Motorsport News Issue 253 - March 26-April 8, 2003

Australia $5.95 NZ $7.50 inci GST No. 253 March 26 - April 8 2003

ATIONU RESCUE

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UK team could so ve lIRT

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V8s TO THE WORLD Another NZ race -and Dubai?

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mMorsiiort Issue 253

26 March - 8 April 2003

news and opinion 4

Triple Treat BTCC team may bail out Holden and HRT

7

Ferrari calm A look at the F2002 and F2003GA

8

Focus on the ARC Ford is about to take the leap 10 Peace in out time CAMS and PROCAR make up 17 No more Road America?

What, no cheesehead hats?

25 Motor Mouth Mr Davison your Dallara is ready now 26 Box Seat War, Pieces and Jenson and Jacques 82 Talk Converter Get it off your chest and feel better

featnres 34 Kiwi Flying Again Chris Amon was never a winner in Formula One but he is

race coverage

36 500 Reasons to go Red Ambrose may have won on Saturday but Skaife and HRT are still the ones to beat in the City of Churches 46 Kimi makes a statement Kimi Raikkonen walks the walk as well as ... er.

McLaren’s new star takes his maiden GP win in style 54 Bottom at Front Winterbottom tops Adelaide Konicas eaimmey mtaub mi japam]

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58 Old blokes, young blokes Nations Cup, Formula 3 and all the support gear from the Clipsal 500

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Ingall cops it on the chin Enforcer put back to 12th in Race 2 RUSSELL Ingall has taken his Adelaide 500 penalty on the chin.

The Enforcer was caught up in a late-Race 2 fracas with Greg Murphy that resulted in the Kmart Racing Commodore spinning down the road.

"No dramas," said Ingall on Monday.

"It was one of those things.

Murf was in trouble, his rears were going off and my thing was going pretty quick. I had got past a few laps before but 1 cocked up and he got back past. I was not intending to do it, he had it covered, but I got a good run out of Turn 6.

"1 was committed but he had it covered. I was not far enough up, I hit the anchors and that was it."

Ingall was upset about losing a swag of points under the newfor-2003 scoring system; "To lose the points was disappointing and hindsight is a great thing. There was an opportunity there and it didn't work. My fault, no doubt about it.

1 didn't argue in the hearing. 1 admit when I was wrong; you might get slagged about it, but I'll cop it.

"And Murf was real good about it afterwards. We had a laugh; I really appreciate that.

Some are trying to beat up a rivalry between me and Holden drivers but it's more about covering their own backsides.

Greg and I are friends and that's

still fine."

They're already red and dominant: Triple 8's form in the BTCC is matchless. Will

I Foreign

- PHIL BRANAGAN

Vauxhall BTCC team may be in framt

by PHIL BRANAGAN

1 * Mar^ll Ca^i

3 teams still an issue THE matter of TWR Racing's involvement in three Holden V8 Supercar teams is still not resolved.

TEGA Chairman Kelvin O'Reilly read a prepared statement at Adelaide last Friday that said little, other than the fact that the Board was still working though it, in conjunction with Holden.

"As long as they are working towards a resolution and complying with what is requested, they will keep racing," he said.

"The activities between the TWR teams are subject to a TEGA Tribunal and what they may find in the process of their investigations may lead to discretionary or mandatory remedies.

"Holden said that they welcomed the scrutiny and the activity of the 4

tribimal."

The Tribunes will be Garry Connelly, AMSC Board meinber Bon Glindemann and Brisbane solicitor Adrian Symons.

A number of members of other teams have commented on the matter, though there is not unanimous agreement that TWR Racing is in the wrong.

"The contract is not clear," said one team owner."It refers to 'financial' and 'economic' influences. There are any number of suppliers that deal with a lot more than four entries in a commercial arrangement,and that can be seen as having 'financial' and 'economic' interest in a team. The line is not clear."

-PHIL BRANAGAN

THE issues surrounding Holden's ownership of the Holden Racing Team may be solved by another General Motors-affiliated racing team - Triple 8 Engineering.

The British team, which runs three Vauxhall Astras in the British Touring Car Championship,is looking at a number of V8 Supercar options, including ownership of HRT. Triple 8 team principal Ian Harrison was in Adelaide last weekend on a

problem last month when the company's Sales and Marketing Director, Ross McKenzie,secured the future of the team after meeting with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the receivers appointed to previous HRT owner,TWR Group.

The move contravenes TEGA's ownership policy, which says that TEGA"may"stop a manufacturer owning a team.

TEGA General Manager and Chairman Kelvin O'Reilly said in

six-day trip to Australia, during which he spoke to a number of teams. It was his second trip down under in the last five months,having attended the Gold Coast Indy round of the championship last October.

"It looks like there are business

"We are serious but we do not know yet what is possibie"

opportunities here and it would be stupid not to pursue them," Harrison said.

"We are serious but we do not

Adelaide last weekend that there was still no decision made about the issue.

O'Reilly read a prepared statement to the media last Friday, commenting on the Holden/HRT issue and the other matter affecting the Clayton-based teams,the four-car ownership 'limit' rule.

know yet what is possible."

While he did not say that he was present to talk primarily with Holden and HRT,he was spotted in close proximity to the team on a number of occasions and merely smiled when asked what team impressed him the most... while outside HRT's garage.

Holden struck the ownership

- Triple 8’s Ian Harrison

But O'Reilly really shed no light on the matter, other than it is not yet sorted.

"HRT not racing in Adelaide was not an issue, as long as they were motorsport news

NEWS

Woof woof at the Creek? , SOME may have described Eastern ■ Creek as a 'dog' of a track, but it , could be a dog food of a track come November. We hear that the final V8 Supercar Championship Series round on November 28/30 will be backed by VIP Pet Foods, which was the sponsor of the Queensland 500 up ; until last year.

■ There was some talk at the start of the season that Stone Brothers Racing may loan Mark Winterbottom to another team to get him some enduro experience prior to suiting up , for the team next season. Don't look for Winterbottom to switch colours soon though; we hear that the rookie's red-hot form has him high in the minds of Ross and Jimmy Stone for an SBR seat this year...

they be Holden and HRT's new saviour?

Bothwell Photogr3phic

Aid?

\

i for HRT ownership working towards a resolution and they complied with what was requested," O'ReUly said.

"They will have to meet a number of target dates for various matters."

Should Triple 8 and Holden be able to enter an agreement about the future of HRT,a number of options would be available. These revolve mostly about the level of equity 888 might have in the team. Ironically, one business model that may be favoured is that 888 and Holden split ownership of the team 51/49, which would mirror the ownership arrangement that Prodrive and Ford have with Ford Performance Racing.

We don't know," said Harrison.

"Until someone offers us a model, there is no offer, so no decision to be made."

Whatever level of involvement(or otherwise) of 888, the British firm is unlikely to be involved in engineering the cars. HRT is very much a 'going concern' and,following the success on the weekend,there appears to be little or no reason to meddle with that.

Harrison is very keen to be involved and impressed with the V8 Supercar Championship Series; "It's fantastic. It is well set up and weU run. It works here; there are a few other places that is doesn't work ..."

26 March 2003

m

Wimi^or help

; TRIPLE 8“E'ngineering was ; formed in 1995 aiiid!took : over the Vauxhall BTCC

program from Ray Mallock Limited for the 1996 season.

Former Williams Renault team manager Ian Harrison started the team in partnership with ex-Grand Prix driver Derek Warwick and British businessman Roland Dane.

The team ran John Cleland and Yvan Muller in a pair of Vectra Super Tourers, which proved to be not as competitive as the TWR Volvos and Prodrive Fords.

When the regulations changed for the 2001 season, the team developed its own Astras for Jason Plato and

Muller, above, who finished 1-2 the championship. ● When Plato left the team, replacement James Thompson won the 2002 title, with Muller second. Vauxhall won the manufacturers' title and 888 took the teams' title.

Triple 8 will field three Astras (for Thompson, Muller and Paul O'Neill) in this year's BTCC, starting at Mondello Park in Ireland on Easter Monday. It is also developing an Astra for the European Touring Car Championship.

The team is now wholly owned by Harrison, who bought out his partners at the end of the 2001 season.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

■ Andrew Miedecke is the latest addition to the Carrera Cup line-up, having purchased Tony Quinn's third Porsche 911 GTS Cup car. The 49year-old touring car veteran, who has spent the past two seasons racing V8 Stock Cars, has bought the car driven

by Quinn at the Australian Grand Prix, with Quinn himself stepping into the car that Alex Davison steered to three wins at Albert Park. Miedecke's car will be white, and will carry backing from Whiteline Transport as well as his own Mercedes dealership in Port Macquarie.

■ James Manderson is keeping his options open for 2003, with question marks over the 2002 Australian Formula 3 Champion's budget holding up his move to the European F3 Championship with Swiss Racing Team. Qne of the back up plans is a drive in the Spanish F3 championship, which is considerably cheaper and carries the additional bonus of a test in a Toyota FI car for the title winner. Watch this space!

■ The newly-formed Pacific Coast Motorsports team, which will field Alex Figge in this season's Toyota Atlantic Championship, has become the official development team of Champ Cars outfit Patrick Racing. In addition to the two squads co ordinating various activities, the deal will give Figge access to the knowledge and expertise of Patrick Racing's hugely experienced team manager Jim McGee, along with driver Qriol Servia.

■ Falken Tyres have been announced as the new title sponsor and exclusive rubber supplier for the Mitsubishi Mirage Series.

Queensland-based national distributor Transport Tyre Sales will supply at least 250 grooved-slick Falken tyres in 195/55VR15 size for dry and wet weather use. The Mirage Series runs as a support category at PRQCAR events.

5

Supercar Dirk Klynsmith

The numbers game: Larry Perkins, 53, was 11 last year. Greg Murphy, 30, is 51,just like last year. But earlier this month, he spent a day being 46.

TEGAtoacton testing anomoly TEGA is likely to act to close a loophole that allowed Kmart Racing to test at Winton without losing one of its eight allocated test days.

Greg Murphy tested his KRT Commodore the week before the Australian Grand Prix V8 Supercar support events with the number 46 on the car. He ran on tyres previously marked and used by John Faulkner Racing - the two-car franchise that now enters KRT in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

The move caused consternation among rival teams at the test but, under testing rules, KRT did not need to use one of its allocated test days for the test, at which Holden Racing Team's Mark Skaife and Todd

Mobill

Kelly also tested.

KRT did not breach any TEGA regulations in conducting the test and Ray Robins, who is responsible for overseeing the testing guidelines, said that there will be no action from TEGA over the matter; "I check the number on the car and the number on the tyres.

If they match, that's okay," said Robins.

But TEGA Chairman Kelvin O'Reilly said in Adelaide last week that the situation might not come up again.

"It's not ideal, obviously," he commented.

When asked if the rule would be amended, he said, "I think that might be described as 'pretty likely'."

\sution-i

tgfti.com

Renault looks for 90 FOR the last couple of years Renault has been struggling to make the wide-angle V10 engine competitive, the aim of which was to reduce the centre of gravity on the car.

Renault's engine guru Jean. Jacques His admitted at the start of this year that "it is a difficult thing to do as it creates a vibration and structural problems with the crankshaft and the block".

His said that Renault thought

these problems could be solved and "we therefore stuck with this basic principle." The problem is that the 2003 engine is not more powerful than was the engine in 2002."

It seems that Renault has now decided to give up with its experimentation and build a much more conventional engine for the new rules which will be introduced in 2004 with teams being allowed only one engine per car per Grand Prix weekend.

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Christchurch next for V8 race?

ALMOST a third of the V8 Supercar Championship Series may be run off-shore in the near future.

AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane said in Adelaide last week that a second New Zealand race is likely.

"For sure, it's oidy a matter of time, due to our fanbase in new Zealand," he said.

Cochrane's comments were echoed

by AVESCO's Marketing Director Shane Bond; "We are close to securing another event off-shore," said Bond.

MNews believes that a second New Zealand V8 Supercar round may happen as soon as next year. The likely site is Christchurch on NZ's south island.

degrees of Motivation "We are very underpowered," said Renault boss Flavio Briatore.

"The chassis very good but I don't expect us to be there this year, especially when you see our straightline speeds at the beginning of the season."

Sources within the team say that the current wide-angle Renault engines are as much as 140 horsepower down on the best engines, which are pumping out as much as 900 horsepower.

- JOE SAWARD

While no announcement is expected for some time, Christchurch-based home consumer products company PDL is a possible round sponsor. PDL has a long history of motor racing sponsorship and is a similar company to Clipsal, the sponsor of the Adelaide 500.

There was also speculation that there could be a second race in Cliina, but representatives of the Shanghai promoters of next season's V8 Supercar race talked down the idea.

For some time, there has been talk about holding a V8 Supercar race in Dubai and there have been recent suggestions recently that the race is well advanced in the planning stages.

While there is likely to be a high level of Australian influence in the organisation of the race, MNews believes that the leading role will be filled by the South Australian Motor Sport Board, which promotes and organises the massively successful Clipsal Adelaide 500.

We believe that representatives of the event have made several trips to the Middle East in the last year to hold discussions regarding the event.

Should the SA Board be involved, it would represent a major shift in promotion of new V8 Supercar events. IMG has traditionally filled the role and still maintains a major presence at Bathurst,Sandown and Indy.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

Ferrari: No panic

AT the start of the season, Ferrari said that they expected their rivals would catch up to their cars - and they were right.

McLaren's second win of the season at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday has left Ferrari without a win in either of the season's opening two races for the first time in four years.

But there is no panic in the Italian camp and the team will not debut its new F2003-GA earlier the scheduled race of San Marino, The F2002 will continue to be used at the Brazilian GP on April 6.

The new GA car is completely different to the current F2002, the differences detailed left by artist Paolo Filisetti. It features an 26 March 2003

all-new engine a gearbox, a longer wheelbased and narrower rear end for improved aerodynamics, "We knew our competitors had made progress and Malaysia served to confirm that," Ferrari team manager Jean Todt said after the team took second and sixth in KL. "We will continue with the development of the F2003-GA, which we know is more competitive than the current car."

Whatever the case, Ferrari will beat arch-rivals McLaren in the race to debut their 2003 cars.

McLaren's new MP4-18 is not due to race until the sixth round of the championship in Austria on May 18,

"We are looking forward to it," Dennis said. "We plan to start to run the car just before or just after the San Marino Grand Prix (on April 20). We are already going through all the processes to make sure we are on top of everything. It is a completely new car. There is not a single carryover part from this year's car.

"It's likely that Ferrari will have their new car available maybe one or two races before us," Dennis said.

"We aren't under any illusions, Ferrari is still strong and while the (MP4-17) has been competitive, we know that to stand any chance of winning consistently this year we have to get the new car out to the circuit."

NEWS

Bet on a Renault for pole? No ...

SportsTAB had Fernando Alonso's Renault at $51 to get pole position at the Malaysian Grand Prix. His unexpected grid success may have made a couple of punters quite happy on Saturday night... n Cameron McConville's Adelaide weekend started well and turned to heck on Sunday but the Lansvale Commodore driver may have another Holden to drive soon. We hear that Cam will suit up for Targa Tasmania this year, steering a Holden-backed Astra Turbo. n Speaking of whom, 'McConkey', Steven Richards and Holden's Simon Macnamara can hold their heads high after a strong peformance in the recent BRW Triathalon, The trio performed most admirably. The MNews team was a late scratching due to the fact that we were... asleep. n It's not easy being a local legend. In the aftermath of Jason Richards's practice crash, Jason Richards was the centre of much media attention and, in a TV interview with Channel 7's local affiliate, was interviewed by local reporter Emma Cox. Unfortunately, the channel named him as 'Richard Johnson'. n Russell Ingalls move to Ford during the off-season was noted by all, right? Not City Dismantiers at Gepps Cross. The Adelaide wreckers ran their ad on Adelaide on-track television service during the weekend and there was Rusty, bedecked in Castrol and Holden livery, telling us what a great mob they are. Update please, folks ... n Mick Doohan was a welcome visitor to the Clipsal 500, the five time world 500cc champion happy to take in the sights and the sounds. He even won a new fan in a promotional girl who had her photo taken with the Queenslander, after she asked him who he was. n Another sportsman seen in the paddock was Paul Rogers. The Sydney Kings centre was a guest of Oakley and made an impressive sight in the pits. And what does a 2.10m basketballer drive on the road? A Nissan GT-R 'Godzilla', of course. n That was a full-face hat you saw on the Glenn Seton bonce in Adelaide. After wearing an open-face unit for years, Seto made the move and is quite happy with the comfort and fit of the new lid. With Seton's decision, and the absence from a full time ride of Tony Longhurst, it means that the entire grid now wears full-face helmets.

I

Rally Oz Ford set 1 repnieve Works Focus earmarked for l\

JUST when all seemed lost Rally Australia may have been saved in a last minute compromise by the West Austraiian government.

WATourism Minister Ciive Brown made a frantic dash to the UK last week to meet with Max Moseiy to compiete final negotiations for the signing of a new contract.

This was despite strong protests from the WA government that it had an existing contract, which was not due to expire until 2068.

However it is beiieved that faced with the prospect of having the right to run the raily withdrawn by the FIA, the West Austraiians have apparently relented and consented to the drafting of a new contract on the FiA and CAMS terms.

It is beiieved Minister Brown’s mercy dash to London came about after a meeting scheduled with Max Mosiey at the Melbourne GP was cancelled when the FIA president did not make it to the F1 opener.

The new agreement is with iawyers at the moment and shouid be signed in time to be ratified by the World Rallies Commission on Aprii 2.

The original agreement included a number of things that the FIA could not sanction, including severai confidentiaiity clauses that prevented CAMS from discussing certain aspects of the raliy with the FIA. It also prohibited CAMS from attempting to stage the raily anywhere else in Australia under any circumstances, even if it were no ionger possible to hold it in WA. The new contract wili give the WA Government a shorter tenure on the event, which perhaps leaves the door open for another state to bid for the event in years to come. In reality it is oniy a matter of time before the raily moves to the east coast, where a larger population base and extra media interest will enhance the event and take rallying to a new ievel in this country.

- JON THOMSON

China V8 track all set ^^rtek

So we know where in Shanghai Marcos will be carrying on like this. But there are still question marks over when ...

AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane confirmed on the weekend that the Shanghai V8 Supercar race next year will be held at the city's new Grand Prix track.

- - 3^

Speaking at a media conference attended by representatives of the track and Shanghai Province, Cochrane said that the event would take place at the new $700 million dollar track, which will also host Formula One for the first time in 2004. ’ But less clear is the date of the first race in China. Climate dictates that the race cannot be held in summer or winter,leaving April/May or September/October as the months most likely for the race.

Another factor is the likelihood that AVESCO will have to fit its date around FI, Cochrane admitting that FOAboss Bernie Ecclestone would have first crack at the calendar.

"That's no secret," he said.

Construction work on the track is running to schedule, with a completion date of late-March or early-April, 2004. The track is expected to cater for up to 200,000 spectators, with grandstand seating for 70,000.

-PHIL BRANAGAN motorsport netMS

NEWS

to enter ARC!

/lichael Guest- and is Prodrive in the mix?

by JON THOMSON FORD will return to the Australian Rally Championship with a factorybacked later this year for the first time in 23 years.

A Ford Focus, built to the Group N Prototype rules that allowed Toyota to build its Corolla for Neal Bates, will appear late in the 2003 season for some on-event testing before its full debut in 2004.

The car will almost certainly be driven by Newcastle driver Michael Guest, although the former WRC driver denied any links with the program at this stage.

Sources close to Ford, however, suggest the project is well advanced and will see a car ready for testing some time late in July or early August.

Ford Australia President Geoff Polites told Motorsport News last October that the company would rally the Focus in Australia but was uncertain of who would run the car and how it would be managed.

It appears this has now been resolved and the blue oval will

become the fourth manufacturer to commit to the Australian Rally Championship when it enters the title full time in 2004.

No details are available on how Ford will configure the drivetrain of tire Focus, which is not available in 4WD or with turbo power in road going trim. However the company does have 4WD drive trains in several passenger cars, or could revert to the Group N turbo 4WD drive-train used in the now-extinct Escort Cosworth.

It is not known who will build or prepare the car, but it is believed a car is already in the workshops at Ford's Motorsport division at Broadmeadows under the guidance of Howard Marsden.

Our source believed that the program may be overseen and eventually run by Ford Performance Racing, whose owner, Prodrive, has vast rally experience and a World Rally Championship to its credit with Subaru.

Staying put %

'A l

Despite being fastest in qualifying, a minor pitlane infringement sent the Aussie to the back of the grid for the race.

On a wet track, Courtney proceeded to charge through the pack to seal the win,setting a fasest lap time some 2.0s quicker than anybody else in the field along the way.

The second race, however, was a little more frustrating. Courtney 26 March 2003

Both Formula One and the Indy Racing League went ahead with their scheduled races on the weekend, despite doubt that the races would be cancelled or postponed due to war activities in Iraq.

Max Mosley of the FIA and Tony George, President of the Indy Racing League expressed concerns over the events in Malaysia and Phoenix, but the racing went off without a hitch. n Raybestos Brand Brakes will sponsor Sarah Fisher's Dallara/Chevrolet/Firestone entry for the remainder of the IRL season.

The sponsorship assures the future of the 22-year-old for 2003. n 1999 IRL series champion Greg Ray is back as a driver and oo-owner of Access Motorsports. The team will field a Flonda Indy V8-powered Panoz G Force chassis on Firestone tyres and will debut at Twin ring Motegi in Japan on April 13. The team plans to expand to a two-car outfit but is waiting on a major backer. n Factory Mitsubishi driver Ed Ordynski will start the 2003 Australian rally Championship in a brand new Evo VII. Team-mate Spencer Lowndes will begin his '03 campaign in the car Ordynski used to finish as top Australian competitor in last years Telstra Rally Australia.

»

Courtney's Japanese F3 -rareer got off to a storming start with a victory in the opening race of the series at Suzuka last weekend.

Saddam can keep watching Speedvision

was leading comfo a three, when fiHvai drive-through penalty for crossing the white line at the pit exit. He served the penalty and rejoined in 14th.

Gradually, Courtney worked his way through the field, and was running strongly in third when he was called in for yet another penalty, this time for speeding in pitlane. He eventually finished in eighth position, but at least had the consolation of again setting the fastest lap of the race.

- MARK GLENDENNING

STEVEN Richards is staying put at Castrol Perkins Racing for some time.

Team boss Larry Perkins said on the weekend that he had reached an agreement to extend his deal with Richards, who finished second at the Adelaide 500 behind Mark Skaife.

"I am really happy about this," Perkins said. "Steven is not just great driver but a real asset to the team. He fits in perfectly and I am keen to have him drive for me for a long time."

Perkins would not give details about the length of the deal, except to say that it was for "a long time".

"I am also extremely pleased with Paul (Dumbrell)," Perkins continued. "He is having the odd problem, but for a driver of his age, he is doing a fine job."

n After MNews went to press.

Proton Team KR was due unveil for the first time in London their brand new four-stroke motorcycle that will compete In this years MotoGP World Championship. It is not confirmed whether the bike will be ready for the first round at Suzuka in less than two weeks, but the team are working around the clock to have the 990cc ready. Ulterman Jeremy McWilliams and Japan's Nobuatsu Aoki are the confirmed riders for the team. n Flow's this for a home address.

151 Mountain Straight is one of only a handful of properties located within the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst, and best of ail, it's for sale. Sources tell us that two interested parties are after this exclusive land, compromising 15 acres of fully irrigated vineyards. The asking price is around $1.5 million, so if this sounds better to you than camping on top of the mountain, call L.J. Hooker at Bondi Junction.

9

ten home of

[motorsport] 2003 V8 Supercar Championship* Apr 13 Phillip Island May 4 Eastern Creek May 25 .. .Winton June 8 Barbagallo Jun 29 ... .Hidden Valley Jul 20 OLD Raceway Aug 17 ...Oran Park Sep 14 ...Sandown I

,Rd2 ,Rd3 .Rd4 .Rd5 .Rd6 .Rd7 ,Rd8 ●Rd9

2003 Konica V8 Series* . Rd3 . Rd4 . Rd5 ,Rd6

May 4 Eastern Creek July 6 . . . .Phillip Island Aug 3 . . . .Winton Aug 30 . . .Mallala 2003 FIA Formula One Championship* Brazil

Apr 6 Apr 20 San Marino May 4 Spain May 18 . . .A1-Ring . . .Monaco Jun 1 Jun 15 Montreal

■Rd3

,Rd4 ,Rd5 ,Rd6 ,Rd7 .rd 8

2003 CART Championship* R d3 Apr 13 Long Beach R d4 May 5 Brands Hatch R d5 May 11 . . .Germany 2003 IRL Championship* R d3 Apr 13 . . . .Motegl R d4 May 25 . . .Indianapolis .R d5 .Texas Jun 7 2003 MotoGP Championship* .Rdl ■Japan Apr 6 ,Rd2 Apr 27 . . . .Africa ,Rd3 May 11 . . .Spain ,Rd4 May 25 . . .France ,Rd5 Jun 8 .Italy 2003 World Rally Championship* Apr 19 Cyprus .

May 16 . . .Argentina June 13 . . .Greece .

CAMS,PROCAR settle NC row PROCAR Australia, CAMS,and the Australian Motor Sport Commission(AMSC)have settled their differences over the Nations Cup and Carrera Cup categories.

The agreement was announced two weeks ago by PROCAR

Nethercote, CAMS Chief Executive Officer, echoed Mr Cowley's sentiments.

"CAMS are delighted that both parties have come up with a resolution that is win-win for all stakeholders," he said.

//

settlement ensures that PROCAR

It is important that CAMS and PROCAR worked together to secure the future of the categories under PROCAR's administration.

will be able to continue to develop

PROCAR provides our sport with

Nations Cup under its category management agreement with CAMS and the AMSC," Cowley said.

an important arena for CAMS National Championships, competitors, promoters, circuit operators, TV and much more and we look forward to this continuing into the future."

Deputy Executive Chairman John

Cowley.

//We are satisfied the deed of the

"The arrangements between us will ensure further stability in the administation of the Nations Cup, in line with PROCAR's internal

on Porsche Carrera Cup cars

category in future years.

"All Nations Cup category

competing in Nations Cup races, including the Bathurst 24-Hour.

The 2003 Porsche GT3 Carrera Cup

Rob Nethercote, AMSC Chairman David Tait and all the other officials at CAMS and AMSC who worked hard over recent months to help overcome our differences.

1

The deed of settlement confirms there will be no restriction in 2003

focus on providing stability for the

management issues have been cleared up and PROCAR has now ceased legal action. I sincerely thank CAMS Chief Executive Dr

FI goc

Message received: Minardi's cars carried peace

model is eligible for Group Two of the Australian Nations Cup

messages on board at KL, the first GP since the outbbreak of war in the Middle East.

Championship.

Mr Cowley said fans could expect to see a number of Cup Car entrants on Nations Cup grids, which have been thin this season,

- MARK GLENDENNING surron-inu.ircs.com

.Rd5 .Rd6 ,Rd7

2003 Australian Rally Championship ■Rdl Mar 30 . . .Forest Rally (WA) .Rd2 Jun 15 . . . .Rally Queensland ,Rd3 J ul 6 .Sydney .Rd4 Aug 10 . . .Melbourne 2003 Procar Championship .Rd 2 .Rd 3

Apr 25 Symmons Plains May 16 . . .Wakefield

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home of All event dales In this calendar were correct at the time el printing. Please consult any individual tracks andror associations lor dale changes. *

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

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THE late Barry Sheene wmbe commemorated in V8 Supercar racing's Barry Sheene medal.

The life of the two-time world champion, who passed away two weeks ago, will be celebrated in the award, which will be voted on by selected members of the motorsport

media on a 3-2-1 basis. The award will go to the V8 Supercar driver who has shown outstanding leadership, personality, fan appeal and sportsmanship.

"Barry was a true friend to V8 Supercars," said AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane, "and we cannot think of a better

#dal

person to honour with the naming of this award."

The promoters of the Adelaide 500 also named a grandstand in Sheene's honour last weekend, while several teams ran his famed number 7 on their cars as a mark of respect.

- PHIL BRANAGAN motorsport news

NEWS

IS on despite war

by JOE SAWARD

THE Grand Prix circus spent an uncomfortable weekend in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian people have always greeted the sport with the utmost courtesy but there was an undercurrent at this year's race as the Malaysians are vehemently opposed to the Allied Forces' invasion in Iraq.

There were some fears that the race might not take place because of the war but Bernie Ecclestone was busy talking to the organisers and the Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and convinced everyone that the race should go ahead as planned. The drivers agreed.

"I think that people are aware that something bad is going on," said Ferrari driver Rubens

Four-ring circus

IF you looked carefully at the V8 Supercar field at Adelaide, you would have noticed a third

manufacturer sitting in pitlane.

Audi have joined the Supercar circus as the official provider of Safety Cars and Course Cars for the 2003 season.Two Audi A6 V8 quattro saloons will fill the role for both the V8 Supercar Championship Series and Konica V8 Supercar Championship Series.

- MARK GLENDENNING

GOOD Audi

John

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Barrichello. "We all wish it wasn't happening but we have to get on with life and keep on doing the things that we love to do the most. If we can attract some people to come to the track to watch the race and take their minds off the war we are doing some good."

It was a view that FIA President Max Mosley also supported.

"Formula 1 is a genuinely international sport welcomed by a wide range of cultures across the world," Mosley said. "Our sport has nothing whatever to do with the conflict in Iraq and the FIA fully supports the local organisers of the Malaysian Grand Prix in running this event in the usual way."

But it was no usual weekend.

On Sunday morning the Minardi cars appeared with 'Malaysia for Peace' logos on the sides of the cars. The team , which had backing from the Malaysian government last year, is believed to be talking about another deal and the 'Malaysia for Peace' message is one which the government is keen to send out around the world as the war in Iraq intensifies.

Team boss Paul Stoddart was very careful not to give the wrong impression.

"The Malaysians are looking to give their message to the world," said Paul Stoddart. "It is a message from Malaysia.

Everyone has a right to their own personal opinions but this should not be mistaken as a statement of anyone at Minardi or in Formula 1 about being anti war."

HANS claims Wilson

THE controversial HANS device reared its head in Malaysia last Sunday when Justin Wilson was forced to pull out of the race in severe pain.

The Minardi driver ran as high as 10th in the opening stages of the race until something came adrift from his HANS mounting, allowing the unit to move. As a result, he suffered cramp in one arm and then the other, which got worse as the race went on.

In the end, Wilson had no choice but to retire the car, suffering 26 March 2003

paralysis in one arm. It took medical staff eight minutes to free him from the car and he was taken to a nearby hospital. There is some doubt that he will be fit enough to drive in the next round of the championship,in Brazil in two weeks time.

Ironically, Wilson's dramas come after news that his flotation on the London stock exchange is going amazingly well.

Wilson's manager Jonathan Palmer revealed in Malaysia that the Wilson flotation has already raised US$750,000 ($1.4m) and he

expects that it will be oversubscribed. Palmer is aiming to raise US$2m to pay for Wilson's Minardi drive.'The 24-year-old from Sheffield is offering shareholders twice their investment and a share of 10 percent of his income for the next 10 years.

Palmer says that he thinks that in addition to the profits which investors stand to make,they may find that the actual share certificates will one day be worth as much as the stake they represent.

-JOE SAWARD/STAFF

40,000,000 is a lot of Pugs Having competed in all fornns of toplevel motorsport including Formula One, Rally and Touring Cars, Peugeot has reached a major manufacturing milestone. The French company, the history of which dates back to the 18th century, recently announced they have produced their 40 millionth motor vehicle. n The tight confines of Bristol Motor Speedway have given concern to the NASCAR fraternity. Carbon Monoxide poisoning is a real issue for the sport, with NASCAR's governing body working overtime on systems to clean the air a driver breathes during a race. Car builders are being encouraged to restrict the bad air that flows from the engine through to the cockpit. Also, hoses that give fresh air to the driver through his helmet, similar to the systems used by V8 Supercar drivers, are likely to be compulsory. n Francois Delecour, who was released from his Mitsubish contract last month, is denying rumours linking him with Surbaru's WRC outfit. The Frenchman will not make an announcement till later in the year. n Armin Schwatz is hopeful a new engine in his Hyundai Accent WRC3 will improve the competiveness of the car. The engine, which will debut at New Zealand's round of the World Rally Championship, boosts a new turbo as well as improvements on mid-range torque. n Australia's international Formula 3 hope. Will Davison, clocked the third fastest time in official testing at Donington last Thursday.

His speed and consistent pace over the test session has confirmed Davision as a major threat for this seasons British F3 Championship.

Alan Docking Racing prepared Dallara/Mugen-Honda notched up 107 laps around the historic Donington circuit, finishing with a time just 0.3s off experience F3 contender. South African Alan van der Merwe.

Davison third fastest in Donington test. Brit Rob Austain was second quickest.

Two days earlier, Davision clocked the seventh fastest time at the Rockingham Motor Speedway. His position was even more impressive, considering he had never been to the circuit before and the 20-year-old only just stepped off his 24-hour flight returning from his Australian Grand Prix Corporation ambassador duties.

Testing continues at Croft, Snetterton and another at Rockingham. The Championship begins on April 5/6.

11

Teams split on arbitration TO date, most of the Formula 1 team bosses have refrained from making any public statements about the McLaren and Williams decision to take the FIA to arbitration over the federation's reinterpretation of the Formula ^ regulations.

But in Malaysia several took the opportunity to make their views on the subject known.

"I respect Frank and Ron's views as very sincere in the way they put this forward," said BAR'S David Richards, top right "I don't share them but they are doing it for their own valid reasons but I just feel it was unnecessary to bring it out into the public domain a week or 10 days before the start of the season when everything was looking so positive and there was such a positive momentum behind the championship at that time."

Richards's view was mirrored

by Renault Sport boss Flavio Briatore, centre.

"I think FI needs to talk about sport and not arbitration," he said.

"It doesn't bring good to us.

We have so many controversial issues that we need to talk about, and you need to make sure that the people who are watching the races are enjoying watching the races."

Jaguar Racing's John Hogan, bottom, was even more outspoken.

"At the end of the day," he said. "It is a sport and arbitration has nothing to do with sport. I respect them for what they are trying to do but it isn't smart."

- JOE SAWARD

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It wasn't the BERNIE Ecclestone, the commercial rights holder for Formula 1,told the BBC last week that he did not think that the re-interpretation of the El rules by the FIA has had any real effect on the racing, despite an exciting Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

"I don't think that Michael Schumacher knocking bits off his car, Juan Pablo Montoya spinning v,^hen he was in the lead,Kimi Raikkonen speeding in the pit lane, or the Safety Cars were to do with the rules,"

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argument about what happened in the race, it is very hard to argue that the new one lap qualifying had no effect on the grid. And there is little doubt that as a result of the grid order the action in the race did involve a certain amount of sorting out amongst the teams chasing Ferrari.

The assertion that the grid looked the same as last year was only true of

Will he go

BERNIE Ecclestone is expected to make a decision about going into business with CART in the next two weeks, according to CART'S principal shareholder Gerald Forsythe.

Forsythe owns 24 percent of the CART shares but is surrounded by a number of business associates, each of whom own shares in the company.

Forsythe has made no secret of the fact that he would like to take the company off the New York Stock Exchange and has been looking for someone to buy into the business.

Ecclestone is the obvious choice.

Forsythe approached Ecclestone with the idea last autumn, presenting

12

Ecclestone said."The grid looked like last year, with the Ferraris at the front."

While there is some truth in the

him with a 19-page document listing the benefits of a merger between the two series.

"It is coming down to the line in the next two weeks," Forsythe said at the weekend."Bernie doesn't do

things in half measures. He is concerned about the amount of his time this will take, but I told him that he has two guys over here(CART chief executive Chris Pook and chief operating officer David Clare) who he has complete confidence in to run the show.

"He says he needs to study the business but he's the guy who knows more about this business than anybody else. I remain very molorsport news

NEWS

will Fisichella move?

by JOE SMNmO

GIANCARLO Fisichella is widelyconsidered to be one of the best FI drivers but for the last couple of years his talents have been somewhat obscured by the competitiveness (or rather lack of competitiveness) of the Jordan team.

FisicheUa's deal with the

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Silverstone operation was originally for three years but he is now saying that he is free at the end of this year and so one must presume that Ae deal was renegotiated.

This is logical given that FisicheUa's retainer was fairly large and that Jordan has not been flush with cash in recent months. FisicheUa says that he feels his career has stagnated somewhat and he wants to kick-start it. To this end he has changed his management,taking on Enrico Zanarini, who was previously in charge of Eddie Irvine's career, and has said that he wants to drive for a

top team in 2004.

No sooner had these stories done the rounds than Fisichella said that they had been blown out of proportion and that he is quite happy where he is with Jordan,for the moment at least.

"Eddie (Jordan) gave me my first proper chance to race in FI and I had a fantastic season with the team in 1997," Fisichella said. "1 was delighted to come back to them last year and when I said the last two years have been difficult, that included my final year with Benetton. My point is that I want to have a competitive car - Jordan know that and they have worked really hard to deliver a good car this season.

"I'm only committed to one team and that's Jordan. They have put together a strong package with Ford this season which I'm excited about, but I think every driver on the grid has a dream to drive the best car, and I'm no exception. Even Eddie has

said he would love to see me in a

winning car! My target for 2004 is to drive a car that can win and tliat doesn't exclude Jordan Ford. Right now 1 am committed to working with the team to make sure we are doing the best we can this year, and our common aim is to make tlie car competitive enough for Jordan to win races again."

By declaring himself to be on the market early in the year, Fisichella will put several drivers under pressure. Ralf Schumacher's deal with WUliams comes to an end and the German's expensive retainer may not look as viable as it did a couple of years ago, particularly as Ralf has not always been in the team's good books.

Rubens BarricheUo's place at Ferrari is also provisional and David Coulthard's future at McLaren is not entirely clear either. Thus, Fisichella is an option that all of the top teams will look at carefully.

new rules; Bernie the first three qualifiers, as the two Ferraris and Montoya lining up 1-2-3 was not a surprise. Behind that, however, everything was shaken up, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen fourth for Sauber, Olivier Panis fifth for Toyota and Jacques ViUeneuve sixth for BAR.The fact that the two McLarens were down in 11th and 15th places cannot easUy be overlooked, given that they finished first and third in the race.

In the tight of this, Ecclestone's comments seem rather out of place.

Ecclestone rarely says anything unless there is a reason behind it and so FI

observers are now wondering what Ecclestone is trying to achieve by talking down the changes.

Coming only a few days after Ecclestone threatened the automobile manufacturers with legal action if they continue to destabilise the sport, the comments make even less sense.

And they cannot help him as he tries to sell the sport to TV broadcasters around the world.

-JOESAWARD

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speaking with him and I've spoken to him in the last two weeks as well. I reiterated that I think his involvement would be great for CART and for Formula 1, and I didn't hear anything that led me to believe that he's not very positive about the idea."

The idea would also give Benrie access to the top American teams, notably Newman Haas Racing and Forsythe Racing and to US sponsors and drivers.

The ultimate aim for Formula 1 is to have around one third of the races (sbc events)in the American time 26 March 2003

zones. With Indianapolis, Montreal and Sao Paulo already on the FI calendar the addition of Long Beach, Miami and Mexico City would achieve this goal in order to build that Grand Prbc racing in America. At the same time he could use CART for

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European venues which do not warrant a Grand Prix.

The acquisition of CART would also give Ecclestone a powerful weapon in the battle with the Grand Prix World Championship as it would provide him with a ready made series to take over the Formula 1 mantle at the end of the current Concorde Agreement.

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The Red Bull Junior Team has been officially launched for the 2003 season, with 14 drivers from four countries competing for Red Bull in nine different European racing series.

There will be two Red Bull cars in the international Formula 3000 series as usual, although this year they will be run by Enzo Coloni. The drivers will be Austria's Patrick Friesacher and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi. in the rival Telefonica World Series Austrian Norbert Seidler will be joined by American Paul Edwards.

There will also be a car in the European Formula 3000 series for American Joel Nelson. There will be a two-car team in the new Formula 3 Euroseries for Austrians Christian Klein and Bernhard Auinger, while American Scott Speed will race in Red Bull colours in the British F3 series. Austrian Mathias Lauda (son of Niki) will be backed by Red Bull for his assault in the Formula Nissan 2000 series, while Austrian Reinhard Kofier and American Grant Maiman will be the firm's representatives in Formula Renault, In Formula BMW in Germany, there will be support for German Sebastian Vettel and Austrian Christopher Wassermann while Austrian kart racer Martin Ragginger will also receive support. The company continues to support Sauber in Formula 1 and Team Cheever in the Indy Racing League. n The Bahrain Parliament has now confirmed that the funding of the project is agreed and work continues towards getting the track finished by March 2004. Bahrain's Sheik Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, the President of Bahrain's Organisation of Youth and Sport was a visitor to the Malaysian GP. There was also a delegation from the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.

