Motorsport eNews Issue 136 - December 22, 2009-January 12, 2010 by V8 Sleuth

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Issue No. 136 December 22 2009 - January 12 2010

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Editorial Editor: Andrew van Leeuwen andrew@mnews.com.au Executive Editor: Phil Branagan editor@mnews.com.au National Editor: Mitchell Adam mitchell@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) Drag Racing: Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Ken Ferguson, John Bosher, Luke Nieuwhof National: Lachlan Mansell, Mark Jones, Aaron Shaw.

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, Paris Charles, Neil Hammond, Joel Strickland, Ash Budd, Mike Patrick (UK)

news 4 Dumbrellogical 6 Castrological 9 Jonological 10 Manorlogical 14 Gilogical 16 Tasmalogical 18 Richological 20 Evological

And the LDR driver is ... Murphy makes it official Webb gets Craig’s Falcon Some Virgin F1 drivers de Ferran aims at IndyCar GMR moves in at Tasman GT and Javelins 12 Hour bulks up

race Sorry, not this week. It’s Christmas, y’know chat 22 5 minutes with ... Greg Murphy Hols for the V8 Champ opinion 25 Whincup trade 38 Classifieds

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

Yes, that is Paul Morris at the wheel of his Supercheap Autos Sprintcar at Archerfield Speedway. But which other drivers recently got to grips with the monster? Turn the pages to find out ...

PERSONAL eNews Editor

ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

THE time has come to celebrate a very significant day of birth. That’s right folks, on December 24 I become a year older, a day before that thunder-stealing glory hog Jesus chimes in with his Birthday, otherwise known as Christmas. Then, on Dec 26, it’s Branagan’s birthday! Talk about a busy time at the MNews office. Actually, it won’t be busy at all, because, as of today, we are all taking a wellearned holiday. In other words, you’ve got until January 11 to enjoy this bumper issue of eNews – and to finalise your answers to the Super Quiz in the current issue of Motorsport News, which is currently on the news stands. As airline hostesses like to say, we recognise that you have a choice when it comes to reading your motor racing news. But, as our loyal readers know, eNews is still the place where the big news breaks first. Plus, we still lead the way when it comes to the comment that matters and the analysis that makes sense. Thanks for choosing us again in 2009. Next year promises to be a big one for our sport, and as usual, eNews will be leading the way when it comes to coverage. We’ll also be giving the online mag a bit of a freshen up looks-wise, and our Motorsport News (print) monthly will kick off the year with a brand new look. Until then, have a merry Christmas everyone, spare a thought for those less fortunate, and, above all, be safe over the holidays.

L t a e v i r d o t t Gaun ets his chance

ung Kiwi g o y s a r, so n o sp e e the titl Gulf Western to b

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LDR

V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

LATE change in direction looks to have secured Daniel Gaunt a full-time ride in the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series with Lucas Dumbrell Racing. The team, which had expected to sign a deal with Jack Perkins, had a change of direction last week and entered into discussions with a number of drivers, including Marcus Marshall and David Reynolds. But our sources across the Tasman report that the team is on the verge of inking a deal with 24-yearold New Zealander Gaunt. He is expected to move to Melbourne in the coming weeks and will race a Walkinshaw Racing Commodore VE. Phone calls to an LDR spokesperson were not returned prior to this Christmas edition of eNews going live. The other news is that Gaunt will race in the colours of Gulf Western Oils. The Australian-owned oil company has been involved in V8 Supercars at a secondary level for some time, most recently with Jono Webb’s victorious Fujitsu Series assault this year, but is stepping into the big leagues for the first time. The team is expected to present a new look for the sponsor and a GWR showcar has already been spotted in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne, much to the surprise of an eNews staffer while he was indulging in some Christmas shopping in recent days ... In spite of his limited outings in the V8SCS, Gaunt brings an excellent pedigree to the team. He has won titles in Australia’s Drivers’ Championship and New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series, and won the 2007 NZGP. Second to Craig Baird in the NZ Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge last season, he moved to Andy McElrea’s team this season and piloted his ex-Stone Brothers Racing Falcon to fifth in the Fujitsu V8 Series. His most recent endurance racing has been done alongside countryman John McIntyre with SBR, the pair finishing 17th at Phillip Island and 19th at Bathurst.

Security Breach! V8 SUPERCARS WILSON Security is unlikely to sponsor Jason Bright at Brad Jones Racing in 2010. It was originally understood that Wilson, which was a minor sponsor of Britek this year, would follow the Bathurst winner to BJR, becoming the major sponsor of the car. However, eNews understands that a clash with current BJR sponsor SECUREcorp has gotten in the way of the deal. The last-minute breakdown

means that Wilson, which was the naming rights sponsor of Paul Cruickshank Racing in 2009, is on the market for 2010. Wilson boss John McMellen is remaining tight-lipped on the situation, saying that “we are now looking at other options.” And eNews believes those other options might be with Ford Performance Racing, Tony D’Alberto Racing, or even back with Cruickshank as part of Stone Brothers Racing’s third entry for Tim Slade. – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Howard takes CEO role V8 SUPERCARS

SHANE Howard has been named V8 Supercars Australia’s new Chief Executive Officer – but it may not be permanent. Howard’s position is being described as that of “interim” CEO, with Tony Cochrane still in the process of another “worldwide search” for a suitable full-time CEO. Up until now, Howard has been V8SA’s Chief Operating Officer.

V8 SUPERCARS

THE Toll Holden Racing Team will assume the number one position in pit-lane next season. While the team has dibs on the number one spot thanks to securing the team’s championship in 2009, it was expected that they would forgo the honour, opting instead to remain grouped with the Bundy Red Racing cars. But,

with the two BRR cars entitled to fourth place in the lane, the teams have opted to split. “It’s just so we can take the number one spot,” said Walkinshaw Racing’s Craig Wilson. “The fact that the other team will be so close anyway made the decision easy for us.” Triple Eight will be second in the lane, followed by Garry Rogers Motorsport. Then it will be Paul Morris Motorsport,

Dirk Klynsmith

Walkinshaw Racing splits

Tony D’Alberto Racing, and Lucas Dumbrell Racing – the two single-car teams boosted towards the pointy end thanks to the spate of groupings in 2010. The first of the three-car teams will be Dick Johnson Racing, followed by Brad Jones Racing, Kelly Racing, Stone Brothers Racing, Ford Performance Racing, and, finally, Triple F Racing. – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Kellys: Fourth driver named in 2010 V8 SUPERCARS KELLY Racing isn’t expecting to name its fourth driver for 2010 until early next year, the final piece of the 2010 driver jigsaw. The team currently has Rick and Todd Kelly signed, as well as Jason Bargwanna in the third seat. But the Hi-Tec Oils entry, which this year was shared between Dale Wood and Mark McNally, is yet to be filled, although Marcus

Marshall remains a strong possibility. “We have a couple of firm options for our fourth car that we’ve been working towards for some time,” said Rick Kelly. “We are working towards finalising things on that front some time in the New Year.” In other Kelly Racing news, Jack Daniel’s is yet to re-sign as the naming sponsor of the two lead cars. – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Keed, Fuchs join Brad Jones Racing V8 SUPERCARS PHIL Keed will engineer Jason Bright at Brad Jones Racing in 2010. Keed and Bright worked together at Ford Performance Racing in 2006, with Keed staying on at FPR until the end

of this season. Meanwhile, fUCHS Oils will be a common sight in pit lane next season. The German-owned company has not let the grass grow under its feet since the closure of Sprint Gas Racing and is forming

sponsorships with several teams, with Stone Brothers Racing and Brad Jones Racing featuring significant signage on their three-car teams. Jason Bargwanna is also believed to have a sponsorship deal involving the Kelly Racing entry he will race next season.

