Motorsport News Issue 138 - 23 October-5 November 1998

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See the raging bulls of motorsport at Calder Park's Goodyear Thunderdome Sunday November 1st. NASCARs, AUSCARs, Sportsmans, HQs and Legends all battling it out. Gates open 8 am, practice starts 9 am with racing from 12.20 pm. For more information, check out our website at www.motorsport.com.au or call the event info & weatherwatch line on 1 900 937 445.* ● Call costs 75c per minute. More from mobile and public phones.

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Alan Jones dumps Ford for LP Holden

ALAN Jones is going Holden.

The former FI champ will run his own V8 Supercar team from his base on the Gold Coast, using a VT Commodore most likely constructed

by Larry Perkins.

“I guess I’ll be seen as a badge-jumper, but I want to have some success in the category.

“I could hardly hang up my helmet after a year like this year - I want to have a success ful year before I con sider stepping back

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revitalised team will be backed by his current sponsors, including Komatsu, who AJ reported are as enthusiastic about the new project as he is.

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AJ plans to keep his approach relatively sim ple:

“I’ve spoken with “The way the category Larry about build is now, and with the ing me a car and I (< think that’s what I could hardly hans up control tyre, you o / don’t need to reinwill happen,” AJ vent the wheel. told Motorsport News on Tuesday. >> “Apart from a reg1 ular of Jones has group mechanics. I’ll have already agreed to purchase from Perkins into a team manager a race engineer on hand his current ex-Gardner role and putting a at the meetings to dis cuss set-up with and race transporter and young bloke in the car. hopes to have the car to “I’m not talking next keep an overall eye on things.” go with it by the middle year (retirement) nec Jones is also thrilled of January. essarily, but that’s the with the Control tyre “By the time the AU long-term plan. decision: “As a matter of inter Falcon hits the track, the VT will have had est, not a lot of people “It means that any another 4000km of test would remember, but team which has its act ing and, frankly, it my father was a together from the start seems to me that Holden Holden dealer and of the season has the run their whole racing actually raced a ability to fight for the WALKING AWAY FROM HIS FORD... AJ was quick to progr am so much better Holden in the Monte title.” grab a beer after his promising run at Surfers last weekend than Ford...

- CHRIS LAMBDEN Carlo Rally ...” came to a premature end. (Photo by John Morris)

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DAVID Richards unexpectedly resigned as chief executive of the Benetton FI team on Monday after just one year's service.

Rocco Benetton, the 29-year-old son of team owner Luciano Benetton and previously the team’s commercial director, takes Richards' place.

In a move which ends one of the most promising new ventures in FI this season, the Anglo-Italian team have been left without a head of operations as they prepare for the final race of the season in Japan on November 1.

Richards, 46, only joined Benetton in September 1997 in suc cession to flamboyant Italian Flavio Briatore, but has left long before he could complete his three-year plan for the restoration of the team to their former glories.

He was brought in with a brief to revive the team after two seasons in the doldrums following their 1995 double success in winning both the drivers' and constructors' titles with Michael Schumacher.

No adjustment was made by the Perfonnance Review Committee which met recently to review perfor mance of the VT Holden prior to Bathurst: “The Committee recognises that there may be a perfor mance disparity between the Commodore VSAT and the Falcon EL/EL2 the PRC reported.“However,the Committee is concerned that (a) both makes have been granted mid-year homologa tions, and (b)the Bathurst race is only 5 weeks away.

Due to the opportunity to evaluate the performance of the latest models of both makes,the Committee is not moved to recommend any adjustment at this time.” n Hot Rumour ofthe Week: Plans are apparently afoot for a new V8 team next year, using both of the current VS model HRT Commodores. Drivers are said to be Mark Noske and Tasmanian youngster Owen Kelly. You heard it here first... n Russell Ingall and Garth Tander will face CAMS Stewards hearings in Melbourne as a result of last weekend’s Indy V8 Supercar action.

Ingall’s clash with Paul Romano, damage from which appeared to cause both to subse quently crash, will be reviewed, while Tander’s hearing in rela tion to the first corner incident in race one will be re-opened to hear new evidence.

Tander was initially fined $3,000 and excluded from the meeting, but this was later sus pended pending a second hear ing. His Stop-Go penalty during the race was for cutting a chi cane - not the turn one incident as most observers concluded. n Mobil has stifled speculation about its future with HRT by announcing an extension of its current deal until the end of 1999.

David Richards

Benetton chief quits

Holden escapes parity hit

SAD STATE... Luckily the Castrol VS Commodore is not required for Bathurst next month. (Photo by John Morris)

Sponsor rescues Faulkner JOHN Faulkner’s sponsors have come to the rescue to get the Fisher & Paykel/Betta Commodore back on track for Bathurst.

Faulkner’s car was one of several cars destined for the FAI 1000 that were badly damaged at last week end’s Honda Indy meeting.

While Russell Ingall and Craig Lowndes were driving team spares, Faulkner, Paul Romano, Alan Jones and John Bowe were driving cars due to line up at Mount Panorama.

“We’ve allocated all our Bathurst budget,” Faulkner said on Tuesday, “but our sponsors have been fabu lous. They’ve come forward and said, ‘Let’s fix the car and get on with it’- that’s support for you.”

Faulkner’s ex-HRT Commodore sustained major damage to the floor and cage area when John couldn’t avoid Russell Ingall’s car, which had plunged headlong into the wall a fraction of a second earlier.

“It’ll be on the jig tomorrow

(Wednesday). If we can successfully pull it back into shape, then we’ll rebuild it.

“If not, HRT have offered us the ex-Lowndes shell, which they them selves have just currently rebuilt.

We’ll build om- gear into that.”

The crash comes as Faulkner gears up for an important Bathurst.

His long-term deal with Fisher & Paykel is up for renewal and - with some senior management changes at the company - it is no certainty.

“A lot of people at the company are lobbying for us - they love it but there are external things that may affect their decision.”

Work on Bowe’s Shell Helix car was well underway on Tuesday, although the team was completing a planned test day at Lakeside, with the team confident the #18 Falcon could be repaired fully for Bathurst.

While the option of using the team spare (which Steve Johnson drove at the weekend)remains, that car is of the earlier spec, while

Bowe’s crashed car matches the later spec of Dick/Steve Johnson’s Bathurst car (which stayed in the workshops at the weekend).

“I’m annoyed with myself,” Bowe said on Monday. “It’s my fault that the team now has this extra work to do.

“It was a big hit, but at least it shows how strong DJR build their Falcons - those Holdens that crashed are wrecked...”

Alan Jones’ Komatsu Falcon escaped relatively lightly, with rear quarter panel and diff housing dam age the only structural problems.

“Everything else was bent - bon net, boot, front and rear bumpers etc - but we were lucky really,” team chief Tony Longhurst repm-ted.

Their second big shunt in as many meetings was a big blow to the Romano team, but the crew left Surfers vowing to have the car repaired for Bathurst.

-CHRIS LAMBDEN

n Simon Wills completed his first test with Bin'ana Racing, in their second and only just-com pleted Rejmard 94D last week.

The young Kiwi completed 74 trouble-free laps in the car. lim ning in 2:07s on used rubber, thrilled by its responsiveness to set-up change.

The day was so successful that a second was cancelled to allow the team to get started on race preparation for the forthcoming NZ series. n The Australian GP Corp has announced an eai'ly purchase bonus for 1999 GP tickets.

Tickets bought prior to November 7 will be at 1998 prices, have seating location preference, and a range of fi'ee ”GP Advantage” benefits, which include a Pit Walkabout, an exclusive merchandise offer, reg ular free copies of the GP Corp’s “FI Update” and entry into a draw to win a free drive in the Dutton GP Rally, The GP Ticket Hotline is 131 641, or phone the GP Office on (03)9258 7100 for a “GP Advantage” booking application form.

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4 n Cameron McConville is contesting the final round of the 1998 Barber Dodge Pro-Series, at Laguna Seca this week end. The drive follows a successful test earlier this year.

Cam’s long-awaited US debut is supported by Globe Shoes,Promotional Partners and Tattersall’s. n Andrej Pavicevic has scored an entry in the prestigious Macau F3 Woi'ld Cup race on November 22. Pavicevic will drive his regular Fortec team car in the race, which will be a top opportunity to be mea sured against a quality international field. n Licensing problems prevented US FF2000 champ David Besnard from getting a start in the Euro Cup,last weekend’s traditional curtain-raiser to this weekend’s Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, which he will be contesting.

Australia’s latest open wheeler international hotshot will head back to the US after the Festival for tests with the Lynx Formula Atlantic team,, AJ Foyt’s IRL team and Steve Home’s Tasman Motorsports Indy Lights team. n A last-minute anony mous benefactor and sup port from Michelin tyres has allowed Sydney’s Ben Walsh to contest the final two rounds of the Formula Asia 2000 series, in Zuhai (China)this weekend and Johore(Malaysia)subse quently."Walsh is current ly second in the champi onship. n Super Tourer priva teer Justin Matthews will also be Zuhai this week end, in the latest round of the SE Asian Super Tourer series as part of the Hong Kong-based team run by Edwin Tso, which owns the pair of Peugeot 405s formerly run here in Australia by , Matthews. n Mai Rose has signed up talented WA driver Allan McCarthy as his FAI 1000 co-driver.

The signing caps off a busy couple of weeks for the popular Sydney priva teer, during which he married Jenny, honey mooned in Bali, signed McCarthy,then welcomed a new sponsor on board for Bathurst.

Ming Steal Stopper joins regular sponsors McGrath Holden Sutherland and Fairfax Community Newspapers. n CAMS has advised that vacancies currently exist for licensed motor sport officials for next March’s Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Interested officials must hold a valid CAMS Official Accreditation and be available from 4-7 March. If you are interest ed, contact Bruce Keys at CAMS head office -03 9593 7777.

Bridgestone lands V8 deal

may be supplanted by a development tyre to be tested at Bathurst if it proves superior to the existing one.

The company is completing con struction of a new factoiy in Japan which will be dedicated to race tyre manufacture.

Of the unsuccessful bidders, Dunlop - with a long-established race tyre distribution set-up in Australia - has to be the most disap pointed.

The company issued a brief state ment on Monday: “Dunlop Tyres is obviously disap pointed that its tender for the supply of the V8 Supercar Control tyi'e was not successful.

“The company’s involvement at a corporate level will be reviewed in light of this decision, and any appro priate announcements made in due course.”

General reaction to the decision has been primarily positive, with the unquestioned performance of Bridgestone’s V8 tyre seen as a bonus by most drivers.

Dunlop’s existing teams and dri vers have pretty much accepted the verdict.

Larry Perkins: “As long as the cor rect selection process was followed.

I’m happy.”

John Bowe: “It’s a shame for Dunlop. I’ve been involved with them for 20 years and will still be - it’s more than just a racing involvement.

But we have to accept the decision.

By CHRIS LAMBDEN

BRIDGESTONE has won the con tract to supply a Control tyre for V8 Supercars for the next three years.

The surprise announcement was made on Saturday at the Honda Indy meeting following a decision late in the week by V8 team group TEGA. The milestone decision was, according to the TEGA Board, “quite close, but clear-cut, once we followed the flow-chart decision process we had mapped out.”

It is understood that the three bids - from Bridgestone, Dunlop and Yokohama - were very close in pure cost per tyre, but that the Bridgestone bid eased ahead in other commercially relevant areas.

Bridgestone has committed to a fixed price for the three years of the contract, whereas the other bids included annual adjustment discus sions to take such factors as currency fluctuations into account.

And, in a rare first for a Control category, no V8 Supercars will be required to carry Bridgestone stick ers - although the tyres themselves will carry Bridgestone markings as well, as an individual bar-code to ensure tyre regulation compliance. n Bridgestone. Motorsport Manager Graeme Brown was surprised, but ecstatic, when the announcement was made.

“It was a big call for us,” he said on Satur^day afternoon, explaining why Bridgestone’s bid was held back until literally five minutes before the 5pm deadline last Monday.

“We had to commit to our bid before we knew the outcome of deci sions affecting both the FI and GT Championships internationally, which could have an effect on supply.

“I had daily conversations and updates with management here and in Japan.

“In the end the company just decid-

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MAKING A MARK... With Control tyres in 1999. ed to go for it - to the extent that additional moulds have already been made to enable us to get the bulk of the 1999 production completed by Christmas.”

(Photo by Dishan Marikar)

Bridgestone has committed to having tyres available in quantity by February -1.

The current race-proven 261 com pound is likely to be used, although it

MEANWHIILE, TEGA is set to radi cally change the way it limits testing by simply restricting the number of tyres made available to all teams rather than imposing circuit bans.

Details of this and the whole logis tics of the Control tyre operation are still under discussion, but it is possi ble that teams may receive as few as two sets of tyres each prior to the opening round of the 1999 Shell Series.

F1 left-overs

THE confirmation that 'Pedro Diniz is to drive for Sauber in 1999 means that the only FI seats not now settled are the second dri ves at Minardi, Arrows and British American Racing.

The second BAR seat is expected to go to Brazilian Ricardo Zonta - although it is not certain.

The contest for the second Minardi is likely to be a bat tle of chequebooks, although team boss Gabriele Rumi says money will not be the deciding factor.

Ricardo Rosset is under stood to be keen on the Minardi seat and has a rumoured $8m available while there appear to be vari ous other South Americans

interested, notably Norbei-to Fontana and Tarso Marques.

We also hear that McLaren is interested in placing Nick Heidfeld as another season in Formula 3000 will do little for his career.

The Arrows drive is expected to go to Pedro de la Rosa, but if money can be found Tom Walkinshaw may decide to sign up the avail able Jos Verstappen, who has driven for the team before.

There are likely to be a few test driver nominations in the months ahead with Williams expected to recruit at least one newcomer and BMW likely to sign someone for its engine development program.

-JOESAWARD

Murfs big meet

GREG Murphy was in New Zealand on Tuesday evening, as Motorsport News closed for press, at possi bly the most important meeting of his career. Tourism NZ is considering a sponsorship proposal which would pave Murfs way into Indy Lights next year and Murf and his representatives were scheduled to meet the full Board for a final presentation.

Greg was then due at Phillip Island on Wednesday for initial testing of HRTs second VT Commodore before rushing off to the US on Thursday for more Lights-related discussions...

COMING BACK IN 1999... But will It be in a Holden again?

(Photo by Noel Papelera)

Wayne considers Ford

WAYNE Gardner will be back in V8 Supercars in 1999, but with an all-new car. And it might even be a Ford.

Gardner confirmed at the weekend that his existing contract with Coca Cola extends until the end of next year, during which he expects to contest a similar program to his four-race deal this year support races at both the FI and Indy meetings, the FAI 1000 and one 500km race.

“I’d like to do more, but that’s where the budget is at presently,” he said at the week end.

In the meantime, WG is “shopping” for a new car for __ 1999 - his current ex-Crompton Coke car getting a bit battle-weary for a front-runner.

Tt could be a Holden or a Ford,” Gardner said.

“I don’t have a view either way, really. I just want a good car.”

However, Gardner is now quite optimistic about 1999 following the introduction of a Control tyre for the V8 category.

“It’s a couple of years too late, but at least it’s happening,” he said. “All I ever wanted was an equal chance with the other guys now we have it. At the moment, all we are doing here at Indy is filling in time ...

“However, we did have a good tyre at Bathurst last year and there is a new Yokohama for the race, so we might sur prise a few people there.”

-CHRIS LAMBDEN

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Ford tests radical Falcon

FORD Motorsport chief Greg Harbutt left for the US on Wednesday to oversee aerody namic testing of front and rear aero packages for the AU Falcon V8 race car.

An AU Falcon is already Stateside awaiting the start of the crucial tests.

Fie hopes to return in about ten days with a definitive design for the 1999 race car, in either actual prototype form or in CAD/CAM computerised design form.

Ford exhibited a highly styled “concept car” at the opening last week of the Sydney Motor Show, giving some clue as to the poten tial look of the AU race car.

"That’s probably our starting point,” Fiarbutt said on Tuesday, “but we’ll be exploring as many possibilities as we can to get the best package.

“We’re already running a little late, but I hope to have something concrete for our teams to test by the time they have their cars ready to run.”

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UNIQUE STYLING... This Falcon show car will form the basis of aerodynamic testing in America.

Sydney T China and Malaysia street race bid 17-race GP calendar met with caution

By JOE SAWARD

REPORTS of a proposed 500km V8 street race in the Sydney suburb of Cronulla have received a cool reception by former motorsport acquaintances of the intending promoter.

Steve Sydneysider Sargeant is proposing a 500km street race on beachside roads in Cronulla as a combined motor sport and a surf carnival.

He- is reported to be offer ing AVESCO $1 million a year to stage the “Surfside 500”, but the V8 Supercar chiefs have yet to hear from the promoter.

Sargeant plans to submit a formal proposal to AVESCO to take on its asyet unallocated 1999 500km race, scheduled for October 3.

AVESCO already has, according to Chairman Tony Cochrane, three bids in for the race, including “two with State Government backing.”

Potential promoter Sargeant has already had some involvement with motor sport, having previ ously had links with a cur rent Super Touring team.

The team reports that the relationship ended acrimo niously with severe disagree ment on several commercial matters.

There is no indication at this stage as to whether the Sargeant proposal has State or Local Council support.

State Government backing in particular is considered almost a must for non-per manent race track proposals these days.

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CHINA and Malaysia have been officially granted Grand Prix dates for 1999, but both races are still Usted by the FIA as provi sional.

The Australian GP will the World open Championship as expected and will be followed two weeks later by China, while Malaysia is down for October 17.

The World Motor Sport Council announced a 17-race calendar, but there are still problems.with a few of the races.

San Marino and Hungary have to solve problems before they get firm dates while the short-lived Luxembourg Grand Prix is no more, although there will be a European GP at the Nurburgring instead.

It is not clear why the

they had given up because of the economic crisis, but another group of promoters is now working with Bernie Ecclestone.

Provisional 17-race 1999 GP calendar

Australia China Brazil San Marino Monaco Spain Canada France Britain Austria Germany Flungary Belgium Italy Europe Malaysia Japan

March 7 March 21 April 11 May 2 May 16 May 30 June 13 June 27 July 11 July 25 August 1 August 15 August 29 September 12 September 26 October 17 October 31

races in China and Malaysia are provisional but we imderstand that China still has to sort out problems relating to tobacco sponsorship.

Giving the Chinese a provi sional date puts pressure on

BERNIE ECCLESTONE...

Working with promoters. them to sort out the problem and at the same time puts pressure on Argentina to solve its financial difficulties.

On Friday last week the organisers of the Buenos Aires race announced that

No Indycar move

By PHIL BRANAGAN

THE Indy Carnival looks like staying at its current site on the Gold Coast for the foreseeable future.

Prior to race week the local press reported that the race was potentially moving north to the Southport Spit area of the coast, approximately 2km from the current down town site.

But a combination of objec tions, on environmental and other grounds, and the suc cess of this year’s race looks like cementing the race in Surfers for the next five years.

Traffic and local resident

disruption during the build up to the race has been heav ily criticised by the Queensland state opposition, and CART officials have been seeking to improve the pit facilities, which are among the most cramped of any of the tracks the series visits.

There are likely to be improvements to the pits for the 1999 race which, like this year’s event, has been sched uled for mid-October.

Indycar Chairman Terry Jackman was due to hold meetings with CART officials immediately after the race with a view to securing a five year deal to continue with the race through to 2003.

CART Chief Executive Officer Andrew Craig also said that, while he did not want to pre-empt any discus sions, a five year deal was also his organisations pre ferred position.

This year’s event is expect ed to break even despite eco nomic factors which affected the build-up to the race. Indy car officials detailed cost increases of up to $950,000, an amount contributed to by higher freight costs and the decline of the US/Australian exchange rate but, with the larger crowd this year and some recovery in the dollar, thins were looking better by race day.

^ Malaysia is provisional because of the economic prob lems and serious unrest in the country.

Last week police used water cannons and tear gas to break up a demonstration outside the National Palace calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and for the release of jailed finance minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Hungajy will not get a firm date until the organisers come up with a plan to stop another track invasion while the San Marino GP at Imola is in difficulties because of the failure of Italian politi cians to vote through changes to the law (see separate stories).

TOCA deal for Junior Tourers THE prospects for a feeder “Junior Tourer” V8 catego ry have taken a step for ward this week, with one of the proponents of the concept securing provi sional approval from TOCA Australia for a spot on their Super Touring programme in 1999.

Former AUSCAR racer Bruce Williams, who has a prototype Commodore Junior Tourer close to completion, has held talks with TOCA chief Kelvin O'Reilly and, sub ject to meeting TOCA criteria, reahstically expects to secure a five-round kick-off series for the category next year.

“We’re keen to look at it,” O’Reilly told Motorsport News this week. “It could add con siderably to our support pro gramme, which we’re always keen to do.

“Both Commodore Cup and GT-P have evolved and come to life since we started, and we’ve always been keen to offer a fully professional sup port race package with our series.

“We’re seeking some guar antees on numbers and quahty of what Bruce is offering but, on the face of it, it looks like a good concept."

For his part, Williams is about to embark on a series of information nights in a num ber of capital cities to inform potential competitors of tech nical details and likely costs and to ascertain levels of interest.

“Since the proposal has got aU the publicity recently, I’ve been astounded at the level of enquiry,” Williams said this week.

“People are simply coming up to me at race tracks and saying T want one’- it’s pret ty positive.”

Information nights are planned for Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide over the next couple of weeks.

Details can be obtained by faxing expressions ofinterest to Bruce Williams on 03 5335 8799.

Special Bathursf Preview issue Next issue will be one of our biggest of the year, one you will not want to miss.

It will be full of great feature stories to get you ready for the FA11000 at Bathurstand it’s on sale from November 5.

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n The disappearance of the Argentine Grand Prix may have a serious effect on Esteban Tuero’s fund ing. If this is the case there could be two Minardi drives up for grabs next year.

■ Jacques Villeneuve is to visit the Zhuhai International Circuit in China this week and is expected to have a drive around the track in a road car. The visit is part of a promotional tour for Rothmans.

■ Ferrari is taking legal action against Italian pho tographer Olivier Toscani - famous for his contro versial Benetton adver tisements - for allegations that the team ordered Michael Schumacher to crash into Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez at the end oflast season.

■ McLaren’s in-house magazine Racing Line reported in its October issue that the team’s test driver Ricardo Zonta had been announced as BAR’S second driver. Clearly the announcement was expected but had to be delayed because of the problems with BAT liverles.

■ There have been sug gestions from Holland that Jos Verstappen may find work as a test driver for Honda next year.

Verstappen spent 1997 racing for Tyrrell and most of the top manage ment of the team will be part of the new Honda operation,'which is expected to be announced at Suzuka.

■ Soheil Ayari has been signed to drive for the ORECA team in Formula 3000 next season. ORECA spent this season running the BMW Junior Team without much success.

The team has been linked with a deal to become the Frost Junior Team next year but may simply run an as independent opera tion.

-JOESAWARD

48 V8s for Bathurst THERE will be 48 cars lining up for the 1998 FA11000 Classic at Bathurst on November 15.

Holden will lead the way with 31 cars while Ford are expected to be represented by 17 Falcons at Mount Panorama.

“The massive entry is a reflection on the health of the sport in the .country,” says IMG’s Scott Wallace.

Some of the latest entries will be that of Ryan McLeod/Andrew Miedecke, who will run in a third Stone Brothers Falcon The race will feature several family combinations, including Dick and Steven Johnson, Ian Palmer and his nephew Darren (son of Ross) and Nathan and Nicole Pretty, while Jim and Steven Richards, who fought out this month’s Bathurst 1000, will face off again, Jim driving with Jason Bargwanna in a Commodore while Steven will partner Jason Bright in a Falcon.

Five internationals will drive in the race; Greg Murphy and Simon Wills (NZ), former BTCC champion Alain Menu (Switzerland), London-based Australian Charlie Cox and English production car racer Andy Lloyd.

The field will surpass that of last year’s grid by six cars.

Zanardi, Coach

ALEX Zanardi will turn driving coach this Friday with Team Ganassi’s Juan-Pablo Montoya.

Zanardi was due to spend his 32nd birthday at Homestead teaching the Colombian on the Florida 1.Smile oval.

The double Indycar Champion committed to the test as part of a deal with team owner Chip Ganassi which allowed the Italian to start testing for the Williams FI team before his current contract expires this season.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

No 1 2 3 4 5 7 9 10 11 13 14 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 43 44 45 46 48 49 50 54 55 60 63 72 74 75 77 79 95 96 99

1998 FAI 1000 Classic Entry List

Drivers Car .Mobil HRT Commodore Craig Lowndes/Mark Skaife n Wynn's Commodore David Parsons/Simon Wills (NZ) l Lansvale Commodore Trevor Ashby/Steve Reed n Pirtek Falcon Jason Bright/Steven Richards n Ford Credit Falcon Glenn Seton/Neil Crompton Darren Hossack/Darren Pate .Wynn's Commodore n Komatsu Falcon Alan Jones/Adam Macrow Mark Larkham/Brad Jones n Mitre 10 Falcon n Castrol Commodore Larry Perkins/Russell Ingall Ryan McLeod/Andrew Miedecke n Stone Racing Falcon ■Amorall Commodore Mike Imrie/Rodney Crick ■ Castrol Cougars Commodore Melinda Price/Kerryn Brewer .Shell Helix Falcon Dick Johnson/Steven Johnson .Shell Helix Falcon John Bowe/Cameron McConville .Palmer Commodore Ian Palmer/Darren Palmer .Colourscan Falcon Danny Osborne/Brett Peters .NHP Electrical Falcon Ray Hislop/TIm Briggs .Romano Commodore Paul Romano/Steve Ellery .Castrol Falcon Tony Longhurst/Geoff Brabham Peter Doulman/John Cotter .M3 Commodore ■ Sony Commodore Terry Finnigan/Peter Gazzard ■ CBS Mining Falcon Kevin Waldock/Mark McLaughlin .Plaspak-Densitron Commodore Tomas Mezera/Alain Menu (SUI) .Valvoline Commodore Garth Tander/Cameron McLean .Valvoline Commodore Jason Bargwanna/Jim Richards .Gearbox Commodore Neil Sohembri/Gary Quartly .Xerox Shop Commodore Scotty Taylor/Bill Attard/Stephen Bell .Rosenberg Commodore Mark Poole/Tony Scott .IT Services Commodore Chris Smerdon/Charlie Cox (UK) .K&J Radiator Falcon Paul Weel/Neal Bates .Fairfax Commodore Mai Rose/Allan McCarthy Shane Belkoff/Shane Cruickshank/Andy Lloyd (UK) Union Steel Commodore .Betta/F&P Commodore John Faulkner/Todd Kelly .Boozeless Commodore D'arcy Russell/Colin Ivory .Ericsson Commodore Greg Crick/Dean Crosswell .Mobil HRT Commodore Greg Murphy (NZ)/Mark Noske .Simon's Earthworks Falcon Garry Willminglon/Simon Emerzidis Rod Nash/Darren Edwards .Autopro/Bud Commodore .Pretty Motorsport Commodore Nathan and Nicole Pretty/Grant Johnson .Fleath Falcon Alan Heath/Ken Douglas .Smith's Commodore Robert Smith/David Parsons (Vic) .Price Attack Commodore Kevin Hefferna'n/Steve Voigt .Toll Falcon Anthony Tratt/Bob Jones '...., .Mork Commodore Richard Mork/Bill Sieders .GAMPS Falcon Mike Conway/Chris Hones .Racing For Lite Falcon Steve Cramp/Gary Baxter/Todd Wanless .Coke Commodore Wayne Gardner/Paul Stokell .Ultra Tune Commodore Michael Donaher/Dean Lindstrom

Prettys get V8 Supercar

AUSCAR racers Nathan and Nicole Pretty, along with Perth youngster Grant Johnson, are to contest the FAI 1000 Classic.

The Prettys have acquired the exPerkins, ex-Barbagallo VS Commodore run briefly by Johnson’s father Phil and will run with DeWalt sponsorship for their V8 Supercar debut. The car has been completely rebuilt in Pretty’s work shops and recently had a shake-down run at Winton.

“It’s a great car to drive and we’re real-

ly looking forward to it,” Nathan said this week.

“Nicole will test the car, but is under no pressure to race unless she’s totally comfortable. If she’s not comfortable. » Grant and I will share the driving.

The car has a fresh Perkins engine fit ted and will run on Yokohama tyres.

Nathan hopes to contest a number of Shell rounds next year, but in the mean time is concentrating on the opening race of the AUSCAR season on November

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FAMILY CAR... Nathan and Nicole Pretty's DeWalt Commodore. (Photoby Thonaorptcs/Agm

New F1 rules in 1999 THE FIA World Motor Sport Council voted through a range of modifi cations to the Formula 1 regulations in Paris last week.

These include the fitting of steel cables to FI cars to reduce the likelihood. of wheels flying off the cars dur ing accidents.

The new tyre rules reduces the number of sets of tyres for each driver from 10 to eight per weekend in an effort to reduce production problems for Bridgestone, the sport’s sole tyre supplier in 199R It has also been agreed that the 1999 tyres will have an extra groove next year to reduce grip and that the width of front tyres will be restricted to 270mm.

The FIA has also agreed that every year in the future it will determine the specifi cation of tyres for the follow ing season by September 1.

The restriction of entries in the World Championship is in line with the new Concorde Agreement, which allows for a maximum of 12 teams (24 cars). Anyone wishing to enter the sport will, therefore, have to buy an existing opera tion. While this could be con strued as a restrictive prac tice, there is an argument that it is necessary on the groimds of safety.

The problems over time penalties at Silverstone have led to new rules fixing stop-go penalties at 10 seconds.

If the penalty is imposed in the last five laps of a race - as happened with Michael Schumacher at Silverstone this year - 25 seconds will be added to the race time of the driver concerned. As soon as an incident is under investi gation by the stewards a mes sage to that effect will appear on the time monitors.

The new fuel rules, which have been agreed by the fuel companies in FI, will result in much cleaner fuel with reductions in both sulphur and benzine levels. The new fuel is believed to be in line with a planned new European Union fuel standard.

The new safety measures include an increase in the height of the main roll hoop above the driver’s head from 50mm to 70mm; oil breathers venting into the air intake rather than spraying oil onto the track and a pressure relief valve in the cooling sys tem of each car.

There are also new rules related to seats, which must now be removable with the driver in it, and an increase in the speed of the nose impact test. This will increase each year.

The World Council also voted through the rule that teams must run both cars in liveries which are “substan tially” the same, which was agi'eed some years ago but is now needed to prevent BAR from running two different cigarette brands on their cars (see sepai'ate stoi-y).

-JOESAWARD

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23 October 1998

NZ attack on expanded FHolden series THERE will be an all-New Zealand team in the 1999 Australian Gold Star series.

Ralt Australian has con firmed that Jason Liefting will join Chris Staff in the two car Reynard team, which will be run by Graham Watson.

Liefting, 20, had his first Formula Holden race at Sandown last month, fin ished second and first in the two races. He comes to Australia after taking rookie honours in the NZ Formula Ford series.

Staff is 21 and has been racing superkarts in Australian throughout 1998.

The series will have an eight race program during the season, starting at

Eastern Creek in March and including a debut appear ance at both the Adelaide 500 street race, Darwin’s Hidden Valley and Willowbank Raceway near Brisbane.

Interestingly, though, the Formula Holden Association has decided not to attend the Australian Grand Prix meet ing in Melbourne, which has received little or no television coverage in the past.

The 1999 dates are; Mar 28 Eastern Creek Apr 11 Adelaide GP track May 16 Sandown June 6 Hidden Valley June 27 Phillip Island July 11 Willowbank Aug 22 Winton Sept 12 Oran Park

Sakata fuel shock JAPANESE motorcycle racer Kazuto Sakata may not have clinched the 1998 125cc World Championship at Phillip Island after all.

The FIM has found that the fuel in Sakata’s Aprilia motorcycle at Phillip Island was “not in accordance with the Grand Prix

Regulations” which state that “any infringement of the fuel specifications will automatically result in the exclusion of the competi tor fi-oni the entire meeting”.

The test found the fuel to be weU above the requu-ed ratings. \ ,'

n Entries for the International Formula 3000 series have been thrown open to all appli cants, although they must prove that they have the necessary budgets and cars by November 15. The FIA says it will accept as many entries as it can but that races will have only 26 starters. The FIA sa3's thei’e will be two divisions of F3000 in 2000. For 1999 the series will not start until the Monaco GP and all rounds will be held at GP meetings. i

IHiTtV REWARD FOR EFFORT... Mark Larkham heads for victory on the Gold Coast.

larko laps it up

MARK Larkham has been overwhelmed by the posi tive response to his first V8 Supercar win last weekend at Surfers.

The Mitre 10 team’s win was the most popular for some time, nearly four years into Larkham’s V8 career.

“It was a significant moment for Mitre 10 and all those sponsors who have stuck by us,” Larko enthused post-race.

“They all had the opportu nity to bail out at various times when things were down, but they stuck by me.

I’m so pleased for them and for the team.

“We’ve been looking quite good since Darwin, but string ing together a win in this company isn’t easy.

“But now we’ve done it - tough race, but hey, it was and it re-establishes in our worth it...” own minds that we can lift Larko later revealed some our level of performance sev extra pressure put on him eral levels.” just prior to the race.

Larkham explained that, “My five-year-old, Jud, has having got the speed to get on never said much, but as we the front row, his approach to got into the cars he came up the race changed. and said,‘Dad, you’re going to “I resolved that if I could win this race.’ The pressure get away in front. I’d do what was on ...”

Lowndes does - put my head = Perhaps the most telling down, try to demoralise them comment on Larkham’s perwith a good opening lap or so formance comes from seaon cold tyres, leave them to soned V8 campaigner John battle with each other and Bowe, who was forced to specnot look in the mirrors, at .tate after a qualifying crash, least not on the entiy into the “While the Stone team has corners. clearly got their package “I was yelling at myself together, I also thought Larko inside the helmet to keep con- was far and away the best centrating, to keep the pres- driver out there on the day. sure on.

He drove very, veiy well ...”

- CHRIS LAMBDEN “It made Saturday a

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n Rupert Murdoch is reportedly bidding for con trol of Gennany's Kirch TV group, one of the major players in FI digital TV. Murdoch is also reported to be talking with Italian station RAI for the launch of another digital service. n There are already ramours suggesting that FI teams are bidding for the services of Scotsman Dario Franchitti for the 2000 season. The 26-yearold Florida-based Scotsman, who moved into second place in the CART series last weekend, is already favourite to win the CART title next year with Team Kool Green and has strong links with both McLaren and BAR. Franchitti is managed by Julian Jakobi, foj-merly a BAR director but now working closely with Prost Grand Prix.

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8 GT set for major revamp The FIA.has confirmed that there will be two separate champi onships for GT-type racecars in 1999.

A new FIA SportsPrototype Championship will be established for the ciu*rent GT-1 cars,such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK-LM,the Panoz GTR and the Porsche 911GT1, which wiU be renamed Prototype GT. Clearly the FIA hopes also to attract other manufactiu*ers which have hardware built for Le Mans,such as Toyota with the GTONE,because the gov erning body is holding out the carrots of a weight-penalty handi cap system for race winners - and a madefor-TV format.

It will include in the fixture list six or more sprint events, consist ing oftwo lOO-kUometre races without pitstops,separated by an interval of 30-45 min utes during which a dif ferent driver must be installed in each car.

At this time there is no indication of whether a major TV deal is actually in place.

V There will also be two or more races over the 1000-kilometre distance or up to 12 hours dura tion, and the FIA says that,for the new sprint events,'The cars must .remain in long-distance configuration, with no engine, gearbox or other modifications/ alterations allowed."

This is taken to be an expression of its inten tion that,even if the new format is success ful,the entrants should not invest in special short-distance specifi cations-surely a for lorn hope.

Meanwhile,the title FIA GT Championship wiU be retained for the current productionbased GT-2 cars,such as the Chrysler Viper GTR and Porsche 911GT2.

It will comprise about 10 endurance events(two or more of 1000km distance up to 12 hours duration, and six or more of500km distance or three hours duration).

No fixture lists have been published yet. n Audi has awarded the contract to operate its allnew sports-prototype for Le Mans 1999 to Joest Racing, which won the race in 1984-85 and 199697 with Porsches. The new Tony Southgate-designed car will be powered by a turbocharged V8 engine.

Webber's title chance!

Questfor GT Championshp goes down to thefinal round

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MARK Webber’s hopes of becoming the world sportscar champion depend on him and team mate Bernd Schneider beating the other Mercedes-Benz factory pair, Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta, in this weekend’s final round in California.

A mid-race spin into the gravel trap by Webber cost him a possible victory in Sunday’s penultimate round of the FIA GT Championship at Homestead, Florida.

Webber and Schneider now trail Ludwig and Zonta by four points - 63 to 67 going into the 10th and final round at Laguna Seca on Sunday(October 25).

Ludwig and Zonta won the 500km Homestead race while Webber and Schneider - who have led the championship most of the season finished fourth.

Webber and Schneider have won five of the ninerounds so far and Ludwig and Zonta the other four.

The other Australian in

Hungary fined a million dollars THE organisers of the Hungarian Grand Prix fined been have US$250,000 (Aus$400,000) for the track invasion at the end of this year’s event and have been warned that if there is a repetition in the next two years they will have to pay another US$750,000.

The Hungarians have been given a date on the 1999 calendar but must come up with a satisfactory safety plan by December 11 to ensure that another track invasion cannot happen.

While the suspension of the full US$lm fine will help the Hungarians, the race organisers are going to have to invest large amounts of money to erect fencing at the track to ensure that fans do not get out of control.

The FIA fine is the same as that imposed on the organisers of the San Marino GP after a similar track invasion in 1996 and under lines the fact that the gov erning body is worried about what could happen if people are killed during a track invasion.

-JOESAWARD

111 FINAL FACE-OFF: Young guns Mark Webber (left) and Ricardo Zonta trade blows in a mock-up of their final round showdown at Laguna Seca this weekend. the Homestead race, David Brabham, finished sixth in the Panoz after his French teammate, Eric Bernard, collided with a tyre bander and lost the car’s bonnet, ending their hopes of scoring their best result of the season. n That crash,- and the unscheduled pit stop that followed, cost the pair a chance of taking second or third, which went to Porsches driven by Uwe Alzen/Jorg

Muller and Yannick Dalmas/Allan McNish.

