Motorsport News Issue 277 - February 25-March 9, 2004

Australia $5.95 NZ $7.50 inci GST

Feb 25 - March 9 2004

The latest in testing and » pre-race news

ISSN 1320-974/i

9 771320 974012

r.

4

FOR OVER 20 YEARS DEL WEST HAS SET THE WORLDWIDE STANDARD FOR ADVANCED TITANIUM VALVES AND VALVE TRAIN TECHNOLOGY WITH DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE SECOND TO NONE. DEL WEST utilises mil-spec titanium alloys and other raw materials that are created to their proprietary specifications and fully inspected to their exacting standards.

Titanium delivers approximately 40% weight savings over conventional steel alloys while providing comparable strength sufficient to withstand the stresses of high rpm racing.

Weight savings equals: ● Lower mass of titanium valves as well as matching spring retainers and locks allows for the use of more radical camshaft profiles without risking valve float.

To compliment their titanium valves, DEL WEST also manufacture: * Titanium locks ● Titanium retainers * Valve seat inserts ● Valve guides ● Valve spring locators All these premium DEL WEST components combined, achieve the strongest and most reliable valve train svstem for anv racing

Coll our soles team for details of our full product ranae avolloble from vour local distributor.

Ph073li08]986 t

t

motorsport news

Issue 277

25 February —10 March 2004

news and opinion 5

Beginning of a beautiful thing Half opens fire at Williams

7

TC’s bags are packed Cochrane says China is ON

8

Final piece in place Pantano secures Jordan seat

10 Near Miss Three injured in Wakefield explosions 12 Don’t touch that dial PROCAR sorts its TV deal 25 Motor Mouth Crompton on V8 Supercars and Formula 1 26 Box Seat A Phoney War 82 Talk Converter The place with no letters about Skaife

foaturos

IV1INCVVO o^jcar\b lu on riciiir\ vviiiiaiiiS)

race coverage

62 Gurr 1, World 0 Alan Gurr draws first blood in Konica Minolta V8 curtain raiser at a very hot AND very cold Wakefield Park 65 Washington is the capital Bryce takes FFord silverware

Photos: Cover; SBR. sutlonu images.com ^ Contems; Dirk Ktynsmith sutton-imagos.com

regulars 20 Bikes

66 Rallying

68 Speedway

72 National Scene

76

Marketplace

a

Rumour Rile Where we air all those intriguing, but to date unconfirmed, rumours dug out by our imperious spies some of v^ich may well turn out to be right on the button ...

Still no sign of a second driver nomination for Adelaide-based V8 Supercar squad Team Dynamik.

Industry grapevine suggests the team is looking for a pilot who can bring a bit of loot for the kitty.

Problem for the young Aussies currently without a seat is the number of noughts on the required dosh.

Nige alert! Nige alert! Picture the scene: Channel Ten's Neil Crompton sitting in a Gold Coast coffee shop sharing a latte with good mate Brad Jones. The cafe is deserted but for a couple huddled over in the corner having a cup of tea.

Imagine our Neil's shock when he realises that the cosy couple is none other than Nigel Mansell and wife Roseanne. Turns out that Our Nige's sister, formerly of Adelaide domicile, is now running one of the top class Gold Coast hotels. Discount, Nige?

Team Brock expansion? Deal done, say our industry moles, for TB to run a couple of cars in the fledgling Future Racers category.

Announcement coming within the fortnight.

Ed Immortalised? You know you've made an impression when they name a grandstand after you. Well, our man out West reckons Rally Oz organisers are going to do just that.

Patrons will apparently be able to park their bums in the Ed Ordynski Stand at this year's Oz WRC round.

'06 AGP date change BERIMIE Ecclestone has confirmed that the Australian Formula One Grand Prix may face a calendar move for 2006.

Melbourne's hosting of the Comnnonwealth Games, which will be held between March 15-26, may force the rescheduling of the event, according to the Formula One Administration chief.

"We have a contract with the promoter for them always to be the first race," said Ecclestone last week, "and we've scheduled our calendar with that in mind, not knowing what was going to happen in 2006. So it's something we need to have a look at now."

"We need to have a look. There are a few other events that need to be taken into consideration.

They've also got dates fixed they're happy with.

Ecclestone on: His successor People will step into my shoes as soon as I'm not here, for sure! If you went out today to try and choose a person it would be very difficult. Somebody would have to grow into what I do, which has taken me a few years to do that properly. We're looking for a new used car dealer!

Moving races from Europe If we have more (races) in Asia, obviously we've got to lose them somewhere. So the obvious thing is we have a lot of races in Europe, so I suppose that's the place where they could afford to lose a couple. But not anywhere else. We have only got one in America and one in South America, so it's got to be Europe.

The 2004 World Champion There is Kimi (Raikkonen) ... I would put my money on him to be the champion. There's Michael (Schumacher), who is always there. Obviously.(Juan) Montoya, probably if he sort of quietens down a little bit.

f

ft-

ri

Who was that voice on the phone?

Surely not the 'captain' of another news-based motorsport magazine who asked Bernie E if he watched the V8 Supercars when he was in Melbourne, during a media phone hook-up? "No," replied the great man. Not at all? 'I don't watch them and I don't have any interest!" Not even for the rumble and the roar?

"No " Questioner retired ...

4

so we have got to ask some of those people to move, which we will undoubtedly do."

Speaking in a phone hook-up with Australian media, Ecclestone dealt with a wide range of topics without really providing too many new insights or revelations.

He did, however, say that there is a need to reduce the cost of Formula One racing to keep the sport going at its current level of 20 cars.

"If we don't reduce the costs dramatically, the current people that are in Formula One that are at the top (at the car companies) and spending all the money ... who knows, one day they may say, "Listen, we've spent enough and we're leaving."

"I think we have got to do something like this year, got to come up with some ideas to reduce costs. (It's) just that simple."

Island of Foxes?

Lindsay Fox linked to Phillip Island buy-out

COULD millionaire trucking giant Lindsay Fox be preparing to buy the Phillip Island race track?

That's the intriguing possibility, from well-placed MNews sources, which has emerged in the past fortnight.

The Phillip Island track has been on the market for some months, with occasional rumours that Honda or Yamaha might be looking at purchasing, only for those rumours to come to nought.

MNews can report that the Linfox helicopter recently delivered Fox Snr to the island circuit and that there are strong suggestions that the self-confessed petrol-head is looking at the possibility of investing in it.

MNews was able to contact son Andrew Fox this week at Linfox Properties head office, who politely declined to comment.

A Linfox purchase would come as good news to Victorian motorsport fans, with the 'can-do' Fox group likely to undertake the necessary works to overcome the safety issues at the track in order to regain the national events recently lost, such as the venue's V8 Supercar round.

Fox also owns a tremendous collection of exotic cars, currently housed in a Docklands warehouse, which could form the basis of a worthwhile motor sport museum at the Island ...

Although MNews has no indication of any time frame, it's a case of watch this space ...

Williams's 2005 drivers Maybe there's an Australian guy that could get the job done. He's driving for Jaguar at the moment, I believe, isn't he?

The new GP2 category People should be able to come into that series for certainly less than it's going to cost for Formula 3000, what it currently costs in Formula 3000. It's been very well supported by Renault, which is good.

V8 Supercars I don't watch them, and I don't have any interest. molorspon news

NEWS

I Kimi predicts an If early shower

I

Half sprays Williams WILLIAMSFl could be shopping for two drivers next season, after recent comments made in the

can only laugh at that. I wanted to sign. We scheduled a meeting for the final race of the season in Japan, but Frank Williams wasn't there and then

German media by Ralf Schumacher.