The First T

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Murph marks Castrol deal with Sprintcar drive V8 SUPERCARS GREG Murphy heads into 2010 full of confidence with a new team, a new sponsor and a new Triple Eight-built Holden Commodore. As first reported in eNews,some weeks back Murphy will race for Paul Morris Motorsport next season, in a Castrol Racing Commodore alongside a similar Supercheap Autos entry of Russell Ingall. His deal was revealed to the media last Thursday at the Performance Driving Centre on the Gold Coast. Murphy, whose association with Tasman Motorsport ended at Homebost earlier this month, is looking forward to being a frontrunner in the Series. “The situation is different to what we have had previously,” he said. “This is really something that looks great, PMM being in partnership with Triple Eight on the car. This is what Tasman should have done years ago but we were not big enough to be a constructor and being a customer would have been the ideal way to go about it. But that is all easy to say in hindsight. “The relationship with PMM and Triple Eight,

T8 Commodore!

the information and the cars themselves is just going to be fantastic. It is something that I have never worked with before so I am really excited about it.” The announcement brings to a head a tumultuous few months for the New Zealander. Apart from negotiating a new deal with PMM and Castrol, he completed the season with Sprint Gas Racing in the knowledge that the team was in the throes of winding down, but the speed that the team showed at the end of the season shows his optimism for 2010 is far from misplaced. Murphy’s trip to Queensland was not all abut work. In company with SCAR’s Ingall and Tim Slade, he tried out Paul Morris’s Supercheapbacked Sprintcar at Archerfield and managed some respectable lap times. Slade was first in and produced a 13.4s best lap, Ingall managed a 14.6s effort and Murphy a 13.1s. Understandably, Morris set the pace with a 12.6s lap, bettering his 12.8s time from last Saturday night’s show, in which he finished seventh in the A-Main. For more with Greg Muprhy, see ‘Five Minutes With ...’ on page 22.

V8 SUPERCARS JAMIE Whincup has driven the first Holden Commodore built by Triple Eight Race Engineering. Whincup completed a handful of laps in a T8-built VE Commodore at Queensland Raceway last week. The car was stickered in the full 2010 TeamVodafone livery, although a myriad of white stickers hid most of the design. “It felt like a Holden, believe it or not,” Whincup told eNews in a special Christmas column. “It’s not that I really know what a Holden feels like these days, but I’ve had the opportunity to follow and race against a lot of Holdens the last couple of years, and I’ve always closely watched the way that they handle. I could have told you how they feel without actually driving one of the cars. “Our car felt very similar, and it felt very good.” Whincup also drove the team’s outgoing chassis #15 as part of the hand over to the Webb family (see separate story). – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN For more with Jamie Whincup, read his exclusive column on page 24.

BRIEFLY... n Historic Italian machinery will replace Aussie Racing Cars on the 2010 Australian Grand Prix support program. V8 Supercars will remain as the primary support, joined by the Australian GT Championship, Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship and MINI Challenge and Formula 5000 Tasman Cup. To mark the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo, around 60 classic cars from various Italian manufacturers will be there. Formula 5000’s appearance at Albert Park will be the final round of the six-round 2009/10 MSC New Zealand F5000 Tasman Cup Revival Series. n Stuck trying to find that perfect, last-minute Christmas gift? Give Oran Park a call. The circuit is selling pieces of its iconic infrastructure and landmarks. Up for grabs are the Sydney circuit’s pitlane building, its famous bridge, starter’s tour and various buildings and signs. For more information on what’s on offer, head to www.oranpark.com.au

Quali shake-up heads New Year rule changes V8 SUPERCARS

CHANGES to the qualifying system lead the list of changes ratified by V8 Supercars last week. The new system will see a hybrid version of the two 2009 formats used, with a single 20-minute, allin session determining positions 11-29, and the top 10 will have a single-car Shoot out for both races. Practice will now consist of four 30-minute sessions, the first two of which will be for rookies and drivers outside the top 15 in championship order. As expected, the teaming of Primary drivers in endurance races has been disallowed, the 75-litre ‘Sprint Race’ fuel cell will become mandatory at all races except Phillip Island

and Bathurst, meaning the end to the ‘discretionary’ stops we have seen this year. The teams’ tyre banks will be bolstered by eight new tyres per car for the Clipsal 500 round, because the tyres used at Abu Dhabi and Bahrain will not be returned to Australia. They will be scrapped in the Middle East. Sequential boxes will be allowed in the Fujitsu Series from 2010; the minimum weight of cars has been reduced by 10kg to 1345kg, though the minimum weight of car and driver is unchanged at 1445kg; the front passenger’s door may be made of composite material; fuel cooling has been banned; and the Category Technical Director’s role has been changed to that of the Category Technical Manager.

Webb ta V8 SUPERCARS

JONO Webb is now the official owner of a Triple Eight Falcon, taking over the ex-Craig Lowndes FG for use in the V8 Supercar Championship Series next year. Webb and Dick Johnson

Fiore: New Falcon ‘delicious’ V8 SUPERCARS

DEAN Fiore has driven the first laps in his newfor-2010 FG Falcon. The Triple F pilot completed a handful of laps at Queensland Raceway last week, in the ex-Triple Eight car that he bought off Paul Cruickshank Racing after Homebush. And, having spent 2009 in a slightly dated VE Commodore, he was very impressed with his early Christmas present.

“It’s delicious, I love it,” he told eNews. “It seems to have everything you want in a racing car. It turns in well, it has good power down, so I couldn’t be happier. “The car is still pretty tired after the season, but the first indications are really good. I just wanted to do a few laps so I know what to expect when we have the fist proper test next year. It was low key, but worth doing.” – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Dirk Klynsmith

n Mazda will return to Targa Tasmania again in 2010 with the RX-8 SP. Steve Glenney, who took the RX-8 to 10th outright on its Targa debut this year, will be at the helm of the factory machine again with co-driver Bernie Webb. “We had a few problems to sort through during this year’s rally which probably held us back from a top three finish,” Glenney said. “But I am confident that thanks to time and lessons learned, the Mazda team has made the car stronger and faster for 2010.”

‘10 Rulez!

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Dirk Klynsmith

akes over T8 chassis #15 Racing, who will run the Fujitsu Series Champ as a third entry in 2010, took over chassis #15 at Queensland Raceway late last week, with Webb, Jamie Whincup and James Courtney all having a brief stint in the car during the handover. “This whole thing has come

together so late that it’s been hard to be excited about it all, but when I saw the car sitting there it really started to sink in,” he told eNews. “The car feels really good. Eveything is brand new, so we didn’t want to do laps for the sake of it, so I jumped in, Jamie

jumped in and James jumped in and that was it. We would have been lucky to have done 10 laps.” Webb’s car will run in the same base livery as the two Jim Beam Racing cars next season, but without the bourbon signage. Instead, his car will

feature signage from a yet-tobe-found lead sponsor. “We’ve been so busy putting all of this together, so at the moment we don’t have a sponsor. But now I’ll start making some calls and try and get some balls rolling.” – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Slade makes SBR debut V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

SEVERAL drivers got their first taste of their new mounts last week and one of the busiest drivers was Tim Slade. He got to drive not one but two Stone Brothers Falcons at both Eastern Creek and Queensland Raceway and was impressed with what he saw. In fact, he had the unusual experience at the Creek of driving his ‘old’ Supercheap Autos Commodore and an SBR BF on the same day … “People are moving and changing, so these opportunities present themselves,” he said. “It’s a little bit different between the two cars, it is not a Ford-Holden thing, it is a different team/different car thing. The throttle, brakes, all those things can be different between the same cars with different teams.” Slade was not the only SCAR driver to sample the ex-James Courtney BF ride car, as Paul Morris got in on the act as well. “Russell’s car broke so it left two of us with

one car to get through 30-40 rides. So we both swapped between my car and Stones’ car, and Ross said that he could drive Shane’s car on the test day on Wednesday. It was good of Stones to let him have a drive and he was able give them some feedback. Both Ross and Paul are on the [V8 Supercars] board and they are open with each other and they worked together well.” At QR’s official test day, Slade got acclimatised to the SBR FG that he will race next season for James Rosenberg. “I did about 30-40 laps in Alex’s car, and Ross wanted me to drive both cars on the same day. But it was hard to drive Shane van Gisbergen’s cars, he is too big, I just could not get comfortable in the car. I could reach the pedals but I had to hold myself up in the corners! But it gave me an impression of how it all worked.” Slade was not alone, as FV8 standout David Russell and karter Scott McLaughlin also had a taste of SBR’s cars during the test.

