Motorsport News Issue 158 - 30 July-12 August 1999 by V8 Sleuth

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The Dynopack series is attached directly to the wheel hubs, thereby eliminating all the disadvantages of tyre distortion including noise, torque steer, loss of traction, tyre heat and variations in tyre design and wear. Direct coupling eliminates the need to estimate torque and enable s the dynamometer to make very sensitive readings over a very wide range of engine speeds. The elimination of the tyre roller interface means that the results are more precise and are reparable. The effect of this increased precision is hard to gauge as the Dynopack series continues to break new ground as a diagnostic tool in the automotive industry.

Torque & power ’ resutls for 3 runs with 3 different carburetto jet j .settings -Note the misfire In red. run : at2500 RPM I

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30July 1999

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Craig could miss uptoSraces By CHRIS LAMBDEN and PHIL BRANAGAN

CRAIG Lowndes’ 1999 Shell series campaign is potentially in tatters as the points leader faces a recuperation period of up to six weeks after knee surgery on Wednesday. Damaged ligaments in the left knee of HRTs championship leader were discovered on the day after his massive crash at Calder, during a visit to a leading Melbourne Sports Injury Centre. Lowndes was scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, as Motorsport News went to press, with HRT issuing a brief statement which simply said that; “At this stage it is unknown if the injury and subsequent operation will sideline the V8 Supercar Championship leader. However, the Team shall issue a further advisory notice on Thursday, after consulta tion with Lowndes’ medical people.” Similar knee ligament surgery often sidelines footballei’s and other sportsman for 6-8 weeks - that could mean up to three missed rounds, although it is certain that both he and the team will move heaven and earth to get back sooner. Craig went to ground on Tuesday “a bit shattered by the news,” according to Mobil team spokesman Paul Weissell. In the meantime, HRT has begun preparation work on its best spare

Rodney gets Full up Despite feeling ill at Calder, Rodney Forbes did well in the Privateer ranks- and may have settled on a co-driver for the endurance races. An announce ment is expected soon that GTP pilot(and former Bathurst class winner) Geoff Full will share the Diet Shake Commodore at QR and Bathurst. ■ Also set to make an announcement is fellow bever age-sponsored driver Dugal McDougall. Former BMW driver John Blanchard is expected to suit up to drive the ex-Gardner Aloe Quench VT. With Bargs, Bowe, Bright and now Blanchard, the JB count will be pretty high ... ■ There was another partner ship announced at Calder. Ballarat HRT enthusiast Mark Fisher proposed to girlfriend Erika via the track’s illuminated signs. Erika said yes... ■ Formula Ford set a new record for Joneses at Calder Park. Three ‘Js’ took part in the races; Robert Jones(son of VSSupercar driver Bob), Andrew Jones(son of Audi Sport Austraha team manager Kim) and Michael Jones.

Wild ride: Lowndes hangs on for his life at Calder last Sunday. The Mobil VT is about to vault the concrete retaining wall - look closely, you can see that Craig has tucked his hands under his helmet. (Photo by John Moms/wpix) car - the once controversial ‘Petty bar’ VS (nicknamed ‘Steffi’) which took Lowndes to a Grand Slam string of wins - the championship, and the Sandown and Bathurst wins with Murphy - in 1996. It has been campaigned in selected races this year by Todd Kelly. If Lowndes is unable to drive, it is expected that Cameron McConville

STOP PRESS - EXCLUSIVE:

will substitute. McConville, who has just completed his three-race deal with John Faulkner racing, said that the team’s main priority was getting Lowndes fit for Symmons. “Obviously, they’d like to see Craig at Symmons; everyone does, I do,” he said on Tuesday. “But I am happy with my perfor mance at the weekend and feel like

Webber’s Jordan deal

MARK Webber is tantalisingly close to a test ing contract with the Jordan Ft team. Although all the parties involved are saying lit tle, Motorsport News believes that Austraiian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Ron Waiker has successfuliy agreed in principie a test driver deal for Webber with Eddie Jordan’s team, sub ject to Webber obtaining a reiease from the AMG Mercedes organisation, to which he is currently contracted. Walker told Motorsport News late on Tuesday that “I’ve had a number of long conversations with Eddie Jordan in the last week and he’s keen to take Mark into the Jordan organisation. “It does however require Mark to obtain a release from his current contract with Mercedes. Without that he (Jordan) won’t get involved. Eddie’s not keen on taking drivers into FI, investing in them, and then having someone else reclaim them - as has happened with people like Michael Schumacher. “Mark is currently talking to Mercedes about it." Webber is contracted to the Mercedes team until the end of this year, with options, but would be hopeful that the company would view his request positively. With no immediate prospects of the Mercedes sports car team making a re appearance this year and with a good record of supporting its young drivers (Mercedes motor sport boss Norbert Haug reportedly put Webber’s team-mate Nick Heidfeld to Jordan as an option when it seemed Damon Hill was about to quit), the company is in a position to score major PR points in supporting the driver who bore the brunt of its Le Mans difficulties. Watch this space...

I’m starting to drive a V8 Supercar well now. The team hasn’t said what is going to happen. If some thing does come up. I’ll be ready for it. Ironically McConville was aboard another ex-HRT Commodore VS last Sunday, when he finished 11-76 in the three races for sixth overall on the day.

■ Citroen has decided to can cel its WRC program. Despite a promising showing in testing with the Xsara project, Citroen has bowed to pressure from sis ter company Peugeot, which runs the 206 WRC in the world cham pionship. Citroen vrill continue with its Xsara kit car program. ■ Porsche’s 993 is expected in Australia in late September, but the response to the new GTS racer has been so big that there are a total of 50 cars being built for a potential 90 customers ...

Drivers want action IN the wake ofthe separate first comer shunts which took out Craig Lowndes and Jason Bright last Sxmday - 1-2 in the championship at the time - Greg Murphy has called for action to he taken to curb the over-enthusiasm of some V8 Supercar drivers. Having seen Lowndes’ crash happening A before his eyes, Murphy was the first (of several) to get out of his car to go to the aid of his former team-mate and later expressed exasperation at the driver behaviour he beheves caused both crashes: “It’s beyond a joke now,” he said. It’s so close and there are a drivers out there who simply won’t compromise. They’re simply not prepared to give way at aU - and that’s what can happen. “Craig was lucky. What do we do - wait for someone to get killed?...” Murphy’s sentiments were echoed in various ways by a number of other drivers. Neil Crompton referrred to the “guerrilla tactics employed by some, with no thought for the consequences” while John Bowe (see Bowe’s regular column) has ques tioned the inability of our racing stars to drive in a straight line... Mark Skaife confined his post-race com ments to a pointed but objective assess ment,saying that “at a part of the straight where cars should still be going in a straight line, they’re not, they’re angling across...” Murphy beat everyone, including offi cials who reacted quickly, to Lowndes’ upturned car and opened the passenger door to help free his Bathurst-winning partner.

“It was the biggest touring car shunt I’ve ever seen,” he said, relieved to find Lowndes battered but remarkably not seriously hurt. “He was in shock, shaking like a leaf, but had clearly had the presence of mind to turn the ignition off and radio to the team that he was okay,” Murphy reported. “He’d got his belts off and wanted to get his helmet off and, understandably, want ed to get out of the car pretty quickly as there was fluid (probably water rather than fuel) coming from somewhere. “The rear door was open, but there was no way he was going to get out there, so I grabbed the front door which, amazingly, opened. ‘Dencar build a superb shell - it proba bly saved bim from more serious injury. “His leg was a little trapped, but he was able to climb out...” FOLLOWING the weekend’s events CAMS Motorsport Manager Tim Schenken has called on drivers to take some responsibility for cleaning up their act. “It’s all very well to talk to the media, to blame us, and so on,” he said on Tuesday, “but drivers are very reluctant to speak up officially, at Drivers Briefings for example. “To be honest, I think it would only take one to stand up and say something in that environment and several others would fol low...” Schenken may get his wish. Motorsport News hears that a group ofleading drivers has already broached the subject... See page 4for more on Lowndes

30 July 1999 NO blame has been attributed for the series of collisions which led to Craig Lowndes’ massive crash at Calder last Sunday, although an inquiry is under way into the collision between Mark Skaife and Russell

O K

Legendaiy British heavy rock band DefLeppard has released its ninth new album,Euphoria,on the Mecury label. No,you haven’t picked up Rolling Stone instead of Motorsport News; track one features an opening guitar solo by none other that Damon Hill, soon-to-be-ex Jordan GP driver. The album was recorded at the Joe’s Garage studio in Dublin, quite near Hill’s home,and was produced by Jeff‘Mutt’ Lange, husband of MN edi torial favourite Shania Twain. n All American Racers can now be called “Some American,Some Brazilian Racers” with Dan Gurney annoimdng last week that Gualter Salles will remain with the team as its full time driver. Salles began driving for AAR at Portland last month,replacing American Alex Barron,Barron dri ving for Penske at last weekend’s US 500. n After struggling with its TV ratings for much of the year, CART bounced back with its July 18 race fi-om Toronto scoring its highest ratings for the year by far. With no competiton from Winston Cup-they had the weekend off- and a lead ip from the British Open golftournament, the ABC Sports telecast results pleased CART and its sup porters. n Christian Fittipaldi’s win at Road America in his Swift was the first CART series triump on a road course for an Americanbuilt Champ Car since Johnny Rutherford took the win at Mid-Ohio in his Chaparral 2K way back in July 1980! n Adrian Fernandez will make his NASCAR debut at the Winston West series’ LA Street Race on the first weekend in September. Fernandez will race at CART’S Vanouver racer on September 5,travelling immediately after the race to Los Angeles to take part in the NASCAR race on the same day. n While small crowds attending IRL races have worried some US facilities, the Texas Motor Speedway has informed Tony George that it intends to renew its two races per year contract, according to TMS boss Eddie Gossage. The IRL has been a good draw card at Texas,” he said last week. Gossage also said that he was satisfied with how the IRL was addressing safety issues Mowing its Charlotte tragedy.

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Lowndes: I waited for the bang

Ingall on the subsequent restart, which took out leader Jason Bright under similar cir cumstances. After a series of touches involving the cars of Garth Tander, Russell Ingall and Steven Richards, the latter was turned across the road, into the left rear of a slow-starting Lowndes, with the HRT car veering left and rolling onto its roof, sliding for over 200 metres before barrel-rolling five times as it cleared a safety fence. Richards’ car subsequently tagged the Falcon of Neil Crompton, which was hard to the right, try ing to avoid the melee. Several drivers, including Greg Murphy and Larry Perkins(who pulled their cars up safely) as well as Tander, Richards and Crompton who had been involved in the carnage, raced to assist Lowndes, Murphy aiTiving first and aiding his former team-mate to get out of his crumpled, four race-old VT. Lowndes was conscious and gave a thumbs up as he was stretchered away and taken to hospital for precautionary checks. By 4pm a remarkably chirpy Lowndes was back at the track, chatting to fans and signing autographs - at that point unaware of the slight ly more serious nature of his “sore knee”. “I made a terrible start. Bright went past, Skaifey came across in front of me, and in my y Rollover Beethoven; Lowndes’ car flew through the air but stood up well to the impact,(jonn woms/Mpix) peripheral vision I saw a car coming across - _ . thought it was Tander, maybe Richo - and next thing I’ve been spun around and I’m on the roof. “I had a lot of time while the car was on its roof, waiting for the hang that I knew would come,” he said. “I did the right thing, put my hands up to my head. My right leg was braced - it was hard on the brakes(which was a bit of a waste of time!)but my left leg wasn’t really braced and it got thrown about a bit as we rolled over. “When it all stopped I remembered to turn the ignition off and I radioed the team to say I was okay and was starting to undo my belts when I heard Murf. I wanted to get my helmet off and I wanted to get out of the car. “My door was jammed against the ground, so Murf opened the passenger door and helped me out. “By then there were several other drivers there along with the officials. Isn’t that great... “The car stood up to it pretty well. The roof lin ing’s not as good as it.was, but the car stood up brilliantly...” -CHEIStAMBDEN

Bright, Stone angiy

Canberra ‘50/50’ for 2000 race CANBERRA’S hopes of hosting a V8 Supercar street race next year are “about 50:50” according to locals. The proposed race, on a 3.94 street circuit nuiinning partially around Old Parliament House, is getting strong support, according to Canberra Times journalist Peter Brewer, but budgeting for the expected $7 million first year costs from within ACT (Government coffers and negotiating a final contract with AVESCO are^ the remaining hurdles to be overcome. Last Friday, the Canberra Times reported that “the National Capital Authority has given tacit approval to the layout of the track ... proposed in the Canberra Tourism » and Events Corporation. A formal proposal is set to be presented to the ACT Government by the CTEC immi nently. Part of the proposed circuit utilises some of the State Circle (including tunnels) road that rings Parliament House and is made up of rods “with plenty of character” according to Brewer. The paper also flags a June long weekend date for the event, which is likely to be pat terned on the successful Sensational Adelaide race. - CHRIS LAMBDEN

Sideways slide: Jason Bright spins across the track in the restart of race 2. (Photo by Phii wiiiiams) PIRTEK Racing boss Ross Stone and driver Jason Bright visited the Stewards Room soon after Bright was taken out of the heat two restart at Calder, following a disarmingly similar incident to the first §tart, initiated by contact between Skaife and Ingall as all three headed into the first comer. Bright had three-quarters of a length, on the inside, as they headed to turn one, but contact between Skaife and Ingall saw Skaife’s Commodore JUSTIN Cotter is making in strong progress Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital after a Saturday afternoon crash every bit as frighten ing as that which made headlines for Craig Lowndes on Sunday. Cotter’s Spectrum FF was pitched sideways after contact from another car at virtually the same spot as Lowndes, except that in this case, the car crossed the road, bounced, and flew amazingly high, clearing the concrete barrier and land ing on the steep dirt bank which constitutes the outside of the foundations Thunderdome. Cotter was taken to the Alfred Hospital where consider able bruising of the brain was diagnosed, along with a clean break in one shin. He was taken off life support on Sunday evening and by Tuesday was on painkillers

just tag the left rear of Bright’s Falcon. like Lowndes,it turned left but fortunately for Bri^t the Falcon stayed on its wheels, enduring a long smoky slide before clanging into the outer concrete wall, “I’ve calmed down a bit now,” the normally reserved Stone said later, “but if there’s no action taken over this, we’ll be putting our money down...” Stewards subsequently initiated an inquiry, which was later adjourned, to he reconvened at Symmons Plains next week.

Cotter doing well

alone as he continued a strong recovery - well enough to undergo surgery to set the bro ken leg. “We were relieved when he came off life support and began to speak to us,” father John said on Tuesday. “He’s been in and out of con-

sciousness, but the doctors reassure us that’s quite normal for this kind of injury. They’re happy with his progress. “We’d like to thank everyone at the track and the Alfred particularly the young doctor who stabilised him at the track - everyone’s been terrific.

30July 1999

October Bathurst confirmed l Three class SOOkm race l Sunda^r morning V8 enduro l ^Speedweek' with 6 support categories By PHIL BRANAGAN AFTER 25 years the Bathurst 500 will retii'rn to Mt Panor ama. Bathurst organiser Advantage'International has confirmed its plans for the October classic, which will include a SOOkm race for Super Tourers and Schedule S cars. Advantage and the Seven network outlined their program in Sydney on Tuesday. There will also be a SOOkm event for the Bathurst Tourers (formerly New Millenn Five hundred, one thousand: The traditional Bathurst race will be a little shorter in 1999. (pnoto by oirk wynsmiih) ium Auscars) to be held on Sunday morning and a 100km Super Tourer sprint race on Saturday afternoon. The BT race is also likely to be the first TOGA Australia has round of the AUSCAR announced its technical Championship and rules for 2000 and beyond organisers expect up to - and announced a new 30 cars, including 15 Bathurst Tourers. category. From next season the BOC As MN went to press there was still to be an Gases Championship will announcement regarding cater for three types oLcars; a naming rights sponsor the current Super Totirers, for the main race but the new BTCC 2001 Touring Cars and a new class for sources suggest that Super Production cars. AMP will pull out and The BTCC 2001 rules are that the Jane organisa tion will be involved. The substantially similar to the current regulations, but fea main race is likely to be the Bob Jane T-Marts ture a lai'ge number of ‘spec’ Bathurst 500. components in a bid to reduce costs to competitors. The meeting will start The cars will have control on Wednesday, Sept units for wheels and tyres ember 29, and support (18 inch maximum diame events will cater for ter), brakes, transmissions, Photo by Bothv/e^l Photographic Mitsubishi Mirages, electronics and most ancil Commodore Cup, HQs lary components, and four- Call me Superman: Dean Joubert’s Opel Vectra Super Prod car at Kyalami, South Africa. (the nationals). Group N, cylinder engines will be comClub Cars and Austin The class caters for both nents must be used inside. that and the response has pulsoiy. Currently, Volvo and Healeys. Up to 450 com The FIA class will allow front-wheel-drive and RWD been encouraging. Over the Ford run five-cylinder and V6 petitors are expected to next few months we will be cars and allows two door and potential competitors to build engines respectively. take part in the meeting. four door cars to race. The cars in Australia or import shopping the new rales about Super Productions cars will There had been sugges cars will be of up to 2000cc cai’s that have raced in other to encom-age competitors and be largely based on the class tions that Formula Vees teams to look at it.” countries. es already being run in capacity and must keep origi Details ofthe new rales are would also be on the pro “The priority was to be able nal engine blocks, but a num Belgium and South Africa gram but there are to be found on page 18, and to reduce the cost of racing to and, after the announcement ber of components inside the the FIA’s website apparently some doubts the competitors,” said TOCA engine are free. The same for of the classes at Oran Park, Australia CEO Kelvin about running open(www.fia.com) has fid! details was already well received by the gearbox; the casing must wheelers at the moun of the classes technical regu be as per manufacturers O’ReiUy. the existing Super Touring tain. “These rales have achieved lations. spec, but specialty compoteams. “This will be a celebra tion of motor racing at the track that is acknowledged as the cra dle of Australian motorsport,” Advantage’s Steve Frazer said at the launch. Frazer also confirmed that former long-time LAKESIDE Raceway is for sale, and its future as a racing Bathurst 1000 race direc venue is in serious doubt. tor Ivan Stibbard will Just weeks after Brisbane’s new track, Queensland return to oversee the Raceway, opened for business. Lakeside has been put running of the meeting. up for tender by its owners. Helicopter Services Ltd. Entry information is The track, which opened in 1961, has been owned by available fi-om Advantage the Sakzewski family for 38 years and Geoff Sakzewski, International on (03) 9427 son of original owner Sid, has made the decision to sell 9655,fax (03)9429 1591. ' the property.

New classes for

Lakeside on the market

THERE ai’e likely to be events for the Bathurst Tourers at the final round of the BOC T^Gases Championship at Calder on August 29. There are two races scheduled for the new V8s, both to be run over 15 laps.

Wliat will happen now: Will Lakeside stay open?(Photo by Dirk Kjynsmith)

Despite the closing in of Brisbane’s northern sub urbs, the property is zoned ‘special facilities’ by the local authorities. Apart from the actual 2.4km racetrack, the property features a skidpan, and houses a driver training facility. In recent years the track has been heavily criticised for its restrictive access, which causes long traffic jams into and out of the track, a lack of grandstand viewing for spectators, as well as its tight paddock and non-exis tent media facilities. Tenders for anyone bidding for the property close on August 20.

n There are to be more changes in the manage ment at BAR in the next few weeks with BAT's Tom Moser returning to his old job after several months on secondment to the team. This will mean that Reynard’s Rick Gome will take on an even big ger role in the running of the team,leaving Craig Pollock to be the front man. n There is also some restructuring going on in the BAT teams in the CART series in the United States with rumours that Gil de Ferran has landed the Hollywood budgetthe brand is owned by BAT subsidiary Souza Cruz- and that he will join Team Green next year. The team currently runs Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy and there have been suggestions that Franchitti will stay on with Kool backing while de Ferran runs a n HoUywood car. It is not likely that there would be a mixed livery in CART although we hear that BAR will continue to run with both Lucky Strike and 555 next season. Proposed colour schemes include one with Lucky Strike at the front end and 555 at the back although we hear that this idea may already have been rejected. n The BMW board has decided to stop all motor racing activities other than the Formula 1 pro gramme. There had been some talk of a possible touring car operation ran by Williams, to replace the Renault British Touring Car programme which will close down at the end of the year but BMW has decided that it is more important to get the FI programme right than to embark on other activities. n Fen’ari has signed a small deal with the giant American computer com pany Electronic Data Systems for next year. The company was founded by Ross Perot and bought by General Motors in 1984 but has recently become independent again. EDS has been involved with some trackside signage in recent years in FI and was the sponsor of the Australian GP in Adelaide in 1995. n In order to drive for Feirari Mika Sale had to negotiate the release from an option which BAR had on his services. We believe that this meant that he had to pay back all the money he earned from the team earher this year. Such a move seems a little tough on the Finn as his seventh place at Imola enabled the team into the top 10 teams, a position which means that the team is entitled to $11m of TV and travel money in the course of the next 12 months. -JOESAWARD

30July 1999

Unser Jr to join IRl?

n Prost Grand Prix is finalising the details of its planned 50% rolling road windtunnel next to the team’s factory in Guyancourt. In the inter im the team is planning to do some aerodynamic work in the Mitchell windtmmel at Southampton University as the results from the old Ligier windtunnel in Magny-Cours have been rather inconsis tent.

By PHIL MORRIS

AL Unsfr Jr. might quit CART racing and join the Indy Racing League. Unser, who is currently driving for Marlboro Team Penske, said at the Indianapolis 500 in May that he would run in the Indy 500 next year and imminent divorce and a lack of form in the CART series may mean he could move to the IRL for good. - “I’m a race car driver and I have a lot of offers coming from a lot of different peo ple,” said Unser last week. “But I can’t get into that because of my divorce.” Unser is a two-time Indy 500 winner and two-time PPG Cup champion. The last time Unser competed in the Indy 500 was in when he won in 1994. He failed to make the field in the 1995 race in one of the biggest upsets in Indy 500 history, and has remained loyal to Penske, who chose not to enter the Indy 500 in 1996 when it became part of the IRL. Unser attended this year’s Indianapolis 500 for the first time since ’95 to help support his cousins, Robby and Johnny. He told several peo-

n Jackie and Paul Stewart left Zeltweg on Saturday afternoon to fly to Switzerland to attend the wedding of rock star Phil Collins. Collins has been renting the Stewart family house at Nyon, near Geneva,since Jackie relocated to Britain a cou ple of years ago. The Stewarts were back in Austria on Sunday morn ing. Incidentally, the team is once again employing Peter Phillips, the son of Britain’s Princess Anne. n Sauber Petronas engineer Tim Preston has quit the Swiss team which he joined from Williams at the start of 1998. Preston moved to Sauber to work on the test team because he wanted to do less trav elling. In the end he was racing, testing and work ing in the drawing ofiBce as well and it seems that he decided it was time to have a rest. n The BMW test team was in action at Miramas again last week with Jorg Muller running a series of engines. There were sev eral problems in the course ofthe testing but BMW is happy that progi'ess is being made. The team will continue to run at Miramas until the autumn and is not expect ed to be seen at other tests until Williams’s deal with Supertec finishes at the end of the season. n Toyota is accelerating the recruitment for its Formula 1 project and we hear that the company has booked a considerable amount oftime in the recently-opened 50% rolling road windtunnel facility at Lola in Huntingdon. In the longer-term the company is planning to build its own windtunnel in Cologne, where the chas sis department will be based. The engines are still expected to be designed in Paris but will be built in Germany. n Mika Salo was mar ried in Helsinki last week to his Japanese girlfriend Noriko Endo. The Finn’s Stag Night celebrations were, we understand, memorable with Mika being taken for a ride by some friends in a heli copter. He was then thrown out of the door into the sea - a drop of some 50ft and was left bobbing in the Baltic (with a lifejacket) until a yacht - which was stand ing by as part ofthe stunt - came to his rescue and the party continued.

♦

Propping up his career? Al Unser Jr could find himself racing at the Indy 500 in 2000. (Photo by Sutton Images)

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pie that day,including CART driver Robby Gordon, that this would be the last year he missed the race as a driver. “It hurt. I’m not going to lie to you, it hurt a lot for me not to be there, for me to be out on the grid and not thinking about the race,” Unser said. “I don’t want to feel those pains any more. “I thought the Indy 500 was a great show, I thought there was a ton of people there and I thought this year’s race lived up to all the Indy 500s of the past.” The word in the IRL garage area at Atlanta has Unser possibly joining the IRL next year to race for a new team that will be formed with his friend and former chief mechanic, Owen Snyder. The team will either be a single-car effort where Unser will share in team ownership, or a dual-car team where Unser will team up with Robby Unser. In both scenarios, Snyder would be in charge of the team. “Owen and I are very good friends and we’ve been talk ing a lot,” Unser said. “That’s about all I can say right now.” Earlier this week, the rumours had Unser joining Treadway Racing with spon sorship from Pennzoil, but an IRL official said that could be ruled out. Instead, a

possible Unser IRL effort could be funded by either Budweiser or Valvoline, according to IRL sources. IRL and Indy boss Tony George said he has not been informed whether Unser will jump from CART to the IRL, but he knew Unser badly wanted to return to the Indy 500. “If the right deal comes around, A1 Unser Jr. will run in the IRL, but if the right deal comes around, A1 Unser Jr. will remain in CART,” George said. Unser has not won a CART race since Vancouver in 1996. “There is no doubt in my mind that I will win again.” For now, Unser has to live with a great deal of misery. He is mired in the longest winless streak of his career, embroiled in a bitter divorce suit' from wife Shelley, and his 14-year-old daughter, Cody, is overcoming paraly sis after she was stricken with a rare disease in February. And, to make matters worse. Team Penske just signed Alex Barron, at 29 eight years Junior’s junior and the first other Ameii.an Penske has signed since Rick Mears retired seven years ago. Clearly, as Unser is plan ning life after Penske, the team is planning life after Unser.

Minardi shares seii-out McLaren signs Castro-Newes

The team in which Rumi is beheved to have a 70 percen,t shareholding involves Giancarlo Minardi, who now controls only 14.5 percent of the shares, and a group of year and there has been Italian businessmen who talk of a Spanish consor together have another 15.5 tium buying his share percent. Minardi however seems to have control of the holding in the team. The stories suggested voting rights of the compa that Minardi sponsor i ny because he refuses to Telefonica would get togeth move the team away from er with oil company Repsol its base in Faenza. which sponsors Pedro de la Rumi joined the team Rosa to create a team with hoping to lift it to a new level of competitiveness but two Spanish drivers. RUMOURS in Italy sug gest that Gabriele Rumi is planning to sell his shares in the Minardi team at the end of the

the plan has not been a great success and the team is now struggling to find an engine for next year. While the obvious solu tion would be for Minardi to find the money to buy Supertec engines, we have heard of renewed attempts to convince Fiat to supply the team with old Ferrari engines, perhaps badged differently in a similar deal to that enjoyed previously by Sauber - the only draw back is the $18.5m costs. -JOESAWARD

DaimlerChrysler after more McLaren shares Reports the German press sug gest that in DaimterChrysler is plan ning to take more shares in the TAG McLaren Group, over and above the 40 percent on which an option has been agreed. The aim is to make the company a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German car making group. One newspaper quoted MercedesBenz’s boss Jurgen Hubbert saying that preparations are being made to increase the shareholding so that the group becomes “a daughter company”. If this is the case, DaimlerChrysler will need to come up with an estimated additional $300m, in addition to the $200m which is being used to buy a 40 percent share of the team. Both TAG McLaren and DaimlerChrysler have agreed not to

give out any details of the sale and the confidential arrangements which will follow it. It is worth mentioning that DaimlerChrysler has denied that it is interested in buying Fiat Ferrari’s par ent company. Hubbert was quoted as saying the owners of Fiat do not want to sell “at the moment”. Fiat says it is planning to weather the current consolidation in the motor industry by increasing production and sales of its cars around the world. This is not going to be easy as there is enormous overcapacity in the auto mobile market at the moment. If a DaimlerChrysler takeover of Fiat happened, though, one could only guess of the consequences ... -JOE SAWARD

By JOE SAWARD McLaren has signed a long-term driver contract with Brazilian CART driver HeHo Castro-Neves. The 24-year-old Brazilian is currently racing for Carl Hogan’s Lola-Mercedes team in the United States. A protege of Emerson Fittipaldi, Castro-Neves was a multiple kart champion in Brazil before moving to Britain to race in Formula 3 in 1994. The following year he finished third in the British series for Paul Stewart before moving to the US in ’96 where he raced for Tasman in Indy Lights. In ’97 Castro-Neves finished runner-up to his team mate Tony Kanaan then joined the Bettenhausen CART team last year,finishing second in Milwaukee. While the announcement will do Castro-Neves no harm at all and will result in him being able to test for McLaren at some point in the future, it means that McLaren and Mercedes now have yet another driver in their young driver promotion scheme, alongside Ricardo Zonta and Nick Heidfeld.

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30 July 1999

Irvine could drive Stewart in 2000 Barrichello Ferrari deal also in the offing in team swap By JOE SAWARD

EDDIE Irvine might have won a fine victory over McLa.ren in Austria but the Ulsterman’s future with the Itahan team seems to be coming to an end. Ferrari's bosses are not expected to announce any thing until later in the year but we hear that talks have come to a halt because Irvine wants equal number one stawith Michael tus Schumacher next year. Irvine has not helped his cause by making public statements pointing out that it would be ridiculous if he were to win the World Championship and then have to play the number two role to Schumacher next sea son. Irvine’s comments seem to have been a rather clumsy attempt to shame Ferrari into agreeing to his terms. Jean Todt is showing no sign of backing down and

responded by saying that it is not up to drivers to decide the team’s strategies. He added that nothing will be decided until it becomes clear what is happening with Schumacher although it is widely rumoured that a deal with Rubens Barrichello is close. Todt’s reaction to Irvine’s was victory remarkable.There was barely hint of a smile and he left engineer Ross Brawn to go onto the podium to collect the trophy to the Winning Constructor. He later com mented that “we have seen the right response from Eddie and the team to the situation in which we find ourselves at the moment.” This would seem to sug gest that Todt was not expecting Irvine to do as well as he did which would be very convenient for the team as Eddie could be used as a scapegoat. If Irvine wins the World title however, Todt

has a problem, especially if Irvine leaves and takes the number one with him. When Irvine did not appear to have any real choice of team for 2000 Todt was relatively safe but Eddie has received a large offer from Stewart. Irvine and representatives from the Ford team met in secret on the Saturday at the British GP to discuss a deal- a deal which we believe was agreed in principle. A filial decision will not be taken until the German GP when Ford chairman Jac Nasser will take a look at the question. He may decide to wait and see what happens as signing Irvine as World Champion would be attrac tive. We believe that there is a strong lobby within the Stewart team to hire David Coulthard instead of Irvine. Coulthard’s situation at McLaren was not very com fortable before the Austrian _

Hugs ail round: Irvine could be at Stewart in 2000.(sunon) GP and his first lap incident with Hakkinen has not helped. Ricardo Zonta is .also under option with BAR if a McLaren drive is available we believe the option must be taken within days.

Johnny Herbert’s situation at Stewart is fairly clear. He has a contract for next year and this is not dependent on any performance clauses although there is probably a buyout clause if Ford wanted to get rid of him.

Another scenario Stewart reshuffles for Jarno Trulli FORD has announced that Paul Stewart will move from his posi tion as deputy chairman of Stewart Grand Prix to a new position as chief operating officer of the team - an odd move given that Ford were expected to quietly phase the Stewart family out of the team fol lowing it’s purchase. Paul will work alongside current

chief executive David Ring. It remains to be seen who will run the team when Ford puts in its own men but there are a variety of candidates including David Richards of Prodrive and, we hear, Ford’s motorsport boss in Europe Martin Whitaker. It is expected the team will become a fully Jaguar-liveried team next year. -JOE SAWARD

Peugeot’s FI future rocky Frost team shareholding is on the cards By JOE SAWARD

future PEUGEOT’S involvement in Formula 1 looks increasingly unlike ly after the 2000 season following the announce ment that the French car maker's sister company Citroen will not be allowed to enter a team in the FIA World Rally Championship. The news has not gone down well at Citroen which has won two rounds of this year’s series with the Xsara Kit-Car driven by Philippe Bugalski. The decision came about because Peugeot has plans for n a full World , Championship programme ‘' next year with the 206 WRC model and it seems that it does not want to compete against itself. 'The decision underlines the

importance that Peugeot management is attaching to the 206 rally programme and there seems to be a general malaise within the company regarding the future of the unsuccessful Formula 1 pro gramme. Peugeot has been in Grand prix racing for six years and has failed to win a race, despite having what is clearly a very strong engine. The company has suffered badly from FI poli tics, being sumped early on by McLaren and then hav ing to spend three years helping Jordan to build-up. The project was going to be axed at the end of ’97 but Prost managed to convince the company to stay on with his team but that has meant that once again Peugeot has suffered as the team it supplies is devel oped. The'choice now appears to be to double the involvement

or quit and there have been rumours to support both cases. There is a strong faction within the Peugeot manage ment which is arguing that the aim of motor sport is to sell cars and that the 205' rally programme in the early-’80s, which was run by Jean Todt showed that rallying was a very success ful way of doing that. Others argue that the company needs more con trol of its FI activities and there have been negotia tions in recent weeks for

the company to buy a shareholding in,,Prost Prost not wanting to lose control has rumours sug gest a Minardi buyout. Peugeot engineers in Paris are finishing off a new engine which should be run next year but there is very little logic in doing that if the programme is to be axed.

By JOE SAWARD PROST Grand Prix’s Jamo Tmlli is tipped to be on his way to Jordan Grand Prix next year, to replace the retiring Damon Hill. 'Trulli is highly-rated by Jordan and it seems that he is available as the Prost-Peugeot package has not been as competitive as expected this year and there is a per formance clause in his contract which would allow him to move on. 'There is a complication in that Benetton retains an option on Trulli although with Fisichella and Wurz expected to stay there is no room. Benetton’s future is less than clear as there is no long-term engine deal... Jordan did take a good look at Fisichella but his con tract has a $13m buy-out clause. 'The rumours that David Coulthard and Eddie Irvine have both talked with Jordan are probably true but both are asking for too much money. Ti

n Brands Hatch has launched another attempt to win control of the Silverstone racing circuit in an effort to settle the battle over the British Grand Prix. Last w'eek Brands Hatch Leisure offered the 540 members of the British Racing Drivers’ Club - which con trols the Silverstone track - a payout of $96,000 a head. As part of the deal Brands Hatch would con tribute $3.5m to create a motorsport foundation to support talented young British drivers. ITie BRDC management is advising members not to accept the deal and has established a committee to examine ways to ensure that the Grand Prix stays at Silverstone. The group includes for mer FI driver Martin Brundle and FI team bosses Ron Dennis and Sir Frank Williams. n An inquest in Northampton heard last week that Petty Officer Ian Chambers of the Royal Naval Air Service was killed when the MG sportscar in which he was a passenger crashed while doing a lap of Silverstone as a prank, during the British Grand Prix week end. Chambers was . crushed when the car rolled on top of him. The driver of the car - another member of the Royal Navy is under investiga tion on suspicion of manslaughter. n Renault has announced that it is with drawing from the British Touring Car Championship at the end of the year. The company has enjoyed considerable success in the series in league with Williams Touring Car Engineering, a sister company to Williams FI. The Williams touring car team is expected to close down as well but the staff may be kept on to be part of a new touring car oper ation with the team’s engine FI engine partner BMW. n 'The French motor sport federation has asked the FIA for a new date for the Tour de Corse, France’s annual round of the World Rally Championship. Ifthe date is not changed the 2000 event will clash with the French Grand Prix, which has been scheduled for May 7. The French want the rally moved to the end of September. n Renovation work at Estoril has now been com pleted and the Portuguese track is planning a bid for a Grand Prix.'The track which has long been a favourite testing location for the Formula 1 teams will probably need consid erable government money if it is to bid successfully for a Grand Prix. The pressure for places on the FI calendar continues to grow...