On top of the news that Juan Pablo Montoya is heading to McLarenMercedes at the end of the season, German tabloid Bild am Sonntag reports that Schumacher says he is prepared to quit the team and to n severe his ties with BMW due to the treatment he has received during contract negotiations with the British team.

"Even if me and my manager Willi Weber would find if hard to leave behind our friends at BMW,there's a chance it could happen," said Schumacher.

"It would be sad, but I can't allow myself to be treated like that by Williams. I'm not frustrated, but I find it hard to understand certain things that have happened these past

he suddenly pulled the offer. On a human level I'm very disappointed with him."

'1 can't allow myself to be treated like that by Williams ff

- Ralf on his negotiations few months."

Schumacher said that an offer made to him by team principal Sir Frank Williams has been withdrawn.

"Frank Williams says I'm nothing but a money-grabber," said Ralf. "I

Williams said that they had decided "to park the discussions about money". Schumacher and Williams were at loggerheads over how much Ralf should be paid in 2005 with the German wanting an increase in salary to US$15m ($19.2m) and Williams wanting to reduce the current US$12m salary to US$7m.

In the meantime,speculation suggests that Schumacher and Weber are to further pursue talks with Toyota and that Williams and co principal Patrick Head have a short list of drivers they would like to recruit for next season,including Mark Webber.

KIMI Raikkonen has made extraordinary statements in the media, expressing concerns about the reliability of the new McLaren MP4/19 ahead of the upcoming Australian Grand Prix.

"I don't have big expectations for the new season, but we won’t know where we are until we get to Melbourne," the Finn told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

"If we can get the car to the finish, then I think we can get a good result, but if it doesn't finish then I'll get zero points and a big disappointment.

"At the moment, it seems unlikely that we’ll be able to finish the race."

McLaren has been plagued by a variety of problems with their chassis as well as concerns over both the speed and reliability of the new Mercedes-Benz powerplant.

Jag goes from Zero to Hero JAGUAR has set the cat among the pigeons by recording some very competitive times on literally the last day of pre-season FI testing.

Having lost valuable track time in earlier tests with some mechanical gremlins, the last serious test, at Valencia last week, was crucial for the team in terms of confirming mechanical reliability.

After two intense days in which Mark Webber and Christian Klien covered more than six Grands Prix,

3RMANCE

distances without significant trouble, things appear to be on the up for the R5 Jaguar, which had initially been branded as a bit of a slow-coach by the Euro media.

The success of the week's testing

backs Jaguar's claim that all the previous work was simply durability testing and part of a plamied testing regime.

To cap it all off, Webber then undertook a low-fuel run and lapped just a tenth slower than McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen, who earlier in the day had set a new track record for the Valencia circuit.

"It's encouraging," Webber told MNews this week."There's always plenty still to be done, but it looks as though we have a realistically reliable package to go to Melbourne with."

More on the Jaguar'sform and Webber's insider pick of theform horses, check out our extensive FI season preview, starting on page 48.

s

TC JIM Richards has walked away from a likely HFTT co-drive to share a Castrol/Perkins Commodore with son Steven because he wants to win Bathurst.

Castrol Perkins Racing last week confirmed MNews'exclusive cover story (last issue) that Richards, father and son, would pair up in an attempt to win V8 Supercar racing's premier event.

The announcement was part of the team's 2004 launch, confirming an all-new productbased Castrol livery, three regular cars (for Richo Jnr, Paul Dumbrell and Tony Longhurst) and the fact that Perkins will also run a fourth car, for the Toll Racing franchise.

Richo Snr dismissed any 'emotional' factors in his decision

to race alongside his son: "Heck no," he told us.

"I couldn't give a bugger! I'd rather drive with Steve than anyone else but, at the same time, if Steve wasn't capable of winning, I wouldn't be driving with him,"

Ned joi

For more on the Richo/Richo story, see 'Five Minutes with Jim Richards' on page 28.

Polites to head overseas

WPS to run one GEOFF Polites is leaving Ford Australia.

Polites is to fill the newly created role of vice-president, European sales staffs, at Ford of Europe, based in Cologne, Germany,from April 1.

Polites, who has spent five years as the President of Ford Australia, has been largely seen - along with the late Howard Marsden -as the architect of Ford resurgence in V8 Supetcar racing, with Marcos Ambrose winning the company's first championship since 1997 last year.

Polites's replacement will be Tom Gorman,currently general sales manager at Ford in the US. He will be will be joined by Australian John Crew, who will assume a new posihon as executive vice-president, operations, at Ford Australia.

6

WPS Racing will hit the track at Albert Park, but the team will not run two cars until later in the season.

Mark Noske and David Besnard appeared with one of the team's ex-00 Motorsport Falcons at the Brisbane Motor Show last week but, for the first few races at least, will share the car on the track, as the team currently has just one V8 Supercar franchise available to it.

The team currently leases the same Lansvale Level 1 licence Noske ran under last season, although the new Tasman Motorsport team is believed to have plans to re-acquire the licence for next season to run a second Commodore in the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship, MNews has been told that Noske will drive the car in the Netscape V8 Supercar races at Albert Park while Bezzy will drive the car in the Clipsal 500.

The WPS team will acquire one of the Level 2 licences that are currently available later in the season. The cost of such an acquisition is thought to be substantially lower than it was last year, when numbers of up to $700,000 were being touted for purchase of an L2 licence.

WPS moved into a new workshop of the Gold Coast earlier this month and it currently half way through its recruiting program.

-phil'branagan motorsport news

NEWS

China is go TONY Cochrane has emphatically denied rumours circulating over recent week that the Shangahi round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series would be postponed or cancelled.

The AVESCO Chairman told Motorsport News on Monday that the race would go ahead as planned and as scheduled: "The entire calendar is exactly as it has been printed," he said emphatically.

"The series launch will be on March 11."

Stories had circulated last week that AVESCO had sought to have the date of the Pukekohe round of the series, set for early May, moved back to its traditional November date to replace the Chinese race.

"1 have a holiday booked in New Zealand immediately after the race," said Cochrane.

"If you believe some of the things that people are saying at the moment, you would believe that the earth is flat and that you would fall off the edge ..."

MNews has been advised that Cochrane left for China last Sunday and, while the AVESCO boss confirmed that he was out of the country when contacted, he declined to say just where he was ...

- PHIL BRANAGAN

)

ns Team Red PART of the question "How will Skaifey juggle all his commitments?" has been answered with the appointment of Craig Kelly as acting Chief Executive Officer of the

Kelly wiU continue with his role at ESP as well as working with HRT. "V8 Supercars is a mainstream sport today," Kelly said.

"It's similar to AFL in as much as it

m

requires a full-on team effort to win the day. If I can use footy and sports management experience to help direct and motivate team

n Not even 40 degree temperatures were enough to keep Queensland SBR tans away from the team's annual open day, with more than 6500 people swarming upon the SBR Yatala workshop on the weekend.

Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall were both in attendance, and spent over two hours signing autographs.

"Days like this make it all worthwhile," said Ambrose. "The Ford fans have had to wait a while to have a car with the #1 plate, and now they can enjoy it."

n We hear that Kees Weel has sold his K&J Thermal business and is now going to concentrate on running PWR, the firm's high-performance radiator business.

