Motorsport News Issue 196 - January 5-18, 2001 by V8 Sleuth

H-!-!-! 300 MPH in

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II AUSSIE FIRST! Australia $5.50 NZ $6.95 incl GST

No. 196 18 January 2001

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HOW, Why a when;

Fn^ Gibson buys back bis team, switcbes to Ford \ - and gets lowndes!

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Richards jnmps ship too to Ford Tickford Racing i O

r LIFT-OUT ^ 2001 Motorsport ^ Calendar ^ \

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A WEEKEND AT THE GP WITH MARK WEBBER

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motorsport

news

Issue 196 5 - 18 January 2001

INSIDE

News and Opinion

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6 8 12

Lowndes, Gibson and Ford Craig to race Falcon in 2001 Deal of the Century Gibson speaks out on Ford deal FTR's new driver Richo,from Kmart to FTR Aussies Overseas

Webber cold, Jag wants James Motor Mouth Hello, is that Brad? Audi here ... The Box Seat

Saward gets ripped on holidays Talk Converter

Your say on the Bathurst plans

Features 24

Great Trivia Quiz answers

The capital of Brazil is Brasilia Grand Prix season review

36 40 44

Michael ends Ferrari drought 2001 Almanac Who will do what... not ARC Super Series review Possum's fifth, but not by much Photos of 2000 Smile through that balaclava

Race Coverage

62 300 MPH

AUSSIE nRST!

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1 Photo Credits (Contents); Dirk Klynsmith, Mpix, Robert Cianflone/Allsport and RaceAccess.

Race of 1000 Years

The ground shakes in Adelaide as Audi scrapes in - by 21 laps Willowbank history JIM READ 301.40mph!!! World Series Sprintcars Farr's first at Newcastle

Regular Departments

22 40 60 67

Motorcycles Rallying Drag Racing NASCAR

68 74 76

Speedway Histories National Scene

Marketplace 3

Lowndes signs Gibson to run Stone-built Falcon for Craig Millennium Falcon: This is our artist’s impression of what Craig Lowndes’ Falcon AU will look like if Gibson Motorsport retains Kmart.

by PHIL BRANAGANI THE silliest Silly Seasom in the history of V8 Superc ar racing has ended with confirmation that Craig. Lowndes will race a For<d for the next five years. The three-time Australian Touring Car Champion has contracted himself to Ford and will drive for the Gibson Motors port team, under the guidance ofFred Gibson. The (initial) single-car Lowndes/ Gibson/Ford deal vas to be announced by Ford President Geoff Polites at midday yesfsrday (Thursday). In a shock move two weeks ago, Gibson bought the team ba.ck from the man to whom he sold it a year ago, Garry Dumbrell. As part of the fall-out ftom that transaction, and with the absence of any guaranteed drive,foimer Kmart Racing driver Stevem Richards within hours negotiated and signed to race with Ford Tickford Racing next seasom, putting to an end discussioms the FTR team was having withi both Cameron McLean and Beam Canto. Richards’former partner at Kmart Racing, Greg Murpliy, is unsure where he stands contractually and would seem to be without a drive. At the same time the announcement ends a mmaber of relationships with Holden Lowndes, Richards and, off course, Gibson have all been majoacontributors to the GeneraJ’s success over several years. No sponsorship announeements were expected at the launeh, with Ford apparently prepared to underwrite operations until other commercial agreements aire in place and while Gibson hastily pulls together the machinery and personnel to get the first team Falcon mobile. The team will kick off with a brand new Falcon which is being completed by Stone Bothez-s. Originally ordered by Ford Racing’s Howard Marsdert for research purposes, the can’s availability is a huge boost for the fledgling Gibson Ford teaiai. 4

(Artwork by Allan Scofield]

Lowndes Motorsport News:The Deal; how long? Craig Lowndes: It's a five-year deal with Ford.

Ford Man: Gibson Motorsport’s new signing, Craig Lowndes. While Kmart is expected to be the first stop for commercial discussions, a number of companies have also expressed an interest in becoming involved in the new Gibson/Lowndes partnership. Team manager Alan Heaphy has already resigned from his relatively short stint at CAT Racing to rejoin his former boss, starting what could well be a something of a surge of movement behind the scenes in the motor sport industry... Full details - following pages

Why we’re delayed NO,we haven't been taking a day off here at Motorsport News. Because of the importance of the Craig Lowndes/Ford story, and the security surrounding it, MN actually had to print and distribute the first issue of 2001 24 hours later than normal. The next issue of MN will return to our normal schedule, so look for it as usual, from Thursday, January 18. Phil Branagan, Editor

MN: Was that your preference, a five-year deal? CL: In March, when I looked at the future of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be; to leave HRT we needed to do a long-term deal with whoever I was going to do a deal with. We had to make it viable for everyone to do it, so we could get to the goal we set, which is to win races. MN: What is the nature of the deal? Is It just motor racing or is it more than that? CL: We hope to get a lot more involved. I've always wanted to get a lot more involved in teams, and what is going on. With Fred and the whole Gibson team, I will be able to do that. With Ford: they are in an uphill battle. They want to get back to being number one, both in motor racing and car sales. I’ll be trying to help on both sides, if can. molorspoit news

With Ford

NEWS The Mad Month December 6-9 approx. Cameron McLean and Ford Tickford Racing agree in principle to a 'multi-year' deal, starting in 2001, Steven Richards heads to the UK for a two week working holiday, having fundamentally agreed to continue with Kmart Racing. But team owner Garry Dumbrell has been unable to set a time to get a contract signed. December 15-18 approx. FTR discusses the 2001 season with Dean Canto and the two agree terms for a multi-year deal. December 20 Greg Murphy is advised by Dumbrell that Fred Gibson has bought a share in the team. Murphy is later told that the share is 100 percent. Richards, in transit, finds out in a voicemail message while in Singapore and arrives in Melbourne that night. McLean rings FTR manager John Matthews and is advised that the team will not require his services. FTR is dealing with Dean Canto and his team owner and manager, Terry Steer.

December 21 Richards contacts Fred Gibson, who advises him that he (Gibson) has nothing concrete to offer immediately for 2001 and that he (Richards) should do what he believes is in his best interests.

This is another new chapter MN: You also want to start putting something back into the sport, don't you? CL: I do. The other side of it is that I want to try and bring some young people through the sport. Peter Brock did that with me, and this gives me the opportunity to be able to give back to motorsport some of what I have been able to get out of it myself. It's just a matter of helping people come along, and we will see as the year goes on how much we can do with that. Obviously, we have to concentrate on doing what we want to do - this is a whole new concept for us, and we want to make sure it works.

MN: What sort of reaction do you expect-firstly from the fans, and then from Holden? CL: I am hopeful that the fans will understand the decision that we have made. I will continue doing what I have always done; going out and talking to the fans and signing all their autographs. I guess I can safely say that there are going to be 5 January 2001

some upset people. A lot of people wanted to see me continue my relationship with Holden. This is my best opportunity to go forward in the sport, and the decision I made fulfils everything I have wanted in motorsport. On that side of it, I am very happy. But I will always remember that Holden gave me the support I needed back in 1994, and that allowed me to become who I am. You never forget that. This is another new chapter.

MN: What are your expectations in the first year? CL: My idea is; it’s another racecar. I think we can get up and win. It’s really good that the Grand Prix is first race, and that’s not a championship round. That will give us a chance to get the bugs out of it for Phillip Island, which is the first (Shell Championship Series) round. I'm looking forward to the long distance racing. The second round of the championship is Adelaide, a long distance race, and that style and structure of racing really suits

me. Hopefully, early in the season, we can really start kicking some goals.

MN; And long-term expectations? CL; I’d love to win championships, for sure, and win races - in any car. We want to win races as much as we always have, and if we can do that, it will be a big bonus for us. This is something brand new for me; I've never has any life outside of HRT. It will be a new experience for all of us. MN: Ford has a lot of links internationally. Anything happening for overseas? CL: Something I have always wanted to do is the Le Mans 24 Hour race. That’s never been a secret. Whether it fits into the program we want to do, that’s another thing. Racing in Australia is the first priority. Whether we can do anything outside of that, we'll have to wait and see. But it always interests me,for sure.

Matthews requests details from Canto for contract. Meeting is scheduled with Canto and his manager for December 26 in Sydney. Steer arranges for Greg Crick to drive his Falcon in 2001. Richards contacts Glenn Seton of FTR to enquire about a drive. December 22 Gibson and Lowndes' adviser Noel Watson speak for the first time. Watson is keen, but says that Lowndes is close to concluding a personal deal with Ford. December 24 Matthews contacts Canto and advises that another driver has the option of an FTR drive, until 6:00pm that evening. Richards takes up the option and Canto is out of a drive. Canto is back with Steer for a 10 race program in 2001 with, maybe. Crick driving in three other events. December 27 (approx) Lowndes signs with Ford. Watson, Gibson and Ford President Geoff Polites are still negotiating. December 31 Ford and Lowndes' deal with Gibson is agreed. January 2 Gibson advises Holden Motorsport of decision. January 4 Ford publicly announces Lowndes deal.

Fred Gibson/GMS

It was Just a bush

After probably the most dramatic week of his business life during which he came to an agreement to run Craig Lowndes for Ford, Fred Gibson spoke to CHRIS LAMBDEN,.. MOTORSPORT NEWS; We all thought that Fred Gibson had semi-retired. How come you're back? FRED GIBSON: I've been 'consulting' with Garry Dumbrell for the last 12 months and the opportunity came along to get involved again, to buy the team back. In fact it was over lunch at the Flower Drum. He [Dumbrell] said "why don't you get involved and run this place again?" I thought about it long and hard - it only happened two or three weeks or so ago - and decided to do it. So as of January 1, I'm back... Having made the decision, I'm pretty happy about it. I've already spoken to people like Alan Heaphy and Bernie Wright about coming back. It'll be like the team of old, 12 months ago. MN: Like the Blues Brothers getting the band back together... FG: Absolutely. MN: Was Craig already part of the picture when you completed the buy-back of the team? FG: No. It’d be fair to say that the fact that he was 'out there doing nothing' was at the back of my mind, but it wasn't part of the deal. I simply thought there was some value in having a Level 1 franchise again. Looking at the way V8 Supercars are going, it was a sensible investment for the years to come. I certainly hadn’t spoken to Craig at all about it at that time. MN: What came next - Craig or Ford? FG: Craig came first. In fact I was talking to Stevo (John Stevenson, Holden's Motorsport Manager) just prior to Christmas when the news broke that I'd 6

bought the team back and he said - you know what he's like "Mate, what are you doing?" I explained that the opportunity had just come along and it was going to happen and he said something like "that makes it easier - you should be talking to that young chap from Brisbane..." I hadn't given it much thought, but then I did ring Craig. The conversation was very general you know, "what are you up to; what are you doing?" - that sort of thing. He got back to me between Christmas and New Year, we spoke, he said he'd love to be involved and asked me to contact Noel Watson (Craig's advisor). I didn't discuss anything concrete with Craig at all and Noel and I got together, gosh, it was only last Friday week. Noel had been away, and I finally found him and we started to talk seriously. That's how quickly this has all happened... Noel told me that Craig hadn't really heard from Holden for a few weeks and that he was looking at doing this Ford thing. I said "Oh, that complicates things a fair bit!" We spoke some more and Noel asked me what my thoughts were, I think I said something like "Oh, yeah ... it's a big move to do something like that. Keep talking to me about it..." Anyway, Noel then suggested that first of all I should speak to Geoff Polites about it, and he got Geoff to give me a ring and we started discussing it. Geoff asked me how much it would cost to do something. I told him, he got back to me on Friday, and I said I needed to think it all over. I didn't really make a final decision until Monday (New Year's Day)- that's how rapidly it's all happened - when I got back to Noel and said "okay, we've got a deal..."

I didn't really make a final decision until New Year's Day - thars how rapidly it's all happened"

- Fred Gibson on his decision to accept a move to Ford with Craig Lowndes as his driver

NEWS

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MN: It's an interesting new opportunity... FG: It'll be good for everybodyand it'll certainly add some interest to V8 Supercar racing in 2001. The one group it's not good for is Holden. I've had a long and happy association with them and I hope they understand that what I've done is simply a business decision, a commercial decision - very much like years ago when I went to Holden from Ford. At the time I went first to Ford, said what I wanted to do, and they said they couldn't do it. So I went to Holden and Rob Mclnirey did a deal. It was nothing to do with teams or people - it was a commercial decision. It's been exactly the same thing now.

tSOIM

' R S P O R T

Secrets under wraps? Fred Gibson !v decision to run a Falcon for Craif> Lowndes hasn't been kept under wraps- the decisioit was only tnaile last Moitdav! I'lliifithx (inrnltl \filh

. 5 JMHarif 2001

BJR dual blue ovals in 2002?

MN:So, you have backing from Ford. Do you need to go out and find other commercial backing? One or two cars? FG: Yes, and the first stop will, of course, be Kmart. We'll only run one car this year. I said to Geoff that this is a big challenge, something I'll enjoy - or I hope 1 will - but setting up one car, new manufacturer, new driver, is going to be a big enough task in itself. It's not like turning on a tap. It'll take a little while but we have to mould the new team together. So there'll be one car for Craig this year, building to two cars as we go along - very similar to_ when we took the Wynn's project on with the VTs. VVe won Bathurst that year... The start of the year will be slowly, slowly, but as we go along we'll get stronger and stronger. I've always said that I didn't think there was anything wrong with the Falcon - just the teams running it, to be honest. So I've got to stand up and be counted now and make the car go well... We all know Lowndes is a good driver - now we've got to show how good a team we are. When we switched from Nissan to Holden they all

bagged us - said we couldn't win using the same car as everyone else. We proved them wrong - now' we'^/e got to do the same again. If we struggle, i'.t’ll be the team getting the bagging 'cause everyone knows how good the driver is ... MN:Do you have anything at all to start with car-wise? FG: Yes, we do. Howard (Marsden) has a mew car being built by the Stone Brothers. Originally it v/as aarmarked for a development programme, but now it'll be comiragto us. It's very opportiune that we're able to get such a good start and we'll start immed lately building another car as a spare for Craig and so on. MN;How do yoiu think Craig's fans will react? There's a lot of Lowndes/Holdem fans out there... FG: I think the fans will accept what he's done. The bad publicity came from elsewhere. In a way, I feel sorry for John Stevenson, because he's a mate of mine and over 'the years I've been involved vrith Holden, he's been an absolute supporter of the team. Even in the bad times, when we had no sponsorship, he made sure were kept alive. More than anyone else, I hope he understands this is a business decision... Christine (Gibson) said to me "You can only change so many light bulbs and wash so many cars." I've done all that for the last 12 months. All the cars in the family are clean and there's mo blown light bulbs in the hous e- so I think she'll be glad to get rid of me out of the house.

It we struggle, it'll be the team getting the bagging-'cause everyone knows how good the driver is...

- EUbasan on Lowndes

Rumour of the week; as if major changes had not happened in Ford's V8 Supercar program for 2001, we hear pians are already being made for 2002. The name which keeps popping up in discussions is Brad Jones, and it was surprise us not one jot to see a two-car BJR team - with heavy Ford support- next year. n Changes at TEGA; Garry Rogers and Bob Forbes are Holden's new representatives on the TEGA Board, replacing Larry Perkins and HRT's Jeff Grech. Mark Larkham and Dick Johnson continue to represent the Ford teams. The other major procedural change is that split decisions will now be referred to the full membership, rather that decided by a Chairman's casting vote. n If, but, maybe: Adelaide's ALMS race got us wondering. Where would a V8 Supercar have ended up? Well, John Bowe, in an EF Falcon, got pole in 1995 with a 1 m36.06s on the GP track. So considering the development since then, we reckon a 2000-spec V8 should be good for about a 1 m33s in qual trim - about one second faster than the GTS Vipers qualified. A V8 would have run longer on fuel, but used its tyres more than the Viper; so we reckon a V8 could have finished on the podium! Is that a solution to the date clash, or what? n Wakefield Park will feature an unusual timetable for the penultimate round of the BOC Gases Super Touring Championship. Qualifying is likely to happen on Friday afternoon, with teams taking a day off before racing on Sunday. Expect a confirmation from TOCA next week. n The WP BOC round is likely to feature two breakthroughs for Future Touring: the first appearance of a Falcon AU and Mitsubishi Magna. Leanne Ross is due to drive the Falcon her team built in Adelaide, while Peter Muir's Magna is still aiTBA. n Wakefield Park was closed over the Christmas/New Year period for track maintenance. During the closure the owners were due to take the opportunity to re-model some of the corners in preparation for a busy 2001 season. n Porsche's new 911 GT2, of which 10 of the $400,000 fliers will be coming to Australia in the next 12 months, is not expected to be accepted into the booming Nations Cup series. The twin-turboed rocket comes standard with 462HP, an increase of 10-percent over over the previous 911 Turbo, and has a top speed of 196mph, When asked if the new Stuttgart 'flier' would be accepted, a Nations Cup official said, 'no way, they're too bloody fast!" 7

Steven Richards/FTR

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"I've had a relationship with Ford in the past -1 was a part of their iast Bathurst victorjiL So I think I go some way hack with Ford... I'm really looking forward to working with Ford, Glenn and the team's sponsors. ir

- FTR’s Steven Richards

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MOTORSPORT NEWS: It certainly was surprising to learn that Steven Richards, who everyone thought was more than secure at Kmart Racing, had jumped camps to join Ford Tickford Racing... STEVEN RICHARDS: I suppose in some ways it's a little bit unfortunate because the relationship I had with Holden and Kmart was very good. But things changed slightly while I was away overseas! Garry [Dumbrell - Kmart team owner] told me that a part of the business had been sold... I rang Fred [Gibson] and he told me that, until he had a meeting with the 'powers that be,' he didn't have anything to offer me. Naturally, I did what any professional racing driver would do and went out to see what might be available. Glenn Seton and Jon Matthews at Ford Tickford Racing told me there was a position available there for me and we immediately began to negotiate an arrangement. MN: When were you notified there were changes happening down at Kmart Racing? SR: Officially, I heard on the morning I was flying out from Singapore on my way back from England. I'd heard bits and pieces beforehand, but really it wasn't confirmed until the morning I was flying out of Singapore. MN: You obviously made the decision on the flight home that, to protect your future, if there

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Red, white and blue: Richards get comfy in his new colours. Soon he will

test the FTR Falcon vacated by Neil Crompton.iPbamMNews Digital and dm Kiynsmm

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NEWS

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When his Kmart Racing drive disappeared Steven Richards wasted no time finding a new home at Ford lickford Racing. GERALD McDORNAN spoke to the two-time Rathurst winner ahout his shock move from Hoiden to Ford was no commitment from the team, you had to have a look around? SR: Absolutely. I'm a professional racing driver and racing is how I earn my living. Fred was straightforward in saying until he had the meeting, he couldn't confirm anything, so I asked him if it was okay to ring around and find out what might be available. Fie was happy with that and said "Yes, no problem, you've got to do what's best for Steven Richards." iVIN: Your family has had a great relationship with Fred Gibson, with your father driving for GW!S for many years and you getting your start with him in the Winfield days. Was that hard to break? SR: Fred and I have been totally professional with each other and Fred has done nothing to hold me back. Before making the arrangements with FTR, I rang Fred back and told him of a long term option and he said he couldn't offer me anything and said if it was right for me, take it. It is disappointing we can't work together, but Fred is onwards and upwards with what he is doing for next year and so am I and that's good for us all. MN: Were there many options on the table - it was extremely late in the year? SR: No, not many options really. At this time of the year, very rarely is there anything available at all. It was just a case of ringing a few people around and I think the best option was with FTR. I must say that it wasn't a bad situation to find myself in finding a seat available and negotiating with FTR, Ford's factory team. MN: You would hope that these situations are a rarity rather than normal in the business of Supercar racing in the future? SR; You would like to think that. Most teams and their sponsors have a fairly good understanding of where they are heading with 5 January 2001

their business a lot earlier than this ... these sorts of things shouldn't happen around Christmas time. I had doubts that anything would come about- and that's not to say that Fred wouldn't have been able to offer me anything once he'd spoken with who he needed to speak with. But that, to me, was a risk as the possibility was that he wouldn't have been able to offer me anything once those talks had taken place. I had to make the best decision on what was available to me at the time... MN: Obviously things moved fairly quickly. You only returned from your trip on the Wednesday prior to Christmas. How long did the FTR deal take to finalise? SR: It was only a matter of days. I had to sort my side of things out and FTR had a few things to sort out on their side, but inside 72 hours from first contact to when everything was sorted we had a deal. MN: We've heard that the deal with FTR was finalised on Christmas Day... SR: Everything was finalised on Christmas Eve, which was the best Christmas present I could have had - especially since I'd arrived back in the country only a few hours earlier to a big change to what I thought was my future. Less than 72 hours later, I had another drive and it felt terrific. MN: Being a two-time Bathurst winner. Shell Series round winner and one of Holden's Team of Champions,' you would appear to be what Ford has wanted on its side. Did the discussions involve any of the senior management at Ford? SR: I really don't know, to be honest. I spoke with Glenn and Jon and they wanted to talk and, I believe, it has worked out great for Steven Richards and Ford Tickford Racing. Whether there was any influence from Ford or not, you'd have to ask them.

MN: What about the switch in manufacturers,from Holden to Ford? Your decision appears to be a major blow for Holden, who have looked after their drivers in the past... SR: Again, there is no doubt that my relationship with Flolden has been very good. But, I am sure that they understand that a race team can't function without money and I can't sit back on the sidelines and hope that everything will be okay. I've got to drive to make my living and I want to drive cars. I've had a relationship with Ford in the past - I was a part of their last Bathurst victory. So I think I go some way back with Ford... We've even had some AUSCAR success together. It's been a distant relationship, but I think it's one that can be nurtured and be positive for all sides. I'm really looking forward to working with Ford, Glenn and the team's sponsors. MN; Glenn himself has been criticised in the past for trying to keep control of everything within the team, not letting go and staying too much hands on - extending to what set-up the cars are running, etc. You're a successful driver with a strong technical background - have you already worked out how things will run with the team? SR: I've spoken to Glenn and all of our talks have been nothing short of professional and positive. Glenn wants FTR to be the best Ford team out there, bar none, and he wants success, like 1 do. Fie hasn't put any hurdles in the way of me not being able to win a championship, or from stopping us becoming Bathurst winners. We're going out onto the track with equal goals and equal equipment. Glenn's been terrific as has Jon [Matthews] and they both want to win a championship and that's what I'm about as well. I'm looking forward to our teaming up and reaching what we've set our sights on.

n Indianapolis 500-winning team owner Jim Gilmore was killed in a car accident near his Kalamazoo, Michigan home on December 30. Gilmore burst on to the racing scene in 1967 with Gordon Johncock and would go on to field cars for drivers such as Jack Brabham, Mel Kenyon and Wally Dallenbach before forging a relationship with AJ Foyt, the duo winning the Indy 500 in 1977 as well as the USAC Indy Car Series in 1975. n Having lost his regular race engineer Dino Toso to Benetton, Jordan's Jamo Trulli has been looking fora replacement and has been pushing the Silverstone team to hire Gabriele Dellicolli, with whom he worked at Minardi in 1997. In recent years the Italian has been working at Sauber as race engineer for Pedro Diniz. n The recently established media group, Vivendi Universal, has announced plans to establish its own sports network in competition with Eurosport. The Paris-based group announced that it is to sell subsidiary Canal Plus's share in Eurosport to rival TF1 and launch its own Paneuropean service. n Deutsche Bank, the biggest shareholder in the DaimlerChrysler empire, says it is going to sell its shares in the German-US car company, but this will not happen until the share price improves. n The shares of Formula 1 shareholder EM.TV hit a new low on Thursday when they bottomed out at 5.00 Euros ($4.50). The company is facing a variety of different law suits and investigations relating to the loss of value and its plan to sell the FI stake to fellow media mogul Leo Kirch. n The Brazilian state-owned Brazilian oil giant Petrobras has decided to change its name to PetroBrax to support its plans for international expansion. . The company is believed to be worried that too many people confuse Petrobras with Malaysia's Petronas and wants a new name and logo to differentiate the brand. Petrobras is a sponsor of the Williams team and the major supporter of the Formula 3000 Championship winning team. n Motor racing film maker Brian Kreisky and four members of his family were killed when his turboprop aircraft crashed just after take-off from Hampshire on Christmas. It is ironic he should have died in a plane crash for he made his 'fortune producing the 'Havoc' series of videos depicting frightful motor racing accidents. -JOE SAWARD 9

ten I_■ _

home of

■ ■ [motorsport] Shell Championship Series V8 Supercars 2001* Mar4 . .Albert Park . . .(Non championship) .Philip Island . .Adelaide . . . .

.Rdl

Apr 8 . Apr 29

.Eastern Creek

.Rd3

May 12 Jun 7 .

.Hidden Valley .Canbena . . .

.Rd4

Jun 24

.Perth

,Rd6

Jul 15

.CalderPark .

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Jul 29

.Oran Park . . .

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Aug 26

.Ipswich

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Mar25

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Konica V8 Supercar Series 2001* .R d1 Feb 25 . . .Wakefield Park Marie . . .Oran Park

.R d2

May 6 . . . .Winton

.R d3

May 27 . . .Philip Island . , Jul 8 Lakeside

.R d4

Aug 12 . . .Mallala

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.R d5

FIA Formula One World Championship 2001 Mar 4 . . . .Australia

.Rd1

Maris . . .Malaysia Brazil* Apr 1

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Apr 15

.Rd4

.Rd3

. . .San Marino*

Apr 29 . . . .Spain

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May 13 . . .A1-Ring*

,Rd6

May 27 . . .Monaco* * - denotes F3000 round also

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SOOcc World Grand Prix Motorcycle Championship 2001* ,Rd 1 Mar 19 . . .South Africa

Apr 22

. .Malaysia . .

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. .Japan

.Rd 1 ,Rd2

South Africa

May 6 . . . .Spain . . . .

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May 20 . . .France .. .

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June 3

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Italy

FedEx CART Championship Series 2001* Feb 11 . . . .Rio

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Mar 11 . . . .Monterrey .

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Apr 8

Long Beach

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Apr 29

Texas

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May 6

Nazareth . .

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May 19 . . .Motegi . . . Jun 3 Milwaukee

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NHRA Winston Drag Racing Championship Series 2001* Feb 14 . . .Pomona . Rd 1 Feb 18 . . .Phoenix .

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Marls . . .Gainesville

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All event dales in this calendar were correct at the lime of printing. Please consult any individual tracks and 'or associations for dale changes. Series or events telecast on Network Ten are marked with an asterix. Check your local guides for screening details.

McLean, Canto pi

Both believed they had the second FTR seat. by PHIL BRANAGAN

HAVING been passed over by Ford Tickford Racing, both Cameron McLean and Dean Canto are remaining positive about the 2001 season and pushing forward with their plans. McLean will drive a brand new Falcon AU, which is currently being finished by the Paragon Motorsport team, while Canto may do a limited Shell Championship Series program in the ex-Paul Weel Falcon AU, which he ran for the first time in the FAl 1000 at Bathurst in November. McLean says he has put the disappointment of missing out on the FTR drive behind him, despite believing he had an agreement with Glenn Seton and team general manager Jon Matthews. “I was at the stage where I was waiting for a contract, which never showed up,” said McLean.

Like a tiger: Both Cameron McLean and Dean Canto are charged up after having missed out on the FTR drive that they both believed they had. “It was all talked about; terms, conditions and so on. They said it was going to be sent and I wanted to find out what was going on.” McLean was told of the team’s change of plans on Wednesday, December 20, when he rang ^R’s Dandenong headquarters. At that stage, the team was talking to

Canto about the 2001 season. The Konica V8 Lites Champion then missed out on the drive when the team signed Steven Richards on Christmas Eve... “I think Dad was more disappointed that I was. He took the call from (FTR Team Manager) Jon Matthews,” said Canto.

Read's barrier-bus

Veteran Jim Read becomes first drag racer outside by GERALD McDORNAN

VETERAN Australian drag racer Jim Read broke Australian drag racing’s last remaining barrier - 300 miles per hour - with an historic 301.40mph pass at Willowbank Raceway last Saturday night. The run by Read in his 10-yearold Gregoi-y’s Automotive Publications Top Fueller ended a seven-year long effort by every Australian Top Fuel team to top the mark after Graeme Cowin ran the fi rst 290mph run in December 1993. Read was naturally delighted with the effort, saying it was unexpected; “After seven years of trying to better it, this time we weren’t trying to run 300, but that’s the way these things work out,” Read said. “The car has been to half-track faster before, but this time it really hooked up and hauled from

there on ... it was an amazing ride!” Steve Read, who had the best view of his namesake’s run from the opposite lane, had previously come closest to 300 with a 298.41mph run at Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney four years ago, while both father and son Charlie and Darren DiFilippo had recorded 298.40mph runs on separate occasions at Calder Park. It was also ironic that, while Read wasn’t trying to break the mark, neither was anyone in the sport expecting it to be broken with a practise of posting bonuses by I'acetracks for the first 300mph run to take place - some up to $100,000 - not happening on Saturday night. “It’s sad we aren’t getting anything extra for the run, but we’ve re-written the history books and really that’s what counts. I’m sure we won’t go without because of it.” The run couldn’t of come at a better time for eithei' Read or the

sport, with the run drawing attention to the current plight of drag racing in Australia. Read is still in negotiations with the New South Wales State Government trying to open a stand-alone drag racing facility in Sydney, while promoter Bob Jane last week closed both his Melbourne and Adelaide tracks to drag racing. “Five years ago the headlines read that drag racing attracted in excess of one million people annually, yet today things aren't looking gi'eat,” Read said. “We’re hopeful of successfully concluding our negotiations with the NSW Government soon, while moves are afoot by others to lease the Calder Park and Adelaide facilities and return racing to them immediately, (.sec separate story on page 61) “Hopefully, our 300mph run will draw some attention back to the sport and we can get drag racing back on track in Australia.”

nioiorsport newt

NEWS

ish on Polites on Lowndes but Richo signs Another driver, Greg Crick has also been caught up in the dilemma, with Canto’s team owner, Terry Steer, having approached the Tasmanian to drive the car during the season Crick may now run three races with the team and share the car with Canto at the Queensland 500 and Bathurst. McLean says he is now in a better position than he was during the 2000 season, “While I was talking to Seton, I was still considering my options. They made my mind up for me. “We are pushing on with our new car and we are still talking to sponsors. We’re in the best position we have been in for two years. I’m looking forward to being on the grid at Albert Park. “After Bathurst and the Queensland 500, with DJR,I liked the feeling of driving around in front of those guys. “All these things happen for a good reason.”

MOTORSPORT NEWS: We understand that Craig is contracted directly to Ford and that luappened prior to the Gibson team deal emerging. Correct? GEOFF POLITES: Yes. Craig is contracted to us, to drive a Ford. The- Fred thing came up very late. Craig wanted to drive in a team where he felt really comfortable. He's always had a tremendotjs admiration for Fred - so it all sort of happened! MN: When did your arrangement with Craig, personality,come together? GP: Pretty late! The stuff everyone has been reading is pretty rigbt I called him and said "I know you've got all these conrtractual issues _ when you. see your way through them, we'd really like to have you drive a Ford, I'll leave ittO’ you." And I did. I sat in the background and watched all the speculation. It wasn't until after

301.401

PMecf States to top 300mph

while! But yes, this is all over and above our existing arrangements and doesn't connpromise the support for any of our existing teams - all of whom have a healthy increase in support for 2001.

MM: How long is the contract with Craig for? GP: Some years... MN: More than three? GP: More than three. This is a long-term arrangement between Craig and the Ford Motor Company.

All on the line: Ford boss Geoff Polites has signed Craig Lowndes. Now he just wants to win races.

