Motorsport News Issue 139 - 6-19 November 1998

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6-19 November 1998.

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Murf in line for Renault BTCC drive

By PHIL BRANAGAN

GREG Murphy could be in line for a British Touring Car Championship drive with the WilliamsRenault team.

The former Bathurst winner has been short-list ed for the 1999 drive but his hopes of getting select ed rest with Frenchman Laurent Aiello.

The ’97 German Touring Car Champion, who has been left without a drive by the withdrawal of Peugeot, is to decide by tomon'ow (Friday) whether to accept an offer ’from Renault to partner Jason Plato in the Williams squad.

But he also has firm offers from Nissan’s BTCC squad and Honda for the German Championship in a new-shape Accord.

Last week Aiello was said to be “70 percent” cer tain of accepting the

Renault drive but the Nissan team are said to be keen on getting him.

If Aiello does not go to Renault, Murphy will con tend with Swede Frederik Ekblom, Italian Fabrizio Giovanardi and JeanChristophe Bouillion for the Williams seat.

Bouillion, who has already been confirmed as test driver for the BAR Formula One team, is a Renault favourite but, after he was soundly beat en in a shoot-out against Plato two years ago, his inclusion on the list is seen as more of a courtesy to Renault than anything else.

Murphy is highly-rated in the UK and his Bathurst performance, where he out-qualified BTCC Champion Rickard Rydell on Friday, put his name in the forefront of many BTCC team man agers: .

Williams-Renault team manager Didier Debae was

Cummins

not at Bathurst this year but, as an ex-TWR touring car member, got glowing references of the Kiwi from his former teammates.

Also present was Triple 8 team manager Ian Harrison, who was Debae’s predecessor at Williams.

Murphy was in the USA this week working on securing a 1999 Indy Lights drive but if that was to fall through Renault would make a good alter native.

to be “less likely” to be

ALL the V8 Supercar teams facing major repair damage after the Honda Indy are on track for Bathurst.

John Bowe’s damaged Shell Helix Falcon was close to finished as Motorsport News closed for press and due for its shakedown late in the week at Lakeside John Faulkner’s Fisher & Paykel/Betta Electrical DISTRAUGHT... That was John Faulkner at Surfers, but his car is now straight Qgain. (Photo by John Morris)

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■ Plans for a third FAI1000 entry from the Stone Bros team, for Andrew Miedecke and Ryan McLeod have fallen over, with the financial package not finalised in time.

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bH/T/SH CHANCE... But Murphy is stillpmning his hopes on contesting the US Indy Lights series next year.

for Bathurst

Commodore was successfully straightened and rebuilt and was due for a shakedown on Wednesday prior to the team heading to Bathurst.

“It took longer than we thought, but it’s come out as good as new,” Faulkner said on Monday.

“It went back on Dencar’s jig and everything is fine it’s probably straighter than it was before Indy!”

The only problem remain ing for the team is the bad bout of flu being overcome by co-driver Todd Kelly.

“He’ll miss our run on

Wednesday, but he’s done 400km in HRT’s car recent ly, so he’ll be fine ...”

Bap Romano has confirmedtthat son Paul and Steve Ellery will be on the gi'id at Bathurst, but it has been a big effort.

“We had to replace the fr ont rails this time,” he said, “ so in fact the car wiU be fresher and stronger than it was after we repaired the Sandown damage.

“We’ve only got three guys working with our team, so it’s been a big effort by everybody.”

ussie plans FI team

By JOE SAWARD

AUSTRALIAN airline owner Paul Stoddart says he wants to nm his own Formula 1 team.

Last week Stoddart took a big step towards that when he bought all the movable assets of the Tyrrell FI team from Bi’itish American Racing.

These will be moved to Stoddart’s own racing factory in Ledbury, near Hereford, in the west of England.

Stoddart is a Tyrrell fanatic and now owns a total of 41 chassis, 16 of which can be raced.

For the last two years he has been running Tyrrells in the Boss Historic Formula 1 Ghampionship, his team scor ing a total of 11 race wins.

He also supplies cars for demonstration runs and even testing, recently lending British American Racing two chassis to run at Pembrey when the new team wanted to try out differ ent coloiup schemes.

For the last couple of years the 43-year-old Australian has been a Tyrrell sponsor, flying the entire team to races in Europe free of charge on one of his European Airlines BAG 1-11 aircraft.

European is now Britain’s second largest airline and Stoddart owns a fleet of around 30 aircraft, including two Boeing 747s (which are leased to British Airways), 13 Boeing 737s (leased to Sabena), six Airbus A300s which are being converted to carry cargo and 16

Alan Jones is said to have concluded a sponsorship deal with the Nine Network for which, of course, he does FI commentary - to nm his new Holden Commodore with Wide World of Sports signage next year. AJ is stiU chasing the major funding, though, and has not yet placed a firm order with Larry Perkins for a VT. He must be quite confident, though,because he takes delivery of Perkins’ trans porter after Bathurst.

■ While V8 teams’group TEGA is still working on its tyre distribution sy'stem and rules for the introduction of the Bridgestone Control tyre in 1999, it is planning a test day for teams to evaluate the standard rubber, most likely at Eastern Creek, a couple of weeks before the opening race at the Australian GP meeting.

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MEANWHILE, Nissan’s position is also in the hands of Aiello.

If the Frenchman passes on a Primera drive the team will almost certainly run a testing shoot-out to pick a driver to partner David Leslie next season.

Steven Richards is one of the drivers who will be invited to the test, while Bathurst cordriver Matthew Neal is thought

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BAG 1-lls which do VIP and charter work.

With business booming, Stoddart has decided to expand his sporting involve ment and is planning to enter Formula 3000 next year with Kid Jensen Racing, which is run by former Tyrrell men Vincent Franceschini and Simon Barker - who races one of Stoddart’s cars in the Boss series in his spare time.

Stoddart says he intends to run the team to FI standard and has a five-year plan to take over a Grand Prix team.

“My ultimate aim is to one day become an FI team,” he said in Japan. “I am aiming to become the next Australian FI team, the first since Jack Brabham.”

Much depends on whether or not the F3000 team gets an entry next year but if successful Stoddart says he will be looking for wins.

The team already has a cou ple of 1998 spec cars and will run in European Airline colours at several tests this winter with driver Nicholas Minassian and hopes to sign up a driver with Formula 3000 wins to his name.

In addition, Stoddai’t says he intends to use some of his rac ing car collection to run a series of challenge races for up and coming drivers.

The cars will be equalised in performance through electron ic engine management for the eight races planned in the yeai’ 2000.

■ Tony Longhurst hopes to run his second Falcon in four or five races next year for Geoff Brabham,“sponsorship permit ting”. Brabham will share Tony’s Castrol car at next week’s FAI 1000.

■ Greg Murphy,David Besnard and Scott Dixon will all get their test with Steve Home’s Tasman Motorsports Indy Lights team a week after Bathurst, at Firebird Raceway,in Phoenix, Arizona. At the same time we hear that Neil Crompton may also have a test coming up with the Panoz sports car team...

■ Crompton, incidentally, is now a proud father. Wife Sally gave birth to Emma on October 23. Everyone is well.

■ The Oran Park round of the 1999 Shell series has been brought forward a week,to September 5. At the same time, the Yet-To-Be-Named 500 has been rescheduled for a fortnight later, September 19,following confirmation that the 500cc GP will remain on its October 3 date.

■ IMG has appointed 1998 Event Manager Geoff Jones as the new General Manager ofthe Gold Coast Indy. Jones takes over as the event has just posted a record 246,0000 fom--day crowd.

■ Late FI movements: PostJapan, Stewart Grand Prix has confimied the appointment of ex-Jordan designer Gary Anderson as Chief Designer; while current Vice President of Advanced Vehicle Technolog}'for Ford. Neil Ressler, will take over as Chairman of Cosworth Racing.

■ The largest field ever assembled for a motor race will line up at Eastern Creek thi.s weekend. With 258 cars entered for the Alfa Romeo Owners Club 6-Hour relay race the club will be trying to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. The cars will be run by 48 teams in the race which starts at 10am on Sunday.

4 Shell extends DJR deal Shell has extended its sponsorship of Dick Johnson Racing for a further three years, which will take the association out to 15 years - by which time we can expect Dick himself to have retired.

“We couldn’t ask for a better sponsor,” said Dick.“Their commit ment,enthusiasm and friendship is second to none.”

Shell’s Ross Brodie said the partnership was very successful both on and off the track.“From a com mercial viewpoint there is no better vehi cle to assist the posi tioning of our brands Shell and Shell Helix in the marketplace,” Brodie said. n We have six double passes to the All Historic Weekend at Wakefield Park to give away. To bag a pair, write to Historic tickets, PO Box 1010, North Caulfield 3161, with your name and address on the back of the envelope with the answer to this question: Who won the World Drivers’ Championship this year? n Cold Chisel will play at Bathurst. The veteran rock band, which has re formed after 15 years, will play a warm-up for their upcoming concert tour on Friday November 2. Their last appearance at Bathurst was in 1982. n Steven Winwood aqd Tim Leahey will run a Ford Falcon XR6 in the Bathurst GTP event. The rally man and the FFer will drive an older EL model Henry as the newer AU is still an unproven quantity. Winwood plans to update to a newer car next season. n Australian journey man Warwick Nowland has signed to ride in offi cial Kawasaki team in 1999 British Superbike Championship alongside number one rider Chris Walker. Nowland quit his Suzuki GSX-RllOO Australian Formula Xtreme ride mid-season to venture to the conti- l nent where he finished fom-th in the Spa 24Hours race. n Australian Supersport runner-up Andrew Pitt is set to fill the Team Kawasaki Austraha seat vacated by US-bound Damon Buckmaster. n CAMS has organised a two-hour seminar on motor sport sponsorship and is inviting any inter ested parties to attend.

The seminar has been put together by CAMS sales and public relations man ager John Benson and will be held at Bathurst in the Drivers’ Briefing Room at 6pm on Thursday, November 12.

Audi reveals Le Mans racer AUDI has unveiled its new R8 sportscar in the UK and will mount a two car assault on the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hour.

The car features a twin-turbocharged V8 engine And if pedigree is anything to go by, the team would appear to have an excellent chance of suc cess in its first trip to the French classic.

Audi has left little to chance by appointing four-time Le Mans-winning team Joest Racing to run its entries. The open car features a carbon-fibre monocoque which was developed and built in Italy by former FI team and dominant F3 chassis builder Dallara.

Further development of the car will be overseen by technical adviser Tony Southgate, who over saw similar Le Mans projects for Toyota and TWR. The project will be based at the new Audi Sport technical at Norfolk, which was for merly the base for TOMS UK. The car is currently being tested at Audi's proving ground on Neustadt in Germany prior to mov ing the project to the UK. While Audi talked up the appearance of the angular R8 car at its launch, the current car is expected to be a test mule to ‘road’ mechanical sys tems early in the car’s develop. ment phase.

BLACK BEAUTY... Emanuele Pirro shakes the Audi R8 down at the company’s test track in Germany.

A second car is expected to test in late winter/early spring and a refined version of this - or perhaps even a third, definitive car - will race at Le Mans.

The driving staff for the cars will include former F1 man Emanuele Pirro, fellow Italian Rinaldo Capello, Frenchman Yvan Muller and former touring car World Cup winner Frank Biela. Two more dri vers are to be added to the staff and it is suggested that they will have considerable Le Mans and sportscar experience.

Audi will face Mercedes-Benz and BMW Motorsport at the French Classic, which will take place on June 12-13.

Tracy race ban over Gold Coast behavior PAUL Tracy will be barred firom competing in the 1999 season opening CART race next March at Homestead.

Wally Dallenbach, CART’S chief steward, cited Tracy for ‘unjustifi able risk and unsports manlike conduct’ in the aftermath of an incident in which the Canadian brake-tested Michael Andretti during the Honda Indy race at Surfers Paradise.

Dallenbach reached the decision after he and his stewards reviewed video tapes of the incident.

Tracy is the first CART driver ever excluded from OUT AND OUT... Paul Tracy slides off at the chicane moments after coming a race. together with Michael Andretti during the Gold Coast race. (Photo by Rob McKay) “Every driver in our However, he was fined June 7 race in Detroit in “There were several fac series is well aware of the which Tracy was involved $5000 following the Oct. 4 section of our rule book tors that went into reach in contact with Christian race in Houston for not blocking. ing this decision. In addi regarding maintaining proper behav Dallenbach explained. tion to the high risk of the Fittipaldi.

V/hile on probation, iour and sportsmanship, as “You are allowed one move move hy Paul we reviewed well as for physical contact and, after that, any other his on-course incidents and Tracy was fined US$20,000 during an altercation with and excluded from final incurred move is considered block- penalties team owner Barry Green throughout this season and qualifying for an incident mg. in the pits. with Michel Jourdain Jr in “Paul’s block on Michael felt a more stringent penalTracy and Green were Portland during qualifying. resulted in contact at about ty was appropriate.” both upset after Tracy col Five events later, Tracy Tracy had been placed 180 miles per hour, and we lided with team-mate by was removed from proba are fortunate that it did on probation Dario Franchitti during tion following the Aug. 16 not result in a more severe Dallenbach for unjustifi the race. race in Elkhart Lake. able risk following the consequence.

CAMS approves HQ replacement THE Commodore/Falcon category outlined in the last issue of Motorsport News has received the approval of CAMS. The class - which will be known as Saloon Car Racing - will be tri alled in 1999 following the approval in principle of CAMS’ Board last week. The class will he able to run for six months and refinements may be made before presentation for CAMS approval for competition in January'2000.

It is envisaged that the class will take over from the HQ Holden categoiy in the long-term, at a cost not very much higher than the older cars which have raced on the mainland for the last 10 years.

HQs will continue to be raced well into the new century, but at club level.

“HQ racing will continue to take place as long as fields are viable,” says the HQ Association’s Les Morrall.“However,we see the introduction of the new category as an updating of the entry level car category in touring Australia.”

Both Commodore and Falcon race cars are under construction and are expected to be ready for track testing by February.

CAMS’ approval of the trial is a setback for the Super ’V6 class which is being started in Queensland. Any cars built to those specifications will now be log-booked by CAMS as Sports Sedans.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

5 BMW F1 test dea for Jos? 6Nombef1998

Lariy happy with new VT

MOST teams have com pleted shakedown runs with their intended race cars, Mohil HRT and Castrol Team Perkins both happy with their brand new VT Commodores.

Greg Murphy flew back from New Zealand to join co-driver Mark Noske in bedding in their new car at Phillip Island last while Wednesday, Perkins and Ingall head ed<1to Winton on Monday.

It’s good out of the truck,” said LP, “and that’s always a good sign...”

Russell Ingall said he

was very happy about going to Bathurst with a new car.

“The reason we opted for a new car is because there is less chance of anything going wrong,” said Ingall.“Every compo nent is brand new.

“When things go wrong, it’s always the $2 items that shut you down. This way we know everything is first rate.”

Stone Bros, Glenn Seton, Tony Longhurst, Garry Rogers’ Valvoline team and the Wynns teams all completed their pre-Bathurst runs with out incident.

By JOE SAWARD THE Williams team recently delivered two FW20 chassis to Munich to be used by BMW for engine testing next sea son.

RARING TOGO... Russell Ingall believes it is an advantage to have a new car for Bathurst with new parts which are less likely to fail. (Photo by Dirk Kiynsmith)

Toyota decision nears

TOYOTA is to decide on whether or not to enter Formula 1 at an important strategic meeting taking place in January at Team Toyota Europe.

We understand that the market ing departments at Toyota are keen on the idea as a way of bol stering Toyota’s drive into the European car markets.

If the decision is taken.to go ahead it will then be down to whether or not Toyota comes into the sport owning a team or as an engine supplier. ^ With the number of teams now

limited to 12 by the new Concorde Agreement, the only way for Toyota to have its own team would be to buy an existing operation and several are understood to be for sale if the price is right.

If Toyota decides to enter the sport as an engine supplier, the most likely partnership is with Saubef, which has both chassis and engine facilities in Switzerland.

The shelving of the Sauber Petronas engine came as a major blow to engine project leader Osamu Goto and there were many rumours suggesting that the forrper Honda and Ferrari man was

planning to leave the Swiss team.

In recent weeks, however. Goto has appeared to be a lot happier and more motivated at Sauber, which suggests that he knows more about the future than the FI paddock in general.

Having said that, it should also be noted that Toyota engineers were spotted earlier this year visit ing John Judd’s factory in Rugby and since then the company has managed to find the finance neces sary to produce a VIO engine which, it is said, is producing prodigious horsepower on the dynos.

If a decision is taken to enter FI, we would expect to see some activi ty at the start of 2001 and we would expect the project to be led

by TTE’s technical director Andre de Cortanze, who has considerable FI experience with Alpine, Sauber and Ligier in addition to a long and successful period at Peugeot Sport.

Interestingly, Minardi recently played host to a number of Toyota guests, including de Cortanze.

In the interim, however, Toyota remains intent on winning the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 13 next year.

- JOE SAWARD

The BMW engines are somewhat delayed but the latest version of the VIO is producing promising horse power figures on the dynos.

The first of these engines will be ready to run in the car in February when we expect that Jos Verstappen will be named the team’s test driver, having had experience with both Renault and Ford FI engines in recent years.

We understand that the test team - which will be based in Mimich - is already estabhshed and waiting to go into action.

It remains to be seen who will run the operation but there are some technical changes going on at Williams at the moment.

A recent visitor to the fac tory was McLaren engineer David Brown but it seems that he has decided to stay with the Woking team.

There has also been talk of the team hiring a Ferrari engineer to take over the running of the race engineer ing, but it may keep Senior Operations Engineer James Robinson as he does not appear to have very many other options at the moment.

Zonta deal Brock lends support to signals good Junior Tourer categoiy news for BAR

By JOE SAWARD BRITISH American Racing has finally confirmed that Ricardo Zonta is to be n Jacques Villeneuve’s part ner next season and the announcement - which had been delayed because of the branding problems encountered by the team in recent weeks - suggests that a solution has been found between the various BAT companies involved in BAR, There have, however, been victims along the way with bat’s communications manager David Bacon hav ing been replaced as a result of the recent prob lems.

Things do appear to be settling down a little and the focus has switched away from the team’s somewhat clumsy political approach to the engineering side of the business, which is looking stronger.

Whether or not BAT con tinues with its plan to take legal action against Bernie

Ecclestone and the FIA remains to be seen but there are many in the paddock who feel it would be a disastrous thing to do.

It has not helped that the team has run into conflict with Ecclestone over the booking of hotels for the Chinese GP. Villeneuve and Zonta are expecting to test the first Reynard-built BAR 199 chassis in December.

However, our sources tell us that the car is unlikely to be ready before January because of delays encoun tered in getting the team’s factory in Brackley finished.

This would not be at all surprising as new teams usually take longer than they plan to produce proto type cars.

Zonta is 22 and was crowned the FIA Grand Touring Champion after a thrilling finale at Laguna Seca last week.

He will drive for BAR in 1999 and is believed to be under an option to continue in 2000.

PETER Brock has endorsed the Junior Touring Car category being created by former V8 and AUSCAR racer Bruce Williams.

Williams is proposing a Commodore VS /FMcon ELbased category, with highly controlled components and cost, to provide a middle ground category in its own right, but also a sedan-based training/feeder ground for V8 Supercars.

Brock this week offered his support to Williams’ pro ject, endorsing not only the Peter Brock technical proposal, but the philosophical push to clean “I’ve seen a similar thing up driving standards and in NZ and the AUSCAR involve the category in other thing here and I think it is worthwhile community work viable.

- the category will support “What’s more, this concept the Peter Brock Foundation. has come from a racer, Brock told Motorsport whose been there and expe News of his support on rienced it all (as opposed to Tuesday: something created by an “We’ve been looking for a entrepreneur, which might while for an entree, if you be a good idea, but be like, into V8 motor sport. flawed) so you have to take This concept is cost-effective some notice. ... and should enable V8-mind“The other thing that has ed people to compete com impressed me with Bruce’s petitively without the need plan is the level of conduct to be rich or heavily spon he plans to enforce, a sport sored. ing code if you like, so that

RACE CAGE... The prototype Commodore will test soon. drivers race in a sporting manner. No nonsense and so on. If you, as a yoimg driver, go out there with the right approach, the formula’s going to embrace you.

“The other thing is the positioning of the category to be more involved with community activities. It’s going to pay enormous divi dends for its popularity and survival. Bruce has talked about getting involved with the Peter Brock Foundation, and that’d be fantastic.

“If this can start off with a clean sheet of paper, get all

those little ducks in a row, then it’ll work well.”

In the meantime, Williams has met with CAMS Motorsport Manager Tim Schenken and received a positive initial reception.

Response to a call for com petitor interest has been strong and Williams expects to have his prototype Commodore ready for public viewing in three weeks.

Super Tourer promoters TOCA have indicated inter est in staging an initial fiveround championship for the category next year.

6 n Prodi’ive and West Sm-rey Racing have swapped roles for the 1999 BTCC. While Prodrive has won the Ford contract, Honda Motorsports Europe has appointed WSR to run an all-new Accord next year. The car was shown at the Birmingham Motor Show last week, and features a shorter wheelbase than the 1998 cars. The cars were designed by Keith Knott, who quit Prodrive to join FossTech. James Thomson and Peter Kox stay on as drivers. n Konrad Motorsport is the first customer to order a new Lola B98/10 sportscar. The car, which will be run in the new American Le Mans series, will have a turbocharged engine installed at Franz Koni-ad’s Verl, Germany base. The team also has an option on a second car. n The new Lola is test ing veiy impressively. At Road Atlanta last month, a Ford-engined Lola out paced a similar James Weaver, Dyson Motorsports-run Riley&Scott by a second a lap. The team is said to be considering its chassis option for next season. n The revised Le Mans regulations are threaten ing BMW’s involvement in the event. BMW has con cerns about the freedoms given to turbocharged engines, which potentially disadvantage their owjn 6litre,V12 engines. A revised version of the car run at Le Mans this year is being built at Williams’ UK faptoiy. n The German STW (Touring Car) Championship is in a per ilous state.(Dnly Honda and Opel have committed to the series. BMW and Audi will not finalised their plans until the end of November and BMW is also looking at the Italian Supertourismo Championship, where it may take on Alfa Romeo. n UK constnictor Pilbeam is to build a ‘cus tomer’ open-topped proto type for the popular International Sports Racing Series. New cars are also being produced by Lola and a new Italian concern, Picchio.

Meanwliile the ISRS pro moters will commission its own ‘spec’ chassis for the SR2 division of the series to allow entrants to com plete new cars with their own suspension and drivetrains. n Dome has reportedly tested an uprated version of its F105 FI car, fitted with a Mugen-Honda engine. Dome GT racer Katsumi Yamamoto drove the trials, but the Japanese constructor is yet to make public its plans for the project.

- QUEN'TIN SPURRING

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Honda FI testing close

By JOE SAWARD ALTHOUGH Honda has yet to officially confirm that it is entering Form ula 1 in 2000, there is no doubt that a team is being put together and that it will begin running cars in Japan and Europe within days of officially confirm ing its entry into FI. While the new team will become Japanese in nature there will be considerable input from European engi neers while their Japanese counterparts learn about composite chassis construc tion and FI aerodynamics.

These efforts will be guid ed by Europeans under Dr Postlethwaite, Harvey although this involvement is likely to be played down as was the case in the ’60s when Honda worked with Lola to develop a Formula 1 chassis.

A short official announce ment of Honda’s plans is expected in mid-November, although it is worth noting that several people in the FI paddock at Suzuka were spot ted wearing “Honda FI” pass es, despite the fact that the team does not officially exist.

There is a drawing office at Leatherhead, England and a factory is being estab lished in Bracknell, near London’s Heathrow Airport.

We hear that the Honda FI team already has 75 employ ees and that four chassis are ready to test. These have been designed in secret at Leatherhead and Have been built at Dallara in Italy.

Two of these cars are expected to be flown to Japan to be used for engine testing while the other two will remain in Europe.

There have been sugges tions that Honda wants Mika Salo to be one of the test dri vers but the Finn says he is keen to race and wants to stay with Arrows. If Honda offers him a good long-term deal Salo may change his mind and sign for the Japanese. If Salo does not become the test driver Jos Verstappen is a possibility, although BMW is also keen to secure his services.

In 2000 Honda wants Salo and Tora Takagi as drivers while backing for the project is expected to come from PIAA, plus a major oil com pany, and fi-om other techni cal Japanese sponsors.

POWESS^

White seeks support

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COMING SOON TO A GP NEAR YOU... Honda’s Indycar engines have tough to beat - can the factory carry the performance into the Grand Prix arena as well?(Photo byjamie squire/Atispon)

Onward Christian soldiers in UK debut CHRISTIAN Jones has for the first time on Tuesday shown well in his first ... on a damp track.

He had done the deal with. race in England.

The son of the 1980 world Palmer on the previous champion was driving in the Saturday and flew to the UK first two races of the on Sunday.

Series boss Jonathan Formula Audi Palmer \rinter series at Brands Hatch, Palmer rang Jones and said where he finished sixth and his son was “a star” after his n fourth place in the second a very competitive fourth.

Jones did well to qualify race, where he lapped under seventh after driving the car the track record.

Jones, who finished the 1998 Formula Ford Championship as runner-up to Adam Macrow, is using the winter series to learn UK racing and racetracks prior to making a decision on where he will race full-time next season.

He is also considering having a look at the BarberDodge Pro Series in the USA.

WITH one, and hopefully a second, F3000 test behind him, Stephen White is appealing for support firom Australia to secure an F3000 drive in 1999.

The young Melburnian has tested with the RedmanBright F3000 team, will also test with Super Nova, and has an Indy Lights drive in the offing from Aussie Barry Green. Now he needs the financial backing.

F3000, now to be re-named Junior FI, will be on the pro gramme at 10 FI Grands Prix next year.

White is linked with the Australian Sports Foundation and is hoping motor sport enthusiasts, companies and individuals, can support his quest for an F3000/Lights berth which, in due course, could open up FI opportunities.

Tax deductible donations can be made to: Stephen White - Australian Driver to FI, c/- Australian Sports Foundation, GPO Box 4626, Sydney, NSW 1044.

Spectrum’s first NZ FF THIS is Spectrum’s first Formula Ford for New Zealand.

Michael Borland completed the car last week for Kiwi racer Phil Hellebrekers.

Borland will engineer the car- at a Pukekohe test before the first NZ series race at Manfeild on November 22.

The car features a number of changes to suit regulations.

“There are actually different rules for the cars in the UK, New Zealand, the USA and said Australia, Borland.

“In NZ they have a

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larger flywheel so we’ve raised the height of the engine by 8mm. We’ve also made sidepods with a lower profile as

they don’t have the same side impact regu lations as here.”

The car also featm-es revised front suspen-

Ten’s blockbuster Bathurst coverage NETWORK Ten will broadcast 15 hours of action from the FAI 1000 Classic.

The broadcast will kick off on Saturday at noon (all times ESST), with five hours cover ing the Top Ten Shootout and the afternoon’s 3 Hour GT-P race.

Sunday’s show will begin at 7am with the V8 warm-up, races for HQs and Formula Fords, the pre-race build-up and the start at 10am. The broadcast will finish at 5pm.

Bill Woods will host the show, with regular commentators Barry Sheene, Leigh Diffey and Mark Oastler.

Craig Denyer will step in for the 3-Hour,

while Greg Rust will call the weekend action from pit lane.

In all the Ten show utilised 34 on-track cam eras, others in pit-lane, on the Whitmans light ship, in the Ten chopper, with no less than 11 cars caiTying in-car cameras, up to foui' of the lightweight mini-cams in some cars.

“It’s a big, big weekend,” Ten’s Producer Andrew Radford said this week. “We have two main production tracks - one up the top covering from the Cutting through to the bridge on Con Rod, and one down the bottom - and we just call it between the two, depend ing upon what is happening...”

sion which will be car ried over to all 1999 Spectrum 07s.

The interest in the cai' has not been hmited to

Hellebrekers, who fin ished second in the New Zealand title last season.

Ken Smith has been looking at a Spectrum for almost two years while an Enghsh-based Australian driver has intentions to ran a car in the Brand Hatch-based Kent series next season.

There ai'e five of the new 07 chassis under build for the new sea son. Borland will be looking to build on the success of the 1998 seaAdam when son Macrow and Christian Jones ran 1-2 in the FF Championship.

-PBOLBRANAGAN

winners nre nrinners ALAN Blevin of Glenmore Park, NSW is the winner of our “See Bathurst In Style” Competition.

Alan was the first correct entry drawn from the barrel on Tuesday, answering both questions correctly and win ning himself a corporate package for two for next weekend’s FAI 1000 Classic — two tickets to the presti gious Mountain Straight

Club.

Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall are the defending champions at this year’s V8 race, while last year's pole sitters were, of course, Peter Brock and Mark Skaife.

Runner-up prizes( Two 4day season passes to the race) go to: Sue West (Wangaratta, VIC),Greg Effield (Gorokan, NSW), Wayne Dillon (West Hoxton, NSW). Graham Eglington (Capalaba, QLD) and George Coutsoucos (YaiTaville, VIC).

All winners will be con tacted by PR Company IRPR with regard to collection of their prizes.

Thanks to all the entrants — even the reader who claimed there are NO defending champions, as this is the first FAI 1000 Classic...

/

What will Murray make of this7

Aussies struggle at Brands

OPPORTUNITY turned to disappointment for the Australians at the Formula Ford World Finals at Brands Hatch in England.

Marcos Ambrose was the star of the show until being MICHAEL and Ralf punted off the track while Schumacher are actually leading with a lap to go in the Algerian, according to an Final, while David Besnard was disquahfied from his pre Ai’ab newspaper. liminary race after a pitlane The Algerian govern ment-owned newspaper infringement after the warm ‘El Mudjahid’ stated in a up lap.

The week started well for recent story that the German stars were born Ambrose, who set the pace in the Algerian town of right from the start of the meeting. He finished second Bilda and they are claim ing them as their new in his heat but, after starting his semi final from third, national sporting heroes.

The story said Michael asserted his authority by was born with the name passing both works Mygales ‘Farouk’ in 1969 and Ralf on his way to a dominant was born with the name win.

Going into the final the “Hassan’ six years later.

Tasmanian shared favourite Further claims are that, status with Van Diemen when the family’s team-mate Daniel Wheldon Algerian father died, their German mother and Jenson Button (Mygale) moved the family back to and it was Ambrose who held Germany, where she the edge in starting from pole remarried a German man. position.

He led away in the 20 lap According to his offtcial Michael Schumacher final, but soon Button was biography, the double onto his tail and the two set world champion was bom up a classic Formula Ford in the German town of battle, swapping the l.ead.

Huerth-Hermolzhin and 'Ambrose took the lead late in his father, Rolf from Koln the race and looked to hold (Cologne), resettled in the the edge.

Going into the final lap current family home of Ambrose slid wide at the find Kerpen near the Belgian comer and Button wasted no border.

-DIRKKLYNSMITH 'time diving into the gap.

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BEN Walsh has taken the lead in the Asian Formula badly when his engineer and team owner cancelled their 2000 Championship.

The Sydney driver took his UK trip because of concerns third win of the season at about his car,leaving Besnard Zhuhai in China last week to prepare the car with help end and heads into the final boiTowed from the work Van race at Johor, Malaysia with Diemen team. a 14 point lead in the series.

On Satm'day he accidental In the first race Walsh was ly flicked his ignition switch battling for the lead with off on the formation lap and, Frenchman Phillipe Deswhen he sorted the problem combes but, after a touch, out, took up his starting posi Walsh was sent spinning. He tion for the race, driving recovered to fourth. through a pit exit red-light s In race two, Descombes he did so. cleared out to win and Walsh BEFORE THE STORM... Besnard struggled before the “Obviously, I’m extremely had a great battle with Ng heats with his Van Diemen (above) but was still look for a disappointed. When I got to Wai Leong for second until good result until his disqualification. He and Ambrose the end of the pit lane, I the Malaysian driver had a shared a laugh (below) before the racing got too serious. looked for a marshall to stop half-spin, hitting Walsh’s me, but no-one was there. I rear suspension. Walsh didn’t even see the red light,” regained the track and strag he said later. gled over the line for third “In the US we are allowed behind H Nattaphong. to re-take our position on a On Sunday, while pace lap, so I did. The rules Descombes cleared away on are the rules and it is my fault the damp track Walsh and for not knowing the proce Nattaphong went at it again dure. and, after a great battle, “The week was a bit of a Walsh finished second.

In the final, wet race struggle because neither my mechanic nor I are used to the Walsh chased Descombes the Frenchman cars. I think we were making until good progress though, and beached the car in the grav could have been there in the el. Wai Leong went past to There was contact as fhe he said.‘T wouldn’t have claim the lead but he soon final. It is a shame!” works Van Diemen ended the done that in his shoes, but Besnard, who won the U.S. retired with a broken drivethis is the Festival and that’s F2000 race in a gravel trap.

National shaft, leaving Ben to win and Afterwards a heart-broken what happens.”

Championship this season, claim the 4-3-2-1 result.

The final round ofthe series Wheldon finished second next sets off to test A.J. Foyt’s Ambrose kept his head held high but felt that perhaps his ahead of a consistent Nicolas Indy Racing League car, a will be held over two races at race had been ended unfairly.

Kiesa, while Barry Home fin Toyota Atlantic car and a Johor on November 28.

“If I am going to win the “I was stupid to leave the ished and excellent fourth.

Tasman Racing Indy Lights door open but he did seem to Besnard never got event cai' in the next month and a Championship I am going to have to win there,” Walsh come from a long way back,” that far. The week started halfin the United States. said before leaving China.

/

/

Walsh leads Asian series

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NEWLY crowned Indy Lights champion Cristiano da Matta has been hired for 1999 by Arciero-Wells Racing.

The 25-year-old will replace Max Papis, who is moving into the seat vacat ed by retiring three-time champion Bobby Rahal. Da Matta will be teamed with Scott Pruett, who is moving from Patrick Racing into the seat currently filled by Robby Gordon. n Pruett will be spon sored by Pioneer Electronics. While making the announcement Toyota’s US Motorsport Manager Les Unger took the gold in the Positive Spin ofthe week event;“Toyota... is pleased to renew its rela tionship with a driver as talented as Scott Pruett.”

Pruett’s last Toyota drive was in a Supra in the Long Beach Pro Celebrity event -in 1984... n CART has announced new restrictions on testing as proposed by the Rules and Technical Committee.

Two-car teams will be lim ited to 50 days of testing next year with one-car teams restricted to 40.

