Motorsport eNews Issue 148 - March 30-April 5, 2010

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Issue No. 148 March 30 - April 5, 2010

BACK TO THE FUTURE

All the news from V8SA’s Car of the Future briefing

TAG’S TEAM!

PLUS!

We name the V8 squad that Alex Tagliani will drive for on the Gold Coast ... and there’s another ex-Formula 1 driver confirmed, too.

Full details in this issue

www.mnews.com.au Why is Michael Schumacher’s helmet still red? The answer is inside ...

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Issue No. 148 | 30 Mar – 5 Apr 2010

news 4 No DeLoreans!

COTF ‘launched’. Sort of 6 The Full Monty-airo SuperCarnivale latest 8 Whincup’s F1 plan frenzy!

No. Really, no.

10 State of Origin-ality Premier Keneally: spell ‘F1’ 13 The Precipitation Nation Mondays for St Pete, Cup

chat 22 Five Minutes With ...

Michael Schumacher

comment 24 Adam: Syd-den-ney!

25 Van Leeuwen: Slam This!

race 26 AGP V8s: Garth on top 32 FFords + Supports 40 World Superbikes

trade 46 Classifieds

Tell us what you think of the COTF on Twitter – @motorsportenews

The Questions Rem

Tomorrow came Today, as V8 Supercars unveiled more of the concept, but less of the act

By PHIL BRANAGAN

V8 SUPERCARS

V

8 SUPERCARS has moved a step closer to its Car of Tomorrow future – but details of how and what will make up the category’s racers for 2012 and beyond still remain, at best, vague.

The car was ‘launched’ in Melbourne on Monday by V8 Supercars Australian Executive Chairman Tony Cochrane and independent board member Mark Skaife, but despite disclosing some of the framework of the project, actual detail of what will specifically constitute the cars remains only partly explained.

Skaife, who heads the COTF program, reported that a deadline of late-June is in place to iron out the final details of the new racecar, which it is hoped in some quarters may attract a new make or makes to

the category.

The extent of the program, which is designed to reduce costs sustained by teams by up to 25 percent, was outlined in a 24-page booklet (complete with the obligatory Mission Statement) provided to the media at the launch.

As expected, technical details of the new car were limited, and there is no confirmation that any maker other than Ford or Holden is about to join the two American-owned manufacturers in racing in the long-established series, in spite of recent sweeping but premature reports to the contrary by other media outlets.

Skaife remains upbeat about a third brand, or more, joining the series: “The level of communication [with manufacturers] has been good, and the feedback has been good,” he said.

“It is a mainstream sport, in

terms of recognisable benefits. doubling their effective life to We deliver big numbers. It’s 10,000km. undeniable as a product On the other hand, engines that people are going to be other than the current interested in it delivering a Holden Motorsport and Ford magnet of some description.”

SVO 5-litre pushrod units Nissan and Chrysler both had will be permitted, subject representatives at the function. to an equalisation process.

“There’s not a lot to report at V8SA’s booked gave costing this stage,” said Nissan’s Darren for engines from different Holland. There’s no plan at this manufacturers, including stage to enter the category.”

Sodemo (France), Robert Yates Chrysler’s Jerry Stamoulis was (USA) and Ilmor, Judd and AER on the same page; (UK).

“It’s interesting to see which Skaife said that the car was way the sport is going. It is “99 percent” certain to use an more out of interest than 18-inch wheel and tyre in place anything else. As we plan for of the 17-inch units that have future models, if there is an served the category since its opportunity, at least we will inception, in order to allow know what is going on.” teams to fit larger brake rotors, What is known is that the to allow closer racing at street targeted cost of the program circuits. remains at $250,000 for a At the time the new wheel/ rolling chassis and that there tyre package is introduced, is an aim that the engines cost V8SA will have a new tyre be halved from the current supply contract, with the $100,000, with a parallel aim of intention to invite tenders motorsport news

news

main

Holden: Support, but with a Warning

tual Car of Tomorrow.

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

[Dane] needs someone, so he starts poaching HRT blokes, and that is the nature of the thing. It’s all business.

“So, if you open it up, there is a very, very solid chance that the costs will go up.”

McNamara also says that the company may consider homologation of an engine other than the current 5-litre pushrod HMS unit; “In principal, yes. In the current commercial agreements that I have with the teams, no. In a number of cases, through those agreements, I provides elements of the current engine free of charge.

That is not the entire engine, that is a part of the engine. The cost to me is ... reasonable, but it’s not a killer.

“If I have to pull an engine off the shelf and supply it as a whole, including all the ancilliaries, my costs go up about 200 percent. Then I have to charge. There is not a business case where I can just give away parts, at a million dollars a year, without having to recoup the costs associated with that. Which means that the teams that are currently supplied from me will have to get charged.”

Holden Motorsport

Dirk Klynsmith

during the preceding year.

Other details are that the minimum weight of the cars, which is currently 1355kg, looks set to drop to 1250kg; wherever practical Australianbuilt items will be used; a number of items will be carried over from the current Project Blueprint cars; and all racecars will continue to be right-hand-drive, regardless of whether the roadcar on which it is based is made only in left-hand-drive.

HOLDEN supports V8 Supercars’ new COTF program, but Motorsport boss Simon McNamara, right, fears it could increase costs.

“Fundamentally, Car of the Future, from what was presented today, we support as a program, considering it is a cost reduction program,” he said.

“From our point of view, [it is] as an avenue for inviting other manufacturers into the sport, which we don’t support. You know, and I know that anywhere in the world where motor racing has been opened up, costs will increase. They have to.

“A simple case of a team coming – with the teams that are already capable of winning races already manufacturer aligned – they will have to spend money [on] poaching, testing and development, etcetera, to win races. That will drive the costs of everything up.

“To use Mark’s example; say Garry Rogers races a Nissan. So Garry Rogers decides he needs Ludo Lacroix from Triple Eight, so Ludo gets offered $500,000 to go to Garry Rogers Motorsport and the cost goes through the roof. So Roland

Ford: An Opportunity FORD supports the COTF program and sees it partly as an opportunity to modify some of its motorsport arrangements.

“We have been through this before – Mark and I had a good sitdown in Adelaide,” said Ford Motorsport Manager Chris Styring.

“I think that it’s reasonably in-tune with where the motor company is going. We have to spend money smarter; not necessarily spend less, but spend it smarter.

“We are not awash with money, compared to former times when there was big amounts of money to spend on motorsport. This consolidation is something that appeals to us greatly.

“About the other manufacturers, as Mark and Tony alluded to, we dearly believe that it is not going to happen immediately. It is not fathomable that you would see a Toyota or

Hyundai within the next three years. It may happen but I personally think it is unlikely.

“We are secure enough where we are. We have 10 cars out of the 29; we are under-numbered but even as we saw at the weekend at the Grand Prix, our drivers and teams are doing pretty damn well. So, exciting times for the sport.”

Styring says that the company’s relationships with its teams, led by Stone Brothers Racing, FPR and Jim Beam Racing, may evolve within the COTF framework.

“We are going through a process now (and I have only been in this position for a short period of time) of running an audit and analysing what all the teams do. We will get back to them with where we spend, how we spend and how we can help. The timing for reshaping, perhaps, how we do things is very appropriate.”

sutton-images.com

MONTEIRO SET TO PARTNER D’ALBERTO V8 SUPERCARS

Different Strokes: Monteiro has been racking up tin-top experience in the World Toruing Car Championship, above, and has raced at Surfers before, in Champ Car back in 2003, below.

Dirk Klynsmith

sutton-images.com

TIAGO Monteiro is the latest international driver to be revealed as a starter at the 2010 Gold Coast SuperCarnivale. eNews understands that the former Formula 1 driver is set to partner Tony D’Alberto in the Centaur Racing VE Commodore at the Surfers Paradise event, after a reliable source saw him talking to the team at the V8 round in Bahrain.

The fact that Monteiro is Portuguese also takes Tony Cochrane another country closer to his initial promise that “around 14” nations will be represented at the event.

While Monteiro is famous for his Champ Car and Formula 1 exploits, he does have runs on the board Touring Car-wise. He joined SEAT’s factory World Touring Car Team back in 2007, and raced for them until they withdrew before the start of this season.

He still races a SEAT Leon in the WTCC, driving for SUNRED Engineering, which operates with substantial factory support from the Spanish carmaker.

However, Monteiro is most famous for finishing third at the controversial 2005 United States Grand Prix for Jordan, where all the cars shod with Michelin tyres pulled out before the start, leaving just six cars to take part in the race. The same year Monteiro set the unique record of finishing every race of the season, the only F1 rookie to ever do so. When Jordan became Midland in 2006, and Monteiro was retained, before being replaced Adrian Sutil in 2007.

Monteiro has also raced on the Surfers Paradise track before, having raced for Fittipaldi-Dingman in the 2003 Champ Car World Series. He failed to finish the Australian round, but did qualify fastest at Mexico City.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

motorsport news

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Carrera Cup: Back in ‘11?

CARRERA CUP

Dirk Klynsmith

WORK is ongoing for the return of Carrera Cup to Australia.

Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed its intention and efforts to re-introduce the onemake series, which disbanded just over 12 months ago.

The return of Carrera Cup could fill a void in the market.

While the Australian GT Championship and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge are existing and healthy sports car categories, neither caters for professional or young drivers, “It’s always been our intention to re-introduce Carrera Cup,” Paul Ellis, Public Relations Manager for Porsche Cars Australia, told eNews.