Lords of the Manor FORMULA ONE

GRAND Prix newcomers Manor GP, which has been officially rebranded Virgin Racing, has signed Lucas Di Grassi for next season. The Brazilian will join former Toyota driver Timo Glock in a pair of cars designed by Wirth Technology and powered by Cosworth V8s. Di Grassi, 25, has been a part of Renault’s young driver program since 2004, and has raced in the GP2 series for the last four years. The sponsorship news marks an enlarged presence in the sport by Virgin, which backed Brawn GP last season. “If you look at the history of Virgin we’ve

loved supporting technical breakthroughs, great engineers, and there’s something like 120 engineers working away on this project,” said Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson. Manor’s John Booth reaffirmed the team’s commitment to get a car testing before the end of January, despite an operating budget of less than $75m, which is the smallest on the F1 grid. “I’ve been asking the question all night as to how we managed to arrive here,” said Booth. “But the budget restrictions have allowed us to get involved, and at the moment I’m on cloud nine. “But we’re the new kids on the block and we need to earn our place on the grid.”

Virgin Racing

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Kubica deal still in the air FORMULA ONE

John Morris

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ROBERT Kubica’s future with the Renault team remains clouded, despite news that the French maker will remain in GP racing. Renault announced last Wednesday that it was staying in Formula 1, but with a new majority partner. Luxembourg-based investment company Genii Capital, headed by businessman Gerard Lopez, is now involved, but the Canadian GP winner’s manager Daniele Morelli said that his driver was not in a position to confirm his involvement. “It’s a positive reaction but we have asked for more information,” Morelli told BBC Sport. “We would like to know about Genii Capital and who is doing what in the team – a partner can be a sleeping partner or a controlling partner. “The cards have changed in respect of when we signed and it’s important Renault give us full information. “We are not against the new position in principle, but it is important to know who will run the team and what kind of strategies they will use. It could be positive or negative. “We need some time – at least a few days – to evaluate the new situation so I am not in a position to say we will leave or stay.” Renault is not the only team to have formed a partnership with a financial entity. The new Virgin team is reported to have sold an undisclosed stake in the team to London-based Lloyd’s Banking Group.

McConville out of 10 FORMULA ONE

CAMERON McConville is looking for opportunities in the media after his involvement with Network Ten came to a recent end. The network announced last week that its Formula 1 coverage would be hosted by Greg Rust and Craig Baird next season, ending McConville’s role in its broadcasts. Baird already has experience with the network, having joined the team for Albert Park and co-hosted the Le Mans coverage this year. “I was told that they are having a change of direction,” said McConville. “I had a meeting with David White

prior to Homebush, and that was all positive. They were getting back to me ... then I got a call to tell me that they were heading in a different direction. That is how it goes. “Channel 10 gave me a great opportunity and I have learned a lot, and I want to thank them for that. I am looking forward to putting that experience to good use in the future.” In the meantime, McConville may have a drive at Adelaide, in a proposed V8 Utes ‘Legends’ race. “I have had a couple of call re this Legends race,” he said. “If I am in contention, they must be using the term ‘legend’ loosely. I am happy to have a fang around.”

Sauber signs Kobayashi FORMULA ONE

sutton-images.com

SAUBER has signed Kamui Kobayashi for the 2010 season. Kobayashi, who made a strong impression with Toyota in the two final races of 2009, is the first driver named for the Swiss team, though former Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld is being linked to the team. Team boss Peter Sauber, who bought his former team from BMW after the 2009 season concluded, praised the 23-year-old Japanese charger. “Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that

he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy,” Sauber said. “I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team.” Kobayashi was expected to stay with Toyota, until the manufacturing giant also withdrew from the sport. “I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place,” Kobayashi said in a statement. “I will do my very best for Peter Sauber’s team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula 1.”

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Danica gets to work NASCAR

Single qualifying weekend for Indy 500 in 2010 INDYCARS THE famous month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been shortened. In order to save the both the Speedway and its teams money, the Indianapolis 500

schedule will be shortened to 12 days of on-track activity with qualifying reduced to just two days instead of the traditional four. The most recent policy, and by far most dramatic and intense qualifying format, limited only 11 spots secured on the grid during three of four

qualifying days. The fourth day had been designated as ‘Bump Day’. Opening day is May 15 and the 500 race is May 30. The last time the 500 followed a two-week format was from 1998-2000. – MARY MENDEZ

... and Gil wants in

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DANICA Patrick has completed her first testing session at Daytona. The first lady of IndyCar racing warmed up for the test with a secret test last week, gaining over four hours of stock car experience at the Disneyworld Speedway prior to being under the microscope of major media on the famed 2.5mile oval at Daytona. Although Patrick’s biggest challenge was how to sort out her equipment, it didn’t affect her speed on track. Patrick set the 12th fastest time out of 26 drivers at Daytona during the first rain shortened day, with a speed of 176.142mph. On Saturday, she ranked 19th and 20th (car #88 and #88A) of 63 drivers with a speed of 181.55mph. Patrick is expected to compete in the ARCA race at Daytona on February 6 and participate in the Nationwide series when time permits, which could be up to 13 events. Her first Nationwide race could be at the California Speedway, February 20. But before she can race on a superspeedway, she must be approved by NASCAR. – MARY MENDEZ

Shorter May at Indy

INDYCARS HONDA stalwart Gil de Ferran’s is still working on establishing an IndyCar team. CART’s 2000 and 2001 Champion driver, who announced his second retirement from racing last August to focus on his team ownership, is rumored to possibly partner with Tony George’s Vision Racing team for the 2010 IndyCar season.

De Ferran Motorsports competed the last two seasons in ALMS with ACURA power when he came out of retirement in 2008. The Brazilian 2003 Indy 500 winner, who retired as a driver at the end of that season, teamed up with Simon Pagenaud in his own sports car team to finish second in the 2009 ALMS LMP1 championship. Although de Ferran said Pagenaud would be one of

his two IndyCar drivers in 2010, having had Champ Car experience in 2007, the Frenchman recently switched to Patron Highcroft Racing to partner David Brabham next season in ALMS. Scott Sharp left Highcroft to form his own ALMS team, Extreme Speed Motorsports, which will race two Ferrari F430s in the GT class, also sponsored by Patron. – MARY MENDEZ

Edwards gets Corny

MINI STARS GO GLOBAL

NASCAR

Peter Bury

MINI CHALLENGE

Pitt back to WSBK with BMW WORLD SUPERBIKES

Yamaha Racing

ANDREW Pitt is heading back to the World Superbike Championship, with a BMW team. The dual World Supersport champion will race with the new Reitwagen BMW Team alongside Roland Resch for the next two years. Pitt has made 47 starts in the WSBK, scoring one win in 2005. “After four years I’m very happy to be back in World Superbike and excited about riding for such a dedicated and passionate team,” Pitt said. “The team also includes

plenty of very experienced operators and BMW are obviously serious about the World Superbike program, so I think this is going to be a great thing. “The S 1000 RR is, on specification and results, a competitive machine already and I’m looking forward to testing the bike at Eastern Creek and Phillip Island early in the New Year.” The team has also recruited well 0n the technical side, with Johan ‘Stiggy’ Stigefelt as Technical Manager and Australian Peter Goddard as Chassis Engineer.

sutton-images.com

PAUL Stokell and Chris Alajajian will team up to represent Australia in a round of the Spanish MINI Challenge next year. The pair finished first and second in the 2009 Australian MINI Challenge, with the overseas trip a reward for their efforts. “We’ve been told the round will be sometime between May and September, but we’re not sure exactly when it will be,” Alajajian told eNews. “It was a nice surprise to find out after

Homebush, I’m really looking forward to the trip. They run longer races with two drivers per car in Spain, so it’ll be good for Paul and I to team up and represent Australia.” Alajajian looks set to remain in the series next year, after a late decision to move into the class in 2009. “Nothing’s locked in, but I’d say we’ll do the MINI Challenge again,” he said. “It was an enjoyable and challenging category to be in.” – MITCHELL ADAM

NO ONE can accuse Mark Martin of being a cereal killer any more. Kellogg’s has ended its 16year association with Hendrick Motorsports, and will move to Roush Fenway Racing next season. The breakfast cereal market leader, which has backed both the #5 entry of Mark Martin and the #44 in recent times, will feature as the primary sponsor of Carl Edwards in the #99 Ford Fusion in two races, and as an associate sponsor for the remainder of the season.

