Motorsport eNews Issue 195 - March 8-14, 2011

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Issue No. 195 Mar 08 - 14 2011

THE PLAN FOR PERTH We reveal the layout tweak that will secure the future of V8s

ALSO: WEBBER ON THE BOLTE THE RADICAL PLAN TO GET A RED BULL RACER ON A BUSY MELBOURNE BRIDGE

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Issue No. 195 | Mar 08-14 2011

news 4

Turning an outie into an innie Wanneroo’s pit-lane shuffle 6 Bezzy takes a Halliday JBR sign its enduro guys 10 Perkins’ Sonic coup FV8 driver gets plum drive 13 F-150 saga gets resolved No more confusion. Phew!

16 Sweet piece of Aston Aston Martin’s new prototype

chat 28 Five Minutes With ...

Tony D’Alberto

comment 30 Adam: Taking it to the people 31 AVL: Taking it to the people #2

race 32 Drag Racing 36 WRC 40 NASCAR 44 Australian Superbikes

trade 47 Classifieds 3

NEW PITS FOR PERT BUT NOT UNTIL 201

V8 SUPERCARS

A

RADICAL in-field pit-lane at Barbagallo Raceway is set to secure the future of V8 Supercar racing in Western Australia.

Construction of the new pit-lane, which will run along the inside of the track’s 420m main straight, will begin later this month – with the famous control tower and medical centre set to be demolished very soon. However, the V8 Supercars will not use it until 2012, meaning that for this year’s Trading Post Perth Challenge, the existing facilities will be used.

While there were anonymous grumblings from WA that the lack of a new pit-lane might jeopardize the immediate future of the event, V8 Supercars CEO Martin Whitaker confirmed to eNews that the event was being planned as per normal.

“I think the idea is that it’s a phased 4

activity in Perth,” he told eNews.

“When we agreed the new deal with the government in Western Australia, and the WA Sporting Car Club, the deal was that it would all be phased in, and by no means do we expect everything to be done this year, because there’s no way everything can happen this year given the time constraints.

“We have regular meetings with the WASCC, and we just want to make sure the event will be run to our standards, and to a professional standard. They realise that, and that’s what will be done.

There are some really nice designs for implementation of that in the future.”

The design of the new layout has been headed by Mark Skaife, who is the chairman of the National Track Safety Advisory Committee, which reports to CAMS. The pit-lane is set to be very similar to the one used at the Townsville street circuit – also a Skaife design – and the

entry will be immediately after Turn 7, the final corner at Barbagallo Raceway.

“The design of the pits has been finalised and completely ticked off,” Skaife told eNews. “That confirms that work should be starting basically immediately, although this won’t be used by [the V8 Supercars] until next year.

“The WA Sporting Car Club has had some concerns about safety, so the new pit-lane will be 10 metres further back than the existing one. That way it won’t cause any problems if guys who are racing at state level spin to the in-field at the last corner.”

Skaife added that during construction of the new pit-lane, the old facilities will continue to be used at club level, meaning that state racing can carry on.

“There will essentially be two different tracks. This is the most cost effective way to solve the problem. And it’s the best option for WA motorsport as a whole.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN motorsport news

news

TH ...

12

Webber set for F1 run across the Bolte V8 SUPERCARS

MARK Webber is poised to repeat his ‘Overdrive’ on the Bolte Bridge in Melbourne.

Melbourne’s Sunday Herald Sun reported on the weekend that Webber is due to drive a Red Bull-Renault across the 490m bridge on Saturday March 19, the weekend prior to the Australian Grand Prix.

The six-lane bridge – which is the most direct link from the city and bayside suburbs to the airport, and a major feeder road to the Hume Highway – will be closed to traffic for the event.

Since being reported by the paper on Sunday, the public reaction to the concept has been mixed. Many Melbourne residents are concerned that the traffic delays caused by the road closure will make it a

public relations disaster. stop whining.”

“Doesn’t the GP create “Bring it on,” added another. enough traffic headaches “The biggest sporting event in already without closing Australia, watched by millions another public road for a world wide. What an event for publicity stunt for millionaires?” the best state in Australia.” asked one reader on www.

Webber drove over the heraldsun.com.au, while Sydney Harbour Bridge in a another commented that “the BMW.Williams in 2005, the Bolte, Westgate Bridge and weekend before the race. The Freeways have enough trouble event was broadcast live on in peak hour or when a car Network 10, and vision of the breaks down. To close the drive was shown around the Bolte Bridge for this is going world. to cause an anti-GP sentiment.

During the event, Webber Don’t do it!” was supposed to stick to However, there has been a nominal speed limit but public support as well. during the final run across the “The GP gets some bridge, is thought to have hit peoples knickers in a twist,” almost 200kmh as the 750hp commented another reader. car accelerated.

“And to those complaining There is no word how about being stuck in traffic Red Bull Racing will pay the because of the demo, your bridge’s tolls. Trips across the not stuck in traffic you are span, which opened in 1999, the traffic. Buy a bike and normally cost $2.09.

An artists impression of the new pit-lane at Barbagallo Raceway.

The old control tower, pictured in the main building, will be gone by the middle of April.

www.mnews.com.au

5

D’ALBERTO B V8 SUPERCARS

Besnard, Halliday in at The Team V8 SUPERCARS

DAVID Besnard and Matt Halliday are shaping up as being Jim Beam Racing’s endurance drivers for 2011.

Besnard, who was originally expected to drive for Garry Rogers Motorsport again, tested with JBR at Queensland Raceway over the weekend, making it all but a given that he will suit up next to Steve Johnson in the #17 Falcon at Phillip Island and Bathurst this year.

As for car #18, eNews has learned that Halliday is the favourite for the seat next to James Moffat. The Kiwi partnered Jason Bright at Brad Jones Racing last year, and has been a Ford Performance

THE team, not the car, was the driving force behind Tony D’Alberto’s switch to an FG Falcon for the 2011 V8 Supercar season.

As predicted by eNews back in December, D’Alberto has now joined the Ford Performance Racing ranks, taking on one of the team’s FG Falcons to be run under the Wilson Security Racing banner. The car will be prepared and run by Tony D’Alberto Racing in Melbourne, and will be debuted at the

Clipsal 500 in a fortnight.

The move comes after years of involvement with Holden, thanks to links with General Motors through a network of family Holden dealerships. But at Friday’s launch at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne, D’Alberto was quick to point out at that the FPR alliance is down to the team, not a desire to switch brands.

“We talked to lots of teams,” he told eNews.

“Obviously we’re a small team, so we need to have support from a bigger team,

Racing endurance driver in the past.

With Besnard set to drive car #17, Garry Rogers is now on the hunt for a driver to join regulars Lee Holdsworth and Michael Caruso, and endurance specialist Greg Ritter.

“We probably need to make a decision,” Rogers told eNews.

“Obviously that deal [with Besnard] is not in place.”

Rogers, whose endurance picks have met with conspicuous success over recent years, said that he has “a lot [of drivers] in mind but nothing definite” on naming his fourth man for the enduros.

“When it’s done, we will be happy to let people know,” he said.

– VAN LEEUWEN/BRANAGAN

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news

BLUES STONES STAY THE SAME and we were doing that through Walkinshaw Racing. What it came down to this time is that Ford Performance Racing offered us the best deal, with the best support, and it just happened to be with Ford. It wasn’t like we were trying to jump ship from Holden, we were just looking for the best deal.

“Everyone knows that our family has Holden dealerships and we have a lot of links with Holden, but to be honest, the race team has to stand on its own two feet. We have to make smart business decisions.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

V8 SUPERCARS

STONE Brothers Racing has played the stability card in its 2011 endurance race pairings.

The dual title-winning team confirmed last week that David Brabham and John McIntyre will return to the team, and will be joined by Daniel Gaunt. As first reported in eNews, the young Kiwi, who missed last year’s enduros after splitting with Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport, will suit up for his countryman’s team, for which he raced at Phillip Island and Bathurst in 2009.

“We’ve got three drivers who have recent

knowledge of the team and I think that’s an important consideration heading into these big races,” team co-owner Ross Stone said.

“David’s credentials are world class, John did a great job for us last year and was rewarded with his first V8 Supercar podium finishes on the Gold Coast and Daniel has shown his ability in a range of cars in a variety of series.”

One change the team will have to make is to recruit two extra drivers for the Gold Coast 600.

Last year, both Brabham and McIntyre co-drove in the event, but under 2011 regulations, drivers are not eligible to race in the distance races and then on the streets of Surfers.

V8s run tribute for Christchurch V8 SUPERCARS ALL V8 Supercars will carry a tribute to those affected by the recent Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand.

At the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, cars will carry the design see below, in place of the V8 Supercars sticker all cars carry normally. This is to raise awareness for the Christchurch

Relief Fund. V8 Supercars will make “a significant announcement” later this week in regard to how they will support the fund financially.

In a separate move, Stone Brothers Racing will run a special Christchurch Earthquake Appeal livery for Shane van Gisbergen and Alex Davison, in support of the Red Cross.

“A lot of our crew have friends or relatives who have been affected by this disaster and there are a lot of others over there that need our help,” SBR Team Principal Ross Stone said.

“Hopefully by reminding people over the next few weeks that our support is needed, we can help make a difference.”

