Motorsport eNews Issue 143 - February 23-March 1, 2010

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Issue No. 143 February 23-March 1 2010

RICHO “SAFE” STEVEN RICHARDS BATTLED THROUGH ANOTHER TOUGH WEEKEND BUT, ACCORDING TO HIS BOSS, RUMOURS OF HIS DEPARTURE ARE WIDE OF THE MARK ...

FULL ABU DHABI RACE COVERAGE INSIDE

E B I’LL !

E R THE

RYAN BRISCOE IS PLANNING ON RACING A V8 SUPERCAR ON THE GOLD COAST THIS YEAR – AND THAT’S NOT ALL ...

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Issue No. 143 | 23 Feb - 1 Mar 2010

news 4 Need for Speed Why Richo needs to be fast 6 Man with a Plan Briscoe aims for V8 enduros 8 Send me in, Coach JB’s new gig at the ‘Fones 10 Ricci to the Max Tony’s Back in Business 18 Barn Masters New sponsor for old cars

chat 22 Five Minutes With ...

Roland Dane

opinion 24 Patrizi

Be Prepared

race 26 V8 Supercars 36 NASCAR 40 Speedway

trade 42 Classifieds

DON’T FORGET TO TALK TO US THROUGH TWITTER – @motors

Despite a continuation of his form slump and suggestions at the weekend that he has just four races to prove himself, FPR boss tells us ...

RICHO’S JOB I V8 SUPERCARS

S

TEVEN Richards’ position at Ford Performance Racing is safe after receiving unqualified backing from his team boss, despite a disappointing weekend at Abu Dhabi.

In the face of strong speculation that the two-time Bathurst 1000 winner, who has struggled for results for much of the last year, may be about to drive his final races as a full-time driver for the team, his boss, Tim Edwards, has backed his driver: “We let him down,” said

Edwards after a busy weekend at Yas Marina.

“How could I make a decision about something like that after we screwed his qualifying?”

Richards finished 16th and 17th in the two races at Abu Dhabi, after qualifying 22nd and 20th for the respective 43lap events. At the same time, team-mate Mark Winterbottom started second in the first race and took pole in the second, finishing third and second in the two races, in a brand-new FPR Falcon.

Richards cited set-up problems for the lack of qualifying speed, but Edwards

explains that the team, not the man in the #6 Dunlopsponsored Ford Falcon, was at fault, twice.

“On Friday, the blanking on his brakes was too much, and they overheated. So he only got a lap or two before they were no good. On Saturday, the bolts came off the rotor mounts on all three cars, so they only got one lap, at the end. Frosty [Mark Winterbottom] pulled one out right at the end for pole, but I can hardly blame Richo for something that the team did.”

While Richards’s year-long quest to regain his speed

continues, his performance was put into further perspective by the form of Ford debutant Paul Dumbrell. After more than 100 V8 starts as a Holden driver, his Bottle-O FG started the two races from 10th and 21st, and finished them seventh and 12th, in a car identical to that of Richards, who has driven for the team since the start of the 2007 season.

The V8 series’ first trip to the billion-dollar circuit was attended by many of FPR’s key movers and shakers, including Ford Australia boss Marin Burela, his new motorsport chief Chris Styring and Prodrive

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sportenews

car and sound backup, the step may not be as great as it might otherwise appear. Webb’s sprint race debut saw him comfortably inside the top 10 for much of the weekend, and he never looked like he was in over his head – despite suffering from tonsillitis.

But such matters remain speculative, following Edwards’ unequivocal backing for his veteran driver: “It would be premature to read anything into Richo’s performance in qualifying over the weekend,” he said. “We have no plans, at all, to make a change.

He has our 100 percent support, and he is under contract.”

Dirk Klynsmith

boss David Richards.

The question is, even if the team wanted to make a change, who would it recruit?

The obvious choice would be James Moffat, who is waiting in the wings to make his first appearance with the team in its Fujitsu V8 Series entry at Adelaide next month.

On the face of it, taking a driver who finished second in last year’s FV8 race and dropping him into the cauldron of the Main Game would appear to be a gamble.

But the performance on the weekend of Jonathon Webb, who beat Moffat to the ’09 Fujitsu title, would suggest that given a good

Dirk Klynsmith

IS SAFE

Webb beats Tonsillitis

JONATHON Webb will be back to almost full strength for this weekend’s third and fourth V8 Supercar races, in Bahrain, after tonsillitis severely hampered his debut in Abu Dhabi last weekend.

The Fujitsu Series Champ was struck with the infection right before his maiden outing as a full-time Dick Johnson Racing driver (see race coverage), but still managed to finish the first two races a remarkable 10th in the championship.

“He won’t be [100 percent] right, but he will be better,” DJR boss Charlie Schwerkolt told eNews.

“The doctors in Abu Dhabi said it will take him four or five days to recover.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Briscoe’s V8 Superplan V8 SUPERCARS

Macrow to join Slade ADAM Macrow looks set to join Tim Slade in this year’s V8 Supercar endurance races. eNews understands the 2006 Fujitsu Series Champ is the favourite to partner Slade in the third Stone Brothers Racing Falcon at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

Macrow has been a regular in the endurance races since making his debut in 1998, racing with teams including Perkins Motorsport, Ford Performance Racing and Triple Eight. His last start was in 2008, alongside Jason Bright, the pair finishing ninth.

“It’s not signed away, but I’d love the opportunity to drive with Tim, he’s done a fantastic job in the series, and the chance to drive a Stone Brothers car,” Macrow said.

“I’ve spoken to lots of people about the enduros, but this is the one I’d love to come off.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Dirk Klynsmith

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RYAN Briscoe is almost a dead cert to race at the Gold Coast SuperCarnivale later this year – and he may even compete in all three V8 Supercar endurance races.

The IndyCar star is in talks with several high profile V8 teams about the Gold Coast race, in which each team must use an ‘international’ driver. While Briscoe is an Australian, his standing in the American racing scene is likely to see him meet the classification required for an ‘international’.

But, in an exclusive interview with eNews, Briscoe has revealed that he plans to do all three enduros, including the L&H 500 at Phillip Island, and the Supercheap Bathurst 1000.

The sticking point might be getting the okay from Penske Racing. Phillip Island falls on a weekend between two IndyCar rounds (Kentucky and Motegi), and Bathurst is the weekend after the IndyCar finale at Homestead-Miami.

“I’ve been in serious talks with a couple of teams, and I’d like to do all three enduros, not just the Gold Coast” Briscoe told eNews.

“But I need to sort it out with Penske, and how it fits in with the schedule. It’s tight. Surfers isn’t a problem, but Phillip Island is between to race weekends. Luckily, the second one is in Japan, so getting there from Australia isn’t too hard; but the team might be concerned that it will take the focus off my goal, which is winning the IndyCar title.

“And Bathurst is the weekend after the last round, so if I do the win the championship, it might be hard because I’ll have commitments in the US. “It’s tough, but if I’m going to the effort of doing a deal with a team for the Gold Coast, I want to try and do the other races too. Especially Bathurst; I’d love to have another crack at racing there.”

Briscoe refused to comment on which teams he is in talks with.

“I’d rather not say, to be honest, because there are a couple of teams in the mix. And I’m still working things out with Penske. But it’s nice to know I’m wanted, and it seems everyone is in a rush to sort it out down there.

“I’m really excited about it.”

Briscoe has raced at Bathurst before, sharing a Holden Racing Team car with Jim Richards in 2006. But he didn’t get to drive in the race, after Richards crashed early in the race. Briscoe did, however, qualify on provisional pole at the ’06 Sandown 500 – on debut in the category.

In IndyCar news, Briscoe will have his first test of the season at Barber Motorsports Park tomorrow (Wednesday).

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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RALLY OZ: BACK FULL-TIME? WORLD RALLYING

Dirk Klynsmith

AUSTRALIA is set to be named on a 14round calendar for the 2011 World Rally Championship.

British magazine Autosport has revealed a 14-round schedule, which will be voted on at a World Motor Sport Council meeting in Bahrain next month. The new calendar will replace the rotation system that has been used for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, with 21 being shared between the two years.

Should Australia form part of the new calendar, it is likely to mark a full-time return for Rally Australia.

“We hope so,” CAMS General Manager Graham Fountain told eNews.

“First things first, we’re very pleased that we’re being proposed for 2011. We think that can provide some real security for the event, and allow us to keep running a world-class rally.

“But, the proposed calendar hasn’t been to the World Motor Sport Council yet, so it hasn’t been ticked off. That will happen in

Bahrain in March, [so] we need to wait and see what happens.

“However, we’re not backwards in coming forwards and saying we want to be a part of it.”

