest-specification Tasman Motorsport engines, built by

Royce McCort in Tasman’s new Dandenong factory. On the Carrera Cup side of the garage, current driver Peter Hills remains a possible driver for 2008, but Murphy wants to get a second car with a young driver. GMR has also employed a new team manager. Performance Car racer Dean Lillie will now be in charge of the day-to-day running of the team. – GRANT ROWLEY

Walsh closer to Macrow’s heading Stateside overseas deal FORMULA 3

FORMULA FORD

Champ Car Media

ASH Walsh’s future is looking more and more likely to be in Europe with the news that he will head back to England at the end of the Australian Formula Ford Championship season. Walsh will test with front-running Formula Renault teams Carlin and Fortec Motorsport, and will do laps at both Pembrey in Wales and Valencia in Spain. “It’s a bit of a look into seeing what the future may hold,” he said. “Testing with two teams gives us the ability to see which one I will suit better. I’m not going to be on the pace straight away, but it will give me a chance to evaluate the team, their crew and their cars. They’ll also get a good chance to see what my capabilities are as well.”

THE next step in newly-crowned Australian Formula 3 Champ Tim Macrow’s career may well be in the US, with the young Victorian testing an Atlantic car today (Tuesday). Macrow jetted to America on Saturday, and went straight into a test at Roebling Road with Jensen Motorsport. He says the Atlantic series is his goal for season 2008. “That’s my aim for next year,” he said. “I’m going to go and do this Atlantic test

and see how I go, and see what sort of budget we can get for next year.” Macrow was excited at the thought of getting into one of the cars. “Its going to be awesome,” he said prior to leaving Australia. “[Its got] lots of grip and about 80 more horsepower than an F3 car, so it’ll be a bit of a weapon. I can’t wait. The team sent me some data the other night [of the track] and its very fast, so it’ll be perfect for getting a feel for the aero of the car.” – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

LEADING racewear company Revolution Racegear has changed hands. As eNews went to press on Monday evening, a statement was issued by owner Dale Rodgers to the effect that “Revolution Racegear has now become part of a larger diverse business group led by former finance director Lawrence Jaffe.” Jaffe was a director of Revolution at the time, 10 years ago, when Rodgers acquired the business, who then moved on, but has returned to take over. Rodgers will remain in a marketing and development consultant role, specifically looking after the RPM race suit side of the business.

Dirk Klynsmith

Do the Revolution

New Spectrum satellite team FORMULA FORD A NEW three-car Australian Formula Ford team will hit the track in 2008. Synergy Motorsport has been established, based out of Sydney, and will operate as a satellite team to Borland Racing Developments (BRD), using the all-Australian Spectrum chassis. Current BRD team member Justin Cotter will head-up the new team, alongside businessman Peter Bryan. Initial plans will see the

Testing times for Cuppers V8 SUPERCARS SELECTED Carrera Cup drivers will get an extra chance to test at Bathurst this year. Carrera Cup Australia has offered its teams three sessions over the three days at the inaugural ‘Drive/Sprint Bathurst’ event, held at the famous Mount Panorama circuit, December 12-16. Generally, the only chance to race around the Mountain circuit is during the October race weekend, which for Carrera Cup drivers means 20 minute practice and qualifying

sessions, followed by three 20 minute races. Carrera Cup hasn’t finalised the exact numbers of entrants, but expects to be well represented. The event is open to CAMS level 2S licence holders, allowing club drivers and motor racing enthusiasts to experience the Bathurst circuit. ‘Drive Bathurst’ comprises two days of untimed sessions in a non-competitive format. The ‘Sprint Bathurst’ is over three days, fully-timed, under Supersprint formats. – GRANT ROWLEY

James Smith

new team trying to run a maximum of three cars in the national series and three cars in the NSW state championship. “I’ve wanted to do something like this for a few years,” Cotter said. “It’s always been in the back of my mind. Working with Mike over recent times has given me a lot of experience and confidence to do the job properly.” There is also a good chance that the team will be aligned with Ford Rising Star Racing V8 Supercar team.

The Jim Morton-owned V8 team has always envisaged that the his Rising Star team would harness driving talent, taking drivers from karts to Formula Ford through to V8 Supercars. Synergy Motorsport is likely to be part of securing a logical path for future V8 stars. “We want to help build that pathway,” Cotter said. “Making the step from Formula Ford to V8s is tough and we want to make the transition easier.” – GRANT ROWLEY

AKA engines clarified

THE AKA has officially confirmed that a restrictedperformance 125cc TaG class will be offered in 2008. It will cater for C and D grade licence holders. who will be ineligible for the current 125cc classes from 1st July 2008. Leopard, Fireball and both Junior and Senior MAX engines will be allowed but will use exhaust restrictors to peg performance back to Clubman levels. Various restrictor configurations will be tested during December with the goal to have them and the Restricted 125 class operational by February 2008. The AKA proposes that the class will initially run at the back of Clubman and Sportsman 100 categories and that parity adjustments will be made if necessary. The class will use a harder compound tyre (to be determined in testing) and will not be allowed to run at National or State Championships. The TaG decision was made at the recent NKC meeting. Other outcomes include; Dunlop to continue as the wet weather tyre supplier in existing classes; TaG class will use the MG White wet; C Grade licence holders can now upgrade after six meetings, which can all be at the same track; Graeme Hancock was selected as Chairman for the International Karting Committee that is organising the new-look CIK series. – MARK WICKS

news

SGP back in Australia? SPEEDWAY GP

Dirk Klynsmith

SPEEDWAY Grand Prix Race Director Ole Olsen was in Australia last week visiting leading sports venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland. Olsen, it is believed, visited a number of Australia’s foremost stadiums to check out options for the possible return of an Australian round of the World Speedway Championship. Series owner – IMG – is remaining tight-lipped as to any potential Australian return. However, Olsen’s visit would seem to give credence to rumours from Europe that the Series will culminate in Australia in 2009. As for the venue, it has been longbelieved that the Sydney Football Stadium would be an ideal venue – but Melbourne’s Telstra Dome is another fancied option thanks to its closable roof and Melbourne’s ‘big event’ city status. – MATT PAYNE

mike-patrick.com

George honoured SPEEDWAY

THE Adelaide round of Wanless World Series Sprintcars was significant for the Tatnell family for a number of reasons. Not only did Brooke take a dominant victory – his second of the WWSS season – prior to the meeting, Speedway City track promoters Wendy Turner and Bob Sincock named the turn one-two grandstand the George Tatnell Stand after the late former