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Skaife tests Porsche at PI, may race at AGP CARRERA CUP MARK Skaife may make his debut in the Carrera Cup Series at Albert Park later this month.

Skaife could drive in the race in a car prepared by Porsche Centre Melbourne, which also prepares the car of Craig Baird,

after the V8 Supercar legend tested Baird’s 997 GT3 at Phillip Island last Thursday and was staying low-key on the outcome.

“I am having a think about it,” Skaife said on Monday.

“Perhaps ...”

One thing that he will have to consider is how he adapted

to sitting on the ‘wrong’ side of the car.

“I have never actually had a drive of a left-hand-drive racecar, anywhere, in anger,” he said.

“I have driven cars in the USA and driven on the high-speed road in Europe, and even lapped the Nurburgring in

Photo by ... we will never tell

THAT’S BAIRDO’S CUP CAR BUT ....

things like AMG Mercedes and so on. But it was a bit new.”

Skaife is also expected to be one of the drivers to participate in the Speed Comparison, which will match a McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 car with a TeamVodafone Commodore ride day car and a Mercedes-Benz road car.

Radical format for AGP V8 races V8 SUPERCARS A RANDOM format change will be implemented for this year’s Albert Park 400, the V8 Supercar support races for the Australian Grand Prix.

With no points on the line, V8 Supercar organisers have gone radical, instigating a ‘chook lotto’ style system for qualifying.

After qualifying, the fastest driver will randomly select a number from a group of tokens numbered 8-20. Whichever number is chosen will be the number of cars that are inverted prior to the Top 10 Shootout.

For example, a number between eight and 10 won’t see the runners in the Top 10 change, only their running order. However, if the number 15 is chosen, then the first

15 cars will be inverted, and the first five qualifiers will miss out on a spot in the Shootout – which will determine the grid for Race 1.

After that, standard progressive grids will kick in for Races 2 and 3.

A combination of Dunlop’s control and sprint tyres will also be used, and there will be $500,000 on offer for the winner.

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KR aims high for enduros V8 SUPERCARS

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KARL Reindler and David Wall will be re-united for this year’s V8 Supercar endurance races.

Wall will once again suit up for a run in the third Brad Jones Racing car, which is backed by Fair Dinkum Sheds, at Phillip Island and Bathurst. The link between the two drivers comes through Wilson Security.

Last year, the pair finished 15th at the Great Race, after running inside the Top 10 before a poorly pressured set of tyres cost them several spots in the final stint.

Wall will drive for Wilson Security Racing – run by Tony D’Alberto Racing – during this year’s Fujitsu Series, but will not be able to share with D’Alberto given the massive height discrepancy between the two drivers.

Shane Price is expected to join forces with D’Alberto again, giving him his first taste of The Mountain in a Ford.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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Peter Bury

Bumper FV8 field for Clipsal FUJITSU SERIES ADELAIDE’S Clipsal 500 could host the biggest Fujitsu Series field seen in recent years.

Between 25 and 30 cars look set to contest the season opener, including entries from six Main Game teams, with 26 at Townsville last year the biggest FV8 field seen in the last two seasons.

Triple Eight’s maiden Fujitsu Series campaign broke ground at Queensland Raceway last week, with endurance codriver Andrew Thompson turning laps in a black Commodore carrying #80. As first reported by eNews last month, the car is expected to feature a Monster livery by the time it hits the track at the Clipsal 500.

Nick Percat (Walkinshaw

Racing), David Wall (Tony D’Alberto Racing), Paul Morris (PMM), Scott McLaughlin (Stone Brothers Racing) and Todd Fiore (Triple F Racing) will also race with Main Game outfits.

Sonic Motor Racing has signed Jack Perkins to drive their lead entry. Perkins, who’ll line up with Russell Ingall in the enduros, will drive the T8-built BF Falcon Rodney Jane raced in 2010, with Jane stepping up to his recentlypurchased FG Falcon.

Perkins’ entry will retain Bob Jane T-Marts signage, with Supercheap Auto also backing the campaign.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” Perkins said.

“Sonic is a team that I have envied since my Formula Ford days, because they are such

a professional outfit with complete commitment to winning races.

“When I signed to drive with Russell at the enduros, I needed to make sure my preparation was the best it possibly could be, and to be able to race a similar Triple Eight car throughout the year will really help when Bathurst comes around in October.”

Sonic were among the Fujitsu Series outfits testing at Winton yesterday, Monday.

Defending Champion Steve Owen was on hand to shake down Greg Murphy Racing’s brand-new VE Commodore, ahead of their four-car test on Tuesday.

Daniel Jilesen will drive the new car, with Geoff Emery and Tony Bates to also drive VEs for the team. A driver is yet to be

finalised for the fourth car, with karter David Sera to complete some running on Tuesday.

“We’re ready for a full day tomorrow,” team boss Kevin Murphy said on Monday.

“Daniel will drive his car, Geoff and Tony will be in their cars and the fourth car, David will give it a shakedown, just so we know it’s all ready, should we have a decision on a driver on it for Clipsal.

“David’s going to come and do a few laps for us. He’s helped me out with one or two favours around the karting fraternity, so as a reward for that we’re going to give him a few laps to shake the car down.

“From there we’ll make a decision as to who runs it at Clipsal, or if it runs at all, it’s all a bit messy at the moment.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

TD: Bring on extra workload FUJITSU SERIES TONY D’Alberto feels his team is well prepared to return to running two cars.

In addition to his own switch to an FPR-built Falcon, Tony D’Alberto Racing will contest the Fujitsu Series for the first time since 2008, with David Wall driving the VE Commodore raced by D’Alberto until Abu Dhabi.

While it’s contributed to a 10

busy several weeks, D’Alberto sees the Fujitsu Series program as a positive for his small but expanding team.

“It’s been a big undertaking,” he said.

“We’ve employed a couple of extra guys to take care of the DVS car, to take some work off the main series guys. And we’ll have some weekend guys come on as well.

“It has ramped up the operation, but it’s all heading

in the right direction.”

With a platform they know and an experienced driver in Wall, D’Alberto has high hopes for TDR’s return to the Fujitsu Series, which D’Alberto won in 2007.

“We’ve had that car for a few years now, so we’ve got so many spares, and we know it back to front. It’s not like we’re starting out with two Falcons and without experience,” D’Alberto said.

“We’re really hoping that David will hit the ground running.

“It’s not like we’re bringing a guy from Formula Ford up into the Fujitsu Series.

He’s raced V8s quite a few times, and he’s won the GT championship for the last two years, so he’s got a lot of experience.

“We’re excepting him to be quite quick.”

– MITCHELL ADAM motorsport news

news

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sutton-images.com

Will Bernie make it rain?

FORMULA 1

BERNIE Ecclestone is planning to rain on Formula 1’s parade – literally.

The F1 head honcho caused a splash last week when he went public with plans to have sprinklers installed at some race tracks, so that artificial rain can soak the surface during the less interesting races.

“I’m happy to make it happen,” Ecclestone told the BBC.

“My idea is that we should make a program that nobody knows exactly which program is going to be used, and it would start at some time during the race. It would be raining effectively.

“It would maybe stop and maybe rain again later. Or maybe not. So nobody would know.”

While tyre firm Pirelli are in favour of the idea, Aussie driver Mark Webber is not a fan.

“It wouldn’t be the most sophisticated

way to make the show more entertaining,” Webber told the BBC. “It can be more exciting when we have some different weather conditions [occuring naturally], that does happen.

“But you just try and think of Jimmy Clark, and Jackie Stewart and [Ayrton] Senna and those guys, masters in the wet. “Jackie’s still here but the other two would be turning in their graves if they thought we’d have sprinklers and hoses lined up around the track.”

Ricciardo ‘11 debut not impossible FORMULA 1

12

sutton-images.com

DANIEL Ricciardo may well make his Formula 1 race debut this season, despite Scuderia Toro Rosso’s two regular drivers being under contract for 2011.

British magazine AUTOSPORT has reported that Ricciardo’s testing program for the first half of the year will be focused on fast lap-times, in order to put pressure on Sebastien Buemi and Jaime Alguersuari and justify a change in the driving line-up if necessary.

If a change is made, AUTOSPORT understands that it will occur during the three-week gap between the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix. However, Alguersuari is remaining bullish about the fear of being replaced.

“I think it’s very important for us that Daniel is in the car, as we have so many things which were not there last year,” he said.

“We know Daniel is a fast driver, and we will have another voice in the team to judge what we need to improve, what we need to achieve. And it’s also great for him to get his chance of driving an F1 car on Fridays, getting to know the tracks. I think Daniel is an important part of the team.

“In the end, the pressure is always in your hands. It’s never others, it’s yours, it’s what you create in your mind.”

motorsport news

news

FORMULA 1

THE confusion is over – Ferrari’s latest Formula 1 machine is not an American pick-up truck, and Ford’s flagship truck is not a potentially race-winning Grand Prix car.

Last month, Ford began legal proceedings with Ferrari over the use of the name F-150, after Ferrari used it for its latest F1 challenger. Ferrari quickly changed the car’s name to the Ferrari 150th Italia, and the matter has now been resolved.

Ferrari has since altered the name

www.mnews.com.au

again to the Ferrari 150° Italia.