30 July 1999

■ FIA president Max Mosley has hinted that he may not continue in office after the end of his cur rent term, in October 2001. Mosley, who was elected in 1991, remarked: “At the moment, I feel that, if I last until then, that will be it. I would have to think carefully about a third term because, when you’ve been doing a job for a long time, you tend to get set in your ideas, and I do not think I would ever imagine that I was infalhble. At a certain point, you do need new people.” ■ Encouraged by its showing at Le Mans 1999, when its R8R sports-pro totypes finished third and fourth, Audi Sport is to build an all-new sportsprototype for the 24 Hours in 2000. Tony Southgate, who designed the R8C GT car raced this year by Audi Sport UK, will be in overall control of the technical concept. Although the twin-tur bocharged, 3.6-litre V8 engines are hkely to be retained, the new opencockpit chassis will bear little resemblance to its predecessors. Audi Sport has yet to make a decision on a 2000 programme for the closed-cockpit R8C. ■ Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the marque by Eric Broadley, Lola Cars International opened its new Technical Centre at its HQ in Huntingdon, UK this week. The Centre includes an impressive new wind tunnel and seven-post dynamic test rig, both of which wiU'be available to outside organ isations as well as Lola. ■ The organiser of the FIA GT Championship has praised the sport’s governing body for intro ducing a new homologa tion rule which could boost the series in 2000. Stephane Ratel said that the FIA’s plan to compile a list of eligible cars, and give the manufacturers concerned a time limit in which to object, would open the series to a broader range of potential entrants. Currently the Chrysler Viper GTS-R and the Porsche 911 GT2 dominate the ranks, sup ported only by the Lister Storm and Marcos Mantara LM600 models.

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Bowe wins QR appeal but Noske less fortunate

BBS

JOHN Bowe has suc cessfully appealed against Ms disqualifi cation from the third race at Queensland Eaceway on July 11. Bowe was originally disqualified from the results after crossing the line first for failing to obey the black flag. It was shown after Bowe passed Garth Tander on a comer where a yellow flag was being shown. Tasmanian’s The appeal was based upon the grounds that inade quate information and opportunity to present its case was afforded to the CAT team by officials. Bowe has therefore been reinstated as the winner of the race (the

first for the CAT team) and series points adjust ed accordingly. However, this week, the CAMS Board of announced that it was considering whether to appeal this latest deci sion to AMSAC, the Australian Motor Sport Appeals Com’t. AT the same time, fol lowing an appeal hear ing, Stewards have re heard the case against team owner Tony Noske, for allegedly instructing driver Mark Noske to disobey a black flag (at Phillip Island’s round 4 of the SheD series). The Stewards again

In the winners’ circle: John Bowd got his Queensland race 3 win back on appeal. found Noske guilty, but “discounted” the fine imposed to $10,000, given that Noske had incurred legal costs in “an appeal to correct an error in pre vious proceedings...” The Stewards findings also suggested that future offences of this nature would most probably attract significantly high er penalties. - CHRIS LAMBDEN

Young’uns star

TWO drivers making their first appear ance in the 1999 Shell series impressed greatly at the weekend. With father Dick sidelined following a fur ther sinus operation, Steven Johnson took over the number 17 Shell Falcon for the weekend and, while the carnage went on around him, hardly put a foot wrong, out pointing his seasoned team-mate Paul Radisich. In the end, fifth outright for the day was a just reward. Would this lead to awkward famjly din ners, with Junior pressing Senior to keep the seat for more sprint races? “I shouldn’t think so,” Steven mused, “But I’m sure this’ll spur him on a bit...” The other impressive debut came from a literal first-timer, 17-year-old Northern Territorian Layton Crambrook, who ran near the front of the privateer contest with the exCrick Alcair Commodore VS, ultimately fin ishing second in the independants’ points on the day. Crambrook had only done a handful of laps at Eastern Creek three weeks prior when he and his father Rick took deliveiy of the car, making his Calder debut even more impres sive. “It’s just terrific,” Crambrook enthused after qualifying in the field ahead of more experienced competitors.

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Youngster: Layton Crambrook. (Dirk Kiynsmith) “We’re going to run the rest of the series, including the Queensland 500 and Bathurst and see how we go and I’m really looking for ward to it.” Aahh, to be that young again ...

REI^AULT has confirmed that it will pull out of the British Touring Car Championship at the end of the current season. Renault entered the series in 1993 with a toe-in-thewater exercise before launch ing a full-scale assault in 1994 in collaboration with Williams Touring Car Engineering (a company set up for the purpose), Renault the won Manufacturers title in 1995 and 1997 and also, through Alain Menu, the Drivers crown in 1997. To date it has

won 38 victories, with 30 poles and 33 fastest laps. The French marque’s con tinued association with WTCE had been in doubt because of the WilliamsFl partnership with BMW. The speculation is that Renault will take a breather while reviewing the possibility of a return in 2001. However, Renault is to continue to support its Formula Renault and Renault Clio championships which are integral to the TOCA support race package. - QUENTIN SPURRING

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■ Left with no Formula 3000 drive at MagnyCours, Marcelo Battistuzzi joined Redgrave Racing and won the second round of the Italian F3000 Championship at Monza on Sunday (27 June). The Brazilian was a member of Portman Arrows which withdrew from the FIA Formula 3000 International Championship days before the French race. - QUENTIN SPURRING

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30July 1999

remember to give each other a little bit of room. You can’t drive somebody off the road just to defend your line, especially in open wheelers because they tend to bite when you start climbing wheels. It is obviously a fine line between under and over-aggres siveness. The disappointing factor is that the outcome of the Justin’s crash has probably been over awed by Craig’s accident. In some cases V8 Supercar dri vers probably do not set the best exampJle for these kids. I certainly hope Justin is back on his feet soon.

tep by step. Cat Racing is continuing to improve as every meeting goes by. The team were very pleased when we topped the timesheets in practice for the first time at Phillip Island; delighted to grab our first third place finish in Darwin; thrilled to qualify third at Sandown, ecstat ic with our first pole at Queensland Raceway and absolutely over the moon to finish on the podium at Calder Park. We also picked up a race win at Queensland Raceway but we had to fight a little harder for that one more about that later. ’m hoping the bubble is not going to burst too soon, but every meet ing since we debuted our new AU Falcon has got better and better. A round win is probably next on our list of targets but that one is going to be even harder to grab. We will have to raise our game even higher to get to that level. The problem is, your day can fall apart pretty quickly through no fault of your own -just ask Craig Lowndes. I’m never really gone that well on home soil at Symmons Plains,

Cool for CATs: Bowe and Jim Richards compare fashion wear at Calder. but I’ve got my fingers crossed that some of the so-called cream of our good luck will continue. Australian racing drivers have diffi Fortune was very much on our culty in driving down a straight bit side at Calder. As you could see on of road without running into each other. the in-car camera, I had a birdseye view of the whole thing and We saw the same thing in the was lucky not to wear a piece of Formula Ford race on Saturday debris through the windscreen. when Justin Cotter was lucky to escape with his life. But the fact is, ’m certainly thrilled that Craig was the straight is for driving straight able to walk away from that crash, and not trying to crowd other driver and run then out of road. albeit with a fairly nasty limp. It is time some of those blokes My crash a few years ago at had a serious look at themselves Phillip Island was very similar before somebody gefs seriously although nobody apart from a few hurt. hundred spectators on the hill and the other guys in the following pack The secret to success is going saw it. to be to try to keep your nose I was sore for weeks afterwards clean. Reading the play is an and it took quite a while to get back important skill that comes from experience. into the swing of things. Craig has I know it is very easy for youth youth on his side and is lucky that ful exuberance to take over -1 can HRT build a very safe (and very actually still remember what it was fast) racecar. / like at that age (it wasn’t that long ago). Formula Ford can really be a Things are at getting pretty willing our there the moment. It bit of high speed freight train at the never ceases to amaze me that moment and these guys have to

The also highlighted theaccidents importance of good quality safety equipment. On Friday at Calder we did the official launch for the new Klippan racing harness which 1 have been using in the Cat Racing Falcon this year. Produced locally in Melbourne, the harness is a world class prod uct which I am sure will gain a big slice of the local motorsports market. We also presented a new set of belts ^ Formula Ford pilot Greg Ritter and GTP driver Peter Boylan who both suffered nasty rollovers in Queensland. When you trash a car in a vio lent impact like Craig, Greg, Peter or Justin, the first thing you should throw away is the belts. Cat Racing certainly fight prettyhas hard to retainhad ourto victory from Queensland Raceway. I’d rather put the whole thing behind me now, but I was very pleased with the way that the appeals process was conducted in a very judicial manner.

Schwantz Busted FORMER world 500cc champion Kevin Schwantz and his girlfriend were hand-cuffed and arrested at Mid-Ohio round of the AMA Superbike roimd for the heinous crime of rid ing a motor scooter with out a licence. Schwantz said, “I rode a scooter out to the Keyhole and the sheriff told us to get off of the scooter as he was confiscating it. I asked him if I couldn’t walk the scooter back to the truck and walk back out and watch practice. He said no, and asked me if I was a competitor, and I said ‘yes’, not really thinking. “Then he said, ‘you know the rules then, you’ve seen the papers that say no scoot ers outside the pit without a hcense’. I said something, he yelled back at me, I defended myself, got in his face a little bit. When I did. Shelly said something like ‘I’m walking back to the truck. I’m getting out of here.’ She started to walk away, he said ‘don’t leave.’ “Another sheriff then grabbed her and handcuffed her, and put her in their car. They said she was .under felony arrest for resisting arrest. I was thinking I guess the cuffs aren’t long for me.” The criminals were later released... -DAEEYL FLACK

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World of Sport

Motor Raiing Calendar I Shell Championship I Series V8 Supercars*

I Aug 8 Symmons Plains .Rd 9 Rd 10 I Aug 22 . . .Winton . . Rd 11 I Sept 5 Oran Park I Sept 19 . . .Symmons Plains . .Rd 12 FIA Formula One Worid I Championship I Aug 1 . . . .Germany Rd 10 ,Rd11 I Aug 15 . . .Hungary ,Rd 12 I Aug 29 . . .Belgium ,Rd13 I Sep 12 . . .Italy ,Rd14 Sep 26 . . .Europe FedEx CART Championship Series* 1 Aug 15 . . .Lexington Rd 13 ,Rd14 I Aug 22 . . .Chicago . . ■Rd 15 Sep 5 . . . .Vancouver Rd16 Sep 12 . . .Monterey . ,Rd17 Sep 26 . . .Houston . . SOOcc World Grand Prix Motorcycle C'Ship* ,Rd10 Aug 8 Portugal . . .Rd 11 Aug 22 . . .Czech Rep, Sep 5 San Narino Rd 12 ,Rd 13 Sep 19 . . .Valencia Oct 3 Australia Rd 14 World Superbike Series* Aug 1 . . . .Europe Rd 9 ,Rd10 Aug 29 . . .Austria . . , ,Rd 11 Sep 5 . . . .Oran Park ,Rd12 Sep 26 . . .TBA FIA Formuol 3000 international C'ship ,Rd8 Aug 14 . . .Hungary . . ,Rd9 Aug 28 . . .Belgium . . RdIO Sep26 . . .Germany...

1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series

Aug 1 Seattle Aug 8 Sonoma Aug 22 , . .Brainerd Sep 6 Indianapolis

Rd 12 Rd13 ,Rd14 Rd 15

Aust Formula Holden Championship* Rd 6 Aug 22 . . .Winton . . Rd 7 Sep 5 . . . .Oran Park Australian Rally Championship* ,Rd5 Aug 14-15 Melbourne .Rd6 Sep 18-19 Tasmania

Masteis ofthal IN Lho' first-ever night meeting of the British Touring Car t-'hampionship. Nissan's David l,eslie recorded a second \dcto-

1 1 pm. This time it was Leslie’s turn to lead into the first corner. Rvdell was sluggish I'rom third.

ry of the season , to move with in 12 points of team-mate Laurent Aiello at the top of the drivers’ championship. The day’s historic proceedings were rounded off hy a maideir BTCC success lor- Honda’s Peter Kox in a thrilling Featirre i-ace. In the Sprint Race James Thompson, holding fourth on the grid, did not make it out of the pitlane in time, a di-iveshaft problem causing him to start ft'om pit lane. Aiello led Leslie into turn one fr-orn Volvo pair Rickard Rydell and Vincent Raderraecker, Jason Plato and Jean-Christophe Boulliou (Rertaulitsi.

all‘"'ing Thompson and Honda ti'am mate Peter- Kox to get past. Thompson soon got in amongst the Nissans, passing Aiello or-r lap two. after- which the NissanHonda for-rnation pulled out an advantage over the field. As the pit stop window opened, the lead- « er-s wer-e r-rose-to-tail. Aiello made an early .stop on lap 10, followed by Thompson, but the Honda had to r-eturn to the pits next time ar-ound with a damaged left r-ear wheel, dr-opping him a lap down. Leslie stopped for- new tymes on lap P2, rejoining second, but Aiello’s bonnet worked loose, and Leslie went by. leaving Aiello to pit again and rejoin 15th.

But just as he looked hke taking yet another win Aiello suffered a rare clutch failure, allowing Leslie to inherit lead. The Scot disap peared into the sunset, pulling out nearly a second a lap over Rydell, who was constantly under pres sure from Radermecker. Thompson cut his way through the field and by lap 14 was up to seventh, past Matt Neal and clos ing on Yvan Muller’s Vauxhall, completing a five car train fight ing for third place. Racing down the Revett Straight on lap 15, Thompson took Muller and Boullion. Muller lost control of his Vectra approaching the Esses, side-swiped the Honda, ending his race and dropping 'Thoritpson back to ninth. Debris from Muller’s Vectra brought out the Safety Car allow ing Rydell to close back up to the Nissan. Racing resumed with two laps left and Leslie cleared away and took the chequered flag 1.5s ahead of the Champion for his sec ond victory of the year. ' Darkness had set in by the start of the Feature race just after

Kox led for two laps before him self pitting on lap 14. As the field settled down again, Leslie enjoyed a healthy lead over Kox, with Muller ha-ving risen to third from ninth on the grid with an inspired drive in the spare car. Aiello was charging through the field, finally catching a train of four cars involved in a fierce bat tle for fourth place. Leslie looked invincible with a comfortable 10s lead, but just four laps from home, smoke began to appear from the Nissan, the result of a damaged front suspen sion. Although Leslie was able to continue, Kox quickly hauled him in and after biding his time for a lap, the Dutchman made his move at Coram to claim his maiden BTCC -win and the first ever victo ry by a Dutch driver. Leslie limped home second to complete .an excellent haul of points for the weekend, Muller filling the final podium position. With Boullion fourth and Radermecker fifth, the top five positions were held by five differ ent manufacturers.

SrJtton.-rmages

BothweH Photographies

Night moves: The BTCC’s first night meeting was a great success. Nissan’s David Leslie (top) and Honda’s Peter Kox took the wins.

BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP SNET]pRTON ROUND 15 (19 laps) 1 Leslie Nissan Volvo 2 Rydell 3 Radermecker Volvo Renault 4 Plato Renault 5 Boullion Honda 6 Kox Nissan 7 Neal Ford 8 Menu Honda 9 Thompson Renault 10 Hoy

23m 44.201s +1.584S +1.968S +2.229S +2.749S +3.461 s +5.082S +5.471 s +5.656S +8.224S

Paints: Aiello 147, Leslie 135, Thompson 120, Plato 95, Rydell 92, Neal 82, Muller 82, Kox 76, Radermecker 67, Bouillon 63. 7,

atss

Nov 4-7 . . .Rally Australia . . .Rd 7 FIA World Rally Championship* RdIO Aug 22 . . .Finland Rd 11 Sep 19 . . .China i Oct 13. . . .Italy IRd12 Nov 7 . . . .Australia IRd13

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

THE FIA has published details of data recorded in Michael Schumacher’s recent crash. The black box data indicated that Schumacher braked at 190mph, but when the car reached 126mph the front wheels locked, dramatically reducing the deceleration. As the car bounced across the gravel trap at Stowe Corner it slowed at a rate of 22 'mph per sec ond which meant that on impact it was only travelling at 66 mph.

Categories marked * are telecast by the Ten Network. Check your local guides for screening times

ROUND 16 (34 laps) 40m 45.358s 1 Kox H onda +3.829S 2 Leslie Nissan Vauxhall +7.146s 3 Muller +21.179s 4 Boullion Renault +21.557s 5 Radermecker Volvo +23.202S Renault 6 Plato +23.370S 7 Aiello Nissan +26.481 s Volvo 8 Rydell Ford +28.330S 9 Menu Nissan +30.034S 10 Neal

Now that’s a big screen TV: Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett spoke with five-time SOOcc World Champion Mick Doohan via satellite at the launch of the 1999 Qantas Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Doohan, in San Francisco convalescing, said he was hopeful of being filly fit to defend his AGP title aboard his Honda at Phillip Island of October 3.

Given that modern day car^ test ed to withstand head-on impacts of just 29 mph - increasing next year to 31.3 mph - Schumacher’s Ferrari did a very good job. 'The FIA also said the gravel trap at Silverstone, which came imder criti cism, had peifonned satisfactorily. “Despite not being slowed down very much Michael survived an accident with a disagreeable injury, but not a life-threatening one,” said FIA President Mosley. “If that had happened a few years ago he would have been killed or seriously injured.” -JOESAWARD

30 July 1999

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Panoz grabs G-Force, Van Diemen m REPORTS suggest that US sportscar figurehead Don Panoz has bought British race car builder G-Force and could be

looking to merge it with the Van Diemen marque. Panoz bought the IRL manufac turer two weeks ago and describes the twb acquisitions as “very com patible companies”. But, he stressed the two would retain their independence and continue to oper ate separately. “G-Force buys and sells IRL cars. Van Diemen builds and sells Formula Ford 2000 cars. There are a great many advantages in com bining the two companies.” Van Diemen, which was founded by Ralph Firman and Tasmanian Ross Ambrose 26 years ago, has been the world’s largest volume producer of race cars since the mid1980s, specialising in Formula Ford and FF2000 and one-make open wheeler chassis. However, Panoz has refused to rule out the possibility of G-Force building a Champ Car. “I’ll never say never, but our priority is to take care of our existing markets.”

ust another painful experience, that's what it was when I high-sided my Suzuki at between 130 and 140 mph at the sev enth round of the British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park the other Friday. It may have looked spectacular to the flaggies, sliding along the grass at I great rate of knots, but that's what happens sometimes when you enter Druids on cold tyres ... Sitting in eighth in the series, I’m glad I didn’t get too seriously hurt, just getting a little winded and bruised and I just wanted to get back out there again to improve my position.

Those were the days: This is a rare pic; Ross Ambrose (left, in stylish jacket) and Ralph Firman (right) pose with the first Van Diemen Formula Ford, the RA73, 26 years ago.

Mo Bathurst for Docati in 2000 THE Ducati Dealer Team is unlikely to attend next year’s Bathurst Festival over the Easter 2000 weekend, follow ing comments from Norman Fraser Imports Ducati boss, Warren Lee. 'The team last raced at Mount Panorama in 1994 with team rider Roy Leslie on the Ducati 888 and Alan Cathcart aboard the Fraser Motorcycles Ducati Supermono. 'We’ve had talks with the promoters, ana we’ve since discussed the viability of the meeting with all of our team, including the riders, and the general view is that nobody at the DDT wants to do it,” Lee explained. “It’s not part of any championship, we do have concerns about the track safety, so I really can’t see us entering.” According to Lee, former team rider Leslie was very keen to contest Bathurst “on a fast bike” after competing there for many years on Yamaha TZ250s. “Back in ’94, Roy was really looking for ward to racing at Bathurst on the Superbike, and as experienced as he was.

he found the combination of big powerful bike around Mount Panorama a bit of a handful. / “He said that small humps on the TZ were transformed in to launching ramps on the Superbike, and although he was glad to have raced the Ducati there, he wasn’t keen to do it again.” on COMMENTING Motorcycling Australia’s development plan for the future of Austrahan road racing, Lee said, “As a Superbike team through the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the DDT has made a submission to MA recom mending that we keep the current Superbike-Production Superbike class as it is through 2000, then review it once the new FIM race-kit only Superbike rules come in to effect in 2001. I don’t think there is any need to be messing around the basic formula in Australia when we don’t really know how the next few years are going to pan out internationally.” -DAKRYL FLACK

Bayliss on top in UK

TROY BayUss(GSE Ducati) still retains the lead in the 1999 British Superbikes Championship despite coming home winless at the seventh rmmd at Oulton

Park on July 18. Starting from pole position on his favourite English circuit, the Taree, NSW rider experienced rear tyre problems to fin ish a disappointing fifth behind race winner John Reynolds (Ducati), Sean Emmett (Ducati)and team-mate Neil Hodgson. Emmett and Bayliss fought furiously for the lead throughout race two, with the nod going to the Englishman by just O.OOlsec. “That was a great race - much better than the first,” said Bayliss. “The team worked hard in between the races to get the GSE Ducati working the way I wanted it and it paid off.” Reynolds claimed third, just a tenth of a second behind Bayhss, to complete a Ducati podium domination of both races. Two-time Austrahan Superbike Champion Marty Craggill (Clarion Suzuki) suffered another setback in his debut year in the BSB after surviving a horror practice crash, but fought back to bring home seventh and eighth placings. Points after seven of 12 rormds: 1 Bayliss 249, 2 Reynolds 203,3 C Walker 197,4 Hodgson 195, 5 J Haydon 187,6 Emmett 159, Craggill 115.

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My crew repaired the was Clarion Suzuki for arvo session which good cause it the allowed me to learn the circuit a little in time for Saturday’s qualifying. Even still, I was a lit tle tentative and qualified only in ninth. The Ducatis didn’t seem to have much of a problem, though, their big V-twins have great torque that gets them out of the hairpin so fast that they gain eight to nine bike lengths on all the Japanese bikes. Race day and with fine and warm weather over 25,000 people turned up to watch four Ducatis dominate both races. I started too far back to make an impression, although my times were consistent. Still a seventh and ninth were good enough to move me up another spot in the series. Before falling off again, myrevised fitness a was com ing along pretty goo. I’ve few things which will help me get fully fit for the World Superbike round at Brands Hatch this weekend. We ran the shorter Indy circuit at Brands for the British series recently which was great, and I’m looking forward to running out through the woods on the longer section for the WSB. Brands reckon they’ve pre-sold 70,000 tick ets and they’re expecting over 100,000! Should be a big party if one of us Aussies can beat Foggy at home ... Went the Isle ofyou Manbelieve recently to watch the to racing. Can there was someone killed every day we were there? Five days was enough ... watching guys tear down cobblestone roads at over 190 mph. If some thing goes wrong, they’ve got no chance. No wonder not many guys don’t want to ride there, although the big money is an attraction. I’ll stick to what I’m doing ... The partying was unbelievable, if you think Phillip Island is a big weekend, you should go to the Isle of Man - nearly two weeks non-stop and they’re all plastered! Anyway, we’ll catch up after Brands ...

12 30July 1999

M]®O®I70^®[FO

Kanaan by a nose! Just a little lite on for fuel: Max Papis had a heartbreaker in Michigan, running dry within sight of his first win. You want fries with that cup,Tony? Tony Kanaan drove through the psychological barrier to score the first win for the new Forsythe-Tasman combine.

(Photos by Sutton-lmages and RaceAccess)

A DROP of fuel, a burst of speed and one of the clos est finishes ever, all made for a heart-pounding fin ish to one of the most exciting races in recent Champ Car history. In a fast and wild finish to an electrifying race. Max Papis ran out of fuel with just a few yards to go, allow ing Tony Kanaan to streak past. But he, too, almost lost the chance for victory as Juan Montoya roared up behind him. In the end, Kanaan took the chequered flag just 0.03.2s ahead of Montoya. The only CART finish that was closer was at Portland, Oregon, in 1997 when Mark Blundell beat Gil de Ferran by 0.027s.

For Papis, everything was going his way, until the end. “I was having the nicest day of my life today,’! he said. “It was that until the last half a lap. All I could do was scream “My God! We are out m offuel. The day started with a surprising series of lead changes between veteran Michael Andretti and rookie Juan Montoya. It was Montoya who took over the lead from his team-mate Jimmy Vasser on the second lap of the 250 lap race. Right behind him was Andretti. The two diced for the lead for more than 75 laps. In the first twenty laps, Montoya and Andretti swapped the lead a startling 23 times. On lap 84, it was Max Papis, a man who had never

led in his first 50 CART races, who took over the lead. Behind him, the action continued in one of the most competitive races in CART history,, with passes aU over the track on practically every lap. But Papis, held steady and pulled away from the field. “I think Max deserved the win,” said Kanaan. “He led most ofthe race andfie had a good car, and I actually was pretty comfortable with sec ond place after coming from a lap down. That’s the way these races are. Someday they work against you and someday they work for you. When I saw Max slow down, I backed off for a moment, then I thought ‘What am I doing?’ And when I backed off, the reason I lost all that

was speed because I was running a lean mixture. I was busy aU the time. I can’t say it was a boring race.” For Papis and his team, the result was a complete surprise.'The fuel readout on his dashboard and the telemetry in the pits both went out during his final pit stop. There was no way for Papis or his team to know exactly how much, or how lit tle fuel remained in his tank. Going into the last lap, he was stm racing at fuU speed and not worrying about con serving fuel. “I had no clue, no idea,” said Papis, who wound up seventh after leading a racehigh 143 laps. “After the last pit stop, I didn’t have a dash board. But this is life. Sometimes you get it, sometimes you don’t. Today we

Franchitti’s Toronto

little bit of a worry for me because someone hit me. I GOOD things, the saying goes, don’t know who it was. I was come to those who wait - and going to say thanks very much Dario Franchitti has been waiting for that. It was a bit Tight in a bloody long time to win the Indy the first comer. I maijaged to get past Gil m Turn 3 on the Toronto. first lap and after that the car But this season the Flying Scot got was really awesome all day the combination just right, powering a one-two finish, what more past pole-sitter Gil de Ferran on the could you ask for? first lap of the and never looking back. Tracy said it was difficult After holding off all challengers aroimd going in the early stages but the tricky street circuit, Franchitti that made the finish all the cruised to his first victory of the season more sweet. “I was stuck back ahead ofteam-mate Paul Tracy. there in the pack m the earlySuper Dario Brothers: “It means a lot to win here,” said going. We got good pit stops and we Franchitti and Tracy were too green Franchitti. “It’s such a fantastic crowd were aggressive on the track like we and too quick for the opposition at because they give me so much support. wanted to be, picking guys off at the Toronto. To finally win the race in fi-ont of them end of the straightaway. That’s what People who know: is pretty awesome.” it’s aU about. We got good points (16) Gil de Ferran took pole on the Some say the win was sweet revenge and some other guys had problems, so Ontario streets and the Walker car for the finstration he has faced here in I’m sure we gained some ground in the looks good for the rest of 1999. the past. Two years ago, he started championship.” (Photos by Sutton-lmages and RaceAccess) from the pole but was out on the very Montoya faded to finish for the sec first turn when he coUided with Bobby ond straight race. The young rookie fell eight in front offifth-place de Ferran. Rahal. Last year, Franchitti again far behind when he was penalised for “No doubt. I’m happy to finish third, started from the pole and led 76 of the running over Tony Kanaan’s air hose but above all. I’m happy for the 95 laps before his brakes gave out and in the pits. His day came to an end points in the championship,” said he crashed, leaving him a disappointed when he crashed with Michel Jourdain Fittipaldi. This really puts us up 20th. Jr. as the two battled for ninth place on there. Obviously, we want to keep Franchitti said he tried not to think lap 60. the series tight. We have to keep about the problems he has had in piling those points up and I think Another contender for the champi Toronto in the past. onship crown, Michael Andretti was we’ll be there at the end of the sea “I put it out of my head as soon as out of the running when he drove into son.” possible,” he said. “Other than my the rear of Greg Moore’s car and broke In fourth place was Roberto gearbox, there weren’t any issues all his right fi"ont wheel on the 11th lap of Moreno, who continues to sit in for day. Actually, I was pretty cautious aU the 95 lap race. the injured Mark Blundell and is weekend. I wasn’t running 100 percent Finishing fourth, just 6.987 seconds now being called “Super Sub” out there until I had to and we did a lot behind Franchitti, was Christian because of the excellent job he has of work on the brakes this week. TTiat Fittipaldi. The yoimg Brazilian moved been doing. He was followed by certainly helped me.” to third place in the point standings. Max Papis, Adrian Fernandez, But his race-winning opening lap He is now 10 points behind Franchitti, Scott Pruett, Jimmy Vasser and A1 was not all smooth. “The start was a one ahead of team-mate Andretti and Unser Jr.

showed we were the best, hut God didn’t want us to get it. Next time we get it.” Montoya was pleased with his second place finish, hut will probably never forget just how close he came to winning. “I thought it was going to be close, but not that close,” he said. “It’s a shame it went that way, but at the same time, it went really good. I think ifI hadn’t had a problem with the brakes, it might have been different, but that’s racing.” Finishing in third place was Paul Tracy. For Tracy, it was a tough day from the beginning. “It was a fight for me all the way. I was always in a battle the whole race. I tried to pace myself, and the car was pretty good. Twice I got a little high, and when I tried to pass, I almost got into tlie wall, so I was pretty lucky. We got the car to

where we wanted it on the last stop. Michael and I had a good fair race. I was happy we got third place and moved up in the championship.” Finishing fourth was by Michael Andretti. He was fol lowed by Dario Franchitti, Adrian Fernandez, Max Papis, and Christian Fittipaldi. Pole-winner Jimmy Vasser also ran out of fuel and finished a lap down in ninth after getting as high as third late in the race. Montoya, who had failed to finish each of the last two races, now leads runner-up Franchitti by 13 points after 12 of 20 races. Fernandez is third, trailing Montoya by 22 and six ahead of Fittipaldi and 12 in firont of Andretti. Points: Montoya 129, Franchitti IIG, Andretti 107, Fittipaldi 101, Fernandez 95, Tracy 90, de Ferran 88.

- PHIL MORRIS

' l A- -.

By PHIL MORRIS

riv:;,*!-

PENNZQIL

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Pemiizoil-Qu.aker State Australia was recently in-trolved in a Vic Roads supported initiative aimed at increasing the safety of motorcyclists on Victorian roads. The free. Ride To Survive Day, organised by the Westgate Community Road Safety Council and a host of local motorcycle clubs, is an initiative in which all at State Pennzoil-Quaker AustraUa beheve is of great to the importance community. It is a disturbing fact that motorcyclists, despite only contributing to 2 per cent of vehicles. registered represent 12 per cent of road accidents. The aims of the Ride To

Survive Day, held on Four levels of instruction based were Saturday July 3 included: training l to increase the skills and provided, with a motorcycle experience of motorcyclists; maintenance and safety ® to promote the use of check component also included. protective clothing; l to increase awareness of The day also included motorcyclist to motorist; trade displays, special offers l and to form partnerships for motorcycle rider safety with motorcycle clubs, gear, prizes and a full BBQ retailers and training for participants, making it as social an event as possible providers. Held at the Victoria between motorcyclists with a University TAFE College in common interest in ensuring Hoppers Crossing, the venue n their safety on the roads, This program ensured provided organisers with the ability to cater for 20-25 that participants were aware riders per training session of the techniques, theory while lecture rooms were and safety accessories for used theoretical required to best protect themselves from potential motorcycle safety sessions. This program was also accidents. Pennzoil-Quaker State aimed at experienced riders as well as young riders. Apstralia. Marketing

Manager, Monique Wilson, thought it imperative for Pennzoil to be involved in the localised Ride To Survive Day program. "The enhanced road safety aspect of this program is what attracted us to lend our support to this excellent initiative. Many Victorian motorcycle riders choose Pennzoil, and being a local company, our involvement with the Westgate Road Safety Council in this program was a good way to return that support. We hope that many other automotive consumer product manufacturers take the opportunity to be involved in such responsible programs in the future," Ms Wilson said.

PENNZOIL w

Pennzoil Drag Racing Team Member Winternaflonals Notes n Pennzoil Kawasaki Modified Bike Rider Terry Emery progressed through the first two rounds in fine style. During the first of the day he matched his dialled in time of 8.70s (148.32 MPH) exactly against Keith Mearns also riding a Kawasaki (10.502s 124.62MPH). The second eliminator at 1:45pm saw Emery post a 9.166s pass (147.16MPH), eliminating Suzuki rider Ian Boswood. Round 3 saw Emery fly solo, setting a time of 8.782s at a terminal speed of 149.45MPH. Emery ended his 1999 Winternationals campaign in the runner up spot after the final round with an ET of 8.934s(144.05MPH). n Pennzoil Top Fuel Bike rider "Pommie" Peter Allen made his way to the semi-final after a flame throwing 7.27 second pass (187.27MPH), blitzing Jeff Smith's ET of

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7.65 (168.32MPH). His luck didn't last in the semi-final, when his Kawasaki engine gave way handing the win to a burning but faster Gavin Spamm on a Suzuki. (7.91s 137.56MPH). Pennzoil supported Competition Eliminator driver from Victoria, Shane Baxter was the top qualifier of his bracket with an ET of 7.029s (192.14MPH). He then made it through to the semi final after a thrilling eliminator pass in his CC/A 330 Chev with an ET of 7.376s (187.58MPH) with '48 Ford 451 AA/C driver Stephen Dupond a fraction behind with his ET of 7.443s (187.66MPH). ■ The Top Doorslammer first round saw Pennzoil driver Peter Kapris line up alongside the Studebaker of Robin Judd for the first all Studebaker Top Doorslammer eliminator in Australia. Kapiris rocketed out on the green light and set an ET of 6.58 seconds reaching 216MPH, securing his semi final spot.

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»« mmiL [ Peter Kaprrs

Syperbike rider amazed with Pennzoil Performax 100 Australian Superhike racer, Ed Miller was very pleasantly surprised during a recent rebuild of the rider's Pennzoil Performax 100 lubricated Kawasaki Superbike. After a long overdue engine rebuild - some 1000 race kilometres late, this is what Miller's race engineer, Andrew Hallam of Hallam Boys Racing dis covered of the engine components. "There is no doubt that Pennzoil's Performax 100 racing oil has been absolutely fantastic in this bike engine, Usually fully synthetic oil is fairly

harsh on valve train components, cam lobes and on the buckets. In this case on the Kawasaki they're very narrow on the lobe to reduce friction and I would have expected some sort of broaching and there was absolutely no evidence of that." Hallam said. "The longevity of motorcycle racing engine parts is questionable and that is why we do frequent rebuilds, but in this case the pistons were like brand new, as were the piston rings, valves and bearings - there was no reason to replace them. Anotlier surprising

factor when such good lubricant is used, was that the clutch lasted an extraordinarily long time. Usually high quality oil is very hard on clutches as it encourages them to shp, generating too much heat and burn this definitely was not the case with Pennzoil Performax 100 engine oil on Ed Miller's Superbike." He added. "Everywhere that I expected there to be problems with a very good S5mthetic oil, there was nothing. It was astounding considering that the engine that had worked that hard and was that overdue for a re-build." HaUam said. Talk to Pennzoil today about your motorcycle requirements on their Technical Information Hothne on 1800 686 602.

Judd's luck was worse, abandoning the pass shortly after the green light. Pennzoil Peter Kapiris bowed out of the semi-final in spectacular fashion as he fought with his wayward '53 Studebaker Champion which became loose several times during the pass. In a run which had the crowd on its feet Kapiris lost out after his 6.591second ET (215.1 IMPH), compared to Andrew Searle's ET of 6.449s (213.37MPH). Searle, the top qualifier for the event went on to win the Top Doorslammer final after beating Victor Bray by a mere hundredth of a second with his ET of 6.44s (215.60MPH). Pennzoil-Quaker State Australia congratulates all members of the Pennzoil Drug Racing Team on their fantastic efforts at the 1999 Konica Winternationals.

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DAY 3 After breakfast, transfer to the Sepang Circuit in the afternoon, return transfer to hotel Enjoy all DAY 4 Free at leisure until your flight home. the FI action!

□ No

11a. If yes, then how many? .Form ula One V8 Supercars _ Other Circuit Racing. .Moto rcycle Drag Racing .Speedway Rally. .Karting Other (specify)

□ Yes

□ No

12a. If yes, how many times per year? ' '' 12b. When you do travel interstate, do you generally □ Drive □ Other □ Fly 13. 1 have been a motorsport enthusiast for yrs

17. Have you purchased any motor sport merchandise/products in the past 12 months after seeing it in Motorsport News?

□ Yes

□ No

17a. Did you buy it: □ At a race circuit □ By mail order □ At a shop « 18. Any general comments about Motorsport News?

