Motorsport News Issue 103 - 20 June-3 July 1997 by V8 Sleuth

(NZ SS.95 inci GST)

20 June -3 July

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»● RELATIONS between Shell Australian Touring Car Championship con tender Russell Ingall and a number of his rivals have reached bod ing point. Both title rivalb, John Bowe and Glenn Seton, along with HRT's Greg Murphy, are demanding stricter applica tion of the judicial system as the championship enters its critical final stage.

/ By CHRIS LAMBDEN This follows the dismissal of charges against Ingall after a race one incident at Lake'side, in which Ingall's car contacted Mark Larkham's Mitre 10 Falcon, which spun and was badly damaged after being hit by the Commodore of priva teer Ian Palmer. An irate Bowe also con demned Ingall's driving tac tics during the post-race press conference after a race three

incident between the pair in which Bowe maintains he was dangerously squeezed towards the fence by his Castrol Commodore rival. "He's the dirtiest driver I've seen in 25 years," an angry Bowe told Motorsport News on Monday. "Blocking is one thing - and I'm the first to block, but fairly - but you don't drive people off the road when they're almost alongside. Continued Page 4

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jhE ENFORCER: Russell Ingall seems to have made some enemies with his forceful driving, including John Bowe from their Lakeside battie on Sunday (below).

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Bro<k set for 2L Bathurst Vectra

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By PHIL BRANAGAN

THERE are strong moves to get nine-time Bathurst winner Peter Brock onto the grid at the AMP 1000 on October 5. While there is talk this week that his 2-litre drive was a virtual certainty, the big question is not only ‘who’ but ‘what’ Brock will drive. With the possibility that he may drive a Vectra whether it’s a Vauxhall, a Holden or an Opel - British Touring Car ace John Cleland is the front-mnner to share the driving duties with Brock. to close Sources Vauxhall’s BTCC team have confirmed that the duo could share a car at both the 5-litre and Super Tourer events. News that Brock would drive a Super Tourer at the ‘traditional’ Bathurst event swept Lakeside last week end. But one of the snags in the decision-making process is who will actually make the decision. It appears likely that Brock will drive a

Vauxhall/Holden Vectra. The question has been discussed at management level between the two GM affiliates and some sources suggest that the deal has been done, save for work ing out whether the car will be badged as a “Vauxbair or a ‘Holden’ and whose signage would be carried. HRT sponsor Mobil is common to both teams. If the decision rests with Mike Nicholson, who signs the cheques for the British race program, and Holden Motorsport Manager John Stevenson, it appears cer tain that it will happen.

RIGHT: Cleland in the BTCC Vectra. (Photo by Nigel Snowdon)

IMG plans for Brocktober

PLANS are well underway for the weekend of Peter Brock’s final race, the Australian 1000 Classic on October 19, to be a tribute to the retiring legend. Departing IMG motorsport chief Tony Cochrane said at the weekend that talks had already

been held with Brock about a number of initiatives aimed at honouring the multi-Bathurst winner. Among them is a search, which has already begun, to locate all nine of Brock’s race-winning cars for a special parade.

“There’s no doubt Peter’s retirement is a tremendous boost for the race,” Cochrane said on Sunday, “A huge number of fans will want to be present for Brock’s ^final race, so I’d reckon a crowd of 40,000+ is a shoe-in.”

By JOE SAWARD

NASTY SCENE... Olivier Panis is transported to a medical ambulance after his horren dous accident at Montreal, which left his with both legs shattered. (Photo by Zooom) where X-rays revealed that he had suffered closed dou ble fractures (the tibia and fibula bones) in both legs. He underwent an opera tion on Sunday evening and a number of pins were inserted. It will take at least three months for the bones to heal properly and probably longer before Olivier is fit enough to race an FI car once again. It is unlikely that he will I

Cameron McConville is the manmost-likely on the short list for the fourth seat in the Shell Helix team for the Sandown 500 and Australian 1000. The Audi Super Tourer driver, who drove for DJR in 1993, will share the second car with Steve Johnson. McConville has confinned the approach from the team and told Motorsport News, "I think I'm one of two or three people they're speaking to, so we'll see what happens."

■ One of the men treating the injured Olivier Panis in Canada was the assistant chief doctor, Ronald Denis. Imagine Panis in his condition hearing the words, "It's alright, Olivier, my name is Ron Denis and I'm here to help you..."

Continued next page

be back in action this season, The injuries appear to be rather worse than those suffered in March by Christian Fittipaldi, who was able to drive an Indycar last week just 65 days after breaking a leg at Surfers Paradise. The Panis crash, which was probably caused by a brush with a wall nine laps beforehand, is likely to bring calls for major safety revisions for the Montreal

circuit, which has very little run-off area in places where accidents may be caused by mecbanical problems. This is largely because of the lack of space on the He de Notre Dame, It also leaves Prost Grand Prix and Bridgestone in a very difficult situation as there is no obvious stand-in for Olivier - who is lying third in the World Championship standing.

Alain Prost may choose to hire Emmanuel Collard who had been rumoured as a likely replacement for the Shinji uncompetitive Nakano earlier in the sea son. Collard has done thou sands of miles of testing with a variety of FI teams but has never taken part in a Grand Prix. Alain may prefer to look for a driver with FI experi ence and in this case the obvious choice would be Martin Brundle, who has driven for Ligier on two separate occasions in the past and knows the team well. Martin could slide easily into the job as Olivier was being engineered by Englishman Humphrey Corbett. Of course, Martin is cur rently employed by the British ITV television com pany as an FI commentator. Brundle was racing for Nissan at Le Mans last weekend and was replaced by CART racer and former FI man Mark Blundell, but he could be replaced at ITV by another former Grand Prix driver, John Watson.

McConville to rejoin Shell team

■ The youth policy looks like spreading, with the rumour this week that Jason Bright may be a serious contender for the berth alongside Alan Jones in the Komatsu team. You heard it here first...

Panis to miss season?

OLIVIER Panis has bro ken both his legs and will be out of action for at least the next three months following a heavy crash in the clos ing stages of the Canadian GP. He is expected to be replaced - probably for the rest of the season - by either Frenchman Emmanuel Collard or veteran Brit Martin Brandle. The Frenchman’s ProstMugen Honda suffered a rear suspension failure in Turn Five, a fourth-gear 150mph sweeper. The car snapped to the right, clipping the wall on the inside of the race track and then cannoning across the circuit and into the out side wall, which is right beside the track. The tyre barriers proved to be virtually useless as the car went underneath them. The impact was such that the front of the car was torn off and the fi'ont section pivoted around onto his legs, causing the injuries. Olivier was later flown by helicopter to the Sacre Coeur Hospital in Montreal

20June 1997

■ Reports that former FI dri ver Martin Brundle may partner Peter Brock at the Australian 1000 are well clear of the mark. Despite all the rumour and spec ulation, Motorsport News' usual ly reliable sources expect Brock’s partner to come from within HRT's current pool of drivers ... ■ A formal launch for the Australian 1000 is scheduled for Bathurst on the day following Oran Park's final SATCC round. A naming rights sponsor is expected to be announced. ■ While it's been a tough year so far, a little bird tells us that Mark Skaife will be back behind the wheel of the Gibson Motorsport Commodore for, potentially, the remaining three rounds of the SATCC as well as the Australian 1000. ■ As the last issue of Motorsport News closed for press, a CAMS Tribunal met and upheld Larry Perkins' appeal against disqualification from race two at the Sandown SATCC race. Perkins, who regained the 20 series points lost at the time, commented this week: "These Stewards are going to have to think about the way they're operating. The number of charges brought recently which have eventually been lost is veiy high ..." ■ Most leading Super Tourer drivers are scheduled to appear at a public press conference at 7pm today (Thursday) at the Official All Star Cafe in Melbourne’s Crown Complex. The public conference, of course, precedes this weekend's third round of the BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Championship at Calder. ■ Foi-mer FI designer Ralph Bellamy has left Tony Longhurst's Falcon team. "With the fallout and budget tighten ing from the Ellery departure, T(wiy told me the team could no longer afford my wages," a philo sophical Bellamy told Motorsport News this week. "I'm looking for another spot wdth a serious team," he added.

20MeW97

(^®0®[FS[p®n^{} n Plans are in the wind for the HRT Young Lions Commodore to make a race appearance or two shortly. While the young sters have done several « tests, team manager Jeff Grech confiiTned this week that race miles were now an important priority - especially for Steven White, who has no other racing going on at pre sent. n Major announce^ ments ai-e expected from Motor Racing Queensland, the gi’oup behind the proposed Willowbank circuit, in a couple of weeks. Final cir cuit plans are in CAMS' hands, while the club has been meeting Queensland Government ofBcials with a view to obtaining formal funding to assist in track construction. n Jeff Gordon retains the NASCAR Winston Cup lead after Sunday's round at Michigan, despite finishing behind four Fords. The Chevy dri ver now has 2110 points to lead Mark Martin(who finished third) on 2064 and Terry Labonte (out of the placings) on 2001. Full report next issue.

Verdict leaves Larkham cold

MARK Larkham has expressed strong dis appointment at the outcome of the Stewai-ds hearing into his clash with Russell Ingall last Sunday. The Stewards spoke to both drivers, the closely following John Faulkner and two track officials, and inspected both cars before issuing their ver dict.

They issued a lengthy summary of their find ings which, in essence, confirmed the evidence given by Ingall and the two officials that the con tact was left-front to right-rear, and not front bumper to rear bumper as claimed by Larkham. They concluded that

“given the whole of the continued on and won evidence, there is enough race three - so good luck uncertainty to prevent us to him for that. “However, I feel there finding the charge proved.” is perhaps a little more to Following the verdict, this particular case than published on Monday, meets the eye. I certainly Larkham took the unusu- feel ‘hung out to dry’ on al step of issuing a state- this one. ment: “Fortunately this sport “With regard to the has provided me with a second lap incident at broad set of shoulders. I Lakeside I am obviously have no further interest very disappointed with in hard luck stories, my the Stewards’ findings. only intention now is to “It was plainly obvious remain entirely focused as to what happened out on showing the true of camera’s view at turn potential of this team, two. I gave my view, “As far as this particuwhich was consistent lar Ingall incident goes, I with the many observers will let the hundreds of I have spoken to. race fans on the hill at ‘Blatant’ was a frequently Lakeside be the true used word. judge - you will hear no MORTIFIED ... Mark Larkham after the shunt. ' (Photo by Dirk Kiynsmith) “In any case. Ingall more from me.”

Seton, Lark@

n Former US Indycar driver Howdy Holmes recently reached a level of fame he never managed as a driver - he made the front page of the Wall St Journal. Holmes was involved in a battle for control of the family com pany, Jiffy baking mixes, with his brother Bill. And, just like a racer, Howdy won. n David Coulthard has expressed confidence that he will be retained by McLaren next year.‘T cer tainly won’t be the first to know if I’m staying or leaving,” he confessed, “but I very much hope I will be staying. I don’t see any reason why they would want to change me. I feel I’m doing a good job. I have made mistakes, but I am still learning...”

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MARK Larkham and Glenn Seton expect to be at Wanneroo in two weeks’time. Both Falcons were dam aged at Lakeside, Seton’s in his solo accident, Larkham’s as a result of his contentious incident with Russell Ingall. Seton’s Ford Credit car sustained serious front dam age, the floor was crinkled a bit and the right hand front rail may need to be replaced. But championship leader Seton expects the car back from the panel beaters by this weekend and a complet ed race car later the follow ing week. Larkham’s Mitre 10 car suffered major left rear sus pension damage, with the air-jack crashed into the roll cage at the left-rear.

Brock set for 2L Ingall under attack Bathurst Vectra Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 3 “I would LOVE to do the race with Brock,” said Cleland this week. “He’s the man: he’s THE Bathurst man. “And he couldn’t do it in an Audi, could he? He would have to do it in a Holden.” He is equally confident of winning the race. “The current car is a little slow but it is very consistent, reliable and easy on its tyres. It would be a wee weapon at Bathurst.” The 888 Vauxhall team, which is co-owned by Derek Warwick (who is also keen on coming to the October 5 race) is due to debut its 1997 Vectra at Croft next month so engineering a ‘1996 and a half car especially to go

1000km would not present a problem, The other input in the decision regarding Brock’s October 19 partner is likely to come from 'Tom Walkinshaw. The Scot, a former Bathurst driver with Jaguar and Holden and a great fan of the event, is keen to send out his Volvo BTCC team to tackle the AMP 1000 and may push for Rickard Rydell to stay on to drive 05 two weeks later. Rydell was entered to share the drive in the num ber two HRT car at Bathurst in 1994 but, after he missed the Sandown 500 and his substitute Craig Lowndes did such a good job, th,£ Swede wasn’t needed at Bathurst.

“The choices were to hit the fence or turn him around. I didn’t. “It’s dangerous and unnecessary. “He (Ingall) has come out of the week end without penalty. You have to ques tion how the judicial system is working. “It’s getting dangerous - and there are people out there, not me, who believe in an eye for an eye ...” Ingall went on to win the third race having started the day’s opening race with no clutch and from pit lane - and has closed to within just eight points of championship leader Seton. But the man who has been nick named The Enforcer is unconcerned by his rivals’ problems; “Over many years in motor sport and I’ve been racing since I was 14 I’ve never met a happy loser,” he said. “I only sort things out in one place and that’s on the track. “To me it sounds like the complaints are coming from people who are under pressure for the championship or are

worried aboutjob security ...” “In this case. I’m happy with the Stewards’ decision. They let me off for no other reason than the evidence; the facts all went in my favour, and that’s to their credit. “At the moment I seem to be the fall

guy every time something happens.” No charges were brought by the Stewards in relation to race three. Seton and Murphy have both queried the effectiveness of the judicial system; “I just hope there is a system in place that will control the next three races,” Seton said on Tuesday. “The championship is up for grabs and there are some who will do any thing to win. “All these things seem to be happen ing with one person. “I hope it doesn’t get down to being dirty at the last round.” Murphy, too, fears the worst: “It’s getting dangerous. The champi onship is stuffed. Cars are getting wrecked and no-one is doing anything

about it. “It seems nothing will be done until someone gets hurt! “He (Ingall) just seems to get away with it. Others put one foot wrong and getjumped on. “Who’s running the show? Dick spears across into me at the start of race three, takes out the steering and nothing is done about it. “I tell you, it’s not good ...” Tim Schenken, Race Director for the Shell series, is happy that justice is being administered correctly: “We shall continue to monitor driving standards as we have done all season,” he said on Tuesday, “and they will remain as explained to the drivers at the Drivers Briefing. “If drivers step out of line, Russell Ingall included, they will hear from the officials. “In the case of the Ingall/Larkham incident, the Stewards found that the facts supported Ingall’s version of events.”

5 Excellent package for V8s 20JmW9/

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Villeneuve slated for comments JACQUES Villeneuve received a reprimand from the FIA World Motor Sports Council last week for comments he made in the Gennan magazine Der Spiegel. The FIA stressed that it

was not ^^trying to stop Jacques from having opinions hut rather to stop him expressing them in an offensive way. His comments - which were printed in the last issue of Motorsport News - includ ed the description of the new rules as “total crap”. The council said that criti cism is fine if it is done in a dignified and responsible manner and not using short, shaiT3 four-letter words. Villeneuve agreed that the words used were inappropri ate but argued that they had been probably been mistrans lated by the journalist who had written the article. “It’s just a warning,” he explained, “ which means I might get a suspension next time,if there is a next time.

“The problem is not what I’ve said but the way I said it. I should have used other words.” As soon as the meeting was over Villeneuve flew back to Canada on a Challenger pri vate jet made available to him by Canadair, the compa ny which huilds the planes. There does not appear to be much suppoid for Villeneuve among the other FI drivers. Some may agree that the new rules make the cars more difficult to handle hut they argue that speaking publicly on the subject is a naive way of trying to get things changed. World Champion Damon Hill has said that Villeneuve’s comments are “total non sense” and that “It should still be difficult to drive a FI car”. He said that the new rules “put the onus back on the drivers to show what they can do with an unwieldy beast with more horsepower than grip.” -JOESAWARD

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STROM IN A TEACUP ... The British Lister Storm did not quite live up ten Mark Skaife’s (Photo by LATDigital) expectations and his first atempt at Le Mans finished early.

Skaife fails to Storm Le Mans MARK Skaife made an unsuccessful Le Mans debut last weekend with a DNF in his first drive in the French classic.

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DiSAPPOiNTED... Jacques after crashing in Montreal.

Despite the mishap it is believed that the team was impressed with his attitude and driving and the former Bathurst win ner has not ruled out a return to the event in future years.

He skipped the Lakeside round of the Shell ATCC when he received an offer from Lister Storm team manag er Laurence Pearce two weeks ago. Skaife, who drove with ex-Formula 1 driver Julian Bailey and Brazilian open wheeler specialist Thomas Erdos, was put out when Erdos planted the car into a wall/after 10 hours.

AFTER two weeks of whis tle-stop discussions with teams, TEGA Executive member Alan Heaphy esti mates a 36-car field for the Australian 1000 Classic on October 19. Heaphy has spent the time outlining the virtues of AVESCO’s new entrant

Bailey qualified the car right next the more fan cied David Brabham-dri ven Panoz, despite having a series of minor prob lems in qualifying. One of these afflicted

“It’s always challenging to drive something differ ent and sports cars have always appealed to me,” he said.

Mark Skaife Skaife who, when he went out to learn the circuit in the (dark) Wednesday qualifying session, discov ered that there were no braking markers on the Mulsanne Chicanes, which were being approached at over 330kmh.

He flew to England straight after the event and is expected home tomorrow (Friday), The front-engined, Jaguar V12-powered car, which is sponsored by United Newcastle Football Club, went to the French sports car classic after winning the most recent round of the British GT series out right.

package to car owners around Australia - including the privateer package, which offers a Control tyi-e deal. Dunlop will supply the tyres, which will be a ‘97 spec Japanese Dunlop, expected to be tested shortly by Larry Perkins. Heaphy expects 13 Class 1 starters (current TEGA Level 1), around 10 Special Class 1 (Privateers opting out of the Control tyre con test) and another 13 Class 2 cars (privateers taking part in the Control tyi’e offer). “It may change a couple either way,” he said on Tuesday, “but that’s about the number.” Distribution of the $750,000 prize/start pool is spread sufficiently down the field that the outright win ner will still receive the $100,000 offered under the old regime. Big winners are the mid field/privateer entrants, sharing in a $77,000 prize pool, $5000 for the top quali fying privateer, and a start money purse extending all the way down to 40th spot. Tyre subsidies wj.ll be on offer to Special Class 1 or the first 30 Class 2 entrants, with two free sets of Control tyres for Class 2 competitors. AVESCO Chairman Wayne Cattach summed the package up; when Our promise launching the Australian 1000 Classic was to improve conditions for our teams at the country’s premier race. This package honoui’s that.”

now faces Frank South African star over money cleared for Calder JACQUES Villeneuve has indicated that he does not yet have an agreement with Williams for the 1998 season.

His manager Craig Pollock even went so far as to say that Villeneuve is free to leave Williams at the end of this year if he chooses to. Frank Williams had an option on Villeneuve which has been taken up, but it seems that the two paifies have yet to agree on how much money Villeneuve should be paid. Pointing out that Villeneuve could switch teams seems to be a negotiat ing ploy by Pollock, but it will not impress Prank Williams very much because he knows

he can get any rising star he wants to drive for his team for a fraction of the money Villeneuve is asking. Villeneuve and Pollock know that they must not push Frank too far because he is quite capable and ruth less enough to dump any dri ver - as he proved in the past with Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Damon Hill. Moving to another team makes little sense for, Villeneuve as his long-term plans seem to be to join a competitive Prost-Peugeot operation in 1999. It is, therefore, likely that Villeneuve will settle and stay on at Williams.' -JOESAWARD

SOUTH African Super Touring ace Mike Briggs will add Australian to his already impressive CV when he competes in this weekend’s of the BOC Gases Super Touring Championship. The 1993 and ‘95 South African tour ing car champion will drive the Petronas Ford Mondeo that appeared at Phillip Island (with Gianfranco Brancatelli dri ving) at Calder - and, maybe, further rounds of the championship. “I don’t know whether anything will happen after Calder,” said the 30-yearold, who arrived at midnight on Monday. “But it would be good to drive for the team at Macau and I will be putting the squeeze on for Bathurst.” The official reason for the change of driver was that‘Branca’ is needed to test the team’s new four-cylinder Mondeo in

Malaysia. But team sources ai'e said to be less than impressed with the Italian’s driving at the Island and Briggs, with a proven record in 2-litre front wheel drive cars, is looked upon as a better replace ment.

Team manager David Wong con firmed the drive last Monday after it had been rumoured that he was consid ering a local for the ride. At Phillip Island Wong was less than pleased that new drivers’ and entrant’s licences had cost him more than $2000. Because of that Briggs was in doubt and the Australian - speculation suggested it may have been triple (5old Star winner Paul Stokell - was on stand-by. Briggs, 30, currently drives for the works BMW Motorsport team and won his titles Opel Vectras. His last drive for the team was at Kyalami in the car now

I'aced here by Cameron McLean. “David Wong has suggested we do a few races together for some time now and we have managed to put a deal together,” he said. “The drive came because David bought a cai- from us and my engineer Mike Carroll kept contact with him.” This is not the first time he has driven in a ‘foreign’ series. He was drafted into the Ray Mallock run-works BTCC Vauxhall squad for several races in 1995 when James Thomson was injured in an accident. Briggs will be the team’s lone driver at Calder. Despite being confident of being able to rebuild it at the time Team Petronas has not been able to rebuild its second Eggenberger Mondeo and Albert Poon will be a non-staiter. -PHILBRANAGAN

6 20Junemi

gHith TOCA Bathurst threat Charlie

TONY Longhurst’s Castrol Falcon team is the first to confirm a long-dis tance co-driver. Charlie O’Brien will join the team for the Sandown 500 and Australian 1000 double. “Charlie was with us in ‘94 and ‘95, when we ran second to Larry in a cus tomer car, so he’ll be great. ‘He’s down at the work¬ shop all the time - I’ve never seen him so keen.” Longhurst is also great ly encouraged by the car’s performance last week end, where he finished fourth outright. “The only,change we made to the car was to put the four other tyres on it on race day. It was great. “We’ve been struggling, but Yokohama came up with the right tyre and the car was great. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series now.” Longhurst reported no progress in sorting out the sponsorship dispute with Konica, which erupts ed after the departure of Steve Ellery from the team. The matter is still in the hands of his lawyers. - CHRIS LAMBDEN

By CHRIS LAMBDEN

moved to at least 10 weeks away from October 5.

RELATIONS between the com peting Bathurst race camps are becoming more strained. Following TOCA UK Chief Alan Gow’s call (Motorsport News, June 6) for AVESCO to move its Australian 1000 Classic further away from the AMP Bathurst lOOO’s October 5 date, TOCA Australia has taken the mat ter a step further. The group has written to AVESCO formally demanding that the race be

Failing this, the group has “reserved its rights.” According to TOGA Australia boss Kelvin O’Reilly, there are also con cerns about “the number of players in the October 19 race who are endeav ouring to promote it as the Bathurst 1000, only two weeks later. “It’s not possible to draw on tradi tion for that race. It has no tradition. It is a new race. “All these things are happening.

whether wittingly or unwittingly, to the detriment of the AMP Bathurst 1000.

“Anyone involved in an event being prejudiced in this way would look at the sort of action we’re taking. “We’ll continue to pose more ques tions and reseiwe our rights to purse it (legally) if it’s appropriate.” O’Reilly is particularly angry over editorial in the current CAMS Report, the official publication of the sport’s governing body, which refers to “a new era for Bathurst, with the

tradition continuing with V8s at the Mountain on October 19.” “Coming from the national motor sport body, in their official publica tion, it’s atrocious,” he said. “The same publication can’t even get our formula’s official FIA name con-ect - its Super Touring. Not 2.0L touring cars ...” In the meantime, AVESCO has responded to TOCA’s letter, pre dictably denying TOCA’s claims.

Craft in for Cochrane THE much-rumoured departure of IMG’s motor sport head Tony Cochrane has finally come to pass - despite all the denials, The ebullient Cochrane announced last week that he would leave on June 30, along with IMG Australia chief James Erskine. The pair plan to establish their own marketing company, in the sports and entertainment field. Cochrane, who in April dismissed the rumours of his impending departure as “a load of crap”, may well retain his position as Chief Executive of IndyCar Australia and has offered his services to AVESCO and IMG on a contract basis to “see the Australian 1000 Classic through”. “It’s difficult to walk away from something I’ve been involved in from the start, so if I can help I will,” he said at the weekend. At the same time. Indy GP Chairman Bill Sheppard has

flagged a bid to retain Cochrane as Chief Executive for the Gold Coast race. The initiative was announced at a press conference last week, but requires the endorsement of the full IndyCar Board, which meets on June 30. IMG has moved quickly to appoint Cochrane’s successor. Garry Craft, who has done much of the touring car backi'oom work to date, has been promoted to the position of head of motorsport. “Garry has worked on the project from day one and is committed Mltime to V8s,” AVESCO Chairman Wayne Cattach said last week. “He has been at every Shell meet this year, has headed the Bathurst event management and is fully involved with every element of the category.” Craft left for a two-week break at the weekend and will take up his expanded role on his return.

GARRY CRAFT... New man at IMG.

Wurz in for Berger again in France? 7^'n

GERHARD Berger was forced to miss the Canadian Grand Prix because of a sinus infec tion following a recent operation. He may also be forced out of next week’s French GP. Berger travelled from Austria to New York for a promotional function on his way to Montreal but began suffering problems on the plane.

Doctors in New York job qualifying - despite a recommended that he return shunt on his final fl}'ing lap. home to Austria for another He lined up 11th on the grid and ran in the points operation and, after consul tation with the Benetton until his car suffered gearbox team, he flew back to Europe trouble and was forced to and was admitted to a clinic retire. Berger is hoping to be back in Salzburg. The Benetton team imme-, in action at the French GP but it is more likely that the diately nominated reserve and test driver Alexander team will stick with Wurz for Wurz- another Austrian - to one more race to give Berger time to recover properly. stand in for Berger. -JOESAWARD Wurz (left) did a sensible

Alan Gow interview - P13

CAMS moves on new V8 rules CAMS will convene a think-tank gathering with V8 teams and the manu facturers to consider cost cutting specification changes for 1998. “The subject has been out there for a while,” CAMS’ new CEO Gregg Swan told Motorsport News this week, “but the Board believes it’s our job to run with it, to co-ordi nate the input and ulti mately make the deci sions.” CAMS will organise an initial meeting of the interested parties “as soon as we can, because it’s being done with the idea of implementing change for 1998.” At the same time. Swan confirmed progress towards a 1998 calendar, while noting that issues like NT’s Hidden Valley circuit - which recently confirmed its desire to run a V8 round in 1998 and the proposed new Willowbank circuit, would again involve deci sions on a possible SATCC increase in rounds or the loss of rounds by currently host ing circuits.

- CHRIS LAMBDEN

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20Me 1997

Lakeside was a frustrating weekend for us. After testing the car at Eastern Creek we thought we were on top of the tyre prob lem but, when it came back at Lakeside it was a bit like hopping in the ring to fight Kostya Tzsyu with an arm tied behind your back. The car is quite quick, but we have to get the rear tyres to live on it. The Eastern Creek trip was quite successful and we made progress. The car went straight to Lakeside but, obviously, what suits one track is not what suits another. There’s a word ’optimum’. The idea is to get the optimum set-up on the car and finetune it once you go to different circuits. That’s what we did when I was racing with Glenn Seton - he is never one to make big changes to a car while it’s racing - and that’s obviously what he is doing now. He made all his big changes in the pre-season, makes little changes at the races and is qdick at every track. But this time around we don’t even know yet whether the tyre problem is being caused by the same thing at Lakeside as it was at the Creek.

he field was very close, especially in quaiifying. It’s very hard to pass there and a couple of tenths can make a big difference. u Lakeside is the worst piace in the world to test a car, fol lowed very closely by having the worst amenities and facili ties. I know why we go back there year after year: if we don’t go to Lakeside there is no race in Queensiand. Every year, without faii, they run iater as the days go on. That means that the track crossing in opened less and less and more and more people get stuck in the middle. Then they charge Formula Ford competi tors a $300 entry fee. These are the youngest competitors, who have come from ali over the country and they charge them all that, yet don’t provide them with three botties of champagne for the presentation. The Formula Ford Association have to bring their own. There are too many support classes at these races. Look, I know some people will say, 'Jonesy’s slagging HQs again’, but I’m not. I think that they, and Club Cars and Geminis, are an invaluable stepping stone in motor racing. But they should be racing on the appropriate club days where they can have huge fields at events where the pits are not already jammed.

They should not use a Group A race as an excuse to put on events for large grids of support categories with very high entry fees. It would be a terrible place to take a sponsor and, in comparison with other places we race, the track is just awful. Now that there is to be an opposition track, they are talking about improvements at Lakeside. It’s a joke: it embarrasses me, as a Queenslander. The sooner we get another venue, the better,

ichael Schumacher is getting paid about the right money. He puts it on the pole and wins the race, while his team mate is about 12th and struggling. I don’t

Benetton? 1 cannot figure it out. They were competitive in Canada after a run of outs. I said at the start of the season they wouldn't be a threat and they aren’t, generally. Alex Wurz was impressive, though. He did everything that Berger would have. He looks like another one to watch. Olivier Panis’ accident was another example that tyres are sometimes not the best thing to hit at an angle. They seemed to grab his car and make the impact worse. With the French Grand Prix coming up I would think that Alain Prost will put his young test driver, Emmanual Collard, in the car. There is talk of Martin Brundle but, without wanting to sound anti-Brundle, why would he do anything different in a car - get it into the points, maybe - than he has done in any other of his races?

he Lakeside FF race was another beau ty. I thought that Marcos Ambrose drove very well and that Garth Tander, despite driving well, made some errors that may cost him dearly. I was pleased with Chr^ptian’s efforts. He’s spent some time on his starting tech nique - he finally listened to his Old Man and made two terrific starts. The car was a little down on power - the engine came out this week so his 54.7s lap was particu larly good. He is happy in the Spectrum so the Swift is defi nitely up for grabs. The car is in excellent shape and we have to move it. Get your money and make an offer: the first with the cash gets it.

Lakeside is a joke. It embarrasses me as a Queenslander. The sooner we get another venue, the better.9? imagine Ferrari team manager Jean Todt is worrying that Michael is overpaid. He is the difference between Ferrari win ning Grands Prix - and, maybe, the Worid Championship - and being also-rans. If Frentzen is not sure whether to con centrate on a quaiifying set-up or a race set-up on a track like Montreal, where it is pretty hard to pass, I don’t know what to say. It’s very important to be at the front, just like at Lakeside. Schumacher is not only out-driving every.one at the moment, he is out-thinking them. ,1 feei for Jacques Villeneuve. He really wanted to win at home, at the track where his father won, and he pays for a little mis take. The other tragedy was Coulthard. He was looking like winning his second race of the year until he stalled it. ,

was surprised to read a letter in a maga zine from touring car privateer Ian Palmer regarding my Bridgestone- tyres and sug gesting that he would be'happy to take them off my hands. He actually misquoted me in the letter. I had said, “If anybody wanted to take the tyres off me NOW”: that is, after they had been used in three races, not take them whiie they were new. So I looked up his best performances in touring car rounds. As far as I couid find out Mr Palmer’s best qualifying performance was 18th and he had failed to score a single series points ever. Not the best way to attract a tyre deal, in my mind, even if he does wear a hat and put a sticker on his car. Perhaps, even, it would be more practi cal if he took that time usualiy spent writing letters and used it on a race simuiator instead.

Castrol confirms Cougars

CASTROL announced it’s all-female V8 touring car team, as predicted, last week and the car made its debut at Lakeside on Sunday. Kerryn Brewer, Melinda Price, former netball star Michelle Fielke and-Channel 9’s Kim Watkins were confn-med as the teamsters who will compete for the chance to drive the Perkins Commodore in the Sandown 500 and Australian 1000. Brewer debuted the Holdenpowered cai- at Lakeside and, apart from a nasty moment in the race morning warm-up.

completed the day without incident or damage to the car and scored points, albeit at the tail ofthe field. “That’s all we were expect ing,” Castrol’s John Clarke said this week. “Lakeside is a pretty daunting place at the best of times, so Kerryn did all we asked of her.

“It’s a big learning curve and the girls will do more testing and racing in the lead-up. “The national TV and radio interest in the Cougars has been just gi-eat.” - CHRIS LAMBDEN

Bernie’s GP warning Canadian GP chief Norman Legault and FI boss Bernie Ecclestone last weekend met Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s chief of staff to discuss the future of the GP in relation to the new anti-tobacco legis lation known as Law C-71, which comes into effect in October 1998. 6t If the Canadian government decides to ban tobacco companies from advertising on the cars,” Ecclestone told Canadian pressmen, “there is a clause which enables us to cancel the contract and move the Grand Prix elsewhere. “You know there are many cities interested in holding a Grand Prix than we can include in the calendai'.” The government indicated it may be willing to compromise and allow the cars, the drivers and the team personnel to carry tobacco branding. Research published by last week showed that the Grand Prix brings in more money than all the other major events in Montreal combined with an estimated $50m over the weekend. n A German court last week ruled that the FIA cannot cancel the European Truck Racing Cup, as it intended to do fol lowing an interim decision from a Frankfui’t Court which could have impli cations for the sale of TV rights in Grand Prix racing(see earlier report - page 13). The FIA World Council discussed the issue and authorised President Max Mosley to work with FIA lawyers to resolve the matter. n Niki Lauda has announced plans to merchandise a furry rat doll called Niki the Rat, which will feature prominent teeth, red overalls and Lauda’s trademai’k Parmalat baseball cap. The dolls cost about $100 a piece and are being manu factured by world famous teddy bear com pany Steiff. n The accounts of Formula 1 Promotion and Administration, Bemie Ecclestone’s major company before the recent reorgani sation of his empire into FI Holdings, have revealed that in 1995-95 Bernie was paid an annual salary of nearly $75m. n McLaren star Mika Hakkinen is to visit the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre at Star City in Russia this week to become the first FI driver to experience zero gravity conditions. Mika will be aboard an Ilyushin 76 MDK jet which simulates weightlessness by means of a series of diving manoeuvres during which trainee cosmonauts float in the body of the aircraft. Mika is also sched uled to talk to the crew of space station MIR which has been orbiting the earth for the last 10 years. n Former Williams team manager and one-time Brabham FI ovmer Peter Windsor is tipped to be setting up his own Indy Racing League team.

r’

n Formula I’s most confusing pair of engineers. Bob Bell and Bob Bell, are both on the move. Aerodynamicist Bob Bell of McLai’en(who has been woi-king in recent years on the shelved Land Speed Record project) is understood to be moving else where to get back into FI, while race engi neer Bob Bell of Arrows has moved on after just a few weeks with the Leafield team. - JOE SAWAR.D

CAUTIOUS START... Kerryn Brewer in the Castrol Cougars Commodore.

20June W9/

n Although neither manufacturer was informed by the FIA in January 1997 that there was no requirement to attend eveiy round, FIA GT Championship teams Lotus and Porsche have been penalised for missing the recent street race in Helsinki. The FIA was clearly concerned that there were only 24 starters in Finland and has summarily repri manded Lotus and Porsche, and removed the latter’s automatic paddock facilities. n Toyota executives and engineers were in evi dence at Le Mans last week. Their presence increases speculation that the factory will embark on a factory GTl program. If so there will be six power ful GTl teams in next yeai-’s series. n Andy Evans, the new owner ofSportscar(nee IMSA)chose Friday atLe Mans to announce his new 1998 series regula tions. Evans was at Le Man to compete in a Kremer Porsche GTl. n The FIA has created a new commission for its GT and sportscar series. Both will include Max Mosley, Cesar Torres, Gabriele Cadringher, .Yvon Leon, Stephane Ratel, Andy Evans and technical consultant Peter Wright. There will also be nominees from AGO (the Le Mans organisers) and The Japanese governing bodyJAF. n Elton Julian will com pete in the F3000 champi onship with Keith Wiggins’s Pacific Racing team. He will replace the injured Marc Gene, who has run out offunds. Julian, who raced for the Nordic team last season, will join the F3000 trail at Nuburgring on June 29. n A1 Melling is confi dent that he has found a customer for his VIO FI engine his MCD company was developing for Lola. Melling will not disclose the identity but it is said to be a new 1998 entry.

Menu maintains the pace

DESPITE a defeat at the hands of reigning champi on Frank Biela in one race and a poor opening lap in the second, the seemingly unstoppable Alain Menu left nonetheless Bonington Park with a race win under his belt and an increased Auto Trader RAC Touring Car Championship points lead. Before a 25,000 crowd and in front of BBC Grandstand’s live TV cameras, the BTCC boys provided some vintage race action, wet weather help ing to decide the outcome of round 11 of the championship and jump starts by Volvo’s Kelvin Burt and Honda’s Gabriele Tarquini gifting vic tory to Menu in round 12. The steady Bonington driz zle played right into the Audi team’s hands for round 11 of the Auto Trader Champion HARVEY GOES HARD... Tim Harvey got his second podium in MSD’s impressive Peugeot 406. (Photo by LATDigital) ship. Despite relatively lowly sixth and seventh positions Tarquini and Burt a heaven was not such an easy proposi Harvey - giving the Peugeot Rydell, a seemingly insuron the grid, Biela and tion, though. He held on in sent opportunity to edge past team its best-yet dry weather mountable 91 points behind, Bintcliffe made the most of front to record his and Audi’s Menu and demote him to performance - chased him Renault leads Honda in the the superior four-wheel-drive second victoiy of the ‘97 sea third. Any smiles in the Volvo hard all the way to the chemanufacturers’ championship traction of their Audi A4s to son, heading Menu across the and Honda pits were short quered flag. by 162 points to 112. rocket past the wheelspinning line by a second, with lived, however: Tarquini and “I knew I was on the pace front-drive cars - including Bintcliffe a further 1.8s fur Burt were judged to have of the leading group, but I Donington Park BTCC that of pole man Menu - as ther back in third. Round 11-25 laps anticipated the dtart and was lucky with the Safety Car were instructed to visit the incident,” said Harvey later. 1 Frank Biela, Audi A4,33m 27.982s; the start lights flashed to “I think I was a bit quicker green. than Frank,” said Menu,“but pits for stop-go penalties. “I ran into the back of Plato 2 Alain Menu , Renault Laguna, As the pack streamed into I don’t know how hard he was Burt was the first to obey the and all hell broke loose 40.977s; 3 John Bintcliffe, Audi A4,+2.792s; around me.” Redgate for the first time, pushing and I wasn’t desper black flags. Biela and Bintcliffe were ate to get past him.” Tfie 406 finished just clear 4 Jason Plato, Renault Laguna, +7.169s; “The weather was on our already well ahead of their A dding' spice to the situa- ofiBiela, who perhaps profited x^ion Vwas the arrival on more than anyone from the 5 Rickard Rydell, Volvo S40,+8.953s; grip-challenged pursuers, side and I made a pretty good 6 James Thompson, Honda Accord, headed by Tim Harvey’s start,” said a pleased Biela the track of the Safety Car early-race confusion. while Robb Gravett’s beached Tenth on the opening lap, +10.339s; Peugeot, Menu, James after the race. “My real prob Thompson’s Honda and Jason lem was keeping John Honda was removed from a Biela found himself promoted 7 Tim Harvey , Peugeot 406, Plato in the second Renault. (Bintcliffe) behind while try gravel trap; as the Safety Car to fifth by the eighth tour, +10.937s; 8 Kelvin Burt Volvo S40,+12.767s; ing to keep the tyres fresh. pulled in at the end of lap six, and quickly disposed of 9 David Leslie, Nissan Primera, But once I had a little gap I so did leader Tarquini for his Bintcliffe and Rydell to take +13.634s; Harvey’s tenure ofthough, second up third slot. “I am a bit sur penalty - the resultant traffic was able to go at niy own place was brief, 10 Patrick Watts, Peugeot 406, prised to be third,” the jam caught out several dri speed.” as Peugeot hopes for a repeat +17.250s; vers, including Menu, who defending Champion admit Bintcliffe agreed. “There of his thrilling Thruxton form' Round 12-26 laps was fortunate to regain the ted. ‘The car felt perfect and faded fast; Menu moved in\ were no team orders - I just 1 Menu,32m 13.115s,94.77mph; couldn’t get past Frank, he lead ju^t ahead of Harvey. In the tyres were good. My only front of the 1992 champion on 2 Harvey,+2.017s; worry was that others would was too quick. I was perhaps the scrum, Plato and lap two and Thompson 3 Biela,+2.369s; ahead of him at the first cor Thompson tangled, the get past when the Safety Car 4 Bintcliffe,+3.61 Os; knocked him back to fourth a ner but Frank got into a bit of Honda driver striking the pit pulled off, but they were stu- 5 Watts, +25.824s; lap later. a slide and I backed off.” pid. wall and Plato suffering body By now the Audi Silver 6 Tarquini, +29.259s; Bintcliffe was fourth from Plato collected fourth after damage which was to cause Arrows were three seconds to 7 Rydell,+31.159s; his retirement. late-race mistakes from Patrick Watts, completing 8 Cleland,+31.472s; the good, and Menu’s chances “I had big oversteer on the Peugeot’s excellent day, with 9 Hoy,+33.917s; of catching them looked slim. Thompson and Harvey, with The Swiss ace nevertheless Rickard Rydell fifth for Volvo. first lap which meant I lost Tarquini sixth, smashing the 10 Warwick,+41.428s; Reigning Total Cup champion two places,” said Menu. “I lap record as he fought back FASTEST LAP buckled down to the job in Lee Brookes took the was right behind Thrquini from his penalty. Kelvin Tarquini, 1m 11.566s, 98.45mph hand and reduced the gap to and I didn’t know that he had Burt’s race ended in the grav (record). a second by mid-distance. For Independents’ honours in his el after a clash with Anthony to come in for a penalty. As Peugeot. DRIVERS POINTS: Menu, 168 the next seven laps the the Safety Car pulled off he Reid’s Nissan. Lee Brookes With the track dry for points, Rydell, 77, Plato, 74, Biela, Renault doggedly tailed the was again the Total Cup for 71, Tarquini, 68, Thompson, 56, slowed up and I couldn’t over round 12, Menu made a good second Audi and, as a dry line take, Thompson hit me from Independents victor. Bintcliffe, 55, Leslie, 48, Harvey, getaway from pole position to gradually appeared, waited With the Auto Trader 43, Burt,-32. behind. It was amazing. I lead Tarquini and Burt into for his moment to pass. If Championship now at the MANUFACTURERS Renault, 162, guess I am lucky...” Redgate. But a rare mistake came three laps from the che Menu settled back into a from the Swiss ace saw the half-way mark. Menu leads Honda, 112;, Volvo, 109, Audi, 101, quered flag, Menu outbraking Renault run wide at McLeans lead he would not lose for the the drivers’ title fight with Nissan, 80, Peugeot, 67, )/auxhall, Bintcliffe into Redgate. duration of the race, but 168 points, his closest rival. 61, Ford, 54. on the opening lap, giving Reigning champion Biela

Britain supports TransEnd? anti-tobacco law AT a meeting of the 15 Health European Ministers in Luxembourg, Britain’s Public Health Minister Tessa Jowell con firmed that the new gov ernment in Britain is to support plans for a European Union ban on tobacco advertising. The Dutch government also joined in calls for a ban, leaving only Germany, Denmark and Greece against the proposals. The European (jommission first proposed a Europe-wide

tobacco advertising ban in October 1991 but was rmable to get the agreement of the Council of Ministers to push ahead and make it legislation. A unanimous vote may still be needed to make the propos al law - although health mat ters usually require only what is called a “qualified majority vote”, for which a 71 percent vote is required and Germany, Denmark and Greece together have only 16 percent of the votes. -JOESAWARD

By BRUCE SMITH FORD and Tom Kendall extended their domi nance of Trans-Am racing at the Mid-Ohio last week end but the factory’s par ticipation in the series and the series itself- may be coming to an end. In an 11th hour effort to save the ailing series (which is America’s oldest road rac

ing series) rule-makers are considering new regulations for 1998. But the new rules, which would allow multi-valve, fuel-injected engines to run

in current tube-frame chassis, have not been well received. SCCA officials say they have talked to Nissan, BMW, and Oldsmobile

Toyota but have no commitment from any of them. They - and, most FIVE AND OUT? Kendall’s fifth title may be his last. (Photo by Bmce smith) notably. Ford - are all after Chevrolet withdrew at ipation. From the glory days reported to be consid ering participation in North the end of ’96. While it has of up to five factory-backed America’s growing Super still attracted 25 plus cars teams. Ford was left to face per race this season. privateer opposition alone Touring series. after Chevrolet withdrew its Ford is the only factory TransAm has lost considerteam at the end of 1996. directly involved in TransAm able fan and sponsor partic-

20June 1997 FORMULA One veteran Michele Alboreto realised a dream when he drove the Joest TWR-Porsche prototype to the German team’s second successive Le Mans 24 Hours victory on Sunday. The Italian, who qualified the car on pole position, took his first win in the endurance classic and bested the huge field of highlydeveloped GTl cars to take another win for the car which started life as a roofed Ford V8-powered Jaguar in 1990. It was only the third time in the race’s long history that a car has one the race more 'than once, the first time being Ford’s GT40 (1968-69) and, impressively, Joest’s own Porsche 956 in 1984-85. The Australian drivers were well out of luck. Despite having his car start ahead of the much-fancied Andretti pairing Mark Skaife was dis appointed when co-driver Tomas Erdos planted the Lister Stonn into a wall after almost eight hours, while David Brabham was out of luck in his Panoz-Ford. After qualifying the car right next to Skaife’s after a trouble run left him with one qualifying lap, the car suffered a series of small problems through the early hours until it stopped mid-race after blow ing an engine. While the win of the TWRbuilt WSC ‘sprint’ sportscar was its second straight, the race was a disappointment for Tom Walkinshaw and his troops. The Scot’s team, which had nothing to do with the Joest effort, had to watch the car they built two years ago steam to the win while their own Nissan R390 GTls crumbled with mechanical failures. “I’ve had this dream for a long time of winning this race and now it’s come time,” Alboreto, 40, said after part nering Stefan Johansson and Dane Tom Kristensen in the winning car. It was a record 15th Le Mans win for Porsche and a fourth for the Reinhold Joest team, whose win followed victories in 1984, 1985 and last year, all with the num ber 7. “We did a good job. We’re going to try to repeat this victory next year,” said Alboreto, who won five of his 194 grands prix and who was Formula One world champi onship runner-up with FeiTari in 1985. “We had to put maximum pressure on the factoiy cars,” Alboreto said after co-driver Ki-istensen set the record for the 13.605-km track, lapping in three minutes 45.068 sec-

n Mat Mladin has con tinued his winning form in the AMA Superbike series in the USA. The Australian Ducati rider took his second straight win at Loudon in New Hampshire at the week end, edging out Aaron Yates’Suzuki. He is now within 19 points ofseries leader Doug Chandler who finished fourth on his Kawasaki. n Wayne Wakefield will miss this week’s BOC roimd at Calder. The Queenslander’s budget is tight and the Supercheap Auto Parts Bimmer will not travel south.

