Motorsport News Issue 260 - July 2-8, 2003

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features 28 Five Minutes With Kelvin O’Reilly TEGA’s Chairman on coslis and Holden 30 Five Minutes With Will Power Wanna buy a used Ralt?

32 Wintering at Home Will Davison checks in and pulls on tie- thermals 34 Kermit lied OK, it may not be easy being green but Webber is hawing a ball

race ceverage

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Ambrose joins Moffat It’s been a long time since a. ford driver won four rounds in a row but Marcos kept the records coming at Hidden Valley Hidden Porsches More GT3 Cup cars than Darwin has ever seen

Euro Bashing Two weeks ago, Ralf was told he was soft, Now, it’s Michael’s turn to feel the heat as junior wins at home. Life is like that... ;aKT WESrS op BReAKTWWUOH 60 Honey, I killed the Car Fetter Solberg emerges from a bunch of really stuffed WRC cars to win in Cyprus

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Bathurst winner to partner Dumbrell at Sandewn and Bathurst

by PHIL BRANAGAN TOMAS Mezera will complete the driver line-up for the Castrol Perkins Racing Team in the V8 Supercar endurance races.

The 44-year-old will partner Paul Dumbrell In the second of the team's Holden Commodore VYs at the Melbourne 500 at Sandown and the Bathurst 1000.

Mezera was believed to be in the enduro line-up for either Holden Racing Team, Kmart Racing or Team Brock but accepted the Perkins offer once it became clear that recent ownership changes may affect his place in the ‘Clayton’ squad.

“We talk every year and this year, it was the full bundle, the whole deal,” said Mezera.

“Paul went well in the races last year and I am quite happy with that. I think that we have a good chance of doing well.”

Mezera, who won the 1988 Bathurst enduro in a Ford Sierra he shared with Tony Longhurst, is a long-time ally of Perkins. The pair first drove together in 1989 and shared victory in the Nissan 500 at Eastern Creek that same year.

He drove with Perkins for two more year and has driven for HRT at Bathurst eight times, including the last two years, sharing a Commodore with Jason Bright.

His best result in the event since his '88 win came last season, the duo taking third place.

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A SPY scandal similar to that which hit Formula 1 last year has reared its head in the V8 Supercar pit-lane.

Having been alerted by another teann that someone has been wandering around with, wait for it, foot-mounted cameras to record underside details of its cars, Stone Brothers Racing has had to construct pit garage screens to keep the spies at bay while the SBR cars are up off the ground.

Team boss Ross Stone didn't want to talk about it at Hidden Valley last weekend, but there was no mistaking the purposebuilt screens around the front of both SBR cars whenever they were up off the ground.

TEGA regulations require teams to have garage doors open most of the time.

While rival team engineers often sniff around each others cars on the starting grid, the concept of cameras set up to reveal the under-car secrets of leading teams is new to V8s. A similar situation at the McLaren FI team, when it was at its peak, left team boss Ron Dennis perplexed and angry. The team, along with others, started to use pit screens until they were recently banned.

Holdei IF Holden executives thought that the ownership structure of its leading teams was now a mere formality, a series of meetings at Hidden Valley gave very clear evidence that it is not.

TIu'TECi.V Board, which must appnn e all transfers of ownership, clearlv has issues with at least one of the new ownership parties and has asked the parties to prcn ide further information.

TFGA chairman Kel\ in O'Reillv confirmed to .VIX'eu s that the Board was looking at some elements of the ca.ses (see Fix e Minutes with Kelvin O'Reillx’, page 28), hut, as xx ith a parties. didn't want to comment in detail.

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The Veteran and the Coming Man; Mezera has many Bathurst miles under his belt and his experience and will be a huge help to Dumbrell.

Meetings with I lolden Molorsport boss R, ,■ Borrett look place ox er the weekend, but no resolution appeared to be reached.

motorsport news

NEWS

ndal hits $uperca5!

VS spies cause major concern for leading team

Davison’s ALMS debut goes MIA ALEX Davison's ALMS debut in the PK Motorsport Porsche 911 GTS RS came to an early end at Road Atlanta last weekend. Davison, a regular frontrunner in the German Carrera Cup series, posted competitive lap times in the early sessions of the weekend, but the Melbourne driver was replaced at the last moment by Frenchman Jean-Philippe Belloc. The reasons for the substitution, and the possible ramifications for Davison's second scheduled ALMS run at Sears Point next month, were not clear as MN went to press, A week earlier, Davison finished sixth in the fifth round of the German Carrera Cup series at the Norisring circuit. After qualifying ninth, Davison was robbed of practice time prior to the race by a rare clutch failure on the Hewlett Packard-Phoenix car.

"I would never normally use that excuse (of not liking the circuit), a racetrack is a racetrack, but there are a few guys who go well everywhere else, but not here," he said.

"I really have to think that I came out of today with some points and with the car in one piece, and I'm just happy to have it out of the way." n Only in Darwin. Across the race control radio channel as race two gridded up: "The dead lizard has been removed from Turn 1 ..." n Radio ads in the lead-up were quite revealing. Team Briggs invited the public to come and meet drivers Paul Radisich and Tony Longhurst.

Dean Canto mightn't have found it funny...

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Peek-a-boo: Stone Brothers were left with no choice but to put in place these purpose-built screens to stop the prying eyes frona looking at their race-winning machinery.

It’s not over yet The reliable pit lane sources were suggesting that the Kelly family take-over of the Kmart team (achieved with the purchase of two Level I car franchises from Bob Forbes'00 Motorsport) was under scrutinv.

TEGA's questions, it is understood, related to reports that more than one existing professional motorsport organisation, including interest from o\ erseas, had been o\ erlooked in favour of selling the team to a couple from northern Victoria!

MN'evvs understands that both the British 888 Motorsport organization and former CART team owner Steve Horne have expressed interest in 00 Motorsport's franchises. There are also suggestions that legendarv American team owner, Roger 2 iBly 2003

Pensko, who in partnership with Tonv Noske recently investigated the likelihood of bin ing the Holden Racing Team,is still looking for opportunities to become invoh ed in the sport.

Reading between the lines, TEGA is clearlv concerned about the real power behind the team, as it attempts to unravel the six-car HRT 'family' which pre\'iously existed.

What does not appear to be in question are Mark Skaife's, right, credentials in terms of undertaking ownership of HRT itself. While the TEGA Board is making no comment on indiv idual candidates' submissions, it is believed that board members are satisfied with Skaife's submission and that his ownership of the team will be approved in due course.

n Team Larkham faced a stewards' hearing in relation to a check of standard ECUs after qualifying. Both cars were found to have 11 degrees variation in breach of rule C6.11.11.

The team admitted the error, but claimed an oversight. The stewards agreed, but both cars were relegated to the rear of the grid for race one. n Mark Skaife's car was also shown to have had its data logger not working during qualifying. The team claimed an oversight, having disconnected it to undertake some welding. The team copped a $2000 fine.

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n David Besnard's season looks set for a boost following confirmation that FPR's third BA Falcon will be completed in time for round seven of the V8 Supercar series at Queensland Raceway late next month.

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n BJR has struck a deal with automotive component and system supplier DENSO - one of the world's four largest automotive component companies. In addition to financial support, the deal will see the BJR Falcons use additional DENSO components.

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Lights, Cameras but no Action DARLINGTON Park is to close by the end of the year.

The Queensland track, which has catered for recreational use rather than national motorsport events, is likely to be redeveloped for a new purpose, either a theme park, a movie facility or a mix of the two.

A Darlington Park spokesman confirmed the news last week; "It all depends on negotiations that are going on at the moment," he said.

"There are a number of people who are talking about the project and it should be settled within six months."

Construction on the track, located at Ormeau (between the Gold Coast and Brisbane), started in the late 1980s and, since then, has hosted club level motorsport events, driver training and automotive industry functions. It features a road course, a hillclimb and karting and off-road courses.

Major events at the facility were impossible to stage, the road course lacking a suitable track licence, timing equipment or spectator facilities.

- PHIL BRANAGAN

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keeps BM Partnership extended until 2009

by JOE SAWARD WILLIAMS and BMW have agreed terms for a new contract to work together in Formula 1 from 20052009.

The announcement stressed that the new deal is different from the previous one,as there wUl be "an increased degree of integration" which will combine the depth of resources of BMW and the specialised expertise of Williams.

"As an automobile manufacturer we have options tliat are simply not open to a racing team and we need to join together in exploiting tliese possibilities," said BMW's head of development Dr Burkhard Goschel.

The deal will see Williams and BMW engineers working ever more closely, with the first project being a development of the drivetrain and gearbox. This will be done by WUliams engineers in England and BMW's FIZ Engineering and Research Centre in Munich.

Hie protracted negotiations in recent months are believed to have covered a wide variety of different subjects, including the continued BMW control of the livery of the FI cars,so that they fit in with BMW corporate colour schemes. There are

complex issu«s relating to what happens at the end of the current ConcorcJe Agreement in 2007 and there may even be options for BMW to play a bigger role in the team if Frank Williams and Patrick Head choose to retire at some point in the future.

WiUiams is now 61 and Head is 57 and although both are fuUy motivated and keen to win again on a more regular basis, there will eventually come a time when one or the other will consider the question of retirement BMW may also wish to at some point exploit the WilliamsFl brand on its production cars and such deals are .all likely have been included in the package.

The immediate problem for the team is to be able to beat Ferrari and McLaren <on a regular basis. This will require greater cooperation but also bigger investment and it is safe to assume in the current economic climate, that the large driver salaries wMch have been paid in the past may not be continuing. It is estimated that at the moment the Williams driver bill is in the region of US$23m a year.

Next year it is expected to rise to more tlian USS25m a year if current arrangements continue.

There is little doubt that the view

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exists in both Grove and Munich that this money would be better spent on tedmical development and imless there are better results from the current drivers big savings could be made. Tliere is already speculation that either Ralf Schumacher or Juan Pablo Montoya will not be retained at the end of their current contracts at

McLAREN'S long-awaited MP4/18 racecar may not race until the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The car, which has been developed specifically to beat Ferrari F2003 GA, has had two major setbacks in the last two weeks, with test driver Alex Wurz crashing one car during a test at Jerez, and a second chassis failing the FIA-mandated side-impact crash test.

While McLaren's technical staff downplayed the crash test failure in Germany last week, the need to, at least, partially redesign the car to pass a second test may motorsport oews

NEWS

We have the 2004 Dates

17races, but we are guessing ‘where'

THERE has been an enormous amount of speculation in recent days about the Formula 1 calendar for next year following the FIA World Council's failure to produce a list of dates.

The World Coimcil issued a list of dates that have been blocked for Formula 1 but no races have been assigned to the dates listed.

The list is fairly conventional, with the first blocked weekend being the traditional Australian GP date of March 7. Thereafter the dates blocked are every fortnight until July when there is the usual oneweek gap between July 4 and July 11. There is a two-week gap before July 25 and then a three week gap until the next blocked weekend on

even been suggestions that tliere could be changes even sooner than that.

Drivers are currently in a fairly weak position, as retainers are coming down across the board (except for Michael Sdiumacher's rumoured 10 percent raise) because no-one can afford to pay the kind of money that was being paid a few years ago.

August 15. From then on, there will be a race every two weeks until the season-closing race on October 24.

There are, therefore, 17 events listed and while there have been some guesses pubUshed as being fact, the calendar is stiU not decided with a number of problems still needing to be sorted out.

With Austria not planning a race in 2004, there are 15 venues being used this year which want races.

There are three venues that want to get on to the calendar; China, Bahrain and Belgium. This means that there are 18 races vying for 17 places.

The race which appears to be in

the most danger is San Marino, traditionally the first European racb and there is speculation that the World Championship may begin with four 'flyaway' races: Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain and Brazil. This would mean that the first European race would not be until May 9.

We have also heard, however, that Brazil might move to the end of tihe season, twinned with Indiariapolis in September. This is an idea but with the season expected to end with a China-Japan trip (or perhaps vice-versa), the Italian GP would have to move from its traditional date if Brazil was to fit in.

The Italian race could be pushed to the end of August but that would push out Spa, which wants to go back to its traditional end of August date. There are expected to be more negotiations before the calendar is confirmed at the next World Council meeting in October.

The San Marino Grand Prix is in dariger because the Imola circuit has not done enough to upgrade its facilities. And at the same time the crowds have been dropping considerably, with only 82,000 spectators over the three days at this year's event, compared to lOSjOOO in 2002,120,000 in 2001 and 180;000 in the year 2000.

-JOE SAWARD

Late than... Monza? delay testing until it falls into the summer testing 'blackout' during August. With McLaren boss Ron Dennis having already stated that the team would not race the car until it was proven reliable, that may mean that the car would not come on-stream until after the Hungarian GP on August 24.

The MP4/18 is the first McLaren/Mercedes designed specifically around Michelin tyres, technical director Adrian Newey and his staff having adapted previous cars to the French rubber since the team switched from Bridgestone at the start of the 2002 season. Ironically, the 2 lolir 20G3

team's current car, the MP4/17D (for 'development') is proving to be very competitive, Kimi Raikkonen taking his first pole position at the Nurburgring and dominating the European Grand Prix until stopped by engine failure.

While the team has not said as much, the MP4/18 is virtually certain to be McLaren's 2004 car.

Should the debut of the car be delayed until Monza, it would race in only the final three races of the year. The 18 has also been designed to accept two different gearbox configurations, the idea being to test the car with a

'conventional' transmission similar to that in the MP4/17 :before switching to the newer design once that proves reliable in testing.

The 18 was originally thought to be on-target to race in the opening European race at Imola in April, but delays meant that the deb ut was put back to the Canadian GP. But the team ipreferred not to run the car for the first time in a 'flyaway' race and lis now aiming for the British ■'Grand Prix, in three weeks' time.

Should the recent problems hinder that process, Monza looks 'more and more likely.

HYL goes testing THE Holden Young Lion V8 team got their first test day for the year at Queensland Raceway two weeks ago.

The John Faulkner-run team were issued testing log books after the on going Holden ownership issues were sorted. Both Dale Brede and Tony D’Alberto were happy to get seat time in the cars and are looking forward to Round 4 of the Konica Series at Phillip Island this weekend. n Darren Palmer has withdrawn from the Australian Formula 3 Championship. The Queenslander will now focus on his planned Nations Cup campaign, but will continue to drive the T2 two-seater F3 car. Bronte Bundle Motorsport are speaking to a number of candidates to fill the seat vacated by Palmer, but any suitably qualified drivers with the necessary budget have been invited to contact the team. n Borland Racing has confirmed it will be producing an all-new Spectrum chassis. The first Spectrum 010 will be completed by September and is said to be 'a brand new model', with improved wishbones and bodyyvork.

Western Australian Mark McNally has dibs on the first 010, which will also be the 50th Eiorland Formula Ford chassis constructed. n Finally! As good as it is that Australia has so many representatives in the various open-wheeler categories scattered around UK/Europe, the one downside is that we never get to see any of the racing - until now. Anybody who has been following the exploits of Ryan Briscoe and James Manderson will be happy to learn that the Formula 3 Euro Series is on its way to free-toair TV in Australia. The series will be shown in an edited format 'if' the SBS program Speedweek. Grant Boyden _ and Peter Hackett will provide Q commentary for the telecast, which will include coverage of the rounds that have already been run. n Of interest to probably nobody other than us (and people like us poor souls) is the news that the media centre at Bathurst will be relocated for the 24 Hour race. Flying in the face of Bathurst tradition, journalists will be able to actually see the circuit from the centre, which will be located in the corporate area above the pits. Now guys, about those lobster dinners ... n CAMS has named Peter Ryan as its new Motor Sport Operations Manager. Ryan commenced his role on July 1, replacing Simon Webb, who resigned after two and a half years with CAMS, Ryan has previous project and team management experience in rallying and V8 Supercars, and has also held event management roles with SOCOG,the World Solar Challenge, and the Avalon Air Show.

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A Visit from the Neighbours THE Australian Formula 3 grid is set for a further boost with the impending arrival of a number of cars from the Asian F3 series.

Four Dallara 301s are expected to arrive in Australia within the next few days, of which three are believed to be earmarked'to appear in races over here. Time constraints in getting the cars prepared may prevent them from joining the field at Oran Park in two weeks, but they are expected to be on the grid at Sandown in early August.

It is possible that they could be joined by other cars from the series in coming months, as track problems and concerns over the SARS virus have raised question marks over certaip events, and have already caused decimated fields in the rounds that have been run to date. However, the inclusion of many of these cars will depend on the finalisation of customs and competition licensing issues.

Meanwhile, Australian Formula 3 representatives have poured water on rumours that the series was slated to support the Bathurst 24 Hour race in November.

"It was never on the cards," said Australian F3 representative Jeff Mattner.

"It's quite a joke really. Aside from anything else, Bathurst is not licensed for it. You can run Formula Fords there, but that's it.

There's no license for open-wheelers like Formula 3."

- MARK GLEIMDENNING

THE future of Dean Canto is up in the air following a strange turn of events over the last two weeks.

Canto was released from his drive with Briggs Motorsport's V8 Supercar team, only to be reinstated, and he drove the Betta Electrical Falcon BA at Hidden Valley.

“I’m not sure what’s going on at the moment,” Canto told MNews on Monday evening.

“I haven’t spoken to John

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(Briggs) yet. We II have a talk later in the week, but there's not much I can comment on al the moment."

Canto conceded that the controversy was a stress that he would rather have done without in Darwin, but ironically went on to have one of his best rounds of the season to date.

“There was a little bit of pressure, but we seeemed to have a good weekend.

24 Hours of ENTRIES continue to roll in for the second edition of the Bathurst 24 Hour race in November,and early signs already point to healthy interest from overseas.

The most recent international confirmation is the TVR Tuscan R that Martin Short took to four wins in the British GT Championship last year.

'The car, left, is being brought out by Bert Taylor, with a driver line-up still yet to be named. Short, meanwhile, will be back behind the wheel of the popular Mosler MT900R. Also on the cards is a pair of Volvo S60s from Belgian outfit Muehlner Motorsport, however the details are still being finalised. Robert Brooks, who steered a Duller Motorsport

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The team had decided to run another driver in the Darwin round of the series and had discussions with former driver Tony Longhurst and former Privateers' champion, Cameron McLean. However,the team confifmed that th^ preferred option “became unavailable'’ and Canto resumed his seat, qualifying in 27th place and finishing 14th overall for the round after 18-12-19 results in the three races.

FOLLOWING Will Davison's disappointing latest round of the British F3 Championship, Aussie team owner Alan Docking has suggested that the young Australian needs to focus on the core issues of F3 racing.

"He has all the skills, but is only just starting to understand what the car needs," said Docking, above.

"An F3 car has to be given just enough throttle, just enough brake and it'll be okay. Too much of anything and you're in trouble."

Docking also believes that a young driver can have too many advisers and supporters around, which can distract him from the job in hand.

"Will has quite a few people around him and that can be a distraction. We've got him to turn off the mobile while he's at work - all sensible things which allow you to focus on the job.

"We sent him down to Pembrey with Robbie (Kerr, the 2002 F3 champion) and it was a beneficial exercise. He's also been talking to Mark (Webber) and they get on well and he's giving him some good input. If he can just absorb that and become more his own man, then it'll come right."

Tuscan - and Morgan?

BMW M3 E36 at last year's race, is also said to be part of a group working on bringing a pair of BMW M3 GTRs out from the USA for the 2003 event.

The battle for outright honours could be spiced up further if plans to bring the unique Morgan Aero 8 to Australia bear fruit.

The car, which was denied an entry at Le Mans at the last minute, ran in the latest British GT

Championship round at Donington last weekend, and it is said that the team were partially using the event to evaluate the feasibility of taking the car to Mount Panorama.

Meanwhile, moves to improve other aspects of the event are also in place. A revised program, which 2 lull) 2003

includes an extra hour of qualifying under the stars, will create a total of four hours of day/night qualifying.

Spectators can expect more off-track entertainment, with a variety of events slated for the days leading up to the race, as well as extras that may include live music at the top of the mountain. Additionally, there will be a ute muster, which PROCAR predicts win attract over 1000 vehicles (and, presumably, 1000 kelpies).

Two superscreens will offer live coverage of the rugby World Cup as well as all the on-track action, and PROCAR is also investigating the possibility of extending the track commentary to include hourly updates overnight.

- MARK GLENDENNING

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[motorsport] 2003 VS Supercar Championship* Jul 20

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Aug 17 .. .Oran Park

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Sep 14 ...Sandown Oct 12 Bathursl

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Oct 26 ... .Surfers Paradise ....

.Rd 11

Nov 9 ....Pukekohe

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Nov 30 ...Eastern Creek

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2003 Konica V8 Series* July 6 ... .Phillip Island

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Aug 30 .. .Mallala Oct 11 Bathurst

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2003 FIA Formula One Championship* MagnyCours Jul 20 ....Silverstone

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Aug 3 ....Hockenheim

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Aug 24 ...Hungaroring

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Sep 14 ...Monza Sep 28 ...Indianapolis

2003 CART Championship* .Rd9 6 Cleveland Jul 13 ... .Toronto ..

.Rd 10

Jul 27 ....Vancouver

.Rd 11

Jul 6

2003 IRL Championship* Rd 8 Kansas Nashville

Rd 9

Jul 27 ....Michigan

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Aug 10 .. .Gateway

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2003 MotoGP Championship* ,Rd 8 Donnington Park

Jul 13

Jul 27 ... .Sachsenring ...

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Aug 17 .. .Brno

.Rd 10

Sep 7 ... .Estoril

.Rd 11

2003 World Rally Championship* July 27 ...Germany

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Aug 10 ...Finland .

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Sep 7 ... .Australia

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2003 Australian Rally Championship ....Sydney

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Aug 10 ...Rally Of S.A Oct 5 Melbourne

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Nov 16 .. .Tasmania

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2003 Procar Championship .Rd 5 Jul 11 . . . .Oran Park . , Phillip Island

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Sep 19 . . .Winton Oct 23 Gold Coast .

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All event dites in this calendar were correct at the time ol printing. Please consult any individual tracks and/or associations tor date changes.

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

Rubens may Go Silly - to Sauber THE Formula 1 Silly Season kicked off in earnest at the Nurburgring, with a variety of rumours about driver movements for next season.

'The strongest rumour is that Rubens Barrichello may be moving to Sauber next year to become the team's number one driver and help bolster both Sauber's challenge and Ferrari's chances of'spoiling' the hopes of otlier front-running teams.

Such a mood would give Sauber a much higher-profile driver with immediate experience of a top team and it would probably help Sauber to raise some more sponsorship money. n For Rubens it would offer him a position in which he would not have to always play second fiddle to Michael Schumacher and might be able to use it as a springboard to another top team in the future.

From a Ferrari point of view, it would allow the team to get Felipe Massa back into racing to be properly trained so that he will be ready to step in as Ferrari's number one driver when Michael Schumacher retires in 2006- or perhaps before, if Michael decides that it is time to go.

In the light of its possible Mercedes-Benz engine deal,see right, Jordan would become an interesting place to be for a number of drivers and Giancarlo Fisichella could find himself partnered by an Alexander Wurz or a Nick

Heidfeld.

Wurz is also mentioned as a potential Jaguar driver in place of Antonio Pizzonia but the team is also thought to be looking at yoimger and cheaper options. One visitor at the weekend was 2002 British Formula 3 Champion Robbie Kerr.

Renault and McLaren look set.

Given the nationalily of the teams, look for an announcement that Jamo Trulli will stay at Renault tomorrow (Thursday) at the French Grand Prix, and another at Silverstone two weeks later that David Coulthard is staying put.

Our spies at Renault Sport in Enstone say that there is currently discussion going on between Mike Gascoyne,the Renault FI technical director, the team and Toyota about a settlement which would allow Gascoyne to move to Toyota. Flavio Briatore appears to be offering Toyota a deal that would see its engine designer Luca Marmorini switching to Renault...

-JOE SAWARD

Jordan and Me EDDIE Jordan may have been struggling somewhat this year but after the recent showdown in Canada over the funding of the small FI teams it seems that Jordan could at least have an engine deal for next year and that may help him to raise sponsorship.

It seems that in addition to an agreement to receive money from the other El teams,Jordan has been giver word that he will get engines next year from Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz motoreport chief Norbert FFaug has said tlrat he can supply engines to a customer team in

2004 for a “hasL'line figure" of SlOm but that figure could be reduced with the appropriate badging being seen on the cars and Mercedes-favoured drivers in the cars. This would give the German rnanufacturer the abilitv to train up young dri\ ers for the ' future but would put Jordan into a secondary role,similar to the relationship that exists between Ferrari and Sauber. The Swiss team has made this relationsliip work very well and is one of the strongest of the independent teams in FI. With tire rules about the supply of drassis to other teams also being.

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Jordan and vo EDDIE Jordan began his legal action against Vodafone in court in London last month,claiming a sum of S252m from a sponsorship deal that he says was verbally agreed between Jordan and Vodafone's global branding manager David Haines on 22 March 2001.

At the time, Vodafone was a sponsor of the Benetton team, ha\ ing taken o\ er the space previously used by the D2 mobile phone brand after D2's owner Mannesmann was bought by Vodafone in 2000.

Jordan claims that Haines told him "You've got the deal". The only e\'idence to back this up is a notebook belonging to Jordan's commercial director Ian Phillips, who listened to the call and who, Jordan claims, made a note of the remark. The second argument is whether or not the words claimed created a contract between the two parties based on terms negotiated and agreed prior to the telephone conversation.

"The word 'deal' is a colloquial word, but well understood by

businessmen- when they do a deal, they bring into existence a bargain between them, and that is whatwe say they were doing here," said Alan Boyle QC,representing Jordan Grand Prix.

Vodafone argues that it was simply involved in a negotiating process and that it was later decided that Ferrari was offering eRbetter deal because it included an option to become the Italian team's title sponsor if Marlboro decides to withdraw fronxCrand Prix racing.

Most of the sponsorship space on the Ferrari is actually owned by Marlboro but the tobacco giant does not brand the entire car in order to keep the Ferrari red and so the deal with Ferrari was actually between Marlboro and Vodafone.

Vodafone insists the Jordan claim is "wholly without merit", although it agrees that it held discussions with several Formula 1 teams in 2001 including McLaren, Toyota and with Benetton.

The case, which is being heard in the Commercial Court of the High Court, will be decided upon by Mr

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Minarrows

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relaxed, it is possible that Jordan could acquire the entire McLaren 2002 package, which would create a much more competitive package than the current car and cut costs considerably as there would be a huge reduction in research and development costs.

While running as a secondary team to McLaren might not appeal to Jordan's ego,it may be the best way forward for the Silverstohe team, wlaiclT|ias fallen behind many of tire othdrs’in terms of facilities and investment. .

JOESAWAR©

Stoddy buys 2Arrows and plans testing

by JOE SAWARD

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Justice Langley, who is no stranger / tasiich.arguments. He presided over a case last year in which the Football League claimed to be owed S2S0m by ITVOigital's parent companies Carlton and Granada after the channel went out of business. ITV Digital owned the terrestrial TV rigitts to British soccer but was unable to make it pay. After hearing tlie case the judge described the league's case as "just as unpromising at the fini.sh as it was at the start".

In that case, there was written evidence of a guarantee from Carlton and Granada during negotiations but no guarantee was written into the final contract.

One point that may also he raised is why Jordan has waited so long to make a claim against Vodafone. Lead times for the Commercial Court are currently under a year but it is more than two years since the events took place.

If Jordan loses the case, the team could end up with a hefty legal bill.

-JOESAWARD' 2 July 2003

MINARDI will track test its current PS03-Cosworth racecars back-to-back with two 2002 model Arrows A23s following the British Grand Prix.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart purchased five Arrows cars, two of them race-ready, and an amount of technical equipment for the throw-out price of around A$1 m. As befits a man who made a considerable amount of money in similar activities in the aviation sector, Stoddart secured his buys prior to the lots being offered at public auction last month.

Fortunately for Stoddart, at Monaco the team landed a little extra backing from supporters of Jos Verstappen, on the understanding that this money would be used to improve performance rather than just keep the team going. This enabled Stoddart to go to the Arrows receivers and negotiate a deal for some of the equipment. Arrows, it seems, had a huge inventory.

"I have never seen expenditure of this size on such a risky

business," said receiver Ian Gould. "You have to suspend belief when you see the sort of sums involved, A lot of people have lost an awful lot of money here."

One of the prime reasons for buying the cars is that both chassis use the same Cosworth CR03 engine. The Arrows performed remarkably well on occasion in 2002 and Stoddart wants to see if the Arrows chassis is appreciably quicker than the Minardi.

But while the cars will be tested, Stoddart may not just paint the Arrows black and white and race them. He says that the Arrows will have to be significantly quicker than the Minardi to push him to decide to use the Arrows chassis as this would be a serious blow to team morale in Italy, It is more likely that parts which offer significant performance gains will be incorporated into the Minardis. There is likely to be some time gained from the gearbox and possibly electronics as Arrows had considerably more money to spend on these systems when they were developed.

NEWS

Show Alex and Paul the $$$' MINARDI and its former driver Alex Yoong are both taking legal action to try to recoup sponsorship money that was agreed but never paid last year.

There has been some suggestion that Yoong is owed money by the team and team boss Paul Stoddart said that once the Malaysian sponsors are made to pay, Alex will get the money he is owed. n The FIA has joined forces with the International Olympic Committee and soccer authorities FIFA and UEFA to work on the draft of a clause relating to international sports to be included in the European Convention.

This will be the first treaty to include specific articles about the governance of sport. n There were whispers of Mexican interest in Formula 1 a few weeks ago when a small delegation from Cancun turned up at the Spanish Grand Prix to meet FI boss Bernie Ecclestone. The Cancun Convention & Visitor Bureau has now announced that "construction is expected to begin this year on a world-class racetrack for Formula 1 and Indy racing in Cancun". The region is hoping that motor racing will help boost tourism revenues which have been badly hit by the change in US travel habits since the terrorist attacks on September 11 2001. n Melbourne suburban newspaper The Emerald Hill Times has published a survey which reveals that 53 percent of the residents in the local area in which it is distributed are in favour of the Grand Prix with only 22 percent against the event. The remainder of people were neither for or against the event. In Albert Park itself, support for the race is as high as 60 percent. n The Dutch bath and shower company Wilux has signed a sponsorship with Minardi for the rest of the season. The company wants to be associated with Holland's biggest racing star Jos Verstappen. The Wilux logo will appear on the Minardi Formula One cars, as well as on the overalls and helmets of drivers, Jos Verstappen and Justin Wilson.

Team-mates? No, not quite. Mark Webber's Arrows leads Enrique Bernoldi's Minardi at Albert Park last year. Hang on, that can't be right

n Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has signed a four year exclusive official licence with Formula One Administration to be the official publisher of licensed Formula One games. The new deal was launched at the European Grand Prix with a Playstation battle between Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso. The new Formula One 2003 game features the latest rules and one-run qualifying.

-JOE SAWARD 11

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Aussie FI star i

Herta BRYAN Herta has replaced Dario Franchitti at Andretti Green Racing for the rest of the 2003 IRL season.

Franchitti will miss the remainder of the series after doctors revealed he requires surgery on his injured back.

The Scotsmen suffered a fracture in his back in an off-track motorcycle incident earlier this year.

Franchitti has only competed in one race since the crash, where he finished fourth at Pikes Peak.

The 30-year-old is bitterly disappointed that he will miss the rest of the season but realises that this is his only option.

“I’m really disappointed,” said Franchitti, "(but) after assessing the options available, I feel that to do the surgery now is the best thing for me.”

But Franchitti’s pain is Herta’s gain, who joins the IRL championship for the second time this year.

“This is an unexpected surprise,” said Herta, right. “It was a shock to find out about Dario, but I’m glad that I got the call.”

- PHIL MORRIS

Premier State under threat?

AS Motorsport News went to press, large parts of the planned route for this weekend’s NSW round of the Australian Rally Championship the Premier State Rally, and possibly the entire event, were under threat.

The problem appears to be an eight kilometre section of forest road which was mandated as National Park on July 1. The section of road is a key component in the route.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is demanding a $37,000 fee for the rally to use the road, despite the fact that its use was approved under the previous managers, the NSW Forestry Service.

Crisis talks were taking part between rally organisers and NSW state government officials this week in an attempt to reach a compromise so that the rally can proceed as planned.

-JON THOMSON

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FORMULA 1 star Mark Webber will embark on a gruelling 10day challenge to raise funds for two Australian charities.

The inaugural Mark Webber Challenge will start on November 7, where the Jaguar driver will cover more than 1000km on foot, bike and kayak around some of Tasmania’s remotest locations.

The challenge will see Webber and other celebrities tackle the different disciplines in the hope of raising vital funds for Brainwave Australia and CanTeen.

Webber, right, says that it will be a good opportunity to put something back into the community.

“As a Formula One driver, I get to travel and see the world and enjoy a pretty good standard of living,” said Webber. “I think there's something wrong if I can’t give up some of my free time to give something back to the community.

“I wanted a physical, mental and personal challenge to see how far 1 can stretch my capabilities.”

Webber has plans for a large contingent of well-known sporting celebrities, local and international, to help him with his cause.

Branding S rights

ADAM Brand is returning to the Poolrite V8 BRUtes Championship.

The country music star will join the BVC team for the remainder of the series, pitting Brand in Ford Performance Vehicles Falcon XR8 car against team-mates Rob Jarvis and Allan Grice.

"It's great to find a home with the BVC Team and under 'Captain Rob' Jarvis' wing well chopper blades I guess I should say," grinned the multiple Golden Guitar winner, "I haven't raced since Adelaide and 1 was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms."

Brand's return to the tarmac starts at Oran Park on July 12/13.

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motorsport nows

NEWS

■aces for different cause

0 raise funds - and a sweat - for the needy

Vinnie Happy Returns VINCENZO Sospiri is set for a return to British racing, with a seat in the British GT Championship, Sospiri, who raced FF1600 in Britain in 1988, is to drive a Lotus Elise in the series at Oulton Park and SpaFrancorchamps. DA ■ Crack Italian touring car team JAS Motorsport is returning to the ETCC. It will run the Flonda Civics it has developed for the PRO Motorsport team, although they will continue to be entered by the Scottish team. Andre Couto is to be joined in the team by Salvatore Tavano who drove for them last year.

DA ■ F3 racer Christian England is looking at a seat with Alan Docking's F3 team after his early plans with Promatecme collapsed. England would graduate"to the main Championship Class if the deal comes off, but according to Docking, budget is a factor. DA ■ FIA Sports Car boss Stephane Ratel has threatened to can the series if teams do not commit to the remaining races. Only eight cars started the race at Lausitzring last month and Ratel is prepared to allow individual promoters the opportunity to decide if they wish to proceed with future races. DA

Jeff at the BAR Gordon tells how close he was to an FI drive

by PHIL MORRIS JEFF Gordon has confirmed that he was offered a Formula One drive

by British American Racing for the 2001 season.

The four-time Winston Cup champion told The Toronto Sun that he was offered a drive alongside Jacques Villeneuve when the BAR team was formed in 1999 - but that the offer was a complicated one.

"There were discussions about it," Gordon said. "I was flattered that they wanted to talk to me about FI. But it never got to the stage of.

'OK, you're going to come over here and you are going to test our car and be our driver.

Gordon, left in ftmn's Willmms, said that the FI deal hinged on him driving for Team KOOL Green in

CART for two seasons. British American Tobacco was a common sponsor of both the BAR and Green teams.

It was like them saying to me.

'We would like to put you in a CART car with a team like Barry Green's and have you run two years of CART and then come and test for us in FI and then maybe you could come and drive for us," said Gordon.

I had already won two Winston Cup championships at that time. I told the BAR people I was pretty much set here. I was on my way, I was with the best team with the best sponsors. I had everything I could ask for here.

'It would have been a major step backward for me to do it that way. with no guarantees of where it would get me.

■ BTCC team Edenbridge Racing is threatening to quit the series if its Production Class BMW is not made more competitive. The regulations restrict the six-cylinder car to run at 8500 rpm and team boss Peter Briggs wants it raising to 9000 rpm.

Series boss Alan Gow has told the team he will amend the regulations if other teams agree, although this is somewhat unlikely. DA ■ Two UK Formula Ford drivers have been banned following a brawl on live TV. James Harris and Antonio Perez collided at Rockingham, stepped from their cars and set about one another - in full view of the Motors TV cameras. They have both been given a 30-day suspension and further punishment could be handed out by the MSA, the UK sport's governing body. DA ■ What do you do with a crashed NASCAR? Well, Johnny Benson's idea is to turn it into a coffee table.

One of Benson's 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix chassis has been crushed into a cube and now sits in the foyer of the MBV raceshop in Concord, North Carolina, "I didn't want to get rid of it so we put it to some good use," Benson explained.

13

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BY recent standards, the latest round of the F3 Euro Series at the Norisring two weeks ago was a modest one for the Aussies.

Handling problems saw dominant points leader Ryan Briscoe qualify back in 12th for race one. However, he was relegated to 13th when it was judged that his fastest time had been set I under yellows, j Despite his compromised grid spot, Briscoe I made a good start and gained several positions, despite further handling problems caused when the Prema Powerteam machine made contact with another car early in the race. Nevertheless, Lhe managed to finish fourth.