Australian Champion. Tatnell had a strong affinity with the venue, having won his first Australian Title there. The George Tatnell Stand sits alongside the Kym Bonython Stand – named after the legendary Adelaide raconteur and former Rowley Park promoter. Completing an emotional night for the Tatnell family, Brooke’s daughter Emma was celebrating her first birthday! – MATT PAYNE

Paris Charles

Ash Budd

5 Minutes with ...

JOHN BOWE

There is one race to go for JB and he is ... well, he is fighting for words

PHIL BRANAGAN

MOTORSPORT NEWS: You have been to the odd Championship finale with the title on the line. What makes that so special? JOHN BOWE: I am not so sure ‘special’ is the right word for it. But when you are at this level – and V8 Supercar racing is at a very high level – it is high drama. You think that V8s is an entertaining and passionate medium, and taking the title decider to the last round is very fitting. Is this something that eats away at the drivers, in the days and weeks leading up to the race? You can’t say. Everyone is different. They react in different ways. Rick and Lowndes have been in the position before – Craig many times, so, in theory, he would be the least affected of the lot. Garth is quite young and Jamie has had a meteoric rise. I think that it will be tough on Jamie, because of the expectation he puts on himself, more than anything else. They are all very capable people. It could swing any which-way, couldn’t it? As you look at the weekend, and V8 Supercar racing in general, anything can happen, and usually does. Does that make your role – you are not in title contention – any different? Do you drive to stay out of the way, if necessary? Absolutely. The last thing on earth anyone should do is get involved with the championship. Maybe I am wrong with that,

I AM STUCK FOR WORDS. YOU DON’T HEAR THAT OFTEN, DO YOU? but I don’t think that any of the other drivers would want to have an impact on things – quite literally. I think it should be a fair fight. But I am not advocating for one minute that people should give up their own positions. There is racing, no matter what, and you have to drive your own car. But there is a degree of common sense to be used, which quite often isn’t used … I have some ideas on that. But I am not going to air them publicly – not yet! From your point of view, this is your last ‘full-time’ V8 Supercar race. There’s been some great sentiments expressed. How do you approach this event? I have found it really quite difficult to deal with. It has been part of my life for so long – I was there at the beginning of it all. As this has got closer,

to be totally and brutally honest, I have found it quite difficult to deal with. It started to dawn on me at Bathurst and it has become more difficult at each race. My psyche is still that of a racing driver and I try to do my best all the time. I don’t go to the race meetings to just sign posters, I go there to work with the team to improve my performance, work with the PR people and so on. There has been a massive amount of interest this year, which has been very touching. I don’t know how to deal with it all, I really don’t. [Silence] I am stuck for words. You don’t hear that often, do you? JB, I can see a career coming up in the media. Maybe that is what I will do. I don’t know. Honestly, I am not sure what

I am going to do but I want to stay involved in motor racing, in some way, at a V8 level. I have said that I will be racing something, and I will, and I may well do the endurance races next year. Another Phillip Island!

That’s true! I had forgotten about that! As a full-time racer, this is it. But I love the V8 category and I think that I get on well with most of the people in it, so I want to stay involved, somehow. I am not just quite sure what form it will take at this stage. There are a few options swirling out there. But at the moment, my concentration is on doing the best thing that I can, for everybody. PCR has a range of sponsors that I have a good relationship with – I have things to do for them, so there is a fair bit to do.

chat

Dirk Klynsmith

Split seconds are what makes a contest

Dirk Klynsmith

THAT thumping sound you hear may well be Garth Tander banging his head against the wall. As the final round draws closer, every little hiccup, every little mistake, takes on increasingly more and more significance. While I suspect that Garth will have, in fact, rationalised what happened late in Race 3 on Sunday well before you are reading this, the 2007 V8 Supercar championship is – as our own expert commentator Neil Crompton has pointed out a couple of times lately – all about pressure. It’s about decisionmaking in crucial split seconds. And everyone is, clearly, feeling the pinch. And the reality is that both of the two young drivers heading for crunch-time at Phillip Island (and let’s not forget the fractionally older former champion who’s not that far away either) will be able to look back – win or lose – at ‘what-if’ moments very late in the series. They may well say that it wasn’t all about one, or two, races. That the series is won or lost over the whole year. Well, actually, if they do, they’ll be wrong. The way I see it, the bulk of the series – through until after Bathurst at

opinion Chris Lambden mNews Publisher least – sorts out the contenders from the also-rans. The ‘money’ races are these last two or three. It’s crunch-time. The Yanks have cottoned on to that, officially, with the NASCAR ‘Chase’ that involves the top 12 contenders hammering it out over the last rounds of that series. That’s when the champion stands up and gets counted. That our V8 series, without even the contrived ‘worst-round’ assistance of other years, has come to this is, actually, great. The pressure that led Garth Tander to gamble 17 points against a three-point gain is no different from the Lewis Hamilton pit-lane entry miss (that cost a world title); Lucas Neill’s last-minute World Cup penalty foul; the double fault at Wimbledon. It’s those split seconds which make, or break, a sportsman – the psychology of top-level sport. It’s what makes top level sport compelling. All the contenders have shown they’re human, and it sets up a fascinating final weekend.

