Motorsport News Issue 164 - 22 October-5 November 1999 by V8 Sleuth

Aussie V8s to take on German tourers $4.5Q (NZSS^SSlhdhGSJin

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22 October - 5 November 1999

iThe aero tweak which

cost Ferrari its World

Championship chance

Will there

Photo; Sottons Images

V8s pound the

Honda Indy -

streets of Surfers

Dario’s Grand Slam

Gardner - Bathurst Dark Horse? ■

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22 Oaober 1999

Ferrari outed over

No problems on Rally Oz TV Channel 10 has denied

illegal barge boards Friday appeal may decide world championship FERRARI must wait anxiously on the outcome of its appeal

against disqualification from last Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix to know if its

1999 World

currently negotiating with Ten’s RPM producers for guaranteed coverage of his potential British

F3 season in 2000.

It is believed Ambrose is try ing to secure the coverage as a part of a package he is offering to potential sponsors of the F3 campaign.

be successful.

'The disqualification of Irvine and Schumacher came about after Stewards declared that the Ferraris did not conform to Article 3.12.1 of

of the rules. The Stewards had no

option. Ferrari accepted that its body work did not conform, but neverthe less lodged an appeal. In Ferraris’ favour are two things: 1. The cars ran in identical spec at the previous (European GP) race and throughout qualifying in Malaysia and passed scrutineering; 2. Precedent - when Benetton were in trouble with the FI Stewards

■ Living proof that beautifiil does not mean brainy. At Indy there was a scuffle in the me^a centre after the post-race dri vers conference when a Courier-

McLaren Chief Ron Dennis released a

some people have expressed, the fact that

statement on Tuesday which said, in part: The World Champion ship is decided on the

the outcome of the

Malaysian Grand Prix can decide this year’s World Championship is

basis of the results of 16

irrelevant.

championship is

chances.

races that they might

more important it is that the oiles are applied consistently and fairly, in

otherwise have won, for

accordance with the

reasons such as

procedures which have

Motorsport News’ FI contacts are suggesting that an outcome may be

mechanical failure, driver error, technical non conformity and breach of

the past...”

contrived to allow the Ferrari dri

the sporting code.

contested, teams lose

● If ■V-

over at Indy. Guy Andrews and Grant Kenny both drove in the GTP event, Andrews in an XR6 Falcon and Keimy in a Subaru

■f' '

been strictly adhered to in

WRX.

/ I !

Dennis went on to add

occur at any stage in the

Court of Appeal has

season and are

confirmed that the rules state that the absence of a

Court of Appeal, made up of three judges from a panel of 15 (all with some motor sport background) from

occur at the end of a season as at the

boss Ron Dennis ringing in their ears (see McLaren’s statememnt), things don’t look too rosy for Ferrari...

swamped by the Miss Indy con

■ There were Iron Men all

Japan next week. However, the FIA International

statistically just as likely to

performance advantage

■ Organisers of the Rally of Canberra have been appointed the FIA’s Asia-Pacific RaUy

Series Secretariat. The event

!2r,

assumes authority for the regional series immediately. The post was previously filled by the organisers of the Rally of

.-j‘

was not a defence.”

beginning. Logically, however, there is a higher media profile if the incident takes place at the end of the season. While we understand

While Dennis' opinion

New Zealand.

is obvious, it must be

noted that Championship victory celebrations have

■ John Teulan has signed Porsche Cup Class B Champion Mike Kilpatrick to co-drive the Statewide Racing Skyline GT-R

been muted to date, the

the sympathy and requests for leniency that

team preparing for Japan with an intensity level appropriate to a ‘decider’...

When Ron speaks: Dennis makes his point to FIA technical delegate Herbie Blash. (Photo by smton-imagcs)

in the 3 hour GTP enduro at Bathurst.

CoitinuNlores, Fakons for DTM? n«

●!

A HANDFUL of Aussie

DTM rules boss Michael

V8 touring cars could bol ster grids in next year’s revived DTM touring car series in Germany.

Bernard said: “The only problem we have for next year is that we have to find

pendent teams.”

four to six cars to have the

CAMS boss Tim Schenken about the move. The German stressed that

Importing Commodores

Holden and Ford

Falcons is one plan the organisers are considering to increase the entry from the

Herr Ellery: Our own V8s may race in Germany, (wynsmith)

proper number demanded by TV and spectators. If you look around. Super Touring cars are too slow, but on the other side of the world there

in the hands of some inde Bernard said that he had

already made contact with

the Aussie plan was one of a number under consideration

16 to 18 cars series that

are some V8s veiy similar to

and didn’t rule out the possi bility that the grid of

ours, but a bit slower.

German-built

prime movers Mercedes and Opel will provide between

“The easiest way [of increasing giid sizes] would be for us to buy new or sec ond hand cars and put them

could top the 20-car mark from the beginning of the

them from the start of the season.

■ And Judd wasn’t even the hottest actor at the track. Noted

testants on Sunday, which must make a nice change for the girls to be on the other side of things for a change.

.'j»)

that, in a number of recent cases, “Ihe International

These incidents can

than use the side door that was there for the drivers ... ?

race fan and Neighbours hunk

The more important the

races. During the eight

through the media area, rather

Daniel McPherson was

back in the Schumacher/Brawn days (fuel sample problems), the team bore the brunt of the penalties. The drivers retained their points. Opinion is divided as to Ferrari’s

And with the words of McLaren

Ms Judd enter and leave

Apply the rules: Dennis outcome of the race, the

all over the world, is totally indepen dent of the ‘Sport’ branch of the FIA and likely to be entirely objective.

Mail photographer snapped Ashley Judd, Dario Franchitti’s girlfnend, apparently against orders fi'om the organisers. Fine. So why did the winsome

Board game: Ferrari’s illegal barge board may have assured McLaren the world title. (Photo by sutton-images)

months over which the

vers to retain their points and thus set up a huge title showdown in

“We’ve expanded our coverage of this year’s event and, while working out the details of [Bemie Ecclestone’s company] ISC requirements for their own coverage was involved and a complication, it hasn’t presented any problems,” he said. Network, Marcus Ambrose is

aUve.

the FLA FI regulations, in relation to the side Ijarge boards’ fitted to all FI cars these days. In essence, these are meant to be single plane devices, with all sur faces at right angles to the road. The Ferraris, however, had a small lip added, parallel to the road and although Ferrari technical director Ross Brawn claimed “no perfor mance gain” it was clearly a breach

rumours emanating from Europe concerning the con tent of its coverage of the upcoming Rally Australia, with producer Scott Yoimg saying everything is pro gressing as planned.

■ Speaking of the Ten

Championship challenge is stUl A hearing has been scheduled for Paris today (Friday), at 9.30am French time (5.30pm Melbourne time) to hear Ferrari’s appeal - and there are many around motor sport who believe it will, partially at least,

DTM

V8s

Kilpatrick steps into the car after Paul Morris elected to con centrate on his commitments with HRT at the event.

■ Australian drag racer Troy Critchley, who formerly drove for Victor Bray, won the first Mopar Pro Modified Shootout in the US last weekend. Driving American Johnny Rocca’s Ironhorse ’49 Mercury, Critchley claimed the

US$20,000 winner’s prizemoney.

It was Critchley’s first win in IHRA competition, although he recently set the competition records for the class at

6.22s/225mph.

season.

-GARY WATKINS

22 October 1999 ■ Allan Moffat was

reunited with two of his Ford Falcon GTHO race

cars recently during a promotions for GT radials. The cars are owned

by well-known Gold Coast enthusiast, David Bowden.

■ Regs are now avail able for the Easter

Motorcycle Carnival at Bathurst. The return of

the two-wheeled brigade will be held on Easter weekend. Contact Event

Management Specialists on (02) 9670 1000 for details. ■ The TAPE crew was

hard at it at Indy, this time the apprentices from the Brisbane Institute of TAFE Motor

Racing Repair Team. They had plenty to do after the wet sessions on

Thursday... ■ We hear that there

are three tests planned for December, with the

Ambrose's Euro tifle Formula

The

year-old

Tasmanian wrapped up a sensational win by taking out the fourth

and final round of the

series last Sunday, at Brands Hatch. Ambrose started from the second row of the final after a conser

I come from a land Van Diemen: Tasmanian Marcos Ambrose missed a round of the

Euro FF title but still came through with the title. Roll on the FF Festival. (Photos by sutton-images)

vative qualifying heat and moved quickly to third by passing

Four more years

Finnish driver Kimi

Raikkonen

lap

three, then both Van

at Estoril between December 8-10 and the third at Barcelona

one big move on the main straight on lap five.

F3 berth in 2000.

between December 15-17.

to the win and the title.

9 Goodyear Tire & Rubber boss Sam Gibara

Murray, tied with Ambrose on points at the start of the day, took second in both.

was in Europe recently

“I tried not to think about

and we understand that

the championship,” Ambrose

file. This is believed to have had an effect on the

company’s sales. ■ The FIA Formula 1

Technical Working Group was due to meet on

Monday in Kuala Lumpur to discuss ideas for technical changes to be incorporated into the rules for the 2001 season.

The engineers involved

will put their proposals fonvard to the FI

Commission and if that

body agrees they will then go to the FIA World Council.

staking his claim for a good Ambrose is currently dis cussing the prospects with Alan Docking, the same F3 team owner who helped

From there he eased away

commitment to the Surfers Indy race,

leading by a couple of seconds my nerves started playing up and each lap seemed to go on

Melbournian Davison.

in Europe - not bad for a boy from Tasmania!”

at the same meeting was Alex

Using the meeting primari ly as a familiarity exercise with both the car and the UK

scene, Davison overcame all

Completing a good first year in the UK category, for mer World Kart Champ James Courtney finished

the usual first-up hurdles to

sixth. He wiU head the facto

event.

qualify 26th for the final

(from a 61-car entry), making a few solid places in the main

ry Van Diemen challenge in 2000.

Since switching from the underfunded Ray chassis to Van Diemen for this end-of-

year series, Ambrose has

been a revelation, winning

The team has been testing this week, with Ambrose scheduled for a brief nm in the car to assist his Aussie

colleagues with set-up for the hugely important Formula Ford Festival this weekend.

FF heroics FORMULA Ford contender Tyler Mecklem paid for an act of

the construction of new

pit buildings at the Nurburgring. The new

facilities will be ready in time for next year’s

European Grand Prix, which is due to take

place in the Spring. After the 2000 race the track

will begin work on a new media centre.

■ Japan’s Matsushita

electrical company says it is planning a big push in Europe for its Panasonic and Technics products and is examin

ing ways of increasing its profile in Europe. Grand Prix racing is an obvious choice and Matsushita

knows the value of racing as it supported Hire Matsushita for several

seasons of CART racing. -JOE SAWARD

Formula Ford race to go to the aid of Robert Jones, trapped in his up-turned car after a massive roll, unseen by all but a handful of spectators, taking place after TV and circuit com mentary had switched off for the day.

Having grabbed his first major pole position in wet condi tions, Mecklem was running back in mid-field after a brief off early in the race but making rapid progress when he came across Jones’ upturned car at Conrad Jupiters comer.

With no apparent action from marshalls, Mecklem stopped and went to Jones’ aid, thus registering a DNF and rear-of-

field start for Saturday’s second race.

For his part, Jones escaped - remarkably - with hardly a bruise. Running a strong third and looking to make a move on, of all people, regular team engineer Troy Dunstan (making a one-off comeback after seven years). Jones clipped Dunstan’s car, rolled end-over-end twice, before sliding along on the roll bar, then barrel-rolling roughly six times.

The car came to rest against the barriers, upside down, with Jones remaining strapped in the car. With Mecklem on hand, the car was eventually righted and

event chairman John Cowley and race promoter IMG’s Martin Jolly announced the extension, with Craig committing to increasing the number of CART teams from its current obligation of 22 to 30. “The Government was determined to

“It’s difficult, because we’re operating under CART rules,

which forbid marshalls going onto the circuit under any circum stances while there are cars still racing and not under fullcourse yellows. But yes, it’s something that concerns us.”

a US$3-5 million CART budget could be seen as a major stumbling block. “This is a great partnership and we are

pleased to extend it,” Craig said. “We love coming here. Surfers Paradise is a world

class resort and one of the most popular venues with our drivers and teams.

if necessary,” Beattie said, adding the

got an Australian driver in our series

increase depends on the size of the event and extra teams.

An Australian driver at the event is most

desired by all parties - Gary Brabham

“It’s perplexing as to why we haven’t

considering your tradition of great drivers, but we will be working hard to make it happen.”

Jolly confirmed,IMG, who guarantee the race against any losses, were looking

being the only local to have driven in the race so far, albiet in an uncompetitive

to help source the funding.

team.

- GERALD McDORNAN

and we can have a

if we can find the millions DOLLARS, and plenty of them, are the key to

that if the funding became available that

renewed caDs last week end for an Aussie to make it into the Honda

they’d like to run an Aussie for the season

in Indy Lights and, if it aU worked out, run a

Indy 300 field. Last

weekend’s

third car for that dri ver in the Gold Coast

event Champcar brought with it the

race.

usual cries for support

“Nothing’s changed.

for an Australian driver

IMG may now be a bit keener to try and find

to take part in the race.

Race promoters IMG are pushing the Aussie

that funding, but it’s

barrow, seeking the

the key...”

the dollars which are

US$1-1.5 million needed to put an Australian dri

Pirtek V8 team boss

Ross Stone concurred,

ver into Indy Lights for CART-bound? Craig Lowndes (Slipstream) in relation to Jason a season and fund a potential the mark, the team would cer Bright: “Jason’s contracted to

one-off start in the late-season Gold Coast CART race.

Craig Lowndes, Jason Bright and latest US success story David Besnard were

have an inside line if the com

itancy of the marshalls was one of a couple of incidents that

Australian flag flying over one of these pit bays next year.” Craig Lowndes, Jason Bright and David Besnard were singled out, although

ensure the event stayed on the Gold Coast and we will be increasing our commitment

Clerk of Course Tim Schenken later confirmed that the hes concerned him over the weekend:

area, but we are determined to have an

announced at the event on Saturday. Beattie, CART CEO Andrew Craig,

“After Tyler freed me, I helped him get away again by push

starting his car!” Jones said.

series for some time,” Beattie said. “Negotiations are continuing in that

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie

being touted as potential can didates, although Lowndes with an IMG personal man

Jones released..

“It is no secret that we have been

pushing to get a talented young Australian driver as part of the CART

reasoning behind the Queensland - Government’s decision to increase its

MAKING his UK and Zetec Formula Ford debut

“It feels great to be the best

AN extension of its contract until 2003, more teams and the possiblity of an Australian driver competing in the CART series within the next two years is the

national stage.

said later, “but once I was

for ever.

Indy race secure till 2003

Mark Webber onto the inter

selflessness at the Honda Indy. The NSW youngster threw away his chances in the first

■ Work has begun on

\ V

Champion.

prestigious Euro title and

the European markets has been highly success ful in raising the Japanese company’s pro

Ford

the last two rounds of the

the question of the com pands involvement in Formula 1 has again been discussed, as Bridgestone’s drive into

‘■i a

MARCOS Ambrose

Van Der Ende and champi onship rival Craig Murray in

December 1-3, the second

is the 1999 European

Diemen team-mate Ricardo

first at Jerez between

agement link - would seem to pany is successful.

While recently hyped sto ries that HRT would seek the funds for Lowndes to make a

US foray in 2000 have been off

tainly not stand in his way if a good US deal came along: “The

changed

situation

all,”

hasn’t

team

spokesman Paul Weissell con firmed this week.

“The team has always said

us for next year, but we’ve

agreed that if an opportunity came up overseas we’d let him

go. But there’s a lot of talk going on at the moment talk’s cheap...” he concluded.

David Besnard, who won the US FF2000 series last came along, it would support ' year, is our most current suc Craig and let him go. We’d cessful US racer, although rather he was driving for us, typically, his Atlantic

,that if a good overseas drive

but if there was an overseas option we wouldn’t stand in

the way.

“Team Green said last year

Championship campaign for

the year stalled - due to lack of funding... - CHRIS LAMBDEN

22 October 1999

Falcons for Brad Jones? FORMER Super Touring Champion Brad Jones may join the V8 Supercar circus in 2000. i

The Albury-based Jones has been quietly working on a V8 project for some months with a view to fielding a Ford Falcon, but is not cur rently in a position to discuss any plans: “Our priority is our existing Audi Super Tourer programme,” he said on Monday. “We’re still in the final stages of sorting that out with Audi for next year and, until that’s locked away. I’m not offering any comment on anything else we might do.” While Jones is being understandably low key about the possibilities, he is imderstood to have discussed his options for entering the cat egory with AVESCO chief Tony Cochrane. Rumours around Melbourne also suggest that Jones already has a couple of Falcon body shells on order and a Ford V8 engine is being quietly prepared at the workshops of a leading V8 specialist - although once a V8 project breaks cover, all manufacturing and engine

w '■■w

S»-'

4-'-

●tones

Kane

work would revert to the Jones brothers vmll-

Get used to the sight: Brad Jones drove with Mark Larkham at Bathurst last year, going close to winning the race until electrical dramas late in the race. Will Jones drive full-time in 2000? (Photo by Marshall cass)

Ellery escapes

Dario, Juan stay

bizarre accident in CART By CHRIS LAMBDEN

Photo by James Smith ■■■

RAPIDLY emerging talent Steve Ellery was extremely fortu nate to emerge from the

Valvoline

from Arrows FI DARIO Franchitti

and Juan Montoya seem set to stay in CART next season, despite reports from Europe that the pair

Supercar races at the weekend without

serious injury - and not from his heavy

In the meantime, Jones will again co-drive with Mark Larkham in the Mitre 10 Falcon at

Bathurst. Recent rumours of a merger between the two teams have been discoimted

by both sides.

Such a merger (or the purchase of an exist ing team) is the path to immediate Level 1 sta tus within V8 organisation AVESCO. The other method of entry, as undertaken by the Cat team this year, is to complete a full Level 3 year, graduate to Level 2, then complete a further year. Expect some news from the Jones team not long after Bathurst.

young

little more than a badly bruised finger after being collected by an

believe that he has set

ing on which one wins

Championship this year.

Walkinshaw’s major problem appears to be raising the finance needed to get one or

“1 was a bit shaken

by the crash, a bit winded, and climbed out, looldng for the hole

the other out of then-

* aJ

in the fence to climb

through. I looked up

TOWl

and saw this Honda

coming right for me, all the

“I was lucky. It just caught my finger on the way past, with the mirror, I suspect. If I hadn’t moved it could have been a lot worse.”

X-rays at a nearby hospital confirmed no

breakage, but the Gold

Coast resident’s digit is swollen

Mortally wounded: Eliety tends his btusied fin ger after escaping assault from a course car. on from a couple of just a little too hard strong Shell series per- ■ and made a mistake and on this track the formances. Pole posi tion and second place price for that is high.” (to Bathurst Shell Ellery’s team has a team-mate Radisich) in

new AU Falcon under

race one looked like

finger.

construction and, with

being backed up by a

the weekend’s publicity a boon, is talking to potential sponsors for

The incident followed

another strong showing by the fundamentally private team, following

make sense for the dri

switching to Formula 1. Arrows may not be a top team at the moment

and

ed.

expensive but will

less attractive than

taped to the adjacent

“I’m sure it’ll be okay in a few days,” a relieved Ellery conclud-

America. This will be

ver, as staying on in America to try to win the title again may be

locked up. I stepped back and it went by and t-boned Medical Carl...

existing contracts in

similar race two result until the incident.

“Pole set us up for a great weekend and the car was great. I honest ly thought we had the speed to catch Paul,

Radisich at Bathurst, the duo very much ‘in

but I guess I pressed on

form’.

2000. In the meantime, Ellery will share the #18 Shell Falcon with

but Walkinshaw is imdei-stood to have

impressive plans and a low-profile entry into FI wiU avoid the prob lems which Alex Zanardi has encoun tered this season with Williams. It also seems less than attractive that

Montoya or Franchitti would want to walk out

Back in the saddle again: Webber gets comfy in the F3000 at Donington. (mw Media)

Htebber back inFSOOO MARK Webber has completed a sec ond test with the European Motorsport F3000 team. The test, last Wednesday at Donington Park, firms up the possibility that a drive with the Australian-owned team

wiU be part of Webber’s 2000 programme. Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of negotiations to release him from his existing contract with Mercedes, a test ing role with the Jordan FI team remains Webber’s main pidority. The combination - FI testing and F3000 racing - would set the Australian up in the best possible position to enter FI, as a race driver, in 2001. Last week’s test went well, Webber

on a winning team

recording a 60.8 second best for the short

(even if it is in the USA)

circuit (British F3 driver and F3000

and join the losingest FI team in history.

hopeful Mark Goddard recording 62 sec ond laps testing with the same team), “Again, it was great to be back in an open-wheeler,” Webber told us this week.

-JOE SAWARD

that the company has a dominant position in France and may demand that the company reduce its presence in various sec tors.

■ Stewart sponsor MCI WorldCom has pulled off a massive US$115bn take over of rival telecommuni

cations company Sprint. The new company, which will have annual revenues

of US$50bn, will be known as WorldCom. A change is therefore likely in the branding exhibited on the Jaguar FI cars next year. ■ RML, the Wellingborough UK com petition specialist that has built and run the success

ful factory team Nissan Primeras, might continue in the BlUC as a privateer team in the Independents Cup. The company is also looking at an involvement in the Deutsche

Tourenwagen Masters, Germany’s new-for-2000 Touring Car series, for which it has built the pro totype Opel Astra. ■ Germany’s motorsports governing body, the ONS has rubber-stainped the new Deutsche

which ran the successful

the CART

“1 couldn’t believe it,” he told us on Monday.

Competition Commissioner Mario Monti is worried

projected challengers for the series, which is restricted to purpose-built, rear-drive cars using natu rally aspirated, 4-litre V8 power units. The ITR,

his sights on hiring either driver, depend

Falcon.

several months.

and Opel are the only man

chest as usual, but we

stepping from his badly damaged Chelgrave

take-over of Elf Aquitaine. The investigation will delay clearance of the merger for

ufacturers to have shown

his cards close to his

out-of-control Course Car moments after

tion into the Total Fina

in 2000. Mercedes-Benz

Team boss Tom

Walkinshaw is keeping

■ The European Competitions Commission has launched an investiga

Tourenwagen Masters (previously known as Tom-ing Cars 2000) with the proviso that it cannot run as a full championship

tion by Arrows.

Queenslander was for tunate to escape with

badly

teams.

are under considera

race two shunt. The

despite offer

equipped Albuiy workshops. Critical also to the project is commercial funding - unlike Super Touring, major manu facturer support is unlikely, both Holden and Ford already well committed with existing

Class 1 Touring Car cate gory of the early 1990s, is to operate the series. ■ Nick Langley, former ly the long-serving busi ness development manag er at Lola Cars

International, has been appointed as its new com

mercial manager by the Itahan racecar construc

tor, Dallara Automobili.

■ The top three finish ers in next year’s British Touring Car Championship races are likely to be subjected to weight penalties. The series operator, TOCA is proposing that the cars fin ishing first, second and third should carry ballast of 40kg, 30kg and 20kg respectively at the next race meeting. The BTCC might struggle for entries, with Ford, Honda, Nissan and Vauxhall the only likely factory-backed teams, but 'TOCA says that it rtews 2000 as a

short transitional period before its new technical

regulations are introduced for 2001.

220ctdxrl999

sXo.

ACCC

New Chip, Target and Toyota clears AVESCO rules from FIA By JOE SAWARD

THE

rumour

the

United States that Chip Ganassi is planning to run a second team in CART next season has led

THE

to suggestions that there will be some European involvement in the

planned team, which will be based in Ganassi’s

By JOE SAWARD THE FIA World Council also introduced a num ber of detailed changes to the existing Formula 1 sporting regulations. These include a rule which will allow a driver who has been slow away from the pre-grid to over take other cars and take up his usual position for the start-so long as this is done in a safe maimer. Another potentially important change is that if a race is stopped there will no longer be aggregate results. The second part of the race will be started ● with the grid in the finish ing order of the first part. This will make it much easier for viewers to understand what is going on. Another rule which could have major imphcations is that a driver wUl be allowed to change cars after the formation lap if the start is delayed or the race is stopped before the end of the second lap. The race director will also be given the power to stop a car which is racing in the rain without an operational rear light. The car involved can restart if the light is then repaired. In addition teams must fit one of the FIA accident data recorders to their cars ifthey are at a test which involves more than one team. This means that if a team wants to do highly secret testing, there will not be any recording devices present, but that the FIA can use testing accident data to help improve the safety of the cars. Other safety measures include a three-dimension al template to measure the cockpits and so improve side protection for the head of the driver and to ensure that energy-absorb ing foam (which has been so successful in recent big accidents)is in the right place.

existing premises while his Target Chip Ganassi Racing operation will move to a new purposein built facility Indianapohs. We hear that the second team will get free engines from Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. which is frustrated at failing to make much of an impression in CART despite supplying All American Racers, Arciero Wells, Team Gordon and DellaPenna Motorsports. Ganassi- who has won the last three CART titles and may also win this year with Juan-Pablo Montoya - is keen to take up the challenge

Chasing a new deal? Chip Ganassi Racing is looking for new challanges and one of them may be with Toyota and David Sears. (Photo by Noei Papeiera) to prove that his organisation can win without Honda involvement. Our spies tell that us Ganassi has been talking to British team owner David Sears about running the new team. Sears manages Montoya and also runs the

successful Super Nova and Petrobras Junior Team operations in Formula 3000. Super Nova has been mentioned as a possible junior team for Jaguar next year and this may give Sears the chance to concentrate on other projects. He has been

looking at CART for some years and it is a logical step for the former racer. It would also be a good move in the long-term because if he is successful in the United States, the Toyota link could be a useful one in FI...

UK oval

Gerald Forsythe has invested into a new oval at Rockingham. Construction on the Rockingham Motor Speedway, under construction at Corby in Northamptonshire, is expected to be started this winer. “With our expansion of American style racing, well be able to bring a lot to Rockingham,” said Forsythe. “We didn’t waste any time in contact ing Rockingham. We think it is an excit ing opportunity to be part of bringing US style racing to the UK.” The track is expected to vie with the Lauritrzring track in Germany for a CART date in Europe, and also seek a non-championship NASCAR event, sim ilar to the one held in Motegi in Japan. The first stage of the Rockingham developed is currently underway and involves a construction budget of$60m. This will deliver a range of race tracks, including a one and a half mile banked oval and a complex of road courses, the first main grandstand, pits buildings, guest suites and all associat-

RocHmgrumt

Rock and a hard place: Gerry Forsythe (right, with project MD Peter Davies) is backing the Rockingham project in the UK. (Photos by Sutton-images)

ed infrastructure. Since the public launch in of Rockingham

CADILLAC’S

February this year, the ground works have been completed and the shape of the complex is clearly emerging from the 300acre brownfield site, for¬ merly part of a steel works and ironstone quarry.

ahead with the major play er being Dr John Davis, who has been head of research and development at Jordan Grand Prix for the last couple of years. Davis has left Jordan and is expected to begin work shortly with Williams, where he will be given a top engi-

neering position. Davis has links with Williams dating back to the early 1980s when he worked at the Imperial College windtun-nel in London. This was used by both Williams and Lotus at the time and the relationship with the FI teams resulted in Davis being offered a job by Team Lotus. He became an important member of the team who

developed active suspension but in 1988 went to work for the Lotus road car division to develop active suspensions for production cars. He returned to racing in 1990 with the revived Team Lotus, but in the middle of 1992 was lured away to France by his old design boss at Lotus, Gerard Ducarouge. He stayed in France until 1994 and then spent a yqar with the electronics company

“Further, AVESCO has advised the ACCC that it will write to all the relevant motor racing circuits to stress that it does not oppose the AUSCARs and that it is only concerned that the public ; may confuse the AUSCARs as its own product.” He concluded that: ‘While AVESCO is the exclusive cat egory manager of the V8 Supercars, these exclusive rights should not hinder the development of other poten tially competitive V8 classes of motor racing. It must be stressed, however, that should any V8 categories attempt to pass themselves off as V8 Supercars, the ACCC would share AVESCO’s concerns, as such conduct could potentially be misleading and deceptive under the Act.”

Caddy flies in tests

F1 engineer silly season starts

Formula 1 engineers are on the move in the weeks

that, following its recent into investigation AVESCO,it finds that the V8 group has not contra vened the Trade Practices Act. A brief statement from Commission Chairman, Professor Alan Pels, last week cleared the company over allegations it had “attempted to persuade certain motor racing circuits to only stage AVESCO V8 Supercar events, and no other V8 Holden ver sus Ford style events, such as the AUSCARs, and allega tions that it would withdraw its V8 Supercar events from circuits which failed to do so.” Professor Pels’ statement continued :“The ACCC’s find ings essentially did not sup port the claims and it is satis fied that AVESCO has not engaged in any conduct which would breach the anti-com petitive conduct provisions of 4-Vjq Apt

BRITAIN may hold a CART race in the future following the announce ment that CART team owner

A NUMBER of senior

Australian

Competition & Consumer Commission has confirmed

Pi Research in Cambridge, followed by a spell with Patrick Racing in CART. Davis’s exact role within the team is not yet clear, but he may replace John Russell who joined the Williams FI operation this summer after the BMW Le Mans team was closed down. Russell has been offered a major role with the new Jaguar FI team and has decided to take up the offer. -JOE SAWARD

new

Mans contender has post ed encouraging results in its second full test. The Riley & Scott Northstar LMP was put through its paces at Daytona last week by Ron Fellows and Wayne Taylor. Jeff Kettman, Northstar programme manager, said; “Our best time would have put the car on the front row of the 1999 24 Hours at Daytona. Of course, we realise that the competition has improved considerably since them, but this is a good start for a new car.” The gearbox problems that curtailed the Northstar’s first run at Daytona in late September appear to be solved. The car has now com pleted 700 miles in total. -GARYWA'TKINS

H^OcdefsuxditO

$60m

low-key

F3000

By JOE SAWARD

^^cejite.'UlteassueGessM

baptism

aies'

THE FIA World Motor

m itlnoBhlamie its-'-":

iOU-.

Sport Council has con firmed the US$48m ($60m) bond which prospective Formula 1

:uesug

team owners will have to

lie scaled down, tiltliS®|^M^ to^that^ -

pay if they wish to join

tlie Munich marque

many as new VI2 I ftf 1irliminii'J|lif||^

Dumbrell’s

●.'s. - £P‘.

F1 fee

the 11 teams 1 Formula

22 October 1999

The SclimtzT^l^

two-car assault iuil

UGS.

MELBOURNE youngster Paul

Dumbrell last week undertook a

sti'essed that tlie laotbiy's^sselvenienlTm

2000 season.

the

low-key Formula 3000 test in the UK

Adding to a season of Formula Holden and some V8 Supercar rac ing, DumbrelTs test was described as a “learning exercise” with an eye

~~ ●»

' V:

British Touring Car ChaniplSj^®^^^

World

^Mallock Limited ha.« ai)proachedl3I®Vi

Championship.

to the future.

vabout building rejjlicas of the LMR. luitiEd?

The bond has been put in place following the Honda Motor Company’s decision to

“We’re committed to doing anoth

^Ipns for a run oi’customei- cliassis appeai^i

er year of Formula Holden in Australia next year,” DumbreU told us this week, “but for 2001 we’re

to have Ireen .scotched by a lack of engine

■ ^ailability. but it ajtpears that RML has

break its commitment to enter FI with its own team.

^^deal to build revised versions of the cai'

looking overseas and F3000, or Indy Lights, are the categories you’d be aiming for.” Dumbrell’s test, with regular

ffi^^Mtzei-.

The US$48m would be deposited with the FIA and would then be paid back in monthly instalments (with interest added) starting at

^^mm^tissell, who oversaw the LMR piogi’anune

motorsport

tire omie

lerlaking an e\ olution

partner Williams. b^5P^i*rGassigned to

engineer Trevor Schuemack on hand to observe, was conducted at Bonington Park and with the European Motorsport 3000 team, on the same day as Mark Webber’s sec

the first Grand Prix of the a-'jon.

year.

If the entrant

fails

appear for the championship

ond test with the team (see page 5).

War looms at Sauber

it would forfeit the entire

US$40m although if it decid ed to delay for 12 months, the FIA would keep only US$12m. The bond means that any one planning to enter FI will

In all, Australia’s youngest V8 driver completed some 25 laps, a minor off bringing proceedings to a

By JOE SAWARD

showdown because he felt the team

It remains to be seen whether

THE Sauber bosses met recently

was developing in the wrong direction. Sauber was supported by Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz (who owns

Kaiser will find another role in FI but he has close links with Flavio Briatore and so could conceivably be involved in a take-over of Minardi.

have to be serious about the

in Switzerland and it seems that

sport. Although it sounds

Peter Sauber has emerged as the

51 percent of the team) although we

like a considerable sum of

winner of the battle for control of

believe that the support was condi-

Sauber is expected to reorganise the

money the US$48m bond is still cheaper than buying an

his team.

existing team. The cheapest team (Minardi) is now asWng

management and we hear that former HRD manager Rupert Manwaring is

Fritz Kaiser had been fighting for the team. Both control 24.5 percent of the shares but Kaiser had engineered a

tional on Sauber making a number of changes to the team structure. Sauber is now expected to buy KaiseFs shares in the operation and will then sell

Sauber and his commercial director

for around US$50m.

them on to another investor.

halt. “Our Formula Holdens have more

aerodynamic grip than the F3000,”

he reported, “but of course they run a full-race engine; 9,000rpm, 500hp... “It was a great experience,” he said, “and at the same time we were

likely to be involved with the Swiss team following the coUapse of his talks

able to visit their workshops and those of the BAR FI team just to get a feel of how they go about it

with Benetton.

over there...”

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Regulotions 4 V a

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IwlhwinfbrmMMaiUlisloilcMolor^^

22 October 1999

Another 2000 FI calendar By JOE SAWARD THE FIA World Motor

Sport Council, which met in Paris last week, announced a variety of calendars for the 2000

season,

but

the

Formula 1 dates were less than conclusive with six races still to be settled.

As expected, Malaysia has been moved from the

start

the

year

schemes looked good when they

is to run one of the proto type Formula 1 chassis built earlier this year by the nowdefunct HRD operation at Pembrey in Wales later, this

were filmed.

week.

Motor Show.

The Pembrey test is also to try out the latest version of the

The car - which is being over seen by a number of ex-HRD

Honda electronics system which will be used next year. The company has reworked the VIO engine which will be

employees - is to be driven by French Formula 3000 driver Nicolas Minassian.

used next year after some dis appointing early tests but we

The test may also be used to run the latest version of the

understand that there is still a

British American Racing livery

V12 research programme going

for 2000.

There was a similar test last

on in Japan. -JOE SAWARD

year to see if the colour

Brazil has gone back to

races are yet to be con

firmed, although they will take place on April 9, April 23, May 7 and May 21 in one order or another.

The problem appears to be that there is no deci

sion yet regarding the dates of the Austrian and

with the All England ten nis championships at Wimbledon. The FIA says that the six dates will be finalised within three weeks.

The only other point of interest is that, as expect ed, Belgiiun is back on the calendar on its traditional

Buy you a Mercedes... what for? Lord Hesketh has pulled the pin on his BRDC activities. (Photo by Sutton-lmages)

Hesketh resigns By JOE SAWARD

Hesketh’s departure

LORD Hesketh, President of

come at a time when the

the British Racing Drivers’ Club - which controls the

Silverstone racing circuit has resigned. Hesketh said that he was

leaving the job because he does not agree with the restructuring of the club to

club is looking likely to lose the British GP to Brands

Hatch in 2002, although the Kentish circuit needs to be

completely rebuilt before the race can switch and there is

no guarantee that the work

end-of-August date. thanks to the rapid retreat of the Belgian authorities

protect it from take-over

over the question of tobac

“I cannot agree with the proposed restructuring

boss, Nicola Foulston bid to

which precludes share ownership to members,” he

approach was rejected by

co advertising. As expected the United GP

car for testing.

motor mdng campus

The San Marino, Spain, France and European

States

Put it to good use: Honda have again rolled out their development F1

Ford to build new

March 26.

