Motorsport eNews Issue 58 - June 10-16, 2008

PLUS Ford unveils its first FG

Issue No. 058 10 – 16 June 2008

FORD DEALER TEAM blue Oval plans to match holden’s factory formation

WalkinshaW/ V8SA Settle out of court

Editorial Editor: Grant Rowley grant@mnews.com.au Deputy Editor: Andrew van Leeuwen andrew@mnews.com.au Staff Journalist: Phillip Mahoney philm@mnews.com.au Executive Editor: Phil Branagan editor@mnews.com.au

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Contributing Writers F1: Will Buxton, Mark Glendenning, 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, Geoff Gracie, 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.

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

Issue No. 058 | 10 - 16 Jun 2008

news 4 Dealer Team

8 Walkinshaw/V8s 10 CAMS on the fence 12 Punching doors 16 F3 gets better ...

Courtney to head south Won’t see you in court!

Governing questions New skins for TDR And Bettridge

chat 20 5 minutes with ... Shane van Gisbergen The big questions opinion 22 Branagan race 24 Whinners are Grinners Whincup leads Ford charge 30 Owen wins, again 34 Bairdo’s back 38 Willowbank 42 NASCAR 46 IndyCar

Class of the field Craig takes Sandown Record time!

Kasey three from four Dixon does it in Texas

trade 52 Trade and Industry / Raceshop / Classifieds

welcome Dear A Davo, Thanks for recording your own eNews video. Top work! Good luck at Le Mans this weekend.

Love, eNews.

Ford’s Factory Superteam Ford Dealer Team to solve Courtney puzzle and take the fight directly to HRT/HSV V8 SUPERCARS FORD Racing is considering attacking Holden’s four-car ‘factory’ squad by introducing its own sister team to Ford Performance Racing – a Ford Dealer Team – headed by James Courtney.

The proposal from within the blue bunker will expand Ford Performance Racing’s twocar team, creating a separate, but heavily aligned, Ford Dealer Team, similar to the structure of the successful Holden Racing Team/HSV Dealer Team organisation – both supplied equipment and technical back-up by the Walkinshaw Performance group. eNews sources suggest that the Ford Dealer Team would be housed in or close to FPR’s Broadmeadows base.

The suggestion of an expanded factory team comes at an interesting time for Ford. The company has yet to commit to its motorsport budget beyond 2008 – that decision is now expected to be finalised sometime around Darwin’s Hidden Valley round, early next month.

In terms of drivers, Courtney is the obvious fit for a Ford Dealer Team. The Stone Brothers Racing driver remains a Ford contracted drivers and the creation of a satellite ‘factory’ Ford team neatly solves the problem of where to place him, given that he is expected to move from SBR and that there are no obvious vacancies at

Ford Dealer Team – our artist’s impression ...

FPR or Triple Eight.

Currently, Jim Morton’s single-car Ford Rising Star Racing entry is run by FPR in a ‘customer’ deal, but that could change in 2009 with the planned FDT. eNews understands that Morton’s Level 1 licence would be utilised as the foundation FDT licence, with a second licence to be sourced elsewhere.

Current Ford Rising Star Michael Patrizi would be the likely choice to take the second seat in the potential FDT. Morton’s Ford Rising Star Racing brand was founded in 2007 and raced in the Fujitsu Series before graduating to the Main Series this year. FRSR is expected to return to the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series next year, and one of the teams that has been mooted to assume the preparation of FRSR is Mick Ritter’s Sonic Motor Racing Services.

Ritter and his successful Formula Ford and Carrera Cup team has long-held ambitions to get into the main V8 Supercar show – however, he has maintained that he would not get involved with the V8s unless he has machinery which could win races and a championship in his first season. This would not be an issue if Ritter’s team had ex-FPR BF Falcons at its disposal ...

The suggested move by Ford to create a second ‘factory’ team would mirror the ultra-successful HRT/HSVDT set-up across town at Clayton.

Holden first set up its second team at the peak of its winning streak, in 2001. Greg Murphy and Todd Kelly drove for the Kmart Racing Team, alongside Mark Skaife and Jason Bright in the ‘official’ factory team.

KRT later became the HSV Dealer Team, which has won the past two V8 Supercar titles.

Since Holden’s factory team has, effectively, consisted of four cars, it has won four championships and has five Bathurst 1000 victories.

On the flipside, Ford’s factory team has no championship wins or Bathurst success to date, with Stone Brothers Racing and Triple Engineering Race Engineering supplying Ford its only major trophies.

Is a Ford Dealer Team/FPR set-up the blue oval’s answer?

– GRANT ROWLEY

FOR FORMULA 1, MOTOGP AND WRC NEWS, OPINION AND ANALYSIS CLICK HERE TO

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TO ACCESS THE WORLD’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL ‘VIRTUAL’ MOTORSPORT MAGAZINE ...

Ford unveils FG racecar Blue oval’s racing future rides in the hands of its stunning new V8 Supercar

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Evolution, not revolution: The shapely-looking FG race car, designed and built by Ford Performance Racing, incorporates a centralised driver seating position, right.

V8 SUPERCARS FORD has unveiled its brand-new V8 Supercar – the FG Falcon.

Owned by Ford Racing and built by Ford Performance Racing, the FG is Ford’s first car built to V8 Supercar’s ‘Project Blueprint’ standards.

The car was tested at Ford’s You Yangs proving ground last week by Steven Richards and unveiled to the public on Saturdayat Sandown, where it was driven in ‘demonstration-mode’ over the weekend by James Courtney (with Grant Denyer in the passenger seat).

Craig Lowndes was meant to have driven the car at Sandown, but a contractual issue popped up, as he can not be at a race track with anything by a TeamVodafone suit on ...

The launch was a big day for Ford Racing’s boss Ray Price, who has toiled over the past 18 months to ensure the smooth implementation of the new Falcon.

However, Price did not enjoy the day as much as he would have liked after he was involved in a road accident on the way to the track! A sore and sorry Price didn’t get to the track on Saturday, but when did arrive, on Sunday, he was all smiles: “I think it’s fantastic,” he told eNews.

“We have been waiting a long time for this.

I said to Tim Edwards (FPR team manager) that I’ve waited 18 months for this – and then I wasn’t here!”

“Everyone’s looked at the car and is impressed with its styling, its colour and its presentation.”

FG01 will be taken to the majority of the tracks for the remainder of 2008 as a show car, but it could be used to race later this year. However, this is dependent on the championship positions of Ford’s leading drivers.

“We have a peg in the ground,” said Price.

“The car is built and ready to go, but we’ll see what happens ...”

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Statement: V8 Supercars Australia – Monday June 9 “The parties have reached an outcome that both organisations are pleased with.

It means the parties will not re-appear in the Victorian Supreme Court this Friday, having found a positive outcome to the situation.

No further comment will be made at this time.”

“Amicable deal” halts court bid Walkinshaw takes V8 Supercars Australia to court – but who backed down?

V8 SUPERCARS V8 SUPERCARS’ technical program hit a snag last week when Walkinshaw Performance took V8 Supercars Australia to court to prevent a rule being introduced.

However, by Sunday evening, a deal had been struck between the two parties – no details were revealed – to avoid a further court date this week.

It was being suggested that V8SA would delay implementation of the new rule, in order to allow for further discussion at V8SA Board level.

WP, which provides cars, engines and technical services to four Holden teams, commenced an action in the Victorian Supreme Court last Wednesday to prevent a change – which V8SA described as a clarification – to the rule regarding ‘transparency components’, which came into effect on May 28.

None of the teams, nor WP representatives, nor V8SA representatives, would speak about the matter at the weekend, citing ‘sub-judice’ because of the ongoing legal action. But WP did issue a statement that read;

“The rule change would have had the effect of allowing any V8 Supercar motorsport team access to confidential material including costings, technical specifications and intellectual property, relating to race engine components supplied by Walkinshaw Performance to four V8 Supercar race teams.”

There are two levels of confidentiality involved. One is between WP and its teams, which are not permitted, for instance, to conduct any more than rudimentary service of their engines, which is the responsibility of WP. Furthermore, we believe that WP’s component suppliers are themselves subject to another confidentiality agreement.

So, even if the teams involved – Holden Racing Team, HSV Dealer Team, BJR and Rod Nash Racing – had access to technical information about the engines in the cars, revealing it would breach two confidentiality agreements.

