Motorsport News Issue 102 - 6-19 June 1997

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By CHRIS LAMBDEN

PETER Brock shocked the Australian motor sport fraternity last Thursday by announcing his retirement.

The Australian 1000 Classic at Bathurst on October 19 will be Brock's final race as a full-time racing driver - although be has not ruled out future appearances in special events.

While the subject of retirement has been on the champion's mind and the result of occasional media speculation - for some time, the suddenness of the decision and its announcement surprised even his closest colleagues.

In front of a hurriedly gathered media contingent and a few current and former colleagues at Melbourne's Sheraton Hotel, Brock outlined his decision and his plans from here on: "What I've come here today to announce to you all is that it is time for me to retire.

"I will complete the next few races in the touring car championship and certainly have a red hot go at Bathurst again this year.

"But it's time to call it quits and to allow someone else in there to have a real good go and try and explore their own levels of opportunity that exist out there in motor racing."

Brock will take on a new role within the Mobil HRT: "My role will be very much with the race team to ensure that the young talent is coming along.

"I see Greg Murphy in the audience here today - perhaps I can give him and other young drivers some sort of information that might stop them falling into some of the same pitfalls that I have been in during my life.

"Lately I've been involved with the Holden Young Lions program and that's something I'm looking forward to continuing. ''I don't think we've seen the last of this kind of thing in motorsport, to be quite honest, because young people seem to have a great qesire to compete at the highest level in motorsport in Australia, Indy-type racing, Formula One and some of the other pursuits in Europe.

"As far as I am concerned, if I can

Startingnext issuewe presenta serialisation of The Peter Brock Story,detailinghis career from the first race to the present day. Don't miss it! help those young kids come through and make the transition into the highest levels in Australia and prepare them for their future, that will be a pretty good thing.

"It's been great to be with the Young Lions this year and, from here on in, we'll hear a lot more of that.

"Motor racing seems to be changing its face somewhat. It would seem that motor racing has always been about drivers who have been there for a number of years with sponsors and teams.

"The teams have always looked to a long-term association to gain some sort of recompense for the sponsor's investment in the teams.

"Nowadays it seems to be changing a little.

"With my stepping aside I can assure you that I still very much have a place on behalf of the team to ensure that sponsors and those that have invested very heavily in their activities are still managing to get the coverage they require."

A great deal of Brock's future will, though, be outside motor sport: "I have an enormous number of new challenges and new directions in my life. Those of you who know me well would expect me to say that.

"There's an old saying: as one door closes, another one opens.

With me, at the moment, I ~ave a lot of opportunities in the world of television and the media, driver training, a lot of work in road safety and also public speaking.

"I enjoy very much getting out there and mixing with the public and trying to put something back into the community which bas supported me so well over the years.

"Motor racing has been very good to me.

■ Experienced motor sport journalist Mark Fogarty has been appointed Media & Communications Manager at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. Fogarty, who has been based primarily in the UK for the past 10 years, returns to take up the position in mid-July.

■ Bridgestone racing manager Graeme "Mort"Brown was on hand at Peter Brock's retirement press conference,fortunately recovering well from a nervous system-related illness which at one point resulted in complete memory loss. The attack came on during a brief visit to New Zealand last montl}.

■ Melbourne-based PR company Wright Business Marketing, which looks after media relations in the SATCC for Shell, has been appointed by Shell International to provide PR advice and service for the company's Fl involvement with Fenari. MD Douglas Wright bas been in London setting up an officethere to service the new account.

■ CAMSMotorsport Manager

Tim Schenken was in Rome last

"I've been around the world and it's opened a lot of doors for me in areas inside and outside of motor racing. I've been able to meet a lot of people around the country and people from various sporting activities.

"It's allowed me to take advantage of a lot of opportunities that have come my way - and I've never been one to turn down an opportunity.

"Right now I have some of the greatest opportunities I've ever had in my life. I've got the opportunity to nurture some young people, to get involved with my television career and other activities which are presenting themselves.

Certainly this announcement will lead to more and more things.

"I will also continue to do a lot of

..

•• I

■ Action in the Longhmst/ Konica disagreement remains in the hands of the various solicitors.Any further development in the rumoured Skaife/HRTYoung Lions collaboration, as reported in the last issue ofMotorsport News, therefore remains in limbo.

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ffl 051 0

Cartoon by Allan Schofield

things with my good friends at Mobil, General Motors and Bridgestone and I look forward to that opportunity."

Brock leaves full-time motor sport with no regrets - not even the lack of that elusive tenth Bathurst win:

"I know most of Australia emits a collective groan when I don't win Bathurst for the tenth time, but the reality is you'd have to be a pretty selfish type not to be satisfied with nine!

"Sometimes I'm reminded of what I've achieved with career wins and different races and different· activities I've been involved in such as rally, rallycross and all those things.

"No, I'm inclined to think it's been fantastic for me. I've really done mor~ with my life than I ever could have imagined.

"I never set out with a great plan when I was a kid. I never set out with a set of goals, or wanted to finish up here or there. I just took life as it came and as the opportunities arrived I just took them and did as I thought was appropriate at that time. It usually turned out that, because of my enthusiasm and love of doing it, it turned out pretty successful.

"I thought that if you get out and enjoy it while you can, the future will take care of itself ..."

Apart from giving HRT time to plan its options for 1998, the timing of Brock's announcement comes with at least one race remaining in each mainland state this year.

The rest of 1997 therefore becomes something of a Farewell Tour with, in a lot of cases, each race presenting possibly the last chance for people to see Brock in action.

And for the promoters of the fledgling Australian 1000 Classic, it's a PR bonus straight from heaven ...

weekend, taking part in Ferrari's 50th anniversary celebrations. Schenken, the only Australian to have driven for the Ferrari factory, drove his original 312P sports car in a parade around the Rome street circuit where Ferrari made its debut.

■ NSW driver Ben Walsh finished a close second last weekend in the Formula Asia Festival at Malaysia's Shah Alam circuit.

Walsh's result came in the Formula Campus category, similar to Euro Formula Renault.

■ HRT team manager Jeff 'Grech is at a loss to explain the series of driveline failures being experienced this year, especially

by Greg Murphy. Even Murfwas starting to think he is doing something wrong, but Grech was in no doubt: "It's not Greg's fault," he said after race one at Eastern Creek as the crew replaced another rear end. Then, in race three, the gearbox selected two gears at once to add to the list.

■ Nigel Mansell recently admitted that golf and the death of Ayrton Senna had changed his attitude to motor racing. The 1992 world champ was speaking at the Sunningdale Foursomes golfing tournament. "Yes, I have had a few offers to drive again, and yes, I might do it if I could get into a really competitive car," he admitted. ''But for the moment golf is my life."

■ Promising Spanish driver Jordi Gene faces several weeks on the sidelines after a heavy crash during the warm-up lap of the F3000 event at Pau last week. Gene lost the car at the Foch chicane and suffered cracked and bmised vertebrae in the impact, which destroyed bis Pacific Racing Lola.

....................................................... ...1991 ......6.June .4

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The end of an era

M

otor sport is Australia will never be quite the same after Peter Brock finally hangs up his helmet in October, even though he isn't actually going away.

There are not too many people you could say that about, but Brock stands so far above anyone else in the sport it is hard to put it into words. Not that it is necessary.

His enormous record speaks for itself and in this day and age it will likely never be bettered. To be fair, he was in a two or threehorse race for many years and now there are many more teams capable of winning races and championships that the odds are heavily against those records being bettered.

As a driver, he was magic in his prime, capable of bringing even inferior cars across • the finish line in front.

In superior equipment, which he enjoyed for much of his career, he was almost unbeatable. But credit should be given to his ability to provide himself with that equipment because he was always totally dedicated to improving the breed and never resting on his laurels.

But we all know about Peter Brock the driver. What impresses more is Peter Brock the man.

I have been closely associated with Peter for many years and it has been remarkable to see him develop as a human being over the years.

One cannot imagine what it must be like to be a personality of any sort, let alone one with the public standing of Peter Brock - not just in motor sport, but the community as a whole.

Dealing with that level of fame must be daunting, being surrounded by people more than willing to tell you how good you are. It has to affect the ego and, for sure, Peter went through times when he was affected by it.

But he came through that with a singleminded dedication that is typical of the man.

It might have cost him a valuable business and a number of friends, but the change in

his life that coincided with the events of the late 1980s made him a better person.

Peter Brock is now one of most genuine, caring, honest and admirable people you could hope to meet. He has a passion for not only his own life, but other people's lives as well. He has not only touched thousands of people, but probably changed them for the better. What an incredible achievement - even more remarkable than his track record.

I will admit to feeling a little emotional about Peter's retirement announcement certainly more than Peter was himself because in 27 years of motor sport journalism, I have never known the sport without Peter Brock being at the centre of everything. How can it ever be the same?

Of course, the sport will go on and prosper and Peter will thankfully play a role in that. It is a relief to know that he will still be around to impart his warmth and commonsense in a sport which is largely lacking in both.

Thank you for many great times and memories, Peter. It's been a terrific ride and long may it continue. You deserve everything.

A fitting testimony Many fans will know that I wrote a book called The Peter Brock Story in 1983, which is now almost impossible to find in even second-hand stores.

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ON THE JOB: Editor Hassa/1 and Peter Brock at a post-race interview session.

There have been many requests for a volume two, but I don't think I will ever find the time to do it, so to satisfy the demand we have decided to run a serialised history of Peter's touring car career right up to the current time.

The series will start next issue and continue over the coming months, so that's something for all the Peter Brock fans to look forward to.

No doubt there will be many testimonials and special presentations for Peter in the months ahead, but one that CAMS might like to consider is to permanently retire the number '05'.

Many other sports retire the numbers of legendary players and it would be fitting for 05 - which is so strongly connected to the Brock legend - to never be used by anyone else.

It willbe

Peter Brock- by those hislast Bathurst, who knowhim best but not Colin Bond: I had to make the same decision a couple of years ago. We both had our start at the same time when Harry (Firth) gave us our chance.

There comes a time when motor racing becomes hard work. Peter's in the situation where he has the chance to do something with television he wants to.

He's getting out on the top, as Wayne Gardner did when he got out of bikes, and that allows him to do other things and have people look up to him.

Peter probably had the best history, and the best results, of anyone in the sport.

Allan Moffat: There was a feeling of mutual respect between us.

Eras end all the time and, with Peter retiring, this one is now ending. He made it his life's work. at Fo·r many years Bathurst it was either him or me, and that's the way it worked out.

It was very convenient for him to mention that he had the white hat (laughing). I'm not about to 'kiss and tell' about what really happened, but there were reasons why I accepted wearing the black hat! But 100,000 Ford fans might argue that I was wearing the white hat ...

We were not friends for over a decade. It wasn't until the mid-80s when the Mazda project stopped for me, that I wasn't driving, and John Harvey rang me up and said, "Come down and have lunch with Peter and me". That was very magnanimous at the time.

I was a little bit concerned

his 10th

Colin Bond

Jim Richards

John Bowe

about it turning into a servant/master relationship: that didn't happen. It was a very good association and I was very pleased to continue working for them.

We won our first race together (at Wellington) and it was a very nice association.

I think it's nice that he has new challenges. That's not always a luxury that life affords us. I think that the fact he has got future in front of him and that he's made the decision to change gears is great it gives him a 'second life'.

full-on and he had numerous opportunities to put me off.

But he didn't. Peter would rather lose a championship than win it by default.

says, "Bevo, why am I doing this?"

I see him get excited about the future and that's what pleases me about it.

Jim Richards:

It's sad for us, but he's happy. His approach to a lot of things, from how he treats people to the media, is something everyone can look at and take a leaf from his book.

I admire and respect him a lot and it's a privilege to have been involved with him for the last two years.

a

Dick Johnson: Of all the people I raced against in 33 years, he would have to be one of the cleanest and toughest drivers you'd ever race against.

If he beat you it was fair and square, and vice versa.

At Lakeside in 1981 at the last round of the touring car series it was a straight race: whoever won the race won the title. For 35 laps we were never more than a car's length apart. There was a lot at stake. It was

I'm surprised. He's still as fast as he always was and he's proved he's one of THE best.

You always knew that you were going to get a fair go racing against Peter. If you could go around the outside of him, if you were good enough, you knew that he would appreciate that and make enough room for both of you.

John Bowe: Personally I'm sorry to see him go: he's still got plenty to offer. It's probably premature, but that's his decision.

He's a fantastic driver. He has a very refreshing outlook on life.

Beverley Brock: I have to say that I'm very pleased. There are times when he comes home and

Greg Murphy:

Mark Skaife: I think the first time drove in a touring car race I qualified alongside him. He was in the BMW, I was in the Skyline and it was aweinspiring!

I always followed him when I was a little bloke and used to watch him and the other XU-1s.

You'd always learn something from Brock, even as an opponent. We've always got on very well and there's not many people who'd give you honest and good advice.

John Cleland

John Cleland:

There's not a lot of drivers for whom I have the respect I have for Brockie.

The first time I met him properly was when we drove together at Bathurst 1993.

They said, "Whatever you do, don't upset him, or you won't get many laps".

But that was far from the truth. I got plenty of laps, had a great time with Brock and he taught me a lot about people.

You NEVER see a bad side to him; he suffers, but you never see it. He is the real pro.

He's great with the fans.

They are his people and they made him. He's a hard act to follow and I think he will make a great teacher.

Alan Gow: Australian motorsport will never see another Peter Brock. In time people will reflect on records in every category of motorsport Around Australia trials, rallycross, or whatever.

He is the most complete racing driver Australia has ever seen.

THIS year's Australian be Peter 1000 will Brock's final Bathurst race.

As much as he is reluctant to say never about anything, the nine-time winner is realistic enough not to give people hope that he will return as a co-driver in future races.

"No, this will be it," he told us this week.

"October 19 will be the last time I drive around Bathurst.

"What has made the whole thing clearer is the confusion around Bathurst at the moment.

"That has made the decision easier."

Brock would also realise that the political turmoil which has surrounded Bathurst this year costs him any chance of going into the record books as a 10-time winner of the race.

Unless, of course, he manages to swing a drive in the 1000 for AMP Bathurst Super Tourers on October 5.

He would love to do that, but his links to Mobil Holden and Bridgestone seem to make that impossible at this stage.

"Each have a substantial inve tment in the Supercru· category and I have to respect that," he said.

Techrucally, the winner of the AMP 1000 will be the official Bathurst winner, regardless of anything the promoters VB Supercar would like to think.

- DAVID HASSALL

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Whowill replacePeterPerfect?

By CHRIS LAMBDEN

that the opportunity is arising (albeit a year earlier than most WITH Brock's departure from had imagined) would present a full-time driving, the battle is confusing message to the young on for the plum spot in HRT's brigade.

1998 line-up, not to mention At this point, the team's formal the seat alongside the nineresponse is "it's early days yet times Bathurst winner in nothing's been discussed," but October. team manager Jeff Grech is The names Skaife, Bowe and expecting the phone to start ringIngall have all been mentioned ing ... over recent seasons in terms of In terms of the Sandown/ experience, but if HRT sticks to its Bathurst long distance races this much-publicised youth policy, look year, a team statement last week for a continuation of the Lowndes- pointed to an announcement in a Murphy philosophy. few weeks.

Bowe's name has been menHowever, during his retirement tioned in connection with HRT a press conference, Brock appeared number of times in recent years to rule out a Young Lion co-driver but he has always been retained (''The four Young Lions have their with strong counter-offers from car").

Dick Johnson Racing.

And with his former co-driver Skaife is also known to have had Tomas Mezera seemingly commitdiscussions in the past with HRT ted to his 1997 arrangement with boss John Grennan, who is a John Trimbole's team, there are limited options. known fan, and he is presently involved in discussions with the If Gibson Motorsport's financial team regarding the Young Lions woes continue, Mark Skaife and Konica deals. becomes an obvious contender for The whole rationale behind the two-race deal, particularly if HRT's Young Lions program this the wash-up of the Konica sponsoryear has been to find and develop ship contest sees the rumoured the talent to take over from the link between Skaife and HRT's current line-up.

Young Lions come to pass.

The former touring car champ To overlook the young breed now

mentor Harry Firth for moulding the style that has seen him through 30 years of motor sport.

At the same time, Brock fired a salvo at the increasing number of "contact" drivers in the sport.

"Harry was a very different sort of person to those you see in motorsport these days," he said.

"Harry always believed that you did a lot of talking at the racetrack, that the race car itself was a very special piece of machinery and if you just take this car and caress it, it will get you around the circuit.

"The cars were less than perfect, far less than what they are nowadays. They had brakes that were far less durable, gearboxes which, if you wanted to change, you had to count to two or three as you changed from third to top, and you really had to drive the thing very carefully.

"If you drove it the way that Harry reckoned, you were going to be pretty successful.

Cartoon by Allan Schofield

and Bathurst winner obviouslyhas the driving credentials to do the job - although how he would respond to not "calling the shots"

sympathy and, certainly, you had to be wary if you did anything other than that.

"Harry was very big on that side of things and another thing he was very big on was to have team unity. He was always making sure we got along with each other very well.

"As far as that was concerned I thought nothing of getting behind the wheel of a car and towing the racing car interstate, racing it, then coming back on Sunday night and getting back to work again on Monday morning. It was just the way we did things in those days.

"Things have certainly changed. Nowadays the cars are built to be extremely durable.

"At times young drivers are told that unless they bend the car in some way they're not having a go. I believe there's a happy balance in between there.

"You can still be a very, very good driver, very sharp, very skilful and not get involved in showing a lack of respect for the machinery around you ..."

things to put into place before I call it a day.

"We need to get the business into shape, so that any change goes smoothly."

Dick also harbours an ambition to drive at Bathurst with son Steven, "and that's unlikely to happen this year, I wouldn't think," he concluded.

All of which means there's at least another year left in DJ yet ...

- CHRIS LAMBDEN

Dick Johnson

although of those with recent Bathurst experience, Brit John Cleland comes to mind as a possibility.

the toughest PETER Brock has singled out Allan Moffat as the toughest rival and the 1972 Bathurst clash between the two as the most satisfying win of his 30-year motor sport career.

"In terms of longevity and giving me a sheer tough time for 15 years, it has to be Allan Moffat.

"He had on a black hat in those days and I was fortunate enough, with the public relations department or whatever, to have been given the white hat.

"There's one thing I always thought: if you're going to pass someone, let's try and out-snooker them. Let's try and do it in such a way that you're not going to be bashing them off the road.

"There were occasions when he used to put the blinkers on and occasionally he'd do something that would infuriate me and incur the wrath of officialdom.

"But, for consistency, Moffat was the one.

"He was not a natural d1iver, but he would get out there and practice and train until he almost had a groove worn around the track.

"Come Sunday, he had his act together. If ever you managed to beat him you knew it was a job well done."

Bathurst in 1972 provided a memorable clash between the two, and Brock's first Bathurst win: "It was one of the major turning points in my life

Dick:I've got anotheryear DICK Johnson this week said that his own retirement from motor sport was still at least a year away.

Brock's retirement has prompted a flood of enquiries to touring car's other elder statesman about his own plans, but DJ still has things he wants to do.

"There's no way I'm retiring just yet, I can tell you," he told Motorsport News on Monday.

"There's a number of

as a hired hand might be interesting.

Imported co-drivers have in the past met with limited success,

::,,;, ~-

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DCCIIC.

RARE ALLIANCE ... Brock and Moffat together briefly during the Mobil Holden Dealer Team days.

because Bathurst has become, in this country, a sporting event not dissimilar to the AFL Grand Final or, perhaps, the tennis Open or things like that. It's a great event.

"I drove solo. It was raining. I was in a car with lightly grooved slick tyres - I've always liked lightly grooved slick tyres!

"I had this tremendous tussle with Allan Moffat and it went on for hour after hour.

"Finally, I was harassing him over the top of the Mountain and, as we went through Reid Park, he was

looking in the rear view mirror and I could see the whites of his eyes as I was diving down the inside.

"The tail of the Falcon just slid wide into the excess • moisture that builds up on the outside and he spun out.

"I was through and off. He caught it, but he could never, never get back and I went on to win the race.

"I was acknowledged by my fellow racing drivers and the press and, for my own self, I proved that I could win the big event. You need to have something like that before you can have that belief in yourself."

······.{f'!jJpJJp_rr.~f .~.~~.~~···································· PETER ...

6 6June1997 ............................................ ............................................

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Peter Brock's retirement was in some ways expected and yet it still came as a surprise. The dust still hadn't settled when Motorsport News editor - and author of The Peter Brock Story DAVID HASSALL spoke to him three days after the announcement.

NEWS: MOTORSPORT Three days after the you're announcement pretty cool, calm and collected about it all. How do you view the decision now? Do you realise that it's quite a momentous occasion in other people's lives, if not yours?

PETER BROCK: I think the main thing is going to be getting to the next race meeting, which is going to be Lakeside, and just seeing the response of people. .

Already there's been lot of people phoning and seeing me at different things and the general theme has been, "Why are you retiring?

Why? You can do all these things, you're out there hav- ' ing a go!"

It's not so much that I'm finding that's not working for me; I'm finding new directions in my life which are becoming apparent I should be following. If I didn't have and the new directions opportunities I guess I'd be feeling more empty. I'd be saying, 'What am I going to do now? Boy, I hope something turns up. What do I do to make myself feel worthwhile as a person?"

But when you've got a full life anyway those thoughts don't necessarily enter your head.

a

THE KING: Brock as the King of Moomba and his then-very young children Robert and Alexandra (above). Below he is seen splashing around Adelaide International Raceway while at right he accepts a trophy at Winton wearing his very first HDT driving suit.

MN: If you didn't have those opportunities would you still be making the same decision now?

PB: Probably not. I work on the basis that when your

begins to life direction change it's always wise to keep note of those new directions that are coming into your life.

For instance, I've had a few phone calls from people saying, "We'd like you to come and have a chat with us about something very different from your normal career; not motor racing we'd like to talk about, in my case, a television series.

We'd like you to get involved with some motivational speaking, talk at some road safety seminars with some young kids and we think that you could really make a contribution in that area."

When it gets to the stage where it's starting to interfere with your ability to give it full tilt as a professional racing driver, with all the test sessions and everything like that, I think that's when you sit back and say, "Hmmm, it seems like this is the flow of life, maybe I should be looking at that''.

MN: Have you still been e.njoying your racing though?

PB: The racing's fine. It seems like there's something - maybe a fun aspect - that is missing. Not just from motor racing - I tend to be a little more light-hearted about it than most - but from the sport in general. I'd say it's just as true in Supercars, in Super Touring, in probably most of the categories in motorsport these days.

I'd venture and say that

motorsport these days has a feeling of "win at any cost'' to either maintain or attract sponsors and, therefore, it becomes a little less fun in terms of just being lighthearted in your approach to it, and being super-friendly to the officials and the other competitors.

That seems to be, probably, a '90s thing more than anything else. From a person that's been through motorsport over a series of eras, where it's gone from this level to another level, when you do reflect on that we tend to come to the conc Ius ion that the '90s is a place where it's a lot more tense, there's a lot more stress and more anger and aggravation.

People measure results these days differently than when I started.

MN: Do you think we're heading in the right direction - are we suffering the little bit of pain that is necessary to make the transition or are we going too far?

PB: You've always got to accept that you've got to go with your gut instinct on how . to drive a car and, if that's their style, that's their style.

You just can't go and make people drive in a certain way because someone else drove that way.

People are going to be and you've innovators always got to try and nurture that aspect in young people's approach: how they

'Thetime hascomeand the time is right' This is an edited transcript from the press conference last Thursday at which Peter Brock announced his retirement from racing: Q: You're obviously still comas seen by the petitive, Symmons Plains pole position.

Has this been a difficult decision?

PB: Not as difficult as maybe many of you might imagine. I've achieved everything I set out to achieve and it's become apparent to me that the time has come.

I always think that when the phone stops ringing that it's a sign that maybe it's time to re-evaluate things and move on. Too often we can refuse to accept that and stick around, and that becomes less than satisfactory.

I just felt that the time was here and the time is right. I certainly like getting into a car and driving it around and I feel pretty good about it. When the car is on song and you're on the track it's a wonderful feeling. It's something that I feel pretty fortunate to have experienced.

But there are new challenges in life. New things are popping up and whatever happens in my life depends on the opportunities.

That's just the way I am.

I'll still be in the team and I'll be working closely with them and I won't be retreating from the motor racing world.

Q: Do any particular races stick out in your memory?

PB: The ones at the start of your career tend to stick with you, only because they perhaps create within you a new way of seeing something.

I remember the first race I ever finished because I had a problem with the car and finally Dad found it and we finished pretty well. We actually finished a race! I felt so good about that. The car was built in the chook house at the back of Mum and Dad's house.

Then there was '72 at Bathurst.

It was one of the major turning points in my life, because Bathurst has become in this country a sporting event not dissimilar to the AFL Grand Final or things like that. It's a great event.

I drove solo. It was raining. I

was in a car with lightly grooved slick tyres - I've always liked lightly grooved slick tyres! I had this tremendous tussle with Allan Moffat and it went on for hour after hour.

And, finally, I was harassing him over the top of the mountain and, as we went through Reid Park he was looking in the rear view mirror and I could see the whites of his eyes as I was diving down the inside. The tail of the Falcon just slid wide into the excess moisture that builds up on the outside. He caught it, but he could never, never get back and I went on to win the race.

I was acknowledged by my fellow racing drivers and the press and, for my own self, I proved that I could win the big event. You need to have something like that before you can have that belief in yourself.

0: You're still fast, you're still on top. Why didn't you make the decision at the start of the year or at the end of the year?

PB: Well, I figured it was time.

This will give us the opportunity to have Wanneroo, Lakeside, Oran

Park, Bathurst and Mallala to see the fans. Instead of saying, ''That's it, I'm never going there again as a racing driver", it gives people the opportunity of coming to a race track and saying hello.

Right now is just the right time to allow those young people who want to get into this category of racing in this expensive sport to say, "Okay, here's someone stepping aside to give young people a go". I, in my way, want to encourage those young people to explore their potential.

0: Do you think a few others of your generation should now stand aside as well?

PB: It would be fair to say others may re-evaluate their lives because they'll look at it and say, "Well, maybe he's right. Maybe I can still be of some value to the team and the sponsors without having to drive".

I'm sure that egos come into it and some might think, "Maybe a racing team won't be viable unless I'm driving". But there are other ways.

I think it's going to change the face of Australian motor racing,

because you're going to see young people coming through to make a name for themselves and get a toe-hold. Craig Lowndes is very a good example of that. Greg Murphy is another one.

Q: Do you think anyone in the future will ever win nine Bathursts as you've done, and how important is a 10th this year?

PB: There is a level of confusion surrounding Bathurst at this time, and I'd like to think that perhaps some of us more senior competitors in the sport could play a part in calming things down a little bit and making sure that Bathurst retains its position at the high point of the local motor racing scene.

Nothing's impossible on this planet. It's amazing how Bathurst creates a new gqal, a new limit that other people feel they have to try and achieve. So I would never say that I think that they won't do it. There's plenty of time for some of the drivers who have four or five (wins) like Larry (Perkins) and Jim Richards and people like that.

Continued Page 38

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handle the media, how to set a car up on a race track, how they drive it through a corner. You've got to allow for young people coming through, you don't want to stifle that natural flair they've got. If they have a very amusing point of view on life, a little levity etc, I like to try and nurture it. too overIf they're whelmed by a situation and too serious, you're not able to present your sponsor's products in the best possible

"This will be it.

October 19 will be the last time I drive around Bathurst." manner by being like that.

Just relax and enjoy life and have a bit of self-confidence in what you're doing and everyone is going to benefit.

So I tend to try and work on the areas which perhaps need a bit of fine-tuning, rather than de-tune the areas where they're being a little bit adventurous.

In motor racing these days we always need to be looking at ourselves and saying, "Is this entertaining?

Is this the right entertainment package that people want? What do people actually want? Let's fine-tune our act to suit that. Let's not get ourselves too far removed and try to pressure people into understanding where we come from."

If people don't understand where we're coming from because it's all too difficult, we are going to remove ourselves from the common person's understanding and love of what we do. We always have to be fine-tuning what we do to suit the mood of the public.

Even now, the greatest difficulty that motorsport has is in having general recognition. There are not too many teams and drivers or motorsport activities that are recognised by the general media. I'm talking about anyth in g from the Womans Days, or New Idea through to general stories in the daily newspapers. When everything is working right, you know that those people are going to be on the ball.

They'll have a pretty good idea - and good interest - in what you're doing.

That's not to take anything away from Motorsport News. That's very much a necessary part of presenting our information to the people who have a great fanaticism and love of the sport, but we've always got to look at having a broad appeal.

So my role as the public face of Mobil Holden Racing

Team, looking after those that invest in our motorsport activities, will be ensuring that the message that we have gets across to as large a cross-section of people in this part of the world as we possibly can manage.

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MN: Just last year we talked of you extending your deal with Mobil and HRT for another two years.

What happened there and how does this impact on your decision?

PB: We did; we have.

The issues that had to be resolved very quickly, once the decision was made that this would be the appropriate time to announce my exit, was that I could be of value to the sponsors for the long term. Because, obviously, there is a certain value that you have to them as a competitor in the sport and then that has to be resolved in other ways if you're not going to be driving.

That has worked out fine and I have a long-term relationship with them and it involves being the coach, the spokesperson and, generally, looking at extending the old racing activities.

I'd love to see us have more formal lines of communication with other racing activities in other parts of the globe so that the kids that are coming through our race team and doing well are put into the next step with their transition, which may well be in the US and Europe. We'll be trying to make sure that that happens. It seems like that is a very positive move that this is going to come to fruition.

MN: Using the Walkinshaw empire?

PB: Not necessarily.

Certainly, using Tom but trying to come up with something a little more concrete than just trying to put a kid in a car, as Craig (Lowndes) has, by turning around and saying, 'Here's your next step, that's where you go to next'. There will be two or three options, depending on just how the situation does vary.

That's very much a part of it. We need to be looking at how we are training kids, in what areas we are training them in Australia.

I'd like to see HRT's base of operations become broader and I know that that's a view that is shared by many that are there. It's simply a matter of making it happen, where we are able to give them some skills in formula racing as well as being wellgrounded in touring car racing.

into the Holden/GM world network?

PB: GM stuff and some of Mobil's contacts that they have. That would work out very nicely, so I'm working at doing that.

We haven't got to the stage yet of having a formal meeting about it but the enquiry so far is that this is going to be very much a part of what my role will be - and ensuring that those people that wish to be involved in the sponsorship of those motorsport activities will get value for money, which is something I will be able to give them the benefit of my experience with, I guess.

MN: You're talking about expanding on the Formula Holden program?

PB: Yes, that sort of thing.

MN: Who would co-ordinate this whole thing?

PB: This is going to be me, basically. I'll obviously delegate as the situation evolves.

MN: And, perhaps, tapping

Continued Page 38

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■ It was a case of 'name that driver' at Phillip Island as several wellknown faces were seen in the Super Touring paddock discussing possible drives at the weekend.

Paul Stokell and Iccy Harrington were seen in discussion with outfits, while Greg Murphy was . there to 'have a look' and help out with commentary.

■ Round 2 of the ROH Wheels CommodoreCup was held at Phillip Island on the weekend supporting the Super Tourers. The series is led by Dean Crosswell on 162 points from Maurie Platt on 161 and GeoffParker on 153.

Look out next issue for a full race report.

■ The Australian dele-

gation to the 24 Hour race at the Nordschleife circuit at the Nurburgring left early this week. Ray Lintott, Chris Smith, Warren Luff(Peugeot) and Peter McKay (Honda Civic)are among the hopefuls, the latter armed with a multi-page circuit map coUTtesyof some speedy work on the internet.

■ Have they fitted moosebars? Aussies dominated the first day of the Panama to Alaska Rally.

The Rick Bates and Jenny Brittan Porsche 911 leads Dean and Ben Rainsford in their Ford Capri V8, with Adelaide AGP identity Ian Cocks fourth in his 911. Stand by for updates from our man on the scene in his safari suit ...

■ There will be a nation-

al series for sports cars this season. The Ansett Air Freight Invitation Sports Car Challenge, which will cater for all kinds of sportscars, will start at Eastern Creek on June 22 and continue over four further rounds, running as a support for the ARDC's Amscar series. The races will be telecast on SBS TV's'Speedweek' and details are available from Bobvan Zeggeren on (02) 9544 2399.

■ While Craig Lowndes was out ofluck in Helsinki local hero JJ Lehto was wowingthe locals with a win in the GT race. The former Fl star shared a Schnitzer McLaren-BMW with Steve Soper and finished ahead ofRalf Kelleners/Stepbane Ortelli (Porsche)and John Nielsenfl'homas Bsher (McLaren).The winning duo lead the series.

TOCA UK Chief Alan Gow believes AVESCO should change the date of its 1000 rival Australian Classic for V8 Supercars.

Gow, in Australia for a few days of meetings related to the AMP Bathurst 1000, believes the close proximity of the two races helps neither, but particularly hinders the V8 race.

"Serious questions have to be asked of CAMS as to why a permit was issued for October 19, so close to a similar race," said the expatriate Aussie.

"That aside, you also have to question AVESCO's business sense in· 'going for Octob~r 19. ~·

Alan Gow

"I think that at the time they thought the Consortium would just go away and that they'd slip back into October 5, but it hasn't worked out

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already!

1000, a sponsor, the existing infrastructure, international TV. They (AVESCO) have a lot to gain by seriously lookA VB touring car calening at a different date ..."

Gow also ruled out any dar for 1998 is close to need for compromise by agreement already!

MPA chief executive TOCA for 1998 at Bathurst and hinted that he wouldn't Mike met Raymond be surprised to see Peter recently with the circuits Brock driving at Bathurst on and subsequently October 5.

Channel 10 to prepare a "If Peter wants to win 10 preliminary schedule for Bathursts, then October 5 is 1998. the Bathurst 1000. The other Agreement on a sensi• race is just a race at ble calendar was reached Bathurst. and that schedule was "I haven't seen anything to the full presented yet in which Peter states he won't be racing on October Shell series management committee a week ago.

5."

News Motors port -CHRISLAMBDEN understands there were no major objections to the proposed dates, with just one query over a Targa with clash Tasmania, which has in reversegrid secondrace in the Shell series. the past enjoyed a "pro• "There are those who feel it would tected" date.

The calendar is thereaffect the integrity of the championship. fore on course for final We don't agree.

"A reverse grid format works extreme- approval and announce• ly well in other forms of motor sport and ment prior to the target it's one way of guaranteeing passing and date of June 30. of Early publication constant action.

"It also rewards drivers who have the the V8 dates will avoid ability to race and pass and not just the calendar fiascos of drive round in front of everyone all day recent years, particular- which is theoretically possible now, ly this year when other and has happened." were badly categories - CHRIS LAMBDEN affected.

that way.

"The clash will hurt them more than us.

"They should move the race back - November?

Australia Day? Easter? before they are fully committed to something that's going to be very expensive to put on."

Gow claimed that, because of the close proximity of the two races, Channel 7 was currently unwilling to lease its extensive underground cabling to Ten "and so it will be an expensive exercise for Ten" and that the ARDC had not been approached regarding costs of leasing the pit buildings and such.

"We have the Bathurst

Pushfor reversegrids AUSTRALIA's motor sport promot- races and the way driving infringeers are urging the relevant parties ments are handled.

"All this parade lap, three minutes, to take another look at the concept of having one reverse grid race at two minutes, one minute, 30 seconds, warm-up lap, etc isn't what people come Shell series rounds next year.

The idea was canvassed and rejected to see. They want action.

"We believe the Stop-Go system also this year, but the promoters believe it should be part of a package to boost . works against the spectacle. By all means discipline drivers after a race, interest and excitement in V8 racing.

"We have to look at a number of take their points, but don't destroy the things in the way we present our sport spectacle.

"We must increase the entertainment to the paying public," MPA Chairman we offer,and that's why we (the MPA) are Mick Ronke said this week, "and that includes the way we actually run ·the formally proposing introduction of a

The provisional V8 calendar is: February 1, Sandown (SATCC 1) February 8, Symmons $600 per tyre.

Plains (SATCC 2) A $1500 entry fee refund will also be March 6-8, Albert Park offered to the first 40 cars on the grid, (AGP) with further prizemoney for a separate March 29, Surfers privateer top ten run-off. (lndyCar) Perkins' proposal allocates overall 5, Eastern Creek April pri.zemoneyfrom 1st to 20th, with addi(SATCC 3) tional monies for the first 10 privateers.

AVESCO Chairman Wayne Cattach April 19, Phillip Island (SATCC 4) confirmed on Monday that the proposal May 3, Lakeside would go ahead.

(SATCC 5) ''The Executive has agreed it in prinMay 17, Winton ciple, IMG has agreed, and it remains (SATCC 6) for our other partner (the AMSC) to June 21, Calder Park concur.

(SATCC 7) "It'll happen and we'll be out there this week talking to privateer teams."

July 12, Wanneroo While a Control tyre for privateers (SATCC 8) has been agreed, discussions with July 19, Mallala potential suppliers are still to be com(SATCC 9) pleted.

August 2, Oran Park However, ARDC chief Ivan Stibbard (SATCC 10) has reacted strongly to the proposal, saying it is a restriction in trade to preand 500 Sandown vent the teams coming to the earlier Bathurst dates remain to Bathurst race. be confirmed.

He said if CAMS approved the deal - CHRIS LAMBDEN the ARDCwould take legal action.

LP pedalsprivateerplan A PROPOSAL from Larry Perkins to boost genuine privateer stocks at the Australian 1000 Classic is to be implemented by AVESCO. Perkins is proposing to split the Bathurst field into two effective categories - Class 1 and Privateers - with genuine privateers using a subsidised, control tyre, having their own prize fund and a rebate of most of their entry fee.

The package has got a good response from potential privateer contenders Perkins has spoken to nearly 40 car owners around Australia - although one contentious condition in the proposal would see recipients agreeing not to run (a V8) at Bathurst within six weeks of the race.

This would, of course, rule out participation in the proposed supporting race at the October 5 Bathurst 1000 meeting. ''The proposal recognises three things about privateers," Perkins said this week.

"One, they exist; two, they need a •class of their own; and three, they don't

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1998 Gowcallsfor Bathurstdates in V8 racedate change place

currently compete on the same tyres, so let's arrange that."

Perkins makes no apology for the "testing" ban: "The proposal gives everyone a crystal clear choice. It tells everyone what's going on now, not a week or two before the race.

"People can make their choice, but make it now, so we know the position now."

It is expected that a number of teams cwTently nominally listed as "privateer" in Shell series terms (particularly those with tyre "deals") will be upgraded to Class 1 under the proposal - such as Faulkner, Ashby/Reed, Finnigan and Poole.

The initiative is designed to ensure that all current Level 3 TEGA cars and teams find the Australian 1000 a worthwhile option.

While the Class 1 teams will be restricted to 32 slick tyres per car for the meeting (16 wets), the Privateer category will run with 16 slicks (12 wets), with 25 eligible teams receiving 8 free tyres. The balance will be available at

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Gardnerteam in turmoil

By CHRIS LAMBDEN

WAYNE Gardner's Coke team will miss the next three rounds of the Shell series.

While a limited testing programme will continue, the team's next appearance will be at the S.ATCC Grand Final at Oran Park as a pre1u de to a singe car Sandown/ Bathur t effort.

Team manager Alan Heaphy bas left the team on a three-month sabatical, although the door has been left open for him to return for the September/October long distance seaon if he hasn't embarked on any other option by then.

In the meantime he has some family business to attend to and will also assist TEGA in implementing its new incentive scheme for privateers at Bathurst.

"It's a thing I believe in strongly, and I'm happy to put in my time in conveying just what- it's all about to the privateer teams," said Heaphy this week.

"I'm not sure some of them realise the teps TEGA has taken on their behalf sometimes ..."

The rest of the WGR team, a five- UP IN THE AIR ... The Gardner team is cutting back its schedule and could be sold before the end of the year. man squad headed by Wally Storey, remains at team HQ. outcome at the weekend when he leaving team PR man Phil Harrison on Monday that "the car will still be At the same time, doubts over appeared briefly at Phillip Island's to issue a brief statement outlining prepared at WGR's premises, but we're faced with the unplanned • Gardner's future in touring cars are BOC Gases Super Tourer meeting, the withdrawal from Lakeside, transportation costs for the WA/SA emerging, with rumours that the ostensibly accompanying his father Wanneroo and Mallala.

Also affected by the pull-out is the trip, which casts some doubt over team will be on the market at the on Michelin business. whether we'll be able to make the Wayne left for Japan on Monday Lansvale Commodore programme. end of the year.

Steve Reed told Motorsport News trip."

Gardner himself alluded to such an morning (to test a Toyota sports car),

Castrolto launch Rulesare crap' girlsas Cougars 1

THE formal launch of Castrol's all-girl Australian 1000 project is scheduled for next Wednesday.

The team, to be known as the Castro! Cougars, will consist of two or three suitably qualified female drivers, who will drive a second Perkins Motors port Commodore - in distinctive Cougars livery - in the Sandown 500 and Australian 1000 races.

As Motorsport News

revealed exclusively four weeks ago, four candidates have already been tested by the Perkins team and, according to Perkins, there is every likelihood that others will get a test before the final selection.

In the meantime, leading candidates are to be entered in forthcoming Shell races to gain further experience and, in some cases, licence qualification.

That process kicks off next week at Lakeside, where

Adelaide's Kerryn Brewer will debut the Cougars car.

Among those to have also driven the car in testing, Melbourne's Melinda Price is expected to contest an SATCCrace shortly.

The likelihood of former netball international Michelle Fielke progressing further in the project remains a decision for the Perkins team, as does the call on the entire final selection.

- CHRIS LAMBDEN

JACQUES Villeneuve has appointment," Villeneuve launched an astonishing said.

The French-Canadian said attack on FI chief Max Mosley and his fellow dri- exactly the opposite modifivers, describing the new cations were needed to rules to restrict speed for improve the sport.

"We need bigger tyres and the 1998 season as "total crap" and claiming many • 70 percent smaller front and of his rivals were only in back wings," he said, claiming that most of his fellow the sport for the money.

The 26-year-old says in an drivers supported his ideas.

"But Mr Mosley, who has interview to be published in Monday's Der Spiegel week- never driven in a race, thinks he knows better." ly, "Apart from Michael In fact, Mosley was a Schumacher, no other driver has the courage to say clear- Formula 2 driver in 1968.

Villeneuvehad harsh words ly and publicly that the new too for someof his rivals in Fl. rules are total crap.

"SomeoftheIJYhavereached ''There's no longer any difference between Monaco and the point where money is the a 160 kmh bend at Barcelona most important thing, more - no faster heart beat, no important than pushing it to adrenaline, nothing but dis- _theedge,"Villeneuvesaid.

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■ Entries are expected to anive by the bucketload for the 3-Hour GT-P race at Bathurst on October 18. Procar chief Bill West has said be is "delighted with the response o far" for the event and is confident of a fu!J50-car grid on the Saturday afternoon event.

■ Can you hear us, Jean? A recent Benetton testing bulletin from Barcelona said that the team had made "considerable·progress with lap times as well as improvements with radio work".

■ American driver Mike Fell was killed last week at Angell Park Speedway in Wisconsin.The 32year-old was driving a midget which flipped over another on the back straight.

■ Tommy Kendall is making light work of the US TransAm series. The American giant won his third straight race last week at Lime Rock and has a str~glehold on the series.

■ Also driving at Lime Rock was Paul Newman.

The 72-year-young actor and team owner was sharing a Panoz GTRl with Doc Bundy, finishing second. Just to give the race that extra Hollywood sheen, Jason Priestly of Beverly Hills 90210 finished fourth in a Ford Cobra.

■ Former Super Towing punter GeoffFull had his first taste of the dirty stuff in the recent ARCForest Rally. The former Peugeot and BMW pilot rolled bis Mitsubishi on the first day but he and navigator Rachel Bruty got going on day three, finishing third in class. Full is believed to be shopping around for a faster car ...

■ This special "Brock" issue ofMotorsport News •went on sale in most areas a day early, but from next· issue MN will revert to its usual publication day.

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Theweightgoes on... or of ? *SHELL AUSTRALIAN TOURING CAR .C'SHIP Jun 15 ... Lakeside ...... Rd 7 Jui 6 ..... Wanneroo ..... Rd 8 Jui 13 .... Mallala ........ Rd 9 10 round series held around Australia.

*BOC GASES AUST. SUPER TOURING CHAMPIONSHIP Jun 22 ... Calder Park .... Rd 3 Jui 20 .... AmarooPark ... Rd 4 Aug 10 .. .Winton ........ Rd 5 8 round series held around Auslralia

*AUST. FORMULA HOLDEN C'SHIP Jui 13 .... Mallala ........ Rd 6 Aug3 .... Oran Park ..... Rd 7 7 round series held around Auslralia.

*SLICK 50 AUST. FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP Jun 15 ... Lakeside ...... Rd 5 Jui 6 ..... Wanneroo ..... Rd 6 Jui 13 .... Mallala ........ Rd 7 8 round series held.around Australia

WINSTON CUP NASCAR SERIES Jun 8 .... Pocono ...... Rd 14 Jun 15 ... Michigan ..... Rd 15 Jun 22 ... California..... Rd 16 32 race series held in the United States.

FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Jun 15 ... Canada ....... Rd 7 Jun 29 ... France ........ Ra 8 Jui 13 .... Britain ........ Rd 9 Jui 27 .... Germany ..... Rd 10 17 race series held around the world

*PPG CART WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Jun 8 .... Detroit ........ Rd 8 Jun 22 ... Portland ....... Rd 9 Jui 13 .... Cleveland..... Rd 10 17 race series held in the US. Aust. & Brazil.