July 16 to avoid a clash

September 24, with a twoweek gap before the Japanese GP and then a

bids.

said.

“It is not in the interest of the club to have a disunited

further two weeks before

board, and I consider the honourable course of action

Malaysia.

is to resign my position.”

can be completed in the time available. As a result Brands Hatch

buy Silverstone but her Hesketh and the BRDC

board, despite a number of

members being in favour of the sale..

Hesketh spent a good part of his family fortune running a Formula 1 team in

the 1970s before becoming rather more conventional.

▲

He served as a junior

Viper GTS “Team Lintott, Australia’s official Chrysler USA

Viper Motorsport agent, offers for sale a race ready Viper set to win Bathurst 1999 or GTP 2000

minister in the last

Conservative government.

Formula 1 team, the Ford

rumours it seems that it

will be at the Gateway Park industrial estate, just outside Northampton. This is just a few miles from Silverstone and is easi

ly accessible for Cosworth staff, Stewart employees and the Jaguar headquarters in Coventry. It is also situated

alongside the Ml motorway the major north-south road in Britain, which provides easy access to London and

the north of England. The intention is for the

World Rally Championship operation and probably other teams in sportscar and tour ing car racing.

Intrepid the

This would obviously be a good way of keeping down the set-up costs of such teams.

Lou Patane,

Operations of “In the ne

in racing as \ toward racing “We intenc

David Richards is believed

from the begi

to be working on such a strategy, but we also hear

point in start will own one

acquire the site are still

cessful remains to be seen.

going on and once completed it will probably be a year before the facilities are ready for the existing teams to

Ford needs to move quick ly because the new Jaguar

Ray Evem

departure fr(

team wants to start work on

●a windtunnel as soon as pos sible, as the existing pro gramme at the Swift wind-

heard stories suggesting that there is more than one group of people trying to put together packages of teams

SCOTT Pru( NASCAR ar forward to <

tunnel in San Clemente,

all else.

to offer to Ford before Ford

programmes.

move in.

In the meantime we have

sets up its own operations.

California, is not the perfect

‘The Day

arrangement as Swift needs

grinned. “I nr Daytona 50(

access to the tunnel for its -JOE SAWARD

Fast women andfast cars A number of enterprising women racing drivers, led by Australia’s “Queen of Speed” Top Fuel

day coimtdow

group doing much the same. Whether they will be suc

The 10-y will follow hi Cal Wells, ir

Cup series,

owner of the Panasonic F announced would start i in 2000. “When I

racer Rachelle

Cal, he aski

Splatt, have posed for a sexy

goals were,

promotional calendar which

they hope will help raise their profiles and thrill their fans. Titled ‘Beauties and their

Brundle, Howden Ganley, Tim Parnell, Frank Sytner, David Brodie and Paddy

next week, joining another motor racing calendar just onto

Rob Walker and Jackie

The compa: cars in its c

time Winstc

ed Paula Elstrek amongst others.

Stewart.

make its ret\

that there is an American

but the 11 members of the board include Martin

For further information phone:

ready to con

There is also hkely to be a research and development centre, featuring a big windtunnel. The negotiations to

McPherson and the multi-talent

Williams, Stirling Moss, John Surtees, Ken Tyrrell,

Andrevy Harmer 0409 991 SSI 02 9744 0691

Company is close to a deal to acquire land on which it will build its planned motor racing campus and despite a variety of

who will replace Hesketh,

presidents include Sir Jack Brabham, Sir Frank

Ray Lintott 04 18 282 888 or 02 9744 0691 or

facility to house the Jaguar

Brewer, AUSCAR driver Nicole

● blue printed engine, transmission and ECU (Team Viper spec)

●vehicleVinNo: IB3ER69E4TV2004l7-$ I 50,000

Motor

late Innes Ireland. It remains to be seen

The role is largely an honorary one and the vice-

NASCAR, in

gather the me

Ford

features Splatt, V8 Supercar dri vers Melinda Price and Kerryn

Vice-Presidents to take over

biggest moto

THE

the BRDC since January 1994 when he replaced the

the role.

DODGE is

Major complex to house FI, Rally programmes, amongst others

beasts’, the 12 month calendar

board may ask one of the

Dc colours and h( “We have 1

He has been President of

Hopkirk. It is possible that the

● import duty and sales tax have been paid in full ● comprehensive spares package ● no expense spared in build or upkeep

at Daytona in

colour scheme at the Tokyo

and

moved forward in the cal endar. Britain wants a race on

Look for Dodg

The team is rumoured to be

British races in July and one or the other may be

Coming Horn

planning to unveil the new

in October, Australia has moved to its preferred 12

Jm.

Honda tests HRD car again WE understand that Honda

become the season finale

date of March

“1 told hii have a wor

my CART c on to Winsl

point in tim<

Pretty, Formula Vee racer Karen

The calendar will be released

the market - V8 Supergirls. As the title suggests, the V8 Supergirls calendar features

models in'varying poses and selected V8 Supercar stars. Both calendars will be avail able at selected retail outlets while the ‘Beauties and their beasts’ calendar will also be

available at any event at which the girls appear.

Too fast for you: Rachelle Splatt as she appears in her new calendar.

22 October 1999

IE}®{}®[FS[D®I70

«»s

The best range of the werliTs great seats. Only at Revelutton.

Coming Home:

Look for Dodge’s Intrepid at Daytona in 2001.

U ii

mim

% %

mii

% {COMA

f i

Dodge NASCAR DODGE is returning to the world’s

biggest motor racing series, Winston Cup NASCAR, in 2001 and it’s reported to be ready to commit US$50 million trying to make its return successful.

'The company will use two teams and five cars in its campaign, with the four door Intrepid the model designated to carry its colours and hopes.

“We have begun the “Dodge 500’, our 500-

day countdown! to the 2001 Daytona 500,” said Lou Patane, vice-president of Motorsports Operations of DamUerChrysler. “In the next 500 days, we’ll continue to

gather the most dedicated and talented people in racing as we build and test cars, and work toward racing for the first time in Daytona. “We intend to be competitive consistently from the beginning,” Patane said. “There is no point in starting if you don’t plan to finish.” Ray Evemham, former crew chief for three time Winston Cup Champion Jeff Gordon, will own one of the teams, Evemham’s recent

all else.

‘The Daytona 500,” Pruett grinned. “I mean, the Daytona 500!” The 10-year CART driver will follow his current boss, Cal Wells, into the Winston

“Like the people at Dodge, I am committed to winning. I look forward to working with the engineering and design groups at Dodge as well as having the support of the dealers.”

“I told him I wanted to

have a wonderful ending to my CART career, then move on to Winston Cup. At that point in time, neither he nor 1

Great value,

IMOLA II

MONACO

S549

Dodge’s return ends a 14-year absence from stock-car racing for the Chrysler Corporation. The

company

won

the

NASCAR

Manufacturer’s Championship in 1970 and

LEADERS IN COMPETITION SEATS

1975 while its last race win came at Pocono in

June, 1985 with Phil Scoy behind the wheel. -PHIL MORRIS

had a thought in the world that he would be joining Winston Cup.” When Wells stmck gold two months ago, landing the coveted Tide sponsorship, Pruett became the favourite

1994 SCCA Trans-Am

championships, and three 24 Hours of Da\4ona victories. He also drove at Bathurst,

partnering Alan Jones in

sponsors. As I look back and reminisce I can’t help but look forward to what will

happen.” When Pruett looks back at

PRO 2000

Endurance title, the 1987 and

and White Ford Taurus.

I’ve had with the drivers and

the 1986 IMSA GT

to drive the No. 32 Orange

“A part of my life is closing

on every level. He won two IMSA GTO championships,

1997.

In CART racing, Pruett had four pole positions, two victories (including Firestone’s historic first win at

Michigan Speedway in 1995) and four consecutive top-10

finishes in the point standings entering this season. He qualified third at Surfers last Saturday, a career-best for Toyota, but is yet to get onto the podium.

his career, he sees success

- PHIL MORRIS

Al to IRL AFTER months of

speculation Champ Car veteran Al Unser Jnr has con

firmed what every one suspected all along - he will be join the Indy Racing League. The former CART

a five-year deal. Unser has enjoyed success with Galles, the winning

Indianapolis 500 in 1992. He will even be

sponsored by the same company as his first stretch at Galles, with Valvoline join ing the team.

champion, who has

In August, Penske

driven for seven sea sons for Penske

announced he had

Racing, is returning to former team boss Rick Galles’s outfit in

seat. Equally at home in

Drivers and additional team structures wiU

beginning to open for me,” said Pruett. “I’ve had a great experience in CART. I’ve enjoyed the wins, the poles and the great relationships

goals were,” said Pruett.

fast road or on the track.

be announced sometime next year.

owner of the Pruett’s

“When I first signed with Cal, he asked me what my

Full steal competition

classes of racing or rally.

expected to be unveiled at the Detroit motor show next January. Plans are to test the Intrepids at various Winston cup venues in preparation for its 2001 debut.

and another door is

would start a NASCAR team in 2000.

seat. Great for all

A version of the NASCAR Intrepid is

Cup series. Wells, who is

Panasonic Reynard-Toyota, announced a month ago he

ValU6

time opportunity.

Scott onside for Tide ride forward to one race above

SUZUKA

$1095

to speculation of Dodge’s impending return. “My competitive juices are pumping,” said Evemham. “Working with the Dodge people to bring their brand to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series competitively is a once-in-a-life-

departure from Hendrick Motorsports leading

SCOTT Pruett is heading to NASCAR and is looking

EVOLUTION

signed Greg Moore and Gil de Ferran for the team next season. - PHIL MORRIS

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! World of Sport

Motor RcfCfff0 Calendar

Shell Championship Series V8 Supercars* ,Rd14

Nov 14 ...Bathurst

FIA Formula One World a

Championship Oct 31 ... .Japan

Rd16

FedEx CART

Championship Series* Oct 31

Rd19

Fontana

SOOcc World Grand Prix

Motorcycle C'Ship* Oct 24

Brazil ...

,Rd16

Oct 31

Argentine

Rd 17

Exclusive first look J

1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series

2 Oct 24 ... .Dallas

Rd19

S Oct 31 ... .Houston ^^1 J Nov 14 .. .Pomona

Rd 20 Rd 21

Australian Rally Championship* Nov 4-7 .. .Rally Australia .. .Rd 7

FIA World Rally Championship* Nov 7 ... .Australia

Ray takes IRL title Wheel bearing failure costs Brack

Rd13

Nov 23 .. .Great Britain

After much speculation and rumour the full details of the exciting new Adrenalin International Powersports Centre was unveiled in Melbourne yesterday. As predicted in Motorsport News last issue {#163), the complex will contain afull international spec quartermile dragstrip and the Powerstadium, which includes high banked dirt track speedway and jet sprint boat facilities. The first stage of the complex, which will cost $18 million, is scheduled to open in 2001.

.. .Rd 14

2000 Shell

Championship Series V8 Supercars*

GREG Ray won the Indy Racing League title after a wheel bearing failure on lap 184 of 208 of the final round of the series - the mall.com 500 at Texas

worked out, we would have

lapped the field." Dismore was the only car to finish on the lead lap, Davey Hamilton's car finishing in second one lap down and Ray a further lap

Feb 13 .. .Philip Island

,Rd1

Motor Speedway - cost outgoing champion Kenny

Mar 19

Rd 2

Brack his chance of

back. Eddie Cheever matched

Rd3

claiming back-to-back titles. Ray finished third in

his top finish with the Infiniti Indy engine - fourth. John

.. .Wanneroo

Apr 8-9 .. .Adelaide

Apr 30 .. .Eastern Creek .. .Rd 4 May 21 .. .Hidden Valley .. .Rd 5 Jun 11

.. .Canberra

Rd6

July 2 ... .Q'land(TBA) ....Rd7 2000 FIA Formula One

World Championship Mar 12

.. .Melbourne

Rd 1

Mar26

...Brazil

Rd2

Apr 9

,TBA

,Rd3

2000 FIA Formula 3000

International C'ship Aprs

.TBA

Rdl

May 6 ... .TBA

Rd2

June 3

Rd3

.. .Monaco

Sam Schmidt broke bones in both feet in a

crash with Scott Sharp. Goodyear and Schmidt were taken together by helicopter to the hospital. Because of an overnight rain and passing cold front that caused a lengthy rain

delay and persistent seepage on the track, IRL officials implemented cautionary green-flag

Texas, the win in the race

Hoilansworth finished fifth,

delayed by rain and going to Mark Dismore.

which wasn't enough to wrest the rookie of the year award from Scott Harrington,

When Brack's car failed, Ray assumed the lead

who finished sixth. Two drivers were taken

although he pitted four laps later, handing the victory to

to a nearby hospital after being injured in separate incidents. Scott Goodyear

indicated that they feit it was okay to race safely. Following Ray, Brack and Dismore in final points

hit the wall in the fourth

were Hamilton, Schmidt

turn, knocking him unconscious briefly and reinjuring a leg injury sustained at Las Vegas.

and Buddy Lazier. Cheever, Sharp, Goodyear

crashes for over four hours

Dismore.

"We were lucky we didn't crash," Brack said. "All in

all, we had a great car. The guys did a great job, but we had to win. The way it

restarts.

The field slowly worked

up to speed until drivers

and Robby Unser rounded out the top 10.

7IK

Ferrari's Divine Intervention?

2000 FIA World Rally Championship* Jan23

.. .MonteCarlo

Feb 13

...Sweden

Rd2

Feb 27 ...Kenya . Mar 19 .. .Portugal

,Rd3

Rdl

Rd 4

ten

Categories marked * are telecast by the Ten Network.

Check your local guides for

screening times All event dates in this calendar were

consult any individual tracks and/or

associations for date changes.

Check your local guides for screening details.

MICHAEL

kicks in other ways and

Schumacher,

set off to fly to Malaysia

Jean

Giancarlo Alesi, Fisichella and Luca Badoer all met the Pope in Rome,

jet, stopping off for pro motional events in Cairo,

The recent visit came about because the four

Phuket for a few days

Bigger than Texas; Greg Ray secured the IRL title when wheel bearing failure cost Swede Kenny Brack back-to-back championships. (Photo by Sutton-lmages)

in his Falcon 10 executive

Dubai and New Delhi.

Eddie then went to

are involved in a celebri ty football team which

rest before heading to KT. Maybe Michael could

raises money for chari ty. The Pope thanked

use his new found influ

them for their efforts. Schumacher said it

correct at the time of printing. Please

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

Hey Jean, can you believe he’s happy playing number two just like Eddie? Michael Schumacher met the Pope in Rome recently. (Photo by Sutton-lmages)

was the best moment of his life.

Eddie Irvine gets his

ence to help Eddie out.

Or perhaps it may just have been better had

Eddie hung out with

Schuey before heading to Malaysia...

IXK

22 0aoberl999

Swede Ludwig back dreams By JOE SAWARD SWEDISH newspapers are

reporting that Sweden is

for V8 DTM?

Bonnier, Ronnie Peterson,

THREE-TIME German DTM touring car champion Klaus Ludwig is on the comeback trail at the age of 50. The German retired after winning the 1998 FIA GT Championship with Mercedes, but he has been tempted to return to the cockpit with the Stuttgart marque by the revival

Gunnar Nilsson and Stefan

of the DTM series.

considering a bid to host a Grand Prix in 2005 or 2006.

Sweden has a great tradi tion of racing stars with Jo Johansson being the most

Ludwig, champ in 1988, ’92 and ’94, said he was primarily

successful and the country

motivated by a desire to help relaunch the new series. “I’d like to think that my participation would give it a little boost,” said the three-time Le Mans winner. “It needs some names to help it along in the first year.”

even held a World

Championship event at the Scandinavian Raceway at

Anderstorp between 1973 and 1978.

Ludwig described his chances of betting back behind the wheel in one of Merc’s CLK V8 racers as “better than 50-50”.

Although the country does not have a top-line driver although Kenny Brack has won both the F3000 and IRL titles and moves to CART in 2000 - there is a lot of

enthusiasm for racing, notably from King CarlGustav, a regular visitor to FI races. The country is also

He expected to know more about his comeback plans in the next week.

Eye spy: Honda was in Penske’s sights at Indy - the engine dominating again with Dario

A Mercedes spokesman admitted that the marque was in contact with Ludwig, but refused to name any other drivers it is talking to beyond Bemd Schneider. Outgoing Prost Formula 1 driver Olivier Panis is known to have signed up for next year, but no confirmation has been

Franchitti while Penske’s efforts were all for nothing again. (Photo by slipstream photographies)

forthcoming from Mercedes.

Reynard, Honda in 2000. Is Firestone next?

-GARY WATKINS

well-represented on the FIA World Motor Sport Council. According to the reports the plans are for a new cir

Penske confirms Honda HONDA is the engine choice of Roger Penske for his CART team and

cuit to be built in the Kalmar

its attempt to return its

region on the Baltic coast,

name to the winner’s list

around 200 miles south of

in 2000. the made Penske announcement last week that his team had made the decision to switch from the

Stockholm. It is reported that the investment needed is

already in place. The region is easily reached from Stockholm,

Finland and Germany.

Sweet dreams HALF Schumacher has

renegotiated his Williams contract to increase its

( f- ■«

9 mm

{

K V

Warsteineh

value by US$14.7 million, his manager Wilii Weber has been quoted in Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper. SchumacheFs new deai

miilion over three years and makes the 24-year-old one of the best paid drivers in FI. Weber allegedly used Jaguar as a bargaining tool - Jaguar reportedly prepared to offer $26.8m Schumacher has earned

Miss me? Klaus Ludwig may return for Mercedes-Benz to help boost the new German V8 DTM series in 2000.

!MM

to 50 percent. “There is no stronger name in Champ Car racing than Roger Penske,” said

president of Honda Performance Development Tom

Elliott

“Penske Racing is the

winningest team in CART history [99 victories]. Honda is proud to join this tradi tion and Team Penske’s

commitment to lead Champ Car racing into the new mil lennium.”

observers.

Penske will begin testing the Honda engines early next month and will have

newly signed drivers Greg Moore and Gil de Ferran on

hand to help it acclimatise to the change. Penske will also switch to

Reynard chassis next sea son, with the team looking for its first win since Paul

Tracy won in mid-1997.

Before making the move

-PHIL MORRIS

A change in government has apparently seen a change in ideals over the problem

JUST days after announcing that the French Grand Prix will be staying at Magny-Cours until after the 2004 event - giving it a three year extension - there are doubts about the its future following

after an earlier compromise agi’eement was reached and, after the FIA’s move of offices to Switzerland, the French have increased then-

the revelation that the FIA is involved in

a serious dispute with the French tax

national sporting authority said last week the dispute constitutes “a serious threat” to the

authorities.

French GP as the FIA will not negotiate com

The dispute over tax dates back to the early 1990s when the French government argued that the FIA should pay taxes as it was making too much money to be considered a non-profit making organisation.

pressure on the FIA for taxes to be paid on the money it made between 1990-92. Jacques Regis, President of the French

mercial contracts with the French authorities

until the problem has been solved. In the past the threat of the loss of its Grand Prix is usually sufficient to get the government to negotiate but it just may not this time...

1999

Racing

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French GP doubts

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By JOE SAWARD

assures him of US $31

60 points in 47 races, but has yet to win a race.

Mercedes-Ilmor powerplants, despite owning 25 percent of the engine manu facturing company. Speculation is rife that Penske will now dispose of his share in Ilmor, with DamilerChrysler expected

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22 October 1999

Lambos, Wolf critical 360s for GTPhi 2000?

after bike crash FORMULA

;owner of the Team Lotas

condition in hospital in

Production car grid could be a battle between Italy and German if current

plans come to fhiition.

name

Copenhagen, Denmark, following a motorcycle

Palmer has been to Italy

recently to sound out Lamborghini and Ferrari about entering up to four cars in the 2000 series.

Andrew Smith of Monarch

Motors, which imports Lamborghini and Lotus to Australia, is keen to arn two SVs in the championship, should series manager Procar deem the car eligible. “We have some people who are keen to sponsor cars in the series,” he said this week,

“but they are keen only to sponsor Lamborghinis.” If Monarch does go in, like

ly drivers are Paul Stokell and Charlie O’Brien.

“It’s good timing for us,” Smith says. “We are the distributors,

the European SVR series is finishing and Paul is avail able. Ross Palmer is ti-ying to

Walkinshaw of the

accident while he was

doing a photographic

take the series to the next

level, and we’re keen to be

The circumstances of the

Maranello Imports would Challenge in the series as well.

“The European series starts next year and it

depends on availability,” says Maranello’s Ray Michaelson. “I thinlc that the car would

be competitive here, as the 360 Challenge is 3s faster that the 355 Challenge around Fiorano.”

Either was, Italian opposi tion to Porsche’s awesome

GT3 will not come cheap. Lamborghini’s SV runs $399,000, while the FeiTari is a $320,000 car for the sixspeed manual, with the elec tronic ‘FI’ gearshift version $25K extra. -PHELBRANAGAN

and that a percentage of the team might he avadable.

This was parked as the pho tographer prepared to take bike and ended up in ditch with sevei-e injuries to his upper body. We understand that his spinal cord has been

money as Hunt is understood This money is rumoured to be from a venture capital ist company called Apax Partners & Co, one of the

waist down but doctors are

world’s largest private equiIty orgaiusations, which

hoping that he wU have some movement in his upper body.

-JOE SAWARD

Winner in Germany: Jason Watt was looked upon as one of the men coming into FI in the next century, but a motorcycle crash may have ended his dream. (Photo by Sutton-images)

some good results in 2®0®, wdnle he waits for his

It is possible that a deal

a similar fashion to the dis^ ;

astrous Padfic Team Lotus | deal of 1995 When Hunt

formed “an: :aiianGe” with'

and Padfic quit FI at the end of the year,;

!investments iin: around 200

in McLaren’s two-seater before heading to the Orient for

Maybe they’ll need a three seater next: DC and a stars-and-strip es helmeted girlfriend Heidi Wichlinski get close in McLaren’s two seater at Brands Hatch. (Photo by Sunon-images)

■

EARL’S

sponsorship. It did not work ●

the race.

“ P€RFOnMANCi PftODVCTS

The deal was intended ot :

Wichlinski, whom he chauffeured around Brands Hatch

Shoui luel lillfer Cops, Biff/lians Pumps, RDVICC tPredlj

could be steuck to get the Lotus name hack into f 1, in !

to have said. Coulthard shares his life with American model Heidi

B"'didld,-ahBddidtar'Necks...

leuauit-Mssan et get off the .ground,

IS David Coulthard about to become a daddy? That’s the rumour that started in Malaysia last week end, when the Scot was seen making baby-rocking motions while talking to Jackie Stewart. “No, I don’t think I’m a natural at this,” he is reported

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needs: et fund his Supertec

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Vji

Walkinshaw could icer-

taimly use the money as he i

RND^U^CARUS nUSTRRUm IQB:

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surpHse ;@ven the deal last j

Fatherhood

The two have been inseparable for more than a year and rumours of impending marriage have been denied throughout the 1999 season.

;

the world and adminis!trates 22 different funds

who won the last two races of

Padfic Gr2md Prhc.

;operates 12 offices around

The Formula 3000 driver,

An- investment in

planned partnership with

to have found for Lotus.

and a badly broken arm. It is virtually certain that he will be paralysed from the

biotechnoiogy-r

shareholding which Walkinshaw seems to think is worth about US$40m. is about the same amount of

fered serious chest injuries

jewelery, the Internet and ;

another top: driver so as to ; be in a positi on to score

($60m). By coinddence this

severed and that he has suf

er Spear & Jackson »d investments: in dentistry,,

would be a 20 percent

We understand that this

some shots of Watt in action. Watt was thrown off the

involved.”

like to see FeiTari’s new 360

Prince Malik ado Ibrahim

involved had been riding.

iHelmde the. sa)l‘e of toohmak-* i

Jordan and Wajbucg Pincus |

following the departure of -

high speed with the motorcy cle which the photographer

| I i

recent European Grand new investor in the team

seems that Watt collided at

imcfadiimg both traditioHai Gomf aaies aad high teOhBology firims. SeeeHt deails

Formiuia I would not be a

Prix that be is looking for a

accident are unclear, but it

ferims arouiad:' lifee world

Arrows team about joMing forces. Walkinshaw said at the

cycle magazine.

the year for Super Nova Racing had been hoping to break into CART next year.

has been havmg

talks with Tom

shoot for a Danish motor

GTP prime mover Ross

IN recent days there has been some speciilation that David Hunt - the

Jason Watt is in a critical

THE front end of the GT

1 hopeful

Byd©iSM\FtD

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22 October 1999

Superbikes to pull out of 2+4s FOLLOWING a decision of the

the Fraser's Group.

leading motorcycle distributors, it is

and Craig Connell are already scouting

Riders Steve Martin

almost certain that

overseas rides for next

Superbikes will not be part of 2000 Shell

year.

V8 Supercar

Championship support program. After threatening to

pull out of the 1999 series, the distributor-

backed Superbike teams seem determined

to go through with their plan to be part of a bikes-only Australian Road Racing Championship to run over seven or eight mainland rounds next year.

While everyone is

being tight-lipped about it, the move is believed to have upset Shell, the sponsor of both the Supercar and Australian Road Racing Championships. While it is yet to be officially confirmed, the Ducati Dealer Team has been disbanded. Sources indicate that

Established in 1990, the Ducati Dealer Team

finally won its first Australian Superbike Championship in September at Eastern

BY PHILLIP MORRIS

REPSOL-HONDA rider Alex Crivide has moved to

within three points of the 500cc World Champion

ship with title contenders, team mate Tadayuki Okada and Suzuki’s Kenny Roberts falling to tyre

problems in the innaugural South Afiican GP.

Max Biaggi ran a well paced race to take his first victory of the season aboard his Yamaha, Biaggi control ling the race from the front and only coming under pres sure from Sete Gibernau late

Creek after Martin won

in the race.

the opening race. As the newlycrowned champ Martin

Criville, now suffering from the flu along with his broken wrist, did well to fin

then rode with the # 1

plate on his Ducati 996 in the second race, the only time the team had a chance to showcase

its championship honour. The withdrawal of

the popular Ducatis puts a huge dent in the Superbike class, with just three distributorbacked Superbikes, two Suzukis and one

Kawasaki, left on the grid. While the Superbike and Production

the team's transporter

Superbikes are likely to race concurrently in 2000, they are tipped to

is up for sale and staff

run as separate

have already been re deployed elsewhere in

championships. - DARRYL FLACK

ish third and has now almost assured himself of the title. There had been controver

sy at the start of the race weekend, with riders com

plaining of an almost total lack of grip with dust blowing onto the newly-built track. As the weekend progressed, the track grip improved, but off the narrow race line, it was

still very slick. After starting in fourth spot, Biaggi took the lead in the first turn and really was never headed. He built a lead

of 2s, heading Criville and Gibernau - the two circulat

ing together as they did at Phillip Island the previous week.

Gibernau

went

after

Biaggi and closed the gap to just Is although his bike went loose on the last lap.

Ci^villei To the Max: Biaggi eyes off his first 500 for the year and first for Yamaha. (Photo by RaceAccess) category to take a com- Masao Azuma (Honda), taking him off the track. Biaggi was safe and fortable win in South with Marco Melandri Gibernau was only just Africa and almost secure (Honda) now as likely to ahead of Criville, but held the world championship. ■win the title as they are. this advantage to the flag. Alzamora crashed out on Tohru Ukawa’s hopes of Australia’s Garry McCoy taking the title were shat- lap 12 when holding sixth again figured in the points tered, despite having battled while for Azuma, the whole for the Red Bull Yamaha team, McCoy finishing on his own in eighth spot while teammate Regis Laconi fin ished well down in 14th.

Criville has a 44 point lead over Okada and

simply

needs to finish the next race, whilst Okada needs to win. World Championship points: Criville 246, Okada202, Roberts 179, Biaggi 154, Gibernau 144, Checa 112, Kocinski 103, Harada/Abe 95, Barros 89

AFTER a poor start, star Valentino Rossi ran a per fect race aboard his facto

ry Aprilia in the 250cc

Shinya Nakano and Rossi for the lead for most of the race,

race was filled with drama, as he ran off the track on at

the hard-charging Olivier Jacque passing the Shell

least three occasions. He scrambled from last to 14th,

Advance Honda rider on the

taking just two points.

second last lap and relegat-, ing him to second.

Melandri

Gianluigi

duelled

with

Scalvini

and

World Championship points: Rossi 268, Ukawa 221, Capirossi 193, Nakano 195, Perugini 130, Waldraann 117, Battaini 121, Jacque 84, McWilliams 83

Amaud Vincent for the entire

THE 125cc championship is turning into a battle of

and narrow the championship battle to just 10 points,

attrition for the two title

candidates, Emilio Alzamora (Aprilia) and

race and, learning of his rivals’ problems, consolodated to finish third behind the pair

World Championship points: Alzamora 191, Melandri 181, Azuma 180, Scalvini 154, Vincent 152, Locatelli 149, Ueda 146, Cechinello 108, Sanna 106

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[^(DOCDITSfJXDffO

22 October 1999

Malaysi

Eurobusiness and sitting in front of the pilot. %

dig out the truth. The pursuit of truth is, of course, not a

fashionable occupation in the paddock and so in addition to wafflesome press releases teams have made life difficult for

journalists by banning all access to the pit garages. Every team no\w has security men wedged into every available pit garage orifice. Their sole task during a Grand Prix weekend is to say “No’ - although I think they are instructed to admit anyone from Eurobusiness.

Inmost Malaysia they have built the- or remarkable pit garages so we were told because we were never allowed to look inside them.

s I stumbled out of the

ibaggage area at the impressive new Kuala Lumpur International Airport a man rushed up to me with one of those message boards that men at airports thrust at arriving

The whole place was extraordinary and a testament to what can be done if you have all the money you need to build a

Grand Prix circuit. The Malaysians

travels on commercial planes Bernie always sits in super first class (in front of the pilots) and so

The Namibian suite: On the right

were hugely enthusiastic and did everything they could to make the F1 visitors feel at home. And, for a change, F1 responded in gentlemanly fashion. At the Prime Minister’s gala dinner almost all the team bosses were present and

is Bernie’s room, in the centre the ensuite and to the left, the

effort necessary. It was a shame

Idon’t tend to see him because by

lounge...

businessmen.

“Bernie Ecclestone” it said.

Will and testament: The

I thought it rather odd because

Malaysian pit garages were

it was six o’clock in the morning

remarkable, or so we’ve been

and only one flight had arrived and

told...

Mr E was not on it. When he

the time I climb from the black

(Photos by Sulton-lmages)

hole of Economy he is away and gone in a big stretched limousine full of champagne, caviar and dancing girls.

even TV crews are now marched around in similar kit.

Photographers have to wear matching jackets numbered so if

At KLIA (that’s what the “in”

people call the new Malaysian airport) it is such a long walk from the plane to the immigration hall that Iam sure Ispotted an oxygen tent on the way. After a long flight I like a brisk walk to get the blood flowing again and so I tend to come off the plane doing a pale impersonation of Carl Lewis in a gold rush. As a result Iwas the

first person from the plane to go through immigration - despite having started in deep dark

they do anything wrong they can immediately identified and taken off to be shot.

The problem is that the

cold, picked up because I had been sitting in front of the pilots on the flight down.

marrying a press officer if they cannot actually meet them? And love letters would be no use at all because the Formula 1 PRs have

economy. So - having passed everyone on the flight - Iknew

When we gotI wondered to the trackif on Thursday

that there was no Bernie of the Ecclestone ilk.

perhaps someone else had snuck into the Namibia Suite and was

weekend so far and I am not

It was only a few minutes later - as Isat drinking coffee and waiting for someone to turn

impersonating FIA President Max

satisfied with the results,” they would write. “I have not yet maximised the potential of the relationship because someone got in the way when Iwas going for it. We need to explore the performance envelope further but I am sure that they are many meaningful synergies to be

Malaysia’s lights on - that Ibegun to wonder what might have

got into the habit of writing in Grand Prix speak. “It has not been a very good

Mosley because the governing body began issuing ludicrous decisions, notably the one which

happened if Ihad gone up to the

banned press officers from entering the press room. This is a

man with the sign and said:

bit like banning drivers from the pit

“Ecclestone here”. He would not

have known any different and I could have been whisked away in a motorcade, being fed chocolates

by dusky maidens. We would go to the Prime Ministerial residence

where he would interrupt his cabinet meeting to give me a cheque for $15m and we would have a few moments of harmless chit-chat before Iwould be off again to a hotel with a suite the size of Namibia.

Icould hang out the “Please Do Not Disturb” sign, lock the door, draw the curtains and then pick up the phone and start barking out orders to MY people at the race track. What fun it would be. All

security men must stand on their

garages or men in FIA blazers

from visiting bars. For a moment we thought that the FIA was actually joking. No, they said, the press officers

make the press office look untidy

and we cannot have that.

Personally Ithink they are rather a pretty bunch (apart from the blokes) and given the fact that

almost all pretty girls have long ago been banned from the

paddock - because presumably they make mechanics spill oil everywhere - Ithink having press

officers running about is a jolly nice thing. So nice in fact that a few years ago Iactually married one of the

Press Officers... Thankfully she

heads today, Iwould say. And it

has now retired from F1 and

would be done.

doesn’t have to put up with the daft edicts of today.

I could stay there all weekend,

telling my staff at the track that my change of voice was due to a bad

What chance do the poor single journalists of today have of

exploited to create a closer partnership. We have to work hard tonight to improve the situation

and I am sure that by the morning we will be in a position to score.”

The puzzling about the most FIA order wasthing that there was absolutely no logic to the decision - which used to be the norm for all FIA statements a few

years ago. This one, however, appeared to have been issued because someone within the

governing body suffers from what Professor Freud would have called

“anal retention”. Everything must be tidy. If not it must be buried or

painted white or both. Everyone must be in uniform. Nowadays all team members wander around

looking like ice cream men and

journalists refuse to tidy themselves up and they insist on leaving bits of paper lying around everywhere. This, according to the FIA is the fault of the PR girls, who hand out these pieces of paper. This, says the FIA, must be stopped at all costs.

Now herefromis the Apart the funny press thing. the only scruffy people allowed in the

paddock these days are pop stars. They are only allowed in on

condition that they stand, straggly-haired, next to team

bosses so that photographs of them can appear in “Hello” magazine or in a publication called “Eurobusiness” which runs a

regular photographic feature about people in the F1 paddock. Copies of Eurobusiness are always being left lying around in the paddock. Hide them away and within minutes another stack will

have appeared. For some reason the paddock policemen - who can usually spot if a mosquito has the wrong pass - never seem to see

the piles of Eurobusiness. If you left a pile of Motorsport News lying around for a minute or two they would either all have been stolen

or a paddock policeman would have found them and they would have been blown up in a controlled explosion in case someone had hidden a bomb inside them.

The only saving grace about all this is that Eurobusiness is really rather a good magazine. It is

informative, it gets to the people who matter and it seems to try to

18 of the 22 drivers made the that neither FIA President Max

Mosley nor Bernie could be there but Shirley Bassey made up for it by putting on a great show. Everything was pretty well organised and the only real problem was that the weather was

so hot and humid and the garages so nice that the team people and drivers did not bother to venture out. It was far too hot to be in the

open air and hiding in air-conditioned boxes meant that

they did not have to deal with

journalists, desperate to find out what was happening because the Press Officers had all been banned from the media centre.

The only team bosses I spoke to were angry ones who emerged, like human cannonballs from their

boxes to complain about things I had written. They then became very hot under the collar and had to retreat to put their heads in their refrigerators to cool off.

