Motorsport eNews Issue 173 - September 21-27, 2010

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Issue No. 173 September 21 - 27 2010

STAYING PUT DICK JOHNSON RACING TAKES UP STEVIE J OPTION FOR 2011

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Issue No. 173 | September 21-27 2010

news 4

Stevie J back for more So, no Davo at JBR 6 Stayin’ in Carolina Ambrose unlikely for S500 9 Radical or West-ern Bulldog Akermanis looks to the track 10 Martin. Aston Martin Prodrive’s 2012 Le Mans plan 14 The all-Penske pages Will, Kurt, Sam and Ryan

chat 24 Five Minutes With ...

Jason Akermanis

comment 26 MA: Option and options AVL: Tailor-made Swift

race 28 Japan Indy 500 32 NASCAR Chase Rd 1

trade 40 Classifieds

JOHNSON SIGNS ON AT Steve Johnson takes up option at Jim Beam Racing, taking the squad out of the running V8 SUPERCARS

S

TEVE Johnson will remain with Dick Johnson Racing in 2011, in the first genuine move of the Silly Season.

Johnson re-signed with the team at the start of this season, on a one-year deal with an option for 2011. And the option has been taken up, locking the team’s driver line-up as James Courtney and Johnson for next season.

The deal comes after paddock rumours that Johnson was looking for a new team surfaced in Townsville back in July, with Ford Performance Racing touted as a potential home for the 36-year-old. But now he’ll stay with the team he has driven for since 1998.

“We’ve chosen to exercise the option on what was basically a two-year contract,” said Johnson’s manager Dale Rodgers.

“Steve is absolutely delighted

to be working with the team at this level, so we’re really happy to have been able to come to this arrangement.”

According to team owner Charlie Schwerkolt, continuity was the key factor in retaining Johnson for 2011.

“It’s good. Steve is a fantastic addition to the team,” he told eNews. “He’s fast, consistent, and a good fit in his role at Jim Beam Racing.”

An interesting side-effect of the Johnson deal is that it

takes DJR out of the running for Will Davison’s services in 2011.

Davison was originally part of a three-way scrap between Holden Racing Team, DJR and FPR, with that now becoming a straight fight between the Ford and Holden factory squads.

Schwerkolt confirmed to eNews that JBR would no longer pursue a Davison return at Stapylton for next season.

“That’s correct. We’re happy to proceed with the drivers we have, so our line-up at Jim Beam

motorsport news

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T DJR SWIFTS SET FOR AUSSIE DEBUT for Will Davison

Racing will be James [Courtney] and Steve.”

Jono Webb will also stay part of the DJR family in 2011, and Schwerkolt indicated that the team would probably stay at three cars in the near future.

“That’s how it’s looking,” he said.

“We’re not engaging with anyone else at the moment at all. Jono has been a great addition to the line-up, we couldn’t be happier with how things are going at the moment.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Successful New Zealand series to start on Australian soil in 2011 NATIONAL

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

AUSTRALIA will have a new junior racing series in 2011, with New Zealand’s highly successful Suzuki Swift Sport Cup making the leap across the Tasman.

The Australian version of the one-make series will be called the Australian Swift Sport Young Drivers Series, and will be run by Queenslandbased company Trans Tasman Motorsport. They are currently building the first five cars, and will have 30 ready for a kick off in 2011.

“A couple of our guys were in Hamilton for the V8 Supercars this year, and they saw the New Zealand Swifts racing there,” Trans Tasman Motorsport’s operations manager Raymond Harrison told eNews.

“We recognized that it was a great concept, that could be adapted to work here in Australia.

We’ve done a deal with Suzuki Cars Queensland, and we’re working towards building 30 cars.”

The series will be aimed specifically at budgetconscious young drivers. For starters, only drivers under the age of 25 will be permitted to race, and car packages will be priced around $45,000. Series registration will be locked at $3,500, and drivers will receive just two new tyres per round, which will cost around $700.

To maintain parity, the control ECUs will be exchanged between the cars as the season wears on.

“We want to provide a platform for good, young drivers,” added Harrison. “The age limit is to stop guys with bags of money coming in and running away with it.”

As for a calendar, Harrison is currently in talks with the Shannons Nationals about securing a place on their bill for 2011.

“We’re talking with the Shannons Nationals, and that was our first port of call,” he said.

“V8 Supercars is well out of our budget, particularly for the first year.”

According to Paul Burborough, championship co-ordinator of the NZ version, having the series run in Australia is a big coup for the category.

“We’re looking forward to having an Australian series, and we’ll help them as much as possible,” he told eNews.

“We’ll certainly facilitate the trans-Tasman rivalry. We’ll try and get some cars over there, and have Australian drivers over here.”

Before the Australian series kicks off in 2011, Trans Tasman Motorsport will conduct a full reconnaissance during the NZ series, which runs over summer. One of the cars currently being built in Queensland will run the full NZ season, with Allan Jarvis at the wheel.

“It will be a big benefit to us, to see how they run the series first-hand,” said Harrison.

“They’ve been doing it for a few years now, and they’ve ironed out all the bugs, so it will be interesting to see how it all goes down.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Justin Collins

AM-BUSH DEAL STILL A CHANCE V8 SUPERCARS

THE chances of Marcos Ambrose appearing at the Sydney 500 as a wildcard entry are diminishing.

The two-time V8 Supercar champion has said that he is looking at staying in the USA over the summer to shore up his new program, with Richard Petty Motorsports, for 2011.

“My first priority at the moment is to shore up my 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season,” he said.

“We have a few more pieces of the jigsaw to sort out here first, like my crew and final sponsorship partners. They should be in place in the next couple of weeks.

“I have not discounted a return for Homebush as yet; I have two sponsors who would jump on board tomorrow.

[But] first I need to sort out my North American program, and then I need to find out if it was even possible to race at Homebush.” eNews believes that the only team in a position to run Ambrose in a competitive car would be Ford Performance Racing, and that one of the sponsors that would back the deal is Pirtek. The company was poised to sponsor an Ambrose entry last year, but when no REC was available to see the drive go ahead, backed the Motorsport Legends appearance at Surfers last October.

Ambrose also expressed concerns

CCUP GETTING CLOSER CARRERA CUP PORSCHE Cars Australia hosted a second information session for prospective Carrera Cup competitors last night.

Following a meeting with previous licence holders in Melbourne on September 13, other competitors who had expressed interest in joining the reborn category in 2011 were due to meet with category officials as eNews went live.

“There were about 10 or 12 who came along to the first meeting. It was very positive,” PCA’s Motorsport Manager

Jamey Blaikie said yesterday.

“The meeting tonight is with everyone else who has shown an expression of interest and wants to come along to an information night. We’re expecting around 30 tonight, which is good.” eNews understands PCA is close to finalising a seven-round calendar, likely to start at the Clipsal 500 and Australian Grand Prix. Also, a reduction on part prices has been flagged, along with a relaxation of teams agreements and a ‘drop your worst round’ points system.

– MITCHELL ADAM

that, due to V8 Supercars’ strict testing guidelines, he would not have the opportunity to test any car prior to practice at Homebush.

“I won’t be able to test before Homebush,” he said, “so that would complicate matters as well.”

He has confirmed that any trip back to Australia for his wife Sonia and two daughters would be dependent on him getting a race seat.

“If I don’t return for Homebush, I won’t be coming back to Australia over the summer,” he said.

“My eldest daughter has just started school, so from a family perspective it’s important to stay based here in North Carolina over the break.

BLOCK GOES VIRAL AGAIN INTERNET freaks will probably be aware that the latest crazy video by US action-sports nut Ken Block has hit the net.

Ken Block Gymkhana 3 Part II went viral last week, featuring the highprofile Block clowning around with his Ford Fiesta rally car ...

Click below to check it out.

CLICK HER

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motorsport news

news

HRT STICKS WITH DRIVERS V8 SUPERCARS

Peter Bury

THE Toll Holden Racing Team will retain its co-driver line-up for next month’s Supercheap Bathurst 1000. eNews understands that Cameron McConville will continue to partner Garth Tander in car #2, while David Reynolds will again partner Will Davison in car #22. McConville is also likely to stick with Tander for the Gold Coast 600, while Reynolds will be forced to make way for IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe, in order to satisfy the team’s ‘international’ status for the street race.

With Reynolds and McConville staying in red for Bathurst, expect Briscoe to partner Andrew Thompson in the #10 Bundy Red Racing entry at Mount Panorama, before switching to the factory squad for the Gold Coast. Craig Baird is likely to stay paired with Fabian Coulthard in BRR #24 at Bathurst and the Gold Coast, meaning Thompson will share with Mika Salo in the 600-kayer, giving him three different codrivers in the three endurance races.