NUMBER TWOs... Michele Alboreto (above)spearheaded Joest’s second straight win it its TWR-Porsche WSC car. BONJOUR... There are unconfirmed rumours that some (Photos by LATDigital) fans go to Le Mans to see the cars... ends at an average speed of 217.534 kph. The open-topped World Sports Car class machine took the lead at the start of the race but, for the next 21 hours the works GTl Porches held the lead due to their much greater fuel range than the smaller but faster WSC cars. The two GTls - driven by Frenchman Bob Wollek, Hans Stuck of Germany and Belgium’s Thierry Boutsen, and the Yannick Dalmas/ Emmanuel Gollard/Ralf Kelleners machine - shared the lead lap with the Joest car until Wollek crashed out at 0748 on Sunday morning. spinning off at the Arnage bend. The cause was a broken driveshaft coupling and Wollek walked in unhurt. Two hours from the finish. the other Porsche driven by German Ralf Kelleners caught fire - at 320kmh on Mulsanne Straight - while it was in the lead. Kelleners, who shared the driving with Frenchmen Yannick Dalmas, three times winner at Le Mans, and Emmanuel Collard, escaped from the blazing car unhurt. Dalmas, speaking shortly before the accident, said: “I get the feeling less of taking part in an endurance race than a sprint. There hasn’t been a let-up since the start.” Kelleners got the works Porsche ride following a win in the GT2 class last season after a head-to-head battle

with the similar Porsche 911 of HRT’s Greg Murphy, who finished second. McLaren BMW FI GTRs occupied second and third place. Second went to Jean-Marc Frenchmen Gounon and Pierre-Henri Raphanel and Anders Olofsson of Sweden and third were Dutchman Peter Kox, Roberto Ravaglia of Italy and France’s Eric Helary. A McLaren driven by Briton Andrew Scott - with compatriot Ray Bellm and Masanori Sekiya of Japan also burst into flames some 20 minutes later when it was in fifth place at the same spot after the lilulsanne rise. Scott also escaped unhurt but, despite being very close to a fire marshals post, the car was virtually destroyed. Fifth place, and first of the ‘customer’ cars, went to the Pedro Lamy/Armin Hahne/ Patrice Goueslard. Only 17 cars, eight less than last year, completed the race fi'om an entry of 48. The Chrysler Viper of France’s Soheil Ayari and Briton Perry McCarthy’s Panoz GTR both caught fire as they spun off course early in the race. The drivers were unhurt. French veteran Henri Pescarolo, in a record 31st Le Mans, was seventh in his Courage C36. Veteran Mario Andretti, in his third straight race with the Courage team, saw his

IRI/USAC to split THE Indy Racing League has taken over the officiat ing duties at its own races. After three major officiating blunders in its last two events it has severed its link with the US Auto Club which has sanc tioned every Indianapolis 500 in the last 32 years. From the next race in its series at Pikes Peak Raceway in Colorado IRL will supply its own officials.

n Kevin Schwantz almost made news last week when he came as close to making a 500 comeback as he is probably going to get. A Suzuki rep resentative was apparent ly talking numbers with him when the Texan jok ingly mentioned he would consider another GP sea son if he “added two mil lion” to the number. The Suzuki man huiriedly hung up and went of to try and sell the US$10m fig ure to his superiors...

The move follows the infa mous final lap green flag inci dent at this season’s Indy 500 which saw the race end in confusion, and the timing debacle at Texas which prompted an altercation between AJ Foyt and race winner Arie Luyendyk. “Recent events have led us to conclude that the Indy Racing League needs to move officiating in-house to ensure

n Sir Jack Brabham was one ofthe guests of honour at Canada’s 30th anniversary Grand Prix last weekend. Sir Jack, 71, won the first Canadian GP at Mosport, near Toronto, in 1967. n Bobby Unser has been found guilty oftrespassing into a federal wilderness area on his snowmobile. Unser,63, got lost in the New Mexico wilderness last December and had to be rescued by his brother. The judge said that Unser had done so unknowingly but still fined him US$75. He is appealing. n There may be a priva teer Porsche Cup coming up in future. The series may be based on getting Porsche entrants from NZ and SE Asia for events at high-profile meetings like Albert Park, the IndyCamival and Bathurst 1000(s?).

chances of adding Le Mans to his list of victories, van ished early Sunday morning. Andretti Sr, who shared the Porsche-engined C36 WSC car with son Michael and ex-Fl man Olivier Grouillard, spun off and seriously damaged the car. Although he got back to the pits the delay dropped the team too far behind the Porsches. Nissan’s hopes of taking

their first title disappeared early into the race. The TWR-built car driven by former Grand Prix men Ricardo Patrese, Eric van der Poele and Aguri Suzuki, was dashed by gearbox overheat ing problems while the sec ond Nissan, crewed by Martin Brundle, Jorg Muller and sports car ace Wayne Taylor, suffered electrical problems.

Christian’s back

CHRISTIAN Fittipaldi will better communication with return to CART racing for our teams,” said Leo Mehl, the first time since his the IRL’s executive director. April 6 Surfers crash in March at this weekend’s USAC will continue to sanc Portland race. tion its 10 other series, includ The Brazilian tested suc ing sprintcar, midget and Silver Crown divisions. cessfully at Mid-Ohio last week, running more than 100 Ironically IRL boss Tony George, whose grandfather laps and ending up 11th Tony Hulman was a USAC n fastest in the 19 car test. “Mid-Ohio is one of the founder in 1956, will continue on the bod/s board of direc most physical tracks we race tors. on, so I’m happy it has gone

well,” the 26-year-old said after the test was concluded. “It’s great to drive again.” Fittipaldi broke his left tibia and fibula, and left foot in the accident when he hit the pit wall. Team Rahal’s Bryan Herta topped the times at the track in his Reynard-Mercedes. Scott Pruett was second fastest and Gil de Ferran, who took his first win at Portland, third fastest.

n Marty Beckton impressed the Scots with his efforts over there. The young Aussie was awarded the ‘Spirit ofthe Rally’ and Jim Clark Shield for his efforts in his first British event and is staying in the UK for discussions with Seat and Ford about a pos sible start in the Ulster Rally. See page 41 for a the Scottish Rally report. n We were wrong. The move to two warm-up laps in the BOC Gases Super Touring Championship came at the start of the season and follows on fi-om the BTCC regulations, not as a consequence ofCAMS adopting the Coronial rec ommendations from the Hansford inquest as we reported in MN102. Apologies to TOCA. H In his final drive with Newman-Haas at Detroit Robei-to Moreno obrtously impressed some MercedesBenz people. The diminu tive Brazilian has been invited to Gemany to test the company's new CLKGTR GTl car next week.

_AtD®

c World of Sport

Cmlendar ♦SHELL AUSTRALIAN TOUR8NG CAR C'SHiP

Jul 6 ●Wanneroo Rd8 Jul 13 . . . .Mallala . . Rd9 Aug 3 . . . .Oran Park . . . .Rd 10 70 round senes held around Australia.

*BOC GASES AUST. SUPER TOURING ● CHAMPIONSHIP

Jun 22 . . .Calder Park . . . .Rd 3 Jul 20 . . . .Amaroo Park . . .Rd 4 Rd5 Aug 10 . . .Winton 8 round series held around Australia

●AUST, FORMULA HOLPIN C'SHIP

Jul 13 . . . .Mallala Aug 3 . . . .Oran Park

,Rd6 Rd 7

7 round series held around Australia.

*§LICK SO AUST. FORMULA FORD CHAMPIONSHIP

Jul 6 Wanneroo Jul 13 . . . .Mallala Aug 3 . . . .Oran Park

Rd 6 Rd7 ,Rd8

8 round series held around Australia

♦CiNIURY BATTiRiiS AUSIo GTP C'SHiP

Jun 22 . . .Calder Park . . . .Rd 3 Jul 20 . . . .Amaroo Park . . .Rd 4 Rd5 Aug 10 . . .Winton S round series held around A ustralia

WINSTON CUP NASCAR SERIES

Jun 15 . . .Michigan Jun 22 . . .California Jul 5 Daytona

Rd 15 Rd 16 Rd 17

32 race series held in the United States.

FORMULA ONI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Jun 29 . . .France . Jul 13 . . . .Britain . Jul 27 . . . .Germany Aug 10 . . .Hungary

Rd8 ,Rd9 Rd 10 Rd 11

17 race series held around the world

♦PPG CART WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Jun 22 . . .Portland . Jul 13 . , . .Cleveland Jul 20 . . . .Toronto .

,Rd 9 Rd 1 0 Rd 11

17 race series held in the US, Aust. & Brazil.

♦SOOcc WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Jun 28 . . .Netherlands . , . .Rd 7 Rd8 Jul 6 Italy Jul 20 . . . .Germany Rd 9 15 race series held around the world.

NHRA WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES

Jun 29 . . .Madison, IL . . .Rd 12 Jul 20 Denver, CO . . .Rd 13 Jul 27 Sonoma, CA . .RD 14 23 race series held in the United States

♦WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

Aug 2-5 . .Rally NZ IRd9 Aug 29 . . .1000 Lakes . . .Rd 10 Sep 19-21 Rally Indonesia Rd 11 14 rally series around the world

\aH event dates in this calendar were I correct at the time of printing. Please consult any individual tracks and/or associations for date changes. Series or events telecast on Network Ten are marked with an asterix. Check your local guides for screening details.

anada was another one of those short races for me, as it ended at the first cor ner. I was an innocent victim. Hakkinen’s rear wing came flying over, jammed under my rear wheel and spun me round. The engine stopped, and that was that.

I had made a very good start. I tried to go between Wurz and Panis, but the gap closed and I lifted off. So I went left, and every one move to the right. It looked great, and I thought I’d gain three or four places. But then it was all over. It’s a shame, because I was on a one-stop race, and I’ve had no problems with tyre blistering all weekend. Michael was in trouble all weekend with blisters. Coulthard was pretty amazing, wasn’t he? On one stop, the lap times he was doing were unbelievable. It was a great drive' by him, and a great drive by Michael.

performance Is unreal. The boy’s worth every penny, isn’t he? The only problem is that Michael is so damn good that any team which doesn’t have him is screwed. It ruins it in a way... You can see I’m on the limit. I’m pushing, but the car just won’t hang on. I’m making mistakes. 1 have a fairly good idea what’s wrong, but there’s nothing I can do until I get the new suspension.

Morbidelli drove our car, and then drove the Sauber, and couldn’t believe the difference in the steering. And then Larini drove our car, and couldn’t understand how he had developed such a bad front end - he was responsible for the steer ing and all that. I think that’s it. The prob lem is I can’t turn in late enough, and be precise. In a race you can get precise, because you’re doing lap after lap after lap. You can tidy things up, and you get more precise. In qualifying you have one lap, and you don’t have the precision. It’s good that both of them have remarked about it. They both say that it’s a night and day difference. Maybe Michael just drives like a computer or something.

(

was really looking forward to Montreal, but once again 1 strug gled in qualifying. I couldn’t even match the times I’d done in the morning on tyres which had done 34 laps. It was a disaster. I was sure I’d be in the top six in qualifying, or maybe even it would be me and Michael against Williams. I really was confident of that. But I was 1.5s slower than Michael, losing time in every cor ner. Even last year I was only 0.4s behind him in Montreal. His

/71?

The news is a lot good of new stuffisinthat thethere pipeline. We’ve got a new front wing, new sidepods, new rear diffuser, new front suspension, new steering. We should have it all by Silverstone hopefully, or Germany. And we’ve got a lighter chassis coming as well. It all adds up. Everything makes a difference. We have stuff which makes the car more efficient, stuff which lowers the CofG, we’ve got everything coming. It’s a step in the right direction. The steering is the one thing I’m looking forward to trying; there’s no way I should be qualifying this bad. I’ve always been good at it, and something’s not right. The week50th afteranniversary Spain we had the Ferrari cele brations in Italy. Rome was amaz ing. Michael and I drove round the streets. But it was wet, and we were worried that someone might run out. So it was a bit nerve wracking as well as being fun. It would .be great to have a Grand Prix In Rome - it would be awesome. And then we did Modena as well, which was a scaled down version. Chris Rea did a show there; he played a song called Nothing To Fear, which I’d requested. There was a good crowd. A lot of the old boys brought their Ferraris along, and gangsters were there and stole five of the cars overnight!

Webber dazzles in test AMSCAR takes @ff

AUSTRALIAN Mark Webber has continued his strong British Formula 3 form with a chart-topping test at Silverstone last week. The 20-year-old led all times with a lm43.639s

effqrt, 0.1s ahead of Bernoldi. Enrique Webber’s French rival Nicolas Minassian was third fastest, both the Frenchmen in Renaultpowered Dallaras. ' ■' Webber had to signifi¬

cantly change the set-up on his Mugen-Hondapowered Alan Docking Racing Dallara. “I really struggled in the morning because the set-up we used at Silverstone earlier in the

year just wasn’t giving us the grip we needed,” he said. he This weekend returns to the F3 trail proper with the seventh round of the series at Oulton Park.

F1 fIdat to drag on

By JOE SAWARD TELE negotiations over the flotation of Bemie Ecclestone’s Formula One Holdings (FOH) have, as expected, resulted in plans for a completely new Concorde Agreement, getting rid of the troublesome 1997-2001 docu ment which has split the FI teams for the last year. The FI teams and Ecclestone are dis cussing a deal by which the teams will give up some of the TV revenue - under the 1997-2001 agreement teams are expected to gain around $10m a year - in exchange-for more shares in the floated company. If all the teams were to receive a one percent shareholding it could be worth as much as $30m, which would make a much more attractive package for the teams. Ecclestone is baulking at this. He wants to be sure that his package consists of the existing teams. He does not want the smaller teams to sign up for the shares and then sell them and quit FI. He is looking for personal and financial guarantees from team bosses that they intend to remain in the sport for a period of 10 year's. The new agi'eement seems to include a 25-year deal with the FIA for FOH to manage the commercial affairs of Grand Prix racing - until the end of 2021 - in exchange for the FIA getting a 10 percent shareholding in FOH. There is also debate going on as to what should be included in the FOH package in tei-ms of the merchandising of FI. It looks likely that a deal will be hammered out which will see all the team merchandising coming under the same umbrella.

●●●

and delay deals for 1998

THE uncertainty over the float is blocking a number of vital decisions which are holding up future develop ments in the El paddock. The most important of these is the decision as to what British American Tobacco intends to do in GP racing in the futui’e. BAT’s international spon sorship manager is Canadian Tom Moser, who funded Jacques Villeneuve’s rise to prominence in Formula Atlantic and Indycar racing. Moser was in Montreal and confirmed that BAT is looking at what it might do in FI. “We are the second biggest tobacco company in the world,” he said, “and we want to be number one. Grand Prix racing seems to be a good way to strengthen pur sales. “The final decision is not yet taken so we do not know whether we will be involved in the creation of a new team or if there will be an agi’eement with an existing opera tion.” Moser also confirmed that he has sought advice from Villeneuve’s manager Craig PoUock, but has received pro posals from most of the exist ing FI teams and several operations which would like to enter FI. Moser is expected to make

his recommendations to the BAT board within the next two months, with the pro gramme expected to start in 1999. This will, however, largely depend on whether or not FI Holdings is floated. If the flotation goes ahead it makes sense for BAT to huy out an existing team - perhaps Tyrrell or Benetton - and thus get access to the TV rev enues and shares in the busi ness, which would offset some of the expense of setting up a new operation. If the flotation does not go ahead it is more logical to establish a new team, proba bly involving Reynard Racing Cars. The destination of the BAT millions appears to be the reason that decisions over engines are being held up. BAT would obviously like to ensure that whichever team it is involved with would have the best available engines. The first choice appears to be Mecachrome VlOs but we hear that Mugen Hondas would also be acceptable. This obviously depends on what Peugeot will do, and it seems that Peugeot will announce next week that it will not be supplying Jordan next year and will concen trate entirely on Alain Prost.

THE Australian Racing Drivers Club will finally start its AMSCAR series at Eastern Creek this weekend, and has announced that its AMSCAR V8 series will run into 1998. The announcement secures the long-teiTn future for the series which made an aborted attempt to start at Amaroo Park in April. This year’s series will consist of three more rounds at Amaroo Park (July 22), Eastern Creek (August 31) and a Bathurst finale on October 4. To overcome the problem which halted the proposed Amaroo race the ARDC has bought its own rev moni tors for use in the cars. The series will be televised on Seven and Optus Vision. ARDC General Manager Ivan Stibbard said that the series will be “an important addition to the Touring Car calendar and will com pliment the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship.”

$^7m AGP loss

THE Victorian State govern ment has estimated that the Australian Grand Prix had an operating deficit of $2.7m dur ing the 1996-97 financial year. But this was offset by a $7m rev enue in tax receipts fi'om the event. The Victorian Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Ms Louise Asher, made the announcement in conjunction with GP Corporation Chief Executive Ms Judith Griggs. The figure came from a report which recorded economic benefits to the state of $95.6m. With coi-porate sales of 80,000 the race has become the single biggest corporate event in the country, but general admission and grandstand sales were down. The report will be tabled during the spring sitting of parliament.

lUmiWl

Hill on Senna crash DAMON Hill has given testimony at the Ayrton Senna trial in Imola. The World Champion, who was Senna's Williams team mate at the time of Senna’s death, supported the team's assertion that the accident was not caused by steering failure but rather because of oversteer and the bumps in :]?amburello Comer. "The car seems to over steer when it crosses the placemen the circuit where there dre some marks," Hill indicated. "The steering wheel is exactly the way that I would expect to see to correct over steer." Hill said that he reached this conclusion a few days after the accident when he watched the in-car footage of the accident with Williams engineers at the team factory in Didcot. "I came away from that meeting with the opinion that there must have been some other reason for the accident other than the obvi ous one that there had been a failure in the steering," he said. -JOESAWARD

Crompton loses drive

NEIL Crompton has lost his North American Touring Car Champion ship drive due to lack of sponsorship. The bitter blow was delivered quite quickly after a horror finish to the Detroit round last week. Tasman Motorsports boss Steve Horne pulled the pin on the team after running foul of series officials. However, the team said this was not the cause of the sudden withdrawal, but lack of funds. Crompton is now without a drive but will stay in the US, where he works for the Tasman team in their mar keting department. Crompton was wellplaced in the NATCC series with his Honda Accord

, after winning the opening n round at Long Beach. And he would now be leading but for being dis qualified after finishing sec ond at Detroit. The run-in with official dom came about from two incidents involving Crompton which saw the Peter of Honda Cunningham and the Dodge Stratus of David Donohue both end their races in the wall. The Sydney driver had qualified on the second row for both races at Detroit,

general feeling in the FI paddock is that the second Ferrari drive will go to Mika Salo.

designer Julian Cooper has joined Ray Mallock Engineering as chief engi neer for the Nissan tour ing car team.

michelin

behind the two works Crompton was running Dodges of Donohue and fourth when he found a Dominic Dobson. small gap and squeezed n The two PaeWest drivers past Cunningham, was contact There dominated the races, sal between the two Hondas vaging some pride for the team which suffered so and Cunningham rammed a wall. He was taken to hospi badly in the CART event tal but later released. (see report on page 12). Donohue led Dobson all Crompton kept going and caught second-placed the way in race one, with Crompton fighting his way Donohue. He made a move for sec past defending Champion Randy Pobst and onto the ond on lap 13 but Doncjhue ended up in a tyre baiTier. Dodges’ tail for third. After the race Crompton But race two saw things turn sour. was disqualified by the After a poor start, ''-stewards after they viewed

THE word on the street in Formula 1 commercial circles is that Eddie Jordan will not only keep his sponsorship from Benson & Hedges next year but will get additional backing from Mastercard. The team has yet to announce which engine it will be using in 1998, but if Peugeot departs - as expected - the team will lose its backing fi-om Total, which will follow Peugeot to Prost Grand Prix. The Benson & Hedges deal is unlikely to be disrupted by the entry of British American Tobacco into FI, despite the fact that BAT sells B&H outside Em-ope and America. The Mastercard deal was to have funded Lola's FI progi-am for the next four years but the team did not have the start-up money nec essary to survive until Mastercard funds arrived. Despite this setback. Mastercard seems to believe that its innovative marketing idea will work.

n Jackie Stewart recently unveiled a statue to Jim Clark in the village of Kilmany in Fife, where Clark was bom and brought up before the family moved to Duns. i

evidence of both incidents. “I feel bad about it,” Neil said later. “I had a quick pace around the left-hander and knew it was a marginal move, but I dived down the inside knowing there was very high risk involved. “But my job description is ‘race driver’: I see a hole and go for it.’ cost The exclusion Crompton the overall lead in the American series. Dobson now leads with 97 points from Donohue on 94 and Crompton’s 91 points.

n Among those visiting Detroit for the CART race last week were Stewart Grand Prix driver Jan Magnussen and McLaren engineer Steve Nichols. Also spotted in Motown were An'ows marketing men Tony Dowe and Richard Grundy. n Nelson Piquet will return to Formula 3 on June 22 at a race at his Brasilia circuit. The inten tion is for Nelson to pro mote the track - which he hopes might one day host a Grand Prix - at the wheel of a Dallara-Mugen in the South American F3 series. -JOESAWAHD

lU Bruce Williams Motorsport offers for sa/e or/ease, Jl two of the most competitive, best prepared and presented AUSCARs currently for sale. AUSCAR racing represents the best K value for money for sponsors and team. With a guaranteed six hours of national TV for the 1997/98 season. The two cars O IL described below generated 54 minutes of national television LU coverage in season 1996/97, with an estimated value for sponsors in excess of$110,000. <

I VI

a ili

< LO

i IL THE CAT’S WHISKERS ... Eddie Jordan has his eyes fixed on the Mastercard deal.

Finnish Grand Prix bid FINLAND will be bidding for a Grand Prix within a couple of years, according to Jarmo Mahonen, chief executive of the country's national sporting authority. The President of AKK is

n Eddie Irvine’s con tract with Fen’ari includes an option which expires at the end of July. Eddie is hoping that this will be renewed but the

n Former Cosworth, Benetton and Lola FI

Jordan in line for Mastercard cash

The money is to be raised by Mastercard customers who pay to join an exclusive FI membership scheme which gives them a range of benefits not available to the average FI fan. Mastercard hopes that 100,000 of its 370 million cardholders - a tiny percentage - will sign up for the scheme to produce sponsorship of$10m a year. -JOESAWARD

Kari Sohlberg, a close col laborator of FIA President Max Mosley. The Finns will need a new circuit as the street track in Helsinki, which recently hosted an F3000 and GT

race,is not fit for FI. F3000 team bosses say they will boycott another race in the streets because the bumps were too dangerous, -JOESAWARD r

piacea secona ana inira in au^lak cnampionsnips. Winner of Round 3 1996/97 Championship and a winner of over $120,000 in prize money. 3 1' at Comes complete with low-mileage engine, 380 hp J with dyno sheets. This engine was built new in 1995 and has all the very best bits fitted: three races only since freshen-up. HM me0esrknown Name in Brawes exhaust with HM Mega muffler, Sachs light % c II weight clutch, oil cooler. Super T-10 gear ' TIMKEN box with heim-jointed Hurst super shifter Car race ready rebuilt tailshaft, Harrop rear end with Detroit locker. $50,000 Chassis complete with Harrop front end, sway bar, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs (all height adjustable), Harrop front brakes with Harrop brake balance bar set up. Rear suspension fully ride height adjustable. With Harrop panhard bar and Bilstein shocks. Car has fresh paint work (white inside) and is immaculate inside and out. Complete with 7 point fire bomb system, Willans harness, new windows, set up for two seater operations. Many other features too numerous to mention. Has current AUSCAR log book,(spares/race package available.)

ssmoco

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(AUSCRAFT BWM 002) This is the sister car to the Championship/race ' _ winning cars of Brad Jones, John Faulkner and Bruce Williams. As raced by Bruce , Williams and Kevin Schwantz at Rounds 5 r' . . and 6 this season. Comes complete with as new engine, 380 hp with dyno sheets.

H^^^^A.This engine was fully rebuilt by Rob H^||a|HFjBenson in January 1997, with new heads, LU I "^valves, springs, rockers, pistons, rods etc. This engine has completed dyno time and 100 laps of the Thunderdome only and scored pole < position at Round 5 of this years championship, has all the very best bits fitted. HM exhaust with HM mega q; muffler, Sachs light weight clutch. Super T-10 gear box with helm jointed Hurst super shifter, rebuilt tailshaft Harrop rear end with diff pump. This car has the potential to be a race winner and is in excellent condition with very little race mileage. Complete with Harrop brakes, Harrop front end, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs (all height adjustable), fire bomb, rear suspension fully ride-height adjustable, Bilstein shocks etc. New screen, AutoMeter gauges, fresh paint work (white inside), set up for^'two seater operations. Many other features too numerous to mention. Has current AUSCAR log book,(spares/race package available.)

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12 20June 1997 i

n Roberto Moreno di-ove his sixth and probably last race this year for NewmanHaas in place of the injured Chi-istian Fittipaldi in Detroit. The impressive Moreno is now looking for sometliing to drive, proba bly in FIA GT car’s, to fin ish the season. "Just imag ine if I never got this break," commented Moreno."I would never get a good drive. Now,I just have to use this to get a good ride, maybe in GT rac ing or sports cars for the rest ofthis year. For next year, I would like to be able to find a competitive ride in Indy car’s or GT car’s." n Follow that speedwagon. Dario Franchitti ba^ed the Omega Speedmaster watch for the fastest lap of the race in Detroit. The ITC refugee may trail Patrick Carpentier 26-9 in the Rookie points but a first podium for the talented Scot doesn’t look far’ away. n Greg Moore’s second win (which would also have qualified him as the youngest-ever CART win ner)sure came quickly,just a week after his recordbreaking win at Milwaukee. A1 Unser Jr, the previous youngest win ner, needed 1 year, 13 days later to achieve his second career triumph. n Jimmy Vasser, who finished fomfh at Detroit, tied the record for most con secutive finishes. The finish was his 25th in a row, equalling the mark estab lished by Unser Jr from 1991-93. Vasser’s streak began at the 1995 season finale at Laguna Seca. n Moore’s triumph was the fifth in a row for Canadian drivers, who matched the mark set by Jacques Villeneuve and Paul Tracy at the tail end of the 1994 season and beginning of’95. The cur rent I’m! also involvesjust a pair of drivers, with Tracy winning at Nazareth,Rio and Gateway, and Moore at Milwaukee and Detroit. n 0 Canada: after five straight wins the Great White North has a handy lead in the CART Nations Cup,leading the USA 143-129. Brazil, with 101 points, is third. n What a feeling. After their recent debacles, Toyota turned a comer in Detroit. Running the new 3.2 engine, all four cars finished the race (!) and Juan Fangio and Max Papis finished nose-to-tail in 10th and 11th. A year ago PJ Jones finished ninth on Motown’s streets. Papis dazzled in qualify ing; he started ahead of both Tasman Lolas, which have all those lovely Honda horses... n It was a good weekend for the Ar’ciero-Wells team in the desert. Ivan Stewart drove their Toyota V8-powered TlOO tmck to a win in the Baja 500 while their Camiy-powered buggy was fourth, i’iven by Frank Arciero Jr and Bob (father ofRobby) Gordon.

Dream turns nightmare

THE white flag waved and Mauricio Gugelmin and Mark Blundell had only 3km to go to score a maiden win for either of themselves and a first 1-2 finish for PacWest Racing. The two Reynard-Mercedes had been on an economy i-un since making their single stop for fuel and tyres and looked like making it. But half-way through the final lap ‘Big Mo’ got the staggers and Blundell took over the point. The gritty Pom made it all the way to the penultimate corner before he ran out of fuel. Q) Team owner Bruce McCaw buried his head in his hands. S The dream had become a T3 nightmare. >, JD The man who benefited O most was Greg Moore. O A week after his own econo Q. my run won him the LOW FLYING ... Gil De Ferran (above, photographed from the pace car) qualified on the pole and led the pack away at Milwaukee Mile, the 22-yearthe start(below right) but had to settle for third at the finish after the PacWest duo ran out of fuel - and the lead. old Canadian swept by to take his second career win and yellow flag periods, the real fuel setting, the PacWest duo pulled a slight lead ahead of close to third in the PPG Cup race didn’t take formation until the final round of stops. Carpentier, who was holding standings. The race was close all back the charge of thq'refu On lap 51 of the 78-lap weekend. journey Moore, de Ferran, elled and re-tyi’ed horde. Gil de Feiran took his sec Jimmy Vasser, Bobby Rahal, Carpentier lost the bet on ond pole of the season by Bryan Herta, Raul Boesel, lap 67 when he pitted, only to miss his fuel hose and lose 0.05s from Scott R’uett, with Andretti and Moreno all pit Roberto Moreno (in his final ted for fuel, leaving 20s. drive for Newman-Haas Gugelmin, Blundell and Moore, his tyi-es still work Patrick Carpentier, who had ing well, immediately closed before Christian Fittipaldi’s return) third from Alex while de FeiTan threw every pittedTon lap 34, at the front. All three had been con Zanardi and Dario Franchitti. thing at Andretti for fourth, both Goodyear runners Series leader Paul Tracy serving their fuel, aided by struggling for grip and their Mercedes engines, and was only 12th but scratched unable to press the Firestone were hoping for a yellow to from the race itself, suffering aid their quest. They weren’t cars ahead. from back spasms. Zanai’di’s race lasted as far Then came the final lap... going to get one. as the first corner when he “I didn’t think they The other significant thing was bounced into a wall by twas that both Moore and (Gugelmin and Blundell) Franchitti. 'Andretti took on fuel only. were going to run out offuel,” “I can understand someone Forsythe Racing engineer said Moorp after the race. “First, I saw Mauricio run being aggressive to make a Steve Challis left the out on the backstraight and I Firestone ‘option’ tyres on the position,” said the disap said, ‘I’m gonna finish sec Players car, giving Moore pointed Italian. “I won a race ond, that’s pretty good.’ Then last year doing that on the track position in fourth ahead I saw Mark run out and I ofthe rest ofthe ‘pitters’. last lap, not the first lap.” The race settled with de “That last stop is probably said,‘Wow! I’m in first place.’ what won us this race,” “I’m glad the race didn’t Ferran leading Pruett (who Moore said later. end one lap sooner, that’s for stopped on lap 20 with sure.” Over the final 25 laps the engine problems), Moreno, Franchitti and a charging race was on as 18 cars - yes, Points after 8 of 17 races: 18 -ran more or less nose-to- Paul Tracy 94, Andretti 86, Moore Michael Andretti. 85, Vasser 73,Zanardi 67, Pruett tail lap after lap. But as the afternoon pro Despite running on a low 65, de Ferran 61, Gugelmin 47. gressed, pock-marked with

LI says sorry for fight

AMERICAN racing legend AJ Foyt was involved in a fight after the latest round of the Indy Racing League series at Texas Motor Speedway. Foyt’s drivers, Billy Boat and Davey Hamilton, were initially given first and second places and were celebrating on the podium with Foyt when Arie Luyendyk arrived, claiming that he had won the race. Foyt leapt off the podium and attacked the Indy 500 winner, knocking him to the ground in front of a national television audience. Foyt apologised last Tuesday, but still maintains his anger. “You just don’t mouth some body in Victory Lane,” said the 62-year-old. But the Dutchman had the last laugh. The race officials eventually

admitted they had missed TWO of Luyendyk’s laps and he was elevated to first place ahead of Foyt’s drivers. Apart from the monumental timing errors - blamed on faulty transmitters on Luyendyk’s and Scott Goodyear’s cars - the race could have represented a real turning point for the IRL. The first major event at the impressive new TMS track had all the potential to be a great one. Run under lights on a Saturday night, it attracted a 26car grid and a huge crowd (offi cial IRL estimate was 128,000, while the track only holds 120,000: about 90,000 were there) and the competition at the head of the field was strong, with nine different drivers leading. At one stage Tony Stewart and Buddy Lazier ran wheel-to¬

wheel for the lead for three

laps. But the timing system, installed and operated by the United States Auto Club, over shadowed any positives that came out of the weekend. The other blight on the race was the number of yellow flags (eight, accounting for a quarter of the event’s 208 laps) and con tinued engine unreliability. Stewart was the most consis tent front-runner and looked set for the win (according to the original timing) until his engine blew, leaving Boat and Hamilton to take the flag under yellows. After the event Foyt was said to be issuing an appeal to have the original results reinstated. “They (USAC) feel they are right and we feel we are right. We’ll let this play out,” he said.

Injured Tracy to regain balance SERIES leader Paul Tracy expects to be back in action at Portland this weekend after missing the Detroit race in bizarre circumstances. Tracy had an attack of vertigo. His condition has been caused by an inner ear infection which is a result, apparently, of the constant heavy g-loads (in excess of 5Gs at Gateway two weeks earlier) in the recent series offour oval races. Tracy practiced and qualified in Detroit but was treated for muscle spasms in his neck on Saturday evening and took part in Sunday's morning's pre-race warm-up before deciding he was too ill to race. "Sometimes my vision gets blurred for a few moments and my balance isn't right," said Tracy. "I can't race safely feeling like this." "It's similar to the problem that. Jimmy (Vasser) had when he crashed here last year."

20Jmm/

FIA rocked “There’s no need to Gow by German compromise TV victory By JOE SAWARD

THE FIA and Bernie Ecclestone's ISC company have lost the preliminary case over the televising of the FIA European Truck Racing Cup - which could have far more wide-reach ing ramifications for the sport. The Frankfurt District Court rrfled last week that both were in breach of com mercial clauses in the Treaty of Rome. The case had been brought by German television compa ny AE TV-Cooperations GmbH of Heidelberg, which televised track racing before the FIA gave the deal to ISC. The decision requires the FIA to make no claim on the TV rights to the series and leave it up to the organisers to market their own TV rights. Although the FIA points out that the decision only applies to the truck series, it seems to set a precedent which could affect other series for which the FIA claims control of TV rights, including the Formula 1 World Championship. The Treaty of Rome applies to 15 countries in the European Community.

The judge rejected the FIA's claim that the TV rights to all FIA-sanctioned motorsport series (of which there are more than 20) belonged to the governing body, saying that contra vened the EC laws governing competition. The FIA's reaction to the decision was to cancel the series. Individual events remain on the International Calendar and it is up to the organisers to decide if they should go ahead. The cancellation of the series makes it far less attractive to manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and MAN, which were using it to pro mote their trucks. The series has had just one round this year. In a statement, the FIA stressed that the Frankfurt decision is an interim judge ment which is subject to "a full and substantive hearing and various appeals" and added that "ultimately what is important is the view of the European Commission and the relevant European Court". The FIA said it was confi dent that it will eventually win the case.

and another case is brewing a H ci

PATRICK Peter, the for mer organiser of sportscar racing with the BPR company, is taking the FIA and ISC to court in France. Peter is claiming $20m in damages as a result of the FIA decision in March this year to estab lish an FIA Grand Touring Championship without the participation of BPR. The Barth Peter Ratel (BPR) Organisation emerged in 1994 and attempted to fill the void left behind by the cancel lation of the FIA World Sportscar Championship at the end of 1992 by organising a series of non-championship races for GT cars.

These races became a championship - although it was not recognised by the FIA - in 1995. At the end of 1995 the FIA claimed the TV rights for sportscar racing and during 1996 BPR and the FIA worked together. There were plans for this to continue in 1997 but Peter and his fellow BPR directors fell out. Ratel joined forces with the FIA to run an all-FIA series and Barth retired, leaving Peter with noth ing, and BPR was dis solved. Peter has applied to the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Paris but there are not expected to be any hearings until November at the earliest.

The battle for survival over Bathurst continues with the V8 Supercar and Super Touring groups still at loggerheads. CHRIS LAMBDEN spoke to the British-based boss of TOCA Alan Gow on his recent visit home to Australia:

MOTORSPORT NEWS: BROTHERS IN ARMS: TOCA’s worldwide chief Alan Gow discusses the state of the nation (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith) How is planning coming with the head of his Australian am, TOCA Australia’s Kelvin O’Reilly. along from your per spective for the Bathurst there have been doubts they 1000, TV, the proven race thought the 1000 Consortium would just go infrastructure and a field how many expressed concerning international entries will Super Tourer reliability away and that they’d slip of international cars and there be? drivers ... over 1000km ... back into October 5, but it ALAN GOW: There’ll be hasn't worked out that AG: The V8 series here 12, maybe more, from MN: How do you see the is a sprint one and they way. The clash will hurt them Europe, others from Asia, seem to manage lOOOikm! category here having New Zealand and maybe Yes, there are some obvi more than us. They progressed since your last visit? the US. All-up, we’re aim ous changes in specs should move the race November? AG: There is a better ing for a 36-car field. .required for a long race, back In terms of the British b'ut it’s no big deal. It’s not Australia Day? Easter? - quality of car now - the Sierras and such have teams, there’s just one before they are fully com rocket science. Engine life team that has said they in Super Tourer sprint for mitted to something that’s gone and the cars are definitely can’t come and mat is 1000km as it is. going to be very expen more contemporary. that’s Renault, whose cars Like the V8s, we’d like sive to put on. aren’t sold in Australia. MN: With two pathurst more cars, but that will The rest are pretty keen. races just two weeks MN: Given the likelihood come. I’d expect a number We’ve got a super apart, the common con- that there will be two of competitive cars to package for them. For the remain here after European teams we’re Bathurst. chartering a 747 cargo In some ways Bathurst plane, which will hold 15this year has also hin 20 cars, and providing six dered the championship a 'air tickets per car. little. As we’ve said to them, Some of the smaller it’ll cost no more than if teams'have decided to they were doing a save some of their budget Snetterton 1000. for that and so it creates a The TV deal, as you short-term negative effect know, is tremendous, so I . on the numbers in the don’t think we’ll have too series. many problems achieving' But Bathurst will be a the field we want. elusion is that both races this year, is there big boost in terms of the We’re having to provide races must suffer to room for a single, com number and quality of cars this package this year some degree. Would you promise race in 1998? racing here next year. because the race agree? AG: Well, we have a (Bathurst) was announced AG: Yes, it’s a bad deal (with the Consortium) MN: You’ve gone with after all the teams had set clash of dates. Serious through to 2004, so live coverage for the their budgets for the year. first time in the UK. How questions have to be there’s no need for com For subsequent years asked of CAMS as to why promise to come from us, did it work? they will budget for it - it a permit was issued for as I see it. AG: Very well. The will, we expect, become October 19, so close to a They (AVESCO) have coverage was wellthe biggest touring car similar race. the star drivers and that’s received and it had no race in the world and they That aside, you also their only strength. Their effect on the race-day will want to be there. race will cost a fortune to crowd. Brands Hatch was have to question AVESCO’s business put on and the losses will the first live round and MN: Given that the UK sense in going for October be considerable. there were 38,000 paying series is a sprint one. 19. I think that at the time We have the Bathurst adults there ...

‘‘Bathurst will, we expect, become the biggest touring car race in the world and they will want to be there.”

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n Stirling Moss is to be honoured at UK motorsports festivals at Goodwood (June 20-22) and Aintree(July 19-20). This year marks the 40th anniversary of Moss’s his toric victoiy for Vanwall at Aintree, the first Formula 1 World Championship victory for a British driver in a British car. Now aged 67, Moss is still competing with occasional guest dri ves in a range of historic single-seater and sportscar machinery. n Tom Walkinshaw is among those to have shown interest in buying Lola Cars. According to Latham, Crossley & Davis, the administrators appointed to the cashtroubled racecai- construc tor, several companies have made enquiries about the Huntingtonbased business which they describe as an “attractive proposition”. n The promoters of the RAC British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 13 say that raceday is a sell out, with all gi-andstand seating booked. n Opel Motorsport Chief Peter Flohi- is being forced to relinquish his post due to poor health. Flohr, 60, who intends to stay on until the end of the season,joined GM’s Russelsheim, Gei-many, / competition division mid way through 1995 after a period with BMW Motorsport in the 1980s. n Germany is restruc turing its motorsport organisation with the retirement of Wilhelm Lyding,the 68-year-old newspaper executive who has run much of German motorsport since the early 1980s- and has been a Vice-President of the FIA since 1993. Lyding has proposed the establish ment of a new umbrella organisation for the vari ous German sporting bod ies in place of the current ONS. - QUENTIN SPURRING

FF to ban treatments FORMULA Ford teams had better watch their fluids in the future following a minor furore at Lakeside on Sunday. The almost traditional use on brake fluid or Armour-jAll on tyi'e sidewalls is likely to be banned following an investigation into alleged tyre softening compounds. After some sniping in the paddock and to clear the whole matter, series scruti neer Greg Black charged Marcos Ambrose after race two. It was immediately proved that Ambrose's team was using only Armour-All on his

tyres and the charges were dismissed. The use of brake fluid has been ongoing for around 20 years. The slippery nature of the liquid means that tyres are less likely to 'gi-ab' when FFs bang wheels, lessening the likelihood on an incident. n But it is now almost cer tain that CAMS will issue a bulletin that only soap and water will be able to be used in future. "Technically, it's the correct thing to do," said one long time FF person. "But this used to be a sport where peo ple used their common sense." - PHIL BRANAGAN

The 18th race option TEAM bosses will have to decide whether they want to have a 18th round of the FI World Championship this year. The FIA World Motor Sports Council discussed the matter last week in Paris and ruled that it had no objection to an 18th race if the teams agi-ee - but only if all the work asked for is done by the end of August. The Council confirmed that there will be a European Grand Prix at Jerez on Estoril’s original date (October 26) but noted the Portuguese proposal for a race on November 9. The teams are not particularly happy about the situation but will probably agi'ee if pressured. It remains to be seen, however, whether or not the authori ties in Portugal can possibly do all the work in the time avail able. This is doubtful. -JOE SAWARD

Tom on a buying spr TOM Walkinshaw is said to be

on the verge of buying the financially troubled Lola Cars company. Eric Broadley’s customer car business has been in financial administration in recent weeks as a result of the company’s dis astrous attempt to enter Formula 1 racing. Lola has run successfully for 39 years and has exclusive con tracts to supply chassis in Formula 3000 and in the Indy Lights series. It also has a few

●customers left in CART racing, Isomething on which Tom could build.

Interestingly, top TWR man Tony Dowe was at last week’s Detroit Indycar race, but he denied there were any plans to buy Lola. The word in the paddock in Montreal was that Tom was also

He flew from Europe to Canada on Thursday, returned the following evening, arriving in France in time to be present for most of the 24 Hours before

planning to build customer sportscars based on the Nissans which Tom ran at the Le Mans 24 Hours last weekend.

rushing to Paris to catch Concorde to. New York in time to be in Canada for the start of the Grand Prix.

The Nissan connection is obvi-

After the race on Sunday Tom

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ously important for Tom. He spent the weekend ferrying backwards and forwards between the Canadian Grand Prix and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Auger

took off back to Europe again. There was one other interest

ing suggestion in Montreal but it sounds rather far-fetched that he intends buying Mecachrome to ensure he gets the second supply of Renault VlOs next year. Mecachrome is a well-estab lished family engineering com pany but in recent years has suffered badly because of the shrinking French defence industry. - JOE SAWARD

trark with Hlfc

SUPER Touring priva teer David Auger will make it to Calder Park's third round of the BOC Gases Series this week end after an almost

superhuman effort. Auger, whose Alfa Romeo was virtually 155 destroyed in a 200kmh first lap crash at Phillip Island, set to rebuilding the car as soon as the Gun Racing team arrived at their Brisbane base two weeks ago. A damaged Alfa Romeo

155 road car was found in former driver Steven New Zealand and the shell Richards, Auger has came out of the paint shop sprayed his 'new' car red last Monday for fitment of and it will wear signage its mechanicals. from new sponsor 'Fishing "The car was a mess World Magazine'. At one stage it appeared after the accident," said Auger this week. "The guys ■ that Auger may have drihave done a sensational job ven a Vauxhall Cavalier at Calder. getting it ready for Calder. Bob Tweedie offered him "At one stage we had his second nine people working day a steer in but the and night. The car is actuCavalier Queenslander declined, ally better than before. And it will look different, preferring to rebuild his Rather than the Valvoline own car. - PHIL BRANAGAN blue and red on white of its

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Jacques the tourist and French revolutions

Photo by Allsport/APL

R V

egular readers of this column wil l know that I live in France, in a peaceful rural world, a million miles away from the hurly-burly of Formula 1 rac ing. One of the few drawbacks of this lifestyle is that whenever I do get to go home and want to have some peace, I always find myself answering questions about what is going on in F1. People want to know. The French love sport and they like to win. ^ My cleaning lady told me the other day that she is a big Jacques Villeneuve fan. She doesn’t know much about motor racing but since she found out what I did for a living she has taken an interest - which is very touching. She saw Jacques on the televi sion and thinks that he is a very fine driver - even if he wears clothes which are several sizes too big for him - and she loves to lecture me about Jacques’ talents. The only slight problem was that until recently she thought Jacques was French and, being ever so slightly nationalistic, was happy to cheer his every move. It took me a few days to pluck up the courage to tell her that her hero was actually not French at all. “Of course he’s French,” she cried. “Urn. Well, actual ly, he’s a Canadian,” I mumbled. From Quebec.” “Eh, bah ouf!” she said - clearly believing that Quebec is merely a foreign dependency of France. “So what nationality is this Panis then?” “Urn. Well, actually he’s French,” I said, “He’s really a very good driver, too.”