Bernie Ecclestone is due to visit Shanghai this week.

for CART? optimistic about the prospects. Chris Pook was over there last week

Red Bull, White and Blue(#2)

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n The 1961 Formula 1 World Champion Phil FUH's son Derek has been racing in Europe since 1999, initially in Formula Palmer Audi in Britain but afterwards in the Italian Formula 3000 series. Hill graduated to the International Formula 3000 series in 2001 and despite only a short program of races last year was able to make a positive impression with the Durango team. Hill has now signed for the Jordan Grand Prix Junior Team, which is the name being used year by Super Nova Racing, the team which won the title last year with Sebastien Bourdais.

Hill will be partnered by Italian Enrico Toccacelo, -JOE SAWARD 13

De La Rosa in at McLaren PEDRO de la Rosa has joined McLaren.

The Spaniard was dropped at the end of last season by Jaguar Racing after four years as an FI driver(two with Arrows and two with Jaguar).

Prior to that de la Rosa was test driver for a year for Jordan and it was this experience which attracted interest in the Spaniard from McLaren, which was looking for a second test driver to work alongside Alexander Wurz.

With the new regulations and reductions in testing, experience in FI is becoming more and more important as was seen in Melbourne where all the new boys struggled to compete with the established FI drivers, Cristiano da Matta doing the

best job for Toyota before going off in the race.

De la Rosa's case was strengthened by the fact that his management is run by Julian Jakobi, a well-known figure in FI circles who is close to McLaren because of his relationships with Ayrton Senna and Alain Frost in the past.

De la Rosa may be joining McLaren at the right time. FI has traditionally struggled against motorcycle racing for media coverage in Spain but the performance of Fernando Alonso in Malaysia may lead to an upsurge in popularity in the sport. That, in turn, may help de la Rosa get back to racing in the future.

-JOE SAWARD

So this is what a decent FI car feels like: Pedro de la Rosa lost no time in his new job, starting testing for McLaren at barcelona last week.

Karl Kling 1910-2003 KARL Kling was one of Mercedes-Benz's best known drivers in the 1950s era but his career suffered when the company withdrew from the sport after the Le Mans disaster in 1955. He later became the company's competition manager during its rallying program in the early 1960s.

Kling joined Daimler-Benz as a reception clerk in the public relations department in 1936. His passion was for competition and in the late 1930s he competed in rallies and reliability trials in Mercedes machinery, most of it based on the production cars of that era.

During World War II Kling joined the Luftwaffe and worked servicing aeroplanes but he was quick

14

to get back into racing when the war ended. His first efforts were in stripped down BMW 328 chassis in 1946 although he later moved on to the Veritas, a company which was set up in 1947 by former BMW engineers Ernst Loof and Lorenz Dietrich. When Mercedes-Benz began to consider returning to the sport in the early 1950s its coimpetition manager Alfred Neubauer asked Kling to join the Mercedes 300SL sports car team.

He won the Carrera Panamericana in 1952.

Two years later the company entered Formula 1 with the new W196 and at its debut race at the French GP Kling finished runner-up to his team mate Juan Manuel Fangio. Kling then led the

German GP at the Nurburgring, before retiring.

He also led the Italian GP a few weeks later.

Kling stayed with the team in 1955 but on June 11 that year Pierre Levegh's Mercedes-Benz crashed into the back of the Austin Healey of Lance Macklin and was launched into the air. The Mercedes-Benz took off and as it disintegrated the car flew over the barriers and into a crowded spectator area. At least 83 people were killed in addition to Levegh and another 80 were seriously injured. At the end of the year the company withdrew from all competition and Neubauer retired shortly afterwards.

-JOE SAWARD mOlOrSPOri ntswa

NEWS

Pay cut for Michaei?

by JOE SAWARD

MICHAEL Schumacher may be facing a pay cut.

The five-time World Champion has been tlie sport's biggest earner for most of the last 10 years and his salary has crept up to somewhere in the region of US$40m ($70m).

This information is based on offers that rival teams have been asked to field when they have expressed an interest in employing the multiple World Champion. In addition to the hefty retainer Michael demands the right to do his own merchandising,a business which pulls in as much as his salary each year and insists on other . demands, notably that he is treated as the team's number one driver.

In recent years McLaren and Williams have both had a sniff around possible deals but Michael sees no reason to leave Ferrari where he has a team exactly as he wants it and enjoys considerable material benefits.

But Ferrari's budget is not unlimited, particularly in the light of the problems that hav e been encormtered in recent months by parent company Fiat, and while Ferrari can still (at the moment)afford to spend most of its profits on the FI program, this is likely to change as Ferrari adjusts to having shareholders in the business.

In the past Ferrari was owned by Fiat with only 10 percent of the shares

in the hands of the Ferrari Family. Last summer,as it struggled to raise cash to support the troubled Fiat Auto business, Fiat sold 34 percent of the business to the Italian bank Mediobanca. That raised US$768m, valuing tire Ferrari company at US$2.25bn.

This was much higher than most analysts believe the company was worth but this was explained by the fact that Mediobanca is a major Fiat creditor and so the extra money pumped into the business helped to protect the overall Mediobanca investment.

Ferrari has been doing very weU despite the recession but is faced with the problem that it cannot easily produce more cars each year without devaluing the Ferrari brand. This is an issue that chairman Luca di Montezemolo has long been struggling with. His solution was to try to boost Ferrari revenues but revamping the Maserati brand and by diversifying into other areas, notably merchandising,finance and insurance.

The planned network of Ferrari stores is now being developed with goods including not only the obvious racing-related merchandise but also luxury goods such as leather, perfume and fashion products, trying to exploit Ferrari's image as a winner. The danger in this is that Ferrari will lose some of its exclusivity.

There is the option of withdrawing Ferrari from FI to increase the returns

to investors but this is not likely to happen for fear that if Ferrari is not in racing it will lose its 'sexy'image.

And that leaves cost-cutting as the obvious way forward for the business. Getting Ferrari to the top of the FI tree has been an extraordinarily expensive business, but much of the investment has now been made and although the engineers continue to demand more money every year to stay ahead,it is possible that savings can be made.

We hear that Ferrari has been

looking very seriously at ways it can reduce its expenditure and this, in part, explains the company's support for Max Mosley's cost-cutting measures in recent months.

Schumacher may be worth every dollar he is paid but his salary is expensive and Ferrari is bargaining on the fact that no other team can offer Michael a better package than he has at Ferrari. McLaren may be able to offer more money but the team's philosophy is unlikely to be very attractive to Michael. Williams has less money to spend.

Thus. Ferrari appears to feel that it is safe to offer Michael a reduced retainer. He does not need the money, nor for that matter does he really need to prove that he is the best by having the biggest salary.

Michael is understood to be considering tlie situation and will inform Ferrari of a decision when he is

26 March 2003

The Canadian broadcaster TSN has abandoned its Speed Channel feed and will revert to using the British ITV commentary on Formula 1 races this year. TSN has been using British feeds (from ITV and prior to that the BBC)for almost 10 years. TSN and Speed had agreed a deal for this year in an effort to share costs. Speed has such a small audience at the moment that it cannot justify sending a commentary team to all the races and so the commentary is done from a studio in North Carolina. This caused some confusion in Melbourne as key issues in the race were not obvious from the pictures being supplied, leaving the commentary team struggling.

The US Department of Justice is suing the big tobacco companies for damages amounting to US$289bn, seeking reparation for 50 years of what it claims to have been fraudulent marketing. The legal action has been due since 1999 but it was not clear just how big the claim was going to be. The announcement of the lawsuit caused the share price of the big tobacco companies to fall sharply. The case comes in the wake of a 1998 settlement with the individual states which will cost the tobacco companies US$206bn.

Tobacco remains the biggest source of funding in FI although it is planned for the sport to become tobacco-free by 2006.

ready to move.

Loadsa Lira for staff too FERRARI last week revealed its figures for 2002 and this revealed a rather surprising drop in profits despite sales of USS1.27bn ($2 billion), up 14 percent in comparison to 2001.

This was largely due to the new range of Maserati models that are now being sold. The company's profit was only US$22.9m, compared to US$49.8m in 2001. These figures are not very impressive, given the sales, but it is no secret that Ferrari spends a fortune on its Formula 1 program, with the money being hidden away in the research and development budgets.

The biggest news in the accounts was the reason for the drop in profits: bonus payments to the company's chairman and chief executive Luca di Montezemolo and competition director Jean Todt. Montezemolo was paid a remarkable US$19.2m bonus while Todt pocketed US$3.2m.

The bonuses were in recognition of the contribution made by both men to building up the company.

Montezemolo has been in charge of Ferrari since November 1991 during which time he has built the company into one of the stars of the Fiat empire.

Todt was recruited by Montzemolo in the middle

First Jacques’s radio, now his teievision

You would smile too: L to R, Jean Todt, Michael Schumacher, Luca di Motezemol and Rubens Barrichello.

of 1993 after guiding Peugeot's Sportscar team to successive Le Mans 24 Flour wins.

The little Frenchman, nicknamed 'Napolean', has spent the last 10 years honing the Ferrari race team into the most powerful force in the sport.

- JOE SAWARD l

n The Ferrari third driver Luca Badoer did not make the trip to Malaysia in order to have some time off after his most recent crash while testing the new Ferrari F2003 GA. Badoer was not seriously hurt but doctors decided that the shunt, caused by a mechanical failure, had featured a sufficient impact to make a rest a good idea, Badoer, however, will be back in action in testing this week. Ferrari's second test driver Felipe Massa was flown to Malaysia as an understudy for Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. n The President of the FIA Max Mosley cancelled his planned trip to Malaysia, Fie had been due to meet local politicians to discuss road safety issues but the meeting was called off because of the war and Mosley decided that his presence at Sepang would be "a distraction from what really counts on the track". The FIA president says that he doer not want to stir up more debate about the FI regulations until the sport has a clearer understanding of how they work.

-JOE SAWARD 15

OINIGi the niiost biiter rivals in the motor racing marketplace, Reynard and Van Diemen will 'join forces' in CART this season.

Having acquired the rights to the Reynard Motorsport Champ Car chassis design from Walker Racing, US group Elan Motorsport Technologies has arranged for Van Diemen International to provide

development and manufacturing support for Walker and the other four teams using the Reynard 021 chassis.

The UK member of the Elan group at Snetterton, Norfolk, will fulfil this function rather than US company Panoz G Force, which builds chassis for the rival IndyCar Series.

-QUENTIN SPURRING

Brundle v Bemie

Fight to keep British GP heats up MARTIN Brundle, the Chairman of the British Racing Drivers' Club, is accusing Bernie Ecclestone of deliberately destabilising the British Grand Prix with remarks made following the news that the Interpublic group wants to terminate its involvement in the event.

Interpublic's subsidiary. Octagon Motorsports owns the rights to stage the British GP and is leasing the Silverstone circuit from the BRDC in order to do this.

Separately, Octagon, the BRDC and Ecclestone are partners in an arrangement to fund the rebuilding of the Northamptonshire track.

Heavy losses have convinced Interpublic that it is time to get out of motor racing.

Interpublic recently appointed Goldman Sachs to help to sell the rights to the British GP and other Octagon assets. Interpublic has valued Octagon at around US$110m. This is a loss of US$85m on the price paid when Interpublic bought Brands Hatch Leisure (which later became Octagon) in 1999.

16

There have been strong rumours for some months that Ecclestone will be the buyer of Octagon but that deal has not, as yet, happened. We have heard suggestions that the delays have been caused because there are fears that such a deal would be challenged by the British Government's Office of Fair Trading, which investigated the original deal between Interpublic and the BRDC. The OFT concluded the deal was not against the public interest but said that it would take a further look at the situation in 2006.

Ecclestone has told the Financial Tmes that his family trusts would consider buying Octagon's rights to the British GPand its 15 year lease of Silverstone if Octagon decides to withdraw from the deal.

Logically then he would now be looking at that option and at ways to reduce the price.

Brundle was angered by remarks from Ecclestone who said that if the British Grand Prix disappears it will be "because no one can afford Silverstone's rent."

- JOE SAWARD

by JOE SAWARD THE Le Mans disaster in 1955 sent shock waves around the motor racing world and as a result the Swiss banned all races within its borders.

This was made law in 1958 with the Road Traffic Act Article 52 of which states that circuit racing is forbidden. The law does not stop hillclimbs and slaloms as cars are not competing directly against one another.

In the 1960s there were some major hiUclimb events in Switzerland, notably die OUonVlUars and Sierra Montana-Crans courses which botli hosted an event which was known as the Swiss Mountain Grand Prix. These attracted some of the top FI names of the era. There were two Formula 1 races which were given the title Swiss Grand Prix but both took place at the Dijon-Prenois circuit in France.

In 1998 the Grand Prix of Berne was revived on what is left of the old Bremgarten circuit, the home of the Swiss GP in the 1930s and up to 1955.

This event- which is held every three years-is for historic cars and features'demonstration runs'rather than actual races.

It seems that there are now plans for legislation to be put to the Swiss Federal Council to allow motor racing competitions in Switzerland.

For this to happen there would have to be a new circuit built as the only existing facUity is a tiny racing circuit buOt at Lignieres, on a mountain plateau in the Jura, near Neufchatel.

The Centre de Pilotage Lignieres is less than a mile in length, was built in the 1960s in the hope that the government would change its attitude to racing. It went out of business in 1998.

The incentive for building a racing circuit in Switzerland could be to allow races with tobacco advertising to go on after the European Union ban in 2005. However as the FIA is stiU committed to ending all tobacco sponsorship in 2006 there is little point in this argument.

With the huge new deals which have been concluded by Formula 1 boss Bemie Ecclestone with the promoters of the Chinese and Bahrain Grand Prix,some of the European races are begiiming to feel the winds of change and are looking at how they can possibly afford to compete against organisers which are willing to pay as much as US$40m a year for the right to hold a race.

European races pay considerably less but even then the organisers struggle to break even because they have no rights to exploit trackside signage, VIP hospitality and other such activities. The result is that races without government backing are now struggling to survive.

The only way forward is to increase the number of spectators coming to races and in order to do that large sums of money need to be invested in infrastructure to enable the huge crowds to come and go without drama. Much depends of the location of the circuits but tracks like Silverstone, Hockenheim and Magny-Cours have had to look at access roads. The model that most of the European events have been studying are race tracks in America which have been incredibly successful.

In recent days the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee has unveiled a US$30m expansion which pushes the crowd capacity of the half-mile oval to 160,000 seats. The track hosts two rounds of the NASCAR Winston motorsport news

NEWS

Itie End of Hie Road?

Lawsuit threatens great circuit

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fi Well, there was a Swiss CP: Frank Williams welcomes home Keke Rosberg, winner of the 1982 Swiss CP. The race was held at Dijon-Prenois in France.

Cup each year and these are consistently sold out months in advance. Bristol is now the circuit with the third biggest crowd capacity in the United States, after Indianapolis Motor Speedway's 250,000 and Lowe's Motor Speedway at Charlotte which has 167,000 seats. In order to push up revenues the new Bristol grandstands feature 52 VIP suites and 22 merchandising stands.

Six years ago, when Bristol was acquired by Speedway Motorsports Inc. for US$26m the facility had only 71,000 seats, ■fhe problem that exists in some countries is that the construction of new grandstands means that the taxable value of the facility increases and so construction does not make sense. In Britain the

CART appears to have lost one of its most revered circuits following the announcement that Road America has been stripped of its round of the Champ Car series.

The announcement came after CART and the race's promoter failed to resolve a protracted disagreement over sanctioning fees. Last month, CART Inc filed a law suit against Road America, claiming that the circuit had failed to pay its sanctioning fee for last year's event, as well as the first payment for this year's race, which was scheduled for August 3.

Champ Car states that the race organisers rejected a reduced and revised financial arrangement that was offered by CART management as a settlement to the lawsuit.

In a statement. Road America rejected CART's claims that it had not lived up to it financial obligations, and left the door open for a resolution of the problem in time for the race to be reinstated.

"Road America has a contract with CART and we have been preparing to host the fifth race under that contract in August," said the statement.

"In fact. Road America has been attempting to negotiate a renewed contract with CART for 2004 and beyond. Road America has been acting in good faith in

its dealings with CART and we have met all of our financial obligations under our agreement with CART. "Road America has been proceeding with preparation for the 2003 race and CART's sudden decision to ignore its contractual obligations causes inconvenience to not only Road America, but to all race fans as well. We have been assured by our legal counsel that the true facts of our discussions and understanding with CART will eventually be made known through the litigation process but we felt an obligation to our business associates and fans to assure them of Road America's continuing commitment to quality racing.

"While the track management and board members remain staunch CART supporters and have every hope for an amicable resolution of this unfortunate turn of events, the issue in our disagreement with CART is the value of the series to race fans and sponsors."

Road America's picturesque 6.5 kilometre layout has been a regular fixture on the Champ Car calendar since 1982, and is a firm favourite amongst drivers and fans alike. There is no word as . yet as to whether an alternative event would replace Road America on the 2003 schedule.

- PHIL MORRIS

BRDC has tried lobbying to get government funding for Silverstone but has not got very far.

Appealing for tax breaks for grandstands might be a way forward now that Silverstone has better access roads although there are stUl worries about the Silverstone facility because of OctagonMotorsports's announced intention to get out of motor racing.

The BRDC, which owns Silverstone, says that it has "absolute undertakings" of Octagon's intention to honour the agreement and added that it has received no formal notification that Octagon intends to seU their commercial rights to the British Grand Prix.

26 March 2003

5ay it ain't so: We may have seen Champ Cars race on the awesome sweeps of Road America for the final time. Dammit.

FI to CART via Lansvale Smash Repairs Racing Malaysian racing star Alex Yoong is hoping that an outing last weekend in CART in Mexico will put him back into the spotlight in Malaysia and help him to find the money he needs to pay for a full season in Champ Cars. Yoong went straight into CART without ever having tested a car but Dale Coyne Racing hoped that the outing will open doors for Yoong so he can raise the money needed to pay for the rest of the season. n The Malaysian oil giant Petronas has opened its new Motorsports Technical Centre within the Petronas Research and Scientific Centre near Kuala Lumpur. The new technical facility will serve as the technology arm of Sauber Petronas Engineering AG and will act as "the technological nerve centre for automotive engineering in the country". The new research facility will work towards building up motor sports in Malaysia. n One of the most famous names from motor racing in the 1960s and 1970s, Matra, is quitting the automobile business after 40 years.

Matra entered FI in 1968 with a Cosworth-engined chassis being run

by Ken Tyrrell's Matra International and Matra-engined chassis being run by the factory. In 1969 Jackie Stewart took his Tyrrell MatraCosworth to the World Championship. The Matra team shut down at the end of 1972 but by then the firm was concentrated on the Le Mans 24 Hours, which it won in 1972, 1973 and 1974.

■ The president of Italy Carlo Azeglio Ciampi visited the Ferrari headquarters at Maranello for a tour of the company's FI team and the new Maserati factory nearby. Ciampi spoke of the importance of Ferrari to Italy as a symbol for the country around the world and a force for unity within Italy itself. Ciampi was driven around the Ferrari test track in a Ferrari 575M Maranello, driven by the company boss Luca di Montezemolo and then had a lap driving with Montezemolo as his passenger.

■ The president of the TOMSFED, the motorsport ASN in Turkey, says that his team is "95 percent" of the way through talks with Formula 1 impresario Bernie Ecclestone over the first Turkish Grand Prix in 2005.

Mumtaz Tahinciogiu confirmed that work will begin on a new, Tilkedesigned, $60 million circuit near Istanbul in May. He said: "We have the land fixed, the project designed and the proposals drafted."

-SAWARD/SPURRING 17

Renault F3s for Oz THE Australian Formula 3 Championship is gearing up for an injection of French power as two separate teams prepare to enter new cars with Renault engines.

Aircon Racing has acquired the Renault Sodemo-powered exTeam Signature Dallara F301 that Jenny Cochet drove to victory in the 2001 French F3 Championship and Korean Grand Prix.

While not much of it has been - seen in Australia, the Renault F3 engine has an enviable reputation in overseas championships. The powerplant is based on the popular Clio Sport 2L motor.

While Sodemo are somewhat shy about releasing specific figures, the engine is believed to produce around 220hp at 6700rpm, and a complete version weighs in under 80kg.

Team owner Glenn Coombs claimed that "the whole project will be unlike anything else Formula 3 has seen."

Coombs would not be drawn on who will drive the car, saying only that negotiations were at "a very advanced stage", but

V7’fe. Tres, tres vite: Keikki Kovalainen used Renault power to good effect in last year's British F3 championship. paddock talk suggested that a recent series champion was a contender for the seat ...

Meanwhile, Sam Astuti's longawaited Renault-powered car is finally preparing to make its debut. The team hopes to have the Dallara, which will be driven

by David Borg, on the track within the next couple of rounds.

- MARK GLENDENNING

What we really mnt to see is a Safety Car race!

MERCEDES-BENZ,the official supplier of the Formula 1 Safety Car since 1997, has unveiled its new CLK 55 coupe for duty in 2003.

Although it is outwardly similar to the road car version, the company's race preparation subsidiary, AMG, has incorporated many advanced design features into the latest model to make it suitable for high-speed track use, such as a 365bhp, 5.5-litre V8 engine, on-board cameras and radio systems.

German sports and touring car racer Bernd Maylander is the Safety Car driver.

- QUENTIN SPURRING

The Hills is Alive FORMER Super Touring racer Peter Hills has bought the Cirtek Porsche GT3 RS, above, that led last year's inaugural Bathurst 24 Hour.

Cirtek will continue to handle the preparation of the car, which last ran in the Nations Cup support races at the Australian Grand Prix this year with Mark Mayall at the wheel.

Hills is expected to run a limited Nations Cup program this year before becoming part of an anticipated two-car Cirtek assault on the Bathurst 24 Hour race later this year. The final line-ups are yet to be finalised, however the team has confirmed that one

car will boast an international line-up, probably drawing upon its FIA GT lineup (of which Mayall is a member), and that the other will have a more local flavour. It is believed that David Brabham may possibly make a return this year, and that he may be joined by another well-known Porsche pilot. Watch this space.

Meanwhile Martin Short, who would surely have won the 'People's Award' at the Bathurst 24 Hour last year (had there been one)for his efforts in the Mosler has been confirmed as the leader of the factory Morgan Aero 8 team at Le Mans.

- MARK GLENDENNING motorsport news

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And Mexico makes two

by PHIL MORRIS PAUL Tracy won the Monterrey Grand Prix last weekend, becoming the first man since Rick Mears back in 1982 to win the opening two races of the season.

The Canadian grabbed the lead on lap 17 in the Players Lola-Cosworth, and held it for the remainder of the 85-lap event.

It was Tracy's 21st Champ Car win, but the race wasn't without its dramas.

"I got something going in with my stomach," Tracy said after his win.

"I don't know if it was the drink bottle in the car, the only thing I can think is maybe it didn't get cleaned properly from the last race."

Whatever is inside this drink bottle though,should not be touched!

Despite the stomach drama,a couple of caution periods and a brief off-track excursion, Tracey held on to assume an 11-point lead in the championship.

"I have to thank Team Player's," said Tracy."We came here and right off the trailer, the car was fast."

Local boy Michel Jourdain took second place ahead of Alex Tagliani.

"Paul was faster than I was for most of the day and I could never really make any gains," Jourdain said.

In the opening laps of the event, polesitter Sebastian Bourdais led Tracy, with the pair never more than 1.0s away from each other. But in a mirror image of round one, Bourdais' Newman/Hass team let him down.

A miscommunication in the pits cost the French driver a shot at victory when Bordais failed to put along with the majority of the field during a lap 14 caution period.

He made his stop during another caution period three laps later, but it cost him 14 positions.

Furious, the former F3000 star went on a blitz, setting the fastest lap of the race and climbing as high as sixth in an effort to get back into the race before he dipped the wall and damaged his suspension on lap 40.

Crowd favorite Jourdain held down second spot but could not offer a challenge to the championship leader.

Adrian Fernandez crossed the line in fourth, ahead of a fast finishing Bruno Junqueira.

Formula One refugee Alex Yoong earned a ninth-placing at the Mexican circuit in his first-ever Champ Car event.

The Malaysian had no prior testing before the race and despite a slow qualifying time, scored four points on his CART debut.

mdiiiora

Special privileges: If you win or are a local, you get to wear your shades on the podium. Tag, maybe next time ...

Points: Tracy 43,Jourdain Jr 32,Junqueira 24, Moreno 18,Tagliani 14, Fernandez 12, Haberfeld 12, Carpentier 8, Manning 6, Monteiro 6, Camathias 6, Lemarie 6

Two out of two ain't bad: Not even an iffy stomach could stop Tracy's dream start to the season

Private Sandai/vn Friday April 4 Entry Fee $140 inc gst 10am to 5pm Ph David Floyd on 03 9503 1392 or fax 03 9509 1029 20

motorsport news

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KUEIN

wn^imem mis ml^mm wtib a pQla^^agmiim ; TONY Kanaan eonverted his : superb pole position;into a ' race win in the Purex Dial Indy 200 at Phoenix international : Raceway last Sunday.

The Brazilian hSld; o.ff ' Gountryman Helio Castronewes ;by a-mere 0.9328s iroaifaee ‘ dogged'by Safety Car periods.

Kanaao’s ^^llewem : Dallara/Honda just scraped' home : to score the win though, meaning , that both the first two> races of the . series have been decided by less than l.©$.

This was Kanaan’s first victory ; in the ilndy iRaeing League, and

26 March 2003

he gave much praise to his team.

“The whole team is working together, since day one they’ve been great to me," said a thrilled Kanaan "I am extremelly happy for the team, they did a great job. I’m: going to keep giving 102 percent all the time to put them at the top levei.”

Felipe Giaftone finished third in his Toyota-powered Mo Nunn Racing machine, foiiowed by twotime indy 500 winner At Wnser Jr. The final caution period of the race was caused by a frightening aGCident between 'Kanaan’s team

boss'Michael^dretti.andH©ili de two nearly touched as theibattle Ferrari. 'continued around'turnsph© and' The pair were battlihgi when de n two, but Kanaan pulled a ieaci; Ferran tried an inside iiiove oh; .that -he would not reliriquish for Andretti at turn one..Both cars . the remainder of the race. .Homestead winner ScottHikon), crashed into the unforgivingL.who entered the face asseries ■Rhoenk wall, with-de Ferran immediately-admitted to the local; ’● leader, pulled into the pits after 43 lapsj/tfUiiggarbox drarnas. hospital after suftering ’ The Kiwi currently sits third id' Goneussipn and a minor fracture the Ghampiohship' Chase. to bis lower baCk. .

Kanaah’s victory wasn’t a gift -iPoInts: Kanaan.'84; jClgtrofTevns 75j. though, Gastroneves giving the ipixontSQVde: Brazilian plenty of grief.'On lap ferran 58idi3ffpne‘5r7, Sharp 56, 160 after one of 10 restarts, Helio brack 49, lUnseri.49, Andretti 45, jfranchittiAg. pulled along side Kanaan, racing him down the main straight!'The

21

I Honda sweeps Daytona 200

HONDA has scored a sweep of the Daytona 200 Superbike race.

Miguel DuHamel, below, edged out team-mates Ben Bostrom and Kurtis Roberts to win the Florida classic, the three Honda VT1 OOORs covered by a bike length after a great scrap.

"It looked like I was getting Ben, but I was fearing for Kurtis to come around and get our double draft," Duhamel said.

"When I finally crossed the line and won, 'I was like holy cow, I just won again.'"

It was the 34-year-old Canadian's fourth win in the event, one shy of the record held by Scott Russell. It was the first podium sweep of the race in almost 20 years, Honda also doing the trick in 1985 when Freddie Spencer, Wes Cooley

and Jeff Haney landed on the podium.

The race was delayed two days due to wet weather on the combined oval-road course. The race was a tough one for the Aussies. Former winner Mat Mladin finished sixth, two spots down on Suzuki team-mate Aaron Yates, while Anthony Gobert blew his Ducati's engine on lap 25.

Roberts won the Supersport race for GOOcc machines, Jamie Hacking's Yamaha preventing another all-Honda podium.

Damon Buckmaster was sixth, just ahead of Jamie Stauffer and Aaron Gobert.

Tommy Hayden, brother of MotoGP racer Nicky, won the Superstock race on his Kawasaki, edging out Lee Acree by 0.009s.

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but only^eka big scare

Once around the clock please, Frank: Biela leads the field away, above, and was at the front again when the race ended 12 hours later.

British Pride: The Bentley Speed 8s took third and fourth, below.

THE second major Sportscar race of the season, the Sebring 12 Hours, provided Team Joest Audi with its fourth straight win - but only after a battle of Olympic proportions.

Frank Biela, Marco Werner and Philipp Peter took their Audi R8 to a 13s win from the similar ADT Champion Racing entry driven by Emanuele Pirro, Stefan Johansson and JJ Lehto. But it was the three former GP drivers who looked like they were going to win the race.

With 30 minutes of the race

FIA GT entries Deeming

THE official entry list for the 2003 FIA GT Championship,issued last week, has met expectations with 36 cars, evenly split between the headline division and the N-GT class.

Six Ferrari 550 Maranellos, five Chrysler Vipers, three Lister Storms, three Saleen S7s and a solo Porsche 911 GT2 will be racing for overall victories. The GT division Ferraris will be operated by BMS Scuderia Italia (two cars), JMB Racing (two), CARE Racing and Wieth Racing. Vipers have_ been ente Racing Fe s (two), Lari Competiti( Roos

Optima Racing Team and Zwaan's Racing.

Two works Storms will be run by Lister Racing, and a third car by Creation AutoSportif. Graham Nash Motorsport will have two Saleens, and Konrad Motorsport one, while the Porsche will be run by Proton Competition.

-QUENTIN SPURRING

remaining, Pirro, right, was sitting on a 16s lead, which he was holding comfortably but the Italian was suddenly stricken with cramps in the legs, forcing him to pit and hand over the car to Johansson. The Swede erased the lost time but the clock beat them to the win.

"It would seem I did not have enough time between my stints to recuperate sufficiently," admitted a disappointed Pirro after the race, "and that I possibly didn't take in sufficient drink and food."

The Bentley Boys finished third and fourth, despite being forced to start from the back after a technical

infringement in qualifying. The Johnny Herbert/David Brabham/Mark Blundell Speed 8 pipped the similar car of Tom Kristensen/Rinaldo Capello/Guy Smith by a lap, four laps behind the lead Audis.

In the LMP675 class, Dyson Racing's Lola EX257-MG emerged from a race of attrition, with Didier de Radigues, Chris Dyson and Chad Block aboard the British car while the factory Corvette won the GTS category for the second straight year, Ron Fellows,Johnny O'Connell and Franck Freon besting Prodrive's Ferrari 550 Maranello by 16 laps (see right).

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motorsport news

AIMS Hasta la Vista to Mexico^ DC

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THE American Le Mans Series has cancelled its high-profile 2003 fixtures in Mexico City in April and Washington in June.

ALMS President Scott Atherton said that the decisions had come from the promoters, but declined to elaborate.

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The Grupo AutomovUistico Nacional y Deportivo has been responsible for the Mexico City event, which would have been held

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2003 Sebring 12 Hours Results

Pas Drivers 1 Frank Biela, Marco Werner, Philipp Peter 2 Emanuele Pirro, JJ Lehto, Stefan Johansson 3 Johnny Herbert, David Brabham, Mark Blundell 4 Tom Kristensen, Dindo Capello, Guy Smith 5 Olivier Beretta, Gunnar Jeannette, Max Papis 6 Mika Salo, Jonny Kane, Perry McCarthy

Car Joest Audi R8 Champion Audi R8 Bentley Speed 8 Bentley Speed 8 JML Panoz LMPOl-EPP Audi Sport UK Audi R8

Laps 367 laps + 13,493sec 363 laps 362 laps 352 laps 351 laps

redeveloped before last year's CART race by Champ Car team owner Gerry Forsythe in conjunction with the Mexican operating company, with a new section running through a 27,000-seat baseball stadium.

The promoter of the race in Washington, DC, on a temporary street circuit around the RFK Stadium, has been National Grand Prix Holdings. Last month Panoz Motor Sports Group (which includes the ALMS) joined with NGPH to promote tire Cadillac-sponsored event but, according to the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission, NGPH has failed to meet commitments to reduce noise levels before the 2003 race.

Atherton added that the ALMS was working towards helping both events to return to the calendar in the future, and was investigating replacements for this season.

- QUENTIN SPURRING

plans V12 Supercar Panoz Le Mans

PRODRIVE'S Ferrari 550 Maranellos have again thrown down the gauntlet to Chevrolet's factory-backed Covette GTS cars.

Briton Darren Turner made a strong start with lead car, above, swapping the lead with the winning Vette during the opening hour of the race.

Eventually, the Ferrari's brake pedal went long, forcing co driver Anthony Davidson to make a pit stop for a new disc and a brake bleed. Despite losing four laps in the process, the car finished second in class.

The team's other car, driven

by Tomas Enge, Peter Kox and Jamie Davies, took on the Corvette and gained the lead, 26 March 2003

only to be slowed by fuel injection problems. After battling on, the car retired with a failed clutch.

The performance of the cars give strength to the hopes that the GTS category in the ALMS will not be the yellow one-horse race it has been since the departure of the works Dodge Vipers at the end of 2001.

It also suggests who may be in the frame for an endurance drive with the Prodrive-run Ford Performance Racing team at Sandown and Bathurst. Turner wa in particular, impressive and the former McLaren test driver has been keen to get into a V8 Supercar for some time now ...

Esperante

THE new Panoz Esperante GT-LM racecar, which was displayed during the Sebring 12 Hours meeting, will make its American Le Mans Series debut after the Le Mans 24 Hours in ' June.

The car, developed by Panoz group company Elan Motorsports Technologies, is based on the roadgoing Panoz Esperante and is powered by a 5-litre Ford V8 built by Robert Yates.

Pirelli has joined the project as a technical development partner which is American for supplying tyres ...

- QUENTIN SPURRING

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Mick drops in for a chat

MICK Doohan held a rare media conference in Adelaide to talk about the upcoming MotoGP season.

The five-time world champion was very frank in his comments about the riders and machines that will feature in the 2003 championship.

On Ducati's testing speed: "We knew that they would be quick. We know that the Honda will be quick and the bike's reliable. (Loris) Capirossi does a great lap but we (Honda) have a rider who finishes the races."

On the development of the four-strokes: "I thought it would be like this. The next three to five years is when it is going to bloom."

On Nicky Hayden: "He's a young kid from a small town with about three and a half people! But he's good."

On Troy Bayiiss: "He's got good form. He's an older guy but his career started late so age is not a factor."

On rumours of a Honda V6: "There was talk of a V6 engine before the V6 was thought of. We still have so many tricks up our sleeve with this engine."

On Suzuki's John Hopkins: "He's good. He's young and he did a good job in his first year. I don't think (team-mate) Kenny Roberts has had his hands out of his pockets."

On travelling at almost 330kmh: "When you are sitting on a motorcycle at 280, 320 ... you don't notice the difference. It's only when you are on the grass!"

23

Loris bags the Beemer

What do you get for topping200mph? IT’S A NEW CAR!!!

LORIS Capirossi has topped the sheets at the official IRTA MotoGP tests at Catalunya.

The Ducati Marlboro Team rider not only took almost 2s off Max Biaggi's official lap record but set the fastest-ever trap speed at tire track, running a staggering 328.2kmh on the main straight- almost 204mph.

For his efforts, Capirossi won a new 3-Series BMW road car, put up ■for the rider who set the fastest lap during the two-day test. The Italian promptly donated the Beemer to his mechanics, who will auction it and split the Ura among themselves ...

"I'm so happy, I really wanted that, so I rode 110 percent!" smiled Capirossi, who suffered a minor fall when an oil line split and leaked oil onto the rear tyre.

"My fastest lap was hot -1 went mto a few comers a bit too fast but the bike stiU turned, no problem."

Second fastest was Alex Barros, continuing his red-hot form on the Fortuna Yamaha, despite the fact that the Ml was a whopping 14kmh down on the top speed of the Italian V4. The Brazilian just edged out defending MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi, who led a herd of Hondas; arch-rival Max Biaggi, Torhu Ukawa, Daijiro Kato and local hero Sete Gibernau.

"Today has really been for nothing!" said Rossi "For only one hour was it possible to push but during that time the bike felt good and I was happy. It feels like last season except stronger. Sure, this time last year we were ahead of the competition and now it is very even.

It will be a good close fight for the race wins."

While Capirossi led the times, team-mate Troy Bayliss was well down in 10th, despite his Ducati tripping the beams at 322.8kmh, the second-fastest speed. The former world superbike champion described the Barcelona track as the bumpiest he had ever tested on, despite 80 laps of running in a private Ducati test.

John Hopkins led the Suzukis, the American sophmore 12th, just ahead of countryman and GP rookie Nicky Hayden (Honda). Garry McCoy was the fastest of the Kawasakis ahead of test rider Alex Hofmann and Andrew Pitt, all three green meanies in the 306kmh range on the straight.

The Proton team was forced to run its two-strokes, as the team's new V5 four-stroke engines are running late.

Jeremy McWUliams emphasised the comer speed of the V3 bike; he set the 15th-best time of the session, just over

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Pos Rider 1 Loris Capirossi 2 Alex Barros 3 Valentino Rossi 4 Max Biaggi 5 Tohru Ukawa 6 Daijiro Kato 7 Sete Gibernau Marco Melandri Carlos Checa 9 10 Troy Bayliss 11 Shinya Nakano 12 Olivier Jacque 13 John Hopkins 14 Nicky Hayden 15 Jeremy McWilliams 16 NorickAbe 17 Garry McCoy 18 NobuatsuAoki 19 Alex Hofmann 20 Kenny Roberts 21 Andrew Pitt 22 Akira Yanagawa 23 MakotoTamada 24 Chris Burns 25 Noriyuki Haga DNS Colin Edwards DNS Shinichi Itoh

T Testing ^ Nat Italy Brazil Italy Italy Japan Japan Spain Italy Spain Australia Japan France USA USA UK Japan Australia Japan Germany USA Australia Japan Japan UK Japan !

USA Japan

Bike Ducati Yamaha Honda Honda Honda Honda Honda Yamaha Yamaha Ducati Yamaha Yamaha Suzuki Honda Proton Yamaha Kawasaki Proton Kawasaki Suzuki Kawasaki Kawasaki Honda Harris WCM Aprilia Aprilia Honda

Fast Lap 1:43.634 1:44.154 1:44.324 1:44.326 1:44.487 1:44.496 1:44.655 1:44.922 1:44,992 1:45.076 1:45.108 1:45.263 1:45.624 1:45.626 1:45.709 1:45.887 1:45.961 1:46,034 1:46.125 1:46.552 1:46.586 1:47.498 1:47.529 1:47.928 1:48,023 crash crash

Top speed 328,2 kmh 314.9 kmh 320.9 kmh 316.5 kmh 320.5 kmh 320.7 kmh 314.7 kmh 314.7 kmh 316,2 kmh 322.8 kmh 319.8 kmh 314.1 kmh 314.9 kmh 317.6 kmh 289.4 kmh 315.2 kmh 306.1 kmh 288.2 kmh 306.0 kmh 310.6 kmh 309.0 kmh 306.6 kmh 312.2 kmh 295.5 kmh 308.6 kmh

IRTATest Barcelona

Duck Season? Capirossi, above, has shown that the new Ducati is fast enough to challenge the Hondas but Bayliss, inset, struggled at Barcelona.

2s down on Capirossi despite being almost 40kmh slower than Capirossi on the straight. If Kenny ever finds some horsepower...

The WCM team brought up the tail of the field, Chris Bums and guest rider Neil Mackenzie taking it gently around the Spanish track on their Harris-framed Yamaha 'road bike' hybrids.

Rossi wore a special helmet during the test. It had a rainbow paint scheme wrapped around the back of the helmet and a large 7 on the side.

"Today I wear a helmet with special paint. The '7' is for Barry because I love Barry as a person and a rider and the rainbow colour with peace written on the back is because we don't want war! Simple as that!"

WCM parks roadie for Suzuka Aussie brokers one-off deal for Moriwaki to enter Honda V5 THE WCM team will not run its own Yamaha 'hybrid' MotoGP bike at the season-opener at Suzuka on April 6.

WCM boss Peter Clifford and Mamaru Moriwaki have agreed that the team will run Moriwaki's Honda V5-powered MD211VF prototype, ridden by All-Japan regular Tamaki Serizawa. Moriwaki may also run his bike at other rounds this season prior to a full assault on the series in 2004.

The deal was arranged by former racer Ross Hannan, now the principal of Sydney-based Complete Promotions. Hannan guided New Zealand's Graeme Crosby to the international stage in the 1970s, including his 1979 British debut on a Moriwaki-Kawasaki.

Two years later, Hannan was one of the people who recommended Wayne Gardner to Moriwaki.

Gardner competed in the British Championship for the team before moving into GP racing. motorsport news

OPINION

Time to get cooking!

Motor Mouth With Will Davison ELL, the weather's a bit cold back here in England, but it's great to finally get my teeth stuck into plenty of testing for the British F3 series.

After a quick four-day trip to the Grand Prix at Albert Park, I jumped straight off the plane and into the car for a day at Rockingham before another day at Donington and then one at Croft last week.