Mid-way ttirough last year Craig's involvement was never a proposition. To have it come about is quite exciting and fulfilling. Now we've just got to win some races" -Ford Australia Chairman Geoff Polites Bathurst that he made a final decision that he was going to leave HRT and it was then that we stated to talk to him. The final deal, really, has come in the last couple of weeks. MN:The Gibson option came fairly late in the piece. Were there others? GP: He had discussions along the way with a couple of Ford teams (and Holden teams), but he was always looking for something that really made him comfortable - and Fred provides him with that. It was then a case of could we do a deal with Fred. And we did.

Where there’s smoke, there’sfire: 15-uinc Australian Chanipioii Jim Read again wrote his name itito the record hooks with a MJJ.JOmidi blast. 5 January 2001

MN: It would seem this deal is over and above your existing package with your existing teams and represents a serious investment in motor sport. Ford is starting to get serious... GP: I've been serious for a

MN: Clearly you have plans to utilise Craig strongly in your vehicle marketing plans? GP: I think Craig is the most merchandisable feature in Australian motor sport right now. He sits with everything we are trying to do. One of the things we really want to do is get ourselves some Young Guns. Look at what the Stone Brothers have done for next year - they've got David Besnard and Marcos Ambrose, two really talented young guys. They may take a couple of years to reach their peak and now we've got a Craig Lowndes who is still young, but close to his peak. So, you've changed the face of what you're projecting overnight with those three and others like Junior Johnson, who has been around for a couple of years, but is still a young driver. MN: And as a bi-product bonus, you've got Steven Richards at FTR. GP: That's another real plus. Steven is a class act and we're really happy to have him in a Ford too. It all turns us into a very powerful combination. MN; 2001 is going to be quite a different year for Ford Racing. GP: It's exciting for it all to come together. Mid-way through last year it [Craig's involvement] was never a proposition. To have it come about is quite exciting and fulfilling. Now we've just got to win some races... - CHRIS LAMBDEN 11

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INCLEMENT European winter weather and niggling problems with the new Renault VIO engine restricted Mark Webber's car time, diuring the last FI tests pre-Christmas. “As you'd expect with something as new and advanced as the new engine, there have been a few small problems,” Webber told us last week. “The good thing is that they are small problems and the Renault engineers left Estoril very pleased with the information they had gathered. “They now have plenty to occupy themselves with before the next tests, in the New Year.” Webber was confined to the interim B200 car, with the new engine, while team recruit Jenson Button continued his acclimatisation in the 2000 car, concentrating on Michelin tyre testing.

Queanbeyan weather! Cold and a few niggling developmental problems halted Webber at Estoril. (Photos by Sutton-lmages)

MANNIE FOLD: THE ULTIMATE TRACKSIDE FAN-BOY

A FORMAL announcement concerning James Courtney's drive for 2001 is expected next Tuesday. Manager Alan Gow couldn't confirm any details prior to Christmas-“the team concerned wants to announce aU its plans at the same time”- hut the announcement is expected to confirm not only Courtney's F3 drive with the Jaguar(nee Stewart)team,hut also the team's plans for him beyond 2001. It is quite conceivable that a career path aU the way to FI has already been mapped out for the former World Kart Champion and current British Formula Ford Champion. “We're pretty pleased with the deal we've been able to put together for James,” Gow said.“He has the opportunity to go aU the way. The announcement next week is also likely to confirm that a portion of Courtney's funding is to come from a new Foundation set up by CAMS (along with motor sport patron Tbm Warwick) to support young drivers overseas. The Foundation itself is expected to be formally announced at the MotorSport Awards Dinner, on February 28. At the same time, the British press is speculating that yoimg Brit Gany Paffett wfil join Jaguar as Courtney's F3 team-mate this year. Courtney himself spent Christmas back in Austraha with his family, enjoying "just getting away fi-om it aU” before a hectic and crucial year in his motor sport career.

By Allan Schofield

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moiorsport news

NEWS

irants Courtney

n Results for the Adelaide ALMS race remain provisional after Klaus Graf drove the #2 Panoz despite being entered in #1, which retired early. American Johnny O'Connell had been suffering from a pinched nerve in his back and a bad cold and the German wasn't nominated to drive the car. n The Panoz driver line-up for the 2001 Le Mans Series still remains undecided. While David Brabham and Jan Magnussen will return to share the lead car, O'Connell and Hiroki Katoh have been told their services won't be required. JJ Lehto has been linked to a seat now that BMW is no longer running a Prototype and is unlikely to want to run in the GT class in an M3. n The two Panoz LMPOls which ran in the Race of a Thousand Years in Adelaide will again run in the ALMS in 2001, but in different hands. Jay Cochrane and David Sims have put together Westward Racing Group and will be assisted by Panoz. Cochrane will drive in addition to three young drivers.

Green hair next? Aussie James Courtney is expected to be announced as Jaguar’s F3 driver next week. (Photos by Bothwell Photographic and Jaguar.F1)

ALMS-AVESCO date clash The Don and Cochrane both want December 2races

He added that he hoped CAMS would find a THE date clash between next year's Adelaide ALMS race and the final round of the Shell solution and said that they'd been asked about the Championship Series doesn't faze ALMS topic. founder Don Panoz. AVESCO boss Tony Cochrane was adamant that Speaking at a press conference in Adelaide on the Sandown date would stand, telling the Adelaide Advertiser that he knew "where the Saturday, Panoz said that his series had scheduled the December 2 date well before AVESCO. crowds and the media would go". “We announced our schedule very early so I The clash will rob the race of being able to use have no control over what AVESCO tries to do," he V8 Supercar drivers as drawcards as has been the said. case with the inaugural event, while fans will be forced to chose between the two events. 'Tm just glad we have one race to show - AARON NOONAN everybody what our racing is all about. That clash of dates isn't on our head. If that's going to happen, let the cards fall where they may. It (the clash) didn't have to be that way. Panoz said that he had ”a real major problem in changing the date" explaining that it was the one which fitted around the other races in the series as well as suited the timeframe of transporting cars and returning them if they were to race in other events. "We wanted to get away from any clash with the holiday season. This date (December 31) was a special one.” MICHBLtIV When asked about negotiating with MtCHPLIIV AVESCO, Panoz said tongue-in-cheek that he'd "been told that you don't negotiate with them." Where and when: Will AVESCO spoil Don’s party? (Mpm S January 2001

n Stories in the Swedish press suggest Rickard Rydell will drive a third works Vauxhall Astra in this year's BTCC. Auto Motor & Sport magazine have reported that the former BTCC champion has signed a one year deal with Vauxhall, despite having also signed a one year's extension to his existing promotional contract with Volvo. So far the deal remains unconfirmed. n Andrew Pitt is about to start testing his new World Supersport Championship ride. The 24-year-old, who finished 10th in his debut season last year, will test Kawasaki's ZX-6R at Kyalami at the end of the month. The season kicks off at Valencia in Spain on March 11. n Having just signed with the QUB 250cc GP team for the 2001 season after being passed over for a 500 ride with the ShelfAdvance Honda outfit, Britain's Jay Vincent could be out of a ride thanks to sponsor. Optimum Power Technology reviewing its sponsorship commitment. Vincent's previous team owner, Clive Padgett, is trying to find Vincent a ride, but 'is not hopeful at this late stage." n This year's World Superbike Series will see the introduction of a 107 percent qualifying rule, similar to Formula 1. With grids topping 30 bikes during the year, some of the lead riders in the series, including Troy Corser and Pier Francesco Chili, have pushed for the new rule. n Alex Zanardi will carry a new number into his return to Champ Car racing. The Italian will carry the #66 plate on his Pioneer-backed machine. 13

Michelin? by JOE SAWARD

Switching channels: Frost is getting close to a PSN deal, (pimo hySumt-imagesj

Prost and PSN

LANDING a major sponsorship deal from the Panamerican Sports Network is a coup for Alain Prost but it is almost certain that there will be strings attached to the deal. In all probability, it will mean that Alain has to take on a Spanish-speaking driver and, with Marc Gene under contract to Williams, Fernando Alonso having been locked up by Flavio Briatore and (probably) Flavio Briatore and Pedro de la Rosa at Arrows, the choice is rather limited. PSN would like to have Gaston Mazzacane from Argentina but Prost is not keen. Mazzacane did not really impress during his year with Minardi. There are no other Argentine drivers worth getting excited about at the moment and so Prost may be left with Oriol Servia, who tested for the team a few days ago in Barcelona. That test was something of a surprise as a number of other young drivers had been expected to be tried out but clearly the PSN deal was on the cards at the time. Servia should not be written off, however. He was the top prospect of the Elf Formula Campus series in France a few years ago and with Elf backing 14

competed in French Formula 3 while finishing off a mechanical engineering degree in his native Barcelona). In 1998 he went to America to race in Indy Lights with Dorricott Racing. He won the Indy Lights title in 1999 and this year moved to CART with backing from Telefonica. Racing as team mate to Cristiano da Matta in Cal Well's Precision Preparation Inc Motorsports team. The season resulted in one impressive third place in Detroit. Servia has never made any secret of his desire to race in Formula 1, his decision to go to America being occasioned by the fact that Elf did not have the money to support him in Formula 3000. A friend of Pedro de la Rosa, Servia was signed up by de la Rosa's manager Julian Jakobi, who is a close friend and advisor of Alain Prost. Prost says that he will name his second driver in the first two weeks of January but it looks likely that Servia could be that man. If the FI Commission is willing to grant Kimi Raikkonen with a superlicence there is no reason why there should be a problem for Servia, a man with a full season of CART racing behind him. - JOE SAWARD

THE nunours that Ferrari will be using Michelin tyres in 2002 seem to have been created because there is not much news about Ferrari in Italy at the moment. Ferrari is three years into a five-year deal with Bridgestone and as the Japanese tyre company is pa}dng around US$2m ($3.7m) a year just to supply Ferrari with tyres it is unlikely that it would look kindly on any attempt to break that contract. There are many in FI who feel that Bridgestone will do whatever they are told to do by Ferrari and there is no doubt that Bridgestone's new tyres at the end of the season helped Ferrari to win the World Championship. That suggestion is based on Bridgestone's odd decision to take only one tyi-e compound to the Japanese GP. This was a new compound which was rather more durable than earlier tyres. Throughout the early part of the year the Ferrari Fl-2000 chassis proved to be as quick as the McLaren but tended to use tyres more and so on several occasions McLaren was able to win races thanks to this advantage. But in Japan McLaren had no choice and the team's technical director Adrian Newey remarked that the tyres available were not as soft as the team would have liked. Michelin would no doubt love to have Ferrari as one of its teams but the Italian team will not jump from Bridgestone until it is absolutely certain that the French tyres are better. That is going to take some time.

Schumacher may gain $$ if Ferrari floats FERRARI World Champion Michael Schumacher is in line for shares in Ferrari as part of a $2 billion float on the Milan Stock Exchange. Reports from Britain say that the float would help the team keep the key elements of its World Championship success in Schumacher,team manager Jean Todt and chairman Luca di Montezeolo by aU three of them receiving a stake in the Fiat-owned company. Fiat is the sixth largest maker of cars and trucks in the world, and Ferrari's operating profit more than doubled in the last year. The MaraneUo marque sold more than 4000 cars for the first time last year in addition to its on-track success.

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V8 star back in Audi I

BRAD Jones received an unexpected bonus last weekend when he was drafted into the Joest Audi team for the Race of 1000 Years in Adelaide. The Ozemail Falcon star was called into the team on Saturday after lead driver Allan McNish hurt his back by, of all things, lifting his luggage at Adelaide airport. Worse, while removing a kilt he wore for a promptional photo on Friday, the diminuitive Scot aggravated the injury badly enough to seek medical attention. Audi management attempted to contact former drivers Michele Alboreto and Tom Kristensen but, when that proved unsuccessful, they notified head office in Germany, and Jones was summoned. After completing about 25 laps in practice Jones was about five molorsDort news

NEWS

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rWelcome to 20011 EDITORIAL TWO months ago, I was trying to explain the significance of Craig Lowndes driving a Ford - maybe - to a mate in the UK, where such moves happen every week. Fie didn't catch on until I asked him to imagine The Ashes series this (English) summer, with Shane Warne bowling -for the Poms. Only then did he get it. Despite the lack of racing, the last month has been a blockbuster for V8 Supercar racing and we have been trying to stay right on top of it. As you can read in these pages, I think we had everything covered. So, here we are in 2001. It seems like only yesterday we were watching the fireworks herald in a new whatever on January 1, and now, just like that, 2000 is in the history books. For us here at Motorsport News, it was a big year. From having people think we were nuts for suggesting Jenson Button was going to drive for Williams in January, to about everything in this issue, and almost everything in between, 2000 was a year to remember. Thanks to the efforts of all our

staff and contributors, we broke the big stories and took you behind the scenes. From Mark Webber driving the Benetton for the first time, to Jason Bright finally getting into a Champ Car, to HRT's Bathurst drivers; we took you there first. And then, just like it was going to quiet over the New Year, bang; Gibson, Lowndes and Ford, and Richards and FTR - and a 301.40 from Jim Read! Of course, we also changed from a newspaper format to a magazine half-way through 2000. It was a hell of a lot of work and it still is - but the response we have enjoyed from you, our readers, has made it all worthwhile. Without your support, and that of our advertisers, it would have been a waste of time. To you all, thanks for staying aboard. Now, the 2001 season is almost upon us. Believe me, MN will continue to break the big stories and put the most important people in the sport you, the fans-first. Enough of all this. It's 2001, Craig Lowndes is on the phone, and we've got a hell of a lot of work to do ... Phil Branagan, Editor

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5 January 2001

n Dale Coyne Racing has confimed that it will run two Lola/Fords in this year's FedEx Championship Series. Drivers are yet to be announced, though Alex Barron and Gualter Salles are said to be at the top of the team's wish list. n Brazilian Felipe Giaffone will drive for Fred Treadway's team in the Northern Light Indy Racing Series this tear. The Brazilian ran Indy Lights in 2000 and was fourth in the title having won at Michigan. Fie will run in Hollywood colours as team-mate Davey Hamilton, the only man to start every IRL race since 1996. n Adelaide ALMS visitor Anthony Lazzaro is working on a deal to run the first four races of the IRL, culminating in the Indy 500. The '99 Toyota Atlantics champion, who ran a half-season in Cal Wells' PPI Busch NASCAR in 2000, is believed to be trying to land a ride in a new team apparently being formed by Sam Schmidt, who was paralysed in a testing crash at Walt Disney World Speedway last January, n Paul Tracy's race engineer, Tony Cicale, has left Team Kool Green to perform similar duties for Alex Tagliani at the Player's team.

1 Race of1000 Years seconds off the pace of regular drivers McNish and 'Dindo' Capello but he was not required to drive in the race. Nonetheless, Jones was pleased with his effort. "That's something I didn't expect at the age of 40," said Jones. " You get to a point in your career where you think that you won't get the chance to do anything like that." He also indicated that the Audi team may call again. "They gave me the indication that they were quite happy. Normally, I would be pretty disappointed to be that far off the pace. Under the circumstances, I was pretty happy with the way things went." For more on Jones'Audi drive, see Motor Mouth on page 25.

n The 2000 Indianapolis 500 has proven for sponsors to be the most valuable motor sports event to be involved in, with the annual Joyce Julius and Associates report valuing its exposure worth to be nearly US$110m (AUS$200m). Winston Cup's Daytona 500, which had surpassed the Indy 500 in the previous two surveys, was ranked second, with eight of the top 10 events being Winston Cup races. The NHRA's US Nationals ranked 47th, while no CART events made the top 50.

n British F3 Champ Antonio Pizzonia has signed for Petrobras in F3000, The 20-year-old has tested for Benetton and Arrows and is expected to announce some sort of FI test deal soon. 1

n West Surrey Racing looks set to run Rover's new team in the BTCC this year, WSR, which ran Honda's Super Touring team until the class ended in 2000, would run MGbadged 45s in the second half of the season.

Reptiles and Brad: Jones looks only slightly terrified in the Audi R8. (Photo by John Morris/Mpix)

n Ford has decided to settle its involvement in the Explorer tyre blow-out crisis out of court, although the company will not admit any liability. Almost 200 lawsuits have been filed against Ford and Firestone, with as many as 90 deaths being rumoured to have attributed to accidents caused by tyre blow-outs on the Explorer. Firestone, the US arm of Bridgestone, has said the accusations are groundless. 15

Moscow's FI shooting

TOM Walkinshaw's confidence in his recent deal to build a Formula 1 track in Moscow will be shaken by the news that the man who negotiated the deal has been gunned down and his chauffeur killed. Joseph Ordzhonikidze, the deputy-mayor of Moscow, was critically injured on December 23 when two gunmen attacked his car in central Moscow. His chauffeur Ivan Petrin died at the scene after more than 30 bullets were sprayed into his Nissan car. Ordzhonikidze survived the attack but needed a fourhour operation to save his life. The Moscow police are investigating the attack, which came four days after Ordhonikidze signed the deal with TWR for the construction of an FI race track on Nagatino Island. Rumours in Moscow suggest that the shooting is linked to the FI deal, with police sources suggesting that the deal angered the backers of a casino which had been proposed for the same site. Sources at Tom Walkinshaw Racing were quoted as saying that the shooting would not delay the construction of the track but it remains to be seen if this is the reality. If all goes to plan the Nagatino site will include a casino, several hotels, a heliport and the race track. Whatever the case, the shooting is an embarrassment for Grand Prix racing, which does not want to be linked with such activities. To date, FI boss Bemie Ecclestone has avoided all deals with Russia because of the country's image of being run by organised crime. The shooting highlights that Ecclestone was right to adopt such a policy and he is likely to try to dissuade Walkinshaw from continuing the program. Bemie is in the control of all FI venues and so is in a position to exert considerable pressure on the Arrows FI team boss. - JOE SAWARD

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Suzuka responds to Fuji pressure

THE Honda-owned Suzuka racing circuit in Japan is to be upgraded in an effort to stave off a challenge for the Japanese Grand Prix from the Mount Fuji racing circuit, which was recently acquired by Toyota. Suzuka has been under pressure from the FI authorities in recent years because of the poor level of facilities, but has always argued that there was not space to do more. Now it seems changes will be made with additional run off areas in several of the corners and a completely remodelled paddock to create more room for the teams and media. To date, the Suzuka paddock has been a rabbit-warren of small alleyways created by the team's transportation boxes. There will also be an increase in size for the media centre, which has not been big enough to cope with the demand for space. There are plans for more grandstands to be built during 2002. Suzuka is expected to be granted a new five-year contract for the Japanese GR but may still struggle to compete for the 2007 contract as Toyota is intending to spend millions of dollars rebuilding Fuji, which has not hosted the race since 1977.

Indy 500 is the target... Arie Luyendyk is looking to run this year’s Indy 500. (Photo by Sutton-lmagos)

‘THE Flying Dutchman’Arie Luyendyk says he is working on plans which will see him come out of retirement for the 2001 Indy 600. Luyendyk was quoted -in a ●Dutch newspaper as .saying lie’s only interested in the ’500 and not a full year in the Indy Racing Northern Liglit .Beries. ‘Tve seen and done tliat, and am only interested in the 500," he raid. 16

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Tyre, TV futures

Will V8 control tyre and TV deals change after this season?

Too late for Johnny? JOHNNY Herbert's planned move to the CART Champ Car series is looking shaky. The retired FI driver is quickly running out of options for this season as rides are rapidly being snapped up. His options are now limited and the most likely appears to be the Zakspeed/Forsythe operation, though it seems Zakspeed want a German driver in the second car as team-mate to Bryan Herta. Herbert's long-time connection with Ford (he gave the manufacturer its last Grand Prix win in 1999 at Nurburgring for Stewart) was thought to virtually have guaranteed him a ride somewhere in the series when he announced his intentions to race in America, however a number of Ford teams have switched to Toyota powerplants, nulifying the link. The three-time Grand Prix winner hasn't ruled out a run in the IRL, primarily due to the presence on the schedule of the Indy 500.

THERE could be changes number of changes, coming in V8 Supercar including a second off shore race to follow on racing, with both the from New Zealand. broadcast and control tyre On the tyre front, deals ciu-rently in place due for renewal in 2002. current supplier AVESCO’s Tony Cochrane Bridgestone is expected said last month that the to face competition from category was high on the list Yokohama, but the of priorities for several TV position of Dunlop is networks. less clear. “We have everybody Yokohama has interested in us, with the recently secured control possible exception of SBS,” he tyre deals for Formula said. Holden and Formula 3, “But(Network) 10 is the to go along with its incumbent, and they have done Super Touring deal, and a very good job. Clearly, it will a spokesman said that turn into a bidding war-.” the company would “look But recent blockbuster TV closely” as a V8 deals have seen Rugby League Supercar tender. and AFL rights sold for a Both Yokohama and combined $900 million, and Dunlop were in the class the likelihood of the Nine before Bridgestone took Network bidding for more over tyi'e supply in 1999. sports programming seem AVESCO and TEGA remote. are expected to “All the money is gone,” a announce the winning TV producer told Motorsport The ballad of Yoko: Yokohama have been tender for the Shell and News last month. Konica series in the aggressive in FHolden, F3 and Super Touring. “Anyone who thinks that (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith) second half of the season. Could V8 Supercars be next? there is a pot of money left for their sport is kidding themselves. Meanwhile, Cochrane said that .7 he was determined to have the matter settled during this season. ‘Tou need to have the network in place by mid-season. We want Galloway engineering the new BARTON Mawer's challenge to settle the 2002 calendar settled car. on the 2001 Australian Formula by then and, to do that, you need "Testing has been going Ford Championship got to have your broadcaster underway before the New Year, extremely well," said Mawer. alongside you. You can’t do that in the New South Welshman December.” "Already lap times are Cochrane also said that the quicker than my previous 1995 testing his new Van Diemen RF 2001 at Oran Park. 2002 calendar would feature a Mygale and having competed Mawer, who was one of the in the national series this year, I winner's of a Marsh Insurance feel ready for the challenge of aiming for the championship." scholarship, wil l have Harry

Bart

Gardemeister may get 206

FINN Toni Gardemeister looks like driving a Peugeot 206 in the Monte Carlo Rally. Gardemeister looks to be set for a 206 run by Privateer team Grifone, which enjoys semi-works status with the Peugeot factory. And the former SEAT driver is also in line to compete in the Swedish Rally, aboard a third Mitsubishi alongside countryman Tommi Makinen and Freddy Loix. Gardemeister’s technical skills are highly prized, and the Ralliart team, which runs Mitsubishi’s WRC program, is interested in having him assist in developing its Group AAVRCar hybrid, which is being tested prior to a full WRCar program for 2002. However, Ralliart chief Andrew Cowan has downplayed Gardemeister’s role with the team; “We hope that it will be a possibility later in the year, but with this new car we’ve got enough on our plate,” said Cowan. 18

-i-■t:

Victor Delta: Mawer gets down to work in the new Van Diemen. motorsport news

NEWS

Jump for Joy: D'Agostin may be continuing in a Porsche. (John Moms/Mpix)

D’Aytona? CHRISTIAN D’Agostin may be heading to the USA this week to test at Daytona. The Melbourne driver made his international sportscar debut at Adelaide at the weekend and is considering an invitation from team owner Kevin Butler to race in the 24 Hour race at the famed Florida speedway on February 3. Pre-event testing takes place next week and Butler, with whom D’Agostin did a last-minute deal in Adelaide, is keen to have the Aussie in his 2001 Porsche 911 GT3RS. “They said I had a seat if I can

get there,” he said this week. “They were really happy with what I did. Ryan McLeod was there, doing the data, and Butler wants us both to be involved.” D’Agostin only got the ride when Logical Computers stepped in with sponsorship, the car finishing fourth in the GT class after a couple of pit lane speeding violations for co-driver, Darren Palmer. “The car was great, though it was a little difficult adjusting to the left-hand drive. Still, I may have to get used to it...” - PHIL BRANAGAN

We need your help to award the Australian MotorSport Personality of the Year - which will be anounced (along with all the other MotorSport Awards) at the gala awards dinner on Wednesday February 28 (right in the middle of Grand Prix Week!) Help us out and you could win a year's supply of Motorsport News, absolutely free. Five readers will win just that (or an extension on their existing subscription if they already have one).

HOW TO UOTE We need your selection for the top three personaBities in Australian motor sport during 2000. Simply put them in order, 1-2-3, on the back of an envelope, along with your own details (name, address, phone) and mail it to us to arrive no later than January 12.(Note: ONE VOTE per entrant only.) Post to: MotorSport Personality of the Year, PO Box 1010, Caulfield WortBi, VIC 31S1. Craig Lowndes, Peter Brock, Russel l Ingali and, most recently, Mark Webber are previous winners of the MotorSport Personality of the Year award. Once again, this year it's up to you! YOUR vote could make the difference for your favourite driver. VOTE NOW!

MELBOURNE RMRK For information on tickets and availabilty: Fax; 03 9593 7700 email: marketing@cams.com.au the Motoi’Short hmaiit/s Dinner is a eo-Dromotion between MotorsDort Mews anti CAMS 5 January 2001

QANTAS AUSTRAUAN GRAND PRIX CALL HCKETMASTER 7 ON 131 641

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2001 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN

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John Cooper ONE of the most influential figures in the history of the Grand Prix racing has died in John Cooper. After starting with Formula Junior cars in the UK in the mid-1940s, Cooper revolutionised racing along with his father Charles with the first rear-engined Grand Prix car which gave Sir Jack Brabham his first two World Championship in 1959 and . 1960, below, and was also the man behind the highly successful Mini Cooper. He passed away on Christmas Eve at the age of I j I

Walter Hayes AT the same time. Ford's long-time executive Walter Hayes has died. Hayes was the man behind the most successful engine in Grand Prix history -the Cosworth DFV project, which transformed Grand Prix racing from 1967 onwards. The V8 engine then powered cars right through to 1983. Retiring as a vicepresident of Ford in Europe in 1989, he later was tempted out of retirement when Ford purchased Aston Martin. He was 76.

WEBBER/AGP COMPETITION Cut-out token (see page 21)

FERRARI Pi’esident Luca di Montezemolo says that the team's sporting director Jean Todt will be staying with the team but there are no details as to how long this be' for. Todt's contract is believed to run out at mid-season and there has been considerable speculation(some of which has clearly been designed by Todt himself) suggesting that the Frenchman is planning to move on. Todt was spotted in deep conversation with a number of Renault men at the FIA Prizegiving Gala in Monte Carlo at the start of December,leading to speculation that he might be given a role in Renault's FI plans for the future, perhaps even as a shareholder in a Renault-controlled Minardi. Montezemolo is keen to hold together the team which won the World Championship for Ferrari but is facing an uphill struggle as technical director;;Ross Brawn and chief designer Rory Byrne both have contracts whicch run out this year.. -JOESAWARD

... but Luca wants a rest DI MONTEZEMOLO says that he would like to take a sabbatical from running the company. The Italian aristocrat has achieved a great deal with the company since he took over as chairman and managing director in November 1991. He has rebuilt Ferrari and its sister company Maserati and has increased sales to what is considered to be the maximum level possible without diluting the firm's exclusive image and he has overseen victory in the Formula 1 World Championship. Montezemolo, right, was recently married and his young

wife is expecting a child in May but he accepts that it is very likely that he will able to have the time off he desires as he must concentrate on building up Maserati sales now that the factory has been completely rebuilt. Montezemolo's desire for a break is not really a surprise and a sign that many of those involved in the Formula 1 success at Ferrari now want to ease off the pace a little. Both sporting director Jean Todt and technical director Ross Brawn have expressed similar wishes. JOE SAWARD

Michelin cautious MICHELIN'S Competition Director Pierre Dupasquier has heen carefully playing down expectations that the French tyre company could win Formula 1 races in 2001. “We can only assimilate a certain amount of knowledge before the first race and we face some very serious and experienced competition,” he said. “There remains a huge lull to climh and I don't expect to see us winning or taking pole before 2003.’

The comments are being interpreted in FI circles as an attempt to avoid expectations which are too high hut there is no doubt that Michelin's ambition is to be successful in the course of its first season. The company has completed 6200 miles of testing in the course of the 2000 season and has recently begun testing with all the teams it will be supplying. - JOE SAWARD molorsporl news

How Often will you have an F1 driver as your host? Well here’s youi chance to spend a weekend with Benetton test driver Mark Webber.

WHRT YOU WIN! l A guided tour of the Benetton Renault Sport Team garage. l Two Pit lane walk passes. l Event merchandise. l Two Grandstand tickets to the 2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix. l Five nights hotel accommodation to help you recover. l You’ll also be Mark Webber’s guest at the MotorSport Awards Dinner. Plus if you live interstate, Qantas will race you to and from Melbourne. Good Luck. And get ready to live the greatest prize of them all.

HOW TO ENTER Just collect 4 identical Mark Webber Helmet tokens. You’ll find one in this issue (one last issue) and in the next two issues of Motorsport News. Attach them to an entry form and send to PO Box 1010, Caulfield North, VIC 3161 by 5pm,9 February 2001. MARK WEBBER (3P COMPETH ION: CONDITIONS OF ENTRY; 1. Promoter is Australasian Motorsport News. PO Box 1010 North Caulfield. Vic. 3161 and information on how to enter and prices form part of these conditions of entry. 2. Entry open to residents of Australia. Employees and irnmediate families of the Pfomoler. Australian Grand Prix Corporation (A6PC), Benetton Renault Sport Team and any agencies associated with this promotion are ineligible. To enter, consumers must complete an official entry Mo orspofi News published from 21/1^00 to 1/2/01) and enclose four (4) original official competition symbols (of Mark Webber’s helmet) and send entry to Mark Webber GP Competition. Motorsport News. PO Box 1010, North Caulfield, vio jibi Multiple entries accepted but each entry must be on a separate entry form in a separate envelope. Entry form may be photocopied, but (Webber Helmet) competition coupons must be originals Promoter accepts no responsibility for late lost or misdirected mail 3. Promotion starts 21/12/00 & closes at 5pm 9/2/01. A draw will occur at 11am in Sydney on 12/2/01. Winner will bo notified by mail and their name published in Motorsport News on 16/2/01.4. The first valid entry drawn will win- a trip for 2 people to Melbourne, including return economy Qantas airfares from the winner’s nearest capital city to Melbourne (if necessary), 2 four-day grandstand tickets to the 2001 Qantas Australian Grand Prix (OAGP). 5 nights twin share accommodation 2 pttlane walk passes, a ouided tour of the Benetton Renault Sport Team pit garage with Mark Webber and be guests (of Mark's) at the Australian Motorsport Awards Dinner in Melbourne on 28/2/01. Prize must be taken to coincide with the 2001 OAGP and Australian Motorsport Awards from 28/2/01 to 4/3/01 The garage tour must be taken on the date and time determined by the AGPC and the winner must take the prize at this time. Prize is subject to booking and flight availability and flights can't be changed once tickets are purchased. Flights on Qantas Airways Limited only and not it's subsidiaries (ie Sunstate. Eastern Australian. Southern Airlines and Airlink) and flights don't accrue frequent flyer points. Upgrades can't be purchased either with cash or frequent flyer points. 5. As a condition of taking the prize, the winner & their companion must comply with all directions regarding access to and/or conduct within all areas utilised by the Benetton Renault Sport Team. Cameras are forbidden in the Benetton GP team pit garage, me Promoter and/or the AGPC reserves the right to refuse to allow the winner & their companion to take part in any or all aspects of the prize, if the AGPC determines, in its absolute discretion, that the winner is not in the mental or physical condition necepry to safely participate in the prize. 6. Spending money, meals,transport to and from departure point, transfers and all other costs incurred as a result of taking the prize are the winner's responsibility. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and can t be taken as cash. 7. The prizewinner acknowledges that motor racing and any related activities are dangerous and accidents can happen, and that participation in any prize has a degree of danger. To the extent permitted by law. the prize winners exclude, release and forever discharge the Promoter and the AGPC and their respective personnel from all liability for claims, loss, damage, costs or expenses (whether arising under statute, from negligence, personal injury, death, property damage infrinpment of third party rights or otherwise) arising from or in connection with the participation in the relevant prize or attendance at the event or otherwise howsoever arising. 8. Afl entries are the property of the Promoter and will bo entered into a database and the Promoter (or any third party nominated by the Promoter) may use entrants' names, addresses and the winners image and comments for future promotional, purposes in any media worldwide without notice and without any fee being paid 9 If winner 1% undeMhe SA ToSoM ^ACT*fp00/24M'"*^^'^ winner's immediate family (as nominated by the winner) provided such person is 18 years of age or over and complies with all of the above conditions. SOM AGP 0930

2001 QANTAS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 1-4 MARCH

Apriiia’s new three wheeler...