*500cc WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Jun15 ... France ....... ·.Rd6 Jun 28 ... Netherlands .... Rd 7 Rd 8 Jui 6 ..... Italy ..........

15 race series held around the world.

AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING Jun 8 .... Winternationals. .WB Tracks legend: AIR-Adelaide lnt. R'way. CPCalder Park, EC-Eastern Creek, RIRRavenswood lnt. R'way, WB-Willowbank R'way, CID-Canberra., PNQ-Palmyra. NOid

NHRA WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES Jun 15 ... Columbus,OH .Rd 11 Jun 29 ... Madison,IL ... Rd 12 Jui 20 ... .Denver, CO ... Rd 13 23 race series held in the United States

*WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP Jun 6-10 .Acropolis ...... Rd 8 Aug2-5 .. RallyNZ ....... Rd 9 Aug29 ... 1000 Lakes ... Rd 10 14 rally series around the world

All event dates in this calendar were correct at the time of printing. Please consult any individual tracks and/or associations for date changes.

WEIGHT was a major talking point at Phillip Island last weekend Even though there can be no adjustment until after the next round of the BOC Gases Super Touring championship at Calder, the daunting performance of the Diet Coke BMW team has raised considerable debate over what should be done to even out the competition in the series.

Talk is that the adjustment that was made in the British Touring Car Championship last month, which resulted in the Audis being relievedof 30kg, may not necessarilybe the most effectivesolutionhere.

"All that will do is move the Audis (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith) Should the BMWs get more weight or the Audis get less? away from us," said one front-wheel- BM, BM, DAYLIGHT... has the best mouse-trap wins the weight to any configuration,"he said drive competitor. ''What ·we need is GeoffBrabham) on the last lap. on Monday.

But Jones has been wary to the races. At the moment, they do. for us and the Audis to stay where we "There is no automatic follow-on tyres Dunlop new some have ''We'll break weight a for lobbying a as back seen come to are and the BMWs for Calder and, hopefully,they will be (from the Audi BTCC weight adjustfor his cars. bit." ·''Youcould put 30kg in the BMWs, a help. We'lljust keep working away." ment). All their decisionsare based on In the second of the tw.o 15 lap TOCA Australian Chief Executive what happens there with their 1997 races Paul Morris started at the rear or a hundred," he said after finishing of the grid in his car, but still man- third, "it wouJdn't make any differ- Kelvin O'Reilly would not be drawn cars. We will review things based on what happens here in Australia" into what may happen. aged to pass defending Champion ence.

- PHIL BRANAGAN "Wehave the capacityto review the 'Tm a strong believer that whoever Brad Jones fpr second(behind BMW's .•

Hart attacks new VlO Rubbe• r

BRIAN Hart - the last engineprivateer in involved builder Grand Prix racing - is planning to return to VIO engines in 1998 if there is a team willing to fund his new power unit.

Hart is currently Minardi supplying with his air-valve V8 engines.

These have struggled to be competitive with the manufactur-

er-backed engines and have had a series of problems electronic this year due to a TAG from change to Electronics Magneti-Marelli engine-management during the winter. have not Things been helped by the team's lack of testing.

Minardi has yet to decide if it wants to with Hart continue to but is unlikely

to switch back to VlOs the either have an all-new and money or the connec- , design which he has tions to get a better been working on for engine deal.

Hart is not new to some time - if he is to remain competitive.

VlOs, having supplied as The problem, Jordan with his 10-35 always, is that Brian in 1993 and engine needs to invest in the 1994 with some sucat a VlO programme cess. time when no-one is In 1996 he develto make the oped the air-valve ver- ready decisions necessary sion of the V8 but the conengine about engine 60-year-old tracts for 1998. builder from Harlow -JOESAWARD knows that he needs

The future of Tyrrell? and Prost . poliilics

by JOE SAWARD LAST Sunday's elections for the French National Assembly could have a dramatic effect of Alain on the fortunes Frost's Formula 1 team.

President Jacques Chirac - a Prost supporter - remains in office. He has a seven-year term of office and so will not face reelection until May 2002.

However, his position has been by considerably weakened Sunday's victory of the Socialist Party under Lionel Jospin.

Chirac now faces five years of cohabitation with a Socialist government which, in effect, makes him a lame duck president.

This will make it much more difficult for him to support Prost, who has lost the political clout of ministers such as right-wing Jacques Toubon (who has lost his seat) and Sports Minister Guy Drut - both of whom have played important roles in helping Alain put his team together in the last 18 months.

The election result is also likely to have serious effects on the French business· community.

Share prices dived by 8% in the days after the first round of the last weekend' and election remained jittery thr"oughout the week.

ByJOESAWARD THERE have been a lot of recent rumours suggesting that Tyrrell is about to be sold.

It is not the first time there have been such stories over the years and Ken TyITellhas always insisted the team will remain with his family.

The shareholdings in the team reflect this intention with Ken controlling 18% of the shares - with• another 32%•apparently under his control.

The other shares are held by his sons Bob (23%) and airline pilot Kenneth (10%)with a fi.uther seven percent believed to be held by Ken's various grandchildren.

The only non-family shares appear to belong to technical direc-

tor Harvey Postlethwaite.

There is no shortage of people who are interested in buying the team.

There are several consortiurns from the City of London which have expressed an interest in acquiring the team and leaving the Tyrrells to run the show.

There are also a variety of motor racing people who want to take over the team.

Rumours suggest that Jacques Villeneuve's manager Craig Pollock and Adrian Reynard are keen to buy the team so they can close it down and use the factory - and the Tyrrell staff - to build chassis for Prost Grand Prix.

Other rumours have linked Tyrrell with Prodrive and with Dome.

worries

at Phillip Island THERE were more than a few concerns about rubber at Phillip Island.

Several competitors reported by having been approached Michelin to retrieve tyres before qualifying, though this was possibly an exaggeration, according to Michelin's Trevor Sheumack.

"We were having graining he on Friday," problems explained, "and it led us to use a tyre harder that we had originally anticipated.

"That meant that we didn't have as many as we thought .and we had to spread them around, and mix them with other types, pretty carefully."

After missing Thursday's sessions due to rain, Michelin users found their softer tyres (maybe '80' compound though, as per policy, Michelin would not confirm it) almost unusable after a handful of laps on the cold track.

There were no problems on the weekend and no competitors reported any shortages. one team ELSEWHERE, that was in a tight tyre spot was HV e Motors port.

Paul Pickett's two Hyundai Lantras still roJl on 18 inch wheels and a shortage of stock is becoming a concern to the team.

"Yokohama have helped us out," he said in Saturday, "and Dunlop may have some as well but, as it is, we're short of tyres. ''We could go to 19 inch wheels, but that would cost $1500 per wheel and you'd need at least 20.

That a lot of money.

"Yokohama have some tyres but you can't run Bathurst on eight tyres ..."

- PIDL BRANAGAN

March'98 AGPlikely MEDIA speculation that the Australian Grand Prix would lose its coveted first race of the season status have been quashed by AGP Executive Chief Judith Officer Griggs.

Griggs Ms at the announced weekend that the race will keep its autumn date and has been provisionally pencilled onto the 1998 calendar for March 5-8.

Th.is announcement

comes after details of a new track in South Korea were revealed in the daily media last month.

The track, located 15 from kilometres Kunsan, is expected to be finished in time to have a race next season but not until the season is almost finished.

The 4.57km circuit has the full support of the government, both local and national, as well as the motor industry. Daewoo'snew factory will be located

inKunsan.

But Ms Griggs is pressing ahead with plans for the March date.

"While the 1998 Fl calendar won't be published until later in the year we have been given approval to use March 5-8 for promotional purposes," she said.

The final approval for the date is expected to come at the FIA's World Motor Sport Council meeting in mid-Octoberin Paris.

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1997 11 6June . ..............................................

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Australianto headP MalaysianGP bid FORMER AGP boss Mai Hemmerling has taken over as the head of Malaysia's GP bid as efforts to get more Fl races in Asia accelerate.

We bear that other existing Fl promoters are also being given tasks in Asia in addition to their races elsewhere.

In recent months France's Philippe Gurdjian bas been quietly helping Bernie Ecclestone with the Malaysian GP, but he is now tipped to move to a new task in Korea, while his role in Malaysia will be taken over by Hemmerling - who organised the Australian GPs in Adelaide and then went on to work with the Sydney Olympic Games Committee.

Hemmerling resigned recently and has been looking for something to do in Fl. We have also heard the name of Canada's Norman Legault in relation to negotiations going on to host a race in China.

-JOESAWARD

eter Brock's decision to retire must have been extremely hard for him to make.

You do things at the time, for a reason.

Looking back on my retirement from Formula One, I could have done more years, but I felt at the time I wanted to retire because I was burnt out. I was sick of living overseas and wanted to come back to Australia; there were a lot of reasons.

But the motor racing bug is very difficult to throw. I don't know of any other industry, sport or business that gives you so much enjoyment and so much disappointment at the same time. The highs are high, the lows are low.

I think he'll be very good at working with the team's young drivers.

Peter feels it's time and it's entirely his decision. But I feel he's very the at competitive moment.

He's certainly one of the best blokes I've driven against. You can drive very close with Brock all day and all night and know he's not going to do anything stupid. He's very fair, but firm.

I suppose some people will start asking who will be the next driver to announce his retirement.

Paul stupid: That's Newman is racing in the GT class and won at Daytona when he was 70. said, "How Everyone good's that", not, "He should get out, he's too old".

When you get in the way and you're not comwhen that's petitive; you're old. Age has everything to do with the individual.

I feel as though I'm driving a touring car as well as I've ever driven it and I think that we're capable of being at the pointy end as much as anyone else.

Peter's TV career is going very well and I think he's very good at that.

Good luck to him.

He's been wonderful for the sport and I'm as big a Peter Brock fan as .anyone else. I'm sure he'll

c for HistoriJag. ClassicAdelaide THE actual 1955 Le Manswinning D-type Jaguar driven by Mike Hawthorn is set to be a leading entry in Classic Adelaide, an all-new FIA-listed event for pre-1971 Historic Sports and Rally cars.

Classic The Targa-style Adelaide is South Australia's replacement for its lost Grand

Prix.

It will be presented by the SA Events Major Australian Corporation and promoted by Rally & Motorsport SA, which is chaired by Dean Rainsford.

It boasts a number of former Adelaide GP staff including General Manager Glen Jones (former event manager at the GP), Ian Cocks and former media

and Adelaide (both man Melbourne) Mike Drewer.

Classic Adelaide will run from November 6 to 9 on a "cloverleaf' course which will return competitors to event HQ, the Adelaide Hilton, each night.

120 entries are expected for the Competition Category, while a maximum of 50 more will run in a Touring Category.

The course will incorporate visits to each of South -Australia's Grand Prix four Australian venues over the years - Victor Harbour (1937), Lobethal (1939), Nuriootpa (1950) and, of course, the 1985-1995 street circuit in the heart of Adelaide.

Further information: Event Secretary, Rod Oakes - ph 08 8344 4424; fax 08 8$44 9830.

Minarditakeover?

FONDMETALboss Gabriele Rumi is reportedly in the process of acquiring Flavio Briatore's shareholding in the company, which owns 70 percent of the shares in the Minardi Fl team.

Rumi, Briatore and former driver Sandro Nannini were part of "a pool of international entrepreneurs" which bought control of the team in November last year.

Briatore has had very little involvement in the running of the team and Rumi - who used to own the Fondmetal Fl team - seems to have taken over a more important role.

There are continuing rumours in the paddock that Briatore may have decided that now is a goodtime to sell up in Fl and either go into another business - such as football - or retire to spend some of the money which he bas made in recent years from wheeling and dealing.

be able to contr1oute to the sport for mariy years to come. astern Creek showed Ejust how competitive the racing can be at the moment.

For some unknown reason we could not keep rear tyres on the car. We don't know whether they were touching the chassis on qualifying during Saturday and heating them, but whatever it was they were blistering after only four or five laps on Sunday.

We're going back to Eastern Creek this week to re-attack the problem.

I personally think that Lakeside is a bit of a waste as far as a test track is concerned: it's too flowing and dissimilar to other tracks.

Eastern Creek has fast corners, slow and adverse camber and so on. If you can sort a car out for Eastern Creek and Phillip Island a car should go well everywhere.

Once we get past this problem I'm sure we'll be competitive. We qual_ified fifth and we show plenty of speed. I'm sure we'll have our weekend soon.

That's where Glenn Seton is winning out at the moment. He's being very consistent, sitting in the t-op three, getting points wherever he can.

At Winton he settled and got a result.

He's driving like a bloke who's going to win the championship, looking like he did in 1993.

I

really been 've with the impressed Spectrum that Christian is driving now.

He qualified third at Eastern Creek and made

the world's worst start, but he still made up ground.

He likes the car and is settling into it well.

Mike Borland has been unbelievably helpful. He flew up to the Creek on Thursday and spent the day with him to help with the set-up. He was a great help and does a fantastic job.

I've got no doubt that they will go well. On

When they were around there were probably half a dozen drivers who were competitive. I think it's harder to win a GP now than it was 30 years ago.

In those days a privateer in a Maserati 250F could ALMOST win a Grand Prix. There's no way in the world that would happen now.

I'm quite happy to be at 24. That's not too bad, just behind Keke Rosberg and in the vicinity of Mario, James, Damon, Surtees and Dan Gurney - I think we're in good _ company.

But having some of those people ahead of Jody Scheckter at 27 is a little stupid. And Tony Brooks - who came in at 25 - never won a world championship. He raced a couple of Vanwalls.

"Peter Brock is certainly one of the best blokes I've driven against.

Good luck to him. He's been wonderful for the s_port."

Tuesday they did a 37.7 and pole was a 38.1. It's just a matter of doing it when it counts.

It's so competitive now and the package has to be all together to get a result. He needs to practice his starts a bit and get them right.

I

saw in F1 magazine the list of the 100 greatest Grand Prix drivers.

A list like that is very much decided by who makes up the nominating panel, but it's interesting all the same.

The order for the best three - Ayrton Senna, Juan Fangio and Jimmy Clark - is about right.

If Schumacher continues on t~e_l(Vay,hehas, in the nel(t ·few years there's a go6d chance he will displace Senna but, at this stage, I would award the top points to Senna.

It's a lot harder to do it now than when Clark and Fangio were doing it.

1:iltan·

(t:ilt:anl

I'm glad to see Chris Amon is so high up, at 32.

He never won a Grand Prix but deserved to. So did Stefan Bellof (31), but he should not be ahead of Amon ...

Chris I remember canie back in 1981 -to race an Ensign. He'd been out of racing for some time but he was still bloody quick. It's just that he unbelievable never won a Grand Prix in his career.

Moss is at seven, one Jackie behind spot Stewart. That shows that the majority of people voting are in England.

Stirling was a fine driver but he had three triple world champions - Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet and Jack Brabham - behind him.

Gilles Villeneuve is ahead of Alberto Ascari after winning six Grands Prix. It shows that different people will take different views ...

126June1991 ..... ........................................... ~.~~~···························································~~L?.~~ .........................

I

'm sorry for getting in the way of Olivier Panis in Barcelona (for which I copped a penalty), but there was no way for me to know that he was a lap ahead of me. At the start of the race I was racing Panis and I had no reason to assume anything different.

If it had been Jacques Villeneuve or Michael Schumacher, I would have moved out of the way immediately. I thought the flags were being waved at Trulli, who was holding up both me and Verstappen. I had no information to tell me otherwise.

When the team finally told me on the Salo, who was plodding along in the Tyrrell, radio, I let him past. I had no idea until but very quick on the straight. much later that he had a chance of catching Damon was spraying out so much shit! It Villeneuve. was just continuous, virtually from the start We're still not even, though, because of the race. I kept wiping my visor and I Panis actually punted me out of two races couldn't see anything behind me, because last year ... my mirrors were covered in Damon's oil.

To qe honest, both our races were At that stage I had Panis behind me, but spoiled by Mika Salo.

I could just see a blob of blue; I couldn't see It all went wrong at the start; that was the him properly in my mirrors. Eventually breaking point of the race for me. I needed Damon got past Salo, outbraking him in the to go with the leaders. At first I got ahead of first corner, then I got him the next lap and Herbert, but on the run down to the first cor- so did Panis. ner he just passed me on the straight. I After that I was banging in the times, but wasn't close enough to the guys in front to the leading guys had long gone. Salo had outbrake anyone and I was just wanting to basically stopped Panis from winning the hold position. race.

But Herbert caught me out a bit and I was trying to do a two-stop race, but ended up being stuck on the outside, then I ended up on three. The first tyres were got trapped on the inside. Wherever you went it was just the wrong place to go. It OK, but the next set just blistered immediwas just one of those situations where noth- ately.

The team told me to push, so I did. I was ing went right.

Together with Damon, I ended up behir,d-. r~cing Berger at the time and really trying to

I

LOOK OUT, BEHIND YOU ... Eddie and a cardboard cut-out with local hero, motorcycle ace Alex Criville, in the paddock at Barcelona.

get past him. To be honest I should have backed off and plodded along at that stage, but you get impatient. I was so pissed off at getting stuck behind Salo and losing all that time, I was just impatient to get back.

To be honest I should have bided my time and let them come back to me, which they would have done, as Panis found out.

When Panis was behind me I ha<::!no idea that Alesi and Michael were there, too.

I couldn't see that far because of the oil.

I could just see Panis right behind me in a dark blue car - at least I just assumed it was him. But, as I said, I thought I was still racing him because there was no reason to believe otherwise.

The team radioed to me about the block-

ing penalty and I came straight in, but by that stage it didn't matter.

After the last three races it was a bit of a disappointment, but I'm still fourth in the World Championship, although I'm hanging on by the skin of my teeth. podiums Three sounds good, but to be honest qualifying should be better. Qualifying is something I like a lot and I've always been good at it, until the last two years at Ferrari.

So there's something wrong.

The problem is that it doesn't seem to affect Michael, so it hasn't been an issue. It costs him less than it costs me, but I _think we're starting to react to it.

It's basically suspension and trying to get the best out of new tyres. At the end of the day I just want to qualify better and run at the front. At the moment I'm coming through and not running at the front.

With Ross Brawn on board I'm confident that things will be sorted. We're gradually building and building; the guy makes a big difference in the team.

Oulton•carnagenot on the Menu

By GWYN DOLPHIN

them both with John Cleland and Kelvin Burt ended when they came up to lap tailenders Jamie Wall and Colin Gallie. Amongst the series of collisions, Reid slipped through as Leslie hit Wall's car.

The two Scots were in the wars in round 10, Reid clashing with Cleland at Lodge, breaking the Vauxball's rear right wheel. At the next turn the tyre started to deflate and Cleland slowed. The two Nissans swooped either side only for a collision with Cleland to send Reid into the wall. Leslie held on for sixth.

Rarnsich flew the Ford flag alone on Hoy's withdrawal, with ninth and eighth places in a car which improved lap by lap.

The two Peugeots rndn't go well. Harvey's engine blew in the first race while Watts suffered suspension failure.

Both delayed iQ, the first corner crash of round 10, Harvey had some bodywork jam his throttle at half speed and could only just take eighth while Watts, embedded more firmly in the wall, solrnered on as the final finisher.

THE fur flew at Oulton Park for rounds 9 and 10 of the BTCC on May 26, but Alain Menu steered a calm course through all the chaos to score wins six and seven of the season.

Not that the Swiss star had it all his own way: true, he claimed pole position for each race, but teammate Jason Plato beat him away from the outside of the front row for round nine.

Worse still, so did Frank Biela's Audi, reveJJjng in losing 30kg of weight and finding Dunlop's latest tyre a small improvement on its predecessors.

Biela gave chase to Plato over the opening laps but as EARLY CASUAL TY ... Gabriele Tarquini heads for the barriers in his Honda after trying to go around the outside of both soon as Menu found his stride, Menu's Renault and Bintcliffe's Audi. The Renault driver went on to score a double victory for the day. (Photo by LAT Digital) the Renault was through. but fifth place was his John Bintcliffe rnd his best claiming second on the grid a few new developments, Plato did his best to stay reward. Failed power steerRenault's to closer we're suffer to only race, each for cornbefore Aurn an bend to a ahead but, having opted for ing halted Biela. soft front suspension set-up, ing to rest over a blind, flat- relegation for round nine pace," srud the Swede.

The Nissans were nowhere Teammate Burt was out of in-fifth brow while David after missing the pit lane he had no answer to Menu. near as effective as at weighbridge. It earned the luck.

"And no, there weren't any Leslie crumpled a Nissan.

Eighth in the first race Brands Hatch with Reid and The Hondas had a down Swede a back-of-the grid team orders," srud Jason.

Menu's domination of the weekend after their highs of place and a licence endorse- after fighting wjth Rydell Leslie seventh and 10th in and Anthony Reid, the Brit the day's opener. ment. weekend was complete in the Brands Hatch.

A massive tussle involving Even so, after just three- was penalised 10 seconds for James Thompson's first second race, although once race ended in the turn one quarters of that first lap, the jumping the race two start. again he had a brief scare.

Round 9 - 30 laps (3 under safety car) Swede was up to ninth before On his charge back into the tyre wall after a squeeze This time both Gabriele 1 Alain Menu (Renault Laguna) 33m 18.677s hard, too tried he points out. came Car Safety the Tarquinj and John Bintcliffe between Tarquini and Kelvin 2 Jason Plato (Renault Laguna} +2.655s dropping the Volvo at Old In his charge to sixth ran side-by-side with him Burt's Volvo saw him spat 3 Frank Biela (Audi A4 quattro) +5.986s Hall corner and charging the into the corner - but only into a spin. The safety car place, Rydell also pushed 4 John BintcliHe (Audi A4 quattro} +12.136s 5 John Cleland (Vauxhall Vectra} + 18.441 s Menu and Bintcliffe came ran for three laps while his Paul Radisich out of the way barriers.

Aurn staged a small recov- 6 Rickard Rydell (Volvo S40) +18.741s was and earned a 500 pound fine Accord out. Tarquini spun across the damaged 7 Anthony Reid (Nissan Primera) +19.063s - plus yet another endorse- ery in its fortunes with Biela pack into the barrier, delay- removed.

8 Kelvin Burt (Volvo S40) +20.91 Ss taking third place in the Teammate Tarquini fared ment. ing much of the field and 9 Paul Radisich (Ford Mondeo} +21.156s Bintcliffe with opener, day's ticked also was Radisich at off sliding badly, as just allowing Menu to escape.

10 David Leslie (Nissan Primera} +21.303s "I pushed for a while to· Lodge corner later in the off with a one-second penalty right behind him.

Round 10- 27 laps "I had expected to lead after jumping the restart make a gap, then backed off. race and into retirement.

1 Menu 27m25.407s It was Tarquini's turn to enough to drop him to ninth from third on the grid but But don't tell me that the 2 James Thompson (Honda Accord} +6.164s and, away flew just Plato Burt. behind results the in early race second title's mine. It isn't over yet," end the 3 Rydell +8.180s Rydell only just escaped after that, I couldn't keep 4 Plato + 14.372s with that pack-delaying spin, said Menu.

5 Bintcliffe +21.402s The rest were left to pick although the Italian would the Tarquini-induced melee Menu back," srud Biela.

6 Leslie +27.493s Teammate Bintcliffe was in race two. Having made a up the pieces of a weekend have collected a jumped-start 7 Radisich +30.269s bad start he took to the grass the star of round 10, chargwhich saw at least seven cars penalty had he continued.

8 Tim Harvey (Peugeot 406) +45.942s Meanwhile, Thompson sol- and was then forced to fight ing down the outside of the heavily damaged.

9 Lee Brookes (Peugeot 406) - 1 lap the using sixth, from field diered on to second place, back up from 10th. Third 10 Colin Gallie (BMW 320i) - 1 lap The undulating Cheshire grass on the way, to take sec- Championship positions after 10 rounds: Menu 139, Rydell 67, Plato track claimed Patrick Watts' unable to catch Menu but place was some small ond into the first corner as Peugeot in testing and Will under no threat from third- rewai·d. .

66, Tarquini 63, Thompson 51, Biela & Leslie 46, Bintcliffe 37, Burt 29, Harvey 27 :'We're back on the right Tarqwm spun.

Hoy's Ford, which rolled in placed Rickard Rydell.

After'that, increasing over- Manufacturers: Renault 135, Honda 96. Volvo 93, Audi 76, Nissan 72, The Swede's Volvo was track now. The car's set-up qualifying.At least Watts had Vauxhall 52, Peugeot 49, Ford 47 has changed and, along with steer let Biela and Rydell by, back on the pace at last, a spare car for race weekend.

13 1997 6June • • ~-........................... ~~ ~. ...... . ...........

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Gianni

up the on s nde Low goes to Sauber despitethird failure

last AS we predicted issue, Sauber has dumped Italian Nicola Larini in Gianni of favour Morbidelli, who debuted with the team in Spain last week.

Larini will return to over to take Ferrari Morbidelli's role as test driver - a job he held before being signed by Sauber.

Morbidelli was Sauber's first choice as a driver this year but Ferrari - which supplies the engine which Sauber badges as the "Sauber Petronas Vl0" asked the Swiss to take Larini as part of the package.

Nicola finished sixth in Australia but has been rather disappointing since, unable to match the pace of Johnny Herbert.

When Larini made some comments unfavourable about Sauber in the Italian press the team took the opportunity to edge him out and get Morbidelli.

Morbidelli had not raced in Fl since he finished third for 1995 the at Arrows Australian Grand Prix. He was the Jordan-Peugeot test driver last year.

The switch was made with the agreement of Ferrari.

-JOESAWARD

BAD luck continues to dog Craig Lowndes in the European Formula 3000 Championship, but things were definitely looking up in Finland last week.

The 22-year-old from a suffered Melbourne mechanical failure in the third round of the series in Helsinki in Finland, retiring with a broken driveshaft after moving up to 11th place.

Lowndes qualified his RSM Marko Lola-Zytek 20th in the 24-car field, which was subject to a cutoff because of the nature of the circuit.

The race was won by new French star Soheil Ayari, a protege of Alain Prost.

EYE ON THE GAME ... Craig Lowndes has had a difficult intorduction to F3000 but made "In the race I made a genuine progress in Finland and reportedly impressed his team. {Photo by LAT Digital) good start and it was quite busy as everyone fought for crashed out on the first lap, finish was actually on the room for mistakes."

Austrian Oliver Tichy position," said Lowndes. as did Tom Kristensen, who cards.

"Once the tyres were up had finished second in the Still, Lowndes was happy was second ahead of Briton to temperature, I was able first two races of the sea- with the weekend and the Dino Morelli.

After three races in quick to pass a couple of cars." track, hosting F3000 cars son. succession, Craig's next There were troubles elseLowndes' race ended on for the first time.

"It's a very exciting cir- race will be at the where in the field. lap 13. He was the only one Lowndes' teammate Juan of the 15 retirees not to pe cuit. Some sections are sim- Nurburgring in Germany ilar to the Adelaide Grand on June 29.

Pablo Montoya, who quali- claimed by contact.

Points after three rounds: fied on pole, left the race Of the cars in front of Prix circuit and, being very after five laps and lasthim when he DNFd, only bumpy and enclosed by con- Kristensen 12, Montoya, start winner Ricardo Zonta four finished, so a podium crete walls, there was no Zonta and Ayari 10.

Motor racing rich200 list

Europetobaccomoves

Health Secretary, Frank Dobson, has MOTOR racing _identities were confirmed that the Labour govern- well-featured in Business Review ment is preparing a law to ban sports Weekly's Rich 200 List, published EUROPEAN Health Ministers sponsorships by cigarette manufac- recently.

Brussels in week this will meet turers. and the Europe's Social Affairs According to the chart, Ron Walker, "We recognise that some sports are the Chairman o.£.:the. Australian Commissioner Irishman Padraig heavily dependent on tobacco spon- Grand Prix Corpor;ation, was listed as Flynn has confirmed that he will sorship," Dobson said. raise the issue of a pan-European the 4'9th wealthiest person in the "We don't want to harm these tobacco advertising ban. country with $210 million. sports, but they must recognise that The ban has been blocked for the John Kahlbetzer Sr, father of by helping promote the sales of Porsche Cup racer Johnny (who overlast five years, but the change of govtobacco they are harming the health 'sees the family's local business, ernment i.n Britain is likely to see their own spectators." of opposition to a ban weakened and including Eastern Creek's karting Sports Minister Tony Banks told investment) was listed higher at European legislation is the likely the House of Commons that he did $220m. outcome if campaigners can get the not want to see motor racing suffer necessary vote through the Council John Longhurst, father of touring because of the benefits in employ- car racer Tony, made the grade at of Health Ministers. ment and technology which Grand $160m while well:known Holden dealFlynn, a fervent anti-tobacco camMEANWHILE, Britain's new Prix racing produces. paigner, revealed his plans in a corners Fred Sutton (Sutton's) and former driver Reg Hunt (father of Mustang driver Graham) were put in at $120m and $80m respectively.

GT-Production series owner and Motorsport boss Ross Palmer RPM Gerhard 1993 August In the and Montreal before in home at currently GERHARD Berger has at the $60m level while the appeared operation an have to had undergone surgery for Monaco recovering from operation will disrupt his family (of Porsche Cup driStannard races between elbow an on which program, training was which sinus problems, but is the operation, made it at $52m.

Chris) ver of problems because expecting to be to fit forced on him because of may affect his stamina. estimates which list, The constant the by caused time first the It is not and well again in time painful inflammation of was headed by wealthiest, Australia's of side the on it of banging Austrian 37-year-old the sinuses. his for the Canadian Grand media baron Kerry Packer at $3.9bn. the cockpit.

He is not expected to be has had surgery in the Prix next week.

- PIDL BRANAGAN -JOESAWARD season.

Fl an of middle testing any do The Benetton driver is able to

By JOE $AWARD

marking' "World No munique Tobacco Day'' on Saturday and has even proposed the cancellation of European Union subsidies for tobacco farmers.

The threat of a Pan-European tobacco ban has led to some bizarre stories in the British newspapers.

The Sunday Times reported that there is a contingency plan in Fl to move the majority of races to Asia, leaving only four races in Europe, if a European tobacco ban goes ahead.

The story appears to have been leaked to the newspaper in an effort to dissuade the government from pushing ahead with the ban.

Berger gets a nose job

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"You can buy a race car and you can buy a race driver, but you can't buy a racer's trust and you can't buy a reputation.,, - Bill Simpson, Indianapolis, 1976

$35

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Belts

■ Ten thousand Damon Hill fans turned up at the TWR headquarters at Leafield last week when the Arrows team opened its new on-site shop and launched an Arrows fan club. The shop - one of a chain of 15 stores around B1itain called "Fl ... and more" - will selJ an entire range of official team merchandise.

■ Barbara Behlau is extending her support for the Tynell team until the end of the year. Her Barbara company acts as an agent for many Monaco-based sportsmen and women and artists.

Behlau was previously involved in Fl with Roland Ratzenberger and after his death became chairman of Simtek until it closed down in 1995.

■ Damon Hill, a former bike racer, is expected to demonstrate one of Kenny Roberts' Modenas 500cc motorbikes at the British motorcycleGrand Prix this summer. The Modenas bas been built with engineering input from Tom Walkinshaw's TWR. ■ We understand that the commercial activities run by Allsport Management will NOT be included in the Fl flotation. This will reduce the value of the package considerably as Allsport which is run by Paddy McNally from Geneva controls not only all the Paddock Club VIP hospitality, but also all trackside advertising and merchandising.

■ The possibility of a second supply of Mercedes-Benz Flengines next year has been discounted by llmor's Mario Illien. "We have an exclusive contract with McLaren," Illien said. "It would be a major investment to expand and I'm against the idea. And we have a very good relationship with McLaren."

■ Jordan is believed to be conside1ing a switch to Bridgestone tyres next season and there were meetings between the team and the Japanese tyre company in .

Barcelona last weekend.

■ The Portuguese GP organisers have reportedly offered Fl team bosses an extra $500,000 to agree to their race being reinstated at the end of the year as an 18th round of the World Championship.

-JOESAWARD

~

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drama-packed Luyendyk's AFTER a month of drama and two delays for rain the 1997 Indianapolis 500 ended like it started - in controversy.

Dutchman Arie Luyendyk edged Scott team-mate Canadian Goodyear by 0.57s (the third-closest Indy 500 finish) but the event will be remembered more for a blunder

by Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials.

As Luyendyk and Goodyear prepared to drive the final lap under caution, the green flag was waved to resume full-speed racing while warning lights around the 2.5-mile (4 km) oval remained yellow.

The race was rained off its traditional Sunday start and the following day the field got only 15 laps in before the heavens opened again.

The race restarted on Tuesday and ran the distance, allowing Luyendyk to speed to a narrow victory. Goodyear, who lost in 1995 on a penalty for a yeJlow-light pass with only a handful of laps to go, THE THRILL OF VICTORY... Luyendyk (right, looking delighted) celebrates his second Indianapolis 500 win. hesitated and was Jost again. yellow if they did it the way been ready so I could go racing, I straight. I think that USAC has to under to "I thought we were just going it was supposed to be. It was inept." would have felt better about sec- shake some webs there because it's cruise. to the finish," Luyendyk bloody stupid. This is the biggest said. "Then the green flag came out. • Seeing green and yellow together 0nd • "I saw yellow all the way around race in the world and we can't get it It amazed me. It was really confus- had Goodyear seeing red. right." through Turn 1, Turn 2, and "I don't know if I could have ing. I was lucky I could go to the When asked if he was "amazed at right gear. We would have finished caught him," he said. "But if I had halfway down the back bloody ■ PAULTracybecame the first man to win three straight races since Al Unser Jr, who won at MidOhio,New Hampshire, and Vancouverin 1994.

■ While Mercedes'fuel economycan claim a part in Tracy'slast two victories,so can Penske's designer, NigelBennett. The PC25s hold around 12 litres more fuel than the Reynards and have a longer range.

Reynard was aware of the problemand new, bigger tanks are going to be available later this month.

■ Attending the St Louis race with Team Rahal coownerDavid Letterman were some underprivileged localkids. The late night talk showhost bought all 70 kids T-shirts and grandstand seats as part of his involvementin the 'Dreams for Youth'project which givesyoung people the chanceto see events they wouldnot otherwise be able attend.

■ Tracy attended the St Louis- Pittsbw-ghMajor LeagueBaseball game the Tuesdaybefore the race.

Tracy,from baseball-mad Toronto,threw out the ceremonialfirst pitch of the game.

■ The Madison race was not the first championship race in the state of Illinois.

That was in 1910,on the Elgin street circuit. The last championshiprace was the dirt ovalevent at DuQuoin in 1970,which was won by Al Unser Sr.

■ Scheduledso as not to clash with the Indy 500 whichturned out to be unnnecessary,as it eventuated - it was also the first SatW"dayrace since 1986.

EmersonFittipaldi won that race at Elkhait Lake after it had been postponed two weeksdue to bad weather.

ree

the inept judgement ca1ls" being made by the officials, Luyendyk responded "You used the perfect words, and it does amaze me."

Finishing third was former motorcross star Jeff Ward. clt's been a long road to get to this spot right here, 4 or 5 years, but I knew I had the ability."

Ward qualified 7th and ran up front all day. He lead twice for a total of 49 laps, neai·ly one quarter of the race's 200-lap distance.

The other contender in the race, Tony Stewart, banged off the fourth turn wall as he tried to catch the leaders three laps from the end.

Stewart and Luyendyk had a moment with 15 laps to go when, for second behind battling Goodyear, the American forced Arie onto the grass at 220mph.

Stewart finished fifth, the last driver on the lead lap, behind 1996 winner Buddy Lazier, the only other driver to run the full 200 laps.

Most of Indy's bargain-basement to unknowns were racers Luyendyk. "When I was making some aggressive moves on (slower cars), I was thinking, 'I hope this guy doesn't turn on me because I don't know who it is," he said.

rac

PAUL Tracy sure knows a thing or two about saving fuel.

At the new Gateway complex near St Louis on May 24, for the second race in a row the Canadian benefited from a late-race leader running out, or low, on fuel.

This time is was feJlow Canuck Patrick Carpentier who was struggling in the final laps before the red and white Penske-Mercedes flashed by to another win.

After staiting the season with his career seemingly in doubt Tracy took a stranglehold on the series with his third straight win.

The race was all about what might have happened. After qualifying an upset looked likely. Tracy had been the man to beat in most of the sessions on the 1.25 mile oval but, after setting his front row time in stifling heat he was immediately bumped off pole by the next man in the queue, Raul Boesel.

The Brazilian was in rare form in Pat Patrick's Brahma car, ta.king his third career pole position three years after his second. Third fastest was Mauricio Gugelmin, while star rookie THREE-PEAT... Paul Tracy was in great form at Gateway park, near St Louis. The Marlboro-Penske driver took his Patrick Carpentier was fourth in third straight win of the season after another winning fuel call by his team. His dry spell seems a long time ago ...

Gary Bettenhausen's Alumax car.

Gugelmin finished sixth ahead of The first half of the race was unreIt didn't work out that way, but the while even his own team's engineers mai·kable, save for a controversial, but interest continued after And.retti pit- argued as to whether the car would the Parker Johnston Kool Reynard the Lolas of Adrian Fernandez, the make it home without a stop. fair call by CART officials. The pits ted. Moore, who had looked threatenIt did. But with three laps to go feisty Richie Hearn and Andre opened for a 'yellow' stop after leaders ing all day, lost two laps with a puncJimmy Vasser, Greg Moore and Alex ture and was suddenly out of con- Tracy was right on his tail and swept Ribeiro.

The race wa an embarrassing Zanai·di had passed pit road so that, tention. He finished 13th, out of the cruelly by to take an unlikely win, and public - disaster for Toyota. having lost a lap earlier in the race. when the cycle had finished, they had points.

Following home the Canadian 1-2 Within a handful of laps Max Papis fallen from 1-2-3 to 16-17-18 in the First time leader Franchitti, who and Juan Fangio II had both retired order. Race director Wally Dallenbach impressively headed the field for 24 was Gil de Ferran. The Valvoline moved them up in the queue, behind laps, took over and was shooting for a Reynard, like Tracy, was re-tyred on with detonated engines and PJ Jone the unpitted leaders Michael Andretti Rahal-style 'economy run' win but the final stop and he swept past the struggled to mid-race until sidelined by fuel problems. that was also thwaited, this time by struggling-for-fuel-and-grip Target and Dario Franchitti.

With their tail-end performance cars on the final laps.

For around 50 minutes mid-race • a gearbox failure.

Zanardi held on for fourth from accentuated by the evenness of the the field droned around behind the Now it was down to Carpentier Mercedes-Honda-Ford battle and Pace Truck in light drizzle. Michael, on the same fuel strategy as Dario. Vasser, the Italian actually running now chronic unreliability the queshad He lap. final the on fuel of out of full and 12thtyres race new on the of Tracy, most While run having 13th, was praying for a storm so the fuel, Zanardi and Vasser zeroed in done the race without a radio and tion remains of how Jong Toyota's thought he had enough fuel to finish management will put up with the race would be called off and qe could the French-Canadian used traffic program. brilliantly to keep a two second lead the race... steal a win.

~...~-~✓-~~-~ ••••••••...................................

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dy 500 Mooremakesit Report by PHIL MORRIS

OPEN WIDE... Dentist Jack Miller took a bite from the wall.

The race played before a core of about 100,000 enthusiastic spectators in a track with 320,000 seats. Front row seats on the main straight, which normally fetch US$75 ($100) were being filled by general admission spectators without the necessary grandstand tickets.

After the pre-race controversy, in which IRL officials increased the grid from its traditional 33 starters to 35 to allow Lyn St James and Johnny Unser to start, they have been quick to announce that they will revert qualifying back to the 33 fastest for next year and restore the tradition of 11 rows of three.

COORS LIGHT ME. .. Gordon gets the hose from an official.

Robby burns out THE 500 turned out to be a nightmare for one of the more experienced drivers Robby field in the Gordon.

The former CART driver lasted just four laps on the restart before a fuel leak caused a fire in his car, burning his hands and right leg.

Gordon was fourth when the green flag dropped on lap 18 after two warm-up laps

under yellow, and he appeared to be moving up when all of a sudden he drove onto the warm-up lane in turn three.

He quickly exited the car and rolled around in the grass to extinguish the invisible flames and climbed back into his car, but it was damaged too badly to continue and he retired, classified 29th.

THIS time it worked.

For the third straight race a CART event a race with ended leader, on a fuel-saving strategy, holding out a charge from a more experienced driver.

But, third time lucky, Greg Moore held off Michael Andretti for a the on victory Milwaukee Mile.

But Moore did not back into his first career win. The 22-year-old Canadian was in great form all weekend, qualifying fifth, and twice he came from behind to pass leader Paul Tracy, only to lose the lead on his pitstops.

Finally, it was a great Forsythe from call Racing's ex-McLaren Fl engineer Steve Challis and clever driving from Moore that allowed the Canadian to go back to his fifth 'race' gear and wind up the fuel in his Reynard-Mercedes.

Tracy, who qualified fastest by almost a quarter of a second, led much of the running, aided by work in the brilliant Penske pits. He and Moore looked to have everyone covered for speed, aided by the economy of the Mercedes engine. chalusual Their lengers were hampered by bad qualifying performances. Unser lined up only ninth and Jimmy Vasser, Bobby Rahal and Andretti 12th, 13th and 14th.

Moore was a little lucky - and unlucky - in his final stop. From the first pit bay he almost stalled his car and, when he dipped the clutch he an collected almost arriving Bobby Rahal. He made it out in third, and Tracy behind Gugelmin, both of whom stopped for fuel (and, for Tracy, tyres) a few laps later.

But that gave Moore, who had pitted with 66 of the race's 200 laps left, track position ahead of when and, Andretti Tracy was not able to mount another charge, that's how they finished.

With the win Moore become the youngestever CART or Indy car

99 at 22 ... Greg Moore took his first career CART win at Milwaukee, displacing Al Unser Jr as the youngest winner in the series' long history, (Photo by Mike Powe/VAi/sportusAJ

winner, beating previous youngster Al Unser Jr by 19 days.

Andretti was second ahead of Vasser, who also made track position by not pitting but couldn't match the pace of Moore and Andretti.

The still surprising Raul Boesel was fourth after a strong qualifying performance and race in which he ran well but never really threatened,

while Gugelmin slipped past Tracy in traffic with a few laps to go to take fifth.

Seventh was Gil de Ferran, who struggled to stay on the lead lap, Patrick of ahead Carpentier, Scott Pruett and Roberto Moreno's Newman-Haas Swift.

Well back was series pre-season favourite Alex Zanardi. The Italian, who is a noted non-fan of

ovals, started well back in the pack after an incident on Saturday morning in which he accused Tracy of deliberately blocking him. came from Threats both sides and steward Wally Dallenbach asked both to explain, though no action was taken.

Points after seven rounds: Tracy 67, 94, Andretti 70, Zanardi Pruett and Moore 65, Vasser 57, Gugelmin 47, de Ferran 45.

We are looking for: Trade and Dealer Networks

Distributors * State * Retail Outlets

* Trade Dealers

* Agencies

One of the Worlds best synthetic lubricants with the largest range of engine and transmission oils available.

166June1997

.............

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ■ John Williams has died, aged 68. The British race engineer was best known as a key figure in the JW Automotive team, the partnership with John Wyer which produced successive Le Mans victo1;es with the same Ford GT40 chassis in 1968-9, and later ran the factory Porsche 917 race cars.

.

'

■ At next month's

World Council meeting the FIA is expected to define more stringent homologation rules for the FIA GT Championship.

The participating manufacturers met in Finland last week and agree that there should be a move to restrict the series to cars based on genuine roadgoing vehicles. A threeyear stability rule is likely to be proposed, which would outlaw the outrageous new generation of GT cars (such as the latest Porsche, Mercedes and Nissan) which have been obviously based on the concept of Group C sportsprototypes.

■ Former GP driver Olivier Groulliard is to partner Mario aod Michael Andretti in their Porsche-powered Cougar C36 sports-prototype at Le Mans this month.

■ Derek Bell's chances of competing at Le Mans this year seem remote.

His outside chance of driving the Moretti Team's Ferrari 333SP appears to have been dashed since Max Papis has been confirmed to share the car with Giampiero Moretti and Didier Theys.

■ The FIA has called an enquiry into the legality of Ricardo Zonta's Team Super Nova Lola-Zytek in which the Brazilian won the opening round of the Formula 3000 championship at Silverstone a month ago. The FIA is to investigate a report from its technical delegate that first gear was inoperative on the car at pre-race scrutineering.

- QUENTIN SPURRING

~ -~~~ .......................................................•••

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Hansfordkidshopefor action

By BARRY MARSHALL

SADDENED by the media's handling of the Coroner's Inquest into the death of their famous father, Gregg Hansford's two eldest sons Ryan (15) and Reece (11) have expressed concern that all the Coroner's far-reaching findings and recommendations were not highlighted to the public.

When the 18-page report was released, the Victorian State Coroner Graeme Johnstone made a 5-point recommendation directed at all Australian circuits, but the general media focused only on the statement that "Gregg Hansford contributed to his own death". • • Ryan last week made the plea: "The Coroner's important ·recorrimendations n.eed to be implemented so my Dad did not die in vain."

Gregg's sister Leilani was also outspoken on the matter.

"This is not a matter of how to apportion blame or guilt," she said, "but a matter of accepting responsibility for changing whatever needs to be changed for safer racing in future.

"Gregg's entire life was about racing and speed, but with safety and educated control of all the factors involved.

"That's why his Advanced Driver Training School was so successful."

A real stickler for safety reform, especially concerning trackside walls and menacing restraining barriers, Gregg campaigned long and hard in the late1970's for the removal of the notoriously dangerous earth bank and Armco guard rails at Lakeside's "Hungry" Corner.