“The timing is yet to be

finalised, but we have a clear intention and serious commitment to re-introduce the best one-make formula to Australian motorsport.” eNews has heard whispers that the series could return as soon as next year, possibly with the new 2010-model

CupCar, however Ellis would not be drawn on the timeframe.

“The plans aren’t that advanced, a lot needs to happen,” he said.

“We have a commitment from Porsche Motorsport Germany to reintroduce

Carrera Cup, but we would also need a clear commitment from teams and competitors. We will also work closely with V8 Supercars Australia and CAMS. “It’s premature to try to say exactly when Carrera Cup with return.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

BARGS GETS TAGGED V8 SUPERCARS

sutton-images.com

www.mnews.com.au

ALEX Tagliani will drive with Jason Bargwanna at the Gold Coast Supercarnivale.

The Canadian IndyCar driver is Kelly Racing’s second international. The fourcar squad is considered a pair of twocar teams for the October event, and Kiwi Scott Dixon will race with Todd or Rick Kelly, as revealed in last week’s eNews.

Tagliani was announced as one of the first-five drivers signed to the event last month, along with David Brabham, Christian Fittipaldi, Scott Pruett and Mark Blundell. Like Brabham, Tagliani has recent V8 Supercar experience, having partnered Marcus Marshall in a Team Australia-branded Falcon for WPS Racing in the 2005 endurance races.

The pair finished 22nd at Sandown and 13th at Sandown.

– MITCHELL ADAM

FULL McLAREN TEST UNLIKELY FOR WHINCUP

etails of For full d cup and hin Jamie W utton’s car Jenson B e the April swap, se otorsport issue of M stores News, in sday Wedne V8 SUPERCARS REPORTS that Jamie Whincup is “set for more F1” have been denied by both the twotime V8 Supercar Champion himself, and McLaren’s Formula 1 test team.

As exclusively revealed in eNews (#146), Whincup and Jenson Button swapped cars at Albert Park before last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, giving Whincup a fourlap taste of a 2008 model McLaren F1 car. Following the swap, reports emerged that Whincup was being courted

by McLaren for a full blown Formula 1 test in Europe, with test team manager Indy Lall quoted as showing great interest in the reigning V8 Supercar Champ.

But Whincup told eNews that he is not in communication with the team regarding a European test.

“No, there’s no truth to that,” said Whincup.

“The guy from McLaren said some really kind words,

and that’s nice, but I haven’t spoken to them, so I can’t beat the story up.”

Lall also confirmed to eNews that stories suggesting Whincup was “set” to test in Europe were wide of the mark.

“It’s not a situation where I’m saying ‘that’s what’s going to happen’”, said Lall.

“It’s a long way off being a reality. But hey, everything starts somewhere, and I was merely trying to get the ball rolling to see what might happen.

“What I was trying to say is that if Jamie’s ambition was in this direction, his next step would be the do a proper test. But whether it could be engineered or not through the link in the sponsors and all of that, well I really don’t know.”

However, should the seemingly impossible become a reality, Whincup was quick to say he’d make himself available.

“I’d be straight there, for sure,” he added.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Personal

Jamie Whincup – 2009 V8 Supercar Champion

T

he experience of driving an F1 car sunk in pretty hard straight up.

I’m still not over it. It was just an insane experience, I couldn’t believe the horsepower of the car, and then to get into the corner and have the braking and turning capacity as good as the acceleration was unbelievable.

The horsepower was the biggest thing I noticed, for sure. It’s got insane, insane power. When you get on a passenger jet and when it takes off you’re forced back into the seat, times that feeling by 15 and that’s what I was experiencing in every corner.

Accelerating out of the back, coming right around, from every corner I was getting this insane acceleration which was awesome.

I wasn’t trying to go quick; I was just trying to experience one of the best cars in the world. I wanted to do a professional job for Vodafone and McLaren and I did that. I had an awesome experience and one I’m very grateful for.

Jenson loved it too. Talking to him afterwards, after it all boiled down, he said he was impressed by the car. He said it was nice, handled well and was easy to drive. He had a good go, too, he speared off over the back so he was pushing hard.

I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve done a thousand laps in my head of that F1 car, I can’t stop thinking about coming out of Turn 5 and accelerating into Turn 7 under the trees there ... it was the most insane thing I’ve ever done. motorsport news

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GTs cause 12H drama Proddie regulars threaten to pull the pin on Bathurts enduro

Phil Williams

BATHURST 12H BATHURST 12 Hour organisers are facing a backlash from Production Car competitors, following the introduction of sports cars to the event.

Cars meeting Australian GT Championship regulations are now eligible to race in the event, also paving the way for international FIA GT3 cars, along the same lines of international races like the Sepang 12 Hour.

“The GT Championship has grown tremendously in recent years and these vehicles will now join Production Cars in the 12 Hour race, enabling

the event to grow further, including the attraction of an international organiser,” 12 Hour promoter James O’Brien said.

However, local Production Car teams are wary of safety ramifications presented by speed differentials between their cars and sports cars at a circuit like Bathurst. The introduction of sports cars also means a number of the lower classes would likely miss out based on a 130% cutoff in qualifying.

Having been the staple of the event since it was reintroduced in 2007, many teams have indicated they’ll focus on the new Australian

6 Hour at Eastern Creek and the Australian Manufacturers Championship, rather than racing in the 12 Hour.

“I sent an email out at the end of last week to competitors, asking them if they could continue to race in the event with GT3 cars,” car owner Brian Walden told eNews.

“25 teams, which accounted for 33 cars on this year’s grid, have responded so far, indicating that they would not.

One has said they will continue to, regardless.

“It’s a great race and we understand what James O’Brien is trying to do.

“Bathurst is a dangerous track and the speed difference is

a big issue. Once cars leave Griffiths Bend, there’s nowhere to get out of the way until Forrest’s Elbow. [Production Car teams] want to race there, but not like this.”

Among those who have opted out are Garry Holt, whose BMW 335i has won two of the four 12 Hours since it was reborn.

“I’m not going to race,” Holt told eNews.

“The safety elements are a big concern, the overseas races like this are on big, wide tracks with lots of room – Bathurst is tight.

“The Australian 6 Hour will become our main race now.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

$250k + GST www.mnews.com.au

BRUMBY: AGP WILL STAY FORMULA 1 VICTORIAN Premier John Brumby has assured his state’s motor racing fans that the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix is staying in Melbourne, despite a challenge from New South Wales.

Just after he somewhat impressively declared the 2010 GP as “the bestattended Grand Prix since 2005” (impressive because he somehow tabulated the attendance prior to the actual race) Brumby shrugged off the challenge from NSW Premier Kristina Keneally that Sydney would be a better place for the event, which has been staged at Albert Park for 15 years, than “arrogant” and “complacement” Melbourne.

“They’d kill to get this event …

but they won’t get it,” affirmed Premier Brumby.

“It’s a great event here. The drivers love it, the crews love it, the people who come to our city love it. We’ve got the event secured.”

The previous day, Premier Keneally and her Events Minister Ian Macdonald revealed details of their plans to secure the event.

“I’ve already started to make contact with the F1 promoters, and we’re already having a good look at the facilities and infrastructure that we have available for such an event,” said Macdonald who, together with his Premier, has never attended an F1 race.

“They can rest assured down in Melbourne that they’re going to have a hard time, they haven’t got this event to themselves.

Cochrane: Flattered V8 SUPERCARS Australian Chairman Tony Cochrane is not hurt by Premier Keneally’s plan to host a Grand Prix at Homebush; in fact, he is flattered.

Cochrane said on Monday that the Premier’s plans to host Formula 1 cars at Homebush, which was the stage for the season-ending Telstra 500 last December, was not a slight for V8 Supercars.

“Quite the opposite,” said Cochrane.

“It is a great compliment to us that we proved how huge motorsport can be in Sydney. It was 185,000 [spectators] in the first year, and I have a firm belief that in the second year, we will go very close to a sellout. They are talking to us about extending our contract, so I am hardly going to be offended if they want to do something else as well.”

Cochrane says that the government is free to do what it wants at the former Sydney Olympic precinct.

10

“We don’t own the venue. It’s their venue, they own the venue. The New South Wales government is entitled to try and spruik getting the F1 race up there as any other Australian state is, at the end of the day. There is a 2015 contract here (Victoria) and F1 has a contract until then.

“The first thing is, I think that it is fantastic for Australia to host a round of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Then, heaps of governments will lobby, and do whatever they do, to do whatever they do.

“Having said that, I do not think that you could make a Formula 1 track at Homebush. You don’t have the width to work with. if they were successful, and got the F1s to Sydney in 2016, I would very much doubt that it would really happen at Homebush.

You would have to make MASSIVE, wholesale changes to the site, you are probably talking three or $400 million worth of work.”

toGP o M / 1 F l l For fu ge/news, covera get to o t E R E CLICK H k magazine!

GPWee week.com www.gp motorsport news

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COMMENT Phil Branagan

www.mnews.com.au

Dirk Klynsmith

John Morris/Mpix

Dear Premier Keneally and Minister McDonald, Thanks for the opportunity to provide briefing notes for Project Homebush GP. Here are some preliminary thoughts; 1. A Nighttime GP is a great idea, and will promote your city as a tourist must-see to TV viewers. Make sure to watch the opening MotoGP, and afterwards, let me know your vacation plans for Qatar.

