Motorsport News Issue 123 - 27 March-9 April 1998

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NEWS

27 March - 9 April 1998

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INSIDE

’98 TAG Drag ^4 Nationals

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Our huge full-colour wrap-up of Australia’s big weekend of drag racing from Calder Park starts on Page 30

Mark Skaife interview

... and look who’s back in a Falcon!

Two veterans are ready to bounce back at Lakeside this weekend. Dick Johnson has his latest and greatest Ford Falcon ready to debut and Alan Jones returns to the Shell Series with this Tony Longhurst-prepared Falcon.

FULL DETAILS INSIDE.

After years racing with the Gibson team, Holden Racing Team’s new gun talks about his ohanged life with the factory team - P32

Special Garry Rush Poster Sprintcar racing legend Garry Rush drives his last race this weekend and we present a special collectors edition poster you can pull out and keep.

Ecclestone speaks out

YOKOHAMA

The boss of Formula 1 has some forthright views on almost any subject ... and here expresses a good many of them in our exclusive interview - P20 ISSN 1320-9744

9 771320 974012

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The Right Tools The Right Places

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27MarchW98

Johnson ready to win in new Falcon DICK Johnson is looking at get ting back into the winner’s cir cle at home when the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship treks to Lakeside this weekend.

The veteran will unveil his new generation Shell Helix-DJR Falcon in front of the faithful and is more than impressed with it in the limit ed time he has spent behind the wheel.

“It’s going fine,” said Johnson after his shakedown test on Tuesday.

“It’s quite a bit different. I feel like I have to learn the car all over again.”

Johnson said that the new Falcon was still some way off showing it’s potential but that it was “90 per cent sorted”.

“The big advantage it has is in mid-corner speed.

“It carries speed through the whole comer much better and that makes a big difference.

“It also means that you don’t have to lean on your tyres so hard, which obviously pays dividends over a race distance.”

Teammate John Bowe is likely to cast envious glances at the Shell team’s new weapon.

Although based on the design step taken with Bowe’s current car (a rebuilt earlier car, built for Sandown and Bathurst last year), DJ’s brand-spanker has a few refinements.

The car incorporates the now familiar rearward seating position pioneered by HRT before being adopted by DJR in the Bowe car.

“Without doubt it’s the best Falcon race car I’ve ever seen,” an enthused JB said on Monday.

“The build quality is superb.”

In Johnson’s favour for the car’s debut is the fact that he will be nmning at Lakeside, his long-time home turf; , “It will be a great help.

“We basically know where we are at all times, but that doesn’t mean that it will be easy.

“It will be really tough - there are a lot of cars here this weekend and the track will not make things easy.”

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n This weekend’s third round of the Shell series is proceeding at Lakeside as planned following a circuit inspection by CAMS reps Brian Shead and Tim Schenken and circuit manager David Harding.

The inspection came after fears that recent resmfacing would brealc up. Further work has been done on the surface since, with the addition of a bonding solution.

We hear, however,that the bonding solution is ice-like if it rains... n As suggested in om'last issue, TEGA is to ban the use of devices which (mechanically) vaiy braking power between front left and right wheels on V8 Supercars. Versions of the pendu lum-like device have been devel oped -though not raced - by both HRT and Shell teams, but they will be banned at the end ofthe current Shell series, essentially to avoid all other teams having to go to some expense to “keep up”. n Dick Johnson Racing will complete the move to its expan sive new premises neai- the Gold Coast immediately after this weekend’s Lakeside race. Among the features planned for the facil ity, which will be officially opened next month,is a public viewing area, as pioneered by a number of US NASCAR teams.'The team is also to provide a Ford Motorsport parts service. By the way,the workshop is located in Dick Johnson Drive...

GOOD INDICATION... Dick Johnson expressed himself satisfied with the new Shell team Falcon when he shook it down at Lakeside earlier this week and is looking for a strong result this weekend. (Photo by Marshall cass)

u is raring to go

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ALAN Jones is impressed with his new mount, the Komatsu/Castrol Falcon prepared by Tony Longhvu*st Racing, after shaking down the car at Lakeside this week.

Jones will join the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship trail two races late after join ing the Longhimst team for the third round of the SATCC this weekend.

AJ spent the day getting used to the car but still turned in some 51 second laps.

“It’s every bit as impressive as the car I raced last year,” he said.

“There’s no frills or stuff hanging off where it However, Lakeside’s surface has been patched over recent weeks to prevent off-season reseal ing breaking up and, despite recent track experience, Johnson is

Webber back with manager MARK Webber and manager Ann Neal have re-united days after their surpris ing GP weekend split.

Discussions following their return to Europe have re-constituted the rela tionship which took Webber from Formula Ford here to his current Mercedes contract.

21 year-old Webber confirmed late last week that the Englishwoman has already resumed her previous role.

This includes the servicing of existing sponsorships in conjunction with the Sydney-based David Campese Management Group, sponsorship nego tiations, total control and responsibili ty for all aspects of his media and pro motional program, the handling of dayto-day operations, and advice and guid ance on career options.

shouldn’t be. I’m very impressed vidth (chief engi neer) Ralph Bellamy’s work.”

However, during the test Jones suffered from brake pad knock-off and found that the car wasn’t 100 percent set up for him.

“You can sit in a car in the workshop until you’re blue in the face but, until you drive it, you never know what needs doing.

“I don’t have any expectations for this week end. I would like to qualify in the top 10 and run in the points and make up as much ground as I can.” / - PHIL BRANAGAN

not completely certain what will happen, “At the moment we don’t know how wide the racing line is.

The patches at the Karussel,

Eastern Hill and coming onto the straight are improving with use, but they will still ,tnean it will be tricky to pass.” / -PHIL BRANAGAN

FIA to crack down on team orders IN the finest tradition of nonsensical decision-mak

ing, the FIA World Council has decided to crack down on team orders in Grand Prix racing.

The Council said that it was informing stewards that they should severely penalise teams if there was “any act prejudi cial to the interests of any com petition”.

This effectively means that the FIA stewards will be allowed to decide if team orders ^were given and may penalise

teams as a result. There are no

guidelines to restrict such arbi trary decision-making.

What will definitely happen is that any teams using team orders will now do so in a much more disguised fashion, telling drivers to pretend to have tech nical problems, make deliber ate mistakes or bring cars into the pits for no reason if they wish to change the order of the cars.

It will be virtually impossible for stewards to ascertain when team orders have been applied

and when fate has played a hand.

This fudging of the regula tions - and the similar vague ness of the tyre regulations mean that the FIA is exposing itself to the charge that the rules can be brought into play if the World Championship needs to be manipulated to bring about an exciting end-of-' season showdown.

And that cannot be good for the reputation of Grand Prix racing.

- JOE SAWARD

n Revolution Racegear is sponsoring a new Formula Ford Hard Charger Award. The award, at each round of the Ford Motorsport Slick 50 Australian Championship, will recognise the didver who has passed the most cars, regardless of grid position. n Lakeside this weekend sees the debut ofthe Yokohama Control tyi-e for privateers.

Pre-event tests at Lakeside by a number of privateers with the new rabber have provided mixedreports. While some privateers had early complaints, these also coincided with some ofthe track surface dramas at Lakeside. n The Ferrari sportscar renaissance continued at Sebring last week when the Momo 333SP of Gianpiero Moretti, Didier Theys and Mauro Baldi added the Sebring 12 Hour to their Daytona 24 Hour win. David Brabham,sharing a Panoz GTRl with Andy Wallace and Doc Bundy, was second and won the GT category. n Winton will become a dty of tents on May Day(May 1)when the Benalla Auto Club will make camping available for fairs who attend the SATCC round that weekend. For tickets and camping sites call Winton on(03)5766 4235. n Attention all Soapie fans!

Bobbie Bakes, Macy Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful’, v/ill be at Lakeside this weekend. The American actress.is in Queensland shooting commericals. Who will she support? Will Russell and John clash again?

And will Trunk still suffer from amnesia...? n As we closed for press Colin McRae(Subaru)led the Rally of Portugal from Juha Kankkunen’s Escort by 44s, with Carlos Sainz (Escort)and Tommi Makinen (Mitsubishi)following. A full report on the rally vrill be in the next issue of Motorspoift News.

27March W98

TEGA moves on traction control

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By CHRIS LAMBDEN

DESPITE doubts from its Technical Committee con cerning the likely success of policing traction con trol, the TEGA Board has proposed a three-stage program to prevent the use of such a driver aid in V8 Supercar racing.

To some degree by-passing its technical group, TEGA’s Board recently contracted electronics expert Col Higgins, whose Motor Sport Electronics company sup plies the rev limit monitors for both TEGA and TOCA (as well as an increasing overseas market), to under take a study on TEGA’s behalf and offer some options.

Higgins came up with a

series of recommendations which were adopted by the TEGA Board at its meeting two weeks ago and subse quently communicated to all of its teams: ● An immediate expansion of the scope of the existing monitors, increasing the number of channels and thus requiring teams to fi t addi tional sensors to accommo date them.

An initial number of revised monitors will be in use at SATCC round 4 (Phillip Island), allocated randomly. ● Immediate legally-bind ing documents to be signed by current ECU manufactur ers stating that they do not have any traction-control facility fitted to existing products - also expected^ to

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be in place before Phillip Island. ● Introduction of a Control ECU, ignition system and wiring loom for 1999.

Use of the ECU for data acquisition will no longer be permitted.

Reaction to the commu nique has been mixed, espe cially in relation to the third proposal, the Control ECU. While some teams seem happy to accept a standard ised item, others believe that control of the ECU should be sufficient ie: a specific listing of what functions the ECU may and may not perform (there is no regulation gov erning this at present).

Regardless, TEGA’s Board has signalled its intention to take on the challenge of traction control, although

MOVES AFOOT... But the te^ms are still at odds over which way to go on traction control. and has access to all team ' solve the problem, source codes) has reportedly Internationally, a British kept that cap on Super electronics group, LDRA, is Touring, the company itself charged with policing both has privately confessed that El and other categories, such it is unsure whether traction as Super Touring, While its “software verificontrol is being used in El. The innovators, it seems, cation” program (where it remain ahead of the regula acts as an independent tors. inspector of teams’ software

both Board members contacted by Motorsport News this w.epk, Wayne Cattach and Garry Rogers, expressed the view that (a) the Control ECU proposal does need further thought and discussion, but (b) the increased sophistication of the current menitoring devices may well

cConville signs w.nfith Shell team CAMERON McConville has been confirmed as the fourth Shell team driver for the V8 Supercar long distance races - and could end up paired with John Bowe.

McConville was also signed by the team last year, but was refused per mission to take up the drive by his Super Tourer Audi team (at the time when V8 v 2-litre angst was at its peak).

This year he has ensured that his Super Tourer contract does

allow him to take part.

“The dust has settled a bit since then,” a cheer ful McConville told Motorsport News this week.

“I did want to make sure that I was able to take up a V8 drive at Bathurst, if the opportu nity arose...”

The Shell team’s announcement this week makes it clear that driver pairings are yet to he finalised: “I know a lot of people will start speculating on

driver pairings, but we won’t even be looking at that until after the Shell Series,” Dick Johnson said this week.

While he and Bowe have been an item for ten years, with two wins at Bathurst together, it is also no secret that Dick would like to con test the big race at least once in the same car as son Steven before he retires.

If 1998 is that year, then Bowe and McConville will find themselves paired.

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TOP DRIVE... Neil Crompton will share Seton's Falcon.

Cromiiton GTP enduro at Sandown returns with Glenn Cameron McConville

By PHIL BRANAGAN

SANDOWN will host a one-hour endurance race for the GT Production class as a lead-in to the Sandown 500 on September 13.

The race, which will be run from 11am, will feature a compulsory driver change and will be telecast on Network lO’s raceday coverage.

“We think it’s a great opportunity for Procar to get onto one of the gi'eat meet ings of the year, and to get there on Sunday with raceday atmosphere,” said Davison last week.

“The event will be of great interest for the spectators. There will be a minimum of 30 entrants and, with a 30-minute driving stint, I see no difficulty in any of the V8 drivers driving in this event.”

Davison has still to sign a deal with Tickford, which has sponsored the 500 for the last three years. “(There is) no deal with Tickford yet they made me an offer but I’m not happy with it,” said Davison.

“I want to raise the prizemoney for

that state level events can be timed by the race to $150,000, as opposed to the Dorian rather than from the grandstand.” $80,000 in ’97. 'There was also a pay ment to AVESCO via Channel 10.”

MEANWHILE, Davison has signed a Davison, who settled his television deal with 10 before the advent of three-year agreement with AVESCO to stage an event in the SheO ATCC. AVESCO, is wary that costs can get But, wliile Davison is happy to have a away.

“Last year-was the first time that the . long-term deal mplace, he has proposed a change of format for his round. event has made money. It rated very “We would like to see the Sandown well last year - 18s and 19s - and I don’t round of the ATCC be an endm-ance for think that $500,000 (appearance and mat where there would be a race of prizemoney) is achievable unless you maybe 250km with a didver change,” he have a $1.5m gi’oss.” said.

Apart fi-om the V8s, GTPs and Formula “That would give the teams a chance to Ford races, Davison is working on a GPstyle celebrity event, backed by Ford. run their lead drivers and, perhaps, give “I can see possible Ford involvement, younger drivers an opportunity to drive as well. with Sam Newman and Guy Andrews and drivers like that. (Ford Motorsport “People prefer the format of the longer Manager) Greg Harbutt is keen to race with pitstops. We have discussed it secure the event.” with (AVESCO’s) Garry Craft and Ken Potter and we are keen to settle the for The track will also be improved for the event. mat.

‘We’re proposing to expand the control “We are disappointed with the sprint race format. We took more money in 1994 tower, possibly out over pit lane. We will (at the Sandown Shell rormd) than we did move the timing over the pit area and in ’98.” there will be a line over the old pit exit so

NEIL Crompton will replace David Parsons as Glenn Seton’s co-driver for this year’s long dis tance V8 Supercar races.

Parsons is likely to stay with the team, however, bringing his Bathurst experi ence to the second GSR Falcon being campaigned by V8 rookie Rodney Forbes.

The deal, which is likely to see Crompton contest one or two Shell rounds later in the series, was announced last Friday.

“As soon as we heard Neil was available (following the closure of Wayne Gardner’s team) we spoke to him,” Seton’s team manager Noel Watson confirmed this week.

“His record with Wayne Gardner’s team was superb if you look at the splits at Bathurst he matched Wayne all the way.

“Glenn was very keen to get him” It is hoped that Crompton will contest the Calder Park and Oran Park rounds of the SATCC with the team.

“We’re all working on t3dng up the finance for that, but I’d expect it to happen,” Watson said.

Interestingly, Crompton and Cameron McConville both appear to have been at the top of both GSR and the Shell team’s Most Wanted list, both this week seeming drives.

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Ferrari to protest McLaren in Brazil

By JOE SAWARD THE Ferrari team announced last Thursday that it will protest the two McLaren-Mercedes MP413s of Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard after the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos this weekend.

Ferrari believes that the brak ing system being used by McLaren is illegal, despite the fact that the system has been given the goahead by the FIA’s technical department.

The decision follows comments

by FIA president Max Mosley that Ferrari should effectively put up or shut up.

“What is hard to understand is why Ferrari has not protested offi cially and instead chooses to com plain to the press,” said Mosley after Albert Park.

“Charlie Whiting (the FIA tech nical delegate) indicated he is in favour of such systems (but) that is not to say an opposite point of view cannot be discussed.”

Ferrari was seriously embar rassed by McLaren’s pace at the Australian Grand Prix.

The Italian team had claimed it would be battling for the World Championship this year but ended

The energy to succeed THE system which allegedly gives the McLaren team a significant advantage could turn out to be a massive boost for Grand Prix racing in the long-term.

Rival teams are already working on similar systems which use energy from the brakes to generate electrical power.

This can be stored and used to drive an electrical motor which runs the aux iliary pumps on the engine, which gives an instant boost of power of around 30 or 40 horsepower.

It can only be used for limited peri ods, which means that it is in effect a kind of “boost button” and that means

that if all the teams have similar sys tems, drivers will be able to use them to overtake as opportunities arise. n Not only will this make the racing much better but it will also, inevitably, lead to intensive research into how best to create and store electricity onboard cars so that teams can max imise the amount of time the “boost button” can be used.

And that is just the kind of research which the motor industry needs as it looks to the future with hybrid petrol/electric engines.

- JOE SAWARD

up around three seconds a lap slower than the British cars.

The Italians appear to think that McLaren is using a system which is similar to one used in various Mercedes-Benz models which links the steering with the rear brakes.

In the production cars this is done with electronics but it seems that in FI it is done by mechanical means, which means that it is legal.

Ferrari is expected to argue that

the system amounts to four-wheel steering, which is banned under Article 10.4.1 of the FI technical regulations.

Williams is already using a simi lar form of steering system, which was run by Heinz-Harald Frentzen in Australia.

We hear that the Williams team is more interested in establishing the legality of the electrical motordriven auxiliary engine pumps which McLaren is rumoured to be running.

Besnard in demand after second big win

THEY can get close to the David Besnard Show in the USA, but they can’t beat him, the Sydney youngster taking his sec ond straight round of the US National F2000 Championship at Phoenix last Sunday.

Besnard could be on his way to testing and racing an IRL car at the end of the sea son.

At Phoenix AJ Foyt and US F2000 announced that the 1998 series champion will earn the'opportunity to test one of Foyt’s Aurorapowered DaUaras at season’s end.

And the word in US racing press circles is that the leg endary Foyt has already approached Besnard.

However, Besnard said on Tuesday that he had not been approached by Foyt but would certainly welcome it...

Foyt, though, is clearly the young watching Australian’s progress closely.

In fact, his son Jerry is in his second season in the formula and, like everyone else, is having trouble keeping Besnard in sight.

“I’ve looked at the F2000 series for a couple years and like what I see,” said Foyt.

“The cars are similar to IRL with the exception of horsepower and size.

It’s close traffic and

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TOP OF THE WORLD ... David Besnard and the spoils of i ■victory after another win in the United States. wheel-to-wheel racing.”

The test, a date for which is yet to be announced, is likely to be at Phoenix, where Besnard has already shown he has excellent form.

The IRL already has sever al regular drivers who have graduated through F2000 ranks, including Jim Guthrie, Jeff Ward and Sam Schmidt.

Six weeks after his startling debut, when he drove through the field from the rear of the grid to win at Disney World, Besnard extended his lead in the series by taking a close but dominant victory at Phoenix.

The Australian drove to a 0.285s victory over American Robby McGehee, who was also second at Disney World.

Besnard’s confidence boomed when he qualified on pole position, busting Matt

Sielsky’s qualifying record v?hen he ran a startling 28.000s on the one-mile oval for an average speed of 128.16mph.

“When I went through turn one and didn’t hit the wall, I knew it would stick,” he said.

Arch-rival McGehee quali fied alongside, ahead of Jerry Fo3ft and Ryan Hampton, all three Americans in ’98 Tatuus-Fords.

Next best Van Diemen was that of cycling champion Greg LeMond, though the former Tour de France win ner was almost half a second behind Besnard.

Besnard went wheel-towheel with the American all race, but had the Tatuus cov ered all the way to the che quered flag, despite losing his clutch in the early laps of the race.

Jonathon American Bottoms was third, picfeing up a podium spot after Sam Hornish Jr crashed out of the position on the final lap.

Besnard extended his points lead over McGehee to 64-55 and was delighted with the result.

“Coming off the ovals with two wins is great because I’m used to running the road courses in Australia,” he said.

“The dirty air here is a problem at the speeds we run. If I was behind Robby, I would’ve had the same prob lem he was having.

“The yellowS'bothered me a little but, with the turbu lence, I wasn’t too worried.

“I lost my clutch on lap four or five. Normally, I shift using my clutch but had to do without.”

The next two rounds will be on road courses, with dou ble headers at Homestead on May 2/3 (on the 2.2-mile combined oval and road track course) and at Watkins Glen in New York state.

“In Australia, there are virtually no ovals so I enjoy the road courses. I like it when I can use the gearbox in a race.

“I’m happy with where we’re at now because we’re going back to my strong point on the road courses.”

-PHILBRANAGAN

n A year ago this week Williams announced that Jacques Villeneuve would he staying with the team in 1998. We expect to hear similar announcements shortly with regard to who is driving where in 1999. If, as has been rumoured, Villeneuve has a deal with Honda and Alessandro Zanardi has a deal with British American Racing, Williams is expected to chase after either Giancarlo Fisichella or Jai'no Trulli, although both ai-e under contract else where. The team is under stood to be vei-y keen on its new test driver, Juan-Pablo Montoya, and he cannot be ruled out as a possible Williams driver in 1999. n We hear that nine teams have now signed the 1998-2008 Concorde Agreement, which will take over from the existing agi-eement as soon as all the teams have accepted the terms of the new deal.

We believe the only two teams which have not signed are Arrows and Ferrari. n Eleven Tyn'ell Formula 1 cars are going to be auctioned at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June. Tlie cars are believed to be from the col lection belonging to Austrahan Tyrrell collector and sponsor Paul Stoddart.

The aviation magnate is believed to be disenchanted with what happened when the operation was sold to British American Racing.

Stoddart remains a sponsor of the operation this sea son. n The popularity of Formula 1 is booming in Britain at the moment with booking for the British GP at Silverstone reaching record-breaking levels.

Race day is already sold out and the Noi-thamptonshire circuit is considering the possibili ty of Saturday being an all ticket affair as well. ! n British Prime Minister Tony Blair has suffered greatly at the hands of Grand Piix racing in recent months. After the embar rassment of Bernie Ecclestone’s million pound donation, now Blair has become the first British Prime Minister in history to be censured by the Parliamentaiy Commissioner for Standards, who has announced that Blair was “mistaken” not to have reg istered his visit to the 1996 British GP as a guest of the FIA. Members of Parliament are supposed to declare any events they attend at which they receive more than $450 worth of hospitality. Six other MPs who went to Silverstone that day did register their visits. n Lola Cars International, the racing car manufacturer which is now run by Irish business man Martin Birrane, has just extended its contract to supply chassis for the F3000 for the next three

seasons. Lola has supplied the F3000 chassis since 1996 when it became a sin gle-chassis formula. n The FI engine formula is not due to be changed until the year 2006 but team engineers are being asked to consider ways in which the sport could embrace more environmentally-friendly regulations.

By making FI more rele vant to reducing emissions and improving fuel con sumption, it might be more attractive to car- companies. n Prost Grand Prix has relocated its drawing office, marketing and communica tion departments to its new headquarters at Guyancom-t, near VersaOles. The race team \vill remain at MagnyCours until after the Argentine Grand Prix and some of the production and research and development divisions will remain where they are for some months yet. n Italian F3 driver Alessandro Melandid has died following a crash in testing at Mugello. The 25year-old suffered head injuries on March 2 and died after eight days in hos pital in Florence. Melandri had been racing in Italian F3 for two seasons. n Niki Lauda is no longer working as a consultant for FeiTari but is expected to appear at a number of Grands Prix this year in a new I'ole, as a representa tive of the Gei-man brewery Warsteiner, which is sup porting McLaren in FI and Mercedes in GT racing.

Warsteiner is also involved in the McLaren Fonnula 3000 team -known as West Competition Team - with two more Nikis, drivers Nick Heidfeld and Nicolas Minassian. n Mick Doohan is expect ed to test a Williams Formula 1 car in Barcelona shoiTly before the San Marino GP at the end of April. The test has been organised by Winfield, which supports both Williams and the multiple World 500cc Motorcycle Champion.

H German computer company Siemens has con cluded a deal with the FIA to be the official communi cation and information technology partner for the Formula 1 World Championship. Siemens will be working in close col laboration with the TAGHeuer timing team to pro vide up to the second infor mation for viewers. n Tuesday week is a sig nificant but sad anniver sary for long-time FI fans.

30 years ago on April 7 saw the tragic death ofleg endary two-time World GP Champion Jim Clark in an F2 race at Hockenheim. To this day there is no formal verdict on Clark's death, although it is generally held that a deflating tyre pitched the Lotus into th'e Hockenheim trees.

-JOE SAWARD

S 27March1998

Johnny Herbert Fifth on the grid and sixth in the race might have been a solid start to the season, but Johnny Herbert could have expected much more at Albert Park, as he explains in the first of his regular columns:

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here was a time in the Australian GP whe.n I began to entertain ideas of a podium finish. They ended when I made my pit stop on lap 27 and found we couldn’t get the full quota of fuel onboard.

I had been really pleased to qualify fifth fastest, though the team was disappointed when Jacques Villeneuve just pushed me down from what had been fourth in the dying moments of qualifying.

I didn’t actually know that I’d been that high until I got back to the pits. I knew I’d done a good lap, but my cockpit read-out told me it was only a 1 m36s so I was a bit con fused. I knew it had been a damn sight better than that, but not how much better!

Being able to put our Red Bull Sauber Petronas so high up the grid was a major fil lip, not just for the team but for me as well, because I was on my mettle pushing as hard as I could to beat my new teammate, Jean Alesi.

Our new Cl 7 is a much better car than last year’s Cl 6. It responds far better to changes in its set-up and it handles bumps much better, so we really have a good base line now to work from.

But you can never be sure how you’ll go at the first race - and frankly our last test at Barcelona before we sent the cars to

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FOCUS OF ATTENTION: Johnny received plenty of media coverage during GP week (left) before showing his stuff with a brilliant debut for the new Sauber C17(right).

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i Australia was the worst one L’ve ever had since I joined Sauber in 1996. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong; it was just one of those weeks!

Anyhow, in Melbourne the car felt really good, both in qualifying and in the morning warm-up, when I was sixth quickest. I thought we might be in pretty good shape for the race.

For known far to too himself, thesome starterreason kept usbest all waiting long on the grid, with the result that when the lights finally did go out Giancarlo Fisichella got a flier and jumped ahead of me for fifth place. I was just able to keep Heinz-Harald Frentzen from coming past, too.

After that it was a case of settling down to chase Jacques and Giancarlo, as a couple of silver things just disappeared into the dis tance.

My main priority was to look after the tyres and even when I was doing this I found I could stay with Jacques without too much trouble. When Fisichella made his first stop I moved up to fourth, because by now Michael (Schumacher) had retired.

I had too much understeer to push Jacques really hard, so we decided on an early stop and that would have been the way

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to go. The problem was that, whatever we tried, we couldn’t get the car to take its final 12 litres of fuel, so after a long delay I got going again ... to find myself right behind Jacques again after he’d made his stop.

What was even more annoying was that Frentzen and Eddie Irvine - both of whom were slower than me - were now ahead of us. spent the rest of the afternoon chasing Jacques and suffering not just from under steer but also, from the need to conserve what fuel I had. Having been short-changed those 12 litres, I had to back off the gas in the corners and let the car roll in off the power, like I was on some sort of economy run.

Right at the end I did have one real chance with Jacques and actually got along side him in one of the chicanes, but I was on the outside and it wasn’t really on. It was worth a go, though, because he might have been rattled. Unfortunately, he doesn’t make many mistakes!

So a tough afternoon’s work ultimately yielded only sixth place when the final podi-

I

urn slot really might have been possible, but we were all slightly amazed to have complet ed our first race dfstance with the Cl7 and grateful to have recovered the reliability we enjoyed with the Cl6 last season.

Itlife is as very Formula important 1 can to retain distortaitperspective sometimes.on In Melbourne I visited the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Adolescent Ward and that sort of thing very much keeps you in touch with reaiity.

There were some kids there who were interested and some who weren’t, but I think it’s important that they just felt that somebody who didn’t know them had come to spend a bit of time with them.

My eight year-old daughter, Chloe, had a kidney problem when she was smaller, so I very much relate to kids and the staff at hos pitals who look after them, and I try to give something back.

I went there on the Wednesday and back again on the Monday to give them one of our special Play Station games.

China on standby

The FIA World Council has finally managed to confirm a 16-race calen dar for this year’s FI World Championship, hut there is no guarantee that this is the final change.

Since the Portuguese GP has fallen foul of local politi cal problems, the calendar has been left with an extra ordinary five-week gap between the final two races the Luxembourg Grand Prix at the Nurburgring on September 27 and the Japanese GP on November 1.

'This makes no sense at all for Formula 1 and we sus-

pect therefore that a 17th race will be drafted into the calendar as soon as all the teams have been coerced into agreeing.

While Bemie Ecclestone is known to be keen on the idea of South African being at the end of the season, this makes no sense from a geographical point of view and it is much more sensible for FI to visit China on October 18 and then have all the equipment shipped to Nagoya for the season’s finale at Suzuka.

Another option would be to put Jerez back onto the FI calendar a fortnight

after the Nurburgring.

The World Council last week made both these cases possible.

China has moved up to be first reserve, ahead of South Africa.

The Jerez option has been made possible because the World Council voted to remove the ban on FI races at Jerez, imposed in December,following explana tions from the Mayor of Jerez Pedro Pacheco over the farcical trophy presentations at the European Grand Prix last year.

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7

Schuey denies $125m deal

THE German magazine Bild last week reported that Fiat has offered Michael Schumacher $125 million to stay with the n Ferrari team for another three seasons.

Both Schumacher and

It’s important that kids of any age get as much encouragement as they can, especial ly those who are unwell. It’s one of the better things about being a Formula 1 driver; you get to see ways in which you can do things which make a difference to other people’s lives.

That was part of a busy pre-race schedule which was the relaxing side of being Down Under; the rest was things such as the Footy Show.

After Melbourne Jean and I headed to a presentation of the C17 by Petronas in Kuala Lumpur, then straight back to Italy for a prolonged test session at Fiorano. Jean was due to run for two days and I’d do the third.

Melbourne gave us all at Red Bull Sauber Petronas a good feeling for the season.

But of course those McLarens had us all scratching our heads and hoping that we are not in for a year dominated by one team. To have lapped the field within 36 laps was pret ty impressive.

I’m pleased for both Mika, my old team-

mate from the Lotus days, and David, one of my close friends in racing. But I’d rather they didn’t show off too much.

Jean and I want to get in on the act, too, and right now the most important thing for us is to maintain our initial momentum.

T

here are times when Formula 1 is like a mother that devours her own children.

Melbourne, for example, was the first race in 30 years that dear old Uncle Ken Tyrrell had missed, yet the show still went on.

It’s ironic, because you can get slated if you have a bad race or a bad year, but you can also get forgotten very quickly.

Formula 1 is competitive and it’s ail about success, about today, right now, and tomor row. It’s not about yesterday, not about the people who have jumped or been thrown off the merry-go-round.

It’s a terrible thing to say, but you don’t have time to look behind. It has to be evolv ing constantly, moving forward, innovating, because that is it’s nature. It is a microcosm of the harder side of life. n

mmiON

Ferrari denied there was any truth in the story, although it is likely that there are already moves being made over Schumacher’s future employment.

Michael’s current Ferrari contract, which began in 1996 and is believed to be worth around $30m a year, runs out at the end of 1999.

Ferrari is aware that McLaren and Mercedes will inevitably try to secure the

services of the German and will be willing to pay whatev er it takes to sign Schumacher for the year 2000.

It might even happen soon er as Michael has a perfor mance clause with Ferrari which could allow him to escape his 1999 deal.

Despite having won two World titles, Schumacher shows no signs of losing his hunger for success and is still only 29 years old.

Ferrari bosses are also well aware that if Schu macher leaves Ferrari, the team they have worked so hard to build in recent years would probably come apart.

An offer of $40m a year would be an attractive one

for Schumacher, although money is not totally an issue as Michael already has far more than he can spend.

The rumours may be an n attempt by Schumacher and his management to let McLaren know where they believe negotiation for the future should begin.

Michael in the meantime is having a few days of holi day after his heavy pre-season testing schedule.

He stopped off in Brunei on the way back from Australia to visit the Sultan of Brunei (brother of Ferrari sponsor Asprey’s owner Prince Jefri) and then flew on to his home in Norway.

-JOESAWARD

French GP is back

THE French Grand Prix, which has been hanging in the balance for the last six months,is back on.

The Formula 1 teams are scheduled to race at Magny-Cours as expected on June 28.

The race was left out of the Grand Prix calendar in September last year because of a dispute between the FIA

and the French government over broad casting rights.

The French eventually agreed to back down and change the law to restrict access to the race for rival channels to TFl, the organisation which bought the exclusive rights to the race from the FIA. - JOE SA’IVARD

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Searle, Ratcliff return LIKE its namesake which rose from the ashes Phoenix Motorsport will be back on the BOC Gases series trail this season, and will compete in the Century Batteries GT-P Championship as well.

Team boss Mike Quinn has confirmed that Ron Searle will drive the ex-Mark Adderton Toyota Camry in the main events and that veteran David Ratcliff would take to the Production ranl« in a cun-ent model Toyota CSi V6.

The deal is a return of sorts, as Searle and Ratcliff drove for Quinn’s Formula Ford team almost a decade ago.

“It’s good to have them back,” said Quinn last week.

“Having the current model Camry is good for our rela tionship with Toyota, while Rat’ will can also be on hand to help with the pitstops in the Super Tourers!”

Searle had several drives in Formula Holden in 1993 before concentrating on busi ness, but has been most prominent at recent events checking out both the 5-litre and Super Toming scene.

As last year, the team will be joined by co-driver Neal Bates at the Bathm-st 1000.

While Ratcliff has been in hiatus from racing himself, he has been assisting young dri vers behind the scenes, most notably Craig Lowndes and Jason IJright in then- success ful FoiTnula Foi'd campaigns.

He will drive in both endurance races, perhaps with a young co-driver to con tinue his philanthropy. Both Phoenix Camrys will carry sponsorship from Transtar Express and Ratcliff Ti-ansport Spares.

Searle will race against his cousin, Ti’oy, who will drive a BMW 318i sponsored by Roadchill Express.

Peter

Mixed F3 debutfor Aussies for the

THERE were mixed results for the Australian drivers in the opening round of the British Formula Three champi onship at Bonington Park last weekend.

Phillip Scifleet scored a win in the National Class of the event, while fellow F3 rookie Andrej Pavicevic had a fraught time,'spinning down to 13th on the final cor ner of the race.

The two Sydney drivers were very close in qualifying.

Scifleet qualified fastest in his class, immediately behind Pavicevic, separated by 0.02s but, in the race, it was former GT-Production ace who set the pace, moving up to 11th in traffic.

“I got a good start,” Andrej said on Tuesday, “^nd I stayed out of troublp when some of the cars iri front, including my team-mate Kristian Kolby, retired.

“But I was having dramas with third gear and then the car stai’ted to run hot, which meant that I couldn’t spend

’Vette?

By PHIL BRANAGAN

MURRAY Carter is looking to turn the clock back almost 40 years by racing a Chevrolet Corvette this season.

The Melbourne veteran, who will race his current Nissan 200SX in the open ing round of the Century Batteries GT-Production

LEADER OF THE FLEET... Phillip Scifleet made a good debut in the opening round of the British Formula Three Championship in his Rowan Rgcing Dallara-TOMS.(Photoby latDigital) any time at all under the wing of a car in front.”

He also lost communication with his pit crew and, not realising that he was on the last lap of the race, challenged for position and, after getting side-by-side on exit, spun onto the grass.

Despite the drama,

Pavicevic was “very happy, The car was good and the team were terrific, Scifleet also made a good start but found himself trapped behind his Rowan Racing team-mate Warren Carway at the start of the race.

But the Sydney 20-year-

old settled down and went on to win the class on debut.

His TOMS team-mate Martin O’Connell was second overall, trailing his Dallara home behind race winner, Brazilian Enrique Bernoldi, whose works Renault-powered car also qualified on pole position.

No Bathurst World Cup

By PHIL BRANAGAN

THERE will be a World Cup for Super Touring cars this season but not at the Bathurst 1000.

The FIA has allocated the race to Kyalami in South Africa, with a November 28/29 date.

But the deal is for one year only, opening the way for Bathurst to acquire the event on a long-term basis from 1999.

“We’re not greatly surprised,” said TOGA Australia’s Chief Executive Kelvin O’Reilly this week.

“It’s largely to make up for the fact that South Africa does not have a Formula One Grand Prix. The important thing is not so, much hav ing World Cup status, but the inter national television package to sup port it.”

The TV arrangements will be han dled by Bernie Ecclestone’s FIA

Promotions company. In previous World Cup events manufacturers have been highly critical of the fact that no TV package has been in place until the eve of the event and that coverage was poor.

An unexpected off-shoot of the Johannesburg race could be that local Super Touring teams could be in high demand for the annual Guia classic at Macau in early November.

“There’s a possibility of some freight arrangement to get the Bathurst cars from Australia to South Africa by sea,” said O’Reilly.

“If they get their projected field of around 20 cars, the opportunity is there for local teams to go to Macau.”

Macau promoter Barry Bland has reportedly already made overtures to get Australian teams to the colony and up to eight cars could make the trip to Hong Kong for the race.

Foundation The energy of sharing

championship at Calder, is shopping for a Corvette C5 to race later in the year.

Carter built a Corvette special open-wheeler in the late 50s and built it into a sportscar after an accident.

“We’re looking at the pos sibility to see if the latest version of the car would competitive,” he said.

“We want to have the car ready for the endurance races and, hopefully, it would be competitive.”

The US$39,000 Chevrolet features an all-alloy V8 with a rear mounted sixspeed transmission. Fellow Melbourne driver Rod Wilson has also been look ing at getting one for GT-P this season.

Ironically Carter was reunited with his old car a few weeks ago.

“I was down at Phillip Island in the Historic meet ing a few weeks ago and drove it around for a slow

i KELVIN O'REILLY

MEMBERSHIP FORM

lap.It was lovely.”

Carter will be joined by 35 other drivere in a capac ity grid for the opening round of the Century Batteries series. Defending Champion Peter Fitzgerald will renew hostilities with Ferrari’s John Bowe, while former Mazda front-runner Garry Waldon will compete full-time this season in a Dodge Viper.

Peter Brock Foundation V

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The energy of sharing

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allocated in a regular newsletter. l There will be a limited range of merchandise made available to members prior to public release. l Membership stickers will be available at $5.00 but are included in ‘Life Memberships’. l Applications for allocation offunds may be made by contacting the Peter Brock Foundation at: P.O. Box 596, Hurstbridge, VIC. 3099, and the necessary forms will be sent to you. l From time to time members will be able to jom in functions that will assist in ftirthering the aims of the Foundation,

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Watts waiting for 406 news i;

*

THE MOUSTACHE MAY BE GONE... but there's no mistaking that Manseli stare. Red Five graced the launch of Ford’s BTCC program last week and will drive a Mondeo in three races this season. (Photo by latDigital)

Mansell back in the saddle FORMER World Champion Nigel Mansell is to make a racing comeback this season at the wheel of a third factory Ford Mondeo in selected rounds of the British Touring Car Championship.