In the end wash-up, we were third quickest at Donington and second fastest in the afternoon

at Croft last Tuesday. To be up the front at this stage of the year is really encouraging.

Actually, I'm a bit ahead of where I though I'd be at this stage of the year. To be honest, I didn't expect to be consistently in the top three, but these are test days, so let's not get carried away! But the boys at Alan Docking Racing and I are sticking to our own program. It's easy to get carried away with quick times (as certain other teams do!), though we're concentrating on other areas.

There's been tests where we've gone out in the morning on older tyres and been on top of the times before the opposition have put on a new set and I haven't and they've gone quicker. When you're on

the track at the same time, then you know who's who.

We still haven't got the latest aero kit - which we should get this week - but we're in a good position. I've changed my views of where 1 want to be at the end of the year. I want to be challenging for podiums from the first race.

Being the GP great.back We at knew we was had to maximise the opportunity to see a lot of people, which made for a very hectic four days. But the meetings with potential investors and all of the great publicity in the media made it well worthwhile. I've never been so busy in my life I Interviews with radio stations, newspaper interviews, commentary on GP TV, an

Tm pleased to report that my new place here in Buckinghamshire is really modern and I'm becoming quite the chef"

interview for RPM (keep an eye on the show in the upcoming weeks for it!) were just some of the things we slotted in. I had Rob Heginbotham, one of my management team, with me here in Oz and all I can say is that next time I'm getting my own golf cart to drive around ini

R

emember that story with myself and James Courtney in MNews last year that mentioned my cooking skills?

Well, I'm pleased to report that my new place here in Buckinghamshire is really modern and I'm becoming quite the chef. No more pre-cooked chicken dinnersi Settling back into life in the U.K. takes a little bit of time, but with a bigscreen TV and satellite viewing, it's a hell of a lot easier!

I'm hanging out for round one at Donington on April 5/6 and I'm sure there'll be loads to tell you about once it's been run.

It's a big year for me and the support from back home is awesome. Keep it coming!

5Utton-images.com

26 March 2003

25

Wap and

(and BAR) w

HEN Michael Schumacher's Ferrari flashed across the line at the end of the final qualifying session in Malaysia,there was an explosion of joy in the Renault pit. It was nice to see because there has been little Joy in the world in recent days.

Fernando Alonso was on pole position for the race and Jarno Trulli was second on the grid. It has been a long time since the former Benetton team had been truly competitive. The team's last win came in 1997 when Gerhard Berger, furious at having been pushed out of the team, came back from missing three races because of a sinus problem and won the German Grand Prix. That was personal.

The last time that the team was truly competitive was in 1995, before the departure of Michael Schumacher to Ferrari.

This year it did not seem likely that Renault would make much of an impact. The wide-angle VI0 engine was rumoured to be something like 140 horsepower down on the best of the other Formula 1 engines. This is a huge gap in modern Formula 1 but ask a few reliable sources and they all say the same thing.

"So you are a hundred horsepower down?" I asked one Renault man in Malaysia, fishing for information, "What?!" came the reply. "We must have found a lot since the last race ..."

And he was not joking.

“The big question that emerged from the Australian Grand Prix was whether or not the Renaults 26

were fast or whether the speed in qualifying was because the team was running light fuel loads.

I went in search of the answer and discovered that the Renault engineers believe, very strongly, that they have the best chassis in Formula 1.

"If we had a Ford Cosworth in the back of this car," one said, "I think we could actually win some races this year."

And then he thought about it a bit.

"Actually, I think we could win some races anyway if we are clever with the strategy.

Florsepower is not the only thing that matters. If you have a good mechanical package and good aerodynamics, the cars can corner faster and so come out of the turns, carrying more speed and as a result can reach the end of a straight travelling at the same speed as the cars with more horsepower."

But such brilliant technical achievements can still only be successful if a team is able to exploit a good strategy.

Nowadays, these will involve one driver perhaps sacrificing his race to let the other driver in the team win the race. Team orders are, of course, banned if they affect the outcome of a race. Teams playing such tricks have to be a little careful but, essentially, all is fair in love and war - and motor racing.

Conflict on the track: Jos Verstappen gets on with it, above, while the fans make their feeling known, below. Manfred von Brauchitscb, in helmet right, was told what was important by Mercedes boss Alfred Neubauer.

W:

ar was a subject on everyone's lips in Kuala Lumpur.

The night before the war broke out, 1 was flying along the IranIraq border, wondering what was going on 10,000m below me.

Being on Malaysian Airlines was motorsport news

The Box Seat with Joe Saward Gnwsaarts?;

*MAN fumoM

® ;^uFERruno

"TIk paddock was a vrorfd ii wMch the war iH not see^ be real. VUe were too busy writing about racing cars to worry too nuch about B52s and Tomahawk cruise missiles''

reassuring as Malaysia is a Muslim country and therefore not a target for those who seek to attack American and British interests.

We had been on the ground in Kuala Lumpur for only a few hours when the war began. The government in Malaysia carefully warned its citizens not to take 26 March 2003

any violent action against visiting foreigners. That same day, some of the top drivers were asked what they thought about the war.

They were very sensible and it was clear that the Malaysian GP weekend was going to be one during which discretion would be important.

On Friday, I was approached in

the paddock by a German, asking me to sign a petition to stop the Malaysian military planes doing their air displays above the track.

It was, he said, not appropriate in the circumstances.

It has to be said that I find a lot of the air displays that take place at Grands Prix rather alarming.

Being buzzed by modern fighter aircraft is not my idea of fun. And perhaps, given what is happening in the world, such displays are not such a good idea. But I thought about it and explained to the German that we were guests in a Muslim nation at a time of war and that in the circumstances it was best not to make a fuss about anything and do our job and then go home.

The paddock was a world in which the war did not seem to be real. We were too busy writing about racing cars to worry too much about B52s and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Each night I went back to my hotel and turned on the TV to see what had happened in The Real World.

There is an argument as to whether motor racing journalists should discuss the real world or whether we should concentrate blindly on tyre choices and gear ratios. And join in the triviality of the BAR fight between Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button.

In the overall scheme of things, do we really care that in Melbourne Jacques had too much wax in his ear and could not hear his radio? Or that there was a screw-up between the engineers that meant that Jacques and Jenson came in at the same time?

And whether Jacques knowingly sabotaged Jenson’s race? Does it matter that the whole thing is being perpetuated because it helps to sell cigarettes?

Or is this something that is good because it is amusement at a difficult time?

W

here does one draw the line? I do not claim to know the answer but I feel uncomfortable trying to pretend that nothing is happening.

Wondering about it all, I looked back in history to 1939 when World War II broke out. That weekend, the Belgrade Grand Prix was being held in Yugoslavia.

On the second day of practice, news came that Germany had invaded Poland. The next morning, the wirelesses announced that Britain had declared war on Germany.

Manfred von Brauchitsch, the Mercedes-Benz star who was on pole position for the race, headed for the airport, telling his team mate to inform Mercedes-Benz that he had gone home.

As the plane was getting ready to depart, Mercedes-Benz competition manager Alfred Neubauer arrived and dragged his star back to the race track.

Clearly, Neubauer felt he knew what was more important...

27

Five minutes with

Paul Weal

Moving irom FopU to Hoiimn has paU big diviilemis tor Paui Weei, the new Team Brock tinver taking a career-best third place in Adelaide last Sunday. MARK GLENDBVniMG caught up with him IVIOTORSPORT NEWS: If I'm not mistaken, that's your best result ever.

PAULWEEL: Yep, it was.

Previously fifth was the best, at Canberra. So it was really good.

I'm happy with third, but it doesn't make a difference after the race. You'd rather be standing on the podium spraying champagne. So Russell's penalty gets us a few more points.

People are doing stupid things out there and it's just silly, because there's only two or three points between the spots.

So you can't do that stuff any more. It's not like where we had double points, you know?

MN: It looked like you were just trying to stay out of trouble for most of the race.

PW: Yeah, it wasn't too bad. I was just cruising there for a while, just staying out of trouble.

I was struggling on the restarts with the front tyres, getting them up to temperature, so on that last restart I just made sure that I worked the fronts really hard. And it seemed to work a little bit better, because Todd didn't really catch me.

I basically just drove around all day, doing consistent times, and just stayed out of trouble. That was about it, really! There were good calls from the team, good pitwork ... they're just a great team, and it's great to be involved with people who know what they're doing.

MN: Did the car feel OK? PW:Yeah! In the Holden, first race, better result than in a Ford, ever! So it's not too bad.

MN: It must be encouraging to come straight out of the box and be playing for sheep stations virtually straight away.

28

what a difference a fortnight makes: Weel was out early at Albert Park but was right on the ball in Adelaide.

PW: Yeah, it's something new to me, being right up there constantly now! (laughs). Even though it's the first two races, we should be able to do that all year. Hopefully if we can get some testing before Phillip Island, and that's our test track, we can sort the cars out from there. It would be nice to have a 1-2 this year, and both be up the front and fighting for the championship.

MN: And you and Brighty are working together well?

PW: Yeah, me and Brighty are working together great. We're good mates - we've been mates for years and years. We've actually lived together before, so we know each other pretty well!

It's good, he's helped me out a lot, and hopefully we can start helping each other out a lot in the future.

MN: What is like being in the

!

"Bpighty and I have been mates for years and years.

We've actually lived together before, so we know each rr other pretty well!

-Weel

MN: So what are the most immediate challenges for the team? Presumably the team is not quite there yet.

PW: No, we've still probably got a fair way to go. We're getting there, but there's a fair way to go yet. The team is working very well as it is and we've only been together two races, so we're still trying to understand each other and all that sort of stuff. So we'll do more races, tests, all that sort of stuff, and we'll be a lot better.

Brpck camp?

PW: Pretty good but a lot different! It's different, being in a two-car team but the guys are all good and it's a good atmosphere to work in.

As far as Peter is concerned, to have someone of that experience around to give a word here and there is priceless. He signs a lot of autographs - I cannot believe how many - and even I am being asked to do more as well. I think that I signed more in Adelaide

than I have in my whole career!

MN: It must have been particularly gratifying after what happened at Albert Park?

PW: After we qualified well, it was pretty hard to be out of the race after only 250 metres.

The boys didn't have a lot of spares to work with at the time so it was a matter of going to work after the racing was over and doing our best. They worked really hard and the result at Adelaide proved what a good job they did.

MN: Okay; new team,a podium. What's next?

PW: I am looking forward to a few days at home! There's been a lot going on over the last few weeks ...

Then it will be back to the workshop in Melbourne, work on the cars and, hopefully, test at Phillip Island before the race down there. I know that it's a new deal at every race; it's so competitive, much more so than last year. You have to take every race on its merits and not look too far forward.

I want to finish at the Island, get some more points and move on to the next challenge. moiorsport news

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26 March 2003

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Five minutes with.

Jenson Button

The nivalny between Jaaiues Viheneuve amiJenson Button at BAR-HontIa is simmering to a hoH. The Briton spoke to ABAM COOPER about Malaysia, BAB anti... Jacgues MOTORSPORT NEWS: What happened to you at the end of the race?

JENSON BUTTON: The last lap was so hard. When Jarno was behind me I was obviously pushing, but I had to defend my line, so I wasn't pushing too hard.

When he spun off I pushed a bit harder, destroyed the rear tyres, and the last lap was just hell! When the rear tyres start going off and overheating, it's very, very difficult to drive. When Jarno passed me my rear tyres locked up and I went straight on.

A bit disappointing, but I got points.

MN: Are you getting used to one lap qualifying?

JB: I love it. I think it's great. It makes it exciting, and I enjoy it a lot more than four lap qualifying.

But On Saturday I pushed a little bit too hard, and at the corner before the back straight I braked 15m later than 1 had done previously, and I made a bit of a mistake, got oversteer, and lost a bit of time. That's the way it is.

MN: Are you learning more about where this car is going to be strong?

JB: No, 1 haven't got a clue.

Looking at the car it should be strong everywhere. Qualifying has been quite consistent. In Australia I was eighth, and here I was ninth. I'd say the car is quite competitive.

MN: Were you running the latest engine in Malaysia after using the older one in Melbourne?

JB: Yes. It's better in different areas, and I think it is an improvement. It's been very reliable, and we've had no problems in testing.

MN: Is it a bit of a distraction 30

that your rivalry with Jacques is being played up by the papers?

JB; No, not at all. I think we've said a few things, and that's it now. Well, I don't know, we'll have to wait and see!

It doesn't get in the way of driving or working with the team at all. When you're asked about it obviously you think about it a lot, but it's not a problem. These sorts of things happen between team mates. We're both very competitive and we both want to do a very good job.

MN: But it's not very healthy for the team overall, is it?

JB: I think it's great, because it shows that we're both pushing

MN: Is the answer just to get the job done in the car?

JB: In the race, definitely. The answer is just to score as many points as we can and be as consistent as we can. You always want to beat your team mate, but it's not the most important thing for me this season. You also have to work together to take everything forward, and we are, on the car side, which is good. We might have things to say about each other off the circuit, but that's not a problem as long as we work together.

MN:The good thing for you is you're in it for the long haul.

w

I've still got to drive 100 percent, and give it everything.

Contracts are great, but you always have to push ft

- Button

very, very hard. I'd rather get on with it now and forget about it all. As long as we share information about the car, that's the important thing, and we have done so far. Away from the circuit, in interviews, it doesn't really make a difference what people say. It doesn't change the way you drive.

MN: If you're a team that's winning races, like Ayrton Senna and Alain Frost at McLaren, you can have a situation like that. But when you're a team that's trying to catch up shouldn't you be pulling together?

JB: We're both working together with the team I think, we've just got a few things to say at the minute. I'm sure we can get them off our chest very quickly and get on with it.

aren't you?

JB: I've still got to drive 100 percent, and give it everything.

Contracts are great, but you always have to push, and 1 want to as well. I'm sure Jacques is thinking about what he's doing next year, and he's also going to be pushing pretty hard this season. More than ever, I should think.

MN: Is your relationship with Dave Richards building by the race?

JB: Yes, we get on very well, which is good. He's always giving advice and he's got good views. We get on well, and he's a very good boss to have. He's a boss you can talk to and work with.

MN: You've driven for two of the four top teams. Can BAR

be as good as them?

JB: They will be, definitely.

Everyone's working together very well, and I'm finding it very exciting. This year already the car's very good, and it's just going to get better and better, aerodynamically and also on the engine side. The weight of the car is very good, they've done a good job of getting the centre of gravity down. This is a team that will be fighting with the top teams.

MN; Can you see areas where they need to improve, compared with say Williams?

JB: Experience is the main thing. Honda have been in FI for many years, but this time only for three or four years. The thing is to see improvements as the season goes on. Sauber can normally do a good job for the first race, but keeping up with the pack and making improvements is important.

MN: Apart from qualifying, do you like the new rules?

JB: it makes Sunday mornings a bit boring! I don't have a problem with it.

MN: With the shortened schedule do you go into races not really knowing what's going to happen?

JB: Definitely. We always work on the race rather than qualifying with our strategies, as everyone does, but you never know what the car is going to be like in the race. You don't know how much adjustment to make to the front wing, or the diff. Normally in qualifying you run with a slightly twitchy rear end, but for the race you don't want that from the word go, so you've got to adjust the wing balance. It's really difficult to know what to do. moiorsport news

Chairman of th< Whafs it take to be the Chairman of TEGA? World-class diplomatic skills?

Lots and lots of patience?

Or a slightly masochistic streak?

PHIL BRANAGAN asked Kelvin O'Reilly

I

T is somehow fitting that the opening round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Adelaide 500, was the first points race that Kelvin O'Reilly has attended at Chairman of the Touring Car Entrants' Group,TEGA. O'Reilly may call the Gold Coast home now,but he is an Adelaide lad.

In fact, he was once an Adelaide school teacher.

The only lesson he gives now is in the art of motor racing diplomacy.

The board of TEGA is made up of two representatives from Holden teams and tv\’o from Ford teams.In the middle, O'Reilly walks a tightrope, a job for which he is well qualified.

Last month's announcement that he had accepted the position came as a surprise to many. After all, O'Reilly's most recent motor racing role was that of Chairman of TOCA Austoalia and,as the man responsible for running the Super Touring Championship, he was then in direct opposition to AVESCO. For some time, there was some level of acrimony in the relationship (though, it must be pointed out, none from O'Reilly) but there was also a high level of professional respect.

And his feet have hardly hit the ground. Apart from the normal matters associated with getting into a new job and preparing for the season, O'ReiUy has had to confront two huge issues; Holden's recent purchase of the Holden Racing Team; and the six cars what come under the influence of what was TWR Racing Australia.

"There were a few issues to deal with that I was not expecting in the first month," O'Reilly admits."I expected a challenge and I got one!

"You cannot really say that one part of the job is any harder or easier than another other. The issues that we are dealing with at the moment,in relation to Holden,are probably the most difficult at the moment. But we are working on moving the whole thing forward."

Some have commented that, compared to the generally more conciliatory nature of Super Touring racing, even at its peak, V8 Supercar racing is like warfare and that 32

O'ReUly may have found the going tough.

V8 Supercar racing is like anything: it depends on the day," he says."There was one famous day. back in 1996, when the Super Touring title was up for grabs between BMW and Audi and we had German warfare. Tliat was equally as challenging as what we are dealing with at the moment.

"Whether people in V8 Supercar

"Touring car championships around the world have (alien into the trap of letting engineering costs get away to the detriment to the overall championship. It happened in Super Touring; it happened in the DTM" -O’Reilly A world-class phone bill: O'Reilly has stepped into the deep end of touring car racing in his new role as TEGA Chairman. It is his job to ensure that growth contiues but that the teams can afford to maintain their Marshall Cass

competitive level.

Marshall Cass

eBoard racing knew me personally or by reputation, or even as'The Enemy' from the old days,the recognition factor has been pretty good.I think that the acceptance factor from the teams has been pretty good,but I have not conducted any popularity polls among the teams. We need to work to gain the level of respect to be able to do that job that has to be done.

"The biggest challenge today is sorting the Holden issue. In the long term,the challenge is cost containment for the teams. AVESCO has put a fantastic show together; I could not have believed in 1997 that the series would have advanced to such a level in such a short time.

"What we have to do is ensure that the teams' costs are sustainable within tlie budgetary framework that we have,for now and for the future."

So, what effects wiU the cost cutting measure cause? Will the V8

Touring; it happened in the DTM. Tliey had teclinologically magnificent machines; they had manufacturers tlnat allowed the technical departments to get away from them, to their detriment. TEGAhas to work with all of our stakeholders to make

INTERVIEW

SLORAL MJlCmmRY COMPAJllY

Presents **madel af the manth’”

sure that does not happen.

"The show is fantastic. The events are spectacular and the sport is growing at a rate, probably, greater than any other sport in the country.

But we have to look at it from the teams' perspective to make sure tliat they can afford to go racing at this level well into the future."

So, as the man empowered to make decisions relating to the world's most competitive touring car championship, is O'Reilly the most powerful man in the sport?

"I wouldn'thave thought so! I never have any delusions of grandeur because someone will always bring

u

AVESCO has put a lantastic show together; I could not have believed in 1997 Oiat the series would have advanced to such a level in such a short time"

Supercars be 'dumbed-down'to save money?

"I do not really talk 'technical' because technical is not my forte.

Obviously, there are a number of issues related to technical issues, and they relate to cost. Teams can produce wonderful pieces of machinery but, sometimes,they do not take into account what it takes to do that. Now we need to make sure that the teams can afford to go racing, and go racing at a level that does not affect the enjoyment of the fans.

"Both manufacturers. Ford and Holden,have said that cost containment is a big issue. In talking to the teams,cost containment is relevant to all of them. Competition on the track is great but you need to be aware that you cannot go racing with unlimited budgets. Touring car championships around the world have fallen into the trap of letting engineering costs get away to the detriment to tine overall championship. It happened in Super 26 March 2003

Suzanne you back to earth - probably you! I want to do a good job for the people who have put their faith in me,and if I can do that, it will be satisfying.

"When you operate in the business world,and this is very much a 'sporting business', it is enjoyable in its own right. It is hard, it is taxing,so finding the solutions is something that I enjoy."

Already, the effect of O'Reilly first V8 Supercar project, his off-season review of the sport's judicial system, is starting to be felt. It has been generally well-received by the drivers and the teams and that is no inconsiderable achievement.

So,the lad from Adelaide has'dun good'. But, ever a realist, O'Reilly recognises that the fact that, in this game, you are only as good as your next decision. The Holden issues continue to simmer and a resolution will be forthcoming.

There are no beads of sweat on Kelvin O'Reilly's forehead.

Yet.

Currently I am at University studying Politics. I would like to secure a job as a Political Adviser or work in the public relations department. Working part time at the moment in Sales helps me payfor University.

I have played almost every sport there is, as I love sports. Myfavourite sports are football, gymnastics and tae kwon do. To keep fit at the moment I roller blade and run. I also spend a lot of time out at clubs with myfriends the non stop dancing keeps me fit. Juggling and riding a unicyde are my hobbies and probably quite unusual ones at that.

Travelling is something I love to do also. I spent the first six months of the year 2000 in the UK and Scotland.

Greece and Italy are two other places I would love to visitfor the charm and the food.

Sky diving I have never tried but would like to attempt soon. I have only ever bungee jumped but I would like to become a sky diving instructor one day.

For more pictures of Suzanne visit www.sppromotions.com.au

a Promotions I PO Box 4052 Patterson VIC 3204 Phone/Fax 03 9557 7750

Call the CMC Help Linefor the location of your nearest CMC Power Tool stockist, or to order the latest CMC catalogue

^

EMC Help Line 1300 BOO 001 33

The Man who MOTORSPORT NEWS: You haven't been to a Grand Prix since your last race in 1976.

Why has it taken so long?

CHRIS AMON: It hasn't been a deliberate thing at all, but 1 certainly have become a reluctant traveller, I must admit. Tim Schenken tried for years to get me to go over to Adelaide, but it always seemed to coincide with a busy time on the farm. This is the first year that I've wound myself out of farming, so I've run out of excuses!

I went to Goodwood in 1997, and I did a thing at ClermontFerrand in 1989 when they reopened part of the circuit there.

But that's been my total exposure, really.

MN: You were invited to Melbourne by Toyota. What's the connection?

CA; For about 15 years I did suspension development in New Zealand for Corollas, Coronas and Camrys, and it was very interesting. We used to use a race track called Manfeild, and we did a lot on the road too. It

sutlon-inuge-i.com

sort of kept me in touch with the industry, without actually being involved in the racing side.

When I first got into it, the basic things that you were dealing with like springs and dampers and anti-roll bars were very similar to racing. You were looking for a different result, but it was before the advent of all the high-tech stuff. The actual development side has stopped.

I'm still contracted to them, but it's purely an evaluation role now.

MN: Do you follow the races on TV? CA: I don't necessarily get up in the middle of the night to watch Grands Prix, but I always record them.

Last year, it did become a real yawn. I think what became evident is that it's still got to be a sport and entertainment for the public. The problem I have with modern FI is traction control and automatic gearboxes and all that sort of stuff. It's taking so much of the driver away.

The top people still shine through, and I guess getting rid of

Still in red: Amon qualified his March second at Monaco in 1970, left, and returned to the FI circus with the Toyota Team at Albert Park, above. motorspon news

RETROSPECTIVE

Walked Away Chris Amon never won a Grand Prix - but he should have won many.

Almost three decades after he retired from the sport, he visited the Panasonic Toyota team at Albert Park. He spoke to ADAM COOPER

some of those bits will be more beneficial to Michael Schumacher than some of the others. I wonder if someone like Jacques Villeneuve might show more without all this stuff, because he seems to be a bit of a 'feel' type guy.

MN: So what did you think of Melbourne?

CA: I wasn't there for qualifying, and arrived on race morning. I was speechless for half an hour when I saw what they now have in the garages! I watched the race from the hospitality suite and I took my ear plugs out for the first couple of laps because 1 wanted to hear the cars. My ears were positively hurting -the noise was just amazing.

I remember the Matra and the old Ferrari VI2, and they were very melodious. I don't remember them being as noisy as the engines are today.

I was also absolutely amazed at how quickly the things go - it's such a different picture than it is on TV. I suppose they're no quicker in a straight line than we were, so I guess I've just forgotten how quickly we went.

The race was heavily influenced by the weather conditions. If Bernie could arrange that for every race it would be pretty interesting!

But even if you take the

weather conditions out of it there was a good deal of uncertainty as to how it was going to pan out.

Talking about fuel loads, I remember starting Monaco with Ferrari in 1969 with 245kgs of fuel in the thingl MN; Although you later drove for Wolf, your retirement effectively started when you walked away from Ensign after Niki Lauda's crash at the Nurburgring in 1976. Any regrets?

CA: I actually enjoyed 1976. Our engines were about three years old, but I still qualified in the first half dozen, even though we were seriously lacking in horsepower.

But I'd already decided to stop at the end of that year. The house that we were building in New Zealand had already been started.

At the Nurburgring, I wasn't impressed that Niki was sitting there cooking, effectively.

But I had no intention of continuing in FI in 1977. I did a couple of races for Wolf in CanAm, but I was trying to run the team and drive, and that never works. That's when I got

Gilles Villeneuve in to drive it. I actually made the mistake of riding with him in a road car once.

But I only did it oncel He was a lunatic ...

MN: You were still young enough to carry on until the 80s. Why didn't you?

CA: I was only 32 or 33 when I stopped, but I started when I was 19. More than anything, it was the way of life.

What got to me was the aeroplanes, and the hotels and the suitcase. I used to come home to New Zealand about once a year, because basically at that time, you were hard pressed to do it in under about 36 hours in terms of stopovers and so on. I used to get home for Christmas, and that was about it, so that influenced my decision.

MN: How aware were you that you were walking a bit of a tightrope in those days?

CA: We didn't know any different. Everybody has this 'it won't happen to me'type attitude. In 1968 it was a nightmare, but you just got on

"The problem I have with modern FI is traction controi and automatic gearboxes and aii that sort of stuff, it's n taking so much of the driver away -Amon

with doing it. Probably because we were racing so much then, in sportscars and things, you tended to go off to the next race.

You didn't have time to stop and reflect too hard.

MINI: You're remembered as the guy who didn't win a Grand Prix. How frustrating was that?

CA: Yes it was, particularly with Ferrari and Matra. I think I got over that after a while. That's all gone now. You've got to look back and remember the good times. I'm almost pleased now that I never did win one!

MN: Have you been tempted by historic racing?

CA: I must admit, getting into an old FI car and going quickly doesn't appeal. It's not a danger thing, it's why try what you used to do reasonably well and go and do it badly? I was amazed how long Mario (Andretti) went on, although he was still semicompetitive.

A couple of years go I did a few laps in a McLaren Ml6 Indycar that a guy owned in New Zealand. I wasn't very comfortable in the car because he was a lot taller than me, and the next morning I couldn't move my neck, and I had sore hands.

All those muscles you develop, unless you're using them, they all go. I'd really need to do a major rebuilding program! I don't have a problem going out and going reasonably quickly, but I'd be a two-lap wonder.

MN: Will we see you again some time?

CA: I'll have to get to another race soon, and having broken the ice I might be hard to keep away.

I don't think it will be 27 years this time!

26 March 2003

All Black in Red: Amon and Jackie Stewart's Ferrari 330P4 (complete with smashed side windows to increase ventilation) took second place in the 1967 BOAC 500 at Brands Hatch.

35

The Hoiden Racing Team looked distinctly mortal in Adelaide on Sunday morning^ beaten to pole by Jason Bright and in Race 1 by Marcos Ambrose, Then the team and Mark Skaife did what they do best on Sunday with an emphatic victory.

PHIL BRANAGAN and MARK GLENDENNiNG report on Clipsal 2003

M

AYBE,one day,some team other than the

Holden Racing Team will win the Clipsal Adelaide 500.

The way the race works is that whoever wins the Sunday race takes home the hardware. Yes, the Reds have been beaten on Saturdays but, when the church bells stop ringing, HRT starts winning.

So it was this year. Marcos Ambrose won Saturday's blast around the park, as Craig Lowndes managed to do two years ago, but Mark Skaife avenged the loss on the day of rest after a flawless drive in the Commodore VY. As ever, there was a bunch of stuff going on behind. The first race started with a bang (a few, actually) and the second ended with it, Russell Ingall losing a third place after battering Greg Murphy in the esses.

But there is genuine cause of encouragement. Ambrose had the HRT cars covered for speed, the Stone Brothers team beat their HRT rivals in the pits and even IngaU may have been a factor on Saturday had not the power steering gone to limch.

Behind Skaife, Steven Richards drove masterfully to win the 'Class of 2002' race in his Perkins VX, while Paul Weel capped a fairytale arrival at Team Brock when he sped to third in Race 2.

There was some sadness during the first race meeting since the death of Barry Sheene, a minute's silence and a grandstand renaming commemorating his passing. But there were smiles as well, as he would have wanted, and none bigger than that on Skaife's face.

Practice and Qualifying HO owns HRT? That was the

w

question being asked when the Class of 2003 assembled for the opening salvos of the season.

TEGA Chairman Kelvin O'Reilly addressed the media between Friday practice sessions to update 36

proceedings but there was little to report. Yes, Holden had been co operative on the issue of HRT ownership and influence over "Paul Weel Racing"(AKA Team Brock) but no, nothing had been resolved and no, there would be no questions.

O'Reilly has a tough job. This is an important and controversial matter that will not be settled in a trice. But generally, until something happens, maybe before Phillip Island and maybe not, no news.

Still, it was good to see a 'real' race, ie, plenty of noise, lots of action and points on the line at the end of the races. In the immortal words of Homer Simpson,"Woo Hoo".

Team Dynamik started practice well,issuing a media release with news of news 'partnerships'(in Australian: sponsorships) with Cedel and Southern Cross. Jason Richards looked great in the first session but the newer of the team's VYs got away in Turn 8 and rode the concrete wall for around 100 metres.

Richards was okay; the car had clipped the wall on the way info the corner and it looked bad but the 'home team'set to a major repair job so that they could stay for the weekend.

Practice wasunusually held in,for Adelaide in March, cool conditions. Track temps were well down and,despite the appearance of the Konica cars for tlie first time, which would potentially lay more rubber on the line, most drivers reported reduced grip levels.

Ambrose topped both sessions, determined to emerge from the darkness of Albert Park with the eyes on, but the faster guys had to wait longer than they have in the past to face the music. The 'slower' group got first group of the track, Glenn Seton setting the pace. The faster group put Seto in his place; it took only nine minutes for the FPR driver to be booted out of the top 10 and,by the end of the session, he was 13th.

Skaife set the pace, only to be topped by Murphy, who was about Is behind on the track. Then Bright

me Us New season, older faces: Sort of. Skaife and Ambrose were the class drivers of the races and shared the Race 2 podium with Ingall, right, until the stewards changed the results.

Dirk Klynsmith

miiPSM

The Brock Brothers; Jason Bright and Paul Weel had strong weekends, far right. and Johnson went 1-2, only to have Skaife and Ambrose leap over them.

It was coming down to the last laps of the session and who would have tyre grip and track position.

And that would be Brighty. Once again, the Team Brock car was working perfectly and Jason, looking

continued on page 38 motorsport news

U8 SUPERCARS

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GAR DRIVER TIME Betta Team Brock Commodore VX lm22.2745s Jason Bright Mark Skaife lm22.3381s Holden Racing Team Commodore VY Pirtek Stone Brothers Falcon BA Marcos Ambrose lm22.3728s Castrol Perkins Commodore VX Steven Richards lm22,7533s Shell Helix DJR Falcon BA Steven Johnson lm22.9382s lm22.9479s John Bowe OzEmail Racing BJR Falcon BA lm22.9517s K-Mart Racing Commodore VX Greg Murphy lm23.0173s Holden Racing Team Commodore VY Todd Kelly Valvoline Cummins Commodore VY lm23.0453s Garth Tander Caltex Havoline Stone Brothers Falcon BA lm23.2297s Russell Ingall Cameron McConville Lansvale Smash Repairs Commodore VX lm23.3161s lm23.3274s Rick Kelly K-Mart Racing Commodore VX lm23.3811s Glenn Seton Ford Performance Racing Falcon AU lm23,3938s Dean Canto Betta Electrical Briggs Falcon BA lm23.4476s Paul Dumbrell Castrol Perkins Commodore VX lm23.4757s Simon Wills Team Dynamik Commodore VY lm23.5521s Paul Morris Sirromet Commodore VY lm23.7632s Craig Lowndes Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA lm23.7997s MarkNoske ICS Team Ford Falcon AU lm23.8477s Brad Jones OzEmail Racing BJR Falcon BA lm23.8759s Valvoline Cummins Commodore VX Jamie Whincup lm23.8861s Toll Racing Falcon AU Anthony Tratt lm23,8920s Steve Ellery Super Cheap Auto Falcon BA lm23.9179s PaulWeel Betta Team Brock Commodore VX lm23.9580s Team Kiwi Racing Commodore VX Craig Baird lm23.9645s Orrcon Racing Falcon AU Jason Bargwanna lm24,0216s David Besnard Ford Performance Racing Falcon AU lm24.1538s Mark Larkham Orrcon Racing Falcon AU 1m24.2541s 00 Motorsport Falcon BA Greg Ritter lm24.2793s 00 Motorsport Falcon AU Rodney Forbes lm24,8681s Paul Radisich Betta Electrical Briggs Falcon BA lm25.7642s Paul Romano Romano Racing Commodore VX No time Shell Helix DJR Falcon BA Max Wilson No time David Thexton Thexton Motor Racing Falcon AU

—

●1 ^

continued from page 36 well relaxed, put it on provisional pole by 0.06s.

The other car to leap over Johnson was Steve Richards. The Perkins VX was right on the money and the team had made few changes on set-up, the newly-re-signed (okay, extended) driver happy with the car. Team-mate Paul DumbreU was 15th, having lost some time when he nosed the #8 car into the tyres during opening practice. Little damage, more

Top 10 Shoot out 29.6673 1 Bright 29.9329s 2 Skaife 3 Ambrose 29.8125s 29.8978s 4 Murphy 5 S. Richards 29.7241s

50.3220s lm23.3729s 50.5076s lm23.4608s 50.4632s lm23.7897s 50.9720s lm24.0266s 50.8009s lm24.1633s

6 Johnson 7 Bowe 8 T. Kelly 9 Ingall lOTander

29.9486s 29.9690s 29.8425s 30.4916s 29.8891s

50.8676s lrti24.2497s 50.9720s lm24.3838s 51.5702s lm24.7252s 51.3580s lm25.0673s 50.7835s lm26.6227s

V8SCS Round 1 Cllpsal Adelaide 500

^

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Dirk Klyrtsmilh

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6

embarrassing than anything.

He was not the only one to partake of the scenery. Ingall did it during the qualifying session, causing most cosmetic damage to the BA's splitter.

The dramatic part that he was 10th at the time, on 'the bubble' but he lived to make the Shoot-out.

Johnson was p retty pleased with his performance; "The only thin g we changed was the front bar and we clicked the shocks and waited for the rubber to go down," Junior reported. "We will give it a tweak for the Shoot-out, but that's all."

While Johnson was running well, the other Helix car was not running at all. Max Wilson had his gearbox break as soon as he went out on the track and failed to complete a lap, forcing to start at the back of the grid.

The team was fairly puzzled but the race has been won from back there before.

Steve Ellery, over his Albert Park pains, was forced to park early with a broken Watts Linkage. Jason Bargwanna and Mark Larkham both had some brake problems in the Orrcon AUs, Bargs having a steering rack changed as well, while Paul Radisich had misfire problems during practice (which were solved by a change of ECU) and the lack of quality track time cost him on set-up on the Betta Falcon.

T

he Shoot-out was free from dramas except for Garth Tander.

He was second man out, behind Ingall, but the Valvoline VY locked its rear at the Dequetteville Road hairpin and dropped around 2s, resigning him to 10th.

Todd Kelly was next and beat

Changes of number: Craig Lowndes qualified 18th in the CAT Falcon but that did not phase his biggest fans, wife Nat and son Levi, above.

motorsport news

U8 SUPERCARS Ingall's time but Murphy was the coining man,aided by a massive final sector to take fastest time so far.

Bowe missed by 0.36s, Johnson split the fastest two so far, Richards took the best down to a lm24.1633s but then Ambrose lobbed into the

HOMEA ^

23s, despite driving a conservative first sector. The Ford fans on the main straight let out a huge roar, but that was about to be topped by the Holden fanatics.

Skaife's final sector was the fastest of the session. From being sixhundredths behind Ambrose at the second split("very ordinary" he described it later), he was more than

0.3s quicker over the last kilometre to take the time down to lm23.4608s.

Cue Bright. Three-tenths up at the first split, the Brock car maintained the pace until the final hairpin, where he locked the fronts.

"I thought I had thrown it away," he admitted afterwards. "I know that we just had to do a good job after the first sectors, when I saw the smoke coming,I thought,'Oooohhhhh.'"

It was enough,Jason levering his former team-mate off pole by just under a tenth. Bright had the choice during the off-season of staying at HRT and running a new VY or moving to TB and 'keeping' his VX.

hi the short-term, at least, it looked like he has made a wise choice.

Race 1(78 laps) ut choices, wise or otherwise, can

B

change from day to day.

There's a 'theoretical' race, right?

It's between Stone Brothers Racing and Holden Racing Team and it's decided in tlie pits. You'd bet the dog, the cat and tliat kid you don't really like on the reds, right?

Nope. Ambrose won the race in the. pits. Skaife was aliead on the road

continued on page 40

lames Smith

Deja vu all over again: Fords hitting Fords ... Ingall and Bowe came together early in Race 1, JB earning a drive-through penalty and bent steering in the process.

Good, the race. Now we can get some sleep: The Dynamik guys put in an amaz ing effort to repair Jason Richards's VY and were rewarding with an encouraging showing in the races. \Dirk Klynsmith

i Factory 9„19-25 Grange Rd Cheltenham VIC Ph 03 9585 5340 Fax 03 9585 5320 26 March 2003

CUPSAt ®

RY ROOM, EVERY HOME

continued from page 39 but had a wheel stick; a lap later, when Marcos came in, the Stones were flawless. Between his 'in' lap, his stop and his 'out' lap, Ambrose was 6s faster than Skaife and he took track position. One Safety Car came out, they maintained their position and the race was over.

"There was trouble at the stop," said Skaifey."The boys are usually pretty good and you can accept that happens sometimes."

At the flag, Ambrose told the team over the radio,"Guys, you did a great job on the pitstop, brilliant mate!'

But there was some pretty good driving going on. Bright led early, the VX getting its tyres up to temp quickly. He looked to have the speed to match the front two,but made two mistakes; one when he was fiddling with his drink hose and let Skaife through at the hairpin, and another when he was trying to make room for (the lapped but flying) Murphy,spun onto the marbles and backed it into the tyres. But there was no damage and a loss of only 10s,so he pressed on to third.

The Great Australian Bright: Jason Bright won the drag race in Race 1 to take the early lead from Skaife, Murphy and eventual winner Ambrose.

Anyway,Ambrose and Skaife were flying. Both cars were into the 23s, both drivers were trying to break the other but, with no late-race Safety Cars,Ambrose took his third championship race in a row.

Why was Murphy a lap down? He jumped the started by a few inches, served a penalty and then another for speeding during the first. Then he . had another,fell back into the 20s and recovered to 10th, one spot down on team-mate Rick Kelly.

If Bright was lonely in third,so too was Steve Richards in fourth. The Castrol VX was solid aU race but Richo was not in position to chase and smart enough to know that tomorrow was another day.

Behind came a pretty strong battle.

Most of the time, it was Johnson in the spot, the Shell Barra not quick enough to challenge the leaders but consistent enough to stay ahead of everyone else - until the last five laps.

when the rear tyres started to feel the speed.

Todd Kelly zeroed in, having got caught up(and then clear from)a battle for position. With two laps to go,Junior got into a powerslide and Toddler ranged him up around tlie outside of Turn 8- a pretty daunting move.

Behind came Ingall, who tangled with Bowe at the final hairpin on lap 8. The Caltex Falcon needed a few kilos of race tape to continue to seventh wlule Bowe had a bunged steering rack, making the car almost undriveable around right handers.

That, unfortunately,included the pit entry, JB forced to three-point turn on the way in for stops.

Ingall had problems even before the start. The SBR BA was having power steering problems, which the crew was imable to fix before the start. Rusty Enforced the car the whole race; under the circumstances, it was a pretty powerful effort.

Next came McConvUle who,to be short, drove a flawless race in the Lansvale Commodore,wlule the Kmart pair of Rick Kelly and Murphy got closer over the final laps. Despite his various penalties, Murphy was shll being pretty aggressive and Imew what he needed to do,elbowing an impressive Paul Diunbrell onto the grass with a few laps left to take position from the Castrol Commodore.

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motorsport news

Wills gave Dynatnik some cheer with 16th, the crew having made a huge effort to de-bend the Richards VY. Ellery had a bunged shocker stop him,before he resumed for a 'test session', Lowndes had oil problems that forced him in and out of the pits before he parked it for good. The biggest effect of the problem was that Ambrose found himself behind the smoky BA and called a pitstop a lap or two early.