Wandering around the paddock looking for any sign of life was a very sweaty business and, with the healthy Malaysian diet of rice, seafood, vegetables and fruit one could lose a lot of weight very quickly. The only problem was that

dealing with jetlag and the sapping humid heat meant that each night we all went home completely worn out.

One or two of my colleagues did seem to find the time and the

energy to do a bit of partying. I spotted that this might be the case on Saturday morning when I wandered down to breakfast and found life-sized cardboard cutouts of Mika Hakkinen and David

Coulthard playing snooker. I guessed it was something to do with my colleagues and a flight of pretty KLM stewardesses who got into the habit of meeting up at the pool table long after the witching hour to discuss the finer points of the European Union.

Iwonder how they all found the energy to stumble back to KLIA?

22 Oaober 1999

Do you want fries with that: Wayne Gardner has had a ball this past year and he’s looking to further improve on it with

a solid result at Bathurst next month in his Coke/McDonald’s-bac ked, Perkins Engineering-prepped VT Commodore.

Tigger Tiger and Pooh Bear? Gardner and co-driver Hideki Noda celebrate their Japanese GT Series win by seeing who can lift their trophy up the highest. Using just one hand, Wayne shows he’s on a roll...

(Photos by Lynicy Reid and Sutlon-Iinages)

MN: What are your impressions

^ ■-

of what has been happening in Australian this season?

WG: Mum has been sending me the videos of the car races and,

obviously, the magazines! All of ^

f/m

them ...

i I

njim

I don’t know if the competition is i

it has tightened up. Ithink that the pace at the front is still the same

w---

i i

harderthan it has been before, but

.31

[pi, I *

1 kroVOl

as it has been in recent years, but everyone is working away at every

piece of the puzzle and that has bunched up the competition to the point that it is very tough. MN: So where does WG fit into

the scheme of things?

‘Tve got the drive in Japan, my wife’s pregnant, I’ve bought a new house, a new car, I get to live in Europe, my boat’s going really well... We’ve had a ball this year.

Life's Good Life is good for Wayne Gardner. Just turned 40, the former ‘Wild Man’ of V8

Supercar racing has a burgeoning career with Toyota in Japan, another little Gardner on the way and, after a quiet year in Australia, a real chance at winning at Bathurst next month. PHIL BRANAGAN spoke to him at Surfers Paradise.

Motorsport News: Realistically, what are your ambitions for Bathurst this year? Wayne Gardner: I’d like to get a podium place. I don’t know if it’s possible, but you do have to be out

s PO Box 6330 Shepparton 3632 Ph/Fax: 03 5827 1359 Mobile: 014 406 980

Email: speedwerx(@diesel.net.au www.kartsport.com.au/akn/speedwerx.html

MN: How will the car be run -

wholly by the Perkins team or

hopefully, be in a good position.

will there be some of your own people there? WG: This year, I’ve decided to

MN: You’ve got a ‘Larry’ car, which is proven at Bathurst, and you and David Brabham are our

have all experienced people. I wanted to have a good internation al driver; funnily enough, I actually had Paul Radisich lined up, before

most successful internationals as far as this season is con

was good for him, he got a full sea

there and finish the race and,

he went to Ford. The Ford deal

cerned.

WG: I’m not trying to put high expectations on the team. I’m going

there with a good car and a reliable car, which is important at Bathurst. What I’ve lacked in the past is reiia-

bility, and the control tyres we have this year is better for me. It’s important to have a fast co driver and good pitwork as well. To win Bathurst you need to have ALL the pieces in place, all your ducks in a row. There are some very

good teams out there and good dri ver pairings. Ithink we’ve got a

err:

reasonable shout at it and we’ll do our best.

son out of it... So I had to find someone else

with similar pace. I found David, which is great. He’s very profes

sional and experienced and we got on very well. I’ve got two or three guys from Larry to engineer the car and the

pitwork will be the guys I’ve had in the past; the Lee boys, who were with Wayne Gardner Racing, Russell Levy, and Belynda Clapin to oversee the whole thing as team manager. 1 think it will be enough to bring us a result.

CHASSIS

ENGINE

OTHER

TOOLS

● Tube notcher

● Porting kits

● Lap timers ● Pit canopies

● Tube bender

● Bore gauges

● Camber/caster gauges ● Spring rate testers

● Valve sprung testers

● Scales

● Height micrometers ● Ring compressors

● Stagger gauges ● Tyre pyrometers

● Oil filter cutters

● Burettes

● Durometers

● Micrometers

● Tyre pressure gauges

● Verniers

((

WG: I don’t know if I will make the

top 10 in qualifying - though, thinking about it, I always have before. If Idon’t, I’m not really bothered, because Ithink that our

race pace with David will be spot on.

Iwas 11th here (Surfers) and that’s really the first time I’ve dri ven the car.

Not bad; I’m getting closer... That’s why I decided to do the

Indy race. It gave me a better point to start with. It was a little bit of a

danger doing this, and keeping it off the walls, but it was important to be here just to learn. MN: You’ve had a pretty com petitive season in Japan in what is obviously a very competitive series.

WG: The GT series in Japan is fantastic. 1 love it. The car is just

like a big go-kart and great to drive. I weighs lOOOkgs and has 600 brake (horsepower) and ABS brakes and sequential box and everything in the car is variable brakes, boost, variable this and variable that!

It’s a ground effect car so it goes around corners really last. I’ve been adapting my driving to suit that car all season, particularly the ABS brakes, which allow you to drive all the way up to the cor-

In Car ”

● Exhaust gas temp gauges ● Technical videos

● Drill sharpners ● Go-kart tools

'99 Catalogue now available

Unit features a 32 lap

recall memory '

and includes the trackside transmitter.

22 October 1999

‘‘The GT series in Japan isfantastic.I love it. The car isjust like a big go-kart, weighs lOOOkgs,600 horsepower,ABS brakes, sequential box and variable everything... variable this and variable that! ner with your foot on the brake and get to the apex of the corner, where you jump straight on the throttle. I left-foot brake there a lot, so it’s like driving a go-kart. Here, I’m having trouble adjust ing. You have to brake a /of earlier and get off before you turn, other wise it just locks a wheel. So doing Surfers was good, so I could get into the swing of things in V8s again. Japan has a great GT series. It’s very, very competitive, with some good international drivers and very good Japanese drivers. Most people say that Japanese drivers are not so good, but the ones over there are like the Japanese bike racers. They are fast in Japan; take them out of Japan and they may not go that well but, in Japan, geez they’re fasti My co-driver, Hideki Noda, has been in F3000 and made it into Formula One for a few races. He is very, very fast and he’s the offi cial test driver. He has huge confi dence in the car; he goes out and, on the second lap, he can put it on pole position. We’re running against Erik Comas, Michael Krum, Tom Coronel and some really good dri vers. I’m enjoying the quality of the driving; there’s no pushing or shoving, no-one gets biffed off the track and it’s under control. It’s a factory TRD (Toyota) drive, with sponsorship from Esso and it’s run by team Le Mans. They have a great record in F3.000, with drivers like Ralf Schumacher, and it’s their first year into GT with Toyota after run ning a McLaren a few years ago. I love it. MN: It must be good to be involved with Toyota. WG:They have five works cars; two with TOMS, one with SARD, one with Celmo and one with Team Le Mans. I think that Team Le Mans have the okay to run the car again next season, which will

be a new car, and it looks like Esso are coming back and they appear to want me as well. There’s no contract in place yet, but it’s going pretty well. MN: If that works out well, is that where you will do most of your racing? WG: I think so. I don’t have any thing lined up here but I haven’t asked for any drives, either. There’s no sponsorship here for next year, so at this moment, it’s the only really positive thing I’ve got. My contact with Coca Cola ends this year and it doesn’t look good, to be honest. There’s Bathurst coming up and, with the Olympics next year, that looks like my last race. There’s been no dis cussions yet, though, but I’m antic ipating that (it will be my last race). MN; What about Europe? WG: I’d love to do Le.Mans. There’s a Fuji 1000 race I’m doing - it’s the week before Bathurst!and that’s in the GT car. All the European GTIs will be there and I’d like to show them my driving and maybe get a drive or two in Europe next year. MN: There’s an ALMS race in Adelaide next year, Wayne. WG: That would be nice ... MN: A recent birthday. You’re 40. How do you feel? WG: It’s disappointing ... No, it just doesn’t bother me. I feel like I did when I was 25! At the moment I’ve had the best year since I retired from bikes. When you come down from such a high level from Grand Prix racing, with the adulation, money, travel and everything else that goes with that, it’s difficult to come back down. I guess it’s the same as what drug addicts feel when they come down off something. It’s hard to give up something that you love. For a long time it was annoying me, gnawing at me

i Put the tiger in the tank: Gardner and co-driver Hideki Noda drive the works Toyota Supra GT in the Japanese GT Series for the Le Mans team. The pair won one round of the series this year in the car the former world champion describes as “just like a big go-kart”. (Phoioby suiion-imagcs) Faster than a speeding Bulletin: Despite being out of a V8 for much of the year, Gardner was competitive at Indy last weekend, although a blown engine in the second race did dampen proceedings a little. (Photo by noci papdera)

to come back and go bike racing , again. Getting my head kicked in in touring cars hasn’t helped; I didn’t have the rosiest start, I suppose. But I got the drive in Japan. My wife’s pregnant. I’ve bought a new house, a new car, I get to live in Europe. My boat is going really well! We’ve had a ball this year. It’s been a really, really good year and now the bike,thing is out of my system -finally. I feel good about that. It must be a sign of the times or something, and I’m really happy. MN: You look relaxed at a race track, whereas you’ve been a lit tle wound up in the past. WG: There were reasons for all that! I’m having a good time in my life at the moment. Running the car from Larry’s operation is great. I’ve got the car for next year if 1 want it but, if I don’t get any sponsorship, I’ll just sell it. I’d like to be able to keep going but it’s hard to try and find the budget to run the car. If I can’t that’s the way it is. I’m not going to cry about it. I’ll just move on with my life.

Moving on: At age 40,Gardner is feeling more like a 25-year-old and has got past the highs of GP racing and the lows of“get ting my head kicked in in touring cars”- which started happening not long after he joined the circus with HRT.(Peter Hennessy)

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22 October 1999 to make sure we

Mixing

achieve the results we want to.

My focus is

simply to make this administration as efficient as

possible, to provide

business and

superior service to our stakeholders, the members. We

are dealing with large corporations here and we have

to be an equal match to them in

providing professional services to them.

I will personally

umnAMO

pleasure Peter Hansen is a

former Danish Touring Car Champion. His success in motor sport led to a career in

business and a move to

Australia some 10 years

ago. After watching Australian motor sport

from the sidelines and growing a career as a

professional CEO over that time, the

opportunity has come to combine both with his

recent appointment as CAMS CEO. Just four weeks into his new role,

he spoke with CHRIS LAMBDEN:

Motorsport News: Where does CAMS fit into the overall picture in the running of motor sport in Australia?

Peter Hansen; It is very important that CAMS maintains its position as the governing body of motor sport in Australia. Clearly there is that need, so the whole

thing does not become fragmented, with a range of people doing their own thing. There are several reasons for that. First and foremost is the

[public] liability competitors expose themselves to. That is covered by CAMS as the sanctioning body anyone who takes part in an event

is covered by a $100 million liability insurance, which is a necessity and a fact of life these days. That insurance is very expensive and covering all motor sport is far more cost-effective than numbers of separate groups and policies. The organisation has a new charter, if you like, which means that we need to adapt to commercial reality and to find a

seamless way of servicing the commercial end of the sport and also provide adequate services to the grass roots. MN: What is CAMS’ biggest challenge today? PH: Ithink we need to get better at what we are doing - that is, education and training for

officials, stewards, the judiciary, so that everything is uniform wherever you compete in Australia.

associated with

motor sport at even the most basic levei. Is that a fact of life?

maintain fixed facilities, the traditional race tracks, because

they are also used for testing as well as being the breeding ground for the grass roots of the sport. Having said that, we have seen that the street races draw very big crowds, and I think there will be a flow through from those street events that will further the interest

in motor sport, so that the

permanent circuits will get an

task than sporting

and it is a matter of

Tracks that have for example a V8 Lites race meeting may well find that they have crowds similar to those they had for a Shell round four or five years ago.

delegation of responsibility so

a significant number of fixed tracks

But there has to be a balance -

that I can focus on

and only a few street races. It’s not

the big picture, the

in anyone’s interest to have a large

which are struggling? PH: It is important that we

increase in the number of

with those issues

number of races on non

permanent circuits, some of

spectators as well.

matters. We have

increasing, should CAMS be considering a limit on the

focus more on that

perfectly capable managers to deal

MN: A common

gripe is the increasing costs

tv--'

MM: With the number of street

races for V8 Supercars

need to take this

number of street races and I don’t

organisation into the next century in a strong shape, like any business.

think AVESCO is thinking along those lines.

MN: Has Category

50% this year alone

over recent years

in our insurance

that CAMS has concentrated its

Management, with a number of categories looking after their own day-to-day operations, been a good idea? PH: It has improved the profile of those categories - see how

mentioned above,

efforts on the ‘top

successful the GTPs are; Formula

and that will become a burden which we

end’ of motor

Ford, Porsche Cup; and a range of

racing at the expense of the

others.

PH; Absolutely. We have been faced with an increase of

MN: There has

been a perception

costs, as we

have to pass on to Photo: Lyniey Reid

licence holders.

For example, an

entry level Level 2 licence will go up from $34 to $52 directly as a result of that insurance increase. A

C3 racing licence will cost $250 as opposed to $185 previously; an R3 Rally licence will go from $140 to

grass roots...

licences. We have to make sure

PH: I have heard these concerns over the ten

we have the systems in place to live up to our obligations as a peak sporting body, both at the top level

years I have been in Australia and watching motor sport and so am aware of what people are thinking,

and the bottom level, and there are

but I don’t think that is actually the

a number of initiatives we want to

case.

They are doing things more professionally, much better. Having said that, the level of category management and also the level of what we delegate out in terms of competition rules, technical officials and so forth may need to be looked at again in that the whole concept has reached a maturity level where we may need

$220.

roll out over coming months to help

However, we are also tidying up the whole licensing system so that there will be no capitation fee(for clubs) to collect. Clubs will pay a

with that. The CAMS brand name should have some value attached to it so

top end of the sport, but we are doing an awful lot for the grass roots as well, with various

back in under the CAMS umbrella

programmes.

simple membership fee - $500 (voting) or $360 (non-voting).

that we can gain sponsorship that can be put back into the sport so we can provide better seminars

again. We are talking to the category

For individual competitors there will be no vehicle registration fee,

and education for our officials. We have to make it worthwhile

so it will be one person, one fee,

for new officials who want to spend time and effort in motor sport; we have to be able to provide a career

path of opportunities for them in whatever capacity that may be.

It would be fair to say that that revenue is used to actually keep

one licence, as opposed to before when you had to pay for several things that you wanted to do. Much simpler.

There is of course focus on the

In fact, the top end of the sport does to some degree subsidise the grass roots in that the income

bring the crafting of the regulations

managers along those lines and it’s a matter of streamlining a few

from commercial activities such

issues. It’s a normal evolution

as the AMSC is put back into the system to the benefit of all

process.

members.

MN: So, regulations and the judicial system are things which

But still, to

compete in whatever area of motor sport that you choose to compete in, ‘membership’ is still very cheap compared to being a member of a golf club, a netball

to revisit these areas and perhaps

^Membership’ (of CAMS) is still very cheap when compared to being a member of a golf club...

licence fees down at the lower end of the scale. MN: You mentioned the

AMSC, It’s

shareholding

should be retained under the CAMS roof...

PH: Yes. Things have become a little fragmented and one of the issues we wiil be working on now, with our Stewards, is consistency. We don’t want to be seen as being unprofessional when it comes to

the judicial system. We also want to see that when

club or whatever. It’s

in V8

still very cheap, bearing in mind that there is such a significant insurance component, which also includes a personal accident component. It’s the best in the world. Idon’t know anywhere else in the world where people could compete in their sport with that

marketing

crossed the finishing line first is the

group

winner. We don’t want to sort that out much later. We need to have

level of insurance.

Those [insurance] cost

That, I believe, is part of our obligations. Another major cost to us is the

AVESCO (in place of a straight sanctioning fee) has been in some cases raised as a confiict

increasing cost of litigation. Every time someone brings a claim against us, whether founded or unfounded, the cost of legal advice

with things swiftly and correctly.

of interest, particularly when decisions are being made which affect competing categories.

wind?

to fend off those claims is high, and increasing.

increases could be even more

significant in future years if we are not careful with our events and do our level best with risk

management.

MN: That raises the question

MN: Insurance aside,

PH:My overall philosophy is that

MN: Any other change in the

is perfectly alright for the AMSC

PH; Not so much change, but I feel that CAMS has a role to play in improving standards of driving

to be a shareholder in a

on the road. We have the

Any view on that?

PH: Indeed. My view is that it

of whether it is time for the

knowledge base to provide driver

AVESCO.

CAMS Board to move away from voiuntary officiais to a

They way we also have a say in what’s going on and we are well informed on what’s going on. I see

training, recommendations as to road safety, experience gained

PH: In time that may be something that is looked at. But contrary to public perception, we do have a very dynamic and

we do need, while we are a non

cohesive Board. It perhaps even

profit organisation, to maintain a

surprised me how committed

sufficient revenue so that we can

Board members are to make sure

provide superior service to our members. That is very important.

that things work.

We can’t forever subsidise

systems in place so we can deal

commercial enterprise such as

professionai sporting board? administration costs themselves are on the rise.

a race is over, the driver who

The administration here has to work hand in hand with the Board

no reason why we should not

retain that shareholding. It’s important to have that say in

what is going on. If we simply charged a fee we would have no

other input other than saying “thank you” for the money. This way we have a say in the running of that company which is so closely linked to motor sport.

from our participation in race meetings, rallying and so on. 1 would personally like to see us play a bigger role in that area

perhaps driver training in schools. It bothers me immensely to read so often about young people being killed in single car accidents in the middle of the night, thanks to

reckless driving. Speed belongs to controlled environments, not on the streets..

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20 22 October 1999

Sea Shells by the seashere By GERALD McDORNAN

sn't it ironic that, while Shell’s sponsorship boss Ross Brodie has contin ued to hand over winners' laurels to drivers sponsored by rival oil companies during the season, the Shell Helix team's first victory of the year came at a race spon sored by Valvoline... At the wheel of DJR’s “his toric” EL Falcon, the shiny new AU parked back at the shop in readiness for Bathurst, Radisich dominat ed the Indy event, taking three wins in three races. Like the Shell team, many others elected to keep the “good cars” back at home and not risk them prior to next month’s event - the decision proving to be correct with heavy damage being sus tained by a number of cars during the weekend. - polesitter Steve Ellery’s EL, Craig Lowndes VS and Garth Tander’s VT being the most notable. Luckily only Tander was in his Bathurst car and it was repaired in time for Sunday’s race, although the other two cars weren’t... And, while some criticisms were levelled at those who brought out the old cars, too much couldn’t be said as an entry of just 22 cars was far short of what most race fans expected.

Practice/Qualifying

visional second spot. Perhaps it was destined, Ellery at the wheel of the for mer Mark Larkham car, which dominated around the streets of Surfers Paradise last year. "We’ve just scraped up enough money to come here this weekend and we only made the decision to run two weeks ago," Elleiy said after wards. Radisich, for the first time at the wheel of DJR's older EL model, was happy with his Bathurst teammate's position, along with his own progress, third a great result for learning a new car and track. And, things were to get even better... John Faulkner was happy with his ninth, JF wearing the Wynn's colours again in a last minute deal with Wynn's boss Gary Dumbrell to enter the race. Faulkner was com ing anyway,just not drapped in the Wynn's colours as he is contracted for Bathurst. A part of the deal also saw Steven Richards climb aboard Faulkner's older VS for the race, the Gibson Motorsport team electing to keep their VT fresh for Bathurst. In his first time in Faulkner's VS, Richo quali fied in 13th. The Gibson/Dumbrell deci sion also meant that Greg Murphy got a TV gig instead ofa VTgig... Larry Perkins and Russell IngaU fronted with two VTs, Ingall's car presented in the standard corporate colours (having been Larry's sprint race series car), while Larry had the newest product out of his Moorabin workshops. As during the year. Ingall qualified up the front of the field and was happy with his progress, while Larry sat back in 19th after not really getting a run in, with just three laps. "I spent Thursday out on the track, doing the things you normally do with a new car, checking the systems out, bedding in rotors," LP said. "Friday, though, we had a problem with our beacon and I really didn't have much of a chance to have a red-hot go... but we should be fine,the car seems good and we'll just wait and see how we go." Seton didn't have a good day Friday, a universal joint in the tailshaft calling it quits in his AU after just half a lap and ending his qualifying. Teammate Neil Crompton didn't fare a whole lot better in the second FTR Falcon

Thursday's first day sented nothing but pre tor rential downpours and, with the track conditions extreme ly slippery, many of the teams opted to make either brief or no appearances. Amongst those who didn't even make it out onto the track were the two factory Holdens of Skaife and Lowndes, while Ford's rival factory team were present for just four laps... "The track was way too shppery, especially over the back of the track," Seton said. "There's no point hang ing the car off the concrete when it doesn't mean too much, especially since the one that counts [Bathurst] is only a month away." The main problems were, apparently, the way the track is crowned in the cen tre and, on the back straight which is used for parking for beach goers, the oil residuals which, when the rain came, makes it incredibly slippery and dangerous. Friday, thankfully, brought better weather and results that we’ve, pretty much, (Cromley at the wheel of an EL), calling into the pits too become accustomed to... late to take advantage of a Craig Lowndes put the "his toric" VS MHRT Commodore new set of tyres. Still, 12th on provisional pole, happy was far better than 22nd... Amazing, with just 22 with the performance of the entries, there were only four "expendable" older car, team mate Mark Skaife, also in one privateers, Steve Reed, of the team's VS's qualifying David "Truckie" Parsons (also in the team's VS), in fifth. Steve Ellery continued his Rodney Forbes and Brett Peters. season of infrequent appear Reed qualified the best of ances but impressive perfor mances, by qualifying in pro- the lot in 16th, with Parsons

They’ll be calling him a Queenslander after this: Paul Radisich took the breakthrough wins with Shell Helix Racing, takng all three events at Indy in the EL. Now the team needs to win a Shell-sponsored race ... (Photo by Marshall cass) ELs for everyone: Steve Ellery put his Chelgrave EL on pole position and looked strong until taken out in race 2. (Photo by Marshall Cass)

ter cylinder called it a day heading into the sec ond chicane on the front straight, Skaife wisely also called it a day... Wayne Gardner's return to

18th, Forbes 20th and Peters 21st.

Race 1-14 laps i

After starting the first race in second position the race beginning with a single-file, rolling start Radisich took advantage of a gap left open by polesitter Ellery on the entrance to the first chicane at the beginning of the second lap, moving into the lead and never being headed in the 14 lap contest. The move hadn't come ear lier as, firstly, a gap wasn't there but, most importantly, an agreement that no pass ing was to happen until the field reached the back straight was in place. Ellery, Radisich and Tander charged hard for most of the race, gaps open ing and closing with each lap, but enough for further passing to take place. For a little while mid-race, it looked as though Ellery would fall to Tander, the back of the EL drifting wide with plenty of oversteer, but the independent consolidated and came home in a welldeserved second.

Tander finished on the podium (although they didn't actually have a podium cere mony), faring much better than Bargwanna, who ended up 13th. Ingall pushed hard all the way, consistent 1.55s keep ing him with the leaders, although his only gain in positions was due to braking problems encountered by Skaife. Lowndes' progress was, perhaps, of most interest for many in the race, the Shell Series leader moving his way through from 10th to fifth come the chequered flag. Lowndes applied consis tent pressure throughout the race, the most notable being on lap 6 when Faulkner, #1 MHRT the with Commodore right on his tail, clipped the wall with the JFR Wynn's Commodore on the exit of the back straight chicane. As heis come to be expected from Lowndes, he set the fastest lap of the race on the second last, his 1:54.7124 good enough for a new lap record. Teammate Skaife ran in the top four until the ninth lap, although when the mas-

McDonald's

competition netted a sev enth, with the Coke/ Commodore

moving steadily through from 11th during the race. After starting at the back of the field, Seton progressed through to 14th, the FTR dri ver having fairly much an unexciting run, save for one moment when Bright spun in front of the factory #5. Reigning Bathurst cham pion Jason Bright didn’t have the best of times. On

the eighth lap he turned the Pirtek AU into the wall. Bright soldiered on, finishing 15th. although the once pris tine blue AU looked decided ly worse for wear.

Race 2-9 laps

f Lowndes' top 10 shootout incident hadn't vindicated MHRT's, and a few of the other major teams' decisions to bring older model cars to Surfers, race two certainly did with three of the top four run ners - Ellery, Lowndes and Tander - being taken out in a lap 10 incident on the main straight's second chi cane. "I made a little error and the car caught the tyre bar riers and turned me around... Craig had no.where to go," an extreme ly disappointed Ellery said. Lowndes literally didn't have anywhere else to go

V8 Supercar Challenge Qualifying Entrant Driver F/Lap 1:54.9905 1 Craig Lowndes Mobil/HRT Commodore VS 1:55.0598 2 Steve Ellery Ellery Motorsport Falcon EL 1:55.0976 3 Paul Radisich Shell Helix Racing Falcon EL 1:55.1345 Castrol/Perkins Commodore VT 4 Russell Ingall 1:55.1557 Mobil/HRT Commodore VS 5 Mark Skaife 1:55.2255 6 Tony Longhurst Castrol/Longhurst Falcon AU 1:55.3223 Valvoline/Cummins Commodore VT 7 Garth Tander 1:55.5493 Mitre 10 Falcon AU 8 Mark Larkham 9 John Faulkner John Faulkner Racing Commodore VT 1:55.7246 1:55.7333 Pirtek/SBR Falcon AU 10 Jason Bright 11 Wayne Gardner Wayne Gardner Racing Commodore VT 1:56.4608 1:56.5766 Ford Tickford Racing Falcon EL. 12 Neil Crompton 1:56.9437 13 Steven Richards Wynns Racing Commodore VS 1:56.9736 14 Paul Romano Romano Racing Commodore VS 1:57.2276 15 Dick Johnson Shell Helix Racing Falcon EL 1:57.2571 Lansvale Smash Commodore VS 16 Steve Reed 1:57.3563 17 Jason Bargwanna Valvoline/Cummins Commodore VT 1:57.7260 18 David Parsons Wynns Racing Commodore VT 1:57.8032 Caslrol/Perkins Commodore VT 19 Larry Perkins 20 Rodney Forbes Rodney Forbes Racing Commodore VS 1:57.9653 2:03.6478 21 Brett Peters Colourscan Motorsport Falcon EL 5:20.4750 22 Glenn Seton Ford Tickford Racing Falcon AU

and

Chocolates to boiled lollies

ploughed

his

Commodore head on into

the independent's turned around EL Falcon. Lowndes' Commodore

● ● ●

THERE’S no doubt about

it, some drivers are always

going to love top 10 shootouts for final qualify

end. is it any consolation

Supercars while Craig

Tander were listed in sec

Lowndes, having been on

ond, third and fourth in the

provisional pole, must have

results? Doubtful...

A little had happened

en from first to tenth.

prior to the 10th lap inci

Ellery had plenty to smile about, having been

dent, although nothing out of the ordinary. This was

impressive during qualify ing on Friday morning

Indy and it wasn’t really worth risking anything. Ingall had moved past Ellery earlier although, by

the lap the way Iwanted when I clipped the wall exiting turn two, but then I

the time the accident came.

Rusty had been shuffled

knuckled down and thought about how to get the best out of the car,” Ellery said

back to fifth in a great dice

afterwards. “I think I achieved

into the top 10 before the

that...”

flag reshuffle saw the #11 finish in the equivalent spot

with the three soon to fall.

race came to an end. The red

while Skaife, starting from the rear following the previ ous day’s dnf, finished in the

hand, didn’t, making a vital mistake on the front

straight’s second chicane and the left side of the #1 MHRT VS Commodore

top 10.

contacted heavily with the

end continued, finishing 13th, although at least the second Valvoline/Cummins

missing a gear on the approach to the chicane. “I just didn't get the approach right and that’s what happened, but it’s okay,” Lowndes said. He pressed on and, while being demoted from first to tenth, still put in a respectable time... “I’ve had my accident here for the year, I normal ly have one each year, so I should be okay.” Little would Craig or Steve know just how much they wouldn’t be...

surprising being the #34 - the Garry Rogers-led crew

having worked hard overnight second, on the grid.

Naturally, Lowndes and Ellery were missing, Ellery receiving a bit of a sprained middle finger but nothing to stop him missing Bathurst. Like the previous two races, things went pretty much to plan with not too many incidents. Skaife and Longhurst had

car didn’t require too much attention prior to the next race or prior to Bathurst.

Bathurst preparation 1: Garth Tander was involved in Saturday’s second race-ending accident, but the VCRT team repaired the team’s lead Bathurst car in time for Sunday.

a little dice at the end of the

Unfortunately this incident led to more work...

main straight, Skaife deep under brakes and diving

Bathurst preparation 2: Jason Bright’s Bathurst AD also ended up damaged on Saturday, SBR also fixing the car in time for Sunday. JB brought it home unscathed,

(Photos by Noel Papelera)

under into the ANA turn.

Longhurst tried exactly the same manoeuvre at the

very next corner, although the two touched and around

they went. race “no

balone Tony” went around again, the same move not working with Rodney Forbes either...

Tander touched the back of Radisich’s Shell Falcon on

the approach to ANA on the ninth lap, the resulting

run came to an end at the

while Faulkner deservedly moved onto the podium. Gardner made his way up to fourth and things were just

back straight chicane - no

dandy,

movement of the front spoiler causing a deflating tyre and,

Bargwanna’s tough week

barriers - all thanks to

Paradise, perhaps the most

Later in the

Perkins had made his way

Lowndes, on the other

Surfers

to enable him to take his spot,

that Ellery, Lowndes and

“I certainly didn’t start

the driver's side A pillar. Needless to say, all the

afternoon’s run for the V8

hated the idea, having fall

Supercars

VCRT Commodore of Tander

and the red flag flew bring ing the race to a premature

Steve Ellery loved the concept following Friday

the final cars race fronted for the for V8 Nineteen

spun half around and the close following Tander had nowhere else to go either, his Bathurst-prepped VT hitting Lowndes car hard in cars were out of the race

ing positions, while others are going to hate them...

Race 3 = 20 taps

two laps later, the gallant steering, wall contact. From there the race was settled.

Ingall moved into second

F/Lap

Ellery

1:54.6814

2 3

Radisich Tander

1:54.7016

Skaife

5 6

Ingall Bright

1:55.3183

7 8

Faulkner Larkham

1:55.5997

Longhurst

1:55.8717 1:56.0458

Lowndes

1:57.4368

be pleased that the car’s

result was welcome, the kiwi

dominated,” he said later. “We can learn quite a bit

straight,” he said later. Faulkner was delighted with his results, a podium finish more than justifying Wynn’s decision for him to represent them for the week

making mention of the fact

from this by trying to make

end.

the AU a more consistent

“We lucked into third with

package, like the EL is. “The EL appears to have good turn in and puts the power down well and that’s what helps it be so consistent.” Ingall was happy with sec ond, although he thought the result would please the team

Garth going out, but we

For Radisich, the three-zip

Valvoline and the Shell car

and owner Perkins even more.

“The main aim was to

keep the car on the black stuff and off the concrete

and the boys and Larry will

Top 10 Shootout Driver

that the race was sponsored by a rival oil company. “That’s the best part, that the race is sponsored by

would have been a strong fourth and that’s good,” Faulkner said.

He had been puzzled for much of the weekend with a

strange, intermittent front end shake. "We’ve freshened the car with a lot of new stuff for

Bathurst, but something

wasn’t quite right,” he said, 'Most importantly, though, was we got through the weekend and earned a

Private parts: Steve Reed led the field of four priva

1:55.0009 1:55.1758

teers at this year’s Indy, the Microplex/PPG VS Commodore finishing as high as 12th in the first of

vaaUQl

1:55.5280

three races. (Photo by Marshall Cass)

good result and didn’t dam age our car before Bathurst...”

For everyone, Bathurst was most important and aU eyes were upon it. Indy was an interruption that most, apparently, didn’t need...

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r 22

22 October 1999

^-4^- ^ M m

Kobling off: Dario Franchitti scored the maximum 22 points in Queensland, just when he needed them. His Kool Reynard-Honda-Firestone was just too much for the rest. (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Noel Papelera)

● Franchitti takes win, pole, most laps and series lead

● Montoya crashes while second and challenging ● Papis uses canny strategy for second ● Fernandez, Herta and Andretti put on strong all-Ford battle ● Dark day for Mercedes; one finisher

Day

Report By PHIL BRANAGAN race for the

I will 1999 goPPGto Cup the final round at Fontana on October 31 after a

brilliant performance by Dario Franchitti in the Honda Indy 300 on

such result in two races.

Max Papis rode a differ ent fuel strategy to most of the runners to finish second for Team Rahal ahead of Adrian Fernandez and

Bryan Herta.

in the event came from Toyota. Former race winner Scott Pruett surged to third in qualifying in his Reynard, while Robbie Gordon finished eighth in

his Eagle after a solid per

Michael Andretti survived

formance.

a continued charge from Tony Kanaan while Paul Tracy finished seventh. He

direction was Mercedes-

had been the fast man in

finished for the German

and took home a maximum

qualifying until a practice

score of 22 points after Juan Montoya DNF’d after crash ing on lap 59, his second

crash

marque, in 10th position on a day when mechanical car nage took its toll, with only

the Gold Coast.

The Scot qualified on pole position, led the most laps

.j* ^

sentenced

him

fourth starting position. One of the best showings

Heading in the

other

Benz. Only Gualter Salles

13 finishers.

Practice and

Qualifying Beautiful one day, perfect the next? The ACCC may want to check the bona fides

of the Queensland Weather Bureau. After bucketing down on Thursday, Friday practice started on a wet track with Ught drizzle. The loss of dry track time would be a factor. Drivers

without number up-played the lack of set-up time in practice. Such is hfe. Even with the Juan versus

Dario championship battle

stealing all the pre-event cov erage, there were other things to consider. Tracy had a shot at overhauling long-time adversary Andretti for third, and that discounted the other drivers who had a realistic

shot at winning at Surfers. Tracy was in fine fettle, his car less so. The body count on Friday was two front wings (well, one wing and an endplate), the Canadian going for it “on a track which rewards

aggression”. His biggest bid

for reward was a flight over the Fosters chicane, when he

wound.

It was an important point, too. He was just 12 behind Montoya. “We experimented, shall we

say,” he smiled. “It w'as a big

man in the 32s with

a 32.700, but he pause for

clouded with the apparent demise of his Rahal seat, the

thought Saturday.

spurt of speed could not have

come at a better time.

practice, tearing a front corner off, which put the team

“The best thing I can do is keep focused and perform on the racetrack,” he said, sounding very American.

in a dilemma. It would be touch and

from a mid-season gain in

go to get the car perfect but if he ran 26X in the after noon

session

would

lose

his

Friday time. While

the team prayed for heat or rain (they

the fight for the PPG Cup, which will be decided at Fontana. (Photos by Slipstream Photographic)

Scot did a 32.218, followed by a 31.783 to rub not just salt, but Jalapeno peppers into the

instead of second (at ANA).” So, maybe, he could have gone faster... For Hearn, whose future is

walled the car in

the title when he locked his brakes and surfed into the tyres. The Colombian now trails in

Kool car - Franchitti. The

the Kool Reynard.

had

After all, it’s a Juan-der wall: Montoya looked ready to challenge Franchitti for the win and

What timing. He bagged pole for two minutes with a 32.595, but was bumped by a

lap, except I selected first

qualifying, the only

RGF

of his life, but fell short. So it was over to Biyan.

got around 40cm of air under He was fastest in

cfer

Hearn. The Colombian gave his first set of tyres the scare

The Ford had benefited

mid-range (Herta has been on the front row for the last three races) while the driver

was contributing too, losing a potentially faster lap with a cone-banger at the Fosters

got neither) Paul

chicane, which broke a front wing. Worse was to come for

sat and waited.

