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Issue No. 036 8 – 14 January 2008
Contenders Unveiled Ferrari & McLaren Launch 2008 Challengers
GUESS who is joining MArcos?
Another aussie set for NASCAR SCENE
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. 036 | 8 – 14 January 2008
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Contributing Writers F1: 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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chat 20 5 minutes with ... Lambden opinion 2120 Branagan 33 Punter
Kelly looks to USA Many Perkins V8s in FV8 2008 entries firmed Same paint (boo!) Simonsen everywhere Alex Davison Harden up or get out Fairy dust for all! He’s on holidays!
race 22 Willowbank Drags
Phil Read wins (again) 26 $50,000 Schatz all over ‘em 29 World Series Sprinters Tatnell continues – just
trade 32 Trade and Industry / Raceshop / Classifieds
welcome Seasons Greetings! Happy New Year, from the eNews team ... and drag racing’s Toyota man Tony Wedlock Check out the latest eNews supplements via http://www.mnews.com.au
Alex looks at OS future SPORTSCARS
For more with Davison, see 5 minutes with … page 18
Done and Dusted? The 2009 round at Barbagallo Raceway be the V8’s last visit to the west ...
sutton-images.com
Joel Strickland
THE fate of the proposed Perth V8 Supercar street race may rest in the hands of West Australian voters. Following an announcement last month that the current Labor WA government would not support such an event, the state’s Opposition has backed the race. V8 Supercar Australian CEO Wayne Cattach foresaw that, without the street race, the 2009 round at Barbagallo could be the series’ last trip west. “We’d dearly love to keep coming but, if the facilities are inadequate, we have to make the hard call,” he told The West Australian. But Shadow Sports Minister Trevor Sprigg estimated that a street race would be worth the estimated $31.4m expenditure over five years.
“I’m not saying a race here would pull a crowd like Adelaide’s, or make as much money, but I’m confident it would stack up if promoted and run properly,” he told The West Australian. A V8SA proposal to run the event in the city has been assessed and rejected by Tourism WA, which has declined to fund a feasibility study into the event. “We won’t know the full cost unless a $330,000 feasibility study is conducted, which V8 Supercars Australia has requested the State to fund,” said TWA Chief executive Richard Muirhead. “We do not believe it is our responsibility to finance this study.” Muirhead said that his office had estimated that building and removing the city track would take as much as 14 weeks and hosting the race would cost up to $6.3m a year.
Dirk Klynsmith
ALEX Davison is hoping a test with the factory Porsche ALMS team will lead to a full-time drive with the German marque in America or Europe. Davison will complete a three-day test with the factory squad at Sebring this week (January 9-10-11) in a Porsche 911 GTR RSR. The Victorian will compete against three other drivers, with Porsche looking to secure drivers for its programs in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA GT. Depending on how the test goes, Davison could be racing in America or Europe this year. “The test came out of the blue, but obviously I came over straight away and it’s pretty exciting so I’ll give it all I’ve got,” he said. Patrick Long, who drove Porsche’s RSR last year, has been promoted to replace Ryan Briscoe in the Porsche RS Spyder (prototype), entered by Penske Racing. This has opened up a spot in Porsche’s RSR ALMS program. Davison is no stranger to overseas competition. He raced in the Porsche Supercup Championship, winning a round at Indianapolis in 2003. – GRANT ROWLEY
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Kelly ready for NASCAR career? There could be two Tasmanians racing NASCARs in 2008 ... V8 SUPERCARS
Dirk Marshall Klynsmith Cass
OWEN Kelly looks likely to be racing in NASCAR’s development ranks this year. The V8 Supercar driver has been linked to a drive with Dale Earnhardt’s JR Motorsport squad. It is believed that Kelly could race a Late Model car at tracks across the south-east of America for the Earnhardt organisation. Earnhardt was in Australia late last year, taking in the final round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. The American racing hero drove a Paul Morris Motorsport V8 at Queensland Raceway, and actually used Kelly’s helmet during the test. Earnhardt and Kelly spent some time together while he was in Australia at the end of 2007, and it is believed that this is where the talks began.
Kelly is heading to the US later this week, but could only tell eNews that he was “doing business.” Kelly has already driven a Late Model, example above, in the States, driving for Robert Pressley last year in a one-off. JR Motorsports was established in 1999 as the management company for NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and is now a fully-fledged
racing operation with three late model teams, a USAR Hooters Pro Cup team, and a full-time NASCAR Busch Series program. If Kelly does join the organisation, he won’t be lacking for a competitive ride. Throughout the 2007 season, JR Motorsport’s Late Model teams racked up five wins, two pole awards, 37 top fives and 55 top 10s.
JR Motorsports is located in Mooresville, North Carolina. Kelly drove with Ford Performance Racing at Sandown and Bathurst in 2007, finishing third at Sandown with Steven Richards. His strong efforts led to an end of season deal with Paul Morris Motorsport, driving in the final four rounds of the championship. – GRANT ROWLEY
Martin replaces Dyk at A1 Team OZ A1 GRAND PRIX
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JOHN Martin has replaced Ian Dyk for the next three rounds of the A1 Grand Prix Series. The British Formula 3 driver will drive at Taupo, NZ in two weeks time, before taking on his local race at Eastern Creek the following week. His final confirmed race will be at Durban, South Africa, after which the team will re-evaluate the driver’s role from there. Martin has been the ‘rookie’ drive for the first part of the season, and he told eNews that he was glad to be given the promotion. “It’s great to step up, awesome,” he said. “After doing the rookie sessions, it teases you to hopefully get a race
drive. It’s final good to get that drive so we’ll see what happens.” Martin, who has never raced at Taupo before, wasn’t afraid to admit where he needs to finish to meet the team’s expectations. “The aim is to win, but I haven’t raced the car and only had limited experience. “I’ve done three rookie sessions, and two half-day tests at Silverstone, so I haven’t had much time in the car. “Realistically, the car is definitely capable of being inside the top six. It’s just whether I can get there or not. I’m very confident we can be inside the top eight.” Dyk has endured a frustrating start to the season, scoring just two points and sitting in 17th place. – GRANT ROWLEY
BRIEFLY... n V8 Supercars Australia
has changed its 2008 Season Launch date. The Launch will now take place on Wednesday, February 6, at Docklands in Melbourne. This will be the first chance to see the cars and drivers in 2008 liveries, prior to the official test days at Winton Raceway on February 12 and Queensland Raceway on February 14.
n CAMS has made it easier
for international drivers to compete here in Australia. In line with recent changes made by the FIA, holders of ‘foreign’ licences will now be able to compete in Club, Multi-Club, State and National events, but will not be able to score points in championships in which they compete. Drivers will need an International A, B or C licence for international events, such as the Bathurst 1000.