Jones compounded OzEmaiTs catastrophe with a stuck wheel and three flat spotted tyres, leaving Mm 24th, wMle Greg Ritter's Adelaide debut ended when back pain forced him to park the 00 Motorsport Falcon.

rjcavtioi i

continued on page 42 Shorter penalties but more of them: Greg Murphy, right, bad a tough start to the season, with three drive-through penalties in Race 1.

What a cutie: For those readers who like this kind of thing, below right is a photo of Dene Henderson.

Dunno who the babes are though ...

Something in the air: As usual, there was much to see in the sky, though the idea of FA-18 demos, below, during a war is a little hard to take ...

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continued from page 41

Dirk Klynsmitb

Race 2(78 laps)

35 great-looking blokes and TC: There were a lot of Tony Cochrane lookalikes at the traditional drivers'photo shoot but some of them got the hair thing wrong.

It's races like thatthe that provide dues as to why Clipsal 500some is like no other round of the

Oooopps: Garth Tander had an up and down weekend. Below, he hauls the Valvoline VY out of the tyres which, luckily, he hit square-on.

Championship. There is something about the blend of V8 Supercars with the City of Churches that unleashes the forces of chaos in a way quite unlike any of the Championship's other ports of call. And even by Adelaide's lofty standards, this was a race that will be remembered for

Blue days: Besnard, bottom, was in the wars but it was an otherwise

quite some time.

Skaife won,and deservedly so.

Frequent Safety Car periods essentially reduced the afternoon from a mini-enduro to a series of sprint races, which prevented HRT #1 from ever opening up a sufficient gap to put things beyond doubt. And time after time, Skaife made a perfect getaway at the restart and effectively neutralised whatever challenge may be in the works.

encouraging first-up championship race for Ford Performance Racing.

"Under those scenarios it's very easy, once the tyres cool down,to make a little mistake," said Skaife.

"There was lots of pressure on at each restart."

It's just possible that the Evil Empire could have occupied twothirds of the podium had Todd Kelly not been thwarted by an uncharacteristic pitstop screw-up by the team that left him battling rather further down in the pack than he would have liked. As it was he finished fifth, which by any standards was a pretty good effort.

But at the end of the race, nobody was talking much about who won.

There wasn't much interest in second place, either (which was taken by Steve Richards, who again drove faultlessly to underline why LP was so keen to get his signature on a contract). Nope,it was the bottom step of the podium that was stirring up the interest.

Ingall greeted the chequered flag in third, but to get there, he had been forced to find a way past Murf, who held the position in the dying laps of the race. This he did, at turn seven on the penultimate lap. The problem was, he did it by going for a gap that wasn't there, and sent the Kmart car spinning into oblivion.

Stewards tend not to look kindly upon such things, and The Enforcer's body language immediately after the race suggested that not even he thought that the result would stand.

Sure enough,it didn't. After some deliberation, it was announced that the finishing order would be amended,and the Caltex Havoline SBR Falcon was demoted to 12th one spot behind Murphy.

Ingall wasn't the only driver told to go and stand in the corner after the race. Craig Baird was relegated to position 14 after clanging with Ritter, 42

while Ellery was excluded from the results altogether after being pinged for an errant wheel nut.

The man who gained the most from all this was Weel, who had been lying in fourth. Scoring a first-ever V8 Supercar podium must be a nice feeling, though there's little doubt that he would have preferred the opportunity to squirt some bubbly around the place.

Indeed,it was a good weekend all round for the Betta collective. The Rat was flying the blue flag high with a crafty drive to fourth that saw him frequently in the vicinity of some heated battling, and yet still bring the car home in one piece. Which is more than a few of those around him managed to do ...

Two spots further back after a rather eventful afternoon was Bright.

The #50 Brock car was running quite happily as high as second place early on,but on this day it seemed that the team didn't have the strategy to match their speed. Bright was the first man in for new boots on lap 19,

^5

which left him high and dry as the demands of doing almost sixty laps around Adelaide on a single set of Dunlops began to take their toll later in the race.

Canto bore the brunt of the bad luck for the Betta-ites in the Briggs Falcon, ending his race buried in the wall courtesy of a punt.

But one suspects that the Briggs outfit's neighbors in pitlane, DJR, would gladly have traded their fortunes for the weekend. The problems began when Max was eliminated from the race in bizarre

continued on page 44 moiorsport news

F R B B

NEWS

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jyiacs beat IViercs

he Peninsula Mac team of Carl McHenry (Tigertune) and Glen McDonald (Seaford A-Z A utomotive) took on the Mercbits lead team of Richard Ken Wright (Mercbits) and Gay (Autotrac/Mercbits) with "Golden Arches" McDonald coming out with the most points after three exciting races in very hot and slippery conditions.

Battling a brake problem for most of the weekend McDonald successfully defended his position once he hit the front in two of the races, with McHenry taking the first race.

McHenry surprised a few in the field when he grabbed pole position and clearly showed his intentions for this season when he held off some strong challenges as the field charged into the first corner of the first race.

Hustling him along were Wright, Gay, McDonald, Mario Gaffiero (Wog Boys Racing), Kevin Stoopman (Blackburn Trailers), John Wise (Mercbits) and David Astley (Statewide Kitchens) with the first four getting a break in the early stages as Gaffiero was left to hold off the snarling pack behind him.

McDonald pulled off a couple of sneaky moves on consecutive laps going into the old turn one to take second place and keep the pressure right on McHenry to the finish of the five lapper.

m

Pointscore Race 1: McHenry, McDonald, Wright, Gay & Stoopman.

Race 2: McDonald, Wright, Gay, McHenry & Stoopman.

Main: McDonald, Wright, Gay, Stoopman, Astley, Wise, Gaffiero and Brown.

Fastest Race Lap: Carl McHenry - Race 3 - 1:46.9570.

Graham Francis (89) & Jason Tatneil(66) won't give an inch entering the "S's".

Kevin Stoopman was another to surprise a few with his early season speed as he held down fifth place, with Wise, Astley, Gaffiero, John Alessi and Brett McFarland (Browning Smash Repairs) having a good scrap behind him.

McDonald had grabbed the lead followed by Wright, Gay, Stoopman, Wise, Astley, Bennett, Gaffiero, Alessi and Gavin Ross (Box Hill Parts & Access.) with a very ■pistoff' McHenry driving like a madman to get back into the race.

In the second five-lap race, first thing Sunday morning, McDonald stayed right alongside McHenry as they went through the esses and this gave him the best, and lead line, as they went into the old turn one. Gay had slotted into third closely followed by Wright, Stoopman, Wise and Astley with a small gap opening to Gaffiero and another gap to Dale Bennett (Bennett Bros. Paint & Panel) and Alessi, who were leading a huge pack of cars.

Six cars - McDonald, Wright Gay, Stoopman, Wise and Astley made up the group battling for outright honours and they had a small break over Gaffiero, with Alessi, Adrian Brown (Mercbits), Ross and Gary Stewart (Tigertune) next in line and very close.

Stuart McMurray (Franklin Printing), Russell Lang (Forte Signs) and Rod Raatjes(Security Merchants) was a very close dice while Kerry Bright (All Cars Paint Supplies) and Jason Tatneil (Jim McLean Motors) was a two car war in their little battle.

Bennett, Brendan Niclasen (Brentool Industrial Supplies) and McMurray was another good battle in the mid-field as were Tatneil, Graham Francis and a battered McFarland, while McHenry was putting in a brilliant drive as he picked up over half the field.

The three leaders gained a little break over Stoopman and fought out the finish while Brown picked off and just held out Alessi in the battle for eighth. McHenry finished in twelfth place.

Wright was keeping the pressure right on Gay and managed to get him going onto the old back straight to move onto the Tiger's tail. Stoopman was holding down fifth place on his own and Wise was holding off every attack that Astley threw at him.

In the mid-field Bennett, McMurray,,Lang and Raatjes was another good battle as McHenry got caught out on the last corner and was knocked back to fourth place.

The main race was off to a bruising start with McHenry getting turned round out of the esses and dropping him to last place, while McFarland was hung, drawn and quartered from pillar to post at turn three.

Carl McHenry facing the wrong way and lights 'em up to turn around

Improveil Production are sponsored by

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Douglas

here were a couple of drivers at the second round who completely dominated their class and one of them was last year's champion Ken Douglas in the Selectmaz RX7. Douglas was well over a second quicker than anyone else after qualifying and he even had time to have a spin in one race. It made no difference as he scored emphatic wins in all three races.

RX7s made up the front rows with Douglas, Mario Caligari (Venus Packaging), Rob Alessi (Albury Wodonga Mazda) and Kelvin Twist (Guru Racing) leading the field away with Douglas building up a huge lead on the opening lap.

Twist, Chris Heylbut (Tooheys/JB Machinery Commodore), Gary McKay(GP Automotive Torana) was a terrific early battle for fourth place behind Caligari and Alessi.

Andrew Morris (In-Site Advertising Commodore) had to use all his V8 power to keep Graeme Bell (Castrol BMW)and David Knight(BMW) behind him while the best battle in the race was going on between the Power Crank BMWs of Manny Mezzasalma and Joseph Ballato who had ganged up on Ernest Fuller (BMW).

Douglas was untroubled in winning this race while Caligari, who was comfortably holding second, copped

lllll

Pointscore

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Race 1:

1

Douglas, Alessi, Kelvin Twist, Heylbut and McKay. Race 2: Douglas, Kelvin Twist, Heylbut, McKay and Floreani.

Main; Douglas, Kelvin Twist, Caligari, Heylbut, Alessi, McKay, Floreani & VanDen Dungen.

Fastest Lap: Ken Douglas (Selectmaz RX7)- Race 2- 1:34.5085.

a ripper battle with Mezzasalama leading home the train.

Nothing short of a scud missile up the exhaust was going to stop Douglas as he built up a huge lead on the opening lap of the main race.

Twist slotted into second place followed by Heylbut, McKay, Floreani, Morris and Dungen with Caligari and Alessi both charging through from the back of the grid.

Bell was again mixing it with the Commodores while Bowles and Ballato were giving Donald a working over at the back of the field.

I Ken Douglas continues to show he and the Selectmaz is a class above. the hamburger flag, which dropped him to the bottom of the results sheet.

Kelvin Twist was read the riot act overnight and he made a great start to slot in behind Douglas, who naturally enough won the start of the second race.

The Tooheys Commodore of Heylbut was in third place followed by McKay, Morris, Bell, Knight and Shaun Maloney (Astro Electrics Torana) with Tony Floreani (Floreton Homes Commodore) making some big inroads into the field.

The battle for third was really hotting up as Heylbut, McKay, Caligari, Floreani and Alessi all closed up on each other with Caligari slipping inside at the old turn one to move up a place.

Douglas had timefor a spin at the esses allowing Twist to get a little bit closer while Gordon was having a terrific scrap with Mezzasalama and Showers. Knight and Skinner were close, Maloney and Bell were closer, while Morris and VanDen Dungen were side by side, in three terrific separate battles.

Heylbut, Alessi and McKay took it right to the line in the battle for fourth as Douglas cruised to his third win for the weekend.

Alessi barely got off the line and crawled back to the pits, and he was soon followed by Caligari.

McKay was dishing out plenty of cheek to Heylbut in the battle for third and Bell was going great guns as he mixed it with Morris, Maloney and Knight.

Tony Skinner (Skinners Building Supplies Datsun), Cameron Van Den Dungen (40 Winks RX7) and Paul Grziwotz (Gemini) was a tight struggle for a top ten finish while Wayne Twist (Cordia Turbo) must have thought he had triple vision with BMWs climbing all over him.

Again, all the excitement in this race was at the back of the field between Mezzasalma, Wayne Twist, Andrew Gordon, Phil Showers, Geoff Bowles (DWS), Fuller, Ballato (BMWs)and Rick Donald (Subaru). It was

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Kelvin twist{Gum Racing) mixing at the pointy end.

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Vic State Racer is available as a free insert in

iiittrsport

news

"

Publisher: Graphics 103 Pty. Ltd. Level 1 1-5 Errol St North Melbourne Vic 3051 Tel: 9328 1623 Fax: 9328 1610 Email:graphics@cm-group.com.au Editorial: Chris Macgeorge Photography: Chris Macgeorge Art Direction: Richard Holt Art Production: Graphics 103 Advertising: Richard Catchlove 9328 1623, Chris MacGeorge 5978 6063

TmchsMe Marshal Award, Round Two, 2003 What can you say about Dr. Mort Fitzgerald that has not been spoken or written about? The red MGBV8 sends a shiver down the spine of all Marque Sports competitors and brings smiles of delight to traditional MG Car Club members. Here is a car that is 40 odd years old in design with a very special motor, yes, but an even more special driver.

To those who didn't or weren't able to watch Dr Mort Fitzgerald race at Winton, you missed something rare and special, Winton is a great place to watch and to see Mort come through the sweeper, as if on rails, let the MG run to the ripple, straighten up and gun it up the old Pit straight, was awe inspiring. You can have your latest gun Porsche, or wild Robnell, but with respect to those, Mort blows their doors off.

We setup the Trackside Marshal Award to reward good race craft. We may have to setup a permanent award for Dr Mort Fitzgerald.

As Molly Meldrum says, "do yourself a favour", get to Sandown on 5/6 April and watch Dr. Mort Fitzgerald in the red MGBV8.

Congratulations Dr. Mort Fitzgerald on your six wins out of six races at Winton to win the Trackside Marshal Award for Round 2, Victorian Motor Racing Championship.

/

MERCBITS HQ HOLDENS Race 1: McHenry, McDonald, Wright, Gay & Stoopman.

Race 2: McDonald, Wright, Gay, McHenry & Stoopman.

Main: McDonald, Wright, Gay, Stoopman, Astley, Wise, Gaffiero and Brown.

FASTEST RACE LAP: Carl McHenry - Race 3 - 1:46.9570.

EBC BRAKES IMPROVED PRODUCTION Race 1: Douglas, Alessi, Kelvin Twist, Heylbut and McKay. Race 2: Douglas, Kelvin Twist, Heylbut, McKay and Floreani.

Main: Douglas, Kelvin Twist, Caligari, Heylbut, Alessi, McKay, Floreani S VanDen Dungen.

FASTEST LAP: Ken Douglas (Selectmaz RX7) - Race 2 - 1:34.5085.

ROBINSON RACING DEVELOPMENTS SPORTS CARS Race 1: Fitzgerald, Punshon, Bedggood, Hutchinson and Cini.

Race 2: Fitzgerald, Punshon, Bedggood, Hutchinson and Trende.

Main: Fitzgerald, Punshon, Bedggood, Vidovic, Trende, Hutchinson, Bryson and Cini.

FASTEST LAP: Mort Fitzgerald (MGBV8) - Race 3 - 1:28.8171.

AVIATION COMPONENTS PORSCHE 944s Race 1: Eddy, Faulkner, Morter, Balodis and Steve Canny.

4

Printed by Rowprint.

Vic State Racer is the Official publication for The Victorian Motor Racing Championship.

Vic State Racing Inc. President: Terry Wade Secretary: Geoff Bull Vic State Racer is an insert to Motor Sport News and is not for separate sale. No material or photographs may be reproduced without permission from the Publisher.

Although Vic State Racer uses its best endeavours to ensure the accuracy of all it publishes, the Fair Trading Act, 1985, requires Vic State Racer to disclaim any belief in the truth or falsity of information which is supplied to it and which is published in other than editorial content, Vic State Racer acknowledges pics by Chris Macgeorge, James Smith & Justin Deeley

Race 2: Eddy, Faulkner, Morter, Balodis and Goddard.

Main: Eddy,jyiorter, Faulkner, Balodis, O'Keefe, Howe, Comand, Quick and Doherty.

FASTEST LAP:'Mark Eddy - Race 2 - 1:39.8361.

INSULTS

L

Circulation in Victoria, South Australia & Tasmania: 10,000.

MG WORKSHOPS MGs Race 1: Fitzgerald, Clark, Hopwood, Nordlinger and McDonald.

Race 2: Fitzgerald, Clark, Nordlinger, Hopwood and Robertson.

Main: Fitzgerald, Nordlinger, Brooks, Hopwood, Robertson, Richardson, McDonald and Mawson.

FASTEST LAP: Mort Fitzgerald (MGBV8) - Race 2 - 1:30.8189.

FORMULA FORDS Race 1. McCurdy, Kermond, Spence, Hendrick and Sampson.

Race 2: Kermond, McCurdy, Spence, Hendrick and Nethercote.

Main: Kermond, McCurdy, Phillips, Kerr, Spence, Hendrick, Connolly and Weber.

FASTEST LAP: Veijo Phillips (Spectrum) - Race 3 - 1:29.9798.

ISLAND PERFORMANCE UNDER 2LITRE SPORTS SEDAN Race 1: Newing, Bienvenu, Peter-Budge, Dentry and McPherson.

Race 2: Newing, Bienvenu, Hastings SNR, Peter-Budge and Dentry.

Main: Newing, Hastings SNR, Bienvenu, Peter-Budge, Dentry, Brown, Skilton and McPherson.

FASTEST LAP: Ken Hastings Snr (Toyota MR2) - Race 3 - 1:31.4735.

COLENSO FINANCIAL SERVICES FORMULA VEES Race 1: Colenso, Frith, Bocquet, Beacham and Jones.

Race 2: Beacham, Frith, Colenso, Jones and Nethercote.

Main. Jones, Beacham, Nethercote, Harris, Colenso, MacLennan, Kerr and Bocquet.

FASTEST LAP: Tony Bocquet (Sabre) - Race 3- 1: 37.9551.

CENTRELINE SUSPENSION SPORTS SEDAN Race 1: Smith, Woods, Hamilton, Gilliland and Bray.

Race 2: Smith, Robinson, Woods, Hamilton and Camm.

Main: Smith, Woods, Catchlove, Craig, Bray, Lloyd, Yates and Rusden FASTEST LAP: Rod Smith (Falcon) - Race 3 - 1:27.7262.

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Fitzgerald i -11- III

t's hard to understand there is a waiting list for a medical operation when there is a doctor as fast as Mort Fitzgerald (MGBV8) In the profession. He did a vasectomy on the rest of the sports car field as he stitched up three magnificent runaway wins.

Lyndon Punshon (KWP Robnell) grabbed pole position after qualifying, a quarter of a second quicker than Fitzgerald, but over two seconds faster than third placed Brett Bedggood (Bedggoods Car Sales Porsche GT2).

In the opening race on the Saturday Punshon was bogged down at the start as Fitzgerald rocketed off the line followed by Tom Hutchinson (Triumph TR8), Bedggood, Punshon, Marc Cini (Adamco Porsche ) and Neil Bryson (Jocaro Porsche 964), Dean Koutsimidis (Equity One Finance Porsche GTS) had a doosey of a loose coming into Penrite corner, but trust that "show pony" George Vidovic (GVT Autos Python) to try and outdo him several laps later.

Punshon was pretty fired up and charged back into second place with Hutchinson hanging onto third and Bedggood starting to close on him.

Cini, Bryson, Russell Butler (Westfield Sports Cars Westfield) and Jon Trende (Caterpillar Porsche) was a

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● ● ●●● ● ● ● * ●

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Race 1:

Fitzgerald, Punshon, Bedggood, Hutchinson and Cini.

Race 2: Fitzgerald, Punshon, Bedggood, Hutchinson and Trende.

Main; Fitzgerald, Punshon, Bedggood, Vidovic, Trende, Hutchinson, Bryson and Cini.

»- *

Fastest Lap; Mort Fitzgerald (MGBV8) - Race 3 - 1:28.8171

Marc Cini (18), Neil Bryson, Porsche, both having their tails snappedCluSmans. real good battle as was the dice between Nick Kovatch (Elfin Sports Cars Elfin) and Peter Bartolo (Home Entertainment Centre Westfield) for those final top ten places, Vidovic was sideways on the grass into Penrite corner creating a huge dust storm, which saw several others go off as well, either in sympathy or wondering where he was and hoping to avoid him.

Bedggood grabbed Hutchinson on the final corners with Cini just holding off a very persistent Trende.

Unfortunately Punshon had trouble again at the start of Sunday mornings race while Fitzgerald made a fantastic start to romp away at the front.

me

little scrap.

Martinez had a loose at the end of Falken straight while Burns, Goodall and Bailey were in a good contest just behind Ward, who was hounding Bendell.

Butler, Koutsimidis, Kovatch, Clark, Bartolo and Martinez was a great sports car battle with the clubmen climbing all over each other in the Westfield/Elfin challenge, with the Westfield's having the numbers.

Bendell and Ward was a terrific battle as Hutchinson was having mechanical problems and starting to loose a few places over the closing laps with Trende and Cini getting past before Cini had a late race excursion which cost him several places at the finish.

Bedggood got to third followed by Hutchinson, Trende, Butler, Kovatch, Bryson and Geoff Martinez (Westfield) in the early stages of the five lapper.

Cini had lost a lot of places and had Vidovic, Barry Ward (Mazda MX5), Peter Clark (MGBV8) and Harry Witham (Binzel Porsche) breathing down his neck, while Richard Bendell (Motec Daytona Coupe), Rob Bailey (Porsche), Alan Burns (VicLink 2402) and Allan Goodall (Alfa Romeo) was another good battle back in the pack.

■r

Butler was going great guns in sixth place and was having a terrific fight with Bryson, Vidovic, Kovatch and Cini as Punshon slowly pegged back Fitzgerald's lead.

The main ten-lap race was no different from the two preliminaries with Fitzgerald taking the lead at the start followed by Punshon, Bedggood, Hutchinson and Vidovic, with Trende, Cini and Bryson soon into a great

Barry Ward MX5. pushed hard by—m.^ * ^-'Rob B'aileyrPdrsche 911

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y' Mark Eddy leads Pae!Eamikner&:Breodart Morter old Will,. Sat§m rate-

RiehatdJHowe drops,the rear^ohfihe ritgr^d

Hot Santis & Hot Eddy ark Eddy (Hot Sands) continued to show his dominance this season when he again took

Sands) for the entire race but just couldn't find a way past while McDermott and Paul Mapperson (Swedish Wreckers) took their battle right to the line as Eddy went on to score another comfortable victory.

out all three races on a hot and dusty Winton racetrack. Paul Faulkner (Aviation Components) hit the qualifying track full of running to snatch pole position

Hot weather and hot sands were to Eddy's liking as he

from Eddy, Brendan Morter (DCA/RSR Racing), Dennis

grabbed the early lead in the ten lap main race.

Faulkner again slotted into second place with Morter

O'Keefe (Aporscapart) and Ojars Balodis (Plastics for Industry) with an ever increasing field of twenty-eight

not letting him get away this time followed by Balodis and Goddard, who was again the engine driver of a

cars facing the starter on the weekend.

In the opening race Eddy bluffed Faulkner out of the first corner and took the lead followed by Morter,

huge train of cars.

Steve Canny had a huge loose off the sweeper and

Balodis and Steve Canny (Mr. Brakes) as Andrew Lane

dropped way back through the field as Goddard, McDermott and Morriss all retired after just one lap.

(Victorian American Imports) bypassed the esses on the opening lap.

Comand, Howe, Quick, Doherty and Smith were all

As the field settled down Eddy and Faulkner had a small break over Morter and Balodis with another break to Canny, John Goddard (Plaza Auto Sales) and O'Keefe in a terrific scrap. Slightly further back Bruce Rose, Rod Smith (RSR Racing) and Peter Doherty (Aporschapart) were also in a good battle and towards the back of the field John Morriss(Motorsport Leasing), Graeme

Block,

Gary

McDermott

(Price

WaterhouseCoopers) and Geoff Adams was another good battle that went on for the entire race.

close as they battled to stay in the top ten while Rose, Eddy managed to keep a handy break over Faulkner throughout the race with Morter and Balodis spaced out behind them and not close enough to mount a challenge. Mr. Brakes gave them a good working out to keep in front of Goddard who had an extra wide Porsche that O'Keefe couldn't get past.

Eddy again won the start of the second race followed

Phillip Meiklejohn (Coppens Signs), Block and Adams was just as good a battle back in the pack.

With Eddy controlling the race at the front Morter was keeping the pressure right on Faulkner, while O'Keefe, in fifth place, was looking for someone to play with.

Lane took on the concrete wall rather than a spinning

by Faulkner with Balodis getting the better of Morter this time. Goddard was fifth and leading a huge train of

canny, while Howe, Comand, Quick, Doherty and Smith were still as close as they were on the opening laps.

cars in the early stages.

Canny had another spin, this time at "Ugilee" corner as Morter finally got the better of Faulkner with a

Rose spun off at "Ugilee" corner, which dropped him to the back of the field, as Goddard, Canny and O'Keefe

couple of laps to go.

quickly, got into another battle for the weekend.

PoJriTSCore

The four front runners were again pulling away from the rest of the field and Morter was all over Balodis

j

Race 1:

looking for a way past but "Oj" can be just as hard to

I

Eddy, Faulkner, Morter, Balodis and Steve Canny.

get past as "Big John" is.

Race 2:

Doherty was going great guns in the slippery conditions and holding down eighth place with Richard

Eddy, Faulkner, Morter, Balodis and Goddard.

Howe(Sharwoods) keeping the pressure right on, while McDermott and Calvin Pusterla (Jocaro Motors) were

Main: Eddy, Morter, Faulkner, Balodis, O'Keefe, Howe, Comand, Quick and Doherty.

leading a terrific pack of eight cars which were side by side at every opportunity,

Fastest Lap:

Morriss had a big loose in the esses and was lucky he

Mark Eddy - Race 2 - 1:39.8361.

didn't get collected as Doherty lost a lot of places as he spun out of the sweeper and created a desert storm.

Jeff Quick (Rivers) was tracking Jed Comand (Hot

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Fitzgerald IV-V-VI

N

ot happy with winning all races in one class the flying doc, Mort Fitzgerald (MGBV8) cut and dissected his way to another three wins in the MG category.

But this time the "expert" commentary gave us an insight into why he always wins - he's on SLICKS, while most of the others are on radial tyres. What hope have they got in weather like that?

Fitzgerald was glued to the track all weekend with his only opposition being Peter Clark (IVIGBVB), lapped cars or the CAMS stewards. Clark put up another brave fight but I have come to the conclusion that Fitzgerald is invincible and his car is bullet proof.

In the opening race Clark and Fitzgerald put on their usual performance with Clarke leading for two thirds of the race and Fitzgerald taking over in sight of the finish line.

Neil Hopwood (Plus 4 MGB) had had a great qualifying session to be third quickest but he was a bit sluggish off the line and Jim Robertson (Midget) grabbed third place with Bob Nordlinger (Comcater/Kronos GT)fifth.

Once the race got into its pattern Robertson, Hopwood and Nordlinger were reasonably close, as were Ian Mawson (TC), Lloyd Perrin (MGB) and John

{

5! j*7Wo MG m bsttffng as I they always have Gillett (TC Sp.ecial) while David Mottram (MGF) was getting some curry from James hall (MGBGT).

Robertson had pulled a handy break over Hopwood but late in the race Hopwood caught up with him and passed him down Falken straight before Robertson pulled into the pits.

Scott McDonald (MGB) and Alan Richardson (MG) were reasonably close in the opening laps while Mawson, Gillett and Perrin was one of the best dices throughout the race, and it went right to the end.

Nordlinger spun on the final lap but was just able to get going again before McDonald could pounce.

In the second race Clark was again the early leader from Fitzgerald, Nordlinger, Hopwood and McDonald with Adrian Brooks (MGBGT) and Robertson, a couple of quickies, starting from the back of the grid.

Poiniscore Race 1; Fitzgerald, Clark, Hopwood, Nordlinger and McDonald.

Race 2: Fitzgerald, Clark, Nordlinger, Hopwood and Robertson.

Main; Fitzgerald, Nordlinger, Brooks, Hopwood, Robertson, Richardson, McDonald and Mawson.

Fastest Lap: Mort Fitzgerald (MGBV8)- Race 2 - 1:30.8189.

The final ten-lap race had Clark again taking up the front running from Fitzgerald with Nordlinger holding down third place on his own.

Brooks and Robertson had added a bit of spice to the racing as they battled with Hopwood, Richardson and McDonald for fourth place. Gillett was finally heading Mawson with Oosthuizen and Rose also getting into this dice in the early stages.

Fitzgerald found himself all alone at the front when Clark retired, but at least there was a great battle going on between Robertson, Brooks and Hopwood in the battle for third.

Gillett and Oosthuizen took their dice right to the line as Mawson pulled away from them, and Hopwood kept the pressure right on Brooks to the finish.

Nordlinger had Hopwood tracking him for the whole race and McDonald had Richardson right on his tail as Brooks and Robertson got amongst these cars..Mawson and Gillett continued their battle of the "oldies" with Perrin keeping an eye on both of them.

As Fitzgerald took over the front running from Clark Robertson lined up McDonald as they went through the esses with Brooks also waiting for his chance. Peter Rose (MGB) and Karl Oosthuizen (Midget) were close together for most of the race and the Gough family, Nick (MGF) and Ben (MGB), were having their family feud at the back of the field.

David Mottram in the MGTF leads Adrian Brook's MGBGT _ _

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Nicholas €artledge (36) & Monique WebeP (38) both frying so bard! for 8th.

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raig Kermond (udrive.com. VanDieman) jumped straight back into championship calculations when he won two out of three races in three

fantastic battles with the new

"attitude" Adrian

McCurdy (Bob's Panels Mygale).

McCurdy is running full of confidence after the first round of the series and he put on another outstanding

effort during this round to retain his handy points lead.

Qualifying was sensational for another new driver in Terry Kerr (Bizar Software Spectrum) who just edged out McCurdy, Veijo Phillips (Minerva Net Spectrum) and Kermond with the "old fox" Brian Sampson (Speco ThomasA/HT Spectrum) revelling in the conditions to be fifth fastest.

mnpy Kerr, 3 wheels aFe'’not}$oougPii^ for the Bizar Software Spectrum

McCurdy and Kermond got the better of Kerr off the start line to be the early leaders, with Phillips joining in and making it a good four car tussle for the lead.

Cameron Spence (Spectrum) was in fifth place leading

William Vass (G Force Motorsport Mygale) and Travis Jones {udrive.com. Van Dieman) in another good scrap.

the final laps while there were a couple of battles, namely Kennedy and Connolly, and Vass and Jones, which went right to the wire.

Dieman),

McCurdy and Kermond were having a terrific battle at

Sampson, Andy Nethercote(Norwood Mobile Mechanic

the front as they pulled away from the field, and they went even further ahead when Kerr and Phillips

into the lead from

tangled at turn three.

Coleman and Phillips as Weber pulled off a good move

Craig

Hendrick

(Echuca

Bearings

Van

Spectrum) and Dominic Kennedy (Symtec Swift).

Not too far behind the pack battling for fifth place

For the ten lap feature race Kermond jumped straight McCurdy,

Spence,

Hendricks,

taking Kennedy on the outside round the sweeper.

Nicholas

The battle for third was really hotting up with Spence

Cartledge (VanDieman), Monique Weber (Spectrum),

putting in a terrific drive to be just holding out Hendricks, Sampson, Nethercote, Kennedy and Coleman in a fantastic battle.

Kermond and McCurdy again pulled a break at the front while in the mid-field there was a terrific scrap

Robert Perm (Rolands Automotive Van Dieman) had a

Kennedy, Vass, Jones and Cartledge in the early stages.

was

Malcolm

Coleman

(Swift)

leading

good loose at Penrite as Kermond was climbing all over

: Poj'mscore Race 1:

McCurdy, Kermond, Spence, Hendrick and Sampson.

McCurdy right to the finish.

In the second race Kermond just beat McCurdy to the first corner followed by Spence and Hendricks with the two leaders quickly pulling a break over the field.

Spence was putting on his best performance and holding down third place from Hendricks, Nethercote

Race 2; Kermond, McCurdy, Spence, Hendrick and Nethercote.

Main: Kermond, McCurdy, Phillips, Kerr, Spence, Hendrick, Connolly and Weber.

and Coleman with Phillips slowly closing in on them.

Kennedy and weber were also having a terrific battle and they had a small break over John Connolly (PLG Gearcutting VanDieman), William Vass and Kerr.

Perm had taken a liking to spinning at Penrite corner and this time he did several three-sixties with air, which created plenty of dust, while Cartledge had a good slide

Fastest Lap: Veijo Phillips (Spectrum) - Race 3 - 1:44.8468.

out of the sweeper.

Kermond was gaining a small break over McCurdy on

L

Droomit. Drive it.

going

on

between Coleman,

Nethercote, Weber,

Kerr was putting in a terrific drive and was soon battling with Hendricks for fifth place, just behind Spence and Phillips, while Weber and Coleman were leading a big pack in the mid-field.

At the halfway mark Kermond was still holding off McCurdy in the battle for the lead as Nethercote spun at the old turn one and was nearly collerted by Vass, Phillips dived inside Spence at the same corner and was quickly off after the leaders, Kerr had fought his way up to fourth place and the Coleman, Weber, Kennedy battle was still raging in the mid-field as Spence now had Hendricks breathing down his neck.

Phillips caught right up with the leaders with a couple of laps to go and it turned out to be a great three way tussle to the line.

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Steve Newing won 3from 3In the Datsun Stanza,

t UnderZ Itr Sedans are spoasored by

Karen McPherson didn't have as good a-weekeacKsst€alder,Jaut stilhdri\^s-so well

Newing, Hat Trick

s

Newing and Bienvenu again had the race to themselves and Peter-Budge had reached third place but was being run down by Hastings. Dentry was still holding out McPherson and Brown while Camm, Toye and Woods was a fantastic scrap.

teve Newing (EFI Hardware Nissan Stanza) made his first appearance of the season at this round and came out full of running to grab three victories from three starts. Without a doubt it was one of the best looking U2 fields we have seen and they put on some fantastic racing over the weekend.

Local Fiat punter, David Bienvenu (Milawa Mustards Fiat 124s) had been doing his homework over the summer and grabbed second quickest qualifying time with Bryce Peter-Budge (Peugeot) finally getting the Super Tourer to boogie.

Newing won the start of the first race while Ken Hastings SNR (Toyota MR2) just made it to the esses before he retired on the opening lap. Bienvenu slotted in behind Newing with Peter-Budge next, then Derek Dentry (Autobarn Escort) leading a huge train of cars all wanting to have a go at him.

Last round's star attraction, Karen McPherson (Rank Rotary RX3) was muscling her way into a dice with Shane Brown (Demal</Mika Timber Datsun), Brendan Woods (HSD Cylinder Heads Corolla) and Bradley Toye (Island Performance Stanza) as Ken Hastings JNR (Dandenong Reco Engines Escort) was coming through from the back of the field.

Newing was keeping just enough in front of Bienvenu

M.

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PoiinTSCOjre P 5j j

RACE 1: McPherson, Skilton, Rodrigues, Hastings and Brown,

j j ' i I

RACE 2: McPherson, Rodrigues, Dentry, Peters and Camm.

;

Hastings, Dentry, Rodrigues, Brown, Camm, Toye, Seymour and Andrea.

^ .

John Camm, you drive that.oo3 wheels so. , hard.

to be safe, while Peter-Budge was racing a lonely third as McPherson tried to get her claws into Dentry in the battle for fourth place.

Hastings JNR was just starting to get cracking and looking for a good finish when he forced into the pits, while back in the pack John Seymour (Wilmour Motors Maffra Escort), Jim Nielsen (Alfa) and Steve Howard (Lightning Locksmiths Corolla) were having a terrific battle.

John Camm (Excel Air Corolla) and Kevin Roberts (Roberts Automotives Gemini) was also a good dice for a top ten finish as Newing scored a comfortable victory.

Sunday morning and race two saw Newing again make a good start to lead Bienvenu and Dentry with Hastings SNR starting from the rear of the field. Peter Budge took a lap to get into gear and soon had Dentry in his sights with Brown leading McPherson, Camm, Toye, Woods as Hastings SNR stormed through into calculations.

Other good battles were between Roberts and Dave Skilton (Peninsula Mobile Mechanics Escort), along with Michael Haddon (Corolla) and Mark Brady (Techonelly Gemini) as Hastings started to test the defences of the Peugeot. Hastings got him with two corners to go.

The final ten lap feature race saw Hastings SNR go with Newing off the line followed by Budge, Bienvenu, Dentry, Brown and Camm. McPherson had an early off coming onto the old back straight and she was last by a long shot as the field completed the first few laps.

By far the best battle was between Camm, Woods, Toye and Skilton. They were all over each other In a terrific dice while Roberts and Brady weren't separated by much either.

By the halfway mark Newing was well in front of Hastings, who had a break over Beinvenu, then came Budge with a longer break to Dentry and Brown.

McPherson was charging through the field and up to eleventh place while the Woods, Camm, Toye battle continued to grab a lot of the attention.

Newing's car started to slip and slide with a possible deflating tyre as Hastings got closer and closer. Hastings missed his chance when Newing slid onto the grass going onto the main straight when he was stuck in third gear and he was unable to beat Newing to the line.

MAIN;

FASTEST LAP: Ken Hastings Jnr.(Dandy Recos Engines Escort)- Race 3- 44:8468sec.

We've got'im on the cover too; Bryce Peter-Budge in\ the beautiful Peugeot 2lU^K^omek

Performance Auto Parts: Ben Driscoll 2/24 Boys Home Rd. Newhaven 3925 Tel (03)5956 6011 bend@fhills.hotkey.net.au ON SITE AT EVERY MEEETING it,

WWW.wi€StMeracer.com

39

11

Formula Vee are spansoreO by

Colenso

C

ACCOUNTING

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f David Frith leads the pack out of the "S's".

1

^ MichaetSmith give's it~a gW^iiU ofTbplSSsrteJo^put

Young Guns Show Form

A

Sexton and Nethercote with Bocquet starting from the back of the field.

couple of the young guns in the class, Nicholas Jones (Artshop.com. Sabre) and Drew Beacham (Traf Engineering Jacer) showed that with skill, and a bit of luck, the "old guard" can easily be knocked off the podium.

The action really hotted up on the second lap when Smith started a chain reaction of chaos when he slid through the esses, over the ripple strip, creating a huge cloud of dust and grass. With the field still reasonably close together cars went in all directions hoping they wouldn't hit anything. Jim Van Bemmel (Mantis), Ken Filby (Gebert), Dellaca, Davin Field (Spectre) and Andrew Goodall (Fleywood Panels Elliott) all came to screeching stops and were able to untangle themselves without anyone getting any damage. It made this area very slippery for several laps.

Tony Bocquet (Prompt Distribution Jabiru) after clean sweeping the first round of the series grabbed the Art Shop qualifying trophy from David Frith. (Dimension Data Sabre), Jones and Ray Colenso (Colenso Financial Planning Sabre) with less than two seconds covering the first ten cars.

In a very orderly attack on the first corner of the opening race it was a long train of cars led by Bocquet and Frith, which successfully got round the first few laps without incident.

Once they got into their pecking order Frith led Bocquet, Jones, Colenso, Beacham, Damian Harris (Binzel Sabre), David Nethercote (Norwood Mobile Mechanics Sabre), Paul Sexton (Elfin), Brett MacLennan (Sabre)and Lee Partridge (Wilridge Racing Spectre) with the other nineteen cars shaping up with someone to have a battle.

Leigh Barclay (Spectre), Andrew Dellaca (Ballarat Yacht Fittings Franklin) and Brandan Stewart (Ivers

Pointscore I Race 1: n Colenso, Frith, Bocquet, Beacham and Jones, i ! Race 2: ii Beacham, Frith, Colenso, Jones and Nethercote.

I Main:

i Jones, Beacham, Nethercote, Harris, Colenso, ' MacLennan, Kerr and Bocquet,

Liquid Waste Elfin) was one of the many good battles throughout the field as the leading pack jockeyed for position and changed its order. Three/ four wide down the main straight was the norm with Bocquet, Frith or Colenso always near the front.

Harris spun out of contention at the old turn one on the final lap and in a fantastic dash to the flag Colenso came out on top in a terrific finish.

In Sunday mornings first race Frith won the start from Colenso, with Bocquet failing to make it to the start line. It quickly settled down into a battle of six with Frith, Colenso, Beacham, Jones, Nethercote and Sexton battling at the front then a gap to MacLennan, Jason Kerr (Bizar Software Sabre) and Martin Riseley (Elliott) who were engrossed in their own battle.

Nine cars had worked their way into the lead pack Jones, Frith, Beacham, Colenso, Sexton, Nethercote, Harris, MacLennan and Kerr and Bocquet was picking up plenty of places as he came through the field.

Phil Gardner (VeeTech Signs BeeCee), McLaughlin and Barclay were having a good scrap in the middle of the field as Sexton spun out of contention at Penrite corner.

With only a couple of laps to go the pace quickened with Jones, Frith, Beacham, Colenso and Harris all in with a chance as they had got away from Kerr and MacLennan.

Frith got in a spin in the esses forcing Colenso to go with him and this split the back giving Jones a terrific break, and with the commentators delight he was able to hold on to the finish for a comfortable victory.

Quentin Crombie (PL Plastering Spectre), Michael Smith (Home Express Sabre) and Harris was close in the mid-field while Dellaca, Barclay and Andrew McLaughlin (Spectre) was another good contest.