The 44-year-old British driver, who has not paced regularly since being dropped by the McLaren FI team early in 1995, has signed a deal to race in three high-profile rounds of the BTCC. There is enormous interest in the deal in the UK, where Mansell still enjoys high popu larity, and TOCA boss Alan Gow expects his appearances to boost attendance levels and TV ratings.

When Mansell contested the end-of-season TOCA Shoot-Out in 1993 at Bonington, a crowd of 60,000 turned out - more than for the European GP at the same circuit that year.

In that event Mansell proved to be very competitive in his Mondeo, but ended it with a huge accident which left him unconscious.

Rescue workers had to lift him from the car still strapped in his seat and, although he was well enough to fly home the next morning, the Fleet Street papers lapped it up with pictures splashed all over the front and back pages.

It was typical Mansell theatre and TOCA will be hoping for

New qualifying at Lakeside

more of the same this year.

The deal may be expanded if the car proves to be competitive, although it is unlikely that West Surrey Racing, which runs the Ford Mondeos, would expand to three cars permanently.

This means that one of the regular drivers - Will Hoy or New Zealander Craig Baird would have to sit out races to make way for Mansell.

The three events Mansell is committed to are at Brands Hatch (May 17), Bonington Park (June 14) and Silverstone (the final round on September 20), which are all being televised live by the BBC. - JOE SAWARD /MOTORING NEWS

PATRICK Watts is in limbo, waiting for a decision on whether to head to Australia for the opening round of the 1998 BOC Gases Super Touring championship at Calder next week.

The British Touring Car Championship mainstay is the ‘TBA’ entered to drive the Peugeot 406 he drove in last year’s BTCC and at the AMP Bathurst 1000.

But last-minute sponsorship hitches are delaying a decision on whether or not Watts will move to Sydney for the season, close to the base of Starion Enterprises who will run the 406s for he and Tony Newman.

While he understands the prob lems Watts is anxious to head south.

“I had several offers to race GT cars in England and in Europe,” the 41-year-old said last week, “but, in my heart I want to race in Super Touring racing.”

Watts had been closely linked with Andy Rouse’s Toyota Corolla project but the lateness of the car’s development - and the problems with Toyota homologating the car have left Watts without a viable BTCC ride.

“I feel like Australia is where I want to be. I think that the 406s will be competitive and that I can win races.

“It would also be good for the series to have another manufacturer at the fi-ont ofthe field.

If everything works out Watts would be the second ex-BTCC dri ver to compete in the local Super Touring series. In 19^5 James Kaye raced a Toyota Garina twice in Australia, taking the lap record at Winton and driving at Lakeside. He also raced in two Bathurst 1000s, most recently last October with John Cleland.

-PHILBRANAGAN

MOTORSPORT TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER

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By CHRIS LAMBDEN REVISED qualifying regs will apply for the first time to this weekend’s oversubscribed Lakeside SheU series round.

Bespite a reduction from an initial 40 to 36 entries, the number of V8s headed for round three of the SATCC comfortably exceeds the circuit capacity of 29.

In order- to give all entries a reasonable chance of qual ifying, the entry will be split into Level 1 cars and Level 2/Privateers, who will qualify separately shortly before the main Level 1 split session.

The fastest 25 from the sessions will qualify for the main event, plus four “at the discretion of the Clerk of Course”.

Under normal circumstances, this would be’the 2629th fastest cars, but the discretion allows for a leading car which fails to qualify due to mechanical problems to be included at the rear of the field.

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I n I n I n

World of Sport

Motor Racing Calendar Shell Aust. Touring Car Championship*

Rd3 Mar 29 .. .Lakeside Apr 19 . . .Phillip Island ...Rd4 Rd4 May 3 ... .Winton 10 round series held around Australia

Slick 50 Formula Ford*

Rd2 Mar 29 . . .Lakeside Apr 19 .. .Phillip Island ...Rd3 Rd4 May 3 ... Winton Eight round series held around Australia

Aust. Formula Holden Championship* Apr 19 .. .Phillip Island ...Rd.2 Five race series held around Australia

BOC Gasses Super Touring Championship* Apr 5 ... .Calder Park .. . .Rd 1 Rd2 Apr 26 . . .Oran Park Eight round series held around Australia

^ Aust. GT Production Series g Mar 29 ...Lakeside Rd 3 'Apr 19 . . .Phillip Island ...Rd 4 Eight round series heid around Australia

pr"

K

m

FedEx Champ Series* Mar 28 . . .Motegi, Japan . .Rd 2 Apr 5 ... .Long Beach .. . .Rd 3 Rd 4 Apr 26 .. .Nazareth

11 race series held around the United States

Indy Racing League Rd 3 May 25 ...Indy 500 19 race series held around the United States. Australia. Brazil and Japan

C-.

fA

^ FIA GT Championship ^ Apr 5 . . . .Estoril ..

H Apr 19 ...Germany E

Rd2 Rd3

10 race series held around the world.

Formula 1 World C'ship Rd2 Mar 29 . . .Brazil . . .

Rd3 Apr 12 ...Argentina Apr 26 .. .San Marino . ...Rd4 16 race series held around the world

Winston Cup NASCAR

Mar 29 . . .Bristol . . . .

Apr 5 . . ..Houston ..

Apr 19 ...Martinsville Apr 26 ,. .Talledega .

Rd6 Rd7 Rd8 ,Rd9

33 race series held around the United Slates

NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series

Apr 5 . ...Rockingham .Non points ,Rd5 Apr 19 . . .Atlanta . .

Rd6 Apr 26 . ..Richmond 22 race series held around the United States

500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix C'ship*

Mar 29 . . .Indonesia Apr 5 . . ..Japan ...

Rd 1 Rd 2

16 round series held around Australia

World Rally Championhip*

Apr 20 . . .Catalunya . ... Rd 5 Rd 6 May 4 ... Corsica 14 rally series held around the world

I n I_■

All event dates in this calendar were 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.

n Youth is an asset to Greg Moore. Nine months after he became the youngest-ever CART race winner he became the youngest-ever polesitter in Miami. When he won his first race in Milwaukee last year he took the next one as well. n The soon-to-be ArcieroWells driver Robby Gordon subbed in ABC TV’s commen tary box for the weekend. n Alex Zanardi is very consis tent. His Homestead third was his eighth podium finish in list last nine starts(which excludes California last season). His ‘fail ure’ was a fourth at Vancouver last season. n Andretti’s win was the third time in five years he has won the first race of the season, after Australia (94) and Homestead last season. It was also Goodyear’s first win in 12 starts... n Good and bad pews for Finland. JJ Lehtp had to start from last after ipissing qualify ing but, in the pre-race warm up, his Hogan Reynard-Merc was third fastest behind Zanardi and Fittipaldi. His watching manager Keke Rosberg was a happy man. n Homestead founder Ralph Sanchez stepped down at the CART opener, saying he’d brought the facility as far as he could and would now relinquish the control to “someone pre pared to keep his dream alive and expand on it”. New majority owner Roger Penske compared the track to a race car engine and said,“We’re gonna put some more horsepower in that engine.” Penske’s main priority is to upgrade the spectator facil ities and secure a NASCAR date. n What are those Austrians doing, bathing in energy drinks?

First there was Red Bull, then Power Horse. Now another Austrian didnk. Dynamite, has appeared as a new sponsor for PacWest drivers Mark Blundell and Mo Gugelmin. It is said to contain loads of caffeine and enough sugar to put a dentist’s family through university...

There’s no place Report by PHIL MORRIS

MICHAEL Andretti hit the ‘replay’ button to start his 1998 FedEx CART Championship season, but Greg Moore was the man to beat at Homestead in Florida.

Andretti repeated his 1997 win in his Newman-Haas Ford-powered Swift, beating Moore to the line by a scant 0.07s. Defending Champion Alex Zanardi was a solid third after leading away from the final pitstop, only to have Andretti and Moore run him down in traffic.

“The last five laps, I played it real conservative,” Andretti'said. “I was almost too conservative. But I think I still had something left there if we need it.”

The Canadian was a man robbed though, a stuck jack in the first pitstop almost ending his challenge.

Moore was stunning in qualify ing. Scott Pruett and Gil De Ferran had set times identical to the thou sandth and the first 19 cars cov ered by one second. It was very close. ... Until Moore qualified. He was an unbelievable third of a second almost three mph - clear of the opposition in his Forsythe Reynard-Mercedes, and then said he felt he could have gone faster!

“Actually, I thought there’d be two or three guys who’d run in the 24s,” said Moore. “We knew we had a good shot at it.”

Best of the rest was Penske debutant Andre Ribeiro in the new PC27, Jimmy Vasser and .Christian Fittipaldi in the other Swift 009i.

Of the rest Mark Blundell was seventh, despite running a yearold car and engine, just ahead of Andretti. A1 Unser Jr was 14th, Tony Kanaan led the rookies in 18th and Paul Tracy was a careerworst 21st, 0.7s and eight places behind Team Kool off-sider Dario Franchitti.

The first sector of the race fol lowed qualifying. The green flag waved and Moore charged away, building a lead of as much as seven seconds before rookie Tony Kanaan brought out the first cau tion flag when lie hit the fourthturn wall on lap 34.

On the ensuing pit stop, Moore’s

.-‘S’: r.

rear air jack stuck. His crew quick ly changed to a manual jack, but it took 19.9 seconds to get him out.

He was then called back so the crew could remove the stuck jack, and Moore went from the lead all the way to 17th - the final car on the lead lap.

But he kept cool, picking off posi tions one at a time as he moved slowly back into the top 10 and then into contention. His crew used the standard jack for the team’s second pit stop, and chose not to change tyres on the final stop.

“Basically, if you let it bother you. there’s no way you’ll get back up through the field,” Moore said.

“Nobody panicked, and second place is pretty good.”

Of the rest Christian Fittipaldi was strong in fourth, the highlight of his race being when he dived under Moore for third, only to have

the blue Reynard sit it out with him, fighting him off at 200mph.

The Patrick Racing pair of Pruett and Adrian Fernandez(who topped practice) followed ahead of Gil de Ferran, who gambled and lost after he stayed out during a yellow flag and had to pit under green while leading three laps before the final caution.

Bryan Herta, Franchitti and Mauricio Gugelmin followed to round out the top 10.

The established stars of the series had varying forttmes. Vasser was 16th after losing time in the pits with handling problems, while Bobby Rahal started his final sea son as a driver with a 19th, losing time while his team chased his handling.

Unser was making ground in the middle of the race until the trans mission failed in his new car, while

Robby Gordon is Toyota's new Hiro ROBBY Gordon is heading back to the FedEx CART Championship after the announcement that Hiro Matsushita will retire this season.

As widely rumoured before the sea son Matsushita will hang up the hel met, but he will complete the Motegi, Long Beach and Rio before handing his Toyota-powered Reynard over to Gordon.

Gordon, who walked away from a full-time CART ride in 1996 to pursue an unsuccessful drive with Felix Sabates’ Sabco Chevrolet NASCAR team, will make his first 1998 appear ance at Nazareth on April 26.

He was employed at the start of the season as a development driver for Arciero Wells Racing after showing he had lost none of his open-wheeler speed in a one-off drive for Carl Hogan at Fontana’s season-closer last October.

“I have known that the time has come to withdraw from this field by realising that my inspiration to make a full-fledged effort has diminished,” Hiro said.

The Californian-domiciled Japanese will continue to concentrate on his motor racing business interests, most notably Swift Cars which builds CART cars for Newman-Haas Racing and Della Penna Motorsport.

Californian Gordon has two career CART wins and previously drove for AJ Foyt and Walker Racing.

He will carry on Hiro’s sponsorship from Panasonic (which is majorityowned by Matsushita’s family) and Duskin.

Arciero Wells Racing’s second car.

Max Papis’s MCI-sponsored car, will be unaffected by the arrival of Gordon.

- PHIL MORRIS

MUSICAL CHAIRS... With Matsushita (right) announcing his retirement Gordon (kneeling) and Papis will carry Arciero Wells' colours this season. (Photo by Jams SquimAtspom

]

II

n NDY LIGHTS

like Home Morris sixth in Lights debut

Tracy mounted one of the charges of the race to fifth until he walled his Reynard mid-race.

Points after race one: Andretti 21, Moore 17, Zanardi 14, Fittipaldi 12, Pruett 10, Fernandez 8, de Ferran 6, Herta 5, Franchitti 4, Gugelmin 3, Carpentier 2,Blundell 1.

SAME OLD SAME OLD... Andretti showed up at Miami with a new car, new wife and new beard but got the same result at Homestead.

Moore led the field away(below) and finished a strong second.

(Photos by LAT Digital) E

PAUL Morris has made a strong debut in Homestead’s Indy Lights Championship.

The two-time Australian Super Touring champion finished an excellent sixth in his first oval race after driving through the field from 19th on the grid. _ He was the third-highest placed rookie at the finish of the race, which was won hy Japanese veter an Shigeaki Hattori.

Monis qualified well back after improving all the way through the practice sessions.

“It wasn’t until the last practice session that I got down to where the top guys were running,” he said after the race.

“I was getting more comfortable in the car and feeling good but I wasn’t aggi’essive enough on my warm-up laps. I got big understeer and lost 0.7 on my best practice time.

“If I had done my practice time I would have been fifth on the grid.”

At the start of the race Morris was immediately more comfort able. , “I passed a couple of cars at the start and got up to about 10th or llth before a restart. The fuel load got fighter and I just got faster and faster.

“Then about five cars went into turn 1 right in front of me and none ofthem came out...”

The drivers - Airton Dare, Felipe Giaffone, Naoki Hattori, Mike Borkowski and Jorge Goeters

DUDE STORMS DADE COUNTY... Morris follows Clint Mears In the warm-up. Mears crashed soon after. Below the Diet Coke-dad Aussie (Photos by PacWest Motorsport) discusses set-up with a PacWest engineer.

I n

- all hit the wall, and retired.

Morris emerged through the chaos in eighth and picked off another spot. With four laps to go his team-mate (and Indianapolis flat-mate) Didier Andre suffered fuel starvation, dropping him to llth.

Biggest casualty of the weekend was oval specialist Clint Mears.

The son of Rick Mears topped the warip-up times until he hit the wall,' dislocating his shoulder. He is expected to miss the next round

Yii.

of the championship.

Monis was not overly impressed w'ith some of the driving skill shown by his competition.

“There are a few drivers who are : their own worst enemies. They seem to malce these moves for posi tion and lose momentum whereas, if they plaimed things and waited a lap, they could get through clean-

ly “They went through about six of them-over the course of the week end. It’s an expensive exercise.”

12

2IMafch 1998 '

Ford's Generation i^dan XR steps forward

n While Formula One Holdings decides whether to float or not, CART’s float on the New York Stock Exchange has gone ahead. The 37 percent of the company floated raised US$75 million ($110m)and CART has already used the capital to buy the Indy Lights series from Roger Elliott. They will buy another series (probably Atlantic) before the year is out and, possi bly, a ‘fourth-tier’ driver training facility.

A FIVE-round Australian

n Aussie Troy Bayliss has pulverised the Superbike lap record at Brands Hatch. The British series, which kicks, off at the Kent track this weekend,is shaping up as a battle between Bayliss’s GSE Ducati 996 and Pom Sean Emmett, who heads the big-budget Reve Ducati squad. n CART rookie Helio Castro-Neves survived a hefty, rearwards shunt into the turn four wall at Homestead during prac tice on Friday. CastroNeves, 22, half-spun his .Tony Bettenhausen f Reynard-Mercedes into the wall, recording an instantaneous loading of 135G! The remarkable thing was that CastroNeves never lost con sciousness, suffered no injuries and was driving again the next day, quali

get intense, with the best Formula Ford drivers lining up for the oppor tunity to impress this weekend.

Lakeside’s FF round will be the last chance for the young drivers to secure an ‘apprenticeship’ with Glenn Seton Racing, Dick Johnson Racing or Stone Brothers Racing.

Then one of them will get- to race at Bathurst with Tony Lopghurst Racing.

With three spots up for grabs, the prob lem is too much talp'nt, according to Ford Motorsport Manager Greg Harbutt.

“The only problem is that, with so many good drivers in Formula Ford at the ates moment, some very worthy candi(| will have to miss out,” says Harbutt.'

Mark Larkham, himself a former win ner of the FF title, is delighted to be in a position to assist the scheme.

“Climbing the motor racing ladder is not easy, as most aspiring drivers know, and if I can offer some clues in avoiding the pitfalls out there, then I’m only too happy to help.

“I only wish there was something like the Generation XR program around when I was in Formula Ford.”

ONLY ONE AT A TIME, LADS; Mark Larkham has a seat for a young driver and (L to R) Tim Leahey, Greg Ritter, Adam Macrow and Dugal McDougall all hope it’s them.

fying 22nd.

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Sports Sedan Champion ship has been confirmed for 1998.

Oran Park, which has sup ported the category strongly since the days of the 70s Toby Lee series, will stage four of the rounds, with the fifth at Mallala.

A minimum $70,000 prizemoney purse has been offered for the series, which kicks off at Oran 'Park on April 5, with subsequent rounds scheduled for June 14, August 2(SATCC round), August 22 (Mallala) and a November 1 finale.

The championship will fea ture on the SBS Speedweek programme as well as on Foxtel.

Sports Sedan Association President Bill Emeny expects the series to be a step in rebuilding the profile of the categoi-y: “Sports Sedans are an ideal feeder category for V8 Supercars,” he said.

“There is no other category in Australia which provides high horsepower, close sedan racing similar to the V8 Supercars, but without the massive budgets.”

THE race to be one of Ford’s ‘Generation XR’ drivers is starting to

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Pioneer ciggy sponsor considering FI return

By JOE SAWARD BRITAIN’S Imperial Tob acco company is looking closely at an involvement in Grand Prix racing as part of its plein to expand sales around the world, particularly in Asia.

Imperial has been a major player in motor racing sponsor ship from the very beginning.

In 1968 Imperial and Team Lotus did the first major spon sorship deal in Grand Prix rac ing history with the Gold Leaf brand backing the team for three years, which led into the rlonging John Player Special sponsorship of Lotus.

Imperial was also involved with the Shadow and Hill teams in the early 1970s vrith its Embassy brand Imperial Tobacco controls nearly 40 percent of the

British tobacco market.

The company is involved in a number of sporting sponsor ships at the moment including snooker and rugby but is look ing at FI because its major rivals BAT and Gallaher are both involved and because of the European legislation which means that tobacco sponsor ship wiU be allowed to contin ue in FI until the year 2006.

No decision is expected from Imperial until it is clear whether or not the FIA is going to biing in its own ban in 2002.

The obvious team to back is Tom Walkinshaw’s Arrows operation, which is one of the few not to have tobacco money behind it.

There have been rumours for some months that the team is negotiating for a big tobacco deal and it is worth noting that

the Arrows team’s commercial director Jackie Ohver was an Embassy Shadow driver in 1973.

Guy Edwards, who is also helping the team to find money, has also enjoyed good connections with Imperial, through the Rizla cigarette paper company, which is owned by Imperial.

If the team did land Imperial backing it would almost certainly be with the John Player Special brand as this is still heavily linked with motor racing as a result of its FI successes in the 1970s and 1980s.

It is perhaps convenient that Arrows chose a black colour scheme for this season.

It is also worth noting that Pedro Diniz - usually a Marlboro driver - has no tobacco badges this season.

BACK IN BLACK... The Arrows F1 cars could soon look like this John Player Special Lotus 77, driven here by Mario Andretti in the 1976 Dutch Grand Prix. (Photo by lat Archive)

He who pays the piper calls the tune somewhere that Queen The Victoria otherwas dayterrified I was reading of bish ops. This seems rather strange as most of the bishops 1 ever encoun tered were perfectly lovely people.

Eccentric perhaps, but never very nasty.

It seems that Victoria’s problem dated back to when she was a toddier, when she was so frightened by the imposing white wigs which the bishops used to sport that she hated being in their presence for the rest of her life.

By the time she was on the English throne it was no longer acceptable to bum them and so she just had to quake quietly whenever the men in purple came to call.

I have to confess that in the last few months I have started to devel op a fear of members of the FIA World Council. I suppose one would call it "blazerophobia".

There is no logic in this feeling because most of the members I have encountered over the years seem rather like bishops; rather mild-mannered and the sort of peo ple one might meet at a golf club or a Rotary Club function.

What scares me about the men in blazers is that they represent the only check that exists on the power of the FIA President and his chums.

BARRED: David Coulthard will be heavily penalised if he again lets teammate Mika Hakkinen ahead to win a Grand Prix.

(Photos by Allsport)

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J Sir.;.

0 >A

By Joe Saward ber-stamps what they are told to rubber-stamp. They are being used and they know it, but it is a comfort able arrangement and easier than trying to challenge the system.

Having said that, having some one in control of a business like motor racing is not always a bad thing. I do not see anything wrong with a strong FIA President. There are so many egos running rampant in the sport that it takes a dictator to get anything done.

Aally benevolent dictatorship is gener a good thing, but there comes a point in any such career at which powerful people lose sight of This is not Mosley to suggest the the right objectives.

President is a that megalo maniac - although I have heard it When that happens it is only a said in the press room on occasion matter of time before somebody - but rather because he might sharpens up a knife and sticks it into become one. the King’s back. Mosley did it to his predecessor Jeanu nrrSprv Marie Balestre and, ur uvr 3 , If |.^g |g someone is going to do it to him.

It would probably be better if the World Council was Mosley has very cleverly worked a little more feisty and made the the sport into a situation where it is occasional stand rather than some firmly under his control and that of of the daft decisions that are made, though. his paymaster Bernie Ecclestone.

There is an old English proverb A good case in point |s the recent which ruminates that “he who pays announcement that teams are no the piper cails the tune”. The FIA longer going to be allowed to use gets a nice slice of the F1 money pie team orders.

These have existed since the and so everyone is happy, in the course of life one learns that, more start of the sport and were originally often than not, it is money that talks based on the very simple principle that he who pays the piper calls the louder than logic, principle or philos tune. The men who owned the cars ophy.

The ultimate power always lies were rich. Sometimes they loaned with the person who has the biggest out cars to others but they did not cheque book and so peopie in F1 want to be beaten and so the men in often think that it is Bernie who runs the other cars accepted that they the sport. There is an element of would give way if the boss wanted to truth in that, but without Mosley’s come through.

There is nothing wrong with that charm and political guile Bernie would not be in the situation he cur- principle. It is merely accepting rentiy enjoys. reality.

Later on, team bosses -the men I prefer to think of them as a dou ble-act; like Laurel and Hardy, who pay the pipers - took over and Wallace and Gromit, Tom and Jerry. called the shots.

There are many sound reasons Up against Bernie and Max, the World Council has proved itself to be why they should be allowed to do it. a toothless body which merely rub- Sometimes they need to promise

To stamp out team is a ridiculous decision

and a wrong one.

such things to a driver in order to secure his services, sometimes a big sponsor wants a certain driver to win, sometimes it is a way of paying back a driver’s loyalty - a good prin ciple for nurturing team spirit.

As long as the drivers are paid, j they can be swayed to do what they ; are told to do. The only exceptions are the men who pay to drive and in my experience the very rich tend not to be the very fast. They have too much to lose to take the risks neces sary.

The decision the FIA Council to try by to stamp outWorld team orders is a ridiculous decision and a wrong one.

Racing to a team tactic - as Ferrari did brilliantly last year in Suzuka, for example - is a way in which the sport can be made more interesting.

On that occasion, if you need reminding, Michael Schumacher needed to win the race. Jacques Villeneuve needed to keep Michael behind him and so Ferrari used Eddie Irvine to hurtle to the front - Schumacher helping the Ulsterman make one particular manoeuvre by backing off at the right moment.

Now Eddie could have stayed out in the lead if Michael had failed to get past Villeneuve during the pit stops, but Schumacher did what was necessary and emerged ahead. Irvine let him pass and then blocked Villeneuve for the rest of the afternoon. The result was a very interesting race but was full of “acts prejudicial to the interests of any competition’’.

As usual, however, the FIA has covered itself because the announcement is phrased in such a way as to make the application of the idea totally arbitrary and what it really means is that, if the FIA needs to juggle the situation in the World Championship to guarantee an exciting showdown, it has a,means of influencing events if it chooses to do so.

It will not, of course, stamp out team orders. All that will now hap pen is that the execution of those orders will have to done in a iess obvious fashion. In future a driver who has been ordered to let his teammate through will not be able to say, “I let him through” but will now be forced to say, “I made a mistake and he got past me”.

O

ut of the cars, drivers are ulti mately puppets in the hands of the team bosses. They are toid what to say and if they want to keep their jobs that is what they say.

So what has been achieved by the anti-team orders statement by the FIA? A paint job. The governing body has made out that it would like

UP IN THE AIR: the two McLarens run away with the Australian GP at Albert Park, completely dictating the terms of the race. to see fair competition. Rah-rah-rah, bring on the cheer leaders.

How one can take such a deci sion seriously when it comes from the same body that last autumn decided that Michael Schumacher should not be punished for obviously trying to drive Jacques Villeneuve off the road in the European Grand Prix at Jerez is beyond my comprehen sion.

They must think that motor racing spectators are morons.

While there is nothing wrong with logic being based loosely on the pur suit of money, it seems to me that the FIA World Council is now too docile.

The Formula 1 calendar is daft, but every year the World Council rubber-stamps the dates it is given.

No-one ever gets up and says; “Urn, isn’t it silly to have a race in Australia ali by itself. Why don’t you put Melbourne together with Japan at the end of the year like it used to be?”

The answer, of course, is that Melbourne paid so much money to Bernie Ecclestone to be the seasonopener that F1 could not say no ... and, as we have already deter mined, he who pays the piper calls the tune.

The fact that the whole FI circus has just been around the world in eight days going to Melbourne just does not make sense - unless you are looking at the account books.

Things do need be changed, but I guess thattowhen you are playing the power games that Bernie and Max now are it is inevitable that such mundane matters are easily forgotten.

We can all say, “If I was in control it would be different', but we cannot judge whether we would begin to think in a warped fashion as well.

It may be that the problem will never be solved because the worthy and the logical do not inherit the earth. They sometimes get to bor row it for a while, but it is never very long before a “revolution” turns full circle. It is a savage irony that every system which is overthrown is soon replaced by one that is as bad or worse than the original.

The only answer I can think of is very simple!

FIA Presidents and their deputies should be limited to two terms in office. This would ensure new blood and new ideas and might give'the pipers the chance to play what they want to play... n

u

Opportunity knocks tor Super Tourers n n

By PHIL BRANAGAN

THE 1998 BOC Gases Super Touring Champion ship hits the track at Calder Park next week and the series looks to be up for grabs between Audi Sport Australia, Volvo and, perhaps,Peugeot.

Considering that people have been predicting the iminent demise of the whole show, that in itself is quite good but, compared with the current boom in V8 racing at present, grids will appear a little thin to those more used to watching Shell series events.

Bad news first; BMW Motorsport Australia is gone.

The absence of the best-fund ed team in tbe series and Paul Morris and Geoff Brabham will really, really hurt the series in the short term.

The upside is that it cre ates a genuine opportunity for a local importer to get some curi’ent spec missiles, add talented drivers and win some races.

But, will anyone do it?

Nevertheless, the competi tion for wins should be almost as strong as ever.

Could this finally be the year in which the frontwheel drive brigade will break through in Australia?

While front-drivers have dominated going into this season the FWD win count still stands at one, Steven Richards’ win at Winton two years ago.

While that may happen, Audi start the series as co favourites and carry a lot of expectations into the year.

Brad Jones and Cameron McConville both had strong runs at the Grand Prix sup port races two weeks ago and both will be looking for more of the same.

The signs are good. The team has two 1997-model A4 quattros to play with and, while the car is not quantum leap over the older machines, they are certainly at least a little bit faster than the ’96s.

Most of the point-andsquirt tracks used in the championship will suit the AWD Audis better than the fast and smooth Albert Park track, while the team’s switch to Michelin tyres will bring it into line with its BTCC and European coun terparts, despite the fact that the Euros have switched to the front-wheel drive car.

Sharing favourite status with the German cars will be

"

SLIVERS of SILVER...

Volvo’s S40 is a genuine threat to the opposition. After three years their breaktrough season beckons.

ANYMORE 1-2s?

McConville and Jones look strong for Audi, the AWD A4s now rolling on Michelins.

(Photos by Marshall Cass)

Volvo Australia’s S40. The car ended the 1997 season as one. of the ‘if onlys’ of the BTCC, with only one win for the year after much was expected from Rickard Rydell and Kelvin Burt.

But there is a lot expected of it in Australia. For a start the opposition is not a uni formly strong as in England, and the car is well-proven under the skin. The mechan icals are similar to the pack age in the 850 that the team has run over the last two seasons but, in a smaller and more aerodynamic package, the car is sure to translate potential into performance.

Lastly, Jim Richards is driving. As if much more needs to be said.

The other cars which look likely of‘fixing’ the sad FWD stat are Paul Grimm’s Peugeot 406s. The cars went very quickly at Bathurst last year and, with all respect to Tony Newman who will be driving one of the cars, all they really needed was a front-line driver and ‘Class A’ mbber from Michelin to go straight to the front of the I field.

They get both with Patrick Watts. The bespectacled Pom is one of the most experi enced drivers in the BTCC and heads to Australia with

Into the breach left by winning races on his agenda.

Australia steps He has tons of expeidence, BMW went like a blur at Bathurst Cameron McLean. The Queensland Independent has last year and will be highly motivated to right the fact been, perhaps, the success of that he is yet to win a Super the BOC series. Each year he has stepped up a level and Touring race.

If Watts comes - and, as now, with two national titles we closed for press, it was under his belt, he looks still an ‘if - he will be com ready to mix it up with the big kids. ing to win races. And if and The signs are there that he when that happens it will be interesting to see if Peugeot’s can do it. Last year he had a local importer’s ‘Sergent frustrating season with the Schultz’ attitude - we know Opel Vectra, with a lack of nothing - changes. The support (or, even, acknowl series really needs more edgement) from Holden and a lack of downforce from his manufacturer support and aero kit (which the BTCC this looks like a prime oppor 'Triple 8 team even described tunity.

Don’t dismiss Newman as ‘shite’). either; in the older 405 last In its place is the exMorris BMW 320i, complete season he stacked up pretty well against Dwayne Bewley, with enough spares to run it almost for a season. At a noted talent. And he will be Albert Park McLean spent pleased to be'in Australia where we have electricity, little time reacquainting unlike his Auckland home himself with the rear-wheel .-drive Bimmer and finished base...

BRITISH INTERLOPER... Watts promises to be one of the stars of the series, if he makes it Down Under. MOTOROLA MOTOR MOWER?... McLean has impressive sponsors and the ex-Morris BMW is the car he needs to win.

(Photos by John Morris/Mpix and Dirk Klynsmith)

on the podium for the first time.

McLean’s small team is no BMW Motorsport but, vdth a growing list of sponsors (now Motorola is on board) and enthusiasm beyond the call of duty McLean could, quite conceivably, rock tbe boat of the factory teams.

Some BMWs in the series will be shared by two drivers.

The familiar Faber-Castell Racing 318i will be driven by Justin Matthews but the Sydney driver will miss his first ever BOC round while he is in the USA with his ill mother. Veteran’s veteran Bob Holden will drive at Calder and, depending in Matthews, perhaps later in the series.

The other pairing is Craig Bradshaw and Anthony Robson, driving the exLonghurst ‘punch-up’ 318i in rotation and sponsored by donut chain DCM.

Troy Searle will also miss the first race in the series he, too, is in the USA - but his cousin Ron will make his Super Touring debut in the Transtar Express/Phoenix Motorsport Camry. The exMark Adderton car reached a peak at the end of last season and, given a few races to get familiar with the Toyota, Searle should be in the thick ofthe Independents’ battle.

Two other two car outfit in the series will, be the Honda Accord duo, Adderton and Graham Dodd, and Peter Hills and Paul Pickett in Hills’ Ford Mondeos. ‘Addo’ moves into the ex-Steven Richards car after consecutive seasons in a Peugeot 405 and Toyota Camry, while Kiwi Dodd has bought the ex-Neil Crompton Tasman Accord.

The machinery is certainly strong and Adderton, in par ticular, has a good record. In his most recent race at Amaroo Park’s 1997 BOC finale he dominated the Independfents’ ranks to take his first wins in the class.

Dodd’s car may be newer but, at this stage, it was due to arrive during the week of the Calder opener and is unlikely to appear until the second round.

Hills and Pickett join forces after spending a lot of ontrack time together while PP raced his Hyundais over the past two seasons. While nei ther expect their Wattyl Spartan backed Mondeos to be up with the latest rocketships, the V6 cars showed improved pace at the end of ’97 and should move up.

After prematurely announcing his retirement at the end of last year Bob Tweedie will be back in his Vauxhall Cavalier, looking for a driver in his second car to back him up.

Another ex-Richards car, the Nissan Primera he drove last season, will be taken over this year by Adam Kaplan, the Formula Holden driver who has hmited ‘tin top’ expe rience.

Elsewhere look for battles between David Auger’s fire engine red Alfa Romeo 155, John Henderson in the Opel Vectra and Milton Leslight’s neat black Toyota Carina.

Mike Fitzgerald will also be back, having spent the sum mer repairing his older Peugeot 405.

While we will miss the works Beemers the opportu nity is there for the Audis, Volvo, Peugeots and McLean to take the honours.

15

IVIARK WEBBER After an interesting week back in Australia, Mark Webber is back in Europefor his debut Mercedes GT season: haven't had my first race yet, but I've already notched up 18 international flights, countless domestic ones and almost 100,000km so far this year! At least my Qantas frequent flyer points are looking good.

My last trip back to Australia was, of course, for the Grand Prix, which I had been looking fonward to for ages, and with the race car going out there it turned out to be a real success.

I know I thanked all the people who helped to make it possible in my last col umn, but it really was a great effort and I was pleased to have been able to show everyone what I'll be doing this year.

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i

i

Of course, I've never driven a race car at high speed with someone alongside me before and I was really amazed at how they were almost turned into rag dolls! Some of the guys were kissing their knees in the braking areas and in the right-hand corners they were trying to kiss me! I definitely had a few giggles to myself!

After I had a few things lined with Calder, Mercedes at the Motor Show andupit was good to work with them in Australia.

Continued on Page 46 AUSSIE IN THE BIG TIME... Our man Webber in the doorway ofthe Mercedes transporter at Jerez(above), where the new prototype produced to assess a possible Le Mans attack (below) was also being tested by his new teammate, Bernd Schneider.

(Phnins by lAT DigiUll)

Although mainPrix, event the able CLK-GTR was thethe Grand wefor were to do a lot more with the car besides. In fact, the thing I was looking forward to the most was giving 'taxi rides' at Calder on the Monday prior to the Grand Prix.

Mercedes-Benz Australia organised the day for members of the media and some of their own VIP guests and it was great to be able to show people the amount of G-forces you can pull in this car, and how impressive the braking and power both are. I think I proved the point!

A certain Phil Branagan called it quits after a lap and a half. One more hard brake and he was close to ... well. I'll just leave it there! I thought it was quite funny, though!

I think everyone who rode in the car with me went away feeling rather impressed by its performance.

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Is Doohan in trouble? has finished in the top three in all of the multi WITH just days to go team tests.

Whether any of these before the opening motorcycle grand prix at riders can carry the fight Suzuka on April 5 kicks up to Doohan’s punish off, Mick Doohan faces ing season-long consis his toughest test yet to tency remains to be seen. retain his world 500cc Okada has already declared that he can win championship crown. five GPs in 1998, which in The 32-year-old Queenslander has had a decidedly more open his most difficult build-up field over a 15-round to a season since 1993 championship, may be when he broke his wrist enough to secure the in pre-season testing, but title.

Behind the V-four for 1998 the problem is of an entirely different brigade comes a /dis nature. parate group of V-twins, Firstly, new unleaded starting with former fuel rules have taken the Rainey Yamaha rider sting out of the 500s, but Sete Gibernau who has secured the Repsol it seems some fuel sup pliers have adapted to Honda NSR500V of the problem better than the injured Takuma Aoki.

It’s since been report Repsol Honda team.

The Suzuki and ed that both Daryl Beattie Yamaha teams, whose and Luca Cadalora both riders have recorded turned down the ride the young ,'mes faster than Doohan, before are using American New Spaniard was offered the Tech fuel, while Doohan’s ride, initially for the first Honda burns Elf fuel. three races.

The Shell Advance Four-time 250 champ.

Max Biaggi, who recently Honda squad of Garry went under the Jerez lap McCoy and Juan Borja record on his Marlboro has encountered a spate Honda NSR500, is fuelling of engines seizures dur ing testing, resulting in a up one of his team spon broken collarbone for the sors, Q8.

The upshot of the new Spaniard after a nip-up at fuel rule is that four-time Phillip Island in early world champ Doohan has March.

The Modenas Roberts been bettered in pre-sea son testing for the first V-3, that was originally at Tom time in several years, developed firstly by John Kocinski Walkinshaw Racing in (MoviStar Honda) at 1996-97, has now trans Eastern Creek, then ferred to Proton’s R&D Respol Honda team-mate plant in Malaysia, which Tady Okada at Phillip has already yielded Island. And Doohan’s promising results in the best time at Phillip island hands of Kenny Roberts was recently eclipsed by Junior and new-signing 22-year-old Red Bull Ralf Waldmann.

The Aprilia V-twin 480 Yamaha star Regis Laconi, who also went has been shelved in lieu within one-tenth of of a 500cc V-four version Doohan’s fastest-ever lap due for 1999, while for at Suzuka a week later. mer Aprilia works rider Doriano Romboni has Adding further compe tition from the non- switched over to the Honda ranks comes SwissAuto 500c V-four Nobby Aoki’s revamped Elf bikes, under the Suzuki RGV500, which German MuZ marque;

By DARRYL FLACK

¥oggy and Haga run hot at Island

CHARGE INTO 1998... Fogarty leads dway in race one, from Goddard, Connell, Corser(on outside), Edwards and Witham.

After bad starts Yanagawa, Slight and Russell are well back. Only Slighty recovered later in the race. (Photo by ihunderpics/Agfa)

The 1998 World Superbike Championship opened at Phillip Island with wins to the best of the Old and the New. DARRYL FLACK reports.

Superpole ‘run-off for the top DOUBLE world Super bike champion Carl 16 qualifiers.

Ti-oy Corser(Ducati ADVE) Fogarty (Ducati Perfor finished second in the first mance) and rookie sensa tion Noriyuki Haga race from pole position, and (Yamaha World SBK) then a disappointing sixth in share the points’ lead race two after choosing too after a hot and torrid first hard a tyre, and now lies round of the 1998 title- third going into the second chase at Phillip Island on round of the championship at March 22.

Donington Park on April 13.