Suzui^i

TOP female racer, Katja Poensgen will compete in the 250cc World Championship,the German recently signing to ride a factory-supported RS250 kit bike for Aprilia. The 24-year-old, above, will join with Northern Ireland's Jeremy McWilliams, who will return as a factory Aprilia rider this year, running an identical RS250 to teenager Marco Melandri. n Jurgen vd Goorbergh upped the pace even further on the final day of the three day private test for Kenny Roberts Snr's Modenas team at Almeria, Spain, just prior to Christmas, the Dutchman recording the quickest laps ever around the circuit (1m38.3s). "I'm very happy with the way the bike is running and with the work we have done, I think we will spring a few surprises and make a few podiums next season," vd Goorbergh said. n Dumped Red Bull Yamaha rider Regis Laconi has signed to partner Aussie Troy Corser at Aprilia in the World Superbike Series next year. Laconi's signing might spell the end of Ralf Waldmann's career -the German also hoping to secure the Aprilia ride. n Holland's Assen circuit has been awarded the Best Organisers Award for the Premier Event in the 2000 World Superbike Series, the award being assessed by a panel of judges of SBK bosses from both teams and management. 22

Haslam signs Legend’s son gets Shell Advance 500

BRITISH teen sensation, Leon Haslam, has signed with Jeff Hardwick's Shell Advance Honda team for 2001,the 17-year-old son of bike legend Ron Haslam getting his chance aboard a V-twin 500 after just one season of Grand Prix racing. Haslam,'who had a troubled season riding the under-developed Italjet machine in the 125cc series, secured the seat alongside fellow Brit Chris Walker after looking likely to sign with independent team Sabre Sport, his father being one of five riders to have ridden Sabre Sport's bike in 2000. "I've wanted to^bring on a young rider and Leon fits that bill," Hardwick said last"week before the deal was signed. "He's young, but has a lot of talent and I don't think this year's results gave a true indication of what he can do because the bike was so underpowered. It will be tough, but we'll do everything we can to help and bring him on as one for the future." Haslam has already impressed the team with his ability, testing last week at both Snetterton and in Spain, "In Spain on the Honda twin, Leon was almost three seconds faster than the times set on the same bike earlier in the year," Haslam's new chief mechanic, Clyde Wolfenden said. "It was a wasted year for Leon on 125s this season, but he will have the best Honda V-twin out there in 2001 and believe me he will give a lot of people a big surprise. He handles a big bike better than anyone I've seen at his age." Another British rider. Jay Vincent, was believed to be in line for a ride with the team, although he withdrew when the SAH team's lone factory NSR V-four went with Walker's signing. Rival Jamie Robinson was also considered for the ride, but he lost out to Haslam.

Cliili mi - -'la

SUZUKTs new 2001 GSX-R750 has flown in its first testing sessions, giving Team Suzuki Alstare riders, Piei-francesco Chili and Stepane Chamhon plenty of confidence heading into this year’s World Superbike Series. Running in a two-day test session at Japan’s Suzuka track, with low temperatures, both riders were able to gather a lot of information about the new bikes, while also being able to post some extremely quick times - Chili recording a 2m09.63s best. “The new Suzxiki is very, very good and I am very happy with the tests and also very happy about the season ahead,” Chili said. “Suzuki has done a great deal of work on the new 2001 bike and it is a significant improvement over the one we raced last season. It is easier to ride, so we should be able to ride it much harder with less problems. I’m confident of having a good year.” Chamhon, who is joining moiorsporl news

BIKES

HELMETS wrdh a lightweight ADVANTAGE

FOR RACiME

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ibon confident of GSX-R750

SILVER —fi

YES Sparco Helmets j^rif 1 ft carry B.S.I. BB58-A-FR homologation with Nomex APPR^D fire resistant internal lining

Plus Peltop ADDED.Pepformance Fop

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PRO RALLY PELTOR CARBON ACCESSORIES

Happy men: Chili top and Chambon above are expecting big thing^s from the 2001 Suzuki GSX-R750 in the World Superbike Series, the team for the new season, was equally impressed: “Although I only rode the 2000 GSX RR750 Suzuki at the tests in Spain I can teU that the new 2001 bike is much better. I don’t have Chili’s 5 January 2001

experience, so I am still taking things fairly steadily. But, once I understand the bike better, I know it’s going to be a good season. Suzuki has given us a very good machine and I feel very positive about 2001.

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YOUR COMPETmOM HELMET SPECIALIST... Perth - Cully'B RACE-E-QUiP - COB] S3444444 Adelaide - ALITOSPORT - CCS] 8333 SBIT Melbourne - CONCEPT RACEGEAR - CC3] 9585 8340 Sydney - RACE S. RALLY - COB] 87C9 4585 Brisbane - TYRETECH AUSTRALIA - CC7] 3B6B 7833 Tbowoomba - BANOIT MOTCRBEAR - COT] 4B3B 6850

News Great Trivia Quiz Answers Reaction to the first MN Great Trivia Quiz was, well, Great. Some thought it was too hard, some too easy(smarties). Thanks for playing along... 1. The four Coke drivers were Wayne Gardner, Neil Crompton, Brad Jones and Win Percy. All four are left-handed. 2. The Brabham team used engines from Climax, BRM, Repco, Ford, Alfa Romeo, BMW,Judd and Yamaha. 3. James Hunt never owned a FI team. 4. A GS stands for Automobiles Gonfaronaise Sportive. 5. The first CEO of CART was Bill Stokkan. 6. The men who have driven for HRTare;JeffAllam, Jason Bargwanna, Peter Brock, Neil Crompton. Wayne Gardner, Allan Grice, Armin Hahne, Steve Harrington, Denny Hulme, Brad Jones, Todd Kelly, Craig Lowndes, Cameron McConville, Tomas Mezera, Paul Morris, Yvan Muller, Greg Murphy, Mark Noske, Win Percy, Larry Perkins, Jason Plato, Michael Preston, Nathan Pretty, Mark Skaife, Tom Walkmshaw and Stephen White. Phew! 7. David Besnard won the 1992 European International Kart Championship drivingfor TopKart-Comer. 8. We gave you a margin; FOUR drivers have driven for both HRT and DJR;Jeff Allam, Allan Grice, Cam McConville and Larry Perkins. 9. Paul Stokell qualified second at Arnaroo Park in an Elwyn. 10. Jim Richards'BMW M3 only homologated for competition on 1 March 1987- raceday at Colder. He qualified the unhomologated car the day before

19. Senna set it by finishing the lap

12. Gary Brabham was the last Aussie in a CART race before Jason Bright. 13. Carlos Sainz made his international debut in a Formula Ford. 14. Scott Goodyear was supposed to carry the number5 that Nigel Mansell wore. Goodyear carried number 2 that season. 15. HDT's ‘unlicenced'driver was Peter Lang, who was a rally driver with the team, and lacked a road racing licence. 16. The 'Flyin' Hawaiian’ was drag racer turned Indycar man, Danny Ongais. 17. In 1963, Firth/Jane were greeted by a chequered BOARD after the-then 500 miles. In 1967 race officials waved the chequered flag at the Geogheghan brothers but awarded the win to Firth/Gibson on a lap countback. In 1981 Johnson/French won after the race way stopped due to a multi-car crash at McPhillamy Park. In 1987 Brock/Parsons /McLeod were promoted from third to first after the lead Texaco Sierras were disqualified. In 1992 Richards/Skaife crashed out while leading but still won as the declared race was counted one lap back, while in 1997 Brabham/

20. Wankel rotaries, gas turbines, diesels, Sarich Orbital and any

engine type other than the Internal Combustion Engine were banned from FI in 1982. 21. Johnny Herbert won at the Nurburgring in 1999 in a non tobacco backed car. 22. CRL was Championship Racing League, an organisation fanned between the bickering USA C and CART bodies to run Indycar racing in 1980. It dissolved after a handful ofraces. 23. Robbie Francevic and Michel Delcourt won the 1985 NissanMobiloOO. 24. Dick Johnson, John Bowe, Robb Gravetf, Neville Crichton, Alfredo Costanzo, John Smith, Paul Radisich, Terry Shiel, Greg Taylor and Kayne Scott. 25. Steven Richards hasfinished on the podium in his lastfive starts at Bathurst. (1997 Primus - 2nd. 1998 AMP-2nd,1998 FAI- 1st, 1999 FAl-1st, 2000 FAI-3rd) 26. Steve Soper and Pierre Dieudonne won the 1987 Colder WTCCrace. 27. Steve McQueen's character ivaj named Michael Delaney. 28. Tom Cruise's crew chief was played by Robert Duvall. 29. The 1983 San Marino Grand Prix had a podium consisting of Patrick Tambay, Alain Prostand Rene Amoux- all Frenchmen. 30. Peter Brock (partnered by Jim Richards) won the 1988 Pepsi 250 in a BMW M3.

32. Slick tyres were first used in Formula One in 1970. 33. The late Graham Hill has been champion ofFI, Le Mans and Indy. 34.1998, John Bowe at Winton, 1999, Jason Bright at Hidden Valley and 2000, Paul Radisich at Sandown. 35. Symmons Plains and Sandown have held the most ATCC/SCS rounds (31 each). 36. There were 13 the FF champs racing at Bathurst-Perkins, Mezera, Larkham, Ingall, McConville, Lowndes, Steven Richards, Bright, Besnard, Tander, Macrow, Ritter and Youlden. 37. Kankkunen has driven for Subaru, Ford, Toyota, Lancia and Peugeot. 38. At the time our quiz issue was published Steve Read held the record for the fastest ever speed recorded in Oz, at 298.41 mph. However, that all changed last Saturday night. As you will have read elsewhere Jim Read(no relation) ran a historic 301.40tnph at Willowbank... 39. Expatriate Aussie Wally Clark, who still holds an Australian

Brabham were promoted to the win after Morris/Baird were disqualified for exceeding driving time limit.

passport but has lived in Canada since the early '70s, won the NHRA US Nationals at Indy in 1985 in Super Stock. He backed his NHRA win by taking the IHRA US Nationals title in 1995.

18. The last international sportscar race was held at Sandown in 1988.

40. Thefathers and sons to win the NASCAR crown were Lee and

featuring the Sauber-Mercedes and Silk Cut Jaguars.

Richard Petty, and Ned and Dale Jarrett.

Two cap S7R team ton Rocketsponts

driving through pit lane!

31. Graeme Crosby. 11. Barry Sheene never won the 500cc British Grand Prix.

Sateen Deal on

TWO time SCCA TransAm champion Paul Gentilozzi has become the first customer to commit to Saleen's new S7R GT racer. Gentilozzi's Rocketsports team, which ran a Jaguar XKR in the American sedan series last year, will run the Americanbuilt coupe at Daytona's 24 Hour race next month. Following that race, which is part of the American GrandAm series, Gentilozzi will campaign two S7Rs in the American Le Mans Series, and the Le Mans 24 Hour. The Saleen/Allen Speedlab company, which Steve Saleen owns in partnership with film and TV star Tim Allen, will also race two cars in the ALMS. "We have always prided ourselves as being innovative racers at Rocketsports," said Gentilozzi. "The opportunity to compete in the Rolex 24 in a truly innovative race car was too much to pass up. The Saleen S7R has set a new standard for its class, and deserves a win. We intend to be

part of that victory." Saleen was delighted to confirm the association with Gentilozzi's Rocketsponts team. “We're thrilled to have Paul and Rocketsports running our first customer car at the Rolex 24," he said. "Everyone who loves racing knows Paul's competitive nature, how he never backs down from a challenge. We'll be hard-pressed to find a better team to run our first customer car." The closed car, which made its race debut at Laguna Seca last October, has met with a positive reaction from teams running in both the AMLS and GrandAm series. The S7R utilises a 7-litre pushrod aluminium engine, producing “over 600hp“, fitted to an alloy/carbon composite chassis. It meets to regulations for the ALMS and Auto Club d'Ouest, the organising body for Le Mans. - PHIL IVIORRIS

Targa on for young and

B Eg El

TARGA Tasmania entries are filling fast and two of the more experienced drivers in the event are raring to go. Jim Richards and Graham Hoinville have been hard at it, preparing their Porsche Turbo and Elfin Clubman respectively and will be hard to beat in the event. Five-time winner Richards will face stiff opposition in the Trading Post-sponsored event, with the news that former national rally champion Bob Watson is tackling the Targa in a Porsche he is preparing in Melbourne. Event organiser Octagon Motorsports has revised the event slightly, with modern and classic cars now enjoying equal status in the rally. And, oh yes ... don’t be fooled by the picture of Richo. His actual race car is not red so, if you see a yellow blur hurtling towards you, stay calm... molorsport news

OPINION

The thipd I

T'S been a pretty big month for me - on and off the racetrack. We had a wedding in Vegas and a honeymoon in Fort Lauderdale and all around America. Then Audi gave my brother Kim a call on Saturday morning ... Kim rang me and I basically hung up on him. They had rung him from Germany (he rang me about 8 o'clock) but I didn't believe him! I booked the last two tickets on a flight to Adelaide and put them on hold. Then I rang him back and said, “tell me the truth now, because it's not funny when it starts to cost us money!" There was a little bit of apprehension on the flight-you always want to make a reasonable account of yourself- but it was the first time in a long while tha I've had that'Tm unbelievably excited, l-have-to-pinch-myself feeling". We got there just in time for qualifying and I had a run in the afternoon practice. Mind you, I had a lot to learn. Apart from a run in one of Neil Crompton's Formula Holdens 10 years ago, the last race I had in a car without a roof was in Formula Ford in about 1981.

so obviously they are a sharp operation.

The cargave is just to drive. They mefantastic some advice on some things I didn't know before I got into the car, especially Frank Bieia. He told me everything he thought I needed to know; what I would find hard and easy. The two areas he felt I would have problems coming to grips with were the carbon brakes and the downforce on middle to high speed corners. And he was right! The downforce was very hard to get used to.

efore the race McNish was walking around and he looked pretty good. We discussed the situation before the start of the race. The plan was for him to do the first stint, Dindo to do a double and me to do one, so I felt pretty confident that I was going to get a run in the car during the race. Allan put in a blinding first stint, so he obviously wasn't feeling too bad. By then, I felt that the chances of me getting in were pretty slim and Allan felt good enough to get back in at the end of the race. Towards the

Tve just done 25 laps around Adelaide in the very best sportscar in the worid - the series-winning car. There's not too many blokes in this country who wouhbi't chew their arm oft ta get that opportunity -Brad Jones

indo Capello and Allan McNish are about a head shorter than I am, so having a seat fitting was a bit of a compromise. My knees were against the monocoque and my shoulders were poking out of the car, but I was always going to fit into the car, regardless... They took me through all the things in the car, and then I had 30 minutes in it. The first couple of laps were very tentative; I had cars passing me and going all around me. But I warmed up to it and every lap was faster. I was pretty happy to end up five or so seconds off what they thought was a comfortable pace. I was doing 31s; they were doing 26s and they gave me the indication they were pretty happy with the progress I made. The Joest Audi Sport Team is pretty impressive. We obviously have a fair bit of history with Audi, so I know they way that they go about their business and it was everything I expected. They won the Le Mans Series and they went 1-2-3 at Le Mans, 5 Janoary 2001

wltli Brid Jones end they told me to kit up, I was going to do the last 15 minutes, but unfortunately, they decided it was too risky and they left McNish out there. That's okay. He wanted the championship and I was always over there as a 'spare'. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed; that's the way it goes. Formula One is the top category; then CART; then Indy Racing league, I guess. I can't believe they would be much up on the ALMS. I've just done 25 laps around Adelaide in the very best sportscar in the world - the series-winning car. There's not too many blokes in this country who wouldn't chew their arm off to get that opportunity. That's something I didn't expect at the age of 40. You get to a point in your career where you think that you won't get the chance to do anything like that. They gave me the indication that they were quite happy. Normally, I would be pretty disappointed to be that far off the pace. Under the circumstances, I was pretty happy with the way things went.

crocodile.com: Brad Jones gets comfy in Audi Sport's R8 during a break in practice on the streets of Adelaide. (Photo by John htorris/Mpix)

0, 2001 is here. It's a whole new ball game. We have a new car and I hope that it's going to be a better year than last year. We probably underestimated how difficult the task was going to be but, by the end of 2000, I think we were starting to get things together. Once we got into the top 10 at Bathurst, we stayed there pretty much all day. I think that's a good sign of where the Ozemail team is going. I think that we have lifted the competitiveness of the car and the team. I'm hoping for a much better year. See you at the races. 25

; weak-^bladdered 7, ^Vironmehtalist;^0} : a|^0Betrd^g^n\ptl6^ ^itire perfeftGhi'istnias ^' one KasSS get upf Wenfe dfinfe wine io so she oan recvtcle efficiently. It also rtleans that one is frofit of a roaringi lOg;fire and; .exposedito.the attacksrsf listen telsomeiHing;uplifting li^te^Silent Nighti-lt-hasjbeeriiai > -passihg;Stewardesses, whP> wWilteSiKffliichieveditH® : fc»ttet^utwith;hipSy Ijd^ms ahdicatering containers.^ goaK ahdithis yeair wasnO: expect a true foHower oif. exceptiojt, SaGher..iyi'asQchi:v«ould get;e ii!ifdrf»raJ!ogGtifi|ftna%yyith . |dclcdu|dfi% i. «aiGfaiTd‘:Rr!X --

n One'd'ayyrrnjsi read'the outdf Parisrgn; an American airline means works df teopojd von Sajiher- tplying; - tltat duringthetlight one is Masoch; Itthe na me souridS assaultedrby tvyodiStinct familiar,-|t Is because tRejt3ilh‘ itiodelSof hostess:trte^blipr century Austrten.;noveiist is breasted'Paris belles crunch theduiiibr pertner ofthe their bonythighsvinto your lylardoisde $ad&ln the shoulder, butthey are usually expressio'n"sado^ less dangerousthan the masbehisrnrij.Sade vvrote bjimp-breasted matrons from about hurting:Others;Sachen the Us,who tend to.be above Masochi about the pleasure df average in terms ef age and pain, ivery timejjget'bn a weight-bnimpact,thejr plane dUrlhgtheTwinter momentumVcan Clr^y:a:Pad'' months;fPcannQt but help passenger forwards andV^if.' feelingthat^need to read you are not careful,you can Sacher^^MasochL end up breaking your nose on Ghristmas IS the busiest the seat in front Of you. times,of year for the airlines JTguess|t was between and;for some reason,} always these assaults that^was seem)to endi up with, reading something;about a absoldtelythe'^wrongseat: oh. MQRl poH which Indicated; the aisle seated'next to a

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that gir|s:Vtfit ^ximefFsfipife; that:34;percent of women reckon they get more; -mbttffrracihg:yvere‘aatisfied' eniovment‘frotn.theirearS . \yithjjheîrd^j^lifef than-they dOfrom their sex -^J^lîracefan?" lives.i>was prdbably just a ' cOdld?becdme%yeryusefu|.it expressidn, n _ coincidence, but shortly beforehand,t;had been ometjme agotPmade an reading aboutthe exhaustivestddydvvhich demographiesiOfFormulaif lasted; abdnt'Ji:&minutes)ef and discovered thatfemale which racing driversthe girls' vieyversefF:1 make up 35 In Fi'find the.sexiest..Onp.er percent of the total. Could It be a coincidence?^ .twoefthe.kodHîervones;.V«ere :guitekeendni Michael. wondered..Or was every bchUmacherT Jacques . woman who goes to watch a Vllleneuye scoreddnei^two motor race Crying;out'foF fans amongsttheyouhger good:sex? And did that mean

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generation. There were some who adored Eddie Irvine's naughty l ittle boy look (although when the name Gerhard Berger was mentioned Irvine's fans melted away) but the man who came out ahead was Giancarlo Fisichella. The girls all seemed to get worked up about his dark brooding iooks and tortured: expression (particuiarly in recent months). Another man who scored strongiy was Jean Alesi. Somewhere along the way | had picked up an article about Jean. Not many have been written in the last 12 months about his racing career and I have always found that when a driver is not being successful, one learns a great deal more about him, because he has to talk about things other than racing. Fisicheiia, I have learned, is passionate about architecture, and Alesi has warm feelings about wine. In fact, Jean makes his own wine at a vineyard not far from his hometown of Avignon. One day he intends to dedicate

When Maurice Trintignant stoiiped racing infBBUt he loM over his fainiiy vineyard in the Vauciuse and renamed the famiiy wine "Le petouiet'yn transiation from French this means ■●Littie Rat Shit"" himself to the task ofproducing great wines. This is not dew for racing drivers. When Maurice Trintignant stopped racing in 1960, he took over his family vineyard in the Vauciuse and renamed the family wine '.'Le Petoulet'', In translation from French this means "Littie Rat Shit". This was his nickname acquired in a race immediately after the war from which he forced to retire because his Bugatti would not run smoothly. Upon investigation he

discovered that.the'fuel^fiTter^v^' ■/SSSrjIls was blocked vOith rafsr droppings^the car having; - spent theiwar yearsijW‘a|6f where.a'familtf;Qt-rafe;hadii^^?f:supeOT^^piMy^^^ used the fii(gl tank>ai a^Homer^ IrAci . The wine wasmot a classic - t’V‘SO ^^ btit one must'hopf ith'agmdid notlive upittjjtanbme^^

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t the other end.of the scale,;' ^leasaBwill^^ -J?Îesii®Hfcstrugîe^r coinpete yvithjhe wine niada^S'betwe?en siRsfeaTOtTn^SroS I5V another Grand‘Pri%^dri\fer>t'^t8>aet<Bgt'i^fVvitKi!^^^B|M by the name‘:6ft"G'edrg:as . , RiChard';£;Ha raced for'drilyl-Xi..;. ~jl0j#^(^1g*say^l1^sf, about 18 mbnths;iri:;i9iîahdf"" ^ -att^ ChrînWmU0^ ite awa 1929>but achieved'a^r^Sy remarkable ampunt|insa:vd,ry; i?-; :c^JmMcbj^t{fbi^^ci.^jj^^K short space:df time and-then : . tnudi^^ Anrter^ni^^fay::^ disappeared to India^^tolshoot lie-fnitrVigliJle.forJiîja^^^ tigers^’AQen1haf,-he:made.jin' lî<^|fo^0.hlis5iiâî^rjd~is. early talkiejmoyia.and then.^ ' iwbrd-tha'tijâiiy decided tb^cohcentrate oifîve^'" enCapsurates it is’Sjdhmal^ ;^' family vineyard. Chateau '' 'ljiufiich|pbelieveW dferived^‘-: Mduton. _ : g^fdmvt^b^yiddisH^Jdub^ \By:the4iine!heidiedijnii989;j ^':£reas:e;a.^^ 'BaroniPhiiippe<Rothsbhird:yyai . ^bibyihg,-aentinientaliiy ' : i the most famous winemaker becausej;b|Mts-.gooey associations). -in the world. His Chateau Mouton-Rothschild :has ;Stil|, with a little.wine, a become one of the greate st tinkling^.ilent;Nightian'd<a:wines and his Mouton Cadet: ihomely..athriosphe.re.§|^vyas ● was the best-seiiing Bordeaux' nearly tftWre foriTl^ pe^fect wine for many years. Christmas. 'T'.-

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Season Review

Red Winners Silver Les

It was a year when finally -finally!-Ferrari wen the Drivers' Championship, and took the Constructors'crown as well. Michael Schumacher's third title was Ms hardest-earned. JOE SAWARD reviews the 2000 Formula One season.

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Mission accomplished: It wasn’t

Impossible’-it just took a while for Michael Schumacher to bag his third world title, and first with Ferrari. {Photos by Sutton-lmages)

ERRARI won the FIA Formula 1 World Championship for the first time since dinosaurs roamed the earth. Well? Yes and no. When you sit down and look back at the 2000 season, you have to conclude that it was more a case of McLaren losing the title than Ferrari winning it. This is not to denigrate the efforts at Ferrari, for it was a truly titanic battle between the two teams - but McLaren let its opportunities slip. On the whole.

the McLarens seemed to have the edge in outright speed and they were more reliable but, somehow, Schumacher snuck through to get the title. Michael is a very rounded racing driver in many respects but, like Ayrton Senna before him, he has reached the point at which he needs to learn how to lose with grace and without endangering those around him. There were one or two moves this year which were not very sporting. Michael and some ofthe people at Ferrari do not understand this

concept and,for the good of the sport, they should. Winning is not everything and, as Mika Hakkinen said when it was all over, a good winner needs to know how to be a good loser as well. There were other occasions, such as at MagnyCours where David Coulthard adopted Schumacher-like tactics, when we all applauded someone taking the fight to Michael but, when all was said and done, they should not have needed to do that. The sport needs to be good clean fun. If there was one thing wrong

with the circus this year, it was that there was too much backstage griping and accusation. Ferrari, McLaren and the FIA were equally to blame for this. This sort of stuff does no good for the sport. FeiTari and McLaren need to whine less about each other, and the FIA needs to think more carefully about things like the appointment of stewards and the phrasing of the rules and regulations. But, when all is said and done, there were more positive things this year than there were negative ones. There were no obviously molorsDort news

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t Season Review^ dodgy performances to compare with things that happened in 1999 and,for this, some praise must go to the FIA, which insisted that certain wires be cut early in the year. After that had happened,the allegations of this and that slipped away. There a number of great races this year but nothing compared to the wonderful psychological battle between Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in Japan. That was Grand Prix racing at its finest. The two teams were pretty evenly matched throughout the year and one could argue that the difference came as a resrdt of Bridgestone tyres at the end of the year, which seemed to suit the Ferrari more than the McLaren. Before then the Ferrari tended to' use up the rubber faster and then fade away. Schumacher won the early races but it was clear that McLaren should have done. In Australia, Hakkinen’s engine popped. He broke down again in Brazil. Schumacher won San Marino when both men fumbled. At Silverstone, the Ferrari was hopeless but Hakkinen was by then all at sea and, so, Coulthard became the strong man, particularly after he survived an aeroplane accident. This year, more than most,the battle for the 'World Championship was a mental one. Schumacher remained on an even keel, despite things going wrong for him. For two consecutive races he was punted off at the first comer. He stayed calm. The only glitch was a few strange moment at Monza, where Michael completely lost control when someone mentioned the name Ayrton Senna. Hakkinen was all over the place

in the middle of the year but, by the end of the year, he was back to his usual steely self He is fortunate,in that he has a remarkable support team who seem to be able to bash him back into shape each time he gets lost in the dark forests of FI. If he could stay on the path all the time, it would be easier. At the end of the year he was back on song and we had two classic races in Belgium and Japan. Michael and Mika may not be as charismatic as Ayrton Senna and Alain Frost, or Alan Jones and Nelson Piquet, but, in time, they will mark this generation and one has to feel a little sorry

This year, more than most,the hatUe for the World Championship was a mental one. Schumacher remained on an even keel, despite things going wrong for him rr

Tough Guys: After his plane crash, David Coulthard was the one to take the fight to Schumacher, above. Smart Guys: Behind every good man is a good engineer. Schumacher had Ross Brawn, left below, in his corner. Not close enough: Hakkinen, bottom, was stunning on occasion, like at Spa, but Michael broke his heart and his title defence by winning the last four races. (Photos by Sutton-lmagos)

molorsport news

FORMULA ONE

Rookie of the Year: Williams' Jenson Button starred in 2000. for Coulthard. He is almost as fast as Hakkinen and Schumacher. He is in many ways a much better overall package, as he is able to express himself and people believe what he says and think he is genuine. But he is always a tenth of a second behind when the chips are down. Perhaps, when Mika and Michael clear off to spend their money, Keeping your cool: Even when things went wrong - like at Hockenheim, when he was bundled off by Fisichella - Schumacher stayed cairn and moved on. (Pholo by Sutton-lmages)

David will emerge as the star he almost is. Funnily enough, David’s gi'eat rival in Formula 3 was Rubens Barrichello, and here are the two men again snapping to be third best. Rubens did a good job. He came into Ferrari to support Schumacher. He dealt with the pressure easily. Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo may say that the two men are equal number ones but the FI world blows that this is a load of tosh. Rubens is there to help Michael, and he did a better job than Eddie Irvine has done in recent years. The fact that Rubens won a race was not hugely significant(except to him)for, while his German GP victory was well-judged and brilliantlyexecuted, it was also lucky. If that strange French protester had not been there, Rubens would not have had a hope of victory. But such is motor racing. You have to deal with the twists and turns as they come along. Rubens was there at the end to see the man waving the chequered flag and that is all that matters. No-one else was in with a shout in 2000.

continued on page 32 m n*

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RACING PROissra^ 31

Season Review

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BEFORE the start of the year, the feeling was that Williams was going to have a hon-ible yeai-. The word from Munich was that the new BMW engine had a touch too much Bavarian arrogance and not enough horsepower. Even the men at Tl^lliams were looking a bit frayed at the edges before the season began. But the engines worked when they needed to.There were a few retirements in races but,in gene^,they were very reliable and pretty competitive and,as a residt, Williams was probably the surprise of the year. The team ended op third in the Constructors’Championship and no-one would have predicted that in March. For Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head,third is not good enough and they point out ' that the gap in terms of points between them and Ferrari and McLaren was embarrassingly huge. They are right,

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New sights: BMW and Williams look like making a formidable combination. Ralf Schumacher, above, shone on occasion, and Sir Frank Williams, tnset, heads into 2001 expecting a \ot.ipmnt>yeuf<m-iiia^3i

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Rebuilding phase: Alex Wurz, right, leaves Benetton for a McLaren testing job. Not driving, waving: Pedro Diniz joins Prost GP as co-owner. (Photos by Suilon-Images and RaceAccess

motorsport news

FORMULA ONE

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Next season there should be a smaller, lighter amd faster BMW VIG and the gap should close. The Williams chassis was very good in 2000 and should be better in 2001 and, were it not for a couple of races at which set-ups were completely bungled, things went well. One of the saving graces of Wiliams - which makes it such a popular team is that it is the most human of racing teams. They make mistakes and people love them for it. There Were many who thought that Sir Francis had made a huge mistake by signing Jenson Button. They were wrong. Button was astoundingly good for a youngster and poor Wiliams had to face up to the fact he would have to get rid of his rising star to keep hold on another potential champion in Juan-Pablo Montoya. One gets the feeling that the team would have ditched RaM Schumacher were it not for his three-year contract. And, so, Button goes off to Benetton for the next two years. Wiliams has worked out a way to have its cake and to eat it. Half Schumacher actualy did a good solid job but looked fragile when Button was right there with him at the end of the year. Signing Jenson was a big risk, but he kept the car off the walls and delivered results on a consistent basis. The signs are that he wil soon be a big Formula 1 star.