Letters

Have your say, email us at mail@mnews.com.au. Keep letters to the point. Wanna be Rockstar? With Tasman going all out with the change of livery for the last two rounds, it struck me as odd, as all the way throughout the last two years they haven’t gone for a full change like they have for this. Then I thought maybe they have got them full-time in ’08, and then you guys said they were angling to get them full time next year.

I hope they do as that car looks awesome! Do you guys know when the product will be available out here? Brendon Smith bren_jw1@yahoo.com.au ED: Apparently the product is out now Brendon. Hello … Seven? What the hell has happened to the Channel Seven’s coverage?

The program V8Extra has disappeared from our screens at the time when the championship is going down to the wire. Surely with the championship hotting up and poised to go to any one of four drivers, Tony would be pushing to promote the championship. I am also disappointed that next year’s coverage will again take a back seat to

Seven’s AFL coverage. Surely the footy coverage could be delayed slightly in cases of accidents extending the race time. I firmly believe that the footy coverage should not be treated as a protected species and that there should be compromises both ways. It’s not asking a lot to get a fair go one week in three, is it? Peter Hickey Shortland, NSW

opinion

The pressure is on, FIA ... sutton-images.com

THE motor racing world will be watching the Renault ‘Spy’ hearing next month. There has never been more pressure on the FIA to, not just play a straight bat, but to be seen to do so. The punishment handed out to McLaren – disqualified from the Constructors’ Championship with a US$100m fine – sets a precedent that will be hard to ignore for what appears to be, at the very least, a breach as serious as McLaren’s by Renault. The reason I am ranting about this now follows the actions of the FIA Court of Appeal last Friday – or, rather, its inaction. The hearing in London (it was moved from Paris because of a strike) to determine whether to act on the McLaren protest from the Brazilian GP determined nothing; the appeal was ruled inadmissible. Complaint? Historic Occasion Firstly I must congratulate you on successfully getting an online mag out every week and cramming so much into it. The above praise is made difficult to give this week following the report on the Sandown Historics you had in your last issue. The coverage of this event was disappointing. While I can accept that there are indeed much more popular and higher standing events around, the tiny blurb in the corner of one page hardly does this event the justice it deserves. Cristian cristianandpip@bigpond.com ED: Historics is ,we reckon, a very ‘visual’ category, Cris – hence the double pictorial spread and less wordage ...

opinion Phil Branagan Executive Editor The drama I have with this is that the ruling was made after two days’ of apparent activity, with team representatives and their legal eagles present. If there was to be such a ruling, why was it not made in the first instance? Why put the teams through such a stressful process when there was to be an ‘offside’ decision? What will the fans think of this? There are many in the sport who believe that the FIA will determine that Renault’s situation is different to McLaren’s and, therefore, issue no punishment. That may

involve a fine legal interpretation which, in the normal course of events, would not be apparent to those of us who somehow make it through our day-to-day existence without possessing any recognised legal qualifications. The sport needs to settle these issues in such a manner that is, and appears to be, fair. And that needs to be done without the need to resort to intricacies and talking down to the major stakeholders of the sport (the fans). If it ever gets to the point that, to fully understand Grand Prix racing, one needs to have a lawyer sitting next to us, watching the races and explaining the finer points, perhaps people will soon realise that there are lots and lots of other things to do.

eLETTER OF THE WEEK Bring Back Jack! Being a Type 1 diabetic since the age of 13 (I’m now 38), having this condition should pose absolutely no problem for Jack Perkins. He simply needs two drink bottles, one full of Gatorade (or a sponsor’s sugar product – now there’s an opening!), and one for water. The only problem with

exercise is getting low sugar, but an intelligent switchedon person should never have problems at all with this. Like many Aussies I love my sport. I was ranked 20th in the state of Queensland for open singles tennis at the age of 24 and still play top grade in the Logan city comp. I also love my motorsport. do data-logging

for Pro-sportdevelopments. com.au, and next year am going to start racing a Superkart in the local series. So best of luck Jack, you just picked up a lot of new supporters, I can guarantee. Cameron Hoswell cameron@lubetech.com.au ED: We agree Cameron, the condition shouldn’t be enough to keep Jack out of the driver’s seat. Although by the looks of our cover story, there may not be a seat going in the Jack Daniels team anyway ...

Horspwr Clothing is giving away a t-shirt each week for the most creative letter. Send yours to mail@mnews.com.au, or Motorsport News PO Box 7072, Brighton, Vic 3186 21

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SYMMONS PLAINS – ROUND 13

Dirk Klynsmith

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Red Sabbath

Friday and Saturday were Garth's days. Jamie Whincup only needed Sunday to turn the tables and set up a fascinating championship finale. GRANT ROWLEY reports 23