The first Australian-based Run in extremely gusty rider home was Team Ansett and oppressively hot condi tions, Fogarty surprised Suzuki star Mark Willis, who everyone, including himself, beat home a gaggle of works riders in the first race to fin to run away in the first race.

In the second heat 23-year- ish sixth. Surviving two mon old Haga came out on top, strous moments in the second beating first-race crasher race, he brought home ninth to end up seventh overall, Aaron Slight by just 71 thou sandths of a second at the ahead of team boss Goddard. end ofthe 22 lap event.

New Suzuki SWC-signing Qualifying Peter Goddard set the pitfirst timed qualifying session was held in hot lane alight with his stunning The qualifying performance - and windy conditions on grabbing provisional pole Friday, with Corser, Chili position before he was contro (Ducati ADVF) and Fogarty versially bumped back to sev heading a Ducati trifecta for enth on the grid following the the first half of the 60 minute first running of the new session.

The three factory stars were well supported by the local Ducati Dealer Team rid ers Craig Connell and Steve Martin, who held down sixth and seventh positions.

Then, with seven minutes to go, Slight jumped from fourth fastest to first with the first sub lm35.00 lap of the session, He was soon upstaged by Noriyuki Haga who climbed from 11th to fourth to first with three minutes to go.

Just when it looked like the Yamaha would hold sway over its more fancied rivals, Goddard recorded a stunning lm34.785s to put Suzuki on provisional pole for the first time since Doug Polen ten years ago.

Capping off a remarkable few minutes. Slight equalled Goddard’s time with less than a minute to go and was awarded pole because his sec ond fastest time was quicker than the Suzuki rider’s.

Local Suzuki star Mark

Willis had been in front of SWC Suzuki teamster James Whitham for all but the final minutes of the session before the Englishman moved from 13th to eighth. As Connell and Martin were bumped back in the frenetic count down, Willis recorded his first-ever sub ‘36’ with a lm35.986s to secure 10th fastest and first non-factory rider.

Saturday’s qualifying leader board was first led by Chili, before Haga, the 1997 Superbike All-Japan Champion, pulled out a hot lap with just 15 minutes to goCorser then scrolled up to the top position, then Slight, followed by Haga yet again.

Learning the lesson from Friday, Goddard went out in the dying minutes to secure top spot, carding a sizzling lm34.251s, the fastest ever Superbike time recorded dur ing a SWC meeting at Phillip Island.

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Willis backed up Team Ansett Suzuki owner Goddard with his own brand of genius to edge ahead of million-dollar works stars Edwards (Castrol Honda), Whitham and Russell (Yamaha World SBK), to gi-ab eighth spot.

But in the face Goddard’s strmning peifonnance, it was inevitable that it would be all made academic by the new Superpole, and so it proved to be.

Setting off last in the 16 bike nm-off, Goddai'd slipped way back to seventh grid position, but was philosophi cal about the outcome.

“The race is tomorrow and that’s what counts. I’d rather be staring from the second row than crash in Supei-pole.

As far as I’m concerned. I’m happy with qualifying.”

Despite dropping from his previous best time by over two-tenths of a second, Corser gi'abbed pole position, but later said that he didn’t agree with the Superpole con cept.

“A lot can happen but thankfully it didn’t. I’ve just been looking for a good race set-up, and to get my tyre choice sorted.” The only two riders to improve their times in the slower afternoon conditions were Piergiorgio Bontempi(16th to ninth) and Colin Edwards (ninth to sixth).

« -

WINNERS... Haga made a big impression on the locals - and,judging by his reaction on the podium, the feeling was mutual...

HAPPY, CARL?... Race One winner Fogarty (below) jumped forjoy after the flag.

4

Fogarty holeshot from grabbed the outside the front row, and was followed

by Chili, Haga, and Goddard, who made a brilhant getaway from the second row.

Chili edged by the gritty Brit to lead at the end of lap one, with Haga in third from Goddard, Corser, Connell, Willis, Edwards, and Whitham.

On lap two, Fogarty regained the lead from Chih, which he would keep for the remainder of the 22-lap race.

Behind him Haga and (Joddard staged a see-sawdng duel for the third, while both Slight and Corser made up for then* mediocre starts.

By lap six. Slight had moved from tenth to sixth as Foggy stretched his lead out to over one second from Chili.

While fending off Haga, Goddard started to close on the Italian, and the three began a time consuming tus sle for second.

After a game of stuff and shove, Goddard finally went imdemeath Haga into Honda Comer for second place to the cheers of the partisan crowd.

By half-race distance, Slight had nipped by Corser on lap 11 for fifth while Goddard held station 5.8 secs behind front man Fogarty.

Connell was hit by a strong wind gust at Siberia and stepped off, then incredibly, Goddard lost the front-end on the mn in to MG. “I was just starting to brake when I was blown a Httle wide so I was off-line on the entrance to MG and the front-end tucked under,” Goddard explained later.

Amid the disappointment of losing the top running Aussie, Slight continued his ominous march forward by passing Chili to grab third OUT OF LUCK... Top local was,Peter Goddard, here leading Akira Yanagawa in race two.

Continued on page 46

In the first event ‘God’fell off after being caught out by a wind gust. (Photo by Thunderpics/Agtaj

Phillip Island nNotebook Veteran racer Malcolm

n The biggest talking point of the weekend was the new Superpole run-off for the top 16 qualifiers, which earned cool com ments from the riders follow ing its debut. According to Aaron Slight, “It basically means that we’ve lost a one-hour free practice ses sion, which we normally use to chase a good race set up. Being the first Superpole, I didn't know what to do with myself before I went out and found myself watching everyone else, one by one, on the TV monitor, and just making myself even more nervous.”

n Ducati Dealer Team riders Craig Connell and Steve Martin gave the brand new Ducati 996 Corsas their first airing at Phillip Island and were happy with the new 1998 flexi-frame racer.

Following Superpole, Connell finished 11fh fastest and Martin 12th, ahead of the factory kitted 1998 Ducati Corsas of Lucio Perdercini and 1992 World 125cc Champion, Alessandro Gramigni.

Martin failed to grid up for the first race when he retired to the pits after his engine began smoking badly onThe warm-up lap. He completed the second leg aboard one of the team’s 1997 bikes. n For the all-important Superpole session on Saturday Mark Willis blew the run-up to his flying lap when he entered the front straight way under speed after only engaging fourth gear through turn 12. He not surprisingly recorded the slowest trap speed in Superpole, 257.1 kmh, a whopping 22kmh down on the fastest pair, Peter Goddard and Neil Hodgson.

Proving that his Phil Tainton-prepared Suzuki is no slug, Willis and Goddard shared a fastest trap speed in Sunday’s warm-up of 290.3kmh. Colin Edwards was fastest with 297.5kmh.

Enjoying a 30-knot tail wind in the first race, Frankie Chili and Peter Goddard shared a top speed of 301.6kmh.

Campbell, made a welcome return to Superbike racing on the State 1 Homes Ducati 996 fitted with Motec fuel-injection. Prepared by one-time Fraser’s Ducati team chief, Peter Smith, the one-time road going 1995 Ducati 916 Strada has gone through several transforma tions, firstly to a Ducati 955 ride-day special and then a Shell Superbike privateer mount for State 1 Homes Managing Director Gary Amos. In the last qualifying session, Campbell (44!) was sitting in 16th and the final Superpole position, before he was pipped in the dying minutes by Bontempi and Gramigni. n Dunlop must be feel ing vindicated by Haga’s win. Scott Russell, his more experienced team-mate, made the switch to Michelin pre-season by trailed the Japanese rookie by over a second a lap in both races. n The 300kmh barrier may be a wall for tyres, especially in intense heat.

Chili’s race two delamina tion was reminiscent of sim ilar incidents to Doohan, Beattie and Itoh in'500s. It had better be cool at Hockenheim... n While Willis, Connell, Martin and Giles were able to ply their wares to the top SWC teams, reigning Australian Superbike Champion Martin Craggill was a mere spectator at Phillip Island. True to earli er warnings, Team Kawasaki Australia boss Peter Doyle, decided not enter team riders Craggill and Damon Buckmaster because of the cost of doing the event. “When Peter says he’s not going to do something, he means it,” Craggill said, adding that unlike many competitors, he didn’t mind attending a big meeting as a punter.

“There’s not a lot you can do about it. It’s good to catch up with people and maintain contacts.”

- DARRYL FLACK/ NEAL BRUMBY ■it

20

INTERVIEW

‘■r'

2/March W8

T

Bernie Ecclestone wields almost supreme power in Grand Prix racing and his turned it into a multi-billion dollar industry. JOE SAWARD was granted a rdre exclusive interview:

he Grand Prix Ball in Melbourne on the Friday night before the Australian Grand Prix celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bernie Ecclestone's involvement in motor racing.

Bemie's racing career began back in 1948 when he bought a 500cc Cooper racing car and started com peting in local events. Today he con trols a multi-million dollar sport which spans the world. But past achievement is not something on which Bernie likes to dwell.

"I don't look at things like that to be honest. I just do my job," he says.

"Lots of people have been 50 years in their jobs. This is what I do. I don't look back and think about it.

"I ha\ e been lucky enough to be in a position where I could do these things. I have been lucky enough to have super support along the way from people like Enzo Fen-ari, Colin Chapman and Teddy Mayer, j "These days it is not necessary, but in the early days when you are building something you really need it. They were vei-y supportive. They helped me to start to build the busi ness. Other people today are reaping the benefits of that." pT^he growth of the sport has ■ made Bernie a public figure, =M=, particularly in Britain where he has been the country's biggest taxpayer for the last few years and where he was linked to a political scandal over a donation he made to the Labour Party when it was cam paigning to win the 1997 General Election.

"I am not a public figure by design," he explains. "It started when there was a leak about the flotation of the company. That was not my idea."

What about the infamous one mil lion pound donation to the Labour Party? Does Bernie think he was treated fairly?

"I don't think anyone really understands these things. The answer is no and probably the rea-

II

they would be there and if one of them stopped or they did not have enough cars they would make enough cars. It was a commercial arrangement.

"Some teams did not sign and they were outside. The others were locked in and that is why they got the new money.

"It is possible that the people who decided not to sign at the time could sue all the others and say that the money should be shared between aU of them, but we have bera advised that they would be unsuccessfiil."

If all the teams

owned FI Holdings they would destroy it.

They can't'agree on anything, not even on how to share their /

0

money out. They think they can run the business -1 know they cannot.

II

son was because it was badly han dled by the party.

"I make money in England; I pay my taxes in England, which I don't have to do. I could do it somewhere else. I could live somewhere where people don't pay tax and I could still run the business because I travel and I use a telephone.

"If you make money I think you should be able to do what you wish with it. I don't think you should be dictated to.

"For years and years people have been making donations to various political pai-ties without any criticism so I think it was veiy unfair.

"There were a whole bunch of cir-

cumstances which made the whole thing happen. Someone close to the party who wasn't in a position to make a donation thought it would be a good idea.

"I was a bit lukewarm about the idea. And then suddenly this cam paign came out from the Conservative Party - Tony Blair with red eyes - and I thought that was definitely below the belt. The Conservative Party had an enor mous budget to do these things and they wasted the bloody money to be honest."

"It [the donation] was not con nected with any favours. I didn't know anybody. I met Blair at

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Silverstone and he seemed an uptogether guy, a nice guy.”

The suggestion that Bernie was trying to buy favours to get the British government to stop a European ban on tobacco advertising did the image of Grand Prix racing considerable damage. But how does Bernie see the general health of the sport, particularly with regard to the ongoing dispute between the teams and the governing body over the Concorde Agreement?

'We have a Concorde Agreement," says Bernie. "It exists and there is nothing wrong with it. The bottom line is that seven teams have signed for a long period to guarantee that

ne of the big problems in dis cussions over a new Concorde Agreement is the question of the succession when 67-year-old Bernie retires.

"There is no problem with the suc cession," Ecclestone argues. "They know what is going to happen. We will float the company. There will be a board of directors.

"The problem is that they think they would like shares in the compa ny for free. They say they helped build the business and maybe that is true.

"To be honest, I think I may have helped them build their businesses. I have probably invested more money than two or three of the big teams put together (but) I don't want shares in their business.

"I am delighted when their busi nesses run successfully. I am delight ed if I see that they have healthy bal ance sheets. I am the happiest guy in the world because I knew them all when they did not have those things.

"The difference is that I had an aeroplane 30 years ago so it is noth ing new to me."

AU the arguing over the flotation must have damaged the credibility of FI in the financial world.

"I don't think it is possible to float the company at the moment with aU these big question marks hanging over it," Ecclestone explains.

"The Em’opean Commission can come out and say the stupid things they say and people who are not in

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INTERVIEW

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27March 1998

2/

touch say:'My God!' The Commission people appear to think that they can do anything they want.

So comments made by the European Competition Commissioner Karel Van Miert about FI have not been fair?

Quite obviously he hasn't been. If I made those comments about him he could sue me. Unfortimately I cannot sue him. No-one can sue him.

So how can the problem be solved and the float go ahead?

"If he was to be able to sit back and say,'Forget all the things I have said and if all these things were to be put to one side, as would normally happen in a business, I think that probably all the problems could be solved in 20 minutes. But maybe he doesn't want to solve them. ere have been suggestions in the FI world that the fight vfith J. V Van Miert is related to the fight between the European Commission and FI over tobacco.

"If it is, that is completely out of order. That is definitely an abuse of a monopoly. Without a shadow of a doubt the Commission is a monopoly, by virtue of the fact that there is not another one. That is what a monop oly is. If he is using that because of the tobacco, that is an abuse of the position."

What about tobacco? Is it really as important as people seem to think, given the current trend for new com panies to come into FI? "I believe that it would be dififlcult to replace the amount of money put into the sport by tobacco companies," Bemie admits,"but, having said that, I think that everyone knows that it will happen sooner or later.

"I don't know why it should happen because I don't believe that people start smoking because they see advertisements. Kids smoke because their parents smoked or because it is daring to smoke. They should not do it so they do it.

"I think what will eventually hap pen is that, when other large compa nies see the apiount of publicity they could get from FI, they will overtake tobacco and tobacco will leave the sport on its own."

But aren't the big companies and financial institutions too conseiwative in their thinking at the moment?

"Absolutely." and its effect on Grand Prix What about the Asian crisis racing?

"We have contracts and Malaysia is more or less a government con tract.

"The amount of money involved in the race in overall terms is peanuts.

That is not being blase. In relation to the budget of the countiy and what they would get back from a Grand Prix it is not a lot of money.

"In Korea, although it is private enterprise behind the race, it is very much supported by the government.

"China is a different department because there are not government subsidies."

Is there going to be a Grand Prix in China?

'Yeah, sure."

What about Indonesia?

"I never had any aspirations to go to Indonesia. We could have gone there seven or eight years ago. They asked us to but I never wanted to go there.

Continued Page 46

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The real Bemie Ecclestone

P

eople usually refer to Bernie Ecclestone as "the boss of Formula 1 racing" and there is not a great deal which goes on in the paddock that Ecclestone does not know about. He is respected for his abilities as a dealmaker, a talent which has made him, the FIA and most of the F1 circus very wealthy indeed.

The ability to put togeth er deals has given Ecclestone enormous power in F1.

The official British records of births reveals that Bernie was born in October 1930. He has always been rather vague about his age.

His passion as a young man was motorbikes and he began to compete in scrambling and grass track events.

After having a go at motorcycle road racing he took to competing in SOOcc'' car racing, which was the cheapest kind of racing at the time. He bought a Cooper and for three years was a regular on the SOOcc scene - which became international F3 in 1951.

In the autumn of that year Ecclestone had a very large accident at Brands Hatch, crashing off the track and into a car park, where he collided with a parked car.

"There was a big bunch of 500s all trying to take the same line through a cor ner," he explains.

"Somebody slid into me and I shot straight through the spectator fence into a parked car.

"I wasn't too bad but the young chap sitting in the car spent two years in hos pital with a broken thi^h."

Bernie decided it was

time to give up racing and concentrate on the busi ness he had been develop ing when he was not rac ing. He was 21.

Ecclestone had started a motorcycle spares busi ness while he was still liv ing with his parents in south London. Gradually this was expanded into car parts and complete motorcycles and eventually he moved into the car trade itself, spe cialising in auctioning old cars.

Bernie's theory was very simple. You buy when prices are low - he spe cialised for a long time in buying bankrupt or failing businesses - and you built them up before selling them.

Ecclestone was and a born money-maker as he made more and more profit he diversified into property as well. By the time he was in his late-20s Bernie was a very wealthy man.

He had not lost his love of motor racing and in the late 1950s began to act as manager for one of his friends from 500cc racing, Stuart Lewis-Evans.

In an effort to help boost Lewis-Evans' career, Bernie bought two old Connaught FI cars, which were not very competitive, but Ecclestone's efforts for Lewis-Evans were success ful in making him a Vanwall factory driver in 1958, alongside Tony Brooks and Stirling Moss.

Ecclestone ran his ancient Connaughts on a couple of occasions and even tried to qualify himself at the British Grand Prix.

At the end of that season Lewis-Evans crashed heav ily and suffered serious burns while trapped in the

car. He was flown back to England but died six days later. He was 28.

For Ecclestone it was a terrible blow and he turned his back on the sport and went back to business.

He returned to Grand Prix racing in the mid1960s when another old racing friend, Roy Salvadori, introduced him to a young up-and-coming Austrian racer - Jochen Rindt- and Bernie became his manager.

At the end of 1968 Rindt signed to drive in FI and F2 for Team Lotus. The Lotus F2 team had just lost its team manager and Lotus’s Colin Chapman'asked Ecclestone is he would like to run the operation. Rindt and Graham Hill were the drivers and the team was dominant in F2in 1969.

That same year Rindt won his first GP at Watkins Glen.

In 1970 Rindt dominat ed the World Championship for Lotus but was killed in qualifying at Monza. Ecclestone had lost his second driver.

At the end of that sea son Jack Brabham announced that he was retiring from motor racing and left his partner Ron Tauranac to run the opera tion. Tauranac asked Ecclestone to help him manage the team.

A year later Bernie bought the company and set about building the team back into a competitive operation. He closed down the Brabham production racing car businesses.

His first move was to hire McLaren's designer Ralph Bellamy and the age ing double World Champion Graham Hill. To help pay the bills Bernie ran pay-dri-

vers Carlos Reutemann and Wilson Fittipaldi.

Bellamy was replaced by Gordon Murray, a young South African engineer with radical ideas, who produced some radical cars and turned the team's fortunes around, culminating in the 1981 and 1983 World Championships for Nelson Piquet.

By thisused timeto Ecclestone was battling with the racing authorities, hav ing become head of the Formula One Constructors Association, fought for appearance money for the teams and later for the TV rights to Grand Prix racing.

Ecclestone became increasingly involved in the business side of FI, gradu ally taking over the entire business.

The death of Elio de Angelis at the wheel of a Brabham in 1986 was another blow and at the end of 1988 Ecclestone sold the team.

Ecclestone mastermind ed the FI boom in the early 1990s and his enormous wealth has brought him many rewards. He is now among the wealthiest peo ple in Britain and every year sets a new record as the highest salary-earner in British history with his annu al income now in excess of $200 million a year.

He has all the trappings of wealth with two private jets, a nine-storey London headquarters overlooking Hyde Park and a multi-mil lion dollar house in Chelsea Square. He owns houses on the French Riviera, in Corsica and at the exclu sive Swiss ski resort of Gstaad.

Today he mixes with the world's jet-set but still

likes to keep in touch with his old friends from the 1960s, notably the singer Adam Faith, who was one of Britain's top pop singers before the Beatles who went on to build a suc cessful empire in music production and manage ment. He and Ecclestone are not only friends but also business partners in property.

Roy Salvadori is still one of Bernie’s old friends. Tne two used to spend hours playing poker at the race tracks around the world.

Ecclestone lives in London with his second wife Slavica, a former Armani model from Croatia, and their two young daugh ters Tamara and Petra. He also has a grown-up daugh ter, Debbie,from his first marriage.

Ecclestone has always been very secretive but in recent weeks has begun work on a book about his life, which is due to be pub lished in mid-1999.

A

167, Ecclestone says that he wants to go on working for another 20 years, but it is clear from his efforts to float his com pany Formula One Holdings that he would like to spread the workload to others - but he does not have much.faith in the cur rent FI team owners.

"This has taken 30 years of my life to build up," he says, "and I would hate to see it go down the drain because it was badly managed.

"If all the teams owned it they would destroy it. They can't agree on anything, not even on how to share their money out. They think they can run the business- I know they cannot." n K

n

INTERVIEW

IXo

The last year has been a busy time for Mark Skaife. After a decade at Gibson Motorsport he moved to the Mobil Holden Racing Team for landown and Bathurst - and stayed to ^owndjis for 1998 PHIL BRAHAGAH spoke to him about the past, the future, and life in a new U

Phoios by Dirk Klynsmim

MOTORSPORT NEWS: You’re still in a ‘Honeymoon Period’ with the Holden Racing Team.

How have you found it so far?

MARK SKAIFE: It’s certainly a lot different from where I was before.

For how ever many years I was running a race team and driving for it and that’s a hell of a lot different to just coming along with my helmet and getting into a car.

In lots of ways it’s actually quite refreshing. I’ve enjoyed the change and, as a total package, I feel like I’m more at ease and that I’m enjoying it more.

MN: Is It hard to make the adjustment out of the car? You were deeply involved in the business of Gibson Motorsport and you were there for such a long time.

MS: There was a lot I did out of the car that I didn’t like. It was a matter of being involved in that because I had to. A lot of the technical part of it I really enjoy, a lot of the logistics and day-to-day stuff I didn’t like that much. Being a policeman, watching what time people get to work ...

But thinking about the tools you have to do a good job, I like that part of it.

MN: On the business side of Gibson Motorsport, last year was obviously not a good year for the team. How frustrating was it for you?

MS: Very frustrating. I thought that I was driving as well as I had ever driven. We had some severe tyre dramas throughout the season and we were working as hard.as we were, not just to go racing but trying to find money on a daily basis. ’ That marketing part of it- in terms of sponsorship presentations - it’s

quite destructive when it’s not successful. To get into someone’s office, looking for four of five hundred thousand dollars and to be pretty much unsuccessful is incredibly frustrating.

MN: What was you impression of HRT while you were still with Gibson Motorsport?

MS: I recognised that they were a very good team. There were a lot of guys who had come from Gibson’s and I’d worked closely with a lot of the personnel.

into the early yus witn me u I n we had a very good team. It was very well funded, the car we had was very good and it was well organised.

Fred’s attention to detail is sensational. One of the things that people mention about Gibson Motorsport in the early ’90s is that it was the McLaren of Australian touring car racing. That was a pretty good description.

In 1994 I would say, bar none, that was the best season the team had, because we were bagged

On starting with HRT i

_

y

^

everyone was quite comfortable with thefact that I might be herefor more than two races.

I also knew from their results that they must have been well organ ised and they looked like a cohe sive, good unit.

I watched their cars closely on the rare occasions we could get to have a bit of a look and I was impressed \«ith they way it was put together. It was nicely engineered, a European-style race car.

My impressions were; they were well-funded, they had a good tyre package, good personnel and their results were there for all to see.

MN: On the other side, what are your impressions of Gibson Motorsport now that you have left?

MS: It depends on what area you’re talking about. Since ’87 with Fred we had a very successful period.

that, after Nissan, we couldn’t do the job with Holden. That was a good time.

The last couple of years have tainted that a bit, at the same time...

MN: Can you look at the team now as the Gibson Motorsport you’re used to?

MS: It’s still got some of the ingredi ents that were there; the way that they present themselves and the Gibson strong points.

But to me, now, it’s a very sepa rate team. There are some people there I’m not familiar with and some people there that I still am familiar with. I suppose I look at it now in a different light.

MN: Will they get back to where

they were?

MS: Before that can happen it needs to have the right funding.

At the end of 1995 we got to Bathurst and we led by ... a lot. We should have won that race but for a tailshaft. At that stage with the. package we had the jump on a lot of the teams.

Through ’96 and ’97 when we didn’t have much money we couldn’t do much in the way of development and that impacted to the point where the technical jump was no longer there.

To get back to those glory days it requires the funding to spend on these R&D items and, of course, luck.

As your package unfolds, it’s com plex. It would take a couple of years, at least, of proper funding

and organisation to get back to that level.

MN: Can you make comparisons between the Gibson car you used to race and the HRT Commodore you race now?

MS: You can’t. The cars have evolved incredibly.

I remember the first V8 race we went to, at Amaroo in 1993.

Gibson’s bought uprights ^rom Larry, an engine from HR I - which would be 100 horsepower from where we are now - a diff housing assembly from Ron Harrop and a Holinger gearbox. We had, virtually, what I would call a ‘customer car’ and we ran third in the first meetmg.

That became much more a Gibson’ car in ’94 and ’95 but a car

IVIARK SKAIFE

■22

from the end of ‘95 is a lot different to the end of 1997, for instance. It’s very difficult to compare.

MN: While these changes in your career have been happening in the iast few months how has the public’s perception of Mark Skaife changed?

MN: Up to the start of this year HRT have had a history of devel oping drivers ‘in-house’ Lowndes and Murphy, for instance, and Brock and Mezera were there for reasonably long stays. How does it feel to be an ‘outsider’ joining the team?

MS: Well, it was difficult. It was a BIG change for me, even more than it was a big change for them.

Not that I have had any big prob lems with it, it’s just a difficult sce nario. it’s hard for us to mesh.

The team has tried incredibly hard to make me feel welcome as part of the team but it’s a big culture shock for me to become acclimatised.

MN: And you were stepping into, for want of a better term, a ‘Brock’ car. Did it feel like you were starting again?

MS: Not really. No-one’s said to me, “what is your favourite car and why do you like the car like this?’’ I didn’t arrive with a mindset of how I wanted the car to be because you can't be ftaf passionate about it.

You can’t feel like that. It’s such a weird and complex subject; some things work on those cars that you don’t think should work. I tried to approach this with no preconceived ideas. It was a matter of, “here I am. Let’s get in this car and have a drive” and, straight away, I was impressed.

The way that Brock had it and the way the guys had tuned it, with the (anti-roll) bars it had, its balance and characteristics that it had, I thought it was brilliant.

MS: It’s changed for the better, I think. It’s something that has been assisted by Sandown and Bathurst and with driving with Brock. Clearly, as I said, he has a huge following and the fact of replacing Brock has been a good thing for me personally.

MN: Is that something that would have happened anyway after the tough couple of years you’ve had? You never really had the following of not just Brock or Johnson, but of the Bowes and Perkins.

HONEYMOON PERIOD... Skaife has been pushing very hard this season; opposite he speeds h second behind new team-mate Craig Lowndes at Symmons Plains, where (above) he suffered a rare off in the quest for pole position in Saturday. The difference between the drivers at the moment appears to be starts. (Photo by John Moms/Mpix) appears, you had no ongoing deal with HRT and, in a sense, you were also driving for your future. Did that cause a lot of pressure for you?

MS: That’s something that you try not to think about too much. I was there to give my best for the team and I felt good about getting into a car in which I knew I felt capable of giving a good account of myself.

I enjoyed it, to be honest. The way that the car performed I was really happy with and, given that the way the race was run, given the reliabili ty problems on the Sunday, you’ve got to take that.

I mean, an end falling off a throttle cable at Sandown while you were leading and having a weird flameout at Bathurst: that’s never hap pened before and, probably, never will again. It’s pretty disheartening when those things happen.

MN: Obviously, doing a ‘nine’ (2m09s) lap on Saturday morn ing didn’t hurt the cause.

MS: Yes but, to be honest, I thought that I drove as well if not better in ’95 and ’96 at Bathurst but you didn’t see it because the car package was not as competent.

MN: If you could, what would you change in touring car rac ing?

MS: There’s a few things. For the future of the category we need to make a few tough decisions in the not-too-distant future about what we do with our tyre regulations, to MN: Have you had adjusted the create some stability there. car to your style this season?

Whatever happens - whether we have control of tyres like in Formula MS: We’ve made minor changes.

We did that at Sandown and One, or we leave it as it is - I’d like to see us make a decision about it Bathurst, to find the balance that and get some co-ordination of the we were looking for, to get the best ■ regulations and go on with that. from the car at those particular In the racing package we should events. That’s all down to the tyres MN: At that time Craig’s position for 1998 was unclear and that consider a couple of things that that we were using and they were meant that HRT’s drivers were would improve the quality of racing. minor changes.

Whether that is future length of not set. Did you feel like your future was at stake? races, or start to decrease the MN: We’re used to see you in a aerodynamics on the cars slightly, ‘Gibson’ set-up car, which was MS: Not really. It didn’t matter which will make the racing better.

VISIBLY different to anything whether I was driving for my future, The future homologation of cars, for else; rolling in the rear for trac for $10 or a million dollars. It was 1999 onwards, will address that. tion and so stiff at the front it the last race of the year and I just We may need to look at the for picked up wheels... wanted to get on with it and have a mats, in terms of maybe reversing bit of fun.

MS: So many peopje have got this the grid in the second race, which I always wanf to do my best when part wrong. What you saw in terms may enhance its appeal. ever I get in a car. In terms of what of the dynamics of the Gibson You’ve got to have your thinking chassis was correct. We went in was going on... really, you can only cap on all the time and keep the do your best. that direction to pursue how to get uniqueness that we have now.

I came to HRT thinking that this the best from the tyre. career move was going to be of a Yokohama tyres have very good MN: You mentioned tough deci long-term nature. I had spoken to braking and excellent traction so, sions on tyres. There’s been a lot what we had to do was to get the (team manager) Jeff Grech and to"^ of talk about control tyres. What John Crennan about it and they best from the tyre, so we could get would you like to see happen? were my intentions. I would not the best from the car. It’s quite have moved just for a couple of MS: I’d like to see ‘control OF complex. races. They hadn’t committed to me We tried to get more mid-corner tyres’. If the tyre companies support but I’m sure that, in terms of stabili speed to use the features of the this I think it fs’absolutely the best ty, and what as a package in terms tyre up. I actually didn’t like the way. of the future, everyone was quite things: they were very hard to drive What I envisage is that all the tyre comfortable with the fact that(l might companies stay involved. The sup like that. They are not pleasant be here for more than two races. things when they don’t have all ply ‘X’ amount of tyres per meeting their feet on the ground I as per a supply criteria. We have We did not do that because Mark MN: You said there was no ‘com three manufacturers in; they have Skaife liked it like that; we did it mitment’; was there some kind to supply so many competitors of intent? because there was a technical gain each. there in ‘How fast can we get this MS: Well, yes. Actually I asked The tyre regulations are what w e car around the race track and can it them to consider this and there was already have; so many tyres per continue to do that?’ no firm commitment at all. The car, same size, same compound , To be fair, at the end of the Sandown result was a good exam etcetera. They all arrive at the track Gibson era I think that the car ple of what we were able to do. We with a truck load of tyres. looked more technically... alike than also wanted to be sure, for Jeff and But everyone has a choice of what the other cars. Much more like the the team, that I wasn’t troublesome tyre they run on that weekend. A other touring cars. and there to create dramas. team might be contracted to a pref erential supplier but the criteria are As a package, the thing meshed MN: At Sandown and Bathurst, it set so that Larry’s team, for quite successfully.

instance, gets to Symmons Plains and, if he didn’t want to run to his Dunlop contract, he can go and buy a Bridgestone. He should have the facility to do so.

That’s people’s biggest gripe choice. I would not have seen Larry swapping to Bridgestone at the Grand Prix . Clearly the Dunlop tyre is the best tyre there, but not at Symmons.

MN: Commercially is that realis tic?

MS: If you’ve got the choice, that’s

On the ‘Gibson’set-up

MS: Yes, but there were con straints. You have to be fair about these things.

There was never a real desire to do PR things within the (Gibson) team. We didn’t do as many PR things as, maybe, we should have.

The number of appearances that Brockie did was just impossible, with all the things that were going on.

But there were also things that we couldn’t do. We - Glenn Seton and Mark Skaife - were the two young guys in the category for a long time but we could not give kids posters.

We couldn’t. It (tobacco sponsor ship) was incredibly restrictive.

There’s been a huge amount of things to be overcome.

There was probably also a period where the 'works Nissan driver’ tag had to be rubbed off and ‘genuine works Holden driver’ replace it.

<(

I actually didn ’t like the things; they were very hard to drive like that.They are not pleasant things when they don’t have all their feet on the ground!

what it’s about. A product is exchanged.

If Larry was on a Dunlop-sup ported team he could go to the Dunlop truck and get his tyres for nothing. If he writes his cheque and takes his tyres and Dunlop want to pay him to run ‘Dunlop’ signs on his car, done. An absolute commercial exchange.

There’s no ‘works-supported’, selective process. That’s what we’ve really got now; when you go into the Bridgestone truck you pick out Paul Romano’s tyres, someone picks Glenn Seton’s tyre and someone picks Mark Skaife’s tyre.

Given the things that had to be overcome. I think we’ve done pretty well.

MN: It’s also possible that, having gone through two tough years at Gibson Motorsport and having a wife and family means that Mark Skaife is not seen by the public quite as the Serious Young insect he possi bly was seven or eight years ago.

MS: Certainly. They’ve seen me have a couple of difficult seasons and they’ve seen me drive hard for thin results and they understand how hard it’s been. ' 1/

■‘Ti

^l^®0®[FS[p®[?0

27Maichm8

i Report by BRETT SWANSON Going into the final of the ACDelco Cup Championship, defending Champion Kim Jane in the John Sidney-fettled Bob Jane T-Marts/Repco Chevrolet Monte Carlo had a 23-point buffer over former champ Jim Richards in the Dick Midgley’s Pyroil/Sikaflex/No Fear/Bob Jane T-Marts Pontiac Grand Prix - the difference in points between first and sixth places was 25 points, so Richards had to win, with Jane in sixth or worse, to win the title at the Thunderdome on March 14.

But,in the final round, there was another bonus - there would be two races which would both carry cham pionship points.

To put it simply, Jane had to fin ish in front of Richards in both races, or just behind him and his second consecutive Championship would be sealed.

As the night wore on, Richards’ task became harder, Jane actually extending his points lead after win ning the first race and Richards struggling for fourth with an illhandling car.

In the second race, it was a great first up Thunderdome win for the “Korumburra Kid,” Terry Wyhoon, in the BP Car care Thunderbird, with Jane settling for second after a couple of slides late in the race.

Richards went down trying, run ning home third just behind Jane.

Friday Fresh from his Western Australian success where he won his second Australian Sprintcar Championship, both Max Dumesny and his engine builder, John Sidney, were at a loss to explain why the engine in Dumesny’s Valvoline/Killer Loop Monte Carlo broke a brand-new crank.

Saturday Practice Heading the times after Saturday morning’s practice session were the two championship protagonists, Kim Jane (27.9761) and Richards (28.1442).

Rodney Jane had the AUSCAR Alloy Wheels/Exide Batteries Monte Carlo third on 28.1776, until a spin in turn 3 saw the once-pristine Chevy with a bent chassis after backing it into the wall.

Fortunately, there were no dra mas with the JSR team’s main car (Kim Jane’s #27), so all available hands were in action, straightening the silver bullet.

Rounding out the top five placings were the pair of Metalcorp Thunderbirds of Dean (28.2044) and Todd (28.2229) Wanless.

Nathan “Jacques” Pretty was having a guest steer in the All Pro team’s Schwantz ClarionWision/DeWalt Monte Carlo and also had the morning’s biggest spin when he got out of shape through turns 3-4 before spinning down the front straight gi-ass.

''v .

CHAMPION AGAIN... New ACDelco Cup Champion Kim Jane (left) and mentor John Sidney worked hard for consecutive titles.(Tony Glynn pic)

Back to back titles for Kim and John Sidney Richards settles for runner-up

Shortly after, following another lap with a minor tank slapper through the same turns. Pretty set tled down to put in some smooth laps.

Qualifying Qualifying was fairly uneventful, until Todd Wanless got a bit side ways in turn 4 on his second lap and then his younger brother. Dean, did likewise, coming very close to the wall on the exit to turn 2.

Wanless the younger has always been spectacular in qualifying trim, but is also usually very fast and today was no exception, as he sat the 'T-Bird on pole with a time of 27.3978 seconds.

Kim Jane would share the fyont row on 27.5277, followed by the Australian-built car of Wyhoon on 27.5761, Dumesny 27.6655, Todd Wanless 27.8201, Neville Lance(Auto Pro/King Coil Thunderbird) 27.9010, Richards 27.9945, Gene Cook (Austoil/City Ford Thunderbird) 28.2308 and Marshall Brewer (PennzoO Monte Carlo)28.2512.

Rodney Jane was out in the repaired Monte Carlo and cut his two laps with some tyre smoke off

the left-rear tyre from some rub bing bodywork and set the tenth quickest time of 28.2863.

Race One (40 laps) Of the 19 cars that had qualified, Paul Stocker in the Consolidated Waste Oldsmobile Cutlass was the only one not to start.

The race stared with Dean Wanless leading away Kim Jane, Dumesny, Wyhoon, Lance, Todd Wanless, Cook, Richards and Rodney Jane.

Both Cook and Richards passed the elder Wanless on lap 2 and Wyhoon passed Dumesny on lap 3.

On the fourth lap, there was no change, but then on lap 5 it all hap pened.

As Rod Jane came into turn 3 try ing to go under Todd Wanless, the car got loose and spun, just touch ing Wanless as it went around.

Further back, cars were hard on the brakes and Mark Harrison, in the beautiful gold Pontiac Grand Prix, ran into the back of Bob Middleton’s Whiteline Transport Monte Carlo, which spun as a result and the two cars then careered up-track into Jane’s car.

Just after the leaders came Todd Wanless snuck past on the around to complete lap 6, the field flat track by the barest of margins, was stopped on the back straight but Jimmy Ellis wasn’t as lucky in the Phil Munday Panels/GB while crews cleared away the mess.

Some sixteen minutes later, the Galvanising Chevy Lumina and he n race restarted after Darryl Coon tee-boned Thomas.

While the cars were circulating had come into the pits while they were still closed. under caution, race control reported that Richards was leaking oil and With a low pass into turn 3 on Dean Wanless pitted with a flat lap 11, Kim Jane took over the lead which he was never to lose, as Dean left-front tyre.

Racing resumed on lap 41 and Wanless faded slightly and came under the attention of Wyhoon, three clear laps were run which with Dumesny fourth and Richards saw Jane take the win over now fifth.

Wyhoon, with Cook a splendid Coon caused the next caution third, ahead of Richards, Todd when he spun coming out of turn 4 Wanless, Dumesny, Ken James and took a trip across the infield (Wet Paint/IC Coffee Monte Carlo), grass, before veering back out onto Dean Wanless, Brewer, Pretty, and the track and almost hitting the Lance.

