Motorsport News Issue 226 - March 6-19, 2002

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No. 226 March 6-19 2002

EXCLUSIVE ilr

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Full V8 Superear Series

after Ttira 1 shaiiiblei ■ Hulileii/Ffird share V8 glory ■ Walkinshaw/Prost fiasco sorted

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ne of only seven racing cars custom-built at the Ford Advanced Vehicle factory in Detroit, l\flichigan, the 1969 Boss 302 Trans-Am Mustang is revered as one of Austraiia’s legendary touring cars. With Allan Moffat behind the wheel and an astonishing 101 victories from just 157 starts between ‘69 and ‘74, this is the V8 that launched one of the most spectacular careers in the history of Australian motor sport.

Strictly limited to a one-off production run and never to be repeated, this superb die-cast 1/18-scale replica captures every facet of the

famous car with extraordinary accuracy.

Manufactured to the most exacting specifications„this long awaited release has been personally supervised and approved by Allan Moffat during each stage of production to ensure its total authenticity.

Presented in the No 9 Red livery and featuring original sponsor decals, the attention to detail and quality of finish is simply stunning - from the Weber carburettor’s chromed ram tubes and distinctive yellow spark plug leads, to the intricate dashboard instrumentation and Minilite wheels - all the power and beauty of this awesome machine has

been brilliantly captured for all time.

The first in a series of three models featuring the car as it raced under different colours and body modifications, the 1969 Boss 302 Trans-Am Mustang is destined to become the centre-piece of any collection.

An official certificate of Authenticity signed

by Allan Moffat accompanies each car.

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been waiting for...

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Limited Edition ISScaie Modei 'f

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is mine”. - Allan Moffat

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Don’t miss out on owning your piece of Australian Miotorsport History. Order Form

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YES! Please rush my 1:18 scale Allan Moffat Boss 302 Trans-Am Mustang for $299, plus $13 postage and handling, today.

Mr/Mrs/Ms: J

Address:

□ MASTERCARD

□ AMEX

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item

price

Allan Moffat 1969 Trans-Am Mustang

$299 (inci GST)

Postage & Handing (per unit)

$13 find GST)

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Total Amount

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(Please make cheque payable to: Hot Memorabilia P/L)

□ visa

Card No:

Post Code: Tel:

Payment Option: □Cheque □ Money Order

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Expiry Date: Signature:

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Amount: $

Send completed order form to: Hot Wlemorabilia Pty Ltd P.O. Box 196, GLEN IRIS, Victoria. 3146 Australia Telephone: 61 3 9818 1688 Fax: 61 3 9818 2833 100% Money Back Guarantee If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, simply return the item in its original packaging along with delivery advice slip, and we will refund your money.

UJ

Panasonic

Performance Enhancing Technology ●5

Panasonic is title sponsor Of the TOYOTA Formula 1 team, and powers the team through Audio-Visual, IT & Telecommunications technology.

Plasma Display

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motorspoit > PRIX !E 2002

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32 5 minutes with Tsutomu Tomita The man who took Toyota into FI 34 Mark’s diary He would have finished on the podium, but he was writing for MN while he was driving 38 Mixed fortunes Sale and Trulli talk about their AGP weekend 40 Be prepared The new V8 Supercar season is this close. Here’s what you need to know before the Clipsal 500 rolls around

48 Schuey won, but who noticed? The complete story of an extraordinary Australian Formula One Grand Prix 68 Status quo resumed ... almost HRTs dominate at the AGP, but this time Skaife took a back seat 4 ASP Supports The lowdown on Nations Cup and motorsiidri fFormula Ford at Albert Park

MANIA! z

Photos: Cover: Marsh/BOTHWELL, Bearne-Sutton. Contents: Moy/Sutton, BearneSutton, Marshall Cass. Dirk Klynsmith

2H Motoreyeles

26 Rallying

28 Speedway

82 Drag Racing

84 NAS€AR

86 Histories

9© National Scene

93 Marketplace i

DJR signs Alan Jones for enduros

DICK Johnson has pulled a rabbit out of the hat for the endurance races by signing Alan Jones.

The 1980 world champion driver will join Paul Radisich, Steve Johnson and Greg Ritter in the two Shell Helix Fords in the Queensland 500 on 15 September and at Bathurst 1000 on 13 October.

"I*am just delighted to be in a competitive car and a competitive team again, it's a great opportunity, and I intend to make the most of it," Jones said.

"Over the past few seasons I got pretty sick of being passed in a straight line by those Shell Fords, so I can't wait to get my

hands on one ... they are a seriously good team with great equipment, and I couldn't ask for more."

Team boss Dick Johnson was equally enthusiastic; "There aren't too many blokes on the planet with more experience than Alan Jones, and that's what we decided we needed," Johnson said.

"It was a matter of getting the right balance for the team and he is the perfect fit, plus you can't believe how motivated he is ... there's no doubt getting back into a competitive car he's out to prove a point.'

Driving combinations for the two Falcons are not expected to be settled for some time.

I don’t like Fridays Testing changes could see twodayGPs and Friday testing

by QUENTIN SPURRING/STAFF GRAND Prix racing - at least, Grand Prix racing on Friday - may change substantially next year among sweeping changes to race weekend.

FIA President Max Mosley has now formally proposed new cost-cutting initiatives for Formula 1 by outlining a number of proposals in a document to the teams. Mosley is suggesting that each car could be restricted to one engine over a Grand Prix weekend; an engine replacement to be penalised by a move down the starting grid.

Mosley also suggested that Friday becomes a purely promotional day without track activity, but there is also talk that Fridays become the test days for the teams, following a ban on testing between the races.

As pari; of that program, there would be as much as four hours of track time during the day, while teams would be permitted to run both race and test drivers during the track provided that there are no more than two of a team’s cars on the track at the same time.

Further, teams may be permitted to run cars in liveries different to that of their ‘race’ cars, providing the opportunity to secure additional or different sponsorship for testing, and possibly have different guests for the test days as they would have for race weekend.

Mosley has also revived two former issues: that engine manufacturers agree to supply a second team, and that Grand Prix weekends could be cut to two days (ie, under this proposal, Saturday and Sunday). On Fridays, cars would be limited to a single engine.

The generalities of his proposals were broadly welcomed by the team principals in Melbourne, if not the specifics, and their responses will be discussed in detail at the next meeting of the FIA Formula 1 Commission on 19 March 2002.

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One Pizza, to go; if the testing changes come in, will we see test drivers like Antonio Pizzonia down under? (Photoby sutton-images)

he may have created Formula One fever at Albert Park but Mark Webber had to drive smart and fast to take fifth in the 2002 Foster s Australian Grand Prix.

After the race, Webber revealed that he was managing a number of technical difficulties in his Minardi-Asiatech PS 02 throughout the 58-lap race.

Despite these, the 25-year-old fought off a determined Mika Salo to take Minardi s first points in almost three years.

The race started cautiously for Webber, who elected to make a ‘manual’start rather than use launch control, even going to the trouble of warning Jaguar driver Pedro de la Rosa(who was starting behind him)that the black car could be slow away.

The problem was caused by a still-to-be resolved incompatibility between the Asiatech’s TAG electronics and the Magneti Marelli system used by the chassis.

Of course, that all changed at the first corner when nine cars retired on the spot, Webber completing the first lap in eighth place.

Then, five laps into the race, moiorspor! news

NEWS Will Netspace sponsor series?

One of the rumours buzzing around at Albert Park was the chance that Netspace, sponsors of the AGP V8 races, may be interested in the V8 Supercar Championship Series sponsorship, AVESCO's Tony Cochrane said that no deal had been done for the title sponsorship but that meetings were ongoing. n Remember the burglars who broke into Peter Brock's car at the AGP a few years ago and then realised who they'd rolled and put the gear back? Well, the crooks who took some 'five finger discounts' from Jason Bright's car at home during Grand Prix week were pretty sad. Among the goodies taken were a pair of the HRT's new super-funky pants with zippered legs. They took one leg off them, leaving Brighty with a pair of pants and shorts all in onel

s pretty closei

iges major problems to score on debut more odd things started to happen; “The guys told me later that the diffhad lost all its pressure,” Webber said.

“We literally had no diff! In practical terms, that created a monumental amount of single (inside) wheel spin leaving the corners - there was smoke coming off the inside wheel!”

Webber soldiered on before cutting back on the engine revs, overriding his gearbox’s automatic upchange function and making ‘manual’changes so he could look after the engine.

During his pitstop, another problem reared its head; the same ' computer bug which had forced the manual start also obliged Webber to switch off the Pit Lane Speed Limiter (which automatically controls the fuel filler cap) well before moving off- the cap thus shut and had to be forced open.

After the long stop, Webber was chased late in the race by Mika Salo and had to respond; “I was always going to fight Salo for fifth - put the car in a difficult position for him to pass, because doubling 3'our points makes a huge difference,” he said. “I also figured that he would be very keen 6 March 2002

to get a point and not want to risk too much ...”

As it turned out, Salo took care of himself. After a Turn 1 challenge under brakes failed, the Finn spun on the following lap after running wide on oil at Turn 3, recovering to take a point for Toyota on debut.

There were reports that, in initially, Salo was told not to chase Webber but when the gap closed towards the end of the race, Mika was told to make any move stick, because the Toyota team was certain the Aussie would not give up a place without a fight.

Webber was understandably emotional at the end of the race; “The crowd reaction was amazing,” he said. “Ballistic. Then when I drove in, the team was on fire. Stoddy was rapt; everyone was rapt.'Then Dad appeared.

“That’s when I briefly lost it.

There were tears ...” he said.

There were tears ofjoy throughout the team, which is a mix of Italians from Faenza, French from Asiatech, Britons from Ledbury and, now, Australians.

Stoddart said later that Minardi had hoped to score two points

during the season - but now achieved that in the very first race.

The post-race reaction was enormous, with Webber and Stoddart being led to the podium for a special champagne spray and the team owner receiving a phone call from retired GP commentator Murray Walker, who told Stoddart that he had cried for the first time since Damon Hill won the championship in 1996!

There are also suggestions that, as Minardi mechanics pulled the car apart post-race, further and undisclosed mechanical problems were found, which it is said could well have stopped the car in another three laps ...

Webber will race again in 10 days time in Malaysia, where team-mate Alex Yoong is expected to bear the bnmt of the media attention that Webber took in Melbourne.

In the meantime, the GP debutant left Melbourne on Monday for a few day’s rest at an midisclosed location - where, after the huge media reaction he has just received, he is bound to find out just how recognisable Grand Piix drivers really are ...

For more, see Mark Webber’s exclusive GP diary on page 34

n It seems appropriate that if there is a 'quote of the day'from the Australian Grand Prix, then it has to go to Mark Webber. Webber was speaking on Sunday night, saying that the team had come on the radio to warn him that race leader Michael Schumacher was approaching. "He's already passed me ..." was the Aussie's totally truthful reply. n More Kmart colours on the V8 track: At the launch of the Kmart Commodores for 2002, it was announced that the retail giant has re-signed with TWR Australia for a further three years. n This year's inductees into the Karcher Formula Ford Hall of Fame were the late Game Cooper and Russell Ingall. 2000 inductee Mark Larkham helped induct his former sparring partner Ingall with usual comic relief...

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n Speaking of Larko, the Orrcon driver gave Formula Fordster Will Power a brief test of his Falcon V8 Supercar at Queensland Raceway during pre-AGP testing. n Michael Simpson's team will run three cars in this year's Konica V8 Supercar Series, which begins at Wakefield Park on Easter weekend.

In addition to his own, ex-Besnard Falcon EL, the Queenslander's team will also prepare Kevin Mundy's Actron Air AU as well as an EL for former Saloon Car racer Mark Howard. n Speaking of the Konica Series, Robert Jones will have a brand new Paris Acott-buiit Commodore VX for the 2002 season, having debuted in the ex-D'Arcy Russell VS at last year's Konica race at Bathurst.

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Walkinshaw, Stoddart

by JOE SAWARD

TEAM owners Paul Stoddart and Tom Walkinshaw have become embroiled in a heated public battle over the future of the Prost Grand Prix team.

In the days leading up to the AGP, it became clear that a company being represented by Tom Walkinshaw was tiying to buy various assets from the liquidator of Prost. Phoenix Finance Ltd was, according to Walkinshaw, actually being represented by Charles Nickerson, a close friend of his, who raced for Walkinshaw’s TWE team in the early 1980s using the pseudonym ‘Chuck Nicholson’.

Walkinshaw said that he was only involved because he had been asked “to support the engineering side of it”, although in conversation, he several times referred to “me” when talking about the bidding war which developed with Paul Stoddart's Minardi team, which was involved to try to stop the deal going ahead as Stoddart hoped that the disappearance of Prost would mean that he would get some money from FI’s television revenues.

The whole business boiled over on Thursday night when the news came from France that some of the Prost assets had been sold for aroimd $4m. This tiny sum of money caused consternation in France, as the liquidator's job is to raise as much money as possible from the assets of Prost and the $4m deal was surprisingly low.

But the big issue was not the sale piice but rather the argument put forward by Walkinshaw that one can buy the rights to the Concorde Agreement (which are worth about $24m this year) without buying the team.

The rights to TV money rests with the company which has the registration number of the original team, whether it has changed hands or not. But teams cannot switch the ownership of those rights to another company unless it is a completely new team and goes through the necessary processes to earn the right to TV money.

The Concorde Agreement apparently states that if a team misses a race and is insolvent at the same time, it loses its rights immediately. Prost CP was insolvent and the team did not arrive before the end of scrutineering at 17.15 on Thursday afternoon and, so, the team could 8

Tom Walkinshaw, far left, and Paul Stoddart, left, are in a verbal stoush over the remnants of Prost Grand Prix, including their 2001 cars, above.

(Photos by Marsh/Bolhwell and Sulton-lmagas)

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"Walkinshaw said that he was oniy mvoived because he had been asked "to

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"I'll be surprised if I'm the only team who thinks ttiat this is absolutely outrageous n

side of it" not compete in the event. Therefore, in theory at least, the rights disappeared. There appears to be a question of interpretation of what the Concorde Agreement means.

This issue could end up being resolved by the International Chamber of Commerce in Lausanne, although it will probably not come to that, as later press releases from the liquidator in

- Paul stoddart

Paris undermined the Phoenix project. Cosme Rogeau, the official Liquidator appointed by the Versailles Court of Commerce, announced that Phoenix had acquired the Prost AP04 chassis, the intellectual property rights for the AP05, existing pieces of AP05 and the “rights related to the Concorde Agreement”. Phoenix also agreed to lease various bits of AP04

equipment from the liquidator.

Rogeau said that “this is not in any case an assignment of the Prost Grand Prix company”, a remark which undermined Phoenix’s claims. Rogeau followed up with a second announcement clarifying the first, and specifically pointed out that the sale did not include the Prost Grand Prix team and that the team will be “a new team”. This effectively wipes out all hopes that Phoenix will appear as a team.

Nickerson and Rogeau added that the team will be a completely new one - which presumably means that Nickerson (and whoever may be behind him) will have to stump up US$48m in deposit for the FIA, assuming that the FIA accepts the entry - which does not seem very likely at this late stage.

There are presumably legal reasons why Rogeau and Phoenix moiorspori news

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battle over Frost The clock is running Comment by JOE SAWARD EVEN if the bid by Phoenix to raise Prost GP from the ashes gets the go-ahead, getting the necessary equipment together would be virtually impossible in the time available.

For a start, the Arrows Engine company ceased n trading on May 5 2000 and around $9m was written off.

The company then said it was negotiating to sell its assets to clear outstanding liabilities. It is therefore not clear who is now the owner of the engines or whether they will now be purchased by Phoenix.

Sticking these old VI Os into the old Prost chassis in the course of a few weeks will not be easy but that is nothing compared to the problem of designing and building a gearbox and rear suspension in the time need to point oyt that Prost has not been bought - but if this is the case, it is hard to see how the new team can possibly appear.

The Phoenix may have to return to the ashes.

For the record, the plan announced had included drivers Tomas Enge and Gaston Mazzacane.

The issue of whether or not the team can survive was championed in Australia by Paul Stoddart, the boss of Minardi, who was outspoken about the deal, describing it as “an absolute travesty ofjustice”.

Stoddart made a bid against Walkinshaw to try to stop the deal happening.

“To me,liquidation is and always has been the final chapter in a company’s history, therefore it can’t come back from the dead unless all the creditors are paid and unless all the employees are paid. We believe this will not be allowed to go ahead because, if it did, it would wipe out the assets you attach the entry of every team in this pit lane.

“I’ll be surprised if I’m the only team who thinks that this is absolutely outrageous. I’ll be gutted if we don't have a bunch of team principals united on this point.”

6 March 2002

available. The new team cannot use Arrows parts unless the other teams all agree, and the Prost gearbox was designed for the Ferrari VI0 engine and so would have to be botched to mate with the Arrows VI0.

There is also a question of

tyres.

"We have programmed our production for the year and we have no capacity to add an extra team at this late stage," said Michelin's Andy Pope.

"We do not have the engineers or the production facilities to support another team," said Bridgestone's Taka Florio.

The regulations state that tyre companies must be willing and able to supply all the teams but it is not clear if there are clauses to cover timescales of such deals.

NEWS n Ooops department. In our list of nominees for the Drag Racer of the Year in our MotorSport Awards feature last issue, we accidentally named Jim Read as the man who won three gold Christmas Trees at the 2001 Nationals. The over achiever in question was, of course, Steve Read. We extend our apologies. n Melbourne-based Formula Flolden team CRD Motorsport have acquired the ex-Todd Kelly Reynard 92D for the 2002 season, which starts at Phillip Island next month.

The team have also received a boost in their backing from ARLEC, who have elected to support the team for the entire year. The deal will see Rohan Carrig's car switch from the familiar blue and yellow livery to a blue and white combination to incorporate ARLEC's logo. n Having probably his last drive in Formula Ford at the Grand Prix was Nick Agland. Driving the new Spectrum 09, the Orange-based driver ran the meeting as an one-off, as he looks to move onto bigger and better things. n Will Davison has completed his first official Formula Renault test at a two-day session at Snetterton. Fifthfastest on the first day, the Oz Formula Ford Champ slipped to 14th overall on the timesheets once the two days were run, though just seven-tenths off the pace of Fortec driver Danny Watts. n CART may still race at the onemile Chicago oval after all. Reports from the US indicate that CART itself will lease the track and take over the promotion of the event. The Champ Car body has already done just that with the Cleveland airport race.

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n The Miami ALMS race is expected to be moved from March to October, to create a triple-header with CART and TranZam. The street race would be held on October 5, and we expect an announcement after we go to press.

COULD Skoda be the next manufacturer in Grand Prix racing?

That's one scenario which could emerge from what is becoming the Prost Grand Prix imbroglio.

The Volkswagen-owned Czech Republic car maker could be the real power behind the attempt to take over some of the assets and entry of the defunct French FI team, according to reports in London's Observer newspaper, Volkswagen has owned Skoda since 1995, the brand running in the World Rally Championship with two Octavia WRC cars, above.

It has been reported for some time that VW has held ambitions to

take on Mercedes-Benz and BMW on the track as well as in the showrooms. Volkswagen's future motor sport head is said to be Bernd Pischetsrieder, a friend of FI boss Bernie Ecclestone, who is thought to be intimately involved in the deal.

Pischetsrieder was involved in BMW's GP racing return in 2000 but the firm's disastrous involvement with British car maker Rover saw him leave the company to go to \AA/. But his is a long-term FI enthusiast of GP racing.

"Everybody knows that I have always been an FI fan and I would love to own a team there one day," he said.

n It's hard to keep up, but the team formerly known as PacWest is now known as PWR Championship Racing. We give up ... n Those spotted among the faces in the paddock at Albert Park included former Sauber and Benetton, and thesedays Cadillac Sportscar driver, JJ Lehto, as well as Jacques Laffite. n A third Panoz LMP01 will be entered at the Sebring 12 Hour, featuring young 19-year-old Panoz test driver Gunnar Jeannette among its driver line-up. It will be painted in the warpaint of a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.

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[motorsport] V8 Supercar Championship* Mar 17 ...Adelaide .Rd 1 Apr 14

Phillip Island .

.Rd2

Apr 28

Eastern Creek

,Rd3

May 19 ...Hidden Valley Jun 9 ....Canberra ...

.Rd5

Jun 30 .. .Barbagallo ..

Jul 28 ....Oran Park ...

.Rd7

Rd4

HRT director ci

.Rd6

Aug 18 . . .Winton

,Rd8

Sep "fS ...Old Raceway Oct 13 Bathurst

Rd 9 .Rd 10

Oct 27 ... .Surfers Paradise

.Rd11

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Konica V8 Series* Mar 31 .. .Wakefield Park

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May 5 Jun 16

Phillip Island ..

Oran Park

,Rd2

Jul 7

.Winton

Rd4

Aug 4 ....Maliala Oct 12 . ...Bathurst

Rd 3

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Rd 5 .{non Championship)

FIA Formula One World Championship ,Rd2

Mar 17 ...Sepang ..

Mar 31 ...Interlagos

,Rd3

Apr 14 ... .imola ...

.Rd4

Apr 28 ....Barcelona

.Rd5

May 12 ...A1-Ring .

.Rd6

May 26 ...Monaco .

Jun 9 .Montreal . .

,Rd7

Jun 23 ... .Nurburgring Jul 7 .Silverstone

,Rd9 .Rd 10

Jul 21 ... .Magny Cours

.Rd 11

,Rd8

CART FedEx Championship* Mario ...Monterrey.

.Rd l

Apr 14 ....Long Beach

.Rd 2

Apr 27 ... .Motegi ...

.Rd 3

Jun 2

●Milwaukee

,Rd 4

MotoGP Motorcycle Championship* . . .Japan

●Rd 1

Apr 21 . . . .South Africa

,Rd2

May 5 . . . .Spain . . . .

.Rd3

May 19 . . .France . . .

Jun 2 .Italy

.Rd4

Apr 7

It vyas unexpected but it got people talking: Jeff Browne’s comments at the HRT launch were unexpected.

Nevertheless, the team won two races from three at Albert Park.

(Photo by Marshail Ca ss)

Craig’s a Ford man to 2006

P/iDio hy Juliii Morris Mpix

.Rd5

SBK World Super Bike Championship* Mario . . .Spain . .

.Rd 1

Mar 24 . . .Australia

.Rd2

Apr 7

.South Afr ica

.Rd3

Apr 21 . . . .Japan

.Rd4

Nations Cup Mar 17 . . .Adelaide

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Apr 7

.Symmons Plains

May 5 Oran Park Jun 9 . . . .Canberra

Rd2 .Rd3 ,Rd4

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[motorsport^ All event dales in this calendar were correct at the ; time of printing. Please consult any individual tracks ’ and/or associations (or dale changes.

SorloG or Rvonts tolocast on Network Ten arc marked with an nsloriok Check your local guides for screening dotalls,

I- ●

' CRAIG Lowndes has signed a one-year extension to his original five-year contract with the Ford Motor Company, guaranteeing that he'll be a Ford driver through to the end of 2006.

In addition, Ford has extended its deal with the newly renamed 00 Motorsport, formerly Gibson : Motorsport, through the same time period.

I "In just 12 months the 00 number has became synonymous with Lowndes and the Falcon brand," said Ford President Geoff Poiites, vjhile Lovyndes said that "2001 was a growing year for me and our ; team, but going into the 2002 season we are after just one thing - the championship." motorsport news

NEWS

\

alls for change

by PHIL BRANAGAN

HOLDEN Special Vehicles and Holden Racing Team director Jeff Browne has called for sweeping changes in the administration and structure of V8 Supercar racing.

The Melbourne-based lawyer, who was speaking at the launch of HRT two weeks ago, said that the class needed a substantial restructure to be able to continue to grow in coming years.

Browne also called for the end of Network lO’s exclusive deal to broadcast the races for another five years.

“It is a worry for teams competing in the V8 Supercar Series that the organisers appear to have hitched their wagon exclusively to the one free-to-air television broadcaster - Channel 10,” said Browne.

“Whilst Channel 10 provides excellent coverage and is a loyal supporter of the sport, there are enormous opportunities now in pay television.”

Browne also made mention of the AFL’s new deal with the Nine, 10 and Foxtel-based consortium, which earned the football league a $500 million deal for the next five seasons.

Browne went to on call for changes to the board of entrants’ group TEGA,which currently is bmmd to have two representatives from Ford teams and two from Holden teams(which he described as “unworkable and obsolete”), as well as the appointment of a full time chairman.

Further, he criticised the current system of Level 1, 2, and 3 franchises, and called for the end of the restriction on owning more than one Level 1 franchise.

AVESCO Chairman and acting CEO Tony Cochrane called Browne’s statements “irrelevant.”

“The speech was so inaccurate, it is hardly worth mentioning,” he said. “This is the same bloke who, seven years ago, tried to take control of the old Group A teams and take over the class. Why would 1 listen to someone with that backgrmmd?”

Toyota signs testers Briscoe joined by Sarradn for Formuia 1 test duties in 2002 Photo by Sutlon-lmages

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TOYOTA Motorsport has announced that Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin will join Ryan Briscoe as their Formula 1 test drivers this season.

The pair will be assisting Mika Salo and Allan McNish to develop the new package that Toyota hopes will provide the team with a good solid start in Grand Prix racing.

To date, Toyota has not produced any startling lap times but things are a lot better than they were in 2001 when the original test car was a long way from the pace.

Sai-razin’s experience will be useful for the team although there is little

hope that the drive will lead to a long-term future with the team as Briscoe is expected to be promoted into the race team next year if all goes well in his Formula 3000 progi-am this year with CocaCola Nordic Racing.

In F3000 testing to date Briscoe has done fairly well for a novice straight out of Formula Renault, but it is going to be hard for him to beat men with two or even three years experience in the series.

Sarrazin is a lot older than Briscoe and hopes that the Toyota testing deal will draw him to the attention of other teams, as well as impressing the Toyota management.

-JOESAWABD

n A pseudo factory Chrysler Viper will be on the grid for June's Le Mans 24 Hours. Chrysier’s sportscar partner from 1996 to 2001 is entering a solo Viper GTS-R for a squad of upand-coming French drives.

The programme is being backed

by France's motorsport federation and will run under the same Eqiupe de France FFSA under which an ORECA-entered Viper contested Le Mans last year. No drivers have been confirmed as yet. n Australian sports car racer Hyla Breese is looking to step into the FIA Sportscar Championship this season.

Breese drove in the UK Lotus Elise series last year but is hunting for the necessary funding for his 2002 ambitions. n Last Wednesday evening in Melbourne, a security guard at Albert Park was somewhat shocked when she encountered an intruder at the track, wearing a black balaclava.

The security guard challenged the man who then fired a shot- which fortunately did not hit the guard before disappearing into the night. It is thought that the man was looking for drugs at the circuit medical centre. n Formulal.com has been acquired by the Formula One Group and it has now been announced that the website will become the official website of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

The website will be launched at some point later in the year and promises to have exciting features and services. The existing website will continue as it is while the new site is developed.

4

n Michael Schumacher's manager Willi Weber is currently dealing with some potential legal problems in Germany and so missed the Australian GP in Melbourne.

Weber however managed to keep in the newspapers by suggesting that he might be interested to be a candidate to run Stuttgart's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012. n The Minardi team has recently signed British aerodynamicist Ben Wood to join its developing team.

Wood is 31 but has been involved in FI for 10 years, having started his career at Minardi in 1992.

He moved to Ferrari in 1996 and from there joined Harvey Postlethwaite's team at Tyrrell where he dreamed up the famous X wings.

In 1997 he moved to Arrows with John Barnard but that did not last long and Wood moved on to Prost where he did the aerodynamic design on the AP02, the best of the Prost chassis. He then moved to Jaguar Racing in 2000.

- JOE SAWARD/STAFF 11

Is the future still On

Verstappen at Sauber?

JOS Verstappen is hoping that the Sauber team will take pity on him and sign him up to be the team's reserve driver in 2002.

Verstappen was left without a drive at the last minute when Arrows decided to ignore its contract with him and sign up Heinz-Harald Frentzen instead. Sauber gave Jos a seat fitting but there are worries that the Dutchman is a bit big for the sleek Sauber.

The car may have to be modified in order to get Verstappen into the cockpit.

The team said at its launch that a test driver was not needed but it seems that this view has now changed, although Sauber is still only running a one-car test team.

Michael Schumacher came to Verstappen's aid last week over Jos's dispute with Arrows. The World Champion said that it was probably better "not to be employed by a boss with a reputation such as he has for throwing drivers out.

- JOE SAWARD 12

Peeling the skin: After a disastrous start to the season, Arrows’s deal (Photo by Mareh/Bothwell) with telco Orange may be starting to look finite.

Mercedes Vale for F3 Paul Harrington MERCEDES-BENZ is to become an engine-supplier in Formula 3 this season as part of the Stuttgart company's program to support young drivers.

It will be the first time that Mercedes-Benz has been involved in F3 and will put the company into competition with Mugen Honda,Toyota, Renault and Opel. The engine to be used wiU be a stretched versions of the 1.8-litre C-Class engine which Mercedes-Benz engineers calculate will be a very competitive package.

The engine is expected to be developed in the German series, considered nowadays to be the premier F3 championship - although the British naturally will dispute this claim.

There is speculation that the engine will go first to Berlinbased Miicke Racing for Stefan Mucke to develop. If it proves to be very competitive, it will then be raced by Mucke and Markus Winkelhock.

- JOE SAWARD

MOTORSPORT News is saddened to report the death last Saturday,following a brief battle with cancer, of Paul Harrington.

A well-known motoring/motorsport writer some years back, Paul also played an important rolejn Australian motorsport in his early days in the country.

He was recruited in the late 1960s, from his position as press officer at Brands Hatch, to take operational control of Sandown Raceway. He brought fresh ideas and European experience to the struggling circuit, reorganising every aspect of the management and promotion and building a solid base for successful race meetings.

Many of the ideas he introduced were subsequently adopted by other circuits and some are still used today.

One of his most successful concepts was the introduction of Formula Ford to Australia, a

direct result of his British experience. With the support of Ford Australia the category in the early days was limited to locally designed and built cars, providing opportunities for local engineers and vehicle builders and offering competitors a relatively cheap introduction to motor racing.

Formula Ford has of course grown and developed since those days and now is viewed as . the virtually compulsory first step in a driver's car racing career.

In subsequent years he continued his involvement through the media, maintaining his interest in the development of Australian motor racing, and keeping in regular touch with colleagues at MN's offices.

We'll miss him.

A service is scheduled for 2.30pm on Thursday at Tobiin Brothers, Cranbourne Road, Frankston, followed by a private cremation. moiorspori news

NEWS

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by JOE SAWARD

THE are signs that the title sponsorship deal Arrows has with Orange may have a limited future.

This year is the last of the company's three-year deal with the team and there is much speculation that the company, which is now owned by France Telecom (which was not the case when the sponsorship was signed), may be considering alternative deals.

The Arrows deal has not resulted in much success and the emergence of the Renault FI team makes this the most likely recipient of Orange money in 2003 and beyond.

The question now is whether Tom Walkinshaw can convince the French that staying with Arrows is the right move.

Walkinshaw said at the launch of the current Orange deal that he would establish Arrows as >1 a top five team within 24 months” that has not happened - but Walkinshaw Remains a very convincing negotiator.

There were hopes that this year would see a big leap forward for the team but the first race saw the cars qualifying disappointingly. The race itself was a complete disaster, as both cars failed to fire up on the pre-gi-id and had to be pushed into the pitlane.

Both drivers eventually started but were then blackflagged and excluded from the race for not sticking to established procedures.

Jordan gets DHL AS we suggested three weeks ago, Jordan Grand Prix has a new title sponsor with Deutsche Post subsidiary DHL having taken over from Benson & Hedges in a deal which is believed to be worth around $100m in the course of the next three years.

With Deutsche Post paying an additional S20m for one more season and Benson & Hedges still involved, albeit in a much smaller way,the Silverstone team's budget looks to be pretty solid although it is still considerably smaller than the budgets of the bigger FI teams.

DHL's deal gives the San Francisco courier company a very high profile on the car and is aimed at helping the firth expand its business around the world. The firm has been controlled by Deutsche Post since 1998.

Eddie Jordan was clearly trying to talk up both his team and Formula 1 in general at the launch of the new deal in the incongruous setting of a hangar at Brussels's Zaventem Airport.

This was chosen by Deutsche Post as it is DHL's major European hub and because the Jordan team needed to get the cars on planes to Australia.

but may lose Hamidy EGBAHL Hamidy is rumoured to be leaving Jordan.

The Iranian-born engineer, who is currently the team's technical director, was not in Melbourne and the team's official line is that Hamidy is "on holiday". Given that the Jordan EJ12 is Hamidy's first car as a technical director, it is fair to say that he would be quite interested in seeing how the machine works and,therefore, it was decidedly odd that he was not in Melbourne.

Thera have been rumours for some months that Hamidy would soon be on the move following the return to the team of former technical director Gary Anderson. There have also been rumours that Jordan has been talking to Renault's Pat Symmonds about the role. Symmonds is leaving Renault but will not do so before his contract runs out in October.

Wfi have heard word that Hamidy could be on the McLaren shopping list. He worked with Adrian Newey with enormous success at Williams in the early 1990s before moving on to Stewart Grand Prix, Arrows and Jordan.

Jordan is also looking for a new head of aerodynamics as the previous incumbent, John Hey, has moved to Renault, the 12th Jordan engineer to switch to the Enstone team in the space of a year.

Jordan has other immediate worries, as the new'Honda VI0 engine is currently under-performing in comparison to its rival.

Eddie Jordan and Honda's Takeo Fukui publicly admitted that a lot of work needs to be done.

- JOE SAWARD

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n MG Rover and Lola Cars international finally have resolved their argument over the intellectual property rights for the MG ZS racecar, which Lola designed and built for the 2001 British Touring Car Championship.

Meanwhile, in addition to West Surrey Racing's factory backed MG ZS cars for Warren Hughes and Anthony Reid, there will be a secondstring 'junior' squad in the 2002 BTCC. Gareth Howell and Colin Turkington will race last year's cars, sponsored by the British pop band, Atomic Kitten. A 30-strong entry, split evenly between BTC and Production cars, is expected when the 10-event series opens at Brands Hatch on April 1.

- QUENTIW SPURRING

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n ORECA, Pescarolo and Courage were among the FIA Sportscar teams testing at Catalunya last weekend ahead of next month's championship opener at the Spanish venue.