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BARKER GETS THAT MOUNTAIN FEELING FUJITSU V8S

FORMULA 3 Australian Drivers Championship leader Ben Barker will make his Fujitsu Series debut at Bathurst next month.

As previously reported in eNews, Barker has been working towards making his Supercar debut and tested with MW Motorsport at Winton recently. He’s now signed on with the team to drive their third Falcon – as raced by Marcus Marshall at Townsville – at Bathurst.

“I’m getting excited, it should be good,” the Englishman said.

“I just want to get out and get some miles and why not do it at Bathurst? If I don’t come back next year, at least I can leave Australia having done Bathurst in a V8 Supercar. I know it’s going to be difficult, but I’m going to be sensible and build up to it.

“It’ll be good, I should learn loads from it.”

The event is likely to be a one-off for Barker this year, as he weighs up options in Australia and Europe for 2011.

“It’s all about budget, as usual, we’ll see where we can find new sponsors and that sort of stuff and go from there,” he said.

“I’d like to stay; Carrera Cup’s coming back, obviously Fujitsu Series is on the list, and obviously racing back in Europe is there as well. I’d love to carry on in singleseaters, but in reality I’ll probably end up making the move to tin-tops next year.

“I’ll see how the end of the year goes, talk to people over Christmas and see what happens.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

Chas makes most of bonus Miles FUJITSU V8S CHAZ Mostert will race fulltime in next year’s Fujitsu Series with Miles Racing.

The current Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship leader will make his debut in the series at Bathurst as a one-off in the team’s East Coast Traffic Control Falcon. In 2011, he’ll race fulltime with the squad which is progressing with plans to ultimately run as many as four Fujitsu Series cars.

“We want to run two cars, minimum, next year,” team owner Wayne Miles said.

“We’re aiming for four, based on what they do in the Main Game and we aim to replicate that in the Fujitsu Series.

“Bathurst gives Chaz a chance to try it out, after that he’s got Formula Ford to focus on, the title is of utmost importance to him. Obviously it all helps going into next year, knowing how he works, looking after his training and giving him more experience.”

The team recently purchased

a second ex-Triple Eight Falcon from Howard Racing, and are looking at options to add further hardware. On the driving side, the team’s plans beyond Bathurst for 2010 are undecided. With the final round of Formula Ford on the same weekend, Mostert won’t run at Sandown, but may make another start at Homebush.

Miles is continuing to build links with young drivers, including Formula Ford title contender Ash Walsh and Queensland Formula Ford

driver Shae Davies. Davies has tested with the team and a wiring loom issue thwarted plans for Walsh to have a brief run at last week’s new car shakedown.

“We want to get the right people affiliated,” he said.

“We’d like to have Ash on board if everything goes well. We like him, and he’s a good driver. With his study, he missed a test a couple of weeks ago, but we’re meeting with him this week. We’ll see what happens.”

– MITCHELL ADAM motorsport news

Richard Craill

Brit joins MWR for Bathurst Fujitsu V8 Supercars debut

Akeracing!

New Q format for 12 Hr

SPORTS RACING?

THE next phase in the sporting career of Jason Akermanis looks like including a steering wheel.

The Brownlow Medal-winning AFL football star, who made national headlines when he split with the Western Bulldogs earlier this season, is looking to take up motorsport, and the 33-year-old has his eyes set on some fast equipment.

“I have just finished footy and I have the time now,” Akermanis told eNews in an exclusive interview.

“I am going to study it, I will do some go-karts somewhere in Melbourne, and I have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to it, and it is going to be a big journey.

“I am going to do it with the right finances and it is going to be a lot of fun.”

Akermanis’s maiden ventures into motorsport have not been successful, with him rolling a MINI Challenge car at Symmons Plains in late 2008. But he has focused one where he wants to go on the racetrack, and how fast he wants to get there.

“I would like to do something like the Radical series, or a West, or something like that. That series looks good but it coasts a lot of money, and I do not have the money or the time, yet, to do something like that.”

For more an Akermanis, see 5 Minutes, page 24 – PHIL BRANAGAN

12 HOUR DESPITE the introduction of GT cars, the pole position time for next year’s Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour will be significantly slower.

Replicating a system in use at the Sepang 12 Hour race, a new format will be introduced, encompassing the qualifying times set by each driver. For each car, all nominated drivers must set a time, with the best time of each driver combined to form a total qualifying time, likely to be well over six-minutes and 30 seconds for pole position based on a three-driver lineup.

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Astounding. And not just the photo.

LE MANS LE Mans in 2011 should be good – but in 2012, it’s going to be a cracker.

Aston Martin Racing has confirmed that it will compete in LMP1 in 2012 and 2013, with the brand new prototype to be raced by Jota Sport. The new open cockpit, petrolpowered LMP1 prototype will be driven, in part, by factory driver Sam Hancock, who will be ‘loaned’ to Jota to partner Jota Sport co-owner/driver

FORMULA FORD EVANS Motorsport Group is the first team in the world to take delivery of Mygale’s new SJ11a Formula Ford chassis.

EMG received two of the 2011 cars recently, and has shaken down one of the chassis’ at Winton Motor Raceway, as they begin groundwork for the 2011 Genuine Ford Parts Australian Formula Ford Championship.

“We’ve been in communication with Mygale about some developments we’d like to bring to the already strong package,” team owner Joshua Evans said.

“Having now seen the new vehicles in the flesh and I have to say we’re quite impressed with the finished product.

“We were determined to take delivery of the cars early.

We believe this will give us a significant advantage in the 10

Simon Dolan.

“Having started our new relationship with Aston Martin Racing on a high with GT4 class victory in the Spa 24 Hours recently, we’re really happy to have such an exciting multi-year programme confirmed so early,” said Dolan. “That’s a very rare luxury at this level of motorsport and I’ve no doubt that it will lay some strong foundations for the development of the team.”

The program was greenlit development and preparations for our national campaign next year.”

Mathew Hart will debut the team’s SJ11a in the final round of the Victorian Formula Ford Championship at Phillip Island this weekend, stepping up from his current 2008-model Mygale.

Hart will contest the national championship with the Evans Motorsport Group in 2011.

“I’ve been hanging out for the cars to arrive ever since we decided to go with the new model. The new cars look awesome, certainly a step in the right direction,” the 15-yearold said.

“Running the car this early should be beneficial to our preparations for my rookie season in the national championship. Basically our campaign will begin immediately, starting with an intense testing program.”

by Prodrive after negotiations with the event organiser, Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), that will see petrolengined cars given a greater degree of parity with the diesel cars which, since being introduced in 2006, have

dominated the event. Prodrive will design the open car from a clean sheet, as opposed to its recent Lola-based closed cars, and Jota Sport will seek to compete in the GT2 category next year prior to moving to LMP1.

Mygale Force

motorsport news

news

Richard Craill

R-Tek goes large FORMULA 3 SOUTH Australian outfit R-Tek Motorsport has upgraded its hardware for the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship, with the purchase of TanderSport’s F307 Dallaras.

Team boss Ian Richards picked up the two F307s, Mercedes Benz engines and a large portion of the associated spares last Monday from Melbourne, while travelling back from Eastern Creek’s F3 round. TanderSport last appeared in Formula 3 at Phillip Island in May with Kiwi Ben Crighton.

“It should put R-Tek in a position to win a championship next year,” Richards said.

“I believe they were the best ’07 cars in the country.

They’re immaculate; they were prepared to perfection, everything they’ve done is really good.

“They’re available and ready to go right now, we’re looking to run them at Sandown and then we’ll try to line things up for next year. I’ve contacted a few people, now I’m waiting for some responses.”

Richards plans to keep his existing pair of F304 Dallaras, driven at Eastern Creek by Nathan Morcom and John Magro, to continue running in National Class.

“They’re both going to be rebuilt over the Christmas break, with zero kilometre engines and a general tidy up, so they’ll be available for lease next year for the National Class,” he said.

– MITCHELL ADAM

ARC FOR MORGAN P AUSSIE RACING CARS MORGAN Park will host the final round of the 2010 Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.

Lakeside was originally

announced as the host of the season finale in October, but a number of issues necessitated a change. Instead, the newlyextended Warwick circuit will host the final round on November 6-7 as part of the

SPEED CONFIRMED SPEED Channel will launch on Foxtel on November 1, it was confirmed yesterday, Monday.

As exclusively reported in eNews three weeks ago, SPEED will give Australia its first 24/7 motorsport channel, airing on Channel 506, or Channel 206 for the HD variant.

All motorsport content from the existing Fox Sports Channels will move to SPEED, headlined by live coverage of all three tiers of NASCAR, World Superbikes and local content including V8 Supercar replays, Shannons Nationals, Australian Superbikes and World Series Sprintcars.