Tracy. Scott Pruett pushed

The came

challenge . him back to fourth. In his secnot

from

Franchitti

Andretti, but from and Montoya

ond-last Fedex race the for-

mer

Indy

race

winner

stormed around in lm32.616s to shock the world and

22 0aoberl999

IXo

In Kool air:

Tracy was off the air in qualifying, this ride over the

Fosters Chicane aborting a hot lap before he took provi¬ sional pole. But a Saturday practice crash meant he couldn’t defend the position.

(Killer photo by Marshall Cass)

Something in the hair: Yep, it was just a green and

beer weekend for some... (Photo by Rob McKay)

4 through old-fashioned graft. In morning practice Pruett put completely different set¬ ups on his race and backup cars and “met somewhere in the middle” when it came to face the clocks.

delight Toyota, which had scored its best-ever grid posi tion in four seasons in the series. It had been achieved

I have mixed feelings,” he said later. Toyota have come a long way, but NASCAR is where I want to go in my career. It’s tough to think that this is my last street race.

So, Tracy was fourth, but he had a ace up his sleeve.

Queensland

Missing the Saturday qualifi-

but not enough, getting a

impressive

er had saved his rubber, a

baulk from Vasser from what

debut.

concern to many teams. The burly Canuck had four sets of sticker tyres to play with. Andretti was fifth. On Friday the Swift, on Firestones for the first time at Surfers, held the fastest two laps of the session at one stage, despite Michael losing an estimated half-second on the final corner of what turned out to be his fastest lap. He improved on Saturday,

turned out to be his quick lap. Still, the Swift looked good, one of the few cars to get a decently-long run. Next came a disappointed Montoya. After ‘banking’ a lap on his first set he had another shot at it, starting his lap with 30 seconds left on the clock. It looked good, under the pole time, until a BIG front lockup decided the matter for him. Even given his recent form, sixth was an

One of the biggest Fridayto-Saturday improvers was Fernandez. After struggling for balance on Day 1 he led allcomers in the ‘slower’

when a steering arm broke. He backed up with one of those frustrating qualifiers; after trafRc on his &st set, a moment over the first chicane on his second set of Firestones called off his chal

lenge. Just in case you were won dering, there were Mercedes-

group, vaulting to second temporarily. Kanaan was in the wars.

On Friday he had an off; on Saturday, he had a bigger one, backing the car against with wall (with no damage) and then banging it front-first late in the practice session

Benzes

the

track.

Gugelmin led them in ninth, running in the slower group after a Friday he wanted to Continued on page 24

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24 22 October 1999

Bad weekend for Cam Cameron McConville's Indycamival was far from exciting with a blown engine in qualifying on Thursday and then an accident in the first Porsche Cup race ending his weekend prematurely. Ifthe blown engine wasn't enough, at a cost of$1100, the team urgently same day fireighted a replacement from Melboiune although,instead ofreceiving the required cargo,they took delivery ofa crate ofseafood! The engine was received at 6 am Friday morning... Subsequently,to get more laps in the car before the first GTP race on Saturday, McConville entered in Friday's Porsche Cup and it just didn't get any better. Starting from &e back of the grid,the former GTP Champion stormed offthe line, but failed to see the #23 car ofPeter McRae stalled, slamming into the back ofit heavily and sending them both into the wall. n Taking advantage of Indy? No,the Marriott Hotel (opposite pit straight) couldn't have been as we're sure their car parking prices would always be at $15 per hour or $50 for a full day... n Seriously poor weather deterred many ofthe leading V8 Supercar teams from heading out onto the track in Surfers on Thursday with only 17 ofthe 21 cars present taking part in the day's first session and just 12 in the second. Included in those missing the event's first day on track were Jason Bright and his Pirtek Falcon and both the HRT Commodores of Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife. n Prior to the race weekend,event sponsor Honda took the opportunity to officially laimch the new Integra R model. On Thursday journalists were ferried to Darlington Park to belt around in the rain, after being suitably apprised of driving conditions by‘guest coach’ and Honda dealer Greg Crick. Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy howled around in the Tls’, but were being hauled in by one ‘journo’-MN columnist David Besnard.

talking to several sponsorswatch this space. n Attendances were with claimed attendances of31,564 on Thursday, 47,328 on Friday, 69,081 for Satarday qualiljdng and 102,844 there to see the big race, shghtly more than in 1998. n Welcome visitors to the race were Nigel Snowden and Diana Burnett. The husband-and-wife FI photographers have relocated to Australia after three decades in the UK,and Nigel wQl be shooting motor racing-and other sports events,including the Olympic Games-down under. n If you think that all the Miss Indy contestants are vacuous bimbos who know little about racing, you’d be wrong in at least one case. Winner ofthe 1999 crown was Kyly Boldy,fanuliar in the racing scene as companion ofSuper Toining driver Dean Canto. The 18year-old Sydney dancer can expect a whirlwind year, while Canto can expect some ribbing-not to mention plenty ofjealousy-from everyone else in the business

Continued from page 23

n Jan Magnussen was a concerned man over the weekend. The Patrick Racing driver is a close Mend offellow Dane Jason Watt, who had a lifethreatening motorcycle accident the week prior to the race. Magnussen had plaimed to stay in Melbourne for a week after the race, but curtailed the idea to rush back to Europe to support his mate. n There were two Andretti generations at Surfers, but Mario was not there. Michael was accompanied by son Marco for the race, the 12-year-old 'Andretti 3.0'taking a break from school(and his karting exploits) while he decides whether he really wants to follow in Dad and Grandpa’s wheel tracks.

. crown, along with $25K and a modelling deal. (Photo by tyniey Rew)

forget. He was mucked around.by traffic and the stoppages, using his tyres too soon. Saturday was a relative dream, running a full tank session and finding the car consistent all the way through the load after front end adjustments. At least he was better off than Mark Blundell; on old rubber the car oversteered. On new rubber, it was worse. Odd, that. He was 0.1s slower in qualifying (with half the cars on the track)than he had been in practice, where he was fifth fastest, instead of 23rd on the grid. Rounding out the top 10 was Cristiano da Matta. This Toyota thing is turning into a trend; last season Max Papis dragged the MCI car into the top half and the relatively inexperience Brazihan better the effort with 10th. Toyota was outwardly proud;inward ly, they were worried about raceday fuel consumption. Of the rest - there was plenty of concrete contact.

Max Papis (11th), Christian Fittipaldi (13th), Richie Hearn (24th) and Gualter Salles (27th and last) all smote the surround of the track hard enough to need recovery and, hence, lost track time. The Goodyear runners were, basically, making up the numbers. Best in class was Gil de Ferran, 14th and exactly Is off pole position. He wasn’t happy; team-mate Naoki Hattori, who has hard ly set the world on fire this season, was only 0.5s behind the highly-rated Brazihan. A l waste of a good Honda? Doesn’t seem so, does it? And, at the back, was A1 Unser Jr. Penske has had a lousy year; so has Goodyear; and so has Mercedes-Benz. Put them together and you have a team which looked like it was working on 2000, Reynard and Honda already. And Unser, with a Valvoline/Galles/IRL deal in his pocket, had the haunted look of a man who should be elsewhere. A great career, stretched one year too far. What a shame.

1999 Honda Indy 300

-BRANAGAN/MCDORNAN

FedEx CART Championship Rd 17 Qualifying

n Speaking of Franchitti, the Flying Scotsman was ‘nursing’for Indy weekend. Report was that Dario’s current girlMend,the stunning American actress Ashley Judd, was waylaid by a leg fracture suffered in a jet ski accident in Sydney before the pair arrived in Queensland. Ouch... n And,speaking of Besnard, he is back in Austraha for a least a while. The Sydney racer has several offers for an Indy Lights season in 2000 but, as usual, it all depends on money.He is

So long Scotty: Former race winner Pruett flew in qualifying, his Pioneer-sponsored Toyota ending up third in his final road race before moving to NASCAR. The immensley popular American will be missed down under. (Photo by oirk wynsmith)

Green, Dream: Ashley Judd spent most of race week on crutches, hidden away from the media, but MN photographer Bob Potts found her with Dario.

Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Driver Dario Franchitti Bryan Herta Scott Pruett PautTracy Michael Andretti iuan Montoya Adrian Fernandez TonyKanaan Mauricio Gugelmin Cristiano da Matta Max Papis Greg Moore Christian Fittipaldi Glide Ferran Patrick Carpentier Hello Castro-Neves Jimmy Vasser Michel Jourdain Jr Jan Magnussen Naoki Hattori MemoGidley Robby Gordon Mark Blundell Richie Hearn Andrea Montermini At Unser Jr Gualter Salles

Nat Sco USA USA Can USA Col Mex Bra Bra Bra Ita Can Bra Bra Can Bra USA Mex Den Jap USA USA Eng USA Ita USA Bra

Car/Bng/Tyre Sponsor/Team Team Kool/Green Rey/Hon/Fire Shell/Rahal Rey/Ford/Fire Pioneer/Arciero-Wells Rey/Toy/Fire Team Kool Green Rey/Hon/Fire Swi/Ford/Fire Havoline/Newman/Haas Rey/Hon/Fire Target/Ganassi Tecate/Patrick Rey/Ford/Fire Rey/Hon/Fire McDonalds/Forsythe Rey/Merc/Fire Hollywood/PacWest MCI Worldcom/Arciero-Wells Rey/Toy/Fire Miller Lite/Rahal Rey/Ford/Fire Rey/Merc/Fire Players Forsythe Racing Swi/Ford/Fire Big Kmart/Newman/Haas' Valvoline/Walker Rey/Hon/Good Rey/Merc/Fire Players Forsythe Racing Rey/Merc/Fire Hogan LLC Rey/Hon/Fire Target/Ganassi Lola/Ford/Fire Herdez/Payton Coyne Visteon/Patrick Rey/Ford/Fire Rey/Hon/Good Alpine/Walker Lola/Ford/Fire Herdez/Payton Coyne Menards/Gordon EagleAoy/Fire Rey/Merc/Fire Motorola/PacWest Budwelser/Detia Penna Rey/Toy/Fire Castrol/AII American Racers Eag/Toy/Good Pens/Merc/Good Marlboro/Penske Rey/Merc/Good Epson/Bettenhausen

Frt Prac lm37.036 1m37.416 1m39.223 lm36.821 1m35.717 im36.379 Im43.135 1m39.700 1m40.314 1m40.095 lm37'.877 1m37.020 1m34.861 1m39.901 Im41.245 1m39.702 1m36.868 lm37.924 1m38.946 Im41.436 1m39.316 1m37.353 lm44.503 Im38.225 lm51.469 1m39.461 lm41.766

Fri Qua! SatPrac 1m33.851 lm34.564 1m33.645 1m35.159 lm34.457 1m36.030 1m32.700 lm37.865 1m33.135 lm34.808 1m33.479 lm35.874 1m34.700 lm35.214 1m33.966 1m34.563 1m34.I09 lm35.451 1m34.914 lm35.213 1m34.677 lm34.362 1m35.613 lm36.669 1m34.272 im35.904 lm33.937 1m36.773 1m34.152 lm34.891 1m34.356 lm36.808 1m34.245 lm34.752 lm35.359 1m37.027 1m35.565 lm36.030 lm35.702 1m38.518 1m34.839 lm37.753 lm34.674 lm35.786 1m36.540 1m34.792 1m35.640 1m35.232 1m37.761 1m37.363 Im35.558 lm36.878 1m37.677 1m48.199

Sat Qua! 1 m31.783 1m32.595 1m32.616 No time 1m32.899 1m33.018 lm33.072 1m33.233 1m33.271 1m33.399 1m33.S03 1m33.553 1m33.577 1m33.702 1m33.781 1m33.868 1m33.969 1m34.074 lm34.099 lm34.243 im34.309 lm34.627 lm34.847 lm35.640 1m36.101 1m37.066 1m37.677

22 October 1999

lEi}®0®[FSU)®[F0 Race (65 laps) le weather threatened,

T.but held off. The warm-up was completely dry led by, of all people, Blundell, running in the 34s on what were obvi

ously pretty vacant tanks. Everyone had spoken after quahfying on the importance of track position and Mr and Mrs Franchitti did a good job

raising their little hoy. At the wave of the green Dario was on the gas as once, but Herta was caught napping. In a moment Pruett was along side, then ahead. Pruett was also there; so was Tracy, hammering past into third. He’d made a good start.

Too good. The officials deemed that the second Kool

car had passed before the start and he would soon have

to serve a drive-thru penalty, which he did on lap 12. Oddly, Pruett escaped Scott fi-ee.

After a lap Franchitti led Pruett, Tracy, Herta, Andretti,

Fernandez,

Montoya, Moore, Kanaan, da Matta, Gugelmin, Papis, Castro-Neves, Fittipaldi, Jourdain, Vasser, Carpentier,

Magnussen, Gordon, Gidley, Unser, Blundell, Hearn, Montermini, Hattori, Salles. De Ferran was gone already, a blown t3Te pitching him into the wall at Conrad Jupiters. But, even while his car was healthy, Tracy was not gaining on Pruett. With Toyota yet to get their fuel usage as good as Honda’s the Pioneer car would have to have its fuel mixture wound

down but, for the first 10

laps, Pruett stayed within Is of Franchitti. Once the lap count hit double figures, Franchitti hit the loud pedal and pulled away at around 0.7s-0.8s a lap.

Kanaan was fast on a full

load. He got by Moore on lap 3, closing on the back of Montoya, who was getting closer

the

Andi’etti/Femandez battle. But that in itself was about to turn into a little classic. A

lap after the Mexican moved past Michael the Colombian shot out for the final corner

and Andretti, sensing the danger and starting to have a sticky second gear, covered the inside. Montoya jinked right, pulled alongside and went around the outside of the black car at the first chi cane. He belted off into the

distance, not even waiting to see the jaws dropping around the circuit. Kanaan went after Fernandez. Soon the Mexican

was out of the way and Kanaan and Andretti set up a battle that would last most of the rest of the race. He was

being chased by Moore and the impressive da Matta. With the pace of the green race fuel consumption was

testing a two-stop schedule. Kanaan, in seventh, led the

way after 20 laps, followed Vasser and Unser. Franchitti

made his stop a lap later, a little slower than he wanted,

but enough to keep his track position. It was a lucky call. Carpentier spun at Jupiters, and Hearn stopped on the straight with a busted gear box. While the officials con

sidered throwing a yellow Herta and Montoya pitted, the pair holding positions. But they beat Pruett, who had pitted a lap earlier; the veteran looked at Montoya at Bartercard,

the

rookie

responded by heading for the concrete wall. Cruel, but he held his spot. Ford had even better fuel

range. Fernandez got to lap

Start me up:

25, just, on fumeSj losing

Herta was slow away at the Start, allowing Pruett and Tracy to get past. The Canadian was later penalised for jumping the start.

three spots on his Oin’ lap. pitting just before the yellow for Hearn. Franchitti held the lead but now Herta and

Fernandez were behind him.

until Montoya took spots fi-om both.

There was only one green

Ready for war: Montoya looked ice cool before the race but it all

lap, as Vasser, Hattori and

went wrong when he hit the

Blundell tangled at ANA.

wall.

“He made a mistake in turn

7 and I capitalised on that,” the downcast Brit said. “I had the next comer and he turned in.”

But it did give officials a Continued on page 28

Opposite directions: Robby Gordon’s new team made its first appearance in Australia, the Toyota team impressing, even if he was stuck in an Eagle chassis. Farewell, goodbye and amen: Unser had a nightmare in his final race here. His season has been largely a waste; next year, JRL, Valvoline and Galles. So long, Al... (Photos by slipstream)

(Photosby Dirti Klynsmith)

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22 Oaober 1999

chance to penalise JPM a spot for passing under yellow.

cracked. He locked the rears, then the fronts at FedEx on

green

lap 49, burying the Reynard

Kanaan took two spots, from Moore and Tracy (who was

in the tyre wall. He unchpped the belts; his points lead was

now struggling with a turbo boost problem) to resume the

gone.

Andretti war. While the

the error.

When

went

Montoya manfully admitted

was

“I’m mostly disappointed

cleared everyone pitted -

because we had a winning car

mess

except Papis. After losing the Michigan 500 on a fuel rollof-the-dice this time he was

playing the other side. Just as de Ferran had done at

Portland, Papis was going to run flat-out to the end of the

race while everyone else

and a shot at the podium. I locked the rear brakes, turned around and tagged the wall.” Yellow again; everyone

except Magnussen and Papis pitted for fuel. The Dane resumed in the lead, with Franchitti beating Fdmandez

to try and make the last 29

out, Tracy trying to make a spot by squeezing Pruett over

laps.

the blend hne on the way out.

stretched their fuel window

Max sure can drive. He

It was a squeezy day for Scott

howled away to a 9s lead in 10 laps, heading into the pits on lap 46 for a green stop. He

in the final race in Austraha.

resumed in 13th, 30s from

the score; he needed the point

the lead.

for laps led and knew Jan was

That was the bad news; the

good news was that everyone else was going to need a splash. Franchitti had the lead

again, 5s clear of a Fernandez/Montoya battle. The expectation was that the

It was lap 54 when the green flew. Franchitti knew on a risky fuel schedule. He also knew that, having first raced him in karts 13 years

ago, he was in no danger of being clattered off the track. So, at the restart, he ham mered past. Magnussen had Papis in his mirrors and was

two Hondas would settle

determined to hold him off,

down to sort out the champi onship. And, for the second race in a row, it was Juan who

but Dario was home. No mis

takes, a 3s lead and Barry Green had won his first race at home.

Adrian Fernandez

Bryan Herta

+ 10.393s

Michael Andretti

+ 11.185s

Tony Kanaan Paul Tracy Robby Gordon

+ 11.359s

Scolt Pruett Gualter Salles

+ 21.328s

II 12

Jan Magnussen

+ 30.734s

MichelJourdainJr.

+ 33.048s

13 14

Cristiano da Malta (R) MemoGidley(R)

Andrea Montermini

16 17 18

Juan Montoya (R) Greg Moore Jimmy Vasser

7 8 9 10

+ 7.445s

+ 11.730s + 19.890s + 26.094s

Mark Blundell

Naoki Hatlori (R)

Helio Caslro-Neves

Al Unser Jr.

Richie Hearn

24 25 26

Patrick Carpentler Christian Fittipaldi Mauricio Gugelmin

Gil de Ferran

Transmission Fire Misfire

with no radio communication.

Contact

The Californian picked up places with rehabihty as oth ers feu away which, combined with the speed Pruett had shown in qualifying, augers weU for Toyota in 2000. The only other finishers were Salles, Magnussen and Jourdain. Da Malta’s good

Electrical Fuel Pressure Contact Contact Transmission

Throttle Transmission ContacI Fire Transmission Contact

run ended when his transmis-

(R) = Rookie Driver

son stopped getting gears, Vasser stopped with a blown engine, ending a miserable

Lap Leaders: 7 Lead Changes, 4 Drivers Car

Driver

From

Franchitti

Fernandez

Franchitti

35 46

side the Newman/Haas car while Andretti overcame his

suspension cover went MIA and had to be recovered by a marshal. (Photos by John Morris/Mpix and Dirk Klynsmith)

so late, so many times,” he grinned. Herta was a good fourth (somebody sign him for 2000, please?) from Andretti, Kanaan, Tracy (who was basically holding position with his turbo problem) and Gordon, who had run with Pruett and da Matta through the middle part of the race,

+ 2.609s

63 laps 60 laps 56 laps 48 laps 46 laps 44 laps 33 laps 33 laps 28 laps 22 laps 21 laps 20 laps Slaps 1 laps Olaps

final restart Tony went at the Swift again, the Honda surg ing out of the hairpin along

best second in Surfers. He

leads Castro-Neves, whose

“I’ve never braked so hard,

1hS8m40.726s

Dario Franchitll

Max Papis

posing of da Matta at the

Method in his madness:

Papis was smart, fast and agressive, getting a career-

Andretti was elated after the battle.

l?cips/300 km results 1

The Andretti/Kanaan bat tle went to the wire. After dis

second gear problem with maximum cajones at the first chicane. He held him off, and

Hon da Indy 300 2

Magnussen held the spot until the last three laps, allow ing Max and Fernandez to take the podium spots.

One race to go and Montoya must beat Franchitti at California Speedway. A 500 miler is a lottery; Montoya is impressive on

weekend, while it was a dis

the winner of the

astrous final road race for

race, and another million

Papis

Franchitti

Magnussen

Unser. He made a good start, picking off five cars on the first lap but after his stop, he

Franchitti

had a throttle drama and had

A little McLaren

to park at turn 2. Fittipaldi went three laps

Ferrari, the final Target/Kool battle

iPoints after 1 8 of 19 rounds 1

Franchitti

209

12 Kanaan

23 Btundetl

2 3

Montoya Tracy

200

13 Carpentler

24 Magnussen

Andretti

Papis

14 RobertoMoreno 58 15 Castro-Neves 48 16 PJ Jones 37

25 Jourdain Jr. 26 Saltes 27 AlexBarron

7 5

161 151 133

Fernandez

120

17 Gugetmln

Fittipaldi de Ferran Moore

107 104 97 94 84

28 Tarso Marques 29 Gidley

8 9

36 32

20 Hearn

27 26 25

30 Dennis Vltolo 31 Montermini 32 RaulBoesel

33 Gonzalo Rodriguez 1

10 Vasser 11 Herla

18 da Matta 19 Pruett 21 Gordon 22 Unser Jr.

4 2 2

for

the like and

of 1999 looks like

ed a fire, taking out his rear brakes and pitching him up an escape road on lap 3. Gugelmin didn’t even get that far. The Hollywood car had an early gearbox oU leak

being a blockbuster. You can just imagine some of the

and it ran out of fluid after a

(Photos by John Morris/Mpix)

series Champ.

when an exhaust crack start

lap.

but are still an impressive piece of kit. Flames you don’t want: Vasser had a terrible weekend. Running against Montoya must be a lot for anyone.

ovals, Dario less so, but there’s US$lm for

24 36

Total Laps Led: Franchitti 49, Fernandez 2, Papis 11, Magnussen 3.

Flames you do want: F111 s were designed in the ’60s

discussions between Mr Ganassi and Mr Dennis in the next two weeks...

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22 October 1999

Jim wins another tro

--ir

' s U

While Holt has that sinking feeling... Report by

In race two Park set a new

GERALD McDORNAN

lap record while chasing

GTP

Champion

Jim

Richards completed a

Richards, challenging the

CAT/Western Air/No Fear

sweep at the front of the

field of the Indy GTP race races

Park couldn t find a

qualifying his

in the first race Park did

and taking wins in hoth

Ferrari in front for a few

races.

moments

Richards led home the Ferrari F355 of Wayne Park

Richards driving by at the ANA turn and never being

each

headed.

Porsche 911 RSCS on pole

time

while

GTP

Century Batteries series runner-up, Peter Fitzgerald,

nose of the Poolrite on

lap

one,

As with the other support races, the GTP’s second race

ing into a chicane. Holt’s car clipped the kerbing, rolling over and contact ing the safety barriers. Officials were forced to break a window for Holt to

escape his upturned car and, . while the car sustained con

siderable

damage.

Holt

emerged uninjured. King took both Class B wins during the weekend while the remaining classes all had dual winners; David Ratcliff (C), Carol Jackson (D), Aaron McGill (E) and Wayne Russell (S). Iron men Guy Andrews and Grant Kenny put in strong performances; Andrews coming home sec

Roll over, lay down and get me out:

Beric

was highlighted by a spectac ular accident involving the

Lynton, at the wheel of what

Class B Subaru Impreza

would now be considered to be a car at an immense

WRX of Garry Holt, Holt was challenging class

speed disadvantage - the BMW M3-R - ran brilliantly

leader, and eventual victor, Mark King along the back

ond in Class C in his AU

all weekend, securing fourth

beach stretch of the track

ishing third with his Subaru

in both races.

when the two clashed head-

WRX in Class B.

You’re a

Indy-camage-ynl

came home third.

Gold

Coaster

Wagg... Martin Wagg otok revenge for a season of defeats at

the hands of Peter

Bradbury ot win the Cellular One Porsche Cup support event at last weekends Honda Indy 300. Wagg beat Ed Aitken by 4sec with Trevor John a further 8sec back in third.

Wagg led early from Keene and Brabury before Keene spun from second, and soon after Bradbury forced his way through to lead only to suffer throttle problems causing him to spin and then retire, leaving Wagg untouched at the front.

Class B was won by

Ojars Balodis while Michael Waikerden won Class C. Cameron McConvIlle

had a big shunt during the qualifying sprint,

running into the back of

Falcon XR6 and Kenny fin-

IT was Carnage Royale in the Formula Ford events at Indy with both races seeing the red flag vigorously waving at com petitors and, while both inci dents to bring an early end to proceedings were spectacular, for shear weight of numbers, the second race won hands down!

Surviving all the carnage was Steve Owen, the GRMA^alvolineCummins team member taking wins in both races...

The first race was red-flagged on

lap one when McColl, Timo Hulkko and Ian Moncrieff came together with Moncrieff s car flying high above McColl - the pictures domi nating the front page of the Brisbane newspapers the following day. The second race came to a prema ture end when return Driver to

Europe winner Troy Dunstan spun on the exit to the back straight.

After being clipped by two cars,

Peter McRae who failed to

Dunstan’s RF95 was hit by Tony

move from the line, taking

Quinn, with Owen Kelly, David Bull

both cars out for the weekend.

and a cast of thousands joining in.

The red flag waved while the

Garty Holt and Mark King clashed with the Class B Subaru WRXs. Holt’s

attempt at a late lunge ended in the Eastern Creek

Karting Centre car turning over.

(Photos by James Smith/Bob Potts)

parking lot was cleared, the silli

●

1?-

ness of the situation even seeing

drivers backing into cars behind them.

In the first, Friday race, not even Dunstan’s could derail Steve Owen

from victory. Dunstan started the ball rolling when he planted the Car Trek Van Diemen RF95 on provisional pole, running 0.91s faster than Stewart McColl in the wet conditions. But

Tyler Mecklem (Van Diemen RF91) took the spot in the faster, drier ses sion.

The first race Mecklem saw lead

away, but Owen shot past on the back straight and led all the way to the flag. It was a Spectrum/Owen 1-2, with Owen Kelly hammering through

from grid 1'7 to get second, despite a spin along the way!

Up and over: Ian Moncrieff spectacularly flew over Stuart McColl in the first FF race at this year’s Honda Indy, bringing out the red flag. (Photo by Marshall c^s)

Mecklem had a villain/good Samaritan race. He was stop/go-ed

their race times. That boosted Will

Kelly, Bull and Lacourte could make hurried repairs and return for (just Quinn not being able), saw Owen and Power quickly set themselves apart from the field, leaving thirdplaced Habul to battle with a deter

Power to second from Kenny Habul

mined Marcus Marshall, Dunstan,

for missing the chicane, but DNF’d on the final lap when he stopped to help Jones from his rolled car.

and Steve Grocl.

Dunstan has his race put awry

After the race the results were

when hit from behind on the last

revised. Kelly, Brendon Beacom,

lap by engine customer Robert Jones, who rolled spectacularly as a

Greg Fahey, Lu Ludovic and Derek McKenzie were all pinged for miss ing a chicane, gaining a minute to

result.

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Kelly and Mecklem in third. - PHIL BRANAGAN/

The second, late afternoon race, for which Dunstan, Jeff Senior,

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F 30

22 October 1999

Ferrari dlsqiialfieil in Maiaysia I

r i

I I

race

Back where he left off: Schumacher put the Ferrari on pole position and led away from the field.

Body language: Eddie won and Mika felt like ... But, three hours after the race, it all changed. Green means go: Does this all mean that Mika will win the 1999 World Championship? (Photos by sutton-images) Report by JOE SAWARD

f Ferrari’s post-race disqualification .remains in force, then one of the most

exquisite pieces of cal culated, arrogant bril liance by Michael Schumacher will have

Who knows what is right and what is wrong? Either way, it was the Schu-Show and it put the

German

humbled

Irvine, Coulthard and cham pion-elect Hakkinen on his return, toying with the lat ter, teasing, slowing him with finesse to allow team mate Eddie Irvine to cross

the line first and take, albeit

possibly briefly, the lead of the World Championship with one race to go. There are two ways of looking at the Malaysian Grand Prix. You can be a

traditionalist and say that Ferrari’s use of team orders was not in the finest tradi

tions of the sport. Or you can adopt the modern FI atti tude that Grand Prix racing is all about entertainment and traditions do not matter.

The Malaysian Grand Prix was hugely entertaining.

pletely unpredicable - which is

normal when you

rest of the World’s Best into

go to a monsoon

startling although

belt at this time

perspective there were

observers of the Ferrari’s on-

track behaviour who thought there may have been more to it...

been for naught. The

which was com

of year. Although they would not admit

it officially the Malaysians decided that it

Malaysia place to bewas witha agreat mar

might be a good

vellous and rather alluring

idea to recruit what is known as

innocence about its Grand

a “bomoh hujan”

Prix which, for the hardened FI hacks, was rather remi

niscent of the first year at Adelaide way back. The newspapers were full of stories about the Petronas Sauber team - which is not a

surprise given that it is Malaysian funded. But it was the descriptions of the drivers

which

were

the

nicest thing. Jean Alesi, the paper said, was a “promis ing” Frenchman and Pedro Diniz had been “touted as a

future World Champion”... The Sepang circuit was very impressive, the only real problem in the lead-up to the race the weather,

who

has

the

magical ability to stop, delay or relocate rain. It

is an open secret in Malaysia that such services are used to ensure fair weather at

football matches, golf tournaments and even weddings.

Practice &

Qualifying

rjihere seemed to be a lot of magic going on in prac

tice and qualifying.

Friday

Jacques

sure been applied and that he was big enough to make

putting on a show in his absence. It guaranteed head-

BAR. This resulted in a gush of publicity which everyone

his own decisions. I am sure

lines across the world,

it was his decision but what

in the Paddock knew was

was interesting is how he

not much related to pure performance. The team was the only one which bothered' to go for really fast times on Friday. This is not a surprise

came to make it.

Michael’s manager Willi Weber made quite sure that

'The man can really hobble on water. His pole position lap was a really remarkable performance and even more impressive because several photographers around the track reported that the

some doubts were expressed

Ferrari seemed to be cutting

in the press about the wis-

out at the exit of some of the corners. Michael made no

Villeneuve was fastest in his

given the fact that good pub licity is rare these days down at BAR and creating the impression of a being competitive is not a bad idea.

things do not happen by chance in FI these days. Out in Malaysia Michael

mention of any electronic problems...

was still limping quite badly

“I expected to be strong here,” he said, “but to be one

doctors bite the dust but it

and although he said he was

second ahead is surprising.”

totally fit he did not always

still needs time to strength en the engineering base - on

look it.

which good performance and good reliability can be built.

the cars were much the

We knew it would be dif

the Nutrburgring where

racing but every now and

ferent on Saturday but we little suspected that it would

Eddie Irvine and Mika Sale

then Michael Schumacher’s

pole. In the Media Centre we all agreed that it would be the perfect story. No sooner

The Ferrari men said that

same as they had been at

It certainly was and it had the men at McLaren scratch-

ing their heads. As Ron

Dennis is always saying,

there is no magic in motor

were hopelessly and depress- Ferrari does something so ingly off the pace. Suddenly ' extraordinary that magic is in Malaysia Michael the only possible explanaSchumacher was a full second faster than Eddie Irvine

tion.

race, saying it would be

and he was two-tenths faster

than the McLarens. So,

And the funny thing is that it always happens just

unreasonable to do so, he was suddenly out there doing it. Michael said that no pres¬

there you have it, the perfect fairytale. The injured hero returns and blows away all

Now the conspiracy theorists will tell you that Ferrari is cheating but the FIA did a

had Michael decided not to

He drove around as slowly as he could as still had the field covered. (Photo by suKon-images)

dom of such a move. Such

The team is getting better as more and more of the spin

be Michael Schumacher on

Sunday drive: Schumacher may have been out since July, but he’s lost nothing in speed.

Clearly there was a cer tain amount of resistance as

the wombats who have been

when Ferrari needs it most,

fuel check and so we know

22 October 1999

Showing the flag:

Malaysia’s first FI GP was, er, attended by a number of colourful locals - but not many. Benetton with the bends:

Fisichella found the Benetton-Sup^rtec a hand ful on the twisty track. Buggered Hornets:

A qualifying nightmare saw Frentzen start in 14th, but he made his way through to fourth at the finish

Hill was less lucky, tangling with Fisichella on the opening lap of the race. Let’s hope his final outing at Suzuka will be better. (Photos by Sutton-lmages)

k^RSiaaiui

place on the grid. The Italian complained of brake prob lems which he reported

/-\rrr\ rrofMl

made the rear end of the car

very loose.

Eighth was a pretty good effort for Ralf Schumacher in

his Williams although the result was not quite as good as the team had been hoping after the successful showing at the Nurburgring. “At the start of practice we

The Winning Formula

had some problems with the car,” Ralf admitted, “but we have made some good steps forward and the set-up is

quite good.” that everything was all right... Michael’s mind-blowing performance must have been crushing for the Eddie Irvine ego.

“Tomorrow is more impor tant than being a hero today,” he said. Having a Ferrari front row

was a pain in the neck for McLaren Hakkinen

and

was

Mika

none

too

seemed to be the only team to have chosen to use the

harder of the two tyre com-

poimds, working on the prin ciple that race day would be very hot and the softer tyres

being quick in the test in Barcelona things look encomraging.” Barrichello complained that he had been blocked by another car on his fastest

Ralf was confident that he

would be quick in the race. Alex Zanardi was down in

16th position on the grid and admitted that he had had a

“poor” qualifying, including flying off the track at one

was a risk but obviously McLaren thought it was

lap and would have been in the top four. He was not par ticularly happy with sixth

worth it to ensure that the

but sixth is still sixth and

Damon Hill in his Jordan

battle for the championship is kept under control. The third row of the grid was shared by the two

points are always possible

and this was a surprise because we have grown used to seeing Damon outqualified by Heinz-Harald

would melt in the race. It

from such a position. Seventh was a big surprise

moment.

Ninth on the grid was

Stewart-Fords but on this

in the form of Alexander Wurz of Benetton who has

tion was that third-placed

occasion Johnny Herbert

not done much this year

David Coulthard said that he would move over for Mika in the race so there was no

was

with the troublesome Benetton B199. Alexander

“I cannot really say that I am satisfied,” said Hill, “but

having said that we saw that

danger of having a third col

ry at the Nurburgring. Although they were separat ed by just one position the gap between the two men was actually quite a large

was struggling with the car up to the qualifying session but suddenly it all came right. “The car was really good,” he said, “so we didn’t touch

one with Jolmny being more than three-tenths quicker.

aged to keep improving the

happy to be only fourth on the grid. The only consola

lision between the McLaren drivers.

“The most important thing is the race,” said Mika, echo

ing his championship irval. Coulthard admitted that

Schumacher’s pace was “a bit of a surprise” but was not too worried. Although they did not discuss it, McLaren

ahead

Rubens

Barrichello and pumped full of confidence after his victo

“I feel so much more confi

dent after my victory at the Nurburgring,” Johnny said.

“I proved I can win and after

it all session and we man time.”

