Motorsport News Issue 237 - August 7-20, 2002

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motorspoit news

Issue 237

7-20 August 2002

news and opinion 4

Jaguar deal close Webber looking good for 2003 ...

5

Brock for Bathurst! The Great One' to make a Mountain comeback

7

Jacques back to CART? Jerry Forsythe’s got a lot of money...

10 PD for Perkins Look for the Konica Champ to join Castrol at the endures - and in 2003 12 Mika calls it a day Two-time

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features »

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Badwrat^ V8dri*Bf« ON Photos: Cover: Sutton-lmages and Marshall Cass.

D e Contents: Slipstream D1 0 Photographic, Sutton-lmages, BJhuvHMOjOSE Marsh/Bothwell, Marshall Cass ri n <ur and Aaron Noonan. liBiM

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20 Motorcycles

62 Rallying

64 Drag Racing

66 NASCAR

68 Speedway

70 Histories

72 National Scene

75 Marketplace

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Webber dearcrose

MARK Webber is close to a deal with Jaguar for 2003 and beyond.

While the British media is suggesting that a deal is done, Webber's personal manager Ann Neal told Reuters last week that nothing is yet signed and that there are alternative options.

Webber himself confirmed during a brief visit home this week that his management team - Flavio Briatore and Bruno Michel - are having indepth discussions with Jaguar boss Niki Lauda, but that no final conclusion had been reached: "Fortunately, I'm in the position where there are three potential teams I could drive for next year," Webber told MN this week.

Other options - apart from the possibility of remaining with Minardi - reportedly include Toyota and, surprisingly, Sauber.

There are rumours of a Sauber test in the near future, but the size of the compact Sauber, which precluded Jos Verstappen from taking up a test role with the team, would make it a difficult option for the tall Aussie.

Toyota has yet to announce its line-up for 2003, despite the fact that Mika Salo has a contract for 2003. Allan McNish is considered a certainty to be replaced.

There are dally rumours concerning Toyota's plans, the latest being the conscription of Cristiano de Matta, but MN understands that Webber's name is also being canvassed.

A wildcard is the newlyrevealed Ford/Jordan package, although MN's UK sources are suggesting that in order to satisfy sponsor pressure from B&FI for a Brit, Jordan will 4

Looking green and good: Webber has already tested the Jaguar. Its looking (Photos by Sulton-lma^es) likely that green is the colourfor the Aussie in 2003.

prolong Eddie Irvine's career.

The most spectacular follow up rumour is that Heinz-Flarald Frentzen, who this week walked out on Arrows, will, similarly, line up to satisfy German sponsor Deutsche Bank - at the expense of Giancarlo Fisichella - who then goes who-knows-where ...

It is a turbulent time on the FI driver market, but Webber seems confident of a worthwhile spot in 2003. As a Jordan spokesman told

MN last weekend, "Politics aside, the bloke they all want is Webber..."

The man himself has suggested during various press conferences during his whirlwind home trip that things should be settled in six weeks.

MN, however, believes the wheels of negotiation may well move a little faster, given the current frantic activity within the FI market.

Look for MW in green in 2003.

and a new partner ...

MARK Webber seems likely to line up with a new Minardi team-mate at the next GP, in Hungary. Following his third failure to qualify, Alex Yoong is expected to be stood down for at least two races.

Just who will line up is yet to be announced. Options canvassed have included Fernando Alonso, David Saeleens, Giorgio Pantano, and even Bryan Herta. All, with the exception of Alonso, will drive two-seaters at the Minardi Thunder in the Park day this week...

“I had a long chat with Alex after qualifying in Germany,” said Webber. “He opened up quite a bit and admitted he’s finding it just too hard to go to the level that's needed “In terms of who takes over. It would be good to have someone with FI experience. It would increase the pressure on me, but it would be a good opportunity to measure up, see what I’ve learned so far, and to learn some more ...”

:k comeback

suit up again for Bathurst in October

NEWS SJ and AJ and Rat and Ritter ALTHOUGH the team hasn't made any announcements about endurance pairings, Shell Helix/DJR regular pilots will be split up for the VIP Pet Foods Queensland 500 and Bob Jane TMarts 1000, Steven Johnson and Alan Jones will team up in car #17, while Paul Radisich will be joined by Greg Ritter in #18. n Neal Bates tested for 00 Motorsport in the lead-up to the Oran Park round and will join Rodney Forbes for the endurance races. The rally ace only got a handful of laps in Forbes's newly repaired ex-Stone Brothers Faicon at Winton before Forbes put it into the wall and had to resort to using the ex-Colourscan Ford at Oran Park. n Cameron McLean's VIP Pet Foods team has swapped one veteran for another, by replacing Tony Scott with Peter Doulman for the endurance races. Business commitments prevented Scott from taking the drive as planned, so the 1993 Two-Litre touring car champion will take his place for the enduros at Queensland and Bathurst.

"I'm extremely happy about it," said Doulman, 44, who drove with John Faulkner at Bathurst last year.

Hooacuts is..-*-

Betcha Bairdo didn’t think he’d be pamaering Peter Brock when he joined Team Brock at the start of the year...

Anything is possible in motor racing, as Brock himself freely admits. Genuflect, the King is looking good ...

(Photos by John Morris/Mpix)

by CHRIS LAMBDEN PETER Brock will, it seems, suit up for Team Brock in the Queensland 500/Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar endurance double this year.

Despite all the ifs, buts, maybes and other diversions from all the parties involved over the past fortnight. Brock himself gave the clearest indication that a return to the driver’s seat of a V8 Supercar was imminent during a personal appearance in country Victoria last Thursday.

Addressing a Ballarat Road Safety Council meeting. Brock, 57, answered a question on the ability of over 55s at the wheel by stating 1 August 2002

unambiguously that he would drive in this year’s V8 Supercar mce at Bathurst.

Brock ackno-wledged the positive commercial implications for his newly-launched V8 Supercar team of a comeback in an interview in the last issue of Motorsport Ne-ws, hut at the time said that “a lot would have to transpire for it to occur.”

Things have, clearly, started to happen.

The nine-time Bathurst 1000 Miiner has since test driven the Tham Brock Commodore VX again and has reportedly kicked off a physical training regime.

An announcement, detailing sponsors etc, is expected in a

couple of weeks.

At the same time, it seems as though the team will run a second car for the endures, James Brock set to partner team principal Rod Nash, with Brock Snr sharing the lead car with current team driver Craig Baird.

While a Brock comeback is unlikely to thrust the fledgling Team Brock into outright contention for the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000,it win be a promotional boon for the race. But anything is possible remember the odds on offer for the Brad Jones Falcon prior to race day at last year’s 1000 ...

Comment: Motor Mouth, page 25

n Anthony Tratt will, as we speculated some time ago, be joined

by Paul Stokell for the endurance race in the Toll Falcon AU. As somewhat of a trade-off, Tratt will line up with Stokell in the Lamborghini Diablo at the Sandown 500 in September.

Speaking of the 500, expect Tony Quinn and Jim Richards to again team up, this time in Quinn's VIP Pet Foods GT3 Cup car, while Peter Fitzgerald is, apparently, quite keen for Porsche Cup star Matt Coleman to join him in his Falken Tyres machine. n Steve Owen will drive the Imrie Motor Sport Commodore in the endurance races. The car's regular Konica Series pilot is thought to be teaming up with Tasmanian Dean Crosswell.

"I thought it was better to be the lead driver in this car than do the 'nightshift' in a Level 1 car," said Owen on the weekend of his decision. n The Pepsi team unveiled a new look for Dugal McDougall's Commodore at Oran Park and is busy auditioning tor the endurance races, /jilan Gurr was slated to have a test drive on Tuesday, just after we went to press.

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Spicy wings: The rear may work well but Ford’s men are saying they (Photo by Marshall Cass) need a new splitter to take on the Commodores.

No Ford aero hanges yet

V8 team owner Ross Stone isn’t optimistic that a front downforce discrepancy between Falcon and Commodore V8 Supercars, reconfii-med during recent tests, will be addressed.

Data from the recent aerodynamic testing, at Avalon Airport, has now been distributed to TEGA Board members for discussion, but with the board split 50:50 Ford/Holden and chairman Wa3me Cattach unable to use a casting vote. Stone believes there is little likelihood of the change that he believes is required to restore parity between the marques.

“I haven’t seen the data yet,” Stone told MN on Monday, “but like you I’ve heard that the results are much the same as last time.

“We copped the lower front downforce last time around, but there’s no doubt that on the latest control tyre, the effect is magnified.

“We have put a strong case for change, but with the board split the way it is, there’s little prospect of a change ...” he lamented.

“The AVESCO Board did have a general discussion on the matter at its recent meeting, but the data wasn’t available at that time and, frankly, I don’t think they got very far. » Stone plans to maintain his campaign for change, though.

“There are still a number of races to go this year and every race that we do, where our (Ford) cars’ tyres go away more than Holden’s the further we get into the race, the more the evidence is clearer for our case.”

6

However, unless TEGA Chairman Cattach is allowed to exercise an independent casting vote, or an independent gi’oup is brought in to rule on the matter, the farcical deadlock looks set to remain.

miwTOOis

Tracy turns blue

Forsythe Racing in 2003 after agreeing terms with team boss Gerry Forsythe last week, "It's not done yet but Player's made me a great offer," said Tracy in Vancouver.

Tracy could have been left high and dry with the recent news that Michael Andretti had bought out Team Kool Green boss Barry Green recently and looks likely to take the team into Feb. 23, St. Petersburg, the Indy Racing League. Tracy Ra. has already said that he has no intention of racing in the ovalMarch 23, Monterrey, only series.

Mexico "I had a meeting with April 13, Long Beach Michael, (his co-owners) Kim May 4, Miami (Green) and Kevin (Savory) and May 18, Chicago they want me to stay with their team but they say they sti ll June 1, Miiwaukee don't know what they're doing June 15, Laguna Seca next year.

June 22, Portiand "I'm prepared to give them Juiy 6, Cleveiand more time but time is running out and I've to know where I'm Juiy 13, Toronto going to be real soon. But I've Juiy 27, Vancouver said all along. I'll do whatever it Aug. 10, Mid-Ohio takes to stay in CART" Aug. 17, Elkhart Lake "I'm a road racer and I 've Aug- 31, Denver made my living in CART for the Montreal ; past 12 years," he said. " 1 like R the challenges of this series, the variety it offers and the 3a W demands it puts on a driver. ^pt> , O) Asked by a journalist last I weekend at Vancouver if it was Oct. 12, Mexico City I 'his last appearance, Tracy “ replied: "I 'l l be back. I guarantee 26, Surfers Paradise o it."

3- Fontana, Caiif. sz - PHIL MORRIS Q.

PAUL Tracy will be back in CART next season - but not back in black, or even green.

The 33-year-old Canadian will suit up in Players blue for

CART announces calendar CART has announced a 20-race calendar for its 2003 season.

The calendar, released last weekend in Vancouver, features a number of changes, notably the Canadian events running back-to-back and a surprise inclusion of the German race at the Eurospeedway, which has had its 2002 race cancelled due to the track's financial difficulties.

Australian retains its traditional late-October date for what is likely to be a combined CART/V8 Supercars event.

A notable absentee is the IMotegi oval race in Japan. The \ Honda-owned track will hos^ '^^^nd of the IndyJ^emgT ^ague and its los^le^^sjqnlyiu ' '^five oval events omtne„./iP/''

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/calendar. , 1 The season yyjir kibk off c. eariier than uiual. in lateFebruary, vy^ii| Qu^'iifying Da^ for the Indy |b0 is ciear for teams which race wantastoa do IRL headiine onethe -off. .

-PHiL-MORRiS

2003 CART dates

motorsport news

return to CART?

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by PHIL MORRIS

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t’s not IVlioliael Andretti MICHAEL Andretti has outed Barry Green and become the team owner of what will become Andretti Green Racing.

The 39-year-old driver has joined forces with Kevin Savoree, above left, and team manager Kim Green to run the team, but its future may not lie with the FedEx Championship Series. Depending on sponsorship and the preferences of Andretti’s major backer Honda, the team may move to the IRL. “Owning a racing team hasn’t necessarily been a life-long ambition,” said Andretti, above centre, “but as I began moving up the driver seniority list, I thought about how I could continue to be involved in the sport after my driving days are over.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity than to join Kim and Kevin in taking over the team from Barry.”

7 August 2002

“Michael and I have enjoyed a dose and productive relationship dating back to our days at Kraco Facing,” said Bany Green. “When lie joined Team Green last year Ifichael mentioned he was interested in owning a race team at some stage of his career, but it ■wasn't until last winter that he approached me about buying the team. I knew Kim and Ke'vin were also interested in team ownership, so I saw this as the perfect opportunity, not so much to sell Tsam Green, but to pass it on to my brother, Kevin and Michael.”

While which series Andretti’s team will race in remains unclear, it appears that Bany Green may not be lost to CART. Rumours suggest that the West Australian may form a new team for soon-tobe ex-Players driver Patrick Carpentier, with backing from Canadian brewer, Molson’s.

IN the most intriguing story of the season, it appears that Jacques Villeneuve could turn his back on Formula One and return to the CART Champ Car series.

CART team owner Gerry Forsythe, who used to run the :.French-Ganadian in the series and who is a shareholder in BAR, could have an all-Canadian line up in his Players Team next season, with Villeneuve joining Paul Tracy and Alex Tagliani.

“We’re looking for opportunities that would enable Player’s to run three cars next year,” Forsythe said on the weekend,“and we’re looking to bring somebody back to our series who’s got ‘star power’.

“I believe there’s a former CART champion who fits that description.”

The last reference is believed to be to Villeneuve; when asked if he had been talking about his former driver, Forsythe chuckled and replied: “He would be a good candidate.”, Villeneuve has suffered a tough four years since joining his mentor and manager, Craig Pollock, at BAR. The 1997 world champion is contracted to the team for the 2003 season but, with new BAR boss David Richards apparently baulking at Jacques’s $36m salary - 20 percent of his budget- for next season, it could mean that the move could be on.

At bar’s recent announcement that Jenson Button would drive for the team next season, Richards hinted that he was working on a solution which would suit all three drivers. Button, Villeneuve and current BAR man, Olivier Panis; “Olivier has contributed greatly and there might be a solution that can work for all three parties but I can’t tell you any more.”

Forsythe may be able to afford Villeneuve and Tracy because 2003 will be the final season during which Player’s(a Canadian brand owned by British American Tobacco) can advertise through motorsport before a tobacco ban comes in the following year.

The blockbuster move would also been a huge boost for the struggling series. Villeneuve, the 1995 CART champion,pictured, and Indy 500 winner, is still a big name in the USA and his presence is certain to be welcomed by new CART boss Chris Pook.

NEWS Halliday at home Matt Halliday has returned home to Auckland to recover following his massive Infiniti Pro Series accident in Kansas on July 7.

"My return to racing will be solely determined by the date the pins are removed from my wrist," the former Formula Holden racer said.

"That's the only real hurdle remaining as I'm feeling better and better each day. I'm confident my fitness will then return quickly so I can carry out the necessary medical tests to allow me to get back behind the wheel." n Last year, it was the Holden Monaro which stole the limelight at Bathurst but this year, look for the Torana XLI-1 at the big race. More than 100 of the little (and big) cars will appear at Mount Panorama on Sunday morning, with enthusiasts from as far away as New Zealand bringing cars for the event. n Still a week away from its official launch, Australia's 'Great Race' is showing record sales. Just 50 grandstand seats for the Bob Jane TMarts Bathurst 1000 remain after a rush on tickets at the weekend and new additional seating is being ordered by race organiser IMG. More than 50 percent of campsites for 40th anniversary of the race have been pre sold while corporates are also selling fast.

■ Network Ten will be auctioning V8 Supercar memorabilia at Winton Raceway in the merchandising area between races one and two on Sunday. All money raised will be going to senior cameraman Gil Oberhofer, who was seriously injured in a car accident leaving Barbagallo Raceway earlier this year. Matthew White and Mark Oastler will perform the auction with a couple of drivers as assistants.

Items for auction will include panels, hot laps, signed tee shirts and caps.

Motorsport News wishes Gil the speediest of recoveries.

■ Dick Johnson Racing has appointed former Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) senior executive, Steve Chalker, to the newly-created role of General Manager. Chalker was formerly General Manager, Marketing Services, with Australia's best-known brewer.

■ Rod Salmon's AU Falcon has found a new home. Craig Bastian, who has been campaigning the original ex-CAT EL, will run the car in the 30-lap Bathurst Konica race with the intention of returning to the Konica Series in 2003.

■ Engineer Matthew Lyall, originally based at Ford Racing but who has aided a number of Ford teams to date, has started at DJR as the team tries to turn its poor 2002 fortunes around.

7

H-HF Konica Series as an appertiser? A return by V8 Supercars to Tasmania could begin with the Konica Series (Pholo by Dirk Klynsmith) making an appearance next year.

V8s back to Tassie?

THERE is still no firm word yet on a replacement race for the Canberra 400 in the 2003 V8 Supercar series - but it may return to Tasmania.

AVESCO has three potential projects ‘on the go’- Tasmania, Homebush in Sydney and Townsville - with one quite close, according to CEO Wayne Cattach.

He declined to nominate which one, although rumour is suggesting that a return to trans-Bass Straight travel is on the cards.

AVESCO Operations Manager Tony Manson visited Symmons Plains and Baskerville immediately after Winton’s recent Konica round and, according to Motorsport

Tasmania General manager Dick Caplice, the KV8SS could be seen in Launceston next year.

“We did talk to Manson about having a (Konica)round next year,” Caplice said this week.

“We know that Canberra has fallen over but we have not spoken about anything else.”

One of the sticking points is the recent State elections, in which the Labor government was returned with a bigger majority. Premier Jim Bacon is said to be in favour of a return to the Island state of the main V8 Series but whether that means that he would financially support an event remains to be seen.

Motorsport Tasmania Ltd runs both Symmons Plains and Baskerville, but the latter would require significant upgrades to meet the standard required for a visit from the V8 circus.

However, a parcel ofland adjacent to the Hobart track is available and, should the government support a scheme, an upgrade would be possible.

Another pointer in favour to a return to Tasmania is an increase in shipping capacity to the state.

The government recently secured the use of two large ferries that are expected to go into service before the end of the month.

-PHIL BRANAGAN

llffiiere to for n/linardi now?

THERE have been a lot of stories in recent days suggesting that Paul Stoddart is on the verge of selling his Minardi team to a consortium led by Irishman Brendan McGuinness and involving Prince A1 Waleed.

If this bid was successful, Stoddart would leave the team and McGuinness would take over as team principal. The team would not be greatly changed, with sporting director John Walton continuing to run operations.

However McGuinness is not the only party involved in a bid for the team. At the recent German GP, Stoddart entertained another group which is keen to buy the team.

Stoddart says that the team needs to have a new influx of money if it is to continue to be built up. He says that he is not in a position to fund the team himself.

- JOE SAWARD 8

Jordan back with Ford?

SOURCES close to the Jordan Grand Prix team are suggesting that a new,three-year contract with Ford Motor Company is a ‘done deal’.

Jordan’s Honda contract runs through 2003, but the Japanese manufacturer is believed to want an exclusive arrangement with British American Racing next season. Jordan asked Toyota for a 2003 engine supply, but was turned down.

Now Ford is said to be almost ready to announce that it will supply the team with Cosworth engines, and that they will branded with the blue oval. If such is the case. Ford will have two of its brands in Formula 1. Jaguar Racing will use identical engines except for the logos.

-QUENTIN SPURRING

> ^

Lowndes i no’ to 24 Photo by Dirk Kiynsmith

CRAIG Lowndes has pulled the plug on his plans to enter PROCAR’s Bathurst 24 Hour race in November.

“I was close (to finalising a deal to compete), but Fm not doing it now,” he told us.

“That type of race is something I’m very interested in. I’ve always loved Le Mans and I suppose that this is an Australian eqmvalent, but there were a few things that were a bit difficult to arrange and we’re going to have to give it a miss for this year, anyway.”

We hear that Lowndes had been in discussion with Channel Ten reporter and V8 BRute driver Grant Denyer to race a TE 50, however the pair encountered one logistical hurdle too many and decided to scrap the plans.

- MARK GLENDENNENG moiortpon newi

leaves Arrews ■m w

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by QUENTIN SPURRING

Now what? Heinz-Harald Frentzen is on the market but seems to have (Photos by Sutton-lmages) somewhere to go. But where ...

fVhat a headache: Walkinshaw and Morgan Grenfell look certain to sell to (Photo hy Suuon-Imagt’s) Craig Pollock.

Now what?

Pollock lines up for a shot at Arrows IT is almost certain that Arrows will be sold to former BAR main man Craig Pollock, who has backing from a North American investor.

According to our sources, Tom Walkinshaw and merchant bankers Morgan Grenfell Private Equity will both be bought out of the operation.

We also hear that as soon as is possible, the team will move from Leafield to new premises. We hear that Morgan Grenfell is happy to go for as little as $60m.

Until the deal is done, there can be no real discussion about drivers, although the logical thing to do would be for whoever the new owner is to get rid of legal action from Jos Verstappen by giving the Dutchman the drive he should have had this year and offering him a deal for 2003.

-JOE SAWARD

7 August 2002

HEINZ-HARALD Frentzen left the troubled Arrows Formula 1 team last week.

Commenting on the release of the 35-year-old German from his current contract, Arrows CEO Tom Walkinshaw. said: “Heinz told us that, because of the uncertainty at the team, he wished to stand down, and we don’t want to stand in his way.”

Frentzen asked for the release so that he would be free to negotiate with other teams, and has several offers, including one from Jordan, whose main sponsor is German company Deutsche Post.

Frentzen may even return to Jordan this season, because there are strong suggestions that the team is considering ‘resting’ its Japanese rookie, Takuma Sato.

Alternatively Frentzen is still available to Arrows on a race-byrace basis but, while negotiations continue over the expected sale of the team, it is expected to find a pay-driver replacement for the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 1 8.

French Formula 3000 star Sebastien Bourdais, who impressed Arrows in a recent test, is the most likely candidate.

Frentzen’s manager Monty Field says that “something came up for us and it was just best that we ended our association with Arrows” but he refused to say what Frentzen intends to do next.

It is unlikely that the German would have left Arrows simply because the team had not paid him and with the drives for next year under discussion at the moment, being out of work is not a good idea.

NEWS n Peter 'Hollywood' Hackett will make a one-off return to Australian F3 this weekend at Wakefield Park.

Hackett will be reunited with Piccola Scuderia Corse, the team that helped him to the Australian F3 Championship last year, and will drive Jeffrey Brewer's Dailara F301.

Brewer is currently in the US due to family commitments. n Christian Murchison is considering pulling the plug on his Formula Holden campaign. The WAbased driver has competed in the series with Hooking Motorsport this season and last and the combined lack of funds and results are said to be wearing thin. Murchison is currently deciding whether to contest the next round of the Australian Driver's Championship at Winton next week.

■ Got two categories with problematic qualifying formats?

Swap them I Whispers from Planet PROCAR suggest that the Top Eight Eliminator, which was scrapped from the Nations Cup after Winton, may be resurrected for the V8 BRutes. Up until now, the utes grid has been based upon a lottery system, which has proved extremely unpopular with many competitors who claim that it is a major reason for the high rate of on-track incidents in BRute racing.

■ Former Formula Holden round winner Tim Leahey is going to make a one-off appearance at the Winton round. Leahey, who won the corresponding round in 2000, will drive the Murphy Motorsport car driven by Peter Hackett in the earlier rounds this season.

■ Two racing veterans had their swansong at the 2002 Konica V8 finale at Maliala last week, with Ross Halliday and Craig Harris both announcing that they are hanging up their helmets, Halliday Motor Sport will run a single AU Falcon for Greg Crick in next year's series, while Harris's Falcon is on the market.

■ Larry Perkins has stepped down from TEGA's new Technical Committee before its first meeting.

Lansvale Racing's Wally Storey is being touted as the replacement.

■ PROCAR has released a variety of information about the Bathurst 24 Hour. The on-track action will start on the Thursday with a two-hour night qualifying session for the 24 Hour machines, followed by a total of five and a half hours qualifying over Thursday and Friday. Teams must have no more than four and no less than three drivers while each driver will be able to race for up to three hours at a time and for a maximum of nine hours over the event. Total prizemoney will be $108,000, with the winning team receiving $10,000, pretty much a refund of their entry fee .,, 9

ten home of

[motorsport] V8 Supercar Championship* ●Rd 8

Aug 18 ...Winton

■Rd 9

Sep 15 ,..Qld Raceway Oct 13 Bathurst

,Rd 1 0

Oct 23

●Rd 11

Gold Coast ,

Nov 10 , . Pukekohe . .

■ Rd 12

Dec 1

,Rd 13

. . . .Sandown . .

Konica V8 Series*

Oct 12 . . . .Bathurst

.(non Championship)

FIA Formula One World Championship Aug 18 , , .Hungaroring

■ R d13

. . . .Spa

.Rd 14

Sep 15 . . .Monza . . . .

.Rd 15

Sep 29 . . .Indianapolis Oct 13 . . . .Suzuka . . . .

.Rd 16

Sep 1

.Rd 17

CART FedEx Championship* .Rd 11 . . .Mid Ohio . . .

Aug 11

Aug 18 . . .Elkhart Lake

.Rd 12

Aug 25 . . .Montreal . . .

.Rd 13

. . . .Denver . . . .

.Rd14

Sep 14 . . .Rockingham

.Rd 15

Sep 21

. . .Lausitzring .

.Rd 16

Oct 13

. . .Mexico City .

Sep 1

.Rd 17

MotoGP Motorcycle Championship* Aug 25 . . .Czechoslovakia

.Rd 10

Sep 8

, .Rd 11

Estoril

.Rd 12

Sep 21 Oct 6

. . .Jacarepagua .Motegi

,Rd13

Oct 13

. . .Sepang

.Rd 14

SBK World Super Bike Championship* Sep 1

Oschersieben

. Rdll

Sep 8

Assen

.Rd12

Sep 29 . . .Imola

.Rd13

Nations Cup Aug 11

.Rd7

. . .Wakefield Park . . .

Sep 8 . . . .Sandown

.Rd8

Sep 22 . . .Philip Island Oct 27 Surfers Paradise . .

.Rd 10

.Rd9

World Rally Championship* .Rd 9

Aug 8-11 . .Finland . . . .

Aug 22-25 .Germany . .

■ Rd 10

Sep 19-22 .San RemO .

Oct 3-6 . . .New Zealand

■ Rd 12

Nov 1-3 . . .Australia . . .

.Rd 13

.Rdll

Australian Rally Championship* .Rd5

Aug 10-11 .Tasmania

Sep 7-8 . . .Melbourne

.Rd6

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motorsport I

All event dales in Ihis calendar were correct at the time of printiiig. Please consult any individual tracks and/or associations (or dale changes.

Series or events telecast on Network Ten are marked with an asterisk. Check your local guides (or screening details.

GWR/ PD deal 1 Harris split

by AARON NOONAN

Q500 with BJR

GULF Western Racing (GWR) has split from Harris Racing.

The team, which ran a Harrisprepared AU Falcon for Dale Brede in this year’s Konica V8 Supercar Series, has ended its relationship with Harris on what a source close to the team described as “amicable terms”.

GWR will now link up with Brad Jones Racing to run a third BJR Falcon at the Queensland 500, and also plans to campaign at Bathurst if they are able to secure an entry.

Andy Jones, who made his V8 Supercar debut at the Winton Konica round last month in what will become the GWR/BJR car, has been confirmed to take the wheel.

Matthew Coleman and Stewart McColl are said to be the frontrunners in the race for the co driver's seat.

- MARK GLENDENNING

Return to the Dome THERE could be a return to racing at Calder Park’s Thunderdome - with NASCARs. Rusty French, who has raced in the V8 Stockcar class in the nowdefunct Power Tour series, is behind a plan to see the 700horsepower cars return to the banked tri-oval outside Melbourne.

“It is a possibility,” said Calder’s Peter Bridge.

“What is happening is that French is organising a group and, if there is enough cars, we will look at putting a meeting on.”

Bridge said that there would be a minimum number of 25 cars required to see the monsters reemerge on the ‘Dome, with a tentative date of early-to-mid December pencilled in.

Bridge also said that there had been strong interest from the traditional support categories, with Sportsman/AUSCARs and HQ Holdens the most likely classes to race.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

WHILE all of the parties aren't saying too much, expect Pauf^Dumbrell to be confirmed soon as the fourth driver in the Castrol/Perkins squad for the endurance races and to join Steven Richards full time in 2003.

The 19-year-old has tested a Castrol Commodore at Winton before and while he was very coy about the subject at Mallala on the weekend, the deal is all but done.

Motorsport News understands that a few minor issues still remain prior to a contract being signed, though the Konica V8 Supercar Series Champion did try to throw in a curveball at Mallala on the weekend by saying he has two offers for the main series next year.

Dumbrell ran an ex-Russell Ingall VX in this year's championship run by Marty Brant’s Independent Race Cars

squad, though did say that moving up to the main series with IRC wasn't one of those options.

Perkins intends to run twoand-a-half cars in V8 Supercar

GRM option^

WHILE all the talk on the driver market recently has centred around Russell Ingali, two more of Holden's Bathurst-winning drivers are yet to sign deals for 2003 Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna.

Tender’s name has been in circulation the most, the Western Australian being linked to a number of different teams, including Holden Racing Team and Briggs Motorsport.

"I have a couple of offers on the table," Tander said this week. "Nothing's done but 1 am not worried."

Tander has set himself what

he describes as a "tentative" deadline to sort out of drive for next season.

"There is a date but, if nothing is done by then, I am not going to be super-stressed about it. I am in much the same boat as Russell, except I am not making a fuss about it and my name is not in the papers . . ."

Tander is in his fourth season with Garry Rogers Motorsport and has discussed his future with his team owner.

"I have spoken to Garry and he has an offer on the table," he said. It is a tough decision to make but, at least, I have options.

motorsport news

NEWS

Birranarama

THE latest ‘new team’ rumour continues to circulate about a new Holden team in South Australia, with manufacturer backing.

Birrana Racing’s Malcolm Ramsay has again been linked to a new outfit using an existing team’s Level 1 franchise, possibly Romano Racing’s, with former driver Simon Wills returning.

Wiils, who is on a one-year deal with CAT Racing/Briggs Motorsport, said on Monday that, like all drivers, he is looking at his options for 2003.

“I’m looking at many options," he said.

“I’ve spoken a little bit to him (Ramsay) but I can’t see how he can get something up and going before next year. I don’t know if he can get in anyway with pre-qualifying and franchises and the like.

“I have a good relationship with CAT and I would really like that to continue.”

A South Australian Holden team last was mentioned prior to the introduction of Lowndes/Ford at Gibson Motorsport in late-2000, where the team was looking at running two cars from Adelaide and two from its Melbourne base.

Holden’s main manufacturing plant at Elizabeth in South Australia lends tremendous strength to Holden backing for a team to set-up shop in the state.

-AARON NOONAN

V racing next year, with young Kiwi Fabian Coulthard a chance to run either in the Konica Series or make a handfui of appearances in the Championship Series.

Fhu:o^pl:tc

i open JB re-signs "If you are going to go to a new team, you would want to be there for at least two years but, if it is a good team, you would be happy to be there for any length of time."

Meanwhile, his 2000 Bathurst-winning co-driver Bargwanna was even less clear on bis future; "I haven't sorted out what is going to happen next season yet," said Bargwanna. "So there isn't really much to say.

Winning races is my main priority at the moment and the rest will take care of itself."

Team boss Rogers said that he also was not working to a deadline to sign Tander of Bargwanna - or other drivers.

"There’s no deadline and we are talking, to everyone," he said. "(But) everything is in order here and we haven't got a problem. At the moment, what we are worrying about is Winton ..."

- PHIL BRANAGAN

7 August 2002

JOHN Bowe has re-signed with the Brad Jones Racing OzEmail Ford team for 2003.

which he “very much enjoys being part of.”

“That’s important to me,” Bowe told MN,“but what is also

Prancing Horse Racing, managing the day-to-day affairs of the Nations Cup force.

He is currently 12th in the V8 Championship Series points tally, but expects the team to again be a force at Bathurst after its stunning renaissance last year.

“We’re coming off a far more competitive base this time. Brad and I will make a good combination ...”

- CHRIS LAMBDEN

n Nothing like putting a race on and having a go at it yourself I PROCAR main man Ross Palmer is going to be among the entry list for the Bathurst 24 Hour in November.

He will share Peter Boylan's Quirk Refrigerations BMW M3 with Boylan, John Cowley and journalist Peter McKay. n A slight change to the Future Touring schedule. The V8-powered machines will support the Sandown 500 in September instead of at Phillip Island later that month. They will make their debut on the PROCAR Championship Series bill this weekend at Wakefield Park with a race on Saturday and a race on Sunday. n Super Tourers for 24 Hour! A team in the UK is sourcing funding to run a 1997-spec Honda Accord in the Bathurst 24 Hour.

Graham Coombes's team, who run in the Formula Saloon class in the UK, is trying to run one car in November. n Clayton Pyne, the son of former Australian Super Sedan Champ Ron Pyne, is making the move to Super Touring. The youngster has experience in Formula Ford in terms of road racing, and will drive the Mike Downard-owned and Searle-run Playboy BMW 320i Super Tourer in their next three rounds at Wakefield Park, Winton and Oran Park.

The former V8 champ confirmed the deal last week, pleased to be able to continue on with a team

important is the progressjhe team is making.