“PMG is home to Australia’s

leading sports broadcaster FOX SPORTS and we’re delighted to be expanding our terrific sports offering to include a channel dedicated to motorsports with the launch of SPEED,” Premier Media Group chief executive, David Malone “PMG is committed to taking the sports broadcasting experience to exciting new levels for all Australian fans and with FOX SPORTS, plus FUEL TV’s ever-broadening array of action sports, SPEED is a wonderful addition – and another Australian first.”

The channel will also introduce HotPass, four dedicated driver channels for Sprint Cup races with onboard cameras and team audio.

final round of the QLD State Championships.

“It just got too hard up there,” category manager Phil Ward said of Lakeside.

“They’re limited on the number of cars and there’s a noise issue and a few other bells and whistles, so we

canned it and we’ll go to Morgan Park.

“We’ll try to go to Lakeside next year, when we’ve got a bit more planning time.”

Kyle Clews leads the standings by two points over Adam Gowans.

– MITCHELL ADAM

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11

Lotus linked to Toyota FORMULA 1

G

et set for a number of ‘very exciting announcements’ from Lotus Racing at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.

One of them is expected to be confirmation that Lotus has sealed an engine and gearbox deal with Renault for 2011. This has been widely rumoured, and the news at Monza that Lotus and Cosworth would be parting ways at season’s end seemed to confirm the speculation.

However, the Italian Autosprint magazine reports that Lotus will also announce that it has entered into a technical cooperation agreement with Toyota Motorsport, which is effectively the former Toyota Formula 1 team.

While Toyota departed F1 at the end of last year, the Cologne-based facility continues to operate and is engaged in developing technologies for outside parties on a commercial basis. In addition, it supplies the car (its 2009 car) for Pirelli’s F1 tyre tests.

The Autosprint report notes that Lotus

now employs several former members of Toyota’s F1 team, and that technical chief Mike Gascoyne is also a former Toyota man.

“We have to do something different and it will be done soon,” team boss and owner Tony Fernandes told the BBC at Monza. “Lots of negotiations have gone on over the last couple of weeks and we’re very happy with the outcome.”

Lotus is also expected to confirm a name change from Lotus Racing to Team Lotus, as well as reconfirming its current drivers for the 2011 season.

sutton-images.com

Red Bull’s flirt with Cossy FORMULA 1

W

12

sutton-images.com

ith the benefit of 12 months’ hindsight, Red Bull would right now be powered by Cosworth rather than Renault engines, according to Cosworth’s managing director Tim Routsis.

Routsis has revealed that Cosworth and Red Bull were in discussion late last year before the latter opted to remain with Renault.

“There were several contacts with Red Bull,” he is quoted by the Italian Autosprint magazine. “But we were at a disadvantage, because we had no evidence about how our engine

was going to debut.

“I am convinced that if we had been able to wind the clocks forward by 13 months, things with Red Bull would have gone differently.”

While the Renault V8 is widely rated as one of the most fuel efficient in the field, it is thought to trail the Mercedes engine in the power stakes.

With McLaren again exercising its veto against Red Bull using the Mercedes engine, Red Bull designer Adrian Newey says that the 2011 car will likely also be powered by Renault.

motorsport news

Kimi Renault

interest confirmed FORMULA 1

K

sutton-images.com

imi Raikkonen’s manager Steve Robertson has confirmed rumours that the Finn is considering a comeback to Formula 1 in 2011.

Robertson said that contact had been made with Renault F1 team boss Eric Boullier about the possibility of Raikkonen replacing Vitaly Petrov for 2011.

“It’s true, I spoke with Boullier,” Steve Robertson told the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. “We want to explore all the possible options for next year. Kimi and I asked Renault what is the situation.”

Cut costs or die, Flavio warns F1 FORMULA 1

F

ormula 1 teams are categorically incapable of cutting costs, says Flavio Briatore.

At Monza during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, the disgraced former team boss said F1’s long term viability depended on teams being able to dramatically reduce costs.

“But you’d have to throw 100 people out of the paddock,” he said. “With today’s decision makers this is not possible.

“You can’t teach them how to save because they never have.

It’s like sending an alcoholic to rehab in a bar.”

Briatore’s recent presence in the F1 paddock suggests there is substance to the rumours that he will soon take up some type of management or promotional role alongside F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Briatore also offered his view on the progress of the comeback of Michael Schumacher. Briatore was team boss at Benetton during Schumacher’s two World Championship seasons with that team.

“The comeback was wrong,” Briatore told Austrian television.

“His car is not the best, but he isn’t competitive. Rosberg is usually better. Sometimes I just feel sorry for him.”

For full F1/ MotoGP/ WRC coverage/news, CLICK HERE to get to GPWeek magazine -

www.gpweek.com www.mnews.com.au

Raikkonen left F1 and Ferrari at the end of ‘09 for a Citroen drive in the World Rally Championship.

Despite a mixed debut season he was expected to continue into 2011 – and may yet well do so.

“There are all sorts of rumours,” Robertson added cryptically. “I’ve even heard that Kimi could go to NASCAR, but that is definitely not an option.”

While the prospect of Raikkonen facing his old F1 rival Juan Montoya in NASCAR is a tantalising one, a return to F1 would make it five World Champions on the grid in 2011, or six if either Mark Webber or Sebastian Vettel win it this year.

Bernie wants

a woman FORMULA 1

B

ERNIE Ecclestone is looking for a female Formula 1 driver.

Robin Miller, a Speed TV announcer and popular motorsports writer, revealed on the US based weekly Wind Tunnel show last week that Ecclestone phoned veteran IndyCar team chief Derrick Walker while the two were having lunch this summer.

The F1 Czar was asking if any of the women competing in the IndyCar series would be competitive in F1.

Walker highly recommended Simona de Silvestro, who is hopeful of earning 2010 Rookie of the Year status in her maiden IndyCar season. She competed for Walker’s Atlantic team in 2008.

“I’m definitely going to stay here,” the 22-year-old said of IndyCar. “I like it, I’ve been competitive and we’re trying to find a couple of sponsors for next year. What we did on the road courses this year was pretty special.

“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. For sure I have an interest in F1 but my current plans are to remain in IndyCar.” Ecclestone was once famously quoted as saying that women were not physically capable of driving F1 cars.

Mary Mendez 13

POWER IN TITLE BAT CHANGES LOOM AT Hornish faces future in Nationwide or IndyCar – maybe with another team – and Briscoe no certainty for 2011 INDY/NASCAR CHANGES have been made at Penske Racing and its 2011 programs are not yet clear.

The changes look set to affect Sam Hornish in NASCAR Cup, Justin Allgaier in the Nationwide Series, and even Ryan Briscoe’s ride in IndyCar. “Right now we’re still in search of a primary sponsor,” Tim Cindric, President of Penske Racing, told NASCAR. com about Sam Hornish’s Cup seat.

“That search will continue for the rest of the year. The good news is that it’s September and not December. You can’t race without the funding. We’d certainly like for him to be able to continue with us.”

Talk in the IndyCar paddock is that Penske could downsize to a two-car IndyCar team next year if a sponsor for a third car isn’t found. Briscoe is expected to be odd man out as both Will Power and Helio Castroneves are expected to remain. Other rumours have Sam Hornish remaining in NASCAR but moving to the Nationwide Series next season.

One Penske IndyCar crew chief said, “Penske isn’t hiring any new people because we don’t know if we are going to be a three or two-car team next season.”

– MARY MENDEZ 14

Tyre SNAFU hampers Busch NASCAR SPRINT CUP KURT Busch’s quest for a second NASCAR title could not have started much worse, after it started 15 minutes late.

The Miller Lite Dodge driver was forced to sit out the first quarter-hour of Saturday’s practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after the Penske team was found to have used an extra set of tyres.

As Busch sat in his #2 car, while Landon Cassill did likewise right behind him in the similar car of start-and-park team Gunselman Motorsports, the

rest of the Sprint Cup drivers were hard at work, tuning their cars for the oval track.

NASCAR allows teams to use six sets of tyres for practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday. Busch had his allocation for practice and

qualifying cut by one set, but had the full eight sets available for the race.

Things did not get a whole lot better on Sunday. Busch clashed with Jimmie Johnson in the race, but recovered to finish 13th. motorsport news

ATTLE – BUT T PENSKE

INDYCARS

Honda Racing Honda Racing

THE IndyCar title is really in the hands of just two drivers, Will Power leading Dario Franchitti by 12 points.

“Will just has to keep his cool and be focused, which he is,” said Ryan Briscoe, believing teammate Power can prevail over Dario Franchitti for the IndyCar title.

“He’s up for the challenge. It’s especially impressive how he’s dominated on road and street courses this year.”

Power has dominated the 2010 season by winning five races, all on road courses. But the Toowoomba driver is determined to win his first oval, having led a total of 141oval laps during the first six ovals. That included leading 83 laps in Kentucky, where he could have won, had it not been for a close encounter with the Turn 4 wall avoiding a lapped car. Franchitti has won three events this season, the Indy 500, Mid-Ohio and Chicagoland.