Such confidentiality is not unusual in the sport, and Ford Performance Racing’s Tim Edwards confirmed to eNews today [Monday] that it operates in a similar fashion with its customer teams. eNews has been told that the four

teams wrote to V8SA requesting further information about the rule change but when no reply was forthcoming, WP took its legal action, to avoid the teams involved being forced to modify its cars with components that could meet the rule.

The matter was due to resume in court this Friday – until Sunday’s deal.

– PHIL BRANAGAN

What V8SA wanted to change TO date, the airbox, air intake, cylinder heads, oil pump and alternator could be inspected as ‘transparency’ components.

However, the rule update changed the definition so that any V8 Supercar team could, via the V8 Supercar Technical Department, also access information on the supplier, cost and technical specifications of the components.

At the same time, the reach of the rule was reportedly expanded to include most engine parts, including performance-vital parts such as camshaft, rockers, crankshaft and pistons.

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Dirk Klynsmith

BRIEFLY...

Motorsport really is all about the fans, and in today’s corporate world even rocking up late to an autograph session can get you in trouble.

Fujitsu V8 Supercar drivers David Reynolds, Jay Verdink, Karl Reindler and Tim Slade have all been hit with a $2000 fine after failing to attend an autograph session on time. Grant Denyer escaped a fine, but received a warning after he failed to attend due to his MINI racing commitments. n

n MYGALE made Formula 3 history at Snetterton on the weekend, winning its first races as a manufacturer.

Michael Devaney was the lucky driver, winning both British F3 races for the French manufacturer.

It means an end to the long-standing dominance from Dallara, and comes just weeks after Volkswagenpower took its first win in the F3 Euroseries. n A1GP has released its 2008/9 calendar – and there is no round allocated to Australia.

A ‘TBA’ round exists on 29 March, but with Australia’s domestic season well underway at that point, it is not a viable option.

NZ retains a round – and its enthusiasm for A1GP – following another successful season, in which it finished second. The schedule is:

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JB continued the 2008 dominance of the Coopers Ferrari in GENERAL CAMS will not reveal its position on FIA President Max Mosley, following the Extraordinary General Meeting last Tuesday.

CAMS was represented by FIA Delegate Garry Connelly in the Paris meeting, at which Mosley won a vote of confidence, 103-55. Mosley, 68, will now remain in office until November next year, unless he chooses to resign in the interim.

CAMS President Colin Osborne said that the ASN would not confirm its position, or whether Connelly’s vote follows CAMS board’s position.

“Garry is our delegate to the FIA,” said Osborne.

“Obviously, the board has a view and Garry attends our board meetings, so he would know its position on various matters. He would go forward in exactly the same matter as I would, know what our views are, corporately, on a particular issue and voting, all things being equal, that way.

“But, life is not that simple sometimes. You get to a meeting and a particular issue is raised, or there is a different slant on it, or information is introduced. And you change your position at the time. On the basis of that, if you vote differently to what was originally intended, so be it.”

The decision of other FIA members to reveal their positions will not sway CAMS.

“It was a secret ballot, we will not be disclosing which way we voted. We respect their right to cast their vote the way that they did, and also to disclose, if they so choose, the way they voted.

CAMS has determined that we are not going to disclose which way that we voted.

“The fact is, there has been a structured process, by which the members of the FIA have determined whom they consider to be the appropriate person the lead the organization for the foreseeable future. We cast our vote, along with all the other eligible voters in that process.

We have faith in the process and, therefore, we support he outcome. We would have supported the outcome, whichever way it had come out.”

CAMS will now welcome Mosley’s presence at any events in Australia, should the Englishman choose to make the trip.

“From CAMS’s perspective, there is always an open-ended invitation for the FIA President to attend international events in our country. In a practical sense, however, it’s very rare that the President has taken up that opportunity. If you turn the clock back in the last 30 years, certainly since the Formula 1 race came here in 1985, the number of visits by the President to Australia could, without having the details right in front of me, be counted, I think, on one hand.”

– PHIL BRANAGAN

sutton-images.com

Mugello, Italy 21 Sep Zandvoort, NED 5 Oct Jakarta, Indonesia 9 Nov Sepang, Malaysia 23 Nov TBA, China 14 Dec Taupo, New Zealand 25 Jan TBA, South Africa 22 Feb Mexico City, Mexico 15 Mar TBA 29 Mar Algarve, Portugal 12 Apr TBA, Great Britain 3 May

CAMS remains mum

Questions: Connelly, Australian FIA delegate and Chairman of the Australian Rally Commission in Paris.

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New V8 CEO

by October V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

THE search for V8 Supercars Australia’s new Chief Executive Officer could end this October.

V8SA Chairman Tony Cochrane said at Sandown yesterday [Sunday] that the man to replace long-time CEO Wayne Cattach, who steps down at the end of this season, may be in place in time for the successful candidate to be introduced in time for the Bathurst 1000.

Cochrane also said that there were “more than 10 and less that 20” applicants for the job, from within Australia and overseas.

Vetting will continue through the winter, with the takes handled by a sub-committee consisting of V8SA board members James Erskine, Roger Cook and Cochrane.

– PHIL BRANAGAN

We’re having Monday off V8 SUPERCARS V8 SUPERCARS may have raced on Mondays for the last time.

The lowly crowd at Sandown over the long weekend is a clear indicator that the experiment to hold a SaturdaySunday-Monday meeting over the Queen’s Birthday weekend will not be repeated in 2009.

“We gave [Network] Seven

a two-commitment,” V8 Supercars Australian Chairman Tony Cochrane said at Sandown on Sunday. “We will discuss what happens next after the weekend.”

Last year, the Eastern Creek round of the series drew a lowly crowd, and while Sandown had favourable weather for Sunday’s racing, a cool and wet Monday kept numbers well down.

Dirk Klynsmith

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When push comes to shove New doors save time, money V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

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ROD Nash Racing was the first team to run composite rear door skins on a VE Commodore V8 Supercar at Sandown last weekend.

Composite doors are now permitted on the VE thanks to Holden ceasing production of steel skins for the shortened rear doors on the racecar. And Bellmont Composite, owned by the family of RNR driver Tony D’Alberto, were the first to take on the new regulation, running the lighter, stronger door skins.

“You can repair them a lot easier, I suppose that is their biggest advantage,” said D’Alberto.

“It’s a lot like the composite guards we run.

With the steel guards like I had on my car in the Fujitsu Series, if you copped a hit, they rubbed on the wheel. But now you can afford a bit of a hit because they will usually spring out.

“And then there is the weight. The couple of kilos we save on the doors we can move to a more desirable part of the car.”

Bellmont Composite also has an existing relationship with Sprint Gas Racing, with its front and rear bars, side skirts, diffusers and front guards all made by Belmont. They are currently assessing the new doors, as are selected other Holden teams.

“The idea is to get a few more teams on board,” D’Alberto added.

On the Blue side, the FG Falcon V8 Supercar will be allowed to run composite rear doors from it’s debut, despite the FG01 prototype being fitted with traditional steel skins for its Sandown rollout.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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WooPS V8 SUPERCARS

Sprint Cup debut looms for Ambrose V8 SUPERCARS THE Car of Tomorrow tests continue for Marcos Ambrose as his Sprint Cup debut gets ever closer.

Ambrose has completed his first test for Wood Brothers Racing ahead of his planned Cup debut at Infineon Raceway in California on June 22.

The test was held at Virginia International Raceway and was attended by the majority of the Cup field, however there was no official timing at the test.

“Overall I would have to say the test was very encouraging,” said Ambrose.

“We did good times throughout the day in the changing conditions and there was some real positive feedback from inside and outside the car.

“We certainly have a reasonable package underneath us for qualifying at Sonoma in three weeks time.”

This was the first time Wood Brothers had worked with Ambrose ahead of his debut.

“We had a real solid and

productive test today,” said Eddie Wood.

“It was the first time we had worked together with Marcos one-on-one and he fitted in with the team very well.

“With three different types of tires being used here today it is really hard to provide an exact account of where were finished on the time sheets, but I would certainly say we were well within the top five.”

Until his debut, Ambrose will continue his Nationwide assault this weekend in Michigan.

THE relationship between V8 Supercars Australia and WPS Financial Services has come to a sudden end.

The category manager terminated its agreement last week on the grounds of nonpayment of agreed sponsorship fees.

As a result WPS colours were hastily taken off what is now known as the Chrysler Safety Car and the V8SA transporters.

WPS, formerly sponsor of the WPS team, was also involved with the category with a V8-branded credit card.