Other rallies listed on Autosport’s revelation include Rally Sweden, Rally Mexico, Rally Portugal, Rally Argentina, Rally Italy, Rally of Turkey, Rally Finland, Rally Germany, Rally France, Rally Catalunya, and Rally GB. There is also a

proposed round in Abu Dhabi, based out of Yas Marina, which will replace Jordan as the series’ Middle Eastern excursion.

There is also a blank spot for an opening round in January, which is expected to be where Monte Carlo slips back into the WRC fold. Should negotiations between WRC promoter North One Sport and the Automobile Club de Monaco fail, Norway is expected to open the 2011 season.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

e

Hey, coach ...

V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

JOHN Bowe has been retained by Team Vodafone to take on the role of driver coach.

The Tasmanian former champ was in the T8 pit during the recent pre-season Qld test day, as reported in last week’s eNews, and wasn’t keen to shed too much light on his reason for being there – until Craig Lowndes did so in a newspaper column last week.

Driver coaching isn’t widespread in motorsport yet, but there are precedents for Roland Dane’s latest move.

“It’s not about teaching people to drive – obviously,” JB told us on Monday.

“There’s nothing I can tell those two about driving – they are as accomplished and

Suit dramas in Abu Dhabi V8 SUPERCARS

A number of V8 Supercar drivers were forced to use hastily-acquired replacement race suits in Abu Dhabi after problems arose over the FIA homologation of one brand of

FUJITSU SERIES

by Autofocus were not manufactured by Chicane.

While the immediate consequence was of inconvenience to the drivers, reportedly five in all, using the suits, eNews understands that the FIA is likely to follow

up on the matter, while there is the distinct possibility of legal follow-up from Chicane Racewear. eNews contacted Chicane’s Shane Drake, who was unable to comment, other than to confirm the reports of an ‘issue’.

Moff set for first test Winterbottom’s data engineer – Grant McPherson – will be Moffat’s race engineer.

“We’re pushing ahead to get to Winton on the second of March, which will be about 10 days before Clipsal,” Moffat told eNews.

“There’s a bit of work to be done, but it’s essential to get a days running underneath our belts.

“Martin was formerly head mechanic for Triple Eight in the UK, and prior to that worked

for Williams when they were running Renaults in British Touring Cars and he has also worked on their F1 team.

“Grant is coming back early from Bahrain to be at the test, which is going to be a good chance for us to start to work together and understand what each other likes and developing that relationship.

He’s keen as to get stuck in, just like I am, so I think it’s going to be good.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Dirk Klynsmith

JAMES Moffat will have his first hitout in his Ford Rising Stars Racing Falcon next week.

Moffat will test at Winton on March 2, with his Jim Mortonowned BF Falcon currently being prepared at Ford Performance Racing. The 25year-old will be involved in the work on the car, which hasn’t raced since the end of 2008, throughout his Fujitsu Series campaign.

FPR has recruited Martin Ellis, formerly with Triple Eight and Williams in England, to work on the car, while Mark

race suit.

Suits supplied by Brisbanebased company Autofocus were found to have the FIA homologation number of a different manufacturer – Chicane Racewear – attached to them. The suits supplied

talented drivers as there is.

“But motorsport is one of the most complex sports in the world. There are so many different aspects to it – people to deal with, things to think about, before you even get into a car. And sometimes, a third pair of eyes, someone who has a trained eye for it, can add something.

“It’s something I could have done with during my own racing career!”

Bowe is enjoying the insight into, arguably, Australia’s most professional team: “The whole team is ... incredible. Having seen how they work, the result at the weekend was no shock to me.

“They’ve made me very welcome,” he concluded. “More so than a couple of the teams I once raced for! ...”

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BRIEFLY...

n IN the week when the bulldozers moved in to level Oran Park, we are sad to report the passing of longtime marketing manager and well-known face at the circuit, Di Missingham, last Wednesday. Di’s funeral will take place at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, John Street, Camden, on Wednesday at 11 am. n AFTER a career Speedway spanning almost 50 years, Denis Farr had his final race at Parramatta last weekend. Farr is a multiple Parramatta track champ, and is the father of leading Sprintcar driver Robbie Farr.

Denis has elected the night he led home his sons Robbie and Colin in a family 1-2-3 as his favourite moment. n LONG-TIME Sprintcar car owner Barry Lewis announced on the weekend that he is returning to the States and will team up with Californian hard charger Steven Allard, to run the full season at Chico Speedway.

– GREG BOSCATO/STAFF

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Atko’s Proton test WORLD RALLY CHRIS Atkinson has been back behind the wheel of a rally car in Europe, testing for Proton MEM last week.

The Bega native, who was a works Subaru driver until the end of 2008, tested a factory Proton Neo Super 2000 car at Sweet Lamb in the UK last week. He drove the same car that Alistair McRae took to second place at last year’s Rally of Scotland.

It was Atkinson’s first taste of a Super 2000-spec car, and he shared testing duties with promising British teenager Tom Cave.

Interestingly, Proton is yet to finalise its driving line-up for the 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, with only McRae

confirmed at the squad.

But Proton MEM team principal Chris Mellors was coy about Atkinson’s chances of the seat, when quizzed by Autosport after the test.

“Chris was in the country on Wednesday, and we were up testing, [so] it made a lot of sense to put him in the car,” he said.

“We were doing some engine data work, which is also why we brought Tom down to get him out in the car for some experience.

“It was a good day; we’re still looking at a range of drivers [for the second seat], but it was good to have somebody of Chris’s experience in the car.”

Atkinson’s phone was switched off when eNews tried to contact him today (Monday).

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VICTORIAN Andrew McFarland will join Borland Racing Developments in the opening round of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship.

McFarland, who’s previously raced in Formula Vee, has secured backing from The Blind Factory for Albert Park, and will line up alongside Ash Walsh, Caleb Rayner and Ben Jurczack.

“We’ve been working toward this for a while now.

I get on really well with the guys at BRD and can’t wait to get into the racing season,” McFarland said.

“I really have to thank Dad and BRD for the hours they have poured into this.” n

Ricciardello at Kellys

V8 SUPERCARS TONY Ricciardello will have his first full season in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2010.

As exclusively revealed on eNews’ Twitter service last Tuesday, the West Aussie has signed with Kelly Racing for its fourth seat, joining Todd and Rick Kelly and Jason Bargwanna. He debuted at Abu Dhabi on the weekend in Super-Max signage, the razor company that switched from Dick Johnson Racing to

Kelly Racing for this season.

However, the Super-Max deal for Ricciardello is only for the two Middle Eastern rounds.

“We’re all pumped about it,” said Todd Kelly.

“Tony has got a lot of potential and for us it’s a huge win to get him onboard for this year. He is a guy that has always had a massive amount of potential, but has slipped under the radar year after year, so it’s good for us to finally give him a decent crack at a full season.

“I think he will surprise a few

people, especially from the mid-to-late part of the year. He is a great bloke. Rick and I and everyone in the team get along really well with Tony.

“He has done a fantastic job for us every time he’s been in the car. He’s been around for a while so he’s sensible and he knows how to drive the car well.”

Ricciardello drove for Kelly Racing in the enduros last year, sharing with fellow West Aussie Mark McNally. He is most famous for six Australian Sports Sedan titles in his awesome Alfa-Chev.

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Dukes of Phillip Island WORLD SUPERBIKES DUCATIS are dominating testing for the opening round of the 2010 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island this weekend.

After Carlos Checa set fast time on Sunday, Michel Fabrizio edged Shakey Byrne out of top spot on Tuesday morning, leading a 1-4 sweep for the Italian V-twins.

The Xerox rider recorded a 1m31.65s lap, 0.012s faster than Byrne. Checa was third from Noriyuki Haga, while Leon Haslam was the best of the riders on Japanese bikes, with a 1m32.279s lap on his Suzuki.

While the booming twins looked ideally suited to the track, it was tougher going for the Australian riders. Troy Corser led the way on his BMW in 12th while Chris Vermeulen was 16th on his Kawasaki.

On Sunday, Checa’s best of 31.959s was just better than Fabrizio, with Haslam third from Haga.

“A very good start, quite positive,” the Spaniard reported.

“We didn’t expect this performance this early and especially not at this track, which is not easy. But we know that the Ducati can work quite well here and we arrived in Phillip Island after a quite

good job in testing at Valencia.”

With Broc Parkes missing this weekend through injury, Josh Brookes will take the reins of Parkes’ Echo CRS Honda CBR1000RR, on

a circuit where he was a prolific winner during his domestic racing years, and also where he won the 2004 World Supersport round as a wildcard.

Tim tests FUJITSU SERIES

Hooray for Hollywood AUSTRALIAN GT PETER Hackett will return to the Vodka O Australian GT Championship this year.

Hackett will drive the ex-Ted Huglin Lamborghini Gallardo in a two-car Vodka O team

with Dean Grant, which will be launched in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The former Formula 3 and Formula Holden Champ has raced in GT sporadically previously, including finishing second in the 2005 season,

TIM Blanchard is ready for the opening Fujitsu Series round at the Clipsal 500, after completing a 100-plus lap test at Winton last week.