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Starting from 12th in race two, Briscoe again made a good start and was running sixth early in the race before being sidelined after a three-car shunt.

Meanwhile, James Manderson continued to move onward and upward in his Australian flagthemed Swiss Racing Team Dallara. The reigning Australian F3 Champion qualified 17th for race one and a disappointing 24th for race two.

Things took a turn for the better in race one when Manderson kept of trouble and made a few timely passing moves to finish 10th - his best result in the series to date. He was unable to sustarn the pace in race two howev^, ancfTinisTiea 'IbtPi. ' ans on July 15-17.

-The series,,

MARCUS Marshall will join the Konica V8 Supercar circus at Phillip Island this weekend.

The 25-year-old Carrera Cup frontrunner will shde into the driver's seat of the #27 Howard Racing Falcon AU with backing from AEG Power Tools, which has struck a two-year personal arrangement with Marshall.

Marshall clocked up around 40 laps of testing in the ex-Paul Weel AU at Queensland Raceway last Monday ahead of his debut at the Island, and aims to also contest the remaining rounds at Winton and Mallala. The campaign will run in conjunction with his Carrera Cup program.

"I'll certainly be keeping focused on racing hard in the Porsche,but I'll be working hard in the Falcon," said Marshall. g I i ?

"It's a new car to me and Phillip Island is a pretty fast circuit, so I won't be doing anything too silly. I need to build my experience and it's important that we use our heads over the course of tire weekend.

Nova Pressing Ahead

FORMULA cars generally don't bump and grind, but no body told that to the keen F3000 field at the Nurburgring last weekend.

Eruico Toccacelo,above, became the fifth different winner from as many roimds in a race whicli resembled a demolition derby.

Super Nova driver Toccacelo, though, avoided the mayhem and dashed off mto the distance.

"I'm very happy," said Toccacelo."I think we have the car to win another race."

Title contenders and front-row starters Bjorn Wirdheim and Ricardo Sperafico clased at the first turn,forcing both drivers to make an unscheduled visit to pit lane.

This left Toccacelo to race away,closely followed by Vitantonio Liuzzi. Yet there was more carnage to come.

After a number of collisions during a tense dice, Townsend Bell and Patrick Friesacher clashed at the turn one hairpin on lap five. The incident forced both entrants to retire. Tliis promoted Nicolas Kiesa to third, ahead of Yannick Schroder and Derek Hill.

Points; Wirdheim 34,Toccacelo 24, Kiesa 19, Liuzzi 18, Sperafico 16.

14

CHRISTIAN Murchison continued his recent progress in the Formuia Renauit V6 Championship with a pair of ninth places at Donington last weekend.

The Western Australian qualified the DAMS car in sixth place for the opening race, but suffered from throttle sensor problems thaheventually saw him finish ninth. Starting from 11th in race two, Murchison made his way up to ninth, but the lack of any further passing opportunities forced him to hold station for the remainder of the race.

“I was doing the same times as the top four, but I just could not get past the guy in front,” said Murchison. “Still, the car was pretty good and I'm really looking forward to the next race at Spa. The team has a lot of experience there, and I’ve been practising on the PlaystationI” It was also a bittersweet outing for New Zealand’s Matt Halliday.

The RD Motorsport machine qualified fifth for the opening 20-lapper, but a combination of brake and handling problems eventually forced the Kiwi to settle for sixth. The team worked to replace the car’s brake system overnight, and Halliday responded by moving from ninth to sixth early in race two, and was still there at the finish.

Jose-Maria Lopez took the race one honours ahead of Tristan Gommendy and Neel Jani, and Kousuke Matsuura claimed the race two win with Gommendy and Lopez completing the podium.

Halliday is currently fifth in the Championship, while Murchison sits 12th. The series moves to Belgium on July 25.

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●e Marshall

Jack, AJ, MW

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MARK Webber's seventh-place finish in the recent Canadian Grand Prix has moved the Jaguar Racing driver to third on the list of Australian drivers who have scored points in GP racing.

Webber's two points moved him past Tim Schenken, who clocked up seven points in 33 FI starts between 1970 and 1974. Sir Jack Brabham scored 261 points in 126 starts, while Alan Jones scored 206 in 116 races.

■ As expected, Michael Schumacher was in the points at the Nurburgring, his four points moving his career total over 1000. Second on the all-time list is Alain Prost on 798.5, while Ayrton Senna bagged 614.

"It will help that I've driven in the Porsche recently at Phillip Island but Tm under no illusions. It will be a weekend where we'll have to work hard. There's some strong teams,

particularly with Level 1 links, that have got a lot of rounds and testing kilometres under their belts.

"My focus is to build my experience in V8 Supercars and learn as much as I

can in as short a time as possible."

The car was last run at the Pukekohe round of the V8 Supercar Championship series last year, - MARK GLENDENNIN G

A New Power WILL Power got his newly-forged relationship with Fortec off to a good start by scoring his first points in the British F3 Championship at Castle Combe two weeks ago.

The reigning Gold Star Champion qualified seventh for the opening race of the weekend, and brought the car home in fifth place. Power, below, was closing on the leading four in the late stages of the race after having been bottled up behind the crippled car of Rob Austin early on, but ran out of laps before he moved into striking range.

“It was a good result for my first weekend back,” said a satisfied Power, who missed two rounds after leaving the Diamond Racing outfit in early May. It was a different story for fellow Aussie Will Davison, however. The Victorian struggled for pace in qualifying and lined up on grid 17, and then suffered a further setback with a spin on the opening

lap. Contact with another competitor while trying to make up lost ground put Davison out of the race.

Race two was flagged five laps early after Nelson Piquet Jr spun and stranded his car in a vulnerable position on the track. At the red flag, Power was lying in 12th position, with Davison a further four spots behind.

Alan van der Merwe took the race one win ahead of Adam Carroll and Robert Dahlgren, while Danny Watts was first across the line in race two with Dahlgren and Carroll again claiming the minor placings.

Davison and Power will get another chance to build upon their points tallys when the Championship resumes at Oulton Park on July 12/13.

-MARK GLENDENNING For a Five Minutes with Will Power, turn to page 30 and for a full interview with Will Davison, see page 32

■ And, while we are in milestone mode, apart from Ant West and Steve Jenkner scoring their maiden 250cc and 125cc wins respectively at Assen last Saturday, Apriiia logged its 150th GP win (in the 125 race) and Michelin its 300th (with Sete Gibernau) as a supplier of Grand Prix rubber.

■ Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralph Firman tried out a Ford Focus World Rally car last week. The test in a 2002-spec Focus took place on sealed surfaced roads close to the Nurburgring race circuit in Germany ahead of this weekend's European Grand Prix.

Markko Martin gave the two drivers a passenger ride in the Focus WRC before they try out the machine for themselves, with the Estonian's regular navigator Michael Park co driving.

Plans are being made to try and get Martin into a Jordan Formula 1 car at some point later in the season, although no dates for the test have been made yet, ■ Tim Leahey was anil th-hour inclusion on the Carrera Cup entry list for Hidden Valley, The Orange-based driver looked set to miss the round due to a shortage of funds, however a last-minute injection of dollars from local supporters ensured that Leahey could make the trip to the top-end.

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2 July 2003

■ Last weekend's European Grand Prix was David Coulthard's 150th FI start. The 32-year-old Scot made his debut at the 1994 Spanish Grand Prix and drove in 25 GPs for the WiiiiamsRenauit team. All his races since have been for the McLaren-Mercedes team. It was also the 150th start for Heinz-Harald Frentzen and 100th for Jos Verstappen.

■ The BTCC's first visit to Rockingham has left series boss Alan Gow with a dilemma for 2004.

Rockingham is vying with Knockhill for the remaining slot on the calendar and the success of the English circuit's first BTCC event has made Gow's decision even more difficult.

- DAVID ADDISON/STAFF 15

Safari Back?

jdtton:lmages.com

Return to Kenya possible with government support

sutton-imsges.cain

Out of Africa? Maybe not, if the Kenyan government gets its way.

Space Men (and Girl) HOLDEN'S assault on the Australian Safari is taking shape but Bruce Garland will not be involved.

The team's three Rodeo Space Cabs, which were tested recently near MUdura in Victoria, will be prepared 'in-house', according to a Holden spokesman.

The driving line-up for the cars are almost settled, with Peter Brock navigated by Arm Gigney, Nathan Pretty joined by Jon Thomson and Geoff Portman hkely to drive the third entry.

Final details, including the cars' livery, are expected to be imveiled next month.

THE battle for a round of the World Rally Championship is becoming almost as intense as the fight for FI Grands Prix.

Despite the serious problems with terrorism in East Africa, the Kenyan government has confirmed that it is pitching to win back WRC status for the Safari Rally.

The government in Nairobi has put together a financial package to support the Safari Rally over the next four years in an attempt to regain the WRC for Kenya.

However it will be a radically different Safari should it return. The new-look rally would be based in the coastal resort of Mombasa and will be run in October.

Plans are for a spectator stage to be held in downtown Mombasa along the waterfront.

In addition to the cash grant, the government has promised logistical support from police, army personnel and helicopters to ensure that the event can be run on closed roads. In the past the African event caused many headaches as the teams battled obstacles such as trucks, trains and locals on horse and carts in the last of the WRC's open road events.

The Safari lost its slot in this year's calendar to the Rally of Turkey held in March.

-JON THOMSON

sutton-images.com

Will they still be waterproof? Major changes in WRC rules may see the end of the current breed of WRC cars.

16

LU CHe¥Polili|miis THE recent test of the CpswoiSthdesigned Indy Radng League , engine resulted in times 8kmh an hour faster than the existing Chevrolet unit.

After the dominance of theToyota and Honda engijies in the series tliis year, Chevrolet is looking to Cosvvorth's unraeed unit to provide inspiration against the performance of the Japanese n -Y engines.

We hear that a deal has been agreed between the two parties for ’ the Cosworth engines to be badged

WRCCh THE WRC could be set for some major changes following a series of recommendations made by the FIA World Motor Sport Council last week.

Most significantly, the Council finalised rules regarding the status of WRC teams' third drivers. From the start of 2004, manufacturers will not be able to nominate a third driver that has scored a podium in the previous three years. Under the ruling, drivers of the calibre of Peugeot's Gilles Panizzi and Harri Rovanpera and Citroen's Carlos Sainz will not be eligible to drive for their current teams motorsport news

NEWS

Le Diesel heads for Le Mans

e Bedfellows rd-owneil Cosworth for some IRL power Chevrolet and run later this year by the six cars that are contracted to Chevrolet. The deal will invoh’e the .supply of around 50 engines this year and will help Cosworth both financiallv and in keeping all its current employees with enough work.

The company has been facing culback.s, as there are only limited rebuilds these days in CART and in Formula 1. romca V, Chevrolet engines performed better at the most recent IRL IndvCar round at Richmond,

Sarah Fisher qualifyingkar car second fastest.

We halve also Ivcard shiciies that Cosvvortii is offering a deaij to Fornuilai I that it will .siipplvall the teams wihich need cuslimmcrengines if the other manufactirnts will agree to kick in annind L'SS9m a»s a subsidv- This would bediieaper than nianufacluR-rs hai\ ing to pay to produce engines of theiriwnbut there do not look like bcinig very many teaims needling engiines next year.

-JOESAWARD

THERE may be a dieselengined racer at the 2004 Le Mans 24 Hour race.

UK-based companies Engine Developments and Ricardo Engineering are jointly developing a turbocharged diesel version of Judd's 5-litre GV5 V10 sportscar unit. The oil-burning engine, which is due to start dyno testing later this month, is expected to produce around 600 horsepower.

The companies are seeking manufacturer backing to meet the proposed $40 million cost of developing the unit.

Judd has a long history in Sportscar racing, with its engines taking sixth and seventh in this year's Le Mans.

Racing for Holland's Juddpowered Dome was the fastest car on the Mulsanne straight, Jan Lammers clocking more than 330kmh.

Jean: No DTM JEAN Todt, the general manager of motorsports activities by Italy's Ferrari Maserati Group, believes that a future Maserati program in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is unlikely, despite positive comments about the German-based 'silhouette' series from Maserati CEO Antoneilo Perricone. Todt said: "Of course a Maserati engagement would be good for the DTM, but I don't see it happening. As I see it, the future is GT racing." Maserati will enter the FIA GT series in 2004 with a new car based on the Ferrari Enzo. n Indianapolis racecar constructor Riley & Scott has revived its Daytona Prototype chassis project. The company had abandoned its plans when no orders were forthcoming, but will now complete a car to demonstrate to potential customers. n Former Porsche racing manager Rico Steinemann has died at the age of 64. A foundirig journalist with Swiss magazine 'Powerslide', he finished second in the 1968 Le Mans 24 Hours as a driver with a privately entered Porsche 907, and was hired to manage the factory Porsche sportscar racing team in 1969. He edited Porsche's customer magazine Christophorus.

-QUENTIN SPURRING

Doctor? No

anges Coming as third drivers next year.

Several cost-cutting ideas were also referred to the WRC for the 2004 series after the meeting in Paris, the most drastic of which was the proposed adoption of the 'Mille Pistes' concept. This would see the pre-rally recce incorporated with the actual event, creating a four-day rally. While the events themselves would become longer, the elimination of individual reconnaissance would eliminate three days from the overall schedule.

Over the course of a season, this would amount to a saving of 42 days - sufficient, the World 2 July 2003

Council believes, to increase the WRC calendar from 1 4 to 16 events.

The Council has als o recommended that manufacturers be resitricted to testing in just one country of their choosing, that teams be permitted to service j ust one car at a time, and that base-to-car and car-to-base telemetry be outlawed.

Further recommendations include the introduction of a control tyre and standard sealed components in 2005, and the use of normal ly aspirated engines rather than turbos from 2006 onward.

YES,those two chaps in the funny headwear and dressing gowns are Eddie Jordan and Pierce Brosnan.

The FI team boss and James Bond's alter ego were honoured at the Dublin Institute of Technology last week with honorary doctorates. Jordan's came in the form of a Doctorate of Philosophy, honoris causa, while Brosnan was recognised for his significant contribution in the arts and the wider community in Ireland.

The honorary degree was Jordan's second; last year, he was made a Doctor of the University of IJlster (DUniv). Guess we will have to call him 'Doctor Jordan' at press conferences now ,..

17

Sharing's caring Bad(on the bill Gow continues hfs BTCC push

THE British Touring Car Championship will return to the British Grand Prix support bill in 2004.

Subject to approve: from formula One Marrargeme'’t. the BTCC will hit tne Silversto.ne circuit m a nonchampionship race. suppoTing the Forrriula One Grand Pnx. i: twill be f/st time the 2-,'are tourers have been on the G? card for seven yea''s.

These olans are further moves bv returning series director Alan Gow to push the

BTCC cack to the top of world moTC'SOcrt.

In c r BTCC news, European Touhr: Car Championship entr-a't GA Motorsports is set to run up :o three Alfa Romeo 156s in ne>t yea-'s series. The 156s are ct-enty competing in the ETCC under different rules. But with Gaws new plans, ETCC cars V. be eligible for entry in the B'CC, A'sc Gow has announced plans '.3 send the BTCC back to Scot'c'd. but this will rely on furt-'^.e'.negotiations.

Tight title fight

RGZ

HONDA and Vauxhall shared the spoils in the British Touring car Championships inaugaral visit to Rockingham Motor Speedway last week.

With the Hondas running ballastfree during Race 1, team-mates Matt Neal and Alan Morrison easily outsprmted their rivals. The pair even had time for a dice of their own until pole-sitter Neal stamped his claim on the win.

Championship leader Yvan Muller took the Race 2 win from an inspired MG attack.

Veteran Anthony Reid seemed to have the race in the bag until a late safety car bunched up the field.

Reid fell off the circuit at the restart and dropped to fourth place. He recovered to finish second but could not do anything about Muller.

Reid's MG team-mate Warren Hughes proved the MGs are now a genuine race-winning package with a podium finish in the second race.

Points: Muller 142,Thompson 111, Paul O'Neill 68, Morrison 66, Neal 56, Reid 53.

tour

GABRIEOE Tarquini and Jorg Muller to©k a win a piece at rounds 9 and 10 otf the FIA European Touring Car Championship at Doningtom Park.

Alfa Roineo driver Tarquini, left, claimed race one honours, beating home fellow Alfa driver Nicola Larmi and Dirk Muller.

In the second race,Jorg Muller dominated after Tarquini and Fabrizio Giovanardi eliminated themselves in a first corner collision.

Points:Tarquini 54,J.Muller 51, Andy Priaubc/Larina/D.Muller 44

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CHRISTIJAN Albers took his third win for the year at round five of the DTM two weeks ago.

Albers now holds the series lead after his fine win at the famed Norisring circuit in Germany and the young Dutchman could not contain his excitement after the race.

“I love being in the lead of the DTM,” claimed Albers. "No matter if it’s in the race or in the championship.”

However, the 24-year-old did not take the win easily.

Mercedes team-mate Bernd Schneider seemed to have the race under control until his first compulsary pitstop. A problem in pit lane cost the German

valuable time, which allowed Albers and Marcel Fassler to gain track position. Schneider dropped to fifth but fought past Laurent Aiello and Peter Dumbreck to snare the final podium place.

Jean Alesi was another Mercedes runner to throw away a chance of winning. After qualifying second (his best for the season) Alesi jumped the start and was forced to serve a driver-through penalty.

Dumbreck finished fourth, the best-placed non-Mercedes. Alesi was fifth ahead of Audi drivers Aiello and Christian Abt. Points; Albers 36, Schneider 35, Fassler 29, Dumbreck 23, Aiello 22.

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I KIWI Scott Dixon won his : third IRL race for the season, I his second on-the-trot, at a I rain-affected Richmond I International Raceway last { Saturday, i After qualifying on pole, Dixon j led every one of the 205 laps I until rain fell on the Virginia ’ circuit, forcing the officials to ; call the race 45 laps short.

I The New Zealander’s i dominance of the race created I Indy history. He became the first i person to lead every lap of an I IRL event. ; “I’m so excited,” said an : elated Dixon. “We are ecstatic i and know now that we really

I

by PHIL MORRIS FIRST win for 2003,first win as team owner/driver and first Champ Cat victory since Australia in 2000.

That was Adrian Fernandez's Portland day, anyway.

The Fernandez Racing driver won an action-packed G.I Joe's 200 at Portland two weeks ago, becoming the first owner/driver since Bobby Rahal in 1992 to win a CART race.

Fernandez started the race from third on the grid, but worked his way into the lead courtesy of his rivals misfortunes.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," said Fernandez."1 had a fantastic car.

especially at the end of the race. It was great to race with Tracy and Jourdain."

Canadian Paul Tracy had an up and down weekend,but the Players Forsythe driver left Portland with the Championship lead back in the bank after a solid second place finish.

Tracy started from pole position but was beaten into the first comer

by Michel Jourdain Jr. Jourdain led the race into the second round of pitstops on lap 44. Tracy's crew were able to get the Canadian out in front of Jourdain, but Tracy pulled hard left to block Jourdain from passing.

The officials deemed the move dangerous and Tracy was ordered to stay in his pit bay during his next stop for an extra five seconds.

Before Tracy could get in pit lane, he tangled with Jourdain, who spun and stalled his Lola/Ford. Jourdain

lost a (heap of time and firushed one lap down in 12th place.

Tracy completed his penalty and actually got out in front of Fernandez for the mn to the finish, but made a ijiistaike at turn one and lost the lead.

It was an eventful race for Tracy.

'Tun disappointed for the team," said am upset Tracy."We led the race and made the most of the car. But I blew ±t,ran wide, got on the marbles and Adrian got a mn on me."

Alex Tagllani set the fastest lap of the ra,ce on his way to a welldeserved third place. The Canadian crossed the line ahead of Bruno Junqiaeira and Oriol Servia.

Rookie sensation Sebastian Bourdais was running a strong third until his car stopped with nine laps Temaiming.

-

Poinls: Tracy 99, Junqueira 95,Jourdain Jr. 91, Patrick tCarpentier 70, Fernandez 63, Servia 58.

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You win some, you lose some: Fernandez, left, took the first CART owner/driver win for over 10 years.

Bourdais, right, is consoled by his team after his car cried 'no more' with only a haindful of laps remaining.

20

motorsport news

CART / IRL

m on Target have to be focused on getting all the points that we can to chase down Tony Kanaan."

Toyota had smiles from ear-toear, as Dixon’s Toyota powered Target Chip Ganassi Panoz GForce led home the similar engined Penske’s of Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran. It was the sixth victory from seven races so far for the Japanese manufacture.

Castroneves didn’t let Dixon run away with the win though.

The Brazilian kept within Is of the Kiwi for the majority of the distance, but couldn’t find the edge to close the gap. ‘‘We are getting there,” said Castroneves. ‘‘Don’t worry, we ●4K

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PT warms up for a Euroslapping PAUL Tracy had some choice words to say after qualifying at Portland two weeks ago. Here is a snippet: "I've got one thing to say to some European drivers out there. If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones.

If you got a glass jaw, you should watch your mouth!" n Playstation and Xbox gamers, hold onto your rumble packs. IndyCar Series hits the popular consoles this month, with all the teams, all the drivers and ail the tracks from the Indy Racing League. Expect to see it in your favourite computer game shop very soon.

Targeting Toyota: Hornish Jr., above, gave the Cbev boys some cheer by finishing fourth. But no one could stop the Toyota trifecta. Dixon, bot tom, took the spoils from Penske duo Castroneves, left, and de Ferran.

are going to catch them.”

But Dixon’s dominance did not make the Richmond race a boring affair. Defending IRL Champion Sam Flornish Jr. qualified fourth in his under-powered Chev and would provide the large crowd with some spirited driving.

Hornish collided with Felipe Giaffone in pit lane on lap 61, bending his steering in the incident. He was forced to pit to repair the damage. Hornish Jr. dropped to 15th, only to stage a remarkable comeback, eventually finishing a season-best fourth. ”We had a really good handling car and kind of some luck that we haven’t had this year,” said

Hornish after the race.

Another Chevrolet-powered driver to impress on the weekend was Sarah Fisher, who qualified second. Her race though would yield no result, finishing six laps off the leader.

Championship leader and Mr Consistent Tony Kanaan finished in fifth place, picking up more useful series points. Kanaan came home ahead of Felipe Giaffone, Kenny Brack, Dan Wheldon, Buddy Rice and AI Unser Jr. The next IRL event is at Kansas Speedway on July 6.

- PHIL MORRIS Points: Kanaan 247, Dixon 220, Castroneves 207,de Ferran 202, Brack 187, Unser Jr. 187.

n Anthony Davidson has left the Veloqx Prodrive Ferrari ALMS team to focus on his Formula 1 testing commitments for BAR. The Briton drove one of the team's GTS class Ferran 550 Maranellos at Sebring and Le Mans this year, and was due to race alongside Danica Patrick for the remainder of the season. However, his BAR duties would have prevented him from running in all eight races, so he has elected to step back from the drive completely.

Jerome Policand has been drafted in to take Davidson's place in the team. The Frenchman has experience of driving a Prodrive-prepared Ferrari 550 Maranello this year, having competed at this year's Le Mans for the Luc Alphand Adventures team, whose machine was built by the British team.

Tomas Enge and Peter Kox, Vi/ho with Briton Jamie Davies won the GTS class at Le Mans, will continue to drive the team's second Ferrari 550. n Nextel Communications stock gained 23 percent after the company agreed to replace R.J. Reynolds as a primary sponsor of the NASCAR Winston Cup series. According to The Washington Post, the fifth-largest mobile phone carrier in the United States is also preparing to buy back US$463m of its own high-yield bonds.

Oh, to be an inside trader. n The 2004 BTCC calendar provisionally includes a non championship race at the British Grand Prix. The BTCC was always a feature of the GP weekend until it was pulled away from the FI showcase in the mid-90s, teams believing they had outgrown the event. However, a successful support race at the Brands Hatch Champ Car event this May has paved the way for a return to Silverstone.

■ The TVR T400Rs that raced at Le Mans this year took a 1-2 at Castle Combe a week later when Richard Hay/Michael Caine won the one-hour race from the sister car of Rob Barff/Richard Stanton.

-DAVID ADDISON/STAFF

2 July 2003

21

Sete and Steve reign at Assen GARRY McCoy decided the Dutch TT. Sort of.

Sete Gibernau and Max Biaggi had traded the lead a few times before the Spaniard came up to lap tlie Aussie's Kawasaki at the chicane. He made it through, Biaggi did not and, when they hit traffic again a few laps later, that was all Sete needed to take his third win of the season.

"At the start I pushed really hard but Max came with me for a while," said Gibernau.

"Everything worked great even though it wasn't too easy to see in the rain, being out front was perfect because the spray wasn't so bad."

Valentino Rossi rode a smart and secure race for third, making seven podiums from seven races for the Italian.

The Yamahas of Carlos Checa and Olivier Jacque were fourth and fifth respectively ahead of poleman Loris Capirossi, who made a career-worst start on the Ducati. Team-mate Troy BayUss ran with the leaders until spilling off his Ducati V4 mid-race.

Points: Rossi 151, Gibernau 113, Biaggi 105, Capirossi 71, Barros 62, Ukawa 56, Bayliss 53.

GERMAN Steve Jenkner imitated West in the 125cc GP. The web-footed Aprilia rider led all the way to his first GP win at Assen,only challenged by Casey Stoner until the young Aussie dropped his Aprilia on lap 3. The 17year-old needed four stitches for a gash in his left ear after his footpeg pierced the side of his helmet.

Pablo Nieto was second from 16year-old Hector Barbera, while championship leader Dani Pedrosa (Honda)rode into a safe eighth place.

Points: Pedrosa 124,Jenkner 98, Cecchinello 91, Perugini 76, Dovizioso 73.

THE question remains; do Ants like the wet?

250cc Grand Prix.

West's Dutch TT win was all class.

If you are talking about Ant West, the answer is 'yes'. The 21-year-old God Coaster ended a two-decade

After qualifying ninth and finishing the warm-up in second place. West was fifth into the first corner and picked off riders to take the lead at the end of the opening lap. From there, his Aprilia looked like it was

drought, becoming the first Aussie since the legendary Gregg Hansford to take the top podium step after a

WCM loses appeal

THE WCM team has lost its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The team took its dispute with the FIM to the court in an effort to overturn the FIM's decision that its bike, left, did not conform to the MotoGP regulations.

In a statement, the FIM said; "The Court of Arbitration for Sport(CAS) convened in a hearing last Monday in Lausanne (Switzerland) to judge the appeal lodged by the team WCM-GP Ltd against the decision of the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) of May 16, and the 22

decisions taken by the FIM Stewards in Jerez (Spanish Grand Prix) and Le Mans (French Grand

Prix).

"At the South African Grand Prix in Welkom, the Harris WCM motorcycles were disqualified for non-conformity to the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Technical Regulations, Art. 2.2.1.

"Subsequently, at each Grand Prix event, the Harris WCM motorcycles were not considered to be eligible, as they were found to be of the same design as those disqualified in Welkom,"

on rails as he sped away to a 3s wm.

West became the youngest Australian rider to win a GP in any class, eclipsing Garry McCoy and Daryl Beattie, who were 22 when the won their first GPs. "I really wanted to win this race to prove that getting on the podium in Barcelona last week wasn't a fluke. 1 didn't want anyone to think 1 just got lucky," said the quietly spoken West.

"My team did a great job giving a good set-up for the rain and this has made it all worthwhile after not having a ride last year and nearly giving it all away."

West dealt calmly with a late-race surge from second-placed Franco Battaini (Aprilia) who finished ahead of team-mate Sylvain Guintol in third place.

Championship leader Manuel PoggiaU gave Aprilia the top four positions, the Italian teenager clearly less than comfortable on the slick Assen track.

Points: Poggiali 101, Rolfo 86, Elias 84,De Puniet 81, Nieto 81, West 78, Battaini 78, Porto 64, Guintoli 58, Matsudo 53.

motorsport news

BIKE NEiniS

Kenny rested for Assen

THE factory Ducatis were still the bikes to beat at Misano in Italy but, for once,it was not Neil Hodgson doing all the winning.

The Briton crashed out of the lead early in Race 1, allowing team-mate Ruben Xaus to move through for the win,the Spaniard aided by a final lap highside from Pierfrancesco Chili.

In the second race, the two Fila 999s settled down to fight out the finish, Xaus holding off the championship leader to complete the double.

"Everyone knows how difficult it is to start from row three here at Misano" said Xaus."Neil tried to push the pace too early and crashed.

After that I knew I could win and gave my everything until the end."

r

jI

"I knew Ruben was really fast round the back part," admitted Hodgson after Race 2,"I thought I'd covered the line but I hit the brakes too early and he came round me on the outside".

James Toseland and Reggie Laconi completed the Race 1 podium, while Chili took third in Race 2 behind the red rockets.

Aussies Steve Martin and Troy Corser were sixth and seventh respectively in Race 1, and dropped to ninth and 10th in the second race.

Points; Hodgson 315, Xaus 208,fames Toseland (Ducati) 185, Laconi (Ducati)174, G. Lavilla (Suzuki) 155, C. Walker(Ducati) 129, Chili 118, Martin 95, L. Pedercini (Ducati)85, M.Borciani (Ducati)80, Corser (Petronas)56, M. Sanchini(Kawasaki)53,J. Borja (Ducati)41,1. Clementi(Kawasaki)39, V. lannuzzo (Suzuki)37,

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KENNY Roberts Jr missed the Dutch TT at Assen last Saturday as a result of soft tissue damage to the chest and upper abdomen following his crash at the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello two weeks ago.

Roberts, the 2000 500cc world champion, tested his bike at Barcelona following his Italian crash but the pain was too bad for him to continue. From Spain, he flew to California to be evaluated by injury specialist. Dr Art Ting, "it feels like I crashed yesterday,' the American said.

Yukio Kagayama stepped Into the fray to ride the works Suzuki V4 alongside John Flopkins. Suzuki's first preference for the race was World Superbike frontrunner Gregorio Lavilla, but the Spaniard is contracted to the Alstare Coronas Suzuki team, whereas Kagayama is directly employed by Suzuki.

"I rode the GSV-R a lot last year, including at GPs and in the All-Japan championship, where I won three races," said the 29-year-old Japanese. -‘We were working on developing the new 2003 machine, and this will be my first chance to race it. It's also my first time at Assen. I feel very lucky."

CHRIS Vermeulen's winning streak hit the deck -literally - in Italy, the Aussie Ten Cate Honda crashing out while leading the Supersport race.

"1 don't know what happened," said Vermeulen.

"I lost the front end but there was no warning at all.

"The bike was just perfect, it's pretty hard to take but that is racing."

In Vermeulen's absence, Broc Parkes took up the battle, taking third behind Kawasaki's Fabien Foret and the Suzuki of Katsuaki Fujiwara, Points: Vermeulen 131, Fujiwara 96, Jurgen vd Goorbergh (Yamaha)84, Stephane Chambon 75, Christian Keliner(Yamaha)69, Allessio Corradi(Yamaha)57, Parkes, Pere Riba (Kawasaki)and Karl Muggeridge (Honda)46.

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HEWS

C goes German KIWI Fabian Coulthard had a frustrating outing when he made a one-off appearance in the German Formula Renault Championship at Flockenheim two weeks ago.

Ffampered by a persistent misfire, Coulthard qualified 24th and 22nd on the grid for the two races. Things got off to a promising start when he managed to finish 12th after running as high as 10th, but took a turn for the worse in race two when he climbed to 14th by the third corner, only to be punted into the gravel by a fellow competitor. Coulthard has now returned to England to resume his duties with Manor Motorsport in the British FRenault Championship. n Proving that bureaucracy in motorsport is getting just as bogged down in red tape and stupidity as any public service department could, the Stewards of the Cyprus Rally handed out a hefty fine to Named Al Wahaibi for not attending the event.

This was despite the fact that Al Wahaibi had announced that he was retiring from the sport following the death of his friend and rival Possum Bourne.

The problem appears to be that Al Wahaibi had nominated in the Production Car World Championship and did not show up in Cypru - not surprising, since he had decided to hang up his helmet. For his trouble, Al Wahibi was fined $40,000. n William Morrison, the person charged with running WRC TV rights holder ISC, has suddenly resigned as managing director of the company.

Morrison has been replaced by Simon Long, who was previously sales director. ISC boss David Richards says Morrison's departure comes as a result of ISC's changing role and that Morrison had a marketing background while ISC was no longer involved in marketing. n Turbodiesel-powered cars may be eligible for the European Touring Car Championship in 2004. A new FIA Diesel S2000 Working Group held their first meeting last week in conjunction with members from eight manufacturers. Details on engine regulations have not been draw up yet, but the main concern for the group is to find a way to balance performance between fuel and turbodiesel powered cars. n Potential racing drivers are now buying drives on Ebay! England's Zip Formula powered by Ford category made history recently when they auctioned off a test drive and race package deal for a round of their series on ebay.co.uk. Twenty-seven bids were received with the winner, John Miller, grabbing the deal in the final seconds for £1610.00 ($4000).

Zip is planning to auction further racing opportunities in the future.

Stoddy fights on MINARDI boss Paul Stoddart says that he has not given up on his fight to have the big teams honour their promises to create a Formula 1 "fighting fund" for the smaller teams.

Stoddart, who recently landed a $5m investment from Bemie Ecclestone, says that the small teams agreed to allow traction-control to be retained and to the 2004 rules but only on the understanding that the big teams would institute a fighting fund to help the small teams survive and arrange a supply of cheap engines.

Neither of these pledges has become a reality and Stoddart says that unless they do he is not willing to accept the use of traction-control nor the new chassis rules for 2005, which he argues will create considerable expense for the small teams because they have to fundamentally redesign their cars because of the new engine cover rules, designed to create more space on the cars for sponsorship.

traction-control if he were to protest cars using the systems. Under the FIA regulations that exist at the moment,it can be argued that traction-control is stiU banned, although this depends on interpretation. The issue would then have to be resolved by FIA Stewards at a Grand Prix although they might refer the matter to the FIA World Motorsport Council.

Most of the teams have already agreed that Stoddart should get the money promised but McLaren, Williams and Ferrari have been

This is a problem as teams are already spendmg huge amounts of money in their windtunnels to develop the new ideas and engineers will need to know quickly whether the 2004 rules are going ahead or not.

It is worth noting that Stoddart could precipitate a decision on

blocking the fund. Given that the teams would only have to pay $770,000 each to solve the problem,it is hard to imagine that they will jeopardise development programmes costing millions of dollars per month just to win a battle with Stoddart.

Having said that Stoddart is creating a rod for his own back in the future as some of tlie team bosses. specifically Ron Dermis, are not happy with him.

-JOESAWARD

Out on their Butts f

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:oi«sE

THE FIA World Council met in Paris on Wednesday last week and although there was little of interest for Formula 1,there was one important change in the wording of the federation's tobacco sponsorship ban in 2006.

The ban, which was voted by the World Council in October 2000, has now become a recommendation that promoters, circuit owners, event organisers, teams, and drivers "should cease all forms of tobacco sponsorship from October 1,2006". Those involved will be able to continue if they wish to do so in countries where there are no bans, restrictions or voluntary agreements in place.

This is unlikely to be very cost-effective as there are various different restrictions in place or arriving that make the sport less and less attractive to tobacco companies.

There is the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the world's first international health treaty, which should be adopted by 2006, although there are some countries which may try to ignore the idea.

McLaren is the only team to have made any official comment about the FIA tobacco ban, team boss Ron Dennis saying some time ago that he doubted the legality of the FIA action but Dennis was keen to point out at the European Grand Prix that he had nothing to do with the FIA's decision to change the wording of the ban.

- JOE SAWARD motorsport news

Busy

Signal O NASCAR throws this big party at the NASDAQ exchange in New York City to announce it has signed a new lO-year sponsor for what is currently the Winston Cup Series. In 2004, the top-end taxicab circus will become the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Everyone thought it would be Coke, FedEx, McDonald's, Microsoft or even Visa that would take over from the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company and its Winston brand: after all they are world wide recognized brands. But Nextel? I know you Aussies have no clue what this small company is, or what it does.

Nextel is one of many mobile telecommunication companies that have sprung up in Yank-land over the last decade. Nextel's difference is that its phones have a built-in, walkie-talkie-type feature called Nextel Direct. Other than that, they're just your regular cell phone company, though anything but small-time, with 11plus million subscribers and a 2002 turnover of US$8.7 billion ($13bn), posting net profits of around 19 percent.

This company didn't even exist until 1987 and just 10 years ago changed its name to Nextel.

Flowever, here's the kicker; in recent years, the company has posted substantial losses, so although it has signed a contract for 10 years, skeptics out there (and there are many) believe they won't be around that long, due to the volatility of the communications market.

Nextel announced less than a week later it will also 'pony' up to become title sponsor of the

Thoroughbred Racing Cup, of which FedEx and Guinness are part. So they are really throwing the loot around. n today's marketing, one has to admit tobacco companies are not the most positive products to promote.