Rookie drivers will be per mitted 10 additional test days while tire testing will be limited to ten days per manufacturer with a maxi mum of three cars per test. n Juan-Pablo Montoya, the Colombian FIA Formula 3000 champion who replaces Alex Zanardi next year, completed his first Champ car test with Chip Ganassi’ftteam at the Homestead. Montoya’s quickest lap on the oval after the first day was 27.1 secs, more than two sec onds away from a good lap, but the point of the exer cise wasn’t to go fast but to find his feet on an oval.

“We couldn’t be happi er,” said Ganassi team manager Tom Anderson.

“Juan Pablo has a tremen dous amount of natural talent. He’s veiy intelli gent, has a good feel for the car and expresses him self very well in terms of what he’s experiencing in the cal'.”

Report by PHIL MORRIS JIMMY Vasser took second place in the 1998 CART Championship in the best way possible, by winning the season-ending Calif ornia 500 at Montana.

The American leap-frogged coming man Dario Franchitti to back up outgoing Cham pion Alex Zanardi in the pointscore, sneaking past Greg Moore in a thrilling fin ish. Zanardi ended his three year CART fairytale with a third place.

And there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as CART and its supporters gave 17-year vet eran Bobby Rahal a fond farewell in his final race.

Vasser put everyone on notice during qualifying. He lined up on the front row alongside pole man Scott Pruett, with Michael Andr etti, Richie Heam and Bobby Rahal making it a 1-5 sweep for the Stars ‘n’ Stripes.

The race, the second to fea ture the ‘Hanford Device’ low downforce/high drag super speedway wing, started with a rush, with Vasser and Andretti swapping the lead and Moore, Robby Gordon and Adrian Fernandez charg ing fi-om the rear.

During the 500 mile race Vasser was rarely out of the leading three cars but, when Paul Tracy and Greg Moore lined up for what looked hke the final shot at the win, providence played a hand.

With only three laps remaining leader Ti-acy, who wiU miss the first 1999 CART race through suspension, was leading Moore to the green flag on a restart. But he never got to the line; in turn two he ploughed his Reynard-Honda into the wall, throwing the yellows and leaving Vasser and Moore with a one lap sprint to the flag. Vasser pre vailed by 0.36s.

“That sums up our year,” mused Tracy’s team owner Barry Green.

After starting the day with a 12 point deficit to Franchitti in the battle for the US$500,000 ($740,000) second place finish, Vasser moved into position when the Scotsman ended his race with a blown Honda engine on lap 112.

Just to add to Vasser’s weekend, the race was the richest of the season; for winning it, Jimmy picks up

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For Zanardi the race was a fitting end to his CART fairy tale. After failing to get a handle on the car in qualify ing he took the first half of the race steadily, picking off the places as cars fell by the wayside. Gil De Ferran and Franchitti both lost engines, Andretti hit a wall and Herta tangles with Papis late in the race, allowing the Italian to stretch his points lead to a record 116.

Finishing in a mercurial fourth place was Fernandez.

The Patrick driver was fastest

Available soon

on Friday but a Saturday morning prac tice accident left the crew racing time to build a spare for him. He missed quali fying by about 30s but, after starting 27th, blasted through the pack to finish within 1.137s ofa win.

Mauricio Gugelmin and 1997 winner Mark Blundell followed next for PacWest, giving Bruce McCaw his best result ofyhe season.

In his fin£d race Rahal ran well, hanging in the top 10 most of the way and finishing a lap down in 11th. After the morning warm-up he received a standing ovation from all the teams along pit lane, dressed to a man (and woman)in plastic glasses, big nose and moustache.

Final points; Zanardi 285, Vasser 169, Franchitti 160, Fernandez 154, Moore 140, Pruett 121, Andretti 112, Herta 97, Kanaan 92, Rahal 82.

Just one Penske for Al in 1999?

ROGER Penske has denied rumours that he is considering closing Penske Cars after recent indifferent sea sons - but he may be forced to cut back to one car next season.

Marlboro US is said to be cutting back on its involvement with the team and, at California last weekend, specula tion was high that Al Unser Jr would run solo next season.

That would leave Andre Ribeiro either looking for another ride - or looking for sponsorship to bolster the team’s budget.

UNSER... will he be a solo man?

But Penske is not “We’ve got a good car closing his UK factory. this year. We have not “Penske Cars is solid, Penske declared. “We’ll had the results, but the have our first new car by car is good. We’re on the early December. It will be right track and we’re hop an evolution of this year’s ing that Goodyear will car and we’ll run it a time continue their efforts in the same way.” or two before Christmas.

CAMS approves Saloon Car class THE Commodore/Falcon category out lined in the last issue of Motorsport News has received the approval of CAMS. The class - which will be known as Saloon Car Racing - will be trialled in 1999 follow ing the approval in principle of CAMS’Board last week. The class will be able to run for six months and refinements may be made before presentation for CAMS approval for competi tion in January 2000.

It is envisaged that the class will take over from the HQ Holden category in the long term, at a cost not very much higher than the older cars which have raced on the mainland for the last 10 years.

HQs will continue to be raced well into the

new century, but at club level.

“HQ racing will continue to take place as long as fields are viable,” says the HQ Association’s Les Morrall. “However, we see the introduction of the new category as an updating of the entry level touring car cate gory in Australia.”

Both Commodore and Falcon race cars are under construction and are expected to be ready for track testing by February.

CAMS’ approval of the trial is a setback for the Super V6 class which is being started in Queensland. Any cars built to those specifica tions will now be log-booked by CAMS as Sports Sedans.

-PHILBRANAGAN

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Mick 3rd at Sugo

MICK Doohan’s first ride on a four-stroke in five years has netted him third in the TBC even at Sugo in Japan.

Honda 500 star Tadayuki Okada narrowly headed New Zealander Aaron Slight and Doohan to win the final round of the All-Japan Superbike Championship series.

The leading trio all rode Honda RC45s and were sepa rated by 2.109s at the finish.

“I made a good start, and felt comfortable,” said Doohan.

“Then a couple of people came past, so I settled in behind them. The traffic was really bad. We started lap¬

ping backmarkers after eight laps. Almost half the field (40 riders started the race) were lapped.

“At one stage there were a couple of ambulances on the track while we were racing.

The first three or four bikes were all running about the same speed, but I wasn’t in the right place at the right time when it counted. Third was the best I could do. It’s still been a good year.”

Colin Edwards, Slight’s Honda team-mate in this year’s WSC, was fourth on another RC45, with Japan’s Noriyuki Haga fifth on a fac tory Yamaha YZF750.

STAY or GO?... Peter Goddard will swap teams in ’99, but will it be Alstare or Aprilia?

Foggy and Corser for Ducati WSC WORLD Superbike run ner-up Troy Corser will join three-time champ Carl Fogarty in the offi cial Ducati team for 1999.

Both riders resisted big money offers from the new Alstare Suzuki squad - reportedly as high as $4 million for Foggy - but long-time Ducati star Pierfrancesco Chili’s future remains uncertain with Luca Cadalora in the. running to capture the other works Ducati.

While Chili is eager to stay put with the Italian

Ingall, Tander fined over Surfers

factory, he too is fielding an offer from Alstare Suzuki - and the new Suzuki works team is also talking to Australian Peter Goddard.

Chili, who rode for the official Ducati team this year, was expected to ride for a satellite squad for Virginio Ferrari with fac tory backing in 1999.

But that plan could be in tatters after Ferrari’s bust-up with the Italian factory which now may go to court.

-DARRYLFLACK

Suzuki or Aprilia WSC for Goddard?

AUSTRALIAN World Superbike rider Peter Goddard has confirmed that he will be saddling for the 1999 title chase, but has yet to reveal the team he is about to agree to terms with.

The 1997 World Endurance Champion, who finished ninth in the ‘98 points stand ings, has two options for next_ season - either staying with Suzuki’s WSC team (which moves from the Harris team to Alstare) or leading the new Aprilia team, which will run sup'erbikes based on the stunning new RSVlOOOV-twin.

Commenting on Suzuki’s decision to con¬

tract the Alstare squad as the official factory WSB team, Goddard said: “It looks like they’re- going with all-new [Suzuki] riders again, and if you saw how fast the works motors were at Sugo, it looks as if they’re going to go away from the chassis/suspension set-up that we found, to a quick motor with a different set-up and experienced [Suzuki] riders. We’ll have to see ifit works.”

Either way, Goddard is confident of being in the series next year. “I can’t say too much,” he said on Tuesday, “but it will be sorted out by the end ofthe week.”

-DARRYL FLACK

RUSSELL Ingali and Garth Tander have both been fined $5,000 as a result of incidents at the Honda Indy V8 races.

Ingall tangled with Paul Romano after over-shooting a chicane, while Tander tapped Craig Lowndes into a spin at the opening comer ofthe first race.

While Garry Rogers has already indicated that he will appeal Tander’s decision, having viewed video tape himself, IngaU is also looking at avenues of appeal: “The decision is wrong, partic ularly when the other person involved (Romano)is prepared to testify for me,” he said on Monday. At this stage I’m just looking at the options and whether theyJl(CAMS)allow me to appeal.”

At the same time, on a busy day at CAMS last Thursday, Jason Bargwanna was cleared following an incident between himself and Paul Romano at the 'Tickford 500.

A disappointed Bap Romano, who filed the original protest against Bargwanna, has sig nalled his intention to appeal: “It’s clearly wrong,” he said on Monday. “The video evidence is there, yet Jason is cleai-ed.

“The whole thing cost us $70,000 to rebuild.

“The money’s one thing, but sooner or later, someone’s going to get hurt...”

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World of Sport

Motor Ha€ing Calendar FAI Australian 1000 Classic * Nov 15 ...Mt. Panorama, Bathurst

1999 Shell Championship Series*

Mar? ....Albert Park ....F1GP Mar 28 ...Eastern Creek ...Rd 1 Apr 11 Adelaide 500 ...Rd 2 Rd3 May 2 Barbargallo ,Rd4 May 16 ...Sandown .

June 6 .. .Hidden Valley ...Rd 5 June 27 . .Phillip Island —Rd 6 July 11 ...Willowbank Rd 7 Rd8 July 25 ...Calder Park ,Rd9 Aug 8 Symmons . ●RdlO Aug 22 ...Winton ■Rd 11 Sept 5 . . . .Oran Park . ,Rd12 Sept 19 . . .TBA Oct 17 . . . .Gold Coast . . . .CART Nov 14 . . ..FA11000Bathurst. ,Rd 13

1999 FI Worid Championship - Provisional

Q

Mar 7 . . . .Albert Park Mar 21 . . .China' Apr 11 Brazil May 2 San Marino May 16 . . .Monaco May 30 . . .Spain .

June 13 . .Canada June 27 . .France July 11 Britain . , July 25 Austria .

Aug 1 Germany Aug 15 . .. .Hungary Aug29 . . . .Belgium Sept 12 . . . .Italy . . . .

Sept26 . . . .Europe .

Oct17 Malaysia' Oct 31 Japan . . .

Rd 1 ,Rd2 ,Rd3 ,Rd4 Rd 5 Rd6 ,Rd7 .Rd8 ,Rd9 ●RdlO Rdll

' .Rdi2, .Rd13 .Rd14 .Rd15 .Rd16 .Rdt7

Australian NASCAR Series*

Dec"5Adelaide Ini. fiVvay. .Rd 3 Jan 2 Calder T’dome . .Rd4 Feb 13 . . .Calder T'dome . .Rd5 Mar 4-7 . . .Melbourne (GP) .Rd 6 Nascaronly

Apr 3 . . . . ..Calder T'dome . .Rd 7

Seven race series held at Bathurst, Calder Park Thunderdome and Adelaide International Rway.

Winston Cup NASCAR

Nov 8 . . . .Atlanta Nov 21 . . .Motegl, Japan

Rd 34

33 race series held in the United States

NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series

Nov 15 . . .Pomona

Rd 22

22 race series held in the United States

Australian Drag Racing Series

Nov 7 . . . .Adelaide - Springnats Dec 4/5 . .Calder Park-Vic Champs Feb 27/28 .Ravenswood - Westnats Mar 18-20 .Calder Park - 99 Nationals Palmyra - Old Champ Apr 3 Apr 10 . . .Willowbank - Nthlire Champs Jin 11-13Wllowbank - 99 Wntematonals

Top drive by Webber not enough to snatch GT title MARK Webber had to settle for second in the FIA GT Championship after he and Bernd Schneider were narrow ly beaten to the line in the final round at Laguna Seca on October 25 by Mercedes-Benz teammates Ricardo Zonta and Klaus Ludwig.

Webber had the small consola tion of setting the fastest lap as he brilliantly chased Zonta to the line, halving the margin from 16 seconds when he took the wheel to 8 sec onds before having to slow to con serve fuel.

“I tried very hard to catch Ricardo,” said Webber after a onehour stint which drew praise from the Mercedes team.

“At the start of my stint I exited the pits and found someone had dumped a heap of oil on the track.

“I was the first car through and went off the track but was able to recover. Ricardo did exactly the same the next lap round.

“Then I had a lot of trouble with the (works) Porsche (which was lapped). I couldn’t see any blue flags for him and it is very hard to overtake at this track, so the only place I could put any pressure on was the braking areas. In the end we touched as I got inside him.” ' To make it even more frustrating, Schneider had lost a lot of time during his stint trying to lap the same Porsche, which critically reduced his then 20-second lead bvbr Zonta to 12 seconds.

It certainly helped former Porsche star Ludwig to claim the drivers title with Zonta.

“It was very frustrating because the Porsche was a full lap down and had no reason to hold us up so badly,” said Webber. “It really cost us a lot of time and the finish could have been a lot closer .

“I’m really happy with my stint but disappointed we missed out on the championship.”

Webber and defending champion Schneider led the series most of the year but were beaten by Zonta and Ludwig in the two final rounds in ug Zonta and Ludwig ended the season with 77 points to the 69 of Webber and Schneider.

Another Australian, David

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MM

FINAL STOP... Klaus Ludwig pits the winning Mercedes before taking a champagne shower (below).

Brabham, finished fourth in the

Laguna Seca race in the Americanbuilt Panoz - he shared with Frenchman Eric Bernard, Mercedes won all 10 rounds of by lapped traffic, Zonta took over the GT Championship this year and the lead on the second stop from finished 1-2 on seven occasions.

Webber, Zonta, 22, said the race had been Zonta and Webber both went off “a real tough title fight”. com-se exiting the pits due to the oil “I had to give it my all to keep on the track but were quicldy back the gap to' Mark Webber wide on course and Zonta clocked a lap of enough to make it,” Zonta said.

Iml9.156 on lap 119 - whmh “The fact that we both went off Webber bettered on lap 127 with a because of oil on the track shows lml9.094 for a circuit record for a how close to the limit we were.

GT car.

“Fm really happy about the title Despite his best efforts, Webber and that I could win it together had tc^settle for second, 10.891s with Klaus.” behind at the chequered flag.

It was an emotional victory for Schneider said of he and Webber Ludwig as it was the last race for finishing runner-up: “Failing to win the 49 year-old German veteran. the title after 10 races by just 10 Ludwig and Schneider started ^seconds shows how tough we raced the CLK-LMs. for the drivers’ championship this the race in season.

Schneider stopped on lap 45 for fuel “Although Mark and I didn’t but not tyres, while Ludwig pitted manage to win the championship. from the lead one lap later and I’m glad for the team. handed over to Zonta with new Congratulations to my old friend tyres.

Klaus, who deserves to end his Schneider sought to widen the margin established by the other career as champion.

Brabham takes title

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World Series Sprinfcars Nov 25 . . .Kalgoorlie Nov 27 . . .Claremont Nov 28 . . .Bunbury .

Dec 4 . . . .Adelaide .

Dec 12 . . .Avalon . .

Dec 28 . . .Adelaide .

Dec 30 . . .Nyora . . .

World Rally Championhip*

Nov 6 . . . .Australia Nov 21 . . .RAC

Rd 1 Rd2 Rd3 Rd4 Rd 5 Rd6 ,Rd7

R d 13 Rd 14

14 rally series held around the world

I ■

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

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

Check your local guides for screening details.

t

car’s longer stop, knowing that at his next stop he and Webber would need fresh tyres as well as fuel.

However,-with Schneider held up

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DAVID Brabham and English co-driver Andy Wallace last week wrapped up the GTl class of the US Professional Sports Car- Championship at Laguna Seca, the day before the FIA GT round.

They beat Visteon Panoz teammates Eric Bernard and Johnny O’Connell in the final round.

The title goes with the Japanese GT Champion ship Brabham won in 1996.

Brabham said the Saturday race was more satisfying than finishing fourth the following day because he won a close battle with Bemai-d over the closing laps of the US series race.

The two and a half hour race was held in changing weather condi tions, with heavy rain forcing the safety car out for the fii-st four laps.

Wallace led away fi’om pole position but was passed by O’Connell on lap 11 and handed over mid-race to Brabham, who went out on slicks on a wet track.

‘Tor the fii-st five or six laps I had a job keeping the car on the track, but we had to go onto slicks in the hope of catching Eric in the other Panoz,” said Brabham.

It proved to be a wise move because, once Brabham had generated some heat into the tyres, he was able to catch

6611131x1 and pass him 11 laps firorathefinish.

“It was a bit of a des perate move,” Brabham admitted, “but I had to do it because I knew that once Eric’s tyres were up to temperature nhe would be as fast as me.'

A yellow flag period enabled Bernard to close onto Brabham’s tail again with Just 15 min utes to go, but Brabham was able to keep his teammate just behind in the nm to the flag.

“We had a lot of traffic to deal with in those last laps, but Eric is so good to race against - he’s a hard charger, but very fair.

“It’s very satisfiing nto win the championship.

0

6Nomiber 1998

W

ell, the season is over and I didn’t get what I wanted. However, when I watched Michael Schumacher last Sunday trying to win the F1 championship in exactly the same position Bernd and I were in going into the last race at Laguna Seca, it was as though it wasn’t meant to be for him or us. The other guys had too many runs on the board, it was as simple as that.

Even though we didn’t win the world championship, it was a good season for me all the same. Just the experience I gained, the involvement with AMG and Mercedes and being involved in the Le Mans program was all very special.

Aside from racing, I undertook some long and successful tests for the team and was very happy about the way they went.

The highlights of the season were

bit too much fuel in the opening stint and that closed our window up for the end of the race.

So we finished with 10 seconds between us for the championship but I really drove as hard and as fast as I could to catch Ricardo. I would have loved nothing more than to fill his mirrors and put him under some real pressure!

£S7 WAS.'*'

told him that whatI did

As you know, Mercedes and AMG #»never do things by half and another great thing they did at Laguna was to throw a big party for the team and guests, taking over a restaurant near the circuit on Sunday night.

It was particularly good for the yy mechanics to be rewarded like that after such a long season and all their Silverstone, where Bernd and I gave the VI2 efforts for Le Mans. engine a perfect swansong with a victory.

On Monday morning, I had my second and the win at Hockenheim on the CLK LM’s headache of the year - due to too much debut was another high for sure. Then there encouragement from Mr Haug! was Donihgton, Suzuka and even Laguna Seca... am now back in Australia and i hope no-

- which was hit him off the circuit- was absolutely intentional.

I

t was a shame that the terrestrial TV sta- by only finishing second in the championship Itions in Australia weren’t able to show the because -one here feels I’vehaven’t. taken a backward step I definitely championship this year, particularly the last There were a lot of good vibes about my race as it was probably the most exciting of drive after the race, especjally after my the season.

Homestead stuff-up. As the old saying goes, I got in the car for the final hour and was you’re only as good as your last race and to really disappointed with my first 10 seconds go head-to-head against Ricardo at Laguna of the stint when I went off the circuit on an . was not easy, and I was more than equal to oil slick! What I didn’t know until the race was the task, over was that Ricardo [Zonta] did exactly the Next week I head back to Europe as same thing in the same place on the very Mercedes is hosting its annual Stars and next lap. I rejoined the circuit and thought. Cars party in Stuttgart. There will certainly be “Okay, that’s the gap and I’ve'basically got plenty to celebrate this year! one hour of qualifying”.

I’m also competing in a charity karting I took four seconds out of Ricardo’s lead event in London organised by Johnny initially and then I came up behind the worst Herbert’s supporters club, while in early driving I’ve come across at) year -1 got stuck December I’m attending the Essen Motor behind the lapped works Porsche of Uwe Show in Germany. AMG is also about to start Alzen for five laps and lost about five or six its winter testing program, so there’s plenty seconds. As soon as I got out of the car I told of keep me busy, him that what I did - which was hit him off the- circuit - was absolutely intentional. And anyone has me he looked at me as if to say, “Yeah, that was F the right thing to do”. received a reply. I’m really sorry but for a Once I got past him, I put my head down couple of weeks there the mail was coming again and got to within 7.8 seconds of through without reply addresses due to a Ricardo but then I was in a little bit of trouble technical hitch. It’s all up and working okay with fuel consumption because Bernd used a now, so you can try e-mailing again. n

Yellow Pages

recently

'it

^fWARSTElNER r-

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Dunlop McLaren crashes at Sandown to drop 500s DUNLOP has dropped its sup port of the Red Bull Yamaha 500cc team - and may slash its involvement in motorcycle rac ing further.

The move comes as a result of a reappraisal of the firm’s world-wide motorsport activities by Dunlop’s parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries.

But at the same time, the manu facturer is expected to pick up its supply in the 250 and 125 classes following a pull-back by Michelin.

The move wiU leave Dunlop with a near monopoly of the smaller cate gories, while the French giant will monopolise the 500 class.

As a result of the move Michehn’s leading 250 pilot Tohru Ukawa is expected to test Dunlop in the near future, wMle Yamaha 500 GP win ner Simon Crafar will soon do like wise with Michelin.

The decision is expected to affect Dunlop’s involvement in the World Superbike Championship as well.

An announcement regarding the future of Dunlop-supported teams, which includes the Kawasaki team and the Noriyuki Haga half of the factory Yamaha squad, is expected soon.

1

ONE of Australia’s most famous Formula 5000s has been damaged in an accident at the Sandown Histories.

Melbourne racer Max Warwick suffered a broken right ankle when his McLaren MlOB suddenly turned right and dived into the armco at the top ofthe main straight.

The race was halted while Warwick was gently removed from the car and placed in an ambulance. Warwick underwent surgery on Monday following the incident, and is now in a satisfactory condition.

Some work had been done on the front sus

pension of the McLaren that morning, and it appeared something may have broken to cause Warwick to lose control at such a criti cal part ofthe track.

“Something broke in the right rear wheel,” said Warwick last week.

“The wheel drove into the chassis and it turned hard right and into the fence.”

The injury will lay Warwick low for a while, and means that he will not race in the GT Production 3-Hour at Bathurst.

The McLaren was brought to Australia by Frank Matich, who ran it during the 1970 and ’71 seasons. It was unique in as much as Matich ran the car with the local HoldenRepco engine whereas every other McLaren ran with the ubiquitous Chevrolet unit.

It was immediately successful, taking Matich to the Australian Grand Prix at Warwick Farm late in the season.

Many of the modifications that the Sydney legend made to the McLaren became the basis of his first self-built F5000, the Matich A50, which was the real start of his dominance of the local open-wheeler scene in the early and mid-70s.

“I don’t think I’ll race the Car again,” Warwick said from hospital. “I’ll,rebuild it and keep it for demonstration runs.”

HARD HIT... Max Warwick's McLaren hit the Sandown armco hard. Warwick is now home recovering (Photo by Brian Reed) from a broken ankle, while the ex-Matich car will be rebuilt for demonstration runs.

McConville out

of lu<k in USA i

Say ‘Danka shoen’ BSr JOE SAWARD THE relationship between Arrows and Danka will almost cer tainly come to an end at the end of this sea son following the news that company founder and chief executive Dan Doyle has resigned as a result of the financial problems which have beset the office machinery group.

Doyle was the man behind the sponsorship of Arrows, having been a motor racing fan for many years and having run Daii

Doy,je Racing in IMSA. Danka went on to fund Jim Downing’s KudzuMazda team before decid ing to go global with Arrows.

Danka ran into trouble after taking over the pho tocopying businesses pre viously owned by Eastman Kodak.

In doing so it took on nearly half a billion dol lars of debt. Integrating the businesses was much more difficult than expected and a series of poor results has seen Danka’s share price plummet in the last year.

n

The company last week managed to negotiate a temporary waiver of debt repayments and addition al borrowing of $20m but has also appointed advi sors to look at ways of restructuring to appease infuriated shareholders.

This may result in the company being carved up.

While parts of the Danka empire remain profitable it is unlikely that any of them will be happy to provide the kind of money that Tom Walkinshaw wants for title sponsorship of his FI team.

Floating Reynard

By JOE SAWARD RUMOURS in Britain suggest that Adrian Reynard and his partners are considering floating Reynard Motorsport Ltd on the New York Stock Exchange.

The company controls Reynard Racing Cars, Reynard Manufact uring, Reynard Composites and Reynard North America Inc. The group has enjoyed a boom in recent years thanks to the success of the company in CART racing in which Reynard chassis have been beaten only once in the last 27 races.

There are even suggestions that Penske Racing is planning to buy Reynard chassis next year.

Adrian Reynard would be the major beneficiary of any flotation. He owns 62 per cent of the company and controls another 18 per cent through a trust company which he co-owns with his wife. Others who would ben efit are the directors of Reynard

>

Racing Cars, who between them own 15 per cent of the company through their pension fund.'These include car designer Malcolm Oastler, commer cial director Rick Gome and compos ite expert Paul Owens.

It is worth noting that Reynard Formula 1 Ltd, Reynard Special Vehicle Projects and Reynard Aviation are all independent of the main company and are not likely to be included in the sale.

While the flotation would raise con siderable personal income for Reynard and his colleagues it is worth noting that a pile of money might be useful to them if shares in British American Racing were to become available. Reynard Formula 1 Ltd currently owns a small percentof BAR - believed to be 15 per cent - but could become a majority shareholder if the bosses of British American Tobacco decided not to continue with its FI adventures...

LUCKLESS IN LAGUNA... McConville is hoping to put a tough week behind him. (Photo bymek phmps/Aiispotv CAMERON McConville’s first race in the Barber-Dodge Pro Series has ended in disap pointment at Laguna Seca.

The 24-year-old was hit by another driver at the infamous Corkscrew and barrel-rolled out ofthe race on the first lap.

The let-down in the race came after McConville had a fraught time in practice and qualifjdng.

“The 30 minute practice ses sion was shortened to 15 because of fog,” he said on his return to Melbomne.

“That meant I only got seven laps in to learn the circuit. And the car had warped brake discs, so I had to bed another set in during qualifying. That left me in 23rd.

“In the second session the track was damp in places. All the leaders went a second slower but I improved my time. I was eighth fastest and that made me 19th on the grid.”

During the Sunday morning warm-up McConville was sev enth fastest and fined up for the rolling start to the 40 minute race.

“I can’t believe that we only had one warm-up lap. The cars run on a hai-d Michelin tyre and they take six or so laps to come up to temperature. And a lot of people can’t drive on cold tyres, so they spear off the road on lap one.

“I made a good start and passed a couple of cars. Out of turn six I got a great exit and passed a car up the hill. I was outside another car at the Corkscrew but I got past and w^ a_ length ahead but he locked his brakes and his front hit my left rear.

“He flipped me over. I landed on all fours but the race was over.

“It was frustrating. I was already just outside the top 10 and I’m sure I could have made

more spots in the race.”

McConville was less than impressed with some of the dri ving standards employed in the race.

“It’s a junior category. There were three or four Pace Cars in 40 minutes and the finish race was about 50 percent, which is pretty standard.”

McConville was approached by a couple of Formula Atlantic teams over the weekend and would be interested in having a test in one of the cars in the nearfuture.

“But America, even though it’s better than Europe in that regard, is still about how much money you can biing to a team.

Unless I can fund it by December 1, there’s no point in even having a test.”

McConville’s next race will be at Bathurst where he will share a Shell Helix Falcon with John Bowe.

6NomberW8

Eating in Japan, keeping secrets and the bean-counters ofAkr

I

do like a nice Meltykiss when I wake up in the middle of the night in Japan. I should explain - if only for the benefit of my wife - that this does not involve some trim little geisha but rather a sweetie of a confectionery nature.

If I don’t get my Meltykiss I get Crunky or I get some Asse, but you have to be careful or you might end up with a nasty dose of Pocky.

I find that if you wash this lot down with some Sweat - an inter esting drink made by Pocari - and then wait for half an hour, you will be zapped by the body’s natural reaction to a rush of sugar and will go off to sleep like a jetlagged baby ...

^5

took me weeks to work out that they And yet still (whisper it) that the Italian nation believes this is must be describing the national racing team and a very large acci dent. whenever a red car goes scream ing by men, women and children Things are a lot get very excited, fall out of trees better now than and tumble off bicycles. they used to be You can say it is sad that it has because giggling come to this, but there is no emo westerners have tion in modern F1. The Italians piqued Japanese have proved conclusively that sensitivity and forced them to without help they cannot win anyI thing and in F1 that is all that change hotel ! counts. instruction leaflets You can forget lofty ideals, it is from reading: “Do Y the bottom line - as they say in not hang out of the America - that counts and a team windows to is judged by no other criterion.

“Refrain from sus You may be a lovely person pending from the and nicer than Mother Teresa but windows such it wili make no difference. There is items which will The one thing toin amaze Japan me that no room for noble aspirations. never ceases - .Spoil the outside The dogs eat the dogs and the and there are many things which appearance of the winner is the man who goes to his leave me open-mouthed - is the hotel”. grave with the most money. habit that the locals have of trying The tendency to Over the years I have tried to to write things in English, without think that they can explain that people who think like asking-an English-speaker if the n get it right without this have the wrong idea about words make sense. ' outside assistance life and that they should back off This is a notoriously dangerous is fading. Probably and go find a forest and pick concept in marketing, which was the best example of some mushrooms, but they iaugh highlighted some years ago by 4his is the attitude and saunter off to their helicopters the Cona coffee company which which has been ^ thinking you are an idiot because entered the Portuguese market, adopted in recent you are not as greedy as they causing mothers to shield the months by the are. There are warped souls out Motor eyes of their children from such Honda there. adverts and littering the streets of Corporation.

There are obviously some Lisbon with little old ladies who warped individuals in Akron as had died of shock. Cona in ne of the most well. Amid all the excitement on Portuguese is a rather rudimenta impressive Sunday at Suzuka I felt really ry expression with gynaecological things about this sorry for the folk at Goodyear. implications ... year’s Formula 1 “Come to watch the funeral,” The French have also been season - forget all said one engineer as the known to indulge in this mad mer the driving and the Goodyear team arrived. But there chandising with such strange technical genius was no funeral. The big bean items as breakfast cereals called has been Honda’s counters in Akron could not be Plopsies and Crapsy Fruit and a startlingly brilliant bothered staging anything ... drink called Pshitt. plan to keep its F1 . Trying to avoid such problems racing team a secret.

The last and yearenabled to pull out decision was ill-timed when creating a national oil com pany, the French government Right now the two top teams to jump ship to Cartoon by Allan Schofield has asked linguistic computer boffins company Bridgestone. This meant that, to come up with a name which around 75 people working for the try to skip nonchalantly over the Ferrari has actually been rather than cruising to another was not rude in any language and F1 team, budgets are in place, first molehill. doing rather a good job recently. title this year, the Goodyear staff And for their next trick the The whole world seems to think had a really nasty battle on their the result was the Elf company. there are people wearing Honda The thing which astounds me F1 passes wandering around the Honda team is going to convince that Ferrari is an Italian team with hands. about the Japanese is that they do paddock, the cars will be running everyone it is run by the wild Latin flair, passion and The racing guys and girls reck not consider that they could possi in a matter of days. Yet there are Japanese, even though Harvey magic. oned that if they won the bean It used to be, of course, but counters might reconsider the bly be getting it wrong. I know if I STILL people in F1 paddock who Postlethwaite and his gang will be were to write in Japanese I would think it is a myth cobbled together there at the steering wheel for a today the pit garage is filled with decision and they worked day and have little confidence solid-looking Englishmen. There is night to help Ferrari claw back the few years to come.

No doubt there will a Napoleon lookalike from France, massive early season advantage in the result and my be Germans, Australians, South enjoyed by McLaren and first thought would be ^‘The French have such strange Japanesehigh-profile to ask someone if the engineers Africans and even Greeks. The Bridgestone. result made sense. I And there they were in and Satoru Nakajima catering staff are mostly English, items as breakfast cereals called on the pitwall but it will although there is a strange little Suzuka, looking tired and deject wopid expect them to roll around in the be a like an egg-timer. Indian man who feeds rabbit food ed. They were fighting for the Plopsies and Crapsy Fruit aisles.

World Championship but there The Japanese will slip to the drivers.

They tell me that there are was no-one from the company’s in gradually as new tal and a drink called Pshitt. ents are learned... even practising Buddhists to be management who came to sup The Trampio corpo ration decided that found dressed up in Ferrari team port them. The bean-counters f course. Formula 1 gear. There is even someone who stayed home. they wanted to write There was no function at which these days is not went to the University College of poetry on the side of one of the by bored journalists and that racing cars they used to sponsor Honda is going to do a deal with all about technology and driving North Wales - which is about as Goodyear said goodbye to F1 and they went to ask someone if Eddie Jordan to be a simple skill. These are important, but so unglamorous and unitalian as it after 34 years in the business.

The demoralised staff - some gets... is the ability of a team to manipu the words flowed nicely. They did, engine supplier.

The Ferrari President is Italian of whom are being laid off as a but no-one mentioned that the late the media to its advantage to It really is an astounding per and looks very glamorous on the result of the withdrawal - were formance and one must take create the right image. sentence made no sense at all.

You would think that in a world telly and there is a rentacrowd of fighting not for Goodyear but for “Drive to be one with the one’s hat off to the conjurors earth,” said the Trampio car, “and involved. Compare this to the where a lot of folk started out as Italian-looking mechanics (some their own personal satisfaction.

And it was a miserable and through the earth one with the approach adopted by some other market traders and second-hand of whom are probably Polish) who shameful state of affairs. stand in the garage and jump out car dealers most of the team car”. new teams in recent years who Hell, I need to cheer up. I’d It was a beautiful piece of lilting trumpet the make of toothpaste bosses could convince you that a whenever a TV camera appears English, with all the right dactylic used by the team boss and have broken down old donkey will win to give the impression that the better go and find a piece of Asse rhythm (or some such phonetic the spotlights full on them when the Kentucky Derby, but actually team is not really like a meeting of ... chocolate works wonders you know. n the United Nations. nonsense) but it was gibberish. It they fall flat on their faces as they they are not very good at it.

o

o

16

Hands up if you Hiink Report by JOE SAWARD Photos by ALLSPORT

M

ika Hakkinen did everything right at Suzuka. He oidy had ^to finish second, but when it all went wrong for Michael Schumacher and he was dumped to the back of the grid, Mika led from flag to flag.