2. The major beneficiaries of a night GP in Sydney will be TV viewers – in Europe. Provided that the next NSW electoral redistribution includes the seats of Manchester South and Belgium, you are guaranteed to retain office.

3. After having resisted hosting a V8 Supercar race for years, your idea to ramp up the idea into a Formula 1 event is a sure-fire winner. The motor racing world is littered with street circuits that hold successful, multiple events each year.

4. When quizzed why paying much more money, to overseas organisations, for an F1 race is better than supporting a local event, respond that “Free Trade helps Working Families”.

5. Homebush has a sports history that goes back all the way to 2000. Albert Park’s Formula 1 history is only five years longer, so feel free to mention the word ‘heritage’. [Note to staffers: Ignore those pesky Albert Park races in the 1950s].

6. A two-state bidding war for F1 rights cannot possibly have a negative impact on the local motor racing industry. But if a reporter suggests it will, I recommend faking a coughing fit.

7. Don’t worry about timing. A plan to light up Homebush like a Christmas tree, at least for four nights, to host a car race, will not upset the Greens – and announcing it on the same weekend as Earth Hour is not stupid at all.

8. I have crunched the numbers and your immigration advisor is right; the plan to place the support paddock inside the Villawood Detention Centre will increase the ‘international audience’.

9. Your Events model of making a loud announcement, hinting at an open wallet and decrying other states is far superior than Victoria’s quiet, behind-the-scenes lobbying farrago. Just ask Tiger Woods.

10. Victorians ARE arrogant, so shout it from the rooftops. And any time you would like to see the AFL Premiership Cup, the NRL Trophy, the Sheffield Shield or the ANZ Championship Trophy, or visit the Australian Open Tennis, the Masters Golf, the Comedy Festival or the Presidents Cup – or maybe even see an F1 event for the first time – I can arrange it. Just give me some notice, because we have a bit on down here.

Yours sincerely [not really], Phil Branagan

Webber backs Mitch Evans FORMULA 1 MITCH Evans heads into the rest of 2010 with a new ally in his corner – Mark Webber.

The Red Bull Racing star has agreed to serve as mentor for the 15-year-old from Auckland, who won New Zealand’s Toyota Racing Series last weekend “I met Mitch for the first time at last year’s Australian Grand Prix and was amazed at how switched on he was at the age of just 14,” Webber said on Friday.

“At this very early stage he is displaying all the right ingredients and characteristics to be successful at the highest level and he has some great people behind him who I’m

certain will do everything to ensure he fulfils his dream.

“It’s really important that he chooses his next steps carefully and I’m looking forward to playing my part by using my own personal experiences and contacts to make the move as seamless as possible, and helping his development on and off the track.”

The support means that Evans, who will turn 16 in May, may end up racing for the GP3 team Webber set up late last year with Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner. But for now Evans is combining an assault on the Australian Formula 3 championship with studies at St Kentigern College in Pakuranga, Auckland.

Shumacher’s Red Face FORMULA 1 OKAY, Michael Schumacher is back, in a silver racesuit, in a silver car, but with a red helmet.

Why? When Schumacher started in GP racing, he did so in a white helmet with a blue top, and the German national colours on the side. His helmet became more and more red as he career unfolded at Ferrari, so why isn’t it white, or silver now.

The answer is: Intimidation.

“Expectation was quite important because in the old days, lapping cars, that was a big factor,” Schumacher told eNews. “I did not want to get mixed up with my teammates, so I wanted to come behind and it was clear to the other driver that they would see me, and know that it was I who was lapping them. So I developed that [colour] and it made it easier for the cars to be lapped.”

Translation: It’s me, Michael, get out of the way!

11

Honda Racing Media

Put the ‘Ow!’ in Power INDYCARS

12

sutton-images.com

WILL Power won the IndyCar season opener in Sao Paulo, Brazil, but paid the price with severe, deep blisters on both hands the size of an Australian dollar coin.

After securing the pole at St Petersburg on the airport street course, Power said, “I wrapped my right hand to avoid people shaking it. No one shakes my left hand and it has completely healed. But the right hand is still healing.”

Ryan Briscoe’s tyre strategy caused him to struggle in “knock-out” qualifying where he starts 19th on the grid. He used a set of alternate tyres initially to set a faster lap. But the track continued to improve when he switched to primary tires, failing to advance.

“Power has too much power,” said Castroneves, jokingly, after qualifying fifth. “After breaking his back last year, he has more ‘power’, so we may have to break his legs this time.”

Power looks to be following Briscoe’s wedding. Power plans to tie the note with his ex-Walker Racing PR person, Elizabeth Cannon, in a midDecember wedding in Hawaii, which is halfway between the two families’ homes.

– MARY MENDEZ

NHL’s new man might be their old, young man INDYCARS GRAHAM Rahal is rumoured to be set for a full time return to the IndyCar Series with Newman-Haas-Lanigan.

It is though that backing has been found for Rahal to join the team for the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 18.

Rahal raced for Newman-Haas-Lanigan during the past three seasons but was sidelined this year due to budgetary constraints. Left without a full time drive, he was hired by Sarah Fisher’s team for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the Indy Grand Prix of Alabama (at Barber Motorsports Park).

– MARY MENDEZ motorsport news

news

Rain stops NASCAR, IndyCar

Monday races rescheduled for St Petersburg and Martinsville NASCAR/INDYCAR

NASCAR Media

BAD weather has caused the postponement of two of the USA’s major motor racing events.

NASCAR officials have been forced to call a one-day postponement of the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at the Martinsville Speedway, after rain set in, in southern Virginia on Sunday.

Further south, the same weather patterns prompted IndyCar officials to hold over the second round of their series at St Petersburg.

Florida.

The open-wheelers will now take to the street circuit, weather permitting, at 10am Monday, US Eastern time. Will Power will lead the field to the green flag after dominating practice and qualifying, while Ryan Briscoe starts from 19th.

At midday, the NASCARs will take to the oval, in points order after qualiying was rained off. Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth will share the front row, ahead of reigning Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson and Greg Biffle, with Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch in the third row.

IndyCar’s Iconic Seven INDYCARS

www.mnews.com.au

Swift Engineering

A SELECT committee of seven experts will be convened to decide on the control chassis that will take IndyCar into 2012 and beyond.

The advisory panel, to be known by the acronym ICONIC – Innovative, Competitive, Open-Wheel, New, IndustryRelevant, Cost-Effective IndyCar Series Advisory Committee – will consist of a League representative, a team owner, an engine expert, a marketer/promoter and a racing engineer. Retired Air Force Four Star General, William Looney, has been chosen to chair the committee.

“I think it’s a question that will be one of the defining decisions of the decade,” said Indy Racing League CEO Randy Bernard, who replaced IRL founder Tony George on March 1.

“As the league moves closer to making a decision regarding our new chassis and engine platform, we need to have a process in place that sets the criterion in a timely manner. It must take into

consideration the core areas of car development in our sport: competition, marketing, engineering, engine development and team ownership. I have limited knowledge of open wheel racing so I’m going to pick seven expert advisors.

“Our goal is to have a Request for Proposal (RFP) go out to the chassis manufacturers in about two weeks,” continued Bernard, who indicated he doesn’t want to make the final decision.

“The constructors will have a month to respond, both written and oral, to the advisory committee.”

Already one ICONIC member has been selected, with Gil de Ferran, co-owner of Luczo Dragon Racing/de Ferran Motorsports nominated team owners’ representative.

The winning submission will be required to have the capability to fit multiple engine formulas (V6 or fourcylinder configuration).

A final decision is expected to be announced after the Indy 500 this May. – MARY MENDEZ. 13

Dirk Klynsmith

That winning look ...

FORMULA FORD JENSON Button and Chaz Mostert shared more than open-wheel race wins at Albert Park on the weekend.

The Synergy Motorsport Formula Ford driver unveiled his 2010 livery at the AGP,

featuring the same chrome as McLaren and TeamVodafone.

Mostert’s Spectrum was painted by Robert Haken, who painted the TeamVodafone cars, the chrome on which has since been replicated by McLaren for their 2010 racers.

“We know the guy who

Tim lends a hand FORMULA FORD

different chrome, it was a bit duller.

“They saw the TeamVodafone V8 and a couple of guys came over to have a look at how Robert does it, so they could learn how to paint their F1 cars the same.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Go faster? Ro Phil Williams

TIM Blanchard kicked off his role as driver coach to the CAMS Rising Stars at Albert Park.

The 2007 Australian Formula Ford Championship will mentor and offer his assistance throughout the year to Jack LeBrocq, Matthew Brabham and Gary Jacobson.

“The CAMS Rising Stars program helped me go overseas in 2008, so this is a great opportunity to help their new drivers,” Blanchard said.

“I’ve got a lot of knowledge in Formula Ford and they’re all new to it, so I’ll be working closely with them to help their understanding of the cars and driving techniques.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

did the chrome on the TeamVodafone cars, Robert is a family friend,” Mostert told eNews.

“So he did my car, the chrome is the same as on the V8s. The whole livery came together nicely.

“McLaren were using a

John Morris / Mpix

14

motorsport news

news

Owen firming for GMR @ QR FUJITSU SERIES

Phil Williams

STEVE Owen is looking more likely to drive for Greg Murphy Racing again in Round 2 of the Fujitsu Series at Queensland Raceway.