TEGA Board,as well as his various commitments with Holden, Holden Special Vehicles and others.

The team unveiled its new look at Eastern Creek last week, using its Holden Commodore PR2 ride car, which is cosmetically similar to its V8 Supercar racers.

HRT has extended its commercial deals with Gillette, Xbox and CUB and joined with Fila. This is the first Australian motorsport deal for the Italian sports clothing and footwear giant, which already has 'red' deals with Ferrari's FI team and Ducati's MotoGP and SBK teams.

n Wave to the kiddies, Ricko!

Melbourne's annual Moomba festival parade looks set to have a strong Holdenish flavour this Labour Day. with a number of the Lion's V8 Supercar stars set to take in the parade mounted on the back of Holden Utes. n Good thing Peter Newling is a Holden tan. The 36-year-old Director of Policy of the Victorian YMCA is the winner of the Ultimate Foster's

newest Xbox game - V8 Supercar Race Driver 2.

Australian Grand Prix Experience. Pete and a close friend (bet he has a few of those now) will be perched in a Grandstand at Albert Park, will be staying in a flash hotel for five nights and have a pit walk as well as a tour of the Jaguar Racing garage with some bloke called Webber. Newling will also down the brave pills and leap into Greg Murphy's Kmart Racing Commodore VY for a maxed-out lap of the track.

Thanks to all who sent in entries.

The new version, due for release in May on Xbox on PC to be followed later in the year by the PS2 version, features more tracks, more cars (including HRT) and better game dynamics. And yes, it wasn't hard beating Skaifey and company when they had a turn ...

n As MNews predicted some months ago, Murphy is to take part in the Silverstcne race to the Sky in New Zealand on April 10/11 . The three-time Bathurst winner will drive a Holden Ute which is being prepared in Melbourne.

performance, it will allow both Mark and Todd Kelly to concentrate on driving issues come race weekends."

Skaife will continue to fill the role of team owner and member of the

Get your fingers ready...

ALSO at Eastern Creek last Monday was the media launch of the

25 Fsbruary 2004

IF you're lucky enough to score a ride in the Holden Racing Team's 'PR2' three-seater ride car this year, check out the bloke driving it and he might be familiar. No, it might not be Mark Skaife or Todd Kelly, rather Network 10 talking head Neil Crompton, who has been pencilled in to do the ride car duties during the year.

n Motorsport News is unafraid of the b\g stories - in fact, we make 'em happen I After negotiating with both sides of the V8 Supercar fraternity. Ford and Holden have reached an agreement to have its PR operatives stop waving around those 'We Won!' posters after races. We don't have it in writing yet but guys, if you reneg on this one, we know where you park your road cars ...

by PHIL BRANAGAN

Holden Racing Team.

The 37-year-old former AFL Collingwood premiership player and Director of Elite Sports Properties, the company which manages Skaife, has joined the team to allow Skaife to concentrate on fiis racing commitments.

They’re both still talking heads...

I

Renault getting Jordan signs warmer c Regie’s new 72-degree VIO looks the goods FORMULA 1'sBig Three teams are looking at Renault and wondering if the team has not pulled off a remarkable feat and remained as competitive as before (and perhaps even improved), despite having changed engines.

More extraordinary still is the fact that the switch has been to an engine that is outdated in terms of the most recent FI design philosophies. The 90-degree VIO is used by virtually everyone these days, but Renault's new unit is based on a 72-degree design.

Renault knows that this is the case and is already planning for a new 90-degree engine for 2005 but it seems that whatever drawbacks the engine has created, they are more than matched by the aerodynamic and dynamic efficiency of the new car. And all of that, despite the departure of the two top engineers in the team.

There are some who argue that the loss of Mike Gascoyne and John Hey will probably not be properly felt until the end of the current season when the team will have to design a new car without their input. Whatever the case, they are all worried that this year Renault might pull off a big surprise.

There is a tendency to suggest that all engine manufacturers have

problems with new engines and that it is inevitable that Renault will be less reliable than its major rivals but testing has failed to show any hint of that.

The secret, the Renault men think, is that the engineers at Viry-Chatillon have such a huge amount of data about 72-degree engines that they have been able to avoid all the pitfalls of new engines. Renault raced its own 72-degree engine for years and developed the Supertec unit, below.

The fact that the new engines do not seem to be too short of horsepower compared to the other teams is also interesting although we have yet to see the cars running on different types of circuit.

Last week, the team finally announced a sponsorship deal with Spanish telco Telefonica. The agreement is believed to be for two years with a third year option if Fernando Alonso is still with the team in 2006.

At the same time there is a personal sponsorship between Telefonica and Alonso, which will run for at least three years. This could be significant because Alonso would not be able to move to a team with a different mobile telephone sponsor such as Vodafone (Ferrari).

- JOE SAWARD

Pantano

Italian F3000 ace completes 2004 FI grid - and EJ signs Glock as tester

JORDAN Grand Prix has signed Giorgio Pantano as its second driver for 2004. The Italian is bringing US$5m of sponsorship to the Silverstone-based team.

Pantano, right, is a good choice for Jordan. The two-time Karting World champion was signed up by AMG Mercedes-Benz in 1996 and looked to be in the fast lane to Formula 1 but then went through a difficult patch as others fought over control of his career and it was not until 2000 that he was truly able to return to the limelight.

He took part in the four races of the Palmer Audi winter series of 1999 and then tested an Astromega Formula 3000 before signing for the KMS team to race in German F3 in his first year of single-seater competition. He caused a sensation by winning his first race in F3 and went on to win the title.

At the end of the year he tested for Benetton and joined Astromega in Formula 3000, winning at Monza. That year he tested for McLaren. A last-minute signing for Colon! in 2002 did not bode well for the season but Pantano won three times and finished the year runner-up to Sebastian Bourdais in the Formula 3000 championship.

In the winter he tested for Williams and Minardi but, unable to break into FI,signed for the Durango team and won two races last year to finish third in the F3000 series.

The team has also signed Timo Glock as its Friday test driver. The 21-year-old German was a frontrunner on occasion in the Formula 3 Eurocup in 2003. Prior to that he made his name as the 2000 Formula BMW ADAC Champion.

-JOE SAWARD

Let the Games Begin

AS MNews closed for press, the Australian Grand Prix office released the confirmed on-track schedule for the 2004 Foster's Australian Grand Prix.

Thursday March 4 09.30 Practice: Historic Touring Cars 09.50 MNews prizewinner laps with Kmart Racing's Greg Murphy 10.20 Practice: Formula Ford 10.55 Practice: V8 Supercars 11.40 Practice: Carrera Cup 12.15 Qualifying: Historic Touring Cars 12.50 Qualifying: Formula Ford 13.25 Demonstration: Historic race cars 14.00 Qualifying: V8 Supercars 14.45 Qualifying: Carrera Cup 15.30 Race 1: Formula Ford (8 laps) 16.05 Top Ten Shhoot-out V8 Supercars 17.05 Race 1 Historic Touring Cars(8 laps) 17.40 Race 1 Carrera Cup (8 laps)

Friday March 5 09.30 Practice/Qualifying Corporate Kart Challenge 09.55 Demonstration: Historic race cars 11.00 PRACTICE: FORMULA 1 (60 mins) 12.50 Practice; Celebrity Challenge 14.00 PRACTICE: FORMULA 1 (60 mins) 15.25 Race 1: V8 Supercars(10 laps)

16.05 Race 2: Historic Touring Cars(8 laps) 16.45 Race 2: Carrera Cup (8 laps) 17.40 Race 2: Formula Ford (8 laps)

Saturday March 6 09.12 Race; Corporate Kart Challenge (2 laps) 11.15 PRACTICE: FORMULA 1 (45 mins) 12.30 Demonstration: Historic race cars 12.55 Qualifying: Celebrity Challenge 14.00 QUALIFYING: FORMULA 1 16.00 Race 2: V8 Supercars(19 laps) 17.00 Race 3: Carrera Cup (8 laps) 17.40 Race 3: Historic Touring Cars (8 laps)

Sunday March 7 09.30 Race 3; Formula Ford (8 laps) 10.05 Demonstration: Historic race cars 10.37 Race 3: V8 Supercars(10 laps) 11.10 FI DRIVER'S PHOTO/PARADE 11.40 Race: BMW Celebrity Challenge (5 laps) 12.15 Race 4: Carrera Cup (8 laps) 14.00 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX START ffloioriDon news

,*

NEWS

Oh, how he loves us now...