Fellow Penske driver, Helio Castroneves, expects Power to clinch the championship, stating, “Will’s absolutely gotten much better on ovals. People don’t realize that seventeen championship points, which sounds like only a little, is very hard to overcome. Will has quite a competitive lead. He’s showing pretty good talent through this entire season and he should finish ahead of Dario.”

– MARY MENDEZ

VERIZON CONSIDERS OPTIONS INDYCARS MOBILE phone company Verizon could be the next sponsor to expand on its IndyCar support.

Due to the exclusive signage rights freezing out Verizon’s promotions and activation in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup and Nationwide series, Verizon could expand its IndyCar involvement.

“It’s true that Verizon is evaluating their NASCAR www.mnews.com.au

investment right now,” Jonathan Gibson, Penske Racing’s VP of Marketing and Communications, told Sirius Radio. “They may increase their involvement with our IndyCar program. Our intent is to continue with two Nationwide Series entries next season.”

Losing Verizon sponsorship could cost Justin Allgaier’s Nationwide ride unless another sponsor is found.

But the cellular provider is increasingly pleased with its

IndyCar exposure. Not only does Verizon sign up a lot of new cellular customers at the IndyCar events with its fan friendly traveling unit, it has gained excellent exposure at the hands of Will Power’s five victories.

Power appears in a Verizon TV commercial with Allgaier, joking, “I need a nickname”, which airs during the IndyCar races.

– MARY MENDEZ

Dario wins AJ Foyt Award INDYCARS DARIO Franchitti has won the A.J. Foyt Oval Championship Trophy.

Franchitti held a 27-point lead over his Target Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate Scott Dixon going into the Japan race, the next to last oval of the season. Franchitti won’t receive the actual trophy until Homestead’s season finale, which will be presented by AJ. The Mario Andretti Road Course Champion trophy was convincingly won by Will Power, with five victories and more than 100 points ahead of Franchitti. Power was presented the trophy by Andretti at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, last August.

– MARY MENDEZ

AJ Foyt V INDYCARS THERE’S a new AJ Foyt.

On September 18, AJ Foyt IV, the grandson of the legendary Texan driver and team owner, became a new father when his wife Casey gave birth to a son.

The infant has been named Anthony Joseph Foyt V. – MARY MENDEZ

Oriol, the spotted owl INDYCARS ORIOL Servia is looking for an IndyCar ride for 2011 but had a new role at Motegi.

He traveled to Japan to take over the spotting and driver coaching duties for former F1 driver, Takuma Sato.

Roger Yasukawa had been Sato’s spotter since the season began but the Americanborn Japanese driver raced at Motegi for Conquest Racing.

– MARY MENDEZ 15

Richard Craill

Nationals calendar almost sorted SHANNONS NATIONALS THE Shannons Nationals won’t visit Tasmania in 2011.

As the calendar for its sixth season is finalised, organisers have made the decision not to include Symmons Plains. The calendar is expected to remain at nine rounds, with a second round at Phillip Island filling the void.

Shannons Nationals director Rob Curkpatrick is looking to release the calendar before next month’s 2010 season finale at Sandown.

COMMODORE CUP

16

adrenaline kicked in.

“I most likely wouldn’t have been able to race at Sandown anyway because we simply don’t have the money to source a replacement engine.

“It really is devastating, because we’ve shown this year that we’ve had the pace to challenge for race wins. I’ve had four poles and two race wins in my first full season of Commodore Cup, which is more than anyone else has ever done in their first year.”

Despite the medical setback, Andrews is still focused on his dream of making a professional career out of motorsport.

“I’ve shown this year that I have the talent to match it with the best drivers, so it’s a case of making sure I recover properly, which might mean taking some time out of racing like (Moto GP rider) Casey Stoner did. Then I need to make sure I can find enough funding to take the next step forward,” he concluded.

– LACHLAN MANSELL

We struggled. We’ll consider going back there for the future, but to be honest, we’re not sure.

“It’ll really depend on what the categories want.”

Work is already advanced on the shape of next year’s Australian Manufacturers Championship. CAMS and the Shannons Nationals remain committed to the Production Car category, despite the announcement of a rival series to run under the AASA banner.

“At this stage, it’ll be either four or five rounds and a few longer races, we’re pretty keen

to retain the Australian 6 Hour as it is,” Curkpatrick said.

“There seems to be a lot of endurance racing on offer at the moment but our plans aren’t new. We’ve been talking to competitors about it for six months and asking what they wanted and working on 2011 well before the Australian 6 Hour.

“It’s not only us, it’s been the intention of CAMS as well, they’re encouraging us to go ahead with it. So we’re working on it, it’s full steam ahead,” – MITCHELL ADAM

Setback for Andrews

James Smith

COMMODORE Cup young gun Scott Andrews has been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and will most likely miss the final round of the series at Sandown next month.

Andrews had been a standout performer in the 2010 series, taking four pole positions from the first five rounds of the year, and running comfortably in the top two in the series until the most recent round at Eastern Creek, where he suffered a blown engine.

“I had glandular fever a few years ago, and according to the doctor, I never really got over it,” Andrews said.

“I always felt tired and I struggled to get over viruses, but I never thought it was a problem until I was diagnosed.

At Eastern Creek, I actually fell asleep before the start of the first race and got woken up by the siren. Once I started racing it was fine, because the

“We’re hoping it will be before Sandown,” he said.

“We’ve got dates for next year, but we want to avoid clashes with V8 Supercars where we can, so we’re just sorting through that at the moment and finalising them.

“We plan to visit Eastern Creek twice and Phillip Island twice, and the rest will pretty similar to what we’ve run this year.

“With Symmons Plains, we just had difficulty this year. The freight costs were prohibitive to a few too many teams and it didn’t work as well as we hoped.

motorsport news

news

AFTER a confusing start, it appears Craig Lowndes and Kees Weel lead the 2010 Australasian Safari.

In their Holden Colorado, the pair set a cracking pace on Day 1, but were hit with a 15-minute penalty and dropped to fifth. As eNews went live, it appeared as though the penalty had been withdrawn, reinstating the pair to top spot.

The cross-country race finishes on Saturday – we’ll have the results in next week’s eNews.

Rob Lang

Rob Lang

JIM Richards accepted an invitation to take part in last weekend’s famous Goodwood Revival. He was in the thick of the action driving, among other machinery, a 1956 Morris Minor, above left, and an AC Cobra, above right.

COLLINS PREPS FOR V8 SWITCH V8 TOURING CARS FORMER Commodore Cup driver Nathan Collins is set to join the Shannons V8 Touring Car series following a successful test at Calder Park last week.

Collins drove an ex-Brad Jones Racing BA Falcon owned

by Terry Wyhoon, and an exTeam Dynamik VZ Commodore owned by Ben Eggleston, and was excited by his experiences.

He’s set his sights on the www.mnews.com.au

2011 season, but could race in this year’s finale at Sandown next month.

“The Falcon was a more comfortable racecar than the Commodore,” he said.

“I’m a Holden man through and through, but I actually preferred the Falcon.

“I’m keen to race in the V8 Touring Car Series. I have a budget to race in the series next year, so whether or not I race in the last round of this year’s series at Sandown, we’ll

have to wait and see.”

Team owner Terry Wyhoon was also impressed by Collins’s performance in his first drive in the cars.

“He took a very smart approach,” Wyhoon said.

“To start off with, he did a few laps just to get familiar with the gearbox and controls, and then came in and had a chat before he went back out again.

I reckon he drove the Supercars better than he’s been driving his Commodore Cup car!

“The lap times were irrelevant because there’s lots of work going on at Calder Park at the moment and he couldn’t push flat out all the way around the track, but I think he would have been on the money if he had been able to set a flying lap.

“Unfortunately we had some engine problems but by that stage of the day, Nathan was feeling really comfortable in the car.”

– LACHLAN MANSELL 17

Yamaha keeps CEII MOTOGP

Rossi will be at The Island but ...

Yamaha Racing

SHOULDER MAY FORCE VALE OUT

Yamaha Racing

“I think we have to try to race at the next three races,” Rossi told reporters in Spain.

VALENTINO Rossi looks sure to race at Phillip “Unfortunately we have Motegi in front, which Island next month but he may skip the final is the worst track for the shoulder. two races of the season – but it is nothing to “But after we have Australia and Sepang do with the leg he broke earlier this season. where we have to try to race, especially The World Champion is suffering from a because I rode in Sepang with the same bike shoulder injury, caused by crashing a dirt when I was fit, so it’s interesting to understand bike in April, and could schedule surgery to [the effect of the injury], and after Australia treat the problem. The Italian, who is leaving and Sepang we will find a decision.