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Who the hell is ...

Ro Charlez?

Ex-pat Aussie competing in Formula V6 Asia this year FORMULA V6 ASIA

2008 is turning out to be a careerhighlight season for Mark Webber, Ryan Briscoe and Chris Atkinson.

And you know how they are going well, because their efforts are documented – race-by-race, lap-by-lap.

But one Australian who you wouldn’t know of, and who is enjoying success overseas, is Ro Charlez.

The 20 year old ex-pat Australian, was born and raised on the Gold Coast before moving to Asia where he completed school and started racing.

Charlez’s career to this point has been a start-stop affair due to budget constraints. He started in Formula BMW Asia back in 2005, finishing fourth in the title behind current V8 Supercar driver Michael Patrizi. After a year and a half off

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the scene, he is competing this year in the Formula V6 Asia Series and with one round down, he sits fourth in the title.

He says that he wants to win the championship this season before moving his racing efforts beyond Asia.

“With the pace we’ve shown at the first event, I want to be fighting for wins in every race and go for the championship,” he said.

“I hope to use racing in Asia this year as a platform to move up to higher professional series either in Europe, USA or Australia.

“My long-term the goal is to be able to make a career out of top-level racing and my dream would be to win the Le Mans 24 Hour.

“I also want to build my name back in Australia. From being out of the cockpit for two years due to no sponsors I’ve learned that one of the best places to source sponsors is in Asia as the market here is huge, hopefully I can

set myself up so I can continue racing in 2009 and beyond.”

Charlez says that racing in Australia is something that he’d be very keen to pursue.

“I’d love to race in Australia if the opportunity came up,” he said.

“I’ve lived all over the world and have gone to watch pretty much all racing series in existence and can honestly say the Aussie V8 Supercar series is one of the best racing categories worldwide.”

Charlez’s next round of the Formula V6 Asia Series is at Sepang on June 22.

The Asian category uses ex-Formula 3000 chassis and has seen the likes of F1 hopeful Marchy Lee compete in it, as well as India’s Karun Chandok and Kiwi Matt Halliday.

– GRANT ROWLEY

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Dakar entry for Aussie Safari THE Australasian Safari has confirmed its first ‘Dakar’ style entry for 2008, with Paul Green confirming he will run his Desert Warrior rally raid car.

Green will team up with Aussie, and former bike competitor, Mark Eland, who will co-drive in the Warrior.

“One night we got talking and I raved about the Australian Safari so much that Paul asked that if he came to race in Australia, would I co-drive for him?” Eland said.

“Having already cheated death a number

of times during my life I thought that putting my life in someone else’s hands could not be any worse than in my own, so I agreed to co-drive for him.”

The Desert Warrior, a purpose built rally car powered by a six-cylinder turbo diesel BMW engine, was scheduled to debut at this year’s Dakar Rally, but failed to do so when the event was canned due to terrorist threats in Africa. But that’s not to say Green and Eland will hit the Safari wet behind the ears, the pair having run at an event in Central Europe recently, failing to finish

only due to minor suspension problems.

“We found a weakness with the car on the second last day and broke one of the front wishbones,” added Eland.

“This has since been rectified and shouldn’t give us any problems in the Safari. Paul is a really capable driver, and I really enjoyed the co-driving, and I’m looking forward to the Australasian Safari immensely.”

The Australasian Safari kicks off in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on August 23.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Big field for Island Shannons Nationals SHANNONS NATIONALS

Series has 16 cars entered, while Commodore Cup will have around 20 cars.

Menzel Glass will sponsor Commodore Cup this weekend. Former series regular Chrisna D’Agostin has

entered for the meeting Making up most of the numbers at the round will be the HQ Holdens (53 entries, including Paul Morris) and the Formula Vee National Series (37 entries).

Dirk Klynsmith

THE Shannons Nationals returns to Phillip Island this weekend with one of the biggest fields in the series’ three history.

Almost 170 entries will be at the Island Grand Prix circuit.

Five categories feature on the card, with the reborn Australian Manufacturers Championship kicking off its title with just under 20 cars entered.

The Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship continues its strong 2008 season with 22 cars entered.

In seasons gone past, the

category averaged around 13-15 entrants, but this year, the ‘Gold Star’ is living up to its name. Nathan Caratti leads from Neil McFadyen and James Winslow. Ash Bettridge will make his debut in a third F304 for Piccola Scuderia (see separate story) and Tim Macrow, pictured below, is making a one-off return.

The Kerrick Sports Sedan

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Bettridge to make F3 debut West Aussie set for first run in Formula 3 after recommendation from local mate ...

FORMULA 3 THE Australian Formula 3 Championship will have a new competitor at Phillip Island this weekend, with Ashley Bettridge making his F3 debut.

Bettridge has been competing in the West Australian Formula Ford 1600 series, renting a car from Fastlane Racing Drivers School. And now he is looking to take the next step; learning to work with a racing team, and racing on the east coast.

Bettridge will race a Piccola Scuderia Dallara F304 in the National Class, a move that came recommended from former F3 driver Chris Reindler.

“I race with Chris in WA and he enjoyed Formula 3 a lot,” said Bettridge.

“In Formula Ford I run my own car, do almost everything myself, so I want to learn how to work with an established

team like Piccola.

“I’ve never been to Phillip Island before, but then team sent me over some onboard footage so I can see where the braking markers turn-in points are. I think the hardest part is going to be not lifting into Turn 1!”

According to Bettridge, he is likely to race one more F3 round this year, before tackling the full National Class season in 2009. He will also continue to race the

Formula Ford in the West.

“I’m definitely looking at doing the full season next year, so by doing a couple of rounds this year I can start to learn the cars and get to know the team.

“But we’ll wait and see how this weekend goes before we make any more decisions.”

Bettridge will test on Wednesday before the meeting starts on Friday.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

GT gets a new lease on life AUSTRALIAN GT THE Australian GT Championship has, to say the least, had a tough season to date, but things are starting to look up for the category.

2008 has seen the category struggle for numbers to the point where it was forced to pull out of the April Oran Park round of the championship, however a recent agreement with CAMS has put in place steps to ensure the long-term stability of the category.

The agreement focuses on developing and growing GT racing within Australia and incorporates a number of new initiatives, which will hopefully achieve this goal.

Many of the changes are aimed at making the series more accessible to a wider audience, with new

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divisions being named in GT Championship, GT Challenge and GT Production. The new divisions mean that C3 licences holders are now able to compete in GT Challenge and Production classes.

The Championship has implemented these changes to attract some new manufacturers as well as additional support

from current manufactures stemming from the new alliance with the Aston Martin Asia Cup. The revised series will also see seeded drivers provide tuition to un-seeded drivers at events throughout the year.

The GT Championship will hold two information sessions in Melbourne on June 11

and Sydney on June 12 to reinforce the changes and provide a look at the revised championship.

With the series looking up, the final events of 2008 have been confirmed and will see the series head to Eastern Creek on July 12-13, Phillip Island on August 9-10 and wrap up the season in Sandown on November 28-30.

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Racer guilty in accidental drug use case Aussie Racer found guilty after testing positive to Finasteride PAUL Kemal has inadvertently been found guilty of taking an illegal substance.

The 2004 and 2006 Aussie Racing Car champion tested positive to the prohibited substance Finasteride (a drug commonly used in hair-regeneration treatments) at Sandown in September 2007.

The 33-year-old from Sydney was found guilty at a CAMS Tribunal Hearing in Sydney on 16 May 2008, his penalty consisting of exclusion from the Sandown

meeting and a reprimand and warning.

The CAMS Anti Doping Policy, which complies with Australian Sport Anti Doping Authority (ASADA), provides competitors with the opportunity to request ‘therapeutic dispensation’ to use medication while competing in motorsport in certain circumstances, but this process needs to occur prior to competing.

Kemal did not adhere to the rules and has since found himself in hot water.

CAMS CEO Graham Fountain has urged competitors to seek clarification from CAMS for any medication they require.

“It’s important that all competitors are aware of the policy and that while dispensation is available in some circumstances, competitors must seek this prior to competing,” said Fountain.

“All sportspeople, whether it be in motorsport or another sport, have to take responsibility on this subject and ensure they comply with the rules.”

CARRERA CUP

Carrera Cup drivers ...

Breath easier

DUE to the cold Melbourne conditions, Porsche drivers may not have noticed the benefits of the new air vents on their Carrera Cup cars at Sandown last weekend ...