In 1998, certain states limited advertising to minors. Then came US government restrictions and in 2001 tobacco companies were limited to sponsoring just one sporting series each. RJR chose NASCAR, biding goodbye to the NFIRA - Coca Cola's PowerAde brand taking over there - and the NASCAR weekly racing series spread across the US that picked up backing from Dodge.

NASCAR picked up financial assistance from Winston in 1971, when TV and radio advertising by tobacco companies was banned.

Back then, the series ran 48 races in what was the Grand National Series, before becoming Winston Cup Grand National Series in 1972 under the new leadership of Bill France Jr, whose father 'Big Bill' retired as president earlier that year.

We have former convicted and imprisoned moonshine runner, turned-driver, turned-car owner Junior Johnson to thank for Winston's loyal support spanning over more than three decades.

The likeable Johnson approached RJR to sponsor his race team but RJR wanted something on a larger scale and Junior was the matchmaker of a cigarette/racing marriage.

Richard Petty pocketed $100,000 for winning the championship in 1971. Since then, Winston has pumped over

US$101 million into the pGint fund alone, including $3.75 mill to winner Tony 'The Temper' Stewart last year. This year's champ stands to bank US$4.25 million at the end of the 36-race schedule, thank you very much.

This deluge of cash doesn't even include The Winston Million and Winston No Bull programs that have paid out 14 $1 m bonuses to drivers and paired fans in many events since 1985. But sadly, RJR lost $59 million in the final quarter of 2002.

Also in 1985, The Winston was born, the most exciting event on the packed schedule that has been held in Charlotte every year but one since its inception. You can expect what will be called the 'NASCAR All Star Race presented

by Nextel' to become an annual l traveling show starting in 2005. n typical NASTYCAR style, the organisation has kept mum on the dollar commitment by Nextel, but it's rumoured to be in the region of US$90 million each year, including TV commercials and promotion. NASCAR will probably see around $40m of that for the point fund and, apparently, tracks will also get some assistance.

"My cell phone bill sucks right now, commented Tony Stewart at Sears Point, "we just want free phones, that's all we want."

Amen to that; apparently Orange gave some FI press members phones for one year use when they joined the sport, but with the greedy types in NASCAR, I think the chance of that happening are slim to none.

As for Nextel competitors, Cingular sponsors Robby Gordon at Richard Childress Racing and

With Maptin D Clark

Ryan Nevvman's backer at Penske^i,j».» is Alltel, top in photo. Both,iare ^..j' being 'grand fathered' into the-.^^ deal and will be allowed to continue their sponsorship, as long as they stay with those l n ' i-tJ respective teams. But NASCAR has given Roush Racing the busy tone on a replacement for Jeff Burton's departing Citgo sponsor.

AT&T was in line to sponsor Burton in 2004, but the Nextel deal forbids any new phone companies entering\the sport.

Aside from marketing to a new younger market, one other positive thing 1 can think about the announcement is that media rooms and 'scoring towers at the tracks could become smoke-free, something that couldn't be prohibited in the past 30 years for political reasons. Now we're just going to have to listen to cell phones chirping during press conferences, but just like the new sponsor, it should be more healthy for everyone in the sport.

That is, if they're still around in 10 years ...

How to Ruin Motors Y

OU can tell a lot of things from the woods in the south-west of France, down near the Circuit Paul Armagnac at Nogaro.

It is a local tradition in the area to plant a hectare or so of trees when a daughter is born and when she marries, 20-odd years later, those same trees are cut down and the wood is sold to pay for the wedding. It is a long time since I went there but I remember one particular visit 10 years ago when I learned that Olivier Panis was not a nice guy.

I first met Olivier at Pau when he was racing in Formula 3 back in 1991. He had an entry form for the Macau Grand Prix which was written in English and he could not understand a word of it. He asked me to help him fill it in. I watched him win the race that weekend and did not see much more of him until I went to Nogaro two years later to see the showdown for the Formula 3000 championship. That year he was fighting for the title with David Coulthard and Portuguese driver Pedro Lamy. All three men needed a good result to be sure of winning the title.

N

ogaro is a place where there is not much room for error

and so tension was high.

Coulthard's hopes of success ended after a couple of corners when his car broke down. On the second lap the leading group including Panis - came screaming down the long back straight and fanned out for the hairpin. You could smell the accident that was about to happen.

"Olivier exploded from his cockpit and, with a iook of death in his eyes,set off down the pitlane with murder on r his mind..

sutlon-imaBes.com

Everyone left their braking late but Vincenzo Sospiri went too far and spun. As he gyrated across the road he took Panis off with him. The cars still had their wheels attached and both men drove slowly into the pitlane.

And there, Olivier exploded from his cockpit and, with a look of death in his eyes, set off down the pitlane with murder on his mind. His mechanics tried to stop him and a fair old brawl developed as Olivier attempted to drag three of his mechanics down the pitlane with him. It was an impressive sight.

The moment: Sospiri spins and collects Panis (14). The pair later staged a punch-on in pit lane, but Panis would take the 1993 Formula 3000 title.

26

At this point, the team manager Jean-Paul Driot noticed that Lamy was coming down the pitlane, with bits of the suspension trailing behind his car. Two cars had collided in front of the Portuguese driver and he had had nowhere to go. All three title contenders out of the race and so Panis was the champion.

Driot had to stand in front of

Panis, screaming at him, before Olivier eventually calmed down.

"Lots of people think I'm a nice guy," Panis told me a few years later, "but that it is not true. When people are good and straight with me I respect them.

When they are not good with me I am not a nice guy at all."

On Friday morning at the Nurburgring Olivier Panis set the fastest time of the practice session for the European GP. A lot of people were happy for 'Olive' is a popular fellow. He has never been very lucky in FI but he does not make a fuss about things. He doesn't get

FORMULA

port in a Country

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involved in mud-slinging. He is usually cheerful. He is a man to be respected. He won the Monaco GP in 1996 in a Ligier and could have won more races in 1997 but in Montreal he suffered a rear suspension failure at around 150mph. The Prost (a Ligier in all but name) snapped to the right, clipped the wall on the inside of the circuit

Williams drive in order to become the test driver at McLaren. I thought he was mad at the time but he explained that the biggest problem was with his own confidence. He wanted to go up against the best and know for himself that he could beat them. And he did. He did such a good job in testing McLaren that he won a place at BAR.

"When Olivier retires, France will be without a Grand Prix rr driver. The French have only themselves to blame. and cannoned across the track and into the outside wall at a point where there was no run off area. The car burrowed under the tyres and smashed into the concrete wall. The front of the car broke off and pivoted around Olivier's legs. Both were broken.

Olivier fought back and three months after the crash he returned to action at the Nurburgring and scored a World Championship point. It was a great triumph but there followed two bad seasons at Prost and then Olivier turned down a

Olivier is a survivor. He's he oldest man in FI these days and with the French GP fast approaching, he has been in the spotlight in recent days. When Olivier retires, France will be without a Grand Prix driver. The French have only themselves to blame.

“There was a time when France dominated the sport. That domination was lost to the Germans in the 1930s and it was not until the 1970s that Matra, Elf and Renault gave France another chance.

French drivers came one after another and eventually France had its own world champion in Alain Prost. But then the French did something incredibly and indelibly stupid. A health minister called Claude Evin decided that the health of the French nation needed to be improved and banned tobacco and alcohol advertising. It made almost no difference on French habits in everyday life. Today, the French are still puffing and boozing as much as ever they did and all that Evin's Law has achieved has been to kill French motor racing.

The law came into force in January 1993. The only support left for up and coming racers came from Elf but when the oil company decided to go public it withdrew from FI. Panis was the last of the Elf boys to make it.

The Box Seat With Joe Saward Nowadays, youngstersFrench get to Formula 3000 if they are lucky or rich.

And then disappear off to America, sportscars or oblivion.

When Panis is gone there will be no driver left. Franck Montagny is a token Frenchman in the Renault Sport team but that is not really French these days. And even the once-mighty Renault VI Os are not much good these days.

The French can (and do)take pride in the achievements of Jean Todt at Ferrari but that is about it...

And, as we head off to Erance, one cannot help wondering if there will be a French Grand Prix in the years ahead.

Imagine that!

Five minutes with.

Kelvin O'Reilly

The cost of V8 Supercar racing is soaring. The TEGA Chairman sat down Witt CHRiS LAH/KDEN in Darwin to expiain whatis hoing done about it- and tho iatest in tho Hoiden team ownership saga MOTORSPORT NEWS; The TEGA Board has made a philosophical decision about the future of V8 Supercars tell us about it.

KELVIN O'REILLY: We've decided that we should put some policies and rules In place that will achieve a 30-40 percent reduction in the build cost of V8 Supercars and the running costs of the teams, with effect as soon as we can possibly do it.

We want to achieve those cost savings without necessarily incurring huge costs in the changeover of parts and equipment.

MN: Early days, but what are the obvious areas to target?

KO: Clearly, most of it drops out of the technical regulations. I mean, it's the technology that's involved in the cars that drives all of the costs.

It's the complexities of the cars that determine how many staff you need to run them, which in turn affects transport, accommodation; all the event add-on costs which are there.

So it pretty much all drops out of technical.

MN: Will one person be appointed to oversee the process, or will we have a sub committee?

KO; No sub-committees. The philosophical position, before it's taken? I've got a number of things to do in terms of the technical direction of the category and getting our current regulations reviewed to achieve these goals.

MN: Given that, these days, we don't have a TEGA Board split 50:50 along manufacturer lines, do you anticipate increased speed in coming to these conclusions and implementing them?

KO: I don't know. The Board was unanimous in its view on this subject.

28

MN: All very well in theory, but when it comes to nuts and bolts, they traditionally get a bit shy...

KO: That's why it needs to be dealt with in a non-political environment, as far as we can possibly deal with it and present it. This is a matter of TEGA looking to protect the teams from themselves, in this instance.

decent target. We set a target of 40 percent - if we get to 30 percent, we may have done well; if we get to 40 percent, then we may have done an excellent jobi If we get to 10 percent, we'll have done a bad job. If we'd set a target of 20 percent, some might have been prepared to accept 10, I'm not.

"People with a high profile internationally and people with a high profile locally have said that they'd he interested in the ownership of some of those teams II

The size of the AVESCO show is enormous. No one can dispute the growth that's there. You only have to look around the paddock to see the enormous growth in the teams. You only have to look around Australia and see that there's not enormous potential for growth in companies prepared to sponsor teams to the tune of one, two, three, four million dollars per hit.

Therein lies the problem. It's about making sure that our teams remain viable within the framework of the economy in which we are based.

MN: Is the cost reduction purely that, or is there a view that this may be the means to undertake additional races in future without sacrificing existing ones?

KO: No. We agreed several meetings ago to cap the current series at 14, including the non championship race at the Grand Prix. That was the end of that discussion. There's nothing on the agenda now to say 'let's cut the costs so we can do more.'

MN: 40 percent is a big figure in terms of cost-cutting. Is it realistic? Achievable?

KO: I would hope so. But time will tell. You set yourself a

MN; The recent team ownership shuffle among the leading Holden teams appears to still be under discussion at Board level. No announcement yet that they are confirmed. Does this mean that there are question marks still hanging over the process?

KO: The process is still going on. We've met with a number of potential team owners, people who have put forward desire, or said they have entered into arrangements subject to our approval, for the purchase of team licences.

We've sat down with those people, we've gone through some of the arrangements they've said they'd be entering into with Holden and Holden Motorsport and we've gone back and said that there are a number of things in those arrangements that we don't find satisfactory and that don't sit under the scope of the teams' licence agreement.

We've suggested they need to renegotiate those issues before the Board is prepared to provide any approval.

MN: Is there any indication that one or more of the proposed ownership

structures might not get to the finish line?

KO; Structures that they've put forward, or the owners?

MN: The owners.

KO: We haven't taken a vote as yet, as to who was going to get across the line.

There are some other people that have come forward and said that they have an interest in pursuing some of those licences.

MN: Including overseas interest?

KO: Yes. There's overseas people and local people. People with a high profile internationally and people with a high profile locally have said that they'd be interested in the ownership of some of those teams.

MN: Any idea at this point of the time scale to get this all wrapped up?

KO: We have said to the teams that they should go back and have further negotiations with Holden to fix up the offending clauses in their agreement.

We suggested to them a week ago that seven days should be a sufficient amount of time - they've all come back to us and said that it's a race week this week. That wasn't a dropdead time frame. It was a suggested time frame.

Some of them have got meetings scheduled with Holden next week - and I'm scheduled to meet with Ray Borrett in about 15 minutes!

MN; Could be a day, a week? ...

KO: Won't be a day. Certainly closer than we were some time ago ... but it's not an easy situation. It's very complex, and made increasingly complex by some of the arrangements that have been put forward. motorsport nows

Five minutes with

mam

WillPowen

Atter a tough British F3 baptism at the wheei of Diamond Bacing's Bait, Queenslander WillPower has his hands on a Fortec Daiiara.

The future now looks a lot brighter^ as MABK GLBVDBVhMIfound out MOTORSPORT NEWS: Your switch from Diamond Racing to Fortec paid dividends straight away. Were you surprised that the turnaround was so fast and so drastic?

WILLPOWER: It was a good way to crack back into the season with the new team. They were really happy with my qualifying and my finish - they would have been happy with any top 10 finish.

And it also pushed my team mate along, Robert Dahlgren.

They said he hasn't really been performing at the start of this year, and now that I've come along, it's really pushed him along as well.

MN: Are you treating this as a new start to your season?

WP: Yeah. This is just like the start of the season for me, because I didn't learn that much with the Ralt. All it was for me was really frustrating, because there were no results.

Plus, it was just never going to happen with that car and team.

It just wasn't the right combination. It's so hard to compete with someone like Dallara, which has more or less the whole field. We had the only car in the whole field that wasn't a Dallara. That's what you're up against. Plus, the lack of funding for that team made it hard.

MN: To get into the top five must have done wonders for your confidence.

WP: Oh, I'm just so much more confident. I'm just so much more motivated, you wouldn't believe the difference.

Compared with how I was going with the Ralt, I was just ... I wasn't myself, mentally.

But now I'm right on top of the game. I'm really getting right into the data and learning and everything. It's amazing what a difference it makes when you start doing well. There's a huge 30

I

change in mental attitude.

Things become so much more positive, and you just push ahead.

MN: Have you redefined your aims for the year then?

WP: Yeah. As soon as you have a good result, you immediately start looking forward. You have a top five finish, and then the next aim is to get on the podium.

So I realise now that I'm definitely able to have some very strong finishes. Instead of top 10 finishes, it's more the top six finishes that I'm aiming for.

The car and the team are really good - we don't make many changes at the track. The cars tend to be set-up really well, so it's easier for me to learn a track.

I'm not trying to engineer a car like 1 was with the Ralt.

MN: Was it a case of biting off too much at once with Diamond? You were trying to develop a new car and learn your way around British F3 at the same time.

WP: Oh, yeah. You're trying to engineer the car, you're trying to do all sorts of things. I don't think the engine was very good.

And then you're trying to learn all the tracks as well.

But at Castle Combe, I was the only one in the top 10 who had never been to that track, bar

Nelsinho Piquet. He was in the top 10 in the second session.

But it was good that I was able to learn the track so quickly.

I was on the pace within half an hour of the hour-and-a-half test session that we had on Saturday. That was my aim. I knew all the people who had not been there before, and my aim was to out-do all of them. And I did that well and truly.

\\

The first thing i iearnt over here was how to take someone out without damaging your own car!"

MN: How did the Fortec deal come about?

WP: Actually, the engineer from Fortec is Australian himself, and he'd been ringing me even as long ago as last year asking me to come along and drive for them. But I didn't really have the budget together to go with them.

Then they saw how I was struggling with the Ralt, so they said,'come along'. They gave me a test and so on, it went really well, and It all went from there.

But he's been in contact with me more or less all year. And now we're together.

I've got an Australian

mechanic and an Australian engineer, so there are Australians all around me!

MN: Has it been hard to adapt to the style of racing over there?

WP: You just can't make any sort of mistake. You know, you make one mistake and you lose about two positions - or more.

And the racing is really aggressive. The first thing I learnt over here was how to take someone out; without damaging your own car! I mean, wheel banging ... there's so much wheel-banging. The way they drive over here is very different to Australia.

You can get away with a lot more over here. In Australia, you'd be up to the stewards office and hit with a big fine for some of the things you can do over here. It's just the way it is.

It's good though. It teaches you to be a very strong racer.

MN:So next year is the championship year?

WP: Yes, that's the one. I'm looking to have some really good results at the end of this year, and learn the tracks and so on, and for next year I want to have a big shot at it. That is the plan.

And Formula One is the overall plan. It always really has been, motorsport news

INTERVIEW

2 July 2003

31

Wanna buy a Racing Driver?

Life is good for Will Davison at the moment and if his new investment plan takes off it could get a whole lot better.

MARK GLENDENNING spoke to the British F3 Championship star

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MOTORSPORT NEWS: How did the link-up with Shane Warne come about?

WILL DAVISON: It was pretty strange how It came about. One of the guys I knew, knew Shane's brother, who Is his manager.

We briefly discussed a few opportunities, and made the arrangement that I would meet Shane over the Grand Prix weekend. And I ended up sitting down with him for ages, having a really good chat. We got along really well and things just took off from there, really.

We worked out a few ways that we could work with one another, and since I've been home I've caught up with him a few times.

It seems to be really taking off - he's a really cool guy, and I'm getting a lot of really good advice off him. There's a few ways he's going to support me, and it's pretty exciting. Hopefully a few more people of his calibre come and join him.

It's interesting. I suppose it's similar to what (David) Campese did with Mark Webber.

MN:You launched your new investment program recently. Is that indicative of the way things are heading? Is it more about trying to attract investors rather than going on the traditional sponsorship hunt?

WD: Yeah. I mean, if we can bring in sponsors, it's fantastic.

We're constantly trying, you know, we're always on the hunt for that.

But it's so difficult here. With corporate Australia, a lot of them don't see the benefit at that level on the other side of the globe. Sure, we are exploring a few possibilities there. We've got the support of the CAMS Foundation. n

MN:So is he there primarily as a mentor, or as a means to open doors to investors, or...

WD: Most importantly, he's there in a mentor role. Possibly in investment as well, but most importantly in a mentor role.

His advice, from being to the top of his sport and going through the highs and lows of it mentally and what have you.

There's a lot of good advice that he can pass on to me. Which is very important - he's a sporting icon, and he's obviously been through it all.

And he can also help introduce

But then, investment is the only way. That's what we've done for a couple of years now, with a smaller group of people.

But now we've officially introduced this new scheme, and we're doing it like Justin Wilson did.

And there are very specific ways that people can invest, with different amounts for different rewards. No matter what, there's a very good chance that they're going to get more than they initially paid. If they put in more money then there's a continuing percentage

me to people and just get my name out there more.

He'll be over in England pretty soon actually, so he can come and cheer me along!

"It'S interesting, i suppose it's simiiar to what David Campese did with Mark Webber II

molorsport news

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of my career earnings.

I think it's a very interesting proposal and it should bring in a lot of people. Justin Wilson's has been very successful. It's a way for people to get involved, in small ways or big ways.

MN: Looking to next year, are you plannng another British F3 campaign?

WD: Realistically, I'd say Formula 3 again.

This year, we're not even half way through, and so far it's been a little bit different to what I expected, to be honest. I didn't expect to win as early on as 1 did, but on the other hand I would have liked to have scored a few more points and been a bit more consistent early on. But that's how things go. F3 is so tough. So I was pretty openminded at the start of the year about what my expectations were, and it's been a little bit of a roller-coaster ride over the first few rounds.

But I've learned a hell of a lot already, and my confidence is up now, and I'm feeling good, and I think we're on a bit of a roll. So I think the second half of the year should be a lot stronger.

We should be able to move up a bit in the Championship, anyway, and hopefully be in the top four or five at the end. That would be alright. I'd be satisfied with that in my first year.

No matter what. I've got the monkey off the back. I've had a win, which was my initial goal for the year, to be honest.

MN: What was that win at Croft worth in terms of confidence?

WD; It underlined the fact that I could do it. But then again, that 2 July 2003

weekend I didn't do anything a whole lot different, and it happened when everything was right. You begin to doubt yourself when you're not winning.

But all of a sudden I got everything right - the car was right in qualifying, I put the lap together, and the win came as naturally as It did when 1 used to win back home. So you begin to doubt yourself, which you can't do. You always have to have confidence in your ability. But it just reassures you and makes me feel a little bit better about all the support I've got behind me.

It reassures everyone else that I can do it.

"Sometimes you're tempted to take something that iooks good on paper, hut quite often you've just got to bite the buiiet and hope something a iittie bit better pops up" So it was a good thing to have early in the year, and it has just motivated everyone that little bit more. Now, they're even more behind me to make sure that we can keep going onwards and upwards.

MN: I suppose the other benefit of the win, while you are shopping yourself around, is that it gives you something tangible to show people.

WD: Yeah, that's right. It was very important to me, because we had quite a lot of expectation early on. There were quite a lot of people looking out for me

both here in Australia and over in England, especially.

The first few races as a rookie you can afford to have a few ups and downs, but I suppose some people had expected quite a bit from my from my form in pre season, and then it had been a slow start. And it (the win) was perfect timing.

I needed that turnaround pretty desperately, and straight away I've re-established myself as a genuine, race-winning contender all the time, and we've certainly gained a lot more respect from a lot of people over there.

MN: How high a priority is it to be involved with a manufacturer?

WD: I think sometimes you have to be careful how you tie yourself in with a manufacturer.

It depends who it is. There's always probably going to be a deal that's too good to resist ...

So ideally I'll get tied up with a manufacturer - that's the perfect case scenario. But when that is, and who it's with plays a big factor. And also, occasionally you've got to be a little bit patient and hope something a little bit better is going to be up the road.

Sometimes you're tempted to take something that seems good on paper, but quite often you've just got to bite the bullet and hope something a little bit better pops up.

An example Is the Mercedes deal at the end of last year.

There were some possibilities there which had a lot of benefits, but then again, there were some negatives as well.

We sort of thought to ourselves that doing our own thing for a year in F3 is a better way to go.

and potentially you can tie yourself up with something a bit better down the track.

MN:So are you looking at remaining with Alan Docking Racing again next year?

WD;That's a difficult question.

I'm very happy with Alan and ADR, especially for my learning year. They're obviously very experienced, and we're just learning each other. They've come off the back of a very successful year, and initially it was quite hard to compete with that.

MN: Did their recent record place extra pressure on you?

WD: No, it didn't place extra pressure on me. It's just, 1 suppose for them, when they're used to winning all the time, to have two inexperienced drivers gets a bit frustrating. Sometimes it hurts the relationship a little bit.

But to get a win just boosted all their confidence. They loved it.

MN:So it was as much about them knowing that you could do it.

WD: Yeah sure, and now they're really behind me. They've had that win again, and now they know I can do the job, so they've got a lot more confidence in me now.

But next year ... who knows what's going to happen. I'm not too focused on next year. I'm just focussing on this year.

There's a long way to go. I've just got to keep performing and working closer with the team.

Obviously, we have to be looking at next year budgetwise, but I have to be looking after my job for the moment.

Without my performances, next year won't happen.

33

Tries Hard, Works In the F1 pit-lane, all the current talk is about the new generation Alonso, Raikkonen and Webber. CHRIS LAMBDEN checked out the latest in Canada and at the subsequent Silverstone test and reports that our man seems to have become an overnight sensation ALF-WAY into the 2003 Grand Prix season,life has suddenly become very different for Mark Webber.

The struggle, if you like, is over. The eight-year path from Queanbeyan to Formula One is complete. The first half of the season with Jaguar has seen the number 14 green machine qualifying as high as the second row; top one Friday session; and in the points three times.

Eyebrows have been raised in pit lane.

This time last year. Jaguar was a laughing stock - on occasions even out-performed by the upstart Webber in the Minardi but now the team with Ford's front-line motorsport future in its hands has hit its straps.

Much of that is courtesy of a

blood-letting at management level. Out have gone most of the senior engineers, designers and managers associated with the bad times, including former world champion Niki Lauda, not the first to illustrate that a driving pedigree counts for nix when it comes to FI team management.

But one of the last things that Lauda did was to sign Webber to partner Antonio Pizzonia as part of the rebuilding process and the new management boys at Jaguar are now grateful that he did. For at last, Webber has been able to show his wares not just on-track - and it may well be the final link in Jaguar's revival.

Pick up the off-season papers from six months ago and refresh your memory. The FI experts were all expecting the Pizza-man

to be the hot-shot. One who didn't concur was Australianborn FI journalist Peter Windsor, a long-time Webber fan: "Everyone at Williams, from the top down, reckoned that Pizzonia would be half a second quicker than Mark," he told MNews.

"After all, he was their test driver last year and, according to the team, frequently matched their two regular drivers for speed ...

"But Mark has been too good for him, in all aspects. I think he's shocked quite a few people."

Indeed. Item one: take care of team-mate. The general view is that it took just over two races.

By Brazil, Pizzonia's head was 'done in' and there was already talk of his position being under

threat. He's okay until year-end, but don't expect to see the likeable Brazilian youngster at Jaguar in 2004.

At the same time, literally.

Jaguar's new boss - the respected creator and now former owner of Pi Research, V Tony Purnell - was initiating talks with Webber about an extension of contract. He understands that what Webber brings to Jaguar is just what the team needs.' That was concluded by Monaco and' n the message is clear: Mark Webber is now hot FI property. ^ The British and European magazines are suddenly full of 'find of the year' and 'Jaguar's new star' stories. The latest' edition of FI Racing features a Webber cover: 'Jaguar's New Superman' it blares ...

They are, belatedly, right.

Webber's brand of fierce determination, work ethic apd, ; surprisingly to some, sheer speed, allied with people skills’ that are a PR person's dream,. l ' has hit the jackpot. The team '; Ibves him. The boys on the workshop floor are jumpingv’lt'S night and day compared with 2002. Night ended, it seems; when Eddie Irvine departed.

For Webber himself, things have changed substantially. For the first time in h.is motorsport career he has real financial and job security - a seven figure US$ income and a newly-extended

"if vue keep working hard and making progress through next year, who knows? Ford are serious, mate they want to win the Constructorsrr - Webber sutlon-i

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MID-TERM REPORT

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contract through to the end of 2005. There is, apparently, more than one serious team a lit :le disappointed that he's committed that far ahead.

That new-found security hasn't taken the edge off Webber's hunger for success.

Purnell has stated publicly that he intends to build the team around Webber, Schuey-style, and Webber intends to deliver.

"Yeah, mate, it's a bit of a pat on the back, but I'm having a bit of trouble getting my head around it this soon!" he quips.

"When they built Ferrari around Michael, he came with several years' experience and all the key blokes from Benetton. I can't do that, but I guess what they're saying is that there's a level of respect there already and we can go forward really positively.

"There's still heaps of work to do. But there's a sense of purpose and discipline through the team now. For example, once upon a time. Bam meetings would start at 10 past, that sort of thing. The new management and I think alike - they start at Bam now."

The team's purpose-built 50

What a difference a year makes;jaguar's R4 has been everything that the R3 was not, allowing Webber to score six points so far this season.

Me and me mates: Two of these people, below, have a slight chance of driving for Jaguar next season. The other person is Antonio Pizzonia, left.

Mark has been too good for Pizzonia, in all aspects. I think he's shocked quite a few people H

- FI journalist[and former Williams team manager]Peter Windsor percent scale wind-tunnel, commissioned some 13 months ago, has shown its worth already on this year's R4 Jag, but work is a long way down the track on the 2004 R5. Early results

suggest a solid further step forward when R5 hits the track.

In the meantime, some of the data is proving useful in improving the R4: "The area we're working hard

on at the moment with the R4 is our race package. Clearly, our car is quite good in qualifying trim, on fresh rubber, but we're using our rear,tyres up a little too quickly in the races where rear tyre degradation is an issue.

"We're going to go our bwn way a bit with the tyres and there's some weight distribution work going on which will help the cause. To be honest, mate, from here on I'd prefer to give up a row or two in qualifying if we gain a set-up that gives us half a second a lap through the race.

"They seem to have a handle on the reliability issues now, so if we can get a few of these other things sorted, then we might be able to give the Big Boys a bit of a nudge down the track a bit.'

"I'm not expecting too much this year, but if we keep working hard and making progress through next year, who knows? Ford are serious, mate - they want to win the Constructors."

Odds on Webber being the first Aussie to win a GP since Alan Jones? Getting smaller all the time, mate.

Four Play Marcos Ambrose ami Mark Skaite me so evenly matchetl thata single missed gearchange by the Holden Racing Team dnver deckled the whole round. CHRIS LAMBOBV reportsfrom Darwin

I

T was the heavjfweight contest.

In the blue comer, Marcos The Tasmanian Terminator'Ambrose.

In the red comer, Mark'Red Doom'Skaife. And it would be a close, close thing, decided on points over three tense sprint races.

In the end,a single gearchange would decide the matter; a single error by the defending Champ,which gave Ambrose aU the space he needed to slip through and take the second and third races,and thus victory, in Darwin. That's four-in-a-row now one more to equal Allan Moffat's record five. Four for Ambrose;four for Ford. And with the possibility of a parity review in Ford's favour looming,there are now serious signs that Mark Skaife's crown will be under serious threat.

It was another professional performance by Ambrose and Stone Brothers Racing. As he has always said,"put pressure on them(HRT) and the mistakes will start to come."

He looks in danger of being right...

Under increasing discussion,is the new-for-2003 points system. For all his efforts, Ambrose came away from Darwin with a paltry two points more than Skaife, while Jason Bright, who is playing the game perfectly, still leads the title chase despite having not registered a win.

Abetter points system? Maybe.But the guy who has won four rounds from six still playing catch-up?

Philosophically, not right.

Greg Murphy,Garth Tander and Steven Richards all contributed to the action at various points, although Tander's excellent performance was spoilt by a late restart infringement in Race 3 which took him out of the results. Not a happy camper. Team mate Jamie Whincup distinguished himself with a couple of strong drives, while in the spare parts bin were Russell Ingall (first comer. Race 1)and Todd Kelly (accident. Lap 1 Race 3), both copping serious car damage, Kelly in particular.

36

Race 1-17 laps

T

he first, shorter clash,late on Saturday afternoon would be a traditional sprint race. No stops,just 17 laps of go.

In the end,apart from the first few hundred metres, it would be reasonably predictable, but with a number of high-profile retirements and pit stop-inducing clashes ruining more than one high-profile weekend.

Up front, it was all about the start.

Skaife made the best of it to turn in

clearly in front, Ambrose tucking in behind. Despite the Pirtek Falcon getting up onto the boot-lid of the HRT car over the early laps,there was no real passing opportunity and as the race wore on,Skaife eased away

to a relatively comfortable lead of a second or so.

Ambrose had the pace to stay there and could possibly have mounted an attack, but decided to settle for second and conserve the rubber for Sunday. After all, under the new system,the points difference between first and second isn't much ...

Behind these two, things were a bit more dramatic.

Murphy,by his own admission. made a shocking start and,as they headed down to the first comer.

IngalTs Caltex Falcon eased inside and then half a car length ahead then it turned right.

I couldn't believe it," Murph would say later. "I saw him coming alongside, but then suddenly he's

molorsport news

U8 SUPERCARS

Four for #4: Ambrose took advantage when the error came from Skaife and took the lead in Race 2, above.

Familar sight: Yes, it is, left... but isn't the dork with the Falcon banners getting a bit tiring?

Teething problems: Steven Richards, opposite page, went backwards in qualifying but forwards in the race.

broadside across the front of my car."

The Caltex car cut across Murph's left-front corner,slewed right around, and - brakes locked - careered across the track to kiss the outside wall.

In fact it was a bit more than a kiss.

A pretty good smack was more like it.

With steering damaged and front and rear bodywork crunched,it would be a slow lap into retirement for Ingall.

The body language in the SBR pit said it all, Their man had erred.

Apart from having slight front bodywork damage and having to brake, Murph was okay.

continued on page 40 31

QuaUiyina

Heavyweights on

turned out to be a twoQualifying in Darwin way shoot-out between the Champ and the would-be champ and it was the pretender, his string of success extending even further, who took the psychological first blood - but it was close.

Both of Marcos Ambrose's runs were quick enough for top spot, although the Pirtek team kept a wary eye on Mark Skaife's HRT Holden as he overcame a red flag interruption to his first run to get within a couple of tenths.

Ambrose's second flying lap on his first set would have been good enough to retain top spot, and it was certainly good enough to remain well inside the 10. So, taking advantage of a brief red flag (yet another grass fire), the Pirtek boys whipped in a different set of rear shocks to compare on the second run.

Using two more fresh tyres of his allocation, Marcos was out in time to get a pair of laps in, shaving a further tenth off his earlier time to lock in top spot, with a 1 m08.43s - despite having to abort the first attempt thanks to, yes, a grass fireinspired red flag.

Was he happy with the shock change? We don't know; Ambrose wouldn't say ...

Next door, Skaife's session had been a little less smooth.

The HRT team held him back for a few minutes to clear the traffic, but on his first hot lap out came the red flag. On the green, he had another go and put in a clean 1 m08.59s. Back in for a quick front shock adjustment and a pair of fresh Dunlops on the rear, he had a second run, but the time was virtually the same, in fact a few hundredths slower.

Round one to Ambrose.

Ambrose's SBR team-mate, Russell Ingall, looked to have third locked away until the dying seconds, when Skaife's lieutenant, Todd Kelly, got it right, after an earlier run with what proved to be incorrect tyre pressures had him well out of the 10- 16th at the time. His last gasp lap fell just a couple of tenths short of Skaife, not a bad

effort in the circumstances.

Ingall was not unhappy with the balance of the Caltex Falcon, but felt there was still a little to come.

Significantly, in terms of the forthcoming shoot-out for the top ten, all of the four top qualifiers had a fresh set of Dunlops left for crunch time.

That couldn't be said for everyone, both Craig Lowndes and John Bowe using up their full allocation of 10 tyres as they worked their cars into the allimportant top 10 group, heading no less than five cars locked together in the 8.9 bracket.

Lowndes (and team-mate Glenn Seton) were fighting understeer - not meant to be an issue with the BA, but there you go. It took three runs before Craig literally hurled the CAT car into contention with a last lap special and then promptly speared off the end of the straight.

JB too left it late, not totally happy with the power-down characteristics of the OzEmail

around too much through the complex after the hairpin.

"It might be okay for a lap or two, but it might be a bit hard on the rears," he summarised. n A prophet, our Murph. The Kmart Commodore was going to be one of the biggest improvers for the single lap run later in the day ...

The Rat worked the Betta Falcon into the 10, just ahead of Jason Bright, who also promised more for the shoot-out.

"A rear hub problem affected us yesterday and I had to abort my last run in qualifying," he reported. "It's better than it looks - the splits were quite good, so I'm hopeful we can move up a bit in the shoot-out."

Steve Ellery missed the cut by half a tenth, a few hundredths clear of Paul Morris and Simon Wills. The latter set his time in the first 'slower half session, while Morris's 9.1 matched his earlier time in practice - an indication of quite good rubber on the Sirromet car in practice.

Things were a bit gloomy at

"Ifs benep than it looksrr -Jason Bright on his ‘quaiifying car’ Falcon (team-mate Brad Jones got badly baulked on his hottest lap but, guess what, reckoned he had a good race set-up!). JB would only have used rubber available for the shoot-out.

Like the pace-setters. Garth Tander was another to manage his tyres well. A minor engine electronic malady from Friday had been overcome, but the Valvoline Commodore was exhibiting slight understeer.

"I suppose that means it will look after the rears!" quipped Garth, who, with his final run aborted (by, guess what, a grass fire), virtually had six fresh tyres left.

Murph was eighth, surprised to be so after a fraught Friday.

"The car was all over the show, moving around so much I reckoned there must be a crack in the chassis!" he quipped. In fact, the team found a problem with the right rear shock absorber overnight but, despite that, things still weren't right, the rear of the car moving

Castrol Perkins. The new VY was another car to have run on good rubber in practice - a team gets a brand new set if debuting a new model car - and despite the team taking the 'skin' off the set, it still seemed to have produced an over-optimistic result, Richo third in practice.

But, on brand new rubber, the car fell a tenth short of its earlier 1m.9.Is, leaving the team a bit bemused: We're not quite sure what's happened, but it seems to be down on corner speed," said team boss Jim Vale.

The Castrol VY languished in 16th. Tough day ahead for Richo.

Of the rest,(Jameron McConville distinguished himself by hauling the Lansvale car into the mid 1m9s after getting out very late in the session, in time for just three flying laps. The car had backfired when it was started in pit lane, causing a fire in the engine bay.

And, oh yes, David Thexton missed the cut again, 3.74

seconds was just too far from pole, which left Craig Baird in the Team Kiwi Commodore as the final qualifier.

Last? In fact, Baird's 1m9.93s was just one second off sixth.

Yup, 6th to 33rd covered by a second.

Top 10 Shootout Bright and Murphy werelap the big movers in the single shoot-out, both of the 'sister' cars jumping up the grid, simply by dint of being able to repeat their earlier qualifying laps, to the tenth. Not an easy thing to do.

Bright had two fresh tyres left, Murph a full set and both made the best use of them to leap to fourth and third on the grid respectively.