Yamaha at the end of the season to join Ducati, “At this moment, we have just decided to had his worst finish of the season, sixth, at go to the next three races, and after we will Aragon on Sunday. decide about the last two.”

MOTOGP

COLIN Edwards will race in MotoGP for at least one more year.

The Texan has signed a new one-year deal with Tech 3 Yamaha and will join Cal Crutclow on a pair of Yamaha M1s in 2011.

“I want to say a big thanks to Yamaha and to Tech 3 for their unwavering support,” said Edwards, who is currently 11th on the MotoGP points table.

“I am honoured to continue my long and successful relationship with Yamaha, Herve Poncharal and all at Tech3.

I love the team and feel like part of a big family and I’m thrilled that our adventure together is continuing next year.”

Biaggi will get Maximum Attention WORLD SUPERBIKE

18

Geebee

MAX Biaggi will have the full attention of the Aprilia team for the final rounds of the World Superbike Championship.

An Aprilia spokesman has said the team is unlikely to replace Leon Camier for the final two events, meaning Biaggi will go it alone in his quest to wrap up both the riders’ and manufacturers’ titles for the Italian factory.

Camier has been out of action since he broke his wrist in practice at the Nurburgring, and is recovering form recent surgery.

The next round of the championship is at Imola this weekend, a track at which the factory ran a wildcard entry last season. But that was raced

by Marco Simoncelli and the impressively-coiffured Italian’s Honda links make a repeat performance (and another podium finish) unlikely.

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BRIEFLY n A huge entry has been received for next month’s West Australian State Championships (October 13). Over 330 competitors will line-up at the Cockburn track. Many competitors are using the event as a warm up towards next year’s National Championships at the venue. n James Greenwood continues to lead Clubman Heavy in the Southern Star Karting Series in Queensland after taking out the most recent round at Warwick.

The Doyle’s Racing driver dominated the weekend and it sets him up nicely for the Queensland State Closed Titles that are coming up at the extended track this coming weekend. n The WSK (Winning Series Karting) Promotion has announced its 2011 schedule.

The burgeoning Series has revealed 12 dates for next year, starting with the Masters Series on February 27. The remaining Master dates are March 20, April 24 and June 5. The WSK Euro Series will be conducted April 10, May 15, June 26 and July 17, with the Final Cup to be held on July 31.

The WSK World Series will be held September 11, October 16 and November 27. n Sean Babington continued the UK’s outstanding year in Karting by taking the final round of the Rotax Euro Series at Genk, Belgium. In his first ever MAX race, he headed a trifecta of Union Jacks on the Senior MAX podium, with James Greenway and Edward Brand following him home.

Joey van Splunteren wrapped up the Title with a seventh placed finish in the Pre-Final. It was a British quinella in Junior MAX, with Jack Aitken taking victory in his Gillard from Nathan Harrison.

– MATT PAYNE

20

NYCK: JUST DID IT KARTING DIMUNITIVE Dutch wonder kid Nyck de Vries picked his moment perfectly to take out the World Karting Championships, defeating 116 fellow competitors at Zuera in Spain, while Australian competitor – Mitchell Gilbert – finished within the top 20.

The 15-year-old Vodafone McLarenMercedes Zanardi Kart driver started on the front row, but dropped to third on the opening corner behind Brit Jordan Chamberlain and Dane Nicolaj Moller-Madsen – the European KF2 Champion.

Chamberlain took his Tony Kart out to a onesecond lead, before de Vries motored past Moller-Madsen’s Energy on Lap 5. Closing to within half a second with two laps to go, there wouldn’t be a struck match between the two as the chequered flag flew.

Taking the last lap board, 18-year-old Chamberlain thought he had it wrapped up – leading the Dutch protégé by 0.294s. At Turn 4, de Vries took his opportunity and kept the kart tight and low, getting alongside the Welshman under brakes. Touching ever so slightly on the exit, de Vries assumed the lead, whilst Chamberlain was forced to hold off

Moller-Madsen for second.

Moller-Madsen walked away happy with third, having advanced from 24th on the PreFinal grid, starting the Final in sixth. Rounding out the Top 5 was front row starter – Japanese Yu Kanamaru – and another Dutchman, Max Klinkby Silver.

Gilbert – qualified 39th of the 117 qualifiers in his Kosmic machine. He was able to qualify through the heats to the 34-driver Final.

Coming from 33rd on the grid, he moved his way to 18th at the completion of the race.

Former GP2 racer and last year’s podium man Ben Hanley spun out at the very start of the race. Ferrari’s young driver Brandon Maisano came home in seventh.

An elated de Vries expressed afterwards that he was keen to stay another year at the top end of karting before moving on with his career, which will certainly now take him towards a Formula 1 seat.

“What an incredible feeling!” de Vries said. “At the start of the last lap, I said to myself that this braking manouevre would probably be my very last chance to be World Champion. I decided to make my move some way back … and that was how it went!”

– MATT PAYNE motorsport news

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Hambridge heats up DRAG RACING

John Morris / Mpix

AARON Hambridge not only took out the opening round of the ANDRA Pro Series in Top Alcohol but stunned the field with a 5.50s run, lower than the national record. He defeated Wayne Newby in an all-NSW final.

Hambridge was one of the more unlucky drivers last season but this one seems to have started on the right note for the young racer.

“I’m confident of putting in some good performances this season and hopefully having a

real shot at the championship,” he said.

“I also have to thank my family and crew for their efforts.”

Newby and crew chief Anthony Lavorato were left to rue what might have been after he popped the supercharger in the final, to fall just short.

“It has been a terrific weekend and the car seems to be running consistently, and looks great,” said Lavorato, referring to the new look JBS/ Manley scheme on the car.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Auto One winners blown away ZAP LOOKS DRAG RACING AS part of the Auto One’s major sponsorship of the ANDRA Pro Series, they are giving general admission ticket holders who register online, the opportunity to upgrade their ticket to a full VIP experience including corporate suite passes, a Top Fuel startline experience and a pit tour of Jim Read Racing.

For Jessica, her first ever drag racing event proved to be a memorable one after being contacted by Auto One’s CEO, Peter Henry with the news of the VIP upgrade.

“For myself, this was the very first time I had experienced drag racing, so I was absolutely blown away with what I saw,” she said.

“It was an experience like no other, and the opportunity

to be taken down onto the actual drag strip was incredible! The force and power of the Top Fuelers is something you just can’t describe. It was absolutely unreal.

“A huge thanks to Auto One for making this happen.”

For your chance to win the Auto One VIP Upgrade Experience, go to www. autoone.com.au for more details.

FORWARD DRAG RACING

JOHN Zappia was one of the most disappointed men at the Fuchs Australian Nationals after failing to qualify in Top Doorslammer with his Procomp Monaro, overpowering the track on every occasion.

“A small fitting failure in the clutch system cost us a place in the field,” he said.

“But as a team we acknowledge that our power levels did not match the track conditions this time of year and a little more work is required to manage that situation.”

The DNQ allowed key championship rival Robin Judd to gain a big early advantage as he ran to the event win.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

ANDRA Pro Series news i

22

motorsport news

news John Bosher

Top Fuel battle underway DRAG RACING WITH all attention on the big Top Fuel teams coming into the Fuchs Australian Nationals, two other drivers snuck under the radar to make the final in impressive drives.

Victorian Darren Morgan overcame mechanical carnage in his AEG Powertools dragster to make the final and defeat New South Wales’ Bob Shepherd. As an added bonus he also claimed the Louie Rapisarda Tribute Trophy, a race within a race during qualifying.

“The car was extremely consistent throughout the weekend,” he said.

“We had some engine

dramas during qualifying which restricted us to some early shut off runs during the event which we don’t like to do.

Hopefully we can build on our data and the momentum from this event and run in the low 4.6s to high 4.5s zone at the next round.”

A solid 4.69s pass at 322mph was surprisingly only good for fourth position for the team, who would face reigning champion Martin Stamatis in Round 1. Both drivers lost traction during the race but Morgan recovered to reach the stripe first.

His semi final victory then came a little easier when opponent Terry Sainty was shut down on the start line

is proudly presented by:

with a leak. In the final against Shepherd, it was all over early when Shepherd lost power shortly after the launch and Morgan ran out for a 4.70s win.

The win was a just reward for a hard working crew who had to find the parts to put together a powerplant for race day.

“The guys were up until after 5.00am Sunday morning building an engine for eliminations after our problems in qualifying. It was a great team effort,” Morgan said.

He added that the Louie Rapisarda Tribute meant a lot for the team.

“Santo Rapisarda has done so much for our sport. It is great to win an event that is named

in Louie’s honour,” he said.

Shepherd was ever-smiling, with a final a great result for perhaps the lowest budget team in the category.