Zonta raced away from pole to lead Schneider, who made the first stop when light rain began falling at about one-third distance and switched to Webber on wet weather tyres.

Zonta pitted a lap later and stayed on slicks, which was a mistake because the rain started more heavily, but he was able to pit for wets soon after under the

safety car and kept second place.

Despite a quick spin, Zonta closed to gap to Webber on a drying track and he regained the lead when Webber pitted for slicks.

Zonta pitted two laps later and handed over to Ludwig, who rejoined ahead of the charging Webber.

It was while battling for the lead with Ludwig on lap 75 that Webber made his

mistake and spun off.

Unlike Zonta, though, he was stuck in the gravel.

The car was removed from the gravel by a tow-truck and the 22-year-old from Queanbeyan rejoined the race two laps down in sixth place and proceeded to lap as quickly as he had previously.

“The spin was completely

BUigil la test fwtm

FOR the last three years we have been predeting that motorcycle racer Max Biaggi wiM eventnaly switch from two wheels to four.

This wfil come a step closer to reality in a month or two when the 27-yearold Italian tests an FI Ferrari for the first time.

Biaggi says that the test vidll not be just for fun and will be a fiall day of “serious testing”.

It comes as the result of Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo telling Biaggi that he could test a car if he won a 500cc Grand Prix in his first season, which he did in his debut event in Japan, ffiaggi has ridden this year for Eiw

Kanemoto’s semi-works Honda team but is rumoimed to be on his way to the Yamaha factory temn.

Another top Honda rider, Carlos Checa, has already made the move to Yamaha.

Biaggi says he wants to win the 500cc World Championship before he switches to cars but has been advised by John Surtees - the only man to have won World Championships on two wheels and four - not to wait too long before switching.

Biaggi is managed by FI dealmaker Julian JakobL^ -JOESAWAI

yre testing at Suzuka before finalising then suspension designs

THERE is to be a major tyre test at Suzuka in the days after the Japanese GP so that teams can try out the 1999 specification Bridgestone tyres which they wiU all lip iKsinirnext vear

for next year.

The test will also enable Bndgestone to establish wear rates and pmpomt potential problems m the tyms.

“We have been collaborating with the

The n^ew tyres will feature a fourth groove designed to reduce giip and the Sams are all keen to have some understanding of the behaviour of the tyres

FIA since midsu^er,” ® Hiroshi Yasukawa, an , ●f Goodyeai-’s -thdrawal from FI we dji^ ed that everyone s best interest would be

served by being able to test our products as soon as possible after the racing season was complete”.

The end of the FI tyre wai- will probably save Bridgestone a great deal of money. , According to Goodyear’s financial state ments, the American tyre company has been spending US$30m a quarter on Grand Prix racing this year - which amounts to almost Aus$200m a year.

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Zonta to join BAR WITH all the major players now out of the picture, British American Racing looks likely to have to settle for Brazilian Ricardo Zonta as its second driver next sea son.

The team says that the deal is nearly done, but may be held up for some time while the dust set tles within the British American Tobacco management as a result of the FI Commission’s decision to ban teams running twin liveries (see separate story below).

It remains to be seen how BAT is going to solve its branding prob lems as the entire FI package was designed around the use of two brands: Lucky Strike and State Express 555 with the money com ing from separate sources.

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BENZ BOYS: It was a delighted Klaus Ludwig and Ricardo Zonta (above) after seeing off the challenge of their Mercedes teammates (left). my fault,” Webber said. “I “I was really happy with was a little late in braking the way I was able to pull and the rear started to lock away from Ricardo in the up. I just went into the wet, but then it all turned gravel. I’m very disap pear-shaped. pointed for Bernd.

“Now we have to give “I had some very good .our.best at Laguna Se'ca. moments in the race but Luckily we can still influ then made a mistake ence the result of the dri which cost Bernd and I a vers’ championship.” lot of points.

Mercedes-Benz wrapped

up the manufacturers’ title at the seventh round at Bonington in England on.

September 6.

Next weekend’s Laguna Seca round will be the final race for 49-year-old Ludwig, a former Le Mans winner and sedan racing superstar for three decades, so he is the senti¬

mental favourite to win the title.

Ludwig was delighted with the win: “Those last 10 laps were probably the most-emotional of my life.”

Zonta is expected to be named next week as the second driver in the new British American Racing FI team as partner to 1997

Senna fall-out still threat to Imola I

THE San Marino Grand Prix at Imola is under threat next year as a result of the legal fall-out from the 1994 accident which claimed the life of Ayrton Senna.

The crash resulted in an investigation and then a trial of members of the Williams team and the race organisa tion. Everyone involved wasacquitted.

Last year the Association of European National 01}Tnpic Committees held a symposium in Rome to dis cuss the problems of danger ous sports and Italy’s unusu al legal system.

It was attended by leading sporting administrators and

by Italian legal representa tives, including the presi¬

different governments in the dents of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts. It last 35 years and each new was agreed that the law coalition has to balance the needed to be changed and a demands of some of the 60 request was made to the different political parties.

The collapse of Romano Italian government to exclude dangerous sports Prodi’s government in recent from criminal law. days will not help the Imola Since then nothing has situation.

Prodi’s administration happened and because every race in Italy is a risk for the lasted for 28 months, one of FI teams, the FIA is threat the longest governments ening to cancel the race at since the war, and the signs Imola in an attempt to force are that the new coalition being put together by the Italian politicians to act.

In theory the same prob . Massimo d’Alema will be rel lems exist with the Italian atively unstable.

The FIA is hoping that GP at Monza, but FIA Italy’s love of motor racing sources say that it was decid ed not to force the issue by will get all the warring politi making it provisional as cal factions together in order well. to save Italy’s second Grand Italian politics is a volatile Prix.

-JOESAWARD business.'There have been 26

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PO Box 6330 Shepparton 3632 Ph/Fax: 03 5827 1359 Mobile: 014 406 980 Email: speedwerx@diesel.net.au www.kartsport.com.au/akn/speedwerx.html

American BRITISH Tobacco is understood tb be considering legal action against the FIA as a result of the new regula tion which bans the use of different liveries by a sin gle team.

The aim of this rule is to avoid the public being con fused by cars in the same team using different liver ies. This is common practice in CART racing where teams such as Patrick, Rahal and PacWest run cars with totally different colour schemes.

The FI team bosses agreed to run cars in identical liver ies as long ago as 1994 but the rule was not formalised until it became clear that British American Racing was intending to enter cars in dif ferent colours in 1999: one in Lucky Strike red and the other in State Express 555 blue.

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world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

Mercedes-Benz motor sport chief Norbert Haug said: “The FIA GT drivers’ championship will be decided in the final race exactly as in Formula 1 (with the showdown between McLarenMercedes driver Mika Hakkinen and Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on November 1).

“Both our teams (Webber/Schneider and Ludwig/Zonta) must race for victory to be able to get the title. It will be a great final for a great season.”

l Height micrometers l Ring compressors l Burettes l Micrometers l Verniers

With only one brand aUowed,the financial structure of the deal will have to be rethought.

Throughout the last few months there has also been trouble between BAT brand managers over which driver would be driving which car.

We have heard extraordinary stories about how BAR negotiated the release of Gil de Ferran from Walker Racing in CART in order to sign up a Brazilian, only to he told that this was not necessary.

De Ferran then re-signed for Walker only to have BAT come back again and demand a Brazilian driver, by which time it was too late for De Ferran.

-JOESAWARD

legal plans

The new regulation causes considerable problems for BAR as we believe the fund ing of the new team was built around investment from a variety of BAT sub sidiaries - paying for differ ent brands - rather than just the main company.

There are alternative ways of running different brands on the same cars: either by running a brand on each side of the car or splitting the cars top and bottom, but this will not meet with much enthusiasm from BAT brand managers.

Another option is for BAT to increase its investment in the sport and run BAR in Lucky Strike colours and another team in 555 livery, which would not be enor mously expensive given the amount of money BAT seems to have available.

Legal action might be suc cessful if argued under com¬

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mercial law. 'There are wellestablished laws about com petitors complying with rules established by a sporting fed eration, but these do not take into account the economic impact of a decision and a case could be built around that.

But this is likely to take a long time to sort out and in the interim BAR would still have to ran according to the existing rules for 1999 and probably 2000 as well.

Even if it was ultimately successful, legal action against the FIA may not be wise if BAT wants to make the most of its investment in the sport. The Formula 1 Commission, which voted through the regulation, is made up not only of FIA delegates but also team bosses, promoters, spon sors and engine manufac turers ...

-JOESAWARD

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Two Commodore V6 classes comin

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Adelaide lot. RWay. ,Rd 3

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19 race series held: in the United States, Australia. Brazil and Japan

Pep Boys Indy Racing League Oct 10 . . .Las Vegas . . . .Rd 11

By PHIL BRANAGAN THERE are two low-cost V6 Commodore-based classes in the offing for the 1999 and 2000.

The HQ Racing Association is working on a category to take over from the Holden category which will cater for not only Commodore VNs and VPs but also for EA and EB Ford Falcons.

In the meantime the first Commodore Super V6 hit the track at Surfers last weekend, prior to starting as a racing cate gory at the 1999 Gold Coast Indy.

The competitor response to both proposals has reportedly been strong.

“We’ve had a fantastic response,” said Commodore Super V6 promoter Bruce Toole.

“We expect to be testing this car at Lakeside this week and next.”

Copies of the car, which acted as pace car for the Indy HQ races last weekend, is expected to cost between $20,000 and $25,000 on-track, while the HQRA cars are listed as costing slightly less.

The major difference between the classes is the body kits for the Super V6 class, with front valance and rear wing which is similar to that on the

11 race series held inthe United States

Commodore VRVS V8 Supercar.

Both classes feature 10:1 com

Formula 1 World C'^ship

pression ratio, control cams and ● engine management systems, standardised brakes and wheels,

Nov 1 . . . .Japan

Rd 16

16 race series held around the world

FIA GT World C'ship Oct 25 . . .Laguna Seca . .Rd 10 10 race series held around the world

Winston Cup NASCAR Oct 25 . . .Phoenix ,

Rd 32

Nov 1 . . . .Nth Carolina . . .Rd 33 Nov 8 . . . .Atlanta

Rd 34

Nov 21 . . .Motegi, Japan 33 race series held in the United States

NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Oct25 . . .Dallas

Rd 20

Nov 1 . . . .Houston

Rd 21

Nov 15 . . .Pomona . . . . v.Rd 22 22 race series held in the United States

Australian Drag Racing Nov 7 . . . .Adelaide - Springnats Top Fuel feature/ADRS Round 1 Nov 14 . . .Calder Park Top Doorslammer Series - Round 1

SOOcc Motorcycle Grand Prix C'ship* Oct 25 . . .Argentina

Rd 1 6

16 round series held around the world

World Rally Championhip* Nov 6 . . . .Australia

Rd 13

Nov 21 . . .RAC

Rd 14

14 rally series held around the world AH event dates in this calendar were correct at the time of printing. Please consult any individual tracks and/or associations lor date changes.

Series or events telecast on Network Ten are marked with an asterix.

Check your local guides inr crti'oeninn

I

blue printed engines and rev hmiters, which are currently set at eiOOprm (Super V6) and 6500rpm (HQRA), though either or both coidd be changed in the future. Both groups anticipate aroimd 210hp at the rear wheels, with a high degree of engine reli ability leading to up to a full sea son between engine rebuilds.

Both Commodores feature standard five-speed TIO gearbox es (T50D on the Ford) and set final drive ratios.

National But HQRA

Administrator

Les

Morrall

points to a strong level of poten tial support from Ford dealers.

“They’ve shown a great deal of interest in getting involved in the class at a grass-roots level, which is fantastic,” he said.

“The Queensland class is noth

INDY CAR... Bruce Toole's Commodore Super V6 appeared at the Gold Coast last weekend. (Photo by oirk Ktynsmuh)

CART wants Aussie driver

By PHIL BRANAGAN CART Chairman Andrew Craig would like to see more minori

ties represented in Indy car racing - and that could be good for young Australian drivers.

The man who has over seen the steady growth of the FedEx Championship over recent years has out lined a plan to encourage ‘minorities’ - women and drivers on non-Anglo Saxon heritage - into the sport to broaden the appeal of the series.

the participation of Aussie drivers.

“I’d love to see an Australian driver in this

series,” Craig said. “I think it makes really good sense to have at least a national from each country that hosts a race.”

But, as head of the cate gory’s governing body, he stopped short of offering actud financial incentive to get a driver from down imder.

“We would do what we

Craig also said that, with Australia the only interna tional CART destination

could to help.^I think we need to rationahge but, in the end, this is an expen sive sport, that’s the reahty of it.

not represented by a “local’ driver, he would encourage

“I think we can provide some,‘directional’ help but.

by PHIL BRANAGAN TEAM Penske may be on the

The other large difference between the proposals is that the

in May 1997, may end production of their proprietary chassis at their Poole, UK, factory which would be down-sized into an R&D facility to run customer cars.

prior to the Indy event in October, while the Commodore/ Falcon cars will have to run with other categoi'ies until 1 January 2000.

thing (for this race) with Paul Morris. Andrew was veiy helpful, but the fact is that we don’t have a spon sor in Austraha to support this.

“We have a lot of talent in this country, and I sin cerely hope it happens. If we had a Mick Doohan in

the race today, we would have filled the place; the crowd would have been

spectacular.”

Indycar Chaiiman Teny Jackman said that he would continue to “take an interest in trying to get and Australian driver in the race.

The last Australian to race in an Indy car event was Gary Brabham, who raced at Surfers in a one-off drive in 1994, while brother Geoff did the Indy 500 as a solo effort the year- before.

But with Craig’s com ments the tide could be turning. An awful lot of Indy car people were ask ing about David Besnard over the weekend...

Reynards for Penske?

ing to do with us but, if they huilt a Super Six (sic) they could only race it at Indy and Bathurst. If they went along with our regulations you could fit a wing kit and run both classes.

Super V6 class is expected to have its first race in June ’99

in the end, historically, it’s up to themselves (the dri vers and sponsors). We’re very happy to help with the talking to companies.”

Outgoing Indycar Chief Executive Tony Cochrane also supports the idea, but cautiously.

“It takes, talent, timing and a lot of money,” he said.

“We tried to do some

verge of dropping its own chas sis in favour of running Reynards in 1999.

The team, which has struggled since Paul Tracy won at Madison

If the move way made it would represent a substantial turn around in the marque’s fortunes.

As recently as last month

Hogan Racing was said to be looking at running a customer car next year but, following a test at Sebring where JJ Lehto tested not only a Penske but Firestone tyres (in place of its regular G oodyears), it is believed that the one-car outfit will settle on a Reynard 991 for next season.

While Penske’s 1998 PC27 has appeared to be competent in itself, a succession of transmission devel

opment problems has hindered the car’s progress and, together with a lack of qualifying speed from Goodyear’s tyres, team boss Roger

Penske is said to be close to

pulhng the plug on their build pro gram.

It would not be the first time that the team has run customer cars. From 1984 to 1987 March supplied the Penske team with customer cars, resulting in nine race wins and a championship for A1 Unser Sr in 1985.

A decision is expected to be made in the next month so that A1 Unser Jr and Andre Ribeiro, who are already under contract for 1999, can begin pre-season testing as soon as possible.

Andretti, Tracy to face the music

MICHAEL Andretti and

attention to failing rear

Paul Tracy face potential disciplinary action as the result of a coming together' at the Gold Coast Indy race last weekend.

The two bitter rivals got

brakes (which eventually caused his retirement) while Andi’etti lived to fight another day with a new nosecone until sidelined by a late-race accident when he was hit by Richie Hearn.

As a result of the incident

together on lap 34 of the 62 ’ lap event when Andretti’s Swift ran into the back of Tracy’s Reynai-d at the back straight chicane. As a result of the contact both had to pit, Ti'acy for a flat tyre and

CART Chief Steward Wally Dallenbach has summoned both drivers to explain the accident on October 30 prior to the first qualifying session

at Fontana in California.

“Michael hit me in the rear on the back straightsaid an upset away, Canadian after the race.

“He hit me so hard it

was brake tested by Tracy before the incident and,

prevented from qualifjdng at Vancouver while under sus

when he repeated the trick this time, contact occmTed. The two di-ivers have not

punctured the left real' tyre, bent the suspension and sev ered a brake line.”

Andretti would not com ment on the incidents in which he was involved after the race but is believed to have told his team that he

pension, and has already tangled on-track with team-mate Andretti's Christian Fittipaldi this sea son, almost flipping him at Long Beach.

If Dallenbach finds that

1995, scoring two wins to the American’s one.

been on friendly terms for some years. Tracy drove alongside Andretti in the Newman-Haas team in

Tracy has also been involved in several incidents already this season. He was

Tracy caused the incident in Queensland, he could poten tially be suspended before the race.

-PHIL BRANAGAN

23 October 1998

Mika expects Irvine factor looms over fair'fight from Schumacher World Title showdown

II

MIKA Hakkinen says he expects a fair challenge from Michael Schumacher in the decisive Japanese Grand Prix and is con vinced he will win his first World Title.

Suzuka is hisfavourite circuit and, reports ADAM COOPER,

“Victory and the world champi onship,” the Finn told German Sunday newspaper Bild am Sonntag when asked what he expected from the final race at Suzuka on November 1, the race that will deter mine which man takes the title.

“If everything goes normally, I think I will win in Japan,” added the McLaren driver, who leads the stand ings by four points and needs only to finish second.

“There’s no point in speculating on second place. I will race as if we were level on points.”

The 30-year-old Finn said he did not fear that Ferrari driver Schumacher might use unfair tactics in his bid for a third world title.

“He has had enough negative experiences in the past,” Hakkinen said. “He cannot and will not let such things happen again.

“I don’t expect any tricks from him and I am not afraid of him, either.”

Hakkinen said all the pressure would be on his German rival.

“I have nothing to lose and will go into this race totally relaxed,” he said.

“You can only lose when you’ve already been the winner. Michael has already been the world champion twice. So he has a lot to lose. I haven’t.”

Ferrari is lookingfor something specialfrom Fast Eddie:

jr I "^wo of the most recent side line is a pretty good bet I World Championship at the start (he gained three J. showdowns turned into spots in ‘93). Most imporbattles between the main tantly, he knows what he protagonists. wants from a car at Suzuka; At Adelaide in 1994 and to go quick, you’ve got to get Jerez last season, Michael rid of understeer at all cost.

Schumacher fought on the But what really counts for road with his title rivals - him is confidence. He loves Damon Hill and Jacques Suzuka. The moment he Villeneuve respectively - and arrives in Japan he has an evei-yone else kept out of the extra bounce in his step and way and left them to it. he’s always in a positive Teammates conveniently frame of mind, faded into bit parts.

While many other drivers Thanks to the delicate don’t particularly enjoy the points situation this year, long haul, Eddie revels in the Suzuka will be different; trip. It’s become a tradition FeiTari has no choice but to that he goes out to Tokyo a cast Eddie Irvine in a star- week early to visit old ring role. haunts and see friends, and Since a win with Mika generally have a good time Hakkinen second is not good for a few days. When he enough for Michael, someone heads down to Suzuka, he’s has to get between them,so a fully acclimatised, relaxed , CRUCIAL ROLE... repeat of the Magny-Cours and raring to go. A happy Ferrari is looking for a 1-2 finiskat Suzuka to take and Monza l-2s is called for.

Irvine is generally a quick And the only way Ferrari one. both Worhd Championships. can steal the constructors’' Eddie’s been looking fortitle from McLaren’s grasp is ward to.the race,all year, if Michael and Eddie finish well before the points situa- Michael out of the pits. first and second. tion made it into a crucial Typically, Eddie subsequent But can Iiwine do the job? test. “But to be honest I’d ly took a battering in the He may have^amassed an rather just be looking after Italian press. He hadn’t held up Mika for long enough, impressive list of points fin- myself!” he'says. ishes this year, but only What can he do to help made it too easy for him to rarely has he fought on the Michael? Beating Hakkinen pass, all that sort of thing.

“I’m the only guy who gets road with Hakkinen. He won won’t be easy, especially as one encounter and lost the Mika himself has a great fin- blamed for his teammate not other. ishing record in Japan. winning a race,’ he jokes ...

Even Michael has had a However, in France Eddie However, he did gain a tough time beating Mika in a kept the Finn behind for the surprise character witness.

“Eddie did his 100 percent healthy McLaren and on job,” said Eon Dennis, “but also he normal form you was very correct. It wouldn’t give Eddie could have been much chance. another way and I However, there’s have a different a special factor at opinion of him now.” play here. If there’s yy Inevitably, there’s one place in the l ll speculation that the year where you Suzuka race could could bank on some end in tears, much like the thing special from E Irvine, whole race, apart from a brief interlude when Mika Prost/Senna confrontations it’s Suzuka. took a lunge down the inside of 1989 and ‘90. This time, Eddie’s special relation ship with the track began in at the tight last corner. He Schumacher cannot afford to crash; he has to finish.

1991-93, when he raced in got through, spun immedi So could Irvine be cast as ately and Eddie continued on Japanese F3000.

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1996.

“I looked in my mirrors sort of risk to help someone It’s too simplistic to say and thought he was too far else win a title. Any blatant Eddie still has the advantage behind,” he recalls. “Just move could cause iiTeparable of ‘local knowledge’, but before I even braked he was damage to his career, and Suzuka is a track where right there alongside me. I Michael probably wouldn’t braked as late as I could and even say thank you.

029772 2222 every little trick pays divi Mazford Parts Plus - Revesby NSW “However, I can’t be held 02 4628 5555 dends, especially when it he nearly lost it under brak 02 9771 3611 Moore Parts Plus Campbelliowri A Class Parts Plus - Revesby comes to wet weather. ing. I was hoping that’s what responsible for Mika’s 02 6882 un 029938 5555 Scott's Parts Plus - Oubtx) Brookvale Spares Parts Plus - Brookvale Eddie knows where the he would do, but he just held actions,” Eddie argues. “If 02 43531166 026280 6277 Tuggerah Lakes Pans Plus - Wyong Capital Parts Plus - Canberra 024256 1288 puddles form, where lines it all together. I was well he’s behind me, it’s the last 02 9757 1811 Yallah Aulo Parts Plus - Wollongong FordPro Parts Plus - Smithfield lap and Michael’s won the should be subtly altered, and annoyed...”

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Scots battle Jordan looks for partner for leading FI designer

EDDIE Jordan says he is looking for a partner in his Formula 1 team.

The Irishman feels thaf the operation needs more backing to be able to lift itself to the next level in Grand Prix racing and hopes to find someone like McLaren's Mansour Ojjeh to buy a substantial share holding.

This will enable Eddie to liquidate some of his assets and, at the same time, invest in building up Jordan Grand Prix without losing control of the company.

There have been rumours for some months that Jordan might be willing to sell his team but we hear that he turned down an offer of around $100m from Honda earlier this year.

With the new Concorde Agreement guaranteeing large sums of money from TV income in the course of the next 10 years, it is a good moment for investors to take the plunge as the racing teams are becom ing increasingly self-fund ing and the value of a team is likely to increase dramatically in the next few years.

LOOKING AHEAD... Eddie Jordan is scouting around for a suitable investor. (Phew by Nigel Snowdon) Jordan is hoping to conelude a new deal with Mugen for VI0 engines in 2000 and 2001.

His current deal runs out at the end of 1999 but Mugen is keen to continue

even if sister company Honda is planning its own V10 engine.

Mugen boss Hirotoshi Honda has always insisted that Mugen is independent of Honda itself and fhere is

no doubt that Honda - the son of Honda Motor's founder Soichiro Hondaharbours the ambition of one day building his own road cars.

- JOE SAWARD

FORMER Jordan Technical Director Gary Anderson has caused considerable confusion in recent weeks by agreeing to work for both the Arrows and the Stewart teams.

Anderson, who left Jordan last month, is not supposed to be working with any team for the next three months but we believe did have an agreement with Tom Walkinshaw. however.

Clearly, Anderson felt that it was not a solid contract as he has since signed to work as chief designer at Stewart under technical director Alan Jenkins.

This is a strange move but one must assume that Jenkins’ contract runs out at the end of 1999 and than Anderson will take over as technical director.

We hear that part of the decision was that Stewart

was willing to pay a great deal more money than Arrows because of the pres sure the team is under from Ford to perform next year.

Stewart was about to announce the deal when Walkinshaw sought an injunction to stop the deal going through.

At the moment the out come remains unclear, although in all probability Anderson will eventually be confirmed at Stewart and Walkinshaw will have to rely on chief designer Mike Goughian, although he has been linked with a job with the new Honda team.

Walkinshaw says that the problems will not have any serious effect on the 1999 car as this is already well advanced and will be a development of the existing chas sis, which has proved to be quite effective.

-JOESAWARD

Williams satellite team

WILLIAMS Grand Prix Engineering is imderstood to be putting together a sec ond test team for the 1999 season.

Juan-Pablo Montoya - if he stays with the team - and Max Wilson to work on the development of the 1999 cars.

The team will be based in BMW premises in Munich and will run this year’s Williams chassis in BMW colours.

FI teams are restricted in where and when they can test during the course of a season but running old cars in differ ent coloims is acceptable.

The team is in the process of looking for a suitable driver for the project as it does not want to run a young driverwithout engine-testing experience.

There are no obvious candidates for the job but logic dictates that BMW would prefer to have someone who has tested a variety of other state of the art FI engines.

The best candidate would probably be Emmanuel Collard, who has worked with Williams before and has experience with both Renault and Peugeot, although BMW might prefer to find someone who has had experience with the Mercedes-Benz engine.

Consequently, the BMW operation will be able to run wherever and whenever it likes, which is very important as the German engine-maker develops its VIO FI engine to be used in 2000 by Williams.

Most of the work is expected to take place at Paul Ricard, where Williams has considerable data as a result of years of engine testing at the circuit with Renault Sport.

The BMW test work is likely to be car ried out by a new test driver, leaving

Jan Magnussen has a great deal of experience with both Mercedes and Ford engines.

-JOESAWARD

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Belgians soften tobacco stance BELGIUM is planning to relax its attitude towards tobacco advertising, which is currently much tougher than that adopted by the European Union, which is based in the Belgian capital.

This nearly resulted in the cancellation of this year's Belgian Grand Prix.

Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene told a local TV station over the weekend that it is illogical for the country to try to do more than the EU and that the new laws, due to come into force in January, should be relaxed to allow the coimtry to host major internation al events.

"We should not try to be more Catholic than the Pope," Dehaene said.

BOUND FOR THE STATES... Juan-Pablo Montoya clinched the F3000 title and now gets a season with the championship-winning Ganassi CART team.

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Aiispori)

Montoya joins Ganassi in US NEWLY crowned FIA Formula 3000 Champion Juan-Pablo Montoya has signed a three-year deal to drive for Target Chip Ganassi Racing as the replacement for Alex Zanardi.

Frank Williams - who had Montoya imder contract as a test driver - is understood to have played a major role in getting the 23-year-old Colombian into Ganassi.

We believe that Williams has a long-term understand ing with Ganassi - athough it may not be formal - to take Montoya back for the

2002 season if he wants him.

Williams decided not to sign Montoya as a racer because he felt that the youngster needed more time to develop.

"Juan-Pablo has a lot of talent," says Williams, "and we are confident Chip Ganassi and his team will offer the right environment to develop his skills fur ther."

Ganassi recently saw Montoya testing alongside Zanardi in Barcelona and says that he was impressed.

"He has a lot of confidence and possesses the tools and

skills to be a successful dri ver for us," said the CART team owner..

Montoya will partner Jimmy Vasser as the team bids to win its fourth straight CART title.

Montoya is due to start testing at Homestead this week, with the intention being for him to run on both the road course and the oval.

It will not be Montoya's first taste of US competition as he raced in the Barber Saab Pro Series in 1994, fin ishing third in the series.

-JOESAWARD

j

Sauber takes Diniz and his millions

BRAZILIAN millionaire Pedro Diniz has signed to drive with the Sauber team in 1999.

The announcement comes as a blow to Tom Walkinshaw of Arrows while also underlin ing the fact that Sauber can not currently afford to run two paid drivers.

Diniz is expected to bring around $16m to Sauber from Parmalat and other compa nies which deal with his family's supermarket chain in Brazil.

While everyone concerned was keen to dress up the deal as being a result of Diniz's good showings this year- with Arrows, the fact remains that the Brazilian would not have been hired if there had not been considerable finance behind him.

Having said that, Diniz has done better than expected on occasion in the course of the last two seasons, showing flashes of speed against Damon Hill in 1997 and this year against the highly-rated Mika Salo.

He also has plenty of expe rience, having now raced for Forti in 1995, Ligier in 1996 and Arrows in 1997 and 1998.

Sauber's need for more money stems from the fact that Red Bidl boss Dietrich Mateschitz, who owns the majority ofshares in Red Bull Sauber Holding,is believed to be reigning back on his investment.

Mateschitz now wants oth ers to fund his team, but find ing money,has not been easy because of the lack of good results.

Sauber's deal with Petronas runs out at the end of 2000 and, although the Malaysians intend to contin ue in FI, there is pressure at home to stop.

-JOESAWARD

fhkets

FAI ooo CLASSIC

MT. PANORAMA

BATHURST

JOURNEY MAN... Dinizjoins his fourth team in five years.

Going fo the FAi I OOO CiassU?

BMW role for Muller?

Experien€e it in styie with

THE announcement that Pedro Diniz is to join Sauber is bad news for the Swiss team’s test driver, Jorg Muller, who had been hoping to get the seat alongside Jehn Alesi.

The 29-year-old German knows that time is running out for his career to take off in Ft and does not'want to be l stuck as a perpetual test driver, which has been the fate of Frenchman Jean-Christophe Bouillon.

Muller has been on the fringes of F1 since he won the Formula 3000 title in 1996, as a test driver with Arrows and this season with Sauber.

His only|iope of a drive in 1999 is if Tom Walkinshaw V who rates Muller highly - is able to land a large sponsor which wants a German driver. This is not very likely.

We hear that BMW in Munich is keen on having Muller doing the test driving for the company's engine develop ment ^ogram next season with an old Williams chassis.

While this might be a good move for Muller, he knows that Alex Zanardi and Half Schumacher both have long term contracts with Williams.

While Muller might be a good choice for engine testing for Williams, the team itself is understood to be backing a young British driver for the job.

Tom considers options

THE loss of Pedro Diniz was not unex pected but nonetheless comes as a blow to the ambitions of Arrows boss Tom Walkinshaw as he prepares for the 1999 season.

Walkinshaw's task has not been helped by the financial problems of his main sponsor Danka, which is coming to the end of a two-year agreement.

In the last few days Danka shares have tumbled to just 75c compared to their peak in 1997 of over $13 and is most unlikely to continue the sponsor ship.

The team has the additional problem of heavy debts fi-om the set-up costs of an engine operation and former techni cal chief John Barnard's demands to bring the team up to the correct level in FI. That work has now been done and with income from TV revenues and some sponsorship ft-om a paying second dri ver the team will be able to survive.

Walkinshaw is understood to be talk ing to British American Tobacco and its offshoots about possible deals which will help the tobacco company out of the branding mess in which it currently finds itself.

Although there are some who are

already writing Walkinshaw off, it should he remembered that Tom is at his most dangerous when his back is to the waU and that there is not much wrong with the Arrows A19.

Additional research and development work will improve the package and the VIO engine is not only increasingly pow erful but will also be much more reliable in its second year of development.

We have heard a variety of rumours designed to destabilise Walkinshaw's position, hinting that Mika Salo may quit the team to join BAR, even though Tom has already taken up Salo's option.

There have also been suggestions that Salo will be part of the Honda team in the year 2000, which is quite likely as Mika has previously worked with the principal members of the Honda opera tion when they were all at Tyrrell.

It looks likely, therefore, that Salo will stay and will be partnered by Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa, who has a sizeable budget available from Spanish oil com pany Repsol.

This is rumoured to be in the region of $13m, which will certainly help Walkinshaw's cause.

-JOESAWARD

0

0

0 U

0 NEWS

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n Renault will shortly open a new factory in Curitiba, Brazil, named after the late Ayrton Senna. The facility wiU be capable of producing 120,000 cars a year. n The Malaysian engi neers working on the road car engine at Sauber Petronas Engineering in Hinwil will be returning to Malaysia to oversee the commercial exploitation of the engine. The engine should go into production in 2001. n The annual Elf Master Karting competition at the Bercy Exhibition Halls in Paris wftl take place this year on the weekend of November 28-29. The organisers say that the field will include Michael Schumacher,Jacques Villeneuve, Alex Zanardi, Giancarlo FisicheUa, Johnny Herbert, Jimmy Vasser and Mika Salo.

Many former El drivers wifi appear in a special All Stars Cup wbile many of the world's top motorcycle racers will take part in a kart race for bikers. ; n Volkswagen boss Ferdinand Piech says that his company may start pro ducing Bugatti road cars once again. VW unveiled an EB118 concept car at the Paris Salon recently featuring a curious 18cylinder engine, which Piech said could be sold for $300,000.

Paul commits prison to the past ONE of American motor racing's most notorious drivers, John Paul Jr,just can't seem to outrun his past, no matter how fast he drives.

After his recent IRL race win at Texas Motor Speedway, virtually every story written on the race included the line "John Paul Jr., who served two and a half years in prison ..." in the first two paragraphs.

Paul once was one of cart's most promising young drivers - targeted as the series' next superstar after winning just the fourth Indycar race of his career, at age 23.

Less than three years later. Paid was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug-smuggling operation run by his father, also top leading Indycar and sports car racer.

Junior served two and a half years at a minimum security prison at Maxwell Air Force Base for his role in the operation.

"L figure it's something that's in my past and I can't run away from it," Paul once said in an interview. "It's something that I've got to live with every day."

These days, Paul doesn't talk about his past - at least not his legal past. In arrang ing an interview, Paul's pub licist with Jonathan Byrd's

f

f

BACK IN ACTION... John Paul Jr made a big impression by leading almost a quarter of (Photo by David Taylor/Allsport) this year’s Indy 500 before winning at Texas 1st month.

Racing said Paul would not discuss his conviction or incarceration.

But in a candid interview two years ago, Paul spoke freely of the incident that knocked his once-promising racing career off track.

By most accounts, Paul's involvement with his father's marijuana smuggling busi ness was limited to loading and unloading shipments.

Paul said he got into the illegal activity at the age of 15 as a way to please his demanding father - even though he knew what he'was doing was wrong.

"Obviously, it wouldn't have been anything that (would have) happened if I hadn't been involved with

Drugs in Formula 1 ?

THERE have been some news-creatton schemes in recent days in the European racing media with much hot air being generated about a drug called Creatine.

The drug enables athletes to work their muscles harder than is normally the case and is claimed to be in use by most of the current Formula 1 drivers.

The drug - which is produced naturally by the human body - is readily available for sale and is not banned by either the FIA or the international Olympic Committee.

- JOE SAWARD my father," Paul said. "But I went along with it. That's the unfortunate aspect ofit.

Paul's father, who initially fled the country in an attempt to avoid prosecution, eventually was apprehended and convicted of racketeering m D

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25 years in prison.

After being released from prison, Paul Jr found that none of the big, corporatesponsored racing teams

01011

We are currently constructing the new Queensland Raceway motor racing circuit of Ipswich, which will become part of the largest motor sport precinct in the southern h^Jsphere.

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and attempted murder of a government witness.

Paul Sr was sentenced to

would touch him.

"There's no doubt that I deserved what happened," Paul said. "I had to pay for it.

We basically lost our momen tum as a race car driver, as far as being able to get the rides in the top cars.

"Obviously, the major cor porations have shied away, and who can blame them?

Having to go into a board room and fight for me as a driver would be very, very difficult, and I understand it fuUy. '"There isn't much worse that you can try and come back from and stfil have peo ple trust you enough to let you go out there with million-doUar equipment."

Now he has the backing of two high-profile companies VisionAire (a manufacturer of private jets) and Bryant Heating and Cooling - so maybe he is beginning to put some distance between him self and his past.

Paul's victory at Texas Motor Speedway came more than 15 years after his only other Indycar win, in July 1983, at the Michigan 500.

Paul was overcome with emotion as he steered his car into victory lane.

"It was quite a relief," Paul said. 'You wait 15 years and you never really believe that your day is going to happen.

You know you have the abili ty to win races but it's anoth er thing to actually do it."

Radio Communications

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716 Plenty Road " Reservoir VIC 3073

0.

FORMULA -»

The season for time and motion studies T

here was a time a few years ago when I used to report about touring car racing. And I always missed the northern autumn. As soon as the European racing season was over I would jump on a plane and fly to the Antipodes to watch hairy-chested tin-top heroes at Bathurst, Wellington, Calder, Macau and Fuji.

One year I spent 10 weeks on the Pacific Rim, going from race to race, churning out the weekly news and the odd feature to be sent down the wires to London.

Otherwise I was hanging out in Sydney, Hong Kong, Tokyo and even Fiji “resting”, like an actress between jobs. It was a lovely life for a young man without ties.

When I grew up and moved into And when you ask who is to Grand Prix racing we used to have blame, Bernie Ecclestone says It is an abbreviated version of the same down to Max Mosley and Max says end-of-term jaunt. We would fly to it is down to Bernie and you end up Japan in the middle of October and going round and round in circles, once the race at Suzuka was out of cussing and spitting at the absurdi the way would stampede to the ty of it all. beaches of Queensland or to littleMost people in the sport do not known Pacific Islands where drivers bother with such things. They are could hide In the company of given the calendar and like labora women who were not always their tory mice they irrimediately start wives... running on the treadmill, picking up And then we would turn up in the phones and booking circuits for Adelaide, looking tanned and testing, flights to and from races healthy for the World and tests and endless numbers of Championship decider. hotels. If Bernie (or After that was over a lot of peo- n M ax) leave a few pie would take a week or twd off spare days between (( before going back to Europe and races a test will imme get a real end-of-season holiday. diately be organised.