MIDDLE-AGED crisis Dept: Which V8 team manager is in the gym as we speak, shedding the donutinspired kilos so he can squeeze the body into a Van Diemen RF04?

We hear that the person in question is going to have a gallop in the car in that state's FF series, assisted by students by a nearby TAFE. We cannot possibly name the driver for reasons of confidentiality but his brother Brad Jones and son Andy Jones think it's a hoot. n Talk about matching the man to the conditions. 22-year-old Konica Minolta V8 debutante Marcus Zukanovic had a tough time getting used to V8 Supercar clutches, and stalled on the grid in the two opening races. But in the third race - which was wet - the blue PCR/Actron Air car took off like a jet and nude just about the best start in the ,vhole field! We thought that the v.et -was supposed to make things, hardei, not easier...

BAR reign?

Button predicts wins for 006

JENSON Button has refuted suggestions that the winter testing pace of the BAR 006 is a smokescreen - and he says that the team can beat Ferrari, Williams and McLaren.

"We're very positive that we'll be challenging for race wins," he said.

"This year is going to be very important for me - my results will choose the path of my career."

"I think things could be very close this season between Ferrari, Williams and McLaren.

"It's going to be a very close season - and BAR is going to be pushing them as well. You might not believe me, but we are going to be."

Button also says that he wants to stay at the Prodriveowned team, despite rumours linking him with the WilliamsFI drive in 2005.

"But I have got a contract with BAR for 2005 and 2006 and that is where I am at the moment."

2S February 2004

Test driver Anthony Davidson says that a big part of the BAR 006's improvement over last year lies in its new carbon composite gearbox.

"It's been absolutely faultless," Davison said.

"Touch wood, it will continue to be over the weekend in Melbourne and through the rest of the year.

That's been one of the strongest parts of the car actually, reliability-wise.

"And the Honda guys are

pushing hard - we had a few problems at the beginning of the year, but we've got on top of them already and everything bodes well for Melbourne, really. I think we're going to have a very reliable car."

- MARK GLENDENNNING For more on BAR Honda's Anthony Davidson and Takuma Sato, turn to page 56.

n There are a few new fates at PROCAR. Former Nator'yCup Category Manager Steve Bettes is back, this time as Category Manager for the Australian Production Car Championship and V8 BRutes. Craig Nayda will assume Category Manager responsibilities for Nations Cup and GT Performance, and exOctagon UK man Michael Browning will work alongside Ross Palmer in a joint-CEO capacity. n How do you recover from the stress of a long racing season?

Apparently, you go to Las Vegas and take in a Celine Dion gig. We're not going to embarrass the three drivers in question by naming them (but two of them are Holden-driving brothers from Mildura and the other one is called Nathan), however it just goes to prove that a heavy right foot does not equal a tasteful music collection ... n Former F3000 star Rob Nguyen looks likely to run in this year's Formula 4000 series. The Queenslander, who ran a full F3000 year with Astromega in 2002 followed by a limited schedule with BCN last year, will run alongside Akihiro Asai at Hocking Motorsport. n The first four rounds of the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship will receive television coverage this year on Network Ten's 'Trackside'. The current level of funding for the category's television coverage doesn't allow for the full season, though category administrators are working on the situation.

"Hopefully it will give prospective sponsors an insight to our category and the great value it represents," said Margaret Hardy from the Formula Ford Association.

9

I_■

ten

■ ■

vu^kefii

home of

[motorsport] 2004 V8 Supercar Championship*

INVESTIGATIONS are underway

Mar 7 . . . .Albert Park (non-championship) .Rdt Mar 21 . .Adelaide Apr 4

. .Eastern Creek

.Rd2

May 2

Pukekohe . . .

.Rd3

May 23 . . .Hidden Vailey

.Rd4

Jun 13 . . . .Barbagallo . .

Jul4 .Qld Raceway

.Rd6

after three people were injured in two separate fire extinguisher explosions at Wakefield Park on Saturday.

The accidents occurred when the

.Rd5

extinguishers were undergoing a routine pressure test and recharge as part of the standard FIA-approved recertification process.

2004 FIA Formula One Championship* Australia

Mar 7 Mar 21 Apr 4

.Rd4

May 9

.Rd5

Spain

2004 World Rally Championship* M ar 12-14 . .Mexico

.Rd3

Apr 16-18

. .New Zealand . . .

.Rd4

May 14-16 Jun 4-6 . . .

. .Cyprus

RdS

. .Acropolis Rally .

.Rd6

Jul 16-18 .

Aug 6-8 . .

. .Turkey

.Rd7

. .Argentine . .Finland

.Rd8 .Rd9

2004 Australian Rally Championship* Mar 27-28 . . . .Perth ●Rd.l Jun 5-6

.Queensla nd

.Rd2

Jun 26

Tasmania. .

Rd3 Rd4

July31-Aug1 . .Rally SA 2004 Konica Minolta V8

Supercar Championship* Rd2 Mar 21 . . .Adelaide Apr 11 . . . .Winton

Rd3

May 30 . . .Eastern Creek Ju) 4 Qld Raceway

RdS

Rd4

2004 Procar Series Mar 21

.Rd 1

. . .Adelaide

Apr 18 . . . .Oran Park

.Rd 2

May 16 . . .Sandown

.Rd 3

2 004 SBK World Superbike Championship* Feb 29 . . .Valencia . . . ●Rd 1 Mar 28 . . .Phillip Island

,Rd2

Apr 18

●Rd3

Misano . . . .

2004 Moto GP

Apr 18 May 2 .

May 16 Jun 6 .

Championship . . . .South Africa . . .

.Rd.l

Spain . . . .France

.Rd2

.Italy

.Rd4

,Rd3

rten1 k.

J

home of

■ ■ ■

motorsport g

when the extinguisher on one of the

.Rd3

Apr 25 . . . .San Marino

June 25-27

Trevor Lansdown, of Pyrotection Melbourne, suffered a broken arm

.Rd 1 Rd2

. . .Malaysia . Bahrain

All 9v9nl d/H0s IP this cal9n(Jar mre coned at the time of pnnung Please consult any individual Irachs and'Of tis*ocMf/ons lor dale changes

—^ Sorlet or ovents lolocoil on Network Ten aro ...H niarkod with on ootorlok. Check your locnl m guides lor screening delnlls.

Cam IS his own man

Rupprecht Motorsport cars exploded.