II'

THE politics at British American Racing were (and still are) absurd. Entire books could be written about the machinations which went on behind the scenes between the various partners in the business. It is hard to see who would read the books except, perhaps, as a study of how not to motivate a workforce. The BAR house is divided and it will not be successful until either the Craig Pollock (and British American Tobacco) faction or Adrian Reynard and his Honda chums win the day. Reynard won few friends in 2000 as he continued to stay well clear of the team, but Pollock won a lot of respect in FI circles for knuckling down and doing the job of running the team. ^ The team continued to weed out some of the .dross from its organisational line-up and it now seems to work quite well. The cars were reliable, but not very competitive, despite the obvious horsepower from the Honda engines.. The electronics were not very good and caused too many problems. This should be solved in 2001, as Honda electronics will be used. You cannot fault the

technical men at Honda, even if the pdH.ti.cs. . within the company is as rriessy as those withiri ■ BAR. ●● . ■ One has to give a lot'of credit to. Jacques-. Villeneuve for sticking with Jtis pal Pollock. -

through thick and thin. Jacques always.gaye^t^j^^^ maximum when he was in the Cajr.ah'd'tbat1s:aCmfl a driver can do. ■ As BAR is so obviously. Villenegye's being the second driver Ricardo Zonta’s hopes were r>ot:'fuli'lleJ|ipjsj£^'.,'l'' '-5,confidence was battered by. a cdupie Ar'5— accidents caused by technical fai1uree'b’tn|f^^._ . kept his head together and showed occasion. It was not enough to keep'hiiiii'raljiri^jl in 2001, but he mayw^l It would be nice if the team could^eve1b#io^ a point at which everyone was marchtngup the^^ same direction and there .were n,6' kni.ves -'ouifi^,slicing at the partners. That has tO'ha'iDp^ rfithf-, team is ever to really work well.! The weak link to date has been R ■is.'; technical people have not delivered the-

that they talked so loudly about when thdj^ofel^^^ adventure began. One. way or another, im be nice if the politics would stop. ' '

●> vV Is thispnogt^ss? '^ BAR showed well on. occasion, but. at Monza, Ricardo Zonta coiddiiX get by Pedro de la Rosa s Arrows. hy Siiiuuhtntagtsti

Season Reviev\r

Yellow Peril HEDGES

Ishoulda been a contender: H-HF must have (Photos by Stilioit-lnutgcs) had high hopes before 2000.

THE performance of Jordan Grand Prix in 2000 was probably the biggest disappointment, because the team had done so well in 1999, effectively with only one driver. Signing up Jarno Trulli to partner HeinzHarald Frentzen looked like being a good move and everything looked very positive. But then it all started to go wrong. The first bad sign was that Mike Gascoyne, the technical director, departed in the mid-season. Ostensibly, it was because he had a better offer from Benetton, but the reality was that he was frustrated that Jordan had not made the investment necessary in a new factory and windtunnel. By the end of

the year, a number of other engineers had gone as well, but Eddie Jordan had announced plans for a completely new factory. Better late than never. By the end off the year, the Mugen engines were not a match for the main Honda VI Os and, while the Jordan chassis was good enough to be right on the pace at several races, the results were not forthcoming. On the driving front, Frentzen showed himself to be rather fragile when faced by the speed of Trulli. They were evenly matched most of the time but, as the year went on, the Italian seemed to be getting to HHF. We will have to see how they do when

they get a better car but the impression is that Trulli is probably going to be the faster in the longer-term, although he is still having more accidents than he needs to. With a factory Honda engine deal for the 2001 season, things should improve but, without a topline designer the team may suffer. Attempts to hire Egbahl Hamidy from Arrows have so far failed. The team has just about managed to retain its free and easy atmosphere, although there were signs in 2000 that this was becoming more difficult to keep up. The end of year reorganisation which saw Trevor Foster booted sideways may result in his departure and then we will see just how much influence he has had in recent years on the team. Foster allowed Eddie Jordan to continue to play the big star and it will be interesting to see if Eddie has what it takes to turn the little team into a major challenger in FI.

Decisions, decisions

THE decision-making processes of Formula 1 team bosses can be rather odd at times. The rest of the Formula 1 circus tends to judge them solely in terms of whether they improve performance, but often changes are made for political or financial reasons which are deemed to be more important. Arrows has long been plagued with such problems, and this year was no different. After a quite useful year with Supertec engines, Tom Walkinshaw decided to change engines again and go for the less than convincing Peugeot VlOs, which have been taken over by a bunch of secretive Asians. The Arrows team members tried to explain that winning is usually achieved with stability, but it is not a concept which Walldnshaw seems to understand. Money always 34

seems to dictate what happens next. The sale of Benetton to Renault produced two extraordinary decisions. The first was for the Benetton to give the whole team away when they could have held on to a part ofit and let Renault run the show;the second was Renault’s

decision to put Flavio Briatore in charge of the team. Neither decision made any sense at all. But none of these weird and wonderful events ranked with Alain Frost’s decision to fire Alan Jenkins in the mid-season. It was about as bad a decision as one could imagine. The result was that

Blue, street, hills: Benetton, below, will become Renault, which seems an easy choice, but the parting of Alain Prost and Alan Jenkins, above right, seems a harder decision to fathom. (Photos by Sutton-lmages)

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the majority of British engineers working with the team packed their bags and went back to Blighty, leaving the French to run the show. Alain is no fool. It is clear that Jenkins had to go for some political reason and one can only hope that in the longer-term, the backwards step opened the way for a better move in the futm-e. Now with backing from the Diniz Family, Ferrari engines, Michelin tyres and a new management under Joan Villadelprat and some new technical ideas from McLaren’s Henri Durand, the team should be on the way up again, motorsport news

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2001

It’s New Year, and that means racing drivers are rushing back from their holiday houses to see who cops it in the rear in the annual Motorsport News Almanac... Read on, and blame PHIL BRANAGAN un-named Australian to "fix his knees, for good, for nothing”.

The Race of 1000 Years ends in controversy. Continued bad weather and subsequent Safety Cars run the race past nnidnight, when the leading Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro Audi is called into the pits to celebrate the New Millennium. The Panoz team, which believes that the Millennium started on 1 January 2000, sweeps by to take a 1-2, Jason Bright and Greg Murphy winning from Klaus Graf/Jan Magnussen. Jackie Stewart receives a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year's honours list. Sir Jackie receives the commendation for 'services to fashion', rather than his contribution to motor racing. It seems changing from Stewart GP to Jaguar Racing in 2000, which meant the demise of Stewart Racing tartan, was more significant than the ontrack performances of Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert last season. Formula One testing continues in Portugal. Michelin dominates the sheets, with the Williams of Juan Montoya leading from Luciano Burti's Jaguar and the single Prost-Ferrari, which is being piloted by an unknown French driver in a big, fat, white racesuit. AVESCO introduces weight penalties into V8 Supercar racing. To prevent Holden from dominating the season as they did in 2000, each Commodore which finishes on the podium in each race will be force to carry ballast in the next race meeting. Giancarlo Fisichella is declared fit after his off-season knee operation. "It was a complete success," smiles the Italian, who used a high-priced surgeon from Rome, despite an offer from an 36

Paul Morris dominates the penultimate round of the BOC Gases Super Touring Championship at Wakefield Park. The four-time Champion wins both races, despite being forced to start at the rear of the grid and make a pit stop. As usual, NSW police officer John Flenderson was second. Calder cancels all.Super Speedway racing.

February TEGA clarifies the Holden weight ballast rule. Not only will winning Holdens be fitted with ballast, they will be forced to carry components from Ford V8 Supercars - like EL splitters and AU rear ends. A small group of enthusiasts meet at the Calder Park Thunderdome to commemorate what would have been the final round of the 2000/2001 Super Speedway Championship. The fans, who let out chants like "Faulk-ner", "Rich-ards” and "Dumes-ny", say they are determined to see Australia oval track racing back, and cover the outside of the property in yellow ribbons ... Morris completes his Super Touring grand slam by winning the final round of the Championship at Oran Park. The Queenslander, who started from pole position, said that he was pleased with his performance; "The TOCA bus handled much better after we changed its dampers,” he enthuses. "The hard part was having to stop every five laps to pick up passengers." Morris fails to mention that the NSW police pulled him over for a breath test

March: The new ‘low-tech’ BTCC regulations are met with enthusiasm by (Photo by Sution-Images) teams and spectators alike.

in both races. Henderson finishes second. Champ Car Spring Training winds up in Florida. Alex Zanardi tops the sheets from Paul Tracy, who punts Michael Andretti off the track during the final session. When team boss Barry Green points out that Andretti is now his team-mate. Tracy replies, "that’s why I did it..." Calder cancels all drag racing.

March Renault's return to GP racing is a great success, with Fisichella taking his first career win at Albert Park. Fisi drives the race in great discomfort after being mown down by a bus outside the track just before the FIA's Thursday deadline to change driver line ups. Police issue a description of the suspect, who was described as "tall, brown hair and.

unusually for a Melbourne bus driver, speaking in an Australian accent." Russell Ingall holds true to his pre-season word by staying out of trouble in the V8 Supercar races. At the press conference, he thanks a member of the media for a “good question”; on the track he gives way to Glenn Seton at the first corner; and, when he finishes third for the weekend, says that the opposition was "just too quick on the day. Congratulations." AVESCO launches an immediate investigation into Ingall's "erratic" behaviour... Mauricio Gugelmin withdraws from the first round of the FedEx Championship series at Long Beach due to the loss of sponsor Nextel. Replacement driver Memo Gidley takes over the drive and finishes second behind Andretti, who wins on debut for Motorola/Green. moiorsport news

LOOKING INTO 2001

KACE IDIOCY from avescbu

in the way." Then he pits in the second race, telling his team "it's a lovely day and I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the sunshine." CAMS officials instruct an official medico to look after him.

Formula One falls into disarray, when Bernie Ecclestone is declared bankrupt. "I bet the house on Craig Lowndes staying at FIRT," he grumbles, "and I lost the lot." EM.TV becomes the major shareholder in FI and Thomas Flaffa vows to "keep the sport the same - with a few improvements". Great V8 Supercar racing at Eastern Creek, with Mark Larkham breaking through for his first round win. But the real news is behind; FIRT's new driver Owen Kelly takes third ahead of Skaife, but returns to the pits to be dismissed on the spot. A new driver is expected for the next round.

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Calder cancels motorcycle racing.

May August: Never one to miss a commerical opportunity, Russell Ingall makes hay out his controversial 2000 Bathurst comments,(piwio by sumn;oignai >mrkby Bramgan)

Jason Bargwanna wins the opening SCS round at Phillip Island, but attention is turned elsewhere. Jason Bright finishes second ahead of Mark Skaife, but FIRT's new driver is sacked on the spot after Skaife complains. When asked why, Skaife says; "I already told you I'm a control freak."

There is more concern for Ingall. The Castrol Commodore ace pulls off in the first 250km race when he sees the leaders coming in his mirrors and decides that “I didn't want to get

The impact of EM.TV, which owns much of the cartoon characters in the world, is starting to be felt. Flaffa announces that there will be mandatory 'toons in each GP team: Jaguar responds by sacking Eddie Irvine and

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Calder cancels Super Touring racing.

April The Adelaide 500 is a great success again, with Steven Ellery taking Ford's first win of the season. But the real news is behind; FIRT's new driver Todd Kelly takes second ahead of Skaife, but Todd is sacked on the spot. A new driver is expected for the next round. 5 January 2001

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June: EM.TV’s influence on FI is starting to be felt, especially in new racesuit rules. Jos Verstappen and Pedro de la Rosa, left, demonstrate. (PiMobySuaon.images)

promoting Tomas 'The Tank Engine' Scheckterto race driver.

Fisichella continues his good form, finishing second behind HH Frentzen at Monaco, despite having been hit by a Renault Laguna on the dummy grid. Police describe the suspect driver as "fast, really fast..." Darwin's SCS round provides Ford with its first 1-2 of the season, Glenn Seton heading Pirtek's Marcos Ambrose at the flag. But the reals news is behind: FIRT's new driver Rick Kelly finishes fourth, ahead of Skaife, but is then sacked on the spot. A new driver is expected for the next round. The Nations Cup race ends in drama when all the Prancing Florse team drivers follow team orders, leaving the crowd to watch 21 Ferrari 360s running around the track nose-to-tail. Calder cancels ice racing.

June The GMC 400 in Canberra is a knock down street fight, with Larry Perkins taking his first win of the season. But the real news is behind: FIRT's new driver. Sports Minister Jackie Kelly, takes fifth ahead of Skaife, but she is immediately sacked. A new driver is expected for the next round. Ingall's problems continue to grow. In the first two races he seems more like his old self, running in the pack but, in Race 3, he pulls off just behind the old Parliament Flouse building, thoughtfully parking his VX well off the racing line. After the race, he explains that he was overcome by "the sense of history that pervades our nation's capital. Walter Burley Griffin's work is a thing of real beauty." CAMS officials suggest counselling. More EM.TV-driven FI changes. 'Mickey' Schumacher and Rubbles Barney-chello go 1-2 for Ferrari in Canada, just edging out continued on page 38 37

continued from page 37

Jarno Trulli, who survives a post race protest for not having a cartoon character in the team. “But we do," Trulli insists. "Eddie Jordan ..."

July Chaos at Calder's SCS round, Steven Richards pushes past Paul Radisich on the last lap to take the win, with Jason Richards third for Team Kiwi. The first New Zealand 1-2-3 iii the series' history sends the NZ fans into a frenzy; Team Kiwi's merchandising stand sells out of jandals, lamb chops and Steinlager. But the real news is behind; FIRT's new driver Kelly Linigen takes fourth ahead of Skaife, but is sacked upon returning to pit lane. A new driver is expected for the next round. The Ingall Saga reaches the end. While leading the third race, he stops his car on the main straight and climbs up the

wall of the Thunderdome. After the race, he tells the press; “I just wanted to go and see the flowers growing through the Dome and al l the pretty yellow ribbons," Perkins has had enough; not used to sacking people himself, he hires Skaife for five minutes to do the job.

Mercedes-Benz

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(Photo by Sutton-hnages)

The British Grand Prix at Flintstone (formerly Silverstone) is dominated by the Benetton of Fisichella, who runs out of fuel on the final lap. The newly-named BMW-Thunderbolt Grease-Slappers of Half Schumacher and Juan Montoya go 1-2 when Fisi misses a pit call after not hearing new Benetton team manager, Gromit, on the all-new team radio, which is supplied by a communications company in Queanbeyan. The entry list for the "Race of 1001 Years" at Adelaide is announced. Apart from 47 Ferraris, run by Prancing Fiorse Racing, the main interest is the

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history. These are the actual discs used on Larry Perkins cars during the nominated race. "One-off memorabilia" Personally signed by the driver complete

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(durri) and leader Fisichella is run off the road on the penultimate lap by a Renault course vehicle, with an Australian flag sticking out of the driver's window. That leaves wet weather specialist, Jean Ales! to take the win in the Cartoon Network/ EuroDisney Prost ahead of new Arrows driver, Jason Pluto. Craig Lowndes withdraws from the Adelaide Panoz drive. Mark Noske will now be partnered by Jason Bright.

entry for Craig Lowndes/Mark Noske in a Panoz. Calder cancels all club racing.

Calder cancels lap dashes.

August

September

Ingall linked to several teams, none of which confirm he will drive for them. FIRT won't hire him; "Fie offered to change his name to Russell Kelly, but he punted me off at Oran Park some years ago,” says Skaife. Neither will Larkham; "not after Mallala's Formula Ford race in 1989." Spa turns into a debacle. It rains

Monza is the site of another Ferrari 1-2, Schumacher leading home Barrichello. Fisichella misses the race altogether after falling down some stairs, despite the fact that he lives on the ground floor of an apartment block. Despite having Mark Webber under contract, Benetton boss Flavio Briatore replaces Fisi with Naomi Campbell, who breaks a nail, throws a hissy-fit and walls the car at the Parabolica at 70kmh on the parade lap. Ingall's search for a drive continues. The following team

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September: The influence of the USGP is felt in GP racing, when Tony George employs Country & Western star Banjo Zeke Mountbatten to play the national anthem.

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with signed certificate of authenticity. The disc rotor is presented as a display piece or can be made as a clock piece. Each disc rotor comes with a plaque stating the year, round and team driver. I Also available now: l Russell Ingall's used disc 1 rotors and l Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall's disc rotors from Bathurst 1995 to 1998, 1^^ Queensland 500 and Sandown 500. Xher teams' rounds and years are available. Please enquire.

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August: On the urging of Fisichella, British Police launch a bicycle squad to (Photo by Sufton-Images) deal with the Phantom Kneecapper (on bike). motorsporl news

LOOKING INTO 2001 The final round of the World Championship at Suzuka-land is dominated by the Lucky Strike British American Racing Reynard-Honda team, Olivier Ranis leading home test driver Anthony Davidson after an EM.TVinspired Dudley Dooright (of the Canadian Mounted Police) grid character actually arrests Jacques Villeneuve for wearing "loudly-coloured hair in a built-up area"(which is all of Japan, basically). Ecclestone, having been funded by CAMS's war chest of Ingall fines through the year, buys back FI and vows to "return our beloved sport to the people who matter; me". September; A meeting of all the V8 Supercar team owners vowing not to employ Russell Ingall breaks up at Queensland Raceway. (Photo by pordModu,)

owners black ban him; Mike Imrie, Garry Holt, Neil Schembri, Rod Nash, Anthony Tratt, Matthew White, Rod Salmon and Alan Heath. When asked, Ingall describes them as "dickheads", "plodders" and "blinded to the important things in life". After constant pressure from the GP teams, Thomas Haffa steps aside and appoints a new CEO to run FI. "This man brings a wealth of experience to the world of GP racing," he said in a high, squeaky voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, the new boss of FI, Tony George of the Jungle." Noske pulls out of the Adelaide race, citing "habit". His place will now be taken by Greg Murphy. Calder cancels truck racing.

October Ingall wins at Bathurst. Partnered by Matt 'The Hit Man' Neal, The Enforcer of old returns to his best, punting cars off left and right. His team bosses, John Trimbole and Richard Mork, join him on the podium. "These guys are the greatesti" beams Ingall. "I'd like to thank Planet-Mork Racing for giving me a great car." In deference to his oldfashioned behaviour through the weekend, race promoters make Ingall's prizemoney cheque out to CAMS directly, to cover his l estimated $110,000 in fines for the week. 5 January 2001

Mark Skaife is disqualified when leading, after exceeding the lap limit for a single driver having completed the last 25 laps with a bucket over his head. "We signed a new co-driver but he failed to turn up on the day," is his excuse. The programme lists N Kelly (of Glenrowan) as co-driver of car number 1. The team sacks Skaife and enters negotiations with Greg Murphy to return to the fold in 2002. Ingall appeals all charges at a CAMS Tribunal. Represented by a bespectacled part-time barrister from the firm of Perkins, LP & Perkins, Ingall's appeal is sucessful on all counts. CAMS repays the $110,000 plus a $50,000 fine imposed for malicious prosecution...

Bright pulls out of the Panoz Adelaide drive, leaving Ingall and co-driver Trimbole as Australia's only drivers in the event. Calder cancels kart racing.

November Ingall pulls out of the Panoz drive for Adelaide. His place is taken by Richard Mork. The Rally of Great Britain sees Richard Burns confirmed as the World Rally Champion. Burns is the only driver to avoid a plethora of television equipment left on the stages after he had gone through, subsequent enquiries putting the blame squarely at the feet of the host broadcaster. Possum Bourne, the 42-time Australian Rally Champion, is second and immediately signs a contract with EM.TV to develop a cartoon show with the working title.

n n nn

November; The new FI regulations, which makefront-wheel-drive (Photo by Sution-lmages) mandatory, challenges the use of traction control...

"Welcome to Possum's Shut Hot Hut". The accident-prone Fisichella is sacked by Benetton, and immediately returns home where he is wrapped in cotton wool, to which he develops an allergy. "I've 'ad enough of motor racing," says Fisi. "I'm going to work in an honest sport." He is linked with a pharmaceutical-backed team for the 2002 Tour de France. Mark Webber is named as his replacement, with sponsorship from Malvern Star. Calder closes its website, www.no.motor.racing.com.au

December Audi ends the year on a high note, taking the Adelaide "Race of 1001 Years" from the Panoz of Mork and Tony Smith, who won the drive in a 'Scratch and Win a Drive in a Panoz' competition held the week before the race. This time the margin is much closer-only 19 laps ... Formula One testing resumes in Europe after its November blackout. Fastest time at Estoril is set by Ralf Schumacher, whose cause is helped by the fact that Juan Montoya is hit by a bicycle on the way to the circuit. It's former Benetton driver Fisichella, but that bike seems awfully high for the little Italian ... After sitting out the whole season, and hosting the Channel 9 TV hit 'Changing Teams', Greg Murphy announces he will start his own V8 Supercar outfit for 2002. Mark Skaife is rumoured to be his new team-mate, but after months of protracted negotiations it is revealed that Murf's new team-mate will be unknown kart racer, Kelly Kelly. EM.TV goes back to what it is good at - making people laugh. There will be a new cartoon series called 'Bernie's World', which is all about a British former car dealer who buys the world... Finally, Motorsport News issues a formal apology to Tony Cochrane for leaving the AVESCO Chairman out of its 2001 Almanac. Try harder next year, Tony...

THE END

ARC Revie^^^ Possum Bourne won his fifth Australian Rally Championship title in 2000 but it was much closer than it looked on paper. JON THOMSON reviews the season

N the surface, the Australian Rally Championship in 2000 appeared to be yet another one-horse race, with Possum Bourne claiming a fifth straight title. However, a closer look at the title fight reveals that it was far from a walkover for the Kiwi. Bourne’s dominance was not the only false perception projected by the National Rally Championship in 2000. The title itself appeared to be enjoying strong health but, on closer inspection, its strength was brittle, at best. The mere fact that just two drivers, in a pair of cars way out of the reach of any privateers, held sway yet again showed just how brittle the success of the title is. Should one or both of the manufacturers pull out then the championship would be in a state of near collapse. The same can be said for the production car Group N category, where the factory Subaru of Cody Crocker did battle with Ed Ordynski’s Mitsubishi in a contest that, by its nature, shut privateers out of contention. The lack of manufacturer support and the dependence on the three existing makers involved in local rallying for funding the TV package creates an uneasy knife-edge feeling to the championship. For all of that, the actual twocar battles for both outright and Group N titles were hard-fought and interesting contests. The actual battle for the title was closer than it looks on paper. Bates took victory in four of the 10 heats, only missing a win in three heats by a handful of seconds. The Toyota Corolla was in contention for the crown right up to the final round in Tasmania and, but for a little luck. Bates could have won the title. The Championship kicked off in Western Australia in a dusty Forest Classic, which headed south into traditional forestry territory around Bunbury instead of the Mundaring area of recent years. Bourne burst out of the blocks and claimed the win in both heats l to give his title defence a perfect start. Bates was far from out of touch. Crocker was the gi-oup N winner 40

with Ed Ord}nnski outgunned in the opening fight of the year. In Queensland, Bates took heat one as Bourne struggled with an ill-handling Subaru while Crocker continued his group N dominance. Day two saw the tables turned and Bates played second fiddle once more to Bourne, as Crocker beat Ord5nnski for group N. The NSW round at Coffs Harbour, the last to be held out of the North Coast centre, was full of drama, with Bates standing the car on end over a bridge on day one, and Bourne having mechanical problems in heat two, finishing well back as Bates claimed the honours. Crocker also had dramas and was forced out of heat two after taking second on day one. All of these machinations meant that Ordynski was left to claim the overall round win with his consistency. To a chilly Melbourne in August, where Bates/Taylor and the Corolla showed that it was a package, which could still beat the Subaru. The Toyota took victory in both heats and was definitely in with a chance at the title going into ; the final round in Tasmania. Crocker had sealed his third straight Group N title after Ordynski had problems in heat one and was outpaced in heat two. The title showdown in Tasmania carried bonus points and would be dramatic enough. But both contenders had their own problems; Bates crashed heavily during a TV filming session five days before the rally, triggering a frantic rebuild, while Bom-ne blew an engine and was in his own race against time to be ready for the rally. Both made it to the start and fortune favoured the Kiwi sealing his fifth title with wins in both heats. Bates had a cam sensor fail in the first stage costing him 12 minutes and the title.

Oh no, there’s two of him! Bourne and Stacey, above, were in fine form in 2000, ieaving the Bates/Tayior Corolla, below, to chase dust for much (Photos by Rob Cianfione/Ailsport and Toyota Media) of the ARC Super Series.

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It was academic in Group N with Crocker winning both heats adding to his score after already taking the title. West Australian Dean Herridge in his Subaru Impreza dominated the privateers class through the year. Herridge battled hard with defending class champ Stewart Reid and young Victorian Spencer Lowndes throughout the year. The West Australian showed his maturity and speed with Glenn

MacNeall alongside helping the consistency. The Aussie Car Class fell to a Holden after many years dominance by Ford. Queenslander Paul Pyvarra and his Holden Ute won the class ahead of Queensland Falcon driver Peter Menzies. Formula 2 was a shadow of its former self, with Tasmanian Lee Peterson taking out the title in his Nissan, which finally found some reliability. moiorspon news

RALLY The Proton Rally Trophy suffered all year from small fields and some homologation problems but Ashlea James dominated the one-make series to take the prize of a drive in the Rally of Great Britain at the wheel of a works Super 1600 Proton. James beat regulars Joe Lombardo and Todd Reid for the prize. Subaru’s efforts gave it the Manufacturers title ahead of Mitsubishi with Toyota in third place. The good news for 2001 is that Bates will be back with backing from Ibyota once more while Subaru will be again fielding cars for Bourne and Crocker while Mitsubishi is talking about backing a second Group N car for a new "young talent" alongside Ed Ordynski. The bad news is that no new manufacturers have entered the series and a series sponsor is no closer to fruition. With Toyota’s commitment to 2002 looking shaky, the Australian Rally Championship still needs a lot of attention to ensure the advances of the past few seasons can be capitalised on and the series can move on to a stronger future.

And the winners are... BAD LUCK STORY OF 2000 Neal Bates once more showed that he is Bourne's match when everything is on equal terms. Unfortunately for Bates luck fell to his rival more often than not. Despite Bourne suffering some bad luck at times Bates always seemed to get the worst end of it GOOD LUCK STORY OF 2000 Possum Bourne again showed that often you make your own luck. Despite suffering several setbacks he was still able to maintain the upper hand and grab a fifth title. BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF 2000 Michael Guest's loss of sponsorship two years into a three-year deal with a major tobacco company. Guest's future is now up in the air after one of the toughest baptisms of fire imaginable and no money for 2001. PRIVATEER OF 2000 Dean Herridge showed that he has what it takes to go one step further by being super fast and competitive in his ageing Impreza. The best of the rest in a series dominated by the four factory cars. STUPID DECISION OF 2000 To ARCOM for deciding NSW doesn't need a round of the ARC in 2001.

Split Ns: Cody Crocker, above, show/ed himself to be a top-class driver during the season, taking the Group N crown, but there’s life in Ed Ordynski yet, the Mitsubishi veteran winning the Coffs Harbour round outright. (Photos by Rob Cianflone/Allsporl)

CRASH OF 2000 Brett Middleton for his crashes in Queensland, Coffs Harbour. Double points scored for consecutive collisions with the scenery. RASPBERRY OF 2000 To CAMS and the Saxon Safari Tasmania organisers for scheduling the final round of the Super Series on the final weekend of that big sports carnival in Sydney. BOUQUET OF THE YEAR Garry Connelly for winning the award for Rally Australia as l best round of the World Championship for the second year in a row. Interesting, given Connelly's part in the Stupid Decision of 2000 as chairman of ARCOM... -JON THOMSON

, 5 lanuary 2001

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RESTROSPECTIVE

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i=3 Brack’s back: Star Champ Car rookie Kenny Brack caught the eye at the Honda Indy 300. Dirk Klynsmith had an unusual look at the Team Rahal driver, while Lynley Reid captured the effort he put into qualifying. Right and wrong: It was a year of highs and lows for Glenn Seton, the Ford Tickford driver caught saving rubber at Colder by John Morris/Mpix. Next time we see Juan Montoya will be in a BMW.Williams at Albert Park. Let’s hope he goes further than he did at Indy, as Marshall Cass shows.

5 lanuary 2001

fmapes of 2000

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Something in the Air: It was a big yearfor rallying, both at home and abroad. Allsport’s Rob Cianflone captured Cody Crocker under attack from above, while McKlein found Colin McRae, right,flying all by himselfin Portugal.

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Out of the shadows: Dirk Klynsmith had to climb a lot ofsteps to capture Larry Perkins and hisfans, below, in the V8 Supercar races at Indy.

motorsport news

RESTROSPECTIVE

Nowhere like Bathurst: It the year of the Big Wet at Mount Panorama but there were still great photos to be caught, AFl Images capturing the browns, above, as, well as the red and yellows ofSteven Johnson, below.

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5 January 2001

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Sparkling days: The vineyards of the Yarra Valley provided some of the most evocative images for the ARC, Rob Cianflone/Allsport showing the atmosphere of the Superstage.

Bright, future? Jason Bright’s Champ Car debut resulted in a DNF but Bob Potts saw the concentration he applied to the task. Gettin’ Jeggie wid it: Jeg Coughlin, right, took the NHRA Pro Stock title in stunning style and John Asher stayed up late to see him turn the night yellow.

molorsport news

RESTROSPECTIVE

Our Father? Mika Hakkinen needed inspiration to beat Michael Schumacher. Sutton-Images was there when he donned the orange glasses ... In the heat of the night: Frank Biela had a lousy time in Adelaide but at least John Morris ofMpix had a good time. No, we still don’t know how ... ●k Donaher impressed Marshall Cass at the Adelaide 500. on in an FTR Falcon this year, but Bob Potts zeroed in at

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Mega Megane: Benoit Rousellot, above, had a tough weekend in Corsica and saved rubber by driving on one wheel. Roger, I may pit next time around: Helio Castroneves, below, had it all go hot in Chicago when his Honda blew. Both photos are classics from Sutton-Images. Pirro-ette: The Audis captured the imagination in Adelaide, as Dishan Marikar shows.

A«rf 7ie« there’s Douglas ...Doug Herbert, above, can still burn out with the best, as he demonstrated to Allsport’s John Ferrey at Las Vegas. Shining example: The sun may have set on the British Empire, but McLaren, right, fights on. The Real... Garry McCoy had a stellar year in MotoGPs, and so did Slipstream’s Colin Reuben. V.

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motorsport news

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RESTR05PECTIVE

Team Green, Team Blue: Slipstream captures the atmosphere of CAR I better than anyone; Colin Reuben zeroed in on Dario Franchitti, while Dishan Marikargot all still-life in Team Player’s pit.

Race of 1000 Years

Crocodile done deed

After a dramatic build-up, the Race of1000 Years fell to Audi by a staggering 21 laps. AARON NOONAN was in Adelaide to turn the Millennium and feel the ground shake.

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ALMS See you later, alligator: In a word, Audi. The McNish/ Capello R8 didn’t even need Brad Jones to lead almost all the way in Adelaide, which made reading the pit board easy. Good thing too; Audi’s radios went on the fritz ... (Pholtts by Dirk Klyiismitli)

tracks, 30,000 fans showing up for Friday alone and a claimed 80,000 for race day. The spirit and the atmosphere of Le Mans was truly captured. Brakes glowed in the twilight, the quicker Prototypes sliced their way through the slower class cars, and the crowd were enthralled in it all, whether daylight, dusk or twilight. It was hard to figure out where you were. The American national anthem was sung prior to the Australian, there were loads of people speaking French and Italian and signs hung over the fence reading “Frank Biela Number 1”. You really had to pull out a map and make sure this was Adelaide and not Le Mans or Sebring! But just as there were no ‘Skaifeys’,‘Rats’ or ‘Setos’ as we get in April in Adelaide, there wasn’t a ferris wheel a la Le Mans (is that bad verb conjugation or what!). Ah ha, so there was something which was lacking...