Owen joined the team as a last-minute draftee for the Clipsal 500. He ended the weekend as the points leader after taking pole position and winning both races – the team’s first victories.

Since the round a fortnight ago, GMR team has continued discussions with prospective drivers for the balance of the series. Even if one or two drivers are found, the TeamVodafone enduro driver could still be

kept on board to aid thedevelopment of the newcomers. GMR has access to three VE Commodores – the pair of 2009 Sprint Gas cars, and the chassis raced as a wildcard at Phillip Island and Bathurst by Sam Walter and Taz Douglas.

“We’re looking at doing something again for Queensland Raceway,” Owen said.

“The team is talking to a few drivers, trying to do deals, but it’s obviously tough to get sponsorship at the moment.

“They’ve got three cars, so if they’re all filled I’ll be happy to sit it out. But if they get one or two guys, I could end up in there again to help them out.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

oger that.

FORMULA FORD TWO-WAY radios made their debut in the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship at Albert Park.

Pit-to-driver radio communication is now allowed in Formula Ford, with about half of the 26-car field for the 2010 season opener using it.

“It helps with getting messages out to drivers about Safety Cars and the like; it’s all part of the learning curve of being a race driver,” Category www.mnews.com.au

Manager Margaret Hardy told eNews.

More teams, including Sonic Motor Racing and Synergy Motorsport, will start using the devices in Round 2 at Queensland Raceway.

“We were going to use them this weekend, but there was a delay getting them,” Sonic’s Nick Foster said.

“It’s a good new option to bring in. It’ll help with communication during the races, especially with Safety Cars.”

– MITCHELL ADAM 15

James Smith

Two Expensive Days V8 SUPERCARS TONY Quinn plans to have his Mosler back on the grid for Round 3 of the Vodka O Australian GT Championship at Eastern Creek at the end of May. After crashing one Mosler

heavily in qualifying at Clipsal and selling a second to Dean Grant, Quinn raced his Aston Martin DBRS9 at Albert Park.

Newly-imported parts for the Mosler arrived in Australia last week.

“The parts arrived on Friday, and the car should be ready

WORLD SUPERBIKES

16

Berry. Cini’s Porsche GT3 Cup S bore the brunt of the Race 2 startline crash, while Berry’s Ascari was collected near Turn 10 on Sunday after driver John Bowe encountered mechanical problems and was forced to park the car.

– CALLUM BRANAGAN

Vermuelen still out

John Morris/Mpix

CHRIS Vermeulen missed the second round of the World Superbike Championship at Portimao at the weekend, after his recent knee injury prevented him from doing an adequate job.

The Queenslander damaged ligaments in his knee in a crash at the opening round of the series at Phillip Island, and managed only two laps in Friday’s practice session.

Doctors had previously cleared him to race.

Kawasaki could not replace Vermuelen, so Tom Sykes was the team’s only rider in Portugal.

Vermeulen now faces intensive treatment in a bid to be fit enough to race in Round 3 of the series in Spain, in two weeks.

for Eastern Creek, the next round,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was an expensive weekend for competitors, with a number of cars extensively damaged in separate incidents.

Among those with work to do are Marc Cini and Darren

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More green and gold at ‘Green Hell’?

AUSSIES OVERSEAS

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ANOTHER Aussie team looks set to tackle this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hour.

After contesting a fourhour race at the Nurburgring late last year, 2007 Gold Star Champ Tim Macrow, fellow former F3 front-runner Barton Mawer and car owner Maher Algadri are close to finalising arrangements to compete in the famous race in May. While it’s yet to be finalised, they’ll most likely be in a 997-spec Cup Car. In a 997, the trio finished 20th outright in a 190-car field in October’s four-hour event, while Mawer and Algadri contested another VLN Series race at the circuit a fortnight later.

“It’s looking good for the 24 Hour at the moment,” Mawer

told eNews.

“If it comes together, we’ll look at doing some other races in the VLN Series over the rest of the year.”

Meanwhile, Mawer will get some more international miles in August’s Sepang 12 Hour in Malaysia. Production Car outfit Jim Hunter will contest the race, and are currently repairing their Subaru WRX STi, which was extensively damaged in Dean Herridge’s crash at the Bathurst 12 Hour in February.

Hunter and Mawer will be joined by a third, to-bedetermined driver.

“I raced with Jim’s team at Bathurst and they were happy with my efforts,” Mawer said.

“The WRX is being rebuilt, and we’ll modify it a bit to fit the regulations over there.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Danny Chu, Chu, chooses GT3 GT3 CUP CHALLENGE MCELREA Racing will field a second car in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge presented

by Mission Foods, starting at Symmons Plains next weekend.

Joining Carrera Cup Asia driver Yuey Tan, who made his debut in series late last year, Dutch-Chinese driver Danny Chu will join the GT3 Cup Challenge for the balance of the season.

Chu, who has raced in Europe and Asia, will drive a new car to the country, currently being shipped from Europe. The pair will race in 18

identical Wimobilize liveries, pictured.

Following the opening round of the series at Bathurst

in February, 18 GT3 Cup Challenge cars will cross Bass Strait. The series is one of four categories at Symmons next

weekend, along with Formula 3, the Australian Manufacturers Championship and Shannons V8 Touring Car Series. motorsport news

On sale this Wednesday!

The all-new, bigger, better and glossier...

Incorporating all your favourite MNews features... and loads more! Everything the real motorsport fan needs to know. * He may be ‘Frosty’, but Mark Winterbottom has been putting the heat on Jamie Whincup in the early stages of the V8 season. * Whincup in a McLaren F1 car and Button in a Commodore V8 Supercar at Albert Park. It happened and we went behind the scenes. * Being closer to 90 than 80 hasn’t slowed Murray Walker. The voice of motorsport made another trip downunder last month for the Clipsal 500. * After a tough 2005 US initiation, life’s pretty good these days for Ryan Briscoe as Indycar’s title favourite, racing for Team Penske. * Getting close and personal with Australian GT’s new Audi R8. * The rise, fall and rise of Pro Stock drags. * Looking back at a vintage 1970s year of open-wheel racing.

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Flyin’ Ryan

Ryan Bris coe may hav season ope e ner, but bef crashed out of the ANDREW IndyCar ore he did V , about the AN LEEUWEN spo he was very fast. title, the Ind ke 21 44 y 500, and to the Aussie V8 Superc ars

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This week at newsagents www.mnews.com.au

19

Luke Nieuwhof

Zappia extends lead in Top Comp DRAG RACING JOHN Zappia is well known as the current Top Doorslammer Champion, but what people don’t know is that he treats racing in the WA State Series just as seriously.

He is currently leading the

Top Comp championship with one round to go after a runner-up result against Rob Pilkington on March 20.

Pilkington ran a 5.84s in the final to defeat Zappia’s 5.92s time. Zappia has been able to capitalise through the later part of the season and

has now built his lead up to 35 points over second placed Maurice Brennan.

The difference means Brennan will have to win the last event and Zappia will have to go out in the first round to change the outcome. Zappia has found extra performance

and reset his own personal best with a 5.814s time during the event.

“We pushed it a little harder but we kept the motor in it (with no damage) and the track was pretty good all evening,” he said.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Hot racing from street cars DRAG RACING THE Street Machine Pro Street Nationals at Willowbank Raceway on

March 21 saw over 100 competitors take to the Ipswich quarter mile.

Taking victory on the day were Domenic Luppino

(Pro Street Blown), Chris Stevermver (Pro Street Aspirated), Scott Hoffman (Radial), Justin Simpson (Outlaw), Johnny Wilson

(Modified Street Blown), Chris Biddle (Modified Street Aspirated), Ryan Hadges (True Street) and Paul Slack (DYO).

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

ANDRA Pro Series news is proudly presented by:

20

motorsport news

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Luke Nieuwhof

Pressure builds for Abel DRAG RACING MATT Abel is a racer coming into the remaining two rounds of Top Doorslammer in the ANDRA Pro Series slightly frustrated, with a run of bad luck hampering his chances of going rounds.

He did, however, receive a boost recently, with a win at the non-championship Mildura Slamfest over Peter Blake in an eighth-mile contest at the regional facility. Abel felt he had an advantage competing on the bitumen surface, which had less grip than the concrete launch pads at major tracks.

“On Friday the track was average but by Saturday afternoon it had improved a lot and most guys didn’t have enough clutch in the car,” he said.

Abel’s best time was a

4.22s while rookie and fellow Northern Territory driver Scott Maclean recorded the quickest overall time with an impressive 4.15s. Abel got plenty of advice from team-mate Victor Bray, who made a career from travelling to many regional tracks through the 1990s.

“He (Victor) knew exactly which way to go, we were leaving a lot more clutch than everybody else had,” he said.

The process of running on a track with less grip was a positive one for Abel, allowing him to learn and study the workings of the manual transmission his Karcher 57 Chev now runs.

“The race at Mildura taught me a lot about running the clutch, as I’ve been running an auto for a long time,” he said.

“I’ve never run a clutch on a less than average track and learning to be able to drag

it through to hold back the motor was a good experience.”

The focus now returns to the ANDRA Pro Series for Abel – which this season has been a source of frustration for him.

“I’d love to win an event; I’d love to win a round at this point in time,” he said.

“I’ve stepped into Top Doorslammer when it has stepped up. We qualified at most events but the performance level has increased dramatically.

“Little stupid things have plagued us, I just need to get some luck. I think everyone would say that though.”