Later, Brian Egglestone, father of Ben, the driver of the #38 VX Commodore, suffered severe hand and facial injuries when performing

CAMERON McLean will have a full-time drive in the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series - but he's not tied to a manufacturer or team when it comes to the main series or endurance races.

The former Privateer's Cup champ is driving one of three Howard Racing AU Falcons alongside team owner Mark Howard and Tim Gordon and debuted in the Weathered Howe-backed car on the weekend at Wakefield Park.

He acted as a consultant driver coach to Howard and Gordon last year and steps back behind the wheel after a quiet 2003 that was restricted to endurance racing with the Kmart team.

"We have some good experience behind us now with the two cars that we ran in the 2003 series," team manager Warren Davis said.

"The plan last year was to set-up the correct team infrastructure for this season and now we have the third car running it should put us in a good position to be really competitive this year."

The team will use engines by Craig Hasted, who has provided power in the past to the Super Cheap/Ellery squad.

McLean, meanwhile, is on the market for the endurance races and is using the KMV8 Series as a way of keeping 'race ready' for Sandown and Bathurst.

- AARON NOONAN

Tasmanian Rally Tragedy

THE rally fraternity is in mourning following the death of popular South Australian co-driver Ian ‘Henry’ Lawson, who was killed in a crash on the opening stage of Rally Tasmania last week.

Lawson was co-driving for fellow South Australian John Beasley in a Torana XU1 in the Classic category of the all-tarmac rally based in Burnie in Tasmania's northwest when the car failed to negotiate a righthand bend following a crest and crashed into a tree.

Clerk of the Course Brian Richardson told media that the accident occurred about 1.2km into the opening stage of the rally. It is believed Lawson was killed instantly while the driver, John Beasley, suffered serious leg injuries and was in a critical condition in hospital.

The accident occurred at 6pm

on Friday evening and brought the rally to a halt, however the event continued on Saturday and Sunday despite the sad events of the opening day.

Lawson, 41, of Evanston, near Gawler in South Australia was an accomplished co-driver, most recently partnering long-time Aussie Car class champion Steve Winwood in a Mitsubishi Lancer in the 2003 ARC. He also co-drove tor Ian Nitschke in a Holden Rodeo in last year's Australian Safari.

A skilled rally engineer, Lawson helped build and prepare the Torana he was killed in as well as many of Winwood's cars and the Nitschke Safari Ute. He had been involved in rallying for more than 20 years and was the 1993 South Australian rally champion, partnering Dave McDonough to the title.

John Beasley's wife Jan - a prominent Adelaide TV presenter - flew to Burnie to be at his

bedside after being told of the crash by her 21-year-old son Luke, who was a member of his father's Torana XU-1 crew and was in Burnie for the Rally.

Mrs Beasley told the media that her husband was shattered by the tragedy.

“John and Henry were just a fantastic team together and they meant the world to each other,” said Mrs Beasley.

Lawson had worked on the Torana with Beasley tor about three years, and the pair had competed in last year's Classic Adelaide Rally together.

It is understood that just prior to leaving tor Tasmania, Lawson had been planning his wedding to long-term fiance Natalie. The wedding was scheduled to be held in five weeks.

CAMS is mounting a full investigation into his death.

- JON THOMSON

motorsport news

NEWS

Id Explosion Drama

1

the same task.

Glenn Simmons,a mechanic with the team,sustained tendon injuries to his right hand in the same incident.

The second explosion occurred while the recharge was being performed under the supervision of .ansdown, who was overseeing the process with his injured arm in a sling.

Both the Konica Minolta and main V8 Supercar Series require competitors to have their safety equipment re-certified prior to the commencement of the season.

CAMS and AVESCO are both co operating with the appropriate authorities.

. V'

e

m

MICHAEL Caruso has secured the second Holden Young Lions seat in the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship.

Caruso, above, who won last year's Australian Formula 3 Championship, finalised the deal to drive the #46 VX Commodore alongside team-mate Kurt Wimmer just days before last weekend's opening round at Wakefield Park.

"We're really pleaed to have Flolden behind us, and obviously John Faulkner has a lot of experience, which will help a lot," said Caruso, who salvaged a second place in race two from a Supercar debut that was otherwise frustrated by some overheating problems in qualifying and punctures.

"Once we get a few things sorted out with the car and with myself, and everything settles down a bit. I'm confident that we will be more of a force."

- MARK GLENDENNING 2S February 2004

Irishman for Carrera Cup AGP races THE Michelin Carrera Cup will have another international in its midsts for the AGP support races.

Irishman Hector Lester, who has raced at Albert Park in years previous for Prancing Horse in Nations Cup, will steer Rodney Jane Racing's 2003-spec Porsche GTS Cup machine in the four-race schedule for the class. Jane will debut a new 2004-model machine. n Another new face in the Carrera Cup ranks is former karter Troy Hunt. Hunt has leased Geoff Morgan's #4 machine for the Australian Grand Prix support races and is working on securing a budget for the remainder of the season.

ANDREW Jones’s Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship hopes received a late boost when he secured the backing of BOC Gases for the 2004 season.

Jones rolled his new BOC Gases-llverled Falcon AU out for its first public run at last weekend’s opening round of the season at Wakefield Park.

“BOC were a great supporter of the team last year, and have increased their involvement,” said Jones.

“We’re really excited about what their assistance can provide for us.

“I think the excitement also comes from the design of the car.

We think we’ve come up with one of the most striking liveries that the Konica Minolta Championship has ever seen.”

Jones started his new relationship with BOC on a high note by putting the #19 car on pole, but was forced to spend race day recovering from a bad start in race one and a DNF courtesy of damage caused by another competitor before bouncing back to win race three.

- MARK GLENDENNING

n Terry Wyhoon is selling up. The former Konica Minolta V8 racer has placed his ex-00 Motorsport AU Falcon and ex-DJR EL Falcon on the market and won't be taking up a spot on the grid in season 2004. The former AUSCAR/NASCAR ace has been a mainstay of the V8 feeder series since its inception in 2000. n What do you do when you're short on cash and don't have a drive for 2004? You work as a crew member on somebody else's car. That's what 2003 Formula Ford hotshot Glen Hastings is doing this year, appearing at Wakefield Park on the weekend looking after Bryce Washington's Sonic/Adrad Van Diemen RF04. And former GRM steerer Jamie Whincup was in the same boat, helping guide another Sonic driver in the form of Michael Trimble. n The Dallara 301 that helped Michael Caruso win the 2003 Australian F3 Championship is no longer for sale, with Nova Veloce Racing having decided to run the car once again in this year's series. The team is on the lookout for a suitable driver. n Like your white cans? Jim Beam bourbon is giving one lucky winner the chance to be at this year's Indy 500 and win US$1 million ($1.27m) if Jim Beam-backed driver Dan Wheldon can win the big race.

Unfortunately for aficionados of the liquid gold in Australia, entry is only open to US residents, but we simply had to tell you about it ... n Recently retired IndyCar ace Gil de Ferran will be back this weekend at the opening round of the IRL IndyCar Series at Homestead-Miami Speedway - as the Grand Marshall I "Hopefully, he'll say 'Gentlemen, and especially Helio, Start your Engines'," said former team-mate Helio Castroneves.

11

PROCAR lands Nine

inlay am slots for Nations Civ,l]^ Peildnnance and BRi^

I

Davisi

Aussie internatior for local Carrera C

●ptJCHS IT, Lubricant* tmum

ITTCTfi

Nine's Wide World of Nations Cup: PROCAR has landed a tiew deal for 2004, switching from Seven to Nine.