“There have been races recently, where BJR has been one of the top two Ford teams. That’s great progress.”

Bowe continues in his role at

n Aussie drivers looking to run in the Bathurst 24 Hour enduro wiil have to meet International licence requirements and will be able to upgrade their national C4 CAMS licence to international level by demonstrating their skills to a specially-convened panel at September's Sandown 500.

The panel will short-cut the usual process for an upgrade, which requires drivers to be observed at five meetings on at least two different tracks.

Czemail

n The latest TV viewing figures from Italy's RAI suggest that interest in FI is dropping - even in Ferrarimad Italy.

The number of people watching the first 11 races of the season averaged about 10.7m.

This is pretty impressive given than Britain can only raise 3.5m viewers for each race but, significantly, it is around 7.5 percent down on the figures of last year.

In part this is due to the consistent winning achieved this year

by Ferrari but it may also be due to the fact that in recent years Ferrari has been so successful that there is no longer the hunger that existed when Ferrari had won nothing for nearly 20 years.

- JOE SAWARD/STAFF 11

ntomope

A JAMES Courtney will be fit and ready to race in the Marlboro Masters Formula 3 event at Zandvoort as well as the next round of the British Formula 3 Championship at Snetterton on August 18.

Courtney tested his Carlin Motorsport Dallara at Croft last Wednesday for the first time since his high-speed Formula 1 testing accident at Monza.

"James suffered a major

accident last month, one of the biggest FI accidents of the year, so it was especially pleasing to see him back and performing so well on his first time back in the car," said team boss Trevor Carlin.

"We are all looking forward to the challenge of taking on Europe's best F3 teams in Zandvoort."

The Aussie trails Robbie Kerr in the series after missing the Rockingham round while recovering from the accident.

by JOE SAWARD

THE worst-kept secret in Formula One was confirmed at Hockenheim with the : announcement that Mika I Hakkinen’s sabhatical from the sport is permanent.

The two-time world champion announced the news from his : home in Finland while the FI ; circus was in Germany.

I Hakkinen told the McLaren i team in Monaco in 2001 that he did not want to go on racing in ; 2002. \ The decision came about for a j number of reasons, including ; Hakkinen’s desire to spend more

time with his family and his desire not to take too many risks after a huge accident in Melbourne at the start of 2001 when he suffered a suspension failure.

“Ron Dennis wanted to make sure that I made the right decision and gave me the opportunity to take a sabbatical," Hakkinen said.

“Once I had spoken to Ron about it, a huge weight came off my shoulders and I really enjoyed the rest of the season.

“I have been through a lot in my FI career and I really did not think it was worth it to push things any further.”

DC and Kiir

..Back in black,(and yellow); Courtney will be b^k in’actton and trying to take back the F3 lead.

(Photo by Sutton-lmages)

Wayne's Wine 1

rrom^ i

!

QUEENSLANDERS Paul Morris and Wayne Wakefield willjoin forces for the V8 Supercar endurance races in the Sirromet Wines Commodore VX - and they think they’re as good a chance as any to win the T)ig one’at Bathurst.

“There’s no reason why we can’t win,” said Morris, who finished 12th at Bathurst last year.

“We have as good a chance as anyone. It’s the first time we’ve gone there with two crack drivers.”

Wakefield, 32, has tested extensively with the team and has been placed in the Imrie Motor Sport Commodore as a way of building up race experience before the Queensland 500 on September 15. Morris isn’t concerned about the ‘wild man’tag that Wakefield has all but shaken off.

“Wayne used to raise a few eyebrows in those days by getting sideways ever3Twhere,” said ‘The Dude’.

“But we’ve found him to be very smooth and precise with his driving in our car. He goes about his business in a cool and calculating way, which is what you need to long distance races.”

-AARON NOONAN 12

I

da Matta/T

I CRISTIANO da Matta I continues to be strongly I tipped for a switch to Formula I 1 with Toyota in 2003. , The clear leader of the US : Champ Car series, da Matta I impressed Toyota Motorsport i when he tested a TF102 at I Paul Ricard, France in May. I Newman/Flaas Racing has I the Brazilian under contract : through next year, but has yet j to decide if it will switch to the I IRL, the path of its engine i supplier Toyota USA. - QUENTIN SPURRING

Nika stay

THE West McLaren Mercedes team will retain David Coulthard, Kimi Raikkonen and Alex Wurz in 2003.

There had been some speculation that Wui-z might want to wait and .see if any other possible deals develop in the months ahead.

Our spies at Woking tell us that McLaren boss Ron Dennis solved this problem by offering the Austrian driver a $2m contract, with a clause stating that the fee would come down eveiy week until Wurz either moved elsewhere or signed the deal.

“I prefeiTed to commit early to this agreement and to my team mates rather than haring to wait for situations to unfold,” Wurz said.

- JOE SAWARD

NEWS

Kel looks in

Former TOCA boss working with AVESCO! A MAJOR review of AVESCO’s judicial procedures is underway.

While such a thing is not unexpected,the man who will undertake the project is -former TOCAAustralia boss Kelvin O’Reilly.

The man who ran the rival BOG Gases Super Touring Championship for six years appeared at the last round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Oran Park to start his intensive review of the system, which has had its share of critics.

It is believed that at least two V8 Supercar team identities with backgrounds in the 2-litre series recommended O’Reilly for the task.

“It was a simple matter of (AVESCO CEO)Wayne Cattach asking me if I was interested in the job and me accepting it,” said O’Reilly last week.

O’Reilly pointed out that he was not going into the task with any preconceived ideas and that he sought input from ever)'one associated with the category, including team owners, drivers, officials and, even, the media.

In recent times, several drivers have pointed to the fact that the implementation of drive-through

$

%

penalties, while addressing the issue of swift justice, were applied ‘across the board’for minor misdemeanours as well as major ones, like ‘punting’ another driver out of the race.

As part of the process, O’Reilly will attend all upcoming rounds of the V8SCS, where he will be reacquainted with Driving Standards Observer Colin Bond and Steward Peter Wollerman, who were also formerly in the 2-litre camp before moving onto the V8SCS ...

-PHILBRANAGAN

No Power left

T

>yota?

Photo by Sutton-lmages

IN an almost comical turn-around after saying that The Power Tour was far from dead,the Motorsport Promoters Group group has announced that it’s winding up the 2002 season immediately.

A statement from the MPG cited “a wide range offactors which include low numbers in certain categories, a contracted sponsorship market and non payment of fees to the MPG by certain parties which include a NSW track and several categories from The Power Tour,” as the reasoning.

One of the categories the MPG was hinting at is Super Touring, though category manager David Platt refutes the MPG’s claims; “Super Touring was never ‘dumped’ as claimed, but had merely advised them that unless guarantees in regards to television dates and confirmation of our eight round series was given, then ASTEM would not approve any further payment and it would commercially irresponsible of Super Touring to remain on The Power Tour. Super Touring believes that it has paid for services promised, but not delivered.”

-AARON NOONAN

n The famed Bus Stop Chicane at Spa-Francorchamps will be markedly different this year, with the entry of the chicane having been made less acute to avoid the kind of incidents that have often been seen there in the past. To avoid confusion over the entrance to the pitlane, this too has been changed, with a new pit exit lane having been built halfway through the chicane, off the racing line. This means that those wishing to pit will move to the right after the first part of the chicane, allowing those who stay out pass them on the racing line. n Doohan comeback frenzyl Mick Doohan returned to the engine room of a Honda on the weekend. The five-time world champion had a ride at Suzuka during the 8-Hour, throwing the leg over a special version of Honda's RC211V MotoGP that had been equipped with headlights for the occasion. Just the thing to keep Yamaha and Suzuki engineers awake at nights. n Speaking of which, as it stands now there is not a single MotoGP team able to confirm its line-up for the 2003 season. With sponsors like Repsol, Telefonica MoviStar and West said to yet to sign programs for next season, and riders on the market, none of the current teams have all of their machinery, sponsors and riders locked away yet. Not to mention the opportunities available from the imminent arrival on the category of Ducati and Kawasaki ... n Ballarat's Bernle Cunningham has had a productive past couple of weeks. Competing in a field of around 80 cars, Cunningham drove his 11 second Pontiac Transam to victory in NHRA Stock Eliminator at Sonoma, California last weekend. It was his second win in a row, having taken out the Seattle event a week earlier. His total prize money and contingencies for the past fortnight is something in the order of $80,000. The success marks Cunningham's seventh win in a NHRA National event. n Expect a two-car squad from GanassifTarget Racing in the IRL in 2003 when Toyota comes into the series. He has run one car this season for Jeff Ward and a three-car program for the Indy 500 with Kenny Brack and Bruno Junqueira joining the American for the May classic. The future of his CART team, which loses its Toyota backing to make way for the manufacturer's move to the IRL and the introduction of the Cosworth 'spec' engine, is up in the air. n Vitor Meira, the 2000 South American Formula 3 Champion, has passed the speed phase of his IRL rookie test. Meira, who raced in European Formula 3000 last year, ran 72 laps at Kentucky Speedway in a Team Menard Dallara/Chevrolet.

13

Fernadez

by PHIL MORRIS

13 Just Holden it together

FORD drivers were nowhere to be seen at Oran Park recently when Holden's Team of Champions went playing with the marque's road cars.

In a test of the best and the old and the bold (groan), Greg Murphy and Todd Kelly won the multi-discipline test, which involved driving everything from

Testing, testing Juan (and Jeff) too III

TWO of the biggest names in world motorsport are to swap rides -just for a day.

On August 12, NASCAR’s biggest star Jeff Gordon will climb into a Williams FI car while regular driver Juan Pablo Montoya will have a run in Gordon’s Hendrick Motorsport Chevrolet.

The connection between the two men comes from sponsor DuPont which backs both men (to a lesser or greater extent) while the promotion, a dream come true for the promoters of the USGP at Indianapohs, has been put together by the American magazine Racer.

Gordon is the biggest name in US auto racing these days and, three years ago, his name was being linked to the then-Supertec powered Williams team in an unlikely scenario to build American interest in Grand Prix racing.

The reaction of both men to the cars - not to mention that of the respective NASCAR and FI media - will bear watching ...

- JOE SAWARD/STAFF M

a Cruze 4WD to a Monaro CVS. The Murf won the day on a countback, while, due to decorum requirements, we will not be able to name the driver who managed to run off the track three times in five attempts ... no matter how much everyone except Mark Skaife begs us ...

CHAMP Car star Adrian Fernandez will not race in MidOhio’s upcoming CART race after suffering injuries in the recent Molson Indy Vancouver.

The Mexican driver suffered two hairline fractures in his left pelvis when his Honda/Lola was struck by Bruno Junqueira’s Toyota/Lola in a multi-car crash on lap 92. He has been undergoing rehabilitation therapy in Indianapolis with CAET Chief Orthopedic Consultant Dr. Terry Trammell.

He will be replaced for the race by former Team Rahal and Sigma Motorsport driver, Max Papis.

“It’s unfortunate that I will not be at Mid-Ohio,” said Fernandez, right and inset. “I am still in a lot of pain and I will abide by Dr. Trammell’s recommendation. Now I am shooting to come back at EUthart Lake(on August 18).”

The accident was triggered after a yellow flag restart, when Patrick Carpentier spun on the back

straight at more than 300kmh.

Fernandez, Junqueira and Alex Tagliani all suffered race-ending contact though, ironically, Carpentier carried on with no damage.

This the second time that Fernandez will be a spectator for the Mid-Ohio race, which he won in 1998. He missed the ‘99 event due to a broken right wrist fi'om an accident during practice for the Detroit race.

Gerhard or Go Home?

GERHARD Berger may quit his position with BMW Motorsport.

The Austrian, who has been in charge of BMW Motorsport since July 1998, says that he is going to think about his future in the winter. His contract with BMW is believed to be

w

running out next summer and so will need to be renegotiated in the off season.

The decision may not be entirely up to Berger, as BMW may want to change the management structure of its motorsport subsidiary. There has been talk of plans for the firm to build its own FI cars when the Williams contract ends^ in 2004 but there are fears in Munich that this might not be a good idea.

During his 14-season FI driving career, Berger competed in 210 races, with 10 wins and 12 pole positons.

- JOE SAWARD moiorsport news

NEWS

out, Papis in

Will F3000 be compulsory?

There have been rumours that the FIA will restrict access to Formula 1 by forcing drivers to compete in the International Formula 3000 series before being granted a Superlicence.

The move would bolster Formula 3000 grids, which have been falling because of the cost of the series. It is unlikely that the federation will stop everyone except F3000 drivers as the best drivers have always gone straight from Formula 3 into FI. Such a move would also mean that there would be little chance of an American driver from CART or IRL switching to FI. n The man who tried to put Indonesia on the Formula 1 map, Tommy Suharto has been jailed for 15-years for ordering the murder of an Indonesian Supreme Court judge.

Suharto was given an 18-month sentence by the judge in November 2000 but skipped bail before he went to jail. The judge was later murdered.

Suharto spent a year on the run before being captured.

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It remains to be seen how the merger will

France. The series ha this year (from, in effect,four team^nd if expected to merge with the German series, which has enjoyed grids of up to 30 cars.

"Ij^ork_and whether or not the FIA decides to aji Championship status, enaults will feature carbon. chassis, produce initaly by oy which already produces gly^uccessful Formula \

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n Renault FI is already planning to build a second windtunnel at Enstone, although for the moment it is expected that the development work for the future will be shared between the existing aerodynamic facility and by the Fondmetal Technologies windtunnel in Italy, with which the team has a development agreement. Renault Is hoping to make a big leap forward next year with a brand new car and a new engine. These are expected to be running in December so that everything will be ready and reliable for the start of the 2003 season. The new car, to be driven by Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso, Is being designed by Tim Densham.

-JOE SAWARD

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15

Fully committecl

Geoff Full combines GTP with Weel V8 endurance drive GEOFF Full wUl be finishing the season in PROCAR’s GT Performance Championship, despite his recent run of outs.

Full had been considering parking his Big Toys Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII, below, for the rest of the season but will stay with the series; “I was pretty ropable after Queensland,” he said this week.

“But I want to finish the championship unless someone wants to buy the cai’ and race it before the end ofthe season.”

But Full is less than thrilled with the recent parity adjustments that have hampered his performances in the series.

“At the end of last year, we looked at what we needed to buy to be competitive and the Evo VII was that car,” he said. “But now, we are back into the pack and it’s frustrating.

“It is meant to be a parity formula, and I understand

that, but it seems to me that they just look at the results and make their decisions from that. It is not always the best indicator of what happens.”

MEANWHILE,Full is looking to drive the K&J Thermal Falcon V8 Supercar for the enduranee raees.

Full was due to test the car at Queensland Raceway but the car developed an engine problem. He is due to test at QR for the team early next week.

“They are a top shelf team and the car looks wellbuilt and safe,” said Full. “Plus(team owner)Kees Weel and the team are easy to get on with. That is how I like to go racing.”

Full actually led the Bathurst race three years ago, driving the Commodore VS raced by Rodney Forbes.

With the Weel team, his most likely co-diiver is Konica Series standout Mark Porter. !

-PHILBRANAGAN

by AARON NOONAN

; Photo by Marshal! Cass

DAVID Auger has hit the podium first time out in Malaysia.

The former Super Touring racer took his Peugeot 306 Super Production racer, right, to second on debut on the Sepang Grand Prix circuit, after finishing his heat race in 12th after an early collision.

"First time out, in a new car on an unfamiliar circuit, to fininsh second is a great result," said the former Alfa driver.

Auger was beaten in the second race by Finnish team mate Toni Ruokenen, both cars prepared in Hong Kong by Longman Racing Team. His next race is at Thailand's Bira circuit on August 24/25, 16

PODIUM finishes are becoming the norm for Will Davison in the British Formula Renault Championship, after the 19-yearold took a fourth and a third in the double-header at Snetterton a fortnight ago to move to an impressive third in the series points.

The result didn't come without troubles. The Motaworld driver struggled in qualifying and started seventh and fifth for the respective races, and a major problem nearly sidelined him from race two.

"We struggled in qualifying because the changes that we made, that worked on the recent test day, didn't work because the track conditions were totally different," said Davison.

The 2001 Australian Formula Ford Champion finished fourth in the first race, but was lucky to make it through race two. He was being held up by championship leader Danny Watts, who suffered with a damaged car after a startline incident.

Davison made a forceful manoeuvre but speared off twice in the race's later stages, the victim of a seized rear rocker bearing. He pushed on to finish third behind American Patrick Long and Jamie Green, both Fortec Motorsport team-mates of Watts.

"I was pretty lucky to get to the finish. Watts was blocking me really badly so I lunged up the inside of him to grab third, I'm third in the points now, and when you drop my worst round, as is the rules for the series, I'm only seven points behind second place, "The Fortec cars are so strong in their mid-range power and the next race is at Knockhill, a track I've never been to before, I just have to keep scoring consistent points."

Davison is the top rookie in the motorsport news

NEWS n

series, currently sitting in 173 points (before dropping scores is taken into account), while Watts leads on 238 and Green is second on 180.

BAD luck has thwarted another strong showing from Alex Davison in the Porsche Carrera Cup after a strong weekend in the Supercup the previous weekend.

The 22-year-old, above, had qualified fourth on the weekend at the Nurburgring, though he'd only done a handful of laps before a deflating tyre dropped him into the clutches of the pack behind. After being hit from behind, he pitted and rejoined a lap down, 17th place no compensation.

"I was in fourth position, then fifth, and after that I just went backwards as the tyre kept

deflating," he said.

"I was still fighting to keep position, but I fell back into the pack - then someone (Daniel Bauer) hit me from behind and spun me around. By then, I had no air left in the tyre, so I pitted."

A week earlier, things were rosier at the Hockenheim round of the Supercup, but tyre problems, this time with delamination in the late stages of the race, meant he narrowly missed his first Supercup podium and had to settle for fourth.

"I had a problem changing from first to second gear out of the hairpin, and having to shift slowly and carefully lost me some positions early in the race," he said.

"Luckily for me, Marcel Tiemann spun (on lap five) and Philipp Peter punctured a tyre later (on lap 11), so I was back up to fourth."

COLIN Edwards has taken his great Superbike form to Japan and won the Suzuka 8 Hour for the third time.

The 2000 World Superbike champion, above, and co-rider Daijiro Kato held off former Honda MotoGP rider Tady Okada and Yuichi Takeda by 25 seconds in the classic event.

“This win is more special than my two previous 8-hour wins,” said the Texan,“because we had a drama at the last stage. When it started to rain, I said to myself, T will give 10 years of my life, so please don’t rain hai'der’.”

Alex Barros, who qualified his Honda on pole position, was third with Yuichi Takeda, while the leading ‘non-Honda’ was the fourth-placed Yamaha of Wataru Yoshikawa/Takeshi Tsujimura.

Warwick Nowland was the best of the Australian riders in seventh, while Adam Ferguson and Steve Szoke were 10th on their Suzuki.

15-11 NOVEMBER 2002 DRIVERS

BATHURST 24hr OFFICIALS

IMPORTANT NOTICE FANS

CAJVIS license requirement: International C5C(minimum) Visit www.bathurst24hr.com for:

Officials still required for this event. Please visit

Visit our website for details

our website for registration details.

on:

PROCAR and IMG welcome your involvement in

Ticketing

l Supplementary Regulations

this unique international 24 hr classic.

l Teams/Drivers requesting positions l Accomodation

l Be part of the ‘heartbeat’ of the Bathurst 24hr l Special benefits available including raffle draws for ‘money can’t buy’ hotlaps

Camping Facilities Accommodation

l Complimentary merchandise l Meals provided Please register on-line: www.bathurst24hr.com

Event Schedule Regular news releases and Updates

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Contact Suzanne Benson at IMG via emaiU sbenson@inigworld.com or ph 029261 1777

Paddock Trade Dispiay Sites - limited Availability!

AUSTRALIA

For further information contact:

WWW.bathlirSt24lir.C0lll

Brian Lawrence- Manager Special Events PROCAR Australia Pty Ltd Ph:(07)3510 6110 or email: info@bathurst24hr.com

7 Rugutl 2002

WWW.PrOCar.GOIII.ail 17

Sportscar News Papis in a Ferrari Sportscar again!

OUT-OF-WORK Champ Car driver Max Papis is in line for a drive in the Rafanelli Ferrari in October's Petit Le Mans.

Papis, who has been out of CART since the withdrawal of the Sigma team, is top of team boss Gabriele Rafanelli's wish list of drivers for the American Le Mans Series finale.

He would join Mimmo Schiattarella and Emanuele Naspetti in the team's 550 Maranello for the 1000-mile race. n Former DTM touring car driver Darren Turner is on course to make his Sportscar debut in this month's Suzuka lOOOKm. Turner, 28, has been lined up by British GT Championship GTO contender Veloqx Motorsport to race a Ferrari 360 Modena in the non championship Japanese enduro on August 25.

He would share the car with team regular Jamie Davies and ex-Ferrari Formula 1 driver Ivan Capeili. n The FIA Sportscar Championship has firmed up the August 18 fixture at Dijon. The date replaces the cancelled Rockingham date. n Hugh Chamberlain's Sportscar squad has confirmed its participation in the Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta ALMS events. Drivers for its Dome-Judd SI 01 have yet to be confirmed. Plans to contest this month's Suzuka lOOOKm have been abandoned. n Former British F3 racer Jeffrey Jones will contest the Road Atlanta ALMS round with the ROC Reynard LMP675 prototype squad, with which he also drove at Sebring. ROC is expected to contest the final three rounds of the series with at least one of its Lehmann-powered cars. n Chevrolet could be racing in the bottom class of the American Le Mans Series next year. The General Motors marque already dominates the GTS class with its factory Pratt & Miller Corvette C5-Rs. Now, Michael Colucci Racing is aiming to buiid a GT class contender around the C5 'Vette in conjunction with P&M. n Veteran engineer John McLoughlin's MSB Motorsport squad is relocating to Road Atlanta where is likely to launch a prototype campaign on the ALMS next season. The team's Ferrari Modena 360 GT project has been shelved and the car is for sale.

- GARY WATKINS 18

I

Closing up?

by GARY WATKINS

DAVID Brabham could get a roof over his head in 2004 that’s if the Aussie’s Panoz team push ahead with plans to run revert to a coupe body style for its all-new prototype the season after next.

A closed-top design could be the way forward for a team committed to the front-engined format, according to Panoz technical boss Brian Willis.

He believes that new cockpit safety regulations, part of the newlook 2004 rulebook, could reduce the competitiveness of an open car with its engine up front.

At the same time, the Le Mans organisers, who also set the rules for the American Le Mans Series, will allow coupes to run the wider tyres afforded to roadsters under the existing rules.

“The major argument against a coupe will be removed,” said Willis.

“Given the new rules on head protection it may be beneficial to have a close car in terms of flow to the rear wing.

“The rear aerofoil would be blanked by the chassis with a roadster, so it may be better to opt for a coupe to smooth the airflow to the back of the car.”

Willis said that he was studying the benefits of Panoz switching

back to the coupe format it abandoned for the 1999 season, above at Daytona in 1998. But he stressed that no decision would be taken until the final Le Mans rules are published this spring.

Panoz, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its commitment to entering the GT class. The US marque now hopes to have a car based on its Ford-engined Esperante roadster running next year.

The racer would be based on a special edition of the car.

Team owner Don Panoz said: “We believe the Esperante has a lot going for it as a potential racer.”

Prodrive Prototype

Same but different: Toyota's last Sportscar involvment was the awesome GT-ONE of 1998 and 1999. Engines in America are a little different but it’s the same badge.

TOYOTA Racing Development is seeking approval of a 4.3litre,four-cam, 32-valve V8 ‘customer’race engine for the Daytona Prototype class of the 2003 Rolex Sports Car Series.

TRD will both sell race-ready engines(with a support package), and component kits for independent

race engine builders. It will finalise its specification and pricing on receiving Grand-Am certification, expected in September.

Engines from BMW,Ford and Porsche have been approved, while Chrysler, GM and Maserati are looking closely at the class.

-GARY WATKINS

PRODRIVE is working on a 2004 Le Mans prototype for an undisciosed car maker.

Prodrive has made no secret of its desire to enter the prototype division, but it is undertaking a feasibility study for a potential client. Rumours suggest a Japanese manufacturer is involved.

Prodrive boss David Richards said: “We’re looking into what it takes to build a prototype with the intention of winning Le Mans outright.”

Richards said he hoped the project would get the green light by the end of this year in order that the car would be ready to race when new Le Mans rules come in 2004.

- GARY WATKINS motorsport news

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MotoGP/Superbikes

Max Marlboro Ducati?

MAX Biaggi will part ways with Yamaha at the end of the season - and could race for Ducati.

The four-time world champion is expected to take his long-time backers Marlboro to Ducati to join Troy Bayliss and continue racing in the MotoGP class next year.

“I have had four years of great satisfaction at Yamaha but without being able to realise my dream of winning the world championship,” Biaggi, right, said in the Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport.

Biaggi has built a fierce rivalry with countryman Valentino Rossi over the last two seasons, since the Honda rider stepped into the shoes of the retired Mick Doohan in 2001. At times, the Biaggi/Rossi battle has spilled off the track, the two coming to blows last year prior to a podium presentation.

But the Roman has had a disappointing series of results over recent seasons, never quite fulfilling the promise which saw him win his maiden 500cc Grand Prix - over then-fellow Honda rider Doohan - at Suzuka in 1998.

Biaggi has struggled in particular this season, his flowing style not really as suited to Yamaha’s Ml four-stroke GP bike as that of team-mate Carlos Checa.

Yamaha is expected to move quickly to replace Biaggi, and has confirmed that it will retain the sei-vices of Checa.

Colin Colin Colin JUST when it looked like 'Troy Bayliss was going to enjoy his summer in Europe, Colin Edwards has strung together his third straight World Superbike Championship win in England.

Edwards fought off challenges from Bayliss, riding with a broken rib after a qualifying crash, and

local hero Neil Hodgson to close the points gap to Bayliss to under 40 points. The 126.000 screaming locals had to go home content with the fact that they had seen a fascinating battle.

Despite being pale and drawn, Bayliss put pain to the back of his mind to split the second and third places with Hodgson, who will take

his seat with the Ducati works team in 2003.

After his Race 1 win, when he had to pass first lap leaders Michael Rutter (Ducati) and Hodgson, the Texas Tornado hunted down Hodgson in the second outing, sweeping by on lap four and building a lead. Bayliss soon got by into second from a charging Ben Bostrom, while Noriyuki Haga fought off a determined Ruben Xaus to take fifth from Pierfrancesco Chili.

Despite Bayliss’ extraordinary form this season, Edwards’ consistency means that he still has a chance to take his second crown.

Bayliss aside, it was an ordinary day for the other Australians.

Steve Martin finished 19/16 in the two races, Broc Pai’kes suffered a DNF/18 day and Peter Goddard’s Benelli was 18th in the first race but crashed on the opening lap of Race 2. The only Downunder rider to score a point was Glen Richards, 14th in Race 2 on his Kawasaki.

Points: Bayliss 441,Edwards 402, Hodgson 257, Haga and Bostrom 206, Xaus 193, James Toseland 131, Chris Walker 126, Chili 107, Gregorio Lavilla, Spain (Suzuki)89.

20

Duking it out with Edwards: Neil Hodgson (100) and Troy Bayliss (1) gave it their best but it was all a matter of chase Colin Edwards’ Honda at Brands Hatch.

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Gil and Hello who? Tomas Scheckter out-raced everybody at Michigan, including the much-vaunted Penske duo of Gil (Photos by Sulton-Imagcs) de Ferran and Helio Castroneves, above. The celebrations flowed quickly in Victoty Lane, below.

JUST when his job was on the line and it was time to perform and not crash, Tomas Scheckter picked the perfect time to win the Michigan Indy 400.

After a season where he has proved to be one of the quickest guns around, the South African had made a regular habit of crashing. It prompted team boss Eddie Cheever to bring in rookie Buddy Rice in a third Red Bullbacked car to audition for a drive with the team. It was Rice, who had Scheckter's regular crew, that Scheckter went by to take the lead and his maiden Indy Racing win ...

"I didn't care about conserving fuel; I didn't care about anything," Scheckter said. "I just cared that my right foot was flat, and that's what I did the whole race."

The pole winner started alongside Rice on the front row of the grid in the League's first appearance at the two-mile Michigan International Speedway, with Cheever third.

A slow final pit stop left Scheckter 11th and last car on the lead lap at the final restart on lap 174 of 200, but he powered his way through to the lead with six laps to go to win by 1.7s over Rice and Felipe Giaffone's Hollywood/ Nunn G Force/Chevrolet.

"We should have won," said Rice. "We had a little miscue (on the final pit stop) so that put us back. It would have been nice if we had the deal won, but that's part of racing."

Glaffone had duked it out for the lead in the race's late stages with Sarah Fisher, who ultimately wound up eighth, ahead of Scott Sharp, Richie Hearn, and Laurent Redon, 22

who were all on the lead lap.

It was a day where the young guns starred. Another rookie, Tony Renna (still driving in place of Al Unser Jr) took fourth place for Kelley Racing, while Gil de Ferran finished fifth for Marlboro Team Penske and kept the points lead in the series.

"Coming here for me, I had a little experience at the track, that certainly made a difference," said Renna, 25.

"Those last 25 laps were probably closer to an Indy Lights race that I'm used to here, so it was a good day for me." de Ferran holds a 377-365 lead over teammate and twotime Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who finished sixth. Reigning IRL champion Sam Hornish Jr. finished seventh in the Pennzoil Panther Dallara/Chevrolet, as the three title contenders marched across the finish in lockstep.

"We lost fifth gear right at the

by PHIL MORRIS end," reported Hornish Jr. "Fourth gear was too short, sixth was too long, and fifth was what we needed, but we just didn't have it there."

Cheever and Jeff Ward were unhurt in separate crashes, the only accidents of the day.

Points: de Ferran 377, Castroneves 365, Hornish Jr 359, Giaffone 330, Barron 261, Dare 246, Sharp 230, Ward 223, Unser Jr 207, Scheckter 202.

Gear, gear, gear: Defending IRL Champ Sam Hornish Jr lostfifth gear in the race’s later stages but is within distance of the Penske duo in the fight for the (Photo by Sutlon-Jmages) title points lead.

THE sight of only seven cars finishing a race may indicate a lack of excitement but the 2002 Vancouver CART race was anything but dull.

'Team Kool Green returned to the winners’ circle in the biggest way possible, Dario Franchitti leading Paul 'Tracy to a 1-2 on the tight Canadian streets but, everywhere else, there was chaos, carnage and controversy.

The TKG result was set up by a late-race red flag, Patrick Carpentier triggering a huge pileup after spinning his Players’ car at 300kmh following a restart.

Adrian Fernandez, Bruno Junqueira and Alex Tagliani all suffered car damage while, amazingly, Carpentier escaped and went on to finish fifth after qualifying only 16th.

Fernandez took some time to be removed from his wreck, suffering shock, bruising and what turned out to be a hairline fracture of his pelvis after his monocoque was punctured.

Franchitti jumped away at the restart and, having made track position after the two Kool drivers were on different strategies, took his first win for a year after a five lap dash to the chequer.

“It (the yellow at the end) put a whole new spin on the race though,” said Franchitti later, as he dedicated his win to late friend molorsport news

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Not again! Jimmy Vasser and Kenny, Brack tangled at the first corner, putting them both out as the duo (Photo by Sutlon-lmages) continue to endure shocking seasons. and former Vancouver resident Greg Moore, who died at Fontana in 1999.

“It is really special for me to win here in Vancouver, I’ve been waiting two years to see Ric Moore (Greg’s father, above,) at the top of the podium.

“My lead went from almost 12 seconds to nothing. I was a bit worried on the restart. Paul was right behind me but I didn't think he would try to overtake and risk a one-two finish."

Tracy looked to be the only driver capable of running with Cristiano da Matta. The two swapped poles in the qualifying sessions and ran at the front early but, on lap 65, the Brazilian lost I August 2002

gears in his Newman-Haas Lola and stopped.

Such was the attrition, he was still classified 12th at the finish.

JAmazingly, Christian Fittipaldi stopped seconds after his team mate with a broken driveshaft.

Tony Kanaan took his first podium for the season in third from the consistent Michel Jlourdain Jr (10 points finishes in TO races) and Carpentier, while Mchael Andretti was sixth after losing four laps after a first-corner punt from Carpentier and another during the race from Tora Takagi.

Not a nice way for Mikey to oelebrate his 300th start!

For Toyota, the race was a dhsappointment, not a single car

taking their engines the distance.

For Tbam Ganassi in particular, it was a disaster, a series of front suspension failures contributing to crashes for Junqueira (twice) and Scott Dixon, who performed a miracle in staying off the wall after the front of his car sat down at 300km/h.

Luckless team-mate Kenny Brack had already showered, involved in a first-corner melee with Jimmy Vasser.

Da Matta still has a semiSchumacher sized lead in the series and looks to be the man to beat when the series resumes next week at Mid-Ohio.

Points after 10 races; Da Matta 122, Franchitti 84, Junqueira 74, Jourdain Jr 74, Carpentier 72, 'Tracy 68, Andretti 60, Brack 60, Fittipaldi 58, Tagliani 58.

PATRICK Racing has grown tired of the accidents and lack of results from American rookie Townsend Bell and replaced him for the next five races with Oriol Servia.

Bell, whose best finish was a fourth at Portland, was replaced by fellow former Indy Lights champ Servia at Vancouver, above.

"Oriol is a very talented young driver and the Visteon/Patrick Racing team has had several discussions with him over the last couple of years," team owner 'Pat' Patrick noted.