Michael produced an impressive charge through the field but when he was lying third he ran over some debris and suffered a high-speed tyre blow-out which ended his race.

It was a aniel end to the day but it was too late by then. He was never going to beat Mika...

ONE VOTE FROM MIKA ... The new World Champin raises his hand to acknowledge the crowd after his relative cruise to victory. At far right he poses with the race trophy in the McLaren garage afterwards.

(Photos by Mark Thompson and Michael Cooper/Allsporl)

Qualifying

s

ometimes in the past one has anived at Suzuka with a sense of foreboding.

There have been too many times at this wonderful racing circuit that the World Championship has been settled in controversial circumstances. One car smacks into another and the race is followed by an evening of the world’s gi-eat drivers abusing each other in the darkness.

When top cars collide news editors begin dreaming up silly story lines and demanding impossible things.

The whole FI business becomes rather tedious. ' l Suzuka has been Japan’s foremost racing circuit since it was built as a Honda test facility, in 1962. It was designed by 'Dutchman John . Hugenholz, who understood how tp build tracks to create interesting 'races. He did the same at Zandvoort and at Jarama.

It was at Suzuka that the vpty first Japanese GP took place in 1963, a sportscar race which was won by a youngster called Peter Warr, who went on to have a vaguely luminous career.as the motive force behind Team Lotus after the death of Cohn Chapman.

The track gradually became part of a vast motorsport amusement park with wild Big Dippers, monorails, event haUs, golf courses and so on. It is a bit like going racing at Disneyland, except everything is done in Japanese.

These great days tracksthere left onare thenot FI many calen dar, hut Suzuka stands out with Spa as being a real challenge, with all kinds ofcomers, dips and climbs.

And that is pai-t of the reason that Michael Schumacher took pole posi tion on Satm-day at Suzuka.

You rarely hear people question his talent; his self-confidence is written on his face and his courage is not doubt ed. And it does show on the stopwatch.

It helps that the team has devel oped the Ferrari into a pretty good but not great - package and that Goodyear has some really demon mbber products these days. But a lot of it must be put down to the driver and the fact that Eddie Irvine was a mas sive 1.9s slower was evidence enough.

This is a track that Eddie loves.

Irvine had had a problem with the exhaust of his car on Satm-day morn ing and didn’t bother using his last set of tyres, but there were no real excuses.

“Fourth is the best I could do,” he said.“At least I am ahead ofthe pack.

“I decided not to go out for the final run once we realised my fourth place was safe as I could not have matched Coulthard’s time.”

And so Schumacher proved once again that he is something special and

1 ATES

worth eveiy cent of the zillions of dol lars he is paid evei-y year.

“It is nice to be on pole position,” he said. “I am happy for all the team members who have worked almost 24 hours a day for the last four weeks.

'They have been able to improve the car in all areas.

“Goodyear has also done a fantastic job. They are really going for it and want the title as much as we do.”

This would all be fine and dandy if Michael would win the title by win ning the race, but if Mflca Hakkinen were to finish second on Sunday the Finn would be champion, so when he qualified second there were plenty of smiles in the McLaren garage.

With Coulthard third to protect Hakkinen’s rear- from Irvine, it looked as though McLaren was in a good position for the race. 'The team could afford to let Schumacher go and run Hakkinen to second and the title.

Hakkinen would have hked to have been on pole position, but you cannot have eveiything. He was getting very close to Schumacher on his final flying lap when he ran wide and put aU four wheels in the dirt..

“I am a bit upset with myself because the car was handling really weU at the time,” Hakkinen admitted.

“Ijust went a little bit wide in the cor ner. I would prefer to be on pole posi tion but it is just not the case. We will just see what happens tomorrow.”

The theteam situation. was pretty “We are upbeat on target,” about said Mercedes-Benz Motorsport boss Norbert Haug,“with our cars ahead of Eddie Irvine.”

Ron Dennis summed up the McLaren attitude.

“This is probably the only race I have ever come to where coming sec ond is as important as coming first.”

The contest had all the signs of being just as good as the closest ever World Championship finish in 1984

when Alain Frost had to win but Niki Lauda finished second and won the World title by halfa point.

Coulthard was a second slower than Hakkinen and admitted that he has never reaUy been comfortable in the MP4-13.

“My driving style tends to be quite aggressive on the brakes so if you have a car that is pitch-sensitive then that is obviously not going to be helped by that.”

He also admitted that he was a lit tle wonied about Eddie Irvine in the race.

‘It makes me feel a bit queasy when I think about Eddie,” said Coulthard.

^V

Behind the tussling top four was the battle that would decide third place in the Constructors’ Championship and fifth in the Drivers’ title. And it was a right old fling dong battle between the two WllHams cars, the two Jordans and the two Benettons.

The Gciodyear advantage was clear with the Benettons lagging behind a little, but it was also clear that Williams had made some more progress with the development of the FW20 chassis.

On this occasion -'his last race with the team - Heinz-Harald Frentzen was faster than Jacques ViUeneuve

and that was despite an off at the veiy end ofqualifying.

“We have a different car here,” said Heinz-Harald. “We seem to have dis covered some advantages and disad vantages.”

VUleneuve - also in his last race with the team - was not pleased with himself, having failed to get the best out ofthe car.

The Jordans were next up, with Half Schumacher outdoing Damon Hill by couple oftenths.'The team was disappointed not to be ahead of the WiUiams cars, particularly as Raffhad been second-quickest to his brother on Friday.

11

^®0®[FSj])®p’0

it was a great Finn-ish Was Michael’s helmet jinxed?

It ‘1 ran right at the limit,” Half said, Alesi was not happy with his car on “but I could not improve my time. Friday but on Saturday he simply Seventh place was not what we had shrugged. hoped for.”

“1 think 1 got everything put of the Hill was a bit disappointed as'wellr ●car that it had to olfer,” he said, insult “I don’t think there was anything ing his mormt. This was well-deserved more we could have done,” he said. abuse as Jean’s final lap was a mar If there was disappointment at vellous piece of elbow-waving bravado.

Jordan, the same could certainly be They are brave boys sometimes those said at Benetton. While the team was. Saubfr drivers.

On row seven we had the two Prostnot saying it outright, there is'Httle doubt that the problem was the same Peugeots with Olivier Panis just beat as it has been at several races this ing Jamo TruUi, both having used the year. The car was not working well on conventional cars in qualifying rather the Bridgestone tyres. than the more exotic APOIB, which TruUi discovered needed rather more oth Alexander Wurz and development than it has had to date.

Giancarlo Fisichella said that 'Trulli did not get to use the new car they had driven the car as quickly as until Saturday because on Friday he it would go without having accidents. had to learn the track, having never raced on the Grand Prix circuit at FisicheUa’s last run ended up in the Suzuka. gravel.

The team-by-team nature of the Fifteenth on the grid was Mika Sale grid continued on row six with the two in the Arrows, who had a most unex Saubers, but on this occasion it was pected opinion about the Arrows A19 chassis.

Johnny Herbert who blew the socks ofiT Jean Alesi by a couple of tenths.

“1 just could not go any quicker,” he It has not been an easy year for said. “Our engine is now just too pow erful for our chassis.”

Herbert but this was Johnny looking What did he mean? There is such a like his old self, probably because he knows he is leaving the Swiss team... thing as a racing engine with too

B

FROM GOOD TO WORSE: Michael Schumacher’s brave championship chal lenge came to nought, but not from lack of trying. After taking pole and congratulat ing rival Mika Hakkinen (far left), Schumi was forced to overdrive the Ferrari (left) from the back of the grid until a blow out forced him onto the sidelines (right).

(Photos by Mark Thompson/Allsport)

much power? Could it be related to the fact that Tom WaUdnshaw was trying to seU his entire FI project to Toyota?

Who knows? It all sounded rather

, sUly.

Pedro Diniz was not doing very weU, suffering fipm a nasty cold and dizzy speUs. There -were some in the

Those who are superstitious about such matters were surprised that Michael Schumacher chose to use a new helmet in the last-and most important- race of the year.

Schumi has asked the Bell designer to come up with a new design-for next year incorporating a chrome band around the bottom and decided to preview it at Suzuka. After the clutch trouble and picking up some debris in Japan, maybe now he will be superstitious...

^s

FORIVtULA 1

Michael’s hat trick Michael Schumacher’s man agement tempted fate once again by ordering 100 hats with the words Schumacher World Champion 1998 print ed on them.These were delivered by accident to the McLaren team which decid ed to keep 10 of them as sou venirs in case the World Championship was won by Mika Hakkinen. n Attempts may be made in the next couple of years for the , Japanese Grand Prix to be switched to Honda’s second big racing facility in Japan at Twin Ring Motegi.

Motegi is closer to Tokyo and features a banked oval and a road course and has staged CART and NASCAR races.

Although it is closer to Tokyo than Suzuka,it is 160km to the north-east in a remote area and lacks the same kind of infra structure as enjoyed at Suzuka.

However,the Suzuka infra structure is outdated, and the president ofthe Japanese Automobile Federation was pointedly shown how it could be updated. n Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo travelled out to Japaui in the hope of seeing a Ferrari World Championship victory for the first time in 15 years but the Japanese GP was not attended by Bemie Ecclestone, Max Mosley, Frank Williams or David Richards. n The Japanese used the Grand Prix at Suzuka to announce the launch ofFormula Dream, which is very clearly a Honda-backed series intended tp n prepare racing drivers for FI in the future.'The series will take place at Suzuka and Motegi(both Honda tracks)and will feature Dome-built composite chassis powered by 2.2-litre Mugen ■engines which will be issued to drivers at each race. 'The drivers will be selected on their ability and the aim is to develop profes sional drivers who are not only fast but physically and psycholog ically fit, vmderstand the engi neering of a car and have the abil ity to speak foreign languages. In 1951 it was a motorcycle called the Honda Dream which really laimched the company.

NO GO... Michael Schumacher is forced to wait while the rest of the field heads off on the third and final parade lap, having stalled the Ferrari because of heat build-up in the clutch from the previous delay. paddock who felt that Pedro’s dizzy spells might be more related to the beauty of his girlfnend than his ill ness, but they were merely jealous of what you can get in life when you are a multi-millionaire racing driver...

Pedro qualified 18th, three-tenths slower than Salo.

Between the two were Rubens Barrichello’s Stewart-Ford and the Tyrrell of local hero Tora Takagi. It was not a weekend which the Stewart team will remember fondly. Ford fac tory engines are not usually found dic ing -with the customer units.

The fact that Jos Verstappen was ninth-fastest on Friday was an indict ment of the Stewart team rather than a sign that things are getting better.

Clearly there is potential in the pack age but no-one seems to be able to find

it.

The team could do little else but admit that they had got lost on set-up.

Verstappen ended up 19th.

Takagi’s was a good effort in Tyrrell’s Last Stand, but the Japanese driver lost time with a big brake lock up.

Teammate Ricardo Rosset failed to make the 107 percent qualifying limit after suffering neck problems on Friday which resulted in him being sent off to hospital on Saturday morn ing by Professor Sid Watkins.

Rosset underwent an X-ray on his spine to see if any of the discs were out and then had pain-killing injections before going out to qualify. He found concentration difficult in the circum stances and spun off.

He went out in the spare in the final minutes of the session but it was just not meant to be. It was a sorry end to a sony season.

The two Minardis were thus left to bring up the rear with Shinji Nakano not surprisingly beating Esteban Thero at his home circuit

Race-51 laps

peratures are not carefully controlled.

Michael would have to start from the back of the grid, which certainly took a lot of steam out of the title fight For Hakkinen the pressure was suddenly off. Schumacher was at the

ween On Sunday Schumacher back there were 20position cars betwould was stftl themorning fastest, but they were them.and To win finm that be remarkable. Incredible. not as buoyant at Ferrari as one If Mika was delighted with what might have expected. Michael had to win. 11131 was possible, they thought, had happened, Irvine was rather but how could they stop Mika bemused.

‘T realised that it was down to me,” Hakkinen from finishing second?

E veryone knew that the start ' he said. ‘T knew I had to get stuck in.” would be a decisive moment in the And that is exactly what he did.

The third attempt at a start saw race and everyone - including Herbert stall but it was after the Hakkinen - was a little nervous as lights had gone out and so the race ‘the cars lined up.

Before the race Hakkinen went over- was on. Hakkinen was ahead but Irvine beat Coulthard away and to Schumacher and the two shook grabbed second place, hands. It was obviously stage-man “i gave it too many rpm and spun aged but it was a nice touch and did the wheels,” admitted David, “and the image of FI a lot of good as the world’s TV cameras looked on. then I was so preoccupied in trying to make sure Eddie didn’t get the jump The drivers were obviously all on me that it allowed Heinz-Harald to hyped up because at the first attempt to start the race Trulli stalled his go round the outside.’

Frost. The pit crews swarmed back onto the track with dry ice to keep the SoinDavid the Villeneuve first comer fourtharrived place at with cars as cool as possible. and HiU behind him.

The McLaren boys were there much Michael Schumacher drove a blind quicker than the Ferrari mechanics.

Mika noticed it. ing first lap to go from 21st to 12th On the second parade lap Michaeh and the spotlight was firmly on the W'ent very quickly, trying to cool every- ^Ferrari as he carved his way past thing down, but Hakkinen and the Fanis, Alesi, FisicheUa and Wurz. rest hung back and when the Ferrari On lap five he was behind his brotharrived on the grid it had to wait a er and Ralf let him through without a long time for the grid to assemble as problem. With third place in the the temperatures rose.

Constructors’ Championship up for This is probably what caused the grabs that cannot have impr essed Eddie Jordan on the pitwall. clutch to stick and the car to stall.

Now Michael came up behind his The clearances on the clutches old championship rivals Damon HiU these days are so small that such and Jacques Villeneuve, neither of things can easily happen if the tern-

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whom had any reason to help him at all. And so they didn’t. They diced for position.

Michael was stuck and with each passing lap Hakkinen disappeared further into the distance, with Irvine desperately trying to hold on. For nine laps he remained bottled up and by lap 11 he was half a minute behind Mika with five cars between himself and the Finn.

Up front Irvine was struggling with his tyres and began to drop away from Hakkinen and on lap 15 he came into the pits.

In the course ofthe next six laps the rest followed, except for Ralf Schumacher, who suffered a big blow up with his Mugen Honda VIO and coasted to a stop by the pits.

At the same time Damon Hill got out of Schumacher’s way by going into the pits and Michael sailed past Villeneuve without too much di-ama.

He put in a couple of really quick laps and then pitted.

By the time everyone had come and gone Michael had leap-frogged ahead of Coulthard, Frentzen and Hill. A great effort.

Now he had Irvine about 20s ahead and Hakkinen another five or sk in front. AH three were pushing hard.

After somebegan quickto laps, Ininesetting once again drop back and it suddenly became clear that he was planning to go for a threestop strategy. He was 6.5s behind Hakkinen when he stopped on lap 28, emerging just ahead of Michael.

Down at the back of the field, Tora Takagi and Esteban Tuero were duelling in their customer Fordengined Tyrrell and Minardi respec tively. On lap 29 Tuero tried a daft move on the Japanese star.

‘T saw a gap and tried to overtake,” said the Argentine, ‘Tiut my wheels locked and unluckily I went into him.”

Takagi was not happy.

The crash left aO feds of bits and pieces across the road at the chicane but the clean-up crews were quickly in action. In such circumstances tidying up everything is not easy and on lap 31 Schumacher seems to have run over something.

Michael said he had not seen any thing, but he was struggling to see anything because of a bad vibration, having flat-spotted the fronts in his efforts to catch the pair ahead.

The Goodyear men spent a lot of time scouring the ai’ea for fragments of the tyre after the race and after examining the remains concluded that it was not a normal puncture. The fragment of whatever it was cut what they can the cord on the tyre. It is rare that such things happen because the cords are each an inch or two wide.

'The Championship was now over.

McLaren had won both titles.

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Japanese Grand Prix World Championship, round 16 Suzuka, November 1st, 1998- 51 laps

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1 Mika Hakkinen, McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13, 1h27m22,535s 2 Eddie Irvine, Ferrari F3t)0,1h27m29,026s 3 David Coulthard, McLaren-Mercedes MP4/13, 1h27m50,197s 4 Damon Hill, Jordan-Mugen-Honda 198,1 h28m36,026s 5 H.H. Frentzen, Williams-Mecachrome FW20,1h28m36,392s 6 Jacques Villeneuve, Williams-Mecachrome FW20,1h28m38,402s 7 Jean Alesi, Sauber-Ferrari Cl 7, 1 h28m38,402s 8 Giancarlo Fisichella, Benetton-Mecachrome B198,1 h29m03,837s 9 Alexander Wurz, Benetton-Mecachrome B198, 50 laps 10 Johnny Herbert, Sauber-Ferrari C17, 50 laps 11 Olivier Panis, Prost-Peugeot AP01, 50 laps 12 Jarno Trulli, Prost-Peugeot AP01,48 laps, DNF

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LAST LAP MOVE... Damon Hill passed new Jordan recruit Heinz-Harald Frantzen at the final chicane to give the Irish team outright fourth in the Constructors Championship over Benetton. even better when we discovered later Mika stopped almost immediately that he had lost his power steering. “It to take on new tyres and then reeled was like driving a truck around the off the final stint without having to circuit,” he said. worry too much about Irvine.

Villeneuve - in his last race for the Eddie could do nothing. He had to team - reckoned that the rear end of stop for a third time on lap 39 and this the car was “very sloppy”. dropped him hack to 25s behind Mika.

The final lap also saw Alesi grab The gap closed in the last laps but seventh place from Fisichella’s only because Mika let it happen.

Benetton. Jean would have liked a ‘TTiere is one problem when you are point after a storming race. leading easily like that - and it hap Herbert did likewise but the stall at pened to me with about ten laps to go the start meant that, despite a good - which is the tendency for your mind to start thinking about things other charge through the field, he could do no better than 10th on his last ride than driving. I almost started with Sauber. whistling inside the car.

“What made it more 'difficult was knowing that Michael was out of the the Benetton it was a tniserable day. Bothboys chivers said that race and having to concentrate. But For Ron Dennis came on the radio a cou they had a difficult time and the team slipped'to fifth in the Constructors’ ple of times to remind me to stay cool.” ● Irvine finished second, which was a \ 'title, its worst result for 11 years.

The two Frosts were both classified good result after a char^g drive. “I although Trulh’s car stopped on the could not push hai'der,” he admitted.

Coulthard was third after “a pretty penriltimate lap with an engine prob lem while he was running 12th behind un'eventful race”.

Behind David things were rather Panis. It was not a great result.

After Tuero’s undignified exit, more exciting and fourth place was Minardi’s hopes expired when Nakano not settled rmtil the last comer, where had a drive-by-wire failure and retired Damon Hfll dived past Heinz-Harald on lap 40.

Frentzen to grab the place and to give The two Stewarts did as the Jordan fourth place in the Stewarts usually have done this year: Constractors’ title. There was plenty they looked below average and retired of celebrating going on at Jordan and with a mixture of mechanical troubles. no doubt praise for HHF, who drives The two Arrows also went out for the team next year... early, Diniz spinning off after two Williams ended up with fifth and laps and Salo stopping with hydrauhe sixth and a very distort third place in the Constractors’ title, just ahead of failure on lap 15. Clearly the Scottish team owners need to get their acts Jordan and Benetton, which was a together... relief for the defending champiorrs.

And so ended the 1998 season with Frentzen had driven a good race,

the right man winning the game.

Hakkinen had the best car and drove well throughout. He made a few mis takes along the way but then so did Michael Schumacher.

There were too many dark mutterings around the paddock but this is down to the drivers. Perhaps the team owners can sort things out so we can have less pohtics and more sport. ... Just as we did in Suzuka on

Sunday. ■

Fastest Lap: M. Schumacher, lap 19, 1m40,19s Lap Leaders: Lap 1-51 Hakkinen Retirements: Lap 2 Lap 13 Lap 14 Lap 21 Lap 25 Lap 28 Lap 28 Lap 31 Lap 40 Lap 48

Pedro Diniz, Arrows A19, spun off Half Schumacher, Jordan-Mugen-Honda 198, engine Mika Salo, Arrows A19, hydraulic failure Jos Verstappen, Stewart-Ford SF2, gearbox Rubens Barrichello, Stewart-Ford SF2, differential Esteban Tuero, Minardi-Ford Ml98, accident with Takagi Tora Takagi, Tyrrell-Ford 026, accident with Tuero Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F300, puncture Shinji Nakano, Minardi-Ford Ml 98, fly by wire failure Jarno Trulli, Prost-Peugeot AP01, engine

Final World Championship points standings: 1 Hakkinen 100; 2 M.Schumacher 86; 3 Coulthard 56;4 Irvine 47; 5 Villeneuve 21;6 Hill 20; 7 Frentzen and Wurz 17; 9 Fisichella 16; 10 R.Schumacher 14; 11 Alesi 9; 12 Barrichello 4; 13 Sale 3; 14 Diniz 2; 15 Herbert, Magnussen and Trulli 1 Final Constructors’ Championship points: 1 McLaren-Mercedes 156; 2 Ferrari 133; 3 Williams-Mecachrome 38; 4 Jordan-Mugen-Honda 34;5 Benetton-Mecachrome 33; 6 Arrows 6; 7 Stewart-Ford 5; 8 Prost-Peugeot 1

-V.

THEM'S THE BRAKES... Mika Hakkinen iocks everything up as he passes thejubiiant McLaren team just after crossing the line to clinch the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships.

(Photo by Mark Thompson/Aiisport)

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Capirossi does not play well with others THE 250 season ended in dramatic fashion as the Aprilia team had an inhouse brouhaha which saw Loris Capirossi poiaxe Tetsuya Harada at the finai corner.

As teenage prodigy Valentino Rossi sped to the flag second-placed Harada tilted into the final corner only to have the Italian charge into him from four lengths back. Harada hit the deck, justifiably miffed at Capirossi, who finished second.

But the stewards stepped in and disqualified the Italian, who still won the World Championship.

Capirossi finished the sea son with 204 points, Rossi 201 and Harada 200.

“On the last bend, he (Harada) left me a space which I took advantage of, but he had bad luck and when he lent into the turn he bumped my back wheel.

I didn’t do it on purpose,” Capirossi said.

Harada said: “It’s a shame about the way Capirossi behaved. I never thought such a thing could happen, but still I have to recognise Capirossi is a worthy champion.”

You’re probably the only one, Harada-san...

21 MICK Doohan really is unbelievable.

Eight is enough

Putting the euphoria of winning his fifth straight 500cc title behind him the Queenslander had every reason to take a week off in Argentina and treat the final race of the season as a hohday in Buenes Aires.

But that’s not the way Champions conduct them selves and Doohan was on full attack in South America, blazing to pole position and ruthlessly terminating the field with extreme prejudice in one of the bestshowings of his career.

and then testing will start again in November, so I won’t be having much time off.”

The opposition will have much to think about in the off-season. Doohan won eight races throughout the season and was second three times.

In the other three races his DNF’d, twice through mechanical problems and once when he fell off.

They vsdll not have a very happy time over Christmas contemplating what Mick may do to them next year.

[#?

The battle for second place in the championship went in favour of Max Biaggi, who finished in fifth place but sealed the runner-up spot after Alex Criville was spat off his Honda after 17 laps.

Tady Okada put an injuryplagued and winless season behind him when he finished second, 4.8 seconds behind the Austrahan. Okada ended up eighth in the world cham pionship with 106 points, despite missing five of the 14 races through injury.

BraziUan Alex Barros was third, giving Honda yet another clean sweep of the 500cc podium positions.

Doohan said his Honda had worked “really well” in Argentina.

“The only problem I had was a shght vibration in the rear tyre,, but apart from that everything was perfect,” Doohan said.

“I had the personal goal of winning the last race of the season - something I’ve

■f// W s. . - '

LIKE A BLUR...

Doohan was so dominant in Argentina the opposition hardly knew where to look.

I VANT TO BE...

Alone, Loris? The meeting of the Loris Capirossi Fan Club was a huge success.

(Photos by Michael Cooper/Allsport)

never done before. I wanted to upset the people who generaUy do well in the last race to tiy to end the season on a high.

“I now go off to Sugo (in Japan) to race on a superbike

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THE 125cc class is stiU sub ject to an appeal by Kazuto Sakata against his Austral ian GP disqualification after his Aprilia was fmmd to have Olegal fuel at Philhp Island.

Tomomi Manako (Honda) won in Argentina and wiU be the champion by one point if Sakata loses the 13 points he scored in Australia.

Manako scored 217 points, while Sakata will score 216 unless his appeal over the fuel irregularity is successfiil.

Itahan 16-year-old Marco Melandri, who was second in Argentina, finished third on 202 points. Lucio CechineUo third and AGP winner Masao Azuma.

Only 1.191 seconds sepa rated the first four and all were aboard Hondas. Sakata was 16s back on his Apriha.

#

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Bathurst 199ft

He's won a record nine races at Mount Panorama and is still King of the Mountain to his fans.

Now PETER BROCK exclusively turns critic for MotorspOrt News and rates the leading contenders for V8 Supercar racing's big day.

Mark Skaife/Craig Lowndes(Mobil HRT Commodore VT) Potentially the quickest combination. One has fallen on his feet, the other is trying to regain his.

If speed counts, put down your glasses. However, at the Mountain it takes more than sheer speed - it needs to be your day.

Maybe the Pace Car, the pit stops and the unpredictable will all fall into place. If so, the folks at l Holden, Mobil and Bridgestone can breathe a sigh of contentment.

Rating:9 Larry Perkins/Russell Ingall (Castrol Perkins Commodore VT) Could Larry do it again? It's a perplexing question - no-one can quite nail the whys and wherefores.

Some say LP gets fired up for the Mount-some say others lose it more than he wins it. Either way, his record in recent times(three wins from five in the modern V8 era) is beyond reproach.

With Russell Ingall confident in his own ability to tackle any challenge - particularly in this neck of the woodsthey are a potent force.

Varying weather conditions will be met with a smile!

Rating:9 STAR WARS: Brock’sfavoured four- Craig Lowndes(alias Luke St^walker),John Bowe(ChewbaccaJ, Glenn Seton(C3PO)and Russell Ingall(Darth Vader).

24

FJ^T lOOO

'I

Glenn Seton/Neil Crompton (Ford Credit Falcon EL) Two happy daddies! Both besot ted with their respective daughter and son.

Does this make a real differ ence?(ED: There is a view that some racers lose their killer edge upon fatherhood!) Well, the pun dits would have you believe so.

My feelings are that it is more horses for courses -some settle and get the'monkey off the back' and, while relaxed, produce their very best performances. Others lose their zest for living on the edge and lose their form along with it.

I reckon the former sums up these two talented people.

What a balance - between the shy, quiet Glenn and the voluble Cromley they add up to about normal levels of verbosity...

Rating: 9 John Bowe/Cameron McConville (Shell Helix Falcon EL)

CONFIDENCE BOOST: Mark Larkham proved at the Gold CoastIndy that he can win and is wellpaired with the competitive BradJones.

Two very talented and fast dri vers. Both rarely make mistakes and, when they do, it's always of interest to see how well they recover.

Bowey will be relaxed in the knowledge that here is a circuit that rewards skill and bravery.

1998 FAI 1000 Classic Entry No Drivers

Car Mobil HRT Commodore

1 2 3 4 5 7 9 10

Craig Lowndes/Mark Skaife David Parsons/Simon Wills (NZ) Trevor Ashby/Steve Reed Jason Bright/Steven Richards....

Glenn Seton/Neil Crompton Darren Hossack/Darren Pate ....

Alan Jones/Adam Macrow Mark Larkham/Brad Jones

11 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 75 77 79 95 96 99

Larry Perkins/Russell Ingall Mike Imrie/Rodney Crick Melinda Price/Kerryn Brewer ....

Dick Johnson/Steven Johnson ..

John Bowe/Cameron McConville Ian Palmer/Darren Palmer Danny Osborne/Brett Peters Ray Hislop/Tim Briggs Paul Romano/Steve Ellery Tony Longhurst/Geoff Brabham Peter Doulman/John Cotter .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 Schembri/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 Ma! 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 Willmington/Simon Emerzidis Autopro/Bud Commodore Rod Nash/Darren Edwards Pretty Motorsport Commodore Nathan Pretty/Nicole Pretty/Grant Johnson Heath Falcon Alan Heath/Ken Douglas Smith’s Commodore Robert Smith/David Parsons (Vic) Toll Falcon Anthony Tratt/Bob Jones Mork Commodore Richard Mork/Bill Sieders GAMPS Falcon Mike Conway/Chris Hones ., Racing For Life Falcon Steve Cramp/Gary Baxter/Todd Wanless .

Coke Commodore Wayne Gardner/Paul Stokeil Ultra Tune Commodore Michael Donaher/Dean Lindstrom

.Wynn’s Commodore Lansvale Commodore Pirtek Falcon Ford Credit Falcon .Wynn’s Commodore .Komatsu Falcon .Mitre 10 Falcon .Castrol Commodore .Amorall Commodore .Castrol Cougars Commodore .Shell Helix Falcon .Shell Helix Falcon .Palmer Commodore .Colourscan Falcon .NHP Electrical Falcon .Romano Commodore .Castrol Falcon .M3 Commodore

Brock's Ratings: 9- Great Show 8- Needs some attrition and traffic (Pace Car) 7- Podium on their day 6- Good solid performers

Photo by Nick Wilson/Alisport

Forget about those self-depre cating comments that JB bandies around - it's just his way of moti vating himself!

As for Cam,this is his moment to fly.

Probably potentially more of a roller-coaster in race-winning abil ity than others.

Rating; 8.5 Greg Murphy/Mark Noske (Mobil HRT Commodore VT) To say that Murph views this race weekend as being slightly larger than life is to understate matters.

His stalled career has produced quite a few interesting outcomes, such as his ability to move effec tively among race fans and spon sors, and his ability to adapt to various situations (such as strange cars and race teams)and really zero in on his heart's desire.

I'll watch him with interest, knowing that the strong emotion he often feels is not far below the surface.

Will he wait, or will he attack?

Mark Noske, on the other hand, must simply support however and wherever he can.

This combination desen/es close attention from those who see more th^q^ pistons and brake pads.

Rating;8 Jason Bright/Steve Richards (Rirtek Falcon EL) Both are fresh from recent suc cess- Bright quite a revelation as he has often showed a clean pair of heels to his more illustrious Ford protagonists, and Steven showed his mastery of the Mountain in the recent AMP Bathurst 1000.

The Stone brothers have proven that they know how to build and manage race cars and teams and my guess is that they also know a bit about getting the most out of their driving and pit personnel.

Don't be too surprised ...

Rating:8 Jason Bargwanna/Jim Richards(Valvoline Commodore VS) What a combo! You probably couldn't get two more opposite types of people -the young, ebul lient live-wire teamed with the quiet, seasoned, veteran. Throw in a team owner who is to be con gratulated on his decision to back new talent with a limited budget, albeit with fine machinery and preparation.

Garry Rogers is a good mate of Richo's and will use JR's influence to ensure Jason's'97 warm-up crash is not repeated.

All things being equal, they will do well.

Rating:8

Wayne Gardner/Paul Stokeil(Coke Commodore VS) Gardner the Racer. He wants to race EVERYTHING - including the Pace Car (sorry. Safety Car)! Ifs both his strength and his weak ness.

Maybe this is his last run in a Holden. He'll have a point to prove, but then again that's not an original thought.

Stokeil has never clearly shown what a lot of people reckon he has lurking under that exterior.

Maybe this will be the day.

I'll observe this team with interest!

Rating:8 Dick JohnsonfSteve Johnson (Shell Helix Falcon EL) Many will view this duo with much emotion, and some will never believe that this day has come.

Dick always drives well at the Mount,far more committed than when he has to persevere at tracks he has developed a distaste for. junior, of course, is all bright eyed and bushy-tailed, just raring to get down pit lane.

I'd possibly envisage Jilly being more than happy with a podium finish - and why not!

Rating: 7.5 Mark LarkhanVBrad Jones (Mitre 1© Falcon EL) Well, well, well. Mark Larkham wins Indy and so proves more to himself, I guess,than he does to others that it IS possible.

What a tonic it must be; how buoyant and confident he must feel in his own judgement. Great to see.

Bradley is the seasoned cam paigner who has always relished the taste of success, not always winning, but consistently produc ing pretty damn good outcomes.

This duo will go in with the feel ing they can do something good and, you know what,they just might.

Rating: 7.5 Tony Longhyrst/Geoff Brabham (Castrol Falcon EL) How do you rate a couple of top operators like these two?

Both are past winners of long distance races at this, the most demanding of circuits. Both are fast, reasonably circumspect and have a piece of machinery that is about as well-prepared as their opposition.

Maybe they won't have the speed to run faster than the front three or four, but they won't be far behind.

You never know...

Rating: 7.5

vu.

25

BATHXTRST

Did you know? n In 1998 we may see the first V8 Supercar under the 2m10s barrier in the Top Ten run-off.

Mark Skaife set a 2m09s in the warm-up for last year's Top Ten Shoot-out, but couldn't repeat the effort in the Shoot-out itself. He 'officially' set a 2m 10.03s. n Larry Perkins holds the V8 Supercar lap record at Bathurst.

The 1997 champ set a 2m 12.3398s on lap six of last year's race. n A total of 29 Holdens will face off against 18 Fords in this year's race. That's a total of 47 cars as opposed to the 40 which started in 1997, of which 31 were Commodores and 9 were Falcons.

I

n This year marks the first time since 1988 that Dick Johnson and John Bowe haven't been paired in the #17 DJR car. Johnson will team for the first time with son Steve, while Bowe is joined by Cameron McConville.

<

HOLDEN VERSUS FORD: Craig Lowndes andJohn Bowe wheel to wheel at Sandown. But will it be the same at Bathurst next week?

Tomas Mezera/Alain Menu (Plaspak Commodore VT) Come on Tomas, you can do it!

Building up your own car and team is never easy.

When things fall into place, Tomas is very, very quick - but will he err on the side of caution for the above-mentioned reasons?

The car may lack a little speed, but a positive attitude could see it at the pointy end.

I know nothing of Alain Menu's V8 rear-wheel drive skills, but one must acknowledge that he is one hell of a driver.

With his old acquaintance Tomas, I'm sure they'll get the most out of the situation.

Rating: 7.5 Alan Jones/Adam Macrow (Komatsu Falcon EL) I'm tempted to say that Alan Jones is developing into a real Bathurst specialist.

For much the same reasons I've attributed to JB and some others, Bathurst stirs people up, AJ being one of them. Who can forget some of his drives in recent times -sheer controlled aggression.

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Q_

Adam Macrow will probably find himself slowly dialling in and, provided he is not compelled to feel rushed and lose his grip on . the opportunity he has, should enjoy a most rewarding weekend.

The old maxim "To Finish First, First You Must Finish" could well be pinned up on the garage wall.