Moto2 gains numbers MOTO2 ALEX de Angelis will join Niccolo Canepa at the Racing for an assault on the maiden Moto2 World Championship next season. The 25-year-old from San Marino and the 21-year-old Italian will step down from the MotoGP category to race a GP209 powered by the class’s ubiquitous 600cc Honda engine. The team will be looking for a unique double, by adding the first Moto2 title to the last 250cc crown, which was won by Hiroshi Aoyama this year. De Angelis, who finished eighth in the MotoGP title with a best result of second at Indianapolis, has hinted that the team plans to return to MotoGP in 2011.

TB & JW test ANDRA steps up FUJITSU SERIES

DRAG RACING

ANDRA is accelerating its push for a permanent, modern drag facility in Melbourne. The organization has this month launched a website – www.motorvatemelbourne. com – to concentrate and document its efforts as it pushes ahead with negotiations with the Victorian government. The site also contains an

John Morris/Mpix

Dirk Klynsmith

Melbourne bid

on-line petition, aimed at illustrating the need for a facility to the Victorian government. A Public Rally to support the push is to be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds on February 20, with Top Fuel cars on hand, engine strip-down competitions, and so on – all designed to impress upon Victoria’s decision-makers the importance of an ANDRA drag facility close to the State capital.

John Bosher

FOLLOWING a successful test with Sonic Motor Racing at Winton last Tuesday, Tim Blanchard is continuing his search for the budget to race in the 2010 Fujitsu Series. Blanchard drove the Falcon used by James Moffat this year, sharing the day with Englishman James Winslow. The 2007 Australian Formula Ford Champion did three-quarters of the day, and came away pleased with his progress. “I did a lot of laps and I’m happy with how it went, it was good to be back in a Supercar,” Blanchard told eNews. “At the end of the day, I left knowing some things I can work on and try to improve over the summer.” As he searches for

sponsorship, a couple of teams are on Blanchard’s shortlist. “I’ve always known Sonic is a good team from when I raced Formula Ford with them, so the test didn’t change anything on that front,” he said. “It’s a matter of seeing which team is the best fit with where the sponsorship is coming from. “Hopefully everything can come together and I’ll be able to do the official pre-season testing in February and be on the grid at Clipsal.” Winslow did about 15 laps in the car and is confident of securing a place on the grid. “I hope to be in the series, one way or another,” he told eNews. The ‘08 Australian F3 Champ flies to America on Friday to start preparations for the 2010 USF2000 Championship. – MITCHELL ADAM

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FUJITSU SERIES WITH Tasman Motorsport closing its doors, the big winner is sister outfit Greg Murphy Racing, who’ll step up. GMR will move into the two Braeside workshops and take over the two latest Sprint Gas Racing VE Commodores, as they plan to run three VEs in the 2010 Fujitsu Series. Having been a customer of Tasman, GMR will maintain a number of Tasman’s key staff and will now have Main Game-spec facilities, including an in-house engine program, machining, CNC, and fabrication. “We’re in control of our own destiny now,” team manager Dean Lillie told eNews. “Some of Tasman’s key staff will stay on board and work

for us, we’ve got a really good group together. “It’s a massive facility. We’ll have one workshop for the Fujitsu Series program and another with the engine department and the other cars we run, whereas we used to have all our cars under one roof at the old shop. “We’re working on getting drivers in for next year, we’d like to run three VEs, with the two new ones and the car Sam Walter and Taz Douglas drove in the enduros. “The new VEs are getting a tidy up after their Homebush damage but we’ll be in a position to look at going testing early in the new year.” The new facility will see GMR in a position to supply components to other Fujitsu

Dirk Klynsmith

GMR upsizes

Series team, and they’ll continue racing in other classes. “We’ll start talking to other teams about componentry,” Lillie said. “Following on from what Tasman did, things like the steering racks were works of art, we’ll be able to do everything

Another Russell? FUJITSU SERIES

THERE could be a third Russell on the Fujitsu Series grid next year. Aaren, the younger brother of Drew, got his first laps in a V8 Supercar in a test day at Winton last Tuesday. The 18year-old, who finished fourth in the NSW Formula Vee

Championship this year, did about 20 laps in the family’s ex-BJR Falcon raced by Drew at Bathurst and Homebush. “It was a test day for Drew, they threw me in at the end of the day to do some laps,” Russell told eNews. “It was completely different to the Vee. There’s so much more power, you come out of

a corner, get on the throttle and it wheelspins! “There’s a massive speed difference and it’s a lot more physical.” The Newcastle-based family is looking at options for Aaren to join Drew in the Fujitsu Series in 2010. “I’d love to run in the series, but ultimately it will come

in house and act as a supplier. “We’re going to continue to run in sports cars, Simon Middleton will run his Porsche again and Peter Hill is looking at a Lamborghini and there’s some other things in the pipeline.” – MITCHELL ADAM

down to raising the money to do it,” Aaren said. “Racing V8s is my main goal, and the Fujitsu Series is the best way to get in there.” A prize for his successful Vee season, Russell will test a Formula Ford with NSW squad Anglo Motorsport in the new year. – MITCHELL ADAM

Phil Williams

Richo & friends for TCM TC MASTERS

Less GT for Jim in 2010? GT CHAMPIONSHIP

James Smith

JIM Richards may not contest the full Australian GT Championship next year. Richards, who finished third in this year’s championship in his Shannons Insurance 997 Cup Car, says his future in the championship is unsure. Led by new Champ David Wall, an influx of five of Porsche’s GT3 Cup S has diminished returns for the ex-Carrera Cup machines. “How many rounds we do, we’re not sure at this point, but we may not do the full

season,” Richards told eNews. “It’s gotten to the point now where if you want to be competitive in a Porsche, you need to be in a Cup S, and we’re in the 997 Carrera Cup Car, which ultimately isn’t as fast. “With all of the Cup S models in the championship, the best we’re generally going to be racing for is sixth, before you add in the other models at the front. “I like the class, though, so we’ll just see what happens between now and the season.” – MITCHELL ADAM

While his GT plans aren’t certain, it’s full steam ahead for Jim Richards’ 2010 Touring Car Masters campaign. Work is progressing on his new Javelin AMX to race in the series and Richards plans to run it alongside his existing Falcon Sprint for the second half of the season with guest drivers. “The Javelin won’t be ready until at least Darwin,” he said. “The body chassis is finished, we’re sorting out some bits and pieces and

we’ll have it painted and back in the workshop at the end of February to start assembling it. “I’ll drive both cars during the season, it’s a drivers championship so I could drive them on alternate weekends if I wanted to. “With whichever car I’m not driving, we’ll have a couple of guest drivers, maybe Steve [Richards] if FPR lets him do Muscle Car Masters.” Richards will continue his Tarmac Rally program, which will include a new Porsche GT3 RS for Targa Tasmania. – MITCHELL ADAM

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AUSSIES OVERSEAS

MOLLY Taylor, Scott Pye and James Kovacic will be the 2010 AMSF Rising Stars. The trio will receive funding from the Australian Motor Sport Foundation next year, as they each try and forge a career overseas. Aspiring rally driver Taylor will compete in the Citroen Racing Trophy in Europe, Pye will race in Formula Renault UK, and experienced karter Kovacic will tackle Star Mazda in the United States.