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AYBE it should have been called the Race of Attrition rather than the Race of a Thousand Years, but nevertheless, the 5hr 45min final round of the American Le Mans Series was an Audi benefit. While the hometown heroes of David Brabham, Greg Murphy and Jason Bright were unable to keep pace with the Audis and were delayed after Murphy ran off into the wall on oil (and Bright later as well), the Allan McNish/Rinaldo Capello car simply crushed the rest of the competition to let McNish clinch the driver’s title, despite being hampered by a back injury. “I have never seen a crowd as enthusiastic as this,” said McNish, who now moves full-time to Toyota and its FI program. “(My back) was more a discomfort than any pain but to be honest, when you’re driving the car and you have a chance to win the race, you don’t think about anything but that.” Team-mates Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela weren’t as triumphant; Pirro crashed while in second place before Biela rejoined in the repaired car to finish the race many laps behind. In second place was perhaps the biggest surprise. While South

Australian Alan Heath mns at the rear of the V8 Supercar field, he joined with Franz Konrad and Charlie Slater in the Lola/Ford to simply keep on keeping on and, as the rest of the cars fell down, they were sitting in second place, albeit 21 laps down by the end. The ORECA Viper team bid farewell to the VIO machine in style, the cars running third and fourth outright to win the GTS class. It was a long slog of a race and it seemed that the race lasted 1000 years rather than saying goodbye to it. Just as it embraced world of Formula 1 in 1985,the Adelaide and South Australia turned it on for the Race of a Thousand Years and the final round of the American Le Mans Series. The wail of turbochargers and sheer ear-drum numbing of the bigbore Sportscars rumbled around the concrete canyon in the return of international racing to the streets of Adelaide. While there were those who doubted whether the event would be a success, both in terms of crowd numbers and if it could capture the imagination of the people, they were quickly stopped in their

he Le Mans Series caters for three types of cars and in each of the classes - Prototypes, GTS and GT - there was quality and also a few regulars missing in the BMW prototypes, the Johansson Reynards and the GTS Corvettes. Audi brought its pair of dominant R8s for the regular driver line-up of McNish/Capello and Biela/Pirro. The former would be the focus of attention all weekend for a number of reasons. McNish only had to run 25 laps in the race and he would be assured of the Driver’s crown after Audi had already clinched the Manufacturer’s award. He and Capello were in Crocodile colours and, while the Panoz team were in their ‘Crocodile Hunter’ gear, they just couldn’t spear down the German machines all weekend. The common misconception was that McNish had the title wrapped up. It simply wasn’t the case, but the confusion was understandable considering the points system. It made things bloody difficult for local scribes covering their first ALMS race of the year, even some of the visiting media and PR peoples shrugging their shoulders and muttering obscenities about continued on page 54 53

Roce of 1000 Years

Frankie and Al: Biela led away from grid two, but McNish’s opening stint was too much for the German. continued from page 53 the system... McNish and Capello had raced together all year, yet the Scotsman was 11 points in front as they came to Adelaide. The difference is

explained by the fact that individual drivers are awarded points for pole positions, fastest laps and leading a lap m order to determine an individual champion. The situation set the scene and the storyline became more

/Qualifying^ POS DRIVERS

TEAM/CAF

t Rinaldo Capello/Allan McNish/Brad Jones 1:23.8038 Audi Sport Audi R8 2 Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro 1:23.9783 Audi Sport Audi R8 3 David Brabham/Greg Murphy/Jason Bright Panoz Motor Sports Panoz LM P-1 1:24.9890 4 Hiroki Katoh/Johnny O'Connell Panoz Motor Sports Panoz LMP-1 1:25.1683 5 Jan Magnussen/Klaus Graf Panoz Motor Sports Panoz 2001 1:26.8596 6 Eric Bernard/Emanuele Collard Motorola DAMS Cadillac Northstar 1:27.5513 7 Chistian Tinseau/Marc Goossens Motorola DAMS Cadillac Northstar 1:27.7513 8 Mimmo Schiatlarella/Didier Radiques/Nomian Simon Team Rafanalli SRL Lola B2K/10 1:28.8167 9 Franz Konrad/Charlie Slater/Alan Heath Konrad M'sport Lola B2K/10 Ford 1:32.9607 10 Olivier Beretta/Karl Wendlinger/Dominique Dupuy Viper Team Oreca Viper GTS-R 1:34.6027 11 Jean-Phillippe Belloc/Ni Amorim Viper Team Dreca Viper GTS-R 1:35.5969 12 Milka Duno/Steven Watson/Ray Lintott Chamberlain Motorsport Vipe r 1:35.9324 13 Dirk Muller/Lucas Luhr Dick Barbour Porsche 911 GT3-R 1:36.6420 14 Sascha Maassen/Bob Wollek Dick Barbour Porsche 911 GT3-R 1:37.0784 15 Hans Stuck/Boris Said/Johannes van Overbeek Prototype Technology Group BMW 1:37.2522 16 Brian Cunningham/Bill Auberlen/Nic Jonsson Prototype Technology Group BMW 1:37.5190 17 Terry Borcheller/Anthony Lazzaro Prototype Technology Group BMW 1:37.7853 18 Michael Petersen/Mike Fitzgerald/Randy Pobst White Lightning Porsche GT3-R 1:38.132T 19 Randy Wars/John Graham/Christian Menzel Dick Barbour Porsche 911 GT3-R 1:39.0278 20 Vic Rice/Kevin Buckler Intersport Racing Porsche 911 T 1:39.5519 21 PatrickVuillaume/ManfredJurasz/Fransesc Gutierrez Haberthur Porsche 911 GT3-R 1:39.6608 22 Johnny Mowlem/Richard Dean Skea Racing InCI Porsche GT3-R 1:39.8229 23 Doc Bundy/Rohan Skea/Des Wall Skea Racing InTI Porsche GT3-R 1:40.6825 25 Robert Orcutt/Darren Palmer/Chrisb'an D'Agostin The Racers Group Porsche GT3-R 1:41.6052 DO Jim Cornish/Jamie Wall/Michael Mallock Mr Antenna Pilbeam-Nissan No time

AliMS Round 12 Adelame Parklands 54

dramatic on Friday. McNish had injured his back (taking a kilt off after a photo shoot, of all things ...) and did just four laps because of the pain. Audi team doctor Christian John prescribed absolute rest and, after a visit to hospital and x-rays, McNish stayed at the hotel on Saturday,leaving the team to get on the phone and nominate an additional driver. So where to call? Dial Italy for Michele Alboreto, Denmark for Tom Kristensen or perhaps France for Laurent Aiello? Nope, dial Albuiy - home offormer works Super Touring driver Brad Jones and brother Kim. You can’t get one without getting the other and both jumped on a plane to Adelaide (after Kim managed to convince Brad that he wasn’t joking)in time for Brad to run in Saturday afternoon’s practice session. “I got the call this morning from my brother, but I didn’t believe him and hung up,” said Brad. “He kept on calling and it took him and his wife 20 minutes to convince me. Here I sit, at 40, and I get my first opportunity to drive a ‘full house’car. “I was a bit apprehensive, but pretty excited.'They(team-mates) have been telling me about braking, understeering, but the first thing I noticed on the track is how hard it is to pass cars - that is going to be a problem.” While Capello smiled and said at the post-qualifying media conference that he expected Allan to be fine and

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

win the championship, one couldn’t help but feel that he was genuine in his words, though the issue ofthe points system really raised its ugly head. McNish,therefore, needed to complete 25 laps in the race to win the title, while if he didn’t race, Capello would have to finish third or higher to win, or finish fourth and earn a bonus point for either leading one lap or setting the race’s fastest lap. Follow that?

On SaturdayMcNish afternoon, Audi the nominated to start race, while Jones jumped aboard the #77 after Capello ran a lm23.804s for pole. “It was an 80 percent perfect lap,” said ‘Dindo’. “The perfect lap does not really exist, but it’s about 1:22.8.1 did 1:23.8. Allan needs to win the championship - he’s getting old and he needs his rest! “It’s very difficult to drive at night and it’s hard to see the kerb, especially at the first chicane.” Brad did a super job in a completely unfamiliar car, getting down to a ImSls in half-an-hour and running quicker in the Sunday warm-up. Capello jumped aboard and was second quickest behind the team car until the last lap when it all came undone. A wheel nut popped oft'and Dindo ploughed into the wall at Stag Corner and ripped up the left front of the R8. Now it may just be a coincidence, motorsport news

ALMS

WITH the new Panoz still suffering troublesome teething problems, David Brabham joined Jason Bright and Greg Murphy in one of the tried and proven LMPOIs to make an 'ANZAC ine-up. "It's great to be back on the long circuit, beamed Murphy. "I tell you what, you come onto the Brabham Straight and you think you've got a bit of time to enjoy the scenery and it's all over before you know it,' While we're not too certain how many different driving suits Jason Bright has collected this year (I), he too was certain that the Panoz was good stuff. It's quite a wild thing. It's got lots of downforce and good tyres and it feels like a racing car. Brabham started the race but couldn't keep pace with the Audis and Murphy jumped aboard in third place a lap down on the Pirro/Biela car. The Kiwi ran off the road in his second part of a double stint without knowing what really happened and by the time he dragged it back they had dropped to 10th. Bright took over and continued to the end but the Audi team use the same manufactuer of wheel guns as the CAT V8 team who lost two wheels at Bathurst... McNish started the repaired car and shadowed Biela in the opening stages, but worked his way past at the 25-minute mark to lead and clinch the title after 25 laps. But he didn’t get out when the car stopped for its scheduled stop and ran a double stint with true grit, handing over to Capello after nearly two hours, though Jones had to strap Dindo in with McNish physically not up to it. Incredibly, McNish climbed back in for the final two hour stint with a 10 lap lead over the Rafanelh car, making the race very much like Le Mans in terms of the gap between the cars.

Shouldn’t someone be in the car: David lirabhwn. Gref> Murphy and Jason Bright lirepaivfbc bcitfleJir V.: l ilflHMulty-JM'KIi'iiiiitiS'tiim what tamed oat to he a tout’ll weekendfor the three-car Panoz team. for seventh after hitting oil and the wall. "On the slow-down lap I said 'this one's for you guys' because we did all the bad work and they did all the hard work," said Bright afterwards. Murphy said that the team "just about

The radio in the car was dead and the high-tech electronic pit boards(see briefs) were asking McNish to flash his lights whether he wanted to stay in the car or not. While Capello and Jones were on standby, McNish stayed in until the chequer and the end of the 225 laps.

n their first year offull-time Sportscar racing, Pirro and Biela have played bridesmaids on many an occasion to McNish/Capello and it was the same right throughout the weekend,Pirro narrowly slower than Capello in qualifying to make it the eighth all-Audi front row for the season. “There are many 90 degree corners which make traction and

rebuilt the whole car" after hisjcrasbr,.^"I was just a phenomenal,effort thought there was.ho way we'.vverjSr^^frt'^^p, to fix this car but that did -it.' Ittivas.ra'fei-^'wJ awesome effort."

torque very important,” said Pirro. “For this reason, Panoz should be strong here.” Brabham said that the Audi team says that at every track ... Speaking of the track, it was the first street course on the ALMS program for 2000, and for some it was a return from their FI days and for others it was a whole new ball game. The tight confines of the track were likened by most of the drivers to the Portland course, which this year was highlighted by a few more than normal incidents between the quick Prototypes and the slower O'! cars. “Sometimes when you come back to a circuit after a long time, you are not very sure about the corners or the speed you can go.” said Pirro, who raced in FI in Adelaide

-AAROj^N^^^ in 1989. “But once you did your first lap it’s all coming back to you as if you load a file and put it on the screen. “The circuit is really beautiful, but for the driver and the brakes, it is vei-y taxing.” PiiTO didn’t mention tyres and for reason. Tyre wear wasn’t as significant as on permanent road courses with the latest bitumen, and the general consensus was that double stints would be tougher on the drivers than the tyres and the Michelins run by the top teams could do a double stint no problems. As it turned out, the weather for the race was overcast during the daylight and naturally. continued on page 57

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Race of 1000 Years

No more Nish, Vipers

Night of lasts: Adelaide was the final event for Allan McNish and the ORECA factory Dodge Vipers, McNish will spend 2001 as Toyota's FI test driver and will do just the one Sportscar race, the Daytona 24 Hours for the Risi Ferrari 333SP team. "I don't want to compromise what I'm doing with Toyota," said the Scot. The Viper team will concentrate on its new Chrysler prototype machine for next year after dominating the GTS class over the previous few years. Vipers will continue to run in the hands of privateer teams. n Speaking of the ORECA team, ft qualified for the three-out-of-four bonus program worth US$475,000 if it could win the GTS class in Adelaide after wins at Sebring and Le Mans. When asked by this scribe whether there would be any team orders to ensure the cash, GTS pole-sitter Olivier Beretta gave him a cheeky nudge and said there wasn't. He, Karl Wendlinger and Dominique Dupuy won the class and scooped the cash. When asked how it would be spent, team manager Pierre Dieudonne said there was a Prototype program which needed an injection of funds so the ORECA team obviously had to fund their own New Year's party! n The pre-race jovial banter was on as early as the 'Breakfast with the Stars'(of course that meant the media and not the drivers...) on Friday morning, David Brabham's response to the almost all-Aussie line-up was succinct: "If we win he's (Greg Murphy) an Aussie, if we lose he's a Kiwi ..." Murf must be a Kiwi then ... n Milking the publicity: The only female driver in the race, Milka Duno of Venezuela, certainly her fair share of media attention and not just because she was female. The only driver to have more requests for photos from male fans than the promotional girls, her profile says that she has five Masters degrees in naval engineering, business organisation, marine business, naval architecture and marine biology. At age 28, we want to know how she got through them all so quickly... n Nothing like Teutonic efficiency: Audi Sport really showed their muscle off the track as well as on it. One only had to look at their pitlane setup to see that. With fully enclosed canopies mounted on th.j pit wall to rival an FI team, the pitboards were fully electronic, mounted on the pitwall and swung to and fro on the computer command of an Audi crew member in the canopy. And to think, the Germans lost the war... n Crocodile hunters: While Audi showed up with their lead R8 in crocodile colours, Panoz responded in style, outfitting Brabham, Murphy and Bright in crocodile hunting gear. 56

complete with shotguns for a publicity piece. Don Panoz walked around all weekend with a 'Crocodile Hunter' sign on his hat to get into the spirit of the occasion as well

n Whoopsie: Pom Jamie Wall, who last ran in Oz in a Super Touring Honda, said at the Friday breakfast that he'd been using the TOCA World Touring Cars game on Playstation to learn the Adelaide layout. When he arrived in Australia and lapped the track he was a bit puzzled when he found concrete at the place he wanted to turn right. He didn't realise that the game uses the V8 Supercar layout which is 700 metres shorter. He went home without doing one lap anyway (see breakout). n PTG BMW driver Boris Said is a busy man. The American, who runs ALMS, Winston Cup, Busch Grand National, Craftsman Trucks and TransAm, told MNews at Adelaide that he's raced on 41 out of 52 weekends in 2000. He'll take over the Robert Pressley Jasper #77 Ford for a handful of Winston Cup races in 2001 to combine with his other programs.

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n Come on Aussie: The Australian contingent grew in the lead-up to the race. Ray Lintott joined the Chamberlain Viper team which he raced tor at Daytona, while Christian D'Agostin and Darren Palmer lined up in a GT Porsche. Sports Sedan runner Des Wall scored a drive as well in one of Rohan Skea's GT3s and Alan Heath joined the Konrad team. Aussie Chris Howath, a former mechanic with the Valvoline V8 Supercar team, is number one mechanic on the Biela/Pirro Audi. n Golden oldies: Porsche brought to Australia some of its famous Sportscars for demo laps from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Aussie youngster Alex Davison, who has spent 2000 racing in the Carrera Cup in Germany, joined 1983 Le Mans winner Vern Schuppan, Sportscar legend Bob Wollek and Porsche GT gun Lucas Luhr in demonstration laps over the weekend. The 936 open-top Martini car ,1970 Le Mans-winning 917 and the 1994 Le Mans winner Dauer 962 were just a selection of the cars on show over the weekend. n Rubber wars: Unlike racing series such as CART, FI, IRL and NASCAR,the ALMS features a tyre war throughout the classes. Michelin are the dominant force, clean-sweeping the outright wins in all rounds of the ALMS. For Adelaide, the company brought 3000 tyres for its 12 cars. The tyres filled eight cargo containers and included more than 80 combinations of compound and construction. And that's not counting rain tyres or the 20 engineers, tyre fitters and support personnel. - AARON NOONAN

No way out

SITTING on its lonesome in the Project 2000 pits was the sole LIVIIP675 car in the field, the Pilbeam to be driven by Aussie Super Tourer driver Jim Cornish, Jamie Wall and Michael Mallock. Despite being declared legal by the FIA and the ALMS to race, the ACO wouldn't allow it to race, prompting the team to seek legal advice before re submitting the question of eligibility to the French body. Origina!ly the drama was over the front nosebox of the open-top machine, but while drawings were faxed from the UK and Pilbeam and the situation okayed by the FIA, once again the ACO's Monsieur Perdix refused the car. The car had passed all of the full dynamic and static tests for FIA 2000 specifications and had won the SR2 class of the 2000 FIA World Cup as well as running second at Daytona's 24 Hours. It was a massive disappointment for the team, especially Super Touring driver Cornish and his backer, Mr. Antenna, who had high hopes for the race. The car would have been the only car in the smaller prototype class and had it won would have automatically been exempt from pre-qualifying for the 2001 Le Mans 24-FHours. The relationship between the FIA and the ACO is reportedly so bad that the ACO refuses to speak with the FIA and It seems that Barclay, Cornish and co were the i nnocent victims of somebody else's long-running bunfight. - AARON NOONAN molorsport news

AIMS continued from page 55 the temperature dropped slightly into the night, meaning no problems in regards to rubber. The second Audi’s race ran alright for the most part, though Pirro struck the wall after three hours when trying to lap the Konrad Lola while a lap down on the lead car of Capello. “I tried to go around the outside and he forced me into the gravel. He just didn’t back off,” said the Italian, who was cruising to a comfortable collection of points. Pirro actually limped the Audi back and Biela pressed on in the repaired car. The Audis were just superior and the stiffly-set Panozes couldn’t live with them over the bumps. The

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The Comebackers: Things looked bad after Charlie Slater walled the Konrad LolaFord in practice but, in the finest tradition of New Year’s stories, Slater, Konrad and local Alan Heath climbed up to second by the finish. (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith)

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rest weren’t even close. Really, each ofthe cars was on a different level in the Prototype categoiy. The Audis followed by Panoz,the DAMS Cadillacs and then the Lolas, the Rafanelli car ahead of the Konrad version. At least they all were in the race, which is more than could be said than for the Pilbeam of Jim Cornish, Jamie Wall and Michael Mallock, which wasn’t passed by the ACO to race(see breakout). be honest, the Prototype class

T”. __ probably should be sliced up

into five or six classes for each car. While each have sleek lines and glorious sounding engines(the new Panoz and the RafaneUi Lola winning the sound award), the competition isn’t really tight and money and muscle will always win out over passion and dedication. Credit though rtiust go to Audi. They’re the most professional outfit and do the bestjob -the HRT ofthe ALMS,if you will. The introduction of new Prototypes will probably only add more classes

inside the class as teams and manufacturers use their opening year to refine and test and the second year to dominate. Audi are the perfect example. But rather than the sprint race format of other series’, where car speed wins races, there are a myriad of other factors which affected the ALMS race - the role of the pit crew, safety cars and most importantly,lapped traffic. The Panozes were not quick enough all simply weekend to fight the Audis but were best of the rest, Brabham and Johnny O’Connell wringing the neck out of the cars and Jan Magnussen stringing together his first meaningful laps in the new toy in qualifying. After the myriad of engine electrics and then gearbox problems that the new car suffered. qualifying was better and the sweet sounding machine was fifth behind the two LMPOls, albeit 1.9s off Brabham’s time. T haven’t had a lot of runs at all (in the car),” said Magnussen. “It’s a brand new car and we’re fixing the problems as they come. “The problems are a little bit of everything but we are having continued on page 58

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Race of 1000 Years continued from page 57 overheating problems as well,” to which a Panoz team member standing nearby added; “great, now everybody knows ...” All three of the red machines didn’t look as home on the bumps as the Audis and it looked like only a crash or mechanical failure would give them a chance of victory, no matter how hard the cars were driven. “As expected it was pretty dusty out there to begin with,” said Brabham on Friday. “They’re quite big cars and you can see it’s not going to be an easy thing to slice through the traffic without hitting someone so far so good. “While I was out there I was thinking ‘geez, I wouldn’t want to be learning(the car and dealing with traffic),” to which Murphy replied,“Hurry up and stop hogging the car!” The Kiwi then admitted that he had misheard a pit call and pitted early during his short stint on Friday morning, robbing himself of further laps in the car. As was expected, the #1 car of

ALMS Round 12 Adelaide Parklands

c/3 U» PosDrlvers Race iineFasMst lap 1 Capelio/McNish 5:44:51,7373 1:25.2189 2 Konrad/Slater/Heath 204 laps 1:33.5433 3 BerettaAVendlinger/ Dupuy 202 laps 1:36.3895 4 Belloc/Amorim 202 laps 1:35.5296 5 Muller/Luhr 199 laps 1:36.8501 6 Wars/Graham/Menzel 191 laps 1:39.1499 7 Borcheller/Lazzaro 190 laps 1:37,7891 Duno/Watson/Lintott 190 laps 1:36.7207 9 Brabham/Murphy/ Bright 190 laps 1:26.5394 10 Cunningham/Auberlen/ Jonsson 190 laps 1:37.2509 11 Orcutt/Palmer/ D'Agostin 188 laps 1:41.2989 12 Vuillaume/Jurasz/ Gutierrez 187 laps 1:41.1873 13 Katoh/O'Connell/Graf 187 laps 1:27.9707 14 Schiattaralia/ Radiques/Simon 183 laps 1:28.1435 15 Petersen/Fitzgerald/ Pobst 178 laps 1:38.4613 16 Biela/Pirro 170 laps 1:25.5210 17 Mowlem/Dean 164 laps 1:40.7957 18 MaassenWollak 162 laps 1:37.7019 19 Wankum/Foster/Pabst 159 laps 1:42,1687 20 Bernard/Collard 72 laps 1:29.0581 21 Tinseau/Goossens 54 laps 1:29.5338 22 Bundy/Skea/Wall 53 laps 1:41.0535 23 Stuck/Said/ vanOverbeek 30 laps 1:38.2289 24 Rice/Buckler 19laps 1:38.1804 25 Magnussen/Graf 2 laps 1:28.7582 58

Magnussen was the first retirement from the race, alternator failure which could not be fixed leaving he and Klaus Graf to begin their New Year’s Eve celebrations a little bit earlier than they had hoped, though Graf did have a steer of the #2 car, despite not being nominated as one of its drivers which the rules require. Brabham began in car #12 but couldn’t stay -with the Audis and O’Connell ran behind in a solid fourth. Staying on the lead lap was their main task in the 1000kilometre race, but after being squeezed partly up an escape road by a GT Porsche after an hour,‘DB’ went down a lap before giving Murf the car after Ihr 45. Only seconds later, O’Connell handed over #2 to Katoh but he’d been running out of brakes and had a sticking throttle and it went into the garage. The tiny Japanese driver rejoined but it ran for the rest of the race with all sorts of problems and stops to pitlane. That left the ANZACs to fight on to an eventual ninth outright and third in the Prototype class. Murphy was running in second a few laps behind Capello when the car went straight off at the 3hr 20min mark and into the wall, damaging the front left with, reportedly, brake caliper problems. “I came into the left hander and went to turn but nothing happened,” said Murf ‘T straightened it up and tried to turn into the gravel and get towed out, but I had no control. “I’ve got no idea what happened.” He limped back to give Bright a drive and Jason rejoined in 10th to plough on and improve to seventh, but then he too hit the wall at Banana Bend on oil from the Rafanelli car, bringing out the only Safety Car of the race with 45 minutes to run. Again the car was patched up by the Panoz team and the three drivers received a thunderous applause from the fans when they appeared on the podium. All of those hard-working Panoz mechanics deserve a big pay rise ... Best the other Prototypes the of Olive Garden Rafanelliwas Lola of Mimmo Schiatteralla, Didier de Radigues and Norman Simon, which had suffered a broken diff in practice and missed lots of set-up time. Mimmo had traction problems in qualifying but it came good in the race, the #0 the best behind the Audis and Panozes, moving to second after Pirro and Murphy crashed out, but it had transmission failure, promoting the Konrad car to second. The reverse was the case for the Cadillacs. Both cars were consistent but lacking outright

» .'J-

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pace in the lead-up, but both were out early, #32 with engine failure and #31 with a steering box problem, closing the door on Riley and Scott’s involvement in the program. The black cars looked and sounded nice butjust weren’t very fast at all. In the last hurrah for the Chrysler Vipers of the ORECA team,the I^rl Wendlinger/Olivier Beretta/Dominique Dupuy and Jean-Phillippe Beloc/Ni Amorim cars were the ones to beat in GTS, though the Hugh Chamberlain car of South African Steven Watson, Ray Lintott and Milka Duno qualified a close second behind Beretta. Watson was the pace setter in the entry, the other two not quite on the same level as the quick South African. Wendlinger had belted #91 into the wall on Friday but it didn’t slow them down and the #92 car

made an early stop to clear leaves from the fi'ont spoiler(a problem which seemed isolated) in the race. They led for the most part but the Wendlinger/Beretta/Dupuy car re took the lead and the cars followed one another around nose-to-tail until the chequer. While the Audi/Panoz battle dominates the Prototype class, it was Porsche and BMW in the GT class. The former has dominated the category with a superior package. The power and torque of the GT3R has kept it ahead of the well-handling BMW M3s of the Tom Millner-owned PTG team. Dick Barbour’s team has been the class ofthe field and three ofits drivers - Dirk Muller, Bob Wollek and Sascha Maassen - were in with a shot at the title. The Muller/Lucas Luhr car grabbed pole ahead of the Wollek/Maassen version, with the three BMWs behind.

moiorsport naws

ALMS Panoz Stations: Murphy three-wheels the Panoz into the pits after clouting a wall. The team suspected brake dramas. The Barbour of Seville? The Dick Barbour team had a mixed race, with the #5 car taking the class win in GT. The car could still fly when required. Where’s Paul Morris? The race was not a good one for the Munich missiles, with the Said/ Stuck/van Overbeek M3 out after only 30 laps but Terry Borcheller and Anthony Lazzaro throwing the odd fireball ... (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Chris Carter)

BMW had a strong driver line-up in its team. Prototype driver Bill Auberlen stepping into a car with the open-top car being retired from service, while 1999 Toyota Atlantic champ Anthony Lazzaro(#6) and versatile Boris Said (#7) were also there. But they had to drive the wheels off the M3s just to keep pace with the Porsches. And of course there was Hans Stuck, who turned 50 over race weekend and was paired with Said and Johannes van Overbeek. Stucky didn’t get a drive as the #7 car was out early with a lack of drive (possibly clutch related) and the dice was between Maassen and Auberlen in the early running. At one stage the GT cars were actually ahead ofthe GTS Vipers as they could run much longer on fuel than the thirstier eight-litre VlOs. In fact, Maassen ran for Ihr 25mins

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before handing over to WoUek, compared to 55 minutes for the Audi prototypes, but WoUek got chpped by Biela on his out lap, which flattened the right rear tyre and sent the #51 to pitlane. Once the shock canister was put back on he rejoined, but there was plenty of ground to be made up and later they were out with gearbox problems. The theBMWs Auberlen alsocar hitwith problems, Brian Cunningham at the wheel suffered a broken halfshaft from launching across the kerbs at the Senna Chicane, but in the end it was the Muller/Luhr Porsche which survived to take the class win and an outstanding fifth outright. Muller therefore claimed the GT championship. “Porsche have supported me the

last couple of years and I’ll give them the championship as a present,” said Muller. Lazzaro/Borcheller’s BMW kept running and ended up third in what was a big effort on the same lap as the second placed Porsche (tire third Barbour car) after a gruelling day where everybody bar a handful of the 25 starters had dramas. For the other Aussies, Palmer and D’Agostin ran 11th outright and fifth in GT, while the Rohan Skea car retired after just 53 laps. The crowd cheered ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi’ below the podium as the trophies were handed out and the visitors couldn’t say enough about the place and the racing, the track as well. Now we just have to figure out how to be in Adelaide and Sandown at the same time in 2001...

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6.7s predictedwith Pontiac's new Pro Stock weapon E?-

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« .:

FIVE-thne NHRA Pro Stock Champion, Vl^nen Johnson has given tira thumbs up to his new ride for 2001, Pontiac's Grand Am. Johnson tested the new car last week in Bradenton, Florida, with WJ predicting 6.7sec runs would be possible. "This car will definitely run 6.70s, there is no doubt about that," he said

about the new Don Ness-built piece. The weather was chilly and the track was stone-cold, yet the Grand Am ran 6.87 at 200.57 mph on its first full pass. "We made more adjustments and then ran consistently between 6.87 and 6.89." The Grand Am has a longer wheelbase and is narrower than the

previous Rrebird, and it complies with the new NHRA'no tolerance' body policy. WJ has also just taken delivery of a second Grand Am, built by Jerry Haas, and the veteran will back-to-back test both cars before deciding which car he will run at Pomona next month. - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

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Man in black: WJ is looking to add title iiwnher six to his lot in 2001 with his new Goodwrench n Pontiat Grand Arh ]

Arm -L.

Prock's 1 Rocket

TALENTED nitro tuner, Jimmy Frock wiU now be head wrench on Don Schumacher’s new, Whit Bazemore-driven Pontiac Funny Car,following the team’s failure to find funding to run a second Top Fuel car. The move by Frock to the Funny Car has also meant Tim and Kim Richards, who had been hired by the team to tune the fuel coupe, have now departed the Schumacher camp. The Richards’, who had tuned the Schumacher camp’s second Ibp Fueller, driven by Melanie Troxel to a final rormd in 2000 but were originally hired to run the team’s new Funny Car, are now on the crew chief market, with some even predicting the pair could end up back with long-time associate Joe Amato. Frock, though, is looking forward to the change to a Funny Car, having tuned dragsters exclusively for the past 10 years. ‘T am really excited to be a part ofDon Schumacher Racing and the Mateo TdoIs Funny Car team,” said Frock.“Both are first-class organizations and are ready to do what it takes to succeed on and offthe ti-ack.” - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI 60

ffl

Jane

Shock decision tec

THE future of professional drag racing in Australia is under threat following promoter Bob Jane’s decision on December 20 to cancel the remainder of the drag racing season at his tracks. Jane cancelled both Calder Park’s and Adelaide International Raceway’s January and February events, although he is electing to run the sport’s biggest event, the Nationals, in March. Jane cited falling crowd numbers, higher costs, prizemoney pay-outs and insurance problems as the reason for his decision. “There are three or four major factors that are affecting my mind on promoting drag racing in the 2000/2001 season,” Jane said in a statement last week. “One is the continued drop in paying crowds, the second, increasing costs generally, the third the level of prizemoney paid and, finally, the cost of public risk insurance.” But many disappointed racers have rejected the claims, saying the majority of the problems lay with Jane’s organisation. They have pointed the finger for the falling crowd numbers directly back at Jane’s organisation, saying the track’s poor marketing of events and rumoured advertising cutbacks were responsible, while the track management’s inability to finish events before curfews over the past two seasons, with just four events in two years being completed, were also to blame. “The quality of the racing has improved, but the presentation of the show by the promoter has been below standard for the past two years, while the cost of entry and food at the venue has skyrocketed - that’s why Jane hasn’t got his crowds back,” one racer said. The racers have also rejected the prizemoney claims, sa}dng there has been no increase in over five seasons, while entry for competitors has risen from $80 in 1996 to $154 in 2000 - an increase of over 80 percent. They also say numerous changes in track staff and management over the past three years has also given the appearance of instability within the sport, further harming both Jane’s tracks and drag racing in motorsport news

DRAG RACING

cancels drags

ves industry in doubt, hundreds ofjobs could be lost both states. It was also pointed out as ironic that the organisation would continue to run legal offstreet drag race events where many believed the risk of potential insurance claims problems were thought to be greater. ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton responded to the news by saying Jane’s decision was “disturbing.” “ANDRA has been discussing these issues with a number of tracks over the past few months and we are anxious to assist wherever possible to find a resolution,” he said. Jane’s decision came just one week after Perth’s

“

new $18.5 million government-funded Kwinana Motorplex track opened and just a week before Queensland’s Willowbank Raceway ran its Sunstate Nationals event, part of the $1.5m Australian Drag Racing Series - the two state-ofthe-art, world-class facilities now separated hy three states where no national level drag racing is being run. Government approval on a new stand-alone drag racing facility in Sydney is expected to come in the next few weeks, with the new $15m venture expected to open late 2001/early 2002.

