Motorsport eNews Issue 67 - August 12-18, 2008

SPECIAL eNEWS ANNOUCEMENT INSIDE

P

Issue No. 067 12-18 August 2008

D R O W e h T

IT’S BACK!

HOLDEN CALLS FOR PARITY REVIEW

MARCOS MAKES HISTORY

OUR MAN AMBROSE IS AUSTRALIA’S FIRST NASCAR WINNER

Issue 2 Available Now Available Now

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.

Issue No. 067 | 12 - 18 Aug 2008

news 4 Parity

6 To all readers ...

8 Eastern Creek 10 Future secure ...

12 Stateside 15 Jesus in a V8

chat 20 5 minutes with ... opinion 22 Will Davison race 24 Shannons Nats 28 NASCAR 32 NASCAR Nationwide 38 IndyCar 38 OS

Holden calls for adjustment Special announcement Upgrade plans revealed Carrera Cup management Kanaan signs for five Jesus Racing for FV8s Marcos Ambrose The Creek Tander vs Winslow Busch wins at the Glen Marcos gets the win Ganassi vs Penske All the action abroad

trade 40 Classifieds

welcome Stone Brothers Racing Fujitsu V8 Series driver Jono Webb is planning on moving on and up ...

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

Holden wants more parity V8 SUPERCARS HOLDEN is calling for a Parity Adjustment for the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Holden Motorsport boss Simon McNamara has told eNews that the company is “vigorously” pursuing the matter of parity after a submission was made to the V8 Supercars Australia Board following the Queensland Raceway round of the series last month.

He says that the Commodore VE is at a disadvantage to Ford’s Falcon BF. “It all went in before Winton and it shows that the Falcon is clearly faster,” said McNamara. “It has an aerodynamic advantage.”

The old parity system, which operated until the end of the 2007 season, used a mathematical formula based on a set of performance parameters gauged over three successive rounds of the series. An automatic trigger was set to determine whether a parity adjustment was to be made.

However, parity is now a matter for deliberation by the V8SA Board.

“Mark Skaife has written to [V8SA CEO] Wayne [Cattach], detailing a comparison using three cars, based on the old system,” said V8SA spokesman Cole Hitchcock.

“He has asked for an explanation of what is happening.”

Skaife’s submission addressed what he sees as a flaw in the current system.

“From an HRT situation – and HRT is Holden’s homologation team – we have set out what we see as a system that has broken down,” he said.

“That system is not currently described in our documentation. We have pointed out that really, over the last five years, we have had very good parity but that the system could be better.”

McNamara believes that the change in methodology has put his teams at a disadvantage.

“The triggering system is no longer in place.

If it was, it would have been triggered after a number of rounds last year.”

He says that the solution may be a back-toback test between the current racers.

“We have offered to have one of our cars and one of theirs available, and take them to Lang Lang and have a test. There is a fair bit of work that has been done at Clayton and the research is irrefutable.”

But he has no qualms with the 2009 model Falcon FG, which has had its aerodynamic testing completed by V8SA. “They all say that it’s a different car we will be racing next year. I say, fine, but this is August and there is plenty of racing to be done this year. We keep asking questions, but we are not getting any answers.

“It is a parity formula. Let’s have some parity.”

Ford vs. Holden stats up to (and including) Queensland Raceway Round wins: Ford 6, Holden 1 Poles: Ford 6, Holden 1.

Qualifying top 10: Ford 38, Holden 32.

Race wins: Ford 14, Holden 6.

Race wins by team: FPR 7, TeamVodafone 5, HRT 5, SBR 1, DJR 1.

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

news

Ambrose plays it cool after huge weekend NASCAR Dirk Klynsmith

Annus Horribilius V8 SUPERCARS THE complex question of parity between Holden and Ford is a delicate balancing act but, to this point of the 2008 season, there is a lot more winning being done with Fords than with Holdens.

There have been 20 races held over the first seven rounds of the season (HRT’s submission was made after Round 7 at Queensland Raceway) and in that period, Ford won 14 races and Holden six. Likewise, Ford holds the edge in qualifying, with six poles to one, and Ford has qualified in the top 10 38 times, compared to Holden’s 32.

This is the despite the fact that Holdens outnumber Fords 16-13 in the series.

But comparing them to last year throws more light on the stats. In 2007, in the opening seven rounds, Holden led the ‘podium count’ 39-21. This year, Ford leads 41-19. By the end of last season, Holden scored 56 podiums, Ford 55.

Ford points out that at no time during the course of the 2007 season did it seek, or get, a parity adjustment. And in the last year, the technical specification of both cars has not changed.

“The red side need to have a closer look at their individual and collective performance and question that, rather than try to lay blame for their poor performance elsewhere,” says Ford Racing Manager, Ray Price.

MARCOS Ambrose is staying calm after the biggest weekend of his NASCAR career at Watkins Glen.

Less than 24 hours after his breakthrough win in the Nationwide Series, Ambrose went from last to third in the Sprint Cup race, finishing on the tail of Tony Stewart.

Series leader Kyle Busch won the race, his eighth Cup win of the season.

On Saturday, Ambrose led home Busch to exact revenge for a string of let-downs in the Nationwide Cup. One week earlier, his #59 JTG Daugherty Ford was the class of the field in Montreal but a pitlane penalty dropped him to third.

“I’ve got a three-year-old and a one-yearold back at home, so if I have too big a night it’s going to be really painful on Monday,” he grinned.

“So I’ll have a couple of cans – everyone was asking me what cans were last night.

Beer cans, by the way, not soda. Beer cans.

“But, [I’m] just really excited. It’s a great weekend. I’m going to enjoy it when I get back to Charlotte. I’ve dragged my family a long way, away from immediate friends and family down home, and it’s just a lot of commitment. When you have a weekend like this, it just validates the choices that I’ve made to come across here and have a go at it.”

It was a breakout weekend in many ways. Ambrose was forced to start last because qualifying was rained off, but he had already served notice by topping the timesheets during one practice session.

He was also confident in the Wood Bros #21 Ford Fusion, the same chassis that he raced to a top-three position at Infineon Raceway before retiring with a broken gearbox.

“We came up out of the truck so well yesterday,” he said. “In practice we were too scared to change anything, and the car was flopping around a lot during the race. It had a lot of grip, it was just real tough to drive.”

The Tasmanian started cautiously, taking

25 laps to break into the top 20. Then it was a matter of staying out of trouble as he started to experience problems with the car’s brakes and clutch.

“You know, I really had no idea where we were at until the last pit stops. We cycled through about sixth place, so it’s just a great day all along.”

In spite of the problems, Ambrose was ahead of former Grand Prix star Juan Pablo Montoya and was starting to pressure Stewart for second.

“I just really want to be respectful to the guys out there who are doing it week-in and week-out. It’s not my place to stick my nose in and ruin someone else’s day who is fighting for the Chase. If I was going to pass Tony, I was going to do it clean. I really thought about it – I wanted to have a crack at it, but I just wasn’t close enough. I didn’t get the run up the hill through the esses to get him into the bus stop.”

The third-place result was the best finish for the beleagured Wood Bros team since Ricky Rudd was second at Infineon iin 2005.

The team’s last win was with Elliot Sadler at Bristol, seven years ago.

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BRIEFLY... n Tony Kanaan diehard fan, Ryan Donohue, wanted to propose to girlfriend, Kerri Wilson. Donohue asked Kanaan for a pair of gloves at the Indy 500 last May, to which Kanaan responded, he’d save a pair.