With wins over Andrew Cowin and Phil Lamattina, he didn’t take the easy way there and the team had to rush for the final to repair damage from the semis, with Morgan sportingly waiting in the staging lanes.

Shepherd remarked he last had a victory last century and with next century out of the question, he needed a victory this century too. The next round, also in Sydney, is coming up at the end of October.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Next ANDRA Pro Series Round:

Top Fuel & Top Alcohol Sydney Dragway, October 30-31 ANDRA Pro Series on TV:

Top Doorslammer, Fuchs Nationals

Friday September 24, 10pm

www.mnews.com.au

23

Five Minutes with ...

JASON AKERMANIS

The newly-retired AFL star downloaded to PHIL BRANAGAN about his MotoGP role, his new book and starting out on a possible new career – in motor racing

So you get to hang around with Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner, and so on.

Apparently! I have met Casey before, when we were both on The Fat [the defunct TV sports show]. That was pretty interesting.

I am not sure if he would remember me, but I have sure

Dirk Klynsmith

What does an ambassador do? Do you get to ride on a float?

I hope so!

I think what it entails is a bit of promotion, and having a bit of fun. I love watching the races, and the riders. I have met a few of them over the years, and it is what I would have done, had my family had any bloody money!

But of course, they didn’t.

So we had to choose a cheap sport like footy, because it is easier to pick up.

Phil Williams

Tell us about your involvement with the Australian MotoGP. They rang me, and said, ‘Would you like to be the ambassador?’

And I said, ‘That would be fine and great and dandy, and I would be happy to help you out’. Because, for every year in my football life, I have not been able to go, for the very same reason; that [October] is our holidays, so I am either on holidays or doing something else with football.

This year, because of what has happened recently, this time of the year is a lot easier.

So I am pleased to do it.

followed his career since then.

I met Valentino last year. He is bloody good. I got a photo of me with him, and I put it in the book. He is fantastic.

He is a ripper, isn’t he?

He taught me a lot. That was the first time I have ever asked for an autograph and the first time I was ever nervous. I felt like some people may, or some may not, feel when they come up and ask me for one!

My book came out today and I was at a function, signing it. Boy, was that interesting!

Let’s move on to a few things from the past. You have tested a V8 Supercar.

I drove Russell Ingall’s car many years ago, and that was my first foray into motor racing.

I also tested Steve Johnson’s car, and we became mates.

I am mates with both of them but I met Steve, and

he has come to a few games.

Russell was born the same day as me but he is 10 years old; Steve is more my own age.

To get a chance to go around in those ridiculously fast cars is great. I did 10 laps the first time around, and then another 10 laps in Jono’s car. Both of them came out and had a kick of the footy; Steve used to come up every Tuesday, to the Gabba.

He is not a terrific runner, he is a bit of a big lumbering kind, but he would get out there and run around like a big boy, with a tremendous level of enthusiasm.

Is there more racing on the agenda?

I would really like to do it again. I am not going to go into massive debt to go into this sport – when I do it again, I am going to do it with the right finances and it is going

to be a lot of fun. I have just finished footy and I have the time now.

I am going to study it. I will do some go-karts somewhere in Melbourne, and I have a lot to learn. I am looking forward to it, and it is going to be a big journey.

I would like to do something like the Radical series, or a West, or something like that.

That series looks good but it coasts a lot of money, and I do not have the money or the time, yet, to do something like that.

I need to progress. I need the cash flow to get higher. I have to change careers now, I don’t know what I am going to make, from year-to-year, my current deals are only one year long.

I need to get used to things. I will back myself in; I have good balance and genetics, but I just need time behind the wheel.

You learn as you go along.

“ROSSI TAUGHT ME A LOT. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER ASKED FOR AN AUTOGRAPH” Sounds like a SPECIAL moment 24

motorsport news

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Dirk Klynsmith

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I

F you’re looking for case studies to justify the use of ‘option tyres’, don’t include last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

That Sebastian Vettel could’ve done the entire GP on his option tyres is completely ridiculous.

It should be that you get big gains out of them for a short period of time, before they start to drop away. It doesn’t need to be a qualifying-spec tyre, good for three or four laps, but Vettel did about 300 kilometres on his without a care in the world.

He only pitted at the start of the final lap because the rules specified he had to do at least one lap on the regular tyre. Vettel did his fastest lap on his 50th lap on the option, and used the latter part of his stint to overhaul a pack of cars and finish fourth.

By that time – if there was a legitimate option tyre at Monza – he should’ve been in the wall with a puncture, running on canvas, limping around five seconds a lap off the pace or already well into a stint on the normal rubber.

Admittedly, those first three options wouldn’t be a good look for Bridgestone ... like every other entity in motorsport, Bridgestone is in Formula 1 to promote Bridgestone. It’s a marketing activity, so they hardly want negative ink from busted option tyres deciding races.

At the moment, the use of option tyres in V8 Supercars is being decided for 2011. So far, V8SA and Dunlop have done a pretty good job with the Sprints.

They’ve gone a lot harder at it than F1 and Bridgestone, it’s been beneficial to the racing and should be applauded for it. The drivers love them, but have to manage them, and it’s good for the show.

The feedback from the two all-Sprint tyre weekends was so positive that the format looks likely to be the ‘regular tyre’ for most of the season. Other than Phillip Island and Bathurst, there’s no real downside to running them everywhere. In a way, they’ve kind of ended up in a corner, but it’s a good position to be in.

26

NOT TYRED ENOUGH

OPINION Mitchell Adam – National Editor motorsport news

comment

TRIMMING THE FAT

I

’M sure the news that Australia will have another one-make series from 2011 onwards will be met with mixed reaction.

Yes, we are in danger of having too many options for young drivers coming out of karts and looking to forge a career here or overseas, particularly with Carrera Cup on the comeback next year as well. And yes, having too many options can lead to a lot of weaker fields, instead of fewer stronger ones.

But if the Australian Swift series gets off the ground next year, I honestly believe it can and will work. Regular eNews readers will remember that I penned an opinion piece following the Hamilton 400 this year praising the New Zealand version of the Swifts. Having watched them race across the ditch, I was impressed at the quality of racing. It

was close and it was exciting. It was like a Formula Ford race, except the cars had roofs.

But the biggest factor in the series’ potential for success is the cost. With the sort of figures being touted for the Swift series, it won’t be in competition with Carrera Cup or the Fujitsu Series. In fact, it won’t even be in real competition with the MINI Challenge; firstly, it will run on a different bill, and secondly, it will be cheaper to the point of absurdity.

It’s no secret that despite the many options for karters making the transition to cars, there is no genuinely cheap national series any more. Formula Ford is a $250,000 a year exercise, and Formula 3, V8 Utes and MINIs all play in a similar financial ballpark. The Fujitsu Series is well over half a mill, and Carrera Cup will probably be about the same.

At $45,000 for a car package, $3,500 for a full season registration, and only two new tyres permitted for a round, the Swifts will be cheap as ‘chups’.

And given the minimal weight of the cars, components won’t be copping a belting during every race, which also keeps costs down. It’s basically a karting budget. And if the racing is as good here as it is in NZ, the inclusion of the Swifts on the Australian scene could cause the other junior categories a few headaches.

My point is this; don’t shoot down the possibility of this thing working because we already have too many junior categories. The Swifts have the potential to be a perfect fit in this country, and if fat needs to be trimmed in terms of other categories to make it work, then that might not be a bad thing ...

OPINION Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor

sutton-images.com

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27

IZOD INDYCAR SERIES Round 16 - MOTEGI, JAPAN

Down to the wir Helio Castroneves was king at the Motegi Twin Ring, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the race for the crown. The result in Japan has set up a title showdown in two weeks time in Brazil, where Will Power will attempt to become the first Australian to win the Indycar title

Back-to-back: Motegi was Helio Castroneves’ second win in as many race, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the title hunt, main, above 28

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HONDA RACING Media

re

L

AST time out, Helio Castroneves used his head and a smart fuel strategy to win the IndyCar oval race Kentucky. In Japan, it was all a matter of speed.

The Brazilian veteran took pole position in qualifying, and dominated the Japan Indy 300. He led away and the only time he looked anything like a winner was at the third yellow flag, when Raphael Matos and Hideki Mutoh gambled and stayed out while the rest of the field pitted. Those two led away at the green but Castroneves

had a bad restart, allowing Dario Franchitti to take the ‘lead’. But it did not take long for the Penske status quo to be restored, and when Helio repassed team-mate Ryan Briscoe for the lead, the identity of the winner was settled.

“They gave me a fantastic car,” Castroneves said after his third win at the Hondaowned track. “It was awesome.

The car was on rails. Every time I wanted to go for it, the car was responding. I am as happy as can be!”

Will Power familiarised

himself with the track quickly, and after qualifying third, ran just behind the leaders, carefully watching Franchttti.