I have come to the The only^ slight drawback in this was that one would leave at the conclusion in recent end of the summer and arrive back months that testing is at Heathrow -in the deep mid-winter bad for the sport. It is with frosty winds moaning around expensive, tiring for Terminal 3 and you would have a those who have to do cold before you even left the build- it and it makes the rac mg. ing very much more predictable.

I n recent years that has gone, Almost all the teams now spend but we have been whisked about huge amounts to test and all make from race to race, usually ending progress with the cars which up In the Log Cabin at Suzuka, a means that nothing much changes bar of ill-repute but many a good the grid order from the start of the story. year.

But suddenly this year we have a month between the last two other is that reliable. testing races. It is a glitch in the system but The makes thething cars boringly one which has meant that we can A few years ago cars would retire go home and appreciate the with mechanical failures but nowa autumn a little. It has been years days this rarely happens - except since I have done that. in the case of Stewart and Arrows.

I must admit I have enjoyed There are crashes and there is fin ger-trouble but everything else has myself wandering around the gar den, throwing sticks for dogs - I been tested so much that it is mindhave one called Max but the one bendingly reliable.

If testing changes nothing and named Bernie had to go because he caused too much trouble. It is a makes the racing predictable, sure great way to think. I have delighted ly it is a bad thing. Would it not be in being pelted by rain drops and better for everyone if the teams have watched happily as the leaves turned up at the race track with a turn brown and fall from the trees. limited amount of time to set up a car? Surely this would produce sur prises from time to time.

While all this-isgetting an interesting FI team bosses do not think in experience back into the medieval cycles of life - it does this way. They are too busy trying seem rather a daft thing to be doing to beat (or destroy) one another when there is a World that the idea of working together for Championship to be settled. It just the good of the sport rarely comes into it. does not seem to be a very profes I have often wondered what sional way of organising the sport.

We have got everyone worked up would happen if Bernie and Max into a lather about “Schumi versus brought in some management con Mika” and then we all take a month sultants to analyse the way the off and do the gardening. sport operates and come up with

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Cartoon by'Allan Schofield

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ways of making it more efficient.

What would these time and motion men you know, those boring little twerps who wander around factories with clipboards and stop watches and work out what is being done right and what is being done wrong - conclude about our strange sport?

I reckon that the first thing they would con clude is that the boring little twerps who wander around pitlanes with clipboards and stop watches are very silly people and are wasting a lot of opportunities.

They would conclude that test ing is a completely worthless pas time but that it is maintained because the team bosses do not want to be pinned down by new regulations. They are worried that their power fs being encroached upon. What silly peoplel I, sometimes wonder if the time and motion men would not con clude that team bosses in some of the FI operations are actually entirely superfluous to the job being

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and Friday used for testing. This would mean that teams could use the days to trundle their VIPs through the paddock. There would then be qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

This everyone happy.

Thewould race keep promoters would be able to pull in more people, as they do in Australia and other advanced events which are'already four-day meetings; hotels will be able to charge their iniquitous five-night minimum rates and all the local restaurants will get an extra night of heavy trade.

Ecclestone will get more Income and a share of this would be passed onto the teams. The fans - who yy V are always at the bottsm of the list - would get more racing. done and are better left playing golf Some folk - like journalists in their tax havens. would complain that there was The only sensible defence I more work to do, but careful con struction of the calendar, with backhave heard for testing is that it pro vides the opportunity to get rid of to-back races in various places, the hundreds of VIP guests who would season could seem no longer than otherwise block up the paddock at it currently is. Really clever plan races and demand more passes ning would give us all a month off in August so that everyone can spend than there are passes available.

I am sure that the time and some time with their families during motion men would say that testing the holiday season.

Why not? It is just a question of should only be allowed with new cars because there is a need to planning.

I think this is where the time and check out safety questions as some designers are incapable of motion men would have the most building cars which do not break impact on the sport. They would their suspensions first time out. start asking questions about the money which is being wasted.

Testing should then stop.

Why do 2000 members of the FI travelling circus not get together Bernie longwiser argued thatthe it and organise more charter flights? would has be much to use money which is wasted on testing Why do teams not get together and to put on more races. If one is buy aeroplanes? The freight is going to spend the money, one already centralised, so why not the might as well use it in a way which travel as well? If FI had its own planes these could fly in and out of brings a financial reward.

The big teams would still want to the closest airports delivering things test, no doubt, but they would have when they are needed: freight and to do this by creating all manner of TV equipment in the days before Heath Robinson-like devices back the races, followed by mechanics, at their factories. They might even followed by press and marketing stumble upon something which - people, followed by VIPs and vice heaven forbid - might be useful for versa when the race is over.

It would have to be cheaper than the motor industry. the current system.

Ecclestone has already suggest Surely, with everyone being ed that there should be 20 four-day Grand Prix meetings with Thursday robbed silly by hoteliers around the

Bernie has long argued that it would be much wiser to use

the money which is wasted on testing to put on more races.

world, would it not be more logical for FI to build its own hotels at the race tracks to take a large percent age of the circus when it comes to town? These would be cheaper and could be operated as going concerns as they would inevitably attract punters if they were properly marketed. If they were linked to attractions at the race tracks they could be full all the time. They could also act as merchandising outlets for FI gear,

T

'he time and motion men would be horrified by the motorhomes.

They costs absurd amounts of money and there are two or three per team. Assuming that this would be a saving of $15m in total, what is wrong with race tracks building nice permanent facilities above and behind the pits?

If teams wanted to have Sir Norman Foster or some other architect build them something glamorous, they can do it. Each team could also have independent access to the upper floors of these areas so that VIPs could be ferried in and out without the need for passes.

They could have cafes overlook ing a central well at the bottom of which the pit crews work. They could have roof terraces and inter view rooms and proper restaurants for their people. Bernie could have similar facilities for his Paddock Club people. It would all save money in the long-term.

Similarly, all the wiring and tele phones and so on which takes so much time to install could become permanent at each facility so that the TV facilities could be set up and taken down in a matter of hours rather than days.

At the moment the FI circus behaves like a very expensive bunch of Bedouins and no-one has had the vision to see that one can move from one house to another rather than lugging tents around with you. It would be much nicer particularly when it rains - and the phones and the electricity would always work.

There could even be a box so that the time and motion men could travel with the circus and come up with even more ideas.

I must go and walk the dogs... n

-

23 October W98

Out of his brother's Ralf Schumacher steps up to the crack Williams team in 1999 after a chequered FI career in the shadow of his World Champion brother, but is he up to it? ADAM COOPER reports:

T

*

- -i

Photo by Mike Hewitt/Allsport

"For sure we improved at the he driver market was in a ran Patrick Neve in his March petitive. The real low point came at Monaco, where Ralf and teammate right time. It took us quite a while, strange sort of limbo at 761B ...

Monza last month.

So why Ralf? Frank and Patrick Damon Hill struggled near the back but I think Jordan did a great job.

We came from nowhere and now Confirmation of Heinz- Head have never been dictated to of the field. How depressing was it?

"We weren't very happy, but not we're regularly in the points."

Haraid Frentzen at Jordan filled by sponsors or engine suppliers, The first real signs of progress one gap, but we waited in vain for but clearly Schumacher Jr fits in really depressed," says Ralf. "We came at Silverstone. Forced to start went to Montreal expecting someneatly with the wishes of future any official word from Williams.

News travels fast in FI and usu engine supplier BMW and other thing really bad, but it suddenly at the back after a minor technical ally teams like to announce their, German backers such as Veltins turned around and became good, infringement,-Ralf drove a superb drivers within hours of deals being and Sonax. But there must be more That gave us all a bit of motivation race in the rain to climb through the done. But while Frank and his than that; Williams clearly believes again. field to sixth place, giving the team "Basically we'had to improve the its first point of the year, sponsors preferred to wait before that the 23-year-old has long-term He f ollowed up making any announcement about potential, with more scores in their ,1999 plans, everyone else .in and Austria WttS toM Otl tkc Vadio thttt I the paddock was certain that Alex many might have Germany. In the lat Zanatdi and Ralf Schumacher doubted that, after he'd » i ● race a bold pit would be teaming up next year. gone back to the wild allowcd to oveHake him ... ter strategy from the It win be a fascinating combina N ways we saw last sea team enabled Ralf tion and one which would have son, but In the second I believed I could have w on my to run in third place been far from anyone's minds a half of 1998 Ralf has just behind the turned things around. year ago. The new boys also rep McLarens Great wet weather first race... / didn^t like itC\^ dominant resent a change of policy for in the early stages, drives to sixth at Williams. ^ although later a Zanardi has a great record in Silverstone and second handling problem with the car at Spa while all around him spun engine, the aerodynamics and CART, but the last time the team forced him to drop back. employed two drivers without a GP off - have earned him huge respect make the car better mechanically as "Silverstone didn't look very win between them was mid-'82 - in the paddock. So too did his well. And the Goodyear tyres have ^ prbmising, but In the end it was a Keke Rosberg and Derek Daly dogged pursuit of the McLarens at improved. The whole package is a very good race. The strategy before the Finn's first win at Dijon. Hockenheim, albeit with a lighter lot better now." worked out and the car was very The improvement has been But that was a case of force fuel load. His third place at Monza spectacular and it came at a good good in the ram as well. Apstria was majeure, caused by the sudden will have done him no harm.

Half's second season with the time for Half; it's always better to be good, but in Hockenheim we retirement of Carlos Reutemann.

The last time the team actually Jordan team got off to a frustrating quicker in the middle and end of the expected a bit more. In the race we started its season without a proven start and in the first half of the year season than be fast at the begin- had some problems so I couldn t go at my pace any more, therefore GP winner was 1977, when Frank the 198 was disappointingly uncom- ning and fade away.

Willi Weber on RaK...

s

chumacher's manager Willi Weber is convinced that Williams is Ralf's ideal _ home - even if there may be a couple of transition years to endure as the team makes the move to BMW. "I think it's very important what we do now in changing teams. If we make a mistake now it could hurt him very hard. The Williams driver who's leaving now -1 don't think it's a good move. Normally you leave Jordan and then you go to Williams. It's a better move.

"Williams is one of the most successful teams of the last 10 years. They will come back up like I'm sure the sun goes up tomor row morning. 1 believe this.

"I think they have enough time to develop

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the new engine next year and when the team is running it in 2000, they'll have a good engine. They won't win championships imme diately with this engine, but with a young driver like Ralf, you cannot expect him to win immedi ately, so what is wrong? They go together.

"If they come together to the point we want, to win races and the championship, that's the best a young driver can do. Go in a car like the McLaren now, everybody will say in this car

even a monkey can win a race. But to develop a car like Michael did with Benetton and make this car a winning car, this is the highest we can do for a driver. This is what I think is the possibility for Ralf."

Weber is convinced that Schumacher is ready for the big time.

"I think Half has developed very quickly, when you look at last year and this year.

Mentally and on the understanding side, he developed so strong that we can make this move.

"Ralf as a driver must have a lot confidence in the car. If he's comfortable, he can go extremely on the limit like Michael. This is what we see now. because the car is developed like he wanted.

"It's hard for a young driver to come into the team and say I want the car like this and this, because they laugh, they don't believe you, they don't see the competence in a young dri ver. But now people must understand that Ralf is competent enough to develop a car."

finished sixth. Overall it was a good race, but it didn't work out as we wished.

"Obviously I was surprised to get held up by the McLarens. Our strat egy was a bit different because we expected the McLarens would still pull away, but they didn't. And it was nice to finish with Michael."

The two Schumachers finished fifth and sixth, with the Ferrari man ahead, and on the slowing down lap they circulated together and gave the fans in the stadium something to cheer. They might not have been on the podium, but it was a spectac ular moment for the brothers.

"That's always nice, especially for Michael and me in Germany. For me it's just a way of saying thank you to the Hockenheim fans and it's good for us as well."

Ralf really hit the headlines at Spa, when he was second to Hill.

But he didn't smile too much after the race...

"First of all, after a race like this for sure you're not very happy. I made up quite a bit of time to Damon and I was very close and I was told on the radio that I was not allowed to overtake him.

"At a certain moment you're not happy about it, but I thought about it and for the goodness of the team and ail the guys, the situation was just too dangerous and too difficult to let us fight. The risk was too big to spin or whatever.

"The result for the team was really great. I was happy for the mechanics, but not for me personal ly. At that moment I believed I could have won my first race. It you think you can see more then you're never really satisfied.

"I think a racing driver has to be like this. If you stand outside, then maybe you can't understand. That's just more the disappointment because it's the first time in my life that it happened to me and 1 didn't like it."

At least by not doing anything silly Ralf did something positive for his image.

"It might be positive, but I just cared for the mechanics. It shouldn't sound arrogant, but 1 didnt take the decision for my image. I just did it because it was logical to do so ..."

_■

INTERVIEW

230cloberm

17

Hill and Jordan on Ralf O

n paper, Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher looked an unlikely combination for Jordan, but so far this year they've worked well together.

Ralf's disappointment at not being allowed to attack his teammate at Spa was understandable, but apart from that there have been few dramas.

Over the season Ralf has had the edge in qualifying - by eight to six - while Damon has scored more points. The former World Champion has been quite impressed by the youngster.

"He’s a good kid," says Hill, "and remember he is still just a kid. I think he's quietly determined and he likes competition. And he wants to beat his brother!

"He drove a great race in Spa and if I hadn't been there he would have won it, from eighth place on the grid.

"I think he's matured this year.

Last year there were a lot of ques tion marks and in the first part of this year there were a lot of prob lems. But he's overcome those problems and he's building himself into a good driver.

So, after two years in FI, how much has he improved?

I hope two years better than before! It's difficult. I really don't like to describe myself or say what I learned or not. Obviously after two years you should learn something and I think 1 learned quite a bit. it's quite difficult for me to say this - it is more your job than mine ..."

Ralf has enjoyed a good relationship with ^Hill this year and admits that he has learned a lot from the former Wor[d Champion.

"We have a very good relationship. If I'm quicker than him it doesn't mean to say that I can't learn from him. I was quicker for a few races, then he was quicker than me in Hungary, where he always goes well.

He admits that he's enjoyed this year more than his first season when he was surprised by the pressures a young F1 driver has to face.

"I'm more relaxed than last year because I'm used to everything. Ft itself I enjoy more now. When I came to FI, for the first few months it was all very nice and then sud denly so many things came onto my shoulders, I felt it was too much for me! That was a bit hard. Now it has all changed and this season I've enjoyed FI very much again."

Ralf says he will miss his old team.

"I must say I enjoyed my time at Jordan very much. The decision was not very easy, but there are times when you have to make deci sions and where you think you have to move on. I still think that the opportunity that I have now will give me more than what I have here.

Team boss Eddie Jordan agrees.

"He's becoming very good," says Jordan. "Silverstone was a big break for him and he’s confi dent now that having seen Damon win a race he knows what he needs to win.

"He's going to be a good driver.

I don't think you ever stop learning and he’s going to continue to grow. He has a very nice attitude and he's actually a very nice per son, very genuine."

And how will he fare in the spotlight at Williams?

"I don't think he'll have a prob lem with that," says Hill. "I think he's very able to deal with all that.

He doesn't show too much of him¬

self. I think he might enjoy driving at Williams."

"I've never driven for Williams," says Jordan,"so I don't know. I've been told it's very different. I think some drivers can stand it, some find it very difficult. I think that Heinz-Harald found it a difficult environment, coming from a place like Sauber - everything was built around him there."

"Ralf's shown a lot more maturi ty lately," says Martin Brundle. "It depends how the team treats him, but I would think Ralf will be less susceptible to needing a loving arm around him than some other drivers who have been at Williams.

He might be a bit more resilient."

V

SiTTEf' Otherwise I wouldn't have left the team. But you never know - maybe one day I might come back."

Is he ready for the step up to a "big four" team, with all the pres sures that brings?

"If you change to another team obviously everything is going to be different again. I think they expect more from a driver than maybe smaller teams. But I'm not really sure."

And there's bound to be more pressure to perform.

"That's right, but it depends what situation they're in."

So could next year be a race winning situation, or is Ralf thinking more long-term?

He didn't hesitate: "I would see it more long-term ..." n

,

BROTHERLY HELP: Michael is never too far away from his little brother, offering advice to help him through the Formula 1 snakepit.

WET AND WILD: Ralf's two years with Jordan have been highlighted by some blazing speed combined with some huge offs, but he has certainly settled in the second half of this year.

(Photos by Michael Cooper /Allsport)

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13

Thumbs up for Lurko's maiden Supercar win

I'j

It has been a long time coming, but in the end Mark Larkham scored hisfirst V8 win in style. CHRIS LAMBDEN reports: the V8s - sunshine, first corner It was a typical IndyCarnival for carnage, shortened races and crash damage leaving them wonder ing ifit was all worth it.

But it was worth it for Mark Larkham.

After nearly four years in V8s, some terrible luck and some big shunts, Larko put together a quite dominant performance to take both his first V8 race win, then a second win to grab the outright dollars for the weekend.

Nobody was unhappy that Larkham and the Mitre 10 crew had won -there were smiles all round.

Teammate Jason Bright almost completed a 1-2 for the Stone team, running second to Larkham on Saturday, but puDing out of Sunday’s short sprint with a broken gearlever while slugging it out with HRT’s Mai’k Skaife for second. Skaife’s result was a good recovery from a bad qualifying result, showing it is possible to pass at Surfers with out car damage - something a num-

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Practice & Qualifying

22 cars Surfers for the V8 With a fewhit Level 1 withdrawals, Supercar races.

As expected, the resinfacing of the circuit produced a sigraficant increase in grip from the start of Practice, which saw some spectacular twowheeling - none more so than Jason Bright, who did well to get the Pirtek Falcon back down on four' in time to miss the wall at ANA: “I thought I was gone!” he admitted later,“ as I had to turn out ofit.”

According to team boss Ross Stone, the data showed a small bump on the line into the comer had been enough to send the car (and many others) on its wheel-waving way...

AT LAST... Mark Larkham with Neil Crompton was another to go the winner's trophy. high, but the giip wasn’t enough to CONSiSTENT... Tony Longhurst’s help Dean Crosswell and Kevin Heffernan, who creased the good form continued with two Ericsson/Trust Bank and Price Attack fourth pieces.

(Photos by Marshall Cass) Holdens respectively.

At the sharp end, Craig Lowndes (1:54.0154) headed the practice time sheets, by a couple of tenths from Russell Ingall, both back in their respective teams’ VS Commodores.

Bright was a mere six-hundredths away in third, from Longhurst, Skaife, Steven Johnson in Dad’s #17 A car, Jones, Larkham, Bowe and n Tander.

L. mn.

Friday’s qualifying session was nm ■A in warm diy conditions and prorfded a classic example of the need .to get a good eai-ly lap in the banlc arid then a clear mn to improve.

In the end, an eight minute red flag period (after John Bowe crashed the Shell Falcon) and a shortened session

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ber of his colleagues were unable to emulate.

Consistency snared third outright for Jason Bargwanna, but Eimong the rest of the V8 pack, it was mostly a tale of woe and crash damage - some self-inflicted, some as the innocent victim.

It was a typical Surfers weekend...

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anyway, meant a total ofjust 14 min utes oftrack time for V8 qualifying.

Some, understandably, were less than thinlled with the unannounced shortening of the session and there were a few who were further back than you’d expect.

Chief among them was Skaife, although HRTs pole specialist shoul dered the blame himself: “I made a change to the car last night and as soon as we went out I loiew it was wrong.”

The car had far too much oversteer and Skaife gently rotated it onto the gi-ass on his first hot lap.

“We used the red flag stoppage to change the rear springs back, but by the time I got out I never really got a good lap in...”

The prematm’e end to the session meant a grid 12 start for Skaife.

However, his team-mate got it all right, trading fastest times with Mai'k Larkham in the d3nng couple of laps to take pole, with an eventual 1:53.22.

Larko’s super run came after an early problem in the session: “I knocked the mirror off on my first lap and it came in the window and was rattling around by my feet!” he explained.

“I had to come in and get it removed and by then the red was out.

We were nowhere then, so I had to get a good one in, which fortimately I did. It wasn’t a jag lap or anything, just a good clear one...”

Larko’s fine effort was mirrored (sic) by his own Stone Racing team mate Jason Bright, who grabbed fastest time in the early laps, pitted for a replacement nose after jumping a chicane, then dropped his own time into the 1:53.5s to grab thii'd spot.

A moderately unhappy Neil Crompton was fourth, happy with the Ford Credit Falcon, but less so with some of his colleagues, whom he maintained were less than rfgilant with theii- miiTors: “One or two are so-called profes sionals,” he mused, “and I’d reckon

Available soon

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23October m

19

across to the right and into the outside wall.

“Really, I should have aborted the lap, but I didn’t...”

The right front upright was ripped from its mountings and the team immediately decided that an overnight fix wasn’t the answer.

And while Steve Johnson was in the team’s spare, JB was in the car he and Cam McConviUe are to share at Bathurst...

Lany Perkins was quite happy to be within a second of Ingall, given that he was running the Holden-pow ered VS driven normally by “Les Girls”, while the Yokohama runners.

Gardner and Mezera, were strug gling, the new spec Yokohamas not arriving in time for this weekend.

Race 1 -19 Saps

y;

et again. Surfers’ first corner _ proved too much ofa challenge for some ofthe contenders...

Larko made a blinder of a start, better even than startline specisilist PRESSURE... Larko rides the kerbs as Neil Crompton in the Seton Falcon moves closer.

they were less than proficient... just didn’t get a clear run.”

Certainly, getting a clean lap was Tony Longhurst and team-mate all very much part of the success fac- Alan Jones would fill the fourth row. tor at this place. with Bargwanna and Faulkner Garth Tander did get a good one in rounding out the top ten. to grab fifth for the Valvoline team After miming sbcth the day before. ahead of the first non-Bridgestone Steve Johnson was another to miss runner Russell IngaU. out on a good nm and was in deep On the resurfaced track, IngaU had conversation with team leader Bowe expected better, but was another to get on set-up soon after the session, hava less than dream run: ing qualified 11th.

‘A mid to high 1:53 was on, but I, For his part, Bowe-was to be a

BIRD’S EYE VIEW... Craig Lowndes took pole, but was a victim of the race carnage.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmilh)

slightly embarrassed non-starter after crunching the outside wall at Jupiters early in the session.

“Tt was my mistake,” JB admitted.

“I was following Crompton, we were both on a quick lap, the tyres were at their best and we came up to pass Kevin Heffeman.

“TMeil went inside him under brakes and I Mowed.It was a squeeze and I just kissed - and I mean just - the inside wall and the car ricocheted

GIRL'S CAR... Larry Perkins finished well up in the Holden-engined Cougars Commodore. (Photo by Marshall Cass)

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20 Lowndes, and led into the chicane, with Crompton easing around Lowndes: “I’d decided I wasn’t going to look into the mirror today and that Lowndes wouldn’t be first into the comer,” Larko would say later.

Behind the Mitre 10 and Ford Credit Falcons, though, there was mayhem.

On the inside, Tander had the fronts locked and whacked into Lowndes’ left rear, while alongside, Ingall was contacted from behind by Bright(who’d been a little slow away).

Lowndes was spun around, while Ingall’s car turned sharp left, then bounced offLowndes.

Bright and Tander got through, others were delayed, while others straight-lined the chicane to miss the carnage.

It wasn’t pretty and while Lowndes was diplomatic (he hadn’t yet seen the replay), IngaU was incensed, with harsh words for Tander and Bright: ‘They’re the two most useless dri vers out there. They’ve got good equipment under them, and good tyres, and don’t know what to do with it...”

Lowndes drove round to the pits to retire, while Ingall was out on the ' spot.

The wash-up of all this saw Larkham up front, fi’om Crompton, Bright, Tander, Longhurst, Jones, Skaife, Bargwanna, Perkins and Mezera and Reed as they wound around the opening lap.

As Crompton closed in on

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slowing, slewing around on a floating rear-end, courtesy of a sheared Panhard bar locating bolt.

From here on the race pretty much settled, Larkham setting a remark ably consistent and speedy pace, more or less equalling his fastest race lap (1:55.11), set on lap ten, on the second-to-last lap: “I was yelling at myself inside the hel met, to keep concentrating, to keep the pressure up,” he said later.

That eased him away from Bright to a six second win.

With his bonnet and left guard deranged. Bright was a little down on straight-line speed, but admitted he couldn’t match his team-mate this

A steaming Skaife just managed to Larkham, Reed tapped Mezera into ^gep Longhurst at bay for third, while one of the chicanes and spun him Bargwanna completed a quiet race (without damage), for which he would goj^e eight seconds back, 16 seconds cop a Stop-Go. clear of “Cougai-” Perkins.

Tander too would get a Stop-Go for j^^n Faulkner quietly worked his his part in the opening lap fracas, divforward, desperate to keep his ing in at the end of lap four after harBathui-st car off the concrete, demotrassing Bright. jrig AJ for seventh, while Steven Crompton set the race s fastest lap Johnson also worked his way forward as he honed right in on Larkham, ^fter almost stopping to avoid the good under brakes hut not yet able to j^gfog^ for fofoth, with Paul find a passing spot.

Romano completing the top ten.

Fm-ther back, Skaife had continued After all his adventures, Tander ■on from his good start to relieve first ^ ^ ^ fo of bnF with a broken rear AJ of fifth, then LonghUi’st of fomih. axle.

But his life was about to get a bit uncomfortable — his “cool-suit” had Race 2 stepped pumping cool water a|M, as (stopped after 8 laps) he explained later, a non-working race is often a relacool-suit is worse than none at all.

Sunday’s Indy affair - those that tively tame By the end of the race, Skaife (“that was the hardest race of my life!”) remain usually on their best behavlooked like a lobster, and was strug- iour as they try to avoid crash damgling both to concentrate and hold age this late in the weekend — but back a resurgent Longhurst. this was to be the most expensive By this point they were scrapping sprint of the weekend.

Larko made another excellent for third, as Crompton’s superb imn start, along with Skaife who muscled had ended on lap eight. past Bright and tailed Larkham into NeU had caught Larkham napping the first chicane. at the turn five esses, arrowing inside It looked like a clean start, but to lead (Larko still wasn’t using his mirror: “I didn’t see him coming - AJ found himself out wide and out lucky I didn’t carve him up” he laughed later).

Crompton’s joy, though, was remarkably short-lived. Literally sec onds later, the Ford Credit car was

of room, cutting the chicane to avoid a melee. Everyone else got through okay, although AJ and Faulkner ran very close on the exit of the second chicane, JF running

TIGHT SQUEEZE: Larkham leads through the first chicane at the start of race two while Skaife grabs second from Bright, Bargwanna and Longhurst.

BAPTISM OF FIRE: Steve Johnson survived the carnage to bring dad's car home.

(Photos by Marshall Cass)

perilously close to the wall.

Larkham was already gone, a first lap flyer putting 1.3 seconds between himself and Skaife, with Bright, Bargwanna, Longhurst, Perkins, AJ, Johnson, Romano, Faulkner, Gardner, Ingall, Tander, Crompton, Mezera, Briggs, Reed and the rest fil ing through relatively unscathed.

Reed had a big go inside Briggs at the fii’st chicane, but in a caihon copy of the previous day’s incident with Mezera, tapped the Super Cheap Auto Falcon into a spin.

Up front all was settled, but further back there was some action as IngaU led the charge of the backmai-kers.

He was up to Romano as Crompton squeezed past former employer Gardner - who didn’t make it easy.

Ingall limged inside Romano at the first chicane, but overshot, hobbling across the grass to emerge behind the youngster again, who appeared to resist Russell’s passage past, copped a nudge and glanced the outside wall with the right rear - the start of what was to be an expensive race exit. ^ Next time down the start-finish sti'aight, something let go in the right rear of Romano’s car, it flicked right, glanced the wall, then speared across to slam the inside wall almost head on.

It was a big, big impact, but Romano was quite okay. The car was less so.

A

Four laps behind the Pace Car were needed to clear the wreckage, but there was little left of the race to come anyway...

At the green, Skaife had some thing of a cheeky go at Larkham, powering past as the Pace Car pulled in, only to have to stop and get back in line - no passing before the start line MS...

Bright was out of the contest liter ally as the Pace Car pulled over, pulling slowly into the pits behind it with a broken gearlever The field got through the first chi cane okay, but into the second Ingall’s Commodore initially tamed, then ran straight on into the outside wall. In rapid succession, Faulkner, Jones and Crompton were piled in, Mezera spin¬

ning to miss the carnage and Gardner puffing up.

Red flag; all over.

The rest of the race was scrapped, results declared as at the end of lap eight.

IngaU suspected that as a result of the Romano incident, he may have cut the right front tyre, or damaged a steering arm.

The price was high: IngaU’s car and Faulkner’s cai- were veiy badly dam aged; Jones’ Falcon quite bad, Crompton’s relatively light.

For Larkham, though, there was joy - and a grapliic Ulustration of how good it is to be out fi-ont and away fi’om aU the mid-field drama.

It’s been a while coming, but it obviously felt good... ■

HOG’S BREATH V8 SUPERCAR CHALLENGE RACE 1-19 LAPS Car Driver Race Time 36:43.2555 Mitre 10 Falcon EL 1 Mark Larkham 36:49.2770 Pirtek Falcon EL 2 Jason Bright 36:55.4398 Mobil Commodore VS Mark Skaife 3 36:56.0754 Castrol Falcon EL 4 Tony Longhurst 5 Jason Bargwanna Valvoline Commodore VS 37:04.1058 37:20.7181 Castrol Commodore VS 6 Larry Perkins F&P/Betta Commodore VS 37:25.1048 7 John Faulkner 37:26.0559 Komatsu Falcon EL Alan Jones 8 37:28.4291 Shell Helix Falcon EL Steven Johnson 9 Romano Commodore VS 37:57.1617 Paul Romano 10 11 18 laps Super Cheap Falcon EL John Briggs Ericsson Commodore VS 18 laps 12 Dean Crosswell 13 Tomas Mezera 18 laps Plaspak Commodore VT Coke Commodore VS 14 18 laps Wayne Gardner Valvoline Commodore VS 16 laps DNF Garth Tander Lansvale Commodore VS 15 laps DNF Steve Reed Ford Credit Falcon EL DNF Neil Crompton 8 laps Mobil Commodore VS DNF Craig Lowndes 1 lap Simon's Commodore VS DNF Simon Emerzidis 1 lap Price Attack C'dore VS 1 lap DNF Kevin Heffernan Castrol Commodore VS 0 laps DNF Russell Ingall

Quai 1:53.4571 1:53.5761 1 ;55.3840 1:54.7417 1:56.0234 1:54.9585 1:56.2967 1:55.6864 1:56.6406 1:55.1829 1:56.2554 1:54.8273 1:56.1049 1:55.3276 1:57.6485 1:56.2997 1:58.8400 1:58.6963 2:02.1808 2:03.2121 1:59.7985 1:57.4373 1:56.7574 1:56.0826 1:55.7296 1:54.3722 1:58.6724 1:57.7159 1:54.7515* 1:53.7911 n/a 1:53.2293 2:06.1587 n/a 2:01.4348 n/a 1:54.5114 n/a

F/Lap 1:55.1120 1:55.1475 1:55.3627 1:55.4583

RACE 2 — stopped atter 8 laps completed Car Race Time F/Lap Driver n/a 1:55.0423* Mitre 10 Falcon EL 1 Mark Larkham n/a 1:55.1009 Mobil Commodore VS Mark Skaife 2 n/a 1:55.5353 3 Jason Bargwanna Valvoline Commodore VS n/a 1:56.0288 Castrol Falcon EL 4 Tony Longhurst n/a 1:56.3962 Castrol Commodore VS 5 Larry Perkins n/a 1:56.4041 Steven Johnson Shell Helix Falcon EL 6 1:56.0254 F&P/Betta Commodore VS n/a John Faulkner 7 1 :S6.7097 n/a Castrol Commodore VS 8 Russell Ingaii n/a 1:56.3708 Komatsu Falcon EL 9 Alan Jones n/a 1:56.6838 Ford Credit Falcon EL 10 Neil Crompton 1:58.3938 n/a Coke Commodore VS 11 Wayne Gardner 1:56.3945 n/a Valvoline Commodore VS Garth Tander 12 1:59.1309 n/a Plaspak Commodore VT Tomas Mezera 13 1:59.7311 n.-a Super Cheap Falcon EL 14 John Briggs 2:01.2509 n/a Price Attack C'dore VS Kevin Heffernan 15 1:55.3097 n'a Pirtek Falcon EL Jason Bright 16 2:03.0693 n/a Ericsson Commodore VS Dean Crosswell 17 2:08.5057 n.'a Simon Emerzidis Simon's Commodore VS 18 1:57.0830 Romano Commodore VS 4 laps DNF Paul Romano 2:02.8338 Lansvale Commodore VS 3 laps DNF Steve Reed

ALMOST... Jason Bright almost made it a 1-2 for the Stone Brothers, taking second with the Pirtek Falcon in the opening race before being stopped by a broken gearlever in the second.

(Photo by Marshall cass)

Grid 1 3 5 4 6 9 7 20 8 17 14 15 13 11 19 12 18 10 16

Race under Pace Car from lap 4-8, restarted but then classified as at lap 8 atter stoppage

Forbes tops GTP battles

By CHRIS LAMBDEN

RODNEY Forbes contin ued his recent run of suc cess by winning both races in the Courier-Mail GTP Classic event at the Honda Indy.

Race one was close, with the Sydneysider getting a late opportunity to get the better of race-long adversary Jim Richards (debuting his own new Porsche 911 RSCS), but Forbes was able to cruise the second after a first corner incident accounted for Richo.

The rest were, well, way back - Darren Palmer in the Ferrari normally piloted by John Bo we the best of the rest in both races.

PORSCHE POWER...

After being thrashed by the Maserati in Meibourne the Porsche returned to the top of the winner’s dias in Queensland. Forbes taking two wins.

( i

(Photo by Marshall Cass)

not be allowed to start in Sunday’s race...

Lap three and Forbes slot ted inside Richards at ANA, but then ran a little wide at turn 9, letting JR back through. Forbes would get back past a lap later at the second chicane and the pair would swap the lead a num ber of times as they cleared out from the field at over four seconds a lap...

Practice & Richo led into the last lap, but suffered what was Qualifying Forbes dominated practice, described as a “minor ABS a massive four seconds-plus problem” at the first chicane on the back straight, giving clear of the field in the open Forbes the run into the chi ing practice session, but com ing under threat as Richards cane and the opportunity for gradually sorted his recently a pleasing win.

Palmer brought the completed Porsche 911 RSCS (rebuilt from a Japanese Ferrari home nearly 50 sec Targa wreck into a new onds away, with Almond shell). fourth despite tagging the By session two, Richo was wall on lap 9 exiting a chi cane. only a second away and qual Spiridis was fifth, despite ifying produced quite a con test, Forbes (2:06.3895) still copping a Stop-Go for cutting prevailing, but by under a a chicane. tenth of a second.

Mark King prevailed over Dean Canto spent practice Trimbole (both Imprezas) for coming to terms with the the Class B win, while Beric powerful Maserati Ghibli Lynton took out Class S, before knocking five seconds , Ratcliff Class C, Calvin Gardiner Class D and Aaron (yes five) off his best to gi-ab grid three, while Darren McGill Class E. Palmer (subbing for John Bowe in his father’s Ferrari Race 2-10 laps F365) worked carefully down Forbes iqade the best to a 2:10.22 for fourth. ' start this time, but the In the^end. Canto would race was pretty much start from the rear of the destroyed at the first chi grid after post-qualifying cane, when a fast-starting checks showed the Maser Almond locked the rears had been overboosting... on the Lancer RS, spun, Perry Spiridis would start and in the process tapped the rear of Richards’ his Ferrari well down, in 20th spot, after a ball-joint Porsche. broke early in the session.

With nowhere to go and Class B was a tight quali working hard to keep every fying contest, Mark King thing under control, Richo (Mitsubishi Evo II) and Beric shot through the chicane, Lynton (BMW 323i) eventu emerging in front of Forbes, Palmer’s Ferrari (which had ally overcoming early pace setter John Trimbole gone across the grass in (Mitsubishi Evo II), while avoidance), Spiridis, Teulan, David Ratcliff had an easier King and the rest of the field.

The Stewards moved time of it, a second clear in Class C with the Camiy. quickly, and perhaps too Surfing great Grant Kenny hastily, to issue a Stop-Go for qualified his Impreza 13th Richards, who pitted at the outright and sixth in Class -.end of the opening lap.

B. He rejoined, rightly quite angry at the decision, but Race 1-12 laps was out anyway a lap later Richo out-jumped Forbes as exhaust damage from the to lead into the opening bingle became apparent.

This handed the race to lap, from Palmer, Almond and Teulan’s GTR Nissan, Forbes on a plate.

The red Porsche cruised with Spiridis making up away, taking no risks, to a eight spots before ANA. boringly easy win in what By the end of the opener, wasn’t the best GTP race of the lead pair were away, all time. already over 4 seconds clear of Palmer and an Palmer was an equally Almond/Teulan battle, with easy second, Spiridis third, Teulan fourth in his GTP Spiridis 10th. debut, with King a solid fifth ● Canto, coming through from the back, clouted outright in the Class B Mitsubishi.

Trimbole on lap two, damag Ratcliff again took Class C, ing the front bodywork on the Maserati, which meant Lynton Class S, with retirement. Post-race checks Gardiner and McGill repeat ing their earlier Class D and showed the overboosting had E success. continued, so the team would

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●'* if!.

Short but not so sweet

GEOFF Morgan was the overall winner of a pair of Porsche Cup races which only boasted six racing laps between them.

Crashes, and an incli nation to shorten crashaffected races at the drop of a hat, reduced Porsche Cup involve ment in the weekend to ludicrous and frustrating (for the competitors) levels.

Race 1 (reduced to 4 laps)

Things looked bad right from the get-go. While Bradbury jumped away McLean got tangled up with Wentworth at the first chicane, the con vertible crunching hard into the wall while Wentworth was able to tour back to the pits.

When the race was restarted, Bradbury leapt away from Aitken, with Morgan holding out Witham, Kratzman, Harburg, Wagg and Ivory.

On the second lap Aitken suddenly slowed with what appeared to be a broken control arm.