“In order to avoid the slightest risk of anyone confusing a Formula 1 car with a pick-up truck, for their part, the men from Maranello have decided that the car will lose the F that precedes the number 150 and which stands for Ferrari, as it has done on numerous occasions when it’s come to giving a car a code name, be it for the race track or the road,” read a column on the official Ferrari website.

“It appears that this could have caused so much confusion in the minds of the consumer across the Pond that, at the

sutton-images.com

AIN’T NO TRUCKING PROBLEM

same time as losing the F, the name will be completely Italianised, replacing the English “th” with the equivalent Italian symbol.

“Therefore, the name will now read as the Ferrari 150° Italia, which should make it clear even to the thickest of people that the name of the car is a tribute to the anniversary of the unification of our country. Let’s hope the matter is now definitely closed and that we can concentrate on other matters, namely ensuring that our car that already seems to be pretty good out of the box, becomes a real winner.”

13

$5m Indy bonus tempts Mario, Jacques INDYCAR INDYCAR’S Las Vegas finale could feature two former World Champions and Indianapolis 500 winners.

Last week, both Mario Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve talked about the $5m bonus for any driver outside of IndyCar that won the final round. Villeneuve said it will make the Las Vegas race ‘exciting’, while Mario admitted it was the sort of money that could tempt him into coming out of retirement.

“You never know,” Mario Andretti told motorsport.com.

“Paul Newman was a similar age when he competed at Le Mans, and he was 80 when he raced at Daytona in the 24hour race in 2005. I still love the sport so I am tempted, of course, and I’m certainly crazy enough! I have to be realistic and say that it might be too much, but who knows ...”

Mario, who has just turned 71, also addressed the notion of driving in the race alongside son Michael and grandson Marco.

“He (Michael) has the team, so if he is interested in doing it, I think he could come up with another car and let’s face it, it sure would be interesting. This is, of course, the last race with the current chassis and engines, so it would be very cheap for any would-be entrant to get the pieces together and make up a team to challenge for the $5 million pot. I think it’s going to be incredible, and I think we will definitely see some good talent there.”

On the other side of the border, Villeneuve has talked about the race but is clearly less enthusiastic about taking part.

“It will definitely make that race exciting and make it known,” he told eNews.

“Indycar needs anything, publicity it needs. Vegas seems the right place to do that.

“The fact that there is a huge prizemoney for the win does not mean you have to jump at it, as it is a very dangerous race on a high speed oval such as that one and you need to do things properly, to get ready

in the right way and with a team that is used to winning on those kind of tracks. Else the chances are you will get hurt without even running at the front, trying to outdrive yourself stupidly as you are looking at the $5mil carrot!

“With that prizemoney, there will probably be some crazy driving which should be exciting for the fans. The current drivers will hate it; everyone else will love it!”

Danica goes fourth NASCAR DANICA Patrick has recorded her best finish in a NASCAR race.

The Indy star was fourth in the Nationwide Series event at Las Vegas. Patrick had been two laps down on leader Kyle Busch mid-race but fought back, and aided by Lucky Dogs, got her GoDaddy.com Chevy back on the lead lap.

14

Aided by a major set-up change, Patrick chased the leaders and looked to finish in the top 10 for the last quarter of the race – which ended in controversy.

With Busch out of contention after a wild trip across the infield grass, Brad Keselowski looked set to take the win. But the current NW Champion had a flat tyre on the final lap, allowing Mark

Martin to take the win, his first since 2009, in his first race for Turner Motorsports. Justin Allgaier was second, with Patrick just failing to get past the stricken Keselowski for third.

Patrick’s win is the best result for a female driver in NASCAR. The previous best result was Sara Christian’s fifth at Heidelberg Raceway on October 2, 1949. motorsport news

Ana to D&R INDYCAR

DREYER & Reinbold Racing has signed Ana Beatriz.

The Brazilian will run the full 2011 season alongside team-mate Justin Wilson, sponsored by Brazilianbased petroleum company, Ipiranga.

“The No. 24 car has special meaning to Dreyer and Reinbold Racing and we are elated to partner with Bia and Ipiranga full-time in 2011,” explained co-owner,

Dennis Reinbold of Dreyer and Reinbold Racing.

“Bia is a true professional in and out of the car. We couldn’t think of a more appropriate fit to our organisation and all of our partners.”

Beatriz competed in three IndyCar events last season, at her home race in Brazil, the Indy 500, and the season finale at Homestead. Beatriz became the first female driver to win in Firestone Indy Lights when she won at

Nashville in 2008.

With Tony Kanaan, Dan Wheldon, Paul Tracy, Oriol Servia, Tomas Scheckter, JK Vernay, and James Hinchcliffe all still to secure IndyCar drives for 2011, D&R has plenty of choices should it chose to run a third car. Meanwhile KV Racing Technology is thought to be also running a third car, while Conquest and Dale Coyne Racing are both likely to fill two seats each.

– MARY MENDEZ

Firestone

FAZZT Schmidt INDYCAR SAM Schmidt has acquired all the assets of the FAZZT Racing Team.

Sam Schmidt Motorsports (SSM), which has won four Indy Light championships, will retain FAZZT employees for continuity through the 2011 season, entering the #77 Dallara-Honda for Alex Tagliani, with support from sponsor Bowers and Wilkins.

– MARY MENDEZ

out of Indycar INDYCAR

FIRESTONE will end its association with Indycar at the end of the season.

Firestone has not only supplied rubber since the start of the IndyCar series in 1996, it has served as the title sponsor and tyre supplier of the Indy Lights series, sponsored a number of race venues, and heavily marketed the series with weekly advertising.

“It’s unfortunate to lose a great partner and ambassador for the sport like Firestone,” said Randy Bernard, who just completed his one year anniversary as CEO of INDYCAR. “We are actively engaged in discussions with other tyre manufacturers on opportunities to get involved in our sport as we prepare to debut our new car in 2012.

“As the fastest, most versatile racing series in the world, INDYCAR provides an ideal www.mnews.com.au

Chip’s car swap INDYCAR platform for companies looking to showcase both performance and brand on the track. Firestone credits its association with our sport in doubling the sales of its street tires in the US during our first five years of partnership.”

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Firestone supplied tyres for Ray Harroun’s first Indianapolis 500 victory, in 1911. Parent company Bridgestone Americas Tyre Operations has equipped 62 of 95 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race winners – more than all other tyre manufacturers combined – after this year’s centennial event under the Firestone brand.

– MARY MENDEZ

THE trend of having drivers from different series swap cars will continue in 2011, with Chip Ganassi preparing to swap his NASCAR and IndyCar drivers.

In the car swap, last year’s Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400 winner Jamie McMurray will drive the #9 Target Dallara Honda normally driven by Scott Dixon. Following that, Dixon will turn laps in the #1 Bass Pro Shop Chevrolet normally driven by McMurray in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series.

The swap will first take place in a closed-to-the-public test at Barber Motorsports Park’s road course on March 16. Located east of Birmingham, Alabama, the Barber track is only about a 30-minute drive from the Talladega Superspeedway where Dixon, a two-time IndyCar champion and 2008 Indy 500 winner, will see what it is like to drive a car with a roof on it.

If the test goes well, Ganassi may consider the double for McMurray to run in the Indy 500 and Charlotte’s 600 on the same day at the end of May. Indycar CEO, Randy Bernard, and Charlotte’s track owner, Bruton Smith, announced a US$20 million bonus to the driver that wins both events in the same day.

– MARY MENDEX 15

Aston’s New Le Mans Ro

LE MANS ASTON Martin’s latest Le Mans challenger may lack the diesel engines that have dominated the race in recent years but, if look are anything to go buy, the Union Jack could again fly high over the famed French circuit.

The company unveiled its new AMROne last week and the biggest shock was that it does not feature a V12 engine – or even a V8. Instead, the company has 16

developed a 2-litre straight-six motor, which it claims is the ideal configuration.

“We have chosen to run with a six cylinder turbocharged engine because we believe this offers the best potential within the petrol engine regulations,” said George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing’s team principal.

“With the ACO’s commitment to effectively balance the performance of petrol and diesel Le Mans , our hopes are high that we’ll see the closest racing yet

in the premiere LMP1 category.”

The new roadster will take on the coupes from Audi and Peugeot in the race, both former winners building new cars for the 2011 race, but with smallercapacity diesel engines than in previous years.

Prodrive, which developed the AMROne, will build six of the cars over the next two years. Five have been sold to race teams or collectors, which is how the project is, partly, financed.

The car was at Sebring lat plan has been extended tes scheduled ap now be the o Mans Series a France on Ap The Le Man Stefan Mucke and Adrian Fe Andy Meyrick

motorsport news

Australian F3 Calendar complete AUSTRALIAN F3

ocket

s to have made its debut ter this month but that n set aside in favour of an sting program. The first ppearance for the car will opening round of the Le at Circuit Paul Ricard in pril 3. ns entries will be driven by e, Darren Turner and TBA, ernandez, Harold Primat and k in the second entry. www.mnews.com.au

THE schedule for the 2011 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship is now complete.

Symmons Plains’ V8 Supercar round will host the seventh and final round of the series, becoming the third V8 round on the schedule. It will also feature the Tasmanian F3 SuperPrix, which has been contested four times since 2006.

The Tasmanian round will be held on November 11-13, a week after Round 6 at Phillip Island, creating a double header and combined travel options between the two circuits on either side of Bass Strait.

