Motorsport eNews Issue 137 - January 12-18, 2010 by V8 Sleuth

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s ’ R Q e d i ins e n i L

Issue No. 137 January 12 - 18 2010

? n a e m t i s e o d t a ? h k c •W a b y a w a e r e h t n? • Is e p p a h t i • How did EXCLUSIVE

We talk to Chris Atkinson about 2010 & beyond

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

Australasian

The ‘A’ Team

Production Graphic Design & Web: Jayne Uthmeyer design@mnews.com.au

Issue No. 137 | 12-18 January 2010

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MD / Publisher

Chris Lambden publisher@mnews.com.au

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 Ooopswich

V8SCS down to 14 rounds 6 Reaction Time Views on no QR 8 PM for PMM Morris sub for Abu Dhabi 11 Atko worried Monster deal up in the air 14 Go West, young man! Barbagallo gets F3s?

chat 18 5 minutes with ... opinion 21 van Leeuwen race 22 Western Stars

26 Done. Dirt. Cheap

Chris Atkinson We are back: so is Michael

Drag time in the West New Year Speedway

trade 34 Classifieds There’s a Bear in there. Actually, there are two bears, as Fabian Coulthard and Andrew Thompson unveiled their new Bundaberg Red racers last week.

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

Dirk Klynsmith

QUEENSLAND RACEWAY – THE REACTION THE TEAM BOSS Roland Dane

WE will continue to test at QR. It is likely to continue to be the nominated test track for all the Queensland-based teams anyway, so there is not a big decision to be made. From a racing point of view, it’s our local

circuit, so the difference it makes is less to do with any advantage we have from testing there – which we have never had anyway – and more to do with the people who work with the team, and the suppliers that we work with, getting to see us perform, racing-wise. We don’t perceive that we have had any advantage at the track; if you look at the results the team has had over recent seasons

between Winton and QR, in fact, it is almost the opposite! As for what might happen in the future, personally, I would like to see the track developed into a racetrack that all Queenslanders can feel proud of. At the moment, it is not really that. I have no idea how much that would cost to improve the track facilities, but there is not much you not get right with a couple of Komatsu diggers ...

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Queensland Raceway Ousted V8 SUPERCARS ECONOMICS played a big role in the decision to cancel this year’s Queensland Raceway round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. The fifth round of the series, which had been provisionally scheduled for the Ipswich circuit on April 30-May 2, was cancelled last week after V8 Supercars Australia and track promoter John Tetley failed to reach an agreement. Tetley posted the news on the QR website at 10:30pm last Tuesday night, and V8SA responded with a media release the following day confirming that the event was cancelled.

No replacement round has been named and, despite comments from Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale offering to broker a peace deal, there are no plans to ‘salvage’ a 15th round. The revised 14-round calendar now features a four-week gap between Hamilton on April 1618 and Winton on May 14-16. V8 Supercars Events had offered to hire the track and promote the event, in much the same manner as it does Bathurst Phillip Island, but was unable to come to an agreement with promoters. V8SA CEO Shane Howard described the sum asked for by Tetley as “unrealistic” and “un-commercial”, while Tetley insists that hopes

of a deal floundered over not so much the deal itself but over his preference that there would be a five-year deal rather than one for a single year. There is also the matter of the circuit’s Lifetime Memberships, which were sold to individuals and families when the track struck financial problems in the early part of the last decade. The Memberships allow their holders free entry to the track for all events, but no agreement could be reached to allow this to be in place for a V8 round this year. eNews understands that there were also difficulties with the track’s licence and a permit for the event. QR currently

holds no CAMS track licence, as all its scheduled 2010 events, other than the V8SCS round, are to be run under AASA permits. V8SCS events are conducted exclusively under CAMS permits, and while CAMS would not comment on the cost of a permit for a V8SCS round at the circuit, citing confidentiality, eNews understands that the amount, which is inclusive of insurance, is just under $60,000. On the other hand, a spokesman for the AASA stated that a permit for an event of similar scale to a V8SCS round, and for the crowd it would likely attract, is in the order of $3000, inclusive of insurance.

Testing Times Back to the Creek? V8 SUPERCARS teams looks set to continue testing at QR, but it will take a change of the category’s regulations to allow them to do that. At present, V8 Supercars’ Operations Manual requires that events and testing are conducted only on circuits that are licenced by CAMS. QR’s current status is that it is not subject to a CAMS track licence; its last such qualification expired last November. A team owner said last week that it was a “one minute fix” to amend the rule. All Queensland-based teams are believed to be intending to continue testing at the circuit.

THE EXEC. EDITOR Phil Branagan

IT’S a shame that there will be no V8 Supercars racing at QR this year – but it could have been worse. The good news is that the announcement was made last week, in plenty of time for the start of the season. Had fans booked nonrefundable airfares and accommodation, only to then find that the date had gone

ARDC would welcome V8s back to EC SHOULD V8 Supercars Australia ever decide to look for a replacement round to the QR event in Sydney, Eastern Creek would have them back – if they could do a deal. ARDC spokesman Phil Harrison contacted Motorsport News last week and has offered the facility for a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. “Please be advised that Eastern Creek Raceway, as a CAMS licensed racecar track, is available in 2010 and beyond for V8 Supercars Australia to hire for a V8 Supercars event,” said Harrison. “V8 Supercar teams are also welcome to

test at ECR. (Note, a number of V8 teams use ECR for corporate ride days). “As the nation’s largest city and biggest marketplace, it makes sense to have two rounds of the V8 Supercars Series in Sydney. In the past, Sydney has always hosted two rounds and, on some occasions, three rounds. In 2010 Sydney only has one round scheduled. However, on a positive note, there are two rounds in the Middle East. “The V8 Supercars Series is strong enough to have a round at ECR early in the year and the Grand Finale in December.” We doubt that it will happen – but the olive branch is there ...

pear-shaped, it would have been worse, much worse. Recent history shows what can happen when hope and fantasy overcomes pragmatism and reality. The matter underlines the differences between the sport’s commercial and sporting sides. It looks a financial win for the track’s promoters, who took a loss on the event last year, and for V8 Supercars, who did not see the economic sense in promoting the event themselves. That does not disguise the loss on the sporting side. The Paperclip has had its share

of detractors over the years, complaining about things from its motocross track surface, economy-class spectator facilities and sedate carpark access. But at the same time, there are many who like its see-all-corners viewing, family atmosphere and friendly weather. What the future holds is up in the air. Many of the events on the V8 Supercar calendar (Bathurst, PI, Darwin) have longterm deals, and there are still moves to add at least one international date to the program in the future. So, once a track falls off the radar, returning may be a tough ask.