It is believed the the new air vents will reduce the cabin temperatures inside the cars by up to 12 degrees.

All of the Carrera Cuppers competed with the new compulsory airvents at Sandown, located just below the windscreen of each car, pictured left.

Former champion and current series leader Craig Baird tested the new device at Barbagallo Raceway and said that it is a handy initative.

“You probably can’t feel it on a day like today (at Sandown), but at a track like Sepand or Adelaide where it gets really hot, it will make a difference.

“You could really struggle in the cars. It’s definitely a good thing.”

– GRANT ROWLEY

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Youlden ready for Fujitsu return Luke set for more laps in a V8 Supercar – possibly back with ANT Racing FUJITSU V8s LUKE Youlden is eyeing a return to the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series as preparation for the upcoming Phillip Island and Bathurst endurance races.

Youlden, who is signed to Ford Performance Racing for the enduros, ran in the Fujitsu Series last year, winning a wet race at Winton in an ageing AU Falcon, and then taking the round at Bathurst in a BA Falcon for HPM Racing.

“I’d like to do the rounds in the lead up to Bathurst to keep my eye in,” Youlden told eNews.

“It’s just a way to keep miles under your belt. Doing the co-driver sessions for FPR is great, but its been two months since I drove a car.

“And when you do drive, it’s only a halfhour session, so it’s very hard to get into a rhythm.”

While Youlden says there are no deals done, a likely home for him is ANT Racing,

the team who ran him in HPM colours last year. ANT were absent from the series for the first two rounds, returning with owner/ driver Tony Evangelou at Sandown last weekend.

There are two rounds of the Fujitsu Series between now and Bathurst, with Queensland Raceway and Winton playing warm-up for The Mountain. Along with those, Youlden will also complete two more test days for FPR. - ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

How to start a career in V8 Supercar V8 SUPERCARS HOLDEN team Sprint Gas Racing has entered into an agreement with employment specialists WPC Group to assist motor mechanics find careers in V8 Supercar racing.

The deal started at Sandown last weekend, with WPG logos displayed on the front and rear of both Greg Murphy and Jason Richards’s Commodore VEs. Sprint Gas team manager Jeff Grech has been involved with the development of young workers over the years and says that its vital for the ongoing success of the teams and the championship.

“I’ve been involved in motorsport for many years and I’ve seen a lot of young people enter the sport

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through apprenticeship programs that have generated fantastic careers,” he said.

“I’m confident that this will continue through the WPC experience.”

The new arrangement will see a second and third year apprentice mechanic selected to work permanently at Sprint Gas Racing for the remainder of the 2008 season. A first year

apprentice will work with the team on the first day of each event at selected rounds to gain an insight into the world of V8s.

– GRANT ROWLEY

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5 Minutes with ...

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN First Scott Dixon wins the Indy 500, and then ‘Van Gizza’ stars at Sandown. It’s been a big couple of weeks for New Zealand!

PHIL BRANAGAN

Generally, the team has been playing things conservatively on the tracks you have not been to so far. This is not one of those, so was anything different in the build-up?

I was able to go out there and spend the first half-hour getting straight into it, instead of having to learn the track. We struggled with the front end of the car at first, to be honest, but we were able to get on top of that fairly well.

Was it a matter of conditions suiting you right down to the ground in Race 2?

It was. I was able to have a walk around the circuit this morning and have look at all the surfaces and joins. We were on it straight away and getting down to it pretty quickly, and set some consistent times.

It was good to be in that position but we just didn’t quite have the speed of the Triple 8 cars.

What do you do in those wet circumstances? We saw some of it at Oran Park last year, or

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Dirk Klynsmith

MOTORSPORT NEWS: A great weekend, what do you say after a weekend like this.

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: I think that ‘awesome’ is probably the word to describe it!

We didn’t qualify so well and we were struggling with the car. We got it better in Race 1 and Race 2 was awesome.

We had a good car when it was really wet and we made the most of it. In Race 3, the car was even better and we were able to keep up with the leaders.

I think that ‘awesome’ is the word to describe it. We always seem to go alright in the wet – shane van gisbergen would you rather keep that to yourself?

[Laughs] I dunno! We always seem to go alright in the wet, it is a matter of searching for the grip and other guys can be a wee bit quicker at one stage, then I can be a wee bit quicker.

But the Triple 8 cars were really fast at the end and seemed to have so much more lateral grip than me. It was still good to be out there though and I was feeling pretty good to be behind the Safety Car and see those guys behind me!

had Todd Kelly, in particular, putting the torch on you towards the end?

I was keeping everything focused on myself and trying to keep him out. He was pretty fast and caught me up pretty quickly but once he was there, he didn’t seem to have enough to get past and I was able to hold him out until the end.

What does the team say to you in those circumstances?

Just, ‘Keep it smooth, save the tyres’ and ‘get it to the end of the race!’

So, what was going through your mind in Race 3 when you

Is this the best month ever for New Zealand in motor

racing history?

It seems like it! It has been a pretty good time for all the Kiwis but it would have been a whole lot better if I had been a little bit further up.

But, hopefully, I can build on this a bit and get some more results for the team.

What is it like racing, almost, at night?

It was pretty dark at the end there and I saw some spits of rain on the windscreen, which didn’t help. It was hard to tell whether the surface of the road was wet and that made it all pretty tricky. But apart from that, it was pretty good fun!

chat

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Letters

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

What’s going on?

OK, so I don’t get it.

After watching Race 1 and seeing Lowndes literally belt and bash his way past Tander, with Crompton shouting ‘what the hell is going on’ or words to that effect, I must admit I’m a little lost.

After the pass was completed and the scheduled add break, no more talk off it and no penalty.

I can’t see why anyone on

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the track should get away with such a display. How does it possibly fit with the rules.

I just don't get it.

Tim Walmsley via email Ford Heaven What a great day to be a Ford fan.

The results at Sandown would have to be some of the best ever for Ford, well certainly in a long time.

Holden struggled, which was great.

I mean seriously, when Russell Ingall is your best placed driver, you know your not having the best of weekends.

For a manufacturer that has four factory team cars, to be no-where is less than ideal.

But enough with Holden.

Whincup did a great job to take the win and Lowndes was unlucky.

Courtney and Van Giz showed there is pace at SBR yet and Frosty was consistently quick.

Overall, I’d say a great result.

Next up we head north and god-willing Ford will give Holden a belting again.

Lowndes won there last year so it’s a happy hunting ground for my beloved Ford.

Go the Blue Oval.

Al Green Bondi, NSW

opinion

Time for disclosure opinion

Phil Branagan Executive Editor MAX won. But, did the sport lose?

That is a big question. Max Mosley’s triumphant visage was beamed around the world last week as he emerged from the FIA bunker in Paris without a single knife in his back but with the trappings that go with the office of the President intact; expensive suit and briefcase, a dark MercedesBenz and – here is where my ears pricked up – bodyguards.

Okay, the media called them ‘bodyguards’, perhaps they were just ‘attendants’.

Again – and this is a comment on the media, moreso than on the issues – he was again almost universally referred to as ‘Formula 1 boss Max Mosley’.

See, if this escapade has proven anything beyond reasonable doubt it is that sex sells, and ‘FIA boss Max Mosley’ is just not a sexy headline.

Elsewhere, others will point to the level of emotional capital

that has been spent on this tawdry matter, at a time when the sport faces important issues, not to mention the fact that the evolution of the automobile is now on fastforward, due to the alarming cost of oil.

Others will also point to the FIA’s war chest, now $60m fatter thanks to Mosley’s seemingly religious pursuit of those nefarious ne’er-dowells at McLaren. Of course, a large slice of that money is to be distributed to the ASNs, many of which voted to keep Mosley in office last Tuesday, and did so under the veil of confidentiality.

One of those ASNs is CAMS. Elsewhere in this issue, its President, Colin Osborne, declines to reveal how it §behind its decision. That is the organization’s right; the Meeting was IN CAMERA [ITALS]. But I would like to know how it voted. If we don’t, and if CAMS is showered with cash from the FIA fund, there will be whispered questions of what actually transpired in Paris. There will be fingerpointing that CAMS was

bought.

If we go without any of those funds, it will be something we have to live with but it would be comforting to know the reasons why. From the outside, there is a fog of suspicion about the politics of the FIA. Should CAMS see fit to enlighten us, even a little, there would be some gain taken from this sorry and shadowy affair.