The front four, separat ed by around 4s, broke away from the pack and the Vodaphone car set about hauling in the TNT 911. But with the short ened race distance, time was against him and Bradbury held on for a 2.1s win.

The Witham/Kratzman battle went to the wire, the Victorian holding onto the spot. Wagg was fifth from Harburg, while Maurice O’Reilly took out Class B honours.

UNLUCKY NUMBER?... Roselyn Poon had a big problem on Sunday, getting her 911 out of shape at the chicane (top) before it rolled over onto its lid. (Marshall cass pics)

Race 2 (stopped after 2 laps)

If race one was disap pointingly short, then race two on Big Race morning was a joke, the For record.

Morgan led all the way.

with Bradbury second, ahead of Kratzman, Wagg and Witham, the latter fading after a demon start saw Mm sec ond on the opening lap.

The race was redflagged and called after tail-ender Roselyn Poon

got the first chicane all wrong.

She had clipped the apex tyre markers and spun her Carrera like a top - on its roof.

She was unhurt but the car was badly dam aged.

in seventh

1

l Alex Zanardi scores seventh win of 1998 season l Franchitti takes pole but Ganassi pitwork beats Green’s l Strong run to third in qualifying and race by Fittipaldi l Season-best run by JJ Lehto gives him fifth l Fluge accident may cost Jimmy Vasser second in series l Tracy ahd Andretti tangle in controversial accident Report by PHIL BRANAGAN

needed

an

rEnglish chassis,

Japanese engines and tyres and Italian hlood to even have a sniff of winning the 1998 Honda Indy on the Gold Coast last weekend.

You also needed a little luck.

Alex Zanardi used pit help to get past Dario Franchitti for the early race lead and pure speed to hold him out to win the race, overcoming a slightly premature green flag pitstop to hold on for his sev enth win in his championship season.

CART’S coming Scotsman had no answer to the Italian’s speed and had to settle for second, which also moved him into second in the series pointscore with one round to go in California.

It was not all good news for the race-winning Ganassi team.

Jimmy Vasser went away

with a crashed ReynardHonda after tangling with Helio Castro-Neves, neither driver sustaining any injuries but both getting a nasty scare.

Christian Fittipaldi’s return to the track that almost ended his career 18 months ago netted him third place while JJ Lehto also had a season-best result of fifth behind last year’s race win ner, Scott Pruett.

For the second race in a row the race finished under yellow flags.

Unlike the Houston event two weeks ago, which was almost washed out, this time the last of seven race stop pages ran the event off the two-hour time limit.

And the weekend is not over for Michael Andretti or Paul Tracy. Both will face CART Chief Steward Wally Dallenbach at Fontana at the end of the month over a mid race incident which saw the

two come together. Tracy claimed Andretti rammed him from behind while Michael claims the Canadian brake-tested him at a chi cane. Boys, boys, boys...

Qualifying There was goodteams. news For for the Goodyear the trip to Queensland the Akron tyre giant had new rubber with, supposedly, bet ter ‘green’ characteristics more speed on fresh tyres than the street circuit exam ples used so far in the season.

That certainly looked to be the case on Friday and Saturday morning.

De Ferran challenged Zanardi and Franchitti on Friday and it was fellow Goodyear man Fittipaldi who topped the Saturday morning practice session.

But it was Zanardi who led the charts in the Friday after noon qualifying session. His biggest problem was proving

to be choosing cars; he felt that both'were fast but he liked the feel of the ‘IX’ car better than his designated race car, so “X’ was used for Saturday qualifying.

His Friday time. a lm32.310s, reflected the improvement in the track surface, drivers reporting a lot more grip in the ANA Hotel/Bartercard complex and the Italian was predict ing low-3Is or even a high-30 for Saturday.

The prediction looked solid when the slower group went substantially quicker as a group, with 10 of the 13 dri vers going faster despite high er ambient temperatures and a track reading of 52 degrees when the session started.

So out rolled the faster group, late. Some of the track was feeling the strain, espe cially on the resurfaced parts, and quick-drying concrete had been applied overnight to some of the trouble spots at the northern end ofthe track.

Fittipaldi set the pace, improving almost immediate ly, but with just over 10 min utes left the game changed completely.

Zanardi suddenly swept across the main straight to

make a late pit entry.

Unusually, a Honda engine had blown after only three flying laps (though a gear selection problem had contributed to the drama, Alex musing it may have hit 20,000rpm) and he was liter ally powerless to defend his Friday time.

He sat there watching as, almost inevitably, Franchitti mounted a final challenge after Herta had stopped the session by running out of fuel (a trick he had also performed during the morning).

The flying Scot had two cracks at the Friday time.

The first missed by a quartersecond, but the second efibrt, a more spectacidar and physi cal shot, was right on Target, The result was a lm32.288s and he had his fifth pole of the season.

Incredibly, Zanardi has not had one.

But the big surprise in the Green camp was'feicy.

The Canadian really strug gled in the early going and there was little help at hand teammate. from his Franchitti explaining that it was “utterly impossible for him to drive my set-up, or me to drive his”.

On Friday Tracy was seventh but an eight-tenths gain bounced him all the way to fourth at the end of the session and the Greens were 1-4.

A top result for the Aussie team owner.

Zanardi was disappointed to be only second. “1 felt we had the car to be on pole today,” he rued, “^ut we just didn’t get it done.”

I

I

230ctobe!m

heaven OFF TARGET...

Jimmy Vasser was having a soiid run until Hello CastroNeves got in the way at the chicane. The result was a very damaged Ganassi Racing Reynard.

j

(Photos by John Morris/Mpix)

GREEN WITH ENVY...

Dario Franchitti(bottom) was brilliant in qualifying, snatching pole from fhe defenceless Zanardi. He looks to be the man to take the Italian’s mantle next season.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

ON TARGET... Zanardi was much too good for everyone at Surfers, even if he did have to finish.under yellow flags at the end. He even won an Omega watch for the fastest lap of the race, which he will give to his local baker. Apparently everyone else in his home town already has one...

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Marshait Cass) X .

While the Reynard-HondaFirestone lads were smiling, Fittipaldi was grinning from ear to ear.

After flat-spotting four tyres on Friday when he had a braking problem, the Kmart Swift lived up to its moniker and Christian moved to third with a lm32.501s lap.

The Brazilian felt that there was a substantial gain in the new Goodyear rubber but, in common with many of the Firestone guys, felt that the tyres were graining on the transition from the newer surface to the old.

Teammate Michael Andr etti was sixth. His Swift had had few problems after a Friday night engine change and, despite his tyres showing signs of a lot more wear than Fittipaldi’s, his main problem during the session was run ning out of fuel at the end of the session.

The moment which really got the blood going was when both black cars were heading into the pits at the same time.

With so many identical uniforms standing together awaiting the cars, Michael overshot his entry slightly

and the cars came within ftiillimetres of taking each other out.

It was very close, but the team downplayed the inci dent.

“It was nothing,” said a Newman-Haas-ite. “Michael was probably a little miffed that Christian was faster.”

That was a joke - though the American had been look ing like a grumpy young man for most ofthe weekend.

Herta managed to run out of fuel - twice. He did in the morning practice and again in the qualifier, earning the mandatory seven-minute ‘rest’ while the Shell car was collected from the back straight and the lack of track tinie really cost him.

“We had a real shot at pole today,” Herta said, sounding like Zanardi. “But I’m very pleased with the car.”

After a shock adjustment.

Rahal improved almost a second on his last trip to

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Continued over page

OVER AND OUT, ROGER... Andre Ribeiro fought his Penske hard in qualifying but the car got the better of him on Friday with this wall-slapper. (Photo by John MomsMpix)

I

23

24

n N DYCARS

SNEAKY... Blundell and Gugelmln had a bad weekend in their PacWest Reynards. While Mercedes-Benz’s 1998 engine is plenty fast on superspeedways, on street circuits its lack of torque really hurts compared to the Fords, Hondas and Toyotas.

Continued from page 23 Queensland as a driver and at one stage, at the end of the ‘slow’ group, sat fouith. He eventually lined up 11th.

There were, of course. losers as well.

After his solid run on Friday, de Ferran fell to

eighth, failing to improve on his early time after “changing settings (on the dampers)” in an effort to help power down (which would have lessened the graining problem).

Right behind him was Greg Moore. The Players car had proven a handful over the bumps and the man from

Vancouver was over-driving to get a time out of it. Overnight changes made the car better, but it was still dancing over the asphalt when he was on a quick lap. Still, he led the Mercedes-Benz runners.

Defending race winner Scott Pruett had a tough time.

Any shot he had at a fast time

ready and Adrian reward ed them with a strong run to 10th, improving almost a second in 24 hours.

Completing the first half of the field was Papis.

Okay, the Toyota car was not Houston-strong but, as usual, Mad Max’ was giv ing it all and it was encouraging to see the ‘fourth’ manufacturer keeping quite a few of the big boys at bay.

It would have got even better if not for an engine failure in the team car of Robby Gordon.

On Friday both ArcieroWells cars out-qualified both Penskes but any chance of maintaining the edge on Saturday was ended with an engine fail ure, prompting Robby to coast to a halt at the chi cane and climb the fence where he perched, Heckyl and Jeckyl-style, until herded down by officials.

He qualified 20th.

The Penskes were in all sorts of trouble. Both Ribeiro and Unser were com-

plaining of all sorts of balance was stopped by traffic and, problems and the cars looked while he was still less than a evil, particularly under braksecond from pole, he started ing. on the sixth row.

Ribeiro had a big off at the The good news in the second chicane on Friday and Patrick camp was reserved l crunched his race car’s nose for Fernandez. After a fairly hard into the concrete (forcing hard off on Friday, the him into his back-up car for Patrick wrenches had a long the rest of the weekend) and night getting the race car just could not get any speed

out of the car relative to the opposition.

Unser also had a close encounter of the wall kind and,though it was less severe Continued on page 26

Perhaps he’s not that mad Photo by Dirk Klynsmith

HUNK OF THE MONTH CLUB... Papis shares a guffaw with Christian Fittipaldi. Next year the two will share more than that when Papis will also have Ford engines.

ONE of the more remarkable things about qualifying was the performance of the Toyota-powered Arciero-Wells Reynard of Max Papis.

The Italian, who is Team Rahal-boimd for 1999, backed up a brilliant performance at Houston (where he was fourth-fastest on Friday) with an eighth-best time in the cor responding Surfers session, then lined up 13th overall for the race, a best-ever grid spot for Toyota.

That delighted the Italian and his team, but was not totally expected by Toyota’s engine staff.

“Houston was a little different,” said Toyota USA’s John Procida. “It was a new track and no-one had any information (before they got there), whereas everyone has been here before.”

Toyota introduced a new generation engine, the RV8D, at Cleveland in July and Papis ran a low-revs/high-torque variant of it to great form in Houston.

Despite also being a street circuit, Toyota said that they decided against running the new engine down under, with three 280kmh-plus straights equalising the torque/horsepower equation.

But Papis may have been running some thing a little different.

“If we only had one of something, we give it to the guy that is fastest,” admitted Procida. “That’s Max. Even it is has little changes; it may mean something.”

Either way, with Papis in hot form and the technically-excellent Scott Pruett aniving for 1999, Toyota’s CART program appears to have turned the corner.

RIDING THE JJ CURVE.. JJ Lehto had a quiet but effective run through the pack to fifth to bring some hard-earned cheer to the Hogan crew.

(P,o,o,y^ercedes-Bem)

DUCK

DCK

230ctolierm

25

Adventures in Paradise

The ranks of the motor cycle stuntmen were reduced by one on Thursday when Robbie Bolger had a bizarre acci dent on pit straight. The 26-year-old rider was

flung off his bike during a slide and he slammed into the concrete wall, break ing his right leg. He was treated by army para medics before being taken to hospital. The team’s second rider Matt Mingay continued entertaining the crowds over the week end. n Wu3me Gardner made up for the lack ofone stuntman during his demonstration laps on a Honda VTRIOOO, pulling some wheelies that any one would be proud of

>s

n Formula 1 sense of humour? At the post-quali fying media conference on Friday, Alex Zanardi described the new-laid track surface as “Surface Paradise”. But no-one laughed... n Arnd Meier may have had his struggles in quali fying, but there was no doubting his top-end speed. His Mercedes-pow ered Lola was consistent ly quick over the start-fin ish line and through the pre-chicane sensors, bit ting a best of 181.716mph (292.381kmh). That was

Team Team Ganassi Team Green Newman-Flaas

Result Car Eng Tyre Rey Hon Fire 2h01.51.17s -H0.322S Rey Hon Fire Swi For Good -r1.029s -f6.388s Patrick Racing , Rey For Fire ■Hi 0.792s Hogan LLC Rey Merc Fire -h1 1.153s Patrick Racing Rey For Fire ■h1 1.680s Tasman Mspt Rey Hon- Fire ■Hi 3.792sTeam Forsythe Rey Merc Fire ■H15.821S Team Forsythe Rey Merc Fire Team Rahal ■h1 6.020s Rey For Fire ■h1 9.870s PacWest Mspt Rey Merc Fire ■H20.170S Pacwest Mspt Rey Merc Fire Team Penske n Pen MercGood ■H20.729S ■H22.072S Walker Mspt Rey Hon Good All Am Racers ■H22.808S Bag Toy Good Arciero-Wells ●h23.747s Rey Toy Fire Arci^o-Wells Rey Toy Fire 61 laps Della Penna Swi For Fire 60 laps All Am Racers Bag Toy Good 59 laps Newman-Haas Swi For Good 59 laps Bettenhausen Rey MercGood 54 laps Team Penske Pen MercGood 53 laps Team Green Rey Hon Fire 45 laps Team Ganassi Rey Hon Fire 38 laps Team Rahal Rey For Fire 19 laps Payton-Coyne Davis Racing Payton-Coyne

Rey For Fire Lola For Good Rey For

Fire

11 laps 4 laps 0 laps

Qual time 1m32.310s 1m32.288s 1m32.50Ts 1m33.236s 1m33.669s '1 m33.019s 1 m33.543s 1m32.919s 1m33.819s 1 m32.588s 1m33.820s 1m34.375s 1m34.474s 1m32.851s 1m36.561s 1m34.344s 1m33.375s 1m34.511s 1 m35.285s 1m32.613s 1m34.012s 1m34.260s 1m32.583s 1m32.676s 1m33.068s 1m35.109s 1 m34.534s 1 m38.726s

Grid 2 1 3 12 15 10 14 9 165 17 21 22 8 27 20 13 23 26 6 18 19 4 7 11 25 24 28

TV compound and leapt aboard for what turned out to be a disappointing race. n Mick Doohan made his first public appearance since clinching his fifth 500cc World Championship crown two weeks earlier. The local hero toured the track in a

had a positive effect on the crowds. Numbers were well up, with 31,000 attending on Thursday (21,000 in 19971,44,672 on Friday(44,672 last

good because Meier and Gordon were only 21st and 19th respectively overall in the session.

doing the driving.

Photo by John Woms/MjjJjf

1998 Honda IndyCarnival - Race results Nat Ita Sco Bra USA Fin Mex Bra'Can Can USA GB Bra Bra' Bra Ita USA Ita USA USA USA Bra USA Can USA USA Mex Ger USA

only delivering the car onto the grid for Ned Crompton, who hopped the fence from Network lO’s

Honda NS-X just before the Champ cars rolled out for the start of the main

crews still working on race cars at 11:30pm on Saturday night... (Photo by ark'i never steep-Kiynsmm

Pos Driver 1 Alex Zanardi 2 Dario Franchitti 3 Christian Fittipaldi 4 Scott Pruett 5 JJ Lehto 6 Adrian Fernandez 7 Tony Kanaan 8 Greg Moore 9 Patrick Carpentier 10 Bryan Flerta 11 Mark Blundell 12 Mauricio Gugelmin 13 Andre Ribeiro 14 Gil de Ferran 15 Vincenzo Sospiri 16 Robby Gordon DNF Max Papis 18 Richie Fiearn DNF Alex Barron DNF Michael Andretti DNF Flelio Castro-Neves NC Al Unser Jr DNF Paul Tracy DNF Jimmy Vasser DNF Bobby Rahal DNF Michel Jourdain Jr DNF Arnd Meier DNS Dennis Vitoio

n Glenn Seton - who was not driving this week end - caught a few people by surprise on Saturday when, dressed in full race kit, he drove the Ford Credit Falcon out with the rest ofthe V8s for the first race. But the boss was

only two mph up on Robby Gordon’s Toyotaengined Reynard, Gordon running, like the German, very little wing in a quest for straight-line speed.

But it didn’t do much

n The move of the race from March to October

THERE’S A MILLION STORIES IN THE BIG CITY... but the racetrack never sleeps. There's

year), 67,659 on Saturday (62,229) and 95,901 on Sunday (91,664).

'I SJ3

HONVOa^

Points after 18 of 19 races: Zanardi 261, Franchitti 150, Vasser 148, Fernandez 142, Moore 124, Pruett 120, Andretti 112, Herta 97, Kanaan 92, Rahal 80, Unser 72, de Ferran 67, Tracy 61, Fittipaldi 50.

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race. There were actually eight World Championships ‘in’ the car as Sir Jack Brabham was

n Quick on his feet: Helio Castro-Neves emerged from his hotel room on race morning to find pictures of his Reynard-smearing Saturday accident on the front page of all the news papers. If you failed to get the Sunday paper outside your hotel door, blame the Brazilian; he ‘confiscated’ all ofthe copies on his floor

■ CART’S ‘Brat Pack’Dario Franchitti, Greg Moore and Max Papis were three of the nominat ed judges for the Miss Indy competition on Saturday night but, when the Italian failed to show, they had to di-aft in a ‘citizen’, ri siting American TV star Jason ‘90210’ Priestly. Kelly Hart, a 19-year-old (Told Coast model, won the title.

That’s her at the left with Walker Motorsport’s Gil de Ferran who was, apparent ly, thrilled at being asked nol to judge the contest...

-PBOLBRANAGAN

for the Mountain!

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Congratulatians Mark Larkham and the whole Mitre 10 Racing Team on a magnificent effort in dominating both the IndyCarnival Y8 Supercar races.

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2S Continued from page 24 than his teammate’s, the resulting loss of track time was a set-back.

Ribeiro was seventh in Saturday morning’s untimed session but he and A1 Jr would start the race 22nd and 19th respectively; is it really only 18 months ago that Ti-acy was fighting Zanardi for the lead here in one of the red-andwhites?

Part of the problem was the engines. For a series where engine performance is usually close, the Benzes were getting murdered. Moore’s ninth led the way; next best was Lehto (15th), Carpentier (16th), Blundell (17th) and CastroNeves(18th).

The silver-clad MercedesIlmor personnel were report ing no obvious problems, though.

Just as Toyota’s latest engine is good at producing cor ner-punching torque, Merc’s tiny IC108E V8 is a notable top-end performer which leaves it a little limp-wristed out of second and thii-d-gear comers.

At least the racing in the Mercedes class’ was promising to be close.

Most miserable of thathi-eepointed star brigade was Castro-Neves.

The Brazilian had a nasty YOU DON’T HA VE TO WIN THE RACE... moment in Saturday practice when the steering on his race To have fun at Indy. Adrian Fernandez had a close look car stuck, forcing him to clip the outside kerb and bounce at a wall (right) while Arnd him into the outside wall. The Meirljumped forjoy in his Lola. suspension and pod was ripped off the car and the crew ' (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Marshall Chs) pushed it away for the week end. without carnage - and not In the back-up car he was much else. The cars were nmlittle better off, nosing it Into ning half to a full second apart the tyres. It wasn’t as bad as and'no-one Wds willing to tiy the first car, but it was dam- ' much on, wary of running too aged badly enough to sit out fast and killing their tyres. the qualifier.

The line-astern racing

Race(65 laps) Race day dawned hot. By 10am the temperature was already into the high-20s and track temperature was soon over the half-ton.

With the eyes of Toyota on him and no 1999 deal, Gordon fooled no-one by running a light fuel load on the way to the fastest time of the session (lm34.808s), but in the real world it was Zanardi who led the bouncy Kanaan,Tracy and Hearn. Franchitti, with an absolutely full load, was ninth.

The choice of starting posi tion for the start was up to the pole man,Franchitti. He chose the left, which would make him go the long way araund at the kink but would put him on the inside at the first chicane.

Franchitti needed to make a good jump to meike it stick and he did. It was a biilhant start, and so was Tracy’s. For a moment it looked like a possi ble Green 1-2 at the chicane, but Tracy thought better of sitting it out with Zanardi.

Fittipaldi was fourth from Herta, Andretti, ’Vasser, de Ferran, Fernandez, Moore, Rahal, Pruett, Papis, Kanaan, Lehto, Carpentier, Blundell, Castro-Neves, Unser, Gordon, Gugelmin, Ribeiro, Hearn, Meier, Jourdain, Barron and Sospiri, with Vitolo non-start ing after a last-minute engine problem.

The first 10 laps were remarkable for everyone get ting through the early comers

couldrft last, and it didn’t. On lap 13 Jourdain spun at FedEx corner and biffed his right rear against the wall, prompting the first yellow of the race.

Zanardi closed the gap to the Scot at once and, after they pitted nose-to-tail, beat the Kool car out of the pits by the best part of a second. It was another brilliant stop by the Ganassi team, aided by Dario having to drive around Tracy’s tyres on the way in and Moore’s on the exit.

Now Alex had the lead and track position.

And he used it with a strong restart, immediately building a small cushion and leaving Franchitti to deal with his teammate Tracy. After a sin gle lap Zanardi was 2.58s ahead.

If the action up front was less than frantic, there was a titanic battle back in 15th position. Ribeiro had a queue of traffic behind and, in the pack, Unser and Hearn got caught up. The Penske and Swift clanged together, leav ing A1 with broken left front suspension and he pitted to have replacement suspension fitted,losing three laps.

The carnage continued. In his last appearance on the streets of Surfers, Rahal spun into the tyres on lap 20, prompting another yellow.

None of the leaders pitted and Zanardi pulled away at the restart, quickly pulling a 3s lead, but the action behind

ir

!I

i

came three laps later.

Fittipaldi quickly left Andretti and homed in on Tracy, who locked his brakes at ANA, allowing the Swift to close at the double chicane and challenge at the next left hander.

“I knew he wasn’t expecting me (to challenge),” Fittipaldi said later. He was right; the Kmart car was through and Andretti tried to follow but couldn’t make it, both men locking up under serious brak ing.

Three laps later Andretti tried Tracy again at the sec ond chicane and hit Tracy’s tyre with his front wing, which flattened the Kool car’s tyre and sent Tracy surfing over the grass, which did more damage to the car.

Michael’s race was also ruined as he fell to the back of the pack while the crew pre pared a new nose for the Svrift.

The yellows waved and, quickly, the leaders pitted, resuming Zanardi-FranchittiFittipaldi-Carpentier-Ribeiro (still a stop down on the lead ers, but everyone looked to be within one stop of the finish), Moore and Gugelmin.

Tracy and Andretti were back on track but were not

going to figure in the race and spent some time gesturing mdely at one another.

On the restart,' the Canadian ran over the grass again at the same comer and, after another couple of yellow flag stops to fix the trouble some rear brakes, he called it a day on lap 46. He was not a happy man, but either was Andretti; both will face CART Steward Wally DaUenbach at Fontana next week.

The lap 38 restart was a carbon copy of those before, with the red Honda blasting away from the green, but it was soon brought to nought with a sickening accident to teammate Vasser.

At the first chicane the for mer champ hammered the back of Castro-Neves and took to the ail', looking for a second like he would fly over the Alumax car. He crunched into the wall instead, seriously wrecking the car but not injur ing himself The yellow flew again and Carpentier pitted to be back on schedule, but Ribeiro didn’t.

As soon as the cars restaited, the yellows flew again.

While Franchitti was sniffing inside Zanardi at ANA, Hearn was spinning by himself out of

Honda and they lined up again while the Bud car was cleared away. Gugelmin and Carpentier pitted and, with 23 laps left, they were now going to be able to run to the finish without another stop.

The reshuffle also worked out well for the Walker and Rahal teams. De Ferran and Herta were fourth and fifth, from Pruett, Lehto, Papis, Gordon and Kanaan.

Carpentier was 12th and wellplaced to pounce if there were green stops later.

The restart came on lap 45 and Alex held onto the lead, the front two zooming away from Fittipaldi and the de Ferran-led train. This time around, though, Franchitti was working hard to stay within a second of the leader for three laps until, after three laps, Zanardi turned on the taps and pulled away at 0.5s a lap.

Fittipaldi was hanging on 3s behind but the Firestone duo ahead were revelling in grip as more and more rabber went down, knowing that the Goodyeai'car was no threat on opening laps fi-om restarts.

De Ferran was definitely losing ground in fourth and, on lap 50, Heifta got a strong drive onto the back straight.

The Shell car only had the out side at the chicane but Bryan braved it out and, as the two Reynards nudged, Herta hauled past and Pruett fol lowed him on the exit while de Ferran sorted out the moment.

While this was happening, Zanardi was putting on an impressive burst of speed.

With a series of low-lm34s laps, the gap was soon out to 4s, despite the Kool car responding with its fastest lap of the race. Zanardi’s answer was a stunning lm33.780s on lap 54 and it was just as well, because the Itahan was about to need all the lead he had.

The series of events that could have decided the race started on lap 53.

Fifteenth-placed CastroNeves’ disastrous weekend should have ended when he was black-flagged for trailing oil around, but he stayed out and, three laps later, crashed into the wall at the first chi cane. The yellows were bound to fly...

But Zanardi pitted on lap 55 under green, handing the lead to Dario just as the yellow flags flew. Franchitti pitted next time around under yellow but Zanardi, fully up to speed, flashed across the line before the Green car could get out.

It was status quo for the leading two, but it was a close call for Chip Ganassi. If Zanardi had struck traffic on the circuit while it was under yellow, Franchitti would have been well out ofreach.

It was about now that the teams became aware of a problem; with all the stop pages there were only eight minutes of the race to go and, with a two-hour time limit, this was about to become a timed race.

Again Zanardi flew away at the restai-t, but Fi-anchitti was sta3dng with him. We might have had a race to the flag, but then...

Andretti, Barron and Hearn came to grief into the first chi cane. Barron flicked the tyres and lost the Eagle sideways into the wall and Andretti, who saw it happening and backed off, was suddenly turned around by Hearn.

It was going to take a while for the wreckage to be cleai-ed.

Too long. The two hours passed while the yellows were still out and the field trailed around to the chequer behind the pace car.

Zanardi trailed in as the winner from Franchitti, Fittipaldi and Praett.

In fifth was Lehto. The Finn had had a relatively quiet race, picking his way through the chaos and running a con ventional fuel strategy, aided by slick work from Hogan’s Heroes in the pitlane.

Fernandez held out Kanaan for sixth from Moore(who had stopped out of synch to have a br^e part removed from his pedals), who was helped by his teammate following Carpentier, Herta, Blundell mid Gugelmin.

While the cars filed back to the pits Zanardi looked hard for a spot with enough room for donuts. One was at the back straight chicane and one, appropriately, at Honda.

It may have been his final black circles.

Will Frank let his new boy have so much fun in FI?

23 October im

29

Alessandro the Great Next time we see Alex Zanardi in Australia he will be in red, but Williams red, not Ganassi red. Zanardi told PHIL BRANAGAN about CART, F1 and the possibility of a future life without donuts.

Q: How difficult is it for you to focus on your remaining CART races, given that you are going back to Formula One next season?

Alex Zanardi: Not too diffi cult. Just because my mind is here does not mean it is not in Formula One. I had to decide what to do because there was a dead line for me and I decided what I was going to do for next year. What I am doing next year is something else; it is certainly nice that I won the championship, but I wouldn’t be a racing driver if I allowed the racing to go away just because I won the championship. There are two races to go that are very, very important. I want to compete in every event possible and, naturally, I like it much better when I can win.

I don’t know how 'to explain it because, for me, I don’t even see a problem in losing motivation. It’s my job; I love it. ifs what I love, not just what I’m paid to do.

That’s why T want to try and beat everybody then, if I get beaten. I’m the first one to get onto the track and try to shake his (the winner’s) hand. I want to give it the best shot possible.

Q: I’m not questioning your motivation but there’s so much pressure, I’m wondering whether it plays on your mind. When you get into Formula One you have to hit the ground running.

AZ: First of all, let me say that I think personally that pressure is there whenever everybody is pointing the fin ger at you thinking that you’re the man to do the job.

You can’t be the only one thinking, ‘I don’t know. I’m not so sure’. There is what you really talk about; pres sure.

You don’t have to think that you’re the best in the world. None of us can say that we’re the best. I think I’m good. I’m lucky that I picked a profession at which I’m pretty good. I want to do my best, no matter what my best is. I think I’m pretty good at what I do and there is no reason why, if I do my best and the car is good enough, I can’t win races.

Q: Everyone is speculat ing how you will do in Formula One next year.

How do you think Michael Schumacher or Mika Hakkinen would go if they suddenly quit F1 to go Champ car racing?

AZ: It would be very interest ing. That’s not to say that, in this series, we have the best drivers in the world. I’m not saying that is the case, but

I’m not saying it’s not true.

What I am saying is that, definitely, if you wanted to make, like, the Olympic Games for race cars, in my view, if you want to make a car difficult enough to drive to reward a guy who is a competitive racing driver and put everyone more or less on the same level so you can see really who is the best, you would have to pick this as the series.

We have right now a very, very good product from a sporting point of view; not so much from a technical point of view. If you have something, here you can show it.

Q: So, how would Hakkinen and Schumacher do?

AZ: They would do pretty well. I don’t think they would know how difficult it is -to run on the ovals because I was surprised, Dario (Franchitti) is still a bit surprised!

The series is fantastic because, if you win races on street courses, road cours es, short ovals, on ovals, that’s means you can do pretty well everything in a race car.

Q: So, if Champ car racing is the Olympics of motorsport, why are you leav ing?

AZ: Well, it’s pretty good money!

But it’s not just that. It’s a good question. The point is, yes, I AM going to miss this series. I’m going to miss the environment. Nevertheless, I’m leaving because I just have one life and I’m not as yourig as someone like this (Franchitti).

It’s like someone who likes honey very much and has honey every day and then says, “You know, I want something different’’. I really enjoy the parts of the sport I have done and, before I get ready for retirement I want to do Formula One, and the opportunity was there and I decided to do it.

Q: Alex, this is the last time we will see you here as a CART driver. Who do you think will win the series next year?

AZ: I really hope that Jimmy Vasser will win the series next year, not just because he is a very good driver and he is driving for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing. He is also a great friend.

But there is plenty of tal ent besides him. Gil (de Ferran) is a guy who can win and Dario has showed in the recent past that he is not just capable but he actually can win. I think that he will be one of the main contenders.

My sympathies are also with Greg Moore this year.

He is a very fast guy and a real racer. I think that they are the guys you will see at the top next year.

Q: With the move to Formula One next year, we’ve enjoyed watching you celebrate your CART victories. Do you have a ‘donut’ clause in your Williams contract?

AZ: When we were negotiating the Williams contract I asked him if he was prepared to pay the FIA fee in case I win and do the donuts. He (Frank Williams) said, “No way, you can’t do that stuff with my carl”. l That’s the way we left it but we can talk about it and first of all my main purpose is to win a race. Then it would be a nice problem to have - to have to decide who would pay a fine.

A FOND FAREWELL...

Zanardi is turning his back on a briiiiant Indycar career, with seven victories this season and now 15 wins from 50 starts. And, there’s one race to go in California.

THE BEST OF FRIENDS...

Zanardi puts a big part of his success down to the Ganassi team and his teammate Jimmy Vasser. The American is his tip to take out the 1999 title.

(Photos by Robert Laberge/Allsport and Dirk Klynsmith)

3(1

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NEW NASCAR TEAM... The DMC Motorsport/GB Galvanizing Service #02 Chevy Lamina NASCAR put in its first laps at the Thunderdome last Friday. Team driver Jimmy Ellis was joined on the day by Australian rally champion Neal Bates, who is a long-time buddy of DMC Direct Print’s Craig Rodda, Bates not surprisingly feeling quite comfortable on his super speedway debut. Pictured above are DMC Motorsport principal Craig Rodda (left). GB Galvanizing Service MD John Gucciardo, Bates and Ellis. (Tony Glynn pic)

DMC Motorsport to run Jimmy Ellis

Former US Motocross and Supercross star Jimmy Ellis will be returning to the super speedway scene at the Calder Park Thunderdome in November as the driver for Craig Rodda’s recently formed ' DMC Motorsport team. ' Rodda and the management of GB Galvanizing Service, Ellis’ 1997/98 NASCAR sponsor, recently

purchased Charles Roker’s Chevrolet Lumina and all the specialised equipment required to race on the Thunderdome and at the Qantas Australian Formula One Grand Piix meeting next year.

Ellis finished seventh overall in his rookie NASCAR series on a limited budget last season and is looking for vastly improved results in the ’98/99 series.

“GB Galvanizing Service, DMC Direct Print and their respective clients and suppliers,, plus Phil Munday Panels, have put together a substantial budget that vnll allow Jimmy to be most competitive,” said Rodda.

“Gene Cook has recently updated our Chevrolet engine at his East Keilor workshop and it is develop ing quite a lot more power and

JIMMY ELLIS-.. Looking forward to a good season. (Tony Glynn pic) torque over last season’s specifica tions.

“Our goals are to run fast and reliably in all events, which should enable the team to gain a strong points score.

“We’ll be operating out of a race shop in Ferntree Gully with Ken James, who races the Revell/Wet Paint Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

“Basically, we’re combining human resources and equipment to make a two-car team.

“This will allow us both to come up with the right combinations on race day, as Ken has the skills to set both of the cars up properly and our people will assist him with their promotional resom'ces.”

- GRANT NICHOLAS

From dirt bike Wortd Champ to NASCAR

During the 1997/98 AC Delco Cup series, American Jimmy Ellis made his NASCAR racing debut after teaming up with Charles Roker, EUis describing his first season as a big eyeopener compared with riding motorbikes, which he had done since the age of eight.

While Ellis was content finishing seventh in the championship, he would have liked to have finished higher.

“I had an okay year. I learned an awful lot and my driving and pit stops improved,” said Ellis, a for mer world Motocross champion used to podium finishes.

“We were very lucky. We didn’t hit the wall, we didn’t do any real damage to the car. We only did a little bit of damage in the last race

and, except for that, we had an exceptional year for safety.”

Mechanical problems meant that his best finish was a fifth place, but he is hoping that the next season with the new DMC Motorsport/GB Galvanizing Services team can bring with it a podium finish - and maybe even a win, or two.

“My aim is to physically win the championship,” Ellis said. “I don’t think any one person out here has the double urge to do that this summer, except for Kim Jane and Rodney Jane. There is an element of luck and an element of safety in things, but nobody is invincible.”

While Ellis is reasonably new to NASCAR racing, he is no stranger to motor racing.

Since the age of eight, Ellis has been racing Motocross - he began

to win races at nine years of age and, since then, has had an amazmg career.

Born in Connecticut, Ellis trav elled around America with his mother, father, brother and two sisters to race bikes.

He would miss two months of school to race and, at eleven years of age, he won the New England Championship and also won the Grand Slam, which included win ning the 100, 125, 250 and 500cc classes over a number of years in the New England states.

For this feat, he was awarded the largest trophy in the world, standing at eight foot eleven inches tall!

He then experienced road racing with Kenny Roberts on a TZT50 Yamaha, before attacking short

and circle track racing when he was 15.

He was kept busy racing Thursday and Friday nights and then, on Sunday, he would change his t3Tes to race Motocross - as he matured, he began racing all three classes in one day.

At 16, he was offered a contract which he accepted, then turned professional.

In 1975 and 1976, he won the Los Angeles Colosseum back to back and was on track to win his third in a row when the frame on his bike broke - Ellis was devastat ed, as no-one has ever won three in a row.

In the 1977/78 season, he rode Motocross for Honda as a factory rider, as road racing didn’t appeal to him.

1998 WINSTON CUP SERIES RESULTS PEPSI 400 = Daytona Beach, FI. October 17th, 1998 at

I . Jeff Gordon, #24 DuPont Chev Monte Cario 2. Bobby Labonte, #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix 3. Mike Skinner, #31 Lowe’s Chev Monte Carlo 4.JeremyMayfield,#l2Mobil I FordTaurus 5. Rusty Wallace, #2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus 6. Terry Labonte, #5 Kellogg’s Chev Monte Carlo 7. Ward Burton, #22 MBNA Pontiac Grand Prix 8. Ernie Irvan, #34 Skittles Pontiac Grand Prix 9. Ken Schrader, #33 Skoal Bandit Chev Monte Carlo 10. Dale Earnhardt, #3 GM Goodwrench Chev Monte Carlo

M. Bobby Hamilton, #4 Kodak Chev Monte Caito 12. Jimmy ^jencer, #23 Winston/No Bull Ford Taurus

13. Jeff Burton, #W Bode Batteries Ford Taurus 14. John Andretti. #43 STP Pontiac Grand Prix 15. Bill EHkrtt, #94 McDonald’s Ford Taurus 16. Mark Martin, #6 Valvdine Ford Taurus 17. Joe Nemechek, #42 BellSouth Chev Monte Carlo 18. Steriing Mariin, #40 Coors Ught Chev Monte Carlo 19. Jerry Nadeau, #29 Cartoon Network Ford Taiffus 20. Chad Little, #97 John Deere Ford Taurus

After all these achievements, Ellis doesn’t have a favourite year.

“I always won the most impor tant races at the time they needed to be won and the rest of the time I finished second, or third,” he explained.

Ellis has been living in Australia for the past 15 years, but still has family and friends in America.

Living back in the States are his 21 year-old daughter, Katie and 18 year-old son, Troy, w'ho is follow ing in his dad’s footsteps and rac ing motorbikes - and Ellis’ father drives the 71-foot rig for the Kawasaki USA factory team.

He has been married to his sec ond wife, Sally, for nine years and the two have a six year-old son, Lee. -LISA WINKLER

r i

Standings After Rd 30 4 632 1. Jeff Gordon 4344 2. Mark Martin ..

4 083 3. Dale Jarrett ..