Stephane Sarrazin, recently named as the Formula 1 test and reserve driver for Toyota, shared a Team ORECA Dallara-Judd with Olivier Beretta at Barcelona. Nicolas Minassian was drafted into the Courage Competition squad. Having raced for ORECA at Le Mans 2000, the 29-year-old is now paired with Boris Dereicheburg in the works Judd VIO-engined Courage C60 Evo.

By Allan Schofield

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n Michelin has developed a new Formula 1 tyre with an asymetric groove pattern, which was extensively tested pre-season by McLaren and Williams. However, the French company decided not to race it in Melbourne, following protests from its Japanese rival supplier.

Bridgestone maintains that, according to the rules, the pattern of the groove must be symmetric.

Rather than enter into open controversy, Michelin is seeking a judgement from the FIA. The new tyre has a rounded edge to the groove which, according to Michelin, meet both the dimensions and uniform aspect required.

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The new and the old; New BAR boss David Richards and old BAR boss Craig Pollock. Wonder if Craig’s (Photos by Sutton-lmages) asking whether he can get Jacques into a rally car...

What how for Pollock?

FORMER British American Racing chief executive Craig Pollock was much in evidence in the Formula 1 paddock in Australia and, when asked what his role was for the weekend,he replied that he was there is his capacity as “owneF’of BAR and manager of Jacques ViUeneuve.

There is not doubt that Pollock looks on Formula 1 as being unfinished business and is busily . trying to figure out ways in which he can get a new team to run. He was involved with one of the final bids to buy Prost Grand Prix and was also linked to a deal to run a secondary Renault team, possibly with Nissan-badged engines.

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At the same time, the Scotsman is waiting how things develop with Jaguar Racing as he would be an obvious buyer if a decision was taken in Detroit for Ford to get rid of Jaguar Racing.

-JOESAWARD

Aston Martin for

ACCORDING to the authoritative Financial Times in London, Aston Martin is to have its own Le Mans 24 Hour program.

The Ford subsidiary - a sister company to Jaguar in Dr Wolfgang Reitzle’s Premier Automotive Group - wants to promote the Aston Martin image as a maker of top class automobiles and success at the Le Mans 24 Hours is seen as the best way of achieving that goal.

The company is currently being revitalised by a management team led by Ulrich Bez, who is best known in F1 circles as the Porsche executive who was in charge of the abortive F1 program with Arrows in 1991.

Bez, a big fan of using

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More Pommie brands! Could Aston Marlin join Bentley, above, and MG at Le Mans in 2003?

(Photo by Sulinn-fmagcs) motorsport to promote sales, was one of Reitzle’s men at

BMW in the 1980s. In recent years, he has been helping to

build up Daewoo. He joined Aston Martin in 2000.

The Aston Martin restructuring program will include relocating all the company's production to Gaydon and developing a new model which will put Aston Martin into direct competition with Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

The project is going to need funding, which will not be easy, given that the Premier Automotive Group, is having to fund a lot of Jaguar Racing activities.

Eddie Irvine’s lucky fourth place In Australia could not have come at a better time for the team, despite the fact that the Jaguar R3 is clearly not on the pace at the moment.

-JOESAWARD motorspon news A

NEWS

Bssion of new Western Sydney dragway

n Juan Pablo Montoya has a new race engineer this year. Williams' Tim Preston has decided to stop travelling after two years running firstly Jenson Button, and then Montoya. He has been replaced by Tony Ross, who joined the Williams Sportscar program in 1998 and helped to develop the BMW Sportscar into a Le Manswinning car in 1999. After that program was cancelled, Ross became the test engineer in charge of the Michelin program in 2000 and then worked as a test team engineer last year. n Damon Hill has made a Formula 1 comeback as a TV commentator on Sky TV's British coverage of Grand Phx races. Hill joins John Watson, Ben Edwards, Peter Windsor and others to provide the commentary for the multi-channel, pay-per-view service which kicked off last weekend. Sky is hoping that the deal will bring in large number of FI fans willing to pay $18 each weekend to watch the eight-channel show. n Williams FI star Juan Pablo Montoya stopped off at a kart track in Melbourne early last week and completed a quick 40 laps of the circuit. When he asked for his lap times he was told that he had failed to beat the lap record which has stood since September 2000. The record still belongs to an Australian racer called Mark Webber...

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by MARK GLENDENNING SYDNEY drag racers, meet your new drag strip.

This is a government artist's impression of the Western Sydney Drag Strip which, after several years of lobbying spearheaded by multiple Australian Top Fuel champion Jim Read, right, and magazine publisher David Cook, has finally been given the offical goahead by the NSW government.

The government will fund the entire project to the tune of $21.264 million.

"It's just a dream come true," said a delighted Read.

"This is exactly what we described to the engineers who were designing the facility. We wanted something that was world class and that Sydney could be proud of. I have to say, it helps that we had the best negotiator in town in the form of Alan Jones.

8 March 2002

"The finished strip will look exactly like the picture, if not better."

The facilty, which will be built on a section of land adjacent to Eastern Creek Raceway, is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

"Weather permitting, and assuming that we've got all the right approvals and that nobody jerks us around, it should be

under construction by May Read continued.

C3 The announcement, which cgme just as Motorsport News I was going to press, signals the beginning of the end of a very long wait for drag racers in NSW, who have been starved of proper facilities for several years.

The situation came to a head with a series of rallies two years ago.

When we had out rallies we were pulling 1500 people. If you were holding a rally to protest about airport extensions or something you'd get about 200 people, so that made the government understand that we were serious," said Read.

"When it all boils down, we have had a difficulties with the government in the past, but at least they didn't just hand money out willy-nilly, they really sat down, did all the proper studies, and really thought it out properly."

n Herdez Competition, the CART team which grew from the old Bettenhausen organisation, has recently hired Brian Lambert who has been involved in FI since he joined the Shadow team in 1978.

He moved to Williams in 1981 and became head of the test team in 1984, a job he held for 15 years before handing over to Tim Newton.

For the last couple of years Lambert has taken some time off from racing but has now decided that he wants to be back in the sport.

■ Honda has been trying out youngsters for its GT program in tests in Japan and four young hopefuls were given a run. The list included FI test drivers Jonathan Cochet and Darren Manning plus the reigning German Formula 3000 Champion Toshihiro Kaneishi. The fourth driver, who ended up fastest, is the little-known 22-year-old Britain Richard Lyons, who is currently racing in Formula Nippon in Japan.

H Formula 1 fan Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain is campaigning for a race to be held in the country within the next few years - and he's a powerful fellow, as he proved last week when he decided to declare Bahrain a constitutional monarchy and switched from being an Emir to becoming King Hamad.

The country has now been renamed the Kingdom of Bahrain.

- JOE SAWARD IS

Future bright for Asian racers

I

NTEREST in motor racing in Asia has been somewhat limited to date because there have been very few competitive drivers emerge from the region.

But things are looking up: Japan now has a Grand Prix driver once again"and Takmna Sato,far right, did exceptionally well in the British F3 series last year and so much is expected of him. In addition, there are fellow Japanese drivers Ryo Fukuda, right, Toshihiro Kaneishi and Kousuke

Matsuura, all of whom will be pressing their claims for an FI drive in the future. Malaysia’s Alex Yoong last year became the first non-Japanese driver from Asia to race in FI in modern times.

South-East Asia has no real racing infrastructure, except for a quietly bubbling national racing scene in Thailand. Cmmtries such as Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam have no racing traditions and do ' not have the money to build anything at the moment.

One of the problems is that all three were badly affected by wars in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

This however may work to Vietnam’s advantage. The large number of refugees who quit the country led to Vietnamese communities springing up all over the world, notably in the United States and in Australia.

Now an Australian-born racer of Vietnamese descent is making waves in Formula 3000 and that has to be good news for the global growth of motor racing.

Rob Nguyen’s career to date has been remarkable, as he has arrived in Formula 3000 after just one season in racing - without any background in karting.

Photo by Boarno.^Sunon

Nguyen has made his way on pure talent and that will be honed this year by the experienced hands at Team Astromega, where Nguyen will partner Brazil’s Mario Haberfeld this year.

Astromega has a habit of picking fast young drivers and in recent years has run the likes of the late Gonzalo Rodriguez(who was killed soon after graduating to CART in an accident at Laguna Seca in 1999), Fernando Alonso

and Giorgio Pantano.

The team is run by former FI men Sam Boyle, the team manager, and engineer Chris Murphy and both men are very excited about the prospect of developing Nguyen’s talent.

Raised in Queensland, where his parents settled after leaving Vietnam, Nguyen did not start racing imtil 2000 when he was in studying at a business school in Switzerland.

His parents wanted to reward him for his good results after the first year of the course and offered him the chance to test drive a Formula Vauxhall car.

After a highly-promising run, Nguyen decided that he wanted to race and so put together a deal to race in Germany’s Formula Volkswagen in 2001.

He had to race with a Swiss licence because he had not qualified for an Australian one.

He finished fifth in the

championship and his speed was spotted by former Grand Prix driver Piercarlo Ghinzani, who runs a team in the European Formula 3000 series.

He offered Nguyen a test and the youngster was immediately quicker than the regular driver and that convinced him to see if there was any way he could put together a deal to race in tl^e International series this year.

A test was organised with Astromega and the results were so impressive that the team decided to sign Nguyen rather than a number of other more experienced men.

While it would be really extraordinary if Nguyen was able to get up with the frontrunners in F3000 this year, he is certainly a man to be watched in the future not least because he may hold the key to drawing vast new audiences to the sport in the years ahead.

- JOE SAWARD

Hollywood on the verge ►

PETER Hackett is close to confirming his plans for 2002.

The reigning Australian F3 Champion, who tested for the Minardi Junior/Sighinolfi Racing International F3000 squad in Spain late last year, told Motorsport News that he has narrowed his options to either racing with the Sighinolfi outfit or switching to the European F3000 series with a new, as-yetunnamed Czech-based team being established by Thomas Enge’s manager, Antonin Charouz.

“We’re basically working on a two-year plan, and we just have to decide what fits best, but we’ll definitely be doing something,” Hackett said on Monday.

16

“It has to be said, though, that European F3000 looks like the most likely option at this point.”

“We were working feverishly over the weekend (at the Grand Prix) getting everything sorted out, and we introduced a couple of potential new sponsors to motorsport as well as talking to a couple of others who are already involved in racing, so it’s looking pretty good.”

Given that the European F3000 deal, if it goes ahead, will require Hackett to relocate to Prague literally within a couple of days of this issue of MN hitting the shelves, a final decision from the Sydney driver's camp is imminent.

-MARKGLENDENNING

motorsport news

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NEWS

Who will be Super men?

THREE into two does not go and that is why there are a lot of worried people around the Super Nova Racing Formula 3000 team at the moment.

The team is talking to three drivers but has only two seats available and with all the other major drives in Formula 3000 now sorted out, one of the three candidates is going to have a long way to drop.

The three men in the fi-ame are Sebastien Bourdais, Giorgio Pantano and Tiago Monteiro. The first two are both proven winners in F3000 and would make a logical driver pairing for David Sears’s championship-challenging operation. The problem is that Monteiro is believed to have considerable backing fi’om Renault and Elf, which supported Super Nova Racing last year in its bid to win the title with Mark Webber.

Neither Bourdais nor Pantano has much money on offer and that is the problem, as Sears is apparently not keen to dip into his own pocket and risk upsetting his backers, who may prove to be useful in the future.

Photo by Sutlon*linagos — The rest of the F3000 field is now Battler Briton: Who will follow being firmed up, with testing last Justin Wilson to the F3000 crown? month seeing Red Bull Junior Team

}

runner Patrick Friesacher setting the fastest time in the two days of running in Barcelona. He was a tenth faster than Rodrigo Sperafico in a Dm-ango entry and championship favourites Tomas Enge(Arden)and Antonio Pizzonia (Petrobras Junior Team).

The fastest times were all set on the second day although the fastest ofthe three Super Nova men was Pantano who recorded the fastest time on the first day(and sixth quickest overall) with a lap of lm29.94s. Bourdais was seventh fastest overall with a lm30.26s while Monteiro was did no better than a lm32.28s.

Ofthe others to appear at the test the new PSM operation was ruiming German F3 graduates Nicolas Kiesa and Ibny Schmidt while Nordic Racing ran Ryan Briscoe and Zsolt Baumgartner.

Alex Muller lapped quickly in his test with Durango emd Coloni’s Enrico Toccacelo was also on the pace on both days. Another man worth watching was Bjorn Wirdheim who will be Enge’s team mate at Arden his year.

Team Astromega also seems to have ^ ace up its sleeve in the foim ofAustralia’s Rob Nguyen.

-JOESAWAHD

Deutsche Bank leeks at Kirch

THE German financial giant mmm Deutsche Bank is looking to buy some of the shares of SLEC,the Formula 1 holding company,from the Kirch Group.

The cash would help Kirch I raise cash and would give Deutsche Bank the chance to get control of the commercial rights of Formula 1 racing. Leo Kirch is rumoured to have had a meeting 1 to discuss the problems with I ...

Josef Ackermann, the designated chairman of Deutsche Bank.

The proposals under Geneva Autosalon tp didcus^he\ discussion would result in development of the plannedl^V\/,C Deutsche Bank including the car series, which they say will replace manufacturers as part of the deal in Formula 1 in 2008. the longer term. This would stop Significantly, FIA President Max the need for manufacturers to start Mosley will also be attending the their own series in 2008 and would show and is expected to have talks result in a new Concorde to try to convince the car manufacturers to look for a Agreement.

The automobile manufacturers compromise with the current will be meeting next week at the commercial rights holder of

as the manufacturers keep up the pressure

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6 March 2002

n

Formula 1 SLEC, which is part owned by the Ecclestone Family and part-owned by the struggling Kirch Media empire.

The manufacturers are keeping up the pressure on Kirch and have recently circulated a letter to the major 'i circuits around the world, informing them that the series will go ahead.

They say that a compromise is still possible and the most recent rumours suggest that Deutsche Bahk may play a role in taking the rights from Kirch (in place of the debt payments) and the bank would then do a deal with the car manufacturers.

JOE SAWARD

n Australian talking head Charlie Cox has taken over the microphone for the BBC's coverage of the World Superbike Championship. Having lost its BTCC deal to ITV, the BBC is throwing its weight behind two wheeled sport this year and Cox takes over from Aussie Leigh Diffey. n Oddball BTCC driver John Batchelor is set to buy York City Football Club in the UK. Batchelor has previously been sponsored by Manchester City Football Club and has hit upon a novel way of increasing sponsor awareness in recent years; changing his name by Deed Poll. The former stand-up comic turned independent parliamentary candidate raced as John Top-Gear in 2000 (in deference to the British magazine) and last year as John B&Q, the name of a UK chain of DIY stores.

Sponsorship from a condom firm seems his ambition! n A new BTCC team comprising university students from Brooklands College will enter the championship this year. The team is set to use Ford Focuses and reigning BTC Production champion Simon Harrison will be one of the drivers and is expected to be partnered by ex-Formuia Renault racer Alex Kapadia. n GR Motorsport has made the shock announcement that it will run a team of Alfa Romeo 147s in the Touring class of the BTCC. The team has excelled in production-based tintop categories and won races with Ford Focuses last year but this marks a new step for Paul Ridgeway's team.

Drivers have yet to be announced.

H Former Nissan BTCC test driver Chris Goodwin has entered the frame for a drive in a Barwell Motorsport Vauxhall Astra for this year's BTCC. Team boss Chris Needell said they were interested in running Goodwin if funding as available. n Peter Kox and Tom Coronel have teamed up for an all Dutch assault on this year's ETCC. Both will drive BMWs run by Carly Motorsport with Kox looking to retain his title won with Roberto Ravaglia's team last year. There is talk, too, of Duncan Huisman, Kox's main rival from 2002, to drive a third car. n The BRDC British F3 Championship is maintaining its strong links with Formula 1 through its 2002 intake of drivers. Richard Antinucci, nephew of Eddie Cheever will be in the field as well as Stefano Fabi, the 17-year-old son of Teo.The American raced in the British Formula Renault Championship in 2001 and finished runner-up in the series.

Driving for double-champions Manor Motorsport, Antinucci looks set to be a front-runner in the championship.

- DAVID ADDISON II

News

Harvey gets Pug 406 for BTCC

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TIM Harvey is renewing the partnership that brought him British Touring Car Championship honours back in 1992.

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The 40-year-old Briton will race a Peugeot 406 Coupe in this year's BTCC for Vic Lee, for whom he raced a factory-backed BMW in his title year 10 years

ago. The deal marks Harvey's full-time return to the championship after an absence of three seasons.

Harvey, who completed a handful of races last season in a privateer Alfa Romeo, above, said: "I won't say this is a dream come true, but it's just the kind of deal I wanted. As long as we can repeat some of the good bits from '92 I'll be happy."

Lee, who will enter the cars ufider the Vic Lee Racing banner, said he believed that last year's recalcitrant 406s could be competitive despite the absence of works support.

The funding for the programme is in place, according to Lee. The second car will be driven by Dan Eaves, who remains with Peugeot for a third season.

- GARY WATKINS

Imagine one of these on Conrod Straight! Jamie Campbell-Walter was an FIA GT Champ in a Lister and is (Photo by Sulton-lmages) keen to see the 24-Hour go ahead.

Brits keen for Bathurst 24

by DAVID ADDISON

BRITISH GT teams have reacted eagerly to the news of a possible 24 hour race at Bathurst.

Although few teams have much experience of Australian racing, the idea has captured the imagination of many European drivers and teams.

“I’d love to do it,” said reigning British GT Champion Mike Jordan.

“As a driver it would be fantastic, particularly in the Lister Storm I drive in the British Championship, but as a team owner(Team Eurotech)I am

looking to give my guys more ' experience oflonger races and this would fit in perfectly.”

Former FIA GT Champion Jamie Campbell-Walter was another in favour.

“Count me in,” he said. “A race

for these cars round Bathurst would be amazing and I love 24 hour races so I’d be up for it.”

Other teams have expressed interest but are awaiting more details before announcing their plans.

Tragedy at Island

DRIVERS REQUIRED 2002 Super Touring requires Gonipetitors for Power Tour Series

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ENGLISH historic racing identity Spencer Flack, 59,from Rickmansworth, was killed in an accident at the Phillip Island Classic on February 23.

Driving a 1959 2.5 litre FI BRM P25, above, Flack was racing for the lead in an event for pre-1961 cars when he left the track on the back straight near Siberia.

The P25 flipped before breaking into pieces and catching fire, while Flack was thrown from the car and fatally injured. The car caught tire and, with the original magnesium bodywork, burned fiercely.

Flack had acquired the P25, chassis no 258, from the Rothschild family collection, reportedly at a cost of $4.2 million.

It was the only remaining example of the front-engined P25 design, and the actual car with which Jo Bonnier won the 1959 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, tor BRM's first Formula 1 victory.

-MARKGLENDENNING motorsport news

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Coulthard eyes Oz open wheelers THE son of David Coulthard’s second cousin Rikki,Fabian Covdthard made a name for himself in the Karcher Formiila Ford Track Attack at Albert Park on the weekend.

The Kiwi, who won the Alan Jones Trophy, is weighing up his racing options for the 2002 season, though looks to be leaning towards Formula Ford.

Formula 3 and Formula Holden here in Australia are both options, though expect to see the ex-Andy Jones Stealth among the Fford field this year.

“Hopefully, we’ve shown that Kiwis are quite good,” said Coulthard on the weekend, admitting that Formula Ford would be a higher profile way of stepping up the racing ladder than F3 or Formula Holden.

Budget is the main hurdle for the Kiwi to clear, having been backed by NZ power company Empower at the AGP, with the opening Formula Ford round at Wakefield Park in only two and a half weeks’time.

-AARON NOONAN

Manderson signs for BRM in F3

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TWO of Sonic'Motorsport's cars will carry the highly sought-after Valvoline backing into this year's Australian Formula Ford Championship.

Both Jamie Whincup, above, and Marcus Marshall will carry the red, blue and white colours on their Van Diemen RFOIs, after the deal was finally sealed just prior td’the AGP support races.

It had been reported elsewhere that a deal had already been done solely with Whincup, though that was somewhat premature.

Marshall won't carry the No Limit colours as he previously

has, instead adding not just the Valvoline stickers, but also New Litho as well.

But the duo's first weekend as team-mates all came to a messy end in race two, when Whincup took out Marshall while trying to make an optimistic passing move for the lead on the last lap, taking them both out.

"On the last lap I was concentrating on getting past,," said Whincup. "I saw a gap and went for it, but we clipped wheels and off we went."

Marshall, meanwhile, said that he saw "Jamie and Fabian (Coulthard) racing with each

other, but Jamie got past too—" quickly and I couldn't break the tow, That's how Janiie made it harder for me to finish ..."

But Whincup won't be changing his approach when the series begins at Wakefield Park on Easter weekend, the Victorian resolute in the way he goes about his job.

"It's hero or zero. That's my style and I'll keep with it," he said.

"The tension hasn't been too bad and the team's been really understandable. On Saturday they just let me get on with the job.

- AARON NOONAN

Lambo not certain DESPITE being a winner in the Cleanevent Nations Cup support races at Albert Park,Paul StokeU and the Team Lamborghini Australia operation aren’t certainties for the full

SOUTH Australian-based Formula 3 team,BRMotorsport, has signed young Victorian James Manderson to drive its second car.

Manderson will join Darren Palmer in the team’s new Dallara 301 Spiess Opel-powered cars.

The first round will be at the Clipsal 500, where the Adelaide Bank will back the open wheeler category in its debut on the Adelaide programme.

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championship, which starts at the Clipsal 500 meeting.

“There’s not a lot locked in at all, really,” said StokeU. “We’re still trying to secure a budget. We think we’re there, but there’s a big difference between actually having it signed, sealed and ^mboroWni delivered and thinking that it’s signed, sealed and delivered.

‘We are hopeful of running the full series. It’d be lovely to do and try and go better than last year. The(other) cars are a hell of a lot closer, that’s for sure and again, it’s a fast circuit at Albert Park and our only advantage

at the moment is in a straight line. When we get to some of the smaller circuits, we might struggle.”

-AARON NOONAN

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Oiri'U 1 tlirk('f!^cjra|)hii (lak|)hotOS.( om Photos by leading motor sport photographer Dirk Klynsmith

V8s, FI, Indy, Super Tourers, GTP, FHolden, FFord, Nations Cup, Porsche Cup Webber, Brock, Lowndes, Johnson^ senna, Schumacher motorsport news

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NEWS

McCoy breaks leg

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Boney Bull: McCoy’s Yamaha was flying at Valencia. That is, until McCov flew off it (Photo by John Morris/Mpixl

GARRY McCoy has broken the tibia and fibula in his right leg after crashing late on the opening day of testing at Estoril just after we went to press with our last issue.

McCoy was the quickest rider throughout the day, and during the afternoon session even pushed his Yamaha below the lap record. His best time was just 0.1s outside Max Biaggi’s pole position record set last year. It was just after having set the lm40.185s lap that the Aussie hit the deck.

Without McCoy on the track, Japan’s Daijiro Katoh emerged as the main protagonist in the last hour of the session, and finished just 0.08s behind the Yamaha as he continued to demonstrate his rapid adaptation to the Honda NSR500.

Tetsuya Harada broke his left collarbone after crashing in the first minutes of the session. The Honda rider suffered the fracture in the exact spot he has had a plate inserted previously.

Bayliss tops Valencia test WORLD Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss (Ducati)fired out a warning to his rivals with quickest time during a recent threeday test at Valencia in Spain.

His time of 1 m34.261 s, set on qualifying tyres on the final day, was well over a second under the circuit record and even quicker than the extraordinary time of 1 m34.56s recorded by Ben Bostrom (Ducati) last December.

"Everything was good these three days and in every test we've done since the end of last year, we’ve made a major improvement," he said.

Replacement found for Criville SUPERSPORT rider Pere Riba will join the Antena 3/Repsol Yamaha D' Antin squad to replace Alex Criville.

The 32-year-old's experience on a 500cc bike is limited to a few laps in last year's pre-season testing on one of Criville's NSR 500s.

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Homestead

Panth

Indy Racing Briefs n Two-time indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk has become the first entrant into this year's race. The 'Flying Dutchman' will again drive the #5 G Force/Chevrolet for Fred Treadway. n Following the retirement of its driver Buzz Calkins, Bradley Motorsports missed the Flomestead race. The team has been in discussions with Greg Rayand Shigeaki Flattori about running in 2002. n Out of a ride in the IRL as her Walker Racing team doesn't have a sponsor, Sarah Fisher's team owner Derrick Walker has knocked back an offer from CART for a fully-funded drive for the 21-year-old in their Toyota Atlantios division. n Indy Car racing's 'Triple Crown', a mini-championship of the season's superspeedway races, could be revived. With California and Michigan joining Indianapolis on the IRL calendar, the idea has been floated and Marlboro are apparently keen to sponsor it. n Out of a ride since TeamXtreme folded, Brazilian Airton Dare scored a drive with AJ Foyt's team at Flomestead after a practice accident put Donnie Beechler out for the weekend.

by PHIL MORRIS

race for Ganassi.

Ganassi Heats up CHIP Ganassi Racing made its full-time Indy Racing League debut at Homestead, sporting backing from NBA team,the Miami Heat.

The deal was a one-off, though driver Jeff Ward didn't hurt any possible further association by taking fourth place in the team's full-time IRL debut. A decision to join the IRL with a separate team to the CART entity was only made with a week to go before the season opener, though the team's G Force/Chevrolets were ready to run as they were being readied for the Indy 500 regardless.

"It was brutal," said Ward of his first race for Ganassi.

"I mean, the track was really tough and slippery. Everybody had to be on their toes. The middle stint there where I got my lap back as we came under green, I got behind some slower guys that just were right in my line."

The Heat, which have won 16 of their last 22 games in the NBA, has a roster featuring star centre Alonzo Mourning and are coached by former Los Angeles Lakers championship-winning coach Pat Riley.

- PHIL MORRIS

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The move, brought about by bringing the backing of Corteco - an automotive aftermarket company - meant that Greg Ray was dumped out of the ride. One side to the story says that Ray hadn't brought funds as was part of their deal, the other says that Ray didn't need funds anyway and Tom Kelley was forced into the deal by Tony George.

"It's been a long time coming," said Unser Jr. "They're the most impressive team in this business, and I feel that I'm with the best team."

- PHIL MORRIS

SAM Hornish Jr is the real deal.

Despite the addition of the feared Marlboro Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing, the IRL Champ started 2002 in the way he ended his championship season with a win.

The Pennzoil Panther driver led home Penske duo Gil de Ferran and Helio Castroneves after 200 laps of the Homestead oval, albeit under a caution flag, though cementing his place as the hottest open-wheeler driver in America.

Having won the pole, Hornish Jr was in a class of his own, leading 166 of the 200 laps and, at one stage, having an entire lap over the whole field - Penskes included!

Alate-race caution allowed both Marlboro cars to pit for fuel to make It to the end, but they couldn’t stop the Pennzoil Dallara/ Chevrolet.

“There was so much hype built up on whether or not the IRL guys would be able to compete (with the CART teams),” said Hornish Jr. “We just wanted to go out there and send a message, that we did our homework over the winter, we’re really going to try to defend our championship. We haven’t slacked off at all. We’re still pushing it as hard as we were last year, if not more.”

Jeff Ward took fourth on debut for Chip Ganassi Racing, while Eliseo Salazar headed home the top rookie, Tomas Scheckter.

The South African did his bit for intra-team harmony at Red Bull Cheever Racing by putting team boss Eddie^Cheever into the wall in the race’s opening laps. Cheever was out, while Scheckter finished sixth and two laps down after pitting for repairs.

“I need to apologize to Eddie about our coming together at the bepnning of the race,” he said.

There were cars eveiywhere around me on the straights. I was behind Eddie, and one of the Penske cars made a move on him. I went over the white line to try to avoid Eddie. Wejust made a little bit of contact, and I got a bit sideways.”

Felipe Giaffone, Alex Barron and Anthony Lazzaro rounded out the top nine, while of the rest, A1 Unser Jr, Buddy Lazier and Scott Sharp were outed with engine problems.

Jaques Lazier spim with a cut tyi-e and was a delayed 18th.

Points: Hornish Jr 52, de Fei-ran 40, Castroneves 35, Wai'd 32, Salazar 30. moiorsport news i

INDY RACING LEAGUE

ep 1, Penske 0

Penske predicts CART/IRL merger

ROGER Penske expects that CART and the IRL will merge in the next three years.

"You're going to take this year,

you're going to take a transition year and one more year and then you're

The Panther prowling for Penskes: Hornish Jr, above and below right, was in another class at Homestead and de Ferran and Castroneves couldn’t do a thing about it. Eddie Cheever may be thinking twice about his signing of Tomas Scheckter, below, who took his boss out on lap three ...

(Photos by Sutton-lmages and indyracing.com)

going to see what happens," he said.

"It's going to be the fate.

"The issue is long-term - we can't have two series. If they want to have an international road-race series, that's fine. But sooner or later, you've got to make a decision. We didn't have a budget to run in both series."

Also in Penskeland, is the possibility of 'The Captain' running three cars at the Indy 500. Penske is on the board of directors of Home Depot, who sponsor Tony Stewart's NASCAR and interestingly, Stewart is yet to sign for Ganassi Racing for the '500 as well ... n Rumours filtering out from the US are linking Budweiser with the main sponsorship of the Team Green entries in the Indy 500 for drivers Dario Franchitti and Paul Tracy, seeing as KOOL won't be on the car. Bud were associate sponsors on Juan Montoya's Target winning car in 2000,

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Sportscar Nev^s Brabs fires up for Sebring 12 Hour DAVID Brabham has had the first taste of the car that will carry his American Le Mans Series hopes.

The Aussie tested the rebodied version of the Panoz LMP Roadster S at Road Atlanta last week and reportedly went faster than the old car. The team, however, is playing its cards close to its chest. Brabham and team-mate Jan Magnussen are down to run a 2001-spec car in the ALMS opener at Sebring. n Mark Blundell will race for MG at Le Mans again this year. The former Grand Prix driver was confirmed in one of the MG-Loia EX257 prototypes last week after missing out on Cadillac and Bentley drives. All drivers from the MG program last year have been retained for 2002. n There could be a privateer Bentley on the grid for the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2003. Long-time Japanese sportscar entrant and Bentley collector Ricky Chiba is toying with the idea of running one of the EXP Speed 8s at La Sarthe next year under his Team Taisan banner.

He already has the car that finished third last year, but is more likely to purchase a 2002-spec car for any possible assault.

- GARY WATKINS

Hollywood to Le Mans

by GARY WATKINS

HOLLYWOOD is returning to Le Mans for the first time since Steve McQueen filmed the movie that took its name from the famous French track in 1970.

Luc Besson, director of‘Leon’ and ‘The Fifth Element’is masterminding a film based on the exploits ofthe French language comic book racer Michel Vaillant.

The project will involve two cars

being entered in this year’s race and then further filming sessions at the 13-kilometre circuit in August.

The two cars will be entered by the French DAMS squad, which ran factory Cadillacs for the past two years. The car to be driven by Vaillant, which will be in the colours of his own Vaillante team, will be the Lola-Judd B98/10 that DAMS ran at Le Mans in 1999, while the baddies will ‘drive’ a Panoz LMP Roadster S. “The old Lola is one of the most

beautiful Sportscars of recent times,” says DAMS boss Jean-Paul Driot, “while the Panoz is a very aggi'essive looldng car, so it is perfect of the baddies.”

Driot explained Le Mans this year would be like any other race for DAMS,except that the dictates of filming would require that the cars spend a little longer in the pits than usual. Each car will have two sets of bodywork to make it appear that each is part of a twocar team.

Vl/ilson -to Ascari REIGNING Formula 3000 International Champion Justin Wilson will race an Ascari prototype in this month's Sebring 12 Hours Sportscar classic.

Wilson, who has so far failed to move up the single-seater ladder, has completed an all-British line-up in one of the team's Judd-powered KZ1-R chassis.

The 23-year-old is takingrthe place of team boss Klaas Zwart, who is unable to contest the first round of the American Le Mans Series.

Wilson, who will share the car with team regular Ben Collins and Christian Vann, said that "Ascari has a good package and I'm looking forward to doing my best for them."

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He must be spewing'about Webber... Justin Wilson finally (Photo by Sutton-Imui’C’!) gets a ridefor 2002.

The second Ascari-Judd will be raced by Werner Lupberger, American TJ Bell and Dane Kristian Kolby.

- GARY WATKINS

7/|lSTAp.,-|2 Sombre weekend: After the death ofJeff Clinton, the llome.stend Orand-Ani race went on. wan hy the Daytona-winning Doran-Lhtu team

Homestead tragedy

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TRAGEDY struck the second round of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, when prototype driver Jeff Clinton was killed during practice at Homestead.

The American’s Lola/Nissan got sideways in turn one and backed into the outside wall. The earthen got up in the air and barrel-rolled into the gravel trap, landing upside down.

The race weekend - which was supporting the IRL- went on, the 250-miler won by Daytona 24 Hour winners DidierTheys and Mauro Baldi in their Doran/Lista Dallara from Jon and Joel Field’s Intersport Lola/Judd.

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FORMER Le Mans 24 Hours winner Stephane Ortelli will drive for Henri Pescarolo’s team in this year’s race.

Ortelli has been snapped up for Pescarolo Sport’s two-car team of

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Coui-age-Peugeots after being dropped by Bentley. Meanwhile, Champ Car reject Nicolas Minassian has been testing for the factory Corn-age team with a view to racing.

- GARY WATKINS motorsporl news

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OPINION

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IMLESS they were inexplicably out doing the gardening on Sunday afternoon, every motor sport fan - and a huge number of new ones - in Australia got to witness the stunning arrival in Formula One of an Australian driver who is set to go a long way.

Sunday was a good news day for Australian motorsport. For Mark Webber and for Paul Stoddart's KL Minardi team.

'Stoddy' has put his soul - as well as a fair chunk of his personal wealth - into firstly buying, then shaping the backof-the-grid squad into something which can start to tackle the teams further up the GP pecking order.

There was genuine congratulations and warm appreciation along pit lane for FI minnow Minardi's achievement on Sunday - two cars home and two championship points. A season's target achieved on day one! Murray Walker was, apparently, in tears as he watched on in London.

It could well be the launching pad for a stronger and stronger Minardi team. Surely, some Australian corporate doors will open now. Surely...

W

ebber's story is better known to MN readers. It's been a seven-year journey which has finally presented an opportunity to join motorsport's elite. That events should conspire to make the very first race such a spectacular one is truly amazing.