Why was the meeting not sched uled some other time? Jacques said. Having to go to Paris was going to interrupt HIS preparation for HIS home race. Some cried “conspiracy” and that the whole silly interlude was organised so that Jacques would be destabilised for the Canadian race. What a lot of rub bish. It may be boring to point it out, but World Councils are not easy things to organise. They only happen three or four times a year and in order to hold them around different 25 delegates - all

Jacques took it fairly well If he had been a Frenchman he might have complained a lot more.

Sometimes, rarefied world of Formulain1,the people assume that the whole world turns on what happens in Grand Prix racing and not vice versa. It seems surprising to some in the paddock that bushmen in the Kalahari do not know that Mika Hakkinen is blond and that there might be Eskimos who have not heard of Bernie Ecclestone. The real world'is simply not that impor tant. A journalist friend of mine tells a story which highlights, dramati cally, the way that FI can be. Back in 1980, during the American election campaign, he asked a Grand Prix driver what he thought about Jimmy Carter. “Who does he drive for?” came the response - and it was not a joke. When the Soviet Union was falling apart back in 1991, an FI driver was asked what he thought about the happenings in Moscow. “It’s okay,” he replied. “Bernie says we don’t have to race there.” This blithe spirit popped up again when Jacques Villeneuve was called to Paris for a quick smack on the wrist from the FIA World Motor Sports Council last week.

successful men who have other things to do - from all over the world have to get to Paris. These meetings are. programmed months in advance. Jacques was lucky in that the Canadian aviation firm Bombadier has some smart PR people who realised it might be a bright idea to lay on a free Challenger jet for Jacques and his entourage to hop backwards and fonwards to Paris. Now this may sound like a bit of a drag, but out there in the real world people dream about going to Paris; and they dream of flying in private jets so the fact that poor old Jacques had to go to Paris, have dinner, stay in a nice hotel, put on a tie (which was probably the most painful bit of the whole trip for Jacques), have a boring 10-minute meeting and then whizz back to Canada on the jet was not such a punishment. Still, Jacques took it fairly well. If he had been a Frenchman he might have complained a lot more. The in my are French, a rebellious lot.experience, They have been since the days when Asterix the Gaul and his mates caused the Roman Empire lots of prob lems. As a nation they love non conformity. In France, James Dean is an icon..Sharon Stone and Jerry

Evin’s Law, which banned the advertising of tobacco and alco¬ hol. This gesture meant that sud denly none of France’s young dri vers had any sponsorship money because Gauloises, Marlboro and Camel were all forced to stop their promotional activities. All the bright young Frenchmen were condemned to drive dull cars at Le Mans for the rest of their lives. One thinks of Eric Helary, Christophe Bouchut, Yvan Muller, Franck Lagorce, Jean-Christophe Bouillon, Emmanuel Collard and about 20 others who might have done something had Claude Evin and his do-gooders not enacted their daft legislation. The French are not smoking any less. hen the Socialists were dri ven out, there was a real hope that the Republicans would undo some of the damage. Sports Minister Guy Drut was quietly untangling Evin’s Law and Jacques Chirac and others were helping Alain Prost get things together with some of France’s big businesses. The Socialists now say that the big car companies should not be allowed to lay-off workers who are not doing anything. This makes it very difficult for Renault and Peugeot to be competitive against their, slimline rivals in Germany and Japan. It will also mean that less money will be available for motor racing activities. If Prost is to survive as a French national team he is going to have to adopt a much more international approach to running his team. He was always planning to do so, but now life will simply be more difficult for him. It is such a shame because France has such a great heritage in motor racing and views itself somewhat chauvinistically - as the home of the sport. It was certainly the cradle of the sport, with all the great early racing events organised from Paris to other European cities. The first Grand Prix was at Le Mans in 1906, and the French automotive industry led the way in the 1920s and early 1930s with such great marques as Bugatti, Delahaye, Delage, Talbot Lorraine-Dietrich Renault, Salmson, Peugeot and Ballot. When the Germans started tak ing the sport seriously in 1934 the French era was over. “Let’s face it,” veteran FI jour nalist Jabby Crombac said to me the other year, “in the 1930s the French were all second league racers. Only Bugatti was faintly serious in FI. France in those years was in the doldrums. People were only interested in striking and going on holidays.” It is a similar story today and only Prost is there to fight for French motorsport. Well, I guess he might get some help from that other wellknown French racing driver Jacques Villeneuve... n

Lewis have both been honoured with the status of Chevalier de rOrdre des Arts et Lettres - which is a kind of knighthood. If there has to be change, so the French believe, it should always be done as messily as possible. The French hate smooth transitions. Every so often a nice Revolution is what you need. In motor racing terms, you need only look at the history of Ligier to appreciate this concept. Guy Ligier used to hire the most expensive design team he could find. Give them a year to do the job and when they failed to beat the boring steady English teams, everyone would be dumped and a new mob would be wheeled in. It was a disastrous way of running a Formula 1 team. Inevitably, after losing steadily for 12 years, Ligier finally handed the team on to Cyril de Rouvre, who then became an integral part of the French prison system and had to flog the operation to Flavio Briatore. Flavio grabbed the team’s Renault engine supply and then handed what was left to Tom Walkinshaw to run on his behalf. Tom did all the right things to build the team up and thus at Monaco in 1996 Olivier Panis finally gave the team another win - by which time Tom had decided he did not

want to run a French team and had bought Arrows. Flavio then flogged it on to Alain Prost. It will be interesting to see how Alain does. He has a much more measured approach than the average Frenchman, having learned that the best way to win World Championships is to adopt the British work ethic and make steady progress. in

Afew weeks ago everything Alain’s garden looked rosy, but the French people have since decided that it was time for a revo lution and pole-axed Alain’s republican supporters and elected a Socialist government with poli cies from the Jurassic period. This was not because anyone believes that Socialism will ever work in France; it is simply because the Socialists said that they wouldn’t do anything nasty and would create jobs, build little houses for poor homeless seals, ban landmines and give everyone free open-toed sandals. There would be no more job losses, no more taxes, no change at all in fact. This is a disaster for French motor racing and as we head to Magny-Cours it is perhaps worth pointing it out. The last Socialist government demolished most of France’s motorsport industry with

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The Peter Brock Story - Part 1

in the

In thisfirst installment ofPeter Brock's life story, DAVID HASSALL looks at the earliest days ofhis career and how he came to be racing in the first place. Infuture issues we will take you right through to his last race, at Bathurst later this year:

any great sportsmen can James raced at that track against recall the time and place, one of my own early ancestors the very nhoment even, and beat him! when they consciously Henry James was Geoff Brock’s set out to be a champion in their great-uncle and, although he given field. The inspiration is usual retired from racing automobiles at ly provided by witnessing a great around the time Geoff was born, spectacle as a child. In other the tales of his exploits were retold cases, the'course is pre-ordained many times to Geoff and his broth by parentai involvement or ambi ers and the motoring fascination tion. passed on. With Peter Brock, however, the Geoff, Peter’s late father, path towards a career in motor rac became quite keen on motor racing ing was not so well defined. There and attended various meetings and was a family interest in the sport, hillclimbs around Melbourne, but although nothing of overwhelming never competed. Buying hot cars significance, and some youthful and howling around the district, by exposure, but still not singularly all accounts, was the closest he momentous. came to actually racing himself. It seems that motor racing was Geoff did get involved wijh rac ing, though. He worked for the simply in his system from a num ber of early experiences and the local Austin distributors at a time interest never left him. when they were racing various One could, I suppose, say that Healeys and Peter recalls being racing was bred into the family by taken along to places such as one of Australian motoring’s most Fishermans Bend, Altona, Albert notable rounding fathers - Henry Park and Rob Roy hillclimb as an James - who was an executive eight- or nine-year-old. with the Dunlop rubber company at emories of those times are the turn of the century and who naturally hazy now, but Peter took part in the pioneering Sydneyto-Melbourne affairs at the time. does recall seeing Jack Brabham James not only set one of the in his Redex Special downing the very first inter-capital records with big name of the time, Stan Jones a Talbot, but also competed in the (Alan’s father), who was in the legendary Maybach Special. His country’s first organised race meet ings at places such as Aspendale fascination with these Au§tralian in Melbourne and another track specials would surface some years later when he built the which was on the site of the pre sent Sandown circuit. In fact, Austin A30.

It was therefore his father who actually introduced Peter to the thrills of motor racing, but there was little to it at the time. There was no sudden burning desire to emulate Brabham or Jones and nor was there any encouragement from his father to take more than a passing interest in the sport. After a couple of years of tinker ing with the Austins and attending various meetings, Geoff made a complete break from racing. He had four young children at home who demanded more paternal attention.

EVIL HANDLING; The Holden-engined Austin A30 was Peter’s first race car and handled terribly, but he didn’t know any better at the time. Here it is at Sandown, where the local scrutineers described it as a dis grace and sent it off to Harry Firth’s for a thorough engineering appraisal, which it passed with flying coloursI

Although there was little talk of motor racing in the home, even when Geoff was involved, Peter was interested enough to attend a few more meetings on his own. His favourite venue was Templestowe hillclirnb because it was close enough to ride there on his bicycle. The nature of the terrain tempered his enthusiasm for the chore after awhile, though. In the meantime, Peter got hold of a couple of derelict Austin 7s and filled most of his leisure time fiddling with them. One of the Austin 7s was actually put into working order, although it was rather crude, to say the least. It was simply a bare chassis with running gear. Any passenger game to ride along sat on a plank while Peter’s seat left the steering wheel much higher than was desirable. Nevertheless, it served a purpose. Peter’s fondest memo ry of that car is from 1960, when he was 15 years old. The very first Armstrong 500 - the forerunner of the Bathurst 1000 - was being shown on televi sion live from Phillip Island. Throughout the day he would go outside, fire up the old Austin and go thrashing up the road which led to the house, hurling the awkwardlooking machine through a corner at the gate as if he were in the race itself. A few years later, armed with his driving licence, Peter once more had the means to get around

to race meetings and never wasted an opportunity. Norm Beechey and Bob Jane were the heroes by now and he travelled many miles to see them race at places such as Tarrawingee, Winton, Hume Weir, Calder and Sandown. Peter always travelled with a group of mates and naturally there was a lot of idle talk about how they would go against all the other jokers out on the track, but nothing

He would go outside, fire up the old Austin and go thrashing up the road which led to the house, hurling the awkwardlooking machine through a corner at the gate as if he were in the race itself. was ever done to prove it. One of the group’s favourite tricks was to drive up to one of the country circuits - Tarrawingee being one of the most popular where they would stage their own private practice sessions. In those days the circuits con sisted of little more than a ribbon of bitumen in the middle of a paddock and there was never any trouble

making

FROM BOY TO MAN: When Peter was around 15 or 16(below) he starting taking a serious interest in cars and racing. This Austin 7 chassis (right) provided him with the first opportunity to display his ■^natural gifts of car control, which quickly turned into race results when he started racing in his 20s (left). ■

things mechanical and driving in particular. Regardless of that, he was trained as a medical assistant for three months in Healesville (Victoria) before being posted to Wagga in southern New South Wales. To his own amazement, Peter eventually found himself in charge of a Regimental Aid Post at Kapooka along with an old friend from spectating at motor races, Ken Mitchell. With a bunch of national ser vicemen in charge, it wasn’t sur prising that the RAP was run on a fairly casual basis. Another ‘Nasho’ who worked with 'Peter was David Turnbull, who became a notorious Victorian Formula Vee driver of some considerable note. With such motor rac ing minded people around, it didn’t take long for competitions to start up with the aim of getting the RAP ambu lance across to the local hospital faster than the next man. It was Turnbull who took the prize for the most excit ing drive, if not the fastest. Hauling the Land Rover ambulance.into what was known as Hospitai Corner at an all-too-brisk rate, Turnbull got the device up onto two wheels before careering into a paddock. It amused everyone except the patients in the back, one of whom was nursing a broken leg! After this incident, a report was filed that the ambulance was being driven too quickly, but Turnbull countered with another report that the old Land Rover handled so badly that he shouldn’t have to drive it! Both reports apparently came to nothing.

Peter had seen A30s race before, liked their ungainly looks and per haps felt an empathy for the mar que because of his father’s earlier involvement. The class they were aiming at was Sports/Racing Closed, which allowed enormous freedoms but was still dominated by chopped and channelled lightweight Minis. The A30 would be light and, they hoped, powerful. The 179 engine came from a wrecked HD Holden which had only 12,000 miles on it. The shell was a complete wreck but the engine, gearbox and rear end were perfect and Peter knew it was a bargain for only $450. Completing an outlay of around $600, they then bought a smashed Triumph Herald frame - as a source of cheap square-section tubing. oney was still tight, so to begin with, they would rely on drum brakes, a standard engine and Polyglas tyres (used ones, of course). Peter was a little bitter that his “tworyear sojourn” in the Army was costing him time while others advanced their racing careers, so he decided he would make the

one of Australia’s most famous competition cars, however, were far from spartan. It was an old hen house at the back of the Brock family home in Wattle Glen and, although there were no longer any chooks in it, there was little else to distinguish it from its former role. The floor was rough and it was bit terly cold in winter. Peter had never arc-welded before starting the A30, but he soon discovered that turning the amperage up made a hole and turning it down filled the hole again. To accommodate the engine, a hole had to be cut in the bulkhead and the arc welder was put into use because he had no shears. One or two of the more intricate pieces of bracket welding were farmed out to some engineer ing mates, but the car was other wise built entirely by Peter, who was learning as he went, and Ken Mitchell. That nothing ever broke or cracked on the A30 is still a matter of great pride for Peter. Through its two-year career, the car was tidied up in places (such as the bulk head!) but remairied substantially the same as when It was finally wheeled out of the Wattle Glen hen-house.

Peter was a little bitter that his sojourn in the Army was costing him time while others advanced their racing careers, so he decided he would make the time well spent and ordered a working bee on the A30.

getting on because no one was ever around. Perhaps not surprisingly, Peter was always the quickest in these sessions. Encouraged by his mates, who realised he had some talent, Peter started to think about building a race car. At this time, Peter was driving a 48-Series Holderi on the road and, with racing partly in mind, he pro gressively built it into quite a potent device. Like the racing versions of the time, it had a hot cam, extrac tors, the right carburettor, balanced everything and Pirelli tyres on Customline rims.

here was little about Holdens that Peter didn’t know, even then, thanks to the job he took at Preston Motors after leaving school. As a spare parts represen tative, he had a company car and learned all the Holden part num bers - he knew those cars back wards! The job also enabled him to get around to all the local automotive

houses and he spent most of his time at the ones with some racing involvement. It there was a racing Holden on the premises, the young Brock was a hard man to get rid of! It was, says Peter, a great job for a car-mad 18-yearold. After some time getting the old Holden ready to race, Peter realised that he really couldn’t afford to race it. Racing in that par ticular class was very competitive at the time and therefore expen sive. The Holden was also his road car and he decided to keep it that way. Before Peter had time to consid er an alternative, though, he was called up for National Service - a compulsory two-year training peri od with the Army. As things turned out, the Army probably served Peter better than the other way around. In the usual roundabout way the Army does things, Peter was assigned to the medical corps, having told them of his interest in

Being stationed NSW, Peter attended his firstinBathurst - the Gallaher 500, which had taken over from the Phillip Island event. He was captivated by the circuit, particularly across the top of the mountain, and started making plans to get onto the other side of the fence. After tripping around numerous wreckers’ yards in both Wagga and Melbourne, Peter and Ken finally bought an Austin A30 body shell.

time well spent and, being in charge of the RAP, ordered a working bee on the A30. The car was brought into Kapooka and completely stripped down. A surgical bath used for treating skin complaints and getting off plaster, combined with the gallons of methylated spirits on hand, was employed for cleaning all the mechanical items. Many of these parts were then painted and left to hang in one of the rooms. The doctor who worked with Peter was slightly bemused by all this but, so long as he was doing his job well, no complaints were made. As much as possible was done in those last few months of Army service, but the real work began when Peter was discharged in mid1967. From that moment on it was solid work during every spare moment until completion in November of the same year. The surroundings for the con struction of what was to become

eter raced the A30 for the first time at Winton in November, 1967, but failed to finish a race because of fuel starvation.' Geoff fixed that by drilling out the pick-up pipe and Peter was thrilled by finishing a race at the Hume Weir meeting on Boxing Ddy. With the car running reliably and fairly quick ly after a few meetings, Peter took it down to a local garage and had the suspension aligned for the first time! He dis covered that setting the suspension by eye, with the help of some string and chalk, on an uneven hen-house floor was by no means the best. Although the handling was improved, it was never perfect, simply because of the car’s dimen sions. It was almost as wide as it was long! To compensate for this, Peter was probably the only racer in the country who had his wheels widened inwards rather than out. Throughout 1968 Peter and the A30 built up quite a reputation as they took on and frequently beat the previously dominant Minis of drivers such as Lakis Manticas, Garry Cooke, John Leffler, Don Holland and Lynn Brown. By the end of that year, the con stantly-improved car had the upper hand and Peter started winning more often than he lost, including a class victory in the Australian Hillclimb Championship at Templestowe. Continued on Page 53

/ 20 June 199/

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Michael's lucky day Report by JOE SAWARD Photos by LAT DIGITAL

MICHAEL Schumacher won a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix when the race was stopped fol lowing a nasty accident for Olivier Panis, which left the Frenchman with two broken legs. For Schumacher it was the per fect result because his champi onship rival Jacques Villeneuve had dropped the ball and crashed on the second lap - much to the dis appointment of the big local crowd. The biggest threat to Schu macher came on this occasion from David Coulthard’s McLaren, who had adopted a one-stop strategy. And the Scotsman would have won if David had not stalled the car because of a clutch problem just a few moments before Olivier crashed. In the end he didn’t even score a point, having to settle, for seventh place.

Qualifying

The whole of Canada seemed to be interested in Jacques Villeneuve’s adventui’es in FI. Last year he was beaten by Damon Hill but this year - as the senior Williams driver - he was the hot tip for success. But, for whatever reason, Villeneuve looked slightly rattled all weekend. His well-defrned pre-race routine had been disrupted by the trip to the FIA in Paris (see news pages); he was in his home country and under pressure from the local media; there were family members and friends to look after. There were also bigger problems. The nature of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve did not suit Jacques Villeneuve. The Williams-Renault FW19 is a great car, but the Montreal track does not reward this. It is a place where aerodynam ic efficiency is not important. Drivers have to accelerate hard and brake hard. They do not have to scrabble for gidp in high-speed cor ners. “We have a very strong aerody namic car,” explained Villeneuve, “and whenever there are high speed turns I think we have the edge. On a track like this - where you run low downforce - the differ ence is not there.” There were also problems for Goodyear, which arrived to find

BOLTER ... Michael Schumacher made the most of his pole position by racing clear from the start and he was given even more breathing space when Villeneuve, here running second, made a mistake and crashed on the second lap. that the organisers had not both ered to tell them that large sections of the track had been resurfaced. If they had known, the Goodyear engineers could have built a pai'ger margin of safety into the tyres cho sen. Instead, the choice was based on past experience which meant that Goodyear was able to adopt a slightly riskier strategy than Bridgestone - which has to be con servative because it simply does not know. The Montreal circuit actually has quite low levels of tyre wear, but suddenly the Goodyear tyres were retaining their heat and blistering. The track tends to get faster dur ing a weekend and the last few minutes of the qualifying tend to be the important ones. On Friday Heinz-Harald Frentzen was quickest. Everyone says that fimes are largely mean ingless on Friday - and they are -

but between, teammates there is always a rivalry For whatever reason, Jacques looked tense before qualifying began. As the minutes ticked away at the start of the session, no-o*ne moved. There was no point in wast ing tyres, cleaning up the track for others and so everyone stayed in the garages. Eventually, Villeneuve went out and set provisional pole, which was then taken over by Ralf Schumacher, Frentzen, Michael Schumacher, David Coulthard, then Michael and Jacques again. Just before the end, Wurz (subbing forAlexander Gerhard Berger) planted his Benetton heavi ly into the wall at the last corner and out came the red flags. In the final dash for pole, Villeneuve’s last lap looked ragged

and not as concentrated as one might have expected. Barrichello held it together to grab third on the grid for the Stewart-Ford team. And Michael Schumacher - cool as a cucumber - was as focused as ever. He flashed across the line, stopping the clocks 0.013s ahead of Jacques. It was a tiny margin, but a margin nonetheless. “To be honest,” said Michael, “I am a little surprised to be in this position. I did not expect it. “The circuit is just chicanes where aerodynamics do not pay out much. At Silverstone and MagnyC ours we are probably going to be in more trouble but we are the process of changing several pieces on the car; we will see.” His qualifying had not been with out drama. In mid-session he had switched to his spare because of problems with the race car. The red flag, however, meant his own car could be fixed for the last run and he used it to the full. It was a good result for Ferrari, but once again Eddie Irvine was way off the pace of his team leader - 1.4s down in 12th position on the

grid.

EARLY CASULATY... Eddie Irvine collected the first corner debris and was eliminated on the spot. Here the Ferrari spins out as Katayama, Nakano and Magnussen squeeze through three abreast.

Eddie could not understand what had happened. He had done a good time in the morning when it was cooler but he lost the balance in the wanner afternoon conditions. Villeneuve had to settle for run ner-up spot with Frentzen fourth, making it the first time since Hungary last August that a Williams was not on pole position. “Last year was very close,” said Jacques, “and this year it was very close again. It is very frustrating. We were looking pretty good. “My third run was the best one but there were still a few tenths that could have been put into it. We tried to do that but it did not work out. “Getting the perfect lap does not happen often. It did not happen here. That is part of qualifying.

Today was very close. Still there are two races in Germany so there are two times I can pay Michael back for this.” Frentzen was only 0.3s off the pole time. “It was an interesting fight,” he reported. “I thought I could have been third but I had a last try on a new set of rubber and I was held up. There was nothing I could do. There was a bit of traffic because the session had been stopped.” Third on the grid was Banichello - which was a surprise. Rubens had been really pushing and with the help of the Bridgestone t3rres, the rapidly-developing Stewart chassis and the ever-improving Ford VIO engine he was able to record Stewart’s best qualifying position to date. “The car is working great,” said Rubens, “but it is a surprise'because of the big straight. We were not thinking about the top three. “I am very pleased with the tyFes. They are really doing a great job. We are strong aerodynamically it means we can run minimum wing almost Hockenheim levels of wing and the car is still very good under braking. “I want to say thanks to Damon. He blocked me on my second and third runs and that made me very angry for the fourth run.” In the circumstances, Jan Magnussen was a very disappoint ing 21st on the grid, complaining of bad understeer and traffic. With Coulthard and Hakkinen ninth,fifth McLaren was a disappointment given that the new Mercedes-Benz VIO engine is clearly a very powerful. Both drivers should probably have done better. David had a crash on Friday and then had to stop with an engine problem in qualifying which meant ru nning back for the spare. He then came out of the pits as the red flags came out. He was not very happy

20June W/

OUT OF LUCK ... David Coulthard (seen talking with his engineer above) was in a strong position to take his second win of the year until the clutch refused to disengage on his final pit stop, losing him a lap. He got going again but finished just out of the points.

with the spare car and had a small off trying to push too hard. Hakkinen was disappointed as well. “I could not get the grip I needed to give me confidence to drive the car faster,” he said. “My place on the gi-id is not as good as I would have liked.” The two Jordans were sixth and seventh with Giancarlo Fisichella again beating Ralf Schumacher. The two seemed to spend most of their time trying to beat the other rather than the opposition, Giancarlo complaining of traffic and Ralf had to take to the spare after breaking second gear. “Seventh is not bad,” said the German, “but I would like to have done more. The T-car felt a little different but basically it was good and I have decided to race it tomor row.” Benetton was not on the pace again after the flattering showing in Barcelona and it did not help that Gerhard Berger was out of action with sinus problems. His place was taken by the team’s reserve driver Alexander Wurz, who did a pretty competent job until he stuffed the B197 into the wall at the final corner on his final run. Jean Alesi ended up eighth with Wurz 11th. Olivier Panis was also disap pointing in 10th. “I found myself struggling for grip,” said Olivier. “Detailed adjust-

It was the same story on Sunday morning as Olivier Panis set the fastest time in the warm-up with a confident display in his ProstMugen Honda. The question was whether or not Olivier would be able to make up the disadvantage of a lowly grid position - or so we all thought. In fact the race was a very differ ent stoiy. At the start Michael Schumacher

loser, dropping from third on the grid to eighth. Behind this lot there was a wip ing out of the mid-field as Mika Hakkinen stood on the anchors to avoid hitting Rubens and was iim into from behind by race favourite Panis. The impact tore the rear wing off the McLaren and the front wing off the Prost. The various bits of car bounced across the road and made contact with Irvine, putting paid to his race. Damon Hill also hit some of the wreckage while further back Magnussen and Nakano collided while trying to get avoid everything else, nudging Magnussen into the barriers. So at the end of the lap Panis and Hakkinen came into the pits, where Panis had a new nose fitted and rejoined, but Mika’s race was over.

Down at the back were the ment helped improve the situation a bit with each I'un and I think I Minardis - 20th and 22nd on the would have been able to set a faster grid. lap on my final flying lap but I was Race - 54 laps of caught in traffic in the closing min utes. It did not work up.” scheduled 69 Despite this, a lot of money in the The big question on Saturday paddock was on Panis for the race. got away well with Villeneuve in night had been over tyres with the Nakano was 19th - 0.7s behind his wake and a fast-starting Goodyear teams all trying to work Panis - and complained that his out what to do to stop blistering. Fisichella third and an even fasterfastest lap had been disrupted by starting Jean Alesi. Some chose to subject the tyres to a an errant Minardi slowing to enter Behind these four was Coulthard variety of heat cycles, others let the pitlane. and then a slow-away Frentzen and 'Goodyear shave the tyres to tiy to Sauber was a disappointment find a way of getting the heat out of Half Schumacher. with Johnny Herbert 13th and them. Continued next page 'Rubens Barrichello was the big Gianni Morbidelli 18th, both com plaining that the cars were very unstable over the bumps. The tyres were also blistering badly but the Two Johnnies reck oned they had a good set-up for the race. Fourteenth on the grid was a good effort from Jos Verstappen in his ED5-fengined Tyrrell, which was well-balanced but underpowered. Mika Sale was down in 17th, complaining that Ukyo Katayama got in his way. On his one clear lap he made a mistake and dumped himself into a sand trap. Damon Hill and Pedro Diniz were struggling again in the Arrows. The new D-spec engines were not very reliable and so Damon used a C-spec in qualifying to take 15th on the grid. Pedro lost his C-spec engine on Saturday morning (another explod ing Yamaha) and so had to use the D-spec to qualify one place behind. LEAD LOST... A costly error and Schuey’s win put local hero Villeneuve back to second in the championship.

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suppose I just wasn't meant to win the Canadian Grand Pnx. Weil, not this year anyway. Despite all the effort I'd put in during practice to finding a good race set up, I was in trouble again from the start. Once more I didn't get off the line very well, but I also had a problem with the left rear tyre. I don't know whether it was dam aged in the incident between Olivier Panis and Mika Hakkinen in the first comer, but after 10 laps I had to come in to have it changed, so that I had a real fight on my hands. My car felt quite good on its second set of tyres and, thanks to the Renault engine, I was able to overtake quite a lot of people. After my stop I was 17th, but I got back up to sixth place by lap 40. I don't know if I would have had a win ning car, but it certainly seemed to be going well, although it was hard to judge just how fast the leaders really were. We were definitely capable of finishing on the podium, so it was a shame that the start was bad again and that the tyre prob lem arose, especially as the car was far bet ter than it had been in similar conditions in Spain. a Castrol The day after I did promotion in Barcelona nearby Taragona, then it was straight off to Silverstone, where the testing for the British Grand Prix started on Tuesday. So there was certainly no time for relaxing after the Spanish Grand Prix. At Silverstone I was looking mostly at working on imprpving my starting technique. I haven't been happy with it all year since starting with the hand clutch. I wanted to have the three-pedal control because that is what all my experience has been with. All of a sudden I had to start using my left hand instead, so it's all a bit different. The Renault engirie also behaves a bit differently to the Ford engine I was used to in the Sauber. I don't yet feel that I've been able to use the full performance of the car at the start of a race. Jacques is using the hand clutch on the right-hand side, and he has a different gearshifting strategy, using only the right hand for shifting up and down. Of course, he is much more,used to the hand clutch, having used it all last year. I came away from Silverstone feeling that 1 had some improvement. Practice makes perfect, after all. It's simply a question of practice. We continued practice starts a few days later at Magny-Cours, with the same target in mind. We did a lot of different things, dif-

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ferent software, and we tried some other things to improve the clutch. Unfortunately we couldn't run the new stuff in Montreal because it wasn't ready in time, but I hope to have it for the race at Magny-Cours. We are due to test there again this week. One goodwas thing has happened recently thatthat my girlfriend Tanya has passed the exams for the captain's training course that she has been studying for. It was my idea that she took the course after I bought my yacht. She was pretty upset with the idea but, with me having no time, she didn't have any choice if she wanted to have fun on our days off. It's quite a demanding exam for the licence with a lot of questions about naviga tion. I think she did very well: she can now captain big boats up to 40 metres. The only drawback is that now she is the captain, I get to do all the hard deck-work, was pleased to get to Canada, because really I'd not had any respite since Barcelona, with all the testing and another promotion in Germany. I was looking for ward to going racing again, to be honest, and Montreal is a great place to do it. Things were a bit up and down on Saturday morning because we were very on the limit with the tyres. It was a bit like Barcelona, although there we didn't have any tyre problems in qualifying, but had a surprise for the race, in Montreal we did have a few problems in practice and it soon became clear- tfiat there was a very fine line between making the tyres work ,and survive, or destroying them. A very, very small window for setting up the right balahce of the car. Because of that, 1 spent a lot of time on Saturday morning mainly working on a good race set-up and running in some tyres for the race. I didn't really spend any time set ting the car up for the morning's timesheets.

Grand Prix of Canada World Championship, round 7 Montreal, June 15th, 1997-54 laps 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F310B, 1h17m40.646s Jean Alesi, Benetton-Renault B197, 1h17m43.211s Giancarlo Fisichella, Jordan-Peugeot 197, 1h17m43.865s Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Williams-Renault FW19,1h17m44.414s Johnny Herbert, Sauber-Petronas C16,1h17m45.362s Shinji Nakano, Prost-Mugen Honda JS45') 1h18m17.347s David Coulthard, McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12, 1 hi 8m18.399s Pedro Diniz, Arrows-Yamaha A18, 53 laps Damon Hill, Arrows-Yamaha A18, 53 laps Gianni Morbidelli, Sauber-Petronas C16,53 laps Olivier Panis, Prost Mugen-Honda JS45, 51 laps

Fastest Lap: Coulthard, Lap 37, 1 ml 9.635s Not Classified: Jan Magnussen, Stewart-Ford SF-1, accident Lap 1 Mika Hakkinen, McLaren-Mercedes MP4/12, accident Lap 1 Eddie Irvine, Ferrari F310B, accident Lap 1 Lap 2 Jacques Villeneuve, Williams-Renault FW19, accident Lap 6 Ukyo Katayama, Minardi-Hart Ml97, accident Lap 15 Ralf Schumacher, Jordan-Peugeot 197, accident Lap 33 Jarno Trulli, Minardi-Hart Ml97, engine Lap 34 Rubens Barrichello, Stewart-Ford SF-1, gearbox electrics Lap 36 Alexander Wurz, Benetton-Renault B197, transmission Lap 43 Jos Verstappen, Tyrrell-Ford 025, engine Lap 47 Mika Salo, Tyrrell-Ford 025, engine World Championship points: 1 M Schumacher 37; 2 Villeneuve 30; 3 Panis 15; 4 Irvine 14; 5 Frentzen and Alesi 13; 7 Coulthard 11; 8 Berger and Hakkinen 10; 10 Fisichella 8; 11 Herbert 7; 12 Barrichello 6; 13 R Scl^umacher 4; 14 Salo 2; 15 Larini and Nakano 1 Constructors’ Championship points: 1 Ferrari 51; 2 Williams-Renault 43; 3 Benetton-Renault 23; 4 McLaren-Mercedes 21; 5 Prost Mugen-Honda 16;6 JordanPeugeot 12; 7 Sauber-Petronas 8; 8 Stewart-Ford 6; 9 Tyrrell- Ford 2

TYRED AGAIN... Frentzen battles tofourth place after replacing a blistered tyre. You could see that Michael (Schumacher) was working the whole time for qualifying trim; one lap then back into the pits, then another lap and the same thing, so he was focusing quite hard for qualifying. I got fourth on the grid and just had to wait and see which was more important; qualifying or the race, j I was surprised when Barrichello pushed me down to fourth place right at the end of qualifying and also surprised that Panis was only 10th. I think I could have held on to third, but on my last ran I was stuck behind a Prost and had to aban don my lap. I was thinking about another try, but then there was the red light in the pits and my chance was gone. You have such a small amount of time, with the number of laps that you are allowed, that it's very difficult to work things out just right.

had deliberately kept some good tyres for the race, without pushing them very hard, and I was hoping to get a real advantage out of that. In Spair> I had been very surprised by the way that my tyres had blistered so early when I wasn't pushing them very hard. I think the problem there was that I wasn't sliding enough; I had too much grip. My set up was done to keep the tyres in good

Continued from previous page Hill also came into the pits because of a vibration. The car was checked over and he was sent on his way. Up front Schumacher pulled out a gap of over a second on the first lap and was even quicker on the next, which surprised secondplaced Villeneuve. “I was just following Michael from far away because he was eat ing up his tyres. I was taking it easy, not pushing, aiming to look after mine. I was going to push later. It was amazing how slippery it was -it surprised me.” At the last corner on the second lap, though, Jacques dropped the ball and slid into the wall. “I went into the corner a little bit fast,” he said, “and I lost it. I made a mistake. It was a beginner’s mis take, I guess, so it’s very annoying. “This is going to be a hard one to swallow. There is no point losing sleep over it, but it is going to be difficult to accept.” With Jacques out, Fisichella moved up to second with Alesi third and Coulthard fourth. Ralf Schumacher followed, having passed Frentzen on lap six. A few laps later Heinz-Harald came into the pits with a blistered left-rear tyre. He rejoined at the back and did a good job to climb right back up to fourth by the end of the race. It was some consolation for the disappointed Williams team. Schumacher began to build a

shape. But again, the margin between working the tyres and over-working them is very small, When you get a blister it just happens suddenly. Though you are still able to do some competitive times, it all depends how bad the blister gets. Once you've got one, you can't clean it up. Once the tyre had gone, that's it. You just try and survive until your scheduled stop. The Montreal track is a tricky one, and though some people say it's quite easy to overtake there, I don't think that's true. It's not that easy because the straight is still a bit too short, but I was expecting plenty of it in the race once people started to get tyre problems, which was just the way it turned out. 1 knew that the guy who had good tyres was going to be able to overtake and that the Bridgestones would probably be quite good.

ou know, I will think a lot about Olivier Panis in Magny-Cours because, of course, it's his home race. What happened to him during the race in Canada was not very clear to us at the time. It was not a pleasant experience to have to drive by his car lap after lap and see him lying there on the grass. It was an uncomfortable feeling for all of us and I'd like to wish him all the best for a quick recovery.

lead on those in pursuit but on lap six Katayama had a big off in his Minardi when its throttle stuck open. This brought out the Safety Car and the field was bunched up behind it for three laps as the mess was cleared away,

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fter the restart Michael set to work to build his advantage again, setting a string of fastest laps to pull out a 10s gap by lap 28. He was on a two-stop strategy. By then Fisichella, Alesi and the impressive Wurz had all pitted, leaving Coulthard to take the lead. As each lap ticked by the perfor mance became more and more impressive. David was on a one-stop race and his pace with a heavy fuel load was impressive. The new Mercedes engine - which David was racing for the first time - was very strong and the tyres were lasting the distance. He finally came in on lap 40 and when Michael had to pit for his sec ond stop on lap 44 David was 15s clear. Michael blistered the next set of tyres and so had to pit again. Seeing this, David came into the pits for a precautionary stop to get a new set - just to be sure. And that is when it all went horribly wrong. The car stalled as David tried to accelerate away. “The clutch did not disengage,” explained David. The team did finally manage to start him up again, but he was now a lap down and the race was by then under another safety Car fol lowing Fanis’s shunt.

Three laps later the Grand Prix was red-flagged and David was classified seventh. A disaster. The team could, however, take some satisfaction from the fact that the car had been very competitive and that, even if the result did not show it, it had been McLaren’s day. Jean Alesi finished second, hav ing got past Fisichella during the first round of pit stops. Giancarlo tried to fight back but at the second stops Jean stayed ahead and was in a solid second place over 15s behind Schumacher. Benetton later issued a press release in which Flavio Briatore claimed that the red flag had maybe “cost us victory”, so one can only assume that the team is trying to convince a potential sponsor which knows nothing about FI that the team is competitive - which it is not. If there was anything impressive about Benetton it was the perfor mance of young Wurz, the Austrian on his way to a minor points score which would have been a great result for a rookie driver - when his car let him down. Third place went to Fisichella, who reported having a rather quiet race, but was delighted to have fin ished on the podium for the first time and move well ahead of Ralf Schumacher in the World Championship. Ralf was running fifth early on but lost control of the car on the run down to the first comer on lap 15. “It felt like a puncture in my rear left tyre but I looked at the teleme-

20JunsW7

Canada Briefs n The Canadian postal service last week issued stamps depicting Gilles Villeneuvefather of Jacques- who was killed at the wheel of a Ferrari at Zolder in 1982 and after whom the racing circuit in Montreal is named. n One rumour in the paddock in Montreal is that Cesare Fiorio may be mov ing from Frost Grand Prix to Benetton next year. Fiorio’s job at Frost is expected to go to Frost’s lon^ime ally Hugues de Chaunac.

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n British F3 driver Darren Turner was given the chance to test for Arrows recently, doing the pre-Canada shakedown tests of the cars at the Santa Pod drag strip in the UK. Turner has previously tested a McLaren as part of the team’s young di-iver programme. n Among the VIP guests at the Canadian Grand Prix at the weekend were CART drivers Greg Moore, Alessandro Zampedri, Dario Franchitti, PJ Jones, Bobby Rahal and Mark Blundell. Goodyear’s President Bill Sharp was also a visitor while US-based race organiser Chris Pook - who used to run the Long Beach FI race - was spotted. One should not read too much into this as he was there to watch his son Chris competing in the Formula Atlantic race.

-JOESAWAED EXCITEMENT TEAM ... The Jordan drivers had mixed results. Half Schumacher had a huge accident (above) while Fisichella battled with Jean Alesi (right) for second place and had his first podium finish. try with the engineers and we can not tell if that was actually the case. At the moment we just do not know.” Fifth behind Frentzen was Herbert, which was a good result for Johnny. Actually it was lucky there was a red flag because while they were cruising around behind the Safety Car Herbert was punted from behind by his teammate Morbidelli, who was a lap down. “I was looking down trying to adjust the brake balance,” Gianni reported. The incident ripped off Johnny’s rear and Gianni’s front wings. The final point Shinji Nakano, which went was ato triumph of survival rather than speed. It was nonetheless something for the Prost team which did not have a good afternoon. Panis’s accident on the first lap meant he had to pit. He then set off at great speed to try to catch up and climbed back up to 11th, but then had to abandon his plan of a one-stop race because of a tyre vibration.

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This dropped him to the tail of the field again and he drove yet more scintillating laps to get up to seventh by lap 43 when he had to come in again. He was closing fast on those ahead of him when he crashed heavily in the fast sweepers near the Casino. Something in the rear suspension had broken, possibly as a result of an earlier brush with a barrier. The front of the car was torn off and Olivier suffered fractures to both legs. Pedro Diniz and Damon Hill gave Arrows a two-car finish in eighth and ninth places, which was quite an achievement given the unrelia bility' of the cars this year. Tyrrell failed to get either car home, which was a shame as the team had had a strong race with a good tyre strategy which might have resulted fri points for Verstappen. ' Unfortunately the Dutchman was forced to retire with gearbox troubles and Sale had an engine failure, but his race had been com promised by a blistered set of tyres. Barrichello’s race for Stewart

was highly disappointing after the promise of quahfying third. He made a bad start, then suffered wing damage in the first corner in a slight brush with Coulthard and the race engines were not as powerful as those used in qualifying. The planned one-stop strategy proved to be impossible and so

Rubens lost more time and to add insult to injury was given a 10s stop-go penalty for overtaking under yellow flags. After 35 laps he retired with a gearbox failm-e. Both Minardis retired as well, Katayama in his accident and Trulli with an engine failure after 33 laps. If the engine had held together the young Italian - who

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was on a one-stop strategy - reekoned he might have scored points. Whatever the case, it was a strange and rather disjointed race and at the end there was little enthusiasm for celebrating as everyone was worried about poor old Panis, who looks like being out of action for most of the rest of the season. H

11 20Me 199/ Bike Briefs n Mat Mladin has taken his second wdn ofthe sea son in the US Superbike Championship. The Aussie qualified second fastest behind Canadian Miguel DuHamel(Honda)and fin ished 0.7s clear of series leader Doug Chandler. The Ducati rider is now in fourth place in the series, 46 points behind Chandler.

BIKES

Mick takes five in France

n Australian Grand Prix tickets have gone on sale. To ensure youi’ spot at Phillip Island on October 5 give the GP Hotline a buzz on 131 641. Apart from the GP races you wall see 250 Pi'oduction and Supersport support events. n Don’t sell that yearold GP bike. Following Suzuki’s running of a year old machine earlier in the year Yamaha had a 1996 model on hand in France for Norifume Abe to ride. n Superbikes are sure getting fast. At Hockenheim’s SBK round a speed trap was measuring top end. Fastest was Pieitrancesco Chili’s Ducati at 319kmh,followed by Jamie Witham’s Suzuki (313), Aaron Slight(Honda, 311), Scott Rpssell’s Yamaha(310)and Akira Kanagawa(Kawasaki)at 309. n Rider combinations for the 20th anniversary Suzuka 8-Hour are taking shape. Ti'oy Corser and Scott Russell are teaming up for Yamaha while Colin Edwards and No}riyuki Haga will ride on the other works Yam. Honda will suit up Aaron SlightiTady Okada and John KocinsM, Alex Criville, Max Biaggi and the Aoki brothers. No Doohan - and Wayne Gardner was in Japan to test a car, wasn’t he? n Recent warnings from GP race director Roberto Nosetto appear to have been heeded. Neither Mick Doohan, Tesuya Harada nor Valentino Rossi stopped to grab a flag on their French victory laps.

UNTOUCHABLE... Doohan dominated at Paul Ricard. NO matter what happens to Mick Doohan it seems the 1997 500cc Grand Prix title is his for the taking. He can qualify on pole in France and miss the start so badly that he can barely see the leader but the Queenslander still racked up his fifth win in six starts at the Paul Ricard cir cuit. Doohan was furious after the event, feeling that the starting system had not been followed but still tempered the anger with an epic win after falling to ninth place at the first comer. But he still carved through the field and hit the lead on lap eight. ‘We had some front-end grip problems because it was hotter today,” said Doohan. “1 had a couple of big moments when the front-end tucked which I could’ve done without. I just tried to maintain a steady medi um pace and it was enough to win if you win by one thou-

sandths ofa second its enough!” He left the circuit 43 points in front in the championship but he was still critical ofthe Kghts, which went from red to green and back to red again, costing*' him valuable time. Spaniai'd Carlos Checa took second place ahead of yet anoth er super-human effort by Tadayuki Okada. For the sec ond race in a row the Japanese tumbled from his Repsol Honda in the Sunday warm-up and, despite the pain, rode to third. World championship rival Alex Criville was only fourth

after losing the tow to the other two Hondas after running wide in turn one, while Takuma Aoki and Alex Barros rounded out

the top six on their Honda Vtwins, The other Australians in the race had mixed days. Anthony

Doohan and Gobert cross paths

MICK Doohan and Anthony Gobert were involved in a verbal battle at the French Grand Prix. The Lucky Strike Suzuki rider ended up on the,gravel in qualify¬

ing when Doohan, on a fast lap, cut Inside him while he was not expecting it. Gobert was furious afterwards. “He was obviously going for a quick time and he

thought there was room to come inside, but there wasn’t. What goes around comes around. He’ll get his.” On Saturday Gobert reportedly stopped his bike out¬

side Doohan’s pit and gestured him to come outside. Doohan down played the whole mat ter. “If he thinks I just amved yesterday he’s in for a big surprise.”

Gobert cracked the points with a solid ride into 10th, two spots up on DaiTyl Beattie who lost all his ground with a di’agging clutch fi'om the start. Troy Corser rode another sensible race to bring his Red Bull Yamaha in 14th. The foim of Kenny Roberts’ Modenas team took a dive, with Jean-Michel Bayle braking an engine and Kenny Jr flying over the bar's at turn one. Points after six races: Doohan 145, Criville 102, Okada 74, N Aoki 67, Cadalora 59, Checa 50.

Slight and Foggy split German SBK

DOUBLE World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty has taken a stranglehold on the 1997 title after he and Kiwi Aaron Slight shared the wins at Hockenheim in Germany. Scott Russell (Yamaha) got his first WSC podium of the year and

Don’t try this at home...

-;N r

IT all went wrong in the 125 race at Phillip Island's Australian Road Racing round. Gareth Kemp (64), Quentin Johannes(68) and Rudi Muller(26) tumbled at Honda Corner, leaving a bliss fully unaware Kathryn Horton (43) to get the heck out of there. (Photos by Thunderpix/Agfa)

THE REAL THING... Garry McCoy had a strong weekend in France. The Aussie took pole position in the 125 GP and ran with the leaders until he fell back and finished third. The race was won by world charnpionship leader Valentino Rossi.

Jamie Whitham gave Suzuki their first ’97 rostram.

Slight’s Honda RC45 dominated the first race, apart from two laps when American team-mate John Kocinski took over the lead, and ran out the winner by just 0.03s . “It was easy being in second place on that last lap,” said Slight. “I knew John would try to defend the line but I went in extra hard on the brakes.” The battle for third went right down to the wire, Russell getting the nod ahead of Fogarty, by the merest whisker, in a dramatic finish that saw four riders separated by less than a second.