"When he became available (following the demise of the PWR Champ Car squad eariier this year), we had to take a very hard look at our current situation and what was best for our sponsor Visteon, the team, and Townsend."

■ There's plans for a British driver to be on the grid for the Rockingham Champ Car race in September. Boss of the circuit David Grace is trying to put together a deal to get a Brit in a seat for the event in a bid to gain extra publicity and ticket sales. Johnny Herbert and Mark Blundell, Britain's two latest indy/Champ Car drivers are said not to be too keen.

■ There are PR opportunities and then there are PR opportunities. In the lead-up to the next CART race at Mid-Ohio, Honda AMA Superbike ace Nicky Hayden is going to swap seats with Mchael Andretti. Hayden will have a steer of the Honda-powered Team Motorola Lola, while Andretti wili get aboard Hayden's RC51 Superbike, Hayden has spent some time at the Derek Daly Driving School in Las Vegas to come to grips with a quick four-wheeler, though the school cars only have 135 horsepower. A Champ Car has about 800 ...

■ Arie Luyendyk made his return to non-Indy 500 IRL competition for Treadway Racing at Michigan and had a long day, running 16th and three laps down in a ill-handling car.

"I don't know what we did to knock the shock cover off, but the car was a little off. Late in the race, we were just riding around and trying not to get in the way," said the twotime Indy champ.

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OPINION r'BwcA, V8 Supercar, Bathurst. Heaven; A return by Peter Brock(g Bathurst in October wilt create assorts ofqueues of fans heading to Bathurst. This was Im seconddast year, 1996, partnering Tomas

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HE prospect of seeing Peter Brock back in a V8 Supercar at Mount Panorama is mouth-watering tb o^y the least.

■' iArtS'while the nine-time U winner continues to bounce around amid all of the hype and f speculation over his comeback - and hasn't actually said 'yes' or 'no', it's more a case of Brock doing, something to help Team Brock, than satisfy those urges Iv-that retired-sportsmen keep ■ haying aboat 'one last time'. ●J-. A-returD for-Brock is more in ■yh'e with doing what's best for k Team Brock in a commercial/ sponsor sense and that's not to say.that he'd disgrace himself by-suiting up among the current V8 Supercar crop. < While he hasn't'raced since stepping out of the #05 Commodore at Bathurst in 1997, the 57-year-old proved at Targa Tasmania this year that he still has 'it'. Anybody who could drag a slightly-more-thanstandard Monaro into the position he did has 'it'.

The boom in publicity for the race, the category and motorsport in general is something that can't be recognised either.

Brock is an icon of the sport, the most recognisable figure in Australian racing. And while he can't be expected to be making it win number 10 in October as Team Brock continues to grow and move up the order, there are those who are divided on whether he should or shouldn't comeback.

Personally, I am looking 7 August 2002

forward to this Bathurst more than any other, just to see number 05 back on the timesheets. When you go to as many race meetings as the Motorsport News crew do during a year, it's easy to tend not to become excited for them all. This one will be different.

Others say that perhaps a comeback by Brock is something best left alone, but if he is in the right frame of mind about it and it's what Peter wants to do, then who are we to criticise the man?

When Brock retired from the sport, the Super TouringA/8 Supercar war was at its peak and the tug-of-war had its effect on his decision to retire.

But we're back to one Bathurst race per year with V8 Supercars and the circle would be complete with Brock back on the track.

N

ot too long ago I flew to Darwin for the V8 Supercar round. The plane was full, bar the seat to my left. You can guess who it was that soon sat down. It was Brock.

Peering out the window at the Northern Territory landscape below, I coimmented that it looked pretty barren, dusty and lifeless. Wrong. 'When you actually get down there and in among it, it's a pretty interesting place with all sorts of things,' he replied in typical Brock positive fashion.

We chatted about Targa and the Monaro, son James's V8 Brute racing and how life was at Team Brock. No mention of

Motor Mouth With Aaron Notinan down for the second part of the season, but with nothing left to prove in the game, his comeback was all about helping a young team. About teaching and guiding the young guys and building the team up into a contender.

In a sense, that's exactly what Peter Brock's return is about. comebacks or anything like that at all. It was the furthest thing from my mind.

A comeback certainly makes the V8 Supercar landscape a little less lifeless and barren than before . . . he issue of sporting comebacks in itself is an interesting one.

There's been somewhat of a recent fad in making a comeback, with mixed results.

Tony Lockett's with the Sydney Swans in the AFL ended just as soon as it started, while Paul Salmon's return to Essendon has been far more positive.

Perhaps the most returned of all returnees, Michael Jordan, above, still is nailing buzzerbeaters for the Washington Wizards. At 39 his knees are fading and injury struck him

2

002 is the 30th anniversary of Brock's first win at Bathurst in 1972. ● Then he was the young, hungry, raw racing talent, unproven and keen to win. 30 years and eight more wins at the Mountain later, it's not about winning title number 10. Anybody who thinks that is a fool.

Knowing the Brock-positive thinking about life, it'll be a celebration more than anything, with a postscript added to the wonderful story.

Finishing in the top 10 would be a strong result. But to the fans who will be there, and I dare say there will be a few more than if Peter wasn't racing, just seeing 05 back on the track will be good enough.

1 know which garage will have the biggest gathering of autograph hunters all weekend and it won't be HRT's . . .

25

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ThewithBox Seat Joe Saward

EOPLE keep asking me why Ferrari is doing so well and everyone else is doing so badly. The answer is very simple; Ferrari is doing the job better than everyone else.

And it is not the first time that this has happened. Go back through the history of the sport and you see many occasions when one team gets into a dominant position and stays there for a few years. Then that advantage is eroded and Formula 1 becomes a scrap again between two or more teams. It is the periods when the power is transferring that there is the best racing. This is a fact of life.

Kimi Raikkonen has been the McLaren driver who has been ieading the way this year but the team has been let down by the Mercedes-Benz engine"

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The same cycles occur in the world of drivers. The new men arrive and are either successful and get picked up by the bigger teams, or they do not shine enough and they flop. Once in a generation, a truly great driver will come along and one of the biggest problems that Formula 1 has today is the same one that has existed since 1 May 1994.

Ayrton Senna died in his prime and left Michael Schumacher without anyone to effectively challenge his domination. The recent generations have sometimes got close, sometimes they have enjoyed an equipment advantage but, when all things are equal, Michael wins and wins and wins.

Fie has the speed, the commitment, the discipline and the experience. Fie is the perfectly rounded driver. And so, in a perfectly rounded car, none of the others have got much of a chance. But once again, this is not going to last forever.

w

e have seen the potential that Juan Pablo Montoya

has shown, but this year's Williams-BMW-Michelin combination is not yet good enough to beat the Ferrari-Bridgestone-Schumacher package.

It is the same story with Kimi Raikkonen. Fie has been the McLaren driver who has been leading the way this year (even if David Coulthard has been able to collect more points to date) but the team has been let down by the Mercedes-Benz engine.

Michelin too has suffered because it has tried to serve the interests of two teams at the same time while Ferrari has the unfettered attentions of the men at Bridgestone. They will tell you (over and over) that the tyres are designed for all the cars and that there is no preferential treatment for Ferrari but, if there isn't, then one has to feel that the Bridgestone people are fools and clearly, that is not the case.

Perhaps it is the sign that Formula 1 needs a third tyre manufacturer but none will come at the moment because of

FORMULA ONE contracts which exist or problems in the tyre industry. Goodyear is the only obvious player with the capacity to take on the other two industry giants but they have shown no obvious urge to be back in the sport.

“This year has seen the arrival of several young drivers with promise.

Everyone has been impressed with Mark Webber. He gets the . job done without fuss and if you" asked around the paddock for people to name the rookie of the year the answer would probably be Webber.

But Takuma Sato and Felipe Massa have both done well too even if their images are not entirely accurate. Sato has had some shunts - but then all young drivers should. For the last few races there have been very clear signs that he has begun to get his head in gear and he has made Giancarlo Fisichella look decidedly shoddy on occasion.

"I saw him do the same thing in Formula 3," says his manager

Andrew Gilbert-Scott, a very good racing driver himself. "His first year was all over the place but we talked the whole thing through.

He kept his confidence and then it all clicked and he started going really well. And the following year he completely dominated the British Formula 3 series."

Massa looks to me like a man who needs that kind of guidance.

There is a trend these days for drivers to be treated like commodities - pork bellies to be bought and sold - and there are few managers who understand just how important the psychological aspects of the job are.

Some drivers never need managers: Michael Schumacher has always been tough; Gerhard Berger never had a manager; but there are others who have obviously benefited from the right kind of advice: Olivier Panis'

decision to spend a year testing with McLaren transformed him into a much better driver and it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Massa is obviously quick but in recent weeks he seems to have drifted out of favour with the Sauber management because he has made the kind of mistakes one sees in fast youngsters. He does not qualify well but when the lights go off (and sometimes before then!) Massa becomes a whirling Dervish of a driver.

And thisbecause is what technology is needed is today such that overtaking is not easy and so it is those who see a chance and take it that are the men who the most sought-after.

Some team bosses do not look for drivers with pure speed, they prefer the ones who can make things happen.

It you asked around the paddock for people to name Uie rookie of the year the answer would prohahly he Mark Webber"

\1

After the amazing McLaren domination of 1988 several teams underwent major restructurings as they tried to find a way to catch and pass the Marlborosponsored cars.

The same will happen (is happening) now. There is talk of Mercedes-Benz building its engines in Germany; Williams has picked up some new aerodynamic people and McLaren has hired Mike Goughian from Arrows.

Renault has a very good team of design engineers and one can expect improvement there.

Schumacher's reign of glory will not go on for ever. Staying where he is now is going to be hard work and eventually - even with one as dedicated as Michael there will come a time when the struggle gets to be too much. This will probably happen when the Ferrari becomes uncompetitive again.

Until then we should enjoy seeing a master at work at the wheel of an impressive car.

Tomorrow will take care of itself...

Mark Webber

MARK WEBBER

MOTORSPORT NEWS: Given your own expectations, how has the first half season of your Grand Prix career gone?

S' MARK WEBBER; The outcome so far has exceeded my expectations.

Forget Melbourne - it was an i" Tv,;- unbelievable, but lucky way to : start the season. Getting the car home in the points was a huge ■boost, but the early attrition |';s"-.2?-;»made it happen for us. ' Since then, however, we've jr? V-T -had a number of genuine races i. .where we shouldn't have been ●’ racing some of the teams that r we have done. It was a huge boost to the whole team.

The other big plus has been our reliability. Despite a couple f-j of DNFs lately, we're still right up there in terms of racing laps t*' completed during the season. ' That is combining to make the ■ ' season one of Minardi's best for ■ a long time. They've done a : ,' good job with the car - and the atmosphere within the team is really good.

MN: Is the business of being an FI driver what you expected?

MW: Pretty much, on-track.

Off-track, what has blown me away a little bit is the level of interest in someone who doesn't actually have a huge bearing on the outcome of a Grand Prix weekend - being at the back as we are. But there's quite a bit of interest in our team and in myself.

I didn't think there would be that level of interest. I'm surprised at the number of interviews and photo shoots I get asked to do - imagine what it must be like for the guys at the other end of the field!

MN: At the start of the season.

MAN you predicted that the other teams would increase the gap back to you as they tested and developed their cars something that Minardi's modest budget pretty well precludes. You could say that seems to be the case in qualifying, but come race day, you're up there racing with some of them more now than ever - why is that?

MW: I think we've made some really good decisions over race weekends. We’ve done our homework on Friday and usually we've chcjsen the right tyre which isn’t always an easy thing to do, given the balance between what you want the car to do on Saturday and then Sunday.

Strategy is a huge thing as well. Personally, I have wanted to go a slightly more conservative route this year, in that I stand to lose more by being overly adventurous in terms of tyre selection and so on.

MN; You seem to be making better decisions than Toyota and Jaguar on occasions ...

MW: Yeah. Several times we’ve done that. It's amazing. Some of the races I’ve been sitting there thinking 'how are we racing these guys?' Or more 'what the hell are they doing?'

It’s a credit to our little team, our engineers.

MN; You seem to have a good group around you - you've

Some of the races I've been sitting there thinking 'how are we racing these guys?' Or more, 'what the hell are they doing?

It

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- Webber on the opposition teams

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INTERVIEW

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always rated that as very important?

MW: Yes. It's a healthy little group. But there are always iptemal discussions, arguments.

-People have their own opinions, fqhrtetimes you can go for 40-50 -m |ft!nutes on what tyre you want I ■"^0 picki You'-ve got Michelin ● ^fithrowing |n,their two bob'si -Jywqrtb .and’you've got the Y' teclnrii'eahdirector, my engineer and then line ... but I think the ;"5?' 'Nurburgring was the only race' '' .-iwhere we've stuffed uo as a 'team in terms of picking the ^wrOng tyres or how to scrub them, prepare them.

There's an argument that with ,&soft:tyre that you can scrub it.

I; ■ /Roughen, it up, after you've "■fiq'uallfied on it. As we don't test wpid@it)i!t have the experience or

i

data to make those sort of decisions as easily, so to have got it right a fair bit of the time is a credit to everyone.

The gap, as you said, has gone out in qualifying and that’s directly as a result of stuff being tested a while back now appearing on their cars.

That's how it was when was testing with Renault.

Developments get blended into qualifying mode and then, if they prove to be reliable over three months or so, then they might race those components, or engines, or brakes, or whatever it is.

We (Minardi) have had pretty much the same since Brazil.

Mark Webber's mid-season break from GP racing turned out to be pretty hectic but he stiii found time to sit down with CHRiS LAMBDEN to discuss Minardi, the future and how Formuia One iooks from the inside...

continued on page 30

29

Niark Webber continued from page 29 MN: What have you discovered about Formula 1 that you didn't know before you started racing this year?

MW: On track, perhaps the degree to which a Grand Prix weekend is totally about performance, about optimising every little thing. When you're testing you don't have that mentality - you are set certain programmes and you go down those paths. At a Grand Prix weekend, you've got to focus on that track - if there are 12 corners, the guys will do everything to optimise each one.

Compared with the junior formulae you've got so much more info to draw on. That's where you can make gains, constantly nagging about the car.

Even when it's quite good, you've still got to be quite fussy.

,

MN: You said recently that the big buzz is an FI car on a single, flat-out qualifying lap.

Can you expand on that?

MW:The dynamics of the car are changed completely from normal. Fresh rubber can pick up 1.5 to two seconds, depending upon the track. And then, taking out the fuel, say 50 kilos, is like bolting on another couple of sets of tyres, if you know what I mean, in terms of performance.

That all changes the dynamics of the car two-fold. The way you have to drive the car, the way you attack the circuit, is totally different. Braking is so much later; you carry so much more speed in; you're potentially more aggressive with kerbs, because you have more grip coming off kerbs; on the power sooner ...

Even over a qualifying lap you learn things. Sometimes you might do Turn 1 and think you under-performed in that one because you might have braked a sniff early, or exited the corner and thought 'I could have carried a bit more speed there' so you carry that knowledge with you to the next corner.

You might go in that bit deeper, lock the left-front - but you can recover that - and adjust your approach from there on.

The pace of the out lap is important - if you've gone for a softer rubber, you've still got to go hard enough to get the brakes hot, but not lean on the tyre too much. With a harder one, you've got to go quite hard over the last bit of the out lap to make sure you've got enough grip over the first sector.

Pressures too are important 30

small variations make a difference in qualifying trim.

It's a big, big challenge.

MN: During the actual qualifying lap, is there an adrenalin rush, or is it more a case of being cool, calm, analytical, measured - with an adrenalin rush once it's over?

MW: Controlled aggression is the right expression.

The last corner is where you get the sense of satisfaction.

It's doing every corner right.

Knowing you've come out of it not having made an error knowing that you couldn't have had too much more in reserve.

Like Silverstone. On my best lap I was over the kerb on the exit of Copse. I didn't really want to venture out there ... you're pulling sixth, so it's pretty quick, and I didn't know how the car was going to behave behind the kerb, but you've got to stay wide open ...

The track's building up grip all the time, so it's pretty much uncharted wafers and you have to go into some of the corners guessing what the car's going to do.

MN:Taking out the obvious, Michael Schumacher, which of the other 21 drivers out there is in your view doing a good job this year? Tough as it is for drivers to lavish praise on the opposition ...

MW: Juan (Montoya) has done a brilliant job in qualifying, but he's had a frustrating race car in quite a few races. He has to try and get the consistency over an hour and a half, that he hasn't been able to yet, to beat Ferrari, but he's had a strong season - and he obviously loves the car over that one lapi Kimi (Raikkonen) did a good job in Magny Cours. He shows signs, despite crashing three cars at Monaco, of showing DC up.

All the rest I've been racing with I

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Ovodafon Just like the biscuit: Webber dazzled at Monte Carlo, above, until a tyre problem stopped him. He tested successfully for Jaguar, below, and also (Photos by Sutton-lmages) seems adept at the FI social scene, bottom.

MN: You are right up to your ears in the Silly Season with, as you say,three possible options for 2003. Does this period have its own pressures for you to ensure that you and your advisers make the right decision - a wrong move can damage a career - or do you simply leave it to them?

MW: I've got to be confident in leaving it with Flavio (Briatore) and Bruno (Michel). I've told them more than often, and they know, that the second year is crucial and we've got to jump on moiorsport news

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INTERVIEW

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Lights, cameras, action; Webber can tell a motor from a motor drive but still likes to look at the sport from the other side occasionally.

With all the talk of where MW will drive next season it is easy to forget he is actually contracted to Renault... {Photos by Sutton-lmages)

/

the ship at the right time.

For sure you'd love to be at Ferrari next year, but that's not going to be the case. You've got to go to a team where you can show your potential at the end of the day.

Whatever team that is next year, I have to do the best I can with what I 've got and be totally focussed with the team I would like to be somewhere for the longer term, so that I can put some roots down and go forward with them.

It's really hard to pick a team.

For example, you would have said that Toyota would be a very good team next year, could make a lot of progress over the winter, but the last few races they've struggled. So it's very difficult to judge who is going to be making a good car next year and who is going to have the correct personnel to be a nice team to drive for.

MINI: And going to another team isn't just as simple as discussing terms in relation to yourself as a driver - you like to have input on the technical direction of the team ...

MW: Yes. Whatever happens next year, they know that I do ' like to know what is coming up in terms of testing, what we are testing, why aren't we testing something, and so on.

1 August 2002

That probably comes from my experience with Mercedes and, more recently, Renault, where you maximise the results from testing. Renault used to go about it very, very well and it shows in the progress they have made in the last 12 months.

It was good for me to see all that and be part of it and it's important.

The driver’s role is huge within a team and you have to show a lot of commitment to that side of things if you're going to suoceed. Off-track there's a lot of time required to let everyone know what you like, what you need, to make your car go quicker.

MN; Up until now you've been reasonably careful to have the options reasonably open at the end of each year, but now (above) you appear to have reached a point where you are happy to make a longer term commitment...

MW: I would like that. But if it's not the case, well so be it.

Things happen for a reason. But it would be good, if I do move, to be part of the longer-term evolution of a team.

MN: Okay, so when would you like to move in at Ferrari?

MW: When Michael leaves would be useful ...

/ / Australfa’sfottest karting talent battles it out

or a motorsport career! #

MHC

31

Cameron McConville

Having a (Lansval w Lansvale Racing Team, the smallest Level 1 sguad, has given seme el the hig hoys a wake-up callin season 2002.

AARON NOONAN caught up with Cameron McConville to see what other surprises rear LRT has in store for the rest of

'HILE Oran Park is the home test track of the Lansvale Racing Team, there were jaws dropping to the ground when Cameron McConville planted the team’s Commodore into the Top 10 Shootout a few weeks back.

And even though it wasn’t a major surprise to those in the ‘know’, the 28-year-old must have been a bit surprised, after all, he wasn’t wearing his best race suit, not quite thinking he’d been facing the media at the post-qualifying press conference ...

During the year I tend to

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molorsport news

FEATURE

e)Smashing time look at it, that when we’re up in the top 10, we’re achieving a lot, because that’s as good as we could really expect with our limited resources,” he said.

“But at Oran Park I did expect to be well and truly inside the top 10 because we’re the only team that’s run three or four hundred laps around the place. Having said that, I was a little surprised. On the first lap (of race one) when I came off the bridge and could only count two cars in front of me Ambrose and Skaife -1 was thinking the guys must be back in the pits having heart failure!

The size of the LRT team is tiny in comparison with the ‘big guns’, making Oran Park, and indeed a fourth at Phillip Island earlier in the year, all the more stark.

McConville has driven for the Holden Racing Tham, Dick Johnson Racing and with Brad

Jones Racing’s works Audis, so he knows how things are at the other end of the scale.

“We have six full-timers total for the team and five of those are ‘on the floor’ as such, one is the business manager(Frank Hurley).

Trevor(Ashby)and Steve(Reed) are obviously at the smash repair business so they call in now and then. They’re separate premises in different suburbs.

“Having driven at HRT and DJR,I try to do our race de-briefs like I did when I was at HRT. Wally (Storey) has had some experience in that area, but I’ve sort of tried to help introduce a weU-structured system of how we go about the race track stuff, and how we go about testing. That’s starting to work well.

“All the guys bar two on the wheels are volunteers on the race weekends. But they come in now occasionally during the week to practice pit stops.”

While LRT has been around since 1986 when Ashby and Reed

made their first foray into Group A racing, it’s taken the addition of a Level 1 driver in McConville to give it an extra kick. 2002 has seen the culmination of a plan to be moving forward.

There would have to be a few puzzled teams, with far more technical nous and manpower that would be scratching their heads ...

“We had a top 10 at Barbagallo where we were in a position to pass quite a few cars. When I passed them,I thought‘they must see steam when they see McGrath Holden and an ^c/^ye (otherwise) empty back ^Bectr bumper on the car thatjust and helped ‘The Kid’ to the V8 passed them’. crown by running second at “Sometimes that’s why I think in Bathurst. practice I get baulked or whatever Now, anybody who’d just because they think ‘he won’t catch finished on the podium three times me’. Hopefully, that’s starting to in successive years at Bathurst in change.” a works Audi or Holden should be McComdUe Is,in some respects, a valuable commodity? Yes, but the nearly man. He won the there have to be seats. So Cam Formula Ford title in 1992 but joined Rod Nash’s lowly-rated didn’t have the money to push on outfit to make sure his backside and it wasn’t until 1996, when he was in a seat. linked with Warwick Fabrics and “Nash was the only option I had,” Rod Wilson in a Porsche and won he recalls over lunch in Elwood, not ■L the GTP title, that he was far from where he’s made his ^^^^somewhat back on track. A stint in current home in Albert Park. the works Audi squad and at “I spoke to John Crennan after HRT has proved that he has Bathurst that year and had a the talent. But having talent handshake deal to come back for and getting the right break the endures the year after. When are two totally different Rod approached me I had to go things. back and try and get out of driving Signed by HRT in 1999 to for HRT, effectively. That sounds partner Craig Lowndes, very strange! John knew that I had Cam actually filled in for a round in Lowndes’s injuryinduced one round absence

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The Race Shop p: 03 34ES 3000 f: 03 34ES e: greenfUter@bigpand.cam.au Sate Australian & l\/ew 1 August 2002

continued on page 34

Cameron McConville

When I was a young fella ... Winning the GT-Production championship in 1996, above, heip set McConviile back on the path after Formuia Ford that has ied to V8 Supercars and a podium with Craig Lowndes at Bathurst in 1999, above right. We couidn’t heip but remind you of when he was a young iad in 1992, below, and was the reserve driver for DJR’s 1992 Bathurst squad. Ten points for the hairstyie ... {Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and Rod Eime)

continued from page 33 to get into a full-time drive.

‘When Steve and Trevor rang me at the end of 2000,1 hadn’t recommitted with Rod and I just thought they had things in place.

They were building a new car, the workshop seemed to be wellequipped, they had Wally Storey and put on a full-time business manager.

“Rod’s team has come a long way since but at the time didn’t have the resources in place and I could see that they(LRT)did.

“Having said that, I still recall one call from a media person who said that I had to be kidding and ‘what the hell did you do that for?’.

I said to give us time. I’m quite happy -with how it’s worked out.

“Even though qualifying’s been our struggle, the car has been getting quicker and quicker and our race pace is as good as anyone’s except for two or three cars. It’s come along quite well considering the resources.”

Being in a lower-profile team certainly has its advantages.

“I’ve actually become quite happy with the persona around our team.

I think occasionally we deserve more credit and Oran Park was the weekend to stand up and be counted but we blew it because we had a mechanical thing go wrong and missed a potential top five or even possibly a top three result.

“I’ve become quite happy in that when I read the race previews it doesn’t bother me that I’m not ranked in the top 10. Sure I have an ego, but it doesn’t need fuelling as much as some others! I’d like to have more profile for our sponsors but I enjoy a little less pressure and being the underdog.”

And that brings us to the topic of 2003. McConville is on a one-year deal with LRT and there’s no doubt 34

he’d be a valuable pick-up for any of the teams currently ahead of him on the grid. But loyalty to Ashby and Reed makes it easy to stay.

“I feel quite loyal to Trevor and Steve because they’ve stuck by me and built the team up around me, which I appreciate. They’ve stuck to one car so we don’t drain the resources of my car and allowed me to be the front person of the team, if you like.

“I only have a one-year deal at the moment so, having said that, you have to always keep your options open. For whatever reason, the team may not be there at the end of the track.

“Having said that, I feel loyal to Trevor and Steve as well as Holden.

I’m on a contract with Holden now and they use their drivers a lot and I’m quite good friends with a lot of the people there so at the moment I’m quite happy “I’d still like to be in a position to challenge for a championship. I still think I’m driving the cars better each year and certainly racing better. I’m still under 30 so

I’ve got a few years left! Whether Lansvale can gi-ow to be a top five championship contender, as I’d like to see it, that’s in the next two or three years.”

But taking the next step up the V8 Supercar ladder is a tough one.

Whether it’s an in-house engine program or the addition of more staff, McConville has no doubts that expanding to two cars is the first step on climbing the ladder.

But of course there’s always budget constraints and a variety of other things to bring into consideration.

“I think you need two Level One drivers in a team, testing to develop the car right to that level. At a race meeting, it also means you can share and start with two slightly different packages and that tends to help. We’ve only had a data guy this year and he’s part-time on the race weekends, so Wally and I are really just working on it ourselves as far as set-up goes.

“To do it properly, it takes more than double your current budget to run double the cars. You need another three offour full-time guys.

Tve become quite happy in that when[read the race previews it doesn't bother me that I'm not ranked in the top 10" - On being the underdog in a smailer team The one-car has its advantages in that the focus is on that sole car, but for LRT to be a contender, we really need to expand to two cars."

For the endurance races, the team’s line-up reflects an understanding on consistency being the key over 1000-kilometres at Bathurst, and indeed 500 at Queensland Raceway. A gun in V8 BRute racing, Warren Luff will surprise a few people, says McConville.

“Warren’s a Sydney driver and that continues with the flavour of the team. He’s done three test days with us and we bring the second car so he has the whole day in his own car, doing 70 or 80 laps each day. About 10 times more than when I was younger!

“It helps if you’ve done Bathui'st in a V8 before, but I’m confident he’ll be able to run at a good even consistent pace and that’s all he’ll need to do. That’s what Rick (Bates) did last year and I think Trevor and Steve are investing a little bit in the future(with signing Luff). He’s a real team player. He’s at every round early every morning, helping cook breakfast and aU that stuff-1 think he’ll surprise a few.”

While the team is the only in the main V8 series to come out of Sydney, McConville has moved back to Melbourne this year after heading north in 2001.

“I moved up there because I wanted the guys to know I was focused to get to know everyone and try and get it to work. I did a lot of travelling because I do quite a lot of drive days for Holden and other bits and pieces. I ended up being away every weekend from Sydney and when I re-signed last year I asked if I could be based back in Melbourne.

“My family’s here and so far it’s motorsport news

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FEATURE n.

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I don't have any majop regrets, but when I watch open-wheelers I rr can't help but think...

- When asked whether he has any regrets about his racing career

worked quite well. I still go up and do a de-brief after every race and I still go up a day or two before we test and spend that time at the workshop, so it involves a little bit more travel.

“Being at Lansvale is good because I can do other things, like my Motor magazine column and a lot of charity work for Tattersall’s.

This is my fifth year of sponsorship with Tattersall’s and that was a big concern. Iff wasn’t back here ' this j'ear they probably wouldn’t have continued.”

There’s no doubting McConville is a motor racing fan first and foremost. Ask him about his overseas ambitions and regrets and you get a balanced response.

“I suppose I didn’t get the budget I needed to go overseas when I won Formula Ford in 1992 and that’s the time I should have

Pnoto oy UirH Kiynsmitn

Small but efficient: Lansvale Racing Team has six full-time staff, but they have made bigger teams look silly during 2002. gone, not four or five years ago when I was re-considering it.

“I decided to go to university and we’d mn out of money because we funded Formula Ford, so I decided to stay here. I don’t have any major regrets, but when I watch openwheelers I can’t help but think ...”

Nevertheless, he’s a happy boy. In between racing, sponsor and media commitments(expert commentary on Network Ten’s “Trackside’ program), McConville is quickly turning into quite the triathlete as well. Being back home in Melbourne is agreeing just nicely.

“At the moment I’m happy. I’ve been finally able to get a house of my own and I’m at least home most weekends when I’m not racing, except for the odd drive day. I’ve started training again with a triathlon squad that do regular’ bike rides so there’s definitely more spare

time outside of racing this year.

‘The only frustration is that it’s been a costly year in the points, and that’s because of too many mechanical failures.

We had an engine at Adelaide and Eastern Creek, a suspension component at Canberra, a clutch went off the start in Danvin and then the steering at Oran Park.

“We’re 22nd in the points but we could have easily been in the top 14 or 15 and that’s what really frustrates me. See the chequered flag and we’ll be somewhere at the end of the year.”

McConville and LRT just hope that there’s a few more of the more-fancied runners looking at their bumper bar when they do.

And there’s no doubt he’ll have his best race suit on just in case any more media conferences are necessary...

"For LRT to be a contender, we realy need to expand to two cars" - McConviiie on moving up the grid

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Oran Park

Marching

If there's a my fen HRT te he heaten, the ether teams are yet te finti it.

MARK GLENDEmiNG was at Oran Park te watch roumi seven ef the U8SCS nnfeU

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FTER Jason Bright put a blip on the V8 Supercar landscape with his success at Barbagallo, Mark Skaife ushered in a return to regular service by snatching up win number six for 2002 at Oran Park.

The result reinforced the circuit’s reputation as a happy HRT hunting ground by making it seven in a row for the General.

But the final results sheet falls well short of telling the full story.

There have been weekends where Holden Racing Team have been clearly dominant, but this was not one of them. Skaife was quick, however he owes this win as much to simply being the last man standing when the smoke cleared as he does to going out and conquering all.

There are a million and one theories to explain why the Skaife/Holden Racing Team package has been so freakishly powerful this year, but Oran Park illustrated two major strengths vividly - they are ruthlessly reliable, and as good as never make mistakes.

After a slow (by his standards) start to the weekend, Skaife motored his way through the Oran Park dust while everybody who could hold a candle to him - and a few had their chances - struck problems. Some were as tiny as a tiny bit of wheelspin on the startline or a marginal performance in qualifying, others were as serious as a shunt or a half-minute pitstop.

But Skaife was flawless, with the end result being that the driver of the #1 HRTVX Commodore once again flew back to Melbourne with the winner’s trophy stashed into the overhead compartment.

36

The Saturday sessions sprung By recent standards Ford had a more than enough surprises to get pretty good weekend, and could a few of those pulses racing, not quite possibly had an even better least of which was the fact that one if its various campaigns had HRT failed to top any of the not imploded. Marcos Ambrose was practice or qualifying sessions. again carrying the blue banner, A big reason for this was rubber. but his efforts were scuttled by a Oran Park is tough on tyres at the poor pitstop in race one and a spin best of times - by Todd Kelly’s in race two, while Craig Lowndes calculations, the car spends about fell victim to engine gremlins.

It was also a weekend that saw a 75 percent of each lap cornering.

When you take into account the number of regular frontrunners fact that each car was allocated take a bit of a bodyblow. Kmart Racing in particular will have to do just 10 of Dunlop’s finest to get through the weekend, it’s little something pretty spectacular not surprise that tyre preservation to have a better result when the circus rolls into Winton after Greg n was at the top of everyone’s priority list.

Murphy and Todd Kelly pooled Skaife elected to put himself on their resources and came up with a the back foot on Saturday by grand total of one race finish concentrating his efforts on between them. developing a race package, which But it wasn’t all bad news. After meant finding a way to optimise a uniformly terrible year, Glenn the car on used rubber.

Seton finally managed to haul the This opened the door for a few Ford Credit Racing somewhere up unusual incursions into the top of toward the business end of the the timesheets, not least of which racing, while in the red corner was McConville. Maximising the Cameron McConville posted his home test-track advantage, the best qualifying result all year to Lansvale Smash Repairs grab a spot in the top ten shootout Commodore did the quickest tour -joined by none other than the of the outer-Sydney circuit to top Team Kiwi VX of Jason Richards. the sheets. Skaife survived a At the end of the day though, thump from Ambrose(on the first Skaife has written the book on out lap!) to slot into second, ahead ‘Getting it Right, 2002-style’, and of Murphy and Ambrose’s Pirtek Oran Park was just another Falcon. chapter.