Come to think of it, that Wouldn't go astray on a hoarding coming into Hell Corner, for the entire field!

Rating: 7 Garth Tander/Cameron McLean (Valvoline Commodore VS) Young hot-shots. Will youthful enthusiasm and appetite for life win the day? Or is it a commodity that is resonating at its peak only in sprint format races?

Difficult to say, since the lead up to the race can often control the attitude and thus the out come on race day.

Remember that old saying, "It's not what happens in life, it's what you do about it!" Take it easy fellas.

Rating: 7

John Faulkner/Todd Kelly (Fisher & Paykel/Betta Electrical Commodore VS) John is now a tough, seasoned, competitor and I reckon he'll ben efit from the fresh, open approach of young Todd - who has one of the best attitudes to life you would hope to see.

If the pair "glue" together, they'll do well.

Rating: 7 Paul Romano/Steve Ellery (Romano Commodore VS)

Darren Hossack/Darren Pate (Wynns Commodore ¥S) Maybe I'm off the pace, but these two have never seemed to go as well as they ought to.

Potential is there and, one pre sumes, so is the dedication.

Maybe they've talked them selves out of it by focusing on the equipment and perceived superiority of the opposition's act.

That's alwa ys a trap. Just get out there and have a red-hot go.

They could surprise - it would be nice to see.

Rating: 6

Paul Romano is one of the nicest young men you could hope to . N. meet. Quiet, shy and possessing a David Parsons/Simon Wills determination to succeed which (Wynns Commodore VS) belies his demeanour.

With father Bap hovering in the So, Skippy can't be stopped! He background, there's always plenty ^ loves this place and always shows for the Romanos to contemplate. his best at the Mountain. Steady, The recent stack at Surfers could surprisingly fast and always be a blessing in disguise, since thinking of the totality of the nothing unites a team or group as job at hand, Simon Wills is talented and much as shared adversity!

Steve Ellery is a good operator quick - can he adapt to the who can produce some exception- change of sce nery and vehicle al drives. dynamics?

This pair is well-suited.

Go Skip!

Rating: 7 Rating: 6 n BRIGHTPROSPECT: Brock ratesJason Bright as the equaljifth best chance in the race.

DETERMINATION TO SUCCESS: ButPaul Romano has to avoid,siutaions like this...

n Steven Richards and Terry Finnigan drove the lion's share of the race last year. Both Commodore drivers totalled 102 laps for the day,the most of any driver. n Talk about a family feud.

Jim and Steve Richards, who finished second together in 1997 and staged a great duel as rivals in the AMP 1000 last month, will be in separate cars again in the V8 race while Dick and Steve Johnson join as a father and son force for the first time. Ian Palmer is joined by nephew Darren Palmer in the Privateer's category. And Nathan and Nicole Pretty will be the first brother and sister team to share a car. n Don't be confused,there are two David Parsons in the race. The one in the Wynn's team is the 1987 Bathurst win ner "Skippy" while "Truckle" joins Ballarat driver Robert Smith in the car Smith bought from Parsons. Oh, it's all too hard isn't it... n Five overseas visitors will take to the Mountain in V8 war on November 15. Former BTCC champ Alain Menu heads the Euro charge, with BTCC com mentator Charlie Cox set to make his own action in Chris Smerdon's Commodore. They will be joined by Englishman Andy Lloyd and Kiwis Greg Murphy and Simon Wills.

-AARON NOONAN

.4

MT. PANORAMA

BATHURST 1998

HOLDEN Motorsport

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28

lOOO CLASSIC

Photos byTony Glynn

LOOKING DOWN THE BARRED A Chevrolet V8 Supercar engine, which produces.

What is basically better, the Chev or F There is more to engine parity than meets the eye, reports TONY GLYNN:

advantage over the less desirable siamesed inlet tract on the Commodore's Chevrolet units.

But, contrary to the advanta geous figure of 30 horsepower for the Ford engine that's commonly bandied around, engine-builder John Sidney maintains that the real on-track difference is closer to a modest 10 horsepovver.

Sidney is an unusual member of the local engine-building fraternity, neof the more vexing as he works with both Ford and issues plaguing the V8 Supercar fraternity since - Chevfolet V8 Supercar powerplants as a matter of course. the inception of the class has been The builder of arguably the most parity between the Ford Falcon and powerful Ford engines on the grid, Flolden Commodore competition vehicles.' n VSidney has had less hands-on experi ence with the uniquely AustralianAerodynamic aids have therefore spec injected Chevrolet, but is been a prime focus in the ongoing expanding his pool of knowledge as struggle over'the last five years to his customer base broadens. achieve a level playing field where "The argument about the advanoutright race results are concerned, with both marques regularly coming tage gained by using a Ford head under the CAMS7TEGA spotlight and instead of a Chevrolet head becomes relevant only because changing aero packages as a result. you're using fuel injection and But, regardless of whether we that's because the Chev has a consider the mainstream parity siamesed intake port and the Ford issues to have now been resolved, particularly with the introduction of the Bridgestone control

O

"You don't see a lot

tyre next season and a mooted common

Qf difference between

a Ford and a Chev-powered Holden n on a race track.

'front suspension, there is one con tentious component where the Falcon continues to enjoy an advantage over its Flolden counterpartthe engine.

Not surprisingly, the front-run ning teams are all heavily involved in high-dollar under-bonnet devel opment programs, as a team which possesses copious engine power and prodigious torque levels is obviously in with a show.

The Ford and Chevrolet 590-600 horsepower injected V8 engines employed by the Level One teams run mandated 18-degree alloy cylin der heads and, given the tight rules structure, one could be forgiven for thinking that the power and torque figures would be similar for each marque.

Such is not the case, though, as the Ford head's equally-spaced inlet ports and straight inlet tracts result in an immediate performance

doesn't, which makes the parity issue difficult to resolve," Sidney stated.

"The Ford tends to lend itself to using probably a better intake man ifold, as there's more room and bet ter shaping - but, because the Touring Car uses a crossover mani fold, there are still problems.

"But, if you had an intake mani fold like a NASCAR uses, there's practically no difference between either head configuration."

"Now, we're only discussing here what I've discovered in my own Ford engine development program and I've really only just touched on the Chev iceberg," Sidney continued.

"The big difference I see between the two of them is that one has a

forget the fact that you're working with a short iittie rod in the Touring Car Ford.

"We've learned a lot over the years about rod lengths versus stroke and what bore you put under a cylinder head is very, very impor tant.

"The cylinder head we get from America for these engines is designed for a slightly bigger bore to make the head achieve its best.

The Touring Car and NASCAR peo ple in this country are basically using too big a cylinder head for the bore size.

"I'd like to try a few combinations in that bottom-end, but the rules are reasonably restrictive in those areas and you don't want to ask too many questions, otherwise you could let the cat out of the bag."

Apart from the cylinder heads, the choice of internal componentry of these engines is a huge variable, one which Sidney believes cannot be easily disregarded.

"The differences in engine out puts between a Touring Car Chev or Ford engine isn't just related to the cylinder heads, though," he explained.

"If one makes ten horsepower, or ten foot-pounds, more than the other, only five to seven of that number comes from the cylinder head intake manifold area, as there are other differences in the inter nals of the engines that play signifi cant roles, such as rod lengths.

ALWAYS TESTING: Engine guru John Sidney'at the helm ofhis dyno.

"The reason for those differences is that these engines only do 7500 that's what we're working on at the really nice intake manifold and one moment- if we fail and don't get rpm, which means that rod length has an excuse for an intake mani the result that we get with the Ford, becomes a major issue through the fold.

5000-6000 rpm range.

"Powerwise,the output from one we'll have to address the exhaust "If the engine was turning to pipe area." brand of motor to the other is simi 9000 rpm, rod length becomes Sidney's colossal depth of experi lar, but the torque isn't - it's very another major issue again, but in an ence with competition Chevrolet linear with the Ford and it isn't lin engine turning only 7500 rpm, the engines in speedway and super ear with the Chev. There are highs rod length has a major bearing on speecSway happily carries over into and lows in the Chev torque curve the torque ouput. his V8Supercar endeavours. that don't occur in the Ford's, a situ "The design of its block stops the "While I may not have done many ation which has a lot to do with the TouriiTig Car Chevs, I have built more Ford from having too long a rod in intake manifold. it, but the design of the Chev allows "I think the Chev could be made a Chevsfor other classes of racing you to put 6.25-inch rods in it and it over the years than anybody in this lot better with a tri-Y exhaust sys will still remain nice and safe - but tem and the tuning of each cylinder country and the fact is that ail that there are other issues that come Chev development is inter-relatindividually. I see that area as an into the equation, without me say able," he said. issue, but it's an expensive issue for ing too much.

"Flaving a NASCAR Chevy test customer-type engines.

"We're already at our limit where motor has proven to be an invalu "But, if we can make the intake the maximum Ford rod length is able tool, as it even relates to the manifold better, it could be better concerned, but I am considering Ford engine, though you can't ever for the customer in the long run, so

BATHURST

SNombeiM

21

■*v

The final tyre war

Tyres are always important in any race, but this year's battle takes on an extra

dimension, reports PHIL BRANAGAN:

o

slightly less power and torque than the Ford.

ord V8?

reducing the rod length in the'Chev to a similar Ford dimension, a move which I believe no-one else is doing.

"But to do that, you need a bet ter intake manifold on the Chev \. ● engine." ^ Does that mean that it would be almost impossible for an observer to speculate on the internal specifica tions of any given engine mak-e and that the likelihood of identical engines appearing in different team's vehicles is particularly low?

"Yes, but it's important to see how that translates into on-track performance. You don't see a lot of difference between a Ford and a Chev-powered Holden in a straight line on a racetrack, as they're all very even," Sidney explained.

The parity issue becomes a little confusing when looking at the bald output figures because, while it's true that the GM product makes 450 to 460 foot-pounds of torque and that the Ford makes 460 to 470plus foot-pounds, it's difficult to believe that a small margin of only ten foot-pounds of torque would be instrumental in a driver winning a race.

Continued page 31

ne of the biggest talking points in any Bathurst race is tyres and this year will be no different - but not for the usual reasons.

With the introduction of a Bridgestone control tyre for 1999, this will be the final race for the V8 Supercars under the current 'open' policy, so competition on the tyre front is bound to be particularly fraught.

On top of that, the move of the race to mid-November and the potential high track temperatures has had all three tyre manufactur ers anticipating tougher conditions.

Last year, with a mid-October date, unseasonal hot weather caused strong concern among the front runners and tyre wear - or, rather, lack of tyre grip - accounted for more than one contender.

Defending race winners Dunlop will have their last tilt at the race with Perkins, Shell Helix and the Falcons of Tony Longhurst and Alan Jones running on its 356 com pound. As weil. Privateers Paul Weel and Greg Crick will race on Level 1 rubber, but probably of an older spec or softer compound.

Dunlop Motorsport's Owen Hughes says that a rule change for the 1998 race will present difficulties.

"Last year we were able to run different tyres on Thursday and pre sent our race tyres on Friday morn ing (for approval). This year we can't; we have to run previously marked used rubber on Thursday and we're locked into our tyres from then on.

"The teams arced up about it, but there's nothing we can do."

Dunlop will also supply teams who want an alternative to the Yokohama control tyre in the Privateer class. These will be limited to six sets of tyres for the meeting, against eight sets for the Pro teams.

TYRE CHANGE: For 1999 onwards, every team unit be on the same tyres, but at Bathurst it . could be the difference between winning and los ing.

READYTO GO: A stack ofBridgestones in thepits_ will be a common sight next year.

(Photos by Graeme Neander) Bridgestone appears to hold a lot of aces with excellent teams in Mobil-HRT, Glenn Seton, the Larkham and Bright Falcons, John Faulkner, Paul Romano and the Valvoline Commodores of Jason Bargwanna and Garth Tander, as well as Mark Poole and Anthony Tratt.

1

iie winner of the last three Shell Series titles will head to the mountain with a develop ment of the proven 261 tyre which is also likely to be the basis of the control tyre for 1999.

Bridgestone Motorsport chief Graham 'Mort' Brown believes that the durability of these tyres is their biggest asset.

"That's it," he says. "We have other tyres - quite a few, in fact that have a lot more first lap tyre speed than the 261, but the great-

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est feature of this tyre is its consis tency."

That's just as well. Whereas the other tyre suppliers will have each of their gun cars on 32 tyres for the Weekend, 'Mort' will be restricting his customers to 28 because that's the maximum number he can supply.

That's all they [the factory in Japan] could make for us," he says.

"It was the same at Sandown, though it was less critical because of the rain. But the front-running teams could really make the race on four sets and they'll still have seven available."

In total. Brown and his gang will take 450 tyres to Bathurst, including wets, and is understandably confi dent of having a good weekend.

Yokohama will supply both Gibson Motorsport Commodores, Wayne Gardner, Tomas Mezera,

Terry Finnigan and Danny Osborne's Falcon.

Yokohama's new tyre - which does not have an official designa tion that can be made public - is a development of last year's Bathurst tyre on which Tony Longhurst drove from the back of the grid to the top six in the first stint.

"We'll be taking less tyres to Bathurst than we've ever taken," says Yokohama Motorsport's Keith McCormack. "That means 150 slicks, the same number of wets and a staff of eight."

"We've tested the tyre in the heat at Lakeside and it shows both speed and durability," he says. "It's also proven to be good over one lap.

"We're hoping for hot weather.

We're anticipating it will be hotter in November than it's ever been there before." ■

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30

lOOO CLASSIC It

way for General The young drivers are coming through the ranks of V8 Supercar racing. PHIL BRANAGAN looks at the Class of 1998 and the positives and negatives of taking on young drivers.

j

ust what the heck is 'Generation X' anyway? Why is it that being born in the mid-to-late 1970swhen Barry White was a god and flares were something you wore, not sent up in an emergency- is now so cool? Who really under stands 'Ally McBeal' on television?

And isn't that'singer' Marilyn Manson really Alice Cooper's daughter - er, son?

And why is it that there are so many young touring car drivers entered for the FA11000 Classic?

Timing is everything in this busi ness and the late 1990s are the per fect time for th'e baby boomer 'grey brigade'to move aside and the kids are moving through.

The people that'we used to think of as youngsters are getting on in life, even though the'twinkle is still in Larry Perkins' eyes; it has been there for 48 years. That impossibly determined charger John Bowe is 46. Young Tony Longhurst? Just spun up 41 on the wheel of fori tune. Mark Larkham hits 35 (or, rather, 35 hits Mark Larkham) at the end of the year. Even Cromley, who was 29 for as long as medically and scientifically possible, admits to his real age these days; he's 38 (sorry,‘Neil).

Even the 'old' younger genera-

tion are no longer part of the youth stakes. Those two childhood prodi gies of Gibson Motorsport a decade agOr Glenn Seton and Mark Skaife, are now 33 and 31 respectively.

And then there's Russell Ingall.

He's 36. That's the official figure. n And until the carbon-dating results get back from forensics, that's what we'll believe, Rusty...

You want young? We got young.

Teenagers? Plenty; at 19 Paul Weel and ToddvKelly have,for their ages, logged far more V8 Supercar miles (that's what we used to measure distance in before Paul and Toddler were,born)than almost anyone in history. Adam Macrow may be a rookie in sedan racing but, like Kelly, is a veteran of a lot of years in racing.

Garth Tander is barely any older.

A year ago he was wondering how and if he was going to fold his Formula Ford-winning champi onship frame into a Formula Holden, and then a touring car ride came along. In his first race he passed Dick Johnson.

What were they putting in the water in '74? It seems 24 is a popu lar age. Steven Ellery is 24 and has already finished on the podium at Bathurst. His co-driver, Paul Romano, is the same age. So is

GUIDING HAND: HRT managerJeffGrech gives some words ofadvice to his star driver Craig Low)ides.

Steven Johnson, who is driving at Bathurst for the fifth time.

At 24, Cameron McConville has won national titles in three differ ent classes and has been racing cars for almost ELEVEN years. How does that work?

Also 24 is Craig Lowndes. He's won two Shell titles and two Sandown 500s on top of his 1996 Bathurst 1000 win. Enough said,

I

^he man who has probably seen the most of up-andcoming drivers is Jeff Grech.

The HRT team manager was with Gibson Motorsport in the Seton/Skaife era and was instrumen tal in getting Lowndes, Greg

Murphy, Mark Noske and Todd Kelly involved with HRT. Grech was in charge of the team when they tested a young coming man at Calder for the first time, it was Lowndes and the story of what happened when Grech changed the car without telling the driver has become part of folklore.

"All drivers learn at different ievels," Grech states firmly. "When we first tested him, he did not know that we made a change to the car..

We dropped the tyre pressures three pounds, which doesn't sound a lot, but it is. He went out and commented straight away that the car felt different; what had hap pened to the car since his last stint?

"The car was unbalanced and it unbalanced him. He picked it up straight away and knew it was down to tyre pressures. I don't like doing that as a rule, but occasional ly we do it to see if they pick it up quickly and if they're on the ball."

After that, Grech phoned Rickard Rydeil, who was to drive for the team at Sandown in 1994, and toid him not to come to Austraiia. The Swede stayed home and Lowndes' career was off and running.

Of course, there have been hic cups. Lowndes bunkered an HRT car at Sandown the following year and spectacuiarly crashed at the Bathurst Shell round in 1996. But he was not alone in his incidents; after

3Hour continues grand tradition I t has been 13 months since the first 3 Hour GT Production race at Mount Panorama and the 1998 event promises to carry on a tradition of Bathurst produc tion car races.

Carrying on from the great 12 Hour races at Bathurst in the early 1990s, the first 3 Hour featured a great battle between the John Bowe/Garry Waldon Ferrari and Porsche of Peter Fitzgerald and Jim Richards, but only after the Dodge Viper of Neal Bates/Neil Hannemann/Ray Lintott had built a substantial lead in the first hour, only to succumb to mechanical failure.

A late-race Safety Car

bunched the field, but the Ferrari had too much in the final going and won by 11 seconds.

This year's 55-strong field looks like having just as close a tussle. With Bowe sitting the race out, Waldon is defending Champ, but he will be in his own Viper, which has been rebuilt since he rolled it into a ball at Mallala three months ago.

Fitzy/Jim and Ed Aitken/Kevin Weeks return to fly the flag for Germany, as will new GT Production Champion Dorn Beninca. The Melbourne driver will share his winning 911RSCS with In the Ferrari camp are the

1997 race-winning car of Neil Crompton/Darren Palmer, along with Perry Spiridis' 355.

The other Italian car to watch will be Alfredo Costanzo's Maserati Ghibli.

The car flew to win the Sandown 1-Hour in September with Dean Canto aboard. With Canto back in his Subaru with Paul Dumbrell, young Matt Coleman leaps into the Maser for the first time.

The other car to watch will be John Teulan's Nissan GTR. The car may be big and heavy, and still too new to win, but Paul Morris is shar ing the drive and could be a factor in the race.

SNAKE BITE- Gany Waldon will lx back to Ixittle the Fenmis and Poiscbes in Im Dodge Viper. to bag a unique treble; win Class B looks like a Subaru Myhill are in the sole ning its class at Sandown,the Mitsubishi Magna, up benefit. Apart from Canto, Bathurst 1000 and Bathurst against the David Chris Kousparis looks 3-Hour.

Ratcliff/Ron Searle Toyota favourite, especially since he The tiddler class comes Camry (complete with chick is sharing with the brilliant down to the en) and the new Falcon AD Mark Brame. Peter Boylan Kalaitzidis/Yarnall Proton XR6s of Sam Newman/Guy and Ross Palmer are also run versus the Suzuki horde Andrews and 'Media' car of ning a WRX, while IronGuy (McGiil/Pulver look the best, Wayne Webster/Joshua Grant Kenny will be in Scott despite Aaron's Surfers Dowling/Toby Hagon.

Jacobs' car. crash).

In GTP Lights, look for the In Class C, the family car - PHIL BRANAGAN GardinerAA/atkinson Mazda class, Rob Chadwick and Jim

l

BATHURST

●L/ ●●●●●●●!

3f

SNomberm

naking

II II

all, Peter Brock crashed at Bathurst three years in a row, despite having more experience than anyone in the business.

T

n spite of the Lowndes incidents, Grech remains a strong and vocal supporter of young drivers.

You've got enthusiasm, which is great, but there's a downside as well. At that age and experience level, if you walked 99 percent of them up to the edge of a cliff and said. 'Jump!', they would jump straight off.

"So the team manager or team leader has to take the responsibility to get them to stand on their toes on the edge of the cliff-that's how you're going to get the best out of them. You do not want them to fall over.

"You run them through the team's previous experiences and have them look at previous races, but there's nothing like competing.

They may have been to Bathurst a thousand times before but they have.to DO it.

"You've got to teach them, 'To finish first, first you have to finish'.

This year there will be 48 cars out there and a lot of tired people past half-distance. There'll be pace cars and accidents; hopefully, we're not going to be in them. They have to drive around with that in their heads.

"Half the skill is driving quick.

Half is being alert, aware of where there is oil on the circuit, then there are the slower drivers, yellow flag strategy and all that sort of thing.

"All the young guys think of one lap. They finish this lap and then they think of the next one. It's hard to get them to think of lap 161 But Grech is equally quick to point to the upside of taking on young drivers.

"They're keen. They're hungry.

They're no, in my experience, prima donnas. And they're prepared to give it their best.

"All they really look for is guid ance. If that's there, and more peo ple look at it, we can have 48 good cars and drivers at Bathurst. That's

fS

BJtAr PACK: Two years ago this, was the apprentice bngade but now they are well entrenched with excellent chatices at Bathurst next week. From left to right, SteveJohnson, Steve Ellery, Steve Richards, Craig Lowndes, Greg Murphy, Cameron McConville and Paul Romano. where this class of racing is heading.

"It helps the teams, too. Teams can lapse and go 'ho hum' if they are the ones who are not prepared to stay at the track and look at the data. Getting someone who does that into a team pushes the team to achieve more. They see the results of the effort they put in and then it's, 'what ELSE can we do?'

"We all make mistakes. There's always going to be a few tears and you have to be able to handle the odd small setback. But, as long as you keep your eye on where you're heading, you'd be mad not to pur

sue it." ■

Engine parity on test

Continued ftom Page 29

"The same applies to the power situation and, if a Ford is following a Chev and the Chev has 600 horsepow er to the Ford's 610 horse power, I'll guarantee to you that the Ford can't pull out and pass, unless it slip streams and gets a good passing run," Sidney said emphatically.

"While we do claim that there's more horsepower and torque out of a good Ford over a good Chev, we're currently in the mid dle of trying to make a good Chev better and I think I'm onto something which could help, but it will only fit into the VT Commodore.

"You know, because you've tried six things and they didn't work, it's not unusual to conclude that you've done everything you can do. But there are so rnany areas left to explore with the Chev and that's a situation which I find to be really stimulating.

"For example, last Christmas, I made huge inroads into the NASCAR engine department, but we never raced the final prod uct. As we were going quick enough for the minute, we just put it away upstairs.

"Months later, I began to think about camshafts, oil systems, cooling the crowns of pistons, improved engine vacuuming and so on and, when we put it all together, suddenly there was a major

step forward in torque and, let me tell you, you can't get torque without horsepower.

"That same situation applies to the Touring Car engine, as there's definitely a development and technol ogy crossover.

"But you can't lose sight of the rpm difference and I have a rule where I do all my Touring Car engine power testing from 4500 rpm through to 7500 rpm, while I do all my NASCAR testing from 5000 rpm to 8200 rpm.

"In the case of the NASCAR engine, 5000 rpm is almost 800 revs less than what we race at, while we'd like to think that 4000 rpm is about 1000 revs less than what we race at with the Touring Car. "At some road circuits, you can get down to 5000 rpm; but, if you screw up, you might get down to the 4000 rpm area and you'll need to be able to nail that sucker and have it go with out any messing around and that's the reason for all our development work that's going into the Chev engine."

In Sidney's view, the Ford powerplant does not cur rently enjoy a significant enough performance,advan tage over the Chevrolet engine in practical terms to warrant all the hype sur rounding this particular par ity issue.

"You don't see properly

set-up Touring Cars pulling out and passing anyone, unless it's under brakes, as no one team has a domi nant engine, regardless of which badge it's wearing" he said.

"Even HRT can't pull out and pass Glenn Seton in a straight line, but they might get him under brakes - and the opposite situation equally applies, of course.

"As a general statement that's based on hard experi ence, a really good chassis will make a bad motor look good; but an ordinary chas sis with a brilliant motor in it will make the motor look less than acceptable.

"Now, if you put a really good engine into a fabulous chassis, people will think you're the greatest hero that ever put an engine together, because the thing goes like a rocketship - and, in a nutshell, that latter situ ation is probably the reason why this whole parity issue has become such a confused mess.

"You have to remember that not everybody connect ed with a team is equally as well-qualified as every mem ber of any other team, so the real performance poten tial of the end product is pretty damned hard to quantify in relative terms when you get down to the nitty gritty.

"Some teams simply do a better job of putting the whole package togetherit's as simple as that." ■

How old are they?

Paul Weel Todd Kelly Garth Tender Craig Lowndes Keryn Brewer Steven Johnson Cam McConville Paul Romano Steve Ellery Darren Pate Jason Bright Steve Richards

19 19 20 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 25 26

Jason Bargwanna Greg Murphy Mark Noske Melinda Price Darien Hossack Paul Stokell Cameron McLean Mark Skaife Glenn Seton Mark Larkham Russell Ingall Mark Poole

26 26 26 27 28 29 30 31

Si

35 36 37

SB 39 ^ 39 40 ' 41 46 46 46 !

48 : 51

Neil Ciompton Brad Jones Wavne Gaidnei Tomas Mecera Ton\ Longhuist Geott' Brabham John Boue John Faulkner Lain Perkins Jim Richards Alan Jones Dick Johnson

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32 API Rally Australia is set to be the most important round of the World Rally Championship so far this year, with both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles set to go down to the wire.

Following the Sanremo Rally in Italy, only eight points seperate the leading three drivers - Carlos Sainz, Tommi Makinen and Colin McRae - while Toyota, Mitsubishi and Subaru are still in with the chance of winning the makes title.

API Rally Australia 1998 has received the strongest entry in the event’s 11-year history, with ten factory World Rally Cars entered, as well as a string of leading Formula 2 and Group N cars.

1997 winner Colin McRae will perhaps start as favourite again this year, but much has changed since the Subaru star’s last Australian appearance.

'The Scot has to win both the final events to lift his second World Drivers’ Championship crown.

“It’s a tough proposition, but we were in the same position last year and won on both occasions - it proves it can be done,” McRae said.

“Rally Australia is an event I enjoy, but it’s also one Tommi goes well on.

Whatever, we’ll be doing evei-ything to keep the cham pionship alive.”

Makinen is a noted gravel performer and, lying second in the championship, he has high hopes for Rally Australia.

“I feel very confident at the, moment, because Australia has always been one of my favourite events,” the 1996 winner, Makinen, said.

“We’ve found some important things on the suspension of the latest Lancer and that should help us iminensely.”

Toyota’s Corolla is now a much more competitive vehi cle than it was in 1997 and Carlos Sainz could well extend his lead, despite not having won in Australia before.

Last year, he led the event ! going into the final day, only to retire after engine failure on his Escort on the first stage of the last day.

Ford’s Juha Kankkunen, despite a disappointing sea son, is'a multiple winner of the event and should never

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be discounted on what could be described as his favourite event.

In Rally Australia’s early days, Kankkunen was unbeatable, but the Escort has not been a rally winner in 1998 and taking another victory could prove difficult.

As well as the battle for World Championship hon ours, the fight between the leading three Australian dri vers will be worth the admis sion price alone.

Ed Ordynski (Mitsubishi), Neal Bates (Toyota) and Possum Bourne (Subaru) will all have factory support of some kind and will be keen to finish well inside the top ten.

Bates’ Corolla has been re shelled again after Didier Auriol crashed it in Canberra recently and Bates, after the team’s first test session in Perth, said the rebuilt car felt good.

“It’s perhaps not as sharp as the other car, but to sit in it you wouldn’t pick the dif ference and I think it will perform well in the rally,” the triple Australian champi on said.

Ordynski will drive for the official Ralliart Team, although in a Lancer Evo 3, not. an Evp 5 like Makinen and Richard Bums - but he’s not disappointed.

“Just being a part of the works Ralliart team is a great thrill and 1 think we’ll achieve a similar result in the Evo 3 as we would in an Evo 5,” Ordynski explained.

“The differences between the 3 and the 5 are like chalk and cheese, but the car I’ll be driving is no slouch, as it’s using the engine Makinen used to win the 1996 1000 Lakes Rally,” he said.

As well, the Group N bat tle between Subaru drivers Cody Crocker and Michael Guest and the reigning World Champion, Gustavo Trelles, will be enthralling.

Guest has led Group N in Perth for the past two years, only to fall back because of accidents and mechanical failures - but the 1998 New Zealand Group N winner is determined to finally put a

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“For sure, Trelles will be fast, but I’m confident the Subam will have the speed and we’ll be able to take vic tory,” Guest told Motorsport News.

Similarly, Cody Crocker is * confident of a good result in the Subaru Australia-sup ported Impreza WRX. “Group N victory in the ARC round in Perth earlier this year has given us some confidence on the slippery Western Australian roads,” Crocker said, “so I’m hoping that experience will see us fighting for Group N victory.”

And then there’s Formula 2, with Aussie star Wayne Bell fired up to end his wretched run in recent rounds of the World Championship and keen to give H}Tindai its first F2 win of the year.

Add to Bell drivers like Alister McRae, Kenneth Eriksson, Gwyndaf Evans, Toni Gardemeister and ‘Monster’ Tajima and the pace will be intense.

While he won’t start favourite. Bell will be going all out for victory as he tries to impress on his home WRC round.

Favourite will perhaps be

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Alister McRae, brother of Colin, in the VW Golf kit car.

Young McRae will actually partner his brother as part of the Subaru team on the

Rally of Great Britain later this month, but the Scottish wiz will be aiming to end his year with Volkswagen with a category win.

FIRST TEST FOR NEW FOCUS Ford’s new has Focus World Rally Car started its initial programme of testing and a more comprehensive series of tests will follow this week.

-After ail the effort of developing the Ford Focus World Rally Car, it is very satisfying to see it being put through its paces,” Ford World Rally team director Malcolm Wilson said. “It’s too early yet to get an accu rate indication of the car’s abilities; but, as we contin ue testing over this week, we’ll have a much clearer idea of what kind of devel opment we need to do.

“We’re all looking for ward to the car’s debut rally in Monte Carlo in January-, when Colin McRae will make his competition debut with the team.”

Further testing was car ried out last week, with Juha Kankkunen and Bruno Thiry piloting the car around forest stages close to the Ford World Rally team headquarters in Cumbria.

During the four days’ testing, over 500km were covered at three venues and Wilson said that “both Bruno and Juha were extremely happy with the testing we carried out.

“We tried a tyre from Michelin which had an entirely new tread pattern to combat the gravelly surface we’ll find in Australia during the next round of the World Rally Championship and both Juha and Bruno were very happy with it.”

The Ford drivers will be aiming for their first win of the season in Australia.

McRAE BROTHERS TEAM UP This year’s will Rally see of Great Britain an unprecedented line-up at the 555 Subaru WRC team.

For the first time ever, brothers Colin and Alister McRae will join forces on the

By Peter Whi Ecitor -AusTalian Raiyspor same team, in a bid to secure Colin’s second world champi onship and Subaru’s fourth manufacturers title.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I can’t tell you how exited I am'sbout it,” said 27 yearold Alister. “It will be my first outing in a WRCar and to be able to do that with Colin will be even better.”

McRae Jr has competed in the British rally no less than seven times, winning the Group N category in 1992.

“I’ve had some good results in Britain and, as this is going to be a crucial rally for Colin, I should be able to offer him some sup port. That will obviously be my principal role.”

Alister is no stranger to the Subaru Impreza, scor ing an outright victory in a round of the 1996 Thailand championship and leading in the Azores until he was forced to quit with gearbox problems.

Alister has been released from his Volkswagen con tract for the final round of the WRC in November.

ALEXANDER WINS NORTH EASTERN Veteran GrahamGeelong Alexanderdriver took a narrow victory in the North Eastern Rally, the penulti mate round of the Victorian Rally Championship, on October 24.

Centred on the pic turesque town of Bright.

Alexander and co-driver Dave Stewart drove their Mitsubishi Lancer RS-E to a 29-second victory over the Galant VR4 of Brett

D®

Add to the entry list dri vers of the cahbre of Freddy Loix, Sebastian Lindholm, and Harri Rovanpera and the 94-car field is the most impressive in Rally Australia’s history.

But, of course, it won’t be just in the major categories where the action will be.

Australian competitors have made up the majority of this year’s entry list and all will be keen to perform well against the best drivers and teams the world has to offer.

Rally Australia is also the final round of the FLA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, with Japanese stars Yoshio Fujimoto (Corolla WRCar) amd Yoshihiro Kataoka (Lancer) separated by two points.

API Rally Australia gets off to a flying start with the Langley Park Superstage this Thursday, November 3.

Competitors will tackle 404km of competitive stages over the three days, with the finish at the sensational Bunnings forest complex on Sunday, November 8.

Channel 10 will provide live coverage of the final stage of the event, as well as regular updates throughout the event.

-PETER WHITTEN Thompson and Rob Vanderee.

Alexander led Phil Messer’s Lancer GSR by just four seconds going into the final stage of the 120km event, but Messer hit an earth bank just one kilometre into the stage, damaging the rear suspension and dropping him back to third place.

Subaru Legacys made up the next two placings, with Danny Murphy heading home the similar car of Mark Rodgers, with champi onship pacesetter Craig Morris in sixth place after a disappointing rally.

Early leader Graham Gambold retired his Toyota Celica GT-Four after four stages with an overheating engine - and that was after removing the engine and gearbox to replace third gear on the night before the rally.

The event, organised by the North Eastern Car Club, took its toll, with only 18 of the original 37 starters mak ing it to the finish, such is the demanding nature of the Bright forest roads.

With only the Begonia Rally in Ballarat remaining in the Victorian Championship, Messer leads Morris by just half a point in the race for the driver's title - Messer will be on home territory at the Begonia and will be keen to clinch the title in front of his home-town crowd.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

FINAL RESULTS Alexander/Stewart Lancer RS-E 1h41m30s ThompsonA/anderee Galant VR4 1.41.59 Messer./Bruty Lancer GSR 1.42.07 Murphy/Lilley Subaru Legacy 1.43.55 Rodgers/Rodgers Subaru Legacy 1.44.03

33

Gordon the Champ!

Rockingham victory lands Golden Gordon another Winston Cup title

Jeff Gordon took out the NASCAR Winston Cup Series ACDelco 400 at Rockingham on November 1 and claimed his third Championship in four years.