Thomas finished next in the front straight wall and Pretty in the process - the reason for Coon’s Valvoline/Tropic Coast Racing Monte Carlo one lap adrift, but one spin was said to be a broken axle.

Racing resumed around lap 22 ahead of Allan Roark’s ACL Engine Bearings Pontiac Grand Prix. and on lap 25 Wyhoon had a big look under Dean Wanless through Wyhoon’s second place had been turns 3-4, drawing level but unable enough to win him the Rookie’s to complete the pass.

Championship, which he had been Ian Thomas had moved up to contesting \vith Rodney Jane. eighth and was dicing with Lance “I thought I’d won it last season, on lap 32 when he spun in turn 2 until they told me that Kevin and took Lance with him.

Schwantz was still eligible,”

BAD START... Rookie contender Rodney Jane backed his Monte Carlo into the wall during Saturday morning's practice session, severely damaging the car’s structure. (Thunder-Pics)

ilT

mm

'

i

25 Wyhoon later explained.

“Then my wife, Sue, said that she wanted me to win it this season, because she w'ants the holiday that goes with the trophy!”

Race Two (60 laps) This was the championship decider and Kim Jane had now increased his lead to 38 points - but Richards had found the source of his earlier handling problems.

“The right-front shock absorber had failed,” Richards stated post-race, “but we didn’t realise that was all the problem, so we made some adjustments to the car for the second race which improved it 100% but it still wasn’t as good as it could have been, because of the extra adjustments we’d made.”

The cars lined up as per their qualifying order, without Rod Jane, Mark Harrison and Stocker.

Middleton, though, had gone to his back-up Oldsmobile Cutlass for the second race and would start at the tail of the grid.

Dean Wanless led the first lap, before Wyhoon pulled an inside pass in turn 3.'and assumed the lead from Wanless, Jane and Todd

Wanless, who almost touched in turn 3, which could have been a disaster for Jane’s championship hopes, By lap 7, the leaders had lapped Roark, who retired soon after with smoke trailing fi’om the car.

Todd Wanless was starting to slide slowly backwards until lap 19, when he had a solo spin in turns 3-4 and backed the Thunderbird into the wall fah-ly hard.

As Wyhoon, Dean Wanless, Jane, Richards and Cook ran at the head of the field, Dumesny’s car was starting to foul its plugs and he dropped a couple of spots down the order.

Middleton retired after an engine failure and then, on lap 30, Coon ran through turns 1-2 with a shower of sparks coming from underneath the cai'.

Coon’s exhaust was falhng off and, as he got to turn 2, the car spun, probably after running over it’s own exhaust and Pretty tee-boned him.

Lance took the opportunity to come in, as did Dumesny for a change of plugs.

Such are the vagaries of the timing system that Dumesny actually crossed the line in the pits ahead of

the race leaders and was scored as the leader for that lap.

When racing resumed there were only ten cars ranning, with Wyhoon leading Wanless, Jane, Richards, Cook, Thomas, Brewer, Jame§, Lance and Dumesny.

Lance and Dumesny set about improving their posi tions, as Wyhoon, Wanless, Jane and Richards ran in rel atively close company.

Thomas had a moment on lap 39 when the car got side ways and he soon dropped to the rear of the field.

On lap 49, Jane decided it was time to pass Wanless and made the move through turn 1 - and what a welltimed move it was, as Wanless was now struggling with a lack of brakes.

Two laps after Jane moved past him, Wanless had a solo spin in turn 3 without hitting anything, or stopping or forcing a caution - he retired soon afterwards.

A relieved Richards had a narrow escape - “I was just hard on the brakes, hoping that he didn’t come up-track. because I couldn’t tm-n down, Luckily he didn’t,” he explained.

Jane tried to issue a challenge to Wyhoon, but then

NO LUCK... Poleman #75 Dean Wanless ran out of brakes in the decider. (Thundser-Pics) decided that second would do.

“The car v^nt off a bit and I had a big slide in tmms 1-2, so I backed off - I then had another go and it slid again, so I decided to let him [Wyhoon] go,” said the Champ, As the laps ran down, things became spread out as Wyhoon took his first and long overdue win at the Thunderdome, with Jane wrapping up the charapionship in second from Richards in third.

Lance had come on strong over the closing stages to take fourth from Cook, Dumesny, Brewer, James and Thomas, who completed

the field.

“That race was just so much fun,” said Jane afterwards.

» ■j.

RAPT ROOKIE... An absolutely delighted Terry Wyhoon (above) hugs his wife, Sue, after taking his first Thunderdome win in the BP Car care Thunderbird and the Rookie Of The Year title after Rodney Jane (below) again tagged the wall during the final race. (Thunder-Pics)

“Before this meeting, I was a bit keyed up and a bit nervous before the race, which I never usually am.

“I put a bit of pressure on myself to perform for the team, the sponsors, for everyone. I gave it everything and thank God we were in front, because all the incidents happened behind us.”

For Wyhoon, it was an excellent result for the local ly-built car.

“This is excellent. I’ve been racing here since 1989 and never won a race here. despite winning an AUSCAR championship,” said the elated Thunderdome winner.

I’m happy for Tom Smith.

I couldn’t afford to buy a new

car from the US and he said he’d build me one. He put in a lot of hours and charged me.probably half of what he should have.

“It’s great to have a straight car. Our goal was to finish in front of Rodney [Jane] to win the rookie title because Sue [wife] wanted the holiday. I don’t even know where the holiday’s to.

But I think we’ll drink some beer when we get back to the garage.

In the final championship points chase, it was Kim Jane on 1698 points from Richards (1655), Wyhoon (1553), Lance (1494), Thomas (1391), Dumesny (1350) and Rodney Jane (1346), who slipped to seventh from third.

Castro

Garry Rush

Australia's Greatest Sprintcar Champion

UVQDm

SHORT DICK... Ferntrre Gully Bolts Falcon of#11 Dick Howe was abruptly transformed into a fastback by #2 Nathan Pretty and #96 Shane Houlahan.(Thunder-Pics sequence)

Darren Mac's Championship Watkins winner on the night as Wyllie whacks wall to lose title Report by GRANT NICHOLAS

I I

i I

I » I

Both of the Champion Gold Challenge races that formed the final rounds for the Strathfield National Cars Championship series were dominated by the Pennzoil Ford Falcon of Leigh Watkins and Marshall J. Brewer’s similar Fastrack Racing .Cigweld Falcon - but, when the chequer flew on March 14, it was the Powermac Commodore which powered young Darren McDonald to the overall 1997/98 Championship series honours.

McDonald, the 23 year-old from Terang in south-west Victoria, kept his nose clean in the opening 40lapper, then snatched the third podium spot behind Watkins and Brewer in the series grand final to clinch his second super speedway title - he previously won the ’94/95 Konica Sportmans title, also in a Holden Commodore.

Series leader Jason Wyllie smashed his Trust Bank/Computerland Hobart/Autopro Commodore into the wall in front of the main spectator mound on lap 3, effectively handing the title to McDonald in his Powermac Performance Products Christians Holden/Cobden Milking Machines Commodore, providing the latter greeted the chequered flag.

Earlier in the meeting, Eddie Abelnica was fined $750 by the race offi cials for removing a seal and a compo-

vision crew across from Tasmania to film his on-track activities during the course of the meet ing.

Both Brewer and Abelnica will be contesting next sea son’s ACDelco Cup Championship series, while the young Tasmanian ponders his motorsport career.

nent from one of his engines at the February race meeting.

Leigh Watkins was also fined $6500 for similar actions, plus an engine irreg ularity at the same meeting - Watkins Race One(40 has advised that he laps) intends to appeal the As the starter decision. waved the green After qualifying, flag, Brewef immedi Pennzoil’s Victorian ately moved into the and Tasmanian State lead from Watkins, Manager Neville Howe,Houlahan and Wilson happily the rest of the pack moved through the as they jostled for media centre advising position. that the first four on The race ran the grid were using extremely smoothly, the company’s prod Wyllie and McDonald ucts - they included keeping an eye on polesitter Brewer, each otheFs progress, Watkins, Shane while the rest raced Houlahan in the Tierney Petroleum HAPPY CAMPER... New champ Darren McDonald.(Tony Glynn) to claim a top five position in the series Holden Commodore and the Ferntree Gully Bolts-supBrewer, Wyllie and Melbourne’s points tally, ported Ford Falcon of Richard Howe, Cheapest Cars owner Abelnica Brewer held the lead until who had spent a considerable were all having their final fling in Watkins moved past in turn 1 as amount of time testing on the the category an d wanted to post they started lap 14, the seasoned Thunderdome in the weeks leading strong performances on the night. veteran giving Watkins a shortWyllie had a Southern Cross tele- back and sides for his trouble - in up to the Champion Gold Challenge.

FAST FORDS... #02 Marshall J Brewer holds off dual winner Leigh Watkins. (Thunder-Pics)

fact, he lost momentum, allowing Wyllie to surge by into second posi tion.

On lap 37, Brewer overtook Wyllie to reclaim second behind Watkins’ Ford, which had lost some of its pace after the earlier contact.

Watkins took the win from Brewer, Wyllie, outgoing titleholder Matthew White in the Freighter Trailers Holden Commodore, McDonald and Nathan Pretty in the Dewalt/Goodyear Commodore.

Both Wyllie and McDonald were happy with their trusty mounts, each on a mission to take home the series spoils after the grand final later in the night.

In the garage area, a number of the teams adjusted their suspen sions in the quest to find a quicker handling package as the ambient temperature dropped, while others altered tyre pressures, or carbure tor settings.

Race Two(40 laps) Race two was stopped almost immediately after it started, after Howe’s Ford, which was running on the high side through turn 1 next to Houlahan’s Holden, moved down on the Bendigo racer, resulting in a Tbone incident that saw five, or six, other competitors suffering panel damage.

Luck was on McDonald’s side, though, as he made contact with Howe’s machine and looked certain to collect the safety wall - but, either through skill, or good for-

NICE WORK... DebutantM6 Sean Henshelwoodheads Jason Morrell. (Thunder-Pics)

NATIONAL CARS

2IM3!chim

29

Thunderdome Grand Final Notes

SLIPPERY... Melinda Dumesny on her way to the wall. (Thunder-Pics) tune, he was able to collect the car and continue on.

The red flag was displayed, allowing Nathan Pretty to take k his Commodore back to the pits for repairs while the track was cleaned of debris both Howe and .«● % Pretty’s crews man aged to get their cars to the back of the grid for the restart.

Brewer once again ,#; burst out of the blocks / best and led from Watkins, Houlahan, a fast-starting McDonald, Wyllie, White, Abelnica and Darryl Speers in the I&V Truck & Trailer Repairs Commodore, and Wyllie Houlahan were hav TWO WINS... Leigh Watkins. (Tony Glynn pic) ing a tremendous bat Back at the front, Watkins had tle as they tore around the tri-oval side by side-- but, during lap 3 as surged into the lead from Brewer, a they went through turn 3, the back delighted McDonald, White, of Wyllie’s Commodore stepped out, Houlahan and Anthony Leitch in the Australian Heavy Haulage just missing Houlahan’s machine.

Commodore.

As he attempted to correct the On the podium, Watkins rejoiced , errant car, Wyllie collected a close following Abelnica, sending the in his two straight wins. Brewer Melbourne’s Cheapest Cars thanked his loyal sponsors and the Commodore down onto the grass fans for their support through his Strathfieid National Cars career verge - Wyllie then smashed into the outer concrete wall, and ended and a jubilant McDonald claimed his Second super speedway title in his title aspirations. front of a most appreciative crowd.

“The rear just stepped out on me Watkins stated in the media con with no warning at all,” commented ference that he felt that the Ford a disappointed Wyllie.

“Shane and I were dicing for mnners had a strong chance of tak ing out next season’s series, provid fourth spot and then this happens.

“It was a tank-slapper on a motor ing they got their handling package bike, but unfortunately I hit the left properly sorted.

He and the technicians at Kings side of Eddie’s car as I attempted to Springs had come up with a set-up regain control. Its a sad way to fin that suited the steeply-banked ish a season’s gi’eat racing.”

After six caution laps, the racing Goodyear Thunderdome and he was resumed until Melinda Dumesny hopeful of gaining more success in the future. hit the turn 1 wall on lap 16 in her McDonald’s championship victory Bob Jane T-Marts/Valvoline Commodore leased from Ballarat provided the GM fans with their team owner Bruce Williams, the tenth straight series title in the cat Sprintcar competitor and super egory, since Sydney’s Tony Kavich speedway rookie having earlier won the 1988/89 series in a VK Commodore. tagged the concrete while exiting “It was difficult not to think turn 4 and begun losing fluids down about the championship win after the main straight.

The radiator had move.d back Jason [Wyllie] was out of the sec onto the fan in the first impact, ond race,” commerited McDonald.

“A lot of things were going resulting in engine coolant being dropped and, as she entered turn 1, through my mind and it seemed as the rear tyres on the Commodore though the race was never going to finish. broke traction on the fluid.

“But it was pleasing to finish on “I was happily sitting in behind Nicole Pretty [the second of the the rostrum, as it allowed me to Dewalt Commodores] and was ready thank my sponsors, family and to hopefully round her up as the crew members in front of the spec I tators.” race end neared,” Dumesny said.

The fi nal Strathfieid National “I enjoyed running the two race meetings in the Commodore, but Car series points saw McDonald now its time to progress up to the scoring 1641 to take the champi ACDelco Cup cars to experience the onship from Wyllie (1603), then Brewer (1545), White (1530) and thrill of racing one of the big horse Abelnica (1509). power machines.”

STIFF LUCK... #26 Jason Wyllie looks up the inside of #96 Shane Houlahan, while ultimate Championship-winner #44 Darren McDonald takes the high line. Wyllie was destined to come into contact with the unforgiving Thunderdome concrete and see his title aspirations lierally disappear in a cloud of smoke.(Thunder-Pics)

I

Ibury battler Amin Chahda has vowed to return bigger and better in next season’s Strathfieid National Cars championship with plans to run an updated Falcon.

“We’ve been battling with the ex-Mark Seaton EB Falcon all season,” he said, “and, finally, at this final round we’ve got some good speed.”

Unfortunately, his good speed amounted to a melted piston postqualifying and the team was forced to sit out the races.

“We are going to spend a cou ple of months looking for a spon sor, then go looking for an EF Falcon - we can’t keep letting these Holden’s win,” Chahda said.

A

nother driver who we may not see behind the wheel of a National Car next season is Melbourne’s Cheape'sf, Cars pro prietor Eddie Abelnica.

As has been reported in previ ous issues, Abelnica has pur chased two ex-John Faulkner Oldsmobile Cutlass ACDelco Cup cars and one of his exceptionally quick Chevrolet Monte Carlos.

“We’ve tried National Cars for a couple of seasons now without much luck,’ Abelnica said.

“We had our first win in the class this season, which was fan tastic, but apart from that it has been fairly disappointing.

“NASCAR is where I’ve always wanted to go and now I’ve got the equipment, I figured why have it sit around for a year when I can just move up and concentrate on enjoying myself in Cup cars.” in the final third-lap race incident of the Jason Wyllie’s Strathfieid National Cars champi onship will be his last on a super speedway, the talented young Tasmanian retiring from the sport at the conclusion of the current series.

“We’ve been at it for a few sea sons now and know we can win races,” Wyllie said.

“What happened in the last race was immensely disappointing, as we were the points leader in the series and within a handful of laps of being the Australian champi ons- but, that’s motor racing.

“Fortunately, the car wasn’t badly damaged; it was all superfi cial - in fact, there wasn’t an ounce of structural damage at all.

The boys have just pulled all the damaged panels off and have started repairing it already.”

So far as a next step. Wyllie #46 Kodak Commodore prepared

by John Faulkner. was not forthcoming.

By race weekend, his times “We’ve got ideas,” he said, “but it comes down to sponsorship and had dropped from initial low 34s to available funds. ACDelco Cup a 31.78 during the first of the two cars are always an option, but I 40-lap races in hot pursuit of last season’s Rookie of the Year, think I’m a circuit racer at heart.”

What this now means is that Nicole Pretty, there are two Trust Bank Driver fatigue, though, was the Computerland Hobart VS final victor, Henshelwood forced to Commodores up for sale, the physically fight the car to maintain team having only recently convert- consistently fast lap times.

“John’s cars aren’t fitted with ed the old VP Commodore to cur rent spec, complete with all power steering and require an immense amount of effort once mechanicals, as a ride car.

The championship-winning car the lap times start to drop,” he from two seasons ago and the car said afterwards, which Wyllie has been campaign“I’d spent a couple of months ing for the last two seasons is getting fitter to drive the car, but available for $55,000, while the nothing prepares you for actually older ride car. complete with cur- experiencing the real thing, rent-spec equipment, is available “I would have to say, though, for $25,000. on the positive side it was one of the greatest experiences of my Joining veteran life,again.” something I’d dearly love to MarshallAbelnica J. Brewerand in the move do After finishing Saturday morn to ACDelco Cup cars will be ing’s practice session as twelfth Wodonga’s Nathan Pretty. vPretty, who made a less than fastest of 21 cars, the Kodak favourable debut in the category Commodore was classified as at the final round through a lack of 15th-placed finisher in a troublelaps and preparation, has made free first 40-lapper and 13th in the no secret of the fact that his inten- incident-packed second race , tions for next season were Henshelwood bringing the car squarely focused on NASCAR. home amazingly unscathed.

“Realistically, it’s where I want to be,” he said. speedway veteran and former Sportsman champion “Despite all the niggling little Super hassles we had getting the car Wayne Smith looked set for an ready for the finai round (his first excellent run in the final round of real laps were in qualifying...), I the Strathfieid National Cars to had a ball. They are just the best make up for what had been a less things to drive. than satisfying season.

“I’m going to talk with Kevin With the support of Super Schwantz in the next week, or so. Charge Batteries, Smith and his to see whether I can go over to sons were back on the pace in the States for a couple of months their immaculate, if not slightly and see how things operate with intimidating, black Commodore, them over there. turning in a string of sub-32 sec- “Hopefully, I can learn a few ond laps in pre-event practice, things ready for a season in Cup “Finally, after a number of silly cars here when I can get back. niggling hassles, we seem to be “Our first port of call obviously back on the pace,” said a more will be to DeWalt to see what they than pleased Wayne Smith, think about things and see “We’ve always known we could whether or not we can interest do it - we just had to have the them in becoming involved in package right and now that we do, NASCAR. I can’t wait to get into the race.”

“Should it all fall into place.

As if by some great twist of we’ll run a two-car team for myself fate, the Smith team yet again and Nicole, with Nic taking over was foiled prior to race time, its the National Cars reins.” good engine fading in Saturday morning’s practice session, which Former Motorsport Advertising Manager News Sean Henshelwood had his competition debut at the final round of the Strathfieid National Cars championship behind the wheel of the

necessitated a change to the second Powermac McDonald engine for the race, Wayne ultimately finished eleventh and ninth from the rear of field, after failing to make qualifying.

30

By Gerald McDor] n The pre-event TAG Nationals publicity machine, led by media relations guru Grant Nicholas, was charged up as normal, with much information being spread out amongst the national media as was possible during the weeks leading up to the event.

Through Nicholas’ efforts, many different racers were involved with interviews for dif ferent media organisations, with Romeo Capitanio in among the thick of things, appearing on and in a number of different media outlets, including the popular Triple M FM Bougie and Dunstall show, starring AFL football stars Doug Hawkins and \ Jason Dunstall.

Peter Kapiris was among the many who made time available for the track and his sponsors, also appearing on Triple M, albeit on the Crud program.

Channel 10 News covered the event significantly, with footage appearing on their nightly news and the popular Sports Tonight progi'am, while other radio sta tions and media outlets contin ued with the exposure at various times.

It should be'noted that both Capitanio and Kapiris, along with Denis Ackland (ICI Autocolor Pro Bike) and Peter Ridgeway and Bruno Cugnetto (VPW Olds Pro Stockers) all per formed excellent burnouts and launches for the TV cameras on hand at the media day on the Thm-sday prior to the event.

B The biggest drama to effect most racers prior to the beginning of the TAG Nationals was the shortage of racing tyres, with Goodyear not being able to supply tyres to most of the professional classes due to their shipment not arriving in the country on time - many teams had to revert to air-freighting in their supplies at the last minute for the event.

Of the four sets that were reported to be in the country prior to the event, one team apparently got two sets, another team one, while two racers who share pits together got to split a set!

Also missing out on tyres was VPW’s Bnmo Cugnetto, who was recently made a dealer for the strong-running Hoosier tyres.

With his shipment not due to arrive until three weeks after the event, Cugnetto also air-freight ed in two sets of tyres for his new VPW Olds Cutlass.

Cugnetto’s new team mate, ’95 Nationals winner Peter Ridgeway, had to do with a handme-down ten-run old set from Cugnetto.

While getting the tyres here wasn’t a real problem in the end for many, the $600 or so it cost to express air-freight them into the country put off many others. , When Romeo Capitanio lost a tyre during his semi-final meet ing with Charlie DiFilippo, the team was unable to source a new spt of tyres for the final, having to resort to a 17-run set.

Continued on next page

4 n

Graeme Cowin first Aussie to take Top Fuel crown in five years

DiFilippo stuns with 4.85/298.40 blast & Bray runs world’s best 228.60 then ousted I Report by GERALD McDORNAN

things to remember the event by.

Unfortunately, come race day, the conditions were totally differ ent, with many racers struggling early in the extremely hot and gusty atmosphere.

Naturally, due to an incredible tail wind that greeted racers, offi-

and Top Doorslammer, while in the Competition Eliminator and Super Stock, some of the toughest fi elds ever were assembled as evidenced by the nearly every car in each of their 16 car fields qualifying under their respective national indexes.

In Top Fhel, Melbourne’s Charlie

5.03/226 on the first day of the event, DiFilippo recorded the coun try’s second quickest and fastest pass ever - a brilliant 4.851/298.40 - to sit atop the qualifying sheets.

Despite DiFilippo leading the sheets at the end of qualifying, though, at the end of the event it was Cowin and former ‘student’ Romeo Capitanio who slugged it out for the gold ANDRA Christmas tree, with Cowin finally taking out his first Nationals crown as both a team owner and driver after a distin guished 30-year career.

In Top Doorslammer, Valvoline’s Peter Gratz and Castrol’s Victor Bray slugged it out in qualifying, with Gratz claiming the top spot with a personal best and recordnational

After five consecutive years of competitor increases at Calder Park since tke 1992 Nationals, the ’98 TAG Nationals sadly expe rienced a substantial decrease in the amount of racers pre pared to travel to Melbourne for the event.

But, while well under 400 competitors was the number that fronted for the event, compared with in excess of 470 last year, what appeared to be lost in numbers was almost fully made up for by racers who gave their all in the quest for glory equalling 6.28. and providing an excel While Bray’s 6.30 lent show. wasn’t quite good As always, the prestige enough to claim top spot, of the Nationals is more his 228.60 mph top-end than enough to bring out charge was more than the best in most competi enough to surpass his tors, with many relishing previous world’s-best the near perfect track doorslammer speed of 226.81 and send the and atmospheric condi tions over the two days of SMOKIN’ AND HARD LIQUOR ... Jack Daniels Racing’s Brett Stephens. (Chris Carter) appreciative Saturday qualifying. night crowd into a frenzy.

Through the conditions and the cials and fans on race day, national Any excitement for Bray, though, DiFilippo jumped over regular four d esires of the competitors to records weren’t in a position to be second runners Glenn Mikres and went out the window in the fi rst achieve something special at the reset, so very few official standards Graeme Cowan to throw his hat into round, when he was disqualified for event, many personal and were lifted during the event. the ring of contention for the sport’s allegedly touching the sideline in Australian bests were set during Notable highlights during qualifirst 300 mph pass with his True his easy victory over Adelaide’s Dave Koop, Gratz capitalizing on qualifying, providing those teams fying came in a number of areas, Flow Exhaust dragster. and the spectators with many perhaps most notably in Top Fuel After stunning with a shut-off Bray’s demise and taking what

n 5 ■V

31

9 ojTo.

98 XAC NATIONALS

finally appeared to be an easy second Nationals \dctory in the bracket's threeyear histor>-.

One strange decision by the management was to exclude the very much unfairly criticised nitro Funny Cars from the event, with four ftiel coupes being then booked in to mn a series of match races, match races that, had each car fronted for every run, would have come to the same total cost as running a seven car field!

Unfortimately, no official announcement on the sub ject, or explanation for the decision, ever came from Calder Park or ANDRA, with many unsuspecting punters enquiring as to why there was no bracket.

That aside, the four teams on hand - four-time Nationals winner Peter Russo, new Australian Champion Lloyd Jones, Garry McGrath and Keith Agius put on a respectable show, with both Russo and Jones run ning quick enough to quali fy sixth and eighth,, respec tively in the Top Fuel field.

“It hurt us not being a real part of the Nationals this year and that was a factor which helped us make the decision to head over to the US,” Peter Russo said at the meeting.

“While we did a bit of damage on our 5.40 run, we also ran fairly good, so we're happy that we made S/MPL Y A WESOME... Charlie DiFilippo ran a brilliant 4.85/298.4!(Thunder-Pics) some progress.

“It’s always the same, though - able data on their 5.17/272 win over Steve Munday, then stepped up the we get limited opportunities to race Sainty, had too much for DiFilippo, pace in the second round when they and when we get to the Nationals a fireballing 5.04/276 winning for downed Glenn Mikres in a crucial and show we’re getting on top of the Sidchrome team over a 5.11. points battle, the Santo’s Cranes “Instead of replacing the clutch team struggling in the heat. things, the season is finished.”

As with all brackets, with condi completely after the first round, we After blowing a tyre with shrap nel in the semis, the Sidchrome reset it and the car just went down tions changing considerably for race day from qualifying, all bets were the track like a lame duck,” Charlie team had to switch to 17-run old thrown out the window for the first DiFilippo told Motorsport News. tyres and that may have been the round of racing in Top Fuel.

“We’ve still got a lot of learning crucial decider in their final round After stunning with two great to do with this combination and, match-up with the Shell Rocket while we are disappointed we didn’t team. runs in qualifying, DiFilippo elect At the launch. Cowin and ed to just idle his car down the come away with a win, or 300, we’re track in the first round, a decision happy with what we achieved.”

Capitanio were even, but Romeo Eventual winner Cowin earned held the advantage at the 60 foot which delighted Romeo and Johnny Capitanio - who easily disposed of his victory at the TAC Nationals markers. the hard way, with the Shell Rocket As both cars approached the Terry Sainty to earn a place along quarter-track mark, the red side DiFilippo in the semis - and team straggling in qualifying, then Sidchrome car shook hard and may have brought about the demise in the first round of racing surviv to the True Flow team. ing an incredible, mathematical started smoking the tyres, while In their semi-final race, the dead heat against Robin Kirby.

Cowin’s,car began to make a charge.

The Shell Rocket team, led by Capitanios, who had received valuContinued on next page

FINAL FLIGHT... Peter Russo went out blazing with a 5.40/269 before heading to the US.(John Bosher)

n Unfortunately, the once pop ular ‘Welcome to the Nationals’ function, held prior to the last six Nationals at Calder, may have been held for the last time due to a sudden dive in popularity.

After bookings were apparently made for around 130 racers, crew and officials, just 25 people turned up for the function, of which only a handful were racers.

After thinking that those that had said they were coming had paid, Calder management were shocked to find out that they hadn’t received a cent, because the price to attend the function was left out of the information booklet which contained the booking sheet sent out to the racers!

It is believed negotiations were taking place with the caterers to work out who would pay for the large quantities of food prepared for the expected crowd. n While entries for this year’s TAC Nationals were down dra matically from last year - 466 to 399 - with the increase of entry fees for competitors ($150 to $125), Calder actually ended up in front in regards to income, with $59,850 being paid by racers wanting to con test the event this year, against $58,250 in ’97. n Pro Bike racer Denis Ackland decided that this year’s TAC Nationals was the event that he would concen trate on entirely, unlike last year when he split his efforts between Calder and road rac ing at the World Superbike event on at Phillip Island on the same weekend.

Ackland’s road racing Harley, seeing the Phillip Island event was not a championship round for the Roaring Sporties Harley series, was handed over to Motorcycle News editor Ken Wooton for the weekend.

The choice paid dividends for Ackland, with the Melbourne racer running some of his quickest ever times and making his way to the semi-finals of the bracket. n A decision which caused much angst amongst competi tors and spectators was the Top Fuel bracket being placed in the NASCAR pit area along with the Group Three brack ets, but far away from the rest of the Group One categories which were placed in the infield pit area.

Competitors were annoyed at the time it took to return to the pit, while a number of spectators Complained about the amount of walking it took to get to see all of the favourite drivers.

Due to the time it would take the fuel cars to get back to the race track, the schedule was reworked. n Western Australian Grant O’Rourke had a wild ride in the braking area on his first pass at Calder Park.

O’Rourke’s BB/AP Torana appeared to blow an oil line off the car just past the finishline, send ing the car from the left lane over to the far edge of the right lane in a split second.

Luckily, O’Rourke had the chutes out at the end of his 192 mph pass in the Mine Core Australia machine, pulling the car up straight and without further incident.

O’Rourke returned for the next round of qualifying, then went all of the way to the final in elimina tions with the stunning machine.

falling to local racer Rod Rainford in his Motivator Race Engines C/Dragster. n While there was a fair bit of damage around after the first two Funny Car demo runs on Friday night, there were more smiles amongst the teams and crowds after some solid per formances.

Four-time Nationals Champion Peter Russo, the season’s hot run ner Garry McGrath and Keith Agius all threw a rod out of their engines, but, with jokes being thrown between the teams after the conclusion of the night’s rac ing, it didn’t appear to matter.

Russo - who ran his second quickest-ever et (5.405/269) burnt a piston, which then helped the rod go after he lifted off the throt tle - was happy with the run, despite the damage.

“At least we’re making a move in the right direction,” said Russo, who is making a move to the US with his racing operation later this year. n Australian Top Fuel Champion Glenn Mikres and his friend, former US Funny Car ace Rick Johnson, who has spent a bit of time Down Under this summer, were both hanging around the Funny Car pits during the event.

Johnson quipped: “We like the Funny Car pits better than up the road ...”

We’re sure that that would have remained the case after defending Top Fuel Nationals Champion Mikres was downed by Graeme Cowin in the semi-finals. n Super Stock racer Nino Cavallo’s woes with his potent A/MS Charger continued when, after just rebuilding the engine following his last out ing when a lobe ground off the camshaft, he had another cam fail on his first qualifying pass.

Cavallo’s machine, which has the potential to mn in the 9.3-second range, has had cam problems each of the three times he has headed to the track.

“We can’t work out the problem and we’ve taken advice from some of the best people around,” Cavallo said. “We’ll just have to wait again for next season and try and work out a solution before we head to the track again.

“It’s frustrating, as the car has huge potential and we’ve not cut costs anywhere- but each time we’ve been hit by tbe same problem.”

n Graeme Cowin’s win in Top Fuel was the first Nationals win the veteran speed king has taken behind the wheel of one of his own cars.

Cowin’s previous win, which came at Adelaide in 1986, was taken at the wheel of Steve Brown’s Warlord Funny Car while Cowin’s own Aussie Raider fuel coupe was in the US. The win was also the first for an Australian driver at the TAC Nationals since 1993 (Rachelle Splatt) with ’94 producing no win ner when just four cars entered the event and only two could front for the first round.

In 1995, Tom Hoover (USA) took out the title while in ’96 and ’97 Steve Read (UK) and Glenn Mikres(USA) won the event. n Charlie DiFilippo stunned everyone with his brilliant 4.851/298.40 top qualifying pass at the wheel of the

Continued on next page

32

£

Capitanio quickly pedalled, but Cowin had no problems and was long gone, going through to take the first victory for an Australian in Top Fuel since 1993.

“Graeme looked after both

By Gerald MeDor DiFilippo Family Racing team’s True Flow Exhaust fueller, having returned to the seat in place of son Darren.

The elder DiFilippo had decid ed to take one last ride in a fueller - actually his first in the team’s current car - before finally hanging up his helmet for good.

After such a brilliant qualifier, which followed an earlier shut-off 5.03/226, the team were confi dent of running the country’s first 300 mph pass.

But, after idling down the track on a bye in the first round, they could only muster a 5.112/280.72 while going down to Romeo Capitanio in the semi finals, with the hot gusty condi tions totally different to the prevr^us, near-perfect day. n Seen on Peter Russo’s Autopro/Exide Batteries Dodge Daytona, along with a ‘for sale’ sign, was more infor mation which read:‘dummy roadworthy certificate sup plied ...’ a The Pro Stock field was the quickest ever at the Nationals, with the factory hot rods rev elling in the extremely low humidity conditions.

The bump spot settled at 7.957 seconds with Robert Quattrochi, while Joe Polito led the charge with a track record 7.785.

Failing to qualify in the field were Gerry Parente (7.96), two time Nats winner Tony Wedlock (8.01), triple winner Hans Van Dyk (8.01), Tony Cosolito (8.10), Nick Moutsos (8.11) and Gavin Handley (8.36). il It was great to see Hans Van Dyk make a return to the track with his Pro Stock Commodore, after being seri ously ill over the last few months.

Despite failing to qualify for the tough field with a, best of 8.01, Van Dyk looked well, espe cially considering that he had undergone a number of major operations recently.

In reference to his medical con dition, Van Dyk’s crew gi-aced the team’s trailer with a “Hans Van Dyk Racing - In The Bag Tour” sign! n Triple Australian Super Sedan Champion Graeme Cooperis win at the wheel of Tony Busscher’s A/Street Monaro in Super Stock sur prised many, as it was his first-ever win at the Nationals.

Cooper, who has won every other title or national event he has contested, won at his 17th attempt to win the most presti gious event of them all.

The ‘Brickie’ has contested the Nationals 15 times in his infa mous ‘Bricklayer’ EH Station Wagon, while also doing double duty in ’97 and ’98 at the wheel of Busscher’s car.

The Nationals win was doubly special for Cooper and his wife, Linda, the couple celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary on the same day.

Continued on next page

Johnny and myself when we bought a Funny Car off him 10 years ago and we’ve always enjoyed being around him,” Capitanio said after the final.

“It’s always great racing him, because he has done so much for the sport.

“Unfortunately, we blew a tyre in the semis and we had to stick on a 17-run old set and they wouldn’t hold onto the track in the final,” he added.

“Sure, we would have liked to have won, but we/made progress and that’s what is'important.

“It was also a^great meeting for Sidchrome and their Proto range of tools to be exposed for the first time with our operation, so we’re looking to come back again and wip,” Capitanio concluded.

Gary Phillips took out his third consecutive win in Top Alcohol and his fifth Nationals title when he defeated long-time friend and team mate Steve Harker in a stunning final round.

Phillips had sat atop the field in qualifying for the majority of the event, but a last minute run by Stan Tindal, who had been strug gling ever since debuting his new, longer, more flexible car late last. year, saw the 63 year-old find the form everyone knew he is capable of and move to the top of the table.

Tindal faltered, though, in the first round and Phillips and Harker

\!

LINE DANCER... Victor Bray ran a world’s best-ever speed, but failed to toe the line and was disqualified.(Cass) progressed through the field to earn their spot in the final with consis tent runs.

Phillips’ Lucas Oil Products drag ster took the holeshot by just twelve thousandths in the final and, with a five thousandths quick er et, he ensured that the Top

Alcohol winners list remained an exclusive club with just his own and the two Steves (Read/Reed) being members on the list.

In Top Doorslammer, Gratz showed that, while he rhissed most of the summer tour, he had been doing his homework and preparing

THE MAGGS STAR... Brendan and Jason Maggs fought out the final of Junior Dragster-Jason won.(Cass)

pmzoiL

HPB

for the Nationals, the Valvolinebacked driver taking his second win in the class’ three-year histoiy.

Crowd favourite Bray was uncer emoniously dumped out of elimina tions after the first round of racing when his Castrol Chev was deemed to have touched the outside edge of the left lane, with a later protest being dismissed.

Ofthe four Top Doorslammer dri vers to have won a gold Christmas tree event, three were in the semi finals with a chance of claiming another victory.

In the end, though, it was Gratz and Shane Elcoate who made their way through to contest the final.

Gratz did all that was needed to win, finally taking the title with a 6.57/212 over Elcoate’s out of shape, shut-off pass.

Joe Polito joined an exclusive club in Pro Stock by taking his third Nationals crown in the Dynomax Ford Probe - his second in a row - after winning from the pole.

With Gerry Parente, Tony Wedlock and Hans Van Dyk all out side the field, it isn’t hard to under stand just how tough Pro was to run.

In keeping the series ahve until

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN... Graeme Cooper finally won his first Nationals, taking the win in Super Stock at the wheel of Tony Busscher’s Monaro.

^I v.-

33

98 TAC NATIONALS

9

GREEN WITH ENVY... Angelo Ganitis was the envy of the Pro Bike pits when he took home the gold ANDRA Christmas tree. Ganitis won over a redlighting Jason Lee in the final round.(Marshall Cass pic) the season-ending Winternationals, Polito disposed of this season’s star Rob Tucker, downing the Performance Wholesale Olds in the semi-finals.

No doubt the surprise of Pro was the debut of Jon Andriopoulous in the Andriopoulous and Sidiris Lumina, qualifying with a 7.89 and making their way to the final round before falling to Polito.

Other notable performances came from Bruno Cugnetto - who scored 7.80 in his new VPW Olds and Peter Ridgeway, who also scored a 7.80 in his comeback at the wheel of Cugnetto’s second car and Craig Hastead, who ran 7.82 in qualifying.

In Top Bike, seasoned campaigner Jeff Smith, who was riding the “dinosaur” of Harleys, finally got the deserved rewards for his efforts with a win over a very solid field, the bump spot sitting at a very stel lar 7.80 seconds.

Smith qualified second behind the Mark Gedye/Excessive Force juggernaut, but with consistency thi'ough the event and with Gedye losing to Perth’s Ian Ashelford in the first round, he made his way to the final round to meet North Queensland’s Craig McPhee.

In one of the passes of the event.

Smith took a six thousandths of a second win in their 7.40 to 7.40

duel.

BROKEN WIN... Peter Merrigan was happy after winning Modified when, after he stalled on the line, his opponent broke outI(Cass pic)

“I’ve come close to winning the Australian Top Bike Championship a few times, each time just losing out at the last event,” Smith said.

“But this is the Nationals and the

whole Jeffs Cycle Salvage/Snap-on Tools team worked so hard that we got what we wanted.

“To win a meeting like this, over a field like this, is just fantastic.”

Pro Stock Motorcycle has remained the domain of Les Donnon and Trevor Birrell for so long, but this year’s Nationals, despite the Castrol team’s strong running, belonged to Angelo Ganitis and Jason Lee. “We always like to win, but we’re happy for Angelo and Jason and Dale [Gilbert - Lee’s team owner] as we always try and work in together,” Birrell said.