He moved past Danica Patrick at the final stops and after zipping past Briscoe, looked to have a shot at second until Franchitti slammed the door with four laps to go, while the pair were lapping Milka Duno.

Power’s first oval podium finish means that the Aussie leads Franchitti by 12 points, with only the season finale at Homestead-Miami left on the calendar.

“We’re knocking on that

HONDA RACING Media

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29

door, man,” said Power.

“We’re going to get there.

“I think it was all done in the pits,” Power said. “My boys got me positioned every time. It was looking hairy there for a while.”

Said Franchitti: “Helio was in a class of his own today. We made the smallest mistake on the set-up. But we got some more points and we’re going to go after them again at Homestead. We’ll show up there a week from Saturday and give them hell. We’re all ready.”

Briscoe was fourth ahead of Patrick, who showed strong race pace on the track where she scored her only career win.

The American held off Scott

Dixon and her team-mate Tony Kanaan, and looked to be the fastest of Andretti Autosport’s four drivers in the race.

A large crowd came out to watch the three Japanese drivers in the race, but none of them contended, with Takuma Sato 12th, taking his best finish on an oval, Hideki Mutoh 14th and Roger Yasukawa 20th in a one-off drive with Conquest.

Mathematically, only Power and Franchitti can take the title. The Scot has 11 oval track career wins and Power is yet to win one – but his speed over the last three races has been unquestioned. The two best drivers of the year, and the rest of the field, will decide this year’s Champion on October 2.

30

IZOD Indycar Media

Twin Ring Kings: Penultimate race in Japan sets up a title showdown between Will Power and Dario Franchitti, main.

Castroneves leads Franchitti and Ryan Briscoe, top. Same trio in a fight to be first out of the pits, right. Local hero Takuma Sato holding court with the fans, centre. Mario Romancini ends his race against the wall, centre right, while the podium placegetters celebrate, far right.

motorsport news

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Results :: Honda Indy 300, Motegi, JAPAN

HONDA RACING Media

Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No. 3 10 12 6 7 9 11 02 37 4

Driver Helio Castroneves Dario Franchitti Will Power Ryan Briscoe Danica Patrick Scott Dixon Tony Kanaan Graham Rahal Ryan Hunter-Reay Dan Wheldon

Nat Br GB Aus Aus USA NZ Br USA USA GB

Team Penske Ganassi Penske Penske Andretti Ganassi Andretti Newman/Haas Andretti Panther

Sponsor Split Penske 2h04m04.4780s Target +4.5746s Verizon +5.0743s Penske +6.4825s GoDaddy.com +7.6057s Target +8.3641s 7 Eleven +9.4093s Quick Trim +11.7163s Izod +12.2125s GB +12.4720s

Qual.

Q1 4 3 2 12 11 6 16 7 9

Top 10 Points: Power 587, Franchitti 575, Castroneves 501, Dixon 497, Briscoe 450, Hunter-Reay 426, Kanaan 418, Wheldon/Andretti 366, Wilson 349.

HONDA RACING Media

IZOD Indycar Media

IZOD Indycar Media

HONDA RACING Media

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31

NASCAR Round 27 - LOUDON, NH

Clint sprints h Fuel economy drives aren’t generally what you’d call exciting contests, but the battle to save those precious last drops of fuel made the Sylvania 300 one of the most dramatic Sprint Cup finishes of the season

I

Running on empty: Clint Bowyer had enough in the tank to get it home at Loudon, but not enough to finish the victory burnout, main. But Tony Stewart had even less, inset right. Brad Keselowski and Bowyer led them away at the start, centre. Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson get tangled while Carl Edwards tries to keep out of it, below right.

NASCAR Media

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was closing in for the kill, and the Toyota driver had no fuel concerns.

“Wide open, stay in it – come on!” Bowyer was urged by his spotter, Mike Dillon, as they headed for the final turn. Bowyer made it home on fumes with less than half a second to spare.

“I really thought I could run him back down and Shane (Wilson, crew chief )

NASCAR Media

t was his first win in 88 races, but it was a breakthrough performance that vaulted Clint Bowyer from 12th in the points standings to second.

What made the victory even sweeter was the dramatic fashion in which it was achieved, coming after a fantastic team effort from the Childress Chevy outfit.

It came down to a battle of wills as Bowyer and Tony Stewart rolled the dice with their fuel strategies, and in the end the Childress team managed to run Stewart dry.

Leading into Turn 4 as they took the white flag, Stewart’s Chevy suddenly coughed out of fuel. Instead of what looked set to be a victory, he was 24th.

Even with Stewart gone, Bowyer was never safe on that final lap. Denny Hamlin

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come on and told me I needed to start saving fuel,” Bowyer said. “It’s hard to run somebody down and save fuel at the same time, but he informed me then that I better be saving fuel and not be worried about running him down and we did that, and darned if he didn’t run out of gas!”

It was a close-run thing – Bowyer’s Chevy ran dry during his victory burnout.

“I needed one more lap,” Hamlin correctly observed.

“We gained a ton right there.

It’s tough to say, once he ran out of fuel – the way they were running, I’m not sure how much they were conserving, if any, but our cars with a really fast the last run, and obviously the fastest car on the track.”

It hadn’t been an easy day for Hamlin, who survived several incidents including a spin which came courtesy of a nudge from Carl Edwards.

“Can’t hold his line, can

34

he?” Hamlin said, before Edwards’ spotter relayed a message of apology from his driver to Hamlin. Ultimately, though, the ensuing pitstop did Hamlin the favour of allowing the Toyota driver to refuel for the run home.

Third was Jamie McMurray’s Ganassi Chevy, ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr and Kevin Harvick, the latter surrendering his points lead in the process.

Of the other Chase contenders, Jeff Gordon was seventh and Kyle Busch ninth, while defending Champion Jimmie Johnson was slowed by a loose wheel late in the race and dropped to 25th.

Steer clear: Denny Hamlin tries to steer out of trouble after a nudge from Carl Edwards, top.

Hamlin escaped that one to go on to second place and one lap short of a near certain victory, main.

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Results :: Sylvania 300, Loudon, NH Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No. 33 11 1 88 29 24 00 39 18 77

Driver Clint Bowyer Denny Hamlin Jamie McMurray Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kevin Harvick Jeff Gordon David Reutimann Ryan Newman Kyle Busch Sam Hornish Jr.

Make Chevy Toyota Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Toyota Chevy Toyota Dodge

Team Childress Joe Gibbs Earnhardt Ganassi Hendrick Childress Hendrick Michael Waltrip Stewart-Haas Joe Gibbs Penske

Sponsor Cheerios/Hamburger Helper FedEx McDonald’s National Guard Shell Pennzoil Dupont Tums US Army M&Ms Mobil 1

Qual.

2 22 4 32 27 17 7 24 9 15

NASCAR Media

Top 10 Points: Denny Hamlin 5230, Clint Bowyer 5195, Kevin Harvick 5185, Kyle Busch 5168, Jeff

Gordon 5155, Kurt Busch 5144, Jimmie Johnson 5138, Carl Edwards 5135, Greg Biffle 5122, Jeff Burton 5118.

TOYOTA Media

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Tassie title tussles continue TASMANIA

Tasmanian Super Series will be held at Baskerville

Raceway on November 28.

– DAVID CLIFFORD

Team had lost none of its strong form from the season prior.

From the moment Farr rolled the ECPL #7 Eagle out of the gate he proved to be the man to beat, securing quick time in the time trials, and won the opening night’s preliminary final over Peter Lack.

Night two continued in very much the same pattern with Farr and Lack showing the other competitors a clean set of rear tires, with Lack winning

the Dash to claim pole position for the 35-lap main event. Farr pounced to the lead early with Lack in close pursuit and Reidy, Hodges, Bryan Mann and Max Dumesny further back.

As the lead duo made their way into traffic they had opened a handy sized gap over the rest of the field and it was a close fought race until Lack spun, bringing the first of many yellow periods. Lack eventually retired while Farr would make the most of every restart with a

clear track ahead and go on to win in a comfortable manner.

“A first up win for East Coast Pipeline and the boys is the best outcome we could have hoped for, the new Eagle chassis is a nice thing to drive and I thought we adapted pretty well,” Farr said.

Reidy consolidated second over Darryl Hodges, Troy Little made his way forward late in the race passing Todd Wanless for fourth.

– PARIS CHARLES

David Clifford

CHAMPIONSHIP leads slipped away and mechanical failures plagued competitors during Round 5 of the Tasmanian Super Series held at Baskerville Raceway, Hobart.

Formula Vee driver Nino Bocchino suffered a weekendending mechanical failure during qualifying, which saw him take no further part in the round.

Bocchino was only eight points behind 2009 Champion James Curran, pictured, in the Championship going into the weekend, and after winning the round ahead of John Pooley, Curran’s now the clear

favourite for the 2010 title.