Needing only to finish 40th, or better, in his latest outing, Gordon won the event and cemented his latest title win by amassing an insurpassable 344 point lead over nearest rival Mark Martin in the series pointscore with just one round remaining, the NAPA 500 at Atlanta on November 8.

After taking the lead from Rusty Wallace with eight laps remaining, Gordon headed Dale Jarrett across the line by half a second for his 12th victory of the year.

Behind Jarrett came Wallace, Martin, Jeff Burton, Bobby Hamilton, Ward Burton, Terry Labonte, Dale Eamhdrdt and Ricky Rudd.

Hendrick Motorsports, which fields Gordon’s #24 Chevrolet DuPont Monte Carlo, now becomes the first team in NASCAR history to win four consecutive Winston Cup Series Championships - Terry

By Martin D Clar

THIRD TITLE... A triumphant Jeff Gordon.(Craig Jones/Allsport pic) Gordon, whb will collect in excess of US$2 imlhon at season’s-end for his second straight championship.

periods, the first for Jeremy Mayfield, who was pinned against the wall on the front straightaway

by David Green in the Larry Hedrick Chevy.

The next yellow flag waved on lap 42, when Brett Bodine cut a left rear t}Te and hammered the wall in turn 1. Schrader was first off pit road after the second caution, Wallace bearing down on him and, on lap 54, showing his hand by tak ing the Taurus to the front.

Wallace opened up a 5.5-second lead until pitting under the green flag on lap 136 - he resumed his lead once the exchange of pit stops had taken place on lap 153.

Wallace led at halfway, lapping 17th-placed Sterling Marlin at the same point in time.

The caution lights flashed for the third time on lap 181, when Kenny Irwin succumbed to a flat battery in the Yates Ford and stopped on the track.

Dale Earnhardt had a great bat tle with Ted Musgrave for second around lap 210, Musgrave in the Elliott-Marino Taurus, while Earnhardt, starting 39th, had his Childress Chevy hooked up for the first time on a short track in a long while.

While teams were pitting during the fourth yellow, the rain became harder and a red flag was waved.

The way the cars came off pit road was the way they finished, just 55 laps shy of the full distance, Wallace’s crew performing flawless ly to get him off pit road first.

In hindsight, if a number of teams had seen the rain coming, they could have gambled and stayed out, gaining track position and possibly winning the race!

And for those wondering, Wallace had the field covered for his first win since March 1997.

Barring any on track problem his only challenge might have come from Earnhardt, who was looking every bit The Intimidator.

He pushed Jeff Burton aside for second before the last caution, only to be passed on pit road by Bmrton’s Roush stable-mate Martin.

Burton moved through traffic with Earnhardt, Jeff starting 38th and coming home fourth.

Final result: R Wallace (Ford), Martin (Ford), Earnhardt (Chevy), J Burton (Ford), Musgrave (Ford), Andretti (Pontiac), Gordon (Chevy), K Wallace (Ford), Benson (Ford), T Labonte (Chevy).

Points standings; Gordon 4963, Martin 4634, Jarrett 4264, R Wallace 4228, J Burton 4095, B Labonte 4028, Mayfield 3963, Earnhardt 3661, T Labonte 3612, Andretti 3549.

-MARTIN DCJARK

H Cale Yarborou^ Motorsports, which last year lost sponsor MCA, is in the same position at the end of this season, as Thom Apple Valley Meats, the team’s current sponsor, has notified Yarborough they will not be back in 1999.

n You can bet that Eoush Racing wiU step up it’s restric tor plate engine program in 1999, as Mark Martin has lost a total of 319 points to Jeff Gordon on the tour’s four super speedway races during the year.

Hewitt has worked with Johnny Benson and Michael Waltrip dur ing that six-year period.

‘Loser'Rusfy victorious

Winless in 1998, Rusty Wallace broke a 59-race losing streak to take thq spoils at Phoenix on October 25, Wallace dominating the rain-s^oi*tened event.

Wallace, who qualified sixth in the Miller-backed Penske Taurus, has started in the top ten for all eleven of the races held at Phoenix and has led the,most laps, with over 700 to his credit at Phoenix.

“I really wanted it to go the full distance. We should have won six races this year, because we had dominant cars. But this thing was ridiculously fast and it handled so good,” remarked Wallace, after keeping his 13-year winning streak alive. “It’s a brand-new car and a sister to my favourite, Ronnie - we just named this car Streaker.”

As for the points race, Jeff Gordon still had an advantage of 329 points over Mark Martin.

“We weren’t going to be a con tender to win,” said Martin, who fin ished second, with Gordon seventh.

Gordon started 12th, only the second time in the last 24 races he has started outside the top ten.

He now has only to finish 40th, or better, in the final two rounds and has to pick up 41 points on Martin at Rockingham to clinch the title before Atlanta.

Poleman Ken Schrader led the first 53 tours through two caution

I MUl

n Doug Hewitt, in his sixth year as crew chief for Bahari Racing that fields Ponitacs for Derrike Cope, is to leave at season’s end to become crew chieffor Kyle Petty when their PE2 operation moves to Level Cross, North Carolina, over the closed season.

Labonte, Gordon’s team-mate, won the 1996 title.

The win was worth US$11,575 to

responsible for getting Rick Hendrick involved in NASCAR racing.

Both Scott and Hyde were por trayed in movies, Scott in Greased Lightning (played by Richard Pryor) and Hyde in Days of Thunder (played by Robert Duvall).

n It looks very possible that Team SABCO’s #46 effort, piloted by Jeff Green and sponsored by The Money Store and First Union, will close it’s doors at season’s end.

Green has been told by team owner Felix Sabates to look for other opportunities - with no sponsorship on the horizon, Sabates is not willing to inject any of his own income into the team.

Sterling Marlin and Joe Nemechek will continue to be sponsored by Coor’s and Bell South, respectively, in the other two SABCO entries. n With the growth of NASCAR comes more changes for smaHer tracks and, after 41 consec utive years, Hickory Motor which held Speedway, NASCAR Grand National (old term for Winston Cup) and the Busch Grand National series since 1982, will lose it’s 1999 date.

The speedway had to come up witkan extra $190,000 in purse money for the event, increasing the track’s total purse require ment to $533,000.

As has been seen in the Winston Cup series, bigger tracks are the order of the day, as with larger seating capacity the tracks can contribute more to the purse Hickory has 10,000 permanent seats. n The International Motorsports Hall of Fame has inducted two minorities - Louise Smith, the first lady NASCAR driver, now 82, raced from 1946 to 1956 and won 38 races, while the late Wendell Scott, the only black driver to win a NASCAR race, was also named.

The pair will be inducted with Gordon Johncock, Alain Prost and Harry Hyde, the latter a long-time crew chief and one of the people

n Michael Waltrip, currently 18th in this season’s pointscore, broke a streak of 387 consecutive starts when he failed to make the field at Phoenix.

It was the first time the Wood Brothers team had missed a race since 1984 at North Wilkesboro.

Prior to that, the next recorded blemish was at the 1971 Southern 500 at Darhngton, when the team was unable to supply driver Fred Lorenzen, who crashed in practice, with a back-up car.

Joining Waltrip on the sidelines were Dave Marcis and IRL regulaiJeffWard.

Bobby Labonte, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Hamilton, Ernie Irvan, Chad Little and Darrell Waltrip were the other provisional starters.

Five of those cars were in the top 13 in points, hence Waltrip not starting the Citgo Ford.

Irvan actually decided to sit the race out and let Ricky Craven take the wheel of the Skittles Pontiac Craven finished 30th. n Sam Johns will crew chief Ken Schrader’s Andy Petreeowned Chevroiets in 1999.

Johns comes from the American Equipment Racing CAT car that had worked closely with Petree during the 1998 season. n Terry Labonte started his 600th straight career race at Phoenix - dating back to 1978, his achievement is a series record. n Dale Jarrett was suffering from flu and stomach prob lems and exited his Yates Ford on lap 121 at Phoenix, handing over the steering wheel to Michael Waltrip, who finished 32nd.

This hampered Jarrett’s points effort and he lost 118 points to Wallace in a battle for third.

Jarrett was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he was found to have gallstones. n Veteran crew chief Larry McReynolds continues to forge ahead with plans to start his own Winston Cup team in the year 2000.

McReynolds and his partner in the venture, John Dangler, are currently looking for possible sponsors.

1998 WINSTON CUP SERIES RESULTS ACDelco 400 - Rockingham, NC. November 1st, l998o I.JeffGordon,#24 DuPont Chev Monte Carlo Z Dale Jarrett,#88 Ford Credit Ford Taurus

11. Geoff Bodine,#7 Phillips Ford Taurus 12. Bill ElUott,#94 McDonald’s Ford Taurus

3. Rusty Wallace,#2 Miller Lite Ford Taurus 4. Mark Martin,#6 Valvoline Ford Taurus

13. Sterling Marfin,#40 Coors Light Chev Monte Carlo 14. Ken Schrader,#33 Skoal Bandit Chev Monte Carlo

5.Jeff Burton,#99 Bode Batteries Ford Taurus

15. Bobby Labonte,#18 Interaate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix 14. Kenny WaJace,#81 Square-D Ford Taurus 17.Joe Nemechek,#42 BeaSoutfi Chev Monte Carlo 18. Rich Bidde,#98 Thom Apple Valley Ford Taurus

4. Bobby Hamilton,#4 Kodak Chev Monte Carlo 7. Ward Burton,#22 MBNA Pontiac Grarxi Prix 8.Terry Labonte,#5 Kellogg’s Chev Monte Carlo 9. Dale Earnhardt,#3 GM Goodwrench Chev Monte Carlo 10. Ricky Rudd,#10 Tide Ford Taurus

l9.Ted Musgrave,#13 FkstPlusFinancia! FordTaurus 20.ToddBo(Sne,#9l Uttie joe’s Auto Chev Monte Carlo

m/iii

r

I

Standings After Rd 31 I. Jeff Gordon 2. Hark Martin 3. Dale Jarrett 4. Rusty Wallace 5. Jeff Burton 6. Jeremy Hayfieid 7. Bobby Labonte 8. Date Earnhardt 9. Terry Labonte I 10. John Andretti

34

Honours to Terry and Kim

Rookie Russell scores a podium finish at the Dome Report by GRANT NICHOLAS

Terry Wyhoon and Kim Jane notched up a victory and a sec ond placing each to share the overall honours in the second round of the 1998/99 Australian NASCAR Championship series, held at the Thunderdome on November 1. tELL Jane won the first 40-lapper in his John Sidney Racing-prepared Bob Jane T-Marts/Repco/Goodyear Chevrolet Monte Carlo by 1.4 sec onds over Wyhoon’s BP Car care Ford Thunderbird and NASCAR rookie Russell Ingall in the Vision/ Fireworks King/Motorsport News Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Later in the afternoon, Wyhoon reversed the top two positions by accepting the chequered flag some four seconds clear of the defending champion in the 60-lap feature, with Gene Cook in the Austoil SURPRISED ... Reigning NASCAR Champion Kim Jane (above) was caught short by the pace of Terry Wyhoon’s “underpowered” BP Car Lubricants Ford Thunderbird grab care Thunderbird (right), Jane and Wyhoon each claiming a second bing third place over Ingall. round win apiece at the Thunderdome.(Brett Swanson pics)^ Wyhoon was fortunate to make the race meeting, after the engine back straight, causing the session the Bob Jane Telecommunications in the T-Bird dropped an exhaust to be stopped while the safety safari Monte Carlo, Bob Middleton’s valve during Saturday afternoon’s crew cleaned the oil from the racing Whitline Transport Monte Carlo surface - unfortunately, Dumesny and former AUSCAR champion and private practice session.

NASCAR rookie Marshall J. Fortunately, Wyhoon’s wife Sue as forced out of the day’s proceed Brewer, who was stiU chasing a set collected the team’s spare engine ings. up in his pristine Pennzoil/Cigweld/ At the end of the qualifying ses from a customs agent on Friday Goodyear Chevrolet Monte Carlo afternoon. sion, where a new format was intro duced, Kim Jane had grabbed pole and ranked just ahead of Jimmy “When I was in the US, I pur with a 27.7967-second lap just clear Ellis in the DMC Motorsport/GB chased jthe engine from a Busch Galvanizing Chevrolet Lumina.

Grand National team that had fold-'^ of Wyhoon’s best of 27.9948 sec A number ofthe teams experienced and it finally arrived here on onds.

I

Friday, thank goodness,” comment ed Wyhoon.

“We opened the crate on late on Saturday and decided to spend three to four hours changing covers and installing mounts, with the view of possibly running it on Sunday.

“Les Small and Michael Excel kindly inspected it for me and advised that it appeared to have been rebuilt only and that the camshaft was to suit a 390 cftn car buretor - under the NASCAR regu- lations, we have to run 750 cfm units.”

“Our choice was to pack up and go home, or nm the engine during the Sunday morning practice ses sion and evaluate things after that.”

At the end of the session, Wyhoon has strung together 22 laps around the 1.83-km super speedway, the most of any driver participating in the session, to be second quickest behind Dean Wanless in his Les SmaU-prepared Ford Thunderbird.

Wanless was delighted to be back on the tri-oval, after taking in sev eral NASCAR Winston West race meetings in the US at the wheel of Dick Midgley’s Pontiac Grand Prix during the winter break with mixed success.

During the session. Max Dumesny shut down the engine in his GKR Transport Chevrolet Monte Carlo on the seventh lap when the oil fight came on.

Back in the pits, his crew discov ered that the drive to the oil pump had failed and they were hoping that no permanent damage had been done to the powerplant.

On lap 4 of qualifying, Dumesny’s engine expired on the

few speedway words to each other back in the garage area,” said Cook.

“We used to race against each other in the Grand National days at Sydney’s Liverpool Speedway,so he understands what I was on about when we finished sorting things out, we straightened the collars on our race suits and went about oui' business.”

As the field streamed through turn 2 in the second race, Harrison’s Pontiac made sohd con tact with the outer concrete wall, MOVERS AND SHAKERS... Scotty Williams(left) and Ms immediately bringing out the cau V8 Supercar protege, Russell Ingall.(Brett Swanson) tion flag for the safety team to clean up the debris.

As the racing commenced again on lap 7, the yellows flags were shown once again as more debris was noticed between turns 1-2, the safety crew sent to work again and racing restarting on lap 10.

At one-third race distance, Wyhoon moved under Jane’s Chevrolet to take the lead, the pair of them clear of Wanless, Ingall, Elliott, Byers, Lance, Cook, James, Brewer, Ellis, Rodney Jane and Middleton.

Rodney was experiencing extreme pain in his right hand and wrist, after fractming several small bones in his hand in the weeks leading up to the opening round of the series at Mount Panorama last month.

During the first Legends race earlier in the day, he compounded the injury an after the meeting he was OS' to seek medical attention this disabilty certainly hampered debut event on the steeply banked Lining up in third place was ing difficulty getting a good qualify the youngster’s racing, as he spun tri-oval. super speedway veteran Terry ing and race set-up, as their past attempting to get out of the way of The finishing order was Jane, Byers in his Chevrolet Monte Carlo experience had always been at other racers. from Wanless, Ingall, Cook then night meetings - plus the changing Wyhoon, Ingall, Wanless, James, By race’s end, Wyhoon had man Lance, Brewer, Byers, EUiot, Elhs, ’91/92 NASCAR champion George track temperature caused problems aged to use the traffic to estabhsh a Jane and Harrison, with an angry Elliot in a Tom Smith-developed as they chased correct tyre pressure Cook behind the pit wall after 24 comfortable four second break over chassis running Chevrolet Monte readings.

Several of the more established laps - Middleton also parked his Jane, with Cook just missing an Carlo panels and corporate support of putting extra presteams assisted various younger machine on lap 23 after collecting opportunity from Elliot’s Lockies Hotel and sure on the Chevrolet driver as the the wall. teams with set-up tips during the Casino Bar. Cook was fuming, as Byers had laps counted down due to lapped Starting out of tenth spot was course ofthe day. cars - and there was some panel charged into the back of the Fourteen cars faced the starter Ken James in the Revell/Wet Paint Thunderbird while they were dicing rubbing and several spins during Chevrolet Monte Carlo, ahead of for the mid-afternoon 40-lapper, the course of the event. for fourth position, the incident Neville Lance’s Autopro Ford with Kim Jane immediately burst The finishing order was Wyhoon, ing into the lead as the green flag dropping Cook to the rear of the Jane, Cook, Ingall, Brewer in the Thunderbird, which was experienc field before a power steering fitting was waved and, for the first two Best Presented Award-winning car, ing horrible handling problems on laps, he headed Wyhoon before the pulled apart, forcing him out of the Byers, Lance, James and both old and new tyres. event.

Next was the Pontiac Grand Prix Ford driver forged through to take “After the race, Terry and I had a Mddleton. of Mark Harrison, Rodney Jane in the lead for the next 29 laps.

Around lap 30, Jane stuck to the rear of Wyhoon’s T-Bird, looking like an old farm cat playing with a field mouse and several laps later powered past and back into the lead, which he held to the chequrered flag.

Ingall was showing great maturi ty on the super speedway as the race progressed, gradually working up to speed as he moved past Wanless to take third place in his

THUNDERDOIVIE Former AUSCAR titleholder Matthew White used a borrowed engine in his Freighter Trailers/Maxi Cube Holden Commodore to seore victory in the opening roimd of the AUS CAR Championship series on the Calder Park Thunderdome.

Just over half a second behind was the brand-new Falcon of Leigh Watkins and the Dewalt/Goodyear Holden Commodore of Nathan Pretty.

Then came Tony Malley in the Tramstop Garden Centre Holden Commodore, ahead of Anthony Leitch in his Australian Heavy Haulage Holden Commodore and Nicole Pretty in the second of the Dewalt/Goodyear cars, Nicole grabbing a fine sixth placing, the best result in her super speedway career.

Defending champion Darren McDonald started rear of the grid, after missing the qualifying session as his crew changed engines in his Christian Holden/Powermac Performance Products Holden Commodore after a fluid leak was detected dur ing the practice session.

Nathan Pretty led the first six laps from pole, before fel low front-row starter Watkins moved into the lead for the next 45 laps - until race control sent him to the rear for an infringement while entering the pitlane during the first caution peri od ofthe event.

“Race control has stated that I pulled down too early and passed the pace car.

Wanless had pitted on lap 42 with a b:coken rocker in the engine, then five laps later Rodney Jgne parked his machine with a broken right rear shock absorber and,just after that, Elliot moved behind the pit wall with a broken right drive axle in a car that was far from happy going around the super speedway - “it was moving about like popcorn jumping out of a pan on a hot stove,” Elliot said.

“This is a tremendous result after all the dramas we had with the engine,” commented a delighted Wyhoon. “The new engine has absolutely no power out of the corners, so we had to rely on chassis set-up to gain this victory.

“I think we’ll leave this engine in for the next race in Adelaide, as it will certainly suit that style oftrack.”

Kim Jane mentioned that the handling was not quite right with the Bob Jane TMarts car - it was a bit too loose on the turns in both races and, once Wyhoon got a

Borrowed engine pays dividends for White

before entering pitlane,” explained an unhappy Watkins after the race.

“I was on the banking right in the middle of the cor ner; we were all^coming up toward the entry and I pulled down as I normally do. I didn’t go fast, or do any thing sOly and I end up get ting penalised by the race officials. After that, I had to start back in the field and there was no way that I was able to catch Matthew.”

On lap 6, the front right tyre on the John Faulkner Racing-prepared Wynn’s Austraha/Kmart Commodore of Sean Henshelwood delami nated as he headed into turn 1, throwing tread onto the track.

Henshelwood carefully cir cumnavigated the oval back to his JFR crew in pitlane for a replacement wheel and tyre, the incident dropping the rookie to the rear of the 16-car field.

Earlier in the day, Henshelwood’s Wynn’s team celebrated when they were presented with the Best Presented Award by the venue’s officials.

The race pace was such that the leading pack all started to experience tyre jump on him in the second event, he wasn’t able to reel him back in.

The right rear tyre was cooking up coming out of the comers and he believes that his team, under John Sidney’s guidance, will get over the problem - anyway the championship is extra close, with Terry, Russell and himself all winning ’98/99 series races.

Cook stated that his for mer Grand Nationals experi ence certainly helped in set ting up his T-Bird for the day-time racing.

“If we ran these settings at a nigh-time event here on the Thunderdome, we would plough straight into the wall at the first turn. Overall, I’m relatively happy, considering that we missed a good result after being clouted by Terry [Byers]in the first race.”

Extremely satisfied with his super speedway debut was Russell Ingall, after scoring sterling third and fourth placings against some of the country’s leading NASCAR exponents.

problems by lap 20, several backing off slightly to con serve their rubber, while oth ers pressed on and hoped for an early caution period.

“With the warm weather conditions and the fast pace, my tyres started to go mushy after 20 laps,” explained Nathan Pretty.

n

Nicole Pretty, the Darryl Speers Commodore and Tim D’Ombrain’s Commodore.

On lap 59, Howe clouted the outside concrete wall at turn 4 after a suspected blown front left tyre, sending the Falcon shding across the track at a great rate of knots, the car finally coming to rest

apply added pressure to the leading Dewalt team driver.

Five laps from the che quered flag and Watkins rounded up Pretty to take second place on the rostrum.

“At each of the restarts, I just went ten-tenths as I didn’t want Nathan, or Leigh, hanging onto my

LOW NOTE... Delaminated front right tyre spoiled Henshelwood’s day.(Adams)

“It was hard work out there keeping the car from sliding and ruining the rear tyres too early.”

At the 40 lap mark, half race distance, the top ten consisted of Watkins, Ti^te, Pretty, Richard Howe in the Ferntree Gully Bolts Ford Falcon, Malley, Leitch, “On Wednesday, I did something hke 40 laps in the car learning about this type of racing,” Ingall said. “Then on Friday and Saturday I progressively got faster as I gained confidence and leamt more about the handling of these cars.

“It’s very hard to hold the throttle flat going around a corner. It’s not like when you’re in a V8 Supercar on a flat track, where you flatten it and you’re going straight within a couple of hundredths of a second and you’re virtual ly out ofthe comer.

“In a NASCAR,it feels like you’re going around for min utes with your right foot on the floor as you’re tearing around the turns.

“My neck started to get a little sore during the second race, as you don’t know what it’s really like until you’re out there in a race.

‘We have to change several things to make the cockpit a bit more driver friendly, as I missed the brake pedal a cou ple of times and hit the accel erator pedal by mistake.”

SETTLING IN... Ingall’s Fireworks KIng/VIsion Chevy Monte Carlo was good enough fora third and a fourth on Russell’s Thunderdome debut.(Swanson) f

SNowmbeiWS

in the grassed area in front of the pit lane.

The medical team and safety orew were almost imniediately on the scene and a short time later Howe chmhed from the car unhurt.

White made the best of the restart over Pretty, with Watkins now beginning to

bumper, as they tend to take air off the rear spoiler and it makes the car real loose,” stated an elated White.

“With no-one on my tail, the car-was handling perfect ly, but as soon as someone closed in on me it moved all over the place.

“Just to finish this race is

35

good, but to win it is a real thrill, as we had so many engine problems over the past two days.

“On Friday, my race engine did a camshaft and lifter and then on Saturday it did a bigend bearing -1 had only done 40 laps with it.

“My engine-builder Rob Benson also builds Bruce Williams’ engines, so he arranged for one of Bruce’s units to be installed in my car for race day as a good will gesture.

“I leased this engine off Bruce for several of last sea son’s rounds, actually scoring a win on one occasion with it before today.

“The Holden teams simply don’t have the grunt that the leading Ford drivers like Leigh Watkins and Richard Howe are able use. They are blowing us off on the straights and we don’t have an answer for it.

“They are going to have to do something about it, as they have had an open rule book for long enough.

Without a yellow period, or a really shck pit stop, there is no way we can get past them, as their power and handling package is too good.”

The Goodyear AUSCAR points tally has White on 175, Watkins 170, Nathan Pretty 165, Malley 160, Leitch 155, Nicole Pretty 150, Speers 146, Amin Chahda 142, Edward Woods 138, Leigh Moran 134, D’Ombrain 130, Henshelwood 127, Howe 121, Shane Houlahan 118 and John Agosta on 115.

-GRANT NICHOLAS

36 Reigning Sportsman champion Graeme Gilliland took out the Thunderdome Autopro opener on November 1 after a last lap scramble, Gilliland holding out Andrew Gillespie and Ron Savas.

Andrew Gillespie started the new season off weU with pole posi tion.

Close win for Gilliland

Some new drivers entering the class have swelled the numbers, while work done over the winter has bunched the field more than last season.

Chris Robinson had problems from the start of the race, running out of power and retiring, along with Brett Campbell, whose gains ofthe winter rebuild evaporated.

Gillespie got a good start and led the field for the first five laps, before Harvey Catton took over the fi’ont running.

The top five cars of Catton, Gillespie, Graeme Gilliland, Gerry Raleigh and Ron Savas then began to open out an advantage and put a gap on the rest of the field.

Mark Vereker and Mark Sutherland had a touch when Vereker tried to get past, causing Vereker to drop back a bit and

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FORTUNATE... It was a close result for Sportsman winner Graeme Gilliland. (Brett Swanson pic) Sutherland pitted to get the bodywork off his tyre, which entailed removing the front guard and los ing several laps.

The action up front was getting closer, with Savas, Gilliland, Raleigh and Tony Howlett swapping around behind Gillespie and

the group closing on the backmarkers.

Savas fought his way into second place, but went off exiting turn 4 and shot across the grass, eventually finishing up going safely down pit lane before rejoining several places down.

Lap 27 of the 43-lap journey and Gilliland was past Gillespie to take the lead, Gilles pie regained the lead briefly, but lapped traffic played a part and Gilliland repassed him and came away with a handy lead, Leann e Ross was struggling a bit

for pace and had a spin on the 'track straight, getting hit by John Umseher and bringing the yellows out - Ross pitted for a tyre as the field closed up for the restart for the dash to the finish.

Gilliland got the start with GiUespie on his tail, while Savas slipped into third before Trevor Knuckey spun and stopped at turn 4, bringing the yellows out again and the laps wound, down causing a three clear laps dash to the flag on the restart.

Gilliland had the legs on the restart and Savas went up the inside of Gfllespie for second, with Raleigh trying to follow him through.

The last lap saw Gillespie get back into second and Savas just hang onto third from Raleigh, while Ross’ front tyre shredded on the front straight.

-GRAEME BURNS

Wicks emerges as major H threat %

An incident in tarn 2 bought out The Repco HQ Holdien champi the yellows when a couple of cars onship started off in fine style touched and Trevor DobeU brushed with Glen McDonald and John the wall.

Harding taking a win apiece, but consistent Mark Wicks On the restart, Spencer got a serve in the rear up the back emerging as the points leader on November 1 at the Calder straight and, when things were set Park Thimderdome. tling down, Spencer had a hit on the main straight, damaging the It didn’t take long after the start of race one for the front seven cars front right on the start finish line and bringing out the yellows again. to put some distance on the rest.'

Glen McDonald took the lead, Spencer kept second behind Wicks for the three clear laps with John Spencer, Scott Walker, restart to the finish.

John Harding, Mark Wicks, Reece On the restart, Walker drove Arandale and Robert Wright swap ping places constantly behind him ■ round, the outside to take the lead, with the next four cars very close as they drafted each other. behind.

Spencer took the lead on lap 7, with Walker in front next time On the last lap, McDonald drove round before Wicks slipped into the jGie outside line to perfection, front. pulling off the win from Wicks,

Walker and Spencer, with only two tenths of a second separating them.

In race two, the front bvmch was much larger this time, with four teen cars in it.

Dallas Crane started from the rear and carved his way up the field, while McDonald was setting the pace up front with Wicks inches behind. . Walker was taking the outside line in the turns to good effect and stayed with the lead five cars as they started to pull away from the rest.

The positions were seesawing at

the front between McDonald, Wicks, Walker, Harding and Spencer.

Crane was-up to twelfth by lap 6, before wispy oil smoke forced him out on lap 9.

There was contact within the front bunch on lap 12 as they exited turn 4, but they all kept it together with Spencer jumping up a couple of spots.

Next time round, he pulled into the pits with ominous noises com ing from the car, leaving four cars in the front bunch.

This bimch kept swapping places

and on lap 17 they caught the tailenders, while Robert Wright and David Lambrick coasted into the pits, followed by Tracey Moulden - after a good first race on the next lap.

The front group hit the line for the chequered flag locked together, with Harding 0.12 seconds in front of Wicks - half a second behind, McDonald beat Walker for third by 0.05 seconds in a race with no yel low flags to rebunch them.

Wicks is the championship leader after this round.

-GRAEME BURNS

SORRY... #23 John Harding and #10 Steve Walker had a turn 1 coming together from which #33 Reece Arrandale escaped. (Chris Carter pics)

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PRESSURE... Title contender Matthew Coleman had a DNF, a win and a second. (Brett SWanson pic)

Henderson tops Legends points

The Bob Jane T-Marts Legends got the season off to a mixed start with a multi-car mix up in turn 1 in the first race, which caused the race to be restarted with very few cars getting through - several teams had problems from this time on and some were termi nal.

After the qualifying session, it was decided by the drivers to dis count the times and puU numbers from a hat to decide the starting positions, with reverse grid for race two.

Matthew Coleman was one casu alty in the race one incident and, with the front-end deranged, he retired after one lap of the restart, while Gary McCarthy had problems

in the roll up lap and didn’t start.

But Clive Henderson made no mistake and a good start saw him lead the field away and he was never headed.

John Faulkner came from well back in the pack and was up to second in the first lap, but the car developed a problem and was forced out at the start of lap 3.

Rodney Jane closed up on Henderson and made a big dive down the inside at turn 3, but went in a bit fast and lost a bit of ground to finish second, ahead of Adrian Bartsch, who was not far behind, Race two saw Geoff Durack coast to a stop at turn 1 while Coleman bolted away from the depleted field .

Richard Downing retired with problems and parked next to Durack at half-distance, while Coleman opened up his lead even fiirther.

Henderson and Bartsch were veiy close together in second and third, respectively, the duo staying in these positions till the end.

Race three was a great battle between Coleman and Faulkner up fi-ont.

Coleman led the first two laps, then the lead changed a couple of times in one lap before Faulkner got in fi-ont and stayed there, with Coleman keeping the pressure on to finish second, while Henderson was the best of the rest.

Henderson emerged on top of the pointscore after round one.

- GRAEME BURNS

DRAG RACING

37

%

4,78 stunner by Forte at Dallas

Gary Scelzi, John Force and Warren Johnson capped off their record setting weekends with big wins in the Lone Star state during the 13th Annual NHRA Revell Nationals on October 25 - but the big news was Force’s most stunning run of the season when his gold, seven-time champion, Castrol Mustang ripped off a 4.787 at 322.81 mph to qualify number one in Funny Car. The cool weather made condi tions near-perfect for records to fall - and fall they did!!

Force opened eliminations with a 4.962/312.06 win over Dale Creasy Jr, who left on Force and gave him quite a race at 5.109/294.09.

In round two, Force was to have faced A1 Hofmann,fresh off a round one 4.855 win, but a loose nut found it’s way into a valve seat on firing Hofmann’s car, backfiring the motor.

Hofmann got out and told Force to swap lanes and go for the record.

But there was some confusion on whether or not the Castrol team could swap lanes, so they stayed in the original lane.

Force took a 4.848/321.19 single, just missing the required back-up by fourteen hundredths of a second.

In the semis. Force took out his closest-competitor for the championship, Ron Capps, 4.907/319.'37 to 5.127/297.71, sending him into the final round to face Dean Skuza.

Skuza'- and the Mateo Tools Dodge made it’s way through elimi nations with 4.915/308.74,

SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL ... John Force ripped off an astounding 4.787/322.81 qualifier that left his peers gasping. (David Ostaszewski pic) 5.020/302.01 and 5.077/304.77 wins over Randy Anderson, Cruz Pedregon and Whit Bazemore.

In the final round, though, it was ■all Force, as. the Castrol Mustang recorded a 4.860/320.17 to close out the 4.915/311.95 of Skuza.

With the win. Force increased his lead to 90 points over Capps and he now, holds three of the five fastest speeds in the sport.

“It was a nice weekend for us and we made a big move,” said Force.

“The track was there,for us and we stepped on it. We really wanted a chance to be able to go after the

record when A1 couldn’t get his car started in the other lane.”

Scelzi set a new elapsed time mark in Top Fuel at 4.525 seconds on his way to his fift h win ofthe season.

Scelzi met up with Mike Dunn and the Mopar Parts dragster in the final round and defeated Dunn in the final for the fourth time in ’98, 4.653/300.00 to a tyre-smoking 8.582/84.53.

The win earned Scelzi a total of $104,000 - $50,000 from MBNA for the record, $50,000 for the winners purse and $4,000 from Budweiser for being the low qualifier.

Scelzi luckily survived a round one match with Randy Parks when the Goodyears on the Winston dragster began to lose traction.

Parks had lit the tyres early and clicked it off, allowing Scelzi to take a 5.202/194.17 win.

Alan Johnson picked up the pace in the next two rounds, giving Scelzi a 4.577/320.74 and a 4.557/320.00, which stopped Eddie Hill and Joe Amato.

Dunn reached the final round with wins over Bob Vandergriff, Doug Herbert and Lany Dixon.

'The win gives Scelzi a 73 point lead

over Cory McClenathan, who lost a close second round match with Joe Amato, 4.655/316.78 to 4.690/311.74 and a 137 point lead over Amato.

Warren Johnson claimed victory number nine this season in Pro Stock, stopping Jim Yates in the final, 6.950/199.02 to a shut-off 7.961/128.36.

Johnson had a near perfect week end, qualifying number one for the 101st time in his career and 12th time this season. He also set both ends of the national record at 6.867/201.34.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

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The Bad Boys are Back in Town with the wild men of Top Doorslammer and Top Bike preparing to battle it out on the Calder Park quarter mile.

The World's fastest doorslammer

driver Victor Bray is ready to bash door handles with allcomers in Top

Doorslammer with his 3,000 horse

power Chev, while Brett Stevens and Jeff Smith have their nitro-burning Harleys ready to down the might of the screaming Japanese fuel bikes.

Gates open at 7.30 am, qualifying begins at 10.00 am while first round

of eliminations gets under way at 5.30 pm. For more information, call the Calder Park Events infoline and Weatherwatch on 1900 !I 937 445 or find us on the internet at www. motorsport.com.au.

Saturday 14th Haremher 1

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By Gerald McDori n This weekend’s Westend Springnationals event at Adelaide International Raceway will see the return to Top Fuel competition of two racers, “Pommie” Steve Read and Rachelle Splatt.