NUMERICAL ORDER... Slight leads Kocinski at Hockenheim. The second was even closer. For most of the 14 laps eight riders con tested the lead which changed

BACK IN FORM... For the first time since Phillip Island Nell Hodgson looked sharp in Germany. Here he leads Slight, Fogarty and Yanagawa.

hands virtually every lap. Slight crashed out of the battle on lap 10, leaving Neil Hodgson (Ducati) favourite to take the honours. But, one lap from the end, he was reeled in by Akira Yanagawa (Kawasaki), Fogarty and Whitham. Entering the stadium section for the last time, Hodgson and Fogarty had a collision which resulted in Fogarty stealing the lead and Hodgson being forced wider than he wanted. Hodgson tried to force his way back on the run down into Sachs Curve, but went in too hot and had to take to the gravel, losing six places in the process. Fogarty took the chequered flag, much to the delight of the large army of British fans, with Yanagawa second and a delighted Whitham third. POINTS - Fogarty 148, Slight 124, Kocinski 118, Crafar 91, Edwards 79, Russell 77, Chili 65, Hodgson 60, Yanagawa 52, Whitham 37.

LAKESIDE © ATCC

20Jmrni

Title up for grabs By CHRIS LAMBDEN

JOHN Bowe took overall victory at an emotion-charged Lakeside International Raceway last Sunday, making the 1997 Shell series now a wide-open threeway battle with three rounds to go. Bowe took advantage of an unfor tunate error by Glenn Seton, which saw the series leader crash out of race two, to get within 22 points of the Ford Credit driver’s tally. Between them is Russell Ingall. The Castrol diiver put in the performance of the day to win the third race - having started race one from pit lane, with no clutch - but the effort was tainted by incidents with both Mark Larkham (race 1) and Bowe (race 3) which saw both vehe mently condemn Ingall’s chiving tac tics. But Ingall ended the day just eight points off the series lead, having sur vived a stewards’ hearing. Dick Johnson joined Bowe and Ingall on the rostrum after a strong aU-day effort, while Tony Longhurst relieved Peter Brock of fourth out right after a similarly consistent home-track i-un. Brock contested the day in a lessthan-perfect 05 after a frightening incident in the morning warm-up with Castrol Cougar debutante Kerryn Brewer left the HRT Commodore a little out ofshape. Of the rest, Lari-y Perkins was a consistent sixth outright, Greg Mm-phy looked set for a rostinim spot until an unfortunate race three clash with Johnson, Alan Jones was fast but again suffered tyre problems and leading privateer John Faulkner con tinued his excellent move up into the front ninners with seventh on the day.

Practice & Qualifying It was just like the old days. John Bowe wasn’t super-happy after Satm-day morning’s two practice ses sions. His car had an understeer problem -fai- more so than the sister car of Dick Johnson - on used tyres or new ones. He’d tested at the track a couple of weeks earlier without this problem, but now his car, with the Pi read-out laid over Dick’s, had this problem. In the end, he and his crew took something of a punt, making a sub stantial rear-end roll centre adjust ment and hoping for the best.

It worked, and JB stuck it on pole. “We could easily have gone too far,” a relieved Bowe reported after the session was over, “but it wasn’t bad. “It was a big lap, though - the thing used all the road and more ...” Bowe’s hot time, a 50.8514, came on his second set of fresh 975 Dunlops and jumped him from the third spot'he’d held at the half-way point in jthe 14-minute session, when everyone had used their first set. Ahead had been Seton and team boss Johnson. Glenn had used one of his allocat ed fresh sets in the momihg practice and thus ran on the one fresh set of Bridgestone 465s throughout quali fying. He posted a 50.95 on his fifth lap then, as the others began to pit for fresh rubber, a 50.93. That would be his best and he saw out the session alternating fast laps with slow, still running low 51.1s to illustrate the consistency which allowed him to run Eastern Creek on just fom'tyres.

The 50.93 was, nevertheless, suffi cient to retain the other front row spot: “That’s vital,” he said. “This really is the hardest track in the country for passing. Look how close it is - half a second across the top ten...” Seton was one ofthree drivers cop ing with a had dose of the flu alT weekend. Where possible, between sessions, he’d retire to the truck for a bit ofa lie down. Johnson recorded his 51.04 on the third quickie with the first set, but simply didn’t get a good lap on the second set. Indeed, DJ was on his way out for a third go when the che quer came down. While the time was good enough for the second row, it would be the outside as Alan Jones went quicker. After the embarrassment of Eastern Creek,* where AJ’s Bridgestones had very publicly burned up (an outcome not totally attributable to the team), the

BACK IN BUSINESS... Glenn Seton’s error and a slashing weekend by the Shell team on home turf has opened up the title for John Bowe. PUMPED UP... Russell Ingall was clearly elated at his victory in the third race of the day, having started the first from pit lane. (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Marshall Cass)

Continued next page

i*.

FIRST CORNER ACTION... With a bent steering arm, Greg Murphy slides into Dick Johnson at the start of race three, putting the kiwi out and delaying Johnson. (Photo by Marshall Cass)

Round 7

Shell Australian Touring Car Championship

LAKESIDE ^ ATCC

20Jm 1997

Lakeside Briefs n Following the exam ple set by Superbike rider Anthony Gobert, Russell Ingall celebrated his race three win by climbing the spectator fence and throw ing his gloves to the appre ciative crowd. Fortunately, he didn’t follow the full Gobert routine and kept his race suit on ... n Following the announcement of his retirement, Peter Brock hardly had a spare moment aU weekend, HRT’s marquee besieged by fans. Some ofthe trackside bannere were even the work ofFord fans! n Newly appointed (fi-om July 1) head of motorsport for IMG, Garry Craft, was present on Saturday, but left that night for a couple of weeks R&R in the Maldives. n After race one. Ingall was summoned to the Stewards. Fearing the worst after the clash vrith Larkham, Ingall was stunned to discover he was being charged with going over’the double yel low fines on the pit exit as he started (from pit lane).

Continued from previous page Komatsu and Mitre 10 crews spent a further day and a half at the Sydney track - to very good effect. “Mai-k (Larkham)did a run at one stage which would have won him the race!” AJ reported. Here, at their home track, things were going much more to plan, although AJ reported a high-speed understeer, lowspeed oversteer puzzle. “It wasn’t the best, most comfortable lap I’ve done around here,” AJ said of his 51.02, which was the best he’s done at the track, “but we’ve got a little more power now, which is helping.” AJ also got an inadvertent baulk from his own teammate after earlier inadvertently slowing the Mitre 10 driver on his quickie! Johnson, in fourth, had a few anxious moments as the second, nominally slower, half of the field completed the sec ond 14-minute session. Tony Longhurst, who’d done a ‘long run” on his Yokohama A04s ABOVE: Dick Johnson’s good recent form continued on his beloved home circuit and he made the podium for the sec ond meeting in succession. LEFT: Terry Finnigan didn't even make it onto the grid for race one when his axie broke. BELOW:Another weekend Greg Murphy would (Photos by Marshall Cass and Dirk Klynsmith) prefer to forget, i

Priorities...

n Super Tourer com petitor Wayne Wakefield had a drive in the sup ports at Lakeside. The Supercheap Auto Parts driver traded his BMW for an HQ Holden after regu lar pilot Tony Cross hurt his back. Wakefield fin ished fifth in the only race which went the distance. The other event was redflagged. n If WW needs any dri ving tips he should ask his wife Karen. She was the lucky MMM listener who won a ride with Peter Brock in the morning Astra ‘Time Trial’. But Brocky was outdone in the event by teammate Greg Murphy, who got within 0.3s of his target time for the two laps. n Lakeside’s race was the last for the Mobil Holden Racing Team’s transporter. The sevenyear-old pantec will be replaced by a state-of-theart model for the long haul to the west next week. n The official crowd at Lakeside was 18,000,the biggest so far this season. Locals were calling the number conservative, though; the record remains at 27,000 for the 1981 Johnsond3rock title decider. n Lakeside’s emphasis on high corner speed flat tered the Super Touiang times from last month. Paul Moms,an interested Sunday spectator, would have qualified 11th for the Shell race with his pole time from last month’s meeting. - CHRIS LAMBDEN and PHIL BRANAGAN

in the earlier session, began to string together a sequence of quick laps which threatened BJ’s spot on row two. In the end, Tony fell a tenth or so short, but it was a good effort. If you’ve noticed something about the top five so far you’re

right.

Not a Holden to be seen ... All of a sudden, in 1997, Lakeside had become a ‘Ford” track and there were a couple of theories put forward for what, on the face of it, looked a two- to three-tenths imbal ance. The requirement that all Level 1 cars finked to any t}rre company run the same com pound tyres looked to have made a significant contribu tion, which Peter Brock fastest of the Holdens in sncth - best summed up: “There’s a little inherent front end roll centre problem which all the Holdens have here which the Ford front wishbone system allows you to tune out. “We got around it, masked it if you like, last year by using different compounding and construction on our front tyres when compared to the Bridgestone Fords. We can’t do that now, so it’s going tp be a bit ofa struggle.” The problem for HRT was compounded (excuse the pun) by Bridgestone’s decision to supply identical construction front and rear as well, which, if nothing else, does allow for

switching oftyres front to rear for best wear. A similar problem existed down at Dunlop, where the two respective teams (Shell and Castrol Perkins) differed strongly on which compoimd they should run. DJR’s local testing dictated the 975, while - looking for more speed - LP and Russell IngaU wanted to go one softer. In the end, they bowed (another pun) to the local team’s view that the softer rubber wouldn’t go the dis tance, but it didn’t help their qualifying speed. Perkins also had another suggestion for the Ford domi nation of qualifying; “All bullshit aside, the Ford has 20% more downforce area. This is a fast track and that makes a difference.” Anyway, Brock it was who topped the Holden times, just three-hundredths quicker than young teammate Murphy. But between them was Larkham. As detailed above, the Mitre 10 crew had learned much from its Eastern Creek test and, at the home track, Larko was looking confident. Larko’s 51.28 was okay, but crew chief Ross Stone reck oned the “lift” when AJ got in the way was worth up to half a second ... That being the case, he would have been on pole! After Murphy came the Castrol Perkins duo, rounding out the top ten, with Ingall a

tenth up on the boss - and neither veiy happy with life. Dtmlop’s decision to go with the Shell team’s tyre choice didn’t help - and with just 0.62 seconds between LP and pole, every little hundredth helps. With no Gardner and Skaife, the privateers started at 11th, headed, as usual, by John Faulkner - the Betta Electrical Commodore only three-hundredths off knocking Perkins out of the ten despite JF being perhaps the worst flu-afflicted driver of the lot. Trevor Ashby was next, with WaUy Storey on hand to oversee WGR’s customer car, he and Faulkner outqualifying the final Level 1 car, Steven Richards’ Valvoline Commodore. “Steven always races faster than he qualifies,” Garry Rogers lamented. “It’s so close in this class that you just have to qualify well. You watch, though - we’ll move up when the racing starts.” Eastern Creek hero Teiry Finnigan missed one morning session with a broken half shaft and was just outside the 51s, admitting to some “bad memories of this place.” (Finnigan destroyed a car in a fiery crash at the kink in 2989) Eight more privateer cars made up the 22-car field, including Castrol Cougar debutante Kerryn Brewer, a cautious 21st with a 54.77. Another young privateer

making a Lakeside debut was Darren Hossack. The well-per formed Wynns team driver qualified with a 53.11, two spots up the grid from Brewer. Lakeside is no place for anyone to debut in a V8 ...

Warm-up Sunday morning’s session was notable for thi'ee things. One: the Castrol Commodore duo had made significant rear roll centre and shocker changes overnight and they worked. Ingall reporting a gain of some fom-tenths, a pointer to a good race pace. “It’s difficult when we only have a couple of sessions on Saturday morning. Another day, and we’d be right there,” he said. Two: Brock’s moment. As we said, no place for anyone to debut in a V8, but when Kenyn Brewer cruised out of pit lane and inadvertently shut the door on a rapidly approaching Brock at the ldi±, pit row collectively held its breath. Forced to spear left across the kerbs at over 200kmh, Brock’s car tipped onto two wheels and flew with all four off the ground before crashing to the ground with major impact, The substantial front sway bar was badly bent - even the

rear quarter panel was kinked, such was the impact. The team straightened everything as best they could, but Brock would have to make a number of sway bar adjust ments through race one to regain some sort of balance ... Three; Romano’s .exit. The young Quee'nslandeV simply slipped off the road as he came under the bridge at the back of the circuit, glancfrig the armco. The damage. though, and a lack of some spares, was enough to put him out for the day.

Privateer Dash Trevor Ashby and Danny Osborne shared the front row, but Ashby dragged the Falcon off, taking Kevin Heffeman’s Price Attack car with him. with Hossack and Finnigan (unsuccessfully Lying an outside pass at the Karrassel) next in line, Through the Kink for the second time and Heffernan lost it in a big way. The red Commodore hung the tail onto the grass and gyrated all the way down to the Karrassel where it was, amazingly, missed by all the following cars. Ashby went on to comfort ably take the four-lapper, from Osborne, Finnigan, Hossack and Faullmer. The latter, still suffering

ATCC

LAKESIDE badly from the flu, had taken the opening tours easy, but put in a 51.83 on lap three to preview his main-race pace. 4

Race1 -18 laps of scheduled 23 Alan Jones was really look ing for a good day, hut it appeared to be turning to mud on the warm-up lap when the Komatsu car suffered a rear puncture. AJ dived into the pits and was forced to start fi'om pit lane. Seton made an excellent start to easily hit the Karrassel clear of Bowe, Johnson, a fast-starting Murphy, Brock, Longhurst, Perkins, Larkham, Ingall (his clutch having suddenly failed) and Faulkner. Ingall was all over Larkham as they completed the opener, then, out of the second element of the KaVrassel, the Mitre 10 car got a touch, spun wildly and reversed back onto the track, just tagging Faulkner’s left door and a wheel. Several other cars managed to slip inside before Ian Palmer arrived, fronts locked, and hit the Falcon solidly amidships, Mike Conway also glancing off the rear ofPalmer in the newly acquired exTrimbole Falcon.

The race was stopped, the damaged cars cleared and the accusations began... The big winner was Alan Jones, who was able to start the rerun (cut to 18 laps)fi'om his original gild spot. Not so lucky, though, was Ingall. His team hadn’t been able to fix his clutch linkage and pit lane had closed before he’d

got out. Ingall started from pit lane, using the starter to fire the car in first gear and begin a clutchless charge through the field. Seton again got the jump, but this time AJ split Bowe and Johnson, with Brock get ting away well this time, to lead Longhurst, Perkins and Murphy, who couldn’t repeat his first start. While Osborne rotated the Colorscan Falcon into the kitty litter, Seton pressed on at the front, unable to build a meaningful gap to Bowe but offering no likelihood of an opportunity to his pursuer. Bowe later complimented his arch-rival: “He’s driving better than I’ve ever seen him. So smooth, no mistakes, and looking after his tjres ...” AJ was already in bother with his rear tyres, a pressing Johnson managing to get alongside and through as they raced out of the Karrassel and along to the bridge. A queue now formed behind the blue Falcon - Brock, Longhurst, Perkins, Murphy, with Steven Richards (as pre dicted by Garry Rogers) improving to lead Faulkner, Ashby and the rapidly approaching Ingall. Mid-race and AJ finally wilted. Brock sneaking inside at the last comer, followed by Longhurst and Murphy in rapid succession, with the rampant Richards going under both AJ and Perkins in a fluny of dust at Hungry. AJ headed to the pits in dis gust, while Perkins had to work to get back past Richards, the latter’s car now developing an increasing “hop” through the comers and providing its driver with some anxious moments. Ingall, meanwhile, was the fastest car on the track. He caught and passed Faulkner on lap 13, gaining one more spot late in the race by catch ing Perkins, who let him by for the points. Up front the race ran out without incident, Bowe chas ing Seton all the way to the line but unable to even tbink about a pass. Johnson was a strong third, albeit eight seconds away, with Brock a further couple of seconds back, having had to fiddle with the sway bars to get the car working better. Longhurst was fifth, with Murphy next. Ingall already

20Jm 1997

V Shell Australian Touring Car Championship H iouinel 7 Race 1 (18 Laps)

Qualifying

Race Time F/lap On Pos Driver 15:41.2960 51.4452 4 1 Glenn Seton 15:41.5321 51.5101 4 2 John Bowe 15:49.4517 51.7542 4 3 Dick Johnson 15:51.5386 51.7879 5 4 Peter Brock 5 Tony Longhurst 15:51.9142 51.6552 5 15:52.2165 51.9953 5 6 Greg Murphy 15:53.8184 51.6039 4 7 Russell Ingall 8 Larry Perkins 15:54.2517 51.7353 5 9 Steven Richards 15:57.4134 52.1182 4 10 John Faulkner 15:57.6291 51.8994 3 11 Trevor Ashby 16:06.4762 52.6025 8 12 Darren Hossack 16:12.0798 52.8162 12 13 Kevin Heffernan 16:13.8861 52.9926 3 17 Laps 54.5921 9 14 Kerryn Brewer 15 JohnTrimbole 14 Laps 53.3040 6 DNFAIan Jones 14 Laps 51.8772 3 1 Lap 64.2014 1 DNFDanny Osborne DNFTerry Finnigan DNFMike Conway DNSMark Larkham DNSIan Palmer DNSPaul Romano

Time Team Car Pos Driver 50.8514 Shell Helix Falcon 1 John Bowe 50.9307 Ford Credit Falcon 2 Glenn Seton 51.0174 Komatsu/Pirtek Falcon 3 Alan Jones 51.0446 Shell Helix Falcon 4 Dick Johnson 51.1794 5 Tony Longhurst Castrol Longhurst Falcon 51.2708 Mobil-HRT Commodore 6 Peter Brock 51.2788 7 Mark Larkham Mitre 10 Falcon 51.3039 Mobil-HRT Commodore 8 Greg Murphy 51.3434 Castrol Perkins Commodore 9 Russell Ingall 51.4751 Castrol Perkins Commodore 10 Larry Perkins 51.4942 11 John Faulkner F&P/Betta Electric Commodore 51.8967 Lansvale Smash Commodore 12 Trevor Ashby 51.9160 13 Steven Richards Valvoline/Cummins Commodore 52.0428 14 Terry Finnigan Sony Commodore 52.2192 15 Paul Romano Romano Racing Commodore 52.6482 16 Kevin Heffernan Price Attack Commodore 52.7855 17 JohnTrimbole CBD-Bottle Magic Commodore 52.8838 18 Danny Osborne Colourscan Falcon 53.1079 19 Darren Hossack Wynns Commodore 54.4925 Palmer Commodore 20 Ian Palmer * 54.7699 21 Kerryn Brewer Castrol Cougars Commodore 54.7856 22 Mike Conway Cadillac Productions Falcon

Race 2-23 laps

Pos Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 DNF DNF DNF DNS

John Bowe Dick Johnson Greg Murphy Russell Ingall Larry Perkins Tony Longhurst John Faulkner Peter Brock Alan Jones Trevor'Ashby Terry Finnigan John Trimbole Kevin Heffernan Kerryn Brewer Glenn Seton Darren Hossack Steven Richards Mike Conway

Points

Seton Ingall Bowe Perkins Brock Murphy D Johnson Gardner

Race time F/lap

20:05.6429 51.6616 20:09.1818 51.9818 20:10.1967 51.9981 20:10.4696 51.9068 20:11.4080 51.8999 20:11.6228 51.8366 20:19.4392 51.9584 20:21.4790 52.1555 20:33.2134 52.1685 20:33.5668 52.5326 20:33.8546 52.5934 20:59.9208 53.3149 22 Laps 53.2697 22 Laps 55.3770 15 Laps 51.7498 4 Laps 53.4686 3 Laps 52.7043

482 474 460 386 360 318 308 278

breathing down his neck. A non-starter, after break ing the other half-shaft, was Terry Finnigan.

Race 2-23 laps

For a while this looked

In the past few seasons MoTeC users around the World have won in the following races or series: Australian Touring Car Champ’ship

British Touring Car Champ’ship

Australian Super Touring Champ’ship

British Formula Three Champ’ship

Australian Rally Champ’ship

British Hillclimb Champ’ship

Australian Production Car Champ’ship Australian Porsche Cup

New Zealand Touring Car Champ’ship

Australian Sports Sedan Champ’ship Australian Club Car Nationals

New Zealand Land Speed Record

Australian Off Road Champ’ship

South East Asian Touring Car Series Le Mans 24 Hours (Class Win) iR/ir'A

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DNF DNS DNS

‘'240 230 186 152 117 84 83 72 58

14 7 7 7 11 8 3 6 11 12 3 11 11 14 8 5

20:08.1660 51.8973 Russell Ingall 20:09.6065 51.9398 John Bowe Tony Longhurst 20:10.2814 52.0783 20:12.3878 52.0820 Peter Brock 20:14.1766 51.9962 Larry Perkins 20:15.5354 51.9788 Dick Johnson 20:19.9862 52.0539 John Faulkner 20:20.4333 51.9862 Alan Jones Steven Richards 20:23.8421 52.0712 20:29.2171 52.4224 Terry Finnigan 20:29.9142 52.5169 Trevor Ashby Darren Hossack 20:37.4933 52.8344 Kevin Heffernan 20:51.8108 53.3500 22 Laps 54.4781 Kerryn Brewer Mike Conway 21 Laps 55.2496 John Trimbole 20 Laps 52.8934 Greg Murphy Glenn Seton

Ashby Hossack Bright Reed Heffernan Romano Trimbole Brewer Pearson

much like race one, Seton again making a beautiful start, but unable - or not interested - to put air between himself and the pursuing Bowe. Seton had elected to retain

Race time F/lap

42 33 24 9 9 8 7 6 3

S Johnson Parsons Crick Hislop Smerdon Osborne Conway

his tyres from race one, just the left front replaced as it had a small flat-spot, while the Dunlop runners all had their fresh sets, so in the early laps there was a real queue: Seton, Bowe, Johnson,

2 n

1 1 1 1

Murphy, Brock, Ingall, Perkins and Longhurst before the first meaningfirl gap, back to Richards, Faulkner and a charging Jones, Richards only completed Continued next page

AUSTRALIAN 1QQQ TOUR Bathurst - Mount Panorama 18 to 19 October Ford V8 versus Holden V8"

rS3*|9 4 e.

... with a little helpfront MoTeC.

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Macau GP Touring Car Race

IM'^A WnrIH Qnnrtc Par Phamr\’ohin

Pos Driver

New Zealand Porsche Cup

Australian Superbike Champ’ship

Faulkner Longhurst Jones Skaife Richards Poole Finnigan Larkham Ellery

Race 3-23 laps

For Brochure and Reservations Contact BRISBANE: 3348 8499 IPSWICH: 3202 3355

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LAKESIDE

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Continued from previous page two laps before the Valvoline car speared off at Hungiy, a shattered r wheel the culprit. Up front, nothing much was changing, although Brock was stai-ting to stmggle a bit, first Ingall, then Perkins and Longhurst slipping under 05 at the Eastern Loop. Both HRT cars were simply strug gling for grip and Brock ended the race with a badly bhstered left rear. Further back, Hossack’s good run ended in the Kan-assel sand, while Ashby,Finnigan and Heffeman were enjoying a good dice before the latter had a quick spin. The championship blew open on lap 16 when Seton failed to appear. “I just got my foot caught under the brake pedal,” a distraught Seton confirmed,“and it went straight ofif.” After smiling his way through a brief TV interview, he retired to the ti-ansporter, stfil not a well boy and now with a bit ofa sore neck. The car went straight from the retrieval truck into the transporter. It was quite a big hit... Bowe was then able to roll home, a comfortable three seconds ahead of his teammate, while Murphy had to work very, very hard to keep Ingall at bay. Perhaps mindful of possible prob lems from his previous race incident, ABOVE: It looked like being the Castrol driver was as clean as another Glenn Seton cleancould be... sweep, but when he crashed in race two it threw the Perkins and Longhurst followed, with Faulkner managing to get by championship open once again. Brock (around the outside at the RIGHT: Larry Perkins gives Kinld) with two to go. Steven Richards a helping hand AJ had made progress to finish around the Eastern Loop. ninth, while Ashby won his duel (Photos by Dirk Ktynsmith and Marshall Cass) with Finnigan - by three-tenths of a second. for the Eink, giving Bowe no option but to back out. There were harsh With Jones electing to take two words later at the post-race prqss new tyres and again start from the conference. Longhurst had emerged form the rear, the action was very much at turn one fracas in third and led the front at the start. Brock, Perkins, the flying Faulkner, While IngaU (from grid 4)made an Ashby, Finnigan, Jones, Heffeman, absolute blinder to out-drag poleman Trimbole, Johnson, Hossack, Bowe to the Kink, Johnson came Conway, Richards (with fresh across to protect JB and hit Murphy wheels!) and Brewer. pretty solidly side-on. Up front, little changed through¬ So hard, in fact, that a steering out, Ingall working through the 23 arm was badly bent on the HRT car. “It stiU steered to the left, so I got laps with Bowe never more than a Ingall ran out the race in the lowround the Kink,” Mutf seethed later, second away but, as with Seton earli “but when I turned at the Karrassel, er, without a realistic chance of a 52s, with a 51.90 best on lap 14 pass - well, not without contact at (Seton’s race one lap record was a there was nothing...” 51.44), and (Stewards’ enquiries The Commodore speared straight least... Faulkner harried Perkins for a pending) got himself to within eight on, taking Johnson’s Falcon with it, points ofthe series lead. and while Dick was able to gather it while, but in the end had to con^nd As Seton himself has said all all up pretty quickly, Murphy was with the looming Shell Falcon in the left to cruise back to pit lane, a very rear mirrors, Johnson slipping past along, as his points lead grew, any superbly on lap 15 for sixth and thing can happen. Now it has, and unhappy young man. the championship is now wide enough points for a rostrum spot. Ing^ completed the first lap only This time, Ashby and Finnigan open. just ahead of Bowe. In fact, Bowe Both Bowe and Ingall have, with started to nose up the right side of found themselvesjoined by Richards, who blasted past for ninth on lap 18, Dunlop’s help, closed the race pace the Castrol car as they pliunmeted having followed Jones through the gap to Seton’s Falcon. It could be a down the straight. fascinating finish... n privateer pack. Ingall came across to take his line GET USED TO IT... The Peter Brock fans were out in force (right), as expected, and he gave it everything, but 05 was in trouble after being put off the road at top speed in the warm-up. (Photos by Marshall Cass)

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20June 1991

Report by PHIL BRANAGAN THE momentum in the Ford Motorsport/Slick 50 Formula Ford Champion ship swung firmly to the south when Marcos Ambrose took two wins at Lakeside. The young Tasmanian took his Leisure InnsA^alvoline Van Diemen to two firm wins despite the effoiis of a blazing fast Greg Ritter and an unscheduled assault from the rear from Todd Kelly in the second race. Kelly’s car rode high over the rear of Ambrose’s but, amazingly, both kept going to take a podium spots after Ritter out-braked himself on the final lap. Best of the rest was Christian Jones, who drove smoothly to harass the lead ers in both races. But for series leader Garth Tander, an uncharacteristic brake lock-up in each cost him dear ly, the West Aussie making do with a fifth and an eighth place.

Qualifying

One driver who didn’t make the race was Michael Simpson, the local DNS’ing after a Friday shunt and a broken upright on Saturday. It took Ambrose all of six laps to zip under Brett Peters’ 1990 lap record of 54.88s. Craig Zerner (54.89s) and Tander (54.92s) also joined him in the 54s but the really impressive thing is that the Tasmanian had 12 laps under 55.0s. Zerner was flying and his Q1 lap put him,on the front

row but his engine lost power in Q2. The block was hauled out and the head from the ‘race’ engine installed. Tander was third from Kelly and Jones. ‘The engine is due for its first rebuild of the year,” said the Spectrum pilot, “I’m surprised, to be honest. The car is good.” Filling out the rest of the 10 were Aaron McNally, Damien White (Spectrum), Justin Cotter and Ritter, while Adam Macrow made it three Spectrums in the 10.

Mr Indestructable

Race 1 (12 laps) McNally went nowhere in race one. He had a coil fail and was pushed off the grid. Zemer’s reflexes couldn’t over¬ come his lack of grunt and Ambrose beat him away, while Kelly did likewise to fol low in third and he pulled alongside Zerner on the straight for the first time and the two exchanged some rubber. Tander was a bemused fourth ahead of Jones, Cotter, Dugal McDougall (from 12th), Ritter, Ashley Cutchie and Macrow. Zerner knew he was in trouble after the warm-up and soon fell through the field at the same time Ritter was zooming through it. He round ed Cotter on the outside of the Kink on lap four and speared after Jones, only to see Tander spear off at Hungry seconds later. “I dropped it into third and the rears locked,” Garth shrugged later. “Never hap pened before.” He rejoined 12th. By now Ambrose was a sec-

BEATME UP... Marcos Ambrose survived a ride from Todd Keliy (following) and a charge from Greg Ritter to take two wins at Lakeside’s Formula Ford races. He now leads the series before heading to Wanneroo in Perth. (Photo by ark Kiyrtsmuh) ond clear and building a gbp while the big battle was between Cutchie, McDougall, Macrow and Bargwanna, who had Tander closing. But not as fast as Ritter. A dazzling 54.62s put him onto Christian’s tail on lap seven and a 54.93s backed it up a lap later as he swept by the blue car in the Karussel. But Ambrose had it all under control and cruised home to a 2.53s win from Kelly, Ritter, Jones and Tander, who had forced his way through the pack. Dugal, Macrow, Scott Bargwanna and Cameron Shearer (Mygale) completed the 10 while Zerner fell back to 11th, his power shortage

unaided by a clash with Cotter who broke an upright in the incident.

Race2(12 laps)

The start said it all. Ambrose leapt away and weht first-fourth. The delay baulked Kelly, who rode over Ambrose’s left rear wheel, giving it toe-out for the rest of the race. But both cars landed intact and, remarkably, still finished,fast. Ambrose even held onto the lead from Jones, Ritter, McDougall, Tander, Macrow, Kelly, Cutchie, Shearer and Bargwanna. Ambrose immediately pulled a gap but Jones, with Ritter trying to climb into his car, closed. Tander was male-

ing ' ground, leaving McDougall but, on lap four, his rears locked again and off he went again, this time at the Karussel. He got back onto the track in 11th. Jones put in a 54.79s to squeeze a foot’s room from Ritter but on lap six Greg blasted past on the straight and went after the leader. The Victorian stalked him for three laps before he sat it out at the Kink to take the lead on lap eight. Ambrose went with him as they built a little gap to Jones but, going into the last lap the gap between the two under the Dunlop Bridge looked enough. Then Ritter outbraked himself at Hungry, allowing Ambrose, Jones and

Kelly through before he regained the road. “What can I say?” he said. “I screwed up.” So Ambrose took win num ber two from the jaws of defeat. Jones was a strong second from Kelly, a red-faced Ritter and the now-traditional Macrow-McDougall-Cutchie battle. Eighth did little to flatter Tander’s efforts. During the charge he backed up a 54.65s with a 54.41s to smithereen the record. “The car was per fect,” he mused. “I don’t know what happened. “Still, the next race is on my home track. They have to play catch up.”

Points after five rounds: Ambrose 150, Tander 146, Kelly 104, Ritter 90, Zerner 76, Macrow 52, Jones 46,Cotter 42.

GRAND

GROPING SAND... Tander had a lousy day and two offs, this one in race two. (Photo by Marshall cass) f)

A fast minute with...

Craig Zerner

Name: Craig Zerner Born: 19 March 1976 Home state: Queensland Car: Van Diemen RF95

Australia’s largest supplier of specialist model kits and handbuilts from 1/43 to 1/12 scale Catalogue available at $5.00 per year, refundable on first order and includes regular updates Showroom: Open Saturday’s between 1.00pm and 4.30pm

Phone/Fax: 03 9557 6444 P.O. Box 402, East Bentleigh

Victoria, 31 65.^us^rajja^

A multiple Australian kart champion, Craig Zerner is currently the highestplaced Queenslander in the Ford Motorsport/Slick 50 Australian Formula Ford Championship. Likes: racing cars, Tracy (girlfriend), water skiing Dislikes: speeding fines, show offs, non-triers Three words that you would use to describe yourself: keen, competitive, stubborn

The Metal Wear Protector

Ambition in motorsport: To go as far as I can in motorsport and make a living out of it Ambitions for 1998:

To race an open wheeier in Europe Most memorable moment in Formula Ford: Winning the first race in which I started Most admired Australian driver Russell Ingall Most admired international driver: Ayrton Senna Favourite catch-phrase: Catch ya...

20June mi

Ferrari is the greatest name in motor sport and two weeks ago in Italy the Prancing Horse celebrated its 50th anniversary. Ferrarifanatic MIKE KABLE was there:

50 years of Ferrari By MIKE KABLE

FERRARI took up at Rome’s Circus Maximus where the charioteers of the Roman Empire left off 1500 years ago with an 50th extraordinary anniversary party earlier this month that brought the Eternal City to a standstill. The sight, sound and fuiy of Formula One, sports proto type, sports and exotic GT Ferraris spanning five V decades was an unforgettable spectacle as they tore around a makeshift circuit that had been created at the historic Circus MaximuSj with the blessing of Rome’s Lord Mayor Francesco Rutelli. The demonstration races, featuring Michael Schumacher, Eddie Irvine and their latest , FI cars, followed a drive-by gathering of the gi'eats of past years. It was led by 75-year-old Jose Froilan Gonzales - a contemporary of legendary fellow Argentinean, fivetimes world champion Juan Manuel Fangio - who gave Ferrari its first FI victoiy in the 1951 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Three drivers who had dri ven Ferraris to FI world championship titles American Phil Hill (1961), Britain’s John Surtees (1964) and South Africa’s Jody Scheckter (1979)- participat ed in the parade, watched by tens of thousands of people. France’s Rene Amoux and Patrick Tambay and Italy’s Michele Alboreto and Arturo Merzario also took part. Triple FI world champion Niki Lauda was, regi-ettably, still recuperating from a recent kidney transplant, but his “happy birthday” greet ings were carried in a televi sion relay during the onehour direct telecast by Italy’s national network, RAJ. Switzerland’s Clay Regazzoni was not on the

f. PRANCING HORSES: A mouth-watering line-up of Ferraris in Rome, with Niki Lauda’s 1974 model FI car in the foreground.

AUSSIE STAR: Former works driver and now CAMS executive Tim Schenken with the car he shared with Ronnie Petersen in the eariy-1970s. invitation list, for inexplica ble reasons that one observer told me had a lot to do ivith his criticism of Ferrari when he was with RAI’s FI commentai7 team; A sprinkling of the pranc ing horse stable’s former sports car drivers were there, including the Belgian duo of / Olivier Gendebien and Paul' Another multiple Le Mans Australia and New Zealand, Frere, aboard the actual car vrinner, Britain’s Derek Bell, the year after Chris Amon in which they won the 1960 was re-united with the had taken the honours in a diminutive 2.5-litre V6 sister car. Le Mans 24-hour enduro. Gendebien was a four- Ferrari Dino monoposto in Australia was represented times winner of the French which he had won the 1970 ,by Tim Schenken, who had classic for Ferrari. Tasman Cup series in driven for Ferrari’s works

replica of the first production Ferrari, a 125S two-seater, llSbhp V12 sports car. The Ferrari “invasion” of Rome - the starting point for a 10-day progi-am that con tinued the following week in Ferrari’s home town of Maranello and the nearby city of Modena where the company’s founder, Enzo Ferrari, had established his first factoiy in the late-1940s - was spread over three days. Ferrari had selected 210 cars, whose owners con verged on Rome from all around the world, for the ini tial festivities. They were allowed to do a lap of the Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square, as well as the Piazza Navona, a favourite evening meeting place for Romans and tourists alike and Italy’s foremost symbol, the Colosseum. The party reached a high level on the Saturday, when Italy’s President, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, welcomed Fiat Auto’s supremo Gianni Agnelli, the president of di Luca Ferrari, Montezemolo, Schumacher, Irvine and the owners. Sunday was a different day, with the show coming agonisingly close to being a washout after rain had lashed Rome for three hours. Jean Todt, Ferrari’s FI team manager, had all but decided that he could not allow the priceless older FI and sports cars to strut their stuff because they were fitted 'with slicks, not wet-weather tyres. It was an understatement to say there were long faces and much hand-wringing all aroimd the temporary pit and paddock area that had sports car team during the beeh set up at Caracalla, 1970s FI. where The Three Tenors had The privilege of “opening” staged the first of their chari the track was enjoyed by Enzo Ferrari’s son, Piero, ty concerts several yeai'S ago. Then the minor miracle who treated his 9-year-old grandson, Enzo, to a ride in a Continued Page 53

'●rr

. \ ■Y e*. *

.y,

m THE BOYS LIGHT UP: Dual world champion Michaei Schumacher pleases the big crowd with some wheeispinning action in a ‘duel’ with current FI teammate Eddie Irvine.

FAMILY LINE: Enzo Ferrari’s son Piero opens the affair by driving the first Ferrari around the track. In the passenger seat is his grandson, 9-year-old Enzo.

Congratulations

Graeme Cowin - Shell Rockjetship

nationals Top Fuel Champion and National Record Holder

20June 199/

Cook cleared NASCAR racer Gene Cook has been cleared of any blame fol lowing the much-publicised ontrack, car-crushing incident with Robert Tinworth on the Thunderdome last season The new Appeals Committee found that Cook was not at fault in anyway for the accident between himself and Tinworth and therefore all fines and penalties have been quashed. Cook, who was seriously hurt and hospitalised after the November 1996 clash with Tinworth, was overjoyed with the appeal outcome,

which had met to consider the legality of the bans and heavy mon etary penalties summarily and con troversially imposed by AUSCAR Racing Pty Ltd’s then Director of Competition/Race Director, Karl Grealy. And there was even more good news for the AUSTOIL-sponsored competitor, who should have the all clear from his doctors within the next two to three weeks to return to racing duties at Calder Park. Cook will be meeting AUSTOIL Lubricants very soon to discuss plans for the upcoming season.

Jeff Gordon romped home with a victory in the Pocono 400 at the two-mile flat oval on June 8 and level-pegged Terry Labonte in the Winston Cup pointscore. “Man this is unbelievable; this is six (points) wins for us this year,” said Gordon, whose Hendrick Chev again came on strong towards the end of the 200 lap event, the 1995 champ taking the lead for the third and final time on tour 185 after Ted Musgrave pitted. “When the crunch came, that thing stuck like glue,” remarked Gordon. ‘The Kid’ suffered a flat tyre early in the race, almost losing a lap until Bobby Labonte spun his Pontiac to air the second caution and save his,day. Then, during the final green flag pit stop, the ‘Rainbow Warriors’ made a super-quick four-tyre stop in 18.1 seconds, Gordon retaining his lead. “We showed what a great team we have, especially that pit crew,” Gordon said. Gordon’s strong run late in the race was helped by cloud cover, as he and many others were fighting loose race cars all day under sunny conditions - the DuPont Chevrolet

Pocono tons for Gordon

'e now have a deal to run four or five of the last ten Busch Grand National races in the States this season, with sponsorship coming from Ryder Trucks. Our first outing should be at Michigan on August 15 and the last at Homestead on November 8, the week after the NASCAR sea son-opener here in Australia, which means we'll be involved in a little bit of travelling to and fro across the Pacific.

when Ridling Motorsport bought them out. The team is actually doing quite well at present, LePaige scoring a second and a fourth-placed result recently with their T&L engines. I’ll be driving one of these vehi cles with Ryder Trucks sponsor ship. Originally, I was going to race a totally-new road course car at Watkins Glen for the team at the start of the season, but the neces sary financial arrangements ^Jidn’t fall Into place.

IS a

The Busch car I’ll be driving Chevrolet Monte Carlo run by Ridling Motorsport, one of the few teams to use this modei in Busch Grand National racing - David Ridling and I are partners in this team. Kevin LePaige currently drives the Hutcherson-Pagan chassised Hype Beverages car for Ridling Motorsport, while the other car is the Lance Foods entry, both cars being sourced from Richard Petty

lost it’s oversteering condition and the team worked on the car with air pressure adjustments to improve the handling on the three year-old car they named ‘Blacker.’ Bobby Hamilton won the pole in the Petty STP Pontiac, but after leading early, cut a tyre and then on lap 129 punctured another and Hamilton slapped the wall. Ward Burton, who qualified third, had an engine problem to fur ther add to the Pontiac camp’s problems. Burton leading the most laps until sidelined on lap 141. “We just can’t get a dadgum break,” he said. After Ward’s demise, Gordon was able to cruise home with a superior handling car. Jeff Burton in a Roush Ford came home a strong second, record ing his third straight top five, but could not make the suspenision adjustment they wanted due to a blocked entry hole.

e also have a Chevy SuperTruck which we now own outright, so there’s also the possibility of something happening there in the near future. But there’s no schedule for the pick-up yet, so I guess it’s just one of my toys for the moment. Powering our US cars willprobe engines from T&L, who

“A new car? I think so,” said a relieved Cook.

“After all, the Ford Black Beauty was written off and I would like to celebrate the 10th anniversary of NASCAR in Australia, seeing as I was there the day it started. Having competed in the very first race, I think I’m the only original one left.” The return of Cook, one of the most respected sedan racers in the country, would be a welcome return for many fans and competitors alike. - BRETT SWANSON

“I knew if he could get on my rear bumper, he could get me loose,” Gordon said of Burton, who in turn stated, “what the #24 (Gordon) car is doing is extraordinary.” Yates Ford pilot Dale Jarrett fin ished third from the outside front row -“a good finish for us,” he said. Unfortunately, it got cloudy again, we got tight and we never could get it loosened back up.” Mark Martin continued his con sistent runs of late with fourth, the Roush driver recording seven top fives in the last seven events and having to be considered a threat for the Winston Cup title. The third Roush driver, Ted Musgrave, recorded only his second top ten result of the year, with a sixth place attained by a two-tyre stop late in the going. Jeremy Mayfield recorded his second top five in a row with a fine fifth place, the 28 year-old Kranefuss-Haas driver also surging

duce THE engines to have in Busch Grand National at the moment - they build most of the engines for the works GM teams. Ryder are putting togeth er a Trucks deal which may see their number one driver, LePaige, in Winston Cup in the next couple of seasons - he would also be doing

ROCKET RODNEY ... Rodney Jane’s put in some NASCAR laps last Sunday at the Thunderdome in the ex-Kim Jane Pontiac. Under the watchful eye of John Sidney, Jane the Younger put the “bucket of bolts” into the 29-second bracket before snapping the right-rear axle - Sidney and Jane will now be heading Stateside in July on a look and learn tour. Rodney’s Chev Monte Carlo race mount (pictured above) is presently being tidied up at Russell Caddy’s AUSCRAFT work shop in Bacchus Marsh. (Tony Glynn pic)

into tenth in the points standings. Geoff Bodine crossed the stripe eighth after finishing 43rd, having come home 44th and 42nd in the last two races - at Pocono, he bor rowed an engine from Jimmy Spencer’jS Travis Carter team. Dale Earnhardt has now finished in the top 12 in seven of the last eight races. The Intimidator finish ing tenth after developing a misfire in the final three laps and losing two positions. Many drivers suffered centre pedal problems, the Fords of Ernie Irvan, Ricky Rudd and Bill Elliott all experiencing brake trouble. Terry Labonte was as consistent as ever - he came across the line ninth after also experiencing han dling pi'oblems and now has team mate Gordon to share the points lead with. “There’s a lot of races to go, but it’s great to be on top right now,” said Gordon - The Kid has now

won 16 of the past 44 events, amounting to 36% of those races and has won $12 million faster than any other driver in 137 races! A quick scan of the final result reveals the battle of the aerody namic rule book really is between Ford and Jeff Gordon, the blue oval brigade finishing second through sixth behind GM’s only season win ner. Final results: 1 J Gordon (Chevy), 139.828 mph, 2 J Burton (Ford), 3 Jarrett (Ford), 4 Martin (Ford), 5 Mayfield (Ford), 6 Musgrave (Ford), 7 D Waltrip (Chevy), 8 G Bodine (Ford), 9 T Labonte (Chevy),- 10 Earnhardt (Chevy). Points standings: 1 J Gordon 1955, 2 T Labonte 1955, 3 Martin 1894, 4 Jarrett 1826, 5 J Burton 1772, 6 Earnhardt 1687, 7 B Labonte 1602, 8 Rudd 1586, 9 M Waltrip 1508, 10 Mayfield 1467. - MARTIN D CLARK

some Busch races - and, as the team is based in Charlotte, I’m looking at buying a condo in the vicinity to reduce the amount of travelling from my Texas home to the race track.

Talbot Fast Freight will again be providing the necessary truck to get the Monte Cario to the track and we already have Grower’s Choice confirmed as a sponsor once more. Ciarion has indicated its inten tion to support us again, along with the Circuit Sport’s Cafe and we’re currently negotiating with a couple of other sponsors. The calendar looks fine, although I’d like to see more than one race at Adelaide, as fl’s a good venue, I like the track, it adds a bit of variety and it’s a bit more of a driver’s track.

Australia-wise, for a full NASCAR we’re in season, using the Monte Carlo we recently put a deposit on with Ian Thomas’ Tropic Coast Racing concern. The car will be based at John Sidney’s Clayton work shops and we fully intend to get an engine off John - his JSR powerplant proved to be so good last year that we really wouldn’t con sider looking anywhere else. We expect to have Ian Walbum back with us as the crew chief and virtually all of last year’s crew line up will be with us again.

Apart my NASCAR inter ests,from the Bathurst outing would be a desirable event to participate in and it would be nice it people were aware that I’m looking around for an invoivement in October - I’d certainly be Interest ed In discussing the available options with any interested parties.

WINSTON CUP RESULTS

Current Points After Round 14

The Miller 400 - Michigan Int. Speedway. June 15, 1997. I.