Management and offi-

below) to be implemented as soon as possible.

The Coroner's report was as follows: I propose to forward the Findings, Recommendations and Comments to the Attorney General as a matter of information. I also propose to forward the findings to The Minister of Sport and Recreation, Phillip Island Motor Sport PIL, Ross Palmer Motor Sport, Confederation of Motor Sport (sic), and Workcover (Occupational Health and Safety Division).

Recommendation 1.

The Confederation of Motor Sport consider development of a regular safety bulletin describing recent incidents, providing safety information or advising about solutions.

Recommendation 2.

The Confederation of Motor Sport consider developing a standard FOND MEMORIES ... Ryan and Reece Hansford with one of their dad's many racing t,:ophies.

Occupational Health and Safety Policy for Teams involved in racing.

Recommendation 3.

C.A.M.S. consider the issue of training and familiarisation with front wheel drive vehicles as identified in this case. get sufficient heat into their tyres.

ALL BOC Super Touring races will have This recommendation Series steward Peter Wollerman said: two warm-up laps from now on.

The change, which came into effect at ''We have not made the change specifi- applies where a driver with a Phillip Island on the weekend, comes as cally because of the report, but we have lengthy history in rear wheel read it and believe that it is a sound drives moves to a front a consequence of the coronial inquiry wheel drive (or visa versa). into the death of Gregg Hansford at the idea.

Recommendation 4. ''It will .require a little change in the track two years ago. : C.A.M.S. consider the • • One of the five recommendations of race schedule but that will be no probuse of warm up laps for lem." the coroner was that front-wheel-drive - PHIL BRANAGAN front wheel drive vehicles. cars would benefit from the extra lap to As identified in this case a mixture of front wheel and cials eventually agreed but ical research into the effects Racing Drivers Club, the rear wheel drives may well nothing happened due to of accident trauma, and in College now raises money be a negative factor (for for the prevention, educalack of funds, so Gregg was his honour the Royal front wheel drives) in the College of tion, emergency care and early stages of a race. first to donate his own time Australian to wield what turned out to Surgeons recently launched rehabilitation related to acciRecommendation 5. the Gregg Hansford Road dent trauma. be the quickest bulldozer C.A.M.S. review its use Small wonder then that Trauma Research around Lakeside. of earth filled tyre barriers in the Hansford Family are About a year prior to his Fellowship. positions similar to the barrikeen for the Coroner's rec- er at Turn I on the date of Backed

by Gregg's tragic crash, Gregg lent his ommendations (listed name and support to med- Family and the Australian the incident.

CA·MSintro.duces extra warm-upfor Super Tourers

Michelinreturning THERE is a growing body of opinion in Fl that French tyre company Michelin is preparing to enter Grand Prix racing in 1998 - probably with Prost and McLaren. It is worth noting that the Michelin family holds a significant shareholding in Peugeot, Frost's engine supplier next year.

Audi-Benetton rumours grow There have been a lot of rumours in recent RUMOURS that the Benetton Fl team is for sale have been denied, but the story years about Audi entering Fl but recently we have repeatedly heard stories suggesting that will not go away.

Last week in Germany the financial maga- not only does the company have an Fl zine Wirtschaftswoche picked up rumours in engine, it also bas managed to get its hands the business community that Luciano on a couple of Fl chassis.

However, Audi motorsport spokesman Benetton, boss of the Italian clothing company, has h_ade~ough _Qfthe company's lack of Dieter Scharnagl tried to dampen speculation. success and has put the team on the market. • "There is nothing to it," he said. "Our priorAccording to the German magazine there ity at the moment is in the touring division." are negotiations involving Porsche, BMW and And a spokesman for Benetton said: "Those Audi, with Audi the favourite to take over the are rumours; they are absolutely not true." team.

-JOESAWARD

No Ford customerV10s JACKIE Stewart has managed to convince Ford management that it must concentrate its efforts in Formula 1 on designing and building a competitive Vl0 engine for his team and not split its energy by providing cus-

tomer VlO engines

next

year.

The original plan had been for Stewart Grand Prix to use an all-new VlO engine in 1998 with two or more customer teams paying $Sm apiece for the 1997 spec-

ification engines.

The current Ford VlO is not very competitive but with the current shortage of engines it will be a blow for those who hoped to be able to close the gap in the midfield.

-JOESAWARD

....l7, :.............~ f~n!.1?~~ ·.................................

-~-...~~ ~- .................. ....................................................... lj:j)pfl.<P?I!.~w.P.f!f As Mark Webber continues his meteoric rise in Europe, he took tlie opportunity_of a break in the British F3 schedule to visit Australia and last week spoke with Motorsport News editor DAVID HASSALL:

Youngmanon the move NEWS: MOTORSPORT How do you find the Formula 3 scene? Has it been a bigger step than you anticipated?

MARK WEBBER: I attended some races at the end of last year so I had a rough idea. I knew how the set-ups were and I knew that it was going to be quite impressive.

It was a lot easier going to Racing Docking Alan because it's all very laid-back and we're free to experiment with everything they do.

I think if you went to the (Paul) Stewart (Racing) setup where it's SO serious ...

Driving for Alan is a big plus and it keeps my feet on the ground. It allows you to make progress in such a wellrespected class and the amount of effort that goes into the class is tremendous.

MN: Over the first couple of races it seemed that you were just finding your way a bit and then something clicked and then suddenly you were right there.

MW: Yeah. The car was the same pretty much the whole 'way through and the team said to be patient. They were very good with me. But for the first few races we were six or seven-tenths off on most tracks and that's enough to make you look silly.

My engineer started off with a bit of data here and there but we thought we'd set up a bit of a program. So we went to Snetterton one day and the Stewart boys were there as well. We just found it: it was all in the fast stuff, that's where the problem was. We weren't using the wings properly - anyone can get through the slow stuff properly, even my teammates! - that's where I was losing out, so I got confident in the car and that's definitely where we've made up time.

MN: So was it the set-up or the driving or both?

The Both.

MW: 'Mollekens' set-up (1996

ADA driver Kurt Mollekens) didn't suit me in the fast stuff, so we changed it quite a bit and made the car feel beautiful in the fast stuff.

But I want to wrap up as many victories as I can and make the least amount of mistakes as I can. I want to keep making an impact.

MN: The highlight to date would have to have been the pole position and the win?

MW: I was probably more excited in the middle of the race at Brands. I couldn't believe (Peter) Dumbreck and (Jonny) Kane weren't making any progress on me in the middle of the race. I was flat out and I thought, "This is just awesome".

Later I was just thinking, "This is good".

The pole was special.

With five minutes to go I was sitting in third and then the three times I did in the end were all quicker than everyone else. That was the best thing: that and the fact that it is such a great circuit, a classic circuit. That certainly rocked the Stewarts and the other teams as well, the margin by which we did it.

That was a huge satisfaction: qualifying is all about who can drive the fastest, who can stick one lap together. That's what F3 boys do, build themselves up for one huge lap with everything working - tyre temperatures, engine, everything had to be right on the money. If you do a pole in circumstances like that you get a lot of credit for it, and it's satisfying to do it like that.

and Kane Are MN: (Nicholas) Minassian the guys to beat?

MW:Yes, definitely. They are consistently the fastest, they both know the circuits well and they have good knowledge behind the teams.

Stewart is obviously good and the Renault team is very strong. It's down to the drivers because the teams are all strong and Docking is at least as strong as the other teams.

So it's a battle of the drivers and whoever can get the car sorted for each track.

They're extremely quick and experienced with the car in all situations, which is maybe what I'm lacking.

MN: What's your aim for the rest of the year?

Obviously you'd like to win the championship; is that still a realistic possibility?

MW: The first few races I was off the pace and Jonny is sitting there with double the points I have after six races. Jackie's going to be rapping him over the knuckles not to fly off the road and to use his experience.

My goal is to finish in the top three and to be the top rookie in the championship.

MN: Are you missing out because you've got two slower and less experienced teammates?

Peter Sure.

MW: Dumbreck, Jonny Kane's teammate, has such a big advantage because he can

just bring up Jenny's telemetry and make the learning curve so much shorter when they go to a new track. There it is: he knows what he has to do.

With me it's like a one-car team because they (teammates) are looking at my setup and most of the time I haven't been to these tracks with an F3 car before.

But I think that if you're good enough you can get used to the tracks and it should really not be an excuse. But it would be good to have an experienced teammate just to get through the workload a bit quicker.

MN: So what do you do when you turn up at a circuit for the first time? Do you use the settings that were used at that track last year or do you take a punt?

MW: We take a look at what aerodynamic set-up you need for the straights and sort out whether there's a lot of high speed stuff and do you need a bit of wing to help you through that stuff?

The mechanical settings

LEADINGTHE PACK: Webberhas made a major impactin hisdebutseason of thetoughBritishF3 scene.

(Photoby LATDigital}

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186June1991 N E~~.......................................................... ~(z(P.~ ...............................................................................................

■ The future of the French GP at MagnyCours is in doubt following the decision by Prost Grand Prix to move away to a new base near Paris.

There are rumours in the region that there will be three more events and then a new venue - possibly Paul Ricard - will be found.

■ With the threat of tobacco bans across Europe, Marlboro may have to reconsider its current sponsorship policyin Fl. The company spent 23 years investing in cars which featured the redwhite-red chevr9ns of Marlboro. Cars in such colour schemes are instantly recognisable as being Marlboro-supported and will continue to be, even if the name Marlboro has to be removed. The only problem is that Marlboro is now pouring all its Fl money into Ferrari, which has so far refused to switch away from all-red cars.

■ Mercedes-Benz is still

happy to pour vast sums of money into Fl despite the lack of success in recent years. In Barcelona last week the McLaren team had a completely new VlO engine with no parts in common with the unit which has been used so far this season. The new engine proved to be very powerful in qualifying but needs more testing before it can be raced.

■ South Africa is said to be trying to concludea deal to host a Grand Prix once again. An event wouldbe useful for Fl to get onto the Aftican continent but previous attempts have been aborted because of the drop in the value of South Africa's currency against the dollar.

■ There are to be big changes in Hungary with a new Austrian management team at the Hungaroring. The local government has agreed a $3.5m programme of development for the track which will include extending the paddock, constructing a special fast access road for race personnel and building a new media centre for 1998.

The track has a new contract until 2001.

■ Former Arrows and

Lola Fl driver Ricardo Rosset will have a test for Tyrrell later this summer.

The deal - a one-offtest is part of agreement made at the start of the year when the Brazilian came close to signing for Tyrrell. Jos Verstappen arrived at the last minute, leaving Rosset with no choice but to join Lola.

an

■ Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa, who is currently leading Japan's Formula Nippon series (the local equivalent of F3000) was much in evidence in Barcelona trying to find a drive in Fl for next year.

-JOESAWARD

0

• :.

qf!

Concorde to be scrappe

By JOE SAWARD

AS Bernie Ecclestone ties up the final details for the sale of shares in his company, Formula I Holdings Ltd, there are suggestions that there could be revolutio:pary changes ahead for the organisation of Grand Prix racing.

This could include a replacement of the Concorde Agreement with a longer-term tripartite contract between Fl Holdings, the FIA and the Fl teams.

The sale of the shares will not actually be a flotation but rather what is known as "a placement" with financial institutions - rather than individual investors - buying the shares and then deciding whether to sell them on to the general public,if they think.there is suitable demand.

As such, all Ecclestone has to do is convince the financial institutions

that he has a sound business - and he appears to have been successful in this.

Ecclestone told financial analysts last week that 50 percent of the equity will be sold.

He and his family will retain 30 percent and the FIA will receive 10 percent - probably in exchange for an extension of the current deal under which Bernie controls the commercial rights in Fl. This is currently for a 15 year period but may be extended to cover the next 25 years.

The remaining 10 percent will be allocated to the teams and promoters.

Some of the Fl team bosses notably McLaren's Ron Dennis - say that they deserve more money as without them Ecclestone would never have been able to build up the Fl show.

Despite the complaints, the teams

do not seem to have any claim on Fl Holdings Ltd - which Ecclestone and his family own.

Wilder elements in the paddock have been trying to promote the idea that a rival World Championship could be established by the teams without Ecclestone but there is very little substance in these arguments.

It should be pointed out that a one percent shareholding in Fl could be worth as much as $35m and most of the Fl teams would be quite happy to settle for that.

The 1997-2001 Concorde Agreement has been sign.edby seven teams: Arrows, Benetton, Ferrari, Jordan, Ligier, Minardi and Sauber.

Williams, McLaren and Tyrrell continue to refuse to agree terms with the signatory teams while Stewart Grand Prix is currently outside the entire arrangement.

Bernie wants to end the disputes and put together a solid package for

the longest possible duration, involving at least 10 teams.

The teams all agree that floating the business is a good idea for the long-term stability of the sport but think that they should be getting more money from the TV income and more shares in the business.

Wbile some are trying to stir up doubts about the sale in the City of London, others are concluding that a new form of contract would be the best way to go forward and that if Ecclestone is willing to offer more, they will be willing to commit themselves for a longer period of time.

Ecclestone and the Salomon Brothers investment bank have been playing down such issues and have been bolstering confidence by revealing an impressive management team which will run Formula 1 once the company is sold (see The Box Seat opposite page).

/

Mark WebberinterviewAdministrators moveon Lola

Continued from Pt 7

of the car we leave from the previous track, unless it's a bumpy track and we have to take the ride height up a bit, or take it down for a smooth surface.

Once you get your particular set-up sorted you can take that to pretty much every track.

MN: They're pretty sophisticated cars, aren't they?

MW: They are. I'm not very technical, but they are different to anything else I've driven.

We have sensors on each corner to see what the ride height is doing and it's interesting to see the ride height being pumped into the ground when the speed builds up and the wings are working. You can see that on telemetry.

You can see how braking pressures change how the brakes work ... that's the biggest thing, reading the telemetry. The car is actually quite basic; the telemetry is the biggest thing you have to get into. It's amazing. It teaches you a lot.

MN: You have some kind of button where you can get a I ittle bit of a charge of power for a short time ...

MW: We call it our 'boost button'. It's on the steering rim but it's not a good idea to use it in testing. Some guys do to set a good time at the end of a day, but it's most effective in qualifying.

When you do press the button on these laps it allows the engine to have slightly more power. When the engine is unloaded it's no good using the button. You can't use it out of a hairpin, but you can in maybe fourth or fifth gear when the car is unloaded and it could be worth a tenth and a half to two tenths, which is quite a "bit.

But you don't want to live on it because the temperatures rise.

MN: You just use it in short bursts?

MW: On a whole lap, if you use it twice, two laps in a

row, that would be enough.

Then you get out of it for another lap then look at it again, as soon as your tyres are ready for another lap.

But if you try it for a third lap in a row, maybe you'll shoot yourself in the foot because you're starting to retard the engine. You could drive the best lap you've ever done but the engine's gasping. • You've also got a power shift button where you don't use the clutch on the upshifts. It's similar to the Formula Ones where you just hold a button and keep the throttle flat and put some pressure on the gear lever in the direction you want to go and the lever pulls itself out of your hand. It just cuts the engine for a split second and through it goes. It sounds great!

Some people have trouble getting the timing right with it and over-rev the engine, but I seem to have got onto it alright and use it maybe half the time.

On the downshifts you use the clutch and go through all the gears.

MN: No (gearshift) paddles on the wheel?

MW: Not yet.

MN: How about life in England generally? Are you coping with that alright?

MW: Yes, it's good to have a team with a good atmosphere whereas last Y.earwas a bit... I didn't really enjoy it much last year because it was all focused around my teammate, whereas this year it's the other way around.

I'm not being selfish, but I'm not there to have a good time.

Alan gives the Japanese as much time as he gives me but it's good to have number one status in the team.

It's also good to have lots of Australians working in the team and they are really motivated. It's good to pop over and see the team more than I was last year.

It's still a bit hard over there. You're stuck with the food ... we're just so fortunate

in Australia. You can struggle to afford to eat over there.

And there are always traffic jams, which are a big pain. , But getting more respect has been nice. Last year I was a Formula Ford driver and now I'm a Formula 3 driver. In driving schools, things like pay rises can be sought, which is nice. It all helps.

MN: It's early days, but have you had any approaches from teams for F3000 or have any F1 people shown any interest in you?

MW: There are a number of contacts Alan has. He would love to do F3000.

I have had some genuine approaches from F3000 people but it is early days. There are teams that would like to give me a run in their cars, which is nice, but not quite so early in the season.

I'd love to do it, but next year I'd like to take the F3 championship with Docking.

He's stuck his neck out and has put all his faith and more behind me, so I'd like to try and knock off Stewart and then I can leave the team and look to something else.

Alan knows what's going to be best and he has a good idea what Mark Webber will need to go further forward and what's best for me. I'll listen to him.

MN: How are the finances at this stage?

MW: Yellow Pages are right behind us and Qantas are helping by flying us around, whether it's me coming here or David (Campese) flying there. That helps, but finances apart from that have been nothing out of Australia.

That's tough. David's tried really hard, trying to find people while we're having a good run, to get people behind me.

We're working on that right now and it's going well, but we have to be careful with our decisions.

There's a certain amount of pressure on me to do a good job in whatever class I get into. Obviously the money is only going to be good in Formula 1, so that's when I've got to try and pay these people back! ■

LOLA Cars, one of Britain's best-known rac• ing car manufacturers, has gone into financial administration as a result of the company's failure in Fl earlier this year.

Accountant Peter Dunn is now running the business, which is protected from creditors for the next year.

He is hoping to find new investors and run the company as a going concern and thus pay back the creditors in full, but might also consider selling the company and settling a percentage of the debts with immediate effect.

Lola - which has been in business for 39 years - has the exclusive contracts to supply chassis in Formula 3000 and in the Indy Lights series. It also has a small

amount of business left in CARTracing.

We hear that there are several parties interested in buying the operation in order to run a Formula 1 programme.

One name which has been mentioned is that of Prodrive, which seems to have been rejected as a buyer for Benetton.

There are also rumours that a CART team may wish to take over the business.

However, owner Eric Broadley is adamant that the famous company can continue in its own right.

"The company is strong, with a good base, and is not goingbelly-up,"said Broadley. ''But we do have a capital problem and need to recover from it."

-JOESAWARD

CarlosReutemann runsfor President FORMER FI driver Carlos Reutemann has announced he is preparing to run for the presidency of Argentina.

Reutemann has the support of the current president Carlos Menem, who will step down in 1999.

Reutemann has been a senator since he completed a term as governor of the Santa Fe province.

-JOESAWARD

Prost friction THERE have been suggestions in recent weeks that the relationship between Alain Prost and Mugen Honda has been going through a rocky patch in recent weeks.

Prost certainly upset the Japanese with comments about the team's second driver, Shinji Nakano, who had been off the pace in relation to Olivier Panis.

Prost wanted to replace Nakano with Frenchman Emmanuel Collard but Mugen Honda has the contractual right to choose the team's drivers and blocked

the replacement of Nakano.

There have also been unsubstantiated rumours that Peugeot engineers somehow gained access to a Mugen Honda Vl0 engine, which caused Mugen to threaten to withdraw the engines from the team with immediate effect.

Japanese newspapers are reporting that Pro t ent a letter of apology to Mugen boss Hirotoshi Honda and that things have settled down, with Nakano remaining for the rest of the season.