SBR went one better in the And while there were signs that second session, but this time it was other teams were preparing to Ambrose’s teammate, David start knocking on the door, there Besnard, doing the damage. were just as much to illustrate just Ambrose completed a Stone how far they still have to go.

Brothers one-two by clocking second quickest time, leaving Rick Kelly in third as the quickest of the Holdens.

Qualifying got off to a literally smashing start when Rick hacked It find someone who isisn’t keenhard for atochange in the V8 Supercar pecking order, even if it continued on page 38 be for just one weekend.

Practice and Qualifying

molortport newt

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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Photo by Dirk Kiynsmith

Oran Park continued from page 36 the HYL Commodore into the wall at the dip on his first out lap, shattering the back window and crumpling the rear bodywork.

“It wasn’t really a huge lose, it was just the wrong spot to do it,” Rick later mourned.

The Young Lion car looked a little worse for wear, but the damage was strictly cosmetic and Kelly Jr was able to rejoin the session.

Seton added to the drama by spinning deep into the midfield but continued unscathed, while Brad Jones was lucky not to join them when he saved himselffrom a big moment exiting the last corner.

Steve Richards enjoyed an early spell at the top of the sheets, but Ambrose wheeled the SBR machine straight to PI on his first quick lap, only to be displaced almost immediately by Skaife, who had found an extra 0.8s. He in turn was topped by his teammate, and all of a sudden there were just two Fords in the top 10.

Seton answered the call, and was followed shortly after by Lowndes, who recovered from, relegation from the top 10 to grab fifth spot.

But Ambrose wasn’t done just yet, and raised the bar one last time with a lm09.0559 to steal PI from Bright, leaving Richards in tenth place and exposed to the ‘slow’50 percent of the field.

The bottom 50 percent have made frequent assaults on the top 10 in recent rounds, and sure enough, Richo’s hopes of making the shootout were dashed as soon as John Bowe took to the track.

Still to come was Max Wilson.

Having by now established himself a reputation as something of a qualifying specialist, the diminutive Brazilian had attracted plenty of interested onlookers when the #65 Betta Electrical AU rolled onto the circuit.

None were watching more attentively - or nervously - than Murphy, who was now sitting on the bump in PIO. WUson was quick over the first sector but then fell away over the rest of the lap, giving Murph a brief moment of respite until Jason Richards pulled one out of the hat and plonked himself into seventh.

Murph was out, and for the first time in a long time, the Top Ten Shootout would run without a Kmart Racing presence.

But it wasn’t over yet. Steve Johnson brought the DJR Falcon up to eighth, followed soon after by new dad Russell Ingall, who managed to go two better and The DJR team’s chances of wound up sixth. making the Shootout took a turn Then, after the earlier false for the better when Steve Ellery start, the Max factor came into locked up and whacked the wall at play in the biggest possible way the dip, bringing out the red flags when Wilson did a lm09.0234 to with just four minutes to go. It rocket the Betta Electrical AU didn’t take long to rescue the straight to the top of the sheets. stricken Super Cheap Falcon, but That ended Bowe’s shootout with barely enough time for an hopes, with Johnson now clinging :outlap and two flyers, the driver’s grimly to his top ten position.

Bouncing through the field: Top of the blue class was again Marcos Ambrose, who looked ominous early in the weekend but eventually fell victim to a combination of pitstop problems and fading rubber. (Photo by John Moms/Mpix) 3B

chances of penetrating the top 10 were rapidly diminishing.

Bowe came out for a last-gasp effort but couldn’t improve, but just as things looked to be settled Garth Tander came into the equation, putting the GRM Commdore squarely into P6 on his final lap.

The tiny Team Kiwi outfit were on the bump but there was nobody left to remove them,so Jason Richards was on his way to his first-ever Shootout appearance.

“It just shows that sometimes you can even surprise yourself.” grinned a delighted Richards later.

The Kiwi’s dream run didn’t translate into the Shootout itself, where Richards sustained a couple of big lockups en route to a time some 1.3s slower than he had managed in the qualifying session.

Lowndes was next out and capitalised on Richards’s misfortune to grab top spot, and then successfully defended it against Ingall, Seton, Tander, McConville, and Skaife.

“It was probably a bit more of a race car than a qualifying car,” said Skaife.

“We probably haven’t really got our head around making it as good as we’d like to make it, but it’s a long day tomorrow and we’ve been focused on making it nice and flowing and good under used t3rre conditions, but it doesn’t get the gain from a new tyre.”

Bright stepped into the fray and took the #2 HRT car around the track in lm09.035s, almost 0.6s quicker than Lowndes had managed, and for a few moments it moiorsRon news

■1

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Surprise attacks THIRTY-SIX V8 Supercars lined up on the grid at Oran Park.

That translates into 18 cars hitting the track in each of the two qualifying sessions, as determined by whether each respective driver was in the top or bottom 50 percent of the quickest practice times.

The faster bunch go out to qualify first, and at the end of the session, with at least eight siower cars already behind them and another 18 that are in theory even siower yet to come, you could be forgiven for thinking that the Top 10 Shootout is more or less settled.

Wrong.

There have been a few incursions from the

Eat my dust: Jason Bright’s continued his recent strong form with a second and third.

(Photo by John Morris/Mpix)

looked like the red empire was finally beginning to stamp its authority on the weekend.

But then came Ambrose. 0.19s quicker over the first sector, 0.212 up on the second, and the first sublm09s effort for the weekend - a lm08.818s.

With only Wilson still to come, a

continued on page 40

siower group.into the top 10 this year, but at Oran Park it was bordering on an epidemic.

When the ‘quick guys'finished their session, the top ten consisted of Ambrose, Bright, Skaife, McConviile, Seton, Lowndes, Besnard, Todd Kelly, Murphy , and Steve Richards.

But after the ‘slow guys’ had done their thing, just six were left. Besnard, Murph, Richo, and Todd were out, and in their place were Tander, Ingall, Jason Richards, pictured, and Max Wilson who, after ending both practice sessions in P24, pulled out a time 1.4s quicker than anything he had done earlier in the day to claim fastest time overali.

(Damn overacheivers).

The punters were surprised, the media were surprised, and in Jason Richards’s case, even some of the driversthemselves were surprised.

Then there was the spread of the field, or rather the lack thereof. Wilson took PI with a 1m09.0234s lap. By contrast, Paul Weal’s best was a 1m09.9673. No big deal, until you consider that Weel was 31st quickest. Thirty-one cars covered by one second - apparentiy a new record.

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Oran Park continued from page 39

Richards. Before the Kmart Commodore had a chance to

Ford was going to be on pole. And when Max drove through the first sector almost half a second slower

capitalise on the clear-ish track ahead it was facing backwards, having been turned around by Richo.

than Marcos had, the Pirtek boys began celebrating.

Race 1(58 laps)

Murph was livid, and the pair stomped up the stairs for a meeting with the stewards after the race. Ultimately, no action was taken.

There three fairytales beingwere played outbig as the opening 58-lapper loomed. McConviile was starting from P5, Seton was two spots behind him, and Jason Richards was in the top 10. But two of them went sour before the

“To start with, I wasn’t even sure whether I did hit Murph ... I had received a bit of a tap from behind,” explained Richards.

“When I saw the video footage afterwards it was obvious that we

race had even begun, and the other didn’t last much longer.

As the field formed up for the start, two spots toward the front were vacant. Seton would be

did make contact, but there was still a question mark over the tap I n got from the rear so the stewards decided to let it go.”

By the time Murphy had gathered himself together and rejoined, he was in 25th place and had a lot of work to do.

starting from pitlane, courtesy of a fuel filler problem that had led to the boot being filled with fuel at a rather inconvenient moment(then again, is there any such thing as a convenient moment for something like that?), and Richards was lining up right behind him, the cat having got amongst the Kiwis when their car fell off its jacks while being readied for the race.

Wheelspin on the startline put paid to Bright’s hopes of leading into the first corner. By the time HRT #2 had found some grip it was fifth, caught behind Ambrose, Skaife, McConviile, and Lowndes.

A little further down the track, Besnard had his finger on the nitro button to jump from 13th to ninth on the opening lap.

You didn’t have to search the paddock hard to find critics of the race format for the afternoon. Two 58-lappers around a circuit that eats tyres the way Pacman used to eat power pellets, with an ‘economical’ allocation of rubber to each car pointed more toward a tyre conservation trial rather than a race.

Worse still, the window for the one compuslory stop opened on lap three, giving the teams just two options - pit early, or risk being blown out of contention if the Safety Car comes into play.

The field had barely began settling into the race when the pit window opened and sure enough, the air began to resonate with the choking rattle of speed limiters, with Bowe and Johnson the first to make their stops.

Meanwhile, there was a threeway wrestle being played out between Murphy, Steve Richards (who was making good progress through the field in the early laps) and Besnard.

The harder you dice, the greater the risk, and sure enough it all came undone as the trio exited the bridge. Murph passed Besnard, and was followed through by 40

fQualifying^

POSDRIUER 1 65 Max Wilson 2 4 Marcos Ambrose 3 2 Jason Bright 4 1 Mark Skaife 5 3 Cameron McConviile 6 34 Garth Tender 7 0 Glenn Seton 8 8 Russell Ingall 9 00 Craig Lowndes 10 021 Jason Richards 11 17 Steven Johnson 12 888 John Bowe 13 9 David Besnard 14 15 Todd Kelly 15 54 Craig Baird 16 51 Greg Murphy 17 40 Cameron McLean 18 16 Steven Richards 19 31 Steve Eilery 20 600 Simon Wills 21 10 Mark Larkham Brad Jones 22 21 23 24 Paul Romano 24 35 Jason Bargwanna 25 29 Paul Morris 26 27 Neil Crompton 27 18 Paul Radisich 28 02 Rick Kelly 29 66 Tony Longhurst 30 46 John Faulkner 31 43 Paul Weel 32 11 Larry Perkins 33 75 Anthony Tratt 34 7 Rodney Forbes 35 14 Wayne Wakefield 36 22 Dugal McDougall

Things were looking considerably brighter for Ambrose, who had inherited the lead after Skaife pitted. He made the dash for new rubber a lap later, only to spend the next 29.4 seconds stationary in the pit box while his crew wrestled with the right rear wheel nut. Game over.

By lap 14, Seton, John Faulkner, Larry Perkins, and Mark Larkham wei'e the only cars not to have stopped, and all four instant'y became sitting ducks when McConville’s dream outing came to a sad end courtesy of a cracked steering rack. The Lansvale Commodore came to a rest deep in the gravel at Turn One, prompting the first appearance of the Safety Car.

TIME Im09.0234s lm09.0559s lm09.1198s lm09.2309s lm09.2778s lm09.2841s lm09.2974s lm09.3287s lm09.3738s lm09.3839s lm09.4016s lm09.4311s lm09.4425s lm09.4446s lm09.4702s lm09.5042s lm09.5062s lm09.5902s lm09.6215s lm09.6260s lm09.6367s lm09.6394s lm09.8045s lm09.8158s lm09.8202s lm09.8251s lm09.8969s lm09.9045s lm09.9054s lm09.9523s lm09.9673s imio.ceois lml0.1053s lml0.0883s 1ml 0.2802s 1ml 2.8343s

GAR Betta Electrical/Briggs Falcon AU Pirtek/SBR Falcon AU Holden Racing Team Commodore VX Holden Racing Team Commodore VX Lansvale Smash Repairs Commodore VX Valvoline/Cummins Commodore VX Ford Credit Racing Falcon AU Castrol/Perkins Commodore VX 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Team Kiwi Racing Commodore VX Shell Helix/DJR Faicon AU OzEmail Racing Team Falcon AU Caltex Havoline/SBR Falcon AU Kmart Racing Team Commodore VX Team Brock Commodore VX Kmart Racing Team Commodore VX VIP Pet Foods Falcon AU Castrol/Perkins Commodore VX Super Cheap Racing Falcon AU CAT Racing/Briggs Falcon AU Orrcon Racing Falcon AU OzEmail Racing Team Falcon AU Ultra Tune Racing Commodore VX Valvoline/Cummins Commodore VX Sirromet Wines Commodore VX 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Shell Helix/DJR Falcon AU Holden Young Lions Commodore VX Betta Electrical/Briggs Falcon AU John Faulkner Racing Commodore VX K&J Thermal Products Falcon AU Castrol/Perkins Commodore VX Toll Racing Falcon AU 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Imrie Motor Sport/Commodore VX Pepsi Racing/Commodore VX

Top 10 snoot-out 1 2 3 4 5

It worked beautifully for Tander however, who pitted just before the SC board was hung out and vaulted up to fourth as the rest of the field slowed under the yellows, and effectively granted himself some ‘free’ time in pitlane.

Lowndes, lying in second behind Skaife, went straight onto the offensive when the green flags came out five laps later, and before long Bright had entered the frame to create a three-way fight for what would become the lead once

Ambrose Bright Lowndes Skaife McConviile

6 7 8 9 10

1:08.8177 1:09.0350 1:09.6288 1:09.7731 1:09.7741

V8SCS Round 7

I

Tander Seton Ingall Wilson J. Richards

1:09.8390 1:09.8748 1:09.8808 1:09.9801 1:10.5160

ran Park

»V . n

'■

i

u

the late-stoppers had pitted. The trio also had to clear Seton and Faulkner, the last ofthe late stoppers, but once it found some clear track, the #1 HRT machine began to stretch its legs and open a gap.

But before Skaife could build too much of an advantage, the field was forced to bunch up again when the Safety Car returned to the track. This time the unlucky person was Paul Weel, who had lost a wheel and rolled the K&J Thermal Products Falcon.

When racing resumed, Bright continued on page 44

^

«

■

■L-

7.

*

"A

FALCOIM

?r!ii V

■“Falcon UoUD

Double-0 trouble: After Lowndes was handicapped with engine probiems, Neii Crompton stepped into the fray to record an exceiient seventh overail.

(Photo by Dirk Kly nsmilh)

motorsport news

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Oran Park continued fronn page 40 got a ran on Lowndes and made it stick, putting HRT into a 1-2 , position.

But there was more to come from the Safety Car yet, this time after contact between Wilson and Bowe.

The Betta car, which had clouted Tander just a few moments earlier, was able to rejoin the circuit; the OzEmail Falcon, which had already shed its rear bumper after an earlier whack, wasn’t quite so lucky.

I should have known better than try and get past(Wilson),” Bowe commiserated.

“He had just speared Garth Tander off and I was his next victim. Next time I’ll just sit back and let him do his own damage.”

Racing got underway again five laps later, and it quicldy became apparent that all was not well on Planet 00.

Lowndes was going backwards, having been passed by Richards, Ingall and Ambrose on lap 50, and then outdragged by Ellery down the straight a lap later.

The problem was traced to an engine glitch that eventually left him to struggle across the line in 12th.

The Safety Car made one more appearance to allow for the recovery of Brad Jones, who spun on oil dropped by Besnard.

It was a disappointing ending for Jones, who had driven well to work his way up to sixth.

But at the front of the field, it was all over.

Skaife had done enough to take a relatively comfortable win, and Bright followed him acorss the line 1.1s later with Richards sitting in his shadow.

Smoking: Steve Richards recovered from a disappointing quaiifying session to become one of the prime contenders at the front of the fieid.

(Photo by John Morris/Mpix)

Race 2(58 laps) nly a couple offlag hours Othe chequered in separated race one and the formation lap for race two - barely enough time for the teams to collect themselves, grab lunch, debrief, and, in several cases, patch up the bits of the car that had taken a battering.

Pitstops aside, Skaife overcame a better start from Steve Richards and a brave chase from Ambrose to lead from flag to flag pitstops notwithstanding.

“We (he and Ambrose) were dead-set, straight-out battling,” said Skaife.

“He was probably slightly quicker but had to use the tyres to get to me, and at that stage we were able to really look after our tyres.”

The 2002 Champ-in-waiting had one hairly moment when he was

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tapped while lapping Wayne Wakefield.

“I don’t know what he was doing,” Skaife commented.

“He let me past under brakes and I went around the inside of him, and then on the way of the corner he runs into the back of it. I might go and have a chat to Wayne afterwards.”

Wakefield was unconcerned.

“I saw Skaife coming and moved over,” he explained.

“He turned in front of me and locked up a little bit - he actually had a bit of a moment. I was following and we just touched. To be honest, I didn’t even think he would feel it.”

In Skaife’s rearview mirrors meanwhile,the mayhem from race one was continuing.

It took just two laps for the first

blood to be drawn, when Jones was turned around by Paul Romano and was instantly broadsided by both Kmart entries and Johnson.

“I wonder what on eai-th he (Romano) was trying to do,” said Bradley later.

“I had given him plenty of room and he still decided to hit me. You just can’t afford to make driving mistakes like that these days and his mistake will not only cost me championship points but tens of thousands of dollars as well.”

The Safety Car made another appearance to facilitate the recovery of the battered white OzEmail Falcon, but its sister car was faring rather better. Forced to start from the pitlane after being delayed by a lealdng hose, Bowe recovered to finish 12th.

Hostilities continued after

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motorsport news

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 5"^.

Broadband disconnected: Brad Jones, above, had a

[Pholos by Bob Potts and John Morrs/Mpix)

Jones’s car had been rescued.

Jason Bargwanna, who was having a singularly awful day, negotiated a bend and found himself in the middle of a couple of other cars who were busy having moments of their own. Bargs surfed backwards gracefully into the wall, but was able to rejoin and fight grimly on.

Not long afterwards it was Seton’s turn, who this time lost a

swag of positions after being tapped by Rick Kelly.

Up at the front, the man most likely to take the fight to Skaife was Ambrose, who had leapfrogged Bright during the pitstops and then endured a brief battle with Richards.

After 20 laps, Skaife had 3.5s worth of breathing space between himself and the Tasmanian, but the Ford was lapping around 0.3s quicker. Over the next 16 tours. the cushion closed to as little as 1.6s before Ambrose’s tyres began to wilt. The race was sealed once and for all on lap 39, when Ambrose finally pushed a little too hard and spun. While he was able to rejoin without losing track position, he had fallen into the _ clutches of Richards and Bright.

Nevertheless, he kept his second place by the merest of margins, but the chase for the lead was over.

“We’re getting closer and closer,” said Ambrose.

‘In race trim, we’re just too aggressive on our tyres. To stay continued on page 46 He can’t win if I push him over a cliff!” It may have been the first practice sessions, but Ambrose was making his presence felt right from the outset...

(Photo by Bob Potts)

Oran Park continued from page 45 with Mark I had to push too hard, and the rears went away and that was it for me. We’ll look to the next race and go from there.”

A handful of laps later, the podium was decided once and for all when a small error by Richards allowed Bright to sneak through and steal third.

Fifth and sixth from Ingall and Besnard respectively completed afternoons that both Castrol Perkins and Stone Brothers Racing could be reasonably happy with (although Larry himself was out of the picture for much of the weekend).

Richards’s performance in particular was some compensation for the disappointment of missing the Shootout in qualifying.

Also leaving the track with a smile on his face was Ellery, who drove beautifully on Sunday and kept clear of the various incidents around him to finish sixth overall.

V8SCS Round 7 Oran RarK

y70IS ^SUP£RC^R NEWS^

HRT WIN 18

n

SERIES INARCM k AVESCO SCR/irCH ^ HEADS OVER POOR

Crystal ball? But if it comes true, remember where you read it first.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmilh)

Happy times also for Neil Crompton, who had his best result all year by bringing the #27 00 Motorsport Falcon home 10th and

Sweet and sour: After a recent run of poor luck Steve Ellery, above, turned things around to end the day sixth overall. On the other side of the coin, Todd Kelly, below, seems to sum up Kmart Racing’s whole weekend ...

(Photos by Dirk Kiynsmith and John Morris/Mpix)

46

eighth respectively.

Several teams had problems at Oran Park, but for Kmart Racing the weekend was a disaster of Hindenburg proportions.

On the back foot after struggling to find a decent setup, the problems for both Murph and Toddler seemed to keep smowballing as the weekend went = on.

Todd was sidelined with power steering problems in race one and a crash with Jones in race two, while Murph’s weekend took a dive after the incident with Richards in the first 58-lapper.

Problems during the pitstop and a further assortment of batterings on the track eventually parked the #51 Commdore in race one.

Murphy scored 10 points for finishing 23rd in race 2,and that was total haul for the team over the weekend. Not one of their better days.

Bargs again bore the brunt of most of the bad luck that struck the GRM Commodores.

Whenever somebody on the track had a problem Bargwanna seemed to find them, and the #35 Valvoline car eventually retired from the first race after having basically been beaten to death.

It took another battering in race two, but at least managed to struggle home as the last classified finisher, albeit three laps down on the leaders.

And so beckons Winton in two weeks. One on hand, it’s HRT’s test track. On the other ... um .. well, they didn’t win there last year.

The championship might be as good as decided, but the battle for second is wide open.

Pack something warm, and point your car towards northern Victoria, because if Oran Park was anything to go by, then who knows what will happen at round eight of the V8 Supercar series.

nica 1 - SR laps PDsDrIuer Race lime 1 Skaife 1:19:50.4404 1:19:51.5469 2 Bright 3 S. Richards 1:19:52.3729 4 Ambrose 1:19:52.6239 1:19:52.9485 5 Ingall 1:19:54.0864 6 Ellerv 1:19:55.6962 7 Crompton 1:19:55.8738 8 R. Kelly 1:19:56.2289 9 Seton 1:19:50.4927 10 Tander 1:19:59.1083 11 Longhurst 1:19:59.3602 12 Lowndes 13 Radisich 1:20:00.0896 1:20:00.1426 14 Morris 15 Wills 1:20:00.6175 16 Faulkner 1:20:01.9983 1:20:02.0032 17 Baird 18 J. Richards 1:20:03.7042 19 Besnard 1:20:04.3746 20 Perkins 1:20:04.3746 21 Romano 1:20:05.5510 22 Wakefield 1:20:05.8352 23 Tratt 1:20:07.3369 1:20:08.0798 24 Wilson 1:20:09.2313 25 Johnson 26 McLean 57 laps 27 Larkham 57 laps 28 Jones 56 laps 55 laps DNF Bargwanna DNFMcDougall 44 laps DNF Bowe 42 laps 41 laps DNF I Kelly 32 laps DNF Murphy DNFWeel 26 laps DNF Forbes 26 laps DNF McConville 14 laps

CD C/9

Faslesilap 1:09.4906 2 1:09.9016 2 1:10.3906 5 1:09.2530 2 1:10.3115 4 1:10.8624 9 1:10.5758 7 1:10.6639 9 1:10.9123 8 1:10.4156 2 1:10.2283 5 1:09.9782 11 1:10.4252 8 1:10.5350 8 1:10.7646 6 1:10.7661 8 1:10.6474 9 1:11.2082 7 1:10.4517 12 1:11.2298 24 1:11.4700 22 1:11.4301 11 1:10.7755 6 1:10.4049 3 1:10.5809 9 1:10.6066 6 1:11.1855 22 1:09.9971 7 1:11.0230 7 1:11.5083 11 1:09.7482 5 1:10.2807 5 1:10.6494 10 1:10.8745 5 1:11.6258 20 1:10.0348 11

RIC* 2-98 lips 1:12:28.4745 1:10.7397 18 1 Skaife 1:12:43.7504 1:10.1963* 11 2 Ambrose 1:12:47.2888 1:10.6908 18 3 Bright 4 S. Richards 1:12:48.9808 1:10.6692 12 1:12:52.8360 1:10.7988 16 5 Ingall 6 Besnard 1:13:00.2335 1:10.7865 11 1:13:00.6957 1:11.0523 13 7 Lowndes 1:13:04.9858 1:10.9797 13 8 Ellery 9 Tander 1:13.09.0848 1:10.8133 18 1:13:15.6363 1:11:0822 14 10 Crompton 1:13:23.2315 1:11:0951 10 11 Longhurst 1:11.2296 10 12 Bowe 1:13:23.8122 13 Seton 1:13:24.8536 1:11.3137 18 14 McConville 1:13:25.3285 1:11.1413 11 1:13:32.7823 1:11.3734 19 15 R. Kelly 16 Tratt 57 laps 1:11,3456 15 17 Wills 57 laps 1:11.2987 9 18 Larkham 57 laps 1:11.5552 20 19 Faulkner 57 laps 1:11.8278 12 20 Radisich 57 laps 1:11.0820 12 21 Wakefield 57 laps 1:11.6617 15 22 Forbes 57 laps 1:11.9407 17 1:10.9992 18 57 laps 23 Murphy 57 laps 1:11.9953 17 24 McDougall 1:11.6960 12 25 J. Richards 57 laps 26 McLean 57 laps 1:11.2861 15 27 Perkins 57 laps 1:11.4363 29 54 laps 1:11.6891 11 28 Bargwanna DNF Baird 45 laps 1:11.2098 15 1:11.3291 11 DNFWeel 29 laps DNF Romano 29 laps 1:12.2824 14 1:17.9270 2 DNF Wilson 1:29.1328 1 DNF Johnson 1:26.1913 1 DNF Jones DNF Morris 1:23.0086 1 1:29.7464 1 DNFT, Kelly

Poinu mar roaail 1 Skaife 1693, Bright 896, Murphy 894, Ambrose 809, T. Kelly 802, S. Richards 731, Lowndes 714, Besnard 561, Tander 559, Longhurst 487, Ingall 486, Bowe 480, Johnson 437, Bargwanna 354, Jones 348, Crompton 334, J. Richards 318, Seton 301, Larkham 288, Baird 277, Radisich 276, McConville 268, Perkins 268, Faulkner 253, Wills 239, Ellery 234, Kelly 216, Weel 188, McLean 182, Tratt 181, Wilson 170, Morris 153, Forbes 138, Gardner 62, Wakefield 49, White 43, Ritter 36, McDougall 33, Romano -77.

motorsport news

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German GP

Be It Ever Se Humble MichaelSchumacher hah never wen the German GP lor Ferrarihelore 2002.So that's whathe dU this reconHireahing year. JOESAWAGO reports trom the revised Hockenheim circuit

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ICHAEL Schumacher might have broken every record in the business so far this season but, on his performance in Germany,the five-time World Champion is hardly lacking motivation.

Schumacher equalled his own (and Nigel Mansell’s) single-season record of nine victories by winning the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, his first there in a Ferrari. The German fans were pleased as well. The WilliamsBMW of his brother Ralf was much closer than was the case at MagnyCours a week earlier but it was still not enough to mount a real challenge to Michael's domination.

As things turned out, Ralf had a last-minute problem with the pneumatic system of his BMW and had to come in for some more air and so it was Juan Pablo Montoya who came though to take second.

That means that Montoya remains second in the World Championship,four points clear of Ralf and five ahead of Rubens Barrichello. David Coulthard is also still in the hunt, so even if the World Champion is known,the identity of his runners-up is still wide open with five races still to run.

As is becoming usual with Ferrari, it was Barrichello who had all the problems. During the recognition laps, Rubens discovered that the up-change on his Ferrari was not working properly.

So the car was bundled off into the pitlane and Barrichello went for the T-car (which from now on will be set up for him at every race). He left the pitlane less than 10 seconds before it closed and so 48

But I’m German too! Ralf Schumacher looked set to make it a 1-2 for the Schumacher clan and for Germany, but a pneumatic system problem menat he missed out and had to settle for third.

(Photo by Marsh/Bothweil) both Giancarlo Fisichella and Olivier Panis, which was a good effort, but he still had Jarno Trulli in his path and that would cost him a lot of time in the early laps. here were no more dramas Interestingly, despite pulling before the start and the almost 2s on the opening lap, getaway was very orderly bar Michael did not disappear into the Frentzen not moving anywhere and wild blue yonder as we expected Webber having troubles with his 'him to do. His choice of the harder launch control. A couple of cars took of Bridgestone’s compounds was to the tarmac run-off areas as too largely the result of guesswork, as many cars tried to go through the no-one had any data for the new corner at the same time. This did track and the temperatures were not cost them much time. hot. Thus it was a little more about feel than it was about science.

Michael Schumacher was not The Michelins were much closer going to be caught by anyone and, as Ralf and Rubens were very wellto the pace as a result, and proved to be much more consistent than behaved, it was down to Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen to provide the other compounds have been in recent months. fireworks. The Colombian jumped Whatever the details, it meant well but then bogged down and, that Michael could not quite shake well before the new hairpin, Kimi scrambled ahead. Behind them, Ralf. It was a question of edging Coulthard managed to get ahead of gently away. In the first 10 laps. was able to take up his intended position on the grid. Given what has happened in recent races, this was a bonus.

T

molorsport news

FORMULA ONE

Always bet on black, er, red; Michael Schumacher took his first victory for Ferrari in the German Grand Prix and found time to celebrate in typical Schumacher-fashion, left. The new, shorter Hockenheim layout was one designed with some passing opportunities in mind as well as making it more accessible to spectators. The ‘old’ stadium section remained, below, but the long straights are gone.

(Photos by Sutton-lmages and Marsh/Bolhwoll)

the gap went out to five seconds but then Ralf came back at him.

Ralf would later complain that he had been held up by Trulli, who had dropped to the back of the field because of tyre difficulties. The FLA Stewards agreed and Trulli was given a drive-through penalty.

The problems had cost Ralf about three seconds but it is doubtful that this would have made the difference necessary.

Michael peeled off into the pits on lap 27 and Ralf let rip, tr3dng to win some time before he pitted. On lap 28, he set the fastest lap of the race and then headed for the pits.

As he came in he found Jacques Villeneuve coming slowly into the

pits. It took Jacques a moment or two to react and move out of the Williams’s way. Another second and a half was lost. This all totted up to a gap to Michael that had gone out to six seconds.

Ralf clawed it back to just over three seconds but then it stabilised and then gradually began to drift outwards. By the time the second stops came around, Michael was just under 10 seconds ahead of his brother.

The second stop changed nothing in terms of the actual gap (apart from the fact that Ralf chose not to change his t3res) but in the closing laps of the race Ralf had a problem.

The car was still lapping quickly

but the air for the pneumatic system was running out. It needed to be topped up. Ralf needed to pit.

It was a quick stop but it meant that Montoya went past. And that had a dramatic effect for Ralf because he gave up two points and Montoya gained two extra. The four points difference means that the team men are not equal on points (as would have been the case if Ralf had finished ahead).

I didn’t expect to come second. admitted Montoya, who said that he had profited from the problems encountered by Ralf and by

continued on page 52 49

German GP - Qualifying

The Home Tow

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51

HOCKENHEIM has long been a temple to the cult of Schumacher and, with Michael now having five stars on his baseball cap,there were no shortage qf fans wanting to come to see the new World Champion in his dominant Ferrari.

In previous years, one could rely on Flockenheim being the pay-off for engine manufacturers to show off who had the most motor.

The new track has changed the emphasis and that showed in practice. Ferrari was right at the top right from the start. At the old track, the WilliamsBMWs would have been kings.

There never seemed to be much doubt that Michael Schumacher would be on pole.

There was a kind of inevitability about it; he was fastest on Friday, fastest on Saturday morning and then fastest in qualifying.

On Saturday morning Ralf was second quickest and that was repeated in the afternoon, with Rubens Barrichello third and Juan Pablo Montoya fourth.

The two Schumacher brothers duelled for pole but Michael came out ahead by nearly tw'otenths of a second.

It was his first pole position since the Spanish Grand Prix in April but, as we have seen so often in recent races, qualifying is not everything.

The Ferrari is so good in race trim that Michael has been able

to win from second and third on the grid. So the concept of having him on pole on Sunday was a worrying one.

Winning in Germany has however been a problem for Michael, his only win in his home race coming seven years ago when he was driving a Benetton-Renault.

The new circuit is such that those who make mistakes go off and drive around on the tarmac of the run-off area and are able to rejoin.

"You might lose a place," said Schumacher M, "but your race should not be over."

For Ralf, it was a return to form after several races in which he has been shown the way by Montoya. But at home in front of the German audience (and the burghers of BMW), Ralf showed Montoya the way.

Montoya would probably have done better had he not gone off on two of his runs.

Neither Williams driver was willing to suggest that they were in a position to beat Schumacher in the race.

"After five poles in a row," said Montoya, "I can cope with starting from the second row."

Barrichello was third and felt he could have done better.

By the end of Saturday evening, it was clear that heat was going to be an issue. It was baking hot after a cool start to the meeting on Friday but Bridgestone seemed to have

even that situation handled., ; "We based our tyre choice on ’. ' being in good shape for tomorrow," said Ferrarr's Ross Brawn."I think i&will be a very ■i interesting race, Qurihg which strategy will be an important factor." ;; There was no surprise to see i Kimi Raikkonen in fifth place'in,^^^ his West McLaren-Mercedesfi^^ but it was more unusual that ‘ S-v David Coulthard was dbwri'-in ninth, even if the two men wdre'' only 0.25s apart.

The interlopers between them were the Flonda-powered Jordan and BAR of Giancarlo FIsIchella , i and Olivier Panis respectively, i and Jarno Trulll's Renault.

1 The Flonda cars have finally begun to look half-decent as the Japanese engineers chip away at improving the engines. Jacques Villeneuve and Takuma Sato, were 11th and 12th, so Flonda was poised for a good result.

Trulli's efforts put Jenson Button into the shade on this occasion, with the BAR-bound English driver down in 13th on the grid, although he was only four-tenths slower than Jarno.

The midfield was very tight, with 14 cars covered by a second. The difference, it seems, was that Button had to use an older engine after his qualifying unit blew up on Saturday morning, pitching him into a spin. It was a good effort for the team, given that on Friday the cars were not on the molorsport news

FORMULA ONE

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Honda’s Heroes: Olivier Panis. above, ami Giancarlo Fisichellci slurredfor ll'hnln by Marsh ItiilUnfth Honda in qualifying.

pace at all.