Ernie Irvan, #28Texaco/Havoline Ford T’bird

I I. Lake Speed,#9 Melling Ford Thunderbird

Bill Elliott. #94 McDonald's Ford Thunderbird

Mark Martin,#6 Valvoline Ford Thunderbird

12. Jeremy Mayfield.#37 Kmart/RC Cola Ford T’bird 13. Ricky Rudd,#10 Tide Ford Thunderbird

Ted Musgrave,#16 Family Channel Ford T’bird

14. Jeff Burton,#99 Exide Batteries Ford Thunderbird

5. 6. 7.

Jeff Gordon,#24 DuPont Chevrolet Monte Carlo Dale Jarrett, #88 Quality Care Ford Thunderbird Dale Earnhardt,#3 GM Goodwrench Cheverolet

16. Michael Waltrip,#21 Citgo Ford Thunderbird

Derrike Cope.#36 Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix

10. Johnny Benson,#30 Pennzoil Pontiac Grand Prix

15. Jimmy Spencer.#23 Camel Ford Thunderbird 17. Sterling Marlin,#4 Kodak Film Cheverolet 18. Ricky Craven,#25 Budweiser Chevrolet 19. Brett Bodine,#11 Close Call Ford Thunderbird 20. Wally Dallenbach,#46 First Union Cheverolet

I. 2.

Jeff Gordon, Chev .... .21 10 Mark Martin, Ford .... ,2064

3. 4.

Terry Labonte, Chev ...2001 1976 Dale Jarrett, Ford 1898 Jeff Burton, Ford Dale Earnhardt, Chev ...1833

S. 6.

7. Bobby Labonte, Pont ... 1745 1710 8. Ricky Rudd, Ford [ 9. Michael Waltrip, Ford ..1623 1612 10. Bill Elliott, Ford

20Me 1997

Marshall and Allison Brewer’s Calder Park Raceway-based super FASTRACK RACING FLEET EXPANSION speedway driving school unveiled its new #22 NASCAR Chevy Lumina (above left) and one of its newly-liveried #02 AUSCAR Holden Commodores last Thursday. Devilishly handsome school principal and renowned Falcon (Thunder-Pics/Agfa photos) AUSCAR punter Marshall is pictured right. After a bizarre turn of events in the closing stages, Ricky Rudd won the round 12 Miller 500 held at the one-mile Dover Downs Speedway on June 1. The track they call the ‘Monster Mile’ bit front run ners Bobby Labonte, Dale Jarrett and Ernie Irvan, all while leading. Jeff Gordon was also taken out of the running when he rammed Jarrett as they slowed for the seventh cau tion, damaging the radiator of the DuPont Chevrolet. Mike Skinner and John Andretti made contact on lap 450, with Kenny Wallace spinning in front of the race leaders. Jarrett slowed and was spun by Gordon, hut, apart from some rear-end damage, was able to retake the lead in the pits during the caution. “I owe Dale Jarrett an apology for sure,” Gordon

said.

Then Dale’s Yates Ford engine let go on lap 462 after he dominated the event, hav ing led the most laps, “It just blew up,” Jarrett said. “Something went wrong with the motor; there was no warning.” Rusty Wallace, who was lapped early, got himself in front of the leaders to unlap the Penske Ford — but, on lap 316, he dropped off the pace with a suspected broken camshaft, or timing chain.

Rudd’s fourth Dover win Pole-sitter Bobby Labonte was also eaten by the Monster when he was tapped lightly by fellow Pontiac pilot Kyle Petty while leading on lap 29. “I backed into Kyle,” Labonte sarcastically remarked - he returned later, after the rear chassis was pulled as close to straight as possible and recorded a 40th place effort, which dropped him two posi tions in the points standings. Rudd, who started 19th, took the lead for the second time on lap 472, after Irvan spun in oil while out front with a healthy lead, airing the eighth and final caution - Irvan had led 142 circuits to that point.'' “I felt sqmething slippery,” remarked Irvan. “I know that sounds like a typical excuse, but we had driven into that turn 470 times without wrecking today.” / Ernie also held the lead before halfway, but he hit team-mate Jarrett upon exit ing pit road on lap 187 and was forced to re-pit for repairs to the left side. Rudd held off charging fel low Ford pilot Mark Martin in the final 21 green flag laps.

I couldn’t wreck him to win the thing; that’s stealing and I don’t believe in stealing,” said Martin. Rudd counter-commented: “I would like to thank Mark, He had the opportunity to spin me out that last lap and he chose not to.” It was Rudd’s fourth Dover win and he now has won at least one race for 15 consecutive years in the series. Only five cars finished on the lead tour - Jeff Burton started 34th to finish third, while Jeremy Mayfield ral lied from a. lap down twice, equalling a career-best fourth place and Kyle Petty was fifth after starting third. Jimmy Spencer and Terry Labonte were also on the lead lap, but pitted before the yellow flag uncoiled Labonte lost three laps , while Spencer lost seven due to also exceeding the pit road speed limit. During the final caution, both Burton and Mayfield pitted for tyres, something the lead two Fords did not do and which was pivotal to Rudd’s victory, his car work ing better on scuffed rubber. Petty’s result was his best since he won the event in 1995 and he was the only

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non-Ford to complete all 500 tours, Dale Earnhardt started dead last in the 43-car field with the help of a champions provisional - he was lapped by tour 25, but still salvaged a 16th place finish. Earnhardt’s team-mate. Mike Skinner, still leads the rookie points and recorded his best finish at Dover with a fine ninth place tesult. The worst wreck of the day occurred when Geoff Bodine

whacked the turn 4 wall hard on lap 239. Bodine came down the 24degree banking and was slammed by Dick Trickle, who in turn was impacted by Bobby Hillin - TricMe’s Ford was airborne twice with the severity of the two impacts. After a marathon of a race, it was announced that the next two Dover events will be a much-needed 400 miles. Final positions: 1 Rudd (Ford) 114.635 mph, 2

Martin (Ford), 3 J Burton (Ford), 4 Mayfield (Ford), 5 Petty (Pontiac), 6 Schrader (Ford), 7 M Waltrip (Ford), 8 Elliott (Ford), 9 Skinner (Chevy), 10 Marlin (Chevy). Points standings: 1 T Labonte 1812, 2 J Gordon 1775, 3 Martin 1734, 4 Jarrett 1656, 5 J Burton 1602, 6 Eai-nhardt 1553, 7 B Labonte 1532, 8 Rudd 1486, 9 M Waltrip 1384, 10 Elliott 1365. - MARTIN D CLARK

20June B7

Cowill's 4.812 stunner! Shell Rocketship scoops the pool at record-breaker Winter Nats Report by KEN FERGUSON

rionicB

Hailed by some as the greatest drag racing event yet seen in this country, the 1997 Konica Winternationals - highlighted by Graeme Cowin’s stunning 4.812-second blast in the Shell Rocketship Top Fueller - will surely go down in the record books as being one of the most spectacular ever run. Despite the bleak forecast of three continuous days of rain, the Konica Winternationals seemed to be blessed by the gods, with bril liant sunshine and clear nights being the nonn. The gods also shone upon the competitors and track o|ficids, with most racers scoring their best-ever runs and track officials having a fairly easy time with oil downs and time-wasting incidents being limit ed to but a few. Record crowds again flocked to the beautiful and impressive “no compromises” drag racing facility and they weren’t disappointed, wit nessing 25 national records fall over the three days, along with the quickest runs ever recorded in SHELL ROCKETSHIP... Graeme Cowin ran Australia's two quickest ets, inducting a stunning 4.81 in the final round. (Marshall Cass pic) Australia in Top Fuel, Top Alcohol, On paper. Cowin defeated Smith severe tyre shake 250 foot off the On completion of all the qualify Pro Stock and Pro Stock Top Fuel quite easily with a shut-off line. Qualifying began on Friday ing sessions. Read and Cowin head Motorcycle. The second round saw Read take although Mickey night, Jim Read, making his first ed the list, followed by Rachelle 5.12/193, Adding to the records were the Splatt’s Valvoline/Dragway car, Atholwood stepped up the Sainty- a memorable win over Mikres in amount of competitors, 400 racers appearance with his now self-fund which recorded a 5.12/283 best. powered Atholwood and Smith the quickest-ever side by side race rolling through the gates to contest ed operation on the tour since the mount of Smith, enabling him to so far. Then came newly-crowned what has become the sport’s TAC Nationals in March and tak Read’s 5.05/271 held out Mikres, record a solid 5.37/253. favourite aimual event. ing the number one spot with an off Australian Top Fuel Champion who, with shake also creating havoc “Queen of Speed” Splatt, who had Glenn Mikres, driving Santo The Konica Winternationals was the trailer 4.92/285mph. in his pits, pedalled it to a faster Read’s track record time stood as Rapisarda’s spare car at 5.15/287, been plagued by tyre shake, over an event that just seemed to have 5.08/289. came the problem in the pits and Robin Kirby in the Keatings absolutely ever3ffhing going for it the quickest throughout qualifying, The other semi saw Cowin domi Transport digger (5.43/269), Terry disposed of Sainty with a 5.10/256 with only Cowin getting close, a and, in a fair3ffale ending, closed nate with the country’s quickest to to 5.90/181, while Kirby accepted Sainty’s Eagle Leads dragster. 4.99/275 on his last qualifier taking out the same way, with Cowin defeat at the hands of Mikres, the date, a 4.88/281 over Splatt’s (5.45/248) and Roy Smith, who out the number two spot Cowin’s storming down the track to record carded a 5.90/182. latter cranking up the stiffer, older respectable 5.14/244. weekend previous to this was domi an emphatic win in the final of Top The final saw Cowin prove that The first round of eliminations car to a 4.99/286 mph charge. nated by mechanical mayhem and Fuel over arch-idval Jim Read and when he and the team are on. the Read, who had plaimed to “go for shake, losing a blower belt on one seemed to go to plan with no recording Australia’s quickest-ever it” on his solo, shut-off due to ball, they are almost unbeatable. upsets. time of4.81 seconds. pass and hydraulicing tjje engine. the final round. (Marshall Cass pic) ,

WORLD RECORD SETTER ... Jeff Burnett again raised the standard for alky altereds, running the world's quickest pass at 5.88 and also going to

20JmeWr BLAST FROM THE PAST ... Victor Bray and Castro! shocked the punters when the living legend himself turned up with his mount painted in 'traditional' matt black. The move proved to be an extremely popu lar one with the Queensland fans, with Bray's merchandise unit doing brisk busi ness all weekend(Ken Ferguson pic). At the same venue and in the same lane when he tuned Romeo Capitanio to a stun ning win at the ’91 Nationals, Cowin stormed from the line and reeled off an amazing 4.812/285 to defeat nemesis Read, who again was troubled with bhnding tyre shake. Adding further to the greatness of Cowin’s runs was the fact that the Shell Rocketship stormed past half-track at over 255 mph making it a pass which should have topped 300, had the car not dropped a cylinder dur ing the last half of the run! Top Alcohol David Glenwright and Bob Brackam, with the assistance of Bob Meyer, ensured that the Top Alcohol bracket would equal the nitro class for quality and performance. Glenwright drove the ROMAC dragster into the top qualifier position with a 5.706/242, while Gary Phillips was a close second on a 5.73/243. Jeff Burnett piloted his world’s quickest alky altered to best-ever numbers at 5.88/230 on his final qualifying shot to slot into the number three spot. Steve Barker and Steve,Reed filled fourth and fifth respectively. Barker was still sorting his new combina tion, which included a brand-new Whipplecharger and carded a 5.90, while Reed scored his first five since switching to a Whipple, albeit an older version. The final three positions were filled by North Queensland’s Paul Shackleton, who is on the verge of breaking into the fives and scored a best-ever time at 6.00/228, Mark Brew in the BOC Gasses dragster (6.09/22) and, surprisingly, series leader Stan Tindal, who could only manage a 6.40 best. Tindal’s harsh luck continued in the first round of eliminations and, unfortunately, cost him the chance of wrestling the title away from Phillips. Tindal’s Stanola Racing car drove into the highest wheelstand you would ever see at third-track without the car falling over back wards. If there was any luck to be had, Tindal’s mount crashed back to the ground, damaging the front-end, the tough veteran racer emerg-/ ing shaken, but not severly hurt. / Phillips took out Brew with another 5<’73 and equalled the series points with Tindal, the better finish at the series end giving Phillips the championship win yet again. In the last two pairings, Reed, back to form, defeated Barker and Burnett downed the improving Shackleton. In a shock, Burnett then defeated a tyre shaking Phillips in the second round, Phillips slowing to a 10.42 after the shake and break ing the transmission. Glenwright came within a whisker of the 5.60s when he recorded the quickest-ever Alcohol time in Australia, a 5.700/243 in his win over Reed. The final belonged to the Bob Brackhamowned ROMAC team on paper and went according to the script, Glenwright taking the gold with a 5.71/243 over Burnett’s 6.00/227. Pro Stock The final round of the Dynomax Pro Stock Series saw the Ford Probe of now two-time Austi'alian Champion Joe Polito in the num ber one spot in qualifying with a sub-record 7.75/173. Rob Tucker was a little off his best, but held second with a 7.87/172 in thie Perfomance Wholesale Oldsmobile, ahead of Tony Wedlock on a 7.91. Bruce Leake, Rob Quattrocchi, John O’Kearney and Kym Petterwood all recorded seven second times to hold fourth through to seventh positions, while Pro Stock newcomer Nigel Deveth drove his beautiful Chev - Lumina into eighth spot with an 8.05/168. Eliminations saw Tucker, probably the only one capable on numbers in qualifying to pose a real'threat to Polito, towed away from the start line with a broken ignition switch, handing Petterwood his easiest win of the night.

Continued next page

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20June 1997 n Saturday night’s final quali fying sessions at this year’s Konica Wintemationals were dubbed the ‘Tox Sports Nite of Thunder,” with the pay-tv giant backing the event with an available timeslot for the two hour highlights program being shot by the track’s Channel 7 “Drag Racing ’97” program producers. If you're a subscriber to Fox or Galaxy, look for the replay of the event in early July on Fox Sports. n How quick could Graeme Cowin’s final round 4.812 have been, had the SheD Rocketship not dropped a cylinder during the run? There’s no doubt that, calculat ing what it had run to half track, a 4.77 or .78 would have been on the cards. And what about the speed? A half-track clocking of 255.10 mph showed that if Cowin pro duces the first 300 outside the US, it will, more than likely, break the barrier by a significant margin. n Fifteen-time Australian Top Fuel Champion Jim Read's 4.920 opening blast in his selffunded fueller was extremely impressive when one takes into account it was just the second time this season the veteran has raced. The run was good enough to remain as the top qualifying shot and, with a final round finish along with a sohd 5.05 to 5.08 vic over newly-crowned tory Champion Glenn Mikres in the semis - Read showed that, despite the time away, you can never count a true champion out. With a potential sponsor looking on, you can’t help but think that Read's chances of returning to the tour full-time took a turn for the better with his impressive Wintemats showing.

^li^®0®fPS[p(p[F0

By Gerald McDor n With the blower wars con¬ tinuing to rage in Top Alcohol right aroimd the world, it was interesting to see Steve Marker’s record-holding Spectra Thermo-King mount fi’ont at the Konica Wintemats v«dth the latest weapon, a newgeneration Whipplecharger. The new blower is interesting in its design, as it incorporates the injector hat into the front of the casing, allowing the air flow to head directly into the rotors. instead of bending as it heads through the injector. And, in a bonus for Harker and the other Whipple users (if there were any left after the mass-exodus to the PSI last year), ANDRA has announced that the overdrive limits will be changed from October 1. n With the impencling blower changes, which haven’t been totally ^alised as yet, it was interesting to hear in the Wintemationals pits that four time champion Gary Phillips was seriously considering building a Funny Car. It is beheved the rules proposed for the alky runners favour the use of a Whipplecharger on a flap per, so Phillips, ever the thinker, is ready to jump if he has to. , And before you say he got rid of the Whipple and runs a PSI,' by the time you read this, he should have already been to Whipple's to pick up his new-generation buffer, which has been on order for some time!

n How stiff is Santo's older back-up car? Well, if you believed one of Ms crew guys, n Like the TAC Nationals at Calder,the Konica Winter Nats it was stiffen than a "groom on has gained a solid, worldwide his wedding night!" New Australian Top Fuel reputation as being one of the Champion Glenn Mikres didn't best drag racing events of the year and, due to that enviable seem to have a problem with the mount, although the stiffness of reputation, the event attracts the chassis necessitated a number considerable interest from overseas. of tuning and clutch changes. This year’s event had a number After running a couple of off the trailer 5-teens, Mikres was happy of international visitors, including enough, stating that the 0-60ft chassis-buildkig guru Bob Meyer, Milodon Inc.’s President Steve and 330-1000ft times were good enough to ran in the fours and, Morrison and former Top with a few changes, it would crack Doorslammer tourist Jim Campos. the 4-nineties. Both Meyer and Campos were After making some changes attending the event for customers, prior to the first round of racing, Meyer with Bob Brackham’s Mikres recorded back to back 4.99 Romac Top Alky team, Campos with Perth BB/FC racer Peter and 5.08 runs. Veersma. Mikres lost to Jim Read in the semi-finals. Continued next page. WHIP IT GOOD... Steve Marker's impressive new Whipplecharger, which incorporates the injector hat in the blower casing.(McDornan)

PACEMAKER... David Glenwright drove the Bob Brackham-owned Romac car to a solid alky win. (Bosher) Wedlock went as quick as 7.87 in his win over O’Kearney, while Quattrocchi reeled off a 7.88 to take out Leake. Polito went even quicker in the Computer Engine Design Probe when he took out Deveth with a 7.743. In the semis, Petterwood went through to the money round when he took out Wedlock, while Polito just kept getting quicker, this time running a 7.740 in his win over Quattrocchi. The story stayed the same in the final, Polito recording a stunning 7.713/174 and easily covering the 8.00/168 by Petterwood. The win, which came at the end of one of the most dominating per-

formances in Pro Stock’s history, was the prime example of why Polito had again taken out the Dynomax series. / Top Doorslammer Top Doorslammer’s first-ever Nationals winner Peter Gratz took the honours in qualifying in the bracket with his first and only qual ifier, Gratz smashing the diff at half-track in his Valvoline ’57 Chev, but still recording a 6.55/209 - the diff was sent to Murray Anderson’s to be repaired, while Gratz sat out Saturday’s quahfying sessions. Victor Bray fronted with his Castrol ’57 Chev, which sported a ‘Blast from the Past’ matt black paint job.

Bray, who had been plagued by problems since a major bout of tyre shake in Perth prior to the Nationals, was again not at his world-class best. Thankfully, during the course of the event, the problem was traced to a couple of minor electrical and transmission problems, but he could still only manage a 6.62/212 in qualifying to grab second spot in the field. Michael King put his Commodore Hearse into third spot with a 6.83, followed by the only other six sec ond runner, Troy Critchley in the Castrol Customline. Benny Gatt went 7.08 for fifth, followed by Les Winter, now with a KB in his ’55 Chev, on a 7.11.

FLYING SWAN... Perth's Steve Flynn took out both the Wintemats and Australian Championship.(Bosher)

GREAT DEBUT... Nth Old's Nigel Deveth qualified at his first-ever Pro Stock outing with his Chevy.(Bosher)

KONICr/V WINTERNATIONALS Seventh and eighth were held by Andrew Searle and Lucky Belleri, but Belleri had a rather spectacular fire on board through the finish due to a spark plug blowing out - Belleri withdrew from racing, which gave Anguel Athanasou a start. The first round had Critchley matched up with Gatt, who demonstrated excellent driving skills with a lock to lock save after get ting horribly out of shape at half-track at over 140 mph Gatt pulled the car up safely at the finish line, but com mented later that he had to empty his pants. Critchley, meanwhile, cruised on through for a 6.75, 214 mph win. Winter defeated King, while Gratz did likewise with Athanasou and Bray showed glimpses of his old form with a 6.54/221 to defeat Searle. Winter took out Bray in the next round with his first six with the KB, a 6.95/199 too good for Bray’s 7.09/210. Gratz and Winter both had to pedal it in the final, Gratz doing the better job and tak ing a well-deserved 6.94/204 win over-Winter’s.7.02/198.

Pro Stock Motorcycle Pro Stock Motorcycle was a two-horse race, Les Donnon pipping Gavin Bales by a few thousandths for top qualifying spot and their nearest rival more than two tenths behind. Donnon and Bales made light work of eliminations and, as expected, met in the final. The closest race of all the finals saw Donnon grabbing one thousandth advantage on the start and taking the win by just twenty-four thousandths at the finish, Donnon emerging victorious with a 7.66 to a 7.68. Top Bike Gavin Spann rode his nitrous-fed Suzuki into top spot in Top Bike with a 7.35/175, just three hun dredths ahead of Jeff Smith’s Harley, while Peter Allen qualified third with a 7.48. A notable non-qualifier was the Harley of Brett Stevens, who was having trouble with ignition leads blowing off - Bruce Barnett and Paul Boudar kept the flag flying for the Jack Daniel’s Racing team, quali-

fying fifth and eighth, respectively. Spann recorded his best numbers to date in his sec ond round loss to Barnett, a .398 reaction spoiling his 7.25/182. Smith received a bye into the final to meet Barnett, making it an all-Harley affair. Smith took the win with a 7.51/183 over Barnett’s slow ing 8.02/137, Barnett later annoimcing his retirement at the presentation ceremony. Super Stock Super Stock, which provid ed the highlight of Saturday night’s Fox Sports “Nite of Thunder” with two brain snapping qualifying sessions, saw every racer in the 16-car field going under their respective indexes in qualifymg. The case was similar in eliminations, but only two cars can make it to the final. Steve Flynn in his B/Gas Commodore and Paul Norman in his G/Gas Falcon came through, with Flynn taking the honours over Norman in the final. Continued next page

NEW RECORDS Konica Winternationals Willowbank Raceway, June 6-8

CATEGORY CLASS COMPETITOR

VEHICLEdENGINE

Shell Rocket Dragster/KB 496 Romac Products Dragster/BAE 463 Burner Magnetos T-Bucket/WAR 526 Computer Engine. Probe/Ford 331 Birrell/Castrol Suzuki 1327cc

4.88

SPONSORmAM

Both tuners had great success, helping their Aussie chargers set national records - Brackham also helped tune driver, Glenwright to the event win. n Lucky Belleri’s Winternationals was, lit erally, a hot one, with his stout “Lucky’s Toy Commodore bursting into flames while on a qualifier. It seems the engine decid ed to blow out a spark plug and, with the hole wide open, fuel sprayed out of the engine and onto the head ers. Unfortunately, the dam age was too severe to the bodywork and he retired from the rest ofthe meeting. n

Peter Gratz struck

plenty of troubles on his one and only qualifier with the Valvoline '57 Chevy Top Doorslammer. Gratz’s team had placed a new centre in the diff, but it broke the studs and pulled out at half track on the run. The result was severe damage to the sheet metal diff, needing constructor Murray Anderson to head back to his shop and spend the next 12 hours working on getting the transplanted Tasmanian back in the event. Thankfully, Gratz fronted for round one and went on to win his third major event, the Wintemats victory joining his Nationals and Grand Finals win from ‘96.

n Castrol pulled a great marketing move with Victor Bray at this event, drag racing’s living leg end ft-onting with his for merly corporate car painted in “traditional” matt black, ensuring it had the photographers sclirrying to take shots every time it pulled out of the staging lanes for a run. The paint job, performed with a couple of spray cans, was done as a one-off move and titled the “blast from the past.” It proved to be a huge success, with fans flocking to the Castrol tent to get a look as the machine, along wdth also purchasing, literally, truck loads of Bray/Castrol “Blast from the Past” merchandise! n How well planned was Bray's change of colours for the event? Well, all the Bray mer chandise - posters, decals and t-shirts - was ordered before the team left on a six week trip to the United States! * Bray, wife Marie and dri ver 'Troy Critchley all arrived back in the country just three days before the event, with all the merchan dise ready for them to just pick up and sell to the pun ters at the event! n 'WhUe Victor was keep ing “mum” about any of the latest bits he may have brought back from

20June mi the US, it wasn't hard to see what Critchley had fallen in love with on his first trip to the States! Page, the lovely young lady who had made the summer trip down under as the PR representative for US doorslammer driver Johnny Rocca and Troy have become a bit of a hot item! Page headed back to Australia with Critchley while he resumed his duties driving the second Castrol doorslammer. n It was interesting to note that Joe Polito, ever the innovator, fronted at the Konica Winter Nats with one of the latest “square mouthed” hood scoops, the same design which has become the rage in the US, aboard the Computer Engine Design Ford Probe. It's hard to tell whether the new design scoop, which reportedly allows more air into the engine and with greater efficiency, worked or not, but Polito's string of sensational 7.7s was an indication that it didn't hurt his chances. n It was also interesting to hear at the record-fest Winternationals that Polito is reported to have done an engine deal with fellow final round contes tant Kym Petterwood. Polito is believed to have offered his engine building Continued next page.

MPH

GROUP ONE T/F T/AD T/A P/S P/SM

Graeme Cowin David Glenwright Jeff Burnett Joe Polito Les Donnon

243.90 5.88 7.71 7.58

GROUP TWO COMPETITION A/D Wayne Hughes B/D Greg Leahy C/D Wayne Cartledge A/A Chris Soldatos BB/FC Peter Veersma

1st City Caravilla ,T-Bucket/Chev 500 Roly Leahy Imp. , Dragster/Chev 385 Northern Cylind. Dragster/Chev 355 Jet Hot Coatings Roadster/Chev 615 B&D Doors Cutlass/Chrys.438

SUPER STOCK A/G Ian Johns B/G Steve Flynn

Ian Johns Racing Falcon/Olds 504 A1 Powdercoaters C'dore/Buick 332

7.74 8.32

COMPETITION BIKE C/CB Colin Linney D/CB Rhett Lougheed P/CB John Parker

10-Tenths M'cycle. Suzuki 1197cc Kawasaki 750 Harley 120

8.02 8.35 8.69

7.25 8.18 6.66

189.63 177.09 164.71 183.60 213.47

/ 176.13

156.19 146.82

GROUP THREE MODIFIED CC/MD Paul Martini BB/MA Glen Sanders

Dragster/Nissan 122 8.16 147.83 Altered/Chrysler 265 8.53 152.39 JUST PLAYING ... Peter Veersma reset both ends of the BB/FC national record, although he did run as quick as 6.37 and still has plenty more up his sleeve with the Olds funny.

1 ¥

I The drinks are on us!... Well,figuratively speaking of course, but we're celebrating because Jack Daniel’s Racing team member Bruce Barnett secured the Australian Top Bike Championship at Willowbank Raceway in Queensland on June 8th. Congratulations to Bruce,Paul, Brett Stevens and the whole Jack Daniel's Racing team on a fine effort.

tr;

20JmW97

services to Petterwood and he is reportedly getting ready to piece together a GM unit for the Queenslander. The deal supposedly extends as far as “if it ain't better than the new piece you’ve got, you don't have to pay for it." If we hear more on that, we'll let you know. n The 1997 Dynomax Pro Stock Series turned out to be a brilliant one for Polito, who had won the championship for the first time ever last year. Polito absolutely dominated the series, winning four of the five rounds, along with setting low elapsed time and top speed of the meet at every single event. In the super tough world of Pro Stock racing, it is interesting to know that Polito's only “failure" this year-, if you could caU it that, was a semi-final finish at Eastern Creek's Nitro Champs meeting in April. Oh, by the way, Sydney's “Smokin' Joe" also won a place in the '97 Motorsport News AH Star Drag Racing team! n Soon to be Pro Stock racer Mario Camillo, who currently has a ’97 Pontiac Trans Am under construction at Murray Anderson's workshop in Brisbane, is in the market for a new transporter following a serious crash while travelling north from Melbourne to Queensland for the Winter Nats. With a bunch of friends aboard the converted bus/transporter, Camillo swerved to avoid and out of control car - the bus then speared off the road and into the bush. Luckily, there were no seri ous injuries, although the bus was a complete write-off. Camillo continued on to the event, while his travelling com panions all decided that they had chanced their luck enough that weekend and headed home. The Melbourne racer will take delivery of his new moimt within the next few weeks and aims to be ready to contest the '98 Dynomax Pro Stock Series. n A few years ago Top Bike looked to be in all sorts of trouble in regards to competi tors, but a surge in the popu larity of the class came about with the appearance of a large bunch of nitro Harleys and, thankfully, the class survived. It is fitting to note then that, after the Harley's helped prop up the class, the first three bikes in this year's series were Harleys. Taking the title was Jack Daniel's Racing team member Bruce Barnett, with perennial runner-up Jeff Smith aboard the Jeffs Cycle Salvage bike only just 10 points behind. Brett Stevens, who had a chance to win the title but didn't qualify for the tough field, came in third in the series aboard the lead Jack Daniel's Racing bike. Twenty one bikes contested this year's three round Aiistralian Top Bike Championship. n Like father, like son? ... Jeromy Harris, son of ICI Autocolour-supported Pro Bike racer Denis Ackland, was a member of the recent Erikson Cup-winning Brisbane Strikers team. Harris was hop ing to attend the Konica Winternationals to support his dad’s efforts, but knee surgery following the winning match prevented the soccer star from attending.

^l^®0®[FS[p®[F0 n Unfortunately for Ackland, his Winternationals wasn't quite as successful as his son's recent soccer match.In a great race, Ackland lost to Jason Lee in the first round of elimina tions, the result also taking Lee past Ackland in the points and into the third spot for the series. Ackland finished fourth in the series with the ICI Autocolour Suzuki. n Peter Veersma's second qualifying session run in the B&D Roller Doors Oldsmobile BB/Funny Car was simply stunning, especially consider ing it was just the second time the Perth vehicle had been down the track. Versma.cranked out a brilliant 6.37/219 which absolutely slaugh tered both ends of the national record and the class index. Powering the potent mount is a BAE billet-headed iron block hemi, although the block isn’t one of the old factory 426 engines, but rather a new Indy aftermarket racing block. Couple the stronger block with the BAE heads and a hi-helix blower and it isn’t hard to under stand how the Perth mount has massacred all previous class bests. n Another well-travelled Comp racer putting in a great performance was Cairns' Wayne Hughes, who had con verted his 500 cubic inch Steve Schmidt-powered Altered to A/Dragster for the event, extending the wheel base out to the 140” minimum needed for the dragster class. During Comp eliminations, Hughes' 1st City Caravilla T-budket stormed down track to record a stunning 7.09 second et, by far the quickest et recorded by a normally aspirated vehicle in the country. Hughes went on to win the event, along with setting both ends of the national A/D record to 7.25/189.63. n Former Australian Super Stock Champions Peter and John Sammut received a “triple best” time card from qualifying, Sammuts' Nissan Genuine Parts 300 ZX record ing the team’s quickest and fastest-ever runs in DD/Gas (7.95/173), with Peter also recording his personal bestever reaction - a perfect.400. The numbers (et and speed) worked out on a horsepower calcu lator showed that the Sammuts made an impressive 923 hp from their turbocharged 183 ci straight six engine! n All 16 cars which qualified for Super Stock were under their national class indexes, just the second time that this has ever happened. n Jason Grimma became only the second-ever driver to claim more than one Australian Super Sedan Championship, due to his runner-up finish at the event. Grimma also became just the second titleholder to win the title without actually winning an event! n Scott Bettes ended his Junior Dragster'career with a fine runner-up finish at this year’s Winters. Scott has won the past three Winters and this year's Nationals. If the Australian Championship, which starts for the first time next season, was in place, Scott would have claimed it and retired as the number one.

‘'sji

If' Z' -

SMOKIN'JOE ...Joe Polito dominated both the Dynomax Series and the Konica Winter Nats.(John Basher) Competition Competition Bike Jason Grima in Super Sedan, local Cairns’ Wayne Hughes stretched Comp Bike top qualifier Rhett Paul Beauchamp in the Rampage the wheelbase bn his beautiful Lougheed did as Hughes did in roadster over North Queensland’s A/Altered, allowing him to enter in Competition and breezed through Neville Slatter in Super Gas, the A/Dragster class and take the rounds to meet Syndey’s Colin Michael Cooper over Eddie Kepper in Modified Bike and ’96 Nationals Linney in the final. advantage of an easy index. Both went under their indexes, winner Stephen Bush over reigning Hughes breezed through elimina but Lougheed was too hot for the Nationals and three-time Winter tions to meet Melbourne’s Wayne 10-Tenths,/feuzuki of Linney, the Nats winner Scott Bettes, who was Cartledge’s C/Dragster in the final. Cartledge, who took out the later’s .12-xmder 8.03 not quite able contesting his last event in the Australian Competition Eliminator to pull back a .48-under 8.35 from Shell Pocket Rocket in Junior Lougheed. Dragster. Championship with his final round Winners and runners-up in other A Top Comp bracket saw John showing, handed the win to Hughes when he lit the red bulb with a .391 brackets included Graeme,Frawley Payne’s trusty old Corvette run a reaction - Hughes’ Altered went as over Dave Ferricks in Modified, 7.41/186 on a 7.35 dial-in to defeat Gavin Hamilton over Garry Hunt Graham Porter’s 7.04/194 on his -quick as 7.09/189 in the second round. in Super Street, Grant Watt over 6.95 dial-in. IRONY... Jack Daniel's Racing's number one Brett Stevens DNO'd, but teammate Bruce Barnett won the title.

MODEL 'V FUELLER... Mikresjumped into the old, old Rapisarda car and still ran 4.99/289. (Nix Pix)

2(]Junemi

Report by DAVE OSTASZEWSKI Doug Herbert scored his fourth win at Bristol, his 14th IHRA title overall and became the first driver in IHRA history to record a pass over 300 mph,the historic 5.081/300.06 pass com ing in the first and only session on Saturday afternoon at the 33rd annual Prolong Super Lubricants Spring Nationals held at Bristol International Dragway,Tennessee, on June 68, as rains moved in and can celled the “Night of Fire” pro gram. Shirley Muldowney recorded a 302.08 mph pass a few pairs later, backing it up with a first round 300.06 to set a new IHRA speed mark. Herbert defeated low qualifier Bruce Litton in the final when Litton was unable to make the call. Rickie Smith, the IHRA all-time winning Pro Stock driver, scored his first career win in Pro Modified, defeating 1995 World Champion Tommy Mauney in the final. In Pro Stock, Angelo Alesci drove his Chevrolet Monte Carlo to the win over low qualifier (6.793) and two-time World Champion Billy Huff, who was making his return to IHRA competition after a one year absence. Scott Weis took the honors in the Alcohol Funny Car class, defeating Jimmy Rector in the final round. Weis’ was the number one qualifi er at 5.996, becoming the first Alcohol Funny Car in the fives on the mountain. Top Fuel Trailer manufacturer Litton nailed the top spot with a shut off early 4.891/261.67, Rhonda Hartman following at 4.961/277.83. Muldowney was third with a 4.971/298.07, while points leader and season opener winner Paul Romine rounded out the top four with his 5.001/286.68. Danny Dunn (5.005/298.07) put the Dunn & Camp fueller into fifth and Jim Bailey put the Faifer and Sons, Ron Swearengen-tuned car sixth with a 5.028/284.87. Rounding out the show were Herbert (5.081/300.06) and David Bieneman (5.101/281.30), making this the quickest field in IHRA histoiy. The opening round kicked off with Litton advancing in a tyre smoking duel over Bieneman, 6.055/206.45 to 8.751/90.73. Romine then killed the motor in taking a win from Dunn, 5.376/239.40 to 5.560/188.31. Hartman then left on Herbert, carrying the front-end for 600 feet before clicking it, allowing Herbert to take a clutch-damaging 5.732/176.49 win. The final pair saw Muldowney take a close win over Jim Bailey, 4.997/300.06 to 5.088/276.13, Shirley backing up the 302.08 run during qualifying for the record. The- semi opened with Romine leaving first and driving away from Litton - but, at 900 feet the front-

FIRST IHRA 300 MPH-PLUS PASS... Doug Herbert's Snap-on Top Fueller also won the Bristol event on a lucky bye.(Dave OstaszewskI pic) end came straight up, causing a blowover, the car flipping several times and coming to a rest at the turn-off road. Romine was unhurt in the inci dent, but the car was badly dam aged, Litton having to get back on the throttle to avoid debris and exploding the motor in the process for a 5.128/239.40 to 5.905/141.08 win. The other pair saw both cars pedal once, with Herbert scoring the win over Muldowney, 5.024/298.07 to 5.158/294.18. In the final round, Herbert had a single as the car of Litton broke the motor in the pits during a warmup - Herbert singled at 7.739/109.49. “We weren’t that good, but we were very lucky,” stated Herbert. “Last year, we were the first car to run in.the 4s here and now we’re the first to run 300 here. For some reason, Bristol treats us right.” Herbert sits third in the quest for the championship, behind Romine and Muldowney - Bailey and Litton fill out the top five. Pro Modified The 52 entrie^ made for a quick field, with several notables toward the bottom of the field and some missing the show. The ’63 Corvette of Michael Martin was on top at 6.548/214.31, while Scotty Cannon, now with a nitrous combination in his new ’41 Willys, could only come up with a 6.637/210.31 for 15th. Darlington winner and point leader Shannon Jenkins missed the cut with a 6.651/212.29 and Johnny Rocca, who made his national event debut with his wild “Ironhorse” ’49 Mercury, was 32nd at 6.836/201.82. Round one saw Todd Tutterow defeat Mike Castellana in a battle of ’63 Corvettes, 6.581/212.29 to 12.48/60.64.

Ed Burnley went 6.664/211.30 to knock off Billy Harper’s ’68 Barracuda, which trailed with a 6.678/201.82, while Mauney used a 6.515/212.29 to advance over the 6.741/193.99 out of ex-Top Fuel racer Stevie Foster’s Monte Carlo. Dan Bandish took the “Modern Day Outlaw” Corvette to a 6.583/209.33 win over Harold Martin, while Smith put his Don Gray Trucking Corvette into round two with a 6.554/214.31 win over the 6.604/209.33 of Carl Moyer, who is now driving the “Barn’s Toy” ’69 Camaro. t. Wally Stroupe took his “Trirn Parts” Corvette to a 6.570/212.29 win over; Dale Brinsfield’s 6.618/211.30 and Scotty Cannon drove the satin black with flames “On Sat” ’41 Willys to an engine killing 6.824/198.26 over number two qualifier Ronnie Hood. In the closing race of round two, Ed Hoover defeated low qualifier Michael Martin, 5.891/211.30 (clock malfunction)to 6.645/208.36. Tutterow made it into the semis with an easy 6.578/212.29 win over Hoover and Smith then soloed to a 6.543/213.30 when Bandish was unable to answer the call. Cannon took a slight lead at the start, but Mauney drove past, tak ing a 6.547/210.31 to 6.656/209.33 win, while Stroupe overcame a bril liant .415 light by Burnley, winning 6.588/212.29 to 6.683/211.30. The all ’63 Corvette semis began with Smith going 6.530/214.31 to advance over the 6.578/212.29 of Tutterow. In another tight race, Mauney used a 6.571/209.33 tonvercome the starting line advantage and 6.597/212.29 of Stroupe. In the final. Smith cut a great .431 light and extended the lead to take the victory over Mauney 6.498/215.34 to 6.783/211.39.

The run was the quickest Pro Mod run ever at Bristol and is a new track record for a nitrous car. Smith now sits second in the IHRA/Snap On Series points stand ings, trailing Tutterow - Cannon, Shannon Jenkins and Martin trail the top two.

but Huffs Sonny Leonard-prepped Pontiac had the power to catch him. Huff advancing with a 6.803/203.65 to-Yeoman’s 6.882/201.82. The other pair saw Alesci set low e.t. of eliminations at 6.797/202.73 to stop the out of shape Kirk’s 7.137/171.12. In the final, Alesci left first and marched onto his second career win, a 6.804/202.73 covering the clicked-off and out of shape run of Huff The win moves Alesci into second in the points, behind Richie Stevens - Machacek, Nabors and Huff rormd out the top five.

Pro Stock Round one saw the Monte Carlo of David Jenkins take a holeshot vsdn over the Ford of Floyd Cheek, 6.878/202.73 to 6.828/203.65. John Konigshoffer advanced with his Ford Probe over Tim Nabors, 6.855/203.65 to 6.909/200.92, while Alcohol Funny Cai’ Doug Kirk won with a 6.886/201.82 Round two began with Weis tak over the red-lighting 6.981/200.02 of John Montecalvo. ing his Sherwin-Williams Mustang to a 6.063/230.80 win over the Steve Williford drove his Monte Camaro of Canadian Lany Dobbs. Carlo to a holeshot win, stopping 1996 World Champion Von Smith World Champion Jon Yoak used a holeshot 6.140/229.63 to 6.888/200.92 to 6.873/203.65. quicker Jerry Yeoman’s Olds went advance over the 6.843/202.73 to take out Pete 6.128/225.03 of Monty Todd, while Berner’s 6.884/200.92 and Alesci Scott Weney’s 6.097/229.63 defeat ed the 6.377/221.71 of Jerry took out points leader Richie Stevens, 6.821/202.73 to Thalacker. In the closing race of the 6.856/201.82. Tony Gillig took his round. Rector advanced into the first IHRA win light with a semis over the breaking Pontiac of 6.882/202.73 to 6.885/200.92 victory James Sickles, with a 6.247/225.03 to 13.812/65.03. over Ed Machacek’s Pontiac Grand Prix and Huff went into round two The semis got underway with Weis overcoming the holeshot of by stopping John Nobile, with low e.t. of the round, 6.811/203.65 to Smith and taking a 6.102/229.63 to 6.135/229.63 win. 6.904/202.73. In the other pair, Weney redHuff opened round two by stop ping Jenkins, 6.814/203.65 to lighted away his chances, giving 6.878/202.73 and Yeoman overcame Rector an easy win at 19.130/49.78. In the final, Weis set low e.t of a good lead by Williford, chasing eliminations at 6.009/230.80 to take him and taking a 6.820/202.73 to 6.89L201.82 -win. the Springnationals crown over Alesci ran a 6.830/203.65 to Rector’s 6.385/185.21. The win is the third career win advance as Konigshoffer got out of shape and shut off, while Kirk for Weis at Thunder Valley and ended Gillig’s hope of another moves Weis to the top of the point round'vidn when his 7.074/200.92 standings,followed by Rector, Mark was enough to cover Gillig’s out of Thomas, who lost in round one. Von shape Oldsmobile. Smith and Jim Lape, who missed In the semis. Yeoman left first. the cut at Bristol.

1997 ANDRA AUSTRALIAN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS 1997 Australian Top Fuel Series 660 Glenn Mikres, Santos Cranes Graeme Cowin, Shell/Rocket 500 460 Rachelle Splatt, Valvoline

12 Balmoral Close St Albans VIC 3021 Tel 03 9364 3333 Mobile 018 394 044

Terry Sainty, Eagle Ignition Leads 360 Robin Kirby, Keatings Transport 300 Darren DiFilippo, True Flow Exh. 160 7. Jim Read, Jim Read Racing 140 8. Roy Smith, Atholwood & Smith 120 9. Romeo Capitanio, Top Fuel Inc. 100

1997 Australian Dynomax Pro Stock Series I. Joe Polito, Computer Eng. Design 560 2. JohnO’Keamey.J. Williams Autos 320 3. Robert Quattrochi, Valvoline/Optus280 260 4. Tony Wedlock, Hi-Tec Oils 200 S. Kym Petterwood, Pacific Perf. 200 Bruce Leake, Thuema & Leake Rob Tucker, Performance Wsale 200 8. Craig Hastead, Cragar Performance 160 9. Gerry Parente, Parente Racing 100

2. 3.

1997 Australian Top Alcohd Series 400 Gary Phillips, Aussie Bananas 400 Stan Dndal, Stanola Racing 320 Mark Brew, BOC Gasses 320 Steve Ffarker, Marker Transport 300 David Glenwright, ROMAC 280 Jeff Burnett, Burner Magnetos 260 Steve Reed, Reed Trans/Nulon

5. 6. 7. 8. Paul Shackleton, Shackleton Racing 120 120 Tom Easton, VDO Eliminator

2SJui)e199/ Gary Scelzi, Tom Hoover and Tom Martino all scored impres sive victories on a less than marginal race track this past weekend as the NHRA Winston Drag Racing tour moved into Columbus,Ohio, for the 10th event on the calendar, the 33rd Annual Pontiac Excitement Nationals.

n Germany's Rico Anthes recently reset the European Top Fuel record and moved closer to becoming the first European to break into the fours. At Santa Pod Raceway's first round of the FIA European Top Fuel Championship, Anthes recorded a 5.011, bettering his own 5.03 record, in his Swindahlbuilt Dakota Jeans fueller. Both Rachelle Splatt and Robin Kirby have raced against and defeated Anthes in Japan. (Anthes pic; Thompson/AUsports) n Victor Bray, on the week end of the Konica Winter Nats, lost his “World's Quickest Doorslammer” title when Fred Hahn drove Jim Oddy’s BDS ’37 Chevy to a 6.242 at a Super Chevy event. The Oddy/Hahn coupe is Chevy powered, although it runs with the benefit of a 30% nitro dose in the fuel tank. Australia can still claim some credit with the run; renowned Aussie builder Murray Anderson constructed the entire rear-end and ladder bar suspension set-up! n In a major shock move, McDonald's in the US has announced that it will be withdrawing from drag rac ing at the end of the 1997 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. Both the Joe Gibbs - who runs the Top Fuel and Funny Car teams - and Jim Yates teams are now actively seeking funding to continue running on the tour in 1998. It is rumoured Gibbs is con fident of upgrading both Shell and Interstate Batteries, who are involved with his NASCAR teams, while Yates has intimated that he would again be prepared to self-fund his own team if nec essary. The McDonald's teams have won two Winston Championships (’92 F/C - Cruz Pedregon, ’96 P/S - Jim Yates) since joining drag racing in 1992.