-JOESAWARD

.~fNP.? 0.. ~~~ .................................................

~~~.~.~~~.~••• ~. ........................................................

6June199719

W

hen Laurent Kabila's troops marched into Kinshasa the other day to complete the destruction of President Mobutu's insanely-corrupt regime in Zaire, a small army of foreign correspondents invaded the grounds of the British Embassy to ask whether new Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Labour government would recognise the new Republic of the Congo which Kabila had declared.

"Good Lord," said a diplomatic flunky. "We cannot tell you that.

The Foreign Office cannot possibly decide such a thing - it's a Sunday."

Some things do not change.

Voting in a new government may seem a great and grand gesture, POWER PLAYER: Bernie Ecclestone stands to gain as much as $3 billion from his flotation of what amounts to Formula 1 Inc. (Photo by Zooom) but the reality is that the Civil And it would wipe out enorget away with - governments canhe power of the tobacco com- fidence to invest in F1 as a comService will still plod along at its mous amounts of money govern- not stop broadcast images from panies in Formula 1 is actually mercial enterprise, rather than as normal pedestrian pace. Things will change but, you know old boy, ments get by taxing tobacco prod- other countries where there are no weakening as the teams get more a volatile sport. The business is ucts. They cannot afford to lose tobacco bans being beamed onto money from elsewhere - notably no different really from any other. these things take time. that money because it would mean their TV screens. the TV rights.

It puts on a show - and a very The Labour party in Britain increasing taxes to replace the F1 racing will not even need to When F1 is floated and there is good one. • feels the need, after an eternity abandon Europe as the biggest an entire organisation looking at out of power, to make its mark missing money. he question which everyone A ban would also prove to be tobacco sponsors can simply ways to make more money, rather and is playing to the peanut in the business is asking is expensive as there would, leave the colour schemes as they than Bernie running the whole· gallery with issues which will whether or not a flotation is a make people feel good about the inevitably, be a huge business in are and change the wording on the show, that income will increase.

Some teams say that the sport good idea. new government: banning hand tobacco smuggling which would cars. A Rothmans car could have It certainly is for Bernie need to be policed. The Americans Rhubarb written on the side and cannot be floated but what are guns, fox-hunting and outlawing tried the naive policy of Prohibition most of the population would not they going to do to stop it happen- Ecclestone - who stands to gain landmines. ing? Stop racing F1? That is not as much as $3bn from the sale of One of these "feel-good"policies in the 1920s and it resulted in an notice the difference.

This theory was proved recently an option unless they wish to half 70% of his company. This will is to ban tobacco sponsorship in extraordinary growth for organised by a rally team which ran 555 their income overnight. In the end make Bernie one of the richest sport in Britain. The attitude will crime. men in Britain.

If one accepts that one cannot sponsorship. The 555 logos were they will settle or sell. also, probably,swing the balance of He is 66 and, although many Whether they like it or not, power in the European community ban the use of tobacco, one must replaced by a pattern of bananas surely accept that advertising has and the cars carried a small mes- whether they think it is right or not, F1 bosses think they could run the in favour of a Pan-Europeanban. show as well as he does, there is --------------------Bernie Ecclestone's It is a worthy gesture. Doctors to be allowed. no obvious replacement for him.

Formula 1 Holdings Governments have like it, professional protesters like Going public means that when company controls no right to adopt a it, idealists are getting seriously a replacement is needed the most of the commermoralistic attitude if they hot under their bio-degradable colcial aspects of Grand sport will have the stability to do not have the guts to lars. I think it is scandalous.

Prix racing. They could continue without dissolving into I am not arguing that tobacco is do what should be done. the kind of puerile bickering have stopped Bernie good for you. Clearly it is not. But They should encourage which F1 bosses do so well. taking over years ago voluntary agreements if it is bad for you governments A flotation will help to raise the but were too busy fillwith cigarette compashould ban the product. sport from the entrepreneurial ing their own pockets nies, a policy which has The hypocrisy of banning the level - in which Bernie has advertising while allowing a prod- worked effectively in a number of sage from a local banana compa- to care.

Ecclestone has secured the excelled in recent years - to a ny. uct to be sold is as disgusting as countries for many years. commercial rights to the sport from new corporate structure. There With the level of coverage The other option - which is fine allowing child molesters to sing in the international automobile feder- are still plenty of areas in which church choirs because they have by me - is to allow tobacco adver- enjoyed by F1, replacing the ation for the next 15 years - and it the sport can be developed but tising but increase the taxation on tobacco money will not be hard. good voices. these need stability for the The real damage will be done may be extended to 25 years The tobacco industry could, of tobacco products in a dramatic course, take the governments to way. This would increase tax rev- to other sports which do not enjoy shortly - and the aim is for the growth to be possible.

The sport has only just begun York-based Salomon the same levels of exposure and New the international courts and I am enues so that they could then to merchandise the "Formula 1" sure they would have a case. Last waste more money on inefficient to the junior motor racing formu- Brothers investment bank to offer lae, in which the best young dri- shares in the company within the brand and one can expect enoryear a Canadian court ruled that public services and new missiles. mous growth in the years ahead Such a policy would reduce the vers are usually supported through next two months. the Tobacco Products Control Act from selling memorabilia, F1 Ecclestone is expected to keep their careers by cigarette companumber of smokers because it - which banned tobacco advertisclothing and other merchandise 30% of the business, with the nies. would provide a powerful incentive ing - violated the concept of free There is scarcely a driver in teams getting 10%, the FIA 10% and from establishing shops, for people to save money. It would speech, which assuredly it did.

Grand Prix racing who does not and the general public 50% of the restaurants and other similar also make it more difficult for Tobacco companies do not ideas. have a cigarette company to thank equity. youngsters to afford to take up the want to get into such conflicts.

Who knows? One day we may The intended board of directors for help in the lower levels or in his habit.

This would upset the smokThey want to make love not war. have F1 theme parks and hotels of Formula 1 PLC is an impressive early days in F1: Jacques Well, actually they want to make ers and would lose a few votes but as well. one with Ecclestone continuing to Villeneuve would be nowhere withit would be the most reasonable money but that is best done by And if that sounds far-fetched, out Players; Damon Hill had help run the business as chief execuway of doing business. smooching governments rather one should remember that Walt tive.

Former Mercedes-Benz chairfrom Camel and Barclay; Camel The trouble is that in parliament than fighting them. there are not many people around played a vital role in the careers of man Helmut Werner will become Disney started out drawing carchairman, former Ferrari sporting toons of a mouse and a duck. His Michael Schumacher, Heinzoliticians know that the policies who will dare to do what they direc·tor Marco Piccinini - a company has become one of the they have adopted are absurd should be doing instead of what Harald Frentzen, Jean Alesi, world's biggest entertainment Monaco-based banker - deputy but, being pragmatic, they know they think people want them to do. Johnny Herbert and Eddie Irvine. companies worth billions of dolMarlboro has backed so many chief-executive and David Wilson, that to do the right thing and ban It is so mµch easier to fudge the lars. If one had bought stock in drivers that it is sometimes hard to an executive with the Ladbroke tobacco altogether would be far issues. find a man who has never worn a Group, will be the financial direc- Disney in the early 1950s one too radical a step for any governveryone is making a fuss about Marlboro chevron. Olivier Panis tor. Non-executive directors will would be very rich now. ment to consider.

If you want my opinion, take a the effect of a tobacco ban on came along with help from Gitanes include Walter Thoma of Philip For a start such a policy would risk and buy as many shares as Morris (which owns Marlboro). and Ukyo Katayama would have Formula 1 but I reckon it is irrelealienate a significant percentage Names such as these should you can afford in F1. I know I am of the electorate - a lot of people vant. Short of banning Grand Prix no career but for Japan Tobacco. give financial institutions the con- going to... ■ races - which they would never And so it goes on ... still smoke.

T

T

"They could have stopped Bernie taking over years ago but were too busy filling their own pockets."

P

E

....... -~-~206June1997 ........................ ..............................

~ -~- ~ .. ~~ ~. ~~-~ ~ ..................••.••••••••••••••••

• IV

or Report by PHIL BRANAGAN Photos by DIRK KLYNSMITH

IT was a case of how far BMW at the third and fourth rounds of the BOC Gases Super Touring Championship at Phillip Island last Sunday.

Paul Morris and Geoff Brabham split the wins in the two 15 lap events, the updated-to-1997 aero spec 320is having too much of everything for the opposition.

The only fly in the ointment was a rear of grid start in race two for Morris after failing to start the car after a weight check in qualifying, and a tyre problem for Brabham in the first race which sentenced him to fifth place onJy. Tyres also stopped Jones in race one, while Jim Richards challenge was blighted in the first race by an electrical problem.

Happiest team at the Island must have been Steven Richards', his new Valvoline Nissan Primera having a great debut with a pair of Independents wins. of challenge The Gianfran-co Brancatelli's Ford Mondeo came to little with two DNFs, while Independent David Auger was lucky to emerge unhurt after a race two end-for-end crash in his Alfa Romeo 155, which was almost written off in a lap one incident.

Qualifying There were a few noshows for the timed sessions.

Peter Hills was missing in his Ford Mondeo, as was Mark Adderton, whose exSouth African Toyota Carina was languishing in Sydney for the want of a radiator John and oil cooler.

Henderson was likewise absent in his Opel Vectra due to computer telemetry constraints.

And there was only the Ford Petronas single Mondeo. While Gianfranco Brancatelli prepared to go out and face the clocks team-

mate Albert Poon was cheerfully wandering around in civvies.

Which was more than could be said for his car. On Thur.sday the man from Hong Kong had completed a handful of wet laps before the car aquaplaned over a puddle and went into a frightening series of barrel rolls. The Mondeo took fully 250 metres to come to a halt before the white-haired Poon was able to step out of what resembled a pretty destroyed car.

Reudi Eggenberger and his crew took a look at the wreckage and pronounced it a fixer for Calder but a nonanything for PI. The car's computer told it was pulling almost 7000rpm when the hurt started - getting on for 210kmh. Quch. ,·' But the show went on under· fairly clear first session skies. With what appeared to be a minimum of fuss the BMW armada rolled out to break the back on anyone who had sights on the front row. Half way through the session neither Morris nor Brabham had ventured onto the black stuff, leaving Jim Richards to set the pace with a lm37.82s lap.

But then the newly reliveried 320is - bearing allegiance to 'Individual by BMW M GmbH', a kind of HSV for BMW-ophiles swung into action. Brabham appeared with ·14 of the 30 minutes to go and banged in a lm36.88s lap, only for Morris to appear three minutes later and heave him with a lm36.23s for pole.

But it was done with a little more effort than was apparent. After sitting out Thursday's howling weather the team found its softer tyres graining in Friday's low track temperatures so the team had to do a quick run around and opt for more durable tyres. Even though the team (and Michelin) declined, as usual, to nominate what they were, it's probably safe to say they were 'medium' 33s.

Apart from the new sign-

writing the cars looked different with their new '97 bits. The front splitter was full-width, the wear wing had a mid bulge and the wheels were wearing 'dinner plates'. It was al] part of the latest package, according to Lyall manager team had and Williamson, required a good deal of suspension work to match, hence their late appearance on the cars.

The second session looked similar, except that the gathering clouds prompted everyone onto the track a little earlier in the session.

This time Brabham took the pole with a lm36.40s blast and it was Morris' turn to respond.

He shouldn't have. An electrical terminal broke off, leaving the white Bimmer slugging around the track

DUNLOP

(JiJpfJ.<p_f!fl[l!P

with a misfire. It stopped on the back altogether straight (the team thought Paul had spun) and the Queenslander struggled in to the pits ... ... where he was weighed.

All well and good, until the officials directed him to start the car. With no electrical juice he couldn't so the car had its session times disallowed. Rear of Grid. Ouch, again.

Best of the rest was the Volvo. Jim was bowling along in the 37s, with his earlier time standing for third in QL His second effort of a lm37.98s was good for fourth in the second, allowing the Jones Audi to slot alongside into third. Richo felt the car was going to be consistent during the race but was less than hopeful of being able to match the Diet

Cokes for sheer pace. He was running - for certain Michelin's 33.

It was all close, otherwise.

Brad locked up a fourth for race one with a lm37.97s, of McConville's ahead lm38.14s (Ql) and lm38.57s in the second, made after some changes to help the car's balance didn't work out as hoped. The team didn't bite on the obvious weight question (any adjustment still being at least a race away) and worked away quietly on the cars. Rumours suggested the Audi was good for a 36.8 when it tested at the Island on Michelins ...

Pleasant surprise - for onJookers as well as driver was the pace of Garry Rogers' new Nissan Primera.

Richards the Younger was delighted with the package, even more so with the

of Nissan appearance Motorsport Europe's technical man Richard Divila and engine man Jason Langham.

Funnily enough the two had never met, Rogers introducing them in the paddock.

Steven would line up sixth and fourth (lm38.33s) (lm38.09s) in the two races.

The car looked great on the track, once you got past its non-descript styling and stickers-on-white bodywork.

I know the car is a weapon, but please add paint to it, chaps? came behind Right McLean. Like the BMWs the newly RedeX-ed Opel Vectra wore new 1997- pee wings, the rear featuring a wing with the biggest Gurney flap this side of well, Dan Gurney's lip. At $2000 for it, and $4000 for the new fullwidth carbon plitter it was a relief that the car was quick, solidly in the 38s and 39s in both sessions.

The surviving Petronas warmed the heart of Mondeo aficionados (okay, me) with and eighth and a seventh.

Driving his 1995 car "at 1996 pace!" Branca was cornering the wheels off the car to make up for a lack of whack on the straights.

Team manager David Wong suspected a dodgy cylinder and a compression test revealed a loss of compre sion. Eggenberger oversaw an engine change for raceday.

It was sure an impres ive logistics exercise to get the team to the Island. With the car based, with Wong, in Singapore, Brancatelli living in Miami, Eggenberger in Switzerland, Poon in Hong

LEFT:INDIVIDUAL TIMES TWO...

The only thing that stayed the same for BMW at Phillip Island was the results - a win each for Morris and Brabham. Note the car's new 'dipped' rear spolier and 1997 'dinner plate' wheel covers.

RIGHT: DAT SUN OF MINE. ..

The Richards clan had a great battle. Steven's Nissan Primera took the battle right up to the Volvo of father Jim, here trying not to assault his son and heir at MG corner.

start of the second session, 42s, then 45s. It had a coil leaving him in the same 'the- on one of the spark plug fail, c a r-w on 't-s ta rt-after-aeffectively turning it into a weight-check, see-you-atfour-cylinder engine. "Which the-rear-of-the-grid' boat as was not quite enough," said Morris. It was down to a team manager George starter motor losing the plot. Shepherd.

Dr Jim Cornish was on the McLean fired past out of noise, right behind PP, in Siberia into sixth, but better the second session. The first awaited the other Cameron, was a little harder, the vet McConville,three laps later. spinning at Southern Loop In front of him Jones had on his 'out' lap, sending him been struggling for grip. juddering back to the pit "I thought it was just a lane on four square tyres. normal loss of grip as the But the cars looked good: the race went on," he said. "But team had hauled out the we had a slow puncture and paint since the last race, the it just went. The current HVe cars getting a daub of Champion had a half lose almost 'Leyton House' blue. and Richards went through Last cab off the rank was as well but, on the next lap David Auger's Alfa Romeo. Jones was heading for the The Queenslander was hav- pits for a new right rear. It ing a much better weekend took some time to clear the in Victoria than he had had fouled bodywork and by the at home at Lakeside's opener time Brad resumed he was a and was pleased with the lap down in 12th.

About the same time car, reporting no problems worth mentioning.

Morris knifed past Brabham in the Southern Loop.

Race 1 (15 laps)

Kong and Moffat in Melbourne, the scale of the hardware, after six weeks in transit, was huge. Apart from spare engines and bits ("we have the parts to rebuild Albert's car for Calder," said Wong matterof-factly) they bad a few wheels with them -100. And two other Mondeos at home, ready for the Asian series.

Tony Newman followed in the Fastway Couriers Peugeot. The cheery Kiwi was dreading an engine problem ("we're past our life on some bits," he admitted) but the white 405 was getting along close to its 1996 velocity, despite a lack of testing. The team was happy - until they failed a ride height check and also found the car few kilos underweight in the first session.

The ongoing battle between Bob 'Cavalier' Tweedie and Justin 'I'm cavalier too, except in a BMW' raged in both sessions. The Faber-Castell car had embarrassed its pilot with a flat-spotting spin at Southern Loop in the morning session but had delighted its team with a two second gain in 12 months which Matthews put down to running new-spec 19 inch rubber for the first time.

Tweedie was less than impressed to be hauled before the beak for having one end of his splitter fail a ride height check by "about zero" but was otherwise pleased with his day's efforts.

It was hard yakka in Hyundai Land. Paul Pickett bore most of the brunt, with a starter motor failing at the

a

The start is less important Continued over page at Phillip Island than at other tracks but, given the 'first corner' policy the BMW outfit followed at Lakeside the drag into Southern Loop took on a great deal of interest.

Brabham was away sharply from Morris, but the loser in the first shuffle was Jim Richards. Jones and McConville took up lineastern formation ahead of the Volvo, Steven, McLean, Brancatelli, Auger, Pickett, Tweedie, Matthews, Newman and Cornish.

The BMWs cleared out.

After a single circuit they were 2.ls clear of Jones and the front of the field took on a Noah's Ark 2 by 2 formation of the two 320is, the Audis and the Richards.

The German rear-wheel~ drives just kept going away.

Brancatelli was driving hard to stay with the McLea·n SMOKE AND FIRE.. Race one looked like a BMW formation until you looked at the times and Morris and Brabham's Opel and, as the Mondeo smoking brakes. Cameron McLean (below) had a tough weekend with his newly-winged Opel Vectra. crested Lukey Heights in lap four the Italian locked a brake.

"It just when 'shooof", he later related, which was a fair description of the car surfing off the track and bending its front. He struggled around for a lap before the inevitable loss of water from a damaged radiator sent the engine temperature skywards. He parked, hoping the engine was okay as the team set to rectifying the damage.

The leaders were hard at it, both in the 37s and Brabham was locking a front right lap after lap at MG, though it was causing him no problems.

Steven was past his father on lap four and set sail after the Audis. He closed for a few laps, getting the gap down to around 0.5s before it stabilised.

But Jim was struggling.

The Volvo was misfiring and slowed into the 41s, then

@.@.0.P.'!.~WP PE R T~ ~ -~~- ~~ .....................................

SU 226June1997 ..................................... ...........................................................

HARD WEEK... Team Petronas had a tough debut in the BOC series. Albert Poon's car was almost destroyed on Thursday (left} while Gianfranco Brancatelli had overheating problems.

BOCGasesSuperTouringChampionship

Continued from page21

Round3 & 4 - PhillipIslandMay31/June1

Geoff was also struggling with Race 1 (15 taps) a slow right Qual Grid F/lap On Race time Team/Car Pos Driver front puncture, 1 1:36.23 2 1:37.27 which speeded 24:44.46 BMY'f Coke/Individual Diet Morris Paul 1 5 1:38.14 up and let go 25:03.66 1:38.70 4 2 Cameron Mcconville Orix Audi A4 quattro 1:38.33 6 entirely on lap Valvoline/CumminscNissan Primera25:05.40 1:38.72 2 3 Steven Richards 7 25:14.12 1:39.19 2 1:39.17 12 and he headGreenfields/RedeX Opel Vectra 4 Cameron McLean 2 1:36.80 26:02.44 1:37.17 2 Diet Coke/Individual BMW ed pit-wards. He 5 Geoff Brabham 26:21.17 1:42.95 9 1:42.42 11 Faber-Castell BMW 318i was there at the 6 Justin Matthews 9 1:41.92 26:22.44 1:43.56 9 Fastway Couriers Peugeot 405 same time as 7 Tony Newman 1:45.72 13 141aps 1:45.04 2 Gun Racing Alfa Romeo 155 the Audi but he 8 David Auger 141aps 1:44.09 5 1:44.12 12 HVe Motorsport Hyundai Lantra lost only lmlOs 9 Paul Pickett 1:48.71 14 141aps 1:47.14 4 HVe Motorsport Hyundai Lantra 10 Jim Cornish and he regained 4 1:37.97 141aps 1:38.60 3 Orix Audi A4 quattro 11 Brad Jones the track fifth.

141aps 1:43.16 5 1:42.06 10 IBC Vauxhall Cavalier 12 Bob Tweedie left That 3 1:37.82 Slaps 1:38.55 2 Valvoline Volvo 850 DNF Jim Richards Morris with a 1:39.89 8 31aps 1:55.77 3 DNF Gianfranco BrancatelliTeam Petronas Ford Mondeo 19s lead over McConville,with Race 2 (15 taps) the delighted Qual Grid F/lap On Race time Team/Car Pos Driver Jr Richards 1 1:36.40 third on the 24:47.33 1:38.19 6 Diet Coke/Individual BMW 1 Geoff Brabham 24:49.53 1:37.89 3 No time 13 Nissan's excelDiet Coke/Individual BMW 2 Paul Morris 3 24:50.06 1:38.29 5 1:37.48 lent debut.

Orix Audi A4 quattro 3 Brad Jones 6 25:06.05 1:38.95 2 1:38.57 McLean was a 4 Cameron Mcconville Orix Audi A4 quattro 1:37.98 4 25:06.26 1:39.07 2 Valvoline Volvo 850 lonely fourth, 5 Jim Richards 5 1:38.09 Valvoline/Cummins Nissan Primera 25:07. 76 1:39.32 2 clear of Brab6 Steven Richards 9 26:26.23 1 :42.94 4 1:42.26 Fastway Couriers Peugeot 405 7 Tony Newman ham and Matth26:26.52 1:43.57 3 1:43.22 11 Faber-Castell BMW 318i 8 Justin Matthews ews, who had 1:42.73 10 26:27.06 1:43.34 3 IBC Vauxhall Cavalier DO Bob Tweedie emerged sixth 1:39.80 8 91aps 1:41.85 3 DNF Gianfranco BrancatelliTeam Petronas Ford Mondeo after a strong 1:45.12 13 Slaps 1:47.31 3 HVe Motorsport Hyundai Lantra DNF Paul Pickett mid-race dice Slaps 1:39.55 4 1:38.86 7 Greenfields/RedeX Opel Vectra DNF Cameron McLean with Pickett and ?laps 1:48.54 2 1:43.69 12 Gun Racing Alfa Romeo 155 DNF David Auger Newman.

1:46.73 14 0laps DNF Jim Cornish HVe Motorsport Hyundai Lantra The loser in that battle had Points: Drivers. been its other Morris 60, Brabham 46, J Richards and Mcconville 26, McLean 21, Jones 18, Matthews 16, S protagonist, Richards 15, Newman 12, Wakefield 10, Auger 6, Tweedie 3, Cornish 2, Pickett 1 Tweedie. "I did Manufacturers: the wrong thing BMW 60, Volvo and Audi 34. and used up my Teams tyres too early," BMW Motorsport 106, Orix Audi Sport Australia 53, HVe Motorsport 20 he said. "On the final lap I had TOCA Challenge Independents Cup nothing left and McLean 43, Matthews 40, S Richards 33, Newman 32, Auger 13, Cornish 11, Tweedie 6, Pickett 4. they just left me standing. They were struggling for grip too but they got the mix right."

Pickett also had the gremlins hit late in the race. It was a broken spark plug that frustrated the team after an run, while encouraging Cornish was 10th, giving the outfit more points after a lonely drive. Jones, after rejoining, was 11th.

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Race 2 (15 laps) With Brabham's reputation as a lightning starter and Morris at the rear the last thing anyone expected would be a true fight for the lead during the race.

They almost got one. Jones out-jumped Geoff and led down to the first corner, but the BMW had the straightline speed and squeezed through before they turned in. Jones was second, Steven, Jim (who almost lost the rear at Honda), McConville, McLean, Matthews and, by

The Morris.

Honda Queenslander had catapulted away and passed six cars.

Behind was a battle between Pickett, Auger and Tweedie. The Alfa swung across the nose of the on the back Cavalier 'straight' and there was contact, just at the point the cars turn left and go a little light ...

In an instant the car was pinwheeling across the grass, crashing into the earth bank with one end, then the other.

At one stage the car was standing bolt upright before crunching back onto it wheels at which time Auger, with astonishing calm, undid the belts and hopped out, completely unscathed.

There were varying reports from the drivers. Tweedie: "He was losing it in front of me, he was sideways and I nailed him, unfortunately."

Auger: "He was out of shape and he hit it up the arse.

Lookat the video."

The series steward did and, as a result, Tweedie was charged, severely reprimanded and excluded from the results ofrace two.

All the lack of damage to the driver, the car made up for. It looked like it was totalled but, as they left the track, Auger's enthusiastic outfit were looking forward to stripping the car and preparing it, perhaps for ·Calder.

After a lap Brabham was i.33s and looked secure and Morris, having eased past the Faber-Castell car, was honing in on sixth-placed McLean's new rear wing. It was an impressive first lap in traffic and Paul was barely 5s behind his off-sider.

But while the Opel looked alone and vulnerable. At MG on lap two Morris was through and quickly ran off after the Steven, Jim and McConville who were going at it like crazy. Father hammered past son under brakes at MG on lap three, but the rears of the Volvo were locking, particularly at Honda and both of the youngsters were sticking with the 850.

But McConvillehad bigger fish to worry about. Morris was on his tail on the next lap and flew around the outside at the first corner. Next was not the Nissan, which impressively slid past the Volvo at Southern Loop,leaving Jim to fall to Morris next time around. The BM was soon right with the son.

But this was no snack. The

Nissan easily held him off on the straight - twice - before Morris forced his way past at Siberia. They ran door-to-door for about 800m before Morris forced the issue and took the line but, considering it was a first race meeting, the Primera sure looked good, even losing this contest.

Brancatelli had been struggling for speed for a few laps.

The first race incident had hurt a head gasket and, after seeing his temperatures rise and horsepower fall for a few laps Franco parked the car rather than risk more damage.

Also out were both Hyundais. Both suffered the same problem: their newly fitted batteries failed, leaving them with no charge, hence no fuel pump, hence no fuel, hence, you can guess. It happened, bizarrely, on consecutive laps.

The Richo family feud for fourth was hotting up. They went under the GIO bridge door to door and, as they sorted out the order at Honda McConville out-braked both of them in a strong opportunist move.

Jones was 3.7s up the road and for three laps Morris took almost nothing off him until the 11th lap, when he took 0.8s back. Going into the last lap they were nose to tail but, up the back straight Morris found a gap, slid alongside and the two cars banged mn·rors. He made it through and Jones had no gripes later.

"No complaints," he said.

"What can you do? He was going about 30 kays faster."

So Brabham won by two seconds from his team-mate, with Jones third. McConville just held out Jim, from the fading Steven. Newman got the better of Matthews and Tweedie after a dice which lasted the final half of the race and they rounded out the finishers who numbered only nine.

After the race the BMW team celebrated, while the rest were forced to face the reality of another slaughter.

There were inevitable que tions about weight - though not from Jones - which may or may not be resolved until after the next race, at least.

Despite their problems during the meeting (and they did have them) the Bimmer team coped with them easily and left the Island with a 1-5, 1-2 result other team would kill for.

Even this early, it's hard to see them losing this eries.

,R ·4 C I N G JUNE1997 A$6 95, NZ$8.95

Bowe- wow!

FORZA!... John Bowe celebrated 50 years of Ferrari in the best way possible at the Island.

Report by PAUL BURFITT

JOHN Bowe timed the first Australian win for the Poz Cola Ferrari 355 Challenge to perfection in last weekend's GTProduction race.

The Tasmanian took an emotional and hard-fought win in the second race after a brilliant battle with the Porsche 911 RSCS of Peter Fitzgerald.

Twenty three cars lined up includ. ing the awesome eight litre Vl0 Dodge Viper of Ray Lintott and John Bourke's new Toyota Supra, both cars making their competition debut in Australia.

and Bowe on the front row again, Beninca and Aitken in third and fourth respectively with Costanzo and Dunn swapping starting positions.

An improved performance saw Lintott move up to seventh and push Bourke back to eighth from Pavicevic, the first of the Class ·B cars in ninth and Murray Carter again from position ten.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

Race 1 (11 laps)

The beautiful BoweFerra1i made a great start to lead the field into turn one ahead of Fitzgerald's Porsche. South Australian rally driver Ross Almond made a blinding leap off the line and took to the dirt flying past Bourke, the potent little Qualifying Bowe took an early lead in quali- Lancer Evo 3 showing great tracfying for race one with a l:41.89s tion.

Both Bowe and Fitzgerald were whichhe held for the first half of the session until the Falken Tyres quickly into the 1:45s with t)Je Porsche entry of Fitzgerald put in a · Falken Tyres Porsche all over the blinder to move into the top spot, back of the leader but unable to make his way past the widest just 0.12s faster than Bowe.

In position three was Dominic Ferrari in Australia. A big outside Beninca from Ed Aitken in another move at MG failed to pay rewards Porsche and the much improved for FitzgeFald·as Bourke moved his Maserati of Alf Costanzo ahead of way past both Almondand Pavicevic to take up seventh position, the new Max Dunn with a 1:42.20s.

The Class B Subaru WRX of Supra starting to show great form.

Coming into Honda on lap five the Andrej Pavicevic was a well deserved eighth from Bourke and leading duo went very deep under Murray Carter's Nissan 200SXwith brakes, Fitzgerald almost going off Lintott's Dodge VlO monster round- the track as he tried to avoid the ing out the top ten with a best lap of Ferrari next to him.

Also at Honda the BMW pair of 1:49.96s.

First in Class D from position 16 Lynton and Troy Searle made conand well ahead of some Class B cars tact, the latter trying too hard under was Beric Lynton in his BMW 323i, brakes passing three cars and pushthe young Queenslander keen to ing Lynton into the dirt. Both cars repeat his excellent performance at eventually g~t going again with only slight damage, Lynton dropping four the Island last year.

Race Two qualifying saw little spots back to twentieth and Searle change up the front with Fitzgerald pitting to check for damage.

By the end oflap eight the leaders rounding out the finishers to take out Class E. were starting to move through The only retirements from race lapped traffic, Fitzgerald saw an opportunity, moved into the lead one other than Searle were the and quickly made a small g~p back Nissan 200SX of Murray Carter to Bowe. On this lap he put in a which lost Turbo boost after just three laps anct John Cowley's RSV 1:42.88s, just 0.03s off his current GTS-R Commodore, the big VB lap record.

At the flag it was Fitzgerald from struggling with tyre problems all Bowe, Beninca and Aitken with weekend. All three cars would line Lintott a great debut fifth in the up again for race two.

Viper. Class B winner was Pavicevic Race two in ninth outright.

Again Bowe's Poz Cola Ferrari Class D honours went to Lynton with a great recovery drive to be made a great start to take the lead 15th overall. Dennis Cribbin took into turn one ahead of Fitzgerald. out Class C honours in his XR6 The field roared down into Honda 'Taxi' and Carlos Rolfo in the TX3 where Bourke got the Supra very

sideways but managed to keep it together.

Aitken was third over Beninca and Lintott, Pavecivic trailing Bourke and leading Class B again ahead of Chris Kousparis' WRX Impreza. At the end of lap two Beninca made a great pass on Aitken, the Porsche duo making a gap on Lintott in the process.

Fitzgerald was trying everything to get past Bowe and in the process set a new lap record of 1:42.75s.

By lap five Bourke was all on his own in eighth having a very lonely race some fifteen seconds behind Costanzo's Maserati and a further 10 seconds back to the leading Class B car of Pavicevic.

Fitzgerald and Bowe made contact at Honda and with Beninca now upon the pair he took advantage and passed Fitzgerald to move up to second.

Dunn's Porsche was pushing Lintott very hard while Class D leader Lynton chased the B Class Volvo of Ian McAllister. Lynton's BMW 323i is sure to make an upset in coming rounds and could again outpace some of the Will{ Imprezas.

On lap seven the BenincaFitzgerald battle intensified yet the Porsches did not loose ground to Bowe. At Honda on the same lap Cribbin spun the cab, creating all kinds of chaos as the leading cars were about to lap that part of the field, the Ferrari making it past cleanly but Beninca, Fitzgerald and a hard charging Aitken were a1l baulked allowing Bowe to make a gap.

Fitzgerald moved into second followed by Aitken in the ex-Jim Richards 911 RSCS in third who was soon passed by the young Beninca.

Into Lukey Heights for the last time Fitzgerald was right up on Bowe's bumper and there he would have to stay as the pair moved through MG and powered towards the line to record the team's first GT-P win and an historic victory for the prancing horse, the first for the mark in Australia since Gerhard Berger won in Adelaide back in 1987.

All this in perfect timing with Ferrari's 50th anniversary celebrations in Italy - yet, where were the Tifosi?

Morganfightsthe odds Cup Porsche CURRENT Champion and round one winner Geoff Morgan started as early favourite but early in the weekend he was to receive some strong opposition from Martin Wagg, Ed Aitken in his 911, the 911 GT2 of Greg Keene in a and Chris Stannard Carrera RSR. As expected the Vodafone entry of Morgan :was fastest from early on in session one to take pole position from Wagg's blue Super Cup sensational car, almost half a second behind Morgan.

Greg Keene settled into third spot while Aitken put in 1:43.91s lap for fourth.

Second qualifying was much the same with the grid for race two reading Morgan, Wagg, from Keene •and Stannard Aitken, Dunn, Patterson, Ivory, and John D'Arcy Russell Potter.

Morgan got away very fast in race 1 and led Keene into turn one but suffered gearbox problems and with his car stuck in fourth gear.

His crew had told him how to fix his gearbox selection problems over the radio, allowing him to start his charge back through the field!

At the flag it was Morgan from Keene and Wagg with John in fourth over Stannard's Carrera RSR, just 3.5s separating the top five.

In race 2 Morgan again got the best start of the group lead-

MORGAN ALMOST DUNN... Geoff Morgan had to work hard in both races. Here he holds off a challenge (Photo·byDirkKlynsmithJ from Max Dunn at Honda Corner.

ing into turn one ahead of with Keene, and Wagg Paterson bogging on the line and getting away slowly.

Before the end of lap one Keene had parked his GT2 with a blown CV joint.

Wagg again passed Morgan at Honda, just as in race one, as a spin dropped Aitken out of

the busy driver contention, deciding to park the car and for the GTP race prepare directly after this, as he had done in race one after the StopGo. Morgan took the win to take out a clean sweep for the round while Stannard took second from Ivory, Wagg and

Patterson rounding out the top five.

Class B honours in both races went to Russell over Potter and McNamara.

Points after round 4: Class A: Morgan 16, Stannard 9, Wagg 9. Class B: Russell 12, Potter 8, McNamara 6 Outright: Morgan 32, Russell 17, Patterson 16, Stannard 15, Wagg 15.

Points after round 2: Outright: Fitzgerald 61, Beninca 42, Dunn 28, Bowe 27. Class A: Fitzgerald 57, Beninca 42, Dunn 28. Class B: Pavicevic 57, Kousparis 42, Boylan 34.

Class C: Sexton/Cribbin 30. Class D: Lynton 60, Kirkham46, Searle 32. Class E: Rolfo60.

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Eastern Creek with Jason Bright hitting back in the Formula Holden fight top• ping his rival for the title Ja on Bargwanna in both races.

This was despite the fact that Bargwanna grabbed·pole for the first 12 lap contest, the Sydneysider looking to have the opening race in the bag only to concede the lead to Bright on the second last lap.

Bargwanna was topped by Bright on the grid of race two with the championship leader goingto the front and staying there despite some strong challenges from Bargwanna all the way to the flag.

It really was a contest between these two young chargers the rest of the field never really getting close enough to challenge, Darren Pate the only driver with any chance of getting near the leading pair but even then he was over 5s behind Bright in heat one and was forced out with a cracked gearbox in heat two.

Overall it was another great result for Bright open· ing his lead in the title with two founds remaining.

Entry and Qualifying While in many other parts of Sydney there was heavy rain and fresh breeze at Eastern Creek the precipita• tion stayed away despite some threatening clouds.

A field of 16 cars lined up for qualifying, the first half hour session producing some frenetic action with both Bargwanna in the Capra] Aluminium car and Bright in the Skilled entry swapping times throughout the session.

There was none of the excitement experienced at the previous round at Winton where rain created havoc throughout qualifying.

In the opening qualifying session Bargwanna trumped Bright by just 0.17s showing just how closely matched the pair are in this Formula.

Bargwanna's pole winning time was lm23.15ls, Bright posting a lm23.328s to be alongside him on the second row of the grid came Darren Pate with a lm23.978s and alongside him Scott Dixon with a lm24.248s.

Darren Edwards was having all sorts of problems at first believing the lack of power was related to be a gearbox problem. He made adjustments only to later discover that the problem was in the engine. Only after qualifying the car in fifth place for both heats did he realise the gravity of the situation with metal filings in the engine oil signalling a major problem which would prevent him from starting on Sunday.

Next on the grid was Adam Kaplan in sixth place ahead of Mark Noske and Owen Osborne in seventh and eighth, Brenton Ramsay and Steve Cramp in ninth and tenth, Bruce Williams way back in 11th alongside Chas Tony while Jacobsen Blanche, Chris Hocking and Albert Callegher rounded out the grid For race two qualifying

Bright saved the best to the closing moments of the session, taking pole on his last lap with a time of lm22.078s preventing Bargwanna from taking the lead starting position in both races by just 4/lOths sec. and Bright With Bargwanna again sharing the front row Pate captured third with a time of lm22.965s over a second clear of Scott Dixon in fourth with Darren Edwards in fifth and Mark Noske in sixth.

Brenton Ramsay captured Adam Kaplan seventh, eighth, Bruce Williams in ninth and Steve Cramp in tenth. Bob Minogue was on 11th ahead of Owen Osborne Ton; Jacobsen, Chas Blanche, Albert Callegher and Chris Hocking.

Race 1 Bargwanna got away well and despite some side by side battling kept Bright at bay in a hard fought first lap only getting clear as the pair skirted around the back of Corporate Hill.

Behind them Steve Cramp spun at the turn two hairpin recovering to trail at the back of the field Bargwanna led with Bright close behind the pair already opening a gap on Pate in third and Dixon in fourth.

The order remained the same and on lap five of the 12 lap contest Bargwanna had a margin of ls over Bright while Pate was another 5.3s back in third with Dixon hounding him in fourth.

Heading into the turn two hairpin on lap six Bargwanna had a massive lockup but managed to stay ahead 0£ Bright as the pair continued to battle hard.

Bargwanna suffered a throttle return spring problem and was fighting to slow the car and get it around every corner, despite this he managed to stay ahead of Bright with the pair opening the gap on Pate to almost 7s.

Tony Blanche went off the track at the Doohan hairpin on lap seven and was out of the race.

Three laps later the throtforced problem tle Bargwanna to run to.o deep into the Doohan hairpin allowing Bright to close up onto the the tail of number 4 7. Down the main straight Bright was able to get right into Bargwanna's slipstream, taking him around the outside into the sweeper, claiming the lead before turn two .

Bargwanna was forced to trail Bright throughout the final lap crossing the line 1.2s behind him, Pate finishing a long way back in third 13s behind while Dixon was another 3s further back in fourth. • "I'd settled for second place until I saw him on the grass and that allowed me to get close enough to put it on the line through the sweeper," said Bright.

"I just braved it out and went round the outside figur-

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ON THE UP... Jason Bright went back to winning at Eastern Creek with two solid drives in the Birrana/Skil/ed Reynard.

Bargwanna (right) now has only a slight chance of taking the title. {Photos by Dirk Ktynsmith)

ing it was my last chance and that he had some sort of problem and I grabbed the win,"he added.

In a well spread out field Bruce Williams claimed fifth ahead of Bob Minogue, St~ve Cramp recovering well from his early spin, Brenton Ramsay and Chris Hocking .

Race2 Bright had the best of the racing ,ahead of start Bargwanna the pair quickly establishing a gap on Pate in third and Dixonin fourth place.

By lap three Bright led Bargwanna by just 0.7s with Pate 3s behind and Dixon another 4s back in fourth and just l.ls ahead of Cramp in fifth place.

But the field progressively spread out with only the intense fight for the lead holding any real interest. On some laps Bargwanna could close the gap down to just 0.3s only to have Bright open it up again the next lap.

On lap four Pate's car started spewing smoke from the back and dropped almost 11 sec behind Bargwanna only to be black flagged on lap 5 . He pitted and retired handing third to Dixon who was 17 secbehind Bargwanna.

That was the story of the race for the remaining six laps with B1ight holding out Bargwanna, Dixon claiming third 24s behind with Adam Kaplan getting past Cramp to claim fourth, Minogue in sixth and Brenton Ramsay in seventh.

For Bright it was a critical win against Bargwanna on his home track and allowed him to grab an added 10 point advantage, now 40 ahead of Bargwanna heading to round six at Mallala on July 13.

"It was great to bounce back after Jason grabbed the upper hand at Winton and my aim is to put the title out of his reach at Mallala." said Bright.

POINTS: Bright 167, Bargwanna 127, Dixon 80, Pate 69, Edwards 60.

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Pre-qualifying .

The following MoTeC-equipped cars successfully qualified for the.24hrs of LeMans GT:L·class

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Wallace/Weaver DPR Panoz GTR .........

Brabham/McCarthy DPR Panoz GTR ...... . .Lagorce/Bullion Dams Panoz GTR .Bailey/Lees Lister Jaguar Storm ........

Needel/Bailey Lister Jaguar Storm .......

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GT2 Class . .Gache/Dupuy Oreca ChryslerViper .....

Chamberlain .Nurminen/Hugenholz ChryslerViper Beretta/ Ayari Oreca ChryslerViper ....... .Bell/Dupuy Oreca Chrysler Viper ........

... with a little help from MoTeC. Systems EngineManagement advanced mosttechnically Australia's

MOTeC

PtyLtd Australia TeC Mo Vic3153 Bayswater Court, Gabrielle Fax97615051 Ph0397615050

• sr1va Report by DAVID HASSALL Photos by DIRK KLYNSMITH

GLENN Seton confirmed his standing as the warm favourite for the 1997 Shell Australian Touring Car Championship clean with an outstanding sweep of the sixth round at Eastern Creek Raceway on May 25.

Incredibly, Seton used only four of his allocated six Bridgestone tyres to score the three race wins while most of his rivals were burning up theirs at a disturbing rate.

Clearly the Ford Credit Falcon is working superbly and with Seton driving as well as he ever has it is hard to see him being headed by the end of the series.

Nearest rival Russell Ingall had a difficult weekend in the Castro!

Commodore, but salvaged fourth place overall on the day and trails Seton by just 46 points with four rounds remaining.

But even Ingall acknowledges that it would now take a disaster weekend for Seton to break the points chase wide open again, such is the speed and consistency of the Falcon driver.

Eastern Creek saw the Shell team revival continue in most impressive fashion, John Bowe claiming a solid second overall while Dick Johnson looked to have regained his old fire with his first podium finish in more than a year.

So, while Dunlops were a competTHREE FROM THREE ... Glenn Seton did not even need his full tyre allocation to spreadeagle the field and tighten his championship grip. itive alternative at Bridgestone International Raceway, it was the again, bolted on new tyres and it Obviously Perkins is now in no wrong team which made the most just went like a rocket." of them - at least from the champi- position to challenge for the title (a Peter Brock was only a quarter of DNF in the third race settled that) onship perspective. a second slower than his young HRT had another trying weekend and he may be more accommodatteammate and was confident the after qualifying had promised so . ing in trying to help lngall in his Bridgestones would be fine for the chase, which will be valuable if the much. races. recent its to returns teams Castro!

Greg Murphy was ·seton's closest "The warmer it gets, the better ways. winning and speed of terms in challenger tyre choice will be because they our tyre equipment, but the horrendous very durable," said Brock, who are Qualifying seaall him luck which has dogged had done a time on old tyres good son struck again when the driveIn recent years Eastern Creek enough for a top ten start. "The car train let him down once more even has won the title of Bridgestone is working really nicely." before the first race.

International Raceway, such has The first of the Dunlop runners points." score you of narrowest From there on it was all catch-up been the team's dominance at the came out on top by the He was also cautious about the was John Bowe, the Shell Falcon margins - 0.0062s. for the flying kiwi and another fail- Sydney circuit ..

This was despite losing valuable race, noting that they had not raced half a second faster than the ure of the transmission in the third With the Dunlop revival this Castro! Commodores. race completely finished his title year, however, there was consider- track time in the first of Saturday's on the long circuit for two years, "I'm quite happy with the car, aspirations. able interest in how they would two non-qualifying sessions when a the track had been resurfaced and Teammate Peter Brock had an fare at this venue and qualifying crank sensor plug came loose, caus- the recent rain had washed it clean. but I'm staggered at the speed Murphy was a bit frustrated to Glenn and Greg have got," said JB. ing the engine to miss whenever he overheating problem all day which quickly provided the answer.

Team boss Dick Johnson made it pole by such a narrow margin, miss bump. a hit prevented him from seriously chalwas Although the battle for pole While Seton was obviously happy but was more concerned about his a good start to the weekend for the lenging and fifth place on the day again between the leading was about the best he could have Bridgestone teams - Seton and about getting pole, he was keeping set-up, especially if it was warmer Shell team with sixth on the grid, less than two-tenths slower than on race day: expected.

HRT - the Dunlops were clearly it in perspective.

Bowe. from start to the after important points very perplexed the "It's on bit a "I was Brock is now fifth close to the mark.

Alan Jones returned to the series table with 302, behind Seton (452), Glenn Seton and Greg Murphy the front row because it is so close," second session and made some missing Winton and qualified after went but really Larry changes for qualifying, Ingall (406), Bowe (378) and turned on a shoot-out for pole and he said, "but today doesn't Perkins (312). in the finish the Ford Credit driver mean anything - tomorrow is when backwards. We changed it back a commendable fifth and expressed himself generally happy. ''I've still got an understeer problem, but everyone seems to have a bit," he said.

Best of the Yokohama runners was Wayne Gardner in seventh, once again using the team's spare car (Crompton's from the GP and Indy meets) and still a little downhearted with life in general but giving it everything as usual.

Gardner certainly had the car speed, being con istently half a second faster than the similarly-tyred Mark Skaife and Tony Longhurst.

"That's about as fast as the Yokohamas are going to go," Wayne said. "Stop-go tracks are OK, but with long radius corners like here we are in a bit of shit."

The Castro! team was struggling with the harder Dunlop 975s, leaving Larry Perkins and Russell

Shell

Australian Touring Car Championship

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Tyres seemed to be the problem, still getting used to the circuit. I Ingall languishing in seventh and eighth, wishing that Dunlop had the Yokohamas not liking the con- don't think any tyre would have gone with the softer option avail- ditions as it got hotter and the made any difference."

Terry Finnigan was provided track became grippier. able (which did not suit DJR).

Making up the sixth row were with a relatively recent set of Mark Skaife (carrying sponsorship for the Australian 1000 cour- Falcon drivers Tony Longhurst and Yokohamas for this meeting and tesy of IMG) just scraped into the •Mark Lark.ham, just ahead of the put them to good use, qualifying just 0.06s slower than Faulkner for top ten and was very disappointed, privateers.

Once again it was John Faulkner 14th. having been second-fastest in the Finnigan had also done some heading the privateers in the first m-0rrungsession. ''We seem to have tuned it to a absence of arch-rival Mark Poole, development work - "the first since we've had the car" - and noted that standstill," laughed Skaife. "It was but he was far from happy.

"The car feels pretty poor everylike a jet in the first session has Continued next page where actually," he said, "but I'm been getting worse ever since."

IN HIS GRASP ... A sensational weekend has brought a second touring car title tantalisingly close for Glenn Seton, but he refuses to play it safe.

11111 22June Cllampionsllip n Touring Super Australia liases 3 BOC Round There's going to be some serious racing with attitude on Sunday, June 22nd at Calder Park Raceway when the giants of the BOC Gasses Australian Super Touring series attack the track tor the third round of the 1997 Championship. See the mighty

BMW's of Morris and Brabham take on the Audis of Jones and Mcconville and Jim Richards' Volvo.

Also turning on the fireworks will be the Century Batteries GTP Production Series, Porsche Cup, ROH Commodo(e Cup, Australian

Formula 2 and the Australian Sports Sedans Series.

Tickets: Adults $25, Concession $20, Children $5, Pit Entry $10, Grandstand $10. Adult Entry Saturday $10.

Call Ticketek on 13 28 49.

For more information, call the Calder Park Events lnfoline and Weatherwatch on 1900 937 445 or find us on the internet at www.motorsport.com.au.

II

BOC GASE':a' )1 r~

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P ARK

