Motorsport eNews Issue 219 - August 23-29, 2011

THE WORLD OF MOTORSPORT DIRECTLY TO YOUR DESKTOP

Issue No. 219 August 23 - 29 2011

GOOD TO BE GREEN HOLDSWORTH SET TO SIGN WITH FPR – DETAILS INSIDE ARE V8 SUPERCARS GOING TO RACE IN THE PHILIPPINES? WHAT DID TEAMS DO IN THE 15 MINUTE BREAK AT QR?

BUMPER 57 PAGE ISSUE!

A SPECIAL SOUVENIR EDITION OF MOTORSPORT NEWS

MARCOS AMBROSE ON HIS BREAKTHROUGH WIN JUST HOURS AFTER WINNING AT WAKINS GLEN, AMBROSE SPOKE TO MN ABOUT MAKING THE LONG TREK TO VICTORY LANE

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PLUS: DAVID REYNOLDS’ GUIDE TO MOTOR RACING FITNESS, GARTH TANDER GOES TRUCKING MAD IN THE HRT TRANSPORTER, AN EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH MCLAREN’S MARTIN WHITMARSH, LOEB V OGIER: INSIDE THE CIVIL WAR AT CITROEN, IRISH V8 SUPERCAR DRIVER ROBERT CREGAN, INSIDE THE CAMS RISING STARS, THE CIK STARS OF KARTING, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

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A V8 Marsupialcar or a V8 Superkoala? Whatever ,you decide, but there was at least one non-paying spectator at Queensland Raceway ...

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Issue No. 219 | 23-29 August 2011

news 4

BottLee-O Holdsworth in green in 2012 6 ‘R’ drivers for 100, please Terry Reindler, Reynolds in the mix 8 Hallam Racing Team Ex-F1, NASCAR man for HRT 10 The Bewitching quarter-hour How SBR used its 15 minutes 12 Girl [Formula 1] Power Renault tests Maria de Villota

chat 24 Five Minutes With ...

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Ryan Walkinshaw

comment 26 Denyer: Back in the cockpit 27 AVL: I love Bumps

race 28 V8 Supercars 38 Fujitsu V8s 42 Formula Fords 44 Aussie Racers 46 NASCAR + Nationwide

trade 56 Classifieds 3

HOLDSWORTH TO FPR IN 2012 V8 SUPERCARS

LEE Holdsworth is set to sign on the dotted line at Rod Nash Racing in the very near future, despite a late bid from Stone Brothers Racing for his services in 2012. eNews understands that contracts were close to being drawn up for Holdsworth over the Queensland Raceway weekend, with an agreement imminent. The deal will see the Garry Rogers Motorsport driver move into a factory-spec FPRFG Falcon, backed by The Bottle-O, in 2012.

Neither Ford Performance Racing nor Holdsworth would confirm the deal when approached by eNews in Queensland, although FPR boss Tim Edwards did confirm that he had spoken to Holdsworth. He denied that a deal was done, which, on Saturday, was officially the case. However, we understand the paperwork should be sorted soon – perhaps even as soon as this week.

“We want to sort [the new driver] as soon as we can,” Edwards told eNews.

“Because we want to have the right driver for the job. But as we stand here, there is no paperwork whatsoever.”

Holdsworth added that he wanted to have a deal done soon, but stopped short of naming an exact deadline for having his 2012 plans officially sorted.

“No I haven’t put a timeline on it,” said Holdsworth.

“But I keep saying that I want to get it done as soon as I can, just to put all of the media speculation to rest. Then I can concentrate on the biggest two races of the year – Phillip Island and Bathurst.

“I don’t want to put a timeline on it. I don’t want to put myself under pressure, because this is such a huge decision. I haven’t wanted to rush.

“I’m getting a better feeling on where I’m going, or what I’m doing, each day.

“It’s great to be wanted. I certainly wouldn’t want to be in a position where I’m not wanted. In that way it’s been excellent. But it’s really hard work.”

As of the QR weekend, Holdsworth was still in talks with SBR about taking over car #4 from Alex Davison in ’12.

However, despite a serious play by SBR, it would seem that FPR has won the race to sign Holdsworth, also ending speculation that David Reynolds would jump ship from Kelly Racing to FPR (see separate story).

The Holdsworth/FPR deal is also likely to keep Davison in an SBR drive for at least one more year. eNews also understands that Kelly Racing and Brad Jones Racing also spoke to Holdsworth about acquiring his services in 2012, but never got close to a deal.

CAR OF LEE’S FUTURE CAR of the Future has been a key factor as Lee Holdsworth has made decisions on his immediate future in the V8 Supercar Championship.

Holdsworth told eNews in Queensland that he has been tracking how potential suitors have been looking at the COTF project, so that his next move – set to be with Rod Nash Racing and Ford Perfornance Racing – will be a championship winner.

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“You need to look at Car of the Future. You need to look for a team that’s going to get on top of that quickly,” Holdsworth said.

“So you have to weight it all up. It’s not as easy as looking at who’s got the best shot at winning a championship right now. It’s a matter of who’s going to get on top of all the new changes that V8 Supercars are bringing in for the future.” motorsport news

NEWS

MARCOS WINS!

TWICE! NASCAR

MARCOS Ambrose’s reputation as the best road course racer in NASCAR has been underlined, twice, in the last week with his maiden Sprint Cup win and fourth win in the Nationwide Series.

Ambrose dominated the Watkins Glen round of the Sprint Cup, held last Monday because of rain on Sunday, fighting off Kyle Busch to score his first win at NASCAR’s higest level. On Saturday, he backed that up with his first win in the Nationwide event at Montreal, a venue that has done seemingly everything to prevent him from winning in three previous attempts.

“To win two in two weeks is just awesome,” Ambrose said.

“I just can’t thank these guys enough for the opportunity; I’ve wanted to win here for so long. In the past I have felt pretty hard done by, but this year the race went my way. I didn’t lead as many laps, but I led the most important one.”

With his Cup win, Ambrose became only the fourth foreign-born driver to win in the sport’s 60-year history. In an exclusive interview, in this Wednesday’s edition of Motorsport News, Ambrose reflects on his six years in NASCAR, his near-misses and what convinced him he was on the right track when he joined Richard Petty Motorsports at the start of the 2011 season.

Andrew Hall

www.mnews.com.au

5

Karl Digs In V8 SUPERCARS

Dirk Klynsmith

KARL Reindler is prepared to fight for his position in the V8 Supercar Championship next season, despite Russell Ingall looming as a threat to his seat at Brad Jones Racing.

Ingall is expected to be on the market in 2012, with BJR a potentially suitable home for the veteran and his Supercheap Auto backing.

But Reindler put forward a good case to remain part of the team in Queensland, qualifying fifth fastest on Saturday morning before finishing ninth in Race 16, and 16th in Race 17 after being taken out by Alex Davison.

According to the West Aussie, the confidence-boosting turn of speed couldn’t have come at a better time, with the Silly Season about to reach overdrive.

“It’s important for me to stay in the series,” said Reindler.

“It’s my second year, and we’ve had some good results. Obviously since the big accident in Perth my confidence has been a bit dented, but after [Saturday’s] results, it helps my position. It doesn’t solidify anything, but it certainly helps us when we’re working out what we will do next year.”

While Reindler had no comment on BJR’s plans for 2012, or whether Ingall might replace him, he did admit that he would love to stay at BJR. “I’ve always been one for consistency.

You build relationships with team members and engineers, so I’d love to stay at Brad Jones Racing, but as it stands, it’s been one-year contracts at a time.

“Nothing has been finalised for 2012, but I’d like to think that if I can put in another few solid performances with the endurance rounds coming up, then I can be a candidate.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

V8 SUPERCARS LOOKS TO PHILIPPINES V8 SUPERCARS V8 SUPERCARS is eyeing a move to the Philippines, and it could be as soon as 2013.

The category’s CEO Martin Whitaker addressed local press at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last week, stating that the Philippines is a strong chance to become part of V8 Supercars’ ongoing international expansion.

“We are looking for new venues to race and clearly, we are interested in racing in the Philippines,” said Whitaker at the press briefing.

“We believe in the potential of the Philippines since it is appealing to us in terms of television coverage because of its proximity in Australia.”

“We will help them find a promoter and also assist them for any government assistance

they need in order to hold the event,” added PSC commissioner Joaquin Loyzaga.

Toleman Motorsport Management, former category managers of Australia’s MINI Challenge, is involved in organising the event, while the Clark International Speedway, 90km from Manila, has been named as a potential venue.

“It would be great to be able to go to that region,” said Triple

Eight boss Roland Dane in Queensland on the weekend.

“The Philippines suits [Australia] from a time zone point of view ideally, and it’s somewhere that nobody else is going to; there are no big racing categories going there.

There is a facility which has been developed, [so] if it could all come together and make sense for us to do it, then absolutely, it would be great for us.”

Design Engineer Ford Performance Racing (FPR) is currently seeking an innovative Design Engineer that will compliment our existing engineering group based in Campbellfield.

This role consists of design work and project engineering as part of FPR’s ongoing R&D program.

Located at our impressive facility in Campbellfield, FORD PERFORMANCE RACING is seeking a Design Engineer.

This key role will suit those who seek a challenge and strive for excellence in their field, producing highly competitive cars for the team’s V8 Supercar programs.

To be successful for this position the candidate would require: v Degree in Mechanical Engineering v Experience in design within the automotive, motorsport or aerospace industry, UG NX CAD software proficiency preferable. v Proven application of technical abilities with design tasks. v Excellent communication skills. v Creative and thoughtful approach to solving engineering challenges. v Self motivated with high levels of initiative.

Please send application and resume to The Engineering Manager: mnilsson@fpr.com.au

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All candidates must demonstrate a “can do attitude”, be a team player, have flexibility in work hours and approach, along with the ability to work under minimal supervision and adhere to strict deadlines. You will be joining a world class racing team who has the passion and drive for on track success where the drive for performance is relentless, offering new challenges every day. A competitive salary package will be provided based on the successful candidates’ qualifications and experience.

www.fpr.com.au motorsport news

NEWS

V8 SUPERCARS

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REYNOLDS: I’M STAYING AT KELLY RACING

John Morris

DAVID Reynolds has confirmed – without question – that he will be a Kelly Racing driver in 2012.

Despite having another year left to run on his KR contract, Reynolds was, up until the weekend, being heavily linked to The Bottle-O Racing seat at Ford Performance Racing, which will be filled by Lee Holdsworth.

But on Friday at Queensland Raceway Reynolds made it clear that he will not be moving anywhere for next season.

“Absolutely [I’ll be staying],” said Reynolds.

“Whether it’s Stratco [as the sponsor], that’s up to the boys to get that across the line, but I believe they are almost there.”

When asked if he had spoken to Rod Nash about the FPR seat, Reynolds replied “who’s Rod Nash?”

Reynolds also said that he believed that Kelly Racing could deliver him a race winning car.

“My ultimate goal is to be champion,” said Reynolds.

“I’ve just got to get a good team around me and work really well with my engineer.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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HALLAM GETS HRT GIG V8 SUPERCARS

sutton-images.com

WALKINSHAW Racing’s search for a new CEO is over, with Steve Hallam to take over the role at the start of the 2012 season.

Hallam, a Brit based in the United States, is currently working as Executive Vice President for Competition at NASCAR squad Michael Waltrip Racing. At the end of the season he will head down under to take over the role that was held until earlier this year by Craig Wilson.

Before moving into NASCAR, Hallam worked in Formula 1. Having started at Lotus back in the 1980s, Hallam worked at McLaren until 2008.

According to WR head honcho Ryan Walkinshaw, an outside appointment was crucial to the decision making process.

“That was something we were really going for,” Walkinshaw told eNews.

“We didn’t really want to go internal to find someone. Obviously Mike has been doing a great job, and it’s a huge credit to him that he’s done so well through what’s been a difficult few months, but we said

when we started this whole process that we were going to try and find the best possible person we could find. And if that meant going international, then it meant going international.

“But it wasn’t a case of just trying to find someone from NASCAR, or trying to find some from Formula 1. We spoke to guys from all different genres of motorsport, and we ended up with Steve.”

TeamVodafone boss Roland Dane weighed into Hallam’s appointment during a press briefing at Queensland Raceway on Friday, questioning whether the former engineer would be able to make the switch into a CEO role.

“The guy’s got a [good] reputation,” said Dane.

“I’ve never seen any evidence that he can run a race team, but he’s a very capable race engineer. I first came across him at Lotus 20-something years ago when he was a very good race engineer there, and then went on to McLaren.

“As far as whether he can run a race team or not, time will tell.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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motorsport news

NEWS

TEAMS OPT TO AVOID COTF BUILD V8 SUPERCARS

ONLY two teams will assemble their own central roll cages when the Car of the Future is introduced to V8 Supercar racing in 2013.

The central roll cage/cabin area, a control spec component, will be built by Paul Ceprnich’s Pace Innovations company in Queensland, and will come in two configurations – complete or as a ‘flat-pack’ kit. While Kelly Racing and Walkinshaw Racing are set to assemble the metalwork themselves, the rest of the teams, including powerhouses Triple Eight Race Engineering, FPR and SBR, will be buying the ready-built product straight from Pace Innovations.