Russell Ingall dropped fourtenths over qualifying to slip to fifth - which would cost plenty come race time - but it was the rest of the lower half of the top 10 which dropped their bundle.

Despite fresh rubber. Tender dropped three-tenths, while Lowndes and Bowe (and Radisich?) would have to make do with used rubber, and it showed, Craig dropping fourtenths, JB over six.

In the case of Todd Kelly it was driver error. The HRT number two locked the inside front big time into the first corner, promptly lost six-tenths, and ended up a whole second slower than earlier, down in 10th place.

The big interest centred on the heavyweight challenge for pole.

Ambrose v Skaife. It didn't disappoint.

Skaife was out first, setting best sector times all the way round: 23.95s; 48.00s; then a final lap time of 1 m08.62s.

Ambrose rumbled out: 24.10s; 47.96s - ahead at the second sector mark - but as the final time flashed up it was twohundredths short. Yes, two hundredths of a second: 1m08.64s.

And given the obvious advantage of the inside running into turn one, that would be an expensive two-hundredths ...

Ambrose v Skaife: after two rounds? One all. Racing to come. motorsDort news

U8 SUPERGARS

Heat in the North up in the Air: Ambrose, main pic, ■reafmedJ to be distracted by balloons and thin^sin (gtialifying before he gave best to'Sfkaife fm the Shoot-out.

Oooppps Cat: Lowniics/inset, dropped from fifth to seK.^oth m the Shoot-out.

POS 1

TIME

DRIUER/CAR

4 Marcos Ambrose lm08.4384s Pirtek/Stone Brothers Falcon BA 2 1 MarkSkaife Holden Ftacing Team toJirmoiDre VT lm08.5943s 3 2 Todd Kelly Holden Racing Team Corairnojore VY lm08.7783s 4 9 Russell Ingall CaltexHavoline/StoneBr Olliers Falcon BA lm08.8589s 5 6 Craig Lowndes CAT/Ford PerformanceSacing FaScon BA lm08.9166s 6 888 John Bowe lm08.9372s OzEmail Racing TeamTelconBA 7 34 Garth Tander Repco Valvoline/GRIVtCoinniodoreVV lm08.9503s 8 51 Greg Murphy lm08.9770s K-Mart Racing Team 'Coreimoilore 1/X 9 65 PaulRadisich lm08.9869s Betta Electrical/BriggsFaEjtnn BAL 10 50 Jason Bright lm09,0214s Betta Team Brock Coijnaidiie VXt 11 31 Steve Ellery Super Cheap Auto Ratina Filcon BA lm09.0713s 12 29 Paul Morris lm09.1142s Sirromet Commodore!-ff 13 44 Simon Wills lm09.1152s Team Dynamik CommctoTTolT 14 15 Rick Kelly K-Mart Racing Team Corjfflotlora VX lm09.1239s 15 45 Jason Richards lm09.1945s Team Dynamik Comrroiloi^oW 16 11 Steven Richards Castrol Perkins RacinsCa>minoilOjrel/Y lm09.2386s 17 16 PaulWeel lm09.2458s Betta Team Brock CoQJioiioieVX 18 19 David Besnard FPV/Ford Performance'Hacinp falcon AU lm09.2701s 19 21 Brad Jones lm09.2873s DzEmail Racing TeanitfaL-con BA. 20 5 Glenn Seton lm09.2897s Ford Credit FPR FalcooBjA 21 20 Jason Bargwanna lm09.4000s Orrcon Racing FalconAU. 22 18 Max Wilson lm09.4329s Shell Helix Racing Falcon BA 23 17 Steven Johnson lm09.4954s Shell Helix Racing Falcon- BA 24 3 Cameron McConville Lansvale Smash Repslis -Coomodore WX lm09.53 1 0s 25 10 MarkLarkham lm09.5447s Orrcon Racing FalconALl 26 8 Paul Dumbrell Castrol Perkins RacinjConimodQreVX' lm09.5486s 27 66 Dean Canto lm09.5559s Betta Electrical/BriggiFa.Icon BA, 28 00 Greg Ritter lm09.5851s 00 Motorsport FalconB/VT 29 33 Jamie Whincup Repco Valvoline/GRMConmiiiotltirelOA lm09.6171s 30 75 Anthony Tratt lm09.6612s Toll Racing Falcon AHJ 31 7 Rodney Forbes lm09.7827s 00 Motorsport FalconBA.32 23 MarkNoske lm09.8788s ICS Team Ford FalconALP 33 021 Craig Baird lm09.9314s Team Kiwi Racing ComwcujoreVX DNQ9David Thexton lml2.1864s Thexton Motor Racin]Falcoa AUJ

Top 10 Sfnoot-qut 1 2 3 4 5

Skaife Ambrose Murphy Bright Ingall

lm08.6282s lm08.6411s lm08.9303s lm09.0332s lm09.2540s

U8SCS Round 5 2 July 2003

6 Tamder 7 LovwnJes. 8 fiadlsich' 9 Bo\w!

1« kellly

I

lm09.2924s lm09.3161s lm09.5238s lm09.6305s lm09.755 5s

ariMin

f £

f 5

Fast starter; Skaife out-leapt Ambrose in Race 1 and Race 2, above. Both guys used to be known as tardy starters. Not any more ...

Ford's new 3-door: Jason Bargwanna found a novel way of keeping bis cool in the Orrcon Falcon AU, below, in Race 3.

continued from page 37 Given his recent run of stewards' decisions, though, the Kmart team leader leapt out of his car at the finish to consult tlie team's video replay of the incident, before pronouncing himself 'safe'.

"I didn't think I had deviated from a straight line at all," he said,"but, you know,I wanted to check ..."

Inched, a protracted stewards hearing, reconvened the following morning,found "inadequate evidence to indicate that either driver deviated from a straight course down the main straight."

Miraculously, no-one else was involved and after a two-lap Safety Car period, racing resumed, with Bright, Garth Tander, Craig Lowndes, Paul Radisich, a recovering Murphy, Todd Kelly, Steven Ellery,John Bowe and a fast-starting Steven Richards queued behind the two leaders.

Max Wilson had come off second best in an early tussle and pitted, a

bent steering arm replaced before he rejoined to at least finish.

At the green,Pauls Morris and Dumbrell had a crimch at the first corner, as did Lowndes later in the lap, the CAT car having to pit for a

D

A

00

replacement tyre and body repairs before rejoining at the back. Another weekend ruined and a continuation of FPR's 'character-building' maiden season.

continued on page 44

Things settled a bit at this point. ’

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t continued from page 40 past Bowe.The Castrol team had made some changes following his qualifying scare, but the car still wasn't that hot and there's be more work to do overnight.

Further back,Seton's race in the second FTR Falcon came to an end with five to go. Gletm peeled into the pits with overheating,a legacy of a broken belt drive.

Race 2-35 laps Ingall's car was replenished overnight.

There was a fair bit of damage - diff housing and mountings,steering rack,three shock absorbers and assorted bodywork, but it was straight. Tyres were a problem, with four flat-spotted Dunlops. They could be exchanged for used rubber in exchange for a rear-of-grid start- which was the case anyway.

The plan was to start Russell on the used rubber and get rid of it at the obligatory early stop.

Up front, tlie heavyweight contest was set to resume. Ambrose had undertaken a practice start or two in the warm-up,figuring that the first few hundred metres would be his best chance and indeed the Pirtek car

Leaving no Stone Unturned Getting any heat in the tyres can be an advantage, even in sunny Darwin...

The periodofbetween opening pit lane the at the start of a race and the closing off of the pit lane exit has become quite hectic, as it has become 'de rigeur' to pre warm the set of tyres you are going to put on at your pit stop.

The hot-shots thus shoot out of pit lane, do a lap, head back up pit lane, then around again, before switching to the set they plan to start the race on and going out for the final time.

In races where there is an early pit window, it's an obvious plus, but there's more to it than just getting a

little heat into the replacement rubber..

"Getting some temperature in like that is also sufficient to take the 'wobbliness' out of them," confirmed SBR's Tech Manager Campbell Little.

Of course, tyre warmers are banned in V8 Supercar racing,for sound economic reasons - which are going to be examined even more closely in coming times (see 5 minutes with Kelvin O'Reilly, page 28).

But, with this ... everyone's doing it - which seems like a perfect reason to ban it!

- CHRIS LAMBDEN

got away well, but not quite well enough.

Skaife led, but as they approached the lap three opening of the pit window for the compulsory tyre change, he made one small error. He missed the change from second to third, and Ambrose pounced.

The blue car led across the line as, further back, the pit stops started in earnest.

Skaife was in on the next lap, turned around quickly as usual by tire HRT crew,so it would all depend on how well the Stone boys did their stuff. We only had to wait another lap and in bellowed the Pirtek car.

The stop was a cracker -seven seconds dead,the car moving as it settled onto its springs. The boys in blue were ecstatic as Ambrose emerged onto the track with plenty of

room in hand to warm the rubber and keep Skaife at bay.

Without outside intervention, that was most likely the race. The closest Ambrose came to a difficult moment was when the duo lapped Rodney Forbes, who didn't exactly make it easy. After half a lap behind the silver Falcon, Marcos got through on the straight. Skaife had to sit there until after turn one, but Forbes moved over and it was on again.

The late red, courtesy of Wliincup's stranded Valvoline Commodore, provided no real drama and so it was Ambrose who raced home to regain the initiative - and pole for what would be the deciding race.

Behind the two heavyweights,the big mover was Garth Tander. Fifth in the early running, and still fifth after a belated (lap eight) tyre stop, the

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motorsport news

scrap with Rick Kelly's Kmart Commodore.

It-

Brother Todd, who had been part of the same scrap fell by the wayside on lap 15,forced to pit for a replacement tyre after badly flat-spotting the front left.

Simon Wills continued his excellent weekend,running ahead of Richards for a while, but in the end settling for ninth, behind Radisich in the Briggs Falcon, who lost most of his track position in the pit stop melee.

Bowe and Weel(JB got by at the death)came home next, ahead of Canto and one of the other big gainers of the race. Bargwarma had made a late, late (comparatively)stop, gaining a couple of spots into the bargain. 12th was a good reward for a gutsy pair of drives from the very back of the race one grid.

This race actually finished with a one lap sprint courtesy of a late Safety Car to retrieve Whincup's stricken Valvoline car (he'd tagged a bank).

The problem came when the recovery truck driver went the wrong way and the race restarted with the truck still very much in the way. There was confusion. Safety Car signs stiU out g for two corners and confused drivers, f I but fortunately the result wasn't 3^ affected.

. Tf

\

T

Get me a refrigerator: Skaife and Bright put on a great tussle in Race 3. Whatever the HRT boss is paying himself, he earned his pocket money in Darwin, left.

i

S:

Valvoline VY gradually closed in on the Bright/Murphy scrap that eventuated after the stops. As Murph worked left and right looking for a W'ay round Bright, Garth thrust down the inside into the hairpin.

The two clanged, alongside, but it rvas a good fair move and he set about Bright, who he passed as the race approached lap 30- the tyres holding up much better, it seemed,on theVY. Further back, Richards made some progress too, winning out after a long

Race 3-35 laps Again, the start would as would tyre life.

Thebe critical, temperature had soared since the morning race, the air temperature a balmy 35 degrees, track temp 40 and rising. Engine temperatures soared as the cars were held on the startUne, but the race got away cleanly.

Ambrose dictated the situation into turn one, with Skaife half alongside, seeming to hold him wide enough for long enough beautifully, so that Tender squeezed the Valvoline car in behind, demoting Skaife to third.

Before they'd gone another hundred metres, the Safet}' Car was out. Todd Kelly had been turned continued on page 46

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45

f Results H8SCS Round 6 Hidden Valiev

continued from page 45

Hardly Audi weather; The Safety Car clocked up the miles and provided a controversial one-lap dash to finish Race 2.

around by a big thump from behind and hit the inside wall hard. The front right corner was gone and the youngster clambered out with, fortunately,just a stiff neck.

It was an obvious Safety Car and one which would continue into the

weekend), Radisich and Bowe.

Ambrose wasn't quite at the front of the queue when it went green at the end of lap six. Dean Canto had stayed out(maybe they didn't want to give him tyres?) and made the most of his moment in the limelight.

Ambrose went through on the inside of Turn 5 and built a modest lead as it took the Holden forces a little longer to dispose of the Betta Falcon.

In terms of the race win, Ambrose was, barring dramas, home.There was a Safety Cat restart on lap 25(to retrieve Paul Dumbrell's expired Castrol car), but the car behind was Murphy, not Skaife, and Ambrose simply re-established his 1.5 second lead and sat on it.

The action came from Skaife -first

pit window.

The tactics were obvious. Just about everyone poured down pit lane at tlie end of lap three -even the twocar teams, preferring to queue their second cars for a few seconds.

There was traffic mayhem and it made Skaife's day worse: "Squeezing around Marcos,I couldn't get my car placed in the normal straight line, which made it just that bit more difficult for the guys to service it," he confirmed later. The second or so dropped cost a further two spots- it could have been worse, except Tender's crew were also a little tardy and it cost Garth four spots.

The upshot saw Ambrose at the "front" of the queue,heading Murphy,Bright, Skaife, Richards, Tander, Wills (continuing an excellent

his pursuit of Bright, resolved as the Team Brock car's rubber started to fade, and then Murphy. Murph, however,held on, aided to some degree by the Safety Car period allowing time to cool his tyres.

Garth Tander was stuck behind a

Team Brock Driving Life

DEFENCE DAYS

Includes road safety, reponsible driving suitable for all road users. l Calder Park VIC 26/6/03, 16/7/03 & 20/8/03

PUBLIC ADVANCE DAYS

BROCK MASTER CLASS

Includes Exploring the art of driving, performance driving techniques, CAMS Licence preperation and optional on-track experience l BarbagelloWA 1/7/03 l Calder Park Vic

The Ultimate Motorsport Academy - includes 2 days of on-track tuition.

Evening lecture by Peter Brock.

Personnel driving instruction by Peter Brock l 8 & 9 Sept 2003

4/8/03 South CItg

HOLDEN

driving

life

www.teambrock.com.au l ph 03 9636 0330 46

lapped car at the restart and took himself out of contention by breaking the line a fraction too soon and copping a Stop-Go. Among the balance of the field, Jamie Whincup stormed from the back with a refettled Valvoline car, all the way to 11th - quite a drive, while a torrid battle between Bargwanna and McConville,for tenth, was resolved on the last lap when the two clashed and spun off.

Like it or love it, the off-season changes to the points system, which were designed to stop someone (let's admit it, Skaife) having to make space on the mantelpiece, have given us a very close pointscore. Bright(zero wins)leads from Richards (likewise), with Ambrose and Skaife hunting.

Take away a dud round and it's closer stiU. But the drivers are not overtly complaining about it; it is their nature to accept the rules and get on with it.

We wanted a close championship; guess what? We've got one.

Queensland next; HRT usually dazzles there, and it's home track for Ambrose,Ingall and a herd of other drivers. There's bragging rights on the line and, don't forget, a whole box of pineapples for the winner.

There is usually a long queue to get into The Paperclip. Everyone in the sport who wants to see the next stoush between the blue corner and' the red corner better get in line early.

Tomorrow, we reckon ...

Points: Bright 1027, S. Richards 992, Ambrose 973, Murphy 951, Skaife 929, Weel 869, Ingall 821, Radisich 792, R. Kelly 779, Tander 778, Lowndes 746, Seton 600, Wills 585, T. Kelly 572, Johnson 545, Wilson 534, McConville 527, Bowe 511,Bargwanna 470, Jones 444, Ellery 424, Morris 401, Larkham 385, Baird 363, Ritter 357, J. Richards 347, Canto 346, Noske 341, Dumbrell 315, Besnard 314, Whincup 283, Tratt 272, Forbes 236, Wakefield 72, Thexton 24.

Points after dropping worst round: Bright 893, Ambrose 879, Skaife 845, S. Richards 842, Murphy 837, Weel 743, Tander 742, Ingall 739, Lowndes 688, Radisich 684, R. Kelly 678, Wills 585,Seton 558, T, Kelly 572, McConville 527, Wilson 504, Bowe 493, Bargwanna 468, Johnson 465, Jones 438, Ellery 412, Morris 401, Baird 363, Larkham 343, J. Richards 332, Ritter 327, Noske 323, Canto 322, Dumbrell 315, Besnard 314, Whincup 283, Tratt 260, Forbes 236, Wakefield 72, Thexton 24.

Race 1 -17 laps Pos Driver 1 Skaife 2 Ambrose 3 Bright 4 Tander 5 Radisich 6 Murphy 7 T. Kelly 8 Ellery 9 S. Richards 10 Bowe 11 Wills 12 Weel 13 Johnson 14 R. Kelly 15 Jones 16 J. Richards 17 Bargwanna 18 Canto 19 Noske 20 Whincup 21 Forbes 22 Baird 23 McConville 24 Besnard 25 Tratt 26 Larkham 27 Dumbrell 28 Lowndes 29 Ritter DNF Wilson DNF Seton DNF Morris DNF Ingall RacB 2-34 lags 1 Ambrose 2 Skaife 3 Tander 4 Bright 5 Murphy 6 S. Richards 7 R. Kelly 8 Radisich 9 Wills 10 Bowe 11 Weel 12 Canto 13 Bargwanna 14 McConville 15 Ellery 16 Seton 17 Ingall 18 Besnard 19 Baird 20 Wilson 21 Jones 22 Dumbrell 23 Morris 24 T. Kelly 25 Noske 26 Ritter 27 Lowndes 28 Forbes 29 Johnson 30 Larkham 31 J. Richards DNF Whincup DNF Tratt Race 3-34 laps 1 Ambrose 2 Murphy 3 Skaife 4 Bright 5 S. Richards 6 Wills 7 Bowe 8 Ingall 9 Ellery 10 Jones 11 Whincup 12 Johnson 13 Weel 14 McConville 15 Lowndes 16 Wilson 17 Seton 18 R. Kelly 19 Canto 20 Baird 21 Bargwanna 22 Larkham 23 Ritter 24 Radisich 25 J. Richards 26 Tander 27 Forbes 28 Besnard 29 Noske 30 Morris DNF Dumbrell DNF T. Kelly

Race lime Fasiesi lapOn 21m59.5nis lm09.4464s 8 22m00.7474s lm09.4432s 9 22m08.0930s lm09.8446s 8 22m09.3056s lm09.8296s 6 22ml0.4955s 1ml0.0440s 5 22m11.3813s 1ml0.204ts 8 22m1l.9289s 1ml0.0951s 7 22m15.2656s 1m10.4725s 6 22ml5.8304s lml0.3273s 6 22ml6.3109s lml0.2909s 8 22ml6.6592s lml0.2907s 8 22ml9.1490s 1ml0.5621s 11 22m20.0039s lml0.5760s 13 22m20.9012s lml0.4080s 7 22m21.8934s lm10.6295s 8 22m22.8202s lml0.4615s 8 22m24.6129s lml0.7709s 9 22m25.5995s lml0.7224s 5 22m31.0764s lml0.9264s 6 22m32.5588s lmll.l069s 13 22m33.4685s lml0.8871s 7 22m36.3014s lmll.l509s 7 22m37.2465s lml0.7444s 7 22m43.4517s lmll.0135s 7 22m46.5027s lmll.6953s 10 22m46.8235s lml0.9641s 12 22m49.2763s lml0.7709s 12 16 laps lml0.5170s 7 16 laps lml2.3813s 9 12 laps lml0.1540s 3 10 laps lml0.5211s 8 3 laps lm35.3208s 1 45m03.2352s lm09.2019s 8 45m03.4738s lm09.1488s 6 45m06.9312s lm09.6044s 12 45m09.3573s lm09.6013s 9 45m09.7746s lm09.4403s 9 45m10.0922s lml0.0417s 12 45ml0.4369s lm09.7860s 7 45ml0.8768s lm09.8920s 10 45mll.0865s lml0.0257s 4 45ml2.2886s lml0.3001s 6 45ml3.5419s lml0.3292s 9 45ml3.7939s lm09.9166s 14 45ml4.0985s lml0.3582s 4 45ml4.8099s lml0.0418s 7 45ml4.9372s lml0.0367s 6 45ml5.6416s lml0.0780s 10 45ml5.7867s lml0.0517s 5 45ml6.2396s lml0.4615s 10 45ml7.6683s lml0.5338s 14 45ml9.1749s lml0.2190s 8 45ml9.3486s lm09.7847s 6 45m22.0848s lml0.5337s 12 45m 22.5264s lml0.4478s 5 34 laps lm09.8401s 7 34 laps Iml0.5861sl0 34 laps lml0.3119s 6 34 laps Im09.1491s21 34 laps Iml0.3545sl5 34 laps Iml0.4611s23 33 laps lml0.5135s 5 28 laps Im20.5566s21 28 laps lml0.0844s 6 24 laps lml0.5220s 5 52m06.2762s lm09.5896s 11 52m07.4083s lm09.8166s 11 52m07.6617s lm09.7623s 11 52ml0.3754s lm09.8023s 10 52mll.0556s lml0.2821s 16 52ml2.1077s Iml0.0965s31 52ml2.7760s lm09.9837s 32 52ml6.6092s lml0.3816s 32 52m24.2479s lml0.3097s 14 52m29.2443s lml0.6988s 9 52m 30.2724s lml0.7014s 9 52m30.8568s lml0.7466s 12 52m31.3585s lml0.3813s 11 52m32.3843s lml0.8708s 10 52m32.5920s lml0.6102s 9 52m32.7699s lml0.1776s 10 52m33.1900s lm09.9849s 12 52m33.3025s lm09.9367s 10 52m33.6508s lm09.7711s 18 52m34.3549s lmll.4427s 13 52m36.2193s lml0.8838s 10 52m38.0430s lml0.8818s 12 52m40.2760s lml0.9289s 10 52m40.4933s lml0.1365s 13 52m4O.9720s lml0.6586s 10 52m41,2722s lm09.8263s 12 52m42.3746s lmll.l012s 9 53m04.3204s 1ml 1.0258s 9 33laps lmll.5324sl2 27 laps Iml0.7880sl0 18laps lmll.3640sl4

motorsport nows

www.performancewholesale.com.au

ynERFORMANCEPh:07 3808 1986 6 Cronulla Court,

Wholesale Cutting

Edge

Slacks Creek Qld 4127

PTY LTD

Technology

Fax: 07 3808 3050

CRAZY PRICES = HUGE SAVINGSIll CYLINDER HEADS 2 PR 1415B

WORID PRODUCTS SB CHEV 220CC IRON MOWTOWN HEADS

Past No.

Chamber Spark Pujc Iotake CC Angie Valve

ENGINE

C/R

SET

138084 138101 138725 138728 139477 139523 139625 139626 139832 140033 140053 140349 140680 140688 151865 152159

SRP FORCED PISTONS tIHCL PINS & LOCKS! SB CHEV 25" CM 4,020” 3.48" 5.7” F/TOP SB CHEV 23" CM 4.165” 3.75” 6.0” F/TOP FORDW OEM 4.020" 2.87" 5.155” DISH FORDW OEM 4.060” 3.00” 5.155” DISH^ BB CHEV OEM 4.280” 4.00” 6.135” F/TOP BB CHEV OEM 4.280” 4.250” 6.135” 9.5.

SB CHEV 23" CM 4.155” 3.750’ 5.7” DISH SB CHEV 23" CM 4.165" 3.750” 5.7” DISH BB CHEV OEM 4.310” 4.250” 6.385” 12.7 , SB CHEV 23" GM 4.030” 3.832” 5.7” F/TOP SB CHEV 23° CM 4.030” 3.562” 5.7” F/TOP SB CHEV 23“ CM 4.040” 3.750” 6.0” 12.7 SB CHEV 23° CM 4.060" 3.48” 6.0” 12.9 FORDW OEM 4.020” 3.4” 5.4” F/TOP FORDW OEM 4.030” 3.70” 6.2” DISH BB CHEV OEMGM 4.500” 4.00” 6.535” DOME. HPC COATED SKIRTS, OPEN CHAMBER

$900 $900 $950 $950 $900 $990 $950 $950 $1,050 $900 $900 $990 $950 $900 $950 $1,050

.$1,100

23" nivo inroiNi lightmiimcs CYLIIMD nr HEADS Qty

PART #

Exhaust Oiamber ..Price Valve Machining ..(Pair)

180CC INTAKE PORT - STREET PERFORMANCE, MAX THROTTIE RESPONSE & TORQUE UP TO 350 C.IN 2 PR 223 2000 80 72 STRAIGHT 2.020" 1.600" CAST . . .$960 5 PR 223 4000 80 64 STRAIGHT 2.020" 1.600" CAST . . .$960 200CC INTAKE PORT - STREET PERFORMANCE & SHORT TRACK, RESTRICTED OVAl, 327-350 UN UPTO 6500RPM 3 PR 223 2000 00 72 STRAIGHT 2.020" 1.600" CAST . . .$960 220CC INTAKE PORT - MAXIMUM STREET PERFORMANCE, OVAl TRACK & DRAG BRACKET 350400 UN UP TO 7500RPM 2 PR 223 2000 20 72 STRAIGHT 2.020" 1.600" CAST . . .$960 235CC INTAKE PORT - SERIOUS RACE HEAD, UNUMOED OVAi/DRAC 400 UN + 8000RPM+ 1 PR 223 4000 35A 64 ANGLED 2.080" 1.600" CAST ...$960 23" PRO ALUIVIIIMIUM LIGHTNIMG CYL. HEADS 180CC INTAKE PORT - STREET PERFORMANCE, MAX THROTTLE RESPONSE & TORQUE UP TO 350 UN 1 PR 123 2000 80 72 STRAIGHT 2.020" 1.600" CAST ..$1,400 3 PR 123 2000 80A 72 ANGLED 2.020" 1.600" CAST ..$1,400 200CC INTAKE PORT n STREET PERFORMANCE & SHORT TRACK, RESTRICTED OVAl, 327-350 UN UPTO 6500RPM 2PR 123 2000 00 72 STRAIGHT 2.020" 1.600" CAST ..$1,400 2 PR 123 2000 OOA 72 ANGLED 2.020" 1,600" CAST ..$1,400 220CC INTAKE PORT - MAXIMUM STREET PERFORMANCE, OVAL TRACK & DRAG BRACKET 350400 UN UP TO 7500RPM 3 PR 123 2000 20A 72 ANGLED 2.020" 1.600" CAST ..$1,400

GM SPLAYED-VALVE

2 SETS 1 SET 1 SET 1 SET 2 SETS 1 SET 1 SET 2 SETS 1 SET 1 SET 1 SET 2 SETS 1 SET 1 SET 1 SET 2 SETS

LR 1 SET 1 SET 1 SET

●7-

IN STOCK!

n 93,300

I ViP/N 24502517 PR

BORE STROKE

ROD

ROSS FORGED PISTONS (INCl PINS & LOCKS)

80561 96651 99552

FORD 351W SB CHEV BB CHEV

OEM 4.030” 3.5” 6.0” 12.5:1 23° CM 4.165" 3.625” 5.7” 12.5:1 OEMGM 4.350” 4.00" 6.535” 13:1

$500 $600 $800

ROSS CUSTOM FORCED PISTONS n HAVE BEEN INCORREaiY ORDERED OR SUPPLIED OTY

PART #

ENGINE

HEAD

BORE STROKE

ROD

C/R COMP.HT.. SET

1 SET (8) 12-20-SQ3 SB CHEV 23° CM 4.080" 3 9/16” 5.7” 12.5:1 ma .927" PINS & LOCKS 1 SET (8) 18-32-SP2 351W OEM FORD4.020” 3.850” 6.125” DISH ma ,98r Chrysler pins n suit 9.5 deck height 2L 1 SET (4) 63-21-SK HYUNDAI 82MM STD STD DOME NO PINS OR LOCKS 1 SET (4) 47-32-JHH TOYOTA STARLET OEM 74MM STD STD STD NO PINS SLOCKS 1 SET (4) 74-11-TN TOYOTA STARLET OEM 74.5MM STD STD STD PISTONS ONLY(JC76155j

1.515”.. $400 1.410”.. $400 1.220”.. $200 1.180”.. $200 1.181”.. $200

JE CUSTOM FORCED PISTONS (INCL PINS & LOCKS!

CYLINDER HEAD

The splaved-valve cylinder head has 240cc Intake runners, with a casting of .240" minimum port wall thickness that permits extensive modifications by cylinder head specialists seeking more airflow. This cylinder head has symmetrical Intake and exhuast ports and can accomodate a 2.20” diameter Intake valve and a 1.65" exhuast valve. It does not include seats or valve guides. The intake valve location moves the valve .050” closer to the bore centre line than P/N 10185040.

2 PAIRS

HEAD

1 SET (8) 130151 1 SET (8) 182067 1 SET (8) 190129

SB CHEV SB CHEV SB CHEV

23° CM 23° CM 23° CM

4.155” 3 9/16” 5.7” 4.125” 3.50” 6.0” 4.155” 3.48” 6.0”

13.5:1 1.519".. $500 13.8 1.250".. $800 F/TOP 1.260”.. $800

ACI-

ACL PISTON & RING SETS

1 SET

6MKRY941OG30ACL

1 SET 1 SET

8RP5002-030 8RP5002-040

PERFORMANCE PISTON & RING SET - SUIT FORD 250 WITH 200 ROD-FLATTOP PISTON ACL REPLACEMENT PISTON SET, HOLDEN 308 ACL REPLACEMENT PISTON SET, HOLDEN 308

,$150 ,$100 ,$100

VAHIOUS PISTON PINS ALSO ON SALE!

F»AFLXS >VR.E MEVY AMD PRICES INCLUDE GST!

r'

S'

OTYPART#

4

DESCRIPTION

EACH

CC82-2304 COMP HYDRAULIC FLAT TAPPET CAM - HOLDEN 253-308 .$199 XE 250H, 2067212°@ ,050" .4607474" 110° L/C ...

CC82-234-4 COMP HYDRAULIC FLAT TAPPET CAM - HOLDEN 253-308 .$199 XE 256H, 212°/218°@ .050" .477"/.484" 110°L/C ...

CC82-238-4 COMP HYDRAUUC FLAT TAPPET CAM - HOLDEN 253-308 .$199 XE 262H, 2187224°@ .050" ,4937.500" 110° L/C ...

CC82-250-4 COMP HYDRAULIC FLAT TAPPET CAM - HOLDEN 253-308 ,$199 XE 284H, 2407246°(a) .050" .5417.544" 110° L/C .. , CC12-0009-SE COMP SOLID ROLLER CAM - SB CHEV, 252°/256°@ .050" .$499 .6247.622" 106° L/C ROLLER BEARING JOURNAL CC12-244-4 COMP HYDRAUUC CAM-SB CHEV, 234°/244°@.050" $247 CC31-218-2 COMP HYDRAUUC CAM - 302W, 268H-218° @ .050" $206 CC31-226-3 COMP HYDRAULIC CAM - 302W, 280H-230° @ ,05D" $228 CCC19-9H COMP ROCKET ROLLER CAM CORE - SB CHEV-BUICK/DART ....$295 $150 CCEVL-3010 COMP HARLEY CAM - EVO V-TWIN 234° @ .050" ,$150 CCEVL-3020 COMP HARLEY CAM - EVO V-TWIN 240° @ .050" 138291 CRANE ROLLER CAM - BB CHEV 274°/285°(s> .050" 110 L/C ...$499 CRANE HYDRAUUC CAM - HOLDEN V8 2067214°@ .050" .. . .$199 244521 244641 CRANE HYDRAUUC CAM - HOLDEN V8 2147224°® .050" .. . .$220 $130 CRANE WOLVERINE HYDRAUUC CAM - FORD 351C WC-1164 CRANE WOLVERINE HYDRAUUC CAM - HOLDEN V8 204° @ .050” $130 WG-1193 WC-1107 CRANE WOLVERINE HYD CAM - 289-302W 204°/214° @ .050" .$130 $220 56506 CROWER CAM - HOLDEN V8 HYD. 244°/252° @.050 ED3702 EDEIBROCK CAM - SB CHEV TB1194°/214° @ .050 112 L/C ...$150 $499 388-RBJ-PWT ISKY ROLLER CAM - FORD SVO 266°/270° 105 L/C ISKY HYDRAULIC CAM - FORD WINDSOR 208° @.050" 108 L/C .$140 381262 50140 LUNATl ROLLER CAM - SB CHEV 276°/284° @.050" 106 L/C ...$400 50153D-RB LUNATl ROLLER CAM - SB CHEV 260°/268° @.050" 106 L/C ...$400

3 5 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

& COMPONENTS OTY PART#

1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1

4023 4352 4568 4570 5135-121L 7155-3.000 7400-500 45661 52001-750 CCVH301 62100001 ED1798

f.V^i

ill^^EACH

BU> CARBY,805CFM ALCOHOL, PRO/FLOW C/T .......$2,400 BLP HOLLEY 4BBL CARBY HARDWARE KIT $49 BU> COMPLETE OVERHAUL KIT, 785-890 PRO STREET CARBY $110 .$59 BLP OVERHAUL KIT, SUIT ALKY DOMINATOR BLP ALKY BILLET METERING BLOCK - SUIT HOLLEY ,. .$380 BLP BELT DRIVE MANDREL ,$19 BU> BELT DRIVE FUEL PUMP $880 .$92 BU> OVERHAUL KIT, 650-850 WITH 50CC PUMPS BLP 750 BILLET BASE PLATE ASSEMBLY ,$350 COMP POLYMER 4B HOLLEY FLOW PLATE .$24 .$57 DART 1/2” OPEN PHENOUC SPACER - 4150 ..

EDELBROCK UNIVERSAL FUEL PUMP BASE .... ,$29

CLUTCHES, HOUSINGS :STARTERS & COMPONENTS

OTY PART #

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 1

DESCRIPTION

105031 105506 106033 109995 109996 110005 110010 114260 114300 126080 126090 209130 209330 209507 226080 305508 306503 309130 309391 309501 325080 399000 508506 710102

EACH

DESCRIPTION

.$30 QUARTER MASTER BEARINGS - SUIT 5.5" 1.750" CONTACT QM 5.5" FLOATER PLATE .$60 QM STREET REL BEARING ,$30 .$10 QM C/PLATE END HUB, 1-5/32X26 .$10 QM C/PLATE CENTRE HUB, 1-5/32X26 QM BALL STUD-CHEV BELLHOUSING .$10 QM RING GEAR 7.25 REAR MOUNT .$120 QM REDUCTION HI-TORQUE STARTER MOTOR - REAR MOUNT .. , .$600 QM GEAR RED. STARTER MOTOR - FORD V8 WITH 153T F/WHEEL .$250 $70 QM SINGLE CLUTCH PLATE - OUTER -1-1/8 X 10 .$70 QM SINGLE CLUTCH PLATE - 7.25" X 1-5/32 X 26 .$70 QM RELEASE BEARING - CHEV, 7.25" X 2 DISC QM THROW-OUT BEARING - FORD 2 PLATE .$30 QM BOLT KIT 7.25" X 2 DISC .$10 QM CLUTCH PLATE SET - 7.25" X 2 DISC X 1-1/8 X 10-OR ,$70 QM BOLT KIT 5.5" X 3 DISC .$5 .$99 QM OUTER HOUSING - SUIT 7.25" X 3 DISC, S/S/WAY , QM RELEASE BEARING - CHEV 7.25" X 3 DISC ,$30 $290 QM CLUTCH PAC, 7.25" X 3 DISC, 1-1/16 X 10 $99 QM PRESSURE PLATE, 7.25" X 3 DISC .$199 QM CLUTCH PAC, 5.5" X 3 DISC X1-1/8 X 10 QM C/TRACK 3P 1-1/8" X 10 SPUNE 7.25" CLUTCH ASSEMBLY ..$1,100 QM FLOATER PLATE - SUIT V-DRIVE ..

QM SHIM KIT - HYD RELEASE BEARING .$10

OTY PART #

DESCRIPTION

$1,750 BME ALLOY CONRODS - 6" SB CHEV L/J 25ETS 302300-D CARRIUO CONROD - 5.850" SBC STD (1 ONLY) $300 10NLVCAR5850 $200 CROWER SPORTSMAN RODS - FORD 4CYL .5.500 ISET SP93233B ,$600 GROWER SPORTSMAN STROKER RODS SBC 5.7" L/J ISET SSP93305B 2SETS LHAF LUNATl CONRODS - STREET/RACE - SBC - 5,7" PRESS FIT .$500 $890 UJNATl HBEAM CONRODS - FORD 351 - 6.200" ISET LSG1 $170 LUNATl ROD BOLT SET - STREET RACE ISET CRB160 $50 ISET MIL82380 MILODON ROD BOLT SET-7/16" BB CHEV ..