Top Fuel Joe Amato led the rest of the field by a ton, grabbing the top spot dur ing qualifying with his 4.662/311.85 run during the Friday night session - Cory McClenathan followed at 4.730/297.61, while Eddie Hill took third at 4.773/298.90. Winston-backed driver and point leader Gary Scelzi managed a fourth-best 4.808/291.82. The tricky track kept the perfor mances down, evidenced by the bump spot being only 5.021/267.14 from Doug Herbert. The semis began with Scott Kalitta launching with the wheels up, but by 60 feet the tyres began to break loose - Tony Schumacher started to haze the tyres at 150 feet, but had the momentum to drive through it and record a 5.088/275.14 to win. The other pair saw Scelzi leave first by .072 seconds, but by mid track Amato was closing. Both cars’ tyres began to break loose, but Scelzi was able to hold off the quicker car of Amato, 4.955/271.41 to 4.904/288.64. In the final, both cars left togeth er, with Scelzi only ahead of Schumacher by .06 seconds at half track, where both cars began to haze the tyres - but Scelzi led to the finish Une and took win niunber four, 4.927/284.81 to 5.030/281.42. Scelzi’s win extended his points lead to 194 points over second place Amato (765)- Kalitta (610) is third with McClenathan (590) 'and Bernstein (582) rounding out the top five. Funny Car As in Top Fuel, the Funny Cars were experiencing the same trac tion problems, but Randy Anderson laid down a nice 5.006/308.00 to take the number one spot. Topeka winner Whit Bazemore followed with a 5.056/303.74 and The Pro Stock pit area was rocked by an explosion Friday during the running of the Pontiac Excitement Nationals, NHRA officials later moving to impound conqjonentry from the affected Eckman/Orndorff Pontiac. The incident occurred in the pit area of the Pro Pontiac during a warm-up. The dry sump oil tank exploded with a blast described as being sim ilar to a stick of dynamite being detonated. The team, which qualified and ran well throughout the early events, has struggled of late. Immediately following the blast, the team reportedly loaded the car into the transporter and then vacated the property, leaving the trailer behind - NHRA Tech offi cials were on the scene, but not

PLENTY OF HEART... Funny Car great Tom Hoover revisited the winners rostrum. (Keith Burgan pic)

Hoover goals

Gary Densham put down a solid 5.094/297.61 for third, while the Ford Mustang of Tony Pedregon rounded out the top four with a 5.138/298.30. John Force struggled during qualifying and only could come up with a 5.223, that was only good for the ninth spot - Tom Hoover held on to the sub-par bump at 5.561. Hoover then used his many years of experience in getting down tricky track surfaces by taking out low quahfier Anderson, 5.357/245.09 to 5.787/194.04, in round one. Bazemore left first and hazed the tyres at 1000 feet, hut took a win light over a tyre-smoking Jim Blake with a 5.242/279.06. Del Worsham got the jump on Chuck Etchells and kept pulling away as Etchells went up in smoke right off the line. As Worsham’s car reached 1000 feet there was a flash, then a fire erupted - Worsham got the fire out, the car stopped and went into round two at 5.422/263.62.

Kenji Okazaki matched his per formance during qualifying, using a 5.268/260.26 to stop the tractionless “Copenhagen” car of Ron Capps. In the most anticipated race of round one, Cruz Pedregon and Force left dead-even. Force’s car started to spin the tyres 150 feet out and it was all over - Pedregon too, blazed the tyres around mid-track, but hung on to take the win at 5.289/266.82. This was the first time since Seattle, 1995, that Force has gone out in the first round. In the last pairing of round two. Hoover gave Cruz Pedregon a les son in getting down a marginal track. Hoover geting the jump and out-pedalling him to take a 5.474/248.96 to 5.534/255.31 win. Hoover singled in the semis, due to the irrepairahle damage sufferered by the Worsham team and legged it to a 5.515/235.54 to move into the finals. The other race saw Bazemore go into his second straight final round

when Okazaki shook the t3n-es and crossed the centerline - Bazemore pedalled it, but lit the tyres all the way, recording a 5.563/264.08 win. In the final. Hoover made his 26 years of fuel Funny car experience pay off - both cars left together, with Hoover driving away from Bazemore at half-track and cross ing the finish line to win 5.349/270.35 to 5.445/275.14. It was a great day for a guy who had open heart surgery just over two months ago, climbing back into the car one race ago. This was also Hoover’s first win in four years. Crewchiefs Cory Lee and Dave Lindsay were chosen as the Craftsman Crew Chiefs of the Race - what a Father’s Day for Tom’s father George “Pa” Hoover. John Force (779) still leads the points over new second place driver Bazemore (609)- Randy Anderson (605), Chuck Etchells (600) and Cruz Pedregon (572) round out the top five. -DAVEOSTASZEWSKI

NHRA investigates Eckman Pontiac quickly enough to inspect the car before everything was locked up and, after being unable to locate any members of the team, NHRA sealed the locks on the transporter. “When an incident like this hap pens and we cannot identify the cause, we impound the car for Communications inspection. Director Denny Darnell explained. “We want to know what hap pened and why.

“After we’ve addressed the safety factor, we want to make sure there are no rules infraction” - pit rumors pointed toward the team running an illegal nitrous oxide system. Orndorff returned to the track at some point during the evening and intended to remove the rig from the property, but changed his mind. The following morning when offi cials arrived, Orndorff agreed to an

inspection and the car and trailer were taken to a hangar at a nearby airport. 'Tech officals have since returned the car, but have kept parts for fur ther investigation and the car has been withdrawn from further competition. A statement from NHRA will be made when the investigation has been completed. - DAVE OSTASZEWSKI

1997 NHRA WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES - POINTS AFTER RD. 10, COLUMBUS,OHIO. I. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

1997 Top Fuel Championship .959 Gary Scelzi, Team Winston Joe Amato, Keystone Autoparts ... .765 Scott Kalitta, American Int. Airways ..610 .590 Cory McClenathan, McDonald's Kenny Bernstein, Budweiser King 582 Mike Dunn, Mopar Performance ... .529 473 Bob Vandergriff, Jerzees Bruce Sarver, CarQuest/World's Best467

9. Shelly Anderson, Parts America 10. Larry Dixon, Miller Lite

449 428

1997 Funny Car Championship I. John Force, Castrol Racing 2. Whit Bazemore, Team Winston

1997 Pro Stock Championship

.779 .609 ,605

3. Randy Anderson, Parts America 4. Chuck Etchells, Kendall/Mopar 600 ,572 5. Cruz Pedregon, McDonald's .. .548 6. Kenji Okazaki, Mooneyes .545 7. Tony Pedregon, Castrol Racing 8. Dean Skuza, Mateo Toois/Mopar ....445 9. Tim Wilkerson, NAPA Autoparts ...423 10. Del Worsham, Checkers Autoparts. .421

.845 Jim Yates, McDonald's .806 Warren Johnson, Goodwrench ,706 Kurt Johnson, ACDelco ,596 Bruce Allen, Slick 50 Tom Martino, MaMa Rosa Pizza .... .497 Steve Schmidt, Schmidt Automotive ..473 .468 7. Troy Coughlin, Jeg's Mail Order .429 8. Pete Williams, Williams Racing . .424 9. Mark Pawuk, Summit 10. Darrell Alderman, Mopar Peformance 402

I. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

21)June 1997

Coffs Subaru double act 2. N. Bates/C. Taylor Toyota Celica GT-Four 48.02 3. E. Ordynski/F. Gocentas Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 48.04 4. G. Graham/G. Manccall Subaru Impreza WEX Gp N,49.56 5. M. GuestyM. Stacey Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3

Report by PETER WHITTEN Subaru are celebrating their most successful rally in Australia for years after Possum Bourne and Greg Graham took the honours in the Bridgestone Rally at Coffs Harbour on June 7-8. Bourne won the event out right, while team-mate Graham won the Group N category, the first time a Subaru had won Group N at national level for four years. Neal Bates (Toyota) and Ed Ordynski (Lancer) tied V for second place after points from the two-heat event were combined, while Formula 2 hot-shots Dean Herridge and Brett Middleton, shared the honours in the two-wheel drive category. Heatl A poor tyre choice was all it took, but that was enough to end any chance Bates had of victory and Bourne made the most of it. Bates, Bourne and Ordynski (driving a Group A Lancer for the first time this year) were fairly evenly matched until the longest stage of the event, but after Bourne won the stage con vincingly, the heat was as good as over. With his Subaru Impreza running perfectly, even a blown seal in the centre diff couldn’t dampen the Kiwi’s spirits and he raced to a lm08s victory.

EARTH MOVER... Possum Bourne took the outright honours at Coffs Harbour for Subaru.(Peter Whitten pics) Bates had the wood on Guest had suffered a loss of Ordynski for most of the day, power in his Lancer Evo 3 but choosing tyres that had a due to a turbo intercooler compound that was too hard problem and New Zealander ended his hopes on the long Graham, after an indifferent start to the season, took the 26km stage. Two spins and a severe advantage and won the catelack of traction spelt the end gory by finishing fourth out. right to boot. for his hopes, “It was simply a bad tyre Heat 2 choice, but the active diff on But there was no wrong Possum’s Subaru also gave him a distinct advantage on tyre choice for Bates in Heat the tight and slippery 2 and he finished a nail-bitstages,” Bates commented at ing two seconds in front of Ordynski. day’s end. Graham again outpaced But Ordynski couldn’t Guest on the early stages of have been happier, driving a car that was only completed the heat' and, when the Newcastle driver suffered a the night before the start. He had last driven the car puncture and had to drive in the 1994 Rally of the final three kilometres on Thailand, but since then the a stage on three tyres, the Ralliart team had up-specced young Kiwi happily took his it with the latest go-fast bits. second Group N win of the Group N favourite Michael weekend.

The top eight placings would have been identical to Heat 1, except that a puncture by Alexander dwipped him to eighth place, allowing reigning Victorian champion Graeme Wise to take sixth place. Despite running with a standard brake disc and caliper on the front of his Hyundai after the wheel bearing failure the day before. Dean Herridge outpaced his opposition to win Formula 2, finishing 13 seconds clear of Brett Middleton and his Honda, Both Lee Peterson and Ross Mackenzie got their F2

cars to the finish as well, but niggling problems restricted the progress and meant they couldn’t challenge for victory in the category. Former Australian cham pion ‘Dinta’ Officer won the Silverstone Challenge in a Toyota Corolla in both heats, while off-road excursions by class favourite Steve Winwood gave the big car class to the Holden Commodore of local driver Peter Roberts. Heat 2 1. P. Boume/C. Vincent Subaru Impreza WEX 47m30s

Australia’s ‘Driver to Scotland’ winner Marty Beckton has performed superbly in the Scottish Rally, finishing 18th out right and first in class. Driving an Opel Astra in the Group N3 class (pictured above), Beckton survived the rough and rocky Scottish stages and, ironically, gained the class lead on the final stage after former Canberra

resident Justin Noahage suf fered a puncture. Beckton had no such prob lems using Silverstone’s new rally tyres, tested on this year’s East African Safari Rally. “It’s a dream come true,” Beckton, said. “It’s great to come over here and put in a good performance. It shows the world what Aussies can achieve.”

The event was won by Alister McRae in' a Volkswagen Golf GTi, who finished just eight seconds in front of team-mate Tapio Laukkanen in an identical car.

Reigning British champion Gwyndaf Lvans (Ford Escort) finished third in the rally, which was the third round of the British series. -PETER WHITTEN

Class Winners PI J. McCredie/N. Maude, Suzuki Swift GTi, 59.35; P2 B. Middleton/L. Long; P3 D. Herridge/L. Drake; P4 P. Roberts/P. Roberts, Holden Commodore V8, 54.48; PS P. Bourne/C. Vincent; N I D. Draper/G. Legg-Stoker, Suzuki Swift GTi, 1.00.59; NS G. Graham/G. Macneall.

FIRST F2... HeYridge/Drake in the Bridgestone Rally-winning F2 Hyundai Coupe FX

Marty gets up their kilts!

Gp N, 50.40 6. G. Wise/R. Beckman Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E 52.17 7. P. Kennedy/K, Behrend Mitsubishi Lancer Eve 2 Gp N,52.21 8. G. Alexander/D. Stewart Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E 52.29 9. D. Herridge/L. Drake F2 Hyundai Coupe FX 53.14 9. M.Haybittle/S. Plenderlei^ Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 GpN,53.18 10. B. Middleton/L Long F2 Honda Civic VTi-R 53.27

TMWJE

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VIC: Stuckey Tyre Service Ph;(03) 9386 5331 Fax:(03) 9383 2514 SA: The Mag Wheel Centre Ph:(08) 8269 4100 Fax:(08) 8269 7805 NSW;Stuckey Tyre Service Ph:(02) 9676 8655 Fax:(02) 9676 5300 QLD: Road & Race Spare Parts Ph:(07) 3279 1533 Fax:(07) 3376 5804 WA: Kostera's Tyre Service Ph:(09) 293 3500 Fax:(09) 293 1355 TAS: Bob's Speed Shop DL.. /rvO \ C. O

WINNER - NSW & mOMN CHAMPIONSHIPS- DUNLOP SP04-R

20June 139/ Repsol Ford drivers Carlos Sainz and Jnha Kankkunen have given the ‘blue ovaF its best result since the 1993 Rally of Portugal with a onetwo result in the eighth round of the World Rally Championship, the legendai-y Acropolis Rally on June 6-10. Kankkunen, in only his second event in an Escort World Rally Car-, led for most of the event, but under team orders allowed Sainz to move from second to first place because of the Spaniard’s better World Drivers’ Championship chances. Subaru had a disastrous event, withColin McRae and Kenneth Eiiksson both retir ing early. McRae hit a bank and broke his Impreza’s steering on only the second stage and, while Eriksson led after four stages, he rolled on the sec ond last stage of the final day and eventually fetired. Mitsubishi had a satisfac tory event, finishing third and fourth, but an early off road excursion cost World Champion Tommi Makinen any chance of a victory. He eventually took third, but only after team-mate Richard Bums (who finished the event with a cracked engine block) slowed to allow Makinen to pass and achieve as many championship points as possible. It was M-Sport’s first World Championship win since they were entrusted with running Ford’s World Championship campaign at the start of the year. The team took no chances in Greece, even changing the Escorts’ suspension at every service point in order to minimise the chances of prob lems developing - this year’s

Ford's Acropolis 1-2 as Subaru crashes out y,.-

-ii

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EL SUPERBO... Team Repsol Ford Escort World Rally Car of Acropolis winner Carlos Sainz benefitted measurabiy from favoured team orders. (LAT) Final results Acropolis outing was said to importance to the next round 1. C. Sainz/L. Moya be the roughest in recent in New Zealand in August. Ford Escort Toyota’s Thomas Radstrom memory and the two World Rally Car superbly prepared Fords fin- took fifth, while Gustavo 4h56m24s ished nearly five minutes in Trelles won Group N in his Lancer Evo 3 - Formula 2 2. J. Kankkunen/J. Repo front of the Mitsubishis. Ford Escort Subaru scored no points at was won by Oriol Gomez in a World Rally Car all, adding even greater SEAT Ibiza Kit Car. 4.56.41 3S5 - -ii 3. T. Makinen/S. Haijanne Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4 5.01.27 4. R. Bums/R. Reid Mitsubishi Carisma GT 5.01.31 5. T. Radstrom/D. Giraudet Toyota Celica GT-Four 5.04.11 6. U. Nittel/T. Thorner Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 5.06.21. -PETER WHITTEN DOMINANT KANKKUNEN (left) did the politically cor rect thing and let Sainz through for the win. RADSTROM (right) came home fifth for Toyota.

Impressive Coupe FX yundai’s new Coupe FX Kit Car was extensively tested at the ARC round in Coffs Harbour and team leader Wayne Bell was more than impressed with the beast. Producing 240bhp and mated to an FFD sequential six-speed gearbox, the car performed without major problems, running as a course-opening car in the Bridgestone sponsored event. The World Championship debut for the new Hyundai will be at the Rally of New Zealand in August, where Bell and fellow driver Bob Nicoli will go head to head with the works Formula 2 teams from overseas, including the impressive

in 1997 means teams and spectators alike will enjoy better weather during the event, which this year will run from October 30 to November 2 Clerk of Course Garry Connelly said. This will mean Rally By Peter WliittjV Australia will run from Editor -Australian RailysporrNavs Thursday through to outfit _ other events Sunday, which is expected planned this year include to lead to even bigger crowds. {|.,g Rally of Indonesia- and “The unique Langley Rally Australia, Park Superstage, which brings rallying to the river Party of the decade side in Perth, is alone Rally Australia set to be bigger and isbetter in expected to attract upwards 1997, as Western Australia of 50,000 people in 1997, celebrates its 10th staging shattering previous atten dance records,” Connelly of the event with a party to said. which the world is invited. Thousands more will “A later date for the rally flock to the country stages

on WA’s unique gravel roads, threading their way through the bush, which teams acknowledge as pro viding some of the most testing conditions in the world. Rally Australia is expect ed to generate some $17 million in total income to WA this year and will reach a massive television audience in around 56 countries. Rally Australia is the penultimate round of the World Rally Championship and the final round of the 1997 Asia Pacific Rally Championship. All the works teams will be on show in Australia, while Australia will be repre sented by Neal Bates and Coral Taylor, who will be hoping to bring a new

Corolla World Rally Car into a top five placing. WRC car changes ajor development work is being carried out on World Championship cars after the end of the Acropolis Rally. Mitsubishi, Subaru and Ford arc working on a vari ety of different development projects for possible use on round nine. New Zealand (August 2-5) and Finland (August 29-September 1). technical Specific advances in the pipeline are; Mitsubishi is waiting to start work on the next stage of their sequential gearshift, which they alone have been in the World using Championship this year. Subaru has two major

alternative engine develop ment operations which it wishes to incorporate and plans back-to-back testing to decide which area of development it should foilow. The biggest technical activity comes from Ford. The team has applied for homologation for the Escort World Rally Car of a com pletely new X-Trac sixspeed gearbox, which includes a sequential gearshift facility, detailed chassis changes, new sus pension units, a lot of elec tronic work and various alternative engine specifica tions. Toyota still hopes to make the Corolla World Rally Car’s debut in Finland, as well.

SPEEDWAY

lji}S®0®l7SIJ)®U‘0 By WADE AUNGER PCR promoter David Lander’s proposed $10,000 Speedcar Super Series looks set to become a reality, following news this week that ten rounds have been confirmed commenc ing in January,1998. Avalon International Raceway in Victoria - the venue for the 1998 Australian Speedcar Championship - will kick off the series on January 10, before competitors chase the $66,000 prizemoney bounty throughout Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and, of course, Victoria. In addition to the race night pay outs, a further $36,500 will be injected as a points fund, with $6000 going to the overall winner. PCR Medal winner Robbie Farr believes the series is something that Speedcar racing desperately needs. “It’s about time somebody did something like this for Speedcar racing,” Farr said, upon learning of the series’ confirmation. “The com petition is always incredible and

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$100,000 Speedcar Super Series for'98 through this series we can make the class more saleable.” The $36,500 points fund makes PCR and now Newcastle boss David Lander’s series the richest in the history of Australian Speedcar racmg. “The guys deserve it. They con sistently turn on incredible racing and I think their attraction is reflected in the faith that the series promoters have shown in booking the show,” Lander said. Aside from the interest shown by Australian drivers, current Western States USAC champion

Jay Drake is reportedly keen to contest the event with Queensland car-owner Tony Bales - Drake will have to juggle his proposed Australian commitments with

appearances at the Chilli Bowl in Oklahoma in January and the Copper World Classic in Phoenix in February. With the latter part of the series held around the National title at Avalon, several West Aussie drivers are also keen to run selected rounds. Four-time Australian Speedcar champion Warrene Ekins has

Max nails Krikke

shown a keen interest in running several rounds of the series and mixing it with ’97 National champ Craig Brady. Lander will employ an Americanstyle qualifying format, including a time trial, two heats per driver and the popular Pole Shuffle in favour of a top six dash.

Speedcar Super Series Dates and venues Rdl Saturday,January 10 Avalon,'VIC Rd2 Sunday, January 25 Gilgandra, NSW

Max Dumesny has taken out the 1997 Foundation Day Sprintcar Spectacular at Karratha in Western Australia, the leg endary champion Sydneysider holding out champ Ron Krikke and Mark Wells.

John Boy, while heat 2 went the way of Pino Priolo in his IKEA #8 Gambler, the only time anyone beat home Wells in the heats, the latter finishing ahead of third-placed Pack in the ex-Ian Bradford Gambler.

On the previous evening, Krikke had made it more than clear to everyone at the venue that he strongly disagreed with a stewards’ decision concerning the starting order in the final heat after Phil Pack rolled - a red light was even tually used to remove Krikke’s #95 Auto Centre/LJM DK-Maxim from the track. “I did the wrong thing, I sup pose,” Krikke said. “I didn’t get any points from it and I needed them, so I’m the one who’s on the outer at the moment but we’ll be back.” The Kalgoorlie Hurricane; Alan Haynes in his Oztrac Equipment #66 Maxim, proved to be the one to beat in time trials, pulling out a 14.85-second lap - this mark would only be lowered in the final heat race of night two, when Hayne’s team-mate Scott Milling pulled out a 14.83 in his J&J as he cleared away to a fine win. Other heat winners were Terry Cutts - making a welcome return in his #16 Cutts Transport Schnee after a layoff since December - over Robbie Farr in the PM/FM Team Kendrick #99 Murphy and Eddy Gobbo in the City & Regional #20

The 360s held a separate feature over 15 laps and it was Claremont feature winner Lance Harper (Karratha Builders/Pro-Tune Service Centre #36 J&J) who led the rest of the field a merry dance. Second and third were two more locals, Peter Newman (Tubemakers Metaland #5 Gambler) and the impressive Peter Gray (Karratha Marine Centre #77 J&J). Dumesny, driving the Sean Enterprises/Cummins Diesel #47 Schnee on WA Series Hoosier tyres, grabbed the lead at the start of the top six dash and went on to take the win over Krikke and Haynes, the latter later relegated one posi tion for passing on the infield and handing third to Wells. As the cars exited turn 4 to gi-eet the green flag for the feature, Haynes and Wells came together, causing the latter to head infield and roll the Team Kendrick sprint er onto its top wing. Haynes, Vince Chapman (Linmac Bearings #19 Murphy), Milling and Priolo all needed some kind of repaii-work and, after a lengthy red light stoppage, all restarted. Priolo was given the rear of field signal, as the stewards deemed him

the cause of the stoppage, but he refused - he was blackflagged, fin ishing the race on the infield. When the race resumed, Dumesny jumped to the lead until lap 5, when Krikke pulled a bril liant outside pass through turns 1-2 and grabbed a six car-length advan tage as they reached traffic, which proved to be Krikke’s undoing. The leaders had passed three backmarkers when Dumesny seized an opportunity to pass Krikke on the inside and, apart'‘Irom a restart with 10 laps to,go, Krikke never really had the chance to threaten Dumesny again. The one to watch, though, was Wells, who went from fifth to third in the last two laps with an outside pass to push Farr and Milling to fourth and fifth, respectively. The final placegetters were Ant Kinley (Mobil Oils #45 Avenger), Chapman and Harper. A number of local sponsors chipped in to support the event, including Pro-Tune Service Centre, Karratha Marine Centre, Tubemakers Metaland and Kan-atha Engineering. And nobody was happier than Dumesny, who walked away with $4500 of their money and the satis faction of having convincingly proven the superiority of his series Hoosier tyres over the open compe tition McCreary and Goodyear opposition. - BRAD STEELE

Rd4 Rd5 Rd6 Rd7 Rd8 Rd9 RdlO

Friday, January 30 Speedway City, SA Saturday,January 31 Avalon, VIC Friday, February 13 Parramatta, NSW Saturday,February 14 Newcastle, NSW Saturday,February 21 Archerfield, QLD Saturday,February 28 Wagga, NSW Friday, March 6 Parramatta, NSW Saturday, March 7 Newcastle, NSW

News News News Pennsylvania’s ‘Fast’ Freddie IS Rahmer coming to Parramatta this summer, and may well be available to con tract to other circuits in between PCR commitments. Rahmer is said to be bringing fellow Pennsylvania hot shoe Todd Shaffer with him. Some major driver changes in WA Sprintcar racing this sum mer - Manjimup’s Terry Cutts will be the house driver for Geoff Murphy, in a standard arm 1997 Murphy-built cre ation. 1 Shane Murphy will continue his association with Osborne Park car owner Brian Sadler, with a radical new coil over car utilising motocross White Power suspension!

TOUGH NIGHT... Ron Krikke (left) congratulates Karratha winner Max Dumesny.(Brad Steele pic)

Rd3

Former Murphy house driver Ryan Farrell appears destined for a return to the Kendrick racing outfit. It will be the second time he’s competed with high profile motor man and now touring car racer Kendrick. Former Sean Enterprises house car driver Shane Marden will race for former Michael Figliomeni car owner Steve Coyle. The talented Albany racer will run predominantly 360ci shows, but run an Open motor on bigger races such as Speedweek and the World Series Sprintcars effort. Paul Stubber was looking at running for the Kendrick sta ble and a few other options, but will return to Sean Enterprises and run the full 360ci commitment for 1997. Drag racer and former Sprintcar talent Peter Veersma will return to dirt track competition and run selected shows for Sean Carren. Meticulous in his preparation of the race car (a drag racing trait one would imagine),'Veei-sma was lost to the sport after a brief foray into the winged beasts and it is hoped by the West Aussie admin istration that Carren can main tain his interest this time around.

Ron Krikke will race his late son’s #95 DK Maxim for car owner Larry Maiolo and crew chief Keith Giles. It is the first time in a decade that Krikke will line-up full-time with a team outside of long-time fHend Geoff Kendrick. The split has been amicable, though one would imagine Kendrick’s disappointment at los ing Ron fi'om the most successful Sprintcar team produced in the West. It should make for some excel lent battles, though. At this stage John Krikke will not return to competition this summer as he had originally intended. Krikke has left Bunbury Toyota to set up his own car battery dis tribution business. 360ci driver Marc Giancola will run his own team this year, driving the ex-Allan McCarthy ’92 Gambler. Michael Figliomeni will defi nitely not take his place in Speedcar or Sprintcar racing this summer, but will start his own “Fighter Engineering” business interest to construct his own-design chassis for Speedcars. Australian The former Speedcar Champ won’t rule out a retui’n to racing “one day.” Second generation racer and former Aussie tourist Joey Saldana has won three from three main events in the tough All Star ranks. With the unbelievable spate of rain-outs throughout the coun try (Knoxville was rained out at the time of writing) USA dirt track racing is struggling to get a weekly show in, let alone the big main event shows. USAC in particular has raced ONE dirt show so far this summer and four attempts have been rained out. Eldora’s $100,000 to win Dream Race for Late Models was rained out on the first night, but enigmatic promoter Earl Baltes (now 76 years young) got the show in on the Sunday in front of a packed house.

4^ 20Me199I

Wanless retires Todd Wanless, the 1996 Australian Sprintcar Champion, annexed the final Parramatta Speedway feature event of the year when he won the Terry Shields Toyota Cracker Night main event on June 7 and then announced his retirement from the sport. Wanless’ excitement at winning the main was shortlived, as he announced to the excellent crowd on hand (it was a frigid eight degrees in the stands) that he was leaving Sprintcar racing from that point on. To the surprise of the crowd, Wanless said, “although it’s hard to say this, I can’t keep going on with Sprintcars, they just absorb too much of my time. “They (Sprintcars) are definitely the best form of racing in the world and I’d like to keep doing this, but I have four businesses now and I just don’t have the time. “If someone was to offer me a diive in a car of the same standard as mine, or even buy mine and have me drive it, then I’d reconsider,'but right now it’s just not feasible.” The talented Queenslander led home two fellow statesman to record an historic 1-2-3 result for the northern neighbours of NSW, leaving many at the circuit more than a little surprised. “Piior to this, Todd Wanless was the only man to win a main event here from Queensland and that was a rain shortened 12-lapper. Now we’ve got a 1-2-3 result. It’s amaz ing,” track manager Stuart Telfer said. It was almost an interstate shutout, as, at one point, well-trav¬

elled West Aussie Pino Priolo was Motors #44 Gambler. The 17 yearrunning fourth to the Queensland old aggressive racer pulled away tiio. from previous leader Bracken and Priolo now has the unenviable was setting up a commanding record of travelling some 126,000 advantage before colliding with the kms by plane this season to put in lapped car of young Stephen Darvill his 15 appearances at PGR this - Darvill flipped hai'd in turn one, summer in the #8 Yale Forklifts bringing on the reds and breaking Gambler. the birdcage on Knott’s pristine #44 Second across the line was the racer. distinctive purple and yellow Brooke Tatnell was not a happy Ferguson Motorsports entry of boy. Anthony Lambert. Father George was making a The exciting rookie has travelled return to racing, but this was short lived due to a bout of the ’flu that much of Australia (initially compet ing in the World Series Sprintcars, had the Sydney veteran almost on including the West Aussie swing) his knees after the,.first heat. Common sense prevailed before and, although the car looked a little RETIREE... Todd Wanless and fan Shane Alexander:(Barry Marshall) George took up his sixth position battle-weary, the team lacks noth start in the 30 lap Terry Shields ing in enthusiasm. Madsen was slicing through the directed the racing line into turn 3 field with Brooke, before a radiator and the Gastrol Maxim spun Following Lambert across the main. line was long-time race leader l Brooke was charging through the hose came off and he disappeared infield, bringing on the yellows. It was nice to see rookies Nick Terry Bracken in the #36 Titan field in his usual swashbuckling to the pits,/relieved to find there outside line style and eventually was no pefihanent damage. Keen and Victorian Daryn Maggs Garages car. Surprise entrant in the field was (in the #29 HM Headers entry) The hard-charging Bracken led found the lead, pulling away to a early until passed by Brooke comfortable margin in the #8 Shell Garry Rush Jr, who ran Dad’s #2 competing. Modified fields were small, but Gastrol Maxim and looked very Tatnell, but then regained control Helix Schnee. / But, with 13 laps to go, the left good doing it, too. late in the piece before Todd and the racing was entertaining as the rear t3Te started going down and, Garry Jr had dramas )vith the gleaming #44 Bullet car of Russell Lambert got by in the dying stages. car in his first heat, but bounced Bradley prevailed. . “I’m disappointed we couldn’t by lap 8, it had disintegrated, pre Interstate drivers will have to hang on to the lead, but I got tired,” maturely ending another main back to record a narrow victory in heat two over Queanbeyan racer reassess their options if they wish Bracken said. “It’s great to be up event attempt. to race at PGR next summer, with “The car actually felt really nice Darren Saillard. here with Todd and Anthony for the Saillard and Rush made contact the news that Friday night will be when the tyre was going down,” Queensland trifecta, though.” Fourth across the line was Brooke said in the pits after the right on the finish line as they the evening of competition, instead Sydney teenager Kelly Linigen, race. “It was gettipg right down on came up to lap debutant Nick Keen oflast season’s Saturdays. Perth racer Priolo has said that in the ex-John Shore car, Saillard who continues to improve in the the left rear and coining off the cor Better Grow #25 Gambler. ners beautifully. I knew it wouldn’t unfortunately flipping hard in the he’ll make the trip to NS'W wherev #34 car in turn 1 after the cheer possible on the off nights for After replacing a main wing on ,a last, though.” Glaremont. Tatnell’s main opposition (apart quers. red light stoppage early in the race, This will see Bunbury benefit, as the petite little racer charged hard from a healthy rivalry with ^ Come main event time and Rush throughout the event to score an Wanless in his heat that saw a Jr was putting together a very Priolo can now run NSW Friday impressive top four result, her best clash of wheels and words spoken heady drive (after some three years and Bunbury Saturday, if he choos at PGR to date. later) came from Sydney’s Kerry out of the saddle) and was coming es not to run Newcastle on the Leading the race early was fellow Madsen in the #29 Billy Roberts- forward to a top five result before Saturday. -WADEAUNGER Mark Blighton’s huge wheelie reteenager Joel Knott in the Asia built Grizzly chassis.

’s Skip Jackson, enjoying

of his most successful one 0 Sydney

American seasons, continues to lead the 1997 Knoxville Raceway Sprintcar point standings. Jackson, driving the #55 Jensen Construction sprinter, has earned his place at the top of the leaderboard through a consistent stream of main event placings. Running in the 410 cubic inchengined sprintcar category, Jackson enjoys a comfortable 200 point advantage over his nearest rival, Dennis Moore Jr. The pointscore chart, released this past fortnight, sees Jackson with 1225 points beside his name. Meanwhile, there is a close bat tle looming for the minor placings - second-placed Dennis Moore has netted 1075 points, 50 points clear of Don Droud. Craig Dollansky is next, in line with 1005 points to his credit, fol lowed by Mike Reinke (970). There’s more good news for Australian drivers at Knoxville South Australia's regular cam paigner at the Marion County Fairground, Jaymie Moyle, also is enjoying a good run this term. He is currently placed sixth in the standings on 945 points. Rounding out the top ten in the current Knoxville Raceway point standings are Leonard Lee (895), Jeff Mitrisin (850), Bob Weuve (775) and Travis Cram (750).

ain washed out the latter half of the June 7 show at Knoxville Raceway. The inclement weather first struck after qualifying time trials, while a second downpour immedi ately following the 360 sprintcar event forced a halt to the action after a delay of almost two hours.

ii c

k By Dennis New steady rain forced track officials to end the show at 10:15pm. Earlier in the night. Skip Jackson was second fastest in time trials when he cut a lap of 15.921 seconds for the half-mile journey of the circuit. Fastest man was Scott Whirworth, who stopped the clocks at 15.750 seconds, while Jaymie Moyle was 13th quickest of the 29 cars that ran against the clock, with a 16.299 second lap. Former Knoxville Nats winner Doug Wolfgang was ninth-best from the time trials, after he posted a 16.203-second lap. Knoxville this While much of theseason attentionhas at concentrated on the performance of Skip Jackson, the efforts of Jaymie Moyle also desen/e public¬ ity. Moyle recently turned in one of his best drives of the season when the travelling All Star Sprintcar group stopped off at Knoxville. The 25-lap Frigidaire All Star main event, won by Joey Saldana from Terry McCarl and Don Droud Junior, saw Moyle record a fine sixth-place finish. In fact. It was Moyle who was the early pacesetter in the main event, after he out-dragged Kelly Kinser. Front-row starters Kinser

A multi-main event winner this and Moyle battled early and Kinser lost his leadership to the season, Swindell currently tops the leaderboard, but remains less than Australian on the fourth lap. Moyle enjoyed the top spot for 30 points clear of Kinser in a very a while, before Kenny Jacobs closely fought contest. zoomed into contention and took With half the season remaining, over the front running - Moyle it’s anybody’s title, not only between Swindell and Kinser, but fought strongly but Jacobs contin the top four in fact! ually answered the challenge. Dave Blaney currently holds The action was interrupted on third spot, while lap 16 following a spin by Keith down Kauffman and, soon after, Jacobs Haudenschlld is placed fourth. Less than 50 points separates lost his advantage with a power the top four runners in a battle steering problem. Saldana had moved into con which looks as though it will rage tention in the latter stages and in right to the end of the 1997 WoO the remaining laps made his run to season. The top ten in the current World the chequered flag for a convinc of Outlaws standings are rounded ing win over McCarl and Droud. Earlier in the night, Moyle out by Greg Hodnett, Andy served notice of what was to come Hillenburg, Danny Lasoski, Stevie when, among 52 time trial cars, he Smith, Jeff Swindell and Joe was ninth fastest when he clocked Gaerte. n the All Star Sprintcar group, 16.253 seconds for the one-lap Frankie Kerr enjoys a little more journey of the Marion County breathing space at the top than Fairground. Jackson was 24th fastest in Swindell. Kerr has netted 1458 points, 46 time trials with 16.475 seconds, clear of next man Dean Jacobs. but made amends later in the pro Dale Blaney remains in third on gramme when he took out the fourth heat and was later placed 1373 points from Terry McCarl seventh in the main event. (1341). The All Star top ten is currently Ail the All Star regulars were on hand for the show, including rounded out by Tim Shaffer Frankie Kerr, Danny Smith, Dale (1321), Danny Smith (1296), Blaney, Steve Beitler, Gary Wright Kenny Jacobs (1274), Keith and Leonard Lee. Kauffman (1270), Tyler Walker (1221) and Van Gurley Junior (1183). This year’s battle for the World of Outlaws National Sprintcar Championship remains an year’s running the all famed Indianapolis 500of had the enthralling battle between two of This early signs of being a repeat of the the sport’s biggest names, Sammy terrible 1973 event. Swindell and Steve Kinser. Consistent rain that year turned Sammy, a two-time winner of the Outlaws crown, has not ta?ted the race into a three-day race in what was one of the blackest success as Outlaws’ season num ber one since the ‘eighties, but this year’s at the Speedway. Thankfully, the 1997 500 was may well be his year.

free of fatalities, but the weather appeared destined to destroy the image of the 81st running of the original “Great Race” in exactly the same way as 1973. That year, the race - won by Gordon Johncock - ended on the Wednesday and even then failed to go the full distance after being called off by track officials. Swede Savage died'followirig injuries sustained in a crash during the ’73 Indy 500, while a mechanic lost his life in a pit lane accident and, to complete the doom and gloom from this horrific page out of Indianapolis 500 history, veteran Art Pollard was killed during quali fying time trial practice earlier in the month. Fortunately, this year was not a repeat and, while some observers may believe that rain has been a regular feature of modern day Indy 500 history, they may be surprised to learn that the last time a red flag was displayed because of the wet weather was In 1976, when Johnny Rutherford was declared the winner after 103 laps. Stats are part and parcel of the great tradition at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Tony Stewart, a name well known to Australian fans, figures in sever al Interesting statistics. Stewart, who was involved in a much publicised feud with 1997 ultimate winner Arie Luyendyk, led more laps than anybody else with 64 and, incredibly, this was the eighth consecutive year the top lap leader did not win the race. Stewart also was the first driver to lead the Indy 500 from the start in consecutive years - the last time was way back in 1989-90, when Emerson Fittipaldi was the top runner.

20JuneW97

Aussies falter at Swedish GP

n the Queen’s birthday weekend, we ran two cars at Parramatta, with Dad in my spare car. I had the race shot to pieces, until I ran over some debris and punctured the left rear tyre. We were still quick; but then, after three laps with the tyre dead flat and off the bead, it shredded and start ed tearing off nerf bars and so I was forced to retire. Earlier I had won my first heat and had a great tussle with Todd Wanless for sec ond place in my second heat; Todd won the tussle.

ad was all blocked up with the flu - worse than I was - and struggled a bit in his first heat. In his sec ond race, he ran third, but with the difficulty he was having breathing, he elect ed not to start the feature. The drive has reignited the fire in him and he now wants to run a full-on sea son this season as a farewell tour before he offi cially retires. Hopefully, we can find the budget to do it and do it properly, because the bud get we’ve got doesn’t allow us to run two cars and run them as they should be run.

RETHINK... Leigh Adams is now assessing his starting technique.(Mike Patrick pic) Jason Crump and Leigh Adams were disappointed with the outcome of the Swedish Grand Prix at Linkoping last weekend, which saw Poland’s domi nant Tomasz Gollob break a two-year drought and take the win. Crump felt that a bad deci sion by the German referee, Wolfgang Glass, deprived him of doing better, while Adams blamed poor starts for his continued failure to finish among the front run ners. Crump, riding as a wild card in what is probably his only GP of the season, clashed with World Champ Billy Hamill, who fell into the fence in heat 14. “I was just trying to be competitive and it was a hard race,” Crump said. “I was penalised for racing well, but I thought the refer ee’s decision was a disgrace. “I will just have to battle on and qualify for next year via the Inter-Continental Final.” Adams, who finished 12th on the night and now lies 13th overall, looks set to struggle in the series, much as he did last season. “My starts are not good enough; there is a world of difference between racing at this level and in the British League,” Adams said. “If you can’t get away well, you are left standing. “I will just have to improve and I am looking forward to Landshut in three weeks time, as I’ve done well when I’ve ridden there before.” Adams had one heat victo ry, two third places and fin ished last twice before finish ing last again in the C Final on a lacklustre night.

Crump showed some flair est paid sportsman said, “I after starting with three beat them all and showed third places, until he was what I can do, but I was ner controversially excluded for a vous going into the big final. “I think that one day I move that would have given him a second place and might be world champion, but I have a lot more to taken him into the B Final. Instead he came second to learn. I am a very happy Andy Smith in the C Final, man today.” For the third meeting of ahead of the Swede, Jimmy Nelson and the disapppoint- the series at Landshut in ing Adams. Germany on July 4, Simon The meeting was won by Wigg and Piotr Protasiewicz Gollob, the 26 year-old Polish will replace Andy Smith and rider from Bydgoszsz, who Mikael Karlsson, who will be has so often courted contro the two reserves. Gerd Riss of Germany will versy for his agressive riding stye. ,/ be the wild card entry in This time he earned the place of Crump. praise of all his opponents Results for a skilful performance of 1 T. Gollob (Poland) full-throttle riding. “Two years ago, I said that ,'2 G. Hancock(USA) I thought Gollob would be 3 T. Rickardsson(Sweden) world champion one day,” 4 H. Nielsen(Denmark) four-time world champion 5 B. Andersen(Denmark) Hans Nielsen said after 6 M. Loram (England) wards. “The way he is going, 7 B. Hamill(USA) it could well be this year, but 8 P. Karlsson(Sweden) I never thought he would be 9 A. Smith(England) so good so soon.” 10 J. Crump(Australia) It was Gollob’s second 11 J. Nilsen(Sweden) Grand Prix victory, but his 12 L. Adams(Australia) first for nearly two years. 13 C. Louis(England) His previous win was in 14 H. Gustafsson (Sweden) the first-ever event at 15' S. Drabik (Poland) 16 M. Karlsson(Sweden) Wroclaw,in May, 1995. It was a near-classic con Reserves S. Wigg (England) frontation in the A Final and P. Protasiewicz (Poland) when Gollob, unbeaten in his did not ride. first four qualifying rides, Grand Prix Pointscore came up against two former (after two rounds) world champions in Tony Rickardsson and Nielsen, 1 Hancock (45), 2 Gollob (43), along with the Czech Grand 3 Hamill (32), 4 Rickardsson Prix winner, Greg Hancock. (29), 5 Nielsen (24), 6 His four successive heat Andersen (23), 7 Loram (20), wins in the qualifiers made 8 Nilsen (20), 9 Drabik (18), the talented Pole look well- 10 Gustafsson (17), 11 Louis nigh invincible, imtil he was (16), 12 P. Karlsson (15), 13 beaten into third place in Adams (12), 14 Smith (9), 15 heat 17 by Nielsen and Crump (8), 16 Wigg (3), 17 T. Swede Peter Karlsson. Topinka (2), 18 M.-Karlsson After his win, the man (1), 19 Protasiewicz(1). - TONY MILLARD reckoned to be Poland’s high-

ax Dumesny was at Parramatta, but wasn’t driving and Garry Rush Jnr ran in Rush Snr’s car. The feature race became a Queensland trifecta, with Wanless winning from Anthony Lambert and Terry Bracken - Wanless then announced his retirement from Sprintcar racing, due to business commitments. Bracken drove well in the Titan entry - he wap lead ing before I took the lead and when I fell out he retook the lead. Wanless only passed him late in the race, when a lack of racing miles saw Terry tire.

ith Dave Lander, his brother and Steve Raymond now taking over Newcastle Speedway, Parramatta will be reverting to a Friday night race night. Personally, that’s disap pointing, but I’m a driver and they’re promoters - the promised changes to the track at Newcastle should be good, though.

t Parramatta last time, we ran with three TV race cams in the car, with one looking out the front, one out the back and one looking at the driver. What I’ve seen of it so far, despite a few problems, looks great and it is all aimed at getting Sprintcars on network television. Steve Raymond has been doing a tremendous job and has some great ideas, like a track camsimilar to Bathurst The East Coast Midget Series looks like a great idea and I would like to run it myself, if I could find a decent jide - unfortunately, four races clash with the WSS Series, which I want to win back after losing last season to Skip Jackson. Funnily, some of the Speedcar guys are glad the dates clash, because they don’t want guys like myself, Rush or Dumesny joining their series - the front bunch don’t have a prob lem, but some do. The way I see it, it’s all exposure for the class. We are stilltotrying des perately get some dollars to put our 2 litre deal together. Graham Moore is off overseas soon and we’ve had plenty of promis es, but no money. Once I get sorted my passport problems out, I should be off to America in July to hook up with Roger and Deuce Johnson Teurriil. The plan is to run some 360 races to enable us all to get used to each other, before heading to Knoxville for a couple of shows before the Nationals with the new J&Js - I’m really looking forward to it, especially working with Deuce.

Andrew Scheuerle will be there the with team and see will some sights while learn ing - I feel for sorry him, but I’m not about to offer him my ride.

n the Nationals, don’t write off Steve Kinser yet, or for the World of Outlaws championship either - I don’t believe that Kinser races for the money, but to win and these big races bring out the best in him. Mark Kinser and Sammy Swindell will also be real threats and Sammy is push ing hard for the Outlaws crown. Jac Haudenschild is starting to come good and Stevie Smith also is making progress with the Smith family’s team. To do it like they have, with your own-built car and engines, is a big task and they deserve the results they are starting to get.

ohn and Cathy Kelly have left for the states and will be staying with Randy Kinser. Randy’s house is like a little Australia during our winter, with the amount of Aussies that stay there.

was disappointed when I heard on the radio the announcement by Peter Brock that he was retiring. I wish he hadn’t made the decision. He was still competitive and still win ning, but at least he goes out on top. When I ran against him in the 2 litre series, he was in the Volvo - that was something special for me and while I was there he gave me a lot of help and advice. My only regret is that I never got to do any laps in a car with Brock. I won a raffle once to do some laps with Brock at Oran Park at the conclusion of the Touring Car champi onship, but unfortunately I was ih America at the time and unable to do it.

VICTORIAN SUPER SEDAN ASSOCIATION INC. The 1996/97 race season has been heralded as a very successful year for the Victorian Super Sedan Association Inc. and it is with great appreciation that we acknowledge the support and encouragement received from our sponsors:

STIHL DARK ZONE SCOTCHER PETROLEUM VICTORIAN SPEEDWAY ROUND UP MAGAZINE PHILLIP RUSSELL MOTORCYCLES We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Motorsport News and Fun City Go Karting for their continued support over the past season.