Life was not so sweet for Giancarlo Fisichella who found himself down in 11th

Frentzen. This time Damon was ahead.

we were not going to be as

competitive as we expected to be. The lack of grip makes it difficult to push without spinning off.” Frentzen’s qualifying was

a nightmare and he ended up 14th on the grid - which is no place to be when you are supposed to be challeng ing for the World

Championship. His qualifying began when he spun into the sand trap on his first flying lap. “My head rest came loose under braking,” he said, “and it hit me from behind

causing me to spin off. I then took the T-car but I had to

abort my second run because of a brake problem...” Completing the top 10 making it seven teams in the top 10 - was Jacques

effort so long as the reliabili ty of the car is improved. To date it has been dreadful but

with only two races in which to score a point and get off the bottom of the list in the World Constructors’

Championship, the team is trying to focus on that. Ricardo Zonta was 13th on

the grid, not helped by end less problems on Friday. But Saturday was good. 12th on the grid was

Villeneuve in his BAR. This was still slower than the

Olivier Panis is his Prost-

other Supertec users but

all kind of trouble during

10th was still a sensible

Peugeot, the French team in

practice. Time was lost with

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Short history of race car ● Winner 1999 Silver Star Championship

● Runner up 1998 Silver Star Championship ● Winner 1998 Australian Cup

● 3rd outright Sandown Tickford 500 1998

● 8th outright 1999 Gold Star Championship ● Competed in 33 races and completed all 33 races in 98/99

● Ex Birrana Racing/Jason Bright/Alex Zanardi F3000 ● Engine and gearbox completely over hauled and just two meetings old. All other running gear

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list of quality spares

Going like a blur: Barrichello and Herbert went hard in the Stewarts, out-qualifying the

to be auctioned.

Jordans. Things look pretty good for Jaguar in 2000. (Photoi bu sunon-images)

22 October 1999

Continued from page 31 mechanical problems and so Panis did not manage to do many laps and so he strug gled to find a good set-up. Jamo TruUi tried lots of dif ferent set-ups and could not find one that worked and he was confused by it. He ended up 18th on the grid. It was not a great week end for the Sauber team either, which was hoping to make a big impression for its major sponsor Petronas. The cars carried Malaysian flags and whenever they left the pits they were followed by every TV camera (even if someone else was challeng ing for pole). It was rather tedious. All the footage showed was that the Sauber was not an easy car to drive. Jean Alesi was upset about traffic and reckoned that he could have been in the top 10 rather than starting 15th. Pedro Diniz was 17th. Down at the back as usual were the Minardis and Arrows, mixing it as ever. After Minardi got ahead in recent races. Arrows has now reacted and so the order was a little shuffled with Marc Gene the fastest of the four, just a smidgeon ahead of fellow-countryman Pedro de la Rosa in his Arrows. Luca Badoer and Tora Takagi shared the back row.

The field lined up without Trulli and when the lights went out, everyone took off with the usual alacrity and as the field funnelled down into the first corner Schumacher was in the lead from Irvine, Coulthard, Hakkinen, Barrichello and Wurz. Alexander was jumped within a few moments by Herbert who had not made the best start. Further back, things became rather complicated as everyone tried to get through the serpentine series of corners. What hap pened? Well, Damon Hill was prmted from behind by Giancarlo Fisichella. “Immediately after that someone went into the back of me,” said Fisico. But who was it? Zanardi said he was involved but he too had been hit from behind. The fact was that Fisichella’s assaulter was none other than the man he had assaulted because as both he and Hill spun, Damon’s Jordan clonked into the back of the Benetton. And Zanardi? He clonked Badoer or Badoer clonked him, depending on who you talked to... The result of all this was

Raee(56 laps) The weathermen had said that race day would be dry but it was hard to know in the morning with huge monsoon clouds here and there but not actually at the track. The warm-up saw Barrichello emerge fastest with Coulthard and Hakkinen second and third and then the two Ferraris. Others were-in trouble, notably Frost with Panis try ing to figure out whether to use his car or the spare and Trulli suffering an engine failure. A new unit was put in but on the final parade lap the Frost spluttered to a halt with another blown VIO. Panis lasted six laps before his engine blew as well. “It is no use looking for excuses,” said Peugeot Sport boss Corrado Provera. “We took the decision to fit the evolution 5 of the A18 engine but we did not have the nec essary reliability...”

AA A L.

that Hill was out, Fisichella went to the pits and both Zanardi and Badoer had cars that handled like wet spaghetti. The excitements were not over because a few moments later Zonta had a spin and then Diniz - who had been badly delayed in the kerfuffie - went off while trying to repass Badoer. Both Zonta and Diniz rejoined at the back of the field. All this was completely irrelevant to the boys at the front where Michael Schumacher was skipping away from the field at a remarkable rate. His lead was l.Tsecs at the end of the first lap and S.lsecs at the end of the second. Irvine was struggling along with two McLarens all over him and Barrichello’s Stewart within nipping distance. But then Michael did what we expected he would do, he dropped back and on lap four allowed Irvine to pass him. He then moved squarely in front of Coulthard and stayed there as Irvine began to disappear up the road. David was not in the mood for this and, with nothing much to lose, on lap

. &Oh<tun-a orOsftt

m^RS QjFOSTElCS QfOS^KS [i---

Trulli, madly, deeply: Jarno Trulli had his race end when his Pros! lost an engine - on the warm-up lap. Ouch ... Living proof that F1 advertising works: The Saubers have been running ‘Visit Malaysia’ on their sides for years and, this year, the GP teams did just that. Sinewy track: Sepang made a big impression on the visitors, not least for its weather. (Photos by Sutton-lmages)

five caught Michael napping with a do-or-die move. The two cars touched but David got ahead - and that was all that mattered. He went after Irvine. Schumacher dropped his pace a hint - and poor Hakkinen found himself stuck. He would remain right behind the Ferrari for the next few laps, dropping to around five seconds behind Irvine.iCoulthard looked very strong and was soon challenging Irvine but on lap 15 the car died. “It looks like it might be a fuel pump,” said a disappointed David later, Suddenly Schumacher was second again and immediately Michael began to lose time. The gap to Irvine went from 4.5secs on lap 16 to ll.Gsecs on lap 21. It was not in the least bit subtle but in these days of ‘‘total war” in FI, it is apparently acceptable behaviour. And then, just to show what he was up to Michael put his foot down and left Hakkinen behind. He needed an advantage to stay ahead of the Finn during the pits stops, On lap ,25 Irvine pitted to rejoin in fourth position behind Schumacher, Hakkinen and Herbert, There was then a gap back to Barrichello who was under pressure from Frentzen. Hakkinen pitted on lap 27 and we had what would turn out to be the turning point. McLaren gave Mika a quick.

I rmula

W'V.'J

Spin, spin, spin, round, round, round,5, 5,5: Not quite the winning formula for Ricardo Zonta, who had another Supertec failure and ended up spinning out. (Photo by sutton-images)

vf:

light tank of fuel in an effort to get him out ahead of Schumacher. On the next lap Michael and Herbert both came in and so Irvine found himself back in the lead. The McLaren gamble had failed and Hakkinen was just behind Schumacher. It was a disaster for Ron and the boys in the grey. And guess what happened next? The gap between Irvine and Schumacher started at 5.1secs on lap 29 and went out to nearly 20secs by lap 40. And Mika Hakkinen was stuck behind, champing at the bit. Even with all this help, when Irvine pitted again on lap 41 he did not have enough of an advantage and was behind Michael and Mika and for a moment it looked like the Ferrari gam ble had failed. But the men at Ferrari had clocked the McLaren pit stop and were pretty sure that Mika would have to come in again. Noone else had an inkling of what was going on until lap 47 when Hakkinen suddenly dived into the pits. It looked like there had been a problem but it was not that at all. It was just part of the strategy. The McLaren strategy had failed horribly and all that was left was embarrassment as Mika emerged in fourth place behind Herbert. Up at the' front

Schumacher and Irvine were away and clear. Michael would slow down and let Eddie through. Or would he? For a few laps Michael built the lead, going from 4.8secs on lap 48 to 6.7secs on lap 51 - but then he did what was expected, having proved to everyone that the race was his prize to hand out. Irvine took the victory with both hands. “The car was very sharp on the tum-in,” said Eddie, “and I was very worried that I might spin, especially in the fast section of the track. I had to make sure I did not make any mistakes. Michael did the hard work for nie.” Hakkinen was able to save some honour by strug gling past Herbert on lap 54. He was exhausted at the finish. “This is the hardest race I have done in my life,” he said, “a race where you had to go absolutely flat out. These guys played some brilliant tactics, I cannot blame them, they did a good job and they won the race.” Hours later FI was stuck in a whirlwind of technical jibber-jabber and regulation mazes and this would end with the two Ferraris being thrown out. In theory Hakkinen was the World Champion but no-one believed it would be that easy to settle and we waited for the FIA to hold a Court of Appeal. The general con census in the Cynics Comer

of the Media Centre was the World that would Championship remain open until Suzuka... In the final analysis, it is difficult to say whether Hakkinen will win or lose the race and whether Herbert will end up in sec ond place. If he does he thor oughly deserved it after a good race with a good onestop strategy. “I was trying hard to hold off Hakkinen but the new tyres he took at his pit stop gave him the edge. I only made one mistake all wekeend and that was to run wide and allow Mika to pass.” Rubens Barrichello fin ished third (or fifth on the track) and showed that a one-stop strategy was better than a two-stop race. He was ahead of Herbert at the beginning of the race and 15secs behind him at the finish. “I also had a brake pedal problem after my second stop so I backed off a little but I had to watch out for Frentzen because he was closing in towards the end. It was hard work!” Heinz-Harald came home sixth on the road (and fourth in the classification) which was a good result after a Weekend From Hell for the Jordan team. HH drove a brilliant race and got quicker and quicker as the went went on. Jean Alesi ended up sev-

22 October 1999

33 ■■■.«, w»j .j^4»ews«

enth on the road, reporting that his car was also much better in the race than it was

What they said Highlights of the post-race

in qualifying. Why? The

●●●

team had no idea...

Pedro Diniz

recovered

from his first lap spin and charged up to 10th before having another spin (he had previously had another very

press conference before the exclusion Eddie Irvine: This was

just a fantastic result for

quick spin which the TV

me and for Ferrari. What

cameras missed. This was

can you say about

amazing as the Malaysian TV producer

Michael? We knew he was the best Number One and now he is also the best Number Two! He did all the hard work for me.

seemed to

spend all his time following the Petronas cars around to such an extent that there were one or two folk who felt

We managed to control the start, but my car was

that he should be fined for

bringing the sport into disre pute by making it so boring

very sharp on the turn in

and I was worried I might spin, especially in the

to watch when there was a

great

battle

going

quick corners. So I did not push too hard and made

between Schumacher and Hakkinen!

Wurz ended up eighth on the road. He blamed the

The blad facts: BAR is yet to score, but Villenenve starred on Friday. He has now topped first day times on the, last three ‘new’ tracks in F1 - Sepang, A1 Ring and Albert Park,

modest performance on inconsistent tyres and a throttle problem. A lap down in ninth on the

was not long before his engine filed and he retired. Zanardi was running at

was quickly over. He had run eighth early on but then Alesi pushed him back to

the finish but 10th was noth

road was Gene’s Minardi. It

ing special. His early pit stop to change a damaged wheel left him a long way back but

ninth and he was tr3ung to

was a good effort. His team mate Badoer survived the various brushes on the first

lap and as a result of dmaage received he went off and this

put a bunch of rubbish in his radiators. This meant that it

he drove hard. With about 10

laps to go he went off and so he had to pit again to have his radiators cleared out. Ralf Schumacher’s race l

World Championship Round 15 October 17th, 1999 56 lops (310.362 kms)

DQ DQ 1 2 3

4 5 6 7 8 9

E. Irvine M. Schumacher M. Hakkinen J. Herbert R. Barrichello H-H Frentzen J. Alesi A. Wurz M. Gene A. Zanardi G. Fisichella

Ferrari Ferrari McLaren-Mercedes Stewart-Ford Stewart-Ford

Car illegal Car illegal Ih 36m48.237s I h 36m56.032s Ih 37m10.790s

Jordan-Mugen-Honda Sauber-Petronos Benetton-Supertec

Ih 37m 13.378s lh37m 32.902s Ih 37m 39.428s

Minardl-Ford

hold off Villeneuve when he

spun off on lap 8. Villeneuve’s race was not much better. He was on a

two-stop strategy when he

had to take avoiding action to miss Wurz and had a big spin. He managed to keep the car going (a good effort)

home with Takagi retiring on lap 7 with a driveshaft fail

ure and de la Rosa going out on lap 32 with an engine fail ure.

Ferrari’s appeal has been set

for

Paris

tomorrow

(Friday) and, given the histo ry of the FIA, it is possible that Ferrari will be pimished

but the drivers will keep their points.

But it is also possible that

but he retired on the 49th

the current state of affairs will

lap when his hydraulics

stand, and Mika has won his

failed.

second world title in contro versial circumstances.

Zonta’s race had

ended after only six laps when his engine failed. Arrows failed to get a car

What will the Malaysians make of all this?

Retirements:

LapO J.Trulll LapO D.HiU Lap 5 O. Panis Lap 6 R.Zonla Lap 7 T. Takagi Lap 7 R. Schumacher Lap 14 D. Coulthard Lap 15 L. Badoer Lap 30 P. DelaRosa Lap 44 P. Diniz Lap 48 J. Villeneuve

Prost-Peugeot

engine; DNS

Prost-Peugeot BAR-Supertec

engine engine Failure, spun off

Jordan-Mu^n-Honda accident with Fisichella Arrows McLaren-Mercedes Minardi-Ford Arrows Sauber-Petronos

spun off fuel pressure overheating

BAR-Supertec

Hakkinen 72, Irvine 60, Frentzen 53, Coulthard 48, R. Schumacher 33, M. Schumacher32, Barrichello 23, Herbert 18, FisicheUa 13, Sato 10, Trulll/Hm 7, Wurz 4, Alesi/Olniz 3, Ponis 2, De la Rosa/Cene 1.

Why not see what it's all about for yourself? Attend a race meeting at your local club and talk to the drivers and crew. There are classes to suit

Finn landia: Little known fact - Finnish explorers settled Malaysia in 1299, leaving flags, vodka, sandals and No Fear shorts there for their descendants 700 years later.

Mika Hakkinen: That was

a tough race. Ispent most of it behind Michael Schumacher and whilst I

thought I could challenge him for the place I was unable to get past him. Part of the reason for this was that I had to

drive very cautiously as I didn’t want to get caught out by his inconsistent

driving patterns. He was lifting in high speed corners and fluctuating his speed so I had to be careful that I did not run into him. But it is not over

very open and anything can happen in Suzuka. We have the potential to

strong there.

win both titles as the car

yet, there is still Japan and I have every confidence that we will be

Ron Dennis (McLaren): David was doing a great

is good. Having Michael back is a big bonus. I

job, when he suffered a loss of fuel pressure, the

have finished 6th, 5th,

cause of which we are still

4th, 3rd and 2nd in

investigating.

Suzuka, so now I would

Of course it is difficult

like to fill the missing gap in the sequence."

to be competitive when your opposition is running

Michael Schumacher

the kind of strategy that hampers your own

result for both

Fastest Lap:Frentzen, Lap 53,1 m 40.63Is, 191.530 kph.

part of Australia’s fastest growing motor sport

me. We knew Mika was

again to build up my own gap, in case Hakkinen would only stop once.

going to stop twice, but I did begin to worry he might only be going for one as he left it very late. The championship is

championships. Ever since I joined the team, they have worked for me, so it was only right for me to give something back. Of course, it was my job

Drivers Championship points;

You’re invited to be

not think he could pass

I had no problem in letting Eddie pass as this was the best possible

engine spun off hydraulics

Constructors poinK' McLaren-Mercedes 120, Scuderia-Ferrari 102, Jordan-Mugen-Honda60, Stewart-Ford 4i, Wiiliams-Supertec 33, Benetton-Supertec 17, Prosl-Peugeol 9, Sauber-Petronos6, Minardi and Arrows 1.

pressure as he was quicker than me, but I did

which caused me to have too much understeer in the second stint.

broken driveshaft

Wiiliams-Supertec

Coulthard put me under

Today’s performance showed how strong the team is and how good the car. Once again, the strategy worked perfectly. David’s move caught me a bit by surprise. Maybe I lack experience after missing a few races! We touched and my car was slightly damaged,

55 laps 55 taps 52 laps

Wiiliams-Supertec Benetton-Supertec

sure I made no mistakes.

gap, and I did this in a fair

way. Then Ipushed hard

to drive a bit slower to allow Eddie to build a

performance. However,

Eddie Irvine is only four points ahead of Mika and much like last year, everything will be decided in the final race of the season.

Johnny Herbert: I’m a little disappointed not to have hung on to third place but it was a good result for the team.

I was trying hard to hold off Hakkinen but I

guess the new tyres he took on at his ‘splash and dash’ stop gave him the edge. It was a very solid effort. It was a tough race, hard on tyres and hard physically. 1 made only one mistake all weekend

and that was running wide and allowing Hakkinen to pass.

The Australian

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DL/a

22 October 1999

Japan race still on NASCAR trio Kim Jane, Terry

Wyhoon and Neville Lemce last week shipped their stock cars to Japan to participate in the

Coca-Cola 500 at the Twin Ring

Motegi complex on November 20.

Despite a nuclear accident at the nearby Tokaimura uranium pro-

cessing plant a fortnight ago - the worst

nuclear

mishap

since

-J

ution by removing some of the bar-

work - “Tom has also devised a new

handling package that should suit the slightly-banked speedway,” Wyhoon said.

Fellow NASCAR driver and for-

.By Mamn D Clar

auSCAR titleholder Marshall

J. Brewer is also making the trip, ^ rehef driver should one of

Aussie trio injure themselves, - GRANT NICHOLAS

gj. gg^ in.

after Martinsville LASCAR fined Tony Stewart

plus six or seven Japanese. Jane is taking his regular John

Sidney-built Chevrolet Monte Carlo

and cousin Rodney’s similar machine as a back-up vehicle, while

o Q

ninth Talladega victory on

October 17, starting 27th and holding off a hard-charging Dale Jarrett by 0.114 seconds after making the pass with four laps of 188 to nm. Jarrett’s second placing added 24

Childress team-mate Mike Skinner

- Ricky Rudd finished third, while

in the window shouting obscemties and throwing punches while Irwin

■ AJ Foyt’s new Conseco-spon-

have had a number of new safety items installed in them to meet the

was moving.

JEFF

Hendrick

Gordon

and

his

latest US regulations, which I feel is a good thing, plus we now have the roof flaps that are required on drivers are contesting the final

Earnhardt 4039, R Wallace 3677, W Burton 3507, Skinner 3491.

Motorsports team continued to impress the opposition with a fine win at Lowes Motor Speedway, Charlotte, on October 11, Gordon taking his seventh wn of the year and second in succession with new crew

chief Brian Whitesell in a fairly unevent

“It’ll be good racing, as the US

round of their series, so they will

not be being giving us an inch.” Wyhoon and Smith have modi-

fied their T-Bird’s chassis and

incorporated a new set-up.

Wyhoon explained that, as the

Japanese track is smoother than

the Thunderdome, they were able to improve the car’s weight distrib-

Post-race, Bodine, who was run-

had cooled off, Stewart replied: “I

engine builder Waddell Wilson as

When asked how he felt once he

felt stupid. One thing about me, I take eveiything that happens with auto racing, as far as my career

goes, very seriously. I’m hoping I

don’t lose any of the other drivers respect because of this” - the inci dent, which culminated in a 41st

position, ended a string of 19 finishes of 15th or better for the rookie, - MARTIN D CLARK

the lead lap and he finished seventh, running a

remaining, leading just 16 circuits in total. “I have to give a lot of credit to Brian

points off Jarrett’s lead.

steady race for points, while Labonte shaved 23

time win list at 49 victories.

Final result: Jeff Gordon (Chevy) 160.306

mph, B Labonte (Pontiac), Skinner (Chevy),

Runner-up Bobby Labonte was not too happy about the lapped traffic problem created by Chad Little and Bill Elliott that really affected his final laps. “We lost a second and half in traffic

at the end,” said Labonte, who led the

most laps (136). It definitely wasn’t one of the kindest things I’ve seen, but who knows what would have hap

(Ford), Jarrett (Ford), R Wallace (Ford) 333

laps, Lepage (Ford), Park (Chevy).

Pardners: Charlotte victory

again cailing the shots and Gordon once more singing his praises post-race.

Hut Stricklin, Dave Marcis,

that did not make the cut.

Jeff Burton, Wally Dallenbach, Elhott Sadler, Johnny Benson, Kyle Petty, Rich Bickle and Robert Pressley took available

that was pretty dirt pool,” said

provisional positions.

Skinner.

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for five more years on October 8, crew chief Jimmy Makar and head engine builder Mark Cronquist also putting pen to paper for the same term.

Gary Bradberry, Ed Berrier and Andy Hillenburg were the others

not happy being blocked by Gordon on pit road while leading - “I thought

(ACVt-

Scott Pruett - Richert will leave

Robert Yates Racing at season’s end, where he headed up Kenny

in four weeks for the veteran.

Mike Skinner, after looking like he would be runner-up, equalled his career-best finish in third, but was

iettAOtiAHOl

Motorsports team to be driven by

■ Darrell Waltrip did not make the Charlotte race, the third time

(Martin D Clark pic)

and sulk.”

OKtAiA

crew chief the new Cal Wells PPI

teams in competition next year, Mike Ciochetti being the second pilot.

crew chief Brian Whitesell

The world's largest single day sporting event.

■ Doug Richert will apparently

The team intend to enter two

Martinsviile success, new

Indianapolis 500

builder.

Yarborough team imder went a change in crew chief recently. Mark Tutor has departed, leav ing decisions to now be made by Garth Finley and Dan Glauz.

by Golden Gordon followed hard upon the heels of his

UIohI bftee the ted

Wooten as crew chief and

Wilson’s son Greg as engine

■ Driver Rick Mast’s Cale

- MDC

pened. Right now, I just want to go

Motorsports shop foreman Terry

Martin (Ford), W Burton (Pontiac), Mayfield

Whitesell and these guys,” Gordon said.

team manager, ex-Mattei

■ Bobby Labonte re-upped his

Gordon, 28, the first driver to win back to back,

inside turn 4 with just seven tours of 334

The team also includes veteran

.contract with Joe Gibbs Racing

was now tied with Wallace for tenth in the all-

Points leader Dale Jarrett was the last car on

Boat, or Scott Sharp.

Irwin’s efforts this year.

Mark Martin came home fourth after a bad

in fifth.

sored Winston Cup team will

field Pontiacs next year for a short list of drivers comprising

Johnny Benson, Rick Mast, Billy

final pit stop and an equalising tyre, with Ward Burton posting another strong Charlotte finish

ful, rain-delayed 500 miler. (Jordon passed under leader Bobby Labonte

Jeff offers a lot more than

ning in the top ten, was pulled away from Irwin - no fines were levied against Bodine.

nother for Gordon

#24 for the rest of my career.

completely rebuilt and updated by John Sidney,” said Jane. “The cars

Final positions: Earnhardt (Chevy), Jarrett (Ford), Rudd (Ford), W Burton (Pontiac), K

Jarrett, Jeff Gordon and Earnhardt all battling for the lead.

being behind the wheel of the

driving talent.

all tracks of 1.5 miles in length.

Labonte and, with four races left, he leads the pointscore by 246. The final 15 laps saw typical intense restrictor plate action,

points to his advantage over Bobby

son,” Gordon said. I am looking forward to

Pontiac and threw his shoe heat shield at Irwin’s car and then leant

Gordon came home twelfth. .

Wallace (Chevy), Stewart (Pontiac), Labonte (Pontiac), J Burton (Ford), Hamilton (Chevy), Irwin (Ford). Points standings: Jarrett 4602, B Labonte 4356, Martin 4283, Gordon 4168, Stewart 4159, J Burton 4063,

October 3 agamst Kenny Irwm. Irwin and Stewart had three on-

Rick (Hendrick) is a great businessman and a great per

in the wall courtesy of Irwin. Stewart abandoned his damaged

“Our Monte Carlos have been

With four laps to go, Earnhardt drafted past Jarrett with help from

$5,000 on October 6 for rule vio lation 12-4A, ‘actions detrimen tal to auto racing,’ relating to the incidents at Martinsville on .

career.

track incidents, Stewart and Brett Bodine ultimately getting planted

Tom Smith.

DALE Earnhardt claimed his

Evemham left

the organisation as Gordon’s

This is a great day for me it’s one of the greatest days of my career.” “This is a marketing experi ence,” said Hendrick.

Lance has two Ford Thunderbirds from Perth’s Bruce Peacock’s stable and Wyhoon his Thunderbird con structed by local race car builder

week after

Also signed was a contract

The Aussie contingent will be

ing pointscorers in this year’s US

equity partner in Hendrick Motorsports, less than a

to drive for Hendrick for the remainder of his racing

running against twenty of the leadWinston West NASCAR Series,

■ Jeff Gordon has become an

crew chief.

moters has assured everyone that Stewart in strife

Chernobyl in 1986 - the event pro there is no risk involved.

!A0,

1999 YiaNSTON CUP SERIES RESULTS

i Points to 26 Sept 1999

Talladega Superspeedway 17 October 1999 Ford

...

Ford

11. Rusty Wallace . 11. Jeff Gordon ...

Ford

13. Mike Skinner

4. Ward Burton ..

.. .Pontiac

14. Steve Park

...

.Chevrolet

S. Kenny Wallace 6. 5 Tony Stewart 7. Bobby Labonte

.Chevroiet

IS. Mark Martin

.Ford

.. .Pontiac

16. Jeremy Mayfield

.. .Pontiac

17. David Green

I. Dale Earnhardt

2. Dale Jarrett 3. Ricky Rudd

.Chevrolet

Ford

8. Jeff Burton .... 9. Bobby Hamilton

.Chevroiet

10. Kenny Irwin ...

Ford

.Chevrolet

I Dale Jarrett .. 2 Bobby Labonte 3 Mark Martin .,

.Ford

4 Jeff Gordon ... 5 Tony Stewart . 6 Jeff Burton ...

.Pontiac

7 Dale Earnhardt

18. Kevin Lepage . 19. Kyle Petty

.. .Ford

8 Rusty Wallace

.Pontiac

20. Bill Elliott

.. .Ford

9 Ward Burton . 10 Mike Skinner

.4602 .4356 .4283 .4168 .4159 .4063 .4039 .3677 .3507 .3491

22 October 1999

ANDRA flumps ARDC claims u

CAMS won’t accept safety compromises, why should we has swiftly Dec 4 “championship drag General

ANDRA

Manager Chris

responded to claims by

racing vehicle” event due

Hones said the organisation

the ARDC’s that sanction

to ulterior motives.

ing is being withheld on Eastern Creek’s proposed

In a release issued to the media on October 6, ARDC

been “trying for some time to get ANDRA’s approval for higher level drag meets” but

Pro Stock changes New body & engine rules for2001/2002 PRO Stock will be

C/Altered class) is to be

powering into the new

scrapped and replaced

mRlenniuLm with a

with a set maximum

fresh look following major changes passed at a meeting of the Pro Stock Drag Racing Australia group in Brisbane a fortnight

engine size of 400 ci and minhmun weight, includ ing driver, of 2,300 lbs. Performances are expect ed to drop to mid-low seven second times, with speeds topping 180 mph. 'The engine ruling is similar to that proposed by Pro Stock Champion Peter Ridgeway in 1993, the only difference to Ridgeway’s submission being the weight, Ridgeway proposing 2,200

ago.

A meeting of over 20 team owners and drivers, along with ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton and Willowbank promoter Dennis Syrmis, at the Parkroyal Hotel passed resolutions which will see

the class change engine and body rules, beginning with the 2001/2002 season, in the most dramatic rule

changes ever undertaken by the class. The major issues raised were how to speed up the performance levels of the class and the desirability for more Australian-bod ied vehicles in the class both areas considered

vitally important in the quest for greater media, sponsor and race fan

lb minimum. PSDRA President John

O’Keamey was delighted with the outcome of the

meeting. “It was great to have almost everybody involved in Pro Stock in

one room for two days and talk through these issues,” he said. “We found out what the

Both points generated extensive, positive discus sions with the following

regulations passed almost unanimously: - From the start of the

2001-2002 championship

now be submitted to ANDRA for its official

problems will be encoun tered.

WHILE the PSDRA

have been working hard towards unify its approach to racing in the future, President John O’Keamey has also been out signing sponsors for the com ing season. Performance Springs, Gonzo Pipes, Performance Wholesale, Heavy Duty Carpets and Primus have aU posted various awards while

travel company Travelaire Tours has put its name to the new Travelaire Tours

Challenge. Riuming along the lines

want isn’t far removed

Challenge, each of the qualified racers at each

racers will have confi dence and a definite direction to move towards for the future.”

Thornton responded immedi ately by saying the comments

although he was yet to be approached officially.

were unfounded and ANDRA

had been anxious to support a higher level of racing at Eastern Creek since early 1998.

“Considering the major con cession we’ve already reached in accepting competition we

PSDRA, it is expected no

of the Winston No Bull

Arnold told Motorsport News on Monday that he would consider issuing a

between serious drag racing vehicles over an eighth mile,

approval, although with such support from the

promoters and ANDRA from where we want to go. “These changes need to be approved by ANDRA as soon as possible so the

awareness/attention.

The class changes will

“that approval had not been forthcoming, apparently because of the 'proposal for a dedicated drag racing track, But ANDRA CEO Tony

are

stunned

such

claims,” Thornton said.

“We require that the racing surface be prepared consis tently for its full length for safety reasons, that’s all, yet

the ARDC seem unwilling to

accept a standard safety procedunre for the running of the level of vehicles that wish to run.

“These days motor racing circuits are designed around the cars and bikes that use

them and, at most levels, the

quality of surface is para mount.

“In fact, that’s the problem at Eastern Creek; other activi

ties and CAMS will accept no compromise whatsoever... we don’t see why drag racing in Sydney should accept any thing less than it does in other Australian capital cities. With a conservative esti

mate of investment in racing vehicles in Sydney alone of more than $20 million, Thornton is disappointed with

roimd of the Pro Stock Series will have their

Motley crew: The PSDRA group’s recent Brisbane gathering moved some dramatic changes for the class, (lain -momson)

season all new Pro Stock cars must be four door

coupes marketed by either Ford or Holden in

Australia. Existing American bodied cars will be able to continue in the

“I haven’t been formally asked to issue any permit for the event although if I were to be approached I would have to give it considera tion,” Arnold said. “It’s a difficult situation

but I find it disturbing to find racers suffering due to a lack of racing and I just wish a compromise could reached,” he said.

Arnold said he had been

approached by what he termed were “two to three

percent of the licence holders in the state” concerned with

no racing at Eastern Creek. He said he believed that

treating a drag racing sur face with traction compound

offered no comment as to

whether he considered using special, soft compound tyres in circuit racing was cheat ing... Arnold has had no formal

experience with drag racing in the past although he knew people involved in the sport in Brisbane over 10 years ago.

would be accommodated when

“They fined Craig Lowndes for doing a donut at Bathurst a couple of years ago, but they issue a permit for him

the facility was leased and

to do the same at Eastern

we’ve been let down...”

Creek recently,” he said. “I wish people knew that CAMS issued the permit they .could have rung them instead of us to complain about people exposing them selves on the tops of their

assured that drag racing

ceed.

class subject to a ten year model age rule. - The current 6.5 poxmds per cubic inch weight break currently used (sim

a major function at the All Seasons International

Hotel in Bendigo on October 9.

Sixty guests, including ANDRA CEO Tony 'Thornton, were present for the night. “We have a tremendous

ly committed gi-oup of peo ple who have stuck to the task and stayed focused on our philosophy - that’s the reason behind our success,”

Kirby told the gathering. ■ Melbourne Super is expected to debut bis Jeny Haas-buOt ’97

Thornton’s humour.

the

championship in style with

cheating” and he was sur prised that it was considered even more so a safety aspect of the sport. On the other side, he

facilities and events at Eastern Creek. We were

Pennzoil-backed racer’s

Stock racer Bruno Cavallo

ment was made because of the

continuation

■ Austrahan Top Fuel Champion Robin Kirby (above), his team, sponsors and guests celebrated the

was “unnatural - a form of

Eastern Creek problem. “A major part of that invest

ANDRA supported the ARDC on the development of a separate dragstrip at Eastern Creek last year but due to budgetary constraints, the ARDC chose not to pro

sedans or two door

permit for the Dec 4 event

CAMS currently issues permits for the Eastern Creek “drag racing burnout” events which began at the venue last month, much to

the

names put into a draw and, if the racer’s name who is drawn goes on to win the event, they will receive a $500 bonus.

CAMS’ state director Jeff

cars after the burnouts...”

Pontiac Trans Am before Chiistmas.

Having been updated by Wayne Rowe, the Pontiac is currently in the stages of final assembly with Cavallo negotiating with potential sponsors before finalising the car’s paint scheme. ■ Willowbank will soon

be extending its cona-ete launch pads with the cur rent plan calling for the adding of an extra 100 feet, depending on weather, just after the New Year Series. 'The track’s future inten tions is to later take con

crete all the way out to the half track mark. ■ Former NHRA nation

al event winner Gaiy

Clapshaw is close to returning to Funny Car competition after an abscence of two years, with the purchase of chassis-build ing guru Steve Plueger’s Pontiac flopper.

Unit 3/13 Tradelink Road Browns Plains QI^II^mII

ilar to the NHRA’s

RAGAR

The Kiwi has ianded By GERALD McDORNAN

KIWI Mike Nola has flown the New Zealand

drag racing scene and landed

in Melbourne,

plete with a 632 cubic inch,

able to run consistent 6.7s.”

nitrous-injected Pontiac engine, Nola having run a best of 7.1s/192 mph on New Zealand’s bumpy Champion

“We ran Top Doorslammer back home, but ANDRA’s rules won’t allow our car into the Aussie doorslammer

Dragway.

class,

we’ll

run

looking to impress in his

and we’re looking forward to

Competition Eliminator’s AA/Altered Production,” he

debut Aussie season this

getting on a nice smooth

said.

track and seeing what we’re

Nola said the team would

capable of,” Nola said last

consider a change to a legal ANDRA doorslammer body if the performance warranted it.

summer.

Nola, who has made the permanent

move

“We’ve come here to race

week.

and crew chief John Sadler,

“We’ve always been seri ous drag racers but it’s a lit

has brought with him his ’96

tle hard to race at the level

Nola will make his Australian debut at Calder

we wish to back home.

Park’s test and tune^racket

Melbourne with his family Pontiac Trans Am, built for

Nola by US chassis builder, Jerry Bickle. The Pontiac comes com-

“We think, on a well pre

pared track like you have here in Australia, we should be

meeting this Sunday prior to making his national open

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debut next month.

136

JIIVI

22 October 1999

Launching a New Career A ;

r '(Mti

Blast off: A ride at nearly 300 mph still thrills Jim Read, despite having driven Top Fuel cars for nearly 20 years.

Close knit; Read’s team is a loyal, close knit family - every member with their eyes on the same goal. (Photos by John sosher) has ever driven one of these things ever loses that desire to go down

JR: Yes, very disappointed. Ithink

the racetrack.

the early 90s...

my greatest opportunities came in

But, right now, Fm as keen as ever and I can’t

wait to get back in my car. And, while that urge is there, why give anyone else my toy? Graeme Cowin stopped because he wanted his boys, Andrew and John, to go down the track, much like Charlie [DiFilippo] has done with Darren. A

Jim Read. He’s always had plenty to say. And why not? He’s earned it. He’s Australia’s greatest ever drag racer and he’s never, ever had a problem in putting his money where his mouth is. GERALD McDORNAN caught up with Read on the eve of his “new” career with sponsor Gregory’s Automotive Publications. Read talks about his

future, his past and drag racing’s future in Sydney... MOTORSPORT NEWS; With a

new sponsor in Gregory’s

We’ve also done some

but we want to come out firing this

cause we weren’t getting anywhere - we’d get the same answers, “you’re not running in Sydney” and “you’re Winfield Jim Read”. That was hard to get over... Fred Gibson and myself were talking recently and we both agreed we should have run the cars after the government legislation came in with the

year.

lightening bolt on the car, like they

We’ve got a brand new clutch system in the car and we’ve also got a hold of the tyres that Goodyear says we can’t get here... we’ve bought some from the US

do oversees.

modifications to the car, moved the

Automotive Publications and the

engine up a little in the chassis so

schedule of running the full Australian Top Fuel Championship Series, the

we’re going to attack it from another angle.