ANDRA to step in? Proposal presented for track lease plans

CONCERN over Bob Jane's decision to cancel the remainder of the seasons at both his tracks has led to the possibility that ANDRA may actually promote meetings, with a number of proposals being presented to the sanctioning body over the past week. Informed sources have suggested ANDRA is looking closely at the proposals, which may see racing return to both Calder Park and Adelaide International Raceways in January. ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton confirmed that he had been contacted a number of times b concerned parties since Jane’s December 20 announcement, with an unspecified number of those suggesting funding plans for ANDRA to promote the cancelled events. "We've been informed by the Bob Jane Corporation that they'd be happy to talk with a group interested in promoting the events and we'll look at a . number of proposals within the next week," Thornton said on Saturday. "There really isn't a whole lot 5 January 2001

Temperature’s rising: ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton.

more which can be said at this point in time as the suggestions we've had are in their infancies, but we'll look carefully at what we can do to ensure continued promotion of the sport." One source suggested the plans were more than just hopeful, stating with a concerted effort over the next two weeks the sport would

resume. "There's more at stake than not just racing, there is a considerable industry that supports and relies on the sport of drag racing. We're confident with what we are proposing to ANDRA, the sport will be able to continue as will the industry," the source said. "The government in Western Australia has recognised that with the funding of the Kwinana Motorplex and Willowbank Raceway is a prime example of what drag racing can do as a whole. "Bob Jane doesn't quite see it the same way we do as he privately-funds his tracks in Adelaide and Melbourne and needs to see some return. And, with other sports bleeding off the profits drag racing has provided, the bottom line doesn't look the same. "We believe, by offering a lease ariangement with the Bob Jane Corporation, and allowing ANDRA to enlist the expertise it already has within the industry, we will be able to run events at the venues that will keep everyone happy."

VALE: STEVE COLLISON WELL-respected American drag racing journalist Steve Coilison passed away on December 14. Coilison was the editor of the popular Drag Racing USA magazine and had in the past had successful stints at other publications such as National Dragster, Car Craft, and Bracket Racing USA. He is perhaps best known for his work with Super Stock and Drag Illustrated. Coilison, who was 54, is sun/ived by his wife, Kathy, and adult children, Kevin, Sammy and Elizabeth. n Andrew Cowin's recent good run of recognition, having been awarded an Australian Sports Medal, has continued, with the 20-year-old racer having been nominated for two awards in the Young Australian of the Year Awards. Cowin has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement for his performances on the NHRA tour in the US, while also having been given a certificate of Achievement by the National Australia Day Council. n ANDRA CEO Tony Thornton has awarded a mounted citation to Quit Motorplex - Kwinana Beach managing director Gary Miocevich after the successful opening of Perth's brilliant new facility. While taking just over six months to build, the Kwinana track was some six years in planning. n Also accepting an award at the opening of the Kwinana complex was West Australian ANDRA Divisional Director George Bailey. Bailey was recognised by the sanctioning body for his service to the sport, having been in his elected position for the last 10 years. In accepting the award, Bailey acknowledged the support of the WA racers and the contribution to the sport by a loyal band of volunteers. n Willowbank track commentator Chris Diggles has resigned from his position following last weekend's Castrol Summer Championships event. Diggles cited conflicts with officials and a differing of opinions as his reason for resigning. n In a move designed to insure the future ’airworthiness" of drag racing's dominant Funny Cars, Winston Champion John Force has confirmed that he has signed Tm Gibson to a three-year contract as Team Engineer and full-time consultant to Crew Chiefs Austin Coil, Bernie Fedderly and John Medlen. -GERALD McDORNAN/ DAVID OSTASZEWSKI 61

Willo^‘bank

What a Hi

Willowbank Raceway's inaugural Castrol Summer Championships were historic in more ways than one, mcMt notably thanks to Jim Read's amazing 300 mile per hour, barrier-breaking blast in the final of Top Fuel. KEN FERGUSON

AUSTRALIA’S greatest drag racer, Jim Read broke the last standing barrier, 300 mile per hour,at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday,December 30. Read capped off the inaugural Castrol Summer Championships in the final round with his stunning 301.40mph charge in his Gregory's Aulomotive Publications Top Fueller to become the first drag racer outside the United States to top 300 - his best ever 4.89sec elapsed time also proving to be too quick for opponent Steve Read’s 5.0s run. “It’s funny as we weren’t trying 62

to run 300, we were just trying to get the car down track and it has really surprised us,.as well as everyone else,” an elated Read said after the run. “I suppose that’s the way these things happen and I can’t say I’m disappointed. We’ve worked hard and it’s deserved.” Read also believed the run couldn’t have come at a better time for the sport in Australia. “It’s been tough for drag racing lately, with the Sydney outcome not yet known and the Bob Jane decision just a week ago, so running 300 can only be positive

for the sport. It’ll put the spotlight back on our sport and that’s great.” The run concluded a seven-year race to break the barrier after Graeme Cowin’s first 290-plus run at Calder Park in December 1993. Since that time, three racers had come within 1.6mph ofthe mark Steve Read 298.41, Charlie DiPilippo 298.40 and Darren DiPilippo 298.40- but no one had found the right tune-up for the right conditions until the veteran, 15-time Australian Champion did at Willowbank last Saturday night. The historic charge by Read also concluded what had been a classic

event, despite its shaky start that saw the two-day affair reduced to just one thanks to Queensland’s seasonal rain. Competition in the remaining categories was just as fierce and just as close as any Nationals or Winternationals would have, with Australian Champions Peter Ridgeway and Gary Phillips succeeding in Pro Stock and Top Alcohol, while Andrew Searle and Ian Ashelford’s respective returns to form in Top Doorslammer and Top Bike earned them championship victories. For Phillips, his Lucas Oil moiorsport news

Products team came close to repeating Brett Stevens’recent double victory effort at Calder, with the veteran alky racer also making the final round in Top Doorslammer, having also top qualified his impressive Studebaker. While Jim Read may have won the race and taken the glory with his historic run, the odds for the first SOOmph charge shortened considerably during qualifying when Steve Read produced a nice, clean 4.93/293 charge in the Glenn Mikres-tuned Santo’s Cranes dragster to take the number one g Jaijuaru 2081

spot. With the track obviously in top condition and Mother Natm'e not providing th^ usual energy sapping, oppressive summer heat, the chance was clearly there... None ofthe other three fuel cars present provided much in the way of qualifying, a blower-snapping run by Jim producing a 6.58/130, while both Robin Kirby and reigning Nationals champion Roy Smith launched their cars only before shutting down. The first round ofeliminations was an easy, but strange win for the Gregory’s car, after Kirby’s Pennzoil car was shut down in the

opposing lane. Read moved forward to stage for the solo pass, an impromptu electrical problem lighting the second bulb. Readjust cruised down the track for the win, and although not having a big between roimd maintenance job, the team didn’t have a decent yardstick for a tune up for the final. Tommie’Read worked a little harder for his win against Smith when both cars had to pedal at halftrack. Read going to the final with a 5.19/276, with Smith slowing to a 5.66/201 after aborting the run at about 1000ft. On the face of things, and with

form on their side, the Rapisarda team probably deserved favouritism for the final, but anything can happen in drag racing, and of course anything did. Steve Read, going a respectable 5.09/276, could only watch on in vain as Jim streaked away to his historic win. “I’m so proud to do this at 1 Willowbank. Willowbank is a

magnificent venue and testament | to what drag racers can do and it f deserves to be the first.” I

continued on page 64 63

crew, led by wife Debbie, are doubly determined, with the legendary racer producing significant performances in both Top Alcohol and Top Doorslammer. The veteran again put the Lucas Oil Pi'oducts dragster to the top of the alky class with a 5.76/24, although North Queensland’s Paul Shackleton wasn’t too far behind with a 5.80/238. The ever-improving Dean Oakey recorded a sohd 5.92/220 to be next, ahead ofSteve Reed(6.03), an offpace Wayne Newby(6.25) and Debbie Reed (6.25). Phillips received the bye in the first round of eliminations and shut off early after shaking the tyres hard, while Newby received an easy passage to the semis when Steve Reed suffered engine damage following the burnout and was shut down. Debbie Reed

continued from page 62

Klap your hands together: Gary ‘Klappa’ Phillips was devastating in both Top Doorslammerand Top Alcohol, top qualifying and reaching the (Photos by Marshall Cass) final in each bracket. He won Top Alky.

It was ironic that the first 300mph run by Read actually happened in the car which he had renowned US chassis builder Dave Uyehara construct after he crashed his previous mount at the same track in one ofthe most

from Shackleton’s 5.84/217, the win margin just one-hundredth of a second. Phillips fared almost as well in Top Doorslammer, with the Lucas Oil Products Studebaker encountering severe tyre shake and shutting off, to allow Searle’s tough 6.28/220 to take a well deserved win.

Read also paid respect to Graeme Cowin, the two former ontrack rivals working together to help the Gregory’s team overcome some problems. ((Graeme has been terrific with helped us immensely and we both knew that, if this thing did what we expected, the numbers would

attitude never showed more than at the end of last season where he held off a determined Mark Brew

come naturally one day.” Gary Phillips’‘never say die’

to retain his Top Alcohol title.

xon Alcohol

To I

Qualifying ET

MPH

5.766 5.800 5.924 6.036 6.256 6,258

242.72 238.22 220.05 232.56 219.30 210.28

.529

MPH

8.438

97.85

2.110 .535 ,517

6.352 217.50 broke 5.965 237.72 6.211 219.30

.519 .436 .548

5.820 241.80 6.910 141,69 5.819 234.50

.522 .603

5.830 241.80 5.849 217.60

Gary Phillips, Lucas Oil Uyehara KB 482 Paul Shackleton, Shackleton Meyer KB 481 Dean Oakey, American Auto Uyehara 482 Steve Reed, Reed Transport Oldsmobile 540 Wayne Newby, Newby Blowers Meyer 469 Debbie Reed, Reed Transport Chev 376

Round 1 Driver

W Gary Phillips L bye W Wayne Newby L Steven Reed W Paul Shackleton L Debbie Reed Semi-Finals W Gary Phillips L Wayne Newby W Paul Shackleton L bye Final W Gary Phillips L Paul Shackleton 64

This season, Phillips and his

Driver, State, Vehicle

W Gary Phillips L Les Winter W Andrew Searle L Steve Stanic W Robin Judd L Peter Kapiris W Victor Bray L Brett Stevens Semi-Finals W Andrew Searle L Robin Judd W Gary Phillips L Victor Bray Final W Andrew Searle L Gary Phillips

Having been on the bump spot following the first qualifier (6.62), Phillips jumped straight to the top with the second, his 6.27/226

Qualifying ET

6.273 1 Gary Phillips, Lucas Oil '53 Stude 511 TFX 2 Andrew Searle, ACME'57 Customline BAE 511 6.343 6.349 3 Robin Judd,'53 Studebaker BAE 511 4 Brett Stevens,Jack Daniels'53 Stude BAE 514 6.362 5 Victor Bray, Castrol Racing'57 Chev TFX 511 6.366 6 Peter Kapiris, Kapiris Bros'53 Stude BAE 518 6,423 7 Steve Stanic, Castrol Racing'57 Cusso KB 526 6.473 8 Les Winter, Winter's Smash'55 Chev BAE 504 6.612 Ronnil 1 Driver

The day though, started strongly for Phillips, with the blue Stude looking the goods from the time it rolled out of the trailer...

Pro stock

rslammer

Qualifying

Driver, State, Vehicle

1 2 3 4 5 6

Phillips then had to dispose of Newby to advance to the final to meet Shackleton, who received a bye into the final. Phillips went 5.82/241 to defeat Newby, but lost lane choice to Shackleton’s 5.81. If he hadn’t been challenged for the day in the dragster, Phillips was in the final, needing every bit of his 5.83/241 to take the win

terrifying accidents ever seen in Australia, the fact not going unnoticed by Read... “This old crate replaced the one I drove backward through the poles 10 years ago. But, despite the fact it is so old, this car will never be sold. It will end up in a n museum somewhere.

helping us get over a few niggling things that we’ve had stop us from running like this,” Read said. “His experience with Andrew over in the US the past two seasons has

improved on her qualifying time with a 6.21/219, but was no match for Shackleton’s 5.96/237.

tVIPH

226.47 219.51 222.44 220.48 222.88 220.05 224.10 207,47 MPH

.562 .425 .472 .465 .556 .296 .406 .462

6.271 6,439 6.376 6,438 6.412 6.960 6.404 6.680

226.93 214.49 218.13 221.02 217.92 165.20 229.01 214.49

.480 .355 ,646

6.356 216.77 6.292 217.08 6,323 224,66 broke

.499 ,533

6.280 220.26 9,973 86.11

MPH

1 Peter Ridgeway, Speedflow/No Fear Olds 352 7.714 2 John Barbagallo, Barbargallo Ford Probe 337 7.765 7.782 3 Bruce Leake, Theuma&Leake Cutlass 352 7.788 4 Bruno Cugnetto, VPW Mail Order Olds 358 7.894 5 Jay Watson, Jay Watson Beretta Chev 331 7.949 6 Rod Ware,Smith&Ware Pontiac 357 7 Mark Marchetti, Marchetti Racing Pontiac 352 7,967 7.971 8 Joe Polito.Truckbra Ford Probe 343 Round 1

175.17 174.55 175.30 176.61 173.95 170.20 171.04 174.55

Driver, State, Vehicle

Driver

W Peter Ridgeway L Jason Grima W Bruce Leake L Mark Marchetti W Jay Watson L Bruno Cugnetto W John Barbagallo L Joe Polito Seml-FInals W Bruce Leake L John Barbagallo W Peter Ridgeway L Jay Watson Final W Peter Ridgeway L Bruce Leake

MPH

.525 .371 .446 .632 ,452 .629 .422 .438

7.660 7,913 7.748 7,905 7.864 9.707 7,794 7.898

177.24 173.34 175.71 172.15 173.95 84.94 173.41 173.88

.465 .496 .538 .484

7,765 7.757 7,665 7.917

174.49 173.61 177.79 174.69

,471 .466

7.687 177.24 7.706 176.61

moiorsport news

DRAG RACING allowing him to lead the field ahead of Searle and Robin Judd’s 6.34s, Brett Stevens’6.36, Victor Bray’s 6.41/228, Peter Kapiris (6.42/220), Steve Stanic (6.47/224) and Les Winter’s 6.61/207. Phillips proved his qualifying effort was no fluke when he reproduced his 6.27/226 in the first round of eliminations, defeating a gallant 6.43/214 by Les Winter. Searle needed a 6.37/218 to outrun the further-improving Stanic, who went 6.43 @ 221, while Robin Judd was handed the win by Peter Kapiris’ red light. Victor Bray accounted for Brett Stevens with his fastest pass of the night at 6.40/229. The second round saw Judd waste a 6.29/217, with a red light against Searle’s 6.35/216, with Phillips soloing to a 6.32 win after Bray was shut down on the line ■with supercharger damage Phillips and Searle advancing for the previously mentioned final. Phillips was, naturally, pleased with his efforts after the event. “We never thought we’d ran two cars together at the same event as the work was always going to be too much, which it’s proved to be today, but the results we’ve got here have made it all worthwhile,” he said. “My Lucas Oil Products team have worked their butts off to get these results and they deserve every accolade I can throw at them ... they’re just great.” Pro Stock was again an all seven-second field, with current champion, Peter Ridgeway heading qualifying with a 7.71/175 from the Speedflow/John William Auto Sales/No Fear Olds Cutlass. Newcomer John Barbagallo surprised everyone with a 7.76 @ 174 for second spot while Brace Leake and Bruno Cugnetto also qualified in the 7.70-second zone to round out the top half of the field. Jay Watson, Mark Marchetti, Joe

Ton Bike Qualifying

Driver. State, Vehicle

Polito and Jason Grima rounded out the field of eight - Grima taking his place in the fi eld after Rod Ware withdrew the qualified Smith and Ware Pontiac. But, despite the closeness of the field, Ridgeway was never going to let this event go, the champion spurned on by his Calder Park semi-final loss and setting low et in the first round win over Grima with a 7.66/177. Leake took care of Marchetti and Pro Stock rookies Watson and Barbagallo both took wins over their more experienced rivals in Cugnetto and Polito. Both rookies had their luck end there, when Leake advanced to the final to meet Ridgeway, who again went 7.66/177 to defeat Watson. Ridgeway did it a little tougher against Leake in the final, but survived with a 7.68/177 to Leake’s 7.70/176, the win margin again just over a fewthousandths of a second. “That was some ET

MPH

1 BrettStevens, Jack Daniels Harley 2 Craig Me Phee, PumaA'amaha 1200 3 Ian Ashelford Attitude Racing Harley 160 4 Jeff Smith, Creative Spraying Harley 180 5 Steve Kitchen, Budweiser Kawasaki 1327 6 Dave Boreham, Boreham Racing Suzuki 7 Craig Berwick, Harley/120 8 Garry Thomas, Suzuki 1500 Round 1

7.210 7.454 7.484 7 .571 7.722 7.889 8.394 8.775

.516 .736 ,481 .764 .572 .571 .520 .161

7.341 7.800 7.594 broke 7.861 8.175 6.981 7.867

.468 .503 .488 .578

7.578 155.87 broke 7.146 173.81 8.120 178,85

.482 .474

7.016 192.22 7.752 149.50

Driver

W BrettStevens 1 Garry Thomas W Jeff Smith L Steve Kitchen W Craig Me Phee L Craig Bonwick W Ian Ashelford L Dave Boreham Seml-rinuls W BrettStevens L Jeff Smith W Ian Ashelford L Craig Me Phee rinul W Ian Ashelford L Brett Stevens

5 lanuary 2001

nsr 191.90 156.09 155.65 156.74 172.08 150.96 155.93 MPH

173.68 165.08 158.51 182.41 148.61 196.25 174.01

great racing we had this weekend, so to come away with a win

Championship chase: Peter Ridgeway led the Pro Stock field from start to finish with the Speedflow/John William Auto Saies/No Fear Olds. (Pholo by Marshall Cass)

is really satisfying,” Ridgeway said. “Brace was in front a fair way down track and my car really needed to use all its power to get on by to win. All the boys are missing out on New Year’s Eve partying back home to be here this weekend - we’ll be on the road tomorrow night - so I think they’ll be happy that we’ve at least come away with the points.” 'Ibp Bike featured a mix of nitro bikes and turbo bikes with the nitrobumers dominating the event. Brett Stevens top qualified his Jack Daniels Harley with a 7.21/193, ahead of Craig McPhee on his nitro Yamaha (7.45/191), while last round winner Ian Ashelford grabbed third with a 7.48/156. Stevens and Ashelford set up an allHarley final with wins over Jeff Smith and McPhee respectively. Ashelford easily

Ton Fuel Qualifying

Driver, State, Vehicle

1 Steve Read, Santo's Cranes Hadman KB498 2 Jim Read, Gregory's Uyehara TFX 496 3 Robin Kirby, Pennzoil Swindahl KB 496 4 Smith, Athoiwood&Smith Sainty 496 Semi-Finals Driver

W Steve Read L Roy Smith W Jim Read L Robin Kirby Final W Jim Read L Steve Read

.775 ,530

.455 .526

MPH

4,934 293.16 6.582 130,51 7.817 103.71 9.858 81,79 ET

MPH

5.196 276.58 5,667 201.61 no time recorded broke 4,898 301,40 5.099 276.75

defeated Stevens in the final with a 7.01/192, to Stevens’ 7.75/149 Ashelford also again dropping into the sixes in his semi-final win to back his performance from Adelaide. With this inaugural Castrol Summer Championships event also being an Australian Drag Racing Series round, a number of Group 2, 3 and 4 categories were ran, with the winners being: Tom Dimitropolous in Super Stock, Daniel Peatey (Comp Bike), Graeme Frawley (Modified), Ricky Steffens (Super Sedan), George Wegener (Super Street), Andrew Le Dilly (Moified Bike), Dale O’Dwyer (Super Gas), Robert Adams (Junior Dragster) and Dean McClennan (Top Comp).

Summ er Cliamas resiill^ Orouu 2 Super Slo ck

Drivor (Class)

W Tom Dimitrpoulos (A/MS) L Colin Lloyd C'dore (G/G) Comoollllon Bike W Daniel Peatey L Rhett Lougheed Broups 3 8. 4 Modified Driver (Class)

W Graeme Frawley L Rodney Moore Super Sedan W Ricky Steffens L Kevin Bradley Soper Street W George Wegener L Brett Kelly Modllled Bike W Andrew Le Dilly L David Rundaman Super Gas W Dale O'Dwyer L Rob Beauch amp Junior Dragster W Robert Adams L Jonathan Wichgers

MPH

Roactlon

Index

9.49 8.87

9.263 143.54 8.920 139.15

.522 .552

8.22 8.74

8.097 163.58 13.730 71.47

Reaction

Dial-In

8.61 9.58

8.617 153.53 9.645 128.13

.433

10.00 broke

9.997 134.29

.403 .451

11.04 11.70

11.055 119.27 11.742 110.08

,545

11.10

11.201

.474 .312

9.90 9.90

9.937 125.77 9.790 133.69

,423 .441

8.60 10.30

8.639 10,275

.504 .512

.403 .400

MPH

123.09 broke

74.85 63.37

DRAG RACING

Perth's Funny Car Summer

PERTH'S brilliant new Quit Motorplex at Kwinana Beach has played host to its first round of nitro action, with local hero Allan Dobson and Brisbane fuel coupe rookie n Ashley Bailey thrilling a packed house with a true nitro Funny Car showdown on Saturday, December 30. In their first round pairing, Bailey and Dobson recorded the tracks first side-by-side five second pass, although Dobbo's eagerness at the tree gave the visiting Bailey the win after red lighting, wasting a 5.84/220 against Bailey's 5.93/203. The second round saw the newly painted Allan Greeneowned Greene Machine Beretta not able to front after a dzuz fastener decided to make its way through the engine, but it was perhaps fate, with Bailey's mount dropping a rod on the launch. Escaping oil under the tyres meant Bailey's Ford Probe headed across track to where Dobson would have been and impact with the guardrail, thankfully the Queenslander emerging unhurt, but unable to return for the final run. For the final run of the night, Dobson again thrilled the crowd with flames leaping over the roof on the Chev, the nitro hemi pushing the car through the traps to establish a new track elapsed time and terminal speed record of 5.727/263.15 - the crowd on their feet and screaming for more! An easily excited Dobson said the new Kwinana facility was a dream come true for the Greene team and they were thrilled to perform so well on the night. “It's tough only running once or twice a year, but to come out and lay down some good runs, that's a great reward for us and obviously the crowd. The reaction we've had tonight is fantastic and racing at this brilliant new track is a real thrill for us too," he said. 86

Juddgement Day Jwiliiwin3AiB..hwtStetfgnsjwakcsiiiia^^^^

BRE'TT Stevens extended his points lead in the Top Doorslanuner Series at Adelaide International Raceway on December 16, although the night belonged to West Australian Robin Judd, who downed Stevens in a classic Doorslanuner final. The heat oflast month’s Springnationals returned with the temperature again in the high 30’s for most ofthe day, peaking at 39 in late afternoon. Competitors, spectators and the track all straggled in the sweltering conditions. The meeting started way too early again - around 3.30pm with the heat at its peak and may not have been the best decision, given the conditions and the numbers through the gates at that point in time. The Doorslammers headlined the event, with 11 entrants, however,if you passed through the gates any later than 6:25pm you would have only seen four Doorslammer passes, with one of those an exhibition pass by Victor Bray. Many were left wondering what their $34 entry had bought them... There were few delays, with the exception of the sun break at around 7:45pm, with all classes, at that stage, up to the quarter or semi finals. Grudge runs bought competitors turn-around time and the last chutes were deployed just after 10. Robin Judd top qualified in the eight-car field, ahead of Peter Kapiris and Bray. Stevens qualified in 6th spot in the last session, while Rob Broadbent knocked local runner Lui Raschella out of the field, also in the last session.

Bray and Stevens faced off, not in the final as you may have expected, but in the first round. Stevens had a slight advantage off the line and extended his lead when Bray had to battle severe tyre shake. Bray recorded a strong 6.466/231.54, but it wasn’t enough... Also advancing to the semi finals were Judd, Kapiris and Gary Phillips, although Kapiris was unable to make the call for his semi with Stevens. Judd’s stout 6.25/220 - low elapsed time for the day - accounted for Phillips’ Lucas Oil Products Stude. The final was classic Doorslammer, side-by-side burnouts bringing the crowd to its feet. Stevens again took the start line advantage, however the Jack Daniels Stude was unable to match the power of Judd’s car in a close one, the West Australian taking the win with a 6.31/221 to Stevens’6.46/216. Top Bike was as wild and unpredictable as ever. Comfortable on four wheels or two, Stevens top qualified the Jack Daniels Harley, however engine troubles didn’t allow him to advance past the semis. Ian Ashelford and Gany Thomas contested the final; Ashelford prevailed with an excellent

Sunsetting in the south: Brett Stevens again made the Top Doorslammer final, but this time fell to Robin Judd. (Photos by Phil Williams)

6.97/187, which was too good for Thomas. No surprises at the top of the qualifying sheet for Competition Eliminator, with local Mick Utting again topping the sheets. Amazingly, due to breakages and a bye run, Utting had three solo passes to reach the final, where opponent Paul Greghini red lighted! Utting, a real racer, was no doubt embarrassed by the night’s proceedings... While former A/Street racer Simon Butterworth returned to competition in Super Stock with a C/Gas Thunderbird, the local didn’t figure in the results, with Jamie Winter and Tony Ceravolo reaching the final round. Winter,in his first final, broke the beams too eaidy and handed Ceravolo the win in his B/MS Monaro. - STE’WEN WHITE motorsport news

NASCAR Choosy Choice Chooses... Top Choice Lumber will replace Lowes as major sponsor of Mike Skinner's Chevy during the first half of 2001, with the timber company buying the space from the retailing giant. Lowes have a two-year contract with Richard Childress Racing, but with rivai timber company Georgia Pacific backing Buckshot Jones' Petty Enterprises Dodge in 2001, Top Choice has also now made the choice to spend its cash in Winston Cup,

’ □

if la

>//

rma

■ Having mentioned Buckshot Jones, Mark Tutor has been named crew chief for his PE Dodge. Tutor last worked for Haas-Carter Motorsports as a mechanic and, prior to that, at Cale Yarborough's as crew chief.

Last will and testament? Former NASCAR driver Ken James has slammed Bob Jane and AUSCAR P/L. FORMER AUSCAR and NASCAR driver, Ken James has slammed Thunderdome entrepreneur Bob Jane and his organisation while, at the same time resigning from the recently formed NASCAR Entrants Group Australia. In a letter to all members of NEGA, James said he disagreed with the body’s decision to “get back into bed with Bob Jane” and his AUSCAR Pty Ltd sanctioning body, blaming the two for the stock car category’s demise in Australia. “They [Jane and AUSCAR P/L] have a record of failure in the promotion and marketing of motorsport. Everyone knows this, the media, the previous track and individual team sponsors, the competitors, the fans ... the list goes on,” James said in the letter. CHAMPIONSfflP-winning Winston Cup team owner, Rick Hendrick has received a full pardon from outgoing US President, BiU Clinton in relation to his 1997 conviction for mail fraud. Hendrick was charged and tried as part of a federal investigation into bribary involving Honda US, the accusations saying he had given hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts, houses, money and cars in exchange for favourable treatment by Honda executives. Hendrick, who was also struck down with a memory-sapping form of leukemia at the same time as his trial, pleaded guilty to one charge of mail fraud and was sentenced to one-year’s home detention. Clinton’s pardon was one of 59 handed down, the pardons a Christmas tradition for US Presidents, particularly outgoing ones. Hendrick, who has won four Winston Cup titles in the last eight years with drivers Jeff Gordon and 5 January 2001

“Bob Jane, like it or lump it, is responsible for one of the greatest tragedies in Australian motorsport.” Last year’s Thunderdome season was cancelled after just one event, while none were schedxiled this year, with NEGA’s attempt to promote events at the onceheralded, but now apparently abandoned $50 milhon Melbourne track curtailed with a reported $80,000 per event rental fee. James said he believed the decision by NASCAR team owners to join with the new ‘Power Tour’ being run by the Motorsport Promotions Group which is a consortium that includes the Motor Racing Promoters of Australia - was perhaps the only option for the group, although he cast doubts

over it through the links Jane h as with the MRPA. ● “Being a support category to the truck racing fraternity is probably, at this stage, your only option (and I might say, not entirely a bad option), however, he aware this will be organised by the MRPA and Bob Jane is one of the founding members,” James said. But, James has cast douhts on any rights Jane believes he has on the promotion of NASCAR in Australia... “During the recent Indy Car Grand Prix, I received correspondence from NASCAR USA clearly stating Bob Jane or AUSCAR p/1 has absolutely no agreements in place and no arrangements or rights to promote NASCAR in Australia,” he claimed.

■ Lee McCall has been named crew chief for Sterling Marlin's Ganassi-owned Dodge intrepid for 2001, the former lead mechanic and front tyre-changer with Jeremy Mayfield's #12 making the move just prior to Christmas. McCall has replaced Scott Eggleston, who has departed to become crew chief of Michael Waltrip's Chevy at Dale Earnhardt Inc. ■ Rick Mast is, apparently, the favorite to fill the seat Waltrip left vacant at Ultra Motorsports. AJ Foyt dumped Mast at the end of 2000.

Friends of NASCAR: Bill Clinton will be Rick Hendrick's friend for life, while new President, George W Bush has rubbed shoulders with Mike Helton. (Photo by SuHon-lmages)

Hendrick pardoned

Terry Labonte, was naturally pleased with the pardon, for which he applied; “I am deeply grateful to the President for taking this action. It

has made this a particularly happy Christmas for me and my family. I am glad to close this unfortunate chapter in my life.” - MARTIN D CLARK

■ Having worked with Bill Elliott for many years, Mike Beam's recent bout of musical chairs is continuing, with the veteran crew chief jumping ship from Wally Dallenbach's camp to PPI for 2001 - Beam having only just joined Dallenbach's team after spending time with Elliott Sadlerl It's not quite clear whether Pruett will remain as lead driver for PPI, with the team undergoing a major revamp after a disasterous 2000 season where they recorded more DNFs than any other team. ■ Martinsville Speedway has announced it will widen it's pit road in time for the April 8 race by a much needed 10 feet. "Ten feet might not sound like much, but it's a hundred miles to these cars on pit road," said Sterling Marlin about the announcement. Martinsville's two pit roads were merged into one a couple of seasons ago and now loops around turns one, two and three, but is extremely tight for cars pitting on the curves of the corners. - MARTIN D CLARK 67

The WSS rolls Under into Nyora Max doesn’t have any weight problems: Dumesny picked up the win at Horsham. (Brett Swanson)

The Aussie Outlaw: The Shell Helix Avenger and the Valvoline Maxim of Dumesny continue to take to the tracks of Australia against one another, thrilling fans everywhere with the tight but fair racing the two produce. (Pholo by Brett Swanson)

BROOKE Tatnell continues to show the benefit of his World of Outlaws experience while a resurgent veteran Max Dumesny confirms that he's no spent force, as the two travel from track to track enthralling crowds with their prowess and speed in World Series Sprintcars. Tatnell and Dumesny put on a show for the Nyora fans on December 30 with some brilliant heat racing and then some close feature dicing on a track that had effectively become a one lane race track, which hence had made the race start a critical event. Tatnell's win in his Shell Helix Avenger in the 30 lap event was

probably secured in the dash when he appeared to allow Dumesny to win that event. Starting from the outside pole where the better drive is, Tatnell took the lead into turn one and was never headed, although the pressure from Dumesny never relented either. These two cleared away from the pack but a couple of yellows and then lapped traffic closed things up towards the end but no-one was able to pass anyone else without there being a mistake involved. ^ The track became such a one lane dry slick track that American ace Chad Kemenah finished second last by trying to use the high line.