Robert Clarke (Revolution Racegear Zedvee) and Jon Gaspero (JCG Installations Gebert) were involved in a heavy collision at turn four which saw them out of the meeting as Beacham took over the front running of the lead pack.

Fastest Lap: I Tony Bocquet (Sabre)- Race 3- 1: 37.9551.

In a desperate lunge to the line Beacham was able to record his first victory and dad was as happy as larry.

And so was Drew.

-U

V

Beacham was full of confidence coming into the main race as he won the start from Frith, Colenso, Jones,

Mayhem at Turn 1, Robert Clark in Mark Zellner's Vee S Tqp Gaspero came to grief.

12

Colenso

81 Myers Street Geelong Ph:(03)5222 3300 Fax:(03)5222 3383

A C C O U N TI N G

Email ray@colensoaccounting.com.au Certified Practising Accountants

Ray Colenso cpa Financial Advisor

WWW.vicstateracer.com

Sports seaan are sportsored by

SDIspension

Rodhe^WopdsJias g£itthe^^-Bob Joilv Commodore fmm well.

R

Rod Smith won 3 but didn't have it all his way.

Seymour Flyer On Fire

od Smith (Romsey Smash Repairs Falcon) continued his charge towards a championship with a scintillating performance in the second round. Smith was awesome. From qualifying right through to the three races the car was running perfectly as Smith scored three comprehensive victories.

One other who put in a top performance in a new car was Rodney Woods (Commodore) and he showed that with a few more races under his belt he will be a big threat to Smith.

Its been a long time since we have seen so much V8 thunder on the grid with Smith, Michael Robinson (Bell Real Estate Commodore) Terry Hamilton (Dandenong Reco Engines Commodore) and Woods making up the first two rows with last year's champion Dean Camm (Parred Panels Honda) starting from the back of the field.

At the drop of the flag it was Smith charging into the lead from Robinson, Woods, Hamilton, Graeme Gilliland (G&G Engineering RX7), Peter Yates (Escort) and Barry Bray (Keys Road Autos Nissan) with Richard Catchlove (Racefix RX7)failing to get off the line.

Back in the pack a good early battle was raging between David Rusden (Birrus Matting Systems Exa),

:^|)orts Sedan Pojrjjscoire Race 1: Smith, Woods, Hamilton, Gilliland and Bray.

Race 2: Smith, Robinson, Woods, Hamilton and Camm.

Main; Smith, Woods, Catchiove, Craig, Bray, Lloyd, Yates and Rusden Fastest Lap; Rod Smith (Falcon)- Race 3- 1:27.7262.

o:mMi§^dsMich&nd'gam^^ Greg Lipenski (Cortina), Cameron VanDungen (40 Winks RX7) and Darden Brown (Galant) as Camm's race came to an end after a couple of laps.

Smith had opened a big break and was never headed while Neil Crowe(Andrews Transport Commodore)and Barry Cassidy (Tascar Motorsport Commodore) were at each other in the Cup cars in a very entertaining battle.

The field started to spread out a bit over the closing laps although Steven Lloyd (Classic Mowers Commodore) was tracking Stephen Craig (Gemini) as they came through the field.

Starting the final lap and with Smith well out in front Woods and Robinson went side by side through the esses with Woods the first one out and Robinson failing to make it to the finish.

In Sunday mornings preliminary race Woods got the jump on Smith off the line with Hamilton slotting into third as Camm, Robinson and Catchlove charged through the field from the back of the grid.

Craig spun at "ugilee" corner on the opening lap and was just missed by Catchlove, while Lipenski failed to take the esses and went back for another go.

Camm only lasted a few laps and may have been the reason why Crowe went cross-country ploughing at the sweeper and was soon followed by Lipenski as the oil flags came out.

Wood was soon into second place as the field spread out with Dungen and Brown the only two close enough to duel. Robinson and Gilliland both received the black flag and this put them out of the race.

Catchlove had worked his way through the field to be in third place and Craig was starting to close in on Bray as Crowe had overcome his Saturday night fever to finish in front of Cassidy.

It didn't take long for Robinson and Camm to be up near the lead group with Woods leading the race from Smith, Hamilton, Gilliland, Robinson, Craig, Camm and Bray after a couple of laps.

Smith finaily grabbed Woods down the old back straight as Catchlove closed in on Bray. Cassidy was ieading Crovve in a sterling battle while a spin by Woods saw him fall back into the clutches of Robinson.

Camm, Giiiiland, Craig and Catchiove were all close over the final laps as were Cassidy, Rusden and Crowe.

Smith was out of the blocks like a rocket for the

"pension

feature race leaving Robinson to deal with Woods, Camm, Gilliland, Catchlove and Yates in the early stages.

^' ^^fioppihg^Biapi^ ^ssidy.t6;get^uhder't^iP0'rb^ theJ^ommo.dores

l Race Car Suspension Specialists l Trim Tops to open wheelers l Race Track assistance available Chris Muscat a Glen Reid 72 Lipton Drive, Thomastown, 3074 PH:(03)9469 2914 Fax:(03)9460 7215

WWW.vicstateracer.com

13

^BINZEi:

^ POINTSCORE FORMUUV FORDS: Adrian McCurdy 191, Craig Kermond 148, Terry Kerr 144, Veijo Phillips 135, John Connolly 134, Craig Hendrick 110, Malcolm Coleman 95, Andy Nethercote 84, Cameron Spence 76 and Monique Weber 70.

HISTORIC TOURERS: Robert Braune 100, Alastair Maclean 88, Mark Brewster 87, Harry Williscroft 74, Bill Cutler 6B, John Bourke 64, Paul Dobson 62, Don Knight 47, Michael Lemmens 45 and Michael Stupka 39.

MGs: Mort Fitzgerald 200, Adrian Brooks 150, Neil Hopwood 133, Peter Clark 131, Jim Robertson 119, Scott McDonald 115, Alan Richardson 107, Bob Nordlinger 90, Ian Mawson 87 and Michael Wood 79.

UNDER 2LITRE SPORTS SEDAN: Derek Dentry 156, Shane Brown 132, John Camm 108, Steve Newing 100, Bradley Toye 98, Karen McPherson 96, David Bienvenu 88, Rupert Rodrigues 87, Ken Hastings Jnr 85 and Bryce Peter-Budge 80.

PORSCHE 944S: Mark Eddy 200, Brendan Morter 184, Paul Faulkner 174, Jed Comand 115, Dennis O'Keefe 105, Stephen Canny 97, John Goddard 82, Jeff Quick 80, Ojars Balodis 79 and John Morriss 78.

IMPROVED PRODUCTION: Ken Douglas 160, Rob Alessi 154, Chris Heylbut 147, Gary McKay 125, Tony Floreani 118, Shaun Maloney 96, Kelvin Twist 92, Andrew Morris 90, Tom Prentice 84 and Mario Caiigari 84.

FORMULA VEE: Nicholas Jones 175, Ray Colenso 158, Tony Bocquet 143, David Nethercote 142, David Frith 141, Damian Harris 135, Drew Beacham 126, Paul Sexton 93, Brett MacLennan 84 and Jason Kerr 83.

SPORTS CARS: Mort Fitzgerald 197, George Vidovic 159, Jon Trende 138, Marc Cini 137, Lyndon Punshon 131, Brett Bedggood 125, Neil Bryson 112, Dean Koutsoumidis 95, Russell Butler 91 and Nick Kovatch 76.

Want to advertise In

mmiEmBt www.vicstateracer.com

Contact Chris Macgeorge on (03)59786063 or Richard Catchlove on(03)93281623 WWW.mstmtermsr.mm

SPORT SEDANS: Rod Smith 180, Stephen Craig 122, Barry Bray 122, Graeme Gilliland 98, Michael Robinson 93, Rodney Woods 92, Barry Cassidy 92, Neil Crowe 86, Terry Hamilton 80 and Richard Catchlove 64.

HQ HOLDENS: Glen McDonald 99, Ken Wright 92, Richard Gay 85, Kevin Stoopman 77, David Astley 68, John Wise 65, Mario Gaffiero 56, Carl McHenry 46, John Alessi 43 & Adrian Brown 38.

ABICOR

BINZEC^

Welding Torches & Consumables Phone:(03)9580 6500 Website: >vww.binzel.com.au 15

Victorian Motor Racing Championsliip 2003

Round 3,2003

race

Organized by MG Car Club Vic at Sandown International Motor Raceway 5/6 April 2003

I

Featuring

Blood Thirsty, Mean, Loud Sports Sedan Banging, Belting, Improved Production Huee. Mvn.^id Hittina HQ’s - Under Hated, Under 2Litre Sports Sedan Pretty Perfect, Porsche 944 M^,Magnificent, Marque Sports Cars Full on Fancy, Formula Ford Feis^ Formula Vee Morris Garage MG’s Hot, Gorgeous, Group N Historic Tourers Admission fees:$10 Saturday,$20 Sunday for 15 years and over 10 Races Saturday,20 Races Sunday - non-stop track action from 1.00 pm Saturday and 9.00am Sunday

ISMSw

V8 SUPERCARS scs Round 1 Clipsal Adelaide 500 CD

CO

In need ofsome attention: Anthony Tratt and Jason Richards, above, and Ambrose, below, all bad bad ends to Race 2.

So near yet... Race 2 promised much for the Dick Johnson team but Steve Johnson double-ended the Helix Barra into the Turn 12 concrete while seemingly heading for a great result.

Race 1 -18 laps Pos Driver Race time Fastest lap 1 Ambrose Ih55m06.9486 lm23.4783 2 Skaife 1h55m09.1550 lm23.6574 3 Bright 1h55m22.7752 lm23.7934 4 S. Richards Ih55m26.5882 lm24.0411 5 T. Kelly Ih55m32.2386 lm24.3536 6 Johnson Ih55m34.3462 lm24.4246 7 Ingall Ih55m44.9772 lm24.3891 8 McConville 1h55m49.2906 lm24.3974 9 R. Kelly Ih55m53.5324 1m24.8095 10 Murphy Ih55m55.3867 lm24.2653 11 Dumbrell Ih55m55.7496 1m24.6782 12 Radisich Ih55m 57.7235 lm24.6250 13 Tander 1h56m00,1741 lm24.6755 14 Weel Ih56m00.4906 lm24.6312 15 Bargwanna Ih56m05.4875 1m24.8242 16 Wills Ih56m09.6276 lm24.5324 17 Whincup Ih56ml1.0124 lm24.8327 18 Seton Ih56ml4.1431 lm24.5299 19 Tratt Ih56m21.6080 1m24.7722 20 Canto 77 laps 1m24.7720 21 Baird 77 laps lm25.8688 22 Ritter 77 laps lm25.3553 23 Larkham 77 laps lm25.2508 24 Jones 76 laps lm24.7462 25 Forbes 74 laps lm25.2350 26 Wilson 74 laps 1m24.1613 27 Morris 73 laps lm24.9970 28 J. Richards 73 laps lm24.6368 29 Ellery 59 laps lm24.4544 DNF Noske 52 laps 1m24,6097 DNF Besnard 49 laps 1m25.4046 DNF John Bowe 48 laps lm24.7986 DNF Romano 45 laps lm26.0491 DNF Lowndes 35 laps lm24.6254 Race 2-18 laps 1 Skaife 2h09m50.4167 2 S, Richards 2h09m52.1631 3 Weel 2hl0m00.5444 4 Radisich 2h10m02.6914 5 T. Kelly 2hl0m02.9335 6 2hl0m03.6249 Bright 7 Lowndes 2h10m04.3608 8 Dumbrell 2hl0m06.5031 9 Wills 2h10m08.1696 10 Seton 2hl0m08.8822 11 Murphy 2hl0m09.9521 12 Ingall 2h09m59.9707 13 Ritter 2hl0m14.0825 14 Baird 2hl0ml1,2294 15 Tander 2hl0ml4.5228 16 Larkham 2hlOm17.4669 17 Noske 2hl0ml7.7563 18 Jones 2h10ml9.4378 19 Bargwanna 2h10m31.3120 20 Morris 77 laps 21 Forbes 77 laps 22 Whincup 76 laps 23 Bowe 65 laps 24 R. Kelly 62 laps DNF Johnson 75 laps DNF Ambrose 73 laps DNF Besnard 71 laps DNF Canto 66 laps DNF McConville 54 laps DNF Wilson 50 laps DNF Romano 15 laps DNF Tratt 1 lap DNF J. Richards 1 lap EXC Ellery

lm23.2731 lm23.6970 lm24.1534 lm24.1494 lm23.9162 lm23.3410 lm23.6717 lm24.1150 lm24.8195 1m24.7224 lm24.1658 lm24.0653 1m25.1225 lm24.7849 lm24.3079 lm24.6909 1m24.5710 lm23.9618 lm24.3330 1m24.7278 lm25.3169 lm24.3625 lm24,5550 lm24.2129 lm24.0365 lm23,4156 lm24.4223 1m24.1253 1m24.6088 lm24.4441 1m25.7734 lm39,7252 1m44.5887

Championship points: Skaife 189, S. Richards 180, Bright 171, T. Kelly 168, Radisich 150, Weel 147, Dumbrell 141, Ingall 141, Murphy 135, Wills 123, Ambrose 117, Seton 114, Tander 114,Johnson 105, R. Kelly 99, Bargwanna 96, Baird 93, Ritter 93, McConville 87, Larkham 81, Whincup 81, Lowndes 78, Jones 72, Forbes 60, Morris 57, Noske 57, Canto 54, Tratt 42, Bowe 33, Wilson 30, Besnard 24, J, Richards 15, Ellery 12.

43

tn

continued from page 43

Dirk Klynsmith

circumstances. Wilson was scooting along behind Wills when the Dynamik car lost its splitter. The errant bodyw'ork was flicked into the air and shot straight through Wilson's windscreen,showering the BrazUian with glass.

Several fragments found their way into Wilson's eye,forcing him into the gravel trap and out of the race.

He was rushed to Wakefield hospital to see an eye specialist, and by all reports is said to be comfortable.

Things were looking rather better for Junior, who had been running well up in the top ten throughout the race. The first cause for concern came when right rear guard damage sustained during a heated scrap with Murf caused bodywork to start rubbing the Shell Helix Falcon's tyre.

Johnson pushed on and pinched third place from Ambrose on lap 71, but three laps later the car jumped ' out of gear and speared into the wall at the final corner.

Although both ends had been knocked off the car, Johnson retrieved himself from the concrete and attempted to complete the final few laps in the hope of salvaging some points, but was finally black-flagged just two laps from the finish.

"I don't know what we have to do out there," Johnson said.

"We just can't seem to take a trick.

I was driving my heart out out there and to have this happen just crushes you."

A superb drive from the nether regions of the grid helped Lowndes bring the CAT Falcon home sixth, with a 10th from Seton adding to a

Dial 0066 for the Barra Hotline: The new generation had a mixed weekend, Ritter, Noske and Canto all having problems with the cars or bodies. But everyone is still chasing the same guy this season ... generally good end to FPV's first weekend in the Championslrip.

Amazingly, Seto set his fastest race lap on the last lap of the last race when was the last time that happened?

The one downside for the team was the retirement of David Besnard, who got tangled up in a melee and had to park the AU. Bezzy's former team-mate was another late-race casualty. Ambrose had been struggling with rear-end problems that worsened as the race progressed when he finally clipped the tyre barrier at turn one,sailed into the tyre wall, and broke the Pirtek Falcon's steering rack.

A ninth place to splitter-less Wills gave Team Dynamik something to take away from their home-turf debut, which got off to a bad start when Jason Richards understeered straight into the back of the alreadyshunted Anthony Tratt on the second

Dirk Klynf:mith

lap.

Very few drivers made it to the end of the race without some tale of woe, but then Adelaide always seems to produce that sort of race. You can bet, tliough, that more than one driver will arrive at Phillip Island next month keen to make amends for events from last weekend.

We can't wait...

Dirk Klynsmith

No-one move,he has a Canon

DIRK Klynsmith used to be in the Army. Over the Adelaide 500 weekend,some in the media room were wondering whether the MIMews photographer would appear at the race or be on a plane on its way to the Middle East, fatigues and cameras at the ready.

If you absolutely have to have a scrap, DK is the kind of guy you want on your side. Somehow, a bulldog managed to get into the Klynsmith family tree a few generations back and left there some of its attitude to conflict.

So, when some over-sauced punter decided to have a swing at a photographer who was just doing his job after Sunday's race, he picked the wrong damn target. There was a scrap; bodies and cameras went flying, a stubbie was brought into play and it was on.

Thankfully, saner heads prevailed and the Police were called in to settle the whole brouhaha. When the smoke cleared, Dirk was bleeding from a cut on his head - but he grabbed his Canons and he kept shooting before they medicos marched him off for some repairs.

The moral of the story is; no matter what happens, the good guys will still get the shots.

And, if you drink and take a swing at Dirk Klynsmith, you're a bloody idiot.

k Dat smarts: Max Wilson, above, caught some glass in the eye and had to stop at the chicane.

moiorsport news

Book your grandstand tickets to the 2004 Clipsal 500t before June 30 this year and pay the 2003 listed price for your tickets, even if you didn’t attend this year’s race.

To make tickets even more affordable, you have the option of paying in three easy instalments at no extra cost. If you did attend this year’s Clipsal 500, you can have the same seat you enjoyed this year - or leave it to us by getting in early and we’ll ensure you get a great view.

Use the form below and post with your payment or credit card details to BASS SA, GPO Box 1269, Adelaide 5001; or fax to 08 8231 0550.

A

BOOKING IPORM. Please indicate your ticket allocation at the 2003 Clipsal 500 Adelaide: Stand _ Section Row. Seat no./s.

I wish to reserve the same seats I had in 2003.

K»

irrrB ?

I wish to change/increase my seating allocation (indicate stand and number of tickets below).

I did not have tickets at the 2003 event, however, require the following tickets for 2004 Clipsal 500 Adelaide (indicate stand and number of tickets below).

Stand Cost’ No. of tickets $216 Chicane Inside (AB) Senna Chicane $188 $181 ^^Pirie Street (Under Cover) $158 ^^^^Pit Straight (Section y $158 Hairpin $143 Pit Entry $143 Adelaide Straight $123 Brabham Straight Chrome $371 = Family Grandstand (Chrome) 'Cost shown is for the total event.

2 Include section if you have a preference.

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l I l r-'

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PAY 2003

tDate to be confirmed.

HURRY. OFFER ENDS JUNE 30.

<

Government of South Australia

Vi SI 4i J

fW*ri

I

131 246

Conditions: All mail is processed by BASS South Australia in order of receipt and seats will be allocated as close as possible to your request. Preference will be given to patrons re-booking 2003 seats until June 30, 2003, when all seats not re-booked will be available to any patron. Price Cap patrons will receive acknowledgement of their seat allocations in late July 2003 once all forms have been processed. Tickets will not be mailed until early November 2003, once the date of the 2004 Clipsal 500 has been announced and lull payment for tickets has been received. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after purchase under any circumstances. Once submitted, this booking form cannot be altered. 'Price Cap’ bookings olose 5pm June 30, 2003.

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New r

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\

The New Kids on the FI block starred in Malaysia, with Fernando Alonso on pole and Kimi Raikkonen taking his first GP win.

JOE SAWARD reports from Kuala Lumpur

\

P

R

OSBERG,Hakkinen... now Raikkonen. Finland

does not produce that many Formula One drivers but, when it does, they are usually very good indeed.

IGmi Raikkonen showed signs of race-winning talent a year ago but the McLaren-Mercedes technical package was never really up to the

job.

This year the car is better and the young Finn, who lost out on victory in Melbourne, made no mistakes in Kuala Lumpur,coming home to a popular victory. Raikkonen was only seventh on the grid but he benefited from a second corner shimt which ruined the day for Jarno Trulli, Michael Schumacher and dented Rubens Barrichello's hopes of a victory. After the crash Raikkonen had only to deal with Fernando Alonso's Renault, which was running

on a riskier strategy which did not, in the end,pay off. Kimi took the lead definitively on lap 23 and ran to the finish with an advantage of nearly 40 seconds over Barrichello, who was himself 25 seconds ahead of Alonso.

It was a day during which the young drivers of Formula 1 were in the limelight. It may be too early to say that these are the boys who are going to knock Michael Schumacher from his perch as the Formula 1 Top Gim,but the signs are there.

Raikkonen now leads the World Championship with 16 points. David Coulthard has 10 and Michael Schumacher is one of five drivers who have eight points.

But the story of the Malaysian GP was the second corner. It was there that Schumacher, keen to make up for a poor showing in qualifying, pushed too hard and ran into the side of Jarno Trulli, punting the unfortunate Italian

I

46

motorspon news

r«

FORMULA ONE into a spin. Michael went off onto the grass and Rubens Barrichello was delayed and as a result Raikkonen slipped through the carnage and soon emerged in second place behind the pole position man Fernando Alonso.

It was clear in qualifying that Alonso had been running with a relatively low fuel load, the Renault team's aim being to have a fast first stint of just 14 laps. The second and third stints were both 20 laps.

McLaren bargained on being able to run faster for longer and that proved to be the case with Raikkonen not pitting until lap 19. In the second stint he was able to go for 20 laps and his last stint was just 15.

As the two strategies unfolded it became clear that McLaren's plan was the better of the two and an advantage of three seconds for Alonso became a disadvantage of nine when the first stops had been completed. And he never recovered from that.

Ferrari had decided on an even heavier fuel load for Rubens Barrichello,so he ran 22 laps before pitting for the first time. By the time he had completed his second stop on lap 38 he had done enough to be 15 seconds ahead of Alonso but around half a minute behind Raikkonen.

The McLaren,quite simply, used the rubber more efficiently.

Coulthard was not able to take advantage of this because his race ended after just a few laps when his car cut out with an electrical problem.

r

I

Lap 1, turn 1, number 1:

[

Michael Schumacher bad a brain snap on the opening lap, clanging into Jarno Trulli's Renault, above.

Trulli was left to read the

[

signwriting on Juan Montoya's rear wing, right, while Michael had a trip across the grass, below right. He had to pit the Ferrari for a new front wing before serving a drive-through penalty for causing the incident.

,

( f 4

The day belonged to Kirm and after the race he was unusually talkative, particularly in Finnish.

I think that now they have changed the qualifying system, you never know what other teams are doing and you have a chance," he almost smiled.

Silver Dreamer: Kimi The Kid took the first of many GP wins at Sepang, giving McLaren a perfect score. Over to you, Maranello ...

26 March 2003

It was a good race for us. The tyres worked well. MicheUn brought really good tyres for this race and the whole package was great. We put in so much effort over the winter and it is paying off now. It's good for all of us."

Was it a deserved victory or might

Schumacher have dominated the race?

It is difficult to say. The fact is that Michael was under pressure and he made a mistake. The first lap incident dropped him down the order and damaged a front wing. He decided that it was necessary to pit and then he had to return to pitlane again when the FIA Stewards decided that he should be given a drive-through penalty for causing an avoidable accident.

continued on page 50 47

Les

The Guys from France: And Spain, and Italy. Alonso and Trulli were on the pace on Saturday, their speed corralling the front row and earning a hug from team boss, Flavio Briatore, below.

Someone had to do it: Pizzonia, right, became the first team-mate to out-qualify Webber.

That's not champagne: Michael Schumacher, right below, had to make do with third place on the grid and a sports drink.

F

ERNANDO Alonso and Jarno Trulli qualified 1-2 on the grid for the Malaysian Grand Prix but, as the excitement of the session faded, the Formula 1 circus began to wonder how much fuel the blue and yellow cars had been running in qualifying and whether Renault would be in a position to take on the big teams in the race on Sunday.

Alonso was naturally delighted with pole position in only his 19th Grand Prix. In achieving this goal, he becomes the youngest-ever poleman in FI and the first Spaniard to qualify on pole for a World Championship event.

"It is a very special day for me, said Alonso "It is like a dream. I was aiming for a good place on the grid but expected to see my name slipping down the list at the end. But it didn't happen and I got a great surprise when Michael Schumacher finished his lap and I was still on pole."

Renault technical director Mike Gascoyne insisted that the team "has compromised nothing for the race." Those who know Gascoyne well know 48

that he is not prone to lying and so people began to look for an explanation. Renault has a seriously underpowered car this year but the chassis is obviously quite good. But can a good chassis overcome a huge horsepower deficiency? Or was it to do with the fuel load? Or perhaps the tyres?

There were soon rumours that Michelin had a special newUyre construction specifically (and exclusively) for Renault but this was denied by Michelin's Pierre Dupasquier.

"Contrary to rumours we have heard," he said, "there are not any special tyres for Renault here at Sepang."

That evening there were long debates in the Media Centre.

But the answer would not come until Sunday.

This is how it is nowadays in FI. And on the whole, it is a lot more interesting than it has been in recent years, although qualifying is somewhat compromised because one never knows who is running with what fuel load.

Schumacher is the man one would expect to see on pole position and he did not seem to be too worried about being third

on the grid. He seemed to be confident that the Renaults would disappear into the pits quite early and leave him out in the lead.

"We hope that we have the right strategy," he said.

Michael had had a number of problems, including a spin on Saturday morning and then clutch trouble. The car was not perfect but Michael can drive around problems and, so, seemed to be in a good position. The tyres would probably hold the key on Sunday.

Overall, Ferrari was pretty confident that third and fifth on the grid was enough.

"We worked with the race in mind," Barrichello said.

It was a similar story at McLaren and as a result, David Coulthard ended up fourth on the grid. But Kimi Raikkonen was only able to record the seventh quickest time, after making a mistake at the end of his .flying lap. He was nonetheless happy because he reckoned that he was lucky to have stayed on the road.

Raikkonen made the point that in Melbourne he had qualified much further down the

grid and had started from the pitlane in the race and still might have won it...

“The efforts of Williams were rather disappointing but once again the team was staying focussed on its strategy for Sunday. Ralf Schumacher was the first to run, having had a bad qualifying on Friday. His lap was another disaster. He would end up 17th on the grid.

"It is obvious that I have to get used to this new qualifying mode," he said, "I made two major mistakes, each of which cost me three-tenths of a second. But I am not eighttenths of a second slower than Montoya! I am pretty sure that our race strategy is better than some of our rivals."

Watching Ralf, Montoya was worried but when it was his turn to qualify things went better and he ended up eighth on the grid although confident that Sunday would show the true competitiveness of the WilliamsBMW package.

One team had a clear strategy.

Sauber was running Nick Heidfeld in a car without much fuel. Heinz-Harald Frentzen was running with a heavier load. The molorspoit news

FORMULA ONE

Items Smmtcaps n

results showed that philosophy with Heidfeld sixth and Frentzen 13th. The team argued that it had all options covered and was confident to leave Sepang with some more World Championship points.

British American Racing was much in the news because of the spat between Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve over what had happened in

Melbourne. Jacques ranted about Jenson. He went out and beat the Canadian on the racetrack. The point was made.

Villeneuve imight have been closer to Button's ninth place had he not had a big slide on his flying lap which meant that he lost a couple of tenths and so was 12th on the grid.

What was interesting in the midfield, apart from how close the times were, was that Honda and Toyota were neck-a-neck.

The Toyota men were concentrated on their race strategy and so with Olivier Panis 10th and Cristiano da Matta 11th they were well-placed for a points score if all went well.

Behind Frentzen we had the six Ford Cosworth cars, lined up around Ralf Schumacher's recalcitrant Williams.

T

he fastest Formula Fordster on this occasion was Eddie Jordan’s number one Giancarlo

Fisichella. He might have been expected to have gone better but the team was running with harder tyres and so he could do no better than 14th.

He was a tenth ahead of Antonio Pizzonia, the Brazilian Jaguar driver having gone into qualifying with a light fuel load.

The Brazilian had been troubled throughout qualifying by a fuel pick-up problem which proved hard to find. In the end, the Jaguar engineers managed to cobble up a solution for the weekend. It was not going to be cured completely.

Mark Webber has similar problems and did not help his own cause by having an off on Friday. He ended up 16th on the grid but if one looked closely there was the interesting fact that Webber had been one of the fastest in the middle part of the lap. So the Jaguar is clearly not a bad car when all is working well.

And presumably one day soon the team will manage to stitch it all together and give everyone a shock.

Behind Webber and Ralf Schumacher were the two Minardis and Ralph Firman's Jordan. There was no big surprise in this.

A

s the excitement subsided the engineers began to calculate who had been running with what fuel on board and how that might translate on race day.

There were so many variables that, of course, such things are virtually impossible.

But the computers were buzzing nonetheless ...

- JOE SAWARD

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49

continued from page 47 “I made a mistake and hit Jarno," said Schumacher. "I have apologised to him. That was the decisive moment of my race. It was a big surprise that I was still able to fight for points after I pitted for the drivethrough penalty."

Michael ended the day sixth, which was a pretty good effort in the circumstances.

The first corner shunt also damaged Barrichello's hopes of success.

"1 had to take avoiding action," he said. "Trulli ran wide and I had to dodge back inside him and that cost me a lot of time. There was a lot of debris and I was lucky not to hit anything."

The crash also put paid to Trulli's hopes of success. He recovered from being punted out but then lost time when he had a long pit stop. He also had a spin on lap 50, all of his doing.

He ended up finishing fifth,jumping Button for the place on the last lap.

Trulli was overshadowed throughout by Alonso, who finished in third place, although it was not as easy as it looked as Fernando had problems with his gearbox and was suffering from a fever. But he made it home and, according to the team boss Flavio Briatore, it showed that the "we proved out choices in terms of strategy were correct". One might argue that if the strategy was right, the team would have won the race but the fact is that the team was not

Good and bad for team-mates: Rubens Barricbello looked strong in tbe race and now has more championship points than Schumacher. Very interesting...

Wish I was back in Melbourne: Aussie CP winner David Coulthard was out early with a dead engine in the McLaren.

aiming to win but rather to make the most of the current package and score a podium finish. Asking for more than that was really unreasonable.

The firsthopes corner also put paid to the ofcrash the WilliamsBMW team. After qualifying there was little hope that Ralf Schumacher was going to achieve much. Ralf was not his usual self all weekend, thanks to unsavoury and unsettling allegations in a German magazine.

The team hoped that Juan Pablo Montoya would do the business.

"My race was decided on the first lap," he said afterwards. "I was hit from behind by Antonio Pizzonia's Jaguar and lost most of the rear wing."

That had to be changed and by the time he was ready to depart the pits the leaders had covered two laps.

"You cannot close a gap like that!" he said. In addition his drinks bottle malfunctioned after a few laps so the rest of the afternoon was really hard work.

As fate would have it, Ralf profited from the first lap crashes and ended up ninth (from 17th on the grid). He moved to seventh when Coulthard stopped and Michael Schumacher pitted and his pit stop strategy (to 50

in his pit stop but he proved that he deserves a place in FI, not least for refusing to be cowed when under extreme pressure from Trulli.

Giancarlo Fisichella made a

run as long as possible) got him up to fourth. He rejoined fourth and stayed there for the rest of the afternoon.

"The new rules are proving positive," he said."They mix up the field so much that a lot goes on in the race."

BAR had a rather miserable day, which began with Villeneuve being unable to start because of an electrical problem. There was evidence that Jacques did not know the rules; he set off running off to the garage to get into the spare car (which he is not allowed to do). He then had to run back to his racecar but this was going nowhere.

Jenson Button made a good start to run fifth but he was clearly struggling to keep the pace and he slipped back to sixth. Then after the pit stops, he began a battle with Trulli which continued right through to the finish.

'I held off Jarno as long I could,'

he said,"at the last corner I braked where I normally would and the rear end locked up and I went straight on.

That let Jarno and Michael through. It was very disappointing."

Eighth place behind this trio went to Nick Heidfeld but it was not a good day for Sauber. Frentzen was left on the grid at the start and although things looked good at the end of the first lap with Heidfeld getting through the crash to run third, it soon became clear that he could not sustain the pace of the fast boys. He slipped back to fourth and then at the first stop the engine stalled and a lot of time was lost.

Frentzen's race was disrupted by a similar problem in the pitlane. He finished ninth, overtaking Ralph Firman on the last lap when the British driver ran out of fuel. That was a great shame because Firman had done a good job with an unusual one-stop strategy. He too had trouble

complete mess of his race. He went to the wrong grid slot and was busying reversing around on the grid. Charlie Whiting waited but when the lights finally went out Fisichella's Jordan did not budge. He blamed the launch control.

Just behind Frentzen and Firman at the finish was Cristiano da Matta who had started the race from the pitlane in the spare car. This then developed a fuel pressure problem and so he had to run with a full tank (which meant three stops).

"This made overtaking impossible," he said.

Olivier Fanis's race was short and sweet. He came through the first lap chaos in seventh position and then quickly moved up to fifth, running a light fuel load. When he rejoined after his stop the car died -just as it had done in Melbourne.

Jos Verstappen finished last several continued on page 52 moiorsporl news

Malaysta ^Peace

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^

All we are saying is ... I Justin Wilson, above, and| Jos Verstappen ran 'Malaysia for ^ Peace'on the Minardis but the | Pom has nothing but grief, retiring in pain with a pinched nerve in his back caused by his HANS device.

Not happy Jan: The single-car qualifying system does not seem to suit Ralf Schumacher. The German has had four cracks at it now, for a best result of eighth place.

What The Iceman said QUESTION: Kimi, Ron Dennis calls you the iceman,the floor's yours, how hot was it? What was that race like, what are your emotions?

KIMI RAIKKONEN: It's difficult to say right now really. I think it will be tomorrow when I really notice that I won my first race. The race was quite hot, but actually I didn't need to push so hard in the last 20 laps. I was just driving around and coming home.

R 2003

SIEMENS g ITIobile ijj

26 March 2003

i

Q: You started from seventh on the grid, what are your thoughts about not being on the front row and winning a Grand Prix from that position?

KR: I think that now they have changed the qualifying system you never know what other teams are doing and'you have a chance. Of course at the start there was a little bit of... I don't know what happened, but some people last a bit of time. It was a good race for us.

Q: When you were chasing Fernando (Alonso) in that first stint, were you trying to picture, with the team, what sort of strategy he was on?(ED; The drivers admitted later that they were on different strategies).

KR: No, I just pushed as hard as I could. I was catching him all the time a little bit but then there was slower cars and it was not so easy to catch him and luckily we ran much longer the first stint and we came in first.

Q: Was it a trouble-free race after that?

KR; Yeah, pretty much, The tyres worked very well, Michelin brought really good tyres for this and also for the first race and the team - the guys made a good job on the pit stop and the engine, everything, the whole package was great.

We put in so much effort over the winter and it's paying off now and it's good for all of us.

51

continued from page 50 laps down, having spent most of the race at the tail of the field after running into the back of Pizzonia when the Brazilian ran into Montoya.

He charged hard all afternoon but there was nothing he could do.

Justin Wilson impressed a lot in the early laps, obviously running with a light fuel load. He moved up to eighth but then dropped back as it was impossible to keep up that pace. As the race wore on he ran into more and more trouble with his HANS device and was forced to retire after 41 laps with no feeling in his arms. He was in such a state that he had to be taken to hospital.

Jaguar Racing ended up as the only team not to finish a car. The fuel pick up problem from qualifying had not gone away,so the team decided to run the cars with hea\'y fuel loads. Mark Webber got through the first lap chaos and was up to seventh when he pitted on lap 15. There was a clutch problem as he tried to rejoin and he lost a lot of time. He battled on but was

Running on empty: Ralph Firman actually went well until his Jordan-Ford ran out of fuel at the end of the race.

WORLD

eventually called into the pits because his engine was using too much oil.

Pizzonia lost out in the first comer shunt and so was a long way back. He ended up spinning into the gravel after 43 laps.

Those who say that the new regulations were not the cause of the exciting race in Melbourne will no doubt find something else to blame for the exciting race in Malaysia. But for most people in FI things are looking a lot more interesting now than they were last season.

And Kimi has won his first race, twice he has been in a position before to taste the champagne;in France, when he hit oil, and in Melbourne, when he sped in pit lane.

It took Keke Rosberg 50 races to get his first win. Mika Hakkinen racked up 96 races before his. Both went on to win the world championship and are national heroes in Finland.

The chances of Raikkonen having to wait so long for win number two?

Slim. Very SHm.

&

OB

2003 FIA Formula One World Championship

ttUMUtMOP

2003 Malaysian Grand Prix - Overall Race Classification after 56 laps - 310.408 kms - Provisional Pos. No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Driver

Nat

Entrant

Time Laps 56 1:32:22.195 56 1:33:01.481 56 1:33:26.202 56 1:33:50.221 55 1:32:25.290 55 1:32:28.475 1:32:28.679 55 Lucky Strike BAR Honda 1:32:54.294 55 Sauber Petronas 1:33:50.405 55 Sauber Petronas 55 1:33:51.715 Jordan Ford 55 1:33:51.975 Panasonic Toyota Racing 1:32:39.485 53 BMW WilliamsFl Team 52 1:32:58.886 European Mlnat^l Cosworth Not ClassiHed 42 1:12:46.694 Jaguar Racing 1:12:23.796 41 European Minardi Cosworth 0:59:25,781 35 Jaguar Racing 12 0:20:02.083 Panasonic Toyota Racing 2 0:03:23.413 West McLaren Mercedes 0 Jordan Ford 0 Lucky Strike BAR Honda

6 KImi RSIkkdnen 2 Rubens Barrlchetlo 8 Fernando Alonso 4 Ralf Schumacher 7 Jarno Trulli 1 Michael Schumacher 17 lenson Button 9 Nick Heldfetd 10 Heinz Harald Frentzen 12 *Ralph Firman 21 Cristlano Da Matta 3 Juan Pablo Montoya 19 Jos Verstappen

FIN BRA ESP GER ITA GER GBR GER GER IRL BRA COL NED

15 Antonio Pizzonia 18 Justin Wilson 14 Mark Webber 20 Olivier Panis 5 David Coulthard 11 Giancarlo Rsichella 16 "Jacques Vllleneuve

BRA GBR AUS FRA GBR ;ITA CAN

I 1 I Michael Schumacher

I GER I Scuderla Ferrari Marlbor^

West McUren Mercedes Scuderla Ferrari Marlboro Mild Seven Renault FI Team BMW WilliamsFl Team Mild Seven Renault FI Team Scuderla Ferrari Marlboro

Gap 39.286 64.007 88.026 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 3 LAPS 4 LAPS

24.721 24.019 1 LAP 03.185 00.204 25.615 56.111 01.310 00.260 2 LAPS 1 LAP

DNF DNF DNF DNF DNF DNF DNF

Best

Kph 201.629 200.210 199.327 198.476 197.918 197.804 197.797 196.888 194.926 194.880 194.871 190.234 185.995

1:36.764 1:36.542 1:37.078 1:38.071 1:37.484 1:36.412 1:38.413 1:38.528 1:39.287 1:39.665 1:38.156 1:37.787 1:39.667

Lap 10 24 12 24 53 45 10 9 19 14 35 26 3

191.930 188.348 195.866 199.202 196.199

1:38.572 1:39.752 1:38.464 1:38.176 1:38.021

3 12 6 7 2

Fastest Lap 206.974

I 1:36.412 on Lap 45

Drivers’ Points: Raikkonen 16, Coulthard 10, Montoya, Barrichello, Alonso and M. Schumacher 8, R. Schumacher 6, Frentzen 3, Button 2, Heidfeld 1.

Constructors’ Points: McLaren 26, Ferrari 16, Williams 14. Renault 8, Sauber 4, BAR-Honda 2.

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52

Teflon is a trade mark of dupont

motorsport news

FORMULA ONE

Mark Webber's Malaysian Diary A

tough weekend and another DIMF doesn't look _so good on paper, but between the problems we had over the weekend in KL, we're sure we've got a car that can be refined into something good quite soon.

Sepang is quite an interesting circuit. Apart from the two long straights, there are a few good medium-high speed corners, some off-cambers and so on. The heat and humidity adds another factor especially driver fitness come race day. It also makes it difficult for even the most committed race fan - and even the team members going in and out, as you do, from air-con to humid heat all weekend.

“Things didn't get off to a good start. Indeed I only completed three flying laps on Friday - and one of those was qualifying!

Antonio had the T-car this week and our planned rear end change after an observation lap and one flier kept me off the track until the 90 minute mark of our two hour free practice. Maybe I was feeling a bit anxious, but I then went out and went a bit too quick too soon, lost the rear into turn 10 and spun through the gravel trap.

They have pretty big gravel in KL - the suspension on the R4 was so badly damaged that the team had to change all four corners! In the end, that meant 1 missed 55 minutes of the subsequent onehour session.

We didn't need that...

Then it got worse - a fuel pick up problem reared its head. It was something we hadn't experienced at all before this day and with virtually no time prior to first qualifying I simply had to go in with 20 kilos of extra fuel just to be sure it would do the lap okay.

The lap was okay and pretty much what we expected under the circumstances, but the priority was to see if there was anything we could do with the fuel problem.

The fuel cell system and its compartments are quite complex in an FI car and the problem seemed to be temperature and pressure-related. The engineers would try to find a solution overnight, but given that we couldn't make any serious structural changes here in Malaysia, things weren't too optimistic. decided not to panic, despite Friday's dramas, but overnight did decide to go with the harder 26 March 2003

Michelin option. According to the Michelin guys the softer one would be slightly better on the first lap, but might also be marginal in the race.