“There is no point building a jig

for the central part of the cage, because the jig you would use for that, you won’t need again,” FPR boss Tim Edwards told eNews.

“So why manufactur a jig for the central part of the roll cage?

Because if you damage that, then the rest of the car is in the bin anyway.

“So we’ll focus out attention on everything forward of the firewall, and everything behind the main hoop. All of that will come in a flatpack sort of thing.

“I’ve been working closely with Ceprnich since we started the FG process, so I’ve got a lot of faith in his ability. My guys work well with him, so we’ll be continuing down that similar path.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

GAUNT LOOKING TO MAIN GAME RETURN V8 SUPERCARS

DANIEL Gaunt is eyeing a move back to the V8 Supercar Championship – but he’s warned that he’ll only do it with the right team.

The young Kiwi drove with first-year squad Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport in 2010, but was sidelined midseason after a poor run of results. He returned to racing this year, running with Melbourne Performance Centre in Carrera Cup and signing an endurance race deal with the Stone Brothers Racing-run Lucky 7 team.

Now, he is keen to break back into the main game, but is happy to wait for the right deal to come along.

“Yeah, I do want to be back in the main game,” he told eNews.

“I’m content with the way it is at the moment. I’ve got a great Carrera Cup deal going, and I’m with Tim [Slade] for the enduros with SBR … and two races in a really good car is better than 14 in an average car. So, at the moment, I’m content.

“But if the right opportunity was to come up, I’d love to be back in the main game full-time. I’m fit and fighting.”

While seats are filling fast for 2012, there are still vacancies likely to appear at Paul Morris Motorsport, Garry Rogers Motorsport, and Brad Jones Racing.

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

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NEWS

Dirk Klynsmith

NEWS EXTRA – V8’S HALF TIME

Stone Brothers Racing tech head PAUL FORGIE offers his insight into how SBR tackled the 15-minute break between races on Saturday in Queensland V8 SUPERCARS THE new format for the two Saturday races at Queensland Raceway was a new challenge for all the teams.

The drivers had to make the soft tyre go the distance, but with a short race and no pit-stop they had to be quite aggressive to move forward, while keeping in mind they need to bring the car back in good shape, as there was only 15 minutes to have it fixed and ready for Race 2.

The SP Tools Racing Pit crew were all well drilled, ready for any circumstance that may have arisen during Race 1 to make sure they

got Shane back out on time for Race 2.

Fortunately, we had a smooth run. We finished Race 1 up six spots from where we started. Shane brought the car back in brand new condition, the boys re-fuelled well under the allowed three minutes, leaving 10 minutes to make any changes, and two minutes to get Shane back in the car ready to roll out for Race 2.

Shane and I had quick debrief while the fuel was going in. Normally, the debrief is a lot more involved with notes, track maps and reviewing data. It can be hours before any changes are made to the car.

So I had to have several pre-planned

changes ready to give Shane what he needed for the second race. We needed some more turn-in the slow speed corners, so we made three changes to the rear suspension and one to the front. They were all very quick, easy adjustments, with no risk of taking longer than expected, ensuring there was no panic and we were ready with time to spare.

It was good to mix it up – it keeps everyone on their toes. If we had a lot of damage I know the SBR crew would of got our cars back out, but it wouldn’t be much fun if the tight turnaround stopped us from starting the second race.

MORRIS LOOKS TO FV8s FOR ’12 DRIVER V8 SUPERCARS PAUL Morris expects his next driver to come from the current Fujitsu Series field.

The V8 Supercar team owner is on the lookout for a new fulltime driver to replace the departing Russell Ingall in 2012. Through Morris’ own participation in the Fujitsu

Series in one of the team’s older Commodores, he’s wellplaced to look at prospective replacements, and he likes what he’s seeing – citing Andrew Thompson’s qualifying lap-time at Queensland Raceway and David Russell as examples.

“I’m looking for a new driver for next year, so what better chance to find one amongst all

of these young blokes?” Morris, who finished second for the round at QR, said.

“There are plenty of guys doing a good job out there. The top five guys could make it in the Main Game – and there’s a few in there who should get out and give these guys a crack.

“You’ve got to look to the future, young guys are where

it’s at.

“I’m talking to a few drivers, I’ve definitely approached guys from the Fujitsu Series, and they’re talking to me.”

Morris also confirmed his team were building up their third Triple Eight shell for Steve Owen to debut later in the year, with Morris to takeover Owen’s existing VE in the Fujitsu Series.

MORE RUBBER FOR ENDURANCE RACES V8 SUPERCARS V8 TEAMS are to get additional practice and race tyres for the endurance races.

The V8 Supercar Commission agreed at 10

the weekend to allow an extra set of preused tyres for practice at both races, to ensure enough usable rubber for co-driver miles, and an extra set (from seven to eight) of new tyres for Bathurst.

The latter follows the increased number of stints in the 1000km race thanks to the higher consumption of E85 fuel, and is to ensure teams have the opportunity to have a fresh set for each stint. motorsport news

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11

BERNIE CALM OVER INDIAN GP DEBUT FORMULA 1

one of the nicest we have and that it’s going to be complete on time,” Ecclestone told reporters. “We are checking

everything all the time, on a daily basis. We are very, very happy that everything is on time. There are no problems.”

SUTTONS Images

SOME people may harbour doubts over India’s readiness to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix but Bernie Ecclestone is not one of them.

The F1 boss recently told reporters that he was confident that all would be in readiness for the maiden Indian GP at the new Buddh International Circuit, well in time for the race on October 30.

The track’s final inspection,

by FIA delegate Charlie Whiting, has been put back and will now take place next month. But Ecclestone is making noises that he expects all to be in place well before

the teams arrive on the subcontinent for the first time.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the circuit is going to be

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

SON DAUGHTER OF A GUN FORMULA 1

RENAULT Media

SUTTONS Images

WE have seen sons of Grand Prix drivers following in their father’s footsteps – but this is something new.

Spaniard Maria de Villota broke new ground last week when she tested a Renault R29 car at Paul Ricard in France. She is the daughter of Emilio de Villota, who competed in 15 Grands Prix between 1976 and 1982 (Pictured inset).

Maria, who races for Atletico Madrid in the Superleague Formula, drove the two-year old car to familiarise herself with the

12

controls of a modern GP car.

“As a female driver, I was very happy to get the opportunity to drive in a Formula 1 car,” said de Villota, 32.

“Formula 1 is the pinnacle of motor racing and has always been a dream for me.

“The running went very well, conditions were ideal, and the team made me feel at ease straight away,” she added. “It did not take too long to get used to the car and, after I felt comfortable with it, I was able to start pushing and, as a result, really enjoyed the experience.”

Katherine Legge was the last lady driver to try a modern F1 car, when she drove a Minardi at Vallelunga in 2005. motorsport news

NEWS

COULTHARD KEPT BUSY IN A BULL

FORMULA 1

RED BULL Media

DAVID Coulthard has not been idle in the break between Grands Prix.

The racer-turnedcommentator lit up the streets of Austin Texas last week, demonstrating a Red Bull showcar to the locals who, it is hoped, will buy tickets to the maiden United State GP at the new Circuit of the Americas in 2012.

The Scot made several passes up Congress Avenue toward the Capitol, and performed a couple

of donuts before returning to his RBR mechanics at 17th Street.

Coulthard said that he appreciated the chance to see what the city, almost unknown in motor racing circles a year ago, was like.

“When they said Austin, I had no idea what Austin represented and Texas and why it would work,” Coulthard said. “And now I completely get it. This is a vibrant venue, it’s a young venue, and there’s a real understanding here of European events and world affairs in the people that I’ve come across.”

McLAREN ON THE MOVE SUTTONS Images

FORMULA 1 RED Bull Racing goes to Spa this weekend with a big lead over its rivals but the signs are there that McLaren is poised to strike.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, who between them have won three of the last five GPs, are making confident noises in the lead-up to the race, traditionally held on the flat-out swweps near the Ardennes forest.

“We go to Spa in a pretty good place.

We’ve won the last two races and the car feels strong,” said Hamilton, currently lies third in the Drivers’ championship.

“Our aim will be to put pressure on the championship frontrunners, particularly Red Bull,” said Button, who is fourth, 12 points behind Hamilton. www.mnews.com.au

Hamilton won at Spa last year to take the championship lead, in spite of the fact that McLaren played catchup to Red Bull Racing in the first half of the season. This year, with Sebastian Vettel 85 points clear of the opposition – still more than three GP wins – the task looks much harder than it was 12 months ago.

But there is a story in the pointscores.

Vettel won six of the first eight races, but with one in the last five, it could be said that Vettel appears vulnerable. But after Monaco, his points lead was 58 points; after Button won in Canada, it was 60; Vettel stretched it to 77 after winning at Valencia; it hit 80 despite Alonso’s British GP win. Mark Webber trimmed the gap back to 77 after beating Vettel – to third, behind Hamilton and Alonso – at the Nurburgring; the German restored it, to 85,

with second in Hungary.

By the way, Vettel’s fourth at home was his worst result of the year, and his worst since Korea last year.

Vettel may have dominated the first eight races with pure speed, but it might just be consistency and reliability that wins the title – and he has more of those than everyone else. So long as different drivers take it in turns to be beat him, he will remain in control of the World Championhip.

The real fight is for second, with Webber, Hamilton, Alonso and Button covered by 15 points. If those four fight it out for the win in Belgium, there could yet be a fight in the second half of the championship.

No matter who wins, if Vettel is on the podium, again, thoughts may start turning to 2012 ...

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NASCAR media

INDYCAR

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NEW HAMPSHIRE RESULTS UNDER REVIEW

IZOD Indycar media

INDYCAR has appointed a panel to investigate whether the results of the Indy 225 at New Hampshire should be modified.

NH Motor Speedway general manager Jerry Gappens, USAC chairman Jeff Stoops and former USAC president Rollie Helmling will form the threeman committee that will rule on a number of protests tomorrow, US time. The protests have been lodged by Newman/Haas and Team Ganassi against Ryan Hunter-Reay’s victory in last week’s race, which ended in farce when IndyCar president of competition Brian Barnhart ordered a race restart, despite the fact that the track was wet.

Both Oriol Servia and Scott Dixon had passed Hunter-Reay during the few seconds that the track was ‘green’ before the race was stopped. Barnhart changed the results to the running order prior to the restart, in spite of no rule permitting such an occurrence to take place.

motorsport news

NEWS

CLEARED FOR LANDING NASCAR

INDYCAR HO-PIN Tung will return to Indycar competition this weekend at Infineon in a deal that will see Paul Tracy race at Las Vegas.

Tung tried to make his debut with Dragon Racing at Indy in May, but after crashing out during qualifying, was replaced

by veteran Patrick Carpentier.

Tung will rejoin the Jay Penskeowned team after testing last week at the California track.

Tracy confirmed his ride with Dragon for the IndyCar finale.

“We had Sonoma on the board with Dragon,” he said, “but we switched it around so now I’ll do ‘Vegas and Ho-Pin will be in the car [at Sonoma].”

IZOD Indycar media

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NASCAR media

TUNG SECURES SEAT FOR INFINEON

NASCAR media

MARCOS Ambrose’s second NASCAR win within a week was almost scuppered – by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Ambrose and Trevor Bayle hitched a ride in Carl Edwards’s Cessa Citation jet to fly from Michigan to Montreal to compete in the Nationwide race. But after delay, caused

by Edwards leaving his US passport behind, an air display by the RCAF almost prevented the three drivers, plus a Roush Fenway crewman, from getting a helicopter ride 16km to the track.

Race promoter Octane

Management was able to get airspace restrictions over the track lifted so that the four could land on the track’s helipad, from where they caught a speedboat to the back of the pits.

“That was awesome,” Edwards said as he headed to the event office to sign on.

All three drivers used substitutes for practice and qualifying, Owen Kelly qualifying Ambrose ninth, Billy Johnson 14th in the Edwards car and Michel Jourdain Jr qualifying Bayne’s car 17th. Starting from the rear of the grid, Ambrose won, Edwards was seventh and Bayne 23rd.

GO DADDY GOES WITH...

NASCAR DANICA Patrick and Mark Martin share a sponsor in GoDaddy. com – and next year, the pair could share a NASCAR Sprint Cup ride.

The Cup veteran, in his last season with Hendrick Motorsport, could play a role in the first lady of American racing stepping into NASCAR full-time next season. An announcement is expected, possibly this week, that Patrick will run a full Nationwide program with JR Motorsports next year and as many as nine Sprint Cup races, likely with Stewart Haas Racing, which could also run an Indianapolis 500 entry with Chevrolet backing.

Martin said on the weekend that his 2012 plans are unclear.

“I have nothing, and it don’t matter,” Martin told Scene Daily last Friday.

“I’ll have nothing until I have something. You guys [the press] don’t even need to ask because there is absolutely goose egg going on. There ain’t no hiding [information], no nothing. I think there will be shuffle, but it will be late. There’s going to be something for me. I’m not in a running for a full-time Cup ride; I never have even really wanted one.”