3 883 4. Rusty Wallace . .3 806 S. Jeff Burton .. .. .3 761 6. Jeremy Mayfield .3 759 7. Bobby Labonte .3357 8. Dale Earnhardt .3323 9. Terry Labonte .3278 10.8ohn Andretti .

SURER SREEDWAV

■^3 October m

Wynn's backs Henshelw HillU k

I ri

Since the entering Australian motorsport scene in a big way just over two years ago, it has been full steam ahead for Wynn’s Australia.

Initially with a single kart for Paul Dumbrell, the team now boasts one of the strongest entries in the International class Wynn’s Australian Karting Championships, Alex Davison contesting Formula Ford, Paul Dumbrell in Formula Holden, a Commodore Cup car, two level one V8 Supercars and now an AUSCAR. Sean Henshelwood, who made his AUSCAR debut behind the wheel of the #46 Kodak Commodore at the

final round of last year’s championship, will now be lining up on the grid for the Thunderdome season-opener on November 1 in the #7 Wynn’s/Kmart Commodore to contest the full 1998/99 season at Calder Park and Adelaide International Raceway.

“Through the promotion of the 1998 Wynn’s Australian Knrting Championships, I’ve built up a strong association with Wynn’s,” Henshelwood said.

“When the opportunity came along to run the AUSCAR for the coming season, I spoke to them about becom ing involved and creating a long-term marketing pro¬

/.

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gram to coincide with the championships.

“Th ese days, it’s pretty clear that becoming a racing driver is more than just pos-

sessing racing ability - you can often gain more exposure for a sponsor through an intelligent marketing campaign than you can through

finishing with the leaders as the season progresses and I will be making a concerted effort to claim the Rookie of the Year honours.”

Multi-car rules under scrutiny

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on-track activities and that will be one of my major aims for the year.

“Having said that, though.

I’m very committed towards

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REPCO SUPPORT FOR SPORTSMAN CHAMPION ... Graeme Gimiand, the reigning Sportsman champ, wiU campaign his #18 Commodore this season with hoth Repco and Citiwest Rentals as sponsors. (Thimder-Pics/A^a pic)

Radclyjfe chasing success

NASCAR has been busy looking at different testing rules for next season to eliminate the current advan tage held by multi-car teams.

It would appear that NASCAR is to hold separate closed testing for GM and Ford, similar to the pre season tests that the sanctioning body currently con ducts.

The tests are most likely to be held at Las Vegas, Charlotte, Talladega, Indianapolis and Texas.

Multi-car operations would be limited to the num ber of cars they could test and, in addition, there is a chance that two, or three, open tests would be -allowed for each team.

- MARTIN D CLARK

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Intake Manifolds Young Sunbury driver Bradley Radclyffe is seek ing a special style of suc cess when he contests the ’98/99 Australian Legends Championship series opener on Sunday, November 1, at the Calder Park Thunderdome.

23 year-old Radclyffe is an insulin-dependent diabetic and, until twelve months ago, he didn’t know if he would be able to take to the track in a race vehicle.

“Dad and I had been attending a host of car racing events over the years, before we started supplying com puters to the media centres at Calder Park through our family business, Calder

Computer Management Pty Ltd,” said Radclyffe.

“The 5/8th-scale Legends really appealed and I decided that was the class for me.

“Immediately after being given a clearance to race by the medical fraternity, I underwent a training course with Marshall Brewer and Fastrack Racing and gained my racing licence.”

Radclyffe then purchased Rodney Jane’s dual champi onship-winning ’37 Chevrolet Coupe and quickly assem bled an impressive sponsor ship package from local traders in the Sunbury, Victoria, area.

These supporters include McDonald’s Sunbury,

McKinnons Retravision Sunbury, Sunbury Mowing and Rotary Hoeing, Suncal (Caltex) Sunbury, Karl’s Custom Paint Jobs and his most recent signings, Autobarn Sunbury and Goodyear 'Tyres.

“If asthmatic swimmers can win gold at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, I should be able to gain victory in a Legends race,” commented the enthu siastic Radclyffe.

“When I gain more race craft and experience at set ting it up for the different tracks, I’d like to be able to race for the championship series.”

- GRANT NICHOLAS

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litle stranglehold by Gordon Jeff Gordon took his 11th victo ry of the season under the lights of the Daytona Speedway on October 17, the win opening up his series points advantage over Mark Martin to 358 and, hairing any major catastrophe, the Winston Cup championship is now his for the taking.

Gordon only needs to finish 32nd, or better, to clinch the title, or gain 12 points on Martin in Phoenix.

Gordon also set a modern era record by recording his 17th straight top five finish, posting eight wins, five seconds, two thirds and two fifths in that period.

Pole-sitter Bobby Labonte had a strong run and it looked possible that he had the power to drag past Gordon on the final lap - but cars fanned out behind Labonte and he appeared to give Gordon the push in the draft he needed.

Labonte credited his brother for his result: “I couldn’t have done it without Terry’s help. He pushed me three, or four, times there pretty hard and I got some good air.”

Rain played a part in the run ning, airing three cautions, the

Darren out? n As Motorsport News went to press, it appeared unlikely that Darren McDonald would make the Thunderdome opening round, the reigning AUSCAR Champion having reportedly broken his hand late last week.

final yellow flag appearing with just six laps remaining - NASCAR then decided to throw a red flag and end the race under green flag conditions, once track drying condi tions were complete some forty minutes later.

Dale Jarrett led the first lap and he would lead again later, before cutting a tyre late in the going while running second and ultimate ly finishing 23rd.

“Jarrett was real, real strong. I don’t know whether I could have held him off,” said Gordon.

Dale Earnhardt also ran strong ly, leading for the first time on lap 2 and for a total of thirty seven cir cuits.

The second caution aired on lap 32 for an 11-car wreck, Kevin Lepage breaking his sternum in the accident and Geoff Bodine and Hut Stricklin the only cars not to return to the track.

The Penske pairing of Jeremy Mayfield and Rusty Wallace had great runs, with Mayfield fourth and Wallace fifth - and, until Jarrett had trouble, he and team mate Kenny Irwin were also run ning well.

Unfortunately for Irwin, he was involved in contact with Chad Little and wiped out when he hit the wall on the back stretch on lap 142 of 160 - eight other cars were involved in the melee.

Little was also involved in a last corner incident that saw him hit ting the inner wall hard after get ting loose off turn 4.

Ward Burton recorded another

strong finish in seventh, with Earnhardt rallying in tenth after hitting an errant wheel on pit road and damaging the front spoiler.

Earnhardt ended a five race run of finishes of 22nd, or worse, his team-mate Mike Skinner again showing well after fighting a loose car early in the running - it would

appear he is in no danger of losing (Pontiac), Schrader (Chevy), his ride with Richard Childress Earnhardt(Chevy). next year, following a fine third Points standings: Gordon 4817, place result.

Martin 4459, Jarrett 4197, R Final positions: Gordon (Chevy) Wallace 4043, B Labonte 3934, J 144.549 mph, B Labonte (Pontiac),*^ Burton 3930, Mayfield 3926, Skinner(Chevy), Mayfield (Ford), R Earnhardt 3496, T Labonte 3473, Wallace (Ford), T Labonte (Chevy), Andretti 3399.

- MARTIN D CLARK W Burton (Pontiac), Irvan/Craven

Hefty payout for Dale

Dale Jarrett won the Winston 500 at Talladega on October 11 and, along with the spoils, a mil lion dollar bonus from Winston.

Jarrett became the third driver to win the bonus. joining Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon, the latter winning the big bucks on two occasions.

Jarrett, in a Yates Taurus, led the final 13 laps, holding off Gordon and his Hendrick team-mate, Ten'y Labonte, to the flag on the 2.5-mile super speed way by 0.14 seconds.

Gordon stretched his points advantage over Mark Martin to 288, after Martin was swept into an all so common restrictor plate multi-car wreck, finishing 34th.

Gordon now has 16 straight top five results and only has to finish 16th, or better, in the remaining four events to clinch the coveted Winston Cup title.

“We cleared a big hurdle today, but we still have four more to jump,” remarked Gordon.

The major wreck involved Ernie Irvan, who appeared to cut down on Sterling Marlin entering turn 1-Irvan hit the wall, rebounded and was collect ed hard by Dick Trickle and the unfortunate Martin.

Irvan was airlifted to hospital following the accident - a CAT scan proved negative and he was released the following day.

Jarrett led the first lap fi-om his third starting slot.

led again on lap 52 for one lap and then for the final 13 circuits to take home $1,110,125.

Pole sitter Ken Schrader failed to lead a lap and was also involved in a caution when he cut a tyre and damaged his bodwork - likewise with Rusty Wallace, who was in contention, but holed a radiator with debris and finished 27th.

Mike Skinner, Earnhardt’s stablemate with ’ Childress, led for 74 laps (the most) at different stages, he and Jarrett working together in the draft.

“Dale Jarrett was a good partner: we worked together all day, but unfortunately my team-mate’s i car (Eamhardt) wasn't as strong as DJ's. Maybe next week (Daytona) both cars will be as awesome.” remarked Skinner, “No-one would nin with us at the end. It was like we had some bad disease or something. Jeff Gordon i left me out to dry, so I guess 1 know who I won’t be ^ helping in Daytona.”

Final result: Jarrett (Ford) 159.317 mph, Gordon ' (Chevy), T Labonte (Chevjo, Spencer (Ford). Mayfield (Ford), B Labonte (Pontiac), Skinner (Chevy), Little > (Ford), M Waltrip (Ford), J Burton (Ford).

Points standings: Gordon 4632. Martin 4344, : Jai-rett 4098, R Wallace 4344 J Bmton 3806, Mayfield ' 3761, B Labonte 3759, Earnhardt 3357. 'T Labonte - MARTIN D CLARK 3323, Andretti 3278.

Winton Motor Raceway I 1 Presenting the proud history of Australian Australian Motorsport Motorfest 7 & 8 November 1998

See the legends and the machines that made them Australian Motorsport heroes.

See

Sir Jack Brabham, Norm Beechey, Peter Brock, Leo & Pete Geoghegan, Keith Laity, Tony and Diana Gaze, Frank Coad, Harry Firth, Bob Jane, Allan Moffat, Bruce McPhee, Bib Stillwell,

An event for all Motorsport enthusiasts and Classic Car owners l Rally to the Motorfest with your own Car Club OR l Register for Shannons run to Winton ●Take advantage of Shannons $30 Special Motorfest Insurance offer

Featuring ● Shannons Run to Winton ● Parade of Motorsport Legends

John Harvey, Jim McKeown, Kevin Bartlett.

● Exhibition Laps of Rare and Special Cars and Motorcycles ● Car Club Displays

Motorcycle Legends Maurie Quincey, Barry Smith and Andrew Johnson

● Laps of Winton for all Entrants Both Days ● Wine and Food, Trade Stands, Arts and Crafts ● "Jazz and Shiraz" dinner to honour the legends

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Briefly Historic

DELAGE AERO ... A longtime devotee of the pre-war aero-engined “Brooklands Giants,” Tony Osborne has mated a watercooled WWl Model H Hispano-Suiza V8 aircraft engine with a 1922 Delage CO 2 chassis and four-speed gearbox to produce a superb piece of vintage nostalgia.

Producing 360 horsepower at 2000 rpm and 1000 foot-pounds of torque, the two valves per cylinder, SOHC per bank, alloy block V8 features screw-in steel cylinders and was built by Orger Engines in Bayswater The beast’s bodywork was designed and built by The Coachbuilders and Black Art Fabrications, while the engineering was carried out by A M Raceparts. Now painted blue by Bruno Buccianti of B. B. Racing, the Delage Aero is expected to make its debut appearance at the Sandown Histories event.

-TONY GLYNN

Historic Sandown

One of Victoria’s major Historic meetings, the Penrite/Shannons Sandown Histories wiU be held this coming weekend, October 24-25 - and what a weekend it The Sunday program will com promises to be! mence at 9:15am. All classes of The busy racing schedule has Historic racing, sports and touring been organised jointly by the cars will contest 5, 8 and 10-lap Victorian Historic Racing Register races around the challenging 3.1km and the MG Car Club, and almost Sandown circuit. Pre and post-war 300 competitors will be seen in vehicles covering sixty years of action over the two-day event. motor racing engineering will pro Practice gets underway at 9:30 vide plenty of excitement for the Saturday morning and the first fans. event will take place at 1:20.

An interesting interlude will be Highlights include Production the Dutton Historic Porsche Sports Cars (which always attract Display and Track Demonstration, large fields), Pre-1960 Racing Cars, which will take place at approxi Formula 5000s and later open- mately 12:40pm. wheelers, Touring Cars and Sports This gathering of fine Porsche Cars of the ’60s. Also, another fast sporting vehicles will be a highlight growing category is Historic of the program and a fitting contriFormula Ford and some close wheel 'bution to Porsche’s 50th anniver to wheel racing is sure to be on the sary celebrations.

Two famous Australian Porsche agenda.

drivers, Jim McKeown and Alan Hamilton, will participate in the Dutton Historic Porsche Display and Demonstration, while several delectable Porsches from the Stuttgart Museum will be on show as a special feature of the meetingthese will include the racing Spyder and Speedster from the fifties, through to the all-conquering 934 Turbo.

Admission to the 1998 Penrite/Shannons Sandown Histories is $15 for adults, which includes access to the pits. Children will be admitted free.

For general event information, contact the Secretary of the MG Car Club after hours on (03) 9530 4395.

-BRIAN REED

Ailing Lunn Elfin Mono scores FTD at Mt Tarrengower Hillclimb The annual Mt Tarrengower while service at future Mt Vintage and Historic Hillclimb Tan-engower hillclimbs.

Eighty entries were received and on October 11, organised joint ly by the Vintage Sports Car outright winner for the past two Club of Victoria and the years Stephen Lunn was back to Bendigo Car Club, was a see if he could make it a hat-trick resounding success, thanks to in his speedy Elfin Mono twin cam.

Stiffest opposition was expected some organisational changes to come from a former five-times that really paid off.

One of the difficulties on such a winner, Jim Russell in his Nedloh long, steep hill such as Mt 2, but “Stumpy” had one of those Tarrengower is that the slower days he would have preferred to be somewhere else. cars are really slow and it is criti The man who took outright hon cal that the program is kept on the move. ours from 1990 to 1994 didn’t get The organising committee was one clean run at the hill, finishing well aware of the problems that his final attempt holding aloft the beset the meeting last year and, to , gearshift as he sadly rolled back its credit, the event this year was down the hill to the pits.

Lunn didn’t have everything his slick and ran strictly to time.

An innovation trialled for the own way, either. first time was an electronic scoreHis twin cam-engined Elfin has board for spectators near the start developed an annoying and energy line. Some teething problems were sapping miss over the past months, encountered, but it’s a great idea which is eluding all attempts to be and will no doubt provide a worth¬ located and he popped and banged

his way up the hill, trailed by a dangerous cloud of blue smoke.

Fortunately, he put together three runs without a major cata strophe and his best time of 41.33secs, although well down on his previous efforts, was enough to score the FTD trophy, as well as the impressive Group Captain John R. Balmer Perpetual Trophy.

The winner of the trophy for Fastest Vintage Vehicle of the Day went to Richard Stanley in his Amilcar AC with a time of 45.03secs. Stanley is a former out right winner at Mt Tarrengower, having taken the FTD in 1995.

On that occasion, his successful time was 50.97secs, almost 6 secs slower than his latest best run the Amilcar seems to be getting quicker and quicker, although it should be said that weather condi tions on race day back in 1995 were grim, to say the least.

-BRIAN REED

MT TARRENGOWER CLASS WINNERS .68.04secs l Class 1 - Vintage Cars up to 1500cc- Graeme Steinfort(Austin 7) .68.25secs l Class 2 - Vintage Cars over 1500cc - Michael Hipkins(Vauxhall 30/98) .45.03secs l Class 3 - Vintage Racing (all Capacities) Richard Stanley(Amilcar AC) .56.91secs l Class 4 - Post Vintage Cars to 1500cc- James McDonald (Riley) .56.95secs l Class 5 - Post Vintage Cars over 1500cc Ray Sprague (’32 Ford Roadster) .54.69secs l Class 6 - Post Vintage Racing (all capacities) - Lou Molina(MG TA Special) l Class 7 - Historic Sports Racing Cars 1940-60 up to 2000cc Graeme Wright(‘Regah’ MG Special) ....50.82secs 48.64secs l Class 8 - Historic Sports Racing Cars 1940-60 over 2000cc George Coad (Vauxhall Special) 53.48secs l Class 9 - Production Sports Cars 1940-60 (all capacities) John Pitman(MG A 'Twin-Cam)..

48.13secs l Class 10 - Production Sports Cars 1961-69 (all capacities)Phil Bemadou (Porsche 911) 41.33secs l Class 11 - Historic Racing/Sports Cars up to 2000cc Stephen Lunn (Elfin Mono t/c) 50.08secs l Class 12 - Historic Racing/Spoi-ts Cars over 2000cc Bruce Shepherd (Jaguar Mk. 7 Special) 76.02secs l Class 13 - Group N(a) Touring Cars (all capacities) Mike Barker(Morris Minor) 48.60secs l Class 14 - Appendix J Touiing Cars up to 2000cc Colin Gleeson (Mini GT) 47.60secs l Class 15 - Appendix J Touring Cars over 2000cc Barry Findlay(Ford Falcon GT XR) 46.17secs l Class 16 - Invitation. Darryl Duff(Datsun 240Z)

n The confirmed list of legends for the Australian Historic Motorfest at Winton on November 7-8 is the largest and most impressive assembly ever of Australian motor rac ing greats.

Headed by the patron of the event, Norm Beechey (Chev Impala and Chev Corvette), the list reads as follows: Kevin Bartlett (Elfin Imp); Sir Jack Brabham (Cooper Climax & Repco Brabham BT19); Peter Brock (Torana XU-1); Frank Coad (Vauxhall Cresta); Diana Gaze (MG TC); Tony Gaze (Aston Martin DB2); Ian Geoghegan (Ford Mustang); Leo Geoghegan (Chiysler Charger); John Harvey (A9X Torana); Graham Hoinville (Elfin Clubman, Elfin Mono & MG TC); Bob Jane (Norm Beechey has offered to take him on some hot laps in the Impala!); Andrew Johnson (Honda RC45 Superbike & CBR900 Fireblade); Keith Laity (Ford V8 Special); Jim McKeown (Lotus Cortina); Bruce McPhee (Monaro); Allan Moffat (Triumph TR3A); Maurie Quincey (Manx Norton); Barry Smith (Yamaha 350) and Bib Stillwell (Brabham BT31).

The legends will be in action on both the Saturday and Sunday and will sign autographs for the fans on both days. Bring along your books, programs, T-shirts, caps and posters and have them signed by the “greats!” n The Saturday night “Jazz & Shiraz Dinner with the Legends” will be another opportunity to mix with 21 greats and their partners.

The night will include a Procession of Flags of the marques celebrating 1998 as a landmark year, followed by a Parade of the Legends, Shannon’s well-known auctioneer. Bill Wellwood will con duct an auction of motor racing memorabilia during the night with all proceeds goiqg to the BenaUa Memorial Hospital) Items so far donated by the leg ends include a set of racing leathers from Honda works cham pion Andrew Johnson and a limit ed edition print from dual 125cc world champion Bairy Smith.

overjihe weekend might be interested in these items! n Not one, but two authentic pace cars will be on hand for the parade laps of the Winton circuit at the Motorfest.

As part of Honda’s 50th celebra tions, Honda Australia is making available the Prelude that is the official pace car at this year’s Indy race at Surfers Pai-adise.

The other is a genuine 1969 Chevrolet Convertible (with flags), which was one of the pace cars built specially for the 1969 Indianapolis 500. It wiU be driven by proud owner Tom Brereton, an ardent Chewy enthusiast although he might put on his dark glasses and also bring along his Ford Mustang for the weekend. n Two other special interest exhibits which have now been confirmed for the Australian Elistoric Motorfest are the 1951 class-winning Porsche 356 Light Metal Coupe with streamlined wheel spats, as well as Alex Zanardi’s PPG championship-winning Hondapowered Reynard.

Holden Special Vehicles, cele brating its first decade, will have two special exhibits and GM-H, celebrating 50years in Australia, is making available the genuine racing Monaro driven back in the seventies by Spencer Martin and Kevin Bartlett. n Adrian Ryan, Ford’s former PR man, motoring writer and commentator, will be back behind the microphone at Winton.

Adrian was one of the announc ers at Winton when the circuit first opened in the early 1960s and, along with chief announcer Don Kinsey, Bill Sheehan, David Fogg, Ron Simmonds and, hope fully Kerry Luckins, wfil bring all the action and provide lots of nos talgia and history as the cars lap the circuit.

There’s quite an accumulation of knowledge and experience with this team!

n It has just been announced that the ex-Len Lukey Ford Customline has been entered n Sir Jack Brabham is making in the official Shannon’s Run to Winton on Saturday, available a signed, limited edi tion poster, which will not be November 7.

This was a spectacular touring officially released until March car back in the fifties and on this next year.

According to Phil Boyd of APS occasion will be driven by Lakey’s in Penrith, NSW,the 50cm x 75cm son, Keith, who will also do laps of poster is one of only 500 that will the circuit in his father’s famous be released and shows a Cooper Cooper Climax.

The Shannon’s Run to Wuiton Climax, Sir Jack’s 1966 world championship-winning Repco is cateiing for all sorts of vehicles - for instance, well-known motorr Brabham, an F2 Brabham, vari ous emblems and a portrait of the ing identity Peter When-ett is dri ving an impressive and very rare great man himself.

Sir Jack has specially requested 1915 American Locomobile.

The Shannon’s Run to Winton APS to bring foiward the produc tion by six months so that the first will leave the WaiTandjde Reseiwe one will be available for the Nov 7 early Saturday morning and will auction and the Australian travel to Benalla via Yea, whei'e Photojournalists Society has there will be a coffee break before agreed He will sign the poster the participants anive in Benalla during the Saturday afternoon for a parade down the main street.

Finally, the cars will be driven autograph session in time for it to to the Winton circuit, where they go under the hammer that night. will move straight onto the track n Patron of the Australian for some demonstration laps.

Historic Motorfest, “Stormin’ Sounds like a good way to start the Motorfest weekend!

Norman” Beechey has threat For further details on the ened to donate a pair of his old racing socks for the “Jazz & Shannon’s Run to Winton and the Shiraz” night auction. Anyone Australian Historic Motorfest, contact the Benalla Auto Club on looking for a couple of sleep ing bags to camp at Winton (03)5766 4235. - BRIAN REED

34

DRAG RACING

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WORLD’S FASTEST WHEEL-DRIVEN CAR... Don Vesco’s Team Vesco Turbinator #111 T/S (Turbine Streamliner) hit 438.897 mph in the flying kilometre last October at the World Finals. Powered by a 1971 model 3750 horsepower Lycoming T-55-L-11 shaft drive gas turbine, Turbinator unfortunately failed to improve upon its 400.833 flying miie record set last year by LSR legend Vesco on the Lake Bonneville salt flats near Wendover, Utah.(David Taylor/AUsport pic) Australian dry lake salt racer Leigh Fielder has made history after setting a class speed record at Bonneville during the 50th Aimual Speed Week event.

Melbourne-based Fielder ran his Pontiac Trans-Am in the Unblown Gas Altered Coupe class (A/GALT) and successfully raised the 229.245 mph record set by Dick'Griffin in 1991 to a whopping 242.099 mph.

A member of the three-car Aussie Assalt Team that included the Castlemaine-based Rod Hadfield

and John Lynch, Fielder emerged with a record that represented something of a performance quan tum leap by Bonneville standards.

Powering Fielder’s 1985 TransAm was a 498 cubic inch Pontiac V8 built by Australian drag racer George Haddad, the engine having earlier hinted at its true potential at the Lake Gairdner Speed Trials in Australia in 1996 where it pro duced a promising 211.5 mph.

On hand to witness the local team’s successful foray at the his?

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toric Bonneville Nationals was hot rod fanatic and salt lake racing devotee Vic Wood, principal of Vic Wood Sportsmarketing (based in Adelaide) and a marketing adviser to ANDRA, the governing body of drag racing in Australia.

“Leigh Fielder purchased the car from Roy Fjastad in the States, bought it back to Austraha, rebuilt it and then took it back, actually running it to a new record and becoming a member ofthe exclusive Bonneville 200 Mile Per Hour Club

in the process,” Wood said. “It was an impressive performance for a number of reasons, not the least of which involved the logistics of get ting the car from Australia to Bonneville for the event itself.

“Over and above that, there was no Australian member of the Club prior to Leigh - and that in itself is a tremendous achievement.

“I think that his performance was really something special.

“I spoke to Leigh and I believe that he has plans to go faster, as

there are cars there of a similar nature, but in different classes, that I beheve he wiU be able to match.

“Of the other Australians, Rod Hadfield, the first to break the 200 mph barrier in Australia, had some mechanical problems with his Blown Fuel Atered ’53 Studebaker, while the Keith Black-powered Lakester of John Lynch wasn’t quite as successful eis he wanted it to be - his plan was to run over 300 mph on the Bonneville five mile course,” Wood added.

AUSSIE AS^LT... AustraliamrJo’Rod Haiifjeid(left), John Lynch and recjaM^tS^S^f/ieiahi Fielder formed tp^thy^^^Aussj^/^^ltJ team, which comf^/td^l'the.SOQrdhhiv'erga^ BonnevHlR'Nati0i^SfSp^ej^Wd^'^entyidimdi A ug0dJi

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35

DRAG RACING As far as the lake itself is con cerned, there’s been a huge debate over the years in America concern ing the condition of the Bonneville salt flats and the potash factories on the lake’s edge have been accused of damaging the environment.

Over recent years, the Southern California 'Timing Association and other administrative bodies that organise the Bonneville events have been working with the envi ronmental people to get the potash people to assist in the restoration of the site.

“Last year, the salt was actually quite thin and you could see the sub-surface mud through the salt in some areas,” Wood stated.

“This year, after they started pumping material back into the lake, the salt was quite exceptional and a lot of seasoned observers were saying that it was as good as its been for twenty years.

“Last year, the course was seven miles in length, but this year it was ten miles and the environmental people at the event were saying how pleased they were with the event and the competitors, in terms of the way in which they looked after the sdt.

“As far as the course goes, you have about two miles before the first timer starts and from then on

TOURIST... Our man Vic Wood poses with the superb 352 cid small block Chevy-powered record-holding Fjastad-Olson-Maris #232 C/GMR (Unblown Gas Modified Roadster) entry that set the 224.874 mph mark in 1996 - the NHRA's Car! Olson is a familiar figure to Australian drag racers via his ANDRA connections and, over recent years, Vic has become a regular Bonneville salt lake attendee with the US team. it measures you in one mile incre ments through to the end - the highest reading is then taken.

“Because of the distances involved, you can’t actually see the cars run, but they hand out time

slips as they do in drag racing. It’s an interesting place out there, as you can see the curvature of the earth.

“This year. Speed Week started on a Friday, as there were over 300

entries. There was no racing on that day,just tech inspections, with racing starting about mid-day on the Saturday and then progressing right through the week until the Mowing Satm-day.

“There were very few jets, the vast majority of vehicles being wheel-driven, apart from a few tur bine cars,” said Wood.

“There were a number of cars capable of running 400 mph and they were all quite spectacular.

“A1 Teague, the world’s fastest man with a piston-driven vehicle, was there with a C-class, smaller 370 cubic inch engine, tr3dng to get a record in a smaller class - he ran 376 mph and got that record.

“Don Vesco, almost a god of the salt, was also there and he put in a great performance.

“As far as the Aussie Assalt trio goes, I know that Leigh Fielder def initely intends to go back - and I must say that the Aussies did a greatjob of representing their coun try. There were plenty of Australian flags, references to kan garoos and the like, plenty of teeshirt sales and their pit promoted next March’s Lake Gairdner International Speed Challenge in South Austraha.

“And when they got up to speak at the Bonneville 200 Mile Per Hour Club dinner on the Wednesday night, they really did a great job of representing Australia, There was a lot of Australians pre sent and the camaraderie was tenifiuc.

-TONY GLYNN

SLIPPERY ... Mike Nish attempted to better Terry Nish’s 330.283 mph record in the Nish Motorsports #444 B/FS (Unblown Fuel Streamliner) 1957 John Vesco Special, which runs a Klein 436 cid small block Chevy.

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LOOKING GOOD AGAIN... Al Hofmann looks to have overcome his mechanical woes. (David Ostaszewski)

Big Al does the job in Memphis

to come during the last four races One week following rains which put eliminations on hold ■ as we pursue a sixth NHRA Championship.” for two weeks, the NHRA tomAmato’s win moved him to within made it’s swing into Memphis, Tennessee, for the 11th Annual 48 points of point leader Scelzi, who Pennzoil Nationals on October lost a close semi-final round battle 8-11 and, when the smoke . with Bernstein, 4.609/317.94 to a quicker 4.594/318.47 and only four cleared, Joe Amato, Al Hofmann- and Warren Johnson points behind second place, Cory came away with the event McClenathan, who lost to Scelzi in round two. titles. ^IMike Dimn, who qualified in the They were joined in the winners top spot at 4.593 seconds and had circle by Angelle Seeling and Bob reached the final round at the last Panella Jr, who took wins in Pro Stock Motorcycle and Pro Stock three events, was ousted in round one by Terry Mullins, 4.701/314.53 Truck, respectively.

For Amato, it was win number to 4.795/299.40.

Al Hofmann seems to have over four on the tour, as he piloted his Tenneco fueller to a close final come his recent clutch woes and round win over Kenny Bernstein returned to the Funny Car winner’s circle for the first time since the and the Bud King, 4.640/318.92 to Dallas event last autumn.

4.696/315.12.

Hofmann took a final round win Amato qualified in the third spot over top qualifier Cruz Pedregon at 4.619 seconds and posted elimi (4.916), a cylinder dropping nation runs of 4.666/316.08, 5.172/280.43 to a tyre-smoking 4.706/308.28 and 4.656/303.16 to 16.584/64.88. stop Steve Smith, Bruce Sarver and GM Hofmann put his Tony Schumacher.

Performance Pontiac Firebird into “We did the things we had to do the show seventh at 4.979/305.15 to win today,” said Amato. “Jimmy and narrowly took a tyre-smoking, Prock made the right calls based on the conditions we had today and pedalling first round win at 6.123/253.71 over Del Worsham, our Tenneco Automotive car who was also at a loss for traction. responded by going down the track In round two, Hofmann faced on every run. Hopefully, today’s arch rival John Force and roared to effort is a sign of some good things

life, taking a win in the closest race of the day, 4.958/299.53 to 4.992/308.92.

Another strong pass at 4.957/295.40 in the semi-final stopped Dean Skuza’s Mateo Tools Dodge Avenger, sending Hofmann into the final.

“The win was great,” Hofmann said. “We really needed this one bad, especially for our sponsors and all of the guys who have stuck with us during this year.

“But, after we took Force out, right then the win didn’t matter.

That made our day - it makes our year. He brought out that Elvis car again. I think he’s finally going to realize that Elvis has left the budd ing. It’s over.”

Warren Johnson scored career win number 70, moving him into sole possession of second on the alltime win list. It also marks win number seven of 1998, moving him even closer to a fourth NHRA Winston Championship.

Johnson’s GM Performance Pontiac defeated son Kurt Johnson in the final round, WJ getting the starting line advantage with a great .410 reaction time and out running the AC Delco Camaro, 6.901/199.20 to 6.964/198.50.

Johnson, as usual, held the num ber one quahfying spot at 6.881 sec-

■ Pat Dakin, who qualified 15th in the Topeka Top Fuel field, suffered a blowover while facing Doug Kalitta in round one.

The car started to climb and just kept going over backwards.

When the dragster came back down to earth, it struck the retain ing wall and broke apart, with the rear-end and tyres boimcing wild ly weU past the finish line.

The car slid across the track, coming to rest against the right side retaining wall.

Dakin was alert and responsive, but airlifted via helicopter to a local hospital, where he was diag nosed with multiple fractures of his right hand.

■ The Funny Car field in Memphis saw some teams put up big numbers, as nine cars dipped into the fours during qualifying.

It took better than the 4.980 of Chuck Etchells to get into the upper half of the show.

The top seven qualifiers all posted speeds better than 301 mph, with Cruz Pedregon’s 4.916/311.20 quickest, as well as fastest. onds and displayed his consistency in eliminations with 6.914, 6.914 and 6.904 wins over Shawn Colhns, Mark Pawuk and Jeg Coughlin, all over 199 mph.

Kurt advanced into the final by taking holeshot 7.018, 6.945 and 6.930 wins over the quicker cars of John Nobile, Richie Stevens and Jim Yates.

“There’s a little bit of rivalry there,” said WJ. “Family bragging rights were on the line. I really wanted to get the win, because you just can’t let those kids whip up on you too often. Kurt is really coming around at the end of the year and got to the final round on holeshots - I couldn’t let that happen in the final.”

Angelle Seeling claimed her .third Pro Stock Motorcycle win of the season aboard the Team Winston Suzuki, cruising to a 7,289/182.53 victory when point leader Matt Hines redhghted Hines needed the win to clinch the championship, but still remains 252 points ahead of Seeling in the standings. Hines set low e.t at 7.254, while Sealing’s 186.90 mph pass was the fastest.

The Pro Stock Truck title was

n Glenn Mikres made the Memphis program at the ●<wheel of the new Hot & Nasty Pontiac Firebird, Mikres putting the car in the 12th spot with a 5.184/266.06 best.

In round one, he improved to record a 5.097/290.26, but was on the losing end of Whit Bazemore’s 5.018/297.94.

■ Ron Capps and his Copenhagen Camaro went into a huge wheelstand in the Friday night session, the car leaving and immediately going sl^^ward.

Capps lifted when the car was pointing up at a 35 degree angle, but the momentum carried it up even higher, until the tail-end of the spin plates were touching the racing surface.

The car crashed back down, suf fering extensive chassis damage.

This forced the team to go to a back-up car, which had not been run during the 1998 campaign.

Capps’ “Memphis Blues” contin ued in the opening round when he left on Tom Hoover, shook and pedalled once, before the car went dead silent - a post-race teardown revealed a broken fuel pump shaft.

■ Dean Skuza had his support vehicle stolen from his hotel parking lot in Memphis.

The thieves made off with the vehicle, about 150 matched clutch discs (enough for the rest of the season), some floaters and two crankshafts - the vehicle was not recovered by the event’s end. decided by a pair of Chevrolet S10s, as Bob Panella Jr scored his first win in the class by defeating first time finalist Brad Jeter, 7.654/174.73 to 7.706/174.88.

Jeter’s earher 7.601 pass held up for low e.t., while the 173.12 mph run posted by Panella took top speed for the trucks.

Points leader and number two qualifier Larry Kopp continues to straggle as he lost in round one on a red light start.

John Lingenfelter, who had a strong semi-final showing at Memphis, moved to within 10 points in the battle for the first NHRA title in the class.

Troy Buff defeated Michael Gunderson, 5.688/253.47 to 6.402/149.33, to take the honours in Federal Mogul Dragster - Rick Santos held low e.t. and top speed at 5.505/255.24.

Todd Simpson drove around a holeshot put on him by Danny Townsend to claim the win in Federal Mogul Funny Car, 5.793/246.53 to 5.850/249.72.

Simpson set low e.t. at 5.711, while Townsend’s 249.72 mph ran was tops for the class.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Brilliant Topeka nets fourth Top Bike for WA openmtitie for “The Professor” Racers returned to Topeka two weeks later after a postpone ment and so did the rains, but the NHRA managed to get the final eliminations completed for the 10th Annual NHRA Parts America Nationals on October 16-17 - and leaving Topeka with the Top Fuel win and the points lead, again, was Cory McClenathan and the Joe Gibbs-owned McDonald’s team.

Ron Capps closed the distance between himself and points leader John Force with his win in Funny

Car and Warren Johnson clinched his fourth NHRA Pro Stock title in taking his eighth event win of the season.

Capps win now moves him to within 47 points of first place man John Force, who suffered his second straight, second round loss, this time at the hands of Cruz Pedregon.

WJ secured his fourth champi onship with a win at Topeka, his fifth at the track.

GM Johnson and his Performance Pontiac defeated the

Oldsmobile of Jeg Coughlin Jr in the final.

6.943/197.67 to 6.951/197.71, with both drivers cut ting near-even lights.

Johnson was brilliant on the starting line throughout elimina tions with .409 and .408 reaction times in the first two rounds, tak ing 6.991/196.37 and 6.965/196.42 wins over Richie Stevens and Mark Osborne, who both redlighted.

In the semi, Johnson clinched the title by taking a 6.951/197.23 to 6.998/196.29 win over Tom Martino. - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

A strong field of Top Bike competitors is expeeted to hit Westera Australia for the start of the 29th season at Ravenswood International Raceway on Saturday, October 31, as the venue will be hosting the opening round of the Austiahan Top Bike Championship Series.

With only five rounds of the series penned in for this summer, the V\ A round - which features 50C1 bonus points - is critical for title asphants.

Also on the bill is the appearance of Queenslander Brett Stevens on his heart-pounding, supercharged Holden 1/6 exhibition bike ■" , machine has been seen at numerous venues on the east coast and its appearance across the border is expected to appeal to all bike fans.

After a big build-up, Robin Judd’s ’53 Studebaker will make its debut , ran at this meeting. . , rr The Perth businessman has been busy in the off-season, putting together a mean-looking package that will see him compete in Top, Doorslammer in his motor racing debut. „ . ^ i Also new on the track will be Lindsay Mumy’s VS Commodore ute.

Qualifying and entiy is fi-om 1:00pm, with

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Wedlock pips Petterwood for Pro win Tony Wedlock took the honours in his Ultimate Financial Group Pontiac at the October 10 Travelaire Tours Pro Stock Challenge at Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway.

Wedlock qualified second, behind Kym Petterwood’s Lifestyle Pontiac, with an 8.07/167 to Petterwood’s 7.99/168.

Craig Hasted (8.10/168) held third spot in his Cragar Performance Tliunderbird, while Joe Polito - who is usually at the top of the qualify ing order - sat back in fifth with an 8.48 at only 113 mph.