FUJITSU V8s MICHAEL Trimble will join Jack Perkins in a two-car Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series team this year.
Trimble and Perkins will drive a pair of ex-Perkins Motorsport Commodore VZs in the Development Series, prepared by Marty Brant’s Independent Race Cars team. Jack will drive PE043, last driven by Paul Dumbrell in 2006, and best-known as the car that hit a kangaroo at Bathurst in 2004. Trimble, who steps up from
Carrera Cup, will make his V8 Supercar debut in PE044, which was last driven (and crashed) by Perkins at last year’s Pukekohe V8SCS round. Brant, who prepared the Rod Nash racing entry for Steve Owen in the past two V8 Supercar Championship Series, is looking forward to the new challenge of the Development Series. “It’s going to be different,” he said. “We’ll only have the cars for about 10 days before the first round, so the biggest
challenge is going to be just to get through the first round at Clipsal. That itself will be an accomplishment. “Michael doesn’t have any V8 experience, so he’ll be talking it easy to start with, but as he gets more experience, he’ll start to build up speed. “I think Jack has got as good a chance as anyone out there.” Perkins and Trimble will get one, possibly two test sessions at Winton before the first round at the Clipsal 500. – GRANT ROWLEY
Slade will Feel da Noyze FUJITSU V8s
TIM Slade has established his own V8 Supercar team and will run an ex-Perkins Motorsport Commodore in this year’s Fujitsu Series.
The South Australian (along with prominent backer James Rosenberg) has secured PE042 Commodore VZ, last used by Shane Price in the 2006 FV8 Series. Slade has already completed 10 laps in the car at Perkins’s final test day, and will take delivery of the car next week. The Commodore will be run out of Les Small’s Victorian workshop, while the team will be known as Slade Speed. Final details of the deal are sorted, Slade is confident that he can run competitively in his new toy. “I didn’t have a lot of expectation last year, but it’s worked out perfectly,” he said.
John Morris
n Sony Ericsson is about to withdraw from V8 Supercar racing. The international mobile phone giant, which had deasl with TeamVodafone and other teams in the WRC and DTM, is believed to have undergone a significant policy shift in its sporting sponsorships on January 1. eNews believes that the company’s priority now is to focus on its tennis sponsorships, spearheaded by its backing of the WTA Tour and March’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, which is seen by some as the sport’s fifth ‘Grand Slam’. While Triple 8 has an ongoing deal with title sponsor Vodafone, it is not known whether the team, which will field two 2008spec Fords this season, will have a new deal with another mobile phone manufacturer.
Jack Lives Here (Michael too)
“I went under the radar, got some good results and now I’ll be in a good position to have a crack at the championship. “[During] the 10 laps I did in it, I was extremely happy. The car feels really good. “Running my own car means there’s a lot more stuff to organise. But I don’t see it as a huge job. It’s only seven rounds from February to December, so there’s a fair bit of time between rounds. “It should be good. I learnt a hell of a lot from Sonic over the past three years. I know what it’s going to take.” Slade competed in six of the seven Fujitsu rounds in 2007, driving for Dexion Racing and Matthew White Racing. He finished ninth in the series after electing to miss the last round to concentrate on his plans for this season.
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Makers support Dakar decision Despite record entry, African classic cancelled due to threat of terrorism in Mauritania RALLY RAID THE cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally has been supported by the factory teams that entered the event. Amaury Sport Organisation, the race’s organiser, announced the day before the 30th running of the Dakar that it would not go ahead due to terrorist threats against the rally and those involved. Those threats are believed to be from Al Qaeda, targeting the rally during its journey through Mauritania, where four
French citizens were killed last month. The event was due to enter the troubled country for eight stages on January 11, and stages through Mali had already been cancelled because of threats from Algerian rebel forces. “We fully respect the decision for safety purposes, which also have absolute priority for us,” said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “It goes without saying that it is a huge shame that the 30th edition of the Dakar will not take place,” affirmed Repsol
Mitsubishi Ralliart boss Dominique Serieys. “After months of hard work and preparation, we were obviously looking forward to the challenge of building on our record of 13 Dakar victories.” Two Australian competitors, South Australian David Schwartz and Queensland’s Mark Eland, were entered in the event, both on motorcycles. At this stage it appears the Dakar will return next year, with ASO vowing to begin planning for 2009.
Ralliart Mitsubish
BRIEFLY...
n The first joint initiative
by the new partnership at the head of Honda Racing has been to call on the FIA to forget about its specific Formula 1 cost-cutting measures, and instead to implement an overall budget cap for all teams. Nick Fry and Ross Brawn prefer this radical approach while supporting in principle the FIA’s efforts to restrict costs with its 10-year engine ‘freeze’, limits on aerodynamic development and other measures now under negotiation.
– QUENTIN SPURRING
DC, Massa and Button worry about Safety without Traction Control FORMULA 1 CONCERNS expressed by a number of Grand Prix drivers that the loss of electronic driving aids will compromise safety in wet races has produced a swell of counter-reaction.