So it made sense to concentrate on the harder tyre and setting my car up for it as best we could.

Antonio opted for the soft rubber, so we'd have a weekend-long comparison anyway... i did a couple of long runs during Saturday morning’s 90 minutes, really just playing around with set up, and ended up with what I thought was a pretty good balance. We had a pretty good race car - especially in the second sector - despite the fact that we are still a bit short on traction out

sector three corners). In the end we opted for the latter.

Qualifying thus went as well as you could expect. Again, I managed a fairly good middle sector, brought back by a traction problem out of the very tight turn two and an MW 'oops' on the very last corner, where I went in just a fraction too deep.

I virtually idled round the slow down lap (every drop of fuel was going to count!) and we started to think about race day.

Either way you looked at it, it was going to be a long, hot day and, although we were planning a two-stop race, it was going to need to be pretty flexible, given that we might have to stop earlier

Red V Green: Webber leads

Rcdzone Motorsport Inui^es

"The lineextinguisher went oft inside the cockpit during the second Stint" of some corners.

That was the good news. The bad news was that as we got down in fuel, the pick-up problem was still there, which would create a real dilemma for the race.

The bottom line was that we would either have to carry a bit more fuel throughout (and every 10 kilos is worth over 0,4s per lap) or simply 'drive around' the problem on the corners that it affected (mainly in the two fast

panned out at Turn 1. I weaved in between bits of red wing and came out okay (no punctures etc) and we had a pretty good first stint.

The tyre worked well. There was a little bit of a rear grip problem as time went on, but really, the times were okay. Three laps before I stopped, the fuel pressure problem was there again and cost us a fair bit of time, but we were eighth when I came in on lap 15.

Things went a bit crazy from here. The clutch failed on take-off and it cost an extra 35 seconds before I could get back out, but the car still felt good and I pressed on.

The times were again reasonable and I got back to eighth

than planned thanks to the pick-up problem.

Still, the heat was likely to be a factor and, as we have learned before, anything can happen!

“The start was interesting. I was a bit distracted by the fact that Fisi had to reverse into his spot (?) and was a fraction late starting my launch program. The start itself was good, if a little late, which might have been a good thing as it

Michael Schumacher at Sepang. before the team advised that the engine was losing too much oil.

We made the decision to stop - a couple of laps prior to the scheduled second stop - so that they could have a comprehensive inspection the engine back at Cosworth, rather than blow it up.

So that was that. I don't think the clutch would have been at home for the pit-lane restart either. so it was an intelligent decision.

Oh, the other exciting thing that happened was the fireextinguisher going off inside the cockpit during the second stint not the best for air quality ...

Again, despite the fact that it was a tough weekend for the team, we have proved to ourselves that the R4 does have the potential to get a good result.

The fuel problem can be engineered out before Brazil, so we'll see what we can do there.

53

Konica ve Supercar Series — Adelaiae

By the time Marcos Ambrose had claimed! ¥ttory among the big boys on Saturday the Stone Brothers already had a win in the bag ^ \ courtesy of Mark Winterbottom’s Konica efforts ' the previous evening. MARK GLENDENNWG

s

OME had speed,some had reliability, but Mark Winterbottom had a potent combination of both in round two of the Konica V8 Supercar Championship at Adelaide last weekend.

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A superb drive at the wheel of the SBR-prepared Milligans Food Group AU Falcon in sometimes tricky conditions sealed victory for the 21year-old Sydney-sider on an evening that saw all the bad luck fall the way of his strongest rivals.

2002 championship runner-up Dale Brede claimed second place in the HRT Young Guns VX Commodore, with former TraNZam racer Mark Porter completing the podium in the Hydralink Racing/IRC VX.

Practice and Qualifying gometimes it'suse notit. what got. it's how you (At you've least, that's what we've heard).

Whatever the case, it certainly rang true during the opening sessions on Thursday, when Owen Kelly rolled the Smith's Trucks VT into a field spearheaded by newer VX Commdores and AU Falcons, and

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-to

seen him Une up 31st among the big boys for the Clipsal 500.

But the number of cars snapping at Owen's heels highlighted how competitive the Konica Series has become this season. The fight for second on the grid was put to rest when Winterbottom made the most of a clear lap late in the session and took just 0.1s longer than Kelly to find his way around the track. Next was Andy Jones, just 0.2s shy of Winterbottom, with Matthew White lining up alongside.

Elsewhere, Todd Wanless was having a less-than-ideal start to the weekend. The speedway star lost control of the PCR/Metal Corp AU Falcon on his out lap just 30 seconds into the second practice session and went head-first into the side of the concrete canyon.

The session was red-flagged, and the Falcon was towed back to its garage with front-end damage, including bent rails and a crunched radiator.

It was fixable, but not in time for qualifying, thus relegating Wanless to the back of the grid.

*■ .St ■3

aipsu

Are Adelaide's streets dangerous after dark? With these things buzzing around, the answer is, 'probably'

Race (42 laps) Australiansfew who crammed Suprisingly ofhad the South themselves into the grandstands on Friday were put off by the late start time of 6:30pm and the drama that played out over the following hour sent every one of them home happy.

The hour-long format promised that at some point, something interesting was going to be thrown into the mix - not least because many of those gridding up had never raced over that long a distance before.

Winterbottom moved into the lead on lap 21 and was never headed thereafter, but it was the man who started from pole who seemed to have all the answers in the early stages.

Kelly led the field away at the start and got straight down to business with an opening string of laps that put him 3.3s clear of second-place Winterbottom after just three laps.

It was a drive as stunning as it was short-lived. Approaching half distance, the Commodore's clutch started slipping, and as the problem worsened, Kelly's advantage over Winterbottom began to diminish appreciably. Finally, Kelly straightlined the chicane and allowed Winterbottom to nip into the lead, and very shortly afterward he was forced to surrender second to Jones.

I He eventually sank through the £ field to greet the chequered flag in I eleventh place, the last driver on the §; lead lap.

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DRIVER Owen Kelly Mark Winterbottom Andrew Jones Matthew White Tony RIcclardello Luke Youlden Dale Brede Mark Porter Brett Peters Kevin Mundy Geoff Full Michael Simpson Peter Gazzard Grant Elliott Jose Fernandez Terry Wyhoon David Russell Robert Jones Mark Howard Jamie Miller Tony Evangelou Shane Beikoff Clyde Lawrence Graham Crawford Craig Bastian Tim Gordon

A

CAR Smith's Trucks Commodore VT Millican's Food Falcon AU Brad Jones Racing Falcon AU VIP Petfoods Commodore VX DJRFaclonAU Super Cheap Racing Falcon AU HRT Young Guns Commdore VX Hydralink/IRC Commodore VX Greenfield Mowers Falcon AU Actron Air Falcon AU Big Toys Commdore VX V8 Racing Commodore VS 3M/Scotts Transport VS Sydney Star Commodore VS Fernandez Racing Falcon AU Kitome Ford Falcon AU Chance of a Lifetime Ford Faclon AU Spies Hecker Commodore VX Howard Group Ford Falcon AU Pedders Alexandria VX ANT Racing Commdore VS Dieseltech Springwood VS Karingal Haulage Commdore VS Centre Stage/Function Point AU Abacus Ford Falcon AU T G Motorsport Ford Falcon AU

RoundZ

While Winterbottom no longer had to worry about Kelly, he had a new threat on his hands in the form of a hard-charging Jones.

The former Formula Ford steerer had earlier been up to four seconds in arrears of the SBR development driver. But a combination of some spookily quick laps (including the second fastest of the race) and a better run through lapped traffic mid-race seemed to suggest that a challenge for the lead was on the cards for the later stages of the race.

It came to nought, however, when Jones trundled down pitlane and out of the race courtesy of a failed distributor on lap 33.

o

TIME lm24.4915s lm24.5930s lm24.7905s lm24.8898s lm25.0043s 1m25.0779s lm25.1612s 1m25.8020s lm26.0017s lm26.0566s lm26.0979s lm26.3050s lm26.3829s 1m26.9570s lm27.2556s lm27.4297s lm27.7041s lm27.7403s lm28.3585s 1m28.7698s lm28.7892s lm29.0765s lm29.2288s lm29.2995s lm30.4118s lm30.8505s

AdelalUe

"I think it was going to be a bit of a ripper between me and Mark at the end there," Jones rued afterward.

"He and 1 usually race together really well. It could have been really good, but this time it wasn't to be."

Moments after Jones's retirement, Geoff Full crashed heavily at turn eight. Mirroring Glerm Seton's crash at Adelaide last year, the Big Toys VX Commodore appeared to either clip the inside of the wall or hit a kerb the wrong way, launching the car across the track and into the barriers on the otherside.

continued on page 56 55

Konicsi ITS Simercar Series —-Adelalile continued from page 55 The car was comprehensively damaged, although Full himself was rather more fortunate.

Nevertheless, with Commodore bits scattered along a stretch of the circuit, there was a substantial amount of cleaning up to do so the new Audi Safety Car was given the opportunity to make its debut. Just like that, Winterbottom's 27.8s lead went out the window.

In bunching up the field, the Safety Car threw some extra kindling on a series of battles that had been raging throughout the race involving Brede, White, Porter, Luke Youlden and Tony Ricciardello.

Youlden inherited second place following the demise of Kelly and Jones, and the Super Cheap Falcon ^ was ticking along nicely until it lost all but third gear. He dropped to sixth while struggling around the track, and then lost a lap trying to get things sorted out again after being accidentally turned around by Brett Peters wliile trying to wade his way arormd a corner.

Dirk Klynsmith Lionised: Brede, above, took his Young Lions Commodore all the way to the podium. But Jones, right, and Kelly, below, were set to

By this point, the pack had also been thimied a little following a punctured right front tyre on Ricciardello's DJR Falcon AU.The reigning Australian Sports Sedan Champ pitted for new rubber and a

Konica V8s RdZ Race (42 laps) POS DRIVER RAGriME/lRPS FASTEST 1 Wintert)ottomlh05rTi54.9121s lm25.0044s Ih05m59.7456s lm25.7252s 2 Brede Ih06m04.1586s lm26.2544s 3 Porter Ih06m07.6199s lm25.6149s 4 White Ih06nn08.2841s lm26.3898s 5 Gazzard 6 Simpson Ih06in15.2891s lm27.0214s IhOBm 18.8353s lm26.8464s 7 Mundy 8 Peters Ih06m22.4511s lm26.2085s 9 Fernandez Ih06m22.7058s lm27.1756s 10 Elliott Ih06m29.2568s lm27.0317s lhC6m46.2197s lm25.3319s 11 Kelly 41 laps lm27.4557s 12 Wyhoon 13 Russell 41 laps lm27.6891s 14 Wanless 41 laps lm26.9924s 15 Jones 41 laps lm27.6771s 16 Miller 41 laps lm28.6421s 17 Lawrence 41 laps lm29.5108s 41 laps 1m28.1021s 18 Evangelou 19 Belkoff 41 laps lm29.7028s 20 Youlden 41 laps lm25.7456s 21 Ricciardello 40 laps lm26.1351s 22 Crawford 40 laps lm29.8509s 23 Gordon 35 laps lm30.2901s 24 Jones 33 laps lm25.1680s DNF Full 32 laps lm26.7048s DNF Howard 12 laps lm28.5706s DNF Bastlan 7 laps lm28.8885s POINTS: Winterbottom 374, White 336, Porter 330, Peters 304, Kelly 304, Mundy 288, Brede 278, Gazzard 258, Ricciardello 248, Youlden 246, Wanless 244, Fernandez 236, Jones 218, Lawrence 198, Evangelou 198, Miller 190, Belkoff 180, Elliott 172, Simpson 162, Crawford 152, Russell 138, Gordon 134, Bastlan 128, Wyhoon 126, Howard 112, Jones 108, Full 90, McDonald 66. Mork 56.

put up a fight before both were struck down by mechanical gremlins repair job to the surrounding bodywork,but rejoined well out of contention and eventually finished two laps down.

Amidst all of the varying tales of woe, Brede and Porter were quietly going about the business of getting themselves onto the podium.

Brede had started his weekend on

Dirk Klynsmith survived the attentions of Porter to

the back foot. Contact with the tyrewaU in the opening practice session bent the front rails and cut down liis track time going into qualifying.

He also suffered a more minor setback when he was badly baulked by a backmarker wliile chasing White on lap 14.

But in the closing stages of the race the Young Lions machine was humming along nicely, and he

secure second place by around 4.5s.

"It was important this weekend that we came away with a result," said a delighted Brede, who also voiced his approval of the race format.

"It was a fantastic race," the Canberrian enthused.

S- belonged to Winterbottom and SBR. " "It was a great race," said 3 Winterbottom.

3"It's the first time I've ever driven on a heavier fuel load, so I had to

i

come to grips with that and I made a couple of mistakes at the start. But it's all an experience thing and I know what the car will do now. It's

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year's Championship.

"We started a bit further down,but

being a 40 lap race you've always got that chance to move back through."

"It was an unreal format. 1 mean, But the day - or more correctly, 40 laps was a real test of team and evening, as twilight had well and driver and I was absolutely rapt with truly set in by the time the chequered the result." flag finally fell, two laps earlier than o scheduled thanks to the Safety Car -

k I

After a tough start to the season at Wakefield Park,Porter was pleased to score some points in the car that Paul Dumbrell drove to take last

l 0it

all a learning curve."

A learning curve it may be, but it gives Winterbottom a handy points lead going into the next round. Given that once drivers can drop their worst round however, those upon whom fortune failed to smile in Adelaide are from being out of contention yet.

There will be plenty to play for when the Konica series reconvenes at Eastern Creek on May 4.

56

moiorsport news

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Italy on top, the Monaro is mortal and race three produces a cracker.

MARK GLENDENNING caught all the Adelaide Nations Cup action

58

THE omnipresent parity debate in Nations Cup was well and truly put on the backburner in Adelaide last weekend, as John Bowe and Paul Stokell shared the wins- and the seven-litre Monaro was proved mortal.

Bowe steered the PHR Ferrari 360GT to pole and two wins, assuming the championship lead in the process, while the Lamborghini

Diablo finally managed to be fast and reliable at the same time, taking Stokell to victory in the final outing.

Bowe survived a good start from Stokell to lead the start of the opening 12-lapper, but a few metres further back, the Monaro was on a charge. Nathan Pretty had been struggling to get the Bathurst 24 Hour-winning car to behave itself around the streets of Adelaide and

moiorsport news

an job OKU

Happier times: Paul Stokell, above, gets a Sunday afternoon Champagne bath, left with Crick, on the Clipsal podium. Jim Richards, meanwhile, had his hands full, below left, using a lightened Carrara Cup machine.

Fourth overall was a good result for the class Champion. Below, the Nations Cup season kicks off...

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qualified fifth. He made short work of Jim Richards' trimmed-down Porsche 911 GT3 Carrera Cup car to take fourth at the start, and added the scalp of Greg Crick by passing the Viper for third place a couple of laps later.

While Bowe flew away to take an unchallenged win, Stokell did not have things so easy. By lap eight the Diablo's rear-view TV screen was full of Holden's finest, although Pretty did come precariously close to becoming the first person to wall the Monaro after a big move on the Diablo came unstuck. Pretty gathered it aU up and recovered to take another swing a couple of laps later.

The Lamborghini proved just too wide however,and Pretty was forced to settle for third, with a lap record lm24.2345s as a consolation prize.

Richards nipped inside Crick to take fourth on the last lap and successfully defended a last-ditch effort from the Viper to reclaim the spot.

From Bowe's perspective, Saturday evening's 30-lap race was pretty much the same as the previous day, despite the addition of success ballast. Bowe's race one win led to the Ferrari being saddled with an extra 6 percent of its homologated weight, which translated to 66kg.

StokelTs Lamborghini was handicapped to the tune of 4 percent, or 51kg, and Pretty was left carrying an extra 3 percent, or 28kg.

Bowe again made the perfect start, and cruised happily around the circuit to claim his second winner's trophy of the weekend - setting his

SWMOMiS ,-Sr-.

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fastest lap on the second-last tour just for good measure.

With Pretty again keeping himself busy chasing Stokell, and Richards and Crick continuing their private war from Friday, the early stages of the race seemed as if things had simply picked up where they left off the day before.

Things spiced up a little when the Safety Car made an appearance on lap nine to facilitate the retrieval of Carrera Cup pilot Andrew Taplin's Porsche, which had struck a wall and speared deep into the gravel. The accident brought the retirement count to two, with David Lawson having gone out after damaging the gearbox of his Maserati Trofeo on a ripple strip a couple of laps earlier.

The restart opened the door for a fanastic battle between Stokell and

on the next lap by backing his Carrera Cup Porsche into the wall at the exit to the last corner, reducing an already small-ish field to just 11 cars.

Pretty had one more shot at stealing second from Stokell, but again it was not to be, and the Monaro crossed the line just 0.3s behind the Lamborghini.

There is much to be said for saving the best for last, and Sunday's third and final race was the most exciting Nations Cup race in ages.

While Bowe and Stokell again made good starts. Pretty's verged on the supernatural. The Monaro came seemingly from nowhere to dive around the outside of both the Ferrari and the Lamborghini - through the turn one/two chicane, no less - and take the lead. The normally sedate media centre was on its feet.

Pretty, the Monaro tailing the Diablo around as if it was on a towrope.

Pretty finally made his move on lap 26 with a big dive at the hairpin, sending the pair through the next section side by side before the Monaro was finally forced to relent.

Andrew Miedecke made his exit

"I thought I made a good start," said Stokell later.

"1 couldn't believe it. I thought, 'this is Bowie - and his car's gone yellow!' I didn't understand what

continued on page 60 S9

continued from page 59 had actually happened!I don't know how he got to there. That's amazing."

StokeD had also found a way past Bowe, with Crick sitting in fourth after getting past Richards.

Pretty was set on making the most of having a clear track ahead for the first time all weekend.The Monaro was hightailing it- after just three laps.

Pretty had 2.68s in the bag. Then on lap eight, the Holden started too slow.

One lap later, it had stopped,the victim of a clutch failure. For the first time in a short but fairly spectacular career, the Monaro had a DNF alongside it on the results sheet.

Pretty's demise promoted Stokell

into the lead, but Crick, who had already found a way past Bowe, was making him work for it. Bowe was still lurking, and the arrival of Richards on the scene shortly afterwards set the stage for a four way battle for the lead over the last three laps. Less than two seconds covered the four of them on the penultimate lap, however a better run through lapped traffic in the dying stages allowed Stokell to open just enough of a gap to secure the win.

Behind him,Richards passed Bowe to take third, and was in the process of hying to force Crick into a mistake when the chequered flag finally fell on one of the series' most exciting races.

Crick later said that he enjoyed his

dice with Bowe and Richards.

"We know how good old Jimmy is at taking advantage of situations," said Crick, who was much happier with the way his Viper was working than he was at his first outing in the car at the Grand Prix.

He got me the other day on the last lap when I came up behind a lapped car and hesitated for a moment and it was aU over. So I have to say he got me again today.

It was a totally enjoyable race.

Bowe gave me a couple up the clacker, but they'll keep for another Who put the comers on this road?: Taplin, above, got in all sorts of trouble in his Porsche GT3. On the other hand.

Simonson, left, was the Group Two dominator

: GT PerformanGe started the weekend with 'a myriad of contenders, but it was Mark King who ieft the streets of Adeiaide with a : ciear points iead. ; In qualifying, the Mazda RX7 S6 of Rick : Shaw, above right, beat Peter Floyd’s HSV IYX GTS. Floyd damaged his Commodore in ! the session but remained in front of third i placed Mark King, above.

The opening race saw Shaw and Floyd j swamped off the line by the 4WD Evo Vl'l’s of ; King and Steve Knight. Shaw however, i regained the lead as they swungi into the ! Senna Chicane. Floyd also grabbed second ' position back, only to again relinquish it at the ; turn nine hairpin. King applied pressure to n Shaw, but an Incident between Phil Ward’s ; RX7 and Justin Hemmes’ WRX brought out 60

the Safety Car before he could make a move.

Ward’s foot “slipped between the pedals” approaching the Turn 9 hairpin and from two cars back, he shot down the inside and Tboned Hemmes, putting both in the wall, and ending Ward’s weekend. At the restart, Shaw pulled a gap on King and claimed the win, with Floyd third.

In the second affair, King again won the start from Shaw. Just behind them Knight got sideways out of turn six, leaving Floyd nowhere to go but straight into him. Shaw regained the lead from King into T11, the two pulling a huge gap on the rest of the field.

Bob Pearson got by Boatwright to take third, but Shaw and King were gone.

Shaw looked certain to take the win, until coming onto the front straight for the final

day and ... he'll get one back!"

Group Two, meanwhile, was totally and utterly dominated by Danish Mika Hakkinen look-alike Allan Simonsen. The 24-year-old, who made his debut in the PHR Ferrari 360 Challenge at the Australian Grand Prix, was awesomely quick, routinely pulling out lap times just over one second shy of the Group One Cars.

Second overall in Group Two was Murray Carter in his seven litre Corvette, with Gary Young taking third in the Trident Racing Maserati Trofeo.

Points standings: Bowe 76, Stokell 70, Crick 44, Richards 40, Pretty 32,Simonsen 31.

time, the RX7 slowed, allowing King to cruise to victory. The Mazda had been overheating with a blown water seal, and while Shaw was able to limp over the line for second, his weekend was over, and without further sponsorship assistance, possibly his series as' well.

King showed his oppostion a clean pair of heels in the final heat, pulling an early gap.

Floyd’s run from the back ended on lap two when his engine blew. Boatwright improved from his eighth in qualifying to finish the final race in second, ahead of Pearson, and the two HSV’s of Barry Morcom and Barrie Nesbitt.

- CHRIS JORDAN Points standings; King 80,Shaw 53, Pearson 43, Boatwright 41, Morcom 33.

moiorsoort news

V,

by MARK GLENDENNING IF last weekend's opening round in Adelaide was anything to go by, then the 2003 Australian Formula 3 Championship looks set to be an absolute corker.

James Cressey and Michael Caruso were the early pace-setters and both went on to end the weekend with a win, but not without a fair bit of drama along the way.

The pair slogged it out in the closing stages of the first qualifying session, swapping fastest laps until Cressey ended the argument with a lml9.8290s.

Taking the fight to both of them was Christian Jones, who was beginning his first full-tilt assault on the championship after making an appearance at Honda Indy last year.

The Mugen-powered Toll Ipec DaUara F301 wound up less than 0.01s short of a front row start for the first race, but was forced to settle for P3 alongside Barton Mawer, who was looking similarly ominous in the older, narrower-track DaUara 396.

Caruso lead the field away in his 301 after Cressey bogged down badly at the start and feU back to sixth. Alan Gurr, making a guest appearance in

the Piccola Scuderia Corse 301, led the chase with Mawer and Jones close behind.

Despite not having sat in the car until the first practice session, Gurr was slowly making inroads into Caruso's lead, but the race came to a premature end on lap eight before the ex-Formula Holden driver had a chance to attack his former karting team-mate.

Backmarker Rod Anderson had spun to a halt on the outside of turn four, and inexplicably elected to dart across to rejoin the circuit just as Caruso rounded the bend - with predictable results.

"I didn't even get time to put the brakes on," said a frustrated Caruso, who estimated that he was doing around 160 km/h when the cars collided.

Both cars were severely damaged, and the red flag was waved to bring proceedings to a halt a couple of laps early. Caruso, who virtually had the entire front left of the car torn off, was pronoimced tine winner when the laps were counted back.

"It's frustrating," he said.

"When you win a race, you want to go over the line to get the chequered flag."

Gurr was second ahead of Mawer,

who lost time early when he made a mistake while attacking Gurr. He recovered to set a new lap record of lm20.0566s. Cressey struggled home in fourth after losing his rear brakes, while Jones finished just behind.

Some scorching driving in the second qualifying session rewarded Jones with pole for the second race, but Cressey spoiled the Queenslander's party somewhat by making an imbelievable start from P2 and take the lead.

Jones gave chase early on,and whittled a 1.0s deficit down to just 0.6s on the eighth lap, temporarily resetting the lap record in the process.

But Cressey had other ideas. The Kiwi responded next time aroimd . with a lap record-breaking lml9.8967s, backed it up with another couple of sub-lm20s tours, and went on to win comfortably.

Jones was forced to settle for second, a good result for a team still finding their way around the car.

"I'm very happy with how the weekend's gone," he said.

"I've only done six races in the last four years, so I'm looking forward to getting back in and getting back up to speed."

Mawer was third after a

showdown with Gurr that left the PSC car to limp home sixth witli a cut rear tyre after the pair made contact.

Caruso crossed the line in fourtli, but was later found to have illegal front wing end-plates and he was excluded.

It was a bittersweet weekend for 2002 Championship-winning team BRM.The weekend got off to a rough start when Darren Palmer clashed with stable-mate Craig Rundle in qualifying. The 2001 series runner-up then stalled on the dummy grid for race one and was relegated to the back,and never really recovered throughout the weekend.

On the other hand, the team's newest signing. Western Australian youngster Karl Reindler, was a sensation. The CIK graduate qualified ninth and sixth for the races, and came home seventh and tenth respectively - not at all a bad effort first time out.

With around half a dozen drivers equally capable of finding the top step of the podium,things promise to get interesting when the series heads across Bass Strait for round two at Symmons Plains next month.

Points standings: Cressey 32, Mawer 25, Jones 24, Gurr 23, Curruso 20, Fitzgeraid 16, Paimer?

Catch up with us at WWW.delphi.conVam

DELPHI. 26 March 2003

Drivi ng Tomorrow’s hnology

Oelphi Automotive Systems Australia Ltd 86 Fairbank Road, Clayton South, Victoria Australia 3169 Telephone; 03 9551 8700 Facsimile: 03 9551 8764 61

The Monster Mash

Gold Coast base for Suzuki’s APRC program

SUZUKl'S world wide motorsport arm SuzukiSport has established an Australian operation from which Queensland youngster Chris Atkinson's Asia Pacific Rally Championship campaign will be managed this year.

The SuzukiSport APRC campaign will be managed by expatriate Australian Paul Wilding, who has returned to Australia after living in Japan for the past six years. He most recently worked with Monster Tajima, overseeing logistics for the company's motorsport and rallying activities.

MNews readers may have spotted an ad in the last issue seeking rally mechanics and trainees to work with the team from its facility on the Gold Coast but travelling to both APRC and junior WRC rounds.

Queensland young gun Chris Atkinson will drive a Super 1600 Ignis, below, in all rounds of the APRC this year, kicking off in Canberra in April after impressing Tajima with his speed and maturity in tests in Japan and Finland.

"Chris impressed us with his intelligent approach and his ability to take instructions and learn quickly, and it was on this

basis we gave him the drive in the APRC," said Wilding.

"With some experience in left-hand-drive and in a frontdrive car, I reckon Chris has what it takes to make it to the WRC." The cars will be prepped at Suzuki's small Gold Coast base but Wilding believes it may grow significantly, with several major opportunities being considered.

Formula Hayabusa, an open wheeler control formula racing category that uses the 1.3 litre Suzuki Hayabusa motorcycle engine, could be brought here

by SuzukiSport, which runs a number of control racing categories in Japan.

The Monster Tajima-run company also builds and prepares Pikes Peak and Race to the Sky hillclimb specials, as well as the company's fleet of Junior WRC cars.

Wilding says that any Australian mechanics hired by the operation won't be spending much time on the ground on the Gold Coast.

"We want Australians because of their high skill levels and adaptability and also because they are prepared to travel," said Wilding.

-JON THOMSON

A

S the revs rise to a touch under 5000, Neal Bates steps off the clutch and the little Corolla's floor is peppered by a machine gun staccato of the best Canberra rally rocks.

The four-wheel-drive bites down and the little car rockets down the long straight. Bates going up the gears 1-2-3-4 before launching it over the top of the steep Kowen Forest Super Special jump. It lands easily and the car is pitched left through a long sweeper Bates holding it in a tail out slide through the tightening corner.

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■MG'S Supersedes coup

INTERNATIONAL sports Management Company IMG has been given control of the commercial aspects of the Australian Rally Championship.

ARCom Chairman Garry Connelly announced the deal in Canberra at the media launch of the 2003 ARC. Connelly called the tie-up a strategic alliance linking IMG and the ARC for 2003 and beyond.

The man who will be in charge of the ARC promotions for IMG 62

is Dominic Teakle, who has run the Rally of Canberra for the past few years.

"IMG's role to grow the Australian Rally Championship is a three-year goal and we plan to focus our efforts on strengthening the ARC brand and it's market position," Teakle said.

"There's no reason why rallying couldn't rival V8 Supercars in terms of entertainment value."

- JON THOMSON

We had the pleasure of a ride in the new Bates Corolla at the launch of the Australian Rally Championship in Canberra last week,sampling from the left-hand seat just how competitive the car will be as it goes head to head with the factory Subarus and Mitsubishis.

There will be two cars for Neal and brother Rick in this year's title. The difference between the Bates team and the other factory teams is that this car has been totally developed at Bates's Canberra workshops, using a latest model front-drive Corolla bodyshell melded with the drivetrain ofaCelicaST205 GT4.

It has been the Bates team that has come up with the engineering solutions to make the package work without boxes of components from HQ in Japan. If it didn't fit or didn't exist, the boys had to modify it or fabricate it.

The car's first outing last

September in Melbourne gave Bates plenty of heart despite the fact that the car was one second a kilometre off the pace. After the media day, the belief is that the car is pretty dose.

"It is hard to gauge accurately on a day like the media day but some spot times we took indicate we are very close to the pace of the Subaru and Mitsubishi," said co-driver Coral Taylor.

A testing program over the summer break was not as long as the team would have liked. Restricted by bushfires and time constraints, the Corolla had a total of five days, which doesn't sound a lot but, in fact, adds up to the distance covered in three full ARC rounds.

The team has gained almost 10 percent more power from the engine since Rally of Melbourne, with the two-litre 3S-GTE unit now punching out around 250 horsepower. More importantly, it has 430Nm of torque which makes it very driveable.

Inside the car on a stage, it is apparent the car is a Group N machine, with Bates using every inch of the forestry track and preserving as much corner speed as possible. In his old WRC Corolla, the better power and torque would enable him to punch out of corners; in this car the punch is a whole lot softer.

"Only competitive stages will indicate whether we have enough power but we have concentrated on torque and I think we have a good useable range to work with," said Neal. motorsport nows

Jine

RALLY NEWS Quoted figures put the Subaru at around 280 horsepower and around 300Nm of torque but Bates doubts these figures and says he believes, in reality, the Subaru probably has more torque than that and less power.

"If they have 280 horses, we are in real trouble but I reckon that is just a press kit figure," he says.

Mitsubishi's quoted figures for its Lancer are a lot closer, with 260hp and 400Nm on the spec sheet. Bates says that with the 32mm restrictor, the power outputs are going to be fairly even across all cars in the class.

However,if the Corolla proves to be less powerful than the opponents there is a newer version of the 3SGTE now being fitted to Japanese domestic market cars with more power,a higher compression ratio and better torque.

"It is meant to be a parity formula and if we are behind we will be

BFCoodnch

endeavouring to catch up as quickly as possible," he added.

Sporty Sportivo: Bates and Thomson get down to work in the Canberra forests last week. The new Corolla will run the full season, starting in WA next month.

Sampling the Corolla from stable and confident under brakes, with crisp turn-in and very good mid-corner speed, every bit as good as either the Subaru or Lancer

Dimension-wise, the Corolla measures up well; at an overall length of 4175mm it is 250mm shorter than the old Cehca GT 4 but is 55mm longer in the wheelbase. This answers some of the problems TTE and Bates had with the old Celica in that it was just too bulky.

The 'wheel at each corner' design of tire Corolla makes it a much better proposition, particularly compared with the opposition. The Corolla is 35mm narrower and 235mm shorter than the Subaru and 75mm narrower and 275mm shorter than the Lancer.

The biggest gains have been made in the Corolla's handling, with a lot of work on the loadings in the centre diffs aiding tum-in and mid-corner control. Unlike its rivals, the Corolla doesn't have any active control over any of its diffs, although to be fair, the Lancer and Subaru only have a semi-active control. The old Celica running gear does give a viscous coupling in the centre diff.

"When we drove it in Melbourne last year it was no so sharp on turn in and at times a Uttle difficult to drive, but now after testing and refinement we are very happy," said Bates.

And Bates has every reason to be pleased. Sampling the Corolla from the passenger seat, it felt stable and confident under brakes, with crisp turn-in and very good mid-corner speed, every bit as good as either the Subaru or Lancer.

However the three-time Australian Rally champion is a realist and knows that the only real gauge will be on a special stage in a round of the ARC when the clock is ticking for real.

With the strong prospect that Ford will re-enter the fray later this year to bring the manufacturer tally to four the real winner from all this will be rallying.

ft

-Jon Thomson, right

FIA gives Mexico a hot reception LOOK for Mexico to be included on the World Rally Championship program in 2004.

Rallies Commission President Shekhar Mehta has praised the organisers of the Corona Rally Mexico, which was run last week.

"The rally has lovely stages, great backdrops and the ceremonial start was so different and nice," said Metha, who attended the event with several other FIA personnel.

"You can see the organisation has upped its game from last year and is obviously serious in its candidature.

"All the stages had a lot of marshals and although there were few spectators, when they start to arrive in the future, the safety is already in place. I'm going home with a very positive reaction to the event."

In the hot conditions, Marcos Ligato kept his cool to win in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

Poland's Janusz Kulig ultimately finished second with Costa Rica's Andres Montalto third in the leading Subaru.

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Bristol Rous

Busch gets off the mark for 2003 at the sit who restarted 16th, Spencer, Kenseth, Rusty Wallace and other front runners at least one lap down,but Bobby Labonte, Busch,Sterling Marlin, Ricky Rudd and Greg Biffle were the gainers.

Busch lead twice for 98 of the 500

by MARTIN D CLARK KURT Busch returned to the site of his first career Winston Cup win at Bristol on Sunday and repeated the feat, coming from ninth on the grid and overcoming an early spin to gather himself up and take his first win of the year, beating Roush Ford stable mate and points leader Matt Kenseth in the process.

"We were great on long runs," said Busch."We came from 18th to the

laps, while Kenseth was the only one to overcome the lap deficit and finish second on fresh tyres. Only six cars ended the race on the lead tour.

Ricky Rudd recorded his first top five of the year in fourth,following Labonte home who scored his third top three this season as he continues to improve over 2002.

Labonte's Joe Gibbs team-mate Tony Stewart was told to cool down

by NASCAR officials after he literally pushed Ricky Rudd around the apron of the track for a lap while attempting to pit. Stewart came home battered and bruised in 26th place.

Not surprisingly, the 17 cautions that aired were all for wrecks- the

lead and I think that was the key to winning the race."

Busch now sits second in points to Kenseth as the Roush young guns had three cars in the top ten, including rookie Greg Biffle in fifth place - his best Cup result to date.

"Bobby (Labonte) and I made contact there at the end," commented Kenseth.

"It knocked the fender in and I really hoped we could make a run at Kurt before that happened,but it was a good race for us and we can enjoy the point lead while we have it."

Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Spencer looked to be the class of the field

first on just lap three. The only serious incident involved Kyle Petty, who was taken to hospital for precautionary measures after he complained of aching "all over".

The remainder of the cautions were aU typical Bristol, Mark Martin echoing most drivers sentiments when he was involved in two such

early, with Spencer leading at the halfway mark,but a caution flag on lap 289 changed the complexity of the race when all but five cars had

The Busch's got skills: Kurt Busch, above, scored his first-ever Winston Cup victory at Bristol and he did it again last weekend to grab his first win for season 2003.

scrapes.

"They started bumping in front of me and I got ran over from behind," he said.

’ just pitted under green flag conditions.

Obviously, he doesn't suffer from stagefright, below ...

Tire yeUow flag caught Gordon, 3 3‘

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Sack th TWO crew chiefs were fined following the March 9th Atlanta race. James Ince, head wrench for Johnny Benson, was fined US$1000 for an unapproved check vaive in the fuel filler neck, while Mike Ford was slapped with the same amount when he made body changes to Bill Elliott’s Dodge on pit road after it passed through the inspection process.

Meanwhile, team owner Jack Roush, right, has taken the heat for four of the six Roush-built engines that failed during the Atlanta race.

Those of Mark Martin, Kurt Busch and Ricky Rudd were apparently due to overaggressive tuning by Roush, while Jeff Burton’s failure was due to a new oil sump pan that caused oil starvation from moiorspon news

NASCAR

hwash

Milestone frenzy SEVERAL drivers reached milestones in their Winston Cup careers during the March 16th Darlington race - the 100th Cup event at the track billed Too Tough To Tame’.

Terry Labonte started his 750th race, finishing 24th, Bill Elliott his 700th and 50th Darlington event finishing ninth, Kyle Petty his 650th, finishing 26th, Dale Jarrett his 500th, finishing 18th and Jeff Burton his 300th, coming home 42nd.

Of those five drivers, two should have mothballed their driving suits after the race, but instead chose to continue riding around the race tracks collecting prize monies for placing 20th or worse in the majority of the remaining 2003 events.

9 of his first career win

n Brett Bodine, running a partial schedule for the year drove the CLR Racing Ford at Darlington, placing 31st in a one-off ride for owner Ted Johnson.

istonCi Series fARUi

But the 160,000 fan in attendance around the half-mile bowl were treated to the usual Bristol mayhem.

Roll on August 23rd when they return under the lights of the world's most exciting half-mile!

Final result: Busch (Ford), Kenseth (Ford), B Labonte(Chevy), Rudd (Ford), Biffle (Ford), Marlin (Dodge), Harvick (Chevy)499 laps, Johnson (Chevy),J Gordon (Chevy), K Wallace (Dodge).

Points standings; Kenseth 935, Busch 797, Stewart 788, Waltrip 786, Earnhardt Jr. 749, Johnson 743, Craven 735, B Labonte 732, Rudd 695,] Gordon 694.

e boss!

the pickup.

“The bad news is that the tuning mistake was my own,” fessed Roush on his attempt to attain high fuel mileage that in turn burned pistons on the three engines.

- MARTIN D CLARK 26 March 2003

I wasn't sure I'd won," said Craven who traveled the front Stretch locked with the side of Busch's Ford smoke pouring from the tyres as they rubbed.

'We both had the chance to wreck, but we both gathered it up and I realised I had one shot left. This is what's all about."

Craven passed Busch momentarily with two laps to run, only for Busch to fight back with and aggressive move then Craven dived inside Busch on the final turn.

Craven's victon/ for his Cal Wells-owned PPI Motorsports was the first for a single-car team since his October 2001 win at Martinsville. It was also crew chief Scott Miller's first in that role, and a first for PPI's new in-house engine program.

Two single-car teams finished in the top three, with Dave Blaney posting his best result in third for the Jasper Motorsports team with the help of new crew chief and shock guru Robert 'Booty' Barker.

After leading 79 of the 293 laps, Jeff Gordon was looking for his seventh win at Darlington, He exited pit road first during final stops with 56 laps remaining, but while under pressure from pole sitter Elliott Sadler with 10 laps to run he slapped the wall, resulting in a cut tyre.

Sadler also crashed, although he rallied to finish seventh.

"It was a stupid driving mistake," he remarked.

"I was following Gordon and

pressuring him pretty hard, he got into the wall and 1 was thinking, 'man there's my chance', so I just mashed it wide open and then I hit the wall at the same corner he did.

Following a rash of five cautions in the first 75 laps.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin were the forces to reckoned with up front. Martin had a strong Roush Taurus, but the final pit stop cost him any chance of victory when a left front wheel had one nut missing and was spotted by an official. He entered pit road second and restarted 11th, eventually finishing a not-tooshabby fourth.

The sad thing is both Darlington and Rockingham look to have one of their two races etched from the schedule in 2004 and both have provided the. best racing thus far in 2003 ... but I wager it's not enough for NASCAR to have second thoughts on any form of deletion.

- MARTIN D CLARK Final result; Craven (Pontiac), Busch (Ford), Blaney (Ford), Martin (Ford), Waltrip (Chevy), Earnhardt Jr. (Chevy), Sadler (Ford), Kenseth (Ford), Elliott (Dodge), Stewart (Chevy).

n Roush engine problems continued at Darlington. Kurt Busch blew an engine in his Taurus during practice, giving up his sixth starting slot. He was joined at the rear of the field by Michael Waltrip, who slapped the wall and was forced to a back-up DEI Chev without practice.

Waltrip was to start ninth, but rallied back to finish fifth.

"We took the springs and shocks from the primary car and put them in this car and it worked," he said.

Roush also blew two engines in the Truck race at Darlington and Jeff Burton detonated the lower end of his engine during the Cup race. n Elliott Sadler, below, took his first career pole at Darlington with a 170.147 mph lap, eclipsing Ryan Newman's 169.374 mph front row speed. The ever-improving Jimmy Spencer and Jerry Nadeau made up row two.

Only 43 cars entered the event so no-one went home, but Jeff Burton, Joe Nemechek, Ricky Rudd, Kyle Petty, Tony Raines, Larry Foyt and Brett Bodine took the seven available provisionals. n In an effort to improve performance, Todd Berber, who teamed up with Kevin Harvick to win the 2001 Busch Series title, has replaced Gil Martin as crew chief of Harvick's Richard Childress-owned team, with Martin moving to the role of team manager. Harvick's average finish in the first five events is 19th, his top result being a fourth in the Daytona 500.