And, lest this read purely as another episode in CAMSbashing, kudos to Osborne.

Rather than duck the media, he made himself available as soon as he practically could to face some less-than-pleasant questioning.

I wish I could say the same about Mosley who, when he does face the world, does so only with elaborate stage management. Should he accept CAMS’s open invitation to attend any event in this country before he departs – whenever that may be – I would further extend him one to come to a media conference.

I would like to be there. Will Mosley?

eLETTER OF THE WEEK The FG With the brand-new FG V8 Supercar finally being unveiled in eNews last week, I thought I should write a letter.

The new car looks great and I was excited after seeing it in the magazine.

But I must say the finished product was even better.

I headed up to Sandown as I do

every year and was able to see the FG on track in the flesh and it looks great.

I can’t wait till the Main Game guys get a chance to race the car and with any luck take the title back from Holden.

With any luck, the FG should be quick right out of the box and give the guys something to really challenge for

the title with.

But on top of that, the new FG should cut repair costs, which will be a good thing for the sport as it continues to get more expensive in other areas.

So Bring on the FG, the sooner the better.

George Wallis Frankston, Vic

Send your creative letters to mail@mnews.com.au, or Motorsport News PO Box 7072, Brighton, Vic 3186 23

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES ROUND 5 – MIDAS 400, SANDOWN

Blue Monday Anyone in Holden red left Sandown with a long face after a comprehensive display for Ford superiority in Melbourne. PHIL BRANAGAN reports on what looked like a one-make series 24

race

Dirk Klynsmith

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F

ORD fans must love Sandown – and they had plenty of joy with which to celebrate the Queen’s Birthday after a stunning display of domination in Melbourne.

On the weekend when the Falcon FG prototype racer was shown to the world, the older BF won all three races and Jamie Whincup took pole, Race 1 and the round. And it could have been another 300 point weekend, had the Vodafone car not locked a brake with a lap to run in Race 2.

Craig Lowness stepped into the breach to take the win but his Race 3 ambitions were broken, along with an axle before he even got to the grid, and Mark Winterbottom took up the cudgels until Whincup’s speed, and T8’s pitwork, put him back in front.

“I made three or four errors this weekend,” said Whincup after his second Sandown win.

“A true athlete should be able to

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perform at his best all the time.”

If he was less-than-satisfied with the win, Frosty was happy with second (“that was how it was going to be”) while James Courtney rued an early pitstop that saw him struggling for speed after leading early in the final race.

The other story of the weekend was that of Shane van Gisbergen. The teenager was simply amazing in Race 2, surging to sixth in a few laps and coming out second before taking fourth in the last race, and overall.

Russell Ingall was speedy all weekend, starting with a convincing performance in qualifying and backing it up to be the best Lion in all three races – fourth, seventh and sixth.

But the other Holden contenders, seemed to take care of themselves. HRT misplaced much of its car speed for reasons not clear to the team, while Rick Kelly

looked to be the best of the Commodore drivers but two spins – including an epic 360 in Race 1 – cost him, as did a stuck wheel during his Race 3 stop.

Some may talk of parity after the race but, in the end, it is not unusual to see Winterbottom (‘06 Sandown winner) duke it out with Whincup (‘07 and now ‘08) for the win. But the pendulum is sure to swing back before many more rounds are ticked off in what is becoming an epic season.

Were there any Holdens in the race? Sh finishing fourth overall. Top: Jame Wh the Commodores were left to fight ove

race

John Morris/Mpix

Just not their race: Mark Skaife’s Race 2 spin was just one many woes for Holden at Sandown International Motor Raceway.

V8 Supercar | ROUND 5, SANDOWN, VICTORIA

Dirk Klynsmith John Morris/Mpix Phil Williams

hane van Gisbergen, above, had his breakout race meeting, hincup and Craig Lowndes lead the pack away in Race 2. Middle: er the (very) minor places.

Pos# Driver Team/Car

Q R1 R2 R3

1 88 Jamie Whincup 2 5 Mark Winterbottom 3 4 James Courtney 4 9 Shane Van Gisbergen 5 39 Russell Ingall 6 888 Craig Lowndes 7 1 Garth Tander 8 7 Todd Kelly 9 17 Steven Johnson 10 15 Rick Kelly 11 14 Cameron McConville 12 33 Lee Holdsworth 13 6 Steven Richards 14 12 Andrew Jones 15 18 Will Davison 16 2 Mark Skaife 17 16 Paul Dumbrell 18 3 Jason Richards 19 111 Fabian Coulthard 20 11 Shane Price 21 51 Greg Murphy 22 67 Paul Morris 23 34 Michael Caruso 24 25 Jason Bright 25 50 Andrew Thompson 26 021 Kayne Scott 27 55 Tony D’Alberto 28 26 Marcus Marshall 29 777 Michael Patrizi

1 2 11 11 6 9 12 8 16 4 24 14 7 21 3 13 15 10 5 22 19 25 23 28 18 27 20 26 29

Team Vodafone Falcon BF Ford Performance Racing Falcon BF Jeld-Wen Motorsport Falcon BF SP Tools Racing Falcon BF Supercheap Auto Commodore VE Team Vodafone Falcon BF Toll Holden Racing Commodore VE Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE Jim Beam Racing Falcon BF HSV Dealer Team Commodore VE Team WOW Commodore VE Valvoline Cummins Commodore VE Ford Performance Racing Falcon BF Team BOC Commodore VE Jim Beam Racing Falcon BF Toll Holden Racing Commodore VE Autobarn Racing Commodore VE Sprint Gas Racing Commodore VE Glenfords Racing Falcon BF Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE Sprint Gas Racing Commodore VE Supercheap Auto Commodore VE Valvoline Cummins Commodore VE Fujitsu Racing Falcon BF PWR Performance Commodore VE Team Kiwi Racing Falcon BF Rod Nash Racing Commodore VE IRWIN Racing Falcon BF Ausdrill Ford Rising Stars Falcon BF

1 2 6 9 4 3 5 17 13 7 14 11 23 16 DNF 10 12 18 8 19 22 15 20 DNF 24 21 25 DNF DNF

3 1 6 2 4 3 2 4 7 6 1 DNS 9 12 8 5 5 10 12 17 10 13 22 8 16 9 17 15 11 7 18 22 13 27 20 16 14 DNF 19 18 26 11 21 24 23 19 15 14 2 20 28 23 25 25 24 21 EXC 26

Points: Winterbottom 1124, Tander 1072, Whincup 1062, R Kelly 1028, Lowndes 897, Richards 839, Courtney 811, Holdsworth 760, Davison 752, T Kelly 726, van Gisberg 692, Johnson 682, Coulthard 671, McConville 663, Skaife 630, Ingall 585, Murphy 580, Jones 538, J Richards 528, Bright 470, Dumbrell 440, Morris 431, Caruso 428, Marshall 378, Price 354, D’Alberto 346, Thompson 309, Scott 280, Patrizi 168, Pither 58.

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Nightmare on Buick Street

James Smith

IN 2005, V8 Supercars famously raced in Shanghai for what turned out to be the only time.

Along with the experience of going to the world’s most populous country for an Australian race, there is an enduring memory of Rick Kelly, soon to be a titleist, starting on the last row of the grid and struggling all weekend in his ‘Buick’.

Rob Crawford was his team manager at the time and the HRT man did not enjoy his Sandown weekend a great deal more than he did China. Shanghai turned out to be a turning

point for HSV; the air was cleared after the debacle and things more forward.

“There will be some talks this week,” Crawford said after a tough weekend at The Reds’ home track. “It will start tomorrow.”

Garth Tander’s rout in New Zealand may seem a long time ago but there is much more to come in the championship from the Claytons.

– PHIL BRANAGAN

Talent-spotter

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FROM THE COUCH

Andrew van Leeuwen driving it hard.”

I never doubted the story, as I’ve never doubted Van Giz’s ability, but if I had done, I would have spent Monday night eating my words.

I was back at MNews HQ for Monday’s races, but even from there I could see Van Giz was a cold stone star in the difficult conditions, especially Race 2. The young bloke flew into Dandenong Road time and time again, with almost zero regard for

Dirk Klynsmith

I WAS talking to an engineer friend of mine at Sandown on Sunday, and we got on the topic of Shane Van Gisbergen.

And, despite the conversation taking place long before Van Giz went and starred during Monday’s two races, my friend, who has spent plenty of time engineering Toyota Racing Series car in NZ, was talking the young Kiwi up. Big time.