Blanchard, who is re-united with his Sonic, the team with whom he won the 2007 Australian Formula Ford Championship, had a whole day of clear track running – and 30 degree temperatures.

‘The day was really productive,” he said.

“It allowed me to knuckle down and try for constant laps, using tyres that were

well past their best. I felt a lot more comfortable as the day progressed and really believe that it was a major step to prepare for our first round at the Clipsal 500.

“I felt good – but lost a lot of fluid. It was hot inside the car; very hot!”

Sonic boss Mick Ritter was pleased with Blanchard’s progress.

“We are happy were Tim is at,” he said.

“He is getting to understand what is required with the whole package. Our tyres were old, but that also threw things at Tim he needed to deal with.”

and most-recently in an Aston Martin in 2008.

“Dean and I will be pooling our resources and running as a two-car team,” Hackett told eNews on Monday from Winton, where he was testing the car.

“Since winning Formula Holden I’ve done bits and pieces, but this will be the first time I’ve gone into the first round knowing what I’ll be

doing for the whole season. It’ll be nice to be back in a black Lamborghini.”

Meanwhile confirmation of the date for the GT Championship’s self-promoted, stand-alone event at Phillip Island is expected later this week. July 23-25 is expected to be the date rubber-stamped by CAMS. – MITCHELL ADAM

11

Campos changes direction FORMULA 1 THE Campos Meta team has undergone a shift in ownership, with Jose Ramon Carabante taking full ownership from Adrian Campos.

Carabante has appointed former Midland, Spyker and Force India boss Colin Kolles, holding umbrella below, as team principal in place of Campos.

“I would like to thank Bernie

It could be T

Ecclestone, who worked tremendously to support our efforts to keep the team viable,” said Carabante in a statement.

“The whole rescue operation has been a race against time, with the goal of always having the team run two competitive cars at the first grand prix of the season in Bahrain.

“We have a lot of hard work still ahead of us, but we are excited about making our F1 debut and looking forward to a competitive season.”

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USF1 take four off .

FORMULA 1

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12

USF1 will not make it to the first four Grands Prix of the season, at the very least.

The Charlotte-based team, which had been rumoured to be under financial strain, has come clean about its status in an interview with the New York Times.

Team co-principal Ken Anderson, right, said that the discussions that the team were having were about now whether

the team would miss a race, but how many it could.

“We’re working with the FIA to clarify how many races we can miss,” Anderson told The Times.

“In an ideal world, we can miss the first four races and show up in Barcelona.”

Anderson put down suggestions that his partner Peter Windsor and Google’s Chad Hurley, the team’s principal investor, were no longer involved with the project.

The problem now is what to

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The Ashes in Formula 1 FORMULA 1

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Silver v Blue: Jenson Button topped the sheets, a day after Mark Webber flew the flag for Red Bull. Speaking of red, Fernando Alonso is starting to look comfy in the Ferrari, isn’t he? And British Racing Green made a return; this is Jarno Trulli in the Lotus.

... for now

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do in such a short space of time.

The team has not yet submitted a chassis to the crash testing required by the FIA, and recently, Stefan GP, based in Toyota’s former base in Cologne, fired up its SF01 car, which was developed before Toyota exited the sport.

The inference is that Stefan, which would be days away from being able to test while for the Americans, is putting the pressure on for an entry while USF1’s timeframe might still be in months, rather than weeks.

THE latest round of Formula 1 testing at Jerez has shown that Jenson Button is not going to lie down and give away his World Championship.

The McLaren recruit topped the times on the last day of the test, running light and fast early in the day before he settled down to concentrate on longer runs. His time of 1m18.871s, the fastest of the winter so far, was a quarter second faster than the Renault of Robert Kubica, whose Renault was on-track at the same time as the Briton.

But the big news for Aussie fans was that Button’s sprint just eclipsed the time set the previous day by Mark Webber.

The Red Bull ace ran light in the Renault-powered RB6 for the first time, and while the car was fast, the Aussie lost track time later in the day when he crashed, prompting one of four red flags to be displayed through the course of the day.

Webber was almost a second faster than Fernando Alonso, while Michael Schumacher’s return to work featured a number of longer runs, before he handed the car over to Nico Rosberg.

BMW.Sauber continues to impress, with new lad Kamui Kobayashi doing much of the ‘fast’ running in the Ferraripowered car.

Of the newcomers, Timo Glock is showing speed in the Virgin, the new car looking swift enough compared to the other cars. Lotus continues to pile up laps in reliability testing, with Jarno Trulli clocking 141 laps on the final day of the test.

Testing resumes this at Barcelona third Thursday, the first day of a four-day test.

13

The Hole Truth and nothing but NASCAR SPRINT CUP

Speedway President Robin Braig is not in favour of a total repaving job.

“We don’t want to repave or pain the whole house when all have to do is a little touch-up,” Braig stated.

A total repave would cost in excess of $20 million and is slated for somewhere between 2012 and 2014, but now it may have to come sooner.

– MARTIN D CLARK

A Walk in the Park

NASCAR Media

NASCAR SPRINT CUP DAVE Blaney has shone an unintentional spotlight on NASCAR’s Start and Park teams.

Blaney qualified an amazing fifth for the California Sprint Cup race and retired after 44 laps, to be classified 41st. His team-mate, Michael McDowell started 30th and parked on lap 40.

While Blaney failed to qualify for the Daytona 500, McDowell’s team did run as much of the race as they could finishing 33rd after

14

Lola double INDYCARS

NASCAR Media

DAYTONA Motorsport Speedway officials have fixed the famous track.

Following the Daytona 500 track debacle where ‘America’s Great Race’ was halted twice for more that two hours as track officials attempted to repair a hole, the damages area has been fixed with asphalt and reinforced concrete. North American Testing, the company retained to repair and look at other possible issues with the track, will continue to evaluate the bumpy and abrasive 2.5 mile Superspeedway.

The track will host Daytona 200 Week for motorcycles starting this Thursday, but

breaking a propshaft at the final pitstop. His team owners, retired drivers Phil Parsons and Randy Humphrey netted a cool US$268,000 in what could be one of just a few races they intend on running to full distance.

The question is, can NASCAR put a stop to the ‘field fillers’ that show up with one hauler, two cars and limited team members – McDowell’s ‘team’ is three people – to collect start monies for those cars and complete just a few laps? And, does NASCAR even want to?

– MARTIN D CLARK

LOLA Cars is the latest manufacturer to show its IndyCar design concept.

The British company has submitted two different body styles for the IndyCar series’ new 2012 chassis. Not only can both designs compete against each other without one having an advantage, the tub can serve a dual role as both an IndyCar and Indy Lights chassis, reducing costs to teams and allowing a team running a Lights car to convert it to a low cost Indy 500 entry.

“The proposed Lola B12/00 and B12/01 IndyCars are intended to offer a “total solution” package providing “attractive and aero performance balanced racecars that will deliver a return to close and gladiatorial racing,” Lola

said in a statement. “Safety, efficiency, styling and affordability have been at the forefront of the Lola special projects team that has been working on this project throughout 2009 to date.”

If Lola’s submission is successful, the company will establish a manufacturing facility in the USA, as required by the sport’s management.

– MARY MENDEZ

GIL AND PENSKE ...

INDYCARS DE Ferran Motorsports has merged with Luczo Dragon Racing.

The 2003 Indy 500 and twice CART champion, Gil de Ferran, had to close the doors of his de Ferran Motorsports ALMS

team last December. Now he has joined forces with Steve Luczo and Jay Penske to become Luczo Dragon Racing de Ferran Motorsports.

“We’re facing formidable opponents,” said de Ferran.

“Ganassi and Team Penske have been dominating this

news

es up designs SatoCars INDYCARS

TAKUMA Sato has an IndyCar drive for 2010.

The former Formula 1 driver has signed with KV Racing Technology, and will compete in all races.

“This is a very exciting time for me and all my supporters,” said Sato. “I have really missed racing last year and can’t wait to get started in this new challenge with such a great team. KV Racing Technology is a team with massive potential and great team spirit. I am also really motivated by the chance to be fighting at the front of the field, something I have missed in recent seasons.”

Sato, 33, turned his focus to the IndyCar series after he was unable to secure a ride in F1, having competed in 92 races and earning a best finish of third in 2004 at the USGP at Indianapolis. A new challenge for this seasoned driver will be competing on the ovals for the first time.

– MARY MENDEZ

KV Racing Technology

Thumbs Up: KV Racing’s Jimmy Vasser welcomes Honda’s favourite son, Takuma Sato, to America.

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science of performance.”