QUEENSLAND RACEWAY – THE REACTION BRIEFLY... n CAMS has announced that the 2009 Rally Australia attracted the secondbiggest TV audience of any round of the WRC. The event, held four months ago, was watched by more than 53 million viewers on 264 channels around the world. The next local WRC event will be held in northern New South Wales next year. n Three-time Indy 500 winner, Helio Castroneves and his girlfriend, Adriana Henao, welcomed their first child, Mikaella, on December 28 at 4:15pm. Adriana and Helio were in Atlanta, Georgia for the birth where Adriana’s family is located. Baby Mikaella weighed seven pounds and three ounces, measuring 19 inches long. n Dale Coyne Racing announced Monday that the Boy Scouts of America will commemorate its 100th anniversary by sponsoring the team’s #19 Indy car for the entire 2010 Indy Car season. Scouting is America’s premier organization for youth to develop character and leadership. With over 2.8 million members, boys can become scouts as early as age seven through to 20. n South Australian fans will have a new motorsport show to watch on the box this year. Local group Pure Motorsport will produce a show for Channel 31. Expected to hit the air in March, the show will feature local content in a magazinestyle format. n Kelly Racing declined to comment on either the state of its Jack Daniel’s sponsorship or fourth driver identity when contacted by eNews on Monday.

THE DRIVER Will Davison

IT is obviously not the most spectacular circuit getting around but I do believe that it is a good spectators’ circuit, which allows the fans to see all the racing. There has been good racing there over the years, but there is no denying that for some years, the track needed some money spent on it. At the end of the day, it is not like we have lost one of the great circuits from the calendar, so there is no need to get hysterical from that point of view. So far at the Queensland teams are

THE PUBLISHER Chris Lambden

NO matter who fell out with whom, who turned who down, the bottom line is that the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series is down a round – and a permanent circuit round at that. That means there are now no ‘regular’ circuit rounds in Queensland, NSW and SA and the ratio of street circuits to permanent circuits goes up a notch. And that will, no doubt, fuel the regular debate about how bad it is for motorsport in this country that the premier category visits so few permanent circuits. Once upon a time there was a fallacy out there that tracks made most of their annual money out of their big V8 round. In fact, it is the complete opposite. Tracks may have made a dollar out of the touring car round in the halcyon pre-V8 Supercar Shell Series era, but that is long gone. Thanks to the V8 Supercar franchise fee – rumoured to be up to $500,000 – and other commercial requirements, track promoters have in recent years struggled to break even on V8 race meetings. Hence V8 Supercars rents Phillip Island and Sandown from its owners and promotes its own events. Hence Eastern Creek’s withdrawal as a promoter (and an un-taken-up offer to rent the track to V8SA). Hence the same now with Queensland Raceway. Looking around, Winton is the last remaining permanent track without State backing, so it must be next in line to be querying its bottom line. So, don’t worry about the permanent tracks missing out on a cash bonus if the V8s don’t show – the world has changed. It’s not

concerned, the home track advantage does not really feature any more. The only advantage that you might get on your test track is that you might be fastest on the first three laps of practice on Friday afternoon. More often than not, a Victorian-based driver will win up there and a Queensland-based driver will win at Winton. We all enjoy racing in Queensland – there is a fair bit of V8 Supercars’ ‘heartland’ feeling in that part of the world. Hopefully, we can go back there into that area and race on a better track. That has been talked about for a quite a while, so maybe when this matter is all settled, we can get on with it and see if that can happen. really about the money any more – tracks make their (modest) living on the other 360 days a year of corporate track hire, and lower level motorsport events. There’s definitely a debate to be had about why V8s fees and requirements are driving promoters away – surely there’s some reasonable common ground, where all parties would walk away happy? Or, maybe not ... While I feel sorry for the good fans of SE Queensland, who now appear to be set to miss a local race, I’d be a lot sorrier if it was Phillip Island which had failed to come to terms with V8 Supercars. Sadly, QR is the Australian equivalent of a ‘Tilke’ F1 track ... so its loss from the calendar is measured. But is there hope? Despite the entrenched positions, it’s early days. Things do change. It wasn’t that long ago that F1 was never going back to Silverstone; or that V8s were never going to go back to Melbourne’s F1GP. Never say never in motor racing. Unfortunately, in this case, a string of quality supporting championship events are now also in limbo and looking for a new venue, so any attempted mediation will need to be swift and decisive.

N continued John Morris/Mpix

Formula Ford in limbo FORMULA FORD

FORMULA Ford faces an uncertain wait over what will happen to its 2010 calendar. Category Administrator Margaret Hardy told eNews that there were a number of options under investigation after the loss of its QR date. “We don’t know yet,” she said on Monday. “We are talking to people, and V8 Supercars is being very supportive.” Formula Ford’s national championship status requires it to conduct an eight-round series. Rounds at Townsville, Hidden Valley and Symmons Plains are already included in its calendar so another long road trip would, in all likelihood, not be welcomed by competitors.

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Dirk Klynsmith

Murph out, Morris in at Abu Dhabi V8 SUPERCARS GREG Murphy will not debut Castrol Racing’s new Commodore VE at Abu Dhabi – Paul Morris will. The four-time Bathurst winner, confirmed as the driver of the Triple Eight-built Commodore that will run alongside Russell Ingall’s similar Supercheap Autos cars this season, will be forced to miss the season-opening race because of a date clash. Murphy is contracted to co-host Top Gear Live in Auckland next month with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, an agreement he entered into prior to signing with his new sponsor and team – and something clearly without an ‘out’ clause! Morris, who retired from driving full-time at the end of the 2008 season, will fill the seat for a single weekend prior to Murphy taking over the car the following weekend in Bahrain. Motorsport eNews understands that Murphy’s possible date conflict was discussed by all parties during the negotiation period late last year, and that an announcement regarding the matter was to be made later this week.

The other silly season ... V8 SUPERCARS V8 SUPERCARS’ elite engineers are having their own Silly Season, with some of the category’s biggest names swapping team in the off-season. Richard Hollway has parted ways with Walkinshaw Racing and will move to Garry Rogers’ team this year. The Clayton veteran, who has been instrumental in the development of Holden’s factory cars as well as the homologation of the Commodore VE and Falcon FG, will head up the Fujitsu-backed team’s brains’ trust. But his actual role has not been completely detailed, according to team boss Garry Rogers. “We have a group of blokes here and they will be working together,” he said.

“Richard will be heading up our engineering and development department, and engineering a car, but we have not finalised what he will be doing.” Greg Murphy is not the only former Tasman man heading north to Paul Morris Racing. Adam DeBorre will go with the Kiwi to PMM. DeBorre started the ’09 season as engineer on Jason Bargwanna’s Commodore before moving to #51. At Lucas Dumbrell Racing, Matty Crawford and Pete Smith have the task of fettling the Walkinshaw Commodore of Daniel Gaunt – which was a spare car last year and was last raced in 2008 by, ironically, Paul Dumbrell. The latest moves follow on the heels of Phil Keed’s departure from Ford Performance Racing to join Brad Jones Racing, and FPR’s appointment of Campbell Little as Mark Winterbottom’s race engineer.