Marshall Cass

2010 Rising Stars named

“I am extremely excited and honoured to have the continued support from the AMSF in 2010,” said Taylor. “Spending 2009 in the UK has been a great opportunity for me and allowed me to develop a good foundation from which to build on in 2010. “My goal is to be competing in the World Rally Championship and with the AMSF behind me I am able to keep moving towards this target.”

V8s, EC & PI for GT GT CHAMPIONSHIP

Dirk Klynsmith

Chris-tmas time! FORMULA 3 AN early Christmas present will return Chris Gilmour to outright contention in the 2010 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship. Gilmour, the 2008 National Class Champion, will drive an F307 Dallara recently purchased by his familyoperated team from Steve Morcombe. “My father Errol called me the other day and told me my car had been sold,” Gilmour told eNews. “I was devastated, but then he told me not to worry, that he’d bought a new toy to race – what a Christmas present!

FIVE of the six rounds in the 2010 Australian GT Championship calendar have been confirmed. The sports car championship will contest the majority of its championship on the V8 Supercar program – after joining the bills at Bathurst and Homebush following the demise of Carrera Cup – and no rounds with the Shannons Nationals. GT will again feature at the Clipsal 500 and Australian Grand Prix, before headlining the Festival of Sporting Cars at Eastern Creek with an endurance format for the first time on May 29-30. Bathurst and Homebush are

the other two events locked in, while the championship will race at Phillip Island on a tobe-determined date, likely as a standalone event. Early series entry forms received by the series indicate capacity grids will be seen throughout the season, after an influx of new machinery led to strong fields in 2009. – MITCHELL ADAM 2010 AUSTRALIAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR 1. Clipsal 500, March 11-14 2. Australian Grand Prix, March 25-28 3. Eastern Creek, May 29-30 4. Bathurst, October 7-10 5. Homebush, December 3-5 * Phillip Island date TBD

“I’m not sure if we’ll do the full season, but I’ll get out there and continue to support F3 as much as we can. “It’s a good car, it’ll be nice to be back in a fast car so we can tackle the new young guys next year and have a bit of fun.” Meanwhile, eNews understands changes will be made to F3’s race formats in 2010. The changes are still to be finalised by the class and CAMS, however it is believed F3 will move towards a weekend format like the recent SuperPrix at Sandown, with more racing and less qualifying. – MITCHELL ADAM

The 12th Men BATHURST 12 HOUR

THE grid for February’s Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour is taking shape. Having initially planned to run three of their Evo X Lancers, Team Mitsubishi Ralliart could end up as a two-car assault. Inky Tulloch’s car looks set to be benched for the event, with the New Zealander a chance to jump in with Rod Salmon and Damien White as they aim for a hat-trick. Meanwhile, TMR is working to repair Glyn Crimp’s Evo following a sizeable crash at the Mount Buller Sprint a fortnight ago. Greg Murphy Racing is aiming to have three Mitsubishi Lancers on the grid.

The Melbourne squad will run the Peter Hill-owned Evo X for Hill, Eric Bana and Tim Leahey again, after the trio finished 10th in this year’s race. GMR could also find themselves running an Evo IX and an Evo VIII – Garry Young’s 2007 title-winning GTP car – with discussions underway between the team and interested parties. “Peter will run his Evo X at the 12 Hour again next year with Eric and Tim,” GMR team manager Dean Lillie told eNews. “We’re also talking to some people about running the other Lancers, so we could end up running two or three cars.” Entries close on January 31, and 30 have already been lodged.

will be looking to continue Alfa Romeo’s dominance of the diesel ranks. The team will enter a pair of cars in the Alternate Energy Class F, with Kean Booker, Rocco Rinaldo and David Stone in an Alfa 159 JTD and David Filipetto, Nathan Gotch and Wayne Vinckx in a 147 JTD. “We are looking forward to returning Bathurst again for another successful event,” David Stone, GM for Alfa Romeo in Australia said. “In addition to the previous class wins our diesel powered Alfas have always finished in the Top 20 outright which quite achievement. Torque and reliability is everything at Bathurst, particularly over 12 hours.” – MITCHELL ADAM

Dirk Klynsmith

Pro service

DRAG RACING

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Among the new cars to the race, Grant, Michael and Iain Sherrin will step up from a BMW 130i to a new BMW 135i, while Richard Gartner is looking for two drivers to share his Renault Clio 197. Jim Hunter has signed rally ace Dean Herridge for his Subaru WRX STi, while Wilson Brothers Racing will field a single, older generation STi, down on the three they ran in ‘09. “I’m aware of at least another dozen cars planning to enter,” 12 Hour promoter James O’Brien said. “Given the financial issues of the last year, we have had a great response and I‚m pleased with the amount of entries to date.” Thomson Alfa Romeo Team

PRO Street and Pro FX will boost the field at the second of Willowbank Raceway’s International New Year Series meetings early next year. The classes will perform three exhibition runs each, with 18 Pro Street cars expected to take part. “The confirmation of Pro Street and Pro FX to line up alongside the USA versus AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge means that Round 2 of the

International New Year Series is going to be huge,” said Willowbank managing director Steve Bettes. “With the massive Pro Street field and the Pro FX favourites of Wedlock, Signorelli, Glassett and New Zealand’s Harvey, I believe these categories are going to prove massive drawcards for this event, and make it a great follow up to January 2’s Round 1.” The meeting will be held at the Ipswich strip on January 16, a fortnight after Round 1.

5 Minutes with ...

GREG MURPHY

Another season beckons after the summer break – but this time, Murph has a PHIL BRANAGAN new team, a new look and a T8 Commodore to play with

Is it hard to turn off the one mindset – the Tasman Motorsport/Sprint Gas mindset – and move on straight away? Not, it’s pretty easy – very easy. It has been a lot of stress for a lot of people, for a while now. I was not a part of the dayto-day operation but I knew, unfortunately, what was going on in the background. That makes it a little bit hard because, once you have got an involvement in it, to be in the situation we were in ... if it was running well, running smoothly, I would not have a worry about that. There would be no need to ask questions. But when you know that it is not going well and that it’s a struggle, then you tend to ask more questions. Then you get answers that you really don’t want. Not having to worry about that stuff is going to be fantastic. Is this the best possible outcome – this ride, this car, this team?

Images: Castrol Racing

MOTORSPORT NEWS: All things considered, this has been a busy week in the Murphy household. GREG MURPHY: It has been a busy last couple of months, pretty full-on, really! This whole deal has been boiling away, and I have been trying to finish off the year with Tasman. It has been chaotic but the way that it all ended up has been fantastic. I am glad that period is finished in my life but it has been a means to an end, and I cannot wait to get into it next year.

It sure is. I have been really, really fortunate to have so many people going in to bat for me, and to be so supportive of me. They pushed to make it happen. Everyone at Castrol, at Holden and at PMM has just been awesome. I have been very fortunate, very lucky to be in this position, to be so lucky. I am so stoked. Let me see if I have this straight. You used to race a Superchap car, now you have a Castrol car. Russell Ingall used to have a Castrol car and now, he is in the Supercheap car. [Laughs] I had never thought of it like that but you are exactly right. It is a bit of a homecoming, in some respects. I have had a long relationship with Castrol, through the Kmart days and Supercheap days, and now it has all combined again. It is nice to be back, Sue Dilger

is still involved and she has been a stalwart of Castrol’s involvement in the sport since ... since forever. I hope that does not sound bad ... Castrol is a very energetic company and there is a lot that they want to try to do next year. I am looking forward to being a part of it. Every year at this time, someone like me asks someone like you if they have reset their goals. In this circumstance, I think that is a no-brainer question. Any goals I set now are going to be a lot more realistic than the ones I had before. You still have to head into every season being as positive as you can. The other side to that is that it is not like this is my first or second season; I have been around a long time. I never want to set the goals that people set in their first or second season. There are goals that I have set over

the last couple of seasons that have turned out to be realistic but you still have to aim pretty high. It would be unnatural not to aim very high. But you still have to be realistic. Although, I do recall saying things like that at least once over the last couple of years ... The situation is different to what we have had previously. This is really something that looks great, PMM being in partnership with Triple Eight on the car. This is what Tasman should have done years ago – we were not big enough to be a constructor and being a customer would have been the ideal way to go about it. But that is all easy to say in hindsight. The relationship with PMM and Triple Eight, the information and the cars themselves is just going to be fantastic. It is something that I have never worked with before so I am really excited about it.