- MARTIN D CLARK 65

Dillon dominates SA Sprint h

by PARIS CHARLES

;Pa«s Ghar/eJ

South Australian Sprintcar rookie Luke Dillon took his first Sprintcar feature race win, leading from go to whoa, claiming the prestigious South Australian Sprintcar Title at Mount Gambler's Borderline Speedway.

Young gun Dillon had a dream run through his heats, where he desplayed maturity beyond his age to win two of his three heats and finish a close second in the other. This secured him the highest points score going into the feature race.

Victorian hotshoe Mike Van Bremmen scored two heat wins while single wins went to Darren Russell, Darryl Downing, John Vogels, Mark Reuter and New South Welshmen Brad Heywood.

Top points scorers Dillon and Downing shared the front row for the all-important feature race. At the drop of the green Dillon quickly pounced into the lead where he quickly settled into a smooth and constant race pace. Downing, Heywood, Van Bremen, Reuter tailed Dillon as the laps were counted down.

Heywood passes Downing for second, only to have a midfielder spin and bring on the cautions, relegating Heywood back to third at the restart. Heywood charged back

To the victor, the spoils: Young Luke Dillon, above, was the pick of the pack at Borderline Speedway, triumphing over his more experienced rivals.

Robbie Rocks Krikke NEW South Wales Sprintcar star Robbie Farr continues to go from strength to strength with a win in the Krikke Boys Memorial at Regional Raceway in Bunbury City last Saturday night.

Farr, in the Krikke Motorsport Avenger, below,kept American driver Paul.

McMahan at bay throughout the 25-lap feature.

From the outset, Farr immediately puUed a lead on the field, which closed and opened throughout the race. In the latter stages of the race, Farr's advantage was slowly eaten up by McMahan,but laps run out and McMahan settled for second.

A fast-finishing Ryan Farrell crossed the line in third.

It was Farr's third victory in the prestigious event,and driving a Krikke-owned car made the occasion particuaUy emotional.

Farr was obviously happy after the event.

"I couldn't have wished for more,setting fast time, and top points and then going on to win the race for the boys," he said.

- DARREN SUX.TON

Cleve and Power-Sidecar Champs RAJUDUHr

THE Australian Sidecar Championship for 2003 was held over the Victoria long weekend at Olympic Park, Mildura in what could only be described as no fear racing in perfect conditions.

The three-wheeled daredevils went all-out, putting on a great display of racing in front of a vocal crowd.

After the completion of the heat races, the stage was set for a great final with the Victorian team of Andrew Cleave and Dave Power, above, holding maximum points up against the three-times defending

Champions, the O'Brien Brothers from WA. The race was brought to a stand stiii though on iap one after the O'Brien’s were exciuded by the race judge for an incident on turn three.

At the restart, Cieave and Power made the most of the inside poie position to take a weii-deserved fiag to fiag victory.

The iocai team of Jayden Mayes and Jaeben Underhiii used their home track advantage to take a great second piacing from Warren Monson and Scott Cameron.

- PARIS CHARLES motorsport news

NEWS

ar litle

Maris in the Sun(line) WAIKERIE’S Sunline Speedway played host to the inaugural running of the Fairmont Homes 2003 South Australian AMCA National Country Title on Sunday last week Veteran speedway competitor Maris Valodez kept a cooi head and used his experience to take victory after moving up from position five on the grid.

Race favourites Mick Brougham and current SA Champion Michael Miller both spun out in the early stages of the race due to the tricky track conditions.

into second and set about hounding down Dillon.

Local driver Ashley Scott lost a front wheel off his S10 Scott's Transport Maxim, which then brought on the second caution of the event.

During this caution, Heywood was relegated back to fourth by the officials. They alleged he used the infield to his advantage when making a pass on Downing for second. With just nine laps remaining Heywood charged back past Reuter and finished third behind the tail tank of Downing.

Dillon went on untroubled to take an easy victory.

At the conclusion of the feature race the Disbury Family Racing Team appealed the decision by the officials that saw Brad Heywood relegated back two positions. After some careful study of the video evidence, Heywood was awarded second place.

Despite four restarts and all attempts from the hard-charging Brian Chadwick to take the lead, Valodez was able to hold him out and secure a well-deserved victory.

An entertaining race developed between Miller and Brougham as they raced through the heavy traffic. They fought their way back from the rear of the field to finish third and fourth respectively at the fall of the chequered flag.

In the support classes, Bill Miller took a comfortable feature race win in the Super

Final results; Luke Dillon (S81), Brad Heywood (S5), Darryl Downing (S97), Mark Reuter (S95), Mike Van Bremen (V6), Phil Johnson (V36), Ian Lewis IV18)

Speedway and screamed away to record an untouchable win.

Bell lead home Darrell Hodges and newly-crowned New South Wales Sprintcar Champion,Garry Brazier.

"We had a really good run tonight," said a happy Bell. "It was good on the last race here to win it, especially for Bill(Mann). We've had a lot of fun with the people here and made some life-long friends. It's been a good thing for us racing-wise and from a personal point of view."

Piins Charles

Experience counts: Valodez, above, was the victor in the SA Country Tities at Sunline.

n The West Australian Junior Sedan was run last Sunday at Bibralake Speedway. Todd Waddell took the title from a much improved Bryn Haythornthwaite and the consistent David Nylander

Dean to grind to a halt on the front straight.

Macdonald,slightly wide and unsighted,clipped Bye Bye Bell: Although he will remain driving, Dean,launching into a series of barrel rolls.'Nitro' Stephen won't be seen in his own team colours.

Nathan walked from the changing an engine during the heats. wreck unscathed.

Hodges passed Brazier when the NSW The yellows were out a few times, but each time Bell jumped clear at the restart, giving Brazier no chance to attack. Just before half distance, Pezzutti lost third spot to the flying Hodges, who started well down after

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AUSSIE Steven Graham took out a brilliant victory in the Frank Brewer Trans Tasman Speedcar Cup last Saturday night, easily defeating Mark Brown and Darren Jenkins.

With the three New Zealanders, Lance Beale, Matt Thompson and , Shawn Insley on hand to tackle the local PCR stars, it was all Graham in the 30 lap A Main. While Brown did take the lead at one stage, Graham quickly regained control and forged away from the pack in the closing stages.

The first Kiwi home was Beale who held a superb second position for many laps. After a great battle with both Brown and Jenkins, the Kiwi finished back in fourth.

The V8 Super Sedan feature was taken out by John Pyne from son Luke Pyne with Robert Carrig while Wayne Blake grabbed a great win in the Litre Car feature, easily defeating Michael Sammuk, with a fast finishing Craig Geering third. n Local SA company Freightliner has thrown its support behind the annual Sprintcar Cup held at Riverview Speedway in Murray Bridge. The event will be held on April 5 and is expecting a large crowd for the wild Sprintcar action.

At the start, BeU lead away from Brazier, Andrew Pezzutti, Nathan Macdonald,and Cameron Gessner. On the 10th lap, diff failure forced Brock

Max Dumesny Motorsport

26 March 2003

- PARIS CHARLES

V

Ring my Bell STEPHEN Bell completely dominated the Energy Release Sprintcar Stampede, which was his farewell drive as part of the Bill Mann-run Stephen Bell Racing.

The Speedflow Eagle driver won the start at Brisbane International

Sedan class, while Buck Hayes : proved to be too strong in Street Stocks.

Terry Brown won the Modified Sedans class and Young Junior Sedan racer Jason Gantz snatched the feature race win after Shannon Readett spun out of the lead on the second last

Aussies win Trans Tasman Cup

champ suffered engine problems, but Brazier managed to hold on for third.

Behind the podium,Pezzutti took fourth ahead of Darren Jensen, Gessner and Clayton Walker.

-MARK JONES

n The WA Speedcar State Ttle was held last Saturday night at Kalgoorlie International Speedway, hosted by the Boulder Speedway Association. Mark Glazebrook took the win from Jamie Oldfield, and Dean Beagley. n Perths local major winter Speedway Ellenbrook Speedway opens its new season on the 13th April with 13 meetings scheduled.

New promotions co-ordinator Darren Sutton has put together an entirely new style of racing program, which will feature some major meetings throughout the season.

-GREG BOSCATO / STAFF

2003 WORLD OF OUTLAWS CHAMPIONSHIP PIKE COUNTRY SPEEDWAY MAR 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Jeff Shepard Daryn Pittman Johnny Herrera Mark Kinser Craig Dollansky Terry McCari Brooke Tatnell Jason Johnson Jason Sides Shane Stewart

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Randy Hannagan Danny Lasoski Jeremy Campbell Steve Kinser Brian Brown Aaron Berryhill Craig Keel Jac Haudenschild Joey Saldana Curt Trainer

1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2003 STANDINGS Danny Lasoski 927 Steve Kinser 911 Jac Haudenschild 899 Craig Dollansky 887 Jason Sides 858 Mark Kinser 852 Donny Schatz 834 Jeff Shepard 823 Joey Saldana 817 Shane Stewart 797

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Daryn Pittman 794 Randy Hannagan 757 Jeremy Campbell 681 johnny Herrera 621 Sammy Swindell 620 Brain Paulus 575 Brian Brown 501 Calvin Landis 465 Aaron Berryhill 440 Tim Shaffer 434

61

The long way to the GP Trading Post Grand Prix Rally again kicks FI weekend off in style

fust like mine at home: This 1965 AC Cobra was among the tasty machinery to take part in the Trading Post Grand Prix Rally.

THIS year's Trading Post Grand Prix Rally took 120 motoring enthusiasts the long way to the Foster's Australian GP- but no one was complaining!

The five-day rally, which is the main lead-up event to the Formula One season opener,started on March 1 in Shepparton and took competitors through some of the best scenic locations Victoria has to offer Bright, Lakes Entrance via Bruthen and Swift's Creek, the progressive towns of Gippsland including Traralgon, Sale, Moe,Bairnsdale and Maffra and then around to Phillip Island before the finish at Albert Park on Wednesday, March 5.

Cars taking part were divided into two main categories - classic vehicles built before 1982, and modern cars, with classes for standard and modified vehicles according to engine capacity.

Although the event catered mainly for amateur enthusiasts, the field included nine-times Bathurst

Maserati carpentry

THERE’S no doubting that modern technology helps keep the wheels turning in Historic motor racing. Take,for instance, the case of Englishman Dean Butler’s very valuable 1938 Maserati 8CTF. Driver Martin Walford holed a piston in practice at Phillip Island the weekend before the car was to appear at Albert Park. Undeterred, he returned the car to Melbourne where mechanic Michael Windsor-Price (who works full-time on Butler’s collection of 43 cars) discovered that one piston was wrecked and another was beginning to melt due to a problem with the fuel mixture.

Butler phoned his home in England, only to find the only person there was a carpenter doing some repairs. Instructions were given to go the shed and find a box containing two sets of pistons. A lesson was then given over the phone on how to use and read a set of Vernier calipers.

Two pistons were selected by the tradesman and sent express air mail to Australia.

Two hundred doliars worth of phone calls later, the said pistons arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, and Windsor-Price (with some help from local mechanic Louis Santin) set to work on an all-night, all-day rebuild.

The Maserati is no ordinary car to work on with its two blocks of four cylinders in straight eight configuration with one cylinder head, dual Bootes superchargers and twin overhead camshafts. However, the job was completed and the three-litre engine burst into life on Friday morning outside the Tattersails Garage, much to the delight of the big crowd that gathered to soak up the music.

- BRIAN REED 68

champion Peter Brock in the Monaro driven by Steven Richards in last year's Targa Tasmania and Konica driver and winner of the rally in 2001,Peter Gazzard.

Dual Olympic gold medallist Kieren Perkins enjoyed the 2002 rally so much he came back for more behind the wheel of a 2002 Mini Cooper S, and veteran Graham HoinvUle kept his perfect attendance intact when he and son Greg rolled out their 1962 Elfin Clubman.

HoinvUle is the only competitor to have participated in every Grand Prix Rally (including the 11 to Adelaide) and was first to break the Porsche stranglehold on the event with a stunning outright win in 1990.

All up,a total of 35 driving and navigational tests faced the competitors consisting of sprints, motorkhanas and hillclimbs as well as circuit laps at Winton,Phillip Island and the Holden Proving Ground at Lang Lang.

A night navigation challenge at Traralgon and Maffra was a special feature that drew large crowds, and when the field eventually returned to Albert Park after the five-day event, the competitors had the satisfaction of driving parade laps of the Grand Prix circuit on the days leading up to the race.

The Modem Competition was a see-saw affair between former winners Peter Moore/Stuart Boyce (2002 Nissan GTR Nl)and Peter Gazzard/Mark Laidlay (1999 Subaru STi). With the score at one- all (Gazzard won in 2001 and Moore won last year), the lead changed throughout the event, with the Nissan proving too good at the end.

The Classic Competition was dominated in the early stages by the 1971 Porsche 911 RSR of Michael Lentini and Joseph Di Benedetto, but a broken differential at the Koonwarra motorkhana put paid to their effort. The lead was inherited by the Moszczynski brothers, Zbig and Marcin,and they held off all challenges to score a popular win in their 1979 BMW 323i.

- BRIAN REED Outright Results -(Classic Competition) 1. Zbig Moszczynski/Marcin Moszczynski 1979 BMW 3231 2. Peter Riseborough/Tim Kennon 1970 MG B 3. Anthony Robertson/Stewart McAuley 1976 Porsche Carrera (Modem Competition) 1. Peter Moore/Stuart Boyce 2002 Nissan GTR Nl) 2. Peter Gazzard/Mark Laidlay 1999 Subaru STI) 3. Michael Arundel/Michael Verge 1991 Nissan GtiR

motorsport news

HISTORICS

D

a

It's Sprintin time

1

THE 20th annual Eddington Sprints will be conducted along the tiny village's main street on Saturday, March 29.

The meeting is organised by the Vintage Sports Car Club of Australia (Vic. Div.). Entries are rolling in and a full house is expected.

For those who haven't been to Eddington, it's in central Victoria, not far from Maryborough.

And a word of warning. If you are planning on going, don't leave it too late in the day. The meeting has a habit of ending early for the social activities to take over.

Knight racing

IT was appropriate that the theme for this year's Tattersall's Historic Demonstrations at the Grand Prix carnival was'A Tribute to Sir Jack Brabham/ the first man to receive a knighthood for his contributions to motor sport and the only man to ever win a world championship driving a car of his own design.

Sir Jack, who celebrated his 77th birthday just three days after the Foster's Australian Grand Prix is the oldest living world champion and was on hand to drive the car in which he won his third world championship Repco Brabham BT19.

Originally designed to take a 16-cylinder Coventry Climax engine, a Repco-designed V8 was fitted into what Jack describes as his "1965-and-ahalf car" to comply with the new three-litre formula.

"I won the World Drivers' Championship and the Constructors' Championship in it," he said. "That was a fantastic thrill because it was a great Australian effort - with a fabulous Australian engine built by Repco, and we had an Australian crew.

"It was my favourite car."

A 'This Is Your Life' approach was taken in assembling the cars for this year's Foster's Historic Demonstrations, with many of Jack's earlier cars on display or in action. These included his first midget racer (the 1948 J.A.P. Speedcar), right, his 1949 MG TC Special and the Cooper Bristol he raced before setting off to Europe to try his luck overseas.

A splendid collection of Coopers and Brabhams made up the tribute ranging from the 26 March 2003

'Hey babe, did I mention my three championships?'Brabham, right, was the man of honour at the AGP, with such luminaries as Jackie Stewart and Stirling Moss, above, paying tribute.

1956 Cooper Climax Type 41 of Tom Roberts to the 1966 Cooper BRM Type 82 of UK visitor Paul Busby. A slightly earlier Type 75 belonging to Melbourne's Bob Harborow was driven on race day by none other than Sir Jackie Stewart.

And no Albert Park GP carnival would be complete without Sir Stirling Moss, who drove a 1958 Cooper Climax Type 45 in the tribute to his former great rival.'

A similar bevy of Brabhams was on hand including John Best's 1961 MRD Formula Junior(MRD standing for Motor Racing Developments, Jack's early premises in Byfleet, Surrey), right through the BT range (BT standing for 'Brabham' and 'Tauranac') culminating in the all conquering BT19.

Also on display was Jack's 1964 Indianapolis challenger-

the Offenhauser-powered ZincUrschel Trackburner now owned locally by Nereo Dizane.

A total of 38 cars took part in the tribute to Sir Jack, the man who not only led the rear-engine charge that revolutionised modern day Grand Prix racing but who also set Indy car racing on a new path when he scored a ninth placing first up at the 'Brickyard' in 1961 driving a small Cooper Climax with the engine in the back. What's more, it was painted green - a taboo colour for the Yanks!

n Supp. Regs, and entry forms are now available for the 27th Historic Winton meeting organised by the Austin 7 Club. Please note that this year's meeting will be held on May 31 - June 1, 2003.

For motorcycle information contact Dave on (03) 9744 1111, and for car enquiries contact Grant on (03)9592 9310(Home) or 9596 2777 (Work). n The Peter Brock Foundation will conduct a Show and Shine Charity Day at Yarra Glen Racecourse on March 30 featuring rods, cars and bikes. Team Brock V8 Supercars and the Targa Tasmania Monaro will be on display, along with the Victorian Drag Boat Club and an army tank.

Another key exhibit will be Rod Hadfield's amazing 1955 Chevrolet 'Final Objective'- the world's fastest street registered vehicle, which is powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

It's an all-makes day, and for entry enquiries contact Peter Denman on 0413 015 990, n At last a solution has been found to that age-old problem of how to cater for the less-thaninterested wives, girlfriends and partners while the chaps play with their old toys.

Enter the Penguin Club.

The idea was trialled at the recent Shannon's Phillip Island Classic meeting and was voted a resounding success.

A 'Ladies Only' marquee was erected on top of the pit area, and the ladies gathered to'socialise for the weekend without the menfolk cramping their style.

Sandra Caffin was chaperone, with Lorraine Townley and Margo Kinsey acting as sublime hostesses.

From reports that have filtered out, a fine time was had by all.

Believed to be the first time anywhere that the ladies have been catered for in this way, the project was funded by a 'League of Gentlemen' who are apparently prepared to go to any lengths to keep the women happy.

- BRIAN REED 69

Beam T?

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by DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Millican still the man AFTER a one-week delay, the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series completed the first of tweive scheduled stops with a record-setting performance at San Antonio Raceway two weeks ago.

Clay Millican completed his 4.5-second barrage in his Werner Enterprises Top Fueller with a final round victory over John Smith. The two-time defending Champion posted a 4.59/319 to easily cover the 4.73/315 run from Smith’s Prestone-sponsored dragster.

The win is Millican’s 21st career IHRA Top Fuel National event victory, and moved him into second place in career wins in IHRA Top Fuel competition.

During qualifying on Saturday evening, Millican became the first IHRA Top Fuel dragster driver to record a 4.5-second run when he laid down a stellar 4.591/316.30 to put one leg up on a new IHRA world record.

Millican performed the required one-percent back-up in the first round of competition with a 4.60/312 second pass that trailered Bob Hallock.

Millican then continued his winning streak over Bruce Litton in the semi-finals with his slowest run of the day, a 4.63 at 318 mph.

Smith had a good day in the Virgil Hartman Top Fueller as he started from the third qualifying position and defeated Louie Allison and Don Sosenka to reach the final round.

Mitch Stott continued the dominance he enjoyed in the second half of 2002, taking the 70

win in Pro Modified. The driver of the Radiac Abrasives-sponsored ‘63 Corvette picked up where he left off last year by winning his fourth-straight IHRA national event. The win in the San Antonio final round came by dispensing local favorite Thomas Patterson, who hails from Houston. Stott overcame a slight Patterson advantage at the start to take a 6.24/227 to 6.48/195 victory. ' Stott, along with tuning from 2002 Alcohol Funny Car Champ, Jimmy Rector, recorded convincing 6.23/227, 6.23/226, ' and 6.22/227 wins over Frankie Taylor, Paul Athey and AI Billes enroute to the final.

Patterson, whose lastwictory came last season at the ACDelco Nationals in Toronto, entered the event with a brand new 1941 Willys. The third-year racer put the ‘Head Hunter’ into the field on his final attempt and defeated Chip King, low qualifier Mike Janis and Fred Hahn.

Chassis builder Rick Jones took top honors in the Sunoco Pro Stock division on a holeshot, defeating 2002 series Champ Brian Gahm in the final. Jones’s lone Mopar entry used a 6.63/209 to stop the quicker 6.61/210 from Gahm’s Ford Mustang.

The win for the Quarter-Max Mopar was the first in over two decades for a non GM or Fordbased make, a feat last accomplished by Bobby Yowell in 1979.

Tony Bogolo was a dark horse winner in the Alcohol Funny Car final round. He quietly worked his way through the field while final

ROOKIE Brandon Bernstein topped the quickest field in Top Fuel history and defeated first-time finalist John Smith, right, to win the Top Fuel title at the Mac Tools Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway two weeks ago.

Bernstein turned in a 4.59s pass at 326 mph in his Budweiser dragster to beat Smith's 4.71/315 in his Prestone dragster.

After stopping Andrew Cowin in the opening frame on a 4.57/321 single and Cory McClenathan with a 4.59/324 in the second frame, Bernstein had to get past points leader Larry Dixon to move into the finals. In the continuing beer brand battle, Bernstein recorded a 4.53 at 323 mph to beat Dixon's 4.57 at 322.

Smith opened with a 4.61/296 win over his wife Rhonda Hartman-Smith before winning back-to-back tyresmoking duels, the first over low qualifier Doug Kalitta and the second over David Baca.

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round opponent Mark Thomas motored through eliminations with blistering elapsed times and speeds.

In the final round, Bogolo overcame a .045 deficit on the starting line and managed to stop the multi-time world champion, 5.90/240 to 5.97/239, when Thomas drifted out of the groove and slowed.

Thomas, also benefiting from a Jimmy Rector tune-up in 2003, had been on a tear all weekend, top qualifying at 5.82/242 and maintaining a torrid 5.8 second pace on a first round bye run and subsequent round wins over Chris Foster and Ronnie Midyette.

The next event on 2003 Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series is the 33rd annual Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway, Rockingham, NC., March 28-30.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

Gary Densham moved into the Funny Car points lead with a \actory over Del Worsham in the final.

Densham's 4.87/320 in his Auto Qub Ford Mustang beat Worsham's 4.90/315.

A runner-up at the last event in Phoenix with a string of 4.8-second runs, Densham and team simply picked up where they left off, posting four more 4.8s ehmination round wins over Bob Gilbertson,Phoenix winner Ron Capps,and Gary Scelzi.

Densham's team-mate and car owner,John Force,lost in the first round for the second time this season. Force has recorded just one round victory and is having his worst start to a season since 1989. Force is currently 12th in the point standings.

Worsham advanced into the 20th final of his career with wins over Tommy Johnson Jr., number one qualifier Tony Pedregon and Whit Bazemore.

Kurt Johnson earned his first victory of the season with a win over Jeg Coughlin in the Pro Stock final.

Johnson recorded a 6.82 at 202 mph in his AC Delco Chevy-Cavalier to beat Coughlin's 6.84/201 in his Jeg's Mail Order Chevy Cavalier.

Johnson's ACDelco Chevrolet Cavalier was the quickest of every round,clocking a 6.80/203 to win over Mike Edwards, a 6.83/202 against Mark Whisnant,and a 6.82/202 to defeat Greg Anderson.

Coughlin advanced to the money round,beating Terry Adams,Scott Geoffrion, and Allen Johnson to reach the 43rd final round of his career.

AngeUe Savoie took the Pro Stock Bike win by beating Geno Scali in the first of 15 national events for the tivo-

molorsnort news

DRAG RACING

es on top in Hopida

AC in da field ANDREW Cowin qualified for his first NHRA Top Fuel program of the season in Gainesville.

Cowin put the Carrier Boyz dragster into the show with a 14th best 4.68/307. Cowin's day ended a bit earlier than the team would have liked however when he shut the car off after the burnout, allowing Brandon Bernstein a single into the second round. :■ 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits recorded a career-best speed in front of his home-state fans at Gainesville, driving his monostrut-winged dragster to a 323.04mph on a 4.761s pass. Garlits, unfortunatly, was bumped from the quickest field in history during the final day of qualifying. With backing from Summit, Garlits will compete at several events during 2003.

wheel category. Savoie turned in a 7.24/182 on her Team 23 Suzuki to beat Scab's 7.23/181 on his Trim-Tex Suzuki.

Savoie marched from her number one starting position on her Bonewear Suzuki and scored victories over John Smitln, Fred Camarena, and Mike Berry to advance into her 43rd career final round.

Also with a new team and riding a new bike was Scab, who got past Joe DeSantis, Shawn Gann and Andrew Hines on his way to the sixth runnerup finish of his career.

Hines's trip to the semifinals was crowd-pleasing as it marked the first time that a Harley-Davidson had won a

round of competition in Pro Stock Bike.

With wins over Fred Collis and Craig Treble, Hines has put his Screamin' Eagle V-Rod squarely in contention.

Tim McAmis got a free pass in the final of the AMS Staff leasing Pro Mod Challenge when Mitch Stott couldn't get his Radiac Abrasives Corvette to fire up for the burnout.

Stott had to sit and watch McAmis post a 6,30 at 223 mph in his '63 Vette to take the Gatomationals title.

Fred Hahn qualified Jim Oddy's Summit Corvette on top, posting the quickest e.t in AMS St^ Leasing Challenge history at 6.139s at 225 mph.

Wintemationals Top Alcohol

Karp

ARNIE Karp, the legendary and highly-successful Funny Car driver who collected four NHRA national event winner's trophies driving an Alcohol Funny Car known as 'The Boston Strangler', above, throughout the 1980s and into the early 90s, will return to the NHRA trail driving Del and Chuck Worsham's third Nitro Funny Car. Karp has retained primary advertising 26 March 2003

Dragster Champ Tony Bartone added to his 2003 total with another victory, taking his national record-holding dragster to a 5.35/268 to 5.52/268 final-round defeat of fellow A/Fuel Dragster pilot, Bill Reichert.

Bob Newberry scored his third career Gatomationals win in Alcohol Funny Car with a final-round victory over Jeff Craig, 5.64/253 to 5.76/250.

POINTSt TOP FUEL: Dixon 286, Bernstein 269, Smith 198, McClenathan 177, Kalitta 174.

FUNNY CAR: Densham 246, Capps 235, T. Pedregon 232, Bazemore 206, Gray 182. FRO STOCK: Anderson 265, K. Johnson 233, W. Johnson 207. FRO STOCK BIKE; Savoie 118, Scali 96, Berry 74

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sponsorship from Artisan Home Entertainment, which will utilize the car to advertise various home video releases from its library of more than 7000 titles, beginning with Terminator 2: Judgment Day. With help from Worsham Racing, Karp and his T2 car are scheduled to debut in late May at the Lucas Oil Route 66 Nationals in Chicago.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI

■ Shirley Muldowney made her season debut in Florida. The three time NFIRA champion recorded a 4.694/295 to anchor the program. In the opening round Muldowney squared off with low qualifier, Doug Kalitta, and left too soon, fouling out with a red light start. Muldowney will compete at five other events on what is being dubbed as the 'Final Pass Tour'.

■ Reggie Showers and George Bryce have teamed up for 2003 with sponsorship from Prosthetic Design MotorSports.

Showers will utilize Star Racing's Suzuki Pro Stock engines. Headed by Tracy Slemker, President and CEO of Prosthetic Design inc., the new team made its debut at the Mac Tools Gatomationals.

■ Area 51 Motorsports and rider Fred Collis, a two-time AMA Prostar champion, will field a full-time entry in the 2003 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock Motorcycle division.

The outfit has signed an agreement with Star Racing to acquire the 2002 POWERade Championship-winning Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle.

In addition. Area 51 Motorsports has agreed to power its new bike with Star Racing Pro Stock Bike Engines.

■ The IHRA and Grand Bend Motorpiex have announced that Castrol has signed on as presenting sponsor of the fourth Annual Mopar Canadian Nationals, May 30 June 1, 2003, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada.

The Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series now holds three national events in Canada, including events in Toronto and Edmonton, - DAVID OSTASZEWSKI 71

national Baxter's Brutal Bite! scene

THE Poolrite V8 BRute Series kicked off with plenty of bangs on the streets of Adelaide last weekend.

Former Commodore Cup champion Gary Baxter gave the regular Brute contenders a scare by winning U\'o of the three races over the crash-packed events. Despite two of the races finishing under red flags, Baxter's performance was simply fantastic, in what was only his third V8 Brute appearance.

"This is our home track, and when we visit other people's home tracks, we may find it difficult. This may be our only win for the year, but I hope not!" he said.

Overall second went to another Adelaide driver, Chris Smerdon, who had a consistent weekend,ahead of Damien White.

In Friday's qualifying session, it was defending series Champion, Warren Luff who set the fastest time in his Coopers Falcon,followed by fellow Fordster White, with Baxter third. Grant Denyer had been second quickest, but was relegated to rear of field for Race 1 after weighing in 9kg too Ught. However, it was Baxter who would start from pole, after the now traditional'Chook-lotto' draw.

Luff would start from fourth, White ninth, and amoung the biggest gainers were Steve Robinson and Allan Grice, who would start second and third respectively.

In Race 1, Baxter got the jump from pole, while Grice was slow to get

away. Luff quickly leaped to second ahead of Robinson, who began to pressure Baxter. Luff though was forced to serve a drive through penalty for jumpmg the start, leaving Baxter on his own,clear of Robinson in second. Grice managed to squeeze past the VY Pedigree ute of Dennis 'Schmako' Cribben at the Turn nine hairpin, and was followed through by the Commodore of Smerden.

The race belonged to Baxter though, who was never headed.

Smerdon made it an Adelaide Holden one-two by passing Grice in the Senna Chicane on the final lap, launching across the curb with all four wheels off of the ground in the process.

Race 2 saw the two halves of the

grid reversed, with Grant Park and Jack Elsegood starting off the front row. Park lead the opening laps from Elsegood, Charlie Kocacs,and White.

Denyer was on a charge, up to 13th until...

Gavin Harvey,fresh from the birth of his son Emerson, made huge contact with the outside wall of turn three. Team officials speculated that he may have clipped the dislodged tyre barrier at turn one. This caused the car to launch off of the Turn two curb and run straight into the wall on the exit of the Senna Chicane. The race red flagged at two laps and half points were awarded. The Brute Strength car was "a throw away job" according to Team Manager Peter Jones. The only salvagable parts were

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Take off: Luff leaves the road, literally above, while Baxter, main, was simply too strong.

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the CarryBoy hard top, and rear tailgate. Harves spent a few hours in the medical centre, and was lucky to emerge with only a broken rib.

White lead the field away at the start of race three, but Baxter made a terrific start, and was past White and in the lead by turn nine. MacDonald got by Smerdon on lap four, but then lightning struck the same place twice, or rather the same team. Gary Young's Commodore had been seen entering the Senna Chicane with smoke coming from beneath it. The car straight lined the chicane.

careering into the same wall teammate Harvey had hit one race earlier. Again, red flags saw the race declared, this time after four laps, and half points were awarded. The Brute Strength team fears that Young's car will probably go the same place Harvey's is headed.

An ill Gary Holt won the new CarryBoy Hard Charger award,for his effort in race three where he came from 26th to 16th.

-CHRIS JORDAN Points standings; Baxter 48, Smerdon 29, White 26.5, Kovacs 25, Park 23.5.

moiorspon news

Old name - New era ROUND 1 of the newly-named Austialian Production Car

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Championship proved a success at the Clipsal 500, with cars from all classes sharing the limelight.

Martin Doxey had a spectacular rollover in Practice. The Astra clipped the inside curb of the Turn nine hairpin, rolling the car into the air, before it landed with its front wheels on the tyre barrier. Doxey was uninjured, and miraculously, the battered car was repaired for

qualifying.

Scott Loadsman secured pole in his Commodore,ahead of Craig Bradshaw's Falcon XR8. Steve Grocl proved fast in the VW Beetle Rsi, qualifying 3rd, the fastest of the Class B cars, while Geoff Russell in his Havoline Satria was seventh and the leading Class D car.

The handicap start saw Rick Bates's Daihatsu lead away the Class D cars. getting the jump on David and Geoff Russell's Satrias. GrocTs Beetle was up to third by lap 2, and by the end of VW vs. Holden: The return of the Production car name is fitting, giving a variety of manufactures a chance to strut their stuff in an array of categories. Above, the Class B Beetle of Steve Croc!leads Scott Loadsman's Class A Commodore. Loadsman, top right, has a handy series lead after round one.

the next lap, the VW led the pack. Loadsmen was looming large, and midrace he caught and passed Grocl. Loadsmen finished some 2.5 seconds ahead of Grocl, the XR8 Falcons of John Mcllroy and Bradshaw.

Race 2 again saw Bates beat Russell off the Une, while Grocl lead away the Class B cars and John Mcllroy Class A. David Russell moved his Quirk's Satria into the lead, and quickly put a gap into the field. Grocl's speed was again evident, getting by Bates after a lap long tussle.

Loadsmen temporarily dropped back, but resumed his charge, dragging

by Mcllroy on the front straight. But he could not chase down David Russell, whose smooth drive saw him take the win,followed by Loadsman and Grocl, with Mcllroy fourth, and the Integra of Ian Luff fifth.

- CHRIS JORDAN Points standings: Loadsman 53, D. Russell 41, Grocl 36, Mcllroy 29, Bradshaw 23.

Ford wins at Adelaide!

BRUCE Heinrich, right, was victorious in his home state in the CSA Saioon Cars at Adelaide.

Fellow Falcon driver Shawn Jamieson secured pole, but Heinrich was never headed in Race 1. Race 2 saw Heinrich run wide on the opening lap at Turn 9, allowing Jamieson to lead the first two laps, until Heinrich regained the lead.

Best of the rest were Clint Harvey and Peter Holmes, with a third and a fourth each.

- CHRIS JORDAN March 2003

Wild Western Nightmasters

THE second round of the Smokefree Nightmasters was held last week at Western Australia's Barbagallo Raceway.

Nine categories filled six actionpacked classes, all producing entertaining racing.

The Formula Ford events saw three different winners in each race. Dean Fiore, having just returned from the Grand Prix support races, was expected to make it difficult for the rest of the field. Dean managed to puU off a win in race two.

Steve Baxter beat Dean in the

up the heat in the third race, grabbing second place over Armfield and James McDonald.

Walter Epple in his BMW M3 showed the field around Barbagallo in the opening two races for Sports Cars and Sports Sedans.

Epple failed to start the third heat, which may have been a blessing in disguise. The race turned out to be crash-packed, with four cars spearing off at fce first comer on lap two. Later, Mark Westbrook spun out of the lead whilst a distraught John Humey had to deal with a blown engine. This

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Classic Historic Street-fight

opening heat, with Mark McNally third.

A reduced field for race three gave Spectrum steerer McNally a win, ahead of Dean's brother Paul, Mark Douglas and another Fiore, Todd.

Formula Vees fielded a good-sized grid. Current record holder, Cameron Edwards in his CD Vee, dominated the class by producing three wins.

Dean Williams took a pair of second places ahead of the consistent Steve Armfield. Karl Reindler turned

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it's quicker on the black stuff: Tony James, above, gets it all wrong coming onto the back straight at Barbagallo Raceway. handed Bevan Anderson the win.

Old sparring partners Tony James and Peter Brown continued their ontrack warring in the HQ races.

Brown, who'showed superior speed, won all of the heats. James stayed with Brown in the first race but couldn't offer a challenge in the next two,spinning during the third race.

A growing field of Street Cars and Saloon Cars had their first State Championship round.

Aaron Caratti, at the wheel of his quick Evo VI got the better of the field, notching up a clean-sweep.

Kim and Kerry Ledger were an interesting entry in this class, driving their RX7's and WRX's respectively.

And yes ladies, they are related to Heath ...

Another clean-sweep, this time to ' Ron Moller in the Historic Touring and Production Sports Car class. The

Cooper S of Ross Bennett, Nick Rahimtulla, Garry Edwards and Greg Barr tried hard but couldn't bridge the gap to the dominant Moller.

The final three races of the evening were part of the Smokefree Nightmasters series. The series consists of three sprints of three laps from a roUing start, with the second race a reverse grid. The HQ's,Saloon and Street Cars contested these sprints.

Turner and Brown shared the three race wins in the HQ's, while in the Saloon cars, the EA Falcon of Malcolm Niall grabbing two victories. His brother Brett was competitive, as was Mark Pilattie and Dion Panizza.

Chris Stillwell and John Mann shared wins at the Historic Touring Car races at Adelaide over the weekend.

Brad Tilley took pole in his Mustang, fractionally ahead of Paul Stubber’s Camaro but Stillwell grabbed the race one win, leading from start to finish. . Mann, driving his ‘68 Mustang won the start of race two and was never headed.

Trevor Talbot in a Torana XU1 took second after Stillwell failed to finish.

- CHRIS JORDAN

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Kerry Wade continued his fine form in the Street Cars with a strong first place in heat one, which he repeated in the third sprint.

-DAVE CONOLE

Stillwell, above, was in better shape than the others, top.

Struggling with a car that had lost a sway bar and shock absorbers, he wrestled the Mazda into sixth in race three.

Jason Cutts and Mark McHenry raced wheel-to-wheel throughout the weekend in the Formula Vee events. Cutts eventually came out on top.

The two traded the lead throughout the first two races but in the third race, McHenry dropped to fifth at the end of the

first lap. McHenry fought his way back to second, but Cutts had wrapped up the round.

Production Sports produced the race of the weekend. William Adams in his Robnell 302 SC pipped lain Pretty's Classic Cobra in the third race.

The pair swapped the lead several times during the seven lapper and flashed across the line separated by just 0.1s - MARTIN VAN REE

Dyk does the deed

BIG fields and close racing highlighted round one of New South Wales State racing car Championships Eastern Creek last week.

Ian Dyk, left, dominated Formula Ford. He nailed the set up, which he hopes will give him an edge during the National series.

Dyk put his Van Diemen on pole and was untroubled as he found constant improvement.

“We had our set-up right and we made more improvements over the weekend and we came out best at the end of it, so that was awesome," Dyk said He ran away from the field, finishing seven seconds clear of Tony D’Alberto’s Mygale in race one. But D’Alberto crossed the line just 2.6 behind in the second heat.

n

Glen Taylor took a clean sweep in the Sport Sedans, crushing the strong field in his 6-litre Chev/Commodore.

The hard luck story of the weekend came from Anton Abramovic. Qualifying on the front row, less than a second slower than Taylor, Abramovic’s Mazda RX7 weighed light after race one and was disqualified.

“I came up 10 kilograms short on the post race weigh-in. I started the next race from the back of the grid and worked my up to about fifth,” Abramovic said.

Concentrating on picking his way through the field, Abramovic made a mistake that many better-known drivers have committed before.

He passed a car under yellow flags at turn one, the same spot that caught Craig Lowndes a few seasons back.

motorsport news

KARTING

More wins for Corbett and Wall Reif Corbett and Mathew Wall carried their winning form from the City of Adelaide Titles into the Victorian Open Championships at Puckapunyal, winning Rotax Light and Formula 100 respectively.

However,Corbett's win came in controversial circumstances. Reif (CRG)had caught and passed long time race leader Troy Woolston (Arrow), but drove through a cutthrough after contact from Woolston on the final lap. Officials called the result as the karts crossed the line.

National Champ Josh Arandt (Arrow)getting past Woolston in the confusion for second.

pass on National Champion Brett Davidson. Adam Klunyk was another to hit the lead late in the race, passing Anthony Contarino to pick up his second consecutive Victorian Formula Australia Light title.

The Junior National classes featured NASCAR like packs bump drafting in the lead, David Sera beating Steel Guiliana to the Light title while Corey Lean overcame immense pressure to head home

Andrew Budge in Heavy.

Other winners were Daniel McLeod (Midgets), Danny Buzadzic (Formula Australia Heavy), Max Carter (Rookies), Alan Parkinson (Clubman Super Heavy), Kristian Lindbom (Junior Piston Port), Greg Mattschoss(Clubman Over 40s), Alex Schultz(Leopard), Nick Lowe (Senior National Light) and Jason Pringle (Senior National Heavy).

-MARK WICKS Crt

Queensland's Barclay Holden (TruUi) qualified fastest In Formula 100 but after proving quick in the heats couldn't match the ultimate pace of Matthew Wall (Arrow)and Michael Patrizi (Birel) in the final.

Tun Blanchard (Arrow)came won a thrilling Junior Clubman final that saw different winners in

THE traditional Monaco Kart Cup has been cancelled for 2003. Organisers have canned the October race due to construction work modifying the GP circuit.

The ninth running of The Cup will now take place in October 2004 and will use a slightly different circuit configuration. n The ARC engine company has been track testing their new electricstart Spec 100 engine. The Melbourne based firm has been developing the new fittings (starter motor, centrifugal clutch etc) for both the yet to be raced A1 engine as well as existing direct-drive ARCs that are currently in competition.