PANTANO SUBS FOR WILSON INDYCAR GIORGIO Pantano will return to IndyCar competition this week in California.

The Italian will replace the injured Justin Wilson for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the next two rounds at Infineon and the new street circuit in Baltimore.

Wilson suffered a back injury at Mid-Ohio, but expects to return to the cockpit for the final race of the season. Simon Paganeud and Tomas Scheckter raced the

D&R entry in the last two races.

“For me, this is a very good opportunity,” said Pantano, 32. “I want to say thank you to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing and the sponsors for giving me this opportunity. I’m here to do the best that I can as always and I look forward to the chance to compete in these two races.”

Pantano last raced an IndyCar in 2005, as a stand-in driver at Chip Ganassi’s team. He raced at Infineon and Watkins Glen, where he finished fourth.

15

STONES PLANNING FG FOR LATEST FV8 RACE WINNER FUJITSU V8s NEW Fujitsu Series race winner Scott McLaughlin is likely to step into an FG Falcon before the end of the year.

The Stone Brothers Racing youngster runs one of the team’s older BF Falcons, but a new FG is currently under

construction for Shane van Gisbergen. Barring any major damage to the team’s existing Main Game Falcons, Sandown’s FV8 round in November is set to be McLaughlin’s chance to step into an FG, likely to be van Gisbergen’s current ride.

“I think they’re looking at Sandown, if everything goes

to plan with the enduros for the Main Game boys,” McLaughlin, currently third in the FV8 points, said.

“It’s lucky for me that I might be able to get an FG, but the BF’s going pretty good at the moment, so we’ll keep it going.

It’s all panning out pretty well.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

James Smith

RODGERS LIKELY FOR FV8 ROLE FUJITSU V8s LOOK for Dale Rodgers to be named as the Fujitsu Series’ representative in meetings with the V8 Supercar Commission.

As previously reported by eNews, a new role has been created to represent the second-tier series to the newly formed commission. Following a series of competitor meetings, in Melbourne and at race meetings, Rodgers is set to fill that role.

In the most recent meeting, at Queensland 16

Raceway on Saturday night, Rodgers’ appointment was endorsed by competitors after a final presentation, and is now due to be ratified by V8 Supercars Australia.

Rodgers has a diverse background in Australian motorsport. A former owner of Revolution Racegear, Rodgers spent six years as CAMS’ representative on the FIA’s equipment group and has also been involved with the Australian National Drag Racing Association and the National Association of Speedway Racing. Among

his current interests, Rodgers manages V8 Supercar driver Steven Johnson and Fujitsu Series driver Tim Blanchard.

The role is part of a new communication direction designed to grow the series. A fivemember working group has been established to represent the competitor base to Rodgers, who will in turn liaise with the Commission.

Kevin Murphy, Matthew White, Michael Ritter, Taz Douglas and Aaron McGill are the inaugural members of the working group.

– MITCHELL ADAM motorsport news

NEWS

John Morris

Crennan in Black V8 SUPERCARS

JOHN Crennan has taken over as the CEO of Kelly Racing.

Crennan, best-known in the motor industry as the founding Managing Director of both the Holden Racing Team and Holden Special Vehicles, assumed the position last week following a review of the team’s operations.

Todd Kelly, who stood aside from the post, will now focus primarily on his role as the driver of the #7 Jack Daniel’s Holden

Commodore. He will retain is his position as an Alternate Member of the newly established V8 Supercars Commission.

“The sport is now so professional I realise I can no longer put myself at a disadvantage to my fellow drivers because of all my management duties,” said Todd Kelly.

“Therefore, we are introducing a number of changes in the team to make my revitalised driver focus a reality.”

“I continue to have a strongly held belief that Todd and Rick are the future of this

sport and their team will emerge as the next ‘super power’ in V8 Supercars, such are their capabilities and commitment to all facets of the business,” said Crennan.

“We have prepared a strong business plan for the next three years and these structural changes are just stage one of this plan.

“If these staff moves, and others that we will introduce, lighten the ownership and management load for Todd and Rick by even 33 percent, then this restructure will have been successful.”

MAKE YOUR DREAMS A REALITY It is quick, easy to drive and lots and lots of fun. The car flatters the driver, which is a huge achievement in a low volume car. The experience of the Roaring Forties engineers, formerly of Holden, is very plain to see. This is a special car!

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17

T8’S NEW DRIVER - THE BOSS! HISTORICS TRIPLE Eight Race Engineering is going into Historic Touring Car racing – through boss Roland Dane.

Dane used the mid-season break to return to his native UK, and while he was home he purchased a 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, built by Andy Rouse and formerly campaigned by Pete Hall in England. The car

will land in Australia in the next few weeks, and Dane says he is looking forward to doing some racing.

“It was built by Andy Rouse in the mid-1990s, so it’s illegal,” joked Dane.

“That should help me.

“I might have a play with it, I’ll wait and see. It’s quite amusing; I bought it at a historic auction at Silverstone, and my guys went to collect all the spare

parts from Pete Hall, the guy who raced it for many years in the UK. He said ‘you have to point out to Roland that the engine block is aluminium, not steel, and it’s got a bit of graphite paint on it in case the scrutineers use a magnet on it, which would explain why the car was quite as quick as it was.

“So I’m looking forward to having a play with that.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

NEW F3 RA COMING E FORMULA 3

AUSTRALIAN GT DAVID Russell will spend this week in Germany, shaking down an incoming GT3 Lamborghini and looking to build a European network.

The Fujitsu Series front-runner left Australia today, Monday, for Germany, where he’ll test a new Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 GT3, being imported by 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge champ Roger Lago. With Russell and car preparer Wayne Park, Lago will campaign the car at next year’s Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour, and is set to switch to the Australian GT Championship to race it fulltime.

“It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it!”

Russell joked.

“Roger has bought from Reiter Engineering a brand-new LP600 GT3-spec Lambo. I’ll be going to Hockenheim to do a test day in it and do the predelivery with them. I’m really excited, it’s going to be an awesome car to drive.

“It’ll be the first time I’ve actually driven a GT-spec Lamborghini. It’s going to be a quick car at the 12 18

sutton-images.com

DAVE’S ARDUOUS GIG

Hour. We’ve got a plan to do some test days in it, my involvement with it will be, obviously having the experience at Bathurst knowing how we’ll set the car up. Paul Ceprnich will be a big help to us as well.

“There’s already Lambos running around, the 560s and what not, but the 600’s going to be a good bit of kit when it comes around to the 12 Hour, I’m going to enjoy doing my stints, that’s for sure.”

During his week in Europe, Russell will look to touch base with some international contacts.

“I’ll make good opportunity while I’m over there to do the rounds of a few people that I’ve spoken to over there,” he said.

“It’s more so a few contacts that I’ve got over there, (manager) Paul’s [Marinelli] obviously got a few contacts in Germany, to really put a face to the name of the people I’ve been talking to. My main focus is getting into the Main Series for V8 Supercars, not racing something like DTM, but we’ll see what happens and comes from some interesting chats anyway.”

– MITCHELL ADAM

NEWER cars will be eligible to enter the Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship in 2012, one year sooner than originally scheduled.

Citing international interest as a factor, will welcome 2008generation cars – currently raced in British and European F3 – into the Australian championship next year, not in 2013, to join the existing 20052007 machinery.

The new cars will be eligible for the outright championship, but ‘Balance of Performance’ testing will be conducted to ensure the existing outright cars will remain competitive throughout 2012. It has already been determined that any 2008-generation Dallaras and Mygales will race at 550kg, up 10kg on the 2005-2007 machinery.

The championship will continue to run one generation behind Europe, and there will be no change to the National Class eligibility in 2012.

“This process has been carefully planned to ensure that owners with 2007-spec vehicles are not disadvantaged in the short-term,” Formula 3 motorsport news

NEWS

WARD OUT AFTER QR DEBACLE AUSSIE RACING CARS

sutton-images.com

ACERS EARLY

www.mnews.com.au

HARRISON EYES FV8 IN ‘12 FUJITSU SERIES AUSTRALIAN Formula Ford Championship driver Trent Harrison is eyeing a move into the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series next year.

Harrison made his national Formula Ford debut in late 2007, and made selected appearances before securing a fulltime ride as a CAMS Rising Star in 2011. Having headed north fourth in the points, the Victorian dropped to seventh in the standings after a tough round at Queensland Raceway last weekend.

He’s keen to move into the Fujitsu Series in 2012, and has strong links with Tony D’Alberto Racing, which fields a Commodore for David Wall. Harrison was among the substitute drivers for a Wilson Security Racing drive day at Eastern Creek while D’Alberto was honeymooning in Europe, and was due to drive D’Alberto’s car again today, Monday, in another sponsor ride day at Queensland Raceway.

“When I was racing in the Victorian state championship in 2007, we ran my car out of Tony’s workshop, that was the year he won the Development Series,” Harrison said.

“We’ve been mates since then, I do all of my physical training with him and spend a bit of time with him away from the track. I get along with him well.

“I’m pushing pretty hard to get into the Development Series. I want to do that next year, I don’t really want to do Formula Ford again. I did a ride day with Tony’s team at Eastern Creek recently, and moving forward from there, I’ll hopefully drive

John Morris / Mpix

Management’s Richard Craill said.

“Current vehicles in Australia will remain competitive for at least one further season as we phase in the 2008 cars gradually over the course of the season. For the championship it remains the best of both worlds and allows people to get new vehicles if they require whilst those with existing cars maintain their level of competitiveness and performance.

“The critical factors in allowing newer cars in one year earlier were the interest received from international competitors who all have the 2008-generation vehicles, both Dallaras and Mygales. This opens the championship up to them one year earlier than planned and allows them to compete at Bathurst, if they wish, in their own vehicles.

“We have had early discussions with international teams who have heard about F3 going to Bathurst and are keen to be part of it, and this was one of the things standing in their way. It’s no guarantee it will attract more cars to that event, in particular, but it makes it easier to do so.”

PHIL Ward has stood down from his role as a manager of the Aussie Racing Cars following Saturday afternoon’s startline drama at Queensland Raceway.

Concerned about oil and fluid on the circuit following several incidents in the preceding Fujitsu Series race, Ward drove past his grid spot (18th) and parked at the front of the pack as the rest of the field gridded up for Race 1, being broadcast live on Channel 7.

Ward exited his car and went to talk to a pitwall official, declaring the circuit unsafe for racing.

Meanwhile, a group of competitors at the rear of the 39-car field began to race briefly, before stopping, fortunately without incident. Ward eventually returned to his car and, along with those who had started, returned to his grid slot after an infield U-Turn before the shortened race got underway.

At a stewards hearing on Saturday, Ward was found guilty of two charges. He was excluded from the race meeting and fined $2000 for ignoring starters orders, while CAMS will determine his penalty for “bringing the sport into disrepute”.

On Sunday, a statement was posted on the Aussie Racing Car website, noting that “Phil Ward will be withdrawn from the competition and stand down from his Category role”.

His sons Brad and James, part of the existing management team, will now run the class.

“It is our understanding that Phil Ward’s actions as a competitor were designed to alert the other competitors and officials that there was oil on the circuit of which they may not have been aware,” the statement read.

“Whilst this may have been considered to be meritorious, Aussie Racing Cars management have deemed his course of action not to have been in the best interests of the various stakeholders.”

the car a few more times during the year and who knows?”

– MITCHELL ADAM For more with Harrison and CAMS Rising Star teammate Jack LeBrocq, check out the September edition of Motorsport News, out on Wednesday.

19

NEWS sutton-images.com

OGIER BREAKS LOEB’S GERMAN RECORD WORLD RALLYING

SEBASTIEN Loeb’s remarkable winning streak in Germany has come to an end.

The World Rally Champion was seemingly cruising towards an eighthstraight Rally Deutchsland win on the weekend when he suffered a puncture on Day 2, handing control over to his Citroen team-mate Sebastien Ogier.

Ogier cruised to the win by more than 40s, becoming the first driver other than Loeb to win a modern WRC event in Germany.

“I have to say that there was no way that victory in this rally was a foregone conclusion, as I was up against Seb, who has never lost in Germany and is always very quick on tarmac,” said Ogier.

“I’m absolutely delighted with this win as we’ve proved that we’re quick on this surface. It’s boosted our motivation for the end of the championship.”

“After my eight wins in Germany on the trot, there’s no way I can be pleased with second place,” added Loeb.

“I’ve been saying for the past few years that this series would come to an end – and it has! We were unlucky, but that’s racing.”

Loeb finished second, but it was the third placed finisher that turned heads.

Dani Sordo had a stand-out weekend aboard the new-for-2011 MINI, taking the final podium place, the brand’s first in the WRC. “The car is really good on tarmac,” said Sordo.

“We have a good set up and the suspension is perfect. Obviously we can improve and get the car better and better, but this weekend it was okay. We shall now work a lot to try and beat Citroen as well.”

MINI almost had three in the Top 10, with Kris Meeke battling for fifth with Petter Solberg before dropping out with a loss of power. Armindo Araujo brought home some more points for MINI in the Italia car with eighth.

While MINI had a good weekend out, Ford didn’t. Hirvonen finished fourth after suffering from poor tyre choices and punctures throughout the weekend. His team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala had similar problems, as well as a crash and an engine problem. He finished the weekend way down in 14th.