13a. I am currently a □ Regular spectator □ Competitor □ Race team member □ Official □ Primarily TV motorsport viewer 14. Which categories/programmes do you mostly watch on TV? □ Formula 1 □ V8 Supercars □ CART □ Super Touring □ Rallying □ Superspeedway □ 500CC GP □ Superbikes □ Trackside-Ch 10 □ Speedweek-SBS □ Start Your Engines - Ch 7 15. What modifications do you plan to make to your car in the next 12 months? □ CD player/sound system □ Alloy wheels □ Body kit □ Exhaust upgrade □ Suspension upgrade □ Engine performance modification □ Tyres □ Interior modifications □ Window tinting □ Re-painting □ Engine replacement/conversion □ Restoration 16. How much do you spend (excluding rego, insurance & petrol) on your car per year □ $1000-$3000 □ Under $1000 □ over $5000

19. Any comments about Australian motor sport in general, it’s management, it’s future?

21. Age? □ 18-25 years □ Under 18 years □ 36-49 years □ 26-35 years □ over 65 yrs □ 50-65 years 22. Marital Status? □ Married/de facto □ Single □ Divorced □ Separated 23. Your work Status? □ Part time □ Full time □ Retired □ Self Employed □ Student □ Unemployed 24. Occupation category? □ Professional or Manager □ Business Owner □ Clerical /Sales □ Other □ Tradesperson 25. Your income level? □ Less than $20,000 □ $20,001 to 29,999 □ $30,000 to 39,999 □ $40,000 to 49,999 □ $50,000 to 69,999 □ $70,000 to 89,999 □ over 90,000 per year. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY 1. Compotilion closes an^ entries musl bo received by 12 pm Monday September 6 and will be drawn at 10am on Tuesday 7 September 1999. 2. Entries must be on the official entry form published In Motorsport News or a photocopy of same. 3. One entry per person only, 4. The winner will be drawn from all fully completed entries/surveys received. (Note: personal information Is strictly confidential and will not be made available to any marketing, listing company or agency.) 5. The prize Is: airline travel and accommodation for two (three nights), general admission for Iwo, transfers etc to the 1999 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix. Three runnor-up prizes of V-Rally 2 Playstation packs include CD game ond Peugeot sport back-pack. 6. A first prize winner under the age of 18 must be accompanied adult on the prize trip, 7. The judges decision is final. 8. by VVinner wilt be 'nolilied by phono and/or mail, and the result will bo published in the September 10 edition of Molorsport News. 9. Staff of Molorsport Nows. Premium Sports Tours, their commercial partners and families are ineligible to enter. 10. The promoter of the competition is Australasian Molorsport News Pty Ltd.

Name: Address: ._p/c PLEASE TELL USA LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF 20. Your Sex? QMale □ Female

supplied in this survey is strictly confidential, for slatislical purposes onty. and will not be released to any maikoling buieau, lisling company or such. Names and addresses are only lequircd in order to identily prize winners).

JXo,

30 July 1999

Summer time,storms, Irvine and sunshine l l l

summers of childhood? How Do you remember the high the sunny afternoons were timeless and the birds sang as they darted from tree to tree. Summers when the air was filled with the warm humming of hard-working bees. It isn’t like that nowadays, is it? For reasons that seem to have escaped everybody, summers over here in Europe are now disjointed affairs with a few sunny days, then torrential rain, massive and unex pected hail storms and even torna does. I am told that recently there was a tornado in Birmingham -the English one rather than the one in Alabama. I was incredulous. A few days later a hail storm in Belgium wiped out a large part of the Honda Motor Company’s summer stock for the European markets. Hailstones the size of golf balls crashed down on acres of shiny new Japanese automobiles, leaving them looking as it they had been parked in Bugs Moran’s garage in Chicago when Al Capone’s boys went visiting on February 14 1929(ED; Sounds like Sydney). It is a little known fact that one of the mobsters slain in the St Valentine’s Day Massacre was a man called Jim Clark, although no link between him and the legendary racing driver of that name has so far come to light. Another victim was a doctor cailed Reinhardt Schwimmer and it is my belief that he came from an Austrian back ground. Probably from a town not far from Zeltweg. Why? Because the ability to ‘schwim’- as they say in German is obviously very useful in the valley of the River Mur if it has always rained like it has done in recent years. This year, in the days before the Austrian Grand Prix, there was an extraordinary amount of rain across the region. I have no idea how many inches we are talking about(they talk in litres and square metres over here) but it really was extraordinary. For many of the Formula 1 circus it was some of the hardest and most sustained rainfall that they had ever seen - even in the tropics. On the motorway from Vienna there was so much standing

water on the road surface that cars coming towards you on the oppo site carriageway were spraying great sheets of w^ter into the air, across the centrd reservation and onto the windscreens of cars going in the opposite direction. It was a pretty daunting trip. In the natural bowl at the A1 Ring (read Osterreichring if you have a sense of history) the water gushing off the hills created bab bling brooks all over the circuit. The mud came in brown streams across the paddock and in chunks across some of the comers. Fields turned into marshes and the car parks into mud baths. It was horrible. Amazingly the Mur did not burst its banks. And yet 24 hours later the only real sign of there having been a deluge was that the posters on the billboards on the way into the cir- ' cuit had begun to peel away, the glue having been washed away. The ironic thing was that each bill board featured a huge poster of Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari and the words “Good Luck Michael”. No-one had thought of taking them down after the crash at Silverstone and so Mother Nature took care of it for them. 'he Schumacher fans had still turned up of course. They had spent their money on tickets and organised their holidays so they could watch the Great Schumi in action. There would be no Schumi (of the Michael variety) in Austria but the fans seemed resigned. They had beer and schnitzels and muddy campsites and that made them cheerful enough. Ten of these die-hard lunatics appeared in the grandstand opposite the pits on Saturday afternoon each wear ing a tee-shirt with a letter of their heroes name . They even man aged to line up in the correct order - although all that could be heard in the press room was a rather unkind English voice. “Sad gits,” he said as he began to work out ana grams which the 10 strange folk might com-

bine to create. SUCH CHARM was one sug gestion but it did not seem to fit. And it wasn’t just that one letter was missing. People do funny things for their summer holidays. While most of the world is going to the beach, the F1 community embarks on its busiest period with three races in four weekends. Michael Schumacher could not have had his accident at a worse time. Nor could Ferrari have been forced to thrust Eddie Irvine into number one status at a more deli cate stage in negotiations ter the future. Eddie and Ferrari have been playing games for some weeks but since Schumacher’s accident attitudes seem to have hardened and before the race, the word in the Ferrari garage was that no matter what now happens Irvine will be leaving the team at the end of the year. If he wins the World Championship - which is quite possible if McLaren keep gunning for their own feet Eddie’s ego would not allow him to be number two to Schumacher in 2000. Irvine is not stupid and quickly grasped this concept. The problem with Eddie is that he is prone to start talking loudly and it is really not in his interest to do so. Inevitably - because he has made enemies in the press corps his comments end up in the news papers and they did not go down well with the m_anagement at Maranello. “It is not up to the drivers to decide the strategy,” said Jean Todt. Irvine has always said that all he ever does is to tell the truth -as he sees it. It is not reievant whether we agree with what he says or not. Let’s face it; FI journalists do exact ly the same thing. They tell the truth

Absent friends: Schumacher’s friends were out in force, even if Schumi was not. Just shoot me: The new pin-up boy of the Tifosiis Eddie Irvine. Here he fights off the attentions of legendary Italian F1 journalist Pino Allevi. (Photos by Sutton-images)

as they see it. In reality it is only an opinion until time proves it to be fact or fiction. The is that do notproblem always like the people truth. Often it hurts. But the fact is that telling the truth does no harm at all to a journalist but it can hurt a driver’s career, it can be a lot more destructive than simply breaking your leg... Having said that I like the idea of Eddie Irvine. He’s a rebel. He is quotable. He’s a character in a world which often seems to be rather too bland. But being a char acter does not mean one has to be self-destructive and there really are times when it is better just to say nothing. This may sound odd from someone who goes on about dri vers being too corporate and always saying the right things but the problem is not really that. It is a question of timing. A modem FI driver should say the right thing when it is necessary to do so but that does not mean he has to be boring and guarded about every single thing. You get the feeling that some drivers have to go and ask the team what to say before they talk about the weather. But on certain subjects it is right that a drivers should be gagged. When a journalist asks a Mercedes FI driver what is his favourite car the company pay ing the bills does not expect the dri ver to say that he really likes BMWs. These men are not employed to be totally honest. They are employed to be

I like the,idea ofEddie Irvine,. He’s a rebel He is quotable. He’s a character in a world which

often seems to be rather too bland.

role models, pin-ups or clothes horses, but ultimately they are there to be car salesmen. The only reason they are paid as much as they are is because car companies want to sell cars... You say that thisto sad notmay like racing used be.and You are right. But Formula 1 has moved on just as chariot racing would have done if it was still around today. Ben-Hur is just not possible these days. If chariot rac ing had survived, the modem BenHur would have a PR lady, a per sonal trainer and a manager with a briefcase. The sport would be trou bled by drugs scandals because twisted chemical geniuses would be pumping the horses full of nontraceable substances which multi ply red blood corpuscles and increase performance. The horses would probably have personal trainers as well. Chariots would be made of carbon fibre and woolly haired aerodynamicists would have spent days in windtunnels developing wheel hub shapes. Everything develops. Eventually somebody somewhere will look back on today as the ‘Good Old Days’. It would be nice to think that things should never change, but Man is not like that. If we were we would still be inventing wheels. The innocent days have gone just like the summers of childhood - although one has to say that right now the sun is certainly shin ing on E Irvine...

30 July 1999

No Sto unturn Mid-way through the 1999 Shell series Jason Bright's Stone Brothers/Pirtek Falcon is thefastest Ford taking it to the Holdens. Going into last weekend's Calder crashfest Bright had moved to second in the championship, a mature i driving approach and some pretty handy equipment marking the Stone Brothers/Bright combo as the likely top challenger to Craig Lowndes. CHRIS LAMBDEN sat down with Bright and Ross Stone as the teams assembledfor Calder. MOTORSPORT NEWS: You’re now second in the champi onship - you’d have to be happy about the way the AU Falcon has come along considering where it was at GP time? JASON BRIGHT; We were given the aero kit pretty late so we were a bit behind the eight-ball, but we made progress pretty quickly early on and were pretty much right up there at the opening round at Eastern Creek. We probably haven’t made as much progress as we’d have liked since then - although we’ve had a round win, the potential of the car shown then hasn’t really been shown since. There’s more to come and I’m pretty sure that by the endurance races we’ll be quite competitive. MN: It’s now so close at the pointy end of the field that every tenth or hundredth counts. What lengths do you need to go to to get that valuable tenth or two? ROSS STONE: After the last race, Queensland Raceway, we were in reasonable shape bodywise and all that sort of stuff and could have had an easy preparation for Calder. But Jimmy and I got together and we had a talk to all the guys and decided there was still plenty of room left for improvement. So

we all worked right through, seven days straight, to get ready for a test last Monday back at Willowbank. We found some improvement, so it was worth it. Whether that will show here this weekend, we’ll know fairly soon! One little difficulty at the moment (that’s going to go away in due course) is the fact that Willowbank, which we’ve switched to as our test track, is still settling its surface down. At the moment it can change over the course,of a day, so it’s a little inconsistent... JB: And the way the calendar is this year, just to go testing between meetings is itself a mam moth effort. Most of our meetings have been down here (Victoria), or Perth, or Danwin, yet we’ve still managed to go testing between most meetings, which means a lot of hours for the team. MN: Given that the V8 Supercar regs are pretty constraining, is it still possible to find two or three tenths these days? RS: Absolutely. There’s still a lot more room to move yet and we’ve got stuff that we’ve had to sit^on for a while, like some engine develop ment-there.’s not a lot left, but there’s certainly something left to be gained. But there’s a calendar of races

FiAciNG mmcfErmmfB, PO Box 6330 Shepparton 3632 Ph/Fax: 03 5827 1359 Mobile: 014 406 980 Email: speedwerx(gdiesel.net.au www.kartsport.com.au/akn/speedwerx.html

'4‘

On ya bike: Jason Bnght Ross Stone are quite con go along for, what seems comfortable ride together

P^cto by DjjK Wynimifti

and you’ve got to decide what time you’ve got and what resources you’ve got, financial and human, and try and get the right mix all the time for the best overall result. MN: So there’s still an engineer ing challenge, if you like, within the rules, to make gains. RS: More so now than ever, I think. Because of the data we can record and analyse it’s never ending. We can go testing, do a five lap run and a couple of guys could analyse that data for a couple of hours. So there’s a lot of hours go into that both during and after testing. JB; We’ve had one problem that we’ve been unable to get on top of all year, but last week’s test has, I think, overcome it. MN: We heard it was a mid-cor ner speed thing... JB: Yes. It’s something that’s

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affected us at several tracks and while we made little gains here and there, I think we’ve got to the bot tom of it now. MN: Given the closeness of the front of the field, qualifying is more important than it’s ever been. Do you devote much time, given the limited practice time these days at a meeting, to a “qualifying set-up”? RS: We really haven’t spent any time at all on qualifying set-up. We’ve always worked traditionally on a race set-up (except one circuit where we did work on a qualifying set-up) because that’s still most important. MN: Some of the teams who are new to Bridgestones this year reckon they haven’t got the knack of getting the best out of the tyres yet. Is it that finicky? RS; The bottom line is that the

tyres on the car are more important than the last 50 horsepower. But even the Bridgestone run ners from last year are affected, as the tyre has changed from last year, so it’s taken a while for everyone to get on it really. But some of those blokes would bleat whatever you did - you’d offer them a free beer and they’d say “I’d rather have a bourbon, thanks,” so ... you can’t win. MN: Queensland Raceway pro duced a situation where simply looking after your tyres, or how long you could look after them for, was the key to success, which is something you wouldn’t expect with a Control tyre. Has it, or does it, crop up at other tracks? JB: No. Willowbank was the first time all year that we’ve had a proh^ lem with tyres going off (except Phillip Island where there was only

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On the nose? No, Ross Stone believes Howard Marsden’s involvement at Ford is right on the money for the blue oval brigade. Now we’re smokin’: Practice in Darwin produced some dramas, although raceday Bright and the Stone Brothers shone, winning the All’s first round. (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith) one dry race and we hadn’t had a chance to let tyres cure over the weekend). Most tracks we’ve been to this year you could drive flat out all the way. Adelaide in particular - you couldn’t damage your tyres if you tried! Here (Calder) will be the same, last year we ran a tyre two compounds softer here... RS: The critical thing with tyres now is analysing how many heat cycles are best for the tyres before they start a race, how many heat cycles (if any) they have before qualifying and - now there’s no bleed valves - pres sures. JB: Now that we’re on a Control compound and construction, the emphasis has switched to those other areas - heat cycles and pressures.

MN: Getting those two things right or wrong - can that make a significant difference? JB: Yes. You will have seen some teams going into qualifying with one roaded set of tyres and one set of ‘green’ ones. And sometimes they’ll set a blinder on the roaded set, or sometimes the green set. Sometimes we road both our sets... I’m not sure what Bowie did at Queensland Raceway, but there was an occasion when Craig [Lowndes] left his tyres green and did a very quick time... WIN: As it stands (pre-Calder), you’re just over 150 points behind Craig in the champi onship. Other than the obvious (winning lots of races), is there any particular ^rategy to pin them back? RS: Last year we were pretty well

quick everywhere, but we were taken out a few times and Jason was pinged a few times for punting people. This year we’ve scored points in every race - and I don’t think anyone else has done that. JB: From my point of view, the big difference from last year-to this year is that I am making good starts now. Last year we weren’t qualifying any worse than this year, in fact the average qualifying posi tion was about the same, but I was going into the first corner in about ninth or tenth whereas this year I’m getting to turn one third or fourth. All of a sudden you don’t have to pass all those guys and you don’t get tangled up in accidents.

people taking you out, first corner collisions. That’s a big gain. MN: There seems to be less aggro, less finger-pointing at the front end of the field this year. Would you agree? JB: There’s never as much aggro up the front of the field, generally, as there is further back. As long as the first three or four cars get in there [to turn one]and there’s not some guy who’s come from ninth or tenth on the grid and is going to hold everybody up and create a train behind him, it’s okay. I’ve had a couple of lonely races this year where I’ve spent the race on my own - it’s pretty hard to get into trouble when it’s like that.

The difference for me this year is getting the starts, getting in that top four or so from the start - all the action is from about sixth to tenth... RS: There’s also a change of atti tude out there. Apart from Jason, you’ve got the likes of Tander get ting in among the front runners and so you’ve got more of these young guys in there - it’s now an accept ed part of the thing, an accepted part of the process. For a while last year it seemed like some of the more experienced drivers, who’ve been racing for ten years or so, were using that experi ence to give a couple of the new Continued on page 19...

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Bright eyes: Jason Bright will head SBR’s efforts into 2000.(Marshall cass) There’s 14 blokes full time but bear Continue from page 17 ... in mind that we do our own young faces a bit of a hard time engines, composite work, paneland getting away with it. work, machining, painting, virtually The young guys are certainly everything in house, for our car more accepted now. and Mark’s [Larkham]. All we bring in are a few parts from Harrop. MN: Given your strong That number includes two truck Sandown/Bathurst endurance Who pays here? drivers, because of the unique set Bright’s incentive contract performance last year, the extra up between Mark and us may have taken a pounding points(300 for each race) in the [Larkham’s Mitre 10 team operates ia Adelaide when a bad pit long races at the end of the year as a separate team within the SBR call cost the Pirtek team the could be helpful? factory]. first half of the 500. RS: That’s a fact- there are a lot of points there. But Craig’s driving MN: You’re close to committing The monitor monitor: really well and HRT have got their to two cars of your own for act together, they’re strong, they’ve 2000? Jimmy Stone keeps an eye only dropped their guard once, so on Bright’ proceedirigs at RS: There’s a few things that have Calder last weekend. we’ve just got to keep doing our to fall into place, but we’d expect to best, keep working. know in a month or so. (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Gerald McDoman One big difference in terms of MN: HRT are still seen as the n being a Ford runner is that we’ve benchmark. Do you expect to MN: The V8 Supercar “show” is spoken with Howard Marsden consistently match them for going from strength to strength, [Ford’s new Motor Sport Manager] speed by the time we get to the but there seems to be a sugges and there’s talk that we can have a long distance races? tion that the ‘behind-the-scenes’ contract for, possibly, three years. JB: Sure. We’ve got more to gain stuff, the sporting and technicai That’s important for us, as they, than they have. They’ve been run enforcement is concerning Ford, are an important part of the some teams... ning the VTs for a year now, while programme. Before, we weren’t we’re still in the early days with the JB: You’re right, the category is able to do too much forward plan- ; going great and you only have to AU and have more to learn. ning, so it’s a real plus. I’d like to think we’ll raise our see the publicity it’s getting to see It’s no secret that Ford has level to theirs well before the long how well Channel 10 are doing moved its motor sport across to distance races. We’re not far away their job. You couldn’t ask for Marketing and Howard [Marsden] more. now - we could even get there this reports directly to the Vice weekend [ED: prophetic, given But yes, some of the politics Bright’s qualifying result]- but if not President of Ford. It’s an important leave you a little disappointed'.. it could easily come within the next change in priorities at Ford. coupie of meetings. Motorsport has moved up a couple MN: You’re referring to some of the recent decisions and But that could also go for any of rungs. body. The Perkins appeais reiating to team has been on-track incidents, I struggling a bit this gather. JB: Mmmm. If it was a year, but they could just go testing for a major corporation, day and, all of a sud someone would be den, they’re there. getting sacked!... And It’s all about clos yet the same people yy ing a small gap keep turning up at 15th on the grid every meeting. hasn’t been much more than a second RS: The category is away all year.. very strong. Isn’t it a good position to be in, We are also relocating to a new RS: To answer your question, for that we are able to worry about me, there’s absolutely no doubt factory at Yaffa, which is half way stuff like that, rather than having to between Brisbane and the Gold that we’re going to be there with worry about getting people to look Coast. them. at us. If we get everything into place, We’re going to run two top cars That’s a far better position to be we should have a minimum of 17 next year and we’re pushing hard in than the other way,so I’m sure people to look HRT in the eye and to make it happen. It doesn’t fall there’ll be a process worked give them a real go... into your lap - we’re going to have through which will tidy those things to work hard for it - but we’ll be up. MN: You’ve signed Craig Baird there, no doubt... Motor racing’s a unique sport- it to partner Jason for the two long can be so simple, yet it can provide distance races. Has he been MN: There are definite advan able to do much testing with you the most complex problems... It’s just tages to running two cars sidethe way the business is. yet? by-side? RS: Not too much yet - probably RS: Definitely. At Darwin we were MN: Ross,the performance pari 60 laps on two separate days at 20th in the first session, changed a ty debate was pretty incessant Willowbank - and we have to give few things for session two, then last year,far less this year. Is him quite a bit more. that because the cars are seen again in the pit road during the But just at the moment he’s session and we were on the to be pretty close or Is the away. He’s going to be doing a money. But if we had’ve had two debate going on more behind couple of races in the US in a closed doors! cars there, we could have poten Trans Am... tially got there quicker. RS: If you look at the results, you’d think that the parity isn’t right, but I JB: The running he has done, he’s think most of the blokes Who are MN:Stone Brothers Racing will need done well. If anything, he surprised us how well he went on a track that running AUs at the moment still to grow some more,then? How have a bit more work to do and was still very new and pretty ordi hrany people do you have now? RS: It’s a bit of a unique situation. nary to drive on. accept that. As we mentioned earli-

30 July 1999

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we get everything into place, we should have a minimum of 17people to look HRT in the eye and give them a real go ... - Ross Stone

er, we started late, so while there’s a little gap at the moment,the view is that it will close up pretty soon if we do our job well enough. Until we run the flag up the pole and say ‘lhat’s it, that’s all we can do,” there’s no point in pushing the parity thing. MN: The future: are you(Jason) contracted beyond this year? JB: Yes, I’ll be here again next year. MN: Beyond that? JB: It’s one of those things, you know. As long as we both want to be together, we’ll be together. I’ve got no problems driving for Ross and Jimmy. I’m enjoying it... RS: One thing you’ll find interest ing is the fact that how much Jason ultimately gets paid

depends on where he finishes in the championship. He was one who proposed that and he came up with the figures. Sometimes I’m not sure whether we want to win the championship or whether tenth would do!... JB: If the boss makes a wrong call, he pays; if I do, I pay (just joking...) RS: It’s swings and roundabouts. We’re all in it together. In Adelaide, for example, in the Saturday race, we made a wrong call. We cocked up. It was just bad strategy. But we learn from that and it won’t happen again. JB: It really is a good team effort. It’s all working fantastically at the moment,so there’s no reason for it to change...

MO,

Better days: Mark Skaife certainly had one better than his MHRT team-mate. The two-time champion, while concerned for Lowndes was happy with his result. Better starts: The start for race one was certainly one of the better ones of the day... (Photos by Dirk Klynsmrth)

l Skaife claws back gap in title chase l Lowndes survives horror crash with new VT written-off, but retains championship lead'with shock results. l Tender breaks through for first ‘official’ win l Bright belted down championship ladder l n McLean again top privateer,, but Layton Crambrook impresses in V8 debut

compound work, although the trick for each team varied considerably the top 19 cars after qualifying sep arated by less than one second! Heat cycles are, apparently, the go with teams best deciding on how many heat cycles tyres need to go Qualifying by GERALD McDORNAN through before the/re at their best Race Report by AARON NOONAN - three to four laps on either green The Privateer battle again or scrubbed tyres apparently being Team dominated the fell to Cameron McLean, about the mark for when the tyres The Mobil Holden headlines in the Racing eighth Rodney Forbes out pointing the are at their optimum - and those round of the Shell Queenslander in the first race, doing that best ending up in a posi Championship Series at Calder but unable to continue the form tion more suited. Park, for both the right and in latter races. The trick, though, still puzzles wrong reasons. Behind the experienced even some of the teams that used Mark Skaife did his champi McLean - and second Privateer the Bridgestone brand last year, onship chase no harm with a - came an impressive Layton much to the annoyance of those race win and two second places Crambrook in the ex- that don’t quite understand the cur in the three races, lifting him Crick/Crosswell Commodore. rent‘go’... ifthere is really any! up the championship order to The virtually unknown 17-year As said, with very Uttle separat third outright, while team mate old - the first V8 Supercar dri ing the top teams, you didn’t have and championship leader Craig ver to hail from the Northern to be much out, or shp up a httle on Lowndes emerged from a hor Territory impressed greatly in the track at any point to be way rific BOOkm/h roll-over at the his first outing, after only a back down the field. beginning of race two, having The other troubles, too, for those won race one, Lowndes was handful of testing laps at Eastern Creek prior to heading that couldn’t qualify in the top taken to hospital for observa south. eight was that race officials decided tion but returned to the circuit to start the field with the first four later in the day with little more rows as per usual, but each other Qualifying than a sore knee and elbow. row was then fined up with one row Jason Bright’s weekend began in style, the Pirtek Falcon driver snaring pole posi tion, but after shadowing the MHRT cars home in third in the first race, was involved in an incident with Skaife and Russell Ingall in the race two re-start, causing severe damage. A battle-scared Garth Tander snared Ms first official race win in the final race of the day to take second overall, while John Bowe in the CAT Falcon stood on the final podium position after a pair of third places and a seventh in the three races. Steven Johnson in his first V8 Supercar race since Bathurst last year,filled in admirably for father Dick, lifting the Shell Helix #17 to its best finish of the year,fifth in race three.

Tyres, tyres and tyres ...away you think that we’d have been from the story of the round black rubber by now, we had enough of it in the past years when there were more than just one tyre brand sup plying the formula, but Calder’s practice and qualifying produced really nothing but the stoiy of who did what and how with their rubber to produce the results they got. While use of previously marked and used tyres is unlimited, the scarce resource of just two new marked sets for the weekend had teams plotting and planning thenway through practice and qualify ing and, to be honest, the stories from each particular team made for some interesting times. There appears to be a ‘trick’ to making the current Bridgestone

space between them. just to try and avert a concertina-effect at the first comer... Eventual pole sit ter Jason Bright’s Pirtek team tried hghtly scmbbing one set of tyres, while the second set were left ‘green’. The same too for Mobil Holden Racing Team’s Mark Skaife, although series leader Craig Lowndes used nothing but ‘greens’ for his attempt at the pole. Strangely, while teams put a set of either scrubbed or green tyres on, MHRT further confused the issue by putting on their tyres, doing a few laps, then coming in and swapping them diagonally on the car. And you don’t think that had them aU confused! Bright and the Stone Brothers team had spent considerable time at Queensland Raceway the Monday prior to Calder although after the first practice session you wouldn’t have thought it had made piuch improvements - a 12th best 56.769 was all they could muster. “We made some progress at Ipswich, but we changed a few things before going out here and it wasn’t that good in the first ses sion, but we made some changes and it headed in the right direc-

tion, was what Bnght offered after the second session produced a third best run while in qualifying Bright and Lowndes traded spots a numher of times over the last few minutes, before the Pirtek Falcon’s 55.487 was finally enough - the run also being quicker than Skaife’s pole in "98(55.60). “That was a lot better ...” Bright said with a knowing smile after claiming pole - the number one run coming on a set of previously unscrubbed tyres on their fourth lap. Lowndes claimed the spot alongside Bright, his 55.545 distancing himself from Skaife by just fivehundredths, while Ingall slotted in for fourth with a 55.655 in the Castrol SLX Commodore - the MHRT cars just doing the business as normal. Strangely Ingall kept with a well scrubbed set of fronts for his last lunge at pole, the silver bullet having just the rears changed — a ploy which seemed to work for the second CPR car. “I’m more than happy, the car was good and we put on a different hghtly scrubbed set on the rear and it worked weh,” a happy Ingall said after the top 50 percent’s “money” session. Team boss Perkins was just seventenths slower than his employee, although 15 spots further back! Realistically, how can you say someone’s had a bad day when they’re not that far off the front row time-wise, but they’re on the tenth row? FTR’s Glen Seton and Neil Crompton kind of emulated the Castrol Perkins situation with the employee out-qualifying the boss, Crompton’s 55.733 slotting the #6 into fifth, while a 55.793 was good enough to keep within sight of the fi"ont pack for Seton in ninth. Bowe again had the yellow and black CAT car meowing, seventh good for the independent professional Perth team,just ahead of the first of the Shell Helix Falcons. Radisich qualified the #18 strongly just to hang ont6 the last row of

Not much left: Neil Crompton contemplates what was left of his FTR AU after the first race two start.

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30 July 1999

the “first grid”, while For the Wynn’s team, their Johnson, subbing for his 1999 qualifj^g dramas con nasally-impaired father, did tinued, a 12th and 14th a good job to land in the top being the best they could 10 for his first appearance of muster, Murphy left to pon der what a httle tyre testing the year. Last round winner Garth on new tyres could offer the Tander was happy to be up team. with the front bunch, “There’s just nothing to be although eighth was a little , achieved on ‘greens’ at the far back for the #34 moment we’re way off the Valvohne Cummins driver. mark, although for race pace “We should have moved a we’re fine. “Unfortunately we’ve got little further up, I believe I could have made a bit more to start six or seven rows time up, but at least we were back again amongst the guys within the front bunch,” he who’ll hit anything and said. almost everything...” Little did he know how for Jason Bargwanna wasn’t happy, even tl>ough he was tunate that both he and less than eight-tenths off Richards would be the next day! pole. Perhaps the saddest site of Bargs used a lightly scrubbed and a heavily qualifying was John scrubbed set of tyres, Faiilkner’s virginal white VT although a 15th qualifying limping into pit lane trailing spot had the popular racer a huge cloud of smoke. After worried that he’d be forgot- suffering a frustrating run of electrical and TEGA monitor ten.

problems during practice, Faulkner’s engine cried foul, ventilating the block and requiring the unsponsored star to scrounge another for race day - a 56.0445 thank fully still good enough for 13th. Cameron McLean again proved to be the class of the independents, the Greenfield Mov?ers EL Falcon qualify ing in 18th, again, less than a second from pole! Without having too much of a vforry concerning the tyre situation were a number of the trailing privateers and, with 38 cars qualifying for just 32 spots on the grid, more important matters were on hand. Rod Nash took the final spot, a 57.653 just a little over two seconds from pole, while Mike Imrie, NASCAR champidn Kim Jane, Bob Jones, Alan Heath, Bob Thom and Nicole Pretty

Race 1 (21 Laps)

■;^j^i^|i|ChaWipionship Series Park Raceway 55.4878s Pirtek/SBR Falcon AU 1 Jason Bright 55.5452s Mobil MHRT Commodore VT 2 Craig Lowndes 55.5948s Mobil MHRT Commodore VT 3 Mark Skaife Castrol Perkins Commodore VT 55.6553s 4 Russell Ingall Ford Tickford Racing Falcon AU 55.7330s 5 Neil Crompton 55.7431s 6 John Bowe CAT Racing Falcon AU 55.7746s Shell Helix Falcon AU 7 Paul Radisich 55.7874s Valvoline/Cummins C’dore VS 8 Garth Tander 9 Glenn Seton Ford Tickford Racing Falcon AU 55.7943s 55.8609s Shell Helix Falcon AU 10 Steven Johnson Cummins/JFR Commodore VT 55.9690s 11 John Faulkner 12 Steve Richards Wynn’s Racing Commodore VT 55.9822s 13 Cameron McConvilie Warwick/Ecko/Commodore VS 56.0445s, Wynn’s Racing Commodore VT 56.1069s 14 Greg Murphy 56.2021s 15 Jason Bargwanna Valvoline/Cummins C’dore VT 56.2505s Castrol Longhurst Falcon AU 16 Tony Longhurst 56.2510s Mitre 10 Falcon AU 17 Mark Larkham 56.3498s 18 Cameron McLean Greenfield Mowers Falcon EL Castrol Perkins Commodore VT 56.4102s 19 Larry Perkins Siemens Mobile Commodore VS 56.5104s 20 Paul Romano 56.7716s John Deere Commodore VT 21 Mark Poole 56.8076s Diet Shake Commodore VS 22 Rodney Forbes 57.0067s Colours Unlimited C’dore VS 23 Darren Pate 24 Dugal McDougall Aloe Quench/Perkins C’dore VT 57.0882s K&J Themial Products Falcon AU 57.1091s 25 PaulWeel 26 David Parsons Challenge Recruitment C’dore VS 57.1793s 57.2711s Toll Falcon AU 27 Anthony Tratt 28 Steve Reed Microplex/PPG/Lansvale C’dore VS 57.3552s 29 Layton Crambrook Bay View Homes Commodore VS 57.4699s 57.5139s Gatorade/M3 Commodore VS 30 Peter Doulman 31 Chris Smerdon IT Services/Challenge C’dore VS 57.5270s 57.6534s 32 Rod Nash Autopro/Budweiser C’dore VS 57.8981s Saabwreck Commodore VS dnq Mike Imrie 57.9393s Trust Bank Commodore VS dnq Kim Jane 58.4670s Conway Falcon EL dnq Bob Jones 58.6873s West Terrace 4WD Falcon EL dnq Alan Heath 59.5415s Super Cheap Auto Falcon EL dnq Bob Thorn 1:01.0203s DeWalt Commodore VS dnq Nicole Pretty No Time Playboy Commodore VS dnq D’arcy Russell

Lowndes and Skaife made good starts, outdragging Bright down to the first cor ner. Ingall, off the second row, challenged Bright on the outside as they went into turn one, but as the field emerged from the bottleneck opening comers, it was the MHRT duo with the upper hand over Bright and IngaU, with a fast-starting Tander, Crompton, Bowe, Radisich, Richards, Johnson, Seton, Faulkner and McConville in hot pursuit. Bargwanna meanwhile was pit bound, the Valvoline Commodore breaking an axle off the line. Troubles too for Radisich, the front spoiler gone after a bump with Bowe heading up the hiU onto the back straight. The Kiwi headed for the pits on lap two, where the DJR crew fit ted another spoiler and sent him on his way. Radisich would later spin at the end of the back straight and retire after 12 laps without hope of improvement. McLean too had dropped down the order, getting involved with Perkins in the first few comers. With Lowndes now a sec ond clear of Skaife, the battle was developing behind, Tander coming under fire from the Falcons of Crompton and Bowe.

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Earth moving equipment: Greg Murphy and Mark Poole moved some gravel and dirt at the end of Caldefs front straight in the first race of the day. He knows now: 17 year old Layton Crambrook found out how good he was in his V8 debut, qualifying and finishing second in the privateer standings. (Photos by Dirk Klynsmlth)

The field soon became spread out around the 2.2 kilometre C alder layout, a gap between Lowndes and Skaife of a constant one sec ond, with Bright the same distance back in third. Ingall had shaken off Tander and ran by himself in fourth, -s,

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Faulkner for 11th - Faulkner unable to keep with his for mer moimt with a rear brake imbalance in the VT. Continued on page 23...

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Johnson and Richards were both running quickly in the top 10 making up time on Bowe, while the two JFR cars diced, McConville passing

Get out of my ear dad: Steven Johnson filled in well for dad, Dick. (Photo by slipstream Photographic)

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Major photo sequence by Thunderpics. Other photos by Peter Hantzis and Gerald McDornan

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Help is on the way: When the MHRT Commodore finally came to a stop, former team-mate Greg Murphy was first to Lowndes’ aid, shortly followed by Garth Tander. After climbing from the vehicle aided by Murphy, Lowndes was taken by Ambulance to hospital for a check-up. Lowdes turned out to be OK, while his new VT was declared a write-off. t

No more tears: Skaife couldn’t make a move on Tander in race three. Continued from page 21... By lap 10 the order had remained unchanged, only for the fact that Seton and McConville had clawed in the battling Richards and Johnson. Lowndes gradually began to inch away from his MHRT partner, the gap 1.6 seconds after 12 laps, with Skaife comfortably clear of Bright. The action was non-existent at the front of the field, but in the Privateer fight the action was of panel-crunching proportions. Steve Reed overtook David Parsons into turn one, the latter then nudging the Lansvale driver into a spin. The following Paul Weel had nowhere to go, ploughing into the stricken Reed. Both were out, while Parsons received a stop-go for his involvement. Larkham, struggling,back in 18th, pitted to have a rear bumper attended to. The stop dropped him to last place. The leaders struck traffic not far from home, a factor which allowed Lowndes to slip away from Skaife to the tune of 3.6 seconds. Bright was sliding around, the rear tyres working hard, allowing Ingall to close right up on his bumper. ijr

Lowndes moved away to take the flag by five seconds, snaring a new lap record on lap five. Skaife was two seconds back with Bright just holding out Ingall for third. Tander had a lonely race in fifth after Crompton had shadowed the Queensland round winner for a while. The FTR Falcon was sixth, ahead of Bowe, Richards, Seton, Johnson, McConville, Longhurst, Faulkner and Perkins. Top priva teer was Rodney Forbes in 16th, one spot ahead of a recovering McLean.

Move of the race? Bargwanna used the slightest amount of force to push past both Murphy and McLean in the final race.