“I’ve watched the dude at Pukekohe in a Formula Ford, and he was just passing blokes everywhere,” said my friend,. “You wouldn’t even know if the thing was cornerweighted – he was just

the fact that the track was wet. Did he come off the track? Nope.

But is it really that surprising? If you remember

back, he did set the fifth fastest lap in only his second V8 Supercar race start back at Oran Park last year. And boy was it wet there as well!

race

No more Mondays SPRINGVALE Road had rarely looked so inviting.

One of Melbourne’s major suburban arteries will soon get a huge bonus with the imminent opening of the new Eastlink Tollway, but this morning, it was far from its usual, glacially-slow Monday morning best.

I motored from Branagan Manor to Springvale at unimaginable speed and such was the level of confidence that there would be little or no delay getting into the track that I didn’t leave home until 8:45am.

There was never going to be a wall-to-wall crowd at Sandown. The old days of taking 40 minutes to file through the entry gates to get in to see the Hang Ten

opinion Phil Branagan Executive Editor 400 belong to another age but having a low crowd on two Mondays in succession proves that, while this is something that had to be trialled, the concept is dud.

Melbourne’s public transport system limps along in ‘Saturday’ mode, and lots of people were on the roads at the end of Monday because they had been either away for the weekend or at the football. Townsville at the same time next year looks much more inviting.

So, it has been tried and failed but please, no more Mondays.

Dirk Klynsmith

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FUJITSU V8 SUPERCAR SERIES ROUND 3 – SANDOWN

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race

Nice save, Steve ...

Not everything went Steve Owen’s way at Sandown, but when push came to shove, he stepped up to take the round win.

PHIL MAHONEY reports

Dirk Klynsmith

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FUJITSU V8 SUPERCARS

F

OR Steve Owen, it was a case of salvaging the honours for Round 3 of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series at Sandown last weekend.

Owen and fellow Main Series refugee Dean Canto both showed great pace from the get-go, with the former settling for second in qualifying behind Canto.

But Owen made the most of the start in Race 1 to take the lead, and, subsequently, the race win.

Race 2’s reverse grid format did the predictable and created some carnage, involving both Owen and Canto. Canto gave Owen a nudge and turned him around, giving Canto a penalty, and Owen plenty of work to do for the rest of the weekend.

But Owen was up to the task, and a remarkable comeback followed, putting him off P6 for the final. However he might as well have started from pole, because by the time they hit the first turn, he was in front anyway.

And that was it; win salvaged.

“After Wakefield and Adelaide we knew

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we were going to be strong in all three races so to get turned around is a bit annoying,” said Owen.

“But there’s not a lot you can do about it.

“It worked out well that we managed to gather it all back up by the end of the weekend. I would have hated to have left the weekend feeling like I should have won.

“It’s worked out quite well with a lot of the championship contenders like Jack [Perkins] having a bad weekend.”

With some of the early championship contenders like, Perkins and Canto having less than ideal results, it opened the door for some of the younger drivers to come through for a good result.

During Owen’s comeback there was another story – the story of Grant Denyer’s first win in a V8 Supercar. That came during Race 2, where he led home Michael Trimble.

Trimble was unlucky not to finish on the round podium after being turned around while running strongly in Race 3.

As a result Dale Wood was handed a 22s penalty.

Trimble’s fellow Porsche graduate David

Reynolds made the most of the conditions in the final race to become the highestplaced rookie and take over second in the championship (shared with Trimble), with second for the round.

“We saved our best set of tyre for the last race when normally we use them up in Race 2,” said Reynolds.

“So I got a great start on the dry side of the track in the final, and that really set us up for a podium result after Trimble got turned around, leaving us with a huge gap.

“To be second in the championship is a great result.”

SBR enduro driver Jonathan Webb finished third for the round after a solid reverse-grid race set up his final result.

Canto recovered to finish second in the final race and salvaged some muchneeded points for his championship challenge.

The Fujitsu series heads to Queensland Raceway next month for Round 4.

Points: Owen 786, Reynolds 618, Trimble 618, Webb 590, Karl Reindler 544, Perkins 542, Canto 518, Tim Slade 505, Denyer 498, Wood 493.

Dirk Klynsmith

John Morris/Mpix

Dirk Klynsmith

Reynolds the red hot rookie: The reigning Carrera Cup Champion, above, looked good at Sandown, and is now second in the title. Aaron MacGill found the sand during Race 2, left, while Denyer took his debut win in the very same race, below.

Dirk Klynsmith

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CARRERA CUP ROUND 5 – SANDOWN

t s e n s ’ d r i a B a

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n ou r the . g in win n in ace w , n ut r w do ’s deb n a t S Wall a ead avid l ip as D h s ion ere w p m h ha en t c e h ug nd t h o a red. A l t n d i ulte it al e t in ls fa hed r p s iva atc d r ai itle r N w B ig his t AGA a r C ile AN R h w IL B PH

n w o d n a S 34

race

Dirk Klynsmith

John Morris/Mpix

Battle Scars: Aaron Caratti (#23) spent too much time in the wars at Sandown, above, allowing Baird to skip away into the championship lead.

But David Wall did his best to help out, beating Baird in the final, left.

CARRERA CUP

Dirk Klynsmith

CRAIG Baird emerged from Sandown’s Carrera Cup round with the overall honours but David Wall was, maybe, the happiest man in the field after scoring his maiden win in the final race.

Wall backed up third and second in the opening races with an all-the-way win in Monday afternoon, mastering a greasy track to hold out Baird, whose car got the staggers when the lights turned green, and Bryce Washington. But the Kiwi ironman took the overall honours after victories in the first two races.

“I wasn’t go to go off trying anything silly,” Baird admitted.

“We couldn’t go two-wide, it was too

greasy, and I had heaps of pace but I just couldn’t get the car off the line.”

Wall was understandably delighted with his first win after three years in the category.

“I am relieved! To get that first win is a great weight off my shoulders, I don’t drink but I think we might have one tonight! Jim [Richards] prepares a great car, he showed that with Alex [Davison] so I am pleased that I have shown that I can do it.”

Any suggestions that Aaron Caratti was going to feature over the weekend came to nothing when Rodney Forbes, who qualified a season-best third, made contact with him on the opening lap of Race 1.

From there, the West Australian could only play catch-up.

The second, Monday morning race featured a long Safety Car period, triggered by a Turn 4 melee when Caratti got turned around. Half the field got caught up and with the track blocked, it took some time for all the cars to be cleared.

Dean Fiore was another title contender to get caught up in the Race 2 carnage, but he drove a superb final, finishing fifth and saving a few points from what was a bad meeting.

Washington took third overall from David Russell, with Rodney Jane next.

Points: Baird 870, Fiore 642, Russell 600, Washington 534, Caratti 528.

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Bargs too good on second MINI ‘debut’ MINI CHALLENGE

SANDOWN played host to Round 4 of the MINI Challenge on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, and saw a (sort of) new face school the rest of the field.

While it wasn’t actually his MINI debut, former V8 Supercar driver Jason Bargwanna was the class of the field, making it look easy out front all weekend.

And this time he got to keep the points, an honour that he missed out on when he raced in the ‘Uber Star Car’ at Eastern Creek earlier this year.

Bargwanna started from pole and won all three races, and, in a first for the MINIs, became the first driver to

win Race 1 and back it up with a Race 2 reverse grid victory.

“It’s great to get such a good result,” said Bargwanna.

“We had to pull the team together in such a short amount of time, so to come home with a pole and three wins is great for the team.”

After rain threatened all weekend, the heavens finally opened for Race 3, with ‘Bargs’ running away with the final to show his prowess in the wet.

“I enjoy running round in the wet,” Bargwanna added, “it’s great fun in these cars.”

Fujitsu V8 Supercar regular Grant Denyer proved that even with a busy schedule he could still be competitive.

While he couldn’t quite match

Bargwanna for pace, he settled for second after some great battles with Neil Mcfayden, Nathan Geier and Paul Stokell.

“I struggled a bit jumping from the V8 to the MINI, especially in the wet conditions” said Denyer.

“They’re a fair bit different, so I have to get used to new braking markers and gear changes every time I go out.”

Mcfayden finished third for the round with some consistent results including a great second place in the rain.

The MINIs head to Phillip Island for Round 5 on September 14.

– PHILLIP MAHONEY Points: Denyer 594, McFadyen 564, Stokell 429, Geier 420, Paul Fiore 414.