1999/2000 season looks as

though it’s going to be the rebirth of Jim Read, Australia’s drag racing legend... JIM READ: I certainly hope so... I don’t think I’ve ever been as keen

to go racing as what I am right now. We’ve got rid of the cigarette era and we’ve got a new lease of life and the boys are certainly keen so we’re really looking forward to racing this year. MN: What’s the plan of attack with Gregory’s? JR: We’re going to attack the series absolutely full bore. The car

We were quite happy with what happened at the Winternationais, running 5.0s in conditions that the yanks said was too cold to run in,

and flown them in ourselves.

So, everything’s looking good and we’re getting serious.

But, thankfully, Gregory’s recognised what benefit the sport offered for their products, what I can do for them and what we’re

trying to do with the Western Sydney Motorplex and they’ve committed to that.

But, right now. I’m as keen as ever and I can’t wait to get back in my car. And, while that urge is

there, why give anyone else my toy?

a lot more enthusiasm about

driving the car whereas I think my boys are quite happy with me driving. They keep saying “we’ll get a turn,” but they really haven’t

shown the initiative about getting in the seat as yet.

years.

Right then they gave me a

whole bunch of extra money to was to have done what Graeme is

doing - go to the US, buy all the equipment, race it there. Ispent that money keeping the series alive, but what else do you do...

My day is gone overseas and I wish I had’ve done more in the 80s

chasing a ride over there...

MN: Was top qualifying at the NHRA Winternationais at

Pomona in your only racing

like Don Garlits’ children trying

appearance in the US back in

to get him out of the seat as you are the “king” of drag racing in Australia?

JR: I know that I could get as big a thrill out of sending the car down the track, although I’d probably be like Graeme - a nervous wreck!

When you’re in the car, you don’t realise the wall’s going by you at 300 miles per hour, you don’t comprehend the speed. What you do comprehend, though, is one believable buzz from going down the track...

MN: With the buzz of the run in

mind, your love of driving and, while talking about the Cowins

new sign writing - bigger and

the Rothmans company? JR: The boys will tell you that I’d

you to go racing again?

bolder...

almost given up and walked away

JR: I don’t believe that anyone who

and top qualified at your only

association with Winfield and

the Nationals on and off for 25

MN: Is that because it would be

America? You went there for the NHRA Winternationais In 1982

is fresh, it looks different to what it did at the Winternationais, it’s all

the midst of getting the Winfield Series up and running - Winfield had no alternative to cut the money to the sport as they’d sponsored

further my own career and the idea

MN: Your sons, Phillip and Bruce, would be ready to step up at anytime, wouidn’t they? JR: Graeme Cowin’s boys showed

MN: So, even though you’re nearly 56, you’ve got a new sponsor and things are looking good with the track... how much enthusiasm can that inject into

MN: Was it hard convincing someone to back Jim Read, especially after such a long

When the Nationals were first allocated to Calder and we were in

1982 one of the absoiute

highiights of your career? JR: For sure, it ranks up there as one of my greatest memories. The Winternationais was one of

the three major highlights of my career.

Probably one of the ones that sticks in my mind was my first ever Top Fuel title driving my Junior Fueller [a non-supercharged car] back in 1970... we beat them all by just going down the track. But winning Top Fuel and Funny Car at the Nationals in

Adelaide in 1976 was probably the biggest buzz. It was just something that will never happen again...

and their recent success in the

No one has ever done that

US, are you disappointed with not having done more racing in

anywhere else in the world and

race...

probably never will. Only John Force could, although the rules

have now changed. All the Top Fuel guys in America need to pay him money not to go Top Fuel racing!

22 October 1999

Also winning the last Winfield

Decision

race at Willowbank in December

1995, I’ve got to put that in there amongst them...

MN: When you do finally retire,

onWSM

would you look at the Winfield

Series as one of the greatest things you could ever do for the sport? JR: You don’t ever want to sound

as though you’re patting yourself

cioser

on the back but yes, it was. It’s ironic that one of the main

players in restructuring of drag racing was Larry Ormsby. Love

and the racers reach a level that

JIM Read's dream of building a purpose built drag racing facili ty is getting closer to a ruling from the New South Wales gov ernment following a meeting between Read, publisher David

the sport have never seen before not only on the track, but off it with

Director

him or hate him Larry was

instrumental in a lot of things we did. We both had the dream of

seeing the sport reach a level and staying there and I think we did a

fairly good job in helping the sport

Cook, ANDRA and the NSW

The unfortunate thing that we underestimated was that the

sport at the time would have had a

lot of trouble passing school exams, let alone running a professional sport. It was sad to see us give them a couple of years head start, and them never doing anything about it. They never exploited the opportunities that we presented to them.

Can you image Tony Cochrane [Chairman of V8 Supercar’s AVESCO] seeing that start we had given them and then dropping it? He saw the potential of the Tourers and picked up the ball and ran with it. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of respect for the way the sport has been managed by the so-called professionals... MN: Would that then rank as a

Heading in the right direction: Jim Read feels reborn. heading into his first full season with new sponsor. Gregorys. The 14-time Australian Champion has his sights set on another title. (Photos by John Bosher/GeraldMcOoma n) JR: Excellent at the moment. I

Manager] has

couldn’t be more happy with the thoroughness and professional approach that’s been made by the

come out with

comments in

and the Premier’s Department. Iwas astounded in a meeting yesterday about how much knowledge they have about what is required and how they understand that this facility needs to happen.

the newspapers

At the same time, we have to

understand the problems governments run into when a facility like this comes along in regards to planning and the public... Sometimes the average person doesn’t understand the massive

career?

financial boost that this sport. along with all motor racing, gives the economy, especially out in Sydney’s western region. This track won’t just benefit

JR: Yes, yes, yes. The sport, at the expertise to exploit the foundations we laid with the Winfield Pro Series. ((

We underestimated that the people in charge of the sport at the itme would have had a lot of trouble passing school exams...

Ibelieve it was just a boom era that everyone loved. Everyone was keen and united...

It’s a pretty piss-poor effort that the promoters can’t even, collectively, come up with things like a series champion’s jacket, like we had. It was a goal for the

racers, recognition and it only costs a couple of hundred dollars a jacket.

One of the simple thoughts that goes a long way in the big picture of the sport. I must say, the racers have contributed to the success of the

sport and the levels it has reached but, unfortunately, it’s all been a one-way street.

MN: Locking to the future and with the troubies of the past in mind, the Western Sydney

Motorplex must be the ultimate legacy you’ll ever want to leave behind?

JR: Bottom line, that’s what it’s for - the positive future of the sport. As far as I’m concerned we have to establish a non-commercial

some

outrageous

Director General and his assistant

major disappointment to your

time, didn’t have the business

- ANDRA has been blamed for

all their [the ARDC’s drag racing] problems and it’s a smear

campaign started against ANDRA.

What he

[Hones] fails to tell everyone is that CAMS introduced the rule that created

the prohibitive cost [of track washing prior to running circuit racing events]. It was never a

annum that ANDRA consen/atively

drag racing ruling... Everyone wants to get the cash cow and bleed it dry, then say “it doesn’t make any money.” You probably wouldn’t put circuit racing on if you wanted to earn a feed - you only have to look at Queensland Raceway for proof

estimates ...

of that!

The industry is in the throws of being crippled and it will be

Stop and have a look at it. They’ve [the ARDC] only got one major motor racing event that happens at Eastern Creek each year now - the V8 Supercars run just once, they got rid of the Super

Sydney, though, it will benefit the whole of Australia. There is a

massive industry associated with the sport - probably worth a lot

more than the $140 million per

crippled if a positive decision doesn’t happen in Sydney. Drag racing will die - the professional competitors can’t keep competing without sponsors and sponsors won’t happen without Sydney. MN: Eastern Creek. The track

was virtually silent for 18 months but with the new track

looking hopeful, they’ve put forward a proposal to run an

eighth mile meeting on a mostly unprepared track...

Tourers...

So, for the other 364 days of the year we’re not allowed to have anything else in case the V8 boys want to come back. How ridiculous is that?

When the Olympics come, everyone can run in the new stadium except Cathy Freeman, who we’re going to make run down

JR: We believe they’ve suddenly realised “if these guys build a drag

Parramatta Road. Same thing.

strip over there and we can’t make any money out of our own meets,

Government saying to the AFL, “you guys can only play five games in Melbourne this year”...

how are we going to pay our rent ’cause we’re paying our rent

It’s also like the Victorian

The Director General of the

making our money out of their

Premier’s Department yesterday

street meets.” There is also an indication that

conceded that this venue must

the property, the amenities and to

the Sports Minister, fearing there

is a need.

make everyone’s life a little more comfortable - so the sport can kick on and let it complete the final link between all the capital cities once and for all. It could only succeed,

would be an uprising from the drag racers, has stuck his nose in and

For some unknown reason, there is other forces in there

said “get your act together and start running drag racing otherwise we’re going to have to build a track

decision.

complex in Sydney where its profits are used to further develop

never fail...

across the road”. That’s what we

think’s happened.

MN: How is the progress going?

and

the

Premier's Department last Friday, October 15.

media and sponsor interest.

people who were in charge of the

General

Chris Hones [ARDC General

happen and he can see that there

interfering and prolonging a proper But I think we’re finally going to reach that proper decision and we’re so confident that it’s finally going to go our way...

In a press statement issued last weekend. Read said the Premier's

Department had requested a tight ly structured costing of the venue, which the non-commercial Western

Sydney Motorplex organisation, led by Read and Cook, will submit tomorrow (Friday). The Premier’s Department have

said the costings will enable them to find a solution to the pressing problem of the lack of champi onship drag racing in Sydney. Once submitted, the costings will also allow the government to com mit to a firm date when a decision will be announced.

"We're feeling very heartened by the discussions today," Read said. "We came away from the meeting feeling very positive about the future of drag racing in New South Wales and Australia. The very thorough investigations by the Premier's Department indicates their commitment to finding the best answer to meet the needs of

the sport of drag racing." NSW Labor Party member Tony Beuk, who has acted as a liaison

between the Western Sydney Motorplex and the government said he believed the meeting made a sig nificant step towards a resolution to "what has been a long drawn out process."

22 October 1999

■ Funny Car pilots Frank Pedregon and Gary Densham were

lucky to escape injury when Pedregon’s Penthouse flopper ran into the side of Densham’s car at half

track during qualifying in Memphis. Pedregon’s car hit the half-track timers at

250mph before crossing into Densham’s lane and

contacting the NEC Pontiac, sending it side ways down the race track.

“It was like bumper cars out there,” Densham said. “He

stayed on it a bit too

long because he was def initely under power

Steve Harker makes NHRA final Aussie sees Elvis in Memphis and only an Ace could beat him LIKE his fellow countryman Andrew Cowin at Indy just five weeks previously, Australia’s Steve Harker almost provided the upset of the year when he ran alcohol Funny Car champion Frank “the Ace” Manzo right to the line in the final round of the NHRA AutoZone Nationals in

Memphis, Tennessee last week. Harker, making just his second national event appearance in the US with his new Dodge Avenger, ran his quickest ever run - a 5.71/249 against Manzo, but he couldn’t head

when he hit me -1 felt it

back the veteran’s holeshot-aided 5.69/253.

big time.” Pedregon immediately accepted the blame. “It was a last-ditch qualify ing effort,” he said. “And I stayed in it a lot longer

The event provided two major highlights for Australians with Harker’s final round effort being joined by David Grubnic’s top quali fying 4.570 in Top Fuel.

than I should have...” ■ Two crewmen were

injured when the engine in Gene Snow’s injected nitro dragster suffered a major engine hydraulic in the pits in Memphis last week.

Witnesses say that large pieces of the cylin der heads and block were

missing following the explosion, with the noise being heard inside the control tower a quartermile away.

Grubnic’s run of luck at the weath er-effected event came to an end in the

first round when he smoked the tyres against the 16th qualifier, Joe Amato, although wiimer Doug Herbert didn’t let tyre smoke get in the way of his third win in three, weeks.

Herbert stopped Jim Head in the

final, 5.63/261 to 6.24/279, winning in a tyre smoking, pedalhng dual. ; After starting the season strongly but then suffering through seven round one losses, Herbert has now posted eight straight roimd wins on

the NHRA tour, having also taken a win at Rockingham on the IHRA tour the week prior.

The crew were trans

The win moved Herbert into fourth

ported to a local hospital,

in the points and just 55 out of the lead with three races remaining. Head had a Httle luck in the semis, soloing through to the final when Kenny Bernstein couldn’t return after crashing the Bud King car against points leader Tony

although no details have yet been released.

Schumacher.

While Schumacher’s Exide dragster went up in smoke in the semis, Bernstein streaked to a 4.65/300 win

but as the Bud King went through the fights, the right rear tyre blew, ripping the wing off, unloading the car and sending it backwards into the wall. The car rolled and slid down the ■ The NHRA have mandated the immediate use of blower restraints

driver’s compartment. The chassis stayed intact and Bernstein emerged from the wreck age uninjured, but KB and team

were through for the day.

The tight point battle in Top Fuel

moves to Dallas with Schumacher still in the lead.

Mike Dunn, who led the standings until Maple Grove, saw his title hopes all ljut vanish with a DNQ in Memphis - the Mopar dragster out of the show at a 17th best of 4.79s.

In Funny Car Tommy Johnson took the Interstate Batteries Pontiac

to its second win in three straight final round appearances, taking out Tony Pedregon and the Castrol Syntec Mustang in the final round, 4.99/300 to 5.91/176.

Oil: Wes Cerny put the charge into Tommy Johnson’s Funny Car, earning him his second win in three events. Although not in

and crossed the finish fine in flames.

The onboard fire equipment did its job and Pedregon got the car stopped safe ly before emerging unhurt.

contention for the title, the

Mike Edwards took the Dewco

Interstate team, which is expect¬

Camaro to its second win in a row, defeating Richie Stevens in the Pro Stock final round on a holeshot,

ed to run two cars in 2000, is

showing its wares for next year.

6.97/197 to 6.93/197.

(Photos by David Ostaszewski/ Gerald McDornan)

The number two qualifier at 6.931, Edwards used his skills as one of the

best leavers in the game to take 6.96/197, 6.96/197 and 6.93/198 wins

over Jim Yates, Tony Gillig and Jeg Coughlin before squaring off with

Stevens.

Warren Johnson, the low qualifier at 6.91 was out in round one, losing to the Mopar of former NBA basketbailer Larry Nance. Angelle Seeling, rumoured to be heading to John Force’s camp next year, regained the lead in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points with a final round win over Star Racing team mate, Fred Collis. Collis, who rides for the team on the IDBA tour, was used as a blocker

for Seeling and performed the job admirably, taking out previous points leader Matt Hines in the semis with an unreal .401 reaction time - 7.345 to 7.348.

shut down area, flames engulfing the

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

wMf whBm^mhen and wtth who? \ ' THl silly season has hit with a pas-

best positions iprior to the beginning

Johnson'SJeam for next year,

Oel'-Worsham recently ;announced his intentions of going I’to a two car team next year - n®

will be bringing a naming, rights

'®

sponsbr with, him, relegating! a pos^ major associate;

Fennzoilv having notified !idaig))4

Ialthough young Del dropped a ) bombshell with the announcement

- JHillKofi its iintentionsfl cease their. 7"

!that OS Nationals winner Frank ' Pedregon would wheel the team’s

ilongHtime arrangements, are now ■' reported to ibe considering a deali

! second car.

Pedregoffs Surprise imove left ;veteran team Owner 4im Dunn; who

driver although the “Fireman” quicks 'team owner/driver Al Hofmann

with fop Fuel runners Mike Ibunhn

and Darrell Gwynn the Gwynn, team having lost its long-time spon- -.j ■I

sors Mopar.

{

Adding fuel! to the fire here is the !

fact thatDunn is believedJO be i quite ready to jump Ship if a Spoh^ j sor for can’t be found: arld ihis name ;

is being bandied about> as a ipoten- ]

tial driver for both Joe Gibbs and' . ;

Dean Skuza's teams with both’

Hofmann was quite happy to

!jump ship into a paid ride with Dunn ;but now has a seat vacant with his ;own team for which he, apparently, 'wants to continue on with.

Skuza and Gibbs expected to-

expand their Funny Car operations J to two car outfits.

- j

' John, Force's announcement

Irently driving! for fom'Hoovbr’s

about running a third) car with a j female driver in 2000, as predicted: -j

ihaving driven for Hofmann; hwo Sea»

be ’ready to make their plans public' i

:sons ago when the Floridian; was ;recovering from injuries he suffered

-P»MOBiRIS 1

Rumours have Cory Lee, .cur^

develop a minimum spec

although if s'rumoure,d that Satver^

isurprises there with the “stepping) ' ' si^le deaf with Fennzollrto thattof' a -'

f up” of sponsor GSK Auto 3

■ily filled the void! by signing Current

has also asked the SFI to

firming his Funny Car ride with Alan

’ of the 2000 season.

!year as major sponsori without a

capable of restraining components such as head studs, spark plugs and push rods in the event of a major engine explosion. The sanctioning body

in a massive accident in Gainsville. Former Top Fuel racer Bruce Sarver is also getting closer to con-

Sion in the NHRA as teams, crew chiefs and drivers all jostle for the

recently announced that legendary :hot rodding company Mooneyes ■ would be rejoining his team next

Car which also cover the valve covers and are

in Motorsport News in' August, is - | IPioneer operation, ready to take also believed; to be getting! Closer i some cash across to the cashr istrapped Hofmarin operation, kee -' - with Fordi and Castrol expeeted^ito :

for the restraints which

the 2000 season.

back in contention for the Top Fuel Championship.

Pedi’egon got out of the groove, ped alled the throttle and got the cai' head ed straight again, but lost the motor

in Top Fuel and Funny

all restraints needing to be up to the required spec for the beginning of

Giving it the Herbs: Doug Herbert made it three for three in Memphis and is now

Now we’re truckin’: Aussie trucking magnate Steve Harker made an NHRA final at only his second attempt. (Photo by Dave Kommel/Auto-lmagery)

within the next few weeks.

1999 WINSTON DRAG RACING SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS AT OCTOBER 3, 1 999

IK IJ iir

1999 Winston Pro Stock Championship

1999 Winston Top Fuel Championship 1221 1. Tony Schumacher

John Force

1739

Warren Johnson

1201

2. Tony Pedregon

1444

Kurt Johnson

1332

3. Gary Sceizi 4. Doug Herbert

,1155

Whit Bazemore

1266

3. Jeg Coughlin

,1236

1146

4. Frank Pedregon

,930

Jim Yates

,1087

Kenny Bernstein ..

1123

Dean Skuza

,858

Richie Stevens

1004

Mike Dunn

1097

Del Worsham ...

,855

Mike Edwards

.953

1086

7. Jim Epier

,758

Mark Pawuk

,866

1028

8. Troy Coughlin

.866

1010

8. Ron Capps 9. Cory Lee

.748 .737

Allen Johnson

.800

,991

10. Scotty Cannon

,708

lO.Greg Anderson

,743

Joe Amato

7. Doug Kalitta 8. Cory McClenathan 9. Larry Dixon 10. Bob Vandergriff ....

1999 Winston Funny Car Championship

1512

22 October 1999 Podium: Andrew Cleave and Dave Power

Champ Bnaier and lawren€e ioin fanes

finished a happy third on their

potent new combination.

FOLLOWING weeks of discus

sion,

former Queensland Sprintcar driver Barry Lawrence, along with triple Australian Sprintcar Champion Garry Brazier and his father, Steve, has announced the for mation of the Lawrence/Brazier

GLENN O’Brien and Jeff Gittus

convincingly took out the final of round one of the Clean Team

Sidecar Super Prix at Western Auto Raceway, Bacchus Marsh, on October 16. The final could have been called

the Interstate Challenge, as the line-up included outfits from across Australia, Glenn O’Brien/Jeff Gittus (WA), Andrew Cleave/Dave Power (VIC) and Darrin Treloar/

Alan Griffiths (NSW) all sharing top points after the series of quali fying heats, with Vic Martin/Rob Thiselton (QLD) next - Dion Lynd/Scott Males (TAS) made the A-Final after winning the B. Starting from pole position, O’Brien launched into the lead as

Cleave/Power were not unhappy with third, as they were still devel oping a brand-new trike. , Similarly, Lynd/Males were ecstatic, as it was their first time

together, as well as on a new bike. For O’Brien and the 44 yeeu*-old

Gittus, theirs was a fairly new pair ing also, but a highly successful one.

The

teams

now

travel

Queensland, then back to Murray Bridge over the next two weekends. The highly rated Garry Moon/ Chris Hughes outfit unfortunately blew an engine in the opening heat and had to use borrowed equipment

Racing Team. Lawrence, the driving force behind the amalgamation, was “over the moon” that he and Brazier had been able to come to terms for a full-scale assault on

Australia’s Sprintcar racing scene. Lawrence will purchase the entire Brazier racing stable including engines, frames and spares - and is currently negotiat ing to have a transporter ready for the new team’s first showing at Charlton Speedway’s running of the Queensland Sprintcar Summer Shoot-out on October 23.

“I want to support Bill Mann [the

from then on.

mastermind

The surprise package on the night was the yovmg Mildura pair ing of Jaydon Mase/Jayben

Queensland-based series] and the QSSS as best I can, as I can see the series going from strength to strength over the following years,” Lawrence explained. Queensland-based Capalabar

Cleave, Martin and Treloar fought over second, until Lynd swept around the outside of the opening turns to be into second place as they thundered down the back straight. Sadly, Treloar suffered problems on the last lap and had to push the

while heats fell to O’Brien (3), Cleave (2), Treloar (2), Martin (2),

trike across the line while the tro

Lynd, Plaisted and Chris Pym/

phy presentations were in progress for some valuable series points.

Dean Edwards. -BRETT SWANSON

Underhill, the outfit a late inclu

behind

the

sion which impressed with some good results against the big names in the sport.

Auto Wreckers and House of Auto

Justin Plaisted/Sam Harrison

Styling will provide sponsorship

won the non-progressive C-Final,

'Dream debut: Tasmanians Dion 4yn:di (left)

and Scott Males were thrilled' wifhL'fHeir runner-up status, as itwas a n@vvi outfit and the flFst tiMe:*

they’d teamed aJogether.

support.

Wright takes Devils Bowl Outlaws prelim THE birthplace of the Outlaws, Devils Bowl Speedway, Texas, hosted the Winter Nationals

preliminary race last Friday and it was local veteran Gary Wright who topped the sheets after leading all 20 laps of the preliminary feature. Lasoski closed the points gap once again by finishing second, with Mark Kinser third.

Tatnell’s luck didn’t improve when he only managed 22nd place. §

The following night’s final pro

gram was postponed until Sunday

afternoon due to rain.

Bradford Memorial one-two for Jamie JAMIE Maiolo took out a double feature at Claremont last week

end, the WA young gun just too good in round one of the threeround Ian “Bonza” Bradford

Memorial Sprintcar Triple Challenge.

In the first 15-lap feature, Maiolo

recorded the win over Gavin Migro

and Ron Krikke, while in the sec ond he went on to win from Krikke

and Migro - Maiolo has 60 points after round one, while Krikke and Migro are equal on 54 points.

Aylett holds out champ Townsend in TAS Supers THE Super Sedan attrition rate was high at Cascade

Apple Isle Raceway on October 16, but Kemble Aylett held out Tasmanian champion Phil Townsend to win the season

opening Southern Cross Back to the Track Attack. At the start of the 20-lap final,

Aylett led away from Townsend, Craig Lockwood and Grant Russell.

About five laps from home, Townsend started putting in some

big laps in hot pursuit of Aylett. Two laps later, as Aylett went to

lap Barry Radford, he hesitated and Townsend was right on his tail - but Aylett made his Camaro as wide as possible, Townsend try

ing every trick in the book to make the passing move.

Aylett took the flag, ahead of a desperate Townsend and Chris Lockwood.

-ALLAN ROARK

-BRETT SWANSON

S.O.S. RACEPARTS ■ Pro Shocks ■ All titanium parts Mail order available - all credit cards accepted

Ph” 02 4332 8755

Fax: 02 4385 8395

Mobile: 0411 470 712

21 Sanctuary Place, Bateau Bay, NSW 2261

Danny defends Fall Nats title FALL NATIONALS: Danny “The Dude” Lasosla nai’rowed the) points margin to Peimzoil Woi’ld of Outlaws series leader Mark KInser when he successfully defended his Fall Nationals title at, Battlegi’ound Speedway in Highland, Texas. Lasoski, the second-fastest qualifier, started from position three and ; fought out a battle with polesitter Andy Hillenburg before recording a i comfortable win in the 30-lap event. Kinser pressured Hillenburg. who held on for second. Brooke Tatnell's night started well after winning a -heat and making i the dash, but it turned into a tough night and he ran 22nd -4it wasn’t as i tough, though, as Jac Haudenschild’s, a piece of debris breaking his aimi. - BRETT SWANSON on the final lap and ending his season.

US Late Model Tour DRIVERS and dates have been

confirmed for the upcoming American Independence Late Model tour of the West Coast, with the first two roimds of the

five round series being run at Perth’s Claremont Speedway on November 5 and November 12 -

the tour then heads to Bunbury the following night, November 13. Manjimup Speedway, with sup port from the local Government authorities, has secured round four on November 20 and the last round will be contested at Claremont on November 26.

positions - Rody Shroyer has also been a past Oachea track champion and is currently leading this year’s track championship pointscore. Todd Shroyer is a multiple fea ture race winner and is in the best

form of his career after his good performance in the recent World 100, where over 238 cars attended the meeting. All three drivers will be bring their own latest technology, state of the art American Late Models to

make sure they will have the best possible chance of beating the West Aussies.

At the conclusion of the tour, all

At this stage, there are negotia

cars and parts, including a brand-

tions going on between the Late Models and Geraldton Speedway to run a special team show in Geraldton during the American’s West Australian stay.

new fourth car built by Ron Miller Racecars, will be for sale.

Ron Miller from Ron Miller

American team to Perth and he will

Simon McNabb from Late Model

Racing Australia has put in a lot of time and effort to bring the

Racecars heads the tour and will

manage the team while in Western

bring a wealth of experience to WA,

Australia - the Americans will

both on and off the track - Miller

utilise McNabb’s large automotive workshop in Malaga.

has been an Oachea track champi on, won numerous championships and feature races and owns a very successful race car shop. Red-hot stars Rody and brother Todd Shroyer will fill the other two

Each round of the series will be

worth

around

$15,000,

with

Hoosier also getting involved with a

tyre deal worth around $10,000. -DARREN SUTTON

AUSTRALIAN SPRINTCAR CALENDAR

Suppliers of quality race parts

■ Weld Wheels ■ Eagle chassis

Formidable: Teaming up with Barry Lawrence is a shrewd move by multiple Sprintcar Champ Garry Brazier. (Brazier pic by Brett Swanson)

VICTORIA S.R.A. Western Auto

Bendigo Western Auto Avalon Warrnambool

Western Auto Avalon Western Auto Western Auto Avalon

.Oct 30 .Nov 6 .Nov 13 .Nov 20 .Dec 4 .Dec 10 .Dec 26 .Dec 26

.Jan 8 .Jan 15

SPEEDWAY CITY S.A. Official Practice

,Nov 6 Nov 13 Nov 27

QLD SPRINTCAR Toowoomba

.Oct 23

Archerfield

.Oct 30

Archerfield

.Nov 6

Dec II

Lismore ...

.Nov 20

World Series Sprintcars . .Dec27

Archerfield

.Dec 4

AMCA National Titles ... .Jan 15

Archerfield

.Dec 27

Archerfield

.Jan 12 .Jan 14

Sprintcar Masters All-Star Show ...

World Series Sprintcars . .Dec 4 All-Star Show

Sprintcar Spectacular ... .Jan 22 Australian S/car Title

Feb 5

All-Star Show

Feb 12

Archerfield

22 October 1999

DU&

Knoxville's 36 I and 410 €.1. min

weight rules RALPH Capitani, racing direc tor for the Knoxville Raceway, announced recently that from the year 2000 on, cars compet ing in both the 360 and 410 cubic inch Sprint Car divisions will run to a minimum weight in an effort to cut costs and

increase safety. The weight rule for the 410 c.i. class is set at a minimum of 1250

pounds, without driver, to be checked at the end of the race.

No add-on weight will be allowed and this arle will be enforced at all

Steven^s new irde Stealth/Gaerte for OZ Sprintcar season MOTORSPORT NEWS got .a sneak preview of Steven Graham’s new 372ci Sprintcar in Charlotte recently. Steven has been running a 360 ci car in the ASCS Sprintcar series Stateside and recently picked up a third place in the feature at Elkin, North Carohna - the previous evening, Graham was running third at Thunder Valley Speedway when the throttle linkage broke, ending his main event early. Graham’s new Stealth-chassised Gaerte car is painted a striking blue metallic and will carry some products rarely seen on an Australian Sprintcar, such as a Fluidyne radiator and Goodridge Kevlar braided brake lines and hoses. “We went with a Stealth because of our association with John Godfrey in the midgets,” remarked Steven - as

we speak, the new car is on it way to Australia, ready for Steven’s assult on the Sprintcar tour in mid- MARTIN D CLARK

November. (Photo by Martin D Clark)

weekly (non-sanctioned) 410 c.i. Sprint Car events at the track in the year 2000. Negotiations are currently pend ing with regard to sanctioned spe cial events, including the August 912 Amoco I&oxville Nationals.

The weight rule for the 360 c.i. class is set at a minimum of 1325

pounds, without driver, to be checked at the end of the race.

No add-on weight will be allowed and this arle will be enforced at all

360 c.i. Sprint Car events at the track in the year 2000, including the June 15-17 American Sprint Car Series-sanctioned O’Reilly Auto

ing input from drivers and car own ers during the past year.

“The 1325 figure for the 360s matches what the American Sprint Car Series and the United Racing Club are already doing, while the 1250 number for the 410s is close to the new 1200 lb rule established

earlier this month by the All Star Circuit of Champions. “We sincerely hope that other 360 and 410 tracks and sanctioning bodies around the countiy consider similar rules for the year 2000 and beyond.’

-BRETT SWANSON

Australia

cleans up in World

Team Cup AUSTRALIA celebrated with a

Parts 360 Nationals.

vengeance in Pardubice, some

According to Capitani, “the race committee of the Marion County

100 kilometres East of Prague, when team members virtually wiped the floor with the opposi tion in the World Team Cup on

Fair Association felt that the insti¬

QUEENSLAND was one of the first states to really take to the burgeoning AMCA Nationals category and now comes the

tution of minimum weight rules was the right move for cutting costs and increasing safety, after receiv

October 2.

Control .class: Closa arcing is

taking in five tracks across two

It was only the second time Australia has won the Cup and it was a shock victory that wrested the title from the holders, USA - it was particularly rewarding for team manager Neil Street, after the

states.

hassles with the FIM over the com

Bob and Robyn Dennis, the peo ple behind the Redhne Racecar and Rollcage company which produces the AMCA National Legend race

petition in the last two seasons. The only previous win for

_ the norm, for uitra-^affcrdable

T^MCANationaisri’'#45 Wayne

news that the class will be run

Lemon dives inside'Kussell

ning its own 20-round series

Bonsey

Australia

mnm

was

1976

when

car, have announced the formation of the 1999/2000 South-East QLD

Victorian Phil Cramp raced and it was perhaps fitting that his son, Jason, played a big part this time

& Northern NSW AMCA Legend

round.

Series.

Double figure returns from all four main irders and a second place from his only irde by reserve Todd

The Legend series will take in meetings at Archerfield, Kingaroy and Toowoomba in Queensland and at Grafton and Lismore in NSW -

and, to encourage participation, competitors will be able to drop their seven worst rounds (five from

Wiltshire took the Aussies to a 16

AMCA Nationals boom

QLD tracks and two from NSW tracks). At the end of the series there will be an additional bonus - the series

champion will win an extra $800 from the series fund, which pays back to 14th position and, in a unique and innovative move, a fur ther $1000 will be raffled off. At every round, drivers will be given one raffle ticket each, putting them into the draw for the $1000

which will be split $400, $300, $200 and $100 - this allows those drivers not contesting the whole series, or finishing in the top 14 positions, to have a chance at sharing in some bonus money.

Another bonus of $50 will be paid to each meeting’s top qualifier if he draws the worst starting position and then wins the feature.

point margin ahead of the host nation, the Czech Republic.

A ride-off for the final placings saw the USA beat England for the bronze

1999/2000 South-East QLD

1999/2000 Victorian Division AMCA Series

& Northern NSW

AMCA Legend Series Oct 9 Archerfield QLD Oct 30 Archerfield QLD Nov 6 Nov 27 Dec 4 Dec 11 Dec 18 Jan 3 Jan 7 Jan 12 Jan 22 Feb 5 Feb 12 Feb 19 Feb 26

Apr 1 Apr 15 Apr 22 Apr 29 May 27

Oct 24 Oct 30

Lismore NSW Grafton NSW Lismore NSW Grafton NSW

Nov 13

Archerfield QLD Archerfield QLD Archerfield QLD Archerfield QLD

Dec 11

Lismore NSW

Toowoomba QLD Archerfield QLD Archerfield QLD Kingaroy QLD Archerfield QLD Archerfield QLD Lismore NSIV

Archerfield QLD Archerfield QLD

Nov 20 Dec 4

Dec 26 Dec 28 Dec 30 Jan 8 Jan 15

Jan 29

Reigning Australian champion Jim Knight from Byron Bay is expected to head the list of hard chargers, which includes Wayne Lemon, Russell Bonsey, Craig Wright, Jamie Ross and Paul

looking pretty strong this season, with nearly 30 cars and a six-race series at Western Auto Raceway

Mar 11 Mar 18

with the success of the AMCA

nationals has been the supply of tyres for the division - this class is unique in that its tyre rule specifies that the same size and compound tyre be used on all four wheels, the regulation rubber currently a McCreary. “Tyre supply was a real problem for us last season,” stated AMCA spokesman Dale Matthews. “Seven times during the season we ran out of tyres; it’s a good thing they’re durable. We’re not at all happy with the situation, because it should really be straightforward. We’re not talking about a myriad of different sizes and compounds after

Interstate Challenge Wangaratta Wagga Wagga Interstate Challenge Bacchus Marsh Horsham

Nyora Avalon South Australian Title Avalon Bacchus Marsh

Smith.

included in its season calendar.

Apr 8

Bacchus Marsh Warmambool Grafton

NSW Championship

■ 'The Victorian division is also

Apr 29 Nyora ■ One of the problems associated

Bacchus Marsh Bacchus Marsh Mt Gambler

Victorian Championship Feb 5 Feb 19 Mar 4

Tasmanian Championship

Avalon (day show)

Speedway City Jan 22

Apr 22

all.

“We’re currently working to

Bacchus Marsh

resolve the situation and an announcement should be made

Nyora Australian Championship

ments.”