AUSTRALIAN

SUPER TOURING CHAMPIONSHIP

'J

MOJORSPO

286J,d!I EASTERN C RE~-~.-~-.:~!~~.............................................................................................

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Continuedfrom previous page

EC Briefs ■ Wayne Gardner was

again on the receiving end of a serve, this time from Russell Ingall in race one.

"But I'm getting used to it," said Gardner. "I think it was unnecessary. He could have avoided it ifhe wanted to, but who cares?"

Apparently the stewards cared, eventually handing down a suspended $2500 fine - which, on his form this year, will be hard for Russell to avoid ...

■ Peter Brock battled power-robbingoverheating all day, preventing him from doing any better than fifth overall on the day. He said after the last race that his car had been runnjng water temperatmes of 147 degrees all day instead of the normal 92 degrees.

■ After qua]jfying third on Saturday, Peter Brock went to the Sydney Cricket Ground to watch his beloved Collingwood football team in action and reckoned if they won he would have a great race day. They were trounced

by Sydney ...

■ Glenn Seton says he is not going to be cautious in the final four rounds of the SATCC,saying he has to get results tms year to impress sponsors for 1998.

'Tm here to win races," said the increasingly confident Ford driver after his decisive move on Bowein the last race.

he was three seconds faster than he had ever been around Eastern Creek before.

Greg Crick was back in the Alcair Commodoreand qualified 15th (having decided to come only on the Wednesday), ahead of Bob Pearson (having a rare run), Trevor Ashby, a frustrated Steven Richards (battling both oversteer and understeer !) , Kevin Heffernan, Darren Hossack (who hadn't driven here until Saturday morning), John Cotter, Neil Schembri, Wayne Russell and local driver Richard Mork.

Race 1 -12 Laps After the morning warmup (Murphy by the narro';Vest of margins from Seton, Bowe and Brock indicating no big change in the expected running order) and the Privateei;s' bash (Finnigan bolting,•away to beat Ashby and Pearson), 25 cars lined up for the first race.

But by the time the parade lap was finished we had already lost one of the front row starters.

Greg Murphy's appalling luck struck again when an axle broke as he left the line and the Mobil HRT car was pushed to the side of the track.

Murf saw his slim championsmp hopes evaporate there and then. He was not a happy man.

The start itself should therefore have been a Seton benefit, but Skaife made a bit of a flyer from the fifth row - too fast as it turned out - to round up everyone by turn one.

There wasn't much hesitation on the part of the officials and at the end of the first lap Skaife peeled into pit lane for his expected stopgo penalty, dropping him to the tail of the field.

With Bowe ("too much wheelspin") and Brock making dud starts, that left Seton with a handy lead from a fast-starting Alan Jones, Johnson, Brock, Gardner, Bowe, Ingall, Perkins, Longhurst and Faulkner.

AJ's position in second place was a huge bonus for Seton, who was much quick-

er from the outset and became even moreso as the race went on.

While Seton's car set-up enable him to lap consistent■ Dick Johnson noted ly quickly with no deteriorathat both Winton and tion, Jones was soon battling Eastern Creek - where he blisters to his rear tyres and and the Shell team have after a few hairy laps gave gone well in recent weeks way to ms pursuers without - have new sUl"faces.So risking an incident. he's looking forward to That group was reduced by next week at Lakeside, one very early on when which has also been resurGardner got a little sideways faced ... around the back of the circuit and Ingall, who was right ■ John Bowe may be third in the championsmp behind him, gave the Coke but is being realistic about car enough of a helping hand his title hopes. "Yes,there to send it spinning backare a lot of points left to be wards into a tyre barrier. won," he said, "but Glenn By the time Johnson made is looking pretty goodto be it past Jones on lap seven, honest."

Seton was already about three seconds down the road - DAVID HASSALL and relatively coasting.

Next past Jones was Bowe, who had got Gardner on the second lap and then Brock mjd-race, then Ingall, Brock and Perkins.

AJ finally finished seventh with leading privateer Finnigan looking for a way past.

At the flag, Seton was a comfortable winner by just TURNING ... MILLING ... TIG WELDING over two seconds from a satincluding aluminium, stainless, chrome isfied Johnson, another second to Bowe (who thought moly etc there was something wrong with his shocks), another secFULL FABRICATION SERVICE ond to Ingall, then slightly bigger gaps between Brock, SUSPENSION & CHASSIS Perkins and Jones. design, manufacture and development Brock had been struggling with his tyres and the team COMPLETE RACE CAR PREPERATION ' planned to make a change for the second race to make "If it's on your race car we can design, them last better. manufacture or repair it .. " Finnigan was certainly competitive in his run to CONTACT: DEREK VAN ZELM eighth - passing Larkham, F a c 1 o r y 1 2 0 ·s I'. e .i r s o n C e s c ,~ n ! M e n t o r. e V c t J r 3 g .! and Longhurst in Ph: 03 9585 3774 Fax: 03 9585 3778 Faulkner proving the value of better I

I

1 ~1

1

TIGHT SQUEEZE ... The run into turn one of race three was a fraught affair with Bowe running around the outside of Seton, who came out with a damaged door from a charging Greg Murphy, who tried to get up the inside.

TRANSFORMED ... Terry Finnigan took out the privateer honors, thanks to a new set of Yokohamas.

FINA_LFLING ... Larry Perkins came to grief on the last lap of the day when he tried to pass Steve Richards. (Photo by John Morris)

tyres - while Longhurst and Faulkner rounded out the ten.

Gardner recovered from his barrier collision to take 11th and initially shrugged off the incident with Ingall as "that's racing", but later admitted to being upset.

Larkham had been running 11th until an incident with Crick damaged a guard, which cut a tyre. The tyre destroyed itself and he just made it across the line to finish 16th.

Race 2-12

Laps

There was considerable interest in Ingall's fate with the stewards over the Gardner incident but a decision had not been made by the start of race two so he took up grid position four.

Seton, Bowe and Perkins (from the outside of the third row) made great starts this time and charged into the lead, but the big mover from the back of the pack was Murphy, who rounded up a handful of cars around the outside of turn two.

At the end of lap one Murf was already up to 12th and he picked up five more places by the end oflap five, but that was as far as he made it though he was on the back of a train which meant he was only two seconds bemnd the third placegetter!

Seton once again made mincemeat of the opposition, gradually extending his lead to three seconds by the flag over Bowe, who was more than four seconds ahead of the battle for third.

Perkins' great start was bad news for those behind, who could do nothmg about passing the Castro!

Commodore throughout the 12 laps.

Jobnson's strong run continued with fourth place just ahead of Ingall, Brock and Murphy, while Skaife worked his way through to finish eighth just ahead of Gardner.

Faulkner made it into the top ten (just ahead of Longhurst and an improving Richards) after throwing away a good start with "a big tank-slap" on lap one, while

Finrugan could not reproduce his earlier form after making a slow start.

Jones ran fifth in the early laps before the tyres started turning to jelly again and he pitted for good after just five laps.

Mork and Conway both retired with mechanical problems and could not repair their cars for the third race.

Race 3-12

Laps

The final race was a more entertaining affair, with plenty of action at both the start and the finish.

Perkins made a terrible start from the in ide of the second row, jumping, stopping and then struggling away, which dropped him to 13th by the end of the first lap.

Bowe made a better start than Seton, but Murphy really made a stormer from the fourth row, making it three abreast as they charged into turn one.

Seton took his line and Murphy stuffed the HRT Commodore heavily into his

/liJ@[}®[?~foYolf?[J ••••••••••••••

•

EASTERN

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6June1997

[J;'.Y.~ ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

LUCKY ESCAPE ... Greg Crick had a tyre let go at 256 kmh, fortunately on the straight.

door - and, although they all lap, taking the flag a few car continued, Seton lost momen- lengths ahead. tum, allowing Bowe into the "That was the only opportunity on the circuit for me to lead around the outside.

Ingall was in there attack- pass him," explained Glenn ing also, but he was delayed later. in a scuffle with Gardner and "Once we locked wheels Skaife and dropped back to there was nothing I could do sixth behind Johnson and about (the contact). I expected Richards, who had also made it to rip a valve out, but luck was on our side this weeka blinder.

And behind Ingall after the end."

Bowe admitted it was a first lap was ... Finnigan!

Another blinder, up from 13th good move and said he knew he was going to be in trouble on the grid.

Another casualty was in the second half of the race: "When Murf went out I Skaife, whose door was mangled by Gardner, forcing him thought I was in trouble to pit for repairs and drop- because Glenn wouldn't have ping to the tail of the field, a to look in his mirrors."

Three seconds behind, lap behind.

Apart from Richards drop- Johnson took an excellent ping a couple of places to third place, just ahead of Ingall and Brock, the first Ingall (whose exhaust had gone) while Brock hung on for half of the race was then fifth. quite static.

Dick was delighted with At half distance Bowe, Seton and Murphy were run- being on the podium for the ning nose to tail, then a first time in a while and said three-second gap to Johnson, the car was working better all a couple of seconds to Ingall the time.

Next should have been and Brock, then Richards, Perkins, Finnigan and Richards and Perkins, but, they came together at turn Longhurst.

Murphy's rotten luck two on the last lap and spun struck yet again when the off.

Steve was able to continue HRT car tried to select third and fourth gears at the same but Larry's car caught fire as time, which destroyed the he tried to limp home. It was gearbox and sent car 15 off put out before too much damage was done. the road.

An incredible sixth was Crick was having an impressive run in 12th place, therefore taken by Finnigan, just behind Faulkner, when a who barely held on from Longhurst at the flag. front-right tyre suddenly Faulkner, Richards and exploded down the front straight - at 256 kmh accord- Ashby (who lost a 'race' with ing to the data recorder - and Skaife on the last lap, only to he only just managed to keep learn later Mark was a lap it all together before stop- down) completed the top ten from Gardner (who had ping.

In the last few laps Bowe another spin on his own) and started taking protective lines Larkham (who had made big and Seton - even though sec- changes to the set-up for ond place was good enough every race trying to make the for victory on the day - was tyres last).

It was a great finish to the clearly lookingfor a way past.

Seton got alongside on the day, but Glenn put the icing second-last lap and they on the cake for the crowd rubbed panels, but it was the with a big burn-out in front of last lap that brought the big the grandstand.

"Just before the last race I opportunity.

Bowe braked just a little saw the bike guy (Craggill) too late on the inside line for get a big cheer when he did turn two, ran wide, and Seton one so I thought I couldn't let was right there to take full him upstage us," the normally reserved Seton explained. advantage.

He then revealed how he He pulled alongside, slid into the Shell car, but exited had called the Bridgestone with the lead. It was a top engineer on the slow-down move and Bowe was forced to lap and asked if they wanted the tyres because he was concede.

Seton was worried that the about to destroy them! bump might have taken off a Heaven knows what the' tyre valve or such, but he pyrometer readings would pressed on and finished the have been ... ■

HANGING ON ... John Bowe holds out Glenn Seton, but had to settle for a solid second.

ShellAustralian Touring Car Championship

u Race 1 -12 laps

Qualifying Pos Driver 1 Glenn Seton 2 Greg Murphy 3 Peter Brock 4 John Bowe 5 Alan Jones 6 Dick Johnson 7 Wayne Gardner 8 Larry Perkins 9 Russell lngall 1O Mark Skaife 11 Tony Longhurst 12 Mark Larkham 13 John Faulkner 14 Terry Finnigan 15 Greg Crick 16 Bob Pearson 17 Trevor Ashby 18 Steven Richards 19 Kevin Heffernan 20 Darren Hossack 21 John Cotter 22 Neil Schembri 23 Wayne Russell 24 Richard Mork NT Mike Conway

Race 2-12 Pos

Team Car Time Ford Credit Falcon 1:31.3765 Mobil HRT Commodore 1:31.3827 Mobil HRT Commodore 1:31.6584 Shell Helix Falcon 1:31.7075 Komatsu/Pirtek Falcon 1:31.8426 1:31.8826 Shell Helix Falcon Coca-Cola Commodore 1:31.9872 Castro! Perkins Commodore 1:32.2268 Castro! Perkins Commodore 1:32.3735 1:32.4800 Australian 1000 Commodore Castro! Longhurst Falcon 1:32.6035 Mitre 10 Falcon 1:32.6158 Betta Electrical/F&P Commodore 1:33.0838 1:33.1432 Sony Autosound Commodore Alcair Airconditioning Commodore 1:33.8127 Pro-Duct Motorsport Commodore 1:34.0621 1:34.5136 Lansvale Smash Commodore 1:34.5608 Valvoline\Cummins Commodore 1:34.9839 Price Attack Commodore 1:35.0700 Wynns Commodore 1:36.5426 M3 Motorsport Commodore 1:38.5493 Schembri Commodore 1:38.8197 Union Steel Commodore 1:40.5254 ARDC Commodore No Time Conway Commodore

Race 3 -.12 laps

laps

Driver

Race time

1 Glenn Seton 2 John Bowe 3 Larry Perkins 4 Dick Johnson 5 Russell lngall 6 Peter Brock 7 Greg Murphy 8 Mark Skaife 9 Wayne Gardner 1O John Faulkner 11 Tony Longhurst 12 Steven Richards 13 TerryFinnigan 14 Greg Crick 15 Darren Hossack 16 Mark Larkham 17 Trevor Ashby 18 Kevin Heffernan 19 John Cotter 20 Neil Schembri 21 Wayne Russell DNF Alan Jones DNF Bob Pearson DNF Richard Mork ONS Mike Conway

18:44.1153 18:47.1820 18:52.8494 18:53.1934 18:53.7736 18:54.1541 18:54.3502 18:57.9752 18:58.3080 19:02.5234 19:02.6403 19:03.0164 19:11.4900 19:17.8581 19: 18.2072 19:23.4899 19:23.7662 19:39.6423 19:50.8119 20:03.5116 20:20.1441 5 laps 5 laps 1 lap

Points Seton lngall Bowe Perkins Brock Gardner Murphy

452 406 378 312 302 280 278

Pos Driver Racetime FAap On 1 Glenn Seton 18:50.5774 1:32.5859 3 2 Dick Johnson 18:52.7436 1:33.0284 3 3 John Bowe 18:53.7053 1:32.8456 2 4 Russell lngall 18:54.7942 1:33.0473 4 5 Peter Brock 18:56.4160 1:33.1805 3 6 Larry Perkins 18:59.2457 1:33.3160 5 7 Alan Jones 19:02.6176 1:33.2400 2 8 Terry Finnigan 19:02.8181 1:33.5673 4 9 Tony Longhurst 19:04.0076 1:33.8872 4 10 John Faulkner 19:04.4760 1:34.1782 3 11-WayneGardner 19:11.1857 1:33.7522 12 12 Mark Skaife 19:12.1717• 1:33.2254 12 13 Steven Richards 19:16.8179 1:34.5793 12 14 Darren Hossack 19:21.6234 1:34.9687 4 15 Bob Pearson 19:23.0342 1:35.3098 2 16 Mark Larkham 19:28.0249 1:34.7423 2 17 Trevor Ashby 19:29.1849 1:34.7933 3 18 Kevin Heffernan 19:46.8383 1:35.8540 2 19 John Cotter 19:48.4914 1:37.1157 7 20 Greg Crick 20:06.0522 1:34.7034 5 21 Neil Schembri 20:07.9638 1:38.4409 2 22 Wayne Russell 20:13.1772 1:39.1339 9 23 RichardMork 11 laps 1:40.3466 2 CNMike Conway 1Olaps 1:39.0253 8 Cf\SGregMurphy

F/lap

On

1:32.4415 4 1:32.9180 3 1:33.4463 4 1:33.4665 3 1:33.2694 6 1:33.2357 7 1:33.1310 7 1:33.5417 3 1:33.6871 4 1:33.5862 4 1:33.8762 4 1:33.9981 6 1:33.8382 3 1:35.0548 3 1:34.7803 11 1:35.1949 2 1:35.4461 12 1:36.5542 3 1:37.8167 7 1:38.7091 9 1:40.3293 4 21:33.5402 31:35.2136

D Johnson Faulkner Longhurst Jones Skaife Richards Poole Larkham

242 200 170 162 152 95 86 73

Pos

Driver

Race time

1 Glenn Seton 18:44.2209 2 John Bowe 18:45.8676 3 Dick Johnson 18:48.8002 4 Russell lngall 18:49.4810 5 Peter Brock 18:52.2470 6 Terry Finnigan 18:58.3206 7 Tony Longhurst 18:58.5270 8 John Faulkner 19:04.5800 9 Steven Richards 19:05.9377 10 Trevor Ashby 19:17.8648 11 WayneGardner 19:17.9790 12 Mark Larkham 19:19.6998 13 Darren Hossack 19:23.5828 14 Bob Pearson 19:23.9025 15 Kevin Heffernan 19:38.8539 16 John Cotter 19:54.3583 17 Neil Schembri 20:22.8559 18 Mark Skaife 11 laps 19 Wayne Russell 10 laps DNF Larry Perkins 11 laps DNF Greg Murphy 7 laps DNF Greg Crick 7 laps DNF Alan Jones 6 laps ONS Richard Mork ONS Mike Conway Finnigan Ellery Bright Hossack Ashby Reed Heffernan Romano

65 60 24 21 17 9 9 8

F/lap

On

1:32.5556 1:32.8088 1:32.9997 1:33.1580 1:32.9985 1:33.5733 1:33.5623 1:33.8505 1:33.4559 1:34.6942 1:33.3507 1:34.2896 1:34.8324 1:35.2991 1:36.3286 1:37.6061 1:40.1229 1:33.1449 1:40.8702 1:32.9630 1:32.4325 1:34.2090 1:33.4779

2 3 5 2 2 7 8 7 10 3 6 3 7 5 6 10 10 3 4 7 3 3 5

Pearson S Johnson Parsons Crick Hislop Smerdon Osborne Conway

3

2 2

2 1

1• 1 1

.. ~~ .............................................. ... ...........................~.~~.~.~~ .....................................................SUPER ......6June1997 .32

I

Win or or on Jeff Gordon overcame adversi- put us a lap down," said Wallace, ty to win the Coca-Cola 600 at who for the second time this year Charlotte Motor Speedway on finds himself the runner-up to May 25, the two-tune event win- Gordon.

"The car was bullet-fast all night ner now moving to within striklong; we just kept trying to get the ing distance of series points lap back. Right there at the end, leader Terry Labonte.

Normally the longest ;race of the Jeff just had less laps on his tyres . and that was•about it." series - but one that was rainMartin continued his l\,r~I:,k_., shortened from it's scheduled 600 of late: "The #24 miles to 499.5 by weather - the twi- strong·runs light race was delayed 26 minutes . [Gordon] had us beat tonight; we by precipitation and then halted were 20th at the rain delay, so to just before halfway for two hours 34 come back and finish third was minutes, eventually ending after pretty awesome."

Gordon also won the pole, his lam on Sunday morning.

Gordon won $224,900, plus fourth consecutive for the 600, $100,000 for winning a race in the eclipsing his old track record with a Winston Million series of four 184.300 mph speed.

At 25 years of age, Gordon is secevents - he now has two victories in the special races and a victory at ond on the all-time pole list at the Darlington on August 31 would see track with a tally of five to his credit - David Pearson won eleven him net $1 million.

"When the rain came, the track straight and has a total of 14.

Amazingly, though, Gordon had came to us," remarked Gordon on his second Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR not won a pole since Indianapolis in win. "It was real slick before and it August last year.

The race was one of frenzied tightened up and that's what we activity all night and Craven, needed."

Gordon's Hendrick Chevrolet fell Gordon, Ken Schrader, Bill Elliott, off it's jack after a wheel hit the Dale Jarrett and Ernie Irvan had jack handle during a pit stop on lap all lead by lap 77 - with raip imminent, everyone was fighting for53.

He was fourth when he entered ward should the race end early.

When the rains did come on lap pit lane and 38th upon exit, but he fought back with front wing dam- 194, Bobby Labonte was the point age and moved around the outside man, having pitted for two tyres of Rusty Wallace's Penske Ford to during the previous caution lead the pack with 17 laps to run, unfortunately for his Pontiac team, using a now familiar low line the halfway point had not quite been reached, so NASCAR officials around the turns.

Wallace found himself a lap down were forced to continue the event.

Sterling Marlin again struck early in the running after a loose wheel interrupted his pit sequence, trouble, also with loose wheel nuts, but he fought back and, when the then spun when an accident sixth caution aired on lap 220 for occurred in front of the Kodak Chevy.

Ricky Craven - whose propshaft To cap it all off, he hit the wall, came loose, dumping oil on the not knowing it was raining in turn track- Rusty regained his deficit.

"Early in the race, we had the 2 seconds before the rain-delay preright front lug nuts come loose and vailed - and he also received a one

LOOKING GOOD ... Jeff Gordon's Coca-Cola 600 triumph puts the series lead within reach. (Martin D Clark)

lap penalty for not stopping for the officialon pit road.

Also troubled after a strong run early was Ken Schrader, who had a fitting break in the cylinder head of his Skoal Chevy.

Robby Gordon, unable to complete the Indy 500 and 600 double in one day, was also unable to complete the 600 when he wrecked Kenny Wallace, starting his 100th race, fell foul to the same turn.

Mike Skinner made contact with his team mate, Earnhardt and later Jeff Burton affected the air at the rear of his Chevrolet and he slammed the wall in turn 2.

After the rain delay and the 20 caution laps, the racing was even more intense with close racing throughout the field, the most exciting moment coming when Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, B Labonte and Irvan.had a four-wide

race down the back stretch. Waltrip had the sense to back off and everyone entered turn 3 unscathed.

Earnhardt started 33rd and wound up a strong seventh, while Waltrip started his 700th career race with a eighth orr the grid, but an ill-handling car held him back to finish 21st.

NASCARannounced at 12.20pm that at 12.45pm they would run 20 more laps.

Jarrett encountered trouble in the pits when an errant wheel rolled across the pit lane, NASCAR sending him to the rear of the pack on the restart - then, with two laps to run, his engine expired in a plume of smoke after a lack of power late in the running.

Gordon crossed the line with one to go in a cloud of Jarrett's expensive smoke, Wallace closing on the oil-slickenedsurface to trail by .468

seconds - Irvan had a great car, even after scraping the wall, but he stalled on pit road late in the running to finish 13th.

Gordon gained 33 points over team-mate T Labonte, closing the gap in the points standings after round 11 to trail series leader Terry by a mere six points, while Jarrett's 27th place cost him dearly.

Final results: 1 J Gordon (Chevy) 136.745 mph, 2 R Wallace (Ford), 3 Martin (Ford), 4 Elliott (Ford), 5 J Burton (Ford), 6 B Labonte (Pontiac), 7 Earnhardt (Chevrolet), 8 T Labonte (Chevy), 9 Shepherd (Pontiac), 10 Rudd (Ford).

Points standings: T Labonte 1691, J Gordon 1685, Jarrett 1579, Martin 1559, B Labonte 1484, Earnhardt 1438, J Burton 1432, Rudd 1306, R Wallace 1257, M Waltrip 1238.

BRUCE WILLIAMSis likely to run an all-new VS Commodore AUSCAR in next season's championship, provided his existing two-car stable of frontrunners is either sold or leased.

Williams (pictured left) would prefer to sell at least one of his current competition vehicles to ensure the viability of his plans regarding the race debut of his nearly completed third Commodore.

Alternatively, a lease deal for either, or both, of the existing fleet - which would include a full racespec preparation and maintenance deal - would mean that the latest Williams offering would debut at the Novemberseason-opener.

One interested party currently talking to Williams about leasing a vehicle for the full season is Herald Sun motoring editor Paul Gover, who has apparently changed his plans to use the John Faulkner

Racing Commodorehe campaigned last season in Phoenix Gold livery.

Williams, who is extremely active in Formula Holden with a pair of Simoco Reynard 92D openwheelers dw'ing the off-season, is also again due to participate in the Calder Park super speedway advisory committee - along with Marshall Brewer and Wayne Mahnken - which is scheduled to meet early this month.

Despite his abbreviated last season of racing followinghis Adelaide outburst and subsequent ban, Williams topped the list for onscreen television coverage during the 1996/97series with a whopping 57 minutes of national air time during the super speedway telecasts on Network Ten, which in monetary terms equates to some $110,000 of promotional time for hi spon ors.

-TONY GLYNN

- MARTIND CLARK

~[@.f!.~lf!Rflf!..................................... ~- ~ -~-~- ~-. -~ -~- ~ ~- ~~~

'!:...~..

33 ...................................................

6June 1997

AUSCRAFT'S NEW HOME ... Fabricator RUSSELL CADDY has recently moved his AUSCRAFT facility to new premises at Factory 5, cnr Fisken and Station Streets, Bacchus Marsh 3340 (phone: 0353 675944, or mobile: 018 999088).

Russell is currently detailing the ex-Schwantz Monte Carlo (above)for Rodney Jane, along with the Kim Jane Monte, while Perry Schubert's damaged chassis (below) is to be repaired and shortly reclothed in Monte Carlo panels.

- TONY GLYNN

NEW WYHOONNASCAR CHASSIS ... Tom Smith's Race Car Engineering concern in Tullamarine has begun the construction of a completely locally-built chassis destined for Terry Wyhoon's use in the coming season. Whether the body is a Ford or a Chevrolet remains to be seen at this stage, but the chassis project has been a longstanding ambition of fabricator Smith's that now appears likely to be fully realized. (Thunder-Pics/Agfa photo) -TONY GLYNN

J

eff Green is to replace Robert Pressley at the wheel of the Cartoon Network-sponsored Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolets.

Green's debut at Charlotte netted him a 22nd place finish after leading two laps.

Green, who drives for the team on the Busch Grand National circuit, replaces Robert Pressley, who had been with the team since the end of last year - his best finish was a 14th at Bristol in April and the team is 40th in points.

Pressley failed to qualify for three races and did not finish in three of the remaining seven he entered.

It's possible the team will halt Green's unsponsored Busch efforts, where he currently lies third in points. obby Hillin Jr was released as Bthe driver for Jasper Motorsports on May 24 - Hillin is a 20% owner of the team and will continue driving duties until a replacement can be found.

"I'm not happy running at the back of the pack and neither is Bobby," commented co-owner Doug Bawel. "It was time to make a change and start looking ahead to next year and the future of our team."

Hillin failed to qualify for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, his third non-qualification of the year and, after a front row qualifying effort at Talladega, he came home a season's-best 20th - Hillin is currently 41 st in the points.

Jeff Gordon's dominatFollowing ing performance in The Winston with what the team called an experimental chassis, the car has been outlawed by NASCAR at least that's the word from the team.

NASCAR's official statement from Kevin Triplett was that the car

could concentrate on engines for the upcoming events.

Something is obviously not right in their engine program, Rusty suffering engine problems at Talladega and in The Winston with 50 members of staff, the team should be performing stronger.

CAR increased the height NAS of the Ford Thunderbird rear had not been outlawed and it was the team's decision not to bring the vehicle back.

The car had been inspected by three NASCAR officials at Hendrick's premises and the only change they required to the newly engineered design was the placement of the rear shocks.

NASCAR's rule book mandates the shocks be placed between the rear chassis members, but the team cut channels in the rear members and located the shock absorbers within them.

The governing body deemed this was a safety violation and further scrutinised the car before The Winston and then stripped the car post-race.

Apparently Rick Hendrick has been in conversation with NASCAR President Bill France regarding the decision.

"Maybe we made a mistake by saying this was the car of the future and all that stuff," remarked Gordon.

J

eff Gordon became the first driver in history to win the The Winston, the Coca Cola 600 pole and race in the same year.

Wallace, who was down Ronustypower in The Winston, leased a Power Tech engine from Larry Wallace (no relation) for the Coke 600.

The lease meant that Mike Ege, Penske South's engine builder,

spoiler by 0.25 inches to 5.75 inches for the Charlotte Coca-Cola 600, the move following much bitching from Ford drivers about the GM cars and their. dominance so far this season.

The rule change is effective only for the 600, after which a further decision will be made by the governing body.

As far as dominance, Chevrolet has won five races - or make that Jeff Gordon has won five races and Ford six.

So what's all the fuss about - is it the Ford drivers whining about GM, or Gordon? rumoured, Steve Park, Dale AsEarnhardt's driver on the Busch Grand National tour, will compete in five selected races in the Winston-Cup Series this year, driving a #14 Chevrolet with Burger King sponsorship.

Park, a New York native, moved south to pursue driving for Earnhardt this year - he was runner-up in the NASCAR Modified division in 1995 and 1996.

Park, in his Busch Series rookie year, has already amassed a win at Nashville on April 19 and five top five results.

He will compete at Pocono, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire, Phoenix and Atlanta.

"I think he's gonna' be one of the great drivers," remarked Earnhardt of Park, who when Earnhardt first called to talk about driving for him, hung up the phone thinking it was a joke!

enske Motorsports announced forthcoming at the beginning of the Pthat it exercised it's option to year. buy out Carrie DeWitt's majority shares in North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham.

DeWitt's shares have been exchanged by 906,542 shares in Penske Motorsports - Speedway Motorsports, whose share offer was much larger, is now taking the matter to court. that NASCAR is to Confirmation get it's first ethnic team owners since the early 70s in the shape of Julius Erving and Joe Washington, whose team will be named Washington Erving Motorsports.

Erving is a former NBA superstar and Washington a former NFL Super Bowl veteran.

The outfit will field Fords in both the Winston Cup and Busch divisions in 1998.

The last African American participant in NASCAR was Wendell Scott, who last raced at Talladega in 1973 when he was involved in a 19-car wreck that ended his career.

Scott's only win cqme- 9 t Jacksonville, Florida, in 1963.-=he was portrayed in the film Greased Lightning and played by Richard Pryor. team prepares to open Asit'so,nedoors, another closed theirs.

Ranier Walsh Racing, who this year fielded Fords for Greg Sacks, has sponsorship problems with Hardee's restaurants.

Hardee's apparently signed a three-year contract with the operation for both the Winston Cup and Truck series, which the team also ran, but have yet to provide funding.

It is possible that Hardee's expected Tony Stewart to pilot the cars, but he elected to run the IRL series when sponsorship was not

WINSTON CUP RESULTS The Miller 500 - Dover Downs lnt. Speedway. June I, 1997.

I. Ricky Rudd, #I OTide Ford Thunderbird 2, Mark Martin, #6 Valvoline Ford Thunderbird 3. Jeff Burton, #99 Exide Batteries Ford Thunderbird 4. Jeremy Mayfield, #37 K-Mart Ford Thunderbird 5. Kyle Petty, #44 Hot Wheels Pontiac Grand Prix 6. Ken Shrader, #33 Skoal Bandit Cheverolet 7. Michael Waltrip, #21 Citgo Ford Thunderbird 8. Bill Elliott, #94 McDonald's Ford Thunderbird 9. Mike Skinner, #JI Lowe's Cheverolet I 0. Sterling Marlin, #4 MBNA Amer. Pont. Grand Prix

11. Ted Musgrave, #16 PrimeStar Ford Thunderbird 12. Rick Mast, #75 Remington Arms Ford Thunderbird 13. Ricky Craven, #25 Budweiser Cheverolet 14. Terry Labonte, #5 Kellogg's Corn Flakes Chevrolet I 5. Joe Nemechek, #42 BellSouth Cheverolet 16. Dale Earnhardt, #J GM Goodwrench Chevrolet 17. Bobby Hamilton, #43 STP Pontiac Grand Prix 18. David Green, #96 Caterpillar Cheverolet 19. Hut Stricklin, #8 Circuit City Ford Thunderbird 20. Derrike Cope, #J6 Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix

chief Tommy Baldwin, son CofrewNASCAR Modified veteran Tom Baldwin, will now be performing the same duties with Junie Donlavey Racing and driver Dick Trickle.

The team is liquidating it's assets to pay outstanding bills and is talking with two possible buyers, including Washington Irving Motorsports.

Bodine crashed heavily in Geoff practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 21, in preparation for that evening's qualifying.

Bodine was knocked unconscious and had to be cut form his QVC Ford - he was taken to hospital and, thankfully, a precautionary CAT scan proved negative.

His younger brother, Todd, piloted the ave Ford, taking a provisional starting slot in the 600 as his speed was not up to par he blew an engine 47 laps into the race.

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wo crewman were hurt in pit road accidents during the Coca-Cola 600.

Charles Hylton, a wheel changer on Mark Martin's Roush team, had his foot driven over by Jeff Burton, luckily without a break and Larry Cropland, a member of Michael Waltrip's Wood Brothers crew, broke his right leg after a collision with Wally Dallenbach.

Texas Motor Following Speedway's disastrous inaugural race, the track is going to make a change to the layout 800ft of the track's front stretch that forms part of the tri-oval will be widened by eight feet.

The track is spending $4 million on the dogleg and paving areas-of the car park that was a mud bog during the race weekend.

///Ill½ ~fitl'I Current Points After Round 14

I. Terry Labonte, Chev ... 1812 2. Jeff Gordon, Chev ......

1775 3. Mark Martin, Ford ......

1734 4. Dale Jarrett, Ford ......

1656 5. Jeff Burton, Ford .......

1602 6. Dale Earnhardt, Chev ... 1553 7. Bobby Labonte, Pont ... 1532 8. Ricky Rudd, Ford .......

1486 9. Michael Waltrip, Ford .. 1384 I 0. Bill Elliott, Ford ........

1365

.. ......~-~. ....O ............................................................F ...1991 ......6.June .34

"In the morning the car felt Jacques said undriveable," THE Spanish Grand Prix at Villeneuve.

Barcelona on May 25 proved to ''We spent last week tweaking it be a race dominated by tyres - to perfection and we found that the of both brands. work we had done was very little Jacques Villeneuve used his use. The car felt completely differGoodyears with great care and was ent." able to dance home the winner As a result, on Friday morning while Olivier Panis charged up we had the unusual situation of from 12th on the grid to finish a Giancarlo Fisichella fastest in his strong second on his impressive Jordan-Peugeot. In the afternoon it Bridges tones. was Jean Alesi for Benetton.

Jean Ale·si completed a FrenchGiven the recent performance of speaking 1-2-3 by finishing third the team this was a revelation, for Benetton, driving an intelligent although whether or not it is • race to preserve his tyres. indicative of a general improveThe win was important for ment .or simply because the Jacques because it means he now Benetton engineers have managed leads the World Championship as to find a good Barcelona set-up is a the circus heads to his Montreal. matter of debate.

Qualifying On Saturday, of course, it was If there is a saving grace of going back to business as usual with the to Barcelona it is the circuit itself, -twoWilliams boys well ahead of the for it provides not only a challenge game, fighting it out between them. poleman After qualifying, for the drivers but also the possibilJacques Villeneuve had an advanity of overtaking manoeuvres.

There is no secret in this. If you tage to the third-fastest car of one have a fast corner followed by a second. Then there were eight cars covered by a second. long straight followed by a tight Such facts must be depressing for corner you will get overtaking. It is the Williams chasers. They have amazing that so few Fl circuit made no progress - in relative designers seem to understand this. terms to Williams - since last year.

The Fl troops know Catalunya well because they test there so he battle for pole was an intermuch, but that doesn't mean that esting one with Heinz-Harald setting up the cars is ever easy. once again looking very Frentzen balances different have cars "Fl strong. The German had been on different days," commented David Coulthard. "It can be differ- quickest on Saturday morning and ent between a m·orning and an was looking good for pole until the last five minutes when Villeneuve afternoon session. Things change."

And so it was for the Williams pulled out a blinder of a lap. team, which had dominated the Jacques had won the day - by pre-race test but arrived on Friday 0.26s.

Villeneuve's pole lap was four to find that the track was completeseconds under last year's quickest ly different.

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COOL UNDER PRESSURE ... It was another impressive performance by Jacque$ Villeneuve (pictured below relaxing on race morning), who made his tyres last better than Frentzen's. (Photos by LAT Digital and Zooom Photographic)

qualifying time but he admitted that he had been pushed to get it.

"It was a good battle. The car is very good, but we are eating up tyres like everyone else. HeinzHarald gave me a really hard time.

"We changed a lot of small things on the car during the session aerowise and that changed the handling a lot. We managed to get it together thanks to the good chemistry we have in the team."

It was something of a surprise to find a McLaren in third place given that last year the team managed to qualify only 10th and 14th in Barcelona.

"I am bit surprised after last week's testing," admitted David Coulthard. ''We have picked up some speed with the work Mercedes has been doing with the engine. It certainly helps a great deal. I hope it continues.

"We tend to struggle DRAMA TIC START ...

Villeneuve and Coulthard fight for the lead from the miraculous Michael Schumacher.

SUPERIOR WEAR ...

The performance of the Bridgestones allowed Olivier Panis to move through the field into second place.

(Photos by John Dunbar- Zooom)

with understeer in high-speed corners, but when the rear is not affected we tend to be quite quick."

While most people in the paddock talked about a new qualifying engine from Mercedes-Benz, very few people realised the scale of the change. The new VlO was a completely new engine without a single shared component with the engine used so far this season.

David was third on the grid with Mika Hakkinen fifth, but on Saturday night the new engines were taken out of the McLarens and the older units put back in for race day.

The new engines were simply too new to be risked for a race distance.

Fourth on the grid was some-

thing of a surprise as well as we have not seen Jean Alesi as far up the grid this year, and with Gerhard Berger sixth the Benetton fans were once again talking about a revival. We shall see.

The sudden improvements from McLaren and Benetton meant that Michael Schumacher was pushed back to seventh, by far his worst qualifying position of the year.

With Eddie Irvine down in 11th place (complaining of understeer), Ferrari's fears of a poor showing at Barcelona were clearly justified and things were not helped when Michael suffered a major blow-up with one of the new Ferrari 046/2 engines.

1.

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"Qualifying went more or less the way I had expected," said Michael • aftenvards.

"We managed to improve the car compared to its performance in last week's test, but it was not enough.

The car does not have sufficient aerodynamic efficiency, which is why we are not very quick."

The Jordan-Peugeot youngsters were eighth and ninth on the grid with Giancarlo Fisichella again outRalf Schumacher qualifying although the gap was just threehundredths of a second.

The team had not expected to do very well at Barcelona and so the drivers were not too unhappy with the situation.

Herbert had a new teamJohnny mate in the form of Gianni Morbidelli - Nicola Larini havine been ditched - and Gianni was making Johnny work a little harder than he has been used to this year.

Herbert lined up 10th on the grid with Gianni 13th. Morbidelli blotted his copybook on Friday afternoon when he crashed c·oming out VICTORY SPRAY ... Villeneuve, Panis and Alesi celebrate by covering the cars below with champagne from the rostrum. of the pitlane but fortunately damto survive in the race. age to the car was light.

Mika Salo was 14th for Tyrrell The Swiss team was ·a little disusing the new ED5 Ford VB engine appointed, having expected rather (which has finally turned up) - and better grid positions.

If the Sauber boys were disap- this was a good performance pointed the folk at Prost were in because Mika had to spend half the deep depression with Olivier Panis session in the pit with an engine sensor problem.

12th and Shinji Nakano 16th.

The new ED5 is obviously a little This was odd. Panis has been hugely quicker than Nakano all better than the old ED4s but it is year long and now, suddenly, the not enough to leapfrog Tyrrell into Japanese driver bad close the gap the big league.

Jos Verstappen was 19th, having to within a second.

The split times were interesting started qualifying in the T-car and suggested that perhaps the because his own was being fitted Japanese driver had a few more with a new ED5 for the first time.

The Arrows team was also strughorsepower than his French colleague. Whatever the case strange gling, with Damon Hill 15th and things are going on with engines at Pedro Diniz 21st. The team was not Prost at the moment...

Continued next page Things were not helped by the fact that the Bridgestone tyres MIXED FORTUNES ... McLaren were quite clearly not a match for used an all-new Mercedes engine the Goodyears in qualifying. The to qualify both cars strongly. interesting question was whether or not the Goodyears would be able

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BEST IN THE WORLD ... No, not Damon, but Rona/do, the World Footballer of the Year and local hero, having signed a 10-year deal with Barcelona for $4.6 million a season.

UPTURN ... The Benetton team had its best race of the year.

DOWNTURN ... Stewart's great form ended with both drivers struggling. {Photos by Al/sport, and LAT Digital)

using the disappointing new version of the Yamaha engine but work is continuing to try to make this more competitive·.

The Stewart team was also pretty disappointing given the hype which followed Rubens Barrichello's sec-· ond place in Monaco. Expectations were simply too high. Rubens was 17th with Jan Magnussen 22nd and last on the grid.

Minardi was pretty much where one would expect to find the little Italian team with Jarno Trulli 18th and Ukyo Katayama 20th.

Race - 64 laps Sunday was a strange day. It was overcast and cool as the cars revved up for the warm-up and 30 minutes later we had a very different picture to that we had seen in qualifying.

Villeneuve was quickest, but there were eight drivers covered by a second, including Panis (Nakano was again w.ithin a second of his team leader!).

The start process was disrupted firstly when Berger failed to get away on the parade lap and had to start at the back of the field, but Gerhard was lucky because Ralf then stalled his Schumacher Jordan on the grid and so the start was aborted and around everyone went again.

Gerhard went back to his grid spot and it was Ralf who had to start at the back.

When the lights went out was away well.

Villeneuve Frentzen's start was not as good and so he was quickly dispensed with by the fast-starting Coulthard.

The man who was really on the move, however, was Michael Schumacher.

The Ferrari driver was past· Berger and Hakkinen in a flash.

Coulthard had gone ahead and so Michael found himself in the company of Alesi and the fading Frentzen.

It was one of those moments that racing drivers like to dream about.

Jean and Heinz-Harald, for whatever reason, both decided that they were going left and Michael found a nice chunk of open road in front of him.

Being the opportunist he is, Michael simply drove down the inside and emerged in third place, behind Villeneuve· and Coulthard, who were trying to get around the corner side-by-side.

"It was close," explained Jacques later. "but it was OK. David was inside, I tried to block him but he didn't lift off so I left him room.

There was no point in crashing.

"The grip on the outside was good and so I was able to stay ahead and then Michael man:;iged to get in

front of David and that allowed me to pull away."

Jacques could not have asked for more. After a few laps during which Schumacher,used up the advantage of his brand new Goodyear rubber, the tyres began to deteriorate and suddenly Jacques began to pull away in a dramatic fashion.

The gap went from 1.6s on lap six to 3.4s, 5.7s, 8.7s and 11.6s. By lap 14 he was 20 seconds ahead.

Schumacher and most of the gang giving chase went into the pits on laps 14, 15 and i6 - indicating that they were going for a three-stops.

Jacques and the other two-stoppers (Alesi and Panis) went on.

Jacques lost the lead for one lap to Alesi when he pitted on lap 20 but as Jean came in next time around Jacques was soon back in front with Coulthard second and then Panis - who kept going on his first set of tyres until lap 25.

Thereafter Jacques was able to control the race as he pleased.

His second pit stop coincided with the third stops of most of his that meant. which rivals, Schumacher was able to lead for a lap before he came in. After that Jacques was ahead of Panis by 10 seconds.

Olivier was charging along on his Bridgestones - which were lasting a great deal better than the Goodyears - and was catching Jacques.

And then Irvine popped out of the pits - a lap down - in front of Olivier and proceeded to get in the way for the next six laps. It cost Olivier around 10s.

After the race he said that he thought passing Villeneuve would not have been possible,· but be would have been a lot closer at the end.

"Eddie is incredible to overtake," said Olivier. "I think he didn't see.

Maybe he has a problem with his eyes or something.

"There's no point in getting upset about the fact that I was held up for seven or so laps because I think it would have been difficult to snatch victory from Villeneuve had I caught him." livier's delays were such that Alesi and Michael Schumacher were able to close right up on the Prost and, Jean being Jean, it led to much gesticulating from the cockpit.

"I do not know what Irvine was doing," he said later. "I was waving to wake up the clerk of the cow-se."

It worked. Eddie was given a 10s stop and go penalty.

"I saw the flag," he- said later, "but as Verstappen and I had a car to pass in front of us, I assumed the flags were for him."

Anyway, Villeneuve duly won

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with P.anis an impressive second and Alesi was third in the Benetton. They had one thing in common. They had all chosen to do two stops rather than the three which everyone else tried.

"Three stops is usually a gamble," said Jacques, ''because if you have a bad start you are finished.

With two stops you have to push like a maniac all the way.

"We knew we had to make a few slow laps with each set so the tyres would last. There was no point in pushing and getting blisters."

For Panis it was a different story: "It was easy to push hard every lap. The tyres were too hard in qualifying but they were good in the race and there were no blisters.

With my strategy I had a lot of fuel in the first part of the race - to go 25 laps - but the car was very good and the tyre wear was good for the two-stop strategy."

Nakano looked good in the race as well, running with Olivier early on, but he was unable to keep up the pace and faded, retiring after 34 laps with gearbox failure.

For Alesi and Benetton a third place was a much-needed boost.

"The beginning of the season has been a nightmare for us." said Jean.

"We have finally found a good set-up for low fuel and for full tanks. It is a breath of fresh air for everyone in the team."

While Villeneuve and Alesi were able to finish without tyre dramas, their teammates suffered seriously from tyre trouble.

Frentzen made a very bad start and ended the first lap in sixth position. The levels of tyre wear meant that he had to stop three times and his rear tyres blistered each time.

He ended up snatching eighth place from a fading Fisichella on the last lap of the race - but eighth place in a Williams is no great achievement.

"The car was handling well all weekend," said Heinz-Harald. "We will have to look into it.

"According to Goodyear's information my car had been one of the best on tyre wear but for some reason I got blisters during the race." areful analysis of the lap times Cshowed that the difference between Frentzen and Villeneuve was marked in the OUT laps from the pits.

At the first stop Frentzen was nearly three seconds faster than Jacques but the tyres were shot within five laps. At his second stop Heinz-Harald took it a little easier but was still pretty quick. The tyres lasted longer.

At his third stop he was very slow on the OUT lap and the tyres sw-vived.

It was a similar story with Berger's Benetton. He finished a depressing 10th.

"We don't understand what happened," he complained.

After his early laps of glory, Michael Schumacher faded quickly, having blistered his tyres trying to keep a train of cars behind him involving a brush with Coulthard on lap 11.

This led to a change of strategy and he stopped twice more, ending the day in fourth place.

Irvine ended up way down in 12th. He had to change bis tyre strategy because of a fading second set of tyres and then bad the penalty to contend with.

Johnny Herbert snatched fifth place on the last lap of the race

after a side-by-side battle with David Coulthard in Turns Four and Five.

Johnny went for three stops and realised as the race went on that the first couple of laps on new rubber were absolutely vital and so paced himself on the final set and found that he had a tyre advantage over Coulthard and used this to outfox the Scot.

"I am really pleased to come from 10th to fifth without anyone ahead ofme dropping out," said Johnny.

Gianni Morbidelli's race was spoiled at the start when be was given a 10s stop-go penalty for jumping the start. He explained that this bad been caused by a clutch problem which caused him further trouble later in the race. He finished 14th.

Coulthard finished sixth with Mika Hakkinen seventh and the team blamed tyres for the general drift backwards.

Fisichella finished ninth and complained of chronic tyre wear.

The fact that Giancarlo was able to set the fastest lap of the race at one point did, however, indicate that perhaps he used up his tyres too quickly after the pit stops.

Ralf Schumacher did not get to the finish. He charged up through the field a best be could in the early lap and by lap 50 was running 13th when his engine failed.

It was an unusual day in that 15 cars managed to get to the finish which meant that there was no premium on reliability.

Jos Verstappen did a good job to finish 11th in his Tyrrell.

He went for a two-stop race and noticed early on that a lot of his rival were in deep tyre trouble and so took it easy. It paid off and he wa able to fight with Irvine's

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37

6Junet991

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he Barcelona track has always been a bit quirky. A change of wind direction, a few degrees change in temperature or a rain shower overnight can change the handling characteristics of the car dramatically.

The track surface itself is very abrasive which, combined with the long corners, means that the slightest handling imbalance will punish the tyres far worse than most other tracks. It was a problem here in the past. This year, with softer tyres, we knew it would be an even greater problem.

I deliberately worked hard on finding a "conservative" set-up for the tyres for that very reason. I thought we were in good shape for the race but, as soon as the race started, which wasn't the best start I have ever made, I knew I was in trouble.

I lost several places at the start, but as soon as I pushed to try and make up ground the rear tyres blistered. I didn't push that hard, but it didn't make any difference.

The tyres started to blister so quickly

there isn't a lot left to learn about the track or the car.

For sure, we know it well, but we were testing again a couple of days after Monaco trying subtle changes to the setup and the latest Goodyear tyres and still making progress but, as the race showed, there were still too many things we didn't know.

Even after all the running we had done the previous week, it was as if a car hadn't used the circuit for the past year when we arrived for the race.

As usual, the circuit had no grip at the start of practice, but with a full field of cars running all day the conditions soon start to improve as more rubber gets laid down.

The trick is to keep adjusting the set-up for the changing conditions. I am getting very familiar with the car now, while my race engineer Tim Preston and I have established a good rapport over the past couple of months and I can now dial out any problems with the handing pretty quickly.

I was in good shape for qualifying. I reckoned the pole time was going to be in the 1m16.0s bracket and that it would be a close battle between myself and Jacques.

My first run I set a steady "banker" lap to make sure I was on the grid and then knowing how the track felt I went for a quick time on my second run.

I got really excited when I saw the first split time come up on the dash and the rest of the lap was equally as good, stopping the clock at 1m16.7s.

Jacques was having problems and wasn't getting close to my time. I was

"Jacques still has a few jokers up his sleeve that I haven't ... It was an impressive performance and a rude surprise." that I had to make three pit stops, which put me even further back. It was very frustrating. Throughout practice the tyre wear on my car was one of the best of the Goodyear teams.

Why we got it wrong and Jacques obviously got it right we will find out when we analyse all the data. Perhaps the rain between the warm-up and the race was the cause of the problem.