Not all of its categories will make the switch, the APCC and F3 title heading to SBS. AFTER much talk and rumour, PROCAR has landed the Nine Network as its television broadcaster for the 2004 PROCAR Champ Series.

NaHons Cup, GT Performance and V8 BRutes will be shown on the Nine Network with each category featured in its own one-hour programme on Saturday afternoons.

The coverage will start from April.

AVE win continue to produce the PROCAR Champ Series shows, while the other categories on the PROCAR bill, the Australian Production Car Championship and Australian Formula 3 Championship, will be shown on SBS's 'Speedweek' program.

"This a great move for our competitors and sponsors, as well as PROCAR itself," PROCAR Chairman Ross

Palmer said.

"The PROCAR Champ Series has been gaining popularity rapidly over the past couple of seasons, thanks not only to the racing itself but also to the high quality of the productions from AVE. Moving to the number one network in the country - one with an unrivalled reputation for its sports coverage - can only accelerate our growth."

All five classes will be included in a program shown on FOX Sports in a regular Thursday timeslot alongside the existing 'Inside Speed' programme.

The Bathurst 24 Hour is not part of the deal with the Nine Network and the rights to the enduro classic are to be negotiated separately with no deal currently in place.

Jones to Asian F3 CHRISTIAN Jones is packing his bags for a full assault on the 2004 Asian Formula 3 Championship.

Jones will set up his own team for his campaign, and will use the Mugen Honda-powered Dallara F301 that he drove in last year's championship.

“I got the offer back in December to do the season, and I decided last month to go ahead and do it," Jones explained.

“Since then, it's been a month of negotiations, and now we re ready to go."

The Queenslander will divide his time between Australia and the Philippines during the season, and says that he is looking forward to a challenge that will be made all the tougher by the presence of a brand-new, works-backed TOM'S car amongst the opposition.

Jones will go into 2004 with a perfect record in the series, having won on debut at the final round at 12

►

a Cressey’s a VIP as.

KIWI Formula 3 racer James Cressey is switching to tin-tops for 2004 and will join VIP Petfoods Racing in its three-car Carrera Cup operation.

Cressey, 19, from Auckland's North Shore, will join Tony and Klark Quinn in the team for the nine-round series as well as the non championship support races at the Australian Grand Prix.

"A lot of people were surprised," he said.

Batangas in the Philippines late last year. The championship kicks off at Batangas in April.

-MARKGLENDENNING

ALEX Davison will return home for 2004, sealing a deal to drive a fourth Greg Murphy Racing Porsche in this year's Carrera Cup. The 24-year-old, who has been racing for the past four seasons in the German Carrera Cup, has returned home for the full championship and has secured the major backing of Glenfords Discount Tool Centres for the assault.

It's a return to the GMR fold for Davison, who won the final round of last year's local series at Eastern Creek.

"But yon only have to look at the Carrera Cup to see that it was the right way to go. There's been plenty of interest from Europe and the States but the money they want is mindblowing.

"We've got good support here and in Australia but to go any further we'd need more and though we've been trying it is just not there.

"1 could sit out another season

and try and get the budget together but when you have something like this (the Carrera Cup deal) put in front of you you have to take it seriously."

Cressey, who finished third in last year's Australian F3 title, will re locate to the Gold Coast to work with VIP Petfoods in addition to his new driving duties.

He will carry the #2 plate earnt for the team by Marcus Marshall in last year's championship.

- AARON NOONAN moiorsport news

NEWS

nn returns home

la/ ioins GMR

Tnaktta.,

?ORDS

I /

Tnakii

t

His car will be run alongside the existing GMR Team Braun entries of Fabian Coulthard, Peter Hill and Roger Oakeshott in separate livery, as exclusively released to MNews, "I guess after four years over in .Germany I was asking myself about my career long-term before I went back over there last year," said Davison of his decision.

"My feeling was the momentum had slowed down a bit in terms of my career and there isn't really any openings for a works drive within Porsche in Germany.

"I still had the possibility of doing the German Carrera Cup but decided it's probably better for my career to be back here. The aim at the moment is to get into a top level category, whether that's Sportscar, DTM, or V8 Supercars.

"The other reason is that Porsche Cars Australia have been fantastic to me over the past few years with great opportunities and I didn't want to close that door."

Davison isn't expecting an easy time though, despite his experience gained in the German series and Porsche Supercup.

"Even though we had some wins last year in Australia, in ever race it got closer and closer and it will be far away from being a push over," he added.

Davison will drive the team's new 2004-specification GTS Cup machine and shook it down at Calder last week.

He has retained Mistral International as a personal backer and will make his full time debut for GMR in the Carrera Cup support races at the Australian Grand Prix before the championship begins a fortnight later in Adelaide.

M&M's one off at AGP r

Where will Vasser end up?

COULD Jimmy Vasser be staying in Champ Cars?

The likely place for him to land is PK Racing, replacing Finn Mika Salo, who's rumoured to be looking for another Champ Car seat. Mexican Roberto Gonzalez tested for the team a fortnight ago and his Nextel backing is thought to be enough to land him the seat. Additional rumours have Craig Pollock leaving the team and Kevin Kalkhoven bringing aboard a new partner. Watch this space ... n Champ Car World Series officials have made some rule changes for 2004. The mandatory pit stop rule now means teams v/ill have to make either two or three greenflag stops within a certain winoow, and each will include full tyre changes.

There will be a mandate penalising drivers who initiate avoidable contact with another car in pit lane, while an FI-style drive through penalty will be waiting for drivers who fail to yield under blue flags.

And teams won't be able to scramble their ;.tdio transmissions anymn-e, allowing fans to hear ALL of the drama, excitement and fun on their scanners ... n There's another Pom joining the IRL IndyCar Series this year in the form of Ben Collins. The 28-year-old has signed with RDM Racing and provided he passes his rookie test and a 3.5-litre engine deal can be sorted, could make his debut at Phoenix in late March. Fie would join fellow Brits Mark Taylor, Darren Manning, Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti in the series. Backing will come from the British Tourism Board. n Former Walker Racing driver Rodolfo Lavin could end up in a third Forsythe Racing car in this year's Champ Car World Series, dependant on backing from Corona. The team is sticking with Champ Paul Tracy and Patrick Carpentier, while Derrick Walker's operation is looking at an IRL IndyCar program. n Sarah Fisher looks to be back in an IndyCar ride. The former Walker Racing driver looks set to join Kelley Racing as team-mate to Scott Sharp for the Indy 500 at least.

AFTER finishing runner-up in last year's Carrera Cup, Marcus Marshall will make a one-off appearance in the class at the non-title races at the Australian Grand Prix.

Marshall will drive an AEG Power Tools Racing Porsche run by Paul Cruickshank Racing alongside Jonathon Webb,and took the wraps 2S Febiuary 2004

off the #21 car this week.

The Tekno team's operation will now be run by the Gold Coast-based PCR in 2004 for the Carrera Cup. Marshall is still continuing to piece together his overseas racing deal for 2004. He has opportunities to race in the Formula One-supporting Porsche Supercup, though is entertaining

other offers from overseas.

"I'd like to have it all signed, sealed and delivered as soon as possible, but 1 want to make sure the deal I end up doing is the best one possible," he said.

"It's important to do that and there's plenty of time still to make the selection and head overseas to start testing."

n Newman/Flaas Racing and long-time senior engineer Peter Gibbons have parted ways. Having joined as race engineer in 1991 from Penske, Gibbons has worked with the team for over 10 years and is heading to Andretti Green Racing in the IRL IndyCar Series. The team will retain Bruno Junqueira and Sebastien Bourdais for 2004.