.-i

The Twenty-somethings: Tander, Johnson, Romano, Richards, Weel, Murphy, McConville, Bargwanna, Bright and Lowndes... (Photos by John Morrix/Mpix and Dirk Kiynsmith)

before hitting the grass and rolling a few more times, eventually com ing to a holt upon the concrete wall. The r^ce was immediately redflagged, a number of Lowndes’ fel low competitors rushing to his aid before marshals were on the scene. A true testament to the strength Race 2(17 laps) of the modern-day touring car, and in particular Dencar and the lOtermined to beat MHRT, MHRT crew, Lowndes wriggled out Bright made a bolter, splitting ofthe wrecked car and was taken to the Mobil cars off the line comfort hospital with no serious injuries, a ably. Behind though, total chaos. sore knee and elbow the only Richards and Tander were either effects. side of Ingall, with a slow-starting Skaife was ahead of the crash. Lowndes ahead in third. ‘Trom the start I moved over behind The duo ended up diagonally Jason and Craig moved behind me, across the bowi of the Castrol aU of us line astern. I looked in the Commodore, Tander’s car clipping mirror, and saw Craig’s car turn left Richards(who had made a rocket of sideways and jump up on two a start down the outside), sending wheels,” he said later, having wit it into the left rear of Lowndes. Th,e nessed the footage during the post Mobil car instantly launched into'a race press conference. roll, sliding down the road on its Tander’s car had been battered, roof for a few hundred metres. the Valvoline driver not sure of

- n

what happened. “All I know is that I just got a big hit and I was just a passenger from there.^Luckily no one got me and everyone’s OK,” he said. “Tander and Richards were either side of me, and they decided to go for the same gap at the same time. They forgot I was in the mid dle though,” Ingall said afterwards, who had bent steering rectified before the re-start. 'The fact that the first four rows of the grid - those that were left as per usual - were involved in the

Shell Championship Series Round 8 Park Raceway Results

Race 3(20 laps) Race 2(14 laps) Race 1 (21 laps) Race time Fastest On Pos Driver Race time Fastest On Race time Fastest On Pos Driver Pos Driver 20:03.4206 56.6158 9 1 Garth Tander 17:19.5131 56.3797 10 19:55.0325 55.9224 5 1 Mark Skaife 1 Craig Lowndes 20:04.2082 56.6695 10 Mark Skaife 17:20.8914 56.3863 9 2 2 Mark Skaife 20:00.3079 56.0092 6 2 Russell Ingall 20:10.6419 56.7176 5 John Bowe n 17:26.8651 56.8298 13 3 20:02.6259 56.1646 8 3 John Bowe 3 Jason Bright 20:12.3885 56.6980 11 Glenn Seton 17:29.8452 57.0274 16 4 20:02.8432 56.1551 6 4 Garth Tander 4 Russell Ingall 20:12.5682 56.5094 6 Steven Johnson 17:30.2460 56.8645 16 5 20:04.6442 56.3706 10 5 Glenn Seton 5 Garth Tander 6 Cameron McConville 20:14.0990 56.6314 6 17:31.5060 57.1134 11 20:06.3840 56.4155 5 6 Steven Johnson 6 Neil Crompton 20:14.7357 56.4901 10 Paul Radisich 20:11.4184 56.6232 9 7 Cameron McConville 17:31.9967 56.8813 5 7 7 John Bowe 20:14.9920 56.6818 11 John Faulkner 17:32.3689 56.9599 8 8 20:13.5584 56.3793 5 8 John Faulkner 8 Steve Richards 20:15.7631 56.8645 5 17:33.2172 56.9024 11 9 Glenn Seton 9 Tony Longhurst ’20:14.5246 56.4162 7 9 Tony Longhurst 20:16.0552 56.6192 7 17:34.0425 56.9753 10 10 Jason Bargwanna 10 Steven Johnson 20:18.1271 56.3593 3 10 Larry Perkins 20:17.2130 56.6501 7 11 Cameron McLean 17:34.7353 57.0484 11 11 Cameron McConville 20:18.3497 56.4274 4 11 Greg Murphy 20:19.2509 56.9501 4 17:35.1353 56.4677 10 12 Greg Murphy 20:19.8231 56.8090 5 12 Paul Radisich 12 Tony Longhurst 20:21.0462 57.1110 6 17:39.5924 56.7990 13 13 Larry Perkins 20:19.8437 56.3904 5 13 Cameron McLean 13 John Faulkner 20:28.0016 57.2590 7 17:41.0791 56.9460 13 14 Mark Larkham 20:24.4316 56,5530 5 14 Mark Larkham 14 Larry Perkins 20:30.2572 57.2258 9 17:41.4322 56.9553 9 15 Mark Poole 15 Paul Romano 20:28.1390 56.5430 5 15 Jason Bargwanna 20:35.4379 57.2495 8 17:48.3121 57.3087 9 16 Steve Reed 20:37.4880 57.3110 16 16 Steve Reed 16 Rodney Forbes 20:37.8350 57,4969 11 17:49.6721 57.6460 9 17 Darren Pate 17 Cameron McLean 20:48.0503 56.6979 7 17 Layton Crambrook 20:41.2627 57.6925 10 17:50.6880 57.6978 17 20:50.3931 57.8690 10 18 Darren Pate 18 Layton Crambrook 18 Dougal McDugal 20:46.3578 57.6184 13 19 Paul Weel 17:53.3547 58.1259 9 20:51.5793 57.9372 7 19 Mark Poole 19 Layton Crambrook 20:47.4671 58.3594 13 20 David Parsons 17:55.2063 57.8349 10 20:52.2544 57.3368 5 20 David Parsons 20 Greg Murphy 20:49.3582 58.0118 11 21 Peter Doulman 17:57.5867 58.1332 11 21 Mark Poole 20:52.9529 57.5807 7 21 Anthony Tratt 20:56.1332 57.7900 5 17:57.7984 58.0051 7 22 Rodney Forbes 20:53.4333 57.5889 7 22 Paul Weel 22 Darren Pate 21:00.6247 58.3618 7 17:58.1376 57.6333 12 23 Mike Imrie 23 David Parsons 20 laps 57.7195 5 23 Chris Smerdon 20 laps 58.2677 6 18:04.2196 57.3891 8 24 Bob Thorn 24 Peter Doulman 20 laps 57.9749 9 24 Dougal McDugal 18:07.2797 58.2767 11 20 laps 57.7876 6 25 Anthony Tratt 25 Steve Reed 20 laps 57.3886 8 25 Peter Doulman 20 laps 59.0215 6 18:12.6396 58.6704 9 26 Bob Jones 20 laps 57.9979 6 26 Mike Imrie 26 Anthony Tratt 20 laps 58.8511 7 18:15.9903 58.7764 6 27 Kim Jane 27 Rod Nash 20 laps 57.8763 10 27 Kim Jane DNF Chris Smerdon 18 laps 57.7924 11 18:17.2224 58.7766 16 28 Mark Larkham 20 laps 57.3572 18 28 Bob Thorn 18 laps 57.7966 5 DNF Dougal McDugal DNF Paul Weel 13 laps 57.6586 9 16 laps 57.2203 6 DNF Rod Nash DNF Rod Nash 8 laps 59.3080 5 DNF Paul Radisich 13 laps 57.7778 5 12 laps 56.5519 9 DNF Paul Romano DNS Craig Lowndes 1 lap 1:50.2177 1 1 lap 1:40.1892 1 DNF Rodney Forbes DNF Jason Bargwanna DNS Jason Bright DNS Mike Imrie DNS Craig Lowndes DNS Neil Crompton DNS Chris Smerdon DNS Jason Bright DNS Steve Richards DNS Neil Crompton DNS Darcy Russell DNS Russell Ingall DNS Steve Richards DNS Nicole Pretty DNS Paul Romano DNS Bob Jones DNS Darcy Russell f DNS Darcy Russell DNS Bob Thom DNS Nicole Pretty DNS Bob Jones DNS Nicole Pretty DNS Kim Jane DNS Alan Heath DNS Alan Heath DNS Alan Heath Points after 8 rounds: Lowndes 1146, Seton 976, Skaife 960, Bright 948, Ingall 934,Tander 870, Bowe 756, Murphy 736, Longhurst 646, Richards, 594, Radisich 574, Bargwanna/Perkins 558, Johnson502, McLean 501, Fauikner470, Noske460, Larkham 444, Crompton 425, Donaher277, Forbes 218, Reed 213, Parsons 212, Romano/Ellery 198, Mezera 174, McDougall 172, McConville 156, Ashby 138, Weel 112, Johnson 108, Doulman 103, Briggs 90, Gardner 88, Kelly 76, Smerdon 74, Emerzidis 68, Nash 52, Russell 50, Crambrook/Wakefield 42, Poole 40, Crick 37, Pate/Tratt 36, Nathan Pretty 30, Imrie 27, Conway 22, Ward 20, Heath/Kendrick 17, Osborns 16, Thom 10, Cotter/Baxter 7, Harris/Peters 1

chaos raised the issue of the intro duction of staggered starts, some thing Bowe talked of at the post race press conference. “We should have staggered grids like we do at Albert Park. You’re just asking for trouble with cars so close,” he said. While the crews cleaned up, the reserves were quickly scurrying from the paddock area to fill the places of Lowndes,'.Richards and Crompton for the re-start. Crompton had hit Tander with a huge thump in the right door while trying to run down the inside of the road, ending up on the infield with severe damage. Both he and Richards were out for the day. With a reduced race distance, there were a lot of gaps up front. But again the field didn’t make it to turn one without dramas with Ingall on the outside, Skaife in the middle and Bright on the inside. The Holdens made contact, with the Falcon being bounced off the road, hitting the wall with enough force to put it out for the rest of the day. “We (Skaife and Ingall)just both tagged him. Obviously Skaife had taken a lunge and tagged Bright as well,” said Ingall. Ross Stone mustn’t have been in agreeance, heading to the Stewards ... Again Ingall’s steering had been damaged as he settled in second behind Skaife after two laps behind the Safety Car. Tander was in third ahead of Bowe, but “GT” too had steering problems,(not to mention more hits than the Spice Girls) causing the Valvoline machine to be a handful in left-handers. Skaife quickly built a one secondplus margin, with Bowe closing in on Tander. The CAT Falcon took third on lap seven, when Tander shifted to fifth gear instead of third coming onto the straight. Bargwanna was on a charge, up to 17th after starting at the rear. Seton was stuck behind a wormded Tander, with Johnson, McConville, Longhurst, Faulkner, Perkins and Murphy all tacking onto the Congo line, cha, cha, cha! Continued on page 24...

24 30July 1999

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Continued from page 23 Skaife, though, was holding the gap constant to Ingall with Bowe by himself in third. Tander was still keeping the FTR Falcon behind, a little tap from Seton coming onto the straight a gentle reminder that Glenn wasn’t going to cut him any slack Skaife restored the colour on MHRT’s day, taking the flag ahead of Ingall. Bowe stayed in third, with Tander holding out Seton, and Johnson withstanding immense pressure from McConville. Faulkner was eighth, then Perkins, Longhurst, Murphy, Radisich, McLean, Larldiam and Bargwanna.

Race 3(21 laps) Any hope of Ingallon further capitalising his rivals’ misfortunes was blown off the line, the Commodore’s tailshaft the failed component. Tander made a bolter (complete with team boss Garry Rogers’ belt keeping the drivers door closed!) and charged down the outside, with Skaife slotting in behind. Bowe had Seton behind with McConville heading Faulkner, Johnson, Radisich, Longhurst and Murphy. The power down of Tander’s VS was electric in the final turn coming onto the main straight, Skaife though making up time under brakes — the gap only a matter of tenths for the whole race distance. ‘To make a pass on Garth was going to end in tears,” commented Skaife later, on a circuit where squeaky clean passing is rare. The rear tyres were suffering by this stage but didn’t seem to have more of an effect on the tough and hard racing behind. Johnson made a strong move on Faulkner at turn one on lap five for sixth place, with Radisich finding a way past the Holden a few laps later in the same spot. JF couldn’t resist giving Radisich a little love tap up the back though, a lighthearted moment with no malice intended, and none taken.

Murphy and McLean were side-by-side down the straight beginning lap 10, jjyt just when it seemed McLean had held him out under brakes, Bargwanna came from miles behind, a small tap to the rear of the Greenfield Ford was enough to unsettle McLean and Bargs had picked up two spots in one comer - Murph the loser of the exciting moment. Bowe again was by him self in third, trailing Skaife by two seconds, while Seton continued to hold out McConville, Cam in his last drive in the JFR car. Having disposed of Faulkner, Radisich was zeroing in on ‘Junior’ Johnson. Johnson though was doing some zeroing of his own, forcing his way past McConville at the end of the back straight on lap 16. Out at the front of the field, Tander was on his way to an eight-tenth of a second win over Skaife, with Bowe a solid third in the race and on the day. Seton filled fourth, ahead of an impres sive Johnson (the effects of the flu not showing) and Radisich. Faulkner was next, ahead of Longhurst, Bargwanna, McLean and Murphy. Lowndes had returned to the circuit, the trademark grin still flashing, as he sat outside the MHRT tent cheerily signing autographs, The championship lead was one-meeting car was a lot worse off. On a day where his rivals were unable to fully capi talise on his fortunes, (Bright and Ingall missing cut on scoring additional points) Lowndes still holds a nice buffer in the championship chase, However, Skaife now has won four of the eight rounds, and is closing the; gap to the consistent Seton in second. A bitterly disappointed Bright will have a point to prove at Symmons Plains and Bowe will be on home territory looking to translate the CAT Falcon’s strong runs of late into a race win. Not a bad time to be in the panel-beating business though...

The 3 Musketeers was good. In the first race Davison jumped away from Murchison, Owen, Cotter and Stuart Kostera but. after three laps of fun the Safety Car was beckoned after an incident between Steve Grocl and Tom Ceveri. The racing was back on two laps later, with Owen leaping away, only for Murchison to take (Photos by John Morris/Mpix) the lead at turn one. The front three ebbed THREE of the four con and dived amongst them the selves - and sometimes tenders in Australian Formula Cotter and Kostera as well F o r d - imtU lap 10 when Cotter Championship suddenly took off. turned on The results were declared, with Owen tak some great ing the win from Davison, at racing Murchison, Cotter, Calder. Kostera and Kerry Wade Alex Davison, (VD). Steven Owen Sunday’s race was just and Christian as fierce. Davo Jr won the Murchison start again, only for turned it on, Murchison to drive into Owen taking the lead around the out both wins and side of turn 1. Again the the other two three held sway from sharing to podi l Kostera but, this time, it um spots. was Wade who took over But the fourth the ‘Cotter’ role, the blue Musketeer, Greg VD steaming past two cars Ritter, had his (!) at Shell on lap 3 for sec series lead erod ond - temporarily. ed after suffer Again the Safety Car ing the ills of the damned. made an appearance, after Stuart McColl and Ritter’s Mygale Ty Hanger got mixed up qualified back at Mt Jane and Owen led in the pack and was only ninth away from the restart. and 11th in the Davsion took over the two races after lead from Owen, but the Valvoline car repeated a couple of offs. The luckiest man at Mimchison’s outside turn Calder was Justin Cotter. 1 move to grab the lead and the win from His Spectrum was right in the lead battle in the first Murchison, Davison, race when it suddenly Kostera, Wade and Owen flicked across the main Kelly(Spectrum), Ritter had a mid-race straight at full noise and vaulted over a safety wall. spin at turn 1 but recovThe car slammed into the ered to 11th, just passing Thunderdome banking Leanne Ferrier who had and, while the race was started from the rear after red-flagged. Cotter was a Saturday incident and tended to by safety crews. had her own epic drive to Cotter was admitted to 12th. hospital that evening with Points: Ritter 150, Owen 132, a leg fracture and head Davison 126, Murchison 109, injuries, but as MN closed Kostera 93, Cotter 85. -PHBLBRANAGAN for press his prognosis Saturday flight: Justin Cotter’s flight through the air was just as frighten ing as Craig Lowndes. At top, his Spectrum has vault ed the concrete wall; the car heads backwards towards the Thunderdome banking, which it hit back first. The Spectrum chassis stood up vyell; Cotter’s injuries were relatively minor.

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Peter's Porsche pounds Park By PHIL BRANAGAN

PETER Fitzgerald was in top form at Calder Park, taking two hard-fought wins in the Century Batteries GT Production Championship. The former champion was led away in both races by the Ferrdri 355 Challenge of Wayne Park but bided his time and took his opportuni ties when they came. Series leader Jim Richards was solid with two podium finished, but defending Champion Domenic Beninca had a terrible weekend, with engine failure in the first race sending him home with no points. In qualifying it was all Park. After trailing Fitzy in the first session the Queenslander turned the tables in Q2, putting any thoughts of the car’s Sandown start shunt behind him. “The team and I have put our heads together to try to come up with a suspension package to suit the circuit because the track can be very greasy and has lots of bumps,” Park said. “It is very rewarding to see the package we came up with pay off. Fitzgerald was second from Richards, the Falken Tyres-sponsored driver not too confident about getting to turn 1 ahead of the Italian car.

“The exti'a weight really hurts us here,” he said. “The Ferrari has a lot of straightline speed. This won’t he easy.” Sure enough Park led away from five Porsches, Beninca leading Fitzy and Richards, with Ed Aitken and Geoff Morgan following. It took five laps for Fitzgerald to find a way past Beninca, going to long route at turn 1 and setting off after Park. Richards followed a lap later and it was obvious that the black car was in bother, Dom pulling off on the straight a lap later with a dead engine. The front three closed up but then the Safety Car appeared for the Paula Elstrek Maserati, which was beached at Shell. At the restart Park zoomed away but ran wide at turn 1, leav ing a small gap which Fitzy exploited for the lead. Richards was soon through to second but, after a rock was thrown onto the track on lap 20, the race was redflagged by officials who were obviously weary of time con straints. The second race, which was moved back to accommo date the SCS race, was a car bon copy of the first. Park bolted away but soon Fitzgerald was challenging from Richards, who had,been beaten away by Morgan. Fitzgerald stalked Park but it was not until lap 15,

when the Ferrari was baulked at the Kink by a tailender^ that the'Porsche was able to get by. Richo was third from Morgan and Aitken. In the classes Geoff Full’s engine dramas allowed Mark King (Mitsubishi Lancer) to take a Class B double, Peter Phelan took C honours times two in his Commodore SS, Ric Shaw took both Class S awards in his MR2 after Wayne RusseU had diff prob lems in race 1 while Phil Kirkham (Mazda 626) bested the massed Holden Vectras twice in D, Melinda Price at least managing to stay out of the way of the lead ers while being lapped. Points - Outright: Richards 138.5, Fitzgerald 121, Beninca 101, Aitken 68, Morgan 67, Park 57, Cartwright 32. Classes: A: Richards 134.5, B: Full 166.5, C: Phelan 133, D: P. Kirkham 120, E: K. Kalaitzidis 116 (Proton), S: Shaw 154.

Dial 911: Dom Beninca’s title hopes may have gone up in smoke with his engine in race 1.

Eyes Wide Open: Peter Fitzgerald took home two wins from Calder to stay in touch with series leader Jim Richards. The Falken Tyres RSCS was in top form in Melbourne.

Shawn Giles, by miles

SHAWN Giles put Ducati in its place at Calder, taking Suzuki’s first win of the season. Giles won the first of the races it wasn't all plain sail ing in the Ansett Air Freight outfit, team mate Paul Free was launched off his GSX-R in race 2, vaulting over Craig Connell’s Ducati and Adam Fergusson’s Honda. All three riders were treated at the track but escaped with minor injuries. In the aftermath of the accident, while the riders were being treated on the track, the second race was called off. Points: Steve Martin (Ducati) 242, Conneli 207, Andrew Pitt (Kawasaki)202, Curtain 178, Fergusson 167.

Come in number 19: Giles (bottom) was too fast at Calder. .oni Kivn^

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmith)

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Frosty reception: Morris and Richards continued their long battle, clashing in race 2. Morris took all three victories - and the series lead - at Oran Park. (Photo by sutton-images) Battle 2: Jones has the front-wheel-drive Audi A4 flying, passing Morris twice in the final race before an engine failure cost him an almost certain win. (Photo by Lynley ReW)

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USCTfir l Morris takes Oran Park treble l Clash leaves Richards non-starter l Audis fly; blown engine costs Jones win l Podiums for Coleman, Adderton l independent triple for Hills

m the Battle of Oram PAUL Morris won Park but the signs are that the war that will decide the BOG Gases Super Touring Championship will be hard fought. After winning race 1 Morris was pushed hard by Jim Richards in race 2, an incident between the two preserving Morris’s lead and leaving the Volvo a non-started in the final race. The BMW pilot was shown the Bad Sportsmanship flag over the incident but, despite a protest from the Volvo team, a stewards’ hearing determined the matter to be ‘a racing incidenfi. Morris won race 3 too

after a titanic battle with Brad Jones, wluj was lead ing the BMW until an engine detonated two laps firom home. That left Matthew Coleman and Mark Adderton to pick up the podium places for Audi and Volvo respectively, leaving Morris with a handy 19 point lead in the series with three rounds left. Mondeo steerer Peter Hills took all three wins in the Independents’ battle, his amazing starting tech nique taking him into sec ond on the opening lap of the final race (!), while David Auger and Aaron McGill shared the honours for older cars.

Report by PHIL BRAHAGAN Entry and Qualifying There at Oran werePark. someThe no-shows most notable was John Henderson; the local, who has made big impressions at previous races at the Narallan circuit, had blown and engine while test ing his Holden Vectra and was a disappointed, and dis appointing, DNSer. There was also another noshow Sydney’s lousy raceweek weather. After bucket ing down during the working days Huey did the right thing for the weekend, providing warm and fine conditions for the cars. But Morris was there. As long as there are BMWs to race, the newl3rwed seems up

to it. He was looking forward to qualifying; in the preced ing week both he and Brad Jones had been half a second and more under Richards’ pole time from May 1 and there was reason to believe that more was possible. After a series of mid-43s laps in practice a low-43 seemed possible and it looked on, until an inadvertent baulk from Hills’ Mondeo caused him to throw away a lap. But the reply was pretty strong; a 43-flat, only 0.2s outside Jones’lap record. This was a significant gain; how had it come about? At the post-session media confer ence, Morris was a little hesi tant about divulging details. But he did admit that he was running dampers specifically set up for qualifying.

“I’ve only been gaining a tenth or two (on new tyres),” Morris explained. “This set up gives about half a second.” He also added that they were totally unsuitable for the race and would be changed for raceday. Qualifying shockers what next? That half second was important. Right on his ham mer was Jones, much quicker than he had been in May. Similarly, Brad was not too forthcoming about what the cause of the speed gain was, except to say, “if I could draw you a diff...” Still, it was good stuff. Yes, changes were necessary to set the cars up for the Yokohama control tyres but the gain from a three-yearold BMW and a previously

recalcitrant Audi A4 as com pared to Volvo’s S40 was impressive. Jones was under no illu sions as to his hopes of a good start, though; “I hope Paul misses a gear.” Richards was third, from Coleman. Little to report; Jim was 0.1s from the front row and content with his race set-up (though less happy than what he felt was a block from Morris on his fast lap). Coleman was a further quar ter-second back and working on set-up at a track he at least had driven the A4 B4. Last time around at OP he had led the race. Adderton was fifth. His mission for the weekend was to try and get between Richards and the opposition (“unless we’re behind you”

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30 July 1999

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There’s nothing like a V6: Race 2 - Morris romps off and Hills is already between tbe two Audis. The Mondeo’s starts were one of the highlights of the weekend. (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

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Boom time: Jones looked to have Race 3 shot to pieces until this catastrophic engine failure forced him into retirement.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsrrith and Melanie Brooker)

Onlooker: Jim Richards (right) missed the final race after his Race 2 clash with Morris.

(Photo by Melanie Brooker)

Ford Power: Hills ran ahead of Coleman and Adderton for a lot of Race 3.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

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Jim quickly pointed out) while Hills was satisfied enough with the set-up on his Mondeo that he actually sat out the second practice session of the day to save the car and himself... Canto wasn’t. The young ster was hard at it in both sessions, running a slightly different set-up on his V6 to Hills’ car and, as usual, running almost exactly the same

pace, qualifying only 0.03s slower than the ‘Boss’. The Mondeos’ only problem was a lack of gain on new tyres, both cars restricted to only a 0.2-0.3s leap. Tony Newman was eight. The big news was that TC Motorsport’s newer Peugeot 406 the same ‘98 generation as the Patrick Watts car had arrived. The downside was that the car needed to be brought up to speed assembly-wise and was, according to the kiwi, “in a thousand bits”. Look for it at Queensland Raceway. Mark Zonneveld was back. running Newman’s 405 for the first time and having a solid, if conservative run in 13th. The back half of the 16

qualifiers went out in the last 15 minutes of the session, led by DaVid Auger’s Alfa and Anthony Robson’s Honda, which was having fun getting fourth gear. Only one Hyundai ran, Nigel Stones lining up 15th while, as usual, the svelte black Searle BMW lined up at the rear after skipping Saturday, Luke making his first ST run at Or2m Park. The other MIA car was Milton Leslight. After losing two engines on the dyna during the week the aap team finally got out to the circuit on Saturday evening, only to lose another during the Sunday warm-up.

Race 1 (16 laps)

e first race was as straightforward as motor racing ever gets. Morris won the start and held the advantage throughout the race; the 320 bounded off the line, led by Is after two corners and 1.5s mid-race. He was never challenged. Behind, there was some action. Richards and Jones took some time to sort themselves out; Jim had to negotiate a way through a fast¬ starting Hills to get onto the back of the A4. He started to catch Jones, who was losing ground to the BMW. The gear cut-out on the Audi was not

BOC G0ses Super Touring Qualifying 1 Paul Morris Versari Paper BMW 320i 2 BradJones Audi Sport Australia A4 Volvo Australia S40 3 Jim Richards 4 Matthew Coleman Audi Sport Australia A4 Volvo Australia S40 5 Mark Adderton 6 Peter Hills Signature Security Ford Mond eo 7 Dean Canto Signature Security Ford Mondeo 8 Tony Newman TC Motorsport Peugeot 406 Gun Racing Alfa Romeo 155TS 9 David Auger Visit Your Vet Nissan Primera 10 Jim Cornish II Anthony Robson Racing Project Honda Accord 12 Aaron McGill Trinovin/Smeg Ford Mondeo 13 Mark Zonneveld TCMotorsport Peugeot 405 14 Alan Letcher Grid Motorsport BMW 318i 15 Nigel Stones Hyundai Lantra 16 Michael Downard Playboy BMW 3181 SAE BMW 3181 17 Luke Searle 18 Mike Fitzgerald Peugeot 405 V

43.0037s 43.1019s 43.1907s 43.4581s 43.8547s 44.5507s 44.5893s 44.5950s 44.7416s 45.1936s 45.2438s 45.2527s 45.3075s 46.20f5s 46.4011s 48.0945 No time No time

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functioning and it was costing Jones time. Richards trailed Jones around for a few laps, getting the odd baulk in traffic until he gathered the momentum over the dogleg and dived inside at Recaro. Starting lap 10 the two cars were sideby-side but Jim took the line at Coke and quickly consohdated second. Behind Jones Coleman had

Continued over page

28 30July 1999 Spinner: Mark Adderton had a good weekend, apart from this spin in Race 2.

Continued from page 27 the first of several lonely runs to fourth ahead of Adderton, the Hills-Canto train and Newman, who just kept Auger out. Searle moved quickly through to start a race against Robson and Zonneveld, which was inter rupted when Robson had a recurrence of his fourth gear problems in the Honda. Stones, Letcher, Downard, Cornish, Elias and McGiU fol lowed. The Nissan had had problems with a front CV, while McGill was also suffer ing the lurgy, the black Ford cruising over the last half of the race

(Photo by Melanie Brooker)

evening. CAMS stewards allowed Jones to stay close. On lap 19 things heated up. eventually determined that The lead pair came up to a the clash was a ‘racing incitailender out of the second denf. The firustrated Jones was comer, allowing Richards to third from Coleman, Hills pick up momentum. As they crested the dogleg the two (who lost tail-gunner Canto’s cars were mirror-to-mirror, with fuel pump problems) the S40 shghtly ahead and on and Auger, who took his sec the BMW’s left. But Morris ond Gas & Gear award for i wasn’t about to give an inch; older cars. Behind came Robson he took the road he wanted, Richards ending up on the Adderton trailed in, after kerb and grass. The status having spun on oil over the quo remained; the BMW led esses mid-race, Searle (less the S40. than 5s fix)m finishing three And it stayed that way. spots further up)and McGill. Passing a Bad Sportsmanship flag on the run to the line Race 3(31 laps) after a tap from Jim in the final comer Morris held on gridno lined up with a shock; Richards. 'The by 0.36s. At the end of the The race Volvo team manager incident with Morris had cracked the engine block of George Shepherd immediate ly filed him ‘please examine’ the five-cylinder and Morris form with the officials; talks faced the first comer by him went all the way to the start self. Morris made another good of race 3, then into the

Race 2(21 laps) Morris’ second start that was no less convincing his first but it was overshad owed by Hills’. The V6 zoomed between the Audis and got inside Richards at the first comer, only for Jim to take second firmly at the next right-hander. This time Jones was in no position to threaten. It took him a lap to get past Hills but the gear selector problem was back and he couldn’t get with in challenging distance of the leaders. Hills was soon challenged by Adderton, Coleman and Canto (!) as the leaders sorted themselves out. Richards’ car looked more poised but Morris had the lead and the white car held the line. A stalemate developed, which

start to lead but the start of the season came from Hills. Even by his standards this was a ripper; the Mondeo was away like a comet, clear ly second into the first comer. Jones sniffed around the back ofthe Ford over the first lap and pulled outside on the straight but the Cosworth held him off; it was lap 2 before the defending Champ was second. With its gear problem fixed the A4 looked more than a match for Morris. He quickly steamed under the wing of the Versari Paper car and started looking for a gap.'The pitstops beckoned, but Brad wasn’t waiting for them, slipping past Morris on lap 15 at Coke and pulling a smMjl gap. Morris’ response was to pit a lap later, changing both right-side lyres. He was up to speed quickly but came across Cornish’s Nissan in

dcises Super Touring Round 5 Oran Park Results Race 1(16 Laps)

Race 2 (211 laps)

Roce 3(31 Laps)

Pos Driver 1 Paul Morris

R ace time F/lap On 15:45.2864 43.8437 3

Pos Driver 1 PatilMoms

15^45.6476 43.5457 3 15-47.0530 43.9394 4

Race time F/lap On 11:47.9737 43.3917 3 1151.1401 43.4157 3 1155.5227 43.4308 2

3 4

Matthew Coleman 24:07.9436 44.2417 18 24:142715 44.4221 20 MaritAdderton 2420.3266 44.7096 8 PeterlfiUs

Dean Canto

2429.0082 44.8089

AnlhonyRobson

16:14’2893 45.2699 8 16:1414393 45.4233 5

7 8

TonyHewman Aaron McGill

2355.1467 45.3091 17 24:19.4862 452380 3

16:16.2902 44.4621

UAeSearie

2 3 4 5 6

JimSUchards Brad Jones Matthew Coleman 12.00.9295 44.0934 4 MarkAdderton 1205.4270 44.1858 2 12:12.8058 44.9354 5 Peter Hills

2 3

Jim Richards Brod Jones

4 5 6

Matthew Coleman 1554.3954 44.4713 6 16d02.1701 44.7919 8 Peter Hills 16:11.8987 45.2939 5 David Auger

Dean Canto

12:14.1257 44.9681 5 1220.9590 45.0373 3

Torry Newman Anthony Robson Marie Adderton

8 Tony Newman 9 Dovid Auger 10 LukeSearie II

Mark Zonneveld

1221.5970 45.1765

7 8 9

1226.6439 45.3952 1229.4404 45.4678

8 8

10 LukeSearie 11 Aaron McGill

Roce time F/lap On 23>i7.7499 43.8104 4

16:18.5591

45.4387 3

201aps 45.7100 6

2427.5089 45.4320 3 24312276 45.7041* 4

10 £mConush

2436.8066 45.6833

24^40.5368 50.8208 15

aoudeHios

12 Nigel Stones 13 Alan Letcher

IStaps 46.7891

12 AlanLetdier

20laps 46.9209 5

15 laps 46.7518

20laps 46.8692

12 NigelStones DNF Brodiones

14 Michael Downard

15 laps 47.5901

13 Nigel Slones 14 Michael Downard

19laps 47.8463

DNF Alan Letcher

Jim Cornish

ISIaps 45.5886

Claude Elias

19laps 48.7888

DNF Michael Downard

16 aaude Elios

14laps 48.9503

DNF Dean Canto

12laps 45.0863

DNF Jim Cornish

8laps 45.5175

DNF MikeRtzgerald

14 laps 45.2464 3 maps 49.3177 6

DNF DavidAuger DNS Jim Richards

6taps 48.9666 5

DNF AnlhonyRobson

10laps 45.5000

DNF Mike Fitzgerald DNF Mark Zonneveld

Aaron McGill

24^40.6489 46.9635

28Iops 43.6163 27laps 472214

4 7

21 taps 47.8868 19laps 452489

4 5

DNS MikeHtzgerald

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS: Morris 152, Richards 131,Jones 103,Coleman 103,Hills 70,Wafts40,Canto 33,Adderton 29,Henderson 23,Robson 22,Auger21, WnUamson 17,Newman 16,McGill 13,Wall 8,L.Searie 8,Townshend 3,Rea 3,Cornish 3,Elias 1,Leslight 1.

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BOTTLE

the Esses a vital develop ment, because Jones was in a lap later. It wasn’t Audi’s greatest stop but Brad JUST made it out in front of Morris and, after “wobbling aroimd” for a lap on cold-ish tyres. That looked like it, but it wasn’t. Morris foimd a gap at Coke two laps later and took back the lead, only for Jones to re-laimch an assault at the dogleg and resume the point. 'That looked like that again but wasn’t. After eking out a second’s lead Jones looked like he was on-track for his second win of the year when, on lap 27, his engine went ‘bang’. Morris arrowed straight past as Jones cruised into the pits for a crael DNF. That guaranteed Morris the maximum. Now Coleman was second; after adjusting to his new suspension settings he took his time getting around Hills, taking the out side route at Coke on lap 6, dragging Adderton through with him. Matty started the pit cycle on lap 15 and went on from there to equal his best result ofthe year, Adderton was third, the best result of his five-year Super Touring career, from the consistent HiUs, who had been just clear of the Volvo before the pitstops but came out 6s behind. Robson fol lowed from Newman. 'Then there was McGOl. He was caught up in the midfield battle, losing a rear bumper on lap 18 which the field alternately either hit or missed at the exit of Recaro for a few laps. But the rest of the 'Trinovin Mondeo was in fine fettle, allowing the rook ie to take his first G&G win ofthe season in eighth place. Searle, Cornish and the two Lantras of Elias and Stones were the only other finishers, the BMWs of Letcher and Downard stop ping after mechanical prob lems and an off respectively. Queensland Raceway holds round 6 this weekend. No-one has raced there before but it’s “home ground’ for the Volvo and NEMO teams. Expect the war to continue ...