Whatever it was, it turned what I was hoping would be a good· race for me into a nightmare. It was no consolation that there were plenty of others in the race who had the same experience as myself.

I

have spent something around 6000km testing at the Barcelona circuit since the end of last year. You might well think

SKATING IN THE DRY: A shocked Heinz-Harald battling blistered tyres in Barcelona. sure I had got the pole, but then I learned another lesson.

Jacques still has a few jokers up his sleeve that I haven't. Just a few minutes before the end of the session Jacques made some changes to his car, got rid of his handling problem that was costing him time and bettered my own time by twotenths of a second. It was an impressive performance and a rude surprise.

I had no time left to change my own car (it was oversteering a bit too much) and went back out to try and re-take the pole, but the wind had picked up and the chassis balance had changed again.

By the first split, I could see I wasn't going to get close to beating even my own best lap, so I came back into the pits a disappointed second instead of on the pole, which I was sure I had captured a few minutes earlier.

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he previous weekend at home in Monaco, I'd had a much nicer surprise. It was my birthday on Sunday and, after playing around on my new boat on Saturday, I decided to call a few friends and go for a night out.

Everyone I called was busy or couldn't make it and so in the end I thought I was going out for a more subdued dinner with my mother and girlfriend.

They took me off to my nearby Italian

restaurant and as I got there I found that all the friends who were "busy" that evening were waiting in the restaurant for a surprise party. It went on until 5am on _Sunday morning!

Fortunately, I had recovered by the time we left for Barcelona the following Thursday.

It's not a track that you want to be feeling off-form around as it's pretty tough physically. There are only about 15 seconds around the entire lap when you are not pulling at least 1g of cornering force.

The corners are very long and fast and it can get quite tiring on the arms and neck.

I had also been doing some water skiing before I left Monaco, so that was certainly some good exercise for what was to come.

In retrospect, after my tyre problems in the wet Monaco race and then again in Barcelona even in the dry, perhaps I should have practised my ice-skating!

Spanish Grand Prix World Championship, round 6 Catalunya Circuit, Barcelona, May 25th - 64 laps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Jacques Villeneuve, WJlliaros-Renault FW19, 1h30m35,896s Olivier Panis, Prost-Mugen Honda JS45, 1h30m41,700s Jean Alesi, Benetton-Renault B197, 1h30m48,430s Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F310B, 1h30m53,875s Johnny Herbert, Sauber-Petronas C16, 1h31m03,882s David Coulthard, McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12, 1h31m06,640s Mika Hakkinen, McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12, 1h31m24,681s Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Williams-Renault FW19, 1h31 m40,035s Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan-Peugeot 197, 1h31 m40,663s Gerhard Berger, Benetton-Renault B197, 1h31m41,566s Jos Verstappen, Tyrrell-Ford 025, 63 laps Eddie Irvine, Ferrari F310B, 63 laps Jan Magnussen, Stewart-Ford SF-1, 63 laps Gianni Morbidelli, Sauber-Petronas C16, 62 laps Jano Trulli, Minardi-Hart M197, 62 laps

Fastest Lap: Fisichella, Lap 20, 1m 22,242s Lap Leaders: Lap 1-20 Villeneuve; Lap 21 Alesi; Lap 22-64 Villeneuve

MORE POWER ... The Tyrrell team finally had use of the new Ford ED5 engine, but it barely improved their {Photo by Zooom Photographic) performance. Salo did well before retiring but Verstappen (pictured) struggled).

Ferrari for much of the late pa,rt of but he retired with engine failure that as both drivers stopped on the pit straight they did not have far to after 37 laps. the race.

Jarno Trulli made it home as walk to get back to the pit.

Mika Salo had a sparkling early When he retired Damon was runfew laps but suffered for it later well, two laps down, but his race with blistered tyres. His tyres were was spoiled by a brush with Mika ning in tenth place - ahead of Panis so ruined, in fact, that they simply Salo during his second stint, which - and was planning a two-stop race.

"Weknow we need more reliabiligave up the ghost on lap 36 and resulted in a stop to change the ty," reported Damon. "The engine nose of his car. dumped Mika into a sandtrap.

Ukyo Katayama suffered a gear- has just got to hold together.

Jan Magnussen managed to coax his Stewart home in 13th position box hydraulic pump failure after 12 Yamaha are trying their hardest to make that happen and to give us a and - being a Bridgesrone runner - laps.

The only team to retire botµ cars more powerful engine as well." had no complaints about tyres. It Tom Walkinshaw departed, talkwas odd, therefore, that he was was Arrows, Damon Hill and Pedro Diniz both going out with engine ing of the need for "crisis meetings" quite so far back. in the weeks ahead ... He was not Rubens Barrichello had done a failures.

The only good thing to report was kidding. ■ lot better, running as high as 11th,

Retirements: Lap 11 Ukyo Katayama, Minardi-Hart M197, hydraulic pump Lap 18 Damon Hill, Arrows-Yamaha A18, engine Lap 34 Shinji Nakano, Prost-Mugen Honda JS45, gearbox Lap 35 Mika Salo, Tyrrell-Ford 025, puncture/lost tyre Lap 37 Rubens Barrichello, Stewart-Ford SF1, engine Lap 50 Ralf Schumacher, Jordan-Peugeot 197, engine Lap 53 Pedro Diniz, Arrows-Yamaha A18, engine World Championship Points: 1 Villeneuve 30; 2 Schumacher 27; 3 Panis 15; 4 Irvine 14; 5 Coulthard 11; 6 Frentzen, Berger and Hakkinen 1O; 9 Alesi 7; 10 Barrichello 6; 11 Herbert 5; 12 A.Schumacher and Fisichella 4; 14 Salo 2; 15 Larini 1 World Constructors' Championship: 1 Ferrari 41; 2 Williams-Renault 40; 3 McLaren-Mercedes 21; 4 Benetton-Renault 17; 5 Prost-Mugen Honda 15; 6 Jordan- Peugeot 8; 7 Sauber-Petronas 6; 8 Tyrrell-Ford 2

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386June1997 ..................................................

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Thetime hascome Continued from Page 6 I was at the stage where I couldn't lose Bathurst for a while there! I don't know what that was all about!

The 10th? It would be very nice. I'll be going up there trying as hard as I can. I don't know any other way of approaching things.

Q: Will October be the

absolute end of the road or will you be going back in future years, perhaps for some guest drives as people throw offers at you?

PB: I suppose there is always the opportunity to do some different types of event, which may well be a charity thing, it may be something which is, at the time, a pretty unusual event, or whatever.

But, at this point in time, I'll be running the last rounds of the championship, Sandown and Bathurst and that's about it.

IN HIS ELEMENT: Brock with his adoring fans. Meeting people has always been a pleasure. (Photo by Graeme'Neander) KING OF THE MOUNTAIN: Brock, B;thuf~t and an 05 Commodore. It says it all. (Photo by Ian Smith) be a Bathurst co-driver in future years?

PB: No, this will be it.

You can get certain peoOctober 19 will be the last ple to operate certain aspects of the operation but, time I drive around Bathurst.

What has made the in terms of the person who's responsible for it, it's very whole thing clearer is the much a part of being the confusion around Bathurst at the moment. That has made team manager, per se.

You've got all those peo- the decision easier.

I am stepping away from ple within the team who have their speciality roles. I the full-scale activities I have want to help them do that been doing to allow other without any added dis_rup- young people to have their tions and hope the team chance.

I think the face of grow and prosper.

Australian motor racing is MN: I thought you might going to be changing - it certainly has in our camp have some spare time...

PB: No. With the televi- because we're working on sion work and things like having more young people involved who are not housethat I've got an enormous hold names, but are kids we amount of opportunity.

I don't know any other can pick, nurture them, bring way. I'm always one that them through, guide them says, "Get out there and along in their career and assist them to achieve whathave a go".

I'll probably do some sort ever they believe they can of charity or unusual events achieve on the planet.

This hasn't been done in into 1998, if something comes along. An event such this country probably since as the Targa - not the Targa the days when I started off necessarily, but an event with a whole lot of other like the Targa. Maybe the young drivers like Jimmy Round Australia Trial if that Richards, Alan Jones, Colin happens. Let's get out there Bond, Allan Grice, Dicky and see if there's any value Johnson ... there were a lot of us there that started off in and fun in it. about the same era.

It was a bright, fresh era MN: But not Bathurst?

You won't be inclined to there in the early-70s where

Q: Any regrets?

PB: No, I'm inclined to think it's been fantastic for me. I've really done more with my life than what I ever could have imagined.

I never set out with a great plan when I was a kid. I never set out with a set of goals, or wanted to finish up here or there. I just took life as it came and opportunities as the arrived, I just took them and did as I thought was appropriate at that time. It usually turned out that,

Continued from Page 7

DOES this sound familiar?

Mick Doohan qualified fastest for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Al-Ring, taking his 40th career pole position.

He led the whole race, with team-mate Alex Criville clamped to the tail fairing of the Aussie's Repsol-Honda NSR500. The two swapped the lap record between themselves all race and going into the last lap it was anyone's race.

But then Criville went off the road with two laps to go...

Doohan took his 38th career 500 win after one of the best rides of his career and, the good thing as far as his championship aspirations were concerned, Criville was 15s back in fifth by the time he sorted the whole mess out.

"I was determined to win this race," said Doohan. "It was a tough one because Alex followedme as he

•

Australia, one in New South Wales and one in Victoria, which is my chance to say goodbye and thank you to the fans in those parts of the country - and then get on with Bathurst.

I'm going to Bathurst with the equal amount of enthusiasm as what I've ever had to go up there.

we were taking on the established stars of the time like Pete and Bob Jane and Norm Geoghegan Beechey. And I believe we are very much in that sort of era again.

MN: Now you're the old school!

PB: Exactly. I see it is time to gracefully step aside and say, "Here's the way we are going to approach the sport''.

But, in the meantime, in the next few weeks I've got a race in Queensland, followed by one in South one in West Australia,

MN: What about tha Bathurst 2-litre race?

PB: I've got absolutely no idea. There's so much that's the behind happening scenes, there's so many areas of conflict, there's so many people who are saying, "We'd like to try and make amends and mend a few bridges".

But I think it would take

Doohandoesit again always does. I just tried to keep the pressure on to see if he could handle it.

"But I didn't know he'd run off until I got back to the pits. My pit board read 'plus 15 seconds' on the last lap, but I thought it read 1.5 seconds, I though Alex was still with me."

If Doohan's win was impressive, Tadyuki Okada's second place was downright heroic. 'I\vo weeks after breaking his wrist in Italy in the mother of all tankslappers the Japanese took a big tumble in qualifying and only twQ hours of intensive physiotherapy allowed 'Tady' to ride at all.

"We only decided an hour or so

before the race that I would ride," he said. "I was determined to race, but it was tough and very painful.

I couldn't have gone on much longer."

Third place, after another strong went to Luca performance, Cadalora. The Red Bull machine is the pick of the Yamahas at the moment and the Italian seems to have recaptured some of his racewinning 1996 form.

Nobby Aoki continued his impressive form on the four cylinder Honda with fourth, while Criville took Spanish honours ahead of the consistent Carlos Checa, who blazed in qualifying and started on the front row, but

never contended in the race.

Seventh was a great result for Anthony Gobert. The young Aussie was in terrific form and comfortably saw off team-mate Darryl Beattie, who struggled home 10th after a race long skirmish with N orifume Abe (Yamaha) and Dariano Romboni(Aprilia V-twin).

Troy Corser failed to finish on his Red Bull Yamaha, while Kirk McCarthy was 17th, a lap down on his ROC-Yamaha.

Points after five rounds: Doohan 120, Criville 89, N Aoki 67, Cadalora 59, Okada 58, T Aoki 37.

GARRY McCoy has continued his fine recent form with a tough

because of my enthusiasm and love of doing it, it turned out pretty successful.

I thought that if you get out and enjoy it while you can the future will take care of itself.

Q: Some great contests over the years. Who stands out as the greatest rival on the track?

PB: I've mentioned Allan Moffat but, obviously, people stand out like Dick Johnson, Allan Grice, Colin Bond, Bob Morris, Kevin Bartlett, people like that.

But, for consistency, Moffat. He was not a NATURAL driver; he would get out there and practice until he almost had a groove worn around the track.

Come Sunday, he had his act together. If ever you managed to beat him you knew it was a job well done.

In the mid-'80s through the '90s Dick Johnson has been a very, very tough competitor. He epitomises the arch rival, I guess.

But, for longevity, Allan Moffat was on top of the cake.

Q: Are there any things you haven't achieved that you wanted to?

PB: No, nothing. I know most ot Australia emits a collective groan when I don't win Bathurst for the 10th time but, the reality is, you'd have to be a pretty selfish type not to be satisfied with nine. ■

other people to mend those differences that we've got before there would be any sort of opportunity because, at the moment, the rift is pretty deep. While that rift is deep I'm just sitting there saying, "Mobil, General Motors, Bridgestone - three of my biggest supporters.

Each have a substantial investment in the Supercar category and I have to respect that''.

Unless things change, that's the way it stays. We hope it will change and that reigns common sense supreme but, at this particu1ar point in time, I'm like everyone else - I'm sitting back looking and wondering and watching and waiting and hoping. ■

fourth in the 125 GP. The NSW rider went whee1-towheel with the leading pack before falling back into a three way battle for third.

By the end of the race 'Nobby' Ueda and Valentino Rossi had pulled away to fini h in that order, while Manako s Honda held of McCoyfor the final podium spot by 0.13s.

THE 250 Grand Prix was almost a battle to the very end between Ralf and Jacque Olivier Waldmann. The two had pulled out a handy gap on Max Biaggi and the German looked like having the last laugh but a 'win-or-crash' manoeuvre gave the Frenchman the upper hand. It was a very unhappy Waldmann, still to win a race in 1997, who spat the dummy on the podium.

.lli!J?.q@~fJ.JP.{ff! ............................................... ~.~.~~~~~~T • 6June199739 .........................................................................

Battleresumesat Coffs Amery, said the decihe intense battle sion to support a twobetween Neal Bates and car team in 1997 Possum Bourne for the resulted in Bourne's AustralianRallyChampionship achievements during will resume this weekend in 1996.

Coffs Habour.

"Last year, we benThe New Zealand efited from a 15-year Subaru star returned to the involvement with championshipat Queensland Possum. Now it's time last month and took victory for us to also invest in in both heats, but Bates and the future," he said.

Becktongets nod his Toyota team are keen Both Bourne and 4 year-old Wodonga dri- Graham are driving lmpreza for revenge and are predictver Marty Beckton has WAX vehicles, a car which ing a close encounter.

'We had some electrical been awared a free drive in Subaru sa.ys is enjoying this weekend's Scottish problems in Queensland, unprecedented success in but we've sorted those out International Rally after Australia at the moment, and I don't expect there to being selected by a judging having increased its April be much between Possum in late May. sales by 154% over April The prize was made possi- last year. and I at Coffs Harbour," ble because of a government Bates said.

While Bourne won last grant from the Australian ARCrateswell he Australian Rally year's championship, Bates Sports Commission and Commission (ARCom) is won the three before that, Beckton was selected as after the so their good-natured rivalry the most suitable candidate well-pleased from over 20 applicants. screening of the first round is growing event by event.

"It's a dream come true," of the Australian Rally While the battle for the lead looks like being a two Beckton said before leaving Championship on Network 10 on May 4. horse race, it's in Group N for the UK. "I'm sure I can represent The program rated and Formula 2 where the Australia well and come exceptionally well and early real struggles may be. home with a good result." indications are that the total Greg Graham's lone He will drive a left-hand viewing audience throughSubaru lmpreza will battle drive Vauxhall Astra in the out Australia was approxithe Lancers of Michael rally, with regular co-driver mately 350,000.

Guest, Ed Ordynski, Claire Parker calling the Results compiled by Stewart Reid and David Nielsen Media research West, while in Formula 2 pace notes.

The grant was organised show 253,000 viewers Lee Peterson (Nissan) will by the Australian Rally watched the program in be aiming for another Commission, as one of its capital cities, while another victory.

100,000 are estimated to Peterson will face oppo- first steps towards having have tuned in on regional sition from a host of hopefuls, an Australian driver comheaded by Ross Mackenzie peting regularly in the World stations.

In most states, the pro(Daihatsu), Dean Herridge Championship by the year 2000. gram was up against AFL (Hyundai) and Brett matches and, while unable Middleton (Honda).

Subaruis back to get near the impressive The Coffs Harbour round ossum Bourne's entry in ratings of the football, of the ARC is scheduled for Rally Queensland her- ARCom Chairman Garry next weekend's Queen's alded the return of the reign- Connelly was more than Birthday long weekend ing Australian Champion to happy with the results.

(June 7-8) and is round The best ratings came three of the 1997 Australian the series and with it came the announcement that from Sydney and Adelaide, Rally Championship.

Subaru Australia will con- where the program rated 5 test the remaining events in - i.e. 5% of households with Bates Kit Caron way oyota Australia's Mike the ARC Super Series in TV sets were tuned to the rally program at that time; Breen confirmed in both Group A and Group N. Bourne and co-driver last year, the ARC proQueensland that Neal Bates Motorsport will be the Craig Vincent will head the grams on SBS usually rated 1.'

Subaru assault for outright first privateer team to Other figures released victory, while fellow Kiwi receive a Toyota Oorolla Greg Graham will aim for by ARCom suggest that World Rally Car. Already on order, the car Group N honours in his 23% of the people watching television in Sydney at the will be delivered to Bates' lmpreza WAX. For Bourne, sponsorship time of the program were Canberra workshop later from Subaru Australia, tuned to the rally, 12% in this year and the team 16% in hopes to debut the car in Pirelli, CRC, Flag Inns and Melbourne, Hella (to name a few), Brisbane, 17% in Adelaide Rally Australia.

According to Bate's team means that he can defend and 13% in Perth. the title he won last year.

Coverage of the Rally of manager Peter Reynolds, Insufficient funds saw Queensland will screen on the car was initially going to him miss the first round of Network 10 at 1.30pm on be an ex-Toyota Team Europe test car, but it now this year's Championship in June 1.

Screening dates of the Perth. appears that the Corolla other events are: Coffs "For Subaru to include may do at least one round Harbour (June 29), the Drivers' Championship of the World Rally in their motorsport program Tasmania (July 27) and Championship in Freddy Victoria (September 28), all Loix or Didier Auriol's hands is superb," Bourne said.

"We were committed to in the 1.30pm time slot. as well.

"The car will most likely the Manufacturers' title later Salmonin goodspirits do either the Rally of in the year, but to be able to ith an encouraging Finland (formerly the 1000 do both and defend my title 'never give in' attitude, is sensational."

Lakes) or San Remo," NSW driver Rod Salmon is For Graham, Subaru's Reynolds said. on the road to recovery commitment provides the Bates' move to a lefthand drive Celica GT-Four opportunity to develop his after a nasty accident in the in 1997 has been to get the pacenoting skills, which are 2GO Forest Classic Rally Canberra driver used to a crucial in international com- on April 19.

Salmon's Mitsubishi left-hand drive car prior to petition.

Joining Graham in Lancer Evo 3 left the road the new World Rally Car Queensland to help hone on the third stage of the arriving and, after two those pacenoting skills was NSW Rally Championship rounds of the national event, hitting a stump with championship in the Celica, Aussie Glenn Macneal!.

A former co-driver to the back wheel and then Bates is having no probLeigh Hynes, Macneal! has collecting a tree with the Alems whatsoever. a wealth of experience both pillar of the car.

The Neal Bates The impact tore the door Motorsport team hopes to in Australia and overseas skin off the Lancer and serido several overseas events and this year guided Tajima to a ously damaged Salmon's when the World Rally Car 'Monster' arrives and the Rally of Formula 2 win in the Rally right arm and elbow, after which he was rushed to New Zealand is also calen- of Thailand.

Subaru Australia's man- hospital for surgery - co-dridared for the team in 1997, ver Tui Horo wasn't injured. aging director, Trevor in the current Celica.

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STIFF LUCK ... Carlos Sainz parked his Escort when in a comfortable third spot . .

Tommi'sthird Finland's Tom.miMakinen number 19 and took another won the Rally of Argentina second on 21 - but the die on May 24 by 61 seconds was cast and he settled for to score his third victory second. of the year and lead Colin Ford, having lost Juha McRae by eight points in Kan.kkunen on the seond leg the World Championship. with suspension failure, sufThe Scot, by finishing sec- fered another blow when ond in the event, establishes Sainz retired his Escort on himself as the only serious stage 21. contender for the title.

The engine temperature This was Makinen's second went off the clock and Sainz win here in two years and stopped when the engine the victory was set up over started to tighten - he had the very rough stages of the fought hard and was in a second leg, when he devas- seemingly secure third place.

This was inherited by tated the opposition and Colin McRaein particular.

Kenneth Eriksson in the secHis Mitsubishi was the ond Subaru, which had never quite matched the pace of the class of the field, proving more driveable than McRae's lead trio, but he had kept it Subaru, particularly over the tidy and made no mistakes.

Subaru retains its 18 point rough and twisty sections.

With McRaejust a few sec- lead in the Manufacturers onds behind and closing, the Championship by finishing Finn wrested the game away two cars in the top three.

Toyotas run by the Grifone from McRae on stages 13 to 16 - he dealt the major blow team finished fourth (Marcus on 13, taking 17 seconds off Gronholm) and fifth (Didier Auriol), making a welcome the Scot in just 25 kms.

Going into the final leg return to the Championship.

The French former c~amwith a lead of almost a minute, the task for McRae pion had a fraught event, was difficult indeed - it was breaking varinus -tr·ansmismade impossible when the sion coml?onentson the way, second stage of the day was but will be pleased with the practice as he prepares to cancelled for crowd safety reasons, taking 11 kms out of introduce Toyota's World Rally Car, the Corolla WRC, the days total of 80.

McRae had made a two in the 1000 Lakes in August.

Raul Sufan, in a Marlboro second impression on Makinen over the first stage, Grifone Toyota, finished sev-

enth after a rally-long battle with Uruguay's Gustavo Trelles, who took the Group N honours.

SEAT scored a one0 two in the F2 category with Harri Rovanpera and Oriol Gomez, with Sibera's nimble Skoda third to complete the top ten.

Provisional Results 1 T Makinen/S Harjanne Mitsubishi Lancer E4 4h25m38s 2 C McRae/NGrist Subaru Impreza WRC97 4:26:39 3 K Eriksson/S Parmander Subaru Impreza WRC97 4:30:06 4 M Gronholm/l'Rautiainen Toyota Celica GT4 4:35:16 5 D Auriol/D Giraudet Toyota Celica GT4 4:40:13 6 G Trelles/J del Buono Mitsubishi Lancer 4:49:38 7 R Sufan/M Christie.

Toyota Celica GT4 4:49:51 8 H RovanperaN Silander Seat Ibiza 4:55:11 9 0 Gomez/Marti Seat Ibiza 4:58:44 10 P Sibera/P Gross Skoda Felicia 4:59:45 - PETER WHITIEN

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,-··new Rocca' ''Ironhorse'' American Pro Mod standout Johnny Rocca has moved from his famous "Tin Indian" 1933 Willys into a striking, voluminous 1949 Mercury, dubbed "Ironhorse" by the mercurial blown doorslammer racer.

Sponsored by Prolong Super Lubricants and powered by an Eagle-built, supercharged big block Chevy, Rocca's new ride will be competing in Australia during next

season's six-round Doorslammer Tour - but Australian rules do not permit wings, so Rocca will presumably be replacing his prominent rear aerodynamic aid with a bootlid spoiler for his Aussie tour if he wants to remain legal.

Built by renowned IHRA Pro Mod fabricator Tim McAmis, Rocca's "Ironhorse" Mercury must rank as a certain crowd-puller.

-TONYGLYNN

came up Maurice Fabietti trumps in Top Eliminator at the NSW 118th Mile Nostalgia Titles held at Canbera International Dragway.

The second race in the Australian Nostalgia Racers 1997 Pointscore also saw Fabietti set the Top Elim record at 4.940 seconds in the Fabietti and Turner front-engined "L.A.Raider" dragster.

Other records were set by: Fred Cavassini (Top Gas, 5.550); Jim Burbridge (Middle Eliminator, 5.539); Mick Borg (Holden Eliminator, 6.381); Paul Foley (Junior Gas, 5.864); and Wayne Fogarty (American Muscle Car, 6.488).

As entry numbers were down, all racers elected to run a minimum of three passes, with the two quickest facing off in the final.

Five vehicles entered for Top Eliminator, but John Wilson's Phoenix Funny Car didn't show that left three NSW entries to challenge the sole Victorian vehicle, the '23-T blown "Raceglides" Altered of and Sean Eric Goudswaard Mullins.

Joining Fabietti were Alf Sciacca, whose Charger sported original Gene Snow "Snowman" livery and Norm Longfield, who was running his stunning" Jocko Liner."

Fabietti downed a troubled Longfield in the opener with a 4.940/154.37, while Mullins was unchallenged as Sciacca broke a coupler on the Funny and retired, the Altered winning with an offthrottle mid-six.

Fabietti byed· in the second round, producing the \nother of all

NSWNostalgia litle winfor Fabiettiand Turnerin ACT wheelstands for a 5.11/153, while Mullins disposed of Longfield, 5.28 to an improving 6.43.

Fabietti and Mullins closed the meeting, Fabietti outreacting the Victorian .463 to .632 and taking the win with a 4.967/154.79 to Mullin's losing 5.461. match-race A three-round between the blown Top Gas entries of Mark Flowers and Fred Cavassini saw the latter produce a best of 5 .479/131 to oust the A40.

Middle Eliminator was again widely supported, with current record-holder Rob Hayley on the pointy end of the bracket and Stefano Nicotra and Gary Laird tied for second, while eventual runner-up Wayne McKenzie held down 10th spot.

Rod Hadfield's "Castlemaine Kid" '28 Ford Roadster had axle problems in Junior Gas, so he ran his

tow car instead and Sydneysider Rell Bushell put his ute into the guard rail and retired.

The second round saw Stephen Costa down Paul Foley's "Hombre," Costa advancing to the final against John Somoracz, who broke out, handing the win to Costa, who carded a 6.47 on a 6.42 dial-in.

American Muscle Car saw John Kerr and Clive Dennis in the final, Dennis outreacting his opponent .4 79 to .54 7 in his '70 Mercury Cougar and taking the win, 8.35 (8.30 dial-in) to the '64 Mercury Comet's losing 9.95 (9.90 dial-in).

Mark Marlin top qualified in Holden Eliminator with a 6.44, ahead of Joe Zullo (6.46, Mick Borg (6.55) and Mark Stuart in the "Pure Hell" Bantam (6.72).

Zullo and Borg made the final, but Borg redlighted and Zullo took the winner's laurel.

PARTYANIMALS ... Now, here's an interesting photo documenting a little piece of Funny Car history.

When Funny racer Gary Densham (above left) celebrated his recent 50th birthday in the States, numbered among his notable guests were the legendary John Force (centre) and Australia's four-time Nationals Funny Car champion Jimmy Walton (right).

Densham, who has toured Down Under 10 times with his series of "Teacher's Pet" fuel coupes, brought a then-unkown Force to Australia way back in the mid-seventies for his first and, to date, only tour outside the US. Force and Densham have been close friends ever since, with Force, once he made it "big," helping Densham with parts for the teacher's formerly low-buck operation.

Walton's friendship with Densham was forged on his many tours to Australia, with Walton actually purchasing three of Densham's Funny Cars to race after the American's tours were completed.

With these Funny Car legends from each side of the Pacific together, it's hard to comprehend that there are over 150 years of shared life experiences between them!

KonicaWinterNatsblockbuste Willowbank Raceway's 1997 Konica Winternationals extravaganza next weekend is tipped to be biggest and the best in the event's history.

ANDRA's decision to alter its seaon and make the Winternationals the home of the championship finals has had a dramatic impact on the event and greater racer interest ha boo ted the prestige of the 30th running of the Winternationals.

This has been reflected in sales of re erved seating being well ahead of last year (Willowbank has increa ed reserved seating capacity by 870 to 2870) and an entry list exceeding the 1996 total of 363 given fine weather, last year's three-day crowd of 29 000 should easily be surpassed on the Queen's Birthday eekend (June 6--8).

The Konica Winternationals is the second biggest motorsport event in Queensland - the Gold Coast's Indy race ranks as number one and has been given appropriate recognition by an Ipswich City Council eager to promote such a prestigious meeting.

In Australian drag racing, the event is second only in size and longevity to Calder Park Raceway's Nationals and its stature as a straight out entertainment extravaganza increases every year.

The upgrading of the event to become the Australian championship finals means that spectators not only get to see Winternationals winners in every category, but they will also see national titles won and lost as eliminations proceed - the

SENSA T/ONAL ... Jim Read's Top Fueller headlines the bill at Willowbank Raceway's 1997 Konica Winternationals. (Marshall Cass pie)

Winternationals is the final round of all Australian championships, except Funny Car. This year, there'll be an extra three hours of qualifying, with all appearing on the eliminators Friday.

Friday qualifying runs from 2.00-9.30pm, with Super Street, Super Sedan, Junior Dragster, Modified Bike, Modified, Super Gas and the exhibition eliminato_r,Top

Comp, having two sessions and all other brackets having one.

Qualifying again kicks off at 9.30am on Saturday and runs till 10.00pm, with the usual full-on Pro qualifying sessions at night boosted by the First Provincial Building Society Top Comp eliminator, which kicks off the Fox Sports Qualifying Night of Thunder - the new eliminator has been a sensation at each of its appearances this

46 - 52 Nobi Iity Street Moolap VIC 3221 Phone:0352487377 Fax: 03 5248 7322 Mobile: 0418 108 356

•Matarspart

MOTORSPORTS/

year and the addition of interstate cars should be the icing on the cake for those who take in the Saturday night show.

The Sunday program sees early racing from noon and the main eliminations from 5.30-9.30pm.

Despite the efforts of competitors at other tracks during the following 12 months, the Winternationals event retains these key milestones: Quickest side by side pass - 4.95

(J. Read), 5.0 (G. Cowin) in 1996 Quickest complete Top Alcohol field - 5.99 (G. Phillips), 6.09 (J. Burnett) in 1994 Quickest Pro Stock field - 7.77 (J. Polito), 7.96 (J. O'Kearney) in 1996 • Quickest Pro Stock time - 7.77 (J. Polito) in 1996 Quickest Pro Stock Motorcycle time- 7.62 (L. Donnon) in 1995 Quickest Top Doorslammer time - 6.291 (V. Bray) in 1996.

SOUTHSIDE ENGINE

CENTRE

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........... ~~~ •••~~·~·~·~··················· 426June1991 ........................................................

.. ••••••• .. ••••••• .... /i)'i}p_[@[!~fP.P

Report by DAVE OSTASZEWSKI

Scott Kalitta scored his first Top Fuel victory of the year, defeating point leader Gary Scelzi in the final of the rainaffected fifth annual Western Auto Nationals at Topeka last weekend.

Heavy rains earlier in the week created a water seepage problem on the track that forced the cancellation of Friday's racing - the Pro teams were only able to take just two shots at making the show for Sunday.

With the exception of the first round, Kalitta laid down three straight mid-sixties, saving his best for the final.

Whit Bazemore, who has worked his· way up through the ranks, finally hit pay dirt at Topeka, taking his first Funny Car wj_n.

Randy defeated Bazemore Anderson in the final round and was a picture of consistency - in eliminations, Bazemore and crew chief Rob Flynn posted two 5.00s and two 5.03s, all over 306 mph.

The Dodge boys made it two straight in Pro Stock, but this time it was Scott Geoffrion who put on~ of the Team Mopar DodgeAvengers into the winner's circle - Geoffrion defeated a surprising Larry Morgan and his Raybestos Pontiac in the final.

Top Fuel Qualifying was quick and close in the two sessions, with some sur• prises and personal bests.

Joe Amato again grabbed the. top spot with a brilliant 4.607/315.01 and was followed closely by Gary Scelzi at 4.629/309.27.

Cory McClenathan.(4.684/302.82) took third, Kenny Bernstein (4.688/310.23) was fourth, while Kalitta (4.689/302.82) wound up fifth and Bruce Sarver nailed down sixth with a 4.698/314.35.

Mike Dunn was seventh with a 4.711/294.31 and Rhonda Hartman made the run of her career at 4.718/307.58 to take eighth - the field was rounded out by Doug Herbert at 4.856/302.31.

Amato started the second round by ending Hartman's chances of becoming the second female winner in two races, Amato taking win number two at 4.691/309.49.

Sarver and Tommy Johnson Jr left together and stayed that way for 1000 feet, but that's when Johnson's engine went away and Sarver squeaked ahead for the win, 4.764/307.06 to 4.796/294.40.

Mike Dunn left fairly close with Scelzi and appeared to be ahead for the first 500 feet, but produced smoke and then a flash of flame and Scelzi was gone, taking the win 4.791/303.13 to 4.968/239.04.

In what looked on paper to be the best race of the round, Kali tta drilled Bernstein on the tree, outperforming him as well and taking a 4.675/309.38 to 4.713/302.11win.

The first race in the semis pitted points leader Scelzi against the Car Quest/Worlds Best Oil entry of Sarver.

Both drivers left together, but Scelzi began to pull away and he moved into the final with a 4.725/305.49 to easily out-distance the 4.828/302.01 of Sarver.

The other pair saw a great race, with Kalitta moving first and Amato's car climbing into a big wheelstand, forcing Joe to lift briefly, settling the front-end down and smoking the tyres.

All Amato could do was watch Kalitta's American International Airways fueller march away to low e.t. of eliminations at 4.663/312.82 . to Amato's 4.865/280.28.

OPENING THE CARD ... Former champion Scott Kalitta and his legendary crew chief, Ed McCulloch, have found the right combo. (Nick Nicholas)

ScottKtrumpsScelzi Goldfor Bazemoreand Geoffrion The final was a good one, with Scelzi taking a sizeable lead at the green and holding it until 800 feet, where the horsepower and top-end charge of Kalitta took over, Kalitta motoring by to take a 4.646/315.23 to 4.740/303.23win.

It was Kalitta's first win of the year and his 15th career win in 27 final round appearances - it was also Kalitta's fourth straight win at Topeka and his crew chief, Ed "the Ace" McCulloch, was deservedly voted Top Fuel Crew Chief of the meeting.

Funny Car Tony Pedregon led the flappers in qualifying with his off the trailer 4.951/308.32, Randy Anderson following with a 4.981/305.49.

Cruz Pedregon took third with a 5.037/267.69, hazing the tyres at 1100 feet and Dean Skuza ended up fourth at 5.040/303.43, ahead of "first in the foui·s" Chuck Etchells' 5.041/305.39.

Roland Leong seems to have the Don Prudhomme "Copenhagen" Camaro on-track, as Ron {:;apps made the best run of his so-far dismal season at 5.047/293.73.

John Force could only muster a seventh-best 5.054/303.23 and Bazemore held onto eighth with a 5.068/301.20.

Del Worsham (5.072/304.87)was ninth, Dale Pulde (5.086/290.04)in the old Freddy Neely ride grabbed tenth, recent Englishtown winner Kenji Okazaki (5.107/294.11) was and Tim Wilkerson eleventh (5.108/260.56)ended up twelvth.

Gary Densham (5.135/292.11) was 13th, followed by Ronnie Young (5.147/295.85) in' the • "Wizard."

Tom Hoover, returning from his open-heart surgery, recorded a 5.188/287.53 and Mark Oswald

rounded out the quick field at 5.204/289.20.

Al Hofmann was unable to attend the event due to illness, so Cory Lee was pressed into service, but missed the cut with a 5.275/247.32.

Richard Hartman was also at the event, behind the wheel of the Red Line Oil entry of Ray Higley.

Round two began with Okazaki getting left, but at half-track Cruz Pedregon started to lose traction in the McDonald's car, allowing the Jim Dunn horsepower propelling ''Mooneyes"Okazaki into the semis, 5.094/287.17to 5.259/256.62.

Force and Randy Anderson squared off for the third time in 1997 and the end result was the same.

Force took a lead at the start, but began to haze the tyres and that was all Anderson needed to advance the Parts America Pontiac, 5.012/309.59to 5.183/279.06.

Bazemore then laid down another consistent 5.007/308.43, more than enough to take care of the 5.128/289.57 of the other Castro!

GTX Mustang driven by Tony Pedregon.

In the final pairing, Wilkerson moved into the semis with a 5.193/285.89 to 5.855/177.40 win over Densham.

Anderson kicked off the semis against Okazaki, the Dodge leaving first - but, around 150 feet out, it began to smoke the tyres and Anderson won, going into his third final of the year, 5.133/295.08 to 5.571/217.07.

Bazemore then made his third good run of the day, this time going 5.030/306.22to stop the tyre-smoking, cylinder-mixing 5.352/224.43 of Wilkerson.

In the final, Bazemore left first, while Anderson began to shake and smoke the tyres - but Bazemore

was long gone as he laid down another great pass at 5.035/307.58 to grab his first career NHRA win and defeat Anderson, who trailed at 5.638/189.99.

This was Bazemore's second final round appearance and his first since Memphis five years ago.

The win moves Bazemore into fifth place in the Winston points standings.

Pro Stock Jim Yates led the way at 6.989/196.33 and that was the only six second pass of the two qualifying sessions.

A resurgent Bruce Allen grabbed number two at 7 .024/196.12, the Dodge Boys following with Darrell 7.026./195.60 and Alderman's Geoffrion's7.027/195.86.

You had to look to the eighth spot to find a Johnson and that was Kurt's 7.043/196.50 - Warren could only come up with a 7.054/196.24 and that put him tenth.

WJ had a reworked Rick Jones car at the event and was plagued by tyre spin on both launches.

Mike Bell anchored the field with a 7.071/195.56.

The action began with Kurt Johnson putting out Mike Edwards, 7.061/195.60to 7.129/193.50.

The next pair saw WJ have a go with Tom Martino and, for the second race in a row, WJ ran quicker, but was dealt a holeshot loss, Martino going into round two with a 7.072/195.14to 7.039/196.46 win.

Mark Pawuk took a 7.072/195.69 win over a tyre-shaking George Marnell, while Pete Williams and Steve Schmidt left exactly together, Williams getting the win light, 7.063/195.01to 7.082/195.31.

Geoffrion put his Dodge into the next round with a 7.061/195.52 to 7.132/193.71 win over Jerry

Eckman - and that would be the only Dodge going into the second stanza, as Larry Morgan took a 7.122/193.05 to 7.132/194.21 win over the Englishtown-winning Avenger of Darrell Alderman.

Allen continued to perform well as he posted a 7.065/195.60 win over David Nickens' 7.138/193.54.

The final pair saw Yates take a win and the points lead when his the defeated 7.036/196.16 8.991/104.34ofBell.

Bruce Allen avenged the final round at houston earlier this year with a round two win over Martino, who clicked it early, 7.092/194.93 to 7.227/187.53.

In a close race, Williams took a .474 to .477 advantage on the tree over Morgan, but on the other end it was Morgan winning by only .001 seconds, 7.081 to 7.085.

Geoffrion then ran 7.081/194.93 and, in a real close drivers' race, covered the 7.081/195.22of Pawuk.

Yates then overcame a small starting line lead by Kurt John on to post another win, 7.039/195.99 to 7.092/195.27.

The cars of Morgan and Allen cut identical reaction times in the semis, but the Reher-MorrisonAllen car fell off its earlier pace at 7.143/193.92 and lost to the 7.108/193.50of Morgan.

The other pair found Geoffrion cutting a light on Yates, holding off the new points leader and defending series champion by .012 seconds, 7.059/194.55to 7.034/195.73.

In the final, Geoffrion left first with a .471 light to Morgan's .481 and held on to take a 7.077/194.25 to 7.101/193.29win.

The win made it two in a row for the Dale Eicke-owned Mopar team and give Geoffrion his first win in over tv,o years and his ninth career win in25 finals.

/Mmf@f!.WJ&?l!fl. ............................ ~~~ ..~~~.~.~.t...~~ATS .....................................................................

6June199743

DESPERATION ... Eitz in "Seabreeze" (foreground) tries to hold ·the lead over "Aussie Connection."

CELEBRATION ... New Unlimited champ Niddrie and his "Radical Rat.n

In-form race favourite Brett Niddrie took out the Inland Championship for Unlimited race boats at Menindee, New South Wales, his "Radical Rat" Hydro holding out the "Aussie Connection" entry driven by Stephen Scott and Barry Taylor.

The event at the home of the Broken Hill Speed Boat Club also saw two Australian Championship Series decided, the 1.6 ltr and Oz Boat Hydro classes.

The Oz Boat Displacement Australian Championship Series was won by reigning champion Ricky Howard - who was unable to attend the final meeting but had accumulated sufficient points to retain his crown - while Victorian rookie Clint Sneddon in "It's Magic" secured econd place.

Thel.6 ltr Hydro class saw some extremely close racing, Dianne Scott, driving "Aquasonic," scoring multiple points to narrowly bold

out John Niddrie in "Airwalker" and Rob Fraser in "Hydrophobia"to secure the title.

Brett Niddrie faced stiff opposition in the Inland Championship not only from the "Aussie Connection" hydro drivers, but also from Henry Eitz in "Seabreeze," Neil Laundy in "Insanity," Wim Zoontjens in "Obnoxious" and Anphonzia Mullan in "Rival."

• The event consisted of two heats, with the fastest eight invited into the four-lap final.

Heat 1 saw the Hydros of Brett Niddrie and Scott line up with five Displacement boats.

As Brett Niddrie rounded turn 1, Scott lost his preferred line and drifted wide, holding the boat on full lock until it came to a halt near the water's edge.

The heat was restarted later in the program, Scott being replaced by boat-owner Barry Taylor, who, though third on the course behind Brett Niddrie and Zoontjens, placed

Brett Niddrienew InlandChampion the boat strategically to ensure a finals berth.

Heat 2 was also fast and furious, Eitz drawing pole and taking the early lead from a strongly challenging Laundy.

Back in the pack, the Oz Boats of Neil Kettle ("Miss Faria"), Phil Hollins ("Old Buzzard"), Rob Reid ("Freedom") and Don Aucote ("Excess") enjoyed a close battle, but could not match the superior horsepower of the Unlimiteds and Hollins filled third spot, behind Eitz and Laundy.

In the final, Eitz took an early lead from Laundy and Zoontjens, as Taylor rounded up the field from pole 7 - the big block Chev-powered 7 metre Lauderbach Hydro of Brett Niddrie missed the start completely by 20 lengths.

Commencing lap 2, Eitz narrowly led from Taylor, Zoontjens and the rapidly closing Brett Niddrie.

On lap 3, Taylor superbly passed Eitz around the top turn for the lead, while Brett Niddrie crumpled his aerodynamic front foil on a couple of the NSW lake's huge waves.

Niddrie drew level with Taylor on the front straight on the last lap of the triangular course, before ultimately taking the front running and the race, ahead of Taylor and Eitz, the latter recording the fastest lap of the day early on to collect a $500 purse from South State Industrial Supplies.

Later in the day, the West Darling Invitation was won by the potent V12 Merlin-powered "Aussie Connection" over "Seabreeze" and the supercharged "Insanity."

(Photos by Terry Smith)

ANDRA CompCommitteereports At a recent Adelaide meeting, the ANDRA Competition Committee members discussed a number of submissions, including significant proposals relating to the advisability of local Top Fuel regulations conforming to internationmal standards.

Local Top Fuel regs have been the subject of much input, with proposals that screw superchargers and other variations from the international standard be permitted safety items were also on the agenda.

But, as the class has never followed overseas specifications directly, the committee supported a submission from NSW that the international regulations be adopted for Top Fuel in Australia for the 1998/99 season.

In line with proposals that Top Fuel be aligned with the international standards from the 1998/99

season, the matter of compliance with SFI Standards for various components used in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer was discussed - SFI would be approached to assist with inspection and recertification in Australia during 1998.

Parity considerations for the various supercharger designs used in drag racing were considered at length - increased use of screw compressors in Group One and Group Two had created a -performance imbalance in some cases and appropriate baselines for their use were investigated.

In the absence of validated compressor maps for each type from the manufacturers, reference was made to known swept-volume specifications and a range of formulae and limits was proposed - these were intended to align the performance levels of the various vehicle types in Top Alcohol, as well as the full

range of supercharger designs at all levels.

In Pro Stock, the future development of the class and the lack of Australian content were considered.

A Western Australian submission that Australian-bodied vehicles be given a weight advantage was supported and overall weight-break reductions with a view to larger displacement and improved performance standards was proposed.

Additional limited technology classes· were proposed for Competition Eliminator in a submission from NSW - while the introduction of CID and CIA had bolstered the bracket, they had also created some unique problems and the proposal was not supported.

Over the last two years, debate has continued over wheel arch limits in A/Street - suggestions that liberal alterations be permitted in this area to facilitate tyre clearance

on all vehicle types were not seen as being in the spirit of the class.

Further submissi,ons regarding the use of roller camshafts and engine configurations from different body styles were considered.

A move to delete A/Street was revi:'ewed some years ago and, because of strong support for the class, it was felt that if any of these proposals were endorsed the simi1ari ties between A/Street and A/Modified would be such that the identity of the class would be lost.

Concerns were expressed over the use of cast iron flywheels in Junior Dragster - with the rising performance levels of the engines used, the safety aspects of this area will be investigated.

The effectiveness of the ANDRA Technical Inspection system was considered, in conjunction with the planned development of an ANDRA Scrutineering programme - a system of periodic chassis cerfification

outside events, complemented by a refined approach to pre-event scrutineering, was considered to be ideal and would be recommended.

A three round format, providing increased exposure for competitors, was investigated for selected Group One categories - the system will be trialled in one eliminator during the 1997/98season.

A consistent approach will be taken to the split seeding process nationally - a paper·covering the method and the allocation of bye runs in early rounds was endorsed.

Although welding would still be required in the construction of all sedan roll cages, it was recommended that detachable side intrusion bars would be permitted in roadregistered vehicles where suitable methods were employed - minimum performance levels above which open road-registered vehicles could compete without rollover protection were established.

1997 NHRA WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES - POINTS AFTER RD. 9, TOPEKA, KANSAS. 1997 Top Fuel Championship

03

9392

3333

844 I. Gary Scelzi ......................

2. Joe Amato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .687 549 3. Kenny Bernstein .................

538 4. Scott Kalitta .....................

533 5. Cory McClenathan ...............

6. Mike Dunn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .475 7. Bob Vandergriff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .442 8. Bruce Sarver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .435 .416 9. Shelly Anderson .................

10. Larry Dixon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376

1997 Funny Car Championship 747 I. John Force .....................

1997 Pro Stock Championship 787 I. Jim Yates .......................

567 2. RandyAnderson .................

3. Chuck Etchells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .566 519 4. Cruz Pedregon ..................

5. Whit Bazemore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .512 510 6. Tony Pedregon .................. .476 7. Kenji Okazaki ...................

394 8. Dean Skuza . · ................... '. .... 390 9. Tim Wilkerson . ............

10. Mark Oswald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369

2. Warren Johnson .................

3. Kurt Johnson . ...................

4. Bruce Allen . ....................

5. Steve Schmidt . ..................

6. Mark Pawuk ....................

7. Tom Martino . ..................

8 . Troy Coughlin . .................

9. Pete Williams ....................

10. Darrell Alderman ................

754 649 541 442 .392 .384 .375 353 350

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... ~ ~ 446June1997.................................................... .....-~- ~. ~~~~ ............................................... .............

Lismore's Paul O'Neill has the Super Sedan clinched Cannonball Cup series for the second year in succession with a runner-up finish behind John Leslight in the final round of at Archerfield competition Speedway on May 17.

New South Wales drivers dominated the placings for the umpteenth time this season, with Leslight leading every lap of an exciting 25 lap feature event after starting on the outside front row.

O'Neill, knowing that a second place finish would be enough to clinch the series, hounded Leslight throughout the event without taking any unnecessary risks.

Robert Carrig Newcastle's (Manual Transmission Factory Camara), who. drove all day through pouring rain to make the show, was rewarded with a fine third placing after a lengthy dice with polesitter Ian Marshall (Federal Tyres Commodore).

f/j};pgpg~(P.P.{

O'Neillclinches When Marshall was baulked by the lapped car of Graeme Lehmann on lap 20, Carrig made an outside swoop in turn 2 that put him ahead of the former national champ.

The only stoppage came on lap 12, as Shayne Lau's impressive Brisbane debut came to an end when his Camara smacked the wall in the back straight.

Jamie McHugh (Miami Smash Repairs Falcon) finished in fifth to secure third place in the overall standings, with Blair Granger (Bridgestone Camara) putting in the best drive of his career to score sixth - Lehmann, Lee Noon, Wayne Lemon and Wilson Boyd also made

it to the chequer, but were two laps in arrears.

Despite the appearance of just 13 cars, the heat racing produced a bit of action, some spirited dicing between O'Neill and Carrig on two occasions resulting in one win apiece - the remaining preliminaries were taken out· by Marshall and Leslight.

O'Neill was quickest once again in time trials, only to be penalised for his efforts by selecting a position three start in the main event.

Final series points: O'Neill 1248, Leslight 1218, McHugh 897, Marshall 845, Tania Peacock 688, Lehmann 611, Shane Paulger 576,