A number of drivers, headed by David Coulthard, recently expressed their concerns, Coulthard telling UK Autosport that: “Fernando Alonso aquaplaned off the road in Fuji (last year) – even with TC [traction control]. The electronics still couldn’t support him – and that will happen a lot more without traction control because Formula 1 engines are very peaky. “We don’t want to see a monstrous shunt where somebody rides over another car, goes into the crowd or has an accident like (Alex) Zanardi [at the Lausitzring in 2001]. “I’m very relaxed about how Charlie (Whiting) operates. He may have made some difficult decisions – but he’s only reacting on the information he’s had. He doesn’t have the spray we have – when you’re flat out at 180mph you see simply nothing. “But I’m confident Charlie will do the right thing based on us helping and advising him – and that’s why we’ve started a dialogue now
What’s a nine-letter word for ‘sheila’? Coulthard and Button, above, are concerned.
rather than trying to react afterwards.” Jenson Button and Felipe Massa also lent support to Coulthard’s view. However, the drivers’ public airing of their concerns may have been a bad move. Media response globally, along with fan forums, and even the beleagured FIA boss Max Mosely, has suggested that safety levels in F1 are extraordinarily high, and that its highly-paid drivers should simply do what the banning of electronic aids is aimed at doing – allowing them to have increased input into the performance of their cars … For more, see Opinion, page 20
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n Three-times Formula 1 World Champion Jackie Stewart is mourning the death of his elder brother, Jimmy, who inspired him to become a racing driver. Jimmy Stewart raced a Formula 2 Connaught and a Cooper-Bristol, with which he made his only World Championship start, in the 1953 British Grand Prix. Stewart went on to become one on Britain’s best Sportscar drivers, racing at Le Mans for Aston Martin in 1954, but a crash at the Nürburgring in a DType Jaguar prompted his retirement. He died over the holiday period in Dunbarton, aged 76.
Slip Sliding Away sutton-images.com
n India’s Kingfisher Airlines has negotiated a premature exit from its longterm sponsorship contract with the Panasonic Toyota Racing Formula 1 team, which has been terminated “by mutual consent”, according to a statement. The move had been anticipated since the founder of the airline, Vijay Mallya, acquired 50 percent ownership of the Spyker team and renamed it Force India.
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DONE DEAL or ANTI CLIMAX? 2008 World Championship Entries
FORMULA 1 THE FIA has issued the official entry list for the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship.
– QUENTIN SPURRING
Kimi Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Felipe Massa Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Nick Heidfeld BMW-Sauber Robert Kubica BMW-Sauber Fernando Alonso ING Renault Nelson Piquet Jr ING Renault Nico Rosberg AT&T Williams Kazuki Nakajima AT&T Williams David Coulthard Red Bull Racing Mark Webber Red Bull Racing Jarno Trulli Panasonic Toyota Racing Timo Glock Panasonic Toyota Racing Sébastien Bourdais Scuderia Toro Rosso Sebastian Vettel Scuderia Toro Rosso Jenson Button Honda Racing Rubens Barrichello Honda Racing Takuma Sato Super Aguri Anthony Davidson Super Aguri Adrian Sutil Force India TBA Force India Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes Heikki Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes
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But questions hover over Takuma Sato and Anthony Davidson. Both Super Aguri drivers are on the list but the team says that it is still in negotiation with drivers and sponsors and that no decision has yet been made. The list effectively confirms that AT&T, ING, Panasonic and Marlboro will again
be the only team title sponsors, and that only one seat remains vacant. Giancarlo Fisichella, Christian Klien, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Roldan Rodriguez have all been under consideration to join Adrian Sutil at Force India, but Fisi is favourite. An announcement is expected next week. Teams are able to change their nominated drivers up until Thursday March 13 in Melbourne.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
The Stars come Out Ferrari, McLaren unveil 2008 Challengers FORMULA 1 THE teams that fought out the 2007 World Championship have been the first to unveil their 2008 challengers.
After winning both the Drivers’ and Constructors’s crowns, Scuderia Ferrari’s F2008 was the first new car to break cover on Sunday in Maranello, while McLaren’s MP4/23 was shown today (Monday) at the MercedesBenz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany. The F2008 (internal project 659), which will bear race numbers 1 and 2 for Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa, is the 54th single-seater from the Italian team. Technical director Aldo Costa and his team have also addressed the main weakness of the F2007 (its performance on slower circuits) by changing the wheelbase dimension and the weight distribution. Furthermore, all the aerodynamic surfaces have been modified and, says Costa, can be expected to change before and over the course of the season.
The suspension layout has been altered in line with the new aero regime and Ferrari has collaborated with its supplier, Brembo, on the development of a new braking system. McLaren will wear unfamiliar numbers this season, with Lewis Hamilton in #22 and Heikki Kovalainen #23, as a result of the team being disqualified from the Constructors’ title. In line with the FIA’s enforced engine ‘freeze’, both 2.4-litre V8 engines (Ferrari’s type 056, Mecedes’s FO108S) are unchanged, save for some work on the air intake and fuelling systems that will be included in the final homologation specification. Much of the work in the development of both cars has been undertaken to satisfy the 2008 regulations, which specify a standard ECU (and the absence of driver-aids), a four-race ‘life’ for the cars’ carbon-encased longitudinal gearboxes, and more cockpit protection either side of the driver’s head.
– SPURRING/STAFF
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All images: Ferrari
The Big Red One: Ferrari’s F2008, left, features a shorter wheelbase than last year’s car and enough buttons on the steering wheel to do everything (except receive an email). McLaren’s MP4/23 will be the subject to close scrutiny when testing starts in earnest.
McLaren Images under Embargo until Tuesday 8 January (Please come back 9am Tue, AEST)
Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
James Smith
JB looks at Biante BIANTE MASTERS
Dirk Klynsmith
JOHN Bowe looks likely to drive in the Biante Touring Car Masters Series this year. The retired V8 Supercar driver is preparing to drive Tony Hunter’s Chev Camaro that Jim Richards drove in selected rounds this year. Bowe is a big fan of the series and is close to confirming his participation in the increasing fashionable category.