ARC is also developing a starter/clutch conversion kit for Yamaha engines. Production versions are expected to be available later in the year. n Similarly, PRD's electric start & clutched RK100 engine is starting to be used for competition in the Sportsman class, particularly in parts of NSW. The engine is similar in configuration to Yamaha's KT100S and ARC Spec 100 range.

every race. Blanchard just pipped Jordie Lindstrom (Arrow)and Kristian Lindbom (Top Kart) who came all the way through the field from grid 26.

The experienced Remo Luciani (Monaco)and Troy Hunt(Top Kart) went head-to-head in Clubman Heavy. The two touched on the final corner of the final before Luciani took the win.

Shane Price won Clubman Light while Damien Meyer took out Rotax Heavy after a last lap From strength to strength: Reif Corbett, above #66, has been in a class of his own of late, winning the South Australia and Victorian Titles in the same month!

Sunny Winton Champs

ROUND Two of the Victorian I Motor Racing Championship I was held at Winton last week, i with large fields and perfect I conditions greeting I competitors, i Rod Smith was always going to ! be hard to beat in Sport Sedans. ! Rodney Woods impressed and

Traditional Monarco Kart GPoff

the Formula Fords was on all was Smith’s main rival in his exweekend between Craig Jolly machine.

Kermond and Adrian McCurdy.

Steve Newing was unbeaten in The pair shared the wins over the 2-litre Sport Sedans. Ken Hastings Senior offered Newing a three races.

Nick Jones secured the challenge until gear-selection Formula Vee spoils and problems prevented an attack.

McDonald won the HQ event.

Bryce Peter-Budge showed great - NEIL HAMMOND potential in the ex-Super Touring Peugeot 406.

Old touring cars never die: Improved Production was Smith, left, and Peter-Budge, dominated by Ken Douglas, while below, keep the old-dogs tieklff^ Mark Eddy cruised to a win in the Porrsche 944 r.i ri ti series.

■Jin Mort Fitzgerald claimed Marque Sports honours and backed it up with victory in Fitzgerald the MGs. The lead battle in Neil Hammond

n Carlo van Dam has won the annual Margutti Trophy for Tony Kart. Held at the famous Parma circuit in Italy, van Dam (Tony KartA/ortexAfega) grabbed first and third in his heats after qualifying fourth (Birel's Davide Gaggianese took pole) then placed second in his groups' pre-final to team mate Sauro Cesetti. Van Dam and four karts broke away In the final before the Renault Development backed driver made a move for the lead late in the race beating home Michele Fanetti (Birel/TMA/ega) and another Tony Kart team mate, Michael Ammermuller. After qualifying 48th in the field of 64, Aussie Josh Hunt placed 12th and 14th in his heats but could only manage 21st in the elimination semi-final and thus missed the cut for the Final. Alvarez Clos (Birel/ParillaWega) won Junior ICA while Oliver Oakes (Tony KartA/ortexA/ega) won senior Intercontinental A. ■ For the first time in its history, each class in the Australian CIK Championship series will run on a control tyre. Formula A and Junior ICA will use Dunlop DBS, Intercontinental A is on Vega XS and 125cc ICC is on Bridgestone YHB. The series kicks off this weekend at Melbourne's Todd Road circuit.

- MARK WICKS 75

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PLASTICS

● Full range of industrial plastic materials Nylon, Acetal, Teflon, Polythenes, PVC etc ● Racecar windows “cut to size" & mouided ● Perspex & poiycarbonate sheet ex-stock ● Poiyurethane & Deirin for suspension bushes

PLASTICS FOR INDUSTRY DANDENONG VIC 03 9706 381 1

mmimiNGSi

mmwmm

Phone 07 3808 1986

or visit our website for your nearest distributor.

www.perforinancewholesale.coni.au

WYNAGEAR Americans premium oil pump & timing component manufacturer. fSO90Of reglsterod Every pump fs oil tasted for correct pressure A volume.

Quality assured.

SUSTUAL

Ph. 02 97S8 1966

I

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Trade enquiries welcome Fax. 02 97SB 11SS

FIA HARNESSES 2008 expiry, lightweight buckle, 3" webbing, clip in ends Black, Red, Blue 5 point - $539 ● 6 point - $579 FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

Aust Standard 4 point belts fr $145 Ph. 02 9758 196S

■ posters ■ business cards

RACE PRODUCTS

Ph 02 9791 6001 Fax 02 9791 6002 sales@simpsonraceproducts.com.au

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 Rookwood Road Yagoona NSW 2199 Ph 02 9791 6001 Fax 02 9791 6002 AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS

motorsport oews

MARKET PLACE

Hi Flow Alloy Heads

i

The ultimate power fix for your Holden

Formula Fords@ CalderPark

<'

Fun Dnve Days (SS2S) * next course available 28th Feb 0| 1 Pracbce 30-t- laps ($795) tsi Wednesdays

Droomit.Drivoil.

Formulo Ford Rocc School

Gill Vouchers Available

Ph 03 9555 5522 Fax 03 9555 4152 www.yellaterra.com.au

Further Information and Bookings: 03 9217 8866 l www.udrivevic.com

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Performance > Plumbing ^ Jl/lade Easy Rocket induetries is the Manufacturers Appointed Distributor for Russell in Australia. All trade enquiries should be directed to: Ph 02 5d251900 Fax 02 &525 1911 Email salesi^rocketind.com

^9 ' Available for early and VN Style V8 l Super flow potential compared to ported iron heads 4 Z l Greater thermal efficiency and half the weight of iron

ii

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1

a huge range of one piece super duty pushrods

l

Extremely durable bonded dampening material

l

Easy to read computer etched timing marks

l

Available in economical cast iron Street, all steel SFi approved Face and new Serpentine for Chev, LSI, LTl etc Ph 02 69378888 Fax 02 6921 7536

Visit out website www.precisionparts.com.au

^

Ph 03 9357 0469 or Fax 03 9357 0001 Visit our website: www.crowcams.com.au

The USA’s first choice in race valve springs now available in Australia

B a I

^^-^The True Performance Alternative i

CKOWCAMS

l Fast profile design service to your requirements l Custom ground roller, solid and hydraulic proWes using unique computer controHed machines for unrivalled accuracy MOW l Matching race vaive train components including PSi(USA) valve springs and

l As used by top US teams including Hendricks Motorsport (NASCAR),John Force(Funny Car), Warren Johnson(Pro Stock) l Specific super duty spring desigt for endurance (circuit, speedway and marine)or Drag Race applications deliver consistent pressures and longer spring life.

emmrcAMS Available from the exclusive'

distributor

Ph 03 9357 0469 Fax 039357 0001

rr.

PERFORMANCE CAMS ir vALVEmiN components:

:¥ I S^EEDFLOW &

1^I Premium Motorsport Hose & Fittings! W ( \

Phone 07 3808 1986 or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

www.perforniancewliolesate.coni.au

CP Pistons Custom made pistons to suit 4,6 & 8 cylinders Ph 07 3290 5911 Fax 07 3290 5933

, 1 I i

Hardiman Auto Supplies Motorsport Connections

(02) 9771 5877 (02) 9838 7272

Victorian Speed Pro Performance Wholesale Crane Technologies Gogear Racing Services

(03) 9794 5177 (07) 3808 1986 (08) 8363 5566 (08) 9443 4400

CAMS racing and rally licence courses @ Oran Park monthly $605 in your car.

Includes lecture and OUT. Formula Ford Test Drives - $654.50 in our cars. No pre-requisites. 40 laps at Oran Park.

I\lobndy Does It Better

I

pistons

l CfVC Diamond turned

^

skirts < Sure seal ring grooves 'Diamond finished pin bores

* ●

Rocket industries is the Manufacturer's Appointed Distributor for Arias Forqed Racing Pistons in Australia. AH trade enquiries should be directed to: Ph 0265251900 Fax 02 55251911 Email saies^rocketind.com

●<l

Marquee Floor Installs quickly Rolls up for storage

mRERFORMANeE-ttrlKAOEm^

mEFmmwmoNENim

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Phone 07 3808 1986

or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

www.perforniancewliolesale.coni.au

www.pro-floor.com ● ph 03 9804 3455 26 March 2003

Serck

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www.perfonnancewliolesale.coiii.au Australia's Mast Wanted Performance Gauges Logo arc trademarks of Rocket Industries F/L in Australia. All trade enquiries should be directed to: Ph 02 5525 1900 Fax 02 55251911 Email saIcs(9irocketind.com

Auto %COMPETITION INSTRUMCMTS.J

● Mocal ● Aircraft Bolts

H

.*1 ABCA-

PORTABLE FLOORING jj Workshop I Display Areas f Access Paths

Phone 07 3808 1986 or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

Eastern Raceparts

O

l Off the shelf or custom

mi

AUTO METER and the Auto Meter

— International Racing Drivers School For more info ph 02 9873 1773, fax 02 9871 1018 or email peter@finlays.com.au wvi/w.finlays.cam.Eiu

l Extruded billet forged aluminium

i ciggg^_J

Contact your state distributor...

i

WmRhamrjrftifrirrt rvafta-

oil Coolers

h152 jii>

● Girling ● Goldine ● Silverline

Ph/Fax 02 9526 6666

Ph Byran Miller ● Mob 0417 274 507 ● Ph 02 9524 3389 ● 1 Tamba Place Lilli Pilli NSW 2229 ● Email easternraceparts@hotmail.com

Ferrea \za LIZES

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SMUMI AUSTRAL

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Ph, 02 9758 1966 Fax. 02 97SB 1155

Phone 07 3808 1986

or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

www.perforniancewliolesale.coni.au motorsport oews

m race Shop RACING PISTONS

Experts in the' art of High c Performanc Helmet

■j

Specialists in ● Turbochargers ball ! bearing and non ball bearings ● Kits & = overhauls available ● High How ^ intercoolers and kits ● Link engine management systems ● Oil coolers and oil coolers kits* Silicon hoses and bends ● Tein suspension kits

Painting

Check out our website and call now to arrange your custom painted helmet design

Phone 07 3808 1986

®7isyiss=aas^jti2iTa[iiH®ar(i;=(miaiM

57 Taunton Dr Cheltenliam VIC 3192 Ph 03 9584 4499 Fax 03 9584 4008 3 Email ava@blgpond.com 3

or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

Fnatt@airxtremeart.cam ■. □-n-4 ●41B DBB

WWW. performancewholesale. com. au

HeimirkmbSe Windows of Opportunity for Engine Experts

» Accurate, Repeatable, Versatile

^ SHADE SPEORIII^ SHAPE

● Take manual control or hands-free

Now available in 3 sizes 2.4m X 2.4m 3m X 3m 4.5m X 3m to cover all situations.

Maintenance free.

The 60 second shade structure.

»Local design, support, development, installation and on-site training » Top noraos demond lop eqoipment (users inc NIZPRO, HSV, HRIS John Sidney Rodng) to, information and a ° Engine, chassis, go-kart or motorbike

f

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'Dynamometer M^DynoLog

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$363

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i AREX Computing J POBox 151 Montrose Vit3765 Ph 03 9751 1 M2 Fox 03 9751 2173 Mob 0408 055 54) [

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SuperFlow C orporation

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1800 089 089

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steel Main Caps to suit* most V8 applications

f^RANE M^ams

Manufactured in USA by Pro-Gram Engineering

State Distributors

NSW; (02) 9678 9977 OLD: (07) 3808 1986 VIC: (03) 9794 5177 WA: (08) 9353 1155

Phone 07 3808 1986

Australian Importer and distributor:

r^CRA.rsiE TECHNOLOGIES

or visa our website for your nearest aistributor.

WWW. performancewholesale. com. au

Ph: 08 8363 5566 Fax: 08 8363 5633 www.cfanecams.com^u

^PTY. LTD.

Sold in

Ph 03 S339 5IS9

Australia by

Fax 03 5339 2144

Queensland 07 3341 9911 Sydney 02 9609 1101 Melbourne 03 9326 6088

I <7,

jmee^ brakes

Competition disc pads ● Race brakes ● Pagid ● Hawk ● Endless ● Performance Friction

Over 10 years experience of brake modifications and upgrades for road and race. Caliper conversion 1, 2, 4 & 6 piston. Custom made disc rotors.

Manufacturers S distributors ofra

races High performance ft rao*n0 disc brakes

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IH USABLE

torque

308-355 C.l.

STROKER CRANKSHAFT

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PERFORMANCE & REUABIUTY

^

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Phone 07 3808 1986

or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

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H A/e 1/1/ & used karts H Servicing H Spares H Heimets H Suits & ali your karting needs Factory 9,19-25 Grange Rd Cheltenham VIC Ph 03 9585 5340 Fax 03 9585 5520

Jhis space could be yours Call Brendon on 03 9550 0870 for detai

www.performancewholesale.com.au

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U^ersoni r

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F*L'U-I*D

www.guajmolorsports.com

Engineered isotropic finishes for carbon & alloy steels, stainless steels & titanium components.

Inaease component efficiency and life span, reduce vibration, friction, noise & operating temperature. This is not polishing, but refining machined surfeces to a polished condition, removing machining peaks - the cause of micropitting which leads to component failure.

Guru Racing -

ALL ROUNDS ALL CLASSES Fully enclosed custom built race car transporters Professional race car logistic and event specialists Security for car and equipment Contact Neil Griffiths on 0418 474 816

racefStnt.com.au

Phone 07 3808 1986

or visit our website for your nearest aistributor.

WWW. performancewholesale. com.au

(OS)mZ5m

Race logistics RACE LOGISTICS interstate transport

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S-Y*S*T‘E-M-S

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ttie ultnnate predsHMi component DniW

HARROP ENGINEERING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

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●NEW NODULAR CASTING CISION CNC MACHINED, GROUND TO ACTING TOLERANCES 'SUIT 308 RODS

Tulepinmu I0:ii 9474 0900 l-'ax (031 9474 0999

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IHI-PERFORMANCE SPECIAL

Engineeriiig b; 1594 ‘ imcbhas*

Crankshafts

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1 21 Kellets Rd Rowville 3178 Ph 03 9764 281 I Fax 03 9764 8740

;yYOKOHAMA AV#N

RACING TYRES

Distributors for Victoria and Tasmania

Your high performance tyre and suspension specialists

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds online classifieds 7

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sate at www.my105.com

SEU

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 the service of entering the ad onto my105.com)

LOG ON NOW — IT’S THE SMART WAY TO SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT!

DODGE VIPER 97 SUPER GT Penske 3 way shocks. Competition fuel cell. Brembo brakes - 4 pot 13in Rears, 8 pot 14in Fronts. Competition power BH steering-separate reservoir & cooler.

Kb Fluid line water systems-Heat exchanger. U.S CNC dry sump system5 stage-4 scavenge. Engine has been lowered 3in and moved back 2.5in.

www.myl05.eom/74603

$150,000 NZD. Race Ready Bargain, Call Kenneth. Day. 09 274 8646 NZ or 0011 64 9 274 8646 from AUS. Evening; 025 408 456 NZ 0011 64 25 408 456 from AUS

Holinger 6 speed sequential. Tilton clutch 3 plate magnesium. Tilton bellhousing magnesium. Magnesium flywheel. Diff 3:54-4 stage Posi-drive system US competition. Motec dash with launch control on 1st, 12 separate systems. This cost over $360,000.

Sedans/Sports Cars

Tekno Aufosports - Carrera Cup Porsche, factory built . Purchased January 2002 backup car for National Series. Raced 3times only. Round win at Oran Park (New lap Record), Pole position, race win at Barbagallo.(Approx 8hrs run time). Never Crashed. Sensational looking car in original Motorsport trim. Eligible for Marque Sports Cars, PRA Series and Nations Cup. $200,000. Steve 61 2 989 99503. 254 www.my105.com/87971

Tekno Autosports - Porsche Cup Car, As raced by Jonathon Webb in 2002 Australian Porsche Cup. Runner up and Rookie of the Year. Resprayed ready for 2003. Complete with Lister air jacks, dry break fuel system, 16 BBS wheels, new wets and numerous spares. All road equipment including wheels/tyres and interior trim. Full, Penske/Eibach race suspension. Motec ECU and fully optioned Motec dash Ail data available. $185,000 ONO. Steve 61 2 9899 9503 254www.my105.com/74603

26 March 2003

from just $25

Datsun 1000, Datsun 1000 sports sedan injected CA18 engine 5 speed sunny hydraulic gearbox HI65 diff 5 link rear suspension 10" brakes record holder King Edward Park and Ringwood hillclimbs. Very reliable and competitive club level car. $6500. Also avaiable at extra cost .Trailer and almost enough parts to build another car. Darrell Peattie 0410263380 / 02 49469310. 257www.my105.com/28024 Torana, Torana Sports Sedan LJ, Modified P76 V8 powered, borg Warner transmission and diff, 4 wheel disc brakes, 16 x 10 wheels, spares include engine, gearbox diff, panels wheels.Oran park 2001 enduro placegetter, reliable simple car,$10000ono, trailer to suit available $2000. $10000 ONO. Kevin Akers 0417405590 / 0249514297. 254 www.my105.com/8075

._-_4S< BMW 2002 1972, set up for club sprint/classic rally use with dual Weber 40 DCOE carbs, gas flowed cylinder head, Koni shocks, elec fan, Superlite wheels, sports s/wheel etc. Very good performance, handling, appearance and interior. Some spares inci another set of alloy wheels. VIC reg NWR678. $9,900 ONO. Richard 03 9822 5034. 254www.my105.com/50511

Ford Escort Mark 1, Full spare frame, fresh 13B PP, fresh Needham straight cut box, AP Brakes, wets, space rims, weighs approx 700kg, proven performer and reliability.

URGENT URGENT SALE, $17,000 URGENT SALE. Matt (02) 6684 0409 or 0414 611 687 /(02)6684 0409 or 0414 611 687. 254www.my105.com/377

Honda Civic VTiR, CAMS Log Books. Full Cage to Strut Towers Front & Rear. Sparco Seat. Sabeit 6 Point Harness. Momo Wheel.

Link Engine Management System & Standard Computer. Koni Shocks & Ride Height Adjusters. Full Camber Adjustment.

Upper & Lower Strut Braces Extractors & Mandrel Bent Exhaust. Not Enough Space to put the rest. PHONE FOR DETAILS. $12,000. Grant 0422 288 088 / 02 98722279, 254www.my105.com/4259

V —— Historic XY GT Falcon, Red log book group NC car, presents very well, fresh 351 Clev eng, has done run in laps only, F and R Sway bars, big brakes balance bar, fuel cell, 9 inch diff, top loader, wheels x 3 sets wets, colour hot orange, more info please call. Readverstised due to uncompleted sale. $33,000. Doug (03) 6334 8855 or 0418 590 318/0418 590 318. 254 www.myl05.com/85213

Porsche RSR, Front runner in previous Porsche Cups. 3.5 litre 330 hp engine by Motion Automotive, features direct ignition and Motec engine management for loads of smooth torque. Easy handling racetrack fine tuning, care of fully rose - jointed adjustable suspension, Konis or Bilsteins, and centre locking rims. Rapid value $49,900. Tom 0419 868 911 / 0419 868 911. 255 www.myl05.com/57928

Super Tourer, Ex BTCC Alfa Corse prepared factory car. 3rd in last years championship with a rookie 16 year old.Very reliable car with a huge spares package including a fresh spare engine and lots more. Please contact for the spares package. Allan 0409 023 060, 254 www.my105.com/31946 Falcon XF Imp Prod, 250 alloy head high performance gas motor acl pistons 200 rods waggot cam geni extractors 2.5 mandrell exhaust single rail 28 spline minispool 4 wheel discs koni shocks king springs new radiator and harrness laps oran park 54s Wakefield 1.13s 2 sets race tyres 15 inch alloys can deliver east coast quick reliable club car. 2800 Or Best Offer, ray 0249732237 / 0249731605.

254 www.myl05.com/54648

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El !48i

IV

Commodore VT Supercar, Only 7 races old in as new condition.The last Gibson-built car.Complete less engine. Spare parts package also available. $165,000. Eddie 0418 360 058 / 0418 360 058. 254 www.myl05.com/19666

Commdore Cup Car #84, 2002 spec, well sorted front running car, fresh top horse power engine, comes with 2 gear boxes, 2 sets of rims and tyres, 3 diff ratio sets, trailer and many spares. $25,000. Ian 0408 103 815/0408 103 815.254 www.myl05.com/83594

‘VN Commodore Saloon Car, Motor just Re-Built, Well Maintained, $15,000, Glenno (07) 3216 5558 or 0419 787 031 254 www.my105.com/54680

79

I Torana LC Sports Sedan (2door), Unfinished, set up for 308, Muncie, 9inch diff, Lola F5000 calipers, oil cooler, Lexan Windows, Aircraft fuel pump, New-paint, aluminium panels, seat, slicks, rims (rear), radiators (x2), wiring. L34 Extractors to suit above $500 one. $3,450 ONO. mark 0428 535 245. 254 www.my105.com/89569

Torana, Fresh motor, webbers, reco gear box, various diff ratio's, 8 point cage, big brakes, mounted wets, indate harness, log book heaps of spares, registered trailer, . $6,850 Neg, darren 0417 665 238 / 02 4272 1164. 254www.my105.com/54450

Open Wheelers

Charade GTII for sale, fully rebuilt engine, fully seam welded body, new paint job, new button clutch and pressure plate, LSD, close ratio gearbox, new silverstone rally tyres and spares, fully adjustable PROFLEX suspension. Everything come with heaps of spares including spare engine and engine parts. Email to wekaprima@hotmail.com.

9,500 Or Best Offer. Chun Chandra OS931 04181. 254 www.myl05.com/63025

v:

I

1985 AF2 Kadltcha, Curently flat bottom AF2 but also eligable Group R histioric (all ground effects bits available) A very quick car in either category. Complete and total rebuild tip to toe over 5 years - virtually a new car. Judd Golf, FT200, mounted wets, ratios and spares. Very well presented,-■ Offers considered. Richard Harward 0410 573684 / 02 9787 9735. 254 www.my105.com/31134

Reluctant For Sale, U2L Sports Sedan.

1380 cc iron head. SCCR box with LSD. Huge front disc brakes. 2 pac paint, 3" 5 point harness & Marsh race seat. Including wets, Dorian timer and trailer. Sub 1:10 at Wakefield Park on old rears. All assistance given to new pilot. $ 7,000,00 with trailer & spares. John Wakefield 0418-872121.

254 www.my105.com/56554

Datsun 1600 Club Car/Sports Sedan, 2nd owner, excellent condition, new paint, cams log book with alloy cage. Veto race seat.

New 2Lt engine with twin 48mm webbers, and extractors. Adjustable race suspension, 4 spot calipers front, 2 spot rear. 2 sets of 14x7 wheeis, dry and wet tyres. Spare engine/tyres. Ready to race. Proven results. $9,950. Max 0418 485 460 / (03) 9842 3132. 254 www.my105.com/53523

Porsche GT3, Perfectly maintained by PCM, Approximately $25,000 worth of spares available.

Ready for Race/Rally/Road, Structured financing available. . $185,000 Neg. Dean - 0418 507 403/0418 507 403. 254 www.my105.com/7289

Falcon Sports Sedan, Car completely rebuilt every part,nut & bolt. Qual 5th outright WA 2002 Nightmasters. 1st Sportsedan WA Endurance last outing 27/10/02. AP 4 spot adj dual bias brake system, Bilstein/Koni, MSD,rose jointed adj susp, etc... Many spares, wheels, tyres, moulds. This car is awsome to drive with a 6000cc BOOOrpm 650HP motor. $37 000 Or Best Offer. Byron 0422 007 380 . 254 www.my105.com/37427

Mk I Cortina, 2 door, twin 40mm Delortos, New Yokohama Advan tyres. Race seat/hamess. New upholstery. Queensland transport mod. plate, club car log booked, very straight and in perfect condition, inspection will not dissapoint. Spare gearbox, diff, brakes, all original parts also included. New galvanised car trailer also available. $9900 ONO. Steve 0414 397 609 254 www.myl 05.com/17360

www.myl05.com/78548 Mazda RX7, Improved Production, Injected 13B - Needham, Torson 28 spline floater diff, alloy cage, foam filled tank - Calder 1:05, Sandown 1:24, Phillip Island 1:49, Mallala 1:17, Hidden Valley 1:20. Spares. Well sorted nicely detailed car. $15,000. Tracy 0418 824 282. 253 www.myl 05.com/84009

[f»’

Mazda RX4 Full Chassis Dragcar, 9 inch diff with full spool. Summer Brothers 35 spline axles, koni coil overs, full lift of front, original centrelines all around, car in primer. Mark (03) 9308 9785. 254 www.my105.com/92754

Nissan Pulsar GTIR, Lightweight rally version, C/R g/box, roll cage, FIA spec seat/hamess, 3 inch exhaust. Centreline suspension, Pagid race pads, surge tank, competition radiator. Very competitive.

Second Group 5 & PIARC sprint championship 2000 & 2001. Numerous top 3 fi nishes. Rally registration (PVN 490), 40,000km. $16,500. Ron 0438 881556 or (03) 9480 0929. 253WWW.my105.com/67400

1997 Porsche 993 Turbo Rolling Body, Right hand drive rolling body, perfect for conversion into Porsche Cup car. 29,000, Zane 0408822320.254 www.myl 05.CO m/64028

Wren Formula Ford 1980, Log booked 1986, fully restored and set up by Frank Lowndes, Holinger gearbox with spare ratios, every assistance to new owner if necessary. $11,500 ONO. George (03) 9545 1656 or 0419 356 819. 254

2000 model Silver Arrow AX6, One owner, never bent, complete with 'J' engine.

Includes trolley. Ideal for competitive club racer with budget inmind. $3,000 ONO. Mark (02)4628 1461 or 0419 405 486 254 www.myl05.com/52259

rif£way to sell your gear!

22ZZ7 From just $25* iustiog on classifieds

Category: □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers

news Description:

□ Paris □ Engines □ Trailers

n Speedway

□ Wanted □ Photographs

□ Drag

n Jobs

□ Other

Please keep ads to no more than 50 words, plus up to 6 photos if desired.

(*$25 applies to ads entered directly onto my105.com) Advertising can also be supplied using this form ($10/$15 surchageto text only/text -f pic advertisements) Advertisements will appear in next possible issue of Motorsport ■News PLUS the my105.com website for six months.

I enclose cheque/money order for $35 (text only) / $40 (text plus up to six pictures) made out to myl 05.com, or please charge my □ Amex □ Bankcard □ Visa or □ Mastercard for the amount of $35 (words only) / $40 (words and pic).

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W0 are unable to return photographs supplied for use in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipt. MN/my105.cem ciassifieds are for the sale of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising Photos marked 'proof” will not bo used.

molorsport news

LASSIFIEDS r-

m

CIM8WSTS - Bn

Formula Vee Mantis, John Dean engine, 2 sets wheels, Koni shockers, long and short gearboxes, lap timer, VDO gauges in carbon fibre dash, lots of spares, no expense spared, enclosed trailer $1850, tyre rack and storage bin, drop tailgate and ramps, side door. $9,500. Guy 0410 614 737 or (03)9761 4045. 253 www.myl05.com/85814

-

Welsor Clubman, The first car built by Colin Wear in 1969 & raced successfully by Ron Kearns in 1970/1,also raced at the last BATHURST Easter meeting in 1973 winning the class.Has only been back on the racing scene for a couple of years & set new track record Oran Park 26/01/03. comes with heaps of spares. $14,500 Not Neg. 0418 653 023.252virww.my105.com/69977

XF Falcon Street Stock , RSA registered, spare diff, gearbox, suspension, wheels and tyres, recall auto metre taco, spitfire gauges, clean and fast car. $3,000 ONO. Mead 0419 968 820/0419 968 820. 254 http://www.my105.com/54471 Sprintcar Parts, VLee psteer complete, NRO w-pump, FBI tank bladder, Tilton brakes mcyl, hats. Pro shocks, Stanton driveline complete, 12 wheels, Hoosiers, bars, arms, stops, 50inch axle F100 stubs.

Top front wings, Moly cage, 29inch bar tubes, seat, push nerf bars, much more, Robert 0416 241 418 254 www.myl05.com/57863

Engines 355CI Small Block Chev Drag Engine Motor, comes with Garb, 850 Meth BoLaws, So-Lawsbeit-Drive, Fuel Pump, Stefs Hi-Torque Starter, MSD Dist. $10,000.

Glenno (07)3216 5558 or 0419 787 031.

254 www.myl05.com/33006

38ft Semi-Trailer, Can carry two sedan type race cars. Heaps of storage space Some benches and cabinets. $25,000.

Glenno (07) 3216 5558 or 0419 787 031.

254 www.myl05.com/47675

Tandem Trailer with Storage, Banana back. Enclosed front, Tyre rack plus 1sqm lockable storage, New tyres, Electric Winch, reconditioned brakes, new master cylinder.

Used for rally car but will fit upto large sedan easily. Fresh paint ready for your signage. Easy to load, good access to car underbody. Strong, stable and tows very well. $3000 Best Offer. John 0418404945.

256 www.my105.com/54590

Ford 4.1 Cross Flow Engine, Never used since built, Nothing spared when building. $5,000. Glenno (07)3216 5558 or 0419 787 031 253www.my105.com/9579

Parts Mallock 21B Sports 1300, Build 95 Top HP Corolla C/R gearbox, 2 bodies Hill climb and race with moulds very competitive, custom enclosed trailer with spares, $25,500 total package Neg. Gary 0412 085 563. 252 www.myl05.eom/70693

Speedway

Production Sedan Commodore, Ex NSW/VIC, Bilstein susp, adjust front and rear autometer gauges, Wilwood pedals, powersteering, quick steer power glide auto, fresh Ray Chatfey engine, good tyres and alloy wheels, full fibre glass panels and spares, ready to race. $9,500 ONO. Simon 0417 445 316 / 0417 445 316, 254 www.myl05.com/82769

Race Winning Super Sedan, Ron Pyne, three time Australian Super Sedan champion offers for sale his 2003 race winning Rick Slatter built 4-Bar Super Sedan. A reluctant sale of a brand new, race winning car. $50,000. Ron 0438607615. 255 www.my105.com/71163 2002 AU Super Sedan, Raced only 2 meetings, sell complete or separate, built by John Brown from Newcastle, car runs a 363 Cleveland engine, roller cam, roller rockets strocked crank, four V altered heads, dry sump, motor bames oil pump, too many extras to list. $8,500 spent on refreshing engine chassis, aluminium wheels tyres, many more spares, 0419 989 010 / (02) 4730 3440. 2S5www.my105.com/4465

26 March 2003

MOTEC DASH LOGGER, MOTEC DASH LOGGER with loom, some sensors, 2MB memory,beacon,as new $6,000 Richard 0412 320 940. $6,000.00, Richard 0412 320 940. 254www.my105.com/41315 Getrag 5 speed, Getrag 5 speed close ratio gear sets. Straight cut, dog type, new 0417979226. 254www.my105.com/74317 Clutch operated T400, Clutch operated Turbo 400 transmission. Professionally built, currently street set up. ie: park mechanism. Comes with 360 degree scattershield to suit chev and Hurst lightening rods. Ideal 1/4 mile transmission. $1800. Tony 0418 146 590 254 www.myl05.com/26489 Race Suit, RPM Mondial race suit,XL, one piece,black/cream coior,hardly used. $430 Neg. Paul 0410 449 062 254 www.myl05.eom/6014

Light-weight Car Trailer, Custom designed, light-weight car trailer. Tandem drop axles, beaver tail and flush stowing ramps. New (used once). Would suit all cars up to 1300kg sedan. $3000 Neg. Marcus 0411 137 230, 254 www.my105.com/15883

Isuzu Transporter, Intercooled turbo, six speed gearbox, bunks, 4 coaoh seats with seat belts, tyre racks, compressor/generator self contained. llO.OOOkms. Ideal for speedway application. $50,000. Ron Pyne 0438607615.254www.my105.com/12668

Quick Lift Jack.Quick lift jack, over centre lever type. Suit all types of open wheeler race cars, or light weight low road cars. $200. Jeff 0417 013 179 254 www.myl05.eom/50472 Various race parts, * Barnes 5 stage dry sump pump $1500. * Weaver 3 stage dry sump pump, tank and pan for Ford V8 $900. * Pushrods chrome moly 3/8 one piece $100/set. * Holley 750 DIP modified $300.

'Tilton flywheel suit 7 1/4" clutch $250. * Nascar wheels with slicks (4) $200. * AP six spot calipers $1300. Ring Graham on 0412 351888 or a/hrs on 46 327197. 253 www.myl05.eom/59044

Trailer, professionally built steel/alloy dual axle enclosed front, tyre racks, full floor with full length alloy ramps, alloy wheels, fresh paint/no signage, suit historic towing cars, sport sedans, etc, campenran also for sale $15,500 ono for more information please visit www.mylOS.com/10007. $4,500 ONO. Gary 0412 670 422. 254 www.myl05.com/83282

Transporters/Trailers ' £t7IIT

1996 Chev Silverado Extra Cab, Voitex motor. Captains chairs, lowered, American Racing Wheels, tabliner, perfect tow car, immaculate condition. Ian 0408 103 815, 254 www.myl05.com/7189

Super Tow Vehicle / Campervan, LWB, hi roof, dual wheel, Chev turbo 350, registered as campervan, Stratos seats, fridge, stove, double bed, wardrobe, etc, comfortable, quick, economical and legal tow vehicle, mechanically as fresh, professional paint, no signage, race car sold. Trailer for sale ONO please visit $4,500 www.my105.com/83282. $15,500. Gary 0412 670 422. 254 www.myl O5.com/10007

Coach Transporter, 38ft midmount, 250HP turbo Volvo, 4 speed pre-selected gear box, air brakes, exhaust brakes, tubless tyres, tyre racks, alloy tailgate. Pontoon lounge carpeted, fridge. $22,000 ONO. 0419 989 010/(02)4730 3440 255 www.my105.com/14138 Dual Cab Car Transporter, Dual cab Misubishi 515 Pantech. 6 cylinder turbo diesel with long range fuel tanks able to carry 2 race cars with lots of storage space, internal lighting and 240 volt power. Electric winch and ramps. $55,000 ONO. Leanne 0438370793. 254www.my105.com/47670 Single axle car trailer. Lightweight single axle car trailer. Fully galvanised dipped chassis. Electric brakes with in car controller. Only 10 months old. Removable centre panels. Suit 4 cyl race car or open wheeler. New light truck tyres on galvanised rims. Load capacity - 1500 kg. Tows beautifully. $ 1950 ONO. Steve 0414 397609. 254 www.myl05.com/48421

Collectable/Memorabilia Biante Models - All Signed, 1 x Johnson XE Palmer Tube, 1 x Moffat Cobra Coupe 1977,1 X Moffat Coupe 1978. 0415 178 696 254 www.my105.com/92629

Driver/Crew Apparel Racing Suits/ Helmets, 2 Full suits RPM Racegear,Nomex Three, Blue & White size M Racesuits,gloves M,shoes size 8,Beil Helmet SR-PRO Size 7 1/4 or 58,with carry bags,These suits and helmets were used in 2 Targas and are very clean and well looked after, $975 each set,as I will sell seperately. $975 each set ONO,Tony 07 55321400 / 07 55773077. 254 www.myl05.com/22200

Wanted Wanted, chevy Nova or chevyll parts from 1962 to 1967. Mainly require 63 sedan body panels & any parts for 67 sedans or coupes.Anything considered please phone or email , tippo@fastrac.net.au. Bob 0412 810 815. 253 www.myl05.com/29009 Drive Wanted or Chance to Prove! , Mr Kerry Kokotis looking for a drive in GTP, Production, Konica, etc. Endures and Sprints. I offer determination and ability with fitness. You have nothing to lose but a driver to gain. Experience 600HP Dragcar and Club Sprints. Kerry Kokotis 0418 835 727. 252www.my105.com/94097

Productlaunch Driver Sites Club Sites Join a growing motorsport network on the web.

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81

OPINION

nMtnwon EDITORIAl SnFF

PRODUCTION Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby l viv@mnews.com.au

ADVERTISING Brendon Sheridan - PR Driven Tel: 03 9550 0870 Fax; 03 9550 0816 mobile: 0407 007 286 “ ads@mnews.com.au

ADMINISTRATION Managing Director/Publisher; Chris Lambden » publisher@mnews.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

CONTRIBUTORS FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper Europe: Quentin Spurring, Gary Watkins, David Addison 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, AF1 Images, Neil Hammond, Slipstream Photographic, Phil Williams, Alisport, John'Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, Peter Bury, Mike Patrick (UK), Chris Carter, James Smith, Paris Charles, Bob Potts 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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82

He will be missed

Well said Neil Stratton(MN #251), it's time AVESCO looks after the

We will aU greatly miss that great Pommy wag.

My first memory of him was in Daytona and seeing his hospital photo in the local paper. I think he would have still raced except they couldn't get long enough tubes.

real race supporters, and not just look at the corporate client.

I understand that corporate clients and their $$$s are very important, but will the corporate sector continue to support a series if the "normal race fan" doesn't

Editor; Phil Branagan »editor@mnews.com.au Assistant Editor: Mark Glendenning l mark@mnews.com.au Staff Journalist: Grant Rowley » grant@mnews.com.au

Australia (inci GST) Overseas (Air Mail): New Zealand, PNG, Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillippines, Hong Kong, Japan US, Canada, Europe

Cochrane vs. Fans

turn up to the rounds. Let's get a good balance, Mr Cochrane.

Overseas races, at the end of the day, won't help our series because the crowds will leave. Neil, myself, and no doubt many others are concerned about overseas races, as well as other decisions regarding the V8's. So I think having a questionnaire in Motorsport News would be great.

Maybe AVESCO need to open their eyes to what the true fan wants.

Neil also brought up qualifying and size of fields. Why can't anyone that n wants to race in the main series be allowed to try. So what if 50 cars enter a round, great, let them all qualify.

None of the rubbish pre-qualifying we had before, let's be fair dinkum about it. If the leader of the series misses out because of bad luck, hey, that's Ufe. Andrm Sluis Launceston, Tasmania

Schumi is a bad boy!

At the AGP I saw what I thought was a basic rule infringement made by Michael Schumacher in his Ferrari twice during the Friday/Saturday practice sessions.

The rule I am talking about is the one that forbids you making practice starts out on the course proper.

M the other drivers without exception made their practice starts from behind the white line at the pit lane exit. M Schumacher twice rolled through the end of pit lane over the white line out onto the track. He made practice starts on Friday and Saturday from that position.

Am I reading the rules incorrectly or was there an infringement made?

B Murray bryantmcaus@bigpond.com

converter Send us your thoughts: mail: PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 email: mnews@mnews.com.au

award named after him.

Malcom Webster Croydon South, Victoria ED: Your sentiments have been echoed

by AVESCO, Webster. See page 10.

Barry Tribute I send this email after watching a very emotional tribute to Barry Sheene.

Firstly I would like to send my heartfelt sympathy to Stephanie and her family.

I would also like to compliment Channel 10 for the way that they remembered Barry and his wonderful career, especially Bill Woods for the courageous way he hosted the show when it was obvious that he was deeply affected by the loss of such a great friend, sportsman, commentator, and allround wonderful person. The tribute made us laugh and it really made us cry and remember forever a man that always made us smUe. Barry, we will miss you!

Kim Dim kim.dhu@bigpond.com

Although I don't know the full medical story, I shall never forgive him for just dropping out and not saying good-bye. Such a wonderful individual could have also offered so much to those who continue to smoke.

See ya mate and I hope your handlebars fit through those Pearly Gates.

John Gray Lcumeah, NSW

Commentary Disgrace Those who were at the Clipsal 500 on Saturday were subject to the worst ontrack commentary I have ever heard.

Poor Barry Oliver was continually interrupted by local Channel Ten News personalities, rambling nothing short of crap.

Here is a sample. Ford are benefiting from their new 5.4 litre engines.

Lowndes has gained valuable time by using a one-stop strategy (each race has two compulsory stops). Bright has liit Skaife to pay liim back for hitting him and putting aU the red paint on the back of his car.(The paint was from the red tyre wall at Turn 4, and as high as his wing,so how did Skaife get Iris bumper that high.)

Steven Richards is dropping down the order,and is out of the race. (He was making his compulsory pit stop.)

Plus,numerous car and driver mix ups, such as Mark TVnbrose takes the lead, and Garth McConvUle is doing well.

Tim Faulkner by email ED:As a sometime microphone jockey myself, 1 usually avoid 'dissing'other racecallers. But you are right, Faulkner: Mark Alston was an absolute shocker.

Sheene Medal For future Australian Motorcycle Grand Prixs, why not include the presentation of the Barry Sheene Medal?

This prestigious award could go to a motorcycle rider who officials consider the best performer on the day. The lucky rider wouldn't neccesarily be the winner of the race and could go to any rider in the 500cc, 250cc or 125cc categories.

As Barry Sheene has done so much for motorsport in Australia and has helped many motorcycle riders around the world, the very least we could do is have an International

Legend: Our friend Barry, above at Goodwood in 2001, will be remembered by everyone for his courage, his strength and the his lovable personality. molorsport news

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