While talks to host an eighth round at Queensland Raceway’s V8 Supercar round didn’t result in an appearance, 2011 will still see Formula 3’s biggestever presence on the V8 program, having appeared twice in 2009.

“This is the final piece in a complicated puzzle that was our 2011 schedule,” Formula 3 Chairman Ian Richards said.

Though its taken time, the series has ticked off several key criteria we wanted to fulfill, namely, making it as affordable as possible for every competitor and delivering more V8 Supercar Events.

“With three V8 Supercar rounds and four with our friends at the Shannons Nationals, we think this is our most balanced and ideal schedule ever.

“We are looking forward to building a relationship with the V8 Supercar team and showcasing Australia’s fastest cars to their fan base. We really think we will add another level of entertainment to their Events because our cars are fast, sound and look great, and provide great racing.

“It will be a building year for Formula 3, but for our long-term future this is going to be the ideal platform. We’re looking forward to another great season.”

PYE @ RR Derani in the team’s Mercedespowered F308 Dallaras.

“It’s hugely exciting for me,” the 21-year-old said.

“And also very daunting because it’s a big leap from Formula Ford to a Formula 3 car. But I’m with a great team and I’m enjoying the challenge.”

Triple Eight boss Roland Dane will continue to support Pye’s campaign.

“We are very happy to be supporting Scotty again and looking forward to him showing his potential this year,” he said.

“We hope that he will be the latest in the long line of Australian talent to succeed.”

Pye got his first taste of Double R machinery at Rockingham last week, setting the 14th fastest time each day.

He heads to Silverstone this week for further testing.

BRITISH F3 SCOTT Pye has joined Double R Racing for the 2011 British Formula 3 Championship.

After winning last year’s British Formula Ford Championship in his maiden European season, Pye set his sights on British F3.

He’s now announced a deal to run with Double R, which started its life in 2004 as Raikkonen Robertson Racing, a joint venture between Kimi Raikkonen and his manager Steve Robertson. The team won the title in 2006 with Mike Conway, while Anthony Hieatt took sole control in late 2010, with the team subsequently rebranded.

Hieatt will act as Pye’s race engineer in the 2011 season, with the South Australian to be joined by Brazilian Pipo

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Super! Murph set for NZ V8 SuperTourers NEW ZEALAND NEW Zealand’s new V8SuperTourers will kick off on the 17-19 February weekend next year – and Greg Murphy will be involved.

The four-time Bathurst 1000 winner, currently racing in V8 Supercars in the Pepsi Max Commodore, will feature in the series as either an owner or driver or both.

“I’ve been lucky to have some great success in New Zealand and I love racing at home,” said Murphy. “The overall level of competition and quality of racing in New Zealand has always been high, but V8Supertourers has caught my attention because they are real racecars and the package gets my heart beating pretty fast.

This is something that I have to be a part of – either as a driver

or a team owner!”

The seven-round series will kick off at Hampton Downs, outside Auckland, which will also host rounds four (May 18-20) and six (September 21-21). The new low-cost car, which features a seven-litre V8 GM engine, is expected to reach 260kmh on the track’s 1km straight, and 16 cars are expected for the first race.

“It’s going to be a history-

making weekend at Hampton Downs and it’s the perfect place to have the inaugural V8SuperTourers event,” said Murphy. “They have put in a massive effort over the last couple of years to build this amazing facility and I reckon it will produce superb racing.”

Additional information regarding the race formats and the other four rounds will be released in the coming weeks.

No, they’re not remaking Twins AUSSIES OVERSEAS MARCOS Ambrose Motorsport will debut in Late Model stock cars this weekend, with Australian George Miedecke behind the wheel.

Ambrose has acted as a mentor for Miedecke since the former V8 Ute driver headed to America 12 months ago looking to crack into NASCAR. After a promising debt season in the NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model Series, which included a pair of wins, Miedecke will now race under the banner of Ambrose’s new outfit.

Jamie Yelton, who oversaw 18

the second half of Miedecke’s 2010 season, will run the program, with Miedecke to contest the 16-race season plus some marquee Late Model events.

“Since I’ve moved to the USA and made it all the way NASCAR Sprint Cup, a lot of people from Australia have been in contact with me, wanting to know how they can get a break into the big time over here,” Ambrose said.

“It seemed to me that there was an opportunity available to help launch new drivers into the NASCAR system, and have a clear path through the various classes.

“The Late Model cars are an affordable way to introduce drivers to the bump and grind of oval track racing, but importantly, we’re putting together a program to prepare drivers with all of the important aspects of getting to the top.”

Miedecke will carry Ambrose’s #9 and backing from Jeld-Wen, one of the Richard Petty Motorsport driver’s personal sponsors. The 24-yearold’s first race will be at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 12.

“As a relative newcomer to oval track racing in the USA, having Marcos in your

camp is a massive leg up, his knowledge and contacts are invaluable,” Miedecke said.

“Already this year I have spent time with Marcos in the Richard Petty Motorsports workshop and trackside at the Daytona 500, it’s amazing to see how such a professional outfit operates at close quarters.

“I can’t wait for my racing season to start, my team and machinery this year are topnotch, and we’re expecting some big results for Jeld-Wen. “My ultimate goal is to be racing alongside Marcos in the Sprint Cup, so climbing up the NASCAR ladder begins now.” motorsport news

news

Pretty cool V8 UTES NATHAN Pretty has taken the covers off the Monster Energy Holden he’ll race in V8 Utes this year.

As revealed in last week’s eNews, Pretty’s maiden Ute campaign will feature backing from the energy drink. The veteran will make his V8 Ute return in the Clipsal 500’s season opener next weekend.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and racing full-time again,” Pretty said.

“The V8 Utes are a great category, I took part in the very first race in Adelaide

CARRERA CUP BEN Barker turned his first laps in the car he’ll race in Carrera Cup at Mallala yesterday, Monday.

The Englishman returned to Australia on the weekend from the UK, and headed to the South Australian circuit for his first test of his 2011 ride.

Barker will race with Team BRM, with whom he won the 2010 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship.

“It’s feeling really good,” Barker said during the day.

“The car is great and actually feels a lot like the Formula 3 car. The driving style is very similar – you need to carry a lot www.mnews.com.au

11 years ago so to be back involved in the series again is going to be a lot of fun – and I have some unfinished business in the class too.

“I’ve got a great sponsor in Monster Energy and the car looks fantastic.

“They’re a pretty cool sponsor to have on-board, they have a great brand and a very cool image and I’m really excited to be representing them.”

Meanwhile, Auto One has taken over as the naming rights sponsor of the series for 2011. The series will now be officially known as the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All when

it kicks off at the Clipsal 500 in less than a fortnight.

Auto One’s CEO Peter Henry is looking forward to the year ahead.

“For over 20 years Auto One has provided the motoring public with the right gear and right advice, making Auto One an iconic Aussie business,” he said.

“We now join another Aussie icon in the Australian V8 Utes Series, which is now one of the highest profile motorsport series in the country. All Auto One members are very excited and are looking forward to a great year.”

Ute category manager Craig

Denyer added that the deal will be mutually beneficial.

“To have another significant company on board such as Auto One is again a real example of how strong and marketable the V8 Ute brand is, and how it has developed over the past 10 years,” he said.

“This partnership will give offer some exciting opportunities to help grow both brands this year, which will ultimately take the series to a new level.”

Yokohama Tyres Australia will remain a major partner with the series, and are now in their seventh year as the official control tyre supplier.

of mid corner speed and have similar sort of brake pressures and throttle applications. It feels good and it’s probably helping the learning curve.

“It’s great to have the continuity from last year. Today feels like last year did, it’s just that I’m sitting in a slightly different car.

“It’s a big help. I’ve got a great relationship with Craig [Rundle], my engineer, and Roger [Dutton], my mechanic, from last season and it’s all just translated over.”

The reborn Carrera Cup Australia kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix later this month.

– MITCHELL ADAM

Barker tests Porsche

19

AUSTRALIAN GT FOLLOWING his massive crash at the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour last month, Dean Grant will step into a Porsche for the 2011 Vodka O Australian GT Championship.

Grant’s Mosler MT900 was extensively damaged early in the race when a tyre let go on the approach to The Chase. To replace it, Grant has purchased

a Porsche GT3 Cup S from Theo Koundouris, which he tested at Phillip Island for the first time last week, ahead of the season opener at the Clipsal 500.

“I have acquired the exKoundouris Porsche Cup S and at this stage will run it for the season,” Grant said.

“I hope to rebuild the Mosler throughout the year and would like to thank my loyal

sponsors Vodka O and Procon Developments and many other people who have been a huge support following the accident to make sure that I am on the grid for the Clipsal 500.

“I tested the car at Phillip Island [on Thursday], and have to admit it took me a good few hours to change my driving style to suit the Porsche. After driving the Lamborghini and

John Morris / Mpix

New Porsche for Dean

then the Mosler where you have to be smooth to get pace from the car, the Porsche is totally the opposite.

“You have to drive it like you hate it. It has to be moving and bucking to get the times you need to be at the front. I think I’m a little old for the Porsche!”

Grant isn’t a newcomer to Porsches, having previously raced in Carrera Cup.