The team plans on running one IndyCar entry for Raphael Matos’s sophomore season with several key personnel added from de Ferran Motorsports. Decision regarding further entries will be made in the future.

– MARY MENDEZ

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championship for the last several seasons. Our goal is to be as good as them if not better. To do that, we need to dig deep and pull as many resources as we can together.

“Our aim is to put together a state-of-the-art motorsports operation with a sharp focus in high technology and developing the

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Go West, racers!

L&H & Armor All get on board DRAG RACING TWO of motorsport’s heavy corporate hitters, Armor All and Lawrence & Hanson have joined the ranks of ANDRA Pro Series Drag Racing.

The announcement was made at Sydney Dragway during Summernationals and followed by an impromptu drag race. Top Fuel ace Phil Lamattina represented L&H, going up against Dragway head-honcho Tony Buek for Armor All, who took the win.

“On behalf of the

competitors, the Drag Ltd Board and all involved with the ANDRA Pro Series, I’d like to welcome Armor All and Lawrence & Hanson,” Drag Ltd Executive Chairman Paul Cross said.

“We are on the crest of a wave and it’s in no small part to the continued support we have received from our sponsors.”

DRAG RACING The 39th running of the Westernationals at Perth Motorplex, WA’s biggest drag racing event, looks set to be massive with 352 entries received, a new record for the state.

The February 27/28 event includes 73 interstate teams.

In the two ANDRA Pro Series categories to be run at the event, Top Doorslammer has 13 entries and Top Bike has 11 entries.

The Northern Territory’s Scott Maclean will be making his debut in Top Doorslammer in Perth with his 1953 Studebakerbodied car, while WA’s own Dave Simpson returns to pro competition for the first time

with his new Ford Mustang.

Robin Judd (WA), Maurice Fabietti (NSW) and John Zappia (WA) will be continuing their fight for the lead of the Top Doorslammer championship.

Chris Matheson (QLD) and Jay Upton (WA) are the two quickest Top Bike riders in the nation and have not only been trading championship blows but have also been edging closer to the elusive 5sec. zone.

The Westernationals is WA’s only round of the national Rocket Allstar Racing Series for sportsman competitors and is one of only two opportunities during the season for WA racers to officially set national records.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF Luke Nieuwhof

Morgan makes most of limited opportunity DRAG RACING DARREN Morgan’s team continues to remain a dark horse in the Top Fuel ranks, capable of some big time performances but struggling to find consistency.

Carrying a Shannon’s Insurance livery into the washed-out Summernationals at Sydney Dragway, Morgan qualified third with a 5.02s

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pass, which at 293mph (471kph) was the fastest run of the session.

“The car has been performing well, we just need to find some more consistency on race day; we just need to go rounds,” he said.

At 20 years old, Darren Morgan Racing tuner Ben Patterson is one of the youngest nitro motor wranglers in the land. He had

an optimistic lookout for the future.

“We had made a few changes to our clutch set up to find more consistency,” he said.

“We were very happy with the progress that was made in (the last round at) Perth as we ran the same engine throughout both Perth events.

We have now settled on a very strong and consistent engine combination that should

produce some great results.”

Morgan said the team’s one and only pass at the Summernationals took a conservative approach given the impending weather.

“It was a fairly slow and steady pass to ensure that we made it into the field,” he said.

“The pleasing aspect was the fact that we were 30mph faster than any other car at the event.”

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

news

Melbourne fans stand up DRAG RACING THE Motorvate Melbourne rally was held on Saturday, at Melbourne Showgrounds, to show support for a new drag racing venue in Victoria and was a stunning success, with 600 cars and a crowd of 16,400 people.

Victoria has been without an ANDRA championship drag racing venue for almost a decade, since Calder Park became unsuitable.

The rally featured the Nitro Cars of Top Fuel champion Phil Lamattina, Darren Morgan and Peter Russo’s Nitro Funny Car, recently brought back from the USA. They did some nitro fire ups, much to the delight of a crowd, many of who had never

witnessed the power of a Top Fuel dragster.

ANDRA project director Gary Miocevich, who has been working to secure funding for the new drag strip for several years, said the response was huge.

“Some people hadn’t seen this level of drag racing for so long,” he said.

“One man I saw was showing his kid a nice car – his son had missed out on seeing drag racing so far and he wanted him to know what it was about.”

The response from the Victorian Government has so far not been positive, despite overwhelmingly positive reports about the economic benefits a championship drag racing venue would provide.

The report was provided

censored to ANDRA (after a freedom of information request), but The Sunday Age reported after obtaining the study that a drag strip would provide a $190 million a year boost to the economy and would cost $38 milllion.

A second study was commissioned by the Government which it is also refusing to release.

Miocevich said the drag racing industry was feeling discriminated against considering funding going towards ‘stick and ball’ venues, including $283 million on a new rectangular stadium and $53 million for an ice rink.

Miocevich said the Labor Government was ignoring its traditional constituents.

“A lot of people were saying

the Government has gone with the top end of town,” he said.

“A lot of racers are Labor supporters and they feel the Government has become out of touch.”

Calder Park is no longer an option for championship drag racing, with houses closing in to within 500 metres. Noise levels would exceed those of Calder Park’s permit and the venue does not meet safety standards required by ANDRA. “It’s in the Government’s hands. We will be talking with them and we’ll see what they think,” he said.

“We were overwhelmed by the frustration expressed by those in the sport, even those on the fringes.”

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

A great fit

Mobile hose and fittings specialists ENZED, has renewed its major associate sponsorship of ANDRA Pro Series Drag Racing after a highly successful initial involvement.

ENZED will now retain the ‘presented by’ Series status

until at least the end of the 2011 season.

“There is no doubt that our sponsorship of the ANDRA Pro Series has exceeded all our expectations,” Marketing Manager for Parker Hannifin (incorporating ENZED), Kevin Spiteri said.

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TC MASTERS AUTOBARN will become the presenting sponsor for the Touring Car Masters this year.

A new, multi-year partnership with the automotive retail giant will see the series known as the

Touring Car Masters presented

by Autobarn.

“We are extremely excited to embark on this multiyear agreement between Autobarn and the Touring Car Masters,” Paul Burfitt, Autobarn Motorsport Director, said.

“We see the series as a great

Strong Sports Sedan numbers for WP

SS MEDIA

Autobarn joins TCM

John Morris / Mpix

fit with our market. The series is hugely popular and has been growing rapidly. It’s a great, highly professional category and we have some exciting plans for 2010 and beyond.”

While Biante Model Cars has stepped down from the role of naming rights sponsor, the

company is still involved as a major sponsor, along with Shannons and Rare Spares, with each entity having a presence on cars in the series, as pictured.

The Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn kicks off at the Clipsal 500.

SPORTS SEDANS

2009 series winner Des Wall as the early title favourites.

Among the field, two new classes will debut. Three cars will run in the Heavy Metal group, with Queenslanders Daniel Natoli (V8 Magna) and Garry Leaton (Monaro) joined by Queenslander Sam Silvestro (Mazda RX7).

Damian Johnson (Torana) and Paul Hibberd (Datsun) will race in the S2 Class, for normally-aspirated cars under 3.5-litres.

THE Kerrick Sports Sedan Series will carry its recent run of strong entries into 2010.

Next weekend’s season opener at Wakefield Park with the Shannons Nationals features an entry list of 26 cars.

Missing is six-time champ Tony Ricciardello, who’s sitting out the season to focus on his V8 Supercar ride. His absence places Darren Hossack and

Date shuffle for Australian Sprintcar SPEEDWAY THE 2011 Lucas Oils Australian Sprintcar Championship has had a significant change of dates.

Originally scheduled for February 4 and 5, the Premier Speedway Club in Warrnambool has been forced to change the date to January 28-29 2011, for the 49th running of the prestigious event.

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It will follow quickly on the back of the 39th running of the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, set for January 22 and 23, due to school holidays and other speedway venue schedules.

“It became apparent that a spare weekend had been created via the preferred dates for some other major events, which in turn created a window of opportunity for us to bring both the Classic and

the Australian Championship forward a week, to encompass both events within the school holidays,” Premier Speedway Club manager David Mills told eNews.

“We truly appreciate the fact that many, many people have already enquired about the dates, which in turn has led to bookings with regards to accommodation and the like, but we hope that those that are inconvenienced can re-

schedule and join us for what promises to be a great week of Speedway in Warrnambool.”

Premier Speedway Club also hope aligning the Classic in between the proposed dates for the 2011 Chilli Bowl, and the beginning of the US season.

It is hoped the move may help attract American drivers and teams to the Classic weekend.

– GEOFF ROUNDS

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More of Morgan Park NATIONALS WORK is continuing at Queensland’s Morgan Park Raceway on the circuit’s extension.

A further 900m will be added to the Warwick track in the final sector, taking its total length to 3km. The extension will give the circuit a lengthened straight and additional overtaking opportunities.