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D’Alberto co-driver confirmation soon Five drivers in the mix, announcement on Wednesday V8 SUPERCARS TONY D’Alberto Racing will announce its co-driver for the L&H 500 and Bathurst 1000 endurance races later this week. TDR, which secured one of Tasman Motorsport’s Racing Entitlement Contracts late last year after parting ways with Rod Nash Racing, was expected to make a decision yesterday (Monday), with an official announcement due on Wednesday. When quizzed on the identity of the candidates, D’Alberto was coy, but revealed five drivers were in the frame. “There’s about five guys we’re talking to,” said D’Alberto on Monday. “I’ve got no comment at the moment, but there are guys from the Fujitsu Series, and some guys that have been in the category before.” One driver than eNews believes to be on the team’s wish list is Shane Price. The former Jack Daniel’s Racing driver was part of Walkinshaw Racing’s enduro line-up last year, but has been shuffled out for 2010 by Cameron McConville. eNews understands that TDR contacted Price late last year about an enduro drive, and than he may well be the name confirmed on Wednesday. – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

John Morris/Mpix

sutton-images.com

Flav off the hook ... for FORMULA 1 FLAVIO Briatore’s life ban from motor racing has been lifted, after the Tribunal de Grande in Paris decreed that motor racing’s governing body didn’t have the authority to impose the ban in the first place. To further add salt to the FIA’s wounds, the court ordered the FIA itself to announce the decision, and have it published in French newspapers of both Briatore and Pat Symonds, who was also banned after the now famous Renault crash scandal

from Singapore in 2008. “In particular, the Court did not examine the facts and has not reversed the FIA’s finding that both Briatore and Symonds conspired to cause an intentional crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix,” read the statement from the FIA. “However, the Court did question the FIA’s authority to impose bans upon Mr. Briatore and Mr. Symonds for procedural reasons, and because they are not FIA licence holders and, according to the Court, are therefore not subject

to any FIA rules. The FIA’s ability to exclude those who intentionally put others lives at risk has never before been put into doubt and the FIA is carefully considering its appeal options on this point. “The Court’s decision is not enforceable until the FIA’s appeal options have been exhausted. Until then, the World Motor Sport Council’s decision continues to apply.” Briatore has since vowed legal action against the Piquet family, while the FIA is yet to make a final decision on how and when it will appeal.

Jenson’s new kit FORMULA 1

McLaren

JENSON Button has been seen in McLaren colours for the first time. The reigning World Champion will join Lewis Hamilton at the famous team next season, forming a British arm to Mercedes’ F1 attack, which will feature a full German factory squad with Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. “Obviously, it’s fantastic to be part of one of the most famous names in Formula 1,” said Button. “But it’s also exhilarating; I’d been at the same team for seven years, so this is a big cultural change for me, and something that I’m really looking forward to. “There are a lot of new faces to remember and lots of names to learn – and that’s all got to be done alongside the engineering and limited testing we have ahead of the 2010 season. But I’m loving every minute of it – the atmosphere within the team feels fantastic, and I’ve already started to feel at home here. I can’t wait to get out in the fantastic new car the team has built for me!”

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Where’s Atko? WORLD RALLYING

CHRIS Atkinson’s return to the World Rally Championship looks to have hit a stumbling block, with the Aussie not named as part of Ken Block’s 2010 program with Ford. As expected, American rally ace Block recently announced a partnership with Ford’s main rally supplier M-Sport, to run a Focus WRC in the championship this season with support from Monster energy drink. But it was also expected that Atkinson would be part of the program, as a two-car team. However, Atkinson has not been mentioned in any of the announcements. “At the moment, I’m really not sure of my plans,” he told eNews. “And I guess I can’t really comment at this point. The fact is I’m still working on getting a drive this year. What Ken is doing looks very exciting, but realistically, I’m not sure of my plans for this year.” Atkinson added further doubt to any

involvement with Block’s program by saying his chances of competing in the WRC this year were “about 50-50”. The Bega, NSW, native is currently resting on the Gold Coast, and will return to Europe before the 2010 rally season kicks off. Meanwhile, Block’s foray into the sport’s highest level is all systems go. The founder of DC Shoes, and YouTube autokhana hero, will use a Focus in the WRC, and a Fiesta in the Rally America Series and X Games competitions. “I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford,” said Block. “They are an impressive force in the sport. From the days of the 1970s Escorts to the Group B RS200, to the modern-day Focus and now the Fiesta, Ford just does an excellent job at rally and I couldn’t be happier to now be part of this amazing heritage.” – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

For more with Chris Atkinson, turn to ‘Five Minutes With’ on page 18.

ANDRETTI GRABS HUNTER INDYCARS RYAN Hunter-Reay is back in IndyCar race and will drive for Andretti Autosport this season. The American driver, who is featured in clothing company Phillips-VanHeusen’s IZOD brand commercials, will drive the #37 sponsored entry for the

Indy 500 and other selected races before and after that world famous event. Andretti Autosport is still working on sponsorship to run Hunter-Reay for the entire 2010 season. Hunter-Reay, who earned his first IndyCar victory driving for Rahal-Letterman Racing at Watkins Glen and earned Indy 500 Rookie of the Year honors

in 2008, will join Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Danica Patrick in Michael Andretti’s team. “Joining a team of Andretti Autosport’s caliber has been my goal for the entire 16 years of my racing career and being able to strengthen my ties to everyone at IZOD through this effort is tremendous,” said

Hunter-Reay. “This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am ready to give 120 percent to the program. Andretti Autosport is one of the winningest teams in IZOD IndyCar Series history. Michael Andretti is as hungry to win races today as he has ever been and it is an honor and a privilege to drive for the same

IndyCar Media

TAGLIANI GETS TO WORK WITH FAZZT INDYCARS

Honda Racing

ALEX Tagliani has completed two days of private testing on the oval at Miami Homestead driving for the new FAZZT team. “These two days have been unbelievable,” said Tagliani, who drove a limited IndyCar schedule for Conquest Racing last season. “It has been the best days at the track for me in a long, long time. The team showed up and by all appearances you would think we had been working

together for 10 years. We were all pleasantly surprised that our first test for this brand new team was so trouble free.” FAZZT, a partnership between Montreal entrepreneur Andre Azzi, motorsports promoter Jim Freudenberg and actor Jason Priestley, has purchased four race cars and equipment from Roth Racing. The team eventually plans to run a second, young Canadian driver alongside Tagliani’s #77 entry and will announce it sponsors at the Montreal Auto Show next week. – MARY MENDEZ

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R-REAY John Morris

person I looked up to as a young karter.” “We are excited about what we’ve put together with PVH and Ryan, and believe we can grow this program substantially over the next several months,” said Michael Andretti, President and Chief Executive Officer of Andretti Autosport. “We felt it was important to announce what we know and what we’ve secured, which is a great partnership under the IZOD brand name and a program that we feel will give Ryan an excellent shot of winning at Indianapolis. How far we take him into 2010 is still in the works, but we feel good about the potential that we will add Ryan to our driver lineup for the full season.” – MARY MENDEZ

Triumph: Gaz and Chaz WORLD SUPERSPORT GARRY McCoy will make a third assault on the Supersport World Championship with Triumph this season. The Aussie veteran will partner Chaz Davies on a pair of Daytona 675s for Triumph BE1 Racing. The Welsh former Daytona 200 winner joined the team for three races at the end of last season, following Gianluca Nannelli’s split with the team. The first of those races resulted in a fourth place

for Davies, while McCoys scored two podiums. “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Giuliano Rovelli and his BE1 Racing team and look forward to a successful 2010 campaign,” said Paul Stroud, Triumph's Director of Sales and Marketing. “In Chaz and Garry we arguably have the best two-rider line-up in the championship and with the experience gained by the team over the past two years I believe that the Daytona 675 will be a major force in the world championship.”