SCAT 4340 I-BEAM RODS - SBC X L/J X 6" PRESS FIT .. . .$450 2SETS 2ICR6000P 5SETS 3ICR6000P SCAT 4340 I-BEAM RODS - SBC X L/J X 6" PRESS FIT .. . .$450 $760 2SETS 245465352200 SCAT 4340 H-BEAM RODS - BBC 6.535” X 2,200" . .$760 2SETS 235162002311927 SCAT 4340 H-BEAM RODS - 351 FORD 6.2" X .927"

OTY PART #

DESCRIPTION

OTY PART #

DESCRIPTION

2 2 2 2 1 4 1 2 2 4 2 2 1 2 1 2 11

1 2 2 1 1

.$80 FEIPRO RACE HEAD CASKET BB CHRYSLER 1039 .$38 1237-2 FEIPRO INTAKE GASKET - SB CHEV SB2 M/PORT .045 ,$17 1242 FEIPRO VALLEY COVER CASKET - SB CHEV SB2 M/PORT .$43 1253-2 FEIPRO INTAKE CASKET - FORD M6049-C3 SVO, .045" 1253S-3 FEIPRO INTAKE CASKET - 302-351 YATES, STEEL CORE FEIPRO INTAKE CASKET - 18DEC 2PCE MAN SB CHEV . .$40 1278S FEIPRO INTAKE CASKET - PRO STOCK BLANK .060" BB CHEV ., .$25 1290 .$39 1300-3 FEIPRO INTAKE CASKET - .060" THICK, W7/W8 CHRYSLER .$16 1446 FEIPRO EXHAUST CASKET - CHEV 350 BUICK/DART ....

FEIPRO HOLLEY DOMINATOR AIR CLEANER CASKET .$10 2105 ,$11 FEIPRO TIMING COVER CASKET - CHRYSLER W8 2332 FEIPRO CM BLOWER FRONT COVER CASKET .$58 2346 FEIPRO SEAL SET - BRIGGS JUNIOR DRAGSTER .' .$7 FPS90004 FS8169PT-4 FEIPRO FULL GASKET SET - AMC/RAMBLER 199/258 ,.. . .SET $54 .SET $108 FS8553PT-9 FEIPRO FUa CASKET SET - CHRYSLER 273-318 FS8553PT-10 FELPRO FULL GASKET SET - CHRYSLER 340 ... .SET $108 , .SET $39 FS8629PT FEIPRO FULL GASKET SET - CHEV V6 200 ...

CC866-16 COMP ROLLER UFTERS BBC-STREETS MARINE H/DUTY CC869-16 COMP HYDRAUUC UFTER 253-308 CC7400-4 COMP HI-REV HYDRAUUC UFTERS - EVOL HARLEY BIN ., CC87004-16 COMP ROLLER UFERS - SB FORD SEVERE DUTY 24532 16 CRANE HYDRAUUC ROLLER UFTERS - 308 HOLDEN .842 ,

.$920 ,$160 .$180 $1,380 $700

N OTY PART #

DESCRIPTION

BARNES OIL FILTER BLOCK OFF - ALUMINIUM SB CHEV 1 8910 $80 3 BAR-057-L ,$55 BARNES ACC. DRIVE SPUD-L/H (CAM DRIVE PUMP) ..

3 BAR-C-1375-9017 BARNES 1.375 GEAR SET - SUIT 9017 PUMP ... .$85 3 BAR-H-1375-9017 BARNES 1.375 ALLOY CASTING - SUIT 9017 PUMP .$150 2 BAR-HI-1375-9017 BARNES IRON PRESSURE HOUSING-SUIT 9017 PUMP ...$240 BARNES OIL PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE 1 . BAR-OPRV .$42 3 BAR-0R-4C-N ,$40 BARNES O'RING/SEAL KIT - 4ST CAM DRIVE N/S .

DAN OLSON STEEL DRY SUMP PAN - BBC GEN 5 1 DS427K .$800 4 X -12 PICK UPS, SCRAPER, WINDAGE TRAY ...

1 MIL18399 MILODON OIL PUMP PICKUP - FORD 429-460 ... .$53 6 MIL22500 MILODON OIL PUMP SHAFT - FORD 302 WINDSOR .$49 9 MIL22565 MILODON OIL PUMP SHAFT - FORD CLEVELAND .. .$49 2 MIL30701 MILODON SUMP - SB CHEV - STOCK REPLACMENT .$60 1 MIL30702 MILODON SUMP - SB CHEV - 86 ON - STOCK REPLACEMENT .$60 1 MIL34033 MILODON WELCH PLUG SET - BB CHEV $20 MILODON WELCH PLUG SET - FORD WINDSOR 2 MIL34035 .$20 2 03-4125-LW PETERSON 4STAGE PRO ROTOR PUMP-SBFORD RH-L/WT .$2,633 1 06958-0837 PETERSON TANK 2.5GAL 6" 2PCE WITH FILTER $695 1 09-0459 PETERSON OIL FILTER -16-60 MICRON WITHOUT BYPASS . .$145 1 09-0468 PETERSON IN/RETURN UNE FUEL FILTER BYPASS -12AN ,.$167 1 10-0323 PETERSON MANIFOLD 4 STAGE SCP - STAINLESS $135 1 10-2220 PETERSON -20 SWIVEL WATER NECK $60 1 15-9014 PETERSON FLUIDYNE HEAT EXCHANGER ,$800 1 20-400 PETERSON CLEAR HEUCOPTER TAPE 4" WIDE . ,$25 1 20-600 PETERSON CLEAR HEUCOPTER TAPE 6" WIDE . .$45 2 730014 .MTR $24 PETERSON FLAME GUARD -1.25" ID, -14/-16 .

28 830008 .$10 WELCH PLUG KIT, CHRYSLER BB 400-440 CIN .

ENGINE FASTENER KITS OTY PART #

DESCRIPTION

1 2 1

ARP ROD BOLT KIT - VW SUPER V ARP HEAD STUD KIT - NISSAN L24,26,28 ARP MAIN STUD KIT - TOYOTA SUPRA ..

104-6003 202-4206 203-5402

KIT .$150 ,$220 .$188

2 1 4 3

207-4202 ARP HEAD STUD KIT - MITSUBISHI 2.6L .'i .T. 234-4433 ARP HEAD STUD KIT - SB CHEV PRO-ACTION 14DEG 234-5608 ARP MAIN STUD KIT - CM LSI UNIBO-9063 ARP MAIN STUD KIT - CM CNC BOWTIE SB

RAR.XS yVRE MEW /VMD F*RICES INCLUDE GSX!

..$168 .$280 .$299 $170

ZOmZEZliZB EACH

on PART #

DESCRIPTION

2 1 1 1

EDEIBROCK VICTOR BB CHEV 4500 TALL DECK MANIFOU) $577 EDEIBROCK SB CHEV PERFORMER T.B.I. MANIFOLD $439 EDEIBROCK PERFORMER MANIFOLD BASE ONLY - FORD EFI ....$457 EDEIBROCK MANIFOLD - FORD 5.0 EFI KIT .$1,050

ED2911 ED3704 ED3B20 ED3821

QTY PART # 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

DESCRIPTION

SET

CC7632-16 COMP MAGNUM 1PCE P/RODS .080"X6.8" 289-302F STD LOTH .$160 CC7729-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS-5/16" X.080" X 7.950"-210 RAD ...$270 CC7761-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16" X .080" X 8.00” -210 RAD ....$240 CC7763-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16" X .080" X 8.500" -210 RAD ...$260 CC7764-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16" X .080" X 8.550"-210 RAD ...$270 $220 CC7935-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16” X .080" X 6.950" CC7936-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16" X .080" X 7.000" .$220 CC7939-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16" X .080" X 7.150" $220 CC7955-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 5/16" X .080" X 7.400" $220 $220 CC8758-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 3/8“ X .065" X 8.850" CC8763-16 COMP 4130 PUSHRODS - 3/8" X .065” X 8.500" $220 11650 1 CRANE GUIDE PLATES - SB CHEV 5/16" .$60 52621 16 CRANE 4130 HARDENED PUSHRODS - FORD CLEVELAND .$176 69750 CROWER 4130 1 PCE PUSHRODS 7.500" X 5/16" .$250 69755 .$250 CROWER 4130 1PCE PUSHRODS 7.550" X 5/16" 70405L CROWER PUSHROD KIT FORD 221-289 X 5/16" CUT TO LOTH . . $132 71870-2 CROWER 4130 1PCE PUSHRODS, 8.70"X.080"X 3/8" -210 RAD .$299 203-HG ISKY PUSHRODS - SB CHEV 7.781" X 5/16" STD LGTH MOLY . . . .$199 PR-763 $124 PUSHROD MOLY 6.775" FORD 289/302W, 5/16" MOLY RP3225R SEALED POWER PUSHRODS, MOLY, 8.245" FORD 351W X 5/16" $194

RING S DESCRIPTION QTY PART# 2 RS-178040 C«A RING SET, MOLY, CHRYSLER 318 + .040" 1 RS-2430-STD C&A RING SET, MOLY, SB CHEV 400 2 RS-3840-40 CSA RING SET, MOLY, SB CHEV 305 + .040" 1 RS-3840-STD CSA RING SET, MOLY, SB CHEV 305 $50 2 RS4008-20 CSA RING SET, CAST, SB CHEV 400 + .020" $30 .$30 1 RS4025-60 CSA RING SET, CAST, CHEV 427/454 + .060" 1 RS43ZX4.045 C*A RING SET, 4.045", 1/16", 1/16", 3/16" - ZERO CAP . .$200 1 J910A8-4140-5 JE RING SET, 1.2,1.5, 3MM, V8 SET . . . $350 1 J910A84165-5 JE RING SET, 1.2,1.5, 3MM, V8 SET . . . .$350 8 J910B84020-5 JE RING SET, 1.2,1.5MM, 3/16", V8 SET ,$350 4 J930A8-4000-5 JE RING SET, 1.2,1.2, 3MM, V8 SET $350 $299 2 J10008-4560-5 JE RING SET, 1/16", 1/16", 3/16", V8 SET 1 J20008-4040-5 JE RING SET, .043", 1/16", 3/16", V8 SET .$269 2 J20008-4130-5 JE RING SET, .043", 1/16", 3/16", V8 SET $261 .$299 1 J200084600-5 JE RING SET, .043", 1/16", 3/16", V8 SET 2 J30008-4060-5 JE RING SET, 1/16", 1/16", 3MM, V8 SET .$229 1 J300084070-5 JE RING SET, 1/16", 1/16", 3MM, V8 SET $285 2 J30008-4125-5 JE RING SET, 1/16", 1/16", 3MM, V8 SET $253 ,$194 1 J300084135-5 JE RING SET, 1/16", 1/16", 3MM, V8 SET 1 J40008-4125-5 JE RING SET, .043", 1/16", 3MM, V8 SET .$257 1 J700084060-5 JE RING SET, .043", .043", 3MM, V8 SET . .$380 1 JXC0F4-3189-3 JE RING SET, 3.189", 1.0MM, 1.2MM & 2.8MM - 4CYL SET . .$152 7 315-0002U35 PERFECT DRCIE RING SET, 4.285"1/16",1/16",3/16"P/M0LY .$60 1 5754XU30 SEALED POWER RING SET, CAST, HOU)EN 186/202 $20 1 9112X-O60 S/P RING SET, CAST, HOLDEN 253 . . $30 1 9118KXU20 S/P RING SET, MOLY, CHEV 283/307 $30 1 9190KX-030 S/P RING SET, MOLY, FORD 429/460 ,$40 2 9260KXU30 S/P RING SET, MOLY, GM 455 $40 2 9341KX 0.75 S/P RING SET, MOLY, FORD 2L .$20 2 9341KX-STD S/P RING SET, MOLY, FOR 2L $20 3 9341X-STD S/P RING SET, CAST, FORD 2L .$15 1 9400KXU20 S/P RING SET, MOLY, CHRYSLER 440 . .$50 .$30 1 9622KXU30 S/P RING SET, MOLY, BUICK 6 231 . .

2 R9346U65 S/P RING SET, MOLY, 4.185", 1/16" X 1/16" X 3/16" $75 1 R9788U35 S/P RING SET, MOLY, 4.280", .043", 1/16" X 3/16" $75 1 R9902-STD S/P RING SET, MOLY, 4.000", 1/16" X 1/16" X 3/16" $60 1 R9967U60 S/P RING SET, MOLY, 3.875", 1/16" X 1/16" X 1/8" $60 1 R10136O65 S/P RING SET, CHROME, 4.155", 1/16" X 1/16" X 3/16" . . .$60 1 R10206U25 S/P RING SET, MOLY, 4.145", 1/16" X 1/16" X 3/16" $60 1 R20104U30 SPfflJPRD PLASMA MOLY RING SET, 4.60" BORE ,.043",.043",3MM $300

QTY PART #

1 1 1 1 2 1

ED3303 ED3403 ED3309 ED3409 ED33999 ED34999

PAIR DESCRIPTION EDEIBROCK FRO NT SHOCK ABSORBERS - SUBURBAN .$266 EDEIBROCK REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS-SUBURBAN . .$266 EDEIBROCK FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS - FORD EXPLORER $199 EDEIBROCK REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS - FORD EXPLORER $199 EDEIBROCK FRO NT SHOCK ASBSORBERS - 91-97 LANOCRUISER . .$299 EDEIBROCK REAR SHOCK ASBSORBERS - 91-97 LANOCRUISER . . .$299

QTY PART # DESCRIPTION 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 1

SET

CC1130-16 COMP HI-TECH S/S ROLLER ROCKERS, 351C -1.73" X 7/16" ....$730 CC1132-16 COMP HI-TECH S/S ROLLER ROCKERS, 302W -1.6" X 7/16" ....$730 CC4514-16 COMP BB CHEV MARK V ROCKER STUDS $120 11746 16 CRANE ROLLER ROCKERS - 1.5'TC3/8”, WINDSOR & CHEV $430 .$400 13744 16 CRANE ROLLER ROCKERS - 1.7"X7/16", CLEV. & 460 ..

73901 CROWER STUD GIRDLE - SB CHEV STD ,$250 KRS-28250 JESEL ROCKER SHIM KIT - BE CHEV DART B/C .$150 91653 LUNATVJOMAR STUD CIROm n SB CHEV - BRODIX -11 .. .$150 YT6610 YEILA TERRA ROCKERS FORD WIINDSOREDEL VIC JUN 1.6" ....$765

OTVPART#

DESCRIPTION

EACH

1 BR-81021D BRODIX S/S EXHAUST VAUVES - SB CHEV 1.600" X 4.965" $20 1 CC6008-8 COMP S/S INTAKE VALVES-SB CHEV 2.055" . , .SET $140 8 1600-5T DEL INEST TITANIUM EXHAUST VALVES - 1.600" SET $1,140 8 1625CHPMN DEL WEST/CHAPHAN TITALNIUMI EXHAUST VALVES -1.625" SET $1,000 8 21506F5/1&R DEL WEST TITANIUM INTAKE VALVES - RAD GRV 2.15" ..SET $1,200 8 F1144P FERREA INTAKE VALVES-SBCHiEV 2.000" X 4.96" $30 8 F1190P-C FERREA INTAKE CUSTOM VALVES-CLEVELAND 2.19" X 5.41" ....$30 8 F1196P-C FERREA EXHAUST CUSTOM! VALVES - CLEVELAND 1.71" X 5.25" ...$30 11 F1227P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - EB CHEV 11/32", 1.880■■^.100" $30 8 F1260P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - HFTEMP, 1.94" X 11/32" X 5.45" . . . .$30 16 F1263P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES-EBC/PONTIAC, 1.900" X 6.450" . . . .$30 10 F1302 FERREATITANIUMEXHVAILVES-SBC, 1.60"X5.045"X11/32"18 .$100 24 F1306-C FERREA TITANIUM EXHAUST CUSTOM VALVES SBC 1.625"X5.75" .$100 4 F1384 FERREA VALVES - HARLEY DAVIDSON 1.6" X 4.53" X .310" $50 10 F1386-C FERREA TITANIUM EXH. VAUVES - SBC 1.625"X11/32"X5.75" . . .$100 1 F1404P FERREA INTAKE VALVE-2lTli FORD, 44.50MM , $20 1 F1405P FERREA EXHAUST VALVE - 2LTR FORD, 38.10MM $20 8 F1487P-C FERREA EXHAUST CUSTOM! VALVES-5/16 HI-TEMP1.60"X5.14" . .$30 8 F1503P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - CHRYSLER 1.810" X 4.91" $30 8 F1509P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - 2.000 TUUP PRO T/F F/C BLANK . . . .$30 1 F1652 FERREA TITANIUM INTAKE V.UVE - SB CHEV 2.055" X 5.040" . . .$100 4 F1661 FERREA TITANIUM INTAKE VSLVSS - 2.125" X 11/52" X 5.240" . .$100 4 F1834P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - :7M!M X 8MM X 111.68MM $30 8 F2115P mm INTAKE VALVES - BB CHEV 2.250" X 5.350" .$30 18 F2121P FERREA EXHAUST VALVES-EB CHEV 1.940" INCONEL X 5.40" . . .$30 1 F3101 FERREA INTAKE VALVES - SB CHEV 2.02" X 4.960" $10 8 F6180 FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - L.940" X 5.700" . . . . .$20 8 F6191 FERREA INTAKE VALVES - CHRYSLER 2.190" X 3/8" X 4.875" . . . .$20 8 F6192 FERREA EXHAUST VALVES - EB CHRYSLER 1,810" X 4.910" $20 . PR $17 32 K11004 FERREA TITANIUM RAD. C*COVE LOCK (1 PR) . . . .

7 KL1839 K-LJNE VALVE GUIDE UNER-5/16" X 3" . ALi$3 84 KL1840ST K-UNE VALVE GUIDE UNER - 5/16" X 3-1/8" AU$42 AU$43 86 KL1842ST K-UNE VALVE GUIDE UNER - 3/S" X 3-1/8" 143 KL1923ST KUNE VALVE GUIDE UNER-11/32" X 2-1/2" . . . .

AU$70 87 KL1945ST KUNE VALVE GUIDE UNER-5/16" X 1-7/8" AU$43 1 11392 MANLEY INTAKE VALVE-HOLDEN V8 2.02" X 5.190" .$20 1 MIL45015 MIIDDONMEGAFIOW VALVE:-2.02 SBC STD LENGTH (8) . .SET $240 2 MIL45016 MIIDDON MEGAFLOW VALVES - 2.02 +100 - SB CHEV . $25 2 MIL45027 MILODON MEGAFLOW VALVES - 2.08 SB CHEV STD LENGTH $25 1 MIL45115 MIIDDON MEGAFLOW VALVES- 2.19 88 CHEV (8) .SET $280 1 MIW5136 MILODON MEGAFLOW VALVES - 1.940" - BB CHEV +.100" $34 1 PAV16+200 PRO S/S EXHAUST VALVES - S8 CHEV 1.600" + 200 . . . . .SET $80 1 RAV208+200 PRO S/S INTAKE VALVES-SS CHEV 2.08"+ 200 .SET $80 80 VG5003T SEALED POWER VALVE GUIDES .374 .502 3.062 AU$80 16 VE-1721 VALVES - EXHAUST VALVES - CHRYSLER SB 1.600" 273-360 ,$7 ,$7 36 VE-1765B VALVES - EXHAUST VALVES-FORD 351C 2V M/GROOVE .

34 VI-17648 VALVES-INTAKE VALVES-F3RD351C2V M/GROOVE . .. $7

QTY PART #

1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1

CC985-16 CC774-16 CC4003 CC9702-KIT CC26089-16 99082-1 99955 16 144308 1 WC 1684 16 WC 1686 16 82020 CV3345-16 90301 PSICT-1043-TST PSICT-1045-TST

DESCRIPTION

SET

COMP DUAL VALVE SPRINGS 164LBS @ 1.75" X 1.430" . . . .$182 COMP RETAINERS STEEL LSI STD $99 COMP REV KIT - BB tHEV .$263 COMP VALVE SPRING WT - EVO BIG TWIN .675" .$99 COMP PACALOY VALUE SPRINGS -1.55" 230LBS (a> 2.0" . . .$380 $55 CRANE COLLECTS - 3/8" STEM 10DEC (32) MACH $120 CRANE RETAINERS- 3/8'STEEL CRANE SPRING & RETAiNER KIT - GM LSI .$620 CRANE WOLVERINE WAiV’E SPRINGS, 1.435" SNG/DAMP .. . .$60 CRANE WOLVERINE WA.VE SPRINGS, 1.520" SNG/DAMP . . . .$60 CROWER REV KIT-SB CHEV SERIES II $150 CV PROD. SPRING LOCATORS -1.610"X.837"X.562"X .060". .$120 LUNATl REV KIT-BB CHEV $150 PSI DUAL ROLLER VAILVE SPRINGS 235L8S @1.950"-TST . . . .$500 PSI DUAL ROUER VAUVE SPRINGS 275LBS © 2.050"-TST . . .$500

PARTS ARE NEW AND PRICES INCLUDE GST!

misc - CRAZY PRICES!

misc - CRAZY PRICES! OTYPART# 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 4 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1

EACH

DESCRIPTION

91661 95004 95411 918960-77 AM5847 BDS9000F R-3272-010 R-3272-STD CC5003 CCVH031 700 2232 6500 0043 52990 1 99405 1 DO-SBC-HF 1978-2S 1983-SL 100-9003+010 ED4252 ED7892 ED7893 HPG1 BH1013 NP-1132 200-CRM-EXT 20(M;RM-GB TOL-19220 1925 2228-17 3090 3091-K 3093 PC150C KN22-8008PK KNE-1650PK KSE1024 KSE1025 KSE1031 KSE1032 KSE1035 KSE1056 65900 68506 68516 89500 MOR-63470 F890650AX N12530NOS N13750-39-SN0S N13750-62-SN0S N16021N0S N16045NOS N16051NOS N17944N0S MCF400 MCR350BTW MCS350F MCS350RW PWR021 QUICKSQUEEZE 22-67-0 28-74 28-148 28-155 7053A 7073 7073/25 7504 SBR0209/50 SBR0240 SBR0240AA SBR0240AA/SVO FP350SFI 9460415220 445445006535

.$40 ATI - HARMONIC BALANCER HUB - SUIT 460 FORD ●S5 ATI - BOLTS, TORQUE CONVERTOR 8", CHEV, .250” M/PLA .S5 ATI - CONVERTOR CRANK PILOT SUIT MOTORPLATE .... .$50 AO - ELASTOMETER KIT - 7.00/3 RING (77 DUR0| .$90 AUTOHETER - PHANTOM OIL TEMP GAUGE, 2-5/8" .... .$400 BDS - CUSTOM DUAL CARB SCOOP - 9 1/4 CENTRES ... .$20 C&A - BIG END SET, SBC327, H/DUTY, NARROWED $20 C&A - BIG END SET, 327 CHEV, H/DUTY, NARROWED ...

COMP CAMS - UFTER BORE GROOVING TOOL .842 $256 $17 COMP CAMS - POLYMER UNIVERSAL BREATHER STAND . . $25 CRANE-ALUSON INSTALL KIT, 6CYL CRANE n ALUSON HI6500 PERFORMANCE MAC TRIGGER KIT. . ..$241 $100 CRANE - DISTRIBUTOR GEAR - FORD 351C, .500' SHAFT $140 CRANE - TOOL SPRING SEAT MACH, 1.640 .635 $40 DAN OLSON - SB CHEV HEADER FIANCES DONOVAN ■ SB CHEV 4.125" SLEEVE $120 $120 DONOVAN - 4.5 SLEEVE 9.8" DECK DARTON - SLEEVE SB CHEV DONOVAN 4.125" + .010" 0/D . . . .$180 $200 EOELBROCK - EUTE VALVE COVERS, CHEV V6 LATE CBL EDELBROCK - ACCU-DRIVE GEAR DRIVE - SB FORD . . $350 EDEIBROCK - ACCU-DRIVE GEAR DRIVE - FORD 5L1985 ON . . . .$400 $50 FRAM - PERFORMANCE FUEL FILTER .$30 HARMONIC BALANCER - EXC HOLDEN V8 .$20 ISKY-11/32 NOTCHER PILOT .$60 ISKY - CROOV-O-MATIC EXTENSION LCE BORE . . . .

ISKY - CUIDEBAR SET FOR O'RINC TOOL - STD SIZE . $61 $21 JESEL-T50TORX DRIVER .$50 KINSIER - J-BLOCK SWAY, 2 X -6 IN & -8 OUT . . . . $527 KINSIER - NOZZLE, 1/2" X 20, S-660 AS-78 (HIIB17) KINSIER - FLAPPER CHECK VALVE -4 $40 $70 KINSIER - FLAPPER CHECK VALVE -6 .$70 KINSLER - FLAPPER CHECK VALVE 3/4 NPT KINSLER - HILBORN FUEL PUMP FLOW TESTED . . . . $995 K&N - FILTER PRE-CLEANER $30 $35 K8N -14" X 3" PRECHARGER - ROUND ELEMENT . .

KSE - REAR DRIVE SEAL ASSY SB CHEV .$40 ISE-TANDEM PUMP BELT DRIVE KIT .$200 KSE - WATER SEAL .$30 .$17 KSE-WATER PUMP CRANK DRIVE SHIM KIT KSE - IMPELLER - SUIT 1057 PUMP .$120 KSE-TANDEM PUMP MOUNTING KIT .$50 .$90 MOROSO - AIR CLEANER, 14" X 3" COLD MOROSO - HOLD DOWN TABS, VALVE COVER, SBC BLUE $20 $20 MOROSO - HOLD DOWN TABS, CHROME, CHEV BB . $15 MOROSO - TYRE PRESS, GAUGE, PENCIL TYPE, 20LB .$10 MOROSO - WATER PUMP BLOCK-OFF MOTIVE PERF.GEARS - 9" FORD 6.50 AX SERIES . . $475 $200 NOS - SUPER PRO SHOT, W/JETS & PLUMBING V8 .

NOS-FLARE JET $8 .$8 NOS - FLARE JET $50 NOS - SOLENOID REBUlILD KIT (N20) $250 NOS - SOLENOID N20 SUPER PRO SHOT NOS - SOLENOID REBUlILD KIT FOR CHEATER . . . . .$69 $9 NOS - -3AN -1/16 BRASS ADAPTOR OUVER - STEEL MAIN CAPS FRONT - SB CHEV 400 $70 OLIVER - STEEL MAIN CAPS REAR - BOWTIE SB CHEV - WET . . . .$450 OUVER - STEEL MAIN STRAP FRONT - SB CHEV 350 . . . $20 OLIVER - STEEL MAIN STRAP REAR - SB CHEV 350 - WET ,$50 PWR-AUOY RADIATOR-COMMODORE VK-VS $595 QUICK SQUEEZE - ON HEAD VALVE SPRING REMOVING TOOL . . .$250 REDUNE - THERMOSTAT HOUSING - CHEV STRAIGHT . . . $10 REDUNE - DIPSTICK & TUBE - TURBO 400 $15 REDUNE - ALTERNATOR BRACKET - BB CHEV LONG TOP . $20 REDUNE - ALTERNATOR BRACKET - SB CHEV SHORT LOW .$30 .$275 ROMAC - MAXI SPOOL, 35 SPUNE 90DEG (LCE BRC) . . . $85 ROMAC - MINI SPOOL, 23 SPUNE BANJO $85 ROMAC - MINI SPOOL, 25 SPUNE BANJO .$10 ROMAC - SPACER - DAYTONA PINION (HARDENED) . . . .

ROMAC - HARMONIC BALANCER, WINDSOR C/W SO OZ SPOR . . .$175 ROMAC - HARMONIC BALANCER, FORD W HO, NEUTRAL BAL . . .$175 ROMAC - HARMONIC BALANCER, FORD HO, N/BAL, ALL AaOY . .$250 ROMAC - HARMONIC BAL, FORD HO, CROUP A F/FACE,A/AL10Y $250 SCAT - FLEXPLATE - SBC 168T BEEN FITTED $30 SCAT - 460 CAST STROKER CRANK - 4.150" X 2.20 $600 SCAT-4340 CRANK-BBC 4.5" X 6.535" $1,100

Choose

items csretullv as there

ore

returns on these parts.

1 IVO

Order your parts with our

^8

OTYPART#

1 1 1 1

PC417 PC560 PC636 SW3600

2 1 1 1 2 1 4 2 4 4 2 2 2 1, 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 4 4 1 5 2 1

EACH

DESCRIPTION

SEALED POWER - WATER PUMP, FORD WINDSOR D/SIDE OUTLET .$50 $20 SEALED POWER - WATER PUMP, FORD 6 240/300 SEALED POWER - WATER PUMP, BUICK 6 181/231 VN C/DORE ..$30 SHAVER/WESMAR - GEAR DRIVE SBC n DART & ROCKET BLOCK ,$700 SUIT RAISED CAM WITH BIG BLOCK SNOUT SUPERFLOW - ALUMINIUM FLOW TEST STAND CASKET F4000P-1609C SUPERFLOW - ALUMINIUM FLOW TEST STAND $1,600 F4000P-1609T F4000P-1610-4030SUPERFLDW - 4.030" BORE FOR TEST STAND .$25 301-30053 SWEET - TANK B/0 BRACKET .$300 SWEET - .250" POWER STEERING SERVO 301-30250 SWEET - .275" POWER STEERING SERVO $300 301-30275 $15 SWEET - SERVO SEAL KIT 311-30040 SWEET-SERVO OUTPUT SHAFT $39 311-40001 $10 SWEET-SERVO BEARING 311-40002 $3 SWEET - SERVO OUTPUT SHAFT O'RINC 311-40006 SWEET - SERVO THRUST WASHER & TORINCTON $12 311-40010 SWEET - SB CHEV POWER STEERING PUMP B RACKET ONLY $40 PS300B0 SWEET - V6 BUICK POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET KIT . $40 PS301 SWEET - FORD POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET KIT . . . . $40 PS302 SWEET - UNIVERSAL POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKET . . $40 PS304 $350 221100 TO-FULL MANUAL V/BODY-TH400 TO-SHIFT IMPROVER KIT-TH400 $40 226000 TO-SHIFT IMPROVER KIT-TH350 $40 326200 $60 TO - STARTER PINION - SUIT 351105 351127 $60 418500 TQ - SHIFTER PAN BRACKET & LEVER KIT - C4/C6 $185 TO - UNE LOCK KIT 861700 $22 TG6002HD/BLACK TOP CUN - LEAD SET, HEAVY DUTY, FORD 6CYL PRE-XFLOW TG8002/2-BLUE TOP GUN - LEAD SET, SB CHEV, OVER R/CVR, R/A DIST, ST PLUG .$45 TG8027/6-BLUE TOP GUN - LEAD SET, BB CHEV, UNDER EXH.HEI DIST,RA,8.8MM .$52 $ 73 TG8039-10-RED TOP GUN - LEAD SET, BB FORD, 10MM $10 VP FUELS - TWO CYCLE SYNTHETIC RACING OIL VP-C2 $40 VP-C2-5 VP FUELS - TWO CYCLE SYNTHETIC RACING OIL |5LTR| .

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When Different is the Same

by CHRIS LAMBDEN JIM Richards seemed to have the fourth round of the Carrera Cup at Darwin in the bag last weekend.

But in the end,consistency over the three races w'on the day for Tim Leahey, taking three second place finishes and grabbing the overall win from Richards. Richo took tw'o wins and a storming sixth after a stop-go in the third race.

Qualifying produced an interesting tussle, but with the almost normal outcome.

Richards started out in the Imlls bracket. Iris closestopposition, Leahey and Marshall a few tenths away.

Every time they made a gain, so did the OAMPS car.

Saturday's opener was,in terms of the front rumrers, a quiet race.

Richards made a superb start and by the end of a crushing first lap had nearly a second over Leahey, Marshall and Fitzgerald.

Bell and Miedecke were next in line into turn one,but had separate moments. Bell spinning down the field and 'Mad Andy'colliding with Peter Hill at turn one, then trailing into the pits and eventual retirement.

This allowed Rodney Jane to take up tire running in fifth, with Matthew Coleman heading an Andrew Taplin/Paul Petersen battle which, as tire race progressed would find James Dutton, Geoff Morgan and Jonathon Webb queueing up behind.

Up front, little had changed and nothing would,but as the laps wore on,Jane found a rear tyre deflating. It finally let go on lap nine. As the TMarts car flicked around,on and off 2 July 2003

the track, Matthew Coleman got hit and copped his own flat as well.

Rodney would be a DNF,while Coleman stopped for a tyre change.

He finished well down in 16th.

Richards established himself at the front again and was never headed, and for a few laps it looked as though that would apply to aU the top finishers in Race 1.

Leahey and Marshall scrapped mightily over second as they eased away from Fitzgerald, the dice only resolved when Marshall slid wide at turn one on lap seven and then subsequently retired with overheating, thanks to a detached water hose.

2>(Hc Klynsmith

Funny old weekend: Top, Leahey took three second places to claim the round win. Richo, above, was devastatingly quick while Bell, below picked up his first Carrera Cup race win.

Bell was the big mover in this race, slicing his way through to fourth at the finish, at the expense of Pedersen and Morgan, who took the next places. Coleman was another star turn in this race,nabbing seventh after starting rear of field.

In race three, Richards'jump start and subsequent stop-go threw the race, and the day's result, wide open.

"I was trying to adjust my foot on the clutch," Richards would say,"but it slipped off enough to make the car move forward."

Leahey led from Bell when a Safety Car appeared, thanks to a collision at turn one involving Fitzgerald and Morgan (tire latter was out, Fitzy having to stop for a new tyre). At the restart, Leahey's car hesitated, allowing an ecstatic Bell through into a lead he wouldn't lose.

"I was kicking myself after I spun out of the first race," said Bell. "I owed this one to our hard-working crew."

After his earlier DNF, Marshall carved his way through for third.

m)iitia\nsrTUth

ahead of Coleman.

Leahey, a late confirmation for the round, was amazed at the outcome: "We had a fuel pressure problem that made the engine cut out on that liast restart," he explained.

"But stiU, it's great to win the round. We probably didn't deserve to win the round without winning that

last race, but we got it. A w'in is a win and rU take it for sure."

Despite his error, Richards retains the series lead as the Carrera Cup heads to Queensland Raceway on

July 20.

Points: Richards 639, Marshall 576, Fitzgerald 483, Leahey 447, Bell 360, Coleman 285, Pedersen 276, Miedecke 245.

51

R Who you callin

ALF Schumacher took his share of criticism after the Canadian Grand Prix, where he drove seemingly without much aggression in the wheel tracks of his brother Michael.

In Canada, Ralf Schumacher was criticised fer not being aggressive against his brother. On home ground, he siienced the critics with a flawless drive to victory.

JOE SAWARO reports from the Nurburgring

At the European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, Ralf took his WiOiamsBMW to victory and,poking fun at his critics, remarked that it proved that "a bad driver can win races".

Ralf had driven a well-controlled race and had outpaced his team mate Juan Pablo Montoya. But he did profit from the retirement of poleman and early leader Kimi Raikkonen with an engine failure after 25 laps. At the time,Raikkonen was nearly five seconds ahead,and although the two men were on slightly different strategies, it did not look likely that Ralf would have won back enough time to have beaten the Firm on the road.

After Raikkonen's Mercedes-Benz VIO did its impersonation of a teapot, there was nothing to stop Ralf. No doubt, down in Munich, the BMW men rubbed their hands with glee at

FORMULA ONE Stuttgart's embarrassment, made all the worse by the fact that high-profile Mercedes boss Jurgen Hubbert was on the pitwall, anticipating a victory.

Stuttgart's pain was even more acute because from the chasers emerged Montoya in second place, giving BMW a clean sweep. A victory in the German Civil War of the blues over the greys...

For Team Willy, it was another triumph and the men in Munich, who a few weeks ago were being unpleasant about the team to anyone who cared to listen were left sucking their teeth and looking pleased, hoping that no-one would point out that one should never underestimate Frank and Patrick and their little army at Grove.

The 'hopeless' Williams team has collected 47 points in just three races and is now ahead of McLarenMercedes in the Constructors' World Championship and only 13 points behind Ferrari. Could it be that the FW25 'tortoise' might be good enough to beat the hares from Woking and Maranello?

The race wasno a fairly affair with majorclean-cut incidents on the first lap. In fact, it was 25 laps before a single car retired.

After the first lap there was not much overtaking although Jacques Villeneuve and the Minardis kept us all amused with some rather gung-ho battling. Jacques was obviously quicker but Jos Verstappen and Justin Wilson were not going to just give up and let Jacques go. When he had managed to get rid of the black and white cars, he then lost concentration and ran wide at the second corner and had a high-speed spin. Jacques caught the car in mid-gyration and resumed having lost very little time but behind the Minardis again. And then, to cap it all Jacques ran over a bollard at the chicane and broke off his front wing.

It was very clear in those rather dull early laps that it was going to a

Not today: Michael Schumacher, above, rode his luck - and a bump with Juan Montoya - to fifth place, while Kimi the Kid, below, had to make do with an early drink after his Mercedes-Benz engine went quiet on him.

o

race of strategy and so we waited for the first stops to discover what plans there were. The two Jordans came in early, clearly embarking on a threestop race. It was not the right thing to do as the team press release indicated at the end of the day. The three-stop strategy was "not fruitful".

Jaguar Racing stopped Mark Webber after just 14 laps and it was a bit of a surprise because it had been expected that Webber would go for a long first stint.

We modified out strategies to suit the changing race order," explained Jaguar's Dr Mark Gillan.

The fact was tliat Mark was stuck behind Jenson Button and Jaguar wanted to grab an advantage. It did not work at the first stop but it did at the second.