The Indianapolis resident contacted the team about attending the Kentucky race, asking that his engagement ring be placed in one of the gloves. Kanaan gave the gloves to Wilson, asking her to try them on, and that’s when she found the ring, prompting Donohue to propose on one knee. n Sarah Fisher was all smiles after the Kentucky IRL race. Without a sponsor, Fisher had to mortgage her home and used her savings to pay her crew to make the race.

Hearing of her fate, Rich Dreiling, CEO of Dollar General, which has over 300 discount stores in Kentucky, came to her rescue with a last-minute deal.

Running 11th, a wheel bearing failed dropping her to 15th.

Fisher will return to competition at the final round of the series at Chicagoland.

– MARY MENDEZ

$93m plan to rock Creek a EASTERN CREEK THE Australian Racing Drivers’ Club will turn back the clock if its plans for Eastern Creek come to fruition.

The plans that have emerged from the ARDC’s $350,000 feasibility study call for the direction of racing to be changed on the track which could be split into six different layouts, of which three can be used simultaneously.

Last week UK-based Apex Circuit Design presented the plan to the NSW state government, owners of the facility. Initial estimates for the cost of track development are $93 million, with graded implementation to suit budget requirements. ”Sydney needs increased motorsport facilities and permanent closed-road training capacity,” ARDC president John Cotter said.

”The impending closure of Oran Park and the fact that Eastern Creek is already fully utilised demands action. The Apex report does more than meet the immediate need. It maps a blueprint for a strategy which could contribute substantially to tourism and further global recognition of Sydney.”

Under the Apex design, which has been drafted with both car and motorcycle racing in mind, the Eastern Creek International Raceway circuit with lengthen by more than 800 metres to 4.7km. It also allows for a 3km national track, a 1.7km club circuit, a corporate track and a drift bowl to be built in a special stadium section of the complex.

The proposed track would qualify for use by all motor racing disciplines up to Formula 1.

For more on the ARDC plan, see page 22

The International C

The National Circuit

news

around the Clock

Circuit (4.8km)

SMILE FOR THE SPONSOR

Indy 300 gets Nikon deal and the IRL gets a spray INDYCAR

The Corporate Circuit (2.2km)

IT’S been a big week for the Indy 300, with the signing of a naming rights sponsor and a guarantee of 24 drivers on the grid.

International imaging and camera brand Nikon has secured the naming rights for the race, and the IRL has affirmed that both Aussie stars Ryan Briscoe and Will Power will be on the Gold Coast for the non-championship race on October 23-26.

“We are looking forward to delivering an exciting race in October for the great fans of the Gold Coast and we will be bringing 24 high speed, high tech Indy Cars to race though the streets,” said Indy Racing League Commercial President Terry Angstadt this week.

But while the race now has a sponsor and a grid, V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane has spoken out in criticism some of the media

sutton-images.com

t (3km)

The Full Circuit (4km)

comments about the problems associated with the date of the 2009 race. In a statement, Cochrane said that the support that the event has enjoyed from both the Queensland government and the Gold Coast Major Events Corporation, the role of V8 Supercars Australia and V8 Supercars Television in the televising of the event and the importance of the timing of the event in the Gold Coast tourism calendar.

“I don’t subscribe to the Event being held to ransom to a date that will bankrupt the GCMEC, and neither should the Gold Coast community,” he concluded.

For the full text of Cochrane’s statement, click here <http://www.v8supercar.com.au/ content/hero_news/august_08/ cochrane_indy_board_treated_ unfairly/>.

For information on Indy 300 tickets, click here <www.indy. com.au>

Carrera Cup looks forward CARRERA CUP

CARRERA Cup’s future in Australia has been secured, with the imminent category management take over by Q Media.

The Glenn Ridge-owned company (which also runs the Biante Touring Car Masters), is awaiting official sign off from

CAMS after last week’s demise of Sherrin Motorsport.

Based in Port Melbourne, Q Media is set to take over the day-to-day management of Carrera Cup with the assistance of Jamie Blaikie and Jodi Zylstra for the remaining three rounds of this year’s championship.

Q Media’s business development manager Doug

Dirk Klynsmith

Willersdorf-Greene said that Carrera Cup fits nicely with the company’s existing clients.

“It’s something we’re very excited about,” WillersdorfGreene said.

“We’ve not made any hidden agendas about it. We had the opportunity to look at both Porsche and MINI, but what we were talking about with Porsche went well with the Biante Touring Car Masters Series.

“When last weeks events occurred, we were able top get something locked away pretty quickly.”

Willersdorf-Greene said that the difference between Q Media and past owners of Carrera Cup is that they have no interest in competing in the series.

“We’re all about event management and we’re not

participating in the series at all.

I think that’s a significant point,” he said.

“We can honour the transparency of the class to the various stakeholders as a business. We’re not interested in running a race team as well.

We’re all about the events.

“At the end of the day, we aren’t kidding ourselves.

There’s a requirement for additional funding, and that will come via sponsorship, and that’s a significant element that we’re going to try and put together.

“For Porsche and Carrera Cup, that is very much warranted.

We know it’s a very marketable product.”

The next round of the Carrera Cup Championship will be run at Phillip Island on September 12-14.

– GRANT ROWLEY

Internationals hit the track V8 SUPERCARS

10

his first outing in a Paul Morris Motorsport Commodore, but was limited to only 30 laps due to an engine problem. But despite a relative lack of track time, he lapped as low as 1:12.0s, fast enough to impress the team’s guru engineer James Small.

“He settled in really well,” said Small, who was working with car #67’s regular engineer Brad Wischusin.

“I was surprised at how he was right on the money with his brake pressures, especially as he’s not used to left-foot braking. In the second session he was right on the braking marker for Turn 1. He would have gone quicker if he’d had some better tyres and some more laps.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

John Morris/ Mpix

QUEENSLAND Raceway was a multicultural place to be last Wedensday, with two Brits and an Italian getting some seat time in V8 Supercars.

For TeamVodafone endurance signings Marc Hynes and Fabrizio Giovanardi, it was a maiden voyage. Neither had done any laps in a V8 before, and, according to Hynes, both learnt plenty.

“The car was better than I thought,” said Hynes.

“It rolled around a lot less than it looks like it does from the outside. Triple Eight is a great team to work with, and we got 90 laps or so in, so it was a lot of fun.

“Braking is the hardest thing. I got the corner speed together pretty quickly, but the brakes were so different to what I’ve been driving recently (ED: Formula 1 cars).

It’s the pitch. In a Formula 1 car, with the carbon brakes and the downforce, you just hit the brakes as hard as you can. With the steel brakes, I didn’t feel like I was stopping.

“But hopefully with some more time in the car we can fix that. It was good

information to have.”

Giovanardi completed 78 laps, and was slightly faster than his new team-mate, setting a best of 1:11.7s.

It was a big surprise for me, the car was completely different to drive than I had expected,” He said.

“It was also much more powerful and I had to adapt my driving from a front wheel to rear wheel drive. I am very excited; I know with more testing we can improve our driving and enjoy these type of cars.”

The TeamVodafone pair will test again at Queensland Raceway before the Lawrence and Hansen 500 at Phillip Island next month.