Ducati SBK boss to BMW WORLD SUPERBIKES

Honda, of Livio Suppo. “I imagine a lot of people will be surprised to hear of my decision to join BMW,” Tardozzi, right, said. “However, for me the decision was simple. I had offers from MotoGP, but my heart is in the Superbike World Championship and I feel at home here.”

Ducati Corse

BMW has scored a big boost to its World Superbike campaign – and shown it is serious about winning – by signing Davide Tardozzi as its Team Manager. The German marque’s move will see the veteran Italian reunited with Troy Corser and

Ruben Xaus, two of the riders he worked with during his 15-year stint with Ducati. In that time, Ducati won eight titles for riders and nine for manufacturers. Tardozzi, 50, had been connected with a move to Ducati’s MotoGP team, which is yet to name a Team Manager after the recent departure, to

When in doubt, hire a Hayden WORLD SUPERBIKES

Kawasaki Racing

HAYDEN will ride for Kawasaki next season – on a Superbike! Relax; Nicky Hayden is not leaving Ducati, or MotoGP. Roger Lee Hayden, the former World champion’s 26-yearold brother, left, will race for Pedercini Kawasaki in the 2010

Superbike World Championship. “It has always been my goal to race in a World Championship Series, and now I have the opportunity,” said Hayden, who raced for Kawasaki in the AMA Superbike Series last year. It’s a big difference from what I did last year, but I’m ready and looking forward to taking that

next step. “I have experience on the Kawasaki Superbike, so that does not make everything completely new.” The team is in negotiations with several competitive riders and is expected to name Hayden’s team-mate within a month.

Dirk Klynsmith

Goin’ out west? FORMULA 3 THE Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship could make its maiden voyage to Western Australia this year. After a successful outing on the Queensland Raceway Supercar bill in 2009, the championship is aiming to run a round of its 2010 calendar on the V8 program, in addition to seven with the Shannons Nationals. While F3 couldn’t comment on which rounds were under consideration, eNews sources have suggested Barbagallo

Raceway is a strong possibility. With Barbagallo’s V8 round falling the weekend after Round 4 of the F3 season at Adelaide’s Mallala Motorsport Park on May 2830, a double-header would be a cost-effective way for F3 to incorporate WA into its eightround calendar. “We definitely want to do a V8 round again this year, Queensland Raceway worked really well for us last year,” F3 spokesman Richard Craill told eNews. “We want to keep that presence, so competitors get

the opportunity to race infront of V8 teams and fans. “At the same time we’re committed being a key part of the Shannons Nationals, where we’ll run seven of our eight rounds, so we’re happy with how the calendar’s coming together.” The remaining seven rounds of the championship will be run with the Shannons Nationals, with the SuperPrix reverting to Symmons Plains and Mallala returning to the schedule after a year’s absence. – MITCHELL ADAM

2010 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship 1. Wakefield Park, NSW March 5-7 2. Symmons Plains, TAS April 9-11 3. Phillip Island, VIC April 30 - May 2 4. Mallala, SA May 28-30 5. Winton, VIC June 25-27 6. Eastern Creek, NSW September 10-12 7. Sandown, VIC October 22-24 8. TBA

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Wheels in motion FUJITSU V8S

Dirk Klynsmith

FUJITSU V8S

Taz seeks TM Dirk Klynsmith

FASTAZ Motorsport is on the look-out for a team manager. The privateer Fujitsu Series team fields a VZ Commodore for Taz Douglas, who has recently completed the construction of a new team workshop in Cranbourne, Victoria. Now all Douglas needs is someone to run the team

and car for him for season 2010. “I’ve got a lot of work commitments outside the sport this year, so I’m looking to get someone on board,” he told eNews. “We’re only a small team, but we have a great new workshop to be based out of now, and we’re looking ahead to having a great season.” – ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

JAMES Moffat tested with Fujitsu Series outfit Matthew White Racing at Winton late last month. Having parted company with Sonic Motor Racing following the final round of the 2009 series at Homebush, Moffat turned laps in an MWR Falcon, in a sign of his plans for 2010 As previously reported, eNews understands Moffat will race with MWR in the Fujitsu Series, replacing Jonathon Webb at the team, and make his Main Game debut with Ford Performance Racing in the endurance races. “It was a bit of an evaluation for both parties, it went well,” White told eNews. “We’re close [to a deal for 2010], but it’s not at the point where it’s finalised yet.” – MITCHELL ADAM

The Snake calls

BRM to name driver

DRAG RACING

NATIONAL TEAM BRM will announce their driver lineups for the 2010 Formula 3 and Formula Ford Championships in the coming weeks. The Adelaide squad is gearing up to field a pair of cars in the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship and three in Formula Ford. While the team wasn’t in a position to comment on individual drivers, eNews expects New Zealand sensation Mitch Evans and Englishman Ben Barker to be their F3 drivers as Team BRM chases a sixth title. Evans won the F3 SuperPrix for the team on debut last November, while Barker tested for Team BRM at Winton in December. “The drivers are pretty much sorted,” Team BRM’s Mark Rundle told eNews. “There’s one more for F3 and one more for Formula Ford to officially sign on, and then we’ll make the announcements.” Rundle also said that entering the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series remains a possibility. “We’re trying to get something together,” he said. “We’d like to do it, but only with the right car, driver and budget. It’s a bit of a long shot for this year, but we’re still trying.” – MITCHELL ADAM

AN era in drag racing history has closed with the announcement that Don ‘The Snake’ Prudhomme has retired. The news closes the door on the legendary driver ands owner’s 47-year career, 32 of which were spent behind the wheel of some of the sport’s fastest racers. “I feel very fortunate to have been able to make a living in drag racing and to have enjoyed some success along the way,” said Prudhomme. “I would like to thank all of the great sponsors we’ve worked with over the years, everyone at NHRA, the many track owners, operators and promoters, our past employees and team members, and all of the drag racing fans that have supported Snake Racing.” Prudhomme, now 69, started his career in 1962, taking his first Top Fuel win at Bakersfield, California. He was the first driver to top 250mph in a Funny Car and the third Top Fuel driver to break 300mph, in 1993. He stepped out of the cockpit at the end of his 1994 ‘Final Strike’ campaign, winning six NHRA World Championships, 35 Funny Car wins from 45 finals and 14 wins from 23 Top Fuel finals. As a team owner, his drivers included Larry Dixon, Ron Capps, Tommy Johnson Jr and last year, Spencer Massey, who took his first, and Prudhomme’s last, two wins. The Snake was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Watch out, Aussies ... Harris takes first Nitro blood, but Wyatt says he ain’t done yet DRAG RACING AUSTRALIA is close to securing victory in the USA versus AUS Nitro Funny Car Challenge at Willowbank Raceway, but if American Jack Wyatt has his way, the series final this weekend will be a nail biter. Aussie Damien Harris is the form man heading into the second and final event. Having run over 310 mph in Perth on Boxing Day, Harris continued his scintillating form at the first USA