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"I got sick of playing follow the leader," he stated. "A dry slick track is okay but it needs to be slick from the top to the bottom so you can have a couple of grooves." Behind were Skip Jackson and David Murcott and there were some good battles with Tommy Tarlton holding fifth before the bleed-off failed. Nathan MacDonald eventually secured fifth after some place shuffling with Mike Van Bremen. Andrew Scheuerle, David Anderson, Daryn Maggs, B-Main winner Tony Bartlett, Cameron Gessner, Frank Ramsdale, Kemenah and Jeff Judd completed the event. - BRETT SWANSON

TRIPLE WSS champions Brooke Tatnell, Max Dumesny and Skip Jackson filled the podium on December 27 at Adelaide’s Speedway City. The luck wasn’t with Dumesny as he challenged Tatnell, a steering box problem not quite allowing the Maxim chassis to win. “It just wouldn’t turn into the corners,” said Dumesny. ‘Those last three laps I was just trying to finish!” Tatnell had bounced back from a puzzlingly slow time trial (which was later traced to a malfunctioning tyre gauge) and, without regular crew chief Allan Felsch (who he was in regular contact with on set-up via mobile phone) had to work his way back.

2000/01 AUTOPRO SUPER SPRINT SERIES SCORE Rd 5,Avalon Racev/ay

Point Standings to December 30 2000 I. Ian Thomsen V32 ... 2. Colin BulmerVI2 ... 3. Mike Van Bremen V6 . 4. JeffJuddVIl 4 Frank Ramsdale V21 . 6. David SwaynV20 ... 7. Jeremy Warren W52 . 8. Rod MatthewsV9 ... 9. Garry ChippendallV43 10. Ian Smith V57

1279 1268 1263 120 1120 1080 1022 .972 .874 .857

II. Brent Hough V56 12. Ian Lewis VI8 13. Graeme Pitcher V84 13. Peter KnightVN ... IS.Paui BastowV90 .... 16.John Vogels V70 17. Charles Hunter V73 . 18. David Brown V47 ... l9.Tlm McCubbln VI3 .. 20. Darren Russell V30 ..

.709 .596 .569 .569 .522 .519 .483 .471 .461 .442

I. David MurcottV71

9. Ian Smith VS7

2.Colin BulmerVI2

10. David SwaynV20

3. Ian Thomsen V32

I I.Tony Mou!eV53

4.Jeff Judd VII 5. Mike Van Bremen V6

12. Daryn Maggs V7 l3.Tim McCubbinVI3

6.Frank RamsdaleV21

14. Phil Johnson V55

7.John Vogels V70

15. Ray Scott S5S 16. Darren RussellV30

S.Trxjy ShIelsV36

motorsport oews

SPEEDWAY

weight Ship TWO nights after the South Australian WSS round, Skip Jackson had his first feature win in the Bunhury Toyota/Pennzoil machine taken away at Horsham's Blue Ribbon Raceway for running one pound underweight. That handed the win to Max Dumesny, who had led the first half of the 30-lap feature before Jackson had charged past. "When the cars were weighed I was a little nervous anyway because we had put some lighter gear into the car after yesterday!" Jackson admitted. "We were nothing special in the heats but early in the feature I knew I had the speed to race with Max and it worked out good. “I was surprised that the track laid as much rubber as early as it did.' Car owner Shane Krikke appealed against the decision to

disqualify the car. 'The car was weighed four times. I'm not denying that it came up underweight each time, but the variance was up to six pounds and that was what we were alleged to be underweight," he said. The result moved Dumesny ahead of Brooke Tatnell in the points, who suffered a broken camshaft early on and failed to finish. Cameron Gessner was elevated to second, while Victorian Tim McCubbin had a great run to take third ahead of Chad Kemenah,the Ohio driver making his return to racing in Australia for the first time since last summer. Kemenah had only arrived in Australia the day before having been snowbound at both Chicago and Colombus airports. Californian Tommy Talton also made his debut, running 10th.

Kaeding KO by WADE AUNGER BRENT Kaeding’s reputation as one of the world’s leading Sprintcar drivers was done little harm at Newcastle Speedway on December 30 as he manhandled his machine to victory ahead of Robbie Farr and Danny Smith. Kaeding used the high groove to bang the wall a few times but eventually ‘out-brave’ his opposition to take the 30-lap victory in what has been called one of the greatest Sprintcar races seen at the circuit. Warren Ferguson was the early leader but Farr and Kaeding’s constant pressure eventually saw 'BK' go for a desperate outside charge and

claim the lead. Danny Smith had originally led, but the #17 Royal Purple Oils JB jumped out of gear and by the time the Indiana veteran had massaged it back in, the top three had blown by. "By the last 10 laps the motor had gone off anyway, so I was pretty much struggling to get it back to third," he grinned. "It sure was a great race, even though we didn’t get the win," was Farr’s analysis. Ferguson eventually came home fourth, a good result considering his lack of experience compared to the top three. "I knew I had to go to the top because the #19 car had the bottom side working pretty well. I kinda took his advice and ran high and it paid off," grinned Kaeding.

I’s Adelaide Dashing Danny: Danny Smith kept the Royal Purple machine in the top (Photo by B(irrr/i Uridgc) three despite problems.

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Jackson continued to show improving signs for the Krikke team in third, while Andrew Scheuerle finally overcame the misfire he had had at Avalon. The problem was traced to material from a new fuel cell bladder contaminating the entire fuel system of the Lucas Oils Maxim. His cousin, Cameron Gessner, was fifth, while of huge interest 5 January 2001

in SA was the Sprintcar debut of speedway motorcycle star Ryan Sullivan. He was elated to score the final transfer position to the AMain, running 16th in the final. “I was getting bombarded by the faster cars when they caught up to me and I spun - but I’d swap and challenge them on two wheels any day!”

aligning. Sonic cylinder-testing Crankshaft

Improving all the time: The Jackson/Krikke combination continues to get stronger as time goes by. A third place at Speedway City showed the improvement. (Phoio by Dwid Laniont)

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Murcott gets moving Thomsen takes over Autopro Series

QSSS wash-out

A wash-out of titanic merchants: Dean McComb and his QSSS cohorts have a little more time to work off the Christmas pudding ... (Photo by Brett Swanson)

round eight of the Titan Garages Queensiand Sprintcar Summer Shootout at Brisbane internationai Raceway has been abandoned after rain on both December 26 and then again on December 27 when organisers attempted to run the event. Only one heat was completed (which resulted in an easy win for Darren Jensen) before heavy rain swept across the venue for the second night in a row. Track officials returned the track to an acceptable condition after a h.vo hour delay but further rain after Tony Bridge had won heat two forced the abandonment of the meeting.

S.O.S. RACEPARTS Suppliers of quality race parts

BEWARE,David Murcott is back behind the wheel. That's the nnessage the transplanted Tasmanian served on his rivals in the Gold Cup at Avalon in round five of the Autopro Super Sprint Series when the Ranbuild Johnboy driver added the win to his $20,000 winner’s cheque from Tasmania a week earlier. "We should have been ready earlier and got out and chased the points and try to win the series," said Murcott. "It was pretty hard work as the guys are pretty competitive in the SRA. It's really good what they're doing with this series. Again Colin Bulmer filled second place for his third runner-up position in a row. He now sits within 11 points of Ian Thomsen in the Autopro Series, Thomsen taking third at Avalon. "I’m more than happy with that!" he said. "We’ve joked about saying were going to take this series out, but maybe we might look at that a bit more seriously now." The Avalon show was a significant achievement for

Avalon ...Rd 7

Jan 20

Simpson ...Rd 8

Mar I I

. Avalon ...Rd 9

Mail order available - all credit cards accepted

Mar 24

. Wagga . .Rd 10

Mar 24

21 Sanctuary Place Bateau Bay NSW 226t

series organisers as well, with a season-high 36 cars. John Vogels had been the top point scorer for the night and blasted to pole position in the AMain after winning the dash. His strong form didn't match his luck though, the former Super Rod driver riding over the front of Thomsen's car at the second re start in the feature, severely damaging Thomsen’s front wing. Officials deemed the wing to be in an unsafe condition and he was ordered infield to have it removed during a two minute repair period. On the resultant re-start, Vogels produced his worst start of the night and dropped to fourth behind Thomsen, Murcott and rookie Tony Moule. Moule became the first victim of what was becoming a very slick track with a blown tyre, with Murcott charging to the lead and the win. Avalon will host round six of the series on January 13. Points: Thomsen 1279, Bulmer 1268, Van Bremen 1263, Judd/Ramsdale 1120, Swayn 1080, Warren 1022, Matthews 972, Chippendall 874,Smith 857.

2000/2001 SPRINTCAR RACING ASSOCIATION OF VIC CALENDER CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS Jan 13.

(Photo by Brott Swanson)

n Weld Wheels n Eagle chassis n Pro Shocks n All titanium parts Ph: 02 4332 8755 Fax: 02 4385 8395 Mobile: 0411 470 712 70

Late starter: Now that David Murcott’s behind the wheei of John Brewer’s machine and it’s on the track, the results are flowing.

QSSS 2000/2001 CALENDER

NON CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS Jan 28.

Warrnambool ...Classic

Feb 24

Bacchus Marsh ...Fireball

Apr 7..

Bacchus Marsh .. ,360ser

Apr 13

Avalon ..EasterT Mt Gambler ..EasterT

. Wagga . .Rd 11

Apr 14 Apr 15

Warrnambool . .EasterT

Apr 21. Bacchus Marsh . .Rd 12

Apr 21

Bacchus Marsh

. .360 Ser

Feb 24

Lismore

.Rd 10

Mar 3

Brisbane

.Rd 11

Mar 17

Brisbane

■Rd 12

Mar 24 .. . Toowoomba

.Rd 13

Brisbane

.Rd 14

Apr 21

motorspon news

SPEEDWAY

Maxing Day

Dumesny takes Oi Sprintcar GF

You know what I mean: Dumesny capatilised on Farr’s bad luck to continue what has been a strong 2000/2001 season for the Valvoline driver. Mick Turner, though, (Photos by John Morris/Mpix) came to grief, right and above right, in this car-crunching roll. THE people at Valvoline couldn’t h ave had it any better at Parramatta City Raceway on Boxing Day, with Max Dumesny taking out the Valvoline-backed Australian Sprintcar Grand Prix. It was a star-studded line-up, featuring Dumesny, Brooke Tatnell (behind the wheel of Sid Moore’s CR&D Maxim while he regular mount was on its way to Adelaide for WSS),the dominant Robbie Farr, Kerry Madsen, Skip Jackson (back in his own Pennzoil Maxim for the same reason as Tatnell), Danny Smith and the return of Pete Murphy. Again though the 30-lapper looked to be a Farr benefit. Farr, who has simply dominated the PCE track all season, was in the lead and looking every bit a winner until a slowly deflating tyre let go with three laps left. That handed the lead to Dumesny', who had fought his way past both Tatnell and Steven Graham to he in the right position when misfortune struck Farr. Tatnell was second, a superb effort considering he had a loose plug lead early on in the race and ran on seven cylinders for the rest of the event. Madsen rounded out the podium 5 January 2001

runners in the Bike Biz Grizzly, having got to the A-Main by winning the B-Main. He’d had a broken shaft in the diff in heat five and so it was a good comeback. Adrian Maher was a strong fourth ahead of the returning Murphy(who struggled with a damaged steering box) and Jackson. Skip started 21st and last after damaging a diff while leading the B-Main comfortably. The top 10 was rounded out by Brett Leadsman, Graham, Smith and Kelly Linigen. Darren Saillard, who sits in a strong position in the Proton Series, was lucky not to be injured when he had a broken driveline in heat three and was forced out for the rest of the night. Earlier in the night, the heat wins had been shared around. Justin Mineef(SuziWreck Maxim) took heat one from Robert Jackson, Warren Ferguson backed up his last-start feature win with a win in heat two, and Graham had an easy win over Tatnell and an impressive Dave Hall in heat three. Jackson won heat four over Leadsman and Smith, while Farr took out a good win in heat five, Dumesny gi’abbing the final heat. Jackson also won the Star’s Dash.

Farr flat out: The run of Robbie Farr at PCR came to a sudden stop on Boxing Day, the #56 machine struck down by a deflated tyre while in the lead. (Photo by John Morris/Mpix) 71

Peter Murphy Inferviev/

Playboy Pete

Peter Murphy has returned te Australia for a short time over the summer after ruuning 12th driviug for Morrie Williams iu the NARC Spriutcar series. JULIE PEARCE spoke to him upou his return to racing at PGR on Boxing Day.

Motorsport News: Could you give us an overall view of your last season in America - how you ran and what you were pleased with? Pete Murphy: I made money, so it was good. Doing that for a living has worked out pretty good. I'm making enough money to be where I'm living comfortably over there. The year was good with Sprintcar racing we ran 68 races and I won seven features. I won everywhere from a mile, to a half mile, to a quarter mile. I got married and life's good. (Peter married wife Stephanie on December 9, 2000).

PM: No, it's not a good start, but you know, what can you do? I race full-time for a living and people here seem to think they know a lot more than I do, so what can you do? If they're not happy, they're not happy. If they don't want me to race, I won't race, so that's fine - it doesn't matter to me. If I can race and have fun, that's good; if I can't race and have fun. I'm going to enjoy my honeymoon. I don't care about the rest of it.

MN: Did you achieve all the aims that you had pre-set before the season started? PM: Not really. We didn't really plan on a whole lot of things, we just like to do as many races as we can and finish as many races as we can. We didn't finish as many as we wanted to finish. We think we could have finished or won a lot more races, but engine failures took us out of the equation a lot of times. So hopefully this year coming up will be better, because our motors are already ahead of where we were from last year. They're just on a better motor program this year coming.

It’s all about the fun element: Pete Murphy is as relaxed as they come when it comes to the often tense world of Sprintcar racing. He’s the highest finishing Aussie in a WoO race as well. (Photos by John Monis/Mpix and Brclt Swanson)

here. We run winged, nonwinged, 360s, 410s-we run everything we can and we do have a lot of fun doing it.

MN: Your aims in Australia? PM: To enjoy my honeymoon. That's it for here. If I do a little bit of racing and have some fun - we'll see what happens. MN: Will you be competing in the 50,000 race at Parramatta? PM: Yeah, we'll probably hang out here as long as the team hasn't dispersed by then, but already we've run one night and we're in trouble. We've got fights going on that shouldn't be happening, so I don't know - we'll wait and see what happens. MN: That's not a good start then. 72

W-.. '

MN: What date are you set to go back to America? PM: The weekend of, or a couple of days after, the Gough and Gilmour. MN: Same package back in the States - car, engine, and the like? PM: Everything the same. We've got a car sitting there right now, ready to go. We built it before I left to come over

MN: Will you be running more World of Outlaws races? PM: Probably about 20-the usual amount. That's about 20 shows - like I said, we run about 70 shows in a year, and we run about 20 Outlaws shows in a year too. MN: If you had a choice, would you prefer to run more Outlaws shows? PM: I'm not really sure. If I could get a full-time deal on the Outlaws shows that would be great. If not, I run enough and I get to be home a lot and I make money. I love doing what I do.

You know. I'm living my dream - I'm making money living my dream, so you can't do much better than that. I'm happy where I am. MN: Will we see more of you at Parramatta apart from the 50,000? PM: This is where we're going to run if we run. Let's wait and see what happens. We've got to have a big discussion here pretty soon. Noone's real happy with anyone. I'm here to have fun and if noone's happy, well, I really don't care. Life's too short. MN: When you say no-one's happy - is it a team disagreement type of thing? PM: A very big one apparently. I only just learned about it a couple of minutes ago. I guess it gets back to the guy doing it twice a year and the guy doing it 70 times a year thing. I think the guy doing it 70 times a year should get the final say. I'll have to go and try to ^rt it out shortly. motorsport nows

SPEEDWAY

Fig's Fighter in WA

’THE Wild West Sprintcar Series has made another visit to the Quit Motorplex and Ewinana Beach and it saw Australian Midget Speedcar Champion Michael Figliomeni win the feature in his self-built #34 Fighter Motorsport machine. As the black clay surface continues to settle down,the drivers were confi'onted with a rough and rutted track. However, drivers who were willing to take some risks were rewarded, particularly considering the chopped-up nature of turns one and two. “It was a brutal track on us all tonight,” declared Fighomeni.“However,one can but only be in awe of this racetrack and how good it is going to get. “It reminds me a lot right now of some ofthe Californian tracks in how rough it is getting. “Despite that, to know you can run four-wide like we did at times out there tonight with room to move,leaves us gasping as to how good this place is going to get.” Mark Wells grabbed second but it coidd have easily been a win.

“I lost the floorpan in the car and we broke two plug leads,” he said. “The track was a bear.” Ryan Farrell grabbed the final podium position but had to overcome a nasty bout offood poisoning during the week to drive. “I could feel the loss of strength out there tonight,” he said. “After grabbing the feature race lead I started feehng quite weak

and with how tough the racetrack was tonight, if I didn’t ease up like I did, then the car would have got away from me.” Farrell’s third place now edges him ahead of Jamie Maiolo in the Car Craft Wild West Sprintcar Series, though Trevor Green remains in touch with a fifth place in the Boxing Day round. Points:Farrell 410, Maiolo 400, Green 360, Monte 270, Nash 210.

The Well’s starting to fill: Mark Wells, below, was in good form at the Motorplex, only to have two broken plug leads deny him a feature win (Photo by Peter French) and hand it to Michael Figliomeni.

Gas Man to Elden

‘THE Gas Man” Phil Gressman, who visited Australia last summer, has signed to run with Jack Elden in the US. However, Elden, who has been a car owner in the World of Outlaws series for nine years, will run Gressman in the Gumout Series,the WoO support series in the Midwest. Gressman ran 360ci Sprintcars in the Ohio area for four years before making the move up to the 410ci class during 2000. “We probably ruffled a few feathers when we set quick-time at Eldora Speedway(at the Eldora Clash) last July,” said Gressman. “It was good to get off the right foot there. If you can run good with those guys, you’re going to get plenty of recognition.” Elden owned the car driven by Jac Haudenschild before Haudenschild took over the ride in the #83 Beef Pakcers Eagle in November. 5 January 2001

Switching seats: Australian visitor Phil Gressman takes over the Elden ride vacated by Jac Haudenschild. (Photo by Brett Swanson)

Murcott’s Tassie pay-day EXPATRIATE Tasmanian driver David Murcott took the biggest win of his career when he greeted the chequered flag on December 17 at southern Tasmania’s Premier Number One Speedway and picked up a cheque to the value of $20,000 for his efforts. Murcott didn’t have an easy time of it, Max Dumesny(who had set a new lap record iowering Murcott’s 12.13s to an 11.92s) led from the start, ahead of visiting US driver Danny Smith, Murcott and David Anderson. It all came to nothing as Tasmanian Tim Hutchins and Grant Anderson came together in turn two and brought out the red light. A fuil restart ensued and once again it was Dumesny who powered away from his pursuers, while Murcott and Smith were involved in an intense battle for the minors. Murcott passed Smith, but had no answer for Dumesny’s pace. Dumesny, while carving his way though the back markers, ran wide on turn four, clipping the wail which resulted in a flat right rear, his efforts to continue racing shortlived. Smith relished the role of leading the pack and his driving through traffic was brilliant, Murcott struggled to keep in touch but gradualiy closed the gap and powered through to the lead and the strong vocal local crowd went wild. With nothing to iose and everything to gain, Murcott carved his way through the traffic, opening up a gap. He was aware that Smith was ciosing the gap and with three iaps to go Smith closed to within a car length. The last two laps were intense, as Murcott jumped away oniy to find Smith power past in turn two. Not to be out done, Murcott dived underneath the American in turn three and would not be denied victory. Murcott later said the last six laps were the hardest he had ever run, and although the winner’s cheque was the iargest in Tasmanian Sprintcar racing history, it v/as the fact that he had beaten some of the biggest names in the sport that meant the most to him. -ALLAN ROARK 13

Just another day in f by BRIAN REED

WITH the Dunlop Tyres Targa New Zealand behind me,it was time for a bit of R & R. It all began with an early morning visit on November 1 to Tania ofPukekohe Park’, the lady in charge who was getting things finalised for the foiir-hour endurance race for touring cars the following weekend. Pukekohe has played an interesting role in the history of the New Zealand Grand Prtx and came into being when the Ardmore airfield, the traditional home of the race was no longer available after 1962 due to the heavy increase in air traffic using the facility. Also, the escalating cost of erecting temporary grandstands and other infrastructure for a few hours of racing was uneconomic, and on the advice of Ross Jensen, a champion local driver and leading business man,it was decided to build a brand new circuit at the Franklin Racing Club’s facility at Pukekohe. I had the good fortune to spend some time during the Targa New Zealand with Ross Jensen and his wife Hazel. Ross is patron of the event, and as well as being a former New Zealand Gold Star champion from 1956 to ’58, had the distinction of finishing second in the 1958 New Zealand Grand Prix in his Maserati 250F behind Stirling Moss. These days, Pukekohe is looking a bit nm down and in need of some TLC,and after completing a lap of the circuit with Targa New Zealand's director, Mike John,it was time for our next port of callthe workshops of Australian Rally Champion,‘Possum’Bourne. Although a multiple Australian title winner. Possum is very much a hometown hero in New Zealand and has major business interests supplying rally equipment here and elsewhere. At the time of my visit Possum was in Thailand stitching up their local rally championship with a second place in his Subaru. Then it was back to Oz for Rally Australia in WA. It’s quite an eye-opener to see all the equipment needed to prepare a top rally outfit these days as well as to be shown the range of stock Bourne imports to supply young hopefuls with ‘go faster’ bits. My chauffem- during Targa NZ,Don Fenwick is one of several employees at Possum Bourne's

V/ .UiTT

Pete’s ride; Partners at Group 7 Sports Cars, Tony Roberts, left, and Duncan Fox with the ex-Revson McLaren. A touch of Cologne: Targa New Zealand director Mike John is the proud owner of the ex-Allan Moffat(among (Photos by Brian Reed) others) Cologne Capri, cowered by an immaculate 2.7-litre, quad cam V6, bottom. establishment and gave us a guided tour of the facilities. Then it was on to Group 7 Sportscars Ltd, the racing arm of the Bruce McLaren Trust to meet Tony Roberts and Duncan Fox. I had first met Roberts a fortnight earUer when he brought across the McLaren M12 sports car found in a restaurant in Japan to race at the VHRR’s Tasman Challenge Historic meeting at Sandown, and he had extended an invitation to visit when I came to NZ. This place is a revelation! It has a close liaison with the McLaren base in England and even has access to the detailed drawings of Robin Herd and Gordon Coppuck in order for components to be made for supply to McLaren ovraers overseas. All castings are done locally using the original tools and drawings. “We've poured $800,000 into parts and other bits and pieces,” said Tony Roberts -“but we're having ftm!” Although essentially a hobby for Roberts and Fox, Group 7 Sportscars is “the functional part of the operation,” and houses the

motorspon pews

HISTORICS

the NZ office biggest collection of McLarens outside the English base. As weU as several “big banger’sports cars under restoration, the ex-Peter Revson 1973 Indianapolis 500 McLaren was being readied for sale in order to make way for other acquisitions. I was then shown upstairs where a small but select collection of McLaren memorabiha is housed,including a number of Bruce’s more important trophies and some fine photographs and prints. Next stop was the workshop of Weber carburettor expert Murray Johnson where Mike John’s pride and joy is housed. The covers were removed to reveal the ex-Niki Lauda, Jody Scheckter, Jochen Mass, Allan Mofi'at Cologne Capri, one of the most famous and highly credentialled touring cars in the world. This car was built to contest

And now, here is all the Motorsport Gnoos THE town of Orange has certainly acknowledged some key New South Wales motor sports heroes in a tangible way. The park at Gnoo Bias is known as Sir Jack Brabham Park, while just around the corner is Eric Hinton Park, named after one of our top motorcycle aces of the 1950s. In another part of town in Max Stewart Park in honour of the dual Australian Grand Prix winner and dual Gold Star champion who hailed from Orange. The unusual name of "Gnoo Bias" was coined by the famous explorer Major Mitchell who adopted it from the aboriginal term meaning "two peaks" for nearby Mount Canobolas. The racetrack, which opened in January 1953 and held its last meeting in October 1961 was regarded as the fastest in Australia with a lap record of more than 168km/h set by John Leighton. Reg Hunt holds the record for the fastest time recorded along the 2.4km straight at 269km/h in his Maserati 250F. It was appropriately known as "Hospital Straight." - BRIAN REED 5 January 2001

the 1974 European Touring Car Championship by Ford Cologne's chief engineer, Thomas Amerschlaeger and ultimately ran a 3.5 litre Cosworth V6 engine pumping out 440bhp. Ford Cologne built only four complete RS3 100 Group Two racecars of which three have survived. As well as the Mike John car, one is owned by TWR's Tom Walkinshaw, and the remaining Cologne Capri is in the Ford Motor Museum in Germany. What a privilege to see Mike’s car in the flesh! Finally it was off to Ardmore, one of the best known motor racing circuits in Australasia during the fifties and sixties which began as a training aerodrome for pilots during World War 2. The flat circuit was laid out on two intersecting airstrips

and provided excellent viewing for spectators. The first New Zealand International Grand Prix was staged there in 1954 and resulted in a memorable win for Australia's Stan Jones in the Maybach Special ahead of Ken Wharton’s BRM and the HWM of another Australian Tony Gaze. The last NZGP was run there in 1962 and was very much an international affair with the Lotus of Stirling Moss winning from John Surtees, Bruce McLaren, Roy Salvadori and Lorenzo Bandini. Today it’s as if time stood still at Ardmore with all the old WW2 huts and other buildings still in place, and lots of old aircraft scattered aroimd to remind visitors of its fascinating past. What a day it was. Still, I guess someone had to do it!

Denny’s famous McLaren M23 out of reach THE Automotive Museum at Te Puke in New Zealand is unusual in that there are no barriers between the public and the extensive collection of vintage and classic vehicles. However, one car is the exception. Local ace Denny Hulme's 1973 Grand Prix McLaren Ford - the car in which he finished sixth in the World Drivers' Championship - is well out of reach, in accordance with the wishes of the owners. Sadly it sits on four 3-metre high posts and offers little more than a fine view of the undertray and rivets. A case of overkill, you'd have to say! -BRIAN REED

My Favourite

ONE of the mostfamous names in sportscar racing, Aston Martin,took centre stage at the Histories meeting at Queensland Raceway. One of only 13 examples made, Joe Wilson of Brisbane proudly presented his restored 1.5 litre Special. Arguably, it stole the show and, having won the National Aston Concours, the Jaguar/Meguiar's pre-war Gold Coast and the Noosa Festival of elegance Classic, you can see why. Joe found this unit in England in 1995 and has since had to totally rebuild the engine, plus overhaul of all components, including instruments, lamps and so on. On release, it cost the well-heeled of the time £625. Discounting inflation, Joe claims that would only fix a scratch compared to the hours of dollars he has spent on the car. Aston Martin made slight modifications to the chassis to introduce this long wheelbase edition, on which the full four seater open body is mounted. The car was ideal for high speed cruising, with excellent acceleration and roadholding. The engine is a four-cylinder with overhead valves and camshaft, and magneto ignition.

Joe’s Red Rocket:Joe Wilson’s 4-seater Aston Martin at Lakeside, motoring in serenity courtesy ofthe 1.5 litre,four-cylinder engine, below.

The four-speed gearbox guaranteed 10, 45, 70 and 82mph and, if driven hard, you could expect 27mpg. All this from 1.5 litres? Even

the critics at the time agreed to every Aston Martin claim. There was one criticism, namely the pause between second and third, which they felt could be slightly reduced with minor modification. With Aston Martin now owned by the Ford Motor Company, and new cars in the pipeline, it's good to see some of motoring's heritage live on. - MARSHALL CASS 75

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125cc water-cooled racing kart has the instinctive thrill of driving a racig machine capable of incredible performance. Imagine being 25mm from the racing track and having the same power to weight ratio of a Super Tourer under your right foot. If this excites you give us a call NOW on 02 9678 9669. Packages POA.

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l 4 programmable shill lights W l bar graph display/digilal tachometer R l peak HPM recall l engine hour meter ~ l water/shock resistant l automatic lap liming l speed sensor l up tod thermo couple inputs l reads up to 8 temperatures & pressure l data logging l made in South Australia

y Available from: Emtech Automotive Ph 08 8371 1500 Fax 08 8371 0500 Mobile 0418 600 751

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■OFREE Sedans/Sports Care

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accepted (marked with a ●) and must be prepaid at the following per issue rates: $5 per 10 words (min $10 per ad), photo $10. Eurther enquiries to our advertising department on 03 9527 7744. Classifieds can be mailed, faxed or emailed. Classifieds are not accepted over the telephone. Forward to Motorsport News Free Classifieds, PO BOX 1010 North Caulfield 3161. Fax: 03 9527 7766.