On the Holden side, Brit Matt Neal had

news

Dirk Klynsmith

Motorsport’s Speed Week V8 SUPERCARS THE Clipsal 500 and the Australian Grand Prix will run on successive weeks next year – creating a ‘Speed Week’.

The Adelaide street race will be run on March 19-22, while the AGP at Melbourne’s Albert Park will be contested a week later on March 26-29.

It will be the second time that backto-back Clipsal/AGP events have been scheduled. The first and only time was in 2006, and due to heavy damage on the streets of Clipsal, Greg Murphy missed out on the AGP non-championship race – replaced by Jack Perkins in his Fujitsu V8 Series.

Murphy says that the tight gap presents a major advantage for the big teams.

“It won’t be a problem for the likes of FPR, HRT and Triple Eight. It won’t have an affect on them, and others it will,” he said.

“We (Tasman Motorsport) don’t have any spare cars at the moment and I don’t know whether we will have.

“Yes, it will be very stressful for some, and not an issue for others, but that’s the situation we’ve got.”

While Murph knows the rush the teams will go through, he also acknowledges the extra off-season time they’ll get.

“That week puts a lot of stress on the team, but it means that we have a longer period to get everything set-up before the

season starts,” he says.

“This year, we started in February and it was chaos for everybody, especially the less resourced teams. To have those extra three or four weeks next year will be a huge advantage. It gives us time to have a bit of an extra break over the Christmas/ New Year period.

“And personally, it’s good to have the extra track time.”

In other V8 calendar news, the Barbagallo and Symmons Plains rounds look set to be swapped. The Tasmanian round will be run in the first few rounds of the year, while the Barbagallo event will be later in the season in November.

– GRANT ROWLEY

11

The One that got Away Kanaan snubs Ganassi: 5 more years at AGR INDYCAR CHIP Ganassi went to Kentucky’s IndyCar race last weekend in a state of confusion after all but signing, and then losing, Tony Kanaan.

The Target Chip Ganassi Racing boss believed he has a deal with the 33-year-old Brazilian but was somewhat shocked to learn Thursday that, far from the veteran joining Scott Dixon next season, he would see out his career with Andretti Green Racing, where he’s been since the team’s inception in 2003.

Kanaan has earned 13 wins in 95 starts, and won the 2004 IndyCar championship.

“I’m very happy and relieved to have a deal in place that will keep me with Andretti Green for a long time,” said Kanaan, who said he never spoke directly to Ganassi.

“We’ve been very good together since the start of 2003 and I believe we can continue to be good for many more

years. Team 7-Eleven and AGR is where I belong. I’m looking forward to another five good years.”

“Tony is a very important part of our race team,” explained Andretti Green Racing coowner, Michael Andretti.

“We’ve worked very hard to make sure we could stay together for a long time.

His accomplishments are unmatched and he pushes our whole team to be better every time we come to the racetrack.

That’s a guy you want on your team.”

Kanaan indicated the final details worked out before the Kentucky weekend were not of a financial nature, having developed the contract over recent months.

But after the team’s meltdown at the previous Edmonton race, one likely contractual element may assure Kanaan that there won’t be a repeat situation of teammates refusing to cooperate.

– MARY MENDEZ

DANICA SHRUGS OFF INDY CRASH INDYCAR

sutton-images.com

12

DANICA Patrick was lucky to walk away from a major crash at Kentucky last Friday.

The Andretti Green driver was taking part in the second round of practice when something broke at the rear of the car, causing a left rear tyre failure that sent Patrick hard into the Turn 2 wall.

As the car slid along the wall the right front tyre hit Patrick in the head, in spite of her Dallara being fitted with the mandatory SWEM device that prevents the tyre from separating from the car.

Patrick escaped injury but had to start the Meijer Indy 300 at Kentucky from last when the team switched to the back up car. She finished 11th.

– MARY MENDEZ

news

Honda Racing

Honda Racing

IRL grabs TV Deal INDYCAR

Honda Racing

THE Indy Racing League has signed a new US television deal.

Versus, an all-sports network owned by cable company Comcast, will televise all but four IndyCar events as well as providing additional, magazine-style programming. America’s ABC will continue to telecast the Indy 500 and four other IndyCar races.

The ABC/ESPN contract provides close to US$10million in rights fees to the IRL through 2009 as part of the existing agreement, which will be reduced in the following years. League representatives were not specific about the financial aspects of the VERSUS contract. That deal could involve a rights fee or revenue sharing, as the IRL is in discussions with up to five companies as potential series title sponsor, including Subway and Kodak.

The switch has partly come about because of ABC/ESPN’s commitment to NASCAR. The

$280m, five-year deal runs to the end of the 2012 season.

Versus also broadcasts National Hockey League, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Davis Cup, Tour de France and college football games into 74 million homes in comparison to the ESPN’s reach of 98 million. Versus will air at least 13 IndyCar races in High Definition with qualifying shows and offer 30-minute highlight broadcasts for the development series, the Firestone Indy Lights.

– MARY MENDEZ

13

Cowin tests Morgan’s new fueller

John Bosher

Andrew gets his racing licence back and could make a fulltime return to the local scene ...

DRAG RACING

John Bosher

BRACKET racing last weekend at the Western Sydney International Dragway allowed some of the leading Top Fuel competitors to get some pre-season testing miles.

Andrew Cowin was back in the driver’s seat, driving for the Darren Morgan team in one of the four ex-Carrier Boyz Top Fuel cars that Morgan has just landed in the country.

While it is not confirmed yet if Cowin will make a full-time return to local drag racing, the former NHRA and IHRA racer used the session to get his racing licence back.

The team suffered problems on the first attempt before making a successful half-track run just to get familiar with the car. A third run later in the afternoon resulted in a broken blower belt at around the 300 ft mark.

Cowin did enough to secure his licence, although Morgon told eNews that his options for a second driver are still open.

“Maybe, you never know what the future brings,” he said.

“We were just testing some stuff out. We had a heap of stuff to get through, and Andrew had his licence to get back.

“We’re not saying nothing at the moment (about the driver). We’ve got the tools here to do it and making sure our ducks are in line.”

Phil Lamattina was also out testing at WSID and ran a very competitive 4.59s/322mph.

– JOHN BOSHER/STAFF

FOR FORMULA 1, MOTOGP AND WRC NEWS, OPINION AND ANALYSIS CLICK HERE TO 14

news

Jesus does drive a V8!

Fisher to make V8 Supercar debut at Bathurst in October FUJITSU V8s ANDREW Fisher will make his V8 Supercar debut in the penultimate round of the Fujitsu V8 Superacr Series at Bathurst in October.

Fisher will drive the WPR Commodore VZ, campaigned by Damien White to two podium finishes

last season.

Fisher brings his V8 Utes sponsor with him for the round – ‘Jesus. All About Life.’

“The opportunity for Jesus Racing to move into the Fujitsu series is significant for our team,” says Jesus Racing co-ordinator Steve Peach.

“When it came to racing at Bathurst,

it was important Jesus Racing chose the right team to work with as we wanted both professionalism and to be competitive.

“WPR was the obvious choice,” says Steve. “We have a great relationship with the WPR team and they have great confidence in Andrew’s ability to meet the challenge.”

Sprint race pit stops for A1GP for new season A1 GRAND PRIX

sutton-images.com

AS the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport heads towards a new season another change for the series has been announced.

The 2008/2009 season will see the introduction of mandatory pit stops for the sprint races which will require the teams to pit between laps four and eight.