Hamilton

soon in regard to supply arrange -BRETT SWANSON

medals

when

Sam

Ermolenko, top scorer in the meet ing, beat Joe Screen to relegate England to last place. ,Leigh Adams was the pick of the bunch for Australia, but Jason

Crump, currently the top irder in the British League, all but matched him, with Ryan Sullivan also hav ing a very good night. The result means Australia will

miss the qualifiers for next year, as they will automatically be seeded through to the four team final. Individual scores: Australia 51 -

Leigh Adams 14, Jason Cramp 13, Ryan Sullivan 12, Jason Lyons 10, Todd Wiltshire (res) 2.

Czech Republic 35 - Ales Dryml 10, Bohumil Brhel 9, Michal Makovsky 8, Toni Kasper 8, Toni Svab 8.

USA 29 - Sam Ermolenko 15, Greg Hancock 6, Billy Hamill 6, Josh Larsen 2, Ronnie Correy 0. England 29 - Chris Louis 12, Mark Loram 12, Joe Screen 4, Carl Stonehewer 1, Andy Smith 0. -TONY MILLARD

22 October W99

ffecf/r VIC season ahead

■ Leigh Adams has thanked con

VICTORIAS Compact Speedcars

and their big brothers, the full-size

Speedcars, are shaping up for a hectic season with plenty of races on their respective calendars. Wayne Pearce, one of the few founding members still active in

the VictorianCompact Speedcar

Club - and a builder of both sizes

of chassis - told Motorsport News

of some of the new and interesting cars that will soon hit the track.

Dec 4

Rosedale - Speedcars

competed a brand-new chassis for multiple state champion Ian “The Fly” Lewis to drive - the car, owned by Bob Boast, will be powered by the unique Canaday engine. Pearce is also planning to build a brand-new house car, but is unsure yet who will be driving it.

Dec 11

Avalon - Speedcars

Dec 18 Jan 8

Simpson - Compacts

Darren Power has returned home from West Australia and will be

Subaru-powered machine, while

racing for his father’s Power Racing team, along with multiple state titleholder and club president John Mills - Mills’ son Travis “Squizzy”

Pearce’s son Andy will make his

Mills is set to saddle up in the ex-

debut post-Christmas in a unique 758cc upright supercharged

Troy Jordan Stanton, while Mills’

In the Compact division, Phil Lardner will debut his new flat-four

Subaru-powered Pearce. Former Speedcar racer Graham McDonald is making a return to racing in the ex-Peter Robotham machine and former Aussie #1 Ken

Thomas’ turbocharged Suzuki-powered Pearce should also finally hit the tracks - Ron Hume is currently getting an OTR Speedcar converted into a Compact for Simon Amato to drive.

arch rival and fellow veteran Ray “Noddy” Bishop will be going around for another year, along with his youngest son, Harley. Combined Compact Speedcar and Speedcar Calendar

Oct 23 Nov 6 Nov 6 Nov 20 Nov 27

Horsham - Compacts Rosedale - Compacts Avalon - Speedcars Western Auto Raceway Compacts & Speedcars Simpson - Compacts

Jan 15 Jan 22 Jan 22 Jan 29 Feb 5 Feb 12 Feb 19 Mar 4

Mar 18 Mar 18 Mar 25

Apr 1

Cowra - Austrahan

Compact Championship Western Auto Raceway Compacts & Speedcars Rosedale - Compacts Warrnambool - Compacts Avalon - Speedcars Western Auto Raceway Compacts & Speedcars Western Auto Raceway Compacts & Speedcars Western Auto Raceway Speedcars Western Auto Raceway Compacts & Speedcars Rosedale - Compacts

Western Auto Raceway Speedcars Bendigo - Compacts Avalon - Speedcars Hamilton - Compacts

Western Auto Raceway Compacts & Speedcars Avalon - Speedcars

Apr 8

-BRETT SWANSON

Danish GP win > nets third crown for Rickardsson

imrATfin

Vojens saw^amp

Tony^ckardsson ^ore anottifr world title.

(Mike Patrick pic)

TONY Rickardsson retained his

world title in dramatic style by winning the Danish GP at Vojens on September 25. Nearest rival Tomasz Gollob of

Poland came a disappointing ninth on the night, his worst result of the season, an engine failure seeing

i ■ :●

him ehminated at the same time as

Mark Loram and Joe Screen.

Rickardsson jetted from the gate with Nielsen in pursuit - Loram

went by Nielsen on lap three to take the runner-up spot, but Nielsen held on to come third.

Vojens was a disappointment for all the Aussies bar Leigh Adams,

STU Robertson had to be proud, after his 21 year-old son, David, had won a V8 Super Sedan fea ture race at Wynn’s Newcastle

Speedway in only his second attempt,

who finished second in the B-Final.

Driving the Ron Dodge-owned

Sullivan gained just seven points from 11th place - he was eliminat-

#21 Kurri Spare Parts Commodore, young David scored an amazing vic

ed in heat 20 - and Jason Crump

had his worst-ever GP, going out in heat 15 where he would have finished last, but for a fall by Polish rider Robert Dados.

Crump had earlier finished last

in heat 12, his first race of the night having been seeded to the main

tory in the 20-lap NBN Television

feature race on October 9.

With only a season of AMCA National competition under his belt last summer, David’s enthusiasm for his newfound opportunity with

car-owner Dodge has obviously paid off.

and, as a result became world

It was a night for the younger set of V8 Super Sedan racing, indeed, with 16 year-old high school senior

and 1998 the other winning years.

event.

Rickardsson retained his crown

champion for the third time, 1994

- TONY MILLARD

But it was far from smooth sail

ing for the teenager early in the main event, after he made heavy contact with Luke Pyne in turn 2 -

■ Adams completed a great week

got it. I spoke to David White and

Republic by winning the presti gious Golden Helmet in Pardubice.

do it.

Qualifying was in four prelimi-

“If Lyons can get his stuff

. nary groups, in which Steve

together in the GP Challenge, we

Johnston from Kalgooriie - not a

could have five irders in the

member of the international

Grand Prix next year - and, next, we need a World Champion in

World Cup squad - did well, as did Sullivan. Four Australians met in the

that, don’t we?”

■ Sulhvan completed a great week when he finished unbeaten in the

Word Team Cup, just two days after leading his club, Peterborough, to the British Elite League title. “Everyone from Australia want ed it; we wanted it badly. It was a world championship; we wanted the gold medal and we came here

first semi-final of six irders, but Todd Wiltshire and Johnston failed to make the final.

Adams took the chequered flag ahead of World Champion Tony Rickardsson, with Sullivan finish ing ahead of Mark Loram (England), Sam Ermolenko (USA)

and Tomas Topinka (Czech Rep).

immediately after the meeting. “It is great for Australian speed way and can only help the yoimg riders coming through.” Sullivan is safely through to

■ Shane Parker helped Polish Club Bydgoszcz to victoi-y in the European Club Championship at Diedenbergen in Gemany - they beat the hosts, Diedenbergen, Russian side Togliatti and Olympic Prague fi-om the Czech

next year’s Grand Piix and wall

Republic.

and did it,” he said at Pardubice

start in the main event in the first

meeting next year. “I made a lot of changes this year. The season started badly for me. I then changed engine tuners and a lot of things on my bike Barry Briggs has studied a lot of

■ Cramp will finish top of the British Elite League averages,

things with me and everything

ninth, it means fom- Aussies in the

seems to have worked out.”

top ten, the best for many years in British speedway.

aliead of Tony Rickardsson, with

fellow Aussie and Peterborough clubmate Ryan Sullivan third. With Adams fifth and Lyons

■ Sullivan had to be content with

Wiltshire (at 25th) came next in

third spot for his Swedish League

the standings. It has been a disappointing year

ners Valsama and runners-up

for Craig Boyce and Steve

Masarna.

Johnston and both have been

transfer-listed by their club, Oxford, which has finished bottom but one in the League.

Hart's maiden Shields and Unigen make the podium

from this point on, the #1 car was a

Budget Sprintcqr

real handful, with front-end damage preventing Clayton from run-

racer Danny Hart was a jubilant win

ning at lO/lOths.

ner of Parramatta’s

his car

Coca-Cola Shootout

believe the incredible

on October 9.

feeling of driving a Sprintcar.” With three laps remaining, Adrian MaheFs motor began to expire and he dropped from a possible second place to limp across the line in fourth, Kelly

Third across the line was Singleton veteran John Smith in the #41 Smith’s Smash Repairs Pontiac Firebird.

It was the likeable racer’s first main

In one of the wildest nights of racing seen at Newcastle for some time, hot favourite John Pyne was black-flagged from the feature race

the #39 Pirtek Hoses and Accessories

in the #9 Diesel Engines R Us VT

the 25-lap main event

Commodore in controversial cir-

from the second row.

cumstances.

“Cyril Peel has given me my dream shot in letting me race

event win and, driving machine. Hart started

and I can’t

“I can’t believe how

Linigen (Trucksmart

awesome that was,”

#25 Stealth) sizzling past the hapless Maher to record her first top

Clayton Pyne placing second in Dad

Ron’s Australia #1 Auto One

impressive

Pontiac.

Prix.

heat win.

Hart bellowed after an

maiden

three PCR result.

Ti-evor Shields (Royal Purple Oils #17 John Boy) placed an excellent second, with Linigen third, Maher fourth. Grant Tunks fifth and Peter Attard sixth. ■ Baulkham Hills

Cartage

contractor

Jason Gates won the

25-lap Goodyear-spon sored Speedcar feature race after taking the lead early and never letting up - second was Grant Drane/s #5 KHP Esslinger, ahead of Phil Chilton’s #40

Avon Tyres Pontiac.

1999 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SERIES POINTS SCORE

Australian Distributors for

Xoo$trr

end for the Aussies in the Czech

he asked me what chance we had and I told him I reckoned we could

Pyne’s son, Luke, suffered fur ther disappointment with motor problems in the Pontiac Grand

Max Dumesny Motorsport

eighth-placed Indianema.

“We’ve been looking for their support for years and we’ve finally

Crump finished as top irder for

Rookie Robertson’s win

ished seventh and Adams for

just that.

Vargama, who came sixth, while Lyons raced for Omaraa, who fin-

The final matched Rickardsson

race, along with the British pair of

By Tony Millard

Australia and said, if you want us to do it, back us up - and they did

team, Rospiggarna, behind win

Ryan Sullivan. with four-times champion Hans Nielsen, at 39 riding his last GP

said “ we sat down with MA

Curren Memorial

Mar 4

Crump, Ryan Sullivan, Jason Lyons arid Todd Wiltshire, Adams

In the big cars, Pearce has just

Jan 14

trolling body Motor Cycling Australia for the support given this year to irders in Europe. After the victory in the World Team Cup by himself, Jason

Speediars and Compatts

I S

^ ^ RACING TIRE

For more information on Hoosier Drag and Speedway Tyres calk

NSW: §2 9679 1990 Fax 02 9679 U87 VIC: 03 9331 6477 Fax 03 9331 7444 SA? 08 8332 0800 Fax 08 8364 0296

B Main - POINTS STANDING TO 18 OCTOBER 1999 I. Joey Saldana 10. Travis Riiat ($80) 2. Lance Blevins 11. Ricky Logan ($60) 3. Daryn Pittman 12. Jerry Stone ($50) 4. P.j. Chesson 13. John Bankston ($50) 14. Scott Young ($50) 5. Dean Jacobs ($200) 15. Rob Chaney ($50) 6. Donnie Crawford ($ 180) 1 6. Nick Smith ($70) 7. Zach Chappell ($150) ( irst four qualified for the 8. Wayne Johnson ($110) ‘ A” Feature) 9. Ronald Laney ($110)

A Main - DeviTs Bowl SIway Mesquite TX I. Gary Wright 2. Danny Lasoski

11. Sammy Swindell 12. Tim Shaffer

21. Jeff Swindell 22. Daryn Pittman

3. Mark Kinser

13. Joey Saldana

23. Mike Goodman

4. Jeff Shepard

14. Frankie Kerr

24. Paul McMahan

5. Stevie Smith

15. Lance Blevins

6. Steve Kinser

16. Shane Stewart

Lap leader: Gary Wright 1-20

7. Andy Hillenburg

17. Brooke Tatnell

Vivarin Fast-Time

8. Donny Schatz 9. Johnny Herrera 10. Danny Wood

18. Aaron Berryhill 19. James Chesson 20. P.J. Chesson

Award winner: Joey Saldana

H!£®o®[Tsm®i79

22 October 1999

Whin<up win

Formula A Champ: Despite a broken crankshaft, Jamie

Whincup was still able to take out the FMK FA

Championship at

Runner-Up: Daniel Elliott (below) came second at the Creek in Junior Intercontinental A and fourth in the Australian Championship.

Eastern Creek. (Sean Henshelwood pic]

Pelli tops Oran Park T

eyssing's perfect score

Four straight at VIC Superkart Series A smallish entry turned out on October 10 for the sixth round of the Victorian Superkart Series on a rain-affected Calder Park track, Ulrich Deyssing in lOOcc Junior backing up his fine second at the Nationals by winning all four races. JOHN Pelhcano put the disap pointment of Mallala behind him to dominate a wet and wild

Oran Park just one week after the National Titles.

Many competitors found it diffi cult to get their machines back from South Australia, not to men tion prepare or repair any race

damage - but, in spite of the rush, some 42 competitors fronted for a good day’s racing. However, many were soon wish ing they had stayed at home to watch the Rugby League Grand Final, as a storm front moved over the area and sent a deluge crashing down on the track jsut before the first race. Those without suitable monsoon

tyres simply stayed in their garages (at least they were able to get their money’s worth) while the game, or foolhardy, ventured onto the track for heat 1.

100cc Andrew Davison showed a liking for the conditions and scored a con

vincing win in heat 1. However, as the rain eased and

the track slowly dried, Peter Young once again showed his dominance and won the day. Davison managed to hang onto second place, while the consistent Daniel Greenaway once again scored a third place trophy.

80cc The class turned into a Battle

benefit, as Sharyn and brother Paul took first and second for the day. Ross Hansen struggled as he helped Sharyn overcome her persis tent electrical and fuel problems, while Troy Bryon announced his immediate retirement from the

sport and handed his Stockman Superkart back to the boss. Mark Rogers appeared to be set to challenge Sharyn and took and early lead in heat 1 - however, Battle drove sensibly in the wet, slowly caught Rogers and then drove away for a comfortable victory. In his debut run in the new

Stockman chassis, Momo driver

Anthony Zulian was fortunate not to suffer extensive damage when he spun at the ultra-fast flip flop. Behind the Battles, it was Paul Curren who took third, ‘Sparrow’ actually taking his fist-ever heat win with a good victory in the final.

ging of the first heat, to claim third overall, while Peter Pollock split the pair with a steady drive.

250cc National Dave Holdforth spun on the exit of Momo-Recaro in heat 1 - howev

er, he managed to restart and claim overall victory for the day from Greg Donovan and Norm Clarke. Holdforth proudly displayed the errant spark plug from Mallala for all to see and then put the disap pointment behind him to once again dominate the class in NSW.

250cc International John Pelhcano and Sam Zavaglia headed the list of competitors for the 250cc Inters and put on a great show in heat 1.

Sam led early, only to be passed by John, but next lap tbe positions were once again reversed. John later explained that he had been slowed a little by a 720 degree

spin through the esses, which only

125CC Matt Aaron stepped up from his lOOcc ngb by purchasing the cham pionship-winning Stockman 125cc and proceeded to dominate the day. He drove carefully in the wet to avoid the carnage at I.C comer and then simply drove awaay from the others in the remaining races. Roy Francescato recovered from

cost him around fifty metres to team-mate Zavaglia. A red flag mid-race saw Zavaglia

his involvment in the I.C corner

against going out in the downpour

incident, which led to the red flag-

of heat 1.

credited with the heat victory.

However, from then on it was all Pelhcano, as he won the day from Zavaglia and Steve Hewlett. Viv Coady once again showed great speed on a drying track, but his chances ended when he decided -JOHN MORRIS

lOOcc Light didn’t have anyone who dominated from the front, Rod Prickett winning heat one in a field spread by the conditions. Race two saw Rodney Reynolds move up one spot from heat one after a win, while Colin McIntyre was progressively getting better and won heat three from Prickett.

The all-important final saw yet another winner, Jason McIntyre com ing through while chased by his brother, Colin, with Reynolds behind them.

Colin McIntyre, though, won the day from Jason McIntyre, who took second on a countback from Reynolds, who tied on points. A three-way battle took place all day in lOOcc Heavy between Rod Clarke, Gary Pegoraro and Dean Roberts, although at times they were spread out a bit. Clarke took out heat one from Roberts, Pegoraro taking heat two by a fair margin and also winning heat three. Clarke got a good start for the final and built a gap that Pegoraro closed up later in the race, only to drop back again - Roberts, in his chase after the leaders, had a moment on the straight when he hit a puddle and aquaplaned out of shape. Clarke and Pegoraro tied on points, Clarke winning on a countback, while Roberts hung on for third.

Deyssing won all four for his victory in lOOcc Junior, though Ian Jones, Adam McIntosh and brother Trent McIntosh chased him hard at

different times, Jones taking second - A^m took some time to come to

grips with the wet, but only finished a few points away in third. Darren Dunn was again the man to beat in the 80cc class, Darren

James trying to keep pace and gaining a little each race. In the final, James did eventually get by Dunn after a very spirited drive to finish second on the day, with Tony lapozzuto next home. P-plater Dean Currie led home Peter Cooke in the 80cc Restricted

class.

The 125cc and 250cc Nationals didn’t appear, but in 250cc International South Australia’s Bruce Swanson had a costly DNF in heat two after winning heat one - Swanson then went on to take out the remaining two races. Robert Cinch, though, with consistency in the conditions and despite a motor that dropped a pot and ran as a 125, held on in race four to win

the day - Shane Perry, after an engine problem late in the day, took third.

The next round, the penultimate for the series, will be at Calder Park on October 31.

- GRAEME BURNS

22 October 1999

ri;; Wynn's Series^, despite first heat threatened his points Report by SEAN HENSHELWOOD

victoria’s Jamie Whincup

has won the 1999 FMK Wynn’s Series for Formula A, despite not finishing the Eastern Creek

final last weekend due to engine failure.

Whincup was able to hold onto the points lead when nearest rival

Mark Winterbottom could not capi

talise on Whincup’s misfortune, fin

ishing fourth on liie day.

While Clint Cathcart qualified fastest for the Formula A field in

front of Whincup, neither driver starred in the heats where Michael

Caruso, Troy Hunt and David

Clark were the pace, vanning one race each.

Whincup and Cathcart placed first and second, respectively, in the pre-final and then cleared out in

front of the final, before Whincup retired from the lead on lap ten with a broken crankshaft.

“It’s not good to see a fellow com petitor go off” said Cathcart, “but it certainly helped me!” This gave Clint an enormous lead which he easily held to the end, fin ishing in front of last year’s FA champion Ryan Wlodzinski, who

tally. “It (the crash) made me rethink

the championship situation, because Alan pulled back another five points on me, so I basically

He then finished second in the next two heats and moved from

grid nine to fifth in the pre-final. McFadyen was then able to cruise home third in the final and

win the Championship from Gurr and Jason Bums.

Adam Graham claimed the Australian Junior Intercontinental

A Championship by finishing third in the final as points leader going into the final round, while Queensland’s Regan Payne had a

disastrous meeting, recurring clutch problems costing him any chance of fending off title chal lengers. Graham qualified fastest and performed well, winning two heats - however, it was Geoffrey Grant who was the star of the show, tak ing a win in the pre-final and final to eventually take second in the Championship.

Intercontinental A was dominat

“The heats we ran to how we

Adam Clarke. (Henshelwood)

Payne held on for third in the

championship after a countback with Daniel Elliott, who was fast and in the top three all weekend, taking second in the final. It was a day of success for the Australian constructors at Eastern

Creek, as both Arrow and Azzurro won the two senior classes over

their predominantly Italian compe tition.

However, it was Kosmic which took out the AON Manufacturer’s

ed by Barclay Holden all weekend,

Cup from Arrow AX6 and Tony

qualifying fastest and winning every race except one of the qualify ing heats, which was won by Alan Gurr, who eventually finished sec ond in the final - despite a loose

Kart.

front wheel - and second overall in the series.

Neil McFadyen led the series

comfortably going into the final round, however a crash in the very

Another podium: On his way to third place in Junior Intercontinental A, new Champion

wanted; the pre-final is where we wanted to be and we won the final,” commented Grant. “The kart was

holding down sixth position and

(Sean Henshelwood)

said.

good the whole race.”

moving through the field.

going to be up there,” McFadyen

problems in the heats. Michael Caruso finished third, followed by Winterbottom and Clark, who was back on the pace but out of luck with a broken

ultimately became the 1999 Australian Champion.

went the rest of the weekend just tiying to finish to make sure I was

was able to overcome electrical

engine in the pre-final. Cathcart’s win displaced Hunt from third in the Championship, assisted by Himt retiring from the pre-final with a flat tyre and crash ing out of the final on lap 15 while

Podium: Neil McFadyen finished third in Intercontinental A and

Kris

Laue

dominated

the

Pettaras Press ReSa Cup support class to comfortably win the final from fellow Hasse driver David Burch and Peter Darmanin. Laue’s win also clinched the

Championship for him by a consid erable

margin

over

Timothy

Karmiste and Brenton Deckert.

Good year: 1999 NSW Champioft

Clint Cathcart was a winner in the FMK Series Formula A final,

but had to settle for third spot in the Australian Championships. (Sean Henshelwood)

Creek winner: Intercontinental A Eastern Creek victor Barclay Holden was third at Oceania ’99. (Henshelwood)

22 Oaober 1999

■ AT the Bob Jane TMarts Bathurst ’99 meet

ing, the organisers invited back past class winners to take part in a parade lap of Mt. Panorama on Sunday October 3.

Former winners taking part were Jim Richards, John Harvey, Ian Tete’ Geoghegan, Bruce McPhee,

Des West, ^y Gulson,

Fred Sutherland, Tony AUen, Peter Mcl^od, James Laing-Peach and Brian Reed.

Members of Sydney’s BMW Club provided the

Roy Salvador! for THIS year’s Classic Adelaide Rally

takes on an international flavour with

Adelaide

the news that British racing legend Roy Saivadori will take part in the event.

The 1960s FI driver will compete in a 3.8 Mk.2 Jaguar, along with

... and the Legends take shape

cars for the occasion and no

Duncan Hamilton’s son Adrian, Don Law, and British ace and former Bathurst winner for Holden, Win Percy. Meanwhile, a rare short wheel

base Ferrari GT 250 which Stirling Moss raced during the sixties has been entered by British collector Paul Vestey. According to Vestey, Moss switched on the car’s radio during the 1960 Tourist Trophy race at Goodwood and tuned in to Raymond Baxter’s live commentary of the race to check out his race position!

doubt enjoyed the opportu nity to get out on the famous track prior to the start of the V8 300 race.

■ What started out to be a fun weekend for the

Bendigo Historic Motorcycle Club and its annual Sandhurst Rally turned to tragedy when

The three-litre VI2 Ferrari was

originally owmed by the Rob Walker/Dick Wilkins Racing Team not surprisingly it is painted in dark blue and white livery. Vestey will be have as his co-driver well-known motor sports journalist and FI Historic author, Doug Nye. Motorsport News will be represent ed when Brian Reed teams up with Barry Findlay in Findlay’s Ford Falcon GT.

This was the same car that Harry Firth drove in the 1996 Bathurst

Legends Rally and a sister car to the one Rrth drove to victory in the 1967 GallaherSOO with Fred Gibson.

The Falcon GT will be on display at Duttons, Church St., Richmond in the week leading up to the event.

The four-day Classic Adelaide has attracted a record field of 120 cars and will be held from November 18 to 21.

club member and event

marshal] Wayne Forhes and his seven-year old son Lennon were killed in a freak accident between

Faraday and Chewton in central Victoria. Some 120 irders took

part in the rally including a

doctor who tri^ to save the

father and son after their

motorcycle and sidecar careered off the road and

plunged down a steep gully. ■ According to the chair man of the Geelong Speed Trials committee Gary Grant, interest in this year’s event is “Very strong” and organisers are confi dent of having full fields in all classes for the quarter mile sprints to be held along Ritchie Boulevard on November 20 to 21.

Satin-day’s program will cater for all modem cate

gories as weU as classic motor cycles and on Sunday the Historic sports, racing and touring cars will be seen in action.

For bike fans as special treat wiU be the appear ance of the Ducati

Superbike team along with special guest Wayne Gardner. Ferraris wiU be out in

force, with one F50 and two

F40s taking part along with a host of earlier

mouth-watering models. Former Ferrari works dri ver 'Tim Schenken is this

year’s special guest of hon our and of particular signif icance will be the reappear ance of the turbo Ferrari

FI car that came to grief at the PhUhp Island Classic meeting a couple of years ago. Fingers crossed for a less eventful run this time! Other features of the

meeting include the Shannon’s Concours

d’Elegance which is open to all marques, the Show and Shine event and the enthu

siast’s car park with an award for the best car club

display. Entries close on Friday, October 22 and for further

enquiries contact the secre tary Barry Simons on (03) 5250 2434.

-BRIAN REED

Under-appreciated legend: Former Gold Star winner John Leffler, here leading Bob Beasley in an all-Bowin Formula Ford battle at Warwick Farm in 1972, is coming to Winton for the Motorfest on November 6/7.

THE ‘lepnds’ list for this year’s

(Honda), and Barry Smith (Yamaha) being joined by two other Australian

almost complete - aU that remains is to find appropriate vehicles for some taking part.

internationals Malcolm Stanton (Manx

Australian Historic Motorfest is

Heading the list is this year’s patron Biyan Thomson who will dust down his awesome Chevrolet Mercedes Benz

sports sedan - the car in which he won

the 1985 Australian GT Championship. Joining ‘Thommo’ are Harry Firth (MG B V8), Lou Molina (MG TA SpL), Keith Laity (Black Bess V8 Ford Rephca), John Harvey (Torana A9X), Brace McPhee (Holden Monaco), John Lefiler (ElSn MR8 F5000), Tony Gaze, Diana Gaze (Alfa Romeo SS Zagato s/c). Bin Patterson, Graham HoinvUle (Elfin Mono), Jim McKeown and Alfredo Costanzo.

The motorcycle list has been bol stered this year with Andrew Johnson

Norton) and former sidecar star Bany Thompson (Norton 750). The Motorfest is a great opportunity for motorsport enthusiasts to meet the legends and to take part in spirited laps of the Winton circuit, and for car and motorcycle clubs to rally to BenaUa for the weekend.

'There is also an ofBcial run being organised from Melbourne on the Saturday morning of the event. Trade stands, food and wine, arts and crafts and the Saturday night ‘Jazz & Shiraz’ dinner with the legends are other attractions November 6 and 7.

Winton

For farther information phone the BenaUa Auto Club on (03) 5766 4235. -BRIAN REED

Damp hampers Mt Tarrengower Results Group J Vintage Cars up to 1500cc 69.07s. Allan Tyrrell (Austin 7) Group J Vintage Cars over 1500cc 69.50s. Patrick Ryan (Vauxhall 30/98) Group J Vintage Racing 46.95s. Richard Stanley (Amilcar AC) Group K Post Vintage up to 1500cc Bernie O’Shannessy (Lagonda Rapier) 73.58s. Group K Post Vintage over 1500cc 58.76s. Neville Howell (MG K3 Replica) Group K Post Vintage Racing 56.25s. Ian Rankine (Woltri) Group L Sports Racing up to 2000cc 53.20s. Graeme Wright (Regah MG Spl.) Group L Sports Racing over 2000cc 50.20s. Bill Redpath (Oldsmobile Spl.) Group M Racing/Sports up to 2000cc 43.57s. Stephen Lunn (Elfin Mono) Group M Racing/Sports over 2000cc 44.70s. Jim Russell (Nedloh Mk.2) Group Nb, c Touring Cars to 2000cc 50.79s. Colin Gleeson (Morris Cooper S)

Group Nb, c over 2000cc 49.49s. Alan Everitt (Valiant Charger) Group Sa Prod. Sports Cars 54.39s. Peter Mitchell (MG A Buchanan) Group Sb Prod. Sports Cars Ray Sprague (American Motors AMX) 46.77s. Invitation David Cantweil (Honda Clvic)50.16s. Group Capt. John R. Balmer Perpetual Trophy (FTD) Stephen Lunn (Elfin Mono) Will Kerr Memorial Trophy Richard Beli (Railton) Perpetual Trophy for Fastest Alvis Geoff Hood (Alvis 12/50) Perpetual Trophy for Fastest Lancia

By BRIAN REED

JUST as the weather played havoc on the racing at Mt. Panorama, a week later it was equally unkind at Mt. Tarrengower’s 1999 Vintage and Historic Hillclimh in central Victoria on October 10.

Only difference this time Wcis that eventually the rain stopped and the fog lifted, enabling the meeting to proceed - but not before 40 of the

original 91 entrants decided enough was enough and called it a day. Even the seasoned Bill Prowse

felt the elements were against him and drove his Alfa Riccardi back to

Melbourne after recording a slowish 61.84s practice run. Meeting secretary Roger Boehme did his best to pretend it was not bucketing down by wandering

Graeme Steinfort

around without a coat or umbrella,

Fastest Lady Driver Andrea Lawton (MG C GT) Top 4 Shoot Out 1st Stephen Lunn (Elfin Mono) 2nd Jim Russeli (Nedloh Mk.2)

but it wasn’t enough to alter the sit uation. 40.28s. 43.50s.

45.36s. 3rd Richard Stanley (Amilcar AC) 4th Ray Sprague (American Motors AMX) 45.89s.

'The start of official practice was delayed for half an hour in the hope that conditions would improve, and eventually local identify Keith Laify flagged off the first car at 8-30 to herald the start of practice.

1999 marked the 70th year of the first competition at the famous hillchmb venue, and it was appropriate that 90-year old Mr. Laity had the honour of getting the show on the road - after all, he attended the first meeting as a spectator back in 1929 and then went on to win the event

twice by scoring FTD in 1936 and 1939 driving a Ford V8. By late morning conditions had deteriorated to such an extent that

the clerk of course decided to delay proceedings for half an hour in the hope that the fog would lift and the rain would cease.

'They say things have to get worse before they get better, and Mt. Tarrengower was then hit by a tor rential downpour. But for those

hardy souls who stayed on for the remainder of the day, their persis tence was rewarded.

By 3 o’clock the track had dried out completely and the meeting was successfully completed with some very good times being recorded. For the fourth successive year Stephen Lunn scored Fastest 'Time of Day in his Elfin Mono twin-cam

with a time of 43.57s, edging out Jim Russell’s Nedloh Mk. 2 by Is.

l^9®u‘sm)[F0

22 October 1999

lutky Tommi as Panizzi falters in San Remo By JON THOMSON TOMMI Makinen took one of the most crucial wins of his

career by claiming victory in the San Remo Rally in Italy on October 13.

saw both he and Luis Moya walk away unharmed - but the car was destroyed. Meanwhile, Kankkunen was hav ing clutch problems in the Subaru and team-mate Richard Bxims was

struggling with his set-up. Panizzi was slower on the final

The Mitsubishi driver claimed the win on the very last stage, leapfrogging the leading Peugeot of Gilles Panizzi by 18 secs to go back

into the lead in the World Rally Championship and move six points

clear of Frenchman Didier Auriol.

The Panizzi Peugeot finished just

two seconds behind Makinen, after the httle French cars dominated for much of the rally and looked set to claim their first WRC win - but the strong performance wilted on the very last stage, leaving Makinen to claim his fourth win of the year.

stage of the day, leaving fastest to Delecour, with Gronholm second fastest, the order at the end of the day Delecour leading by two secs from Panizzi, with Gronholm 28

seconds back in third and BugalsM fourth, 0.5 secs further back. McRae was fifth in the Ford and

looking strong, while Makinen was sixth, Auriol seventh. Bums eighth, Aghini (in a Corolla) ninth and Freddy Loix tenth,

Leg Two

Leg One

Subaru

camp

right from the start and the three

ing on the first

French cars were so dominant over

stage with trans-

the opening stages that they looked

'mission failure as

almost to have a stranglehold on

Kankkunen crept

the event.

up to sixth.

ing stage, two secs quicker than

enced engine difficulties on the

Gronhohn, while Sainz and McRae were the best of the rest, another

stage, water getting into two cylinders and

The Peugeots continued the dom-

and others complained of traction and differential problems on a tight

weren’t having it aft their own way,

and twisty Italian stage.

though, as Panizzi

problems -h9unfe(%

cra^ing^t^

The

and was left with only first and second.

secs faster than Delecour and

Bugalski, while gravel expert Gronholm’ was another three secs behind, Auriol the best of the rest, a Frenchman in a Japanese car. Sainz went off the road, clobber-

ing a tree in a massive shimt that

day,

last stage and maintaining the top spot in the event, despite the increasing

secs

the Citroen, while Makinen bolted

Makinen and Auriol, who finished in third for some valuable points. For Auriol, it was disappointing,

but the result keeps him in the title fight - “only six points separate us now and for sure there will be a big battle in Australia,” he said.

1999 San Remo Rally Results 1.

Makinen 20 seconds further back in third

place as both he

problems.

spin and lost time.

4:26:45.0 Panizzi/Panizzi

Peugeot 4:27:03.0 Auriol/Giraudet

Toyota 4.

4:27:27.2 Loix/Smeets

Mitsubishi 4:29:58.1 5.

Aghini/Roggia Toyota

The Peugeots were also ha'ving

Panizzi spun in the stage and lost time, putting the pressure on him as the pace was upped - he got some breathing space on the next stage, though, when Maddnen had a

Makinen/Mannisanmaki Mitsubishi

retirements and

sorting out brake problems. Makinen took fastest again on SS 11 and was making inroads into the big Peugeot lead.

was shpping back down the field in

Given the early dominance of the Peugeots, it was a much better result than expected for both

the numerous

and he was now flying, taking fastest on the third stage. It was on this stage that

was pushed well hack down the field, removing a hurdle for the teams behind the French phalanx. Bugalski had diff problems and

clear

and Auriol back in fourth benefitted from

problems on the stage, Panizzi suf fering diff maladies and Delecour

Gronholm rolled the Peugeot and

home 18 seconds ahead of Panizzi.

Delecour, with

The — Scotsman’s crew had fixed

the problem on the Focus engine

20 seconds faster than Panizzi -

pressure from behind. He was 2.8-

had

gearbox problems

taking

fastest on the

spun and then

positions, the order Panizzi, Delecour Gronholm, Bugalski and

gling in seventh. Panizzi took fastest on SS3, two

the end of the

Peugeots

Gronholm

Puras - Makinen was suffering electrical problems and was strug

back on top at

after the mo^ ;^

i^expect^ty-but out jgut^mrages)

the Peugeots, making it a solid wall

of five French cars in the top five

Panizzi was

run like a chaffcutter.

The Citroens were right behind

unharmed.

making the Focus

day, Delecour taking fastest as Panizzi suffered brake problems

ultimately, Makinen would come

McRae experi-

Delecour and five faster than

inance on the second stage of the

ner - the car was badly damaged in the incident, but the crew was

McRae was suffering engine

the

first. Bums retir-

three secs behind.

engine lost power on a critical cor-

problems again in the stage and hmped to service after the unit cut

the flying Finn and complained

out many times.

The Peugeots jumped to the front

Panizzi was fastest on the open

that the pace was simply too hot.

with only the final 40km stage remaining and a lead of 1.8 secs. But Makinen was chasing the biggest goal of them all, a fifth World Championship and he was

The pressure told

Panizzi was now in front again,

Incredibly, the Focus was back on song again and McRae won the stage. But, one stage later, the Scot was out, the car crashing when the

soft tyres on and blitzed the opposi

tion on the fourth stage of the day. Auriol was battling to stay with

Leg Three Panizzi suffered a puncture only

4:30:35.2 6.

which allowed Makinen to take the lead.

Then came the rain and tyre choice became critical, with some

drivers opting for full wets, others for intermediates.

Unfortunately, Delecour retired on the startline of SS17 ■with a bro ken alternator belt.