Tilings began to hot up on lap 16 j when Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher both pitted for the first j time. This put Ralf Schumacher into I the lead and we wondered how long = he could run before coming in for 3 new tyres. It was five laps and then s Ralf headed for the pits. He came out behind Raikkonen but the gap was He who laughs last: Ralf Schumacher's Williams FW25 was not the fastest car in Germany - Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren was - but the younger Schumacher still got to celebrate with his homies after the race.

r.

continued on page 56 53

T

HE sign of a great racing driver is that when the chips are down,they deliver the goods. At the Nurburging on Saturday, Kimi Raikkonen did exactly that to snatch pole position at the very last minute from local hero Michael Schumacher.

It was an impressive performance under great pressure but Raikkonen did not waver. It was his first pole position in Formula 1 and seemed to enjoy it, even if getting Kimi to show anything close to emotion is not an easy thing to do.

"I have been told that qualifying was very exciting," Kimi said. "I didn't have any idea of what times the others did as I was just sitting in the car waiting to go out and not looking at the screens. We knew that if we got everything right we could do it and we did."

If Kimi had been watching the action, he might have been a little more excited because the action was fast and furious. Early In the session Olivier Panis, who had been fast all weekend (except in the important Friday qualifying session when he had the misfortune to have his chances spoiled by rain), set the mark at 1 m32.350s and 10 drivers came and went before 54

the Toyota was knocked off the top.

But from then on, it was all go.

Jarno Trulli was the man to beat Panis's time and after a rather conservative run by David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher each went out and beat the time. Juan Pablo Montoya came close but was not close enough and then it was down to Michael and Raikkonen.

Michael was just able to eke out a tenth over his brother and then it was down to Raikkonen.

In the first sector he was quicker than Michael but he dropped back in the second and so everyone waited for the time to flash up as he went across the finish line. The result was threehundredths of a second better than the Ferrari and Kimi had his first pole.

"Kimi did a fantastic lap," said McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh.

"He was under a lot of pressure and he did the job. Michelin did a great job. The tyres are good over one lap and they will hold up well in the race as well and we have a good race strategy."

David Coulthard's performance however did not receive the same kind of praise.

"David, frankly, is going to be reflecting on his confidence level," said Whitmarsh. "He did a conservative lap yesterday and

maybe that was the thing to do, but you cannot be conservative and get to the front. It is too competitive for that."

David ended up sixth on the grid.

"The car touched the ground a bit in places," said David, "and I locked up in one corner and that cost me time."

After the morning session, however, David had again expressed his distaste for the current qualifying format.

"The racing is the easy bit!"

David said. "As for qualifying, one lap defines you as being quick or slow and I don't like it."

The fact was that the level of fuel was also an important issue because the extra weight of the fuel makes a big difference in lap times and the cars which were running light were further up the grid than those running with big fuel loads.

"You cannot do much about that," said a frustrated Coulthard.

"I don't really understand why they bother because they are not going to be there at the end of the race!" t was clear however that while this might be an issue for Coulthard - who was back in ninth on the grid - the top three teams were going to be fighting it out at the front.

The race would be a brawl

between the two Ferraris, the two Williams-BMWs and Raikkonen's McLaren-Mercedes.

The two Renaults and the two Toyotas would be up there in the early laps but whether they could make an impression over the race distance was another matter. Mark Webber, 11th in his Jaguar did not think so.

"I am very happy with that," said Mark. "It would have been nice to have beaten Cristiano for 10th but 11th is OK. We won't be 11th fastest in the race, I can tell you that. Overtaking is difficult but it will all depend on the strategy."

Or, to put it another way; the Jaguar was running with a heavy fuel load and expected to make up ground in the race as those with lighter fuel loads cleared out of the way in the race.

The race everyone agreed was going to be about the performance of the tyres and, of course, the temperatures involved. But trying to predict the weather in the Eifel region of Germany is like trying to name the horse that will win The Melbourne Cup in the year 2008 and so everyone had to work on compromises and computers.

Such is the way of modern FI. If it was wet, the Bridgestones would be dominant. That much was clear. But what about the dry? It looked all weekend as moiorsDort news

FORMULA ONE

Hometown Heartbreaker At least the engine is German: There were thousands oflocal at the Nurburgring and it took one Finn 0.03s to take first away from the locals. It was Kimi Raikkonen's first career pole.

Shanghai'd: Ralph Firman, right, continues to show pretty good speed at Jordan.

though Micheli-m again had the big advantage but there were one or two< attempts to confuse everyone.

"We have shiown that we are competitive here," said Michael Schumacher on Saturday afternoon. "'Yesterday the Michelin runners benefited from a softer compoiund that they could not use today. Today gave us the true picture."

But this did not really tie in with the views, of Bridgestone's Hisao Suganuma, who called the Ferrari performance "a solid performance".

"We beliave that he have the right tyre for race conditions and for long dis.tance stints," he said.

H

ow can; one speculate what will happen; in a race when one does n;ot know at what temperature thie track will be when the lights go out?

All one can say of the Nurburgring is that once the first couple of laps are out of the way there woulfcl not be much overtaking andi so it would be dovvn to who can go longest, conserve their car the best and then produce the really fast laps when there is clear track ahead of them.

And in that situation you would never bet against Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

Schumacher hiimself was a little 2 Juty 2003

worried by the fact that he would have to start the race from second on the grid, on the dirty side of the race track. If that were to cost him a few tenths of a second at the start on Sunday eh could find himself stuck behind the two Williams-BMWs and that would allow Raikkonen to disappear off into the distance.

And so, when all was said and done, on Saturday we really could do little else other than guess what would happen on Sunday. It was going to be a five way fight but who would emerge ahead?

"I think I have made the right decision about strategy," said Michael Schumacher, "but we won't find out until the race. I think our lap times will be good tomorrow."

"I am happy that we are so close to the Ferraris and McLarens and I think we have a very good strategy for the race," said Ralf Schumacher, "I am confident for the race," said Juan Pablo Montoya.

B

eyond these five cars the rest were only talking about getting points on Sunday.

The would all depend oh who made the most mistakes and when one judges what has happened in recent years one has to say that Michael Schumacher always starts as the favourite ...

One had to say after qualifying that Michelin looked strong.

With the exception of the Ferraris, the best Bridgestone runner was Jenson Button in 12th place. In fact, the only Michelin runner behind any of

the Bridgestone men (except Ferrari) was Antonio Pizzonia in the second Jaguar, who had taken a big risk after the morning session on Saturday and had found his car a real handful. He qualified 16th.

All the Bridgestone runners were very polite, mumbling about lack of grip but not saying why this was happening.

Sauber had some good excuses as both cars suffered engine trouble in the warm-up and the team went into wild scenes to switch Frentzen to the spare car and change the engine on Fleidfeld's car. This was done in 24 minutes but when he went out on his fast run the gearbox hydraulics malfunctioned and the throttle stuck open slightly and he went off at.the first corner and so ended Up at the back of the grid. Frentzen was 15th behind the two Jordans.

"We are just not competitive enough," said Giancarlo Fisicheila.

The BARS were troubled too with Button 12th, which he felt was not bad "considering the struggle we have had so far this weekend" and Jacques Villeneuve in all kinds of trouble (again), having gone off on Friday when the rain came in the middle of the first qualifying session. This meant he was the first to run on Saturday and the track was not great. This meant he went wide at the first corner.

Fie was 17th.

Behind him were the Minardis, but they were 1.7 seconds behind.

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continued from page 53 down from around eight seconds to just four. But then Raikkonen began to stretch the legs of the McLarenMercedes and the gap was building up when the Mercedes-Benz lunched itself.

"I would have won the race easily," he said later. "The car was perfect and 1 could pull away as I wanted to but sometimes being fast is just not enough."

Ron Dennis concluded that the best thing to do was to turn the page and move swiftly on.

"With seven races to go our objective will be to put today firmly behind us," he said."And concentrate on the remaining part of the season. We must not lose sight of the fact that we have a very competitive package."

McLaren's misery was completed

by David Coulthard. After starting sixth, the fifth-placed DC went out when he had to swerve to avoid a high-speed accident when battling with Fernando Alonso, who caught David unawares.

"He braked incredibly early," David said."And that was the end of my race. I have my own views on tire

n

incident which I will discuss privately with Alonso but at the end of the day it is for the stewards to decide."

In the end, the stewards'decided' nothing. Coulthard had been sniffing around the back of the Renault, which was clearly struggling imder brakes. Alonso covered the inside of the chicane; Coulthard had to take evasive action. Perhaps, it might not have happened had Coulthard driven more in the manner of his team-mate.

With Raikkonen out of the way, Ralf continued on to glory while behind him Michael came under pressure from Montoya. It seemed that the Bridgestone tyres were just not up to the job but as no-one ever says a bad word about the tyres, it was left to Ross Brawn to say that "we have a lot of wmrk to do on the overall package."

In rough translation this means that Bridgestone must improve.

The Montoya-Schumacher battle ended in tears for Michael on lap 43 when a clearly-faster Montoya tried to pass the Ferrari. Having been blocked on the inside, Monty went for the outside and seemed to be clear. Michael kept coming and contact was made. Michael spun off.

"In my opinion it was a straight forward racing incident," said Schumacher."He was faster than me, tried to pass, gave me just enough room to survive. Maybe 1 could have wished for a little bit more space."

"I gave him enough room," said Montoya.

Michael's car ended up stuck in the gravel but with a little help from three marshals and what appeared to be a spectator (although it was in fact the man who had driven a tractor to the scene to pull the Ferrari away into retirement) the Ferrari was pushed back on to the track, the logic being that it was in a dangerous position but still had the engine running. Michael rejoined in sixth and there he stayed until Coulthard's retirement when he moved to fifth.

On the last lap he caught Alonso but could not pass the Spaniard in the final couple of comers.

Rubens Barrichello was one of those who profited from Michael's problem and he ended the day in third place. He called it "a fairly good result".

Fourth for Alonso was a good result after a busy day. For much of the race Alonso and Trulli had to keep Coulthard at bay and in the end David became a victim as the Renault became more and more unpredictable.

"I lost some performance in the final stint," Alonso said.

Trulli had been ahead of Alonso for the first stint but dropped behind during the first pit stops. Before his second stop he stopped with "a fuel pressure problem". This happened just before the pits stop and so the cynical folk said that perhaps he had run out of fuel.

Sixth placeWebber, ended up in the hands of Mark which was a good effort from 11th on the grid.

Mark had said that the race was the

Cuddly feelings: Fernando Alonso fought his doughy Renault - and the opposition - to take fourth.

Finnishing Line: Mika Hakkinen may not be racing any more but he still has his share of fans in Germany, above.

important thing and, after his surprisingly early first stop, he charged along and at the second pit stop sequence was able to finally get rid of the BAR-Honda. After that, Mark pulled away although he was too far behind everyone else to make up any more places.

Antonio Pizzonia had another bad day and at his second stop he was given the wrong tyres by the team. In addition he ended up with a drivethrough penalty for speeding in the pitlane. This meant that the Brazilian could finish only 10th.

Button finished ninth and was happy to do so because he struggled with the car all day.

"It has been a tough old weekend," he said.

The BAR mechanics did a good job to avoid trouble for Button by changing the nose on Villeneuve's car and getting him out of the way just as Button was arriving for a scheduled stop. Given their history in such matters, it was good that Jacques was not there when Jenson arrived ...

Jacques's race was pretty dreadful, really. The spin and the smashed front wing did not enhance his reputation and he retired a few laps from the finish with a gearbox problem.

"I am pleased to see the end of a very bad weekend," he said.

The final point in the race went to Nick Heidfeld, which was good considering that he had started from the pitlane and had to deal with the Minardis and Villeneuve in the early laps. But he kept his cool and drove hard and was rewarded for it.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished ninth,20 seconds behind Heidfeld, his decision to go on a three-stop strategy was not being a good one.

The two Jordans both finished the race but Giancarlo Fisichella did not get around the slowing down lap, having been ordered by Cosworth to park the car as soon as the race ended. The cars both suffered oversteer and the three-stop strategy not a good idea and the result was 11th and 12th places. FisicheUa also suffered a puncture in the closing laps, which was believed to have been caused by debris.

Minardi came home 13th and 14th and Jos Verstappen called it "one of the worst races I have ever had." He too complained of oversteer (a common problem with Bridgestone runners).

Toyota failed to finish both cars, which was a bore. Fanis had his brakes lock up when he was running eighth in the early laps and he spun off. The same thing happened again later, and that time the car stalled.

Cristiano da Matta went out with an engine failure, although by the time that happened he had had an extra pit stop because the nose of the car needed changing. motorsport news

FORMULA ONE

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2003 FIA Formula One World Championship

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WORLD

2003 tmpman Grand Prbc - Overafi Raca Oasalficatlon after 60laps - 308.863 Ions - Provisional Entrant

Tima 1:34:43.622 1:35:00.443 1:35:23.295 1:35:49.353 1:35:49.784 1:34:54.232 1:35:09.235 1:35:31.084 1:35:50.134 1:35:50.844 1:35:03.384 1:35:27.655 1:35:52.926 1:35:08.512 1:29:24.488

16,821 39.673 65.731 66.162 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 1 LAP 2 LAPS 2 LAPS 2 LAPS 3 LAPS DNF

21 Cristiano Da Matta 16 Jacques Vilieneuve 7 Jamo Trulll 20 Olivier Panis 6 Klmi R51kk6nen

60 GER BMW WlldamsFl Team 60 COL BMW WiiliamsFl Team 60 BRA Scuderla Ferrari Marlboro 60 ESP Mild Seven Renault FI Team 60 GER Scuderla Ferrari Marlboro 59 AUS Jaguar Radng 59 GBR Lucky Strike BAR Honda 59 GER Sauber Petronas 59 GER Sauber Petronas 59 BRA Jaguar Radng 58 IRL Jordan Ford 58 ITA Jordan Ford 58 GBR European Minardi Cosworth 57 NED European Minardi Cosworth 56 GBR West McLaren Mercedes Not Qasslflec 53 BRA Panasonic Toyota Racing 51 CAN Lucky Strike BAR Honda 37 ITA Mild Seven Renault FI Team 37 FRA Panasonic Toyota Radng 25 FIN West McLaren Mercedes

1:26:09.847 1:23:47.858 0:58:47.403 0:59:54.199 0:39:28.590

DNF DNF DNF DNF DNF

I 6 I Klml RlikkSn^

j FIN g West McLaren Merced^

No.

DrSvar

4 3 2

Ralf Schumacher

Nat

Juan Pablo Montoya Rubens Barrichello Fernando Alonso Michael Schumacfier Mark Webber Jenson Button Nick Heidfeld Heinz HaraW Frentzen Antonio Pizzonia

1 14 17 9 10 15 12 Ralph Rrman 11 Giancarlo Rsichella 18 Justin Wilson 19 Jos Verstappen 5 David Coulthard

12 13 14 15

Gap

22.852 26.058 00.431 1 LAP 15.003 21.849 19.050 00.710 ILAP 24.271 25.271 1 LAP

Bast

Kph 195.633 195.056 194.277 193.396 193.382 192.014 191.509 190.779 190.147 190.124 188.456 187.658 186.833 185.040 193.452

1:32.826 1:33.094 1:33.200 1:33.307 1:32.904 1:34.191 1:34.208 1:34.541 1:33.994 1:34.915 1:35.328 1:34.656 1:36.709 1:37.365 1:33.236

34 59 15 17 34 37 14 23 33 47 29 29 19 3 12

189.981 187.974 194.378 190.766 195.584

1:33.398 1:35.100 1:33,348 1:33.583 1:32.621

15 45 13 8 14

Fastest Lap 200.092

I 1:32.621 on lap 14

Drivers' Championship Points: M. Schumacher 58, Raikkonen 51, R. Schumacher 43, Alonso and Montoya 39, Barrichello 37, Coulthard 25,Trulll 13, Button and Rsichella 10, Webber 9,

Allianz®

Frentzen 7,da Matta and Vilieneuve 3, Heidfeld 2,Rrman and Panis 1.

Constructors' Championship Points: Ferrari 95^ Williams BMW 82, McLaren

nzott Allianz

Mercedes Benz 76, Renault 52, BAR Honda 13, Jordan Ford 11, Jaguar 9, Sauber Petronas 9,Toyota 4.

Grand Prix of Europe June 29 2003 Grid Position/Driver

Nat Car

1 Kimi Raikkonen

FIN

2 Michael Schumacher

GER Ferrari

3 Ralf Schumacher

GER Williams

4 Juan Pablo Montoya

COL Williams

5 Rubens Barrichello

BRA Ferrari

ix

6 Jarno Trulll

ITA

75

Renault

7 Olivier Panis

FRA Toyota

8 Fernando Alonso

ESP Renault

9 'David Coulthard

GBR McLaren

10 Cristiano Da Matta

BRA Toyota

M

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McLaren

PORHULAI

WORIB

Positions lap by lap

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6 7 8

10

11 Mark Webber

AUS Jaguar

11

12 Jenson Button

GBR BAR

12

13 Giancarlo Fisiohella

ITA Jordan

13

14 Ralph Firman

IRL Jordan

15 Heinz-Harald Frentzen

GER Sauber

16 Antonio Pizzonia

BRA Jaguar

17 Jacques Vilieneuve

CAN BAR

18 Jos Verstappen

NED Minardi

19 Justin Wilson

GBR Minardi

20 Nick Heidfeld

GER Sauber

V a.

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14 15 16 17 18

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20 molorsport news

FORMULA ONE

Mark Webber's European Diary

F

UNNY thing Formula 1.

We tried a slightly different approach to our over-all set-up for the European Grand Prix and, to be honest, got a couple of things wrong on Sunday - but still came away with our best result of the year, sixth place and three more points.

The last few races have been quite similar in that we have qualified quite well but faded on race day. One of the reasons for it was that Michelin has encouraged us to follow similar tyre choices to the other main Michelin teams.

That's okay, but the current Jaguar does have some subtle differences to other cars, in areas such as weight distribution, and thus how it responds to the tyres.

The bottom line is that we have been using our rear tyres up too much and so have resolved to go our own way a little more in terms of tyre choice - much as we did in the opening GP in Melbourne.

Essentially that means that we have one of our two tyre choices a bit harder than the others. It just seems to suit our car more, especially when we have a good overall balance.

We used Friday morning at the Nurburgring to back-to-back a harder Michelin against a soft option and very quickly discarded the soft rubber

concentrating on trying to get that balance right for the race.

The Nurburgring is quite a complex track - the first section is almost like Monaco, opening out into the latter sections, which are Silverstone-like. In the end, the balance was getting there, with a trace of understeer.

I don’t know what it is with me and qualifying this year, but I seem to be attracting trouble on a regular basis - people blowing up just before we run; people dragging dirt onto the track ... this time it was rain. The first 11 runners in Friday’s session ran in the dry, but as I went down the pit lane, I could:smell the rain.

By the time I completed the warm-up lap it was damp and getting wetter. Whatever I did was going to be around 11th, so I just concentrated on getting around without drama.

s

aturday’s practice was spent scrubbing in some new fronts, followed by a qualifying simulation and a 16 lap run. It was going fine until I spun coming onto the main straight.

Fortunately, I was able to reverse the car out of the kitty litter, get it back to the pits, and continue the long run with just a few minutes delay. It was well worth it, as we ended up with the best balance of the whole weekend.

But you know how it is. We made another couple of changes for qualifying (and the race), but in retrospect, they weren’t the right ones. We qualified okay (11th), but ended up with a race car with just a fraction too much understeer.

The opening lap was Jenson (Button) gotcrucial. away better, but I almost got him back as we jostled into Turn 3 in company with Da Matta. But Da Matta braked a bit early and wide and Jensen had the better run out of the corner.

I was stuck behind him for two stints before we finally got through and away. I left the fronts on at the first change, to avoid what I thought might be the usual graining phase, but it wasn't the right thing to do either - the rears were so good, it understeered just too much!

Having said that, we did get clear of Jensen and the Toyotas

'1 was stittk Bsttan lor two stiois iwlore we fmaly got tliroiigli and away" Rcdzone Motorsport Images

and, again. Jaguar ended up best of the rest behind the top four team cars which finished despite a minor engine gremlin which held us back a bit as well.

In this case, it meant sixth and three points, which we'd have taken if we'd been offered that result at the start of the day. A couple of things went our way but I guess it must be about our turn for a bit of the good luck.

w

e're persevering with our slightly harder tyre approach this weekend at Magny Cours, and the Michelin guys tell me the tyre we've selected will be better suited than the one we ran this weekend. Pete, my engineer, is convinced, as I am, that this is the best way for us to go with the current car, so we'll see what it brings this time as we get better acquainted with the direction we have taken.

Silver, with envy: Webber's latest drive netted three points, three more than McLaren's drivers. Bet Mercedes-Benz motorsport manager Norbert Haug, below, loves that...

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The brutal conditions in Cyprus claimed a staggering number^works scal^ but Fetter Solberg kept a cool head amid the carnage and pomered^'hqing'10 claim his second WRC wimJON THOMSON repoi

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ORWEGIAN Fetter Solberg has maintained an ice-cool temperament despite sizzling temperatures to claim his second WRC win with a calm and measured victory in Cyprus.

In what is now clearly the toughest and hottest round of the World Rally Championship,Cyprus claimed an amazing toll on the works cars in an unprecedented display of destruction that saw the field decimated and left Solberg holding the winner's trophy.

Nine manufacturer-entered cars went on Day 2 alone.

Solberg adopted a take-it-easy strategy, tackling the first leg at a measured pace in an effort to stay with any early pacemakers while, above all, preserving his Subaru. He was third at the end of Day 1, took the lead on the opening stage of Day 2 and was never headed.

Behind him, the battle raged. Harri Rovanpera, the sole remaining Peugeot in the field on the final day, looked to challenge the Subaru but in the end had to settle for second after a some setbacks in the closing stages.

As others fell by the wayside either through the high rate of mechanical attrition or after breaking bits off their cars by hitting rocks, Solberg upped the pace - something the likes

of Rovanpera had no answer for.

Once in front, Solberg was never troubled. The car ran virtually without fault, and just as importantly, it emerged from the rally unscathed.

"I have enjoyed this whole rally and we haven't had a single problem," he said.

"I like these kinds of stages, twisty and technical. We could have pushed more but I've learnt a lot from Safari, Turkey and Greece and this is the way to go."

This may only be the second victory for the young Norwegian,but his maturity in taking it shone through.

"From where I was it was one of the most ice-cold, professional drives I've seen," said Subaru chief David Lapworth."If he keeps on with that kind of resolve, the World Championship can't be far away."

Rovanpera's fight on the final day was watered down by a broken driveshaft that meant he had to nurse the remaining 206 to the end. The Finn dropped three minutes over the last three stages, including a spin on the last.

That broken driveshaft and loss of time meant he came under intense pressure from Sebastien Loeb over the closing stages. The Citroen driver showed a new side, proving he is

motorsDort news

t,

WRC CYPRUS

more than a sealed surface specialist with an exemplary performance in the Citroen.

"The last two stages it was in twowheel drive, maybe tluee," said Rovanpera. "It was not so easy for our team here. It \vas good luck and bad luck."

Loeb fell just three seconds short of his objective, having to settle for third, but was still on the podium at a rally few had given Mm a chance in.

Rovanpera's finish was the best of a disappointing event for Peugeot and team boss Corado Provera would have been relieved to have picked up eight points from Rovanpera to maintain their lead in the manufacturers' title.

The 206s took a one-two in Cyprus last year but tMs year's result, combined witlr a recent run of breakages and failures, is showing that the French maker is far from invincible.

For Citroen, its outright speed may not have been anytlring to cheer about but it was a triumph of endurance for the three Xsaras.

Interestingly, it was Citroen's first visit to these tortuous and hot stages and they lasted the distance while no other team got more than a single car home.

Loeb and team manager Guy 2 July 2003

Frequelin were pleased with the team's performance, picking up a swag of points to close in on Peugeot's lead.

"We did some good times and got some Championship points, tMs is very satisfying for the whole team," said a happy Loeb."I didn't want to push for something when we didn't know it was possible. I wanted to keep a safe pace."

Carlos Sainz drove almost in isolation from Day 2 onwards as he was sandwiched between his two team-mates sitting in fourth place.

"It's been a difficult rally for us," said Sainz."The positive tiring is that the reliability is very good, it is the car's strongest point. I think we paid a little bit because we didn't test in tMs specialised rally."

Colin McRae had plenty of dramas,including almost tearing the left rear wheel off after hitting a rock on Day 2. Fie limped out of the stage by jury-rigging the suspension with a tie-down strap.

Burns's fraught rally came to an end just a kilometre from the service park iir Limassol on Day 2. After experiencing hydraulic problems on the first leg, the championsMp leader then had an overheating engine.

The engine finally expired just

outside the service park,leaving tlie Brit outside the points for the first time tMs season.

A broken driveshaft sidelined Marcus Gronholm on tire first stage of Leg 2, while GUles Panizzi was amazing everyone in third place before overheating put him out.

Down at Skoda,Tom Gardermeister was imique in that he crashed out of the rally, while Didier Auriol had electrical problems and ended the Czech maker's hopes.

Ford would have been thankful to have left Cyprus with points after the rapid new cars were stopped by the dust.

Mikko Hirvonen held it all together with the old car and stayed ahead of Armin Schwarz.

Schwarz was also concentrating on survival, and took much-needed points for Hyundai.

"I feel happy to get the car here," said Schwarz, who drove the last thee stages with the bonnet taped shut after a hinge broke.

"I must say it's up to the team and mechanics

to get the car through such an event. I think they deserve it."

In the Production Car battle, TosM Aral led a trio of Subarus across the line to strengthen his lead in the title.

After being dominated by Mitsubishis for so long,2003 is shaping as a Subaru year.

Arai leads the Production Car standings ahead of Britain's Martin Rowe and Swedish master Stig Blomqvist. Reigning Champ Karamjit Singh shares tMrd in Ms Proton.

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V

1 Solberg/Mills 2 Rovanpera/Pietilainen 3 Loeb/Elie na 4 McRae/Ringer 5 Sainz/Marti 6 Hirvonen/Lehtinen 7 Schwarz/Hiemer 8 Ginley/Kennedy

Subaru impreza WRC Peugeot 206 Citroen Xsara Citroen Xsara Citroen Xsara Ford Focus RS Hyundai Accent WRC Ford Focus WRC

5:09.12.6 5:13.26.6 5:13.29.4 5:13.57.9 5:14.54.8 5:18.11.3 5:22.41.6 5:33.09.9

Drivers points: Burns 37, Sainz 36, Gronholm 30, Solberg 29, Martin 23, McRae 23, Loeb 23, Duval 9 Manufacturers' points: Peugeot 81, Citroen 73, Subaru 47, Ford 43, Skoda 20, Hyundai 6

WRC Round ?

Rally of Cyprus 61

THE Australian Rally Commission's plans for the marketing of the Australian Rally Championship have been slowed in recent weeks with the man appointed to head up the marketing thrust resigning from his post at IMG. Dominic Teakle was the man heading up IMG's plans to revitalise the marketing of rallying after the company had pitched for, and gained, the marketing rights for the ARC earlier this year. However Teakle resigned two weeks ago and left IMG on June 30.

MNews understands that ARCom has had meetings with IMG to gain assurances the changes asked the company to re-present its credentials.

Teakle said that IMG rightly requires its executives to be mobile to meet the needs of its business and that after 20 years in the Army and 18 months with IMG, he wants to settle down in Canberra and reduced the time away from his family.

"I have had 14 removals, seven different schools for my two girls across four states, one territory and internationally, and it is time that I honoured my family and settled in Canberra," said Teakle.

The contract with IMG is yet to be signed, however the Managing Director of IMG, James Ashworth, met with ARCom Chairman Garry Connolly earlier this week to sort

the situation out.

Connelly says the resignation was disappointing, from the point of view that Teakle had spent several months becoming familiar with the rally community and developing a sponsorship plan.

"A resignation like this is always a setback but in reality there has been a lot going on behind the scenes," said Mr Connelly.

"It has been a little like a duck on a pond. There has been plenty going on below the surface, with IMG working through its plans and its sponsorship team already out in the market selling from the sponsorship document developed by Dominic."

IMG was announced as ARCom’s marketing partner in a strategic alliance for 2003 and beyond.

At the media launch for the 2003 series on March 12, Teakle announced that IMG's role would be to grow the Australian Rally Championship over a threeyear period, with a plan to focus efforts on strengthening the ARC brand and it's market position.

IMG said it would "work to develop a standard look and feel to the championship, growing the personalities of the sport to widen its appeal and develop standard branding across all events."

- JON THOMSON

by JON THOMSON

307 World Rally Car later on in the summer.

2001 WRC champion Richard Bums,below,says he is talking to a number of teams for 2004, but he has refused to be drawn on when he will make a decision.

"I am talking to more than one team, but I am not going to put a number on the amount of teams I am talking to. I am open-minded about the whole thing," said Burns.

His current two-year deal with Peugeot comes to an end this season, and there have been rumours for some time that Subaru boss David Lapworth is interested in re-signing Bums- who won his world title with Subaru. This would be particularly relevant should Tommi Makinen, right, retire at the end of the year.

Peugeot team boss Corrado Provera is a strong ally of Burns and the current Championship leader is scheduled to test the team's all-new

This year's driver transfer market is set to be one of the most interesting in years.

Currently, at Peugeot, along with Burns, Gilles Panizzi and Harri Rovanpera will be out of contract at the end of the year. At Citroen, Sebastien Loeb, Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz will come to an end of their contracts.

Subaru recently re-signed Petter Solberg until 2006, but Makinen has yet to decide whether he will retire at the end of the season.

At Skoda, Didier Auriol and Toni Gardemeister have yet to officially put pen to paper for next year, while at Hyundai,both Armin Schwarz and Freddy LoH have still to secure deals for next seasort.

Mitsubishi will return to the WRC next year but is yet to name its driver line up and is currently conducting another driver

Garland Stumped

New options being investigated after Holden's Safari snub

DESPITE winning five Australian Safaris for Holden, including the last four on the trot, rally ace Bruce Garland is at a loss to understand why he has been dumped by the General for this year’s marathon rally around NSW. Garland and his Holden Jackeroos have dominated the event for the past few years as the ex-Ford works and Ralliart engineer developed the right package to not only take outright honours himself, but also to give Peter Brock victory in the production car class.

“I am extremely disappointed after putting so much effort into not only running the Jackeroos, but also developing the off-road package that enabled us to win five Safaris and a Round Australia Rally," said Garland.

“There was no explanation, no thank yous and no credit for the work we have done. I have been supplementing the budget myself for the past couple of years to ensure the job was done," Garland continued.

62

“There’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears go into the Jackeroos over the years and we have the results on the board."

A shift in the responsibility for the rally program from the Jackeroo Product Manager to Holden Motorsport Manager John Stevenson triggered the change in direction. The Holden Rally effort this year will use Rodeo V6 utes, with the cars being prepared by a team in Melbourne.

Garland, however, is currently seeking to put a Safari challenge together and is in talks with several manufacturers and backers.

The Sydney-based racer is also trying to put together a deal to contest the annual DAE Desert Challenge in Dubai, an event he has run three times in the past.

If the deal comes off he will almost certainly use an Isuzu Vehicross, a limited edition Japanese sport utility based on the Jackeroo but using a space-age body.

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Slow star PEUGEOT'S plans for its new 307 WRC have fallen behind schedule.

Team representative Jean-Pierre Nicolas has played down the situation, but he did acknowledge that progress has been slower than planned.

"We have had some trouble with the supply of parts from outside manufacturer, we are a little behind, but we expect to be back on schedule

by September," said Nicolas.

No date has been set for the motorsport nows

RALLYING

Solberg: We Need Speed

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P

CYPRUS Rally winner Fetter II Solberg says the Subaru Impreza '\f needs more power if it is to challenge for the WRC this year.

Solberg says he is reserving judgement on > his chances of winning this year's World title until he has tested the latest Impreza on tarmac.

The Prodrive team hasn't won a WRC round on tarmac since 1998 and while tyre supplier Pirelli is usually blamed for its lack of competitiveness, Solberg feels that a lack of power and torque is the major problem.

New tyres and a more powerful engine are being developed in time for the next round of the series, the Deutschland Rally later this month.

Team boss David Lapworth described the improvements as "a typical mid-season squeeze" .

"If all the rallies were flat, no problem, but some of them are going uphill and we need power," said Solberg.

"We have to see when we come to test some neyv Pirelli tyres and also improvement with the

1I

development test. It will be assessing how Dani Sola, Kristian Sohlberg, Jani Paasonen and Gigi Galli cope with the Lancer on tarmac.

Ford is the most settled team in the Championship,as both Markko Martin and Francois Duval have contracts for next season.

3

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Four of the seven remaining World ChampkfflSjJS rounds will take place on asphalt.

- JON l

Uke son, like father

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t SOTWRC's launch, but drivers Cedric Robert and Andrea Aghini continue to test prototype versions of the car.

Marcus Gronholm drove the car for the first time three months ago, while Briton Richard Burns is scheduled to have his first run in the new machine in mid-July.

"At the moment, we are running the car,finding the problems and working them out," said Nicolas.

- JON THOMSON 2 July 2003

WHILE WRC stars Colin and Alister are battling it out in the world title next year, their Dad will be taking on a whole new challenge.

Jimmy McRae, father of the World Rally stars, will return to competitive rallying when he takes part in the London to Sydney Marathon next June.

McRae Snr, a five-times British Rally Champion, will drive a Toyota in the 15,000km event, held across seven countries.

The older McRae will have his work cut out for him in what is shaping as a tough event with 60 competitive stages, some of which are over 60km long.

"I've always wanted to do a marathon, but in all my years in the sport I just couldn't fit one into my schedule," said McRae. "So this is me coming out of retirement to make a come back to do one of the great classic events."

The marathon event will be flagged away in London on June 5 next year and is set to arrive in Sydney on July 4.

- JON THOMSON

N P^EMIER^^ATE

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Round 3- Australian Rally Championships Super Series Come and see...

3UBARU, MITSUBISHI & TOYOTA

Battle for Rally Supremacy Includes:

W Ceremonial Start P OUIT& ^ W Two Super Special Stages -1 Gravel /1 Tarmac , tarmac w Australian Rally high SPEBo Championships Service Park , HALLY W Rally Action Under Lights n action W Rally Info: www.rally.com.au

Eastern Greek International Raceway Friday 4th July 2003 from 6Mpm Corporate Hospitality Suites available Email: phil@ardc.com.au or kdm@ozemail.com.au

More Rally Action - Wyong,Watagan State Forest Saturday 5th July and Sunday 6th July 2003 from 8.00am

63

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by MARTIN D CLARK

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ROBBY Gordon held off fellow Californian Jeff Gordon by 0.553s for a win in an exciting race in their home state at I Sears Point on June 22. j Gordon led 81 of the 110 laps j on the two-mile,IT-turn circuit, j but his victory was not without I controversy as he passed his Richard Childress team-mate Kevin Harvick while racing back to take a full course yellow flag something frowned upon in the NASCAR driver gentlemen's agreement, but not punishable in i the rule book. ‘‘Hopefully this win will slide us . back toward the top 10 in I points,’’ remarked Robby on his .’ second career win. i “Our game plan was to come I here and score maximum points I and that’s what we did. We stuck ! to the strategy we set in place I before we got here, and I’m really I excited about the outcome.’’ “! ate him up pretty much : everywhere,” said Jeff Gordon.

I “It’s just hard to out-brake I Robby, he’s driving into the I corners locking up the brakes.

I He did exactly what he needed to i do to win the race and was good j in the areas you can pass on, i and there’s only two of them on i this track. I pushed the issue and tried to get him to make mistakes ... he made a couple, but not enough to open the door for me.

“When Robby’s hungry like ! that and I’m in a Championship i battle, you have to look at the big I picture and chose your battles.”

Robby took the lead from I pole-sitter and circuit racer Boris I Said on lap two before handing it ' back to Ron Fellows - fresh off a : third placing in the previous I week’s Le Mans 24 Hour race, and the driver of the DEI Pennzoil Chev on two other occasions. ! Fellows, sitting in for DEI I driver Jeff Green, was caught by 64

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And that's the way it's gonna be, because Boris Said so; Said, above, took pole in his one-off NASCAR appearance at Sears, but Gordon, top, was in front when it counted

; ] ;

a caution brought out by a crashing Christian Fittipaldi while ; leading, putting him back in the ; pack. He was spun late in the i race by Jeremy Mayfield, but recovered to finish seventh.

I Some of the notable incidents included Rusty Wallace losing

;

his brakes while running second | and spinning out, and Dale I Earnhardt Jr. also looped around ! while avoiding him. i Wallace rallied to finish eighth ; while Jr. came home 11th. Kyle Petty was spun on lap 59 by Elliott Sadler and returned to the | track in front of a fast | approaching Jack Sprauge and | Steve Park, the three wrecking : th anks to Kyle s stupidity. i - MARTIN D CLARK i Final result; R Gordon (Chevy), J Gordon (Chevy), Harvick (Chevy), Elliot! (Dodge), Newman (Dodge), Said (Pontiac), Fellows (Chevy), R Wallace (Dodge), B Labonte (Chevy), Mayfield (Dodge).