Sure, it's not every day that eight cars get wiped out on the first corner. Two or three maybe - but eight . . . Thanks Ralf.

But that's what teams like Minardi have to be ready for.

When the opportunity presents itself, you have to grab it.

And, as Mark reveals in his personal race weekend diary (page 34), al l was not entirely well inside KL Minardi #23 from early on in the race. Fancy handling 700-r horsepower with a diff functioning no better than the car you drove to work? No, thank you very much.

Faced with the obvious possibility of a pretty good result - eighth at the end of lap one he decided very early on to 6 March 2002

nurse the car as much as possible, while maintaining some sort of pace. Finishing was crucial to the team.

As Mika Salo loomed in going for broke in a fairly healthy and rapid Toyota - he was forced to respond and, as we now all know, it all worked out fine!

That sort of race smarts is one of the things which should ensure Webber's FI career is an extended one. It's all very well to snatch rapid young things straight from F3, bjjt perhaps there's somethinglo be said for rather more pre-FI experience ...

"Fancy handling 700+ horsepower with a diff functioning no better than the car you drove to work?

II

It's all too easy to go flat out and simply shrug your shoulders when the car breaks particularly if you're trying to impress on debut - but the circumstances didn't call for that on this day. It was a smart race.

The response from race fans not just after the race, but over all four days - almost overwhelmed Webber. Every time there was an appearance to do out in the spectator areas, there was genuine good will and support. Fie was desperate not to disappoint throngs of

autograph and photo-op seekers and they loved him for it.

A new Australian sports star has been born - and along with it, hopefully, a new generation of FI fans. Enjoy it, support it - and hope and pray Channel 9 understands and responds to it.

For thosefriends, close to Webber family, management, early sponsors - it was a great day. A day of joy.

A day of vindication. There have been doubters along the way they should be a tad embarrassed right now. They deserve to be.

As one of those early Webber sponsors jubilantly quipped on Sunday night at a very up-beat post-race party, "it's a real finger up the nose for a handful of people, isn't it!"

MN has unashamedly erred toward the positive with Webber's career to date - and occasionally copped a little flak for it. But it was clear from his first OS mission that the guy, and manager Ann Neal, had the ingredients for success: Webber the right stuff up top; Neal the background and smarts to push him in the right direction - all it needed was a couple of breaks at the right time.

Stoddart has provided-that final break and deserves huge kudos.

Fie could have taken another payer, but put other priorities first. Fie deserves to succeed. "he MN office is as thrilled about Sunday's result as it's

Motor With Mouth Chris possible to be. But, as one ad guru once put it, there's more.. . .

James Courtney (remember the recipient of the first ever MotorSport Awards Young Achiever?) and Ryan Briscoe both have the pedigree and, so far, are showing the potential to join Webber on the FI grid in the not too distant future. You'll be reading plenty about both in MN as well throughout 2002.

We could just be embarking on a golden era for Australia in FI. So it's as good a time as any to let you into some more good news: Apart from Webber's post-GP diary throughout 2002, MN expects to confirm shortly that both Courtney and Briscoe will also write for MN this year.

That's all three of Australia's top internationals. You'll be able to follow their respective adventures, straight from the horse's mouth, right here in MN. In the meantime, enjoy the moment . . .

If

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Pigs, I I

used to live with a pig. That may sound like an unpleasant remark about a fellow human being but in reality it is a reflection on a pet of the porcine variety.

This beast was supposed to be a cutesy Vietnamese pot bellied thing (that is what I was told) but after a few months, I concluded that the beast was the result of an orgy involving a sweet little pink sow and a gang of wild boars with flick knives.

The pig was an ugly black barrel on legs who, having been brought up with dogs, seemed to be of the opinion that he was one and he would run around making odd barking noises when the mood took him.

Like Holly Golightly's 'Cat' in Breakfast at Tiffany's. The pig was called simply 'Pig'. He lived in the house, ate from a dog bowl and every so often had a visit from the local vet for injections and so on. This was how we discovered that the expression 'squealing like a

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stuck pig' was no exaggeration.

Pigs do not have armour but, as a form of protection, evolution has granted them a most horrible squeal which sets one's teeth on edge.

Pigs in a panic are not easy things to control and they are surprisingly quick on their trotters (particularly if they think they are about to become chops) and so, in medieval times in England, piglets being offered for sale in the market in heavy woven bags. It was done this way so that they could not escape. A buyer could carry them home without too much trouble. The bags were called 'pokes' and because it was unwise to open a bag the pigs were sold on trust. Thus was born the expression 'buying a pig in a poke', which means buying something unseen.

Trusting market traders was, of course, not always wise and it did not take long before shady individuals realised that if one substituted the pig with a large

cat one could make a big .profit as cats were worthless beasts but pigs had a value. And so, another expression was created.

If the buyer decided to look into the bag, the cat would see the light and take off at high speed, fur flying. The cat was out of the bag. The secret had been revealed. t is the job of a journalist to try to discover the truth, and often that involves letting the cat out of the bag.

In Foimula 1 circles, this often causes team bosses to get upset because quite often the truth either costs them money or is embarrassing. If, for example, a team makes a basic miscalculation and cannot fit the wheels on its car, it does cause some red faces and there has to be a cover-up because what they have done is not very professional.

But it happens. Over the years, the top teams have all had such things: from the team

which built a car with no steering lock at all; to the outfit that had to put a bump on the bottom of the chassis because (if I remember correctly) the drivers feet did not fit inside.

There was also the case of Nigel Mansell's bottom which could not easily be accommodated at McLaren.

Nowadays, things are much more complicated than once they were because the engineers do not make wooden mock-ups and see if things fit before they go into production.

Pieces turn up and sometimes they do not fit. That means that everyone is always busy trying to cover up every single weakness so as not to appear unprofessional (the ultimate insult in FI). This has led to what is called 'media management' which means that attempts are made to guide the response from the media (usually in the wrong direction).

This is age-old stuff for governments who are used to

There was the great Prost Affair, with colourful expressions being lobbed around the Paddock like hand

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creating diversions and using smoke and mirrors but the FI bosses are still fairly new to the game and so it is rather less subtle (and in some cases is just downright stupid).

At Melbourne there were flash-bangs going off left, right and centre as teams discussed the new technical regulations which the FIA is trying to get through. McLaren's Ron Dennis got up at one media function and talked with perfect obscurity about the need for the media to not be led astray by diversionary tactics but then refused to say what we should be looking for.

Most of the pressmen simply shook their heads and went back to their lunch.

And then there was the great Prost Affair, with colourful expressions being lobbed arounc the Paddock like hand grenades by the team bosses. It kept the

journalists happy even if no-one really knew what they were talking about because they are not allowed to have copies of the Concorde Agreement.

It was like watching a bunch of people doing jigsaw puzzles with lots of pieces missing while being advised by people with pieces which did not fit into any of the puzzles ...

The whole process is being confused considerably by activities on the World Wide Web on which hundreds of websites are being written by people with no access to the FI Paddock or the people involved.

They are, of course, quite happy to accept whatever they are told because they have no access to anything else...

Reporting FI from the Media Cafe out in the public area in Melbourne is probably not the best way to get an idea of whet

is going on but the Media Managers of FI can see the value of using these people to confuse things.

T

he track action in Melbourne in the days leading up to the event was pretty dull but the FI world produced plenty of good copy for the newspapers, proving that entertainment does not have to always been on the race track.

Soap operas are some of the most popular forms of television and the FI Paddock does a pretty good job producing its own soap. It is marvellous entertainment. And it is what the people want.

There is a glorious insanity to it all and in Melbourne, this is always helped by the strange musical interludes that one sees in the Paddock as thigh-slapping Austrian bands and strange

Scottish music groups mingle with bodyguards trailing around after obscure politicians and lawyers run backwards and forwards trying to buy and sell boxes in which there may or may not be anything of value.

Craig Pollock, looking a bit of a lost soul in the paddock, remarked one day (rather mischievously) that he thought he might put a hat on the ground and do a tap-dance to see if he could raise some money from the passers-by. He hit the nail on the head for the Melbourne Paddock was like a huge medieval market with all manner of horse-trading going on. There were even a few questionable market traders who were selling pigs in pokes.

What a shame all the paddocks are not like Melbourne. Next week, the Paddock in Kuala Lumpur will be like a very hot morgue with all the VIPs hiding away in airconditioned boxes and everyone else looking decidedly uncool.

The Paddock atmosphere up at Sepang has always been dreadful and with the grandstands likely to be a little less than full, the motor racing wi be back under the spotlight One can only hope that someone can beat the Ferraris so that it is not too dull .

The end of Les Bleues: Heinz-HciniUI Frenizeii ill speed kisl season III Moiizxi. And IIV had imiihle liellinn a pi}; pk iiire. so here is one irt shol earlier Idle photo, not die pinl... ll'litiuihs ilh,

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6 Marcli 2002

Five Minutes With

Tsutomu Tomna

The Chairman of Toyota Motorsport held court with a select group ofJournalists in the FI paddock during the Saturday practice session. MARK GLENDENNING was one of the lucky ones.

QUESTION:How long before you can win?

TSUTOMU TOMITA: In a few years [laughs). Hopefully we will get it within three years. That’s an off-the shelf statement, but perspnally, I like to win![laughs).

Maybe this year! Even here![laughs).

Q;Does Toyota spend as much as it takes?

TT: Well, one of the reasons we cannot reveal Toyota’s budget is, to begin with, it is very difficult to get the right figure to combine our spending for motorsports. So many departments and people are involved in motorsports, and it’s really difficult to get those figures.

If I were to make a good guess, maybe our budget is between the top team and the smallest team [laughs).

Q.You don’t think you have the biggest budget then?

TT: No. Q. So who has the biggest budget?

TT: Well I feel that, for example, Ferrari’s budget could be between $500 million to $600 million or somewhere around that.

And also, the majority of that budget is coming from sponsors, and also from merchandising. I understand that those sponsors like Shell and Marlboro for Ferrari, and also Mobil for McLaren, are spending a lot for those teams because they are delivering; they show results in Formula One. But we are just a newcomer, and in comparison with those top teams, we are just a baby. And for a baby, not so many sponsors are willing to spend a lot of money.

The most important message I want to convey to you is: some press say that Toyota spend an almost unlimited budget. That is wrong. Our top management look at our spending very carefully, and I will take care of our budget management in a very severe manner.

Q:How long is Toyota committed to Formula One? TT: One thing I’d like to say is that we’ll never stop until we win, and also we feel that we want to 32

contribute to the development of this Formula One world. One thing that is certain is that Toyota looks at Formula One as a long-term project. Not short-term.

Q:You’re in FI now,but you’re also supplying engines to CART and IRL. Can you continue to have this broad focus, or is Formula One going to exhaust so much of your resources,so much of your intellectual property,that that will be all you can do?

TT: Like I said, Formula One is a long-term project. In the case of CART and IRL,they are US-based motorsports activities. We wish to " continue those races too.

The United States is one of the most important markets for Toyota, and we can never neglect this market. Concerning the budget for those races, TMS (Toyota Motor Sales) and TMC (Toyota Motor Company) would like to keep talking about the distribution of those budgets between the two companies.

Q:Is there only an upside for Formula One? What happens if you’re not successful; isn’t that a bad image for Toyota, doesn’t that hurt your marketing and all the things you’re trying to achieve?

TT: Yes, you are right, I have to admit there is a risk of that. The important point is that in order to decrease those risks we want to make our team as successful as possible.

That reminds me of the story of our CART program. We entered the CART progi-am in 1996 and, for the first three years, we saw severely unsatisfying results. But during those years our top management supported the program and never gave up spirit.

Q: Does that mean you would become an engine supplier in Formula One if you thought that was the only way to win, or do you have to do it with your own car?

TT: Yes, you are right, we saw that option as a way to enter Formula One. But in the end, we decided to come to Formula One as one team under the one roof. And that, we

learned especially from our program in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1998 and 1999.

So if the engine supplier and chassis constructor are separate, they are complaining to each other about which is wrong and which is right and so on. So we came to the conclusion that as one individual constructor would be the ideal way to enter Formula One for Toyota.

That was my conclusion from those programs. I know that some are saying that Toyota coming into Formula One as an individual constructor developing engines and chassis is dangerous, too brave.

But I do beheve that this way is the best way for Toyota.

Q: But is it stiU dangerous and brave even though it is the best way?

TT: Well, we have to wait and see our results to decide.

But I think the general trend is toward the one-team, individual constructor style. Benetton became Renault, doing both chassis and engines, and even McLarenMercedes is getting close to a Mercedes works team. And Ferrari, of course.

I believe that the contribution of the engine itself is 30 percent of the total car performance. And,in

order to get the good result, we need a good chassis. And in developing a strong chassis and engine, we believe that this oneteam way is the ideal way.

And chassis and engine nowadays combine. It is very difficult to separate.

Q: Of the chassis and the engine, which proved to be the most challenging to develop?

TT: Chassis development is more difficult for us. Engine tests, we had already started on the test beds, so we knew.

But I feel that without making a good enough chassis development, we are here now in Melbourne. I often say that in order to pass an entry examination, students will take some kind of mock-up test. But without taking the mock-up test, I am here to try the real exam now.

Q: How far back did Toyota start seriously talking about entering Formula One? TT: Way back in 1997 and 1998, serious discussion started.

Q: Will Toyota ever supply engines to anyone else?

TT:At this moment, no,there are no plans. motorsport news

INTERVIEW #

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6 March 2002

Sunday March 3turned out to be a brilliant day for GP debutant Mark Webberwho kept a diary exclusively for Motorsport News ...

Thursday, February 28

At last, just one more sleep to go before we can finally get down to business. Monday afternoon through to last night was a haze of appearances and interviews.

It’s been quite hectic, but the overwhelming feeling I get is of tremendous support from the Australian public. There are pressures associated with a home debut - but there’s no doubt they’re pleased to have an Aussie in FI! The PR pace eased up today, so I could finally get down to the track and check out how the team’s preparation is going.

There are a number of formalities that have to be gone through on the eve of the first race - including the FIA ’extraction’ test. All drivers have to be able to exit their car within five seconds and refit the steering wheel before 10 seconds have lapsed. Passed that one!

Then there’s the official weigh-in and season photo. In full race suit and helmet, the scales show 78.8 kilos (74kg in my jocks!).

Mid-afternoon we had a full-on meeting with the engineers to finalise the work schedule for tomorrow. After the installation lap, 34

there’ll be a three lap run and a couple of six lap runs, all being well, to work on achieving a basic set-up during that first hour.

The main aim for the second session is to back-to-back the two Michelin tyre options, so we can concentrate on refining the car as much as possible on the rubber we plan to use.

The team also has some new bits and pieces fitted to the cars including an all-new steering wheel, with a whole lot of new knobs and switches. Normally, you’d avoid going into a race weekend without testing something like this first, but the guys are very keen to make use of the extra benefits straight up.

Friday March 1

Up at eight and down at the track by nine. Team meeting at 10 o’clock.

It looks like it may be wet for at least the first session, so there are potentially a few changes to the schedule.

10.50; Well, this was it. I’d thought about this moment and, to be honest, I just wanted to get in the car and get on with it. I needed to plug myself out of too much emotion around the moment, so I

got fully ready in the back room, helmet on, walked straight to the car and hopped in. The team was ready and I think they could sense I just wanted to get on with business as usual.

10.55; Paul (Stoddart) stopped by for a few last words and a handshake on his way to the pit wall. It’s a big day for him too ...

10.59: Fired up and drove down pit lane. It’s wet, so have to think clearly - even the installation lap but as I idled past the other garages, the moment hit me, briefly. I couldn’t help but think of those around me who’ve been there through it all; it’s been one hell of a trip; i wondered what they were thinking...

One Toyota and a Jordan got out in front of me, but I could see people waving. Mind on the job, mate.

Installation lap over, back in for the quick systems check.

11.12 Back out for the first laps.

It was actually drizzling. Full wets.

A couple of short runs. We seem to have a problem with the diff computer control system. Makes it mega-hairy in the wet...

11.45: Some time lost while the engineers try to trace the problem.

The track has virtually dried by the

time I get out, but we’re one of the first out on slicks. The diff still isn’t right, but we’re into the 1m:35s before a quick spin and then the gearbox loses second gear.

12 noon. End of session. One hour only before we’re out again.

The guys have plenty to do they’ll swap the gearbox from the T-car onto the race car, but it will eat into the early part of the 1 pm session.

1.23: On track. Only time for two three-lap runs, but it is at least sufficient for us to give both Michelin options a run. At this point, the softer option works better on the car - but there’s very little rubber on the track and no temperature, so we may have to look at that again.

1.59: Out of the car. Tried to get out for one more run, but just ran out of time to make the rear end changes.

2.05; Debrief. I’m 20th - off the ‘back row’- but a little frustrated.

The lost time has cost us and, until we can sort the diff electronics problem. I’m a bit concerned about our pace for tomorrow. But with a good run, I think we can move forward.

3.00: FIA Friday Conference Thursday and Friday at each GP motorspon news

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AGP EXCLUSIVE something that couldn’t be changed that quickly, but it’s apparently okay now.

We decided we were running the car a bit too stiff in the rear. I guess we’d expected the track to have more grip by now but, with very little warm, dry running, it hasn’t. So we went a bit softer between the two sessions - that’s why we were a little late out for the -.second - but we got one good dry fap-in to confirm that we were going the right way.

The weather was looking dodgy, so we aimed to try and get two runs in during the first 15 minutes of qualifying...

1.00: The guys were well organised and I was first out of Pit The Big Weekend: When be wasn’t wheeling the Minardi-Asiatech around Albert Lane, keen to get a ‘banker’ lap in.

Park, Mark Webber stillfound timefor hisfans- and his greatestfans, dad Alan, Mucked it up, though, with quite a sister Leanne and mum Diane (Photos by Dirk Klynsmilh, John Morris/Mpix and A/;V Digiid!) big front lock-up at the first corner.

Vibrated around the rest of the lap, l for a 1 m32.08. 1 was headed back in when Jacques and David Coulthard tangled and brought out a red.

The timing screen was saying P5 as the guys made a small ride height adjustment. I’m surprised that not more of the teams have been more aggressive in getting out early.

I guess I wasn’t not the only one thinking how bizarre it would be if it had rained now! Sadly, it doesn’t. they select six different people to face the media. Today Paul and I 1.17: 0£it again. Much, much Were Included, along with Salo, better lap - two seconds better.

McNish, Frank Williams and Jean Not a bad lap, but turned In a n Todt. While the talk is of debuts fraction early at the fast right on and also FIA proposals for a single the far esses and caught the kerb these mixed circumstances, but a bit. In my mind it’s not the last doing the whole launch thing - it’s engine per weekend next year, the everyone has the same very hard on the car, especially run, so no heroics, but overnight shock news of Tom nevertheless not a bad one. with a full fuel load; so many Walkinshaw’s purchase of Prost opportunity. dominates.

Not a bad outcome, but we’ve things could go wrong. There’s an Everyone had a chance to get in a time in by now and we were still got plenty to do to make a argurnent for pulling away Paul isn’t happy - and is pretty frank about it... better car over all, and a better manually from the line - you might showing PI 8.

4.15: A bit of time before Drivers race car - there are still some Wanted to make another lose a spot, but you’re also sure of single wheelspin issues to resolve Briefing at 5.00, so we fit in a getting away. Something to think change and get out before the with the traction control/diff set-up about overnight... whistle-stop visit to the Yellow rain, but it beat us.

There was some more time and improvements to the Pages box and the Pontoon stage for an interview.

Sunday March 3 driveability of the engine. The there - going a bit lower In the What a day. My mission was to gearbox ratios aren’t optimum just It is truly rear and softer yet, either. score a point for Minardi this year amazing out We literally had no diffi at the front - but Plenty to think about for the and we’ve done it already! No among the race fans. There is In practical terms that warm-up! You can’t re-invent the doubt the first lap incident helped we’ll have to try a lot - but as I’ve said before, in that in wheel overnight, but we need to genuine warmth created a monumental tomorrow’s look at all those things in the this business you’ve got to take and good will amount of single (inside) morning with a serious amount of those opportunities when they from everyone. warm-up. fuel on board.

6.00: Back to In the come along and maximise the wheelspin leaving the outcome. the hotel. A few We plan to start the race with a meantime, the Tn fair bit fuel on board - around 100 corners... minutes of calm, The rain changed things car was being then we’re off to significantly in terms of what we - Mark Webber readied. It hadn’t kilos. We should therefore go as turned a wheel the GP Ball... far as lap 38 (of 58) before we could learn from the warm-up. I have to stop. If we’re running did a run in the race car first up, yet and once it close-ish to someone else, we on the harder Michelin wet, then was obviously going to stay wet, I Saturday, March 2 took it out for its first ever want to be running our fastest, on jumped into the T-car and instantly Early start, with the two 45 minute low fuel, when they’re stopping for felt that it was a lot better than my installation lap. sessions. They’re important and it race car! their fuel. It could get us a place or 2.10: Qualifying’s over and Paul only takes a red or two - like two...

The diff mapping, which is such Sato’s crash - and some dodgy (Stoddart) Is a happy man. I While we did a number of remained 18th, ahead of both a powerful tool in FI, was different weather and they’re over in a on the T-car - so we’d learned flash. practice ‘launch-control’ starts at Jaguars, Alex, and Sato - whose Barcelona, I'm not totally sure something which was transferable car died on the first out lap. I The guys got to the bottom of whether I mightn’t be better to yesterday’s diff electronics guess everyone - including make a ‘manual’ start tomorrow.

Jaguar - always reckon they could problem. While it was something There’s so much risk factor in continued on page 36 have gone better, especially under quite straightforward, it was 6 March 2002

35

continued from page 35

\\

The crowd reaction was amazing.

Ballistic.

Then when i drove in, the team was on fire.

Stoddy was rapt; everyone wasrapr

to the race car. The guys were surprised that I felt such a difference, but there was, so we banged it in...

We also went lower again with the ride height and also adopted some of the things we’d learned during qualifying.

I was still struggling with low/medium speed understeer and we worked on that a bit, but as all this was done on wets, I was cautious about not upsetting the balance we’d had in the dry for the race.

We did decide to go with a manuai start because I just feit we haven’t got enough information just yet or enough experience with

the two inter-acting electrical systems - Magneti Marelli on the car; TAG on the engine. There was too much risk factor in it. If you lose a couple of car lengths with a manual start, big deal...

Much less risk.

I’d tried a ‘launch’ in the warm up and it basically didn’t work.

We thought it was because I had the Pit Lane Limiter on at the same time - but that shouldn’t affect the first 80kph of the launch...

In the end we decided there might be a bug in the launch software. Alex had the same problem when he did a pr&tice stop - hit the Pit Limiter, came in, hit neutral for 10 seconds, went to pull away, and the ‘anti-stall’ kept kicking in ... he was doing nothing wrong, so there was clearly also a problem with the anti-stall when the Pit Limiter was on too...

So we decided, for those reasons, to go with a manual start.

(That’s also what cost us the 25 seconds in the pit stop - I needed to switch off the Pit Lane Limiter to puil away, but we forgot that that would automatically close the fuel flap down...)

There is a big difference between a good ‘launch’ and a

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Under Jacques attack: Webber holds ojfViUeneuve in the race, (piwio by MarMBciimeiii

manual one, so once we got out onto the grid, I went back and told Pedro (de la Rosa), who was right behind me, that I would be making a manual start. It could have been dangerous and he needed to know there was the chance of me going nowhere, comparatively, when the lights went out.

The two Jags did beat me away, but of course things started to happen at turn one!

There was plenty of smoke and cars going everywhere, but I was able to pick my way through it and came out eighth behind the Safety Car. I’ve seen F1 starts that have taken out a few, but wow... I think a few of them panicked a bit when they saw Ralf flying through the air and locked up everything instinctively.

Fortunately no-one was hurt and there we were, P8...

Just as we settled in after the restart, lap five I think, things started to feel funny. The guys told me later that the diff had lost all its pressure. We literally had no diff!

In practical terms that created a monumental amount of single

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(inside) wheelspin leaving the corners - there was smoke coming off the inside wheel!

This had already been, and would continue to be, a race of attrition, so I determined even more that I would look after the car as much as possible. We desperately wanted to finish, so from about lap 30 I switched from auto upshift and started shortshifting manually to look after the engine; as well as literally driving around, rather than over, a few of the bigger bumps. We simply had to finish - this sort of opportunity for a result may not come again for a bit.

Alex, my engineer, told me what the actual diff problem was when I radioed in and asked them if there was anything I could do about it was there anywhere 1 could scan through on our different mappings, in-car, to help it. He said there was nothing I could do, to chill out and bring it home.

That was when there was still 25 laps to go.

Then, when Salo got within 10 seconds, I thought ‘I’m going to have to hurt the car more to keep

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him at bay. No more short-shifting...

It was bloody difficult off the slow stuff, and even coming onto pit straight it was lighting up the right rear. Crazy!

But we got there.

I was always going to fight Saio for fifth - put the car in a difficult position for him to pass, because doubling your points makes a huge difference.

I also figured that he would be very keen to get a point and not want to risk too much.

I could see the crowd on its feet the last couple of times we came into the start finish straight and I wasn’t quite sure whether there was one or two laps left to go.

But, as you could see, I was pretty excited to see the chequer.

The crowd reaction was amazing. Ballistic.

Then when I drove in, the team was on fire. Stoddy was rapt; everyone was rapt. Then Dad appeared.

That’s when I briefly lost it.

There were a few tears ...

It’s now five hours after the race, my back’s a little tender (not too percent happy with the seat), but hey, what a day.

Time to party...

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AGP analysis

Close, but no cigar Jarno Trulli was looking threatening on Renault's return to GP racing at Albert Park.

ADAM COOPER caught up with the Italian after the race

MOTORSPORT NEWS: What did you see of the crash?

JARNO TRULLI; To be honest,-f didn't see anything. I just saw too many cars just sticking too close together, and then suddenly something happened.

I was concentrating on getting through, and I was behind David (Coulthard). Michael was probably on the other side, so I didn't see him at all.

MN: Were you praying that there would not be a red flag?

JT: Yes, but it's not up to me to decide whether it's a Safety Car or whatever. I was just lucky that everything went alright, and my start was good anyway.

After that, I was just doing my race, and I was holding up Michael, because I had tyres that needed a few laps to get up to temperature.

And then suddenly at the exit of Turn 2, I lost the rear of the car. We don't know why yet, because it was really on the way out of the corner.

MN: Could it have been because of oil or dirt from the crash?

JT: Well, the lap before I didn't have a problem, so we don't know exactly. We have to check. The car was suddenly 38

undriveable and it just spun out.

MN: Is this a wasted opportunity?

JT: Yes, it's really bad, honestly.

It's very disappointing how the race finished, but it looked positive. It was the first race for us, and we were running second, with a bit of luck.

"It might take six months, it might take one year, or maybe two rr years

MN; Overall, are you happy with the way things went this weekend?

JT: Yes, pretty happy. Seventh on the grid was a good job from everybody in the team. We didn't expect to be seventh top 10, yes, but not straight away in seventh in my first qualifying. I'm really satisfied.

MN: Does the package have a lot of potential?

JT: Yes of course. This is just the beginning, and we've got new things coming up for the next race already, on the engine side and chassis side.

We are definitely going in the right direction. We've got a very good team of engineers.

Pat Symonds has a lot of experience with this team, and we've got Mike Gascoyne. A lot of engineers who I rate highly have come from Jordan.

MN: What does it mean to have a major manufacturer behind you?

JT: It means quite a lot.

Everybody is really motivated and very determined. There are quite a lot of facilities in the team, and everyone is working hard, because they want to achieve a certain result. This is good for a driver like me, for example. I work very hard and spend most of my time talking with the engineers and everybody, and with this stuff behind you, you can get what you really want in the future.

- Jarno Trulli

MN: Is the goal this year to be the fourth best team?

JT: This should be our goal. I know it's going to be tough, but we want to start the season as we are starting now, with hopefully a reliable car for the first few races, and try to score some points. Then we have to really grow up through the season and catch up with the best, who are McLaren,

Williams and Ferrari. At the moment they've got a technical advantage on us because they've got more experience and they've been in FI longer.

MN: How hard is it going to be to close the gap?

JT: It's going to be tough. I knew it was going to be tough when I came here, but I also knew that I'd got a great team behind me. I'm confident that we can reduce the gap soon.

We don't know how long it will take. It might take six months, it might take one year, or maybe two years. But I'm really looking forward to working with this team because I can see that there's a lot of facilities and people are working really hard.

MN: You had some disappointing times in the last two or three years. Are you feeling happier now than ever before?

JT: Let's say I wasn't very lucky. I never had a chance to finish the races I should have finished, because of reliability problems, but now I'm in this very professional team. They won championships in the past so they know what it takes to win. I'm very happy about my situation. moiorspori news

FORMULA 1 FT i;

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A year ago, Mika Salo rode a Harley to Albert Park. In 2002, he scored a point on Toyota’s GP debut. He toid ADAM COOPER about it MOTORSPORT NEWS:A point in the first race - is it a dream come true?

MIKA SALO: Yeah it was great, especially considering what happened in the first corner.

My car got damaged quite a lot there. We fixed what was fixable in the pits and continued like that, but the race was really over for us at that point.

MN: What did you see ofthe crash?

MS: To be honest, Ijust saw a white car going up in the air, a lot ofsmoke, and everyone locking up. A Sauber went on the grass on the inside and wiped offeverybody else in the corner. I think it was my team-mate who also went on the grass and hit me.

MN:At that stage did you think it was all over?

MS:Oh yes, sure, I had my seatbelts off already. Wejust re-connected my seatbelts and changed the track rod, but the car was never back. My steering wheel was pissed for most of the race. In all the left-hand corners it was quite had...

MN:You must have been pleased with how quickly they got the job done ...

MS: That’s the rally experience - they’re used to changing wishbones!

MN:You chased Eddie Irvine for a lot of the race. How was that?

MS: Yeah, I was a lot quicker than Eddie, but we had a little bit less downforce on the car and it was difficult to get a run out of the corners. I got by him once on the hack st?-aight - but I braked too late and went wide, so he got me again.

MN:Then at the end you were catching Mark.

MS: We had a little misunderstanding with the communication. 1 understood thgt it was the last lap when I caught him, so I had to have a go immediately when I caught him, so I did. It was a big mistake, because Ishould have waited until the next straight. But I had a go at him immediately, and there was some oil on the corner for most ofthe race, and Ijust hit that and lost it. , MN: Were you pleased to be as high as 14th in qualifying?

MS:Not really. 1 did my first lap just to qualify. I was really careful, and I braked really early and went wide in a couple of corners. We actually knew it was going to rain, we knew by the minute, but we had a little communication problem in the team, and we screwed it up. We didn’t get o.ut in time, so we lost the second run. We didn’t use the equipment we have. The car is a lot quicker than 14th.

MN: What could you have done?

MS:Definitely better than 14th, but difficult to say by how much, because I’m sure everybody else would have improved as well if it was dry.

MN:Surely ifsomeone had offered you 14th a year ago or even two months ago, you would have been happy with that?

MS:No, it’s not true...

MN: What’s the overall verdict?

MS:It was good, considering it was out first real test day. Everything worked okay. The team worked well, and now we have to sit down

>

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and see what we have to improve, where we are quick and where we are not, and what we have to change within the team to operate better. We had no mechanical problems, no problems with the personnel. Everybody’s done a good job. We have to be proud with what they’ve done this weekend.

MN:Everyone was a little tense at the start ofthe weekend. Is it more relaxed now the first race is out ofthe way?

MS: Yeah, it’s getting more relaxed. But it’s important that they don’t get too relaxed, otherwise everybody stops working!So we need to push hard to catch up. We are still a few seconds behind Ferrari, and that’s the aim.

MN: What about you personally? You had a year on the sidelines, so you must be happy to he back.

MS:It’s nice to be here and have something to do!I wouldn’t be here ifI was not driving ...

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39

1. Mark Skaife’s bid for a hat-trick

’inning successive ATCC titles puts Mark Skaife in good company - but taking three straight places him in rarefied air indeed. Only Ian Geoghegan has done it before; in fact, Big Pete went one better, winning four straight.

But can Skaife do it, and can Holden Racing Team make it five in a row?

If ever you wanted a formula to do it, you would go close to doing what HRT is doing this year.

Changes within the team are minimal; the drivers and management are the same, with only a couple of‘ins’ within the engineering side. Sponsors are all back, apart from the nowtraditional annual new clothing supplier, and Skaife and Jason Bright are on top of their fonn.

In fact, tlie only real changes are

moforsnoH news

1

PREVIEW

Chasing the Red Streak There's a lot worth watching in the upconning V8 Supercar Championship Series - can anyone stop Mark Skaife's third straight title, and Holden Racing Team's fifth? And is it possible to keep an eye on everything? PHIL BRANAGAN thinks not, so here are 10 things you may want to prioritise

t-..'

Another year, another title?

That’s what the opposition will be trying to stop. Mark Skaife starts the season as the man to beat.

Tall, fast, back to business: Garth Tander, left, wants to recapture some of his 2000 form.

Where there’s a Wilson: There’s a Wills. Max Wilson, right, may face a tough season at Briggs.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmith)

that Jim Richards has replaced Tony Longhurst for the endures and that could hardly be described a loss - and the Young Lions car will now be run in-house, which means that Skaife has a ‘second’ team-mate in Rick Kelly and that the HYL car could run in the first half of the pack, which is a change.

So,in short, Skaife is carrying the ball. Now let’s see what he does With it.

6 March 2002

Have you heard the about the Australian, theone New Zealander and the Brazilian who walk into a team and ...

It’s been a big off-season at Briggs Motorsport. Apart from building new cars, acquiring the Gibson Level 1 fi-anchise and hiring Longhurst, there was the small matter of wading through a list ofinternational drivera m

testing and settling OU MaX Wilson.

Can a Brazilian with a

background in CART and FI testing cut it in V8 Supercars? Who knows. There is a lot to learn, fi’om the cars and the tracks, to the Aussie way of doing things - even things we take for gi-anted, like recognising the bank notes and finding out who Rove is. Rookies who make an immediate impression in the class are rare (except for Craig Lowndes and Marcos Ambrose) but Wilson has good,if not startling, prior form in open-wheelera, so clnvifig aliilitiV does not seem to be at issue. A top 10 grid spot.sometime this season

and a better result in a race would be a good effort.

Longhurst is a Itnown quantity, but it will be interesting to see how he copes when the team, as all teams do, strikes adversity during the season. As for Simon Wills in the CAT Falcon, the current Konica Champ could have won two races last season but errors in driving (Bathurst) and tactics(Pukekohe) cost him potential chequei'od flagB oh both opcaaio.ns.