Nick Girdlestone 535, Ross Brims while Tony Absom's night end~d early when he was pitched into the 454 and Paul Geary 414.

Not surprisingly, the first three turn 2 concrete after contact with placegetters were the only drivers Bonell in heat 2.

Darren Vine started superbly in to contest every round of the series.

In Speedcar competition, Sydney the 15 lap Compact Speedcar feaspeedster 'Rocket' Rod Bowen anni- ture, moving from position 10 to the hilated an eight-car field to win the lead before the field had reached turn 2 - but, despite his superb 20 lap feature event.

Second-placed Darryl Bonell was . opening lap, Vine couldn't maintain the only other car on the lead lap, such a frantic pace and was demoted from the lead by Paul over five seconds behind Bowen.

Barrie Valentino, Barry Wixted, McMannim on lap 11.

Vine remained second at the cheSean Burrows and Grant Draney were the remaining finishers in quer, followed home by Steve Swingler, Rod Singleton, Brad another disappointing display.

Bowen, Wixted, Burrows and Hilder and rookie Darren Dillon.

- CHRIS METCALF Draney took out the preliminaries,

PromoterGurbiel handsoverto PCR After 21 years at the helm, Peter Gurbiel is stepping down as promoter of the Newcastle International Motordrome.

The announcement follows the signing of an agreement late last month with a promotional consortium from Sydney's Parramatta City Raceway.

The new organisation, Newcastle Speedways Pty Ltd - which comprises Dave Lander (Managing City Director of Parrama'tta Raceway), his brother, solicitor Peter Lander and Sydney current affairs radio man (and PCR track announcer) Steve Raymond - will officially take over at the start of the new financial year, July 1, 1997.

"Our company was gea1ing up to effectively retire in the year 2000, but I am delighted with the deal put together which will allow us to withdraw earlier at a time when we needed a break after 27 years of

promoting speedway, with the past 21 here in Newcastle," Gurbiel said.

"It will be with a touch of sadness when we hand over the reins, but know that the future of the speedway we have built up over the years will be in good hands and can only get bigger and better," he added.

In view of the short time available to accommodate themanagement changeover, the scheduled of the two rounds first as previously Winternationals announced will not be promoted by Gurbiel. . The series, however, will be picked up by the new operators after the July take over.

The departure of Gurbiel from the speedway promotional ranks brings the curtain down on a career in Australia which traces back to 1970.

Gurbiel, a former stockcar driver, was in the chair when Canberra's Tralee Speedway opened for busi-

ness in June, 1970.

For six years, Gurbiel was the driving force behind the outstanding success of the circuit.

The venue's main attraction was sedans and, in 1971, the track hosted the inaugural Australian Saloon Car Federation (ASCF) National Championship.

Meanwhile, Tralee also conducted the 1974 Australian Sprintcar Championship under the promotion of the Gurbiel organisation.

In 1976, he moved to Newcastle and promoted some highly successful shows during the past 21 years .

Gurbiel, however, will not be totally lost to the sport.

He will continue to be involved in speedway as national secretary of Speedway Australian the Promoters' Association and is keen to further develop speedway to a bigger and better image in the future.

- DENNIS NEWLYN ROOKIE ... Steve Kinser impressed at the Indy 500. (MSPN photo)

FS00champ Dillontops in SAawards The well-attended annual trohosted by phy presentation South Australia's Riverview Club saw State Speedway Formula 500 champion Luke Dillon walk off with a handy amount of'silverware.

The 16 year-old was awarded Most Improved and Highest Points Scorer in Formulas and was a worthy winner of the Darryl Fishlock Sportsperson of the Year trophy.

Other leading awards went to: Rod Brady, who gained the Les Williams Best & Fairest; Bob and Coral Glanville, who scored the President's trophy for non-competitors; and long-serving club member Mike Farndon picked up the

Speedway Manager's trophy, presented by Moss Buchanan, along with the Club Person of the Year trophy, which is voted for by the club executive.

Trophies for highest point scorers went to Steve Graetz (Solos Div 1), Mick Headland and Vicky Myers (Sidecars), Troy Stojakovic (Solos Div 2), Rod Brady (Modified Sedans), Dave Hateley (Super Sedans), Darryl Wright (Rods), Trevor Ware (Street Stocks Div 1) and Mick Nixon (Street Stocks Div 2).

Rookie of the Year trophies for the Murray Bridge venue w«;re awarded to Brenton Kelly (F500), Dave Harding (Super Sedans) and

LUKE DILLON. (Frank Midgley)

Troy Stojakovic(Solos).

Most Improved winners were Trevor Ware (Street Stocks), Glenn Goonan (Rods), Steve Vaughan (Super Sedans), Dave Helyar (ModifiedSedans) and Jason Hardy and Shane Rudloff(Sidecars).

Encouragement trophies went to Rod Hogarth (F500), Doug Blenkiron (Super Sedans), Brett Price (Rods) and Brooke Rodda (Street Rods).

- DAVID McNABB

UnluckyIndy outingfor KingKinser American Sprintcar legend Steve Kinser was on target to finish in his rookie Indianapolis 500 less than a fortnight ago, but was forced to retire after crashing out late in the rainaffected event.

In the early stages, Kinser had gained eight positions after 15 laps to be in 12th spot after starting from position 20 on the grid.

When rain first caused the stoppage of the 81st running of arguably the world's most prestigious motor racing event, the 14times World of Outlaws Sprintcar champion had to pit on lap 23 to

change the nose cone on the pushrod Dodge Aurora-powered #44 SRS One Call Menards Quaker State St Elmo's entry.

Kinser resumed racing until lap 185, when he hit the wall in turn 4 and slid along its length before stopping in turn 1 and retiring from his inaugural 500.

The 42 year-old Indiana-ha ed driver wa the third speedway rookie in the event. When asked about a comparison between Indy 500 and World of Outlaws racing, the "King"noted that "after 15 lap , we'd be halfway through the race - GEOFF ROUNDS now!"

Crump from Mildura has must not ride a bike for at least big crowds continue to flock to in stantiated and a special gauge has "But my good friend Jason been confirmed as the wild card four weeks. speedway.

Germany, Stefan Hoffmeister, been introduced to test the tyres

rider for the Swedish Grand Prix at Linkopping on June 14.

Crump, who missed out on this year's series but was the winner of the British round in London last August, has been given the nod ahead of several major contenders.

He was a wild car nomination in London two years ago and he booked his place in last year's series as World Under-21 champion.

However, his form was disappointing and he failed to requalify for this year, even via the Challenge round in Prague last October.

Crump will join Leigh Adams to make two Australians at Linkoping for the Swedish round of the championship series.

Ryan Sµllivan, from Adelaide,

talked

me into riding on the

from Adelaide.

He has damaged his right wrist, which he broke towards the end of the last British season and looks set to be missing from the Coventry team for a few weeks.

a 48-42 win against Bydgoszcz in front of 15,000 fans.

Jason Crump totalled 12 for Zielona Gora in their 46-44 defeat of top of the table Gorzow, where the crowd was 7,000.

me. I have two bikes, a van and an apartment and I am now set up in Landshut," he added.

Wiltshire is now riding laydown Jawa engines, which are being tuned by Klaus Lausch.

the New Brandon, Steve now based in Zealander England, has agreed to resume his duties as General Secretary of Riders' Prix Grand the Associption.

Brandon had resigned after allegations in England that some of his members had 'cheated' in respect of softening their tyres for domestic meetings.

In accepting his reappointment, Brandon said, "the riders had a meeting in Prague and have decided the Association is someth in g they want and they are behind it. As a result of their unanimous support, I've decided to resume my post.

"From the riders I have spoken to, I understand the tyre situation was handled well by Ole Olsen in Prague.

"Hopefully, now, the tyres are a thing of the past and the riders are 100 per cent behind the IGPSRA:'. ngland, who already has a Ethree match Test series against Australia this year, is now planning to race a similar series against the USA. The Australia matches are on July 11, July 27 and September 14.

Promoters' British The Association is hoping to race the at the end of Americans September and Belle Vue is likely to feature in that schedule as well.

A

ustralian Mark Powell, who rides for Glasgow in the British Premier League, will be out of action for at least a month.

Powell broke his thumb in a Cup meeting against Newcastle and the 27 year-old Queenslander has been told by the doctors he

being used.

Aussie out of speedway topped the scorers for Torun with Continent.

Mr Perran believes the tyres A fornothera while is Shane Bowes a 14 point return from five rides in "My wife and boys are now with have not helped the sport and wants a change immediately. racing in Europe A ustralians have been making their mark in the World Longtrack/Grasstrack championships.

• Mark Lemon dislocated his shoulder during qualifying in Holland, but still made it through to the semi-finals, where he races at Morizes in France.

Perth's Steve Johnston, the current European Grasstrack Champion, also races at the French track.

Shane Parker from Adelaide in at Scheessel competes Germany.

The first nine riders from each will go forward to the Grand Prixstyle 'Championship' rounds - the first of these is at Aduard in Holland on July 12. rguably the top two Australian A riders in Europe were in direct opposition in the Polish League, when Zielona Gora entertained Leszno in front of an 11,000 crowd.

Jason Crump notched 14 points from his five rides to head the home club to victory 51-39, but Leigh Adams grabbed a 15 point maximum from his five outings in Lezsno's 39 point total.

Crump recorded the fastest race time of the day of 64.55 seconds for the big 388 metre track. orzow, led by former World GChampion Tony Rickardsson, tops the Polish League with 12 points from 8 matches to date.

Tommy Knudsen's Wroclaw is bottom.

JUBILATION ... Czech GP winner Greg Hancock and runner-up Billy Hamill (obscured) celebrate. (Mike Patrickpic)

Craig Boyce was in brilliant form for Leszno as they won 48-40 at Czestochowa - Boyce scored 13, while Shane Parker notched 12 for the home club.

Crump is also riding in the Swedish Elite League, in which he totalled 18 in a 48-48 draw for his club, Vargarna, at home to lndianerna.

Initial X-rays revealed there was no break and he rode again the following night - but a second opinion from a specialist diagnosed a cracked bone but no displacement, but the wrist has been put in plaster.

T

he Aussies continue to do well in the Polish League, where

T

odd Wiltshire, who gave up his job, home and car in his native Newcastle to try his luck again in Europe, is now beginning to enjoy life again.

"I was delighted when Bradford signed me, but it was a big blow when I could not get a work permit,"he said.

The former World number three is hoping his form in Germany will reopen the opportunity for a work permit in England to allow him, at some time, to resume his British career. tyre row is threatenY etinganother to erupt in the British Elite League, with Belle Vue promoter John Perran suggesting that everyone should return to the soft compound tyres used durfng· t·he , last season.

The harder compound is now being used for League racing and also in the international Grand Prix series.

But allegations of tampering with chemicals have been sub-

Johnston is becoming just Steve about the busiest rider in the British Elite League.

He is getting a number of guest bookings whereby he replaces injured or absent riders in League meetings.

He top scored for Eastbourne at Swindon, he also turned out for Coventry and helped his own club Ipswich to an away win at Kings Lynn.

He's one of four Aussies in the top 15 of the British averages.

At 15th, he's immediately above two former world champions in Sam Ermolenko and Gary Havelock.

World Champion Billy Hamill (USA) tops the charts, but Leigh Adams is second, Ryan Sullivan 9th and Jason Crump 10th.

..~!~~~ ~9~:........................................................... .19.

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WAcountry series 1 yes' Country venues in Western Australia are the focus of the "Complete Speedway Package" series for the 1997/98 summer season of racing.

The proposed series is expected to run over four to six rounds and features Solos, Sidecars, Modified Rods and Limited Sprintcars.

Designed to offer country race fans an opportunity to witness top class speedway action, the series will include state titleholders from all divisions in its line-up.

Agreement for the series had already been reached with both the Limited Sprintcar Association of WA and the West Coast Modified Rod Association, but it took a vote from Solo and Sidecar competitors from the Speedway Riders Association of WA to give the series the final approval.

The overwhelming support from the two-wheeled fraternity means that WA country venues are now able to put forward their expressions of interest in the package.

The ACT Motor Racing Board Titles were held at the National Capital Motorsports Club circuit on May 11, featuring competitors from the Canberra region, as well as Beg~, Cowra, Griffith and Portland, the interstate racers providing some close racing.

Harristopsin ACTtitles The Super P;oduction Sedans turned it on;:with Lyle Harris final~ ly succeeeding and taking the win

360 ACTION ... Country series should pull the likes of Gavin Davis and #3 Shane Murphy. (Brad Steele pie)

While still in the negotiating stage, it is expected that the series will gain corporate naming rights sponsorship to provide the end of

season bonuses for top-performing competitors.

The clubs involved have appointed West Coast Speedway News edi-

tor Allan Baker to co-ordinate and publicise the series throughout WA For further details, contact Allan by phone/fax on: 08 9495 4748.

ful in the 1500 Sedans, holding out Brad Goodwin and Doug Williams for the winner's honours.

Shane Jensen was his usual consistent self, taking a win in the Series division from Alan Yesberg and Wayne Blundell.

The Open' division sedan winner was Dean Gosbell, followed by Mark Salter and Phil Burns.

The ladies were also very impressive at the title meeting, the firstplaced hardware going to Nicole Harris from Colleen Morley and Kerry Burns.

Finally, the rookies had their fling, with a good win to Peter Blundell from Barry Jamieson and Warren White.

- MICHAELA'ITWELL

The VVCRAis producing an accomoda tion, tourism and services package to attract significant numbers of interstate visitors and entrants from Victoria, New South and Wales, South Australia Queensland to complement the John Leslight continued his region's own impressive supporter domination of Super Sedan and entrant base. competition in 1997 when he Further details are available from Steve Haines, who can be con- steered his American Truck Spares Camaro to .victory in a tacted by phone on: 06 258 8865.

- MICHAELA'ITWELL curfew-shortened feature event at Archerfield Speedway last month.

With rain causing delays to the program and a lengthy stoppage in the preceding Speedcar feature, the race was declared after just 14 of the scheduled 25 laps had been completed.

Leslight, who inherited pole position when fastest qualifier Paul O'Neill drew an inverted five format, was pressured from the outset

by Newcastle hotshoe Robert Carrig (Teterin Engines Camaro) pation in the extremely successful and a resurgent Ian Marshall (Keith McKayTyres Commodore).

SRA Hoosier series.

Carrig acquitted himself quite The followingwere the top 14 eligible pointscorers and bonus money well in his first Brisbane appearwinners in the SRA Hoosier series: ance for three years and actually 1 Reed $2500, 2 Richardson $1800, took the lead from Leslight on two 3 McCubbin $1450, 4 Mark Walsh occasions, only to have his victory $1200 (and the winner of the $400 hopes dashed by a couple of stopfrom Calder Park Motorsport), 5 pages.

Only 15 cars fronted for the Knight $1000, 6 Boult $850, 7 meeting, including four from Mattschoss $700, 8 Van Bremen $600, 9 Bottams $500, 10 Colin Newcastle and heavy rain throughout the day kept spectators away Bulmer $400, 11 Phil Johnson $300, 12 Milburn $250, 13 Tim and made track conditions very difficult.

Gleeson $200 and 14 Smith $150.

The four qualifying heats were Following the presentation of series prize money from SRA taken out by Leslight, O'Neill, Hoosier Series principal sponsor Jamie McHugh (Miami Smash Max Dumesny, official medallions Repairs Falcon) and Graeme Motors (Lehmann were handed out to Neville Carter, Lehmann Chris Lambert, Lance McMinn, Commodore).

Mcltugh, who has been involved Steve Hocking, Simon Maas and Tim Cowin - the final presentation in a few incidents in recent weeks, was a life membership to a very was again in the thick of things and surprised and emotional club secre- finished the feature in fifth spot behind O'Neill with a flat right tary, Mandy Searle.

- BRETi' SWANSON front tyre.

Lehmann, Al Starling, John Lodge, Bob Domjohn and Kelvin Hamilton completed the top ten, with Wayne Lemon and Wilson Boyd also making it to the chequered flag.

Sydneysider Gavin Leer made the locals look ordinary in the Speedcar events with four wins from as many starts, collecting a new track record along the way.

Sean Burrows, who was the only driver to visit victory lane, finished a distant second in the 20 lap feature, followed by Grant Draney, Barry Wixted, rookie Jason McDonald and Troy Currie.

Warren Hooper sprung an upset when he withstood a late charge from Brims to take out the 25 lap ModifiedProduction feature.

Hooper, in only his third meeting in the division, established a lead of almost half a lap before Brims was able to break free of a tightly bunched field and close the gap as the laps wound down.

Steve Jordan drove a mighty race to bring Jeff Blackburn's Cortina home in third place, ahead of Greg Raymont, Tim Cunning, Brock Cliffordand David Jacobi.

The heat racing was of the highest quality, with wins recorded by Brims, Jacobi Raymont and Lismore's Greg Warling.

The Compact Speedcar feature was taken out by Brad Hilder, ahead of Rod Singleton and Wayne Corbett, who held a commanding lead until a stoppage on lap 8 allowed Hilder to make his move.

Aussie champ Darren Vine, impressive rookie Darren Dillon and veteran campaigner Robin Hilder were the best of the rest.

- CHRIS METCALF

from Keith Sims and William Russell.

Sydney's Ray Healy was success-

Vintagemeet Nat~onal plannedfor Canberra Dominant win

the bull by the horns and promote The ACT and region Vintage, an event in the ACT region that Veteran and Classic Raceway will attract Australia-wide interest.

(VVCRA) - the Association Previous national events were Australian Capital Territory's arm of the rapidly growing clas- held in central Victoria and attractsic and vintage speedway move- ed in excess of one hundred and ment - is currently formulating thirty entries.

The entry list in the ACT region plans for the presentation of a is expected to top one hundred and national event.

With the sport receiving unprece- fifty and include Solos, Sidecars, dented levels of support since the Speedcars, Super Modifieds, early association's inception in mid-1996, Sprintcars, TQs, Hot Rods and it's committee has decided to take Humpies.

Matthew Reed was the big winner when the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria held its tenth annual presentation cabaret at the Silver Birches Reception Centre last month, the cabaret organiser taking home the lion's share of the 4ardware.

Reed won the Open Pointscore, but strangely missed out on the 360 pointscore, despite only running a 360 engine.

Boult was allegedly ineligible for Reed also narrowly won the Phil Jordison/Big Oven Powder Coating the Rookie of the Year award (which he would have won) as he Best Presented Car & Crew award.

Reed's margin of victory was a was not a club member, but a team mere two points over tied second member suggested that perhaps placegetters Tim McCubbin and Boult actually was a member of the Steve Knight. club.

The Quick Race Parts Battler of As well as winning the SRA Hoosier series and the $2,500 the Year award was taken out by cheque that goes with it, Reed was David Smith, while Graeme also adjudged to be the Driver of McCubbin was deemed a worthy winner of the Phil Johnson Crew the Year in the series.

The Lacey Panels Most Improved Chief of the Year. went to the Stephenson brothers, Mike Van Bremen was a happy Scott and Shane, while Mildura and deserving recipient of the Phil traveller Greg Mattschoss was the & Michelle Jordison Outstanding recipient of the Mountain District Achievement award.

Auto-Gas Rookie of the Year prize.

The 360 pointscore went to Rob The Bill Evans Encouragement Richardson from Darryl Bottams Award (donated by Megan Evans) and Wayne Milburn, with Reed wining the Open pointscore from went to Rookie Rod Matthews, while Blair Jones rightly won the D McCubbin and Van Bremen. & F Racing Products Unluckiest Alan Barlee, Rob Rankin, Carl Driver.

Ludeman, Jones, the Stephensons, Doug Wright sponsored a Special Adrian Parr, Darryn Ma15gs,Phil effort award which went to Mt Baker, Brett Neylan and Matthews Gambier racer Gerard Boult. were all recognised for their partici-

by Leslight

Reedsweeps SRAawards

~.~~.~.~~AY 6June199747 ....................................................................................

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Foundation Day Spectacular at Nickol Bay Speedway in Western Australia finished in controversy when twice Australian champion Ron Krikke was black flagged from the final heat last Saturday evening for twice jumping the start.

Krik.ke, who had expressed his dissatisfaction with the starting order following the roll over of Newman's Phil Pack, carried on his argument with the chief steward after a red light was used to remove the LlM Maxim from the circuit.

Krikke's on-track antics disappointed a number of the spectators, a few becoming vocal as he stood on the track arguing his case.

Earlier on, Kalgoorlie racer Alan Haynes in the Oztrac Maxim took out qualifying with a quick time of 15.02 seconds - this meant that Haynes would start rear of field in

but~~e~ect~nt',!~!.I"

no handicap, as he finished second in the points with two thirds and a second, the latter result after being relegated from a first for passing on the infield.

The best performer on the evening would have been Mark Wells, with three wins in the PMFM/Kendrick-owned car.

His final win came in the last heat, when Robbie Farr, Adyme Harvey, Pack and Gavin Migro all finished on the infield with mechanical damage and Krikke received the black flag.

Also impressive were Max Dumesny in the Sean Enterprises Schnee, with a win and two thirds.

Local knowledge would help 360 pilot Peter Gray hold off the biggerengined cars for three second placings - but his poor time trial would cost him dearly in·overall points.

Other standouts included Bunbury's Eddy Gobby (two wins),

Harper (two thirds and a fourth), Hayne's team-mate Scott Milling (first, second and a fourth) and former Australian F500 champ Vince Chapman (two secondsand a fourth).

Apart from Pack, the hard luck stories included Farr, whose motor problems robbed him of a good time trial - but he was able to grab a third and a second in his first two heats, before losing the driveline in an incident with Harvey.

Migro, in the Kinley Racing Avenger, started well with fastest time for the 360 cars, only to break a rear-end at the end of the first heat - repairs would cause him to drop his second heat, while a wayward left-rear would see him out of the final race.

The final night at Karratha was scheduled for Sunday, June 1 and a complete report follows in the next issue ofMotorsport News.

- BRAD STEELE

T

he Vintage Speedcar Association of New South Wales held its annual presentation night at Sydney's Bankstown Trotting Club this past fortnight.

The awards evening was yet again a sellout, further confirming not only the very special place nostalgia holds for long-serving speedway followers, but the status the vintage club currently enjoys on the Sydney speedway scene.

Three hundred people saw former Sydney Speedcar ace of the sixties Johnny Harvey honoured as the special guest of the evening.

Harvey, who believed he was in Sydney for a General Motors Holden function, was accorded a standing ovation as he entered the function room.

It was a clearly shocked triple New South Wales Speedcar Champion who stood in the spotlight for a special "This is Your Life" theme presentation, backed up by superb early sixties Speedcar movie footage of Harvey driving the thoroughbred Don Mackay Offenhauser at the Sydney Showground and an indepth photographic record of his outstanding career.

In a few short years, the NSW Vintage Speedcar Association has taken its awards evening from a very low-key gathering with a small attendance at a local western suburbs bowling club and moved upmarket to the point where today their function is a very professional presentation and one of the big nights on the Sydney speedway social scene.

I

n addition to the acknowledgement of Johnny Harvey's years in Sydney speedway - highlighted with the presentation of a plaque

specially struck by the NSW Vintage Club - the association's own individual awards were also a feature of the evening.

The Club Member of the Year for the 1996/97 term was taken out by the hardworking and very dedicated Brian Darby.

Brian, who is currently restoring the ex-Bill Goode #5 Golden Fleece-sponsored Ford Falcon midget from the early sixties era of Brisbane Speedcar racing, is a tireless worker behind the scenes for the club and his award was thoroughly deserved.

Another presentation well received by the big attendance was the President's Special Award, given annually in acknowledgement of assistance given the club in specified areas.

This year's winner was Peter White, Editor and Publisher of "Speedway World," Australia's widely-read fortnightly speedway newspaper.

The publication first appeared on the news-stands in 1986 and is stronger than ever, enjoying great respect in the marketplace.

The Eric Morton Trophy for the Restoration of the Year was won

by Peter Fuller for the superb job he carried out on returning the Doug Maurer Holden to its former glory. The Best and Fairest Trophy for continued service to the NSW

Max DumesnyMotorsport agents for

J{cOO$ttr1 ♦

RACING

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Vintage Speedcar Association was taken out by Bill Lawler.

Bill is one of the pioneer members of the vintage association and today remains one of the group's most loyal members.

Lawler, .a member of the Len Brock pit crew in the sixties, is the club's historian and was largely responsible for putting together the Johnny Harvey presentation.

With access to a superb library of race records, Bill compiled the words for the Harvey career tribute, in addition to organising Harvey's transportation to and from the venue on the night.

The Club Car of the Year award, which is given to the member with the best attendance record for club displays, was taken out by Barry Davies. till on the Sydney Speedcar yesteryear theme, the sport lost another of its talented dusty heroes from the fifties and sixties era with the recent passing of 74 year-old Sid Reed.

Sid, who died of a heart attack, is best remembered for his driving skills behind the wheel of the Ron Ward lightweight V-twin-powered machine during the sixties.

On a slight track, the blue #3 Sid Reed-driven midget, with its superb power to weight ratio, could match it with the top Holden and Offenhauser equipment of the day.

No better example of this phenomenon was witnessed by this writer than at the Sydney Showground on Boxing Night, December 26, 1964, when Reed carved up the opposition and won the annual Christmas Derby, after he started from the middle of the field.

That particular 1964/65 sum-

for more information on Hoosier Drag

and Speedway Tyres call 02 9679 1990

USMidgetdeath American midget competitor Mike Fell died when his car flipped and was struck by another vehicle at Angell Park Speedway, Sun Prairie, in the state of Wisconsin.

Fell, 32, who died of head

injuries on Sunday night, May 25, was a third-year driver in the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association - he was rookie of the year in 1995 and last year's most improved driver.

- GEOFF ROUNDS

mer season at the famous Sydney The always smooth and articuShowground Speedway was one late Reed never lifted off the throtof the best enjoyed by Reed and tle and lapped Westmead car-owner Ward.

Speedway in near record times Sid served notice of what was during his one and only career to come when he started the sea- appearance behind the wheel of son with a 20-lap feature race win an Offenhauser Speedcar. and in the process lowered the At the end of the run, Reed left race record for the distance held everyone with a lasting impression by the American legend, Bob of a racer who was truly one of Sydney's finest from the dangerTattersall.

When he took out the ous open cockpit Speedcar era.

For many years, Reed ran a Christmas Derby, Reed was on top of the main event winners' list glass glazing business in Curlewis Street at Bondi in Sydney's eastto that point of the season with three victories. ern suburbs. . Before the Ward era, Reed istening to Johnny Harvey teamed up with Sydney's Spike being interviewed at the NSW Jennings and the two shared the Vintage Speedcar Association by week-about drive of a Hillmanthe night's MC, Allan Edworthy, powered roadster Speedcar.

With this car, the duo raced at provided some fascinating revelaSydney's Westm1?ad, Windsor, tions.

Not only did the occasion bring Cumberland Oval and back fond memories for this writer Showground Royale venues.

After the Jennings and Hillman of the incredible fifties and sixties roadster era passed, Reed accept-· Sydney Speedcar era, but it highed the offer to drive the air-cooled 1i g hted the obvious passion Ward twin. ,, • Harvey held for the midgets at that In addition to his. great success time in his motorsport career.

He spoke with great affection of on the narrow, testing Sydney Showground one-third mile oval, his days with car owner Don Mackay - despite a few hiccups Reed also scored feature race along the way - and paid a glowwins_ at Westmead and ing tribute to the toughness of driCumberland Oval.

Sid Reed was not one of the vers from that era.

He said that, at a time when privileged who enjoyed the luxury tyres and a chassis combination of driving factory-built thoroughbred Offenhauser Speedcar equip- were not matched by today's availment - yet not only did he match it able technology, the competitors with the elite imported midgets, but not only got the absolute best out on a wintery day back in 1967 at of their machinery, but were fearWestmead Speedway, he gave us less.

He described his win over all a glimpse of what might have American Speedcar ace Tattersall been had such an opportunity as "one of the absolute highlights came along when he jumped of my career" in addition to his behind the wheel of Johnny Stewart's Offy midget for a one-off record equalling three consecutive New South Wales Speedcar shakedown run on the half-mile Championships. track.

L

1997 WORLD OF OUTLAWS/SKOAL OUTLAW SERIES POINT STANDINGS TO JUNE I, 1997

Sammy Swindell I 2.I. Steve Kinser

@

S

THE GOODS ... Mark Wells in the PMFM/Kendrick entry. (Brad Steele)

3. Dave Blaney 4. Jae Haudenschild S. Greg Hodnett 6. Andy Hillenburg 7. Danny Lasoski 8. Stevie Smith 9. Jeff Swindell I 0. Joe Gaerte

3,462 3,443 3,394 3,374 3,276 3,223 3,197 3, I 08 3,085 3,027

I I. Johnny Herrera 12. Paul McMahan 13. Donny Schatz 14. Dion Hindi IS. Mark Kinser I 5. Lance Blevins 17. Randy Hannagan 18. Garry Brazier 19. Joey Saldana 20. Marlon Jones

2,994 2,901 2,867 2,131 2,139 2,090 1,507 1,414 1,337 1,177

LINCOLN SPEEDWAY- JUNE I A-FEATURE (30 LAPS) I. Mark Kinser I I. Kevin Gobrecht 2. Dave Blaney 12. Joe Gaerte 3. Jae Haudenschild 13. Andy Hillenburg 4. Billy Pauch 14. Steve Siegel S. Jeff Shepard IS. Jeff Swindell 6. Sammy Swindell 16. Cris Eash 7. Greg Hodnett 17. Donnie Kreitz, Jr. 8. Steve Kinser 18. Jeff Rohrbaugh 9. Fred Rahmer 19. Johnny Herrera I 0. Stevie Smith 20. Donny Schatz

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Action-packe raced away with Reid leading Kirkpatrick, until desperate HISTORIC Winton's 21st braking and lots of lock the the first time through the esses year again.proved demoted Reid back to third. ideal under· formula right Stumpy Russell, in the new conditions.

V8, held off Patrick Ford The feature entry of the meeting was the Bugatti T32 Ryan's MG until the red carrot 'Tank' Replica, imported from Austin 7 of Graham Burnham America and driven by Bob rolled in the esses and prompted another red flag.

King.

At the restart the Amilcar Winton to new Other cars included Graham Sharley's ex- left the rest from Reid and Reg Hunt Allard J2X, Ron Kirkpatrick. After being conTownley and the BWA (after fused by the restart Pat Ryan was 12th and, from the padmany years off the track), Bryan Miller and his Matich dock, Tony Johns finished 15th.

SR4B Ford TIC (back to its After the fourth roll of the many after original condition years of modifications) and . meeting the Arthur Waite Les Schwebel and the immac- Trophy race was red-flagged as Ray Finch's Bedmore went ulate and quick Cicada-Ford. off at the sweeper. At the restart Stanley all but rolled GroupJ & K Saturday's first event was a in the turn two infield.

Basil van Dongen (in Trevor runaway for Richard Stanley's Amilcar, until Phillip Wheeler Cole's A7) was first past the rolled bis Austin 7 at turn one post but his excessive speed broke his handicap, giving Jim and the race was red-flagged. the win from Alistair Russell David Reid and Tony J-type MG. Graeme Clark's third, and second were Molina after Colin Kirkpatrick stalled Clark's A7, in sixth, was the from grid two and hollered for best-placed 7 for the Waite Trophy. the marshals. He finished 17th in the 29 car field after L & B Racing three laps.

Ian McDonald's Repco On Sunday Stanley again Holden had an easy victory after Fred Greeneklee retired his Cooper at the start. Ross Hodgson's Cooper MG, Derek McLaughlan's U2 and Bob Schapel (TC) finished together in the placings.

LEFT SEQUENCE: led Greeneklee Fred ROLLING A SEVEN ...

Sunday's race from McDonald.

Phillip Wheeler was one of Peter Mohr (Nedloh) was in several competitors to put third, followed by a close batcars black-side up at the Winton Histories. He got the tl e between Hodgson and McLaughlan. Stuart Powell Austin into trouble at the (Faux Pas) spun and caused ride the for on held top, and more red flags when he stalled as this three shot sequence the engine, and Bob Schapel shows. failed to avoid him.

BELOW LEFT: FRANKLY At the restart McDonald ... A Matich SR48 is one of won from McLaughlan and the best-looking sportscars Mohr. Greeneklee failed to finever built in this country. ish in the Cooper.

This is Bryan Miller's examThe George Coad Memorial ple. handicap was won by Peter Stratton (T/C) ahead of the BELOW RIGHT: IMPISH ... similar car of Ian Mawson As usual the Simpson's Cameron McMillan in th~ Eagle-Imp (below, right) Sydney Vincent. Limit man emabarassed a lot of supMcDonaldfailed to finish. posedly faster cars in the M Reportand Photosby Neil HAMMOND

& 0 Racing category.

Brian Sampson's ElvaBMW defeated Les Schwebel and Tony (Cicada-Ford) Simmons (Hustler), who headed a close group of Ian Pope (Lolita) David Armstrong (Schazum) and the Bryan Miller Matich SR4B. Rod Anderson recovered to seventh in the Stirling.

On Sunday the Cicada started brilliantly from the second row and led Sambo and Anderson, who stopped after a lap. Sampson challenged all through the race but couldn't get by. Simmons and Pope followed.

The handicap went to John King's Lotus 7 from Scott Whittaker (Milano), Malcolm Miller'sAsp and Schwebel.

Psand Qs Richard Carter led Andrew Robson, Steve Webb, Howard Blight's ex-Villeneuve March 75B and Michael Henderson (Lola T560). Carter was confused by a black flag for and another competitor it, while Max parked Warwick and Mike Glynn

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6June1997 49 .........................................

WintonHistories

LEFT: TANKED UP... One of the highlights of the meeting was the appearance of the famous Bugatti T32 'Tank' Replica, driven by American Bob King. ABOVE: THE EYES HA VE IT... Graham Robb had fun in his Bugeye Sprite.

battled for the minor posi- M&ORacing tions.

Stephen Lunn and Paul 'Billy' Roberts won the Hamilton's Elfins led the early Formula Ford part of the race race from Peter Addison in his original Elfin 600.

(Brabham BT23) until the On Sunday Robson led sweeper until Keith Simpson Carter until the March spun (Eagle-Imp) passed for third. at the back of the track, But throttle problems forced allowing the Bertschinger the little car out, leaving Boral to pass on the back Hamilton and Lunn to fight straight. out a closefinish.

Sean Whelan (Elfin 700) The next day Lunn led away closed late in the race but ahead of Rob Bailey's spinning couldn't take the lead, while Brabham BT21. Both Lunn Carter recovered to third. and Hamilton went off at the Roberts won the FF race tank, allowing Keith Simpson again.

(20) an impressive winner in In the final five lapper only his second race meeting.

Carter made no mistakes and Len Nation (Austin Spl) won won from Robson, Whelan, the handicap for a narrow win Webb and Blight. over Mark Esmore (Talisman) Marque Sports were domi- and MichaelEllis (Gemini). nated by the Lotus Europas of Historic touring cars had a John Evans and Michael big 57 car entry, splitting the Byrne, ahead of Rohan field into two divisions. John Hodges' Elfin and Mike Mann dominated the first race Devine's MG Midget. in his Mustang ahead of Ian On Sunday it was the same Jones' XU-1, Barry Devlin with the Bugeye Sprite of (Cooper S), Jim McKeown Richard Dutton spinning at (Lotus Cortina) and Len the water tank. Don Harris Read'sMini.

(MGB) and Alan Morcombe On Sunday it was the same (MGA) were next, with Chris order with Dom Leo (Cortina) Stephen (Iso Rivolta) follow- spinning off at the sweeper on ing. lap one and having a

looked a winner until failing to finish. Liam Reed (Cortina) won the handicap from Michael Wilson's Anglia and motorkhana before rejoining.

Stephen Clifton (Mini).

McKeown led the Read Mini The unique and wellfor a few laps until the little streamlined 2-litre straight-8 car was by for a well-deserved Bugatti T23 replica was a privthird place.

The last four laps of the five ilege to see and a great attraclap handicap were headed by tion for the huge crowds.

Mann ahead of Greg Nichols (improving every race) and Dom Leo. Robert Tebb won the Div 2 event in his XU-1 from Peter Roach (ex-Bryan Thomson Nova) and Anthony Ramadge (Mini). Nichols made it to fourth from the back ahead of Aaron Gabriel's rapid Morris Minor.

Tebb won Sunday's race from John Brash (Valiant Pacer). Michael Stupka (Imp)

RIGHT: ON THE MARCH ...

Richard Carter had mixed luck in his March 758 BELOW: LEADING SAM BO... Les Schwebel's Cicada leads Brian Sampson's Elva-BMW.

Graham Sharley's Allard made interesting watching with its unusual front wheel angles and was, I believe the first ever Allard to appear at the Winton meeting.

Also in the 39 car Regularity field was Stuart Anderson (Bugatti T35), Ron House (Vauxhall 30/98) and a pair of Jaguar SSs for BeverleyBriese and Bill Coombs.

Lou Molina was in a famil-

iar MG TC Special and there was a large range of Austin 7s, MGs and more. The three winners were Ray Lewis (Singer 9), Bill Scriven (Austin 7) and the A7Ulster ofBill Marling.

The success of the annual event shows, with so many of the competitors at the first meeting in 1977 still competing. The formula for the 1997 event was spot on, with the emphasis on motor sport.

. ~ ..........................................................•••••••••••••• ~~·~·~·~······················································@'P.&~q:~ ......6June1991 .50

lakeside records tumble Report and photos by MARSHALL CASS

A TOTAL of 142 entrants contested six categories of the Queensland State Championship round promoted by the Queensland Gemini Racing Association on May 24/25 May. Several new cars where debuted and the Group A Falcon of Colourscan Danny Osborne used the weekend to tweak the car after Tony Longhurst had brought the car up to '97 spec, brought about by the now highly publicised on/off Konica sponsorship. the under Running guise of Sports Sedan, in which the car clearly the team dominated, used the services of exSteve Ellery suspension

specialist, Peter Turk.

In Sports Sedans, Jeff Barnes debuted his new Pontiac state-of-the-art Iain Am and Trans Corness, the racing dochis new tor, debuted Both Escort Cosworth. drivers confessed prior to the meeting that their cars were not really ready for racing and this with a was confirmed couple of DNFs ..

The Gemini of Cole Parkel""was· an eye-catcher, debuting in Castrol 'Group A' colours. ''Yes, it is sponsored by Castrol to said extent," some Parker. "At least Larry should notice me when the Tourers soon come to town." and Qualifying events were Saturday's

~-~~-----~--------~~,-------,

VEES, PLEASE... Tony Bocquet's Jabiru leads Peter Somesen's Elliott. The two swapped the FVee (ap record during the weekend. OUCH, LARRY ... Cole Parker (below) sure has a familiar look on his Commodore, er, Gemmt...

rain in either held squalls, showers or on a slippery track. These conditions seem to be becoming mandatory for qualiin the fying anywhere world at the moment, but Sunday produced perfect racing weather.

In the Dunlop Monza round four of the Gemini Craig Championship Yates, with a pole, fourth, third and a second in the previous events, continued his form. It seemed only fitting for him to win the final. off with He paired young, much another improved driver, Craig English being the son of

former John

Group A driver The English.

teenagers put on a good dice, with the superior line speed of straight Yate's Gemini allowing him to survive a whisker on the line. Scott Darra, in third, still running leads the Championship.

In round four of the Dale HQ Championship, Youd was happy to break Rod Dawson's lap record during qualifying with a 65.84s However, Dawson reset the record on lap at four of the final 65.58s. In earlier events, Barry Mc Namara, Youd and Dawson had good tussles and shared the honours. you proved Dawson don't need pole to win simply stay on the outside line of the pole-sitter all the way round to Hungry corner where you will automatically get the natural line into the corner, if you are good enough. Rod was good enough in the final, Youd second and Shane Beikoff third.

In the first qualifying session, before the rain, Tony Bocquet rewrote the two year old lap record for Formula Vees at 64.21s. It did not last long, as Peter Sorenson reset the record in the first event on lap three at 64.15s.

It was a great battle Gerard between McConkey, Sorenson and Bocquet who shared the lead over 15 laps, but the experienced more Bocquet produced good race skills to take the lead on the last lap and to the chesurvived quered flag.

This made it a clean sweep for Bocquet in all and he events three enjoys a commanding lead

Parkand Monterosso splitWintonopener THE opening round of the Sports Sedan Australian championship saw the races split by Wayne Park and Mick Monterosso share the spoils.

Park qualified on pole position in the appalling conditions. His Colourscan Mazda RX-7was ideally suited to the conditions and even with a 6-litre engine providing the go where a rotary used to suffice Park was good for lm42.91s to snare quickest time, well clear of Stephen Voight's Honda, Kerry Baily and Ivan Mikac in the more conventional Mazda.

At the start of race one it was the Monterosso Escort which surged away after a lightning start to lead Baily, Park, Jolly, Mikac and Tony Hubbard (Commodore).

On the second lap Monterosso missed a gear exiting turn two GO!... Monterosso (front, left) and Park (on his right) split the Winton wins. and Baily shot past while, short- .

(PhotobyDirkKlynsmith) ly after, Jolly surged past Park mto having a good run was Hicks Brian Hubbard Baily. from win 24s a to home Morcom Barry the of third, just clear (Falcon), Mikac, Ron Newbound (RX-7) was third, clear of Morcom, Newbound in his Alfa but the car caught fire on lap 7 and the 'firies' had to step in to and Mikac. and Clive Smith (Nissan) battle.

For the econd race Monterosso was save the car and the day.

By lap 5 Monteros o was all over the But Park was having bothers of his back of the Supra and gave it a tap in starting from the rear. Park won the the Motorsport News Esses. Ke1Tywas jump from Hubbard, the Queenslander own. Despite holdmg onto his lead he had been losing ground and suddenly beached on a kerb for around 30s but instantly pulling a lead.

Monterosso was surging through the lost the lead on lap 8 with a half- pin. rejoined behind Jolly and Park.

By the end of the race Montero so The Escort limped around on a pack and, after a lap, was third from deflating tyres, allo\vingJolly and Park Hubbard, Morcom, Newbound, Mike had blasted past to win from Baily, Jolly, Hubbard and the MorcomNoight to surge past and start a battle for the Imrie (Saab) and Jolly. battle, while Park could only truggle successfully Monterosso three lap By lead.

This lasted until lap 8 when Jolly attacked his way past Baily into second in for seventh at the flag.

- PHIL BRANAGAN spun at turn 7, allowing Park to roll and began pecking away at Park's lead.

in the Championship.

There was a depleted Car category Racing by which was caused Saturday's rain-affected event which looked more like a demolition derby.

With the likes of Bob Geoff and Romano Wiseman's Cheetahs out, coupled with the damof Bill Saidor aged the and Sherwood Glen of Mallock it was up to Jenkinson, the three Van Diemens of Rod Green, Ian Moncrieff and Jon Woelders to race in the for the points final.

It was an exciting race with one of the most unexpected finishes seen for a long at Lakeside time.

After the lead was by all three, shared into lead Moncrieff Hungry for the last time, Woelders slipped under Green to take second, causing Green to put a wheel in the gravel.

Coming down onto the main straight, Green had slipped three to four car lengths behind.

Green had very obviously got it right coming onto the main straight, he got the tow created by the other two cars and all three crossed the line together, with Green winning by half a car length.

The Club Commodore Thompson of Stephen took pole and won the opening event and looked the goods for the final.

However Craig Neilsen in a Datsun 1600 controlled the race from the start to from take the points Thompson and the RX7 of Graham Hutchison. was conThompson soled by winning the next scratch race.

-~-~-~ ! .................. l?ib?.f@P:~!P.1J.0

~-

1997 51 6June ~-~-~TRY ~ -~-~ ..-~~-~-~I..~-~. . ....................................................... ~

at EasternCreek · Ambrosefightsback Marcos TASMANIAN crown.

Ambrose closed to within In the opening session of 22 points of the series qualifying championship leader Garth Tander with leader Tander led the field an inspired performance and looked set to break Creek in Ambrose run of pole posiat Eastern of the tions four round the young but Ford Tasmanian bounced back in Formula Championship. the final session to claim his After capturing pole posi- third pole position in succestion Ambrose won both heats sion. to make a strong challenge Ambrose posted a time of on the young Western to be just lm38.130s Australjan Tander who had -8/l00ths sec ahead of a coming together with Todd Tander.

Kelly in heat one and could Christian Jones was third not bridge the gap to fastest in a field that ran to Ambro e in race two.

42 cars, the young Jones of a time Kelly looked as though he recording would give both Tander and lm38.394s just ahead of Ambrose plenty to think Damien White with a 38.516 about until the incident with and Kelly in fifth another Tander and as a result found 2/lO0ths behind while Justin himself dropping back to Cotter was on the outside of fourth in the point scores the third row. behind Craig Zerner who The closeness of Formula grabbed third on the day.

Ford racing was again The Eastern Creek round emphasised with the qualifysignalled the half way point ing times, the top 20 cars on THE CLASS OF THE CREEK. .. Marcos Ambrose was in untouchable form in his Valvoline/Leisure Inns Van Diemen. in the championship and the grid separated by just a Ambrose conceded he was feel right throughout the Cotter, Phillip Scifleet and to get back. into a strong there is no doubt Ambrose's shade over one second, blink point scoring position while performance put him back in and you'd drop five grid posi- fairly lucky to take the pole qualifying session vowing to Andrew Reid. get it sorted out for race day.

On lap five Kelly drafted up front Ambrose was again complaining the car didn't real contention for the tions.

"It wasn't my best day but Tander down the straight leading Tander. This time he somehow we are going to and put on a brave bid only had a margin of 0.66s start off pole. around the outside on turn while Zeroer in third was ~ .1119 .,. • .,.-...

"I've been much faster one and by the time the pair almost three seconds down around here and it certainly arrived at turn two they with Scifleet right on his tail.

The Metal Wear Protector Kelly had climbed back to didn't feel quick enough to touched, Kelly coming off secfifth place and would have to ond best. grab pole,"Ambrose added.

The Victorian was out of settle for this as the four cars Race 1 contention allowing Ambrose in front of him maintained Ambrose didn't get the best to pull further away in the order despite Scifleet strongAmbition in motorsport: Name: Garth Tander of starts boggingdown a little lead while Tander came ly pressuring Zerner for To earn enough third. But Zerner maintained off the line and recovering to under even more pressure Born: 31 March 1977 money to make a livfrom Zerner and Blanchard bis place enabling him to get inside the on lead the to get Home state: WA ing out of racing of turn 1 while Tander and who had carved his way to ahead of Kelly to be third in Car: Van Diemen F95. point the championship battled away behind fourth.

Kelly Ambitions for 1998: To lead the score. to clung Reigning WA Formula Ambrose him. an in seat a secure The combined scores from Kelly got past Tander on to take race one by just under Ford Champion. Garth open-wheeler drive in and two heats saw Ambrose the second in Tander from 3s at sweeper the of inside the Tander currently leads Europe or the US claim the round with his two turn one and stayed in front Blanchard who got past the Australian Formula Most memorable while Tander gave him plen- Zerner to claim third place. wins, Tander grab second, Ford Championship with in Formula moment while Zerner's fourth and ty to worry about putting the Phillip Scifleet finished 5 victories from 6 starts. , Ford: Winning the pressure on around the back behind Zemer with Cotter in third gave him third overall Likes: racing cars, sixth. Kelly crossed the line on the day. opening round of the of the circuit.

Chrissie (girlfriend), "This has put us back in Australian Formula The pair came back into in 16th place. water skiing the race and it is a great view around the Corporate Ford Championship at confidence booster, " said Hill side by side with Tander Race2 Calder Park Dislikes: over-aggresafter the round.

Ambrose better m4ch a go_t Ambrose hand, upper the gaining sive drivers, heavyMost admired local dri"I am still 22 points meanwhile Ambrose was start with Zefuei·getting into banded stewards, the ver: John Bowe behind Garth but this is a ever so slightly edging ahead second ,for a short time, lack of corporate support for motoraro~nd the drought breaker and I reckgetting Tander driver: Schuey second. international for battle admired the Most of sport in Australia The order on lap four was outside to reclaim second as on that at Lakeside in the Most respected competitor: Marcos Three words that you would use to from they went around Corporate next round we will be able to leading Ambrose Ambrose bridge the gap," he added. describe yourself: tall, thin, Tander with Kelly still locked Hill.

Favourite catch-phrase: Doh! Kelly was fighting his way Points: Tander 132 , Ambrose determined on his tail and Craig Zerner moving up to fourth ahead of through the field attempting 110, Zerner 76, Kelly 74, Ritter 64.

~

A fast minute with ...

Cl

1,1,."

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Garth Tander

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Neltronics handle the promotion, supply and warranty work on behalf of these manufacturers. Cobra even sent their as Neltronics Au tralian representatives, to the Indy Car Grand Prix on the Gold Coast, where Cobra was a major sponsor of one of the participants - the Bettenhausen Motorsports team. to brings Neltronics

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-~ -~- ~- ................................................... ~~~- ~-...............

526June1997 ............................................ ......................

W..~ct~fJ!.P.f!fl

Courtneyrobbe of WorldCupin closeJapanrace FACTUAL ... PI mini dash system is perfect for karts. (Tony Glynn pie)

After dominating the 1997 version of the Ayrton Senna Cup, World Memorial Australia's 1995 Junior World Champion James Courtney has missed victory in the superprestigious Formula A event by just 0.236 seconds.

Courtney was beaten across the line by Japanese Biesse/Rotax driver Kosuke Matsuura on May 25.