Old Porsche for Walter TARGA TAS DUAL World Rally Champions Walter Rohrl and Christian Geistdoerfer will contest next month’s Targa Tasmania in something pretty special.

The pair, who won the 1980 and 1982 World Rally Championships, will head down under in the Porsche 911 SC they made famous 30 years ago. In the 1981 San Remo Rally, they almost scored an upset victory in the rear-wheel drive 911 SC against superior all-wheel drive machinery.

Rohrl and Geistdoerfer were set to claim victory before a broken driveshaft forced a late retirement. Now, 30 years on, they’ll contest Targa Tasmania in the car on April 5-10.

20

“That rally is one of the most memorable for me, for sure,” Rohrl said.

“We were not supposed to be competitive in the San Remo because the stages were very difficult and the all-wheel drive Audi had much better grip and more power than our 911 SC. “But we pushed and pushed and pushed ... and finally something broke on the car on the final tarmac stages when I thought we were going to win the rally.

“We only entered that 911 SC in one rally, the San Remo.

It was a last-minute thing.

Some engineers at Porsche helped prepare this car for me because I was without a drive.

“Then more than 25 years later Porsche informs me this fabulous car has been found in somebody’s garage. It has

been restored and now we will bring it to Targa in what will be a very special reunion.”

Meanwhile, Jim Richards will represent Porsche in the outright ranks, running a

new 911 GT2 RS. He won’t be the only Bathurst winner out there, with Dick Johnson set to return to Targa Tasmania for the first time since 2000 in a 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Z06. motorsport news

news

Nobody loves Raymonds

Brothers out of ARC

Michael Vettas

RALLY WINNERS of the 2010 ARC season finale, Glen and Matt Raymond will be on the sidelines for the 2011 Bosch Australian Rally Championship.

The brothers won Rally

Victoria on home turf last year in their Mitsubishi Evo X Lancer, but have been unable to secure the sponsorship for a 2011 campaign. The car has been placed on the market, but they’ll work to return next year.

“We have all put in a

huge effort to try and put together a program for the championship this year, however it was to no avail,” Glen Raymond said.

“It is frustrating as we have the car and results, but there are just no opportunities available.

“For a low budget team, we have far exceeded our own and other people’s expectations. I cannot thank all my supporters enough, but I have to especially thank my family who have sacrificed a lot to help me get where I am today.”

me in what they call their ‘2012spec’ car, I don’t really know how that works when it’s 2011 but I’m not arguing!”

The 2011 Nurburgring 24 Hour will be held on June 23-26.

– MITCHELL ADAM

Shaw gets Aston for Nurburgring SPORTSCARS

www.mnews.com.au

sutton-images.com

RIC Shaw has snared a factory Aston Martin drive for this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hour race.

Shaw has contested the race in a variety of machinery, and last year drove a GT4spec Aston Martin N24 with a privateer outfit in Class SP10.

For 2011, he’s been enlisted to drive a factory N24, run by Prodrive itself in the German classic.

“Aston Martin built the first 24

cars and called them the N24, for the 24 hour race and I drove car #9 last year,” Shaw said.

“It’s a production-based racecar with limited modifications. It’s like a factory GT3 CupCar, it comes out of the factory with a rollcage in it, it’s lightweight and all that sort of stuff.

“Now they’ve up-specced them, went from a 4.3 litre engine to a 4.7 and changed a few things with the aero.

Prodrive built some more cars, and now Prodrive are putting

21

The Ambassador to FFord

FORMULA FORD STEVEN Richards will be an ambassador for the Australian Formula Ford Championship in 2011.

Richards, who won the 1994 AFFC crown, will be an official representative for the category, having now stepped down from full-time V8 Supercar racing duties.

“I’ve got some great memories of my time in Formula Ford as a youngster, so

it’s fantastic to be involved with the championship again on a different level,” the double Bathurst winner said.

“I’m looking forward to working with some of the best young drivers in the country today, and hopefully I can offer them something worthwhile.

“Formula Ford has proved time and time again that it’s the premier junior development category, not only within Australia, but also around the world.”

Dirk Klynsmith

Touring Car great heads back to his roots to aid young guns Category manager Margaret Hardy welcomed Richards on board.

“Steven was exceptional when he raced Formula Ford, and has gone on to have a long and successful motorsport career,” Hardy said.

“Having someone with his level of experience will be a huge benefit to the category and to all the drivers in 2011, and I’m sure they’ll make the most of the opportunity.”

RETHINK ON WAKEFIELD SALOONS SALOON CARS

22

Marshall Cass

THE Saloon Car National Series won’t run a long-distance format at their Wakefield Park season opener.

A pair of longer races with two drivers had been planned for the April 1-3 event, but that has now been put on the backburner and the weekend will feature a regular sprint round format.

With Saloon Cars on the bill for Easter’s Bathurst Motor Festival, albeit not as a round of the National Series, competitor interest in running at Mount Panorama forced a rethink on Wakefield Park.

The longer format is likely to be looked at again for the 2012 season.

“It’s gone back to just a sprint

round,” Category Manager Les Morrall said of Wakefield Park.

“We’ll see how we’re travelling, but I doubt whether we’ll look at it again this year.

“It’s not a major, major thing, but it does make a difference when the guys spend their money at Bathurst. If people want to race their cars, it’s up to them where they race it, they all want to go to Bathurst, obviously.

“It’s taken away from the national rounds a little bit, but we should be right. We’ve structured the national rounds to run in conjunction with State rounds. For instance, when we go to Morgan Park, we’ve got 18 of the Queensland guys turn up because it’s a round of their series.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

motorsport news

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23

MA/ENEWS

Heart surgery for Garland DAKAR BRUCE Garland is to have heart bypass surgery in Melbourne later this week.

The Isuzu Motorsports driver is currently at the Monash Medical Centre after problems became apparent during a visit to Melbourne.

“I can’t actually remember smashing any mirrors over

black cats and under ladders, but I must have done lots of it at some stage!” joked Garland, who suffered a back injury in the Dakar Rally in January.

“At the moment, the only positive I can think of is that I will become a member of the Zipper Club with Aussie rock stars Jimmy Barnes and Jon Stevens, even though I’m not much of a singer!

“But everyone tells me I will be faster than ever once I’m the other side of this, so that’s a good sign because I am still planning to be back in the driver’s seat later this year.

“Everything is ticking at Garland Motorsports – except my heart! The customer car/ team management program is moving ahead at an incredible rate. We’re in discussions with

a number of interesting people and will be making some big announcements soon. This is just a bit of a speed bump.”

Garland is able to access messages while he is recuperatomg. If you would like to send Bruce a get well message, please log on to the facebook page: http:// www.facebook.com/group. php?gid=212985626694

Fujitsu names the Too Cool for School YOUNG DRIVERS THE 11 inaugural Fujitsu Cool Drivers have been announced.

Four drivers from the Australian Formula Ford Championship and seven karters will receive financial and career support from Fujitsu Australia and Velocity Management Group, who will run the new program.

Over 370 applications were received.

From Formula Ford, Sonic Motor Racing drivers Nick Foster and Cameron Waters were selected, along with Synergy 24

Motorsport’s Shae Davies and TanderSport driver Rhett Noonan.

The seven young karters – who range from 12 to 19 years of age – are Jason LeCocq, Brody Appleby, Renee Gracie, Damon Strongman, Joey Mawson, Royce Nott and Todd Hazelwood.

“I am more than happy with the group we have, which includes some of the brightest motor racing talent in the country as well as some new, up-andcoming stars,” Philip Perham, Deputy Managing Director of Fujitsu General, said.

“Some of the responses to our letters of offer were simply incredible and really hit home how much these young drivers appreciate what we are trying to achieve.

AFL, NRL, Cricket and Netball are among the sports that enjoy youth development programs, and Fujitsu is delighted to be the company pioneering this important ground within the motorsport sector.”

The best-performing Formula Ford driver will test with the Fujitsu-backed Garry Rogers Motorsport, with karters vying for a Formula Ford test. motorsport news

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25

Parker prepares DRAG RACING AFTER 18 months on the sidelines, Victorian Darren Parker is making a return to the strip at the upcoming Sydney Dragway Top Doorslammer and Pro Stock event on March 18/19 in a new car and in a new class.

With the assistance of Pro Stock legend Peter Ridgeway, Parker had renowned American chassis guru Jerry Haas build a new Pontiac GXP

DRAG RACING AUSTRALIA’S quickest Harley rider Mark Drew has been busy in recent weeks, not just preparing for the Westernationals, held on the weekend, but also getting back to his speedway roots.

He competed at Gillman

26

SBX Chevrolet sourced by Ridgeway. Running the new CFE SBX-A cylinder head and tuned by Ridgeway and Arthur Sagiarus from Custom Engines, it is making more than enough power to push the GXP to the pointy end in both Super Stock and Pro Stock.

Initially Parker is going to run the car in Super Stock to spend some time getting his head around the engine and chassis tuning before stepping up to Pro Stock and racing

with the big boys.

“It is going to be a steep learning curve going from a nine second Commodore to a low seven second Pontiac GXP and I want to make sure I do it right,” he said.

Parker will spend a couple of days testing at Sydney Dragway prior to the race meeting to get some seat time under his belt and get a good baseline ready for racing.

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Speedway in South Australia last weekend, in order to get into the World Sidecar Title next November at Murray Bridge.