Sauber was a little further back than one would expect to find them, with Nick Heidfeld 10th and Felipe Massa 14th.

Heidfeld had the excuse that he had had to switch to the spare car.

Arrows, Jaguar and Toyota were mixed up in the mid-grid, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen leading the way by a small margin from Eddie Irvine.

The Jaguar has got better thanks to the recent changes but then the Arrows has not moved forward much because of the troubles off the circuit.

Allan McNish made light of his lack of experience (or, perhaps.

7 August 2002

made the most of everyone else's lack of experience with the new layout), out-qualifying team-mate Mika Sale for the first time.

Timely, considering Toyota boss Ove Andersson's mid week comments that neither of his drivers were necessarily secure for a 2003 drive.

Down at the back was Mark Webber, unable to do much with the Minardi, which was nearly a second off the pace of the rest on this occasion.

Alex Yoong was nearly two seconds from Webber's pace and never looked even close to making the 107 percent.

- JOE SAWARD

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51

German GP continued from page 49 Barrichello. “This is racing,” he said. “These things happen.”

Barrichello’s daystops was spoiled the second pit after at having run third all afternoon. He came into the pits, looking as though he was safe but the refuelling flap did not operate properly. The ensuing delay cost him 10 seconds and that put him behind Montoya.

Montoya’s race had not begun well as he had been jumped by Raikkonen on the first lap. It took him 11 laps to find a way past the talented Finn, not to mention some exciting side-by-side action after Kimi made a small mistake.

Raikkonen could do nothing to keep up and so settled into fifth place but then fate intervened. Like Ralf would choose to do later, Raikkonen chose not to change his Michelins at the stop, an unusual decision which may or may not have contributed to a puncture on lap 37.

He kept the car going and drove Now, THIS is proper racing: Juan Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen proved it back to the pits with the left rear why they are the men to inherit Michaei Schumacher’s mantle as they tyre disintegrating. The bodywork engaged in an early-race dog fight, above. It all went bad for the Finn ’ was damaged but Raikkonen went (Photos by Sutton-lmages) when he suffered a puncture, below, and later spun. out again. The car was not handling very well but he held it together umtil he spun off on his 60th lap, while running 11th and last.

All this meant that Coulthard ended up fifth, which was a good effort from ninth on the grid.

David made up two places on the first lap and then managed to get ahead of Trulli as the Italian began to fade on lap 12. He was then sixth and stayed there until Raikkonen disappeared. After that he was unbothered by anyone.

Two points is not bad but it did not go unnoticed that the McLaren had been lapped by Schumacher at

Performance Quaiitv Value

the end of the race.

The final point went to Nick Heidfeld and this was largely thanks to Felipe Massa, who obeyed team orders and allowed Heidfeld to go ahead on lap 33.

Until that point, Massa had been ahead from the first lap, which was a great effort given that he started 14th and Heidfeld had started 10th.

“I proved today that I can race well in FI,” he said, sounding like a man who is not sure where he will drive next year.

Stringing along the Sauber was thebehind only surviving Honda-engined car of Takuma Sato.

At the start, Fisichella was leading the chase of the big teams but on lap 12 Panis jumped him and, in the scramble that followed, Massa also got ahead.

From then on, Panis led the Honda challenge and would have ended the day sixth, but an engine problem threw him into a spin and out of the race on the 40th lap.

Fisichella might have hoped for great things but his pitstop went

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FORMULA ONE

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Team orders, and it’s a Ferrari-powered car... In deference to Nick Heidfeld’s seniority in the Sauber/Petronas team, the German was able to get by team-mate Felipe Massa when team orders were issued, above. Jacques (Photos by Marsh/Bothwell) Villeneuve, above right, could do nothing but make sure he looked his best for a DNF. badly wrong, with a front wheel getting stuck and a clutch problem and so he was back in 13th when he got going again. His race ended with an engine failure on lap 60.

Villeneuve was 12th when he had a gearbox problem and went off. He struggled round to the pits and retired.

The only other finisher wasearly Mika Salo, who struggled on but made some changes to the front wing at the pit stop and then began to set some good lap times.

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Allan McNish was ahead of Salo 57. Three years ago, he won at the track for Ferrari, even ifit was with until he went out with hydraulic the ‘assistance’of team-mate Salo ... problem after 23 laps.

Arrows had a worse day.

Jaguar Racing had another bad Frentzen’s car did not leave the day. Pedro de la Rosa suffered a transmission problem ofsome sort grid. It took three laps to get the car started and it lasted 21 laps and went out on the first lap. Eddie before retiring with an hydraulic Irvine suffered problems with his failures. Bernoldi went out with an traction-control, an intermittent bug turning the system off without 'engine failure.

Mark Webber was also left on notice and pitching the R3 into a series of uncontrollable spins. the grid in his singleton Minardi The Irishman turned it off because of an electronic problem.

He got the car going and quickly completely and battled on before retiring with brake troubles on lap caught the pack that, at this stage, consisted of 10 cars, covered by about five seconds, all duking it out for position.

Webber took his time and picked off Salo and was looking to make it a double when he was squeezed out of a bold overtaking manoeuvre by McNish, costing the Aussie a position. He recovered and continued the chase but it all came to nothing when he went out with a hydraulic failure when he was in 14th place. .

Still, at a ‘home’race for Toyota (based not that far away in Cologne)the red and white brass, if watching, must have wondered just why their increasingly promising cars and well-paid drivers were split by a black car that is rarely, if ever, seen at the test sessions.

Renault also had a miserable day, with both drivers fading through the field very quickly.

Button had all manner of gremlins slow, rather than stop, his car early on, the Brit falling all the way to last. But at least it kept going until Button’s engine cut out for good.

After incurring the wrath of Ralf Schumacher and the stewards, 'Trulli eventually made a mistake and went off, banging the Renault too badly to continue.

Michael Schumacher will enjoy his mid-summer ‘break’, such as it is. He was flawless at home and deserved to win. Double figures, and more history, beckons in Hungary.

Your X Victorian

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Factory 9,19-25 Grange Rd Cheltenham ViC Ph 03 9585 5340 Fax 03 9585 5320 7 RUBUSI 2002

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Montoya R. Schumacher Barrlchello Coulthard Heidfeld Massa Sato Salo

R R R R R R R R R R R R

Fisichella Raikhonen Irvine Berncldl Ranis Trulll Vllleneuve Button McNIsh Webber Frentzen de la Rosa

Ih27m52.078s Ih28m02.581s Ih28m06.544s Ih28ml5.273s 66 laps 66 laps 66 laps 66 laps 66 laps 59 laps 59 laps 57 laps 48 laps 39 laps 36 laps 27 laps 24 laps 23 laps 23 laps 18 laps 0 laps

Engine Crash Brakes Engine Engine/Spin Crash Gearbox

Engine Hydraulics Electronics Hydraulics Transmission

Fastest lap: M.Schumacher on lap 44, lml6.462s.

Drivers’ points: M.Schumacher 106, Montoya 40, R. Schumacher 36, Barricheilo 35, Coulthard 32.

Raikkonen 17, Button 11, Heidfeld 7, Hslchelia 6, Trulii/Massa 4, Villeneuve/lrvine 3, Webber/Frentzcn/ Sakkl^anis 2.

Constructors' points: Ferrari l4l, WilllanismiVIW 76, T McUren4\1eioedes 49, RenauH 15. Sauber/Petronas | 11, Jordan/Honda 6, BAR/Honda 5,Jaguar/Cosworth 3; Minardi/Asiatech, Toyota and Arrows/Cosworth 2.. *.''

The Renault with increased aero: Trulli ended up in the wall after a horror day, above, while the run to the old first chicane looked just as sad a sight, below.

(Photos by Marsh/Bothwell)

German GP

What they said

Highlights from the post-race press conference I Q; You said that you really I wanted to win the German I Grand Prix for Ferrari. IMow I you’ve done it.

I MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: Yes, everybody knows that hasn't been the case so far, in the seven years that I've been driving for Ferrari. It's without words honestly, because we have achieved so much in this year that it's amazing.

It was a very tight battle today between Ralf and myself but I think the German fans really loved that. It would have been nice to have two Schumachers in first and second position but I'm sure we will get more opportunities in the future maybe.

him and I was still on the same pace as the guys in front of me.

But it was just way too far back and sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.

especially in the first stint, so I really had to fight very hard to keep this advantage that we had.

We started to lose it, actually, towards the end, so we were a bit concerned what would happen with the next set of tyres and so on.

But thank God the tyres stayed together with the second and third set and that was the base for the victory in the end.

Q: Ralf, you were pushed by Rubens quite hard early on.

Was he challenging you?

RALF SCHUMAHCER: No. He came close to me when Jrulli held me up quite a bit, but that was the only time I was looking out for Rubens. Mainly I was concentrating on catching up to Michael and not looking behind me.

The race was perfect, I just had a bit of bad luck with the new track and then I had a technical problem. That's the way it is in racing sometimes.

After the first pit stop, for a few laps it was brilliant then I struggled with understeer and had some traffic, then I came back at the end again and it was reasonable, but by that time Michael was too far away.

Q; Juan Pablo, your fight with Kimi Raikkonen was one of the most exciting of the race.

How did you enjoy that?

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA: It was really good. I think that had cost me most of my race. At the start, we went off the line really Q: It looked as though you had ’ well but then the car just to push incredibly hard in that bogged down and Rubens first stint. pulled away and Kimi went by MS: I think all of us struggled a me and I think that really cost me. little bit with temperatures It took me quite a few laps to today. The tyres started to blister, I had quite a lot. go by him and then I went by

'1

German Grand Prix

FORMULA 1

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German GP-Hockenheim

one of those races that, The German Grand Prixwas was despite a few dramas, looking very promising - until a hydraulic problem sidelined my Minardi.

Again, our little team had made a number of good decisions in terms of tyre choice and strategy and, despite a bad start, we were in there racing with the Toyotas and within sight of a big mid-field scrap when it went pear-shaped.

We were trying an evolution of the launch-control system at the start but it failed. So I had to abort that and make a delayed manual start- weaving around Frentzen's Arrows, which had stalled.

It didn't take more than a lap or two to catch Sale’s Toyota. For once he was running behind McNish and I was able to get him going into the tight left-hander at the end of the new back straight.

We'd definitely made the right tyre choice and I could already see So what are they looking cheerful about? Webber, Paul Stoddart and Mark’s physio. Aussie Rod McLean,found something some of the Bridgestone guys in to keep them entertained qn the grid at Hockenheim, below. The race wasn't quite asJoyous (Phulox by Marsh/Orit/iwell and Sutton-Imases) trouble.

McNish was running in Jensen We were ready to go and I saw Button's slipstream and when JB Michael coming down the pit lane and followed him out. So I started braked quite early going into the same corner a few laps later, the timed lap behind Michael, set McNish didn't seem to think about my best first sector time ... there were cars at most of the comers, having a go down the inside, so I did. but off line. They all move over for Fie saw me coming, though, and Michael, but Minardi is a different moved across- quite fairly- and it story, I guess,and I copped Sato bigwas very close into the corner as I time on the second sector and gave tried to back out of it. I was very the lap away. conscious of damaging my front wing on the kerb there (it's quite So we didn't get to compare our gone that far, could have worked high on the inside) or clipping his So thatweek was Germany. extra between With racesthe 1 am, tyres. In the end, we had to go on beautifully. back tyre with my front wheel. as you read this, coming to the end what a couple of other teams, and Although we'd allowed for a twoWe got through, but I had to jag of a whistle-stop week back home, Michelin, were saying. I spoke to stopper, I asked the guys to work first (gear) to get out of it and so catching up with my family in my old Mercedes team-mate out how far we could go in order to Salo got a run at me and got his Bernd Schneider, who was Queanbeyan, doing some PR stuff refuel and get to the end. That spot back I confident it would be hot on for Telstra and Foster's and getting turned out to be lap 28,so we I started to notice some fluid on along to the Bledisloe Cup rugby in Sunday, so we went for the harder decided to stop then. Even though my visor, coming out of Turn 1, Sydney. tyre. we were still thinking two stops, if which I thought was strange -1 It would cost us half a second in Then my attention turns to the hard tyre was really working out didn't think it was coming from my Flungary where, if the rumours are qualifying, but that was far well it gave us the option of car- but I couldn't see anyone in correct, I look like having a new preferable to the possibility of a converting to a single stop if we front of me having any problems. team-mate. wanted to. long Sunday afternoon coping with It turned out to be coming from Germany was a bit of a blistered tyres.

As it turned out, with our speed, our power-steering rack and quite watershed for Alex (Yoong), who I'd hoped to do just three runs, we would have leap-frogged quite quickly we lost all hydraulic missed the qualifying cut again. saving a fresh set for race day, but a few cars at that first stop and pressure. A number of the in the end we made the decision to FI's not easy and I think he's could have been looking at anotner hydraulic systems in the car are have a fourth, late, run. struggling with it at the moment good result. interconnected, so that meant the and his confidence is down.

You really have to pick your time gearbox packed it in as well, so that As I write. I'm not aware of who late in the session. If you haven't was that.

The leackjp to the may get the drive, I hope it's gone out with seven or eight mixed.

We'd run race quitehad a lotbeen offuel someone with some measure of minutes to go, you catch all the on Friday-at that stage working on the FI experience. Someone to others on their 'out' laps, so you basis of a on&stop strategy-and had n lile most of the field pitted measure up against and learn more have to wait and go with two _ _ around lap 24, we'd arrived at an ECU problem In the first session, from. minutes to go. then a clutch go in the second. a different strategy which, had we

WS

7 Jlugusi 2002

55

Mallala I

Guess

Paul Dumbnell capped off his 2002 Honica VO title with one final show of domination.

MARK GLENDENNiniG reports from Maffala

P

AUL Dumbrell put the final stamp on a nearperfect year when he took out the fifth and final round of the Konica V8 Supercar Series at Mallala last weekend.

The 19-year-old Victorian, who wrapped the Championship up in the previous round at Winton last month, hammered home two wins and a second place to reaffirm his reputation as the class of the 2002 senes. : “We came here with the goal to win three out of three races,” said

Dumbrell.

‘That second race was probably the best race of the year. I outthought myself at the final turn. I thought I went deep(under brakes) but he(Brede) pulled it up!

Steve Owen drove superbly throughout the weekend to gi'ab the second spot on the podium in the Saabwreck/IMS Commodore VX with a pair of second places and a sixth that came courtesy of a last-lap flat tyre.

It was enough to cement Owen in fifth in the Championship, a particularly good effort in light of

The Honour Roll: Brede, above, overcame early problems to secure second in the Championship, but the weekend again belonged to Dumbrell, left.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmith)

56

motorsport news

KONICA V8 SERIES

the fact that he missed one round.

‘The car would have to be half a second to three-quarters of a second quicker a lap (since the start of the year) at somewhere like here,” he commented.

“We are consistently moving forward. I’m still learning myself and the whole thing’s getting very competitive.”

Third overall was Brede, which was another good result after the GWR Falcon spent much of Saturday in the garage with engine problems.

‘We started in the worst way possible with no miles so it was a little bit of an unknown today,” Brede mused.

“We did had two sets of new tyres but they didn’t seem to last again. Race three it was probably at its worst. It’s good to be second in the championship, that’s what we came here with in our minds.”

Qualifying With the Championship having already been decided at the previous round, the spotlight swung to the battle for second between Brede and Greg Crick, who were split by 41 points.

SUPSii!

Saab wreck, Holden quick: Owen was on the pace all weekend and was rewarded with second overall.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmilh)

Brede in particular was keen for a strong outing after a disastrous weekend at Phillip Island, but his hopes were dashed as soon as the practice sessions started when the Gulf Western Falcon’s engine struck trouble.

The team worked feverishly to swap the engines in time for qualifying, only to find their efforts to fire the Ford up thwarted by a mapping problem in the new motor. Brede consequently missed both practice sessions and qualifying; the sponsor rides at the conclusion of the day’s proceedings ended up being the most laps the Canberrian would complete all day.

‘You’ve got to keep smiling,” the Canberrian said (through what looked more like a grimace).

fQualifying^ POS NO 64 1 2 13 78 3 4 161 5 76 6 30 7 74 93 9 10 56 11 61 12 25 13 69 14 110 15 95 16 68 17 18 94 19 90 26 20 21 72 22 70 23 140

DRIVER Paul Dumbrell Steve Owen Mark Porter Greg Crick Matthew White Luke Youlden Craig Harris Leanne Ferrier Michael Simpson Kevin Mundy Ross Halliday Terry Wyhoon Robert Jones Grant Johnson Ron Searle Shane Beikoff Grant Elliott Mark Howard Michael Turner Bob McDonald Robert Smith David Skillender Clyde Lawrence

Round 5 7 August 2002

CAR Wynn's/IRC Commodore VX Saabwreck/Commodore VX Hydralink Falcon AU 3M/Sri Lanka Falcon AU VIP Pet Foods Commodore VT Super Cheap Falcon AU Castrol Falcon AU Fleetcare Commodore VS HSR Falcon EL Actron Air Falcon AU 3M Falcon AU Kitome Falcon EL Spies Hecker Commodore VX Chance of a Lifetime Falcon EL Transtar Commodore VS Diesel Tech Commodore VS Sydney Star Commodore VS HSR Falcon EL ADI Commodore VS Doulman Commodore VT Smith's Trucks Commodore VT Graphic Skills Commodore VS Karingal Commodore VS

Mallala

TIME 1:08.2648 1:08.9228 1:09.2972 1:09.3469 1:09.3497 1:09.4213 1:09.5280 1:09.8613 1:09.9619 1:10.2179 1:10.2736 1:10.3881 1:10.4465 1:10.6470 1:10.8106 1:11.3148 1:11.3169 1:11.6008 1:12.3652 1:12.3939 1:12.7977 1:13.0191 1:13.2616

Qualifying is usually nm as two separate top^ottom 50 percent sessions, however intermittent showers on Saturday prompted officials to send the field out in one single outing.

Luke Youlden made the first ;foray into the lm09s bracket and led the session briefly before being deposed by Mark Porter, but then Dumbrell pulled out a lm08.8002s.

He followed it up with a lm08.5148s, and effectively rendered everything else academic.

Grant Johnson (Chance of a Lifetime Falcon EL)was on what looked to be a quick one when he clipped the kerb while negotiating the final comer, tearing off the front spoiler.

Joining him in starting the weekend on the back foot was Grant Elliott(Sydney Star Commodore VS), who dropped out of contention for a top spot when he lost third gear.

Time remained more or less static as the dying minutes of the session ticked away, until Dumbrell struck one last time on his final lap with a lm08.2648s.

A last-gasp effort from Owen was rewarded with P2, bumping Porter back to the second row where he would line up alongside

Crick.

Race 1(13 laps) Dumbrell was a little sluggish away from the lights, handing the initiative to Owen and Porter, who led the field through the first corner. Crick also made a less than ideal getaway after being distracted by a marshal.

“I was sitting on the grid and saw a marshal holding a ‘car stall’ sign out,” he explained.

“I glanced over at it and missed the lights!”

A move inside Porter at the NorthernHhairpin promoted Dumbrell into second on lap two.

and he then seized the lead from Owen at the Southern Hairpin half a lap later. From there, the race was over. PD put the foot down and disappeared, leaving everyone else to sort themselves out for the minor placings.

If Dumbrell was putting the question of who would win the race beyond doubt, then Owen was doing a pretty good job of matching him in second place. He didn’t have enough on tap to catch PD, but he had more than enough to ensure a relatively lonely cruise to runner-up honours.

Third was a completely different matter. After being passed by Dumbrell, Porter found himself heading a tight four-way battle for third place between himself, Matthew White,Youlden and a recovering Crick.

The quartet circulated nose-totail lap after lap, with nobody appearing able to do much about anyone else.

This was working out beautifully for Brede, who had the lights on and was on a charge. He shot from 20th to 14th on the opening lap, and by half-distance was lying eighth behind Leanne Ferrier’s Fleetcare VS. Brede began to loom large in her mirrors, but Ferrier responded to the challenge and upped the pace to give herself a little more breathing space.

With just four laps scheduled to be run,Youlden pulled a move on White for fourth. He got through, but the pair touched in the process.

The VIP-mobile suffered substantial rear bar damage, and fell victim to Ferrier shortly afterwards.

Indeed, White was lucky not to drop two postions when Brede came excruciatingly close to following Ferrier through.

continued on page 58 57

Mallala continued from page 57 Porter retained third place, but Youlden was now fourth and gaining ground quickly. Before he had a chance to do anything about it however, the Actron Air Falcon of Kevin Mundy speared into the gravel and caught fire, bringing out the red flags and ending the race three laps early.

Race 2(16 laps) The inverted-10 with somethingrace of astarted farewelltour fi'ont row. Ross Halliday started from pole alongside Craig Harris (Castrol Falcon), both drivers having announced their plans to retire from driving at the end of the weekend.

But at the lights it was Brede who best nailed the start and sailed into the lead from the second row.

While Brede set about building a lead at the front. White was again in the wars, this time being turned around by Harris. While White lived to fight another day. Porter was not so fortunate.

The Kiwi’s Ford blew up on the back straight after a suspected problem vrith the oil line and pulled off at the Northern Hairpin where, like Mundy’s,it went up in

flames.

By lap five, Dumbrell had worked his way from 10th up to second. Brede was by now eight seconds down the road, but with 12 laps still in the bag there was still everything to play for. As it was, the leaders only had to complete another seven tours before Dumbrell had reeled in Brede to within 0.3s.

There was a sense of inevitability about the whole thing, and when Dumbrell dived inside Brede to take the lead at the Northern Hairpin on the last lap the only real surprise was that it had taken him so long.

But Brede had one more trick up his sleeve, and when Dumbrell left the door wide open at the Esses, Brede was perfectly placed to take advantage. Game, set, match.

Arormd 15 seconds down the road came Crick in third, a sensational effort considering that he had driven much of the race with one hand on the wheel and the other on the gearshift due to the car’s reluctance to remain in gear.

He had some imwitting help from Owen though, who had passed him four laps earlier only to have his front left tyre blow out on the final lap. He managed to limp home to salvage sixth.

Not far behind Crick was

All works out in the end: Leanne Perrier hasn’t had the easiest of years, but she put it ali behind her for a series of cracking drives in South Austraiia.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith) Ferrier, who again squeezed a good result out of the ageing VS, with Youlden follovring her for fifth.

White’s woes continued when, having fallen to 16th after his touch with Harris, he climbed into the top 10 only to be involved in another incident, this time with Robert Jones’s Spies Hecker VX. Both cars took a battering, and the VIP Commodore was forced to retire vrith damaged steering.

Jones was able to continue, but

spent an uncomfortable few laps driving with a fragment of glass stuck in his eye before the fragment eventually dislodged itself.

Race 3(35 laps) Clutch damage from race two kept Hams from gridding up for the feature 35-lapper. Owen was slightly quicker than Dumbrell off the start, and the

p^RAGING STARTS a;30iP*

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iijno PocsckeXiip^ !^KumnQ*fflGI^S’§l;ig&

SUNDAY AUGUST 18th fl 'Where you see all the action ali the time

TICKETS:(03)5766 4235 www.wintonraceway.com.au 58

motorsDort news

KONICA V8 series Konica U8s Rd 5 Mallala

S

One of those days: Crick, above left, did not have any mayor problems at Mallala, but he did have a lot of little ones. Race three was a perfect (Photo by Dirk Klynsmith) example ...

Final curtain: the sun sets on the 2002 Championship at Mallala.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

pair went into the first sequence of turns side by side. The Saahwreck Commodore had the right line through the first corner, but that put Dumbrell on the inside for turn two and the Wynn’s car slipped into the lead.

It was surprisingly short-lived though, for when the field exited the Southern Hairpin, PD was back in sixth after spinning.

Crick was elevated into second behind Owen, with Youlden, Brede and Perrier giving chase.

Brede gave Youlden a thump on his way past to take third, while behind him Dumbrell went one better and turned Terry Wyhoon around in his efforts to regain lost ground.

“Under brakes I was sure he had a problem, it was like he got on the brakes early,” explained Dumbrell.

“I was stuck (having just passed a car down the outside entering the braking zone)and that was that.”

It was a bit of a short-term project - within a few laps he had won a spirited battle against Perrier and dispatched both the SMATourism Sri Lanka Palcons to move into range of the race leaders.

Out in front, Owen was doing all he could to pull out a gap but Dumbrell was on the move, and before long found a way past Brede and began closing in.

It became irrelevant on lap 14 though, when the field was obliged to form up behind the Safety Car after Mark Howard broke down at the exit of the Esses. While this was a minor disaster for Owen,it was very much the opposite for Crick.

Damage from earlier contact with Owen was causing a front t}Te on the Taswegian’s Palcon to run against the guard. Concerned about his prospects offinishing the race. Crick was forced to pit for new rubber, rejoining in last place.

He was in serious danger of being lapped until the appearance of the Safety Car threw him a life line and allowed him to effectively 1 Auaust 2002

■ACfRON AIR ●

-

I

Hang on, this doesn’t feei right ”: Simpson has a bit of a moment.

(Photo by Paris Charies)

rescue a lap and dash around the circuit to latch onto the rear of the procession.

The stop squashed any flickerin g hopes of fi nishing second in the championship, so Crick went into ‘salvage pride’ mode for the remainder of the afternoon and drove through the fi eld to climb from last to seventh over the final 20 laps.

Three laps passed under the Safety Car before the field was fre e to resume racing, but it was not until lap 21 that Dumbrell finally found a way past Owen. And at that point the race was sealed.

Dumbrell gradually edged away to win by 10 seconds, with Owen opening an even bigger gap to secure second place ahead of Brede .

White finished fourth after a

weekend for Ferrier, who was a deserving winner of the encouragement award.

“The car was great all weekend,” she beamed.

“But I made a mistake in the third last lap, so I'm kicking myself!”

So after five rounds it was fi nal curtains for the 2002 Konica Series, and things ended on a note that pretty much epitomised the season. After falling short in 2001, Dumbrell turned things up a notch and was virtually in a class of his own, demonstrating a combination of speed and reliability that nobody else could hoW a candle to.

Race 1 (13 laps) POS DRIVER RACEriME/UPS FASTEST 1 Dumbrell 15:09.2291 ¤1:08.7829 2 Owen 15:19.3513 1:09.8066 3 Porter 15:24.7712 1:10.3622 4 Youlden 15:25.4700 1:10.1029 5 Crick 15:27.1497 1:10.0830 6 Perrier 15:28.1316 1:10.0902 7 White 15:28.4907 1:10.3058 8 Brede 15:28.8808 1:09.7662 9 Harris 15:38.4578 1:11.0455 15:40.0000 1:10.8551 10 Halliday 15:42.9111 1:11.0990 11 Mundy 12 Jones 15:46.3309 1:11.5435 13 Searle 15:46.6919 1:11.6298 14 Johnson 15:48.7664 1:11.2055 15 Elliott 15:49.3553 1:11.4220 15:51.7570 1:11.5165 16 Wyhoon 17 Beikoff 16:03.1346 1:12.2127 18 McDonald 16:10.9557 1:12.9366 19 Lawrence 16:20.0013 1:13.9362 20 Howard 16:20.6052 1:12.1213 13:15.4008 1:11.2370 DNF Simpson Race 2 (16 laps) 1 Brede 2 Dumbrell 3 Crick 4 Perrier 5 Youlden 6 Dwen 7 Harris 8 Halliday 9 Wyhoon 10 Johnson 11 Searle 12 Jones 13 Elliott 14 Beikoff 15 Turner 16 Howard 17 McDonald DNF White DNF Lawrence DNF Porter

18:57.7479 18:57.9266 19:11.7635 19:13.0239 19:20.8882 19:29.1720 19:31.9216 19:32.1705 19:33.2859 19:33.7946 19:35.4969 19:37.4731 19:39.9422 19:40.7360 19:59.0509 19:59.5199 19:07.1867 19:43.9333 19:21.5655 2:33.7250

1:10.1254 *1:09.3825 1:10.4567 1:10.3924 1:10.6587 1:10.4563 1:10.8985

Race 3 (35 laps) 1 Dumbrell 2 Owen 3 Brede 4 White 5 Porter 6 Youlden 7 Crick 8 Halliday 9 Johnson 10 Simpson 11 Perrier 12 Wyhoon 13 Searle 14 Jones 15 Beikoff 16 McDonald 17 Lawrence DNF Elliott DNF Turner DNF Howard

38:59.1496 39:09.4529 39:14.3446 39:19.4882 39:23.9520 39:25.3645 39:29.1069 39:34.3140 39:35.6338 39:37.4211 39:47.1701 39:50.2153 39:54.7591 40:00.2468 40:05.6393 30 laps 29 laps 24 laps Slaps 9 laps

*1:09.0036 1:09.7470 1:10.0323 1:10.6410 1:10.4867 1:10.3699 1:10.4089 1:11.1826 1:11.3638 1:10.6649 1:10.5147 1:11.6999 1:12.1761 1:11.1017 1:12.5732 1:12.6065 1:13.3899 1:11.1046 1:12.5814 13:09.8788

1:11.0268 1:11.3772 1:12.0071 1:12.0227 1:11.7116 1:12.3143 1:12.6556 1:12.8769 1:12.6978 1:10.6692 1:14.9893 1:12.6940

Foints: Dumbrell 1332, Brede 838, Drick 743, Forter 561, Dwen 559, White 525, Harris 519, Elliott 444, Searle 390, Johnson 383, Halliday 363, Mundy 310, Youlden 273, Turner 260, Wyhoon 258, Howard 206, Beikoff 194, Lawrence 184, Ferrier 172, Jones 170, Simpson 162, McDonald 159, Smith 139, Hunt 131, Mork 120, Bastian 118, Salmon 100, Foster 98, Jones 83, Evangelou 72, May 69, Freestone 66, Van Zelm 48, Thorn 36

great battle with Ferrier that ended when Leanne made a mistake at the Southern Hairpin in the dying laps and allowed him an easy run through. It was the only blot on an otherwise great That wasn’t supposed to happen; White and Harris both had iively afternoons, but this was a special moment that they shared together...

i^Castrol

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmith)

59

Mallala and Oran Park

The Bi

by AARON NOONAN

He’s got the power: Will Power added a win and a second to his stellar (Pimm by Dirk Klyitsmilh) 2002 Formula Holden campaign at Mallala.

PowerIng up the Hills WHILE Will Power continues to march on towards the Holden Australian Drivers Championship, Peter Hill upset the applecart by taking his first victory in Formula Holden at Mallala.

Power was the class of the field throughout the weekend, qualifying on pole position and running clear to win race one in his Ralt-run Reynard, despite clutch problems throughout the weekend.

“The clutch was starting to slip (in race two)though it’s been going all weekend,” said the title leader.

“Peter drove really well in the second race and I was thinking about the points so I wasn’t going to do anything silly.”

Hill led from lights-to-flag in race two, the M-ONE-11 machine run by Murphy Motorsport uncatchable.

“I’m stoked,” said the 2000 Silver Star Champ of his breakthrough, making mention of absent ill team engineer Jon Porter, who engineered Jason

Bright to his 1997 Gold Star.

“It’s a big day for us and I’m thrilled for the whole team.”

Stewart McColl had a struggle in qualifying after only organising his deal to race at the last minute. He qualified a lowly sixth after setting up the car on Friday on old tyres and not haVing the same results on new tyres.

A spin on lap 11 of race one while chasing team-mate Power dropped him to fourth behind Power, Hill and the everimproving Nelson Hartley.

He bounced back with a third behind Hill and Power in the second race, leaving a gap of 34 points to Power in the championship.

Hocking Motorsport had a shocker. Christian Murchison qualified on the front row, though broke a CV joint in the first race and a diff in race two, while Aki Asai stalled on the grid in race one and had a DNF and a ninth in the small field.

Points: Power 155, McColl 121, Hill 98, Murchison 86, Asai 61. ' -AARON NOONAN

If we write nice things about him, can we get somefree M-ONE-11 gear?

Peter Hill drove exceptionally well in race two to take hisfirst FHolden race win.

(Photo by Dirk Klynsmllh) 60

MARK Winterbottom has struck back in the fight for the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship, clean-sweeping the Mallala round by taking pole position and winning both races.

But controversy hit the second race after he and championship leader Jamie Whincup made contact in the closing stages of race two as Winterbottom tried to find a way by the Valvoline/Sonic Van Diemen. It left Whincup on the side of the road and back in sixth by race’s end.

A Steward’s inquiry resulted in Winterbottom being docked 10 points from his championship total, and even if it was to be taken from his round total, the New South Welshman would have ! still done enough to win the round.

“He ran wide and I went up the inside,” said Winterbottom of the incident, which occurred on the last comer of the second last lap.

“I was going sideways and he came back across and I tagged him.

“I’m just focusing on trying to win every race and that gives me the best chance of winning(the championship).”

The Bosch Batteries Spectrum driver pulled back some points on still-clear title leader Whincup,

D

:)

JUST to make things a bit busier for the Formula Ford teams and drivers, Oran Park hosted the previous round a week earlier and it was a chance for Jamie Whincup to pull away at the top of the points table.

The SonicA/alvoline driver took pole position and shared the race wins with Mark Winterbottom (Bosch Spectrum), even after an engine change following Friday practice.

"We were lucky it isn't a horsepower track with the engine that we put in, it's more of a chassis track," said the title leader, who was forced to play second fiddle to Winterbottom in race one.

rA

taking Spectrum's first pole since Winton 1999.