Read is again taking over the driving duties for Santo Rapisarda’s team, while Splatt is coming back to action after hav ing the past 12 months off while on maternity leave.

Five Top Fuel cars are fronting for the first round of the series with four drivers - Romeo Capitanio, Darren DiFilippo, Robin Kirby and Splatt - hailing from Victoria. n Romeo Capitanio’s 18 yearold daughter Renee is hoping to take the first steps towards gaining her Top Fuel licence in Adelaide when she gets behind the wheel of her father’s Sidchrome dragster tomorrow (Friday).

The senior Cap'itanio, who has just been re-signed by long-time sponsor Sidchrome, will run his daughter through the same ‘dri ving classes’ as he took a thenunknown Rachelle Splatt through in 1992. n Perth rookie racer Robin Judd has taken the first st^s towards competing in Top Doorslammer, taking his first runs down the Ravenswood quarter mile last.week in his Clasby ’53 ex-George Studebaker.

Jpdd, who has driven alcohol Funny Cars at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School in the US, completed each run under th^ watchful eye of ANDRA stew ards, besting with a 7.32/172. n As you are reading this issue of Motorsport News, US Pro Stock chassis-building guru Don Ness is currently in Australia finishing the rebuild of Pro Stock Champion Peter Ridgeway’s Olds Cutlass, which was near ly totalled on its debut last season.

Ness, who has won numerous World Championships as a chas sis builder Stateside, is working out of new IHRA World Pro Modified Championship-winning constructor Murray Anderson’s Melbourne shop.

Ridgeway expects to be back on track in time for the first of the five race Australian series in December. n ANDRA has launched its 1998/99 Australian Drag Racing Series Contingency with its Programme, unveilling taking place on their internet web site.

Full details of all manufactur ers posting contingency funds, which brackets they are posting in, rules applying to each product and the ability to nominate con tingencies direct to ANDRA online are unique features of this year’s programme.

ANDRA’s web site’s domain name has undergone a change recently, so you can now find all of the details of the ’98/99 Continued on next page

S>Lr&

Nick's Super Stock Probe Melbourne Super Stock racer Nick Xerakias has landed his brand-new Ford Probe from the US in readiness for an all-out assault on the bracket this sea son.

The car, which was built by Gateway Race Cars in the US for Rusty Glidden to run in Pro Stock, will be powered by Xerakias’ potent small block Ford engine and cam paigned in G/Gas. “Fm really looking forward to running the new car in G/Gas as, with the power we know we have, I believe it has the potential to be extremely competitive and maybe

HANDSOME... New G/Gas Probe of Melbourne racer Nick Xerakias has an impeccable pedigree.(McDornan) even shock a few people,” Xerakias told Motorsport News.

“Super Stock is a tough bracket to contest and it requires a lot of research and development to be competitive. But I think we might have just hit the right combo here -

a strong engine and a beautiful car.”

Gateway Race Cars built a number of NHRA.Championship-winning cars in the ’80s for Bob Glidden drag racing’s most successful racer with constructors such as Jeiry Haas learning their craft at the shop.

G

eel Things are really busy for me at the moment, getting ready for the first round of the 1999 ANDRA Australian Top Doorslammer Championship at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway on November 14, plus building a new burnout car.

In the past, I have been using my race car at the Car Shows and Exhibitions that we have been attending. One weekend, I'm tearing down the track at 230 mph and during the next one I’m performing burnouts and spinning around in. circles for the fans - and that's not a real safe thing. ^ .So we have decided to have Murray Anderson build us a dedicated burnout car that is a virtual replica of our race machine - hope fully, we’ll be debuting it at the Summernationals in Canberra.

I picked up a few parts for the car during my recent trip to the US, as well as taking in a cou ple of race meets to see how the American rac ers are progressing with their superchargers and overdrive set-ups.

We went to Reading, Pennsylvania and took in an NHRA race at Maple Grove Raceway, then saw Scotty Cannon clinch his sixth IHRA Pro Mod World Championship in the Cable TV Magazine Studebaker at the Presidents Cup Nationals down at Maryland.

The IHRA meet is no bigger than our Winternationais, or Nationals - the event was very similar to one of our normal national open meets, except that a lot of the guys have mobile homes as they travel such vast dis tances during their racing season,

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e had a look at some of the screw-blower stuff at Maple Grove.

Nothing has changed much, as they have put a freeze on supercharger development and that has pretty much stopped any major advances in that particular area.

They are putting in small refinements, but they are not allowed to make any fundamental changes to the equipment.

It was a little difficult to get any information on the blowers from the IHRA scene, as they have limited supercharger and related rules which prevents them from running set-ups that we have in Australia.

Remember that Scotty runs a Chevrolet/Oldsmobile-style engine that has a Rootes 14-71 supercharger with 28% over drive, where we use a Hemi engine with a screw-type supercharger and 108% overdrive, so he shouldn’t be anywhere near us in Australia.

Due to limitations that are placed on them by the rule-makers and the fact that they race nearly every second weekend, the US teams look at other areas for an increase in performance - they’re running 6.31-second passes using restrictive-type combinations.

If you know where to look, your elapsed times and speeds will most definitely improve.

Scotty has run 6.31/223 within the legal IHRA rules, but his car is 150 pounds lighter than us, which accounts for about a tenth of a second.

They now realise running less supercharger is not a bad thing, as they build engines with a bit more compression, more^camshaft, extra ignition timing and they can rey them harder through a smoother power curve.

So there are some benefits to be gained, but some of them have broken a lot of units to get where they are now and we don’t have the money, or resources,to match that in Australia, as the exchange rate is crook and the equip ment suppliers are 10,000 kms away.

The most cost effective way for us to race is to run more overdrive, as we just can’t afford to have major engine blow-ups due to high revs.

At a recent match race meeting at New England Raceway, Scotty ran a 16-71 blower with 48% overdrive and was right on the 2580 pounds we run here - and he managed a 6.20/225, all well within our ANDRA rules.

Maybe we all need to pull our fingers out and step up a bit.

The Funnyfor Car package Scotty impreshas put together next year isthat extremely sive He rang me from his motel room in California a couple of hours after the deal was struck - and he was ovenvhelmed and delight ed to be racing in the NHRA series on a full time basis.

When Scotty came to Australia last summer, he commented that he didn’t know he was famous until he started to race Down Under he received a tremendous amount of press back in the US and he really appreciates friendships he struck up with the Australian fans and race officials.

Hey, John Force also hit pay-dirt after his Funny Car tour on our shores some years back.

Maybe we should start charging the Americans to come here and do tours.

Scotty will certainly put a cat amongst the pigeons when he starts racing against the NHRA Funny Car regulars for two reasons.

Xerakias, who will run the car with backing from his Northern Dynamics business in Preston, plans to have the new Probe ready for the Victorian Champs at Calder Park on December 4-5.

- GERALD McDORNAN

Firstly, he orders the parts and equipment that are required to do the job seriously and, secondly, I have never met, seen or heard of anyone who is close to him as a seat of his pants racer.

I do a lot of it myself and I call the shots out of the driver’s seat.

I’ve had a tremendous amount of success over the years doing it, but what he can do while in that driver’s seat is eerie.

He is right on the money when he short shifts it and what he does with the clutch, throt tle-launcher and so on while racing as fast as he can is a sight to behold.

His passion for racing, his work ethics and his desire to win will most certainly see NHRA Funny Car racing gain another top performer.

He will be something that they have never seen before, a new breed of drag racer that is completely different from guys competing at present.

A race fan asked him how he was going to manage something like 23 race meetings next year.

His reply was that he will be able to take some weekends off for a change, as he ran 54 meets with the Pro Mod car last year - and over their recent USA Labour Day holiday break, he ran 16 races in seven days.

Back for the on the Calder local scene, Park round we’re all of preparing the Top Doorslammer series, with a number of drivers capable of winning races and the champi onship.

Peter Kapiris’ new Studebaker out of Murray Anderson’s race shop will be a strong con tender, as that team is now out there with a competitive car for the first time, plus they want to take out the title.

The team will step up a rung on the ladder and the car will be a real weapon.

If you see Peter after he wins a race, the huge smile on his face is not quite worth losing for - but it’s close.

Albury’s Cameron Brooks must also start as a favourite, as he and his father, Tony, had their Chev Beretta running real hard - and now that they have a '63 Corvette body on the chassis, they will most certainly be a threat this season.

You’re going to have Shane Elcoate and Andrew Searle running lighter combinations with their Rootes blower set-ups - they gain an advantage when the weather is hotter and, in the majority of instances, we have to qualify at the hottest time of the day.

Unfortunately, Peter Gratz will miss the first few rounds while his Anderson chassis is being updated to suit a new '69 Dodge body, but rest | assured there shouid be ten, or more. Top i Doorslammers lining up for qualifying at Calder | - and, hopefully, we’ll kick the season off with a win.

DRAG RACING

Cannon

es Funny Car

With the realisation of a dream, legendary Doorslammer racer Scotty Cannon has announced that he will be contesting the NHRAAVinston tour, beginning in 1999, at the wheel of his own nitro Funny Car. Cannon, who decimated the com petition on the IHRA tour this year while winning his sixth Pro Modified World Championship, has signed a three-year, multi-million dollar contract with an as-yet undisclosed sponsor which has enabled him to make the switch and compete in the class he has always aimed for.

Speaking with Motorsport News last week. Cannon said he was looking foi-ward to his debut in the fuel burning class and he was cur rently busy organising everything needed to take the step.

“What can you say when a dream STEPPIN’ UP... No more Pro Mod for Scotty Cannon.(Ostaszewski pic) comes true?” said Cannon. “I look forward to being able to do battle drag racing and to see him get a opportunity to see how good he was with Force, Pedregon, Capps and deal like this is just terrific ... he and meet him. It was a great tour deserves everything he’s getting,” and one I’ll never forget and I don’t the whole group. think anyone else would.”

“I am a little awestruck right Bray said.

“From a personal side. I’m just Murray Anderson, who built now, but when it comes time to race happy that we got him down here Cannon’s record-setting ’53 I will be ready to run against them.

“Heroes are nice, but it’s time to last season and we all had the Studebaker, said he had spoken opportunity to race against the best with Scotty after the announce show my worth as a driver. I am ment and wished him the best for bringing the same work ethic to Doorslammer racer in the world.

“That’s probably the only time his new career. nitro Funny Car as I employed in “Scotty’s decision to have an Pro Modified. All I can say is that that Scotty could have ever come down to Australia.

Australian build a car for him this we will be ready.”

“Hey, there’s no way he’ll be able year was a landmark decision and One of Cannon’s best friends, Australian Doorslammer king to come down here now and we got he’s a racer that Australians can’t forget,” Anderson said.

Victor Bray, told Motorsport News him.

“We had the opportunity of mix “He’s opened doors for all of us that he was delighted for Cannon.

“Scotty is a huge figure in US ing it with him and the fans got the over there, along with also presentIn a surprise development, forhier Australian Top Fuel and Funny Car Champion Graeme Cbwin last week announced his retirement from active driving and that his talented 18 yearold son, Andrew, would be tak ing the reins of the team’s new Top Fuel dragster at the season opening NHRA Winternationals at Pomona, California, next February.

With K&N High Flow Air Filters and Autometer Competition Gauges being announced as the team’s major sponsors. Cowin believed it was the right time to step aside and let his son - who licenced at Eastern Creek 18 months ago with a 4.92 second pass, the second quickest licensing pass ever in the world - take on the driving responsibilities.'

6November 1998

ing Australians with some tremen dous opportunities. Scotty will do a gi’eat job racing in the fuel cars and we’ll be backing him all the way.”

While Anderson said he had spo ken with Cannon about the possibilites of building him a Funny Car chassis, nothing had yet been decided.

“Scotty is so busy just trying to get up and running and getting ready for his licence that he really didn’t have time to talk about a new car from Australia,” Anderson said.

“But Scotty knows what sort of work we do - we’ve won a World Championship together - and he knows that building a fuel car is a dream of mine as well, so he’s said we’ll talk about that when things settle down.”

In just nine years of the exciting Pro Modified category, Cannon dominated, winning six titles and 32 national events.

During the short, nine-race 1998 tour. Cannon won five events, was runner-up at another two, was number one qualifier seven times and set low et and top speed eight times.

Also during the season. Cannon ran the world’s quickest Doorslammer pass of 6.200 seconds at a match race, a mark that still stands.

After licencing either late this year, 6r-in January ’99, Cannon will make his debut at the season-open ing Winternationals at Pomona, California, in February.

- GERALD McDORNAN

Retirement for Cowin Dream comes truefor 18 year-old Andrew after Graeme surrenders next season’s Stateside K&N/Autometer Top Fuel ride “Andrew has the right attitude to driving and I have no hesitation in putting him in the seat,” Cowin commented.

“I need to dedicate myself to management of the team, sponsor and media liason and overseeing the development of the car and crew.”

After setting up a workshop facil ity in Riverside, California, the team recently took delivery of a new Murf McKinney chassis which is currently being assembled and readied for its debut.

A new transporter, complete with a 53-foot Champion trailer that includes work space, an office,

lounge and storgage facilities has also been acquired to,help the team in its limited 7-10 race campaign on the NHRA tour next year.

The younger Cowin will begin testing the new car in January before making his debut at the Winternationals.

- GERALD McDORNAN

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Contingency Programme, along with a host of ANDRA informa tion, at www.andra.com.au n No Fear USA’s Motorsport Manager Kelly Magrath will be behind the wheel of veter an Jim Dunn’s nitro Funny Car next year.

Magrath, who has raced a number of competition cars in the past, has signed a major sponsor for an all-out assault on the NHRA Winston Championship in 1999.

Dunn’s car, with Frank Pedregon driving, won two con secutive NHRA national events earlier this season, before the now seasoned team owner parked the operation whOe wait ing for confirmation of a spon sored driver for next year. n The controversial Mopar Pro Stock team continued on its path of distraction recent ly, with Mopar withdrawing support of present factorybacked team owner Dale Eicke prior to the Topeka race.

Drivers Darrell Aldeman and Scott Geoffrion are expected to again be announced as the facto ry-backed drivers for a new Mopar team, with current specu lation having at least five pi’ominent drag racing identities being thrown about as potential team owners.

Meanwhile, Eicke has contin ued with his engine programme, supplying an engine to another factory-backed Mopar team, the Allan Johnson-Mopar/Amoco team, at last week’s Dallas race.

Johnson qualified in the second quickest field in history, although he fell in the first round. n Disgraced Pro Stock racer Jerry Eckman, who was sus pended from NHRA competi tion last year along with team owner Bill Omdorff for using nitrous oxide,is believed to have recently attempted suicide.

Apparently Eckman, suffering depression, tried unsuccessfully to kill himself by firing a shot into his chest - he is expected to make a full recovery.

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DRAG RACING

World's mstest terminals by Sce/zi

Defending NHRA Top Fuel World Champion Gary Scelzi literally blasted into the record books at the raineffected Supernationals at Houston Raceway Park on Sunday, November 2, record ing the two fastest speeds in drag racing history - mindnumbing passes of 326.44 and 324.32 miles per hour!

Scelzi’s passes, belted out on his way to a semi-final berth, claimed the speed record back for the fastest outright runs for the Top Fuel class, John Force having set the record at 323.89 mph in his Castrol Mustang Funny Car just a few months ago.

Scelzi is in a dire fight with rival Cory McClenathan for the Winston title and with just one race and, as Motorsport News went to press, two rounds to go, a win in Houston could almost secure Scelzi his second straight championship.

Bob Vandergriff and Tony

NUMERO UNO... Scelzi, none better in outright speed.

(Pic: Dave O)

Schumacher were to join Scelzi and Cory Mac in the semi-finals.

While the fastest runs in histo ry were recorded, so too was the quickest race in history with Kenny Bernstein and Mike Dunn running 4.586/321 to 4.584/316 side by side in the first round, Bernstein taking the victory.

In the championship race. Force was also close to making it almost impossible for his rival Ron Capps to take the Funny Car title with the Ford driver recording back to back 4.83s in the first two rounds before rain brought a 24 hour delay to the finalisation of the event.

Reigning Australian Top Fuel Champion Glenn Mikres ruined Chuck Etchells’ title hopes in the first round with an upset win, Mikres running his best-ever

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5.04/301 - also the first time he had topped the magical 300 mph barrier.

Whit Bazemore, Capps, Force and Cruz Pedregon were still left in eliminations when the rains

came, Pedregon having qualified number one for the 11th time this season with a 4.80/319 run.

The event was due to finish shortly after Motorsport News was going to press.

n STOP PRESS - Scelzi won the Top Fuel final at Houston, Cruz Pedregon prevailed in Funny Car and Jeg Coughlin took out Pro Stock, - GERALD McDORNAN

Scotty’s best-ever Summit Racing split not good enough ■v

Record-setting performances first round win over Luigi Novelli. highlighted the rain-delayed - The win put Romine ten points in final event on the 1998 IHRA front of Tommy Johnson Jr, who trail at the new Red River Ruled to qualify for the event after Raceway, Louisiana, with Doug spending most of the season on top.

Herbert, Shannon Jenkins, The Shreveport event winner in Tony GiUig and Jim Lape scor-. Top Fuel was Doug Herbert and the ing wins in the professional Snap-Ori Tools dragster, classes bn October 24.

Herbert quahfied in the top spot Paul Romine also secured his secat 4.790/307.09 and defeated Steve ond straight Top Fuel title and Smith and newly-crowned ’98 Daniel Seamon took his first Pro Xlhampion Romine, before taking on Don Lampus in the final.

Stock championship.

Lampus had qualified second Jenkins scored a record-setting win in Pro Modified, defeating with a 4.866/307.23 and advanced to Scotty Cannon in the final round, the final with wins over David 6.316/218.87 to 7.072/141.59 Bieneman and Bruce Litton.

Cannon slowed when something In the final, Herbert left on broke in the drivetrain on the Lampus and, with both cars strug “Killer Red Mater” gling for traction, recovered and took the win, 5.846/260.00 to 6.405/198.73 Cannon qualified number one in the record quick field (6.507-second - Herbert finished third, followed by Bieneman and Lampus. bump) at 6.371/220.69.

The Pro Stock win went to Gilhg After recording a time trial pass of 6.314/223.21, the quickest and when he defeated Steve Speiss in the final, 6.684/206.76 to 7.454/139.57. fastest ever for a legal IHRA Pro Mod car. Cannon was set for ehmi- . Speiss got a leg up on a new e.t. nations. Cannon blasted out runs of record in the first round at 6.646 sec6.333/222.44, 6.328/221.05 and onds while defeating ’Tim Nabors, 6.382/219.19 to advance into the then stopped Lany O’Brien in round final, where he would face Jefddns. two. He backed up the record in the Jenkins, the nmnber two qualifier semis with a 6.648/207.43 defeat of at 6.381/219.65, was also ripping off Daniel Seamon. runs in the thirties.

Gillig did get the win, but the A first round 6.390/218.94 points championship went to stopped Steve Cossis, a 6.681/206.32 Seamon and his Ford Probe with took out Keith Baker and a Gillig 30 points behind in second.

6.328/218.83 sent Tommy Mauney Jim Lape scored the victory in packing.

Alcohol Funny car with a final Jenkins finished third in the round defeat of the new ’98 World points, behind Cannon and Ed Champion, Von Smith - Lape set Hoover - Fred Hahn and Tim low e.t. of the meet in the final McAmis finished out the top five. round at 5.858/233.68 to defeat the The Top Fuel championship was 5.948/234.90 of Smith, decided when Paul Romine scored a - DAVH) OSTASZEWSKI

Summit Racing Pro Stock Pontiac driver Mark Pawuk and crew chief Dave Butner have mutually decided to end their nine year working rela tionship.

“Dave and I have been spending a lot of time talking about how our race team has been working this season and neither of us is happy about what we both see as a lack of progress,” Pawuk said.

“We’ve had some good outings, but haven’t produced the kind of results we were all hoping for.

“Sometimes making progress means having to make a major change in the way you do things and that’s what Dave and I have decided to do.

“Dave is a talented, motivated guy, with a wealth of knowledge

that’s going to help make someone a winner,” Pawuk added.

“I’ve had a great time working with Mark and the team,” Butner said,“but it’s time to move on.

‘We’ve had a great working rela tionship and friendship, which is very important to me.

“But there comes a time when, no matter how hard you’re trying, things just aren’t clicking the way you know they should.

“When that happens you have to make changes and I think this is going to be good for both Mark and I.” Prior to Butner’s joining the team in 1990, Pawuk had managed a best finish of 10th in the stand ings, with Butner’s expertise lead ing to sh^ straight Top 10 finishes.

With Butner’s departm-e, Pawuk

announced the immediate promo tion of race engineer Rob Downing to the position of crew chief “Rob joined our team earlier this season, bringing a wealth of experi ence with him.

“He’s got an engineering degree, which resulted in his doing design and development work at Batten Corporation, so he’s got the experi ence to take over our Summit Racing Pontiac.

“I’m confident that during the remaining races this year Rob will develop into an excellent crew chief “We’re all looking fonvard to the next races, because we’ve got a real chance to not only score points, but to have a significant impact on the outcome of this season’s points race - JON as well.”

Aussie Dave's logo competition

To celebrate the recent spon sorship announcement of the Aussie Dave Grubnic-driven Synergyn Top Fuel car, one lucky young Australian now has the chance to ride with Aussie Dave next year in his Top Fuel world title quest.

While American kids are being given the opportunity to design a kangaroo to appear on the side of the car, a separate contest has been organised for Austrahan kids to showcase their talents, with the winning Australian entry finding its way onto Grubnic’s helmet.

Synergjm Racing Oils is a divi sion of Dyson Oil Inc, whose CEO Mike Dyson is enthusiastically embracing the competition.

“Given the huge interest that

Dave’s success has created in Australia, we felt it was only fair that we created an opportunity for Australian kids to become involved,” said Dyson.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the Australian kids come up with,” stated Grubnic. “Helmet design is a very personal thing and it’s great that someone from back home will be designing my logo.”

The winning entry will receive an exact copy of Grubnic’s helmet, while all other entries will go into a barrel draw - the winners will receive a Synergyn pack, including goodies such as an autographed photo of the Synergyn T/P car.

Even if your designing skills aren’t top shelf, you still get the chance to win.

The rules are quite simple. The contest is open to kids aged 16 and under and there is a limit of one entry per person, on paper no lai'ger than A4 size.

On the back of the artwork, please include your name, date of birth, address, phone number and the school that you attend.

Computer generated artwork is acceptable, though photographs and photocopies are not.

All entries will remain the prop erty of Dyson Oil Inc. Entries for the Aussie Dave com petition should be mailed to Synergyn Roo Contest, PO Box 6225 BHBC, Baulkham Hills, NSW and should reach this address by final mail on December - SCOTT JUG 11.

1998 NHRA CHAMPIONSHIP DRAG RACING SERIES - POINTS TO NOViMBER 3RD, 1998.

PEMHMI'-

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1998 NHRA Top Fuel Championship I. Gary Scelzi, Tearn Winston-No Bull . 1683 2. Cory McClenathan, McDonald’s 1568 3. Joe Amato, Tenneco Automotive . . .1465 4. Mike Dunn, Mopar Performance . . .1290 5. Kenny Bernstein, Budweiser/Prolong 1273 . .1052 6. Doug Kalitta, Kalitta International 1042 7. Jim Head, Jim Head Racing 8. Larry Dixon, Miller Lite/MBNA 1018 9. Bob Vandergriff, Jerzees America . . . .962 10. Bruce Sarver, ATSCO Power Steer . .924

1998 NHRA Funny Car Championship I. John Force. Castrol/Mac Tools 1587 2. Ron Capps, Copenhagen/MBNA . . . 1496 3. Cruz Pedregon, Interstate Bat/Hot Rod . 1407 4. Chuck Etchells, Kendall/MaMa Rosa .1317 5. Whit Bazemore, Team Winston-No Bull .1246 . . .1202 6. Tony Pedregon. Castrol Syntec .

7. Tim Wilkerson, JCIT International . .1086 Dean Skuza, Mateo Tools/Mopar . . .1086 9. Al Hofmann, GM Performance Parts . .1010 895 10 . Del Worsham, CSK Parts

1998 NHRA Pro Stock Championship I. Warren Johnson, GoodwrencWPontac 1895* 2, Jeg Coughlin Jnr., Jegs Mail Order . . . 1439 3. Kurt Johnson, ACDeico/Chevrolet .1360 4. Jim Yates, Peak Anti-Freeze/Splitfire . . 1337 5, Mark Osborne, Dick Sherman Racing 1029 .943 6. Mike Edwards, JK Racing Pondac 7. Mike Thomas, Pennzoil/Finish Line . . .922 8. Tom Martino. Martino/Jesei Racing . 912 803 9. Richie Stevens, Coiiins Racing 10. Mark Pawuk, Summit Performance . . .786

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TXa.

Robbie Farr’s win in the Linde Forklifts Sprintcar Shootout at the Parramatta City Raceway on October 24 was indicative of his unrivalled early season fonn.

In just three main events, the Screen Print proprietor from Milperra has won two races and finished second in the other in his potent #3 O’Brien Aluminium Avenger machine.

“I feel good this year. We’ve got a team together which just wants to win races and, when everyone has the same objective, it makes things a lot easier. Any time we’re on the track, I know there’s a bunch of guys who have done their best to allow me to perform at mine - that makes a big difference, believe me,” FaiT said while signing autographs post-race.

In the 30 lap Shootout, it was Belimba Park 21 year-old Jamie Jones who showed plenty of speed and plenty of distance between himself and then second-placed Bob Jackson.

The #36 Danny Jones Japanese Trucks Gambler led in the early going, until Parr blasted past to set up a healthy advantage.

Brett Leadsman was the first to bring on the red lights when he barrel-rolled the #33 Van Man entry in turns 1-2.

Ironically enough, the Glenwood Auto Dealer was celebrating his 35th birthday on the night, but wound up with a visit from the paramedics for suspected back injuries and a wrecked racecar rather than a slice of cake.

Back at the greens, Jones was being hounded for his runner-up spot.

With 16 laps in the books, tragedy struck for the plucky youngster(who is a kickboxer in his fitness build-up to racing) when he tangled with Australian Champ Max Dumesny in the #1 Valvoline

J&J.

Dumesny had slipped through into the second spot as he and Jones exited turn 4, but Max’s machine hooked a rat and vaulted mto the air with it’s rear-end high in the air. ^Jones was right on Durnesny’s hammer at the time and ^bsequently slammed into the airborne

J&J.

Remarkably, Dumesny landed on all fours, but Jones flipped hard on the main straight, ending what was developing into a confidence boostmg ran.

The disappointment on Jones’ face was obvious, as Dumesny was restarted seemingly without any significant damage - although the Aussie champ would have to go to the back of the bus.

6Nomber1938

Two out of three for Farr GRIPPING STUFF... Brad

zeal in the #53 Supreme Poultry J&J so far this summer.

Attard’s consistency is the result of a fresh approach to his racing and some banzai first lap moves using the awesome horsepower of a Carbone motor - Attard sits second in the club pointscore presently, as a result of his improved forai.

Marty Perovich is one point out side the top three in the club points, following his seventh place in the #52 JPPS Gambler after only just making it into the A-Main via the B-Main transfer.

Rounding out the top ten were John Shore (Ampol Airbus J&J), Mar Blyton (Dyno Flow Exhausts #82) and Joel I&ott(ex-GaiTy Rush #10 Asia Motors).

Heat winners: Jackson, Madsen, Attard, Farr, Wayne Skipper (#24 OiBrien Aluminium / Southern Fasteners Gambler) and veteran Bob Tunks (Tunks Speed Shop #55 John Boy). The Dash was won con clusively by Madsen.

Heywood found turns 3-4 extremely Interesting.

(Tony Loxley pic)

PCR TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP Joining Dumesny at the rear was Kerry Madsen, who had changed the right front tyre on the #49 PPG Gambler during the red light stop page and would also resume play from the tail.

Fans watching the front of the pack from the restart missed some thing special.

Dumesny and Madsen went straight to the high groove, sensing the urgency of the combination of only 14' laps remaining and Farr way out in front.

Sizzling past cars, they got with in a whisker of making it back into the top three, with only time run ning out in what was truly a mas terful display of courage and ham mer down theatrics - Dumesny would place fifth, Madsen sixth.

Trevor Shields and Bob Jackson had been staging their own battle for the runner-up spot that may have been missed as a result of Max and Kerry, but it was no less entertaining, At a spritely 55 years young.

Shields was attempting to squeeze in between 25 year-old Farr and 28 year-old Jackson, using his 20-plus years of experience to stay in touch with a rostrum finish - Jackson would eventually claim second in the #12 Sydney Express Couriers Wesmar-powered machine.

Gasping for breath at the end of the Shootout, Shields had to be pleased with his first top three result this season in the #17 Royal Purple John Boy, as it also guaran-

teed him sixth spot in the club pointscore.

Fourth was the “flying chicken farmer from Eastern Creek” Peter Attard, who has shown plenty of

(Pointscore after three roimds) Robbie Farr 72, Marty Perovich 51, Peter Attard 46, Kerry Madsen 39, Max Dumesny 38, Trevor Shields 38, Bob Jackson 34, Mark Blyton 28, John Shore 20,John Walsh 20 -WADEAUNGER

PRIME TARGET... Paceman Robbie Farr is the man to beat this season at Parramatta.(Tony Loxiey pic)

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Chaplain Bing wins Riverview

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REVVIN’REVEREND... Rivervlew’s season-opening Modified Rod winner, Bing Goonan.(Midgiey)

Records tumble at Cascade

Anthony Manion finished the It was a night of mixed fortunes at the season-opening “Back to final in third and, although a little the Track Attack” meeting at off the pace in his new Camaro, Cascade Apple Isle Raceway showed that once the machine is near Latrobe, with two lap sorted he will be a force to be reck records tumbling and several oned with.

Coastal driver Kemble Aylett competitors finding gremlins looked strong early, but was des inhabiting their machinery.

The Super Sedans had a strong tined to retire with an unidentified entry and, with nearly a dozen'new' engine problem.

Three new drivers in Sedans took competitors lining up to race this season, it will be the biggest year to the track for their first run and find of the night had to be Garry ever for the popular sedans.

It was Hobart’s Darren'Kane who Quinn, driving the ex-Neville powered away to victory in his- Harppr.car, who was quickly on the Webster Cars Thunderbird, slicing pace and looked like taking third 0.19 of a'second of the old lap record place in the final until he hit the wall on the last lap. to stop the clock with a 14.25.

Launceston’s Grant Russell in his v Former Sidecar champion Andy Falcon showed his potential for the McClean also showed some form, upcoming season, also lapping but his night ended after tangling under the old lap record - but, try with Manion early in the final.

Launceston’s Mark Kidd showed as he might, he was unable to catch the Southern driver. smooth, consistent driving, but was

first plagued with a gear selection problem and then broke a rocker post in the engine, ending his debut.

Peter Manning of Hobart had a lucky lucky escape and narrowly avoided rolfing, his car balancing on one wheel in turn 2, but coming bapk to earth on its wheels.

The Formula 500s started with a strong field, but mechanical prob lems plagued most competitors and the final was called off after two laps, as there were only two cars running and both of those struck mechanical ills.

However, that did not stop Adrian Redpath from breaking the new lap record during the second heat in his Bartercard Rotax machine, Redpath taking the new time below the 14-second mark with a blistering 13.96.

-ALLAN ROARK

F

and Chris Louis - has won Britain’s Speedway Cup. The tie, raced over two legs, saw Ipswich win by four points at Coventry and then clinch the meetings by adding a further six point margin at Ipswich to take the tie 95-85 on aggregate.

Coventry was hit by the absence of 1996 World Champion Billy Hamill and used Grand Prix riders Mark Loram (at Coventry) and Aussie Jason Crump (at Ipswich) as replacements.

ormer World Champion Greg Hancock from the USA is only spending part of the British close season back home in California.

Hancock is returning to England to take part in the indoor shale meeting at the Brighton Centre, it is the second staging of the Brighton Bonanza, which has been FIM inscribed, with the England v Rest of the World team meeting being regarded as an official.inter national.

Jason mer UK Crump track returned at Peterborough to his for to win the Individual Cambridgeshire Handicap Cup. And on his visit, he made it known that, if the League structure in Britain changes next year, he will be straight back to race against for Peterborough.

The 23 year-old won $2,700 for his efforts and he was unbeaten throughout, winning the Final ahead of thre other Grand Prix rid ers in Greg Hancock, Brian Andersen and Chris Louis.

Two Australian riders have been honoured by the supporters of British Elite League Club Poole.

Ryan Sullivan, top Aussie rider in this year’s GP series, received a special accolade from sponsors Hair Arena and compatriot Mark Lemon was voted as 'Away Rider of the Year.’

Todd Wiltshire, the Sydney rider who has been racing at

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By Tony Millard^ Oxford, also attended the presen tations, fuelling speculation that he may be a target for Poole for 1999, Promoter Mole, promotingTony at Hull, will currently be open ing a new track next season in England.

The new promotion will be at Workington, where Speedway has not been raced since the '70s.

Mole may also be reopening the Long Eaton stadium, after many months of arguing and negotiating with the administrative receivers in charge of the circuit that has been unused in 1998.

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talian Francesco Gerbi has been re-elected for a four year term as President of the FIM. Zerbi has been involved during the last four years with speed way's Grand Prix, but is under stood to be reorganising the Track Commission of the FIM, which looks after all speedway interna tional matters.

All-conquering IpswichPrix - headed by its three Grand men, Tony Rickardsson, Tomasz Goliob

Tomasz and Bydgoszcz - theJacek homeGoliob, club of Piotr Protasiewicz and Andy Smith - as Polish Champions have won a major international title.

The European Team Cup title was won at their own track where, with 46 points, they headed home Olympic Prague (39 points), Baskortstan (29 points) and the Germans MSC Brokstedt with just 9 points.

Swede Henrik Gustafsson topped the Bydgoszcz scorers, rid ing as replacement overseas star for the absent Andy Smith.

Wroclaw, a year ear lier, hasrelegated stormed back to take the Polish Second Division title and will race in the First Division next year.

Runner-up was Gdansk and both will be hoping to mount a serious challenge to Bydgoszcz in the top division next year.

1997 World Champion Greg

Murray Bridge Speedway Chaplain Bing Goonan, after giving an opening prayer before racing started, showed later that he is right on the pace by winning the Modified Rod feature at the first meeting of the 1998/99 season at Riverview Speedway.

Bing, son of Ross Goonan, the New Zealand Speedcar ace who raced at the famed Adelaide Rowley Park track back in the 50s, also has his son racing in the same class.

All sections were on hand, with Solos first with Nathan Simpson best with two heat wins, then win ning the feature race over six laps from Russell Harrison and Jason Hawkes.