“It’s good for the sport to see new winners and great for the class, as people can see that if you work hard like we all do, you can be com petitive. It’s good for the class and a great reward for their efforts.” , Lee, aboard Dale Gilbert’s D&D Industry Suzuki, top qualified in the seven bike field while Ganitis, who had sat atop the sheets until the last session, running strong every time he went out, finally qualified third.

In the final round, Ganitis took the win off the line with the Race Bike Developments Suzuki when Lee redlighted away the chances of taking a second'Nationals win.

Aussie Dave makes NHRA Ibp Fuel final Australian David Grubnic,fea tured in issue 122 of Motorsport News, has made it all of the way to the final round of the Slick 50 Nationals at Houston last weekend.

Grubnic, who is driving for Montana team owner John Mitchell, is just the second Australian to ever make a final rormd in a professional category of an NHRA national event Graeme Cowin being the first back in 1987.

In the final round it took a 4.6 run rom second Cory McClenathan to down Grubnic who ran consistent 4.7 second runs all day.

After a great start to the season, Grubnic is now place solidly in the top 10 points.

After running as quick as 4.52 at Gainsville the previous week, five-time World Champion Joe Amato set the national record to 4.53 seconds.

In Funny Car Cruz Pedregon kept upping the pace, finally setting the national record to 4.81 seconds in the Inter-state Batteries Pontiac, Cruz fell to his brother in the semi-finals, though, with Tony finally beating his boss John Force in the quickest side-by-side Fuimy Car race in history-4.84 to 4.88.

Force did reset the national speed record to over 317.5 mph.

In Pro Stock Warren Johnson continued on his winning way, taking out Mike Edwards in the final.

Johnson’s Goodwrench Pontiac continued to run in the 6.8s at over 200 mph.

It was the quickest Pro Stock field in history, with the bump set. at an amazing 6.93 seconds.

Ray Franks became the latest member of the 200 mph Pro Stock Club, although he flipped his car in the first round of competition.

- GERALD McDORNAN

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n Cooper’s win in Super Stock, after he had red-light ed his way out of Super Sedan in the second round, came with three opponents (Paul Attard, Les Heintz and runner-up Chi’is Chaisty) redlighting against him, along with Steve Norman recording a 1.232-second reaction time. n One of the most amazing incidents of the 98 TAC Nationals came in Modified Eliminator when Melbourne racer Peter Merrigan, who had endured a tough season with his Vandal altered, final ly had some luck go his way... and what luck it turned out to be, with Merrigan taking the gold ANDRA tree.

After rumiing through the field in style, a great day looked to have come to an end when Merrigan, who had to chase final round opponent John Ward down due to his quicker dial-in, failed to leave the start line.

But, as all watched in amaze ment, Ward stormed past the fin ish line in just 9.66 seconds, con siderably quicker than his 9.75 dial-in, breaking out and hand ing the win back to Merrigan.

Naturally, with the track com mentators announcing Ward’s amazing break-out, Merrigan’s crew, consisting of his wife and daughter, erupted in joy and the Vandal crew thankfully celebrated a victory which almost got away. n Quote:“I’d like to thank my crew who I met just yesterday,” Super Street winner Ray Ross said of the gu5rs who stepped in to help in at the TAC Nationals.

Ross, from Lower Beechmont in Queensland, made the trip to the Nationals all by himself when all of his crew members couldn’t make the trip to Melbourne despite having to drive home by himself, we think it would have been a more enjoyable trip. n Following last year’s family meeting in the final roimd of Junior Dragster between Scott and Kelly Bettes, Melbourne’s Maggs family kept the theme going, broth ers Jason and Brendan Maggs making their way through to meet in the‘money run.’

Jason, the older of the two boys, took the win in a double break-out race with the Pennzoil/HPC junior fuellers.

Continued on next page

34

98 TA.C NATIONALS

9

2IMafcMm

<

98 Nats: Round by Round & Results

#

By Gerald McDor] despite Brendan getting a .469 to .502 reaction time advantage.

Racing is, obviously, in the family’s blood, with dad Robert, a two-time Nationals Super Sedan finalist, taking a win in ’95 and failing to take a second in ’96 by just l/l,000th of a second. n While on the family subject, it is worth noting that Melbourne brothers Wayne and Clinton Cartledge both made the semi-finals of their respective brackets.

Australian Co mpetition Eliminator Champion Wayne, who top qualified in Comp, redlighted badly in his semi against Perth’s Grant O’Rourke, while Clinton was defeated on a .429 to .605 holeshot by eventual winner Colin Griffin in Super Gas. n Junior Dragster has grown considerably since Ryan Papavs took the first official trip down the track in a junior dragster at the ’92 Nats.

This year’s TAC Nationals saw an amazing 38 cars qualify for the event, seven of them running in the nine second range for the eighth mile.

Second-generation'racer Leigh Hartill-Law Jnr top-qualified at 9.54 seconds, while Russell Gregory set the top speed at 68.10 mph.

B Former Calder Park Meeting Director Ian Smith and son Warren made a return to competition for the first time since a 1991 top-end roll at the TAC Nationals.

The Smiths purchased Peter Kapiris’ former AA/Gas Beretta for Super Gas duties and, after 18 months of preparation and with Warren’s commitments at the recent Winter Olympics out of the way (he’s a senior video editor for Channel Seven and one of the most respected in the TV industry), they finally made it to the track with the stunning pur ple and orange-liveried machine.

After qualifying and licensing on the very last run before ehminations and with having very lit tle data to set their throttle stop at, Warren broke out in the first round of racing with the ReherMorrison big block bracket racing special-powered machine, run ning a 9.50 on the 9.90 index.

The massive break out came at much to the delight of Ian! B In Super Gas, 27 competi tors qualified for competi tion, with four racers finally qualifying right on the 9.90 index.

Top qualifier and former Winternationals winner Colin Griffin took home his first Nationals crown with a win over Wayne Price in the final, Griffin running a 9.92 in his High Energy Oils Pans Celica to Price’s quicker 9.91.

B Much-loved Calder Park announcer Colin Russell, who retired after last year’s TAC Nationals, pulled the memory out of mothballs and helped out on the PA at this year’s event, much to the delight of the racers,spectators and me!

TOP FUEL QUALHTING 1. Charlie DiFilippo, Melton, VIC 2. Glenn Mikres, Riverside CA, USA 3. Graeme Cowin, Mortlake, NSW 4. Romeo Capitanio, Heidelberg, VIC 5. Teriy Sainty, Old Toongabbie, NSW 6. Robin Kirby, Bendigo, VIC 7. Roy Smith, Logan City, QLD ELIMINATIONS FIRST ROUND Charlie DiFilippo, Melton,VIC Bye

ET 4.851 4.972 4.991 5.010 5.337 5.449 9.984

MPH 298.40 296.63 255.82 279.41 264.23 263.92 62.33

RT ET 1.567 27.258

MPH 57.69

TOP ALCOHOL ,5.830 238.60 1. Stan Tindal, Wyong, NSW .5.875 237.34 2. Gary Phillips, Hillcrest, Qld .5.906 241.67 3. Steve Reed, Buhya Riverside, QLD . .5.918 227.73 4. Dave Hawke, MagiJl, SA, .5.918 240.44 5. Steve Darker, Greenbank, Qld .6.106 228.25 6. Wayne Newby, Winston Hills, NSW ,6.258 219.56 7. Matthew Featon, Avondale Heights ,6.260 207.99 8. Mark Brew, Capalaba, QLD Scott Ferguson, Morphet Vale, SA,(6.323/215.31), Steve Read, North Pan-amatta, NSW,(14.525/52.65) ELIMINATIONS FIRST ROUND Gary Phillips, Hillcrest, Qld ...

Matthew Featon, Avondale Heights

,593 ,765

5.851 237.02 6.288 221.13

Mark Brew, Capalaba, QLD Stan Tindal, Wyong, NSW

.496 .070

6.112 220.48 11.727 73.04

....596 .(broke)

5.224 280.19

Gi-aeme Cowin,Mortlake, NSW Robin Kirby, Bendigo, VIC

.514 ,531

5.114 275.81 5.097 284.62

Steve Harker, Greenbank, Qld Dave Hawke, Magill, SA,

.502 ,508

6.082 236.15 6.241 219.35

Romeo Capitanio, Heidelberg, VIC Ten-y Sainty, Old Toongabbie, NSW ..

,532 .528

5.171 272.06 13.968 68.98

Wayne Newby,Winston Hills, NSW Steve Reed, Buhya Riverside, QLD . ..

.472 .734

6.032 227.10 5.924 240.64

SEMI FINALS Graeme Cowin,Mortlake, NSW ...

Glenn Mikres, Riverside CA, USA ... ,

,518 .503

5.007 278.98 5.258 270.43

SEMI FINALS Gary Phillips, Hillcrest, Qld Wayne Newby, Winston Hills, NSW ..

.486 .459

5.952 229.82 6.210 219.83

Romeo Capitanio, Heidelberg, VIC Charlie DiFilippo, Melton, VIC

,503 ,558

5.040 276.49 5.112 280.72

Steve Harker, Greenbank, Qld Mark Brew, Capalaba, QLD

.494 .480

6.068 232.61 6.263 216.08

FINAL Graeme Cowin, Mortlake, NSW Romeo Capitanio, Heidelberg, VIC

,520 ,524

5.037 243.24 6.572 131.92

FINAL Gary Phillips, Hillcrest, Qld Steve Harker, Greenbank, Qld

,467 .479

5.913 233.70 5.918 239.80

Glenn Mikres, Riverside CA,USA Roy Smith, Logan City, QLD

I

PRO STOCK 7.785 172.41 1. Joe Politio, Wetherill Park, NSW 7.803 174.38 2. Biuno Cugnetto, Epping, VIC 7.806 172.97 3. Peter Ridgeway, Berwick, VIC ....

7.825 171.36 4. Craig Hastead, Forestdale, QLD ...

7.837 172.64 5. Rob Tucker, Comubia, QLD 7.890 172.24 6. Jon Andriopolous, Razorback, NSW 7.936 169.52 7. Kym Petterwood, Logan Lea, QLD .

7.957 169.58 8. Robert Quattrochi, Rostrevor, SA ..

Gerry Parente (7.963/170.71), Tony Wedlock (8.015/168.03), Hans Van Dyk (8.015/168.03), Tony Cusolito (8.101/165.99), Nick Moustos (8.113/165.89), Gavin Handley(8.367/159.91)

I

TOP DOORSLAMMER ,6.282 1. Peter Gratz,Bonogin, QLD ... .6,308 2. Victor Bray, Kallangur, QLD .... .6.424 3. Shane Elcoate, Gladstone, QLD .. .6.601 4. Peter Kapiris, Toolem Downs, VIC .6.757 5. Ben Gatt, Canloy Heights, NSW .. .6.790 6. Michael King, Crestmead, QLD .. .6.947 7. Dave Koop,Para Hills, SA ,7.094 8. Colin Will, Port Pirie, SA Lui Raschella (7.102/196.37), Lucky Belleri (7,889/119.06), Robert Broadbent(12.755/99.14)

223.93 228,60 210.67 218.12 185.22 208.09 192.88 192.71

ELIMINATIONS FIRST ROUND Peter Gratz,Bonogin, QLD Colin Will, Port Pirie, SA ... ,

.485 ,567

6.445 220.91 7.217 190.75

nsr 169.84

Peter Kapiris, Toolem Downs,VIC Ben Gatt, Canloy Heights, NSW

.477 ,660

6.685 181.08 7.495 134.87

.482 ,519

7.907 172.34 7.931 171.35

Dave Koop,Para Hills, SA Victor Bray, Kallangur, QLD (foul) ...

,742 ,580

6.913 201.07 6.683 222.66

.588 609

7.865 171.95 8.046 168.76

Shane Elcoate, Gladstone, QLD ...

Michael King, Crestmead, QLD

.695 1.115

7.141 142.65 7.375 187.73

Jon Andriopolous,Razorback,NSW, Bruno Cugnetto, Epping, VIC

.443 ,525

7.984 170.06 8.202 164.20

SEMI FINALS Shane Elcoate, Gladstone, QLD ...

Dave Koop,Para Hills, SA

.517 .624

6.516 208.09 7.312 197.75

Joe Politio, Wetherill Park, NSW ...

Rob Tucker, Comubia, QLD

.481 7.871 170.42 .360 '7.931 170.32

Peter Gratz,Bonogin, QLD Peter Kapiris, Toolem Downs, VIC

.509 ....(broke)

6.851 208.96

FINAL Joe Politio, Wetherill Park, NSW Jon Andriopolous, Razorback, NSW

,508 .523

7.798 172.71 7.935 171.75

FINAL Peter Gratz,Bonogin, QLD .

Shane Elcoate, Gladstone, QLD

.489 .606

6.578 212.26 7.389 178.07

TOP FUEL MOTORCYCLE Jeff Smith,Logan Village, QLD Craig McPhee, Cranbrook, QLD ..

.532 ,534

7.403 183.37 7.406 190.51

SUPER SEDAN (9.94) Juan Kudnig,Brassall, QLD Harry Nicolaou, Glen Waverley, VIC ...(9.20)

.448 10.820 .364 9.264

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE Angelo Ganitis, Coburg, VIC .., Jason Lee, Pooraka,SA

,576 .363

7.887 165.31 8.030 160.51

SUPER STREET Ray Ross, Beechmont,QLD Mick Yfantidis, Virginia, SA..

(11.00) (11.36)

.461 10.962 120.74 .477 11.274 116.61

8.111 164.23 8.421 182.81

JUNIOR DRAGSTER Jason Maggs, Glenroy, VIC Brendan Maggs, Glenroy, VIC

(11.10) (11.57)

.502 11.045 .469 11.461

56.49 54.59

88.96 146.87

ELIMINATIONS FIRST ROUND Rob Tucker, Comubia,QLD ..

Craig Hastead, Forestdale, QLD ..

f.541 foul

7.968 171.55

Bruno Cugnetto,Epping, VIC .

Kym Petterwood, Logan Lea, QLD

.499 ,477

7.861 7.985

Jon Andriopolous, Razorback, NSW Peter Ridgeway, Berwick, VIC Joe Politio, WetheriU Park, NSW Robert Quattrochi, Rostrevor, SA

semifinAs

COMPETITION ELIMINATOR Rod Rainford, VIC (B/D) Grant O’Rourke, WA(BB/AP) ...

(8.26) (7.47)

.501 .541

SUPER STOCK Graeme Cooper, VIC(AS) Geoff Chaisty,WA(G/G)....

(10.25) (9.23)

.449 10.213 130.54 .282 8.978 149.72

MODIFIED BIKE Bob Shaw,Mount Louisa, QLD....(9.93) (8.80) Terry Emery, Ballarat, VIC

.473 10.522 .327 8.772

COMPETITION BIKE Mick Sargent, WA(AAB).

John Parker, QLD (P/CB)...

(8.76) (8.95)

.450 .538

SUPER GAS Colin Griffin, Craigiebum,VIC ...(9.90) (9.90) Wayne Price, Lower Plenty, VIC

.417 .487

MODIFIED Peter Merrigan, Eltham, VIC John Ward,Bonnyrigg, NSW

(8.98) (9.75)

6.370 24.742 nsr .508 9.668 129.30

8.620 149.42 9.040 144.09

98.91 145.53

9.928 136.17 9.918 128.20

I

25 Kenny Bernstein, Cruz Pedregon, Warren Johnson and Matt Hines all scored wins at the rain-affected Mac Tools Gatornationals at Gainesville, fantastic weather on the second weekend of the event enabling racers to put up big numbers round after round on March 15.

The MBNA World Record Club paid out some $85,000 to racers for their record-setting performances and almost had to pay an addition al $50,000 to Joe Amato, who made the quickest nm in drag racing his tory at 4.523, but was unable to back it up, falling in round two to clutch problems.

Kenny Bernstein and his Bud King claimed the Top Fuel crown with a final round 4.604-second blast at 318.47 mph that stopped the Miller Lite Dragster of Larry Dixon Jr, tuned by former Bud crew chief Dale Armstrong.

In Funny Car, Cruz Pedregon, reset the e.t. record in qualifying at 4.873 seconds and strung together seven straight fours,four of them in the .80s and all over 300 mph to deservedly take the event title over arch-rival John Force.

In the final, Pedregon got the Interstate Batteries Pontiac to the finish line first in a tyre-smoking duel — Force had earlier had set a new mph mark at 316.45.

Pro Stock’s “Professor” Warren Johnson left Gainesville with a win, the point lead and both ends of the national record, as he drove his GM performance Parts Pontiac past Jim Yates in the final round.

Johnson was the third driver to set the e.t. mark for the event, as his final round 6.873 put the icing on the cake - his earlier 201.20 mph blast in round one established a new record.

Matt Hines, aboard his Suzuki GSXR, picked upwhere he left off in 1997, dominating the Pro Stock Motorcycle class. He won after fac ing David Schultz in the final round and along the way set both ends of the record at 7.245/187.57.

TOP FUEL Gary Scelzi moved to the top of the ladder at 4.567/311.52, followed by points leader Jim Head at 4.577/315.90. Amato improved to a 4.603/317.79 for third, while Cory McClenathan held onto fourth with a 4.609/309.06.

The top 11 cars were all in the 4.60s, the field anchored by Cristen Powell’s 4.780/298.80.

The first pair out saw the Snapon Tools dragster of Doug Herbert taking on the Mopar Parts entry of Mike Dunn. It was Dunn from start to finish, winm'ng with 4.678/309.49 while Herbert was mixing up cylinders and spitting flames to a 4.862/286.98.

Dixon then showed what the track may be able to handle by going 4.598/313.15, which stopped the wheelstanding car of Mike Smith, who did a great job of bringing the car back down, clicking it early to a 5.117/206.65 when the Miller Lite car was gone.

Bruce Sarver advanced at 4.741/297.32 when the Pennzoil dragster of Eddie Hill lost traction past the 300 foot mark.

Records shattered at Gator Nats stunner r,

i

mato quickest at 4.523

In a sort of shocker, Aussie David Grubnic in the Montana Express blasted to a career-best at 4.573/298.70, spitting green flames and smoke from the headers to send McClenathan’s 4.646/313.26 and the McDonald’s team home early, John Smith, chiving for his newly pregnant wife, Rhonda Hartman, went up in smoke and had the best seat in the house to watch Amato and his Tenneco fueller record the quickest run in history at 4.523/322.58. Amato’s interval times on the run were .847 - 60 foot, 2.115 - 330 foot, 3.044/269.62 -660 foot, and 3.835 - 1000 foot.

Scelzi then advanced over Powell, both cars going up in smoke but it was Scelzi recovering to take the win at 5.068/270.02.

Head advanced, winning another side by side tyre-smoker at 5.217.286.62. The round closed with Bernstein pedalling the Bud King to a 4.677/317.46 to stop the 4.706/308.85 from the Kalitta team car, piloted by Doug Kalitta.

Round two saw Dunn destroy another motor while taking a 4.726/272.97 win over the Winston dragster of Scelzi, who was up in smoke at the hit of the throttle.

Dixon then made the quickest run of his life at 4.571/321.08, stopping Head’s 4.685/308.85 - but it was a costly run, as the top of the engine disappeared in a huge explosion, Parts and a huge fire punctured a rear tyre and Dixon did a great job of keeping the car straight and off the guard rail, managing to get it stopped safely.

Bernstein moved into the semis at 4.671/315.90 to stop the engine killing 4.835/297.61 of Grubnic.

Sarver then halted the quickest and fastest car in the sport, his 4.667/310.88 stopping Amato’s 4.742/290.13.

The semi final opened with Bernstein marching to the quickest run of his career at 4.569/319.37, easily stopping the 4.830/262.92 of Dunn.

Sarver left on Dixon and was ahead past half-track until the motor went dead and Dixon was able to drive past to take 4.894/289.57 to 5.922/151.10 victory, The final saw Dixon leave on Bernstein, but the motor came unglued and erupted in another explosion and fireball just before the finish line.

Bernstein was right there and

was able to take the win at 4.604/318.47, while Dixon slowed to a 4.734/288.73.

In a repeat of round two, Dixon had to ride out his second punc tured slick and again brought the Miller Lite car to a safe stop with no further damage. '' FUNNY CAR Cruz Pedregon blasted his way to the top during the second weekend of racing at 4.873/311.4, followed by brother Tony’s 4.923/301.70.

A1 Hofmann stepped up into third at 4.933/303.13, with Chuck Etchells winding up fourth at 4.965/306.74.

The remainder of the top eight, all in the fours, were Randy Anderson at 4.966/27-2.64, Whit Bazemore at 4.977/312.39, John Force at 4.978/311.74 and Ron Capps with a 4.998/302.52.

Jim Epler was in the final spot with a 5.279/296.93.

Cruz Pedregon opened up elimi nations with another brilliant pass, this time a 4.898/315.56 to easily stop Epler.

Etchells had some good luck in the next stanza when he was flat left on by Frank Pedregon in the Jim Dunn Dodge,.514 to .631.

Motor troubles set in for Pedregon, though, as he blew a burst panel and slowed to a 5.303/219.67 and Etchells thun dered by at 4.945/311.85.

Tony Pedregon then advanced on a 5.014/300.70 single when Jerry Toliver and the Mad Magazine Pontiac were forced to shut-off with an oil leak following the burnout.

Hofmann moved into round two with a conservative 5.021/300.90 over Wilkerson, who lost traction.

Anderson won his race over a redlighting Dale Creasy Jr - but it was a lucky break for Anderson, as he lost traction, pedalled and lost the blower belt, coasting to a 5.782/195.82.

Bazemore and his Winston Mustang had Dean Skuza covered, but something went away, slowing Bazemore to a 5.349/214.28 and the Mateo Tools Dodge drove by to the quickest and fastest pass of Skuza’s career at 4.979/313.80.

Force took a 4.970/306.01 win over Tom Hoover’s tractionless Pioneer Dodge and Capps closed the round with a 4.979/305.81 win over Gary Densham, who clicked off the NEC-backed Dodge.

Capps took a tenth of a second jump on Cniz in the second round, but his 5.064/257.14 was no match for the 4.886/315.01 from the Interstate Batteries Pontiac.

Etchells and his Kendall GT-1 Chev then dipped into the .80s at 4.892/303.64 to stop the tractionless Parts America car ofj^derson.

Force then recorded the fastest speed ever by a fuel flopper at 316.45 mph and his 4.924 was more than enough to stop his Castrol teammate, Pedregon, who smoked the tyi-es and hurt the motor.

Hofmann left on Skuza, but lost traction and watched Skuza motor by to a 4.992/308.43 win.

In the semis. Force and Skuza left together, with Force pedalling once to stop Skuza and back up his speed record at 4.976/314.68; nonetheless, Skuza was light there at 5.005/313.47.

The other race was over right when the green flashed, Etchells up in smoke and watching Cniz drive his bracket car to another 4.885/304.98 to go into the final.

The final matched the Castrol Mustang of Force against the Interstate Batteries Pontiac of Cruz. At the gi’een, both cars were side by side, then Cruz started to lose traction just before Force did.

They both started to pedal, Pedregon recovering first to take a 5.747/277.77 to 6.416/217.81 win., Pedregon came into the event in 12th place in the point standings and left third - the victory also ended an eighteen month winless drought for the team.

Ironically, this is the first time in eight years that Force does not have the points lead leaving Gainesville.

PRO STOCK The qualifying order in Pro Stock was changing with every run as Friday’s cool and dry weather helped racers find big power.

Jeg Coughlin Jr was at the top of the list with a 6.894/200.04, making him the second memBer of the Speed-Pro 200 MPH Club.

Kurt Johnson wa'^s second at 6.900/199.77, followed by Jim Yates’ 6.904/198.54 and Mark Pawuk’s career-best 6.911/198.80.

Warren Johnson was fifth at 6.919 at a whopping terminal speed of 201.11 mph. The top eight were rounded out by George MarnelTs 6.926, Mark Osborne’s 6.927 and Mike Thomas’6.934.

Robert Patrick put a Ford into an NHRA show for the first time in years at 6.945, while Ron Kiishep’s 6.958 anchored the quickest field ever in NHRA Pro Stock racing and there were eight more drivers into the sixes that had to watch when eliminations began.

In the first round, the national e.t. record changed twice.

Kurt Johnson went 6.881/200.13 to establish the record and become the third driver to top 200.00 mph in a first round encounter with Scott Geoffrion. Three pairs later, Yates recorded a 6.877 to take the record, if it held up through the next three rounds of racing.

The semis saw Warren Johnson drive his way into the final by strapping a good leave on one of the best leavers this year, Coughlin Jr. W.J. had the performance to match and his 6.931/200.66 was just too much for the Jegs Performance driver to overcome as he trailed all the way down at 6.956/199.64. The other pair saw Yates leave on Kurt Johnson’s Camaro and take a .020-second, holeshot win at the finish line, 6.946/198.19 to 6.943/199.91.

In the final, Yates’ Splitfire Spark Plug/Peak Antifreeze Pontiac got the jump, but the horsepower in the GM Performance Pontiac was too strong, as W.J. reset the record for the third time today - and this at was to be for good 6.873/200.66.

Yates made a race of it untO just past half-track, taking the runner up honors at 6.935/198.10.

It was truly a dominating win for Warren Johnson, who made it two in a row on the tour, his seventh Gators title and 65th career win.

Johnson also topped the 200.00 mph mark on six consecutive passes, never going slower than 199.15, that being his first pass of the event.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE Matt Hines looks like he will be unstoppable agian in 1998, as he had the field covered in Gainesville.

He qualified number one at 7.245 and stopped Larry Cook, Tony Mullen and Paul Gast, before meet ing David Schultz in the final round.

Hines left on Schultz by nearly a tenth and was never challenged, winning the event 7.318/183.41 to 7.421/182.14.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

1998 NHRA CHAMPIONSHIP DRAG RACING SERIES - POINTS TO MAR 23, 1998.

I. 2.

3.

4.

1998 NHRA Top Fuel Championship 325 Cory McClenathan, McDonald’s ,321 Jim Head, Close Call Racing ...

Larry Dixon, Miller Lite/MBNA 270 Mike Dunn, Mopar Performance ....259

5. Joe Amato, Tenneco Automotive ....244 230 6. Kenny Bernstein, Budweiser . ,227 7. DAVID GRUBNIC (Australia) 8. Gary Scelzi, Team Winston-No Bull ..222 215 9. Bruce Sarver, ATSCO 03 0303 3333

lO. Doug Kalitta, Kalitta International ...174

1998 NHRA Funny Car Championship I. Cruz Pedregon, Interstate Batteries ..302 2. Chuck Etchells, Kendall/MaMa Rosa ..300 3. Ron Capps, Copenhagen/MBNA ....298 281 4. John Force, Castrol/Mac Tools 5. Tony Pedregon, Castrol/Mac Tools ..277 229 6. Randy Anderson, Parts America 7. Al Hofmann, GM Perf. Parts/Pontiac .225 8. Dean Skuza, Mateo Tools/Mopar 213 9. Tim Wilkerson, JCIT International ...21 1 10. Whit Bazemore,Team Winston-No Bull ..150

1998 NHRA Pro Stock Championship I. 2.

3.

4.

5.

Warren Johnson, Goodwrench/Pontiac . .443 Jim Yates, Peak Anti-Freeze/Splitfire ...346 Jeg Coughlin Jnr., Jegs Mail Order... .297 Mark Osborne, Dick Sherman Racing 236 ..197 Mike Thomas, Gumout

6. Kurt Johnson, ACDelco/Chevrolet ..196 173 7. George Marnell, JK Racing 8. Pete Williams, Pete Williams Racing ..156 150 9. Mark Pawuk, Summit 10. Scott Geoffrion, Mopar Performance. 144

y

3S

2/March 1998

The

final

of the

THUNDERDOIVfE SUPPORTS

/MsP.'MtSMSP.

Konica

Sportsmans on March 14 looked like being a duel between Leanne Ross and Graeme Gilliland for the championship, although, if something drastic happened, any one of nine com petitors could take the title.

Practice was the start of Brett Campbell’s trouble when he touched the wall, but damage was relatively minor to the rear quarter panel.

Qualifying commenced with a big black cloud coming across and halfway through the session it dropped some rain, stopping the session briefly till the racing sur face dried out again.

Gilliland outpaced Con Vereker for pole by 0. 23s, while Tony Malley (after a couple of seasons on the sidelines) edged out Chris Robinson for third spot on the grid.

Ross was next, not that far off the mark.

A drama occurred just prior to the start of the race when Darryl Howden, Harvey Catton and Vereker were stopped from going out onto the track because their onboard flashing yellow lights failed the test.

Despite frantic efforts by their crews, they couldn’t get them fixed in time for the start and were forced to sit on the sidelines.

The green flag came out and the cars settled into a static pattern, with Gilliland in front of Malley,

Gilliland holds out Ross^for Sportsman Championship

CHAMP AND CHALLENGER... New Champ #18 Graeme Gilliland heads Leanne Ross.(Thunder-Pics photo)

second and Malley followed him, but Ross fought back until Hewlett and Savas came together, bringing out the yellows again.

A single file restart was the order and Savas got a stop/go for an incorrect circuit entry.

The restart was stuffed up when the yellow lights stayed on and the green flag came out, some drivers accelerating and some not, the con fusion causing some cars to come together - so they went round for another go at it for three clear laps to the finish.

Malley got the best start and stayed in fi’ont to win the race.

Ross got in front of Gilliland, while Savas pulled into the pits and Gillespie did likewise after tangling with Robinson.

At the end of a hard season of

Apart from the action in that httie group, the order remained static until lap 17 when Campbell had a big slide, but kept off the wall and finished in the grass to bring out

racing, Graeme Gilliland won the Championship by only a handful of points from Ross in what was a series full of dramas and wrecked - GRAEME BURNS cars.

Ross, Robinson, Andrew Gillespie, Gerry Raleigh and Mark Sutherland - Hewlett, Sam Milton and Ron Savas were having a very close race of their own.

yellows for the first time in the race, Ross got a good start and slotted into second behind Gilliland, Robinson got past Ross to take

Agosta wins two, but Harding takes title

With the damage from last meeting repaired, the Holden Quality Parts HQs were ready for the final two races of the season to decide who the cham pion woidd be.

Mathematically, more than a dozen drivers had a chance - but, after race one, that narrowed down to five with a chance and, with the accident rate as high as it was, sur vival was the key.

After qualifying, the pits were abuzz with activity to replace the front and passenger side of John Agosta’s car after it hit the spin ning car of Paul Fairburn, who also had some repairs to carry out on the fi'ontofhis car.

Neville Haley was lucky when he clipped the wall.

Percy Richardson chayiged a damaged extension housing, Kelly-

The final round of this super speedway season came to an end under threatening skies, hut the race for the Bob Jane T., Marts Legends Championship between Alf and Adrian Bartsch was going to brighten things up.

Qualifying was a drama for Teny Grogan when the oil cooler holed, spraying oil onto the brakes - a new cooler was sourced and fitted for racing.

Young Brad Radclyffe in his Sunbury Businesses-sponsored car also had problems when the front yoke of the tailshaft broke, but was replaced in time for racing.

No such problems for John Faulkner, who set another lap record, 29. 3982s, to take pole.

Race one saw Faulkner and Matt Coleman charge away and race inches apart with the lead changing several times.

Adrian Bartsch settled into third spot leaving Alf Bartsch and Rodney Jane battling over fourth, while Clive Henderson and Barry Merritt had a great dice behind them.

Henderson eventually got onto the tdil of Alf Bartsch and Jane to make a three-way race of fourth.

Anne Mitchell’s crew were chasing a loss of compression and Andrew Koolan and Andrew Hayes both changed engines.

Race One The start was aborted and the cars bought in for regridding.

Reece Arrandale was warned for passing the pace car and the start was affected, Richard Ireland, Philip Marturano and Leigh Yarnall all pinged for jumping the start.

A big pack of cars fonned at the front consisting of Mark Wicks, John Harding, Agosta, Scott Walker, Robert Hepburn, Arrandale, Rod Blanche, John Spencer, Paul Bongiorno and Glen McDonald, with a few others around the rear of the pack.

Bongiorno dropped to the rear

after getting very sideways and came to rest up high between turns 3-4 with a flat front tyre.

Yarnall was black-flagged, Graham Francis came into the pits very slowly, McDonald had a flat tyre and the yellow flag came out.

On the restart, David Keleher had a big slide and the front bunch was getting very physical, with much pushing and shoving, Hepburn, Harding, and Agosta being the front three of the bunch.

Haley had a turn at the front, but with the front pack growing to six teen cars and several position changes taking place, it was only a matter of time before something went amiss - and it did, in turn 4, with a big bang.

Walker, Jim Simmons, Blanche, Arrandale and a few others were involved.

Ian Hibbert got a big serve up the tail from Bob Muller which short ened the boot, but he continued on.

The cars were pulled into pit lane for a regrid with three clear laps to run to the finish and, when the green flag dropped, the front five cars were touching each other nose to tail.

Hepburn dropped out and Agosta got past Harding on the last lap and, when the leaders went through turn 4, a crash behind them caused mayhem for the rest, with only 23 of the 38 starters fin ishing.

Agosta did well to come back and win in a rebuilt car from Harding and Spencer.

Race Two With almost the full field run ning,- it was do or die for the top

five drivers who had a chance at the title.

Seven cars crashed soon after the start when Tony Atkins got side ways, Dallas Crane, Ireland, Paul Grieve and Hibbert being some of the ones involved and the field was parked in pit row while the clean up was done.

Twenty nine cars faced the starter for the restart and, as the skies threatened rain, Agosta took the lead and . held onto it, except for one lap when Haley took over but couldn’t keep Agosta out.

The rain intervened and caused a stoppage when cars were losing traction and safety was marginal.

John Agosta therefore came out on top in the race, while John Harding took out the champi onship.

-GRAEME BURNS

Legends title to Adrian Bartsch

Up front, Coleman was holding Faulkner out by the narrowest of' margins until the final lap when the leaders approached a backmarker and things went wi’ong for Faulkner.

He hit the wall very hard and went no further, while Coleman crossed the line followed by Adrian Bartsch, who looked good for the championship now with one race to go - Alf Bartsch was third, ahead of Jane and Henderson.

Race two and Coleman was on pole, with Adrian Bartsch on two for the start.

Adrian Bartsch had a slender lead in the points over Alf Bartsch, starting from three and the cham pionship was between this pair, with the rest too far behind to win.

Faulkner was coming from the rear, so a spectacle was assured.

The flag dropped and Coleman led away, with the field sorting itself out towards turn 1.

Faulkner made up lots ground on the outside, until braking time came round and a wheel parted

Htni"rFfTviic

TRICYCLE... John Faulkner presses on in fine style as his wheel tries the inside line. (Thunder-Pics photo) company, showering sparks evei-ywhere - luckily, neither he nor the wheel hit anybody and Faulkner parked well out of the way to allow the race to carry on.

The race settled into a procession up front, with Coleman pulling away from Adrian and Alf Bartsch, with Peter Williamson fourth.

Ultimately, Adrian Bartsch won

the Championship in what was a very entertaining series of racing and, with the numbers increasing, next season should be even better.

- GRAEME BURNS

Bobby tops at Atlanta second week in a row for NASCAR’s The Primestar 500 took place at Atlanta Motorspeedway a day ‘Golden Child’ and his third result outside the top ten this year. later than scheduled on Laps 118 and 160 the caution Monday, March 9, due to a very heavy storm system moving flags flew again, both for rain show ers - Kenny Wallace, after a two through the east coast and, tyre stop, headed Irwin, Jarrett and when the chequers finally fell, Bodine on the first restart.

Bobby Labonte crossed the line ●' Bodine led for the final time folas the victor.

Labonte has now won three of / lowing the second caution, Irwin the last four events at Atlanta, ' taking up the running a lap later his recent team realignment for the mastering the only two races held remainder of the season hopefully on the new quad-oval layout. seeing the rookie back up front “Once Bobby cleared me, he was gone; there wasn’t any catching after some strong showings last year. him,” said ranner-up Dale Jarrett.

Patience was a virtue for Lap 204 and Cope, who had conLabonte, whose Jimmy Makar-led tinued to run well, cut a right rear crew adjusted the car all race long tyre and impacted the wall driver’sBobby now has six career wins, 50% side first in turn 2 - Cope was taken to hospital with two broken ribs, the of these at the fast Georgia track.

Polesitter John Andretti in the week off leading to Darlington giving Petty STP Pontiac took the early him some time to heal.

After a penalty for speeding on running, followed by fellow Pontiac pilot Todd Bodine, going from the pit road, Jeff Burton blasted outhouse to the penthouse after through the field, pulling to third qualifying and making his first race position behind the Yates duo.

During final pit stops, Irwin of the year on the outside front row. slipped up in the pits, Labonte now The first yellow flag soon waved second on the track after making on lap 12 for Gary Bradberry, who his stop and leading for the first detonated his Larry Wallace powertime on lap 279 of 325, Bobby navi plant, dumping oil arovmd turns 3-4.

The second caution came out gating his Joe Gibb’s Interstate car soon after for Mike Skinner (mak through lapped traffic to the finish.

The race ended under caution ing his 50th start), who took an when Burton impacted the wall on extremely hard lick, slamming the wall at full chat in turn 3 and com the final lap, a blown right front tyre the cause (likely from abuse ing to rest in 4.

He doesn’t remember hitting the while charging through the field) wall, or slumping to the ground he did, however, finish eighth, the when exiting his Richard Childress last car on the lead lap.

Rusty Wallace’s Penske crew Chevrolet - although his car was worked on his Taurus during the totalled after the right front tjre let race and, late in the running, he go, Skinner suffered just bruising.

Andretti was one of a few drivers battled for fifth with veteran Dick

who stayed on the track during the cautions - NASCAR had planned to mandate a caution period to check tyre wear on lap 25.

The reason for concern was that Goodyear brought along a new tyre and, due to rain and darkness on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, no practising had taken place following the one round of qualifying.

Jeremy Mayfield, again strong in his Penske Kranefuss Taurus, took the lead from Andretti on lap 42, with a potent Derrike Cope in the Bahari Pontiac third.

Andretti came back strongly for the point, until he was pushed wide

by Bodine leading up to caution three on lap 50 for NASCAR’s man dated tyre check.

Bodine led on the restart, with Kenny Irwin heading the way on lap 80, his fellow Robert Yates team-mate. Dale Jarrett, second.

Jeff Gordon pitted off-sequence with a suspect flat tyre on lap 81; he would finish 19th, following other mid-race and race-ending tyre problems - a mediocre result the

Trickle, the latter coming home a strong sixth, despite a misfire after starting a miraculous third.

Jarrett held on for second.