AUSSIE Racing Cars will make their debut at Lakeside Park this year, as part of a sevenround calendar.

After the season opener at next month’s Clipsal 500, Aussie Racing Cars will feature on a variety of programs throughout 2010. Three rounds – one at Hidden Valley and two at Queensland Raceway – will be contested with the Australian Superbike Championship and the class will make their debut at Eastern Creek’s annual Muscle Car Masters.

Aussie Racing Cars will be part of the Australian GT Championship’s event at Phillip Island in July, and conclude the season with their own stand-alone meeting at Lakeside on October 16-17.

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“We’re happy with the calendar,” Category Manager Phil Ward told eNews.

“Muscle Car Masters is a massive event and running with the Superbikes is a good fit with our motorcycle engines.

“We haven’t been to Queensland Raceway for a long time, we’ve only been to the Northern Territory once and Lakeside is a track that all of our competitors want to race at, so it’s all looking good.”

– MITCHELL ADAM 2010 Aussie Racing Cars: 1. Clipsal 500, March 11-14 2. Hidden Valley, April 9-11 3. Queensland R’way, June 4-6 4. Phillip Island, July 23-25 5. Queensland R’way, August 20-22 6. Eastern Creek, September 3-5 7. Lakeside, October 16-17

Wallis’ V8 switch FUJITSU SERIES REIGNING Shannons V8 Touring Car Series winner Adam Wallis will appear in the Fujitsu Series this year.

The South Australian has sold his title-winning VX Commodore to Sean Fardell, and has purchased a VZ Commodore from PWR Racing, which he will test for the first time at Mallala this week. Wallis plans to run selected Fujitsu rounds this year, before converting the car back to the VY-spec required to race in the SV8TC for 2011.

John Morris / Mpix

AUSSIE RACING CARS

Phil Williams

Aussies announce calendar

With Warwick District Sporting Car Club volunteers heavily involved in the work, it’s expected the new layout will be ready mid-year.

“The asphalt is laid, that’s the easy bit,” WDSCC president Bill Campbell said.

“Everything should be ready around mid-year, by the time we have the run-off areas, tyre bundles and walls in place.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

“It’s an HRT chassis that was last used by PWR, it’s good all the good bits in it, so I’m looking forward to driving it for the first time on Thursday,” Wallis told eNews.

“It’s currently a VZ, so I figured we’ll run a few Fujitsu Series rounds against the young guys before converting it back to a VY. “I’ll do Clipsal, then come back later in the year for a couple, like Bathurst and Homebush, before getting back into the Shannons series next year.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Long Johns V8 UTES

DUAL Bathurst 1000 winner Tony Longhurst has joined the list of co-drivers for the V8 Utes’ 10 Years of Legends race at the Clipsal 500.

Longhurst will line up with 2007 V8 Utes Champ Grant Johnson.

“We are confident he will do really well and hopefully we’ll come away with a round win,” Johnson said.

news

Woo Ton Clan MINI CHALLENGE

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Jack’s a model gentleman

AUSTRALIA’S multiple F1 champion Sir Jack Brabham has signed a deal with leading diecast model company Biante, which will see several of the famous cars which bore his name

CHRIS Wootton will return to race Australia in this year.

The 21-year-old is one of four new competitors to purchase cars from BMW in the last week to race in the 2010 MINI Challenge.

Wootton, who has spent the last two seasons in Formula BMW Asia Pacific, has a MINI Challenge start to his name, having been one of the guest drivers at Bathurst in 2008.

“The plan’s to race the whole series,” Wootton told eNews.

“It’s a good series and the

produced as 1:18 and 1:43 scale models.

The deal also includes Sir Jack’s two championship winning (1959, 1960) CooperClimax cars which, along with his championship-winning

cars are a lot of fun. It should be exciting; the cars are very different to a Formula BMW. “We won’t have time to do any testing before Clipsal, but hopefully we can do some after the Grand Prix and move up from there.”

Wootton will be among a number of newcomers on the grid in Adelaide’s season opener, along with former open-wheel driver Ricky Occhipinti, Peter McNiven from the Shannons V8 Touring Car Series and tarmac rally driver Dylan Thomas.

– MITCHELL ADAM

1967 Repco Brabham, will make up the initial ‘limited edition’ production offering.

Delivery of the first batch of Brabham models is expected in mid-2011.

Biante has to date focussed on the Australian market, with a range of touring carbased models. The Brabham Collection, however, will allow the WA-based company to launch onto the world stage.

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World wide Nationals

NATIONALS

Dirk Klynsmith

FOLLOWING a successful trial at Sandown’s 2009 season finale, the Shannons Nationals will be broadcast live on the internet this year.

Adelaide-based group PureMotorsport will stream all nine rounds through the series’ website, www.thenationals. com.au, while the existing telecast arrangements on SBS’ Speedweek and Fox Sports’ Inside Speed continue.

“The live broadcast from the Sandown round proved

to us that the internet is the future for sports broadcasting,” Shannons Nationals director Rob Curkpatrick said.

Meanwhile, the card for the opening round of the 2010 season at Wakefield Park on March 6-7 has changed. Due to CAMS eligibility requirements, Future Racers won’t run, instead replaced by Mazda MX5s, while the planned OzDrift GP has been cancelled.

The Mazdas join Formula 3, Kerrick Sports Sedans and Commodore Cup. – MITCHELL ADAM

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5 Minutes with ...

ROLAND DANE

TeamVodafone’s first weekend earned them a pole, two wins and a TKO over the PHIL BRANAGAN Holden Racing Team. Early days, but the team boss is happy

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MOTORSPORT NEWS: TeamVodafone has had some pretty big achievements. But in your wildest dreams, did you think winning first-up in a Commodore would happen?

ROLAND DANE: I hoped that it would, but you are right.

Our aim every time we go to a race is to get pole position and take a 1-2 in the race.

But to actually do that, as everyone in racing well knows, is a different thing. This is a very hard job at any time, and when you come out with a brand new car and a change of manufacturer, a change of engine and all the things associated with that, it is really something.

For me, this is an achievement that ranks right up there with winning Bathurst, to be honest, in terms of industry recognition.

IF WE HAD NOT BEEN THERE, FORD WOULD HAVE HAD A VERY GOOD WEEKEND! DANE RUBS IT IN – BUT HE’s RIGHT!

Did it help somewhat to do this at a circuit on which nobody in V8 Supercars had raced at before? That levelled out the playing field for you with the new cars, surely?

It may have done, a little bit.

But I don’t think that it had a huge effect on it.

Last year, we had a brand new car with the FG, at Adelaide, and we managed to come out and dominate there. It is impossible to tell, to be honest, but it was a really good experience to go the Yas Marina circuit.

last time we were there. We are looking forward to the fact that there has been a bit of a circuit change there, using the Grand Prix track that F1 has used for the last few years.

That brings a completely different element into it which, to be honest, means that it is hard to tell whether it is going to favour the Ford a bit more, in terms of its aero balance as compared to the Holden.

We can’t be sure until we front up there at the weekend.

So what does this mean for the rest of the season?

Bahrain has been a bit of a lottery but your cars have had good form there.

Bahrain has been good for us,

Jamie Whincup, to an extent, disguised the fact that it was a pretty competitive showing from the Ford teams.

Yes, he did. Of course, if we had not been there, Ford

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would have had a very good weekend!

As it was, they had a reasonable weekend but they did not win. But it is good to see a variety of competition.

But what I am really pleased about is, when I look down the top finishers from Race 2 ... there are five of the top nine cars with Triple Eight chassis.

It is turning into a three manufacturer series; Holden, Ford and Triple Eight?

From a chassis point of view, it is good to see our chassis doing so well. I hope that the DJR guys continues to be up there, but they probably need to use our old engines in all their cars, rather than

just Webby’s. Then they will probably be right up there, and ahead of FPR! Is there a message from your team to the Holden Racing Team? Every team has a horror weekend like that at some stage.

Basically, we have had our share of bad weekends in the past and so have they. It is what you do after them that counts.

I thought that the penalty for Tander was a bit harsh, on Friday, but it was what it was.

When things start to go badly, then they quite often snowball.

But they will bounce back. Of that I am sure.

chat

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23

Personal

Michael Patrizi

ALWAYS TAKE YOUR HE

I

HAD no intention whatsoever of going racing in Abu Dhabi.

I went over there to watch Dean Fiore, and it was a stopover on my way to Europe for some business. You know, every time I go to Europe I arrive jet-lagged, no matter what I do, so I thought this

24

time I’ll stop, watch Dean, and get a good look at Yas Marina.

I was visiting some friends from the team I used to race Formula BMW in Asia with, guys who I knew very well, and they said ‘what are you doing in the next half an hour or so?’ I told them I was doing nothing, and they said ‘well, do you want to race?’