Running at tlie flmni in ibi.s show

Qoniinued on(Mqq 42 41

V8 Supercar Championship Series continued from page 41 is way, way tougher than in the KV8SS. Pace should not be a drama; the Briggs team has built fast cars in the past. Ifthey can adapt from running one car last season to three -and that is no small ‘if-it wiU up to their drivers to see what they can do with the hardware.

3. The return of the Big V Perhaps Jason Bargwanna it best in the off-season; itsaid is not nice when you automatically start reading at the bottom of a time sheet and have to count UP to your name. « Garry Rogers Motorsport’s 2001 season was,to be blunt, awful.

Apart from Surfers, Bargwanna and Garth Tander spent most of the year lurching around in the teens or early 20s. The team’s VXs were as bad as its 2000 VTs had been good.

Our spies suggest that the team has identified and fibred at least two significant problems after off season testing with the cars and Bargs and Garth are much more confident about this season than they were last.

The other change is that the Konica V8SS program the team ran for Leanne Perrier has been terminated so it will be 100 percent focused on the main event. So look for the white, red and blues to be closer to the front than 2001.

4. Will the real Glenn Seton please stand up? ^ome teams flourish with more 'than one car - TWR Racing seems to go better with every car they add - but in recent years, Seton’s team has traditionally appeared to struggle to put two competitive cars on the grid.

Queensland Raceway Champion’s Way Willowbank Qld 4306 Tel 07 54619100 Fax 07 546191 I I

Fashion Emergency; Seton has changed hues (for the better?) Can the solo FCR Falcon win? (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith) But this season, Seto will revert to running a single Falcon, in the colours of Ford Credit after a threeyear gig as Ford Tickford Racing.

Apart from the appalling new silver paint scheme - what WERE they thinking? - that means that the team can concentrate on the car which debuted at Bathurst and which went like a jet there.

So car speed shouldn’t be a problem and Seton can sure drive, so this year looks like his best opportunity to prove that Ford’s most recent winner of the title

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5. And, in the other direction

B

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rad Jones Racing is not new at running two cars in a championship. Heck,in Super Touring, it ran two Audis for donkey’s years.

But, with John Bowe joining the OzEmail squad this season, the

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team will be in unfamiliar territory; previously, Jones has always clearly had number one status within the team, with the other driver(Greg Murphy, Cameron McConville or Matt Coleman) playing a back-up role.

That won’t happen this year; JB is never likely to fill that role, and the team has not hired him to. But what he is, is technically astute, and the two-time titleist brings a

continued on page 44

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V8 Supercar Championship Series

continued from page 42 wealth of Falcon experience to the team that should help in fasttracking their Alls’ development.

So expect at least one, maybe both, ofthe BJR cars to be nearer to the front ofthe field - and, remembering what happened Eft Bathurst last October, watch out for BJ and JB in the endures ...

6„ Switching brands again Oteven Richards has a:

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reputation as a master endure driver, a solid sprint race driver and a lessthan-perfect qualifier. Look for the last part ofreputation to be proven wrong this season.

Virtually since he broke into V8 Supercar racing, Richo has been in either teams and/or cars that have not responded well to being leaned on for qualifying. So Jim’s lad has been starting further down the giid than his talent might deseiwe and he has been forced to play catch-up from there. That makes his record look even better than it is.

In the past, the CastroVPerkins Commodores have usually responded to qualifying as well as anyone else’s. Russell Ingall can wring a car’s neck and Larry Perkins has been on the front row as recently as 2000(at Calder).

Now, after switching in the off season, Richards has the opportunity to show what he has got

aa

New look, but he’s still in black! John Bowe heads to OzEmail full of confidence after splitting with the Briggs/CAT team at the end of 2001.

I would like to thank ... er, Holden: Steve Richards has made his annuai switch of marques to ieave FTR for Castrol/Perkins.

And / started this silver thing: Craig Lowndes wili carry the hopes of 00 (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and AF1 -images) Motorsport and a iot of Ford fans this year. n in the ran-ofFs. One other thing; Ingall has finished second in the championship with rather less assistance from Perkins in the sprint races than the winning HRT driver has enjoyed from his team-mate. Now Rusty has, potentially, Richards to back him up. That should help.

The only fly in the ointment may be that Steven is not likely to have joined the team to play bridesmaid to Ingall, and he will be thinking about wiiming the championship himself...

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1. Will the neatest correct entry win?

Gibson Motorsport impact in its first made seasonanwith Ford and Craig Lowndes.

Sometimes literally; after his Saturday epic at Adelaide, The Kid clanged into Skaife on Sunday for a no-score.

Amid Lowndes’s up-and-down season, the team set new standards for presentation(from a state-of-theart merchandising pantech to chromed litter bins in the pits!) and car geistation (the first Gibson Falcon took nine months to see the

mn

motorsDorl news

PREVIEW light of day). When it arrived, the new car was fast- but not noticeably faster than the team’s older Stone-built AU,and it was substantially different the team’s other Fords, so fast-tracking the development ofthe cars was difficult. And then,in the off-season, Fred Gibson left and team principal Bob Forbes(who owned it all along) took over what is now ‘00 Motorsport’.

What wiQ happen this year? The team wiU have identical cars for Lowndes and Neil Crompton, with Rodney Forbes playing back-up, so that wiU help. It has a year’s experience ofrunning Falcons now, but how ‘transferable’ will the information be to the newer cars?

Win it be enough to allow Lowndes to challenge for the title?

The pressure wiU be on. Apart from competition and rivalry with the other Ford teams, which in public make soothing noises about the former Holden team joining the Ford fold last year but which in private can’t be thriUed about it.

Ford itself is under pressure to deliver a championship. The company is losing money, a world wide restructoe is underway and a championship is needed this year more than any other.

Lowndes has the talent, no question, and can stand the heat.

Gibson apart, the team has had minimal personnel changes. And if he does win the title for a third time? You will be able to hear- the cheers from Broadmeadows - and the teeth giinding through forced smiles at Holden - all the way from Broome ... ,

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8. Patience is for losers It just not possible toracing come into ais competitive class of and scare the big lads in your first year in The Game.Am I right, or am I right?

continued on page 46

KONIC

8 SUPERCAR SERIES nt

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6 March 2002

45

V8 Supercar Championship Series continued from page 45 Maybe, maybe not...

After last season, ICimi Raikkonen may disagree with that theory. After this season, Filipe Massa might get on the phone. And Marcos Ambrose sure as heck would have a point to make.

The Tasmanian had zero V8 Supercar experience 13 months ago but he took the Pirtek Falcon to places we were not used to seeing — like pole position - and even won a round of the championship in his first year. The last driver to.do that in Year 1 was Craig Lowndes.

There is still a fair bit of unfinished business for Ambrose.

To start with,’Cos still hasn’t won a race, his Darwin 2001 win coming through podium-filling consistency rather than spearing away from the feisty and chasing pack. And then there is the small matter of taking a Bathurst victory and, maybe, a championship.

It’s pretty clear that Ambrose is a pretty exceptional talent and that there are some drivers who would much, much rather he was not as pushy, and waited to earn his druthers before making waves in the big time. But coming from a European open-wheeler background,Ambrose is not that large on patience and wants to win now.

An admirable,if not unusual, sentiment. And it makes for good watching, and a large and growing base offans for the man in the blue number 4 machine. Which,last time we looked, is what the sport is supposed to be about...

i

Things that make you go ‘M&M’: Greg Murphy was involved, and subsequently cleared of blame, in a major 2001 controversy, the Oran Park pit boom incident.

Firing up for 2002: Marcos Ambrose has four poles and a round win to his name. Now, for some race wins and trophies ...

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmith)

9. The next big controversy

Al:

Iready this season, there has een the odd ‘discussion point’, starting with HRT and HSV Director Jeff Browne’s call for sweeping changes in the stracture of the world’s most competitive touring car category - which has, in turn, prompted a vitriolic response from AVESCO (see news pages).

There has been a lot of finger pointing in recent years,from ‘Petty Bars’to ‘Larry Bars’, machine-gun guards to electronic ignitions and (whisper it) traction control. That is the nature of the sport.

Project Blueprint, which standardises the components between Holdens and Fords, has been successful to the extent that, these days, there is almost not talk of parity.

So what will the Next Big Thing be?

Pre Qualifying is a good place to start. The thought that the winners 46

of the last four championships have to qualify for the first race of the year is ridiculous, but it will, hopefully, never happen again.

Likewise, there will be some chat from those who do not qualify for Adelaide that they have been treated harshly because of Level 1 teams ‘stacking’the entry. That is the reality of the sport; the strong survive and the less strong race in the Konica Series.

The other real controversy of the season may be penalties. Despite the fact that the guys who should have won the races mostly did last season, there are murmurs that the current system lacks real teeth and is slanted towards allowing the big fish to get away while the minnows

cop it. Decisions, or lack thereof, at Oran Park and Sandown last season left many drivers and team owners simmering; it could easily explode in 2002.

lOe Promises, promises There will befrom a fairsome bit of heat this season quarters - maybe the teams, maybe the media - regarding the lack of a naming rights sponsor for the Shel ... oops, V8 Supercar Championship Series.

For that, SEL will have to carry the can. As part of the settlement of hostilities between CAMS and

AVESCO over who owned what in 2000, SEL has the rights and responsibilities, and potential commission and kudos, to market the category to a new post-Shell sponsor. SEL’s James Erskine and Tony Cochrane will, as is their right, point to the fact that the series is in a better financial position than it was pre-AVESCO. But, at a time when the Australian Cricket Board and AFL both lost major sponsors in the off season and replaced them almost immediately, this is a blow to V8 Supercar racing. There will be a naming rights sponsor in place sometime in the future but, until then, SEL’s blokes will have to have broad shoulders, smile widely and weather the storm.

There is also the matter of an off-shore race, which was originally mooted for this season.

The success of the November SCS round at Pukekohe will, no doubt, advance the cause of a race in (insert name of foreign country here), but AVESCO is running late on that matter and will have to announce a race 0/S during the course of this season to ensure its previously-made ‘core’ promises are met.

Passports ready, Tony. Over to you. motorsDori news

PREVIEW

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pros and cons of control You can sitV8 and argue the tyres for Supercars forever. For every purist who wants to see equality in the field,there is a fan who bemoans the lack of variety and the potential for less overtaking with everyone on the same rubber.

This year, the game changes.

After three years of exemplary service - we can't remember when a driver last moaned to us at MN about tyres - Bridgestone is out and Dunlop is in. Under all manner of pressure to produce and consistent and long-lasting tyre, Dunlop appears to have done just that. What little pre season testing has been conducted indicates that the new tyre is quick enough (though

slightly slower than the previous tyres which, in itself, is not necessarily a bad thing) and as hard as a politician's smile.

But all the testing happened during the summer. So how will it last in the cool of Winton in

August - or the cold of Canberra in June? Or in the heat of QR or Hidden Valley? And what about mixed conditions; at Bathurst last October, Bridgestone's slicks allowed most of the drivers to stay out in the rain. Will they do that first time out with the Dunlops - or will someone win fay

reacting first, or lose by over reacting first?

And what are the characteristics of Dunlop's new wets-the limited running at Albert Park proved that they work well, but it's still early days ...

Changing tyre suppliers is not, by itself, either a good or a bad thing but the support that Dunlop will pump into the category is a plus. The variation it will bring, and the potential to upset the applecart and introduce new faces to the podium, are good for racing.

. ENTRIES FOR CLIPSAL 500 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 00 11 02 14 15 16 17 18 21 021 22 23 24 27 29 31 34 35 36 40 43 46 50 51 54 61 64 65 66 75 96 161 600 888 6 March 2002

Mark Skaife Jason Bright Cameron McConville Marcos Ambrose Glenn Seton Rodney Forbes Russell Ingall David Besnard Mark Larkham Craig Lowndes Larry Perkins Rick Kelly Tomas Mezera Todd Kelly Steven Richards Steven Johnson Paul Radisich Brad Jones Jason Richards Dugal McDougall Steve Reed Paul Romano Neil Crompton Paul Morris Steve Ellery Garth Tander Jason Bafgwanna Wayne Gardner Cameron McLean Paul Weel John Faulkner TBA Greg Murphy Craig Baird Ross Halliday Paul Dumbrell Max Wilson Tony Longhurst Anthony Tratt Mark Noske Greg Crick Simon Wilis John Bowe

HRT Commodore VX HRT Commodore VX Lansvale Commodore VX Pirtek/SBR Falcon AU Ford Credit Falcon AU 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Castrol/Perkins Commodore VX Caltex/SBR Falcon AU Orrcon/LMS Falcon AU 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Castrol/Perkins Commodore VX EA Sports HYL Commodore VX IMS Commodore VX Kmart Commodore VX Castrol/Perkins Commodore VX Shell Helix/DJR Falcon AU Shell Helix/DJR Falcon AU OzEmail/BJR Falcon AU Team Kiwi Commodore VX McDougall Commodore VX Lansvale Commodore VX Romano Commodore VX 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Sirromet Commodore VX Supercheap Falcon AU Valvoline Commodore VX Valvoline Commodore VX Caltex/SBR Falcon AU VIP Pet Foods Falcon AU K&J Thermal Falcon AU JFR Commodore VX Ultra Tune Commodore VX Kmart Commodore VX Nash Commodore VX 3M Falcon AU I RCA Commodore VX Betta/Briggs Falcon AU Betta/Briggs Falcon AU Toll Falcon AU JFR Commodore VX 3M Falcon AU CAT/Briggs Falcon AU OzEmail/BJR Falcon AU

Yay team: Long-time Dunlop man Russell Ingall now has ‘home brand’ tyres.

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19

Qualifying

Emo% WiH*lil Once upon a time Ferrari used to routinely destroy its old cars. At Albert Park,it used them to destroy the opposition. JOE SAWARD reports

T

HE winter has been a long one for the people of Formula 1. And that has meant that the level of interest and excitement in the paddock in Melbourne was much higher than in most normal years.

Everyone wanted to know the answers to the same question: who is going to be quick this season?

The pre-season testing provided some minor diversion and gave a few hints as to the performance of the teams. Rumours scurried about. But no-one knew for certain and we waited for the qualifying session in Melbourne to spill the beans.

In recent years, Formula I’s love affair with Australia has been strengthened. The race in Melbourne is the most popular event with a large percentage of FI folk and one of the reasons for this is that Melbourne weather in March is usually good, providing pale-faced Europeans with the chance to pick up some southern hemisphere sunshine.

But for most of the week before the Grand Prix, Melbourne was a town of low cloud and spitting rain drops.

The cars ran on Friday on a track which was in various stages of being greasy. But there was no really nasty rain.

The Ferrari team emerged as the fast boys - as we suspected they would do. And they did it with the old F2001. Perhaps one should qualify exactly how ‘old’ the F2001 is. At the end of last season, you may recall Ferrari arrived in Suzuka with a ‘new’ version of the F2001 which was lighter than the original. And faster. In Suzuka, Schumacher (of the M variety) dominated proceedings to thunder home to a ninth victory in 17 races, having previously taken pole position by seven-tenths of a second. No-one else had a chance.

In November and December, the Ferrari boffins in Maranello crunched their numbers and 50

simulated new victones and,in preparation for the restart of testing on January 1, they built two brand new chassis, modelled on the Suzuka car. At the same time the F2002 cars were being built, taking the concept a step further.

For whatever reason, it was

W6II, I’ve had a whole year to practice in this thing: Rubens Barrichello snipped Michael Schumacher’s provisional pole by 0.005s (about 30cms!) to take first blood for 2002- and was pretty darned happy afterwards.

Germany 0, Brazil 1: For once, Michael Schumacher gave best to his team-mate.

(Photos by Marshall Cass and Marsh/Bothweil)

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molorsDort news

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Of Used Cars then decided that the new car could not be used in Australia. The team said it was down to reliability, others mumbled that there were some issues with illegality. There were even suggestions that the problem was something pretty stupid - a basic ‘after lunch’ kind of mistake that meant that the wheels could not go round properly. No-one who knew was saying. The Propaganda Department at Maranello came up with a plausible story about reliability issues.

So there were new old cars

Down in the paddock, there was a sinking feeling as everyone heard a Germanic voice in the distance yelling ‘Tim-ber!’

In the TV compound they were, no douht, sobbing into their consoles at the thought that they would have to try to make the racing exciting again using smoke and mirrors. Too much success for one team is bad for the viewing figures, as the sight of red car disappearing into the distance tends to send the average couchbound race fan off to the Land of Nod after a big Sunday lunch. For

It Is back to business as usual

n

11

- Ferrari boss Jean Todt rather than new new cars in Melbourne. But they were still quick and it quickly became fairly obvious that Ferrari was still the team to beat.

On Friday, when the sun came out, Schumacher and Barrichello were 1-2. It was all going alarmingly well. At one point Michael went for a run across the grass hut otherwise there were no problems lurking in the shadows.

“It is back to business as usualj, said team boss Jean Todt, indulging in a little morale bashing for the rival teams. There were the usual ‘we are very happy noises from everyone.

“Actually,” said Michael Schumacher, taking his chainsaw to the confidence of the other teams,“I am a little bit surprised about the gap to the other teams.”

those who live on different time zones to the couch potatoes of Europe, it provides little incentive to get up in the middle of the night.

But there was a hope that everyone else was sand-bagging and that in qualifying suddenly there would be a surprise to wipe the smiles from the mugs of' Maranello. But deep down we knew that it would not happen for the Ferraris had been fastest in all different conditions in the course of the Friday sessions.

The writing was not only on the wall. It was on the roof and the floors as well.

Saturday dawned with grumblesome clouds scudding

continued on page 54 *—1

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Special delivery: Takuma Sato broke his FI duck in ignominious style, (Photo by Marsh/Bothwoll) walling his Jordan-Honda during qualifying.

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Qualifying continued from page 51 across the tops of the tower blocks of Melbourne. We headed off to the race tracks with our pulleys and rain gear and as the start of the qualifying session approached, the teams lined up rapidly near the pit e)dt to get out and put a lap in the bank in case the rains were to come to see the action as Albert Park.

The first few moments of quahfying were fairly busy.

Takuma Sato’s Formula 1 career got off to a lousy start in his Jordan. He had crashed heavily in the morning session when his automatic downshift system decided not to play by the rules and changed gears without being n asked. That left him in the T-car for quahfying.

This however also seemed to be misbehaving as it ghded to a stop out at the back of the track with the engine making lots of noise but the gears not slotting together as the engineers had intended. There was a hydraulic problem of some sort. Sato took public transport(a marshal on a motorbike) back to the pits. At the end of the session when it no longer mattered because of the rain, the team lobbed Giancarlo Fisichella out of his own car and stuck Sato in. His best lap was 27 seconds off the pace.

“It was pretty impossible but good'experience for me,” said Sato, dredging deep to find something positive to say. The stewards(not surprisingly) said that Sato could start the race but it would from the back of the grid.

Also in trouble in those busy early moments was David Coulthard, who was on his flyer when he chanced upon a BAR with a large ‘wide vehicle’ sign on the back (figuratively-speaking) and David nearly ended up in the wall.

Even the best make mistakes: Juan Montoya matched his number- six - in qualifying, taking to the boonies (Photoby Marshall Cass) during an over-exuberant off in Saturday practice.

In the end he spun. Pole position during those minutes went from Mark Webber to Felipe Massa to Kimi Raikkonen and then to Rubens Barrichello. And then out came the red flag because Sato’s car was parked in a dangerous

his first run that Rubinho was aced. He responded by clipping O.OOSsec off Michael’s time on his second run but before we could get a decent response the skies began to spit again and the session degenerated into watching

variety) did only one run each and so, as FI people would say, did not maximise the potential of their window of opportunity.

The McLaren boys were in the ballpark with Williams, although Raikkonen was a little bit behind, lining up fifth ahead of Montoya.

There was then an appreciable gap (four-tenths of a second) back to League Division 2 which was headed by Jarno Trulli in his Renault. The next few cars were, as expected covered by tiny tenths, with Fisichella, the two Saubers, Jenson Button (Renault) and the BARs all covered by a large handkerchief. Toyota and Arrows seemed to make up League Division 3, which was promising for Toyota and pretty disappointing for Arrows(which had been mumbling in the finest pre-season traditions about top 10 showings) and then there was another gap back to League

Fisichella, the two Sauhers, Jenson Button (Renault) and the BARS all covered hy a large handkerchief"

place and, after the adventures last winter in the Melbourne Coroner’s Court, it seemed a wise thing to do to make sure that there were no problems.

And then the session was off again and there were a few attempts to bounce Rubens from the pole, but it was not until Michael Schumacher came out for

raindrops hitting puddles.

Apart from Sato and a couple of others, the grid which had been produced in the time available was pretty much what was to be expected after Frida/s hinting sessions. Ferrari was out in a league of its own. Williams was next in the pecking order, although Montoya and Schumacher(of the R

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The Commonwealth Games: Jacques Villeneuve and David Coulthard got their Ps and Qs in a tangle, DC speedwaying on the grass before finishing his session early.

The UnBARable Lightness of Being: Current BAR boss David Richards entertained predecessor Craig Pollock, above.

(Photos by Marsh/BothwoH) motorsport news

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Maybe it should say ‘Supersonic’: Toyota made a strong debut, Mika Salo leading the rest including the usually dominant BMWs-through the speedtraps in qualifying, (Photo by Marsh/sothweii) Division 4,featuring Webber and a disgruntled pair of Jaguars.

League Division 5 featured AJex Yoong, who looks like needing a rocket strapped to the back of his car if he is going to get off the back row / of the grid this year.

The drivers said all the right things as they are programmed to do with the “I am very ‘appy” tape being used as much as the “we did not maximise the potential5? of our window of opportunity or “we have not shown the true potential of the cars”.

It had been a messy and unsatisfying session which was frustrating after the winter of waiting. If it was a

reflection.of what we would have had-anyway it was nonetheless not the best way to get there.

There were some happy faces down at Minardi to whom 18th on the grid is equivalent to pole position and team boss Paul Stoddart remarked that it was a “fantastic” result.— ‘Fantastic’ was a word which might be applied to the performance of Jaguar but only when used in the negative sense rather than in the positive.

The team has a lot of long and complicated explanations as how it intends to drag itselffrom the bin marked ‘Losers’ and catch up with the

rest of the field as the season progresses but starting from this far back means that seeing the back end of the front-running cars is not going to be achieved without the R3s being fitted with telescopes.

All in all, it was a pretty poor show and standing in the paddock looking up into . the sky, one could almost see the vultures circling over the Jaguar garage.

Dicing with Minardis is not going to do much for the sales of Jaguar models around the globe - despite the fact that Minardi is hugely popular because of its tradition of being the underdog.

2002 FOSTER'S AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX PRACTICE AND QUALIFYING RESULTS

PosNo

Driver

Sponsor Car Chassis Number

FriAM

FriPM

SatAM

Sat Qua!

1 2 2 1 3 5 4 3 5 4 6 6 7 14 8 9

Rubens Barrichello (BR| Michael Schumacher(0) Rail Schumacher(0) David Coulthard (GB) Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Juan Pablo Montoya (COL) JarnoTrulli(l) Giancarlo Fisichella (I) Felipe Massa |BR) Nick Heidfeld (0) Jenson Button (GB) Olivier Panis (F) Jacques Villeneuve(CON) Mika Salo(FIN) Heinz-Harald Frentzen (0) Allan McNish (GB| Enrique Bernoldi(BR) Mark Webber(AUSI Eddie Irvine (GB) Pedro de la Rosa (E) Alex Yoong(MAL) Takuma Sato (JPN)

Marlboro Ferrari F2001 216 Marlboro Ferrari F2001 215 Compaq Williams-BMW FW24 04 West McLareo-Mercedes MP4/17 02 West McLeren-Marcedes MP4/17 03 Compaq Williams-BMW FW24 02 Mild Seven Ronault R202-02 DHL Jordan-Honda EJ12 4 Sauber-Petronas C21-04 Sauber-Petronas C21-02 Mild Seven Renault R202-03 Lucky Strike BAR-Honda 004 Lucky Strike BAR-Honda 004 Panasonic Toyota TF102/04 Orange Arrows-Cosworth A23-01 Panasonic Toyota TF102/05 Orange Arrows-Cosworth A23-02 KL Minardi-Asiatech PS02/01 Jaguar-Cosworth R3-03 Jaguar-Cosworth R3-01 KL Minardi-Asiatech PS02/02 DHL Jordan-Honda EJ12 2

1:29.167 1:28:804 1:31,723 1:37.834 1:34.756 1:32.903 1:33.591 1:31.693 1:31.957 1:37.303 1:32.667 1:40.684 1:33.477 1:32.602 1:32.465 1:33.352 1:32.912 1:35.976 1:33.285 1:32179 1:44.011 1:32.904

1:27.799 1:27.276 1:28.821 1:30.312 1:29.875 1:28.870 1:30.298 1:30.187 1:29.937 1:29,572 1:30.588 1:31.127 1:30.352 1:29.601 1:32.465 1:30.602 1:32.912 1:32,696 1:30,973 1:30.566 1:44,011 1:30,540

1:26.331 1:26.177 1:27.424 1:27.505 1:27.635 1:27.394 1:28.773 1:28.605 1:28.700 1:28,295 1:28.881 1:28.570 1:28.557 1:30.100 1:29.174 1:29,663 1:29.724 1:31.203 1:29,737 1:31.286 1:33.425 1:30.914

1:25.843 1:25.858 1:26.279 1:26.446 1:27.161 1:27.249 1:27.710 1:27.869 1:27.972 1:28.232 1:28.361 1:28.381 1:28.657 1:29.205 1:29.474 1:29.636 1:29.738 1:30.086 1:30.113 1:30.192 1:31.504 No Time

10 7 11 15 12 12 13 11 14 24 15 20 16 25 17 21 18 23 19 16 20 17 21 22 22 10

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Michael Schumacher did. But there was I something for everyone - aimost - at the ^ 2002 Foster’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix. From a horrendous Turn 1 i crash which eliminated half the field, to a I dream debut for Toyota and Mark Webber’s fairytale points performance for European Minardi. Turn the page for JOE SAWARD’S * report on Albert Park 2002 Photo by Marsh/Bothwell

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Dog Days for the Cats FORMULA One press releases are not, usually, noted for their clarity of word.

An 'off-track incident' is a crash. An 'electrical failure' could be anything from an alternator being taken out by an errant piston to the driver hitting the wrong switch. And 'failing to maximise our potential' could range from a driving error to some boffin confusing metrics for imperials in a windtunnel five months ago.

So it came as no small surprise that Jaguar Racing's post-qualifying tome was fairly frank and that the troubled JagCosworth R3 was about as unloved by the team as my many observers.

Here is a selection of the quotes; "This is exactly what we expected before we arrived in Melbourne.

"Our new windtunnel in Bicester (UK) is ready from the beginning of next month and that will go quite some way towards accelerating the program ahead of us. That is about as honest as anybody can be at this stage."

Team Principal Niki Lauda "We probably should have been a little higher today, but not by much.

"At the most, 1 could have squeezed half a second more from the car, but that's hardly going to make a big difference S8

given our current state.

Eddie Irvine "We know what our problems are and there is little point in doing anything else except getting on with the task at hand. Tomorrow (ie, race day) will be very, tough indeed for us."

Pedro de ia Rosa Such quotes appeared after the drivers qualified 19th and 20th, out-sped by the financially-compromised Minardi-Asiatech of Mark Webber and both Arrows, which carry the same Cosworth engines as the R3s, All changed on raceday, with Irvine taking a steady and opportunistic fourth place, but the speed (or lack of it) of the cars must be a worry.

It seems a long time ago since Johnny Herbert and Rubens Barrichello went 1-3 at the Nurburgring in StewartFords, the predecessors of the Jaguars, In fact, it was four years - and heaven knows how many millions of dollars - ago.

Since then, the team has made a speciality of self-destructing, and the short-term for the greens looks bleak.

ICHAEL Schumacher won the Australian Grand Prix but you wouldn’t have known it if you were in Albert Park.

Schumacher’s victory - a dominant one - was weUreceived by the fans.

A Ferrari victory always is. But the big news was that Mark Webber had finished fifth on his Grand Prix debut in a Minardi.

The home team, the home driver.

The excitement was such that promoter Ron Walker decided after the podium ceremony was over to have another one for Webber and they played Advance Australia Fair.

Two hours later just outside the paddock Webber and Paul Stoddart were signing autographs

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for fhe fans when I finally had the chance to congratulate them.

“Yeah, it was a good effort,” said Webber, cool as a cucumber as ever. And then he leaned forward.

“Mate,” he said quietly,“^o won the race?”

Race(57 laps) On Sunday morning, Melbourne was still pretty miserable and in the warm-up the track was wet which caused some problems with one or two of the kerbs, the paint from which had not had time to dry during the night and proceeded to come off when the FI tyres ran over them. Suddenly there was light blue paint all over the place. continued on page 60 t 1. ^

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A lot of people, including Ford President William Clay Ford, will be watching the progress of the team in coming races. From the current state of the team, there will not be a lot of good to see in the short term.

- PHIL BRAWAGAW moiorspon news 1

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A taste of things to come? For a while, the battle between Michael Schumacher and Juan Montoya was intense, both pulling off outstanding overtaking manouevres on the other.

Red Army, Down Under.Division: Both drivers have their fans but, in the end, the Ausfosi had their day with Schuey’s 56th Grand Prix victory.

Just like the Good Old Days; the early laps were like a throwback to the past, David Coulthard’s McLaren leading the Renault of Jarno Trulli and Schumacher’s Ferrari.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmith, Sutlon-lmages and Marsh/Bothweil)

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Race continued from page 59 The Great Pain Issue lasted not very long and soon the corporate boxes were chinking with cut glass and smoked salmon was being guzzled down here and therd. By the time the field lined up, they reckoned there were 127,000 people in the park.

The weather was not great but there was plenty of excitement not least because this was the first race of the year. What was going to happen? As the engines were fired up the two Arrows-Cosworths of

Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Enrique Bemoldi refused to budge.

No doubt somewhere in Holland, a Dutch racing driver had a bit of a giggle at the team’s expense.

As the rest of the field paraded around, the two Arrows were pushed into the pitlane exit and the mechanics tried to figure out what was going on. They were still twiddling with the cars when the race started.

The lights went out and Ralf Schumacher made the best start and, having eased past his brother, tried to find a way to get past

Barrichello. There was a lot of jinking going on. As they steamed down into the first corner, Ralf ran straight into the back of the Ferrari and was launched skyward. It was not really clear why it happened. Ralf said that Barrichello braked early. Rubens did not agree.

“I don’t think I did it too early,” he said. “In fact, I think it was quite the opposite. I braked later than usual because I was worried that something hke this might happen. I don’t think he would have got rormd the comer.”

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There was a suspicion that perhaps Ralf was momentarily distracted, looking to see where his brother was and so ran into Barrichello.

“I cannot complain about the braking,” he admitted. “We were going into the first comer but he definitely changed direction twice and we are only allowed to do it once. I felt like a passenger on an aeroplane.”

Bouncing over Barrichello’s car, the Williams came down on its tail and bounced into the sandtrap, ending up crunching into the barrier. Ralf was OK but, behind him, there was total chaos. On the n inside of the track Coulthard was able to get through into the lead.

Jarno Trulli was'behind him with Montoya next up. Michael

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It was close: Kimi Raikkonen just missed getting caught in the melee, continuing with debris in the McLaren's cockpit while Olivier Panis, Felipe Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella parked their cars for the day.

Race track, road cars: The drivers got out and ran to the pits, but there was no restart. (Photos by oirk raynsmiinandsuiion)

Lap by Lap How the 2002 Australian C i Formation Lap - Both Arrows drivers Bemoldi and Frentzen fail to leave grid. Webber makes up two places j before even starting ...

Lap 11 - Villeneuve pits for tyres and fuel under SC, Coulthard understeers off before restart, Schumacher takes lead.

Start/Lap 1 - Ralf Schumacher launches off the back of Barrichello into first corner. The Williams crashes into the wall, with the ensuring chaos involving Fisichella, Massa, Heidfeld, Button, Panis and McNish. Drivers run I back for spare cars being prepared in

Lap 12- Race restarts, Montoya takes lead around outside of M. Schumacher at turn one! Webber now seventh.

[ garages but the Safety Car is I deployed and there will be no red flag.

Order - Coulthard, Trulli, Montoya, M. Schumacher, Irvine. Webber sits eighth.

Lap 13- Montoya by Is from M. Schumacher, Raikkonen, Coulthard, Irvine, de la Rosa and Webber.

Lap 15- Sato retires with gearbox problems after earlier long stop.

I Lap 2- Frentzen )oins the race.

Lap 16- Raikkonen on charge as leaders slow one another. Finn trails by 3s.

\ lap 6- Place restarts. Coulthard, j Trulli, Montoya, M. Schumacher, 1 Irvine, de la Rosa,

Lap 17- Schumacher re-takes lead after Montoya goes too defensive into turn one.

lap 9- Coulthard leads by 6.6s, Trulli spins exiting turn three and hits inside wall. Safety Car deployed.

Webber 10th, having been passed by I recovering Raikkonen and Villeneuve, 60

Lap 18- Schumacher by 2.2s over Montoya, Raikkonen 0.6s behind Columbian. Coulthard, Irvine and de la Rosa round out top six. Frentzen black-flagged for leaving pits when

exit light was red, completing a bad day for the Orange Arrows team.

Lap 19- Schumacher laps fastest of race so far with 1m30.120s as he extends lead. Webber past de la Rosa into sixth.

Lap 21 - Schumacher extends lead to 7.9s, consistently Is faster than the chasing Montoya, Raikkonen and Coulthard. 10 cars remain in race.

Lap 24 - Irvine passes limping Coulthard for fourth as the Scot carries on. Webber does his fastest lap of race (1m34.903s).

Lap 25- Schumacher leads by 14.5s over Montoya, Raikkonen, Irvine, ailing Coulthard and chasing Webber.

Webber goes quicker again, with a 1m34.520s.

Lap 26 - Webber moves to fifth past Coulthard!

Lap 29- Webber picks up pace, another fastest lap (lm34.010s).

Villeneuve crashes out at turn 11

after rear wing failure.

Lap 30- Webber loses place on lead lap, as Schumacher goes by the Minardi. 8 s left in race.

Lap 31 - Yoong moves into points to sixth. Webber runs FL (1m33.796s).

Lap 32- Schumache r runs new FL of 1m28.628s.

Lap 33- Coulthard again runs off at turn 15. Continues to limp around in distant seventh.