versus AUS round in Queensland on January 2, beating Wyatt with four-second pass. But now Wyatt is better acclimatized to the Australian summer, he says he can take the fight to Harris this weekend. “We really struggled with set up at Round 1,” said Wyatt. “We were thrashing to be ready between runs and we weren’t able to properly identify the issue to fix it and get on top of it at the time. “Now we are on top of it, and confident that this weekend we

will be able to put down some strong runs for the Aussie fans and hopefully secure a win for the US. “Even if we don’t, it is going to be a great event – the Aussie fans were just spectacular at round one and the racers are top class, and I can’t wait to get back on track with a bit more knowledge under my belt.” The meeting kicks off at Willowbank this Saturday, with Nitro Funny Car passes at 6pm, 8pm and 10pm.

news

Hankook in for 12 Hour BATHURST 12 HOUR

Ford Media

HANKOOK Competition Australia will be the major backer of a leading entry in this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour. The tyre brand will be the major sponsor of a Team Mitsubishi Ralliart-run Evolution X for Peter Conroy, Mark Brame and Anthony Robson. Apart from signage from Hankook, the team will also use the brand’s Ventus track day tyre. “Hankook has a rich history in endurance racing around the world at tracks including Le Mans and the Nürburgring,

so we are very pleased to start our local motorsport program at a track as challenging as Bathurst,” HCA’s marketing manager Jose Angeles said. “The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour is a great place to test our Ventus track day tyre, and with three experienced drivers piloting the Evo X, I think we can challenge the race’s established names for the outright win.” “We are really excited that Hankook has chosen to launch their Australian motorsport program with Peter Conroy Motorsport,” Conroy added. “Our team finished first and second

in last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour in Class F, and we believe with the team we have assembled, we can make a successful jump into Class A and aim for outright success.” HCA will also support the two Class D Honda Integras of Conroy Motorsport, led by veteran racer Terry Conroy and team regular Carl Schembri. In other 12 Hour news, Paul Nelson Racing will field a Bezcorp Security-backed Toyota Yaris in Class E. The drivers will be 1966 Bathurst winner Bob Holden, who at 77 will be elder statesman of the field, as well as Justin Matthews and Craig Bradshaw.

Red Hot GENERAL AUSTRALIA’S bushfire season is underway and Winton Motor Raceway had a narrow escape last week. The track was under threat from a fire that started north-west of the facility at Lake Mokoan and which headed south-east from there. Winton North was evacuated but track boss Mick Ronke and his staff stayed put, but watched developments closely. “We saw it start and 10 minutes later, all hell broke loose,” he said. “Had it crossed the freeway, it might have got on to our property but not onto the track.” Northern Victoria remains at flashpoint, and Ronke reported that the areas surrounding the track were very dry, so the threat is not finished with just yet ...

5 Minutes with ...

CHRIS ATKINSON

It’s been almost 12 months since ‘Atko’ made his last WRC start, a one-off for ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN Citroen in Ireland. But he’s as keen as ever to get back MOTORSPORT NEWS: The Ken Block/Ford deal has been announced, and while you were pretty strongly linked to it, there’s no mention of yourself at this point. Can you shed any light on where it’s all at? CHRIS ATKINSON: At the moment, I’m really not sure of my plans. And I guess I can’t really comment at this point. The fact is I’m still working on getting a drive this year. What Ken is doing looks very exciting, and it’s good for the sport, but realistically, I’m not sure of my plans for this year. It looks like it’s going to be a bumper World Rally Championship season, with Kimi Raikkonen coming in for Citroen and Block with Ford. Does that make you even hungrier to get back amongst it? I’m really keen to get back, and we spent all of 2009 looking to see what was available, and working on various plans. And WRC is our major focus. With the new rules coming out in 2011, that should bring some new manufacturers on board, which will make it a lot easier for me to get a drive, and will make the championship better as well. That will be a really good thing for the sport, and good for us as well. Still, I need to find an opening, and that’s what we’re focused on at the moment. Could you put a percentage on what your chances are of making a start in a WRC event this year? Ummm (long pause). I couldn’t

Flying High: The Subaru days were too long ago, according to ‘Atko’. say it’s a high probability. I would say about 50-50. What about the Intercontinental Rally Challenge? You told me last year that it was an option for you; is that still the case, especially given that the WRC will soon take a Super 2000like direction? We’re talking to a couple of people in the IRC as well, just seeing what’s around on that side of the fence. Like I said, WRC is the main priority, so I’m probably more focused on 2011, but Super 2000 will be the base of the

new World Rally Cars, so why wouldn’t I want to get some experience in them? It’s not ideal, but it’s still a good championship. They’ve got some really good drivers now, especially this year, but having come from the WRC, that’s where I want to end up again. How long ago does your oneoff in Ireland last season feel now? It’s been a long time since you’ve been able to get in a rally car and give it a good shake ... Yeah it’s been a while, but I feel as fresh as ever. The break

has been kind of rejuvenating, with that time off, and I’m trying really hard right now. I’m preparing as if I was going to start the season, and that keeps me keen to get back out there. Will you head back to Europe before the IRC and WRC seasons start? Yeah I’ll head back in a couple of weeks. I’ve got some other things to do over there ... Can you shed any light on what that might involve? Not at this point (laughs). Sorry.

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Surprise comeback

opinion

k? No way!

Opinion Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor

Mercedes GP Petronas

OU might notice that, on our Formula 1 news page, there isn’t a story about Michael Schumacher making his return to Formula 1 with Mercedes. Why? Because anyone who likes motor racing enough to read Motorsport eNews will surely have heard that the seven-time World Champion is coming back – with his old team’s major rival in Formula 1. As soon as we heard Mercedes has taken over Brawn GP, we here at the eNews office started to talk about Schumacher. It made too much sense. For starters, he made his desire to return to the sport clear with the almost comeback with Ferrari earlier last year. Then there’s the Ross Brawn link, with Schumacher having won titles under Brawn’s leadership in both Benetton Blue and Ferrari Red. There’s also the national link; Schuey might have made his name in an Italian team, but he is after all German, and the thought of an all-German team, with the country’s most iconic carmaker, would have any driver from the Bundesrepublik saying ‘Danke Shön’ in no time. Then there’s the fact that the team is the reigning World Champion, and Schumacher’s career-defining stint with Mercedes sportscar team, and the list goes on and on. But as long as the list of pros was, there was one con that kept people saying Schumacher wouldn’t come back – the chance of looking silly. I recently read a general sporting magazine that outlined the top 50 sporting moments of 2009, and quite high on the list was the Schumacher announcement. To paraphrase the brief synopsis, it said that is Schumacher wins he will be meeting people’s expectations, and if he loses he will look dumb. So what was he to gain from it? I don’t think Schumacher cares about looking dumb. I don’t think the idea would have even entered his head during the decision-making process, because all he would have been thinking about was getting his backside back into a Formula 1 car. And that’s the very reason why he won’t make a fool out of himself anyway. The man is a hardened professional, an avid racer, and the one of, if not the, most talented person to ever jump into an F1 car. Will he win? Probably. One thing’s for sure, the thought of Schumacher going up against the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button and, now he has the car underneath him, Mark Webber is a tantalizing one. And there’s the point. If Schumacher does go out and win races and challenge for the title, then it proves just how good the guy really is. If he doesn’t, and the new generation leave him for dead, well you’ve got to admire the bloke for coming back into a super-competitive era of Formula 1 and giving it a shake. Whatever happens his reputation can’t get tarnished in my book. It can only strengthen my opinion that, love him or hate him, Michael Schumacher is a racer through and through.