HQ driver Shaun Kelly had the gear shift break off in his hand during Lap 2 of Race 1.

The Titan Bike and Trike team had the car repaired in time for Race 2, which saw Kelly start from rear of field. By the last race, Kelly had moved up to third place and keeps his championship alive, while Brad Wickam won the round ahead of Andrew Bird.

Other category winners included Warren Bryan (Historic Touring Cars), Eric Taylor (Sports Sedans), Brad Sherriff (Tas Sports GTA), Dane Smith (Tas Sports GTB) and Chris Rushworth (Tas Sports GTC).

The final round of the

FARR NORTH QLD SPEEDWAY

ROBBIE Farr has kicked off the 2010/11 Sprintcar summer season in fine style to take a clean sweep in the Rock n’ Road Bitumen Sprintcar Spectacular at the Macs Speedway in Mackay, Queensland.

With 27 competitors assembled for the two-night event and $10,000 on the win, Farr proved that he and the East Coast Pipelines Racing

36

motorsport news

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Silver lining from Ricciardo’s up and down weekend AUSSIES OVERSEAS DESPIITE a massive startline accident in the opening race, Daniel Ricciardo has kept his Formula Renault 3.5 title hopes alive at Silverstone.

Ricciardo was taken out of Race 1 when first-time polesitter Jon Lancaster made a meal of his run to Turn 1, side-swiping the West Australian into a rollover.

Esteban Guerrieri bounced back from a heavy qualifying crash to win the race, only to be excluded for a piece of errant tape on the bodywork of his repaired car.

That handed the win for British F3 Champion Jean-Eric

Vergne, in only his second weekend in the category, while points leader Mikhail Aleshin finished sixth.

Ricciardo took pole for Sunday’s race and build a handy lead, but was hunted down by Guerrieri, who then emerged victorious in a thrilling battle for victory in the final laps. Vergne rounded out his weekend with third, but it was a tough race again for Aleshin, who survived several incidents on his way to 12th.

Ahead of the final round at Barcelona in three week’s time, Aleshin leads Ricciardo by three points, with Guerrieri a further 13 in arrears.

Donington drama sets up close BFF finale AUSSIES OVERSEAS THE British Formula Ford Championship will go down to the wire between Scott Pye and Scott Malvern at Brands Hatch this weekend, following a dramatic penultimate round at Donington.

It was a rare, winless

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weekend for Aussie Pye but he’s still well placed to win the title. Pye finished fifth in the wet opening race, one spot behind Malvern, and then took third in the second race while Malvern could only manage 10th after a spin.

The final race brought a twist, though. Starting from pole again in the final, Pye led early

and was in the thick of the lead pack until a Lap 8 incident. Tio Ellinas made contact with the rear of Malvern at the chicane, punting him into the rear of Pye’s Myagle. The South Australian spun off and out of the race with damage, while Malvern fought on to take second place.

That result put Malvern 20

points ahead of Pye on the standings, but, on adjusted championship points (where drivers drop their two worst race results), Pye will head to Brands Hatch with a slender seven-point lead.

Josh Hill won the opening two races before spinning out in the final, which saw Daniel Cammish take the victory.

37

BRIEFLY... n Joey Saldana had a pretty good weekend, winning The Clash at the Creek only hours after his second son was born.

Saldana led home Jason Meyers to reduce Meyers’ World of Outlaws points lead. n Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels took the spoils at the Algrave Circuit to extend their FIA GT1 World Championship lead.

The pair held out the fastfinishing Ford of Richard Westbrook and Thomas Mutsch to claim victory. n Edoardo Mortara wrapped up the Formula 3 Euro Series title at Oschersleben. Sixth in the opening race, won by Valtteri Bottas. wrapped it up.

Mortara went on to win Race 2, before he was eliminated from the final in an opening lap incident, as Jim Pla took his maiden F3 win.

Dean Stoneman is the 2010 Formula 2 Champion. Ninth in Race 1 of the season finale at Valencia was enough for the Englishman to seal the crown.

Nicola de Marco won that race, while Kazim Vasiliauskas claimed the final ahead of Jack Clarke and Stoneman. n

38

Martin third at Algarve AUSSIES OVERSEAS

JOHN Martin has pushed on despite a heavy cold to finish third in the super final in Round 9 of the Superleague Formula at Algarve.

Driving for Beijing Guoan, Martin won the opening race from pole ahead of Davide Rigon, with 11th in the second sprint race, won by newcomer Neel Jani, enough to book a seat in the six-car final.

Frederic Vervisch took out the hotly-contested race for Liverpool, ahead of Rigon and Martin, while Robert Doornbos and Tristian Gommendy were eliminated by a first corner clash.

“I’m definitely feeling a lot better now!” Martin, who received post-race treatment instead of gracing the podium,

said.

“Even when I was in the medical centre I was feeling the effects of the cold or fever

or whatever it is. Normally I go really well in these conditions because it’s the same as at home.”

di Resta does it again DTM

PAUL di Resta has closed the gap at the top of the DTM standings with his second win in a row at Oschersleben.

The Mercedes driver took pole and led the race early, before a slow first pitstop handed the race lead to Bruno Spengler. As strategy and the second round of stops played out, Timo Scheider found

himself in the effective lead, only to sustain a puncture.

That, coupled with strong pace, saw di Resta rejoin in first, going on to win the race ahead of Spengler and Mattias Ekstrom.

With three rounds remaining, Spengler maintains a sevenpoint advantage over di Resta.

“My second win within two weeks – fantastic,” di Resta enthused.

“Thank you to my team – you gave me a perfect C-Class which I realised already in this morning’s warm-up.

“When I lost time during my first pit stop I felt my heart beat, but I managed to move up to the front again.

“Me first and Bruno second – if we continue like this, the championship battle will be really exciting. I am very confident.”

motorsport news

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Plato plays on BTCC AFTER a dramatic weekend with three different winners at Donington, the British Touring Car Championship is a four-horse race with one round remaining.

Gordon Shedden, Tom Onslow-Cole and Matt Neal were the winners, while points leader Jason Plato was in recovery mode after a Race 1

DNF. Plato and Neal clashed in the opening race, ending the former’s race, while Neal continued to finish fifth as Shedden took the honours.

Onslow-Cole won Race 2, while Plato starred, carving his way up from 19th to third with Neal eighth after a drivethrough penalty for jumping the start. That played into Neal’s hands when the top eight were reversed for the

Race 3 grid. Neal moved into the lead early and went on to score his fifth win of the year ahead of Rob Collard, with Plato again third.

With the season finale to be held at Brands Hatch on October 10, Plato remains at the top with 224 points, ahead of Neal on 207, Shedden on 203 and Onslow-Cole on 200.

“After Race 1 it wasn’t looking too rosy but my team worked

miracles to repair the car in such a short timeframe and third place in Race 2 was all down to them,” Plato said.

“While I’m happy with a 17point lead it should have been 25 or so. But I’d rather have a handy cushion than be going to Brands Hatch playing catchup. We just need to do our homework between now and then, leave no stone unturned and take nothing for granted.”

SEAT wins, Muller in box seat WTCC SEAT scored a pair of wins at home in the World Touring Car Championship, as Yvan Muller consolidated his points lead in Valencia.

In the championship’s final European round of the season, Gabriele Tarquini won the

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opening race, leading home Muller by half a second, the pair well clear of third-placed Rob Huff.

Sixth in the opening race gave Tiago Monteiro third on the grid for the second race, and he made the most of it, taking the lead on the run to the first corner, while polesitter

Alain Menu was forced off at Turn 3 after a clash with Andy Priaulx.

None of that bothered Monteiro, who claimed the win ahead of Muller, Tarquini and Priaulx. With two rounds remaining, Muller maintains a 25-point lead over Priaulx with Tarquini a further three behind.

“I am pleased with this result, absolutely, it’s 11 podiums now,” Muller said.

“In the second race I did a good start and pushed as hard as I could. I had to save the tyres for a few laps in the middle but that allowed me to push again for the last three laps.”

39

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rear of grid

t o p S d Od

LUCKY ESCAPE FOR TASSIE YOUNGSTER

HARLEY Aitken had a miraculous escape after a horrifying high-speed roll over at Baskerville Raceway during Round 5 of the Tasmanian Super Series last weekend.

Aitken, in his first event after switching from karts, was battling with Farrel White

when his Nissan 200SX left the track at high speed, and rolled five and a half times along the main straight.

Emergency crews were on the scene within seconds, but Aitken amazingly walked away uninjured, after crawling out of the broken Nissan.

Aitken’s father, Dodge, asked his son afterwards “why didn’t you pull out of the contest?”

“I was racing. I thought I had one more lap and was setting up for a pass,” Aitken replied.

– DAVID CLIFFORD

Full sequence by David Clifford

www.mnews.com.au

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