The Pro Series started relatively well for Abel when he ran a five second pass at the opening round in Willowbank but then lost his shot at a victory.

“I was winning the race in the first round when the

blower studs broke which was disappointing; every time I have a chance of winning a race I have something go wrong,” he said.

“The next round was a disaster in Sydney when I blew the tyre and we were out for the weekend.

“In Perth we put the new clutch in the car, we qualified with a 6.22s but went out in the first round.

“At the next round in Perth I had one of those events, everything that could go wrong did go wrong.”

Abel is well known at his home track in Darwin as one of the quickest competitors to come out of the NT. He looks forward to one day returning when planned track upgrades are complete.

“I’d love to run back at home with a Doorslammer,” he said.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Next ANDRA Pro Series Round: ENZED Top Fuel Championships, Willowbank Raceway, April 17-18 www.mnews.com.au

21

Five Minutes with ...

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER Back in Australia as a GP driver for the first time in three years, what did our PHIL BRANAGAN ask the German legend about? His helmet, and why it’s still red ...

You are back with Mercedes-Benz. Back with Ross Brawn. Are all the ingredients there for another [title] win?

We have very good ingredients. Whether we make it or not make it, that is the question.

We are working very hard to be our best. For sure, we will work hard to make our way forward, to the top. Can we win the championship this year? That is a tough question. It is a long year and I have been in much worse circumstances at the beginning of the year, and still taken a championship at the end of it. I am not feeling pessimistic at all, I know that it is hard work and we will make a big effort.

Have you changed your expectations for the year, after your first run in Bahrain?

No, my expectation was to fight for the championship and I still think that this is absolutely possible. If you look at the pure lap times, we were a bit more behind in Bahrain than I thought we would be, but we know that there is more to come from the car. It is far too early to think that we are too far behind, we will need a few 22

sutton-images.com

Q: In some respects, you never really went away. We got used to seeing you on the pitwall. How does it feel now?

A: It was a different challenge, which I enjoyed. For those three years, I had the time, to do what I wanted to do. I was able to do some go-karts, some bikes, parachuting, all things that were fun. At this time, I was concentrating on my work with Ferrari, with the road cars and on the Formula 1 side.

I did not feel the sensation of wanting to come back until what happened to Felipe [Massa, his injury in Hungary]. It awoke something that must have always been there.

I feel excited. It is a great challenge again, to work again and to develop projects and events. That is where always there is the excitement. You never stand still, it is always an ongoing process. This is what I want to do, but I have to be motivated.

more races even to see what is happening, and then, by the sixth or seventh race, we will now whether we are going to be challenging.

You have said that Albert Park is a unique track. What is special about it?

We have, for example, two types of tyre; the softer tyre and the harder tyre. The softer tyre offers much more grip but that is not always good for the balance. Albert Park, it is very important from the balance point of view. Even if the tyre offers you maximum grip, the balance is critical to have a good lap time.

The car balance is sometimes all about the efficiency.

You have mentioned that it was a call from Ross Brawn that prompted your interest in returning. Can you tell us about your relationship with Ross Brawn? You have obviously been with him for a long time.

First of all, for all of my championships, I have been winning together with him.

With so many years together, naturally, we have built a special relationship. That has put us very close together and it is

probably more difficult for us, because of the things that we have picked up. We have stayed close.

Knowing his qualities, and the relationship, he knows me, he has made things more easy to come into a new team.

When you come into a new team, and you do not know what to expect, obviously, that makes things a lot more difficult.

This sounds like a trivial question, but it is from a reader. Your appearance is much different to when you were with Ferrari but why have you kept a red helmet?

Actually, that [colour] is mine. It was never to do with Ferrari, because if you look at the early days, I wore a white a blue helmet, with a red flash at the top.

Expectation was quite important because in the old days, lapping cars, that was a big factor. I did not want to get mixed up with my team-mates, so I wanted to come behind and it was clear to the other driver that they would see me, and know that it was I who was lapping them. So I developed that [colour] and it made it easier for the cars to be lapped. motorsport news

chat

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www.mnews.com.au

23

CHILD’S PLAY I

’LL start this off with a disclaimer: I’m a Sydneysider who lives in Melbourne.

The whole ‘Sydney wants the AGP’ brouhaha over the weekend was pretty ridiculous.

It was like a petulant kid trying to get some attention on their younger brother’s birthday.

Mitchell Adam – eNews National Editor The saga was the latest in the old Sydney versus its knockers - although I didn’t a night race, but only because Melbourne rivalry. NSW got hear much out of old mates Homebush is a white elephant to call Victoria ‘arrogant’ and from Save Albert Park this year on its own out from the city, ‘complacent’, the Vics shot back – but it works. It’s (very) close whereas Albert Park is smack by calling them ‘blowhards’. to the city, well serviced by bang in the middle - bars and I don’t know anything about public transport and it’s a nice restaurants are within walking politics, but people who location. And, perhaps most distance. Most of the places I know more than I suggested importantly, it’s within walking saw near Homebush last year it was a desperate attempt distance from my place. were industrial premises. by a struggling NSW State Homebush? It was pretty It’s good to see a state Government to make a wave. It good last year for the V8s, I government take even a seems they decided to talk first, liked it. Actually, having been fleeting interest in putting research later. to the Clipsal 500 and AGP in money into motorsport. But Let’s do some of that for the last fortnight, Homebush apart from a few fanciful them ... Sydney doesn’t have a stacks up very well in a few tabloid headlines, I can’t see venue close to rivalling Albert areas. But I can’t see it working anything happening. Until Park’s setup, and would be for F1. As it is, you can’t even next year’s AGP when we’ll hard pressed to create one. run Formula Fords there. probably go through it all Albert Park will always have Sure, you could probably do again ...

Opinion

Dirk Klynsmith

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motorsport news

comment

Make ‘em Race

T

HE solution to solving the ‘spirited parade’ problem for the V8 Supercars at Albert Park is simple. It’s so simple, it’s genius.

Obviously, the V8s can’t race for points at the Australian Grand Prix. That’s fine, but is there any reason why the AGP couldn’t be part of V8 Supercars’ newfor-2010 Grand Slam? Because throwing $2 million on the line would give the V8 drivers, and teams, a good reason to actually try and win the races.

As it stands, the Grand Slam is made up of four legs; Adelaide’s Clipsal 500, the Bathurst 1000, the Gold Coast SuperCarnivale, and the season-closer at Homebush.

Now, you can easily argue that either the Gold Coast or Homebush races could be replaced by Albert Park on the Grand Slam bill. You need to keep Clipsal on there, because that event deserves to be part of a V8 Grand Slam, and plus it makes up for the event losing its Round 1 status to the desert. Bathurst has to be a Grand Slam event too, because, well, it’s Bathurst. ‘Nuff said.

But the Gold Coast? Why is an event that’s going to have international ‘heroes’ driving around 10s off the pace a Grand Slam event? And an import could easily cost a driver the $2 million, by either crashing a contender’s

Opinion

Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor

car, or crashing into a contender’s car.

Sydney could also afford to lose its Grand Slam status. After all, the title is decided there, so the event is likely to have something for people to play for, despite the status of the Grand Slam.

And let’s face it – after Bathurst, the Grand Slam dream could be over for a driver anyway, because they have to win all four races to take the purse. Should the AGP be part of the Grand Slam, it would always be in play for the Clipsal winner.

If it were the case this year, then Garth Tander would have rocked up to the Grand Prix as the man capable of winning the cash. Now I know what you’re thinking; he’ll be the only driver that will really try, and he’ll win by a mile, so how does that create interest?

I don’t think that would be the case. Put it in 2010 terms; the AGP would give Ford the chance to make sure that Garth doesn’t win the Grand Slam, and cop the public relations benefits of doing so. So, you’d think the honchos in blue would sit down their main chances – Mark Winterbottom,

Shane van Gisbergen and James Courtney – and make sure they knew what to do.

And what about Will Davison?

Does he really want his team “mate” to stay in contention for the $2 million after he struggled for pace in Adelaide? Of course not … he’d be right up there, showing the guys at the Holden Racing Team that he can run with the big fellow across the garage.

Of course, should the Clipsal winner not win at Albert Park, then the Grand Slam is over very early in the season. As it stands, Tander will remain in contention for the cash until at least October – which is when Bathurst is.

The solution to that problem is that instead of promising to pay the $2 million only if someone wins all four races, conduct a separate points score for the four (or five) Grand Slam races, and give the cash to whoever tops the score. In this case, there would be a huge incentive for the V8 drivers to race at the Grand Prix, but V8s would have to commit to the money, not just offer it on the off chance that someone wins all four races.

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

25

V8 SUPERCARS NC: ALBERT PARK

RED DUSK

Garth Tander took the sunset spoils at last weekend’s AGP, winning the BRC IMPCO V8 Supercar GP Challenge.

ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN reports

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race

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

27

T

HERE may not have been any championship points on the line, but Garth Tander, James Courtney and Jamie Whincup put on a heck of a show during the BRC IMPCO V8 Supercar GP Challenge at Albert Park last weekend.

The weekend ended up belonging to Tander, the Toll Holden Racing Team driver winning two races, and finishing second in the other.

But as dominant as the stats sound, he had some stiff competition.

First it came from James Courtney, who beat Tander to the Race 1 win after pouncing past at Turn 3 for the lead after Tander locked his rear brakes.

It was, amazingly, the first race win of the year for Ford.