“To get into the world championship you have to qualify through the Australian championship and for me to get into the Australian

championship I had to race on Saturday night,” he said.

“Against most of the riders who will be in the Australian championship I had to show I was good enough.”

It was a long time between speedway drinks for Drew.

“I have only ridden once in five years which was two and a

half years ago,” he said.

“After a 16 bike 20 heat format we were one point behind the leading point scorer going into the final. We finished second in the final to take second place overall for the meeting which will secure our place in Australian title qualifying.”

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Luke Nieuwhof

A little on the side

for Australian Pro Stock.

At 6’3” tall, Parker struggled to find a used car that he would comfortably fit into, so the best solution was to have Jerry build a new car and take advantage of a chassis that has been purpose-built for the 400ci engines rather than trying to modify a used 500ci NHRA vehicle to work with the smaller drivelines running in Australia.

Powering the new ride is an Australian Pro Stock 398ci

motorsport news

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John Bosher

Hammer time for Hambridge DRAG RACING WHEN Aaron Hambridge, pilot of the Team APM Top Alcohol Dragster, takes to the Sydney Dragway quarter mile at the Nitro Champs in April he will be looking to maintain and extend his points leader over a sea of former category champions.

With just four points separating him from fellow Top Alcohol Dragster racer Wayne Newby, Hambridge knows that he has his work cut out for him if he’s to increase

that margin to a championship winning level.

“We’ve won meetings, we’ve set and reset national records but the championship has eluded us. This season thanks to Jamie Noonan from NRE and our mates at Fabre Australia we’re in the best position to really go for it,” he said.

When the subject of records is mentioned, Hambridge is quick to point out that he likes going fast and running at the front of the field but that it’s not without reason.

“When you’ve got experienced racers like Wayne [Newby] right on your tail you have to push hard on every pass to get the win,” he said.

“You can’t take it easy or rest on your laurels. The funny car guys like Gary [Phillips] are always really fast and so it’s even more important that we chase the bonus points for speed and elapsed time.”

In other developments, the team’s own dragster chassis has now been repaired to better-than-new specification

by Sydney’s SCF Race Cars

and will replace the borrowed hardware generously lent to the team by Jamie Noonan of Noonan Race Engineering.

“For Jamie to let me borrow his car after my crash at the start of the season was more than any driver could ask for,” Hambridge said.

“It’s a big deal and something that has played the biggest role in our being able to contest the championship. It’ll be good to get back into my car again and test before the Nitro Champs.”

– LUKE NIEUWHOF

Next ANDRA Pro Series Round: Sydney Dragway, March 18-19 ANDRA Pro Series on TV: Friday March 11 Top Doorslammer, WA www.mnews.com.au

27

FIVE MINUTES WITH ...

TONY D’ALBERTO

SHOCK! D’ALBERTO IS RACING A FORD. We’re not really shocked by the news – after all, we broke it in December. Now, TD can yak about it too. By ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN MOTORSPORT: A new beginning; how does it feel?

TONY D’ALBERTO: It feels refreshing.

Like you said, it’s a new beginning, and hopefully it’s a new chapter in my career.

We’ve put a lot of effort into this year, so it goes without saying that we’ve got a lot of expectations.

Does your role change as a driver this year? Last year it was an in-house sponsor, now you have an outside sponsor to service. Is there more pressure?

Everything is ramped up. With the sponsorship that we have from Wilson Security, well they’re investing a lot into the team, so we have to keep doing the best thing by them. It is a lot of work.

I’m certainly busier than I was this time last year, but it’s all good. It’s all heading in the right direction. I just want to kick off the year well with this launch, and then start focussing on the racing, because that’s my role. Justin [Nelson], our media guy, can worry about the rest of it.

We’re here in Melbourne, at Southern Cross Station, at peak hour. Is this the biggest launch that you’ve been involved in as a driver?

Definitely. We’ve generally had our launches at the workshop, and we get people in, and it’s basically a closed event. This is about trying to get our team out there, and trying to get V8 Supercars out there, and I think with the Wilson livery, in the green, it stands out well.

Let’s talk about the Ford. Why go away from what you know to something new?

It wasn’t about going to Ford, as such. It was more about looking for a different opportunity.

We talked to lots of teams. Obviously we’re a small team, so we need to have support from a bigger team, and we were doing that through Walkinshaw 28

Racing. What it came down to this time is that Ford Performance Racing offered us the best deal, with the best support, and it just happened to be with Ford. It wasn’t like we were trying to jump ship from Holden, we were just looking for the best deal.

Everyone knows that our family has Holden dealerships and we have a lot of links with Holden, but to be honest, the race team has to stand on its own two feet. We have to make smart business decisions.

We desperately want to move up the field, and we spent a lot of time at the end of last year working out what the best option was. Fingers crossed that this is it!

It’s been a while since you’ve had a new car; how long do you expect the transition period to be?

The Commodore was like an old shoe.

I knew it inside out, and I was very comfortable. So this will be a little foreign.

But we’ve got two test days coming up, so I think by the end of the second day I should be feeling pretty comfortable, and hopefully we can get the most out of it for Clipsal.

If you look at Will [Davison], he’s still learning his way at FPR, so it doesn’t happen overnight, but Paul Dumbrell showed last year how quickly you can adapt.

How close will the ties with FPR actually be?

That’s something we’re still working on, but one of the things that attracted us to the team was how close we’d be linked with them, and the information that would be available.

Although we haven’t gone out and won races, we haven’t been uncompetitive, so we can offer the team something as well. So the sooner I get my head around the car and how it reacts, the sooner I can be helping the team out. motorsport news

chat

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29

TAKING MOTOR

THE RIGHT WAY ...

S

TREET races and public demonstrations have become more and more prominent in recent years, all in the name of taking motorsport to the people.

In most cases, it works.

Renault F1 has a whole ‘roadshow’ program, taking skids to all sorts of places, Red Bull performed a pitstop in the middle of London last year and Craig Lowndes will drive a McLaren around Bathurst soon.

Others, as AVL writes about Mark Webber driving over the Bolte Bridge, have their flaws.

Most of these events are big, brassy and expensive. But they don’t have to be. Last Friday, the 2011 incarnation of Wilson Security Racing was launched at Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s CBD. In the main foyer, through which most of the station’s foot traffic passes, WSR unveiled a Falcon (Surprise!) for Tony D’Alberto and a Fujitsu Series Commodore for David Wall.

The covers came off at 10am 30

with plenty of interested onlookers, and the cars stayed there until 8pm. Over the course of the day, the cars would’ve been seen by several hundred thousand people, at a rough guestimate. I don’t think there’ll be a sudden rush on V8 Supercar ticket sales or WSR merchandise as a result, but it can’t have hurt, for both the team and the series, having the cars displayed in such a prominent location.

In this digital age, press release launches are the done thing. Photos of new liveries and cars are sent out with happy quotes, all of which are uploaded to websites and dissected by fans on internet forums within minutes. Other than the specialist media, they don’t tend to go too much further than that.

The 2011 Pepsi Max and TeamVodafone Commodores were launched at events purely for the media. As such, the media is the primary focus, but a small and controlled fan element probably wouldn’t have been problematic.

OPINION Mitchell Adam – National Editor Perhaps there was an opportunity to open it up to a few fans, offered as a prize through their websites and social networking profiles.

On the logistical front, the WSR launch meant their racecars were out of the workshop for a whole day on Friday, before they were due to head up to Winton on Sunday. If Tony’s little outfit can manage their workload

around this, surely the bigger teams can, too.

Wilson Security’s links with Southern Cross – the station is one of their clients – and the nature of Wilson’s business made setting up and managing the launch a bit easier, and it was a nice piece of leverage.

All in all, the payoff was good. Let’s see more of it in the 2012 launch season, teams.

motorsport news

comment

RSPORT TO THE PEOPLE

... AND THE WRONG WAY

T

AKING Formula 1 to the people is a good idea.

Over the last few years, Red Bull Racing has gone and really blown the Formula 1 road show thing right open, by running F1 cars on beaches, frozen lakes and city streets. Now, other teams are getting into the act, such as the TeamVodafone/McLaren switch at Bathurst, and Sauber’s Sergio Perez’s recent burnout fest in his hometown in Mexico.

It’s nothing too new – after all, Webber drove a Williams cars across the Sydney coathanger back in 2005, and McLaren had a good run out of its two-seater program – but Red Bull has undoubtedly lifted the bar for public PR stunts.

It’s fun, it’s fresh, and it’s a great opportunity to take F1 out of the sterile trackside environment and into a whole new world of public affection.

But the Mark Webber driving across the Bolte Bridge concept – if true – might be taking it too far. Not because it’s a daring stunt, because

www.mnews.com.au

it’s nothing compared to Sebastien Buemi fanging a Toro Rosso around on a frozen lake in Canada, but because the idea of PR stunts is to create good publicity, and this one could go the other way.

At the moment, the Australian Grand Prix is going through a bit of a rough patch in the PR stakes. The chief complaints of the public are that the event costs too much money, and is too disruptive to the city and its traffic flow, for too little return. So what’s the next step? Close down one of the busiest pieces of road in Melbourne, on a Saturday morning, so Mark Webber can have a weekend drive in an old RBR F1 car. Might be brilliant, might go horribly wrong.