REEVES STRUGGLES IN GERMANY WORLD RALLYING BRENDAN Reeves has lost second place in the World Rally Championship Academy Cup, after a disappointing weekend in Germany.

Reeves started the weekend in 20

fast but furious style, recording good split times, but slipping off the road in each of the first two stages. A puncture then ended a fightback, with Reeves ending up 13th for the round.

“We had another long day in the car yesterday with some

incredibly challenging stages,” Reeves said.

“There was four stages each run twice. It was a really hot day and the competition was once again strong.” We pushed hard all day and had some promising times, but unfortunately we

couldn’t quite match the pace of the tarmac specialists.”

Reeves is now third in the WRC Academy standings.

His next outing will be Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour, despite it not being an Academy round. motorsport news

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NEWS

Jon Van Daal

COUNT TO FIVE DRAG RACING

ROBERT Campisi broke a drag racing barrier at the NSW Championships at Sydney Dragway yesterday.

Campisi in his 632 cubic inch big block Ford turbocharged

Ford Mustang ran Australia’s first turbo five second Doorslammer pass with a 5.975 elapsed time at a whopping 254.52 mph. He was competing during eliminations for the Top Sportsman bracket there and was jubilant after the run.

Seto ready to Unleash XB on Masters

22

“We have been running quicker and quicker”, he told the track announcer upon his return.

The car runs a two speed Powerglide transmission and apparently this is a world record for this combination of engine and transmission.

The record pass followed a morning 6.05/246 mph lap and high hopes for a quicker time were dashed on the following run when the car shook the parachutes out at half-track slowing the Mustang.

– JON VAN DAAL

TOURING CAR MSTRS THIS is the Bad Boy that Glenn Seton will unleash on the Muscle Car Masters next month.

Seto will race the Speed FX Racing 1973 XB Falcon Hardtop, which has been built over recent months by some of the best in the business in this country. The car features a 351 Cleveland V8 engine, and will be a step up for the twotime Australian Touring Car Champion.

“We still have a fair bit of work to do but the chassis is all but finished and the engine should be ready in time for the event,” said the car’s owner, Jim Morton.

“We have missed three rounds and will be going to the event with no shakedown, so we will be using the event as an extended test. I would never have thought that building 70s muscle car could take so much time, but I am really thankful and proud of all the work that has been done by so many people.” motorsport news

Fathers Day NEW RELEASE AVAILABLE AUGUST

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Vol .9 revisits the 1981 Australian Endurance Championship races at Adelaide International Raceway and Surfers Paradise International Raceway. This was the time when the legendary Peter Brock faced renewed competition from old rival Allan Moffat in his Mazda RX7, new Ford force Dick Johnson and Kevin Bartlett’s Chev Camaro. Also from the vaults of ABC are television three classic races, once again from Warwick Farm with Sports Sedans action in 1969 followed

by Improved Production touring cars, along with Series Production both from 1970.

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21 Years of Holden Racing Team 2 disc set

Disc One This DVD was orginial released in 2004, and examines the origins of the HRT with Tom Walkinshaw Racing. You will meet the drivers who brought the team so much success, recapture the great moments in the Championship and at Bathurst, along with the people behind the team.

Disc Two This DVD is a very special tribute to the founder of HRT, Tom Walkinshaw, who passed away in December 2010.

On this DVD hosted by Will Hagon, we look at Tom’s first visit to Bathurst in 1984, and then his triumphant return the following year.

Celebrating 40 Years of the GT-HO Phase 3 Armorall Bathurst 12 Hour race highlights

Ford boasts a rich heritage both in Australain motor racing and in the performance road car and muscle car scene. This single DVD contains three classic documentaries that showcase this Australian automotive icon, the Falcon GT. The Racing History of the Australian Falcon GT-HO. 30 years of the Falcon GT The Legend.

Ford Australia 75 Years.

These three landmark documentaries are a must for all Ford fans - three great Ford documentaries for the price of one!

Twelve hours around the punishing 6.2km Mount Panorama – that’s about as tough as it gets in world motor racing. But this year the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour took things up a notch higher, with the switch to full FIA GT3 Sports Cars. So it was that the 2011 race featured iconic sports car names such as Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Corvette – and Audi, with the German manufacturer taking on the race with a two-car factory effort. Another classic Bathurst 12 Hour, this time featuring some of the most expensive, most glamorous and fastest supercars in the world.

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21 YEARS OF HOLDEN RACING TEAM (2 DISC SET)

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FIVE MINUTES WITH ...

RYAN WALKINSHAW

In the wake of signing Formula 1 and NASCAR engineer Steve Hallam for 2012, HRT’s head honcho popped up to Queensland Raceway. While he was there, he caught up with ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN MOTORSPORT NEWS: Ryan, we’re sitting here in the thick of things at Queensland Raceway; how does your job list read during a race weekend?

RYAN WALKINSHAW: My job list? I don’t really have a designated job list. I listen in on the debriefs and basically just let Mike [Henry] and the guys get on with their jobs. I’m not here to get too involved in that respect.

You mentioned a lot of CVs came through your office. I can imagine the lure of the weather would have got a few of the Europeans interested in making the move.

I don’t think it was the weather, I think it was just the chance to be the Managing Director of the Holden Racing Team and Bundaberg Racing. This is a high-profile motor racing job, so you can’t blame a lot of people for wanting to get involved and apply for the positions.

Was looking outside the pool of technical people currently involved in V8 Supercar 24

Dirk Klynsmith

It’s not been a fantastic weekend for the Holden Racing Team, but there’s a bit to be excited about, particularly with the news of Steve Hallam joining the team in 2012.

How did an appointment from the other side of the world come about?

We started our search when the last management left. We made it an international search, so we spoke to everyone. Our guys in Australia were in charge of things at this end, and myself and my mum Martine spoke to people in Formula 1 and a lot of our friends in Europe to find out their views on certain people.

After speaking to many candidates, and getting a lot of CVs through, we had a bit of a chat to Steve. He said he was interested, so we went from there.

Everyone we spoke to from Formula 1 said great things about Steve. They said that he was the guy for the job. He ticked all the boxes, so we went through an interview process and now we’re really happy he’s coming on-board.

racing a priority? Was it all about getting a fresh set of eyes on things?

That was something we were really going for. We didn’t really want to go internal to find someone.

Obviously Mike has been doing a great job, and it’s a huge credit to him that he’s done so well through what’s been a difficult few months, but we said when we started this whole process that we were going to try and find the best possible person we could find. And if that meant going international, then it meant going international.

But it wasn’t a case of just trying to find someone from NASCAR, or trying to find some from Formula 1. We spoke to guys from all different genres of motorsport, and we ended up with Steve.

During Friday’s press conference here in Queensland Roland Dane commented that Steve was a great engineer, but that he didn’t know if he could run a team.

You, obviously, are confident that he’s up to the job.

That’s interesting. Of course we are, or we wouldn’t have got him. He was the Head of Racing Operations at McLaren, so he has run a racing team. A pretty big racing team ...

Despite this not being a great weekend for you guys at QR, are you seeing the positives. Can you look past it and be excited?

Well, we did seriously well last time out in Townsville. In the first race we had a win, which was a huge thing for the team, and in the second race both cars were at the front end. [James] Courtney actually looked like he was on the verge of winning it.

From what I’ve heard from the guys this is a circuit that we’ve historically found quite difficult. Some of the engineering issues and inconsistencies we have with the car seem to be amplified here, but we’re working hard at it.

Our race pace was quite good in both races. motorsport news

CHAT

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

25

C’MO SAVE Dirk Klynsmith

BEING BACK IN THE SADDLE OPINION

Grant Denyer – TV presenter and V8 driver

I

ONCE contemplated whether I would drive one of these cars again, and it hasn’t taken me long to get back in one!

I forgot how much I love it. I forgot how great these cars are and I forgot how much I love the category. I just loved every lap at Queensland Raceway. I was desperate to get some miles here before doing the Bathurst 1000 this year with Kelly Racing.

It’s not like riding a bike. I also forgot how much I’d forgotten! Two years seems like two decades when you come back, I was all arms and legs. It was so busy in there.

Then there’s the whole black art of qualifying, which just completely goes, so there’s a lot to relearn. But being in the wet was good; I made 10 spots by Turn 1 in the wet race. I was glad it was wet.

I’d never qualified 22nd in my life, but there are some ripper names and cars in the Fujitsu Series now. Having live TV is great too, it’s legitimised the whole thing a lot more. I still have people come up and ask me how the Utes are going – that was seven years ago! The Fujitsu Series has kind of been lost in the abyss.

Now, McConville, Morris, Perkins, Jones – all in good cars – it’s finally found its place.

I’ll still be desperately short of miles when I arrive at Bathurst, but an opportunity is an opportunity, and I’d be crazy to knock it back. I did contemplate whether going to Bathurst this year was the right thing to do or not, because I did miss the last three Bathursts because of the injury to 26

I

’VE never been one for ‘Save the Termites’ style campaigns.

It’s not that I don’t admire the belief and conviction shown by those who cling to clipboards and cop abuse from passing strangers with no interest in being interrupted while walking out of the train station. Quite the opposite, in fact. I’ve just never found an issue that I felt strongly enough about to get out and do it myself.

Until now, that is.

Welcome to ‘Save the Bumps’, my selfless campaign to stop the resurfacing of Queensland Raceway.

Seems like a pretty odd

my back. That’s 100 percent now, but to turn up at Bathurst – one of the most deadly tracks in the world – with only a handful of laps at Queensland Raceway under your belt isn’t ideal!

But, it’s more about getting back in the game again. It’s about getting that first drive out of the way, and showing that I can still do it.

Plus, do you know what? I only got into television because I wasn’t part of the lucky sperm club that had the money and connections to go motor racing, so I’m really enjoying being part of the Shannons Supercar Showdown, because it gives kids a chance when they might have otherwise slipped through the cracks. The young drivers have amazing talent, so it’s nice to give someone else a leg-up that mightn’t otherwise have had the chance. It’s really cool.

I’ve kind of picked the two most volatile jobs in the world – motorsport and television. Your career can be over in 25 seconds! But I’m passionate about television, I’m passionate about motor racing, and I’m passionate about fostering new talent, because it’s not often enough we see new faces showing up in the V8 Supercar series. Our show has that next generation.

You should see them. I’ve seen their data, from the tests that they’ve done, and it’s exquisite. It’s exciting. What could have easily been a madefor-TV concept has actually turned out to be a launching pad. The Kellys are blown away, because we didn’t expect to unearth the calibre of driver that we have. It’s been brilliant. motorsport news

COMMENT

ON AUSTRALIA, LET’S THE BUMPS thing to be campaigning for, doesn’t it? I mean, everyone hates those bumps through Turns 1 and 2 at QR. In fact, according to a newspaper report that went live last Friday, drivers were saying the track surface was “disgusting”, while shielding their identities Deep Throat style to avoid getting into trouble with the V8 head honchos.

But here’s the thing – it’s the drivers who hate the bumps (and, I would imagine, the engineers as well). They make The Paperclip far more challenging than it should be.

Suddenly, a fairly simple, fourth gear 140 kmh corner becomes a wild ol’ ride, the car fighting

OPINION

Andrew van Leeuwen – eNews Editor like a bucking bronco as the drivers hold on tight and hope for the best. It makes good TV, and it makes good viewing for the crowd.

Tim Slade summed it up perfectly during a press briefing, where the subject of the bumps came up. David Reynolds and Craig Lowndes mumbled about a resurfacing being well needed, while Slade chimed in with “it’s character.

The bumps make it Queensland Raceway.”

He’s right. Without the bumps, what is Queensland Raceway?

Six simple corners with no elevation, that’s what.

Seven commentator Matt White added weight to my argument during Saturday’s telecast. During the race he did his bit to promote Sunday’s action, which included live coverage of an Australian

Superbike Championship round, by saying “if you think the V8 Supercars are spectacular on the bumps wait until you see the Superbikes.”

Without the bumps, what would Matt say? How does he make watching motor racing at The Paperclip sounds exciting.

Yes, the bumps are hard on drivers. So is driving across the top of Mount Panorama at qualifying speed. So is going flat through Turn 1 at Phillip Island in an open-wheeler. So is driving a Formula 1 car in the rain.

But I sure hope they don’t get rid of all these things too.

So let’s keep the bumps at Queensland Raceway. You know it’s the right thing to do.

John Morris/Mpix

www.mnews.com.au

27

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP RACES 16/17/18 – IPSWICH, QUEENSLAND

28

motorsport news

RACE

PERFECT PERFORMANCE Craig Lowndes was close to being peerless at Queensland Raceway, with three wins and two poles. But Tim Slade did put up a heck of a fight.

ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN reports

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

29

RACE 16/17: NO CONFUSION HE

S

ATURDAY’S action at Queensland Raceway was a race of two halves – literally.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

The two 22-lap legs held on Saturday evening were actually two separate races (16 and 17 in the 2011 Championship). But, they were run purely on the soft tyres, and only worth 75 points apiece – and were separated only by a 15-minute service window, with the second leg started in the finishing positions of the first.