“We never stop looking for ways of improving the action on the track,” said A1GP Chairman Tony Teixeira.

“The two pit stops in the Feature Race have proved to be the really high pressure points of the events.

“We felt an additional one would not only add another variable into the Sprint Race mix, but also give the crews another opportunity to display their team work.

“When we sat down to discuss ways

of improving the series from every viewpoint, this was a popular addition.

However, we have also made other changes that will give the teams greater flexibility in certain areas.”

In addition to the extra pit stop, the new season will also see some changes to the qualifying format, with the four sessions being reduced from 15 to 10 minutes. with a five-minute break between each session.

The Rookie and Developing Nation Sessions will now have no age limit and the gap between sessions has been increased from five to 20 minutes to allow room for changes.

Finally the duration of the Sprint Race has also been increased from 19 to 24 minutes, with the only the top eight to score points as apposed to 10 in the Feature Race.

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15

Blanchard tests British F3 Car FORMULA 3

VICTORIAN British Formula Ford driver Tim Blanchard has been given the opportunity to test a Formula 3 car with British F3 team Fortec Motorsport.

Blanchard tested the car late last week at the Wales’ Pembury circuit and hopes to continue his stint overseas with a drive in the British Formula 3 category next year.

“It all came about very quickly and I jumped at the chance to test with Fortec when I got the call on Tuesday,” said Blanchard.

“I was quite happy with the way I went, they are a fantastic outfit and in a perfect world I’d like to race F3 with Fortec next year.

“It was the most physically demanding session I have ever done, 120 laps really took its toll in comparison to driving a Formula Ford.

“It was a fantastic experience, and a huge opportunity to get a feel for the cars.”

The Fortec team was equally

16

impressed with Blanchard with both parties clearly keen on a 2009 partnership if a deal can be struck.

“Tim did an outstanding job,” said Fortec Team Manager Mick

Kouros.

“He was on old tyres and was only a second or so off the pace so we are definitely hopeful of some more funding coming on board so he can race with

Fortec in 2009.”

Blanchard will continue his assault on the British Formula Ford championship in which he is placed second this weekend at Silverstone.

news

Endurance Flavour COMMODORE CUP

James Smith

THE penultimate round of the Commodore Cup Series will be a two-driver endurance event.

The format will be two 45-minute races, with one race run on Saturday and one on Sunday.

The races will see compulsory driver and tyre changes take place.

And as an added bonus, six entries have been confirmed from Darwin, giving the endurance event an interstate flavour.

Series manager Glenn Holdsworth told eNews that the Mallala enduro will open up the Commodore Cup category to a new group of competitors.

“Historically, all of the classes have difficulty getting cars to come over to Mallala,” he said.

“The idea first came about to create a unique event but also to give people an opportunity to try Commodore Cup.

“Having the Darwin competitors come is great, as most of them will leave their cars down there to compete in the final round of the series at Sandown.

“From the feedback I had a Phillip Island, the concept has been well-received. I think it will be successful.”

The event should attract new drivers to the category, but don’t expect too many main game V8 Supercar drivers in the race. The event is scheduled to run on November 1-2 – a week before the Bahrain V8 round.

“We’ll certainly be able to get some Fujitsu drivers, but it appears we’ll miss out on the Main Series stars,” he said.

“Lee (Holdsworth) was going to drive with myself, but he flies to Bahrain that weekend …”

The category expects to have a minimum of 25 cars contest the inaugural race.

– GRANT ROWLEY

FUJITSU V8 BRETT Hobson will be back on the Fujitsu V8 Supercar grid at Bathurst in October, after missing the last round at Winton a fortnight ago.

Hobson chose to miss the Winton round due to a search for more engine power, the Sydney Star driver donating the team’s lead motor to team-mate Brett Holdsworth.

But both Hobson and his former Garry Rogers Motorsport chassis (#07), which was smashed up at the start of Race 3 at Wakefield Park back in April, will be back at Mount Panorama.

And it may well be a three-car Sydney Star effort. The team is offering former GRM chassis #05 for lease in the closing two rounds of the season, with view of selling the car for season 2009.

The car was the first VY Commodore

James Smith

Hobson back for Bathurst

built by GRM, and was raced by Garth Tander and Jamie Whincup in 2003, before Cameron McConville took it over in 2004, winning at Winton. The car also finished in the top 10 at Bathurst the same year.

The car last ran at the Sandown round of this year’s Fujitsu Series, Hobson using it while #07 was being repaired following the Wakefield shunt.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

17

news

Combining Forces

Dirk Klynsmith

SHANNONS NATIONALS FOLLOWING the success of the WPS Bathurst 12-Hour last year it has been announced that the opening round of the Shannons Nationals will coincide with the event in 2009.

The 12-Hour will run over the weekend of February 20-22 and

will share the weekend with a flurry of Shannons National classes, which look likely to include, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, HQ Holdens, Formula Vee, Saloon Cars and Improved Production.

This will be the first time that a round of the Shannons Nationals will be run at Mount Panorama with the hope that

Naming stars JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT

CAMS has announced the drivers who have been inducted into the inaugural Junior Driver Development Squad.

Rhys Newman (Sprint Karts), James Rodda (Rally), Sean Whitfeld (Super Karts), Rhys Howell (Hillclimb/Sprints/ Motorkhana/Autocross and Khanacross) and Patrick Hall (Rally/Khanacross/ Motorkhana) were selected over 40 other nominations that were received.

The five budding drivers will attend a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra later this month. The camp will focus on elements of nutrition, physiology, strength and conditioning and media training.

The Junior Driver Development Program is designed to facilitate the development of Australia's most promising young motor sport competitors at the grass roots level.

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the majority of the categories will field close to capacity grids.

“The philosophy of the Shannons Nationals has always been to provide the opportunity for competitors from a variety of categories at the better race tracks in Australia – and Mount Panorama is certainly one of those,” said Shannons Nationals

Series Director Rob Curkpatrick.

“After a successful trial by some categories this year, I’m delighted to be running a full round of the Shannons Nationals alongside the WPS Bathurst Showroom Enduro in 2009.” the 2009 race will mark the third running of the Bathurst 12H in its current form.

Calendar announced AORC

THE 2009 Australian Off Road Championship calendar has been announced and will consist of five events around Australia.

Competitor preferences were taken into account when designing the new calendar and as such, the series has been reduced from the six events this year.

Events will also feature a six-week gap between rounds to allow more time for preperation.

“The AORC has a strong group of promoters and it is disappointing that all applicants could not be successful in their bids, however the needs of the competitors were paramount in determining the 2009 calendar,” said AORCom Chairman John Paterson.

“Due to the various issues affecting the time when events could run, the

Commission simply could not achieve a six-round calendar with the appropriate spacing between each round.”

The season will span from April to October, ending in the Queensland town of Goondiwindi.

Rd 1 Hyden – WA 11/12 Apr (Easter) Rd 2 Alice Springs – NT 6/7/8 Jun Rd 3 Mildura – Vic 25/26 Jul Rd 4 Millicent – SA 5/6 Sep Rd 5 Goondiwindi – Qld 17/18 Oct

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5 Minutes with ...

MARCOS AMBROSE

It was a huge weekend for the Aussie at Watkins Glen. Here is what he said after the Cup race Were your brakes ‘iffy’ oon the final restart? And, was there ever a chance you could pass Tony Stewart?