HE weekend looked like it was going to be drenched in black and orange – until Sunday, when Jamie Whincup painted the town red. Whincup won Races 2 and 3, securing his fourth round win for the year at Symmons Plains and shooting to the lead of the V8 Supercar Championship Series with one round remaining. It was a massive turn around for the 24-year-old who, last year at the Tasmanian circuit, lasted less than one racing lap for the weekend. “I wrote a car off within 14 seconds of the start of last year’s race,” he said. “It’s a great way to come back.” Whincup qualified third, but wasn’t happy with his pace. Ditto Race 1, though second behind Tander was as good as he could do. When Tander had a clutch malfunction at the start of Race 2, it opened the door for Whincup to dominate the rest of the weekend – and, in the end, snatch the series lead for the second time this year. “The championship puts a lot of pressure on you,” he said. “Bahrain was the lowest of lows, and today’s the highest of highs. We had a very good team performance here and a very good car. My brand-new car really suits me. I talk to the car ... I get along with it really well!” Jubilation for Whincup came alongside bitter disappointment for Tander. The West Aussie blazed to a dominant pole position and comfortably won Race 1. However, his fortunes soured on Sunday when he slipped off the track in Race 2 when he grabbed first gear instead of third at Turn Seven. Race 3 was worse. Tander made it up to third after a ripper start and a few sparkling moves, but a clash with Steven Richards at the hairpin broke the steering on his car. No points in the last race, victory for Whincup and a few sobs in the team truck was the story of Tander’s last race. But not all is lost – despite it all, only seven points separate Whincup and Tander, with Lowndes 13 points further adrift. Ironically, seven points is the margin Rick Kelly entered last year’s season finale with … Lowndes was fifth overall and kept his championship hopes well alive while Rick Kelly will now need a minor miracle. Second and third overall went to Ford Performance Racing. Mark Winterbottom qualified second and looked like the only man with the outright speed to challenge Tander, but Steven Richards emerged as the best of the FPRs, taking second place. Richards was involved in the championship-altering clash with Tander, but was stunned at the move, considering what was at stake in the title chase. “I was staggered by the dive that Garth had,” he said. “I was surprised. I said to the guys on the radio, “hands up if anyone wants to win this (championship).” The Holden Racing Team had a timely return to form, with Mark Skaife taking fourth overall. The red leader didn’t have the outright pace to challenge for the win, but three consistent races, highlighted by two fourth places on Sunday, gave the masses on the hill hope that the factory Holden team still has what it takes. Tasman Motorsport’s Jason Richards was the best of the rest, scoring third overall. His only scare was contact with Craig Lowndes in the last race, forcing Lowndes wide and a giving Richards a quick trip to the stewards room, where no action was taken.

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Dirk Klynsmith

When things go bad: Garth Tander, above, was in the wars on Sunday. Whincup, left, snatched the lead of the championship back with one round remaining.

V8 Supercar | Round 13 SYMMONS PLAINS Pos#

Driver

Team/Car

1 88 Jamie Whincup Team Vodafone Falcon BF 3 2 1 1 2 6 Steven Richards Ford Performance Racing Falcon BF 6 4 2 2 3 5 Mark Winterbottom Ford Performance Racing Falcon BF 2 3 3 7 4 2 Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Commodore VE 8 7 4 4 5 888 Craig Lowndes Team Vodafone Falcon BF 5 5 6 5 6 3 Jason Richards Tasman Motorsport Commodore VE 14 10 7 3 7 16 Garth Tander Toll HSV Dealer Team Commodore VE 1 1 10 DNF 8 17 Steven Johnson Jim Beam Racing Falcon BF 9 8 9 8 9 1 Rick Kelly Toll HSV Dealer Team Commodore VE 7 6 5 DNF 10 4 James Courtney Jeld-Wen Motorsport Falcon BF 26 28 8 6 11 18 Will Davison Jim Beam Racing Falcon BF 11 9 11 14 12 34 Dean Canto Valvoline Cummins Commodore VE 21 20 12 10 13 25 Jason Bright Fujitsu Racing Falcon BF 24 17 18 9 14 33 Lee Holdsworth Valvoline Cummins Commodore VE 4 DNF 13 12 15 51 Greg Murphy Tasman Motorsport Commodore VE 15 11 22 15 16 67 Paul Morris Team Sirromet Commodore VE 20 DNF 21 11 17 11 Marcus Marshall Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE 18 14 14 16 18 22 Todd Kelly Holden Racing Team Commodore VE 17 12 20 DNF 19 9 Russell Ingall Caltex Racing Falcon BF 23 16 30 13 20 20 Paul Dumbrell Supercheap Auto Commodore VE 12 13 16 DNF 21 021 S. Van Gisbergen Team Kiwi Racing Falcon BF 31 24 15 18 22 55 Steve Owen Autobarn Racing Commodore VZ 16 15 25 19 23 111 John Bowe Glenfords Racing Falcon BF 25 27 19 17 24 8 Max Wilson WPS Racing Falcon BF 10 26 17 19 25 26 Alan Gurr IRWIN Racing Falcon BF 30 25 29 20 26 14 Simon Wills Team BOC Falcon BF 28 22 24 DNF 27 39 Owen Kelly Team Sirromet Commodore VZ 19 18 28 DNF 28 7 Shane Price Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE 13 DNF 26 DNF 29 10 Jason Bargwanna WPS Racing Falcon BF 27 23 23 DNF 30 12 Andrew Jones Team BOC Falcon BF 29 21 27 DNF 31 50 Cam McConville Supercheap Auto Commodore VE 22 19 DNF DNS

Marshall Cass

Points: Whincup 569, Tander 562, Lowndes 548, R. Kelly 521, Winterbottom 381, S. Richards 366, Skaife 335, Courtney 331, T. Kelly 325, Davison 315, Ingall 301, Johnson 294, Murphy 238, J. Richards 235, Holdsworth 189, Canto 122, Bargwanna 109, Wilson 108, Owen 103, Radisich 96, Dumbrell 69, Morris 66, Bright 64, O. Kelly/Lyons/ Simonsen 63, Besnard 60, D'Alberto 54, Weel 51, Bowe 47, Baird/Pretty 45, Halliday 42, Youlden/McConville 33, Davison/Thompson/Seton/Price 30, McLean/Ritter 27, Webb 24, Jones 19, Van Gisbergen 17, Longhurst/Wills 12, Coulthard 8, Ellery/Caruso/ Denyer/Perkins/Marshall 6, Gurr 2.