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opinion

EXCLUSIVE

Personal Jamie Whincup – 2009 V8 Supercar Champion

HE Triple Eight VE Holden Commodore I drove at Queensland Raceway wasn’t quite at full racing specification, but it was still the first Holden that we have produced. It felt like a Holden, believe it or not. It’s not that I really know what a Holden feels like these days, but I’ve had the opportunity to follow and race against a lot of Holdens over the last couple of years, and I’ve always closely watched the way that they handle. I could have told you how they feel without actually driving one of the cars. Our car felt very similar, and it felt very good. I found the car sat quite flat, and had really good power down, which is an area we’ve been trying to improve. The ergonomics of the car, such as where the dash, the bonnet and windscreen all sit, are totally different to the Ford. There is more vision out the front, but less vision out the sides, so there is a pro and a con there. But, basically, you get used to that. I’ll be used to that within a month of racing the car. It’s more the way that the car feels, and until we have a full spec Holden on the track it’s hard to be certain, but I’ve got a good idea of how it will all feel after that first drive. I also drove chassis #15, which is one of our Falcons, on the same day as part of the handover to the Webbs, and it was interesting to drive two different cars, built by the same team, on the same day. It’s rare that you get to drive a Holden and a Ford on the same day. In saying that, we’re looking for tenths of a second, so given that both cars had different tyres and brakes and so on, it’s hard for me to give perfect feedback or an honest reading. But, generally speaking, the cars feel different. I’m not saying the parity is different, it’s just that they have different characteristics. With the Holden, some are good, some are not so good. However, over-all the car felt great, and that gives us a lot of confidence going into next year.

he guys at eNews actually got me out of bed on my first day off to do this personal piece – I’m finally on holidays! I’m going to spend a couple of days on the Gold Coast getting organised for a break, and then I’ll be spending the rest of my holidays with my family, staying on the Murray River. My parents have a caravan in a caravan park down there, and I’ve got to know all the people there really well. I grew up there, and I’ve been there every year since I was born. And the guys at Malibu, which is in Albury, just half an hour away, have lent me a boat. So I’ll just be water skiing up and down the river all day. I know a caravan park isn’t really glitzing it up, but I love it – it’s the ultimate getaway for me. I normally sleep in the annex of the caravan, which I’ve done since I was a kid, but my sister and her husband just had a baby, so I’ll be giving the annex a wide berth this year. I’ve just got a Commodore wagon, so I guess I’ll be sleeping in the back of that! ...

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Talking Points Here at eNews, we spend most of our life talking motorsport. So, while having a post-work beer late last week, we threw a voice recorder on the table for fun. This is what we came up with. By PHIL BRANAGAN, ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN and MITCHELL ADAM

Dirk Klynsmith

V8 Supercar Driver of the Year? PHIL BRANAGAN: It’s impossible to go past Jamie Whincup. He did make mistakes, and he had a shocking weekend at Surfers, but he did more things better than more people, more times. His qualifying isn’t a weakness, his racecraft isn’t a weakness, TeamVodafone accentuates his strengths, and it’s all a good fit. It’s one of those things where he’s in the prime of his career and in a prime seat. If I call Craig Lowndes a compliant teammate, I don’t mean that in any disparaging way, I just mean they’re a good fit. Jamie is chasing history in 2010, and who’s to say he can’t do it. ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN: I think he’s a very good chance to do it. I agree he’s been the driver of the year, because he makes it all look so easy. He comes out, sticks his car on pole, even if they haven’t had any speed on

Friday. Jamie always finds that little bit, which is something, maybe, that Craig doesn’t do enough of anymore. And then Jamie goes out and wins races, or salvages good results. Yeah, he did have a bad weekend on the Gold Coast. But it was his one bad weekend throughout the course of the entire season, and to me that’s quite remarkable. That’s why he led the championship from start to finish. PB: And when you say ‘bad weekend’, it’s not like he finished out of the points. He managed to salvage some, and Will Davison managed to take some points out of Jamie’s, but it wasn’t a ‘title challenge over’ disaster. AVL: Exactly. MITCHELL ADAM: Some of his detractors say he feels the pressure, but after Surfers he was under the pump, and he re-

grouped, cancelled his trip to China for Race of Champions, and donged them at Phillip Island. He stood up when it counted, and that was the weekend that set everything up. AVL: That’s what happens; when drivers are so good, people talk about them being under pressure, because they aren’t under pressure all that much. I think Sebastien Loeb this year was exactly the same. He was put under pressure by Mikko Hirvonen, and when he needed to, he stood up, kicked Mikko’s arse, and won a big trophy. That’s what Whincup did after the Gold Coast. I don’t think it had anything to do with pressure. I think he just had a bad weekend, and he has them so infrequently that they take us by surprise. PB: That’s an interesting comparison that you make

with Loeb, because as Mitchell said, he donged them. It wasn’t about how many points Whincup won at Phillip Island, it was about the fact that it was a carpeting. And he didn’t have sprint tyres, it was simply the biggest hiding anyone delivered all season. AVL: We have to mention Davison. He walked into a good team that has, for the last 24 months, been built around Garth Tander – and was straight on it. You wouldn’t say he outclassed Garth, but to walk into a team where Garth was already entrenched, from the other side of the fence, and be that fast that soon was remarkable. MA: That’s not something many people would have predicted. Will is clearly a class driver, and he did a great job with Jim Beam Racing, but to walk into HRT and stamp his authority on the place, that was stand-out performance.

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at the end and he did. It’s a nice problem to have, isn’t it? Two drivers of that calibre in the same team. AVL: I think Garth’s off-season this year will be different to his off-season last year. He’ll know he has to come out firing at Abu Dhabi, because the ‘Fones will be, and so will Davo. Give Fabian Coulthard six months and there might be three drivers just in the Walkinshaw Racing stable capable of winning races.

Peter Bury

PB: I wouldn’t say it’s a wake-up call for Garth, that’s the wrong expression, but he had a pretty comfortable ride inside HRT in 2008. From the first race to the last, Mark Skaife wasn’t a threat. From the first race of 2009, Will Davison was. MA: He rocked up at Clipsal and passed Garth! PB: Yep. Garth had a good year, and he needed to lift his game

MA: Fabian has shown plenty of promise at Cruickshank’s the last couple of years. I think he’ll be on the money straight away. PB: Next up is FPR, and they’ve got an interesting situation there because Mark Winterbottom has become the clear leader and Steve Richards had a disastrous season. AVL: It’s so hard to sum up their season, because yes, they had a bad year, but it wasn’t all bad, and it wasn’t really bad. But at the end of the day, they were second in the team’s championship last year, and they

were nowhere near that this year. But Winterbottom still qualified so well throughout the course of the year, and he was so fast sometimes. Indy was amazing. It’s almost typical of FPR’s career in the sport, isn’t it?

results. Are they going to win a championship? No. Are they going to win Bathurst? Maybe, although they were the great disappointment at Bathurst this year. But Courtney and Warren Luff, that ain’t half bad ...

PB: Yes. Winterbottom was third in the championship three years ago, second last year, and the team need to start cashing in on that. They have the genuinely fast driver, and everything they need to put in place, which they show when they have good weekends. They just need to stop having those bad third quarters. DJR? What an enigma ...

PB: The thing is, DJR has the perfect combination of driving talent. They’ve got speed, profile, aggression, and the ability to drill out consistent race laps. The problem is, they’ve got 50 percent of those qualities in one driver, and 50 percent in the other. I think Steve Johnson had a great year, and as we record this, he doesn’t have a contract for 2010. That’s beyond me. If any other team had a driver who performed that well, they’d have him on a multi-year contract. I like Steve as a person, I always have, and he’s in good form. I don’t understand what’s going on in that team.