I just really want to be respectful to the guys out there who are doing it weekin and week-out. It’s not my place to stick my nose in and ruin someone else’s day that’s fighting for the Chase.

If I was going to pass Tony, I was going to do it clean. I really thought about it, I wanted to have a crack at it, but I just wasn’t close enough, I didn’t get the run up the hill through the esses to get him into the Bus Stop.

So, the difference between second and third today was small, compared to the negative it would’ve had had I taken out one of these Chase guys and got a bad reputation.

So, I wanted to badly have a crack a Tony at the end there.

I thought better of it when I just didn’t have the run that I needed to to make a clean pass.

For the record, how many cars did you pass to get that track position?

It felt like I passed everyone three times. Some guys, just through the cycle of pit stops, I did pass three or four times out there. We passed quite a few on the track, we passed quite a few in the pits, too, just with our strategy.

I wasn’t overtaken all day, which I’m proud of, and we did a lot of passing. You have to have the right strategy when you come from the back.

You also gave a shot in the arm to the Wood Brothers

20

today. How is it that you consulted with their engineers, such as Hoyt Overbagh?

It’s actually quite strange because the guys that I had at Sonoma aren’t the same crew chief, and Hoyt wasn’t with us when we were at Sonoma when we ran really well, too.

So, we had a car that was sort of mothballed after Sonoma, we tested at Atlanta, and it’s like, ‘What do we do?’

The new guys in [the team] want to change it, I know that car was good – it had tested at Atlanta – I didn’t want to change it.

So, we were debating during the week what we should or shouldn’t do, and then with limited time on Saturday, we decided that the best thing to do was just roll it out like we tested because I thought it was a pretty safe package.

It’s just been great. It’s been great working with Hyder for the first time. I’m driving for three teams this year; it’s the first time I’ve ever done that. So, I’m losing helmets and earplugs, boots and all kinds of things because I’m so disorganised between the three trailers.

It’s just a lot of fun to work with new guys, and they’re top notch. They got me a great piece and got me everything I asked for today.

That was the first topfive [result] for the Wood Brothers in more than three years. How much did the team need this?

Well, I felt bad for breaking the gearbox at Sonoma

because I think we were going on for a strong top-10 there for them. But they’ve had a tough run, there’s no doubt about that, and I hope I can play my part in helping them get back on track. The problem is bigger than one person.

This is a tough sport.

You’ve got to be 100-percent committed and have the resources and everything behind you to make it work. I hope they can turn it around, and it’s just great that I can give them a bit of a lift, but, like I said, they’ve got a long road ahead, and hopefully they can get it done.

here in NASCAR world, and I’m just pleased that I’m able to have a weekend like this to remember. When it’s all said and done, I’ll be able to go home back to Tasmania and tell them how good I was at Watkins Glen on one year.

Yesterday, you mentioned that you were going to celebrate a little. How many did you have, and are you going to make it a tradition?

After all, you had two good days in a row ...

You know, I’ve got two little girls at home, and I’m going to wake up tomorrow morning have a great day with them and just enjoy You said this morning it. I’ll celebrate it with my that last night, after your crew when we get back to Nationwide win, was kind of Charlotte, and I’ll celebrate quiet and you went to bed with my family. early. But you got a lot of But, we’ve got a race next phonecalls from Australia. week. I’ve gone down this What’s tonight going to be road before and races come like? and go, and you’ve got to try I’ve got a three-year-old and and stay level. You don’t want a one-year-old back at home, to get too high when the so if I have too big a night, it’s going’s good, and you don’t going to be really painful on want to get too low when the Monday. So I’ll have a couple going’s bad. of cans – everyone was asking So, we’ll enjoy it. I’ll speak to me what cans were last night. my dad here in a minute, back Beer cans, by the way, not in Australia. He’s waiting for a soda. Beer cans. phone call so I can tell him all But, [I’m] just really excited. about it.

It’s a great weekend. I’m going But, just really excited that to enjoy it when I get back we finished the deal. I really to Charlotte. I’ve dragged my just wanted to finish today family a long way, away from – especially there, the last immediate friends and family 15 laps there. I didn’t want down home, and it’s just a lot to ruin the day by making of commitment. When you mistakes. I just wanted to have a weekend like this, it finish and we’ve done that. just validates the choices that All my guys on the Wood I’ve made to come across here Brothers side should be proud and have a go at it. and it’s just going to be great It’s a big, bad world out to enjoy it tonight.

chat

NASCAR Media

21

Letters

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

Points The three-way points tie at Winton between Tander, Whincup and Davison for me highlighted an issue, which may be worth discussing.

It bothers me that, other than getting to stand in the middle on the podium, what is the actual reward to a driver for winning the round?

Well, nothing actually.

I’d like to see a reward of 25 or 50 bonus points go to

22

the round winner as a reward for being the overall round wiinner.

I think adding an incentive for drivers to gain those extra points will encourage some demon action in the final race of the weekend.

I know changes are in place for next year, perhaps that could be one?

After all, isn’t being the winner of the weekend what it's all about, not simply

individual race wins?

Pete Johnson Scarborough QLD Old or New I think the issue Aaron Kemp raised (enews issue #066) is a ‘Catch 22’ situation.

If we let drivers stay until they are over the hill, we could easily thwart an up and coming driver from a lower category.

But, if we dice out all the veterans, we are then going

to get drivers from lower or categories, and the driver stocks in our lower categories are struggling at the moment.

If we do leave the oldies there they will create a bottleneck into the V8s inturn retaining and building driver stocks in our lower categories.

You need to support all our drivers, it makes the freight train more interesting.

Scott Pryce via email

opinion

Positive Direction

Eastern Creek’s most recent V8 round winner says that the proposed Creek layout will benefit all

opinion Will Davison V8 Supercar Driver MY initial thoughts on the proposed redesign of Eastern Creek was that I was pretty impressed with what I saw.

The design has been able to keep some of the key corners, which makes Eastern Creek what it is, despite it going in the opposite direction! And the facility looks a whole lot better for the spectators. I hope it all goes ahead …

For the drivers, it should spice things up with some new corners, which is always good.

After going to the track for a certain period of time, it will be good to have a change to mix things up a bit.

When you change a track like this, you don’t want to lose the feel. Even though the track will be run in the opposite

direction, it’s important to keep the character of the track.

There are some nice flowing corners and undulation, which gives the track its character.

While it’s good that the circuit could be redesigned, it will be sad to see that some of its charms may change.

One of the main things that I noticed was that the fast turn one won’t be there anymore.

From a driver’s perspective, the current track is great, and while I can see the need to change, losing turn one – one of the most challenging corners in Australia – I think that’s a negative.

The new track design looks like a standard, modernised race facility. The 90 degree corners at turn one, asphalt run off, puts it in line with the rest of the world.

But the current turn one and Corporate Hill – they are really good, flowing corners.

Turn one is certainly a spectacular corner, but when you weigh it up in the scheme of things, I think the track will benefit from the redesign. And when you look at it, Eastern Creek definitely isn’t the only track around the world that is losing its famous corners …

But perhaps the best thing is that the circuit will be resurfaced. It’s been a long time coming …

I also saw how they will run multiple tracks at once. With Oran Park vanishing soon, it will be good for the motor racing industry in New South Wales – everything from club racing, driver education and state racing. It makes it a solid multi-purpose venue.