“The category is very popular,” he said. “Tony is going to give me the opportunity. I’m going to test the car shortly, as soon as the deal is locked in. “I’ve done some magazine track tests in these types of cars, but that’s not the same. “I think the category is good. It’s not professional racing, but they run a very good show.” – GRANT ROWLEY
Carrera Cup compete at AGP – for points! CARRERA CUP
Dirk Klynsmith Joel Strickland
CARRERA Cup Australia has confirmed that its Championship will be contested over nine rounds in 2008, with all of the rounds of the category being granted ‘Championship-status.’ For the first time in Australia, the Porsche-based Championship will be permitted to score Championship points at the AGP, having previously been confined to ‘non-championship’ status. Carrera Cup Australia CEO Theo Psaros said the announcement is a sign that the Porsche category
is making its own mark on the Australian racing landscape. “Racing at the Grand Prix is a thrill in itself but to compete for Championship points will add another dimension to the entire event,” he said. “We are glad all parties could come together to make this happen and this not only elevates Carrera Cup Australia but cements our standing as the premium sports car category in the country.” Carrera Cup will hold four races at the Grand Prix, which will feature as the second round of the nine round Championship.
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Manfacturers commit to ARC
Toyota and Ford back RallyCorp after rival Rally Championship is established V8 SUPERCARS
Joel Strickland
THE manufacturers in the Australian Rally Championship remain committed to the series, despite the announcement of a new national series by the Australian Auto Sport Alliance. The AASA Australian Rally Championship will feature five rounds spread across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. But both Toyota and Ford will remain in the established series. “From what we know of the AASA, it is a category that encourages grassroots motorsport,” said Toyota’s Todd Connolly. “We will be keeping an eye on it, but we are looking forward to some strong showings from the S2000 Corollas [in the ARC].” “We will not be going anywhere,” said Britek Rally spokesman Ben Beazley. “We remain committed to our program, and that is the CAMS-
affiliated Australian Rally Championship.” Mitsubishi remains in the same position with both the CAMS and AASA series, according to spokesman Rob Chadwick; “At this time Mitsubishi have no plans to be fielding a works team in any Australian Championship. We will of course continue to support, with part sales and technical advice to any competitor who wisely selects a Mitsubishi product to compete in, in
either series.” The AASA’s 4WD and 2WD classes cater for late-model rally cars, with 2WDs given equal championship status as 4WDs for the first time. Older original and replica rally cars will be eligible for the classic championship. The AASA has partnered with the Australian Motor Sport Action Group (AMSAG), which has conducted the similar Southern Cross Rally Series in NSW since 1994. The series regulations are expected
to be based on those of AMSAG’s. “The AASA has always worked on the fundamental principle of empowering organisers to put on events which will be safe, wellmanaged and attractive to competitors,” said AASA’s President, Mick Ronke. Initial support seems strong from organisers, competitors and officials alike with the series preparing to announce further details soon. – BILL RIDDELL
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Dirk Klynsmith
Simonsen’s Sportscar Bonanza!
Dane to contest four Sportscar Championships in 2007 – including FIA GT V8 SUPERCARS ALLAN Simonsen will drive in four major Sportscar categories in 2008 – including FIA GT. The Dane, who has competed regularly in Australia since 2003, has inked a deal with a factory GT1 team and will co-drive with an experienced team-mate in the world’s top Sportscar class. The details of the manufacturer he will drive for and his co-driver will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Adding to his FIA GT duties will be a
drive in the LMS with Team Farbacher, where Simonson will share a Porsche RSR with Lars Erik Nielsen. Simonsen will also drive in British GT with the CIM Ferrari Racing team (with codriver Hector Lester) and the Australian GT Championship with Marnello Motorsport’s Ferrari GT3 – the car that he sealed the championship in last year. And if all of this globetrotting isn’t enough, Simonsen will also compete in the Dubai 24 Hour, the Spa 24 Hour, LeMans 24 Hour. It is going to be one busy season for the
frequent flying Dane. “It will be the busiest year I have ever had,” he told eNews. “I have to get to the end of July before i have my first weekend off!” While Simonsen’s demand in Sportscars circles is at an all-time high, the inevitable date clashes could rule him out of one, (or both) of the V8 Supercar endurance races at Phillip Island and Bathurst. Simonsen drove with TeamVodafone for the past two seasons, finishing fifth with Richard Lyons at Bathurst in 2007. – GRANT ROWLEY
PKV seals Servia’s services CHAMP CAR
Peter Bury
Joel Strickland
PKV Racing has announced that Oriol Servia will continue to drive for the team this year. The Spaniard completed the final two races of 2007 for PKV, qualifying strongly in both finishing third in the final race. He also drove the full 2006 season with the team, with
eight top-10 finishes. The team, about to start its sixth season in Champ Cars, is expected to announce another driver soon, after a series of tests. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to continue with PKV Racing,” said Servia. “I know the team and they know me. I feel that the
relationship the team and I have established in the past will be very important as we compete for the championship in 2008,” he said. “He did an outstanding job for us the last two events of the 2007 season and is one of the top drivers in the Champ Car series,” said Mark Johnson, the team’s general manager.