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No trick Yokos n Don’t look for any ‘Winton’Yokohamas at the next round of the champi onship at Queensland Raceway. Despite reports that the low-friction sur face caused havoc with the 5-litre control Bridgestones at the SCS roimd at QR, Yokohama is locked into running its current tyre at Willowbank, with the com pany’s motorsport manager Keith McCormack supply ing as much information as he can muster about the heat-cycling needed to make sure that the rubber performs at its best. n Jones’engine blow-up made its effect felt for the last laps of Race 3. The field almost uniformly dropped around 4-5s a lap in the closing laps, such was the amount ofslippeiy stuffleft on the track. n Watch out for NEMO shocks in the big car class. The performance ofPaul Morris’ BMW this season has prompted more than one V8 Supercar team to enquire about the avail ability ofthe units for Falcons and/or Commodores. n At Oran Park in May, Morris withdrew from the Independents’battle,leav ing it to Peter Hills to take the series lead. This time around it was Hills’ turn to make a magnanimous ges ture. Bills TOthdrew from the Gas & Gear class for cars five years and older, after having won the class on several occasions during the season.

n Speaking ofTeam Mondeo,team manager Mike Quinn had his Toyota Camry at the track. The ex-Adderton/ Searle car, now in pristine white,is available for lease for the rest ofthe season and Bathurst. -PHDLBRANAGAN

THERE’S that feeliiig of heiplessmess a racing driver suffers when, itaving worked hard to buiid a

wdth a 44.47s.. 0,2s fa.ster than Keene, the series leader w\s entitled to feel .confident, espedally after his clean

decent.lead. he sees the gap to ond, closing, Jtnd

an\inton. , . , afer clearing out early in both s, around half distance each time . sm^-i^%g|hfhe mfeoEjget.^g^ races. Keene began to peg ilieâp mck. Slowly but surely Keene ^0^5i^rîS.winar' he^MSlies^'S' striking distance and both y Fca^l^®a30t|n^he ci^ ; y ^fiiies lugged at the corner forever t . -iEeter.^5^5ury go^! .. known as Suttons and took the lead in pêiihg'^rij^^SiyrouiDaKf^fe^l'elli the dying laps. The winning margins -:?P5rscfifi.’G^p'pM Sd:iSay.:'fyêe. were C-3 and l.o seconds and goes ?MSfving tifalifred his TNT Porsdre some way to reducing the substantial ;‘fastest jn_.both qualiJying^sessions on lead that Bradbury has in the series.

petitive self and ran third in both qualifvins session and races. Dadd Withers was doing likewise in fourth position until the second race, his retirement leaving the way open for Alike Kilpatrick in the Aieherfield Speed Kart'S Class B car to take a fourth outright in addition to his two comprehensive Class B rictories over Peter Bolton and liold on to his series lead, having also outpaced him in qualifying by a mere hundredth of a second. Ro Seller rounded out the top tliree in ClassB in both races

Photo by Dirk Ktynsmith

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You can say you’re Peter,say you’re Paul: Hackett leads Stephenson.(Phito by oirk wynsmith)

Gold Star performance: Shaw was in terrific form at Oran Park.(PhoiobyLynieyRew) TIM Shaw performed a dominant clean sweep ofthe ROH Wheels Commodore Cup cacegoiy, taking pole, winning both races and temporarily setting a new lap record in his Trust Bank machine in race 1. Christian D’Agostin was credited with sec ond in both races. He was passed by Wayne Wakefield on the final lap of the first heat, but Wakefield was relegated to the rear of the grid for race two after being found guilty By ED KRAUSE GLEN Dobson and Garry Thompson shared the spoils in the Pages Hire Supertruck Stampede. Dobson took the preliminary six-lap heat in his M.A.N L2000 from the Kenworths of Joe Scarceila and Thompson but in the 10 lap main Thompson got up from Dobson after a great tussle, with Inky Tulloch in third in his CAT Aero after he had problems in the opener. Crowd favourite Rodney Crick’s Shell Rimula Volvo N12 didn’t even make the start. A broken piston and ring in the warm-up caused greater engine damage and he was forced to park his rig for the day.

of some pushing and shoving as the field rushed to turn one at the start. D’Agostin had to follow Shaw past the flag in race two but was compensated with a new lap record of 48.5850s in the Tower Retail Estate car. Wakefield worked his way through to sixth where he fought with Geoff Emery, Raymond Sidebottom and David Gittus, finishing in that order. -EDKEAUSE

The Hack Attack By ED KRAUSE PETER Hackett and Paul Stephenson were in a class of their own in the Formula 2 category. The Chas Jacobsen Dallaras finished 1-2 in both qualifying sessions and races and set fastest laps, Hackett leading Stephenson on each occasion, the gap varying but the positions didn’t change.

They were also the only two drivers to lap under 42s. Kevin Lewis was the best of the rest in qualifying in his Cheetah Mk8 but come the racing he was forced back to fifth. David Choon and Kevin Blee swapped third and fourth in their Reynards, Choon getting the upper hand in race one and Blee taking the final podium spot in race 2.

Dobbo vsTbommo High Calibra MARK Stimson came within

2.5s of a perfect score in round two of the O’Brien Aluminium

You tlie MAN:Dobson split the stampede spoils with Thompson.(PtwtobyjohnMonismipii)

Sports Sedan series. Driving his striking Chev-powered Calibra, Stimson out-quali fied Des Wall in a Toyota Supra and Keith Carling, who made a return to the category in a brand new Nissan turbo-powered Series 6RX-7. Stimson led home Wall in the first two races, aided by Wall’s bad start in race two. As compen sation, in race one Wall broke Stimson’s eight-month old lap record, lowering the mark to 42.1221s. Wall charged back through the field and secured sec ond place from Fred Axisa with two laps to go. Axisa claimed third in both races. Stephen Lichtenberger, Peter O’Brien and David Krause round ed out the six in race one, but

O’Brien got up to fourth in the second, just holding on from the two RX-7s of Carling and Lichtenberger. Carling had trou bles getting off the line in every race, necessitating a strong drive through the field each time. The final race was a reverse 10 grid, as in the 10th finisher in the second race starts from pole, ninth to second etc. For those mid-fielders hoping for a moment of glory it was all in vain as Wall, from grid nine, blasted straight into the lead and was never seen again. Lichtenberger gave chase but was no match and by the time Stimson made it through to sec ond, there was no point shutting the stable door, the final gap was 2.5s. Lichtenberger finished a distant third fiom O’Brien, Carling, Mark Smith and Krause. -EDKEAUSE

30 30July 1999

Eddie Irvine

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Osterreichring that Vittorio Brambilla won his one and only Grand Prix victory, taking his hands ere must be something in the _ water in Styria - and there is no off the wheel as he crossed the line shortage of that in the area. and spinning his March heavily into Whenever the Formula 1 circus the barriers... It was at the Osterreichring that decides to roll into the region it begins to rain. And then it rains some John Watson gave Penske its only FI win in 1976 and the following year more. The Styrian Tourist Board, tiyAlan Jones scored his first win, ing to promote the race as being held at the cross-roads of Europe (all recording the one and only victory for European races are nowadays), must the Shadow FI team. The tradition continued in 1982 when Elio de be at the end ofits(very wet)tether. But no matter what the weather is Angelis surprised everyone by win ning for Lotus. Time eventually like there is a love of motor racing in the area which'dates back to 1958 caught up \vith the track and after when the local automobile club began the 1987 race - which saw two restarts because of startline accidents to promote international events on the race was dropped from the FI the runways of a military airfield near the village of Zeltweg. It was calendai-. The locals were not happy and flat, Lrshaped, incredibly bumpy and veiy dull. In 1959 they tried Formula began planning to revamp the old cir 2 cars and in 1960 the Zeltweg F2 cuit. It was 10 years before the pair of shoes waiting to be event was won by Stirling Moss. The money was found from telephone filled inwas Austria and Eddie There an awful big Austrians were still not satisfied and company A1 and the bulldozers could Irvine filled them with aplomb, in 1961 they put on a non-champi- be sent in. The result was a track winning his second GP of 1999 onship Formula 1 race - which was called the A1 Ring. It has the location and moving within two points of won by Innes Ireland and two years of the old Osterreichring but httle of regaining the lead in the World later they did it again and Jack the magic. Such is the way of the Drivers’ Championship. world with the modem dictates of FI . Brabham won. They say that the Irish are a lucky safety. The aiea is pretty (when it is Finally, in 1964, they got what people and Irvine’s dreams came not raining) and the locals are a nice they wanted. A full-blown World tme as the two McLarens ran into bunch who tiy hard to make one feel one another at the second corner. Championship Grand Prix. The Grand Prix cars of the time did not welcome. The car parks and camp David Coulthard took the blame sites stiU turn to mud with the first fare well over the Zeltweg bumps and after the race - and he deserved one by one they fell by the wayside. drop of rain but the people stfil come. most of it - but Mika Hakkinen leaving Ferrari driver Lorenzo As with many of the midsummer might have avoided the impact if he Bandini to win his one and only victo- races, it is the Germans with their had been aware of where David had camper vans who make up a large ry. The FI teams packed up and put himself and altered his line decided never to return. part of the crowd. They come to accordingly. salute Michael Schumacher and to But the ambition remained and Hakkinen drove a brilliant recovthe locals began raising money for a drink their beer. ery race but Irvine showed a new Sadly, this year they were left withpiirpose-built track. Not just any maturity as he hounded Coulthard track either. They wanted a really out their hero and so had to cheer and then shpped ahead at the midgood one. And they got it. The Michael’s brother Ralf or Heinzrace pit stops. Coulthard responded Harald Frentzen. It gave the place a Osterreichring opened in 1969 and but Eddie held him off all the way to was remarkable because at a time rather muted atmosphere and the the flag. It was a great drive from weather did little to help. Initially when tracks were/fcecoming increasIrvine. ingly dull, it was a marvellous. there was torrential rain, but that sub“I hope that Bernie appreciates sided into overcast days with the occasweeping, high-speed facility, with our contribution to maintaining the blind brows and diving corners. It sional bright and sunny afternoon. excitement of Formula 1,” said There was much talk of Eddie was fabulous. The FI circus came McLaren boss Ron Dennis after the running back to Austria and before Irvine taking on the McLaren boys race-through gritted teeth... long a gawky kid called Niki Lauda but when it came to qualifying there was no sign of a challenge. The quahcame along and the race became an integral part of the World fying session began with Mika Salo and Irvine briefly 1-2 on the time Brains and Brawn: Championship calendar, timed to sheets but then the two Stewarts coincide with the summer holidays. Irvine provided the speed and split them and finally Frentzen It was brilliantly successful and Ross Brawn provided the brains to the crowds always poured in and, for knocked Salo back to second. It was out-think McLaren again. The Irishman’s second win moves him „some mysterious reason, the not really very relevant. Mika Osterreichring always produced sur- Hakkinen’s first run ended with a within two points of the lead in the prising results. It was at the fuel pump problem and he had to World Championship.

Qualifying ^

Ttrei

'S)u(DU'SrD(s

30 July 1999

hitch a ride on a motorbike back to the paddock to take the spare car. On his first run he was six-tenths faster than Frentzen and on the lap after that he made the gap more than a second. David Coulthard tipped him off the top by a couple of tenths and from that moment on it was a straight fight between the two. With 20 minutes to go Mika took pole back with a lap of lml0.954s and Coulthard could do only a lmll.l53s. They both went out again in the final minutes but nei ther improved. It was rather an anti-climax. Hakkinen was, howev er, very satisfied with his 17th pole position as it had been achieved with the spare car. “Non^ally the T-car is identical to your race car - or it should be - so the differences involved are very often more psychological than any thing else. I am happy to have been able to concentrate myself and the engineers all the way through the session and get the most out of the car. It was great team work.” Coulthard had been very close to Hakkinen throughout practice but once again when it came to extracting the very last hundredths of a second it was the Finn who had the edge. “Mika did a good job,” David admitted, “but potentially it is going to be very close between the two of us tomorrow.” We have grown used to seeing Michael Schumacher harrying the McLarens this year but there was no sign of a serious Ferrari challenge in qualifying trim with Eddie Irvine a full second off the pace. It was a shock and judging by Eddie’s face it was a particular shock to him. He showed none of his usual bump tiousness, admitting that he had not done as well as he should have done. He reckoned that he might have improved by half a second. “When you look at where I should be,” he said, “the true gap isn’t a sec ond. It is half a second. The race will be a totally different situation. I want to get on with the race because the car is good. I am expecting to give the McLarens a good run for their money tomorrow.” Mika Salo was only seventh on the grid - half a second slower than Irvine - but the consensus of opinion in the paddock was that this was a

●A

pretty good effort. Mika admitted that he had found it hard to balance the car. “We changed the car a lot throughout the day,” he said, “and before my final run we got it right but I went a bit wide at the first cor ner and lost it there. The times are so close on this track that another couple of tenths would have got me fourth.” Salo admitted that things would probably have gone better it he had not spun off on Friday and lost 40 minutes of setting-up time. Fourth on the grid was a pretty good showing from Heinz-Harald Frentzen in his Jordan given that the yellow cars seemed to spend most of their time motoring through the sandtraps throughout practice. They were clearly not very stable under braking but they were quick as Damon Hill proved on Friday when he set the fastest time of the day, sending the British press corps into overdrive and giving Eddie Jordan a moment of total bewilder ment which was caught for posterity by the TV cameras. Eddie could not believe his eyes. Saturday was a rather different story and Damon languished down in 11th on the grid. “Whatever we did yester day did not work today,” he explained. Fifth and sixth on the grid were the two StewartFords benefiting from the latest version of the Ford VIO engine - which they call the Series 3. There were also some aerodynamic tweaks, a new exhaust and a revised version of the dif ferential. Rubens Barrichello start ed the weekend at a disad vantage having failed to test ^ y': week in the after Silverstone and as Herbert /

performed as well, Rubens seemed to become little edgy. Barrichello reckoned that fifth was the best he was going to do while Herbert was a little disappointed because he had been fomih fastest in the Satoday morning sessions. “It has taken me and the team a bit longer than expected hut now we are in the top six - and it’s a big rehef,” Johnny admitted. The fastest of Supertec runners was Half Schumacher - as we have now come to expect - but eighth on the grid 1.3s off the pole was noth ing to get excited about for the WiUiams boys. Raff admitted that he had hoped to be sixth or seventh and so was not too upset. Alessandro Zanardi’s less-than-successful FI comeback continued with the Itahan down in 14th on the grid, six-tenths slower than Raff. “I am a bit puzzled,” he admitted. “Once more I have made some strategic choices for qualifying that turned out not to be right. Formula 1 is no easy deal...” Three-tenths slower than Raff was Jacques Villeneuve in the BARSupertec And that was the result of some seriously hard driving by Continued over page

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Reasons to be cheerful, Pt 1; Coulthard looks inside Hakkinen ...

... and spins the Finn to the outside of Turn 2. Irvine scoots past...

... leaving Mika to let the whole field past. (Pholo sequence by Sulton-lmages) I’m just a Httle bit evil: No wonder Coulthard was biting his nails ..

(Photos by RaceAccess)

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Maybe a singing nun would help: Once again Barrichello showed blazing speed in the Stewart-Ford but not even the soothing sights of the Styrian forests could make Ford’s V10 go the distance.

i ■''

Continued from page 31 Jacques with a car that was obvious¬ ly quite a handful. Jacques felt that ninth was about as fast as the car was going to go. Ricardo Zonta had to make do with 15th place on the grid, having ended his qualifying session in a sand trap. The third Supertec team Benetton - was represented in tenth place by local hero Alexander Wurz who has done absolutely nothing in recent races. At home the pressure was on a httle more than usual and he was able to stick in a time which was a tenth faster 'than Giancarlo Fisichella, which put the Roman down in 12th place. The battle in the midfield was extremely tight as usual with posi tions nine to 17 being covered by only four-tenths of a second. A blink or a sneeze would make the difference between a good weekend and a bad one. As things turned out it was a bad one for Frost vsdth Jarno Trulh 13th and Olivier Fanis 18th. “We have used the potential of the car,” said Jamo. There was a particularly poor performance from the Sauber team - local heroes because of their Red Bull backing. Fedro Diniz was 16th and Jean Alesi - not a man used to trolling around at the back - was 17th. Jean was troubled with engines going wrong and so went to the spare car and the set-up was all over the place. Fedro struggled to find a balance. “You can come up with an expla nation for everything,” said Feter Sauber, “but I have nothing to say about this unexpected result.” Down at the back as usual were Arrows and Minardi and on this occasion it was Luca Badoer who triumphed in the tussle to be Top Tugger. He was trailed by Tora Takagi. And that is enough dliteration for one day... the back row was shared by Spain; Fedro de la Rosa out-gunning Marc Gene. There were the usual tales of engine trou-

W Marlboro Blue Finn in the red corner: Sale made a circumspect debut in the Ferrari, quali fying within a second of the race winner and aiming ninth at the end of the race. Pretty fly for a rent-a-guy: ‘Pay’ driver Pedro Diniz scored another point. He’s now got 2 iess than the expensive Damon Hill... (Photos by RaceAccess and Sutton-lmages)

f .. Herbert rah into oce anotlier. They would both have to pit, tkeir races compromised. Race(71 laps) 1 As Coulthard powered away to build a lead of 10s in 19 laps, The prospects for the racethe didpes not BarricheUo kept Irvine piruned down look much better with simists predicting a McLaren 1-2 in third. 'The real excitemient came and the optimists hoping for a fi-om Hakkineii who canred through McLaren 2-1. the field like Jack the Eipper on a It turned to be a McLaren 1-1- at good night, leaving a trail of gutted least in the second corner where victims behind him, He was in no Mika and David contrived to run mood to be trifled with. into one another. The result was that When DC’s lead got to around 12s Hakkinen was tipped into a spin. it suddenly stopped growing while After the race Coulthard took the Irvine dropped away from blame - which was honest because BarricheUo, seemingly umable to he deserved a lot of it - although keep up the pace. In fact he later Hakkinen might have avoided the explained that he was saving fuel and brakes for when he would really crash if he had changed his line a lit tle. Whatever the case the two cars need them later in the race. That moment came after hit and David’s “nightmare scenario” BarricheUo and then Coulthard dis happened. As everyone looked on with appeared into the pits on laps 38 and incredulity DC kept in the lead. 39. Irvine kept up the pace. In fact BarricheUo sneaked past Irvine and his lap times did not greatly alter, further back Mika Salo and Johnny fluttering around the Lml3s but at the same time Coulthard’s lap times on new tyres and with a bigger fiiel load were aR over the place. One lap was a lml5.2s, the next was a lml4.8s and then he did a lml4.5s. It was in those laps that the race was lost. When Irvine came into the pits he was there about a second and a half less than Coudthaird had been but that meant that as he came out he was JUST ahead of Coulthard on the road. For the next few Laps - as Coulthard continued to struggle with his car- Irvine build a lead of nearly four seconds -and then the McLaren began to come into its own again. On lap 55 the ga.p was down to 3.1s.'Two laps later it was 2.4s, then 2,0s, 1.8s and so on. For a lap Jamo Traill got in the way and the gap increased and then David was on it And he got to the finish, sort of: Zonta was classified in the BAR again. With five laps to go he got despite having the clutch pack up late in the race. (Photfby RaceAccess) hies and so on - but it was all rather tiresome.

within a second of the Ferrari. Eddie was clearly in trouble with his brakes but he hung on doggedly. “The smoke from my car towards the end of the race was probably coming from my brain,” explained Irvine. “I had to think of so many things: the fuel, the brakes, the tyres. It was not just a case of dri ving. I wished the chequered flag would come sooner...” When finally it came Coulthard was only 0.313s behind the Ferrari. It yvas the closest finish since Monaco 1992 when Ayrton Senna held off Nigel Mansell in a thrilling showdown and they finished 0.215s apart. But it was enough. A win is a win and while Irvine celebrated, Coulthard and Hakkinen were as cold as frozen fish on the podium... Hakkinen’s drive had been a remarkable one. At the end of the first lap he was 21st. By the ninth lap he was 12th and he was fifth by the time the two-stopping Saubers cleared out of his way on laps 24 and 25. He gobbled up the seven seconds between himself and Frentzen and took fourth on lap 34. His mid-race stop dropped him to fifth but when Frentzen pitted Mika was fourth again and chasing BarricheUo. He took the Brazilian for third on lap 50. He would carve another five sec onds from the gap to Coulthard but then the charge was over and he was forced to cruise to third place. “I am going to have serious discus sions with a certain person about a certain subject,” he said after the race. In fact David was rather busy after the race explaining himself to Ron Dennis and then to DaimlerChiysler chairman Jurgen Schrempp.

“m lack the dog when I get home tonight and that will be the end of it,” said Ron. No-one dared mention that Ron doesn’t have a dog... While most of the Ferrari team seemed delighted for Irvine, Jean Todt gave the impression of being seriously underwhelmed. He did have a quiet message for Irvine, however,in the team’s press release. “As usual,” he said, “actions speak louder than words.” While Irvine was being feted by the press, Sale was mulling over a lost opportunity. “I was carrying a bit too much speed,” he admitted, “and hit Herbert from behind.” After a pit stop for a.new nose he rejoined but was unable«to do much because of a lack of straight-line speed which kept him bottled behind Ohvier Fanis’s Frost for most <of the race. Frentzen’s fourth place was a fair ly dull result but Heinz-Harald reck oned there was nothing else he could have done. “We could not keep up with the cars ahead,” he admitted. Damon Hill’s race was thoroughly dull. He went from 11th on the grid to 16th on the road as he tried to avoid the accident and then he was stuck behind Trulli’s Frost for most of the afternoon. The result was an eighth place. There is no doubt that Stewart deserved better than they got. Herbert‘s only crime was to brake to avoid the crash ahead of him. This knocked off the rear wing and a long pit stop was necessary for this to be replaced. Johnny rejoined so far back that the timekeepers needed calendars rather than stopwatches but his speed was impressive. He set

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Tales of woe: Hill struggled to eighth in the Jordan while Raify let the family down by spinning off by himself. (Photos by RaceAccess and Sutton-lmages) V the second fastest lap of the race. Panis had another problem with the Such speed will come in handy at team’s anti-stall system (which the races ahead. caused him trouble in Canada) and Fifth place went to Wim:- which so was at the back of the field on the kept the local fans happy. It was a first lap. He then battled long and good showing for him after a very hard with Salo. frustrating season. Fisichella had a Both Minardis made it to the flag rather more frustrating time. For the with Gene in 11th and Badoer 13th early on when the youngster made a first part of the race he was ahead of position. Luca’s hopes of a better mistake while fighting for fifth on lap Wurz but he lost out during his pit result went out of the window when nine. Zanardi had a terrible time (as usual) and wentfrom 14th to 19th on stops. On lap 56 he went sailing off he ran into the back ofIfill and dam across a sandtrap, losing another aged the front of his car.'This caused the first lap. He recovered to pass place to Diniz and his afternoon him to fly off the track in dramatic Gene, but was then stuck behind ended on lap 69 when he suffered an fashion on lap 2 when the nose came Takagi and then de la Rosa before he engine failure. He was classified 12th off and went under the car and he came upon Diniz (who had pitted) then blew it completely on lap 56 went flying off the track at very high shortly before Alex was due to pit. He when he lost his brakes and went speed. He was fortunate not to hit did not realise that his radio had sailing off across a sandtrap, losing a anything solid. He pitted, had a new ceased to work and was too busy try place to Diniz. ing to p^ Pedro to pay attention to nose put on and rejoined. It was Pedro who took the final Williams,BAR and Arrows failed to his pitboard and so ran out of gas on World Championship point - his get a car to the finish, althou^ Zonta lap 36. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear... third of the year - after a very good was classified 15th despite retiring drive. He made a great start from from tenth place with a clutch failure Arrows lost Takagi with an engine 16th on the grid and was ninth at the on lap 63. Wleneuve went for a late failure on lap 25 while de la Rosa dis end ofthe first lap. On the second lap one-stop strategy and was running appeared into a sand trap with brake he overtook Fisichella and followed sixth when he was let down on lap 34 problems on lap 39. No Michael, no Ferrari wins? So up by harrowing Ralf Schumacher with a driveshaft failure. Williams lost Ralf Schumacher much for that theory. into a mistake on lap 9. Two laps later he overtook ViUeneuve for fifth place. His two-stop strategy proved to be a good one and he was only pushed back to sixth because Hakkinen was simply too strong. Alesi too drove a blinding race. He started 17th and did less well than Diniz on the first lap - ending it in 16th position. He then passed (try saying this lot without taking a breath) Badoer, de la Rosa, Hill, Trulli, Wiu-z, Zonta, Fisichella and ViUeneuve before his pit stop on lap 25. He rejoined 12th and was chasing HUl again when he failed to hear his radio caU or see his pitboard for the second pit stop,and he ran out of gas -just as he did in Australia a couple of years ago... TruUi ended up seventh with Panis 10th but neither Prost driver had a Who’s who? “And there, on the grid, is Giancarlo Fisichella ...” “It’s particularly good day. Trulli spent Alexander Wurz, Murray”. “Yes, of course. And he’s sending a message most of the afternoon under extreme to injured World Champion Mick Doohan.” “It’s for Schumacher, Murray” (Photo by Sutton-lmages) pressure from Damon Hill, while

NAME: Shane Bond Age: 16 OCCUPATION: Student Years IN KARTING: 8){ years CLUB: Southern Tasmanian Kart Club ACHIEVEMENTS:!St in three state wide series In my class including the Champion of champions for all classes In 1993,2nd at three state Why not see what it's all about for titles, 1st at seven club titles, 1st at one closed club yourself? Attend a race meeting at your local club and talk to the drivers titles & driver of the year for club once in rookies & once and crew. There are classes to suit In almost everyone from 7 years to 77 +. juniors. FAMILY INVOLVEMENT: My Dad has Midgets 7-11 years been my pit crew ever since Rookies 10-12 years I started but I still can't Juniors* 12- 16 years in TWO convince him to race. My weight divisions brother, Nick used to race Seniors* Over 10 classes of varying before I started and for a few power & driver weights to years afterwards but quit around 5 years ago. choose from. Aspirations: To win a state * Other more powerful classes title (for once). To move on available for experienced racers. to something like sports

I You’re invited to be part of Australia’s fastest growing motor sport

Pos Driver 1 E.Irvine 2 D. CouUhard 3 M.Hakkinen 4 H.HjFrenizen 5 A. Wurz 6 P.Diniz 7 J.Trulli 8 D. Hill 9 M.Salo 10 O.Panis 11 M.Gene 12 G.FisicheUo 13 L. Badoer 14 '' j. Herbert 15 R.Zonta

Car Marlboro-Ferrari McLoren-Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes Jordan-Mugen-Honda Benetton-Supertec Sauber-Petronas Prost-Peugeot Jordan-Peugeot Marlboro-Ferrari Prost-Peugeot Minardi-Ford Benetton-Supertec Minardi-Ford Stewart-Ford BAR-Supertec

Race time 1h28m12.438s 1h28m12.751s 1h28m34.720s Ih29m05.241s Ih 29m 18.796s Ih29m23.371s 70laps 70laps 70taps 70laps 70laps 68laps(DNF) 68laps 67laps 63laps(DNF)

Fastest Lap:Hakkinen,Lap 39,1 m 12.107s,215.629 kph Retirements: Lap8 R.Schumacher Williams-Supertec spun off Arrows Lap 25 T.Takagi engine Lap 34 J.ViUeneuve BAR-Supertec rear upright Lap 35 A.Zonardi Williams-Supertec ran eut offuel Arrows Lap 38 P.DeLoRosa spun off Sauber-Petronas out offuel Lap 49 J.AIesi Stewort-Ford Lap 55 R. Borrichello engine clutch Lap63 R.Zonta BAR-Supertec Lap 68 G. Fisichella Benetton-Supertec engine Lap Leaders.Lap 1 -39Lap 40-71 Irvine. Drivers World Championship points Hakkinen 44,Irvine 42,M.Schumacher 32,Frentzen 29,Coulthard 28,R. Schumacher 19,Fisichella 13,Barrichello, D.Hilt 5,Wurz/Diniz 3, Herbert 2,De la Rosa,Panis,Alesi and Trulli 1. Constructors’ World Chompionship points Ferrari 74,McLoren-Mercedes 72,Jordan-Mugen-Honda 34,WilliamsSupertec 19 Benetton-Supertec 16 Stewort-Ford 12,Sauber-Petronas 4, Prost-Peugeot 2,Arrows 1.

Hie ^ystraHan Karting Assodatien Inc For information about karting & how to get started call NSW 02 9834 3860 VIC 03 9362 1144 www.kartguide.com.au/vka.htm

QLD 07 3844 8507 www.akaqld.asn.au TAS 03 6272 6848 SA

08 8242 3513

WA 08 9409 4441 htljnAvwv.arach.net.Ju/uscrs'akawa/index.huii

08 8978 2916

National AKA Web Site www.aka.asn.au

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30 July 1999

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The SOOmph Son of a Gun

it can be said that Andrew Cowin was born with the right genes for drag racing. The 19 year oSd son of drag racing legends Graeme and Wendy Cowin, Andrew is currently living the dream, competing in the sports premier class, Top Fuel, on the NHRA tour GERALD McDORNAN caught up with Andrew on a trip home between races...

HERE’S no doubt that, as tar as drag racers are con cerned, Sydney’s Andrew Cowin has been given the absolute opportunity of a life time. When his father Graeme announced in mid-1998, firstly, that he was again heading to the US to race and then, that

one of his twin sons would be taking his place in the ^eat of the family’s 6,000 horsepower Top Fueller, many were sur prised that such a legend of the sport would give up his seat so easily. But those that know Cowin knows he’s a true family man and trusted his judgement

about when to retire and who would be his replacement. They also knew that, having seen Andrew - and his twin, John - grow up the young Cowin could handle ‘the job’. But, with little experience behind him, and with this the ‘Formula One’ of drag racing, some still wondered ... Andrew, though, has already repaid the faith placed in him many times over, attacking everything with vigour and impressing with his efforts. But, despite the fact that when he heads to the US Andrew Cowin is quite a siar, when he’s at home, he’s still the same kid - sometimes, per haps, still not believing he’s in the big league, although one that exudes immense enthusi asm when talking about racing and his ‘hot rod’.

CHance of a lifetime: 19 year old Andrew Cowin, above, has grasped the opportunity presented to him, impressing many in the US with his efforts in the K&N Filters/Auto Meter Top Fuel dragster. (Pholosby Mike Basso/Dave Osuszewski)

MOTORSPORT NEWS: Without beating around the bush, you’re young and you’ve been handed the opportunity of a lifetime by racing at the highest level in the United States. To a circuit racer it would be like going from V8s to Formula One. How does it feel? ANDREW COWIN: Incredible... it’s just an incredible feeling run ning in the US, I mean, here we were running up against the leg ends of drag racing, guys we’d only seen on video before. Originally we were certainly wary of who was in the other lane - Kalitta, Bernstein, Amato - they are the who’s who of our sport. MN: That said, was it worrying running up against the ‘legends’ and were you intimidated at all? AC: The best part was going back

to Phoenix again, after we’d been there testing before the Winternationals, qualifying in the field, running our first 300 mph run and then beating Larry Dixon in the first round - that was great for the team. What those runs also did was gave us confidence in ourselves and our abilities and showed us that the big guys can be beaten, it doesn’t matter who they are. Sure they’re tough, some of them have huge budgets and lots of parts, but it really proved to us that, if we have our act together and they sneeze ... well, they’re in trouble. At first we were just happy to qualify in the show, that was our goal, but there’s no point being there if you can’t improve, make strides in your performances and do a little better than just qualifying.

Getting his hands dirty: Andrew Cowin is still learning the craft of nitro racing, and that includes working on the car between rounds. He and crew member Jason Walker worked on the car at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago. The ‘two-father’: Father of Andrew and John, drag racing legend Graeme Cowin, our first four second drag racer.

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MN: Highlights of your five events over there so far would be? AC: Well, we’ve qualified three times, just missed out once and run 4.66 at Route 66-that was neat. We also ran 260 mph to half track at Englishtown and Chicago. Also beating Dixon was terrific for the whole team. Also the way the whole team has performed has been great. We’re all Australians, although we do have Richard Hogan - Dave Grubnic’s crew chief from last year - helping us as an advisor, aithough he doesn’t touch the car. It’s great how well we all work together. MN: It’s right to say that you’ve personally come a long way since you’ve been racing in the US, both as a driver and working with the media as previous you really had no experience before.

MN:So with more experience and being comfortable, you’re now not just along for the thrill of the ride? AC: No, not any more. I go through the procedure for every run exactly the same each time, sort of like getting dressed in the morning. I have to forget about everything else and concentrate. On the run I try and log in my mind what’s happening and then in the shutdown area I’m working out what I’ve got to tell dad, how the car ran and what it did on the run. MN:So there’s no more exhilara tion with the ride anymore? AC: Sure there still is but that comes after I’ve done what I’ve got to do and I get out of the car. Then you’ve got time to think about how it just sat you back in the seat all the way to the finish line.

Manyou oughtto hear whatthis one sounds Eke, it’s IdUer, tough, it really crackles away just like an American car... AC: Before I left I’d really only done three full track runs in dad’s car - my 4.92 licence run, a full pass at Eastern Creek and a 4.95 at Willowbank - so I didn’t really have much experience. The test session at Phoenix really was the best thing for us and it ‘broke in me good’, if you can say that. The first time in Phoenix wasn’t a race and there’s nowhere near the pressure of a normal NHRA national event... we weren’t thrown in the deep end and that’s helped me get comfortable in the car.

Half the fun is then seeing what you ran when you get the time car and waiting tor the crew to arrive. After that I just want to jump back in and go again ... I just can’t wait for the next run sometimes! MN: You still get excited with the car and the racing then, despite being around them for all of your life? AC: Oh yeah, I still get excited. I still like starting the car and hear ing it rumble. And man you ought to hear what this one sounds like, it’s killer, tough ... it really crackles away.

Aussie Raiders: John, Graeme and Andrew Cowin.(Mark Bruedene)

One proud dad

GRAEME Cowin has reached the lofty heights of legendary status in Australian drag racing. The former truck driver cum aftermarket wholesaling king did just about everything that ever could be done in the sport - the first ever five sec ond Funny Car pass, the first ever 250 mph run, the first 290 mph run, the first ever four second Top Fuel run, a run ner-up at the NHRA Winternationals ... the list goes on. But, despite his on-track achievements, it seems as though Cowin is most proud of what his twin sons, Andrew and John, along with his allAustralian crew, are doing in their limited NHRA campaign.

“The boys, Andrew, John ... the whole team, they’re all doing a tremendous job in the toughest drag racing series there is,” Cowin said. While acknowledging that Andrew gets the accolades due to being the driver, John can’t be forgotten. I’m especially proud of John for the job he’s doing, he’s really put his head down and worked hard with the responsibilities we’ve given him.” For the future Cowin’s quite content to continue funding the racing in the US, provided his boys want to continue. “There’s great opportunities for Andrew and John and their future in America and, while they’re happy, we will continue to do it.”

Loading the gun: Andrew Cowin relies on his twin brother John heavily, John playing a major role both in the pits and on the track. The brothers have a goal of running a two-car team one day. (Phoio by Mark Bmederie) just like an American car... the same lined up side by side ... MN: Does not racing here disap hopefully one of these days we can point you though? MN: How has the reaction from do that. I want John to drive one of AC: A little, it’s home. The sport the fand and the media been? these cars just as much as 1 want has so much potential here but it AC: It’s all been terrific. Tom ‘the to drive onejand it’s a goal of ours hasn’t realised it fully. for one day., Since we’ve been back, we get Mongoose’ McEwen, who gives asked how come we ran 300 so expert comments on the pa sys MN: Have you guys ever raced quick in the US. It wasn’t ’cause tem, gives us plenty of good com each other? ments. It gets a little embarrassing we weren’t trying here, we were actually, ‘cause he tells the story AC: Yeah, at a street meeting at actually running the same equip how he raced dad here in Australia Eastern Creek. John got me at ment, but you don’t get to race both ends of the track -on a enough here. Practice makes per (in the late-70s) and how he held holeshot at the start and he went a fect, especially with cars on nitro ... me and John when we were babies! few hundredths quicker... MN; Despite all the professional We’ve had good response from MN; What does the'future hold ism required to present yourself the media in the US, got on TV in the big time and handle a 300 for you? Can you see yourself plenty of times, had some good running full-time in the US? And mph race car, can you still get coverage in the magazines. what about racing in Australia? away from it all when you get Every time we go to a race home? AC; It’s fun racing in the US, but they’re talking about us and our AC; Yeah, I’m the same person home will always be home. We sponsors, so that’s great. went to the Nationals which was I’ve always been ancj that’s the MN: What about your brother just after we ran the 4.70s and 300 way I’ll stay. There’s a job we have to do when we’re at the track and John? Obviously being twins mph runs at Phoenix and the reac we hopefully are doing if profes tion from everyone was fantastic. you’ve got a strong connection, sionally, but when we’re back in There was just this warm fuzzy but your dad had to make the Sydney I’m out the back in the decision about who got to drive feeling, something in the air and that’s where we want to be ... his car. warehouse [at Rocket Industries] unpacking and packing boxes. AC: We’re great mates. John’s the person that worries most about me, MN: But? MN; What’s the next event on AC: But the opportunities for us to he starts the car, backs me up ... the schedule? run the way we should run, get the probably 80 percent of the time I’m AC; We’re going to Indy for the sponsors and the coverage like we looking at him - he is every bit as biggest drag race in the world on important to the team as what I am. should isn’t here at the moment and that’s what we need. the first weekend in September Dad’s really proud of us both, and we are really looking forward It’s good racing against the US especially the way John has taken to that. It’s a dream ... guys, too. When you’re strapped up the responsibilities that have Dad raced there with the in, the starter is hooked up, the been given to him and the way he has carried them out. ‘Aussie Raider’ Funny Car in the national anthem is playing ... play ‘80s and we are all looking forward About driving, there’s nothing I’d ing against the big boys -that’s want more than to have two cars to going back. the real thing. Been there, done that: Graeme Cowin raced successfully in the US in the mid-’80s with his ‘Aussie Raider’ Funny Car.