Personally, I love going to street races. I love the atmosphere, but the fact is you have to look at motorsport in general and these facilities have to remain alive.

eLETTER OF THE WEEK Marcos Wins Wasn’t that fantastic for Marcos Ambrose to have his first win and the back it up with a 3rd in the Sprint Cup! What’s more is the quality of the racing.

Lots of passing and repassing, incidents pit stops and strategy.

A message to V8SA.

Don’t listen to the drivers’ ideas to improve the racing – what we need is less downforce and grip, more weight and smaller brakes.

We need cars that don’t handle like they are on rails and we need longer races, so they’ll actually wear out the tyres and brakes.

My solution is to take the

wings off (yes, they don’t make much downforce but they make enough to make it harder to overtake on the high speed tracks) and add some 200kg.

Leave the rest of the car alone (including the tyres).

Kevin Baptist via email

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

23

SHANNONS NATIONALS ROUND 6 – PHILLIP ISLAND

Down to the Wire In the red corner ... Tander! In the black corner ... Winslow!

It’s Australia versus England in Australian Formula 3

24

race

Dirk Klynsmith

25

Dirk Klynsmith

26

james Smith

THE 2008 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship will go down to the wire at Symmons Plains next month after a mixed penultimate round Phillip Island last weekend.

After taking a pole position each, James Winslow and Leanne Tander both took a stumble on their way to a win each in wet and trying conditions. Despite their dramas, the pair is separated by just one point with one round remaining.

Heading into the round, Tander, Winslow and Nathan Caratti were in contention for the Gold Star, but Caratti had the worst round of the trio (scoring just one point) and now needs a minor miracle to snatch the crown.

Winslow won a Safety Car affected Race 1 (the 150th Australian F3 race) but endured an off in Race 2 while comfortably leading. His results lifted him to be just one point ahead of Tander in the series.

“It’s been a good weekend on the whole and the results are great for the championship,” Winslow said.

“I should have won Race 2, if not for the mistake.

“The conditions were tricky all day and as the track was drying, I just braked too late into Turn Four, but at least we were able to get back up to second place.”

Tander was at her consistent best,

taking advantage of Winslow’s Race 2 mistake to secure a no-fuss victory. Her championship mission could have been made easier, though, if not for an offtrack moment in Race 1. Regardless, the TanderSport driver heads to the final round with a huge championship chance, just like 2007. But can she make it pay?

“I’m not changing my philosophy for Symmons Plains – I’m going there to win races,” she said.

“I’m really pleased to have made up something like 27 points this year and get to where we are now. ”It’s been a good weekend. I’m pretty disappointed about the off in Race 1 because it probably cost me the win but we made up for it in Race 2.”

Justin Tate and Mat Sofi were the men to

make big gains in the wet conditions. Tate threatened the front runners with second in Race 1 before ending up sixth in Race 2 after a minor mechanical problem in the late stages.

Sofi took two third place finishes in his first round for Astuti Motorsport, while South Australia John Magro was fourth and fifth in the two races.

The National class was won by Lee Farrell ahead of Chris Gilmour and Ash Bettridge. Farrell’s win again narrowed the championship margin.

– GRANT ROWLEY Points: Winslow 175, Tander 174, Caratti 146, Sofi 112, McFadyen 99, Kostera 67, Chamberlain 47, Percat 38, Tate 36, Magro 36.

National: Gilmour 208, Farrell 175, Radisich 77, Crighton 62, Bettridge 48.

race

Dirk Klynsmith

Mixed weather provides all sorts

Dirk Klynsmith james Smith

Power and passion: From top, the remains of Lucas’s Lotus; Bowe leads the GT field; Bill Pye won the GT3 Challenge; and Kevin Weeks took the Saloon Car honours.

Dirk Klynsmith

THE mixed results and spectacular incidents in all the categories at Round 6 of the Shannons Nationals at Phillip Island last weekend can be attributed to the variable weather conditions throughout the event.

The chaos first unfolded in the Australian GT Championship practice session on Saturday, when Peter Lucas’s Lotus Elise spectacularly collided with the Ferrari 430 of John Teulan in Turn 1. Lucas, who was experiencing breathing difficulties, was transported to hospital by helicopter, while Teulan suffered a broken leg. Fortunately, the three races were relatively incident-free, with John Bowe winning each race in his Lamborghini Gallardo, ahead of championship leader Mark Eddy. John Kaias was third in his Aston Martin DBRS9, but the second Aston Martin entry of Peter Hackett withdrew from the event after a blown engine in qualifying.

Bill Pye took out the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge round, an impressive performance considering he qualified 17th.

Pye charged to fifth in Race 1 and won Race 2. Jeff Bobik finished second overall with two consistent performances, while Kane Rose took a dominant win in the first race but dropped back due to poor

tyre choice in Race 2, although he salvaged enough points to finish third overall.

Delays in the program due to the wet weather forced the cancellation of the already shortened third race when Anthony Kosseris hit the wall on the formation lap.

The Saloon Car round was also a two-race affair, thanks to a stalled car on the starting grid for the third race. John Goodacre and Bruce Heinrich dominated in the dry Race 1 conditions, but Kevin Weeks took advantage of the wet weather on Sunday to win the second race and the round, the first Holden driver to win a round in 2008.

Nick Parker took his first Commodore Cup round win with comprehensive victories in all three races, including a sensational drive to the front of the field in Race 1 after starting in pit lane. Former Bathurst 1000 winner David Parsons finished second overall ahead of Marcus Zukanovic, who staged a solid recovery after an off-track excursion in Race 1. Adam Lloyd recaptured the series lead with a consistent run to fourth.

Chris Smerdon took out the V8 Touring Car Challenge with two race wins in his ex-SBR AU Falcon, while Michael Rogers won the non-gearbox Rotax Superkart event.

– LACHLAN MANSELL

27

NASCAR SPRINT CUP ROUND 22 – NASCAR AT THE GLEN, WATKINS GLEN

PRESIDE

Ford Racing Media

28

ENT BUSCH

Kyle Busch can do it all – win on ovals, win on road courses and celebrate like The Village People. But behind him at Watkins Glen, Marcos Ambrose was stealing the limelight with a storming drive to third.

By MARTIN D CLARK 29

NASCAR Media

K

YLE Busch’s form on ovals is impressive – but his road course speed has been won of the standouts of the 2008 Sprint Cup. Busch dominated the Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen on Sunday, leading 52 of the 80 laps heading home his teammate Tony Stewart to the chequers.

But with the drive of his life from 43rd on the grid, it was Marcos Ambrose who stole a chunk on the limelight as he held off Juan Pablo Montoya and Martin Truex Jr for the third postion.

“This year has just been phenominal,” said Busch of his eighth win of the season.

“I can’t thank the guys at Joe Gibbs Racing and Toyota. I had fun racing with Tony Stewart, but we had a good car and we could pull out on the restarts, if I made one little mistake I knew he was going to be there to pounce on me. I just made sure I hit my marks and

30

did everything right.”

With qualifying rained out Busch started on pole and led the first laps before Dale Earnhardt Jr took over up front.

But later in the race, while leading, his crew foolishly kept him on track when all others had pitted. When a debris caution waved with 27 laps to run, he was forced to pit and dropped to 31st on the second restart. Junior ended his day 22nd and dropped two spots in the standings.

Ambrose rallied steadily through the field, breaking into the top 20 around lap 25 and used some savvy pit work (including a fuel-only stop with 33 laps remaining) sent him into the final battle in sixth place with a shot at the win.