Mayfield took a great third from 26th on the grid. Rusty Wallace was fourth (his younger brother was seventh) and Irwin posted his best result of the season in fifth, The first four events of the year have seen four different faces in victory lane - let’s hope this continues through the season, but fook for Rusty Wallace to win soon, as he’s the only driver to finish in the top five in all four events this year.

Final result; B Labonte 139.501 mph (Pontiac), Jarrett (Ford), Mayfield (Ford), R Wallace (Ford), Irwin (Ford), Trickle (Ford), K Wallace (Ford), J Burton (Ford), Benson (Ford), T Bodine (Pontiac), Points standings: R Wallace 665, Mayfield 616, Earnhardt 578, Elliott 557, T Labonte 526, B Labonte 525, Gordon 518, Martin 502, Hamilton 473, J Burton and Jimmy Spencer tied at 469.

- MARTIN D CLARK

Marc Reno, crew chief for rook ie driver Kenny Irwin, was released from his position on March 4, team owner Robert Yates citing Irwin’s lack of suc cess early in the season as the reason for the dismissal.

Reno started 1997 with Yates as crew chief for the now departed Ernie Irvan. .

Irwin used two provisionals in the first three events of the sea son and is holding 29th in points, which' concerned Yates: “We needed to search for different leadership,” he remarked.

Richard Labbe has taken over Reno’s duties - he was crew chief for Irwin last year when the rookie drove T-Birds prepared'by Yates, but run from the David Blair Motorsports stable.

The pairing had much success, qualifying in the top eleven in the four events they entered, even grabbing the outside pole at Martinsville in September - quali fying for Atlanta on March 6, they posted the fifth fastest time.

Labbe will remain a tyre chang er for Yates second team and dri ver Dale Jarrett on race days this will possibly change in the near future.

20% more downforce than the Monte Carlo, but the results of the| tests are never released.

D

BRETT BODINE (Martin D Clark)

By Martin D Clark USA

Ajubilant Toddevent Bodine qualified for his first in four tries this year, planting his Tabasco Pontiac on the outside of Andretti’s similar Petty Grand Prix.

Behind the t\wo Pontiacs were a rash of Tauruses. headed by Dick n other crew chief news, Brett Trickle, Dale Jarrett, Kenny Irwin, Bodine released his brother-inMark Martin and Robert Pressley. law, Donnie Richeson, as the The Hendrick pairing of Terry crew chief of his co-owned Bodine Labonte and Jeff Gordon formed Scandia Ford. positions eight and nine, with Jeff A replacement has not yet Burton tenth in his Roush Ford. been named, but the team hopes Fifty drivers took laps in to make an announcement by the attempting to qualify for the race Darlington event.

Chad Little, Sterling Marlin, Morgan Shepherd in a self-owned Pontiac, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Steve Park was transferred from an Atlanta hospital to Charlotte Marcis, Phil Parsons (driving for following surgery on his leg, which the injured Steve Park) and Jeff he broke, along with his shoulder Green were the unlucky drivers and collarbone, in a practice that went home early. wreck at Atlanta on March 6.

Provisional spots were taken Park, 30, is expected to be out from last season’s points tally, of the driver’s seat for at least five hence Little and Marlin missing months, ending his shot at this years rookie title with car owners ● the event.

Dale and Teresa Earnhardt.

Roush Racing took over the #97 car that Little pilots, but the Driving the Pennzoil Chevrolet, team were lacking in points and Park slammed the wall hard exit Sterling Marlin filled the seat at ing turn four. He then ricocheted Team Sabco vacated by Robby off the tri-oval wall, sliding across Gordon. the front stretch grass, hitting the Points leader Rusty Wallace pit wall and finally coming to rest.

Park was cut from the car and qualified a disappointing 22nd, while his points rival. Dale air lifted to a local hospital.

Earnhardt, lined up 30th.

Until further inspection of the The seven provisional slots car, no cause has yet been found were allocated to Ken Schrader, as to why the car hit the wall.

Earnhardt’s NASCAR Truck Ted Musgrave, Kyle Petty, Steve Grissom, Bobby Hamilton, Ernie Series driver Ron Hornaday is the Irvan and, for the third time in four prime candiate to fill Park’s seat races, Darrell Waltrip took the and will test prior to the event at past champion’s slot.

Darlington.

I

the Atlanta 500 for at John Andretti Primestar won the Pole Atlanta Motor Speedway, lapping the 1.5-mile tri-oval in 192.956 mph, surpassing Geoff Bodine’s cracking speed of 197.478 mph set last November.

Speeds were expected to be down due to NASCAR’s new aerodynamic rule configurations.

Andretti will not enter the 1998 Bud Shoot-Out in Daytona, because car owner Richard Petty does not allow beer decals on his car.

N

ASCAR made it’s third rule change of the 1998 season for the new Ford Taurus - teams will have to shave one inch from each side of their rear spoilers as part of the governing body’s efforts to gain parity in the ranks.

Apparently the recent wind tun nel tests proved that taking more height from the spoiler would not create the results NASCAR want ed, but cutting the sides created the necessary drag.

Apparently, in the wind tunnel tests, the Taurus proved to have

1998 WINSTON CUP SERIES RESULTS I. 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

TRANS SOUTH 400 - Darlington, NC. Mar 22nd, 1998.

Dale Jarrett, #88 Quality Care Ford Taurus Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chev Monte Carlo

11. Ward Burton, #22 MBNA America Pontiac Grand Prix 12. Dale Earnhardt, #3 GM Goodwrench Chev Monte Carlo

Rusty Wallace, #2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus Jeremy Mayfield, #12 Mobil I Ford Taurus Jeff Burton, #99 Exide Ford Taurus

14. Sterling Marlin, #40 Coors Light Chev Monte Carlo IS. Bill Elliott, #43 McDonald's Ford Taurus

Terry Labonte, #5 Kellogg's Chev Monte Carlo Mark Martin, #6 Valvoline Ford Taurus Johnny Benson, #26 Cheerios Ford Taurus

Kenny Wallace, #81 Square D Ford Taurus 10. Ted Musgrave, #16 Primestar Ford Taurus

13. John Andretti, #43 STP Pontiac Grand Prix

16. Michael Waltrip, #21 Citgo Ford Taurus 17. Chad Little, #97 John Deere Ford Taurus 18. Ken Schrader, #33 Skoal Bandit Chev Monte Carlo 19. Steve Grissom, #41 Kodiak Chev Monte Carlo 20. Robert Pressley, #33 Jasper Ford Taurus

avid Green has been rumoured to be leaving American Equipment Racing and the Caterpillar #96 Chevrolet.

The rumours were recently squashed by team manager Brad Francis, but a source close to the team said the rumours are true and a change will take place.

Robby Gordon was recently seen at the team’s premises, but he has not been confirmed as the replacement, ruton Smith has backed out of his planned new track in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, area, due to a lack of financial help from local authorities.

Instead, Smith’s Speedway Motorpsorts Inc will focus its efforts on building a speedway in the Chicago area, hopefully within 16 miles of the city centre.

The International Speedway Corporation, which owns Daytona and other tracks and is in a part nership with Penske Motorsports at other facilities, is also looking at the Chicago area. continue the Darrell Waltrip will season withremainder of the out 'new sponsor’ Speedblock and Builders Square.

“Speedblock officials grossly failed to fulfil the terms of the con tract,” Waltrip said - his attorneys will now take the issue to court.

Following Atlanta, Waltrip’s best 1998 result was 33rd in Daytona.

Waltrip, who has owned his own team for eight years, has also announced that the 1999 season will be his last.

He is currently selling the team, but hopes to drive for another out fit for the rest of this year and the next - he said that he has had dis cussions with Dale Earnhardt regarding the Steve Park seat, but that his first choice was to contin ue driving his #17 Chevy for its new owner.

Waltrip had planned to drive his unsponsored car in last week end's scheduled Winston Cup round at Darlington.

Following the Atlanta NASCAR impounded fiverace, cars for testing at Lockheed’s wind tun nel in Georgia.

Rusty Wallace and Dale Jarrett’s Fords, Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte’s Chevys and Bobby Labonte’s Pontiac were hauled off.

While results are never made public, word should be leaking out to the teams during the coming weeks.

You can expect NASCAR to make more changes to try and level the scales of aerodynamic parity shortly.

Eight of the top ten cars were the new Taurus at the conclusion of the Atlanta race - qualifying was more even, though, with two Pontiacs, two Hendrick Chevrolets and six Fords comprising the top ten.

r

WMMBj

k

Current Points After Round S

I. Rusty Wallace, Ford . . .

2. Jeremy Mayfield, Ford . .

3. Dale Earnhardt, Chev . .

4. Jeff Gordon, Chev 5. Bill Elliott, Ford 6. Terry Labonte, Chev . ..

7. Mark Martin, Ford

835 781 .70S .688 680 .676 .653 .634

8. Jeff Burton, Ford 9 . Bobby Labonte, Pontiac . . .619 .615 10. Dale Jarrett, Ford

38 iimms

SPEEDWAY

0

V(o

Brazier and Mopar split?

STRIKING ... QLD #1 Lyndsay Hawkings came home tenth in theAustralian Championship.(Brett Swanson pic) t may have been Victorian cam paigner Mick Nicola who took out the honours in this year’s National Super Sedan Championship at Warrnambool’s Premier Speedway, but his victory was not made easy, with some of Australia’s best Super Sedan competitors nominating for the event.

Nicola, piloting the Traralgon Car City Chev Camaro built by Danny Smith, was up against some tough competition, not the least being the defending champi on, Peter Logue, in the Repco Motorsport Camaro.

Logue, who is also the current Victorian (fourth year running) and South Australian champion (back to back), was not alone in status, however, other current state champions including Queensland #11 Hawkings Lyndsay (McDonald Murphy Mobil), W A #1 Robert Gray (Euro Engines) and NSW #1 Ross Brims (Brims Bulk Transport). remier Speedway, well known for Sprintcar racing, was well turned out for the event.

The powerful Supers, however, create more load because of their extra weight (compared to Sprintcars), the high banking ulti mately producing more G-forces and, in turn, creating more stress on these purpose-built cars.

This was all too obvious over both nights, with at least six cars losing wheels during the heat rac ing - Bert Vosbergen (Shell/Helix) and Robert Burke (Carlovers) also fell prey to the same malady dur ing the 40-lap feature event.

Axle problems were also indicative of the stress loads.

Brims, Michael Doblo (Cliff & Jan’s Seafoods), Paul O’Neill (Lismore Nissan), Peter Aylett (Boral Energy/City Bins/Fibretec) and John Leslight (American Truck Parts) all sustaining axle damage during the championship.

back in the car by 10:00pm that night.

Unfortunately for Aylett, his misfortunes were only beginning.

Although finishing sixth in his first heat, he did not race in his second. Lined up on the grid, he fired up the Camaro to find that he had a broken rocker and a bent pushrod.

Not receiving any points for this heat, he did finish in fifth position for his third heat on the night.

There were others just as unfor tunate, however.

The only international repre sentative was America’s Tony Hill, racing for the D.A.R.T. Australia team, piloting the Engines Unlimited 366 Chev Camaro.

Hill finished behind Aylett in the first heat for night one, but, when going around to take the green in his second hea,t was pushed into the wall by Warren Meissner.

Meissner was relegated rear of field, but Hill was out for the week end with a broken diff housing.

The same heat saw four com plete restarts before racing start ed. The last one was triggered when Gavin McEachern (Trident Tyre Centres) rolled after hitting a rut coming out of turn 2. He sus tained major front-end damage to the Pontiac, but was able to get back on the track for his next heat. ight two saw the great heat racing continue. Nicola began his top form, starting from fourth on the grid in his first 12-lap heat.

He powered through the field, taking the win by over a quarter of a lap from his brother, Peter, with Jan Marshall (Keith McKay’s Federal Tyres) in third.

The next heat saw a great drive from Craig Vosbergen in the Worldwide Machinery/Nuford V8 Chev Pantera.

Vosbergen took and held the lead for 11 laps, before hitting the r wall as he came out of turn 4 to take the chequered flag.

Pressured by Steve Murphy (Murphy’s Crash & Towing) and Nick Girdlestone (Harvey’s Smash Repairs), respectively, for the entire heat, Vosbergen, who had run a very strong race, crossed in second, sustaining a broken lower control arm after connecting with the wall.

The following heat was no less dramatic.

McEachern had taken the lead and, at half-race distance, a cau tion was triggered when Danny Amato (C.O.M.E. Racing) hit a rut and looped the Commodore.

Bruce White, pushing through from behind, was also involved and spun in front of Logue, the black Camaro being forced over the bonnets of the Amato and White cars.

Only superficial damage was sustained to #1 machine, although Logue was sporting a swollen arm after the heat.

With one round of heats remaining, an extended intermis sion was experienced when a blown fuse caused track lights to fall. A wait of over an hour fol lowed before racing could recom mence.

Girdlestone and Burke took out the first two heats of the final round, Hawkings going on to take out the third.

This was a great race between Leslight and Logue, Gray looping it in the back straight with one lap to go, giving Leslight second place behind Hawkings, with Logue third.

The next heat went to John Rodda (K & J Rodda), with Steve Stewart (Dry Creek Wreckers) tak ing out victory in the second last heat - Paul Tindal (Motion Auto Team) made the EF Falcon a mile wide to hold off the challenge from Doblo to cross in second, with the final heat (perhaps indicative of what was to come) going to Nicola, who took the win from Ron Pyne.

As reported in the last issue of Motorsport News, victory in the Sedan Australian Super Championship ultimately went to Nicola over Baker, Logue, Girdlestone, Gray, Marshall, Brims, Pyne, Murphy and Hawkings.

|t was Aylett’s first heat on the I second night when he broke an axle - but, if there was an award for perseverance, this team' would surely take the prize.

A quick check of the engine on Monday afternoon before departure from Tassie on Tuesday morning (the motor had only run one race) revealed SERIOUS STUFF... WA ’s Rohby Gray inside NSW’s John Leslight.(Brett Swanson pic) the main bearing cap was cracked.

This required the engine to be pulled down, arriving on m Wednesday Melbourne in pieces.

The engine was couriered to Major Engineering, arranged through Steven Pegg and Mercedes-Benz, I Footscray - it was ' received back by the team at 3.00pm Thursday and was

While Garry Rush was farewelling his Victorian fans at Avalon, rumours were circulating that Garry Brazier, had quit the Gary Stanton Mopar World of Outlaws team and was,in fact, at home in Sydney following a disagreement with his father and crew chief Steve Brazier.

Confirmation of the split came when Craig Dollansky qualified the Stanton Mopar #75 Schnee as 26th fastest at Devils Bowl Speedway in Texas on March 20.

Motorsport News was unable to contact Brazier for comment as we went to press.

-BRETT SWANSON

Vale: Dianne Watson The Victorian A-Modified Production Sedan Association is reeling, following the sudden and unexpected death of the Association’s hard-working and energetic Secretary, Dianne Watson,recently.

Diaime was the backbone of the association and will be sadly missed by all concerned in the speedway industry.

The staff at Motorsport News found here a joy to deal with and she possessed a wealth of knowledge where her beloved Modified Sedans on both a national and a state level were concerned.

Motorsport News would like to extend its condolences and cornmiserations to her husband, Neil and family members, -BRETT SWANSON

Two in a row for Gordon Cardwell Gordon Cardwell has been hot to trot in the Victorian Compact Speedcar ranks over the past few weekends, winning both features at Ballarat’s Redline Raceway and then the following weekend at Bendigo on February 28. !

Another point of interest is the increasing contingent of racers from New Zealand, with both Glen Smith and Ross Allen joining the fray.

Redline 14 cars fronted for the first night meeting of the season and the rac ing was “simply brilliant,” accord ing to chief steward Bill Dunn.

Gordon and Brian Cardwell sandwiched David Robotham in the opening heat and then Gordon led home Brian in the second stanza, with Smith third.

In the 12-lap feature, which was cheered heartily by the crowd, Gordon Cardwell took the honours over Ken Thomas and Smith.

Bob Boast’s car was sounding crisp and going like a bullet while running, but unreliability was still a problem, as it was for rookie Jason Crawford.

The Indian File handicap was the only event Cardwell didn’.t win - in fact, he didn’t even place, with the Robothams, Peter and David, lead ing home Andrew Baker.

Bendigo Kiwi Allen and local Bob English joined the Compact brigade here.

Brian Cardwell won the opening heat from Craig Hume and Thomas in a race in which all cars which started finished.

Thomas led the opening lap of heat two, until David Robotham hit the lead and then promptly spun.

Thomas then led away on the restart to take the win from Smith, wiio swapped the position with Gordon Cardwell on numerous occasions.

Cardwell actually finished in sec ond, but was relegated a position for passing on the infield.

Brian Cardwell failed to finish, while Baker spun and CardweU hit the fence and rolled.

David Robotham came from posi tion six in heat three to take the win over Hume and Simon Amato.

The feature was over 15 laps and was worth waiting to see.

Baker led the opening couple of laps, before Hume took the lead.

Gordon Cardwell and Smith were both slicing through the field, with Cardwell taking the lead from Hume.

Two laps from the end. Smith took Hume’s second place, but could do nothing about Cardwell out in front - Baker came home a fine fourth.

- BRETT SWANSON

V-

39 Promoter Colin Hill is confident Smart will have an improved sea son, saying that “Frank had not ridden in England for four years when he came over last year and he took a while to settle when he had machinery problems.

“I think these have all been ironed out now and he has first rate equipment, so he should do well.”

Coca-Cola Nats win

by Rush at Avalon

Chippindall’s front wheel, but con Garry Rush added some gloss the unlucky Bell, who was even on points with Chippindall, but lost tinued without damage. and prestige to the SRA Series Still'five to go and now Reed was by choosing Round 9 of the out on the coin toss.

Behind him came Daryn Maggs, right on McCubbin’s tail, looking series, the Coca Cola Nationals at Avalon International Darren Walsh, Rod Matthews and for a way past - then, on lap 23, he Raceway on March 21, as the the B-Main quartet, Wayne made light contact with McCubbin event where he would acknowl Milburn, Gerard Boult, Ray Scott and, as he got off the throttle, iner tia and momentum took-^over and edge his Victorian fans - and and Ian Thomsen.

At the drop of the green flag for Reed spun in front of the oncoming the myriad fans who came to pack. the 25-lap feature, McCubbin used pay homage would have gone Following the restart where he home extremely happy, as the / his superior power to sweep around Master Blaster snatched the ' the outside of turn 1 and into the came from the rear, Reed hit the wall a hard blow in his efforts to lead with just one lap and one lead from Chippindall, with Van make up some positions over the Bremen soon through into second. turn left to run in the 25 lap fea ture event.

On lap 3, Chippindall had a half closing laps.

Rush was now in second place For the 23 other competitors, it lose and dropped five places; but, with three laps left to run and, as was a huge thrill to race against luckily for him, Maggs hit the wall and end for ended down the back the pair entered turn 3 on the the man and neither runner-up penultimate lap, McCubbin hit a Tim McCubbin, nor third-placed straight, bringing on the reds.

For the restart, Chippindall was rut, hobbled and left the gate open Stephen Bell were too upset at hav for Rush, who dived underneath back in third position. ing been beaten in this instance. and came out of turn 4 in the lead McCubbin led away again, with Prior to the night’s racing and and facing the white flag. while in conversation with former Van Bremen looking very threaten Rush led the final lap to take a car owner Jack Maggs, Rush said: ing until the right rear tyre deflat very popular win from McCubbin “Jack, I’ve been in retirement mode ed, thanks to a loose bead lock. and Bell. since Warrnambool [Grand Annual Chippindall was doing a great job “I think we gave the fans a show Classic], although I did fire up for hanging onto second, as Reed and Bell were charging after passing by running the up in the outside Bunbury [Aussie Championship].”

But everyone knew that, once the Rush, who was working the high groove where no-one else was,” Rush stated. “I was going back helmet was on and the gi’een flag line to his detriment at this stage. wards for a while doing that, until I Reed had forced his way now to dropped, Rush would be out for the could make it work for me. second place and Rankin was run win, which at one stage of the run “At the last restart I thought I ning well, until he hit the wall on ning seemed improbable. had Tim covered, but I was running Phil-Johnson was top pointsscor- lap 21. out of laps, so I got up beside him er after the heats, but had injured a At this point, Reed was put back finger and was being treated by a position for passing Rankin on and that worried him into making a medical personnel and was absent the infield, so the order with just mistake - then, as soon as I got in from the inversion. five laps left to run was McCubbin, front on the last lap, the motor died A crew member, under fear of Chippindall, Reed, Bell, Rush, momentarily as it ran low on fuel.”

For McCubbin, defeat was no dis death, drew the number eight flag Johnson and Walsh.

On the restart, Chippindall hit grace: “But I really wanted to win which put Garry Chippindall on pole from McCubbin, Jeff Judd, trouble and Rush had a lucky this for Dad [Graeme McCubbin, Mike Van Bremen, Rob Rankin, escape when Chippindall spun in former team mate to Rush],” he -BRETT SWANSON Rush ran over said.

Rush, Matthew Reed, Johnson and turn 4

BOYCE AND CRUMP ... Both Aussies will compete in the 1998 World Championship Grand Prix series.(Mike Patrick pic)

By Tony MiIlari Joe Screen, the former British Champion, has multibeen appointed captain on his return to his original club Belle Vue Aces.

Screen has rejoined Belle Vue from Bradford, who will not be racing this year.

He becomes the second Bradford man to be appointed captain of his new club.

The 1992 World Champion Gary Havelock has been named as skipper at Eastbourne, where fellow England international Martin Dugard has stood down from the role.

World from the last two Champions years, Greg Hancock and' Billy Hamill warmed up for their European season by taking part in the Coors Light Spring Classic at Costa Mesa in California.

But neither could match the speed of 41 year-old veteran Mike Faria, who won the final, forcing Hamill into second place with Hancock missing out altogether after coming fourth in his semi final.

Gaerte and Steve Kinser make Outlaws podium P The World of Outlaws race at Battleground Speedway was postponed from March 14 to March 19, thanks again to rain and when it was run it was Joe Gaerte, driving for new car owner Henry Holbrook Jr, that led aU but foui- laps to win.

Gaerte had qualified second fastest of the 35 cars and then fin ished third in both his heat and the dash.

Frankie Kerr led away, but Gaerte was leading by the end of the first lap.

Mark Kinser was moving and took the lead on lap 4, Gaerte chal lenging Kinser before securing the lead on lap 8.

Danny Lasoski and Swindell ■were now the movers and Lasoski hit the lead - but Gaerte fought back and they collided with Lasoski, spinning to a halt.

Sammy Swindell challenged briefly, but Kinser retook second position, ahead of Sammy and Jeff Swindell.

Garry Brazier did not compete at this event.

When the Outlaw caravan hit Mesquite, Texas and the Devils Bowl Speedway - the place where it all started 20 years ago - this time the winner was Steve Kinser in the #11 Quaker State Maxim.

Max Dumesny Motorsport

Xoo$irr i RACING

TIRE

Craig Dollansky, debuting in the #75 Stanton Mopar formerly raced

by Brazier, timed 26th, ran seventh in the heat and then finished sixth in the B-Main.

- BRETT SWANSON

Frank from Perth will be ridingSmart his second successive season back in Britain when he wears the number one race jacket for Premier League outfit Exeter.

With the in topthe Australians all racing British Elite League, there’s no shortage of Aussie talent racing this year in Britain in the Premier League....a slight misnomer for what is effec tively Division Two. The following are listed among contracted men at the tracks shown: Smart from Perth at Exeter, Mick Powell from Brisbane at Glasgow, Craig Watson from Sydney at Newport, Brett Woodifield and Nigel Sadler from South Australia at Peterborough.

Jason Crump, Craig Boyce, Leigh Adams, Ryan Sullivan, Shane Parker, Jason Lyons, Steve Johnston and Mark Lemon are all riding for Elite League clubs, with the first four taking part in the World Championship Grand Prix series.

It means a total of 13 Aussie riders in Britain, with Todd Wiltshire currently bound for Germany. t has been confirmed by the FIM that the Longtrack/Grasstrack World Championship Grand Prix will include rounds in Australia and New Zealand next year.

The two rounds will be added to a five round European sched ule, with former World Champion Ivan Mauger responsible for organisation Down Under.

The additional rounds will both be raced in November 1999.

Stefano from Italyafter has returnedAlfonso to track action, serving a one year ban following drug taking allegations when he competed at Lonigo in a GP style meeting.

The former Edinburgh rider fin ished third in the consolation final, after competing in a 22-rider field which included eleven Polish rid ers and former world champion Tony Rickardsson from Sweden, who won the final ahead of Pole Jacek Krzyzaniak and former Italian Grand Prix man Armando Castagna.

Castagna had returned to his home country in top form within days of completing a successful Coca Cola International series in New Zealand, which he won.

1997/98 SRA SPRINTCAR SERIES

agents for

^ ^

Kinser lead aU 20 laps of the preliminaiy feature of the 25th Spring Nationals.

Though Kinser led every lap after timing eighth (out of 38), running third in the heat and winning the dash, he was pressured most of the way by last year’s rookie of the year, Donnie Schatz.

Schatz caught Kinser between turns 3-4 and almost stole the race, but Kinser held on for the win, with Frankie Ken- third.

olish star Piotr Protasiewicz will, after all, be riding for Kings Lynn.

It was thought that the collapse of the proposed deal to show British League action on Polish Television this year would make it impossible for Protasiewicz to be financed in England.

But the 23 year-old has signed a contract direct with Lynn pro moter Buster Chapman and he will spend the summer living just a few miles from the track, commut ing back to Poland for engage ments in his home country.

arrivedJohnston late for the start Perth of the Steve from season with his new club Oxford, who were one of the first British clubs to get underway, with chal lenge matches against Kings Lynn and Swindon this week.

Johnston was due in on March 22 in time for the club’s official press day and will be available for their first cup meeting the follow ing weekend.

^

For more information on Hoosier Drag and Speedway Tyres call 02 9679 1990 or 03 9331 6477 Fax 03 9331 7444

POINT STANDINGS UP TO MARCH 23RD, 1998

I. Matthew Reed 2. Tim McCubbin 3. Darren Walsh 4. Mike Van Bremen 5. Phil Johnson 6. Gerard Boult 7. Jeff Judd 8. Rod Matthews 9. Rob Richardson 10. Steve Knight

Kato Excavations/Balcombe Engineering Tiner 2930 ICI Autocolour/ Valvoline/Specialised Body Stealth . .2880 2604 Chemblast/Racetech JSR 2565 Speedway F’glass/Penrite/D&F Foster . .

2409 Rentsch’s Auto Salvage Grizzly 2282 Computer Bits Foster 2244 Autopro/BP Gambler 2053 Ballarat Palette Company JSR 1713 Lubri MaxxAA^rightway Refractories JSR 1701 Flocon Engineering Gambler

Gerard BoMit ~

40 27mm By BRETT SWANSON

By the time you read this, Skip Jackson - along with his wife, Lori and little A. J. Jnr - will be back in America getting ready to start another season at the Marion County Fairgrounds, aka Knoxville, with the Jensen Construction team.

Skip and the Jensen team, for which Max Dumesny drove a couple of seasons back, are the defending Knox\dlIe Track Champions, some thing which Skip hopes to duplicate again this season after becoming the first Aussie ever to win this keenly contested championship, “Right now, we’re just winding up and getting ready to go back to &ioxville to run the Jensen car,” Skip told Motorsport News before his imminent departure.

“This season, we’re hoping to do a bit more racing. We’ll run Knoxville every Saturday night and some other tracks around, like Sioux Falls and Jackson and, hopefully, when the All Stars and Outlaws come to town, we’ll run pretty good against them.”

Even winning the Knoxville Track Championship is no minor league thing, with the likes of Danny Lasoski, Denis Moore Jnr and recent Aussie visitor Terry McCarl chasing the title as well, just to name a few.

Speaking of Outlaws, Skip does have ambitions to run more fre quently, even permanently, with America’s premier Sprintcar divi sion.

“I’d like to run with the Outlaws, but I won’t do it unless I can do it properly,” explained Jackson.

“You have to be realistic in the goals that you set yourself and you need to be running good in your area [Knoxville] before you go and take on the best. You have to walk before you can run.

“Just look at Wagga last weekend [the NSW Championship, where Jackson spun twice]- you can’t get complacent.

“If Garry Stanton rang tomorrow and asked me to drive his car, I’d jump at the chance; but that won’t happen, so there’s no point sitting around worrying about it.”

Considering that Jackson was walking by the time he was only seven months old, I wouldn’t mind betting that it won’t be long before he’s running regularly with the Outlaws.

It’s been an incredible twelve months for Skip - a new baby, Anthony Jackson Jnr, the Knoxville track championship, the successful defence of his World Series Sprintcar crown, his first Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic victory and a win in the prestigious Motorsport Awards for the Speedway Racer of the Year.

“They have all been great things to achieve and you can’t do one without the other. Winning Knoxville’s title gives you the confi dence to go on and do more and it also gives you something to strive for this year,” Jackson reasoned.

“The most pleasing aspect, though, is the consistency of win ning and finishing near the front.

“Nearly every race we started we won, or finished near the front, which is a credit to both of my American and Australian teams.

The cars were fast and rarely broke down.”

From a pui-ely Australian aspect, it was a bit more personal.

“Being able to go out every week and do good with Tim [Gleeson] and my brother, Paul and to do it in a car that my brother, Jeff, built was very satisf^ng.”

SPEEDWAY

A Year Of Living Dangerously

Sprintcar ace Skip Jackson reflects upon his most successful season Off track, the birth of Skip and Lori’s first child, AJ, was like win ning the Knoxville nationals for

Skip.

A QUIET MOMENT ... Away from the frenetic oval track activity synonomous with Sprintcar racing, Skip Jackson considers the relative merits of his recent campaigns in Australia and across the Pacific in the USA. A dedicated family man, Skip is happily able to maintain a duality of existence where his Amerlean-^born wife, Lori and their new son, Anthony Jackson Jnr, rank equally In importance with his speedway endeavours.

Having successfully defended his World Series Sprintcars Championship crown and taken out the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic - along with the Speedway Racer Of The Year award In the Motorsport Awards - the 1997 Knoxville Track ■hampion has returned Stateside for the ew World of Outlaws and All Star racing seasons and will be driving for the Jensen Construction team.

(Tony Glynn pic)

“Having a child doesn’t relate at all to racing. You could win the biggest race in the world and it just doesn’t relate. When little A J popped out, it was amazing, so unique. It’s the things you don’t expect that give you the greatest pleasure,” stated an obviously proud father.

‘When you’re a kid in school and dreaming about growing up, you dream about racing cars and win ning races and getting married and one day having kids.

“Well, winning races is every thing you dreamt it would be, but having kids is so much better because you don’t know what to expect.”

From a personal standpoint, there are a couple of races which stand out in Skip’s memory as his best drives, but they may not be the ones you expect.

‘Winning some races at Knoxville was great and the Grand Annual Classic win was neat,” he stated.

“Coming second in the Australian Open was satisfying, after fading early then coming back, but my best race would be at Knoxville.”

“It was an All Star race and we didn’t time trial well.

“We got through the heat alright and made the final, but we had to start right at the back. / “On the first lap, I had an igni tion problem and dropped right back. But, on that dry, slick track I was able to do things with the car that I’d never been able to do before and we got back to finish fifth.

“That gave me the confidence to go on from there.”

With the amount of racing that’s available to Skip at Parramatta and Newcastle, it would be easy to stay home, run locally and save money, rather than go chasing the World Series and other big races.

So why do it?

“You’ve got to set yourself goals.

Everyone’s goals are different,” Skip said. “When I was in karts, I wanted to be the next Senna, or Schumacher.

“Then, when I was racing Compact Speedcars, I wanted to race Sprintcars in the USA, or run the World Series.

“I didn’t expect it to happen and then I didn’t expect to win it. You need to be realistic.

“When I won that first WSS JT\,

V

immm

Tapscett holds off Eden in thrilling NSW Litre Title

,p

Bundaberg Litre car driver Eick Tapscott successfully Kawasaki defended his Newcastle NSW Litre Car Championship at Wynns Newcastle Speedway on

BROTHERS IN ARMS ... Paul(left) and Skip Jackson. J&J Racing’s dynamic Sprintdar duo.(Tony Glynn pic) round at Claremont, it was just awesome. Then to be able to run consistent enough to win the title and then back it up again this sea son was great.”

Skip is considered by many rivals to be a lucky racer, but when it comes to Australian Championships - about the only race of note that Skip hasn’t won - his luck seems to ran out: “It definitely hurts us to not qual ify well when you’re up against the likes of Garry Rush, Max Dumesny, Brooke Tatnell and co at Australian championships,” Skip elaborated.

“At Parramatta, there was a real emphasis on time trials and I only timed 49th for some rea son.

“We found the speed back by the heats, but it was too late and we had to make the feature through the B-Main.

“At Bunbury, we didn’t capitalise on the format and only quali fied 14th, but I had a good team who trusted my ability and urged me on and told me I could do it and we came from 14th to third.

“We were running as quick as Max and (Jarry, but to be able to catch and then pass them you need to be doing something phe nomenal.

“Max drove well and made no mistakes - we had the same speed, but congratulations to them. I’d like to think that, if we had started in front of them, they wouldn’t have been able to pass me.

“Wining an Australian champi onship is still a major goal and it will annoy me if I never win one.

“At school, when L should have been doing English, or Maths, I would be drawing race cars and putting number one on the tail, because that was the easiest num ber to draw!”

Splitting one’s time between Australia and America isn’t a prob lem at this stage of his career for Jackson.

always will be, while America is her home.

“There is a little bit of pressure from Lori to settle down in one coun try and race locally and there will come a time when we have to make that decision - but that’s not right now and, by the time it comes, things will have worked themselves out.”

Getting a foot in the door in American Sprintcar racing seems to be just that little bit easier these days, thanks to the likes of Rush and Dumesny.

“Garry and Max have both set

Last season. Skip - along with his partner and brother, Paul, who makes up J&J Racing - teamed up with Terry Darvill for their initial successful assault on the World Series.

This season, the team belonged to J&J Racing and included Warmambool larrikin Tim Gleeson in the line-up, the latter outwardly appearing to be a complete contrast with the more introverted and seri ous Jackson.

“Tim fitted in perfectly with the team and was a big part of our suc cess,” Jackson said.

“As for the team’s year, it was a financial disaster. We had one engine, one car and we were lucky to win some races to be able to keep going.

“We had some great support from Skilled Ron Engineering, O’Brien and people like Alan Felsch, who helped us out whenever we had motor problems.

“Bill Gibson from Gibson Freight and Rob from Worthington Advanced Magnetos have been great sup porters and I’m lucky to have had their support over all the years, not just last season.

“I’m also grateful to the likes of Sid Moore and Sid Cusack and to anyone who has ever helped us, especially my brother and partner Paul, who has spent seven years putting this deal together.”

Just prior to this interview, an independent source suggested that Skip had done a deal with a major company as primary backer for next season’s Aussie campaign.

“We’ve talked to a few different people about next season and we’re still talking now about what we should be doing next season. But, until the money is in the bank, then nothing is confirmed,” said a noncommital Jackson.

In the meantime, it’s off to the USA for another hopefully success ful Knoxville campaign with the Jensen Construction team - and Jackson fans can keep up to date with his exploits via the net. Skip having a page as part of the Knoxville web site that is updated weekly - so get searching!

“At school, when I should have been doing English, or Maths,I would he drawing race cars and putting number one on the tail, because that was the easiest number to draw!

“I think it’s an advantage. The more laps and seat time you do, the better. It’s better than just sitting around watching television,” he said.

“It’s harder on Lori, more than anybody. Australia’s my home and

the standard for Australians com ing to America and they have set it very high, both in and out of the car. It makes it a bit easier to get a ride over here, but it also makes it hard to reach the standard that they’ve set,” Skip explained.

“They are both excellent racers and they both kicked my butt at Bunbury the other night. But it also makes you proud to go over there and carry the flag for Australia.”

Life on the road with a new baby isn’t that much more difficult, according to Skip.

“It’s a bit more awkward, but at the same time it’s pretty neat. The Classic was a bit disappointing, though, because Lori wasn’t there due to the time of night and the rain and weather and everything else, so that was a bit disappointing - but there’ll be other races.”

Russell Engineering machine, Peter Challen (who drove the wheels off his # 11 machine when the inside main wing face collapsed and created an enormous side-bite drama in the turns), Brandan Rootes in the # 15 car, Kane Bailey in the #30 Rocla rock et, Clay Lanerie, Rag Haynes and Mel Guy. , Smee bobbed up for a win, but it was to be the last happy moment for Nathan that weekend, Two big wrecks marred the first night’s proceeding - Brad Russell came unstuck when the right rear wheel appeared to collapse and he flipped hard coming out of Teterin turn.

Matt Wise emulated his coun

February 21.

After qualifying as equal high est pointscorer from the fom’ heats over two nights, Tapscott looked to be the pre-feature favourite in his potent #49 Autobam machine and that mantle was justified by half race distance.

Title favourite was unquestion ably Andrew Wright in the Kodak Express car, despite the fact that his form and fortune had been way down in the weeks leading up to the event.

Wright had been the fastest terpart in a sepai’ate event in the first turn of his final heat when he man around both Parramatta City Raceway and Wynns Newcastle baiTel rolled the #10x machine for what seemed an eternity.

Speedway, even when National Both were unhurt. champ Michael Gee had been pre The following night saw sent, although the two had never really met at full song - their Pickering continue his good form in the O’Brien Aluminium #28, respective lap times told the story. taking out heat one, with John Queenslander Gee was sup posed to attend the NSW title, but Kennedy scoring a good win in a melted piston in the #1 heat two in the beautiful #91 blue and hot pink racer.

Weatherall Smash Repairs the Mel Guy overcame his engine weekend prior put an end to plans dilemma from the previous night of travelling south.

Equal best pointscorer was in the #5 CGE machine, as joint point leaders Eden and Tapscott much-improved B-Grader Dean continued on their winning ways Eaden in the #99 Powerpro machine, who stunned everyone in the two final heats. with a heat win in every appear Andrew Wright won the B and was followed home by Brett ance, going head to head with Mitchell in the #92 machine and Tapscott.

Chris Shilletto in the #18.

Nathan Smee made a welcome That started him from position return to competition in the #98 Cenovis Vitamins car and he 17 in the Main - most thought that would not be a problem for appeared to have the motor prob him over the gruelling 25 laps. lems conquered in the Friday Eden led away at the green with night qualifying heats until a plug Tapscott falling back a few car problem arose.

Close to sixty cars had fronted lengths over the first ten laps, butnarrowly holding an advantage for the event, with a healthy con over Haynes, Guy, Chapman, tingent from Queensland includ ing Shilletto, Morgan and Russell Bailey and Gearing - Smee Dennis. watched from the crowd, as his Shilletto, in particular, was fast, #98 machine had quit during the but a race incident with potent final heat.