AVL: Exactly. Although, they did what I would have said they’d do pre-season. James Courtney went out and had his really good moments, winning races on brand new street circuits where, as he said in the postHomebush press conference, you have to grab the car by the neck and throw it against the walls. He’s good at that. He’s really good at that. The cars will be good enough next year to replicate those

AVL: It’s only a formality, he will drive there next year. But wouldn’t you give your driver that’s security mid-season so he only has to worry about driving the car?

PB: Give him the vote of confidence in May!

AVL: Late moments from David Reynolds ...

AVL: Exactly. Let him worry about driving the car fast, which he did very well.

PB: And the Alburys – another podium at Bathurst!

MA: Steve was put on notice by DJR this year. They gave him a one-year deal, and implication was that he needed to perform. He came out and did exactly that. PB: We’re down the cameos now, aren’t we? Fabian had a good year; there were some moments from the Kellys.

AVL: But how bad was Jason Richards at the end of the season? Back row of the grid in Perth? They were on pole in Darwin! Wally Storey knows his way around a racecar and JR knows his way around a race track, they just seemed to lose it at the end of the year. The start of the season has to be about returning the car to factory settings and starting again.

PB: I think they’ve got a better handle on Walkinshaw cars now. That’ll help. Michael Caruso looked good. AVL: I think Caruso really closed the gap to Lee Holdsworth this year. I’m just not surprised to see him in the Top 10 anymore. That’s where he’s at know. MA: I thought he was good in his rookie year, and now he’s stepped it up again. It proves that a driver needs that second year to develop, and it’s a shame that Reynolds won’t get that.

PB: That brings us to blokes that are leaving. Cam McConville; class act, picked the perfect moment for his departure and I wish him all the best. As for Reynolds, that’s a heart break, because he’s got the fasts. AVL: I agree. As far as replacements go, I don’t mind Andrew Thompson, because I think he’s worthy of a place on the grid ... but not as Reynolds’ expense. But this business has commercial implications, because it is, well, a business.

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PB: And Reynolds knows that. AVL: Of course he does. The good news is that he’s a very fast driver, and hopefully that brings him back to the sport. Formula 1 Driver of the Year? PB: Formula 1; let’s solve the problems of the world. AVL: Good idea. Well Driver of the Year has to come down to Jenson Button and Sebastien Vettel, surely. Button has the big trophy, but Vettel has the wow factor.

Dux of the Class #2: Jenson Button, left, got the eNews gong for being F1’s best driver, but it was a narrow win over Sebastian Vettel, above.

PB: You’ve got to hand it to Button. In a race winning car, he gets the best out of it. He only had a race winning car a couple of times at Honda, and now, with all of his experience, he was smart enough to know four laps into testing that the Brawn was a rocketship. And it was. Jenson delivered, and when everyone else caught up, he understandably went conservative. But for me, Jenson is the Driver of the Year. AVL: I think so too. He did have a conservative end to the year, but he had his chance to win

the World Championship, and he wanted to make sure he took it. MA: I’ll throw my vote Vettel’s way. He was quick right from the start of the season, even when Brawn for a head starts with the double diffuser issue. But when that all got sorted out, Vettel was quick and took good wins. I think he’ll go into next year as title favourite.

dumb. Like trying to drive next to Kubica through a corner in Melbourne. But when he was fantastic, like in China and in Abu Dhabi, he’s on another planet to everyone else, including Lewis and Webber. He’s my favourite for 2010, too.

AVL: He’s fast, there is no doubt about that.

AVL: Webber had a good year. He’d got the race win monkey off his back now. It’s just unfortunate that he’s been given a race-winning car as the same time as he’s been given a competitive team-mate.

PB: When he’s dumb, he’s really

PB: But Vettel wasn’t that

far ahead of Webber, and at times it was the other way around. In Germany, Mark just went out and smashed them. As soon as he had the disappointment in Silverstone, he went to the next round with the ‘win’ chip in his head, and delivered. He had a great year, and I’m glad to see it. MA: I want to mention Rubens Barrichello. Who would ever have thought he’d win Grands Prix again? He was a great number two to Button, and won a few races. He was amazing at Monza. It’s a shame that he’ll now go to Williams and probably filter

back into the midfield. PB: I don’t know about that. I reckon he could rattle a few cages. We know that Williams will be running the same engine package as the new teams, and it’s Williams, and they go up and down. I think they may be on the way up. AVL: They did show some pace this year. MA: But it was always in practice. AVL: They were practice World Champions, no doubt about that. I don’t think Rubens will win another race now, but I

probably would have said that 12 months ago, so who knows? PB: Departures; we’re going to miss Toyota, because there must be a reason. They started the year with the double diffuser, they should have done well, but Toyota management got rid of all the stuff that was going to make them fast – like Mike Gascoyne – years ago. They were never going to make it. I hope they move on to something else in motor racing, and do it properly. MA: It needs to not be run by committees and board rooms.

PB: With BMW, it is a disappointment that Mario Theissen is a real racer, and racing is wired into BMW as much as it is Honda – and neither of them are in F1. That’s indicative of how F1 has gone. AVL: Well that’s the problem with manufacturer involvement. That’s why I like the idea of bringing these ‘privateer’ teams back for 2010. MA: At the end of the day, motor racing is only marketing for car makers. They’ll spend money on it, but as soon as they determine that the return to investment might diminish, or

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PB: Dud of the year in F1? AVL: Kazuki Nakajima. It has to be, he was the only driver to do every race and not score points. It pains me to say that, because I like him, and at the start of the year I thought he might give Rosberg a good run for his money. But he just can’t a result. He’s the Paul Dumbrell of F1. Pace isn’t an issue, but getting a result is. PB: Luca Badoer for me. Ferrari

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the board needs to cut money somewhere, motorsport is always vulnerable.

Break Out Year: eNews gives Mark Webber the big thumbs up for coming back from a broken leg to win races, left, while Branagan thinks Williams is on the way up, above.

needed to look outside the box and get someone from GP2 or something. Badoer and Fisichella, zero points from seven races, they would have been better getting someone like Jules Bianchi. AVL: But Fisi was driving well when he went to Ferrari. It wasn’t all Badoer. There was something about that second Ferrari. PB: Alonso won’t put up with that rubbish. MA: Look, Luca hadn’t raced an F1 car for 10 years, and Fisi was on the podium at the race

before he joined the team – and the difference wasn’t that great. That’s why Luca isn’t the dud of the year. PB: What about Jean Todt? Do you think he’ll turn the F1 around? AVL: Who knows? What do you do? What should be job one on the list? PB: I’m sure he’s got a long job list, but I’ve actually got some hope. He did the best for Peugeot when he was with them, he did the best for Ferrari, and I honestly think he’ll do the best for the FIA. And that means

moving everything forward from the Mosley era. AVL: That’s a good point. He’s never done a bad job in this sport. I just want to see things change visibly, quickly, to show there will be progress. MA: Or does it need to be done the other way? I’d give F1 some stability for a while. There’s been changes every year recently, and teams have invested in things like KERS that exist for a year and then disappear. I’d keep things stable for a couple of years. The Big News?

Close, but not close enough: Nori Haga earns an eNews ‘loser’ award for encountering Ben Spies in World Supers, above.

chat

AVL: Biggest story of the year, in Australia, was surely the traitors. Triple Eight jumping the fence was the big story. PB: That was inevitable. Simon McNamara and Holden show a great interest in motor racing, and Ford and whoever the marketing department is, I suppose, don’t. Game Over. MA: What a coup for Holden; a reigning double Champion in Whincup, and the biggest name in the sport in Lowndes – both driving Commodores. AVL: I think Holden needed that. When I was wandering around the paddock at Homebush, there were just so many people crowded around that TeamVodafone transporter. PB: Like HRT used to be ...