Dirk Klynsmith

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race

Dirk Klynsmith ix is/Mp Morr John

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Nothing loose about Laska FORMULA FORD PAUL Laskazeski was the man to beat in a Formula Ford at Sandown last weekend, but some greasy conditions meant he didn’t have it all his own way.

‘Laska’ had a great start to the third round of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship, taking a dominant pole position in dry conditions over CAMS Rising Star Scott Pye. And the first two races were all about Laskazeski as he cleared out from the start leaving those behind him to battle it out.

As usual the Formula Fords provided plenty of passing and drafting up Sandown’s long back straight, and it was between Jake Chapman, Adam Graham, Ben Morley and Pye in the first

two races.

Laskazeski only needed to cruise home in Race 3 to take the round, however the wet conditions almost brought him undone, dropping to sixth and only recovering to second, Chapman taking his first AFFC race win.

“The rain freaked me out a bit,” said Laskazeski.

“I just didn’t know who was going to go crazy and who wasn’t.”

“Scott [Pye] got the dry line in the final, so we struggled off the start with a lot of wheelspin which dropped us to sixth, so we had to claw our way back.

“But, it’s our first round win of the year and more points towards the championship so it all counts.

“We’ve been working hard for the last two weeks and its good to finally have a win.”

Pye came home third in the final

after leading the majority of the race, securing second for the round in a mature performance.

“We’re pretty happy,” said Pye, “but a bit disappointed at the same time that the final result wasn’t a bit better.

“We lost third gear in the Race 3 when we were leading and it allowed the other guys to catch up.

“I was concentrating really hard in the wet because I had no-one as a guide for 10 laps. But we move up a fair bit in the overall so it’s a good result.”

Third for the round was Graham, who was fortunate that his own red flag in the first race awarded him third place on a countback, despite finishing in the fence.

– PHILLIP MAHONEY Points: Laskazeski 134, Ben Morley 88, Graham 82, Pye 70, Brad Lowe 62, Nick Percat 61, Daniel Erickson 56, Rob Storey 46, Chapman 46.

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AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING WILLOWBANK WINTERNATIONALS

Big Numbers!

There were the fastest and quickest drag cars in the world at Willowbank’s Castrol Edge Winternationals. KEN FERGUSON reports

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race

Ken Ferguson

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WINTERNATIONALS

W

ORLD-CLASS Top Doorslammer racing, fireballing Top Fuellers, and heaps of records showcased the 2008 Castrol Edge Winternationals last weekend.

Record crowds were on hand (despite the best efforts of showers on Saturday) to witness some of the quickest and fastest passes ever seen in the country in the Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock classes. And while several of the national championships had already been wrapped up, others came right down to the final event of the season to provide a winner.

Several Doorslammer competitors recorded their first-ever five second passes, including Brett Stevens’ first official ‘five’. Ben Bray’s grabbed twosuccessive five second passes, his best

40

being a 5.92s, but was overshadowed by Robin Judd’s world record performance in his ‘Moonshine Bandit’ ’59 Studebaker, recording the world’s quickest official Doorslammer pass in competition with a 5.907s at 240mph.

An earlier pass by Judd (5.94s) was enough to give him the new record.

Gary Phillips had earlier recorded the world’s fastest Doorslammer pass with a 249mph charge only to be outdone by Brett Stevens’ 252.66mph charge in the final.

Stevens lost the final to Ben Bray with a red light on the start line. Perth’s John Zappia had wrapped up the championship prior to the event.

Phil Read and Martin Stamatis scored a double for Team Read Racing, with Stamatis taking the win in the final over Read, as well as finishing second in the championship behind Phil, who had wrapped up the championship prior to

the event.

The Pro Stock class was a battle of three, with brothers Tyronne Tremayne, and newly-crowned national champ Aaron fighting off the rookie Lee Bektash in the Dodge Avenger.

The trio were trading quickest passes throughout qualifying and eliminations, but Tyronne emerged victorious, not only winning the event final over Bektash but recording the country’s first ever pass in the 7.0s – not once but three times! He reset the record to 7.075s as well as the mph record at 192.22mph.

Other winners in Group 1 classes included Brett Stevens in Top Alcohol, who also wrapped up the title. New Zealand’s Athol Williams won in Top Bike, with Troy McLean winning the championship.

Peter Cochrane took the double with an event win and his first national championship in the Pro Stock Bike class.

Ken Ferguson

Brett’s BIg Day Out: Stevens secured the Top Alcohol title in his Kitten Ford, above.

Flame out: Martin Stamatis won the final round of Top Fuel, claiming second in the title chase behind his team-mate Phil Read.

Ken Ferguson

Ken Ferguson

Ken Ferguson

Playing the numbers game: Tyronne Tremayne, above, won the Pro Stock final over Lee Bektash, recording the country’s first-ever seven second pass. Robin Judd, above main, set a new world record with a 5.907s/240mph.

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NASCAR SPRINT CUP ROUND 15 – POCONO

Eyes on the Prize Kasey Kahne won his third race in four events at Pocono – and now he’s in title contention ...

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race

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SPRINT CUP

T

HERE’S nothing like riding on a wave of momentum …

Budweiser Dodge driver Kasey Kahne won for the third time in four events, taking a dominating NASCAR Sprint Cup win at Pocono Raceway last weekend.

Starting from pole position, Kahne took his ninth career win, and his fifth from pole, despite and early pit road penalty.

Kahne led 69 of the 200 laps to continue the roll he’s been on since winning the AllStar race last month.

His top results over the last month have elevated him to ninth in the Sprint Cup standings, and into title contention.

Toyota man Brian Vickers finished second (his best since joining Red Bull Racing at the start of last season), while Denny Hamlin was third from Dale

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Earnhardt Jr, Jeff Burton, Jimmy Johnson, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards and Mark Martin.

Former Champ Car star AJ Allmendinger finished 12th – the best finish of his Sprint Car career.

Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle ran well but were docked for a speeding penalty.

Edwards’ ninth place also could have been much better, had it not been for a flat tyre. He was fastest in Friday’s practice.

Kyle Busch, 2008’s dominant driver, had a shocking event. The points leader wrecked his car early in the race, and while the crew fixed his car, the low attrition rate meant he finished 43rd and last.

The next round is at Michigan this weekend.

Points: Kyle Busch 2084, Burton 2063, Earnhardt Jr 1939, Edwards 1856, Hamlin 1800, Johnson 1799, Biffle 1781, Jeff Gordon, Kahne 1719, Kevin Harvick 1690, Clint Bowyer 1679, Stewart 1614.

Green, green, green: Kahne started on the pole and wo

on the Pocono 500 in convincing fashion.

race

In the Navy ...

NATIONWIDE SERIES BRAD Keselowski left Nashville with nothing but good memories after a perfect call from his JR Motorsports team.

The Chevrolet driver took his maiden Nationwide Series race win when his team played the conservative card and sent him out to fight for the race on four fresh tyres. Keselowski used his superior grip to hunt down leaders David Reutimann and Clint Bowyer.

Bowyer tapped Reutimann at the final restart and, when Keselowski attacked three laps later, it was all over.

“David and Clint got together and [I] just took advantage of it,”explained Keselowski.

“I caught a break and took

advantage of it. We had a little bit newer tyres and we could get by Clint there. Awesome car, awesome run, mistake-free day.”

David Stremme made it up to second place from Bowyer, who lost third to Reutimann but kept his points lead.

Poleman Joey Logarno looked to be heading for a win until he hooked up with Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch, sending him onto pitlane for repairs for heavy damage.

Marcos Ambrose was 19th after two incidents, once of which saw his Kingford Ford stagger into pitlane on three wheels.

Points: Bowyer 2198, Reutimann 2032, Busch 2010, Edwards 2008, Keselowski 2006, Bliss 1899, Ragan 1895, Stremme 1789 [Ambrose 1554, 14th].

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INDYCAR ROUND 7 – TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY

Bigger than Texas Scott Dixon took another pole and another win in Texas – but Team Penske was once again the New Zealander’s closest challenger

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pretty happy about that.”

The race ended under caution after a nasty-looking crash that involved by Marco Andretti and Ryan HunterReay. The two Americans made contact while fighting for second place with five laps remaining and though the wreckage was expensive, neither driver was hurt.

The speedy Ryan Briscoe was third ahead of the other Ganassi entry of Dan Wheldon, who started 11th in his backup car after a major practice shunt destroyed his primary car.