Marshall Cass

Symmons Plains Notepad

The Pace is Right

n Jason Bright is an expert at running the' long' strategy before pitting. More often than not in 2007, Bright has stayed out longer than anyone else, with the hope of scoring a timely Safety Car to leap-frog some of his rivals. In Race 3 at Tassie, he got that wish, moving up to 10th after his stop before finishing ninth. n The track surface at Symmons Plains has seen better days and the more the V8s raced on it, the worse it got. Chunks of road were being torn out, causing major damage to the surface. A resin-based rubber was laid on the ground to ‘fill the gaps’ at turns two and seven – which bizarrely had more grip than the original road!

n How's this? Steve Owen qualified 16th – a typical result for the Autobarn team this year for the small one-car team. But if you look at the lap in relation to the other teams, you'll find that Owen was 10th fastest through the first sector, last in the second, but first in the third! Grunt means a lot at Symmons ...

IT’S mainly been a frustrating season for Shane Price. The rookie V8 Supercar driver has spent the majority of the year down in the bottom third of the field but, over the past two rounds, there has been pace from the JD racer. Cause for celebration? Not yet. Cause for more frustration? Yes. Now pushing in and around the top 10, Price was involved in a few incidents over the weekend that cost him results. Shane’s first incident was – controversially

– in Race 1, where he and James Courtney clashed at the hairpin. Courtney was penalised, while Price’s steering was bent. The young gun says that the speed that both he and Marcus Marshall produced pointed to a better result. “It’s the most frustrated I’ve been this year, especially for the team,” he said. “I’m annoyed. We were up there with a chance, and then it got taken away with a crash. Then we got back up there, and it was taken away again ..."

Courtney's Comeback AFTER qualifying, the Stone Brothers Racing crew were scratching their heads. By the end of the meeting, there were a few more smiles around, as James Courtney had finished in sixth place in Race 3 (which could have been fourth, except for a small gearbox issue when the car jumped out of gear, allowing Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife past). Qualifying was a disaster for SBR. Russell Ingall was the best of their three drivers, qualifying 23rd. Courtney was 26th and Shane Van Gisbergen was dead-last. The team had made a set-up change that simply didn’t work and, when the cars reverted to their practice settings, things turned around, especially for

Dirk Klynsmith

n Crowd attendances were down on previous years, but V8 Supercars was delighted with the figures considering the second test of the Australian cricket summer was being played in Hobart. Attendance figures were 14,755 (Firday), 16,102 (Saturday) and 28,837 (Sunday) for a total of 59,785.

John Morris/Mpix

n Garry Rogers Motorsport set a personal best at Symmons Plains. During its Race 3 stop, Dean Canto’s #34 Valvoline Commdore was stationary for just 2.9s …

Courtney. He had plenty of pace in Race 1, but was penalised after a clash with Shane Price. Unsurprisingly, James' version of events differed from Price's ... Courtney’s best work was done in Race 2, where he stormed back from near-last on the grid to eighth, before

taking sixth in the final race. “We finished today where we should have been all weekend,” he said. “But with a bad qualifying session and the drivethrough penalty, it really set us back. “Considering where I was, it was a big effort to get back to the front.”

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Tell me why (I don't like Monday)? Tander can still win, but only after a 'Board Meeting' with himself ...

T really is turning out to be the V8 Championship that nobody wants to win – or is there some kind of script being played out here? Garth Tander had the car, the speed, the package to nail an advantage, but it was his turn to cough up an error or two – his decision to have a go at Steven Richards late in Race 3 could well come back to haunt him. I thought he was smarter – no doubt he’ll have been having a 'Board Meeting' with himself in a quiet spot somewhere today (Monday). It’s amazing how things happen when the pressure builds up – while it is Garth’s aggression and ability to come

ANALYSIS Tomas Mezera Bathurst champion back from disaster (as he did after the Race 2 ‘off’ after gearbox niggles) which has got him to the top of the tree, there was no logic or future in attacking someone as tough as Richo, all for a couple of points. That all turned Jamie Whincup into the Driver of the Day. After his own ‘downer’ in Bahrain, the guy that Garry Rogers, Larry Perkins and, later, Tasman didn’t want, delivered the result they needed when it mattered and heads the field

I still reckon that tander has the package to bring the title home going to Phillip Island. Having said that, I still reckon Tander has the package to bring the title home at the Island. It’ll be close, but I think he has a small edge. The weekend’s action was, over-all, a credit to the drivers at the top end of the scale. It was close, tight, and tense, but there were relatively few of the stupid incidents which can often punctuate racing there. There were still crazy things happening further back –

James Courtney’s super Race 1 recovery from the qualifying dramas was wasted, but then another great back-to-front drive in Races 2/3; Two FPR cars in pit lane at the same time (but still a 2-3 on the day) … Despite his Race 1 offtrack drama, I continue to be impressed by Holdsworth, who was another to put in a strong recovery drive in Race 2. As and when there’s a vacancy at Clayton, he should be a top pick ...

John Morris/Mpix

WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 15 – IRELAND

Hey there

Good Lookin’

Last time out, Marcus Gronholm crashed and then Sebastien Loeb returned the favour. This time the Frenchman wasn’t so accommodating, and when ‘Gronny’ went off, Seb took control of the rally. Now he’s looking good for another World Championship ...