John Morris/Mpix

AVL: Well they’re not crowded around HRT anymore, which is probably got a lot to do with HRT being buried down the back end of pit lane, which they won’t be in 2010. Still, bang for your buck, it might be a big buck to get Triple Eight, but it’s a bloody big bang, too. They are a team that create profile around your brand. They are the biggest

team in the sport. PB: Street races; Sydney got all the build-up – I’ve never seen build-up to a race like that before – but Townsville caught Far North Queensland. A lot of people went to that race, and it didn’t take Jimmy Barnes to get them there. AVL: Give me Townsville’s circuit with Sydney’s facilities. I’m the only person at this table that went to both. Townsville was great, the circuit was amazing. That was helped by the fact that a lot of it was purpose built. It was only half a proper street circuit, and that gives you a good legup, when you can really design the layout of the track. The crowd was good and the racing was good in Townsville, they just need to build some more foot bridges over the track, because there was only two of them, and it was a long wait to cross. Still, it was a success. And do you know what? Sydney was a success too. The circuit wasn’t a classic, but not every track will be Bathurst. MA: And in the end it put on pretty good racing ... AVL: Well it did, and that was thanks largely to how long the

races were. The facilities in Sydney were amazing, and it was a good event. I hope it gets as well supported next year as it did this year. Let’s be happy that we’re making any sort of splash in that massive market that is Sydney. Winners and Losers? PB: Biggest loser of the year? A1GP. I’ve already said this in print, but it was not even missed. AVL: What about your winner? PB: Numerically and financially, it’s got to be Jimmie Johnson. I mean, to bumble your way to The Chase and then thrash them like that is awesome. It’s like watching a team win 12 games in the AFL to scrape into the finals, and then win every final by 40 points. AVL: I’ll fly my state flag with the gold disc and the black swan and say Daniel Ricciardo had a pretty good year. British F3 isn’t at it’s strongest at the moment, but he countered that by smashing them. Then he hopped in and F1 car and went fast. He’s ticked all the right boxes this year. And he gets quote of the year by telling me in the lead

up to his F1 test that he was going to “give it herbs and see what she’s got.” That was a pretty spectacular thing to say on the eve of driving an F1 car for the first time. Good kid. PB: Loser? AVL: My loser is the Safety Car. We had to talk about it too many times this year, and that incident during the second visit to Phillip Island was just madness. Hopefully someone, whether it’s V8SA or CAMS, sits down over Christmas and works out how we can avoid these embarrassing and dangerous situations. MA: I’m going to give the gold to Ross Brawn. This time last year Honda had pulled out and the team looked like it was going to close, and Ross decided to make it happen and picked up both titles. Then he sold it to Mercedes. That’s a good year in anyone’s books. PB: I’ve got one more loser – Noriyuki Haga. Finally he gets rid of Troy Bayliss and gets on the factory Ducati, and then Ben Spies arrives – for one year! He must be beside himself. He’ll win the Superbike title by a minute next year.

Lock it in, Phil SPEEDWAY

SIMPSON driver Phil Lock won the third round of the Sprintcar All-Stars Series at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway on Saturday night, but took some convincing that he did win. Lock assumed he’d finished second, and even when handshakes were plentiful he still had no idea until told by series officials. “I had no idea at all that I was first,” Lock admitted. “I just lost track of where I was in the 30 laps. “It was a crazy sort of race. The bottom slickened and a lot

of guys got to the top early. It was very busy.’’ Lock won the 30-lap feature from current series leader Colin Brooks and Chad Ely, both from South Australia. Brooks, who started the on the front row, inherited the lead off a barnstorming Stephen Bell 15 laps in when Bell blew a rear tyre, but he couldn’t hold out Lock. “I’m thrilled. We’ve never raced here before and the track was awesome,” Brooks said. For Lock, it was his best finish in the series so far, after finishing

sixth in Round 1 and seventh in the B-Main at Bordertown. “An old mate of mine, John Vogels, gave me a bit of advice before the race and told me I needed to get up higher on the track. For about the first 15 laps I was stuck down on the bottom but I decided to try it up higher and the car came alive,” Lock said. “There’s been ebbs and flows throughout the season and this (All-Star) series, I suppose, rewards consistency.” – GEOFF ROUNDS

Geoff Rounds

Tatnell l stop Joh SPEEDWAY POINTS leader Brooke Tatnell heads more than 40 entries for the World Series Sprintcars’ Speedweek, starting on Boxing Day night at Speedway City at Adelaide. Tatnell and his closest pursuers have nominated for the hectic schedule, which sees racing between Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and a $10,000 bonus for the overall winner. Each of the Speedweek rounds – five WSS meetings in seven days – carry double prizemoney for the winner. With US stars Craig Dollansky, Danny Smith and reigning Speedweek champ Jason Johnson, right, all locked in the field, the next few days of Sprintcar action is again assured of its standing as the toughest week on the calendar. The schedule begins in Adelaide on Saturday, then heads to Murray Bridge on Sunday and Mount Gambier on Monday. Teams then head into Victoria for Round 7 at Avalon Raceway on Wednesday, with the finale at Premier Speedway in Warrnambool on

race

leads chase to hnson into this year’s Speedweek as another drawcard. Countryman Johnson will be aiming for consecutive wins in the Speedweek series. The 33-year-old used his vast experience to master a powerful south-westerly wind at Warrnambool in last season’s final round, which wreaked havoc with many of his rivals. Johnson, who won four days earlier at Borderline Speedway, led from flag to flag in the 35-lap A-Main at Premier Speedway, comfortably holding off series leader Brooke Tatnell and Ryan Farrell. He likened the windy conditions to Oklahoma and said his experience racing in the US State prepared him for the unusual interference provided by the elements. While Johnson kept the power on up near the fence, drivers who risked lower and mid lines into the exposed corner often paid a high price in an eventful feature. It was Johnson’s third WSS round success at Premier Speedway, after victories in 2005-06 and 2006-07. – GEOFF ROUNDS

John Morris/Mpix

January 1. On 422 points, Tatnell holds a tiny, two-point margin over Max Dumesny (420), who is followed by Robbie Farr (418), Danny Reidy (412) and Ryan Farrell (396) in one of the closest starts to a WSS Championship. The possible addition of reigning Australian Sprintcar champion Garry Brazier is one that should add extra spice to a series that is wide open. While Brazier will at least selected rounds, the addition of World of Outlaws star Dollansky at Mount Gambier is a massive boost. Dollansky is a seasoned campaigner and while he has raced in Sydney in recent years, the American is expected to be the driver to watch during the final three rounds. Indiana’s Smith admits the demanding schedule of World Series Sprintcars Speedweek is the perfect way to start his Australian campaign. He spent last year in the warm climes of Warrnambool, coming from the freezing US, but the 52-year-old will again adapt quickly and heads

rear of grid

Odd Spot

Rally drivers, Be Prepared! SCOUTS South Australia will be the naming rights sponsor of the state’s Australian Rally Championship round next year. Round 5 of the 2010 season, Scouts Rally SA will be held on June 25-27 to the north of Adelaide, and will be an extension of the youth group’s involvement in this year’s rally. However, eNews can’t confirm that reigning ARC Champ Simon Evans once belonging to a Scouts group has

anything to do with the deal ... In addition to stepping up to become naming rights sponsor, Scouts will assist the planting of 10000 trees to reduce Rally SA’s carbon footprint. Selected stages and venues during the rally will feature Scouts activities, while the Scouting recycling business will play a role at all venues. “The aim of scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual and social development of young people so that

they may take a constructive place as members of their local communities,” Dan Ryan, Scouts SA CEO, said. “Getting our Scouts involved in many levels of a national motor sport event will serve that aim very well, and provide many relevant opportunities and experiences.” Scouts Rally SA will also be broadcast live online, through locally-based group PureMotorsport.TV.

CAMERON McConville’s life after V8 Supercars has officially started. The freshly retired V8 star officially opened his JAXQuickfit Tyres store in Moorabbin late last week, with Fox FM popping along for a gander, and Channel 10’s Mark Howard hosting a VIP Industry Night party. “I guess you could call it my ‘retirement’ party, but it’s really about getting the word out about JAXQuickfit Moorabbin,” McConky said. “The Grand Opening was a fantastic and very enjoyable event, and I was delighted to see so many people come down and celebrate with us. I am really enjoying the relationships we’re building up with our regular customers.”