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Hunt tests for Conquest
Former Atlantics driver set to head back to The States for second tilt at Champ Car feeder category CHAMP CARS
sutto-images.com
JOSH Hunt will test with Conquest Racing at Houston this week and is in negotiations with potential backers to head back to America for a second attempt at the Champ Car Atlantics Series. Hunt debuted in the series in 2004, pictured right, with support from Craig Gore, but returned to Australia and has spent the past few years running selected national and state meetings. If the test is successful and the funding can be found, the Queensland-based driver would contest the Champ Car Atlantics Series, as well as the possibility of a one-off race in the Champ Car World Series
race on the Gold Coast. “I never wanted to come home, so I’m glad that there’s a possibility that I could be going back,” he told eNews. “I’ve slogged around in other cars and categories here and struggled to come up with the dollars. “Now, I’ve got a few good options, so I hoping things can come together. I think this test will be a good indication of how I’ll go in the series. “It (Atlantics) is probably the strongest development series in the world. Even if it doesn’t lead you to a career in the Champ Cars, it can lead somewhere else. Hunt acknowledged that the series has changed immensely since his learning year in 2004. “It’s changed a lot since I was
last there. It will take some time to get used to the cars but I thought I did a decent job last time, considering my lack of experience. “I’ve been on the sidelines for sometime now, and it’s given me a renewed enthusiasm. I really want to make sure it
happens.” While Hunt is resting his hopes on a ride in the Atlantic Series, he does have a backup plan. Hunt tested one of Sherrin Mototrsport’s Carrera Cup Porsches at Queensland Raceway last week. – GRANT ROWLEY
Sieders sponsored FUJITSU V8s
Mini MacDonald? MINI CHALLENGE
John Morris/Mpix
GARY MacDonald is to make a full-time return to the Australian circuit racing scene in 2008, and it could be in a Mini. The former Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series driver is currently weighing up his plans for this year, with the all-new one-make Mini Challenge is on top of his list. MacDonald competed in
just one motor race last year (at Bathurst in a Performance Car), and he told eNews that he’s got the “bug back.” “I had a great time running around in the Performance Cars at Bathurst,” he said. “I got the bug back racing then. I’m not ready to give up motorsport just yet.” The first round of the Mini Challenge is at Eastern Creek (March 7-9). – GRANT ROWLEY
THE Sieders Racing Team has secured major sponsorship from Gulf Western Oils for the 2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. The family-run Sydney team will continue to enter Colin and David Sieders in the Development Series in their AU and BA Falcons respectively. Colin Sieders is pleased to welcome the team’s first major sponsor on board. “It great that Gulf Western
has joined our team,” he said. “We ran pretty well last year considering our minimal resources, so the extra support should make us quite competitive.” The team currently has both cars stripped, completing a full rebuild for the new year. As an added bonus, the Sieders team has secured backing from Ford, who has offered panels and discounts on parts and other assistance. The cars will compete with Ford windscreen stickers.
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The Boys of Summer get some Air Shunts and some Hard Men make the 2007-08 Sprintcar Season memorable SPEEDWAY WHILE most of us were still digesting our Christmas dinners, Speedway’s Sprintcar stars have been turning on a spectacular season on the clay.
Brisvegas Brouhaha: When Adrian O’Connell and Todd Wanless got together at BIS, Wanless wanted to go on with it, below. Darren Jensen, right, went vertical as well.
All images: Baron Media
Mark Grosvenor rode out a horrifying accident at Bacchus Marsh’s Rolling Thunder Raceway on January 2, when the front suspension on his Sprintcar gave way, cannoning him head on into the turn one wall. The Northern Territorian was cut from the car – which left a horizontal fracture in the concrete wall – and airlifted to hospital, where he was placed into an induced coma. At the time of eNews’s deadline, doctors were bringing Grosvenor steadily from the induced coma and aside from a concussion, amazingly, no injuries were identified. Grosvenor is expected to make a full recovery. The same cannot be said for his Roadcon Sprintcar though, which was rendered useless. – MATT PAYNE
The National Top-40, brought to you by Rotax KARTING A NATIONAL Rotax driver ranking will operate in Australia this year.
As part of a restructuring of the Rotax categories, new importer/distributor IKD has announced a driver ranking scheme, not dissimilar to the professional tennis player rankings. The National Rotax Rankings will be used to distribute numerous prizes throughout the year, including which drivers will represent Australia at the next Rotax World Final. They will also be a major point of focus for Rotax drivers
throughout the year. A calendar of eligible events for the Rotax Mojo Challenge will be announced shortly. There will be at least 10 to 12 meetings per state from which drivers can choose to earn points. Drivers will be allowed to compete in any number of events across the nation, but can only count their top six results for their national ranking. All of the approved events will be weighted according to importance. Level One will be the Rotax Nationals, State Championships are Level Two while Level Three and Four are for other events. The
number of entries in each class will also affect the number of points a driver earns. “This gives Australian Rotax drivers their best and fairest chance ever of competing at the Rotax World Final, regardless of what state they are from,” IKD’s Ian Black said. “Competitors are not locked into a particular series with fixed dates. They can pick and choose their meetings.” It is expected all the Rotax classes will run on a new specification Mojo D2 tyre from March 1. The tyre is currently in the final stages of AKA safety testing. – MARK WICKS
5 Minutes with ...
ALEX DAVISON
A Porsche test at Sebring could lead to a return to overseas competition ...
A nice compliment for someone who has been out of that loop for a while … You’re right. Racing in Australia is completely off their radar. When Marc told the engineer that I was available, he was like, “oh yeah, we hadn’t thought of Alex, that’s a good idea.” I’m sure they had a list of drivers, it’s just I wasn’t on it. We’re on the other side of the world here, and we may as well be on the other side of the universe! But they’ve obviously remembered what I’d done with Porsche in the past, and it helped having Marc push my name because it wouldn’t have happened without that. I’m very grateful for that – it’s not very often that other drivers help you out! What’s going to be the major differences between the RSR and the Porsche’s Cup Cars that you’ve been driving in
sutton-images.com
How did this week’s Porsche test at Sebring come about? When I was in Germany for the end-of-season Carrera Cup ceremony, I was speaking to a few of the contacts and friends that I have over there. I’d expressed my interest about coming back overseas to race. I spoke to my good friend Marc Lieb, whose also a works driver, and he told me that they were looking for works drivers, so it was probably good timing with this test coming up at Sebring. I spoke to the people within the team and they invited me along – I was obviously rapt.
GRANT ROWLEY
We’re on the other side of the world. we may as well be on the other side of the universe! Alex Davison is stateside, testing a factory porsche
recent times? They are just a bit better in every area, a little more refined. They’ve got better power, a little bit more aerodynamic downforce with their different spoiler, bigger rear wing and a flat undertray. Everything is just a bit more refined. They are more of a purpose-built race car. A Cup Car is kind of built to a budget and they are only competing against themselves, there is no use refining them to the nth degree. The Cup Car is a beautiful car, but they aren’t as trick as the RSR. The RSR is an all-out race car and I can’t wait to drive it. Have you driven at the
Sebring circuit before? No. I’ve had some on-board footage I’ve watched about 4 million laps over the last few weeks. I’ve actually only watched the one lap over and over so I hope the guy knew what he was doing – otherwise I’m in trouble! While it’s great to have the international door reopen, it was probably disappointing to have the local door close again. How do you look at that now? There weren’t that many drives going. I would have loved to drive with Paul (Cruickshank), but at the end of the day, I didn’t have the money to do it. Like most of the drives that were available, the driver
brings a bit of budget, so it’s hard to compete. I understand it’s the commercial realities of motor racing and I understand that’s the situation that the teams face. I’m not bitter. It’s just very difficult to break in. Do you consider the possibility of driving overseas equal to or better than a career in V8 Supercar? Racing overseas is what I’ve always wanted to do and I think it’s much better. If I can get a works Porsche drive, it’s something that I see better than driving a V8. My fingers are crossed. I’m going to put everything into doing the test and being as prepared as possible, and we’ll see what happens at the end of it.