ANDRA PRO SERIES ROUND THREE, PERTH MOTORPLEX

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Phil’s perfect Perth Phil Lamattina took out Round 3 and the lead of the ANDRA Pro Series in WA. LUKE NIEUWHOF reports REIGNING Champion Phil Lamattina took the lead of the 2009/2010 ANDRA Pro Series in Perth on January 9, defeating Phil Read in a fiery Top Fuel final at the Motorplex. Lamattina’s Fuchs team was getting quicker and quicker through the event, culminating with a 4.68s in the final, the best pass of the weekend and more than enough to defeat a 4.85s from Read, whose Auto One/ McDonald’s dragster began to hurt from half track onwards. The Perth round carries bonus points to reward teams who make the effort to travel across the Nullarbor, so with a win plus bonus points for the low time and top speed (509kph) of the event, Lamattina’s efforts saw him

take the lead of the standings from Billview driver Martin Stamatis. “It was a great effort and a fantastic result, culminating all the hard work the boys put in,” Lamattina said. “The car ran consistent, it wasn’t world record times or anything silly like that, but we got from A to B and we took the win.” Lamattina was excited to take the points lead from Stamatis but realised the championship tussle would be a tough one. “It’s going to be tight, don’t get me wrong, but hopefully we can go back to back,” he said. Lamattina was consistent in qualifying, with 4.70s and 4.73s runs, both of which would have put him into top spot.

As a reward for qualifying on pole, Lamattina earned the bye run in the first round, where he got quicker again with a 4.69s pass. He then faced fellow Victorian Darren Morgan in a wild semi final, where Lamattina almost crossed the centre line – which would have resulted in disqualification – while Morgan’s motor exploded into a fireball. “The run against Darren got my attention, it kept moving across even though I had the wheel turned,” Lamattina said. “It got to a point where I thought this isn’t right and I got off the throttle and right at that point Darren’s engine let go, I thought it was mine.” Runner up Phil Read had a tortuous path to the final, ending up sixth out of the

seven cars in qualifying as he struggled to put in a full power lap. Eliminations did not get easier, surviving a close, firstround encounter with Allan Dobson, whose supercharger belt failed in the last part of the track. Read then looked like he was going to lose out in the semi finals against Martin Stamatis, until Stamatis also had a belt failure, giving Read another lifeline. “It’s good to be back in the finals and hats off to the Lamattina team, they did an excellent job,” he said. “We had a bit of a problem with the (engine) block going into the final, even my old man was in there working.” ANDRA Pro Series Top Fuel heads to Sydney next for the Summernationals in February.

Luke Nieuwhof

NITRO FUNNY CAR CHALLENGE ROUND 1, WILLOWBANK RACEWAY

Aussies win first test ... at Willowbank! Damian Harris and Ricky Steffens accounted for American Jack Whyatt in Nitro Funny Car Challenge opener, KEN FERGUSON reports TWELVE months after copping a hiding from visiting US funny car legend Gary Densham, Aussie Nitro Funny Cars stepped up in Round 1 of Willowbank Raceway’s 2010 International New Year Series. Locals delivered two resounding wins over US Funny Car driver Jack Whyatt on his first appearance of his 2010 tour. After Densham came and conquered 12 months ago – recording the first four-second pass by a Nitro Coupe on Australian soil – locals Damian Harris, below, and Ricky Steffens took on Whyatt.

Harris, in Paul Shackleton’s Chev Impala Funny Car, was the standout domestically in the second half of 2009, recording the first-ever four second pass by an Australian at June’s Winternationals, before bettering that with a 4.94s in Perth on Boxing Day. In Rodney Bailey’s Impala, Steffens had also been steady, showing some huge potential, but also suffering with unusual breakages holding them back. With the bar having been set so high by Densham, Whyatt admitted to being a little nervous prior to his first race in Australia. His one advantage

was the fact that Densham returned as part of his team for this tour, and classed him as an ‘ace in the hand’. His first pass on Saturday saw him shake, and pedal the car, and suffer his first defeat at the hands of Harris, who went 4.96s at 301mph, while Whyatt crossed the line with a slowing 7.15s at 155mph. Steffens had the first solo and was forced to shut off early, when the car veered towards the centre line and destroyed several timing blocks, but he still recorded a very respectable 5.76s at 186mph. The trio were due out for three sessions, but when the

heavens opened after an uncomfortably hot and humid day, several hours and a session were lost. The second and final session saw both Whyatt and Steffens pedal and shut off early, with the latter cruising through for the win with a 6.52s pass at only 148mph. Whyatt suffered some engine damage on his 7.04, 126 mph loss, but will be back for the second round on January 16, looking to square the ledger. Harris was on a solo for the final pass, and again recorded a very respectable 5.02 at 289mph to go with his earlier run

Ken Ferguson

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Ken Ferguson

against Whyatt, which was the first 300mph Nitro Funny Car pass by an Australian at Willowbank. “Tonight was good, Tim from our crew dialed in a great four second tune-up and we were able to follow up on what we did at the Winters here when we ran the exhibition pass and then in Perth last weekend when we ran a four at over 500kmh, which has been great,” Harris said. “To take the American on

and come out on top was very enjoyable, and hopefully we can go further for the next round on January 16.” Densham also took to the track at the event in his Camaro Nostalgia Nitro Funny Car, facing Peter Leahy, Steve Reed and Steven Ham in a two-round match race with their Top Alcohol Funny Cars. Driving an exact replica of his ‘Teachers Pet’ Nitro Funny Car, Densham faced off with Leahy on two

occasions as a tribute to Leahy’s late father, Roly, who passed away last year. Roly Leahy and Densham were opponents back in 1976 on one of Densham’s numerous Australian visits. John Force was the other American on tour with Densham, and was unable to front for the race due to breakages, with Leahy Snr stepping up as Densham’s opponent. More than three decades later, Densham scored two wins over Peter

Leahy with his nitro-fuelled Funny Car, going a 6.14s best at over 227mph. Leahy was only alcohol fuelled and recorded a best of 7.40s at 178mph. He will return in two weeks with a nitro engine, looking to defeat Densham, above,. In the Top Alcohol match race, Reed scored the win in the first with a 5.84s, 241mph pass, while Ham returned the favour on the second with a 5.96s, 239mph run.