Sure, Saturday morning isn’t the busiest time of the day or week on the Bolte Bridge, but as someone who makes a lot of trips to the airport, often on weekends, I know how busy the bridge is even during the quieter times. This has the capacity to annoy people, and for what?

OPINION Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor Here’s the other issue; as the name suggests, the Bolte Bridge is ... well, a bridge. And as bridges so often are, it’s suspended over water, and is a long way from sea level. Unless the run ends up in Docklands – as eNews understands is on the cards – it won’t really be taking F1 to the people, which is kind of the point of these stunts.

Late last year, Red Bull Racing took a Formula 1 car to Perth for a public stunt. Daniel Ricciardo spent an afternoon racing up and down riverside drive on the edge of the city.

It’s a busy road, yes, but it’s not like it’s an essential link between the airport and the city. And the people of Perth could line the banks of the Swan River and be within touching distance of the car –

exhilarating stuff. The same concept could have been applied in Melbourne by using Punt Road; St Kilda Road could have soaked up the extra traffic, and people could have stood in the shadows of the MCG and watched an F1 car scream past.

How cool would that be?

But no, we’re going to have the Bolte Bridge, and I remain sceptical about whether it will be a PR success or not. The whole thing will be a Red Bull photo op and a 15 second TV grab. Will it encourage people to go to the Grand Prix a week later? Maybe, but probably not.

Will it annoy people and add further weight to the growing number of critics who think we shouldn’t have the race? Yes. And that’s my biggest concern over the whole thing, because I like having a home Grand Prix.

31

ANDRA PRO SERIES WESTERNATIONALS, PERTH MOTORPLEX

Z-Day 32

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Luke Nieuwhof

As weekends in motorsport go, John Zappia had a ripper at the Westernationals, taking maximum points.

LUKE NIEUWHOF reports on his dominant performance

33

J

OHN Zappia stormed back into the lead of the Australian Top Doorslammer Championship following a win at the Westernationals at Perth Motorplex.

Zappia took the full haul of points available for top qualifying, setting low elapsed time and recording top speed – all with a 50% bonus as a Western Australian round.

The three qualifying rounds that kicked off the Westernationals were some of the best ever seen in Top Doorslammer. In drama more resembling Pro Stock, racers were being bumped and shifted around constantly as 19 cars vied for eight spots.

Zappia’s Procomp Monaro had a decent margin on the field with a 5.82s run going into the bank in the second session.

But it was behind him that most of the action was going on.

Maurice Fabietti’s Holden Trade Club Monaro was out of the field until the last session when he recorded a 5.89s to make it in at second spot.

Mathew Abel put his new 57 Chev into the fives for the first time with a 5.99s run, while Tony Defelice also qualified his Camaro with a 6.01s.

The points leader going into the round, Mark Belleri, had a 6.02s to his name for fifth spot as Robin Judd waited until the last session also, to bring out a 6.04s for sixth. Daniel Gregorini ran a personal best 6.05s time for seventh and Marty Dack made a surprising entry into the field with a 6.06 from his Auto One Falcon.

On the outside looking in were some famous names.

Peter Kapiris deserved to feel hard done by with a 6.07s not good enough to get him in, nor was a 6.09s from Murray O’Connor. Other notable omissions included both of the Bray family and Gary Phillips, who withdrew after Q1 after finding a crack in the chassis.

Eliminations saw Belleri 34

knock out Defelice first up with a 5.94S, before Fabietti took an easy 5.92s win when Gregorini accidentally hit the kill switch after the burnout. Judd used a 5.94s to defeat a 6.04s from Abel and Zappia went 5.85s to beat a tyre shaking Dack.

In a wild semi finals race, Judd crossed lanes right behind Fabietti, narrowly avoiding a collision, while the Monaro stormed ahead for a 6.07s win. Zappia brought out low ET of the event in his race against Belleri with a 5.807s pass just two-thousandths of a second off the best ever Top Doorslammer run. Belleri’s 5.94s was a valiant effort and would have won nearly any other race.

Fabietti is perhaps Zappia’s greatest nemesis, having taken more wins from him than any other driver. This time, however, Zappia would not be topped with a 5.82s at 247mph, going through for the win as Fabietti shook the tyres and aborted early.

Top Bike was running its third championship round and saw the now NT based Troy McLean defeat Mark Drew in the final.

Qualifying was predictably dominated by Queensland’s Chris Matheson with a quick 6.23s time but in an astonishing turn of events Matheson could not return following a first round win as his motor dropped two valves.

Second qualifier Jay Upton was bundled out in Round 1, surprisingly, though he did announce during the night he would be moving into Top Fuel dragsters with girlfriend Caroline to do the driving.

McLean’s 6.92s time in the final was more than enough to cover Drew, who had a barrel valve in the fuel system fail, meaning he was only on one cylinder and he shut down shortly after launching.

Championship-wise McLean and Matheson are now neck and neck, putting some pressure on for the next round at Willowbank Raceway.

Maurice Fabietti, above, had a lucky escape in the semi finals but was no match for John Zappia in the Top Doorslammer final.

Troy McLean, right, made his trip from the Northern Territory worthwhile, winning Top Bike.

motorsport news

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Luke Nieuwhof Dirk Klynsmith

Luke Nieuwhof

35

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WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2 – MEXICO

36

ME

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EXICAN TAKE OUT Just when it looked as if Ford had adapted to the 2011 WRC regulations better than arch-rivals Citroen, the French came out and delivered a gravel smackdown

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FTER Rally Sweden there were those who though Citroen had seriously dropped the ball with the new World Rally Championship regulations. But in Mexico Sebastien Loeb proved that the DS3 won’t be a pushover in 2011, with a masterful win.

Citroen fired back hard on the gravel of Mexico, taking the challenge to – and well beyond – its chief rival Ford. From start to finish it was Citroens setting the pace – although for much of the rally it was the wrong Sebastien.

Instead of Loeb being the man to beat, Ogier came screaming out of the blocks on Day 1 and held a 1.6s lead by the day’s end.

It was thought that it might have been a tactical move by Loeb, to avoid running first on the road on Saturday, but at the end of Day 2, Ogier was still leading – by 10.8s.

But it all came crashing down for the younger Sebastien on the final day, when he went off the road on the Sunday morning’s first stage while pushing hard to ‘sweep’ the dusty roads. Ogier’s mistake took him out of the rally, handed Loeb the win, and allowed factory Ford duo Mikko Hirvonen and JariMatti Latvala to salvage a double podium out of a pretty unimpressive weekend.

“I’m very happy, because it was a very tight battle with Ogier all weekend,” said Loeb.

“It was the first gravel rally for this car, so we didn’t really know what the level of

performance would be compared to the Ford.

We were faster here.

“It was also good for me to score some points for the championship, [because] we didn’t have a good result in Sweden. Now we are back in the fight.”

As for Ogier, he was philosophical about his Day 3 crash.

“We went wide at the end of a corner, and we hit – I don’t know – a small ditch or small rocks, and it broke my front-left wheel,” he said.

“The impact was not so big, but that’s rallying, you have to stay on the road. I was pushing very hard this morning because I was cleaning the road. I made a mistake. When you are driving like this there is risk, and it can happen.

I play with the game, and this time I lost.”

As is always the case with gravel rallying, there were some hard luck stories. Matthew Wilson was running a very credible fourth early in the rally, only to have an electrical problem force him to retire on the Friday night. By that stage, fellow Ford driver Ken Block had also retired with electrical problems – twice – causing Ford to rethink how it was wiring the fans into it’s electrical loom.

Petter Solberg was also poised to be in the lead fight, which might have seen Citroen lock out the podium. However, after running third in Day 1, he lost seven minutes on SS6 after his DS3 lost power. motorsport news

race

From Lyon to Leon: Seb Loeb took a fifth consecutive win in Mexico, above left, but Mikko Hirvonen was smiling too, thanks to a fortunate second place, left. As for the number twos, Jari-Matti Latvala took a quiet third place, above, and Seb Ogier, right, crashed during the final loop of stages.

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39

NASCAR ROUND 3 - LAS VEGAS, NV

The

Gamble

In a fashion befitting the gambling capital of the wo Edwards rolled the dice in Las Vegas – and came up

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er

C

ARL Edwards has won three of his last five Sprint Cup starts and suddenly, the Ford man looks like one to beat in the 2011 season.

After a heartbreaking run in Phoenix, in which he got wrecked by Kyle Busch, Edwards rebounded nicely from a laterace scare. With the race seemingly in his grasp with six laps to go, he sent a shudder though his team with a radio communication.

“I hate to say this, but the engine sounds a little funny at the top end ... if you want me to take it a little easier.”

His crew needn’t have worried. The #99 Roush Fenway Ford was two seconds up on the field at that point and anyone with ambitions of running Edwards down had other problems to

orld, Carl a winner.

FORD Media

FORD Media

NASCAR Media

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High roller: Carl Edwards celebrates a big win at Las Vegas, main, inset. Edwards battles with Marcos Ambrose on what was an impressive weekend for the Australian, below.

41

Vegas baby: Matt Kenseth leads Ambrose (inset right) at the start, main. Denny Hamlin runs inside Kasey Kane and Joey Logano, inset top. Tony Stewart was solid in second place, inset below, but there was trouble for Kurt Busch, below centre. Las Vegas pit complex offers fans a great overhead view of the pit garages, below right.