With 13 laps to run, Ryan Newman spun from third place entering turn one unfurling the yellow flag and handing that position to Ambrose, with Montoya hot on his heels.

A short-lived restart with nine laps remaining saw Busch and Stewart check out, with Ambrose blocking Montoya entering turn one.

But just one lap later the race was red flagged for a huge wreck. David Gilliland and Michael McDowell were arguing over a position entering the main straight and made contact, causing a pile of torn up race cars and crash barriers. When the smoke cleared it involved nine drivers including Bobby Labonte, Dave Blaney, Reed Sorenson, Sam Hornish and Max Papis.

After a 40-plus minute delay, the race finally went back under the green flag with five laps to run. Busch bolted, Truex and Montoya diced for fourth place and Ambrose set his sights on Stewart and the runner up slot. As the laps wound down Ambrose did all he could to get to Stewart and at the same time hold off Montoya for a superb podium result.

“It’s been a great weekend,” said Ambrose.

“We used that 21 car up coming through the field trying to get track position, I had no clutch left, no brakes it was just worn out! I really wanted to get Tony at the end, but I want to respect those guys and I wasn’t going to do it unless it knew it was 100 percent clean.”

race

NASCAR Media

Sweet as Candy: Kyle Busch, left, took his third major road race of the season with a polished drive from pole.

Note how close Marcos Ambrose is to Stewart at the end of the race.

Reed Sorensen, smoking right, was lucky to emerge from the major melee that caused the race to be red flagged.

Ambrose, below, ended the race with virtually no brakes and clutch after a stunning charge from dead last to third in the Wood Bros #21 Fusion.

Dale Earnhart Jr, leading teammate Jimmie Johnson bottom, led 33 laps in a convincing show of speed from the Hendrick Chevs.

Ford Racing

NASCAR | CENTURION BOATS 200, WATKINS GLEN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

18 20 21 42 1 29 48 11 99 2

Kyle Busch Toyota Tony Stewart Toyota Marcos Ambrose Ford Juan Pablo Montoya Dodge Martin Truex Jr Chevy Kevin Harvick Chevy Jimmie Johnson Chevy Denny Hamlin Toyota Carl Edwards Ford Kurt Busch Dodge

Gibbs/M&Ms 90 laps/Q1 Gibbs/Home Depot 9 Wood Bros/Little Debbie 43 Ganassi/Big Red 25 DEI/Bass Pro Shops 16 RCR/Shell 11 Henrick/Lowe’s 4 Gibbs/FedEx 10 Roush-Yates/Office Depot 3 GEM/Miller Lite 19

NASCAR Media NASCAR Media

SPRINT CUP | DRIVER’S points Busch 3254, Edwards 3012, Johnson 3010, Earnhardt Jr 2985, Burton 2945, Gordon 2754, Stewart 2744, Kahne 2713, Hamlin/Biffle 2689 [Ambrose 299, 49th]

31

NASCAR NATIONWIDE ROUND 24 – WATKINS GLEN

Special Tasmanian Performance

Marcos Ambrose got his payback at Watkins Glen, becoming the first Aussie driver to win a major NASCAR race

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race

I

NASCAR Media

But even when Ambrose had a lead over Busch and no danger from behind, there was danger ahead. Ambrose was right behind Boris Said who, after the two clashed in Mexico, vowed to get even. Ambrose declined to put a lap on the American and meekly followed him to the biggest win of his NASCAR career.

Matt Kenseth was third, followed by Kevin Harvick and Dario Franchitti. The Indy 500 winner returned in the first of seven races he will make for Chip Ganassi in fine style, taking pole position and leading 18 laps.

But the day was all about an Australian, not a Scot.

At long, long last: Ambrose finally made it to Victory Lane at Watkins Glen. Arch rival Boris Said, below, spun and finished 27th.

NASCAR Media

NASCAR Media

N Mexico in April, Marcos Ambrose had the fastest car in the Nationwide race.

He proved it by coming from the back of the field, twice, but he finished second behind Kyle Busch.

Last week, he had the fastest car in in Montreal. A pitlane speed penalty dropped him to third, behind Canadians Ron Fellows and Patrick Carpentier.

This time, at Watkins Glen, Ambrose did not have the fastest car. Jimmie Johnson did. But this time, things went right, a strategy call paid off and Ambrose became the first Australian driver to win a race in any of NASCAR’s three top divisions.

The fuel strategy was to pit under yellow on lap 42 but give up track position for a top-up six laps later. When Johnson and Jeff Burton fell well short of making it to the finish, the way was clear to take his first win, and first for the #59 JTG Daugherty Racing Ford.

“I just feel like a weight is off my shoulders, just a huge relief,” said Ambrose.

“I didn’t quite have the car. We didn’t quite hit the setup the way we wanted to, but we had enough to stay with them. We just couldn’t race as hard as I wanted to, but the race came our way.

“It’s a shame for Jimmie Johnson. The 48 was just a rocket. He probably had the pace to win, but we’re here in Victory Lane, and he’s not.”

“He’s been due,” Busch said.

“He was leading last week in the rain by nine seconds.”

But the last word belonged to Ambrose who, in his 59th start in the series, scored the first win for #59.

“I gotta race tomorrow!” he

said when asked how he will celebrate his win.

“Maybe Sunday night, I will have a few cans …”

Points: Bowyer 3448, Keselowski 3320, Edwards 3274, Reutimann 3158, Ragan 3147, Bliss 3068, Busch 3003, Wallace 2845 [Ambrose 2776, 10th].

33

INDYCAR ROUND 14 – KENTUCKY

Kentucky Reign 34

sutton-images.com

The Battle between Scott Dixon and Helio Castroneves continued in Bluegrass Country – and the result was the

35

O

NCE again, the finish of an IndyCar race came down to a Ganassi drvier, a Penske driver and fuel strategy.

And once again, Scott Dixon won – and Helio Castroneves finished second.

The New Zealander, who qualified fastest, was the hunter in the final stages of the Kentucky round of the series, having fuelled up to finish the race full of running. Meanwhile, the Brazilian, who had pitted on lap 143, was trying to maximize his fuel to get to the finish. He almost made it; Dixon had to wait until the final lap to deny Castroneves his first won if the season.

Honda Media

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“I knew we had a good car but it was going to be tough,” to catch Castroneves, said Dixon after his sixth win of 2008.

“Helio made it tough, and he was trying hard, but the No. 9 car was fastest at the end.”

“I didn’t know if he had enough fuel that I could catch

him on the last corner.”

Castroneves was philosophical, as you would be after finishing second for the seventh time this season.

“I came up just a little bit short on fuel,” he rued.

“It seems like every time I finish second, Scott [Dixon] finishes first.”

Marco Andretti led 38 laps before he finished third at the end of a tumultuous week for the Andretti Green team, and Vitor Meria took fourth for Panther Racing ahead of Dan Wheldon, Vision’s Ed Carpenter and Ryan Briscoe.

“I think we had a solid car,” said the Aussie, “we just didn’t quite have to speed to run in the top three or four.”

Will Power stopped early in the race after making contact with the wall on lap 2.

race

INDYCAR | MEIJER INDY 300, KENTUCKY 1 9 2 3 3 26 4 4 5 10 6 20 7 6 8 11 9 17 10 15 DNF 8 Honda Media

Out of Power: Will Power grazed the wall early in the race and headed for the pits before retiring with mechanical issues. Note how the ‘Firestone’ logos have been scraped off his tyres ...