Second only in status to the World September annual Championships, the World Cup annually attracts the world's best karters to the Suzuka circuit in Japan.

Unfortunately, the weather was less than kind to competitors, a monsoon dumping five inches of rain on the Suzuka region on the Saturday alone, which meant that qualifying and heats were held in almost impossible conditions - iri fact, had the meeting not been the world event, it would have been cancelled.

Be that as it may, after being baulked on his best timed lap, Courtney qualified fourth with his Tony Kart/Vortex/Bridgestone entry and finished the heats in fourth and secondpositions.

From there, Courtney went on to win Sunday's pre-final (which was held in dry conditions) by a corn-

Data loggi.ng telemetrj,·now approved Data logging devices are to be legalised for Formula A by the next round of the CIK series.

Following some dispute over what constituted a data logger and what was a readout (ie: tachos and exhaust temperature gauges), a meeting was held between CIK Series co-ordinator Graeme Roberts and the Formula A drivers, at which the drivers present unanimously agreed that they supported E racer and former Formula 250cc National Australian champion John Pellicano has split from the partnership with Sam Safi after a rather bitter fall-out.

The split saw Pellicano without a drive at the last round of the Australian titles at Eastern Creek and Safi spannering for Alan Rose, who went on to finish fifth· overall.

A

runner of the long-time Stockman MR2 chassis in both the National and Formula E classes, Pellicano is now to swap to the much talked about Zip Eagle chassis, although he will retain the use of the Yamaha powerplant - he is ordering a brandnew unit from the overseas factory.

W

ith the Championship having run two rounds and with one round remaining, the top five for each class is as follows.

The 125cc championship looks to be pretty well wrapped up, with Peter Worrall (153 points) holding a commanding lead of 26 points over Warren Perry (127), who is effectively the only one who can snatch the title from him.

Third placed Warren Mcllveen is back on 199 points. and Roy Francescato (105) is fourth and leading John Coughlin (103) by only two points.

the legalization of data loggers and

PI systems for their class.

"This is the top class, so the cost isn't really an issue," series leader David Clark said.

Several of the competitors already use such systems for testing, but disconnect them for racing.

The recommendation will go before the next Sprint Kart Council meeting for ratification.

- EDWARDKRAUSE

as is former Australian 1OOngb champion Jeff Reed, who did not run at Eastern Creek, but whose hearing has been deferred.

While Les Prziovski retained his points, it did little to affect the championship, as he was back in - fourth place with 76 points and with no hope of retaining the number 1 for 1997.

Series leader Ian Lennox has with Ross Hansen snapping at his 128 points and is followed by heels and only one point further in Darren Formosa on 114. arrears.

Ray Collyer is third with 82, All three drivers hail from New while Mark Hough is fifth on 74 South Wales, so the title-holder and in with a chance to complete will come from that state. the series in third.

Out of contention in fourth place on 104 points is Malcolm he Formula E championship is Cancian and rounding out the five being led by David Baker is Len Ariano of Victoria.

(133), who is yet to win a round, but has been consistently in the rian Stockman's hold on the results.

250 National title is a slender With 129 points, second-placed one, to say the least.

Charlie Lambous has the best With 143 points, he leads by chance. only four points from sensational Gerard Siebert, with 108, is Chris Staff (139) and in with a slim seemingly out of contention. chance is Roger Tapperon (123).

It must be remembered, The two Queensland runners though, that Siebert came from will be giving Stockman a good third last year at Lakeside to run for his money and any hiccup clinch the championship - this will be disastrous for either runner. year, however, he really does Fourth in the championship is need both Baker and Lambous to Mike Crossland (104) and fifth is have some non-finishes.

David Holdforth (87), way out of Fourth in the championship is contention for even a minor plac- Hayden Larner (99), who is coning! tinuing his sensation debut in the class and fifth is Victorian Gary he 100cc championship has Haywood, with 59 points. always been a cliff-hanger in the past and it will be again this he final round of the champiyear, due in part to court actions. onships is to be held at Mallala lost his at a date to be sorted in Zulian Anthony Tasmanian points '.3ndis out of it, November.

T

B

T ot all classes are so clear-cut, Nwith the. 80cc championship

set for a thriller, Troy Byron on 133 hanging on by a mere 12 points from David Marks (121 ),

T

fortable 20-plus kart lengths.

In the final, Courtney led the first ten laps, before allowing Matsuura to lead the remainder, Courtney planning to slipstream the Japanese driver towards the end of the race and make a pass.

"I managed to get ahead of him at the start," said Courtney, "but I couldn't get away from him and decidedto ease off and let him back past.

"Once he was ahead, I pushed him really hard in the hope he'd wear his front tyres out."

With two laps to go, Courtney made the move into first spot and was just 1370 metres away from winning the,World Cup. However, coming onto the start/finish straight for the last time, CoU1tneytook the wide racing line, which allowed Matsuura to pull out of Courtney's slipstream and the two drivers crossed the line side by side, the fans not knowing who had actually won.

However, the Japanese driver had narrowly beaten the 16 yearold Australian to the line and the World Cup title.

Courtney, who had Jarno Trulli's mechanic, Lucio Cavuto, as his chief pit crew for the meeting, was

pleased with his performance, but still obviously disappointed to have gone so far and not taken the win.

Courtney finished as the highestplaced Tony Kart driver in either class, a fact that was not lost on the Italian factory.

This is Courtney's second season as a works Formula A driver with Tony Kart and he has already reinforced his formidable reputation in Europe with some impressive performances in this year's Emopean Championship.

With two rounds completed, Courtney presently lies fifth overall and will be hoping to improve his position in round three of the European series at St Arnaud, France, on June 13-15.

The other Australians competing did not have as good a run as Courtney.

Ryan Briscoe, who stunned the world karting fraternity when he took pole in the first round of the European Formula A championships recently, struggled with his Dunlop-shod CRG kart on what is a Bridgestone test track, Briscoe eventually finishing only 10 laps and ultimately being classified 20th.

- IAN SALVESTRIN

LES IN STRIFE ... Dunlop importer Les May is sporting a cast on his left hand, the result of a workplace accident.

May was working on James Sinali's Wynns Trailer while standing on a drum and fell off, breaking his wrist.

- EDWARDKRAUSE

Mclntyresand Hansenstar at PhillipIsland The 80cc gear box and 100cc non-gearbox Superkarts were invited to race at the 1997 Victorian State racing series at Phillip Island two weekends ago.

Qualifying in the 80cc was dominated by Ross Hansen, who set a fastest time of 1:58.42, with Darren Dunn next (2:05.84) and Mark Grange a further 3.45 seconds behind.

The best of the 100ccdrivers was a relative newcomer to Superkarts, Michael Vallangeveld stopping the clock at 2:10.94,comfortably ahead of Jason McIntyre (2:15.83).

Hansen put in the drive of the weekend in the four-lap heat 2 after his kart stalled on the grid and he started a distant last.

He drove through the entire field, putting in a fastest lap time of

1:56.93 to win by two secondsfrom Roby Canuti and Doug Ward.

The final race was much closer, with Len Ariano - after a disastrous weekend at Eastern Creek the week before - finding some pace to mix it with Hansen, Canuti, Ward, Dunn and Colin Watson and finishing third.

The McIntyre boys, Colin and Jason, had their race set-ups the best on the day and fini hed .06 seconds apart in the second heat, with Rod Pickett coming third.

The final race of the day saw the Mclntyres dead-heat and Pickett third again.

Vanlangeveld's good qualifying effort came to zero with a spin and a seized motor.

The next Superkrut meeting will be the Gold Nugget at Winton on - GRAEME BURNS June 8.

Rwa@[l~.

KARTI

o [l[J

NG

1991 6June

•••••••••••••• ·············································································································~··························································

53

Battleresumesat k WillowbanCIK CIK ACTION ... #1 NSW champ Alan Gurr at Orange. (Edward Krause)

The second round of the prestigious New South Wales Premier State Cup was held at the Lithgow City Raceway on May 24-25, Adam Hunter taking out Senior National Heavy after overcoming Darren King with two laps to go.

Sponsored by Toyota, the NSW Premier State Cup is run over two days, with an excellent format of qualifying followed by two 12-lap heats, an 18-lap pre-final and an 18-lap final.

Nine classes were contested and the Combined Districts Kart Club, in association with the Toyota Premier State Cup committee, worked extremely well all weekend to host an excellent event.

Round two of the Australian CIK Class Championships will take place at the Willowbank Kartway in International Queensland over the weekend of June 14-15. premier karting Australia's series opened at Orange over the first weekend of May and now moves to what has become one of the best race meetings on the Australian karting calendar.

The 1100-plus metre Ipswich circuit lends itself very well to inter-

national class racing, one of the very competitive as more drivers reasons for the track's construction. join the field.

The battle in Formula A is set to A full support program includes continue between first round win- the Resa Piston Port class, Clubman and Junior National, with ner David Clark, Nick Agland, these classes racing under lights on Ryan Wlodzinski, Gary Dann, the Saturday night.

Darrel Smith andTyson Pearce, while local Richard McLeodis set to With the V8 Supercars racing on return to the scene, along with a the same weekend less than an number of other notable drivers in hour away at Lakeside, it will be worth dividing your time between the rotary engined class.

Troy Hunt will be the man to • these two national championship beat in Intercontinental A, while race meetings.

- IAN SALVESTRIN the Junior A class is expected to be

Huntertoo goodat Lithgow David Hardy, Alan Hunter and Despite the presence of national champion Neil McFadyen, it was Matthew Burrell finished 1-2-3 in Scott Withers who completely domi- Senior National Light, despite the nated the Junior National Light best efforts of the likes of Oceania class, taking four straight wins Champ Chris Cox, former national Peter champion Natasha Jahn, Anthony of McFadyen, ahead Hamilton, Nicki Kjaer and Simon Petrilli and Jason Kerr, who were in contention all weekend.

Roberts.

An excellent field of 24 drivers Jeff Cooper was simply too good for the Clubman Super Heavy field lined up on the grid in Piston Port and took a relatively comfortable and it was Daniel Gadd who led for win over Brett McFarland and Rudi most of the weekend.

But it was John Metham who Farkas, who followed Cooper to the came through in the final, Metham flag.

coming back from Formula Ford to lead home Gadd and Queensland's Darren Suhle, Dean Harvey and David Burch.

Sprintcar champion Brooke Tatnell finished ninth driving for Haase karts.

In a controversial Clubman Light final, Wesley May took the provisional win - however, he was excluded from the results after a racing incident on the pit corner.

May has appealed the decision, Troy Farley finishing behind him

on the road, ahead of Brendan Dive and Troy Hunt.

Cid Maroun and Brendan Conte were the main protagonists in Clubman Heavy, Maroun taking the win ahead of the Gold kart driver and David Knight.

Queensland's Mitchell Boulton took out the Junior Clubman class from Grant Chalmers and Neil McFadyen, while Tim Moylan won Junior National Heavy from Jason Varley and Nathan Sinclair.

- IAN SALVESTRIN

Aussiesin Japan

OUT OF LUCK ... CRG driver William Yarwood didn't figure in the World Cup results. (Edward Krause pie)

You're invited to be art of Australia' stest growi motor

Richard McLeod, driving the Adelaide's Gary Dann, driving Australian-made Azzurro chas- • for PCR in Formula A, was only sis, impressed at Suzuka dur- 0.2 seconds from the fastest time during dry practice. ing the 1997 Ayrton Senna But Dann struggled through Memorial World Cup and qualified for the final, but was elimi- Saturday's wet qualifying and heats on uncompetitive wet tyres nated on the first corner. and was ultimately destined not to Racing in Formula A for Birel, make the final.

Ben Horstman also failed to William Yarwood was also com. qualify.

Horstman has been blisteringly peting in Japan for CRG in the quick throughout the year, but has Intercontinental A class.

However, things did not go to struggled with continual engine failures - the Birel team has virtu- plan and the Queensland driver, who is currently third in the ally written off the European Champs and is focusing all its Australian Championship, did not efforts on the World Title in France feature in the results.

- IAN SALVESTRIN in September.

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, ne o u ra I s Nigel Greenway,is now offering for sale his bo with all the facts and figures on Australia's lead Championships, the SHELLATCC,Super Toure Formula Ford, Formula Holden and Production Now you too can get all the same information t h ommentators and ·ournalists use.

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PH: 03 9308 6633 •~~'l>c:,~ 0 Factory 1/8 Cummins Drive FAX: 03 9308 6622 MOBILE: 0418 506 613 Somerton, VIC 3062•

PO Box 6330 Shepparton Vic 3632

COATINGS

The best high temp coatings for your he.aders and exhaust components New or Used.

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HI-PERFORMANCE 308-35S C.I. STROKER CRANKSHAFT

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Set Consists of:

Alloy steel [Reynolds/Chrome-moly) Cagesfor all forms of racing

1. Transmitter 2. Receiver 3. Control Unit 4. Display Screen

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O Bolt~n half or full street/strip cages Fully welded mult~pointcompetition _. cages for top-level motorsport

.__ _______ # Rev Counter # Lap Timer with 25 lap memory

# Shift Light

-$39

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SPECIAL OFFER: Purchase all three videos for just $110.

THE SMALL BLOCK CHEVY - shows you the parts necessary to build a

Vic 3450

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with everyday high performance engine building techniques .

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NEW NODULARCASTING CNC MACHINED,GROUNDTO "SUIT308 RODS, TOLERANCES

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CAMSHAFT INSTALLATION

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All purchases subject ta a postage & insurance charge; 1-$6, 2-$8, 3+-$10

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Quick, Accurate, Easy.Use pedestal or hand drill - cut 0-50" in square or round tube up to 2 3/8" diameter. Steel construction, large cutter shaft with needle roller bearings.

For more infonnation on all of our quality Austro/ian-made products, contact:

SPEEDWERX PO Box 6330 Sheppar,ton Vic 3632 ------.:~_J Ph 014 406 980 or (03) 5827. 1359

Units Home SAME DAY FLIGHTS TO MOTOR RACE MEETINGS

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8 MAURICERD, WANDIN NORTHVIC 3139 PH: 03 59643 761

1997 55 6June • ~ f?~..................................................................................................... .!i0mfJ!!?f!'.? . . ......................... ......................... ·~ 0 ••

C: Sedans

Escort Twin Cam, 1970 model, mint original condition, 3rd owner, 5 x Aunger 13x6 mags with P6 tyres, Everything on this car is original. 68,000 miles. Always dry stored. $12,500. Also avail Escort Twin Cam '72 model, Red Pepper, straight and complete, needs restoration. $6,000, or engine and gearbox $4,000. Ph: 043 676 734 or 0412 676 734. 103

Ford Cobra XC Coupe, genuine vehicle. build No44.

351c, 4 speed manual, 300hp engine, immacualte condition Vout.one of the best examples available. All matching numbers. ideal for motorsports or normal street use. $18.500. Contact Bob. Ph: 08 8243 1122(BH0 or 08 8449 9196(AH). 100

HQ Race Car, new Marsh seats, Bilstein susp, three engines, roll cage, spare wheels, a perfect first race car. $3,500. Ph: 0412 539 300 or 0419 373 552. 102

Very Rare Commodore Rally, one of 18 made by GMH, never raced, needs work, no tyre kickers please. $15,000neg. Ph: 02 9540 1494(AH). 102 AUSCAR Sportsman, ex Nathan Pretty, rolling chassis complete less motor. ideal for 1st car buyer, comes with spare set of rims, struts, radiator, 5 point fire system, new 5 point harness. Excellent cond. Musi sell. $8,900ono. Call • Ben. Ph: 0414 798 174. 102 NASCAR Oldsmobile Cutlass, 600HP, 23deg engine, comp·lete ready to race. $18,000. Call Mark. Ph: 07 5539 6700(AH) or 07 5527 8456(BH). 102

QLD Gemini Series Car, no expense spared, very competitive car, must sell. Reduced to $4,100. Ph: 07 3207 0689. ,03

Nissan GTS-R, 1990, all factory options, climate control, sun roof, CD, Turbo Timer. alarm, 42,000km. in as new condit1on. 220hp, RWD, Australian compliance. Urgent Sale. $31,000ono. Ph: 02 9524 1199(BH) or 02 9544 0363(AH). ""

AUSCAR Sportsman #02, 96/97 season top 6cyl point scorer, 12 outright, "Best Presented" award '96 meeting.

XF Falcon. built 1996, strong engine, only raced 9 me~tings, never bent, all components new, fire system, fuel cell, 2 sets wheels, Autometer guages, lights etc. Ready to race and win. $17,000ono. Call Tony Howlett. Ph: 0418 830 465. ,02 Commodore HSY Club Sport 1997, brand new, never driven. sold with 12mths reg, lots of extras.

Unwanted prize $60,000ono. Ph: 046 262 427. ,., Subaru RX Turbo Liberty, 4WD gearbox, Bilstein suspension, Autronic, top HP engine, steel roll cage, Kevlar seats, recent rebuild, Rally winner. Lots of spares. $POA. Ph: 02 9654 2239(AH). ,01

Falcon XC Fairmont 1979, show car trophy winner. perfect while paint, new 351, chrome braided, disc rear, FMX auto shift kit, reg and RWC. $14,900ono. Ph: 03 9728 4641 or 018 036 500. 103

SLR Torana LX, 6cyl auto, one owner with books, low Km's, factory air, remote cent lock, alarm, stainless echaust, custom interior, Kenwood sound, Buthurst mags, maintained regardless of cost, 12mths reg and NRMA report. $8,700ono. Ph: 0412 278 012. ,03

Datsun 180B SSS, full rally set up, ready to compete, spare motor and gearbox. wheels. Great performer. $3,250ono Must Sell. Call Fred. Ph: 07 3890 2783. ,02 Rover Vitesse Sports Sedan, 5000 Chev VB, Carillo rods, dry sump, alloy heads, Holley carb, triple plate clutch, Top Loader box, 9" spool diff, 13" vented front discs, alloy 4 spot calipers, 12" rears, fully adj. susp, 16" wheels fig front, door skins, hatch and flares. $19,000neg with spares. Ken Nelson. Ph: 07 3281 4255(BH) or 07 3281 7361(AH) or 07 3812 3436(FAX).102

ROH Commodore Cup Car, Sports Sedan or Club Car. New H/D gearbox, fresh engine, Trump set-up and running gear. Can be purchased with or without engine(s).

Very competitive car. $26,500ono. Ph: 08 8382 7755 or 018 821 206. ,02 Nissan GTi-R, Dean Thighes· excellent Group N Pulsar, currently 1st O/R Q.R.C., fully prepared, fresh engine and turbo, complete with spares. Suit rally or GT Production. ,02 Ph: 07 3844 4283 or 0419 774 441.

Subaru Legacy RSR, full Gp.N rally car, Drummond suspension, Prodrive computer, lamp-pod, Compomotive wheels, etc. This car is ready to go, including spares package. $27,500. Phi 08 8322 3536 or 0411 176 160. ,02

Galant 2 door, very fast and reliable, has Turbo bottom end, rego to Sept. Heaps of spares. $3,000. Ph: 065 625 794. 102

Austin Healey BN2, Interesting Australian racing history, Le Mans spec engine, chrome wire wheels, good everyday useable Healey, in private collection for over 25 years. $27,000 Ph: 09 9781 4927. "" Ex Larry Perkins, VL Group A Commodore, Complete 1n Group A trim. new paint, spare front air dam, 4 wets, complete re-build, forced sale, genuine buyers only. $40,000. Ph: 044 416 865(AH) or 0412 428 536(mobile). 103 HQ Race Car, body in excellent condition, runs well, lots of spare panels, will trade for road car. $3,800ono. Ph: 03 9408 8159 or 015 568 177. 103 is selling his successful Ford O'Brien Charlie Thunderbirds, located in Melbourne. Both cars have lapped Thunderdome in low 27sec. Will seperate, i.e. chassis and engines. P.O.A. Ph: 0418 755 388 or Fax: 07 5530 1078. 102

Torana XU1, original rally red, immac cond, Globe Sprintmasters. new tyres, rebuilt engine, Owned by mature enthusiast, suit Group NC or sprints, RWC supplied. $9,800. Ph: 03 5968 3059. "" Ford Escort Mkll, 2 door, seam welded, five link rear, 310mm front discs, Willwood Superlite calipers, disc rear, quick rack. Tarmac arches. Group 4 Bilsteins, 2-1/4" coil overs all roung. $7,500. Ph: 0418 441 664. ""

RX3 Coupe, ex Club Car rolling chassis, genuine 1975 model, could be restored but needs TLC. $1,500 or consider trade. Ph: 0412 323 941. ,02

TR7 VS, ex works, built 1978 by Leyland competition dept., orig. cond., 300HP engine, c/r gearbox, LSD, 4 wheel discs, competitive Targ·a car, genuine enquiries only. $50,000. Sydney. Ph: 02 9451 8866. 102 Commodore VNSS, 250+KW, 354 stroker, Perkins manifold, Malec, complete rebuild. Best equip, Bilstein's, Simmons 17x8, would make ideal GP Rally or Club Car, low Km's. Reg to 11/97. $25,500. Ph: 03 9704 1608. ,02

Ford VG Capri, ex condition with new Chris Milton engine. Race as Club Car or convert lo Street Sedan. On lilt trailer with original log book dating back to 1975, reced

by Seton, Skaife and Daley. $12,000ono. Contact Bob. Ph: 08 8449 9196(AH) or 08 8243 1122(BH). 102 NASCAR Pontiac, complete car $30,000, Car plus pit gear, wheel and radios $35,000, Car, pit gear and 18deg heads $40,000 or $44,000 with all of above plus Jerica and road diff/rear end. Contact Paul Kell. Ph: 0411 199 781 or Gene Cook 03 9336 2999. 103

continued over page

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CATEGORY: D Speedway D Drag Cars: D Sedans D OpenWheelers D Other D Photographs General: D Parts D EnginesD Trailers □ Wanted

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East Coast Modified Chassis, in kit form with body, 4 bar or coil, new car. $2,800 Call Scott Foy. Ph: 049 336 671. 102 Sprintcar 1992 Roller, Taggnotti Hi-Bar, alloy dift, splined wheels, etc. $10,000. Ph: 06 297 2818(BH) or 06 297 4445(AH) or 018 630 408(mobile). 102

Mazda RX2 Club Car, Just strap in and race, log book, fresh Mildren 13BBP, Needham box, Volvo brakes, recently re-shelled, full cage. harness and seat. Very reliable.

Call Darrin Field. Ph: 0417 804 537. 101

Class 5 Karmann Ghia, unraced since ground up rebuild, car built to class 1 specs, Porsche 2.7/tr engine, 2Itr race box, Wright stubs and arms, Bi/stein's, UMP p/steer, Beard s/seats, Diesi belts, braided lines, body moulds, all parts and chassis brand new, need finishing. $15,000. Ph: 03 9428 7597. 101 AUSCAR VP, 315cc motor, 360bh 270km, super T10 box, Harrop rose jointed front end, four spot calipers, adj susp, all balanced running gear, VDO guages, Hurst shifter, pit equipment, churns, rattle guns. Heaps of Ph: 03 9579 2986 or 015 spares. Call for full list. $25,CXJ9.

800342. 101 Sunbeam Tiger, conversion 1965, 302 Ford motor and Top Loader. Make ideal historic racer, etc. $15,000._Toriy • Alkins Ph: 02 9525 7410. 100

LJ Torana Sports Sedan, mid mount fresh engine and gear box, C/R Detroit locker, rose joint susp., fibreglass front. Has done official 54.02sec at Amaroo. $6,950 Ph: 02 9970 84 18 or 0419 634 708. 101 AGSR Turbo Rolling Shell, 16 point Reynolds 531 cage, CAMS log book, 16 14x6 wheels, two complete turbo engines, two 5 speed g/boxes, heaps of spares. $5,000ono. Will seperate. Ph: 015 800 648. 101 VN SSV Commodore, full aero kit, genuine wheels, Yokohama tyres, performance chip, Brock exhaust. Only 73000kms, V6 3.8/lr'easy insurance rate. $20,000ono. Ph: 03 5023 5759. 101

Speedcar 93 Beast, Mitsubishi Pajero motor, Winters ditt, Spline wheels, HPD power steering box, KSE Tamden power steering, fuel pump, car built with all good gear.

Complete with trailer. $25,000. Ph: 07 3267 5211. 1o;

Super Sedan Commodore, quick change dill, coil overs, ready to race, will sell complete or as a roller. $POA. Ph: 03 5996 2263 or 0419 388 192. 102 Historic Group M Car, Whitford Special, reco engine, reco Hollinger gearbox, with log book. $28,500. Call Don Ph: 03 9459 7002. 102

Hi Bar Gambler Sprintcar, ready to race, plenty of spares, less engine. $12,200. Ph: 07 3888 4915(AH) or 015 127 945(BH). 102

Sportsman Commodore, Rolling Shell complete with front spoiler, extractors, suspension kit, seat, sway bars, modified K frame windows etc. All parts new. $4,000ono.

Ph: 03 5447 2186. 101

Super Sedan MB42, Graham Cowland VR Commodore, rolling chassis, less engine, very competitive car. $12,000.

Ph: 08 8534 4016. 102

Speedcar complete sellout, Harris Highbar, 13B rotary, Hilbourne injection, dry sump, splined diff, p/steering, heaps of spares. Will separate or sell complete. Ph: 02 9604 5430. 102 Modified Production TE Cortina, 250 cross-flow methonol engine, 4 speed. fully adj. susp., 15" wheels, very competitive car, ready to race. $POA. Ph: 03 5996 2263 or 0419 388 192. 102

Open Wheelers Lola F3000 T95-50, excellent condition, only six races old, with spares. Also '94 model Lola and Reynard available. Excellent pricing with flexible settlement. Call Steve.

Ph: 08 8371 3700 or 015 397 622. 11Xl

Lola F3000 T91-50, 1991 ex Stewart Racing UK, converted by Lola UK to Formula Holden spec. Ex Gibson Motor Sport, ready to race. Spares available $75,000. Call Andy (NZ). Ph: 64 9 828 5253(AH) or 64 9 416 9940(BH).

102

Clubman Kart Techno, KT100S engine, just rebuilt, blueprinted, perfect for new karter, spares. trolley, stand Excellent all round performer and winner. $1600ono. Ph 02 9876 1071. 102 Off Road Class Nine, Datrally FJ20, Micro Dig, 1.

Albins Porsche G50 5 speed, Bi/stein, Eibach. Wright.

CNC. Porsche, A/bins, SAW, p/steer, centrelines, all good gear, sell complete or separate. $POA. Call David. Ph: 048 836 906. 102 Spectrum 0SC, complete ex Bargwanna car, maintained by Borland Racing, Dorian included. $30,000.

Contact Paul Kell. Ph: 0411 199 781 or Michael Borland 03 9580 5236. 11Xl

2 Litre Cortina Sports Sedan, injected twin cam Toyota six, steel case box, 4.4:1 locked, rose joint suspension, full cage, registered bogey trailer. Includes spare engine, gearbox ano dill. $4,750neg. Steve. Ph: 067 665 977. 100 Commodore, rolling body shell with full cage and drivers seat mount, suit Commodore Cup, Rally, Club Car etc. Pro Built car. $2,500 Adelaide. Ph: 08 8380 5519 (BH) or 08 8380 5559 (AH). 100 Ford Ute, XC '78, 4.9 VB,auto p/steer, dual fuel, air cond, alarm, Pioneer stereo, 137,000km's, 6 mths rego. SUT897. $7,500. Ph: 060 273 345 (AH). 100

Speedway

AUSCAR VP Commodore, ready to race, 100% legal car, fire system, remote oil system, Shane Lowe top HP engine, spares include g/box, suspension, components, big brakes, shokers, springs, heaps of spare panels. 3 sets of tyres rims, fuel churn and more. $27,500ono the lot.

Ring Owen. Ph: 059 776 455 or 015 534 058. 101

Clubman Kart, AX5 Ultima, brand new engine, well developed throphy winning chassis, trolley, stand and numerous spares. $2,30Qono.Ph. 02 9487 2448. 102

Compact Speedcar, Datsun 1400 motor, 45deg ports, dry sump, motor layed over 55deg, fuel injection, Pro shocks, quick change ditt, very quick car. Rob Rawlings, Ph: 062 916 717 or 0411870037. 102

Formula Vee, Sabre '95, fresh engine, adjustable shocks, long and short gearboxes, spare wheels and tyres, enclosed trailer, nothing to spend, just go racing. $POA. Call Paul. Ph: 0419 575 701 or 03 9439 7580. 103

Aston Martin Vantage, VB 1979, everything original bar tyres, very fast, great Targa car. Genuine buyers only $75,250. Aaron Jones. Ph: 049 224 066 or Josh 049 293 300. 101

Lotus 20 Formula Junior, recently rebuilt, log book. includes trailer. $55,000. Call Don. Ph: 03 9459 7002. ,02

Super Sedan, chassis and body kit, 099, comes complete with front suspension and steering, includes 3 front wheels and tyres, Pontiac Firebird body kit, all tin work and radiator. $1,500. Ph: 07 3800 6101(BH) or 09 3200 0652(AH). 102

mance motors. One new race motor, one used race motor, 4 Cobra seats, two race seats. $11,000 the lot, NEG. Ph: 03 9793 5588 or 0418 361 399. 100

.Mazda RX3, 808 coupe, 2E Club Car, 13B extended bridge, lightened rotors, 51ml Webber, 5spd, 4.4 locker, winner 1996 NSW supersprints, 2nd NSW hillclimb. $5,500. Ph: 049 695 664 or 018 493 102. 101

Fraser Clubman, 1993 model, factory built, full ADR compliance, 4500kms, never raced, eligible for Marque Sportscar. As new condition. $34,000. Ph: 049 596 796. 101

Formula Ford , Spectrum 05, complete car Is m excellent cond1t1on,comes with strong Larner engine spares include 5 roll bars, 6 pushrods. 6 steering arms wishbones, bell cranks 3 exhaust systems. spare nose cone, engine cover plus more. $22.500. Glen or Ken Hastings Ph 03 9480 4040. tlXl

Kart, Tony chassis, Yamaha Ctubman S motor fully rebuilt by Pro Karting, new carby, new Dent hydraulic brakes. nose cone, spare wheels, digital tacho, trolley. stand, spares, enclosed trailer. $2,750 the lot Ph· 03 9318 4568. 102

1995 Vauxhall Cavalier Super Tourer, Ex Ray Ma/lock BTCC "WORKS" car driven recently by Russell lngall. Potential winner. $135,000 Du)ies paid (less on reimport). Bruce Partington. Ph: 02 9482 2470. 100

BMW Alpina, 1980, 6cyl fuel injected, 5 speed Getrag, LSD, Recaro's, OLD rego 4/98, 207DSY. $8,500ono. Ph: 07 5462 2415. 101

.f1:

0 ••

HQ Race Car, well-built and presented, extremely competitive, new engine, Ridiculous price, $4,000. Ph: 02 9824 8086or0411171212. 100

Sprintcar 1991, Hi Bar chassis kit, comes with complete set of panels, nerf bars, engine plates, dash, floor, pedals, brake lines, radiator ducting, torsion bushes, fresh powder coating. $1,800ono. Ph: 03 5248 3044 or 015 050 435. 102

Mazda RX3 Club Car, 13B B/P, Hallech injection, big radiator, S5 turbo g/box, HD I/shaft, factory LSD, 4 spot brakes, braided lines, Centreline susp, 12pl cage, and much more. Road registered in Vic. Consistent winner, large range of spares incl wheels, tyres, springs etc. $11,000ono. Jeff Ph: 0418 568 997(BH) or 03 9842 9301(AH). 101

0

Super Sedan new chassis, roll cage with all pick up points including rear sliders, ready for your running gear, filled with interior and EF Falcon body $4,750 or new Pontiac body $5,350. Taking orders now for a limited time only. Call Frank. Ph: 045 725 949. 103 TD Cortina, 4.1 alloy head, 4 speed, 500 Methanol Holley, full cage, alloy seal, 3" harness, wing, 13" Hoosier, Mccreary 14" radials, car fresh. Urgent sale. $3,500neg.

Ph: 07 3886 0896. 103 A-Mod Commodore VK, AX78, 3.3 methanol, roller cam, auto !rans with pedal, quick steer and power head, Bi/stein susp, very competitive. Spare dill, wheels and tyres, panels and more. $10,000. Wayne King. Ph: 03 9715 1188(AH)or 0418 510 111(Mobile). 11Xl

1 00NGB, 1996 Mig rolling chassis, Superkart Horslman clutch. wets, 1997 Lennox aero kit, no engine, CAMS log book, This is Australia's fastest 100NGB(H) Superkart. Must sell. $3,000. Call Andrew. Ph: 03 9435 3240 or 0419 382 017. 11Xl

Southern Cross Mk4 Challenger, 95 & 96 National class 6 Champion. built to win with no expence spared, highly modified legal engine with dry sump, B1tstein·s, Sway Away, AT/ bladder tank, braided lines throughout, Diesi bells, CNC pedals, etc. best presented car last race $10,000. Ph: 03 9428 7597. 101

Go Kart Haase, chrome moly chassis, 40mm axle, fresh powder coating, New clubman KT100s motor done one meeting only. Excellent condition. $2,700. Ph: 03 9560 9564(AH) or 015 565 614(AH). 11Xl Formula Vee, Renmax Mk2, complete and ready to race, includes good HP Kleinig engine, car well maintained, top ten car. $7,000. Chris Cummins. Ph: 02 9876 3446(AH) or 02 9709 4655(BH). 11Xl Go Kart 1997 Swiss Hutless Maximo, 40mm axle, quick release tank, vented disc, immac cond, Parilla Sportsman engine, top end just rebuilt, very quick. $3,200.

May Trade. Ph: 07 5446 1278.11X) Go Kart 1997 Benson, A-Bearing dual hydraulics, 2nd in Twin series, immac, engine overhauled and blueprinted. $3,300 Ready to race. Replacement cost $5,700. May trade cheaper Kart. Ph: 07 5446 1278. 11Xl

Elfin 600 Formula 2, Historic Group o. log book, twin cam Lotus Ford and MkV Hew/and Fully restored and ready to run $46,000. Ph 03 9874 5887(AH). 101 Off Road Single Seater Buggy, 1600 twin cam turbo intercooler, 4 speed Renault gearbox, disc brakes.

Simpson belts, SAAS seat, Centrelines, Fox Shox Yokohamas. Fresh and race ready $19,500 Ph. Mick Myers 07 5535 2888 (AH). 100

Tell'em you saw it in Motorsport News

57

CLASSIFIEDS l@0®£?~• o(P[/ ........................... .............................................................................. ..............................................................................

Getrag 5 Speed gearbox, direct drive top, Contact

13.5:1 pistons (10 of),Venolia 6" aluminium rods, Romac

Gearbox, Ford T5, manual 5 speed, excellent cond, very

balancer, HV Mellings oil pump, B&M flex plate, Crane

little use. $850. Ph· 03 9720 5667. 103

roller camshaft 625 lift, Rollmaster timing set. All balanced

Top Gun 10mm leads New $75set, Mallory Pro Wire

and fresh. $3,250. Ph JB on 0412 169 510. 103

Van Diemen RF96 1 '96 Australian Championship

Porsche Transaxle, 5 speed, suit front ormid engine

Winning Car. Immaculate condttion, No expense spared in mainlaining. Available immediately complete or as rolling chassis, All data and advice included. $36,000 Rolling Chassis. Ex Besnard Championship winning Larner engine, tuily rebuilt, dynoed, No Miles. $8,000. Call Ian Simpson. Ph: 0418 721 776 or Michael Simpson 0418 769 896. •'13

configuration, fitted with 75% Quaife locking diff. As new condition. $3,600. Ph: 07 5593 7133 or 07 5526 8288. ,03

Formula Vee, complete and ready to race. Just painted, looks great, with trailer 55000. Ph: 0411502237.

10,

BBS RSII wheels,

18"x10" rear, 18"x8.5" front, suit Porsche. Available with or without Falken RX tyres, as new. $3,800. Ph: 07 5593 7133 or 07 5526 8288(AH). 103

Jnr ported manifold $300, 9/16 Cola crank $1,700, Manley H-Rods $1,250, Lunati roller cam, rev range 3800-7600RPM, Crower r/lifters, rev kit, push rods $850, Crane billet r/rockers, 1.5 with stud girdle $650. Call Frank Ph: 045 725 949. 102 Victor

RX7, ex Moffat Harrop floater assy, complete. $1,900. Ph: 03 9437 1628. '"'

Ford SVO, intake manifold, Jack Roush B302, suit 302 Windsor to SVO high port aluminium heads. New $400ono.

Ph: 046 284 736 or 015 351 302. 10, Ford SVO, solid roller camshaft, B-330, new-still in box. $250ono. Ph: 046 284 736 or 015 351 302. 102

Van Diemen RF90, Available complete or as rolling chassis, huge spares package including FULL car set of wishbones, pushrods, track rods, elc. 2 nose boxes (one new), top body, one full sel of wheels, var size new rose joints etc. Many 91 and 92 updates. Rolling Chassis $19,500ono. Ian Simpson 0418 721 776. 103

Chev 331cu, 4 bolt mains, steel nitrated crank, Ross

Ralph Price. $1,200neg. Ph: 03 9531 1088. 1m

8mm leads $40set, Hi Temp Super Stock 8mm leads New $40set, Kinsler hi-speed leanout $60, Blanced steel 8" New $50, Puralator filter - aircraft type - braided fitting $50, 331 & 30deg Venolia pistons - gas ported $320set with rings. Ph: JB on 0412 169 510. ,03

Mazda 13B Bridgeport, Rotamotion / Hilbourne fuel injection system, dry sump, electronic ignition, Series 3 heat exchanger, competition water pump, needs a rebuild but otherwise OK. $2,850ono. Ph: 02 9604 5430. ,02

Ford 351c Engine, fresh engine, Manley, Edelbrock, Rollermaster, ARP, Hi Energy, Acee! disy, Taylor leads, Cam Dynamics, TRW, Mellings, Ross, Holley, 4V heads, 4MA crank, s/steel valves. Over 450HP. $5,750. Anthony.

Ph: 02 9310 7258 or 018 295 510. ,02

Commodore VN VB, 345 stroker, Perkins injection manifold, Motec, complete rebuild, roller cam, rockers, balanced Tate sump etc. Consider swap with stock EFi VB plus cash. Test Drive. $8,500. Ph: 03 9704 1608. 102

Nissan FJ20, 21tr, forged pistons, cam etc. Max BHP 196 @ 7000PRPM, max torque 154FT LBS @ 6000RPM with Webers. Now has fuel injection (Webers avail $500) $3,300.the lot. Call David. Ph: 048 836 906. ,.,

Racing Tyres, Fa/ken RX, 245x45x17", near new condition. Only $200ea. Hornsby. Ph: 0414 610 870. 102

Trailers/Transporters

6cyl red, complete dry sump kit, pump resevo1r, hoses and clamps, belt and pulleys, out of LJ Torana Sports Sedan. Suitable for any red 6cyl. Excellent oil pressure. $750. Ph: 02 9628 7269. 10, Holden

works. $POA. Call David. Ph: 048 836 906. 102

Mkll Cortina, 265 Hemi, Kayver converter, all running gear, four runs old, car runs mid 12s, roll cage, Holley blue pump, alloy door trims, Urgent Sale $4,500ono. Call Mick.

Ph: 043 992 170. 103

FREE, LX hatchback fibreglass panels, front end, steering seat, Nissan Homer rear end plus other parts, no motors.

Ex Super Sedan, take the lot. Ph: 03 9725 1239: 103 Brake calipers - 2, 4, 6, 8 piston, new/used, large range, spares/pads available. Priced to sell. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Oil coolers - Earls, Setrab, Serck, 7-60 row, used/new, large range. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Clutches - twin/triple/four plate, 7.25/5.5 sintered/carbon fibre. Spare covers, rings, plates. Used, new. Ph'. CCI 018 925 767.

Brake discs - 7" to 14" new/recorv'used,vented/solid,drilled, Ph:CCI 018 925 767. undrilled, steeVcarbon/a!uminium.

Mazda RX4, 350 Chev, 500hp, Powerglide, trans brake,

Gearbox - Hewland DGB 5sp, new Emco CWP, 2 diffs -

9 inch, ladder bars, MT slicks, Autometer guages, pearl paint, tech inspect., plus much more. $12,000ono. Ph: 03 5330 1346. 10,

spool/Salisbury, air jacks to suit if required. No damage, exc. cond. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

1968 Super Modified, 265 Hemi engine and box, O'Toole fibreglass body, lots of history. $1,200. Ph/Fax: 03 5475 2801. ,oo

Also, master cylinders, pop valves, bias cables. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

JAGGED Edge, excellent Top Comp dragster, can run flat sixes to high fives. Will sell as a complete turn key package. Full fact sheet available. Call ROMAG, Bob Brackam. P.O.A. Ph: 07 3376 7244 or Fax: 07 3376 6876 (BH). ,oo

Parts Commodore Full Floating Diff, new, 3.08 LSD. $2,000. Ph: 03 9805 9256(BH) or 03 9803 2608(AH). 103

Fully Enclosed, Formula Ford race trailer, professionally built, polished aluminium, mag wheels. $6,000. Ph: 0418 318 866 or 03 9435 5908. ,02

fuel injection for Phil Irving aluminium head, complele $1,500. Also ex Honda F2 (Euro) V6 slide injection throttle bodies, magnesium. 2 Pair avail $1,900 pair. Call Barry. Ph: 08 9361 8257. 103 Mechanical

Assorted

parts available,

Koni coil over shock absorbers, double adj, one pair 213mm to 303mm long, one pair 275mm to 550mm long. Three races old $900 per pair. Alumimium Sump for dry sump conversion of VW Golf motor, never used. $250. Ph: 03 5244 1025. ,oa

Many Assorted Escort/Sierra parts, 5 speed Quaife straight cut close ratio gearbox, rose jointed shifter, done less than 1000km. $2,500. German RS2000 steering wheel, clock pod, front & rear Bilstems, bellhousings, diffs, 13• x 6" RS alloys, Globe alloys, boot spoiler, many other components available $POA. Call Neville. Ph: 043 676 734 or 0412 676 734. ,03

Tandem Trailer, fully enclosed aluminium/steel frame, storage dimensions 14'.2" x 6'.5", lockable doors both sides and rear, tailgate and headgate, automatic application and power brakes. Registered. $POA. Ph: 03 9547 3860 or 0419 343 368. 103

Leyland Coach Transporter, has been especially converted to transport a race car, currently used for NASCAR team, fitted with ramps, elec winch, storage bins and seating for nine crew in comfort. Powered by a Leyland T11 Turbo engine (just refitted) and a 10 speed Road Ranger g/box, Spare engine included. A great unit that would suit almost any race car, Good Cond. $20,000.

Ph: 03 5996 4022. '"'

Other Adelaide Grand Prix Memorabilia, laminated official posters from 1985, numberedBendigo PotteryAlfa 158 plates, officialprograms.CallTrevor.Ph:08 8431 5465(AH)or 0419 810 826.1m

Autocourse, most copies from 1951 onwards, also bound copies of Autosport,1955-1957,Molor Racing 1956-1965.Good condition,Offers.Ph:02 94992445. '"'

Car magazines, 1980to 1983,Wheels,Modem Motor mainly, any offers.Good condition.Ph:03 5244 1025. ,en

Wanted

Tilt Tray Truck, '81 Isuzu SBR, recond engine, dual fuel tanks, cradle for a second car, chrome wheels with good tyres, new interior trim, mobile phone, many extras.

Ideal race car transporter. $28,000. Ph: 06 241 3417. 103

NASCAR Crew Chi~f Required,

Due to a major

reconstruction of 2 NASCAR learns, we require the services of 2 experienced people to take over the role of Crew Chief for a 2 car team. We have a '97 Ford

Pedals - brake/clutch, hanging/floor-mount, incl bias bar.

Thunderbird and an Oldsmobile. Renumeration will be discussed in person. Applicant must have previous NASCAR For more information

please call John

Radiators - aluminium/brass, 1, 2, 3, 4 core, new/used,

experience.

various sizes large range. Priced to sell. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Maultsaid. Ph: 03 9770 0613. 1m

Spoilers - ex Gp A front VP, Vr, carbon fibre/fibreglass.

aditional keen and eager people to join our 2 car team for

NASCAR Crew Members Required, we are seeking

Must clear. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

the 97/98 NASCAR season. Prefer people with some

Wings - ex Gp A Commodore, Porsche Cup. Also alum single/dual plane, suit sports sedan, used/new. Ph: CCi 018 925 767.

Uprights - Cast/fabricated, front/rear, new/used, large range. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

.-.: NASCAR experience but happy to talk to those willing lo

Fully Enclosed Trailer, 26ft long, 8ft wide, 6ft hjgH, rear door, side door, tri-axle, torsion bars, annexe with side wall. Excellent cond. Will Deliver. $10,500. Ph: 0414 546 645. 10'1

learn. You will need to fit inot a professionally presented team. Primarily a volunteer position. All expenses met by team. For more details call John Maultsaid. Ph: 03 9770 0613. 103

Engines

AUSCAR Alloy Wheels,

(Four) 14x6 Shadow five spokes, to suit Suzuki Swift, Holden Sarina, Laser uplo KE and Capri wilh reasonable tyres. $450ono. Located in Melbourne. Ph: 0418 823 4 75. 103

Nissan UD Turbo, extended cab, 180HP, 6 speed, new professionally built body, while inside and out, stainless steel, aluminium, colourbond· used t/out, low K's, reg, lockers, very clean. $24,000ono. Ph: 03 5248 3044 or 015 050 435. 102

Gear Set, Hew/and FT M Section, 18:30, brand new in box. Ph: 08 8269 5233(BH) or 0419 401 542(AH). 10'1

Off Road gearbox, Albins Porsche G50 5 speed with

Drag Racing

351V8, auto, air cond, p/steering, ideal tow vehicle. Can deliver anywhere. $14,500ono. Ph: 08 8382 7755 or 018 821 206. 102

202 Holden Engine, fully rebuilt, balanced and blue-

BMW/Commodore steel rims. Phone of Fax for details. Ph: 06 254 2909. 102

son, fresh Elliott top HP molor, new paint, new tyres, nothing lo spend, just get in and win races, NO EXPENSE SPARED The best available. $12,700. Mark White. Ph: 03 5971 1961(AH). 1m

Ford F100, walk through van, 2 LPG tanks plus petrol

printed, fully worked head, roller rockers, Hi Energy sump, McGee injection, will sell with or without. $POA. Ph: 03 5996 2263 or 0419 388 192. ,02

Slicks, new and used, 13• to 17". Race wheels 13" and 14 "x 10" for Toran a and HO. Weis, near new on

Formula Vee Elliott, comple/e/y rebuill for 1997 sea-

6June1991

Lolus Sports Racing Car, built Qld c1961, raced

Holden 253, engine has just been rebuilt, would suit

Lakeside

Sportsman or Commodore Cup car, professionally built, Top HP. $4,200. Ph: 03 9805 8256(BH) or 03 9803

Construction history required for log book. John Mason.

May '62 - July '63. Driven by S. Everell,

Ph: 02 950 2273(AH). 103

2608(AH). 103

Tamiya 1/12 scale Ferrari 641/2 (F190 - Alain Prost No1).

Porsche 2.7 Carrera RS spec Engine, 195hp, com-

Willing to pay very reasonable price, built or unbuilt. Very

plete rebuild 26,000kms by Autohaus Hamilton, complete motor with exhaust. $6,0006no. Ph: 02 9524 1199(BH) or

Posters of Holden factory team and privateer cars from

02 9544 0363(AH). 103

Ford 250 Crossflow Turbo, fresh engine, complete rebuild from fan to flywheel, nothing to spend, 450hp at 9pounds. $3,000. Ph: 02 9837 4063 or 019 652 934. ,03

Ford BOSS 302, fresh engine, new steel crank and rods, all new parts, aluminium water pump. Cost over $12,000 to build will sell for $5,000. Ph: 02 9837 4063 or 019 652 934. 103

Ford Sierra Cosworth 21trTurbo motor, gearbox, inter-

Chrysler Hemi, 6 cyl baffled oil sump, crank scraper,

cooler, fuel pump, computer and loom. T3 Turbo and all

new sump plug. $85. Ph 08 8280 6131. 103

ancillaries. $10,000ono. Ph: 0418 441 664. ,03

desperate. Ph: 08 8379 0172. '"'

Gooseneck Race Car Trailer, 30' long, 8" wide, alu-

Bathurst prior to 19~8. Also any Malboro HOT items. Ph:

minium floor, six wheel, electric brakes, rear ramp door with spring, side access door, registered. $11,000. Call Terry. Ph: 03 9359 9769. ,02

048 222 938 or 019 126 463. '"' Sports Sedan, small car, Escort or similar. Prefer less

Trailer, 41 feet long, 1984 model, double drop deck, top condition. $35,000. Robert. Ph: 045 731 338. ,02

Fully Enclosed Trailer, 26' long, 8' wide. Alum clad, side door. Ex cond. $5,400. Ph: 03 9587 1883 (AH). ""

Hino

Diesel

Pantech,

equipped for large car, Superwinch, 5KVA Honda, full annex, towing set up, quick, reliable, fully serviced, registered, phone, UHF, VHF, CB's, Will trade road car. $Offers. Ph: 067 659 200. ,02

running gear. Around $3,500 to spend. Call Peter Yates.

Ph: 03 5881 2908(AH) or 017 980 958. 102

HQ Race Car, looking for a competitive car that is ready to race. Fax details (NT). Fax: 08 8947 3511. ,02

DESPERATE!, experienced race mechanic with the will to learn all aspects of touring cars. Wanting full time work with top Touring Car team. Will travel interstate. Call Anthony. Ph: 0412 048 322 or 03 9580 6740. ,02

····································/j(j!@_(J~p:~[ ... ...........~.~.~.~~············ ...............................................................CO ....1997 ......6June .58 ,

A MurphPhan

Look beforeyou leap Dear Sir, The main reason for this letter is to set the record straight for all the viewers of the V8 Supercars.

Contrary to popular belief, Mark Skaife did not jump the s~art in the first race at Eastern Creek. I must admit that from where I sat in the grandstand it looked like a jump start. But, after watching slow motion replays at home, I have discovered that he did not leave the grid until the light was green.

What I would like to know is why can't the officials watch a replay before they penalise people? It would not take long.

A good showing could have been Mark's ticket to a sponsor, but his brilliant 10th to first was ruined.

Editorial Editor David Hassall

Editor Technical Tony Glynn nt Editor

ssist

Phil Branagan

Gr

phics

co-ordinator

v,varumby

Advertising d ertising Gera

Manager

McDornan

Ising P,1ulBurfitt

Representative

Dear Sir, I am writing this short letter to request any information you may give me OD HRT's Greg Murphy.

I am a huge fan and would appreciate it if you could give me an address for any fan mail.

I hope you can help me.

He is absolutely right about the time slots given to Fl GPs OD Channel 9.

They don't show any footage live because they're always 'out of time' or waiting for the previous night's movieto finish.

I still stayed up to see the Spanish GP, although I am extremely pissed off at the timing of the Canadian GP.

Frank'n Chuckrule, OK? Dear Sir, I just recieved your latest issue no 101 and being a very keen drag racing fan, especially of the NHRA, I always take a great interest in the overseas action.

I just had to write to let you know about a mistake on page 44

Administration

Contacts 89 Orrong Crescent Caulfield Nor lh VIC 3 161 (PO Box I 0 I 0 f orth Cilulfield 3 16 I ) S27 7744 Phone: 03 Fax: 03 9S27 7766 Email: msnews@ozonlfne.com.au CompuseNe: 1002n,116s

Contributors General.Mike Kable. Jon Thomson, Brian Reed. Dr1rryl Flack

FI: Joe Saward. Adam Cooper Europe.Quentin Spurring. Ian Bamsey, Gwyn Dolphin US Bruce Smith. Phil Morris NZ:Jotm Hawkins Speedway.Dennis Newlyn, David /\kNat)tJ. Wade Aunger. Geoff Rounds. Mark Ner1le,David Lamont.

Chris Mercalf. Sue Hobson.

Tony Millard (UK) Rally·Peter Whitten DragRacing:Gerald Mc.Dornan.

Greg Ward. Jon Asher (USA/.

Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas. Sreven White.

Ken Ferguson. Scott Jug SuperSpeedwayMamn Clark (USA/.

Brett Swc1nson.Sean Henshelwood.

Karts.lr1nSalvestnn, Allan Roark.

Graeme Burns. Edward Krau~e LAT. Dirk KJynsm,th.

Photographers.

Zoom Photogr<1ph1cs.Neil Hammond.

Nigel & Diana Snowdon.

Sean Henshelwood. Brad Steele.

Thunder-Pies. Marshall Cass.

Mike Harding, Brisbane Mororsport.

Frank Midgley, John Basher.

Phil w,11,ams,Mike Pctmck(UK/

END OF THE AFFAIR ... Legendary Peter Perfect will be sorely missed by his legion of fans. (Tony Glynn pie)

On a happier note, I would like to congratulate Motorsport News. It is a wonderful coverage of all events.

I would also like to congratulate Channel 10 for their coverage of the Supercars. They definitely do a better job than Channel 7 did.

Congratulations.

which shows a picture of alcohol funny car star Frank Manzo where you say it is Chuck Etchells.

You can't fool everybody. Sorry guys!

RGales Blacktown, NSW ED: Er, sorry, yes he did.

'Thanks for the letter. The car was having a little move and I just jumped it' - Mark Skaife.

Craig Christerson (no 1 John Force fan in OZ) via E-mail ED: Sorry, Frank and Chuck.

You're right, we're wrong. Our drag racing caption man has been punished by having to watch races longer than eight seconds.

Mouysp1xt News Ply lld AC:NNo 060 179 928 nc,,< C Wmt>JPr1f~~"~''J'"9I- D H,,;sdli,A G\T'n

Brockthe heartbreaker

Closethe FrenchOpen

Publisher: Cl.ilmbden Printedby: WilkeColor37-4'JBrov.m RdClayton 3168 by: Distributed

Dear Sir, It's with sadness I read of Peter Brock's retirement, but we must respect his decision.

I hope you realise how many hearts you're breaking, Brocky!

Dear Sir, Congratulations on a fine century! MN is the best magazine out there for all us motorsport enthusiasts. I like my Fl news hot and that's the way I get every fortnight.

Regarding the letter published (R. Venn-Brown)in Issue 101 about Channel 9's coverage ofFl.

NEWS,, µac,;,sh<:dt>yAuwa1awn MOTORSPOIIT

r ..

NOD Ltd M,llcr;,,1 publoshed :-,y MOl C'RSJ'OITTNEw; ,, • rt-r,ro.1urrx.t !ri fu!! or :n ror:,1,ghr dnt! ,n.:1ynot h ... of U1t~ pt-"'rn111,s1on tht" \Vrtttf3'1 µ,ut \\.!thour ,trf" w1..-ftonlt'. puhli\tlt"'r f-rt•f'l,1na• tont,ihurmn\ 11\,.,n l1ncJ v.h:lc ~!I ,.,,e w.tl bP t.Jkr.n . .\l.J\l~<•l...

Ncwc. !'ry Ud UOt"'> not ,lc.Ct'Pl Mororspnrt ,c:spon--.1b:IJt', fo, ddm~gt~ ur IO\'i ,lf tn,'1ll'ldl

Chris Thomas Richmond, VIC

Miss Judy Lacrosse Doonside,NSW ED: The SP on Murphy is that he's fast, single and usually nattily dressed. Write to him at HRT, Clayton Business Park, 1508 Centre Rd Clayton 3168.

Put Qs on the cover Dear Sir, Congratulations on 100 issues of Motorsport News. I purchased a copy of the very first and have not missed one since.

On page 16 and 17 of Issue 100 you have 35 reproductions of front pages and of those, 30 have a picture of either a Falcon or a Commodore, or the lead story is Group A. Enough!

Could you please find space on the front page for a photograph of a NASCAR, AUSCAR or Sportsman or, even better, a whole bunch of HQs. I agree you give super speedway great coverage, but some of the photos you have inside wouJd look terrific on the front page.

I feel better now.

Once again, congratulations on the first 100 and I look forward to the next 100.

Bob Smith North Blackburn, VIC ED: Thanks for the kind words.

But do you really think WE put too many Commodores and Falcons on the cover?

In their infinite wisdom, Channel 9 have decided to show this race at 12:30amon Tuesday morning (June 17). I think it is because of the upcomingFrench Open tennis.

I agree with most things he said, but I am, however, glad to hear that 9 bas the Fl rights for another five years, because the quality of their broadcasts is great.

I can't imagine watching a race without Daz and AJ doing the fillins.

It's just like the way Murray Walker is synonymous with GP commentating.

I would rather have Daz and AJ than Bill Woodsor John Smailes.

In future, I hope that Channel 9 can be more committed to their GP coverage,as I don't have cable - nor do I intend to.

Thanks and keep up the fine work.

Dear Sir, I noted with interest the item in your last issue referring to the Women in Motorsport Association (WIMSA) and would like to point out that women have never been prevented from competing in motor sport of any persuasion.

WIMSA clearly bas an incorrect perception of its own members' real worth and obviously has not had a clear look around to see who has competed when or where.

Haven't they ever heard of Sue Ransom, Christine Gibson or even Rachelle Splatt? All had excellent opportunites, two even running for works teams, while the other set a world record - but I guess I'm just bitter because I'm a mere male and can't get into LP's third car.

David Baker, Davidson,NSW

Reg Hill Lake Mundi, VIC

Nothingsexisthere, mate

\ubrn:tt<..~d

On•njons expit-1:i.jed ;n MutCr"Sf>O'lN~

;ire not

nert \\,Jf1IV th,""!'-l' of AtJ\tr,lld'i.•Jn M,tors;)()(t Pt.yLtd u:-:r~l,l.i-df

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