Lap 34 - Sale pits from eighth and last runner for first stop. Webber runs FL of 1m33.431s.

Lap 35- Schumacher laps fourthplaced Irvine. Leads by 21.8s over Montoya. Raikkonen third, 2.4s behind the Williams-BMW. Irvine, Webber and Yoong round out top six Lap 36- CoLilthard's McLarenMercedes finally cries enough at turn four after gearbox downchange problems. Jammed in sixth gear.

Webber makes first stop on his 35th motorspon news

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AGP Schumacher, sensing what was happening alongside him, decided to go across the gi-ass.

“It was the right decision,” he said later.

While Michael was doing this, a mess was developing behind him.

It is not really clear who hit whom, but Raikkonen went off onto the grass and damaged the underside of his McLaren. Pisichella tangled with the two Saubers and all three men went out on the.spot and into the carnage piled Button and Panis. Villeneuve and Salo made it through the wreckage but McNish ended up being caught and so he too was out.

That left Webber,Irvine, de la Rosa,Yoong and Sato to thread their way through the mess.

It was obviously a case for the

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The future is ... ooppss: Both Arrows had shockers and were eventually black-flagged. (Photo by sunon-images)

Safety Car and as the cars lined up behind it the order was Coulthard, Trulli, Montoya, Schumacher, Irvine, de la Rosa, Sato, Webber, Yoong and Villeneuve. out The Safety Car would stay until the start of lap 6, by which time Frentzen had appeared from the pits in his Aitows. The problem was-that he drove through a red light at the end of the pitlane and so was blackflagged a few laps later.

To complete the misery in the Aitows pit, Bernoldi was later sent

rand Prix unfolded lap. Long 34.9s pit stop after problems with his pit lane speed limiter and fuel vent cover, which has to be prised open.

on Webber as Minardi runs in 1m37s. Finn 16s behind with 11 laps to go. Schumacher leads by 30.7s.

Lap 37- Montoya pits in 10.1 s.

Lap 49- Salo closes to within 12.1s of Webber. Duo two laps down on leaders.

Lap 38- Schumacher and Raikkonen both pit. Ferrari crew do 10.5s stop, McLaren team 10.6s.

Finn comes out in front of Montoya but spears off at turn one, allowing Montoya to re-take second.

Lap 39- Lead order sees Schumacher leading Montoya by 21.6s, from Raikkonen and Irvine.

Webber re-takes fifth as Yoong pits from two laps down.

Lap 44 - Schumacher leads by 27.4s over Montoya, Raikkonen 4.9s behind the Williams. Irvine fourth but two laps down, with Webber 1m17s behind the Jaguar. Salo up to sixth having past Yoong. de la Rosa rounds out field in eighth.

Lap 47-After initially being told to not chase too hard, Salo is gaining 6 March 2002

Lap 51 - Salo within 9.4s of the Australian.

Lap 52- Salo 6.9s behind Webber.

Lap 53- Salo 5.1 s behind Webber.

Lap 54 - Salo closes to 3.6s of Webber, closes behind fourth-placed Irvine and passes cleanly.

Lap 55- Webber runs his fastest lap of the race nm33.296s), but behind, Salo still gains two-tenths.

Lap 57- Salo right behind Webber, but spins at turn three!

Lap 58- Schumacher wins by cruisy 18.6s over Montoya. Raikkonen takes first podium position in third from Irvine and Webber in fifth. Salo sixth from Yoong and de la Rosa.

out in the spare car - which was illegal - and so he too ended the day with a black flag. Tom Walkinshaw’s face suggested that this was perhaps not the magnificent event for which he had hoped. In fact, as weekends go.

this was a bummer.

But while Scotsman suffered, another had a good time.

Coulthard took off at the restart

continued on page 62

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Race continued from page 61 and was soon away on his own. On the run down to the first comer, Montoya tried to challenge Trulli for second place. He slid wide at the first comer and that gave Schumacher the chance to pass the Colombian.

And that meant that Schumacher was up to third and on Trulli’s tail, but Jamo was obviously not on the pace of Michael. He was ahead and he tried to hold the Ferrari back but it was clear that this was going to be a finite affair. It lasted only three laps and then Trulli spun off into a wall. The Italian thought there might have been oil on the circuit.

It was hard to tell, but the accident was a bit strange. _ The crash left the Renault in a dangerous position and so out went the Safety Car again. Coulthard lost his lead of seven and a half seconds. The field (or what was left of it) trailed around until the end of lap 11 when everyone got ready to go again. At the second to last comer Coulthard went off the road.

‘My car developed a gearbox

selection problem and put itself into neutral and that caught me out,” he said.

Michael Schumacher was in the lead but Montoya had no desire for that to remain the situation and he wound up the BMW engine and went past the Ferrari on the main straight, driving around the outside of Michael to take the lead.

It was a nice move. Schumacher held on and the two men diced for the next five laps.

“It was an interesting fight with Juan,” Michael said later. “It was a straight battle with two pretty equal cars.”

It looked like the BMW Williams had the Ferrari contained but Montoya knew that this was not the real story.

“I quickly realised that I was holding him up as he had more speed than me and it was only a matter of time before I lost the lead.”

In the end, Juan Pablo hit some oil on lap 17 and went wide in Turn Three. In a flash Schumacher was ahead and from then on it was like the FA18s which had been fl3dng around before the race began’.’ Michael lit up the

afterburner of the Ferrari (figuratively-speaking) and off he went.

The gap went out at an embarrassing rate of knots. At the end of lap 17 it was 2.2s, a lap later it was 4.7s then 6.2s, 7.9s, 9.2s, 11.3s and so on... Montoya could do nothing. And that suggested that this was really a t3Te race because the Bridgestone rubber was obviously rather better than the Michelin. It took a dozen laps before Montoya was able to begin to respond but by then it was too late. Schumacher was gone up the road. Montoya was left to dice with Raikkonen who had come up through the field after stopping for repairs during the first Safety Car. Coulthard’s gearbox problem gradually deteriorated and he was off the road now and then as the gears came and went. In the end, he was stuck in sixth and he had to park it.

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aikkonen knew that his chance to beat Montoya would come with the pit stops and, when Juan Pablo pitted on lap 37, Kimi set the fastest lap of the race. He then pitted on lap 38 and came out ahead of Montoya but as he tried to stay ahead of the Colombian at the first corner, he went wide and Montoya was back in front again and that was basically it.

Fourth place belonged to Irvine from lap 23 onwards when he overtook the ailing Coulthard. It was not what the Jaguar driver had expected would happen but continued on page 64

Go you good thing: ' Webber, above, fights off Salo during the final laps, the Finn spinning away his challenge two corners later, leaving the Aussie to take fifth place - and celebrate enthusiastically - on the line.

The other Minardi: Alex Yoong, bottom left, ran in the points for a while but eventually finished seventh.

The Right Idea: Yep, even DC is a fan now ...

(Photos by Sullon-lmagGs and John Morris/Mpix)

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ZOOZ FOSTER'S AUSTRAUAN GRAND Pos 1 2 3 4

Driver M. Schumacher Montoya Raikkonen Irvine Webber Salo

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Race

What they said High!

Q: Michael, it's the first race of the year, couldn't be a better start?

MS; Yes, it could have been a better start, honestly.

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We would have settled for one Aussie on the podium: Webber and Paul Stoddart celebrate fifth - on the podium!

(Photo by Sulton-Imag es) continued from page 63 sometimes it is best to take your luck when it comes.

“We were certainly very lucky today,” Irvine said, “but we finished and others didn’t. I had to be careful because the car was not handling very well at all.”

Irvine did a good job, but poor old Pedro de la Rosa was not as fortimate. He climbed to sixth but then had an engine problem that dropped him back and a longish stop was needed. He rejoined at the back and eventually ended up "eighth, five laps down.

Mark Webber in his Minardi.

And so to the story of the day: Eighth at the end of the first lap, the Australian debutant was pushed back to 10th as others recovered from the early delay. But then when others ran into trouble, he moved up again.

On lap 18, he was in the top six.

On lap 25, he overtook Coulthard to take fifth. It was all looking great until his pit stop when there was a problem with the refuelling flap refusing to open. The clock on the stop ticked agonisingly onward until he had lost 25 seconds in relation to his rivals. In fact, there was so little opposition left that he lost position only breifly to Yoong, who soon pitted.

However, the missing time meant that in the closing laps he came under attack from Mika Sale’s Toyota.

The Finn pitted after the first lap shunt and was stuck in the pits for more than three minutes while a rear track rod was changed. He then drove hard to catch up but would never have caught Webber if the Minardi had not had the refuelling problem. Mika caught Mark with a couple of laps to go amid much excitement in the grandstands - but an attempt to pass Webber got him onto a dusty 8«

part of the circuit and he spun away his hopes. The grandstands jumped 10 feet in the air as a result.

And if they had held an election at the end of the next lap Webber wopld now he Prime Minister of Australia, with Paul Stoddart as the Governor-General.

Alex Yoong might have been in the points as well (he was for a period) but the Malaysian had troubles with his brakes and so faded back to seventh. Seventh place can be worth millions of dollars in FI'these days so Yoong’s efforts were much appreciated by Minardi and when all is said and done, no-one could have asked for more.

It was of course the perfect result for the race: a story of Cinderella on wheels. No-one could complain - least of all Formula 1 racing.

s

alo finished sixth which was a great effort for the new Toyota team on its debut. We will have to see how things go as the season develops but there is no doubt that the team has potential. The danger now is that a good finish will raise expectations too much in Japan.

Of the rest there was little to say.

Sauber’s hopes of a big result ended at the first comer. Jordan lost Fisichella in the same shunt and Sato soon afterwards with an electrical problem. BAR had a miserable time with Panis punted and Villeneuve running sixth (behind Webber) when his rear wing fell off. The resulting series of spins was impressive but thankfully there was no major impact.

And so, amid much rejoicing, the Australian GP of 2002 ended. It was an event with something for everyone: a great drive from Schumacher, a shunt without consequences and the marvels of Minardi.

Fantastic.

Q: For you in terms of points.

MS: I know„.but just to make it clear. Obviously it's ideal from my point of view but Rubens' point of view it didn't go so well and would have been better to be one and two, to be honest, than just have one in the finish.

Q: Early on you were fourth and you had a tremendous battle with Juan Pablo, particularly at the end of each of the safety car periods and then a little later on. Perhaps you could just talk us through those overtaking manoeuvres.

MS: Basically in the first safety car, nothing really happened, I didn't make up anything, actually when I was behind Juan at the time I lost out quite a bit because the traction initially wasn't there for me and then he gave me a favour of braking a bit on the oil, in turn three, which allowed me to pass and then 1 was battling with Trulli, which he was basically closing everywhere the door and didn't allow any overtaking, which then made it tricky because I saw Juan coming again so I thought I have to watch out.

Next safety car, Trulli obviously was gone by then, David gave us a favour in going wide - it almost happened to me as well, I went wide too and I think this was one of the reasons he had a good ride at me because I didn't have the right exit of the last corner, couldn't take the speed because the line was wrong in the corner before. So it meant that the last corner was wrong, and he easily passed me, I couldn't do anything about that, honestly, I tried to go to the inside and I gave him the outside and he, well, overtook me easily there, but then it was a nice battle.

Initially, obviously, he was going away a little bit and 1 was thinking hopefully he is on two stops, but then it seemed to be a tyre situation where initially our ones didn't work so well and theirs did work very well and then it turned around to our

favour afterwards and I was all over him but it was difficult to find the space.

Q; That was interesting, the overtaking manoeuvre, did it just happen?

MS: No, he obviously saw me being very close and he didn't like me to pass him inside in the first corner so naturally you close the door, so what you do is then you go to the outside to take the better exit and him being so far inside it means that the corner gets very tight and he doesn't have the speed out of the corner so things worked out for me.

Q: Is this going to encourage to you keep this car for Malaysia or rush the other one?

MS: Obviously we would like to take the car, the new car, as soon as possible, as soon as we find out it is better and as soon as we find out it is reliable and both of the situations yet we cannot judge when that's going to be the case, honestly.

Further tests next week, all next week we will be testing, and from there on we can judge what is happening in future.

Q; Juan Pablo, as I say, the end of the both safety periods, they worked out differently for you. What was your angle on it?

JPM: I thought it was pretty good. At the time when Michael got by me I didn't really see that oil coming and I came onto the radio and I said: I think we have got a puncture or something, and then I said just try a little better and it felt quite good and out of turn one, when you turn left, I could see some oil there as well and I thought: I got it. It was a bit too late.

As Michael said, as soon as we get temperature in the tyres and against them, (they) seem to have a lot more speed and really it was going to happen sooner or later.

Q: And then you had quite a long battle with Kimi really, which only faded sort of halfway through the race.

JPM: I think he was there ail the time. I managed to pull away a little bit right before the stop and that was enough to get ahead of Kimi. When we tnoiorsnon news

AGP

T

hts from the post race media conference FOSTER'S USTRALIAIf f i PRI^ y ‘JRNE

Q: And then you pulled away a comfortable second place.

JPM: Yeah, we pulled avvay like five seconds and he got it down to four and then stayed around there. It was hard because we were pushing the thing, both of us were pushing really hard.

that many cars - but you were way back after your first pit stop,the long one, when they were looking for things in the cockpit. Was it easy just carving your way through the field?

KR: Yes, it was quite easy to overtake some cars. Some cars was more difficult and then it was helping me a lot big time because the safety car came out seconcUime and I got behind the leaders and that was the main reason that I catch them, but it was quite a difficult and interesting race.

Q; Thanks very much, Juan Pablo. Kimi, are you surprised to be on the podium today?

KR: Yeah, for sure, after the start because I think I was on the last place after the couple of laps in the safety car and from there the third place is not bad.

Q: When you were behind Juan Pablo, was it easy enough to stay there?

KR: Yeah, I tried to save (indistinct) the pit stop that I can run a bit longer and we made one lap but it wasn't enough, but it was quite easy to stay behind him.

Q: And then, as you mentioned earlier on,"you had your long pit stop. What were things like from then?

KR: Before the first pit stop the car was pretty good to drive home and we got quite a lot of vibration on tyres and that makes it more difficult. Then when I came out of the first pit stop I went a bit too quick for the first corner and just ran wide and lost the second place.

That's racing and I'm not worried about those things because I am still a bit learning and just need to make a better job next time.

Q: So happy with today's position?

KR: Yes.

were going down the straight and he was leaving the pits, when we got to braking we were basically side-by-side and when I saw him braking later I said: he's not going to make it, he's not going to make it. YesI That was quite good.

Q: You were way back admittedly there weren't all 6 March 2002

Q: Could you have taken the fight to Juan Pablo in the closing stages; you seemed to steadily drop back?

KR: No, I don't think so, I was going full speed. Of course the last couple of laps I slowed down because I saw that I don't have any more chance to catch up with him but I think we were doing pretty similar lap times and that's it.

Q: Michael, a lot of cars went out of the race at the first corner. At a time when Formula 1 is trying to control

costs, that was quite an expensive corner there. Do you think there are any controls that can be brought to bear on the drivers to ensure that that kind of thing is less likely to happen?

MS: I don't think so. You remember we talked about this at the Thursday press conference. It needs really everybody just to be a little bit more calm at the first race to avoid that, but then you can't control it.

That's part of racing, that's part of emotions, and part of the reason you write for it, I guess, because it's so „ interesting. It's costly and not really nice that things like that happen but it has always been part of it.

Q:(To) Juan Pablo and Kimi.

Is it possible for you to fight against the Ferrari for the victory at this point, at this state of the art, because you fight between (yourselves and) you made a little bit fight with Michael (in) some situations and circumstances - but then he went away?

JPM: I think Ferrari definitely had the edge on us here: from Friday onwards they were clearly the quickest car. I think the conditions were not the best for the tyres. Hopefully in Malaysia it is going to be hotter, it could play into our hands a little bit. I think we have shown, especially the wet and intermediate needs to be a lot more competitive and I think that's a really good thing but I think we still need to do quite a lot of work because, I don't

know, Kimi did the fastest lap, when the car was good we were as fast as Michael but when we go through the same thing as last year there is no chance, and I think in hotter temperatures the tyre will behave a lot better.

KR: It's difficult right now, especially in this race, for Michael was better also that they start with the old car, they know much more about the set ups and things and the weather was very difficult to get the set up right but I'm quite happy how things went in the end. If I look beginning of testing and qualifying, I was much more sad what I'm now so we only can improve things and just looking forward for the next race.

Q; Michael, it's the inevitable Australian question: Mark Webber has come home fifth today, can you say some words for us,for the kind Australian fans?

MS: Honestly, I was thinking in the car, 1 was actually very delighted for them. You see Minardi they are so long around and it's not happening very often for them to have the occasion to get points, and I was told by my team that he drove a very good race and he scored really the fifth place, he really earned it, he had a good battle with Salo so I'm more than happy for them.

I guess it's going to be a big, big party happening tonight for them. Maybe we are going to join them and have some fun together, but it's really pleasant to see these guys, I really - how you say - 1 feel just happy for them that they achieved that.

Q: To all drivers: we had in the first corner eight or nine drivers out of the race. Don't you think it could be better even to the show to have a red flag and all of them again in the race?

MS: From my point of view you would say yes, especially if we would have been involved in this situation, we would have preferred to have a red flag and start the race again but obviously we are not the persons to decide this and probably we are not the right persons to be asked.

85

Thru the lens

The World accord 1,

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No-one say ‘Benetton’: Jenson Button gets readyfor action.

Okay, Jean, how muchfor size 12s?

Even Ferrari’s shoes are trick.

Sato sixth?

No, it was Salo whofinished sixth ...

AndJust where is Tasmania?

Lots ofnew hardware was on show.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmiih and Marshall Cass)

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motorsporl news J

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FI drivers have big heads: Yes, it’s all well and good - but where is Mark Webber's?

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Da Boys from Brazil ...

Wilh Rubens and Filipe out on lap 1, the lads had bugger-all to cheerfor in the race.

Bi bend this, buddy: Michelin main man Bibendiim made his presence felt.

I Just hate these old model cars: Michael Schumacher says he denies he is leaving Ferrari to race a Triumph Stag.

Mardi Gras one day, GP the next: No ...Just chappies having fun with other chappies (not that there is anything wrong with that).

pT;

And, the winner is: Motor.sport News was going to give some lucky Albert Park GP fan a free .subscription, but the winner, right, can now look forward to having the Editor personally come over and TELL her all the news every fortnight...

Vr ●V* lV

(Photos by James Smith aitJ Marshall Cass)

li

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6)

Albert Park

T

HERE were a lot of mixed messages that emerged from the Netscape V8 Supercar Challenge races at the Albert Park track last weekend.

Yes, it appears that Holden Racing Team will be the team to beat in 2002, but this time it was Jason Bright who put the hurts to team-mate Mark Skaife, Bright taking pole position and two wins before a Sunday tyre race was won

by Craig Lowndes.

In mixed conditions, the Shell duo ofPaul Radisich and Steven Johnson also had good results, while Russell IngaU and Garth Tander rounded out the six drivers who made the podium in the dash around the lake.

After an off-season where many teams elected to miss testing to preserve their tyres for post-Albert Park testing, it looks like the balance of power between the teams is fairly level but, with the pace shown by Bright and Skaife in dry conditions particularly, Holden Racing Team is still the

one to beat.

But it’s a long season coming up and,from the evidence on show at Albert Park,last year’s statistic of 10 different round winners could be sorted out in 2002.

The'window'(of set-up)is a iitde narrower. The car

topping Bright,Ambrose and Murphy,from Ingall(who may may not have Dunlop tattoos).

Seton and Mark Larkham.

So, to quahfying. With moderate temperatures on the final day of Melbourne’s ‘summer’,there was plenty of opportunity to get to know the Dunlops and, mostly, times were relatively late in the drivers’runs, auguring well for some prime pole battles for 2002.

Again, HRT led the way, but this time it was Bright who snagged pole. Skaife lost some time during the session when some set-up changes failed to improve the #1 machine, which could not be reset to its practice settings in the pitlane, leaving Mark in third place. He was less than happy with the car’s balance under brakes, actually taking to the grass at Turn 3, a rare sight.

But Brighty was pleased; “The car is working well,” he grinned, his first run on the new rubber coming that very day.

Second was Johnson, sphtting the two HRTs and six spots up on team-mate Radisich, the Kiwi less

is a little mo>e nervous, but you can stay up them"

happy with the balance than Steven. He made changes before the races.

Practice and Qualifying Tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres,tyres, tyres tyres, and tyres.

Following the off-season switch in control rubber, the main topic of conversation prior to the first V8 Supercar race of the year was, not surprisingly, tyres. The white-andred of Bridgestone gave way to the shiny new yellow-and-black of Dunlop and eve^one - OK, we chaps in the media - wanted to know what was happening.

Not much, apparently. If such a fundamental change could be accommodated seamlessly, it had been, a credit to aU involved. Even the teams yet to turn a wheel on the new imits had little but good things to say after their first experience qf Knowing The Road.

The first practice session saw HRT leading the way, Skaife

W

- The highly technical RussellIngall

Next came Ingall, back on Dunlops after being invincible on the brand in the early Albert Park races in the late 1990s.

“The ‘window’(of set-up)is a little narrower,” he said, “the car is a little more nervous, but you can stay up them (Ingall-speak for driving hard continuously).”

Behind came the Valvoline car of Garth Tander. He had not driven the car since Sandown’s 2001 finale and was happy to be as high as he was,looking forward to testing the car the Tuesday following the weekend.

Richards followed in his Castrol debut, while the Stone Brothers cars were split by The Rat, David Besnard topping Marcos Ambrose on set-up which started differently and then went in opposite directions.

Lowndes was 10th, a spot up on his first Ford effort a year ago, while just outside the 10 were Mark Larkham, Glenn Seton and Jason Bargwanna, who was to win the Embarrassment Award for the weekend at the start of the first

Brig Jason and the argo-noughts: Jason Bright owned Albert Park after pole position and two wins.

Lively: The usual first-corner squeeze was averted, but Larry Perkins, below right, got caught in the melee.(Photos: Marshall Cass and Dirk Klynsmilh)

Oh. OH! After a change of marque last year, Craig Lowndes made do with a change of team name this season in the 00 Motorsport Ford Falcon.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmilh)

motorsport news

V8 SUPERCARS race when he had to pit to have the suspension spacers(only used to ‘travel’the car) removed after the formation lap. Ooooopppppsssss ...

Race 1(10 laps)

s

O ome opening battles of the season are worth waiting all summer for. This year, that was not the case ...

Bright won the start, the Safety Car came out, Bright won the race.

That was that.

“We are obviously pioneering on the Dunlops,” he reported, sounding more and more like Skaife, “but, at the moment,they are pretty brilliant.”

He had won by 3.8s from Johnson. There was a bit of a battle at the first few corners, Skaife making a good getaway to challenge before second until Ingall, spying an opportunity, got into the gap behind the Shell Falcon and left Skaife with no room.

“He (Skaife) gave me a tap and went wide, and I didn’t let him back in,” explained Johnson. “I saw the Castrol car behind me and

thought, Tjewdy’.”

Indeed, bewdy. Ingall looked

capable of challenging for second,

t Start to 02 You can change the opposition and even the controi tyre but the Holden Racing Team and Craig Lowndes keep winning.

PHIL BRANAQAN reports on the Albert Park V8 races

if not first, until the Safety Car appeared because of a stranded Rick Kelly. But, after three laps trailing around, Ingall’s car lacked bite on its cooler tyres and was never is a position to attack.

He himself was under attack from Radisich, the other Shell car in position to challenge but never close enough to attack.

“The rears went away,” said The Rat,“and I went off over the back.

It was okay after that, but not brilliant, but we needed the information for Adelaide.” continued on page 70

>1

6 March 2002

89

Albert Park continued from page 69 Skaife recovered to he a close fifth, ensuring that nothing silly happened in the first race of the season, while Richards headed Greg Murphy home. The Murf had gained 10 places during the race, mostly by staying clear of bother when it happened and taking his opportunities ... ... One of which came with the SBR cars had a clang on the first lap. Tony Longhurst, caught wide in Turn 3, spun,Ambrose touched Besnard and Perkins(having made a demon start and passing seven cars) was collected by the Havoline car. Much long faces afterward between Bezzy, Ambrose and Ross Stone...

Thereafter, the Tasmanian recovered to 13th in a fine drive imtil his tyres started to feel the speed and he settled for a finish.

And at the back, after separate problems, came Rick KeUy and Cameron McConville. They would have nothing to lose for the second race, which would be telling.

Race 2 (12 laps) Want to add some spice to an already interesting concoction? Add some water and stir.

Right after FI qualifying, it was a wet track the drivers faced. Three decided to risk dry tyres in the " condition and one - Neil Crompton - pitted for wets at the end of the formation lap. The other two were McConville and Rick Kelly.

They missed what battle there was for the win. Bright was slow

POS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

NO 2 17 1

DRIUER Jason Bright Steven Johnson Mark Skaife Russell Ingall 34 Garth Tander 16 Steven Richards 4 Marcos Ambrose 18 Paul Radisich 9 David Besnard 00 Craig Lowndes 10 Mark Larkham 5 Glenn Seton 35 Jason Bargwanna 11 Larry Perkins 66 Tony Longhurst 43 Paul Weel 51 Greg Murphy 3 Cameron McConville 31 Steve Ellery 54 Craig Baird 24 Paul Romano 60 Simon Wills 15 Todd Kelly John Bowe 69 Jason Richards 7 Rodney Forbes 65 Max Wilson 29 ■* Paul Morris 40 Cdmeron McLean 75 Anthony Tratt 27 Neil Crompton 21 Brad Jones 46 John Faulkner 19 Rick Kelly

fQualifying^ TIME

GAR HRT Commodore VX Shell Helix Falcon AU HRT Commodore VX Castrol Commodore VX Valvoline Commodore VX Castrol Commodore VX Pirtek Falcon AU Shell Helix Falcon AU Caltex Havoline Falcon AU 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Orrcon Falcon AU Ford Credit Falcon AU Valvoline Commodore VX Castrol Commodore VX Betta Falcon AU K&J Thermal Falcon AU Kmart Commodore VX Lansvale Commodore VX Supercheap Falcon AU Nash Commodore VX Ultra Tune Commodore VX CAT Falcon AU Kmart Commodore VX OzEmail Falcon AU Team Kiwi Commodore VX 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Betta Falcon AU Sirromet Commodore VX VIP Falcon AU Toll Falcon AU 00 Motorsport Falcon AU OzEmail Falcon AU JFR Commodore VX EA/HYL Commodore VX

1:58.671 1:58.923 1:58.983 1:58.991 1:59.092 1:59.533 1:59.549 1:59.575 1:59.787 1:59,913 1:59.968 2:00.054 2:00.143 2:00.144 2:00.193 2:00.249 2:00.252 2:00.273 2:00.371 2:00.383 2:00.424 2:00.445 2:00.559 2:00.589 2:01.077 2:01.154 2:01.175 2:01.239 2:01.359 2:01.642 2:01.748 2:01.824 2:02,192 2:02.866

Netspace 118 Supercar Cliallenge away, Johnson knifed down the inside for the lead at Turn 1 and

Tander made an amazing amount of ground in the final laps, aided when the two HRTs got clumsy with Richards in the final corners"

pulled a tiny gap before Bright took back the position at Turn 10 - and pulled away for an effortless victory, aided by hunting for damp patches on the straights to cool his tyres.

By the final comer of the opening lap, it was a red 1-2. Skaife took the spot and Johnson started a slide down the order which would take him to 13th by the finish, hampered

by deteriorating tyres and a throttle problem.

But while that was happening, another Shell car got cooking, Radisich challenging Skaife for a while until the power-down superiority of the Commodore asserted itself and Skaife confirmed the position for keeps, 9.5s down. But the Champion had not aided his cause by having his tyre pressures a few PSI higher than Bright, his crew having expected more rain during the race.

Behind came a good old battle.

Ingall fighting off a pumped-up Lowndes over the final three laps, with Todd Kelly closing right onto their tails, having scooted past Richards with a few laps left. Kelly had already had a fraught race, clanging with Besnard, who retired with a rubbing guard after three laps.

Tander,Ambrose and Weel followed him home,from Rick Kelly. After mid-race, the track conditions started to turn in favour of the ‘dry’ cars and he and McConville started passing cars, running up to six seconds a lap faster than the leaders. But from almost 50 seconds down, the challenge was too great and time, and laps, ran out.

Race 3 (12 laps)a Okay. wet and We had a dry race and £ drying race which favoured the wet runners. Now we needed another which favoured the ‘slickers’. iVnd we got it.

Bright and Skaife made differing starts, Skaifey after a late trip to pitlane which saw him complete another formation lap, much to the dismay of, about, every other team in the paddock.

Anyway ... Radisich was second away, swapping spots with the #1 Commodore a few times before his wets started the feel the speed and he pirouetted off into the multihued kitty litter. That was after a Safety Car appeared, Rick Kelly getting his second nerf for the weekend from Paul Romano and beaching the HYL machine around the back of the track.

But making gi-ound, after dropping back, was the dry tyre brigade. Lowndes took off like a comet and cannoned through the pack, taking places willy-nilly to be third by lap 5. Then he got Skaife on lap 7 and Bright a lap later to

Another SWver Falcon: Blue, mostly. Mark Larkham had a mixed weekend In his first run In Orrcon colours but looks set for a solid season.

(Photo by Marshall Cass)

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Good. Now we can try the new wets: Paul Radisich leads the field away in Race 2.

/

speedway his car to a 2.4s win.

From Ingall - also on slicks. He had made the best of the diying conditions despite pressm'e from a wet-shod Weel, and he was soon through to second - from Garth Tander, who made an amazing amount of ground in the final laps, aided when the two HRTs got clumsy with Steve Richards in the final comers, Tander spearing up to third.

While that was going on, the wet runners struggled, Skaife falling to 12th behind Richards, an impressive Simon Wills, Murphy (who had had an unfortunate clang with Todd Kelly on the way), Bargwanna, Toddler, Ambrose (slicks) and Johnson.

Aftenvards, the drivers were unanimous in their praise of the Dunlops; u Even yesterday, when the wets

{Photo by Marshall Cass)

were getting hot at the end, they were pretty goq,d,” said Ingall. In the wet, the dry and mixed conditions, it looks hke tyres will not be an issue this year ...

But before we get to that, we have the Adelaide 500 PreQualifying session at Mallala next Wednesday and the race itself the following weekend. Last year was a gi-eat season and this one looks even better...

( o^f THE clock was iuimed back at Albert Park when the Brock Clan took on Tribe Johnson in three races.

After the dust settled, the score was one win each and a tie in the final Sunday outing, Dick and Steven Johnson playing nicely (apart from the 6 March 2002

0

young'un biffing a wall !) to not take advantage of their Ford Sierra's horsepower and technology edge of the 1987 Bathurst-winning Commodore VL of Peter and James Brock.

A V8 versus a turbocharged four, #05 against #17 ... does motor racing get a lot better than this?

SUPERCARS Netspaceif 8 Suuercar Challenge Race 1 -10 laps Pos Driver 1 Bright 2 Johnson 3 Ingall 4 Radlsich 5 Skaife 6 ■ S.Richards 7 Murphy 8 Tander 9 Besnard 10 Ellery 11 Weal 12 Lowndes 13 Ambrose 14 T.Kelly 15 Seton 16 McLean 17 Longhurst 13 Baird 19 J.Richards 20 Bargwanna 21 Morris 22 Faulkner 23 Crompton 24 Romano 25 Jones 26 Perkins 27 Wills 28 Forbes 29 Tratt 30 R.Kelly 31 McConville DNF Bowe DNF Wilson DNF Larkham

Race time Fastest tap 24:11.904 1:59.477* 24:15.710 2:00.548 24:16.598 2:00.577 24:17.908 2:00.806 24:18.154 1:59.819 24:20.358 2:00.638 24:21.586 2:00.133 24:22.809 2:00.799 2:01.096 24:24.879 2:01.347 24:26.644 24:28.277 2:01.273 24:28.828 2:01.351 2:01.746 24:29.633 2:01.327 24:29.840 24:32.847 2:02.032 24:33.875 2:02.199 24:36.320 2:01.342 24:41.476 2:03.172 24:42.834 2:02.618 24:43.060 2:02.687 24:43.623 2:03.091 24:44.146 2:02.299 24:44.253 2:02.872 24:44.730 2:01.680 24:45.290 2:01.645 24:47.659 2:02.248 24:52.099 2:02.825 24:58.843 2:02.818 24:59.034 2:01.743 2:02.162 9 laps 2:01.869 9 laps 2:02.071 9 laps 2:05.267 2 laps 1 lap

Race 2-12 laps 1 Bright Skaife 2 Radisich 3 4 Ingall Lowndes 5 6 Murphy 7 T.Kelly S.Richards Tander 9 10 Ambrose 11 Weel 12 R.Kelly 13 Johnson 14 McConville 15 Faulkner 16 J.Richards 17 Seton 18 Bowe 19 Baird 20 Bargwanna Wills 21 22 Longhurst 23 Romano 24 Tratt 25 Crompton 26 Perkins 27 Jones 28 Larkham 29 McLean 30 Wilson DNF Morris DNF Ellery DNF Forbes DNF Besnard

26:50.477 27:00.024 27:04.815 27:15.309 27:18.021 27:19.112 27:19.224 27:19.881 27:26.950 27:27.431 27:31.010 27:35.913 27:35.979 27:37.922 27:39.028 27:39.171 27:40.621 27:41.916 27:45.567 27:47.426 27:47.525 27:50.565 27:51.060 28:02.184 28:10.978 28:11.517 28:12.745 28:21.637 28:25.810 28:37.428 11 laps 9 laps 5 laps 2 laps

2:09.259 2:10.488 2:10.415 2:10.628 2:10.864 2:11.459 2:10.890 2:10.848 2:11.663 2:10.129 2:11.001 2:06.380 2:12.103 2:05.765* 2:11.982 2:12.490 2:12.667 2:11.229 2:12.099 2:12.445 2:11.610 2:12.075 2:11.838 2:12.968 2:13.194 2:14.034 2:12.706 2:14.979 2:09.985 2:17.884 2:14.349 2:13.353 2:19.587 2:23.155

RacB 3-10 laps 1 Lowndes 2 Ingall Tander 3 4 Bright S.Richards 5 Wills 6 7 Murphy Bargwanna 9 T.Kelly 10 Ambrose 11 Johnson 12 Skaife 13 Jones 14 Faulkner 15 Longhurst 16 Baird 17 Weel 18 J.Richards 19 Perkins 20 Tratt Besnard 21 22 Forbes 23 Wilson 24 Ellery 25 Crompton 26 McConville 27 McLean 28 Larkham 29 R.Kelly DNF Bowe DNF Morris DNF Radisich DNF Romano DNF Seton

24:04.904 24:07.318 24:20.912 24:21.613 24:21.620 24:21.835 24:29.298 24:31.012 24:31.167 24:31.223 24:32.428 24:32.440 24:33.595 24:34.095 24:34.136 24:38.449 24:42.297 24:42.930 24:44.374 24:48.108 24:50.474 24:55.337 24:57.409 25:01.428 25:01.485 25:02.294 25:13.445 9 laps 9 laps 6 laps Slaps 4 laps 4 laps 1 l ap

2:03.541 2:03.115* 2:04.146 2:10.785 2:05.488 2:03.415 2:04.944 2:07.080 2:04.978 2:06.489 2:04.965 2:11.550 2:04.718 2:07.338 2:05.106 2:08.293 2:12.220 2:06.131 2:04.201 2:07.214 2:12.610 2:07.089 2:05.532 2:05.500 2:13.995 2:13.993 2:09.488 2:09.624 2:13.562 2:14.067 2:22.218 2:17.540 2:31.875

CD

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J8

Nations Cup/Formula Ford

kelVs near perfect weeken ijtby Briscoe

by AARON NOONAN

WHILE Italians everywhere were celebrating the Scuderia Ferrari dominance of the Australian Grand Prix, the score in the Cleanevent Nations Cup support events was a 4-0 drubbing by the Italians.