It had the potential to be a confusing format, but Craig Lowndes made it simple. He took lights-to-flag wins in both legs, so whether it was one race with a break, or two separate races, didn’t matter. Lowndes was the winner.

“For us, it’s important to be 30

at the front and out of trouble, especially with how the format was today,” said Lowndes.

“It was an unknown quantity for all of us, but we managed to turn both cars around really quickly.”

The second places were shared by Tim Slade and Jamie Whincup. Slade’s front-running pace was absolutely no fluke.

He was second fastest in Friday practice, qualified second for Race 16, and then shadowed Lowndes for the first 22 laps. In fact, there were times during the race where Slade looked quicker than Lowndes, but just couldn’t get close enough to challenge. Then, Slade backed it up finishing third in Race 17, right on Jamie Whincup’s tailpipe.

“It’s been a dream come true,” said Slade.

“I feel it’s been a long time coming. For the majority of this year we’ve had quite good speed, it just hasn’t quite gone our way.

“We had a good test before this weekend, and we were quietly confident that if we were going to do it, this was going to be the place we were going to do it at.

“It was quite comfortable in the races. I thought I was better than [the TeamVodafone cars] at certain parts of the race, but didn’t quite have it towards the end.”

Whincup, meanwhile, kept his title charge well and truly on track with a measured performance. He fought his way up to third in the first leg after a tardy start, before charging past Slade on Lap 1 of the second leg to bank valuable points.

“The races for me were pretty straightforward,” said Whincup.

“In the first one the car was not too flash at all. We made a big change, which was great, and my car was much better.

Not quite as quick as Craig’s; he really nailed the set-up.”

Rick Kelly, Steve Owen kept things simple by locking out positions four and five in both races, with Greg Murphy and Steve Johnson sharing the sixth places. While Rick and Owen started near the front, Murphy was a big mover in the first leg, starting way back in 17th.

There were two hard luck stories across the two legs. The first was Karl Reindler. The young West Aussie stepped up to the plate big time in qualifying, sticking his Brad Jones Racing Commodore fifth on the grid. He then ran right motorsport news

RACE Dirk Klynsmith

James Sm ith

Trophy Time: Tim Slade picked up his first silverware on Saturday, above, while Tander’s day went from a flat tyre, right, to being taken out by Bargwanna, below. Todd Kelly and James Courtney were caught up in the Alex/Karl incident, bottom.

Dirk Klynsmith

ERE

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

John Morris/Mpix

up the front throughout Race 16, keeping a cool head to come home 16th.

But it all turned sour in Race 17. Reindler was turned around

by Alex Davison early in the race, causing a crash that took innocent bystanders Todd Kelly and James Courtney (who had a shocking Saturday!) straight out of the race. Reindler got going again, but 16th wasn’t a true reflection of his pace.

The other hard luck story was Garth Tander. Having qualified 20th, Tander made his way to the fringe of the Top 10 in Race 16 … only to have a flat tyre on the last race and finish dead last.

Then, he fired out of the box for Race 17, and made his way as far up as 13th before he wound up facing the wrong way thanks to contact with Jason Bargwanna and back in 23rd.

31

RACE 18: THE ‘FONES GET IT WRO

C

RAIG Lowndes hadn’t won a race all season until he got to Queensland Raceway.

It doesn’t quite seem right. Lowndes has, through consistency, been in the title hunt since the series went green in Abu Dhabi back in February. And the way in which he dominated proceedings at The Paperclip, well, you could be forgiven for thinking he’d been winning all year.

But nope, the clean sweep, capped off by a stunningly dominant win in Race 18, marked his first of the season.

And, they couldn’t have come at a better time.

Why? Because while Lowndes was busy looking a step-and-ahalf ahead of the rest of the field, Jamie Whincup had a shocker – by his standards. As the cars 32

gridded up for Race 18, it was obvious that something was wrong on #88. It was coughing and spluttering on the grid, and when Whincup went to take off from the front row of the grid on the warm-up lap, he went nowhere. After the stall, he got going, complained on the radio about a throttle problem, and promptly pulled into the pits, sitting stationary while the rest of the field roared off around him.

But here’s the really weird part.

Almost as quickly as Whincup was in the pits he was out again, albeit well and truly at the back of the field. What on earth can be fixed that quickly? It was, it later emerged, a mistake on behalf of TeamVodafone. One of the trumpet covers, which stops muck getting stuck in the intakes between races,

had been left on, starving the engine of air. As soon as it was removed, car #88 ran like a dream. “It did happen and it’s not a good thing,” a gruff Roland Dane told the world as Jamie rumbled back into the race.

Someone was going to get into trouble …

Things got a little worse for the championship leader straight away. He was immediately penalised for speeding in pit-lane, resulting in another unnecessary time penalty. At this point of the race, TeamVodafone cars were bookending the entire field.

Whincup did a good job of damage limitation as the 200 kilometre race wore on, smashing James Courtney’s old lap record by half a second in the process. He got back to 10th in the end, lucky to escape a

last-lap divebomb on Rick Kelly unscathed.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t very disappointed with the final outcome here today,” said Whincup.

“We made a rookie error, and that almost put us a lap down.

I had an incident with Rick Kelly with two corners to go; unfortunately he got turned around and I kept going. I went to stewards and admitted fault.

“The end result is that it’s not looking too flash.”

Second was Tim Slade, who kept up his remarkable record of not falling outside the Top 3 all weekend (not as good as Lowndes, who stayed in the Top 1 all weekend). He looked so comfortable in second place, and ran with Lowndes throughout the 65 laps. If Lowndes was a step-and-amotorsport news

RACE

Dirk Klynsmith

Dirk Klynsmith

Low Points: Whincup’s race ended in the sand ... but it was after the chequer, above. Warren Luff and Paul Dumbrell got to know each other, right, while Moffat was flying, below.

ONG AND RIGHT

Dirk Klynsmith

www.mnews.com.au

awesomely fast throughout the race, roaring into the Top 5, throwing it all away trying to pass Rick Kelly, roaring back into the Top 5, losing a bunch of time in his second stop, and then roaring his was back into the Top 5 again and staying there.

If he’d had a few more laps, he would have scored his first podium, because he was closing in on van Gisbergen fast!

David Reynolds finished fifth after an eventful race, which included getting turfed off the track by Dean Fiore, while Garth Tander dragged his Toll Holden Racing car from 19th on the grid to sixth. Fabian Coulthard, Alex Davison, Steve Johnson and Whincup rounded out the Top 10.

So, with Phillip Island up next, Lowndes has given Whincup’s points lead a good trimming.

Bring. It. On.

Dirk Klynsmith

half ahead of the field, then he was only half-a-step clear of Slade. It was nothing short of a breakthrough weekend.

“This weekend was pretty much a dream run,” he said.

“The car was really strong and to have it featuring at the top of all sessions gives us a lot of confidence going into the enduros. This weekend we put it all together and that’s what we will continue to do.”

Shane van Gisbergen offered more good news for Stone Brothers Racing by finishing third.

He was nowhere near the pace of Lowndes and Slade, but he did enough to turn a quiet Saturday into a points haul of a Sunday.

Now we get to James Moffat.

As it was for Slade, Race 18 at Queensland Raceway was a breakthrough for the Jim Beam Racing driver. He was

33

John Morris/Mpix

WINNERS CRAIG LOWNDES: Pretty obvious one here. Three starts from P1, three wins, and a lot of points made up in the chase for his first title since 1999. Great weekend.

TIM SLADE: He just looked so comfortable at the front of the field. Won’t be the last time we see him in that position.

YOUNG GUNS: Behind Slade, Moffat, Reynolds and van Gisbergen all came up with the goods for Gen Y. Moff’s yo-yo drive on Sunday was amazing. Further proof he’s a genuine talent.

GARTH TANDER: On Sunday he qualified 19th, but Garth still managed to drag a result out of it. Stone cold superstar of a driver.

LOSERS TEAMVODAFONE: That trumpet cover is going to get somebody into a whole lot of trouble. Things like that don’t fly with Dane, Burgess and co.

GARTH TANDER: Even on Saturday his race pace was awesome, but Lady Luck struck ... twice!

HALF TIME BREAK: Was Saturday run over two races? Or one with a half time break? It was confusing, and not as action-packed as some organisers would have been hoping for.

KARL REINDLER: Excellent speed on Saturday, but the result went begging after a tussle with Alex Davison went the wrong way. A shame.

34

FAIR BUMP, PLAY ON? NOT LIKELY ...

QUEENSLAND Raceway’s surface was under attack throughout the weekend.

The Friday press featured a scathing newspaper story, with unnamed drivers reportedly saying they were “disgusted” with the state of the circuit, which had its scheduled resurfacing derailed by the Queensland floods, leaving massive bumps through Turns 1 and 2.

While none of the drivers were willing to be quite so harsh on the record (a hangover to James Courtney being told off in Abu Dhabi for calling the circuit boring), there was an almost universal feeling that the resurfacing can’t come soon enough.

“For us, we test here, [and] it’s a shame it wasn’t re-surfaced when it was due to be, but with the floods it didn’t happen,” said

TeamVodafone’s Craig Lowndes.

“I think the track conditions are at a point where we need to carry on with those wishes.

I’ve been talking to a lot of the [Australian Superbike Championship] guys, and the motorbike guys are getting thrown around a lot more than we are in a car.

“The conditions are the same for everyone, but it is getting progressively worse.”

“I only come here once a year, so for me it seems quite bad every time I come back here,” added David Reynolds.

Tim Slade, however, stood up for the rollercoaster ride through the first two turns.

“It’s character,” said Slade.

“The bumps make it Queensland Raceway.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

NEW MILESTONE FOR REYNOLDS DAVID Reynolds continued his progression towards the front end of the V8 Supercar field at Queensland Raceway by notching up his first Top 3 practice result on Friday evening, before a stand-out day on Sunday.

Reynolds was fifth quickest in Practice 1, quickest in Practice 2, 12th quickest in Practice 3, and then third quickest in Practice 4, earning the 26-year-old his first spot at the Friday press conference.

“My guys have gone in a different direction, and I think we’ve found some pace out of it,” said Reynolds.

“It’s good to see the engineers working together, and hopefully I can teach the other boys (ED: Rick and Todd Kelly and Greg

Murphy) a few things.”

So, where is this new-found speed coming from? According to Reynolds, it’s down to his relationship with engineer James Small, once a team-mate of Reynolds at Sonic during their Formula Ford days.

“He’s brilliant. He tunes the car to how I want to drive it, not to how they want me to drive it. He listens to me and we go off in our own direction and do our own thing. If I talk to Todd about where we’re going he shakes his head and laughs at me. But hopefully he understands that it’s quite quick.

“In saying that, I really can’t get the tyres to last for very long!”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN motorsport news

RACE

MOFF MAKES IT WORK

I

N recent times, viewers have been well-served

by Seven’s V8 Supercar coverage. This past weekend, we were not.

The commentators flatout struggled. Their glowing summation of the assets of QR, particularly on Saturday, scored A for optimism but rather less for reality, for a track that, to be kind, has hardly ever been noted for its close and combative battles for race wins. In a week in which the Chairman of A-League team Melbourne Victory described the signing of Harry Kewell as the “biggest signing in Australian sport” (take that, Don Bradman), highlighting hype in other sporting arenas www.mnews.com.au

Dirk Klynsmith

OTHER than Craig Lowndes at the top of the field, it was a weekend for the kids of the V8 Supercar field. And not just Tim Slade, with his maiden podiums.

Over the course of the weekend, James Moffat put in three of the better drives of his fledgling V8 Supercar career. While it’s Sunday’s fourth that stands out the most, his 11th and ninth on Saturday weren’t without merit.

Friday was a good day, grabbing second, fourth, third and 11th from the four practice sessions, but a wrong set-up call in Saturday qualifying saw the Jim Beam racer languishing in 22nd on the grid. In that afternoon’s two 22-lappers, though, he was one of the big movers, along with Greg Murphy, advancing to 11th in the first stanza.

“We clearly went the wrong way with the car in qualifying, because Steve [Johnson] and I were both pretty competitive yesterday in practice,” he said on Saturday night.

“We changed the car back to how it was on Friday and it was pretty racey and competitive.

“It was just a matter of making the most of opportunities when they presented themselves. Even over that distance, you had to be mindful of the tyre and still look after it, and clearly there were some cars that looked like they were struggling with grip in both races. Our cars looked after their tyres pretty well today.

“Because we had a poor qualifying, we didn’t really know what we were going into

the race with, but as it turns out, the car was competitive and we were able to look after the tyres and outpace a few cars.

Having moved well into the top half, 11th became ninth in the second leg, and Moffat entered Sunday with a clear objective.

“The biggest thing for me, tomorrow, is to qualify further up the field, as simple as it

may seem a bit picky – but, there was too much hype. By heaping so much praise on The Paperclip, one wonders how much headroom is left for great circuits like Bathurst or, eventually, Texas.

At QR, the dry races were pretty boring, and not just the V8 Supercars. I honestly can’t recall ever seeing a worse motorcycle race than Sunday’s Superbike 14-lapper; that was about 13 too many. Yawn.