Points standings; Kenseth 2396, J Gordon 2222, Earnhardt Jr. 2222, B Labonte 2136, Waltrip 2024, Busch 2012, Johnson 1965, R Wallace 1940, Harvick 1901, Marlin 1892.

I j i i i : i ; i i i

NEXTEL will replace R.J. Reynolds and its Winston brand of cigarettes as title sponsor to NASCAR's current upper-level division, the Winston Cup Series, ending what will be a 32-year relationship.

From the beginning of 2004, the Championship will become the 'NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' under a 10-year agreement.

"They are one of the most technologically advanced and an acknowledged leader in a sector that helps drive the US economy," said NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. "The serious and substantial commitment Nextel brings to our sport will benefit the fans, drivers, teams, owners and tracks. They will promote our sport into all types of media and all types of fans. These efforts wiU help propel NASCAR to new audiences and markets."

NASCAR is expected to reap around AUD$60 million each year from the deal, with the same amount spent on advertising annually.

Nextel is a mobile and 'Direct Connect' phone company, the latter working more like a two-way radio and used widely by blue collar workers in construction and service industries - so it's a perfect fit for NASCAR's largest demographic.

The company is traded in NASDAQ tmder NXTL symbol, founded under the company name Fleet Call in 1987, before changing to Nextel in 1993. In 2002, the company turned US$8.7 billion, with a net profit of US$1.66 billion from 11 million users of their equipment; a rise of 22 percent over 2001. It

employs 15,000 workers, Nextel backed the PacWest Champ

^ascab Win in- '

Car team until it closed its doors at the end of 2001, so is no stranger to racing, but becoming the sponsor of the number two TV-viewed sport in the US is a big jump.

The NASCAR supporter has always been known as a loyal customer to the brands that sponsor the sport. Recent studies show 72 percent of fans say they buy products they associate with NASCAR over products they don't. Of those, 46 percent say they would buy sponsors products even if they cost up to 10 percent more.

Winston has been backing NASCAR since 1972, one of the longest associations in sporting history and a relationship pioneered by legendary driver, car owner and moonshine runner Junior Johnson.

Tlte association between the two companies has benefited both sides.

Robby plays it

ROBBY Gordon caused a stir

when he passed Kevin Harvick while racing back to receive a fuipcourse caution flag at gears Point, Gordon , right, quizzed NASCAR President Mike Helton and Race Director David Hoots regarding the ruling in the pre-race drivers meeting, and was told that passing would be allowed racing back to the yellow flag.

Helton even replied to Gordon, "There are no gentlemen's agreements, we figured that out a couple of races ago," referring to an incident involving Ryan Newman, who refused to let

Tony Stewart by him and back onto the lead lap at Dover.

"That's what won him the race," commented Jeff Gordon.

"You just don't do that, you don't pass a guy under caution.

He did everything right today, except that. What he did can be done, but there's not going to be too much respect for him. it's a bunch of crap. Anybody who races back to a caution like that, I don't know where his mind is."

"Do you think I care what Jeff Gordon thinks?," Robby replied.

Harvick also made known his displeasure at the move that may have cost him the win.

motorsport news

NASCAR

an era

Citgo Citgone

ston

Skinner dumped J‘

Winston pumped millions into the sport over the decades, apparently around US$50 million per amrum in recent years - money it could not otherwise spend on advertising due to US government restrictions.

RJR signed a five-year contract with NASCAR last year, but told the governing body early this year that if they wished they could pursue a replacement as RJR watched its profits plummet amid smoking bans by cities and lawsuits by consumers.

The deal with Nextel apparently took just 70 days to ink amid high interest from four other householdname corporations. As is usual with NASCAR's closed-door attitude, financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

While NASCAR has been able to sit back with minimal work to do as RJR utilised their own staff to help in

media relations, organising the annual awards banquet in New York City, the January Winston Cup Preview and of course the non-points special event. The Winston and the No Bull million dollar bonuses will become a thing of the past.

The banquet will continue, but the preview has yet to be determined and The Winston will apparently become the NASCAR All Star Race Presented by Nextel, which hardly has the same 'ring' to it (if you pardon the pun), but is something we'll have to get used to.

"RJR has been an invaluable partner for more than 30 years," continued France.

"The company and its people have invested heart and soul in our sport, helping grow NASCAR to what it is today. We will always be grateful for our long and successful partnership."

sneaky

"It was good hard racing, except for that chicken nnove under yellow," said Harvick.

Team owner Richard Childress also had to bite his tongue.

"I hate that it was our team car," said Childress. "Kevin had a great car today and I hate it for him, but I'm happy as can be for Robby."

The bottom line is, the rule book says you race back to the yellow flag. The gentlemen's agreement is between the drivers, so Helton's comment opens up a can of worms that may see many cars not getting laps back in future events.

- MARTIN D CLARK 2 July 2003

I

I

I

k-

AS predicted, Mike Skinner, above, was released from Morgan McClure Motorsports on June 16, three days after he failed to qualify for the Michigan event.

“We have to finish races and that has not been happening,” said team owner Larry McClure.

“We quaiified third at Charlotte and sixth at Bristol. I feel this shows our team has potential that is not being utiiised.”

Skinner, who used ail five provisionai starting siots with the team, is iikely to find a home in the Busch or Truck Series and was positive after the firing.

“I feel like i’m a damn good driver. I don’t want to run in the back and they don’t want to run there either. I wasn’t surprised at aii,” he said.

Trans-Am Series points ieader Johnny Miller drove the car at Sears Point on June 22nd.

- MARTIN D CLARK

ROUSH Racing learned on June 16 that Citgo petroleum will not return in 2004 to sponsor Jeff Burton.

The move follows the recent closing of the Roush Busch Series team driven by Hollywood stunt man Stanton Barrett due to their sponsor backing out. Both of the Roush Truck teams driven by Jon Wood and Carl Edwards are also without sponsors, although still racing.

Citgo joined Roush in 2001 after backing the Wood Bros team for 16 years. It's not known if they intend to return to sponsor another team. n NASCAR has implemented a new rule that will stop teams from throwing the 11 gallon fuel dump cans over pit wall during pit stops, if an infraction occurs under a green flag stop, the driver must return to pit road for a 15 second penalty. Should a violation occur under a yellow flag the driver must start at the rear of the field. The new ruling comes into.effect at Chicago on July 13th, and was brought in place to lower the risk of spillage and possible fire on pit road. n Among other safety features, NASCAR is looking into the possibility of the addition of a third roof flap. In the interim they have changed the ruling for the rear window fins, designed to assist in the deployment of the two roof flaps and keeping the cars on the ground when travelling rearwards.

The fins will be increased one inch to 2.5 inches and could also help keep the cars more stable at speed. n Matt Kenseth's 174 point lead over Jeff Gordon in the championship chase is the largest since 1987 when the late Dale Earnhardt headed his great friend, the late Neil Bonnett, by 409 markers. Although Gordon finished runner-up at Sears Point, Kenseth avoided trouble to finish 14th. n Following his hard practice wreck at Michigan, Brett Bodine underwent successful surgery on his broken right clavicle and a plate was inserted under his right shoulder to allow the break to heal.

Due to a lack of sponsorship and his injury, it's not known when Bodine will return to driving his selfowned Ford. n The introduction of Nextel as new series sponsor is not expected to affect the backing of two teams supported by competitive mobile phone companies.

Robby Gordon's Richard Childressowned Chev is backed by Cingular through 2005, and Ryan Newman's Penske Dodge operation is sponsored by Alltel through 2006.

- MARTIN D CLARK 65

PPOti WORLD Series Sprintacars have announced that Proton Cars Australia will be the new major sponsor for the 2003/04 season.

Tire WSS has not had a major backer since the Health Foundation

V

Crump on top Jason Crump won his seventh Grand Prix event and became the fourth different rider to win a Speedway Grand Prix in four meetings this year with a magnificent victory at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

The Australian was second in the British Grand Prix in Cardiff two weeks ago and said then that he felt he was running back into form after a somewhat disappointing start to the season.

The only disappointment for the crowd was the elimination of home favourite Nicki Pedersen from the final for breaking the starting tapes. Pedersen had bravely fought his way into the final and was on course for his second successive Grand Prix win before nerves slightly got

the better of him as he and Crump, Tony Rickardsson and Greg Hancock lined up for the final.

Rickardsson took second place and actually extended his championship lead over Pedersen to seven points.

But for Crump, the long wait is over. He has had a frustrating Grand Prix season so far.

“Having my family back around me was a big boost,” said Crump Swedish GP winner Ryan Sullivan found the going tough as he is still struggling to recover from a broken collarbone. He came third in an elimination race, one place outside the semi-final qualifiers.

Of the other four Australians, Mildura's Leigh Adams had the best night in reaching the semi-finals. He

still remains fifth in the standings but is 23 points adrift of Rickardsson.

Fellow Mildura man Jason Lyons had his best GP for three years in coming tenth, but was eiiminated when competing for a semi-finai piace.

Sydney rider Todd Wiitshire, in his last season before retiring from the sport, was eliminated at the earliest possible time and stands 18th overall.

Crump has now moved into third place overall with 61 points, three ahead of American Hancock who reached his third successive final.

The fifth round of the series takes place at Slovenia on July 12.

-TONY MILLARD Points: Rickardson 76, Pedersen 69, Crump 61, Hancock 58, Adams 53.

pulled the pm on their QUIT sponsorsliip several years ago.

The news is exciting for all concerned, with wholesale benefits being passed on to promoters, the fans and the drivers competing in World Series Sprintcars.

The Malaysian car company will offer their all-new Proton Satria Gti to the overall series Champion. The Satria is valued at$26,900.

Also,Proton are giving away a Jumbuck GLSi to the winner of the 'Proton Jumbuck Speedweek Series'.

The prize is open any sprintcar driver who competes in the hectic five day Speedweek Series, whicli includes; December 26 Speedway City,Dec.27 Riverwew Speedway,Dec.28 Borderline Speedway,Dec.30 Avalon Raceway and January 1 Premier Speedway.

Along with $10,000 awarded to each of the round winners,some sprintcar drivers are going to have heavier pockets (and a busy driveway)come late February.

Also, KTM will be giving away a brand-new 250EXC dirt bike valued at $10,190 to the series runner-up.

We want more power

THE Victorian Super Rods finished the 2002/03 Speedway season leaving the fans on the edge of their seats at Mildura's Timmis Speedway.

Frank Gnst executed a spetacular roll-over early in the evening.

Grist was uninjured in the incident and went on to take a welldeserved feature race victor/ aboard his somewhat battered Mini, above.

Second place went to Des Malone who held out the fast-finishing Quentin Tanner.

The Grist family domination continued as young Daniel Grist went undefeated m Junior Sedan, winning all three-heat races and the feature.

New South Welshman Matt McClure ended his season in fine form, winning all three Street Stock events.

Local competitor Matthew Hawson made a monopoly of the ivlodified Production Sedan class by dean sweeping both heat races and the final.

- PARIS CHARLES 66

A NUMBER of Sydney-based sprintcar teams are looking to step up into the more powerful 410 cubic inch V8 powerplants next summer.

Impressive rookie Martin Lawes has ordered the vital components to convert his Ivan Walker-prepared engine to the 'new to Australia' engine specs.

Lawes' ex-Tatnell Workforce International Avenger had been

running strongly in the latter part of last season.

Adrian Maher is another racer updating to the 410. Maher won two PCR A-Mains last summer and was impressive in the Classic and Australian Titles.

The team will also run a second machine for young Ian Loudoun.

Loudoun though will be using the smaller 372 cubic inch powerplant.

- GREG BOSCATO

Retupning to the Pit ^ ACCORDING to Titan Garages team owner r Reeve Kruck, 2003 World Series Champ Daryn Pittman will be running at all the big jSj Parramatta City Raceway meetings this summer.

H J T With the opening round of the 2004 World ■- of Outlaws meeting set for January 8, 9 and R 10th, Pittman, left, and his team will be Q H ■

competing at all the big shows including the December 26-27th $50,000-to-win event.

- GREG BOSCATO moiorsoon news

I

SPEEDWAY

on produces!

WSS gets its first naming rights sponsor since 1994

Shore returns REACTION to the Proton World Series Sprintcars has been extremely positive, with one competitor confirming his return thanks to the new incentives.

NSW Central Coast racer John Shore is gearing up for an assault on the 2003/04 championship, making a return to the Sprintcar ranks after a five year sabbatical.

Shore is adamant that there could not have been a better time to return to the ranks.

"We've been mulling it around for a couple of months now," admits Shore.

"We've wanted to go back on the road for some time but the Proton announcement during the week really did it for me."

Shore will once again race under the banner of Caltex Havoline with his arsenal of three Eagle chassis and two Wayne Smith-prepared Chevys at his disposal. n The 6th annual PCR Speedway Swap Meet/ Trade Show is set for Sunday 6th July (8.30am to 1.30pm).

Anybody with anything from Sprintcars, Speedcars, Litres, Sedans, AMCA Nationals, merchandise, race car components to safety equipment will have the opportunity to not only sell but to talk with existing and potential customers. For more info contact Colin Farr-02 9792 4800 (bh)

The Beauties and the beast: Wade Aunger welcomed Proton's John Startari to the WSS fold in Sydney late last month. The landmark deal has boosted tbe prize pool and rised the bar for all WSS competitors.

Let's get rookie to rumble l l l

AN amazing ‘Rookie of the Year’ award wiii be one of the highiights in this season’s Worid Series Sprintcars.

Comp Cams and The Richard Petty Driving Experienced have combined to announce a mega prize for the highest placed Australian rookie during the up coming 2003/04 WSS. The winning rookie will fly with a partner to North Carolina for the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charolotte. Tickets to the

event include exclusive pit passes and corporate seating.

If this isn’t enough, RPDE will then give the WSS rookie a stint behind the wheel of a NASCAR at a circuit yet to be announced. The rookie will taste 30 laps of American tintop action.

These prizes and the new Proton incentives, see story above, are sure to heat up the on-track action between the young guns throughout the 2003/04 season.

Max Dumesny Motorsport Australian Distributors for

Xoo$trr

^^ RACIN<3 TIRE

For more informatjon on Hoosier Drag ond Speedway Tyres call:

NSW:02 9679 1990 l Fax 02 9679 1187 Via 03 9331 6477 l Fax 03 9331 7444 SA-08 8332 0800 l Fax 08 8364 0296

2 July 2003

I want to drive around a clean oval, please: Karl Enderl will be one of the rookies fighting for a NASCAR test next year.

n According to the PCR promotion, the ticket sales for the opening round of the World of Outlaws next January are selling extremely well and it looks like it should be a sell-out crowd for the best sprintcar meeting ever to be staged in Australia. By the way, the PCR have announced that the crowd attendances were up by 30 percent last summer. n The Mildura Speedway Drivers Club's 39th Annual Presentation dinner was held last Saturday night.

Adelaide Sprintcar Rookie of the Year Damien Eves took the top honours of the Sprintcar brigade, just ahead of local Col Beasley. Victorian gun Tony Moule collected third, Beasley won the Best Presented Car award and also the Sports Person of the Year awards in the Sprintcar ranks. At the end of the night. Col was awarded a Life Membership Award.

- STAFF/BOSCOTO/CHARLES

2003 WORLD OF OUTLAWS CHAMPIONSHff EAGLE RACEWAY JUNE 28 1. Steve Kinser

9. Paul McMahan

16. Blake Feese

2. Joey Saldana

10. Daryn Pittman

17. Jeremy Campbell 18. Brandon Wimmer

3. Danny Lasoski

11. DonnySchatz

4. Kraig Kinser 5. Mark Kinser

12. Danny Wood

6. Tim Shaffer 7. Jason Sides 8. Brooke Tatnell

13. Johnny Herrera 14. Stevie Smith 15. Randy Hannagan

19. Collin Northway 20. Brian Paulus

1

2003 STANDINGS JUNE 30

1 Danny Lasoski ..

2 Steve Kinser.. ..

3 Joey Saldana 4 Daryn Pittman ..

5 Donny Schalz ..

6 Jason Sides ....

7 Mark Kinser 8 Brian Paulus .. .

9 Paul McMahon ..

10 Randy Hannagan

5177 5164 4849 4797 4505 4487 3952 3723 3166 2913

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Tim Shaffer ....

Craig Dollansky .

Kraig Kinser....

Jeremy Campbell Jac Haudenschild.

Sammy Swindell .

Johnny Herrera ..

Bob Bennett Shane Stewart ..

Jason Meyers ...

2912 2785 2724 2723 2715 2701 2612 2482 2266 2055

67

Tony Shows final for his 30th career win and became the first driver to win the Columbus event three years in a row.

The Miller Lite dragster recorded the quickest pass of both the first and third rounds in 4.53s/326mph and 4.59s/316mph wins over Bruce Litton and Tony Schumacher respectively.

The round one speed of 326.32 mph against Litton reset the track speed record.

LARRY Dixon took out his fifth Top Fuel win of the season as the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series lour rolled into mid-Ohio for the 39th running of the Pontiac Excitement Nationals two weeks ago Dixon motored to an uncontested victory when final-round opponent DarreU Russell lost traction at the hit of the throttle. The Miller Lite driver recorded a 4.65s/313mph pass in the a

MawiPEyVn RiiMocpnrj

SHMATIONS for ttie Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals were just getting underway at Gateway International Raceway,St Louis, as this issue of MNews closed for press.

In qualifying however, Top Fuel legend Kenny Bernstein took advantage of running in the hometown of long-time backer Budweister by putting the Bud dragster into the number one qualifying slot with a perfect 4.59s/323mph run.

Gary Densham, above, provided the fireworks in Funny Car by topping the times with a 4.85s/311mph run, while Warren Johnson again established himself as the man to beat in Pro Stock when he recorded a 6.80s/202mph effort. The run marked Johnson's 130th number one qualifying result, extending his record in the category.

Things were tight in Pro Stock Bike, but in the final wash-up it was Shawn Gann who came through with a 7.13s/187mph run to secure his second number one qualifying honour for the season.

Look for a full report from St Louis in our next issue.

m

Millican racks up a few more

CLAY Millican, Carl Baker and brother Quain Stott, 6.21 s/226 Rob Atchison scored back-tomph to 6.24s/229mph.

Billes was able to take the win back wins in their respective Top Fuel, Pro Stock and on his home country’s soil one weekend before when he Alcohol Funny Car categories defeated 2001 Pro Modified as the IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series held champion Mike Janis with a consecutive weekends of 6.28s/225mph effort against racing at Grand Bend, Ontario, Janis's tyre-shaking Canada and Richmond, 7.24S/140mph.

In Sunoco Race Fuels Pro Virginia earlier this month.

Al Billes took Pro Mod honours Stock, Carl Baker is been in Canada, while recent Pro Mod Jundefeated after missing the cut earlier this season at the season kingpin Mitch Stott claimed the win in Virginia. opening Texas Nationals.

Miliican piloted the Werner At Grand Bend, Baker Enterprises dragster to a defeated top-qualifier Doug Kirk 4.66S/311 mph victory over John in a thrilling 6.54s/211mph to Smith, who trailed at 6.53S/211 mph holeshot victory.

The following weekend, Baker 5.18s/252mph in^a re^ealiof the season-opening firiaTrbUnd in drove his Summit Racing San Antonio. ' Equipment Mercury Cougar to a second-consecutive win with a One week earlier in Canada, Millican defeated'Grant Flowers,_ 6.56s/211mph to 6.60s/210 mph who appeared in his first IHRA victory over Elijah Morton’s Ford Top Fuel final. The reigning IHRA Mustang.

The Pro Stock world e.t. record Champ took the win in 4.69s at 310 mph. changed hands four times during In the Richmond Pro Mod final, the weekend in Canada. Brian Mitch Stott defeated his older Gahm broke the record Saturday 68

night with a 6.517s. That effort lasted 15 minutes, when Doug Kirk laid down a 6.506s and became the number one qualifier.

During the first round of eliminations on Sunday, Gahm took the record back with the firstever Sunoco Race Fuels pass in the 6.40s, at 6.485s.

He then shattered his own ; record with a 6.476s during round two.

Atchison claimed his first career Alcohol Funny Car victory in Canada when he defeated five-time champion Mark Thomas. Atchison, of nearby London, Ontario, recorded a 5.75s at 239mph to stop Thomas’s 6.12s/209mph.

Atchison carried the momentum that he gained at Grand Bend Motorpiex and soundly defeated former IHRA champion Von Smith. Atchison g recorded a winning I 5.88s/240mph to defeat Smith, i who trailed at 6.26s/179mph.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI “ 5

Columbus King DICK LaHaie,crew chief on Snake Racing Top Fuel dragster, is on a roll at Columbus.

LaHaie is a perfect sevenfor-seven in Top Fuel final rounds there. Lahaie notched a win there as a driver in 1987 and crew chiefed three drivers to six wins there since 1994.

With LaHaie calling the shots, Scott Kalitta took Columbus wins in 1994 and '95, Doug Herbert in '99, and Dixon to the last three events contested there.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI motorsport news

DRAC RACING

John Who's Boss Russell once again used the onepiece aerodynamic body that his Joe Amato-owned team unveiled earlier this year in hopes of taming the hot National Trail Raceway suface throughout the day. He posted round victories over Rhonda HartmanSmith,Jim Head, and low qualifier Doug Kalitta.

Tony Pedredon notched his sixth Funny Car win of the year by

0.iv/d‘0stM2ewski

defeating his boss John Force in a tyre-smoking final round.Pedregon took an early starting line advantage, then lost traction.

It appeared Force would finally get his first win of the year, but he also lost traction and headed toward the centre line, crossing it and disqualifying himself. Pedregon crossed the finish line at 8.44s/134mph for the victory. n Pedregon's X-Men Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang was not the quickest car on Sunday,and in some rounds seemed vulnerable. He posted a 4.99s/293mph against first-round opponent Dale Creasy Jr., and recorded his quickest pass of the day at 4.89s/298mph in a win over team mate Gary Densham.In the semis, he took out brother Frank Pedregon with another 4.99s at 297mph.

Force drove the his Castrol HiMileage machine to his first final of the year and 164th of his career by defeating Bob Gilbertson, Whit Bazemore, and Ron Capps. The win against Bazemore produced the best race of the day that saw both drivers posting identical 4.980s, with Force winning due to a slightly better reaction time of .061 compared to Bazemore's .077 start.

Greg Anderson continued his dominance of the Pro Stock class, stopping the Ford of Scott Geoffrion in the final round,6.88/199 to 6.91/198. It

was an emotion-filled day for Anderson and team as brand-new teammate,Jason Line,roUed the team's second racecar over in the first roimd.

Pro Stock Bike winner Fred Collis scored his first career win at the

starting line when opponent Karen Staffer redlighted by .002 of a second.

He recorded 7.23s/183mph in the final with Staffer following with a respectable, but losing, 7.24s at 182mph. After quaifying in the top spot, Collis's Area 51 Suzuki stopped Joe DeSantis, Craig Treble, and Geno ScaU,recording four consecutive runs in the low 7.20s. The bike is no stranger to the Winners' Circle, as it's the same bike that carried Angelle Savoie to the POWERade title in

contact Denise Read (0418 ^47 276) or Rhonda Longfield (0409 127^89)

1994 and '95 Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta will return to action in Indy and will take the controls of his new Mac Tools/Jesse James Top Fuel dragster for the remainder of the 2003 season.

Scott will join his cousin and current Top Fuel championship contender Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools Top Fuel dragster, to form a two-car team for Mac Tools and Kalitta Motorsports.

Team owner Connie Kalitta will serve as crew chief for both cars and team manager Jim Oberhofer will handle co-crew chief duties on both of the entries. n Two cars, one driver. For the first time since 1998, Jeg Coughlin Jr was set to split his time at St Louis between Pro Stock and Super Stock.

2002. Collis purchased the Championship-winning bike in the off-season from Star Racing.

Staffer raced to her first final of the year and second of her career with red-light wins over GT Tonglet and Shawn Gann as well as taking a head-to-head,semifinal showdown with Savoie, which Staffer won,7.27s to 7.28s.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI POINTS Top Fuel: Dixon 1053, Kalitta 785, Russell 646, Bernsteim 629, McClenathan 602.

Funny Can T. Pedregon 1030, Bazemore 929, Densham 724, Worsham 690, Capps 662. Pro Stock: Anderson 1006, K.Johnson 942, W Johnson 721. Pro Stock Bike: Savoie 493, Scali 480, Gann 397.

The Shape Of Things To Come

THE new Western Sydney International Dragway is continuing to take shape.

The facility hosted an open day last Sunday to give Sydneysiders their first glimpse of what is in store, and those who braved the early rain were rewarded with views of the wing walls near the startline, right, as well as an idea of how the strip will look from the mounds, below.

A fundraising dinner dance for the track will be held on August 16. For more information,

Kalitta times two

< .'

3

The 33-year-old, above, is the only driver ever to score wins in four seperate classes in one season, an achievement he reached in 1997 when he nailed victories in Super Stock, Competition Eliminator, Super Gas and Pro Stock.

Coughlin was set to take the wheel of the Jeg's Mail Order Chevy that his older brother John drives in Super Stock C-Modified. John Coughlin was to skip the meeting due to family committments. n The Pro Stock cars of rookies Taylor Lastor III and Jason Line both ended up on their roofs in nearly identical round one accidents at Columbus. Both drivers emerged from their separate incidents unhurt.

Lastor's mishap came first against Ron Krisher, with Line’s accident coming just three pairs later in his race against Terry Adams.

Both drivers reached mid-track in the left lane, where there is a dip in the racing surface, and swerved towards the center line before turning back towards their lanes, which caused the cars go sideways and roll over onto their roofs.

Each car slid along the retaining wall for several hundred feet before coming to a stop.

Line was debuting a second car for team owner Ken Black of the Vegas General Construction Pro Stock team and point leader Greg Anderson.

- DAVID OSTASZEWSKI/STAFF 89

Back to where ItalI 100 years on from the first road race in the British Isles, an event commemorating the Gordon Bennett race was held in Ireland. EOIN YOUNG was there

rf AMES Gordon Bennett was the r^Cf3 jiA.cs j-AS JiUN O /SH 7MS CJRAmerican Bemie Ecclestone curr jj'tri STA.ur A.NO rjNisyi who established a form of order iStf / AT £A.SL/SrlA.NNCjH. the chaos that was motor racing a Hw / THSTTD lOCiHi TSltS / C/mVEN /J.7EANA:rSL'/ century ago,sponsoring an W/ SE/EN lA.fS. international series of races for f/ EECnMUlC Jl'/ri THE ' / ZHOfiTE:-. /J !E> St-!Zl,-lC teams of three from each country, / 'jrrn rjo u.fs o/eh cars to be chosen from national I THELOtJCck, rC^n y.

Torz^.L oirrmcE of eliminating trials, S27.5 i/IILEZ. -' in June 2003 the Ulster Vintage and Veteran Car Club staged a Mercedes-sponsored international old-car happening with over 300 entries to commemorate the first 100, not out: A plaque records the route of the original Cordon Bennett road race in tlie British Isles, the Gordon Bennett race in 1903 on race, named after the gentleman pictured below. Also on display at the closed roads outside Dublin. centenary event was a replica of the original trophy, right.

Son of the owner of the New York for Germany and red for the USA Herald Tribune,James had spent his The irony was that Gordon Bennett youth in Paris, then returned to work never drove a car,showed no interest with his father in the newspaper's in general motoring and never New York office. attended any of his confests. He would He was a wealthy and wild also sponsor similar international sportsman who drove a coach and contests for balloon racing,aeroplane four into Manhattan stark naked for and yachting competitions.

The first Gordon Bennett race was a wager, won a $90,000 bet by skippering his 190-ton yacht a 353-mile race from Paris to Lyons Henrietta across the Atlantic in a in 1900 won by Panhard for France, Panhard also won the second race match race and fought a duel with his former fiancee's brother after he from Paris fo Bordeaux in 1901, had arrived dnmk at a society Regulations stated that the winning nation had to host the next race so reception for his engagement in there was a measure of Baltimore and pissed in the grand piano - while it was being played. embarrassment when Selwyn Consider the engagement instantly Francis Edge won the 1902 Gordon annulled. Legend has it that the Bennett category in the Paris-Vienna A large number of immediately-estranged relation fired race in a British Napier. period cars were on hand, includ his pistol into the air, as gentlemen Motor racing was banned on ing several that participated in the then did; Gordon Bennett aimed his public highways in Britain ,but a original meeting. Pictured right is shot but missed. Such behaviour solution was found by bending the Berthold Ruckwarth's 1903 may have contributed to his return to regulations and running the race in Mercedes.

France to run the Paris office of the Ireland on July 2nd 1903. newspaper,and he continued his A hundred years down the road flamboyant ways. a trio of last year's 60 horsepower cars and again there were three Napiers Ken Purdy described him as'one for Belgian drivers CamiUe Jenatzy, representing 'the green' on the 50Baron de Caters and the American of the great pioneer journalists of the mile figure-eight Athy (say it Athpistol-and horsewhip school'. He sportsman Foxhall Keane. Note that eye)course near Dublin, but only there were no German drivers in the sent Stairley to Africa in 1869 to one was in the original race - the car Mercedes team. search for and find the explorer that Charles Jarrott somersaulted David Livingstone - remember "Dr into retirement and is now in the Jenatzy had looked like taking the honours for Mercedes in the ParisLivingstone, I presume"?

National Motor Museum at Beaulieu.

Madrid but was a last minute He had watched the first city-h> Lord Montagu was at the wheel, city motor races starting from Paris in retirement with a misfire - caused by celebrating the fact that it was his the late 1890s and realising the a fly in the carburettor. He amused grandfather who had pushed the bill potential for publicity he announced his crew by bringing the errant fly to through the British parliament so Ireland in a bottle. that the Gordon Bennett race could his Coupe Internationale, an be held on Irish roads. international automobile competition France was represented by Rene The Mercedes team in 1903 was with rules stipulating every part of de Knyff and Henry Farman on the car had to be manufactured in the Panhard-Levassors and Fernand handicapped by having no cars! Its Gabriel in the Mors he had driven country of origin. three 90 horsepower racers had been National colours were announced: into the lead in the Paris-Madrid destroyed by a fire that razed the when it was halted at Bordeaux.

Canstatt factory, and it had to borrow green for Britain, blue for France, white

Jii

10

m

my

The British team of three Napiers were driven by S.F. Edge,Charles Jarrott and J.W. Stocks.

In 1903 there were 12 starters and they set off at seven minute intervals.

Edge led for Napier on fhe first lap, but Jenatzy moved ahead on lap two and was never challenged.

Jenatzy took 6h39m for the 327.5-

moiorsporl news

HISTORICS

US marque celebrates1 mbnwday

by BRIAN REED BUICK enthusiasts around the world are celebrating the centenary of the famous American marque that was to become a cornerstone of the massive General Motors Corporation.

Buick, one of America's oldest car manufacturers, was founded in 1903 by David Dunbar Buick, right, and it didn't take long for the company to become involved in motorsport.

It's flat-twin ohv.-powered car setting a new record at the 1906 Eagle Rock hillclimb.

Buick took stock car racing

mile race, averaging 49.2mph, finishing 10 minutes ahead of De Knyff's Panhard with Farman a further minute down in third in the other Panhard. Gabriel, the Paris-Madrid winner the previous month, was fourth for Mors,and Edge was fifth and last finisher in the British Napier, 2 luly 2003

very seriously, and by 1909 boasted a competition team of 15 cars and a staff of 40. Works drivers included the brothers Louis and Arthur Chevrolet, Bob Burman and Lewis Strang, and major victories included the Cobe Trophy and the Atlanta 200 (L. Chevrolet), New Orleans (Burman) and a 100-mile stock car event at Daytona (Strang).

The opening meeting at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, some years before the first 500, was a Buick benefit, with a 1-23 victory in a five-mile sprint and a win for Burman in the 250-mile race.

In 1910 Buick campaigned its four cylinder nine-litre 'Bug' in a stock car race at Indianapolis and Louis Chevrolet was clocked at 170km/h.

Meanwhile in England, a smaller car known as the Bedford-Buick did well at Brooklands in 1912 and won a Gold Medal in the Russian Reliability Trial the same year.

Buick's motor racing program lapsed for some years until the period known as the Junk Formula at Indianapolis between 1930 and 1933.

During this time, a number of six and eight-cylinder Specials were Buick-powered, In 1940, Briggs Cunningham created a curious race car known as the 'Bu-Merc'- an SSK Mercedes-Benz powered by a 5.2-litre Century 8 engine which finished second at

Watkins Glen in 1948. Even stranger was Max Balchowsky's 'Old Yallers' using a 5350cc V8 engine with fuel injection.

Victory was achieved at Santa Barbara in 1957 and Balchowsky himself finished second (behind a Ferrari) at Palm Springs in 1958.

In 1962 Mickey Thompson fitted the small 3.5-litre V8 Buick engines to his:Cooper-like cars for the Indianapolis 500, top and left, and although they boasted 330bhp, only Dan Gurney's car qualified, It retired with transmission failure during the race.

The name lives on, and the 100th year has been celebrated In the USA with an impressive display of vintage cars bearing the Buick badge.

71

indflual

scene

Grant Rowley

GlItGlI

Formula Elliott

by IAN SALVESTRIN DESPITE missing Melbourne's opening round. Western Australian Daniel Elliott is firming as the favorite for the 2003 Formula A Championship after another stunning victory in the third round of the Dunlop Championship.

Elliott took his Birel to his second straight win as each of the four Championship classes produced second-time winners.

The Championship returned to the upgraded 850 metre Toowoomba circuit, which last hosted the series in 2001. On that occasion,SBR V8 Supercar driver Mark Winterbottom held off a last corner challenge from Brendan May to win. This year,it was a case of deja-vu as Barclay Holden ran out of laps to pass Elliott, finishing second by a kart length.

Holden qualified fastest aboard a 2002 model Jarno Trulli kart and started the 36 lap final from pole. He led the race early but Elliott moved into the lead and sprinted away to what seemed an uncatchable lead.

Holden then become involved in a sensational dice with Matthew Wall, Jason Hryniuk and Ricliard McLeod for second. All the while, Elliott was moving clear until Holden broke free of WaU and started to reel in the 200 metre gap to Elliot.

On lap 31, Holden set the fastest lap of the race and with a lap to go he moved to within striking distance of the West Aussie. Elliott though had his a kart working superbly, which allowed him to take his second consecutive win.

Holden finished second. Wall third ahead of Hryniuk, McLeod and Andrew Tomlinson. Jon Grother held out Ben Chong Sun and Luke May late in the race.

The ICC gearbox class provided some of the best racing all weekend.

Adelaide Omega driver Tyson Pearce took pole, however it was William Yarwood who won by more than four seconds.

Yarwood was hounded early by BRM's Justin Ruggier with Ruggier making one decisive move for the lead mid race only for Yarwood to take back PI. That would prove Ruggier's only chance as Yarwood ran away to take a very convincing win. Ruggier 72

1

|iel

CIK CHAMPIONSHIPS 2003 finished second ahead of Pearce, 15year-old Andrew Thompson,Blake Varney, Joshua Pontello and Matthew Sofi. Thompson was making his ICC debut and looked like a veteran beliind the wheel,setting the fastest lap of the final.

Glenn Powles took a superb win in ICA. Starting from pole, Powles built a lead over Mitch Cunningham and never looked like being beaten.

Cunningham came under pressure from Matthew Muller in the final.

Muller got past Cunningham to finish second (his first ICA podium) with Cunningham third. Troy Woodger finished a solid fourth while former series leader Nick Lowe drove clear of a great battle with Alex Schultz, Nathan Antunes and local Tim Ball to finish fifth.

With Powles from Numurkah in country Victoria, Muller from Townsville and Curmingham from Auckland in New Zealand, the podium geographically proved the competitiveness of the series.

Kristian Lindbom was in

'determined mode'coming into this race and despite TopKart team-mate James Baudzus' pole position the competition barely knew which way Lindbom went. The Sydney driver won by a massive 7s but behind him, the race was on for second.

PCR's Blake Simpson held second

I

for much of the race but with a lap to go Baudzus inevitably made a move.

With just 100 metres to go they clashed wheels. Simpson sat devastated on the side of the track while Baudzus recovered for 7th.

This elevated Daniel Erickson into second, while RV TonyKart pilot Ashley Walsh, who made a pitstop in the roll-up laps to replace a smashed nosecone,came from last to take an excellent third.

For the first time the Championship heads to Dubbo's superb Lincoln County Raceway on August 23/24.

Championship contenders; Daniel Elliot, top, and William Yarwood, above, are in good shape in their respective CIK classes this year. motorsporl nevus

KARTING

Walsh 7 wins in Qld Karteps for F4000 ■jsr

QUEENSLAND'S recently crowned Junior Clubman National Champion Ashley Walsh continued his good form at the News-Mail Queensland Championships at Bundaberg last month.

Walsh wrapped up the Junior Clubman final, beating home NSW's Kristian Lindbom. Walsh qualified fastest ahead of Lindbom and held the advantage during the heats, although Lindbom did get up to win the pre-final.