Wright was sizzling through Wollongong racer Clay Lanerie in the final heat on Friday night put from the rear, but, with about 12 a pause in the run that both of laps remaining, his car seemed to lose it’s sparkle and it wouldn’t them had going.

“Ragin” Russell Dennis was also come off the comers with the same extremely aggressive in the gusto.

Tapscott had eased past Eden Redline Rollcage naachine, but a trail of blue smoke from the and was opening up a handy advantage, until a spate of engine was giving an insight into dramas that may unfold later in restarts brought the field back to him temporarily. the meeting.

Some of the veterans were step Wright had managed to shuffle around the outside until he ping up to be counted.

Jeff Pickering, Reg Haynes and reached fifth spot, until the car Mel Guy,in particular, were really (which was getting more and more flying, giving some of the younger loose by the minute) finally half blokes some hiury up. spun in turn 1 and came back on The top ten list of pointscorers to the circuit. revealed no real surprises.

Lanerie was flying around the Tapscott and Eden led the pack, middle groove and ran out of room but they were flanked by Mel Guy, at the crucial moment, drilling Reg Haynes, John Chapman, into the side of Wright’s Suzuki Kane Bailey, Nathan Smee, Jeff and putting both drivers out of the event.

Pickering and Craig Gearing.

Andrew Wright did not start Eden threw everything he had one heat on the Friday night. At at Tapscott, but the Queenslander first it was drive-line failure, then was far too quick. The #49 Autobam machine cruised across the replacement was found to be bent. the line to take the win from an Getting set for the third heat, ecstatic(and B-Grade, believe it or not) Dean Eden in second, wily the engine developed dramas, the hot favourite cooling his heels on veteran Reg Haynes in third and a the Newcastle centre green. disappointed Kane Bailey in Heat wins were also shared by fourth.

- WADE AUNGER Brad Russell in the beautiful #19

42

27Ma[ct}im

Briefly Historic n Forty entries have been received for the 40th annivereary running ofthe BP Rally(these days knowTi as Ye Olde BP Rally)-an event for pre1976 Historic rally cars.

As much ofthe re-live rally is ai’ound central and noiihem Victoria, local native cunning should help the BaUai-at team ofFrank Devine and George Davidson (Datsxin 1600), and Bendigo’s team of Simon (“it has to be British”)Yoimg and highly experienced rallyist Geoff Byron in their Austin 1800.

A report and results will appear in the nejct issue of Motorsport News. n Famous Australian WW2 Spitfire pilot and rac ing driver Tony Gaze had a rather unusual appoint ment with Frank Williams at the Qantas AGP. Apparently Williams is a keen wartime historian and invited oui'highly decorat ed fighter pilot into the Williams garage on race morning to discuss various WW2 battles.

Alter qualifying I would have thought the Williams team had enough battles on its plate without rehving those ofthe past! n Meanwhile,Diana Gaze was showing more than a passing interest in the Formula Ford events, in particular the Van Diemen RF95(#40). Her grandson,Alex Davison was contesting the FF class after graduating fi"om the kart ranks in a car entered by his father, Richard Davison. n There are quite a few well known names whose offspring are now appear ing in Formula For^ (Ritter, Jones, Macrow, Blanchard and Occhipinti to name a few), but none more famous than Davison.

Alex’s grandfather, the legendary Lex Davison, was one ofthe most charis matic figures in motor sport, and the only man ever to win four Australian Grands Prix. n Efibrts to rejuvenate the Formula Junior catego ry in the 40th year since it came into being and at the NSW Championship race meeting a Wakefield Park on April 19 special races are being held for Historic Formula Juniors. There will be two 6-lap events and one 10-lapper. Let’s hope the organiser’s efforts are rewarded with a good turnout ofthe cars that provided many famous dri vers their initiations into the sport before going on to bigger and better things.

Also on the April 19 pro gram at Wakefield Park is a round ofthe Historic Formula Ford Series, as well as events for‘modem’ cars. Entries close on April 6 and enquiries can be made by phoning Wakefield Park Motor Racing Circuit on(02)4822 2811,fax.(02)4822 2812.

-BRIAN REED

Moss stars at AGP

By BRIAN REED

AS usual, Stirling Moss thoroughly enjoyed his visit to Australia for the 1998 Qantas Australian Grand Prix, and also for the opportunity to take part in the Tattersall’s Classic Sports Car demonstration runs held on all four days of the GP carnival.

Originally it had been hoped Moss would drive a Mercedes SSK or possibly a Maserati 300S, but he fin ished up behind the wheel of an Austin Healey lOOS simi lar to one he drove to an incredible 6th outright in the 1955 Sebring 12-hour race.

According to Moss, when ever he thinks Austin Healey he thinks Sebring, and his amazing effort in 1955 with

co-driver Lance Macklin must surely rate amongst his gi-eatest.

The Healey qualified 33rd, but when the chequered flag fell for the Le Mans-type sprint to the cars. Moss was already in second place by the time they got to the tim ing line. He was a great ath lete, and while most other drivers of the era treated the Le Mans starts as a bit of a giggle, Moss took them very seriously.

“I figured that being first away kept you clear of any tangle that might take place behind,” he said. Forty three years later when asked who beat him across the timing line. Moss said he thought it was Roy Salvadori, but he couldn’t be sure.

The Moss/Macklin Healey

lOOS scored a runaway victo ry in its class and finished 6th outright behind a D-'Type Jaguar, two Ferraris and two Maseratis.

Stirling Moss continues to be a great crowd favourite wherever he goes, and his wife Susie had to “ferret him out” from signing autographs in order for a quick photo session before they went to Tattersalls for lunch. Only trouble is his autograph is getting smaller and smaller as time goes by!

The field of classic sports cars assembled for the Tattersalls Demonstrations was a wonderful cross-sec tion of cars from the fifties and sixties, and showed the transition that took place during this era from front to rear engine configuration.

MOSS AT WORK... Stirling and Healey at AGP.

(Photo by Brian Reed)

and Aussies do well too TWO other Healey lOOSs were there belonging to Clive Smith and Joe Jarrick, as well as the Healey Silverstone of Keith Raper.

There were several other magnificent front-engined sports cars (D-Type Jaguar, Lotus 11 and XV, a Cooper Jaguar and a HWM Jag., the Tojeiro Climax, Kerry Manolas’ beautiful Ferrari 250GT driven by Spencer Martin and a pair of Lola Mk.ls.)

Australia was well repre sented in the front-engine division by Murray Carter’s Corvette Special, two Elfin Streamliners and Ian McDonald’s Ausca.

And then there were the ‘big bangers’.

Heading the rear-engine cars were Keith Berryman’s sensational Matich SR3(the car that won the Australian Tourist Trophy in 1967 and ’68 driven by its constmctor Frank Matich), and the bmtish Elfin 400 ofPeter Brennan.

What a pity Bob Jane’s big McLaren

MiOTORSiPORt lost one of its ' most loyal and long serving suppoirters when “Hoot” Gibson passed away while watching qualifying for the Qantas AGP on Saturday, March 7.

Duiring WW2, “Hoot” achieved the ranik of Flight Lieutenant with the RAAF and worked on Hudson bombers and Sunderland flying boats. Later his mechanical skills were put to good use, especially when it came to tuning and manu facturing bits in order to keep cars on the racetracks of N;E Victoria.

Many competitors in the decades following the war are indebted to “Hoot” for opening up his garage in Mansfield and working all night to ensure they were on the grid next morning.

During! the 19i0s, “Woot” com^ peted in the Round Australia Trials ' and. was a well known racing identi ty be'hiind’ the wheel of his gold Cadillac Special and his Vanguard Sportsman. He was a foundation I member of the ienalla Auto Club n and served a term of office as presi‘ dent.

As well as feis ionig-standing I; interest in motoir sport, “Hoot” j! Gibson was a ^d’evoted family man, I: and his wife Hazel and their eight ! children were a closely bonded and n happy unit. The Gibson family was i served a devastating blow when

South African land speed record back in the sixties.

There were beautifully restored Lotus 23s, Bruce Lynton’s Elfin 300, Ian true-to-form Johnson’s Ferrari Dino 206S replica.

Elfin Mallalas and the rapid little Lolita BMC of Ian Pope - a truly wonderful cross-sec tion of the classic era of sports cars.

Trophies were awarded to two of the participants selecting must have been a difficult task - and congratu lations to Peter Brennan (Elfin 400, pictured) and Photo by Brian Reed Keith Berryman (Matich SR3) for being the recipients.

M6A wasn’t able to start - John Harvey was really looking forward to being Also, Stirling Moss received a trophy for reunited with the car in which he won gracing the Albert Park circuit with his back-to-back Australian Sports Car presence, just as he did so successfully back in the fifties.

Championships in 1971 and ’72.

When you see a field such as this you A second Matich (the ex-John Wood SR4B) was driven by its new owner can only wonder what went wrong with Bryan Miller, and at least there was one sports car racing - it’s such an exciting McLaren to represent the marque - the category, and worthy of a resurgence.

MIA of Max Warwick which held the - BRIAN REED

Vale - Godfrey ‘Hoot’ Gibson

Bevan was killed at Mt. Panorama driving an ilfin 400 while chasing Frank Maich in a sports car .race, yet “Hoot’s iiove of the sport remained undaunted.

Three otihior sons, Grant, Paul and! Cart have ail competed in cir-

cuit racing, and Grant put his mechanical skills to good use by becoming Nigel Mansell’s mechanic in the Williams team. He later went to Benetton, and Carl decided he wanted part of the action and he, too, became a F1 mechanic.

911 turns into 2CV! HARD luck story of the 1998 Dutton Grand Prix Rally must surely go to John Dixon of Melbourne whose Porsche 911 was squashed by a falling pole 300 metres after the start of the event at Albert Park.

He had just been flagged away on the 2000km event when a workman operating a fork lift accidentally hit the pole, breaking it off at ground level. John just happened to be motoring by...

The result was a very flattened 911!!! Not to be deterred, he went home and borrowed his neigh bour’s Citroen 2CV and successfully completed the remaining 1999.'7km. rally without further drama.

-BRIAN REED

These days Carl is with Tom Walkinshaw’s Arrows team and for tunately was in Australia for the Qantas AGP when his father passed away. The previous day Grant had participated in the Tattersall’s Classic Sports Car Demonstration driving his exGraham Hill Lotus XV. Apart from cars and motor sport, “Hoot” Gibson had a passion for motion pictures and pioneered the synchronisation of sound and film in Australia. He operated picture the atres in Mansfield, Benalla, AlburyWodonga, Euroa and Wangaratta, and also undertook other business ventures ranging from a fast food outlet to motor dealerships.

He even converted the Benalla Regal Cinema into a disco complex when he was almost 70 years of age!

“Hoot” was community minded and served as a Rotarian and a Shire Councillor in Mansfield. He was able to successfully combine those things in life which he believed were important, but most important of all were family and motor sport.

To his wife Hazel and his sons and daughters who were a tower of strength as he was laid to rest in Mansfield following a service at Benalla, the motor sports world offers sincere condolences.

- BRIAN REED

2imm The announcement that the 1998 Silverstone Challenge has been can celled, effective immedi ately, has incensed com petitors who have com mitted large sums of money to the previously successful and popular series.

Prior to the cancellation, no contract for the 1998 Series had been signed between CAMS and Silverstone, despite the first round having been run and won at Coffs Harbour.

The cancellation news came on Friday, March 13 — “Black Friday,” as one com petitor. commented - when CAMS Rally Manager Andy Clark phoned registered competitors around Australia with the news.

The news of the cancella tion has stunned competi tors, as it comes just weeks before round two, the Respect Yourself Forest Rally in Perth, to which most crews have already made a committment to compete.

According to Clark, CAMS was notified on March 12 by Silverstone in Malaysia, who advised that the Asian eco nomic crisis was the reason behind the change of plans.

As a result of the worsen ing financial woes in that part of the world, Silverstone had no alternative but to cancel the Series as part of a major review of the financial commitment of the company.

Silverstone Challenge <an<ell^ The question most often asked by this year’s competi tors was why no contract for 1998 was in place, but Clark was at pains to point out that it was not CAMS’ fault that.'the documentation had not been completed.

There were several rule changes which Silverstone were anxious to have/includ ed and this was one of the reasons for the delay.

While these changes were being considered, the finan cial crisis worsened and Silverstone subsequently pulled out.

It’s understood that there are around 10 Corolla RVs reg istered this year for the Series and another three or four are still under construction.

Clark was hopeful that another sponsor could be found and was guarded at the suggestion that another sponsor would be unlikely to pick up the sponsorship mid-

way through the season.

“Let’s say that there are a few possibilities at the moment and we’ll be spend ing the next few days trying to find additional support,” he said.

After the success of the Silverstone inaugural in 1997, Challenge Silverstone was keen to pro vide support for a further two years.

Extensive promotional activities and publicity were evident during the year, much of which involved their tyre dealers and staff at events.

Nevertheless, registered competitors for the 1998 Challenge will feel they’ve been unfairly dudded and will be seeking answers to the reason why CAMS hadn’t insisted that a binding con tract was in place prior to the first round.

-PETER WHITTEN

Subaru backs Crocker Melbourne driver Cody Crocker, who has been knocking on the door of rally stardom for the past few season, has seen the door open slightly with the annuncement that he will drive for Subaru Australia in a Group N Impreza in the Respect Yourself Forest Rally in Perth.

“The deal is just for Perth at this stage and we will just have to waitand see what develops from there,” said 23 year-old Crocker.

“Nick Senior from Subaru asked me if I was available for Perth to drive the Group N car that was under con struction,” Crocker said “and I couldn’t believe it - do you say no to an offer like that?”

Senior, the Marketing Manager for Subam Australia,

said that the company had had its eye on Crocker for a coupe of years and was keen to see how he performs outside Victoria.

“We have built up our old promo car into a ’98-spec Group N machine and we will be giving a few youngsters a go at selected rounds of the Super Series,” Senior said.

“They will be one off dri ves at this stage and we will just see if, given the opportu nity, they can reach out and grab it.”

Crocker burst onto the scene .in 1994, winning the ARN Junior Challenge in an RX5 Mazda and then switched to a Mazda Familia in 1995 to post a giant-killing perfor mance at the Rally of Melbourne.

He switched to the Subaru Legacy RS for Rally Australia

’95, but rolled on the first day - he has continued campaign ing the ageing Legacy until now.

Crocker fills the spot left by Kiwi Greg Graham, who cam paigned a‘ group N Impreza last year, coming within a few points of toppling Michael Guest’s Mitsubishi for the Group N title.

It was thought that Michael Guest might pick up funding to mn a Subaru Group N under the Les Walkden Rally Team after that team switched from Mitsubishi late last year, but the deal failed to materialise.

While Graham’s campaign was funded by his father, Barrie, Crocker’s Perth drive is fully funded by Subam Crocker will continue to have long-time co-driver Greg Foletta alongside.

-JON THOMSON

Canberra postponed?

Organisers of the Rally of Canberra are hoping to get approval to cancel this year’s scheduled December event and instead run it in April next year.

The plan goes before ARCOM for approval this weekend and will be put before the World Rallies Commission in May. The plan, although drastic, will allow the Canberra organisers to avoid the oppressive heat which maired the 1997 Rally and to hopeful ly attract more local entries in what will be the event’s first year as a round of the Asia Pacific Championship.

It is also believed that Canberra organisers wanted to avoid the event being nm just four weeks after Rally Australia in Perth, a factor which obviously badly affect ed entries in 1997.

Rally spokesman Glenn Macneal said the plan had been formulated by the rally board and, at this stage, it is still just a plan - but it is one which could be vital to the long term viability of Australia’s other international rally.

“We have been given a good response from members of ARCOM, but the World Rally Commission is where the major decision will be made,” he said.

While looking to cancel this year’s event, the organis ers also have ambitious plans to construct a Super Special stage within the grounds of Exhibition Park, the home of the Summernats, which will also see the Rally media cen tre, HQ, scrutineering and service park located there.

Running the event in late April will give the organisers a three week gap from the previous ARC Super Series rally in Perth and a three week break to the next one in Queensland, given this year’s ARC calendar - it would make Canberra the second APAC round in 1999.

-JON THOMSON

^3

I

’m one of those people who are very uncomfort able in planes, though maybe the adjective “uncomfortable” doesn’t do justice to my state of mind whenever I enter an aeroplane.

According to Coral and other members of our team who have' to fly with me occasionally, I’m a down right cot case.

Over the years, they have gone to extreme lengths so as NOT to be on the same flight as me.

In 1996, they flew to the Canary Islands via a one way around the world ticket and spent an extra fifteen hours in the air, just to avoid being my travelling companions!

So, when the RAAF approached the Forest Rally organisers in Western Australia to run a “Swap A Ride” competition - rally car versus RAAF plane - Coral immediately said: “Yes, thanks, Neal would love to!”

Maybe it’s time to look for a new co-driver!

w

e travelled down to Melbourne for the Motor Show and stayed on for an extra day to see the V8 Supercar practice sessibns at Albert Park.

It’s something I’d like to have a go at one day.

However, for the moment, we are working towards the second round of the Australian Rally Championship, the Respect Yourself Forest Rally in Perth.

Unfortunately, Pete Reynolds, our engine/ hydraulic/electrical man is currently out of action in hospital with pneumonia which has caused a hiccup in the preparations.

We hope he will be back on deck soon and make it to Perth,

D

unlop is continuing its tyre testing program with the team, trying some new constructions, as well as compounds and we have been really happy with the progress made over the last few months. Testing initially started just before the Rally of Canberra last year and continued at Coffs Harbour, with further testing now planned in WA.

R

ound four of the World Rally Championship got underway in Portugal last weekend.

It will be interesting to see how the cars went on the first proper gravel rally of the season, Round one in Monte Carlo was a bitumen event, round two in Sweden a snow rally with cars on studded tyres and round three, the African Safari, a rough event for which teams build specialised endurance-type vehicles, Included in the entry list for Portugal were no less than six Corolla WRC cars

- three TTE cars for Sainz, Auriol and Loix, as well as three Grifone cars for Gronholm, Radstrom and Madiera.

The latter three are all competing in the new FIA Teams Cup, a “mini” World Championship for privateer teams which runs over any seven rounds of the WRC. It's a Championship that we would love to aim for.

From a sponsorship point of view, I believe we could create as much, if not more, exposure by compet ing overseas.

The Coffs Harbour proved that Rally the Australian Championship will be very close.

In Heat 1, we had the upper hand over Possum Bourne - however, he turned the tables in Heat 2.

WA will see the battle continue and the “sprint” format of the ARC will mean ifs full-on from the moment the clock says go!

I’ve been busy at the gym every day and we head to Perth in a very determined state of mind that is.... only if I survive the RAAF experience!

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

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NSW: Stuckey Tyre Service Ph:(02) 9676 8655 Fax:(02) 9676 5300 QLD: Road & Race Spare Parts Ph:(Q7) 3279 1533 Fax:(07) 3376 5804 j-Ci WA: Kostera's Tyre Service Ph:(09) 293 3500 Fax:(09) 293 1355 TAS: Bob's Speed Shop Ph:(03)6273 7555 Fax:(03) 6273 7666 b Find us on internet: http://www.stuckey.com.au

WINNER - NSW & VICTORIAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS - DUNLOP SP84-R

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44 21March im

KARTING

Super Heavy Stania nails arch-rival Edgar at Geelong »

i

CRACKER CROWEATER... South Aussie #34 Steve Kwaithowski heads Aaron Rintoul in Junior Clubman.(Burns photos) Report by GRAEME BURNS

With the Nationals only weeks away and the Geelong 5000 on March 15 the last open meeting on the circuit prior to them, a strong entry was received at the Victorian track, with many inter state competitors ai-riving to get some extra practice at the updated facility.

The meeting was run with two heats to decide the grid positions for the final, with the final only to count for the prize money.

Close on 250 entries split into 15 classes made for a full day.

FORMULA 100 HEAVY ...

Third-placed Malcolm Kilsby leads #68 Tony Gerace.

The first round of the Western Region Country Series was held at Horsham on March 1 in Victoria, Ken Filhy taking the honours in Senior National Light.

With only 80 entries received, the fields were dis appointingly small, with only ten classes catered for due to lack ofsupport.

Senior National Light was one of the larger fields, with 14 starters, Filby taking the win from Michael Lewis and Karl Price.

Four Midgets had a run, Benjamin McCashney show ing his experience by winning all three heats comfortably.

Bill Clark won the Clubman Over 40s by a nar row margin from Rod Westbrook.

Junior National Heavy put on probably the best display of the day, with good close racing and plenty of passing,

Filby scores in Country Series I N

Aaron McCracken taking the points from Nathan Reeves and James Wren.

Brad Farnsworth and Scott Ferguson in the Clubman Light class had a close tussle all day.

Tied on points going into the final, Farnsworth had the edge this time and Tracey O’Rourke drove well under pressure for third.

Seven Rookies faced the starter and no-one had a dis tinct advantage - some great moves were made and, in the

final, Rhys Archer took the win by inches from overall points leader Brett Jackson after several lead changes, with another young lady, Leah Unsworth, third.

Dane Bobart won all the heats in Clubman Heavy, with Ken Lampard next from Ben Braizer.

Aaron Berry snatched vic tory in Senior National Heavy by a margin of four points from Robin Dumesny.

A disappointing four entries in Junior National Light saw

Christopher Gardner win the lot from James Wren, who ran second aU day.

Pro Clubman saw the two Mildura boys fight it out', with Scott Ferguson coming out on top of Dane Bobart and Ballarat’s Andrew Calvert.

Here’s hoping more competi tors show up at the next round at Swan Hill on March 22.

The Eastern region country series Round 2 will be at Gippsland the same weekend.

- GRAEME BURNS

Ty Fellows from Tasmania took the second-place money home with him in the Senior National Heavy, but Timothy Bowkett got the big cheque, while Brett Arnett was in front of the group of four karts Scrapping for third when the flag dropped.

Shane Price showed some form in the Rookies by emerging out of the front gi-oup and pulling away from second-placed Dean Foster, with Ashley Rintoul third.

Clubman Super Heavy was a great race, withjthe front bunch being very close on perfonnance.

Jason Stania was the best driver on the day, though, coming from fourth in the bunch and picking the lead ers off - and the pass that gave him the lead over Murray Edgar was a ripper.

Gary Raymond pulled off a late passing move on Saun Fellows to take third back to Adelaide.

The front-running pair in Sportsman left the circuit, leaving the way open for Frank Fella to take the win from Chris Burke and Steve Williams (all from Geelong).

Adelaide boys Mark Hester and Steve Kwaithowski showed they will be up the front at Easter when they survived a very close, hardfought race with Will Davison and Gavin Walker to finish in that order.

Carrying the number one plate. Matt Wall pulled away from the rest in Senior National Light, leaving Ian Viggers and Craig Arnett fighting out the minors - but that was only until Daryl Henman caught this pair and forged his way through

for second, slotting Viggers back to fourth.

In the Midgets, Jarrod Medwin drove away from the dicing Ben McCashney and David Sera, while Jordie Lindstrom closed the gap and joined in, dropping McCashney back out of the points.

The Formula 100 Heavy had a spectacular I'ollover at pit corner when Tony Gerace went over in the final, skid ding along on his helmet and race suit - the suit and hel met did their jobs.

Dominic Albanese came out in front of Nathan Fletcher and Mt Gambler’s Malcolm Kilsby.

Clubman Light had a very strong field, and produced some close racing up front, with Kenton Ferguson hav ing the edge on the day over Clint Cathcart and James Sera.

Most of the moves in Piston Port were back in the field, while, up front, Steve Owen led Peter Tempoulos and Kevin Stray.

Tyson Hoffman took the money to Albury when he won Junior National Light from Jace Lindstrom and Brent Rose, who came through from down the field.

The front three_ in Clubman Over 40s pulled away from the rest and staged their own race, with Greg Savage getting past Jim Ramsey for the lead and Bernie Kelly holding onto third.

Chris Black won the small field of 200 Supers.

The National Championships at Easter on the Geelong circuit should be a gi-eat meeting, if this event was any indication.

DOMINATOR ... Senior National Light winner Matt Wall.

-W

KARTING

21Match m

^5

Lowndes and Bai^anna for East Coast Over 40s It was officially con firmed this week that young Touring Car dri vers Craig Lowndes and Jason Bargwanna will be attending the upcoming 1998 Bob Jane T-Marts East Coast Over 40s Titles to be held at Coffs Harbour on June 6-7.

This race meeting, which is hosted by the Coffs Harbour Kart Racing Club, is the premier event on the Australian sprint kart racing calendar for the veteran divi sion.

Now in its fourth year, the three-day meeting is expect ed to attract up to 250 entrants to Coffs from around the country.

Craig and Jason have been signed to participate in the Coffs Celebrity Challenge, which will open the annual event.

Other'local celebrities will be invited to test their skills in the quick and twitchy

sprint karts against two of Australia’s hottest pedallers.

While both Craig and Jason ar«i hardly strangers to open wiieel racing, will they be able to handle the other celebrities’ variety of driving styles?

Once again, Bob Jane TMarts has generously agreed to be the event’s major sponsor.

Channel 10, local radio station 2CS and Pelican Beach Resort are also strong supporters.

Craig and Jason’s presence at the meeting will ensure a huge spectator contingent, as well as serving as a reminder to the veterans of the karting fraternity that they, too, were once younger, if not wiser.

For more information on the 1998 Bob Jane T-Marts East Coast Over 40s Titles, please contact Nicole Rosevear (Race Organiser) on:(02)6651 7868.

BOLIVAR VICTOR ... Junior Intercontinental A star Neil McFadyen (above) already has two wins from three starts to his credit, the Sydney-based Junior taking out the final in impressive style dm-ing Round 1 of the pres tigious FMK Australian Championships at Bolivar Raceway in South Australia on March 1 (full report in last issue of Motorsport News).

McFadyen, driving a Comer-powered Top Kart for Kart One Racing and Skilled Engineering, recorded a blis tering 35.118-second lap time to head Will Davison and James Small and claim pole for the three qualifying heats to determine the starting positions for the pre-final.

An overheated clutch and a broken chain resulted in two DNFs, but McFadyen won the third heat and start the pre-final from grid 10. He went on to win from Jamie Carter.

Starting on pole for the final, a stunning McFadyen ultimately claimed victory, again ahead of Carter.

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4S 27March W8

Mark Webber column

THE CHANGING FACE OF F1...

Ecclestone’s impressive squadron of lorries carries FOCA Television around Europe.

(Photo by Michael Cooper/Allsport)

Bernie Ecclestone Continued from Page 21 "I reckon the Asian financial crisis is the best thing that could happen for Asia because it is really nothing to do with industry and the countries.

"It is probably a lot to do with cor ruption and bad management, a lot to do vrith the fact that people bor rowed and leveraged their companies in dollars and when the confidence fell out ofthe country their currencies collapsed. There is no reason why they should have collapsed other than the fact that they were overval ued.”

What about racing in Afiica?

"It would be good to finish the World Championship in South Afnca because it is on the same time zone as Emope. The weather is good so it is a natural choice.

"We ought to be in the Middle East as well and there is a good chance of that happening. The problem is that there are only 16 races and I have 19 people who want them." decide which countries will What theand criteria used to get are races which will not?

'You just look at the whole pack age and say: 'Do we work in a good environment? Is there a town near-

Continued from Page 15

I going to make next month. by? Is it being supported locally?'

"I always thought Orlando would "It is not easy to pop over to India and China, for example. Nowadays be good for us because they were we use six going on seven Jumbos to used to dealing with lots of people, so move the equipment around and to I think that might work."

Doesn't it worry him that FI is not get six Jumbos out of the air and in America? positioned is not easy.

"We seem to have done all right "If all the races happened in England it would be better. We since we have not had race there. It is not a problem. It has proved it is not would just take down the signs and a problem so it is not a case of what I change the backdrop."

What about the United States of think. It is a fact."

America? he other great mystery about "Where would you suggest? You go FI is why the sport does not and find a few investors, build a race take a more serious track that comes up to what we want and pay us what the going rate is and approach to merchandising. Why is that? we will go there.

"I hear all these stories about mer "The problem is that everything in chandising but I never see the America is so bloody cheap and to accounts of the companies. You see afford to have us is not easy."

What about the individual races Nike and people like that and you which are rumoured. Like Road think:'How much money have they Atlanta, Las Vegas and San spent to get that brand on the mar ket?'

Francisco?

"We are in a difficult position "I bought Road Atlanta years ago, but the question is would we want to because in the end the thing that be there? It is NASCAR country. It is sells the most is driver-related mer way out of town - worse than chandise. The drivers seem to be Silverstone to get to. It is not where happy jogging along and not being we want to be. The circuit will very professional about it.

"Really it is problem of the com nowhere comply with what we want. plexity oftrying to get these individu They have changed it a lot but I stiU als -^1 the drivers and all the teams think it is no good to us.

"San Francisco is bad for us - to work together when they all because ofthe time zones. think they know better than every “If Vegas comes up with what I one else."

A problem which Ecclestone has proposed maybe it could happen but you know in America it is aU about been juggling successfully for the last the bottom line and what they are 25 years in FI racing... n

T

The CLK-GTR was also on display at the Grand Prix Ball and made an appearance on the Midday Show, so it really did attract plenty of interest while it was out there.

Taking the car around the Albert Park track was brilliant, as was the reception of the crowd, so thank you!

Aside from the on-track activi ty, I had plenty else to keep me busy over the weekend. My sponsors. Yellow Pages, Qantas, Shannons Insurance and TagHeuer, all entertained guests over the weekerid, so I was in between hospitality suites a lot of the time, as well as participating in corporate 'meet and greets' and autograph signing sessions as one of the six Qantas Australian Grand Prix 'ambas sadors'. ' Probably my favourite moment of the Grand Prix weekend, though, was meeting Mick Doohan for the first time. He is very popular with AMG and Mercedes and it was great to share the track with him.

I hope we have the chance to do a bit more work together in the future. I'm certainly planning to go to a few 500cc Grands Prix with AMG to watch Mick. after the Grand Prix, I

flew tback to Germany for Straight another seat fitting and then onto Jerez in Spain for a six-day test, which went very well.

The track is impressive - very busy for the driver and heavy on the brakes. It's much better than I thought and heaps better than it looks on TV. Over the winter months it has been used a lot for Formula 1 testing and when Bernd Schneider and I jogged around it three times on the Sunday morn ing, we could see all the FI rub ber which had been laid down, which was good news for us.

Talking of Bernd, I had a hit of golf with him and the team doctor while we were in Jerez. I reckon I'm average, Bernd is a touch worse and the doc is playing cricket!

As to be expected with any racing drivers, there was more

At present, I'm in Majorca with the AMG/Mercedes fitness trainer and the rest of the GT squad. We're continuing our pro gramme from Austria, although this time we're working on run ning, biking and mountain climb-

mg.

First day here Tony had lined up a nice little warm-up ride of 60km for us on our bikes! Now we're working up to 80km each day.

I'm not saying it's uncomfort able, but I actually had to stand up to eat my lunch the other day!

Seriously, though, fitness has become an extremely important part of my routine. The races I'll be doing this year are much longer than any others I've done and I will be expected to race the car for a bit over two hours in one hit, so it's crucial that I'm at my physical best,

A

t the weekend, I head back to Germany in preparation for our first official FIA test on April 1-2 at Oschersleben, the site of the opening round of the Championship on April 12. n It's a brand new circuit for everyone and we're really going there on the test days to collect the data and information for the longer runs.

Bridgestone have come up with a really good tyre for the race but we're up against some stiff opposition from Porsche.

Still, we're happy with our pro gram and I'll let you know whether it all went to plan in my next column.

From the green light. Chili grabbed the lead from Haga with Fogarty in third and Goddard fourth. Haga lev ered in to first place but was bumped back to third by the Ducati duo of Chili'and

Continued from page 19 place on lap 13, then he outbraked Haga for second in to Honda Comer.

In the background lurked Corser, who was clearly bid ing his time to pounce on Haga and Slight in the dying laps. Behind him sat Chili and Yanagawa with Willis, fighting too soft a tyre in sixth, but holding a comfort able lead over Edwards.

Loop to Honda Comer, and I could see the other guys were having as much trouble as I was with the tyres.”

On the fingd circuit, Slight and Haga entered the Southern Loop where they

I'm not saying it's uncomfortable, 5 but I actually had to stand up to eat my lunch the other day!

Race Two

Pfilllip Island Superbfkes

Foggie’s lead over Haga had blown out to over six seconds with just five laps to run before Corser made his run with two to go, passing both Haga and Slight in a brilliant move.

‘T was able to make up a lot of time from the Southern

than a streak of competitiveness between Bernd and I ... and there were a few three and five irons travelling in the air, courtesy of Mr Schneider! I don't think the owners were too happy with the way we left their fairways!

NO LUCK... After his PI weekend should Corser be No. 13?(Photo by John uoms/Mpix) fell distraught in the press able 3.8sec lead with one lap to go, Fogarty room, led by Aaron’s wife won by 1.04sec from Corser, Megan, more drama unfolded up front as Fogarty dropped then Haga, Chili, Yanagawa, Willis (the first non-works off the pace with an over-heat bike home), Edwards, ed rear shock, to within sniff Hodgson (Kawasaki), Slight ing distance of Corser. (who remounted) and Russell “I could see Carl was slow ing but I didn’t know he was filling out the top ten.

Campbell was the first pri in that much trouble. As it vateer home in 14th place, turned out, I would’ve had him with another lap,” Corser some four seconds ahead of said. After enjoying a comfort¬ Shawn Giles(Mobil Honda).

confronted Yamaha Motor France rider Jean-Marc Deletang. Haga went up the inside, forcing Deletang to pick his bike up, only to make contact with Slight, who had tried to go around the outside.

The Honda rider was forced on to the dirt apron, tried to rejoin the track but was unceremoniously thrown off, handing third place to Haga.

While the Slight fan club

Fogarty, as Slight passed Goddard for fourth.

Corser was further arrears in sixth from Yanagawa and Edwards.

Haga held sway over Chili, and Slight made his way past Fogarty for third. With the conditions dropping the fastest time into the 36s, Chili ran off at Honda Comer with a chun ked rear Michelin and retired to the pits. In a matter of a few laps, the best times of the leaders blew out to the 37s.

Fogarty led briefly on lap 16 before Haga again dispatched him to second with a daring move in to turn one.

With a handful oflaps to go, Slight, who had earlier been ran wide by yet another backmarker,’got by Foggy in a last ditch attempt to catch Haga.

He stalked the Gobert-clone Japanese for the last two laps

before he attempted a finish line draught-and-pass manoeuvre that failed by just O.OTlsec.

Fogarty again finished lamely, this time due to a chunked tyre that dropped him over six seconds behind Slight on the last lap.

Goddard hung on for fourth by just a mere 0.015sec from Yanagawa, with whom he engaged in a closely-fought race-long duel.

Corser finished a distant and lonely sixth from Edwards and Russell, with Willis getting by Martin in the final laps to grab ninth place.

Willis had earlier spooked Martin with a spectacular and very smoky save in to turn one, in addition to a high speed, front-end lose through the Bass Straight sweeper ^ ter running as high as Wth, Campbefl retired on lap 13 when his Ducati sheared its clutch basket.

Points after one of 14 rounds: Haga 41, Fogarty 41, Corser 30, Slight, 27, Yanagawa 22, Edwards 18, Willis 17, Russell, Goddard 13, Chili 13.

3

2IMs!Cl}im

Sedans/Sporfs Cars

Sale or lease. Commodore'V8 Supercar. VR, Perkinsbuilt and unchanged since delivery Chev engine. Lease to driver with correct budget or sale, POA. Ph: Phil Ward 018 276 323, 02 9533 4909(BH), 02 9817 5560(AH). 124 AUSCAR VP, 360hp 315 motor. Super T10 box, Harrop rose jointed front end. 4-sp calipers, adj Bilstein susp.Pi equipment, fuel churn, rattle guns and line, scanners, dent puller, steel chest. Spares include axles, susp, springs, shocks, body parts, too many to mention. Help given first meetings. $15,000. Ph: James(03)9563 7072 or (015)800

Mazda 808(RX3J coupe,2E log, fresh 13BBP and c/r gear box, 51mm Weber, new exhaust, spare g/box, 3 sets rims, 4spot brakes, Dorian. Quick car, good cond, new project forces sale. $10,000. Ph:0419 276 593. 123

Subaru RX turbo, 5 speed, AW drive sedan. 4w discs, 4 spot Porsche calipers, aluminium cage, foam tank, new 15x7 and Falkens 215x60 series. Ideal fast Club Car. Spent $15,000-r, sell for $8,000. Ph:03 5663 5517. m

Torana LC GTR XU1, 3/71. All standard running gear - 2 owners. Body and mechanicals in perfect order. 3/99 rego, nothing to spend. Perfect Targa or Historic car. Good history. $13,750. Ph:0412033827 or 07 3801 1857(AH). 124

Nissan March turbo. Club car, ready to race. Magmoly multi-point cage, kevlar seat, spare engine and g/box etc.

Priced to sell $5,750.Ph:03 5827 1256. .23 NASCAR Commodore roller, good condition, spare wheels, tyres, springs etc. New paint, panels. Want to trade for Group N Historic, road car, ultralight or best cash offer. Ph:075578 7870. 123

1963 Ford Galaxy. Restored as replica. John Willment race car, winner 1963 BTCC. Rare 2-door coupe. Ultimate Targa Tasmania Historic entry, $15,000. Ph- 075547 5363. 123 Cortina GT Mkl, 1966. Newcarby, very original, 12 months rego. $4,400. Ph:029484 6127(AH)or 02 9153 6797(BH). 123

Sports Sedan Lancer, 13B fuel injected, intercooled turbo.

Fresh engine, gearbox, suspension set up by Centreline. Very competitive car, ready to race. Urgent sale. $7,300. Ph: Mark 03

1982 ReGar VH Commodore Group C touring car. Last dri ven by Allan Grice/Steve Harrington, Bathurst 1884. Numerous poles etc. Full CAMS log book and documented history. In origi nal as last raced condition. Ph:Steve 0418 359 999. 123

342. 121

98442309. 123

Datsun 260Z, dark metallic green, total restoration to bare metal respray. Triple concourse winner. Reconditioned 2.7 litre, 165kW engine, triple 45mm Webers, Recaro seats. Competition suspension, immaculate condition. Reg 12/98. $16,000. Ph: 02 9938 6403,02 99820347. t2i HQ, ready to race, well maintained and presented. Spare car with cage bolted in, ready to paint. Suspension kit still in box. $6,800ono. Ph: 0417 461 421 anytime. 123

1991 Ford Laser TX3 PRC rally car.200hp motor, lihnited slip gear box, light pod, fully intergrated cage, car has won WA Rally Championship. Fully sorted, spare parts package. $9,100ono. Ph:08 8244 3094,0412 260 264. i2«

Fiat 124 Spider, 1969. 1608CC, twin 40mm Webers, red/black trim, display standard. Cromodoras Pirelli P500s.