Mick Headland/Mark Nietschke and Steve Fowler/Don Morris each won two Sidecar heats, but were upstaged in the six lap feature by Ron Parker/Les Bremner, who nar rowly won .from Fowler and Headland.

Ken Bowey topped the F500s, with a heat win over brother Don before taking out the incident-filled 12-lap feature, ahead of Aaron Jones, Shayne O’Shea and Grant Hewitt.

After the first stoppage, Don was black-flagged for not taking up his correct restart position, which seemed somewhat harsh.

The V6 Sprints, increasing in popularity and numbers, put on a good dis{3lay, with Kym Whitrow and Scott ^gars each winning a

heat and Brett Kipling runner-up on both occasions.

Whitrow was first over the line in the feature, but was relegated to second place for jumping the restart, the win being awarded to Kipling.

The Modified Rods, down in num bers at this early stage of the sea son, ran two heats, with Bing win ning the first from son Glenn, while Ross Wright took out heat two from Bing and Glenn.

The feature was all Bing’s, the Chaplain winning from Wright and Les Baker.

Terry Brown, after a heat win, also won the Modified Sedan fea ture from Rod Brady, who was also a heat winner.

Sam Brumfield won the 15-lap Street Stock feature from Rick Emery, Anthony Buchanan and Rick Trevillian - earlier heats had gone to Kevin Lyons, Brumfield, Emery and Trevillian.

Last lap, last corner and leader Darryle Launer went wide, allow ing Steven Murphy to slip through to win the Super Sedan feature.

Andrew Keen placed third, with both he and Launer having earlier had heat wins.

Interspersed through the pro gramme were demonstration runs

by Bill Wigzell at the wheel of the legendary ‘Suddenly’ Super Modified, which brought back fond memories of this famous pair.

- FRANK MIDGLEY

Hancock has spearheaded the Wroclaw challenge this year, while fellow American Sam Ermolenko, who"was World Champion in 1993, has been racing regularly for Gdansk.

will take part in the year 2000 will take place at Lonigo in Italy - that will be staged on October 10, 1999.

Swedish Smederna has signed Club British rider Mark Loram for next season and also British Under 21 Champion Scott Nicholls.

Both will ride regularly in the Swedish Elite League on Tuesday evenings.

Former American international John Cook, now a Swedish resi dent but suspended for much of 1998, will also be racing for Smederna next year.

The FIM Congress has decided its Annual in at Cape Town that all Speedway Grand Prix meetings, bar the Swedish round, will take place on Saturdays next year.

In addition. Poland will stage two rounds of the series, having taken over the intended German Grand Prix which has lost money for the last three years.

The dates and venues for the six meeting have been allocated as follows; Prague (Czech Republic) May 8, Linkopping (Sweden) June 4, Wroclaw July 3, Coventry (England July 31.

Bydgoszcz (Poland) August 28, Vojens (Denmark) September 25.

The Grand Prix Challenge Round to decide the riders who

Speedway's World 21 Championship FinalUnder will take place at Vojens in Denmark on August 7.

The World Championship rounds that provide GP qualifica tion and are of interest to Australian riders will see the top Aussies eligible to race in the Overseas Final at Kings Lynn in England on June 13.

The Inter-Continental Final will then take place, also in England, at Poole on July 18.

The World Team Cup Final will be raced at Pardubice in the Czech Republic on October 2.

There is a new format for this competition, with countries fielding teams of five to compete in a gen uine team competition.

996 World Champion Billy _ Hamill from the USA has been seeded through to the GP series and will be given rider number 22 and will race in every meeting as a fully-fledged rider, it means there will now only be two wild card places in each meet ing available for other riders who have not qualified for the series.

Hamill crashed out at the final meeting of the 1998 series at Bydgosz in Poland and was not fit to ride in the Challenge round at Pardubice.

(^®0®£S[p®giO He then ran sixth in his heat and followed Jeff Swindell and Tim Shaffer across the line in the B-Main.

Pyne opens <ard Champ’s new Pontiac sets cracker pace at Newcastle Series-opener

Kurri Kurri driver John Pyne won the first round of the Gough and Gilmour V8 Super Sedan Series at Wynns Newcastle Speedway last Saturday night.

Driving his new #9 Teterin Engines Pontiac Grand Prix, the former double national champion came from position 11 to take the point position from Singleton’s John Smith (Smith Mechanical #41 Falcon) and never looked back.

In one of the best races this sea son, Alan Baker briefly bustled past the lead duo of Smith and John Lodge (Kurri Spare Parts Commodore), before breaking an axle in the #3 Stein Falcon just as he was about to open up an advan tage - the former NSW champ had earlier won both of his heat races and looked to be the man to beat in the Gough and Gilmour opener.

John Pyne eventually slipped past Max Baigent and Bob Brewer ^er those then mid-field runners put in some very consistent laps to hold out the defending series champ.

Robert Carrig had been sent to the rear of the field in his #16 Tool Specialists Firebird, but stormed back to a gutsy fourth by the fall-of. the chequers, relegating Lodge to'

fifth.

Surprise packet of the meeting was Ron Pyne in his new #7 Auto One machine, who looked remark ably consistent during his heat and the 20-lap main. The 1995 Aussie champ ran the highline to finish a strong third, right on second-placed John Smith’s bumper.

Stu Robertson blew the motor in the O’Brien Aluminium Pontiac in his first heat and took no further place in the night’s proceedings.

Heat wins went to John Smith(2) Alan Baker(2)and Bruce White.

Smith put in a very impressive effort in his beautiful Falcon, win ning both of his heats and nearly proving to be a major stumbling block for eventual winner P3me.

In all, 22 cars nominated for the first round of what has previously been known as the Beechwood Homes Series - Catei-pillar dealer Gough and Gilmour now enjoys the naming rights.

The Litre Car main event was won by Nathan Smee in his new Jackson-built #98 Cenovis Pulsar, but he only achieved that result narrowly, with Andrew Wright hot on his tail in the #78 Kodak Express Suzuki-powered Infinity.

Craig Gearing ran third in the #97 Axis Audio entry, but the race was one of attrition, with several

nasty crashes in the 22-car, 20-lap main event.

Smee was indeed lucky to have won the event, given that the ram tubes and air cleaner configuration fell off the machine early in the race, bringing on the yellows.

Had officials been able to work out which car the parts had come from, they would have sent him to the rear of the field - and a win from that position may have been almost impossible.

Heat wins in the Litre Cars went to Michael Pope, Gearing and Shaim Barnett.

The Street Stock main event was won by Newcastle Club Champion Gary Morris, from Darryl Norrie in second and Mark Eveleigh third.

- WADE AUNGER

VIC Title dates The Victorian Speedway Management Committee has allocated the following Speedway State Titles: 500cc Solo Olymipic Park November 28 Junior Solo Olympic Park November 28 Sidecar Undera Park February 20

Western World Tyler Walker, who is locked in a huge fight with Dale Blaney for the Rookie of the year hon ours, took a giant step forward and also created history when he became the first rookie to sweep a double feature event.

Walker lead all 50 laps, 20 on Friday and 30 on Saturday, to win his second preliminary feature and first A Feature of the season.

Things started off well on Friday for Walker, when he timed sixth quickest and then started and won the dash from pole.

The start to the preliminary event was delayed when Paul McMahan rolled just after the start.

Donny Schatz and B-Feature winner Jeff Swindell crashed in the melee, but managed to restart from the back.

Peter Murphy and Johnny Herrera then flipped, which allowed McMahan’s team time to fix the Mopar entry and rejoin the race.

Walker jumped ahead at the green and was never headed.

Danny Lasoski worked his way past Jeff Shepard for second, with Mark Kinser fourth, ahead of Hillenburg, Swindell, Stevie Smith, Calvin Landis, Jac Haudenschild and Tim Shaffer.

Steve Kinser’s night was the opposite of'Walker’s, as he only qualified 28th, albeit only half a second off quick time.

He then pushed his Quaker State Maxim past 12 cars to finish 12th.

Muiphy qualified 10th and then ran third in his heat, before flip ping in the feature where he was credited with last position.

Saturday was almost a repeat for Walker, winning the dash from pole position then leading every lap of the 30 lap A-Feature, while all around him there was drama.

Landis crashed on the opening lap, Blaney jumped the cushion and rolled on lap 3, then Travis Whitney rolled on lap 4, having just lost third place to Mark Einser.

Shepard flipped on lap 19 and McMahan spun in the same spot some laps later.

Lasoski pulled a low move through turn 2 to hit the lead, but the red flag flew immediately for SteWe Smith, who had just rolled.

Schatz lost fifth place when his top wing collapsed just six laps from home.

Walker recorded the win over Mark Kinser, Joey Saldana, Sammy Swindell, Steve Kinser, Herrera, Haudenschild, Dean Jacobs, Shaffer and Wright Murphy finished 21st.

Hillenburg passed 13 cars to fin ish 12th, his 455th straight main event, which dates back to May 29, 1992 - he suffered a flat tyi-e, hit the wall and rolled while lead ing the B-Feature.

Steve Kinser now' has a 132 point lead and only needs to quali fy in the remaining three events to win his 15th World of Outlaws crown, his first as a car owner.

®See Australia's best The 1999 '"Kings Challenge" for Sprmtcars At Borderline Speedway, Mt Gambler SA 28 & 29 January 1999

a

The 1999 Grand Annual Sprsntcar Classic incorporating the AustralianlAmerican Challenge Cup At Premier Speedway, Warrnambool Vic 30 & 31 January 1999 The 1999 Australian Sprsntcar Title At Premier Speedway, Warrnambool Vic 5 & 6 February 1999 Over

(M)(d prize money!

Bill Barrows further PO Box 1120 details m Gambler SyS 5291 please Ph 0418 826 717 contact OH

Graeme Hose PO Box 335 Warmamboo!3280 Ph 918 529625 or Mobile 0355620625

44 i

nother Kane win Avakm

Darren Kane of Hobart contin ued his winning form and took victory in the second round of the Tasmanian Nights of Thunder series for Super Sedans, driving his Webster Cars Thunderhird around Premier Speedway in southern Tasmania to take victory and nearly breaking the track lap record, after taking 0.19 of the record at Latrohe Speedway a week earlier.

Launceston driver Grant Russell in his Launceston 4X4 Falcon took second, ahead of Anthony Manion of Beaconsfield in his Manions Coaches Camaro.

Russell was involved in an ontrack incident during hot laps with Leon Cleary that damaged the left front suspension and the lengthy repairs meant that he was unahle to contest the first heat.

Manion was happy with third, after a race-long duel with new dri ver Greg Quinn of Laimceston.

Quinn showed a remarkable apti tude for the big sedans on his debut night, winning the Stars Dash (a reverse grid race over six laps for the top six pointscorers of the night) and running much of the final in third position.

However, it was Manion’s experi ence and racecraft that got him to the line ahead of Quinn, as the pair came up to lap traffic in the dying stages of the race.

Quinn spun, but showed that he will be extremely competitive with some more racing miles under his belt.

He already has vast knowledge of setting the car up, having crewed for former champion driver David Nichols for some years.

Six cylinder driver Leon Cleary showed his ability, with a spirited drive throughout the night in a vastly underpowered machine to keep the V8 drivers honest and took third spot in the second heat.

Peter Manning showed strong improvement - coming to grips with the extra power of the V8, compared with his six cylinder Sedan of last year - with a fine third place in the opening heat.

With two wins from two starts, Kane leads the 12-round series from Russell and Manion.

With a large portion of the field due to have their cars ready in the coming weeks, Tasmanian fans are expecting to see plenty of Sedan racing in the ensuing weeks.

-ALLAN ROARK

dates

Avalon International Raceway is gearing up for another sum mer of speed with a 15-race schedule planned.

While the Winged Warriors will feature heavily, all other division will get a run, including the AMCA Nationals.

American Todd Shaffer will return to Avalon for the 15th Annual Presidents Cup. Another unique feature of this season will be the dual charity days on November 8 and April 18.

These will feature all classes, including Sprintcars, but all pro ceeds from the two days will be donated to the Geelong Hospital.

“We’ve had good product support from a lot of businesses and the hos pital took good car of my parents in their last weeks, so it would be nice to give the hospital something back,” promoter JeffDrew said.

Dual SRA Series Champion Matthew Reed will swap his Sprintcar for a microphone, as he joins regular announcer Brian

Krikke comfortably claims Lawson Medal

Ron Krikke recently kicked off his campaign for the 1998/99 season by winning the Lawson Medal for the best and fairest competitor at Claremont last season.

Krikke won the award on 124 votes, ahead of Speedcar duo Wayne Cover and Tony Tucknott, on 102 and 99 votes, respectively.

Krikke earlier in the night claimed the Quit Sprintcar Driver of the Year award, with Speedcar honours to Cover and Super Sedan’s award going to Robbie Gray.

Krikke’s new car, the WA Auto Auctions Maxim, was on show at the launch and took centre stage with Pino Priolo’s Maxim and Trevor Harding’s Aus #1 Formula 500 on the banks of the Swan River.

The new season marks a new challenge for Kiikke, as he prepares to drive for himself, something he hasn’t done before.

He was looking forward to the challenge and believes he has the machinery to continue his strong form in Western Australia.

n West Australian Minister for Planning Graham Kierath recently had his first taste of speedway.

Kierath, who was to open the season on the first night, rocked up to the official practice session the day before to drive a Sprintcar.

The WA politican is quite popular in motor sport circles at the moment, after helping broker a deal to keep Claremont Speedway at the Royal Showgi'ounds for another two seasons.

He has also been instrumental in finding a new home for speedway and drag racing, with a new site to be completed in Kwinana in the next two vears.

- DARREN O’DEA

Masterful start to SA season

’

Adelaide’s season opens with a healthy entry for the 13th Australian Sprintcar Masters at Speedway City.

Promoter Wendy Turner has announced that former World Series champion Brooke Tatnell is heading to South Australia on November 14 to defend the Masters crown he won in brilliant fashion a year ago.

“Last year’s runner-up Ron Krikke is hauling from Bunbury and hopes to have Tatnell eating his dust this time,” said Turner.

Twice Australian champion Krikke would be keen on a strong showing just prior to the 1998 World Series event kicking off out west and intends mounting a concerted effort to claim his first Masters title.

Another leading contender for the $25,000 purse is current

Australia #1 Max Dumesny, whose best Masters results so for have been runner-up placings in 1990 and 1991, on both occasions to multi-Masters champ Gany Rush.

1994 Masters winner Garry Brazier has also thrown his hat into the ring as a late nomination, along with former World Series champ Brad Heywood.

Last season’s World Series open ing round winner Andrew Scheuerle from Queensland has nominated, along with a strong Victorian entry, which includes Warrnambool’s Stephen Bell and Melbourne youngster Tim McCubbin.

The local charge is likely to be led

by Maxim-mounted Chas Calandro and former SA#1 Trevor Green, who are both pumped for a flying start to the new season - Green

Max Dumesny Motorsport

Australian Distributors for

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already has already run a couple of east coast shows to help his prepa ration for the upcoming World Series.

Speedway City champion Mark Reuter, along with regulars Brett Squiers, Pete Smith and Tony Bartlett in his newly acquired Gambler, are other SA runners capable of keeping the visitors honest.

Phil March’s Maxim is still a fort night away, while another probable non-starter is Mark Gilbert, whose team has been hit with a dimin ished budget since Gilbert’s excel lent performance in last month’s Northern Territory Trad.

The Sprintcar Masters pro gramme will be supported by Super Sedans, Street Stocks and a first outing for the fledgling AMCA - DAVID McNABB class.

highlight, with Modified Sedans on the show also.

April 2: Good Friday. Round 1 of the annual Easter Sprintcar Trail sees Australia’s best gather for the first of three nights of spectacular action, culminating in a huge fire works display.

April 18: The second Charity day will kick off at 2.00 pm.

Avalon International Raceway 1998/99 Calendar November 8: Charity day from 2.00pm onwards November 21; Opening night will n October 25 was an open prac feature round one of the SRA tice day at Avalon, which saw Series, with Super Sedans and a Sprintcars, Speedcars and a Vintage Display as support. large group of Compact December 12: World Series Speedcars, in addition to a Sprintcars appear for round five of small group of assorted sedans. the national trail. The sensational Despite the diy slick track, there Super Rods will be the support act, were many spins, but thankfully no as will eight specially invited damage.A few drivers had some minor problems, such as Tim McCubbin and Speedcars.

December 19: The Sprintcars are Daryn “Gasman” Maggs, who both on once again, featuring Todd had slight engine dramas.

“Rotten” Ronnie Dalton also suf Shaffer for the Presidents Cup, which is also,round two of the SRA fered more serious engine maladies.

Colin Bulmer was back after a Series. Supports will be Street Stocks and Modified Rods. self-enforced lay-off and was December 26: Round three of the extremely happy with his new exSRA series doubles as the Sprintcar David Anderson engine in his nearGold Cup, with support from the new J&J Chassis.

Anderson himself was in atten Modified Sedans.

January 2: An all action night dance, running a new Foster when Victoria’s premier V8 Super Chassis and was extremely pleased Sedans race for the K-Rock Cup, with the car’s performance.

“The car is definitely better,” he along with everybody’s favourite event, the smash and crash Demo stated. “You’re not going to get a second a lap improvement, but if it Derby.

January 9: The Modified Rods do picks up a few tenths a lap it’s good battle for the Australian Title, ably - and tins car feels really good.”

Anderson was ready to put the supported by Street Stocks and Modified Sedaiis.car away after its first run, but suf January 16: Round five of the SRA fered a slight oil leak and elected to series will have GP Midgets and continue with his development.

He also confirmed that he is Street Stocks on the under-card.

January 23: Speedcars return en- planning on contesting some of the masse and will be dwarfed by the SRA series, as well as the bulk of the World Series and, of course, the Monster Truck Madness Show.

February 27: SRA Sprintcars are big races in Western Victoria and back for round eight of their series, the Easter Ti-ail.

-BBE-rT SWANSON with Modified Rods and Modified Sedans.

TROY JORDA N... Power Racing Autocraft grunt.

March 6: The annual Triple Crown features Speedcars, Super and Sedans Super Rods.

March 13: Will see a big program of Speedcars, Modified Sedans, GP Midgets and Street Stocks.

March 27: The Finale ofthe SRA Series will be the

1998 WORLD OF OUTIAWS/SKOAL OUTLAW SERIES POINT STANDINGS TO NOVEMBER 1ST, 1998

I. Steve Kinser 2. Mark Kinser 3. Sammy Swindell 4. Stevie Smith — 5. Danny Lasoski .

6. Andy Hillenburg For more information on Hoosier Drag and Speedway Tyres call: 7. Jac Haudenschild NSW: 02 9679 1990 Fax 02 9679 1187 8. Johnny Herrera VIC: 03 9331 6477 Fax 03 9331 7444 9. Jeff Swindell ..

08 8332 0800 Fax 08 8364 0296 10. Dale Blaney ..

SA:

^^ RACING TIRE

SPIFFING... Mike Van Bremen’s very tidy Sprintcar. (Brett Swanson pics) Sherrif on the commentary team when he’s not racing.

Reed is still unsure about when and what he will be racing, but is confident of putting something together after Christmas.

9,700 9.592 9,570 9,448 9,438 9,292 9,120 9,080 8,930 8.830

II. Tyler Walker 12. Donny Schatz 13. Joe Gaerte ...

14. Lance Blevins .

15. Craig Dollansky 16. Greg Hodnett.

17. Tim Shaffer ..

18. Paul McMahan 19. Dion Hindi ...

20. Brooke Tatnell

8,715 8,498 8,46 .5,475 .4,351 ,4,042 ,3,413 .3,138 ,3,029 .2,855

PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY - OCTOBER 3lb I A-FEATURE (30 LAPS) I. Hark Kinser 11. Jeff Swindell 2. Sammy Swindell 12. Danny Lasoski 3. Andy Hillenburg 13. Travis Whitney H. Terry HcCarl 4. Stevie Smith 5. Jeff Shepard IS. Tyler Walker 6. Jac Haudenschild 16. Brent Kaeding 7. Peter Hurphy 17. Donny Schatz 8. Dale Blaney 18. Johnny Herrera 9. Randy Hannagan 19. Tim Shaffer 20. Joey Saldana 10. Steve Kinser

KA.RTI NG

SNombeiM

45

WAfs favourite son

n

Since the beginning of 1998 it has been all uphiU for young junior driver, Perth’s Daniel Elliott.

The talented 13 year-old has not only blitzed the oppo sition in local competition, but taken out the Western Australian Grand Prix series in both Junior Clubman and Junior National Light, run a fine third at the 1998 Nationals at Geelong in Junior National Light, won the Western Australian State Championships in Junior Clubman and Junior National Light and was named as the youngest mem ber of Australia’s highest profile kart team, the Wynn’s Racing team.

But, despite all the acco lades and profile he has received throughout the year, young Daniel still maintains a no-fuss profes sional attitude to his karting, not allowing outside interfer ences to interrupt his goals to be an FMK Class Australian champion and to make his way towards every young drivers ultimate goal.

Formula One. His debut in the Wynn’s Australian Karting Championships came at the second round in Ipswich, where he debuted with a Tony Kart chassis.

He immediately showed that he could match the pace of the leaders, running with

Warren Mcllveen made a rare 1998 appearance at the NSW State Championships and proceeded to dominate the 125cc class on a difficult day at Wakefield Park Raceway on October 18.

The track alternated between wet and dry as intermittent showers persist ed throughout the;day - but strong winds meant that the surface dried quickly once each shower passed.

With the tyre wars now officially over in V8 Supercars, it was interesting to note the respective perfor mances of the 53 Bridgestone and Dunlop runners in the differing conditions.

Qualifying was included for the event, with pole going to Sam Zavaglia (lOOcc Light), Gary Pegoraro (lOOcc Heavy), Ross Hansen (80cc), Mcllveen (125cc), Micha'el Crossland (250 Nat) and Brian Stockman (250 Inter).

Mcllveen and Pelli star at NSW Titles

Quality Trophies lOOcc non-gearbox The 100s promised plenty of excitement, with 1998 national champion Ray Collyer attempting to add the NSW Title to his collec tion, against strong opposi tion from Zavaglia and the Victorian pair of Pegoraro and David Williams.

The two NSW drivers effectively ended their hopes with a clash in the third heat and Zavaglia suffered a rep rimand for attempting to restart his kart against the demands of race officials.

Zavaglia won the first two heats from David Williams and Collyer. However race wins to Victorian Williams in the third and fourth heats saw the title head south, with David Williams first, Chris Williams second and Zavaglia managing to sal vage third place.

Pegoraro made it a Victorian double, easily tak ing out the Heavy class from Andrew Davison.

Not so lucky was Tony Cosgrove, who rolled out of contention with quite a spec tacular accident which left the machine in a sad state, but the driver walked away unaided.

Eurotek Racing 80cc With many front running karts being Eurotek frames, it was good to see the compa ny sponsor this class - and

number one Eurotek driver Hansen didn’t disapppoint, Ross taking pole and the first heat from the Eurokart machine of Malcolm Cancian, with Glen Eldershaw third in the ex-Spiteri Dino.

Race two saw the t3rre bat tle hot up, with the Bridgestone-shod Cancian driving away from Hansen on Dunlops, while Eldershaw again snared third from Anthony Zulain and Warren Perry found it a bit tougher in the Hart entry than his debut at Oran Park.

Hansen again won in the third and easily won the day after Cancian was involved in a first lap collision, which eventually resulted in his rear wheel overtaking him in the run downhill into the horshoe double left Cancian was okay, but some what philosophical about the ‘racing accident.’

Gambling on slicks, Hansen was slowed by an increasingly damp track and hung onto second from Warren Perry and Zulian.

After much checking, the title went to Hansen from Zulian, with Cancian lucky to survive with third.

Rob Edwards Electrical 125cc The 125cc entrants must have looked forward to the race, at least until the ex national champion placed his machine on pole with a time bettered by only one person and he was driving a 250cc National.

Mcllveen’sdomination of the category was helped somewhat by the many inci dents and DNFs suffered by his major rivals, who found it difficult to match his pace.

Battling for the minors were regular front runners Stephen Wood, Scott Stockman, Roy Francescato and Dan McCue, with all but Stockman and McCue recording at least one DNF throughout the day.

Final placings saw Mcllveen first, daylight unof-

the cream of Australia’s Bob Jane T-Marts Junior Intercontinental A class.

Despite struggling with the chassis, he stiU managed to finish a fine fourth behind championship contenders Neil McFadyen, James Small and Jamie Carter.

In his second race, they struggled further, but Daniel showed true grit by storming to second in the final before succumbing to a rare mechanical failure.

In the final round of the championship, Daniel showed that he had the abili ty to win at the top level by taking victory in wet condi tions for the second of the three qualifying heats, pass-

ficially second, then Stockman and McCue. Tamworth Kart Supplies 250cc National What Mcllveen did to the 125cc field looked like being repeated by Crossland, after he qualified some four seconds quicker than the next com-' petitor. Though Crossland thoroughly deserved the title, judging by his performances throughout the year, the minors were decided more by attrition, with Anthony Wilson and Norman Clarke filling these positions.

Giova Jewellery 250cc International It was great to see Stockman back and Stephen Crossland qualify the second Giova entry within a few tenths of Stockman and John Pellicano.

The clash between this trio was eagerly awaited by all, Stockman taking the early advantage with pole.

However, the joy was shortlived, as a lap 2 inci dent robbed spectators of the duel - Pellicano grabbed an early lead from Stockman in race one; but, as Stockman attempted to close the gap, he became an innocent vic tim of someone else’s acci dent and was sidelined for the rest of the day.

Pellicano circulated up to one second faster than the field and cruised to relatively easy wins in the first three heats.

The final produced an unexpected outcome, with Wayne Crossland catching and then driving away from the fast-starting Pellicano, who continued to slip back and eventually found Steven Crossland and Anton Stevens driving past him.

But this abberation had little effect on the title and Pellicano became the NSW Champion from the Crossland clan, with Wayne second and Steven third.

In 1999, the Crosslands are proposing a long distance

BIG YEAR AHEAD... Daniel Elliott is looking for big results in 1999.(Sean Henshelwood) ing McFadyen for victory 1999 will be a big year for Australian Karting within sight ofthe flag.

Elliott, beginning with the Championships and a poten A DNF in the pre-final and much awaited Oceania tial foray into the European an Ul-handhng chassis provid Championships at the world scene later in the year. ed more hurdles for Elliott in class Eastern Creek Keep an eye out for this the final, where he managed International Karting young man - he might just to salvage fourth at race’s end Raceway in late January, make the grade. and seventh in the series.

-SEAN HENSHELWOOD then the four round Wynn’s

format and compulsory dri ver change with someone of the same surname.

Special thanks to Gary Hart for his comprehensive notes, which made my job of reporting the event from the IndyCar Gold Coast event that much simpler, -JOHN MORRIS

Mildura track upgrade

Mildura Kart Club president Keith Sharman has announced that the Mildui-a track will be updated to eight metres wide and lengthened to 900-1000 metres, the upgrade including a full resurface.

The venture is in conjunction with Austlink Driver Training, which needs a complex in the region and was happy with the layout already in place. Austlink needs about 1500 metres of road and a 100 metre by 30 metre pad, which could possibly be used for parking.

The local council is also behind the project, with the pos sibility of a bicycle criterium track being incorporated into the complex.

At this stage. Austlink and the Mildura KaaT Club are putting plans together for their needs, so that a final plan can be drawn up and all necessary permits, etc, can be finalised by December and work commence in January the track should be in operation for the June. 1999. race - GRAEME BURNS meeting.

^i^ING EVENTS in KARTING Wimmera Titles.

Whnmera Kart Enquiries 03 !

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Our Web site is; www.kartguide.com.au/vka/vka.htm Our Email address is: vka(gb 140.aone.net.au Victorian Karting Association Inc Registered No: A13837D

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Briefly Historic n They say good things come to those who wait!

After 38 years John Caffin has finally collected enough signatures on his competi tion licence to come off his “Ps.” Apart from an excur sion into the weeds at Sandown, Caffin had a gen erally trouble-free run in his supercharged Cooper Norton and entertained the crowd with its unusual wheel angles. His first com petition drive was at the Geelong Speed Trials way back in September 1960 in anMGTD.

then fitted with a 2.5-litre Repco Brabham engine, Formula One suspension and larger fuel tanks to comply with Tasman Series regulations. Brabham drove the car in only a couple of rounds of the ’69 series before selling it to Stillwell, who has campaigned the car for approximately 10 years. It will be one of many drawcards at the Motorfest. n An interesting relation ship has been established with the Brighton Speed Trials organisation in the UK and the Geelong Speed Trials counterparts. It is hoped that the groups will jointly work on any future issues that may affect those events that take place on public roads and high profile areas.

In addition, there may be scope for the exchange of trophies between Australia and the UK as well as the development of options that would allow enthusiasts from both parts of the world to compete in both events.

n The new-look Geelong Speed Trials will take place on November 21-22 at Eastern Beach along a sub stantially revamped course resulting from Geelong’s waterfront development.

After protracted negotia tions with the City of Greater Geelong the green light has finally been given to this popular annual event which now requires 1400 metres of Grand Prix specification barricades in n Although fans will order to run. Motoring have the opportunity to see enthusiast Lindsay Fox has come to the assistance of Surfers Paradise Indy-winner Alex Zanardi’s car on the organisers and had display at the Australian agreed to transport the con crete barricades from Historic Motorfest, they will Melbourne. 'unfortunately miss out on New classifications his now famous doughnut demonstrations - the car on include Sports and GT cars show is a look-alike with and (thanks to sponsorship the engine on a stand! from Scallywag Sox)the reThis win he part ofHonda’s introduction of motorcycles major contribution to the after a 10 year absence.

Motorfest celebrating 50 years n Bib Stillwell has ofthe leading Japanese mar que. either Honda exhibits acceptedrthe position of include a rare 50-year old patron ofthe Geelong Speed 500cc truck,an S800 sports Trials for a two-year period.

The four tiihes(^Id Staicar,the Honda Prelude pace car firam Surfers for use at the champion has been a keen Motorfest, a tricked-up Integra supporter and competitor at show car and a $200,000-plus the speed trials since thenNSXfor Jack Brabham and inception in 1956 when he took class honours in a Dhis wife, Margaret.

Honda is also right behind Type Jaguar with a time of 16.3secs. one ofthe motorcycle legends Since then Stillwell has who will be taking part in the Motorfest. Top works competed in a succession of rider from the ’80s, Andrew significant Historic racing Johnson will be seen in cars, including a McLaren action riding the latest Gulf Mirage, a Lola F5000 Honda RC45 Superbike. and his Repco Brabham BT31.

‘Aja/ has offered to substi tute for Alex Zanai'di in the As patron ofthe event, Stillwell’s foi-mal duties will , doughnut demos aboard a commence at the traditional powerful CBR900 Honda Fireblade. The tyi-e suppliers Saturday night social func will be more than pleased! tion. Joining him on the night will be guest speaker n Supplementary regula Ian Vaughan, VicePresident ofProduct tions and entry forms are now available for the 10th Development, Ford Australia, who will share his exploits in a GT Falcon when competing in the London/Sydney Marathon in the late 1960s. n Bib’s last competitive 'drive at the Geelong Speed Trials ended in spectacular fashion when he crashed his Brabham BT31 at the finish line. Bib has recov ered, his car has been rebuilt, and he’ll climb aboard to take part in the Australian Historic Motorfest(along with 20 other motor racing “leg ends”) at Winton this week end (November 7-8).

The Brabham BT31 was built for Sir Jack Brabham to drive in the 1969 Tasman Series. It began life as Foi-mula 3 car, but was

Morwell Historic Hillclimb to be held on Sunday, November 15- but you’ll need to hurry! Entries close on Sunday November 8.

Contact John Best,PO Box 334 Hawthorn 3122 for further details.

Coming Events: November 7-8 flhis weekend) l Aust Historic Motorfest, Winton Motor Raceway November 15 . VHRR Morwell Historic Hillclimb November 15(onwards) l Classic Adelaide November 21-22 l 5th Annual All-Historic Wakefield Park November 21-22 l Geelong Speed Trials November 28-29 l Historic & Classic Rob Roy.

-BRIAN REED

Crash mars Historic Sandown THE Penrite & Shannons driver on the weekend.

Historic Sandown on Queenslander Don October 24-25 was a Thallon had a busy time resounding success with driving to victory his big fields, close competi impressive Lister Jaguar tion and fine weather and then jumping into conditions to help things his Chevrolet Corvette to chase home the ISO along. of Chris The Victorian Historic Revolta Racing Register called upon Stephen.

Mort Fitzgerald seems the organisational skills and experience of the MG Car to have a mortgage on the Club (which this year is cele marque sports car races these days in his MG B V8, while brating its 40th anniver sary), and an excellent pro 17-year old Barton Mawer scored a Formula Ford double gram of events resulted.

Apart from races for all in his Mawer 004. Alex driving John Historic categories, including Davison the new Group N(c) touring Benson’s Elfin Aero - the last cars, there was also an FF to be built by Garrie impressive line-up of Cooper - finished a close sec ond in the final FF encounter.

Porsches in a 50th anniver South Australian Peter sary tribute to the marque.

Following the parade, the Whelan won the Brabham quicker Porsches were invit- BT18 battle with Jamie ed to take part in some more Lamer, with the Eagle Imp ploughed into the armco spirited laps to remind the of Keith Simpson third. while negotiating the fast crowd what competition As was expected, Andrew left hand sweeper into the Porsches really sound like. Robson took control of the grandstand straight.

Former champion Jim F5000s in his Lola T332.

The driver underwent McKeown was, behind the In a serious accident dur-' surgery on Monday following wheel of the GTP title-win- ihg the ranning of the final the incident, and is now in a ning car of Cameron P & Q Sports and Racing . satisfactory condition McConville, and Warwick Cars 8-lapper, Max Warwick although the same cannot be Smith entered three superb -suffered a fractured right said for his car. examples - his 1966 906, a ankle when his McLaren We all wish Max a speedy 1959 RSK Spyder and the ex- MlOB Formula 5000 recovery.

Bob Jane 1973 2.8 RSR. Twenty two representative , examples of Porsche’s high performance road and race cars took part. During the demonstration, the 1976 exAllan Moffat/Alan Hamilton 934 of Bruce Harris lost a wheel (the second such occurrence), and the meeting was delayed for some time while the car was removed.

Bendigo’s Greg McPherson dominated the touring car events in his Ford Mustang, with three wins in the Group N(b) races, while Tino Leo made all the right noises in his beautifully prepared 5.7litre Monaro to be top N(c)

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OUCH... Max Warwick's McLaren M1OB rests against the armco after his very heavy

shunt.

(Photo by Bnan Reed)

LONG WAY... Phil Morris came all the way from WA to race his GTHO. NINE OH SIX... Warwick Smith's gorgeous Porsche go6 was a highlight of the weekend.