13

McFadyen waits, hopes, prays

by GRANT ROWLEY REIGNING Formula Ford Champion Neil McFadyen is back in Australia, searching for funds to launch an attack on the Asian-based Formula BMW championship this year.

McFadyen,20,is on the hunt for $220,000 dollars after successfully testing one of Team Meritus cars at Sepang, Malaysia. But his search so far has proved fruitless. The CAMS

which is the hardest bit at the moment, but we won't rest until we run out of time."

Foundation rejected his bid for sponsorship, as did BMW Australia.

The Sydrieysider equalled the pole time set last year at Sepang,and was quicker than the team's regular drivers on the day he tested. If McFadyen raises the funds for the drive, his first race will be on the Formula One bill at the Bahrain

to compete in the revamped Gold Star series or with Sydney-based Formula Three team Piccola Scuderia Corse.

Grand Prix on April 4.

"The cars are really impressive," said McFadyen.

"We just need to get a budget

McFayden remains the Team Dynamik development driver this year and could still be linked to the drive in the second car ...

McFadyen has options with Graham Watson's Formula 4000 team

AUSSIE F3 stars Will -WMS Davison and Will Power have had their first hit-outs in their 2004 British Formula 3 Championship challengers.

Davison (Menu Motorsport) and Power (Alan Docking Racing) tested at Brands Hatch, though were hampered by a typically wet British day.

‘It was wet all day so it was totally impossible to do much comparison with other people," reported 'Davo'.

"We didn't do a whole heap of running, just a case of getting back into the

The Dude ^V- Gets Even Cooler When tes

I

Cool Dude: Will the Morris-con give him the edge over the V8 field?

14

PAUL Morris will make V8 Supercar history at the Netspace V8 Supercar Challenge next weekend at the Australian Grand Prix.

The 36-year-old Sirromet Wines Commodore driver will strap a 15kg air-conditioner into the back of his VY, becoming the first person in the modern era of the sport to do so.

Morris said the unit, a brainchild of Paul Morris Motorsport Technical Director Paul Ceprnich, could give him the edge in the hot and steamy world of V8 racing.

"This is a big breakthrough," said Morris, who tested the unit at Queensland raceway recently.

"We've seen some drivers badly affected by heat and fumes in races like Adelaide.

Darwin is another track where it's usually very hot."

This was not in the script...

Alan Docking Racing's Alex Lloyd had an unfortunate clash with an unsuspecting Formula Fordster at Silverstone last Friday.

The incident occurred while the FFord driver was returning to the circuit on the approach fflolorsport news

NEWS

Bernie bites the bullet on mags B .T1

,'ij

swing of things before we do a two-day test this week at Oulton Park."

Power has a new team-mate in the form of McLaren/Autosport Award winner Alex Lloyd, who is a former Formula Renault teammate of Davison. Davison's team-mate for this year is Malaysian Fairuz Fauzy.

Power Talk: Will Power chats with team owner Alan Dockinff, above.

Meanwhile, Will Davison Uikes his Menu Motorsport machine for a spin around Brands Hatch, below.

\

fI 1

I.

I

A

ting goes Introducing PS04B Is this the car that will score Minardi more points in Australia?

MINARDI introduced its 2004 Formula 1 race car, the Cosworth-powered PS04B, this week at Misano, Italy, where new drivers Gianmaria Bruni and Zsolt Baumgartner each had a days testing.

- QUENTIN SPURRING

to the front straight, nearly destroying the front of the FFord.

Needless to say, neither team boss, driver or backer was happy with the large and expensive incident.

Maybe a little more restraint, next time, please ...

2S Ftbruary 2004

BERNIE Ecclestone has closed down his Eurobusiness magazine just a few weeks after deciding to shut his Formula One magazine.

This means that Ecclestone is now out of the publishing industry.

There has been speculation that Ecclestone was encouraged to close down his FI publication by Michael Heseltine's Haymarket Publishing, which wants to continue its dominance of the motorsport press in Britain. This would significantly strengthen Ecclestone's case that he has a right to control all use of the terms Formula 1 and Formula One. n Tomas Enge was out testing for the new Ma-Con Formula 3000 team at Jerez last week, the team keen to use the Czech driver's experience to set-up its cars for the season. Enge will not be racing in F3000 as he has a deal to take part in the Czech national rally championship with Subaru. n Ralph Firman, out of work for 2004 following Jordan's announcement that it will be running Giorgio Pantano this year, is looking to a future in America. Firman says that his first choice would be to continue his career in open-wheelers in the United States but says that he is also interested in DTM if a good drive is available. Firman has a relatively low profile in European racing, having spent most of his time racing in Japan. n A court in the United States has ruled that Helio Castroneves breached a management agreement with Emerson Fittipaldi but did not award Fittipaldi any damages despite a call for a payment of US$3.3m ($4.2m) by Fittipaldi's lawyers. The jury dismissed eight counterclaims from Castroneves to Fittipaldi, which alleged that'Fittipaldi did not meet the terms of the agreement. n The Indy Racing League has announced more modifications to the rules for 2004 with a new points system, which increases the number of points scored by teams which finish lower than 19th and gives a bonus point to the driver who leads the most laps of a race.

One of the reasons for the change is that the IRL does not want cars which have been heavily damaged returning to the races |ust to score points by surviving until the end.

The rule package also includes the use of IRL-supplied aerodynamic devices designed to slow the cars at the fastest circuits, restrictions on the size of the airboxes and a reduction in fuel cell capacity from 35 to 30(113 litres) gallons - JOE SAWARD 15

AJ and RuSport

Iless] / / 4

Toyota Atlantics Champion team and driver graduate to Champ Car sutton-images-com

TOYOTA Atlantic Champion team RuSPORT has confirmed its entry for the 2004 Champ Car World Series.

are convinced that it will ultimately provide the best return for our partners and the best competition for our driver and crew."

The team,owned by Carl Russo, won the Atlantic title at its first

Allmendinger,21, has captured consecutive titles in the Champ Car feeder categories of the Barber Dodge Pro Series and Toyota Atlantics.

attempt last year with American racer AJ. Allmendinger, who will return to drive the team's Lola/Ford-Cosworth this year.

The team is focusing on running one car this year, expanding to two in 2005.

"After accomplishing many of the goals we set for ourselves as a Toyota Atlantic team," explained Russo,"we took the time to weigh our options carefully over the last few months.

"We have decided that now is the time for RuSPORT to step up and compete at the highest level. We believe in the viability of the Champ Car World Series and its fans, and we

"This announcement just completes what has already been a year of dreams come true for me," said Allmendinger.

"First 1 had just an unbelievable year in the Toyota Atlantic Series, then winning the championslrip, and now this.

Destin

IndyCar teams wrai

"1 can't wait to get started, and for me to get into a Champ Car this year shows that the Champ Car Ladder System can work with the support of people like Carl Russo."

-PHIL MORRIS

Brack’s off and walking

AFTER his horrifying crash at Texas late iast year, indyCar ace Kenny Brack is back on his feet - literaiiy.

The Swede has started walking without crutches as he continues his five-hour-a-day, five day-aweek rehabilitation program in a bid to return to the cockpit.

The 1998 Indy 500 winner sustained fractures to his back, sternum, ribs, right leg and both ankles and later had his gall bladder removed as a result of the crash.