Naturally, Whincup had a differing viewpoint but was philosophical in his summation of the clash.

“We were racing pretty hard and clean,” said Whincup.

“If you can’t see a car beside you then it's your corner. His nose hit my right rear wheel, but I’m sure it wasn’t deliberate. I think it’s something to learn from on his behalf

O

The Ford KartStars Champ got the run from the grid and he and Whincup swapped the lead a few times, only for Winterbottom to hold on and get the win, his first of the season and in the process move to second place in the championship.

Their main rival, Whincup's team-mate Marcus Marshall, ran third until the end of lap five when he served a stop-go penalty for creeping on the line and ended up 12th by the end.

"I got a shocker of a start and lost a spot anyway but I have to take it on the chin," said the second of the Valvoline pilots.

Behind the lead duo, Neil McFadyen took the Tankworld Stealth to a well-deserved third moiorsporl news

FORMULA FORD/FORMULA HOLDEN

ittom on Top Come fly with me: Mark Winterbottom put the Bosch Spectrum, left, up front in a somewhat controversial round at Mallala, while Jordan Ormsby, ebOVe, needed to QUide his swing somewhat ... (Photos by Dirk Klynsmith and James SmUh)

“I’ve still got a good lead in the title and we know we're quick at Winton and Queensland Raceway.”

The Safety Car made two appearances in the first race, but the action all started before the end of lap one.

Neil McFadyen impressed again in the Tankworld Stealth to start from the front row alongside Winterbottom, but a warm-up crash and subsequent quick-fix left him with a difficult handling car.

He looped it at turn three,forcing

the following Whincup to spear to the outside to miss him, dropping back to eighth.

Out of the chaos, Marcus Marshall sent the other Valvoline VD into second place and chase of Winterbottom, as Whincup began his charge back through the pack.

He picked off Jordan Ormsby, Brett Francis, Glen Hastings, Andy Jones(copping a severe reprimand for hitting the back of the OzEmail car while pulling out of the slipstream) and Justin

Cotter to fight back for third, picking off Marshall after the second Safety Car departed the circuit on lap 15.

After the first SC appearance, the restart caught the leaders by surprise as it headed to the pit lane without having switched its lights off.

But Winterbottom was too strong, finishing ahead of ! Whincup, Marshall, Jones(who suffered slightly off steering after the touch from Whincup), Barton Mawer,Ash Lowe and Cotter.

Whincup and Winterbottom duked it out in race two, the Spectmm holding the upper hand in the opening laps, and working his way back to lead before the incident that decided the race on lap 12.

Jones spent the race holding out Marshall and crossed the line

second, while Lowe and impressive debutant Bryce Washington (Adrad Stealth) was next.

Washington’s previous experience was limited to just four rounds of the Victorian state series, and the 18-year-old’s first national round was an impressive one.

“It was a pretty scrappy race,” said Jones.

“I don’t know if I had the speed (to challenge overall). Marcus and I ran neck and neck and I just covered my line.”

Winton will host the next round and, even though there’s only four races in two rounds remaining, the championship isn’t quite locked up.

Things are still certainly interesting...

Points: Whincup 207, Winterbottom 169, Marshall 148, McFadyen 106, Mawer 98,Jones 94.

I ahea(d of Barton Mawer, Tony Pugliese and the struggling Andrew Jones.

The second race was again a Whincup versus Winterbottom slugfest that was interrupted by a Safety Car period that was caused by Damien Meyer beaching his Stealth in the sandpit.

Originally a 12 lap race, the issue of just how many laps left was a major one for the drivers (there are no radios in Formula Fords) so Whincup dived underneath leader Winterbottom on lap 13 at Momo Recaro and held him out to win.

Mawer took his best result of the year in third ahead of Jones, Marshall and McFadyen.

- AARON NOONAN 7 August 2002

●Valvoline, ifyou know what / mean: Jamie Whincup extended his points lead at Oran Park, hut had to share the wills with Mark Winterboilom.

(FiiiHo hy Dirk Klynxtnillil

61

Rally South Africa?

LAST month’s Safari Rally in Kenya could be the last time the travelling WRC circus visits East Africa, with iTunours that the famous rally could be dropped in favour of a South African round.

WRC rally boss Dave Richards told a South African newspaper recently that the Championship needed to move more away from

European events, with more rounds on gravel in a variety of places to ensure it is a real World Championship.

It is understood Richards has had discussions with the South African government to ensure backing of the event, something the Kenyan rally has struggled to get in recent years.

“WRC events such as this need a eovernment

the Welsh and Scottish parliaments fighting over the Rally GB,” said Richards.

“Rally Argentina was never in doubt despite the country’s recent problems.

“The government said it needs the rally as part of its tourism thrust, and guaranteed everything.”

Motorsport South Africa released a statement saying that they would support a bid for a

WRC IT looks like the majority of long haul non-European rounds of the World Rally Championship will be moved to the first four months of the year if a radical plan for 2003 comes off.

The exception will be Rally Australia, which is believed to be clinging to its November date.

The plan would mean that the African round would be moved to early March, while the Rally of New Zealand would be moved from its current September/October date to late March, and Argentina would be staged in April.

As a result, works teams could attempt most all the nonEuropean rallies with one set of equipment.

Thoughts that Rally Australia could be the final round of the

A family affa

THE Pedders Team has entered a three-car line-up for 1 I this weekend’s Safari Tasmania. ; Alongside brothers Scott and Mark Redder will be their 18year-old cousin Will Orders, who has impressed in this year’s Victorian State Championship.

Orders, who will campaign the Lancer Evo 1 that Scott used to win the 1999 Victorian Rally Championship, is currently fourth in the VRC with two rounds remaining and i keen to have a shot at an ARC round.

“It is a great opportunity for Will to get experience at the top level and practice pacenoting for the Rally of Melbourne next month,” said Mark Redder.

- JON THOMSON

World Championship have been quashed as the Rally of Great Britain is set to retain its season ending status, the Rallies Commission thought to favour the title being concluded in Europe.

It is believe that the ambitious goal of transporting equipment to all World Championship rounds with a single ship is unattainable with the current calendar, assuming the series still finishes in Europe and begins in Monte Carlo.

It remains to be seen if any new rallies will be introduced for 2003.

- JON THOMSON

Mortl combat AUSTRIAN up and comer Achim Mortl, left, has signed to drive with Subaru for the upcoming Deutschland Rally becoming the first Austrian to drive in a works WRC team since Sepp Haider drove for Opel in the 1980s.

Mortl will drive the third works Impreza in Germany in late August and also at the Sanremo Rally in September. Experienced German Klaus Wicha will navigate.

While Tommi Makinen and Fetter Solberg remain the priorities, the drives could have a bearing on the team’s plans for 2003.

Mortl drove for Prodrive’s upmarket rent-a-drive outfit, the Subaru Allstars team in the past and has run in the top 10 on WRC events.

Mortl is a tarmac specialist and will be part of a four car Subaru outfit in Germany with Japan’s Toshihiro Arai also down to drive an Impreza WRC2002.

- JON THOMSON ■olortport nawt

RALLYING

Shake-up

r/tviu bvriiim-i/uui iiwtuu.

Gronholm on a roll PEUGEOT driver Marcus Gronholm could break new round by using active anti-roll bars for the first time on a loose-surface WRC round in Finland this weekend.

Peugeot has been experimenting with active anti-roll bars in tarmac competition since the Deutschland Rally last year, but engineers previously thought it unlikely that the technology would be able to cope with dirt roads.

However, Gronholm is keen to use programmed anti-roll bars on his home WRC round and chief engineer Michel Nandan said that they would also be available to.team-mates Hard Rovanpera and Richard Burns if they wish.

- JON THOMSON

I

MITSUBISHI’S new Lancer WRC Step 2 is expected to go into action on the Raiiy Finland this weekend, following FIA homologation inspection late last month.

Four new cars are under construction and three will appear in Finland, driven by Francois Deiecour, Aiister McRae and the team’s part time third driver Jani Paasonen.

As a locai, Paasonen is iikeiy to be the quickest of the three, and has so far covered the most gravei kilometres in the new car.

The Step 2 car is visually similar to the current car, but extensive revisions include new front suspension and differentiais resulting in a dramatic improvement, according toDelecour.

“It’s a big step, because the feeling is completely different,” he said.

“When you brake, it is more free and it puts the power on the ground. It is more precise and the handling is better.

“For sure it is faster. I don’t know if it is enough to beat Peugeot, but it is much better.”

Mitsubishi has also introduced a new semi automatic transmission, although it continues to rely on electro magnetic control of the differentials.

The new Lancer also has lighter engine internals, re positioned turbo, and re designed manifolds.

Drivers report so much extra torque at low revs that they can corner one to two gears higher in some circumstances, and handling is also said to be much improved.

Despite favourable comment from Paasonen and Deiecour, who has tested the car on tarmac, Ralliart boss Derek Dauncy is wary of making wild claims about the new World Rally Car’s potential.

“We’re not looking at the numbers. We’re waiting to get a few stages under our belt in Finland,” said Dauncy.

- JON THOMSON

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63

Henbert downs Hanna

DOUG Herbert defeated Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel final round of the FRAM/Autolite NHRA Nationals at the hrandnew Infinion Raceway last weekend.

Also victorious in the vinyards of northern California were John Force in Funny Car, Larry Morgan in Pro Stock, and Craig Ti’eble in Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Fans were treated to four of the closest final rounds in the sports history, vrith the margin of victory in all four finals combined just over three hundredths of a second.

Herbert, below, defeated Kalitta

in a battle of tool manufacturers, taking his Snap-On Tools dragster to a winning 4.72/308, overcoming a slight starting line advantage by Kalitta, who trailed at 4.76/305 in the Mac Tools dragster.

Andrew Cowin posted another strong showing in Sonoma, qualifying seventh at 4.68/288 and had defeated Scott Weis in the opening frame, before trailering Kenny Bernstein in round two. In the semis. Cowin smoked the tyres and fell to the 4.64/314 of Kalitta.

Just when the Funny Car crowd thought Force was on the I’opes, the eleven-time champ answered

the bell and came out swinging, notching career win number 102 in a thrilling side-by-side final round race with Ron Capps.

Both drivers left the starting line with identical .490 reaction times, with Capps leading at every interval, that is until the finish line, where Force lit up the scoreboards to win by just .003 seconds, 4.953/303 to 4.956/300.

Larry Morgan broke an eight year winless drought, hole-shotting his way to victoiy in the Pro Stock final round.

Morgan and his Mopar Parts Dodge Neon used a .437 reaction

time to stop Greg Anderson, 6.84/201 to 6.79/202, winning by just .0002 seconds at the stripe, or about an inch.

He becomes the 11th different winner in the class.

The shock of the meet had to be the DNQ of six-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Warren Johnson, who ended a 303 event qualifying streak dating back to March '87, the longest in the 51-year history of the NHRA. Johnson missed the 6.836 bump with a 6.848 best, good for the 21st spot on the qualifying list. It is only the fourth time that the Professor has failed to qualify for an NHRA show in almost 30 years of Pro Stock racing.

Craig Ti'eble won for the fourth time this season, defeating Matt Hines in the Pro Stock Motorcycle final round. Ti'eble used a 7.12/185 in the final to stop Hines, who trailed at 7.14/188.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI Points;Top Fuel; Dixon 1320, Bernstein 1222, McClenathan 942, Russell 915, Schumacher 878, Herbert 815, Kalitta 804, Cowin 660, Hartman-Smith 630, Grubnic 628. Funny Car;Force 1086, Pedregon 987, Densham 961, Worsham 932, Bazemore 862, Cannon 819, Capps 767, Skuza 667, Gray 661, Johnson Jr 632. Pro Stock;Yates 940,Anderson 926, Coughlin Jr 874, Johnson 832,Krisher 749. Pro Stock Bike; Savioe 878, Treble 796, Hines 691.

And Michigan makes seven

CIAY Millican continued his hot-hand in the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series when he broke the long-time consecutive win record held by himself and the legendary Don Garlits at the Carquest Northern Nationals in Martin, Michigan two weeks ago.

Millican remains perfect on the season after taking his record seventh-straight victory.

The Werner Enterprises dragster, pictured, recorded a final round 4.87/301 to stop Bruce Litton, who hazed the tyres to a 5.12/283.

Shannon Jenkins took his second consecutive win in Pro Mod, defeating point leader A1 Billes in the final round, 6.35/220 to 6.50/219. The hot, muggy conditions again played into the hands of the nitrous-equipped cars.

“You have to take it when you can get it,” said Jenkins.

“One of these days it’s going to cool off and the nitrous guys are going to have a long, long day on Sunday against these 84

supercharged guys.”

A sixth different 2002 winner emerged in Pro Stock, as John Montecalvo tasted victory for the first time since Norwalk of 2000.

Montecalvo’s Citgo Petroleum Chevy Cavalier recorded a final round 6.70/206 to stop Carl

Baker’s Summit Racing Equipment Mercury Cougar which slowed to a 7.20/194.

Dale Brand defeated Mike Cornelia in the Alcohol Funny Car final on a holeshot 6.00/237 to 5.99/234 .

Doug Vancil racked up his third victory of the year, stopping

Screamin’Eagle Nitro Harley finalist Mark Conner, 6.57/204 to 6.68/202.

The series next moves north for the inaugural AC Delco Canadian Nationals at the brand new Toronto Motorsports Park, in Cayuga, Ontario, on August 9-11.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Photo by David ostaszowski

motorsport news

DRAG RACING

Triumph in adversity

by KEN FERGUSON

NOT even an event win and the quickest pass ever recorded in the A/Street class could compensate for the tragic loss suffered by Gerry Cooper, and the Advanced Engine Performance team just prior to the Winter Finals at Willowbank Raceway on Saturday night, July 27.

Cooper’s race partner and co worker, 28-year-old Carl Pdhu, who was due to drive the record setting, Super Stock VL Commodore on race day, was tragically killed in a car accident in the late hours of the night before the event.

Cooper and the rest of the crew put on very brave faces as they raced in honour of their team member, recording three of the quickest passes ever seen in the class.

Cooper eclipsed John Parisi’s Winternationals time of 9.84sec, on three occasions, going 9.83, 9.80, and a winning 9.78 in the Super Stock final against the Headsense Commodore of Colin Lloyd.

Carl Rihu will be sadly missed by many regular Willowbank race goers, as well as members of the Super Stock fraternity. Carl is survived by his wife, Clare, and their two children, Stephanie and Cameron.

On a slightly brighter note, Peter Ridgeway again wrote his name into the record books, recording the first pass ever in the 7.30s for the Pro Stock class.

A tough weekend: Gerry Cooper, above, performed impeccably after the tragic loss of race partner Carl RIhu. On a brighter note, Peter Ridgeway, below, continued his assult on the record books. (Photos by Marshall Cass and NixPix)

Ridgeway recorded a 7.36 at 187.27 mph in his Oldsmobile Cutlass during qualifying but never improved on his time during eliminations.

John Barbagallo recorded his best numbers to date as well in his Ford Probe, with a string of high 7.4 sec passes. Mike Tinney also recorded a string of passes in the 7.5 sec zone in his Commodore, but has sold his Peter Ridgeway powerplant, and plans on returning for next season with another engine with improved cylinder heads. Joe Polito also

recorded regular 7.4 second passes in his Ford Probe.

Jon Andriopoulos also made a return to Pro Stock at the wheel of Adelaide-based Matt Sawyer’s exNHRA Mopar Parts Dodge Daytona, but never made it out on the track due to engine problems.

The car was sorted late in the day, and was due to test the following day.

Bob Shephard also began testing in his recently purchased Top Fuel dragster at the event. Shephard took the first steps in licensing in the ex-Garry McGrath car.

Russell nails the double DARRELL Russell, Tony Pedregon, and Jeg Coughlin Jr. were victorious in the rain-delayed final rounds of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceways, Washington,two weeks ago.

Only one round of Top Fuel and Funny Car was completed on Sunday, with Pro Stock completing all but just a few pairs before a persistent drizzle forced NFIRA officials to postpone the event.

Russell recorded a final round 4.65/308 to defeat Kenny Bernstein, who lost traction and slowed |"rc/iWo» i to a 5.78/159. ! i M En route to the finals, Bernstein lined up in the & semis against Andrew Cowin, who had earlier dispatched fellow Aussie David Grubnic and Rhonda Hartman-Smith.

Bernstein took a slight starting line lead and posted a winning 4,60/314, with Cowin

V

7 kugusi 2002

right behind at 4.63/318.

Pedregon, below, piloted the Castrol Syntec Mustang to a final round 5.04/293 victory over Bruce Server, who lost traction.

Pedregon's team was without crew chief John Medlen, who missed the event due to a medical procedure. Co-crew chief Dickie Venables stepped in and guided Pedregon into the winner's circle.

Jeg Coughlin stopped Mark Whisnant twice to , j, record his 25th career COi' VfS WIRE Pro Stock victory. .

The Jegs Mail Order 1 ia Parts Chevy Cavalier recorded a final round 6.86/200 to defeat Whisnant, who lifted and slowed to a 9,30/96.

The pair had raced for the event win two times cgci.. after a timing malfunction occurred during the first run-off.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI Phnlii hy Pti id OxltLSznv.\ki

mm

V:

Drag briefs CORY Lee will return to NHRA Drag Racing behind the wheel of a third Checker-Schuck's and Kragen Pontiac, beginning in Brainerd.

Gary Kennedy will be crew chief on the new black and white Firebird.

With Worsham in the thick of the current NHRA POWERade Funny Car points picture, the team will add the car with the sole purpose of taking out any Mustang from the John Force camp, "This car will be a 'Mustang Hunter', plain and simple," said Worsham, "We want it to qualify wherever it goes, and take out whoever it runs against.

"If it lines up next to a Ford, or John Force himself, all the better.

Cory is a very good driver, a talented mechanic, and an incredibly hard worker."

The car will run Brainerd and Indy, and if the plan is working, it will be used on a race-to-race basis. n Sears and Racing Champions have announced that they will become the title sponsors of the autumn NHRA POWERade Series event at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois, which will be held September 26-29. n Lucas Oils Products has signed a multi-year agreement to become the title sponsor of the NHRA event held at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Lucas Oil Nationals will take place September 12-15. n The Quain Stott/LeeBoy/team showed up in Martin with Mickey Thompson tyres on their Pro Mod entry.

Stott wheeled the blown Lee Boy Corvette to a top qualifying 6.283/226, while he was defeated in the opening round, Stott feels the tyre will aid performance of the car.

"I think there's a new kid in town with this tyre," said Stott.

"My car went down the track as smooth as I think I have ever been.

We are going to start testing them on our nitrous car soon, and we are confident that it will pick up as well."

Wayne Torkelson also switched to a set of the M/T tires for the final qualifying session and put his non qualified '56 Thunderbird into the show at 6.43/217. n For the first time since the early 70s, Mopar occupied six slots of the 16 car Sonoma field. Gene Wilson's Mopar Parts backed Neon was the top Dodge with a fourth best 6.79/202. Alien Johnson's Dodge was ninth, followed by Darrell Alderman, Larry Morgan, and Tom Lee in the 10th through 12th spots respectively.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI 85

Brickyard 400

Totally Awesome^ Where

by MARTIN D CLARK

Turn one ofthe mostfamous speedway ofthem all: Bill Elliott, above, made it two wins in two weeks with victoty in the Brickyard 400. Kurt Busch, below, had yet another run-in with Jimmy Spencer and smacked the wall.

(Photos by Chris Slaii/ard/Gcity Images aiuJ Suitoii-iniuj’es)

BILL Elliott made it two races in a row with possibly the biggest win in his career since he won the Daytona 500 in 1985 and 1987, taking the Brickyard 400 in dominating style on Sunday.

“This is my greatest win,” remarked a pumped Elliott, who headed 93 of the 160 laps.

‘Awesome Bill’ took the lead for the final time from fellow veteran Rusty Wallace with 11 laps to run, holding on through the eighth and final yellow flag for debris that left a four lap shootout for the win.

“I kept working on Rusty and I finally got to him and got him a little loose and I was able to power under him,” said Elliott.

“When we tested here we concentrated on race set up, we ran 125 laps the first day and 175 the second, every lap I drove that race car paid off.”

Elliott’s four tyres on the final stop also paid off when others only took two, including 35th starter Wallace, who has now finished bridesmaid on three occasions at Indy.

“I was tight all day long, but at the end the old hot rod took off,” quipped Wallace.

“We were smoking down the straightaways, big horsepower. I said,‘man I don’t think he can catch me’, but then with 10 laps to go I got loose and he stuck his nose underneath there and the aero push kicked in and I couldn’t do nothing.”

Pole-sitter Tony Stewart took the early lead from a hard charging Elliott before Mike Wallace and Brett Bodine were the first NASCARs to test the 66

RICKY Rudd, right, was to announce his future at Indianapolis the weekend of the Brickyard race, but due to contract issues the announcement was shelved indefinitely.

Apparently the issue is with current car owner Robert Yates, who has run the #28 with Texaco since the late 1980s. Texaco want the number to transfer to Ganassi Racing, where Rudd is reportedly going.

Yates, meanwhile, was to announce the driver of 'his' #28 car for 2003. By all accounts it's Elliott Sadler with new sponsor M&Ms. NASCAR assigns team owner's car numbers and the number is never owned by a particular team, but is deemed the property of NASCAR for - EFK them to distribute as they see fit.

Rudd's reported deal with

a

the Yates Taurus, and, under Indy SAFER walls to good effect, NASCAR rules, he had to restart airing yellow flag number one on at the end of the pack in 23rd. lap 11.

The final caution aided Jarrett to Dale Earnhardt Jr led on the a 10th place finish following a restart after pit stops, but Stewart and Elliott soon moved around spirited drive.

Points leader Sterling Marlin him for the top spots. Junior suffered with a tight car early then descending through the field to finish 22nd and Elliott took over his first soured engine in almost two years led him to finish 27th, up front as Stewart faded to 12th at the finish. while his points rival Mark Martin was 28th after he also suffered Kurt Busch was the cause of engine woes. That allowed ‘Super caution two when he was running Rookie’ Jimmie Johnson through 17th and was tagged on purpose into the runner-up slot after his

by Jimmy Spencer, Busch ninth place at the Brickyard. impacting the outside wall hard The last four drivers who have on the driver’s side. To make his won this race have ended up the birthday worse, Busch was summoned to the NASCAR trailer' Winston Cup champion, and, with Elliott just 210 points in for his motions to Spencer on two arrears, anything is possible for occasions as Spencer passed his stricken Roush Taurus. him to break into the youth movement with the momentum “It’s tough when you hit the Ray Evernham Dodge team someone at lOOmph (Bristol in have at present.

April) and then they come back and hit you at 200mph,” Final result; Elliott(Dodge), R Wallace commented Busch of his on (Ford), Kenseth (Ford), Newman (Ford), Harvick (Chev), J Gordon going feud with Spencer.

(Chev), Park (Chev), R Gordon (Chev), “But that’s the way Jimmy Johnson (Chev), Jarrett (Ford).

Spencer is.”

Points standings; Marlin 2866, Dale Jarrett looked capable of Johnson 2773, Martin 2757, J Gordon having a car to challenge Elliott 2747, R Wallace 2695, Elliott 2656, as he charged through the field Stewart 2655, Rudd 2634, Kenseth 2600, Busch 2580, Jarrett 2553. late, but in his final stop the fuel catch can was still attached to - MARTIN D CLARK

Elliott’i BELL Elliott won a marathon Pocono race on July 28, an event that lasted more than seven hours due to a first lap wreck which tore down 40 metres of inside guardrail and took an hour to replace, plus a two hour rain delay.

Elliott led laps 10 through 25 from the pole, but as the track got hotter he faded back and Sterling Marlin soon looked to be the class of the field, leading 106 of the shortened 175 circuits under sunny skies.

But with 19 laps to run and daylight fading, Elliott ran around the outside of Marlin for the lead under the cooler conditions and never looked back, holding off Kurt Busch(who also moved around Marlin) by 1.721s.

“I was really good in turn one,” said Elliott. “I was able to beat him into the turn, hold my line and get the momentum 1 needed.”

The change of race distance by NASCAK, who shortened the race by 25 laps, almost cost Elliott the win as the new mileage didn’t play well with their strategy, “He actually ran out offuel before we entered our pit stall on pit road,” motorsport news

NASCAR

to for Rudd?

Ganassi was put together quickly over the last few weeks and became more widely know when he was seen talking at length with

Chip Ganassi in his personal car during Indianapolis testing.

Rudd would run alongside current points leader Sterling Marlin and Jimmy Spencer in a three car operation and not replace either of them.

Yates is apparently willing to give up Texaco as a sponsor due to the fact they shell out around $12 million less annually for their sponsorship than Yates's other backer, UPS, on Dale Jarrett's Ford.

T

Nadeau signs I with Petty I

Scotty coming back to NASCAR SCOTT Pruett is apparently to run a third Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing at Watkins Glen on August 11.

Expect Target to be the backer for the one-off ride. n Stacy Compton has been ousted from the A.J. Foyt Pontiac and was replaced by Mike Wallace at Pocono and Indy. It's uncertain whether he will run the car beyond those two events

JERRY Nadeau has been signed by Petty Enterprises to drive the Georgia Pacific Dodge for the remainder of the 2002 season.

Nadeau vacated Hendrick Motorsports in May and has subbed for the injured Johnny Benson at MBV Motorsports and drove the Petty car almost to a win before mechanical gremlins at the Sears Point circuit.

“We’re doing everything we can to get Petty Enterprises back to the forefront of NASCAR' racing,” commented Kyle Petty.

Interim pilot Steve Grissom will return to his role as Petty R&D driver.

- MARTIN D CLARK

long day at Pocono ●B ( ■ ’

if-

n The new 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix was unveiled to the media at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on August 1 and resembled in race guise its Ford and Dodge rivals, although the front end section of the car looks moderately different, with its familiar Pontiac double upper grille. n Bobby Labonte is experiencing a rough 2002 and rumours are beginning to circulate that personnel changes could be afoot within Joe Gibbs Racing to turn his season around. Labonte was 19th in points exiting Pocono with just three top 10 results this year. n NASCAR is looking at a rules change for the October Talladega restrictor plate event, where fuel cells could contain no more than 13 gallons of fuel, not 22 as is in the rule book. The governing body believes that due to the field having more frequent stops, this will cause the pack to spread out and not run in the familiar packs that have caused so many violent wrecks on the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega. The change should see pit stops occurring between 20 and 25 laps on the 2.6 mile track.

■ The weekend of July 27/28 was one of greatness for Dodge. Not only did it win the Winston Cup race with Bill Elliott, but it also won the ARCA event with Casey Atwood at Pocono in an Evernham-entered R&D car, the Busch race with Hank Parker Jr. at Pikes Peak and the Truck Series event at Michigan with Robert Pressley.

Another day at the office: Steve Park emerged from a bashed-up Pennzoil Chev on lap one, above left, while (Photos by Sutlon-images) it took over seven hours before a winner in Bill Elliott, above right, emerged. said Elliott’s crew chief Mike Ford.

That’s how close we cut it.”

Rusty Wallace appeared to be the cause of an horrific crash on the first lap when he moved to the outside of the track, not realising Steve Park had his nose there.

This put Wallace in the wall, but sent Park and Dale Earnhardt Jr spinning across the track.

How the pack of traffic missed them was amazing. Junior’s Bud Chev pushed Park’s similar DEI I August 2002

car across the grass and into the inside guardrail, Park’s car then flipped violently several times before coming to rest on his side.

Park emerged unscathed and walked with ‘Junior’ to the ambulance.

Marlin’s third place and Mark Martin’s battery problems and 13th place result extended Marlin’s points advantage.

“I think Elliott sat there and rode all day long,” said Busch, who

started 23rd. “He played possum then showed his cards and won.”

Busch’s Roush team-mate Jeff Burton had a car capable of winning, coming on strong at the end and moving to second, but then cutting a tyre to finish 16th.

Final positions; Elliott (Dodge), Busch (Ford), Marlin (Dodge), Jarrett (Ford) Newman (Ford), Harvick (Chev), Stewart (Pontiac), Kenseth (Ford), T Labonte (Chev), Rudd (Ford).

- MARTIN D CLARK

■ Mike Beam, crew chief for Ricky Craven, has been fined $5000

by NASCAR when an additional team member went over pit wall during a stop at Pocono. The maximum number over the wall at any one time is seven and the crew chief assumes responsibilities for his team.

■ Robby Gordon nursed two badly bruised ankles and a broken left heel during the Pocono race to finish 25th.

He was with his Richard Childress team-mates the previous afternoon on motocross bikes and Gordon misjudged a jump, landing the bike on its frame on top of a peak - his legs and ankles acted as the suspension!

- MARTIN D CLARK 67

Crewfor you?I want to race youl Murphy was in Oz last summer crewing for Steve Kinser, above, but he may he hack racing at PCR this summer (Photo by John Morrit/Mpix) once his US racing season ends.

Murphy leads

‘Playboy Pete’ to run at PCR this summer?

FORMER Sydneysider Pete Murphy is certainly going well in the US, picking up another feature race win at California's Chico Speedway on July 27 and continuing to lead the Chico track championship.

Over the past few years, the US resident has been one of the best performed Australians in the tough US Sprintcar scene and, while other Aussies follow the World of Outlaws or stay based at the famous Knoxville track, Murphy has made a name for himself racing around California and the US West Coast.

In a hectic 80-plus race programme, Murphy's results so far have been very impressive this season. He has picked up four feature A Main victories plus four seconds, eight thirds and has set 12 quickest times.

The final two night Chico Golden State Challenge series saw Murphy qualify ninth out of 36 cars on the Friday night and, after coming from position six, finished second in the A Main. On the Saturday night.

he was fifth fastest in the 39 car field and came out of position two to win the A Main.

One of the most satisfying features of his win was that a South Australian-built Maxwell Motors powerplant was the one helping him to the win.

Over the past couple of seasons, Murphy hasn't been a regular racer back home, with his last visit down under being to crew for good friend Steve Kinser last summer. His,win at Chico was in front of Parramatta City Raceway's co owner Brian Healey and track manager Steven Green and there is now talk of Peter returning this summer to PCR, bringing home one of his Williams Motorsport Sprintcars.

Murphy told Motorsport News that he would be happy to return to Australia and race at Parramatta during the summer, but with his US racing commitments finishing on November 27, it will not be until Christmas time that we see him back on home soil.

- GREG BOSCATO

11 pounds fI

by GEOFF ROUNDS A FEAST of Sprintcar racing is set be served across three states with the Sprintcar Racing Association of Victoria’s ■2002-03 PRC Series.

The SRA recently released its racing calendar for next season and takes in Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales.

The 11-round state series will open at Nyora on November 2 and will finish at Ballarat on March 29.

In between, drivers and thenteams visit most regions of Victoria, with a new addition to the series being Mildura on March 1.

Premier Speedway has also been chosen as the venue for the 2003 state title, which will be decided on January 4 where it is hoped Max Dumesny may return to defend the crown he won there in 2001.

Ian Vale will again take on the role of series/race director and said the SRA series was among the best in Australia, ranked just below the prestigious World Series Sprintcars.

More than 40 cars competed in last year’s series and Vale said the

SRA expected around a similar number to compete this year.

“Last year we averaged 32 cars per meeting and I’m expecting an average of 28-30 cars for each round of the series,” Vale said.

“We’ll lose Mike Van Bremen and Jeremy Warren, both whom are heading off to World Series but I’d expect to have good drivers and of those will be Matthew Reed and Jeff Judd both back for all of the series.

“We have a strong quality carcount and the the stability in tbe championship has been the main factor that the Super Sprint Series has been a major success,” he said.

This season the SRA will be racing at 11 different venues throughout Victoria including Super Sprint Series rounds at Wagga and Mt Gambier.

The committee has made the decision to conduct two separate series, one for the open cars that 360 can compete in as well and also a dedicated series for the 360 Sprintcar including a 360 Victorian title.

The PRC Open Super Sprint

Speedway GP for FOX Sports

THE Speedway Grand Prix World Championship is hitting Australian television screens, with the signing of a deal that will see Fox Sports screen all rounds.

The pay television sports channel began showing aU rounds held so far this season from August 1 in one-hour packages, and has signed on to telecast the SGP for two years. It will also be the host broadcaster for the inaugural Australian Speedway Grand Prix later this year.

“Fox has stepped in to the breach and picked up the coverage following the demise of original broadcaster C7,” said David Lander, Australian Speedway Grand Prix CEO. “It now means Aussie fans will be able to watch their heroes Ryan Sullivan, Jason Crump, Leigh Adams and Todd Wiltshire as they fight to capture Australia’s first Speedway World championship in 50 years.”

-AARON NOONAN 68

n

SPEEDWAY

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World Series on the menu for Shepard

IP SRA Series will be conducted over 11 rounds while the 360 series will race over at least six rounds.

Once again the SRA are progressing well with sponsorship for both the Super Sprint Series and the 360 Sprintcar Series.

“We already have a very good commitment from some of last seasons sponsors who were very pleased with the exposure they received throughout the PRC series,” Vale said.

Precision Race Components of Warrnambool have again taken up the option to be the naming rights sponsor for the 2002-2003 SRA series.

Another Warrnambool sponsor will also play an important part in this year’s series with a new Cool Chassis is up for grabs the overall winner.

PRC Super Sprint Series schedule: Rd 1 - Nyora, November 2.

Rd 2- Mt Gambier, November 16.

Rd 3- Avalon, November 23.

Rd 4- Premier, November 30 Rd 5 - Avalon, December 7.