William Yarwood picked up another state title, totally dominating Rotax Light and also placed third in Clubman Heavy but could do nothing about local driver Kel Treseder.

Treseder also proved competitive in Senior National Heavy but was eventually beaten by Paul Vuichoud.

Possibly the most frustrated man of the meeting was Gino Marcon, who led the Clubman Over 40s field to the line but was subsequently penalised two positions post race for over dimension side pods, handing Paul Chimes victory. Mitchell Miller scored a comfortable win in Senior National Light while a small Formula Australia Light field was no match for Richard McLeod who won every race.

Drew Gessner won Rotax Heavy, former Victorian Leigh Gallace beat Barclay Holden to the Clubman Light title, James Kovacic and Ben Lincoln were the class of the Midgets field while Mitchell Parkinson came from behind to win Rookies. Clubman Super Heavy eventually belonged to Dean Ballard while the Junior National classes went to Steel Guiliana (Light) and Trent Laves (Heavy).

- MARK WICKS

2 luly 2003

EIGHT karters will be testing Formula 4000 cars before the end of this year.

The Australian Karting Association recently announced that Pure Power is giving the winners from several karting classes across a variety of events the opportunity to test the machines. Four drivers have already earned their ride; WA's Daniel Elliott, Victorians Glerm Powles and Matthew Wall and Queensland's Kel Treseder.

The next two to join the list will be the winners of Clubman Light at the NSW Championships in Newcastle and Junior Intercontinental A at the fourth round of the Dunlop Australian CDC Championship in August at Oran Park. Race meetings where the final two slots win be decided will be announced later in the year.

Pure Power team owner John Calamos said that each driver will probably get their own dedicated test day rather than all eight drivers sharing the car on the same day.

"I've seen how race drivers work, and if there's more than one present they can get a bit competitive," Calamos said.

With talented karters driving the cars and Pure Power's contacts in business, is there the possibility of

pure.power r<<y'

funding being massaged to take a karter into the series?

"Well, yes," Calamos explained.

"We deal with a lot of big businesses with our corporate days."

"We're trying to get Formula 4000 and the Gold Star back as it was," he added. "These are the fastest cars in tlie country and the category has a history of producing champion drivers."

To assist in this endeavour. Pure Power has also just launched its Gold Star Program. Open to Australian and New Zealand karters who are over the age of 17, for a ticket price of $4900, drivers will participate in a shoot-out style event in October or November. The winner will walk away with a full season of F4000 racing in the 2004 Championship.

"We were going to start giving tire karters who won the test drives their track time, however that will now be held off as if they wish to compete for the Gold Star Program, we don't want them having an unfair advantage of having already driven the car," said Calamos.

Pure Power is the only Sydneybased F4000 outfit and its current driver. New Zealand's Daniel Gaunt, above, currently sits equal third in the championship.

-MARK WICKS

CIK Engine Question ALTHOUGH no major changes are expected, the CIK is yet to confirm which engines will be homologated for 2004 onwards.

However there is some suggestion that FA will increase to 125cc, and all induction (including juniors) may be reed valve. The homologation period may also increase from three to four years, thus guaranteeing a longer competitive engine life.

One thing is certain though; the 2000/01 proposal to virtually force 4-stroke engines into the world’s top karting categories by 2004 is not going to happen.

- IAN SALVESTRIN

Vale: Geoff Price DPE's Geoff Price has passed away after a battle with cancer. Part of the Price family karting dynasty and brother to Drew,'Geoffa' had worked with Australia's largest karting manufacturer for many years.

As a mark of respect the DPE team wore black armbands at the recent Toowoomba CIK event.

■ Bailey Racing has taken over the importation and sales of PCR karts and engines. The well-known PCR shop in Leichart NSW is no longer and has been relocated to Bailey's Carlton, NSW premises. And don't be surprised to see former PCR importer Franco 'The Godfather' Guaitoli back at the race track. While he might have retired from the business, there is talk that he could be back on the CIK trial in 2004 running a two-kart PCR team.

■ Speaking of changing hands, the Northlands Kart Centre in WA has a new owner! former National Champion Kip Foster taking over from the Kandola family. Foster will sell the Remo Racing product line of Monaco chassis.

■ Mark Vella has been awarded the Australian Superkart Grand Prix title. Competing in the 125cc class, Vella was the top-scorer at Mallaia recently. Zip Kart's Yiani Harpas won Rotax MAX after a frantic five kart dice, his younger brother Ilya taking out Juniors. Tony Lappas won 80cc while the 250s belonged to National Champion Sam Zavaglia.

■ Azzurro karts dominated round three of the NSW Biland series at Eastern Creek recently, claiming all three podium positions in the Light division. Blake Curtis took the win from series leader Kiel Johnston, with Nathan Fiarvey third. Adam Burkett now sits level on points with Greg Martin in the Fleavy division having taken the win as Martin DNF'd.

■ The Australian-made ARC A1 engine mentioned several months ago is now in the hands of several karters around the country. ARC has distributed several of the engines to a variety of karters to test and evaluate, the results of which will be presented at the AKA's annual conference. ' ■ Ford KartStars regular Adrian Estasy picked up the Rotax Light win at the opening round of the NSW Super-8 Series at Newcastle recently, beating home fellow KartStarer Ben Guest, with Peter Lawler third. Kane Wiltshire defeated Brett Robinson in Sportsman Light while Joshua Scott picked up Junior Sportsman.

-MARK WICKS

W.

Multi N

Island bites - W ■?

Clubby heaven at the ’Creek

DAVID Withers recorded the rare double after being disqualified and picking up a class win in the same race at the Multi Club Car Race meeting at Eastern Creek on June 22.

In fading light during the final race of the day, Withers failed to see the black flag as he pushed his Porsche GTS to what he thought was going to be second outright in the Production Sports One Hour.

Withers, right, had driven the first stint in Chris Staimard's 968 to put that car into contention for Class C honours.

"It was so dark that I didn't see the black flag, that's no excuse really but the stewards had no option to disqualify Anthony (Skinner) and me," Withers said.

A pair of one-hour races were the highlights of the packed program with Nathan Thomas leading the five cars that remained on the lead lap in the Combined Touring One Hour Race.

■- f t

r-' -i :r

Thomas was in seventh position at the end of the first lap of the enduro.

He forced his Type R Honda Integra up to third by the time he pitted on lap 15, only to exit pit lane in lead.

Doug Moss took out the Ferodo Bongswood Cup. In Group S, it was Noel Bryen and Greg King who put in the big laps to work their way into respectable positions after starting at the rear of the grid in the 10 lap Trophy Race.

Bryen failed to finish the previous race when electrical difficulties struck

his Morgan. King's 1962 MGB had been plagued with fuel delivery problems and he too failed to complete the distance in race two.

"Noel and 1 both had a good run through the traffic. In the end there was an MG Midget (Bret McManus) splitting us," Being said.

But it was the all-conquering Bill Pye, who took the spoils yet again in his 1975 Porsche Carrera RS. "Billy just ran away from us, he really takes some catching."

Brad Tilley, left, led a strong field from flag to flag in his Mustang in the Group N Trophy Race.

Cameron Worner (XW Falcon) and Vince Macri in his Torana GTR XUI filled the podium positions.

Although hopelessly outnumbered, Keith Downie flew tire Fiat flag in the Italian Challenge. His 124 Sport was too quick for a host of Alphas, with the main challenge coming from John Milan his GTV. - MARTIN VAN REE

mrnO

THE ‘Winter Cup’ certainly lived up to its name as around seventy brave competitors faced cold, wet and windy conditions for round two of the 2003 Winter Cup Hill climb series at Collingrove in South Australia’s two weeks ago.

With the weather deterioriting, many competitors were aquaplaned off the track due to the wet and slippery conditions. The time trials were abandoned as the cars struggled to keep on the track.

Opening round winner Andrew Mitchell consolidated his outright points lead, faring best in the treacherous conditions aboard his Torrens Arms Hotel sponsored Farrell

74

Clubman, taking the outright honours, posting the quickest run for the day up the challenging hill.

Veteran racer Dean Richards was next quickest up the track aboard his Spanish-built, Suzuki-powered Ragno machine.

Marty Ewer took full advantage of the superior grip and handling of his 4WD Porsche, taking outright third and also winning the 4WD class. Fourth overall was Andrew McLaren in his Clubman, over the Mitsubishi Evo

Raymond Kahleh and 4WD class round one winner Doug Lehmann, below, aboard his Falken Tyres Mitsubishi EVO VI. The final round of the Winter Cup Series is scheduled at Collingrove on Sunday the July 20.

- PARIS CHARLES

SOMETIMES Phillip Island bites, and boy did it bite at the fourth round of the Victorian Motor Racing Championships.

MG drivers Peter Clarke, above, and Rob Whitwell both ended up in hospital when the pair collided with John Makeham. Clark rolled several times while the other other two slammed into the tyre wall.

Amid the carnage, Mort Fitzgerald continued his domination of the MG class.

During Saturday's Sport Sedan race. Bob Gill stalled his Falcon on the start line. Ricky Nott slammed into the back of the strandard Ford.

The racing though in the Sport sedans was a treat.

Rodney Woods took victory in the main race after Dean Camm won the earlier heats.

In the Formula Vees, Damien Harris put in a fine performance all weekend to take out the three race wins, harris fended of strong challenges from Ray Colenso, Davis Frith, Nicholas Jones and Lee Partridge to claim his wins.

Porsches dominated the field in Sportscars, with Paul Whitmarsh grabbing two victories and setting a new lap record.

Brendan Morter was the king of Porsche 944s, while Ray Hislop snared three wins from three starts in Improved Production, Mygale driver Adrian McCurdy increased his series points lead when he won the main Formula Foed race.

Matthew tate took out the earlier two heats, Ken Hastings, Steve Newing and Paul Thomson had a terrific struggle in the Under 2-litre Sports Sedan heats. Newing won the main race in a classic encounter.

Richard Gay held out Ken Wright, Kevin Stoopman, Glen McDonald and Carl McHenry to win the HQ Holdens. molorsport news

NATIONAL SCENE

e Wollongong 24 hour

Ring, Ring- “Heilo,” answers MNews StaffJourno GRANT ROWLEY. "Wouid you like to drive with the Holden Young Lions?” asks the crack Konica team. “Hell yeah!” Rowley replies

24

experienced karters Jay Hall, Kim Morgan and a journo from out of town,and our concern didn't look too bad.

I was in. I was a Young Lion for a day. And it was to be a very, very long day.

Our team looked sfa'ong on paper.

Young Lion drivers Dale Brede and Tony D'Alberto, KartStars front runner Jason Varley and Newcastle baU-tearer Matty Skinner. Throw in

Our campaign started off really well, We had the HYL kart sitting pretty,just inside the top five, but we soon discovered our'borrowed' kart did not have the pace of the top three. Our best bet was to keep our mount clocking up laps around the Wollongong circuit and hope our competitors ran into trouble.

And we were doing just that, until...

I stepped into the kart for the first time at ^e six and a half hour mark.

The tyres were in good nick, the engines were running strong and our strategy was on-track.

My stint was 45 minutes old when I broke a chain coming onto the mam straight. It was our first unscheduled stop, Tliey pulled me out and fixed it up. Strike one.

1 jumped in for my next stint at midnight, which would last a mere 20 minutes. I ran out of fuel. And

HOUR motor racing events are tough. Ask any Le Mans driver, ask any official, ask any punter. Ask Grant Rowley.

The Holden Yoimg Lions V8 Supercar team gave the Motorsport News office a call early last month to see if any of our frustrated race drivers(aka journalists) would like to team up with tire Konica V8 outfit for a bit of fun at the annual 24-hour PROKART enduro at Kembla Grange Raceway in NSW. Somehow,1 convinced my boss that this had my name written all over it. I called the Yoimg Lions immediately to book my ride with the crack team.

1440 minutes: Tony D'Alberto, above, completed an amazing 2 boar 15 minute stint late in the race. Below left, D'Alberto and HYL team-mate Dale Brede smile for the paparazzi. Bottom, the team from left, Kim Morgan, Rowley, Jay Hall, Jason Varley, 'Tiny'D'Alberto, Matthew Skinner and 'Candy'Brede. now I was pushing the kart to the re fuelling bay. Strike two.

After topping up the tank,I rejoined the rat race. But only a handful of laps later, another kart had a moment in front of me.(Now it's time for me to pretend I'm a race driver...)

1 had no where to go," said Rowley.

"It was either hit him or eat the gravel.

I chose to visit gravel-land.

I pulled the kart out of the rock trap and peeled straight into pit lane.

Strike three.

Despite my misfortunes,I had two more stints in the dark hours of the morning.It was seven degrees,it was windy and I had a mere one hour's sleep to my name. But this time. (thankfully) my stints were trouble-free.

My lap times weren't too bad eitlier. just a few tentlis off the Supercar stars (but I'm not going to tell you how many tenths!).

D'Alberto endured a mega two

hour 15 minute stint late in the race before he handed the reigns to Brede, who was left with the responsibilty of bringing the kart home. With half an hour to go, the brake caliper bent, leaving Brede with no choice but to keep his foot off the left pedal. Our lap times ballormed somewhat, but thanks to our consistency, Brede's street-smart driving and our rival's unreliability, we took home a third placed trophy.

A tense end to 24 hours yet not a bad effort. The kart was a bit worse for wear after 2880 laps but we got there, a mere 42 laps off the leader ...

So,I was a Young Lion. Wait 'til 1 tell the grandkids. It was a fantastic experience, and I could not have done any of it without my valued sponsors. My major backer was 'Coffee', with associate support from 'warm jacket' and 'pie and sauce'.

Without their assistance, I wouldn't have made it through the first hour.

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your motorsport vehicle, parts, memorabilia with our all-new combined magazine/internet classified service.

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Yes 6 months on myi05.com AND one insertion in Motorsport News for just $25! HOW?

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Brand new engine with dry sump. No expense has been spared on this beautifuiiy presented car. A true pieasure to drive with lap times at Eastern Creek under 1:40. $150,000 Neg. Mark 02 9838 8374 / 0408 976 958.

Sedans/Sports Cars

Datsun 240Z Race car, 1st U3ltr/ 5th outright 2002 VMRC Sportscar class, L28 2.9ltr motor. Triple webbers running avgas, R200 LSD, 4 spot calipers, new hawk pads, new vented rotors, 16 x 10 Dunlop slicks, fibreglass panels, spare g-nose front and much more, laps ph island in 1:47, can help new owner with set up and maintenance.

20,000. Ashley 0418 508 756 / (03) 9555 7848. 262www.my105.com/66083

Mazda RX7 One of the quickest cars in Targa Classic Division. Proven track record Baskerville 59.4s. Upgraded Microtech ECU and many spares. This car is ready to race/rally in 2003. $26,000 ONO. Kym 0409 211 614. 262 www.myl05.com/40907

Porsche 944, Race Car LHD All works performed by Fitzgerald Racing Services High HP Motor, Honed Turbo, LSD Racing Diff, Gearbox Reco Last Season, Cromoily Lower Arms ADJ Suspension, Full Roll Cage, Log Book 4 sets Wheels. Done Targa Tas and Porsche Cup. Great Balanced Car Nothing to do, just get in and race. $29,500 261 Neg. Lee (03) 9464 3955. www.myl05.com/68517

2 July 2003

Porsche 930/964, Body 3.8 RSR wing, coil over suspension 3.3 Itr turbo, G50 gearbox, fully rebuilt motor, new turbo, three sets of wheels, race ready. $53,000. Garth 0411 700 666. 262www.my105.com/88878

TORANA HATCHBACK, Torana Hatchback Genuine 5 Litre SS Hot 308 L34 Yella Terra Heads & Roller Rockers.Runs on premium unleaded, M21, 9in 4WDiscs, Big Brakes, 6 Point Cage, Harness, Stratos Seats, Koni Shocks, 5 Spoke Alloy Wheels. Excellent Rally or Club Car, Road Car. Will help organise freight for buyer. $6500. JOSEPH 0418 293 330. 261 www.my105.com/47220

Mazda RX7 1993, Vielside kit, roll cage, alloy rear wing, 13b Peripheral port, massive Trust T88 turbo, fat Trust inter cooler, giant waste gate and custom exhaust, greddy race BOV, metal clutch, Apexi digital meter, race style suspension, purchased only as a race car as cannot be complied. $thousands spent on it. $34,000 will take trade in. Kerry 0418 835 727. 263 www.my105.com/76349

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e: ¥

Westfield Sierra Cosworfh, Specialist high performance vehicle. 245 BMP, Flat Slide Injection, Dry Sump, Button Clutch, Motec M4, 4 Vented Disks, 5 Link Rear 2.5" AVO Shocks, 3“ 6pt Harness, Quaife Sierra 5 speed, LSD, Rose jointed, 13" Wheels with Yokohama 032 Tyres. Professional engine rebuild just completed. This is an excellent track car but don't have time to use. $36,500 Or Best Offer. Brett 02 6285 3644.

261 www.my105.com/91004

VK Commodore Sports Sedan, Chev engine, top loader box, 9 inch diff, mid mount engine, easy to maintain, ideal car to get started, V8 power at a budget price, sell with motor $19,990 or without $9,990 just add yours. Cams log book. Greg 0417 580 760.261 www.my105.com/69663

2001/2002 Championship winning WRX Sti, stiil holds OR lap record, rally rego, Moly cage, proflex shocks. Memo seat, Autronic, extra wheels, would be unbeatable club car. $34,000 ONO. Brett 07 3284 8844. 261 www.my105.com/67352

RX3 Sports Sedan, Coupe, alloy cage, Needham 5 speed, konis, LSD Mazda diff, series 4 brakes, big wing, front air diffuser, 15 inch race wheels, log book, no motor. $4,750. Rodney (07) 3396 9255 / 0403 254 387 262 www.my105.com/38750

Gemini Sports Sedan Rolling Chassis, suit rotary or piston engine. Ideal car for Warwick 2 litre series. 2 sets wheels, 2 front spoilers + extras. Comes with parts to suit rotary installation: RX7 Turbo gearbox, new clutch, flywheel and driveshaft plus 51mm Weber & extras. Please email for details.

Will split car and mechanicals. $7,500 Neg. Mark 0416 067 014.

261. www.myl05.eom/56041

Commodore VL, Ex Self Dirve Race Car at Calder. Professionally maintained by V8 Toy Factory. Ready to race. Low cost maintenance, easily modified to Production Car, Auscar or reliable Club Racer. $9,500.

Warwick 03 5221 5522 26i. www.myl05.com/49715

Ford XF, Ex self drive Race Car at Calder.

Professionally maintained by V8 Toy Factory. Ready to race, low cost maintenance. Easily modified for Production Car, Auscar or reliable Club Racer. $9,500 Or Best Offer. Warwick 03 5221 5522 / 0412 030 962 261. www.my105.com/S0481

Toyota Supra Sports Sedan, Toyota Supra Sports Sedan - 2001 Old State Championship Winner, midmount 6Ltr Chev, ford toploader. Independant nine inch diff, too much to list, comes complete with spares and fully enclosed trailer, PDA - call either 0418 729 732 or 0417 607 084. PDA. Wayne26owww.my105.com/33119

79

l a 1. \ <^n«1iru Championship Winning GT3, Quickest GTS in country, proven track record.

Complete with ohlin shocks, 3 sets of wheels, nations cup computer, PI data iogger, upgraded ECU and many spares.

This has car has had no exspense spared and is ready to race/rally in 2003. New paint and all original parts incl. $180,000 Neg. Matthew 0412 553 455.

Toyota Corolla IMP Production Car,4AGE 20 valve engine, autronic engine management, TRD, C/R, g/box, 4.3 LSD, Sparco seat and harness, log book, on tandem axle, braked trailer. $12,500. John (07)3207 8559,260wvirw.my105.com/43891

260 www.myl05.com/75661

Porsche 930, Genuine turbo, all steel, LHD, FAi app full roll cage and harnesses, fresh and standard 3.3, K29 turbo, Kokein intercooler. New 17" Simmons, good Bridgestone 540s, alum, oil cooler, Padig pads, Pyro, MSD ign, adj boost (330 400hp), RSR 3.8 wing, make an ideal Targa or club car. Why knock the good one around? $45,000 ONO. Kerry 0417 518 660 /(03)6331 0466.260 www.my105.com/99536

Python SR 302, Championship winning car, 1998, 2000 3rd 2001, 302 Windsor 500 and hp John Sidney built engine, 4 speed to loader and more, ready to race with 2B log book, eligible for Prod Sport NSW and Sport Car Class VIC. $65,000. George (03) 9696 0646 / 0402 053 116. 259 www.my105.com/86492

Nascar Pontiac Grand Prix, 2nd last race, 650 HP engine, well sorted and reliable, with spares ready for next Nascar race 216-03, must sell. $30,000. Daryl 0410 640 644.250 www.my105.com/6409

i!i

Mirage RS, This immaculate example won best presented for the majority of 2002 season also winning the last round it raced at Phillip Island, including various podiam finnishes throughout 2002. The car is fully equiped with fire bomb, sparco seat belts, pedals etc. With Full Log Book and only two owners. $20,000.00 Best Offer. James Dutton (03) 9428 4144 / 0438 777 776. 258 www.myl O5.com/12729 PORSCHE GT3, Perfectly maintained.

Mechanically perfect. Many spares available. . $178,000 must sell. 0418 507 403. 257www.my105.com/53327

I

I

2000 Porsche GT3, SWAP OR TRADE open to suggestion. Preferably like to swap for BMW 5 series or equivalent, up to 120K. . Dean 0418 507 403.260 www.myl05.com/68155 Commodore Cup Race Car, new engine, gearbox and front rotor's, professionally built, ready to race. $23,000. Cameron 0418 318 866 260 www.myl05.comf75696

purpose built, fully enclosed refurbished trailer with 12 months registration and full length side and rear annex. Excellent car. $39,500 ONO. Alan 02 6367 3030 / 02 6367 3222.261 www.my105.com/69423

Open Wheelers -\

Ford Cortina Mkl GT, Group N Historic Historic Touring Car, with current CAMS log book. Very well presented original GT two door, excellent interior, with straight exterior, & in very good condition overali. 1500cc Push rod engine, "Lamer" cam, engine has been rebuilt ready to be run in, twin 45mm webers, intermediate gt 'box, locked diff, koni dampers, rebuilt Capri calipers, new rear brakes, crack tested stubs & axles with stiffners, numerous spares included Genuine reason for sale. $12,500. Leon (03)9574 5345 / 0412 140 730. 260 www.my105.com/5762

Mk 6 Cheetah F2, Fully restored. 1600 cc Celica engine dyno time only. Webber 45 carburettors. Hewland gearbox. Brand new chrome exhaust system. Fire system fitted.

Eligible AF2 or Histories. Spares Including head and mounted wheels. Also included

VAN DIEMEN RF 86, Unique model with spare set wheels, nose cone, gear ratios bodywork & other spare parts. Roiling chassis - can supply new engine. CAMS Log Book. Ideal restoration project for someone wishing to make a start in Formula Ford. Suit state series competitor or club racer. Help can be supplied to buyer. $12,500 Not Neg. John 0418 130 600.

261 www.my105.com/53909

1981 Cheetah Mk 7, In tip top condition.

Pole at Oran Park Nov '02 with Dallara 395 Mugen in field. Easy to drive, valid for AF2. 1 have all log books if you wanted to run in historic Gp R. Comes with spares. A proven race winner. Won Rookie of the year 2002.

Engineer: Tom (02) 9588 9443. Owner: Brendon 0409 952 905.$27,500 Neg, 260 www.my105.com/24886 Formula Ford Reynard 90F, Good competitive car, spherical bearings and rodends renewed, 2 engines, 2 sets of wheels, 3 spare ratios, 2 sets of bodywork, spare comers, parts, must sell due to business commitments. $15,500 Neg, Shane 0412 043 605.260 www.myl05.com/34131

a

^1

Formula Ford Historic Bowin P6F, car Is well maintained, Ritter engine, spare ratios, log book and COD. Always a top performer, and in excellent condition. $25,000 ONO. Vince 0418 509 145, 261 www.myl05.eom/54032

ss GWG 1967 Group 0, Log book and Cams certificate of desorlpUon, motor fully rebuilt, four speed Hollinger Box. $24,000. Bob (03) 5428 2583. 259 www.myl05.com/97101

inMFwayto sell your gearl Fromfust$25* justlog on

(*$25 applies to ads entered directly onto my105.com) Advertising can also be supplied using thisform ($10/$15 surchage to text only/text -f pic advertisements)" Advertisements will appear in next possible issue of i .LlDrspo.. tiev.: PLUS the.-nylOS.co:.. website(orsixrn'onths.

Please read & cross the desired services and calculate the total.

8 Standard ad and one inlusion Into Motorsport News = $35 □ Plus Photo Processing tee $5 □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers □ Speedway □ Drag □ Jobs ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:□ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers □ Wanted □ Photographs □ Other □ Extra issues X $25 per issue Please keep ads to no more than 50 words, plus up to 6 photos if desired. □ Feature ad on Motorsport News and my105.com homepage for $75 per issue

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we are unable to return photographs supplied for use in classified ads. Ads will appear as soon as possible after receipt. MN/my105.eom dassifieds are for the sale of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising Photos marked "proof wll not be used.

motorsport news

Bikes

Speedway

Engines

\r

Modified Production, EL Ford, Front runner,2 Seasons oid, Adjustable suspension, Auto Meter gauges, Race tyres, Ready to race. $10,500 ONO. Don 0418 643 901. 261 www.my105.com/58339 Sprintcar High Bar Roliing Chassis, Lightning Chassis, new tank, almost complete. $4750 2 Maxim Chassis $1200/8750 Also a range of Sprintcar parts including Quick change diffs, shockers with dyno sheets, bars with test sheets, complete front axle, bare front axles, front and top wings, tyres, rims, bonnets, side bars. Quad with push Bar $1100 . Dennis 08 8269 2928 /0408 844 841.260www.my105.com/25409

Production sedan VK Commodore, Moe engines 202, Tilton clutch, Redline cage, adjustable suspension. Auto meter gauges, includes spares. Ex Aus 1-2 (2001-2002). $9500.00 ono Ph John 0412 687 563 or (03)5134 4812. $9,500.00 ONO. 260 www.my105.com/81149

2002 AU Super Sedan, John Brown Chassis, all the best equipment used, open axle diff, Burt Box, 363 Cleveland engine 700HP, no expense spared on building of this car, only raced one meeting. Plus all spares. $35,000 or will separate. 0419 989 010 / (02) 4730 3440.

259 www.myl05.com/4465

1988 Ducati 750 FI, 20,000 Km excellent condition. Two owners. Second elderly owner purchased in 1990 at 9,000 Km and never reved over 5,000 RPM. This rare FI is for the Ducati collector. $18,000. Lindsay (03)5243 4884 260www.my105.com/71344

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372 Alloy Sprintcar Engines, 372 Sprintoar Engine Maxwill Built, Just freshened with new special stroke scat crank, Kinsler F.I.J and Mallory Super Mag III, Just dynoed and set to go. $28000 also a 372 Sprintcar engine,Maxwill built as raced in 02/03 season, $26000 2 3/16 Hilboum Fuel Injection complete with latest 1 peioe air filter$1800 Aluminium Radiator $200 Roller Camshaft $150 Pro Iron Lightning Steel Cylinder Heads - Complete, Ported, Good HP $2500 , Dennis 08 8269 2928 / 0408 844 841. 260 www.myl O5.com/1589

Transporters/Trailers FI00' 1975, long wheel base with canopy, reco V8 4spd, resprayed, alloy wheels, Hayman Reece tow bar, vacuum brakes, new front tyres and shocks, electric bucket seats, fold up centre seat, 10 months reg, not used on daily basis, ideal for race car transport, $8,000 ONO. Daryl 03 9435 6447. 260www.my105.com/7718

Predator Dirt Drag Bike, GS 750 Wisco'd to 850cc, too many extras & spares to list, professionally built motor & frame running nitro's with imported rear tyres, only 4 passes since top end rebuilid, looks & goes great, spent over $15,000. Refer to www.my105.com/63226 for other Predator, both bikes for $7,000 GS75020160, (JB0422617). Darren 0427 839 691. 259 www.my105.com/17841

Collectabie/Memorabilia Blante 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

Trailer Car / Boat, 6m x 2.5m, with totally enclosed 6m x 5m x 2m high annex. Fitted tool box on draw bar and ramps. $6,500.

0408 369 070.260 www.my105.com/7375

Predator Dirt Drag Bike Kid's, Kid's Deltex drag bike, comes with original frame very good goer & promo bike. Refer to www.my105.cm/17841, 150 Deltex (JB0422616). $1,500 ONO. Darren 0427 839 691. 259www.my105.com/63226

43FT 3 CAR TRAILER, Smooth sided professionally engineered for 3 cars on airbags,1 piece tailgate, kitchen, large full width belly lockers. Fully lined and wired with circuit breakers. Both axles recently serviced ready to travel anywhere. Rego till august. $50000 neg. Wayne (02) 9524 1199. 258 www.myl05. com/30161

TRAILER, New 2.98 long x 1.82 m wide.

Professionally built. Uncovered, single drop axle, jockey wheel, hinged ramps. 12 months registration (June). In Sydney. $2,200 inc GST. Peter 02 9873 1773. 259 www.myl05.com/2735

Racing Suits/ Helmets, 2 Full suits RPM Racegear.Nomex Three, Blue & White size M Racesuits,gloves. M,shoes size 8.Bell Helmet SR-PRO Sizd 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 separately, $975 each set ONO. Tony 07 55321400 / 07 55773077,254 www.myl05.com/22200

Wanted Escort Race parts, 4 or 5 speed close ratio gearboxes 'Rocket type' or similar. 4.1 & 4.4 crown wheel & pinions. Quick rack steering rack. Anthony 0419 340 927 / 03 6343 6193.

261 www.my105.eom/10410

Coach Transporter, 38ft midmount, B58 Volvo 275HP, four speed pre select gearbox, air brakes, Maxi brakes exhaust, tubless tyres, aluminium chequered plate drop back rear door, electric winch, new carpet in front section. Pontoon lounge fridge. $20,000 ONO.0419 989 010 / (02)4730 3440.259 www.my105.com/14138

03

Parts

Porsche Parts, 1 set fully adjustable bilstein suspension (currently on PorscheGT3) excellent condition, fully refreshed in 2002. Spare spring, 1 spare shock, Neg $3,750. 1 set OZ racing 18" rims (PorscheGT3) $4,200 or original GT3 rims $4,500. Lightweight door and floor inners, to suit PorscheGT3 $2,100. Race exhaust GT3 $2,200. Cobra evolution race seat $500. Detachable steering wheel $250.

Separate or sell lot for $8,500. . Dean 0418 507 403. 259www.my105.com/88971 * ** PHONE NUMBER CORRECTION * ** Cosworth 16 Valve Head, Fully rebuilt, custom valves, dual springs, titanium retainers, ported, with cams, adjustable Cam gears and Cam cover off n/a engine.

Urgent sale. Please ring this number 0410 681 562 ... the number in MNews is Incorrect. $3,000 no offers. Grant 0410 681 562.260www.my105.com/95627

2 July 2003

G/3 Custom Built Suzuki GSXR 1100, fully polished with immaculate paintwork, complete Kevin Schwantz race replica, full service history, with new Michelin tyres, chain & sprockets, only 11,000 kms since built. No 750,(JB0522957). Craig (02)9825 9723. 259www.my105.com/18430

CD O CL I

Dual Cab Car Transporter, Dual cab Misubishi 515 Pantech. 6 cylinder turbo diesel only 284000km. Long range fuel tanks able to carry 2 race cars. Lots of storage space, checkerplate floor, tyre racks, internal lighting with 240 volt power, air compressor, electric winch & ramps, interstate del neg. Ready to go nothing to spend, $46,500. Ph: Leanne 0438 370 793. $46,500 Neg. Leanne 0438 370 793. 259 www.myl05.eom/47670

♦METROi. Kawasaki ZX9R 1999, reg. till 6/03, 11800 kms, 1st regd 2000, comes w/ all riding gears; 2 helmets,2 jackets, 3 gloves, boots, bike lock, bike cover.AK 244. . $10,000 ONO. Edwin 0417 320 135 / (03) 9364 5369. 259www.my105.com/78965

&

E CO

03 More refined searches Browse the ‘motorsport catalogue' of new parts and accessories Coming Soon ...The Motorsport directory and membership areas

WPA Transporter, Dualcab , turbo 6 speed, complete with generator, compressor, eliectric winch for car, winch for tailgate, 130000 kims, has separate front room, fitted out for super sedan. 45000+ GST ONO. michael (07 ) 5437 7603 .

258 www.myl05.com/77696

I

Get it seer Gef it so o'

c

01

PINION

motorsport

news

EDITORIAl STIFF Editor: Phil Branagan l editor@mnews.com.au Assistant Editor: Mark Glendenning l mark@mnews.com.au Staff Journalist: Grant Rowley l grant@mnews.com.au

PRODUCTION Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby l viv@mnews.com.au

RDVERTISINB Brendon Sheridan - PR Driven Tel: 03 9550 0870 Fax: 03 9550 0816 mobile: 0407 007 286 l ads@mnews.com.au

Ritter on the outer I just read issue #259 of Motorsport News.

I noticed that 00 Motorsport had (for the moment) gotten rid of Greg Ritter and I think that they're being slack to him.

Come on guys, you've given Greg Ritter a chance for a full time drive, which he has been searching for for years.

You give him a full time gig, then take it from him? That's slack.

Anyway MNews,keep the good mags coming!

Larry P yoshijosh57@hotmaiI.com

RDMINISTRRTION

Konican’t go on

Managing Direaor/Publisher: Chris Lambden l publisher@mnews.com.au

The Konica V8 series is, in my view, headed for the scrapheap!

Konica V8s could die because of the dreaded money-factor.

There are now a handful of professional teams in the championship.

Next year there will be more and the year after that, I dare say, there will be more again.

What this will do is cause the price of competing at the front of the field to rise. If this happens to Konica, it might just out-price itself.

I hear these days, to run a competitive KV8 car, you are looking at $lm plus. Is this true? I thought the series was for 'privateers'.

With the amount of V8 Supercars in existence. I'm wondering whether they could run a third V8 series?

But all this will do is create yet another place for professional teams to outspend their rivals ...

Brett Sandars Brighton, VIC

GONTRGTS 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

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Ed to the rescue I'm just after a little bit of information to settle an argument between my cousin and I. I was wondering if you might know who was the last Driver/Team to use a carburettor at Bathurst and when.

John Sanderson skull@useoz.com ED: A pretty good question. Asfar as we can ascertain, the last car to use a carby was Allan Moffat's Falcon in 1993.

‘Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

Warne on board to try and gather funds. This is a good idea but does Warne have anything to do with the deal or is he just the name and face behind the push for funds?

Anyhow,I just hope we have anotlier Aussie on the FI grid soon to join Mark Webber, who might I say is doing a splendid

converter Send us your thoughts: mail: PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 email: mnews@innews.conn.au

job.

Craig Griffin via email ED:It's a (sad)fact that Corporate Australia prefers 'safe' involvement in motor racing (circuit signage etc) to the 'risky'route of backing drivers - until they get to FI,long after they need the money. There are afau exceptions but,generally, Webber and Co will make it in spite of being Australian, not because of it...

V8 Supercar sucks Assume the position To the person who wrote to MNews some months ago telling Ford fans to assume the position.

You have now been saewed four times! Get to like it because there is more commg.

MNews is a must, win or lose...

L. Cross Christie Downs,SA ED:Never 'assume'anything, because, when you do you makean 'ass'out of'u' and 'me'...

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie I find it amazing that there are not more Australians at the elite level of motorsport competition.

It has been over 20 years since we last had a Formula 1 world champion.

I can remember A]'s triumph being a great memory in my life, still to this

day.

So why don't our young guns like Will Davison,Ryan Briscoe and James Courtney get more support while they are overseas, doing their best for themselves and their great country?

Australia is highly ranked these days in the corporate world, nothing like Europe or the US,but we are only a small nation. Surely there are more dollars out there for our young AJ's of the future?

I noticed Davison has got Shane

I am no longer going to watch the V8 Supercars.

It's not because of the racing and the talent of 95 percent of the drivers.

That's fantastic. What has made V8 Supercars no longer watchable for me is the inconsistant and illogical rulings and penalities given out to certain drivers.

The last straw was at the Hidden Valley round. The penalty was handed out for something which 1 just can't comprehend. That is the drivethrough which Garth Tander received for being baulked behind the safety car behind a lapped car in race three. He gets a penalty! Why? He hadn't even passed the LAPPED,not in the race, car before the start finish line, so why does he get a penalty'?

Because of this ridiculous rule of cars being in single file to the line.

But, how is 30-plus cars tripping over each other, through a complex of turns into a tight left, onto the straight going to work with this rule?

Wily do you get penalised for something like this? A rare podium, for a driver who truly deserves it is taken away. Where's the logic?

Well, Colin Bond and Tim Schenken,if your goal in life was to destroy V8 Supercar and lose fans, you're on your way to succeeding.

Shane Andrew Richard RlCSA005@students.unisa.edu.au

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MNews reader Brett Sandars is unsure of the future of Konica V8 Supercars in our country's current climate ...

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