chat
Dirk Klynsmith
Right innovation, wrong emphasis opinion Chris Lambden mNews Publisher error. And yes, horror, he went off the road. You have to respect Coulthard – he drove for two top teams at their peak, and also walked away from a horrendous plane crash, resuming racing days later. But public bleating about safety is becoming less of a ‘good look’ for drivers. F1 cars are the safest racing cars around. Lots is, justifiably, spent on the inherent safety of the cars themselves, and on ensuring that circuits are as safe as possible. A photo I saw in a review, in the same publication, showed Jackie Stewart exiting a corner on full lock while, behind him, a car burned to the ground … The world has, of course, changed since those exciting but dangerous days, but the current breed should perhaps consider how well off they are, both in terms of significant personal safety – and the millions they are paid to exhibit their skill. Wet races are started behind Safety
John Morris/Mpix
LIKE most, Formula 1 drivers had a bit of a break over Christmas, and there wasn’t a lot going on. A fair degree of pre-Christmas testing involved teams testing the new-for-2008 control ECU, which eliminates a raft of electronic aids, including traction control and braking assistance. Indeed, it’s actually that stability under brakes which will be missed more than the straightforward traction control. Either way, it’s a step forward in increasing the genuine input of the driver; something a number of other formulae have successfully adopted over recent years. So far, so good. Then along comes David Coulthard, heading a group of F1 drivers apparently concerned about the dangers of racing in the wet without TC. "Fernando Alonso aquaplaned off the road in Fuji (last year) – even with TC,” DC told UK Autosport. “The electronics still couldn't support him – and that will happen a lot more without traction control because Formula One engines are very peaky.” Really? I thought Alonso went off the road because he pushed the set-up he had just a fraction too hard in very changeable conditions. You know, a driver
Cars; full yellows are called if conditions become too harsh. I really would have preferred to hear DC going into ’08 enthusing about how good the lack of electronics was going to be; how it would sort the men from the boys. The 2007 season was great, due substantially to a tense competition between two teams (and within one team!) for the championship. I’m expecting, with the lack of electronics contributing, that 2008 could be even better, because – another stat I read somewhere – in 2007 there were apparently (pit stops excluded) just four passes for the lead of a GP for the whole 2007 season … So, sorry DC, bank the salary, and just get on with it.
Letters
Have your say, email us at mail@mnews.com.au. Keep letters to the point. Red looks good on Tander I think it is great to see Garth Tander move on to the Holden Racing Team. I’ve been a loyal Tander and Holden fan for many years now and to see them come together is a dream come true. It makes sense that the top driver be at the factory team. Look for GT to return HRT to the podium in ‘08 – I’m sure he will.
Now we just need to get his lovley wife Leanne behind the wheel of a red Commodore as well. She will give the boys in blue a run for their money. Go Garth, go! Kaye Mackenzie Soresby, SA A case of eNews addiction How could you leave us high and dry? I was looking forward to a
few good issues of eNews over the holidays but sadlly my salvation never came. I work night shifts and love coming home first thing Tuesday morning to a good read before bed. All the best to all of you at MNews central for 2008. I look forward to more good reading each week. Pete Gath Altona, Vic
Mini’s to the max I cant wait to see the mighty little Minis return to the track this year. I still have memories of those nimble little beauties hustling through the bends at Mt Panorama, snapping at the heels of its bigger rivals. Lets hope the new Mini series is full of as much action and excitment when they hit the track.
opinion
Houston we are go for launch FROM time to time, it is our job to tip a bucket on those in the sport who, well, deserve to get a bucket tipped on their heads. With that in mind, it is time to tip a bucket on the heads of V8 Supercars Australia’s board and administration – with the strict proviso that the bucket is filled with rose petals and fairy dust. We were somewhat alarmed a month or so ago when the proposed date for the 2008 V8 Season launch looked set to clash with the Bathurst Motor Festival. Apart from the rather obvious notion of having two potentially media-worthy events on at
Phil Branagan Executive Editor the same time, that was likely to prevent any V8 drivers with the wish to take in some 12-Hour laps at Mount Panorama, which would have only been to the detriment of both the drivers and the BMF organisers. Now, the V8 Season Launch has been rescheduled and will be in Melbourne, on February 6. Should any drivers wish to race around the clock at the Mountain,
there is no reason why they cannot make it to Bathurst in plenty of time. Also, the V8 Launch should get solid media coverage, followed by the 12-Hour. A win-win situation. I do not know for certain that this change was made solely because of the date clash, but a well-placed sourced suggests that it was, at the very minimum, discussed by the board, along with other factors that prompted the move. So, to all, top marks. This is a positive start to the season. And while I am at it, thanks for putting the launch in Melbourne. It should be a cracker.
eLETTER OF THE WEEK Dakar Downunder? Pity about the cancellation of the Paris Dakar Rally. It always made good TV watching How about running the 2009 event is Australia? The country is big enough We have enough dessert. We could run it from Cairns to Perth and then on to the finish in Melbourne.
That would keep everyone happy for about 2 weeks! Food for some serious thought? Maybe they could plan it so that the finish is at Albert Park on the Thursday of the Grand Prix weekend. That will be a lift for a rather boring Thursday at the GP! Great mag, keep it up!