Paul Stokell took the fearsome Lamborghini Diablo GTR to three wins out of a possible four, though Ryan Briscoe kept the allItalian flavour by winning the 'inverted.12' third race in the debut of the Ferrari 360 Michelotto.

The young Toyota FI test driver surprised all in his first ever drive of a roofed car after a brief shakedown at Calder in the lead-up, though his weekend wasn't without dramas.

A crash in practice that damaged the left rear of the $750,000 Faz, and it got worse in race four on Sunday. Running second, something failed in the left rear, sending Ryan hard into the concrete. A nudge with Stokell on the opening corner pointed to the reason for the failure.

It's great to be given the said Briscoe of the opportunity, weekend, "I've never been here before and hopefully on the future I can be in an FI car. It was quite difficult to catch Paul because down the straights he was pulling away. I could catch him under 14

changed a lot on it, just driving it and getting used to it. Hopefully, the tracks where the straights are a little shorter might be a bonus for us."

While it is early stages, Richards called for perhaps a few tweaks to bring the cars closer into line.

"I think seriously the Michelotto needs maybe a little more weight, the Lambo maybe needs,a bit more weight or an RPM decrease, but out there, on this track, we were slightly slower.

"That was probably going to be the case. When we get to another track that's a bit tighter, who knows, our car could go OK. oral The challenge of the Chrysler Vipers was left in the hands of Geoff Morgan, who worked his example through to third place by the final race, while another regular front-runner, Peter Fitzgerald, was - like Richards finding his way with the new Porsche.

The veteran blasted away from pole in the 'inverted 12' race, only to be run down by the chasing Briscoe and Stokell.

Nobody else was really in the races, as the new spec of cars in the Nations Cup class has really upped the bar, leaving the previously dominant 360 Modena Challenge and GT3 Porsche floundering in Class 2.

Nevertheless, a big field of 31 Darn impressive: That's the only way to describe Ryan Briscoe s adaption to the cars was on hand, the largest Ferrari 360 Michelotto at Albert Park. (f’hniti by Mcirsluill NC field in the category's history. motorsport news

braking but never really get close enough at the end of the straights.

"It's a bigger heavier car. It's rolling a lot more than the open wheeler, so it's a bit of a different technique in driving it."

Another of the debutant cars was the Porsche GTS Supercup.

Jim Richards was the class of the Stuttgart brigade, running third in three of the races but not

quite on terms with the Lambo and Ferrari.

After all, it was the first time the new car had turned a wheel full stop, so to be at the pointy end was a credit to Richo and crew.

"This morning (Thursday) was the first time our car's turned a wheel, so we're pleased with the progress on it. We haven't

oranc

AGP SUPPORTS

A Coulthapd wins!

by MARK GLENDENNING

H

w jOC

IS distant cousin may have had a difficult weekend in the main event, but Kiwi Fabian Coulthard had little to complain about after taking two wins from the three Formula Ford races at Albert Park last weekend.

Early on, 2001 Formula Ford Rookie of the Year Jamie Whincup was the man to beat. Whincup, driving the Van Diemen RFOl that took Will Davison to the title last year, started the first race from pole. The Victorian streaked away with Coulthard giving chase, and the leading pair quickly opened a NZPower: Fabian Coulthard made plenty of people sit up and take notice at Albert Park. gap over the rest of the field.

(Photo by John Morris/Mpix) What Mowed was as good as take the win and the Alan Jones Formula Ford gets. Whincup hurled , Zealander were suddenly battling “It was like all my luck came at the car around the hack with once!” Coulthard said afterwards. for the lead.

Trophy.

Marshall’s fight through the Coulthard seemingly determined to A storming series oflap records By comparison. Race 3 was make a point; darting up the inside on quickly put Whincup back into pack came to an early end courtesy fairly straightforward. With one comer, ai'ound the outside on the contention, only for him to spin Whincup and Marshall started of a loose plug, however Whincup again, this time on oil at tm-n 15. next, applying pressure all the way. from the wrong end of the field, again drove brilliantly to fight his Again, he put his head down,and by Coulthard had an open road way up to a sensational second Despite being under huge the eighth lap he had not only re pressure, Whincup didn’t put a ahead, and accordingly went on to place ahead of Agland. caught the leading pair-, but slashed wheel wrong, and went on to take the win by an incredible 100th of a the lap^ecord along the way. second.

At times running three abreast, the trio squabbled until, on the Behind him, team-mate Marcus final lap, Whincup finally made a Marshall had spent some time in a move on Coulthard stick on the similarly enthralling battle with chute between turns two and three.

Barton Mawer before ducking Just half a lap later it came undone through and claiming third, albeit when Whincup make an ambitious some distance down the road. attempt to duck inside his As gi'eat as Race 1 was, the teammate for the lead at turn 11. drivers still upped the ante in Race It didn’t work. The cars clipped 2. Whincup, Coulthard and wheels, briefly launching Whincup Marshall were again the main into the air, before both came to a protagonists, and when Marshall halt in the gravel; Marshall’s car ducked inside Coulthard at turn bearing rear suspension damage, i one early in the race, the stage looked set for a one-two. and Whincup sporting a missing f wheel and a gaping hole in its side.

Coulthard fought back though, A rather surprised Coulthard went and when Whincup spun back to on to take the win,followed home fifth while leading at the exit of

by Nick Agland and Mawer. turn 10, Marshall and the New

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Helmets Racesuits, Gloves, Raceboots, Harnesses, Seats and Accessories available for Karting, Circuit, Rally or Speedway

Team-mates that crash out? Well, that’s what happened in race two when Whincup tried a bit too hard to pass Marshall following a classic tussle that also involved Coulthard.

(Photo by Marshall Cass) 6 March 2002

Factory 9,19-25 Grange Rd Cheltenham VIC Ph 03 9585 5340 Fax 03 9585 5320 IS

Lancep steps up and commits until 2005 I

w

5-

MITSUBISHI is making major changes to its Lancer WRC contender before it settles on its'Step 2' specification.

After the somewhat indifferent for of its first WRCar, which had e hurried gestation period and which was based largely on the old Group A car, Ralliart and Mitsubishi is still to settle in a final specification for the car's transmission. The manufacturer is thought to favour the current car's electro magnetic set-up, while Ralliart is keen to have the new car use hydraulics.

The team reported following the opening round of the series at Monte Carlo that it expected improvements in suspension and engine performance. To aid this, it is expected that the newer car will feature an engine canted to the rear to aid weight distribution, but not as much as the 25 degrees ' allowed within the WRC as that would force a compromise in inlet manifold design.

The new car is expected to appear after the mid-season break in August.

MEANWHILE, Mitsubishi's parent DaimlerChrysler has committed the manufacturer to the championship until at least 2005.

At the recent Mitsubishi Champions Meeting at Tokyo, the firm's Executive Vice President Rolf Eckrodt underlined the marque's commitment to rally, mirroring Dodge's efforts in NASCAR and Mercedes-Benz's Formula One program.

"My private opinion, I share with a lot of experts, is rallysport is coming up, even with the very, very strong competition of Formula 1," said Eckrodt.

"I think rallying creates the most benefit out of all the racing activities, we have a mid term plan, which is three years, but of course it is like soccerit is success orientated."

The Japanese meeting featured most of Mitsubishi's rally stars, including WRC driver Alister McRae and Francois Delecour, as well as Aussie Group N star Ed Ordynski.

Grist floored AN eight-day test in preparation for the upcoming Tour de Corse has led to some on Colin significant changes McRae's Ford Focus. in During the asphalt test north-eastern Spain, McRae and co-driver Nicky Grist worked closely with the team's new engineering director, Christian Loriaux, on tyre, engine, and suspension developments for the Focus.

Many of the changes were aimed at lowering the centre of gravity in the car and getting as much weight as possible lower down - which has led to a new seating position for Grist: one which will see the Welshman sitting on the floor.

Thompson - and Macnoal

AUSTRALIAN international rally hopeful Mark Thompson jetted out this week bound for the UK to start preparations for his assault on this year’s British Rally Championship.

The 20-year-old Sydneysider has been contracted to British rally management company Slipstream, svhich is drawing on venture capital from the City of London to 16

back the careers of young rally stars, the return coming when they land a big-dollar WRC contract.

Thompson is still unclear about exactly what he will be driving in this year’s BRC except that it will be a Super 1600 car, a step which will enable him to qualify for and step up to the Junior World Championship in 2003.

“The team has been looking at

He will be unable to see through the windscreen, and is now totally reliant on pace notes and physical sensations that he picks up from the car.

"I'm sat on the floor now. It's quite difficult to get used to, as you can imagine, because it's like working through a feeling in your bum rather than what you can see," Grist said.

"You've got a situation where you know what a fourth gear left is or a third gear and you can feel the g-forces through your bum and the seat, so you always approximately know where you are.

The thing now is to concentrate on your notes and I think that's going to work quite well."

back to UK

all the available oars and at this stage it is looking like the Renault Clio, but I will have to wait and see,” said Thompson.

“I am heading back to have a bit of a bonding session with the team and get into the gi-oove before our first round on April 27-28.”

Thomson may have Aussie Glenn Macneal as co-di-iver in 2002 but this is yet to be confirmed and

depends on MacneaTs plans for the year being finalised, “It would be great to have Glenn’s experience in the car this year but again we will just have to wait and see.”

Thompson faces an official championship shakedown on April 7 in the famous Rally of GB ‘Sweet Lamb’stage in mid-Wales.

- JON THOMSON motorsport news

RALLY NEWS

heat CITROEN is facing criticism from a number of quarters over the entry of Philippe Bugalski for the Tour de Corse.

The Frenchman will drive a Xsara X4 WRC car in the event, despite the fact that the rally was not originally listed on Citroen’s limited 2002 program. He will be run not by the works team hut hy Piedrafita Sport, the Spanish team which has run 2001 Corsica winner Jesus Puras in the past.

While a Citroen spokesman described it as an “entirely private” entry, opposition teams, already less than happy over Citroen’s conduct on the Monte Carlo, suspect that Bugalski, who has won the event in 1996 and ’99, will be a ‘side door’factory entry.

The 2002 Impreza, of Corse

SUBARU will wheel out its 2002 model Impreza WRC in Corsica next week, if all goes to plan.

While Prodrive team boss David Lapworth has described the new car's changes as "significant" rather than revolutionary, the car will feature a host of different components, from a new front

6 Marcli 2002

splitter, exhaust manifolds, flywheel and engine internals, requiring the maker to submit the car to the FIA for a March 1 homologation.

Following testing with Tommi Makinen and Better Solberg in Spain, Lapworth revealed a small but telling improvement.

"I think the combination would mean that the driver

would be able to tell the difference. Altogether, it would add up to a 10th of a second or two per kilometre," he commented.

Monte winner Makinen and Solberg will be joined by tarmac Benoit Rousselot in Corsica, the Frenchman taking the wheel of an older model, privately-run Impreza.

Guest returns AS predicted in Motorsport News earlier this year, Michael Guest is making a return to Australian rallying after a year on the sidelines.

Guest hasn’t competed in a major rally since Rally Australia at the end of 2000 when he drove for the Hyundai works team.

The Novocastrian will make his return at the wheel of a Group N Mitsubishi Lancer run

by Les Walkden’s privateer team based in Tasmania, starting the season in the former Mark Thompson Evo V before slipping into an all new Evo VII by Canberra.

Guest is seeded number two for this weekend’s ARC opener the King St Wharf Harbour City based in Sydney.

It has been five years since Guest has contested a full season of domestic rallying, and he is keen to get back behind the wheel.

The move will reunite Guest and Waikden, who tasted success in 1998 when Guest claimed the World Championship Group N victories at Rally New Zealand and Rally Australia.

“I’ve had about six different offers to get back into Australian rallying but in the end Les’s team was clearly the best option,” said Guest.

“Les does a fantastic job and has spent so much of his own money on supporting local rally talent, we have a good relationship and I think it is going to be a great year.”

Guest won the Dunlop 2GO rally in 1994,’95 and ’96, a rally held in the same Watagan Mountains forests as this weekend’s ARC opener. However, despite his intimate knowledge of the area, he still believes Bourne will start as favourite.

“Poss is going to be very hard to beat, he’ll have the best equipment and I am sure he has been testing intensively over the past couple of months,” said Guest.

“I’m hoping to be near the pace from the start and hopefully up with the leading drivers by the end of the first day.”

“It is the first chance I’ve had to win the Championship outright since 1995, so I’ll be out looking for victory!”

- JON THOMSON 17

New South Wales Sprmtcar Title

Fapp takes I Max Dumesny and Bpooke Tatnell were outedfrom the NSW ritle at Parramatta,leaving Robbie Farr to win. BRBBBOSCATO was there

R

OBBIE Farr took out a sensational victory in the 2002 Auto One NSW

“We just missed the set-up pretty bad and we needed lapped traffic because-maybe we could have done something in the lapped Sprintcar Title on Saturday traffic with Max. night, giving him his second “As it turned out, we didn’t get NSW crovra. the lapped traffic but we didn’t Following Farr’s EWT Avenger have to worry about Max with the home was an impressive Troy noise problem so we’re happy to Little (Barry Smith Isuzu Maxim), with Lynton Jeffery (Vortex Race ... get back-to-back State titles.”

Dumesny was a little taken back Wings) home in third. about the black flag due to noise, The race looked to be Max saying that the car is still running Dumesn/s, but he was forced out the same mufflers he has used all while leading due to excessive season and were the ones he used noise. at the Australian Sprintcar Farr, who started from pole Championship last month at the position, lead the 35 lap title race same venue. early, before Dumesny’s #A1 Time-trials opened the meeting Valvoline Maxim forged past and and, returning with a brand new into the lead.

Eagle after destroying the car in Brooke Tatnell’s Shell Avenger night one of the Aussie Title, was powering forward after a slow Mark Bylton shocked everyone start, and around half-race with quickest time of 12.368s, distance blasted past Farr and set followed by Brett off after Dumesny.

Leadsman, a Farr was comfortably holding returning Garry third, while Adrian Maher, who Rush, Jeffery, Mick had just passed Steven Graham, Turner and Parr. was fourth, with Marty Perovich Returning to running sixth. With 10 laps racing was 10-time remaining Dumesny looked like he Aussie champ Garry was going to add another title to Rush in a one-off his impressive 2002 tally, but meeting. Rush within moments both he and showed that he Tatnell were out. hasn’t lost anything, Dumesny was shown the black with third quick flag due to excessive noise while time plus a win in Tatnell returned to the pits the B Dash and the fuming, thinking it was him the B Main. officials were signalling to return SA star Trevor to the pits. With both leading cars .u Green was running out, Farr was a clear leader but a hot early in the few laps later the noise problem main but dropped a struck again, with second-placed cylinder and was out Maher also being forced out due to for the night with noise. engine troubles.

Farr continued on to take an Young Grant easy victory, while moving into Anderson was also second was Perovich. in the wars and had He slowed in the final laps due driveline troubles lack of fuel, allowing Little, to a all night, while then on the final run to the line. comeback racer Jeffery and Grant Tunks, past to Dennis Farr (father finish a disappointing fifth of Robbie) also hit position, while John Shore picked engine problems in up sixth. his new Maxim “I knew I was in trouble to start machine. with.” said Farr. in

motorsport news

USW litle

SPEEDWAY Nicastri to return to Sprintcars FORMER V8 Grand National Sedan Champion and Sprintcar racer Ross Nicastri is returning to Sprintcar racing after a 10-year lay off.

Nicastri will be joining the Lewis Skipper Stockman's Steak House Sprintcar team next season, which will be expanding to a two-car operation with Nicastri picking up the Bill Mann-owned Eagle raced by Stephen Bell after the Easter Trail.

Ross told Motorsport News that he may have a run before the end of this season but he is main aim is to run a full programme next season at Parramatta City Raceway.

Sponsorship for the assault is coming from Stockmans Steak House and Parts Plus. n With the Kwinana Motoplex running Saturday nights next season, it looks like Parramatta will be losing Pino Priolo as a regular competitor.

Pino told MN that he will be sending his car and gear back to Perth and will try a set up a lease deal with a local Sydney car so he can run a very limited programme at Parramatta.

Thumbs up for some, down for others; Robbie Farr, left, capitalised on the misfortune of Max Dumesny and Brooke Tatnell, below. Another to pick up out of it all was Marty Perovich, above, who picked up second but fell back to fifth after running short of fuel. Whoops ... {Photos<)y Warren Bridge and Brett Swanson)

NSW Sprintcar Champiensliip Results - Parramatta March 2,2002 Time Trials -1. Mark Blyton 12.368,2. Brett Loadsman 12.374,3. Garry Rush 12.384,4. Lynton Jeffrey 12.460, 5. Mick Turner 12.481, 6. Robbie Farr 12.488, 7.

Warren Ferguson 12.492, 8. Max Dumesny 12.511, 9. Wayne Skipper 12.523,10.

David Doherty 12.530, 11. John Shore 12.532, 12. Marty Perovich 12.539,13, Steven Graham 12.580, 14. Pino Priolo 12.599, 15. Adrian Maher 12.599, 16, Brooke Tatneil 12.620, 17, Grant Tunks 12.712,18. Bruce White 12.729, 19. Peter Attard 12.737,20. Trevor Green 12.763, 21. Troy Littie 12.779, 22. James Thompson 12.808, 23, Nathan Smee 12,821, 24. Carl Trofa 12.986, 25, Craig Morrison 13.002, 26. Clay Laneyrie 13.027, 27. Kelly Linigen 13.065, 28. Garry Rooke 13.165,29.

Chris Phillips 13.239,30. Matthew Thomas 13.354,31. Danny Porter 13.360, 32.

Kim Becker 13.554,33. Stephen Lynch 13.564, 34. Rodney Maxweli 13.698, 35.

Jason Bates 14.149, 36. Scott Matherson 14.175, 37. Dennis Farr 14.275, 38. Paul Sevan 14.542,39. Grant Anderson No Time.

Heat 1 - Little, White, Graham, Blyton, Skipper, Turner, Morrison, Phillips, Lynch, Sevan.

Heat2-Thompson, Priolo, R.Farr, Loadsman, Doherty, Attard, Laneyrie, Maxwell, Bates.

Heat 3- Maher, Tatnell, Smee, Shore, Rush, Ferguson, Porter, Linigen, Matherson.

Heat 4- Dumesny, Tunks, Perovich, Jeffrey, Trofa, Rooke, Becker.

Dash B1 - Skipper, Doherty, Turner, Laneyrie, Morrison, Phillips.

Dash B2- Rush, Ferguson, Rooke Linigen, Porter, Becker, Dash A1 - R.Farr, Graham, White, Blyton, Thompson, Loadsman, Priolo.

Dash A2- Dumesny, Tatnell, Maher, Tunks, Perovich, Jeffrey, Smee, Shore.

B-Main - Rush, Ferguson, Skipper, Doherty, Linigen, Turner, Laneyrie, Rooke, Maxwell, Morrison, Becker, Matherson, Phillips, Bates.

A-Main - Farr, Little, Jeffrey, Tunks, Perovich, Shore, Graham, Blyton, Ferguson, Skipper, Thompson, Priolo.

8 March 2002

n Veteran Darryl Downing won everything on offer during round eight of Speedway City's Thunder Downunder Series on March 2.

The series leader came under close attention from main points rival Mark Reuter but was able to hold off a serious challenge in the A-Main, leading Reuter home, with Dennis Burford, Craig Vander Stelt and Mike Van Bremen next across the line.

Downing had earlier won both his heats, and in the feature sliced five seconds from Daryn Maggs's 20 lap record set a year ago.

Among the good sized entry of nearly 20 nominations was the first appearance of national F500 Champion Luke Dillon in his recently acquired ex-Brad Furr Eagle. Dillon performed exceptionally well, passing several cars during the evening before becoming entangled with a wayward Darryl Wright on the feature's last lap. n One of Adelaide's longest serving speedway administrators, Graeme Lewis, passed away in the South Australian capital late February after a short illness.

Lewis, 61, held various speedway posts and was track manager at Speedway Park for eight years, being beaten only by the late Jack Self who managed Rowley Park for more than 15 years. Lewis began in motorsport racing an Elfin Formula Junior at the old Port Wakefield circuit and Mallala back in its early days.

He is survived by his wife Margaret and two sons.

-GREG BOSCATO/DAVID McNABB 79

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When the Speedway Grand Prix series hits Australia on October 26 this year, Stadiunn Australia will be transformed to accomodate the two-wheeled fliers of the SGP circuit Aussies Jason Crump, Ryan Sullivan and Leigh Adams will take on the best the world can muster in the event, which is the first visit by the championship to our shores.

Betcha they go a bit faster than Cathy Freeman did at the 2000 Sydney Olympics ...

Speedcar Title gets naming rights backer

the NASR-sanctioned Australian Speedcar Title, to be held at Speedway City in Adelaide on March 14-16, will be backed by MetalCorp Becyclers.

The company is no stranger to the world of speedway racing, having backed New South Welshman Darren Jenkins’s Speedcar for the last two seasons and provided assistance to Garry Brazier’s Sprintcar team.

‘We are ecstatic about bringing MetalCorp Recyclers into 80

supporting this huge event,” said Chris Kingston, NASR’s Marketing and Promotion Manager.

“We have been working hard towards finding a large corporation to support this event and have done it. It’s a win-winwin situation for the competitors.

Speedway City, and MetalCorp Recyclers.”

The ASCC-sanctioned event was held in Brisbane earlier this year and was won by Western Australian Mike Figliomeni.

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momtattigr ^ ENSINES

Red and ready: Speedway City will host the NASR-sanctioned Aussie Speedcar Title. News of a naming rights backer is positive for the sport.

(Photo by David Lamont)

motorsporl news

11

SPEEDWAY Outlaws season underway with three different winners

-wijpsai )I—jFar

Still a fVest Aussie: Warren is looking at running with the big boys in the 2002/03 WSS season.

(Photo by Brett Swanson)

Warren wants WSS

WEST Aussie Sprintcar driver Jeremy Warren has put his hand up for a possible spot in the 2002/2003 World Series Sprintcars contracted / line-up.

The 27-year-old second generation racer, who is now based in Victoria, is in his fourth season as a Sprintcar driver and already he's looking to climb up another step on the ladder.

"My dad ran World Series several seasons ago and I'd like to follow in his footsteps," says the young man who finished fifth in this year's King Challenge at Mount Gambler.

"We'll have two Eagle chassis' to run and a strong motor program to back us up and we have the resources and full backing of Ken Veal at PRC." "We knew we wanted to do

this back at the Warrnambool Classic, so Dad and I began working on ways to build up our reserves and our machinery to a point where we can do the whole deal with confidence."

Jeremy finished sixth in the Victorian SRA Series in Victoria last year and is currently sitting eighth in the PRC SRA Series this year, despite missing a round.

Time to Rush on

AUSTRALIAN speedway fans may have seen the end of an era at Parramatta City Raceway on Saturday, March 3, 2002.

Garry Rush Snr drove his famous #2 Castrol Maxim around the track for the last time in the NSW Sprintcar Championship,and it was possibly also the last time that the Rush name ,will be seen on a speedway progi’am.

Garry Rush Junior apparently does not wish to continue racing, and the entire Rush collection is for sale, including the 2-seater Sprintcar, right, and the team’s race transporter.

- JULIE PEARCE

Max Dumesny Motorsport Australian Distributors for

Xoo$irr

^^ RACING TIRE

For more Information on Hooster Drag and Speetfwoy Tyres calk

NSW:02 9679 1990 l Fax 02 9679 1187 VIO03 9331 6477 l Fax 03 9331 7444 SA:08 8332 0800 * Fax 08 8364 0296 6 March 2002

I

DANNY Lasoski only won four Pennzoil World of Outlaws events on his way to last year's WoO title, but he's started off his title defence in the best possible fashion, taking out the opening round at Kings Speedway.

The #20 machine led all 30 laps of the main event, outdragging Jac Haudenschild on the first lap.

"My car was really good on the bottom, and that's where I tried to stay," Lasoski said.

"I was having a tough time getting by some of those (lapped cars), and I figured somebody would be showing me a nose pretty soon."

Another recent visitor to Australia along with Lasoski was Gumout Series Champ Daryn Pittman, and he was on the scoreboard in round two at Perris Auto Speedway.

It was his first WoO feature win, the Ameican saying that "three weeks ago, I wasn't sure 1 was going to be out here at all, "Then we put this deal together with Donnie Woodburn, and our crew has worked really hard just to get things ready to start the year."

Pittman held off Steve Kinser for the $20,000 victory.* The third different winner was Johnny Herrera, who grabbed victory at Las Vegas.

He was behind the wheel of the #2W machine vacated by Billy Wilburn, who has since become Rusty Wallace's crew chief in Winston Cup, and the part-time ride may just have extended itself if the results continue.

Aussie Pete Murphy ran 14th in the A-Main feature race.

2002 WORIX> OF OUTtAWS SPRINTCAR SERIES Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 2

1. Steve Kinser 2. Joey Saldana 3. Mark Kinser 4. Stevie Smith 5, Danny Lasosk 6. Johnny Herrera 7, Donny Schatz 8, Jason Meyers 9. Tim Shaffer 10. Sammv Swindaii

11. Brian Paulus 12. Craig Dollansky 13. Randy Hannagan 14. Brad Furr 15. Danny Wood 16. Calvin Landis 17. Peter Murphy 18. Brian Coelho 19. Ricky Logan 20. Mike Faria

Standings to March.2

1.Steve Kinser Z.Mark Kinser S.Sammy Swindell 4Danny Lasoski S.StBvie Smith 6.Tim Shaffer 7.Jooy Saldana S.Jason Moyers S.Donny Schate lO.Randy Hannagan ...

519 494 488 488 482 472 462 461 4S7 , 443

81

1:

Back in the spotlight: Schumacher and the US AFiMY team bounched (Photo by David Ostaszevvski] back from a quiet 2001 to take the win at Firebird.

T

ONY Schumacher,the 1999 NHRA Top Fuel champion,returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2000 U.S. Nationals when he defeated current points leader Larry Dixon in the final round of the Checker Schuck’s Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.

Schumacher posted a final round cylinder-dropping 4.94/299 to hold off Dixon, who took a slight advantage at the start but lost traction, pedalled, and followed the U.S. ARMY dragster to the finish

line in 5i04 seconds at 296 mph.

The victory was Schumacher’s sixth career victory, and second at FIR. Following a third-best qualif3dng effort of 4.58/326, Schumacher scored impressive round wins over Paul Romine, Japan’s Yuichi Oyama and IHRA standout Clay Millican, who has now advanced into the semi-final round at three consecutive NHRA events.

Dixon and the Miller Lite team looked strong in qualifying, taking the top spot at 4.55/321 after posting several mid-50s. He took out both FRAM team cars in the two opening rounds, using a

pbam

Re-cork the champagne: Worsham was more than happy to spoil John (Photo by David Ostaszewski) Force’s planned 100-win celebrations in Funny Car. 82

4.56/322 to erase John Smith in the opening frame.

Dixon then benefited from Rhonda Hartman-Smith’s misfortune of being unable to back up following the burnout and took a win with a tractionless ninesecond pass.

A semi-final round 4.62/320 over 2000 event winner Doug Kalitta earned his 37th career final round.

Reigning Top Fuel Champ Kenny Bernstein was defeated in the opening round by Doug Herbert.

Andrew Cowin,fresh from his top qualifying effort in the season opener in Pomona,followed up at Phoenix with a seventh-best effort of 4.64/294.

Unfortunately for the N.Y. Yankee team,they had to take on 2001IHRA World Champion, Clay Millican, in the opening round. Cowin struck the tyres early and pedalled to a 4.91/284 while Millican carded a superb 4.58 second pass at a career best 322.73 mph, all with a reported IHRA rules combination.

Del Worsham kept 11-time Funny Car Champion John Force from scoring a milestone 100th win when he piloted his Checker Schuck’s Kragen Pontiac to a 4.94/312 victory when Force’s Castrol GTX Mustang lost traction.

The final was a repeat-pairing of the season opener two weeks ago in Pomona. The win by Worsham also stopped Force’s three-event win streak at FIR, where Force had won seven of the previous eight events and held a 28-1 record there since 1994.

“I didn’t want to be the guy who gave John Force his 100th win,” said a jubilant Worsham.

“1 like it better that he’s the guy

that gave me my eighth. Force is so good because he always rises to the occasion and that’s what we had to do today. We made a last minute lane swap, which I wasn’t crazy about. My dad made the call, saying that Force had not made it down that lane all day, so we put him over there and let him figure it out.”

Worsham barely got into the field, sitting in 21st position after three attempts. Crew chief Rob Flynn finally found what they needed and Worsham drove to a last shot 4.92/314 to land into the 10th spot.

An opening round 4.89/311 defeated Gary Scelzi and a 4.91/313 took out number two qualifier Gary Densham.

In the semis, Worsham won the closest contest of the day on a holeshot when his 4.88/313 stopped the 4.88/315 of Scotty Cannon. The margin of victory at the finish line was a scant .0032s.

Just as he did in Pomona, Force unloaded and just ripped the hearts out of the other Funny Car teams,running a 4.83/314 and 4.79/318 back-to-back on Friday while most teams struggled to get down the track.

On Sunday, Force scored three heart-stopping wins to advance into the final round and have a shot at the 100th victory.

In round one, he took a .012second holeshot victory over Whit Bazemore, 4.84/315 to 4.83/314. In the second frame, Force posted a 4.85/314 win over the supercharger-booming 4.89/295 of Ron Capps.

In the semis, Force lined up against the Skoal ‘blue’ car of Tommy Johnson Jr. and appeared moiorspon news

DRAG RACING to be finished when the Castrol GTX Mustang lost traction at 330 feet.

Johnson looked to be headed into the final, but the blower let go with a bang and Force, who pedalled and kept chasing Johnson to the finish line, caught and passed the Skoal car right at the lights for a wild 5.44/283 to 5.62/178 victory.

Bruce Allen used a great .410 light arid a 6.90/199 in the final round to defeat 2001 Champion Warren Johnson to take honours in Pro Stock. Allen’s 15th career win moved the Reher & Morrison driver past Pomona winner, George Marnell, for the top spot in the point standings, the first time that Allen’s held that position since 1989.

Allen’s Speedco Truck Lube Pontiac Grand Am had qualified second at 6.87 and bested Greg Anderson, then took out the ReherMorrison powered cars of Marnell and Mike Edwards before lining up with Johnson in the final.

Johnson,the fifth seed at 6.89/201, posted consistent laps in his GM Performance Parts Pontiac during eliminations to knock out J.R.' Carr, Tom Hammonds and son Kurt Johnson before facing Allen.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

2002 POWERade Drag Raoing Series

Osborne quits

NHRA Pro Stock national speed record holder, Mark Osborne, has resigned from the David Nickens-owned Mopar Pro Stock Team.

The added demands of Osborne’s family-owned excavating, mining and trucking business following the untimely death of Osborne’s brother during the off-season is cited as the main reason for the departure.

Nickens vows to have a replacement driver in the Dodge Neon before the Mac Tools Gatornationais on March 15-17. Sponsor commitments with Mopar require that the team field two cars, and Nickens fully intends to have a second car pitted alongside team mate Darrell Alderman.

Osborne joined the Mopar team in 2001 and won one event in four final round appearances. He finished the season in the seventh spot in the standings and set a new national speed record last October in Reading at 204.35 mph.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

TfPFIEl Larry Dixon Tony Schumacher Clay Millican Kenny Bernstein Doug Kalitta Cory McClenethan Don Lampus Jr Rhonda Flartman-Smith Yuichi Oyama Doug Herbert

215 152 146 132 128 105 87 85 84 83

FINHYCll

John Force Del Worsham Scotty Cannon Ron Capps Gary Densham Tommy Johnson Jr Johnny Gray Tony Pedregon Gary Sceizi Al Hofmann

216 206 128 126 113 106 103 89 84 83

PItSTICI

Bruce Allen George Marnell Jim Yates Kurt Jolinson/Warren Johnson Tom Hammond

6 March 2002

171 164 153 147 130

PETER Kapiris was first across the line in the quickest side-by-side Top Doorslammer race ever seen in this country to claim the Westernationais title at Quit Motorplex last Sunday night.

Kapiris made it down the strip in 6.152s/230,76mph to beat the 6.185s/234.98mph registered by Victor Bray.

Despite being beaten in the final however, Bray ended the

weekend with little to complain about, having top qualified and setting two national records - a welcome return to form after his shock failure to make the cut at the Nationals at Willowbank earlier this year.

Ian Ashelford soloed in the Top Bike final after Jay Upton crashed at the end of the semi final. A full report will follow in the next issue of Motorsport News.

- MARK GLENDENNING

Drag Briefs AFTER Don 'Big Daddy' Garlits's plans to run his Swamp Rat 34 dragster at last year’s US Nationals were scuttled by late regulation changes by the NHRA, it seems that the car is finally ready to hit the track.

After working through the off season to prepare the car for the NHRA curtain-raiser at Pomona, Garlits's plans were again thwarted when the new car was deemed 'too dangerous', aparrently because the fuel line was run through the frame rail rather than through a separate line outside the frame, and also because of the unorthodox rear wing.