Enthusiast's car. Ex cond. Consider trade Group Nb. Asking $19,000. Ph: Dick 07 3261 7142(AH). 123

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<* l Bg 5 Ji'.'.'j-: 'i.

A9X Hatch, AT0/\A, authenticated category winner Targa Tasmania 94,95,96.350hp motor, freshened; Super T10 gearbox; Harrop front brakes. Spares include original block, gearbox, radia tor, interior etc. Fast and reliable. BM 7962. $31,500. Ph: 0417 512

Honda CRX, V-tec engine, fully caged, road reg, alarm, cen tral locking, suspension and brake mods. $15,000neg. Ph: 018

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Monaro HT Club Car. Group 2E. C/ratio gbox, T/plate clutch, 9” diff, Willwood brakes, Konis, Velo seat, aluminium radiator, oil colter, exhaust etc. Suit Chev, less engine, $10,000 Ph:08 8388 9110. ,23 Celica 72 model, good body, running, no reg. Suit parts. $300ono.Ph:035827 1256. ,23

052012. 123

285. .23

Celica 1988 GT4, intercooled turbo, 74,000kms, race sus pension, electronic diff lock, electric leather seats. Not for road rego, but can be rally registered. $8,500ono. Ph:02 4957 2905 or0419 434 311. .23 Pontiac Grand Prix NASCAR, ready to go $30,000; cam bered rear end, disc to disc $4,000; Scales $3,000; NASCAR block , never blown $4,000; Wheels, tyres $50 each, springs $10.2-way radios $5,000. Ph;029636 4447. 123

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VesKanda Group Cl sports car. Australia's fastest, as dri ven by 'John Bowe. 61 Chev, Motec fuel injection, DE300 Hewland g/box with ratios, spare wheels. Totally rebuilt by K&A. POA.Ph:015397 251or0883621977. 123

XU1 Torana. 2 x Sports Sedan Toranas. 1 fresh mid-mount engine with triple SVs, roller rockers & solid cam, 5-speed, $6,200ono, 1 fresh 202, triple 45mm Webers, roller rockers & solid cam. $ speed and log book. $7,500ono. Both ready to race, 16x10 inch wheels and 4WD. Ph: Vince (03) 9482:3444 (BH),(03)9439 3686(AH). .23 Ford Siena RS500, ex Group A Ross Slone shell with ulti mate cage. Now with pumped fibreglass guards to suit 17"x11” tyres, AP 4-pot brakes, plus Harrop 9" independent rear end.

No motor or gearbox. $12,500. Ph: 02 4367 6734, 0412 676 734. 124

Black Beast - 74 GTS dI Tomaso Pantera. 490hp, Carillos, Cosworth pistons, Motec ignition, Chev crank, 17x11 rears 17x9 fronts, Simmons, large Harrop brakes all round. Ideal car for Targa, club days or just touring. In A1 cond. POA. Ph: Tony Jory 0418 130133,03 63265555. ra

1979 Philips 4 door ASX Torana touring car. Last dri ven by Charlie O’Brien. Offered for sale in original condition, as raced. Ph: Steve 0418 359 999. 123 Mazda RX4 Club Car Sports Sedan. Unfinished projrct. Fully adjustable suspension, floater diff, 4 link rear Watts linkage, pedal box, big brakes. Stressed alloy cage. Spare panels etc.

POA. Ph:03 9354 0417,019 191 612. 123

Bolwell Nagari. One owner from new. Road or race. Mallala record holder. 5L Ford, Super T10 g/box. Ford diff. Spare wheels. Totally rebuilt by K&A. POA. Ph: 015 397 251 or 08 8362 1977. ra

Porsche 993 RSCS. Fully rebuilt for 1998 season, eligible for GT Production and Class A Porsche Cup. Double adjustable shock absorbers, race ready, immaculate. You will not be disap pointed. $158,000. Ph:029450 2100 or 0418 229900(AH). 122

Holden Caiibra Sports Sedan, Group A shocks and brakes, cambered diff, V8 Chev, built to finish. Hrst sate fell through! Don't miss out. Act now. Spares S trailer. Ph: Norm 0418 672 116,07 5524 3390. 122

continued over page

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CATEGORY; Cars; □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers Generol; □ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers

□ Speedway □ Drag □ Photographs □ Other □ Wanted

27Maichm Mazda RX-7 series 1,good condition, dismantled, complete less motor and transmission. 4.4 locked diff with double row bearings, series 2rear end. $1,700. Ph:0419 334 786. 122 Toyota Levin Ex Group C Touring Car. History includes 3 Bathursts and mant touring car championships as "works" car. then owned by Alexandra Surplice. Not currently running, but includes 2TG 5speed g/box. Disc Brake Sprinter diff, full roll cage. Body is rough but can be restored as good Targa, rally or Club Car. $2,000. Ph; Bryan 02 9844 5232(BH) or 02 9979 8734(AH). .2.

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XJS Jaguar, beautiful condition inside and out. Full body kit. specially joined to body - no seams. A real head tutner. Must be seen. $15,000, plates extra. Ph:02 9604 8088(BH),02 9622 0699(AH). 122

Sports Sedan 78 Celica, 3.5 litre Rover alum. V8 motor.

Celica 5 speed g/box, LSD, 4-wheel disc brakes, 15x10 Rebel wheels. Dual axle reg trailer. $6,500ono. Ph; 02 6559 4002, 0414 594002. .22 Cortina GT Mkll “69 sedan. Original 1600GT running gear and gauges etc. Suit for resto. $600. Twin Weber manifold suit above $50. Ph:035827 1256. 123

Commodore VC Street Sedan (also eligible Club Car), Bakers built 304, adjustable suspension. LSD, SAAS seat and wheel. Many spares including tyres. Phone for details. Asking $9,000ono. Ph:02 9809 3407,0417 474 336. 122 Torana LC GTR rolling chassis,9". 15"x10”, 7 point cage, new 2-pack paint, coil-overs. Heaps more. $3,000ono. U GTR supercharged 208, top loader, Nissan 10 bolt diff, $5,(i00ono.

Ph:0412 462501,02 6294 2719. 122 HQ Race Car, well presented, very reliable, lots of new parts, full set of spare panels, assistance given to new owner. $5700 ono. Ph: Mark on 0417 461 421. 121

Drag Racing

Celica, suit SS/A, S/X. Street Legal, 400 Chev, Raceglide, 9 inch, 35 spline axles, spool. Minitubs, Delaybox. 10.73/125mph.

Full engineer's report. 7/98 rego. $17,000ono turn key, $10,500ono less motor, box. Ph:015 321 904. 123 1936 Ford Coupe. Red with flames. Set up for big or small block Chev, auto or manual. Tube chassis with strut front end, four fink suspension with full floating 9" diff. Will take 15x33x14 drag slicks or street tyres. Would suit Pro Street, WId Bunch, Super Gas, Pro Street Rod or Nostalgia racing. $28,000ono. Ph: 035472 1442(BH),035372 2556(AH). 123 BB Chev, Baoman billet heads, Jessel rockers, titani um valves, fresh springs, magnesium manifold, port nozzles, the lot. $7,000. Ph: 02 9711 2218. 123 Rear engine Dragster, 205” wheelbase, ex CC/D. Convo wheels, Diest belts, chute. Fully enclosed trailer with awning. Blown 352ci, SBC TH400 trans. Complete. $30,000. Less engine/trans $10,000ono. Ph: 02 4627

VL 308, excellent Club Car. 9 inch Detroit locker, roll cage.

Group A exhaust. 50.00 flat Oran Park South. Heaps spares.

CXvner retiring. Capable high 48s Oran. Ready to race $12,000.

Ph;0418642612. ,22

Speedway

Walkinshaw No. SV573. 48,000km, immaculate conditbn.

4,000km since complete engine upgrade to 220kW. Very tractable road car. Second owner last 7 years. For details Ph:02 9604 8088(BH),0296220699(AH). )22 HQ Holden Thunderdome car, very well built, very reliable, all the best equipment. Sell to best offer. Ph:0262531351. 122

Pantera Super Sedans.2complete cars with all spares. WII sell as rolling chassis or complete with engines. No expense spared with these cars. POA. Ph: Craig/Bert 08 9451 1969, 0418911 269. la

2415. 122

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Monza Super Sedan. A dream to drive. Highly competitive constant winner. 350 +.030” 4-bolt 520bhp, Comp Components,6" rods, quick change diff, spares, body moulds, coilover leaf rear. Motor locked up (not bad). $8,000. Ph: 08 86725914. .23 Commodore Mod Production, current ACT#1. Fresh good hp motor, no expense spared, nothing to spend. $$500. Near new trailer, electric brakes etc. $2,500. Ph:0411 513096. 123 Speedcar V4 Scat engine, factory assembled. Latest Jones heads, new rods, pistons, fully freshened. Eng, 10 shows old only. 340hp. Cost over $45,000. Complete, from radiator to uni, including eng. plate, full exhaust system and fuel system. $12,000ono.Ph:0411012527,029543 8806. 123

S'f

Mazda RX-3 Club Car, brand new'13B race Bridgeport, 5speed. Group A brakes. Koni/Bilslein dampers, Dorian, 6-point rotary harness(new), Recaro, spare engine/gearboxes, wheels, tyres etc. otle ivinner. $10,000ono. Ph: 03 5248 3044, 015 050

Kart, 96 CRG Flux Clubman. New tyres, new side pods, tach/temp. Sprinter chassis, KT100S, Tillet seat, new exhaust.

Registered two-kart trailer, trolley and stands. Kart suit, heaps of spares. The lot $4,600neg. Ph:026884 8975. 122 Superkart - 1993 Zip Eagle, never bent. Merlin pipes, 38 flatside DelOrtds, digital ignition, new cranks, rings. 2 full sets Dunlops new, 1 set Dunlop wets new, 16 wheels. Adjustable height. Table-trolley. All serious offers considered. Ph: 07 3219 8305(BH),07 3278 8280(AH). 122

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Open Wheelers

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Elfin 622 Historic Group Q. Total restoration completed 5 years ago and has been running competitively since in F3 trim.

Full Cosworth Ford engine with BDA crank and rods, gear dri ven Camshaft, twin plate clutch. Mk 8 Hewland and all the best equipment on board. Some spares available. A beautifully pre sented car which currently holds Group Q under 1300cc lap records at Amaroo and Eatern Creek. Ph: Richard Harward 02 9789 8470(BH),02 95684147(AH), is

U-. TKaditcha 1982 F2 Mk9, Golf engine 1st, Sportsmans division. National F2 series 1997. Spares package to suit purchaser. $26,000neg. Must be sold.

Ph: 03 5881 4411 (BH), 03 5881 1506 (AH). 124 Formula Vee Elfin 1980. Fresh engine, rare 3rd gear, many spares. Ex Cults car, proven winner, ready to race, includes trailer. $6,900ono. Ph: Richard Fowler 0418 299 531 or 02 9958 3871. 124

Formula Vee Kestrel, ready to race. Recently completed.

No expense spared. Suede Momo wheel, Spax shocks, Gelkote finish, Willans harness, top engine etc. Trailer and spares. POA. Ph: Steve 088337 2592(AH), m Kaditcha 1979 F2, eligible Group Q, Gold engine, Hewland Mk 9, ratios, spares. $20,000neg. Ph: 03 5881 441 (BH), 03 5881 1506(AH). 124 Formula Holden Ralt RT21. Ex McLaughlin Thalgo car. No expense spared restoration to original cond and set-up by FI experienced mechanic. $42,000 neg, Ph: 018 824 604(BH),08 / 8272 5372(AH). 123 Superkart - Hasse chassis, Yamaha 80cc'engine.

Immaculate presentation and performance to match. Best of everything, heaps of spares.$4,200, Ph;024733 5442. 123 Sports 1300 Seca. Total rebuild, easy to convert back.

Historic original logbook. Lakeside 57.9. Many spares, engine etc, trailer. Be a winner in Historic. Only $13,500ono. Ph: 0411 592003,07 5543 1061. 123

Richards'201C Formula 2, Hewland Mk9, brand new fop hp shorlstroke Golf, spare Golf, 12 wheels, ratios, trailer. Slack tacho. $29,900. Ph: Mike Drewer 0419 273 333 or 08 8271 3338. 122

titI

435. 122

Pontiac TransAm Super Sedan. Very competitive winner.

Built '89 AJ Nylander, won '89 Australian titles. 350 +.030", rebuilt 3 meetings. 515hp, bow tie. Comp Components, Magneto. Bird cage r/end. Franklin diff. $12,000. Ph: 08 8672 5914. 123

Mazda RX-7 Club Car. Fresh injected 13B B/poer, c/r gear box. LSD, 4-spot brakes, pedal box, plus more. Fast car, must sell. $16,000ono. Ph:0411 648 075. 122

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(AH). 122

Sports Sedan KE70 Corolla. 13 BPP,55mm DCOE, brass button clutch, 5 speed, Volvo 4 spot front, 16" wheels. Spare tyres, panels, parts and reg trailer. $12,000. Ph: 02 4261 5262 (AH). 122

2340. 122

Sports Sedan, under 2 fitre Mkl Escort,5 speed Haltech, reli able complete car with many spares. $9000. Ph: Don, 07 5462

Super Production Charger. Mid mounted 265 NASCAR type baring ASCF, NSW ACT Speedway Racing Board approved. Spares inci 4 tyres with rims. 7 tyres, gearbox, clutch, heaps more. Ready to race. $2,500. Ph: Pete 02 6351 2914. 122 Fender Bender. Motor, sealed body, in good shape.

Three meetings old, ready to race. $1,400. Ph: 02 9981 4713,02 9979 7792. 122 Super Sedan. IROC Z Camaro, Vic #9. less engine spares. $11,000. Frankland quick-change 4.86, 54 3/4 w $2,200. Trutrac and spud $350. 4.11 crown wheel and pin ion $100. Methanol carby, 750 Holley $600. 253 engine, prepolution $170. Ph: 03 5422 1942 (BH), 03 5422 7037

Sprintcar, parts or complete. New or 2 shows only -11X motor, direct mount front, Franklin diff, carbonfibre tAube, wings, wheels, tail tank, chassis. $1500. Ph: 02 9525 1716 (BH), 02 9602 6654(AH), 123 Fender Bender, VC Valiant, one meeting since engine rebuild. Best of everything, complete, ready to race with many quality spares.$1,500. Ph: Mick Salmon 029525 3430. 123

Formula Vee 95 Sabre. Results: 2nd 97 Nationals, equal track record Lakeside, Eastern Creek. Package 2 David Cults prepared engines, gearboxes, 2 car fully enclosed trailer, . 122 spares. POA. Ph:02 4948 9777(BH),02 49430607(AH) PRB Clubman. Fully developed race car, road reg. Motec, quad butterfly injection. Quaife gearbox and LSD, extractors, genuine 200hp engine. 3 sets rims. $33,000. Ph: 02 4990 1699 or 02 4998 7385. 122

Formula Vee, original Elfin NG, Barry Lock designed, mono shock rear suspension (fabricated by Bernie Cashin). Top hp engine with dyno sheets. Koni front shocks, adjustable brake bias, forward tank, spares. $7,000. Ph: Ted Gair 07 3344 3084 (BH),07 3216 9327(AH). 122

Engines VW, brand new 2.7 race block, heaps of race perfor mance goodies. Suit Speedcar, off-road, buggy. Sports Sedan or performance Street Car. Possible 250-r hp. $6,500. Ph: 019 125 965. 124 Genuine Pro Series III Autocraft 2600cc engine, 3 stage oil pump, fuel injected, steel crank, Carillo rods.

Good cond. Ex Speedcar engine. $6,800ono. Ph: Clive Baxter 08 8984 4794. 12a Sprintcar Rodeck alloy engine, 372, 5/8 stroke.

Eagle rods, Wiseco pistons, Brodix heads, Barnes 4 stage dry sump, 2 7/16 Hilborn injection. $21,000ono.

Ph: 02 6297 2818, 0418 630 408. 124 Chev 350 010 2 bolt block, fitted with Milodon angle 4-bolt caps, bored to +40. Sell for what caps oew, $900 or $1,000 with crank and rods. Eagle 6" 3D con rods, done 6 laps, like new $750. Ph: 02 4572 5949. 123 Lotus twin cam engine, disassembled, 1700cc.

New valves, pistons, early Cortina cam cover. Escort winged sump, exhaust manifold, carbs Escort air box. $4,500ono, will split head, cover $2,600. Ph: 08 8278 5988. 123

Chev 350 010 4-bolt short motor, fitted with rare nodular iron caps, +30 bore, suit rebuild, $400; Autometer tell-tale tacho, suit MSD, near new, $250. Ph: 02 4572 5949. 123 HRT Holden Group A engine, number HMS 93A H002, eight butterfly fuel injection, comes complete ready to boltin. Includes Motec computer and wiring loom. $12,500. Ph: 02 6355 5995. 123 Ford Mustang 97 V8 sohc and 5 speed, com plete conversion from fuel tank to computor, air cleaner to exhaust. 3000 miles new. $10,000ono. Ph: James 03 9785 3333. 122 Mazda 13B p/p, Rotomotion housings, 51mm IDA Weber, tooth belt drive, baffles sump, modified distribu tor. Fully rebuilt, 300+ hp. New twin plate clutch, close ratio Holinger gearbox. $5,000 neg. Ph: 02 9579 6382, 015 468 166. 122 Buick 382ci engine. Best parts money can buy. TRE rods & pistons, Nicken Bros head S sheetmetal mani fold, Hamburger sump, fuel-curve propped Dominators etc etc. Made 810hp at 540 ft'lbs torque. Just freshened with new rods, rings, valve springs etc. $20,000 let's haggle. Ph: 03 5472 1442 (BH), 03 5470 6283 (BH), 03 5472 2556 (AH). .22 Mazda K8 V6 engine. Complete, running $900.

Mazda KF V6 2-litre, complete, $1,000. Mazda FE 2-litre twin cam, runs, vgc, $500. Ford Zetec 1.8 (Mondeo) twin cam tested, complete, $1,500. 5 litre V8 EFI plus 4 speed apto, conversion complete from a EB Falcon $5,000. Ph: 03 9785 3333. 122

/

Parts

Ford Sierra Cosworth cylinder head, suit Escort bottom end $2,000. Plus belts, pulleys; plug leads and manifolds, Ph: 02 4367 6734, 0412 676 734. 124 Suspension components - tubular wishbones, rod ends, high tensile tube, trailing arms etc. Symmetrical bearings, all new, $250ono. Ph: 03 9801 8504. 124 Hella Rallye 1000 driving lights x 3 2 x spot beam (part #1362), 1 x spreasd beam (#1363). Brand new. still in boxes. $80. Also, Hella 100 watt/7 inch H4 conversion kit. Brand new (part #5604/100), $75. Ph: 0412 510 554. 124 VDO Gauges - tacho, speedo, oil pressure, water temp, volts, amps, fuel gauge. Al l sender units. In Cockpit Royale. Suit Classic car. Never used, still in box. $450 the lot. Ph; 02 9888 6982. 124 Luke 3-point competition harness, red, as new $95. Tilton rear brake proportioning valve (new) $95.

Ph: 03 9889 1149. l?A Pontiac 23 degree heads, complete with m.anifold $4,000ono; Chev Dash Ten 23 degree heads complete with manifold $3,000ono. Jerico box, oil ooller, shifter $4,000; 356 NASCAR motor complete, 100 miles only, 124 dry sumped, $15,000, Ph: 02 9636 4447.

Porsche IT’ AVS original wheels. Highly polished with brand new 245x45 P7 M3 Pirelli tyres. Real show stoppers. Also suit VW. Rims & tyres never used.$4,000ono. Ph:019 125 965124

Vti.

^9 Kinsler EFI injection manifold, suit s/block Chev Complete less injectors, new in box. $3,900. Racing slicks, Dunlop 240/590-16, 8 off, brand new, $1,000 the lot or will split. Ph: 0414 929 139. 124 Ford RS parts, suit Escort Twin Cam, plus 5 speed gearbox suit Escort, Cortina or Capri $500. Quickshift to suit $75. Also. Ford Sierra RS500 Group A bits - diff, gearbox, dr^nk, rods, pistons, driveshafts, panels etc.02 4367 6734, 0412 6,76 734. 123 Tyres - 4 x Falken RX06GB tyres, 205x60x14, have done 10 laps, suit Club Car or Sprints. Only $500. Ph: 0412 337 227. 123 Brake calipers - Nissan GTR Godzilla, all. alloy, big ger than Mazda type in as-new cond. $800 pr. Ph: 03 9555 9847(BH), 03 9802 1980 (AH). 123 Chev 350 new shaver roller cam, suit -12 or 18 degree heads. Lift at cam inlet 440, outlet 412, duration at 050 264, outlet 270. $250, Ph: 02 4572 5949. 122 RX-7 Harrop floater diff assembly, with axles. $1,750. Ph: 03 9437 1628. 123 Harrop Detroit locker in Harrop steel carrier, fitted to Holden banjo centre, fully rebuilt by Harrop and not used since. $600. Ph: 0418 133 274. 123 Brodix dash 10 heads, complete titanium retainers.

Crane roller rockers and stud girdle. Ported by PM Engines, 639hp on 372ci Sprintcar motor. $4,600. Ph: 08 8272 7774 7am-7pm. 123 Holden VN rear spoiler $350; tyre pressure relief valves $80 set; Dunlop race tyres 16" and 17" suit 12" rims, from $50; fuel tank cap, flange type $80. Ph: 02 9843 4091. 123 Small block Chev 18 degree cylinder heads com plete, titanium valves, roller springs, C&C ported in USA. Race ready, as new. $7,500ono. Ph: Warwick Jones 02 9682 5642. 122 Greddy blow-off valve, type R (brand new). $500.

Boost and fuel pressure meter $475; Apex turbo timer $100; Blitz boost controller $600. Neg. Ph: 0412 392 729, 03 9804 7582. 122 Halibrand quick-change rear axle, with six sets of gears. Magneto Vertex four-cylinder Volkswagen. Ring and haggle. Ph: 02 6253 1351. 122 Quantum multi-adjustable damper sets (Penske equivalent), $4,000. 0412 392 729, 03 9804 7582. 122 Datsun 240K. 6 cyl engine, 5 speed box, diff etc.

Total car for parts in good condition and intact. Whole car $600ono. Ph: 03 5282 1613, 015 326 916, 03 9258

202 - steel main caps & stud kit $375; windage tray $45; dry sump kit $1 ,000; 1.6 roller rockers and posilocks $240; Starfire rods, floating $200; Knife-edged Commodore crank .010" $350; GM billet cam $90. Ph: 0354 221 942(BH), 03 5422 7037 (AH). 122 HR Chev tuned length headers, 2" primaries, 34 " long with 3.5" collectors to suit Hadfield mounting kit.

Jet Hot coated in Hi Lustre. $650 ono. Ph: 03 5472 1442 (BH),03 5470 6283(BH), 03 5472 2556 (AH). 122 Carbies, as new twin 2" SUs $200 pair, Holley 600 vacuum secondary, just recoed. $120. Ph: 03 6394 3541 or 015 312 918. 122 Gemini coupe fibreglass doors. Single layer cloth.

Big weight saving. Ex-works. $250 pr. Ph: 02 9808 1264. 122

Transporters/Trailers Transporter - Converted Millard Starcraft 30' x 8', 4 axles, 4 wheel electric brakes, sleeps 3. Fridge, HWS, shower, kitchen. New annex 15' x 27'. Wired 12/240v. 12 months rego. $12,000ono. Ph:024942 6233(BH). 124 Trailer, tandem, fully enclosed. Electric brakes, shelving and work benches, large enclosed annex. Suit open wheeler. Tilt roof. Built for Formula Ford. $5,800. Ph: Peter 07 3408 8322 (BH),07 5445 5076(AH),0418 730 575. w

Kart trailer, takes two karts. Engine racks, tyre racks, tool boxes. Fully enclosed, excellent condition, light weight. $1,800ono.Ph:029628,0412903616. 124 24ft fully enclosed trailer, triaxle, annexe, 240v and 12v, air conditioned, workbench, compressor, lots of storage. Ford F350,351 Cleveland, manual, radio cassette, in good cond. Will separate. POA.Ph:039532 3550(BH),03 799 1464(AH). 123 j Enclosed trailer, 6m long, 2m high, 2.3m wide.4 wheel elec tric brakes, solid axles, rocker spring suspension. 8 ply tyres, 2 spare wheels. Needs some work. Suit racing car. Priced to sell $3,500. Ph: 0412880 878 or 07 3264 5391 (AH). 122

Wanted

7pm. i2d

Super Sedan or Grand National old rolling chassis. Must have quick change diff. Or any old Super Sedan/ Grand Nat parts. Ph: 02 6242 6638 (AH), 02 6296 1774 (BH), 0412 273 113. 124 Indy items: Photos, caps, shirts, signed gear etc. Private collector hoping to extend collection of Indy cars and drivers. Ph: David 02 9821 2471. 124 Cortina GT 500 car or bits. Consider any thing. Send details to P.O. Box 42, Beecroft, 2119 or phone Peter on 02 9153 6797 (BH), 02 9484 6127 (AH). 123

Steel crankshaft for Lotus Ford 1600 twincam engine, preferably short-stroke, but standard stroke with suitable rods also considered. Some other components also required. Ph: 07 3396 \n 1624. 123 Shocks to suit ASX Torana Group C. Front & rear, adjustables. Also roller rockers. Ph: 02 4658

0446. 123

Chev CMC dually, fully loaded, the best example of this type of vehicle you will see. $42,000ono. Ph: 03 5448 8487(AH). 123

Tw'o' AP or similar al loy two-piston brake calipers with 1.75 to 2 inch dia pistons. Ph: 07 3205 4254. 122 Tamiya FI kits, 1/20th Brabham BT46, Wolf WR1, other early kits. Sports car videos from 60s.

Ph: Andrew 02 4948 4472. 122

/

m If

Professionally built Hino FF racecar transporter. Sleeper, air-conditioned, 26’ pantech, tailgate litter, inspection deck, inte grated tyre racks, solid workbench, 240v, fluoro spotlights, powerpoints. Only $38,500. Ph:07 3839 2121 or 0418 725 003. 122

The Drill Bit Shatpenee That Works stop Throwing Dull, Worn Drill Bits Away l Easy to use as a pencil sharpeaer - 6D-90sec./drill bit. l Sharpen High Steel, cobalt & carbide drill bits. l Sharpen 118°, 135° point angles & masonry bits. l Powerful 24D.volt motor & six ft cord. l 400-500 sharpenings Irom replaceable Diamond wheel. l Splits points Id make any drill bits self centering.

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Limited edition Australian GP scenes print set, artist Greg McNeil. 10 prints, each 900mm x 700mm. Melbourne 1956, Adelaide 1985 to 1993. Cost $1,680. Sacrifice at Sl.OOOono. Ph: 029825 2059 after 5pm. 124 Celebrate the GP! Half a life-time’s collection of Motor Sport magazine needs a good home. Excellent cond. No set price. Ph: Tom 039783 4819. 123 Yamaha YZF 750SP race/road bike. Cniy 2,000kms.

Immaculate. Will trade road/race car etc. Ph: 03 6394 3541, 015 312918. 12!

Aral Quantum helmet, red (as new)$500. Bell Vortex helmet (white)as new $1.100 neg. Ph:0412392 729,039804 7582. 122 Books: Australian Motor Racing Yearbook nos 11-17 $20 each; Bathurst 82, 89$20 each; JH 1000 82,83$50,83-89 $20; Bathurst 1000 magazine/programme 85, 88, 90, 92, 93, $10 each. Ph:023229 6642. 122 Badges, car clubs etc including Herald Touring, Western District Car Club, Motor Manual goodwill, MV Princess Searoad, 1956 Clympic Games. Many more Ph: 015312 918, 0363 943

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Dry break system, including 300 litre overhead refu elling rig, vent bottle, hoses, two male and one female dry break fittings. Suit GTP. Asking $800ono. Ph: 02 9809 3407 or 0417 474 336. 122:

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Direct from Newcastle and Central Coast, only $180pp. includes great accommodation at Rooty Hill RSL. Ph: 1800 801 012 to book or details, m BoKs and fasteners business, suit young entrepreneur, easily relocatable. In excess of $45,000 stock, plus shelving, racks, computer, invoice program, printer etc. Priced to sell $13,500. Ph: Grant035472 4116. 123 Marlboro GP Guide, autographed by Fangio, Brabham, Surtees, Hulme, Stewart, Hunt, Fittipaldi, Andretti, Jones. Piquet, Prost, Senna, Hill, Schumacher, Phil Hill. Lauda, plus Murray Walker and George Harrison. Best offer. Ph: 07 5594 5671 after

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50 13March 1998

COIVfIVIENT Circus Minimus

0) rco

0(0.

NEWS !

CtfjKsr ●■O.-mU Nassau

I wish to remain anonymous, as ^^ advertising the identity of the owner of the photo captions ‘A BIT BREEZY(MN 122, p. 22) might dis criminate me (sic).

Albert Park. Don’t get me wrong: The build up to the FI race was first class. The venue, magnificent.

If Sydney can run the games half as well as Melbourne runs the GP, they’ll be terrific!

What concerns me is the race

Tonr Glynn Ajsts^nt €«lrror 'dra{>ttics Cc»~orarna*or

exciting to watch ‘follow the leader’ racing and I can’t believe the GP management aren’t concerned about this. After all, isn’t it the race that the rest of the world sees and

V . Bramby

Advertising

Manager

forms an opinion on?

The key to an exciting race is

Gerald McDornan

Administration Dirtector Ov'^ Lambden

Contacts ;S9 Orrong Cresceni Caulfield North VIC 3! 61

;

(PO Box 10! 0 North CauKieid 316!)

Phone; 03 9527 7744 Fax 03 9527 7766

'

:

^ Email. jnsne»fs<g>con»«nk.com.au

Contributors

General. Mike Kabie, Jon Thomson.

'Snan Reed. Darr^'l Flack .FI: Joe Sav/ard, Adam Cooper Europe' Quentin Spurring, Ian Bamsey .US' Biuce Smith. Phil Worri.s NZ John Hawkins

i

nities. One is pit lane, the others are... ?

Now of course. I’m merely a fan.

Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe people couldn’t care less about the actual

around, lap after lap. What would I know. And, presumably, these thoughts will go unnoticed by those who matter.

to dismiss ‘paying’ drivers, Wynter; after all, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet bought their way into GP racing and then won six world titles between

them.

Dear Sir, It is with interest that I read about all this support for Mark Webber.

What a strange lot, we Australians are. Until some one hits the big time, especially in motorsport, we really don’t give a damn about them.

You may remember last year that we tried to arrange a tpur to Macau to watch Mark Webber in quite pos sibly his last race down this way for quite a while (I hope not). We had exactly two people interested in going to Macau.

,

Being die hard FI and Michael Schumacher fans, my brother, a mate and myself went to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

We are also members of the Michael Schumacher Fan Club of Australia which had a dinner on the Thursday before tlie race. We jumped at the invitation in a hope that we would meet our hero.

About an hour into the night we were informed of the bad news, that Michael would not attend. He was apparently at a ‘corporate function’ and could not spare the time. This

It would have been great for the sport of drag racing to have included even one tiny little photo of a drag car, any drag car, going down the main straight, because they are spectacular and it would have been really nice if they were acknowl edged.

Not that I’m complaining about my shot in your mag ... it’s just that

Paying their way?

Dear Sir, Once again at the back of the FI grid we have four guys who are sadly out of their depth and are there solely by the size of their wal lets.

It has always been a problem for

iJlLilx-d h)' AuilnUflian Qt,o : /9 928 C A Glyfl.'*

'

Publhfier: C Lamixlen

;

DistritHited by: i NDD Ud

struggling the t i. ● teams i.i. j. over i, ttii ^ hoping that when FI H oldings is fl oated on the stock market, the teams will be made rich enough to bring the ‘future world champions’ into the lime

light.

Matt Wynter Copacabana NSW ASST ED: Eh? The last four

rOliSMP.J ky MOTOE'-iPCKI f.'.'AVS I5 : uoG m^y not be -o or ;n . : Prtr; ●j'rho'j! the ●.‘/Furen pef’Uissio.o of ihe ● are wefcorne, : p-jo;, :^ocJ ,bitc a'J '●.arc ’.'/ilf uo u-'inr,. Auktfaia'ifrin i Woi^Fiporr Nuv.s Piy iia dooj not acropi t'or oflmdqe Of loss 0? .oiaivcaJ

qualifiers at Albert Park were Nakano, Diniz, Rosset and ... the highly-rated Magnussen.

'The ‘paying’ ‘Tigert Takagi outqualified the Prosts, Stewarts and Arrows. Don’t be too quick

IVHEA/ THE CHEQUE CLEARS... Argentinean Esteban Tuero makes his debut in Meibourne in a Minardi.

But shouid be be aiiowed in F1 just because he can pay his way, asks Matt Wynter. (Photo by Michael nompson/Aiispon) So, where were all the fans last year? I feel it just goes to prove what Alan Jones has been saying

put a dampener on the night.

'Two other drivers from two other

people are going to think I’m a favourite and we all know that a

teams attended and showed their

man’s pride and joy is not the butt of some promo girl but his race car!

Luckily my other half got his pride and joy (his race car, not my butt) featured in another section or your

all along about sponsorship for dri vers - there isn’t any. I think we should all thank Yellow Pages for

loyalty to their fans, but Michael chose to attend some other ‘glitzy’

sticking with Mark over the years. I just hope that someone big will give James Courtney some help.

bly didn’t even know who he was until somebody told them.

Could you also run an article

night where the people there proba

Thank you Michael for letting your fans down - again!

Dean Henderson

Ray Venn-Brown EppingNSW

ASST ED: Bad luck, Henderson.

ASST ED: Wrong tram, V-B. Webber has strong support out

I

m

'

deanjen@ozemail.com.au

.. WITH Hina AKD TWO COl-UO£Dn?YlNC, Tooer SYONTHeiNSiDe.THeNATTHe fifi lgPiN I MAMA&ED TOSUPlNSlDe TH£ ueADeRANDFliM-rePH'MOFF. . . ■

1 I

ASST ED: We don’t usually print

A word of advice; try not to men/ tion ‘Michael Schumacher’ ami ‘die hard’ in the same sentenced

s: 0

M\AD 006

sT

mag so I’m still being spoken to by him ...just.

‘Breezy’ Melbourne, VIC

explaining the new regulations in FI. Keep up the good work.

Subscriptions

03 9527 7744

Dear Sir,

Matthew Blain

; ^

ADVERTISING WORKS. IT’S THAT SIMPLE! Cali Gerald McDornan on

Thanks for nothing Schu

We’re a strange Mob

Mount Waverley VIC

Mike Hiding.

Motorsport, : Frank Midqiey. Brisbane John Boshcr, ^ Phil wilitarns. M,ke Patrick (UK)

0 )[0

places I’d rather go to...

genuine overtaking opportunities would make.

;

B?S-^

Macau explain the lack of tak ers? I can think of hundreds of

poorly designed - despite what the promoters teU us.

What a difference two or three

Photographers: IV\T, Dirk Klynsmith, Zoom Photographies, Neil Hammond, Nir^ei Snowdon /u Diana Burnett, ■Brad Steele, Tony Glynn, Thunder-Pics, .Marshall Cass, , ..

Ul ye?r - 36 issues) SI05 ISusiisiia Overseas (Ai Mail) /●V$ 160 Fiaiv Zealand, PNG AS 170 ; Ffeiayva Indonesia AS: SO Tkili.-pines, HK. Japan AS 200 UT t.-snada AS2I0 :ope pL'St or !a* lo adcIreSi ab.vve 8anXi ara '.'ISA .M.as'creard. .A.-nex accepied

there in Enthusiast Land. Could the fact that the destination was

But let’s face it. Unless it rains,

Ken Fercjuson, Scon Jug Super Speedway: Martin Clark (USA), Biett Swanson Karts Ian Saivesuin, Allan Roark, Graeme Burns, Edward Krause

■ :n Moinrspon iVt'A's are om : nc^vjn>y cr Aj/.fafAva'i N-.-v.-j ^ />iv U;] su.-'r ' peraBSW’nODd and .IT) pr,rs=iOr.'.y.

/ / / o6

ooes nc-c oeces5Ciri!y' agree vvicn cptmcyis e>:pres5 b\- reader.-.

I’m sure I’ll give myself away in my reasons for this letter and I’m sure that people within my field of motor racing already know, or think that they know who I am ... but I’m not going to make it easy for them.

It’s no surprise to find my rear end in your last issue as, while taking my own photos from pit wall, I was quite aware of all the camera lenses point ing in my direction and, yes, it was bit breezy that day.'Those poor men ... nothing but FI cars all day and then, suddenly, along comes a skirt!

One photographer I recognised and who stood right beside me also taking photos of ‘race cars’ was Marshall Cass. He is very, very tal ented to be able to take a photo of my rear end while standing on the wall beside me.

FI races are becoming more and more uninteresting to watch.

Maybe race day attendance was down because the circuit is actually

Speedway: Dennu Newlyn. David I'vicNabb. UGoeAunger, Geoff Rounds, Otivid Lamont. ChriS Metcalf, .v.ie .Hobson, Michael Atavell, Tony Millard (UK) Rally Peter Urhitten : Drag Racing. Gerald McDornan.

■ Greg W'ard, Jon A.siier (USA), i Dave Ostaczew'ski (USA), iNick Nid tolas, Steven White,

Browns Rd Qayton 31 OS

being able to create overtaking opportunities.

Notjust through the talent of any particular driver, but also through the design of the circuit. We were promised, when the Albert Park track was being built, there would be six to seven overtaking opportu

racing. Maybe people are happy to see drivers follow each other

CompuServe.' ioo237,ii6S

' r/cfl-ftipon \‘e9?vPry ^ ■■■■ : ui-r>ixlrri

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itself - once again, there were no ‘wheel to wheel’ battles. It’s not

rnii Branagan

Printed by; W'"ke Coky 37-

Dear Sir,

Dear Sir, I’m a little frustrated about

Editorial

. PtOTORSPOBT NEWS :i

A letter from the rear

1

anonymous letters, butt in this case we think that there are some things in motor racing more important than a Carr...

By Barry Foley

The best part is the 6 month/20,000 km warranty on all parts,^

No mate, the best part

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All the excitenf|it ofaltrip

hell pith lliime of the negative side effects

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Face your fears. Live your dreams.

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