Rd 6- Avalon, January 11 Rd 7- Simpson, January 18.

Rd 8- Wagga,February 22.

Rd 9- Mildura, March 1.

Rd 10- Avalon, March 8 and 9 (Southern Shootout).

Rd 11 - Redline, Ballarat, March 29.

Coming back to Australia: Lookfor JeffShepard to make a big mark this (Pfsoltt by Bn'ii Swanson) summer after he spent part oflast summer in Oz. US star Jeff Shepard will again join up with South Australian car owner Darren Disbury for a limited schedule of racing in 2002/2003,though it will include an assault on several World Series Sprintcar rounds.

Shepard, who drives for Ohio car owner Denny Ashworth and recentiy won the 1200-pound Nationais at Knoxviile, wiii have two Eagie chassis at his disposai, one of which hasn’t even raced yet.

“Jeff is in fine form, there’s no doubt about that,” said Disbury.

“We’ii be iooking for him to continue that form down here when he arrives just after Christmas.

“We’ll be using World Series Sprintcars competition as our litmus test against the rest of the WSS stars before heading into the big money shows in January. _ “Everyone loved him last time and I’m sure they’ll enjoy him as they get to see to him race more often this time around too. Aussies love a larrikin and they love a great race car driver, and Shepard’s both.”

The Disbury Family Racing team will more than likely be seen with their American star at Murray Bridge’s December 27 round, Mt. Gambler’s December 28 round and Avalon’s December 30 gig.

‘We’ll more than likely be at Swan Hill for the WSS and then at Speedway City for the Series final too,” added Disbury.

“We’ll be spending as much time with the Series as is possible.”

Max Dumesny Motorsport Australian Distributors for

Xfosirr

IT'S been a tough week for a couple of American speedway racing legends, with Ohio veteran Jack Hewitt suffering a serious neck injury during a USAC Sprintcar race crash, and then World of Outlaws points leader and defending Champion Danny Lasoski, who crashed hard at the famed Williams Grove Speedway.

Hewitt's condition was initially listed as critical but stable, but was upgraded to serious but stable.

Lasoski's crash, while not being as serious, could end up costing him his second consecutive World of Outlaws Championship, Lasoski rode a wild roller-coaster of emotion having taken his first Grove win when he won the preliminary feature of the Cleveland Brothers Summer Nationals and was leading the points chase.

Less than 24 hours later, Lasoski was transported to hospital after the right rear tyre on his Tony Stewartowned JD Byrider Eagle exploded during hot laps, sending 'The Dude' hard into the wall, Lasoski was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion, a bruised lung, a sore shoulder and a sore ankle.

There were no broken bones, however he was kept in hospital while doctors kept an eye on the bruised lung.

Johnny Herrera replaced Lasoski for the remainder of the event which was won by Greg Hodnett. Steve Kinser capitalised on Lasoski's misfortune retaking the championship lead. n There was a strong Australian presence at the 1200-pound Nationals at Knoxville. While Jeff Shepard took the win from Dean Jacobs, Kerry Madsen took third. Of the Australians competing, three made the feature with Brooke Tatnell finishing in 10th position, while Skip Jackson suffered a spin on lap five and could only manage 21st position in the #21 JRT machine. Lynton Jeffrey and Jamie Moyle failed to make the feature.

Litre Sprintcar racer Stephen Brown is making the step-up into Sprintcar racing this summer at Parramatta, driving the #94 machine owned by Grant and Karen Helley Brown will be also running a Litre Sprintcar in addition to his new racing program.

-BRETT SWANSON

2002 WORLD OF OUTLAWS SPRINTCAR SERIES Eldora Speedway August 2

1. Steve Kinser 2. Sammy Swindell 3. Daryn Pittman 4. Chad Kemenah ^^ RACINC3 TIRE 5. Craig Dollansky for more information on Hoosler Drag and SpeedwayTyres calk 6. Joey Saldana NSW:02 9679 1990 l Fax 02 9679 1187 7. Mark Kinser 8. Jason Meyers VIQ03 9331 6477 l Fax 03 9331 7444 9. Greg Hodnett SA 08 8332 0800 l Fax 08 8364 0296 10. Blake Feese 1 August 2002

Hewitt and Lasoski injured

11. Brad Furr 12. Kenny Jacobs 13. Tim Shaffer 14. Brian Paultis 15. P.J. Chesson 16. Dale Blaney 17, Johnny Herrera 18, Danny Wood 19. Paul McMahan 20, Stevie Smith

Standings to Aug 2

1.Steve Kinser ....

2.Joey Saldana . ..

3.Craig Dollansky . .

4.Danny Lasoski ..

5.Mark Kinser ....

6.Tim Shaffer y.Donny Schatz . . .

8.Stevie Smith ....

9.Brad Furr tO.Randy Hannagan

,7151 ,6916 ,6885 ,6883 .6813 ,6788 ,6764 .6663 .6617 .6247

69

Kiwis are starting to fly...

Targa NZ entries skyrocket ENTRIES for the 2002 Dunlop Tyres Targa New Zealand have skyrocketed from around 100 a couple of years ago to a staggering 227 this year.

Included in the field are 20 Australian entries, no doubt encouraged by the very generous assistance given by the organisers to lure crews from across the Tasman.

There certainly isn’t any problem attracting strong fields in the Historic and Classic Competitions because of the more liberal interpretation of what constitutes appropriate cars.

So brace yourself for the likes of Ford Thunderbirds and stove-hot Anglias competing as Historic cars(more in line with our Group N Historic touring car regulations.)

The formula seems to work, and expat Kiwi Charlie MacFarquar will return to see if he can take the honours in the Historic Competition and repeat his 2000 victory in his 1965 Ford Anglia with regular driver Don Ruble from Auckland.

The lead-up event, known as Targa Bambina’ has been run and won, and it also attracted a record entry of around 100 cars.

Many of the locals like to use the two-day Targa Bambina as a shakedown before the serious action gets underway with Targa NZs prologue at Pukekohe Park Raceway on October 28, ending with the final prizegiving on Sunday morning, November 3 in Wellington.

- BRIAN REED RESULTS Dunlop Tyres Targa Bambina 2002 New Zealand Classic Car Historic Competition: 1. Tony Herbert/Phillip Adamson (Lotus Elan S2) 2. Andrew Fox/David Millman (Austin Healey 100/6) 3. Russell Goodwin/Vic Jenkins (Ford Anglia) Dunlop Tyres Classic Competition: 1. Greg Kilworth/Ben Quin (Mazda RX-7) 2. Greg Kirkham/Greg Adamson (Holden Torana XG 1) 3. Dynes It/IcConnel/Shane McConnel (BMW 2002 ti)

10

THE Porsche Museum has entered a pair of Paris-Dakar Rally-winning four-wheeldrive Porsche 911 models in the International Parade section of this year’s Classic Adelaide Rally from October 16-20.

The cars - a 225HP 911 Allrad based on the naturally-aspirated 911 Carrera and a twin-turbo 959 model producing 400HPwere the experimental forerunners oftoday’s 911 Turbo and Carrera 4 all-wheel-drive

production Porsches and the soonto-be release Cayenne large 4WD vehicle.

The 911 Allrad stunned the desert racing world when examples finished first and sixth in the 20day 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, heading other factory-backed teams from Range Rover, Mitsubishi and Renault.

Two years later, Porsche re appeared with a team of prototype 959 models, which produced a stirring 400HP from their twin turbocharged 2847cc six cylinder engines and dominated the

first, second and sixth in the face of even-stronger opposition.

The two high-tech 911 models will be joined in Classic Adelaide by a classic 1955 Porsche 550A Spyder - Porsche’s first production customer race car.

The cars will be accompanied in Classic Adelaide by Porsche Museum director Klaus Bischof, who has yet to confirm their drivers.

Lotus staying put

AUSTRALIA boasts three works car previously driven by Lotus XVs, all with significant the late Derry Jolly. It also was local and international race raced by Graham Hill before it was takeh'to Le Mans for the histories, and we can now breathe a sigh of relief 1959 24-hour race. Engine failure put an end to the because veteran NSW racer Paul Samuels has decided to ' campaign while lying in 12th withdraw his car (#623)from place outright. sale overseas.

It has survived two major #623 was a Team Lotus car crashes, one in the 1958 driven by Graham Hill during Melbourne GP with Derry Jolly 1959 and was the first nonbehind the wheel, and the other Formula car to be fitted with a a spectacular end-for-end at Warwick Farm with the late 2.5-litre Coventry Climax Sevan Gibson driving. On both engine. By 1960 it had become Australia's most successful occasions it was returned to sports car driven by Frank England for repairs, the first at Matich for Leaton Motors.

Lotus, and the second at Samuels has continued the Williams FI, where Sevan's remarkable success of this brother Grant was employed as a mechanic.

Lotus XV, and after 46 years of The third Lotus XV (#609) competitive driving has decided was originally owned by John to keep his car but move into 'semi retirement'.

Coombs, patron of a leading Another famous XV (#608) English racing team. It was campaigned with considerable belongs to the Gibson family in Victoria and is also a former success by Roy Salvador!

before coming to Australia and is currently owned by Barry Bates.

Having decided to keep his XV sports car, Samuels, has sold his supercharged MG TC monoposto instead. This car was built in the 1970s by motorsport historian John Blanden, but the space inside his garage has been filled by another acquisition - a Berkeley B105.

One of three imported to Australia, this model has the big twin Royal Enfield motor and is a very potent little sports car.

For Paul, it's a trip back in time. Some of the older members of the historic racing fraternity will remember Paul's very spirited and successful exploits in his B105 at Warwick Farm and other circuits.

He plans to have the Berkeley ready for the GEAR Meeting at Wakefield Park on August 14.

- BRIAN REED

motorsport nows

HI5TORICS

Maybach 2.1?

ONE of Australia's most famous 'specials' of the Maybach lineage, Maybach 2, is being rebuilt in Melbourne by ace mechanic and technical whizz John Sheppard.

For almost 50 years, Maybach 2 has been little more than an entry in books about the Australian Grand Prix. Fact is that Maybach 2 crashed in spectacular fashion while leading the 1954 AGP at Southport, Queensland.

Out in front by about 40 seconds, Stan Jones speared off the track and although he miraculously escaped injury, his car was a write-off.

The wreck was returned to Melbourne with the idea of rebuilding it into Maybach 3, but after languishing there for some time the remains were finally dumped and seemingly lost.

That is until now.

Sheppard has been inspired to recreate the famous car and is just the man for the job, having worked as a leading spanner with all the big names in Australian motor sport - Peter Manton, Gavin and John Youl, the Geoghegans, Ron Hodgson, Norm Beechey and Bob Jane.

In fact, his first job was working as a mechanic for Stan Jones Motors in Melbourne, hence'his particular interest in the Maybach.

When asked what inspired him to Tackle such a major project, Sheppard's laconic reply was."You know how you get

silly ideas, mate!"

Thanks to some help from Shirley Dean, the widow of Maybach creator Charlie Dean, Sheppard was able to acquire chassis drawings to get the project underway, and then somehow managed to track down a Maybach engine in a paddock near Griffith, where the property owner had ideas of using it to pump water.

Thanks to Gavan Sala, other hard-to-find bits came to light, and Sheppard even sourced a Fiat 525 gearbox similar to the original to fit to the motor.

Studebaker uprights have been located, along with Chevrolet shockers with La Salle or Pontiac arms.

Sheppard even thought he had located the correct wheels off a Talbot Lago but now he's

not so sure.

Various mechanical bits such as the crankshaft are away being machined, and although it all looks like a monumental task ahead,'Sheppo' is describing the project as "pretty straightforward".

He reckons on having the car ready in about 12 months.

Maybach 2 is a valuable part of Australian motor racing history, and will complete the line of Maybach 'specials' which comprise Robert Harborow's Maybach 1 and Peter Briggs' Maybach 4.

In case you are wondering about Maybach 3- it became Maybach 4 after destroying an engine and now resides in Western Australia in the York Museum.

- BRIAN REED

Then and now: Maybach 2 tears up the track during its heyday, below.

And there's still more to come IfJohn Sheppard, above, has anything to do with it.'

(Phoio by Brian Recti)

Briefly historic THE inaugural Festival of Speed on Tweed will be held at Murwillumbah, northern NSW on September 21-22, Guest of honour will be Sir Jack Brabham, who will make a special appearance in his 1966 Repco Brabham.

The Festival of Speed will consist of lap dashes on a closed 1,4km street circuit on fresh hot mix which will include uphill and downhill sections past the local nunnery.

The theme of the weekend is AGP, Gold Star and Tasman cars, with preference to be given to pre-1973 cars, plus motor cycles of pre-1963 vintage.

Retired drivers will be especially welcome as guests.

For further enquiries (GP cars and bikes) contact Peter Rae (02)6677 7417. Other historic cars contact (07) 33441099. n Looking back over the past 30 years, Holden's motorsport successes have been cause for major celebration.

The Holden Sporting Car Club will relive these moments and also celebrate its own 30th anniversary at a social function on August 8 at which some 500 members and friends are expected to attend.

Long time motorsport sponsors Garry & Warren Smith will host the function at their showrooms at 1575 Dandenong Rd., Oakleigh, Melbourne, and special guests will include racing legends Peter Brock, John Harvey and Harry Firth.

There will also be a selection of famous racing Holdens on show which will rekindle racing memories for everyone attending.

For further information about the 30th anniversary celebrations, or for information about the Holden Sporting Car Club, contact the secretary Louise McMillan on 0418 427 257 or to join up before the night log onto the website on www.holdenclub.com n Queensland Raceway was the place to be on the July 27/28 weekend, when historic enthusiats descended upon the 'Paperclip' for the Shannon's Historic Racing and Classic Car Festival.

The meeting, promoted by the Historic Racing Car Club of Queensland, featured a staggering array of important historic cars, with a special highlight being the return of the big Group C touring cars, which had not run on a Queensland track for 17 years.

1965 Armstrong 500 winner Barry Seton was on hand with his Ford Capri, and special guest for the weekend was 1981 James Hardie 1000 winner John French, who was joined by two of his sensational 1960s Falcons.

- BRIAN REED/ MARK GLENDENNING 71

nainnal Tony Takes Two scene

TONY Ricciardello dominated the third round of the Reward Insurance Australian Sports Sedan Championship at Oran Park.

The Chev-powered Alfa driver romped away from pole position in race one, set a new lap record and was never headed.

Series leader going into the round, Darren Hossack came under fire from Keiry Daily’s Nissan 300ZX/Chev, but the misfiring Saab/Chev had enough to hold on, with the Kiwi Andrew Fawcet taking his TransAm-spec Jaguar XKR to fourth place.

Mark Stinson (Calibra) held fifth from Des Wall’s Toyota Supra.

Race two saw another win for Ricciardello, though it wasn’t as easy as the first. Baily beat him off the startline but lost the lead to the West Aussie on lap three.

He powered away until the red flags came out due to Stinson being crashed into the wall on the last corner. The race was declared and backdated a lap, allowing Stinson to retain his fourth place behind Hossack.

Hossack, who led the series entering Oran Park, now trails the reigning Champ in the title chase.

“We seem to struggle getting off the line and that can win it or lose it here,” Hossack said.

Fifth-place became a tussle between long-time rivals Wall and Jeff Barnes (Pontiac Trans Am),

ron Noonan

AUSTRALIAN SPORTS SEDAN CHAMPIONSHIP

It’s big, it’s red and it wins lots: It could be an HRT Commodore, but it’s Tony Ricciardello’s Alfa Romeo GTV, above. Kiwi Andrew Fawcet, below, was quick in the Jag but a stop-go penalty hampered him in race two.

(Photos by Dirk Klynsmilh)

the former hanging on narrowly as the Queenslander made a late charge. In seventh was Daniel Jameson, his Jaguar handling poorly after contact with a concrete wall at the end of the first race.

Ivan Mikac’s Mazda RX7 was eighth and the first non-V8, beating the larger capacity Commodore/Chev of Tony Wilson

and Dean Randle’s Saab/Chev.

Fawcet rallied to fifth after a penalty stop/go pit visit for a starting infringement.

Sports Sedan Pointscore Riccairdello119, Hossack 112, Wilson 83, Baily 79, Jameson 64, Wall 62, Mikac 50, Randle 42.

A

gland 'O

n

NICK Agland, right, has returned to the front of top level domestic kart racing, winning the NSW Clubman Light Championship on the weekend.

Driving the new Arrow AX8, Agland was consistently fast all weekend. Adam Klunyk (Arrow) qualified fastest, but a spin during the wet third heat put him out of contention.

Bart Price (Arrow) led much of the final, Richard McLeod (Azzurro) also having a crack at the lead before Agland went on to take the win ahead of Price, McLeod and Barclay Holden (Monaco).

In Clubman Heavy, William Yarwood picked up yet another Championship. Also aboard an AX8, Yarwood didn't shine in qualifying (Remo Luciani taking pole for Monaco) but got up to win the pre-final, and after a short battle with Luciani, won

molorsport news

NATIONAL

Gee, it’s still a GTS m i

<1

22. C

by AARON NOONAN THE battle for the Porsche Cup got all the more interesting in the series’s latest round at Mallala on the weekend, with title front-runner Matt Coleman striking troubles that allowed Jonathon Webh to close.

An accident off the startline of the first race, where Wayne Hennig’s Noosa Cat 993 GT2 broke a driveshaft, caused the world to go crazy for a second, as David Giugni (993 RSCS) hit the back of him and Trevor John and Jack Crocker spun to avoid.

Such was the impact, that Crocker’s car had the inlet manifold hoses pull off thanks to

ck on top

the final. Dannien Meyer (CRG) took second with Luciani third.

State Championships also went to Reif Corbett (Rotax Light), Mick Robson (Rotax Heavy), Brett Hobson (Clubman Super Heavy), Phillip King (Senior National Light), Anthony Petrilli (Senior National Heavy), Mathew Pontello (ReSa Light) and Scott Simpson (ReSa Heavy).

- MARK WICKS 1 August 2002

jt

the G-forces.

The damage to Coleman’s title chase was done when the cars came back around to complete the lap and form up behind the Safety Car. The Bob Jane T-Marts GTS picked up a puncture after running over some debris left from the startline chaos, and he was forced to pit for a new Dunlop.

“It picked up a metal bracket,” said Coleman, who rejoined and finished 14th.

“So I just had to pit and get it replaced. I got four points, so it was better than none at all.”

With Coleman out of the way, Webb and defending Champion Martin Wagg were the men out front, the former (back in his regular GT3 instead of the Cup car he debuted in Perth) getting a narrow victory over the latter.

Coleman broke the lap record set

by Wayne Park in 1995 on three consecutive laps in his chase for points, while Tim Pritchard, in the for sale, ex-Tony Quinn VIP Pet Foods GT3, took third ahead of Paul Whitmarsh’s GT2.

Coleman bounced back in race two, taking a clear win over Webb and Wagg, with John back in fourth.

Due to the rain in qualifying (that meant that some of the Class B runners qualified a bit further up than normal), the rest of the Class A chasers took a little longer to work their way through, and in that time Coleman and company were well out in front and on their way.

Webb and Wagg battled for the minor positions the whole way, while Whitmarsh’s run in fourth came to an end with two laps to go, thanks to a broken axle.

Class B went to Russell Wright in the first race, while James Koundouris took his first-ever class win in the second.

i

■PiU'

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tpv a

I want to be the champ and I am the champ: Young tyro Jonathon Webb battled with Martin Wagg, above, while Matt Coleman, below, had to fight back from a puncture in race one.

I

(Photos by Dirk Kiynsmiih)

S

w'A ji

Raising Vi9 THE CSA Wheels Saloon Car set hit Mallala in support of the Konica V8 meeting, and it was a local dominating.

Bruce Heinrich, above, stood atop the field, winning all four of the races. There had been only three races scheduled but one had been cut in distance, so to fulfill the rules of the championship, another race with sufficient length was added.

-AARON NOONAN

73

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%

Stokel

by MARK WICKS

Gee, all those Mmms VARIETY was the spice of support life at Oran Park's V8 Supercar Series round a fortnight ago.

Ben Morley and Jamie Cartwright, above, shared the wins in the MGF Kumho Tyres Cup. Mark Williamson and Ian Kegg shared the final podium spot in the two races.

Another 'little' car class on the bill was the Aussie Racing Cars category. Kiwi (and former Konica V8 racer) Chris Butler took the first fivelapper, while Mike Russell grabbed the second win.

Historic Touring Cars also had a spot on the supporting act, and, as usual, the 'golden oldies' turned on some of the closest racing of the weekend.

The Tilleys, Brad and Jason, ran 1-2 in races one and two, while Chris Stillwell upset things and took second behind Brad in race three.

- AARON NOONAN

‘I

OK,so who put the cars through the washing machine? The Aussie Racing Cars, above, kept things tight, while Jason Tilley, below, starred in Historic (Photos by Dirk Klytismithl Touring Cars.

Roly poly: A Ford Anglia is a small enough car as it is. Throwing them on their side, roofand various other panels is not a method ofnegotiating a corner that the staffofMotorsport News recommends ...

(Photo by Dirk Klyitsmiih)

74

THE Victorian Motor Racing series continues to draw huge numbei-s, with well over 300 drivers compete ing in 11 classes at round four at Sandown on July 28-29.

It was the first time the re aligned section of track prior to the pit entry had been used in anger, drivers commenting the right-left sequence is now more open and faster than it was before.

A timing system malfunction made the opening Formula Vee session superfluous, the Vees subsequently losing their first race in order to run another qualifying session. It didn’t change the order as Andy Nethercote (Elfin)took pole before taking out another point score win, this time ahead of David Frith (Sabre) and Frank Haire (Elliott). , Mort Fitzgerald yet again made a clean sweep of MGs, while Chris Muscat(Mazda RX7)staifed the weekend offfastest in Sports sedans, but Dean Camm (Pi-elude) worked his way to the fi'ont to win the main race from Muscat.

Improved Production eventually went to Phil Morriss(Datsun) ahead of a string of RX7s, Mario Caligari and Mark Kolodziej next with fastest qualifier Ken Douglas fourth.

The American muscle of Darren Hill’s Mustang outdid the Aussie grunt of Wayne Purdon’s XY Falcon in the Historic Touring Car field, while Paul Stokell demonstrated the speed of the Lamborghini Diablo GTR,outpacing the opposition to win Sports Cars, having set a new lap record for the category in the preliminary race.

Fastest qualifier Lyndon Punchon (Robnell) was second.

After the first race, it appeared the Hastings family had a monopoly on Under 2-litre Sports Sedans, but it was Steve Newing (Nissan Stanza) who took the gold.

It might not have worked out for the Hastings in Sports Sedans, but in Formula Ford they took another win, Glen Hastings(Van Diemen) beating home Daniel Reinhardt and Matt Wall(both Spectrums).

After heading the results all weekend, Marcus Zukanovic couldn’t convert his speed (new lap record)into a win in the main Commodore Cup race, Geoff Emery beating home David Gittus.

Ken Wright systematically worked his way to the front ofthe HQ field, winning the point score ahead ofJohn Alessi and Carl McHenry. motorsport news

\'s Sandown show

Just doing a bit of Sandown 500 testing; Paul Stokell and the Lamborghini Diablo streeted the opposition in the Sports Car races at Sandown as a lead-in to the Sandown 500 in September, (Photo by Dirk Klynsrtiith)

Prize bonanza for APS Super 8 Karting Series THE APS Super 8 Series(S8S) National Final at Dubbo will feature an International Class, similar to that run at the APS Pro-Nats event last year at Eastern Creek.

This is sure to prove extremely popular once again, and joining the International class will be the Intercontinental C gearbox category.

Many of Australia's top CIK competitors are expected to have their first taste of ICC as the event will not restrict drivers to just one class for the weekend.

The major prizes for the series final have also been announced.

They include all the equipment to compete in Junior Intercontinental A in 2003 for the National Final winner of Junior Clubman.

Also, the equipment to compete in Intercontinental A in 2003 and a test drive in the APS Racing Future Tourer for the National winner of KartOz Combined Light and the equipment to compete in the

7 Aagust 2002

Win a drive in this! A test in the APS Future Tourer is up tor grabs for the national winner of the KartOz Combined Light class in the APS Super 8 Series.

(Photo by MNews Digital) 2003 Ford KartStars Series for the National winner of Rotax Light are up for grabs.

The top three in the National Final for Junior National will

receive an ARC Spec-100 watercooled engine to compete in the 2003 APS Super 8 Series in Junior Clubman.

- MARK WICKS

NATIONAL Aussies struggle in Europe AUSSIE karters are having a tough time in Europe at the moment, Josh Hunt and Ben Horstman tackling the second round of the European Formula A Championship at Sarno (Italy) recently.

The Biesse/Fox team mates had mixed fortunes. While Hunt was not able to progress past the repecharge for his new team, Horstman carded a fourth and fifth in the heats to start the finals from grid 16 in the 34 kart field.

A problem saw Ben complete just one lap in Final One, but he recovered to take 14th in Final Two. New Zealand's Wade Cunningham (CRG) also failed to get through the repecharge having qualified mid field. Dutchman Bas Lammers, the son of former FI driver Jan, drove his Swiss HutlessWortex to victory in both finals. n The opening round of the revamped European Superkart Championship was abandoned when the Nurburgring circuit was swamped by bad weather last month.

After several red-flags in the preceding FIA European Truck Racing Cup event, organisers ran out of time for Saturday's race, while excessive fog and poor visibility led to the entire meeting being abandoned on Sundayl Swede Bobo Westman (PVP/Rotax) had been fastest in practice. n The APS Super 8 Series is gathering momentum right across the country, with Queensland now joining New South Wales and South Australia as the states that have begun their regional series. As Motorsport News was going to press. Western Australia were completing their first round at Tger Kart Club.

The Queensland series kicked off at Toowoomba recently as part of the Toowoomba Winter Carnival. S8S category winners were Chaz Mostert (Midgets), Tim Eagle (Rookies), Chris Clark (Junior National), Scott Harrison (Junior Clubman), Paul Bryan (KartOz Combined Light), Matthew Payment (KartOz Combined Heavy), Matthew Worling (Rotax Light) and Drew Gessner (Rotax Heavy).

The same weekend saw the third round of the South Australian series run at Bolivar. Also counting towards the Festival State Cup series, S8S event wins went to Andrew Cash (Rookies), Scott Boorman (Midgets), Thomas Robinson (Junior Clubman), Paul Pittam (Junior National Light), Yiani Harpas (Junior National Heavy), Justin Garnett (KartOz Combined Light) and Nick Scudds (KartOz Combined Heavy).

- IVIARK WICKS 75

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PERFORMANCE CYLINDER HEADS & MANIFOLDS

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Holley Performance System Distributors

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CHASSIS ^DYNAMOMETERS [

Dynapack Dynometer Service Centres Jaustech Performance 08 8266 7244 Hybrid Developments 02 9966 0899 Widow Maker Speed Shop 07 5491 1869

CHASSIS yDVNAMO.MerERS

Dynapack Dynometer Service Centres n

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Williamstown Dyno Tune 03 9397 1211 Lagoon Engine Developments 0408 834 265 Bob Hsher Automotive 039743 5041 Rev Zone 03 9878 9299

High pertormanee & rating disc brakes

FIA HARNESSES

www.holley.com

76

Sydney Unit 6 79 Newton Rd Wetherill Park 02 9609 1101

2007 expiry, lightweight buckle, 3" webbing, clip in ends Black, Red, Blue 5 point - $465 l 6 point - $495 FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY Aust 5tandard 4 point belts fr $145

Where sealing Is a science

www.ebcbrakes.com.au

^

filing fastU Enjoy a great day with Championship level instructors in

RADIATORS, INTERCOOLERS & OIL COOLERS

Aluminium flexible duct & air filter cloth pipe 50mm-70mm Ph 03 9462 3210 Fax 03 9462 2516

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completed in a single day for $385.

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BRAKES Cold air duct pipe & Brake Duct 80-102mm

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Peter Finlay's International Racing Drivers School

WWW.finlays.com.au

1'A" - 4" Alloy Donuts Oil Tanks

Warld^s Best Air, OH & Fuei Filters

DrivePerform tull-day program can double as your C3 licence r Still place? evaluation - $330 available,

For more info ph 02 9873 1773, fax 02 9871 1018 or email peter@finlays.com.au

Tank Ends Ram Tubes

^ Reducers ^ Wheel Arches USED BY ALL LEADING TOURING CAR TEAMS

21 Kellets Rd Rowville 3178 Ph 03 9764 281 I Fax 03 9764 8740

;yVOKOHAMA AVON

ELPRO DIRECT (03)9768 2383

^=5^ Ph 07 3290 5911 Fax 07 3290 5933

Ph/Fax 02 9526 6666

T/MCr/OA^

www.elettra.com.au

^^FORMANCE YlWHOLESALE

Phone (07) 3808 1986

Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.performancewholesale.com.au

SuperFlow engine & chassis ®

Corporation DVNO’S, FLOWBENCH, DATA ACQUISITION & DYNO SOFTWARE PERFORMANCE WHOLESALEtS,

Phone (07)3808 1986 Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.performancewholesale.com.au

■n

Serious Protection

l Increase horsepower l Increase torque l Increase engine life l Reduce fuel consumption l Provide better wear protection at start-up Rocket Industries is the Manufacturer’s Appointed Distributor for Torco Automotive Racing Oils in Australia. All enquiries should be directed to: Ph 0266251900 fe02W25191i or Email sales@lrocketind.coni

■etoripon iiwt

MARKET PLACE

mrace mm

H

HUCtSHOP gives you the opportunity to promote your products and services to the widest possible range of motorspo^" competitors and enthusiasts. Advertising in RftCESHOP costs as little as $60 per issue! Call Brendon Sheridan on 03 9596 5555 now!

7,/

DragRacmgdfotRoddiiipASCA^Spn^^ ^^PO Box 340 Springftood NSW 2777

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COMPOMOT/\/£ MOTORSPORT WHEELS

h VIC 03 9386 5331 BnSW 02 9676 8655 I SA 08 8387 3522 n WA 08 9293 3500 f TAS 03 6273 7555 NT 08 8941 5388 iP'.Kt QLD 07 3217 1188 SFOVICE www.stuckey.com.au ■ys r* Motive Gear

l Custom ground roller, solid and hydraulic

The ultimate power fix for your Holden

profiles using unique computer controlled

l Available for early and VN Style V8 l Super flow potential compared to ported iron heads l Greater thermal efficiency and half the weight of iron

Phone (07) 3808 1986

Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.performancewholesale.com.au

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CRANKS, RODS, RACE CAMS &

train

COMPONENTS ^FOmANCE WHOLESALERS

Phone (07) 3808 1986

Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.performancewholesale.com.au cEflaasB

^^Serck on Coolers

(Misa

(SE <33JX3j&3DSQ ius TRAL i A ggettecffigaasgcTnvtargcasagxa.

Ph. 02 9758 1966 Fax. 02 9758 1155 7 August 2002

www.yeUaterra.com.au Ph 03 9555 5522 Fax 03 9555 4152

g^RANE R^ams Sfate Distributors

NSW:(02)9678 9977 QLD:(07) 3808 1986 VIC:(03)9794 5177 WA:(08)9353 1155 Australian Importer and distributor:

CRANE

Ph: 08 8363 5566 Fax: 08 8363 5633 TECHNOLOGIES ^PTY. LTD. www.cranecams.conn.au

PERFORMANCE & RACE DIFF GEARS & ACCESSORIES JERFORMANCF. WHOLESALERS

CROWCAMS

Tel: (03) 9530 9011

— posters — business cards — motorsport proposals — hero cards banners — large murals — websites

1^^ World's leaders in Motorsport Safety Technology Helmets ● Suits ● Boots ● Gloves ● Harnesses ● Crew Gear * and all accessories for all motorsports Quality ● Price ● Service

Simpson Safety Equipment Australia 91 Rookwooci Road Yagoona NSW 2199 Ph 02 9791 6001 Fax 02 9791 6002 AUSTRALIAN

DISTRIBUTORS

Australia’s Mast Wanted Performance Gauges AUTO METER and the Auto Meter Logo are trademarks of Rocket Industries R/L in Australia All enr^uiries should be directed to: Ph 02 6625 1900 Fax 02 66251911 Email salesi^rocketind.com

'CAMS'

a huge range of one piece super duty pushrods Ph 03 9357 0469 or Fax 039357 0001 Visit our website: www.crowcams.com.au

The USA’s first choice in race valve springs now available in Australia l As used by top US teams including Hendricks Motorsport (NASCAR), John Force(Funny Car), Warren Johnson (Pro Stock) l Specific super duty spring design for endurance (circuit speedway and marine)or Drag Race applications deliver consistent pressures and longer spring life.

Avallal^o from the exclusive Australian distributor

CROWCAKHS

Ph 03 9357 0469 Fax 03 9357 0001

Balancers

The True Performance Alternative

'

SPECIALISTS In DESIGN for MOTORSPORT

l Matching race valve train components including PSi(USA) valve springs and

H a r m o n

CREATIVE The

machines for unrivalled accuracy

mmsmmiiiwW.