(Photos by Neil Hammond)

O’Niel tops Winton bikes

THE 1998 Southern Classic meeting organised by the Historic Motor-cycle Riders Association of Victoria attracted an impressive field of riders to Winton on October 17-18 from as far away as Darwin.

Dating back to 1982, the Southern Classic is the major HMRAV race meeting of the season, and some famous names appear on the impressive perpetual trophy awarded to the winner offeature race for all-classic machines.

Inaugural winner was Doug Fraser, Jeff Curley took the honours in ’83, and Bill Horsman(who won the 350cc Classic at the Isle of Man last year), scored in 1987 and 1992. Martm Hone has three wins to his credit (1988, ’91 and ’93) and the gi-eat Karel Morlang won back-to-back Classics in 1989 and 1990.

Last year’s winner, Craig Morris wasn’t back to defend his title on his very quick Norton Twin - the ’98 winner, Peter O’Niel said modestly after the race “If he was here I wouldn’t have won it!”

Fittingly, the Southern Classic was the best race on the 2day program, and after a fierce scrap with Mark McKeown s Ti-iumph, O’Niel executed a brave passing manoeuvre on the last lap at Penrite Corner to take the chequered flag on his Montessa250. n * There was another gi*eat battle for third place, with reter Forkes (Montessa) taking the minor place just ahead of Clive Han-op (Norton Twin).

The Southern Post-Classic went to Rex Wilkington on ms 1Rex Racing Honda, and Peter and Michael Turner Honda 750) scored a ranaway victory in the Southern Sidecar Classic.

— BRIAN REED

r

DICE OF THE DAY... Peter O'Niel(Montessa)leads Mark McKeown (Triumph) through the esses to win an exciting (Photo by Brian Reed} 1998 Southern Classic at Winton.

5NomlxfW98

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Mazda R100 13B, SASS steering wheel, heavy duty suspen sion, 3 inch exhaust, mag wheels. Motor not going, needs com pletion. Body ready for paint. $2,100. Ph:039314 6030. 1<10 Torana LJ Coupe, modified suspension, chassis, fbreglass front, kevlar bonnet,9" diff. With 300-rhp Chev 60 degree V6, with aluminium heads. Vehicle built to competition spec. Project ready for completion. $6,500ono. Ph:029982 9654 after 6prr

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, 11months reg (Vic). NEP 226. Must sell $4,500ono. Ph: 0419 523337. 139 HQ Holden (2H), vgc. Complete car with sealed motor and log book. $3,000. Ph:0359625602. ,39 BMW 3181 Super Tourer. Ex Longhursl/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.

^7

Nissan 300 Z Twin Turbo, latest shape. Full professional race preparation, road reg, ideal GT racing or Targa. SOOhp. NZ$50,000. Ph:0011 644 232 8097,fax 0011 644 232 8059. T39 Commodore Sports Sedan. Fresh 350 Chev mid-mount, Super T10, CAE Quickchange. Comes with all spares and moulds. Ex Lusty. $27,000. Ph:0417 429 077,026255 0200.02

62584183. 130

Gemini 2 Itr Sports Sedan, fresh engine, 45mm Webers, T5V6 g/box, 8 point alloy cage, adjustable Konis, adjustable bias, adjustable sway bars, braided hoses, 4.1 diff, new slicks. Heaps spares, excellent cond.$8,000 neg. Ph:0262931802. 140 Thunderdome HQ, log book, new sealed motor (as new), sealed box.Can be test driven.$7,200ono. Ph:039563 7072. 140 t*.-

"Trl

Sports Sedan, Escort ready to race. Mid mount 2it 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

kr.

Appendix J EH, built 1983 by Barry Seton. Only 6 races 1984, in storage 14 years. Fresh Wayne Jones engine, 250hp. $12,000. Ph:024587 8355. 13B

6241 3011. 139

Datsun 1600 Club Car. Fuel-injected, 2.4 litre, 5 speed, big brakes, cage, harness, seats, 2 sets wheels, race rubber, diffs, spare 5-speed.$10,000. Ph: 0417 292 208,03 5821 7859. i«

Rally Car, Daihatsu GTti Professionally built and main tained. Extensive Chrome Molly cage. Brand new competition clutch. Numerous spares inc gearbox, head assembly, driveshafts, turbo. $10,000. PhGrant0418201 637. 139 Mazda 13B peripheral port, built to Racing Beat specs, gen uine 320 horsepower. More to mention. Ph 035422 7474 or 0419 334786139

Mazda RX7 Club Car. 13BBP, Needham, 5 spd, 4.1 LSD, disc brakes. Ready to race. $12,000ono. Ph: 0418 578 970,03 57219313. i« VR V8 5 litre Commodore, 500hp-r, professionally built, Dencar, 5 speed Getrag gearbox. Racing Street Car or Sports Sedan. Spares, alloy rims. Well lokked after, top condition. $37,500. Ph: Gary 0418 927 643,08 9397 0317. 140 Mazda RX2 Sports Sedan. 13B, lightened body, new A008S, Minilite copies, low tech but effective, competitive at Club level. $5,000neg. Ph: Lance McGrath 02 6248 9569. 140

Pulsar GTiRs: 1 race car, full of good bits, enormous potential for GTP, Targa etc. 1 road car, excellent condition. Bojh never bent. Will separate, prefer sell both $45,000. Ph:0418995 Ml. 130 VL Sportsman, new motor, never raced since rebuild.

Complete with spares, radio. $7,500ono. Ph: 07 4098 5724 (AH). 130 AUSCAR Sportsman, Ford XF Falcon, fresh 9.5 engine, excellent condition, regretful sale (moving OS). $10,000. Ph: 03 9844 3657,0413 743 57a i3o

AUSCAR Falcon last season rookie winning car. With a spare set of wheels, fuel churn, jact etc. $25,500 ono. Will lease if 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. $5,600. Ph: AH (03)9886 3772. 139 Datsun 1600 Sports Sedan. Unfinished project. Rbreglass body, 2 sets of factory Nissan race wheels. $4000. Ph 03 54227474 or 0419 334 786 139 AUSCAR Sportsman VL Commodore. No expense spared.

I Championship winning engine. Winner of best presented car.

Nissan SSS Pulsar, 12/94, immaculate condition, new Heaps of spares inc engine and 16 different sway bars etc. Very Bridgestone tyres, graphite grey duco, 45,000kms, lull service competitive. Must sell. Ph 03940404113or 0417014383 139 history, RWC(NCA 138). Must sell - $21,750ono. Ph: Daniel 03 Thunderdome HQ, log book, new sealed motor (as new) sealed box. Can be test driven before sale. $7200 ono. Ph 03 '54427248,035441 8133. .39 HQ rolling shell. No rust, ready to paint, has full roll cage 9563 7072 139 bolted in. Comes with 4 x 14‘x8" wheels. Very straight car.

LJ Torana Clubcar, possible Group NC,fresh 208 motor, XU1 $1.OOOono. Ph:0417 461 421 Wollongong m gear box, race seat, roll cage. Excellent condition. Complete with spares and tandem trailer with brakes, tool box. tyre rack. $9500 ono. Ph Steve 0298249406 ah or 029851 2956 bh. 139

7^

845. 130

1973 BMW 2800 four door sports, as new interior, rebuilt head, straight body, LSD, IRS, four wheel discs, rego 12/98.

Must sell, trxtving o/s. $5,000ono. Ph: Adam 026494 9338. m 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 035988 6266. « Castroi/Komatsu Ford Falcon V8 Supercars. Rolling chassis, EL, delivery after Bathurst V8 race. POA. Ph: Longhurst Racing 07 5526 3333, fax 07 5526 3334. 136

I

sJk'

m i

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. .39 AUSCAR - VN/VS, fire bomb, fuel churn, Detroit locker diff, M21 gearbox, HSV Dencar cage. 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. 136 Morris Cooper S, Group Nb, well known Victorian car. Very light and fast. All right bits. Very early shell. Choice ot engine config. $8,800 neg. Ph: Len Read 035977 8771 (AH). 136

I

I

Open Wheelers

V id 1998 Audi A4,16" rims, lull body kit, Audi Sport suspension, 10 stack CD player. One of the best A4s. $45,000 neg. Ph:0417 918

Mazda RX7,top Street Car in WA. New motor, gearbox, injec tion system. Lots of spares. CAMS logbook, top condition, ready to race and win. $25,000. Ph:0417 983 319,08 9328 4880. 139 Escort. Half-built race car. Cage, adjustable struts, fibreglass panels, 2-litre, mags. All hard work done. Must go. $1,000ono.

Ph:026386 3575.

1

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. SA1995.Private sale. Ph Nick 0412 836 266 Adelaide. 1®

Mkl Cortina Sports Sedan, suit circuit, hillclimb. Powered

by Holden 186, triple SUs, Toyota g/box, full receipts, log book.

Very smart looking car. $7,000 neg. Ph:026682 8171. 1® 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:035476 2686. 1®

Hart: Arrow AX5 rolling chassis, exc cond, new tyres. $1,500.

Ph:035995 6110. 1® Matlock U2 Group Lb Historic sports racing car. Unique: the only MK 2 sports car built. Times: Winton 69 secs, Phillip Island 2 rr^ns. Ph/fax 035229 3375.1® Off road Buggy Class 9 twin turbo RX7 motor. Albins G50 gearbox, Bilsteins coitover, Wright rack. Centrelines, 20" travel unused since built. $22,000. Ph 02 4464 2970 bh or 0412 151 5071® continued over page

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

48 5Nomber1998 Profl Racing 4—,

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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; Eastman 1 pee single layer race suit, $50. Ph; Chris 0408 322 096 (BH). 03 5996 9815(AH). 139

j

ground up rebuild. Inch Auriga FF engine, 3 sets wheels/tyres,

Lotu? Cortina SRV Racng chitdi and special balanced steel flywheel. New ring gear. Cost $1,800 to set up, will sell for $1,100. Ph;035244 1339. 130

other spares. $23,500. Also FF race engine, new '98, $6,400.

Ph: Stuart 07 5575 5001,0414 744 700. 138

Various Lotus Super Seven style bits/pieces. Pair clam she! guards, nose cone & mould, scuttle & mound. Triumph

Vector MG94. Updated to 97 spec. Unused since complete 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 Clencie 03 9726 7166 (BH), 03 9762 1732 (AH). 139

Superfcart 125cc Suzuki Demon X6 chassis, 6sp sequential g/box, ready to race. 64 sec laptimes Winton (short track).

Experience the thrill. $2300. Ph 0411 848 440 or 03 9893 4925.

Will assist if required. 139

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: 03 5250 2994,03 5275 2305 (BH). 138 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: 07 5539 3079. 130 Swift FB91, ready to race, complete race package. Strong engine, spares, spare wheels and tyres. $20,000. Ph; Michael Borland 03 9580 5236 (BH). ,39 Mygale SJ95 F/Ford. Top ten national competitor 1997, front runner Vic 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. ,3s

w

Holden Torana C.O.M.E.1 full chassis, Australian SS/A record holder. Roller $35,000 or turn key $50,000 with 383ci Holden or $60,000 with 615ci Chev. Runs 8.1s, 165mph, dead straight. Ph: 03 9571 4204, 03 9563 5678. tdO

Engines Porsche engine, RSR 2.8. Fresh, no tons. Kuger Rsher mechanical injection. Complete with new stainless steel heal exchangers and stainless steel performance muffler. $10,750. Ph 039555 7699,0418313482. i« 3 Jawa Speedway 897 motors, electrics, carbies & exhaust pipes. $3,000. Ph: 03 5983 8549,0419 388192. 140 Lotus twin cam race en^ne: 185bhp, fully rebuilt & com petitive. 1558CC with 45mm Webers, steel rods, forged pistons, FI cams. New steel crankshaft, AP clutch, flywheel, valves, valve springs, guides sleeves and buckets. New high volume oil pump and alternator. High performance bolls throughout. Ignition Developments distributor and fully baffled sump. $12,000ono.

Ph: 02 9488 7886, 0418 188 988. 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 588 884,02 6361 9888 bh or 02 6362 8264 ah. ,38

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. $11,000. Must sell. Ph 03 9898 4925 or 0411 868 440. 139 Superfcart /Viderson Mirage chassis, Kelgate brakes and run ning gear, all as new condition. Rotax 256 engine, cassette gearbox. Gear ratios, mounted wets, 3 sets (wheels. Will consid er trade. $18,000. Ph 03 94371239 or 0419 236 233. m Formula Holden 92D, competitive car, with limited spares, top hp engine. Ready to race for NS series. $75,000. Ph Darren 0408 800 988 139

Getrag 5 spd geariiox 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

Speedway Super Sedan Mazda RX7, 13B PP injection. Power head, De Jersey rack, quick change diff, 6 pin wheels, 4 bar rear, coil overs, 12 aluminium wheels. Heaps of spares. Will separate. Ph: 03 5424 1804 (AH), 03 5422 3098 (BH). 1® Formula 500, hi bar chrome moly chassis, 521 cc Rotax engine, 2 speed Jawa g/box, coil-over front end, torsion bar rear end. Plenty of spares, very competitive car. $12,000ono. Ph: 03 5983 8549,0419388 192. i«

Formula Ford ex-works Van Diemen engine, completely rebuilt, no miles, manifold, clutch, flywheel. Just bolt in. $5,500.

Ph: Jeff 0418 172 889,03 9570 3683. i<o Gemini turtm twin, 45mm Del Orfos, Superflow head, 0ringed block, cross-drilled crank, billet cam, oil cooler -r hoses.

All fresh and complete, unassembled for inspection. Makes 300hp at 6,000rpm. Ph- 02 62961774 (BH), 02 6242 6638,0412 273113. i« Small block Chev street tunnel ram, brand new. $300. Ph: 03 9844 3657,0413 743 573. 1® 372 Rodeck engine - JE pistons, Kryptonite rods. Cola crank. Brownfield heads, full roller, 2 7/16 Hilbom fuel injeetton, Peterson 4 stage dry sump pump. System One oil system. $18,00ono. Ph: 07 3224 4243, 07 3263 4510 (AH), 0417 780 079. 139

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 02 6766 5977. IS

uprights/discs, headlights etc, $1000 the lot. Ph/fax 03 5229 3375. ,30 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.

Ally seat and Simpson hamess/net$ $300. Plus other bits. Ph Tom 0296075908 ah. w Sprintcar used pats hi-bar chassis, shockers arms, slops, radius rods, tak lank, front axles, diffs, steering box, radiator, HiBack seal. Driveline steering wheel, filters, gear sets. Ph; Mark 08 8269 2928. 139 Sprintcar parts Hailbrand quick change complete $1500.

Alum rear axle $550. Complete drive line with spares $500.

Complete f/end $900./Hum spline wheels: r/r $450 l/r $400.6 pin fronts $350. 1989 JSR chassis kit $1500. Ph 03 9460^bh or 0407336785,® Dampers Spax gas filled, coil over. Open 335 mm and 355 mm stroke. 100 mm and 125 mm respectively. New units. $210 ea.

Ph0419236233or0934371239. ® Two way scanner car set, open helmet set mike and relay, Dorian timer, battery charges, as new in own carry case. $4500.

Ph 029636 4447 or 0418 637 454. Ex NASCAR team. .39 Weber carburettors 48 mm IDF. Downdraught in good condi tion. $600the pair. Phlan0392374502or0398789515ah. ® Golf F2 parts. New altoy adaptor plate $250. Inlet and exhaust $250. Side mounted Cosworth oil pump $350. Ph Ian 03 9237 4502or039878 9515ah. ,39 Halt TBS rear legs, also partially built tub and various mounting brackets.$350. Ph Ian 039237 4502 or 039878 9515 ah. is F2Cheetah Mark 6/Mark 7 wheels, 2front, 2 rear. In very good condition. $1100 the lot Ph Ian 03 9237 4502 or 03 9878 9515 ah. ,s Hanop fidi floater, Borg Warner diff, suit XF Sportsman. New 30's LSD centre, new hubs, Brgs, 10 spare wheli studs inc. brakes to suit. $2700 ono. Ph Dave 035941 1088 bh or 035941 2035 ah. ,39 Steering wheel, SAAS Grand Prix, 14" flat, leather. Brand new. $150. Ph:0418 519 681. 139

l^ansporters/Trailers

Holden 202 high horse power, roller cam, modified sump, methanol carbie, extractors, electronic ignition, roller rockers, totally rebuilt, $2500. Ph 03 5447 1232 or 0417106 711. m

Parts Lotus Elan parts; One set front & rear alloy bolt on hubs Super Sedan, Commodore, Dave Best chassis, quick Elfin 622 1972, Group Q logbook V8486. Car fully sorted, immacufate condition truly race ready. Probably the best and fastest ANF2 car. Eastern Creek 1:35. Hart/FT200, wets and drys, 3 sets wheels. $48,500. Ph Max 018 442 06Q^i14]

change diff, 4 aluminium bead lock rims. Ready to race less engine and gearbox. Plenty spare parts, too much to mention.

Car $11,500. Spares $2,500. Ph; 03 51761352. I® Wanted: Speedcar parts - driveline, shocks, wheels, tor sion bars, steering box, etc. Ph: 02 6242 6638 (AH), 02 6296 1774,0412273113. i« Modified Production TE Cortina, 250 xllow methanol engine, 4 speed g/box, power steering 2.1 reduction, Koni adjustable suspension, weight jackets, plenty of spares. Very competitive car ready to race. $7,500. Ph: 03 5978 7679, 0419 388192. 1®

Supeifcart 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 03 9700 5333 or 0417563 645 ®

Formula 500 chassis & panels, brand new. No further use. $1,750. Ph: 0412 092 020. wo

Formula 2 Reynard 893. Current Australian Champion. Comes with spare engine, fully enclosed tandem trailer, 14 wheels, full set spare suspension parts, wings, body panels. In showroom condition. Ph 03 52441025 ah or 03 5279 7916 bh. ® Spectrum Formula Fords. Team Arrow offers for sale its fleet of race-winning Specirums (new cars on order) as raced

by Macrow, Zerner, Owen, Kelly and Savage. Contact Michael ‘ Borland. Ph: 03 9580 5236. m

Tr.

(new) $950; one pair ftont stub axles (new), $190; one full set Elan Sprint Doughnuts & high tensile bolts (new) $350; one pair rear spring adjustable platforms, 2.5' ID (new) $150. Ph: 02 9488 7886,0418188988. i« .

Very good condition, reliable. $15,000ono. Ph: 03 5439 5399

Speedway Midget parts: full power steer setup $1500; tor

(AH). 1®

sion bar setup with 13 bars $700; ally Pro shocks $50 each; ally high-back seat $200: front beam axle with wheels $250. All ono.

Ph: Tom 02 9606 9181 (BH), 02 9607,5908. 140 Datsun 1600 parts; doors, struts,-bubcaps, diff, harness,

mable Wolf 3D computer, new engine, Koni adj suspension, new fibreglass, weight jackers, Mallory gauges, ready to race.

Reg with spares. Ph: 03 9879 8310,0418175 435. ® Sprintcar - 1992 Tognotti hi-bar, complete roller, less engine.

KSE steering. Winters diff, splined wheels. New paint. $6,000.

Ph: 02 6297 2818,0418 630 408. ®

mMm

Fully enclosed Formula Ford trailer with 14tt x 14ft free standing canvas annex, no pegs or ropes required. Mag wheels, trailer brakes, loads of overhead storage area. $5,500.

Ph; Jeff 0418172 889,03 9570 3683, 14)

seats, tail-light, head-light, gearbox, 1800 motor, carbies, bumper bar, roll cage, boot lid. Priced from $5. Ph: Ross 03 5334 6364 (AH) Ballarat i« Cobra Benetton race seat, new $180; Race seat, high back with wrap around top wings. Excellent order $250. Ph 03 9555 7699,0418313482. i« Coil-over shocks, McDonald Bros, suit heavy car, as new. $400. Ph: 07 3288 0687. ,« Heads; 18 degree alloy Chev V8 Supercar, complete with tita nium valves -t- Jessell overhead gear. Assembled, in excellent order. Ph 03 9555 7699,0418 313 482. i« Touring car VR front, carbon keviar, excellent order, $500.

Ph 03 9555 7699,0418 313 482. i«

XF A Modified Production, fuel injected with fully progranv

Race car transporter. Ford Freighter bus, with 18x24' annexe, bunk bed, wardrobe, storage lockers, tyre rack, ramps.

Dunlop Race tyres (wets) 215/645 R18 new cond. $1500.

Ph 03 9555 7699,0418 313 482. i«

Foni crossflow 250cl, complete $300; Ford FIDO crossflow 250cl complete $300; Cleveland short motor $400; 302 Wndsor complete with auto, $450; 302 Wndsor block $20); Cleveland block $200:2 X 600 Holley carbies $300 ea; 289 Wndsor crank $150; 302 short Cleveland $200; Set 460 heads bare $150; 351 4-barrel manifold $100; crossflow head ported & polished, screw in studs & roller rockers, $500. Ph: 03 9743 5160 (BH), 03

c

3 '^1

uaiD* Km

K

Mm

d

K J

Transporter, will cany two cars. 6 cyl diesel, 5 speed, wind foil, very economical. 240 volt, tyre racks, winch, belly lockers, reliable, excellent presentation, side access. $22,500ono. W/ill cxrnsider trade. Ph; 02 97741711. 140 Tandem trailer, used for Super Sedan, plenty of storage, 15 months old, tows well and looks good, with or without electric winch. $2,300. Ph: 03 5978 7679,0419 388192. i« I

. -^1

9743 3275 (AH). 140 Manifold, Benson with high butterfly injection, complete wrrlh distributor & trumpets. Ph 03 9555 7699,0418 313 482. 140 Calipers, Brembo monobloc x 2, brand new, original price 140 $6,500, sell for $3,500. Ph 03 9555 7699,0418 313 482.

Swift FB 91 complete ready to race package. Spares include roll bars, 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 03 9840 6770. 139

Mazda Speed 5 speed gearbox, close ratio, suit BFMR Mazda/Laser. One rally since professional rebuild. $1,000ono.

Only 2 seasons old: Winner 1997/8 season: #1 Qld title, #1 10 round Archerfield Cannonball Cup, #1 25 round Super Series, #2 NSW titles. Sold as complete roller, $20,000. Ph: Barry 07 3274 1611. 139 Sprintcar - 1995 Tognotti, reverse or standard arm, aimplete roller. Winters diff, long splined alloy axle, KSE steering box, AFCO 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,

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 03 9560 0801 or 018 105 348139

Fold Six Cylinder, auto, eleciric winch, long rego, well main tained. Regretful sale. $7,800ono.Ph: 02 4576 0009. 1®

Ph: Bryan 02 9844 5232. 1® SHMsche HUF body kit, with large Kramer rear wing. New cond. $2,500. Also front guards, steel, wide body turbo type.

Very good cond. $1500 the pair. Ph 03 9555 7699, 0418 313 482. 1® Lotus ElaiVEscort parts: T/C dry sump (new) $250; Quaife LSD(new) $1,150; Oil cooler & fittings (16 row 11-x5' as new) $125- 3.9 diff ratio in carrier $350; 4.4 &4.1 diff ratio $350 ea; LI cams' $250; 6 boll 1558 crank $200; 711M 1600 crank $100; Escort Mkl fibreglass bubble flairs $250; Ph: 02 9488 7886, 0418188988. .« Peinske Racing shockers x 4. Latest spec, 3-way

alloy hubs and stubs $1,300; Winters diff, long splined, alloy, compi with torque tube & driveline $2,300, tail tank $800. Ph: Shane 07 3224 4243,07 3263 4510 (AH), 0417 780 079. ®

adjustable, used on Formula Holden. $5,000. Koni two-way

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, 0418 630 408. 139

Gearbox, M21, V8 Commodore box and shifter. Fully recondi tioned. $600. Ph; 03 9769 9936. i«

adjustable also available, $2,000. All graphed and ready to race. Ph: Damien 0412 868 988. i«

isiau SBR, 6 cyl, 5 speed, diesel, 5.5m pan. 3001 Riel tank, 1400km range. 5m alum ramps. 60001b Warn winch, new tyres & trim. Suit up to large sedan. Very reliable, ctean. tio .- $8,500.

Ph: Mark 08 8326 5775. ID Fully aluminium enclosed trailer. Single axle. Suit opc; wheeler ^c. Side door access. 12 nth rego. Good nr;-. .;2500 Ph0298091278.130

5t^omber1998

Wanted

IIUIWU I

Any information re the 1953'MM Holden" built by Lou MdinaSylvb Massola. Later sold to Bill Leech, believed destroyed Tasmania. For recreation purposes^Ph/fax 035229 3375. 139 1 16" X 7" RG five spoke rim tor VN Commodore (star form style). Prefer polished, will take painted. If rim is buckled, severity will matter. Ph Jeff 0398770485 139

1996 or 1997 Williams Sparco jacket or 1997 Williams Transfix microfibre jacket, or 1997 Holden Racing Team jacket.

Sizes L-XLPh:0249826038. 140 Wheels, 16x10 inch rims, Holden pattern. Also 16 inch slicks.

Ph:039769 9936. 140

TK Bedford Transporter. 454, 3 speed auto, rego, 2 x 200litre fuel tanks, 60 litre water tank. Fresh paint job, full length awning, flood-lighting, lounge/sleep area, cupboards. Heaps storage space, winch. $17,500 Ph: Peter Wilson 02 4655 2422 Camden NSW. 139 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

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COMMENT Murray and Martin, please Dear Sir,

Editorial

I gather it is something to do with the contract with Bernie

Editor

Ecclestone, but could Channel 9

David Hassall

PLEASE organise it so that we get the 20 minutes or so before each GP

Technical Editor

get at present?

I have seen a couple of races in the UK and they both do a fabulous intro to each race, full of informa tion and pre-race inside gossip which makes it all far more inter

Assistant Editor Phil Branagan Graphics Co-ordinator Viv Brumby

Advertising

esting.

No particular slight on Alan Jones and Dazza, but you can't beat having someone on the spot.

Getting that extra info is, no doubt, a matter of cost, but the Nine execs should give it serious thought -it would make for a much better programme.

Advertising Manager ' Gerald McDornan

Administration Managing Director Chris Lambden

: Contacts

kT

Sena letters:oTalk l . to PC' Vic 3!61. our E-mail address, cy

iOlONoan to 03 9527 7766

i The ssff of Motorsport News does na necessarily agree wch opmions express C^' readers.

wind-tunnel an AU Falcon and get the aero kit right.

For all our sakes, let’s hope he and the NASA scientists at Ford US get it right this time.

I don’t think we could stand another year of Ford whingeing if the AU turns out to be a dog...

Anthony Malleson Murrumbeena, VIC

addresses?

Could you also supply addresses for Motorcyling Australia and the FIM, as it would have to be the Bike GP that moves as it does not have a “traditional” date, CAMS & TOCA can only help to convince them. I think if we explain that a different date = more specta tors & TV viewers, we may be talk ing their language.

David Matheson

89 Orrong Crescent Caulfield North VIC 3161

Pymble, NSW

(PO Box 1010 North Caulfield 31611 Phone:03 9527 7744 Fax 03 9527 7766

Looking good also counts

Contributors General: Mike Kable, Jon Thomson, Brian Reed, Darryl Flack n FI: Joe .Saward, /\dam Cooper Europe. Quentin Spurring, US: Bruce Smith. Phil Morris NZ: John Hawkins

I , i

you got there.

The guys who saved your life over in Adelaide must find this a

; ; !

particularly poignant moment.

Although it was probably a bit different once he got behind closed doors, it was nice to at least see Michael Schumacher do

I

' Speedway: Dennis Newlyn, David : McNabb. Wade Aunger, Geoff Rounds, Diivid Lamont, Chris Metcalf, : n Sue Hobson, Michael Attwell, ; i Tony Millard (UK), Darren O'Dea I ; Rally: Peter Whitten, Jon Thomson ; ■Drag Racing: Gerald McDornan, ; Greg Ward, Jon Asher |USA).

■ Dave Osiaszewski (USA|, i Nick Nicholas, Steven While,

!

Colin Cavendish

i Ken l-erguson, Scott Jug ; Super Speedway: Martin Clark |USA). : Brett.Swanson, Grant Nicholas Karts; Ian Salvestnn, Allan Roark, i Graerqe Burns, Edward Krause Photographers: lAT, Dirk Klynsmith, ; Zoom Photographies. Neil Flammond, : ; Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett.

Brad Steele, Tony Glynn, Thunder-Pics, Marshall Cass, ; Mike l-lardirig, Brisbane Motorsport, i! i : Frank Midgley, John Bosher. i ! Phil Williams, Mike Patrick (UK|

Beaumaris, VIC

MOTORSPORT NEWS li puiji.ihcd f,> Auvivs^isidn NO 060 170 W8

the weekend - it's just a pity that the fields were so small, in fact, reminiscent of the very early years of the Dome.

JUSTICENice guy Mika deserves his Worid Championship.

tions of a class record over SOOmph yet!! Still learning.

ContlTbl Of TyieS, maybe?

The Tatnells, Braziers and Jacksons of this world have gi’eat

Dear Racing Fans Is it possible TEGA and AVESCO have shot themselves in the foot with the proposed Control t}Te for 1999?

In a country with the limited demographic of low numbers, density and great distance, the thought of losing the concurrent involve ment of as many tyre manufactur ers as possible seems to beggar rea-

followings due to their heroic Sprintcar efforts and they must be encouraged to make the progres sion through to speedway’s 'big boy' category - NASCAR. The Ingalls, Murphys and

John Lynch Castlemaine, VIC ASST ED: Now come on. Lynch, ' stick yer boot into it - we're only talking about another 48mph, after all.

North Ryde, NSW

Clash of the titans

Get it right, Greg... please!

Dear Sir,

ffik>0®ifsrs@ii91

!

Dear Sir, I was interested to read that

Regarding your suggestion about writing to Greg Swann (CAMS) and John Hamden (AGP), could you

Ford Motorsport Manager Greg Harbutt has headed to the US to

supply the readers with the relevant addresses and/or email

I

CaulfieldEast, VIC 3145. \

i

Schwantzes of circuit racing are more than welcome, but let's look to the US and see where all their NASCAR stars come from.

Who knows? In a couple of years we might see full fields and big crowds again, Michael Asher

financial strength, we need to keep

Kiewa,VIC

idea OF MOUNTiNA AM A£ROf=OiL ON

{

I'm not knocking Russell Ingall he did a great job on the weekend and deserves a fairly major pat on the back, but surely super speed way racing should be a natural pro gression for speedway drivers to make.

son.

At the same time as many commentators and competitors moan as to the lack of sponsors of sufficient

s: 0

I

(

why do they continually bring in a 'star' fi’om another form of racing (read - Touring cars) to try and boost the crowds?

Compaghoni Phillip phillip.compagnoni@tafensw.edu.au ASST ED: Write to the AGP Corporation at PO Box 577, South Melbourne, VIC 3205.

CAMS is at PO Box 147,

;

mm

if he/she can have any influence on the matter.

The crowd was fairly small on the weekend, too, which is a pity as the Dome has produced some great entertainment in the years gone by.

I do have one major gripe with the Thunderdome series and that is

you folks on an extra fine motor racing paper. I think it is terrific to see a range of motorsport together as it should be in one group.

One small gripe about your Bonneville 50th meeting article. I was very proud of my 252mph achievement and have no aspira-

Michael Sunderland

(I year - 26 i';sue.>:t SI 05 AiJsualia Overseas (Air Mail) AS 160 ; New Zealand. PNG AS I 70 , Malaysia, Indonesia .AS 180 , Phillipifies. HK. Japan AS 200 ;US, Canada AS2I0 Cilrope Post 01 lax to acldiess ataiwe.

Bankcard, VISA Masrerraid, ,'\nicx accepted

Minister for Tourism as well to see

Dear Sir, Just a brief note to congratulate

|

Wind shift? Roaming cattle? Sun

I shall write to the Fed eral

Show a bit of spine...

spots? I can’t wait!

Subscriptions

03 9527 7744

Dear Sir, What a great show the NASCARs and AUSCARs were at Calder on

■

'iMTHt-riiil published by MOIO!«PORT NfWs is ; ; copynght Dnd m.^y cot be rvp'udDCcd lu foli or m . :p?iri withour f'-'p wriuen ppmiiis;of> of iho I publisncr E/eeLince contribuRon!, ive welcome* ! and while Hi! tore W'li be Uikeri, AusUtild.'i'iR'i ● Motor.<:pOfi Mews Pry Ltd does not HcrcpL ; rospomihiliiy for dHouige or loss of rnDteriii! ' I submitted. ; Opinions c'Xp'essed in Motorsport Mcavs .■.uv not ’ nc’cesvtriiy tfiose ol Austmiasitin Mororspoi t News ■ Fly Ltd or its sUiff ! ' *;^cavn'r:ended wind mnximum price oniy.

ADVERTISING WORKS. I IT’S THAT SIMPLE! I Call Gerald McDornan on I

biggest unequal factor in the racing and we’ll really see who can best set up and drive a V8.

The interest now will be in what those who dou’t make the front few

s

Remember your roots

qualifying will fi nd to . r .f ° bl ame for their failure.

Publisher:

: Wilke Color 37-49 Browns RdCkiyton 3168 Distributed by: ; NDD Ltd

Dear Sir, Good on the V8 guys for finally biting the bullet and going for a control tyi-e.

That will now take away the

bles” and “the grey” off the racing line are a large part of limiting overtaking and reducing the enter tainment spectacle.

So what about controlling the tyres? Longer life tyres and manda tory pit stops (also for entertain ment’s sake)for change of not worn out tyres, would work and would particularly keep some of the priva teers and lesser sponsors happy (and in the series longer) at the same time.

PS: Saward talks a lot of sense re

denvild@bigpond.com

:

.l>eiTO'-5 C Uimhdeo ManiMr'cjl. DHisvA.AOVin :

: Printed by:

Not my fault

last 30,000 km or more. How many current racing tyres last satisfacto rily, or consistently, for 1000 km?

In FI and CART, as well, “mar

Dick Denvil

the right thing at the end of the race.

He was right - Ferrari lost the title at the beginning of the year.

However, next year, on Control Bridgestones, ! think Ferrari will get their long lost championship.

them all operating and on-side.

Yes, the Supercar series should be the top end of Touring cars in Australia, but should the tyres, even in a control version, be out of even vague connection to a road tyre’s life?

Even if you say racing is 30 times harder than road driving, I would want my racing brand road tyres to

“Schumi” - he is a brilliant driver, but like Senna, sometimes a flawed and not brilliant personality.

Dear Sir, Nice guys do win! Well done Mika Hakkinen. It was close, but

Email: msnews@corplink.com.au CompuServe: iooz37.ii65

Mews pry i.rd

I

with sound from Murray Walker and Martin Brundle which we don't

Tony Glynn

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