Contact Oriana Ruffini:

WORLD SERIES SPRINTCARS ROUND 9/10, BRISBANE/CHARLTON

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Tatnell retains control

ROOKE Tatnell has retained the lead of the World Series Sprintcars, after two rounds over three nights in Queensland last weekend. But while WSS ace kept ahead in the points, he didn’t actually win any of the three shows in the north. On the first night of the Brisbane International Speedway show, local Cameron Gessner upstaged the Americans to take a surprise win in the preliminary feature, leading home Donny Schatz. But when the feature re-started for real on the Saturday night, Schatz leapfrogged Gessner and never looked back, winning his thirdstraight Australian Sprintcar Open title. On Sunday, racing resumed at Charlton Speedway in Towoomba, and after a couple of disappointing nights in Brisbane, Robbie Farr was back to his best. He sprinted to the Round 11 win, however Max Dumesny and Tatnell finished second and third respectively, meaning Farr made little impression on the two current series leaders on the points table. The series resumes at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway this Saturday night, with Tatnell leading the series on 1477 points from Dumesny (1430) and Farr (1423).

SPRINTCARS TYREPOWER PARRAMATTA CITY RACEWAY

Is Donny, Is Good American imports were the headline act at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway over Christmas and New Year, with Donny Schatz starring. GREG BOSCATO reviews the action AMERICAN Donny Schatz was the star at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway over the Christmas and New Year period, winning the Valvoline Sprintcar GP and Scott Darley $50,000 to win race. Traditionally the biggest time on Parramatta’s calendar, the new promoters continued the tradition in bringing the very best down under with World of Outlaws Champ Donny Schatz being joined by his Sprintcar team owner and NASCAR Champ Tony Stewart along with All Stars Champion Tim Shaffer to tackle the local hot shots. Rain delayed the annual Boxing Day classic to the following night, but when action got underway, Schatz showed he wasn’t here for a holiday, setting quick time in qualifying from Ian Loudoun, Garry Brazier, Gary Rooke, Glen Saville and Darryl Campbell, while Stewart was 29th in his first Sprintcar drive in some time. The A Main was declared with just three laps to go after former racer leader Damian Abbott and Mitchell Dumesny got together.

Abbott had been impressive, leading early and trading places with Schatz but in the closing stages it was Schatz and Brazier fighting it out, with Schatz leading when the race was declared. Shaffer was third, ahead of Tunks, James Thomson, Adrian Maher and Tony Stewart. Two nights later, Ian Madsen starred. The younger of the two Madsen brothers, Ian headed out Schatz to claim his biggest ever victory in a sensational A Main. Early race leader Ian Loudoun clipped his team mate Paul Freeman who had spun in Turn 3 and both were retirements. Madsen, Schatz and Brazier battled it out, and after Brazier passed them both and moved into the lead, he looked set for the win. But with four laps remaining, he slid wide into Turn 2 and, with a touch from Madsen, spun out and retired back to the pits. Madsen held onto the lead from Schatz, with Perovich third and Stewart fourth. “I can’t believe it, I’m Shaking,” Madsen said “I knew I could beat him [Schatz], everything

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fell into place for once. When I got into the lead all I was worry about was Schatz! Every little noise I hear I though it was him on my tail but all I could do was hang on.” Rain delayed the the Scott Darley $50,000 to Win event by two nights, with the likes of Brooke Tatnell and Robbie Farr additions to a 55-car field. Night 1 qualifying saw Tony Stewart on top with a 14.431s lap from Danny Smith, Perovich, Shaffer, Schatz and Tatnell. The track conditions were difficult come preliminary A Main time, and with the track laying rubber there wasn’t a lot of passing. Pole sitter Jackson jumped to a good early lead but was caught up with a spinning lapped car and dropped back. That gave the lead to Glen Saville who had withstood pressure from then third-placed Ian Madsen. Saville continued on to score his maiden win with Farr, Schatz, Smith, Shaffer and Stewart rounding the top six. At the end of the night, Smith had a small points advantage over Schatz, ahead of Stewart, Farr, Shaffer, Tatnell and Saville. On Night 2, Schatz was the star of the 40-lap A Main. After qualifying eighth, he settled into the Top Five, while Jackson led the early laps before Smith powered into the lead with Stewart, Shaffer, Schatz and Tatnell the leading contenders. Jackson lost a couple of positions and, by Lap 10, Smith was a clear leader with Schatz

second and Shaffer third. A battle developed between Stewart, Jackson and Tatnell while further back in the pack, Farr was recovering after slipping off the track during the opening laps. Shaffer surprised Schatz and regained second, only to have Schatz retake second, and move into the lead past Smith. From there it was all Schatz, he was in control, while Stewart’s trip ended with a flat rear tyre and Jackson was out with ignition box problems. As Smith started to slow and drop down the order, Shaffer was now second and he looked to be catching Schatz before a bleeder valve problem saw him slow, allowing Schatz to claim his eighth $50k win, with Tatnell third and Johnson fourth, ahead of Smith, Ian Madsen and Kerry Madsen. “It was great,” Schatz said.

Schatz (#2) and Madsen battled it out on Night Two, above, while Stewart’s pace progressed well each time he was in the car, below.

“It doesn’t matter what the number is, could have been number one as far as I’m concerned. We had an awesome car, it just had to let the car come to us for 20 laps and it did! The track was great, widened out and was a little better than last night.” Sprintcars returned to TPCR last Saturday night, January 9,

with Darryl Campbell bagging his maiden A Main feature win. After setting second quick time in qualifying and finishing second in the opening Dash race, and a front-row start in the A Main Campbell took an impressive victory. Behind him, the battle for second was intense, with Ian Madsen edging out Mitch Dumsney.

SPEEDWAY SPEEDWEEK 2009/10

Johnso

Geoff Gracie

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on: King of Speedweek L OUSIANA ‘S Jason Johnson has captured his third successive Speedweek crown. Driving for Queenslander carowner Alan Haynes, Johnson won the sought-after title with 712 points from Danny Smith (696) and current World Series Sprintcars leader Brooke Tatnell (690) on January 1. A third placing in the eighth round of the WSS at Premier Speedway, Warrnambool, behind compatriot and race winner Craig Dollansky was enough for Johnson to win the title. “To win Speedweek is a great feather in the cap for a brand new team,” Johnson said. “All week long we’ve been running in a podium position, [and] even when I got involved in [an] altercation at Avalon I was running second. This proves to me that we had good speed all week long, so it is good to finish transfer this speed and consistency into the win.” On the final of five grueling nights of sprintcar racing in seven days at Warrnambool, Dollansky produced a measured and patient drive to win. With four laps of the 35-lap final remaining, Dollansky passed initial leader Robbie Farr to speed away by quarter of a lap from Robbie Farr, with Johnson, another late mover, grabbing third from countryman Danny Smith. Immediately after the win, Dollansky, considered one of the top five sprintcar drivers in the world, said he would return to Warrnambool to conquer the