‘^TMe= * OMG:E>

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l Fast profile design service to your requirements

m PERFORMANCE ENOiNE PARTS

(02)4751 2473

PSEawofidiCbllectaiil^

i7Hi Flow / Alloy Heads

I ● Extremely durable bonded dampening I material I ● Easy to read computer etched timing I marks J ● Available in economical cast iron Street, fl versatile iron/steel Street/Race and all ' steel SFi approved Race versions Ph 02 6921 5126 Fax 02 6921 7536 Visit out website www.preclsionparts.com.au

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Bmm

Performance Plumbing Made Easy

Rocket Industries Is the Manufacturer's Appointed Distributor for Russell in Austialia. All enc^uiries should be directed to: Ph 02 6&25 1900 Fax 02 6&251911 Email sa!es^rocketind.com

COMPETITION Ferrea STAINLESS & TITANIUM \ZAL\7ES

Auto coMPcrmoN instruments ^

VALVES, RODS & GUDGEON PINS JERFORMANCE

wholesaler:;

Phone (07) 3808 1986

Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.performancewholesale.com.au

motorsport nows

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RADIATOR

LOCK-DOWN SAFETY CAPS

RACING CAMS

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PRIVATE PRACTICE

RACE CAMS, VALVE TRAIN TOOLS & COMPONENTS

ini'Enterprises con help you wilh any

Eastern Creek SJt¥nUL^E5;:7:W

PERFORMANCE wholesale:z

dealer enquiries by Phoning 0413 520 852 emoil; myent@ozemail.com.au Also available from / American Tire S Baring Service 02 9790 7578 Performance Wholesale 07 3808 1986

* 1

24th August l Sam to 5pm

$100 pay on the day

Phone (07) 3808 1986

Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

Ph 02 9672 1000

www.performancewholesale.com.au

Hotorsport Connections 02 9838 7272

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S^EEDFLOW

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Premium Wlotorsport Hose & Fittings!

Contact your state distributor...

Hardiman Aulo Supplies (02) 9771 5877 Motorsport Conneclions (02) 9838 7272 (03) 9794 5177 Victorian Speed Pro Performance Wholesale (07) 3808 1986 (08) 8363 5566 Crane Technologies Gogear Racing Services (08) 9443 4400

1

,s

Cnr Mountain Hwy & Stud Rd BayswaterVlC 3153 Tel OS 9720 sooa Fax 03 9720 8278

ALUMINIUM RACE JACKS

Manufactured in USA by Pro-Gram Engineering

SCOOP PURCHASE r 17 Kg. * 1.5 tonne, 6 pump, % front roller Ph 02 9797 6001 Fax 02 9791 6002

i

Email sales@simpsonraceproducts.com.au

9DYNAGEAR

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Ph. 02 9758 1966

Remarkable Windows of Opportunity for Engine Experts l Accurate, Repeatable, Versalile l Take manuol conlrol or bands-free n Locol design, support, development, Inslollallon ond on-slle training l Top names demand lop equipment (users inc NIZPRO, HSV, HRT & John Sidney Racingl For Information oml a l Engine, chassis, go-kart or motorbike demonstration contmt:

DynoLog

^Dynamometer

*

AREX Ccmputing PO Box 151 MonIrose Vic 3765 Pb 03 9751 1142 Rk 03 97512173 Mob 0408 055 541 Email aeldet@melbp(.acg.au

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HIPERFORMANCE 308-355 C.K STROKER CRANKSHAFT

PERFORMANCE & RELIABILITY ●NEW NODULAR CASTING

lECISION CNC MACHINED, GROUND TO >LAaiNG TOLERANCES ‘SUIT 308 RODS, BALANCER, FLYWHEEL, LIP OR ROPE MAIN SEAL 9G Sell Sireei

TfluplioiiL- iUii) U474 UbOO Fax 108) 8474 0999

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Hawk Performance disc brake pads have the slopping power and brake modulation to reduce lap times and put RACING PRODUCTS you in the winners' circle - with 8 difterent race compounds.

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WHITE FACED DIALS

PORTABLE FLOORING

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Workshop nSl Display Areas ^4 Access Paths

S.02 9758 1155

Marquee Floor Installs quickly Rolls up for storage

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Available for Commodore VN to VT, EF to AU Falcon, BMW, Lancer, Magna 8r Excel Ph 08 8371 1500 Mob 0418 600 751 AUrOMOTIVB

SPECIAL

HARROP ENGINEERING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

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VIC 37A Fonlon St Oakloigh 3166 Ph: 03 9543 6222 fox: 03 9543 6244 OLD 3/26 Expo CrI Ashmore 4214 Ph/Fox: 07 5531 0181 NSW 2/109 Airds SI Minlo NSW 2566 Ph:02 9820 4255

NovE^cymEmm

Trade enquiries welcome Fax. 02 97Sa 1155

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Ph 03 5339 5/59 Fox 03 5339 2144

Sold in Australia by

ISO9O01 rmglstBred Every pump Is oil tested for correct pressure a volume.

Quality assured.

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Factory 9,19-25 Grange Ph 03 9585 5340 Fax 03 9585 5320

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America"s premium oil pump & timing component manufycturer.

C

lUIANSONS

tmt/racingi Tyres

Steel Main Caps to suit most V8 applications

only

RACE PRODUCTS

iHARIjOP/

H New & used karts H Servicing H Spares H Heimets H Suits & aii your karting needs

anmaesTone

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^^ RACING TIRE

^

PERFORMANCE CAMS& VALVE TRAIN COMPONENTS ^FORMANCE wholesale:^

Phone (07) 3808 1986

Visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.performancewholesale.com.au

www.pro-floor.com ● ph 03 9804 3455 Race logistics RACE LOGISTICS interstate transport ALL ROUNDS ALL CLASSES

Fully enclosed custom built race car transporters Professional race car logistic and event specialists Security for car and equipment

1

Contact Neil Griffiths on 0418 474 816

race@tnt.com.au moioiipoit nowi

MARKET PLACE

.Classifieds I

news

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com

SOL

from lust $2S

your motorsport vehicle, parts, memorabilia with our all-new combined magazine/internet classified service.

Courtesy of an agreement between Motorsport News and internet classified service my105.com, your advertising will appear in both for as little as $25.

Yes 6 months on my105.com AND one insertion in Motorsport News for just $25! HOW?

Just log on to www.my105.com and follow the prompts!

Alternately, you can still use the classified form on these pages (surcharge applies for non-electronic submission of advertising)

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IT’S THE

T WAY TO SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT!

Sedans/Sports Cars

Future Tourer car No: 53, Future Tourer car No: 53 Mark Papendeil . Fresh car fastidiousiy maintain and constantly Improved by Podium Engineering.

Currently series leader. Succesfully and affordable sponsor magnet. Data and setup supplied, including to track assistance.

Excellent opportunity to enter this class now Pro Car Series. $55,000 Mark 0409 846 71 7. 238 www.my105.com/20322

Championship winning Proton Satria GTi, Chrome-Molly cage, Recaro seat, $7,500 Proflex shockers, dry brakes, many extras, 15 wheels, $18,000 of spares, need to sell, can assist with crew at Sandown and Bathurst. Kosi (03) 9524 9200 or 0419 524 752 238 www.myl05.com/20304

m

Porsche GT3 Club Sport, Engine rebuilt by Fitzgerald Racing Services. Maintained with no expense spared. Bilstien shocks, GTS Cup suspension Uprated ECU Motec Dash, GTP Logger, 2 X OZ wheels, 1 X GT3 wheels, Airjacks, Dry Brake Fuel System, All Original GTS factory parts Ready for the ProCar Bathurst 24 hr race & 238 Sandown 500. $205,000 www.my105.oom/20308

Ex Gary Baxter Series Winner, Fresh car ready to race with extensive spare package. Just get in and win. Mark 0409 846 717. 238 www.my105.com/20323 Torana LC GTR, Torana Sports Sedan,Unfinished. suit308, Muncie, Lola Calipers, 9"diff, oil cooler. New, seat.slicks, rims (rear), wiring,radiators (x2),lexan windows, L34 extractors. Less Motor. $3,250 ono. Mark 0428 535 245 - 237 www.myl05.com/20215

I

Mazda RX3 Coupe, 13B T04E, microtech, big intercooler, rebuilt engine, new turbo, solid clutch, 9" LSD disc diff, 4 spot front brakes, konis/bilsteins, 2 link,roll cage,3.5“ exhaust, new wheels/tyres, 300KW @ wheels, dyno sheet avail, used for sprints, could be road reg. $16000. John 03 9704 9944 - 237 www.my105.com/20214

7 August 2002

Ford Sierra XRi , 3 Door.2.3 turbo 5 speed no compliance plates. $4,000, 0428 267 238 375 www.myl05.com/20310

Torana Sports Sedan, Six cylinder 202 + 40 Duggan alloy head 4 speed V8 M21 gearbox 48mm Webers 330+ HP, fresh rebuild no expense spared, well maintained winner of Australia 2000 NSW OLD SA hiliclimb Sports Sedan championship log book and spares, ready to race.

03 9350 1728 or 0418 311 320 238 www.my105.com/20311

BMW Z3 V8 Roadster, 1998 convertible black, black leather, quad cam alloy V8 15,000kms, auto reg EO 8581, electric seats, windows, mirrors. Awesome power, great car to drive. $76,000. 0417 778 188.

238 www.myl 05.CO m/20312

Ford MK1 Escort Sports Sedan, space framed four link diff, Z18 non turbo A Bargain. $3500.00. 0411 638 308 or (02)9672 4257 238 www.myl05.com/20330

Peugeot 405 Super Tourer 94, 97 aero update, car only 8 meetings old, 8th 0/R 23/6 at QR, fresh engine and 6 sp trans, fuily sorted, new Ohiins and tyres, wets, VGC, $25,000 OLD 0417 703 773 - 237 www.myl05.eom/20223 Volvo 142 GT, Targa LMS Webers stroked 2320CC FIA cage Terra TMP fuel cell $10,600 ono 0418 772 748 . 238 www.myl05.eom/20318

Holden Gemini, 13b Turbo, Dowelled, Mild Port, T04, MTX12, 500hp at wheels, tubbed, 9” diff, 31 Spline Billet axle. Convo Pro Wheels 15x12 - 15x3, All Dash with autometre gauges, Recaros, Memo steering wheel, custom interior, fibreglass bonnet, 2-pak respray, 10 point roll cage Potential 9 sec car. Immaculate. HSV12A. $29,990 0412 117 044 or (02) 43 721489 238 vvww.my 1J)5.CO m/20307

Toyota Corolla Sports Sedan, Yager Built, 4AGE 20V, Just been rebuilt, Motec Koni's, 4 pot brakes. Supra box, ready to race, spares. $14,500. Scott(02)6621 3993 or(02)6621 8131 -238 www.my105.eom/20309

Torana LC Sports Sedan, set up for 308, unfinished, 9" diff, muncie, Loia calipers, oil cooler, new seat, slicks, rims (rear), wiring, radiators (x2), L34 extractors, Lexan windows. Less motor, S3250 ono, ph 03 237 9367 8492 or 0428 535 245 www.myl05.eom/20215

Bolwell Mk 4 Club Car, 1966 model, 12A PP rotary, RX7 5 speed box, 2 sets of race wheels and tyres, many spares, CAMS log book, sold with car trailer, $21,000 ono, ph Paul 0418 101 864 or 03 5977 4193 ah 237 www.my105.com/20225

MGB GT 1970, rolling car (less motor, gearbox, loom etc), has V8 engine bay, ideal MG/Marque Sporfs/Historic Rally Car project. All parts sourced and includes reco diff and steering rack. GHD5UB21950G. $4350, ph Ray Neilson 03 9608 4102(w) or 237 03 9591 0068 (h) www.105.eom/20226

Vectra Super Tourer, Vectra Super Tourer, ready to race, Brembo 8 spot brakes, VCP diff, Motec, 22" wheels, large spares package, quick car, Wakefield 1:01.9sec, Maliala 1:12.2sec. $43,000. John 0409 156 550 236 www.my105.eom/20301

Ford Saloon, Ford Saloon Brand New. Beenag cage, latest specs, lightweight, built

by FVH Racing & Super Service Engines, including entry fee into QLD 500, the best, built to win. 236. $30,000. James 0416 325 526. -236 www.myl05.com/20302

LJ Torana XU-1, Group Nc Historic, Fresh Motor, Many spares including complete spare motor. Very Quick Car, Ring for complete list, $21,000 The Lot. Ph 0414 896 147, or email 237 dcorner@optusnel.com.au www.105.com/20227

79

Spectrum 06B, 2001 VMRC Winning Car, well maintained with many updates by BRD, includes: Great Lamer engine, MoTeC, wheels, ratios and numerous spares, assistance, will separate. $36,000 neg (03) 9884 5675.23ewww.my105.com/20324

* ■rjr

I BMW Super Tourer, BMW 3181 Super Tourer 1993 German built. Ex Tony Longhurst 1994 ASTC winner, ex McClean Loads of spares Ready to race or suit BMW enthusiast. $45,000. Anthony 0408 868 306 -237 www.myl05.eom/203

HSV VX GTS, HSV VX GTS, upgraded coupe AP brakes, motec engine management and dash. Cromoly roll cage Ready to win races. First to see will buyl $70000 ono. Craig 0407 724 862 -237 www.my105.com/20192

$ Datsun 1000 Coupe Under 2L Sports Sedan, Best looking, fastest U2lltre Sports Sedans in Country, more than capable of winning races/series in the right hands,best everything nothing to spend, cheap, fast, easy to drive competitive car. spares Inc brand new mounted-wets, panels,spoilers loads more. Reconditioned ready to race.

Transport available to serious buyer, $8,500, Marty 0408 255 005. -237 http://www.my105.com/20155

Formula Vee 91 Spectre, low kms, plenty of potential. Ideal for Nationals, garaged In Queensland, trailer included. Mike $7,500 238 www.105.com/20313

Speedway

Super Sedan, Danny Smith chassis, Iroc Camara, Winters quick change diff, Bert quick steer rack, Chariyn power head, Aust 1 1998, used for two seasons only. All the top quality components. Mick 0418 514 444 -238 www.my105.eom/20306

\

Nissan 200SX GTP, Full roll cage. Race ready, The fastest Nissan In the GTP c/ship. Comes with complete spare car as spares package. $60,000. Peter 0418 313 026 -237 http://www.my105.com/20142

Porsche 944, Looks Good, Goes Great, enthusiasts car, with BIG sounding stereo.

Ready to race or be the daily traveller as it is today. Recaro Seats, Air Con, Simmons Wheels, 4 Point Harness, New Clutch Tight Driving Car. $20,000. .237 www.myl05.eom/20189

2002 Honda Integra Type R Racecar, 200hp i_VTEC Engine, Currently road rego Race Ready: 0/B Fire Bomb, B/D Roll cage, 4 Piston "HARROP” F/F Brakes, Recaro Seats Sabeit Harness, Window net Kill switches. Packaged with all original Honda components for conversion back to road car. PDA. Carl 0414 725 758 -237 www.myl05.eom/20149

Open Wheelers

/

II

I

"a ■"'oiLi'

ELFIN 630B Formula Atlantic, Built 1976.

Fresh BDD FT200. completely race ready. $45,000. Possibly trade F/F or F3. 0419 777 229 - 237 www.105.com/20229

Harris / Fontana Speedcar, Harris, Fontana Engine, Lots of spares (head, cams, springs, wheels). $32,000.

Mohammed 0411 238 603.237 www.myl 05.com/20205

Ponitac Firebird Super Sedan, registered board, was registered ASCF quick-change diff, power steering, wide 5, 308 motor, runs well, coll over suspension, plus spares.

Motor complete rebuild only 1 race meeting. $5000, ph 02 6963 6276 or 0414 779 726 237 www.myl 05.com/20232

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Micro Sprint Car & Trailer, Micro Sprint RM 250 - Excellent condition - B grade car spares - on new trailer, $4,800 ono. Matt 0405 319 465 (02) 9981 4713 - 237 http://www.my1 05.com/20204

74-

Street Stock, Current South Australia 1, best of everything, $8000, Ph 0409 007930.

- 236 www.my105.com/20272

online classifieds □ Wanted □Photographs

"

Super Sedan, Commodore Hibar chassis, coil over suspension, leaf spring 5th arm rear Q-change diff, power head steering heaps of spares, spare wheels and tyres, just add your motor and box to race, $12,000 ono, ph 08 9262 1 926 - 237 www.my105.com/20234

««< tMRHOVIIU

□ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers

finish - Everything on car is brand new MUST SELL. $10,000. Brett (02) 4987 2998 237 www.my105.com/20206

■1

W. ‘tH

□ Speedway

Litre Car, Infinity chassis, senders, Halibrand - Carbon Fibre Panel - Ai Paint

■. -47-

Formula Vee 95 Sabre 01, in a brand new ; condition latest spec fresh engine 1 meeting old many of spares including a spare engine for spares. Latest body. Must sell due to moving to a new category. Best offer around $12500 04049 023 060 or 03 9790 6204 - 238 www.105.com/20328

Category: □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers

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Supersedan IROC Camaro 350 CHEV , (damaged), 1 Bert Box, Quickchange, Wide 5 all round, 12 alloy wheels and tyres, many spares including fully enclosed tandem trailer, the lot $16,250. (03) 5348 3447 - 238 www.myl05.eom/20321

□ Drag

□ Other

llvno Description: Please keep ads tono more than 50 words, plus photos itdesired.

riRFway to sell your gear!

From lust $25* lust log on

(*$25 rate applies to electronically-supplied advertisements) Advertising can also be supplied using this form ($10/S15 surchage to text only/lext -f pic advertisements) Advertisements will appear in next possible issue of .'iolorsporf Ni PLUS the myi os.coi'ii website for six months.

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NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Please use the form provided and print clearly. Please note

we are unable to return photographs supplied for use in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipt. MWmyl05.co<n dassifleds are for the sale of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising Photos marked ‘proor will not be used.

motorsport nowt

MARKET PLACE Gooseneck Trailer, Urgent Sale, 40ft 6 wheel Motorsport Trailer. Living area.

Bench, Cupboards, Electric/Hydraulic Tailgate, Fully Plumbed Air & Electricity + Earth Leakage. V Good Cond. $22,000.

Phone 0438 607 615-237

Brembo Four Spot Calipers, 1 Pair perfect condition $600 Ph 0418 729 732. n 237www.my105.com/7052

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'^

www.myl05.eom/20218 V8 Dirt Modified NSW //99, 350 Chev dart heads, Bert Jones Cam, TRWpistons 11.3:1, Halibran quickchange diff Holden box. Ram clutch, good straight car, also included spare tyres, front axle, 6 pin hubs, torsion bars shocks etc. $12,000 (02) 6571 1897 238 www.my105.eom/20303 Speedcar Pearce Chassis, V6 Volvo, Lee steering, Gardniner long sipined moly axle.

Outlaw, Halibrand, Real, weld, splined pro stocks. Heaps of spares, race ready, $9000 ph 03 9308 3260 or 0425 793 334, - 236 www.myl05.com/7040

Mitsubishi 2.6 engine, Coltspeed built, sleeved block, lightened crank, forged pistons, balance shaft removed, modified cylinder head & rocker gear, quad 55mm throttle bodies, Motec, new clutch & pressure plate, remote filter & cooler. Will make over 300hp on optimax. $8499, or $6499 minus Motex and throttle bodies.

Ph 0411 087 558 - 237 www.105.com/7029 Mini 1300CC engine, SCCR gearbox, button clutch, works cam, all auxilliaries, Webber, inlet and exhaust manifold etc.

Winner of Australian Hillclimb Championship 2001. $3800 ph Garry 02 6662 8111 ah.

- 237www.105.eom/7030 Holden 308 trimatic bolt pattern, HP block and crank, manifold, lots of new parts, Chev forge pistons, rollers, A9L rods, bearings, cam, big sump, Yella Terra Stage 3 heads, L34 extractors, too many spares to list, ready to assemble, I can fax you list. $5250 ono, ph 03 9367 8492 or 0428 535 245 - 237 WWW.105.eom/7031

open wheeler. Professionally made, high quality steel construction with veneer interior.

High roof, bench, air lines, elec brakes. Tows 238. great. $5,000. (03) 9884 5675 www.my105.com/20325

Transporter, 40ft long gooseneck trailer, only set up for 2 super sedans. Bogie axle duals, 14” wheels. Complete with tyre racks, work benches, sink and cupboards. $25,000 07 4666 3538 237 www.my105.com/20164

Chev Suburban 1986, dual fuel, small block, turbo 700, 9 in diff, seats 8, a/c, powersteer, elec windows, alloy wheels, long range fuel tanks, Hayman Reese towbar, $19,000 ono, ph 03 9761 7261.-236 www.my105.com/20281 Trailer fully enclosed dual axle, 2 side doors, drop down rear door, flouro 240v safety switch bench 4 wheel brakes rego exc cond, rear opening 73"h x 76"w, $7000, Ph 03 9308 3260 or 0425 793 334, 236 www.myl05.eom/20284

Transporters/Trailers

Trailer, open single axle checker plate floor, 12 X 7.6, electric brakes, jockey wheel, suit Formula Ford, Vee, etc etc VGC $1275, Ph 0412421 126(Qld).236 www.my105.com/20283

24 lulv 2002

Parts Cobra ‘Evolution’ race seat, with wrapround head support(as used by V8 teams).

As new, with fitting rails (costs $1,250).

Black. $800 ONO (03) 9822 5034 - 238 www.my105.com/7065 Koni coil-over shock absorbers, Koni coil-over shock absorbers, alloy body, bump/rebound separate adjustment, 52mm dia. 280mm compressed 430mm ext.

Michael 0412 480744 or 07 5547 5085 - 238 www.my105.com/7048 Dunlop SP sport, Dunlop SP sport 2 x 225 X 640 X 18, 2 X 265 X 650 X 18. 0412 524 186 - 238www.my105.com/7063 Brand New WRX MY02 Wheels & Tyres.

Jason $2100 ono, 0401 709 953. - 238 www.105.com/7061 Mitsubishi LSD, suit early Lancer/Galant, Torana centre, Corona axles, 4.6:1 ratio, $1250 ono, ph 0411 087 558, - 237 WWW.105.eom/7033

Trailer, Tandem axle, electric brakes, 15 inch wheels, 16ft x 6ft, 4 inch alloy checker plate deck, with built in slide away ramps, shelving and interior lights. Also tyre rack, lighting poles and lockable alloy boxes for generator, fuel/oil and esky. Tows excellent, must see. Regretful sale, 12 months rego.

Marianne, 02 9823 7284.237 www.myl05.eom/20166

T-10 gearbox with Indy shifter, top loader also with Indy shifter, complete with Hadfield bell housing, Yella Terra flywheel & 2 Holden flywheels, tail shafts to suit 9" diff, cross member to suit each, clutch plate for each and 1 pressure plate, also 1 Ford bell housing, $1260, ph 0417 148 627 - 237 WWW.105.eom/7034 9" diff 3:25 centre, cross drilled vented discs with calipers and lines, floating bearings & sway bar, never used, suit LH Torana, $1600 - 237 www.105.com/7035 9" centres 3:50 31 spline & 2:78 28 spline, 2:78 centre has been dismantled needs bearings $275, ph 0417 148 627 - 237 www.105.com/7036

HIN0170 H.P. Transporter, Transporter power winch belly lockets tyre racks ramps will carry a sedan 15'5” pan, very reliable must sell due to buying a bigger truck to the best offer.

04049 023 060 or 039790 6204 - 238 www.myl05.eom/20329

D’ALBERTO I

Fully Inclosed trailer with single axle, 10 by 7 foot (inside). Well presented, tidy unit, with jockey wheel, good tyres, rear and side door for easy access. Suit Go-Karts or any small vehicle. $3,000 ONO- Ph 0407 237 www.105.com/20249 772 902

Fully enclosed trailer, tri-axle 26' long with kitchen and power outlets, water tanks, new tyres and spare and annexe, $10,8000 ph 0438 128 287. 236www.my105.com/20285

Dodge 75, V10 motor + 4 spd trans from late Dodge Ram. Jag front, Dana 90 rear.

Needs paint. Powerful and reliable, $20,000 ph 0428 898 864 (Bris). - 237 wwiw.105.eom/20244

Mitsubishi Canter, 8/85 Diesel 5 speed 6600 GVM, 18 ft tray with gates and tarp, ramp. Excellent mechanical, new 2 pack paint, $6800 ono ph 07 5494 5240 or 0402 042 258. - 237 www.105.com/20245 20 ft tandem car trailer, with ramps, partly covered, unregistered, $2000, ph 02 6963 237 6276 or 0414 779 726 WWW.105.eom/20247

Commodore 308 motor, 3 speed auto, nearly ready to race, $2000, ph 02 6963 6276 or 0414 797 726-237 WWW.105.eom/7032

Volvo B10M motorhome, plus Isuzu 4x4, fits in rear garage under king bed, 6 berth solar inverter generator, TV, video, satellite, BBC, full stove, shower, WC, full fridge. $325,000 neg. 0418 772 748 www.myl05.eom/20319

Other

Fully enclosed dual axle trailer. Fully enclosed dual axle trailer suit F/Ford or other

Engines Speedcar Engine 300HP, Fontana angle plug engine complete with lines & oil tank.

Ready to run with spares. 238. www.myl05.eom/7019

McGee fuel injection, to suit Holden six (suit Speedway) complete, excellent condition, $1500 ono ph 03 6275 0713 - 237 www.105.com/7038

Race Transporter / UD Prime Mover, Aicon, radios, radial tyres.36ft.2 car trailer, full annex, kitchen. M/wave. W/tank. Air bot store. Tyre rack. $42,000 Des 0408 228 770 -238 www.my105.com/20326

Racecar Transporter UD, 28ft pan. Brand new out of chassis engine rebuild 12 months ago. New brakes, driveline complete aero kit. Living quarters CD player, sleeps five. Fully equipped throughout with professionally built cupboards 240/12v power - 237 http://www.mv105.com/20172

Fuel cell, alloy with bladder, craddle & lines. 40 Itr approx. $300, ph 0417 148 627 - 237 www.105.com/7037 Turbos X 2, Brand new never used T4 hlFlowed suit 4 Cylinder and the other flowed to 800+hp suit a V8 or truck. $1500, 237 & $1750. Matt 0409 872 934 WWW.105.com/7037

Autosport Magazines, Autosport Magazine 1985-2000, FI Racing 1996-2000. Include supplements, must sell, any questions call or email auskobe@optusnet.com.au AH (03)9309 3136-238 www.myl05.eom/20327 Racesuits, Race suits double layer, Simpson blue, red trim, worn 8 times, cost $14,000 sell $700. Also, red worn one season $450, Sparco blue worn two seasons $300. All fits 175 - 185cm. Peter 0418 184 456 or (07) 4053 1555 - 237 www.myl05.eom/20296 Car Craft magazine collection for sale, all in very good condition, from 1974 to 1987 inclusive, $275. Also Hot Rod magazine collection from 1973 to 1987, ring for more 236 details. Ph 0408 202 337. www.myl05.eom/20298 Magazines and videos. Rare Racing Car News magazines from 1960s through to final years of publication in 80s/90s, Make an offer. Also, BTCC Highlights videos from 1991-96 plus 2000 and 2001. Le Mans 1999, 2000 and 2001 highlights videos.

Variety of other videos available, email noonz@mnews.com.au for a list or ph 0438 316 148, 236 www.myl05.com/20300

Wanted WARNING: MNews has been made aware of an individual (using the surname Trees) who Is responding to Wanted ads, demanding payment prior to the dispatch of goods and then disappearing once the money has been deposited into a Westpac account in Taree. NSW Police are on the case, but in the Interim please be carefull Open Wheeler - Hillclimb Car, Open Wheeler (Hillclimb Car), current or previously used, rolling chassis or complete car etc, prefer bike powered, anything considered, will travel. 02 4877 1507 - 238 www.my105.com/20314 Bow-tie block, small block Chev, must clear. Ur at 4.125, Siamese bore, call John 03 5278 5753 bh - 237 www.105.com/20251 Toyota Corolla Levin Group C, ex peter Williamson/Mike Quinn/Slex Surplice car.

Information to current rr owner or whereabouts Doug Clark 02 6644 9723 237 www.105.com/20253 1990 or 1991 Van Diemen or 1992 or 1993 Swift Formula Ford without engine, pre/erebly with a selection of rab'os and spare set of wheels. Ph Anthony on NZ 0064 25 215 0695 or email sandymyhrenewsroom@xtra,co,nz - 237 WWW.105.eom/20256 Commodore VK or VL Group A race car, Prefer HDT built, condition not important/ Ph Steve 07 5493 4577 bh or 07 5493 1 848 fax - 237 www.105.com/20257 Toyota bits wanted, 4AGZE series one engine, extractors, light flywheel,1800 7AFE engine with strong rods call 0419 388 075 or email on businessmedia@netlink.com.au - 237 www.myl05.eom/7028

81

OPINION

BMNSWIt EDITORIM SnfF

Editor: Phil Branagan l editor@mnews.com.au Assistant Editor: Aaron Noonan o noonz@mnews.com.au Staff Journalist: Mark Glendenning » mark@mnews.com.au

PRODUCTION Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby o viv@mnews.com.au

ADVERTISING Advertising Manager: Brendon Sheridan «ads@mnew5.com.au

ADMINISTRATION Managing Director: Chris Lambden “ pubiisher@mnew5.com.au

CONTACTS 357 Nepean Highway, Brighton East Vic 3187 (PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186) Ph: 03 9596 5555 Fax: 03 9596 5030 Email: mnews@mnews.com.au

CONTBIBUTORS FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper Europe: Quentin Spurring, Gary Watkins US: Phil Morris, Martin D. Clark Speedway: Brett Swanson, Julie Pearce, Geoff Rounds, Wade Aunger, Tony Millard (UK), Greg Boscato Rally: Jon Thomson Histories: Brian Reed Drag Racing: Greg Ward, Jon Asher (USA), Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Steven White, Ken Ferguson National: Mark Wicks, Sean Henshelwood, Erin McCowatt, Mark Jones Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Marshall Cass, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, AFl Images, Neil Hammond, Slipstream Photographic, Phil Williams, Allsport, John Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, Peter Bury, Mike Patrick (UK), 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 loss of material submitted.

‘Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

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Super Touiing Australia, through its representative group Australian Super Touring Entrants’ Management Pty Ltd (ASTEM), wishes to correct a number of statements made by the Motorsport Promoters Group in reference to The Power Tour.

Since joining The Power Tour last year, Super Touring has endeavored to be as professional and committed as possible to the organisers.

Super Tsuring was never Send usyourthoui&its: ‘dumped’from the Power Tour as mail: PO Box 70?2. claimed, but had merely advised them that unless guai'antees in Gardenvale, VIC 31ii86 regards to television dates and fax: 03 9596 50» confirmation of our eight-round email; mnews@mnew£,Gom.au series was given, then ASTEM would not approve any further payment and it would promoters haring to pickajj their commercially irresponsible of Super Ibming to remain on The Power Ibur. game, and new and better Eacilities can only benefit everyone fjrom Super Touring believes that it spectators to club racers aliike, has paid for services promised, but but put the money into existing not delivered, and will be seeking circuits that don’t make tie grade, recompense on behalf of like Mallala or Symmons Piains, in competitors who paid those monies the form of interest free kaois to in good faith. match government grants.

Together with other category I am not asking AVESCO for managers who have been charity, but they could easilNy do disappointed by the Power Tour’s ’ small favours for all levels of collapse, ASTEM has been motorsport, and improve tlneir own speaking with circuit owners show in the process. AVESCO’s directly with a view to completing the 2002 season. affairs are nothing short of rfiscal ASTEM can confirm that the blackmail, and greed will end up Wakefield Park event 29th consuming itself.

Richarc!Efobson September will take place under the direction of the track. It is Newcastkr., NSW hoped some seven categories will take to the track.

In need of support If AVESCO expect spectators to Finally, Super Touring wishes to keep coming in the future years, question why The Power Tour’s Chief Executive Officer Paul French would state publicly that their series is, quote, “alive and kicking” when, only a matter of days earlier, their Chairman Nick Ebbick, issued a statement dated July 16, 2002 to all circuits and category managers saying that, “I am cancelling all further rounds of the 2002 Power Tour.”

He went on to state, “the MPG has not gone into liquidation or bankruptcy and remains solvent.”

Presumably this means that the MPG will have the funds available to provide the refunds being sought by Super Touring from the Power Tour.

David Platt Super Touring Australia Category Manager

convener

they have to do something about the support fields.

We went to Oran Park on the Saturday as there was no way we were going to go on the Sunday when we saw the programme.

Between 9.00 and 11.00 there was race warm-ups, then in the next five hours there was six races for the whole day.

You have got to be kidding.

We had a great time on the Saturday and think we actually got better value for money, as it is cheaper to get into the pits and it’s not so crowded. Plus, there were races on the day as well. Those Aussie Legend cars are fantastic to watch, bring them back anytime. When you think of the money it costs to run a Formula Holden, I know which one I would rather watch for entertainment value.

Neil Stratton Hornsby NSW

Bellof for NC! As a long time fan of sports car racing(I still think that the sight of Stefan Bellof flat out the Sandown back staright in the Porsche 956 in 1984 is one of the best things I have seen on a race track), I journeyed up to Winton to see the Nations Cup meeting.

I enjoyed the days racing but the field was a bit thin.

You will have to pardon my ignorance here, but why don't the Porsche Cup cars run in the Nations Cup? Steve Morris email address witheld

Net gains

Post your cheque/money order to the address above, fax your credit card details (Bankcard, VISA, Mastercard, or Amex)to 03 9596 5030 or email to mnews@mnews.com.au

m

Daws

82

Super Tourers speak out

Through the internet, it costs $19.95 for the ‘PS2’ live broadcast V8 practice times.

Yet the El equivalent, Fllive.com, has been free all along.

When will AVESCO’s love of the dollar stop? I agree with

The glory days; Jim Richards rips it up at Oran Park in the era when the (Photo by John Grole) category was at its strongest;

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