Polito had changed from an airshifter to a stick shift in his Dynomax Ford Probe, but the slip pery track meant he was not on his usual pace.

Wedlock made the final after wins over Wayne Daley and Hasted, while Petterwood grabbed the other finals berth after a first round bye and a win over Rod O’Brien.

Wedlock took an easy 8.23/167 win after Petterwood shut off just past the 60 foot mark.

Hasted set low e.t. of the meeting with a 7.89/170 during his consola tion final victory over Dave'Tucker.

Debbie Reed took a weU-deserved win in Top Comp in the Reed Transport blown sm^ block dragster.

Reed defeated Steve Swinscoe and John Payne on her way to the final, where she met Russell

Schafer in his Caloundra Wreckers dragster - Schafer had earlier col lected wins over Michael Davey and Dean McLennan.

Schafer handed the automatic win to Reed with an uncharacteris tic .313-second red fight, as well as a breakout on his dial-in - a bonus for Reed on the night was her fastest speed to date of 199.12 mph, just a tad short of the magic 200 mph barrier.

The Supercomp bracket seemed like an invasion of the G/Gassers, with six of the ten in eliminations belonging to that class.

'The Maas and Naggs Celica, dri ven by Trevor Maas, grabbed the top qualifier spot with a .173-imder 8.94/151, with John Sting in his record-setting A/Dragster second with a .012-under 7.27/179.

Jason Simpson was third in the next of the G/Gassers, with a .127over 9.24/146 in his Capri. n Sting made his way to the final with wins over Aris Kontoleon, Barry Ruddick and a third round bye to meet the in-form Maas, who defeated George-Wegener, took a round two bye and beat Simpson in

WILLOWBANK WINNER... Despite a very limited prepara ' the Travelaire Tours Pro Stock Challenge, Tony Wedlock came f- up trumps in his Uitimate Financiai Group Pontiac.(Nix Pix) The two-round alcohol match race between Quennsland-based duo Gary Phillips in his Lucas Oils dragster and Steve Harker in his Harker Transport Dodge Avenger Funny Car resulted in a 2-0 win by Harker.

Harker grabbed the advantage on the start in the first and held off Phillips’ quicker 5.81/240 with a 5.89/237.

The second round saw Phillips level up the reactions on the start line, ordy to have his 6.04/237 beaten by Harker’s second straight 5.89 at 238 mph.

Other winners on the night included Allan Farrer in Super Sedan, Steve Sander in Super Street, Bob Millett in Modified, John Adin in Comp Bike, Kieren Horey in Modified Bike and Renee

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Everett in Junior Dragster.

Top Comp racer Kevin Campbell married Astrid Knowles at the track in Willowbank’s first drag strip wedding, the ceremony taking place beside the Christmas tree in the break between qualifying and eliminations and being conducted by the track’s chaplain, Phil Spencer.

-KEN FERGUSON

RUNNER-UP... Lifestyle Pontiac of top qualifier Kym Petterwood had to settle for second best. (Nix Pix)

the thirfi.'

Sting took a close win in the final with a 7.16/185 on a 7.29 index, while Maas snoozed on the start aiid, despite recording the country’s quickest G/Gas time of 8.85/150, fell short of the win by just .018 sec onds.

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RED LIGHT... Russell Schafer(below) lost to Debbie Reed.(Nix Fix) r\j

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Maggs family 1-2 at Junior Dragster Champs

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Young drag racing brothers Brendan (14 years) and Jason (16 years) Maggs from the Melbourne suburb of Glenroy stormed through a massive field to snare their second 1-2 performance of the 1998 season when they took out the Australian Junior Dragster Championships at Ipswich’s Willowbank Raceway.

Brendan won the 11.90-second bracket event, then proceeded to be runner-up in the Round Robin event, before taking out the prestigious Australian Junior Dragster Championship title - he raced in 28 rounds of competition and only lost once.

Elder brother Jason was i-unnerup in the 10.90-second event, before being beaten by Brendan in

the title chase. Jason contesting a total of 29 rounds to be beaten in a mere two.

At the ’98 TAG Nationals con ducted at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway last Mai’ch, it was Jason who provided the Maggs family and corporate sponsor Pennzoil with another sterling 1-2 podium result.

-GRANT NICHOLAS

1998 NHRA CHAMPIONSHIP DRAG RACING SERIES - POINTS TO OCTOBER 9TH^ 1998,

PEHNMIL

1998 NHRA Top Fuel Championship Gary Sceizi, Tearn Winston-No Bull .1369 Cory McClenathan, McDonald’s . . . .1325 Joe Amato, Tenneco Automotive . . .1321 Mike Dunn, Mopar Performance . . . 1 1 13 Kenny Bernstein, Budweiser/Prolong 1089 896 Jim Head, Jim Head Racing Doug Kalitta, Kalitta International . . .877 832 Larry Dixon, Miller Lite/MBNA

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9. Bruce Sarver, ATSCO Power Steer . .827 10. Bob Vandergriff, Jerzees America 824

1998 NHRA Funny Car Championship I. John Force, Castrol/Mac Tools 1342 2. Ron Capps, Copenhagen/MBNA . . . 1232 3. Chuck Etchells, Kendall/MaMa Rosa .1 150 4. Cruz Pedregon, Interstate Bat/Hot Rod .1 134 5. Tony Pedregon. Castrol Syntec . . . .1058 6. Whit Bazemore, Team Winston-No BuH . 1022 7. Tim Wilkerson, JCIT International . .988 8. Dean Skuza, Mateo Tools/Mopar . . . .952 9. A) Hofmann, GM Performance Parts . , .833 ,780 10 . Del Worsham, CSK Parts

1998 NHRA Pro Stock Championship I. Warren Johnson, Goodwrench/Pontiac .1587 2. Kurt Johnson, ACDelco/Chevrolet .1214 3. Jeg Coughlin Jnr., Jegs Mail Order . . . 1157 4. Jim Yates, Peak Anti-Freeze/Spiitfire . . 1090 5. Mark Osborne, Dick Sherman Racing 904 ,848 6. Mike Edwards, ]K Racing Pontiac 7. Mike Thomas, Pennzoil/Finish Line , . .825 8. Tom Martino, Martino/Jesei Racing .691 691 9. Richie Stevens, Collins Racing 10. Mark Pawuk. Summit Performance . . .643

3S 23October 1998

A passion for racing

Sydney’s Ian McKee has joined forces with speedway super sponsor Ron O’Brien in a move which will see the yoxmg engine builder not only manage O’Brien’s Sprintcar racing operation, but also oversee a new race parts manufacturing operation devised to save rac ers across Australia big dollars.

TONY LOXLEY has the inside story on this passionate young man and his dreams for the future.

T

owards the end of last sea son, Sydney engine man Ian McKee wasn’t far off jumping from the nearest bridge.

The high-profile team he and Ron O’Brien had assembled (with much fanfare) at the start of the year had seemingly come to a gi’inding halt and the future for the O’Brienbacked team three-quarters of the way through the season looked more than a little bleak.

Following a string of crashes and equipment let-downs, then team driver Peter Murphy had also pre maturely cut his ties and soon after boarded a 747 to the States to take on the king pins of the World of Outlaws cu’cuit.

Suddenly it seemed as though the fledgling team would - with tails between their legs - melt silently away to the Smithfieldbased O’Brien Aluminium work shops, uttering nothing more than a whimper in what should have been a rip-roaring season.

And to make matters worse, the fracture appeared just prior to Bunbury City and Region'al Raceway’s'running of the 1997/98 Austrahan Sprintcar Championship, which wasjust around the comer.

Yes, team O’Brien/McKee appeared to be a washed up force before the season had even ended.

Yet, in one of the great turn arounds in recent ■memoi-y, O’Brien and McKee, aided by O’Brien Aluminium Team Manager Damen Orchard, started looking at ways they could rebuild their floundering team and give the remaining highdollar races a good shake-up.

Phones started ringing, new chassis and parts were ordered and assembled and, most importantly, a new driver was approached, a dri ver who would prove to O’Brien, Orfchard and McKee that they were indeed a team that would be feared in the future.

Their new pilot’s name was Robbie Farr and, with this awe some talent behind the wheel of the revamped Avenger chassis team, their homor run slowly, but surely, became a distant memory.

In no time - thanks to Farr’s efforts, particularly at the Australian Sprintcar Title, the NSW Sprintcar Title and the season-ending Easter Sprintcar Ti’ail the turnaround was complete and spectacular.

Yet McKee, the man at the helm . of the team when it all came crash ing down, believes the successes at the end of season 1997/98 are only the start of things to come.

“We’ve regrouped after last sea son’s initial disaster and this sea son we’re looking forward to a huge year,” the young engine whiz enthused.

“In fact. I’d be surprised if we don’t take out quite a few major

COMPLETE DEAL ... Robbie Farr (left) and Ron O’Brien should have a profound effect on the Australian Sprintcar racing industry this season. races - as a matter of fact, I know we’ll be doing some good things this season with the team we have on hand.” And so they should.

With the helping hand and wallet of Ron O’Brien paving the way, suc cess should be a forgone conclusion.

A major aspect of their restruc turing and rebuilding program has seen O’Bi-ien and McKee strike a deal dqring the off-season which has resulted in the duo taking the initiative and investing in the

end of the racing season. The end result has seen me locate my motor workshop into his premises and undertake a program where we could produce race components for the local industry in order to help pay our racing expenses throughout this season.

“And the great news is that to date we have made a profit from our first three months of operation and the indication is that our suc cess will only continue.”

petitors. These cars [Sprintcars] cost so much to nm that any saving we can pass on to competitors is only going to help the industry sur vive.

“At times, I honestly don’t know how many teams can afford to go racing, but each year more and more are stepping into Sprintcars, while it seems fewer and fewer are dropping out. It’s strange in a way, because you’d think it would be the opposite scenario.

U

LOOKING GOOD... Ian McKee is absolutely delighted with the team’s performance to date, Farr (above) hav ing already claimed a second and a first placing from the two Parramatta events contested. (Tony Loxiey pics) “Om- top wing is a classic exam Aided by O’Brien’s smart spend machinery needed to manufacture ple of the savings we hope to pass ing, the company - known as and market race parts to the local on to the consumer. Usually a top O’Brien Race Components - has up speedway industry. to this point manufactured front wing complete costs you about a It is a move which has already gi-and, but our top wing costs about and top wings, engine plates, tor proven to be a success, as McKee $750 and, to date, we’ve sold over sion bars, arms and stops, wing explained.

50 of them. rumiers, power-steering bottles and "At the end of last season, we “We were also going to make carbon fibre nose cones, just to were pretty much on a high, thanks wheels at one stage, but we decided name a few and what’s more, the to Robbie’s efforts in the car to let Max Dumesny produce those parts on offer are up to, or over, towards the end of the year - and, 20% cheaper than that offered by through his Eagle Wheels outlet in with that success, we believed we Melbourne, although we’ll probably the opposition. could build on our good fortune and _su- pply the aluminium to do it. And “One of the great benefits,” take it up to another level.

I’ll guarantee you they’D be as good McKee insisted, “is the cost to corn“So I put a proposal to Ron at the

as anything available in the USA, ” Along with securing Farr as their driver, they have also undertaken a massive rebuilding program, one which has seen the team acquire new Avenger chassis as part of a sponsorship package with the American chassis manufacturer and there’s also a further sponsor ship deal with Melbourne-based race parts peddler Rob Richardson of Quick Race Parts fame.

The latter wOl also distribute the range of O’Brien Race Components products, along with Sydney’s Tunks Speedshop, who will he the major East Coast distributor of the Austrahan-made products.

If nothing else, at least the team won’t be short on spares...

‘TersonaUy, last year was one of the worst in my life,” McKee said. "I mean that. I lost my mum to cancer and, at the same time I had my engine business and my family to look after.

“Losing mum still hurts, but knowing my wife, family and Ron O’Brien are right beside me helps give me the inspiration to caiTy on.

“In all honesty, I can only hope to learn a fraction of what my hero, Steve Brazier, has forgotten over the years, but even that’s enough to help me make it to the top.

“He’s also my mentor. He’s helped me in my work and my fam ily life and gives me levels to strive for. Being a part of their Austrahan title victoiies [McKee serviced and help build the Brazier engines for aU three title wins] has been one of the highlights of my life to date.

“However, I also know they will be one of the teams for us to beat this season. No, make that THE team to beat - and that’s a fact.

“This is a three year plan for us,” McKee added. “We know success isn’t going to come overnight, but we will be starting on a very good footing this year and hope to have some real results on the board in the not too distant future.

“WeVe got a pretty intensive pro gram this season - but, like I've said before, we’ll give some of the bigger teams a real shake-up before the year- is out.”

£

230cloberm

Farr's lord May

Milperra Sprintcar driver Robbie Farr won the Valvoline Lord Mayor’s Cup at Parramatta City Raceway on October 17.

The 23 year-old Australian Speedcar Champion started from well back in the 17-car feature, but cut his way through the line-up to eventually chase down race leader Victorian Stephen Bell.

Bell was having quite a night in the #69 Wheelie Waste machine, leading the big guns of Pairamatta quite a merry dance for 20 laps of the programmed 30-lap event.

Under a red light (when Darren Saillard flipped the #9 Komatsu Gambler in turn 1 with ten laps remaining). Bell sucked down a hurried gulp of cold water and panted, “the boys just told me that there’s still ten laps remaining, this is going to be tough.”

It wasn’t so much his fitness that contributed to the former Victorian F500 champ’s demise, but possibly

just a lack of experience on the Parramatta clay late in the race.

Robbie Farr jumped to the top of the track at the restart in the #3 O’Brien Aluminium Avenger and blasted around the outside to open up a handy buffer.

Bell had dropped to half-track, just below the cushion and that was leaving plenty of fast ground on the top of the circuit.

“The car was fast no matter where I put it,” Farr said later. “I really ran within the reserves of the car and it was a great result for Ron O’Brien and the team.”

The battle for third had plenty of spirit. Peter Attard, Max Dumesny and Kerry Madsen(who had rebuilt the #49 Vision Kart Hire Gambler after nearly destroying it a fort night ago) began to run down Bell as Farr cleared out.

Dumesny eventually got past Bell on the outside groove and set out after Farr, while Madsen start-

ROBBIE FARR.(Tony Loxley pic) ed to come good after lying doggo for most ofthe event.

By the flag, Dumesny had hauled the #1 Valvoline Ian Vale-tuned J&J onto the tail of Farr for a nar row second, while Madsen finished third and Bell was almost swamped by the fast-finishing duo of John Walsh (Bob Jane T-Marts J&J)and opening night winner Marty Perovich(JPPS Gambler).

-WADEAUNGER

Claremont blown away Victor Jenkins

Grand plans for Claremont Speedway’s opening show last Friday night were put on hold as strong winds and heavy rain took over in Perth.

Normally, when the Friday night meeting is rained out, the event is run on a Saturday evening, but that night was also too wet.

Opening night for the 72nd season of racing at Claremont is now this Friday, October 23 and a big crowd is expected.

The show vnll feature the monster trucks, the USA’s Taurus taking on Australia’s Big One and Wild Thing.

Also on the programme are Sprintcars, Speedcars, V8 Super Sedans and Formula 500s.

The open meeting was to feature Australian Sprintcar champion Max Dumesny in the Sean’s Enterprises Schnee - on numerous occasions Dumesny has visited the West and run Sean Carren’s car with success.

There is talk that promoters are still keen to see Dumesny race in Perth, but one thing that is definite is his running in the WA legs of the - DARREN O-DEA World Series Sprintcars in November.

V

Well, here successful we are closing down another US racing season. It just seems like yester day that I just arrived in from Sydney. I guess when you’ve been fortunate enough to have a good year, time flies that little bit faster.

We have been racing a bit out of town and at some of the Pennzoil World of Outlaws meets.

We encountered flat tyres and broken rocker arms, so our results haven’t been what we have been used to. It’s not anyon's fault, it’s just the way it has worked out.

But it’s a good reminder that no matter how good you have been ‘during the rest of the season, you always have to work hard to keep getting better.

sS.

Speedcar driver Darren Jenkins won the Clarke’s Food Service Sizzler at Wynns Newcastle Speedway on October 17.

Besting a 19-car strong field in the second main event of the sea son, Jenkins.drove the Bmce Leer Stealth to a commanding victory in one of the wildest nights of rac ing that division has seen.

Jenkins took the win in his first appearance this summer, edging out Jason Gates (second for the second time in as many races) and Gerard Burke in the #78 Midnight Spares Infinity.

-WADEAUNGER

team. Winning back to back Knoxville Championships definitely shows that I drive for one of the best - if not the best - teams around the mid-west, which has been something I only dreamed of doing in ’91 when I first came to race at Knoxville.

I

am going to the SEMA show in Las Vegas as a guest of Waterloo Tool Storage, which will be a good experience for me.

Everything to do with every facet of the automotive industry is here, so I am looking forward to this.

I can’t complain about this year’s racing in the US at all. We have had a tremendous year, which is a credit to the Jensen Construction

While arejust slowing down here,things they are starting up for my racing in Australia. I have

Lasoski wins at Fall Nationals - Aussie Murphy third n Danny Lasoski took out the Fall Nationals ahead of Sammy Swindell and Aussie Peter Murphy.

In a battle reminiscent of the Knoxville Nationals, Lasoski had to battle Sammy Swindell into sec ond place.

With the NARC season complet ed, Aussie Peter Murphy headed south to Texas and was rewarded with his best-ever Outlaws finish when he took the last podium position.

Murphy’s llth-fastest time and third in his heat put him into the Dash, where he ultimately fin ished sixth.

Swindell won the dash and then from pole position jumped away to lead the opening lap.

Lasoski went from fourth to sec ond on the opening lap, then relieved Swindell of the lead on the second lap.

From there, he led all the way to the flag.

Through numerous restarts Lasoski managed to maintain the lead, although on one start Swindell actually ranged along side.

Winter Nationals -Aussie Wright wins n The following night, the teams headed to Devils Bowl Speedway for the Winter Nationals, where it was local veteran and Aussie tourist Gary Wright who won the pre liminary feature.

Luck played a hand for the hometrack hero, who missed his time trial due to mechanical problems.

He then set the third-fastest time at the end of the session, but under the mles the best he could hope for was 11th.

Then, in the heats, fast timer Donnie Crawford, Donny Schatz and Jeff Shepard failed to qualify, giving Wright the last place in the dash. He then passed four cars to start the feature from position four.

Fortunately for Lasoski, though, the American Sprintcar legend couldn’t complete the pass.

Murphy worked his way to third, ahead of Johnny Herrera, Joe Gaerte Jeff Swindell, Steve Kinser, Andy Hillenburg, Jac Haudenschild and Mark Kinser, who had been forced to run in the B-Main and win it.

Swindell sat on pole again and led away until lap 8, when Wright caught him and started to shadow him.

By lap 15, however, Swindell car was smoking slightly. He tried to hold off Wright following a restart, but couldn’t and soon after fell to Hillenburg, as well.

Steve Kinser finished fourth, ahead of Herrera, Darryn Pittman, Mark Kinser, Lasoski, Haudenscluld and Tyler Walker.

Murphy was joined by Skip Jackson - the Aussie contingent doubling in size - but both had bad nights.

Murphy timed 12th and dual Knoxville track champion Jackson timed 37th.

A 10th place in the first heat put Jackson into the C-Main, where he finished ninth and Murphy’s eighth in the heat put him into the B-Main, where he ran eighth.

Thunderstorms then swept the area, forcing a postponement of the event until April 10, 1999!!

been busy organising parts and things from this side of the world, while my brother, Paul, is busy with the organisational side of things down in ypur area.

My eldest brother, Jeff, is com pleting a new chassis for us, while Tim and Alan Felsch work on our engines, getting ready to fill them up with Pennzoil oil.

Skilled Engineering, the finest Flexible Workforce team in the world will continue to be our major sponsor, with Arthur Fowler head ing the way to again help defend our World Series Sprintcar Championship Title.

We will be returning to local rac ing at Parramatta on November 14.

I'm looking forward to racing at

PCR with my family there and everyone who has helped me along the way adding their support.

I am very excited about return ing home and racing on Aussie turf, as ’98 has been great here in America and we pian on making this year memorable In Australia as well.

Lori and A.J. will be joining me in Australia around the end of November, where they will be trav elling with me on the World Series.

When we’re at a speedway near you, be sure to stop by and say hello - okay, come by so Lori and I can show off A.J. Take care - and I’m looking for ward to racing where it all began.

Skip.

John Sidney Racing

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SRA calendar NEW WEAPON... Peter Robotham and his new Gardner/Suzuki Compact Speedcar. (Brett Swanson pic) The Victorian Compact Speedcar Club held a practice/scrutineering day at Heathcote Speedway recently, many new machines and engine combinations being displayed for the first time.

New Club President Glen Wiles had a run, as did NeR Pevitt in the car campaigned last season by New Zealander Glen Smith.

Pevitt was extremely happy with the performance of his new light weight, methanol-burning machine.

David and Peter Robotham had their new Gardner/Suzuki bikeengined machines on display, while work on current Australia #1 Ken Thomas’ unique Pearce/Turbo Suzuki continues - this will be an interesting car to watch when it hits the track.

Congratulations to David Robotham and fiancee Dina, who will be married on October 31 before holidaying in the Maldives.

VIC Compact Speedcars release racing schedule Stalwarts of the class, the Cardwells (Gordon and Brian), have new cars on the way also and reports suggest that they will, like all Cardwell machines, be pretty quick.

If you would like any more infor mation about the Compact club, which meets on the second Thursday ofthe month at the Duckboard Club, 91 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, con tact Glen Wiles on (9729 1985), or Dianne Cormack on(9467 5179).

Victorian Compact Speedcar Club 1998/1999 Calendar Nov 3 Avalon n 14 Rosedale 28 Bendigo

Dec Jan

5 Swan HiU 1-2 Archerfield Australian Championship 23 Bendigo Victorian Championship 30 Hamilton Feb 6 Rosedale 20 Wagga Wagga Wagga City Cup 27 Simpson March 13 Baimsdale Zone Title 27 Nyora April 2 Rosedale 10 Simpson 17 Redline 1 Rosedale May No date has yet been set for the Curren Memorial.

-BRETT SWANSON

In-form Todd racks up another vlctoiy

The long-awaited racing sched ule for the fast approaching Victorian Sprintcar Racing Association season has finally been resolved, with the club looking at a very full calendar once racing commences on November 21.

The SRA Series will be once again over a 12-race schedule which will again feature the fantas tic support of Max Dumensy, who has succesfuUy negotiated the sup ply of the control tyre - a Hoosier for the next two seasons, Dumesny will once again supply contingency awards of vouchers and Pro-shocks.

While Avalon will be the main stay of the series, rounds wiU also be contested for the first time at Rosedale and Redline (Ballarat) Speedways.

The prestigous Fireball Derby (Bill Evans Memorial) vfill be run at the Redline raceway, the spiritu al home of the event where Evans was a former promoter.

The event looks like it will include twin features and should hopefully pick up some national competitors who run the night pre viously in Adelaide.

The rest of the calendar is made up of World Series Sprintcars rounds and, of course, the big events - The Kings Challenge, The Grand Annual Classic and the Austrahan Championship.

The Easter Tr^-will once again conlude the season.

The only event not yet allocated a date is the Victorian Championship.

Francis “Freddy” Ramsdale has taken the step up from the 3 Litre Modified ranks, having won the State Championship last season and will debut in the #55 JSR of Fred Edwards.

Former state title-holder Ken Veal is looking at purchasing some new cars and Jeff Clifford’s two

cars should have landed in the country after Dumesny’s recent American campaign.

Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria 1998/1999 Calendar November 21 Avalon SRA Series Rd 1 December 5 Ballarat Fireball Derby 12 Avalon World Series Sprintcars(WSS) 19 Avalon SRA Series Rd 2 Presidents Cup 26 Avalon SRA Series Rd 3 27 Horsham WSS 30 Nyora WSS January 1 WarmamboolWSS 2 Mt Gambier WSS Warmambool 9 SRA Series Rd 4 16 Avalon SRA Series Rd 5 23 Simpson SRA Series Rd 6 28-29 Mt Gambier Kings ChaUenge Warmambool 30-31 Grand Annual Classic February Warmambool 5-6 Australian Championship BaUarat SRA Series 20 Rd7 Avalon SRA Series Rd 8 27 March Rosedale 6

SRA Series Rd 9

13 20 27 April 2 3 4

Mt Gambier SRA Series Rd 10 BaEai’at SRA Series Rd 11 Avalon SRA Series Rd 12 Avalon Easter Trail Mt Gambier Easter Trail Warmambool Easter Trail

Super win by Peter Warren

Cameron Gessner (Union Steel From this point, Wanless cleared Todd Wanless continued his sparkling early season form Maxim) became the first driver to away from the field to win with when he took out the opening get upside down this season when ease.

With McComb equally comfort round of the BXI $100 000 he inverted in heat 4 after Tony able in second position, all interest Queensland Sprintcar Series at Michelle sent the field scattering.

Gladstone’s Darren Ashford also centred around the fight for third Archerfield Speedway on became involved and was forced out spot, as Grose dealt with challenges October 10. from Pezzutti, Attard and, finally, for the remainder ofthe night.

Wanless, who has worked tire McDonald.

The 6-lap Trophy Dash had lessly to get this series up and run Peter Warren took out round McDonald, who missed the pre ning, started his Truckmaster/ Bridge on pole and he withstood a two of the Australian Garages liminaries after an altercation with Part,finder Stealth fi'om the outside very physical challenge from of row two.

Wanless to grab his third win and the turn 3 wall, stormed through Super Sedan Series at Gympie’s the field and went agonisingly close Mothar Mountain Speedway on Dean McComb, fresh from a .secure pole for the main event, October 10. strong showing in the Northern McComb finished third, ahead of to securing a place on the podium.

Warren (North Coast Concrete Pezzutti (Craftsman Homes Territory Sprintcar Trail, steered a Grose and Pezzutti, who was the Commodore) finished ahead of Gambler) was next in line.

Mowed brand new Titan Garages Eagle only interstater not forced to start

by Andrew Scheurele (Lucas Oils Brisbane’s Wayne Randall and into second spot, ahead of David rear of field throughout the heats. local hero Cameron Meehan (Speed Grose (BXI/Crazies J&J) and Seventeen cars faced the starter Maxim), Gessner, Darrell Hodges Shop Falcon XR8).

(Hoosier Maxim), Drew Kruck Nathan McDonald (Fraser Shores for the 25-lap feature and the race Opening round winner Jamie (Australian Roller Doors Maxim) Schnee), who stormed through the got underway at the first attempt, and Sutherland.

McHugh (Miami Smash Repairs field from position 17 in an out- with Bridge out-jumping Wanless Attard’s strong mn ended when Camaro) experienced a miserable standing drive. to assume the lead. he was attacked by a lapped car and night and failed to take his place in A good field gathered for the Controversy engulfed the race on the feature race field. series opener, with the New South lap 4, when Wanless contacted spun to a halt in turn 2 on lap 12.

A good field fronted for roimd two Shore (Ampol J&J), who started Wales trio of John Shore, Peter Bridge’s left front wheel and sent of the Autobarn Modified strongly and was making progress Attard and Andrew Pezzutti joining the race leader into the wall as they Production Series.

South Australia’s Trevor Green exited turn 4. Green arrived on the through the field until a hig Mark Pagel led home a moment in turn 3 cost him a lap among the'18-car field. scene very late and clobbered and ended his challenge, finished Commodore trifecta in the feature Despite a few glitches with the Bridge’s stricken Buick-powered when he finished ahead of state 11th. qualifying format, the event was a Stealth, before glancing off the waU Brock Dean (John Dean Autos champ Gary Pagel and Todd Doyle. tremendous success and produced and heading infield, Series leader Greg Raymont was first class racing.

Wanless escaped punishment Tognotti) and Michelle completed forced infield with a broken steer the field.

Tony Bridge, aided by two front and led the field away at the Steve Swingler lapped the entire ing arm and young Andy Geppert row starts, dominated the early restart, which was delayed momenfield when he took out the Compact was forced to miss the feature when part of the program with a pair of tarily when Matthew Sutherland he flipped in spectacular fashion Speedcar feature race. heat wins and a new 10-lap record.

(Betta Electrical Tognotti) stopped Darren Vine finished second earher in the night.

The remaining heats were taken in turn 3.

Frank Packer collected his sec ahead of Brad Sloan, Darren out by McComb and Wanless, who John Kelly (Partfinder Stealth) ond consecutive feature win in the Bamier and Jim Stirling. also went under the previous track exited the event on lap 7 when he -CHRIS METCALF Super Street Sedan ranks when he record. smacked the main straight wall.

downed Paul Rushton and Mark Harrison, who won the Wide Bay Championship at Maryborough the previous week.

Polesitter Greg Waters had the race safely in his keeping until he was disqualified for a technical infringement, Robert Alford also fell victim to the rough conditions when he flipped out of contention.

A big contingent of Street Sedans fronted for the annual Goldrush Stampede.

Lester Wilcox trounced the field in the 25-lap feature event and fin ished half a lap clear of his pur suers, despite a restart with 10 laps remainmg.

Paul Hussey finished in second spot, ahead of Alan Green’s immac ulate new Falcon.

Mark Raymont continued his domination of the Junior Sedan ranks, collecting four wins fi-om as many starts, including the feature event.

Aiden Raymont - the younger of the brothers at just 12 years old and Ty Home filled the minor plac- CHRIS METCALF mgs.

230cloberm8

Jenkin just too good in QLD

JDespite an 18 month lay-off from competition, Sydney’s Scott Jenkin still proved too quick for the locals when he took out the opening Speedcar feature event of the season at Archerfield Speedway on October 3.

Starting from position five, Jenkin tussled with Barrie Valentino (Valentinna Car Sales Pontiac-Ellis) and Barry Wixted (Bobcat Barry Volvo) for much of the 15-lap journey before he skipped clear in the closing stages.

Early leader Duke Bowman (Gift Fruit Renault) impressed with a fourth place finish ahead of Bruce Ayers, who showed how easily some of the open wheel divisions could be amalgamated when he steered his wingless Litre Sprintcar into fifth.

Newcomer Chris Moor was the only other driver to go the distance.

Earlier in the night, Jenkin scorched his Hornsby Diesel Stealth around the circuit to clock a new 6-lap track record on his way to a heat win.

The remaining preliminaries were taken out by Valentino, veter an Stan Burrow and Gary Mulcahy (Imperial Motors'CosworthMurphy).

The Stars Dash provided a very close contest and a spectacular fin ish.

Jenkin and Mulcajiy, who had survived a frightening moment ear lier in the night when he launched out of a rut and almost flipped into tlie concrete, swapped the..lead throughout, with Jenkin greeting the chequer first.

However, when Valentino and

Wixted contacted in turn 3 on the final lap and became entangled, officials opted to revert to the placings from the previous lap, which gave Mulcahy the win.

With Mulcahy (water pump fail ure), Burrow (blown engine) and Michael Truscott (power steering failure) ruled out of the feature, just eight cars remained to contest the shortened 15-lap event.

Bowman got a terrific start from the outside of row two to assume the lead, but was quickly shuffled back as the race developed into a three-way contest.

Valentino assumed the front run ning, with Wixted and Jenkin in close pursuit.

Jenkin dived under Wixted on lap 8, took over the top spot two laps later and then cleared away with a minimum offuss.

AMCA Nationals were also pro grammed and again failed to muster a very big field.

Jim Knight completely outclassed his opponents, taking out both qualifying heats and the 16-lap fea ture with the greatest of ease.

As he did at the season-opener two weeks earlier, Knight finished the feature more than half a lap clear of his nearest rival.

Wayne Lemon and Neil Lorenz finished second and third, respec tively and were the only other cars on the lead lap.

Brett Rigby, Neil Nowland, Jamie Ross and Chris Bell were the best of the rest, Alan Robertson took out the Modified Sedan feature, downing Bob Ware, Gordon Golinski and Gary Stacey. - CHRIS METCALF

Townsville Speedway now linked with Mackay Gary Vane, the promoter of Mackay’s Speedlink Park cir cuit, has expanded his empire through the acquisition of the Townsville Speedway complex.

As a result, both Australian Sidecar Championship meetings have been switched from Mackay to Townsville, where the trikes enjoy tremendous popularity and crowd support.

The dates remain the same, with the individual crown to be decided on April 3 and the pairs champi onship on April 4.

Ivan Mauger’s Golden Helmet Solo Series will appear at the renamed Suncity Speedway on October 31 and Vane has also secured an appearance by John Soares’ American Super Sedan Team on January 30.

The remaining dates for the Townsville season are as follows: December 12, February 20, April 17, May 16 and June 27.

Information about any of these fixtures can be obtained from track manager Graham Bing on (07)4955 6449.

- CHRIS METCALF n New South Wales Modified Production competitors look set for a busy season with the announcement of a new series.

The inaugural Carol’s Country Kitchen Pointscore Series will be contested over 10 rounds through out the 1998/99 season and gets underway at Goulburn Speedway on Saturday, October 31. While the remaining dates are yet to be con firmed, both Gilgandra and Nowra have indicated that they will defi nitely be involved.

In other Modified Production news,the 1998/99 New South Wales Championship has been allocated to Wagga Raceway and is scheduled for Saturday,January 16.

Max Dumesny Motorsport

Australian Distributors for

1

Young hotfoot Marty Perovich was celebrating after a hardfought win in the first Sprintcar feature race of the season at Parramatta City Raceway.

The quietly-spoken youngster stole the lead in the Goodyear Main Event with only a handful of laps remaining and never looked back to score a convincing win.

With the track providing some scaiy moments - wheelstands and wheel-hiking were obvious high lights - drivers had to have their wits as well as their fitness riding in the cockpit.

“This is great. I said to my friends that I was going to win the first main of the year and we have,” Marty told the crowd from the pre sentation dais.

“I really want to thank the fans for coming to support Sprintcar rac ing and my team for working so hard on the car - and this Carbone engine is a jet.

“When I first started we didn’t have a motor that would pull wheelstands, but now this thing wants to do it all the time! Bring on a wheelstand competition, I’m ready for it now!”

Indeed, the crowd was thrilled for the young turk, too and, sensing his obvious delight in bagging the opening night main, they cheered loudly when he was presented vrith the Goodyear spoils.

Following Perovich’s #52 JP Painting Service Gambler home was Milperra “Action Man” Robbie Farr in the #3 O’Brien Aluminium Avenger chassis.

Farr came from well back in the field to p'ass the cars in fourth, third and second, respectively, in a handful of laps and looked as though he may have something on Perovich, at least for a while.

“It was good to use the high fine to such good effect,” Farr said. “I like a physical [rough] race track and that’s what we got tonight.

Congratulations to Marty, though; he was just too fast tonight and I couldn’t find a way to nail him down.”

Third-placed Mark Blighton was actually the leader for 95% of the race - but, unfortunately, his car propped in tons 3-4 with five laps remaining, allowing Perovich to inherit the front spot and run away.

From there, Bhghton struggled to keep FaiT at bay.

By Chris Metcalf n Gavin Casey took out the Central Queensland Formula 500 Championship, which was conducted at Gladstone on Saturday, October 3, with an unchallenged run from pole position.

The initial start to the champi-

Marty's big PCR opener

“I was getting tired and Robbie [Farr] was too aggressive to hold back on the out side of the track.

We’re really thrilled with our third plac ing, though,” he said after the race.

It was a wild night at the Parramatta City Raceway for many reasons.

A problem fuse caused not one, but three, spontaneous and complete black outs of the track lighting, causing offi cials and drivers some concern.

Causing more con cern than anything else, though, was Kerry Madsen’s mon umental crash on the BEWDY ... Marty Perovich (Tony Loxley pic) main straight. including himself, with a solid run Madsen, who only arrived home an night in the EWT #56 machine, from .racing in America at 6.00am though two flat right rear tyres in that morning, was challenging for a separate incidents sent him contin minor position when he tagged ually to the back ofthe field.

Heat wins went to Darren Wayne Skipper’s #24 O’Brien Aluminium car and vaulted violent SaUlard(Komatsu #9), Peter Attard ly into the air, flipping many times (Supreme Poultry #53), Kerry before the car bm-st into flames.

Madsen (Vision Kart Hire #49), Madsen was unhurt, but his car Pino Priolo (Yale Forklifts #8), Andrew Scheuerle (Lucas Oils #95) was destroyed.

“I thought we had the race won and Marty Perovich(JPPS #52).

One of the unluckiest men on the actually,” said a philosophical Madsen after the race. night was John Walsh, who made ‘We’d come from the back to the an impressive debut with his new top five in just three laps and the toy, the ex-Todd Shaffer (USA) caF felt great. Obviously, I didn’t J&J. quite leave enough room on my left Walsh was using the high groove when making the pass on Wayne to achieve some exciting results and we touched. From then on, it and edged himself into a top three position, before the differential quit was a pretty ordinary ride.”

Madsen’s end result was a far cry prior to Madsen’s spectacular exit.

Earlier in the night, Trent Gale from his sizzling heat win ear-her in the night and his cheeky wave took a nasty tumble in his #13 goodbye to former Aussie champ machine in turns 1-2, unfortunately Todd Wanless in another. ending his night prematurely.

-WADEAUNGER Wanless surprised many people. onship final was aborted when a multi-car skirmish saw Mai Cooper and Shaun Lancaster finish upside down.

Chris Parks and Jason Moy were also involved, with the latter forced onto the infield.

When the race did get underway, Casey cleared away from the field with ease.

Graham Black slotted into sec ond spot and survived an early challenge from Ray Mayfield, who retired with ignition problems, before succumbing to Lyle Gilmore in the latter stages.

Newcomer Eddie Schwehla impressed with a strong fourth place finish.

n Max Bennett continues to the Cairns Fuel lead Modified Distributors Production Series.

With four round completed.

Bennett has 438 points and leads Shane Mitchell (379), Chris Jensen (270), Darrell Berryman (263), Steve Ryan (238) and David Gane (205).

Round five of the series was scheduled for October 3, but fell victim to rain and has been rescheduled for October 24.

The sixth and final round has been moved from back a week to Saturday, November 21, to avoid a clash with another event at the Cairns Showground.