I said ‘don’t be stupid’, and they said ‘no, we’re serious; do you want to drive?’

A car had become available in the Chevrolet series because someone had got sick. I’d missed practice, so I wasn’t sure what to do, so they told me just to cruise around at the back and get used to it all. I said no, because I didn’t know what I’d get.

I walked away, but then sent them a message saying that I’d do it if I could pay for two sets of tyres, so I knew what I was getting. I put some good rubber on the car, and away I went. I borrowed some gear, and I had my own helmet (because I never go to a racetrack without it), and in half an hour I was racing – and having a lot of fun!

The cars are good, actually.

They are exactly what the Middle East needs. They are a purpose built racecar, and the latest-model cars are a lot better than the first ones.

It’s kind of like an Australian Saloon Car on steroids, but it’s a lot nicer. Yes, it has body roll, but nowhere near as much as a Saloon Car. It’s got unreal grip – the Pirelli control tyre is amazing for a Touring Car. That’s something that would work well on V8 Supercars.

And for what the guys told me a season is worth, it really makes our development series look a bit expensive ...

Winning a race was really nice. It’s been a long time, and it doesn’t matter what you win in, you still have to win. I got to the front, and it was up to me to not make a mistake and stay in front. I had a really big lead, but someone dropped oil on the track with about six laps to go, and, amazingly, I found the wall. I was coming under the hotel and went sideways into the wall – and then kept going!

But it’s a great feeling, and a confidence booster, and the best part is I’m not one step behind compared to the V8 guys.

The most important thing was getting a look at the circuit. That’s why I went there in the first place. When you arrive at big tracks like that, it can blow your mind away – and it can take your mind off the motor racing. I don’t want to be behind the eight ball next year.

This year is an interim year for me. I’m not racing because of circumstances beyond my control, but I’m happy with my preparations for coming back next year. I’m very sure I’m in good shape for 2011.

ELMET

opinion

Michael Patrizi took his helmet to Abu Dhabi ... and ended up winning a race in the local Chevrolet Series. Here’s his remarkable story

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V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACES 1&2, YAS MARINA, ABU DHABI

THE LION SWEEPS

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race

Anyone who really believed that a little thing like changing from Ford to Holden would stop Jamie Whincup from winning got the shock of their life in Abu Dhabi

S TONIGHT

Dirk Klynsmith

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Dirk Klynsmith Andrew Hall

O

N the evidence of the opening race of the V8 Supercar season, the changes that have taken place in the 74 days prior did not have a great effect on the racing, or the outcome.

Jamie Whincup won. No shock there; he has won more races in the last two seasons than any other driver. Craig Lowndes was second, coming from further back than he might have liked after qualifying to pick off car after car in the race, aided by good strategy and fuel economy.

28

He admitted post-race that his VE was running on fumes when he was on the slowing down lap, having run 18 laps, a full race distance on the new, smaller tank.

Ford Performance Racing showed speed – race leading speed – but found yet another item on its list of rarely-seen SNAFUs to lose the race. In this case, it was Mark Winterbottom choosing the wrong line on the multi-striped grid to line up to.

He subsequently earned a 10s penalty, and finished third. The

good news is, at best, he would have finished second, so the ‘loss’ was only one position.

“I struggled to see the lines when I pulled up,” Winterbottom said.

“I will know where they are tomorrow but it is disappointing because the car was not too bad. To soldier back to third is a pretty good result.”

So, the partnership between V8 Supercars’ Dream Team and Holden got off to a dream start, with pole and 1-2. With the Holden Racing Team right

behind, surely?

Hardly. Things started badly, with Garth Tander starting at the back after his qualifying time was kicked out after a pit-lane infringement (see news pages), and only got worse after that.

Damage from clashing with a Paul Morris/Todd Kelly incident put him at the back of the field by laps instead of seconds, and on lap 30 Tom Walkinshaw’s biggest nightmare was completed when Will Davison’s engine surrendered. The team set to making a change, which

Race 1

Dirk Klynsmith

A Familiar Look: From far left, Jamie Whincup got to use the same victory dance as he did in the season opening races in 2008 ... and 2009. Former housemate Will Davison could only look on as JDub sped by, after the HRT driver lost an engine in Race 1. A few spectators graced the track to watch the first-ever V8 Supercar race take wing. Garth Tander’s luck was not much better than his team-mates, losing a gearbox cooler after contact. Mark Winterbottom overcame a 10s pitlane penalty to take third, but he was no real threat to the familar TeamVodafone For ... Holden drivers.

Dirk Klynsmith

from near the back of the field after being nailed on the opening lap, and Paul Dumbrell and an impressive Jonathon Webb.

The other constants carried over were Paul Morris copping a penalty after contact with others, Steven Richards starting half a grid behind his team-mate; in fact, well behind his new second team-mate Dumbrell, as well; and a struggle from the other ‘Clayton’ Commodores, Fabian Coulthard finishing 17th and Andrew Thompson 19th.

Dirk Klynsmith

Dirk Klynsmith

occurred for unspecified reasons.

Any notions that Holden would sweep the top 10 positions were put well and truly to rest.

In fact, of the 10 Fords that made the trip to the Gulf, six ended the first race of the year in the top nine positions.

James Courtney, with Ford backing for the first time in more than a year, was a strong fourth, after a battle for much of the race with Lee Holdsworth.

Behind was Shane van Gisbergen – who showed blistering pace in recovering

29

T

30

who by his own diagnosis “drove it like a tool” to qualify 22nd, from where he finished 14th.

This year, HRT faces its biggest challenger in two decades for the title of Holden’s best team, a mantle earned in, literally, hundreds of races.

In TeamVodafone’s first race with Commodores, it took one weekend, and two races, to obliterate that fact. HRT will fight back, but in Abu Dhabi, the Triple Eight VEs were superior in every department.

There were cars in the race other than predominantly red Holdens, and Mark Winterbottom was best of the non-Vodafone drivers. Second was apt reward after pole position was wasted with a Captain Kangaroo start, but the brand-new FPR car impressed him.

“It was a pretty promising start to the season,” he said.

“To campaign a new car on a new track and make the gains we did is real credit to the team.”

In fact, Frosty’s biggest loss was his mobile phone, which he somehow managed to lose on the way to the post-race media conference ...

Shane van Gisbergen took third, clearly the best of the Stone Brothers Racing drivers, showing that his Friday speed was no fluke, while Rick Kelly beat Lowndes for fifth.

The real danger is this; so far as the teams’ title is concerned, the fight may be over already.

HRT is nowhere; FPR has Frosty at one end of the field and Richo at the other; and Courtney and Johnson do not quite appear to have the race-winning speed, at every track, to challenge Whincup and Lowndes.

Bahrain will show much this week. Everyone else goes there with some data from previous outings at the track, so the Fones will face a playing field less level than it had at Yas Marina, which was new and unknown to everyone.

On the other hand, in form like this, you would be brave to bet against Whincup.

Dirk Klynsmith

HE Holden Racing Team ended its first visit to Abu Dhabi with some great news; no matter what may happen at the billiondollar Yas Marina circuit in future V8 Supercar events, it cannot possibly get worse than this.

The Reds drove – quickly, no doubt – to the rather archaic airport that serves the ritzy desert city with a grand total of 90 points from Garth Tander and Will Davison’s first two races, after a litany of disasters.

To put that in perspective, Andrew Thompson, who did not have a particularly upbeat first weekend in the ‘Smooth’ Clayton VE, scored 83 points all by himself.

But that statistic is nowhere near as horrifying as these facts; TeamVodafone banked 549 points, Jamie Whincup won both races – one from pole – and Craig Lowndes ended his first weekend in a Holden since he left HRT almost a decade ago third-best in the Middle East. It was nothing less than domination.

Jamie Whincup won the race, such as it was. While the opening lap resembled a Sprintcar race, it soon settled down and, apart from Garth Tander getting ahead of Whincup before he stopped, it was straightforward and, to be honest, processional.

“The car was bullet-proof, and we were sort-of in control from the start,” Whincup said.

“I am almost in shock from what has panned out this weekend. Having a brand-new car, a brand-new circuit and to almost have a perfect weekend, well that’s good enough. It is just an amazing feeling.”

It was not quite a perfect weekend. Whincup lost his fastest practice time on Friday when he was found to have cut the course. Oh, well ...

Tander’s demise was caused by damage to the left-front wheel hub after the wheel nut itself flew off – it was that sort of weekend – while Will Davison

Race 2

Dirk Klynsmith

Dirk Klynsmith

The Blue Max: From above, clockwise: V8 Supercars ‘flaming out’ made a return under the night sky. . Rick Kelly came to the fore on Saturday. Whincup’s dominance disguises the fact that the Fords, Courtney among them, were very fast. It will take some time to get used to Lee Holdsworth in red but, if he maintains this form, we will learn. Below, he leads star rookie, Jono Webb. Shane van Gisbergen (left) was very impressive

Dirk Klynsmith Dirk Klynsmith

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Dirk Klynsmith

WINNERS TRIPLE EIGHT ENGINEERING: Pretty obvious one, here. The reigning Champions have turned brand new Holdens into winner –, and their old Fords were pretty fast, too.