On Sunday, once Jamie Whincup was out of contention, there was plenty of space for information, but it was never filled. Where were the in-race updates on JDub’s position, his gap to the leader and the ‘live’ championship points, which

sounds,” he said.

“That makes it a lot easier because you don’t have to use up as much of the car to get through.”

And he did just that, qualifying 11th and making ground again, to finish a career-best fourth in one of the drives of the day.

– MITCHELL ADAM

FROM THE COUCH with PHIL BRANAGAN might have made an otherwise dull race at least slightly interesting?

To be fair; Mark Beretta picking that an errant injector blank caused Whinchup’s problem was an absolute blinder. Three votes.

One more thing. Motor racing is a complicated sport, far more so that any football code. On Sunday morning, Seven ran promos featuring Stevie Johnson hyping up the split-race, 15-minute break format – which was in use only the previous day. Any casual

viewer who saw that promo may have expected the same format for Sunday’s broadcast.

In AFL football, Seven and the other AFL broadcasters manage to have separate promos for each day of the weekend, and would not dream of running a promo for a game that was already in the past. If they can get it right for the footy, why can’t they do the same for motor racing?

We know that the V8 Supercars Television/Seven team can do better. Our hope is that soon, they do.

35

BREAK DOWN?

“If you’d done this at Clipsal, [with] a grandstand over the front straight with thousands of people watching all of the chaos going on in the break, it would have added another dimension. But Clipsal doesn’t need that style of format, because it is a success as it is. It’s got to be different.”

Burgess also said that while he essentially liked the format, he missed the strategic element offered by pit-stops.

“It’s quite interesting. Different formats are always good. We sat down and structured the whole period between the races, and worked out what changes we could make, and what changes we couldn’t make in the time we had.

“It keeps you on your toes. Normally the race formats are pretty standard, it kept everyone honest.

“I missed the pit-stops to be honest. I enjoy that part of the strategy, but we can’t be upset with the result. It was a challenging day.”

– ANDREW VAN LEEUWEN

Results :: Race 16 – Ipswich, QLD

36

Dirk Klynsmith

SATURDAY night in Queensland, one of the big talking points was the format.

With what was essentially a full race distance split into two, with an elongated compulsory pit-stop in the middle, it was … different. Seeing sprint racing again was interesting for a second, but it quickly became apparent why the category moved away from sprint races – because it often doesn’t offer a classic race.

Then, there was the 15-minute break. It was a nice idea, but the layout of Queensland Raceway means that the pit-lane isn’t really a spectator vantage points, so all of the frantic action was hidden from the crowd. It was just, well, a 15 minute break.

After the race, the drivers were – unsurprisingly – full of praise for the format.

But TeamVodafone team principal Adrian Burgess did agree that the action in the break was a little out of the way when it came to crowd involvement.

“All of the circuits need different formats,” said Burgess.

Results :: Race 17 – Ipsw

Pos

#

Driver

Team/Car

Qual

Pos

#

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

888 47 88 15 49 11 33 17 21 18 9 4 5 55 6 39 7 16 34 1 8 14 12 61 3 19 30 2

Craig Lowndes Tim Slade Jamie Whincup Rick Kelly Steve Owen Greg Murphy Lee Holdsworth Steven Johnson Karl Reindler James Moffat Shane Van Gisbergen Alex Davison Mark Winterbottom Paul Dumbrell Will Davison Russell Ingall Todd Kelly David Reynolds Michael Caruso James Courtney Jason Bright Jason Bargwanna Dean Fiore Fabian Coulthard Tony D’Alberto Jonathon Webb Warren Luff Garth Tander

TeamVodafone Commodore VE2 Lucky 7 Racing Falcon FG TeamVodafone Commodore VE2 Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE2 VIP Petfoods Commodore VE2 Pepsi Max Crew Commodore VE2 Fujitsu Racing GRM Commodore VE2 Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Commodore VE2 Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG SP Tools Racing Falcon FG Irwin Racing Falcon FG Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon FG The Bottle-O Racing Team Falcon FG Trading Post FPR Falcon FG Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore VE2 Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE2 Stratco Racing Commodore VE2 Fujitsu Racing GRM Commodore VE2 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE2 Team Boc Commodore VE2 Jana Living Racing Commodore VE2 Triple F Racing Falcon FG Bundaberg Racin Commodore VE2 Wilson Security Racing Falcon FG Mother Energy Racing Falcon FG Gulf Western Oil Racing Commodore VE2 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE2

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

1 888 2 88 3 47 4 15 5 49 6 17 7 11 8 9 9 18 10 5 11 33 12 39 13 14 14 8 15 6 16 21 17 3 18 61 19 34 20 19 21 12 22 4 23 2 24 30 25 55 26 16 DNF 7 DNF 1

Driver

Team/Car

Craig Lowndes Jamie Whincup Tim Slade Rick Kelly Steve Owen Steven Johnson Greg Murphy Shane Van Gisbergen James Moffat Mark Winterbottom Lee Holdsworth Russell Ingall Jason Bargwanna Jason Bright Will Davison Karl Reindler Tony D’Alberto Fabian Coulthard Michael Caruso Jonathon Webb Dean Fiore Alex Davison Garth Tander Warren Luff Paul Dumbrell David Reynolds Todd Kelly James Courtney

TeamVodafo TeamVodafo Lucky 7 Racin Jack Daniel’s VIP Petfoods Jim Beam Ra Pepsi Max Cr SP Tools Rac Jim Beam Ra Orrcon Steel Fujitsu Racin Supercheap Jana Living R Team Boc Co Trading Post Fair Dinkum Wilson Secur Bundaberg R Fujitsu Racin Mother Ener Triple F Racin Irwin Racing Toll Holden R Gulf Western The Bottle-O Stratco Racin Jack Daniel’s Toll Holden R

motorsport news

RACE

Top 10 Points: Whincup 1895, Lowndes 1797, van Gisbergen 1502, R Kelly 1418, Johnson 1345, Tander 1321, Winterbottom 1321, W Davison 1302, A Davison 1255, Holdsworth 1140.

swich, QLD

one Commodore VE2 one Commodore VE2 ng Falcon FG s Racing Commodore VE2 s Commodore VE2 acing Falcon FG rew Commodore VE2 cing Falcon FG acing Falcon FG l FPR Falcon FG ng GRM Commodore VE2 Auto Racing Commodore VE2 Racing Commodore VE2 ommodore VE2 t FPR FG m Sheds Racing Commodore VE2 rity Racing Falcon FG Racing Commodore VE2 ng GRM Commodore VE2 rgy Racing Falcon FG ng Falcon FG g Falcon FG Racing Team Commodore VE2 n Oil Racing Commodore VE2 O Racing Team Falcon FG ng Commodore VE2 s Racing Commodore VE2 Racing Team Commodore VE2 www.mnews.com.au

Results :: Race 18 – Ipswich, QLD Qual

Pos

#

Driver

Team/Car

Qual

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

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

888 47 9 18 16 2 61 4 17 88 39 1 11 34 7 21 15 33 5 3 6 19 30 55 12 14 49 8

Craig Lowndes Tim Slade Shane Van Gisbergen James Moffat David Reynolds Garth Tander Fabian Coulthard Alex Davison Steven Johnson Jamie Whincup Russell Ingall James Courtney Greg Murphy Michael Caruso Todd Kelly Karl Reindler Rick Kelly Lee Holdsworth Mark Winterbottom Tony D’Alberto Will Davison Jonathon Webb Warren Luff Paul Dumbrell Dean Fiore Jason Bargwanna Steve Owen Jason Bright

TeamVodafone Commodore VE2 Lucky 7 Racing Falcon FG SP Tools Racing Falcon FG Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG Stratco Racing Commodore VE2 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE2 Bundaberg Racing Commodore VE2 Irwin Racing Falcon FG Jim Beam Racing Falcon FG TeamVodafone Commodore VE2 Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore VE2 Toll Holden Racing Team Commodore VE2 Pepsi Max Crew Commodore VE2 Fujitsu Racing GRM Commodore VE2 Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE2 Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Commodore VE2 Jack Daniel’s Racing Commodore VE2 Fujitsu Racing GRM Commodore VE2 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon FG Wilson Security Racing Falcon FG Trading Post FPR Falcon FG Mother Energy Racing Team Falcon FG Gulf Western Oil Racing Commodore VE2 The Bottle-O Racing Team Falcon FG Triple F Racing Falcon FG Jana Living Racing Commodore VE2 VIP Petfoods Commodore VE2 Team Boc Commodore VE2

1 3 5 11 6 19 8 16 7 2 9 22 21 15 27 26 12 24 20 23 10 13 28 25 18 17 14 4 37

FUJITSU V8 SUPERCAR SERIES R4 - QUEENSLAND RACEWAY, QLD

YOU AGAIN 38

motorsport news

RACE

Dirk Klynsmith

ANDREW THOMPSON CONTINUED HIS FUJITSU SERIES CHARGE AT QUEENSLAND RACEWAY WITH ANOTHER ROUND WIN, BUT HE HAD TO WORK FOR IT. MITCHELL ADAM WAS THERE www.mnews.com.au

39

A

Dirk Klynsmith

Scott McLaughlin, top, became the series’ newest winner. Pa leading Race 2 winner Andy Jones, was second for the week Russell, below, was second to Thompson in the final.

James Smith

40

rate of knots – his fastest lap was 1.2s faster than anyone else. Team-mate Ash Walsh was the hard-luck story, also on a charge before getting a black flag for a broken rain light.

They weren’t the only movers, Percat and Drew Russell picked their way through to sixth and 11th from the rear after Saturday’s carnage. McLaughlin was fifth, while Thompson wasn’t a factor, finishing ninth. It saw McLaughlin and Morris share the front row of the grid in the final, but rain during the preceding race thwarted McLaughlin’s hopes of a maiden round win.

Odd-numbered drivers started on inside – and wet – side of the track, while the racing line was relatively dry.

From fourth, David Russell nailed the start, taking the lead from Morris and Perkins, while McLaughlin dropped to sixth.

After struggling for dry pace early in the weekend, Russell broke away, before losing the lead to Morris when he ran wide at Turn 3 on Lap 5. He regained it a short time later, getting a better run out of the final corner at a Safety Car restart, but ultimately, they were both reeled in and passed by Thompson, who got Russell for the lead on the penultimate lap to claim his third round win of the year. He now leads Russell by 154 points in the title race.

“Race 2 was a little bit disappointing,” Thompson admitted.

“We had a bit of a shocker, we maintained our position but it wasn’t anywhere near strong enough for what we expected and want. Race 3, again, there was a bunch of Safety Cars, rain before it, and starting on the right side, it was pretty slippery and trying to get across to the left as quickly as possible because everyone on the left was probably 50 metres ahead by the end of pitlane.

“I just picked one off at a time, had really good car speed throughout the race and just managed to get Dave at the end. Overall, it was more of a tougher weekend for us, we had to work a little bit harder, but we’re pretty happy.”

Morris was third for the race and second for the weekend, with McLaughlin securing the final step on the podium after finishing fifth in the final behind Cameron McConville. Tim Blanchard, Perkins and Percat were sixth through eighth in the final, but Percat’s opening race DNF left him 16th for the round.

Dirk Klynsmith

NDREW Thompson won his third-straight round of the Fujitsu Series and extended his championship lead on home soil. But Queensland Raceway’s weekend wasn’t as straightforward as that.

Thompson was in ominous form early on, bunging it on pole by half a second over Scott McLaughlin in second. At QR in 2010, McLaughlin was on debut in the series and sat second on the grid for the reverse grid race. He failed to get away and was collected, ending his weekend.

Fast-forward 18 months and he had no such troubles, not just getting away cleanly but taking the lead. Behind him, there was mayhem. Paul Morris, Geoff Emery and Jack Perkins went three-wide into Turn 1 and Emery – in the middle – was spat out and into the pack, where the unfortunate Taz Douglas, Drew Russell and Robert Cregan collected him.

Two corners later, far right, Perkins overshot the approach into Turn 3, sailing past Daniel Jilesen and spinning Nick Percat. Like Emery, Percat was exposed to the pack and swiped by Jilesen and Marcus Zukanovic, taking the tally of first-lap retirees to seven.

But none of that concerned McLaughlin, the 18-year-old withstanding pressure from Thompson to become the series’ youngest ever winner.

“I still can’t figure out what it felt for me,” he said of winning, 24 hours later, “I just want a few more and then I might be able to tell you.”

If McLaughlin was happy with his Race 1 start, he’d have been stoked with his Race 2 getaway. He rocketed from 10th on the grid to third, slotting in behind Morris and Jones. Before the race, he sought advice from Morris about starting a V8 Supercar in the wet for the first time. It was a wise move, Morris himself vaulting from eighth into the lead.

“I was listening to everyone on the rev limiter and I thought ‘this is going to be easy’ and then I took off like I left the [traffic] lights and that’s how you do it,” Morris explained.