THANK YOU!

lucky Uslight wins finale Murwillnimbah’s John Leslight enjoyed plenty of good fortune in taking out the Grand Final of the Queensland Super Sedan Association pointscore at Yandina Speedway on June 8. Leslight somehow escaped with out penalty after tiiggering a ninecar pile-up on the opening lap when he chmbed over the front of Jamie McHugh’s Falcon and spun to halt in front of the field in turn 2. Despite being the primary cause of the stoppage, Leslight was allowed to restart his American Truck Spares Camaro from pole position, while several other con tenders, who were blameless in the incident, were forced out with extensive damage. On a slick track that didn’t pro vide many opportunities for pass ing, Leslight made the most of the stewarding error to lead all 22 laps of the shortened event and secure the series crown. McHugh finished in second spot ahead of Ross Brims, who was later scrubbed from the results, promot ing Newcastle’s Batty Lea (BP Camaro)into the final podium posi¬

tion, ahead of Cameron Meehan and a fast-finishing Bob Domjohn. With the biggest field of the sea son in attendance and a huge crowd on hand, the scene was set for a classic showdown from the tin top

brigade.

Unfortunately, some poor stew arding, a substandard track and some overzealous driving combined to turn the night into a complete disaster. The nonsense started in the opening heat, when Meehan’s Falcon was crunched by Graeme Lehmann’s Commodore in turn 4. After three more stoppages fol lowing spins by John Sheehan and Darren Bates, Lea greeted the che quer ahead of Leslight and Blair Granger (Bridgestone Pontiac). Shane Paulger and Domjohn made heavy contact on the opening lap of heat 2, putting both cars on the grass and giving Brims an easy run to the line, ahead of McHugh and Gympie’s Don Birt. The third heat contained the nas tiest incident of the night when Shayne Lau slammed into the side of Wilson Boyd in turn 3, sendiri|

Boyd’s Commodore into a high speed collision with the concrete. John O’Mara collected the win over Eric Knight and Geoff O’Keeffe.

Some semblance of sanity pre vailed in the second round of heats, with Meehan, Rod Gough (Castrol Pontiac) and Lau visiting victory lane. Time trials mixed things up con siderably, with top pointscorer Lea spinning in his run against the clock and dropping nine spots. Gough upstaged his more illustri ous rivals by setting quick time, only to be ‘rewarded’ by selecting a position three start for the feature. With curfew fast approaching, the B Main was scrapped and all 20 remaining cars were granted a start in the feature, an invitation for mayhem on such a small circuit. Needless to say, the first attempted start got no further than turn 1, where Bates spun and was collected by Lau, putting both cars on the grass. The Leslight/McHugh clash occurred at the next attempt, putting Gough, Granger, O’Keeffe

PRC SERIES WINNER ... Stephen Bell was a comfortable Formula 500 series winner. (Frank Midgiey pic)

Sonic win to Willsher, F500 series to Bell

Ken WiEsher took out the final round, of the Precision Race Components Victorian Formula 500 Drivers Series held at Swan HUl’s Sonic Speedway on June 8, with Stephen Bell emerging the series’ pointscore winner. A near full field of cars faced the starter in the final and it was the VIC#5 PRC Suzuki of Willsher that took the lead from position threeand, despite two race stoppages, Willsher was able to win comfort ably and record his first feature vrin for the year. Ian Burrows in the Motorola #18 took second place after driving bril liantly aU night, while third went to newly-crowned Australian champ Phillip Woodberry in the pink #5 Rotax. Arguably the best drive in the final was put in by David Swayn in the #47 Hungry Hound Rotax, which finished fourth after starting out of position nine. Tasmanian charger Kane Kruse was fifth in the TAS#24 Jawa, ahead of South

Australian Jason Loveday’s #14 Honda NSR, which held fourth for most of the race but suffered engine problems on lap 12 of the 15-lapper and finished on only two cylinders. Other good drives in the feature came from Robert Palmer, Col Plumridge and Andrew Brooks. Retirees were Mack Sinclair (bro ken exhaust), Darryl Willsher (throttle cable), Ken Bowey (motor), Peter Gunson (chain) and Troy Shiells (electrical). The McDonald’s Warrnambool Junior Pit Crew awards went to Kylie Willsher from Laang, Ben Buxton from Swan Hill and Jamie Glazebrook from Adelaide. The Max Dumesny Motorsport Hoosier vouchers were won by Ken Willsher and Ian Burrows and the

Upright Wings vouchers were won by Ken Willsher and Phillip Woodberry. The Hard Charger award was also taken out by the aforemen tioned Ken Willsher. The Super Challenge Bonus will

jackpot to the first round of the series next season. Robert Palmer won the Wally Schultz Memorial for being the first local car home in the final - the Schultz family has been involved in the promotion of Formula 500 rac ing in the Swan Hill area for a lot of years and the award was held in high regard by all competitors. The Formula 500 Series and State Presentation Night will be held on July 5 at Proudsfoot Restaurant, Simpson Street, Warrnambool - for bookings, phone: 03 55662387. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Final Pointscore Stephen Bell Peter Gunson David Swayn Mack Sinclair Darryl Willsher Ken Willsher Troy Shiells Peter Molan Jack Willsher Kym Durling

356 275 253 220 216 213 205 148 128 126

and O’Mara out of action. Brims was inexplicably blackflagged at this point, but was then permitted to rejoin the race after a discussion with officials. Birt was the next casualty when he shortened his Falcon consider ably after heavy contact with the turn 2 fence. He was soon joined on the infield by Lehmann and Wayne Lemon (Aussie Trackwear Commodore). The race finally got underway next time, with Leslight outgunning McHugh to take the lead, Peter Warren retired his Commodore on lap 2, leaving just

10 cars mobile with 23 laps still remaining. Leslight steadily increased his lead and was almost half a lap clear of McHugh when the chequer was unfurled after 22 of the scheduled 25 laps had been completed. The big mover as the laps wound down was Domjohn, whose tur bocharger Commodore seemed to get quicker as the race progressed and carried him foTOard into what would become fifth position, Paulger, Sheehan, Alan Starling (McGuigan Brothers Camaro) and Knight were the only other survivors. - CHRIS METCALF

LACEY AND DAWKINS FORM SPRINTCAR TEAM ... “I’m really excited. This is the best

Smith car from Tasmania. The team is currently working hard to get the complete racing package together and, if plans come to fruition, Kate will compete in the SRA Hoosier series, while Darren, who had a brief flirtation in Modified Sedans, will steer the car in the other events.

chai^ce I’ve had for many years,” said 1987 Australian Sprintcar Champion Brett Lacey when discussing his deal to run a two-car Sprintcar team with Tasmanian Ace Robin Dawkins for the upcom COMPACT SPEEDCARS ... ing season. ' News going around is that for “I’m going to get myself in top physical condition and that way mer Aussie champ Julie Vine 'is set to make a comeback in there will be no excuses. “Robin is providing me with top the class and multi-Australian GP Midget Champion Noel equipment and my goal this sea son is to win the World Series,” Freeman is looking to join the class in the Victorian ranks. Lacey added. The Tasmanian-based team will Victorian Sprintcar and nm Maxims powered by Wesmar Speedcar champion Ian “Fly” engines, with the #T26 and #T11 Lewis may also join the ranks in a car owned by Ai-thur Allen, while cars driven by Lacey and Wayne Pearce may also be return Dawkins, respectively. ing in a Bob Boast mount. “Robin and I spoke about team Simon Amato has finally forsak ing up a couple of years ago, but en the fast, but fragile, rotary and neither of us was in the position to will replace it with a 1300cc alldo it,” Lacey said. “Now we are and Robin is serious about doing aUoy Suzuki swift GTI engine. Amato’s brother. Super Sedan the complete WSS Championship racer Dion, has his Commodore up and doing it properly. “He will have his crew and I will for sale and, if sold, will join either have'mine, but without Bullet the Compact, or Speedcar, ranks. The combined Compact (Lacey’s former crew chief who Speedcar Club and Victorian now resides in Queensland). “We will do the complete WSS, Speedcar Drivers Association the Australian Championship, annual presentation night is slat ed for July 19 at Mirador recep The Kings Challenge and Grand Annual Classic, the Nationals at tions in Coolaroo, Melbourne. Parramatta, various state titles MODIFIED RODS INTER and the major races in Tasmania. STATE CHALLENGE ... After “All up, it should be about 25 to 30 races for the team.” the success of the inaugural Interstate Challenge last sea Like most teams, the sponsor son, a quality Victorian team ship hunt continues, with an has been secured for several announcement to be made at a future date. WA appearances this coming summer. In recent years, Dawkins has The series will be held over two been the best performer in the Tasmanian Sprintcar ranks, but weekends - tentatively October 17-19 and October 24-26 - and a has struggled to a degree on the three-meeting Test Match-type mainland tracks. format will be adopted, with the With the assistance of Lacey’s possibility of an extra Open meet vast experience, Dawkins is look ing thrown in. ing to put together his best season Negotiations with Claremont ever on the big island. and Ellenbrook speedways are NEW FEMALE SPRINTCAR currently underway and at least one country venue will also be DRIVER ... The Sprintcar secured for the series. Racing Association of Victoria The Victorian team includes top is looking forward to the performers Harry Kipper and upcoming season with a con Murray Atkin, along with exciting tinued influx of new cars and Warrnambool teeenager Tim drivers - but one driver in par Morse, who recently won the SA ticular will probably receive more attention than most of Title and performed brilliantly in the NSW Title. the other Rookies. The locals will fi eld their Top That driver is Kate Searle, who Guns, which should include the is planning to make her debut as likes of Peter MacPherson, Jim the first female Sprintcar racer in Kirkwood, Peter Cox, Alan Baker the club’s history. and Terry Butcher. Kate, the eldest daughter of the A full support field of up to 15 club’s long-serving secretary, local Modifieds will back the Mandy Searle and Kate’s partner series. Darren Philpott, will share the -BRETT SWANSON driving duties in the ex-John ■iT

20Ms 199/

ark Lemon, who has started the British season so well, now faces a spell on the sidelines and out of Poole’s British Elite League team. Lemon has a medi al ligament injury in his knee, fol lowing a fall in a League meeting at Wolverhampton - the 24 year-old from Bairnsdale, Victoria, is expected to be out for up to three weeks. njurles continue to hit Aussie rid ers racing in Britain, Jason Crump suffered a frightening fall when his chain snapped when rid ing for his club Peterborough at home to Bradford. The former World Under 21 champion dislocated his shoulder in the fall, but was amazingly back in action for his club just 24 hours later. The rider himself pushed the shoulder back into place and when he phoned his father Phil back at home he received a rock et from the former Solo legend for pulling out of the meeting at all. The rider who won last year’s London Grand Prix is hoping he won’t suffer from the injury when racing in the Swedish Grand Prix as a wild card on June 14 at Linkoping,

rand Prix rider Mark Loram won the British Championship title at Coventry, after a ride-off with fellow Grand Prix man and his close friend Chris Louis. Both riders finished with 14 points, ahead of former interna tional Sean Wilson, who is current ly unable to claim a team place with any British club. Joe Screen, Dean Barker and former World Champion Gary Havelock all finished on 10 points. With Loram and Louis already in the Grand Prix series, the British contingent for the Overseas Final of the World Championship later this month (June) will be Wilson, Havelock, Screen, Barker, Carl Stonehewer and Kelvin Tatum. They are joined by the Australians (Craig Boyce and Jason Crump), Americans and a South African to compete for plac ing s in the Inter-Continental Final, where the top two will gain an automatic Grand Prix piece for next year and the next two will get a place in the Grand prix Challenge Round in October.

There was real disappointment for the Australians taking part in semi-finals to decide the full l ine-up for this year’s World Longtrack/Grasstrack Championship - these were raced at Morizes in France and Scheeseel in Germany. Steve Johnston from Perth, who won the B Final in the French round, is the only Aussie who will now ride in the championship rounds. Shane Parker from Adelaide and Victorian rider Mark Lemon finished fifth and sixth, respective ly, in Germany and France to miss out on qualification. The first round of the champi onships will take place on a sand-

from the USA, who is averaging 10.90 for his new club Belle Vue. Jason Crump lies 10th on 9.21, his Peterborough team-mate Ryan Sullivan is 12th on 8.70 and Steve Johnston (who rides for Ipswich) is 14th on 8.60 to make it four Aussies in the top 14!

.M.

Leigh Adams has that confirmed from his UK base he will definitely be taking part in the 1998 Series 500 International Masters in Australia. The defending Masters Champion will start his quest at Brisbane Exhibition Ground on December 29. The third meeting on January 3 is at Adams’ home track in Mildura.

BLAST OFF!... Peterborough vi' Ipswich, Jason Crump (left) and Steve John.ston launching hard.(Mike Patrick)

—I

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i ij\ 9j. V

Tony fillliari

ing in Europe again and carrying the Aussie flag. He is contesting the Europeans semi-final at Loppereum in Holland, with his father-in-law, Cecil Tomas, as his passenger. “I am hoping we can hang on to our European place and that might enable us to regularise things a lit¬ tle bit in Australia,” he said.

a decisive win against former World Champion Sam Ermolenko, to clinch the meeting in heat 16. Ornarna, led Karlsson by the Grand Prix pair of the brothers, Peter and Mikael, lead the Swedish League - the win by Vargarna lifted them off the bottom.

BRITISH FINAL ... Chris Louis takes eventual title-winner Mark Lorain wide in first place run-off.(Mike Patrick pic)

track at Aduard in Holland on June 29.

Some magnificent riding by Jason Crump earned Swedish League newcomers Vargarn their

Leigh s from Mildura is now Adam second in the British League average, having raced in

Chris Barton, who Geelong, Victoria andlives was in atone time one of Britain’s top side car men on the oval circuits, is rac-

first of the season against rivalswin Indianerna. Crump earned a 15 point maxi mum from his five rides, including

nine meetings. Riding for Swindon, Adams averages 10.40 and is only head ed by World Champion Billy Hamill

Max Dumesny Motorsport

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gteve Johnstonwho - the rider from Kalgoorlie has taken Britain by storm this year and is also making his mark in European Longtrack/Grasstrack meetings made his TV debut as a pundit for the Swedish Grand Prix. Johnston was a studio guest for SKV TV’s live coverage of the event, alongside the American Ronnie Correy. Former World Champion Gary Havelock from England made a debut of a different kind: he was pits interviewer for the telecast from Linkoping. Incidentally, Havelock is hoping to get at least one ride in this year’s Grand Prix as a wild card rider, having missed his chance of requalifying this year through injury. Sean the in young British rider Wilson, so popular Australia a couple of years back - but frozen out by a surplus of talented riders from this season’s British Elite League - has won a team place at Coventry. Wilson replaces the injured Adelaide rider, Shane Bowes, who has stepped aside due to a cracked wrist. Wilson’s recent fine effort in the British Championship Final has earned him the place and Bowes may now find it tough to regain his place in the Coventry team. in theCrump, Swedish Grand Prix in Jason a wild card rider Linkoping, continues to have a busy and successful time in both the Polish and Swedish Leagues. With 13 points, he led his team Zielona Giora to a 53-37 home win against Torun, for whom Adelaide’s Ryan Sullivan scored 12. A crowd of 6,000 watched the meeting. Crump then totalled 10 for Vargarna in their first away win of the season in the Swedish League as they won 49 - 47 at Valsarna. The Mildura rider also finds time to race in Denmark, where the League meetings involve four clubs. His 14 point return for Siangerup led them to a win on their own track against top club Hoisted, Outrup and Fjelsted, who were led by Czech Grand Prix win ner Greg Hancock.

1997 WORLD OF OUTLAWS/SKOAL OUTLAW SERIES POINT STANDINGS TO JUNE 14, 1997

I. Sammy Swindell 2. Steve Kinser 3. Dave Blaney 4. Jac Haudenschild 5. Greg Hodnett 6. Andy Hillenburg 7. Danny Lasoski 8. Stevie Smith 9. Johnny Herrera 10. Joe Gaerte

4,482 4,407 4,390 4,328 4,180 4,173 4,125 4,062 3,956 3,947

1 1. Jeff Swindell 12. Donny Schatz 13. Paul McMahan 14. Mark Kinser 15. Dion Hindi 16. Lance Blevins 17. Randy Hannagan 18. Joey Saldana 19. Garry Brazier 20. Marlon Jones

3,943 3,729 3,682 3,109 2,880 ,820 1,733 1,597 1,414 1,177

ELDORA SPEEDWAY- JUNE 14 A-FEATURE(30 LAPS) I. Dave Blaney I I. Donny Schatz 2. Stevie Smith 12. Randy Kinser 3. Steve Kinser 13. Jeff Swindell 4. Danny Lasoski 14. Andy Hillenburg 15. Steve Suever 5. Johnny Herrera 6. Sammy Swindell 16. Tim Engler 7. Joey Saldana 17. Jac Haudenschild 8. Mark Kinser 18. Kevin Huntley 19. Paul McMahan 9. Greg Hodnett 20. Tim Allison 10. Joe Gaerte

4S 20June 1997

KARTING

Report by EDWARD KRAUSE

NIitchell triumphs

Lincoln Mitchell took his first Formula A victory, the CIK series lead and the Queensland champi onship with a luck-assist Just over a second covered a heat with a broken brake ed but strong victory over Agland, who lost second to by clamping the rear-end for have been a real threat from Oceania champion Nick the 13-kart field. master cylinder in his Top Wlodzinski when he dropped the final and it worked. the front. Agland and Malcolm Clark was followed by Kart, forcing him to use the a wheel in the dirt. We made a lot of wrong On points, Mewett is the Heath at Ipswich last defending Queensland cham Italcorse for the pre final. It didn’t take long for the choices this weekend, but we last of those with a real hope weekend. Ferrier was showing pion Ryan Wlodzinski who Queenslander to catch Clark, made the right ones for the of chasing Hunt down, Mitchell had some help, had switched from Italcorse glimpses of speed with a but neither really pushed the right race,” Mitchell added. Fifth in the series is Mark though, as three of the race back to Tony Kart for this third in heat two, but no con- matter, eventually finishing Agland is looking for more Winterbottom, but his points leaders either fell off the meeting, Leanne Ferrier sistency and was dogged by in that order. horsepower, but is still confi- tally is less than half of track or rethed - but he kept (CRG), Mitchell, Heath, who bad luck. Behind them, Dann was on dent he can find the right Hunt’s perfect score, it together to take the lead Th e worst luck fell to was using a Top Kart and a charge, attacking Mitchell package to win at Raleigh. The 34 points from first to from David Clai’k. Italcorse, Andrew Wamsley Pearce - coming down the for fourth which allowed Third in the final went to second means that the chalTop Kart had a double cel (Tibi), John Joyce (Tony back straight at over Agland to pidl away - Dann Heath, after a spirited battle lenge has to come at Raleigh ebration, as Ti'oy Hunt con Kart), Tyson Pearce who was lOOkm/h, Pearce went for the made his way thi'ough on lap with Wamsley and Logan and put a dent in the youngtinued his domination of the back in his Omega kart, brakes only to find that he 11, but had to defend himself that nearly ended in disaster ster’s dominant run, else it Intercontinental A series, Peter Lehane (Haase), had none, courtesy of pads before setting out after - in a particularly physical will be too late, taking pole and winning Darrel] Smith and Inter A that had fallen off and he' Agland. Chris Williams and dice, a'side by side into turn eveiy race, while Tony Kart’s Mitchell held fifth from graduate Scott Logan, the cannoned off into Wlodzinski 1 saw Logan off the track Winterbottom finished fifth Michael Caruso denied them latter pair both in PCR. and up and over into the Logan, Wanisley and Heath, and rejoin right in front of and sixth in the . final, Dann’s weekend went woodchips. a clean-sweep, defeating then Smith and Ferrier a lap Heath, who had to take Williams exceptionally Alan Guit in ICA Junior. downhill after qualifying, severe evasive action to strong on his home track, The damage to the kart down, some push and shove knock while Winterbottom is find was extreme and Tyson was avoid a big accident. Foi-mula A Final ing him off in two heats, sporting some extremely sore / Wamsley took fourth from ing the going tough - with Qualifying & Heats although he finished both, ribs - his fellow competitors Clark led Wlodzinski from Lehane, the latter almost col- some good luck and a clean PCR/Dunlop driver Gary before winning the third tipped in to help with some the start, but Dann was lecting Logan when he threw run, he could easily be up the heat. Dann surprised everyone but front. Time will tell. spare parts, including through on the opening lap a chain late in the race, iron Clark won the first two Mfiodzinski with a brake disc, to take second. himself by taking pole posi ically just before the infation, Dann’s 48.986 in the ICA Junior and then fourth was enough Smith’s weekend didn’t get mous turn 1. / Pre Final opening qualifier more than to take pole for the pre final. Dann was/the last of the Michael Caruso has also any better, after hitting the enough for the top spot and Agland was in the top Darrell Smith pitted after back of Heath and retiring, finishers, as Pearce had proven to be.a mnaway sucthe only FA time in the 48s. three to fill grid two, while facing the s'^arter with a Wlodzinski was under another bad race, the kart cess - the young Tony Kart Wlodzinski had two seconds loose airbox, while Joyce had The track was noticeably pressure from Agland and stopping on the last lap, driver in only his third year slower in the second session, and a DNF, courtesy of a to pit for a new nosecone. Mitchell and a great dice was while Fei-rier’s engine let go of competition also has a perbut David Clark improved huge crash with Tyson Clark led from Agland, in the making. only two laps earlier. feet score of 130, taking pole his time by a tenth to be Pearce and two fastest laps Wlodzinski and Mitchell, Then Clark made an and winning both pre final Intercontinental A and final of each round and while Dann had to make his f uncharacteristic error, run third with a 49.225 in the for grid three. Mitchell was next to him, way past Logan. Tecno/PCR/Dunlop., ning off the track, a stray Troy Hunt continued on finishing every heat. Both. Lehane and Pearce stone swallowed by the his dominant way, taking The pair were separated but was not looking a real At Ipswich, he won two of by Nick Agland in the threat, with the fast but seized \^thin metres of each engine ending his race, pole and winning every race the three races, Alan Gurr other on lap 3, as Clark Clark made no excuses for and setting the fastest time AiTOw/Italsistem/Bridgestone, unlucky Dann off five. taking the third heat, who did a 49.149. Next was Heath, who lost began to pull away from his lapse, accepting his own of the meeting, a 48.776 on A poor start in the pre final meant he had to deal mistake - this has put him lap 15 of the final, back to equal second with The Top Kart driver had with Jamie Whincup, who Agland, nine points in little concern at an3dime dur- has finally sorted out the aiTears of Mitchell. ing the meeting, eventually ignition problem that was Like a gift from heaven, winning comfortably and affecting his starts - but Dann had a clear track and ramming home the fact that Caraso managed to take care he set the fastest lap of the he is the top dog of Inter A at of Whincup and went on to final on the seventh circuit, a the moment. record an easy victory. 49.367 - but the next lap he _ Oceania champion Chris A clean start and he was away and off to another ran off at exactly the same Cox recovered well after some early adventures in the strong win in the final and spot as Clark had done. He managed to keep going, heats and pre final to finish ' was also the only driver to get into the 49s, his 49.981 but he was back to eighth, second in the final, ultimately making his way The only other Inter A dri- for pole the weekend’s best. Alan Gurr showed consisback to sixth but the last ver to break into the 48s, he Club Day for all Victorian Clubs ° ranner. too did it late in the final tency and speed, qften 0 Enquiries: f03) 9362/1144[03] 5449 6362 matching Caruso’s speedfLut Fourth place in the series with a 48.887. admitted that he loses the and only 20 points off first, Cox is proving to be the race at the start, giving his he is still in strong con- only consistent challenger to rival a gap that he can’t close tention, particularly if he can Hunt and, if he can avoid VIC/South Austraiiau Challenge - Swan Hill reproduce this sort of pace. being knocked off in the - better starts and who knows? By this time, Agland had third heat and not having a Ultima Hoad, Swan Hill He won a heat and fin dropped back to fifth and tyre go fiat in the pre final, Enquiries; f03| 5032 196S was battling with Wamsely then the Tony Kart driver ished second in both the pre could well knock Hunt off his final and final and is second and Logan. Wlodzinski was now in perch - we await Raleigh for in the championship, City of Wodonga Titles l Aibury Wodonga a continuation of this battle. Whincup is still learning front, but Mitchell was on a Sheathers Hoad, Wodonga William Yarwood is not the class, but third in the charge and he took the lead under brakes with a clean enjoying being the class final was a good result Enquiries;[060]245 262 unfortunately, when Caruso move - Wlodzinski turned heavyweight, took the lead from him, Second in the pre-final and from defence to attack, but Country Circuit Series Round 4 - Miidura then his header pipe came then third in the final, Whincup was squeezed onto loose from the engine and his Yarwood switched from CRG the marbles and fell off the SViildura Raceway nn [3km West of Miidura) race was over. to Rotax engines for this track. Enquries: f03| 5024 6929 He came back from sixth Agland was through and round, but his weight is costnow a clear second, but he ing him out of the turns, in the final for third, but he was unable to close the gap which he says is where Hunt is improving each time. Club) Day for ail Victorian Clubs Clayton Pyne showed plen to Mitchell, who took a drives away from him. Enquwics:[03] 9362 1144[03]5449 6362 ^ ty of speed, being fastest in strong win from Agland and Proving a little testing can ●c now has a nine point lead in go a long way, Luke Mewett two heats and the pre final, a. but a spin in the pre final the championship and a showed the form that made and then failing to start the Queensland Formula A state him one of our premier S final has hurt his champichampionship to go with it. juniors a few years ago.

Jul|S

MVCTOWMK KAKIIHG ^SSOC\^^\OH Ph (03) 1449 6362 or (03) 9362 1144

“We got a bit of luck today, but I think I could have done it anyway,” said a relieved Sydneysider. “We made a lot of changes throughout the weekend. We hadn’t run this chassis before and it was better. “We changed motors, valves, made chassis adjustments and then went radical

He was instantly on the pace this weekend, qualifying third behind Hunt and Cox and was fourth in the pre final and lookiiig strong for the final. Unfortunately, a roll-up altercation meant he lost his nosecone, so he had to pit for a new one - he fought back to finish eighth, but he could

onship hopes, although, he is still third, Jamie Carter and James Harrigan rounded out the five, followed by Paul Dumbrell and Oceania champion James Small - each is making gi'adual inroads and improving, but it is going to take a massive effort for anyone to reel in Camso.

KARTING Our Australian contin gent performed strongly at the third round of the European championships in Italy, James Courtney gaining the Formula A podium and Ryan Briscoe finishing in eighth, while Ben Horstman finished sixth in the elite Super A class. Driving for Tony Kart, Courtney was the highest placed Bridgestone driver, qualifying fifth and starting the pre final from grid three after a win, two seconds and two thirds. He then fell back to sixth in the pre final, but came through for third in the final. Courtney is now working for engine-tuner Martin Koene.

20Jm 199/

Aussies impressive at Italian round He has been living with Koene this season and the Dutchman has been teaching him to build engines. Courtney’s third engine at the World Cup in Japan was one of his own building. Apart from his enginebuilding activities, Tony

Kart now has the young Australian doing driver tuition in Holland, A developmental CRG chassis tore up Briscoe’s Dunlops and, after qualifying a disappointing 22nd, he started the pre final from position 18.

He then moved up as high as third before his tyres went off and he fell back to sev-

enth. In the final, he held station with front tyres down to the canvas, eventually coming home eighth. Briscoe is being considered by Dunlop to be one of its

tyre testers. Apparently sev eral teams are considering switching from Dunlop to Bridgestone and Dunlop wants to keep CRG with them - Briscoe could be used to entice CRG to stay. Both Briscoe and Courtney will fly home after the final round of the European championships on July 5. The pair will stay for six weeks, before heading back for the World Titles in September.

Horstman, driving a Birel/Rotax/Dunlop, qualified 13th, but a couple of dramas during the heats meant he started from grid 20 in the pre final. He worked his way through to finish ninth and then, in the final, went from ninth to sixth, With his engines now proving to be more reliable, “Mully” is starting to put the results together. -EDWARD KRAUSE

Classic win to Brett Arnett

with two class wins, while Bendigo turned on a Justin Burns was quick on clear, sunny day for the 1997 National Classic the day to beat WaiTen Swift meeting on June 1, the to second. Brett Arnett took Senior event attracting 140 entries spread over 12 National Heavy with three classes. wins, ahead of the Aaron Clubman Light was Sudholz/Ged Stokes battle, In the Over 40s, Ken thrown wide open when the front three crashed in heat 2, Kelsall comfortably beat leaving John Merritt ahead David Hepworth and Rod of Brett Tresize and James Westbrook, while Craig Davison. Arnett beat Brad Harper and Cameron Bell in Senior Hamilton’s Ben Taylor made a last lap passing move National Light, on Chris McNiven in heat 3 Ballarat’s Ross Green and of the Rookies to finish in Daryll Rouhan were too good that order, Rhys Archer tak- in Clubman Super Heavy ing the minor spot. while, after recent outs, Roy Junior National Heavy McCracken finally won was split, with Luke Harper Senior National O40s. from Geelong driving away The final Junior National from the field to record a Light tally saw Luke Cowan win, while Paul Dumbrel hold sway over Peter held Aaron McCracken but McNiven and Luke Harper, for second. while Clubman Heavy saw In the Midgets, Joshua 14 of the 22 starters diamatDouglass accumulated ically go off on the first corenough points to win from ner of the first race, leaving Bradley Wicks and Brendon Steve Allen from Gippsland Reeves. to win from Ross Green and John Merritt took ‘Jason Loft. Clubman Medium honours - GRAEME BURNS

CARBURETTORS

GOING FOR GOLD ... Brian Stockman was in fine form at Winton and took home the major prize. (Graeme Burns pic)

Stockman’s Gold Nugget The Victorian Superkart Club held its annual Gold Nugget meeting at Winton and, for the first time, the award was won by an interstate driver, NSW’s Brian Stockman. The Gold Nugget is worked out on a secret hand icap system and Stockman immediately presented the award to his wife for 20 years of pit crewing. The lOOcc NGB class had more than 40 entries - the largest ever - and the class was split into Light and

Heavy, with four Juniors starting behind the Heavy field. Lee Barabasz, with four second places, had enough points to take the day from David Williams, who had a DNF in the first heat, while Sarah Bekker took third. Dean Crooke, son of for mer Superkart and F2 driver John, put on a great display in his first race in Superkarts, finishing in the front half of the Heavy field in each heat. Doug Brumby’s DNF in

the final heat of lOOcc Heavy relegated him to second behind Frank Kessels, with Darren Spencer third. In 100 Light, Darren Formosa had a big lose entering the main straight and hit the tyre wall, bounc ing hard back onto the track to cause a red flag and a restart. After three wins, Jason McIntyre blew his motor in the last laps to drop back to third - his-brother, Colin, was second, with Rodney Reynolds winning.

Stan Tadd showed the 80 B Grade drivers the way home, with Ben Monro and John Mulej following. The six 125 gearbox machines lined up with the 250s and Bruce Jolly took all four wins, ahead of Ian Farrer and Neil Smart. Gold Nugget winner Stockman bolted away from the 250 field, leaving Wayne Schultz second ahead of Greg Sturge.. The next meeting will be at Calder on July 13. - GRAEME BURNS

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Pli 08 82936677 Fax 08 82936933

50 20June 1997

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Vies dominate Island ROH Cup

THE Victorian duo of Steve Carless and Andrew Meinnes took out a win each in round 2 of the ROH Wheels Commodore Cup, but only after the lead in the races changed a number of times.

Very tight and exciting racing was again provided by the V8 Commodores at Phillip Island as the class supported the Super Tom'ers. A lai’ge field of 28 cars lined up in veiy cool but dry conditions for both races. Excellent showings from both Geoff Parker and Dean Crosswell saw the pair line up for race one on the front row, separated by just 0,06s. Third was Carless followed by the Tyi-epower entry of MeInnes, David Gittus, John Mann then Alex Shearn fi'om position seven. From grid eight was former Suzuki Cup driver Tim Shaw who was called up to stand in for an ill Shaun Kelly, an amazing perfor mance considering he drove the car for the first time in Ql. Maurie Platt was ninth and rounding out the top ten was David Sala,just 1.35s separating the first third of the gild.

Race 1 (8 laps)

The field got away cleanly until turn one, David Marshall got it wrong and left the track. Into Southern Loop for the fist time it was Parker from Crosswell and Carless. The latter pah touched and Crosswell spun at Siberia in front of the whole field, luckily no, one made contact with the spinning' cai-. Carless assumed the lead after Parker left the door open at Siberia. With Crosswell making his way back to the fi-ont of the field Parker spun at Honda as the leaders went three 'wide into Siberia, John Mann had made his way into thh-d. fellow Crosswell passed Tasmanian Shaw to move up to fourth and quickly made a move on Mann to pick up third. At the flag it was Carless from a much improved Sheam. An excellent recovery drive from Crosswell over Mann with round one winner Platt making up the top five.

Race 2(10 laps) Carless got the jump at the startjof race two to lead the field into turn one from Parker and a fast starting Meinnes.

COULDN’T CAR LESS... Steve Carless had a great battle with Alex Shearn. Here the duo crest Lukey Heights in race one. OPPOSITE LUCK?... Bob Hughes had a wrestling match with his car at Honda. (Photos by Phil Williams) Down the main straight to start lap two, Parker roimded up Carless and flew past into the lead, the pahtoughing it out, two wide around turn one. Parker’s bravery awarded with the lead into Southern Loop. Starting lap five Meinnes used the tow to get past Carless and assume the leading spot, only to lose the place three comers later to Carless. A great battle for the lead began and again the pair diced down the main straight in a battle of horse power.

Parker was sitting comfortably in thhd spot ahead of another battle. Fourth position was up for grabs with Gittus, Shearn, Knight and Crosswell all fighting in a cloud of tyre smoke as the quartet entered MG.

When the flag fell it was Meinnes home in first for a well deseiwed first victory from Carless, Parker, Gittus and Sheaz-n making up the top five. Points after 2 rounds: Crosswell 162, Platt 161, Parker 153, Baxter 150, Meinnes 142.

Cutts and crashes at Oran Park Report and photos by EDWARD KRAUSE ACTION reigned at the Oran Park Club meeting. In a day when the inci dents on the track were plentiful Jason Cutts (Formula Vee) and Barney Morris (HQs) were the stars of the day.

Sports Sedans

Gemini driver Mark Smith won the second round of the Ted Russell Memorial Sports Sedan series. Rick Latini debuted his new Torana on pole position from the Cortina of round one winner Vince Matulovich, who won the preliminary but went off at the first cor ner of the main event. Latini led early before Steve Briffa took the lead, who was later passed around the outside by Smith. Briffa later locked his brakes and spun, even tually finishing third behind Latini.

Club Cars Pole-sitter David MacRae won comfortably from fellow Noel RX-3 driver McFarlane. Another RX-3 driven by Ian Freeman was running second early but was out after three laps. Mark Williams finished a lonely third after fighting off Peter Maggs. The fi rst of the under twolitres was the Escort of Adrian Moore, who easily defeated Wayne Vinckx.

Formula Vee Series leader Jason Cutts performed a clean sweep of the second round. Cutts won

the preliminary and led from start to finish in the main race, helped by the dic ing between Phil Moyes, ●Ross Jones and Mark McHenry. From fourth Moyes fol lowed Jones as they caught and passed McHenry and then on the last lap snuck past Jones for second.

Super Minis

SmHB IUBO COFFEE .U

Street Sedans/ Group N

This race was marred by a big accident involving polesitter Allan Marin who

> ●

-s

RX-3 TIMES THREE...Ian Freeman leads David McRae and Noel McFarlane in an all-Mazda Club Car battle. Freeman was out after three laps and McRae went on to win. MINI WARS... John Wakefield and Nigel Hughan duke it out in the Mini race. Hughan won easily after John McMallam retired on the last lap.

Nigel Hughan won after a appeared to put a wheel in great dice with John the dirt on the downhill Mallam. Joined early by approach to Momo corner John Wakefield, Hughan his and slammed and Mallam had a great dice Commodore head-on into until Mallam retired on the the wall. Thankfully he was last lap with smoke billow cleared of any injuries. ing out. The first six were This left Hughan with an Commodores, led by Mark easy win from Wakefield, Cohen who had a comfortwho had dropped back, ■“■able win. while Dean Evans came Mark and Marin

through to third after earli er passing Wayne Gardiner.

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Marque Sports Cars

Bruce Tavener in the PRB Clubman won from Aaron Lewis in the E-Type, helped by polesitter Stuart Adler spinning twice. Adler took the lead in his Porsche 911 but Taverner kept up the pressure and after swapping the lead several times Adler spun. This left Taverner with a comfortable lead. Adler fought back to sec ond before another spin left him out of contention. Lewis was second with Campbell third.

# «i

Zonnevold both went off on the first lap at the esses, allowing Cohen through. Marin moved back up to sec ond before his crash, while Zonnevold and Martin Miller con tinned the fight to the end, finishing in that order.

Holden HQ

Barney Morris was anoth er who completed a clean sweep, but not without a big scare in the trophy race. After Morris had set pole he had to watch both Des Moy and David Rogez's roar past him on the opening lap of the race. Morris passed Rogers but by this time Moy had pulled away. Morris tracked him down and they had a great dice, Morris slipping through at turn one and managing to hold his line to take the win ahead of the impressive Moy. Rogers was a distant third.

ORAN PARK

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WHO NEEDS SUMOS?... Rodney Crick (7) and Ron Salter (1) had some huge - and controversial - battles in the Truck events. BARRY, WHITE... Barry Morcom’s Falcon (right) was second-best of the Sports Sedans, to Bob Jolly’s Commodore.

Truck honours to NZ Story and photos by EDWARD KRAUSE THE New Zealand team ' led by Ron Salter, defeat ed thie Australian team by a single point to win the Trans Tasman Truck Challenge for the first time in six years at Oran Park. The Australians, led by Rodney Crick, were leading until the final match race but a Kiwi 1-2 gave them enough to sneak over the line. Salter then rubbed salt into the wounds by taking Crick’s lap record in the 15 lap SuperPrix later that afternoon.

Trans Tasman Challenge

Four 3 lap match races, fin ished off by a 10-lap final, was the format for the four Kiwis and the fastest four Australians from qualifying. Salter qualified his Volvo White fastest in the final ses sion with a 53.4772s, half a second quicker than Crick’s lap record. Crick was next, also in a Volvo, with a 54.0182s followed by Australians Gary Thompson in a Kenworth and Glenn Dobson in a MAN Phoenix. Then came Neil Allport (NZ), Joe Scarcella (Aus) and Malcolm Little (NZ) while

final Kiwi Gary Davie didn’t make it out for the final quali fier. The first race was contro versial, with Salter leading rmtil the final lap. Going over the dogleg Crick hit the back of lifting his front wheels in the air as he climbed the back of Salter’s truck. Both kept it off the wall but Salter was pushed wide and Crick went thi'ough and won. Salter was furious, saying “it was nothing we didn’t expect” and having a public shot at CAMS for not pohcing “this sort of behaviom-”, while Crick claimed that Salter blocked him and slowed down, lea\dng him nowhere to go.

23 4. ALL three versions ofPaul Elliot's Formula Vees recently ran at Winton. While Frank Halre was winning the race in his 02, Mark White took second in his 01 while James Manderson (son of Warwick)took his 03 to a mid-pack finish in his first race. (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

DRIVING the Caford Casters Ralt Melbourne’s Wayne Ford took out round two of the Australian Formula 2 National series at Oran Park near Sydney. Ford qualified second behind Brian Sampson (was having his first drive in the 1995 series win ning, ex-Simon Hardwidge Dallara F393). ‘Sambo’ took pole with a time of 41.3521s, while third was taken by Chas Jacobsen (Reynard) with a time of 41.9900. Ford won the jump on Sampson at the start but not for the lack of trying by Sampson. Nose-to-tail these two put on a tremendous dice for the lead, however, Sampson kept losing out in traffic in the 15 lap race, only tow back at Ford. The drive of the race came from Graham Blee who started a very disappointing eighth (after only doing a handful of laps in both qualifying due to suspension prob lems)to claim third position. Ford had the satisfaction of set ting fastest lap of the race, 0.2s under his qualifying time. Jacobsen was fourth and Graham Holmes (Kaditcha) took Sportsman honours and fifth.

In the third race Dobson took the lead and held off a determined Salter to win with ScarceUa third from an equal ly determined Crick. Gary Davie led at the start of the fourth race, with Crick and Salter side-by-side until the old Suttons comer, thank fully without incident. Crick got the upper hand and moved on to pass Davis down the straight and take the win from a charging Allport, then Davie and Salter. In the final 10 lapper Salter and Crick were off the front row but Crick, on new brake linings, ran off at the first turn and went back to last. Salter was passed by Allport with Thompson the first Australian, followed by Scarcella. Crick moved up to fifth but again ran off at turn one when passing Scarcella, eventually finishing fifth. Allport got past Salter to take the win from Salter and Thompson. This gave the Kiwis a one point victory, which Salter described as an end to “the six years of pun ishment. We finally got it!”

Reverse Grid Superprix The 15-lap SuperPrix was a chance to regain some lost

Morcom was fastest in the pride for the Aussies, but it warm-up and then won the was Luke Sieders who upheld our honour. Michael Sommers start from Wall to lead end win the race from Wall. led early but by lap five Sieders- was in the lead with Barnes, who was battling understeer problems, finished Allport right behind him. third from Taylor, Jolly and These two had a large lead over third placed Gary Ivan Mikac in the ^-7. Wall’s weekend woioldn’t go Thompson. Crick had already run off the track on lap two, any further when he again had an engine problem dming again the brake linings end the wrong brake bias affecting the second rage and he had to shut it down while comfort him. He eventually finished ably leading and having set sixth, behind Salter who was the race’s fastest lap the lap attacking Glenn Dobson. previous, virtually ending any When he was unable to find away around, he slowed down . hopes of a third consecutive series win. and on the very last lap he Morcom had to settle for put in a screamer to take second as Jolly out-powered Crick’s lap record by a tenth with a 53.8461s, which Salter the Falcon down the straight and took a comfortable win. described as extremely satis Morcom held off Mikac early fying. Allport continued the and then Barnes to take sec pressure but the teenage ond, Bames third and Mikac Sieders held on to take the win from the Kiwi with fourth, while Peter O’Brien had an off at Momo and then Thompson third. had some debris from his catcatch him. out at Buttons one lap later. For the second meeting in a The reverse grid affair saw row two-time and defending Glenn Taylor take a strong champion Des Wall took pole victory from Bob Jolly, who in the O’Brien Aluminium maintains his series lead over Series. His 42.2842s was just Morcom, with Stephen behind his own lap record and Lichtenberger third from Paul put his Supra eight-tenths Barrett and Morcom. Taylor ahead of Barry Morcom’s was into the lead from the sec Falcon. ond lap, passing Barrett. Jolly They were followed by Jeff had to come from near the Bames in the Trans Am and back, while Barrett needed the Commodores of series the computer timing to give him the nod for fourth over leader Bob Jolly and Glenn Morcom. Taylor.