Email: msnews@ozemail.com.au. Make sure to list your category. Honda EG Club Car, 3 door Civic, black, body kit, carbon fibre bonnet and wing, adjustable suspen sion, aluminium struts, 1600cc single cam VTEC. $7500. Ph 0412 578 474. 197

FIQ #20 NSW, new engine, excellent condition, only done 15 meetings, comes with spare panels, wheels, brakes etc. $5500. Top HP spare also available. $2000. Ph Mark 0408 965 182. 197

Lotus 26R (Lightweight Elan), ex Jane, Allen, Beasley, Fraser undisputed history. Current owner 18 years. 1860cc all steel Lotus twin cam dry sump, ultra close gearbox, Isd, ultra lightweight body, roll cage side impact bars, six point harness. Totally original, absolutely mint condition, current historic log book, certificate of description. $110,000. Ph 02 4576 1222. 197

Oldsmobile NASCAR, complete less motor and box, excellent buying. $6500. Ph Eddie Abelnica 0418 360 058. 197

Woomera 1 Racing, is breaking up its Land Speed Project, due to financial reasons. A unique opportu nity to purchase two high-speed drive systems See web site www.lsr500.com for details. The drives would suit a two wheel drive, wheel driven vehicle and would each have the potential to go over 400 MPH in a streamliner. 1 front drive unit. 1 rear wheel drive unit. Both units come with 3500 BHP VI2 Rolls Royce engines: fuel injected on methanal and Allison electronic 4 speeds automatic Transmissions. Each drive system is priced at $28,000.00 USD ono. Ph Glen Davis 0418 967 784 or email melville7@bigpond.com. 197

Gemini Series Coupe, 1998 overall championship winner. Top HP engine, many wins and fastest laps, comes with spares, tyres and is weli sorted. Ph David for details 0402 351 678 or 07 3350 1563. $6000 neg. 197 EH Holden, logbook, spares. $7500. Ph 03 9205 9218 ah. ,97

2000 GTP Best Presented, Holden VT S5 V8 Commodore. Fastest and best in Class C, numer ous pole positions, class wins and podium finishes. Fresh motor and driveline, ready to race with some spares. $POA. For detaiis phone Craig or Michaei 0407 724 862. .97

QLD Gemini Series, 2000 championship winning

5 lanuary 2001

Sedan. Comprehensive spares package also avail able (POA). $12,000 ono, (spares extra). Ph Ken or Nathan Ph/Fax 02 9653 1668 or 0418 261 860. 195

Future Tourer, VS Commodore latest spec Auscraft (Russell Caddy) shell, top hp engine, two sets diff ratios, many spares. Consistent pole position winning car, extremely well maintained. Can be delivered as raced at Oran Park - February 2001. POA - Ph 0418 135 187 (Trevor) for further details. 197

Gemini Series Coupe, well sorted front running car. Top Horsepower engine built by Phil Laird. Many race wins & overall winner of 1998 Series. Will not find better for price. $4500.Ph Dave Wood 0402 351 678 or 07 3350 1563. 197

RX7 Series II, 20B triple rotor fuel injected. Built and raced by Ric Shaw, immaculate presentation. Recond gearbox, Simmons & mounted wets also. $25,000 obo. Ph 0418 951 072. 197

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car, pole position 6 of 9 meetings, won five of last six meetings this year. No expense spared, full range of spares and tandem axle trailer. Full assis tance provided. $7500. Ph Cameron Wilson 0419 768 662. 197

NASCAR Chev Monte Carlo, arguably Australia's best flat track NASCAR. Excellent history, less motor and box. $27,500. Ph Eddie Abelnica 0418 360 058. 197

2 issues

Ford Twin Cam Escort, 1970, rebuilt Lotus 1600, 8000kms ago, elect ign, Enkie mags. VGC. Must sell (wife nagging). RWC, $12,500 neg. Ph Tony 03 9816 9909 ah. .97

GTP Class "D“ Mitsubishi Magna Sports, Mid-1999 3.5 Litre TH Model, raced in the 2000 season by Trent Ulmer and Jim Myhill. A front runner in the class, with many strong podium placings including a third place at Bathurst. Car covered less than 3000 km from new. Comes with

Commodore VB, full Group C body kit, Pedders suspension. Dragway wheels, Bridgestones, new interior, built from the ground up, reg to 10/2001. $6000. Ph 03 6381 1391 or 0419 582 218. .97 Nissan GTiR, silver 1993, 2 litre turbo, 4WD, 106kms, air, mags, rally rego, log book. $9000 ono. Ph 07 3209 2073 or 0414 645 755. 197

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Smith AUSCA, sister car to the famous Paul England AUSCA, Repco Holden engine, Jag box LSD, not completed but CAMS OK for Lb category classif. Also suitable rally or road. Ph 03 9682 4644 bh or 03 9589 1217 or fax 03 9699 8022. 19c

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..V*

HG Monaro Group Nc, high HP 350 Chev, body sandblasted, seam-welded, steel roll cage, Tilton pedal box, Tilton triple plate clutch, Zinner gearbox, built by Raven Motorsport. Best propped touring car at Phillip Island Histories. $60,000 ono. Ph Jeremy 0418 545 185 or 03 9425 9443. .96 Gemini Club Car, 2 Litre motor, adjustable Konis, modified brakes, locked diff, SAAS seat & steering wheel and many spares. $6500 ono. Ph 02 9274 2201 bh or 02 9181 3071 ah. m

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Mazda RX7 1990 Series 5,13B turbo (not for reg istration), 3inch exhaust, race seat, Simpson har ness, spare wheels. Set up for Supersprints, com plete with registered trailer all in immaculate con dition. $11,000 ono. Ph 02 4626 1935. 197

FJ Holden Sports Sedan, blue motor, Toyota gearbox, LSD, has won many rounds of NSW Hillclimb championships, comes with spare body, panels and wheels. $4000 ono. Ph 0428 661 284 or 02 6644 9411. .97

enough tyres, brake rotors/pads and other spares to last most of the 2001 season. $35,000 ono. Including a comprehensive spares package. Ph Gerry Ulmer at Marion Motors on 08 8298 3759 for details. 197

Subaru Liberty RS Turbo, 4WD, '91, white, new gearbox and STi clutch, 3 inch mandrel exhaust, fully adjustable Koni shocks, chip, blow off valve, boost activator, all power options, 10 mths rego, one owner. $17,000. Ph 02 6684 0409 or 0414 611 687. .97

Honda CRX, Club car, ZC twin cam 1600cc, roll cage, adjustable suspension, log book, new control tyres etc. Lakeside in 62.8. $6500. Ph 0412 578 474. 197

Suzuki Swift Gti, Class 'E' G.T.P. pace-setter sea sons 1999 & 2000, including numerous lap records and fastest Class 'E' Bathurst 2000! Very competi tive, make ideal U2lt Street Sedan/ Club Car /Sport

VL5 Litre, 9" Detroit locker, excellent club car, ready to race, owner retired. Car capabie of high 48s Oran Park South, only ever used for Supersprinis. Email: cokeaddict@ozemail.com.au .96 Sports Sedan RX7, half completed project comes with lots of Mazda spares. Also avail P76 V8. $5000 ono. Ph 0417 880 899. .96 AUSCAR Commodore VS, rolling chassis, complete less motor. Harrop front end, full floater diff, 2 sets wheels, new paint, fuel cell (re-certified), big brakes. Fit motor and go. $10,000. Ph 0408 066 106. .96

Mazda RX7 Club Car, neat and tidy, CAMS iog book. $6950. Ph 07 5497 6396 ah or 07 5497 6733. .96

Yep, another HQ race carl winner of 5 Australian Hillclimb class wins. Never beaten five years of com petition. No expense spared, comes with fresh top HP engine, nothing to spend. Delivery assistance. Ph Peter 02 9642 2979 or 0410 734 191. .96

Pontiac TranZam, Sports Sedan, built by KM Engineering, all the best bits, too many spares to list

inc moulds, sell with or without engine. Also 40' transporter, very fast, very reliable. Nothing to spend. Ph 07 5441 7700 bh or 07 5485 5569 ah. i9«

VN Club Car, fresh 5 It, EFi, steel cage, T-5, 3.9 locked diff, VT brakes, log book, heaps of poten tial, $13,700 ono, Ph 0417 061 990 or 02 9624

Open Wheelers

chassis with KTM 250 engine. Gear change buttons on steering wheel. Nationai iap record at Calder, compiete Keigate running gear and carbon fibre bodywork. High power exhaust system, near new XL ieather suit. $13,000 ono. Ph Matt Thomas 0419 199 069 or Graeme Wiiliams 03 9744 3008 ah. i9s

Morris Cooper Mk II 'S', 1330cc motor, sfd 'S' features discs, twin tanks, heater, radio, alloy wheels. Gen collectors car. $14,000. Ph 0418 356

Reynard 92D, competetive car, good HP engine, Sandown 500 winner, good spares package & enclosed trailer included. $44,000 ono. Ph Owen Osborne 0417 320 866 or 03 9798 3680. 197

Mazda RX7 Turbo (GTP) Class A, front running car, ready to race. Ric Shaw prepared, entry avail able to Adelaide GTP race. Spares package avail able. Ph 0412 267 245. 196

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BMW 1988 E30, Improved Production 3J, 2,5 Itr, 4 cyl, rebuilt S14@340hp, fresh 262 trans, alloy diff, large spares kit includes body, 12" wheels + diff ratios on trailer. $35,000. Ph 0417 703 773. 196

Simmons rims, 6 of 15x 8JJ (custom made for correct track and big brakes for Torana A9X). Club tyres 2 x 205/60 and 2 x 225/60 Yokohama A008R as new, and 2 x 205/60 Dunlop. $2950. Ph 07 3325 0489 or 0417 775 507. 197 1927 Brooklands Singer replica, eligible for Group Jb Histories, nice condition. $12,500. Ph 02 9716 0082. 196

Formula Holden Reynard 92D, ex-Chas Jacobsen, unused since purchase Dec 99, engine rebuilt, extensive 'spares, two-way adjustable Penske shocks. Stack programmable dash. Available delivered to Sydney or Melbourne. AUS$63,000. Ph Paul NZ 0011 64 3 389 4672. 196

Parts \.

$42,500 ono. Ph 0407 892 610. 196

29/12/2000 07;

this year (inciuding interstate). Complete with spares. Fresh engine. Assistance given to ensure that the car remains at the front of the fieid. $19,000. Ph 0425 726 039 197

1996 Fraser Clubman, lOOkW Toyota 4AGE, inboard front suspension, deDion rear, many facto ry options, full weather equip, CAMS 2b log book, immaculate condition. Brilliant car for road or track.

507. 197

Formula Ford Royale RP31, Group R Historic log book and certificate of description. Ready to race, new tyres. $18,750. No offers. Ph 02 9716 0082. 195

Formula Vee 2000, Victorian Open Pointscore, Formula Vee Super Series, Champion of Winton, and third at Nationals. 6 Pole Positions and 26 Wins

356. 196

Air condition system (complete), $2250 origi nal rear seats set, blue trim $1590 all to suit 1996 Nissan Skyline GTR. Ph 07 3325 0489 or 0417 775

Gaiioway-developed, race-winning Spectrum 07, Speedtech engine, MoTec, spares package, with assistance given to new owner. $37,000. Trailer also available. Ph Owen Kelly 0419 896 382. 197

8640. 196

$ 1850. Ph 07 3325 0489 or 0417 775 507. 197

250CC International Superkart, fitted with Yamaha TZ 'A' model, genuine' 250kph, only raced 5 times with best result of 3rd, many spares, $5800 ono. Also, purpose-built trailer with jib crane, half finished, registered. $1500. Ph 08 8336 6055. 196 Spectrum 07 Formula Ford, we have one 1999 model with brand new chassis, Motec, fully rebuilt for sale less engine. Spare wheels, ratios, assistance if required. $34,000. Ph 0408 066 106. 196 CRG kart, adjustable camber/castor and ride height. Blueprinted KT100J, 2nd in Sen Nat Pro Club Championship at Geelong. Comes with stand and seat cover. $1,800. Ph Stephen 0404 811 342 ah or 03 5368 1959. 196

250 National Superkart, rare 1997 Anderson

Irving alloy head, suit Holden 6 cyl includes inlet and exhaust manifolds &48mm Dellortos. Ph 0411 707 075. 197 Jerico gearbox, with long shifter, excellent condi tion $6000, NASCAR TlOl gearbox, as new with long shifter $8500. 2 Super T10 gearboxes, $2000 each. Nascar spares, wheels, tyres, diffs, suspen sion, too much to mention, all priced to clear. Ph Eddie Abelnica 0418 360 058. 197 Autosport race seat, Kevlar on unique alumini um frame with adjustable slides & 1kg fire extin guisher. Excellent condition, perfect for road or race. $650 firm. Ph 0418.362 674 or 03 8802 0199. 197

Haltech F9 fuel injection computer, complete with wiring harness and 4 cyl injector harness, some sensors, still in box. $900 obo. Ph Pete 0418 951 072. 197 Aluminium 18 degree Chev heads, Jessel roller rockers, bowtie manifold, complete top end. $6900. Ph 03 5776 1355 or 0418 514 444. 197 Porsche gearbox, 915 dogbox, 5 speed, LSD, re inforced, new gears -i- ring + pinion. /\s good as they get. $12,000. Ph 03 9640 0831. 197 2 Carbon fibre Recaro seats, latest style. $1000 each. Ph 0412 267 245. i9s Quick change gearbox, Reynard 92D, large selection of gear ratios, complete brakes, shafts. Will suit Formula Holden $18,000 ono. Ph 0417 880 899. 196 Gearbox, genuine A9X Bathurst close ratio with gear seleaor, clutch kit & lightened flywheel. $2800. Ph 02 4736 7826. 196 Centerline Autodrag wheels, 2x8.5x15 with 275x15 BF Goodrich tyres & 2x7x15 with 205x15 BF Goodrich tyres, excellent condition. $1250 ono. Ph 02 6331 4296 or 02 6332 4936 ah. 196 Brand new VL turbo, engine block. Still in pack aging from factory. $600. Ph 02 9520 5039 or 0418 405 687. 196 Escort 2L crower conrods, unused PC $700, Crane 520X cam, new $200. 13x6 Globe Bathurst wheels(4)$200. Ph 07 3855 3189 ah or 0417 720 462 bh. 196 Toploader gearbox, 4 speed and shifter $600 ono. Ph 02 6331 4296 or 02 6332 4936 ah. 196 Digatron,computer system, records RPM and exhaust temp. Suits go kart. $130. Ph 0412 527 869. 196 Formula Vee parts, 6x Dtype heads, new parts including Wade cam, pistons & barrels, fuel pump, K&N air filter, carby bits and pieces, flywheel and crank, oil pump, external cooler adaptor, pushrod tubes, distributor. Mandrel bent exhaust headers plus more. Worth over $1700, sell $500. Ph 0412 527 869. 196

Pair of HKS, mega flow filters & adapter pipes plus air flow meters to suit Nissan Skyline GTR.

Moser 33 spline billet axles, 20 1/4" x 24" long, nodular centre, alum pinion support, full spool, 4.56:1 gears, all new. $2400 ono. Ph 03 5241

WOW Send us your classified ads and we’ll run them for FREE* CalBflOni: □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers □ Speedway DDrag □ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other.

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NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Please use the form provided and print dearly. Please note we are unable to return photographs used in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipt. ‘FREE Classifieds are for the sale of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising (Trade advertisers see Classifieds header for rates). Photos marked "proof" will not be used.

motorspon news

AMRKET PLACE 4198 or 0412 300 506. i96 Chev Rodeck alloy block, 4.125" bore, JE hi comp 15 degree pistons, Cariilo 6" h'beam rods, Cola 4340 crank std, std 400 mains 350 stroke, ^72ci. $7500 ono. Ph 03 5241 4198 or 0412 300 506. i96

Duralite wheels plus spares. $25,000 ono. Ph 08 9399 3650. i96

sedan. $13,000 for both or will separate. Ph 02 4872 2622 or 0410 317 015. 197

Chev 5.7L, Jurnal Eagle Rod $400. Ph 07 5497 6733 bh or 07 5497 6396 ah. Chev 5.7L Jurnal

1973 D1510 International dual cab, transporter, 4 new radials, 22ft pan with peak, new tail and clearance lights, minor work for rego. $2850. 16ft tilt car trailer. $2800 ono. Ph 02 9930 8557 or 0408 936 370. 197

Sumit rods &TRW 12 to 1 pistons. $800. Ph 07 5497 6733 bh or 07 54976 6396 ah. i96

Covered in trailer, suit open wheeler tandem with brakes. $3500. Ph 03 5988 6266. 195

l Clutches, 7.25, 5.5, 5.0 single, twin, triple plate, sintered or carbon, AP-Tilton-QM, new/used. Spare covers, rings, plates also avail able. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Pedals, brake/clutch, floor mount/hanging, new/sued. Also available, bias valves, bias cables, mas ter cylinders, reservoirs etc. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Brake calipers, discs, pads. Mega range, new/used, exc condition - AP, Alcon, Brembo, Outlaw, Willwood. Overnight delivery. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Hewland, DGB, 5 speed transaxle, top condi tion, new 9;31 CWP, ratio choices and spares avail able, $14K ratios, over 300 in stock to suit DGB, GFGB, TPT, FT200. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Oil coolers- heat exchangers, Earls, Setrab, Serck, 6-70 row, new/used, also used water to oil heat exchangers, over 100 in stock. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Racecar parts, brake parts, chassis stands, diff oil pumps, exhaust collectors, fuel cell accessories, oil filters, quicklift jacks, ratio boxes, radiator caps, springs, spoilers, wings etc. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Uprights, fabricated/cast, fronts/rears, various sizes, new/used, also CVs, driveshafts, wishbones, rockers, pushrods, all top quality, exc condition. CCIPh 0418 925 767. l Radiators, aluminium, new/used, single/dual pass, top quality, large range, various sizes, suit all applications, from $300. CCI Ph 0418 925 767.

Speedway

Wanted Drivers wanted. QLD based V8 Supercar team, suitable budget required for Konica Series in 2001. For more info contact Jeff 0415 107 601 or 07 5495 6920. 19; TREMEC gearbox wanted, or gearbox to suit Cosworth engine. Must be in good condition. Ph Phil 0419 252 898. 197

T10 gearbox, and steel Chev bell housing. $800. Ph 07 5497 6733 bh or 07 5497 6396 ah. i96 l Air jacks, new/used, large range, most applica tions, quick release handles available, top quality. C.C.I. Ph 0418 925 767.

Perkins-bullt 308, Holden engine, slide injection, all new. $10,000. Ph 0412 267 245. i96

Pontiac Super Sedan, body and roll cage only, done four meetings, have retired. $2000. New car trailer, registered with electric brakes $2900. Will swap either for tractor in going order. Ph 02 4572 5949. 19s

Sponsors wanted, for Nations Cup car for 2001 season. For more details see our web site: N1630 Turbo, 6 speed 6 cyl, fits 2 Formula Fords, Formula Holdens, 1 sedan, 12,000 pound winch, 20ftx8ft box, cupboards, ramps, fast reliable truck. Ph 0408 066 106. $25,000. .96 Trailer, fully enclosed with annex, single axle, reg, easy to tow, suit FF, FV or karts. $1700. Ph 03 9842 3315. .96

S.D.A.V. Hot Rod,car and all spares. Proven winner, holds 2 track records, methanol, 350 Chev, just rebuilt and sealed for legality, Lee power steering box, quickchange gearbox, ready to race, very reli able. $15,000 ono. Ph Peter 03 9746 7640 after

Fully enclosed Formula Ford trailer, built 1998, approx size 21x6x6, aluminium cladding, work bench. Dual axle, electric brakes, wheels inside 6" width. $6000. Ph 03 9467 4044. .96

7pm. .96

VH Commodore Modified Production, fully worked 3.3 blue, Tilton ped and cyls, adjustable sus pension, Autometer tacho and gauges, MSD igni tion, quicksteer, new f/glass, 4 WDB, heap of spares, quick sale. $5500. Ph 07 4954 5225 or 0427 969 876. .96

Transporters/Trailers

Copies of FI races, on video from 1991-1998. $15 per race. Ph Aaron 02 4877 1219. 197 Toyota Sprinter AE86 parts, Konis, strut brace, wheels, roll cage, pair Weber 45s, two litre engine conversion. Ph 03 9889 1149 ah. 195 Limited slip diff centre, for Ford Escort. Prefer 4.1 ratio. Ph Robert 0418 821 213. 195 Drivers, to race 2001 Barber Dodge Series in USA. Fax karting and circuit n racing CV to Ezybonds ProRace Aussies to Indy, attention: Mike Gallagher. Fax 0011 1 530 432 9018. Keep them short and to the point. Include return fax number or email. 195 Cosworth EDA or BDD race engine, of sound condition with a view to marriage with Rail RT4 Formula Atlantic chassis. Prospective partners should phone John or Tony on 0418 736 869 or 07 3256 9505 ah. 196

'89 Corvette Super Sedan, 104 wheelbase chas sis & body, only unused $2000 ono. Franlin QC wide 5 hubs. $1200. Ph 03 5722 9099. .96 Torana U, 3.3 red, G/lite pistons, Yella Terra head, electronic ignition, 1 tonne clutch, high vol/oil pump, Romac balancer, 4 speed g/box, mags, racks, axles, c/members, diff/housing, 5 point harnesses, f/glass seats, wings and spares. Complete car and spares. $3800. Ph 07 4954 5225 or 0427 969 876 196

<http://users.ozlinx.com.au/~impex. Ph 07 3325 0489 or 0417 775 507. .97

F350 1982, banana back, 351C, auto, AC, PS, Telma magnetic brake retarder, nothing to spend. $27,500. Offers considered. Ph 03 5241 4198 ah or 0412 300 506. .96 Custom car trailer, 4.7m x 2m checker plate hydraulic tilt deck, 20001b electric winch, electric brakes, boggle axle on springs, built-in pull-out ramps, enclosed front, 10 months rego, excellent condition. $3500 neg. Ph 02 6331 4296 or 02 6332 4936 ah. 195 International D1510 dual cab, LPG/petrol, 22ft pan, 4 new radial tyres, bam doors, side door, fits Super Sedan. Minor work for rego. $2850. Ph 02 4930 8557. .96

Set of VS mesh Simmons, wheels to suit HQ Holden stud pattern. Ph 03 5428 3916 bh. 196

Olfter The Great Race books, volumes 14-17 covering the years 1994 to 1997. All in perfect, stored, con dition. Ph 0438 316 148. 197 Sparco race suit, triple layer, red, suit height 175180cm, medium size, not up to current FIA regs. Suit dub racer, in good condition. $300. Ph 03 5629 9344 or 0407 550 525. .97

1991 Nissan Patrol, 100,000 Ims, new screen, brakes, battery, rego NSW, wide wheel pack, bullbar. $18,000 neg. Ph 03 5881 4411 bh or 03 5881 1506 ah. 196

CAE Cageless Sprintcar copy, Chev with Hilborne injection, dog box, quickchange, knock off hubs. $25,000. Also vintage Speedcar chassis, Kurils Kraft style $1500. Ph Paul 07 5443 2348. .97

QLD Super Sedan, new Dodge Avenger body and chassis, quick change diff. Coyote clutch. 350 just refreshed, alloy seat, new springs, Carrera shocks. Much loved car, must sell due to medical condition. $10,000 ono. Ph 07 3807 2759. 197

40ft Lusty Pantec, ex Glenn Seton, 2 car caring capacity overhead tyre racks both sides,' large overhead lockable storage areas both front and rear, 12 volt winch with battery charger, wired for TV, 40ft X 18ft annex with side walls, 18ft wide, with brand new secondary smaller annex 20ft X 18ft , remote control alarm system, mas sive amount of storage cabins all with master key lockable doors with living area, fold down seats either side. Hot and cold water approx 80 gallon capacity, stainless steel sink, microwave oven, race suit wardrobe with lockable valuables chest. $136,000. Ph Graham Hunt 03 9528 1188. .97 FIDO, ex-ambulance 1984, new tyres, 12 mths rego, bed, stove, 2400kg tow pack, heaps of stor age. Great tow vehicle, ideal for race team. $8500 ono. Ph Mark 0408 965 182. .97

75BM! T 1/

Speedcar, Murphy Fontana 'A' grade car, 22 meetings old, Halibrand diff, Sanders ally front end, KSE p/steering, pro coil over ally radiator, 7

5 lanuary 2001

Engrnes Golf F2 engine, with dry sump pump, no carbs, excellent condition. $5000. Ph 03 5988 6266. 197 Nascar 27 degree Chev, JSR motor, excellent buying at $16;500. Ph Eddie Abelnica 0418 360 058. .97 Chev bowtie block, dart 18 deg aluminium heads, T&D rockers, Grower crank Olivier 6" rods, JE pistons, strong. 650hp, re-coed. $17,500. Ph 0418 514 444. 197 Holden 355 stroker, fully rebuilt VN fuel inj. Single throttle body manifold, Harrop crank, TRW forged pistons, A9L stroker rods, ported VN heads, Yella Terra roller rockers plus much more. Fully blueprint ed by John Sidney Racing. Genuine 400 horsepow er, trimatic bolt pattern plus twin turbo Supra 5 speed to suit Commodore or Kingswood conver sion. $6000, box extra. Ph 03 9874 0081 or 0409 952 732. 197 Porsche engines, 993 3.6L $16,800, Varioram $21,045, 993 Twin Turbo $44,700, 6 spd gearbox $6490, 993 Twin Turbo body $32,000 (undamaged), suspensions, big reds, GRP body panels. Ph 0417 620 980.196

Formula 500, Goddon Max, done three meetings, all new parts with all spares, must sell. $2800 ono. Ph 02 6341 1259. 197 TE Cortina Modified Sedan, methanol engine 14:1, twin plate clutch, very reliable and quick car. Spare rims and tyres, no expense spared. $8000 ono. Ph 02 4632 7278 or 0410 501 618. 196

Transporter, Ford 'O' series rego 11-2001 (VMW-430), under 4 ton.tare. Alloy pan 5.2 x 2.4 X 2.1m and side annex. 351ci, 5 speed manual on LPG, new tyres, 12vDC~240vAC Inverter, winch, ramps, tyre rack, under-belly lockers. $12,000 ono, contact Ken ph/fax 02 9653 1668 or 0418 261 860. .96

Tandem Trailer, 3600 x 2000 suit smaller sedan or open wheeler, $1800 ono. Ph 0416 077 057. 197 Isuzu 5BR and trailer, good reliable truck, new tyres, brakes and registered until Oct 2001. Fitted out with tyre racks and workbench and is fully lined. Trailer is strong, 6 wheel, semi-enclosed unit. Tows well and is registered, would suit large

Toyota IG-GE motor, comipete with EFi, comput er, air flow meter & filter box. VGC, 2 litre 6 cyl. $480. Ph 03 9800 5740 ah. 196 16V Cosworth Sierra, full works engine as new, V-serious engine, 500+ hp plus spares and extras. $8000 ono. Ph 08 8396 6640 or 0403 090 920. 196

Ford F100 XLT 4x4 85. 5lt EFI. Auto, Air, CD, Sports roll bar, Nudge bar, Driving lights. Hay Reece Tow pack. Side steps. Black & Silver. Rebuilt engine and body restore. EC. Must sell. Will concider trade with cash adjustment on interesting sports/racing car. $15,800. Ph 02 9388 7765 or 0413 433 193. .96 Founding-life membership, at Qld Raceway (family pass), free entry to all QR meetings inc pit entry & free general practice (forever), ideal Xmas gift. $2500 inc transfer fees. Ph 07 3800 4712 or 0419 799 311. .96 Automobile Year Books, 28-33 + 35. $600. Bathurst yearbooks 2 & 3 1983-84, 1984-85. $80. All EC. Ph 0409 196 099. 196 RPM,2 layer suit, red with white box stitch, size ML, brand new $555. Camera, Pentax M2, 28-80 lens ideal for motorsport photography, brand new. $520. Ph 0419 242 025. .96 Simpson suits, top of line, white and black. $100 and $350. Ph 0412 527 869. .96 Large range of motoring magazines, inc full set Sports Car World, Racing Car News and many thou sands of others, also motoring books. Ph 08 9279 7003 or fax 08 9377 3939. ,96 Situations Vacant, automotive engineer/engine builder at Possum Bourne Motorsport Ltd. Applicants preferably have experience working on Subaru vehi cles, automotive machining, engine diagnostic, after market computer tuning, engine dyno work, good communication skills & be a team player. Indicative salary range 35K-40K for full-time. Also, position for metal fabricator with light metal fabrication experi ence & machining, TIG welding. Send CV with con tact details: Murray Brown, General Manager, Possum Bourne Motorsport Ltd, PO Box 523, Pukekohe NZ or ph 0011 64 9 238 5732 or email murray®possumbourne.com.nz 195

OPINION

mmiisioit

news

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor: Phil Branagan Assistant Editor: Gerald McDornan Staff Journalist: Aaron Noonan PROOUeTION Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Brendon Sheridan ADMINISTRATION Managing Director: Chris Lambden CONTACTS 89 Orrong Crescent North Caulfield Vic 3161 (PO Box 1010 North Caulfield Vic 3161) n Ph: 03 9527 7744 Fax: 03 9527 7766 Email: msnews@02email.com.au CONTRIDUTORS General: Grant Nicholas, Darryl Flack, Tony Glynn, Mark Jones, Jon Thomson FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper Europe: Quentin Spurring, Gary Watkins US: Phil Morris Speedway: Brett Swanson, Julie Pearce, Geoff Rounds, Wade Aunger,Tony Millard (UK) Rally: Peter Whitten, Jon Thomson Histories: Brian Reed Drag Racing: Greg Ward, Jon Asher (USA), Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Steven White, Ken Ferguson Super Speedway: Martin Clark (USA) National: Mark Wicks, Sean Flenshelwood, Michael Shaw Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Marshall Cass, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, Tony Glynn, AFl Images, Neil Flammond, Slipstream Photographic, ThunderPics, Phil Williams, Allsport, John Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, John Bosher, Lynley Reid, Mike Patrick (UK), Daniel Wilkins, Wayne Nugent, Peter French, Chris Carter, James Smith Artist: Bernie Walsh Cartoonist: Allan Schofield Motorsport News is published by Australasian Motorsport News - ABN 55 125 120 702 Publisher: C Lambden Printed by: PMP Print 37-49 Browns Road Clayton 3168. Distributed by: NDD Ltd Material published by MOTORSPORT NEWS is copyright and may not be reproduced in full or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Freelance contributions are welcome, and while all care will be taken, Australasian Motorsport News does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of material submitted. Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

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A letter from Bruce. No, not that one...

State and/or r- ' \/j5C Federal Governments can be

A-ha! Gotcha Tony Cochrane. "Not a brass razoo" for motor sport from the Federal Government you say? How about the money they paid out to build the current pit garage complex at Bathurst in 1987. If TC was really a life long motor racing fan, he'd have known that from Bill Tuckey's books covering the Bathurst race at that time. Indeed, Sandown was updated with Government money. Now,I really like motor racing, but I'd sooner see taxpayers' money spent on defence, health or education than a branch of motor sport that is strictly indigenous, or for a venue that only gets used once a year. And what about blocking off one of the main general admission spectator areas to do it? Do AVESCO really care about the grass roots fans? Oh, well, the proposed monstrosity on Conrod Straight will ruin half the view anyway. Guess I'll have to go and sit with the ferals instead. If you want to build a VIP suite, do it along Mountain Straight. Robert Bruce Emaih robertbruceS^hotmailcom

The funding goes where? It appears that AVESCO/BCC's calls for federal funding towards Mount Panorama is aimed directly at securing more corporate dollars. With flash corporate boxes to accommodate more AVESCO clients, it would be interesting to find out how much of that potential income would be returned to improve the general spectator areas. Not just bigger grass mounds, I hope. In regards to the letter from last issue about Speedvision. Having seen it, believe me, you do not

converter want it. You would never see natural daylight again -just too much racing to handle! Whatever you do, you must go to Eldora once in your life - wild is the best way to describe it. Craig Condon North Ryde, NSW

Expectation exceedure Tony Cochrane has exceeded all expectations. The plans for Bathurst look great, yet claiming that pollies need to finance their once a year photo opportunity to the tune of $10-$15 million and that AVESCO is deserving of this handout,'S deluded. This fantasy is apparently proved by the fact that AVESCO is even prepared to put up $30,000 of its own money to chase the government millions? By all means Cochrane should argue that professional motorsport is an industry and creates jobs and opportunities, argue the tourist value to a regional centre, even argue the promotion of Australia. But please don't use the word 'deserving' with reference to AVESCO and a government hand out. The Bathurst plans would make a step change to the sport. 'The Business' will also get a real kick along if it comes to fruition. It may

persuaded to support the development plans. However, any support will develop through sane argument about community benefits, not a naked Emperor looking to cjmically make more profit via subsidies from a gullible government. David Owens Mt Colah, NSW

McNinn’s world of corporate structure So Jason Bright thinks joining HRT makes him the first guy to switch between Ford and Holden. Has he never heard of Neil Crompton, Andrew Miedecke, Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, Lany Perkins (Mustang) or Dick Johnson (an ex-Torana pilot)? And that is ignoring the fundamental silliness of ha\nng a bizarre form of tribal warfare built around the marketing plans of two American corporations! Maybe it's time to vent my spleen on Mr. Cochrane too. He makes a big thing about how he has made V8 racing super professional and given it a corporate structure. Maybe he should take note that out here in the real world, real companies when they want to grow, re-invest their profits in new infrastructure. They don't go whining to governments. He wants to be seen as big business, but then uses the arguments that he should be treated like the local under-12s. The Australian taxpayer is already pouring a fortune into motorsport - Albert Park, Adelaide, the Canberra circuit and Queensland Raceway are all taxpayer funded to greater or lesser extents. Bernard McMinn Mawson, ACT

Making mountains move: Talk Converter is buzzing over what AVESCO wants done at Mount Panorama, and more importantly, who they want to pay for the upgrades to the facility. (Photo by Matt Turner/ALLSPORT)

Post your cheque/money order to the address above, fax your credit card details (Bankcard, VISA, Mastercard, or Amex) to 03 9527 7766 or email to msnews@ozemail.com.au 82

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