36 30July 1999

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Denver

Briefs.

n Chevrolet used Chuck Etchells’ Kendall GT-1 team to help debut its new ‘aerod3mamically-enhanced” 1999 Camaro Z28 Funny Car body. Alter being secretively developed in the compa ny’s wind-tunnel, the new Camaro features a lower, more rounded, smoother front as well as a narrower roof and squared edges all along the top edge of the body. The new Camaro has been developed in answer to John Force’s Ford-developed Mustang.

Mountain High f t 4V>

n Chevrolet’s second fuel Funny Car team, Don Prudhomme’s Copenhagen team, will debut its new Camaro in Seattle next weekend, the team also using the event to make the switch from McKinney to Victory chassis. Rumours hqve the team not happy with the previous chassis, the realisation of the chassis

Ifs not all that bad: Joe Amato ponders his stunning 4.58. Amato stunned earlier in Report and qualifying, rocketing to a photos by track record at 4.58/318-the DAVID OSTASZEWSKl first 4.5 second pass ever recorded at the 5800 feet JOE Amato, who was the above sea level facility, showking of the mountain at ing crew chief Jimmy Prock Bandimere Speedway, had a handle on the tough, taking the Top Fuel title high altitude with the team’s for four consecutive years new car. On Sunday, Amato went to between 1987 and 1991, returned to the winners work in round one disposing

problems also reportedly behind the decision to

baUed the motor. A 4.67/306 and 4.64/312 took out Jim Head and a

Tony Pedregon took out his boss John Force in the semis, then stormed to a 5.20/279 to stop a tractionless Whit Bazemore in the Funny Car final. Pedregon the defending event champion, got progressively quicker in each roimd. stopping Gary Densham in the opening frame with a 5.51/239 and A1 Hofmann (5.11/282). In the semis, Pedregon lined up alongside his Force and cut a huge light on the

tyre-smoking Larry Dixon to advance Amato and Prock to

eight-time champion, outrunning him as well, to post a

“I must have pedalled the the final. i . rirj car four or five times” said , Amato. “We didn’t do anyMcCulloch were thing different, but it smoked qmck on the mountain the tyres and I had to get on brea^g the three year old and off the throttle just to f’ get down through there. , ~ ultimately Each time I got off it I 1 winding up second to

5.04/291 victory, “Everything just clicked for us today,” said Pedregon. “it all happened the way it was supposed to. We had an exceptional run in the semifinals. It does something to the competition when you

bring Roland Leong back into the stable. n Apparently there’s a fair bit going on in the Pro Stock arena again with calls of foul play concerning fuel being used by some teams. The rupiours having the new rocket brew con taining masking agents which stop NHRA’s chemical testing picking up anything that’s not allowed. Some who haven’t been happy in the past with teams swapping engines with others dur ing qualifying, with the nitrous debacle and the body template fiasco, are believed to be almost ready to hit the roof about this new chapter.

circle, capturing his third victory of the year. Amato drove to victory over Doug Kalitta in a wild tyre-smoking battle 5.71/253 to 6.02/233.

could hea^Kalitta but I ^ a i never saw his car. I’d let up ^^e Kitty Hawk dragster and let the chassis settle, but posted round wins of 4.70 when I hit the gas again the ^.73 to stop Garth front wheels would come off Widdison, who returned to the the groimd and the car went sport after a 20 year hiatus, sideways. It was a wild ride. I Tony Schumacher and Cory don’t know how close I came McClenathan - the Denver to the wall, but it was really winner the past two years. crossed up at one point. Most of the Top Fuel point “It was one of those cases leaders fell early, with Mike where it was better to be Dunn, Gary Scelzi and Doug lucky than good and we came Herbert all falling in the opening roimd. out on top.”

that’s why they overpowered the track, “Right now we have a good. solid team and this is a great way for us to start offthe second part of the season. It feels great to come out and win this event back-to-back.” The win, Pedregon’s third in six final round appearances in 1999, solidifies his second place standing in points. He now trails Force by 251 and

IMew found power: The Jeg’s team were back on track and in the winner’s circle in Denver. M

n The alky wars in Denver had Darren

May the Force be with you: Tony Pedregon won another event for the powerful John Force camp, his '99 Castrol Mustang downing Whit Bazemore’s new '99 Kendall Camaro in the final round

holds a 236 point lead over third place Bazemore. Pro Stock saw an allCoughlin affair for the sec ond consecutive race - the result the same as Jeg Coughlin defended his 1998 Denver title with a final round 7.26/188 to 7.34/187. It marks the third time in 1999 that there has been an aU Coughlin final round, Jeg holding the advantage at three-nil. “We struggled a little bit in the first half of the year, Jeggie Junior said. “[Crew chief] Richard Maskin, has been doing a heck of a job to come up with a handful of combinations to get us set up for this race. This win proves that we’re still on the right track, Hopefully, we can go to Seattle and see both cars in the top four again.” In qualifying, Jeg led most of the weekend, but in the last session Warren Johnson stole the pole while Kurt Johnson moved into third, bumping Troy to fourth. All four reached the semis, setting up a CoughlinJohnson battle on both sides of the ladder.

Nicholson setting a new track record on his way to a 5.68/245 to 5.72/246 victory over David Wells in the dragster category while Sam Blue, the number two qualifier, took a 5.94/234 to 6.45/221 win over num ber one qualifier Tony

Jeg had earlier stopped Mike Edwards and Steve

Bartone.

Schmidt, while Troy had eliminated Bruce Allen and Greg Anderson. WJ lined up against Troy, and, after a brief staging duel, Coughlin strapped a perfect .400 light on the Trofessor’ and took a 7.34 to 7.30 victory. In the other pairing Jeg cut a .418 light on KJ, then outran the AC Delco Camaro, 7.28 to 7.37. Pro Stock Motorcycle saw 43-time NHRA national event winner David Schultz return to the winners circle for the first time since 1997. The multiple Winston Champion scored a pressure to relieving, 7.65/175 7.70/174 win in the final round when Antron Brown redlighted. “I’m not dead jet,” said Schultz. “I’m old, but I’m not dead. After Chicago, I began a new engine program, with Byron Hines and now I feel we have some power, “I also have more confi¬ dence and that’s made me a lot better”. Number one qualifier, Matt Hines lost in the semis but gained valuable ground on point leader, Angelle Seeling, who redlighted in the opening round.

1999 WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS AT JULY 24, 1999

1999 Winston Top Fuel Championship ,814 1. Mike Dunn. Team Mopar .770 2. Kenny Bernstein. Budweiser King . .759 3. Doug Herbert Snap On Tools ,726 4. Larry Dixon Miller Lite .724 5. Tony Schumacher, Exide Batteries ,722 6. Gary Scelzi, Team Winston ,722 7. Joe Amato, Tenneco Automotive..., .6 77 8^ Cory McClenathan, MBNA ,642 9. Doug Kalitta Kitty Hawk .... .614 10.Bob Vandergriff, Jerzee’s..

1999 Winston Funny Car Championship 1,246 1. John Force, Castrol Ford Mustang 2. Tony Pedregon, Castrol Ford Mustang ....995 3. Whit Bazemore, Kendall Chev Camaro ....759 ,599 4. Tim Wilkerson, JCIT Pontiac Firebird 5. Dean Skuza, Mateo Tools Dodge Avenger582 6. Cruz Pedregon, I'state Batteries Pontiac ..542 .524 7. Frank Pedregon. Penthouse Pontiac .487 8. Del Worsham, CSK Pontiac Firebird .460 9. Cory Lee, Pioneer Dodge Avenger.... .445 10.Jim Epier Easy Care Corvette

1999 Winston Pro Stock Championship 1. Warren Johnson, Goodwrench Pontiac ....988 2. Kurt Johnson, AC Delco Chev Camaro ..,.807 .644 3. Jeg Coughlin, Jeg's Maii Order Oids 4. Jim Yates, Spiitfire/Peak Pontiac Firebird 698 5. Richie Stevens, Valspar Pontiac Firebird ..632 6. Troy Coughiin, Jeg's Mail Order Olds, .579 7. Allen Johnson, Amoco Dodge Avenger ..572 8. Mike Edwards, Dewco Chev Camaro. ,526 ,504 9. Mark Pawuk, Summit Racing Pontiac ,503 10.Greg Anderson, Troy Humphries

30 July 1999 37

Bray ups the ante again

Back where he belongs: That’s what Victor Bray thought when he ran the world’s fastest pass for a doorslammer, topping Peter Gratz’s Winternats effort. Bite my lip: Steve Read’s Santo’s Cranes fueller again trailed flames through the traps. (Photos by John Bosher) fX:

The NHRA have announced the addi tion of Las Vegas Motor Speedway to the listof venues to host a national event,begin ning in 2000. While the entire 2000 schedule hasn’t been announced,the NHRA have allocated an April 6-9, 2000 date for the inaugural LVMS event. LVMS is owned by Bruton Smith’s Speedway Motorsports Inc.- the same company which unveiled its stunning Bristol complex just two weeks ago. 'The company, which is ciurrently constructing a drag strip at the Las Vegas venue to join its Superspeedway,speed way and road course, now has NHRA national events at three of its venues - Bristol, Sears

Report by KEN FERGUSON VICTOR Bray wasted little time regaining the coveted title of World’s fastest doorslammer, taking just four weeks for him to su^ass Peter Gratz’s 229.29 mph efforts with a 229.94 mph Wast in the Castrol GP50 Chevy at Willowbank on July 17. Bray fronted at the Winter Finals for testing and blew away the crowd with his two fastest passes so far - the tyre shaking problems apparently all but dis appeared as with 6.25/229.04 and 6.36/229.94 passes lighting up the scoreboards. Event sponsor Les Winter didn’t have such a great night, though, his ‘Wild Fridge’ ‘55 Chevy Doorslammer out of shape before the 60ft timers, smacking the concrete wall ajid sustaining enough damage to be loaded into the trailer for the night. The rather small crowd were also treated to two forms of nitro action, Steve Read and local debutante Ashley Bailey fronting with their Top Fuel and Funny Cars respectively.

Point and Las Vegas. LVMS is the fourth new facility added to the NHRA schedule diming the last three years - all state-of-the-art, stadiumtype facilities. “Las Vegas is a great motorsports city and we’ve wanted to bring NHRA drag racing to the desert for some time,” NHRA president DaUas Gardner said last week. “The recent debut of the new Bristol Dragway cer tainly demonstrates Bruton Smith’s confidence in our sport,” he said. The new Las Vegas facility will feature luxu ry suites constructed above the grandstands covering the quarter-mile - a first in drag racing with future plans for the dragstrip to be expanded to four lanes. “We have looked at the four-lane concept several

Porter in the second round with a .399 red light. Porter went through the rounds to meet Debbie Reed in the final, Reed emerging victo rious with the Reed Transport/ Jack Brothers supercharged dragster. National Competition Champion Greg Leahy added the Super Comp track champi onship to his belt with another flawless display. Leahy only qualified seventh, a strong Super, Comp field including the likes of Trevor Maas and his national record holding G/Gas Celica and the Pro Stock Pontiac of Tony Wedlock. Both Wedlock and Maas fell in the semi-finals to Leahy and Dave Fairfull respectively. Fairfull, in the ex-Donna Read’s dragster could man Sizmur C/MS Camaro, blew his age just a mid-five best, two of chances in the final with a redhis three runs ending in fire light, wasting his sub-index balls. 10.59 and handing an easy win Bailey fronted with his and to Leahy who shut-off early. brother Rodney’s Ford Probe Wedlock top qualified in the fuel coupe for licensing, the bracket and recorded his quick first attempt - including a est numbers to date in the burnout and launch - success Ultimate Financial Group ful, although the second wasn’t when the car stuck in reverse Pbntiac - a 7.709/174 coming up in his first round defeat of following the burnout. Lindsay Randall’s B/Gas Gary Phillips took the Commodore. Alky Queensland { Top John Parker rewarded his Championship with the Lucas sponsors, Morgan and Wacker, Oils dragster despite being by taking the track champi defeated in the final. onship in the M&W-backed Paul Shackleton recorded his Comp Bike bracket, despite second straight event win-, being defeated by John Adin in downing Phillips’ 6.16/232 with the second round. a 6.02/233. Adin’s B/AB Kawasaki went Eight track championships to the final round, falling to Joe were up for grabs at the track’s Marshall’s A/SB Suzuki. Other winners and track Winter’s Smash Repairs season final, although reigning champions included Dave Australian Super Sedan Ferricks and Graeme Frawley Champion Juan Kudnig had in Modified, Kerry Jeffries in already accumulated enough Super Street, Fabio Crystal and points to secure another cham Trevor Sage (Mod Bike), and pionship - Kudnig taking a rest Shane Tucker and Renee Everett(Junior Dragster). for the night. Russell Schafer took the Sage’s Mod Bike win was his series win in Top Comp with fifth consecutive title, a feat not achieved by any other racer at the Caloundra Wreckers drag Willowbank. ster, despite falling to Graham

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times over the past five years and have solicited input and opinion from racers,tracks,owners and sponsors to help evaluate the potential,” Gardner said.“With the infrastruc ture in place at LVMS,we will have the future capa bility to field-test the con cept and experiment with possibilities. “There maybe signifi cant value to four lanes in drag racing’s future,but we are going to be careful.”_

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n Word has it that Super Stock racer Nick Xerakais will be heading to B/Gas next season, making the change in class after bombing the G/Gas index at the Wintemationals along with Queensland’s Trevor Maas. The Melbourne racer is reported to have acquired an ex-Larry Perkins(the American drag racer, not the Australian touring car racer ...) small block from the US with expec tations of taking the class into the seven second range. n Top Bike racer Brett Stevens licensed in his Studebaker Top Doorslammer at a private test session prior to Willowbank’s Winter Finals event. Stevens reportedly ran a 6.7/170 run, then put the car away... n Texas Motor Speedway, located in Fort Worth, Texas, is moving ahead with its plans to build a drag strip, TMS General Manager Eddie Gossage last week being quoted in a local newspa per as saying “We want to have the biggest drag racing event in the world.” One problem for TMS is that BiUy Meyer cur rently has an exclusive contract with the NHRA for national events - no other NHRA national event can be held within 150 miles of Meyer’s Motorplex complex, f Gossage isn’t concerned about the NHRA/Meyer deal, commenting that a huge match race or an IHRA would fit the bill of “filling the stands.” n The IHRA have amended the Pro Mod rules again, with the blower cars being slugged another 501bs, effective immediately. The southern sanction ing body have also ruled that spoilers and spill plates on all entries now can’t exceed roof height. H Peter Lantz won the second roimd of the Swedish Top Fuel Series at the Midnight Nationals, held at Pittea on July 11. Lantz defeated Monica Oberg in the final round, 5.18 to 5.18-the win margin just four-thou sandths of a second. Lantz held low et of the event 5.10. n The Swedish Top Fuel Series has four cars signed for the tour, the exclusive deal believed to be behind the reason the official FIA European series has only been attracting a token amount of entries so far this year. American Gordie Bonin currently leads the European Top Fuel Series, having taken wins at the first two rounds.

30 July 1999

- Formula 1>00' Heavy s Oominic Altonese.(Bums) WITH the hectic calendar tak ing its toll on entries, a sunny Sunday nonetheless brought out a reasonable entry for the GoKart Club of Victoria’s open meeting at Todd Road in Melbourne on July 4. Amit Ismaili started from the rear of the Rotax 125 grid and came through each heat to finish the day only 40 points in arrears, Russ Occipinti taking the win from Vince Santoro. Bradley Wyatt had the measure of the field in Junior Clubman, with Jace Lindstrom second and Bryce Godfrey third.

The Clubman Super Heavy final shaped up as a great one, with Roh Macri and Michael Phillips tied on points, Macri took the win from Philhps, with Scott Webb third and Andrew Baker fourth. An incident in Clubman Light saw the final being rerun, but Dale Carpenter showed his experience by winning against some strong opposition, Craig Domashenz fourth in the final for second on the day, with WiU Pristel third. Brendan Turner had a good day in Midgets, winning all three heats, but Rick Pringle came good in the final to secure second, dropping James Reid to third.

Nice work: Ashley Rintoul heads for a Junior National Light win. (Burns)

Formula 100 Heavy was shared among all the competitors, Tommy Nicolou and Dominic Alhanese sharing the front row in the final after being tied on points. Alhanese made the best start and romped away for the win, Nicolou’s third good enough for second on the day. Junior National Heavy produced good racing, Bryce Godfrey and Andrew Karabatsakis close racing all day. On the final lap, Karabatsakis dived past to steal the win from Godfrey, while Jason Pringle was third on the day. Danny Buzadzic and Adam Murray were on the front row for the final of Clubman Heavy, but a messy turn 1-2 gave Murray a good-sized break. Buzadzic charged back, but time ran out, Murray winning from Buzadzic and George Sera placing third, f l Another nail-biter was put on by the Rookies, as David Sera, Anthony Contarino, Jack Perkins and Tim Blanchard ran together. Sera and Contarino pulling away at half distance. Sera took the win ahead of Contarino, with Blanchard third and Perkins fourth. Tim Macrow won all three RESA heats for the class win, while Craig Shillito was second, three seconds ahead of Tim Karmiste. - GRAEME BURNS Rookies; David Sera and Anthony Contarino (piotured left) in the final, the win going to Sera, ahead of Contarino, Tim Blanchard and Jack Perkins. Big guys: Impressive Clubman Heavy pack (below) saw #16 Adam Murray and #3 Danny Buzadzic lead the way. (Burns pics)

THE 1999 Italian Karting Championships- saw -ah Australian ' invasion with European factory drivers Ryan Bfiscoe (CR'Gi and^ Ben Horstman (Biesse) dominating the six round series, Briscoe^ taking the championship victory with one round to spare,, despite( ! missing the opening round. V, 1 The elite class in the Italian Championships is Formula A, the profes\l ' sional European Super A drivers reverting to the lesser of the two rotaryJ ^ valve engine classes in the series. '1 Rounds are made up oftwo finals per round, with qualil|dhg determln= j ing the starting position - as no qualifying heats are contested, it’s a j sudden death scenario. I Horstman was the early series leader after strong iMshes in the-opens ing roimd alongside English teamsmate Anthony Davison, hut Briscoe was the form driver, taking wins in both rounds two and three wMch ‘ produced enough points for him to become the series leader, at the halfway point. Strong finishes in the next two rounds hmided Mm the series victoi^| with one roimd remainmg, Ms strongest opponent for the title = Davison ! - not even attenMng the fifth round at Sarno. SEAN HENSHELWOOD

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30 July 1999

BOBBY Labonte won his tenth career victory at Pocono Raceway on July 25 after fight ing all race long in an ill-han dling car which finally came on song in the final laps. Labonte also won the first Pocono race just a few weeks previously and became just the fourth driver to achieve the feat. “I definitely got better at the end and I think the cloud cover helped, as the car was all over the place at the beginning,” said Labonte, who led twice for 36 laps. Points leader Dale Jarrett fin ished second to further pad his advantage in the standings, after the crew changed everything but the paint job the previous day in search for the right set up: “These are th^ kind of days we need,” said Jarrett. The marathon four-plus hour race featured nine cautions, Kenny Irwin the cause ofthe first following a nudge from Jimmy Spencer, Irwin finding the wall hard on lap 15. Prior to that, polesitter Mike Skinner led Mark Martin before Martin took the point, but was penalised with a stop and go on pit road for a stray wheel following his pit stop. Many teams took on two tyres during the stop, leader Ward Burton one of those who then opened up a healthy advantage before blowing a tyre and impound ing the wall on lap 30 for caution two. Jeff Gordon now led, followed by Jarrett, Sterling Marlin and Skinner. Tony Stewart then made a rookie mistake and got under John Andretti with two wheels in the grass, Andretti hitting the turn one wall very hard on the driver’s side, but thankfully emerging okay.

Although running in the top five, second of the cautions, but laps later laps, but was no match for B Jeff Burton started to show some Elhott would get a nudge from Jerry Labonte, who pulled away by transmission smoke around lap 50, Nadeau and give the wall a hard almost ten seconds at the chequers. as second-placed Gordon cut a right lick - “you race these lapped cars Again Stewart had a great run, side tyre on lap 78 and lost a lap harder than you do the leaders and finishing fourth, while Wally DaUenbach came home fifth as he when the caution waved for his itjust ain’t worth it,” said Elliott. Steve Park and Rich Bickle, both ends his tenure with Hendrick debris - luckily he hit nothing, but the handle went away on the his having exceptional runs, led B Motorsports - Bickle and Park had Hendrick Chevy and he would fin- Labonte, J Burton and Martin on great showings, while the Childress ish three laps off the pace and lose the restart, Labonte charging to the pair of Earnhardt and Skinner front and into clean air where his filled the top ten. fifth in the points to Stewart, Skinner led halfway, heading B car worked best. Final result: B Labonte (Pontiac), Labonte, Jarrett and Martin, as Just to prove what goes around Jarrett (Ford), Martin (Ford), Ted Musgrave and Marlin both » comes around, Nadeau was next Stewart (Pontiac), DaUenbach ended good runs with transmission out when he slammed the concrete (Chevy), T Labonte (Chevy), Bickle (Pontiac), Park (Chevy), Earnhardt and oil fine failure, respectively. on lap 168 in turn 1. Labonte led J Burton and Martin Skinner(Chevy). Jarrett showed the upper hand Points standings: Jarrett 3014, and squeezed to the front in a when the green flag aired for the strong-looking horse, leading final time. Burton drop'ping out Martin 2760, B Labonte 2731, J through a pair of cautions for brief with gearbox problems laps into the Burton 2659, Stewart 2565, Gordon restart. 2522, Earnhardt 2467, T Labonte rain showers, Jarrett closed in and passed 248, Skinner 2241,R Wallace 2199. Rick Mast, Dale Earnhardt and - MARTIN D CLARK Bfil EUiott headed the field after the Martin for second in the waning

readies for 200

DESPITE the outcry from within the NASCAR ranks. Cal Wells is quietly going about his business of setting up shop in readiness for PPI’s Winston Cup and Busch Series debuts next year. In May, Wells announced that he had a five year deal with McDonald’s to run a NASCAR team, starting out in the Busch Series in 2000 and moving up to Winston Cup the following yezT. Tnen, earlier this month washing detergent Tide’s parent company Proctor & Gamble announced the end to their contract with Ricky Rudd’s team. Well’s PPI negotiations with the company to launch a Winston Cup team next season apparently bearing fruit. ‘We’re well down the road; we’re buying cars, we’re hiring people and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” Wells said last week of the pending officicd Tide announcement. “Give me she to eight weeks and I can teU you more, but I’m hiring people to race Winston Cup next year.” Wells said he was not surprised at the cool initial reaction from the NAS(5aR commimity. “There’s only a very few people who know me in that series. Over time, I think we will earn our way in,” he said. Already PPI’s North Carolina operation is well underway.

Wells has leased two 25,000 sq ft buildings the second being constructed at present - and he has 18 people working at the site as of last week. Future plans call for the construction of the team’s own facility. Wells having purchased a 50 acre site. “Ultimately, we’ve got a campus we’re going to build [on that site]. McDonald’s is part of it and we’ve got some other thoughts on what our ultimate home base is going to be.” The facility will be built towards shop tours with restaurants and shops,in addition to truck stop capabilities, a small theme park, go-kart tracks and a motorcross track. Critical engine preparation won’t be under taken by PPI initially, a deal for 2000 having already been done. “We are not going to be building our own engines, or our own cars. I have a deal that’s done, but I can’t talk about it yet,” he said. PPI already has an impressive engineering and development programme that includes a seven-post shaker for suspension set-ups and its own aerodynamic programme - Wells expects much of the new technology to find its way over to the NASCAR operation. ‘We’re working on an aero programme right now that I’m pretty excited about,” he said. His CART aero programme is currently based in the UK, though, with a US-based NASCAR

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aero programme probably three to four years away. Amazingly, with aU the work going on around Wells in preparation for PPI’s NASCAR debut, one critical component is yet to be finalised driver choice - although that’s next on the hori zon. “I’m looking for a guy who can drive the wheels off the car, but who can be the proper spokesperson - the icon of the various brands I will be representing,” said Wells. “The McDonald’s program gives us some flexi bility, so we’re looMng at guys for the Busch programme who haven’t raced in Winston Cup, in the hopes of getting the right combination together.” Wells expects to be testing drivers in the next few weeks, four potential drivers already hav ing been shorthsted. Despite all the preliminary set-up work, WeUs isn’t expecting NASCAR to be easy, say ing his PPI programme is a five to seven year commitment. “I’d like to make aU the shows, but it’s going tovbe very hard to do that,” he said. “We’re going to go in completely green - no provisionals, no nothing. We’re going to have to be better than top thirty every time. Over time, we will hopefully earn our way in.” Time wiU teU... - GERALD McDORNAN

1999 WINSTON CUP SERIES RESULTS Pennsylvania int. Raceway 25 July, 1999 I. Bobby Labonte 2. Dale Jarrett 3. Mark Martin 4. Tony Stewart 5. Wally DaUenbach 6. Terry Labonte 7. Rich Bickle 8. Steve Park 9. Dale Earnhardt 10. Mike Skinner

11. Ernie Irvan 12. Michael Waltrip 13. Geoffrey Bodine 14. Johnny Benson IS. Hut Stricklin 16. Kyle Petty 17. Bobby Hamilton 18. Rusty Wallace 19. Rick Mast 20. Jimmy Spencer

21. Elliott Sadler 22. Chad Little 23. Robert Pressley 24. Kevin Lepage 25. Darrell Waltrip 26. Brett Bodine 27. Ricky Rudd 28. Sterling Marlin 29. Joe Nemechek 30. Dave Marcis

n The conversation between Date Jarrett and Jeff Gordon post-race at New Hampshire was captured on camera, Jarrett saying to Gordon,“you hit me again and ni put that son of a bitch(car) out of the race track. I’ll guaran tee you that.” Jarrett’s heated remarks came following Gordon’s heavy shoving in the final turn in which Jarrett was moved aside and Gordon took the third position. “The heat ofthe moment got to both of us; we’ll patch things up,” said Gordon.“I like racing D.J. and I like racing him hard. I got a little hairy there on the last lap.” Jarrett later commented:“A bump is one thing, but Jeff did what he thought he needed to do. We had a few words afterwards and, as far as I’m concerned, it’s over and done. “I thought the contact was a little excessive, because ofhow slippery the track is - you get out the groove and the next thing you know you’re in the wall. If that’s the way we need to race, then well race; I have no prob lem with that.” n Jeff Burton’s win firom the pro visional position of 38th at New Hampshire was the furthest back any driver has started and won since Kyle Petly at Pocono in June of 1995. n Dale Earnhardt Jr was the first car out ofthe New Hampshire event, with many broken valve springs due to a possbile electrical fault. n Bill Elliott’s sixth placing at New Hampshire was his best fin ish since a fifth at Martinsville in September of 1997. n Ernie Irvan says he had no clue as to why Tony Stewart, who led the most laps(118)before running out offuel, hit him in the rear twice on the cool down lap at New Hampshire. “I guess he was mad at me,or something. I don’t know why,but I went ahead and hit him back,” said Irvan. Stewart has since apologised to Irvan - apparently, he thought Irvan had hit him on two occa sions, but when he reviewed a tape of the race he realised this was not the case. n Veteran crew chief Larry McReynolds announced at Pocono that he will not depart Richard Childress Racing to form his own team in 2000. McReynolds celebrated with a pole for driver Mike Skinner fol lowing the announcement.

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Points to 26 July, 1999 .3014 I. Dale Jarrett .2760 2. Mark Martin 3. Bobby Labonte 2731 .2659 4. Jeff Burton .2565 5. Tony Stewart .-. .2522 6. Jeff Gordon .2467 7* Dale Earnhardt Sr .2248 8. Terry Labonte .. .2241 9. Mike Skinner .2199 I O.Rusty Wallace...

30 July 1999

Briefly

Historic

n Three generations of the Molina family competed at the All-British hUlcUmb at Rob Roy on June 20 surely some sort of record in Australian motor sport. In an attempt to improve his power-to-weight ratio, Tony Molina has shed 30 kilos. But it wasn’t enough to beat his nephew, Lou Jnr. who clocked 25.10secs. to win the Pre-1960 Racing class in uncle Tony’s MG TC. Lou Snr. is also looking very fit after his bypass surgery he has lost 13 kilos, and was back behind the wheel of an MG B at Rob Roy recording a creditable best run of 31.98secs. Fastest Time of Day went to Graeme Hume with a 24.72secs. run in his Van Diemen FF.

ResuSts: Class 1 up to 1300CC Henry Draper (Morris Cooper S)26.16s. Class 2 1301 1600OC Peter WeymouthWilson (Morris Cooper S)27.58s. Class 3 1601 -2000CC Stephen White (MG F)26.07s. ’ Class 4 2001 -3000CC Don Hume (Mini Clubman GT)25.78secs. Class 5 Over 3000cc Peter Clark(MGB V8)25.79s. Class 6 Clubman Sports William Sloan (PRB)25.41s. Classy Pre-1960 Racing Lou Molina Jnr.(MG TC)25.10s. Class 8 Post-1960 Racing Graeme Hume (Van Dieman FF)24.72s. The next Rob Roy hjllchmb will be the Club Challenge on Sept. 12. n It’s hard to keep the hd on scoop stories in Historic motorsport, but one of the best kept secrets lately was the impending marriage ofHarry Firth and Janet Hayes. The marriage took place at Harry’s home in Frankston on July 2 with Peter Thomas and Don Kinsey the wit nesses. Then it was on to Momington for the monthly lunch of the ‘Olds & Bolds’ where an official aimouncement was made to the stunned audience. Amongst those present who helped cele brate were Lou Molina, Earl Davey-Milne, Rod Jacteon(who runs the famous -Buttercup’), Bill Prowse, and weU-known motor racing photographer Peter D’Abbs. The ‘Olds & Bolds’(renmants ofthe Light Car Club of Australia) meet at the Royal Hotel, Momington on the first Friday ofevery month at 12 noon. n Jim Webb,former publisher and editor of‘Australian Motor Sport’ is recovering from a recent stroke at the Rosebud Rehabilitation Hospital. Jim would welcome receiving a letter or card from his old friends, and we wish him a speedy recovery. n Reg Nutt, who as riding mechanic with Carl Junker, won the 1931 Australian Grand Prix at Philhp Island in a Bugatti Type 39,turned 90 on July 1. His many friends fi-om the “Olds & Bolds” presented him with a mounted photograph of himself driTing the Day Special in the AGP at Lobethal in 1938 his favourite photo. The Type 39 Bugatti is now owned and raced by Tom Roberts. -BRIAN REED

Elf n's By BRIAN REED

IT is 40 years this year since Garrie Cooper started budding the first competition cars bearing the Elfin name in his fac tory in the Adelaide sub urb of Edwardstown. The first beautifully crafted Streamliner with its aerodynamic body and sure footed handling was an immediate success, and soon after its first appear ance at the October meeting at Port Wakefield in 1959, Melbourne driver George Spanos discussed with Cooper the possibility of building a GT version. Spanos has always had a soft spot for GT cars, and after negotiating the build ing of the GTS Elfin (a deal that was agreed on a hand shake), Cooper set about designing and constructing the now famous one-off Elfin with a lid. “When he (Cooper) came to build the car he found it was a much more complex enterprise than he original ly thought, and it ended up costing a lot of hours in its development,” said Spanos. ^ when “Consequently enquiries came in wanting the same sort of motor car he had to quote about three times what he quoted me and that put it in a very

Beauty and the Beast: Elfin’s stunning GTS is swept through the Motorsport News Esses by our 'beastly' Brian Reed. Cooper sketched the car in 1959 and George Spanos (below, with Reed) got the car the following year. (Photos by Neil Hammond)

upper-price bracket for^a lot of drivers. Garrie was jalso developing the Clubmah at trimmed seats, and the time, therefore this was behind the large (by the only one he built.” today’s standards) Spanos used the mechan wood-rimmed steering icals out of his successful wheel, the instruments Morris Major for the GTS, are basically as they which included a llSbhp were in 1960. engine of 1580cc running There’s an oil presdual carburettors, r j sure gauge and others Derrington cylinder head for water and oil tem and 10:1 compression. The peratures, fuel gauge gearbox and differential and ammeter. It even were also raided from his has traffic indicators Monaro Major for the new and working wind project, and instead of the screen wipers. original finned drum brakes The only obvious with Mintex M20 linings addition is an inge supplied by Paton’s, discs nious rear view mirror were ^fitted thanks to to complement the orig Paton’s Experimantal inal one centrally locat Division in Melbourne. The GTS Elfin was deliv- ed at roof level. ered to Spanos in Because of the very blind spot September 1960 and was large (George said he always first road registered in February 1961. It has had to rely on the flag marshals to warn him retained its registration throughout, although for of anyone arriving such a rare and valuable behind), Wayne Sayers has fitted the extra car it’s not surprising that mirror behind the reg appearances on the open road these day are limited istration label on the left-hand side of the dash to special occasions. board to alleviate the prob lem. I’M not surprised a The seatbelt is another younger, more athletic relic from the past. It’s a Wayne Sayers now dri second-hand airline pilot’s ves the GTS Elfin for „ „ , belt courtesy of TAA which George Spanos! It s an supplied by Hedley acquired skill getting Thompson and Ian Cook into the car, and once back in the days when har inside the driver feels he nesses were not so common, has already achieved According to Spanos,“It has given good service so far something. One of the first impres- (for me, it’s a bit of a worry sions is the degree of origi- that it is of the lap variety nality that has been pre- only!) served. The driver sits on It was Friday’s private the original grey leather- practice day for this year’s

fff

Historic Winton meeting, and before I drove out onto the track I went for a quiet run around the pits to find the gears and get a feel for the car. In fact it wasn’t so quiet. The GTS Elfin is a very noisy car inside because of the roof which doesn’t have much insulation and the healthy sounding exhaust from underneath. The plas tic sliding windows didn’t seem to deaden the din to any great extent. The ped als are quite close together which takes a little getting used to, and the ride was

seriously firm a char acteristic which was not so noticeable once out on the circuit. What made this track test more authentic than others I have done was being out on the circuit with other Group Lb cars preparing for the fol lowing 2-day Historic Winton meeting. The Spanos GTS is now back to 1500cc in order to comply with Group Lb specifica tions, and once again, a look under the bon net shows an amazing similarity to pictures of the car in its origi nal 1960 guise. The radiator header tank is located just behind the front right-hand wheel, and on the opposite side is a large oil cooler. The radiator is mounted well forward and the fabricated upper and lower wishbone suspension is clearly visible. All mechani cals are easily accessible. After a quick check under the bonnet and a reminder to watch the water temper ature because there had been a recent problem with overheating, I was out on the track to put the GTS Elfin through its paces. Building up the revs to a conservative 6000 (it will spin quite happily to 6700rpm), I was impressed by the car’s predictable handling and decisive brakes I guess after nearly

40 years the GTS should know its way around by now! The BMC powerplant dehvers its power smoothly thanks to good throttle response, and I found it was a car you could quickly come to grips with and drive with confidence after just a few laps. The only tricky bit was learning to change back through the gears the BMC box didn’t like being rushed in this regard at the tighter parts ofthe track. I did as instructed and kept an eagle eye on the water temperature gauge. Fortunately there was no overheating, thanks to some recent modifi&tions made by Wayne Sayers, and I also kept a close look out for the likes of Ian McDonald practising at the same time in his potent Repco Holden. 'Too soon we were given the chequered flag and the practice session was over. Although the GTS Elfin has had only one owner since new, a number of others such as Peter Manton, John Calloway, Diana Leighton, Ian Cook, Pam Elam, Jim ‘Stumpy Russell and Erroll Platt have also raced this unique car. “Back in those earlier days we all used to swap cars at a meeting,” said Spanos. “We weren’t racing for sheep stations 1 and we weren’t precious about our cars. We enjoyed our motor racing and that was the important thing.” I feel honoured to have been added to the GTS Elfin’s driver list.

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30 July 1999

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Makinen to Ford be chasing Makinen)is apparently stiU in the running, the French maker’s stUl unproven 206 and reluctance to meet Makinen’s salary demands are sticking points. Makinen is keen to join another manufacturer, as Mitsubishi is refusing to go down the World Rally Car route, the Japanese factory instead staying with a Group A homologation of its Lancer to maintain links as close as possible with its Lancer road cars. Makinen is sticking to his resolve, despite the fact that the Lancer Evo VI Group A car has beaten the World Rally Cars on three of the nine rounds this year and that he is holding a good lead in the drivers title. Mitsubishi’s stance is apparently as firmly fixed as Makinen’s and the Japanese maker is unlikely to change its mind, the standoff indicating that a spht is -JON THOMSON almost certain.