With a broken demister – even with the aid of a rag on a stick – Morris struggled for vision, eventually caught and passed by Jones who won his first FV8 race since 2004. Behind them, David Russell was third, ahead of the flying Chaz Mostert. The rookie started 14th, but caught and passed drivers at a rapid

motorsport news

RACE

Mark Pryor James Smith

Results :: Round 4, Queensland Raceway

aul Morris, above kend, while David

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

# 80 67 93 28 38 20 999 83 27 10 77 23 24 26 45 222 59 62 58 777 90 75 86 71 92 73 51 48

Driver Andrew Thompson Paul Morris Scott McLaughlin David Russell Cameron McConville Andrew Jones Jack Perkins David Wall Tim Blanchard Chaz Mostert Grant Denyer Todd Fiore Tony Bates Tom Tweedie James Brock Nick Percat Aaren Russell Adam Wallis Drew Russell Rodney Jane Ashley Walsh Aaron McGill Robert Cregan Marcus Zukanovic Taz Douglas Brett Stewart Daniel Jilesen Geoff Emery

Top 10 Points: www.mnews.com.au

Team/Car Qual Triple Eight Race Engineering Commodore VE 1 Sargent Security Racing Commodore VE 8 Fujitsu Falcon BF 2 Team Jayco Falcon BF 11 Eggleston Motorsport Commodore VE 4 Team BOC Commodore VE 10 Bob Jane T Marts/Supercheap Falcon BF 5 Wilson Security Racing Commodore VE 13 Team Jayco Falcon BF 16 Simpro Software/Master Elect. Falcon BF 18 CrimSafe Racing Commodore VE 23 Flexi Staff Falcon BF 20 Sportsalive.com / AFS Commodore VE 19 Team Tom Supporters Club Falcon BF 22 EarthEx/Drill pro Srvs Commodore VE 24 Coates Hire Racing Commodore VE 3 Go Karts Go Falcon BF 25 Warrin Mining Commodore VE 26 Go Karts Go Falcon BF 21 Bob Jane T-Marts Falcon FG 12 Simpro Software/Master Elect Falcon BF 9 NCSS Falcon BF 28 Mad Croc Energy Falcon BF 17 Midway Concrete&Garden Supply Commodore VE15 Fastaz Motorsport Commodore VZ 14 Formula Tech/Interquip Racing Commodore VE 27 R&J Batteries/EarthEx/KingGee Commodore VE 6 AC Delco/Simworx/NDD Commodore VE 7

R1 2 3 1 5 4 9 10 8 11 14 16 13 7 18 12 DNF 21 17 DNF 6 15 19 DNF DNF DNF 20 DNF DNF

R2 9 2 5 3 12 1 7 8 14 4 10 15 25 18 16 6 17 22 11 DNF DNF 24 19 21 13 20 23 DNF

R3 1 3 5 2 4 10 7 9 6 17 14 15 22 12 19 8 13 20 11 DNF 21 24 16 18 23 DNF DNF DNF

Thompson 1055, David Russell 901, McLaughlin 889, Perkins 829, Blanchard 734, Percat 668, Mostert 667, Jilesen 593, Jane 568, Morris 487 41

AUSTRALIAN FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP R4 - QUEENSLAND RACEWAY, QLD

SMOKE ON THE WATERS

CONSISTENCY WAS THE KEY FOR CAMERON WATERS AT QUEENSLAND RAC TITLE LEADER ADDED A SECOND ROUND WIN TO HIS 2011 TALLY, MITCHELL A

S

EVERAL drivers looked like they’d win the fourth round of the Australian Formula Ford Championship, and even on the last lap of racing at Queensland Raceway it looked like two would end the weekend equal on points at the top.

But in the end, it was Cameron Waters who left with the biggest trophy on a weekend with three different race winners. The championship leader was there or thereabouts all weekend, qualifying fourth and finishing the opening two races in third place. In the final, though, he stomped them, taking the lead at Turn 3 on the opening lap and going on to win by five seconds.

At the halfway mark of

42

the season, he now has a commanding 53-point buffer – just shy of the maximum 60 on offer at each round – at the top of the points.

“I wasn’t happy finishing third in the first two races of the weekend, but as it’s turned out, those finishes were important and I was able to control the final race,” Waters said.

“We really improved the car across the day and it was good enough in the final race to build a gap and race calmly to the finish. It’s really good for the championship again, especially with Nick [Foster] having a DNF in Race 2.

“He was really strong this weekend, so to come out on top at the end and to gain a few

more points in the title race is a good feeling.”

At the circuit where he claimed his maiden Formula Ford win in 2010, Nick Foster was the man on the march early. From pole, he resisted a late challenge from Sonic team-mates Matthew Brabham and Waters to win the opener. But while fighting Waters for third in the wet Race 2, he was caught out at Turn 3, tagging the rear of Waters’ Mygale and ending up in the gravel trap. He regrouped to finish second from the rear of grid in the final, to grab third for the weekend in an all-Sonic podium.

Brabham was the man in second for the weekend, between Waters and Foster. In his second start for the year,

Brabham was second in the first race behind Foster and Race 2 behind Jack LeBrocq. The win was LeBrocq’s first in the championship, he and Brabham skipping away from the field in the wet before LeBrocq survived a late Safety Car and subsequent one-lap dash to the flag to win.

“We were close together at the start and worked together and put our heads down and didn’t go fighting each other and I was able to pull a gap on Matt as well,” LeBrocq said.

“All of the guys have been working towards this all year and we’ve finally got it.”

At various stages in the final, it looked as though Brabham and LeBrocq would finish the weekend tied on points with motorsport news

RACE

Dirk Klynsmith

Nick Foster, above, won the opener, but a slip-up in the wet Race 2, right, hurt his chances.

CAMS Rising Star Jack LeBrocq, below, mastered the wet conditions to take his maiden win.

John Morris / Mpix

Dirk Klynsmith

CEWAY, AS THE ADAM REPORTS

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Dirk Klynsmith

Waters. On the final lap, LeBrocq led Foster and Brabham in a seven-car chain fighting for second, but Brabham went too deep into Turn 4, avoided Foster but tagged the luckless LeBrocq and the pair dropped to seventh and eighth for the race, with LeBrocq fourth for the weekend.

After the Brabham and LeBrocq incident, Synergy drivers Liam Sager and Mathew Hart picked up third and fourth. Next was Tom Williamson, salvaging something from what became a horror weekend – including a hit from the returning Daniel Erickson – after qualifying second.

Points: Waters 176, Foster 123, LeBrocq 99, Jacobson 93, Brabham 89, Williamson 84

43

AUSSIE RACING CARS R4 - QUEENSLAND RACEWAY, QLD

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES

THROUGH MAYHEM AND RAIN, FORMER SERIES CHAMPION PAUL KEMAL CLAIMED HIS FIRST AUSSIE RACING CAR ROUND WIN OF 2011 AT QR

I

T was a weekend which featured one of the category’s lowest moments, but one of its best stood up to win Round 4 of the Aussie Racing Car Super Series at Queensland Raceway.

Three-time former series champion Paul Kemal took out the weekend to boost his chances of grabbing his fourth 44

crown in 2011. After grabbing a pair of third-place finishes to start the weekend, Kemal won the remaining two races to seal his first round victory of the season.

The weekend saw the category attract headlines for the wrong reasons with a farcical start to the opening race, see news pages, before

Kyle Clews eventually won a shortened Race 1 ahead of Adrian Cottrell and Kemal. But Clews’ weekend turned sour in Race 2, eliminated in an opening-lap collision.

He eventually regroup to eighth and six in the remaining starts to be ninth for the weekend.

Sheridan Phillips took out the

second race, again ahead of Winton round winner Cottrell, before Kemal took over. He finished 10s clear of Brendon Pingel and Simon Smith to win Race 3, and led home Tyler Owen in Race 4, which was hit by a shower that caught many competitors out at Turn 3 on Lap 5.

Fifth in Race 3 was enough motorsport news

RACE

James Smith

Adrian Cottrell was flying high on his way to second for the round, above, while a heavy shower in the final caught many drivers out at Turn 3, below.

John Morris / Mpix

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John Morris / Mpix

to give Cottrell second for the weekend, while Smith was third in the final, to be third for the weekend, ahead of Phillips, Peter Carr, Grant Ludbey, Glen McNamara and Owen.

Powderfinger bassist John Collins made his motor racing debut, finishing all four races with a best result of 24th in the final.

45

NASCAR ROUND 23 – BROOKLYN, MI

Kyle Busch emerged from Michigan as the first driver into the Sprint Cup Chase after running down Jimmie Johnson to take a hard fought victory in the Pure Michigan 400

TOYOTA Media

NASCAR Media

46

motorsport news

RACE

Chasing Kyle TOYOTA Media

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47

T

HE first man into the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup is Kyle Busch, after the Joe Gibbs Racing driver out-duelled Jimmie Johnson in Michigan.

Busch ran down the five-time NASCAR Champion and beat him away from the final restart, with a green-white-checker finish.

It was a great result for the man from Las Vegas who struggled during practice and who laid much credit for the win with crew chief, Dave Rogers.

“Yesterday we practiced, we struggled a bit, and I kind of got down on things, and Dave was right there to help me out and

48

pick it up,” Busch said after his first win at MIS. “We went over things last night and talked a lot about what we could do to the car to make it better, thought smartly about our changes for today, and we came out here strong.”

Johnson inherited the lead during the final series of pitstops, and when he beat Busch away from a restart on lap 173, the race looked to be his.

But Busch caught the Hendrick Chevy and 15 laps later, took the point and was never headed after that. “[The car] was just really loose at the start of the race, and I

drove up through the field, and [crew chief] Chad [Knaus] made a great call to get me to pit road before that caution came out,” Johnson said. “It gave us the shot at the win, but once I was up front in the clean air the balance of the car was a bit too loose.

“I got away from Kyle but I was loose, and I knew he was going to come at some point and he showed up. Disappointed that I didn’t win, but a very good effort for the Lowe’s team especially when you look at where we started the race [19th] and where we finished.”

Brad Keselowski showed again why he is the hottest

driver in the Sprint Cup, and a genuine threat to make The Chase. Since his ankle-breaking accident two weeks ago, he has finished first, second and now third in three events.

“Wish I had something more for the #48 and #18 there at the end,” said the man in the #2 Dodge, “but it was just really kind of watching and hoping someone would make a mistake [at the final restart]. “I couldn’t do anything on my own merit.

Still a fun race, proud of the effort. The last few weeks are more than I could ever ask for.”

Mark Martin was fourth ahead of Ryan Newman and

motorsport news

RACE Jeff Gordon, with Kasey Kahne behind, no doubt getting a good view of the cars he will be racing when he moves to Hendrick next season.

It was a terrible day for Denny Hamlin, who hit a wall early in the race. After pitty for lengthy repairs, he was classified 35th and as a result, drops to 14th in Cup points.

Marcos Ambrose had an encouraging weekend, qualifying 16th and looking like a top 10 contender. But after taking two tyres only at his final stop, he got a tap from Kevin Harvick and ended up back in 27th position.

Results :: Pure Michigan 400, MICHIGAN Pos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

No. 18 48 2 5 39 24 4 33 14 17

Driver Kyle Busch Jimmie Johnson Brad Keselowski Mark Martin Ryan Newman Jeff Gordon Kasey Kahne Clint Bowyer Tony Stewart Matt Kenseth

Make Toyota Chevy Dodge Chevy Chevy Chevy Toyota Chevy Chevy Ford

Team Joe Gibbs Hendrick Penske Hendrick Stewart Haas Hendrick Red Bull Childress Stewart Haas Roush Fenway

Newman 725, Kurt Busch 722, Earnhart 700, Stewart 694.

FORD Media

49

NASCAR Media

NASCAR Media

www.mnews.com.au

Qual.

17 19 6 5 3 9 14 35 18 2

Top 10 Points: Kyle Busch 799, Johnson 789, Harvick/Edwards 760, Kenseth 759, Gordon 739,

FORD Media

Drought broken: Greg Biffle led the field away after taking his first pole in three years. It was not a great day for the Fords, with Marcos Ambrose (#9), AJ Allmendinger (#43) and Trevor Bayne (#21) all having tough races. The drivers often found three (or even more) lanes around the high banks of MIS ...

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NASCAR NATIONWIDE ROUND 24 – MONTREAL, CAN

Class of the

NEED TO JOIN A CAR CLUB TO GET YOUR CAMS LICENSE? No matter what car you drive, Formula Ford Association membership is a cost effective way to get you on track.

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to advertise in Raceshop call us now Oriana Ruffini 0422 624 349 or Luke Finn 0423 665 384 motorsport news

RACE

e Field Less than a week after savouring his maiden Sprint Cup victory, Marcos Ambrose was keen to keep that winning feeling as he took to the Nationwide race in Montreal

I

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51

NASCAR Media

F anyone had any lingering doubts that was qualified seventh by fellow Taswegian, Marcos Ambrose is NASCAR’s best road Owen Kelly. course racer, he threw them to the four Local honours were upheld by Alex winds in Montreal.

Tagliani, who finished second in only his third Five days after breaking through for his first Nationwide event, though countryman Patrick Sprint Cup win at Watkins Glen, Ambrose made Carpentier was denied a fairytale ending to his his presence felt at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. career, after having announced his retirement Starting at the back of the grid after missing prior to the race The French-Canadian hero practice and qualifying, Ambrose rocketed was hit by Steve Wallace, who found himself through the pack (he passed 16 cars on the having his hair pulled – while he was still in the first lap!) to trade paint, for the lead, with car – by Jerry Baxter, Carpentier’s crew chief.