It was also the last of the weekend, with Tander turning the tables on Courtney by jumping him at the start and never looking back.

The pair were fairly delicately balanced points-wise going into the last race, but they were both made look slow by Jamie Whincup, who recovered from a lacklustre start to the weekend to dominate the opening two laps. But then his TeamVodafone Commodore dropped to seven cylinders, and Whincup limped into the pits.

Tander then led, but had the Jim Beam Racing Falcon all over the back of his car. Problem was, Courtney had oil over the back of his car, and dropped out of the raced with a couple of laps to run.

That just left Tander, cruising and collecting the massive V8 Challenge trophy.

“It’s a shame that Jamie went out, and then James, because it deprived everyone of a good race,” said Tander, tongue firmly in cheek.

“But you only have to beat the guys that finish the race, and we did that. I couldn’t be happier for the team and the sponsors.”

Shane van Gisbergen essentially spent the weekend 28

testing, with three different setups in the three races. Thing was, none of the set-ups were slow, and while he didn’t have the pace of the leading trio, he was clearly the best of the rest. And when Whincup and Courtney fell out of contention in the final race, it was van Gisbergen that found himself second for the race, and the weekend.

“Our car was good,” said van Gisbergen.

“Each race we’ve changed it.

We’re not quite up to speed with Garth and Jamie, but we’re getting closer.”

Craig Lowndes was third, and looked puzzled post-Race 3, as he didn’t finish third once all weekend. But in these days of races, not rounds, it’s easy to forget that in the old days of proper sprint races, a driver could finish a weekend with two fourths and an eighth, and still

be third for the weekend – which is exactly what Lowndes did.

The most note-worthy third place of the weekend was Will Davison in Race 3. Remarkably, and I mean remarkably, it was his best race finish of the year.

The previous best was sixth in Bahrain.

As you’d expect with no points on the line, there were no major dramas. The worst damage was to Tim Slade’s car in Race 3, after motorsport news

race

Peter Bury Peter Bury John Morris/Mpix

Racing for Pride: James Courtney was the only driver to beat Tander at Albert Park, top, while Greg Murphy was fast in qualifying, but threw it away in the Shoot-out, above. Jamie Whincup was disappointed after retiring from the lead in Race 3, right, while Jason Bargwanna crashed out of the final, below.

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

Phil Williams

he was caught up in a first-corner fracas, putting a healthy dent in the front of his Wilson Security Racing Falcon.

But while Slade copped the damage, the reddest faces were down at Kelly Racing. The same first-corner fracas saw team-mates Rick Kelly and Jason Bargwanna both facing the wrong way – and a lap later Tony Ricciardello, in the fourth Kelly car – threw it off at Turn 10, bringing out the Safety Car.

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WINNERS GARTH TANDER: After a terrible run in the Middle East, GT has won four of the last five races. Pity two of them didn’t count for points ...

JAMIE WHINCUP: Luckily for JDub, the first engine problem TeamVodafone have had since switching to Holden happened at a nonchampionship meeting.

CRAIG LOWNDES: Finished third for the weekend without finishing third in a race; score!

SHANE VAN GISBERGEN: Still fast, and now finishing races. It’s all coming together now.

KELLY RACING: The JD cars locked out the second row in quali.

Davo: It’s getting better AFTER finishing second in last year’s championship, Will Davison has endured a tough start to 2010.

In the three championship weekends, his best race result is a sixth, and he’s an unglamorous 12th in the points. Albert Park offered an opportunity to get things moving in the right direction.

It wasn’t a great start, hitting a tyre bundle in qualifying and ending up 15th, but fortunately things turned around. He advanced to 10th in Race 1, sixth in Race 2 and third in the final, to be fourth for the weekend.

“It progressed nicely,” he said.

“It was good to finish in the top three considering how the year’s gone. It’s been a shocker of a start to the year and obviously qualifying was no better here, we bent the steering, but we progressed in the races, kept the car straight.

“We tested a lot of stuff over the weekend, some good, some bad, and ended up in the top three, which for me is a nice relief. They boys have been working hard to progress and develop the car; we’ve tried a lot of new things.

“I’m not over the moon with the car yet, we’re sort of there or thereabouts, which is encouraging because I know we’ve still got quite a bit of improving to do. I haven’t had everything clicking for me yet, but I think this weekend we took a couple of good chunks in the right direction.

“I’m feeling really positive for New Zealand now which is good, because we came here feeling a bit down in the dumps. Now we can run on the confidence we’ve gathered here and see if we can get our championship started in New Zealand.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

LOSERS KELLY RACING: Pretty much everything that happened after qualifying was a disaster, especially Race 3, where three of the team’s four cars ended up pointing bakcwards.

STEVEN RICHARDS: Brake problems made Richo look slow, when his race pace wasn’t actually that bad. Right now, he needs to look as fast as possible, as often as possible.

ALEX DAVISON: Van Giz’s awesome pace is making Alex look ordinary.

WILL DAVISON: Scored his best race finish of the year – third in Race 3 – right when there were no points on the line.

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motorsport news

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Dirk Klynsmith

FORD Performance Racing used the Australian Grand Prix to try and get on top of the niggling brake issues they’ve encountered in 2010.

All three cars used different brake setups, with Paul Dumbrell using the regular setup and Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards each trying a different arrangement.

Both Winterbottom and Richards

encountered problems – Frosty was forced out of Race 3, while Richards ended up 28th in qualifying.

“It’s not the first time, brakes have basically been the story of my year,” Richards told eNews.

“Some of the stuff has been unrelated.

The problem I had in qualifying was a similar problem to Bahrain and we’re trying to work through it at the moment.

Phil Williams

When brakes break

“It’s a spec item and I must admit noone’s quite sure what happened in Frosty’s case today, but quite clearly we’ve got to evaluate it; the last thing you want is no brakes at Hamilton. We’ve resolved some things, but it’s not sorted out yet.

“No-one anticipates having brake dramas, it’s not something we were expecting at the start of the year.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Why V8s need to drop their bundle Tyre bundles, that is ...

Phil Williams

www.mnews.com.au

TYRES were in the news Albert Park.

For a change, though, it wasn’t tyre wear, tyre strategy or sprint tyres. It was tyre bundles. A selection of Albert Park’s corners featured bundles on the inside apexes. Ostensibly, it was to stop drivers carving up their own sneaky shortcuts.

The Turn 11-12 chicane at the back of the circuit was the most noticeable and problematic area. One session was stopped to put them back in place after they were clobbered, and in the first two races, marshals had to scamper onto the circuit to put them back in place under double waved yellow flags.

I’m not doubting the judgement of the marshals involved, but it was an unnecessary risk. Surely a limit of how much of the chicane drivers can use could’ve been set in the driver’s briefing, and then penalties applied if drivers cross it.

It worked for the opening chicane at Clipsal a fortnight ago and, hell, it worked for the open-wheelers at Albert Park. They didn’t have tyre bundles, but they also didn’t spend the weekend cutting corners.

Dudes walked on the moon 40 years ago. Surely, in 2010, we can do better than tyre bundles on race tracks.

– MITCHELL ADAM 31

A FAIR DINKUM LACK OF Results :: Race 1 – Albert Park

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Results :: Race 2 –

Pos

#

Driver

Team/Car

Qual

Pos

#

Driver

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 28 29

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

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

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

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

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 28 DNF

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

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

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Dirk Klynsmith

OF LAPS ...

– Albert Park

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FOR the V8 Supercar rookies, Albert Park is a handy weekend.

It gives the newbies a race weekend in a Supercar to try things and learn, without having to even think about getting points. But it didn’t quite go to plan for Karl Reindler in the Fair Dinkum Sheds Commodore.

He struck problems with a brand new differential in practice and qualifying, putting him last on the grid with minimal running. He left the weekend with results of 27th, 25th and 19th.

“We came into this weekend, thinking we could try a few things we wanted to in testing, but couldn’t afford to at a proper championship race weekend,” he said.

“Unfortunately it didn’t get off on the right foot, we only did a total of three laps before the first race, two laps in practice and one in qualifying – we had diff issues in each session.

“Going into Race 1 with only three

laps around this place in a Supercar was pretty tricky. It was like my first practice session, we were two sessions behind the whole weekend because of that and we didn’t make any setup changes until after the first race.

“In the third race we tried a few other bits and pieces. We didn’t really know which way it was going to go. I had a lot of oversteer out there, but it was a good result, 19th, it’s another Top 20 finishing position, which I’m really pleased about.”

The upside, though, for Reindler, was that he didn’t have the problem in three weeks time in Hamilton ...

“Had we gone into Hamilton, we would’ve lost all of the practice time and, from what I’ve seen, Hamilton is a lot more daunting and lessforgiving,” he said.

“There’s run-off here, grass and plenty of room if you run off the road. Come Hamilton, we don’t want any issues at all.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Results :: Race 3 – Albert Park

Team/Car

Pos

#

Driver

Team/Car

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

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

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

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

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

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33

FORMULA FORD ROUND 1, ALBERT PARK

Chaz strikes first Chaz Mostert made the most of limited opportunities to grab an early lead in the 2010 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship, MITCHELL ADAM reports FORMULA FORD THERE wasn’t a lot of racing at Albert Park in the opening round of the Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship, but Chaz Mostert left with the win and points lead.