Ford has entered the race to sign triple World Rally Champion Tommi Makinen, who looks set to clinch a fourth world crown in 1999. Ford is apparently closer to signing the taciturn Finn and is willing to meet his demands for a salary of around eight million dollars per year, aroimd 2.6 mil lion per annum more than incumbent Colin McRae. Ford is hoping that Makinen will be lured away to chase a fifth title with the blue oval and beheves the money, plus the proven competitiveness of the Focus, will do the business. Makinen and McRae at Ford will prove a formidable team, but also become a possible headache for team manager Malcolm Wilson due to the battle of egos between the world’s top two. While Peugeot(reported in the last edition of MSN to The continuing lack of strong comjjetitiveness by the Toyota team in this year’s WRC could

and Sainz for SEAH

see Spanish triple World | H H Champ Carlos Sainz signing with S^AT, according to informed sources at the Rally of New Zealand. Sainz is apparently unhappy with the Toyota Corolla, which has not scored a win this year Gardermeister’s third in New despite his best efforts, instead Zealand - Sainz is reportedly more picking up minor placings more than interested. through reUabiUty and team effort. The car has a rear strut and hanThe benefits of a Spamsh maker dling problem and, despite an having a Spanish driver in the enormous testing and development team, wMch is supported by Sainz’s program in the month leading up to personal sponsor MoviStar and by New Zealand, the Corollas failed to former backer Repsol, would be enormous. impress. With SEATs new Cordoba E2 set Sainz has apparently been cointed by SEAT’S competition director, Jamie Puig and, with the increasing competitiveness of the Spanish maker - as evidenced by

to debut in Finland with more speed and better handling, the until now second-string maker could be an outright challenger.

making it more attractive to Sainz. The E2 Cordoba recently won a Finnish domestic rally, beating home Juha Kankkunen in a WRC Subaru and underlining the improving performance of the Spanish maker in its first full year mWRC. A likely replacements for Sainz at Toyota, if he takes up the Spanish option, is Thomas Radstrom, who will be out of a drive if Makinen joins the Ford -JON THOMSON troupe.

Peter Broek will Gontest next naonith’s Austr^ian Safari Rally in

a Bruce Garland-prepared Isuzn-GM Holden Jackaroo, tke motor racing icon making tke surprise announcement at tke ofSeiai launch, of the seven-day FIA-sanctioned international cross coun-1 try rally in Alice Springs. ' Having extoled the virtues of the event to al^ and Sunday on behah of promoter Advantage International, it suddenly dawned upon Brock that, j as he had really enjoyed his last outing with the Gm'land operation that I ! netted Mm second outright behind Bruce in the 1998 Playstation Round ’ Australia Rally, he couldn’t let the oppoi’tunily for a stimulating race' around the Northern Territoiy next month pass Mm by. Sydney-based Garland, who was in the middle of Ms own preparations ; for the event, quicMy agreed to supply Brock with the fidly raee-prepped, 3.2 litre Round AustrMia Rally Jackaroo that Brock ploted in 1998 and ‘ immediately headed back to his woi'kshop to oversee the machine’s rebinld. Australia’s leading cross country raly Miver, Gaiiand will also be <M-1 ving a Jackaroo, albeit one with more grunt fi-om a high-horsepower 3.3 litre quad cam powerplant supplied by Isuzu-6M as paat of its ongoing factory involvement with Garland in 1999. j While a navigator for Brock’s machine has yet to be announced, | Garland will be co-driven by Japan’s Harry Suzuki, who has been! teamed with the affable Australian for the last five years - the pair claimed the outright winners’ laurels in 1996 Australian Safari Rally in 1 a Jackaroo. ' Gculand and Suzuki also emerged triumphant in the outright 4WB IIj. class at last month’s two-day, 440 km Northern Tenitoiy Finke Sesert j Race in their Bridgestone-shod Jackaa-oo and rank as firm favourites | for the Australian Safari Rally, - TONY GLYNN |

Telstra back for Rally Australia It is likely that Telstra has rejoined Rally Australia as naming rights sponsor after an absence ofsome four years. Strict secrecy has surrounded the resigning of the telecommunica tions giant, which dropped the Australian World Championship round after a West Australian Government supply contract for long distance telecommunications services was let to another service provider. Telstra’s departure saw the WA Government Lotteries step in for one year and then an ill-fated signing of WA power transmission specialists API. API was taken over prior to last year’s rally and the new manage ment of the company did not want to be a part of the Rally Australia contract. Litigation followed and, in what Clerk of Course Garry Connolly described as a “real mess of legal matters which only benefitted

lawyers,” the controlling body of Rally Australia, Eventscorp, was able to salvage some of the sponsor ship revenue from the former backer. The Telstra negotiations have carried on for some months and it is beheved there are a number of pro visions built into the contract to ensure the situation which saw the company part company with the raUy last time doesn’t occm- again. Telstra has remained a part of the rally since it dropped naming rights, developing a number of telecommunications software inno vations for the rally which have helped maintain the event at the forefront of the World ChampionsMp. It is also understood that Malaysian manufacturer Proton has signed on as the supplier of cars for the Celebrity Challenge and some course duties during the three-day penultimate round of the world title. -JON THOMSON

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Report by JOM THOMSON REIGNING World Champion Tommi Makinen and co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki cruised through the Rally Nevr Zealand on July 18 to claim their first Kiwi victory. After an opening burst by local hero Possum Bourne - who thrilled his fans by winning the opening Super Special Stage of Manukau and thus led the event - Makinen grabbed first place on stage 2 and virtually maintained it through to the end. Only Ford’s Colin McRae was able to challenge the Finn’s charge and, after SS8, he even climbed to

first by 1.6 seconds - but the Scot on the first leg, the other two the next day. retired on the next stage with elec trical troubles and Makinen was The New Zealand victory increas never headed. es Makinen’s advantage in the FLA Two other Finns completed the World Rally Championship for podium, veteran Juha Kankkunen, Drivers, where the Finn now enjoys an 11 point margin over secondwho brought his Subaru home sec ond after a faultless run and 24 placed Frenchman Didier Ainiol. year-old rising star Toni Gardemeister, debuting in the Leg One Bourne surprised everyone with Cordoba WRC and giving SEAT its fastest time on the opening Super first podium finish. Special stage at Manakau. Several front runners experi The local hero, in his ’98-spec enced troubles during the foim-day 401,56km event, run in conditions WRC Subaru, chose the right tyres in a sea of mud which had varying from very heavy rain dur ing Leg One to brilliant sunshine enveloped the stage as a result of on the final Leg. a huge downpour over the previous Worst off were British duo few days. Richard Burns and Colin McRae, With the right Pirellis on, Finn Harri Rovanpera and Swede Possum had the local media on the Thomas Radstrom, McRae retiring rev limiter with one of their own

Tough times: Corolla of Auriol/ZGiraudet unfortunately suffered an attack of the gremlins.(Sutton)

beating the best in the world - but what they failed to mention was that this lead was just 0.3 seconds over Radstrom and 0.8 seconds over McRae. There was drama for Auriol on the way to the stage, a fuel pres sure problem causing the car to fail to start in pare ferme for 12 min utes. Simon Evans led the F2 class in his VW, ahead of the rapid llyundais of Alastair McRae and Kenneth Eriksson The advantage didn’t last long for Bourne, despite more tricky slip pery conditions when the rally proper got underway the next day in a loop south to the Raglan Coast. Makinen opened up a lead on the first few stages of the first leg, experiencing no problems other than the shppery and muddy road conditions. “There has been so much mud and water that sometimes there is no grip at all,” said Makinen. First car on the road, Makinen was fastest by five seconds over rival McRae,the Ford driver bounc ing back on the next stage to be just 0.6 secs off the Mitsubishi, while Bourne dropped to ninth as the newer, full works machines mas tered the conditions. The rain was streaming down in the coastal hills, making it tough going, but Makinen was enjoying himself despite a dose of the flu, grabbing fastest on the next two stages. Radstrom rolled his car on the fourth special stage, heavily dam aging the Focus, but limping out to the service park having lost two minutes - he had dented every panel, lost the windscreen and bent the left rear wheel after going wide and hitting a rock. Evans was back to third in the F2 category as McRae and Eriksson jumped ahead in the newer generation Hyundais, while the Australian grappled with a slow Group N Car which he caught on any stage over ISkms. Michael Guest was struggling in his Group N Subaru as it suffered diff problems.

“The Mitsubishis of Trelles and Wahibi are giving us a thorough hiding, but we are trying hard,” said a disappointed Guest, who had hoped to win Group N on this rally again. Sainz was right up there and making it known that he was wanting to challenge the two lead ers. A Kiwi rally specialist, having won three previous times on this event, the Spaniard grabbed fastest on SS7 ahead of team-mate

Auriol.

Burns was out in his Subaru after the car had suffered gearbox problems - his crew had changed the box at the previous service, but the young Brit stopped in the stage with a pool of oil under the car ; he had been fifth. McRae grabbed the lead on stage eight with a fast time 1.7 secs bet ter than Sainz and 5.4 secs ahead of Makinen, who struggled in the mud. But McRae’s glory was,shorthved on the very next stage, the chal lenging 29km Whaanga Coast, where he was out with an electri cal problem mid-stage which saw the car stop and fail to restart - it could be the incident that costs the Scot a second world title. His departure gave Makinen a lead of Imin 15secs over Auriol, who had worked away at the condi tions all day, but still had both Kankkunen and Gardermeister not far behind in third and fourth. Sainz also had problems on this stage, the gearbox of his Corolla jamming and costing four minutes. McRae’s team-mate Radstrom salvaged some Ford glory on the final stage of the day, the second run through the Super Special at Manakau, but Makinen’s advan tage was too great “It’s very good. We are in a fan tastic position. It seems my luck is changing on this rally. I don’t need to make any more fastest times now, but of course we still have to go quickly - but the pressure is on the others,” said Makinen. For Guest, his rally was over on the ninth stage, when he went off

30 July 1999

the road after a series of diif prob lems had made the car undrivable. - The Group N honours rested with (Gustavo Trelles, who led A1 Waihaibi by 2minutes 52secs, with a phalanx of Mitsubishis trailing behind - Cody Crocker was coming to terms with his first run in New Zealand and was eighth in Group N.

Leg Two

Makinen was in front, the rain had eased and he was out to main¬ tain his massive lead. “It could have been a good fight with Colin but, since he retired, we have had a relaxed drive,” said Makinen. “Of course I am happy. I have some fever, but I am really enjoying the driving. There is no need to hurry like yesterday; the pressure is off now,” Makinen added. But,.while it was relaxed for Makinen, Auriol was trying to cut into the big lead and driving hard, taking fastest on the opening stage of the day and breaking the stage record, but only taking 0.9 seconds off Makinen Kankkunen was now flying the Subaru fiag on his own and push ing Auriol and, three stages into the day, the slip came as the Frenchman was trying to cut into the Makinen lead while keeping the Subaru at bay. Auriol lost over three minutes and second place on SS14 when he ran wide and tore a wheel from his Corolla. “I was a bit too fast into a lighthand corner. The road was really slippery and we just ran wide; the back end went out, slid off the edge of the road and we hit a rock, which ripped off the left rear wheel,” said Auriol. “We had to run about 17 kilometres of the stage with only three wheels.” Auriol went from second to sev enth in one fell swoop, losing fur ther time as the differentials had problems and he was forced to swap to the manual gearshift. He wasn’t the only runner to have problems on the corner, Alister McRae doing the same and tearing wheels off the Hyundai, dropping him behind team-mate Eriksson and within striking dis tance of the VW of Evans. With all the drama, Makinen was swimming along nicely, taking three fastest stage times and opening the lead to Imin 42secs after 18 stages. On stage 19, more problems for Saiaz when he went off the road and became stuck. “About 11 kilometres into stage 19, we went off the road. The car just kept sliding and sliding in a corner; there was absolutely noth ing I could do. We ended up in a ditch with the left front wheel in the air and lost nearly four minutes trying to get back on the road,” the Spaniard said. After Radstrom’s roll the previ ous day, he had some catching up to do and his job for the remainder of the event was to ensure that the Toyotas stayed belnnd him to help McRae in his title chase. Malcolm Wilson told Radstrom to ease up a little, take no risks and ensure he finished -the Swede took fastest on the final stage of the day. But Makinen was leading by Imin 36 secs heading into the find leg and was going to be very hard to beat. Kankkunen, in second, was also comfortable, 54 secs ahead of Gardermeister in the Seat. The Hyundais of Alister McRae and Eriksson continued to domi nate theF2 classification, Eriksson ahead of McRae after his indiscre tion - Evans was in third, but sev-

Not bad: Kankkunen/Repo Subaru Impreza claimed a comfortable runner-up pbsition, making it three Finns on the podium.(Sutton) eral minutes behind McRae. Trelles was dominating Group N, well ahead of A1 Waihaibi and Taguchi in a trio of Mitsubishis.

Leg Three

The final leg was really only a matter of whether Makinen could hold off his Kiwi curse and hang in there to the end. ' He made sure/of it by taking fastest on the first three of the remaining seven stages in the Maramarua Forest, taking the lead back out to Imin 48secs - the oth ers could only struggle to stay with him. The Toyotas of Sainz and Auriol took two fastest times each on the remaining four stages, but it was a late and frustrating showing from the Corollas. With the exception of Radstrom’s retirement, there were no changes to the leaderboard. But Radstrom, in a comfortable fourth position and under no pres sure, went off the road on the first stage. The rally, unlike any of the other eight rounds held so far this year, had been determined virtually on the opening leg and Makinen’s dominance had taken away any intrigue from the results. Kankkunen would go to the line Imin 37secs behind his compatriot, with a third Finn in the shape of Gardermeister scoring his and Seat’s first WRC podium finish, another Imin 12secs behind Auriol was the next best, over three minutes behind after all the problems of day two, beating home Possum Bourne, who enjoyed enor mous crowd support in a tremen dous drive to take fifth, 32.5secs behind the Frenchman. Sainz was sixth, Imin 32secs behind the Kiwi. Trelles sealed Group N in another dominant display, which should also secure another Production Car world title ahead of AlWahaibi. Australian Crocker put in a great

drive in the clearly slower Subaru Group N to take an impressive sixth in the category in his first overseas drive. In the F2 class, Korean manufac turer Hyundai scored 16 points, thanks to first and second places in the category, Eriksson beating home Alister McRae. Evans went off the road on the final leg and was stuck in a ditch, losing a certain third in F2, the honour instead going to local driver Dave Black in a Nissan Almera. Makinen now goes to his home event in Finland in August to almost certainly seal a fourth title on an event he has won for the past

three years. 1999 Rally New Zealand Results 1 Makinen/Mannisamaki Mitsubishi Lancer 4:11:07.1 2 Kankkunen/Repo Subaru Impreza 4:12:44.1 3 Gardermeister/Lukander Seat Cordoba 4:13:56.1 4 Auriol/Giraudet Toyota CoroUa 4:17:22.9 5 Boume/Vincent Subaru Impreza 4:17:55.4 6 Sainz/Moya Toyota Corolla 4:19:23.0 7 Kahle/Scheppenheim Toyota Corolla 4:25:44.2 8 Loix/Smets

Mitsubishi Lancer 4:26:34.4 9 Trelles/Christie Mitsubishi Lancer 4:28:32.8 10 A1 Wahaibi/Sircombe Mitsubishi Lancer 4;30;21.2 FIA World RaHy Championship for Drivers Pointscore (after ,9 of 14Rds) Makinen 46, Auriol 35, Sainz 30, Kankkunen 24, McRae 23, Burns 23, Bugalski 20. FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers Pointscore Toyota 78, Mitsubishi 59, Subaru 52, Ford 35, Seat 12, Skoda 3, Peugeot 0.

Spanish flyer: Impressive SEAT Cordoba of Gardermeister/Lukander made the NZ podium.(Sutton pic)

44 30July 1999 Due8 In the Dakotas

Dale Blaney, making his debut in Junior Holbrook’s car, across the n Steve Kinser bomiced back from line in the dash. the loss of a chassis and an engine Kinser then outpaced Blaney at to win the Duel in the Dakotas Athe start ofthe race and was never Feature. headed, although Blaney did throw After tearing up a chassis in out a challenge after a red flag Thursday’s preliminary feature stoppage when Schatz hit the wall and then blowing an engine in and rolled. Saturday’s heat, Kinser went from Just prior to that, Mark Kinser n What a difference a day makes. the third starting position to take had slowed and Stevie Smith had July 15, Greg Hodnett wins the Bthe US$18,000 first place prize slammed into him. Feature at Eidora and trsmsfers and to become only the second Hillenburg, who’d pitted next to into the A-Feature, where he fin Duel in the Dakotas Champion Kinser, finished third, ahead of ished 10th July 16, Hodnett after Sammy Swindell. Walker and Swindell. qualifies 10th, wins heat two, runs The “Wild Child,” Jac Tatnell was not the only Aussie third in the Dash and then passes Haudenschild,sat on pole with in action, with Robert Jackson also racelong leader Dean Jacobs with Andy Hillenburg alongside after having a go -the pair had timed eight laps left to run and goes on winning the channellock Dash and 22nd and 23rd, with Jackson to win his second career Outlaw Ait was Haudenschild who led the fastest. Feature. race away from the green. Tatnell ran fifth in his heat, Jacobs, who was having his sec Hillenburg broke a brake caliper while Jackson’s seventh put him in ond run in Junior Holbrook’s car, and retired shortly after Rinser the B-Feature, where he finished led away as Mark Kinser and took second place. fifth,just missing a transfer. Haudenschild had estabhshed a Donny Schatz collided - Rinser’s Tatnell suffered problems and car broke the front axle and the lead of almost four seconds after was credited 22nd in just seven laps, but the Feature, the tangled with a lapped FOR the second straight week at Williams Grove Australian finishing car and spun into a Speed\vay, Garry Brazier ended his race early just ahead of Mark retaining tyre and was after hitting the fence and flipping the Walt Dyer Kinser. then hit by Tim #461 on July 23. Monson. Brazier had started from position three and was in Danny Lasoski and thii'd place on the third lap when he drifted high in n Daimy Lasoski Jeff Swindell were dic turn 2. hit the wall and rolled. makes a habit of taking ing for fourth late in The following night at Port Royal Speedway, howev last gasp wins at the race when contact er. Brazier made amends of some sort with a sixth Rnoxville raceway and forced Swindell into a place finish. he did it once again series ofspins which Todd Shaffer won both events. when he passed racecost him ten places long leader Johnny and allowed Mark Herrera late on the 24th lap ofthe Kinser, who’d been forced to run crew was unable to repair it in 25-lap feature event at Rnoxville time. the B-Feature, to sneak past on July 21. Lasoski. Midway through the race, Andy Hillenburg qualified for Hodnett passed Jacobs, only to see Brooke Tatnell piit on another his 500th straight A-Feature the yellows fly for debris. strong showing,finishing 10th. event, only to blow an engine on Hodnett continued to pressure lap 6. Jacobs to no avail until lap 22, Lasoski’s eighth win of the sea n A few days later„it was Lasoski when he forged past- but Jacobs son took him to within 102 points who took home the big money after stopped on the next lap with a flat of series leader Mark Rinser, who tyre. leading 39 of the 40 laps at Cedar finished third ahead of Steve Lasoski worked his way to sec Lake Speedway. Rinser and Stevie Smith. ond from Butch Schroeder, Stevie Lasoski, the second-fastest qual Joey Saldana set fast time, with Smith Frankie Kerr apd B-Feature ifier in the 31-car field, started Aussies Robert Jackson 23rd, winner Steve Rinser. ' fourth behind front row brothers Brooke Tatnell 24th, Reny. Tatnell was credited with 21st Jeffand Sammy Swindell. Madsen 29th, Skip Jackson 31st, place. Jeff made thejump initially but, Peter Murphy 35th and Jaymie following a complete restart, Moyle 41st. Sammy took the lead. Moyle finished third in the CLasoski went the high line and n Sammy Swindell had 50,000 Feature, Bob Jackson, Murphy passed Swindell late in lap 2 and reasons to smile about his up and and Madsen seventh, 14th and was never headed. dovra season when he took out his 16th in the B-Feature and Skip Tyler Walker destroyed his fami- second Kings Royal crown with a Jackson and Tatnell ran home lys car when, after running strong fairly dominant display in the 4013th and 16th in the A-Feature. early before a tyre deflated, he was lap feature event,

Bv Brett Swanson

Eidora - Mopar Clash

Brazier's Brkkmobile WITH Walt Dyer announcing that he was retiring his famous #461 Brickmohile Sprintcar from racing at the end of the season in Pennsylvania, Lance DeWease quickly looked for and found a new ride - this left the door open in the interim for someone else to fill the seat until the close of the season and that someone is none other than

triple Australian Champion Garry Brazier. Brazier had his first drive of the car at Williams Grove on July 16 unfortimately, after running fourth in his heat and making the feature, he crashed out on lap 18 when he slid into the wall and roUed. The race was won by Dewease over Fred Rahmer and Todd Shaffer. -BRETT SWANSON

Knoxville

Cedar Lake

Eidora - Kings Royal

charging back through the pack until he hit the wall and flipped over it. Sammy Swindell was second from Mark Kinser, Hillenburg and Steve Kinser, with Tatnell a solid tenth once again.

Hamiagan back

n Last season’s King of California and 1995 Outlaws rookie ofthe year Randy Hannagan is set to rejoin the Outlaws trail thanks to his new sponsor, Nettaxi.

Eidora make=up

n Originally scheduled for April 3, but rained out, the July 15 make up race at Eidora was an all the way win for Outlaws points leader Mark Kinser-incredibly, it was only his second Feature win on the famed Ohio high banks. Kinser had a lucky break, though, thanks to Tatnell, who stopped with a flat tyre moments after Herrera had relieved Kinser of the race lead - this was a wake up call to Kinser, who ensured that he was never headed again. Walker suffered his second straight DNF when he tagged the wall and rolled while in 10th place. Steve Kinser worked his way to third behind Mark Rinser and Herrera, with Sammy Swindell and Hillenburg behind him. Tatnell’s flat tyre dropped him to 15th.

He lapped 20 of the 26 cars in the field and took the chequered flag with 7.4 seconds to spare, despite running out offuel as he approached the finish line. Swindell had timed third, won his heat and then finished third in the dash to start on row two. Darryn Pittman put the Casey’s General Stores #47 Maxim into the lead at the drop of the green flag. Swindell took the high line around Herrera on lap 5 and then closed in on Pittman. He dropped into the low groove in the first comer and almost col lided with Pittman as he passed him for the lead two laps later. Former champions Steve Kinser and Herrera both passed Pittman, but were unable to challenge Swindell - Mark Kinser and Stevie Smith completed the top five. Tatnell’s consistent run ended in the B-Feature, thanks to the unique qualifying system. Tatnell timed 37th of53 cars and then ran sixth in his heat- he won the C-Feature and progressed as far as 11th in the B-Feature.

Lasalle n Despite the hot and humid con ditions taking its toll on “The King,” Steve Kinser took his ninth A-Feature of the season after lead ing all 30 laps. Kinser only qualified 11th, but won his heat and then followed

State Fair Motor Speedway

n Lasoski tightened the points gap even further when he took a home town win in Sedalia, Missouri, on July 23. But Lasoski didn’t have it all his own way when dash winner Smith led the first 12 laps until his right rear tyre went flat. Lasoski had gambled on a hard er tyre and won the day. Tyler Walker, who’d qualified fastest, came home second, ahead of Steve and Mark Kinser and Sammy Swindell. Tatnell, after timing 16th and then running third in his heat, fin- _ ished 19th in the main race.

1=55 Speedway

m “Wild Child” Jac Haudenschild took his first A-Feature of the year when he outgunned a pack of wild young Turks to win an exciting 40lapper on July 24. Walker, Darryn Pittman, Kevin Gobrecht and Haudenschild put on a great display of racing, with Walker leading the opening 23 laps before Pittman, who had started 12th, led the seven laps before Haudenschild gained the ascendancy. Pittman managed to hold onto second, ahead of Walker, Laso.ski, Steve and Mark Rinser and Tatnell.

INTERCONTINENTAL FINAL: Winner Todd Wiltshire (left) listens to : advice from Craig Boyce at Poole on July 18.(Mike Patrick pic)

Madsen wins at Knoxville

AFTER leading the previous week’s feattore event, only to suffer a component failure which saw his Twister jump the cushion and ride out a series of wilds flips down the front straight, Kerry Madsen bounced back with a new car to fulfill the promise he has shown all season at Rnoxville raceway by taking his second career win at the famed Marion County Fairgrounds. Madsen started on the front row of the 20-lap feature event, but lost the challenge for the lead when the green came out, polesitter Matt Moro roar ing into turn 1 in the top spot and Madsen fading to fifth. As the laps continued, Madsen began to make a dent in the Moro lead. A caution flag was displayed for a stalled car and the race again went to a single file restart. On the restart, Madsen went low into turn 1 and, when he exited turn 2, he had taken the lead from Moro as Terry McCarl roared into third. With five laps to go, Madsen parked the A1 Parker Twister on the cush ion and pulled away from Moro and McCarl, who created the best racing with their battle for second. Larry Pinegar closed fast to place fourth and Skip Jackson was fifth. -BRETT SWANSON

VIC Mod Pmd AGM

THE Victorian Modified Production Association

(VMPA)recently held its AGM, which saw Grant Bird elected President - Bird will be assist ed by Fiona Bourke (Secretary/Treasurer), Malcolm Jackson (Publicity) and Neil Watson, Trevor Mills, Rod Smith, Carol Grist, Stephen Laidlaw and Phil Pottage as Committee. On the same day, the associa tion held its presentation diner at

a unique venue, 60ft down the shaft of Central Deborah Gold Mine in Bendigo. Trevor Mills had a big night, snaring the Dunkley Panels tro phy as pointscore champion and also the Lubrimaxx Sportsman award. Darren Cockerill picked up the Lowan Steel Constructions trophy for second place in the pointscore, while Watson took home the William Adams - Horsham hard ware for third overall. - BRETT SWANSON

30 July 1999

gince we’veI last had caught the Pennzoil up withWorld you of Outlaws sgries race at Knoxville and this time I made sure that we didn’t get our butts kicked for us! On the Friday night show, we still struggled in qualifying, but were able to make the A-Main feature. I made it up to fourth place before dropping back to seventh after a restart - that was a pleasing result and gave the team heart for another strong performance the next night. As luck would have it, we didn’t get a good run during qualifying and I made the A-Main after getting in through our B-Main result. Things weren’t going as well as they had twenty-four hours earlier, but at least we were in the main feature, even if it was at the back of the pack. It was a hard race and I man aged to get through to 14th - it was disappointing after our previ ous result, but we were definitely stronger than when we last raced these guy&on our home track.

j^:i%O=$E#r SiNSj%lnr0NTWayne Milburn’s unique,full^bore, tandem two^set Spfintcar is expected to i^^make iitSi debat at Vtfestern Autp: Raceway in Victoria’s Bacchus Marsh next Sunday(August T). r^Oi^ingi aMsef oliMax-iPdrheSny iiVibtorsport’s new Maxwheeis and powered by a race-spec injected ^hie^yi,CheiUitimate;Adrehaiin:Experience weapon wiii enabie paying thriiiseekers to affordabiy ^m|jfth.ejjp1;eyiousiy,unattainabib high^^speed worid of opposite--iock Sprintcar racing.

Mains on the one night and i was leading the first feature right up until the last comer when a steering rod broke -1 lost the event by half a car-length to Terry McCarl. My crew worked hard and replaced the damaged compe nents, as well as adjusting the car to suit the changing track conditions. I started out of 15th in the sec¬ ond race, as the field was invert ed for the start, grabbing the lead over McCari with only a couple of laps to go and capping off a pretty enjoyable week of racing. The Wednesday night, thefollowing Outlaws show was back in town and I started from near the

The night, weOutlaws took in rear in the and finished the following next round of the 13th after 25A-Main laps of non-stop racseries at 1-80, Nebraska, keeping ing. It was probably the most set up our poor qualifying record and isfying Outlaw event that I have forcing me to transfer through the competed in for some time, as we B-Main into the feature. passed some of the big names During the course of the night, n on the trail, multiple Outlaws Champion Steve 1 secKinser came over and asked me night,from 1 ranininth, ondSaturday after starting where I thought the best part of Last once again qualifying poorly. the track was as the night pro But I’m certain that the new gressed. Shaver engine that we should be I suggested that the bottom line was going to come in, as the receiving this week will provide me with the extra power required rubber was starting to build-up. That’s I where he ran and to record some quick laps early in kicked everyone’s butts - I man- the nights, aged to forge my way through to 15th, which 1 was happy about, as abouthas the filtered $50,000 through Sprintcar it was hard to pass on that type of Word track. winner’s purse at Parramatta City Raceway next February - that e then returned back to should be a very interesting show, Knoxville and the biggest as everyone scrambles and slides highlight of the month for us after around after the loot. I won an A-Main from the rear of Cheers, the field. A fortnight ago, they ran two A-

rview expands

RIVERVIEW Raceway at Murray Bridge has released its calendar for 1999/2000, as it prepares to face the new millen nium with some of the most

dramatic changes in the South Australian race track’s history. Major extensions have been underway for the past three months to increase the speedway’s size from a rather modest 290 metres to nearly 400 metres in length. Combined with a wider racing surface, now out to 17 metres, the track will be able to cater for the higher speeds attained nowadays by sedans and open wheelers. “One of the more exciting innova tions this season should be the introduction of Sprintcars to our circuit,” explained track manager Moss Buchanan. “The V8 Super Sedans are among the sections which had simply out grown the smaller confines of the original track and we will now be better suited to cater for the higher horsepower race cars,” he added. Bill Barrows has provided on-site advice for the Murray Bridge pro ject and the Mt Gambier man’s input has proved invaluable. There is still plenty of work to be done, but the shape of the new cir cuit is now visible and has an almost oval configuration, without the clearly defined straights that the original track contained. The former back straight now runs close to the neighbouring rail way line, meaning no spectators will be catered for along this area however, excellent views of the rac ing will be afforded from vantage

Coming soon: Sprintcars will feature at South Australia’s extensively revamped Riverview facility next season. (Skip pic by Swanson)^ points around the remainder of the track. Some things just shouldn’t change and the renowned dolomite racing surface is to be retained. A new officials’ building is cur rently under construction, as the extensions have necessitated mov ing the entire pit gate area and demolishing the old clubrooms and pit catering facilities. Vastly improved lighting has been planned, with eight light poles replacing the former pair of light stands. The main pre-season practice has been scheduled for October 9 and Sprintcars will be welcome to try

Mbk iymesBilf i^otorsport

out the new circuit. Opening night is set down for October 16, followed by the Sidecar Series on October 30. Further meetings will be run on November 13 & 27, December 11 & .28, January 3, 15 & 29 (Solo Series), February 12 & 26, March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22-23 (Australian Sidecar Championships) and April 29 (Vintage Classic Show). Meanwhile, work with earthmoving equipment is continuing at full pace as a new chapter in South Australian oval track history unfolds. - DAVID McNABB

WA Late Model control tyres

TYRE burn-off meetings will be held up until Christmas in Western Austraha, following the Late Model brigade’s decision to introduce a control tyre - the new season will see competitors run ning a shghtly smaller right rear tyre, based on a 93-inch rolling circiunference by 16.75 inches wide. The move aUgns the WA division with the American STAR rules. Last season. Late Model competitors had a choice of right rear tyres, depending on the weight of the car and the capacity of the engine. But LMRA’s Chris Cardy said the Late Model Racing Association want ed the tyres to become a performance leveller. The cars will now run with a minimum weight of 2200 poimds with the same tyres, while the variation on engine sizes remains unchanged. Cardy said they would nominate a number of meetings for competitors to use up stocks of the bigger tyres. As the association gears up for its third year of racing in WA,it will go close to fielding 20 cai-s at most meetings - the association claims the lefthand drive machines handle better than the traditional Super Sedans -DAEHENO’DEA raced in Austraha.

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rl. Sammy Swindell 12. Jeff Swindell 13. Donny Schatz 14. Stevie Smith 1S. Randy Kinser 16. Tim Shaffer 17. Andy Hillenburg 18. Tim Engler 19. Todd Rowland 20. Steve Short

30 July 1999

WHILE the stars succumbed to the fast and often frantic pace of the 1999 Tubemakers Metaland Speedcar Nationals at Darwin’s Northline Raceway on July 10, it was steely-eyed veteran Bob Holt who combined his forty years experience and a Uttle bit of local track knowledge to time his run to perfection and thrill the vocal crowd with an exciting win in what was to have been his farewell race. At sixty years of age, Holt is the oldest first-time winner of the national title. Sydney’s Dave Lambert did everything he could to win his first Aussie championship, leading the event with just three laps left to run - however, failing valve springs and Holt’s late-race charge saw Lambert just miss out, with Toby Gibb, Mark Glazebrook and Joe Little next. “Speedway’s been so good to us over the years,” stated Holt in victo ry lane. “Wherever we’ve raced, be it Sydney Showgrounds, Liverpool, Cairns, or Northline, we’ve won lots and we’ve lost many times - but we’ve made friends wherever we’ve been. We set our car up for the last ten laps of the race and it paid off. This is really a fitting farewell.” Having won the previous week’s Northern Territory Speedcar Championship, Steven Graham in the Fox Sports Stealth was the hot favourite, while local hero and fourtime national champ Warrene Ekins was an absolute contender, shooting for a record-equalling fifth crown before retiring from the small car brigade. West Aussie Neville Lance, who thought that he had won the title last time it was raced here and South Australia’s Adam Baines should also have figured large in the equation. Ekins, Baines and Graham took predictable wins in the opening round of heats, while Lambert displayed his potential as he applied the pressure to Baines. Round two saw Lance win the opener and then Holt and Graham put on a great dice, the veteran on the bottom and the second genera tion speedster on the cushion, the pair running wheel to wheel with Holt the victor.

Speedwr Midget stars

LtLi

Ekins then took an easy win in a heat, with Ekins struggling heme in third. crash-marred heat six. The first flaw in Ekins’ armour Wayne Cover fell victim to appeared in heat seven, when over Davidson in the opening Pole heating forced his retirement, leav- Shuffle match-up before Lance ing former Territorian Johnny defeated Davidson. Gibbs was the Davidson to take the win. next victim, followed by Ekins, Holt Lance and Baines puf, on a great and Baines, all in close contests. display of side by side, racing, with Lance went no further, though, Baines diving under,Lance for the the consistent Graham line proving win. the superior line around the race Graham easily won the night’s track. final heat. After the shuffle, the feature hneEkins crew had worked feverish¬ pp was settled, with Graham on ly overnight, tr3dng to remedy their 'pole from Lance, Baines, Holt, problems and changing the radia- Ekins, Gibb, Davidson, Cover, Paul tor, magneto and oil pump for Sacklyn, Little, Lambert, Grant Draney, Mark Glazebrook, Phillip Saturday, Heat one saw a great dice Moore, Scott Glazebrook, Ron between Gibbs, Lambert and Liddell, Nathan Ellement and Baines, with Lambert taking the Michael Goode. win. Ekins’team changed a fuel pump Graham was easily leading the between the pole shuffle and the next heat, Lance charging from the feature and either that worked, or back to be second before being side it was just Ekins brilliance that saw him jump from fifth to second lined by driveline failure. Holt comfortably won the next behind Graham by the first turn -

Bikes and Trikes in Brisbane ON the first fine day iii Brisbane for almost three weeks, the fledghng Northgate Speedway played host to an afternoon of Solo and Sidecar competition on July 17. Queensland champion Steve Viner and the equally talented Scott Smith dominated the Solo heats, only being beaten by each other on the day. Courtesy of an extra ride, Viner topped the scorechart on 17 points, with Smith accumulating 14. The emergence of Trent Leverington as a rising star was confirmed, Leverington shooting away from the tapes and showing great poise to stay ahead of the field in the four-lap final. Ricky Nicol held second until the final lap, when Todd Groves slipped underneath to snatch the nmner-up spot - Nicol remained third, with second gen eration rider Adam White completing the field.