Hunter-Reay had his best weekend of the year, moving inside the top six within 10 laps of the race starting and showed consistent speed until the incident. Not surprisingly, he and Andretti had differing views about their crash ...

The series now has a weekend off, before starting a six-week stretch at Iowa on June 22. For those who wonder about the four-week gaps in the V8 Supercar calendar, that would make it nine races in 10 weeks, chaps …

IndyCar Media

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IndyCar Media

Y

OU might want to call Scott Dixon ‘jam’ because right now, he is on a roll.

The New Zealander came to the Bombardier Learjet 550k at Texas Motor Speedway leading the IndyCar Championship from Helio Castroneves and never having won on the 1.5mile oval before.

The two drivers did what they do best; Dixon won from pole position (his fourth in seven races) and the Brazilian, who is yet to taste victory this season, took a consistent second.

“I can’t believe it,” grinned Dixon after donning a cowboy hat and six shooters.

“It’s great for the team and great for Target. We just want to win this championship.

I’m sorry to see it end under caution, but it’s a great way to get some points for this championship. Dan (Wheldon) did a great job coming from the back, and I saw him looming there for a little while.

“I don’t know what to say. We finally won at Texas, and I’m

Yee and/or Har! Dixon was Top Gun in Texas and celebrated in tradition, shootem-up style, top.

Wheldon dumped his racecar on Saturday and had to race his backup car, above.

Will Power, with Danica Patrick, right, continued his oval education with a steady 13th.

Not a time to Give Up

IndyCar Media

HELIO Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe had high hopes of a second Penske win in Texas but both drivers were less-thanhappy with themselves with a 2-3 finish.

Both copped drive-through penalties during the race, Helio for speeding in pitlane and Briscoe for mistakenly driving into Dan Wheldon’s pit box during the first round of pitstops. As a result, he was forced to fight back from a lap down.

“I don’t know what I was thinking at

the start when I missed my box,” the Milwaukee winner admitted.

“We went to the back but came through the field. The car was a missile. We had to change [front] wings and the car never felt quite as good in the second half of the race as the first, but it was a great recovery for the team and great for the points in the championship.”

While many drivers would have dropped their head in those

circumstances, Briscoe knew better than to throw in the towel.

“The more time I spend with Team Penske you just never give up. We’ve been a lap down many times, even in the American Le Mans Series. But with Roger [Penske] on the box, he works like magic and we seem to always get that lap back and get in contention.”

Look for more red-and-white wins in the coming weeks.

INDYCAR | TEXAS MOTOR SPEEDWAY 1 9 2 3 3 6 4 10 5 11 6 27 7 4 8 15 9 20 10 7 14 8

Scott Dixon NZ Helio Castroneves Br Ryan Briscoe Aus Dan Wheldon GB Tony Kanaan Br Hideki Mutoh J Vitor Meira Br Buddy Rice USA Ed Carpenter USA Danica Patrick USA Will Power Aus

Target Ganassi Racing Penske Penske Target Ganassi Racing Andretti Green Andretti Green Panther Dreyer & Reinbold Vision Andretti Green KV Racing Technology

228 laps +0.05s +0.62s +3.30s +4.31s +5.06s 227 laps 227 laps 227 laps 227 laps 226 laps

IndyCar Media

INDYCAR | DRIVER’S points Dixon 284, Castroneves 249, Wheldon 217, Kanaan 204, Briscoe 169, Patrick 164, Mutoh 159, Andretti and Carpenter 154, Servia 150.

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GLOBE TROTTER

Blanchard consistent BRITISH FFORD Tim Blanchard banked more valuable championship points in Round 6 of the British Formula Ford Championship at Snetterton last weekend.

In the process, Blanchard has all-but secured second place in the competitive championship.

few more points.

Fellow Aussie Glen Wood impressed in qualified, taking eighth, however, he failed to finish both races.

The next round of the championship will be held at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium in two weeks time.

Number Four for Schumi NHRA TONY Schumacher drove his U.S. Army Top Fuel car to its fourth victory of the season at Joliet’s Route 66 Raceway.

Schumacher recorded the quickest time of the weekend at 4.49s/329mph to defeat Rod Fuller. Top qualifier Schumacher took a smokey 6.69s/190mph win in Round

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Blanchard qualified in second place, and finished fifth and third in the two races.

“Our pace was good, but just not quite good enough to challenge for wins,” he said.

“Finishing both races inside the top five isn’t exactly a bad result, although it would have been good to leave here with a

David Ostazsewski

n Australian driver Cody Crocker has taken the lead in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship, securing maximum points at the third round of the series, Rally Whangarei, this weekend.

Japan’s Katsuhiko Taguchi was the next best APRC driver home, followed by another Aussie, team-mate Scott Pedder.

It was Pedder’s first APRC podium since joining the MRF team at the beginning of the season and his first international podium outside of his home event, the Rally of Canberra.

While Crocker took maximum points from the weekend it was New Zealand locals Chris West and Haydon Padden that took the honours over the top international crews finishing the event in first and second outright. West was dominant all weekend winning ten of the 15 competitive stages.

Herridge, below, also become the inaugural winner of the FIA APRC Pacific Cup at Rally Whangarei. While it was a difficult rally for the CUSCO team with Herrige struggling across the weekend, ninth outright was good enough to secure him and his team the Pacific Cup win. Japan’s Katsuhiko Taguchi finished secound outright with New Caledonia’s Jean-Louis Leyraud in third.

– ALISON MACQUEEN

1 over Bob Vandergriff, but settled down to clock a pair of 4.56s passes to trailer Hillary Will, and Doug Herbert.

Pedregon and his Quaker State team came back from a huge fire in the final qualifying session to take their second win of the year. After defeating Jerry Toliver, Mark Oswald, and Ashley Force, Pedregon clocked a 4.81s/319mph in the final to

stop Scott Kalitta’s DHL Toyota.

Kurt Johnson claimed his second win of the year in a final round 6.73s/205mph defeat of defending series Champion, Jeg Coughlin.

Chris Rivas took the Pro Stock Motorcycle win, stopping Craig Treble in the final, 7.05s/185mph to 7.13s/185mph.

– David Ostaszewski

race

Daniel Riccardo, again EUROCUP DANIEL Ricciardo kept his Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship lead with a win at Silverstone on Sunday.

Ricciardo chased Race 1 winner Valterri Bottas for 14 and a half laps before Daniel dived up the inside at Abbey – there was just enough room for the Aussie to squeeze through and with insufficient

time left in the race, Bottas had to settle for second.

Ricciardo finished fourth in Race 1 having been stuck in traffic behind third-placed finisher Roberto Merhi.

– DAVID ADDISON

Marshall Cass

Eat my Orange dust Devaney secured his first wins – Hartley went close – Aussies outside the top 10

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Michael Devaney took his first race win for the year in Round 9 of the British Formula 3 Championship, and followed it up with his second win in Round 10 the next day.

Devaney overcame the mixed conditions to win Round 9 from pole, and had to fight from fourth on the grid to take Round 10. Kiwi Brendon Hartley led the race but spun off at Riches. It handed the win to Devaney, but Hartley held off the challenges of Sebastian Hohenthal and Jaime Alguersuari to the chequered flag.

Stefan Wilson took his first National Class win.

The two Australians in the field had another difficult round.

Sam Abay showed some form in qualifying, taking 11th and 10th, before finishing 10th and 21st in the two races.

Former Australian Formula Ford champion John Martin qualified a lowly 15th and 19th, before improving to take 12th and 11th place.

The next round of the series will be held at Thruxton in two weeks.

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rear of grid

Need it like a Holden in the head

Malcolm Wallace

THE fate of this drag car at Sandown was written on the walls before it had even turned a wheel.

You see, it wasn’t a great weekend for Holden. In fact, it was one of their worst.

But no one was feeling worse than this guy, who did a demonstration pass down Sandown’s front straight, which turned out all wrong. He lost control of his car, pulled the shoot and rolled over.

Ouch!

Overall, it was a disappointing outcome for Holden at Sandown ...

Mooving Morley AS far as looking after sponsors go, Ben Morley really took the cream at Sandown, parden the pun.

Morley’s Spectrum looked slighly more bovine than usual when it arrived in Melbourne, and was subsequently fenced into a grassy enclosure.

Why, you ask? Because telecommunications company Orange Cow stepped in to ensure the Formula Ford title contender got through the round.

Well played, Ben ...

Odd Spot

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