What was to have been a

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two-race format – instead of the championship’s regular three – ended up with one completed race counting for points, after Sunday’s was Red Flagged when debutant Caleb Rayner was turned around at Turn 3 and crashed heavily.

Rayner was taken to hospital for observation and has since

been released.

Mostert started his second full season with Synergy Motorsport, having finished fourth in 2009, in style. Having originally been just 0.0645s behind, he inherited pole position after Geoff Uhrane lost his fastest time for crossing the blend-line on pit exit.

He got the start, built a lead and controlled the race.

Including a new lap record, Mostert scored a first-up win for the new Spectrum 012.

Mostert also led the way in Race 2, before it was declared a non-race.

“You come to these events to do as many laps as you can,

motorsport news

race Rayner’s Spectrum was in a world of hurt after his Turn 3 crash, left.

Simpson leads Walsh and Foster in Race 1, below. Foster took second, ahead of fellow new Sonic recruit Simpson.

but because it’s the first round of the series there’s a lot of new drivers in it, so they’re just learning and unfortunately some of them crash and cause a loss of laps,” Mostert said.

“I had a great car all weekend.

The team worked really hard over the off-season and we’re really feeling good about this season. I feel like I’ve stepped up a lot from last year we’ve got some hard competitors to race against, I’m really excited about the year to come.”

While Uhrane put himself out of contention for the Race 1 win with an opening lap spin trying to pass Adam Graham, the other two Sonic drivers completed the podium. Nick Foster was fifth in qualifying, but came on strongly during the race to claim second, ahead of fellow newbie to the team, Ryan Simpson.

“We had a pretty poor qualifying effort, so we started off on the back foot a little bit,” Foster said.

“I had a pretty poor start in both races which put us on the back foot, but we had a really good car.”

Simpson slotted into second

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early in Race 2, before it was cut short.

“In Race 1, I probably didn’t have the strongest car,” Simpson, who was fifth in the 2009 championship alongside Mostert at Synergy, said.

“We made some adjustments at the end of qualifying for the race and it didn’t really suit me.

We really nailed it in that last race, it’s a shame it couldn’t go the distance.”

Ash Walsh battled brake problems, but held on in a fourcar battle to claim fourth-place.

Having switched to Synergy, Nathan Morcom had his best weekend in Formula Ford, finishing fifth, ahead of Graham and the recovering Uhrane.

Walsh’s team-mate Ben Jurczak was in the mix in the battle and on-track to be the best of the newcomers, but spun off at Turn 3 in what was otherwise a solid debut.

Enjoying his new Mygale, Andre Borrell was eighth, ahead of new CAMS Rising Stars Jack LeBrocq and Garry Williamson.

Points: Mostert 21, Foster 16, Simpson 14, Walsh 12, Morcom 10, Graham 8.

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AUSTRALIAN GT CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2, ALBERT PARK

Twigglight race Max Twigg avoided the carnage to take the Australian GT spoils in Melbourne, RICHARD CRAILL reports

Dirk Klynsmith

AUSTRALIAN GT A front-row start played a big role in Max Twigg’s convincing sweep of Round 2 of the Vodka O Australian GT Championship at Albert Park.

Not only did it put the Victorian driver at the front of a large field, but it also left his Porsche GT3 Cup S clear of the carnage than ensued behind in a bruising, expensive weekend for plenty of teams and drivers.

Race starts would prove to be the biggest issue for GT competitors to deal with throughout the event.

The Race 1 start was messy with five drivers, including series leader David Wall and John Bowe, receiving grid penalties for Race 2 for not

36

maintaining their two-by-two formation prior to the green flag.

Those penalties would mean little however after the second race was cancelled completely after a massive start line incident decimated the field.

After developing a mysterious electrical issue in his Aston Martin, Tony Quinn was slow away from the rolling start, forcing several cars to take avoiding action. Marc Cini was right behind Quinn in his Porsche and his resulting efforts to take avoiding action sent him onto the grass verge, causing him to lose control of the car and fly at full speed into the inside wall.

The force of the impact then sent the now-destroyed Porsche rebounding into the

path of several cars, including the Lamborghini’s of Peter Hill and Andrew Taplin and the Mosler of Ash Samadi, whilst several others also incurred damage.

“There was a slow car in front and I just had nowhere to go,” Cini said following the accident.

“I was on full power and going pretty quickly when I saw the car ahead. I got out of the way but it turned the car around and put me into the wall. I’m OK but it was a big hit and the car is pretty badly hurt.”

Drivers were read the riot act prior to the third race, race officials imposing a no-passing restriction on the field until they had cleared Turn 2.

Out in front of the excitement, Twigg won both

races contested – and was leading Race 2 when it was redflagged – to rebound from a difficult weekend at the Clipsal 500 a fortnight ago.

He survived two safety car periods in Race 1 to hold off James Koundouris by a few tenths and then won Race 3 comfortably after an early challenge from his fellow Porsche rival in another weekend dominated by the German marque.

Koundouris was second for the weekend whilst a major battle that was being waged for the final step on the podium came to a head in Race 3, with Peter Hackett’s Lamborghini engaged in a mighty dice with David Wall and John Bowe, driving Darren Berry’s brand-new Ascari.

motorsport news

race

Dirk Klynsmith

John Bowe, above, was quick in the Ascari’s second outing but it ultimately ended up bent. The incident accompanied GT’s Race 2 mayhem, mayhem, mayhem, right in James Smith’s sequence.

Hackett’s pair of third places secured him a podium result for the weekend as he continues his strong return to the series aboard his Lamborghini.

Defending champion David Wall was fourth, battling parity adjustments in his Porsche but remains confident of another title tilt this season.

“As a team, we are getting more familiar with the car and how the parity adjustments are impacting on its performance, though I still believe we are strong contenders for back-to-back titles.” Wall said Bowe had proved the pace of the Ascari throughout the weekend and looked racy in the finale before a mechanical issue forced it to a halt on the

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exit of Turn 10 – setting in motion another destructive turn of events.

Though it was pulled well to the inside of the circuit, the car was impacted heavily three laps from home when Ray Angus’ Porsche made massive contact with the parked vehicle whilst running side-byside with another vehicle.

The impact sent Angus flying into the air and caused significant damage to both vehicles, though both drivers were unharmed. The race was red flagged with results taken from the end of Lap 5.

Jordan Ormsby and Damien Flack split the honours in GT Challenge, whilst the two GT Production races went the way of Paul Freestone’s Corvette and Mark O’Connor’s Lotus.

37

MINI CHALLENGE & FORMULA 5000 ALBERT PARK

MINI CHALLENGE

38

Phil Williams

CHRIS Alajajian is showing all the signs of building a convincing championship challenge in the MINI challenge.

After winning on the streets of Adelaide recently, ‘The Chris’ backed up his performance with a measured and consistent performance at Albert Park at the weekend to give himself an early title lead over defending champion Paul Stokell and youngster Sean Carter.

After solid podium results in the first two heats, Alajajian won the final race after absorbing plenty of pressure from Glenn Seton to take a substantial 67-point series lead into the third round.

“Two wins in a row have really helped my championship hopes, it really puts us in a good position ahead of the rest of the season,” said Alajajian.

“We were lucky to get to the flag in Race 3 because we had some kind of issue that was causing the power to cut in and out but fortunately it was enough for us to get to the line.”

Stokell took a last-gasp pole in qualifying and went on to win race one, but not before a race-long dice with Alajajian that went down to the last lap.

Ex-Kelly Racing V8 Supercar driver Dale Wood finished third whilst Seton was the star of the race, charging from last (after a post-qualifying ride-height penalty sent him to the back of the grid) to seventh place.

That elevated the former Australian Touring Car Champion to second on the (reverse top eight) grid for race two which was enough for him to go on and win the race ahead of Peter McNiven and Alajajian – who charged from seventh to third.

McNiven was one of the

Peter Bury

Alajajian doubles up

standouts in just his second ever round out of his regular V8 Touring Car Series ride and proved a consistent top five performer in Melbourne.

Stokell finished the second race in 10th after boost issues robbed his car of power, a problem that would return in the final race and cost him a substantial haul of championship points though he was still able to finish second overall for the round.

“It’s good to come out of the round with some good points despite some boost issues with the car,” Stokell said.

“That’s racing sometimes and we came away with some good points and a result. There are still five rounds to go so there’s plenty of time left.”

The impressive Sean Carter finished third for the round and holds the same position in the championship.

– RICHARD CRAILL

motorsport news

race

Rob Lang

Kenny clocks up another title FORMULA 5000

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John Morris / Mpix

THE remarkable Ken Smith has scored a remarkable series victory in the 2009/10 Formula 5000 Tasman Cup Revival series.

Smith entered the weekend’s final round at Albert Park second in the series and, after qualifying his Lola third, behind the pair of McRae GM1s of Steve Ross and Christopher Hyde, looked like an unlikely titlist.

However, as history has shown, it was unwise to count the veteran out and that would be the case at the weekend. Smith clinched the series after his closest rival Ross struck mechanical dramas in the first race, virtually ensuring the title win there and then.

It was Hyde, who took pole position by just one-tenth

of a second and then made a great start to lead Race 1 in the early going. Hyde won the series’ first round at Manfield last year but then struggled with engine issues in subsequent rounds, costing him points and a title challenge.

However there were no such signs of those issues in Melbourne as he held off Smith to take a narrow win, despite losing second gear mid-race.

The big talking point, however, was Ross’ failure to reach the flag after being forced out with drive train issues.