Northern Territory Speedcar Title; Runner-up Mark Cooper (left), win ner Steven Graham and third-placed Mark Glazebrook.(Palm Photos)

Ross Brown/Steve Kelly dominated the Sidecar heats, clocking four wins fi"om as many starts to finish as top qualifier. Joining them in a very strong A-Final line-up were Mike Kent/Steve Prendergast, Bruce Cook/Troy Squires and Stuart Glennie/Ricky Tomini, who were the overwhelming crowd favourites. Kent/Prendergast got the best of the start, until they were forced very wide in turn 2 by Brown/Kelly. A heartbreaking end befell the race leaders less than half a lap later when their engine expired and put them on the grass, handing the lead back to Kent/Prendergast. There was no denying them from this point and they greeted the chequer to take a good win, ahead of Cook/Squires and Glennie/Tomini. - CHRIS METCALF

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Lance was third from Baines and Lambert had gone from 11th to sev enth. Ekins chased Graham hard, but only briefly before pulling infield with a holpd piston. Baines and Lance were fighting for second, while Gibbs was under pressure from Lambert for fourth place. Graham had a moment when he tangled with Sacklyn while trying to lap him. Sacklyn was left stalled sideways on the track, with Graham barely moving, close to stalling also. Barry Wixted then slid into the melee and punted Graham’s Stealth back into life. Graham fortuitously restarted at the head of the field from Baines and Lance, the latter diving under Baines and contact between the two seeing Baines faU out of the event, while Lance took over second, but only briefly. On the restart, Lance’s bonnet

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jammed his throttle on and he speared into Graham, spinning the leader out - the field, except Cover, aU avoided Graham, but both were now out of the race and Lance was sent to the back of the pack. Lambert was now leading from Gibb and Holt, with a fired-up Lance perfecting full throttle out side sweeps which brought the crowd to its feet. He was back up to fifth when he clipped Little, the upset resulting in Glazebrook colliding with Little. Once again, Lance was sent rear of field, but charged forward again and was up to fourth before pulling to the infield. With the last of the names ehminated, the attention turned to the front of the grid where Holt had just taken second from Gibb with just five laps left to run. Lambert’s motor was losing its edge and Holt closed in. Sensing the biggest victory of his long career, Holt and Lambert raced hard and clean over the clos ing three laps, which had the big crowd standing in admiration and urging the Katherine driver on. In what was probably one of the best finishes ever in the long histo ry of the event. Holt took a narrow win from Lambert, Gibbs, Glazebrook and Little. Lambert, naturally rueful about what might have been, was pleased nonetheless. “I’m pretty happy, really,” he reflected. We were aiming for a top five finish and we were lucky just to make it out for the feature.” The young Gibb was elated with his third place finish; “The whole crew is just ecstatic. The car was getting loose towards the end of the race, but I’m rapt; this is great.” While the Territorians rejoiced in a local win, their favourite son was not so pleased. “I’m very disappointed; it would have been great to win the champi onship in our home town,” Ekins explained. We set the car up for the end of the race and I was surprised to be going that quick so early. You’ve got to have the package put togeth er on the night and Bob Holt did the bestjob of that.” Whether Holt now shelves his retirement plans to defend his title remains to be seen. -BRETT SWANSON

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Cortina GT Mkl - Historic Group N. Current class lap record, Bathurst. In perfect race ready condition. Veiro kevlar race seat, new foam-filled fuel cell. Sealed Trvethan engine. 12 alloy rims, 2 new gearboxes: CR and int with remote shift. 3 diffs. New kevlar pads. 1 set wets. 1 set new Hoosier, plus used Hoosiers. Many spares. No money to spend. $14,000. Ph: Andrew 03 9817 4324 (AH). 159 XF Falcon AUSCAR Sportsman. Runner up, 98-99 season, front running Ford. Has run 32.68. Spares includ ed, flat track set-up. Spare painted caged shell complete. Privce neg. Ph: Andrew 03 5367 1866 (BH), 03 5369 2271 (AH),0419 347 037. 159

1¤

IlL Mazda RX-7 series III, late model 13B turbo and gear box, $5,000 paint job, immaculate interior, CD player, 15" wheels, alarm, real head turner. Reg and RWC. $15,000. Ph: 03 9888 3131. 159 HQ race car. Ready to race, log book, 99 reg, Dorian transmitter, heaps of spares including spare roiling shell. Good strong reliable motor, must sell. $5,500ono. Ph: 03

Super Sedan VS Commodore. 366ci Mike Blaker engine, QC diff, 2speed auto, trick kit. Close 5 hubs. Spare rims, tyres & parts. Tested only. Urgent sale. $13,000. Ph: Cdl 07 5441 3789. 159

RX2 Club Car - 136, turbo box, big brakes, adj Bilsteins, tagged alloy cage, new 14" AOOBRs, Kevlar seat. Entered for 6 Hr. $9,500ono. Ph: 0418 554 829. iss Porsche RSCS 1995. Pristine condition. Ph: 0411 327

Super Sedan, Torana Vic71, Turbo 202. 400hp, Ross pistons, stud girdle, Borg & beck clutch, live axle, alloy 6 pin rear wheels, lots of spares, PDA. Ph:035473 3334(AH). 159

327. 158

player, 12 mths jfego, RWC. Service history. Brand new tyres, heaps of extras. First to see will buy. $32,000. Ph: Andrew 03 5367 1866 (BH), 03 5369 2276 (AH), 0419 355

Sports Sedan, Catsun coupe, ISBfvS speed, alloy roll cage, 4 wheel discs, Volvo calipers, mag wheels 8" and 10", log book, very light & fast. $4,999. Ph: 03 9792 9526' (BH), 03 9792 4696(AH). tsa Mazda RX-7, 94, 59,000km, 20B 3 rotor motor, 5 speed, immac oond, 76 alloy wheels, sunroof, power windows. Bose stereo system. May 2000 reg. Ph: Mark 0416 062

524. 159

451. 158

Ford FI50 XLT, 1990 model. Customised. One of the best. White/maroon two-tone. 351 auto, air con, canopy, 300 litre gas tank, dustom seats, alloy wheels, alarm, CD

Commodore VL, Group A shell. Ford 9” diff. Modified Aussie 4 speed. Rebuilt 308 with 320 bhp. Excellent cond. Ready to race. $10,500. Ph: 02 4942, 6233 (BH). 159 Qld Gemini series race car: TX coupe, full steel roll cage, new gearbox, very straight car built up 3 years ago. Heaps of spares. $5,000ono. Ph: 07 3391 0141 (BH), 07 3204 4721 (AH).

Torana Sports Sedan: mid mount 300hp, alloy head, Irving head, fresh engine, 48mm Webers, close ratio Munoie box, locker diff, 4 wheel disc brakes, 15x10 wheels. Full fibreglass lift off front, space frame. Current log book, reliable performer, ready to race. $8,900on 0 with spares. Ph: 018 311 320,03 9350 1728 after 5pm. 158 HQ race car. Last race April 98, Div 1 NSW. New brakes, w/screen, Velo GP90 seat + more. $5,000. Ph: 02 9773 3654,019 604 961. 158

9842 7384. 159

Suzuki Swift GTi: has won 2 Old class championships. Fully seam welded, $4,000 chrome moly cage, new gen uine Suzuki engine, Bilstein adj suspension, built to Group N1 specs. Never pranged, ultra reliable. Ready to rally & win. Replacement cost over $28,000, sell $15,000ono. Ph: Tony 07 3286 2093,0417 609 462. 160 Falcon AUSCAR Sportsman. Race ready. Spare wheels, fire bomb, fresh motor. Plus dual axle trailer with electric brakes, wheel rack. $11,500. Ph: 0410 488 831. 159

3 Litre Sedan, Vic 3. Fully adjustable suspension, Quicksteer, auto, very fast and reliable car. Ready to race with spare wheels/tyres, panels, suspension parts etc. $7,000. Ph: Craig 9576 1800,0418 106 797. .a RX-7 Modified Production, almost complete, with spares & tyres. $1,800ono. 13B Bridgeport race/street engine. Electronic dizzy. Full rebuild, started once. $2,200. Ph: 03 5261 3995,0411 869 851. 159

U1 Torana, 3 litre, John Sidney engine. Pro shocks, 5 near new Hoosier tyres, 2 speed gearbox, ram clutch. Assorted spares,$6,000. Will separate. Ph:035241 1087. J59 Street Stock VB Commodore. Cage, harness, seat, quick engine, suspension set-up, heaps of spares, Iterior radi ator with twin fans. $1.OOOono. Ph: Mick 02 4399 2170. 159

Thunderdome HQ,complete and running, needs updat ing & tidy up. Fresh engine and good running gear, plus heaps of spares inci new engine unassembled, fiat track suspension kit, panels, wheels. $3,900ono the lot. Ph: 03 9465 5651. isa

Ford Escort Mk2 Club Car. Full race 2 It. Big valve head. Manly stainless steel valves, Wade 520 x cam. Crane rockers, twin 48mm Webers, Venolia pistons. Sierra 5 speed, racing clutch assy, Bilstein front struts, adj platform coils. Forest flares, full al roll cage, Targa race seats, Cheviot mags etc. Competitive, value, $9,000. Ph: Luke 0418 582 882 Vic. 159 Torana Hatchback, 253 V8, 4 speed, alloy tank. Hotwires, roll cage, stereo, LSD. Minor work reqd. Unreg. $3,000. Ph: 03 9802 5806 (AH). 159 Restorer’s dream - Dodge Phoenix 1963. Push-button auto. Interior original - good condition. 318 motor has been blueprinted. Runs excellently. Must sell, best offer around $3,000. Ph: 07 5573 5504. 159

^■1 - : r ---*

Holden Premier Station Wagon, 69 auto, 307 V8. 12 months reg, excellent cond, $8,000 or best offer. Original owner. Ph: 03 9792 2989. iss

J Ford Mustang collector's car. Ex Dick Johnson Group A touring car in immaculate condition. $28,500. Ph: 08 9405

Gambler high bar roller. Winters long spline alloy rear end. 4.11 gears Buckley coupler drive line. Profile power steering. Midget tank. JFZ brakes. Simpson belts. Pro shocks. L/weight wings. Alloy wheels. Complete with radia tor, engine plates, exhaust, drive flange and uni, bolts and nuts. Less engine. Full set spare alloy wheels and tyres and complete front axle. $9,000ono. SBC 2-3/16 McGee fuel injection with pump and air cleaners, $1,000. Ph: 08 8952

2019. 159

1113. 157

Subaru WRX, import. FORS rally approval. Damage to rh front, roof and floor. Runs and drives. $10,500. Ph: 0414 888 003. 159 Mazda RX3/808 restored, many extras ie 13B, Weber etc. Must sell. $6,500ono. Ph: Derek 02 6681 4391. 159

Chev Monza Sports Sedan. Super T10, 9". space frame, huge brakes, current log book. Heaps of spares brakes, wheels, springs etc. Tandem trailer. $15,000 roler. Ph: 02 4943 4346, 0414 467 697. isa

Brock Commodore VH Grp.3 build no 1114, very good, original condition, 135,000km. Red, must sell. $9,500 ono. Ph: 07 5534 1397 157

ROH Commodore Cup car #29. 1999 specs, ready to race. New engine at start 99 season. Very competitive no expense spared owner selling due to business commit ments. $22,000neg. Ph: 02 4573 6418. ise HQ Sedan. CAMS rego 99, plenty of spares, roller $2,000, complete $3750. Ph: 07 5593 6368 (AH). 156

Mazda RX5 Fresh 13B, (20,000km) since full rebuild). Lov^ Lovell suspension,'looks good, just needs TLC and minor body work. $3,500 (bargain) No reg. Ph: 02 6629 0215157 VT Commodore, New Millenium AUSCAR caged body shell, or can build up into complete car. Be ready for Bathurst. Can deliver anywhere in Aust. Ph: 0418 877 268, Fax: 07 5578 3845. 158

Midget Speedcar Q61. Beast 4 bar chassis, Mitsubishi motor, Winters splined diff. splined wheels, power steering. All good gear, complete with all spares and 16ft end trailer. $25,000. Ph: 07 3267 5211. iss

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FIDO 78, XLT, LWB, V8, auto, gas, red duco, black GT interior, original Centrelines, DJM lowering kit. $10,000 spent on parts. $20,000, will trade. Ph: 03 9465 6889, 0418

312 779. 159

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i Street Stock LX Torana: race ready, reliable & competi tive. Strong 202, Nolathane susp, plenty of spares inol diff ratios, rims & tyres, rack, panels, susp. $1,400ono. Ph: 08 83225474. is9

/Eho®[7’8m®[p{} Super Sedan, VR Commodore. 355 Chev, new block, TRW 12.5 to 1, roller cam, lO.OOOrpm clutch, quickchange, trailer & spares. POA. Ph: 03 5348 3403. 159 Modified Production LC Torana, 202 fully worked,95% complete, never raced. $2,500ono. Ph:02 4353 4755. 159 Team Vosbergen Racing offers rear engined Pantera Super Sedan, complete with 5/8 stroker engine, aluminium heads. Super fast car. Bert box, good gear. Bargain,$16,000. Ph:08 9452 2808. 159 Modified Production VB Commodore. 202, 3 spd, 3.55 locked diff, mags, spares, ready to race. $2,500. Ph: 02 9584 3484. isa Formula 500 chassis, 1.25 chrome moly, tig welded, brand new, has all panels and new bars. POA. Also, Commodore VT Super Sedan fibreglass body, includes bon net, front guards, roof, rear quarters & boot lid. $975. Ph: 03 6424 4544,0412 092020. isa Outback Racing surplus parts sale: Complete VW quickchange diff, birdcages, brake, driveline, 6 pin hubs, 3 gear set?, $1500; two three-piece rear wheels, one two-piece front, $500 the lot; 2 Kawasaki crankshafts, both with Suzuki rods and welded,$600 ea; 1 set used Kawasaki cases $100; new/used Wiseqe and /\ries pistons; 1 set chrome Kawasaki extractors, $150. fleaps used Kawasaki engine parts. Ph: 07 4668 5698. ise Super Sedan: factory Rayburn Mandrel bent rails. Complete roller, new quick steer. Wide 5 hubs, gun drilled axle, aluminium radiator, Willwood brakes, new rack, fuel cell. Ready to race, less engine. $12,500ono. Ph: 02 9724 0806, 0419 692 677. 15a Super Sedan chassis, roll cage, Pontiac body with alloy interior, front spindles, upper and lower arms, front struts. Built 98, four meetings old. $5,000. Ph:02 4572 5949. 156 Modified Rod, SA5 rolling chassis, less motor only, quick change diff, spare wheels, front axle and jigs, $6950. Ph: 08 85561203. 158

SteaKh Pontiac Speedcan 10 meetings since new. Fast & reliable. Weld star spline, MPD spindles & drive line, QCS, KSE, Carrera shocks. Fuel Safe, titanium E/P, set numerous track records.$45,000. Ph:02 9624 6428. ise 1/B Super Street with roller 202 engine. No expense spared. Redline cage, spare diff, some tyres. Will separate. $5,500complete,$4,000 engine. Ph:07 4786 1088. ise 95 Firebird. Complete wide 5 front end, new Frankland wide 5 magnesium diff, new powder-coated chassis, alumini um wheels, new seat belts & seat & gauges. Sweet power steering. $13,000. Ph:024937 2999, 0408 699 698. 158

16 July 1999

iwgines NASCAR engine: Chev, bowtie block, Bryant crank, Oliver rods, Wiseco pistons, roller cam, Pontiac cylinder heads. Everything brand new. $15,000ono. Ph: 0413 075 219. 159

Chev 60 degree VG, aluminium heads, roller motor, all bowtie internals; 300-r hp, including LJ Torana, fibreglass front, Kevlar bonnet, 3/4 chassis, mini tubs, 9” diff etc. All ready for completion. $6,000ono. Ph: 0412 008 290, 0417 282 764. 159

Nissan motor and gearbox, 2140cc, from 1600 rally car. Twin 45 Webers, button clutch, 3 gear, Holinger 5 speed, extractors. $3,000ono. Ph: 02 4392 0258, 0408 688 306. 159

Chev 18 degree 324 ou.in. drag race motor, single carb, bow tie block, 700hp. Dyno sheets available. $16,500ono. Ph: Graham 02 6282 5180. 159 Ford Boss 1969 302 fuel-injected, 516hp, dyno sheets available. $12,000. Ph: Graham 02 6282 5180. 159 350 Chev, alloy heads, 4 bolt block, steel crank, forged pistons, $4,500. Triple plate Borg & Beck clutch, $800. Ph: 03 6331 2624(BH), 03 6330 1881 (AH). 159 Cortina 1600 crossflow, twin methanol SVs, Holley pump, extractors, recently freshened. Suit Classic Speedcar, $1050. Ph: 08 8322 5789(AH). 159 Chev 350, short motor, -r035, 358ci. JE pistons, 13:1 comp, Manley 5.7 rods, 4 bolt 010 block, w/tray, HV pump & sump, roller cam, ARP studs. Suit Speedway. $11,000ono. Ph: jason 08 8261 6672. 15a Chev 17 degree motor. Dart alum heads, bowtie block, T&D shaft, rockers, Crower crank, Oliver 6” rods, JE pis tons. Fully recoed by Rob Benson. 650hp. $17,500. Ph: 0418 514 444,03 5176 2257. isa Toyota G4A-E10 dohc 20 valve motor. Throttle bodies & ram tubes, lightened flywheel, custom fabricated 4 into 1 header, extensive head work. Motor just rebuilt, receipts available, in excess $4000 inc new pistons, rings, larger exhaust valves, compression 11:1, just run in, hear running. $2,850. Ph: Dennis 03 5968 8777. iss

Parts Chev 18 degree cyl heads. New high port big bore, CNC ported and hand finished by HRD USA. CompI with Del West titanium valves, Jessel rockers, titanium retain ers, and 10 degree locks. Heat treated. Come with GM alloy valve covers and matching fully ported GM high port single carb manifold. 700+hp. $9,000ono. Ph: 02 6282 5180. 159

@08©iB Wheelers Lotus 59 F3 #2. In F2 spec with 69 bodywork, FVA, FT200. Ex Ken Smith car. Available in F3 spec with MAE, Mk9 it reqd. This ex-works F3 car has been in NZ since 1970. Ph/fax: 00 11 649 274 9401- 159 MygaOe SJI95. IncI spares, fresh Lamer engine. Avail lease State/National events. Ph: Alan/Cameron Shearer 02 6922 5387,0408 481 653,0418 572 679. 159 Cheetah Mk6, 1976 build. Ex Ian Richards F3 and F2. Has had complete rebuild and is fitted with genuine Ml Celica motor. $20,000. Ph: 0418 311 849, 03 5659 8288 (AH). 150

RF92 Van Diemen, complete, Ohiin shocks, Astrateoh data logger. Immaculate cond. Winner, NSW Formula Ford Championship, 98, 97. Many spares. $32,000. Ph: 02 4943 0607. 159

Off Road Buggy, Class 9, Bilsteins, 20" rear travel, 29" axles, power steer, Wright coil over front. Centrelines, turn ing brakes, CNC pedals, braided lines, full Albins G50 Porsche gearbox. No motor. $12,000. Ph: Roly 02 4464 2970(BH),02 4234 0857(AH). 159 Van Diemen RF95, professionally maintained by Banfield Motorsport, immaculate car, ex AMSA, very com petitive (1st Sandown Vic Series 99). Genuine Lamer motor, complete set of spare corners. Many other spares & set-up equipment, plus set-up info. $28,500. Ph: Karl 0414 646 949. 159

Formula Ford, RF95 Van Diemen, ex Todd Kelly (1997). New engine,(Speedtech), top car, immaculate cond, ratios and spares. $32,000ono. Ph: Mike 0411 622 999. iss Kart: Twin Clubman - Arrow chassis, balanced Stones engines, matched pipes, nose cone, tacho, many spares. Immaculate presentation. $3,500ono. Ph:02 9524 1199. 158

Drag Racing Mini Funny Car. 1932 Ford, Suzuki 1100, air shifter, new tyres. Requires minor work to finish. Over $4,000 spent on parts, sell for $3,000or offer. Ph: 02 6236 9167. 158

Holbay stroker crank with rods, block, aluminium fly wheel, front pulley to suit 2 Itr Ford (sohc or Cosworth). $2,650. Ph:026562 7762. na Quaife Lotus Cortina professional s/c, o/r gearbox, needle roller bearings, rated to.275bhp, 10,000 rpm, $2,450. Rocket box sc/or Quaife, 2.39 1st as new, $1,750. 2000E box, $950. Ph:08 8278 5988. 159 Ford Edeibrock Torker manifold to suit 4V Cleveland, brand new,$400f MSD 6AL brand new,$400. Mallory Unilite dizzy with new cap, rotor, module, relay,$400. Ph:0417 282 764. 159 BMW M3 E30 alloy front struts,, c/w inserts, steering arms, k/o hubs, alloy rear shocks, carbon fibre airbox, intake mani fold c/w throttles. Lightweight window glass. Misc parts. Ph: 00 / 11 649 274 9401. 159 t>atsun/Celica mags, CSA Bathurst 13x6, $150. Cheviot Hotwire 13x7, $200. Cheviot Gold 14x7, $200. Ph: 03 9802 5806. (AH). 159 Various: Wilwood vented brake rotors(x2),.75 xIO,6 on 5.5. Brand new $150; Sparco Pro 2000 fibreglass race seat, FIA spec, black nylon, EC c/w side mounting brackets, $600; Volvo brake conversion kit, suits Mazda RX2, RX3 and RX4 inc Volvo 4 pot calipers, 10.5 vented rotors, Mazda hubs, mount ing brackets & pads,$450. Ph: 039435 5407. 159 Chev 377 short motor, bow tie block, steel splayed caps. Cola crank, JE pistons. Eagle rods. As new,$7,500. Ph: Graham 0262825180. 159 Gear ratios, suit LD200 and Mk8/9.40 to choose from. Vary in price from $100-$180. Ph:075446 7611,fax 07 5446 7480. 159 Cibie driving limits, rectangular, ppir, vgc, $120. PI/\A rally driving lights, $80. Ph:0398025806(AH). 159 Wheels, 4 x AUSC/\R rims, fitted with Dunlop D93 wets, 20560-15. Near new.$1,000 the lot. Ph: Rod 035792 2527(BH). 159 Chev SB assorted parts: Jessel belt drive. Hamburger full kickout oil pan. ATI lightweight balancer. MSD crank triggers. Manley al rods. Del West titanium valves 2,150, 1.620, .550 long. Manley titanium valves 2.125, 1.620, .400 long etc. Ph: Graham 026282 5180. 159 Datsun Griplite steering wheel, $40. Ph: 03 9802 5807

Bond Roll Gage (6pi), to suit Commodore to VL, $375. Trailer, 2 car and plenty of storage, lightweight, tows Walkinshaw VL Group A camshaft, as new, $85. Ph: Ken 02 beautifully, aluminium frame, two oar annexe. Vic rego. 159 $4,700. Ph: 0419 895 692 9604 8088(BH),02 9622 0699(AH). 350 Chev: Victor Jnr manifold, twin point accel disy, good cond. Best offer. Ph:036424 4544,0412 092 020. 15a 4 spot Outlaw calipers, still new in boxes. Complete with braided brake lines and pads, with various brake compo nents. Ph: Tony 0417 693 871. 158 Series 4 RX7 calipers (front) $350; Willwood 4 spots & ceramic pads $750; ex DJR Sierra 5 speed getrag, rebuilt $2,500; Harrop rotors on Holden hubs $800; #%GE 2 litre Toyota twin cam, $950; Holinger gears & Getrag (damaged), needs input shaft, $500; Alloy fuel tank, full baffling (new) $250. Ph:0418 736619. isa Fully enclosed trailers, up to 6 metres long, 2 metres Brabham wheels: 13"x7.5”, 9" & 10" widths. 6 available. wide, immaculate presentation, 8 ply tyres, Sunraysia wheels, Also, range of historic Dunlop racing tyres, 15"x5.50 and 5.00. elec brakes etc. $7,500. Other sizes/styles on request. Ph: Make an offer. Ph:03 9589 1217, or 03 9682 4644(BH). 15a Steve or Chad 0412610 444, or 02 9610 4444. ise MSO Promag, ten times more output than conventional 40’ Bedford bus, newly finished, ten comfortable RX7 magneto. Built-in rev limiter. $2150. Ph: 0418 514 444, 03 seats, fully decked out, very fast Isuzu 6BGI turbo inter5176 2257. 15a cooled, 6 speed. Ramped to fit Commodore. Reluctant sale. Set of F/F wheels, reduced to $300. Ph: 07 3351 3506. 156 Ford 351C 4 bolt block, $1200; 4MAB cranks, $400; .$35,000. Ph: 08 8383 7341 (AH). 158 Tandem enclosed trailer, 5mt long inside, 2mt high. Carillo con rods $1200 set; Aooell race dist $380; roller Electric brakes on Alco axles, mag wheels, ramps. Will fit HQ rockers $300; alloy bell housing $280; ^fi complete 302W $1200. Ph: 02 4782 1145. ise inside, only 2 years old. $4,500ono. Ph:039465 5651. ise VN Group A twin throttle body injection with air intake and MoTeC computer & harness. $3,000. Ph: 02 4782 4074 (BH), 026355 2413. isa Ford Cleveland parts: Yates C3L high port alloy heads, with roller rockers, push rods and roller cam. Jack Roush NASCAR gear - spares, equipment etc. Pit gear, also intake manifold, Milodon gear drive, TRW pistons, 6“ conPontiac GP panels. Please send list with prices to Raceline, rods, 351 4-bolt main block, $10,500. C6 auto Tci 3500 P.O. Box 184 Paradise Point, Qld 4216. 159 stall. Band m Quicksilver gear shift, $2,000. Ph: 02 6288 Services of a brake mechanic wanted to renew 5629. isa brake lines on old Clubman Sports car. At my place. Ph: 03 9799 1683. 159 Co-drive in Bathurst GTP race by current Qld Formula Ford champion. Previous Bathurst experience. Targa Tasmania Gold Trophy winner. Have budget and experi ence. Ph: Peter 0418 184 456. 159 Weber carbies - 2 model 45DCOE side draft, right hand rod linkage preferred. Ph: Ken 02 9604 8088(BH), 02 9622 0699(AH), fax 02 9725 4759. 159 Business partner sought. Sydney-based petrolhead with internet & computing skills sought to start new motor sport business. Tech background an advantage. Suit retiree. Fax reume to 02 9439 7404. tsa

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TffiiiiispQrters/l^iiers Transporter: 42ft, tits 2 cars, bathroom, bunks, hot water. Must see. $40,000. Ph: 0413 075 219. isg 40ft drop deck pantech and single axle 88 Scania prime mover P12M, sleeper cab, full engine rebuild on Scania by Scania. All reg and RW. Max weight 3.6mt. $80,000. Ph: 036987 2691. 159

Tandem aluminium covered-in trailer, 14.5ft x 7ft x 5.5ft high. Qpening back door, small side door, cupboards, elect brakes. Suit Speedcar, Litre 60, karts etc. $2,600. Ph: « 03 9439 7566. 159 Transporter: Chev C60 big block. Petrol/gas twin tanks, 5 speed, 2 speed diff, luxury crew accommodation. 36ft 5th wheel tri axle, 240v, annex. Suit many forms of motor sport. $45,000. Ph: david 0417 325 742,03 9438 3110. 159 1972 FI00 ute. 460 big block motor, auto, power steer ing, 4wd brakes, 9 inch diff. Gun metal grey duco, lowered, good tow vehicle. 12 months rego. $14,000. Ph: 03 9776 1694,0412 580 367. isa n

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Half enclosed tandem drop-axle trailer, 8x14 wheels, 19ft. 6ft 6in heavy duty axles, brakes, inside cupboard, 6 months reg. Chequer plate floor, tool box, spare wheels, suit wide car. $3,500. Ph: 018311 320, 03 9350 1728. ise

Category: □ Sedans □ Open wheelers □ Speedway □ Drag □ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other

Description;

JAIMES H k.

Collector decals: James Hardie 1000 Bathurst and 1986 inaugural Fosters AGP. Both good clean cond, approx 300mm length. Proce includes post. $6^ea or $11 pr. Ph: 07 46393308. 159 RPM race seat & five point harness, $400; new Performance Challenger mags, suit RX2, 3, 4, 7, $450. Ph: 03 9354 0417,0419 191 612. 159 Attn Group C enthusiasts: a meeting to discuss the future of Group C Touring Cars will be held at Burwood RSL at 7.30pm on August 18. For info: Frank Binding 02 9905 Revolution Mondiale FIA approved blue suit, size S, plus FIA gloves and boots, 2 yrs old, good cond. $400 the lot ono. Ph:02 4647 7350. 159 Gar and motor sports magazine collection. Various titles in excellent condition, some dating from early 70s. Ph: 0412 439 333. Launceston. 159 Biante 1:118 scale model Falcon GTHOs, Moffat 65E Phase 3, Wild Violet Phase 3, Grecian Gold Phase 2. From $180. Ph:026296 4905. iS9 IndyCar trip to the Gold Coast. Everything included air fare, accomm (on track), race clothes, raoeday meals & drinks. Heaps more. 10 spots only, with 2 spots left. $1375. Ph: Geoff 0411451 240. isa Race car Swap Meet and Show’n Shine: Fairfield Showgrounds, Sydney. Sunday August 8. All sites under cover, rain, hail or shine, we swap. Trophies awarded for show categories. 6am start. Buyers $2, sellers $10 per oar or ute, $15 for trucks. Call the Info Line on 02 9610 0500. isa Workshop to let Jor sellj Factory unit over 300 sq metres in Hornsby Industrial area (Sydney) approx 20kms north of CBD close to Ml freeway north. Excellent outlook, enormous mezzanine, office, bathroom, kitchen 2 x toilets, built in wall benches, engine/machine room, large compresor, multiple car spaces (and space for transporter) $525 PW (plus outgoings)Ph 029482 2470 and 0408 162 762. is? For sale: rare Adelaide FI, Gold Coast Indy posters and promo material, too numerous to list. Also some mid-70s FI posters. Ph: Anthony 07 5479 1049. 15a Autosport magazines. Aug 78 - June 89, $20. Ph: 08 8356 4596. 15a

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.US''!

Carillo rods, 6 inch U,suit Chev, new, $2,100. KB pistons +30, 13:1 comp, new, $350. File fit TRW rings, +35, $130, SB gasket set $30, gear drive $150. Ph: 03 9716 1560. 159

Dunlop wets 265/570/15, half worn, hand out tread pattern, $400 the lot. Can deliver Melbourne metro, -r$20 per tyre delivery interstate. Ph:0418 551 780. 159 Winters diff, lightweight, ally spool, ally tubes, gun-drilled lower shaft. Brand new. $5,500ono. Ph:02 9317 0055. 159 Mazda gearbox. Needham close ratio 5 sp, 1:1 5th. Straigfht cut gears, splined layshaft, 18 months old, limited events, $2,500ono. Ph:07 4972 1023. 159 Dunlop slick tyres,8 off 230-570x3,6 off 190-535x13, suit 8” or 10" rims. Cheap. Best offers accepted. Ph: 02 49422490. 159

Other

ROH Prosprints, (similar to above photo) 2 sets of 4 wheels. One set Ford/Valianf other set early Holden/Torana/Volvo. All 14x7. $600 per set. Ph: 03 9884 4944 or 0416 215151. 155

(AH). 159

2 issuesalisoliiteiffree. )

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50 30 July 1999

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Editorial Edstor Phil Branagan TecSiB^BcaS Editor Tony Glynn Fresjiuent FSyer Editor Gerald i^cDornan Grapliics Co-ordinator Viv Brumby

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M' ^ Get real!

Dear Sir, Fortnightly, I stand poised at the 0- i newsagents door (I know I should subscribe) to receive the most accu rate dose of factual motorsport news available for only $4.50. Send letters to Ta Converter to PO Box 1010 North Cauifie '' ^3161, But, once digested and once tempt our E-mail address, or fax to 03 9527 7766. ed by the classifieds, I have to face readers. The staff of Motorsport News does not necessarily agree with opinions expr« the agony ofthe Talk Converter, thankful that Craig is okay. to Townsville. Issue after issue, Australians Craig, his wife Natalie and the I think it has put a sour taste in pour their hearts and souls out to team would like to take this oppor- all the mouths of the people that the editor in hope of making it to tunity to thank publicly the many were at the meeting that day. print... and once they do, all we the people who assisted in Craig’s It was to be a special day for me, helpless public can do is wince in recovery and who have taken their because I had to wait five years to shame as these “well educated” time to offer their support and best get to a V8 race as I worked in the motor racing geniuses find reasons wishes. outback. Well, Channel 10, you’ve why their hero “kicks a$$” and We particularly apprectiate the just got another customer for the some one else sucks! Pam Elam prompt action of the Calder Park Willowbank 506. Mr Editor, I implore you, send Caulfield North, VIC Rescue, Fire and Ambulance crews, I still love the V8s and I think this message to these, if nothing ED:Pam Elam is a founding and the many V8 Supercar com everyone appreciates Russell’s con member of Women For Wheels else, loyal people; strap yourself petitors who stopped to render cern, but I think the next time I’m into a race car and drive as fast as in Victoria which was instru assistance at the scene. A special at the race track is when I’m sitting you can while someone else mental in setting up the Fire & Rescue service in that state. ihention too, to the Calder Park on the grid, attempts to get past you and see officials who promptly arranged for how much better you would fare. Natalie Lowndes to be taken to the James Angus Professional racing drivers lack Craig’s crash accident scene and for assuring her Cowrie Junction, QLD many things (personality, tact, he was okay. Dear Sir, hygiene), but not one lacks a huge Finally, to the many supporters Dear Sir, degree of skill. Congratulations on a very infor What a joke... Victoria lost the But I guess my message will fall mative newspaper covering all of Craig and MHRT - both at Calder and around Australia and Sandown 500 to the “Horseshoe onto deaf ears until the couch rac motorsports. New Zealand - who have sent mes- 500” at Queensland Raceway, ers finally decide to join their local I was horrified to see Craig This new track would easily qual- club, build their own car and find sages of support, please accept our Lowndes crash at Calder Park. heartfelt thanks. Obviously we can- ify for the most unimaginative layout for themselves, I understand that there are rac not reply individually to everybody, out of all time! ing incidents, but a particular dri Sure, it’s spectator friendly, but Derrin Drew but please believe us when we say ver, (who calls himself The it is very gratifying to know that so so was the old Winton layout - at No address supplied Enforcer) seems to be involved at many people are behind Craig, least Winton provided a mixture of the start of some of these racing Mark and the team. corners and straights. , incidents. 'What did the designers of QR do, Plte S P©88C p6rff©Cll©in At Calder (okay, I wasn’t there), shut their eyes and pick the letter The Mobil Holden Racing Team he seemed to have initiated a touch U out of the alphabet to base the Dear Sir, Clayton, Vic that caused other drivers to lose it, Can you tell me where a fhistratdesign on? in both starts of race 2. I don’t StiU, it could have been worse ... ed rev head can see some footage of mean to start slagging Russell, but Can’t get no satisfaction their finger could have landed on that awesome hillclimb. Pike’s its not the first time he’s touched the letter I or the letter 0! Peak? Any fair dinkum motorsport Craig, sending him off the track. fan would have seen the Peugeot Dear Sir, On a happier note,,its great to see video. Climb Dance, from the midWell done, Russell Ingall, on say- Shayne Andrews ’80s where Ari Vaatanen (I think) Craig got off relatively unscathed. ing something on what I call the Bumie, TAS Also heartwarming was other dri shot up the road in a then-record most disgustingly organized event I 12-odd minutes. vers stopping to give assistance, have ever seen. I now read in Motorsport News such as Crompton, Murphy and The racing [at Queensland ColOUf tTII© gori© that Rod Millen won this year’s Perkins, to name a few - I can’t : Raceway] was fantastic, but that’s event in a little over lO minutes... Dear Sir, remember seeing that before. ' where it all stopped. Note to John Bowe: if you have I’d like to see that! Yes, Russell, people were turned John Parinetto Also, some info concerning the away from not being able to bring trouble recognising the colours yelJohnLP@bigpond.com their eskys and hampers in. God low and black, perhaps you should awesome machines that compete in knows how many kilometres they take a good look at your CAT spon- this event would be great. I went to my Suzuki dealer, but he didn’t Dear Sir, had to walk to take their food-back sorship! Go Garth! have any 750kw models in stock! The Mobil Holden Racing Team, to the car. like so many, were shocked by And $130 for grandstand seats Matt Simpson Craig Lowndes’ crash at Calder that you could tell were already full. Michael Hauser Wollongong, NSW Park last weekend and extremely It took me five hours to get back Toowoomba, QLD Dear Sir, I am sure all were most relieved to see Craig Lowndes get out of his Calder accident without serious injury. What a gi’eat bunch of V8 drivers we have; some of them were the first people to get to help Craig and try to get him out, followed in sec onds by the flaggies. Where was the fire safety truck? In the case of a fire, they have less than a minute to get the driver out. Surely there is room on the outside of the circuit, regardless of the fact that it was a full grid.

C'J

Motorsport News is published by Australasian Motorsport News Pty Ltd ACN No 060 179 920

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Torque & power resutls for 3 runs with 3 different carburetto jet settings .Note the misfire in red. run at 2500 RPM

Gas analyser resluts for the torque graph. Note the rich mixture in red. run at 2500 RPM

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