MARK WINTERBOTTOM: Frosty was the only bloke who looked on the same planet as Whincup when it came to pace, and might have won the first race if it wasn’t for that silly star-line penalty. In for a good year, by the looks of things.

JONO WEBB: Webby was the best of the rookies by a mile. The Fujitsu Series Champ looks the goods, early on.

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: Turned testing pace into race pace ... and a result in Race 2.

This could be the year Van Giz steps up from fast but fragile to just plain fast.

ALEX DAVISON: Did what he failed to do at all in 2009 – looked fast.

LOSERS HRT: Oh dear. Right when they needed to prove they were still the #1 Holden squad, they dropped the ball. The good news is that both GT and WD looked pretty quick.

PAUL MORRIS: A stark contrast with his previous weekend win (Bathurst 12Hr). His crash with Todd was dumb – bring on Murphy this weekend ... for everyone’s sake.

STEVEN RICHARDS: Look too much like S Richards 2009-spec. Better ramp it up quickly, Richo ...

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Ross Stone:

We’re Back!

STONE Brothers Racing took a big step forwards at Abu Dhabi – with strong performances across the board – including from the team’s ‘third’ car, driven by Tim Slade.

“We’ve been pleasantly, surprised by Tim,” SBR boss Ross Stone told eNews.

“He’s a dedicated, fit young man and, based on what we’ve seen so far, I reckon he could be the ‘surprise package’ of the year.

“He lost the last 20 minutes or so of track time on Thursday when we had an engine problem, but then drove consistently well all weekend – he’s a single car team … but came away with more team points than HRT!” Stone was also upbeat about his two regular charges, and a renewed focus

sweeping across the entire team: “We’ve changed a few things over the offseason, including the relationship between some of the team personnel. I’m big on the fact that team ‘chemistry’ is a very important ingredient, and I can sense some big, positive change there.”

Both SBR cars were good straight out of the container and required “very little change” to run very close to the pace – indeed, team youngster Shane van Gisbergen took fastest lap in both races, and therefore left Abu Dhabi with the V8 lap record.

“We were very pleased with both of them (Van Giz and Alex Davison) – Shane’s comeback from being bundled out on the first lap of race one to get back up to sixth shows we’ve got the pace …”

Yas – “Tyre Heaven” THE racing surface at Abu Dhabi proved to be extraordinarily good, according to Dunlop Racing’s Kevin Fitzsimons.

“It’s a type of surface we haven’t come across before,” he told eNews.

“It’s a very ‘closed’ surface, very smooth, and very grippy, hence the pronounce tyre ‘noise’. And as far as V8 Supercars went, that meant very good grip, with wear no real consideration – hence

drivers opting not to change front tyres in the main. “”The soft tyres would be brilliant around here …”

However, he said, there are no plans to make that change.

Fitzsimmons also praised the over-all facilities and ‘feel’ of the latest addition to the V8 calendar.

“Of all the international races we’ve done over recent years, this is the best.

Everything – the facilities, the co-operation from track staff,

the whole place – has been terrific.”

The teams now move to Bahrain, where a completely different surface presents different challenges.

“Bahrain is a very low grip, ‘open’ surface. If you compared the two, you’d find comparatively much less rubber actually contacting road surface in Bahrain. That has its own challenges in terms of tyre wear and grip …”

FROM THE COUCH with PHIL BRANAGAN

Illness makes life hard for Webb

JONATHON Webb’s sensational debut in Abu Dhabi was hampered by a sever bout of Tonsillitis.

The reigning Fujitsu Series Champ, on debut with Dick Johnson Racing, finished eighth and 16th in the two races – leaving him 10th in the championship. And that was despite being carried between the car and the Medical Centre throughout the weekend, as he battled the infection.

DJR boss Charlie Schwerkolt was amazed with the rookie’s performance.

“He was really crook,” he told eNews.

“We was in the Medical Centre before and after each race, and he was sleeping most of the time.

“Given how sick he was, I couldn’t believe how well he

did – particularly in the first race. I thought a good result would have been somewhere around 15th, and we would build on that. But to finish eighth ... I was blown away.”

Webb’s infection was made harder to deal with thanks to intravenous drips not being available at the circuit.

“They don’t believe in drips, apparently,” added Schwerkolt.

“He was just receiving injections and on strong antibiotics. It was an amazing performance.”

Schwerkolt was also happy with the team’s start to the year, as a whole.

“It could always be better, but it was a good solid start; certainly much better than last year. Three cars in the top 10 is a pretty good way to kick the year off.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

CHER once wondered what might happen if she could turn back time. On the weekend, the Seven Network did.

The decision not to show the V8 Supercars live from Abu Dhabi, and instead to delay it for hours, and which was described in a V8 Supercars media release as “a win-win for everybody”, brought back memories of the good old days of late Sunday-night coverage of the Shell Series. The network used to studiously avoid any reference to the race results, not letting the cat escape from the bag until the football – any football – was over and done with.

Twenty years ago, newspapers were not out until the next day, and Dan Quayle had not yet invented the internet.

The most recent seasons’ rounds in Bahrain, at least, allowed a viewer to record the races in the middle of the night and watch them at a time that suited. Not this time; Seven had some riveting stuff early Saturday morning, including such offerings as Home Shopping and Namu, The Killer Whale, which was no more entertaining now than when it was made 40 years ago (except, possibly, in Japan).

Saturday morning’s Sunrise was in on the win-win situation too, reporting that Whincup had taken pole position. Great news, except Sunrise was on-air hours after the first race had finished.

That’s a big like reporting that Muhammad Ali had a strong first round against Joe Frazier in Manila ... after the TKO. The actual broadcast was fine. The circuit was not quite as fantastic, amazing, fantastic and amazing as the talking heads might have us believe, but the racing was entertaining. The commentary banter is still a little pally-pally, but nothing nearly as cringe-worthy as what Channel Eddie is offering from Vancouver.

Live motor racing is a big deal because it was made into a big deal. Delayed motor racing used to be fine, so long as there was no internet, Twitter, ‘Faceoff’ and ‘Yourspace’ to report, within seconds, what had happened, and stuff things up.

In the 21st century, up against bobsleds crashing live, and golf as it happens, it was OK. It’s just that, in these days of the Greatest Show on Wheels, we are used to better than OK.

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Dirk Klynsmith

Results :: Race 1 – Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi

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Pos

#

Driver

Team/Car

Qual

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

1 888 5 18 33 9 55 19 4 15 17 8 11 47 34 6 24 3 10 12 14 30 51 16 7 2 39 22 21

Jamie Whincup Craig Lowndes Mark Winterbottom James Courtney Lee Holdsworth Shane Van Gisbergen Paul Dumbrell Jonathon Webb Alex Davison Rick Kelly Steven Johnson Jason Richards Jason Bargwanna Tim Slade Michael Caruso Steven Richards Fabian Coulthard Tony D’Alberto Andrew Thompson Dean Fiore Jason Bright Daniel Gaunt Paul Morris Tony Ricciardello Todd Kelly Garth Tander Russell Ingall Will Davison Karl Reindler

TeamVodafone Commodore VE TeamVodafone Commodore VE Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon FG Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG Fujitsu Racing Commodore VE SP Tools Racing Falcon FG The Bottle-O Racing Team Falcon FG Dick Johnson Racing Falcon FG Irwin Racing Falcon FG Jack Daniels Racing Commodore VE Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG Team BOC Commodore VE Rock Racing Commodore VE Wilson Security Racing Falcon FG Fujitsu Racing Commodore VE Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon FG Bundaberg Red Racing Team Commodore VE Centaur Racing Commodore VE Bundaberg Red Racing Team Commodore VE Triple F Racing Falcon FG Trading Post Racing Commodore VE Gulf Western Oil Racing Commodore VE Castrol Edge Racing Commodore VE Supermax Racing Commodore VE Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore VE Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Commodore VE

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

Dirk Klynsmith

Top 10 Points: Whincup 300, Winterbottom 267, Lowndes 249, van Gisbergen 231, Courtney 222, Holdsworth 207, R Kelly 198, Dumbrell 165, Johnson 152, Webb 141.