Sports Sedans

Ford dominates Formula Two Grahame Blee (Reynard 923) DOMINATE... Wayne Ford’s absolutely crunched the start and Ralt is the class' dragged past Sampson (who was of the F2 field. slow to get away with heaps of Here he battles wheelspin) to head off in hot pur Brian Sampson's suit of Ford, who left pole quickly. Dallara. Sampson got it all together and GO GRAHAM... managed to squeeze Jacobsen out Graeme of third by the first left- hander at Holmes’Kadicha the end of the main straight. (right) took Sampson had made some changes Sportsman hon to the aerodynamic package since ours. the first race in search of more (Photos by Ed Krause) straight line speed but the reduced down force caused him to come until the esses where Blee finally unstuck coming out of the esses at had the line and forced his way to the back of the circuit and off he front and on to win. went into a huge spin. Chas made it home in third from He gathered it all together again Ian Black, having his first drive in but had no chance to put any pres the ex-Bronte Rundle Reynard sure on the leaders. 913. For the next 12 laps it was Ford Holmes made it two from two in holding a slender lead over Blee the Sportsman class ahead of Gi-eg but Blee was very determined to Hunter (Elfin 700) and Michael close the gap on the leader and, on Bennett(Cheetah Mk 6). lap 13, snuck his nose in front in Points after two rounds: Ford 40, Blee turn 1 and held a very tight line. 27, Jaeobsen 20. Sportsman: Hunter 35, Holmes 20, Terry Robinson 15. The two cars ran side-by-side

20June 1991

Ij^^tcAyic m THE 750 Motor Club of UK is soon to celebrate the 75th anniversary ofone of the world’s most popular and successful cars with a rally known as Le Tour de France. One hundred Austin 7s from England and vai-ious other European countries, and 12 from Australia have entered for what will cer tainly be a memorable event to highlight the occasion. Ten cars from Australia wall be shipped out in midAugust, while two entrants have decided to purchase cai's in England for the rally. Judging by some ofthe characters going across,“Le Tom'de Prance” will be memorable,to say the least. John and Kathy Needham, Phil and Kay l^eeler. Bill Sheehan,Peter Thomas, John and Ronny Heagney, and Mun'ay and-EOeen Richards are among the local contingent, so there are sure to be some good stories when they return. Fourteen days will be spent touring through France, and according.to Murray Richards, some of the villages are so small they are not even listed on maps. “The real France,” he says. The co-operation is such that the mayors have given the Austin 7s the freedom ofthe towns,there will be civic receptions and(surprise, surprise)tours of several vineyards. n Murray Richards has certainly been busy lately, and has recently opened Brooklands Motors of Sandringham. He has taken on the Australian distributorship of Caterham vehicles, and now has Lou Russo working for him. The Caterham Clubmans can be purchased in component form, and as well as sales, a full range of spares and service facilities are available. There are ten motoring businesses in the Brooklands ofSandringham complex including Sports & Vintage Motoring, Paul Sabine’s Aston Martin Spares (the largest in the southern hemisphere). Elfin Sports Cars, David Lowe Engineering Services, Dune Motor Bodies whose forte in aluminium crafting, Nick Simms(a Rolls Royce and Bentley specialist) and Woode/s Automotive for engine reconditioning of Mercedes-Benz. There ai-e also storage facilities and a well-stocked model and memorabilia shop in the same complex. Sounds like a visit is in order! n News that one of the icons of Australian motor sport, Peter Brock is soon to retire came as a surprise to most, and causes us to spec ulate as to his future plans. Brock has come a long way since the early ‘sixties w'hen he built up his famous Holden-powered Austin A30 in his parents chook shed at Hurstbridge, and rumours that his car is about to be “recreated” by his son makes us wonder if he is planning

to include Historic racing amongst his future plans. Apart from his incredible track record over three decades at the top level, ‘Brocky has been an orna ment to the sport. It would be great to have him along as part ofthe Historic move ment-so long as he doesn’t decide to win everything. n Roy Williams has cer tainly been busy since sell ing his Sabrina sports cai’ to WA.He has been building up a Lotus 7 lookalike in Geelong, and just as Richard Stanley was taking it back to Melbourne to add the bodywork, a truck arrived from NSW with the Ian Cummins Prad Holden on board. The famous Australian ‘special’ was originally fitted by an Alta engine back in 1958,but is better known for its Holden powerplant.Ian Cummins,who acquired the car from John Hall in NSW, has sent it to Roy with a direction to “make it pre sentable” while he attends the Jaguar aimiversaiy at Le Mans and carries out some other motoring busi ness in the UK n Good news is that Biyan Miller has decided to resume his role as CAMS Historic Eligibility Officer in NSW.Apart from being a great enthusiast,restorer, collector and racer, his vast experience and knowledge of the Historic scene is invalu able. n The ex-Small, ex-Percy Himter,ex-Errol Richardson Rennmax BNl openwheeler is about to reappeai’. Built in Sydney in 1964, the Rennmax BNl won the NSW Hillclimb Champion ship, and is to campaigned by its new owner, Victorian Robert Hands. n It is with regret we acknowledge the passing of one ofAustralia’s leading race engineers, George Wade. His creativity and loyalty to Repco over a 23year period was followed by the establishment of his own successful engineering busi ness in 1962. Wade camshafts became famous amongst the motor racing fraternity,thanks to George’s close attention to detail and his innovative mind. He died peacefully at home with his family and friends, and will be long remembered for his unique contribution to Australian motor sport. n The Annual General Meeting ofthe Victorian Historic Racing Register Inc. will be held at the Whitehorse Inn, Burwood Rd., Hawthorn at 8pm on Tuesday,June 24. Thie is a very important occasion for apart from the election of office bearers for the coming year,the meeting will deal with matters likely to influ ence the future direction of the club. The AGM will be preceded by dinner from 630 onwards. -BRIAN REED

GUYRA GREATS... The Lotus 15s of Barry Bates and Grant Gibson lead Ross Hodgson (Cooper MG)and Peter Mohr's Nedloh Special on the Mother of Ducks Straight at Guyra’s recent GP. (Photo courtesy Guyra Argus)

Looking back at Guyra

NOW the inaugural Guyra GP has Other organisers could learn from this been run it is worth reflecting back highly professional effort. on why this Historic event was such Among the special guests' at Guyra a success. was a sprightly Dick Cobddn, the man who drove the ex-Peter Whitehead 1951 Apart from large doses of enthusiasm by the organisers, it was the level of Ferrari V12 in Australia before racing it community involvement that helped in England. When he returned, the make it memorable. Take, for instance, Ferrari was taken over by Curly Brydon the involvement of the Guyra ‘Argus’ - who fitted it with a Chevrolet V8 the local newspaper that got behind the engine. The Ferrari 125 is significant in Grand Parade and^ gave it huge that it became the first racing car amounts of publicity (in Spite of being a acquired by Tom Wheatcroft for his relatively small media outlet). wonderful Donington collection in i The Guyra Argus even produced a England - although I’m sure he got a surprise to find a Chewy V8 under the Special colour supplement to help publi bonnet instead of the original V12! cise the inaugural event and draw visi tors to NSW’s beautiful New England 'CLERK of Course, (or to give him his proper title, ‘Le Grand Marechel’) at region. The official poster was a team effort Guyra was another famous Australian involving Brian Caldersmith (who racer from yesteryear, John Crouch, painted the cars), and his wife, whose Back in 1949 Crouch won the skills as a landscape painter were clear- Australian Grand Prix at Leyburn, ly evident with the magnificent back- Queensland driving a Delahaye, and grounds. The same painting was used later became the importer of Cooper on the cover of the souvenir program, racing cars in Australia.

Another AGP winner, Alec Mildren was patron of the Guyra GP but unfor tunately was unable to attend because of ill health. Mildren won the 1960 Australian Grand Prix in a Cooper Maserati at Lowood, Queensland, and became a highly successful team man ager and sponsor of drivers such as Frank Gardiner and Kevin Bartlett. TWO of the hard working organisers of the Guyra GP, Paul Moxham and his wife, Svity recently had a well earned break at Apollo Bay but somehow an Historic car got in the way again. Paul finished up buying the exGraeme Raper Lister Jaguar replica, a car originally put together by John Carter in Bowral, NSW. Roy and Di Williams drove the Lister up the Hume Highway to meet Paul in Albury after the new owner had gone back to Orange to get his trailer. Not quite the outcome of a quiet six days to unwind at Apollo Bay, but it sure beats fishing!

Hoosier gets the no

THE hard working chair man of the Historic Clubman Racing John Association,

Sexton, recently did some tyre testing at Amaroo Park with Hoosier Vintage tyres fit ted to his Lotus Super 7 to see how they com pared with the tradition al Dunlops. The Hoosier tread pattern looks reasonably sympathet ic to the M and 0 period (if a little wider) and because of their superior performance are likely to “set records everywhere,” but somehow their rather baggy appear ance “doesn’t look right.” Sexton believes the Hoosiers get up to tempera ture quicker but may wear quicker and are not likely to be as good as the Dunlops in the wet. “It all comes down to whether we can find a tyre that is absolutely similar in all departments to the Dunlop,” he said. The Hoosier tyres are around $250 a set cheaper than the Dunlops and have been approved by the Historic Commission for

AT WORK... John Sexton put his Super 7 to good use in testing Hoosier’s latest tyres. be several months before will mean that some com immediate use - even though the American com pany’s limited range of tyres

petitors are disadvantaged by this decision and it may

the situation is rectified. -BRIAN REED

You meet the nicest chaps in a Clubman ACCORDING to the latest National Bulletin of the Historic Clubman Racing Assoc iation, “....the President ofthe FIA,Mr. Max Mosley (pictmred, right) was a very

good Clubman pilot in his day. Michael Henderson, who,in his early days in England,used to campaign a Seven SI and later a Mallock U2,raced against Max, who

was driving a simi lar Mallock. You do meet a better type of chap in Clubman racing, don’t you. “Michael was able to meet up with his old Mend at the (1997) AGP.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

20Jrnm/

Holden S uper D

Celebrating record first quarter sales for 1997, Holden’s Commodore Utility’s excellent sales were highlighted recent ly with the unveiling of the world’s fastest and most powerful Holden Ute showcar. The spectacular looking machine, dubbed ‘the Beast,’ is based on the current Series II Holden Commodore VS Ute and was con ceived by Australian specialist motor accesso ry importer Roman Auto-Tek. The stock VS Ute body shell was taken straight from Holden’s production line to renowned drag racing chassis building guru John Taverna’s Melbourne workshop, where he worked his magic. With a price tag in excess of $125,000, the Auto-Tek team left no detail unchecked, fit ting the car with numerous specialist equip ment, along with the massive 502 cubic inch, supercharged.Chevrolet engine. Detailed in striking red livery, ‘the Beast’ features the classic lines of the stand ‘S’ model Ute, with the only indication of the car’s modified nature is a somewhat lowered stance over the massive 20” Momo rims and tyres and the fuel injector scoop that pro trudes through the bonnet. V “We used the VS Ute because it’s the quin tessential Aussie car and enthusiasts can identify with it immediately,” said Auto-Tek’s Managing Director, Bob Roman. un With its comfort, style and looks, the VS was our first and only choice,” he said. The ‘Beast’ will be seen at 16 motoring shows around Australia, including a special appearance at Canberra’s popular Summernats event.

BLOWN AWAY... Auto-Tek’s brilliant supercharged Holden VS Ute-'the Beast.’ Simmons wheels has just released the newest addition to the popular OM Series of 3 piece modular wheels. The new OM-15 is a 15” wheel available in both four and five stud configuration par ticularly suited to small front wheel cars when fitted with low profile tyres, but Simmons says that the new wheel is also suitable for larger rear wheel drive cars such as BMW,Falcon and Commodore. Available in the five standard colours, sil ver, gold, black, white and grey metallic, and customers can also specify their own choice at a nominal charge. RRP for the new 15x7 OM-15 is $484. See you nearest stockist or call Simmons direct in Sydney on toll free on 1800 021357.

Peter Brock - Part 1 In February, 1969 Peter took the A30 to Sandown and quite a few eyebrows were raised by the Light Car Club of Australia officials, who were now used to having Ferraris and Maseratis at their track rather than locally-made specials. One of the scrutineers told Peter quite bluntly that he thought the car was dan gerous, a disgrace and shouldn’t have been racing. After the meeting, the car was sent to the Auburn premises of Firth Motors for a thorough inspection. A few minor items were pointed out, but the car was otherwise given a clean bill of health and was said to be structurally sound much to the disgust of the high-handed Sandown scrutineer. The biggest success of this period, though, came at Hume Weir in June. The race was intended to be the inau gural Australian Sports Sedan Championship for the new class, but the ‘championship’ had to be replaced with ‘trophy’ when CAMS refused to sanction it. . Despite that, the race attracted a strong field - led by Peter’s fiercest rival of the time, Lynn Brown - and was regarded by everyone as the biggest race of the year for the category. Peter took pole position from Brown and both drivers won their respective heats to set the stage for the 20-lap final. Peter jumped away to lead into the first corner with Brown hot on his tail, a situation which remained for 13 laps as the pair drove away from the rest of the field. Both drivers had sliced over a sec ond from Peter’s old lap record and it looked like being a close finish until Brown’s Mini burst a front tyre and retired, leaving the A30 to win easily. That race suddenly made people take notice of the category as a whole and of Peter Brock in particular. The Oran Park promoters were quick to see the drawing potential and began paying Peter $100 start money for renewals of the many clashes he had already had with Brown. The Hume Weir victory, however, had given Peter even greater confi dence , in his . ability to race with the best and withstand pressure. Brown never

ET Performance Products has released the US made G-Tech/Pro Performance Meter, an amazingly accurate G-Force meter that calcu lates every aspect of you car’s perfor mance. The G-Tech/Pro can act as an on board digital dyno giving you live rear wheel horsepower figures as you accelerate down the road or track, all by simply entering in the weight of your car! The system can be used for many func tions from calculating your 1/4 mile elapsed times and terminal speeds, to how many G’s your car pulls through a comer, or under braking. The benefits of such a system enable the user to gain real data from the cars perfor mance, taking out most of the guess work in setting up you car. For example you can record how many G-Forces your car pulled through a corner then you can make changes to the suspen sion and record the results of the changes. Powered by the cigarette lighter in your car and attached to the windscreen, the GTech/Tro would certainly help any com petitor to gain the performance they are looking for. For more information contact ET on (i03) 9794 9044.

50 Years of Ferrari

Continued from Page 17

Continued from Page 29

EARLY OUTING: The freshly completed A30 at a hillclimb. (Photo by lan smith) really headed the wild machine again. aside and only used them for Oran Park Brown was enormously impressed meetings, which were his most imporwith the newcomer’s driving, though, tant for the year. It taught him a valuand thoroughly enjoyed their battles, able lesson about the importance of When Peter put the car up for sale at tyres, the end of 1969, Brown was one of the Peter admits now that the A30’s haninterested parties, but a sports car ace dling was fairly dramatic, but he knew of the time, Ross Bond, was first with no better at the time and simply came to the money up front. grips with it. Poor Ross Bond, however, Bond took delivery of the car straight stepped out of nice, predictable sports after an Oran Park night meeting on cars and couldn’t really come to grips January 3, 1970, where Peter again with his new purchase. It never featured lowered his lap record with a staggering strongly again and was written off a time of 50.0 seconds - just a little slow- couple of months later. er than the top touring cars like Allan For Peter, though, the little A30 had Moffat’s Trans Am Mustang. served its purpose in teaching him Peter’s secret for Oran Park was a about building and driving. It had also set of Firestone tyres he had picked up been extremely successful. Peter from Frank Matich, the Firestone agent. attended 65 meetings with the car and He had gone to Matich’s one day look won an astounding 102 races with it. ing for a replacement set of (second Perhaps most importantly, though, hand) tyres and was handed some that ungainly-looking car brought Peter YBIIs, which Leo Geoghegan had to the attention of a man who would been testing during the previous have an enormous influence on his rise Tasman Series on his Lotus open to fame ... Harry Firth. wheeler. The Firestones were worth a second Next issue: The Holden a lap around Oran Park, but were the Dealer Team era only ones in the country. Peter put them

everyone had been hoping for happened. The rain stopped, at least for two hours and everything went ahead as planned. Celebrities including film superstars, sporting per sonalities and FI supremo Bemie Ecclestone emerged from their umbrellas to mingle with past and pre sent drivers, sponsors and the glitterati of Rome as they took in the two-hour spectacular. Its highlight was .a mock race between Schumacher and Irvine, who played to the ecstatic crowd by gun ning their cars past the grandstands. Circus Maximus resound ed again to a different roar, albeit a shrill scream, that was last heard in the year 500 when the gladiators of that long-ago era were fighting the lions. The FeiTari owners from far and wide were occupied with sightseeing on the fol lowing day, before setting off on the Tuesday for Maranello on the roads which were used for the Mille Miglia classic. Those who arrived early in Maranello were treated to a late afternoon fiin and games session at the Fiorano test track, featur ing a stack of privately owned FI Ferraris whose owners were able to indulge themselves to the full. Fiorano was thrown open to the road-going cars on the Wednesday, with the participants including the ever-cheerful Gonzales, Britain’s David Piper, a prolific winner for Ferrari

in a succession of cars in the 1960s and Luigi Chinetti Jnr, whose father was said to have convinced Enzo Ferrari to build cars instead of machine tools during a visit to Modena to see his long-time friend in December, 1946. Luigi Chinetti, a threetimes Le-.Mans 24-hour winner who had raced cars in the 1920’s and 1930’s, ultimately became Ferrari’s American concessionaire and eventually founded NART (North American Racing Team), which made its presence felt in the US ’and Europe. Ferrari We'ek climaxed on the Saturday with an estimated 3000 Ferraris converging on Maranello from all over Europe and an open-air concert at Modeha’s Braglia Stadium that opened with a proces sion of cars. The streets were awash with red, yel low, silver and black FeiTaris. Maranello had enjoyed its own festival the previ ous night, starting with a ceremony in which Luca di Montezemolo cut a huge birthday cake and toasted the townspeople with a glass of spumante before di'iving away in one of the earliest Feirari sports cars. The 50th anniversary will be a hai'd act to follow when the centenary comes around in 2047. If you are young enough to count on being there, prepare to book a hotel room at Monte Carlo. This is where Ferrari’s 100th party will be held, accord ing to the company’s public relations chief Antonio Ghini. He assured me the Principality has already been booked for the occa

sion. n

20JuneW97

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BMW 635CSI Group A, genuine factory car with factory chassis plate E24RA1/22. Ex Frank Sytner UK. original condition with spare wheels, Alpina motor, plus lots of other spares. Aust$75,000. Ph: NZ 64-9-274 8646 or 025 408 456. iM

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AUSCAR Sportsman #35 Falcon XF, Well present 9196(AH). 103 ed and very competitive car in race ready condition. Excellent opportunity to enter Australia's most economical and competitive motor sport class.^ Car is available com plete or as rolling chassis. $16,900. Call Jamey Hollier. Ph: 03 5367 1087(BH) or 015 502 517(mobile) or 03 5367 6545(AH). .04 /

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Nissan GTS Skyline, fully imported coupe, 5sp manu al, 57,000km, RB20 intercooled turbo, good original car. red with grey/black trim. $16,000. Ph: 02 9545 1355(BH)or 02 9523 9987(AH). 104

T/7

Nissan GTS-R, 1990, all factory options, climate control, sun roof, CD, Turbo Timer, alarm, 42,000km, in as new condition, 220hp, RWD, Australian compliance. Urgent Sale. $31,000ono. Ph: 02 9524 1199(BH) or 02 9544 0363(AH). .03

QLD Gemini Series Car, no expense spared, very competitive car, must sell. Reduced to $4,100. Ph: 07 3207 0689. iro

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. .03

RX3 Coupe, ex Club Car rolling chassis, genuine 1975 ..model, could be restored but needs TLC. $1,500 or con sider trade. Ph: 0412 323 941, 102

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 meet ings, 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. 102

continued over page

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CATEGORY; Cars: □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers □ Speedway □ Drag General: □ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other

5S 20Junemi 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. .02

Super Rod, M+J chassis, diahatsu body, 327 Chev, Halibrand quickchange, FBI bladder tank, knock-on front end, front running car. Will sell complete or as roller. Call

Commodore HSV Club Sport 1997, brand new, never driven, sold with ISmths reg, lots of extras. Unwanted prize S60,000ono. Ph: 046 262 427. .02 Subaru RX Turbo Liberty, 4WD gearbox, Bilstein sus pension, Autronic, top HP engine, steel roll cage, Kevlar seats, recent rebuild. Rally winner. Lots of spares. $POA. Ph: 02 9654 2239(AH). ,0.

J'-a

Jeff. Ph: 03 5593 1052 or 03 5593 3409(AH). 104 V

Super Sedan new chassis, roll cage with all pick up points including rear sliders, ready for your running gear, fitted-with interior and EF Falcon body $4,750 or new

1995 Vauxhall Cavalier Super Tourer, Ex Ray Mallock BTCC "WORKS" oar driven recently by Russell Ingall. Potential winner. $135,000 Duties paid (less on ifeimport). Bruce Partington. Ph:02 9482 2470. 104

Speedway

Pontiac body $5,350. Taking orders now for a limited time only. Call Frank. Ph: 045 725 949. loa TD Cortina, 4.1 alloy head, 4 speed, 500 Methanol Holley, full cage, alloy seat, 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

Formula Vee NG Elfin, 1994 NSW State Champion, El l iott Bond motor, very fast car, too much to list. $10,500ono. Ph: 03 9598 7558 Fax: 03 9521 0999. 104 Ralt RT4, ex Manage show car, Laffite AGP car, very lit tle use. totally original. Excellent cond, eligible 1998 Histories, spares and ratios included. $50,000 complete. Ph: 03 9521 0888 Fax: 03 9521 0999. 104 Lola F3000 T95-50, excellent condition, only six races old, with spares. Also '94 model Lola and Reynard avail able. Excellent pricing with flexible settlement. Call Steve. Ph: 08 8371 3700 or 015 397 622. 103 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

cam, auto trans with pedal, quick steer and power head, Bilstein SUSP, very competitive. Spare diff, wheels and tyres, panels and more. $10,000. Wayne King. Ph: 03 9715 1188(AH)or0418510 lll(Mobile). ira ROM 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. 102 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

Complete Limited Sprintcar, with spares inol Wheels, Tyres, Shocks, Rods, Bars etc. Methanol 202 Holden engine, or sell as roller with spares. Must sell $10,000. Call Brian. Ph: 07 5493 3250 or 0412 714 757. 1W

nviio Tim*

Superkart 100NGB, 1996 Mig rolling chassis, Horstman clutch, wets, 1997 Lennox aero kit, no engine, CAMS log book. This is Australia's fastest lOONGB(H) Superkart. Must sell. $3,000. Call Andrew. Ph: 03 9435 3240 or 0419 382 017. 103

package. $27,500. Ph:08 8322 3536 or 0411 176 160. 102

Speedcar 93 Beast, Mitsubishi Pajero motor. Winters diff. Spline wheels, HPD power steering box, KSE Tamden power steering, fuel pump, car built with all good gear. Complete with trailer. $25,000. Ph: 0-f 3267 521 1. 102 Super Sedan, chassis and body kit, Q99, comes com plete with front suspension and steering, includes 3 front wheels and tyres, Pontiac Firebird body kit, all tin work and TR7 V8, ex works, built 1978 by Leyland competition dept., orig. cond., 300HP engine, c/r gearbox, LSD, 4 wheel discs, competitive Targa car, genuine enquiries only. $50,000. Sydney. Ph: 02 9451 8866. 102

Fontana Midget engine, used by NSW 25, motor has been rebuilt for Aust title race, many new parts and track records. Also Stealth roller as run in Aust title. $POA. Ph: 02 9899 2676. io4

radiator. $1,500. Ph: 07 3800 6101(BH) or 09 320C}' 0652(AH). 102

Super Sedan Commodore, quick change diff, c^oil overs, ready to race, will sell complete or as a roller. $POA. Ph: 03 5996 2263 or 0419 388 192. 102 '

Formula Vee, Renmax Mk2, complete and ready to race, includes good HP Kleinig engine, car well main tained, top ten car. $7,000. Chris Cummins. Ph: 02 9876 3446(AH) or 02 9709 4655(BH). 103 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. 103 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. 103 Formula Ford , Spectrum 05, complete car is in excel lent condition, comes with strong Lamer engine, spares include 5 roll bars, 6 pushrods, 6 steering arms, wish

Commodore VNSS, 250+KW, 354 stroker, Perkins

bones, bell cranks, 3 exhaust systems, spare nose cone,

manifold, Motec, complete rebuild. Best equip, Bilstein's, Simmons 17x8, would make ideal GP Rally or Club Car,

engine cover plus more. $22,500. Glen or Ken Hastings. Ph: 03 9480 4040. 103

low Km's. Reg to 11/97. $25,500. Ph: 03 9704 1608. 102

Spectrum 05C, complete ex Bargwanna car, main

tained by Borland Racing, Dorian included. $30,000. Contact Paul Kell. Ph: 0411 199 781 or Michael Borland 03 9580 5236. 103

A Modified, production VK Commodore, new methanol 202 roller engine, 3 meetings!old, p/steer and quick steer, all gear sets, Bilstein susp, fiily adjustable, ready to race. $8,500. Call Neil Watson. Ph: 03 5382 5940(AH). im

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 Hi Bar Gambler Sprintcar, ready to race, plenty of

Very Bare Commodore Rally, one of 18 made by GMH, never raced, needs work, no tyre kickers please.

spares, less engine. $12,200. Ph: 07 3888 4915(AH) or 015 127 945(BH). 102

$15,000neg. Ph: 02 9540 1494(AH). 102 AUSCAR Sportsman, ex Nathan Pretty, rolling chassis

Super Sedan MB42, Graham Cowland VR Commodore,

Southern Cross Mk4 Challenger, 95 & 96 National

complete less motor, ideal for 1st car buyer, comes with spare set of rims, struts, radiator, 5 point fire system, new

rolling chassis, less engine, very competitive car, $12,000. Ph: 08 8534 4016. 102

class 6 Champion, built to win with no expence spared,

5 point harness. Excellent cond. Must sell. $8,900ono. Call Ben. Ph: 0414 798 174. ,02 MASCAB Oldsmobile Cutlass, 600HP, 23deg engine, complete ready to race. $18,000. Call Mark. Ph: 07 5539 6700(AH) or 07 5527 8456(BH). 102

Sprintcar 1992 Grizzly, complete roller less engine only, KSE steering, Halibrand diff. Spline wheels, spare arms, bars, nerfs. Winner 2 Hoosier Series and Premier pointscore. Must Sell $10,000ono. Call Phil. Ph: 03 5561 4196(AH)or015 041 637(mobile). km

Compact Speedcar, Datsun 1400 motor, 45deg ports, dry sump, motor layed over 55deg, fuel injection. Pro shocks, quick change diff, very quick car. Rob Rawlings, Ph: 062 916 717 or 0411 870 037, 102

highly modified legal engine with dry sump, Bilstein's, Sway Away, ATI bladder tank, braided lines throughout, Diest belts, CNC pedals, etc. best presented car last race. $10,000. Ph: 03 9428 7597. 101

Speedcar complete sellout, Harris Highbar, 13B rotary, Hilbourne injection, dry sump, splined diff, p/steer ing, heaps of spares. Will seperate 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 oar, ready to race. $POA. Ph: 03 5996 2263 or 0419 388 192. 102

Open Wheelers Datsun 180B SSS, full rally set up, ready to compete,

Holden Commodore VC, modified production, fast reliable Walker race engine, methanol, winner of many fea tures, ready to race. Must sell to make way for new car. $5,500ono. Ph: 02 9623 1427 or 018 201 758. km

spare motor and gearbox, wheels. Great performer. $3,250ono Must Sell. Call Fred. Ph: 07 3890 2783. 102

Speedcar, one season old. Stealth Gaerte, all latest equipment. Call Graham Jones. Ph: 089 454 7659. iw

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

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 Jerico and road diff/rear end. Contact Paul Kell. Ph: 0411 199 781 or Gene Cook 03 9336 2999. 10:

Elfin 600 Formula 2, Historic Group 0, log book, twin cam Lotus Ford and MkV Hewland. Fully restored and

Ex Greg Murphy Formula Holden Reynard 92D, Simoco Pacific Pty Ltd offers for sale this race winning Reynard, Chassis #023. Comes as raced in 1997 Championship season. 4th AGP, 3rd Calder, Fresh engine, Penske shocks, fire bomb, fully o'haufed calipers. Speedcar Beast 94, complete car less engine, ready for new season. Large range of spares inci wheels, shocks and tyres. All must go. Call Warren. Ph: 02 9636 8872(AH). 104

Bedeck 372ci Sprintcar engine, fresh built 650hp, clean skin block, Crower knife edge crank, Carrillo rods Ross pistons. Brown heads, roller valve train, gear drive.

Mazda RX2 Club Car, Just strap in and race, log book, fresh Mildren 13BBP, Needham box, Volvo brakes, recent

Hilborn injection, dry ^bmp. Vertex mag, complete from

ly re-shelled, full cage, harness and seat. Very reliable. Call Darrin Field. $9,000. Ph: 0417 804 537. iw

Call John. Ph: 02 943 8806. km

radiator to fuel pump, incI pipes, ready to drop in. $18,000.

Complete ready to race with spares available. Priced to sell at $75,000ono. Call Bruce Williams. Ph: 03 5335 8788 or 0418 349 555. km Swift SC92F Formula Ford, ex John Blanchard 2nd

Van Diemen RF96, '96 Australian Championship

DTE, excellent condition, just been rebuilt, includes 10/31

Winning Car. Immaculate condition. No expense spared in

diff, spare wishbones, uprights, nose cone, list goes on. Rolling Chassis $17,000ono. Call Luke. Ph: 03 578 1211.

chassis. All data and advice included. $36,000 Rolling

101

Formula Vee, complete ready to race, current log book, 5,5" chrome wheels, new tyres, 2 meetings old, numerous engine parts, fully enclosed trailer. $5,500ono. Ph: 02 9899 8264 or 015 957 576. km

maintaining. Available immediately complete or as rolling Chassis. Ex Besnard Championship winning Lamer engine, fully rebuilt, dynoed. No Miles. $8,000. Call Ian Simpson. Ph: 0418 721 776 or Michael Simpson 0418 769 896. KM

you saw it in Motorsport News

;

20June m/ FT

4 Vk r ./

Ford Sierra Cosworth 2ltr Turbo motor, gearbox, inter

AUSCAR Alloy Wheels, (Four) 14x6 Shadow five spokes, to suit Suzuki Swift, Holden Barina, Laser upto KE and Capri with reasonable tyres. $450ono. Located in Melbourne. Ph: 0418 823 475. 103

cooler, fuel pump, computer and loom. T3 Turbo and all ancillaries. $10,000ono. Ph: 0418 441 664. 103

Van Diemen RF90, Available complete or as rolling chassis, huge spares package including FULL car set of wishbones, pushrods, track rods, etc. 2 nose boxes (one new), top body, one full set of wheels, var. size new rose joints etc. Many 91 and 92 updates. Rolling Chassis $19,500ono. Ian Simpson 0418 721 776. km

13.5:1 pistons (10 of),Venolia 6" aluminium rods, Romac balancer, HV Mailings oil pump, B&M flex plate. Crane roller camshaft 625 lift, Rollmaster timing set. All balanced and fresh. $3,250. Ph JB on 0412 169 510. 103

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. 103

Trailers/Transporfers Dodge DF3 Transporter, 318 V8, dual fuel, long range LPG, tyre racks, fold up bench, flouro lights, ramps, tool trunk. $4,300ono. Ph: 03 9790 1,568 or 017 862 840(mobile). km

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 Bilsteins, 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. ra

Cbr Storage & Workshop Space, Burwood area (Vic), suit race car storage and workshop, 24 hour access, good security. Also available on-site office facilities & mechanical services. Ph: 03 9887 6217 or 018 647 626. km

’●S-n-

Getrag 5 Speed gearbox, direct drive top. Contact Ralph Price. $1,200neg. Ph: 03 9531 1088. 103

Go Kart Haase, chrome moly chassis, 40mm axle, fresh powder coating. New clubman KTIOOs motor done one meeting only. Excellent condition. $2,700. Ph: 03 9560 9564(AH) or 015 565 614(AH). 103

Drag Racing

Pontiac 1971, half chassis, ladder bar rear, 9" diff, 15x15 Weld wheels, full roll cage, fuel system, fibreglass ' doors, bonnet and boot, set up for BBC & SBC, racing seat and harness. $7,500ono. Ph: 03 9532 3550(BH) or 03 9799 1464(AH). km

Ford F350, 1977, 351 man, new engine, long rego, bucket seats, new white paint, twin gas tanks, side boxes, tyre racks, ramps, fits super sedan, goes well, no rust. $10,000ono. Ph: 02 9623 1427. km

Gearbox, Ford T5, manual 5 speed, excellent cond, very little use. $850. Ph: 03 9720 5667. 103 Top Gun 10mm leads New $75set, Mallory Pro Wire 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. 103

FIDO, 1982 model, LWB, canopy, auto, a/c, p/steer, dual fuel, 351 Cleveland, Sunrasia wheels. Pioneer stereo, Hayman Reece towbar, Reg & RWC. Truck is in VGC. $15,000ono. Ph: 03 9532 3550(BH) or 03 9799 1464(AH).

Parts

Chev Pistons, 14:1 comp, plus 30 thou. Set titanium valves, inlet & exhaust valve springs and Holley Carby. Ph: 03 9790 1268 or 017 862 840(mobile). km

Porsche Transaxle, 5 speed, suit front ormid engine configuration, fitted with 75% Quaife locking diff. As new condition. $3,600. Ph: 07 5593 7133 or 07 5526 8288. ra 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

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 I"

Airflow 220 alloy heads, Ferrera s/steel valves. Crane Tool steel springs. Crane rockers $3,000. Hilborne 2 3/16" injection $1,600. Crane roller camshaft 260 262 $250ea. Ph: 08 8263 7719 or 015 794 697(mobile). km

Sell Crane Billet roller rockers with stud girdle, near new $650. Victor Jnr manifold, ported with 1” spacer $300. Crane variable ratio roller rockers with new posi-locks $350. Lunati roller cam done 4 meetings only, rev range 4000-7200rpm with Esky roller lifters rev kit & push rods $850. Second Lunati roller cam, rev range 3800-7600rpm with Crower roller lifters rev kit & push rods, 12 meetings old $850. Ph: 045 725 949. km

-H

Large Car Trailer, fully enclosed, tandem sprung axles, 20x8x8, 4 lockable tool boxes, elec brakes with bat tery back-up, rated GVM 4000kg, stainless trim, 12' wide awning, side door, wired for 240V, fully undersealed, as new. $8,500. Ph: 07 5593 7133 or 07 5526 8288(AH). 104

Gearbox - Hewland DGB 5sp, new Emco CWP, 2 diffs spool/Salisbury, air jacks to suit if required. No damage, exc. cond. Ph: CCI 018 925 767. Pedals - brake/clutch, hanging/floor-mount, inci bias bar. Also, master cylinders, pop valves, bias cables. Ph: CCI 018 925 767, Radiators - aluminium/brass, 1, 2, 3, 4 core, new/used, various sizes large range. Priced to sell. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Uprights - Cast/fabricated, front/rear, new/used, large range. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Engines

Cosworth Ford BDA engine, Lucas fuel injection, alloy block, just freshened. $15,000. Ph: 0419 777 229 . 104 Chev 427, steel crank, L88 rods, forged pistons, exten sively ported L57 heads. Crane roller cam, roller rockers, Holley carb and manifold, stainless valves, Rollmaster

1 Historic Photos, seventies and eighties. Brock, Johnson, Richards, Senna, Prost etc. Colour and B/W. majority unpublished. Tourers, F5000, FI, Sports, also Two Litre, V8's, 500cc, Bikes. Fax for details. Fax: 02 9960

6552. KM

Number plates, RTA approved NSW. BROCKS. $5,000 or will consider trade for HDT memorabilia collection with cash adjust ment. Ph: 019126 463. KM Magazines, Sports Car World, full set plus SC road tests, SC specials. World's fastest sports cars, spare mags included from 50'S to 80's. $900. Ph: 08 9593 2511. icm Adelaide Grand Prix Memorabilia, laminated official posters from 1985, numbered Bendigo Pottery Alfa 158 plates, official programs. Call Trevor. Ph: 08 8431 5465{AH) or 0419 810

Spoilers - ex Gp A front VP, Vr, carbon fibre/fibreglass. Must clear. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Suzuki GTi Parts, set of Koni front & rear struts, shocks Chev 454, performance engine, complete manifold to & springs, 4 x 14x5 Enkie 7 spoke mags, new bond roll sump, all new parts, all machining and balancing done, cage, new Sparco seat and fittings. Superchip computer, just needs assembly. Suit drag car or boat. $5,000. Ph: 03 exhaust system, 2 x sets of brake pads, gearbox with 9338 8153 or 0419 576 614. 104 locked diff. Call Mai Hart. Ph: 07 3269 4134 or 07 5496 / Chev 6” Oliver conrods, large journal ec $1,000ono, 7848(AH). KM Wizeco pistons to suit $550, fully prepared 4 bolt steel, Brodix Chev Heads, complete with valves, springs, caped, studded block $800ono. Call Greg. Ph: 03 9758 10, Victor Jnr manifold to suit. $2,000ono. Geelong. Ph: 03 5241 4224 or 0412 599 103 . 104 5610(BH) or 03 9785 1065(AH). 104 327 large journal steel crank $500. 4 stage dry sump pump $500. Fisher harmonic balancer SB Chev $200. Moroso electric water pump $250. Goodyear slicks 33x14.5, 3 runs old $400. Ph: 03 9310 1653(BH). 104

Isuzu SBR, 6cyl, 5spd diesel, 5.5m long inside. 300L fuel tamk, 1400km range, 5m aluminium ramps, 60001b Warn winch, inside cupboards, new tyres, new interior, very reliable, clean and tidy. $12,500. Call Mark. Ph: 08 8326 5775. km

Brake discs - 7" to 14" new/recon/used, vented/solid, drilled, undrilled, steel/carbon/aluminium. Ph: CCI 018 925 767,

Wings - ex Gp A Commodore, Porsche Cup. Also alum single/dual plane, suit sports sedan, used/new. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

Motor Racing Books, magazines, n/papers. programs etc. Send self addressed business size envelope to R Krahe c/o Ballarat P.O. for list, km

Clutches - twin/lriple/four plate, 7.25/5.5 sintered/carbon fibre. Spare covers, rings, plates. Used, new. Ph: CCI 018 925 767.

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

Automobile year, 1955,62,71,73,74,79,80. Formula One yearbooks, Bathurst yearbooks, LeMans yearbooks, Indy yearbooks, Rallycourse 1982-87, World Rallying, Modern Motor 1973-93, FI News 1992-93. Call Steve. Ph: 03 9888 3875(AH). km

Toyota Dyna 2 ton Pantech, set up for Compact of Litre, generator, winch, aluminium ramps, wheel rack, bench, vice, tool board, lights. $5,000ono. Ph: 06 291 7793or019 442 712. km

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.

LX Torana, full chassis, built by Mike Reilly Race Cars, ladder bar rear, Spax coil overs, strut front end, set up for BBC & SBC. Geis centre, new aluminium work inside, 15x14 rear, 15x4 front. Car has run 8.20 @ 172mph, top qualifier at 96/97 nationals. $18,000ono. Ph: 03 9532 3550(BH) or 03 9799 1464(AH). 101

Ford FIDO, walk through van, 2 LPG tanks plus petrol 351V8, auto, air cond, p/steering, ideai tow vehicle. Can deliver anywhere. $14,500ono. Ph: 08 8382 7755 or 018 821 206. KM

Other

Chrysler Hemi, 6 cyl baffled oil sump, crank scraper, new sump plug, $85. Ph 08 8280 6131. 103

Formula Vee Elliott, completely rebuilt for 1997 sea son, fresh Elliott top HP motor, new paint, new tyres, noth ing to spend, just get in and win races, NO EXPENSE SPARED. The best available. $12,700. Mark White. Ph: 03 5971 1961(AH). ,03

Fully Enclosed Trailer, 26' long, 8' wide. Alum clad, side door. Ex cond. $5,400. Ph: 039587 1883(AH), loa

Chev 331 cu, 4 bolt mains, steel nitrated crank, Ross

Mechanical fuel injection for Phil Irvihg aluminium head, complete $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

826. 103

Wanted Clubman Sports 1300, good condition. Ph: 067 342

L Tandem Trailer, fully enclosed aluminium/steel frame, storage dimensions 14'.2” x 6'.5", lockable doors both sides and rear, tailgate and headgate, automatic applica tion and power brakes. Registered. SPOA. Ph: 03 9547 3860 or 0419 343 366, 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 Til 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. >03 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. im

chain, approx 600hp. $7,500ono. Ph: 03 9533 3550(BH) or 03 9799 1464(AH). km

259 or send photos and information to John Wainleigh c/o Po Box 288, Glen Innes, NSW 2370. icu Lolus Sports Racing Car, built Old cl961, raced Lakeside May '62 - July '63. Driven by S. Everett, Construction history required for log book. John Mason. Ph: 02 9570 2273(AH). 101 FI Tamiya Kits, un built Tyrell six wheeler, Ligier, Wolf, WRI, Ferrari 312T3, any early 1/20th considered, also wanted Mauri FI kits. Protar FI kits. Please call Andrew. Ph: 049 484 472. km NASCAR Crew Chief Required, Due to a major reconstruction of 2 NASCAR teams, we require the ser vices of 2 experienced people to take over the role of Crew Chief for a 2 car team. We have a '97 Ford Thunderbird and an Oldsmobile. Renumeration will be dis cussed in person. Applicant must have previous NASCAR experience. For more information please call John Maultsaid. Ph: 03 9770 0613. m NASCAR Crew Members Required, we are seeking aditional keen and eager people to join our 2 car team for the 97/98 NASCAR season. Prefer people with some

Wiseco/Cosworth pistons, var sizes suit 23deg S/B Chev. Assorted valve springs 1.625, SBC stud girdles, GM soft touch limiter, 0.43 Speed Pro rings, Jerico Ford Motorsport housing #M7005B, lots more, all cheap. Call Mick. Ph: 03 9572 4116. km

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20June 199/ Safety first

ing over Brock’s drive next year I hope that the HRT give Jason Bargwanna a drive.

Dear Sir,

Editorial

In recent years there have been several very severe accidents at the Philip Island race track (Greg Murphy, John Bowe, Mark Lai'kham and Bob Tweedie to name

EditofOavid Hassali Technical Editor

Jason Roberts via E-mail

Super Tourer date rethink

a few), including the one that took the life of Gregg Hansford. How many more cars have to be

Tony Glynn Assistant Editor

destroyed, or drivers potentially injured, before the management of Philip Island realise the need for gi'avel traps to slow out of control cars and bikes before they hit the dirt embankments which, in case anyone hasn’t noticed, don’t have a lot of give in them?

Ph>i Branagan Graphics Co-ordinator Viv Brumby

Advertising Atfverttsmg Manager Gerald McDornan

The effectiveness of gravel traps in slowing cars and bikes that run off the track has been proven time

Advertising Representative Paul Burfitt

Sercicce . : TalK

n to ?0 Box 1010

Cauifieic Vc 316! or fax rc

Dear Sir,

P-efefeoce w«l oe given ro :y?ec. Dilef lenen ne i^aCofMotonpor;.News Coes not necessaniy agree wuh opinions L\p:eii

to come by these days and Brockie’s status in the sport will probably remain unsuipassed.

Motorsport News, I was genuinely touched by the sentiment that Brock’s announcement evoked from

I first saw him drive at Symmons Plains in 1971 in a local modified XU-1(B&D Autos ‘Green Beast’). It was his first time in the car

his competitors and co-drivers fi-om today and yesteryear. I Was also dismayed that another motorsport publication failed to treat Brock’s announcement with

but he put on an awesome display, eventually taking some three sec onds off the car’s pervious best

the appropriate importance and placed it second to another ‘Scoop,

I write this letter as a suggestion to the ARDC and Channel Seven. The October 5 date as we know is going to clash with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and, of course, the Australian 1000 (sic) on October 19. There are more people attending V8 Supercar rounds than the Super Tourers and, naturally, more peo ple will attend the Australian 1000. With no offence intended to

Administration

f^anaging Director Chris Lambden

Contacts 89 Orrong Crescent ' , CaulTield North ViC 3161 (PO Box 1010 North Caulfield 316!) Phone. 03 9S27 7744 l ax 03 9527 7766 piTtaii: m$news@ozonline.com.au

CompuServe 100237.H65

Contributors General. Mike KaPle. Jon Thomson. Brian Reed. D.arryl Flack FI: Joe Sav/ard. Adam Cooper Europe. Quentin Spurring. Ian Bamsey, Gwyn Dolphin US Bnrr.e Smith, l^ii Morris NZ: John Hawkins Speedway: Dennis Newiyn. David McNabb, Wade Aunger, Cieoff Rounds, Mark Neale, David Lamont, Chris Metcalf, Sue Plobson, Micftae!.AtNvell, Tony Millard (UK) Rally Peter Whitten Drag Racing. Gerald McDornan, Cireg Ward, Jon Asher (USA), Dave Osiaszewski (USA). Nick Nicholas, Steven Wfiite, Ken Ferguson, Scott Jug Super Speedway Martin Clark (USA), Breit Swanson, Sean Henshelwood, Karts Ian Salvestrin, Allan Roark, Grtieme Burns, Edward Krause

TREASURED MEMORIES... Grateful fan L. Ross’photo of a wild Peter Brock and Dick Johnson at AIR in 1985, the inaugural Group A season. and time again, all around the world, in all forms of motorsport. Both my wife and I have been keen motorsport fans for many

Photographers. LAT, Dirk Klynsmith, 'Zoom Photograpnics, Neil Flammond. Nigel &. Diana Snowdon, ' Settn Hensfielwood, Biad StecHe, Thunder-Pics, Marshall Cass,

years and we both love to see a bit of biff and barge, but we were both at Philip Island the dajt Gregg Hansford died and we would not

Mike Htirding, Brisbane Motorsport, ' Frank .Midgley, John Sosher, Phil Williams. Mike Patrick (UK)

like to see'the same thing happen to another driver when there is a

HOrOfBPOKt HfWS ,, p.r'j..s:vjrl r,y Auvraawr. 'x; Me-.vi :*:y 1/r: AC\' Nn 060 ? V? 9^8 C UvT'.Dc.’pf: 0 HaiSdi;. A GJypn

reasonably cheap and proven

Publisher; C LEimbclen

Wayne Wassell Carrum Downs,VIC

Primed hy; V/llke Colof 37-49 Broir.ns Rc1 Qir^ton 3168

Brock tributes flow

means of prevention available.

Distributed by; i NDD Ucl p'jfil'Sheri WOICRSPORT <s : roDvf.gM HHcJ m,T/ no! ot* n'prudurr'.i ;r> fulf ;n n Arihccr fhf' of ttir ’ piffihshFT. Fferlnnc** tu'-i'.ubufiorA D.-p VJc-'.iOiV'j, j ar,d v.h'.lr a'.’, can: vv'.ll oe taken, ; f'ry >.t<i doe- no! stcccDl ; fnr .'iorr/P.gf' o'" inss r,i uii’ierid) : -n

nu.-P'SriUiv Ply Uc vr

i-iJi.' not

o! A'/'si.M.d-Vri'-' Mo'.or.fxjn

;

Subscriptions

11 year - 76 issues) T'Lisrr.’lie Overseas lAf Mail! fsicvv Zi?dl?n0, PNC Misraysia InJuoesa Phs'p;f)i,'i'--i, HK Japan : US. Canada

S95 AS I so AS!60 AS 170 AS 190 AS7CC

Post or fax CO .address ebove

I ADVERTISING WORKSI IT’S THAT SIMPLE! Caft Gerald or Paul on.

03 9527 7744 i

Dear Sir, Peter Brock’s retirement is an end of an era in Australian Motor Racing. Icons seem a little harder

time. His sheer speed blew every one away that day and it was the first of many flat-out drives I have seen him perform over the years. Thanks for all the memories Brockie. Your conduct on and off the track is the example all young drivers should be aspiring to, not the oppo site behaviour so prevalent today. L. Ross

shock’ cover non-story. Well done MN and I look forward to the Brock Story in the upcoming issues.

and why not make it a 24 horn- race like Spa and Nurburgring. February would be more conve nient for the European teams and drivers to come to Australia, as it would be before the European

Dear Sir, I am 14 and have collected every

Super Touring season starts and it would be better for the fans v^ho would like to see a 24 hour race in summer weather - and it wouldn’t clash with the Australian 1000.

issue of Motorsport News since I started buying magazines two

Dear Sir,

years ago. I think that the Peter Brock issue

ment will be a turning point for us

all.

But,

is one of the best I have bought. I like the poster and when the last round of the touring car series is on at Oran Park I will take it to

the

current

If Craig Lowndes will not be tak-

&; 0

Yost KaLFANHooRSTRftppeoiwro -mo5£ ut<e A

The 24 hour Super Tourer race may also increase the popularity of Super Touring racing with the Australian motorsport fans. Malcolm Webster

the race and ask him to sign it. reading

perhaps it would be worth swallow ing your pride and having a Super Tourer endurance race in February

T Coffey Templestowe, VIC ED:Wait no longer, Mr T. Brock Part One starts on page 16 in this issue.

Mosman,NSW

It goes without saying that the general public out here in motor racing land owes an enormous debt to Peter Brock and that his retire

TOGA, ARDC and Channel Seven,

South Croydon, VIC

By Barry Foley

V . £veR.VTHlNQSQtmSHeDiM TWO ACft£S.

Motorsport

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