1998 WORLD OF OUTIAWS/SKOAL OUTLAW SERIES POINT STANDINGS TO OCTOBER I7TH, 1998

I. Steve Kinser .9,401 2. Mark Kinser ,9,255 3. Sammy Swindell ....9,247 4. Stevie Smith .

9,158 9,145 ^^ RACING TIRE ® 5. Danny Lasoski 8,988 For more information on Hoosier Drag and Speedway Tyres call: 6. Andy Hillenburg 7. Jac Haudenschild ....8,814 NSW: 02 9679 1990 Fax 02 9679 1187 8.

8,810 Johnny Herrera 8.651 VIC: 03 9331 6477 Fax 03 9331 7444 9. Jeff Swindell .. .8,568 SA: 08 8332 0800 Fax 08 8364 0296 10. Dale Blaney

,8,40 I I. Tyler Walker .8,258 12. Joe Gaerte ,8,239 1 3. Donny Schatz 1 4. Lance Blevins .5,475 IS. Craig Dollansky .... .4,103 16. Greg Hodnett...... .4,042 17. Tim Shaffer ,3,138 18. Dion Hindi .........3,029 19. Paul McMahan 2,891 20. Brooke Tatnell .2,855

DEVIL'S BOWL SPEEDWAY - OCTOBER I6TH PRELIMINARY FEATURE(20 LAPS) 11. Stevie Smith I. Gary Wright 12. Jeff Shepard 2. Andy Hillenburg 13. Jeff Swindell 3. Sammy Swindell 4. Steve Kinser i 4. Dale Blaney 15. Tim Shaffer 5. Johnny Herrera 16. Paul McMahan 6. Daryn Pittman 7. Mark Kinser 17. Joe Gaerte 18. Aaron Berryhil!

8. Danny Lasoski 19. Brian Paulus 9. Jac Haudenschild 20. Craig Dollansky 10. Tyler Walker

^2

KARTING

RAPID ROOKIE... Like Agland, Troy Hunt(above) found that the Dunlop runners seemed to have the edge he did manage to hang on for fourth, though, losing out to Agland in the closing laps, but taking a fine fourth in his debut year in the category. Watch out for further improvement in 1999... (Sean Henshelwood pics)

Wlodzinski takes Wynn's diffhanger Report by SEAN HENSHELWOOD

● It was a scenario of which Bernie Ecclestone would have been proud; the elite class, the final round and two tough contenders battling it out for the honours as Australia’s number one karter.

It all came down to two men; on form, you couldn’t go past the reigning Eastern Creek Formula A" Champion, David Clark.

His form all year had been blistering and he had come off victory at the third xound of the Wynn’s Australian Karting Championships in Melbourne with a crushing defeat of his opposition.

In with a very good mathematical chance of taking the title was round one runaway victor, PCR Top Gun’, Ryan Wlodzinski.

Wlodzinski was one of few drivers capable of matching Clark’s pace in the championship, the quiet Queenslander with the help of karting ‘professor’ Bill Heath throwing down the gauntlet early with pole position, a best lap time of 46.064 to Clark’s disappointing sixth place time of 46.307.

The Eastern Creek International Karting Raceway provided a circuit option of just over 1150 metres for the final round of the Wynn’s Austrahan Karting Championships, a circuit seen by very few drivers, this being the first major international class meeting on the circuit.

Second-fastest qualifier was Wynn’s Mark Winterbottom, back

again in the Tony Kart chassis (46.089), ahead of the ever improv ing Chris’Cox (Tony Kart, 46.191), Wesley May (Energy, 46.217), Gary Dann (Tecno, 46.427) and Clark - it couldn’t get much' closer.

With a 22 point lead going into the final round (of which a maxi mum of 60 points is available), Clark looked the favourite - but then fate stepped in...

In the opening heat, disaster struck in the first chicane when Clark dived up the inside of Wlodzinski, who appeared to be taking a slower line into the turn than usual, the two karts clashing and spinning to the infield Wlodzinski was in so much pain from a hit in the leg that he was unable to climb out of the kart.

Clark immediately ran to his assistance, 'Wlodzinski eventually

VICTORIOUS ... An elated Ryan Wlodzinski sprays the celebratory champagne as his victory celebrations begin at Eastern Creek. recovering with what initially appeared to be a broken leg.

In fact, it was nothing more than a badly bruised knee, Ryan claiming that it was almost impossible to bend his leg - not bad, when you still have two heats and two finals to run,imder very tr3dng conditions.

Chris Cox eventually battled his way to a fantastic win, clear of Winterbottom and May. In heat two, the drivers had to resort to a wet set-up after a typical Sydney downpour flooded the track prior to the second round of heats.

Wlodzinski'was dominant, drop ping back early - then, in a move reminiscent of Italian star Giorgio Pantano in the rain at Suzuka this year, he launched himself off every kerb in a brilliant display of kart control to take the lead and run away with the second heat.

Behind him Cox had another good run, but had to settle for fourth behind Winterbottom and Clark.

In Sunday morning’s third heat, ■Wlodzinkki showed again that he would be a force to contend with, taking victory from Clark, Winterbottom, Dann and Cox.

Record-breaker Rath tops at Winton

The lap record fell yet again when Tony Rath drove his 250cc International round the Winton circuit in a time of 1:23.7294 at the sixth round of the Victorian Superkart Series.

Rath’s time is marginally quicker than Russell Ingall in his Castrol Commodore V8 Supercar and the only record quicker is held by the Formula Holden of Scott Dixon.

The lOOcc Light was a battle up front with Darren Formosa, David Williams, Jason McIntyre, Rod Prickett, while Ben and Stephen Castles struggled early to keep in touch.

Rodney Reynolds, usually a front runner, was sorting out his new chassis and by heat two the Castle boys were on the pace and running in the front group.

Shane Fewster steadily found pace during the day and was up pushing the front pair of Formosa and Williams in the third heat. ' Colin McIntyre, who was sorting out his new Swiss Hutless, was not having a good day and in the final, when he and John Sciarra came together in the esses, his day really went bad when he hit the wall very hard and had an ambulance ride to Wangaratta.

A red flag and a restart was the result, Formosa and Williams clearing out from the rest and finishing the day in that order, with Prickett third.

Doug Brumby added another win to his col lection in lOOcc Heavy, although he didn’t get it easy - but consistency did the job, with three different heat winners in the four heats.

Rod Clarke, Brumby, Dean Roberts and Ken Knight ran in a group in heat one.

Darren Spencer and Mark Prendergast joined the front runners in heat two and all six karts came through the esses for the last time bunched very tightly and crossed the line still bunched up for a thrilling finish.

Heat three was similar and in the final heat Michael Bramich, who had been just off the pace, found a bit of speed and joined the front bunch - Brumby won from Clarke and Roberts.

The Junior ranks saw Jonathon McBride make an appearance, although he didn’t have a good day.

Lee Barabasz put on a fine driving display, his kart right on the limits of adhesion all day without making a mistake for four straight wins from Dean Crooke, who kept lowering his best times in his pursuit of the leader and man aged four second placings.

Travis Grigg, Ulrich Deyssis and Evan Rogerson swapped places several times during the day, with Grigg taking third place by finish ing all his heats and not making the mistakes of the other two.

Darren Dunn had a mixed day with several uncharacteristically bad starts and had to work his way through the field in the 80cc class.

Heat one was his best start and he led Peter Windhager and John Mulej, with Paul Ristic next.

The first of Dunn’s bad starts was in heat two and he had to work through from a distant fifth, which he did, although Ristic stuck on his tail

and Nick Mann held Windhager out for third.

Dunn got another shocker start in the third heat and got away second last ^ but, with the bit between his teeth, he stormed through the field, passing everyone except Windhager, with Ristic and Mann following him.

Ristic made the most of Dunn’s bad start in the final and was never headed, with Dunn next, ahead of Windhager and Tony Lappozzuto, Dunn won the day, with Ristic getting the nod for second after tying with Windhager.

Frank Kessels, in his first drive in the 80cc Restricted class, took the win from Menno Luneman, with Wayne Gould third.

Pete Carter had to overcome a determined effort by Peter Hageman, who led him on sever al occasions, to get four straight wins, while Hageman got four seconds and Paul Stebbing was not far away in third as he gets used to the 125cc kart.

Gary Schultz finally traced the cause of sev eral engine failures to a faulty fuel pump in his 250cc National, but couldn’t stop Robert Clinch from winning the day.

Robert Erlenwein pushed Tony Rath so hard in the first two heats of the 250cc Internationals before a terminal fault occuixed that Rath set a new lap record on his way to four wins, while Erlenwein’s two seconds just edged out Jason Perry - having his first drive in Superkarts - to third after a mixed day of learning.

- GRAEME BURNS

Clark was not too concerned, though, as one thing he has learnt in season 1998 is patience and he knew that, in the increasingly wanner conditions, that tyres could very well be the key for the final.

On the opening roll around lap, Clark and round two winner Nick Agland (An-ow AX6) had a coming together which resulted in Agland being sidelined and Clark returning to the pits with his airbox under his arm.

Officials called for a regrid, Wlodzinski grabbing the lead early from Winterbottom, Dann, Cox and Joshua Pontello (Revolution).

With four laps to go, Dann put the move on Winterbottom for sec ond, a position he would hold to the flag - Clark took fourth, ahead of Pontello, Cox, Troy Hunt (Top Kart), May, Agland and Clinton Dive (Birel).

The final was set for a showdown between the title contenders. The scene was set, Wlodzinski having done everything he needed to gain ground on Clai-k.

From the outset, Wlodzinski looked like a man on a mission - he needed the win and effectively Clark had to finish in the top ten for championship mnnber two.

With Wlodzinski running away at the start, Wintei'bottom made the move early with Dann and Clark.

By lap 9, Wlodzinski’s lead was less than a second, with Clark com fortably holding down fourth.

He then made a move on Winterbottom, who by now had dropped back to third halfway around the third lap, Winterbottom looking to reclaim the place as they entered the last right hander to end the lap - but it all came tmstuck.

Initially, it appeared as though the two karts had taken each other off the circuit in a tactical struggle, but later discussion proved that Clark’s engine had let go just in front of Winterbottom, the result being two karts in the kitty litter.

Fortunately, Winterbottom man aged to keep his kart rolling and rejoined, albeit well behind the leaders.

Clark, meantime, was crestfallen, his chances for subsequent champi onships failing as the laps grew.

The amassed crowd of some three thousand spectators felt the anxiety as Clark struggled back to the pits, helmet in hand, only to return with a couple of laps remaining in a valiant gestui'e to congratulate the new champion.

Wlodzinski couldn’t believe his luck. He figured by the start of the

KARTING

230ctobe!im

43

One of the longer running annual events on the calendar was the 26th Bendigo Country Titles, held on October 10-11 at the short, but picturesque, facility at Bendigo in Victoria.

Brendan Stead in Junior National Light was at the front all day, but had to contend with some pressure applied by Cameron Farr, who was second all Sunday - and, in the final, Brett Pearce and Anthony Hocking were at the OUTA LUCK ... One of karting's unlucklest drivers, Wesley May strug mercy of the stewards to decide gled for most of the weekend, though his taient for driving around prob third place.

The Senior National ran as a Pro lems allowed him to stay within reach of the leaders.(Henshelwood pic) class, with weights set somewhere final that taking a round win would (Tony Kart) was classified eleventh, between light and heavy, Brett be an excellent way of finishing his ahead of Dive, Cox, Tyson Pearce Arnett dominating everything all CLOSE RUNNING... Clubman Heavy winner Richard Woolley with year, but to see Clark’s number 1 (Omega), Malcolm Heath (Tecno) weekend and taking a ranaway win Daniel Reth^us and Warren Swift on his heels.(Graeme Burns pic) CRG buried in the wood chip with and Clark. in the linal after a messy first comer.

Eastern Creek half-race distance to go spurred Travis Bockman and Peter him on for the title.

International Karting Raceway Hallett had a coming together in By the time Clark retired, Dann Formula A Championship the bunch behind Arnett, which ir^k.

Pointscore had a comfortable second place, the broke this group up and allowed Tecno driver then setting about 1. Ryan Wlodzinski (189 points), 2. Heath Jelbart and Glenn Chadwick hunting Wlodzinski down.

David Clark (184), 3. Gary Dann an untroubled run to the finish For a number of laps Dann made (157), 4. Troy Hunt (155), 5. Mark with no pressure from the rest. a real menace of himself, before Winterbottom (153).

Nathan Reeves and Luke Harper finally succumbing to an unfortu The big winner for the weekend, were never very far apart on the cuit. Reeves taking the front spot to finish second, while Ross HaiTod nately loose front wheel with about though, was the circuit and the track in the Junior Clubman event, and Woolston recovering for second, recovered from an ordinary day to seven laps to go. club. Considered very technical by each driver taking the lead at dif- ahead of Lachlan Bums, salvage third.

Wlodzinski was having none of it, most drivers, it provided them with ferent times in an entertaining Big in stature, but small in num Clubman Over 40 assembled a series of races. though, setting the fastest lap of a real workout and no real rest any bers, the Clubman Super Heavy strong field to try and take the the race (46.374) about the same where around its length.

Reeves won out in the final, with field had to watch as Andrej Sutej VicHealth jacket Ken Kelsall has time to ensure’he would take his It also provided promoter of the Harper second, while Michael swept away in a fine display of on won for the past two years. second victory for the year and the circuit Garry Holt and the host Pereira broke away from the rest to the hmit driving to win easily from Kelsall and Rod Westbrook didn’t Eastern Creek International North Shore Kart Club with the finish a fine third. a spreading field, while Brian finish the pre final and started Karting Raceway National Formula opportimity to run the internation The Midgets and Rookies ran Mason was second from Scott from the rear for the final after A Title. al class circuit under international combined to make a decent-sized Morrison, being the pacesetters early in the Dann ultimately claimed second class conditions in preparation for field of which Bradley Wicks had Clubman Heavy was an action- event, the situation making the in the race (and third in the cham January’s forthcoming Oceania the measure and he went on to win. packed class and, with five karts in final worth watching. pionship), Agland forged his way Championships, an event which Glenn Chadwick started from The race for the minor placings the front bunch of the pre final, the through to a fine third. Hunt was a most'European teams have shown was much more closely fought and, scene was set for a good final, pole, with his mate. Pater Hallett, consistent fourth (and fourth in the interest in,attending. when Tyson Bert “left” the track in Richard Woolley worked his way beside him. championship) and Mayfifth. , After enjoying what was probably the pre final and stopped inches up from third in qualifying to start At the start, the pair stoimed off Winterbottom salvaged sixth, the best round of the 1998 Wynn’s short of the finish line, his job was on pole for the final, with Daniel and quickly settled into formation ahead of Pontello, TibiKart’s Austrahan Karting Championships, made tougher in the final as he had Rethus behind him and Peter Boys with Chadwick in front, while to come from the rear.

Darren Steeden, Peter Lehane you’d be crazy to miss the best dri Westbrook and Kelsall carved their alongside him.

(PCR)and Wilham Yarwood(CRG). vers in the world congregating on Brendan Reeves, Christian Turn 1 was a bit rough, but the way through and were followed by Behind them, Daniel Richert' Sydney for the event of 1999.

Lindbom, Rhys Archer and Bert, field got through and, by lap 3, Ross Gathercole, also from the rear. who came through, aU had a chance Woolley and Rethus had opened up Kelsall tangled with another kart CONTENDERS ... Gary Dann (ieft) and championship favourite David as the gaps fluctuated - but, when a small gap on the next group of and left the track, while Gathercole Clark confer on the grid prior to the start of the final. (Henshelwood pic) the flag dropped. Archer was just in five karts, passed Westbrook to take over front of Bert.

Boys pulled away from the second third.

But Gathercole couldn’t catch Luke Harper, the national cham- group and steadily closed the gap on pion in Junior National Heavy, had the front pair and was on their Chadwick and Hallett up front before the flag dropped. to start the final from the rear of bumpers for the last couple of laps. field after he left the circuit in the ''Travis Bockman, after quahfjdng The last event was Sportsman pre final. onl3)'fifth in Clubman Light, steadi- and Andrew Schmidt had better Troy Woolston had pole, with ly worked his way through the field fortune, running at the front all Nathan Reeves beside him. weekend with no mishaps to take to start the final from pole.

Gary Dickerson started beside the money.

Harper was up to fourth by the Chiis Burke had a good run and end of lap 1 with a snake of eight Bockman, with Wade Truman and was fortunate not to be involved karts in the front group and if Andrew Schmidt on row two. wasn’t until after half-distance that Bockman put his stamp on the when John Roccosta and Frank it started to break up, with Reeves, final early and the race for the Falla tangled in the pre final Fala’s kart was badly damaged, Woolston and Harper only inches minors was on in earnest, Truman and Schmidt raced very although he did get it patched up apart at the front.

With two laps to go. Harper got close together, until Truman tried a for the final.

Todd Goldie, who used to ride a into the lead and Woolston slotted questionable passing move that put into second, ahead of Reeves - but, them both off the circuit and left three-wheeled outfit, did well to at turn 1 on the last lap, contact the way clear for Dickerson, who take out third place from Falla.

- GRAEME BURNS was made and Harper left the cir- threaded his way past the incident

rnetts runaway win at Bendigo

You’re invited to be part of Australia’s fastest growing motor sport Why not see what it's all about for yourself? Attend a race meeting at your local club and talk to the drivers and crew. There are classes to suit aimost everyone from 7 years to 77 +.

Midgets 7-11 years Rookies 10-12 years Juniors* 12- 16 years in TWO weight divisions Seniors* Over 10 classes of varying power & driver weights to choose from. * Other more powerful classes available for experienced racers.

The Australlaix iailiiig Association Inc For information about karting & how to get started call NSW 02 9834 3860 VIC 03 9362 1144 www.kartguide.vka.comju QLD 07 3844 4276 www.akaqld.asn.au TAS 03 6433 0767 SA

08 8271 279.5

WA 08 9409 4441 www.kartsport.com.au NT

08 8932 5194

National AKA Web Site www.aka.asn.au

Tommi Makinen has woken the 1998 World Rally Championship with a vengeance, his win in Rallye Sanremo on October 12the first asphalt victory for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 - nar rowing Carlos Sainz’s lead in the Drivers Championship to two points and bringing Mitsubishi to within four points of Toyota in the Manufacturers series.

Makinen’s result sent a warning signal that he is setting his sights on a third World Drivers title and, with two events to go, Toyota and Sainz are now feeling far from secure.

It was a strange event, one in which Makinen’s rivals - Sainz and Colin McRae - both found their team-mates (Didier Auriol and Piero Liatti, respectively) going

Surprise Sanremo victor Makinen closes on Sainz faster than themselves.

Sainz was powerless throughout the event, while McRae was unable to go quickly until the second day, when he began to make up for lost time.

In one day, McRae jumped from ninth to third, but could not improve any further.

FEELING THE MEAT... Toyota’s Carlos Sainz Is now being solidly pressed for the 1998 world title.

NOT SO HOT... Juha Kankkunen was out of luck with his Ford Escort.

Aussies strong in Shield ofAfrica Ten Aussie crews made a big impact on the 21-day Shield of Africa rally that ran 12,000 kms through the six countries of southern Africa, the FLA event for pre-1971 cars drawing entries from 16 countries.

The big attraction was a total of 45 special stages on gravel roads, plus wildlife and scenery that was uniquely African - “where else do you get giraffes and lions as specta tors?” said Canberra’s Rick Bates.

At the halfway stage. Bates and Jenny Brittan in their PanamaAlaska-winning Porsche 911 had a daunting 15 minute lead until the ,cut-out switch failed on a stage, giv ing them a 90 minute penalty which put them out of contention.

Bates amused himself after the repair by posting fastest times on 36 of the 45 stages to become the fastest man in Africa.

Stormin’ Norm Fritter in his bel lowing Falcon terrified the opposi tion and the wildlife. Fritter run ning as high as second until, three days from the end, his gearbox broke.

Marathon regular Pat Cole, in his Mercedes 280SL, took a wellearned third place.

It was a truly international event, with four different cars and five nationalities in the top five.

The winner was Austrian Willi Polesznig in his Porsche 911, with Kenyan Safari specialists Alastair and Adrian Cavenagh in their Ford Escort in second place.

The immaculate BMW 2002 of Zimbabwean champion Robbie Rushforth took fourth, while Brit Mike Corns in an Escort claimed fifth.

West Australians Graham Lloyd and Godfrey Everett tipped teir 911 over the edge of a mountain pass in Lesotho, rolling five times before coming to a stop.

They were towed out and contin ued, the body battered on every panel, but the chassis still square.

The Shield of Africa was organ ised by Nick Brittan’s Sydneybased Trans World Events organi sation.

TWE’s next event is the LondonSydney Marathon in 2000.

Details from Nick on (02) 9979 8882, or fax on (02)9979 8883.

3.

6.

7.

8.

Australian placings Pat Cole/David Callaghan Mercedes Graham Lloyd/Godfrey Everett, Porsche 911 John Hills/David Hills Ford Escort Norm Fritter/Brian Price Falcon

9.

Rick Bates/Jenny Brittan Porsche 911 13. John Lamb/Stewart Lamb Capri V8 17. GeoffFishger/RichardLonges Volvo 20. Johnathan LeeMartin Braden Volvo 21. JohnStevens/GaynorStevens Falcon

SHIELD WINNER... Porsche 911 of Austrian Willi Polesznig (above) whistles through a forest stage in Swaziland.

STORMIN’NORM... Norm Fritter (right) pushes a wall of water with his bellowing Falcon.

/

/

^/W®9®[FS[^®[tO^ Liatti was still in front of him, but a quirk of circum stance prevented team orders being issued to his advantage, though Subaru was the only team to score points with both cars.

Group N driver Gustavo Trelles became the first dri ver in World Championship history to win three succes sive titles.

Peugeot was denied full points in the Formula 2 cate gory because its associated company, Citroen, beat it into second place.

Ford had a dismal event again, lead driver Juha Kankkunen well off the pace and eventually crashing out on the second day, severely damaging hs Escort - and team-mate Bruno Thiry only just finished in the points in sixth place.

Auriol was another retire ment - only days after rolling Neal Bates’ Corolla at a Toyota promotion in Canberra, the Frenchman hit a rock on the second day and was unable to continue.

While Peugeot’s Gilles Panizzi took out the Formula

230clol)efm 2 honours, it was a disas trous event for Australian Wayne Bell and the Hyundai team.

Both Bell and team-mate Kenneth Eriksson retired with suspension failure, but neither was in the top ten in the F2 category beforehand, as the new Evo 2 Hyundai struggled to match the pace of the wide-track French cars.

With only two events remaining in the World Championship, both the Drivers and Manufacturers titles are three-way fights.

Sainz narrowly leads Makinen and McRae and its a similar scenario in the makes race, with Toyota leading Mitsubishi and Subaru.

The next event on the cal endar is Australia’s WRC round, API Rally Australia and, with a record entry of works teams and drivers expected, it could well be the rally that makes, or breaks, the championship for more than one team.

RALLYE SANREMO FINAL RESULTS 1 Tommi Makinen/

Risto Mannisenmaki Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 5 4:34:34.5 2 Piero Liatti/Fabrizia Pons Subaru Impreza WRC 98 4:34:50.3 3 Colin McRae/Nicky Grist Subaru Impreza WRC 98 4:36:04.7 4 Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya Toyota Corolla WRCar 4:36:06.4 5 Gilles Panizzi/ Herve Panizzi Peugeot 306 Maxi 4:37:55.7 6 Bruno Thiiy/ Stephanel^vot Ford Escort WRCar 4:38:21.7 7 Richard Bums/ Robert Reid Mitsubishi Carisma GT 4:39:15.8 Championship Points Drivers Sainz 50, Makinen 48, McRae 42, Kankkunen 31, Auriol 30, Bums 23 Manufacturers Toyota 75, Mitsubishi 71, Subam 62, Ford 41 -PETER WHITTEN

Windscreen O’Brien supports Privateers Cup and category-winning Long brothers John and Damien Long, winners of the inaugural ARC Privateers Cup, have received a Windscreen O’Brien sponsorship package to assist them in the 1999 season.

The company will provide the Longs with free windscreens for-next yqar.-depending on the make an'd model of vehicle chosen by the Longs, the assistance could be worth more than $2000 in potential broken windscreen replacement co^ts over the duration of the season.

Windscreen O’Brien Victorian region Area Manager Laurie Chatwood made the presentation to the pair after the finish of the Rally of Melbourne.

The announcement of Windscreen O’Brien’s additional support for the Privateers Cup has been welcomed by CAMS Rally Manager Andy Clark.

“The privateers Cup competition has been extremely successful in its first year,” Clark said, “It is good to see companies like Windscreen O’Brien giving their support to the many small budget teams that contribute so much to the national championship.”

Windscreen O’Brien has been associated with the Australian Rally Championship since the beginning of 1997.

-PETER WHITTEN

Sulayem takes his sixth Qatar Raiiy Mohammed bin Sulayem added to his massive string of international rally victories by winning the Qatar International Rally for the sixth time, an event held in intense 44 degree-plus heat over a two-day, 16-stage route in the Qatar desert on October 8-9.

Driving an M-Sport-prepared Escort World Rally Car, Sulayem overcame clutch slave cylinder and power steering pump prob lems to beat an international field from eight countries.

His co-driver Ronan Morgan has now taken seven victories on the event, having partnered Qatar’s Saeed al Hajri to a win before he teamed up with Bin

Sulayem.

Bin Sulayem’s eventual winning margin of over 10 minutes flattered to deceive because, despite losing over six minutes in the opening stage following a puncture and then further time with a broken strut and an engine misfire, Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah set several fastest stage times during the open¬

ing leg on his way to an eventual fourth place.

Oman’s rated Nazir Shanfari retired his Ford Escort Cosworth from fifth place after a turbo fire on the opening stage of day two.

A battle ensued between Sharjah’s Abdullah al Qassimi and Australian Ron Cremen for GpN honours.

Al Qassimi used his knowl edge of the desert to close within one point of Cremen with one round remaining.

Cremen had moved into an immediate seven-second lead in the opening 23 kms stage, but was pegged back by Al Qassimi, who benefited from a pre-event decision to con vert his Lancer E3 to lefthand drive.

“The nature of the region means that you need to prac tice in depth,” admitted Cremen.

“There were several places, particularly on the first day, where the route definition was a little vague and the absence of passage controls meant that there was nothing stopping you from straying on to a quicker road.

“It was the same for every one, but when you are used to rallying on the special stage it can become a bit annoying.”

The outcome now means that A1 Qassimi will be on home ground for the final round, where whoever wins on the Dubai Rally in December will become Middle East Group N Champion.

The three-way battle for Formula Two eventually ended in favour of Cypriot Nearchos Nearchou in a Skoda.

He takes a four-point lead over Britain’s Amrik Sehmbi to Dubai at the start of December.

The female crew of Fiona Mulcahy and Maria McIntosh retired their Peugeot 205 GTI on the third stage with collapsed rear suspension.

A steady pace gave Sadoon al Kuwari fifth place in his Subaru and the loss of two gears pushed Dubai’s Ron Oakeley down the order to an eventual eighth overall in his Subaru Impreza.

-COLIN TAYLOR

NEW EXPERIENCE ... Australian rally champion Neal Bates tried his hand at the Calder Park Thunderdome last week in a Chevy Lumina NASCAR. Bates, a fi’iend of Craig Rodda, the man behind DMC Motorsport - which jointly sponsors American motocross world champion Jimmy Ellis (offering Bates some practical advice, above) with GB Galvanizing Services - took up the invitation to try his hand at super speedway racing and put in a number of familiarisation laps in the beefy Stock Car. Clearly undaunted by the high-speed banked tri-oval. Bates - who has proven to be a superlative driver in any form of motorsport - found the experience more than satisfying and has put his hand up for a serious competition outing if any team is interested. Any t^ers?(Tony Glynn pic)

ELLE SUPPORTS RALLY TEAM ... Supermodel Elle MacPherson has thrown her support behind the Family and Children’s Services Young Women’s Rally Team, which will be contesting API Rally Australia next month.

Elle, in Western Australia to produce a series of television commercials promoting W'A as a tourist destination, took time out to meet the rookie team’s driver, Kirsty Percival-Moore (25) and co-driver Jade Harvey (18)- she also autographed a rally plate that will be auc tioned off by the team to raise badly-needed funds for their rally bid.

The Young Women’s Team is part of the API Rally Australia Youth Project that was launched in 1993.'The project, managed by the Family and Children’s Services as a strategy to address the needs of individual young people aged 15-25 years, also involves youngsters who can provide good peer role-modelling. The young people assist in preparing the car and receive expert training to drive, navigate and provide service support for the vehicle.

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VIC: Stuckey Tyre Service Ph:(03) 9386 5331 Fax:(03)9383 9153 SA: The Mag Wheel Centre Ph:(08) 8269 4100 Fax:(08)8269 7805 NSW:Stuckey Tyre Service Ph:(02) 9676 8655 Fax:(02)9676 5300 QLD: Road & Race Spare Parts Ph:(07) 3279 1533 Fax:(07)3376 5804 WA:Kostera's Tyre Service Ph:(09) 293 3500 Fax:(09) 293 1355 TAS: Bob's Speed Shop Ph:(03) 6273 7555 Fax:(03)627 4 7666 Find US on internet: http://www.stuckey.conri.au

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46

INDUSTRY NEWS

^[^®9®[FS[p®!79

Auto<ourse keeps track for 1999 The fabulous 1999 Autocourse Grand Prix

Calendar has just hit the Tech Books news stands, giving everyone plenty of time to secure their own copies before stocks run out.

The 1999 version again featvo-es 38 full colour illustrations by leading motorsport photogi'apher Bryn Williams.

All of the leading machines, drivers and teams from the 1998 spason are featured in this great calendar, wfhich would make a perfect Christmas gift for any motor racing fan.

Also available along with the FI calendar is the 1999 Motocourse Calendar, featuring photos from this season’s motorcycle Grand Prix and World Superbike events from around the globe, and the Champ Cars calendar - both calendars equal in quality to the briUiant FI version.

The Autocourse range of calendars are avail able for just $24.95 (plus $7.50 postage and han dling) directly from the motor racing specialists at Tech Books, 295 Swanston Street, Melboui-ne.

To order by phone, contact them on 03 9663 3951, or fax them on 03 9663 2094.

Keep on rockin' HSV has the need for speed to Cl certain degree!

Many racers in V8 Supercars, speedway and drag racing using Chev small blocks have adopted the 18 degree head design offered by the factory and many aftermarket head manufacturers.

These heads require a specialised rocker set-up that, until now, was only available from US manufac turers.

Now Australia’s own Yella Terra has applied its world famous rocker design skills to developing a more affordable and, they say, durable rocker set for the popular cylinder head design.

The resulting full length cradle design featm-es oversize heavy duty

rocker shafts with dual bearings in the exhaust rockers for vastly improved bearing life.

The strong aircraft extrusion used in the arms is further enhanced by glass bead peening to relieve stress and steel inserted adjuster threads for long life and reduced fatigue.

Yella Terra say their 18 degree rocker sets represent extremely good value and are now available in a choice of ratios from Yella Terra stockists throughout Australia and New Zealand.

For more information, call Yella Terra directly' at their Melbourne base on 03 9555 5522 or fax on 03' 9555 4152.

at tnl^riAi

Ger.eral Price Status Weight Weight diet. length Width

I-

Seven of Australia’s leading independent motorsport equip-1 ment suppliers have joined: forces to form a new network of retail outlets for racers named‘Speedzone.’

The Speedzone network has been created to offer competi tors in all forms of motorsport i a wider range of products from both local and international: manufacturers.

$71,950 AUS Dollars race 1764 kg j 54% / 48% 4910 mm 1824 mm 1404 mm

HSV's GTS VT is included in Need for Speed Ills supercar chowcase.

The latest version of the great Need for Speed computer games, ‘Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit” is out this month and,for the first time,features a HSV VT GTS! Holden Special Vehicles’ VT GTS was chosen to represent Australia amongst a bevy of high performance cars fi-om around the world, with the 5.7 Itr, 220 kw V8 engine giving the power needed to slug it out against the very best of the European marques.

Need for Speed IILHot Pursuit continues with the highly successful tra dition of combining realistic simulation driving with the added bonus of arcade-style playability. ,, The new game, with the brilliant, near-$'72>000 HSV 'VT GTS included amongst its list of dream machines, hits the stores this month.

Speedzone says their wide spectrum of buying means competitors can be sure of get ting the right product at the right price, while each store stiff retains its independence ; which guarantees the cus tomer personal service.

“With stores in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth and Hobart, Speedzone ; is tridy a national network,” says Speedzone Advertising Co-ordinator Peter Mulder.

“We can offer a greater range of brands, kicluding Sparco,; Total, Velo, Cibie, Emerson> ; Hepsol juid many more.”

The network’s immediate plans include monthly specials and promotions,so keep an eye outfor the their ads in MSN.

Forbes dominates Bathurst Porsches

grid trailed Morgan, Bradbmy LLii the and Aitken through Hell Corner

* vMf

RODNEY Forbes was far and away in a class of his own in the Porsche Challenge races at Bathurst on October 3-4, win ning both raees in his Porsche 911 RCS. ■With his weekend also including a Bathurst 1000 drive in the Playboy BMW, the Sydney driver was in fine form in the first race but was pushed harder in the sec ond.

Qualifying

Geoff Morgan (911 Cai’rera 2) nailed pole position with 2m22.26s and shared the front row of the grid with Peter Bradbury. Ed Aitken was next on row two with Forbes, then Martin Wagg and Peter Fitzgerald on row three.

Race 1 (5 laps)

From the start, Forbes made a break into the lead and slowly but surely pulled away from the oppo sition over the following five laps with a steady and calculated drive as his rivals scrapped among them selves.

Bradbury’s 911 GT2 Turbo gave chase and trailed the New South Welshman home in second by 2.5 seconds. Morgan took third, just failing to snatch second from

GOING TO HELL ... Forbes leads the Porsche charge into Hell Corner the first time.

Bradbury on the run to the line.

Aitken trailed in fourth, with Wagg and Fitzgerald (in Aitken’s 911 RSCS) following in fifth and sixth.

Maurice O’Reilly led home the Class B runners in his 911 C2, while Bernie Stack and Peter

Bolton took the runner-up posi tions.

Forbes was pleased with his win, which was even more impressive considering that his 911 RSCS is a GT-Production cai' and the vehicles of his rivals are tailor-made for the Porsche Cup series.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmilh)

“They’ve got a lot of horsepower compared to me, so I just had to keep them out of the .slipstream on the straights,” he said.

Race 2 (5 laps)

Forbes needed to work hard in Sunday’s race and from fourth on

for the first time.

Bradbury had already put four car lengths between himself and Morgan up Mountain Straight, while Forbes was charging at Aitken.

Forbes muscled his way through at Reid Park in what was a heart stopping manoeuvre as he and Aitken made contact. Thankfully both cars continued on the black stuff.

The gap from Morgan to Forbes was quickly diminishing and the Scuderia Veloce 911 RSCS went through on lap three after Bradbury ran wide on the exit of Hell Comer.

Bradbury slowed on lap four down Conrod Straight with engine dramas. ’There was a noise in the engine, so I shut it down and coasted back into the pits,” he said.

Forbes held out Morgan by 1.7 seconds for won number two of the weekend, with Martin Wagg inher iting third place following Bradbury’s demise. Trevor -John headed home Fitzgerald, while O'Reilly again was victorious in Class B. -AARON NOONAN

^7

Cars ^

BMW 318i Super Tourer. Ex Longhurst/McLean, 6 speed sequential, adjustable shocks, 12 x BBS wheels. Spares inci spoilers, diffs, ratios, panels, brakes, shocks, uprights, driveshafts etc. Suit collector or entry into Super Touring. $68,000 A

IV r

Sports Sedan, Escort ready to race. Mid mount 211 with side ' draughts. Ideal club car. Record speaks for itself. Some spares. $4500 ono. Ph Ian 029627 4878 ah. 139 Evo IV Lancer road car. No compliance, mags, Recaro seats. 19600 kms. Minor damage. $29,300. Ph Rob Ogilvie 02 6241 3011. 139 Mazda RX7, top Street Car in WA. New motor, gearbox, injec Rally Car, Daihatsu GTti Professionally built and main tion system. Lots of spares. CAMS logbook, top condition, ready to race and win. $25,000. Ph:0417 983 319,08 9328 4880. 139 tained. Extensive Chrome Molly cage. Brand new competition Escort. Half-built race car. Cage, adjustable struts, fibreglass clutch. Numerous spares inc gearbox, head assembly, driveshafts, turbo. $10,000. Ph Grant 0418 201 637. 139 panels, 2-litre, mags. All hard work done. Must go. $1,000ono.

Ph: 026386 3575. 139 Mazda 13B peripheral port, built to Racing Beat specs, gen uine 320 horsepower. More to mention. Ph 035422 7474 or 0419 334 786139

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AUSCAR Falcon last season rookie winning car. With a spare set of wheels, fuel churn, jact etc. $25,500 ono. Will lease it required at a reasonable rate. Ph Jason 0412 779 999139

1975 Galant GC Coupe Race Car, ex Brown Davis, 2 litre, twin 48ml Webers, 5 speed close-ratio, 4 wheel discs with bias. Marsh seats, full cage, 2 sets of mags, blue 2 pack, adj. front end, 4.6 locked diff and more.

9886 3772. 139 $5,600. Ph: AH Datsun 1600 Sports Sedan. Unfinished project. Fibreglass body, 2 sets of factory Nissan race wheels. $4000. Ph 03 54227474 or 0419 334 786 139 AUSCAR Sportsman VL Commodore. No expense spared.

Championship winning engine. Winnbr of best presented car.

Heaps of spares inc engine and 16 different sway bars etc. Very competitive. Must sell. Ph 03 940404113 or 0417 014 383 IX Thunderdome HQ, log book, new sealed motor (as new) sealed box. Can be test driyen before sale. $7200 ono. Ph 03 95637072 139 LJ Torana Clubcar, possible Group NC, fresh 208 rrx^tor^XUI gear box, race seat, roll cage. Excelie'nt condition. Complete with spareb and tandem trailer with brakes, tool box, tyre rack. $9500 ono. Ph Steve 02 9824 9406 ah or 02 9851 2956 bh. 139

Nissan SSS Pulsar, 12/94, immaculate condition, new Bridgestone tyres, graphite grey duco, 45,000kms, full service history, RWC (NCA 138). Must sell - $21,750ono. Ph: Daniel 03 54427248,035441 8133. 139 HQ rolling shell. No rust, ready to paint, has full roll cage bolted in. Comes with 4 x WxB" wheels. Very straight car. $1,000ono.Ph:0417461 421 Wollongong IX

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Triumph GT6 1966, 2.5L TR6 motor, Mk2 rear suspension.