Kankkunen/Repo Subaru 4:30:45.5

a few kms into the first stage,

1999 FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers: Makinen 58, Auriol 52,

Kankkunen 38, Sainz 38, Bums 35, McRae 23, Bugalski 20. 1999 FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers: Toyota 103, Subaru 79, Mitsubishi 74.

ms BRAKE SPSCAUST y

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m^CDOCDCFSIVCDITO

21 October 1999

WHILE Carlos Sainz

No RAC for Irvine...

contemplates a move

■ Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine’s

either

SEAT or

hopes of driving in this year’s

Ford next season, his current Toyota team mate

and

Rally of Great Britain have been

dashed, following his move from Ferarri to Jaguar. It is believed Irvine had accept

World

Championship con

ed an invitation to drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V on Britain’s round of the world cham

tender Didier Auriol

is being linked with a move to Mitsubishi for the 2000 season.

Auriol,

who

pionship, with the drive funded by Marlboro, a common sponsor of

faces

both Mitsubishi and Ferrari.

unemployment following

The plan was scrapped after the

his team’s WRC with

Ulsterman announced he was

drawal, is being lined up

leaving the Itahan team to join

as team-mate to Tommi

Makinen,

but

has

Mitsubishi’s rival. Ford.

Irvine may now decide to make his World Rally Championship

sion about his future and

is waiting for Sainz to decide which marque he will drive for next year. Mitsubishi has recently denied it would drop Freddy Loix, but is keen to strengthen its line-up for what could be a veiy competitve season next year.

debut in a Focus WRCar at the

2000 Rally of Great Britain.

Auriol

...but Brundle for RAC

■ Former Formula One Grand Prix star Martin Brundle will

drive a TTE-prepared and run Toyota Corolla World Rally Car in the 1999 Rally of Great Britain

However, Auriol could

miss out if Mitsubishi finds it has exceeded its budget. Makinen recently signed a two-year deal with the Japanese constructor for a reported £8 milhon. The Finn’s retainer could mean that the team has already broken the bank for new drivers, meaning Auriol -PETER WHITTEN ends up with whatever seat Sainz rejects. (Carlos Sainz pic by Sutton Images)

Guest ^itt eyes WRCar MICHAEL

Guest

and

the

Winfield World Rally Teaim are still eyeing a World Rally Car to boost their performances in the World Rally Championship next

Although a choice of car has stiU

been decided upon. Guest told

MN that everything seems to be going to plan in order for him to move up to a World Rally Car for next season.

“We have the choice of a couple of

year.

2000 WRC Calendar THE 14-round 2000 World Rally Championship calendar will include trips to five continents, with Telstra Rally Australia again being the penultimate round. .Jan 20-23 Feb 10-13

Monte Carlo

68 Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo

Sweden

The International Swedi.sh Rally

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Safari Rally Rallye clc Portugal Catalunya Costa Brava Rally Argentina Acropoli.s Rally Rally New Zealand Rally Finland

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●

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● ● ● ●

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●

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● ●

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Australia Great Britain

'n~3 China Rallv

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Ideally, the Newcastle driver would like a nine, or 10, event pro gram in a World Rally Car, but Guest certainly hasn’t dismissed the possibility of driving a Group N car again next season.

“In fact, the option of doing a 12event program in a Group N car again is quite appealing, because it would enable us to have a real

crack at the Group N World Championship,” he added. “By that stage, we would know the car and many of the events really well and it would be nice to World Championship. “In a way, it’s hard to know what to do - whether to go the Group N route again, or move up to a WRCar and spend the year trying to survive the events and gain the experience in a top notch car.” - PETER WHITTEN

(November 20-23).

The 40 year-old Briton will hne up alongside regular Toyota Castrol Team drivers Carlos Sainz and Didier Auriol in a third Corolla WRC.

Sponsorship for the entry will be announced at a later stage. Brundle, who spearheaded Toyota’s assault in the 1998 and 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be

contesting the final and deciding round of the FIA World Rally Championship for the second time in his career.

● Aircraft bolts

Great Britain and victor of no fewer than 18 World

Championship rallies. “I can’t wait and am delighted to

be doing the rally with Toyota, with whom I have very strong finks,” said Martin, who took pole position for the Toyota GT-One team for this year’s Le Mans 24

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Next year’s event will be a more forest-based rally, and the move to Wales has quickly been given the thumbs up from British-based teams M Sport and Prodrive. “Clearly there were a lot of strong contenders, but Cardiff were so enthusiastic about the

bid,” Prodrive’s David Richards said.

“We want a place that welcomes the rally, not just a town interest ed in purely financial gain.” Cardiff has won out over current

Rally GB base Cheltenham, as

well as contenders Blackpool,

Rick gets chance ■ Wayne Bell has said in the British weekly Motoring News that, if he isn’t up to the job of dri ving the Hyundai Coupe E2 in next year’s Australian Championship, hell give the drive to Rick Bates.

The former Hyundai World Championship driver will contest next year’s ARC in the F2 kit car, then hopes to have a full-on assault at the ARC in 2001 at the

Bell will face strong competition from Simon Evans in the factory supported Volkswagen next year,

at 180 mph. The Welsh forests are

but gave Bates, the 1998 Formula 2 Champion, his biggest rap to date - “if I’m not quick enough. I’ll put Rick Bates in the car,” Bell

a match for that.

said.

“I’ve driven Formula One cars

around Monaco and it’s pretty thrilling going into Casino Square

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8 October 1999

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description, race winner, record-setter, low upkeep, high per formance. Inc trailer, spares. Featured in this magazine 24/9.

5988. (AH).

Group C RX7, ex Murray Carter, engine rebuilt & ready to run in. Trailer & lots of spares. $15,000. Ph: 0412 624 130,03 5825 3125.

165

Mazda RX7, just built, mid mounted 20B, adjustable everything, big brakes, 8pt roll cage, Mazdaspeed colours. Professionally built, very quick car and handles. Too much to list. $25.000ono. Ph: 07 5770 4135

$28,000. Ph: 03 5229 3375.

164

HQ Holden, 99 log book, straight and competitive. H/D steel cage, Inc many spares. $4,000ono. Ph: Bill 0417 882 781. IS4

Modified Production VP V6 Commodore. Steel crank

Sports Sedan RX7. P/P rotary motor just rebuilt, 5 speed Holinger g/box, LSD, diff, 2 x 10, 2 x 12 inch wheels, front Volvo 4 spot brakes, alloy roll cage, flares. $9,999. Ph: 03 9792 9526 (BH), 03 9792 4696 (AH).

engine, all best parts, top hp, custom mandrill pipes, 6.0 9in quick steer, bead locks. 10 tyres, most new (2 meetings

164

ing reduction box, Willwood pedals, 80llr fuel tank, reco radiator and driveshaft. Less engine. $3,700. Ph: 07 5494

prepared by Maztech and stunning graphics by Metal Morphis. Spares package, data logger. Ready to win 2000 series.

8184.

,65

1128,0412 372 678. iss

No running gear, good cond. $2,800. Ph: Frank 02 4572 5949.

Sports Sedan, mid mounted 202, dry sumped, Webers, forged pistons, triple plate BB, c/r Chev munoie. Ford rear Quickest, most successful 6 cylinder in SA. Ph: 08 8565 6273. ,65

1999 Pirelli Porsche Cup Class B Champion (and 2nd outright). 911/930 Road Reg Porsche Cup race car. 3.6 -

J’--■5V'f -

,65

Speedcar: Stealth Pontiac 97, very comp package, all

end, Detroit locker, big brakes, 14 wheels, slicks & wets.

,65

Super Sedan chassis with body only four meetings old.

Escort Mkll, cirouit/raliy project, 90% complete. Pedal box, Rerra diff, 4 wheel discs, all parts new or rebuilt, too $000s more. Comes with most parts to finish. Ph: 02 9456

165

Club Sedan/Super Sedan: VS Commodore body, new chassis, new coil-overs, 360hp genuine XU1 202 block with

Super Sedan, 95 Camaro, live axle, quickchange, steer

4 pole positions at last two championship rounds. Immaculately

much to list. Genuine reason for sale. $8,000 - have spent

old). $15,500. Ph: 02 6922 5468.

rare aluminium 12 port Phil In/ine head, triple 48mm Del Ortos etc. New McCrearys. Ph: 07 5491 8446. 165

RX7 GTP race car. Fastest vehicle in its class, ultra reliable.

$62,000. Ph: 03 9481 0981,0419 897 217.

165

GTP Proton, championship winning car, ready to be

270hp fresh engine, 1035kg, 928S4/930 brakes with Pagid

fresh for coming season. Carrera ARS adj shocks. Weld wheels, MPD, Digatron tach. Glow Autometer temp/oil. Ultra light Kirkey seat, Peterson dry sump tank, Simpson belts, QCS rear end, Fuelsafe tail, titanium engine plate, hollow bolt kit etc. With some spares. $45,000ono. Ph: 02 9875 1041, 02 9624 6428 (AH). 164

pads, c/r 915 dog box, Bilstein coil-overs. Will sell as road

car with 915 box or as full race package, with or without spares. More photos etc on www.gokarts.net.au, $55,000 road car, $65,000 race car. Ph: 07 3368 2727, 0418 753 or email mlke@gokarts.net.au ,64

HQ race car - fastest Victorian HQ on the market. Lap record holder Phillip Island. Engine only done 3 meetings

CorveHe Stingray 1974, 350 motor, turbo 400 trans. Excellent cond. $30,000. Ph: 07 5598 3166,07 5534 6881. IQ

2 X HQ Thunderdome rollers. Near new cage, alloy seats, harness, fuel cell, chambered diff etc. $1,200ono. Ph: 0418 320 673, 03 9743 0083.

165

Escort Sports Sedan: ex Bob Holden with Group C log book, brand new 2 Itr engine, all the best gear, race win ner. $11,000. Ph: Trevor 03 9763 7898, 0413 128 287.

since fuil rebuild. Heaps of spares. $8,500ono. Ph: Dave 03 9587 3226 (BH), 03 5996 4458 (AH). 164

Subaru WRX Sti 4 door, minor cosmetic damage, suit GTP or rally use. Must sell. $13,500ono. Ph: 0415 252 342. 164

165

HT Monaro Fender Bender (NSW), full NASCAR cage, most panels, new 192 motor, almost complete. Urgent regret table sale. $700. Ph: 0412 139 090.

164

Sprintcan 92 Tognotti. Hi bar chassis, front, side, rear nerfs,

engine plates, dash, front axle, brake lines, m cyl, pedals, pan

I KV

els, torsion bars/stops, radiator. Good cond. $2,600. Ph: 07 3273 8400 (AH), 0412 738 604.

164

Super Sedan, late model Camaro, new body, near new chassis, 350, Brodix heads, roller cam etc. New Vertex mag

neto, unfinished frailer, all in good cond. Local speedway closed. $15,000. Ph: 07 4957 7698,

Mazda RX7 Club Car - 13B BP, Haltech F7, laptop, 4 speed cr, 8x14' mags, spare springs & diff, tandem trailer, ready to race. $16,000. Ph: 0419 688 214.

165

LJ GTR Torana, very good cond, Sportmaster wheels, XU1 spoilers, tinted windows. Aiways garaged. $8,000. Ph: 0419 631 005,02 9818 4474.

1{5

Fiat 128 3P coupe, new paint, factory mags, AOOSRs, mild modifications, VGC, suit road or hillclimb. Spares incl. $2,700. Ph: 02 6658 6866 (AH), 0413 117 051 (BH). Mazda RX4 Club Car, S/Sedan project. Floater diff, watts link rear trailing arms, disc brakes, pedal box, custom roll 165

cage. Too much to mention. $1,600ono. Ph: 0409 191 612, 03 9354 0417. les

Escort twin cam Lotus, 72 model, lime green duco, interi or A1, body straight, never bent, never raced or rallied.

Good clean original cond. Always garaged. $10,500 Simmons wheels; $9,500 original wheels. Ph: 0413 536 801,03 9557 3491.

164

Datsun Stanza hatchback 2-door. Ideal rally/circuit. Unreg. $400. Ph: 03 9802 5806 (AH). i64 Si

i:. ^ r-.t; ! ■>

Super Sedan Commodore VR, V6 turbo, methanol, injected. Quick change diff, race ready. $7,000ono. Ph: 08 8275 6572 (BH), 08 8351 0382 (AH). 164

Open Wheelers

Ford Escort Mkl, 2lt ohc with twin 45 Webers, complete with Dorian timer and charger, ready to race in Club Cars. Well presented, must sell. $10,500ono. Ph: 02 9838 9703. 165 NASCAR Oldsmobile roller, 01 Revell car, ideal new

level 2 class, could win series in right hands. Requires some parts. Assistance given. $12,500, would consider trade. Ph: 0412 553 345.

.«>« 4

Porsche Cup Car - B Class. 1974 style update Australian compliance Coupe. 3.2 It, 153kw power, Halteoh system, 3 sets wheels, flared guards, alloy tank. Ready to go now. Would suit buyer interested in competing at Indy 1999. Complete race records available. Great assistance package provided. Ph: (02) 9418-3711 BH. les

165

■ *■

4--TwV\

0419 152 032, les

dem trailer. Must sell, moving interstate. $7,000ono. Ph: 03 9803 1728. 164

HQ Thunderdome or flat track. Only used as display car. Most immaculate car around. 2-paok paint outside, inside & underneath. 1st to see will buy. $2,900. Ph: 03 9532 5806.

i64

Isuzu Gemini JT coupe, 1990, yellow, 4 spd auto, full electrics, full body kit, full compliance, sports interior, chrome wheels Concept Neeper Mynx 17‘ with Falken tyres, lowered, eye turner. Rego, dohc. $24,990ono. Ph:

Datsun 260Z, VL turbo powered, 5 spd, intercooled, blow-off valve, 6-25psi boost, button clutch, 4WD 4 spots, 16x8 ROH, full cage, 2 Sparco seats, RTA approved, 12 months reg, tandem trailer. $15,200. Ph: 03 6431 4675,

HQ Race Car: competitive, reliable motor, 99 race reg, log book, enough spares to build a second oar, plus tan

0417 657 470. iim

Lakeside 55.8, 1/4 mile 13.00 @ lOOmph. 2nd Nationals 1999. $13,000. Ph: Ash 0409 648 633, 07 3274 2280.

an offer! Ph: Owen Osborne 0417 320 866.

165

Formula Ford - Van Diemen RF86. Top hp engine, immac cond. Complete with spares, suspension jigs, ratios & fully end trailer. Done sprints/hillclimbs last 3 years. A joy to drive, must sell. $14,000ono. Ph: Paul 0407 432 378.

Speedway JMW Sports 1300, Datsun engine, g/box. Best lap

Formula Holden 92D. Good hp engine, competitive car, Tickford 500 winner, spares & trailer available. Make

105

Formula Vee Elliot 01. 1996 poiniscore winner. Totally rebuilt. Top Elliot Bond engine. New paint & nose cone. Comes with pi, gear box, spares + trailer. $10,000. Ph: 03 9308 7663, 0416 210 778.

Super Sedan - Camaro body, strong methanol 327 Chev, good straight chassis, Wide 5 wheels with good McCrearys, new coil overs, Dina diff, spare wheels & tyres.

spare stubs etc. Very competitive. $2400. Ph: 03 5766

Top B Grade car. Ph: 07 5494 5240.

4218. 165

165

Kart: Monza GP R197 Junior. Complete, with air box,

22 October 1999 AUSCAR 308 aluminium heads. Fully reco. Complete, ready to go, with roller rockers. $2,800. Ph: 0408 066 106. 164

Lotus t/c timing chest $650; extractors (Escort, new) $375; Hi voi oil pumps, new, $145; winged Escort sump $275; Cosworth rods N/J $875. Whole running engine

S. .t'

Chevron B29 Formula Atlantic 1975 Group Q Historic,

& workshop area. Will carry 2 F/Fords or sedan. Plus FI 00 LWB 4X4, 351, on gas/fuel, complete, $30,000. Will sepa rate. Ph: Tony Jory 03 6326 5555, 0418 130 133. 164

pattern track tyres. Best offer. Sfi style high wing, mounted

aocc Eliminator Superkart (97). Second in 1999 Nationals, State title winner. Stack data logger, carbon fibre components. Fastest & best 80oo in Australia. Sll.OOOono with trailer & spares. Ph: 08 8353 1200, 0407

on boot iid (white), $500. Ph: 02 9524 7849.

724 862.

length. Ph; 03 5244 1025 (AH), 03 5279 5916 (BH). i64

164

(AH). IS

33ft triaxle trailer, 8ft wide, 7ft high. Eleo brakes, living

$6,500. Ph: 08 8278 5988.' 164 Subaru wheels & tyres, two sets. 1. 16'x7 with 205 50 series (Sekta wheels). 2. 15'x6.5 with Dunlop-D98J 'S' type

I'V

v(ilh COD Cosworth BDD fresh engine. New mounted wets. Ex Albert Poon. Race ready, spares, trailer available $54,000. Ph: Geoff Wieland 0412 333 332, 03 9816 4639

164

Koni double adj coil-over shock absorbers, only 3 races old, then vehicle sold;,One pair 8211 1305 B3, 213 to 303mm Ingth, other pair 8211 1322 B2, 258 to 393mm

Drag Racing Alloy pantech (18x8x6.5) fully insulated and lined, non slip floor tracks, recessed floor hooks. Make an offer. Ph: 07 3294 7087.

164

Fully end two-car Formula Ford trailer. Tows beautiful

ly, storage, workbenches, carpet, lights, winch, 15ft x 15ft annex, only 720kgs, llmths rego, vgo. $5,500. Ph: 0419 a’.TO'O’F

■ ■>

1977 Farrell Clubman, 1300 Nissan A12, dry sump, Cosworth pistons, GX head, twin 48 Webers, Holinger CR tx)x, current log book. Eligible Histories. Many spares, diffs,

Holden HK, 406 Chev, transbrake glide, 9in diff, lad der bars, AVO coil-overs, 6.6 280 pump, moly cage, RPM shifter, Dedenbear SCC-1 delaybox, MSD 7AL, new engine & trans, 11.17 et, 119mph. Ex Hold'n'Baok.

Ph: 03 9850 9207. ,65

$22,000. Ph: 07 3841 6321.

wheels enclosed regd trailer. Excellent cond. $14 500neg'

164

Engines

7^ 602138), 30mm axle, nose cone, stand, control muffler. 019161691.

165

Cheviot Gold 14x7, $200; Datsun Stanza SSS rear

sway/stabiliser bar, $40. Ph: 03 9802 5806 (AH). 164 Chev B/B Morose dry sump $350. Victor L port $225. Ph: 03 9743 9962.

is.

9802 5806 (AH).

tank. Ph: 0418 884 756. les

range new/used. Ph: CCI 0418 925 767. 166 ● Clutches: AP Tilton, QM, 7.25, 5.5, 5.0. New/used. Ph;

Chev 60 degree V6, alum heads, roller motor, all bowtie internals, 300-rhp. Including LJ Torana, fibreglass front, kevisr bonnet, 3/4 chassis, mini tubs, 9' diff etc. All ready for comp[letion. $6,000ono. Ph: 0412 008 290, 0417 282 764.

164

EFI 350 Chev race engine, cost in excess of $20,000, sell $12,000 complete. Also, US Sports Sedan chassis with extras, all panels, 40 tyres, ind. rear suspension. $12,000ono. Ph: 03 6330 1881.

Ford Cosworth BDM 1600CO, all steel, dry sumped, Lucas fuel injection. Excellent cond, many new parts fitted.

lax 02 9313 5799 for info sheet.

164

Swift SC93F. Christian Jory offers for sale ready to race, heaps of spares. Top finishes Nat & State series. All set-up data. Lamer engine. $20,000. Ph: Tony Jory 03 6326 5555, 0418130133.

164

● Oil coolers: Earls, Setrab, Serok, 7-60 row, used/new. Ph:CCI 0418 925 767.

166

● Pedals: brake/clutch, floor mount/hanging. Large range. Ph:CCI 0418 925 767. lee

● Radiators: alum/brass, new/used, 1, 2, 3 core. Ph: CCI 0418 925 767.

i66

● Hewland DGB, TPT, FT top gear ratios, new/used. Ph: CCI 0418 925 767. ik

Transporfers/Trailers

Hewland to Ford gearbox alloy spacer, with starter mount, 2‘ wide, $120. Ford Cosworth twin cam forged rods (2) only $400 pr ono. Ph: 07 5463 6730. 165 Holinger 5 speed gearbox. Group A, good cond, $9,000. Ph: Scotty 03 6234 8466 or Bill 015 432 013. 165 Porsche Aus rims 17x8s, polished with alloy caps, brand new Pirelli P700 tyres 245x45 series, never used. Top class Brodix -12 head, CNC ported, valves & springs,

for a second driver to join our team in each series for next

$2,000ono. Ph: 0419 603 126. i6s

year. If you want to succeed, join now and be ready for next year. Ph: Tony 0418 877 268 or fax 07 5578 3845. 164 F3 cars available ex-Japan 395/96. Complete with Toms Toyota 26mm, also 397 and 398 Mugen and Toyota rolling

RPM race seat & 5 point harness, new. $400. Ph: 03

165

9354 0417,0409 191 612. iss

Fuel cell tank and bladder, complete with dry break filler fittings, ex Falcon GTP car, good condition. $850 the lot. Ph: Bob 08 8243 1122 (BH), 08 8449 9196 (AH). 165 VW: brand new 2 litre heads, 48x33 titanium valves, Chevy

Wanted

Trailer - 40' drop deck, modern looking, Revell NASCAR team trailer. New tyres, set up for professional team. Carries 2 cars. Everything you need. $48,500, will trade large 5th wheeler. Ph: 0412 553 345. 165

1987 FSR Isuzu 24'x8.5' pantec. 6.4 Itr DSC, 6 spd, 6/2000 Vic reg. Ramps to suit Commodore or Falcon sedan. 90001b winch, 3 phase, fridge, TV, lockable storage cabinets etc. Finished in white, no money to spend. RWC supplied. With 24'x12' canopy. $27,500. Ph: Christian 03 9568 3020,0418105369. ics Race car transporter. Isuzu JCR 22ft pantech, 2 speed diff, power steering, well maintained, ramps, work bench, storgae boxes, tyre rack, annex 20ft x 12ft. $11,500. Ph: 02 9565 2600.

les

good s/h.Ph: 07 5463 6730. m Wheels 13"“x7'' to suit Mini hubs. Sports Sedan type flares or moulds to suit early Mini, 4' wide. Triple master cylinder, pedal box (hanging type) with bias barA/alve. Ph: 02 4984 5056. 1(5 Drive for 2000 - karting, F. Holden, or Formula Ford, Super Touring, V8 Supercars. Ph: Paul 0418 291 618 if interested. les Smiths 0 - 8000rpm chronomelric tachometer. Ph: Brian 02 4966 3516. les

Comic books. Hot Rods & Racing Cars (Clint Curtis & The Road Knights) in any condition. Where are they all? Genuine enquiry. Ph: 0410 423 243. les Hyper Stimulator or similar wanted. Anything considered, cash buyer. Ph: 07 5445 8733 (BH), 07 5448 6077 (AH), ics Information, photos, articles, memorabilia etc from Tralee Speedway, Fraser Park Raceway, Pepsi Powerdome for consid eration for extensive written and pictorial publication. Ph: 0410 423243. iffi

Programmes, early 60s, early 70s, Warwick Farm, Catalina, Oran Park, Hume Weir, Bathurst. Ph Les 02 4736 1675. 1&4

Motor racing programmes, 1960s to 1970s. Send list or phone 02 9627 3799, PO Box 289 Riverstone, NSW 2765. ■« Photos of Ford Mustangs racing 1960 to now. Improved Prod, Sports Sedans, Group N, Drag, Speedway etc. Ph: Bob

double springs, suit Speedway, off-road or performanve VW. $1,000. Plus other performance goodies. Ph: 02 6655 5715,0409,125 965. les

Group A twin throttle body. New tappet covers, air box, new injectors. All parts new. $3,500. Ph: 0419 184 855.

Gold Coast Indy photos. All Indy cars, V8s, GTPs, Porsches etc etc. from 1999 and earlier years also. Ph: 07 3298 5522 (evenings). 165

Mk 5 gearbox ratios (Hewland) in good cond. Also Ford twin cam front timing cover, set forged rods & pistons, either new or

Parts

show rims. $2,800. Ph: 02 6655 5715, 0409 125 965.

Elfin 622 Historic Group Q. Full restoration to F3 spec

iranhs

CCI 0418 925 767. im

3267 5211. 164

race in the 2000 series. Gold Coast-based team is looking

completed 5 years ago. Top hp 1300 Cosworth Ford engine, BDA crank & rods, twin plate B&B clutch, Mk8 Hewland. Beautifully presented & maintained car. Offers over $30,000 to Richard Harward. Ph: 02 9568 4147 (AH), 029789 8470 (BH). 166

164

Fomuila Ford & Formula Holden drivers required to

chassis. Ph: Bronte Rundle 08 8332 5585 or Ian Richards 088363 5657. 164

6294 3075,0411 598 818.

164

Mitsubishi 2.6 Itr midget Speedcar engine. Complete with engine plate and drive, injection, extractors and stain less steel Super Trap, fuel pump drive (no pump), wet sump. Ready to bolt in and go racing. $6,500ono. Ph: 07 Halt RT4 1986 Formula Atlantic, Group R Historic. Ex Scott Goodyear, US/Canada Atlantic champ winner. Professional spec car, with Jennings Cosworth BDD, 50 Webers, Fox shocks etc. 25 sets ratios, spares, tools, new slicks/wets. Recent complete rebuild. With end trailer. $70,000 all up. Ph: Tony Simmons 02 9313 5766 (BH) or

Race car trailer, fully end, 4.3 m long, 2.2m wide, 1.9m high. Full rear ramp, side door, tandem drop axles, H/D brakes, new skin (green), alloy trim, new floor, 14' Sunraysia rims. Rego 5/2000. Must sell, $4,200ono. Ph: 02

● Brake calipers, discs, pads, master cylinders. Large

164

$30,000 firm. Ph: 08 8376 0460, fax 08 8376 1177.

$4,500. Ph: Bronte Rundle 08 8332 5585. is4

Rally driving light PIAA, $80; Marchall $80 pair. Ph: 03

split. $3,000. Ph: 07 5770 4135. 165

Clean, fast and straight. $1,350. Ph: Stewart 03 9560‘8840,

Trailer: fully end 4 wheel trailer including annexe. Ideal for open wheelers up to F3. Side door, standing room inside, plenty of storage inside. Inol 'movement mule'.

Datsun 180B SSS very race 1972 dashboard insert with full gauge set, complete, VGC. $150; Datsun/Celica mags CSA Bathurst 13x6, $150; Cheviot Hotwire 13x7, $200;

Nissan VG30D race engine, quad cam 3 litre. Grower crank/rods, crank girdle, 4 stage dry sump pump with alloy

Mazda rotary engine with Wade supercharger. Professionally built, 3' drive belt, spare pulleys etc. Will

Kart - Speed R-2000 chassis, Yamaha J-100 (serial no

895 692. 164

164

Race gear: 5 pt harness $145; RPM suit $185; underwear $80; balaclava, gloves, neckbrace $90 the lot or $425 the whole lot. All in vgo, used twice. Ph: 0417 598 863. 164

Kart, KT100, just set up. Very quick, includes spares etc. Must sell $1,800ono. Ph: 07 5770 4135

Chev SB dry sump pan, suit Sports Sedan or HQ. $350. Ph: 03 9743 9962.

Williamson 02 9627 3799. i«

165

■5?

- ]

.-f

Other Chev C-30 race car transporter, custom built, 18ft tray, with dovetail, rebuilt 350, new tyres, brakes, paint, interior.

■* “ a# —

Thomas 80001b winch. $12,000. Ph: 07 3841 6321

164

Winfield Williams, B&H Jordan, Kmart Texaco pit crew shirts, brand new, never worn, all size L. 1999. Very hard to obtain. $200 ea. Ph: 07 5443 1587.

Complete set of empty Adelaide GP Port bottles in boxes. Plus 1st Melbourne GP bottle. $200ono. Ph: 07 4634 3959.

Chev S/B Bowtie PH6 alum heads, with titanium inlet & exhaust valves and retainers. 1401b at seat Victor Jr port matched. Ph: 03 9743 9962.

Reynard 893 in showroom condition, current Australian

Formula 2 champ, can be converted back to F3, multiple

lap record-holder. Comes with end tandem trailer and

masses of spares inci spare engine. Ph: 03 5279 5916 (BH), 03 5244 1025 (AH). 164

Car World etc. Plus 10 Lambo/Ferrari books. Sell as one. $1200ono. Ph/fax 08 8249 1329. 165

Serious investment opportunity: direct purchase &

164

Race wheels: three piece alloy rims with alloy centres, 4

mail order Unique Auto model, game, apparel etc store in ACT region (no concept copiers). Genuine proposal. Ph:

inch PCD, two 13x9.5, two 13x12, suit Mk6 or Mk7 Cheetah

F2. $900ono. Avon wet weather tyres, front 225x600x13, rear 300x620x13. In good condition. $200ono. Ph: 03 9878 9515(AH), 0417 851 716 (BH). lo.

165

Car magazines 1964-1999 (326), featuring Exotic Cars, Lambos, Ferraris etc. Including Road & Track, Car, Sports

●■S

Chev 90 new shape 4X4 K3500, extended cab, 454, auto, fully optioned, lowered. Lund razor-back, sun visor, custom bull bar. Towing package. $45,000. Ph; 07 3829 0271. 164

0410 423 243. ,ss

Autocourse 1965 to 1995. Offers invited. Ph: 02 4340 2454. 16.

Send us your classified ads Category; □ Sedans □ Open wheelers □ Speedway □ Drag □ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other

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22 October 1999

TXZ

Less than perfect

Creek a wasted resource

Dear Sir, Editorial

Pity us poor drag racing fans who live in Sydney. We have been suffering withdrawal symptoms

motorsport, please accept a few

(constructive?) comments from a

Editor

first-time writer.

Phil Branagan Technical Editor

Channel 10: great technical coverage of the Champcar racing,

Tony Glynn

but less of the ‘absurd’ fill-ins (I

Assistant Editor Gerald McOoman

Graphics Co-ordinator Viv Brumby

Advertising

don’t need to know how many condoms-worth of rubber gets skimmed off tyres). And another thought - not all motorsport needs to be presented as a ‘rock show.’

V8s: Apart from Garry Rogers Motorsport (good effort to fix Garth’s car) and a few others, what a sham. Single-file rolling start, for heaven’s sake. If you don’t want to race, don’t con your supporters,

Advertising Manager Brendon Sheridan

Administration Managing Director

stay at home.

Chris Lambden

Channel 9: Understand you were limited by the poor quality telecast

Contacts

out of Malaysia, but leaving the

89 Orrong Crescent

post-race drivers’ conference after

Caulfield North VIC 3161

only Irvine had spoken to get ads in before 6pm is unforgivable.

(PO Box 1010 North Caulfield 3161)

next year? Martin Brundle is a

Fax: 03 9527 7766

brilliant analyst and we miss his 10-15 minutes of pre-race build-up produced by the I'TV people.

:9ozemail.com.au

CompuServe; 100237, ii6s

Contributors General: Aaron Noonan, Brian Reed,

Grant Nicholas, Darryl Flack,

Dear Sir,

Speedway: Brett Swanson, Dennis Newlyn, Sue Flobson, Geoff Rounds, Tony Millard (UK), Rally: Peter Whitten, Jon Thomson Drag Racing: Greg Ward, Jon Asher (USA), Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Steven White,

Ken Ferguson, Scott Jug Super Speedway: Martin Clark (USA) Karts: Sean Henshelwood, Graeme Burns, Allan Roark, Frank Viola, John Morris

Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Neil Flammond, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, Tony Glynn, Thunder-Pics,

Marshall Cass, Mike Flarding, John Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, John Bosher, Phil Williams,

Mike Patrick (UK), Daniel Wilkins, Wayne Nugent, Peter French Artist: Bernie Walsh

EVO V be allowed to run with two

wheel drive Super Tourers?

I attended Bathurst on the

Friday for practice (along with 15 others) and the track commentators

made no attempt to explain these

reducing the downforce, not only on V8

Supercars,

but on

other

categories as well, especially Formula Holden, Let’s face it, the only time you see a change of position these days

major

drag

meetings

were

scheduled at Eastern Creek, although some had to be cancelled

because of weather: 1996 - nine, 1997 - six, 1998 - three (all of

which were cancelled), 1999 nothing scheduled, nothing run. I have written to both ANDRA

and the ARDC enquiring about the future of drag racing in NSW, suggesting that the ARDC is only interested in circuit racing. The replies I received indicated that cleaning and preparation of the drag strip are too costly and that the attendance does not cover

the running costs. Having been to Eastern Creek on many occasion and seen the large

attendances at the drag races, I find this hard to believe.

These factors did not prevent other venues such as Willowbank, Calder and Adelaide holding their drag racing events during the first six months of the year. Eastern Creek is an excellent

FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper Europe: Quentin Spurring i

My diary shows the following readen.

facility, but it is only going to waste

Unimpressed

NZ: John Flawkins

drag strip. or fax ot 03 9527 7766.

Michael Dyer Boronia, VIC

Jon Thomson, Mike Kable

US: Phil Morris

since the demise of Eastern Creek’s Talk Converter

Could we cross to races earlier

Phone: 03 9527 7744

Email: tnsne

Dear Sir,

After a weekend full of TV

Nitro fix: Now, this is what Sydney’s been missing. (John Bosher pic)

After watching the Channel 7 telecast of Bathurst, I have just one thing to say... “Channel Seven, hang your heads in shame.” Bill Huggett

Email: huggett@alphahnk.com.au>

Bathurst oddities Dear Sir,

Thanks for your comprehensive report on Bathurst in MN163, however I still have two outstanding questions that I would appreciate if you could shed some fight on. 1 - Where were the Audis and

why did the official program

include an article on Brad wanting to win, when his cars weren’t even in the official entry fist? 2 - How can a four wheel drive

issues, or why the Porsche was

is when someone biffs someone else

running around.

out of the way.

Les Howe

quite some time occurred at the

Email: <les_howe@saa.nsw.gov.au> ED: The Jones boys didn’t come up with the budget required to

recent Eastern Creek Historic

The best race I have seen for

run the Audi; Production Cars

meeting in the Group M (1961-’65) and Group 0 (’66-’69) Racing and Sports car event.

were invited to participate and thus the EVO V; Porsche Cup

lead between Mike Ryves’ Brabham

There was a fantastic dice for the

was also invited, but there was

BTllA-Climax, Paul Hamilton’s

little interest in fitting drybreak fuel systems and only one runner showed and he competed on Sunday as a co driver in a Super Tourer.

Elfin 600 TC and Keith Simpson’s

the main straight were really something to see - and not a wing

Racing, not downforce

in sight. Something needs to be done

Dear Sir, John Sisson’s letter published in issue 163 is most timely. There is a strong case for significantly

Eagle Imp. The braking duels at the end of

about the V8 Supercars and Formula Holden - and fast!

John Salisbury Higgins, ACT

with only Street meets and Club races being held there and the occasional round of V8 Supercars.

With Championship drag racing in decline, the spectators will gradually disappear and be drawn to football, or submarine races, or some other sport. At least we still have the October and November Bathurst races to console us...

Here’s hoping the efforts of Jim Read and his supporters will eventually be successful in achieving their ambition for a stand-alone

drag racing facility in Sydney. Finally, let me say that, if it wasn’t for Motorsport News, Channel Ten and Foxtel, we wouldn’t even know what was going on. At least we do get to watch some events on the TV, but this is

not as satisfying as being there with the smoke, the noise, the fumes and the atmosphere. Richard Argent Greystanes, NSW

Cartoonist: Allan Schofield

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