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sutton-images.com

T’S no real surprise that Sebastien Loeb won the first Irish round of the World Rally Championship last weekend. A noted tarmac specialist, Loeb was always going to shine on the slippery roads of rural Ireland. What was a surprise, however, was that for the second rally in a row, championship leader Marcus Gronholm made a mistake. This time it was running wide while on hand-cut slick tyres, glancing a wall hard enough to badly break his Ford Focus. The hit was hard enough for the Finn to temporarily lose consciousness and, perhaps more permanently, the championship lead. While Gronholm’s Japanese mistake was neutralised by a similar brain-fade on behalf of Loeb, this time there was no such luck for the Ford driver. With Gronholm out of the rally, Loeb had only his team-mate Dani Sordo to overhaul, a task he did with ease over the rally’s three legs. The only complication for Loeb and Citroen all weekend was an electrical problem at the last service – however the problem was rectified and only 10s damage was done. The final winning margin was 53s back to Sordo, with Stobart-Ford youngster Jari-Matti Latvala starring in third place. “We had an early scare with a damper on the run-out to SS2, so the start of the rally was quite stressful,” said Loeb. “However, we soon found ourselves in a strong position to win and consequently boost our chances in the fight for the title. It was an opportunity we couldn’t afford to let pass by. “It wasn’t easy and I am so happy to have won here in Sligo today.” While Gronholm was frustrated to have slipped six points arrears of Loeb in the title fight, he was quick to praise the efforts of Mikko Hirvonen, whose fourth place was enough to secure the manufacturers title for BP Ford. “While I am naturally still disappointed not to have finished the rally, I’m so pleased for Mikko and Jarmo (Lehtinen, Hirvonen’s co-driver) who did a fantastically cool job in securing the vital points,” he said. Having set front-running pace during the opening handful of stages during Leg 1, Aussie Chris Atkinson found himself in the wars again. This time it was a fast off, which wasn’t enough to force the Subaru driver into retirement, but did cost him 20 minutes and any chance of a result. “It’s very disappointing,” said Atkinson. “The accident happened at the 15km point of the stage, on a very slippery right hand bend. It was a fourth gear corner – I was going too fast, and the car under-steered straight on into a fence and a mud bank. That’s about it.”

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sutton-images.com

100 to right six into wall: Gronholm had no chance of pulling up his Focus on a tricky right-hander, disrupting his rally focus big time, above ...

sutton-images.com sutton-images.com

Show us your private(er)s: Guy Wilks, above left, had a strong run to sixth place in his privatelyentered Subaru, going second fastest on the penultimate stage of the rally. Gareth MacHale, left, was another quick privateer, finishing eighth in his Ford Focus. Back in factory-land, Mikko Hirvonen’s fourth place was enough to secure the manufacturer title for Ford, above.

sutton-images.com

WRC | DRIVER'S points Loeb 110, Gronholm 104, Hirvonen 89, Sordo 61, Petter Solberg 42, Henning Solberg 34, Atkinson 29, Latvala 24, Francois Duval 12, Manfred Stohl 12.

FORMULA FORD

Marshall Cass

KRISTIAN Lindbom won his maiden Australian Formula Ford round at Symmons Plains last weekend. Lindbom won Races 1 and 2, before taking third place in a ripping third race. His efforts were enough to secure the round victory. His success elevated him to third in the championship standings. “To come here and win the round is a great feeling,” he said. “I came here with winning in mind and it’s great to break through for race wins and a round victory.” Steven Bradbury would have been proud of Lindbom’s Race 1 win. His team-mates Ashley Walsh and Josh Scott fought for the entire race, but a mistake under brakes by Walsh saw him spin, leaving Scott with no where to go but take to the dirt. Lindbom skated through for an unlikely, but deserving win.

Race 2 was simply a battle between Lindbom and Team BRM’s Nick Percat. The pair swapped positions on numerous occasions, with Lindbom winning while Percat reset the circuit’s lap record. Percat used that pace to good use in Race 3, taking his first Australian Formula Ford Championship win. In the championship chase, Tim Blanchard cemented himself as the series favourite, taking three solid results, despite not having the outright pace of the three CAMS Rising Star cars or Percat. But speed hasn’t been the hallmark of Blanchard’s year. Yes, the Sonic driver has been fast, but his maturity has been the key to his success. “I didn’t have the outright speed, but this has worked out well for us,” Blanchard said. “Our cars are working well. We’ve always been fast down at Phillip Island, it’s my favourite

Dirk Klynsmith

First time winners

First time winners: Nick Percat, above, won Race 3. Kristian Lindbom, top, won the round outright.

track, so it would be good to wrap up the championship down there.” In the rival camp, Walsh made life difficult for himself with a spin in Race 1, finishing sixth. A clash with Glen Wood in Race 2 bent his steering, which eventually broke. Race 3 saw him storm back to solid second.

Blanchard and Walsh are now separated by 28 points, with a maximum of 60 on offer at The Island. The V8 Supercar Series may be the headline act, but make sure you have good seats for the Formula Ford finale ... – GRANT ROWLEY Points: Blanchard 292, Walsh 264, Lindbom 230, Moffat 229, Wood 183.

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Crambrook grabs convincing Tassie victory V8 UTES

Johnson clawed his way back into championship contention making a run on Elsegood down the back straight, however locked the rears and spun out at Caterpillar corner on lap 12, losing a number of places. Ben Kavich carved through the field in the final race after a DNF in the first, gaining 12 positions to finish the race 14th for Hi Tec Motorsport. The championship is still up for contention, with former NRL player Jack Elsegood building a healthy margin over second placed Johnson ahead of the final round at Phillip Island. Points: Elsegood 612, Johnson 577, Baxter 461, Jane 456, Andrew Fisher 452.

Dirk Klynsmith

NORTHERN Territory racer Layton Crambrook grabbed the round victory at Symmons Plains for Lamont Construction Racing after scorching the Apple Isle with a lap record in his Falcon. Crambrook started the round well, claiming pole position for Race 1 from the Commodores of Grant Johnson and Gary Baxter, before storming to victory in the first race. Behind him championship leaders Jack Elsegood and Baxter battled for minor placings. Kiwi Colin Corkery had a race he would rather forget, leaving the track several times while Janis Derums suffered fuel dramas and slipped to the back

of the pack. The reverse grid Race 2 was as action-packed as always. Darren Palmer capitalised on a front row start and streaking to a healthy early lead. He took the win ahead of a hard charging Johnson and Justin Van Tweet, who slipped from pole. “I knew after turn one that I had the race in the bag, but with Grant (Johnson) menacing in my review mirrors, I was nervous he would catch me like he did at Hidden Valley, Darwin earlier this year” said Palmer. Race 3 saw Crambrook back in front, winning yet another race from pole. South Australian Baxter claimed second and the Coopers backed Falcon of Elsegood was third.