Mitsubishi
A nice big grid full of Minis zipping around the track is yet another reason to look forward the new season. I can’t wait. Steve Siwiak Gosford, NSW
opinion
Stan Chasen Email address withheld
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
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WO-TIME national Top Fuel Champion Phil Read extended his Championship lead, and is set to nab a hat trick of crowns in drag racing’s premier class with a win over another top fuel debutante at Willowbank Raceway’s Nightfire Top Fuel Spectacular on Saturday night. Following a complete washout of Friday’s program, all the action was jam-packed into Saturday. Read piloted his Snap On/ Auto One dragster to a hard-
fought win in the final over Aaron Lynch’s, Spike Gorrtuned, B & L Steel dragster. Read’s path to the final saw him handed the first round win by a quicker, but redlighting Amanda Shepherd, and surviving a real scare in the second, just holding on against a top end charge by comeback king, “Lucky” Phil Lamattina. Read’s 4.84s at 277mph just edged out Lamattina’s 4.86s at 309mph. For rookie Lynch, he disposed of Darren Morgan’s Wicked Quick entry with a close 4.91s to a 4.94s in the
first round, and was handed a solo win in the second when Steve Read was shut down after a parachute fell out after the burnout. Defending Top Alcohol Champion Wayne Newby mounted his fightback in the championship with a great win in the final over Gary Phillips. Newby faced current points leader Brett Stevens in his Kitten Mustang Funny Car in the second round of eliminations, and took a .003s holeshot win in his JBS dragster, his better reacting 5.88s bettering Stevens’s 5.85s.
Newby had an easier win in the first round with an uncharacteristic red light by Ben Bray handed him an easy win. Newby took a comfortable win over Phillips’ Lucas Oils Products funny car after a complete engine change before the final. Pete Cochrane took home all the silverware in Pro Stock Motorcycle when he piloted the Brett Stevens Racing S&S Buell to the top qualifier spot, recorded top MPH, and went through to win the final over Jason Lee. Cochrane also took over
race
Ken Ferguson
Rain rain go away: Phil Read, main left, defeated Aaron Lynch, above, in the final of the Top Fuel Spectacular. On two wheels Pete Cochrane, below, onboard his Brett Steven prepared Buell claimed Pro Stock Motorcycle.
John Morris?mpix Ken Ferguson
Ken Ferguson
John Morris?mpix Ken Ferguson
the lead in the national championship and is looking good for his first title, and second for the BSR S&S Buell. Among the support winners were Dennis Byth in Competition, Louis Galea in Super Stock, Peter Everett in Comp Bike, Paul Cannuli in Supercharged Outlaws, Athol Jacobsen in Modified, Tony Whyatt in Super Sedan, Darren Doeblien in Super Street, Jason Hammelswang in Modified Bike, Blaze Hansen in Junior Dragster, and Shane Moran in Super Gas.
Something old something Newby: Wayne Newby, above, defeated Gary Phillips in the final to win in Top Alcohol. Overcoming Brett Steven and Ben Bray along the way.
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WO-TIME national Top Fuel Champion Phil Read extended his Championship lead, and is set to nab a hat trick of crowns in drag racing’s premier class with a win over another top fuel debutante at Willowbank Raceway’s Nightfire Top Fuel Spectacular on Saturday night. Following a complete washout of Friday’s program, all the action was jam-packed into Saturday. Read piloted his Snap On/ Auto One dragster to a hard-
fought win in the final over Aaron Lynch’s, Spike Gorrtuned, B & L Steel dragster. Read’s path to the final saw him handed the first round win by a quicker, but redlighting Amanda Shepherd, and surviving a real scare in the second, just holding on against a top end charge by comeback king, “Lucky” Phil Lamattina. Read’s 4.84s at 277mph just edged out Lamattina’s 4.86s at 309mph. For rookie Lynch, he disposed of Darren Morgan’s Wicked Quick entry with a close 4.91s to a 4.94s in the
first round, and was handed a solo win in the second when Steve Read was shut down after a parachute fell out after the burnout. Defending Top Alcohol Champion Wayne Newby mounted his fightback in the championship with a great win in the final over Gary Phillips. Newby faced current points leader Brett Stevens in his Kitten Mustang Funny Car in the second round of eliminations, and took a .003s holeshot win in his JBS dragster, his better reacting 5.88s bettering Stevens’s 5.85s.
Newby had an easier win in the first round with an uncharacteristic red light by Ben Bray handed him an easy win. Newby took a comfortable win over Phillips’ Lucas Oils Products funny car after a complete engine change before the final. Pete Cochrane took home all the silverware in Pro Stock Motorcycle when he piloted the Brett Stevens Racing S&S Buell to the top qualifier spot, recorded top MPH, and went through to win the final over Jason Lee. Cochrane also took over
race
Ken Ferguson
Rain rain go away: Phil Read, main left, defeated Aaron Lynch, above, in the final of the Top Fuel Spectacular. On two wheels Pete Cochrane, below, onboard his Brett Steven prepared Buell claimed Pro Stock Motorcycle.
John Morris?mpix Ken Ferguson
Ken Ferguson
John Morris?mpix Ken Ferguson
the lead in the national championship and is looking good for his first title, and second for the BSR S&S Buell. Among the support winners were Dennis Byth in Competition, Louis Galea in Super Stock, Peter Everett in Comp Bike, Paul Cannuli in Supercharged Outlaws, Athol Jacobsen in Modified, Tony Whyatt in Super Sedan, Darren Doeblien in Super Street, Jason Hammelswang in Modified Bike, Blaze Hansen in Junior Dragster, and Shane Moran in Super Gas.
Something old something Newby: Wayne Newby, above, defeated Gary Phillips in the final to win in Top Alcohol. Overcoming Brett Steven and Ben Bray along the way.