Jacques Villeneuve, the local hero having a one“I guess Steve Wallace hasn’t learned how to off drive in the Penske Dodge usually raced by brake, so he spun me at the hairpin,” Carpentier Brad Keselowski. The Aussie and the Canadian said. “After that, I just lost it, ran people over clashed, forcing Ambrose to come back and they ran me over back. It’s one of those through the field. deals.”

“Jacques and I both dove into Turn 1, but “We had a couple of challenging moments he ran out of track, got on the grass and was where me and Carpentier were racing really unable to stop,” Ambrose said. hard,” said Wallace, who finished fourth behind “Unluckily for him, it ended his day, but Michael McDowell. “I got underneath him, I luckily for us, we were able to keep going. So in tried to out-brake him. He crowded me. I got the end, it didn’t matter.” loose, and I spun him out.

Ambrose’s made the start of the race with “Obviously Baxter was upset. I’d be upset, too only a few minutes to spare after flying in from ... only girls pull hair.”

Michigan with Carl Edwards and Trevor Bayne.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr finished 26th in Canada, His Richard Petty Motorsport Ford Mustang but continues to hold the NW points lead.

WHITMORE DO A WET WAKEFIELD YOU WANT? NSW STATE

NSW FFORD DAVID Whitmore has taken out the Duratec Class in Round 3 of the NSW Formula Ford Championship at Wakefield Park on the weekend with a clean-sweep of race wins ahead of fellow Duratec runner Jaymee Frampton.

Despite his trio of race victories, Whitmore missed out on pole position, which was claimed by James Spicer, who used the wet conditions effectively to nullify the horsepower deficiency of his Kent Class car. Spicer led the Kent Class and ran in second place outright for most of Race 1, before spinning off the circuit at Turn 2, handing the class win to Ryan Campbell. Formula Ford veteran Derryn Harrison also slipped off the circuit in the same corner, necessitating a lengthy Safety Car intervention while the cars were retrieved.

In Race 2, Whitmore again led all the way but Frampton slipped down the order. Kent Class points-leader Steve Charman took advantage to win the class and finish second outright ahead of Campbell.

Frampton moved back up to second in Race 3, with Charman finishing third outright and again claiming the Kent class win from Campbell and the recovering Spicer.

– LACHLAN MANSELL

GILBERT REDEMPTION AUSSIES OVERSEAS MITCHELL Gilbert was fourth in a Fortec Motorsport 1-2-3-4 result in the second Formula Renault UK race at Silverstone, after the Aussie took fourth spot via a late-race move on Tio Ellinas.

Alex Lynn won both races to further gap his brethren in the championship, but Gilbert, who was back in competition after skipping the Snetterton event due to food poisoning, was fourth in Race 2. However, with teammate Felix Serralles not scoring points as a non-registered driver, Gilbert took third overall in the points.

– DAVID ADDISON

52

THE NSW Sports Sedan Championship threw up a mixture of results in the penultimate event at Wakefield Park on the weekend.

In Race 1, Dameon Jameson claimed victory by virtue of being one of the few competitors to stay on the track in extremely treacherous conditions. He finished first ahead of Grant Doulman and Hans Riehs, who put in an amazing performance in his ex-Mini Challenge car.

Doulman claimed the Race 2 win ahead of Simon Copping and Riehs, as Jameson plummeted down the order with a number of spins, while Chris Jackson recovered from two disastrous opening races to win the dry final encounter from Doulman and Copping, who also moved into

the championship lead.

Ryan Brown won the first Under 2-Litre Improved Production race but suffered a catastrophic engine failure in the next event, allowing Geoff Fear to win the final two races despite intense pressure from David Crighton. Four-time Australian Rally Champion Neal Bates made a guest appearance in John Roecken’s Corolla and finished second in the wet Race 1.

Tony Virag and Steve Hodges teamed up to take out the 1-Hour Production Touring Car enduro in their HSV Clubsport, from Rod Thorpe and the Leigh / Gerry Burges entry, which looked good for the win before a slow pit-stop.

Other category winners were Doug Moss (Improved Production Over 2-Litre), Chris Buckley (HQ Holdens), Neale Muston (Production Sports) and Daniel Reynolds (Formula Vee).

–LACHLAN MANSELL

GURNEY AND FOGARTY WIN AGAIN! GRAND AM

THE Gainsco Chevrolet Riley of Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty was once again at the top of the podium in the Grand Am Sports Cars following the latest round at Montreal at the weekend.

The win put right all the wrongs from a dismal previous round at Watkins Glen, where the Riley crashed out early in the early laps of the race.

Strong pace and consistent pit stops in Canada however saw the familiar red Riley lead home the Daytona Prototypes with consummate ease ahead of the Sun Trust Dallara of Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor in second, and the first of the Porsche powered cars of David Donohue and Darren Law in third place.

motorsport news

RACE

Phil Williams

ONE SPUD FOR THEM ALL ...

SA STATE A 20-lap feature to determine the 2011 Holden HQ National Champion headlined Round 3 of the SA State Racing Championship at Mallala on the weekend.

More than 40 HQ’s from all corners of the country gridded up to contest six heats to ultimately decide the top-20. A repecharge would finalise the remaining 20 positions.

After the points were tallied, the front row for the final was

an all SA affair where locals Bruce Heinrich and Neil Corey had clear track in front, with the grid extending back to the start of the Esses.

At the green flag, the field jumped cleanly with everyone getting off the line remarkably unscathed.

Victorian John ‘Spud’ Wood joined the two locals at the head of the field after just a few laps, showing his true national HQ pace.

The trio traded blows all through the race until Wood gained the ascendency and

then held on to take the title by just three-seconds from Heinrich in second and Corey third.

The only Safety Car came early in the race for a solitary lap when a car had to be extricated from the sand at the end of the back straight.

The local Improved Production field had their ranks bolstered by a number of interstaters who took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the circuit ahead of their national meeting later in the year.

Out front, local driver Mark Short didn’t have easy, with one of the four races going to the RX-7 of Victoria’s Kane Vereker.

In a weekend long duel across their four events, Graham Jarrett (Camaro) and Mark Blyfield (Torana) constantly swapped the lead of the Historic Touring Cars. Neither gained any real advantage and very little separated the two at the chequered flag, each taking two wins in their David and Goliath battle.

– PHIL WILLIAMS

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53

CARNAGE AT SYMMONS TASMANIA STATE

SUNNY conditions reminiscent of spring greeted competitors for Round 4 of the Tasmanian Super Series held at Symmons plains over the weekend.

Sports GTA competitor Matthew Burns suffered an early weekend-ending engine problem after his car had recently returned from Greg Murphy Motorsport after having

a Holinger 6 speed sequential gearbox installed.

Race 1 of the Formula Vees was full of action after Liam Caplice came together with a fellow Vee runner at the hairpin, putting the pair off the track and into the gravel trap.

Sports GT driver Laurie Williams crashed heavily at the end of the back straight, with the impact being so severe that it removed the rear axel from the vehicle . The vehicle rotated along the tyre wall several

time before Williams exited the remains of his damaged car shaken, but importantly, unhurt.

Scott Willing also had an engine malfunction, which put an unfortunate end to his weekend.

Phil Ashlin recorded a new lap record of 1:12.2536 during the non-points round of the HQ Holdens. No points were awarded in Tasmania due to the HQ Nationals being run at Mallala Motorsport Park in South Australia on the same weekend.

Other Round 4 winners

included Improved Production’s Darren Martin, Historic Touring Cars’ Michael Cross, Brad Sherriff from Sports GTA, GTB’s Scott Deane, GTC – Michael Conacher, Formula Vee 1200 – Nino Bocchino, Matt Holmes in Formula Vee 1600, and Steve Martin took out Historic Regularity.

The next round of the Tasmanian Super Series will be held at Baskerville Raceway on September 17 and 18.

– DAVID CLIFFORD

James Griffiths

MUSCLES AND MILK WIN ALMS ALMS ROAD America was the stage for the closest ever finish in American Le Mans Series racing on the weekend, with the Muscle Milk Lola-Aston Martin of Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr leading home the Dyson prepared Lola of Guy Smith and Chris Dyson.

Despite holding a sizeable lead mid way through the four-hour enduro, the Lola-Aston in the hands of Graf came under immense pressure from Smith in the Dyson in the dying stages of the race.

With the clock fast ticking down, traffic came into play big time for the leaders as they nearly threw the whole race away whilst negotiating back markers.

However, with the sun low in the sky, Graf just held onto the lead across the line, with the smallest ever overall margin or 0.112 seconds over Smith in second.

Butch Leitzinger and Rudy Junco took the spoils in the LMPC class, with a well-deserved maiden class win.

In the GT class meanwhile, the Risi prepared Ferrari 458 Italia took its first win in the ALMS in the hands of Tony Vilander and Jamie Melo.

And taking the GTC Class win was the Black Swan Porsche driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen and teammate Tim Pappas.

54

motorsport news

RACE

TURNING UP THE WICKENS

FR 3.5 TWO wins for Robert Wickens in Formula Renault 3.5 at Silverstone has moved him into a commanding championship lead over Carlin teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne.

Vergne’s weekend woes came about after his car wouldn’t select a gear on the grid prior to Race 1, needing an ECU reset before it would behave. That left J-EV starting from the pit lane where he eventually fought his way to 12th, out of the points. Daniel Ricciardo took second after a late-race pass on Alexander Rossi, but was

unable to close on Wickens.

Wickens bolted at the start of Race 2 while Ricciardo headed Vergne and Rossi. The American Rossi pitted early in the window in what would be an inspired move as he came out second behind Wickens. The brilliance however was short lived as Rossi was excluded post-race for insufficient wheel nut threads remaining on the suspension arms. That elevated Ricciardo to second while Nathanael Berthon secured third after jumping Vergne in the pit stops.

– DAVID ADDISON

MIEDECKE REMAINS CONSISTENT IN THE HUNT IN UARA LATE MODELS ...

AUSSIES OVERSEAS WITH six races remaining in the UARA Stars Late Model Series, JELD-WEN backed racer George Miedecke is closer to securing a top-three result in this year’s championship after a solid fifth at Anderson Speedway on the weekend.

Miedecke’s weekend began in less than desired style after the Australian had to www.mnews.com.au

chase from the rear of the field following an early altercation. Akin to his team principal’s, Marcos Ambrose’s Nationwide race, Miedecke drove from the rear to the front after qualifying in ninth place.

Sustaining cosmetic damage after coming together with a fellow competitor, Miedeke’s race was made harder when the race finished without another Safety Car, leaving Miedecke fighting on the back foot. The Port Macquarie driver however was able to pick

off then cars en-route to his fifth place.

Post Race, Miedecke was frustrated by his race fortunes.

“The Marcos Ambrose Motorsport crew gave me an awesome car, but being spun out really cost us a shot at a top result,” Miedecke said.

“Having such a long green flag run is just about unprecedented in this type of racing, but we soldiered on, and had the quickest car on the track for the last 100 laps.”

55

.231 +)1% "#% "0

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%00"0) ("++%-'% Ferrari 360 Challenge ready to race or private track days. Very competitive car with a number of podium finishes in Australian GT Challenge in 2009 with amateur driver. Near new engine with less than 10,000kms. Internal air jacks.

Auto fire bomb kit. Ohlin shocks.

Best example available.

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Replacement value $150K. Set Eastern Creek lap record July 11.

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Full carbon fibre body Minister Engine Roller barrel throttle bodies. Cosworth forged pistons Forged steel crank & rods CDI ignition, Autronic ECU Close ratio gearbox.

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motorsport news

ODD SPOT!

rear of grid

Wickens, Defying Brevity

Renault Sport Media

IT is far from uncommon for a racing driver to complain about traffic in qualifying.

Usually, the complaint relates to a fast lap being ruined by a slow moving car on the racing line. But for Canadian Robert Wickens at Silverstone yesterday, it meant something totally different.

Wickens was on his way to the track to

race in Formula Renault 3.5 ... when he got caught in a traffic jam. Having been stuck for over an hour, he arrived at the circuit late enough to miss the first 10 minutes of qualifying.

Not that it mattered. Wickens took a better late than never approach, taking his sixth pole of the season and then going on to win the race, adding to his title-leading

points haul. Oh, and his win handed Carlin the Team’s Title to boot.

“The day got off to a strange start,” he said afterwards.

“I spent more than an hour in the traffic on the way to the circuit, so I missed 10 minutes of the qualifying session. It’s been a perfect weekend, and we capped it off by winning the Team’s Title.”

ON THIS DAY 23 AUGUST 1991 IT is 20 years tomorrow since the world first saw Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 car. After Bertrand Gachot was arrested for assaulting a cab driver in London, Jordan Grand Prix needed a driver and the young German was recruited. After a brief test, Schumacher practiced on the Friday at Spa, qualified seventh on the Saturday and failed to make it around the first lap after killing the clutch. But the die was cast and all these years later, he is still racing F1 cars ...

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