Further work (and expense) has finally satisfied the powers-that-be, however, and the car is now set to make three appearances during the 2002 season, starting with the Gatornationais in Gainsville, Florida, in two weeks.. n AC DEIco have jumped in to claim the naming rights for the IHRA Canadian Nationals at Toronto Motorsports Park in August. The company already sponsors the AC Delco Nationals, which are scheduled for Virginia Motorsports Park next month. n After a quiet 2001, Melanie Troxel will return to NHRA Top Fuel competition in April behind the wheel of Rick Michael’s Western Rock car.

Troxel, who has won two national Top Alcohol events, will first take to the track in Las Vegas. n The National Control Council (NCC)of ANDRA met over the weekend of February 15 and 16 to consider a range of issues, including proposals and input regarding existing rules and regulations for the 2002/2003 season.

Changes supported by the NCC, with amendments and revisions in some cases, will be circulated at Divisional Council level in early March. Where major changes are proposed to class regulations, current ANDRA Licence holders will be contacted directly.

The proposed amendments and revisions cover a wide range of areas.

Included in proposals for changes to general ANDRA policies are that the development of appropriate testing procedures to support the ANDRA Drug Policy will be developed for ratification in August 2002, and that a review of the options and costings for maintaining the ongoing compliance of safety equipment used in Australian drag racing with relevant standards will be held in April 2002, There are many other amendments and revisions on the cards, and full details can be viewed at www.andra.com.au - AGENCIES 83

4

Five losers on one engine rule FIVE drivers lost engines during the Rockingham race under the new one-engine per weekend rule, in place for the first time in 2002.

Stacy Compton, Dale Jarrett (while leading on lap 145), Michael Waltrip, Mike Skinner and Ken Schrader all lost engines.

"It didn't give any warning," commented a dejected Jarrett.

"We weren't turning a lot of RPMs,just something let go. It just doesn't happen very often in our camp, it's just a shame. I think we had the car to beat today."

The Kurt Busch Roush crew elected to change an engine after practice when a cracked cylinder head was discovered, so he started at the rear of the field as per the new ruling if an engine is changed.

Rumour around the garage area was that NASCAR may renege on its ruling and bring back the old way of one engine for qualifying and one for the race, as the costs saved have not been as much as anticipated.

One option brought forth for a struggling team is to bring a demon illegal engine to make sure they qualify for a race, blow it up in practice and start at the rear in the event with a legal powerplant. n Michael Waltrip started his 500th career Winston Cup points event at Rockingham, finishing 40th and becoming the 23rd driver to achieve the feat. But, unfortunately, he didn't add to his one win, the 2001 Daytona 500. n Three drivers failed to make the cut in qualifying for Rockingham, The unlucky were Dick Trickle in the Dave Marcis-owned Chev, Randy Renfrew and Carl Long, who slapped the wall.

Both the Haas-Carter Fords of Joe Nemechek and Todd Bodine needed provisionals along with Terry Labonte, Hut Stricklin, Stacy Compton, Rick Mast and Daytona 500 runner-up Hermie Sadler,

n What a difference a week made for Jimmy Spencer and Buckshot Jones, both of whom failed to make the field for the Daytona 500, but posted good qualifying efforts at 'The Rock'; Spencer 12th and Jones 13th. "I don't think our season is over," remarked Spencer on missing the 500. "I think we're going to win some races and contend for the championship." n David Bryant, a wheel carrier on the Hendrick team of rookie Jimmie Johnson, suffered a lower broken right leg when Mark Martin's Taurus hit him during the first pit stop at Rockingham.

- MARTIIM D CLARK 84

Kenseth pins The Rock -1,2,3

MATT Kenseth was somewhat of a surprising if

not deserving winner at North Carolina Speedway, Rockingham on February 24, taking the lead with six laps to run from Sterling Marlin and Bobby Labonte before the caution flag uncoiled just one lap later, bringing an end the race.

Following post-race inspection however, his Roush Taurus was found to be a quarter inch below the minimum 51-inch height requirement. NASCAR imposed a $60,000 fine for crew chief ' Robby Resier two days later, although the win and points ! earned were allowed to stand.

Kenseth, who started 25th, showed strength before the halfway point of the race, and I lead 152 laps, the first time on . lap 147 of 393. He was third off 1 pit-road during the ninth and ' penultimate caution, but fought ; back to pass pole-sitter Ricky ^ Craven, who was the only driver that gambled on not pitting, Labonte, and then Marlin, for the win.

Just one lap later NASCAR , threw a controversial caution I for obvious debris and oil on I the track. Unlike the previous ' week at Daytona, where they

The fightfor 500; Michael Wallrig's 500th Winston Cap start cUdn) quite f >t Itiik hv Miir work oat the iiYa' he would have wanted...

11'll

brought out the red flag so the race could end under green, NASCAR let the event end under the yellow flag.

"It depends on where we are," said NASCAR President Mike Helton on the ruling.

"It's not something we can put down on paper, if we have to do it, it's in our interests. We just didn't have the time today."

That was no consolation to Marlin, who finished bridesmaid and was overtaken when he apparently slipped in the oil that brought out the yellow.

Five cars were involved in caution three, when Jeff Gordon punted Casey Atwood.

Buckshot Johes, Kyle Petty and Jeremy Mayfield were swept into the carnage, Gordon had a

ho-hum day, starting back in 33rd and finishing seventh without leading a lap or contending all day. He also spun without damage on pit road after contact with Tony Stewart.

Third-placed Labonte had electrical problems early and lost a lap, but regained it, as did Ricky Rudd, who mistakenly hit the ignition kill switch during a pit stop and finished 18th.

It was Kenseth's second win, his first coming in the Coke 600 at Charlotte in 2000, his rookie year.

Final result; Kenseth (Ford) 115.478 mph. Marlin (Dodge), B Labonte (Pontiac), Stewart (Fontiac), Craven (Ford), J Burton (Ford), J Gordon (Chevy), R Wallace (Ford), K Wallace (Chevy).

- MARTIN 0 CLARK motorsnort news

NASCAR Daytona a hit on US television

Dodge have hit the front! Marlin continues to lead the Winston Cup points after three rounds.

(Photo by Martin D Clark)

Marlin'S Jackpot

AFTER running up front in the first two events and entering Las Vegas as the points leader, Sterling Marlin finally got the win he deserved, taking the lead from Jeremy Mayfield with 16 laps to run at Las Vegas on Sunday and beat the field in a final eight-lap shootout.

“I said to myself,‘oh no not again’ when I saw that caution,” quipped Marlin, who caught a lucky break early when he slowed off turn four to enter pit road for his first stop and was tagged by Jerry Nadeau.

Marlin spun, but gathered it back up without any J' contact to make his stop.

NASCAR said Marlin, who started 24th, was speeding on entry to pit road due to the spin, but they waved the penalty as it was not spotted until after the stop; an entry speeding violation must be called on pit road so the car can be held during the same stop.

Tony Stewart looked to have the win in the bag, after taking the lead from Marlin at the halfway point, with rookie Ryan Newman also heading some laps early along with pole-sitter Todd Bodine.

The fifth caution was instrumental in Stewart losing his lead, brought out by Shawna Robinson when she tagged the wall. Stewart lost time on this final stop entering pit road first and came out fifth, where he finished.

Defending race winner Jeff Gordon wasn’t a player from his 13th starting slot and finished 17th.

Final result; Marlin(Dodge), Mayfield (Dodge),Martin (Ford), Newman (Ford),Stewart(Pontiac),Johnson(Chevy), Jarrett (Ford), Elliott(Dodge),J Burton (Ford), Spencer (Dodge).

Points standings; Marlin 507, Newman 432, J Burton 420, Martin 415, W Burton 414,ElUott 402, J Gordon 399.

- MARTIN D CLARK

Park back behind wheel

FOLLOWING some simulated racing with team-mates at Charlotte Motor Speedway recently, the injured Steve Park jumped in his Pennzoil Chev on February 25 at Atlanta to see how he felt in the car on the fastest un restricted track on the tour.

"It's easier when you break a arm or leg," he quipped. "With a brain injury it might take the same amount of time to heal, but it's not obvious when it's better."

Park's injury surely wasn't better, speaking with a slur in his voice.

"I can't talk right and that's just part of the injury, but you don't talk much behind the wheel of a race car and I can drive the heck out of a race car," Park was injured at Darlington last September in a freak Busch accident when his steering wheel came off under caution and he was t-boned by Larry Foyt.

The simulated test at Charlotte was not used as one of the team's seven tests as mandated

by NASCAR as the purpose was to evaluate a recovering driver.

- MARTIN D CLARK 8 March 2002

Ovals don’t do much to stop dizziness! Steve Park continues on the comeback trail, with the Pennzoil Chev hisfocus.

TOYOTA, which have been in the NASCAR Dash Series for a number of seasons, are apparently in negoiations with the governing body to enter the Truck Series and follow with Winston Gup. At least that’s what they’re saying at Toyota Racing

Developments (TRO), but whether the top brass at ‘The Beach’ are ready for a Japanese manufacturer to enter the fray of Americana remains to be seen.

Maybe Honda and Jaguar will be next?

- MARTIN D CLARK

THE 2002 Daytona 500 was the most watched NASCAR race in history.

According to TV ratings, 35 million viewers watched the NBC inaugural points race of the season, beating the previous years rating by three million. Apparently, EuroSport, the European satellite channel, will carry the 2003 Daytona 500. n NASCAR is to look at blocking on the restrictor plate tracks of Daytona and Talladega, following three blocking incidents that caused multi-car wrecks during the Daytona 500. Apparently, blocking is a violation of the yellow apron line rule they introduced latyear. "It's been part of the sport," said NASCAR President Mike Helton, "but if it's counterproductive to the racing, we'll have to look at it." n Ricky Hendrick, son of multi team owner Rick Hendrick, dislocated his right shoulder in a Busch Series wreck at Las Vegas on the weekend. Jeff Burton won the event from pole. n Richard Childress Racing eclipsed 1000 series Winston Cup starts in 815 races at Las Vegas in a multitude of different cars over the years. n Although Joe Gibbs Racing are busy working on the new design 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix and has even had the car in the wind tunnel, it has built a Chevrolet Monte Carlo to evaluate and may even use it in upcoming events, as Pontiac teams appear to be having a hard time lobbying NASCAR for any form or aero help.

H Following the withdrawal of backing from financially strapped Kmart, it looks possible that Hass/Carter Motorsports will close the #66 team and car driven by Todd Bodine if sponsorship is not forthcoming within the immediate future. Bodine won the Las Vegas pole in an unsponsored car, but soon picked up a one-race deal with Checker Auto Parts, a west coast parts store chain. Hopes are to keep the #26 Joe Nemechek-driven operation going as apparent sponsorship negotiations continue. n With the immediate future of Andy Petree's number 33 team up in the air, the team did not enter Las Vegas. Crew chief Chris Carrier, whose family once owned Bristol Speedway, has departed to work for the only other team nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, MorganMcClure and driver Mike Skinner.

- MARTIN D CLARK 85

i

Phillip Island Classic

not make it out onto the track, when it was sitting up on jacks with the rear bodywork removed while frenzied efforts were being made to replace a broken driveshaft.

Thankfully, the mechanics’s efforts were successful and the striking blue Maserati was soon lapping with raucous regul^irity.

Paul Stoddart had been slated to drive the car, but on this occasion it was being hustled along by Julian Bronson.

The supercharged straight eight Maserati 26M was also looking good and going well, as was Peter Giddings in the car made famous

by Whitney Straight, the Maserati 8CM 3011.

Only three years separates the production of these two black pre-war classics, but the 8CM is a much quicker package, with its bigger and more powerful three litre Roots supercharged straight eight.

American Tom Price was driving the elegant Maserati 250S. With its swooping Fantuzi bodywork, it is the embodiment of 50s sports racing style.

by CRAIG BAIRD FOR variety and unbelievably close racing you couldn’t go past the Shannons Phillip Island Classic two weeks ago.

The International Challenge theme saw cars from Maserati, Ferrari, Brabham,Jaguar and Porsche joining the battle as featured marques.

Throw in the pounding grunt of Formula 5000s, and the doorhandle to doorhandle clash of classic touring cars, and you get a meeting where action rules.

Run under cloudy conditions.

Saturday’s racing was overshadowed by the sad incident involving British driver Spencer Flack, who sustained fatal injuries wheii his BRM P25 left the road (for further details, refer to the news pages in this issue).

Sunday’s action was held in perfect weather with a big crowd turning out to enjoy the sight and sound oflegendary racing cars running around the Island.

For some time it looked as ifthe spectacular Maserati 8CTF might

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Toraiia time; Memories of some old rivalries were revived when the historic touring cars hit the track.

86

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Brabham were well represented. with a number of the cars filling top spots on the result sheets, and two very special cars joining in demonstration runs.

One was Sir Jack’s Repco-powered BT24-1, a car he describes as “the best car we ever built.’

This minimalist design perhaps represents the pinnacle of the Brabham-Tauranac partnership.

With this car, Brabham took the 1967 Formula One Constructor’s Championship, with Denny Hulme bringing home the driver’s crown.

The other was the John ZinkUrschel Trackburner, an outrageously named and very purposeful looking Offy-powered Indianapolis car from the 1964 race.

The car features an extended wheelbase, bigger fuel tanks and the upright 4.2 litre twin cam Offenhauser engine running through a two-speed Colotti gearbox. This all contributes to a car that looks unmistakably like a Brabham, but a very rare and unusual one.

Sir Jack Brabham and John Harvey swapped driving duties

■atetSRert urn

HISTORICS

\

Not your everyday Maseratri: Yes, the above SCTF isfunky. Yes, it is racing. And yes, it is worth several million dollars.

(Photo by Peter Bury) We don't even want to think about what might happen ifsomeone hit it... during the day and delighted the cheering faces that lined the track.

FeiTari fans were well catered for with an extensive display of late model Ferraris arranged behind the pit buildings, an F50 and a beautiful 288GTO being only two of the many Italian exotics on show.

Gil Mathews’s F40 LM (European Spec) was another standout that joined the demonstration runs.

Fangio-tastic: this two-litre Maserati, above left, was among the arsenal drawn upon byfive-time world champion Juan Manual Fangio during his career.

Meanwhile, another multiple world champion. Sir Jack Brabham, took to the track in the Brabham BT24-1, below, a car which earned the team the Constructors title in 1967. {Photo;: by Slipsirvom Photo^raphk )

A more unusual entry was the black Ferrari 365GTC4 of Trevor Basset. If you are lucky enough to get a look under the bonnet of one of these cars, you are greeted by two rows of three DOCE side draught Weber carburettors mounted on top of a 4.4-litre twin cam Ferrari V12.

Not normally thought of as a racing Ferrari,(it is a 2+2 after all), Basset was having an exciting time during the races dicing with the Iso GriQb of Peter Strauss.

Sunday provided one of the most awe-inspiring expenences available at historic meetings.

standing by the pit wall, or trackside, as the FSOOOs thundered by.

Phillip Island could just be the perfect place to enjoy the experience, with its open flowing layout allowing the FSOOOs plenty of room to stretch their legs.

Of coui'se the Classic Touring cars entertained in style, with John Manns Mustang bringing back memories of Pete Geoghegan while passing the whole field to win.

There were plenty oflow slung streamliners and sleek single seaters and all that goes into a weekend of wonderful historic racing.

i

2002 Grand PHx Rally

Porsches win the five-day war l vV

by BRIAN REED

A NUMBER of changes built into the 2002 Trading Post Grand Prix Rally made for an even more popular event than previously.

Included were more driving skill tests(38 in total), daily lunch breaks and a major change of scenery. After focusing on the central Victorian area for many years, this year the rally took in the “high countr/ over Mt. Hotham,the La Trobe Valley and

Gippsland.

Of the 152 starters, 30 contested the Classic Competition for cars built prior to 1982. The field included 1965 and 1970 ATCC winner Norm Beechey driving a big 1967 Chev Camaro SS, and winner of the 1966 Gallaher ‘500’ at Mt. Panorama, Bob Holden.

That year, Holden teamed with Finnish ace Rauno Aaltonen to lead home a Mini Cooper S whitewash in the most dominant victory in the history of the Great Race -the first nine cars outright were the famous ‘flying bricks.’

Now in his 51st year of motorsport competition, Holden was again driving a Cooper S, and was reunited with his 1966 Bathurst partner who was making a flying visit to Australia.

This year’s start was at Shepparton, and hard luck story on day one was the DNS of Robert and Robyn Hill in their 1965 Shelby Ford Mustang, when overheating problems claimed their car only 40 metres from the start line. They were back in business the following day but well out of contention for a top result.

Graham Hoinville, who has competed in all 15 GP rallies, and was the first driver ever to break the Porsche stranglehold on the event in 1991 driving his 1963 Elfin Clubman, unfortunately broke a differential at the start of a driving test at Myrtleford.

He phoned back to Melbourne for a replacement and the work was carried out on the footpath that night. Gearbox problems also plagued him throughout the event and he finished well down the list.

88

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i'

History repeating: David Lawson and John Borell managed to successfully defend their Grand Prix Rally title behind the wheel of their 1979 Porsche 911 SC, above, while touring car legend Norm Beechey was back on the track in his 1967 Chev Camaro SS, below.

(Photos by Brian Reed)

im In spite of his demise. Elfins were 1-2-3 in class early on, with the 1963 Clubman of Philip Leith and Randall Langdon leading the way.

Defending Classic Competition Champions David Lawson and John Borell (1979 Porsche 911 SC) were well placed in second spot behind the 1976 Porsche 911 of Paul Girt and Peter Bowen, but after day two, the Lawson/Borell entry had established a 29-point lead over Robertson/McAuley’s 1976 Carrera 3 and the 1979 BMW 323i of Marcin and Zbig Moszczynski.

There were some tense moments on day four when the leaders suffered gear selection problems with their Porsche.

Some adjustments were made to help them through the driving

tests at Leongatha, and a new gearbox was fitted that night.

Meanwhile the keen competition was continuing amongst the Clubmans, and after some navigational woes, Leith’s lead was taken over by Queensland’s Bill Murdoch and Chris Barry in their 1996 PRB. After five days of excellent competition involving 1200kms of touring through some of Victoria’s most spectacular scenery, 38 driving skill tests which included Winton, Phillip Island and Sandown motor racing circuits, an opportunity to drive at the hard-toget-onto Holden test track at Lang Lang and some tricky navigation including a night stage at Traralgon, the cars arrived back at

'.n.

Albert Park in time for the 2002 Foster’s Australian Grand Prix.

And what an arrival it was!

Crews couldn’t believe their eyes when none other than Sir Stirling Moss was on hand to flag them in - a nice way to bring the 2002 Trading Post Grand Prix Rally to a fitting finale.

RESULTS (CLASSIC COMPETITION) 1. D. Lawson/J. Borell 1979 Porsche 911 SC (176 points lost) 2. A. Robertson/S. McAuley 1976 Porsche Carrera 3 (256) 3. M. & Z. Moszczynski (1979 BMW 3231) (275) (CLUBMAN CLASS) 1. W. Murdoch/C. Bary (2000 PRB) (98 points lost) 2. P. Lelth/R. Langdon (1963 Elfin) (119) 3. K. Shearn/N. Falkiner (2000 Elfin) (197 ) motorsport news

by EOIN YOUNG CALIFORNIAN Tom Hollfelder was a winner in the Southern Festival of Speed with his original front-engined Chapparal superbly restored in New Zealand.

There were three races iri^a fortnight on South Island circuits.

A hillclimb scheduled for Queenstown was snowed-offi The point was made early on that the series was all about having a good time.

There are no winners in our races," said Ru^puna organiser, Keith Cowan. "We give prizes for exceptional sporting performances."

Last year, prizes were given to the seventh placegetters in each race.

There were 26 overseas entries for the series, star cars including Peter Giddings in a heroic 3-litre straight-8

Blue cars gofaster; American Tom Hollfelder turned heads in his 5 litre Chapparal, top, while compatriot Tom Malloy took (Photo hy Bill Poflingcr) to the track in his equally impressive Lola T70 Coupe.

supercharged Grand Prix Alfa Romeo 8C-35, Hollfelder's 1971 3-litre V8 Alfa Romeo T33/3 sports racer, Tom Malloy's Lola T70 GT, Tony Garmy's AC Aceca

\

coupe with a Cobra makeover and a Paxton supercharged V8, Bill Hart's 2-litre Devin TR looking like a 1950s Testa Rossa Ferrari in miniature, Bill Watkins

Cooper-Bristol replica and Canadian Jack Ondrack with a 1969 4.9-litre TVR Tuscan built in New Zealand from two wrecks.

Prize for the prettiest went to Aussie-born, Texas-domiciled Shairon Beale with an Australian 1964 Elfin Mallala, last of five built.

Californian Mike Pineau raced a rented Royale Formula Ford and recommended this route for overseas drivers who would like to race the delightfully laid-back series but don't want the hassle of freight and organisation.

"I paid $1000 a race and that covered all fuel, car set-up and lunch at the track. I also bought a new set of race tyres for the senes.

Deals obviously differ but racer rentals are on offer from Crawford Racing (Fax 0064 33 493 600), Leitch Racing (Fax 0064 3 215 9891) and Michael Sentch (Fax 0064 33 48 3189).

But wait, there’s more: Hollfelder also took to the track in a 1971 Alfa Romeo T33.3.

(Photo hy Util Pouiny:^r>'

6 March 2002

89

i

national GT-R takes GP Rally Jr

scene

THE Sydney crew of Peter Moore and navigator Stewart Boyce, driving a two week-old Nissan GT-R V-Spec Nl,came from behind the score a dramatic three point victory in the Modern competition of the 2002 Trading Post Grand Prix Rally.

They received the chequered flag at the Rally’s finish at Albert Park from Sir Stirling Moss, who was a competitor in the 1990 Grand Prix Rally.

Moore,from Balmain, only competed in his first tarmac rally just 18 months ago, going on to" win the 2001 Indycar Rally. Boyce from Concorde took part in his first-ever rally in October last year.

To complete the ‘rookie’ picture, their 2002-model Nissan only arrived in Sydney early this month and was registered less than two weeks before the five-day, 1200km Rally started in Shepparton on February 22.

Their victory came on the final driving tests of the final day in the Sandown Raceway carpark, when they held off the hard-driving Mt. Gambier crew of Peter Gazzard and Mark Laidlay in their Subaru WRX STi to take victory by just three points, 561 to 564 points lost.

It was Gazzard’s fourth top-four result in four years. He won the Rally in 1999 in the same car and placed third and fourth respectively

eifted

ron Noonan

V-Spec stands for ‘Very Special’: Moore and Boyce were the overall winners, above, while Peter Brock and daughter Alexandra, right, had fun in the #05 Monaro.

driving Mercedes-Benz AMG models in 2000 and 2001.

Melbourne husband and wife team Jeff and Nerida Beable in a 1997 Nissan GT-R Nl finished third after starting the final day of the Rally in second position.

It was the first time in the Rally’s 15 year history that a Porsche driver has not been on the podium, with the first four places this year occupied by turbocharged,four wheel drive Japanese vehicles.

The highest-finishing Porsche

was the 1996 911 RS model of Melbourne accountants Mark Cummings and Chris Alp, which finished fifth behind the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 of Jeff Beaumont and Jim Caudle.

Canberra’s Rick Bates with navigators Kurt Stiles and Sally O’Connor, completed the top six in his BMW M3 coupe.

Peter Brock and his 19-year-old daughter Alexandra finished a very creditable 23rd in ‘Modern’in a new Holden Monaro CVS,five places ahead of three-time Australian Rally Champions Neal Bates and Coral Taylor; 500cc motorcycle ace, Daryl Beattie and Greg Rust came home 42nd in their BMW Z3.

NO, your eyes are not deceiving you - this does look like a Ford Falcon AU. That's because it's the latest body style to hit Phil Ward's Aussie Legends Series and while it uses the same chassis as the original Ford Coupe and FJ Holden-bodied machines, this one has a real V8 Supercar feel to it.

The motorcycle-powered machines are capable of hitting 200 km/h with a full championship series ready to run in 2002, including on the Power Tour program and the Oran Park V8 Supercar round. Round one of the series is set down for March 24 at Oran Park, with 20-plus cars scheduled to be on the grid.

The good news for Holden fans is that a Commodore body isn't too far away and pre orders have already been received.

- AARON NOONAN 90

molorsDon news

NATIONAL Karting Briefe THE Dubbo Kart Club has extended its circuit from 730m to 1040m with the addition of a new section of track behind the existing pits.

The new layout will be used for the 24-hour Pro-Kart race scheduled for August 31/September 1. n Elf will supply the official control fuel for this year's CIK Championship series. The company's CIK102 spec brew will be used by every competitor. Elf will also supply virtually every international and European karting series and event, including the Formula Super A World Championships.

Keeerrrruuuuucccchhh: Bob McLoughlin (Commodore) and Daniel Meneguzzo(BMW)came together at Queensland Raceway, above, while Bevan Garrick, below, topped the field in his Formula 3 Dallara.

(Photos by Mark Jones)

by MARK JONES THE MG Car Club played host to a State Championship meet ing at Queensland Raceway, using both the National and Clubman versions of the circuit on February 16 arid 17.

A couple of nasty incidents marred racing on Sunday morning in what was otherwise an encouraging start to the Queensland season.

The first was^in the second Racing Car event saw Regan Lindsay-Payne (Swift SC93F)clip the back of Chris Gilmore(Van Diemen RF96B)after LindsayPayne did not slow for the turn right at the exit of turn two for the short circuit.

The second was in the Sports Sedan event at the same corner, when Bob McLoughlin (Commodore VL-Chev) was trying to escape after spinning and collected Daniel Meneguzzo(BMW E30 Nissan).

Bevan Garrick(F3 Dallara F397) dominated the Racing Cars with Ti-oy Chaplin(AF2 Ralt RT34) leading home the Formula Fords.

Ash Lowe was third, debuting his new Spectrum 07. Carrick won two other races, Chaplin one.

Scott Nicholas was the class of the Saloon Car field, taking three wins, but not the state championship race, which was won

by Troy Norris. Nicholas was second with brothers Tim and Jason Young following, all in Falcons. Fifth was the first Holden, debutant Danielle Argiro.

The Geminis put on the best racing of the weekend with Darren Suhle and Benn Wilson sharing the Gemini races between them, Suhle taldng the championship race in an incredible scrap ahead of Wilson, Ron Lange and Kandice Walker. Ken Williams had a rollover in turn one and completed 6 March 2002

n —^ - n

MiLV

t-t

the meeting sans-windscreen, "Brock style.

Geoff Gillespie (Fiat 131 Turbo) took four wins and was relatively untroubled in an understrength field, while the return to form of Chris Donnelly (Ford Falcon) was welcomed with three thirds. In the championship race, Gillespie won from Gary Hamilton (Datsun 1000) and Colin Smith (Rover-Chev).

Improved Production saw a battle of the RX7s with Adam Uebergang taking four from four and Daniel Wilkie taking three seconds.

Dave Blunt took three of the four wins in HQs with Ben Simpson breaking through for his first victory in the other.

Shane Hart(Bee Cee Jabiru) took the championship win in Formula Vee with Trent Usher (Bee Cee Jabiru) claiming two of the other races and Russell White’s (Spectre) debut win was the other.

Steve Cloake took three wins in his 250 Superkart but was defeated by the 125 of Anthony Rhode first-up.

Kevin Johnston (Kajera Sports 1300) took the championship win in Sports Cars fi'om Colin Bernville-Claye (Fraser Clubman) and John Ki-aschnefski(Mazda MX5 Turbo) with Johnston and Bernville-Claye sharing the remaining wins.

n Current National and NSW Rotax Heavy champion Damien Meyer will contest this year's NSW Formula Ford series. Having enjoyed a long and illustrious karting career spanning almost 15 years, Meyer will race under the Anglo Motorsports banner, driving a Stealth engineered by Tim Beale. n The new-spec Vega front tyre for the Clubman classes is now available. With a modified sidewall construction, the tyre is said to be a definite improvement over last year's rubber and is available through kart dealers nationally.

- MARK WICKS

i

BRAKES March

Event

Venue

Mar 9

Supercross Masters

Wayville S/Way S,A.

Mar 9

Speedway King of Wings

Kwinnana Complex

Mar 9-10

Rally of NSW

Mar 9

Drags, Hillclimb

Wakefield Park

Mar 9-10

Beiialla Gold Gup

Winton

Mar 10

VIC State Kart Sprint Championships

Geelong

Mario

NSW State Championships

Eastern Creek

Mar 10

QLD State Championships

QLD Raceway

Mar 17

Clipsal SDO

Mar 17

Formula Xtreme

Mar 17

VKA Open meeting

NSW

Adelaide Eastern Greek Hamilton

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National Scene Karting Briefs IS the Ford KartStars series full, or is it not?

That was the question as we went to print after Tasrrfanian top gun Shane Bond created a vacancy when he withdrew from this year's talent search. It is expected this last remaining race seat in a field of 32 young hopefuls will be snapped up quickly, so interested parties should rush to call Adam Klunyk at DPE, 03 9545 3944 bh. n The AKA have changed the national regulations regarding the twin-engined classes and made the category an 'open' class. This will allow manufacturers and importers to introduce new engines to the sport without having to create further classes all the time.

The twin-engined monsters are still catered for in the regs, but clubs can now effectively promote classes such as Leopard 125. n Ben Horstman has taken fifth place at the opening event of the European season, the traditional ...

Winter Cup at the South Garda circuit in Italy. In bitterly cold and wet conditions, Horstman struggled throughout most of the meeting, however a switch to a back-up chassis put him back on the pace.

- MARK WICKS

AX8 hits market Changes are more than Just in appearance

by MARK WICKS

D

REW Price Engineering have released the first of their new range of Arrow AX8 chassis onto the market, the AX8/125 designed for 125 Intercontinental C and Shifter kart racing.

The spectacular machine encompasses many of the new components and developments slated for the AX8 Clubman cjiassis, the first examples of which are scheduled to appear at the Victorian Championships in the hands of the factory drivers.

This latest offering from DPE follows a long succession of successful models,the brand winning an amazing seven national and 37 state championships across a wide range of classes last year.

New bodywork,impact resistant heavy duty stickers and change of Arrow blue set

/

COMING EVENTS

in KARTING

8-10 Aiiar

Vic Open Ch'ship — Geelong

17 fASLY

Open Meeting — Hamilton

24 Mar

Grand Annual Titles — Cobden (South West)

31 Mar

Closed Club Day — all Victorian Clubs

7 April

Warrnambool City Titles — Warrnambool

off the new machine, but other changes lie more deeply than that.

The AX8 also features new design bearing carriers, sprocket, brake and wheel hubs,flat-top steering wheel, altered seat stays, hard or soft seat options, braided brake lines and Edwards‘HP’ black

wheels.

The 125 chassis also includes the CIK-spec front crash bar, twin brake circuit with front-rear bias adjustment, removable chassis rails (front, side and rear), quick release nine litre fuel tank and DPE’s 50mm rear axle assembly.

For further iHformatioM. on any of the above events call the Victorian Karting Association

03 5449 6302 ot 03 93621144 \ VlCTOWAHKMmUG ASSOC\M\OH

●w^vw.vka. asn. au vka@1bl40. aone. net. au 92

motorsQort news

INDUSTRY NEWS ALLAN MOFFAT’S 1969 Boss 302 TransAm Mustang has long held the reputation of being the car that changed Australian motorsport for ever.

The U.S. factory built Mustang brought a level of up to date engineering never before seen in a sedan on Australian race tracks. The car competed in 157 races and recorded 101 wins until 1974 when rule changes forced the retirement of the car.

The Coca Cola logo featured on the car is the first sponsorship by a company, not directly involved in suppling parts or equipment for the car or team, to appear on an Australian race adding to the legend of the car.

With the popularity of the die cast models increasing in Australia Allan had recieved several offers to produce a scale model of the famous Mustang, which had all been turned down until now.

To ensure accuracy and quality Allan was involved in every step of the design process and scrutinised each step of production., The result is an excellent 1:18 scale model that has a high attention to detail and quality.

The model is complete with opening doors and bonnet which reveals a highly detailed engine bay. The cars interior is accurate in every detailincluding badges and a working steering wheel.

Every aspect of this model reflects the high standards set and it is sure to become a much sought after collectors item.

The Mustang

The model comes complete with a certificate of authenticity personnally signr by Allan Moffat and is presented in a box featuring images of the car in its hey day and outlining the history of the car.

It is reported some models have already sold on the internet auction sites for more than $500.

Produced in limited numbers there is still a small number available direct from the manufacturer for $299 plus postage and handling.

For more information contact Hot Memorabilia on 03 9818 1688,fax 03 9818 2833 or send order to P.O. Box 196 Glen Iris Victoria 3146.

Metal work

Designed to reduce heat build up,extend tool life, improve performance and increase production. Energy Release Products Corporation range of metal working and grinding fluids are now available in Australia.

Following on from their successful launch of the Energy Release family of products, exclusive Australian distributors Performance Wholesale have now expanded their range to include the Energy Release high performance metal working and gilnding fluids.

“The ER farhily of products, fi’om the concentrate anti-friction metal , conditioner through the range of automotive and industrial lubricants and cleaners are proving very popular. The diverse range of applications for ER products have seen our sales gi'ow rapidly, so it seems a natural progression now to complete our range,” said Bill Mann of Performance Wholesale.

Energy Releases line of metal working and grinding fluids are specially formulated using the unique power of ER anti-friction metal conditioner to produce a premium, cost effective product.

Aqua Sol-400 heavy duty soluble oil is appropriate for all types of 6 March 2002

I

*

4

Dt

SPA Design gauges

machining processes. When diluted at the recommended 20:1 ratio you combine the cooling ability of Water with the lubricity of cutting oil and the anti-friction metal conditioning properties of ER. Aqua Sol-400 also offers an extended sump life and helps prevent rancidity through the use of Biocides. Aqua Sol-30 is a premium quality synthetic gi'inding fluid specifically designed for close tolerance grinding operations such as crankshafts and camshafts. This fluid is compatible with most metals and is superior in keeping gi'inding wheels cool and clean.

ER can be a powerful, cost effective addition to your machining and grinding operations.

Visit performancewholesale.com .au or call 07 3808 1986 for more information.

SPA Design offers a range of dual-function gauges that combine traditional packaging with the very latest technology.

Lightweight, compact and j round-shaped to fit almost any i installation requirement, these I microprocessor-controlled SPA Design instruments each feature a dual-level large digital readout I and large warning lights.