NASCAR media

NASCAR media

42

motorsport news

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TOYOTA Media FORD Media

deal with – and they were called Tony Stewart. Smoke was the only man to look worthy of challenging Edwards for the win – indeed, the Chevy man led a race-high 166 laps – but he snagged an air hose during his penultimate fuel stop and the resulting drive-through penalty put him at the back of the pack, with a lot of ground to make up. That he made it through to second shows what speed the #14 had over the final 100 laps of the race.

For once, there were no yellow flags at the end of the race, leaving Edwards to lead Stewart, Juan Pablo Montoya and Marcos Ambrose home.

“If you look at the way we qualified and we ran, the Fords are really strong at the moment,” Edwards said after his 19th career win.

“This is the best start to a season that I have ever had. I felt like we had a top-20 car today and I am really excited about the rest of the season.”

It was a great weekend for Ambrose. The

Tasmanian’s Petty Ford qualified second, his best position on an oval, and he raced with the leaders all day.

“It was a great day; it was a great first topfive for RPM,” Ambrose said.

“I have to thank Richard Petty for believing in me and giving me a shot, as well as Stanley for getting behind us.

“It is going to be a great year. We had great pit stops and a good crew today.

“There was a ton of good energy out here today, I am really happy with the finish.”

In a rare green flag finish, the other cars that looked like possible threats to Edwards never got into a position to prove it. Kyle Busch had no luck at home, losing an engine on lap 108; Jeff Gordon ended his race in the wall and polesitter Matt Kenseth cut a tyre on lap 13. By the time he got into position to get back his lost lap, the race was past the 200-lap mark, and he was out of contention.

The other Roush car to show speed was that of Greg Biffle, but a refuelling mistake saw him run out of fuel on the track.

FORD Media

Results :: Kobalt Tools 400, Las Vegas, NV

TOYOTA Media

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

No. 99 14 42 9 39 56 11 88 22 83

Driver Carl Edwards Tony Stewart Juan Pablo Montoya Marcos Ambrose Ryan Newman Martin Truex Jr Denny Hamlin Dale Earnhardt Jr Kurt Busch Brian Vickers

Make Ford Chevy Chevy Ford Chevy Toyota Toyota Chevy Dodge Toyota

Team Fenway Roush Stewart Haas Earnhardt Ganassi Petty Motorsports Stewart Haas Waltrip Joe Gibbs Hendrick Penske Red Bull

Sponsor Scotts Mobil 1 Clorox Stanley Haas Automation NAPA Auto FedEx Amp Energy Pennzoil Platinum Red Bull

Qual.

3 13 23 2 8 9 11 33 22 19

Top 10 Points: Stewart/Kurt Busch 113, Edwards/Montoya 106, Newman 103, Menard 96, Truex/Hamlin 95, Allmendinger 94, Dale Earnhardt Jr 91, Ambrose 76 (17th)

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43

Allerton continues charge ASBK VICTORIAN Glenn Allerton carried the momentum of last week’s Phillip Island clean sweep by winning Round 2 at Symmons Plains Tasmania. Wayne Maxwell and Josh Waters rounded out the Superbike podium.

Allerton, on the Procon Maxima BMW, set the fastest lap in the two Friday practice sessions and was the only rider to break the 53s barrier, before Jamie Stauffer (Team Honda) topped the two qualifying sessions.

In Superpole, Wayne Maxwell (Team Honda) came out on

top, and he would start the opening race from pole, with Josh Waters (Team Suzuki), Allerton and Stauffer completing the front row.

Fresh from his World Superbike run at Phillip Island, Waters won the opening race for the weekend on his Suzuki after the lead continually changed between a five-bike lead pack. Waters also broke the lap record along the way with a time of 53.475s. Maxwell and Allerton completed the podium.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better result for my first race,” Waters, who missed the ASBK season opener, said.

“I didn’t get a great start but knew the bike would be strong so kept at the leaders. I was able to get by with a few laps to go and from then it was a matter of riding smart.”

Allerton extended his points lead with a dominant Race 2 win on Sunday afternoon.

After being Hindered by a brake problem in the opener, Allerton bounced back winning by a 1.444s over Maxwell and Stauffer.

Maxwell took the lead from pole and controlled the race until mid-distance when Allerton pounced. Stauffer was a further 0.093s behind Maxwell.

“I felt really comfortable on the bike today,” said Allerton, who leads the series by 23 points.

“The problem with the front brake in race 1 cost me a chance to attack and I knew I had to make it up this afternoon.

“We pulled together as a team and got it done, thanks to everyone involved for a huge effort this weekend.”

The second Supersport round was taken out by Christian Casella (Triumph Daytona), from Brodie Waters (Team Suzuki) and Rick Olson (Yamaha Racing).

– DAVID CLIFFORD

Maiolo’s Emotional George Tatnell Cup SPEEDWAY AFTER a challenging World Series Sprintcars national campaign, Ricky Maiolo returned to his home venue, Adelaide’s Speedway City, for the running of the prestigious George Tatnell Sprintcar Cup which coincided with Round 11 of the Revolution Racegear Track Championship Series.

Upon returning, Maiolo had a solid run through the heats to land a front row start for what would be a crash-riddled main event. From there, he powered on to claim his maiden Open Sprintcar feature in dominating

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style, finishing half a lap clear of Steven Caruso, who was also returning in a new car and team after his former car owner closed the team over a month ago.

Fellow front-row starter David Murcott faltered at the start to drop back, before consolidating the final step on the podium. Finishing in fifth and sixth respectively were two former Australian Formula 500 Champions, Jason Loveday and Luke Dillon, who now takes the point score lead over Daniel Pestka, Jamie Cobby and Brad Keller, who all failed to finish the main event. Also finishing

on the sidelines were Philip March, Leith Ahlfors, Matt Egel and Luke Bowey, who was running as high as third during the feature before blowing a tyre at a red light stoppage.

Running at the same event was Round 11 of the 360 Sprintcar Series, the City of Playford / Mayor of Gawler 360 Sprintcar Cup. Just like last week, Australian Champion Alan Barlee greeted the chequered flag first but after the event he was put back two positions for allegedly passing on the infield.

Craig Vanderstelt was next to cross the line however

he was also relegated two places for a racing incident, which handed the victory to Mark Caruso, with Barlee and Vanderstelt awarded second and third respectively. Michael Lovegrove produced his best finish for the series to claim fifth, nestled between the series leader Shane Hendry and his cousin Jamie Hendry.

Rookie driver Tyson Chambers was next and rounding out the top 10 finishers were Victorian Colin Barker, Chris Evans and New South Welshman Brendan Guerin.

– PARIS CHARLES

motorsport news

race

Geoff Gracie

David Clifford

Madsen wins Shootout SPEEDWAY

Paris Charles

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KERRY Madsen took out the 2011 Krikke Boys Shootout at Western Australia’s Bunbury Speedway.

A star-studded field assembled for the 14th running of the race, but it was Madsen who emerged on top in the 35-lap final. On the opening night, Saturday, Ryan Farrell took out the preliminary A Main after a late charge.

Starting first, Shaun Bradford led the majority of the race ahead of Ken Sartori,

but that all changed with a lapand-a-half remaining. Farrell passed Sartori, then Bradford in quick succession, going on to take the win while Sartori also got past Bradford.

Sunday night was about Madsen, though. Starting seventh, he progressed through the field to take the win, ahead of Krikke Motorsports driver Brooke Tatnell and Farrell. Luch Monte took fourth ahead of Jason Kendrick, while Robbie Farr was the early pace-setter before retiring with a flat leftrear tyre.

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motorsport news

t o p S Odd

rear of grid

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD AND, from our only-in-NASCAR file …

Morgan Shepherd was in Las Vegas last week – not for the sins of gamblin’ and drinkin’, y’understand, as befits a man who daily read is The Good Book. No, Morgan was in town for the Sam’s Town 300 round of the Nationwide Series.

It seems that Shepherd and his wife Cindy were frequenting the local Walmart when they witnessed a robbery in progress.

Three alleged ne’er-do-wells were legging it out of the shop doors, with Walmart Security in hot pursuit.

So, Morgan leaps into action, a LVPD cop (recognising him) tosses him a pair of handcuffs and the guards, the plods and the racing driver hotfoot it after the perps.

And, Shepherd got his man, tackling one of the three escapees and detaining him.

“I cuffed him and sat on top of him,” Shepherd explained in a press release on (what else?) RaceWithFaith.com.

“The police department officers showed up and asked if I could hold him a while longer while they ran down the others.

I told them he wasn’t going anywhere.”

Being a caring Christian, Shepherd used his time with the teenager to underline the poor choices the boy had made.

“I told him he shouldn’t be stealing stuff,” Shepherd said.

“There is just too much of this stuff going on.”

Here is the fun part. The kid he tackled was 19. Morgan Shepherd is 69. He exercises every day and is racing in his 44th NASCAR season.

The moral of the story; if you are fleeing the scene of the crime and you see Morgan Shepherd behind you, relax, stop and, maybe, pray that you stole earplugs …

ly youths, Speaking of unru tty out of Josh Wise got pre o ... during to s a g e V in l o tr n co ce! the Nationwide ra

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