prestigious Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic on January 23 and 24. “I’ll be back for the Classic for sure,” Dollansky vowed. “This is one of the premier facilities in the world, when they prepare a track like this, it makes for a good show.” Two nights earlier, track specialist David Murcott upset a hot field of international drivers to take out Round 7 of the WSS in front of a packed house at Avalon Raceway. Murcott returned to his best form to qualify second, and then capitalised on a bizarre incident mid-race to take the win in the 35-lap final after Johnson was sensationally sent to the rear of the field in the final following contact with the lap car. He was forced to retire after his rear tyre went flat, opening the door for Smith to take second place. Scoresby driver Matthew Reed produced another great performance to take third. “It was really good after the week we had; we have been fast enough but just not (had) enough luck,” Murcott said. Johnson bounced back at Borderline Speedway, Mount Gambier, winning the WSS round for the third consecutive year. Johnson then claimed his second win in as many nights after recording eighth quickest time, then setting the fastest time in the Pole Shootout Dash Pursuit to claim pole for the 35-lap A-Main. Johnson jumped into the lead at the start, and was chased by the Orrcon Steel-backed Farr, however, when Farr tagged Johnson’s rear bumper and spun exiting Turn 4 in the

closing stages, it allowed Johnson to drive to a comfortable victory. The victory was his fifth from five starts in this year’s series and the 17th since he made his debut in 2003. It is also the fifth consecutive year that Johnson has finished on the Mount Gambier podium. At Murray Bridge, Johnson again powered his way to victory after finishing runner-up in the corresponding round in 2008, courtesy of a hard charging drive from the rear of the field. “It is great to get another win,” said Johnson. “I missed the opening round of the series but to have won two out of the four rounds I have contested with my new team is great, really, what else could you ask for?” Brooke Tatnell got Speedweek off in style winning the opening round at Adelaide’s Speedway City, defeating Johnson and Farr back on December 26. After starting from the outside of the front row, The Krikke Motorsport driver grabbed the lead from top qualifier, Johnson, at the start of 35-lap A-Main event. Tatnell was never challenged and powered his way to victory by a significant margin aboard the Toyota Genuine Parts supported Cool Chassis. “There is no greater way to start Speedweek than with a win,” Tatnell said. “After a tough year in America we need the wins and there’s no better time to win than when the money is on offer like it is in Speedweek.” – GEOFF ROUNDS

RALLY RAID DAKAR 2010

SAINZ LEADS DESERT STO VOLKSWAGEN has a stranglehold on the Dakar Rally as the event goes into its second week. Three of the Race Touareg 2s dominate proceedings after the 472km eighth stage between Antofagasta to Copiapó, despite a stage win by Stephane Peterhansel’s BMW. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz finished second on the day and continue to hold the overall lead by 14m35s ahead of their teammates Nasser Al-Attiyah/Timo Gottschalk and 22m28s in front of Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford. Fourth-placed Peterhansel is the nearest challenger to the blue VWs, but is more than two hours behind Sainz overall. The first week of the event has seen the Germans distance themselves from the opposition. Sainz and Al-Attiyah have both won stages for Volkswagen, while former two-wheel Dakar winner Nani Roma took

the opening stage giving BMW two stage winners in the first week. The other surprise stage winner was Robby Gordon, who took a NASCAR-like 1s win on a shortened fourth stage from Peterhansel. But late in the week, his Hummer suffered an alternator failure and the American tumbled down the order. Aussies Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki made a strong start to the event but their run came to an end on the 418km sixth stage from Antofagasta to Iquique in Chile. Their Isuzu D-Max had a spare wheel come loose and strike the car’s rear-mounted radiator. When the engine overheated, Garland was forced to complete the stage via the highway, ruling him out of the event. “We’d fixed the problem but it put us back last on the road, behind all those trucks and their blinding dust, ruts and rocks,” said Garland. “We patched up the water leak but we’d

lost too much coolant and the lack of cooling with a tailwind meant we had to back off.” The Bike competition is dominated by KTM, with Frenchman Cyril Despres leading after Marc Coma was penalised six hours (!) for receiving illegal outside assistance on Stage 7. Russian Vladimir Chagin has won seven of the first eight stages in the Truck Division, while Marcos Patronelli leads his brother Alejandro by 2h23m in the Quad Division. The event’s tragic history, unfortunately, gained a new chapter on the opening stage when a spectator was killed. Sonia Natalia Gallardo, who was said by event organisers ASO to be in a group of spectators standing in outside a designated spectator zone, was struck by the Desert Warrior of German driver Mirco Schultis. Several other spectators were treated for injuries.

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Williams is a Winner

ORM

LADY WIGRAM TROPHY

Welcome to South America: The Volkswagens’ only opposition is themselves, main pic, while the Garland/Suzuki Isuzu faltered after breaking a radiator, above.

Volkswagen Motorsport

THE Williams name adorns New Zealand’s Lady Wigram Trophy after a great drive from Roger Williams at Ruapuna Raceway, near Christchurch. on Sunday. The Auckland driver overcame the opposition and a windy day to steer his black Lola T332 to victory in the 15lap race. Steve Ross looked to be the man to add his name to the famed trophy, leading the race until lap 12 when Williams sliced his way past the Dunedin driver’s McRaeChevrolet. Former winner Ian Clements from Christchurch drove consistently to finish third in his Lola T332. “You have one chance at these things, don’t you?” Williams said afterwards.

“I could have sat back and taken second place ... but in a situation like that you’re always going to have a go aren’t you? So I did!” The story of the race, though, was who did not win. Chris Hyde led the race early in his McRae GM1 until he lost speed because of a faulty battery, and the lead, to Ross. After a red-flag period, prompted after Aussie Ken James had to be cut out of his smashed Elfin, Hyde was given a drive-through penalty for having the battery changed during the red-flag period. The other man to come up short was Ken Smith. The fourtime Wigram winner made a bad start and was hit by the car of Sefton Gibb. Smith’s Lola T430 suffered a broken upright and that forced him out.

rear of grid

POOR old Tony Stewart. Looks like he found Australia to be a rather confusing place. First he had to deal with the fact that the toilets flush backwards, it’s day time

Odd Spot

when it should be night time, and it’s summer when it should be winter. Then, he had Garry Rush and his crew throwing all sorts of crazy instructions, via hand signals, his way. Either than or they were

John Morris/Mpix

Smoke Signals?

explaining how to bowl a ‘Doosra’. Don’t worry Smoke. In no time at all you’ll be back to the ‘serenity’ of 40-odd NASCAR pack racing around a half-mile oval. YOU can get away with anything on your wedding day ... Just ask Michael Bartsch. The Shannons V8 Touring Car Series regular secured a special permit recently to use his AU Falcon as his own wedding car while getting hitched with partner Jade. That means the people of Tanunda, South Australia, got to see a full-blown V8 Supercar blaring through the main street, dragging along tin cans and a ‘Just Married’ sign. Nice.