There are 10 available ; combinations such as oil j pressure/w'ater temperature, oil j pressure/oil temperature,fuel pressure/water temperature and so on, each with selectable adjustment for F or C, bar, psi or I kg cm2.

Standard 52mm diameter, the 1 SPA Design gauges come with ; lightweight alloy cases in a black ; anodised finish, feature a backlit display, progi'ammable low ! battery warning, digital ; calibration, external outputs for I warning lights and all settings and memory is stored without ' power needed.

Maximum values can also be stored and recalled from memory. : All SPA Design gauges come complete with sensors, wiring loom and comprehensive instruction manual. They are available nation-wide from Revolution Racegear. , For your nearest store freecall 1800 804 778.

To have your product or company featured in Industry News send information to ads@mnews.com.au, post to Brendon Sheridan Motorsport News 357 Nepean Hwy Brighton Vic 3187 or phone 03 9596 5555.

93

mrace shop

RACESHOP gives you.the opportunity to promote your products and services to the widest possible range of motorsport competitors and enthusiasts. Advertising in RACESHOP costs as little as $60 per issue! Call Brendon Sheridan on 03 9527 7744 now!

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ConipetRibn disc pads ● Race brakes ● Pagid ● Hawk ● Endless ● Performance Friction Over 10 years experience of brake modifications and upgrades for road and race. Caliper conversion 1, 2, 4 8( 6 piston. Custom made disc rotors,

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DrivePerform full-day program can double as your C3 licence evaluation - $330 nvnifnii/if.

filing fgstid Enjoy a great day with Championship level instructors in small groups. The following dates are currently available: ● April 4 - Winton ● May 5 - Winton ● July 21 - VVintof) Call 1300 720 666 to book. All credit cords accepted.

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Front wheel drives and trucks.

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steel Main Caps to suit most V8 applications Manufactured in USA by Pro-Gram Engineering

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CAMS C3 ycenee Cesirses @ Oran Park Mandatory 2 days held monthly includes CAMS Lecture and Observed Licence Test. No pre-requisities $605 FarmitBa Farsi ftests @ Oran Park monthly $654.50: 40 laps Peter Finlay's International Racing Drivers School For more info ph 02 9873 1773, fax 02 9871 1018 or email peter@finlays.com.au

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Phone f07) 3808 1986

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This space could be yours motorsport bows

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'Motorsport News Classifieds are FREE for private sales. Classifieds from motor sport traders are accepted (marked with a ●) and must be prepaid at the following per issue rates: $5 per 10 words (min $10 per ad), photo $10. Further enquiries to our advertising department on 03 9596 5555.

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Forward to Motorsport News Free Classifieds, 357 Nepean Highway Brighton East 3187. Fax: 03 9596 5030. Email: mnews@mnews.com.au. Make sure to list your category.

' Sedans/Sporis Cars

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i

Yep another HQ race car, winner of 5 Australian Hillclimb class wins. Never beaten five years of competition. No expense spared, comes with fresh top HP engine, nothing to spend. Delivery assistance. All offers considered, must sell, Ph Peter 02 9642 2979 or 0410 734 191.227

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Saloon Car VP Commodore, new-tar had 3 races, fresh engine, loads of spares including cage, shell with tilt trailer, very tidy, for lease with or without support, travelling to all national rounds, ph 0415 229 590.227

Welsor Sports Racing Car, Ford Engine, Rocket GBox Harry Galloway bodywork.

Suitable as is for Group R Historic Full history provided. Sell due to new project. $19,500 ono Ph 07 3217 3374 leave message or phone 0409 277 975.227

I

Saloon Car #95 VN Commodore, done only 3 meetings, all new parts used ran competitively without testing, spare engine and parts, business committments reason for sale $18500, Ph John BH 03 9742 3234 AH 0409 796 372.227

Group C Dolomite Sprint, ex Ron Hodgson/Bob Morris ex JAGPARTS/Gerald Kaye. Original full log book history 76-82 ie 5 Bathursts 4 Sandowns 3 ATCC. Full restoration/rebuild - one entry since broke long-standing class record. Redy to race in Histories or suit serious collector $26500 ono Ph 0412 670 422,222 8 March 2002

Commodore Cup car, join this exciting V8 National series for only $16,000, latest spec fresh engine and gearbox, spares, ph 0418 395 566.227

4age 20Valve engine, 5 speed, kings springs, TRD clutch, seat, harness, logbook, plus spares $4250 ph 0409 537345 or 03 53329333.227

very fresh 2 litre twin cam programmable ignition, rebuilt running gear, 4-spot brake conversion, KMAC strut tops, spares included. Low price for quick sale, call for details, ph ah 02 6299 1986.225

Cup car, rebuilt, for sale or lease for Power Tour 2002. 326 HP, lots of new parts, $24,500 ONO, ph 08 8284 8087 . 226 Mustang 67, 289 auto full resto completed 91 7800mls since $25,500 ono, ph 02 6292 5648 or 0418 262 419.22a

J HQrace car number 68, Top 5 in 2000 NSW state championship. Fresh engine only one meeting old .Spare wheels and tyres as well as other spares. Ready to race .

Assistance given to new owner. $5,500 .

PH Garry on (02) 96255918 (BH) or (02) 96257008 (AH). 227

Nissan 280 ZX, Improved Production car.

Built 1998, Willwood brakes, Bilstein fully adjustable suspension, full weld in cadge, RB-25 engine, to much to mention, plus spares. Almost ready to race. Cost $40,000.

Sell $13,000. Phone 0418139646.227

Datsun 240/280Z, Fast and reliable production sportscar with 2.8 litre Dynotrac prepared motor, Autronic engine management and fully adjustable Koni suspension. Multi NSW championship winner, the car could also be road registered for tarmac rallies. This immaculate and comprehensive package is only $18,000. Ph Sam 0411 415 231.226

Honda S2000, GTP car as ’raced'by Dave Wood 2001 series, now eligible for 'B' class, this car will win. $69,000 ONO, complete with spare wheels and road-going equiipment as is road registered. Ph1»eter 0418 594 001. 226

Group Nb Morris Cooper S, Multiple Championship Winning Car. Fresh high HP 1293cc engine (1 meeting since rebuild).

BMC Straight-Cut gearbox, Salisbury LSD, 3 sets wheels/tyres. Some spares included.

Spare engine available.$16,000, Ph Cameron 0412 918 927.227

Ford Mustang 1965, K-code, Nc race car. 35 wins from 41 starts, 11 lap records. Beautifully restored and road registered. As raced with full historic race equipment. Stunning $48,000. Ph 02 9838 4944 226

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Fastest Saloon Car in the country, 2001 Results: Wakefield Park and Lakeside Konica rounds, Pole position. Lap record.

Race Win QLD 500 Support race Winner Ready to Win again & nothing to spend.

Must Sell $25,000 Ph Kurt Kratzmann 0419 705531, bh (07)3368 1188.227

Saloon car #41 VN Commodore, immac, sorted, straight and ready to race. Top HP swift engine, custom exhaust. Package deal spare wheels, engine, gearbox and complete diff. Will assist new owner, POA. Ph Charles D'Aquino 0413 368 049 or 02 9681 1416 226

-

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trsSSSX ■ Toyota Corolla Hatch, Quick Club Car,

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Celica Improved Production car, logged.

AUll XR8, 2001 front running GTP c ar, ready to race in 2002, perfect condition, will sell for package price with transporter see separate ad. POA. Ph Brian Carr 0409 819 650.226

Corolla club car, well set up, worked 1300 and 5 speed, half cage, good suspension and brakes, easy to drive, $2200, Ph 0427 406 980.226

Super Tourer, Tom's factory car. In the right hands, this car would be very competitive. Get set for the new summer season. All spares included, 2 motors etc.

Will consider Trade or Payment Program.

All genuine offers considered. Fire sale, must go. Ph 0418 644 217.226

911 Porsche Cup or very quick club car, new 964 Turbo Body Kit on original 76, 3.0 Carrera body. (Aust Complianced) Road reg in Victoria (911-551). Fresh 3.6 L (300 hp plus) nonvarioram Engine, Dyno Test available, 65 mm Restrictor fitted, with powerchip or uni-chip.

Full Roll Cage, adjustable Sway Bars, 915 Gearbox with LSD, Turbo 'Big Red' Front Brakes and new Pagid Pads, 930 turbo Rear Brakes with Dual Master Cylinders with Brake Bias Adjustment, Braided Brake Hoses, 2 Sparco Race 9J

i

Seats with Harness, 2 sets of Race wheels with Pirelli SlicksAvets, Battery Isolator and Remote, Perspex Side and Rear Windows, RS Door Trims, Log booked and ready to race. Very fast Produaion sports. Club Car or competitive Porsche Cup B Class car. $55,000 ono, Ph Tim Pritchard 0416 077 057.226

Many spares including: gearbox, lots of wheels with Michelin slicks, wets & int. tyres, brakes, suspension, hubs, bumpers, windscreen, etc.

Set-up data available. Regretful sale, $42,000 firm. Ph Nathan or Ken Thomas, Ph/Fax:(02) 9653 1668, Mobiles: 0418 261 860 & 0414 933 802, or email: ntho@smcaus.com.au. 226

sets of tyres, 1 set of wet tyres, front hub extentsions, 2 x KT100S Yamaha engines. Comes with spare sprockets, chains, stand and cover. $4000, Ph 03 9546 8538.227

41 Elfin 630B Atlantic 1976, Chassis completely rebuilt 2001, fresh BDD Cosworth zero kms Imaculate and race ready $55,000, PH 0419777229. 227

Mazda RX7, 1986 S4 Turbo, new T04 hybrid turbo, haltech F9a computer, 3" exhaust, new Daikin h/d ceramic dutch, adjustable koni's, lowered kings springs, 4.1:1 LSD, Harrop front brakes, 16x8 race wheels, Falken Azenis tyres, alloy half cage. Fibreglass bonnet, very quick, great car, ring for details, full NSW rego, RED633 $16000 Bathurst 02-6332 4072 or 0409 771 317.226 VP Commodore race shejl, suit Sports Sedan, watts linkage rear end, full body kit, spare spoliers and other spares, ph 03 5626 1319.226 Datsun 1600 Impoved Production car, L20, twin Webbers, electronic ignition, 4W discs, CR gearbox, R180 diff (5.1:1 and 4.8:1), near-new tyres, spare set of wheels and tyres, CAMS logbook, spares. $5000 ono, ph Steve 02 4982 6834 ah. 225 Ex HRT VS Commodore V8 Supercar, Complete rolling chassis, currently in Big Kev racing colours. Ex Tander/HRT chassis # Dencar23 complete with spare suspenion, panels,, wheels, $35,000 ph Nigel Barday 07 5546 2922.226 Ex Diet Coke BMW 320 I Super Touring car, ex Morris multiple championship-winning car/ex Brabham Bathurst winner. Own a piece of Australian Motorsport History. Complete car including spare engine and extensive spares package, currently in Mount Cotton Wine signage. $180,000 Ph Nigel Barclay 07 5546 2922.226 Ex BTCC Honda Accord Super Touring car, ex Richards/Adderton/Robson/Cornish, Australian Independant race winner. X-trac sequential box,

9

VX GTS HSV, ready for 2002 season, great opportunity, serious offers only. Ph Craig 0407 724 862.226 180B Sports Sedan,fuel injected L28, aultronic management system, wets and slicks, 260bhp, some spare parts with car, log book, colour: red. $7000 ono, ph 0425 798 020.225 T888 Subaru 4x4, L series wagon, new tyres, wheels, CVs, clutch. CD player, A/C, 189kms, immaculate throughout, UZY-882, ph 0404 038 337. 226

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Clubman Sports 1300, 1996 JMW, new engine, tyres, paint, electrics. 1 race since rebuilt. Very fast, relaible race car with many spares. Ready to race as is. 1999, 2000 Club championship winning car. $12,000 complete or $10,000

Formula Vee Bee Cee, fast competitive car, lap record holder at Willowbank short circuit. Fresh engine, new brakes, tyres, wheels and body panels, comes with numerous spares and enclosed trailer Car only $8500, complete package $12500, ph 07 5594 1242 or 0409 762 118. 227

rolling chassis. Ph Matt 0402 383 311 or 07 3829 0203.226 Swift 93K, OLD Racing Car Championship winning car for 2001, 2 sets of wheels and tyres, full spare set of suspension arms and panels, Ohiins shocks. Fresh engine, $20,000, Ph Ash 0409 648 633 226

Formula Vee, Venon with open trailer. Just been rebuilt, one meeting old. Ph ah 07 3806 1465.226

Drag Racing

Rear engine dragster, Chev, Powerglide, race ready, with enclosed trailer, will separate motor and box $25,000 neg. Test drive available (cond apply), Ph Fletch 03 5777 3530.226

Speedway Silver Arrow 25th Anniversary edition Go Kart. With BP Engines blueprinted J engine this kart is ready to race and continue on winning.

Assistance given to new owner. $2400 . PH Gariy on (02)96255918(BH)or(02)96257008(AH). 227

QTP ready '99 Integra Type R, ex Nathan Thomas/Quirk's, numerous class 'B' records, very competitive, loves street circuits, Adelaide Clipsal entry available, laps Adelaide in 1 min 41.6 seconds. Recent engine, gbox, clutch & brakes o/haul, compulsary GTP data logger. Proflex adj. coil overs, excellent rigid steel cage, welded-in.

t Cheetah Clubman, Historic race car, eligible Group Q, well known, well sorted car with all the good bits and many spares. Enclosed trailer. $25,000 Ph 02 4389 2123 or 0409 835 567.226

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including ratios. Currently metallic blue and silver. $32,000, ph Nigel Barclay 07 5546 2922.226

2100kg tow bar, NO Rust, un reg only due to being able to drive one car at a time. $2000.00 Ph ah 02 6582 6082 wh 02 6583 7400.226

Chevron B29, 1975 Historic Group Q with log book and C of D. Recently subject to a complete restoration to original specification and is in immaculate condition. Used once since. Top HP Cosworth BDD big vavie engine, Hewland FT200, spare set of mounted wets, spare painted nose and moulds. More details available on request.

Enclosed trailer also available. Ph 02 9909 1144 or 0412 403 582.226

Open Wheelers

19 inch wheels. Fast strong car with all spares

Ex BTCC Nissan Primera Super Touring car, ex Steven Richards ASTC. Hewland sequential box, 19 inch wheels. Beautifully built car easily returned to Nissan Fadory livery. Currently greerVblue/white.

Good spares including gearbox and ratios. $28,000, ph Nigel Barclay 07 5546 2922.226 XC 351 V8 Sedan, Silver in colour. New

Formula Vee Phoenix, Competitive car, fresh engine, new bodywork, spare race gearbox, bodywork, wheels and tyres, many other spares and tools, on reg, trailer, complete package ready to race, $8000 ONO, ph 07 5493 8604.226

KAM MG, Historic racing car log book C of D. fresh engine Needham box, reliable, easy to maintain, $25,500 ONO ph 02 6292 5648 or 0418 262 419 22s

C.R.D. 852 Formula Two with Historic Group R, Log Book, full race history available, very reliable, fresh Ford engine, Hewland gearbox, large amount of spares including, mounted wets, spares ratios, suspension, engine parts. $ 18500 ONO Phone Ian on 0417 851 716 or (03)9878 951 226 Drive available, 2002 National Formula Ford DTE series. Close to half price, very competitive

Arrow AX6 silver anniversary, 40mm axle, 2

RF95, suit first year to learn, to join level playing field in 2003. Ph 07 5446 7611.226

Modified Production TE Cortina, ex-Paul Egan Australia 2, All top gear ie tilton race clutch, MSD, willwood brakes, top HP Port City built engine. This car holds many lap and track records. Cheap at $8000 for quick sale. Ph 0417 563 233 or 03 5593 2845. 226 Modified Production Sigma, very competitive qualified 13 Aust title in Albany WA. Lots of spares.

Category: □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers □ Speedway DDrag □ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other.

Description;

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Please keep ads tonomorethan 30 words,plusa photoifrequired,

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NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Please use the form provided and print clearly. Please note we are unable to return photographs used in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after 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“ vvit! not be used.

motorsport news i

NiARKET PLACE $7500 all offers considered. Ph 08 9726 3380(h)or 08 9780 8232(w). 227

( MV

I

Mod Production VL Commodore, methanol 202 Koney shocks, adjustable suspension, lots of spares, ready to race. Ph 03 5962 5538 or 0428 101 420.220

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Mod production EL Flacon, 4L injected.

Micro Tech computer. Pro Shocks, lots of spares, ready to race. POA, ph 03 5962 5538 or 0428 101 420. zieSpeedway Street Stock, TF Cortina, full N/\SCAR cage, 2nd radiator, 250 Crossflow, 5 point harness, fibreglass seat, window net, reasonable cond, Pedder suspension, spare body, some spares, ready to go, $1200 ono, ph 0438 310 686.226

moniter, cofnplete with dry brake system, full proflex suspension complete with springs, all offers considered, Ph Clyde Lawrence 0427 811 805 (Vic). 226 Webber carburettors, 4x48, excellent cond, $2900, ph 02 9905 5814.225 Live Telemetry, car to Pit/Transporter. Only for those who wish to move forward in the pack and can handle the sophistication. $2,000 Ph 0414 274 369.226 l Race seats, top quality imported race seats at wholesale prices. Ph 02 6562 7762 or 0412 785 486. 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 available. CCI Ph 0418 925 767. l Pedals, brake/clutch, floor mount/hanging, new/sued. Also available, bias valves, bias cables, master 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.

Super Sedan chassis, AU Falcon, fibreglasfbody kit complete less running gear. Excellent condition, $2000.

Ph 4730 3440 or 0419 989 010.226 '

l Hewland, DGB, 5 speed transaxle, top condition, new 9:31 CWP, ratio choices and spares available, $14K ratios, over 300 in stock to suit D(5P, 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 instock. CCI Ph0418 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. CCI Ph 0418 925 767.

Litre Sprintcar, Gerhardt Chome Mo^ midbar frame, 1240cc Kawasaki Cut down engine Hilborn fuel injection, Dyna S ignition, Halibrand splined QC

l Air jacks, new/used, large range, most applications, quick release handles available, top quality. C.C.I. Ph 0418 925 767.

Diff, Weld & Mag wheels. Comes with single axle open trailer and spares. $15 000.(07)54 754 356.. 225

l Radiators, aluminium, new/used, single/dual

Super Sedan, VS Clubsport Commodore, Rayburn chassis, full fibreglass bodykit, aluminium interior, ready for your running gear, suit upgrade, $2500 ono, Ph 0416 048 926.225 Speedcar parts clearance, shocks, torsion bars, front end, gear sets, birdcages from $50, ph Craig 0419 692 117.226

Modified Productiryi VK/VL Commodore, all good equipment, PRO shocks. Autometer guages, Mallory pump, MSO, Chariyn power steer, heaps of spares, $8000 ono, Ph 07 5598 5746 or 0417 728 229.226

Paris Chev Bowtle 184 block, new with Olvercaps $4000 ph 08 9349 8959(Perth). 227 Pro Action 14' heads, hand ported, brand new with flow sheets, $7500 ph 08 9349 8959(Perth). 222 Group C ASX Super T 10 with Hurst shifter, A1 condition, not used since full sen/ice including synchro^ and beating kit, $2350, ph 0412 670 422.227 Group C ASX Salisbury 10 bolt Detroit locker, still in Harrop packaging following routine service, $1500, ph 0412 670 422, 227 Cortina 1500 sidedraught hi Dellorto carb 5mm and manifold and Escort 1600 single sidedraught manifold $450 the lot ph Ross 0408 333 651. 226 Holden Commodore VN V8 T700 gearbox, fully rebuilt only done lOOkms. Very strong gearbox, nothing to spend, everything brand new. $1300, Ph Troy 04f0 480 534 or 02 9731 0733.226 2 X 481DA Weber carburettors, excellent condition, 37 Venturis, 135 mains and 175 airs. $1700 firm, ph 02 9931 6032.226 Weber 58 DC03 carby, No. 81, collectors item, scarce as an honest politician. Best offer over two grand. Ph 0417 528 900 or 03 6431 2482.226 GTP data logger, inci sensors used once $1000 Mazda RX7 SJR 6 computer as used in GTP car $1200 ono (cost $2000) Ph 0413 445 738 or 08 9378 2666.225 Two intercoolers by AVO, both suit cars up to 600HP, 1. 520x320x75 2. 800x310x70 offers on both Ph Ken 0412 546 157 (Vic). 226 Olin shocks, set of 4, duel action gas/multi adj sep rebound/bump, hand adjst external res, very good condition, $4000 ONO Ph Craig 0419 401 542 or 08 8359 4100.226 Subaru 5TI GTP parts, 19 used Dunlop slicks 205 600 R16, 4 used Michelin slicks 18/62-16, 4 near-new Dunlop wets 205/50R161687V, 2 new Dunlop wets 205/50R161687V, 2 RPM clutches, 1 new VF25 turbo charger, 1 boot lid, 1 slightly damaged aluminium bonnet, 1 data logger

6 March 2002

aluminium tray with drop sides heavy duty tow bar new tyres less than 12 months sice full rebuit. $15,000 Ph 4978 0078 or 0408 754 191.226

Most packages include accom, b/fast tickets & pits, transfers, gst, booking & service fees, M5T Event Pack, conditions apply, limited availability, prices & packages may be subject to change, we accept most credit cards. Enquiries & Bookings contaa the Team at Motor Sport Tours Pty Ltd Ph 07 4691 5833 Fax 07 4691 5733 Mob 0412 900 228 Postal

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Supercar 1000 10-13 Oaober, fr$319 pp.

AddressPo Box 83 Oakey Qld 4401 1986 Isuzu Pantech, currently used to GTP car, fully lined inside, tyre racks, alum ramps, fully enclosed annexe, suit GTP. Plenty of storage, POA. Ph Brian Carr 0409 819 650.226 It. 51

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]

Transporter, 28' x 8'xlO' PAN, Retractable Ramps and winch. 240 & 12 volt, plenty of belly locker storage, side door access, drives very well, reliable and economical,(wheel racks) and Hino's biggest 170 diesel. Best Genuine offer. Around $15,000 Ph- 0418 644 217. 226

Email - motorsportours®02email.com.au Web - www.motorsportours.com.au Dynamometer chassis vane, Vpl 30 rated 150 hp updated elertronics excellent condition suit diagnostic tuning or LPG specialist, $6500 Canberra Ph 02 6282 1880. tie Racing Car News magazines, 1963-1987, history of Australian Motor Sport. Best offer, ph 02 9774 3883 iie My 40-year collection of magazines(ind AMS, RCN,sew sets) and race programmes(50s Albert Park, Bathurst 40s-50s and 500s/1000s, 0/Pk, W/Farm, etc) is for sale. Ph Max Stahl 02 4362 2000. 226

Fantastic opportunity to expand your automotive library, many on offer no longer available. Aust Competition Y/books 1975, 1976, No 8 plus Aust Motor Racing Y/books Nos 10, 11,

Coach transport, 37ft mid-mount 250hp turbo Volvo, 4 speed, pre-selected gearbox, airbrakes,

12,13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, various prices, ph 0408 413 309 or email

tubeless tyres, excellent condition, $14000, ph 02 4730 3440 or 0419 989 010. 226

stuartbowes@bigpond.com. 226

Fully enclosed tandem trailer. suit any sedan, storage under floor, both sides lift up to become awnings, torque twist suspension, 4 wheel electric brakes, mag wheels, custom paint job, professionally built by Motorsport Trailers. $12,000 ph 0408 579 686 or 03 5382 5940 (Horsham). 225

pass, top quality, large range, various sizes, suit all applications, fr $300. CCI Ph 0418 925 767.

l Driving suits, top brand imported race suits, boots, gloves etc. Many styles and colours at wholesale prices, Ph 02 6562 7762 or 0412 785 486.

Engines Nissan RB25 with twin turbos. Ideal racing motor or fantastic street beast. Sump and engine mounts currently configured to suit 240-2602 $3750 Haltech E6K also available. PH:0417 188 334(Perth). 227 Engine rebuilding stand,heavy duty, fits any motor, very little use, cost over $300, sell for $ 150.

Ph 03 9720 5667.227

Transpoiters/Traiicfs

Toyota I8RGEU 2 It twin cam, twin 40mm side draught dual throat delorto, electric fuel pump, tuned 1 1/2" extractors, 2" exhaust, steel 5sp,

o ofSfsa

ilia

CF Bedford Racecar Transporter, Enclosed 15ft tray with lockable storage in front section, tyre racks, winch , 4mtr alloy ramps , lights, long range fuel tank, alarm, full length enclosed annex, suit small sedan or open wheeler. $10 OOO.Contact SMEATON MOTORSPORT 0418 883 973.222 Fully enclosed triaxle trailer, ex-Jim Richards, single car, full length annexe, benches, tyre racks, storage area, 4 years old, normal towbar set-up.

Must be sold, $11,500, ph 0419 524 752.222

Leyland Leopard bus/car carrier, excellent condition semi-automatic 4-speed, 6 cylinder mid-mount enghe ll.OOOcc, fully reconmditioned engine still under warranty, engine only travelled 4500kms since $10,000 rebuild, registration until June 2002. Originally race car carrier(V8 Super Sedan).

Make perfect mobile home/car carrier in one.

Windows all tinted, air brakes, priced to sell $17,990 ono or will swap for people mover to same value. Contact John McGhee 0411 059 329.:226 bowline single axle trailer suit open wheeler, has jockey wheelm winch, 2 spare mag wheels and tyres. Fully enclosed with windows for vision while towing. $2250 ONO Ph 02 4576 1222. 226

Other Drive available in C/Cup car, full prepared and run by professional team. Running with Power Tour eight rounds. Feeder category to Super V8.

Contaa Garry 02 4577 2779 or 0407 272 165. 222 Enclosed trailer, 6.5 x 2.5 x 2.0, white colour-bond, 4 wheel electric brakes with

Magazines, Motorsport News 150 issues from #1 $200, Auto Aaion 478 issues from #40 (April

brake away systenn light truck tyres, 12v/240v power, bench, cupboards, beds, free standing full length annexe, excellent cond, $5,000 ph 07 4978 0078 or 0408 754 191.226

1972) $350, Racing Car News 300 issues from 1968 (virtually complete) $275, Ph Glenn (Auckland NZ)00 64 9 571 3341. 222

view at www.geocities.com/stan_remmus. Comes with free RA40 Celica on custom suspension. $1200 ono. Ph Jim 07 4163 1670 or kremmen@gmx.net. in Two Holden engines, rebuilt Perkins slide manifolds, 1 wet sump 1 dry sump. Both with exhausts tail pipes and mufflers. Complete ready to bolt in, fresh off the dyno. Ph 03 5626 1319.226 Porsche engines, 993 3.6e $16,800, Varioram $21,045, 993 twin turbo $44,700, 6 spd g/box $6490,

993

twin

turbo

body

$32,000

(undamaged), suspnsions. Big Reds, GRP body panels, Ph 0417 620 980.226 Mazda 13B J port, 5 sprints since rebuilt, c/w manifold, 51mm Webber, clutch and flywheel, all In vgc, can see running, will deliver to Melbourne, must sell, $3000 ono ph 03 5777 8220.226 BMW 2.01 Super Tourer spec $14, Harrop crank, Argo rods, Ross pistons, C/F intake manifold, Motec M4 and harness, Ph Kim bh 07 3343 2733 or 0411 492 484.226

Wanted Sponsors wanted for 2002 Konica V8 Supercar team. All budgets catered for.

Maximum exposure guaranteed. First in, best dressed, ph Barry 0418 455 043. 222 Anything HDT, Hats, Shirts, Jackets, Flags, by private collector. Phone Wade on 02 4647 2923.

**®l»»S|»Sfl'l‘oors2 » ONE CALL DOES IT ALL, Clipsal 500 Adelaide V8 Supercarsl5-17 March, fr$599 pp.Phillip Island Superbikes 22-24 March, fr$379pp. Phillip Island V8 Supercars 12-14 April, fr$379pp. Hidden Valley Darwin V8 Supercars 17-19 May, fr$649pp.Bathurst V8

orkiggins@bigpond.com.au. 222 1 have experience in V8 Supercar crewing, incI wheel changes, refuelling, car prep etc, and am seeking involvement at Adelaide 500, Other categories also considered. Call Matt 0419 734 387 or 08 8178 0847. 22; Borg Warner single rail close ratio gearbox. 4 speed. Ph Scott 02 4982 6834, in,

99

i

OPINION

goMRiNin EDITORML STAFF Editor: Phil Branagao l editor@mnev\5.com.au Assistant Editor: Aaron Noonan l noonz@nnnews.com.au Staff Journalist: Mark Glendenning l mark@mnews.com.au

PRODUCTION Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby l viv@mnews.com.au RDVERTISINO Advertising Manager: Brendon Sheridan l ads@mnews.com.au IDMINISTRRTION Managing Director: Chris Umbden l publisher@mnews.con],au eONTRCTS 357 Nepean Highway, Brighton East Vic 3187 (PO Box 1010 North Caulfield Vic 3161) Ph: 03 9596 5555 Fax: 03 9596 5030 Email: mnews@mnews.com.au COHTRIRUTORS General: Grant Nicholas, Darryl Fiack, Mark Jones, Jon Thomson FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper Europe: Quentin Spurring, Gary Walking, US: Phil Morris Speedway: Brett Swanson, Julie Pearce, Geoff Rounds, Wade Aunger, Tony Millard (UK), Greg Boscato 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 D Clark (USA) National: Mark Wicks, Sean Henshelwood, Erin McCowatt Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Marshall Cass, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, AF1 Images, Neil Hammond, Slipstream Photographic, Phil Williams, Allsport, John Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, John Bosher, Lynley Reid, Mike Patrick (UK), Daniel Wilkins, Peter French, Chris Carter, James Smith, Paris Charles, Bob Potts Cartoonist: Allan Schofield Motorsport News is published by Australasian Motorsport News - ABN 55 125 120 702 Publisher: C Lambden Printed by: Offset Alpine Printing Pty Ltd, Lidcombe, NSW. 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 ioss of material submitted. ●Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

SUBSORIPTIOHS Australia (ind GST) Overseas (Air Mail): New Zealand, PNG, Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillippines, Hong Kong, Japan US, Canada, Europe

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Post your cheque/money order to the address above, fax your credit card details (Bankcard, VISA, (vlastercard, or Amex) to 03 9596 5030 or email to mnews@mnews.com.au 100

sick of the sight of her and I hope I speak for many others.

Couldn’t we just enjoy the moment of having Webber starting his first GP, then,

Steinlager, anyone?

They-came, through luck they conquered, and with dignity, they shat on the non-believers in a huge way.

Call me anti-Kiwi or whatever you like, but let’s face it, even Scott Dixon was Australian-bom, though Russell Crowe is a true Kiwi.

Mark Webber is our hero until Scott Dixon arrives, and that isn’t,far away.

Mark, you did Australasia proud! Not only Australia, but even us Kiwis. OK,so we don’t drink VB and other swear words in the beer product range. But our beer has the taste that rivals Webber’s debut drive.

Sure there was chaos and carnage,-but the making of a good driver is his ability to pick‘his way through the mess and get on with the job. He more than delivered, in fact he embarassed mid-wives, such was his delivery.

Wish I was at the KL Minardi party tonight!

The Melbourne Grand Prix is an amazing event. It has this year seen the debut of a potential World Champion. A man with a dream, a goal, a desire, an ambition that he is prepared to pursue with undying passion.

Today, Mark, you got the result you richly deserve, but not only you, but your support team. No driver is able to achieve without his team, and your support team is amazuig.

To Ron Walker and the Melbourne Grand Prix team, you did an excellent job yet again.

You stuck it up the pessimists and have shone through. Long may Melbourne live and soon may Scott Dixon race!

Nathan Addis nathan.addis@zfree.co.nz

Nine should do its bit

incredibly, finishing in the points, without having her sticking her beak in every five seconds?

It all seemed rather self-

converter Send us your thoughts: mail: 357 Nepean Highway, Brighton East, ViC 3187 fax: 03 9596 5030 email: mnews@mnews.com.au

serving - I’m sure she had more to gain from it all than Minardi did.

Us true Aussie race fans would have been happier to see Bob Jane draped over the car.

Put him in a miniskirt even. I don’t care.

Just please, someone, put Sarah Jane out to pasture!(or at least introduce her to the some other sport and let us enjoy out racing in peace!)

Andrea Hillman hillman_01@hotmail.com

early hours in the morning to watch it.

If Channel Nine put the races on at a respectable hour, that would mean that more people would watch them and the Australian sponsors might then think that they would be getting value for money, and start putting more money into the sport.

Thanks to Channel Nine, any sponsorship by Australian companies can only be seen by a few die-hard fans who stay up well past midnight to watch the races.

Evan Lehepuu evs_letterbox@hotmail.com MG:You may be interested to know that the Malaysian GP will be apparently be telecast at 11pm because of- wait for it - AFL.

Overexposed Firstly, congratulations to Mark and Stoddy for a sensational performance at Albert Park.

But I have to say that this Sarah Jane thing has gone too far.

I don’t care how many times she has been downloaded, I for one am

MN keeps it real I just had to write to give you guys a big thumbs up for the article titled ‘Best of the Best’(MN #224).

You brought some great memories back for me and I couldn’t fault your selections.

I’d also like to throw my two bobs worth in about the current debade with the pre quahfing for the V8s.

With over-subscribed grids and the potential for smaller teams not making it onto the grid, therefore not giving their sponsors value for money, why can’t the V8 brigade take a leaf out of the speedway handbook?

That is, run heats so that all the cars and drivers get a start, and only the top finishers (the percent would alter from round to round depending on grid capacity) progressing through to the grand final heat of the day.

Not only would this give all the drivers a chances to race but would also be more of a spectacle.

Warren Taylor katana@sunshine.net.au

Firstly, I would like to congratulate Mark Webber, Paul Stoddart and the entire Minardi team for their sensational placing in the Australian Grand Prix.

Let’s hope there is more to come from them.

But my gripe is with some comments made by Eddie McGuire and Alan Jones during the telecast. Before the race they were saying, “c’mon corporate Australia, get behind Mark Webber and the Minardi team with sponsorship dollars.”

I’m sitting there thinking, ‘well

isn’t the pot calling the kettle black’. How about Channel 9 getting behind FI? If you want to see a FI race on

TV in. Australia, 90 percent of the time you have to stay up into the

Brilliant: Webber’s efforts at Albert Park were great. Really great. As (Pholo by Beome/Sulton) great as Kiwi beer even, according to one reader. motorsport news

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