Results :: Race 2 – Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi

Dirk Klynsmith

Pos

#

Driver

Team/Car

Qual

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

1 5 9 15 888 18 33 17 39 14 34 55 47 22 11 24 6 19 3 10 8 12 21 30 16 7 4 2 51

Jamie Whincup Mark Winterbottom Shane Van Gisbergen Rick Kelly Craig Lowndes James Courtney Lee Holdsworth Steven Johnson Russell Ingall Jason Bright Michael Caruso Paul Dumbrell Tim Slade Will Davison Jason Bargwanna Fabian Coulthard Steven Richards Jonathon Webb Tony D’Alberto Andrew Thompson Jason Richards Dean Fiore Karl Reindler Daniel Gaunt Tony Ricciardello Todd Kelly Alex Davison Garth Tander Paul Morris

TeamVodafone Commodore VE Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon FG SP Tools Racing Falcon FG Jack Daniels Racing Commodore VE TeamVodafone Commodore VE Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG Fujitsu Racing Commodore VE Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore VE Trading Post Racing Commodore VE Fujitsu Racing Commodore VE The Bottle-O Racing Team Falcon FG Wilson Security Racing Falcon FG Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE Rock Racing Commodore VE Bundaberg Red Racing Team Commodore VE Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon FG Dick Johnson Racing Falcon FG Centaur Racing Commodore VE Bundaberg Red Racing Team Commodore VE Team BOC Commodore VE Triple F Racing Falcon FG Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Commodore VE Gulf Western Oil Racing Commodore VE Supermax Racing Commodore VE Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE Irwin Racing Falcon FG Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE Castrol Edge Racing Commodore VE

2 1 7 3 6 5 15 13 17 11 10 21 18 22 14 19 20 16 23 26 8 24 25 28 29 12 9 4 27

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NASCAR SPRINT CUP RD 2 OF 26: AUTO CLUB SPEEDWAY, FONTANA, CA

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race

Home, James

Jimmie Johnson was under pressure to win in California, after his Daytona disasters. A good pit call, and some smart driving, brough win #48 for #48

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I

T sounds so predictable; Auto Club Speedway, California, Jimmie Johnson wins.

Except, this was not predicatble. Okay, Jimmie runs #48 on his Hendrick Chevy, and this was the 48th win of his career. But this was a fight, only decided when Kevin Harvick slipped high and into the outside wall, leaving the reigning overlord of NASCAR racing to take his first win of the year.

With five laps remaining, it was on and burning between the two drivers. Harvick announced his arrival on Johnson’s bumper with a telling tap, with with three to go, he had his slide, and Johnson was, literally, home.

“Life is good, man,” said Johnson, who looked a little relieved. “We’re right back in victory lane.”

That relief may have been because of good timing. He

was exiting pitlane when Brad Keselowski spun and brought out a yellow flag, and with track position and the best set-up he had during the race, managed to cover the field for the rest of the race.

Jeff Burton, Mark Martin and Joey Logano filled out the top five positions.

For all that, this was something of a race of attrition, and not because Ford’s new engine was in use (its introduction has been delayed until next month, at the earliest).

Juan Pablo Montoya, who again showed his liking for the Fontana oval, was right in the fight for race honours when his engine let go; a few laps later, Ryan Newman suffered a spectacular failure, on the front stretch. Then, just as the mess was cleared up, rain threatened; driver after driver stretched their fuel as far as they could, desperate to be at the front in case the red flag flew, but

with 50 laps remaining, officials decided that the threat was over and drew the green.

At that time, Burton looked to have the best car on the track but, once Johnson escaped any potential loss, Chad Knaus’s adjustments proved correct, again, and Johnson did the rest, again. Burton winless streak, which now runs to more that a complete season, will have to wait at least one more race.

While the Chevys dominated, it was not such a great day for Toyota. Denny Hamlin lost any chance of winning with a flat tyre after contact with Carl Edwards – his second cut tyre of the race – while the Red Bulls of Brian Vickers and Speed looked, well, speedy, until tyre strategy and weather ruined their days.

Marcos Ambrose had an ordinary weekend, starting 26th and packing up early after losing an engine. There appears to be some gremlins in the systems at present ...

You try this: Juan Pablo Montoya and Jamie McMurray plotted their races, left, but they could not prevent Jimmie Johnson from taking his 48th career win, right.

NASCAR Media

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NASCAR Media

Inside Out: Johnson was victorious after he fought off Kevin Harvick, above. Matt Kenseth, below, was the top Ford driver.

Ford Racing

RESULTS :: AUTO CLUB 500 1 48 2 29 3 31 4 5 5 20 6 2 7 17 8 33 9 14 10 16

Jimmie Johnson Kevin Harvick Jeff Burton Mark Martin Joey Logano Kurt Busch Matt Kenseth Clint Bowyer Tony Stewart Greg Biffle

Chevy Hendrick/Lowe’s Q7 Chevy Childress/Shell/Penzzoil 6 Chevy Childress/Caterpillar 14 Chevy Hendrick/Godaddy 10 Toyota Joe Gibbs/Home Depot 19 Dodge Penske/Miller Lite 12 Ford Roush Fenway/Crown Royal 20 Chevy Childress/Cheerio’s 3 Chevy Stewart Haas/Old Spice 16 Ford Roush Fenway/3M 35

NASCAR Media

POINTS: Harvick 331, Bowyer 312, Biffle 304, McMurray 302, Burton 300, Martin 297, Kenseth 288, Reutimann 273, Logano 263, Edwards 262, Kurt Busch 254, Johnson 253.

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John Morris/Mpix

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race

KING BROOKE SPEEDWAY

Loudoun’s turnaround SPEEDWAY

SYDNEY’S Ian Loudoun took out a brilliant victory at Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway last weekend, giving the former track champ his first Parramatta victory of the summer.

Loudoun’s TenEighteen Motorsports J&J defeated an impressive Kelly Linigen, with former Speedcar ace Craig Brady third.

Rounding out the top positions was a fast finishing Troy Little, with Daniel Needham and Marty Perovich making up the six.

Starting from pole, young Needham was impressive, leading early. But after having a summer he’d rather forget, Loudoun made his move and powered into the race lead. Needham looked to have locked in a podium finish in what was crash-fest of an A Main, but after a late race stoppage, his superb drive ended, leaving hi m fighting for fifth place.

The race was marred by a number of incidents, with Garry Rooke, Mark Blyton and Darryl Campbell all joining the upside down club, while Mark Lawes and Adrian Maher were also forced out due to incidents.

Mitchell Dumesny had a night he’ll rather forget. After missing a heat due to mechanical problems, he could only managed seventh in the B Main, and was a non qualifier into the A Main final.

Heat wins were shared by Needham, Craig Banks. Mick Turner, Loudoun, Roddy BellBowen, Peter Bourke, Anderson and Jeff Lawler, while Adam Layton took out a declared C Main.

The B Main was won by Rooke with Thomson, Maher and Rod Bright the final A Main qualifiers.

– GREG BOSCATO

IT’S been a long time between drinks for Brooke Tatnell at the King of Wings.

But last weekend, at Perth’s Kwinana Motorplex, Tatnell broke a 15-year drought, winning the event with a lights-to-flag win. According to Tatnell, it was a special win – especially as the event is now named in the honour of Michael Nanovich.

“You race these memorial races with your heart on your sleeve, and since becoming the Nanovich King of Wings, it’s not just a normal race.”

Tatnell said.

“We all believe in each other, and that is why we have such a formidable team.”

The real battle was for second place, with Kerry Madsen and Jason Johnson going hammer-and-tongs. In the end, Madsen pulled a lastlap move to take the place.

Earlier in the race, Max Dumensy had been in on the game, racing hard with Johnson. But an engine problem saw him side-lined midway through the feature, gifting third place to Steven Lines, with West Aussie gun Ryan Farrell fourth.

WA KICKS OFF WA STATE RACING

The 2010 WA motor racing season is officially underway, with the first round of the Smarter Than Smoking Night Masters being held at Barbagallo Raceway on Saturday.

In Sports Sedans, the battle was between former Formula Ford racer Cade Bell, and tarmac rally specialist Steve Jones – both in Mazda RX-7s.

And it was Bell who eventually took the majority of the points, after conceding the first race to Jones. The Street Cars shared the same field, with Mark Greenham unbeaten in

his RX-7.

There were familiar names out front in the HQ Holden field, with Steve Raisin winning two of the three races to win the round from Rod Jenzen and Chris Kneafsey.

In Improved Production, Ashley Barnett had two wins and a third on his way to round honours, while the other win went to Peter Major – who was also second in Street Cars.

There were no surprises in Historic Touring Cars, with Ron Moller winning all three races, while Walter Epple and Richard Wheeler shared Sports Car class wins.

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rear of grid

Abu Dhabi: Sporting There was fun and games away from the track in Abu Dhabi last week, with both soccer and golf on the sporting menu. V8’s answer to the Socceroos were the stars of the beach last Wednesday – Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom, James Courtney, Shane van Gisbergen, Alex Davison and Dean Fiore combining to beat a ‘UAE Allstars’ squad, featuring a mix of Chevy drivers and professional footballers!

t o p S d d O

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Dirk Klynsmith

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