Scott Dixon NZ Helio Castroneves Br Marco Andretti USA Vitor Meira Bra Dan Wheldon GB Ed Carpnter USA Ryan Briscoe Aus Tony Kanaan Bra Ryan Hunter-Reay USA Buddy Rice USA Will Power Aus

Target Ganassi 91 laps Team Penske +0.5532s Andretti Green Racing +13.400s Panther Racing +28.426s Target Ganassi +41.828s Vision Racing +28.713s Team Penske +38.881ss Andretti Green +43.073s Rahal Letterman +42.129s Dreyer & Reinbold +43.336s KV Racing 23 laps

Fastest lap: Carpenter on lap 7, 24.2999s (219.260mph).

INDYCAR | DRIVER’S points Dixon 558, Castroneves 480, Wheldon 420, Kanaan 411, Briscoe 350, Patrick 315, Andretti 311, Hunter-Reay 298, Mutoh and Servia 298, and [Power 267, 13th].

A Strange Week for TK Green and Kevin Savoree for the next five years and, in all likelihood, end his driving days with the squad.

In fact, the Ganassi deal now appears to have been a smokescreen, with Michael Andretti telling The Indianapolis Star that a handshake deal between the two was done in June.

“If it did happen (with Ganassi), he’s not being honest with me,” said Michael.

Either way, you can guarantee that Kanaan, now 33, will be out to raise the title, and beat Ganassi, next season.

Man of mystery: Kanaan, right battling Wheldon, has had a busy week.

Honda Media

IT was a weird week for Tony Kanaan.

First of all, it looked like the Brazilian was about to sign a deal to replace Dan Wheldon at Ganassi next season. It is well-known that the Brazilian veteran is not thrilled with the prospect of staying at Andretti Green Racing and his role with being a mentor and set-up man for Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick.

Mid-week, so sure was Chip Ganassi about the deal that he was apparently waiting for Kanaan to arrive and sign his contract. Then, seemingly without reason, it all changed.

Kanaan has signed a new deal with AGR that will see him drive for Michael Andretti, Kim

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INDY LIGHTS DILLON Battistini collected his fourth win of the year by taking out the Kentucky 100 Indy Lights race last weekend.

Battistini narrowly led home Australian James Davison by just 0.08s in one of the closest finishes of the season.

“I knew it was going to be hard to pass on this track,” Battistini said.

“I have to admit, [Raphael] Matos was really strong in qualifying and throughout

the weekend.

“I knew there was a chance at getting him at the start, and luckily I pulled that off and was able to hang on. I still had to fight off some really strong competition.

Luckily, we were strong enough to hang on to the lead.”

Davison continued his strong run of late and is quickly becoming a challenger for the win on any given weekend.

“I think we definitely deserved to be up there,” said Davison.

IndyCar Media

Battistini takes four

“A strong oval finish has been important to me and that hasn’t been something I’ve been able to do so far this season for one reason or the other. I could have maybe taken a bit of chance by jumping Dillon on the restart, but I didn’t want to end up losing a position, so we held on to a safe second.”

Richard Antinucci finished fourth in Kentucky to hold a four-point championship lead over Matos as the series heads to Infineon Raceway in two weeks time.

Historics make their mark HISTORICS

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While, the flood of historic Formula Fords has continued with cars as old as a 1971 Birrana and the original Australian Van Diemen, an RF74 which has been modified to AF2 spec.

Chris Farrell decided to forego his Ralt RT4 and won the Racing Car HRCC trophy in an AF2 spec ‘83 Van Diemen, while Gary Collins took the John French Trophy in

Marshall Cass

AUSTRALIA’s most mechanically expressive category has finally achieved Historic status with Group U Historic Sports Sedans making their national debut at Historic Queensland’s annual gathering at Morgan Park Raceway.

Led by the imposing presence of Mark Trenowth in the Uniparts Jaguar XJS, the

new category made its debut, racing amongst the Group C and Group A touring cars.

Brad Stratton’s XU1 Torana, the Escorts of Garry Ford and Gary Goulding and the 1.4 litre Minis of Darren Duffield and Fred Sayers started the class with Trenowth winning the feature race as well as showing up the touring cars.

Dick Vermeulan won the big Sports Car Feature race in his side-valve Ford V8 Special.

his Group C Commodore and Raymond Cleaver’s ‘84 Tiga won the Qld Tourist Trophy for sportscars.

– MARK JONES

race

Masteful Display F3 MASTERS

sutton-images.com

sutton-images.com

JULES Bianchi claimed victory in the F3 Masters at Zolder with a stunning drive to lead home team-mate and polesitter Nico Hulkenberg.

Bianchi gained the jump on his ART Grand Prix teammate off the line and held him off during the wet phase of the race only to pull away comfortably when the track started to dry.

“I’m really happy to get my first win in the Masters,” said Bianchi.

“I tried to make a gap in the first laps but Nico was quick.

After it dried a bit it was easier for me, although it was very difficult at the end because the

front tyres were finished.”

Hulkenberg was lucky to escape incident at the start after Renger van der Zande and Koudai Tsukakoshi tangled trying to pass the ART driver.

The two leaders pulled well clear of the pack and were never headed on the way to the flag.

Jon Lancaster made it a 1-23 for ART with a well deserved third place.

Daniel Ricciardo competed in only his second F3 race at Zolder and qualified in 27th, one position ahead of fellow Aussie John Martin.

Unfortunately for Ricciardo a first lap incident forced him to retire while Martin ended up 23rd, two laps down.

The Schumacher circus rolls on ...

NHRA

Brandon Lewis and Mick Snyder scored victories in the respective Top Alcohol Dragster and Funny Car classes.

– David Ostaszewski

David Ostazewski

TONY Schumacher, Tony Pedregon and Kurt Johnson were victorious at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd, Minnesota last weekend.

Schumacher charged to his fourthconsecutive Top Fuel win, ninth of the year and 50th of his career, recording a 3.86/310 in his U.S. Army dragster in the final to stop Cory McClenathan.

Defending series Funny Car Champion Pedregon used a 4.23/288 from his Quaker State Impala in the final to defeat

Jack Beckman, who red-lighted, tossing away a quicker and faster 4.21/293 in the Valvoline Dodge Charger.

Johnson took his third win of the year by stopping Dave Connolly in the final round.

Johnson’s AC Delco Chevrolet posted a 6.67/207 to defeat Connolly, who clocked a 6.69/206 in his Charter Communications Chevrolet.

Matt Smith defeated Angelle Sampey to take the Pro Stock Motorcycle win, taking a 6.97/188 single when Sampey was not able to get her Rush Racing Buell fired for the final round.

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race rear of grid

Karting out some history AT PHILLIP Island last weekend, there was a little piece of Peter Brock history fanging around.

By little, we mean small. Like about as

small as a Superkart.

You see, Gerad McLeod, son of 1987 Bathurst winner Peter McLeod, painted his Superkart up just like his Dad’s Mount

Panorama-conquering Commodore. And who did Peter McLeod share the win with?

You guessed it – David Parsons and Peter Brock. Nice touch, Gerad!

Odd Spot

Earlier on in this issue of eNews, you would have read about a GT shunt at Phillip Island on the weekend. Just to prove it was no minor fender bender, here is how Craig O’Brien saw it happen through his fast-moving lens.

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