Paddock bashing: Grant Johnson, above, had an up and down weekend at Symmons Plains.

Dirk Klynsmith

He came from nowhere ... PERFORMANCE CARS

John Morris/Mpix

GARRY Young is the 2007 Donut King Australian Performance Car Champion, despite not winning a race at last weekend’s final round in Tasmania. It was a three-way fight for the title throughout the weekend, with victory in Race 1 for Barrie Nesbitt tying he and Mark King at the top of the leader board heading into the second race. But the chances of either King or Nesbitt taking the silverware disappeared in the second race when they collided, forcing Nesbitt out of the race and relegating King to 10th. While Young couldn’t overcome Peter Floyd and Sam Walter in the last two races (those drivers taking a win

each), his second and third places were enough to seal the title. “Earlier in the year I wouldn’t have thought this could happen,” Young said. “We had a strong start to the year and have tried to be

consistent and finish every race. “I had a premonition last night and told the boys I thought those two (King and Nesbitt) would take themselves out today.” In the Privateers Cup, Jim Pollinca won the round and

the title in his Holden HSV GTS, in the process becoming the biggest points scorer of any driver in the 2007 championship. Final Points: Young 380, King 366, Floyd 340, Graham Alexander 335, Nesbitt 318, Tim Poulton 267.

Like a Bullas at a gate BIANTE SERIES

Marshall Cass

GAVIN Bullas was unstoppable at the latest round of the Biante Touring Car Masters, winning all three races from pole at Symmons Plains last weekend. The Ford Mustang driver set the pace in qualifying, his 59.35s lap too fast for Eddie Albenica and Alistair MacLean. From there it was a race for second, with Albenica scoring two second places to MacLean’s one.

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WANLESS WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS

ROUND 3

QUEENSLAND Rookie, Peter Lack took advantage of a ‘napping’ Brooke Tatnell to take an unlikely Wanless World Series Sprintcars victory at Kalgoorlie International Speedway. On a slick track that offered very little to the competitors, Lack found drive on the highline and blasted his Withcott Seedlings JEI around his more experienced rivals to become just the third Queenslander to take a round of the 20-year strong series, behind Todd Wanless and Andrew Scheuerle. Tatnell was left to rue what might have been. Finishing second, he freely admitted that he got complacent and handed kudos to the first time winner. Third place went to Victorian David Murcott, who cemented his second position in the Series, with West Aussies Scott Reilly and Ryan Farrell

completing the top five. Earlier in the night, World of Outlaws Champion Donny Schatz junked yet another Pick N Payless J&J chassis and motor – the second within a week, leaving the car resembling something that came from car owner Garry Rush’s motor wrecking yard. His fellow American, Mark Dobmeier was another to bow out in spectacular fashion during heat competition. Fairly recent Sprintcar debutante Ben Ellement set quick time with a 13.007s lap, while heats fell the way of Ricky Maiolo, James McFadden (x2), quick time man’s brother David Ellement, Allan Nash and Luch Monte. Brooke Tatnell and Scott Reilly took out the respective dashes, while Queenslander Dan Morton won the B-Main, American star Jason Johnson one of the six to transfer. – MATT PAYNE

Ash Budd

The Champ is back! WANLESS WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS

ROUND 4

AFTER losing at Kalgoorlie, Brooke Tatnell vowed to bring his A-Game to Adelaide. And he did just that, dominating the fourth round of Wanless World Series Sprintcars at Speedway City. With the track taking rubber, securing a front-row start was crucial, and Tatnell did what it took to get the better of ADRAD Radiators driver Trevor Green. In the feature, Tatnell was barely troubled as he glided to victory lane. Behind Tatnell, Robert Farr was waiting for the Australian Champion to make a mistake – unfortunately for Farr he didn’t. Third home and showing some of the consistency his legion of fans have been waiting for was Max Dumesny, who got around Green in the dying stages of the race. Rounding out the top five was Danny Reidy in the

Queensland Speedway Spares car. Several drivers impressed on a difficult night including Allan Haynes (seventh) and local youngster Matt Egel (eighth). Blowing an engine for the second time in a week was Jason Johnson, who has had a wretched start to his Australian campaign. The DNF dropped Johnson to ninth in standings. Steven Lines captured Comp Cams quick time with a 13.113s lap, while heats were won by Luke Dillon, Reidy, James McFadden (x2) – who is proving to be a heat race specialist – Tatnell and Craig Vanderstelt. Tatnell and Farr took out the Dashes, while Jason Loveday won the C-Main and Albury’s Grant Anderson the B. – MATT PAYNE Points: Tatnell 590, Farr 562, Murcott 560, Dumesny 558, Reidy 540.

MACAU GRAND PRIX OLIVER Jarvis embarrassed the competition at the Macau Grand Prix last weekend, showing the field a clean pair of heels at the tricky street track. British F3 champ Marko Asmer led

provisional qualifying, but Jarvis, who raced in the Japanese series, snatched pole and then won the qualification race on Saturday. Come Sunday the TOM’s Toyota driver was unchallenged, leading Manor Motorsports Kodai Tsukakoshi and

sutton-images.com

Jarvis, Walked It

Japanese F3 champ Kazuya Oshima to the chequered flag. The Britain described the race as his greatest victory. “I’ve won some big races and also the McLaren/Autosport Award,” said Jarvis, “but this tops them all I think.”