With Smith scoring second place it ensured the series lead changed hands to the Lola driver and it would turn out to be a lead that Smith would then never cede.

Race 2 went much the same

way as the first, with Hyde winning again to end the year the way he started it.

Smith, meanwhile, finished a safe second to ensure he did everything he needed to secure the title.

Ross, starting from the back in his repaired car, charged through the field from 28th to fourth in the eight-lap race in an impressive comeback, but with Smith on the podium it was never going to be enough to take the title.

British driver Mark Dwyer

finished the race third to continue his strong Albert Park circuit form – he won a race there last year - whilst Roger Williams was the first Aussie home in fifth.

Another massive grid of 35 cars fronted at the weekend with drivers coming from all corners of the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Britain, the US and continental Europe to experience the F5000 competition.

– RICHARD CRAILL

39

WORLD SUPERBIKES ROUND 2, PORTIMAO

Maximum Points While the Ducatis struggled, Max Biaggi flew the Italian flag in Portugal, taking his first World Superbike double victory.

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UST to remind one and all that he has world-class speed, Max Biaggi has taken a dominant double in the second round of the World Superbike Championship in Portugal.

The Roman was in prime form, taking Race 1 from Leon Haslam and Jonny Rea, and Race 2 from Haslam and Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow. Crutchlow fell after starting Race 1 from pole position, and the overall results mean that Haslam now has a handy lead in the championship.

“It is great to get my first double win in World Superbike,” said a fired-up Biaggi after the races.

“The feeling is great and the first double win of anybody this year so I feel confident and we are in a good rhythm. We go to Valencia next and we will ask very much of ourselves there as well. We had good speed down the straight today but if you saw how fast we could exit the last corner then you would know it was not just the engine. Our bike is fast but other bikes are also fast.”

It was a hard weekend for the Aussies, with Troy Corser ninth and 10th. Chris Vermeulen did not ride due to a knee injury.

Points: Haslam 85, Biaggi 69, Checa 60, Fabrizio 46, Haga 43, Rea 39, Guintoli 33, Camier 32, Corser 29, Crutchlow/Toseland/Byrne 25.

KENAN Sofuoglu edged out Joan Lascorz by 0.031s to take out a thrilling World Supersport race.

The Turk caught long-time leader Eugene Laverty late in the race, and Lascorz’s Kawasaki followed, missing the win by the narrowest of margins. Michele Pirro was third on the other Ten Kate Honda, just ahead of Chas Davies (Triumph).

Graeme Browne/GeeBee

Graeme Browne/GeeBee

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Two for #3: Biaggi showed the world that he remembers how to win, and how to celebrate wins, in Portugal.

41

SRA SPRINTCARS SEASON FINAL – REDLINE SPEEDWAY

VOGELS BAGS HIS FOURTH NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA Brute Industries (USA) has appointed Motorsport Leasing as its Australian agent

FIRST CONTAINER OF RACE RAMPS ARRIVING APRIL For further information on pricing and products, contact

MOTORSPORT LEASING PTY LTD

ROB: 0419 395 120 or JOHN: 0418 320 517 EMAIL: info@raceramps.com.au Fax: 03 9722 2703 42

motorsport news

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Geoff Rounds

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race OHN Vogels won his fourth Sprintcar Racing Association title last weekend, but it was a tense battle right to the end of a tough series.

The Simpson driver would eventually finish fourth in the final race of the 16-round series at Ballarat’s Redline Raceway, but it was enough to claim the championship by 47 points ahead of Lilydale’s Mike Van Bremen, and Warrnambool’s Jamie Veal, and claim the $10,000 series prize.

A 71-point buffer between Vogels and second placed Van Bremen was all that separated the pair going the final round of the Eureka Sheds-backed series, and when Van Bremen, sixth highest on points after heats, set the second quickest time in the top-six shootout to start the A-Main from the front row, the series final result was still open.

For Vogels to win the Eureka Garages and Sheds Series he had to finish within six positions of Van Bremen.

He did, and was predictably ecstatic.

“I knew I had to finish no more than six behind Mike, and I was in about sixth place at one stage,” Vogels said.

“I was thinking ‘this is not good’, and in the end I plucked a few off, which is just great.

“The last few rounds we have just taken it safely and did what we had to do to win the series.”

Aside from the battle between Vogels and Van Bremen, the final race of the season was tasty. Jamie Veal set quick-time in the shootout, to start from pole alongside Van Bremen.

Van Bremen won the important start against Veal, and set about opening a lead until Lap 9, when the reds came on with rookie driver Brad Warren rolling in Turn 2. A couple more mid-race yellow lights allowed Van Bremen clear air to control the race, but the only thing out of his control was Vogels.

Early in the race Vogels had some nervous times, but towards the end of the event he made some series winning moves to be fourth on the racetrack.

“Good job to Johnn; he had to run in the top six or seven and I’m sure he was making sure he did,” Van Bremen said.

“We are happy to get our third A-Main win for the year.

I reckon it’s the best season I’ve had and it shows how tough it is to win a series. I’ve had a really good season and it’s been a lot of fun racing against these guys.”

– GEOFF ROUNDS

www.mnews.com.au

A DUMESNY KINDA NIGHT IT was a Dumesny family benefit last Saturday night at the Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway, when an inform Max Dumesny blitzed the quality A-Main field to take out a brilliant victory, while his son Mitchell claimed his second TPCR track championship in a row.

Max’s Valvoline machine took control of the A-Main on Lap 18, and powered away with an easy victory over Danny Reidy and local star Grant Tunks.

But back in seventh place, it was all about Mitchell. With only Marty Perovich in the hunt, it seemed a formality that the younger Dumesny would win abother title, and while Perovich picked up sixth, it was indeed Mitch’s title.

“The plan this season was to run the Parramatta track championship, but if anything did happen we would go venturing around,” said Dumesny Jr. “We got to the lead around a third of the way in the season, and kept it. It was so good. It’s too far away to plan for next season with my Uni, so I really don’t know. Maybe we’ll do Parramatta thing again or travel around grab a few races here

and there, but not the WSS. “Really, I’m focused on the Easter trail and the final Parramatta races this season.”

Meanwhile, the proud father was ecstatic with his A-Main win.

“The car was on rails,” he told eNews.

“It was sticking to the bottom better than anyone else and I could get underneath and then drift up track. It was working great, rolling around so nice!”

The TPCR series final attracted another excellent lineup of 48 Sprintcars, with Cameron Gessner and Todd Wanless venturing south. The heat wins went to Jason Bates, Adrian Maher, Craig Brady, Jeremy Cross, Rod Bright, Ian Madsen, Perovich and Brett Loadman. Peter Brouke held out James Thomson (who crashed earlier in the night) to win the C-Main, while Mick Turner defeated Benny Atkinson to win the B-Main The sprintcars are back on this Easter Saturday at the TPCR for the $10,000-to-win East Coast Sprintcar Nationals, with the NSW Sprintcar title scheduled a week later (April 10) at the Parramatta venue.

– GREG BOSCATO

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AU SALOON built by Sean Rose with fresh engine from Bill Martin Performance this highly competitive saloon has raced less than 2 seasons and is ready for the grid. owner has changed categories and offers for immediate sale at under market value. perfect for state or national championships. 24750. shane smollen 0412 751 190.

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DVS Team DVS Opportunity Here is your chance to buy DVS at a budget price. We offer for sale the complete package, 1 V8 Supercars (BF Falcons), 2 race engines and a 3 car Transporter. Plus an enormous spares package to go with it. Serious buyers only please. Email: racingV8@bigpond.com . 0 POA. Brent La Delle 0401825134 / 0401825134.

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STI RA SPEC C genuine STI RA SPEC C,VERY RARE! Lightweight bodyshell, no sound insulation, 100kg lighter than STI, STI quick rack steering, thin glass, wind up windows, no abs, small 20L fuel tank, SPEC C ECU & RHF5HB turbo, SPEC C upgrade suspension, SPEC C engine specs-increased valve lift etc. race/rally use. $19000. Ben Stack 0402 317513 / 0402317513.

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Tarmac SpecC Impreza

BMW Super Tourer 95

Regrettable sale – AS NEW build just completed. PWRC/ M2 Tarmac Spec, New shell, FIA cage, AutronicSM4, 6-Speed, STi Diff’s, Motec DCCD , REIGER Suspension, Brembo’s, Prodrive H-Brake, TRS Harnesses, Alloy Firebomb & Handheld. This will be OUTRIGHT competitive in any Aus tarmac rally. $POA. Call Sam 0439 434 591.

1995 BMW Super Tourer, Ready to race. Still as quick today as ever. 98 spec engine, under 300km on engine. Many spares available. $125,000. Call David 0419684866.

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motorsport motorsportnews news

rear of grid

PIT ROAD RAGE

We’re not sure exactly how it happened, but on his way to the scales during last weekend’s AGP, Nick Foster and his Formula Ford collided with a Formula 5000 car.

Luckily, Foster’s Mygale was unharmed, and he went on to finish second! He looks pretty unimpressed here, though ...

Dirk Klynsmith

Odd Spo t It wasn’t just Jamie Whincup’s rivals that were jealous of the reigning V8 Champ’s stint in a Formula 1 car. eNews spotted Whinners’ engineer Mark Dutton enjoying a sit in the MP4-23, and grinning like a kid with some delicious candy.

Nice one, Dutto. www.mnews.com.au

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