Performs very well, good condition, two tone white, dark green bottom, silver TR7 mags. $12,500 ono. SA 1995. Private sale. Ph Nick 0412 836 266 Adelaide, ix Mazda RX3 coupe Club Car. 13B p/p, 48 IDA, 5-speed, LSD, 4 wheel discs, adj shocks. 8 point cage, seat, harness.

Numerous spares, log book, 11 months reg (Vic). NEP 226. Must sell $4,500ono.Ph: 0419 523 337. ix HQ Holden (2H), vgo. Complete car with sealed motor and log book. $3,000. Ph: 03 5962 5602. ix

Mkl Cortina Sports Sedan, suit circuit, hillclimb. Powered

by Hoiden 186, triple SUs, Toyota g/box, full receipts, log book.

Very smart looking car. $7,000 neg. Ph: 02 6682 8171. ix Rover, 1972 3500S, red, manual. Reconditioned motor and driveline. Koni adjustable shocks, many new and reconditioned parts. Suit enthusiast. Set of 15 inch alloys to suit. View in Melbourne. $4,500. Ph: 03 5476 2686. ix Nissan 300 Z Twin Tuibo, latest shape. Full professional race preparation, road reg, ideal GT racing or Targa. 500hp.

NZ$50,000. Ph: 0011 644 232 8097, fax 0011 644 232 8059. ix Commodore Sports Sedan. Fresh 350 Chev mid-mount, Super T10, CAE Quickchange. Comes with all spares and moulds. Ex Lusty. $27,000. Ph: 0417 429 077,02 6255 0200,02 62584183. ix

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Appendix J EH, built 1983 by Barry Seton. Only 6 races 1984, in storage 14 years. Fresh Wayne Jones engine, 250hp.

1973 BMW 2800 four door sports, as new interior, rebuilt head, straight body, LSD, IRS, four wheel discs, rego 12/98.

Must sell, moving o/s. $5,000ono. Ph: Adam 02 6494 9338. 139 Porsche 911 “A" Class race car, in kit form. Bead blasted body shell, 3.4 litre (330hp) motor, 915 gearbox with oiler sys tem and choice of ratios. New GT2 body kit, MoTeC or Autronic management system. Absolutely complete, ready to assemble. $55,000. Ph: Rod Smith 03 5988 6266. 138 Castrol/Komatsu Ford Falcon V8 Supercars. Rolling chassis, EL, delivery after Bathurst V8 race. POA. Ph: Longhurst Racing 07 5526 3333, fax 07 5526 3334. m

Escort Twin Cam, Lotus, 70 model, rebuilt motor, original running gear. Never raced or rallied. Excellent condition.

Always garaged. $9,300. Ph: 03 9557 3491,019 404130. IX AUSCAR ~ VN/VS, fire bomb, fuel chum,- Detroit locker diff, M21 gearbox, HSV Dencarcage. Never bent, ideal spare car, complete, $12,900. Plus, HQ Dome car, needs paint, other wise ready to race, $3,900 or will sell as parts. Ph: 0418 500 287. IX Morris Cooper S, Group Nb, well known Victorian car. Very light and fast. All right bits. Very early shell. Choice of engine config. $8,800 neg. Ph: Len Read 03 5977 8771 (AH), ix Datsun 180BSSS club car. New engine, diff 4.6 Koni sus pension RX Falkens 4 spots and vented rear disks, spare shells etc. Priority baby on way so must sell. Assistance given. Log book. $9500. Ph 07 5547 7591 137 Escort Lotus twin cam 9/70 original car rebuilt engine. $7990. Quick sale. No tyre kickers. Ph 018 367 004 or 03 9499 3088 bh 137 Thunderdone HQ all tog booksjew sealed motor (as new) sealed box. Can be test driven before sale. $7200. Ph 03 9563 7072137

Porsche 930 wide body 350hp turbo motor. 15,000 mis.

Immaculate condition. First to see will buy. $70,000. Ph 9300 9996 (WA) or 0412 941 812137

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25th Anniversary GT Falcon, build no.200, one of 250.

Cobalt blue, manual. Faotoiy sunroof, CD player, car bra, seat covers (front and rear), keyless entry with alarm, customised plates (MYGT93) low kms, immaculate condition. One of the best, reluctant sale. Some spares included in price. SPOA neg.

Ph Amanda or Andrew 0419347037 or 035369 227'

Group NB Ford CortBia 2 door. Very competitive font running car, all the best components, very reliable. With or without tandem trailer, ready to race. $13,000 ono. Ph 0395321409 bh ,37 Holden Gemini TX, unfinished rally car. 1600 Isuzu, 6 point roll cage. Veto seat (drivers) 3 inch 4 point Willans harness, extinguishers, new TE diff and heaps more. Out of rego. Ph Doug 07 3217 6975137 Torana LH, ex show drag car. Sell less motor and trans.

Freshly rebuilt. Velour interior, detailed undercarriage, fresh paint. Big rubber, many new parts too much to list. $6950 Ph 08 83965607137 Ford Laser TX3 Turbo 4WD, currently leading NSW rally c/ships P6. Motec computer, Sparco seats, new gearbox, com prehensive use of carbon fibre. Immaculately presented, heaps of spares.$13,800 Ph Simon 024365 5984 or 0412377 414 137 Commodore Group A VS ex-HRT Benson engine, Harrop running gear, Motec system, comes with spares package including wheels and pit equipment. $65,000 flat price. Ph 02 63555995137 Commodore Sports Sedan new 350 Chev micknounted, T10 gearbox, 9" floater, rear fibreglass panels all round, comes with spare springs, rroukfs, wets etc. $26,000. Ph 026355 5995137 AUSCAR VS. Immaculate. Complete roller less engine. Yellow light, fire bomb, fuel cell and churn, harness, complete Autometer instrument panel, turbo brakes and M21 gearbox, new gears and bearings in diff, C,R'P cage. All new panels.

Needs engine and minor assembly. A sale is necessary to com plete new car. $9500 ono. Ph Tony 03 9781 2377 bh or 0419 155 635 ah 137 Sports Sedan Mustang. 1989 GT. 351 motor, dry sump, 3 plate clutch, T loader gearbox, 9‘ Harrop diff, AP brakes.

Bilsteins, Zakspeed suspension, BBS wheels, Sabelt harness.

Comes with spares and wets. POA. Neg. Ph Kevin 02 4782 1145 or 0414 822 427 137 Suzuki Swift GTI 1987. Currently set up for production car/street sedan. Very competitive and lully developed car as raced. Exc condition. $6500 ono. Ph 024960 9032 137 Torana SS Hatchback Fuel injected 304, 1-5, 9‘ diff. $ wheel discs, Simmons wheels, ground up restoration.

Excellent condition. VPN-053 $16,800 ONO. Ph/Fax 08 8581 1560 ah 137 Ford Cortina GT Mkl. 2 door 1964 group NB race car.

Steve O'Neill's car. fully maintained by Lemans Classic, no expense spared includes set up sheets. $12,800. Ph Rian 03 95321409 137 ASX Group C touring car. Only 48 hours work from new.

Spares for hatchback include 4 engines, 3 diffs, 2 sets brakes, never crashed. Sell complete for $55,000 or will sepa rate. Ph John 08 8644 0283 137 ED Station wagon auto, p/steering, air con, ABS, c/lock ing, new tyres. Tow pack, very low kms. Ex condition in/out.

Reg & R\WC. $15,500. Ph 03 5996 8509 or 0419 388 192 137 continued over page

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PLEASE KEEP ADS TO NO MORE THAN 30 WORDS, PLUS A PHOTO IF REQUIRED. Post to Motorsport News Free Clossifieds,P.O.Box 1010,Caulfield NorHi,VlC3161or Fax: (03)9527 7766 NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Please use the form provided and print clearly. Please note we are unable to return photographs used in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipf. FREE Classifieds are for the sale of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising. Classifieds close last mail Thursday prior to on sale date, photos marked "prooF' will not be used.

NAME: ADDRESS: Phone (

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

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DUCK

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Holden 202 high horse power, roller cam. modified sump, methanol carbie, extractors, electronic ignition, roller rockers, totally rebuilt, $2500. Ph 0354471232 or 0417106 711. us Chev 350, built by JSR. Grower, Isky, Brodix, Roller cam, BG, dry sump. 600bhp, complete turn-key engine. $16,500.

Ph: Dale 03 9707 4673(AH), 03 9584 7177 (BH), 0411 310

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695. 138

tit; MHsiiiishi Lancer Evo III Gnxv A.Lew kms,red inside and out Big hp bench dynoed motor. Attronio rotating idle. Auto lag.

Twin plate clutch, 5 speed. Proflex. Chrome moly & carbon fibre everywhere. $52,000. Ph: Graham Vaughan 0412584 859. 137 2 Pulsar GTIR's, 1 GTP car with Koni susp, welded cage, blue printed etc $24,000. 1 road oar with air, pewer windows, complianced etc, $26,000. Both in excellent cond. with low kms. $48,000 lor both. Ph 0418995581 137

Swift FB 91 complete ready to race package. Spares include rolhbars, springs, gear ratios, radiator, nose, side pods, 4 sets tyres etc. Engine done four races since top end. Trailer included.$19500 obo. Ph Steve Owen 039840 6770,

Elfin 622 Historic Group Q. Total restoratbn completed 5 years ago, now running F3 configuration. Quick, reliable car holds Group Q Under 1300 lap records at Amaroo and E. Creek, Full Cosworth Ford engine ex UK, specifically built for F3 with BDA crank and rods, gear driven camshaft etc, twin plate clutch and Mk8 Hewland. Flawless in finish and presentation.

Documentation available, spares incl. Ph Richard Harward 02 9789 8470 bh 029568 4147 ah 137

Speedway

Open Wheelers

w Elfin 600E F2 Historic Group Q,log book, 1600 twin cam Ford, Hewland Mk 9, chassis no. 7126. Immaculate, competitive car, award winner, nothing to spend. With spares, moulds, jigs, and fully end tandem trailer. See at Winton Motorfest, 7&8 November. $45,000. Ph: Ivan Clehcie 03 9726 7166 (BH), 03 9762 1732(AH). 139 Kart: Arrow AX5 rolling chassis, exc cond, new tyres. $1,500.

Ph:035995 6110. 139 Mallock U2 Group Lb Historic sports racing car. Unique: the only MK 2 sports car built. Times: Winton 69 secs, Phillip Island 2 mins. Ph/fax 035229 3375. ra Off road Buggy Class 9 twin turbo RX7 motor. Albins G50 gearbox, Bilsteins coil-over, Wright rack. Centrelines, 20" travel unused since built. $22,000. Ph 02 4464 2970 bh or 0412 151 507 139

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Superkart 125cc Suzuki Demon X6 chassis, 6sp sequential g/box, ready to race. 64 sec laptimes Winton (short track).

Expenence the thrill. $2300. Ph 0411 848 440 or 03 9898 4925.

Will assist if required. 1®

Historic Chevron F2 B42 chassis no 1. Chevron team car ex Rosberg, Patrese. Daly. Immaculate. Too much detail to advertise. Best offer or will consider swap for American or European sports car. Ph 039560 0801 or 018 105 348139

XF A Modified Production, fuel injected with fully program mable Wolf 3D computer, new engine, Koni adj suspension, new fibreglass, weight jackets, Mallory gauges, ready to race.

Reg with spares. Ph:039879 8310,0418175 435. 139 Sprintcar - 1992 Tognotti hi-bar, complete rotler, less engine.

KSE steering. Winters diff, splined wheels. New paint. $6,000.

Ph:02 6297 2818,0418 630 408. i3e

Ford SVO 302, A4 block, Bryant crankshaft, Carillo rods, JE pistons, Yates CMC head, titanium valves, Crane shaft rockers. Crane roller cam, Romac. Complete, fresh, may sep arate. $16,000. Ph:07 3878 2740,015 673 707. 138 265 Hemi engine. Fully reconditioned, never been started since rebuild. All good gear, competition cam. $3,600 spent, asking $2,000 ono. Ph 026351 2914 137 Holden 3.3 blue motor full reconditioned and balanced bottomend, full reconditioned head, K-line guides, stainless seats, reconditioned factory Garrett turbo and manifolds all reconditioned and as new. 38 mm Weber. $3,000 ono. Ph 062 416 047 or 0414 776 129 137 Lotus twin cam, complete motor and gearbox, top hp. Ivan Tighe cams, Wardsport head. Vernier timing gear, includes 45 mm webbers and extractors, full rebuilt, $5500. Ph 02 9520 9413 or 0419 233595 137 GSXR 1100 suit litre or compact speedcar Hilbom injection extractors. Ready to race. $3000. Ph 02 9628 2238 137 308 Race motor. Dry sump system, triple plate clutch, Chev LT1 conrods, stroked to 323 cubic inches. Waggott cam,forged .040' pistons, roller rockers Iski valve springs. Hi horse power and strong torque. Cost $20,000. Sell $13,000.

Ph John 08 8644 0283137 Holden 202 race engine fully rebuilt balanced, blueprinted, fully worked head roller rockers ACL racing pistons, starfire rods. Crow Cams straight cut gears, hi-energy sump. $2,200 ono. Ph 03 5978 7679 or 0419 388 192 137 Chev 366 Grower 5/8 stoke crank, Oliver 6" rods, JE pistons, roller cam, bowtie block, splayed caps. Daft 17" heads. T&D shaft rockers. 650hp. $17,500. Ph 0418 514 444 or 03 5176 1355137

Parts Vector MG94. Updated to 97 spec. Unused since complete ground up rebuild. Incl: Auriga FF engine, 3 sets wheels/tyres, other spares. $23,500. Also FF race engine, new '98, $6,400.

Ph: Stuart 07 5575 5001,0414 744 700. i® Dino Midget/Rookie 95 model kart, suit 7-13 y.o. Won '96 Vic Champs, with super competitive J engine. Ready to race. $2,150. Ph:035250 2994,03 5275 2305(BH). 1® March 77B, Group Q, Peter Stuyvesant and Australia GP History. All right parts. Certificate of description, just rebuilt.

Spare ratios, nose mould. $50,000. Ph:075539 3079. 1® Swift FB91, ready to race, complete race package. Strong engine, spares, spare wheels and tyres. $20,000. Ph: Michael r 'Borland 039580 5236(BH). 1® Mygale SJ95 F/Foid. Top ten national competitor 1997,front runner Vio series 1998. Numerous spares - wishbones, body work, wheels etc. $27,000. Also, Peter Lamer engine, latest spec. Ph: Alan or Cameron Shearer 02 6922 5387, 0418 572 679,0414481 653. 1®

Van Diemen RF98. Rolling chassis engineered and main tained by Fastlane Racing. Proven race winner and 3rd in /\FFC. Immaculate car. Available with Motec data logging sys tem (brand new), Ohiins 2 way shock absorbers. Ph Tim Leahey 0419 588 884,026361 9888 bh or 0263628264 ah. 1® Class One off-road buggy. 2.7 It 6 cylinder Subaru 2.0 It, close ratio Kombi gearbox. Bilstein c/over suspension. Extremely quick. Immaculate. Low k's with log book. Ready to run. $1 T,000. Must sell. Ph 039898 4925 or 0411 868 440.1® Superkart Anderson Mirage chassis. Kelgate brakes and mnning gear, all as new condition. Rotax 256. engine, cassette gearbox. Gear ratios, mounted wets,3sets wheels. Wli consid er trade. $18,000. Ph 03 9437 1239 or 0419 236 233. 1® Formula Holden 92D, competitive car, with limited spares, top hp engine. Ready to race for NS series. $75,000. Ph Darren 0408800 988 1®

Elfin 622 1972, Group Q logbook V8486. Car fully sorted, immaculate condition truly race ready. Probably the best and n fastest ANF2 car. Eastern Creek 1:35. Hart/FT200, wets and drys,3 sets wheels. $48,500. Ph Max 018 442 060, 141

Superkart Barbasz Vision 250cc Rotax twin. Was Australia #1.

Spares include reubilt 256 Rotax, PI, PC data logger, engine and gearbox parts, enclosed trailer, wheels, tyres etc. $17,500.

Ph 039700 5333 or 0417 563 6451® Fonnula 2 Reynard 893, Current Australian Champton. Comes with spare engine, fully enclosed tandem trailer. 14 wheels, lull set spare suspension parts, wings, body panels. In showroom condition. Ph 0352441025 ah or 035279 7916 bh. i» Spectrum Formula Fords. Team Arrow offers for sale its fleet of race-winning Spectrums (new cars on order) as raced

by Maorow, Zerner, Owen, Kelly and Savage. Contact Michael Borland. Ph:039580 5236. 136

Only 2 seasons old: Winner 1997/8 season: #1 Qld title, #1 10 round Archeriield Cannonball Cup, #1 25 round Super Series, #2 NSW titles. Sold as complete roller,.$20,000. Ph: Barry 07 32741611. 1® Sprintcar - 1995 Tognotti, reverse or standard arm, complete roller, Winters diff, long splined altoy axle, KSE steering box, /\FCO aluminium shocks all round, front axle alloy hubs six pin, hydraulic wing, splined rear wheels, inboard and outboard brakes, small tail tank, lightweight bolt kit. $13,000ono or with 372 Rodeck engine (see Engines For Sale). Also, front axle, alloy hubs and stubs $t,300; Winters diff, long splined, alloy, compl with torque tube & driveline $2,300, tail tank $800. Ph: Shane 07 3224 4243,07 3263 4510(AH),0417 780079. i» Sprintcar - 91 JSR, aluminium Rodeck engine, heaps of spares, fully enclosed trailer, electric brakes, mag wheels, rego.

Complete package race ready. $30,000. Ph: 02 6297 2818, 0418630408. i®

Camaro, 010 358 Chev engine, 550hp, BRC crank, JE pis tons, roller cam/rockers. Summers gear drive, Victo Jnr mani fold, 850 Holley, methanol carbie, 180 headers, Willwood brakes. Many spares. $17,500 or will separate, Ph: 02 6351 2914. 1® Commodore 3ft Mod,power quicksteer, 15' wheels, fully adj SUSP, full race motor, r/nockers, etc. Ready to race, very cctnp car. Trailer, parts available by neg.$4,999. Ph:035331 5870. i»

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^'

TIGA FA81, Schuppan Macau GP car, little use since. Totally original. Immaculate factory car, new powerflow diff, C&P Randall Edgell rebuilt BDA. 12 wheels, many spares, ratios, enclosed trailer. $60,000. Ph 075530 8180 or 018 766 663137 Tony Kart Exagone current model 28mm chassis. 40mm axle, suit Clubman or National Classes. $1800. Ph 07 5530 8180 or 018 766 663 137

3375. 138

Speedway midget parts. Full power-steer set-up $1500. Full torsion bar set-up 7/8' x 13 bars $700. Ally pro-shocks x 5 $400. /Vly seat and Simpson hamess/net$ $300. Plus other bits. Ph Tom 0296075908 ah. 139 Sptbrtcar used parts hi-bar chassis, shockers arms, stops, radius rods, tak tank, front axles, diffs, steering box, radiator, HiBack seat. Driveline steering wheel, filters, gear sets. Ph: Mark 08 82692928.1® Sprintcar parts Hailbrand quick change complete $1500.

Alum rear axle $550. Complete dnve line with spares $500.

Complete f/end $900. AJum spline wheels: r/r $450 tfr $400.6 pin fronts $350.1989 JSR chassis kit $1500. Ph 03 9460 9588 bh or 0407336785.1® Dampers Spax gas filled, coil over. Open 335 mm and 355 mm stroke. 100 mm and 125 mm respectively. New units. $210 ea.

Ph 0419 236 233 or 0934371239. 1® Two way scanner: oar set, open helmet set mike and relay, Cprian timer, battery charges, as new in own carry case. $4500.

Ph 029636 4447 or 0418637 454. Ex NASCAR team, is Weber carburettors 48 mm IDF. Downdraught in good condi tion. $600 the pair. Ph Ian 039237 4502 or 039878^15 ah. 1® Golf F2 parts. New alloy adaptor plate $250. Inlet and exhaust $250. Side mounted Cosworth oil pump $350. Ph Ian 03 9237 4502 or 0398789515 ah. i® Raft TR3 rear legs, also partially built tub and various mounting brackets. $350. Ph Ian 039237 4502 or0398789515 ah. 1® F2 Cheetah Mark 6/Maik 7 wheels.2front. 2 rear. In very good condition. $1100 the lot. Ph Ian 03 9237 4502 or 03 9878 9515 ah. 1®

3 Formula Holden 92D, competitive car, with good HP engine. Trailer and spares package available. Contact Owen Osborne 039798 3680 or 0417 320 866. $78,000 neg. w Firefox off road frame including all aluminium and fibreglass panels, long front and rear arms, SAW drive axtes, quick release steering wheel. 63 litre fuel tank, RPM seat, aluminium pedals and cylinders, VDO gauges. Many extras inc log book. $5500. Ph Paul 02 4832 1321 ah 137

Getrag 5 spd gearbox complete with clutch & pressure plate. Brand new. $1,600. Superwinch - 25001b, brand new, in box $650; Hi Energy oil pan, suit 308 Holden $800; 253 Holden block. Group A rods with std crank & pistons to suit, $300; 280ci Holden stroker engine, Chev rods and pistons, ported heads.

Crane rollers, complete carby to pan, $4,000: Fastman 1 pee single layer race suit. $50. Ph: Chris 0408 322 096 (BH), 03 59969815(AH), ra Lotus Cortina SRV Racing clutch and special balanced steel flywheel. New ring gear. Cost $1,800 to set up, will sell for $1,100.Ph:03 5244 1339. m Various Lotus Super Seven style bits/pieces. Pair clam shell guards, nose cone & mould, scuttle & mound. Triumph uprights/discs, headlights etc. $1000 the lot. Ph/fax 03 5229

Modified production VN Commodore. Current ASCF registra tion methonal 350 Holley carburettor V6, 5-speed gearbox, 9" diff. Best of everything. All new. Only 7 meetings old. Huge potential. $14,000. Ph 026297 1336137 Fender bender HG. One meeting old since full rebuild.

Motor sealed, competitive car. Ready to race less window net and harness. With spares $1600 ono. Ph Ed 0414 240 005 or 02 9628 5170 137 Speedway cars. XF Ford and Sigma sedans. Cars are ready to race with spares. Both have feature wins A.S.C.F. or Board. $3,000 ono. Must sell. Ph 02 69636367137 Modified production TE Cortina. Strong 250 x flow methanol motor. 4-speed, adjustable suspension, very com petitive car. Plenty of spares. Ready to race. $7,500 ono Ph 03 5978 7679 or 0419388 1922137

Drag Racing Torana LH drag car, freshly rebuilt. Sell less motor and trans. Drag suspension, letterbox scoop, harness, velour inte rior, SL/R dash and wheel, fully detailed undercamage. Too much to list. $6950 Ph 08 8396 5607 137

Hairap full floater, Borg Warner diff, suit XF Sportsman. New 30's LSD centre, new hubs, Brgs, 10 spare whell studs inc. brakes to suit. $2700 ono. Ph Dave 035941 1088 bh or 035941 2035 ah. 1® Steering wheel, SAAS Grand Prix, 14' flat, leather. Brand new.$150. Ph:0418519681. 1® Hewland Mk9 geartwx. As new, little use $4,000ono. Ph: 0419 777 229.08 8552 4000. i® Oatsun 1600 parts. Doors, struts, hubcaps, diff, harness, seats, tail light, headlight, gearbox, 1800 motor, carbies. bumper bar, roll cage, boot lid. Priced from $5. Ph 03 5334 6364 ah Ballarat. 13; Bond Aluminium rollcage to suit LH/LX sedan. 6 point, fully polished. Cosf $725, sell $580. Ph 08 8396 5607 1® Lotus Twin Cam head. Reco with new valves. No springs. $1500 Ph 03 9480 4040. 137 4 S/H wet weather tyres&wheels. 4 stud, 2 by 8', 2 by 10', 2 by 13'$500 Ph 039480 4040. nr 2 Lightweight 4 spot callipers with pads - Offers Ph 03 9480 4040. 137

Transporters/Tfailers

Engines

Superkart. Wright Mklll. NZ built Rotax 250 Twin 6 speed power value 1985 engine, good club kart, also 81 engine. $5500. Ph 0297633772 137

372 Rodeck engine JE pistons, Kryptonite rods. Cola crank. Brownfield heads. Ml roller, 2 7/16 Hilbom fuel injection, Peterson 4 stage dry sump pump. System One oil system. $18,00ono. Ph: 07 3224 4243, 07 3263 4510 (AH), 0417 780 079. 1® Cleveland 351 cu ins. standard bore. 302 heads, new valves, springs, mild cam, Rollmaster, oil pump, new 600 Holley, just run-in. $1500 ono. Cortina MK-1 1500cc complete. Good runner.

Offers. Steve 026766 5977.1®

Isuai SBR. 6 oyl, 5 speed, diesel. 5,5m pan, 3001 fuel tank, 1400km range. 5m alum ramps,60001b Warn winch, new lyres & trim. Suit up to large sedan. Very reliable, dean, tidy. $8,500.

Ph: Mark 088326 5775. ?

230cloberm Tandem trailer, hydraulic brakes, front access, set up for two go-karts. Will fit Compact Speedcar or like. Registered. Fully enclosed. 4.5 L x 1.6 H x 1.8 W.$2600. Ph 035995 6110. 139 Fully aluminium enclosed trailer. Single axle. Suit open wheeler etc. Side door access. 12 mth rego. Good nick. $2500 Ph 0298091278. ,39

Any information re the 1953 "MM Holden' built by Lou Molina/Sylvio Massda. Later sold to Bill Leech, belierred destroyed Tasmania. For recreation purposes. Ph/fax 035229 3375. 139 1 16" X 7" RG five spoke rim for VN Commodore (star form style). Prefer polisheij, will take painted. It rim is buckled, severity will matter. Ph Jeff 03'98770485 139

Wanted

Group E car ready to race for 1999 Australian ChampionSBip. Genuine buyer. Ph Ricky Occhipinti 035275 2305 139 Stack dash, tacho in middle of dash with LED readout below. Ph 0419 780 530, 130

Wanted: Copy Aug 30 Belgian FI GP(Jordan win), also Sept 13 Sandown 500. Ads ok. Ph:026236 8267. 139 I wish to contact Phillip Mas of Carrera Video Cinema Production fame in NSW. I am after video tapes of the 1989-1990 NSW Super Mini Series Races conducted at Amaroo Park, Oran Park short and long circuit. Ph: Tony Lennon 07 3267 1962 or

TK Bedford Transporter. 454, 3 speed auto, rego, 2 x 200litre fuel tarlks, 60 litre water tank. Fresh paint job, lull length awning, flood-lighting, lounge/sleep area, cupboards. Heaps storage space, winch. $17,500 Ph: Peter Wilson 02 4655 2422 Camden NSW,

Other Two open face helmets with inbuilt earphones and Boona microphones. Both used once. $150 ea. Ph Ian 03 9237 4502 or 039878 9515 ah. ,39

Formula One races on video for sale or swap. Most racesfrom 1987 to present. Write to F Gadan PO Box 751 Echuca Vc 3564 for details, m Stotorsport books Australian compeidon year books 1976, 1977, 1978 soft cover. Volumes 8 to 20. Hard cover excellent contion. Best offer ph 08 8281 9285 130 Model Car & Toy Swapmeet. All types of model cars, trains, buses, NASCARs, Supercars, posters and many more collectibles. Sat Oct 31, 6.30pm - 9.00pm. Baptist Youth Centre, cnr Rothesay Ave & Dorene St, St Marys(SA). Ph:08 82765649. 130 Bathurst F/Ford transport available(ex Melbourne). Two spots, Ph: Keith 0414 328 109. ,38 Motor racing magazine book, program, yearbook col lection. 70s through to current. Some rare 60s. Ph Peter 02 98176228 ,37

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COIVIIVIENT 0

0

Adrian on a Fox Hunt 0(0, NEWS

Dear Sir, Reynard Motorsport is approach ing its 25th Anniversai-y of manu facturing Championship winning racing cars We would very much like to hear from past and present owners of Reynard chassis to complete and update our historic database.

We are looking for FF1600,F2000, F3 and F3000 owners whether the/re cuiTently racing or not. We’d also like to hear from post owners who have kept history records of cars when they have sold them.

Please contact our project co-ordinator. Penny Aston at Reynard Motorsport, Reynard Centre, Telford Road, Bicester, Oxon OX60UY or fax us on 01-869 240280. Alternatively E-Mail: archives@reynard-racing.com We would like to take this oppor tunity of thanking everyone who has owned or raced a Reynard over 25 years, for supporting us and putting the Reynard name where it is today

Editorial Editor David Nassau Techrsical £«ii:or Tony Glynn Assistant Editor Phil Branagan urapltic:: Co-.w»r«Jinator Viv Brumby

Advertising Advertising Manager Gerald McDornan

Administration IVjsnaging Director Chris Lambden

Contacts 89 Orrong Crescent n Caulfield North VIC 3161 (PO Box 1010 North CaulHeld 3161) Phone:03 9S27 7744 Fax 03 9527 7766

Adrian Reynard Reynard Motorsport, Bicester, UK

Email: msnews@corplink.com.au

Compusea/e: 100237.1165

Contributors

Go (Far) East, young man

General: Mike Kable. Jon Thomson, Dear Sir Brian Reed, Dariyl Flack . ' While it’s great following the FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper progi'ess of Aussie young guns rac . Europe: Quentin Spurring, ing in Europe and America, I think US: Bruce Smith, Phil Morris our young guns should also look at N2: John H^lwkins racing in Japan.

Speedway: Dennis Newlyn, David Think about it. Japan has its own McNabb, Wade Aunger, Geoff F3000, F3, and Sportscar competi Rounds, David Lamont, Chris Metcalf, tions; they look after their drivers Sue Hobson, Michael Attwell, , well, especially if they don’t have a Tony Millaitd (UK), Darren O'Dea : slot of sponsorship (ie. money); Rally: Peter Whitten, Jon Thomson above all, Japan is virtually on our Drag Racing: Gerald McDornan.

Greg Ward. Jon Asher (USA), doorstep.

Dave Ostaszewski (USA), It’s worth noting that “non-locals” ; Nick Nicholas, Steven White, Mika Salo, Eddie Irvine, Ralf Ken Ferguson, Scott Jug Schumacher, and Heinz-Harald Super Speedway: Martin Clark (USA), I Frentzen all came to FI from Brett Swanson, Grant Nicholas Japan. Furthermore, I remember Karts; Ian Salvestrin, Allan Roark, Frentzen saying that in Japan dri Graeme Burns, Edward Krause vers were expected to enjoy their Photographers: LAT, Dirk Klynsmith, racing, and were paid well for it.

Zoom Photographies, Neil Hammond, I’ve heard of several talented dri Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, vers without much money racing Brad Steele, Tony Glynn, well in Japan, when they’d be veiy Thunder-Pics, Marshall Cass, lucky to get a ride in Europe.

Mike Harding, Brisbane Motorsport, I think Craig Lowndes, for exam ■ Frank Midgley, Jolm Bosher, ) ple, should consider racing in . Phil Williams, Mike Patrick (UK) Japan. Last year, when he raced in MOTORSPORT NEWS Is published by Ausirabisian European F3000 and really strug . Motorsport News Pty Ltd ACN No 060 179-928 gled, it was mainly because he was ' D.'ectors C Limbden (Managing), D A Glynn not used to the European racing Publisher: style, but he also had very little C Lambden money.

Printed by; I think he could still make it to Wike Color 37H9 Browns Rd Clayton 3168 ; jf ^e reaUy wants to, and whUe Distributed by: the European racing style mightn’t NDD Ltd suit him, the Japanese style might.

I hope you’re reading this, Craig.

Also, what is happening with .Material published by MOTORSPORT NEWS is Garth Tander?.He raced in touring ■ copyright and may not be reproduced in full or in ; 'pan without the written perrnission of the ’ cars only because there were no : publisher. Freelance contributions are welcome. i open-wheeler dr-ives available any !and vs'hile all care will be taken, Australasian ' Motorsport News Pty Ltd does not accept , where. I hope he’s still committed .responsibility for damage or loss of marenal : : submitted.

■ Opinions expressed m Motorsport Ntfws are not : necessarily tliose of /Xusiralasian Motofspor t News ; Pty Ltd or ie; staff. ; ‘Recommended and maximum price i^nly.

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(I year - 26 issues) SI05 Australia Overseas (Air Mail) AS 160 New Zealand, PNG AS I 70 Malaysia, Indonesia AS 180 Phillipines, HK, Japan AS200 US, Canada A$2Ui Europe Post or fa.x to address above.

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\.lWia)OoDrpf:5mc^D^O I ADVERTISING WORKS. I IT’S THAT SIMPLE! I Call Gerald McDornan on

i 03 9527 7744

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Mick Doohan’s monumental achievement has to wait until page 0!$ 34, when even the “footy fanatical” daily papers gave him the back i cover. If this was not bad enough, 1 1 you jammed it into two and a half pages.

Just to rub salt into the wounds, Send letters to Talk .■ '■' ■.ef to PG Box 1010 North any hope of packing Motorsport Vic 3161. our E-mail address, or lax to 03 9527 7766.

News into my Gold Coast Indy The staff of Motorsport News does .not necessarily agree with opinions express by readers travel bag were dashed with no race preview (correct me if I am wrong, but there is not even any mention of the race anywhere in to openwheelers; I’d like to see him graphed by Glenn, when I get your magazine). following in the paths of Webber, enough pictures to finish it, (Hint, While Bathurst and FI are Hint).

Ambrose, and the rest. important, to not even mention I’m just asking your to give the Queensland’s most important sport Warren Grzic Fords a fair go, (especially Glenn). ing event is unforgivable. An amaz Ryde, NSW ingly poor decision from a usually ASST ED: Blame Ralfy for endGlenn’s Number one Fan, great publication. ing the good ol’ days in Japan.

Heather Locke While HHF, Irvine and Ross Perth, Tasmania Wade Tubman Cheever made fortunes racing ASST ED: Check your old tubman@comcen.com.au there, two years ago Schu Two issues Heather; we ran a knocked back a lot of money to Glenn/Ford Credit poster after Dear Sir, run vrith a good F3000 team and he won the ‘97 title and another Great magazine. I have all 137.

PAH) a lot more to run with a one at the start of this season.

Have you changed the paper stock, race-winning outfit. Suddenly Both are available as back I liked the old ‘thinner’ paper, with Japanese teams realised that issues of MN. ‘shine’. even ‘gaijin’ (foreign) drivers Gripe of the week - In Tassie we would pay for good seats. That, have Southern Cross TV which Psycho-thanks and the downturn of the ‘takes’ coverage from both Channel Japanese economy, has effec Dear Sir, 7 & 10, so we missed the middle of tively ended a lot of opportuni the 2L Bathurst in favour of the Through your pages I would like ties in Japanese racing. to pass on many thanks to those bikes from Phillip Island. female and male racing car drivers A pity they were both on the The answer? who have participated in the Motor same weekend - please make rep resentation that it not coincide in Dear Sir, Sport Study.

Recent events have shown that if The overall participation from the future. most racing categories has been Keep up the excellent coverage of CAMS brings into, question again very favourable, and special thanks motor racing, but really I’m really the future of HQ, Formula Vee or to Geoff Arnold, State Manager of interested in the GP stuff (had you any other category that a solution is at hand.

CAMS and Cristine Femicci Jones, guessed??!!)

President of WIMSA for aU of your All you have to do is give your Leigh Edwards category a fancy name (something support to make this project a sucTaroona TAS like ‘HQSuper'Taxi’), form a comcess, If any drivers (including ASST ED: To both the above mittee with a snappy name (along writers; without going into Navigators) who have not been the lines of ‘HEGA’) and give CAMS some shares in the new ventechnical details, we were informed of this study and choose ture. to participate, please contact forced to change MN #137 around because of the gas You then hire an overbearing Patricia Qoncha, Postgraduate mouthpiece with no apparent Sport Psychology Student of the shortage - hence different stock (which could be printed with regard for anything other than youi' University of Western Sydney on out heat-set inks) and limited category and presto - you can do as (02) 9809 2717 or by email: colour, which forced the bikes you please with no regard for the zoot@acay.com.au. rest of the sport, CAMS rules or ● Because there is hmited research into the back half of the maga zine. good relations with the rest of the into the “Personality Character istics and Performance Attributes Sorry, but it was beyond our motor racing community. control - although a significant (Any resemblance to any persons, of Motor Sport Competitors”, your living or dead, or any sporting participation would be valuable and number of readers have rung to say they prefer the “matt” sincerely appreciated. groups is purely coincidental).

The more participation the better paper look...

As for the event clash hurting the study will reflect the true Ian Miller nature of female and male racing TV coverage, it may be a good Williamstown VIC idea to write to CAMS CEO car drivers.

The results of this study will be Greg Swann and AGP boss Seton myopia forwarded to CAMS and may be John Harnden if you don’t want Dear Sir, it to happen next year. pubhshed.

Y ou and the crew must be Holden fans because when Craig p^t Concha Lowndes won the SATCC title this zoot@acay.com.au Dear Sir, year you placed a poster in the cen God bless Alex Zanardi and his tre of yom’ magazine.

Poor Priorities donuts. Love to see him do them on Last year, yes you did express the start/finish line in Monaco!... that Glenn Seton had won the Dear Sir, After waiting eagerly all week for Championship, but there was no David Grinston poster to place in my Seton Scrap Issue 137,1 couldn’t beheve the priTamarama, NSW Book. One day I will get it auto- oiities given to yom' stories.

LA

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& ^ 0 OH NO I! 1 DONT THINK I COULD HANDLE IT.

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