sutton-images.com

So Close! CARRERA CUP ASIA CHRISTIAN Jones fell short of taking out the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia title at the Macau Street Circuit last weekend. The Australian looked to have the title in his grasp, running fourth while championship rival Tim Sugden languished in seventh. However Jones crashed out on the penultimate lap, handing the Championship to Sugden. Hong Kong’s Darryl O’Young took the race win. The other Australian competitor in Class A, Geoff Morgan, crossed the line ninth. Peter Boylan, competing in Class B, wrapped up second in that championship on count back, and finished second in Macau. – MATT PAYNE

Handy Andy wraps up title WTCC ANDY Priaulx is still the World Touring Car Champion. The BMW driver flew into Macau locked on points with Yvan Muller but, for once, the diesel-engined SEAT let the French racer down. He qualified second behind Alain Menu and was well in front in Race 1 when his Leon stopped with a broken

fuel pump and the car failed to make the start of Race 2. Menu took the lead in his Chevy and won from Gabriele Tarquini (SEAT) while Priaulx made his way up from 12th in qualifying and cruised to eighth, protected by Duncan Huisman’s BMW. Priaulx inherited pole for the second race and the rest, as they say, is history. “I can’t believe it,” said

Priaulx. “I have never given up but I knew I needed something special this season. Yes, you need luck to win the championship but you also need to be there to take the luck.” Final Points: Priaulx 92, Muller 81, James Thompson 79, Augusto Farfus and Nicola Larini 71, Menu 69, J Muller 66, Tarquini 62, Robert Huff 57, Jordi Gene 55.

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Jimmie Goes Back-To-Back

Seventh place enough for Johnson to claim his second consecutive NASCAR Nextel Cup title NASCAR

NASCAR Media

JIMMIE Johnson has wrapped up his second NEXTEL Cup championship with seventh place at Homestead last weekend. He was trailed in the championship by team-mate and four-time Champ Jeff Gordon, who was also the last man to claim consecutive titles. Johnson’s title defence began well, clinching pole position from Ryan Newman and leading early, before cruising to the finish in seventh position. He and the Hendrick Motorsport team dominated the season with 10 race wins for Johnson and another eight shared with team-mates from 36 races. “He is having a run that in the modern era is maybe unmatched,’’ said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman. “He is just at a different level and I think it’s hats off to him.’’ 2003 series champion Matt

Kenseth won the race, leading 214 of the 267 laps. Martin Truex Jr. trailed Kenseth for much of the race, until on lap 254 Tony Stewart brought out the caution flag,

causing a sprint to the finish. Kurt Busch got a run on Truex Jr. after the green flag, chasing Kenseth across the line with Gordon, Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin battling for third.

having already secured the series title, while Jeff Burton won the race. Ambrose has joined the NASCAR history books this year, becoming the only nonAmerican driver to finish in the Top 10 of any NASCAR championship since 1974. He was also runner-up for the Rookie of the Year title. “It’s been a great end to the season,” said Ambrose. “We had some issues tonight out of our control that hurt our car speed, but we got the strategy right and hung on there for a Top 10 in the end.”

The Tasmanian is expected back in Australia shortly, but he has already set his sights on a strong season next year. “We’ve had a solid year. It was a big goal of ours to get that top 10 in the points and we also got a pole and a top

Lucky #8 for Ambrose BUSCH SERIES

MARCOS Ambrose has cemented eighth place in the 2007 NASCAR Busch Series with yet another Top 10 finish, in the Ford 300 at Homestead. Ambrose qualified 18th, for the final race of the year, and was running well early in the race. He was forced a lap down mid-race, climbing his way up to the lead lap before smart pit strategy catapulted him into the Top 10 with 30 laps remaining. Fellow Ford driver Carl Edwards finished fourth,

“It was a pretty dominating ride,’’ Kenseth said. “It was fun.’’ Final Points: Johnson 6723, Gordon 6646, Clint Bowyer 6377, Kenseth 6298, Kyle Busch 6293.

five. We’ve still got room for improvement and we’re excited about next year,” he said. Final Points: Edwards 4805, David Reutimann 4187, Jason Leffler 3996, Kevin Harvick 3993, David Ragan 3739, (Marcos Ambrose 3477).

rear of grid

Squeezing the most out of Tassie Tasmania didn’t realise there were two major events scheduled at once? In fact, if you count the Mark Webber Challenge, which must have suffered in the weekend PR stakes as a a result , there were three major events! It's a novel approach. Victoria boasts about having a major 'event' every month – Tasmania crams all of its into one weekend! But there was an upside to it all – the clash allowed V8 Supercar's head honchos to brag about the fact that more people were trackside in Launceston than pitchside (doesn’t really work, does it?) in Hobart. I haven't checked with the guys at eNews head office, but If there wasn’t a press release titled ‘Its official: V8 Supercars bigger than Cricket!’ from V8's headquarters, then I’ll be greatly disappointed ...

Historically N’Sync

punter@mnews.com.au

Marshall Cass

LAST time I checked, there were about 52 weekends during any given calendar year. So I’m a little puzzled as to why Tasmania, our smallest and, dare I say it, most eventbarren state, had two (make that three) major sporting events going on at once last weekend. Being a red-blooded Aussie sports fan, I spend a fair bit of my summers watching leather on willow, and I did chuckle when I realised that the V8 Supercar race and the test match I was flicking between were happening within a couple of hundred kilometres of each other. If they’d planned it a little better, they could have had the Sydney to Hobart finishing on Sunday, just to detract a few more people from each of the events. Who on earth at Tourism

Odd Spot

James Smith

HISTORIC racing is unlikely to become an Olympic Sport, however the precision of two of its drivers could almost put them into contention for Beijing next year. Biante Touring Car Masters drivers

Mick Wilson (Charger RT) and Mike Erwin (XY GT) put on a masterful display at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Raceway. The pair entertained the crowd with spectacular synchronised spins into

Symmons Plain's notorious hairpin. Wilson went on to loop the 1972 Charger RT in a storm of dirt and smoke while the 351-powered GT of Erwin was unlucky to tag the barrier.