$50,000 TO WIN PARRAMATTA CITY RACEWAY
race
Not Again! Donny renames the race ‘Schatz $50,000 International‘ after scoring his seventh win. GREG BOSCATO reports
John Morris/Mpix
Yet another $50k for Schatz
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John Morris/Mpix
MERICAN Donny Schatz demolished the star studded Parramatta field claiming his seventh $50,000 to win Sprintcar International held last Sunday. Schatz blasted to an early lead in the 40-lap event and easily took the victory over Robbie Farr, with an impressive Ian Loudoun home in third. Following the podium finishers was former Australian champ Garry Brazier, with Californian Jonathan Allard fifth and the ‘King’ Steve Kinser rounding out the top six. The meeting was scheduled for Friday and Saturday night but afternoon showers left the track in unsuitable condition, drivers electing to return on Sunday for the finals. Local Sydney racer Loudoun had an impressive weekend, placing fourth in Friday night’s preliminary A Main and grabbing position 1 for the 40-lap final after winning the opening dash. Farr, who won the second dash, started position two with Schatz,
Brazier, Tatnell and Attard the top six starters. Farr won the start over Loudoun and led the 50 grand final for a number of laps until Schatz first took Loudoun before blasting by Farr to take his race winning lead. Around mid-race, Kinser and Australian Champ Brooke Tatnell tangled while fighting for positions, sending Tatnell rolling over the turn 2 exit. Kinser had charged from position 18 after missing the cut into the dash qualifiers. After heats wins to Schatz, Max Dumesny, Skip Jackson and Brazier, a bad qualifying time saw Tatnell coming from
the B Main. After a battle with Farrell, Tatnell took the win from Farrell and Ken Sartori. The preliminary A Main was sensational after Kinser powered by Jason Johnson to lead. Brazier moved into second then a hard-charging Schatz followed. Schatz took third from Johnson but eyes were on Brazier as he battled with Kinser for the lead. Brazier did get by on lap 9 only to have a stoppage placing him back into second at the restart. Kinser held control until lap 24 when Brazier made a superb outside pass on Kinser. They touched and Kinser spun out with a flat
John Morris/Mpix
John Morris/Mpix
Spectacular: Donny Schatz, right, had another impressive $50k win and Roddy Belbowen, above, triggered a large crash at PCR.
tyre. Fourth placed Johnson dived off the track to avoid Kinser only to flip over and into retirement. Kinser restarted from the rear after changing a wheel but retired. Brazier looked to have the victory but on the final lap final corner got caught behind a lapped car, allowing Schatz to pounce and take the win over Brazier, Farr, Loudoun, Tatnell (who came from the rear) and Jackson. The top four were locked into the two finals night dash races and didn’t have to run the final round of heats.
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Tatnell still leads WSS – just Ash Budd
WANLESS WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS
SPEEDWEEK (ROUND 9 - 13) New Year events. His fourround winning streak included the first three Speedweek events, before hitting the wall at Avalon Raceway after a torrid battle with Matthew Reed, leaving Farr to cruise into victory lane. The final Speedweek battle was taken out by the venerable Max Dumesny. The Sydney-based veteran thrilled the large crowd at Warrnambool, taking a muchdeserved victory over Steven Lines, which catapulted him to second in the Speedweek standings – ironically, the first time since Speedweek was inaugurated that he hasn’t taken that crown. The two night, $20,000to-win show at Brisbane Internatioal Speedway will bring the Series to a fitting climax. BIS always throws up challenges for drivers and with Series honours on the line, this weekend should be no different. – MATT PAYNE POINTS AFTER 13 OF 14 ROUNDS: Brooke Tatnell 1838, Max Dumesny 1830, Robert Farr 1822, Trevor Green 1774, Jason Johnson 1734.
Champ and challenger: Brooke Tatnell, top holds a narrow lead into the final round from Max Dumesny, below, after Speedweek.
Geoff Gracie
The Wanless World Series Sprintcars Championship will come to a dramatic conclusion this weekend in Brisbane following a tense Speedweek which saw Brooke Tatnell’s points lead cut to a mere eight points. Both Max Dumesny and Robbie Farr have the opportunity to steal the Championship crown from Tatnell, with both making a late run during Speedweek. Tatnell has led since the opening weekend of the Championship in Perth back in November. While Dumesny is within striking distance, should Tatnell have a bad run in Brisbane, Farr could also spring a surprise, being just 16 points behind Tatnell. The Eastcoast Pipelines racer is the form driver in the country at the moment, having taken out the Speedweek crown and finishing second in the PCR $50,000 race. Farr clawed over American Jason Johnson to win Speedweek. Johnson, many could argue, was the form driver throughout the five Christmas-
Up and down: Jason Johnson, below left, notched up four round victories over Speedweek, while Mark Dobmeier, below right, had a spectacular
crash at Mt Gambier.
Ash Budd
John Morris/Mpix
rear of grid
All Quiet in the Desert IF you are like us at Motorsport eNews, you were looking forward to the 30th edition of Dakar. Okay, sometimes the dashacross-the-desert looks to us like an exercise that only the weirder citizens of France, Spain and other far-off parts of the world truly understand. But for action, drama and a
downright sense of adventure – brought to us every night for 30 minutes by SBS – Dakar is something that we never fail to look forward to, during those long winter months. This year, of course, the threat of terrorism meant that the promoters were forced to cancel the event at, literally, the last minute. Competitors
were in the process of having their scrutineering finalised when the word came that the whole thing was over and out for 2008. We thought it appropriate to look at one of the great images from the 2008 preparations – this is Luc Alphand’s Mitsubishi – and hope against hope that the Dakar returns for 2009.
In the giant scheme of things, motorsport does not rank among the daily life-anddeath battles that play out in Africa but, if things return to what is described as ‘normal’, we are already looking forward to January 2009, and Dakar 30 ‘B’.
The Punter is on Vacation
Mitsubishi
Would you Vote for these men?
sutton-images.com
DID you hear the one about a V8 Supercar driver getting votes in the Federal election? No, Craig Lowndes is not about the depose Kevin Rudd as PM, but there was an amusing sideline to the recount in the seat of McEwan. You may recall that, in the original tally, the winning margin was seven votes and the Australian Electoral Commission ordered that the votes be tallied for a second time. We hear that during the recount, it came to light that one informal ballot paper had the names of all the real candidates crossed out and the names Mark Skaife, Craig Lowndes, Todd Kelly, Jamie Whincup and other drivers written in, and then ‘donkey voted’. We bet that Cricket Australia and the AFL are jealous of that one …
Odd Spot