“It felt so great to walk again and without the crutches," said Brack, who hopes to return to his Team Rahal G Force/Honda, currently being kept warm by Buddy Rice, by the end of the year.

“It feels a little strange not to be able to be in the middle of the action and instead follow everything from home,” Brack said.

“I am still not sure when I will be back to ‘normal,'

r

ftitlnn-lm.ifitvi.i

but I can tell you that I am very determined to make an as fast recovery as possible and am working as hard as I can. In one month, I have gone from being ‘wheelchair bound’ to walking on my own without any aids. My level of energy has also greatly improved. I can manage everything I need on my own now and be up all day.”

-PHIL MORRIS

IRL IndyCar Series teams have finished up testing in preparation for this weekend's opening round of the series at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Testing at Phoenix, defending Champion Scott Dixon topped the times over the course of a two-day test with a best of 178.715mph, faster than Tony Kanaan's pole time from the same track in 2003.

"I wouldn't say we're overly happy," surmised the Kiwi.

Champ Kenseth tames the Rock,just...

I CURRENT Nextel Cup Series champ Matt !. Kenseth totally dominated the latter stages of the

I 400 mile event at North Carolina Speedway, I Rockingham on Sunday.

But he almost gave up the win on the final turn when a strong rookie in the shape of Kasey Kahne in his Evernham Dodge battled to his inside only to come up short by a matter of metres.

Kenseth led 259 of the 393 laps for his first win in 36 races.

f

"After being so good all race I for sure didn't want to give it up at the end," remarked Kenseth.

"He(Kahne)almost got me in turns one and two and had a good charge coming off four, it was a dose one."

16

Only nine cars finished on the lead lap, thanks to two caution flags tliat uncoiled while scheduled green flag stops were underway late in the going.

Dale Earnliardt Jr. finished fifth and leads

Kenseth in the points standings.

"I just about drove my car into the fence coming off the last turn watching Kasey go for the win," said Earnhardt Jr. "But it's great to come out of here in one piece for a change, Tm sure my fans are happy with that."

Jamie McMurray took third clear of Mark Martin, Eaniliardt Jr, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Rusty Wallace.

-MARTIN D CLARK

motorgport news

NEWS

uianna S6& the Canatiian & OS C?rar«is Prix lOith a aroop of real FI petrol-headis? dSS

loe head oVV to see too oV the best FI Cirands Prix on the calendar on consecutive lOeekands.

A comprehensive tour package with various options, the North American GP Adventure will transport Motorsport News FI fans to two of the world’s most famous Grands Prix -

ation: Miami

the Canadian Grand Prix, to be run at Circuit Gilles Viileneuve on June 11-13, and the United States Grand Prix to be run at the

up preparations for Homestead opener

1

Hif(on>inMees.com

I 3

"We still have a lot of work to do.

The key for this test was to come up with a good baseline set-up and work from there."

Nineteen drivers turned laps on the re-configured one-mile oval, Dixon clear of Penske pair Sam Homish Jr and Helio Castroneves.

The good news is we discovered what not to do in our car," said Castroneves.

Fourth fastest was Andretti Green signing Bryan Herta in his stillunliveried #7 Dallara/Honda.

It was an interesting couple of days because the track changed a lot; not just from one day to the next but from one hour to the next, so we spent

25 Februiry 2004

legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway on June 18-20.

Oor man ukbbar k)iU U Ihara

Tour participants have the choice of taking to sm hi to MN#ns travoUara. the full tour, incorporating both races, or a shorter tour taking in the US GP only.

The North American GP Adventure package is a 15-day, feature-packed tour that will depart Australia on June 9 and include a one-night stopover in Los Angeles, prior to travelling on to Montreal for the Canadian GP. When we get there, there’ll be a welcome party - and our own Mark Webber says he’ll pop in to say hi.

Following three action-packed days of racing, we’ll fly to New York for a two-night sight-seeing and shopping visit. Then it’s on to Indianapolis for the US Grand Prix. Included in the tour price is a visit to the track’s incredible museum, housing some of the world’s rarest and most famous race cars.

Following three days of racetrack action, it’s back to Los Angeles and return to Australia on June 23.

Our 9-day North American GP Adventure Short Tour option departs Australia on June 15 and also incorporates a one-night LA stopover, after which tour members will catch up with the main tour party in Indianapolis.

Both tours also offer a two-night Las Vegas stopover option for those with a sense of adventure.

some time chasing the track," said Herta's team-mate Dario Frandiitti,

And the best news is that pricing begins at Just $5995 for the full 15-day tour, $3960 for the 9-day option. Package includes 3-day grandstand seating

below, who returns to racing after a back injury curtailed his 2003 program.

Dan Wheldon,top, turned laps in the Jim Beam #26 machine, while Homish's old Permzoil Panther squad continued to familiarise themselves

(Canada), Friday/Saturday general admission with Sunday grandstand seating at Indy.

with new signing Tomas Scheckter, above left.

The man who replaces Scheckter at Target/Ganassi, Darren Manning, above, spent the tests coming to grips with all-oval racing and is expected to become a threat as the season progresses.

- PHIL MORRIS

For full details on the 2004 Motorsport News North American GP Adventure, race to www.ticket2ride-is.us or call tour co-ordinators Ticket2Ride on 03 5977 2608.

Ihinkjn^ aboutjoin'll^ is tha tima to

Saleen ride for Brabham DAVID Brabham has landed a

drive with the factory-backed ACECMO Saleen squad in next month's Sebring 12 Hours.

The Australian, who finished second in the 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours with Bentley,joins team regulars Johnny Mowlem and Terry Borcheller for the American Le Mans Series opener. There is also a chance he could race for the GTS class car in the ALMS finale at Road Atlanta and in the August's Mosport round, which Borcheller may have to miss due to a clashing Grand-Am round.

Brabham, who was a class wirmer in a Prodrive Ferrari 550 Maranello in last year's ALMS,said,"I've never driven a Saleen before, but I've driven against them. That means I know that with good drivers and a proper effort behind it the car has enormous potential to do well.

NZ floods damage Manfeild

THIS is what Manfeild looks like now.

The Palmerston North, New Zealand track has been devastated

"I'm sure the car will be

competitive, but we won't know how competitive we will be against the Chevrolet Corvettes until we start testing." Brabham explained that ACEMCO regular Mowlem, who is a friend and sometime training partner, has been instrumental in getting him the deal.

"I know that ACEMCO is a serious operation," Mowlem said, "but getting someone of the calibre of David in proves that to the outside world as well. He is one of the world's top Sportscar drivers and can only add to our team."

The race will be the first of the season for Brabham, who has yet to land a full-time deal for 2004. He said that a drive one of the Prodrivebuilt Ferraris was still one possibility and that he had "a number of irons in the fire" for the forthcoming year.

- GARY WATKINS Saleen deal on: David Brabham has raced against Saleens for years. Now, he will get to drive one.

McNish back to Audi

^^iAN.McNish will feel right at home in 2004, ritUrnlng to the Audi fold for Audi Sport UK Vfloqx'a assault on the classic Sportscar r||Mf of the season.

Of a rncu drive ninco boing dumped by '^Ot« F1 at the end of 2002, the Scot will join aiilnntiy Herbert, Guy Smith, r-mnk Biele, Turner, Jamio Davios and Pierre Kaffor two-car Audi R8 line up for the Sobring Ntans 24 Hour and the now fourMana Endurance Serfnii.

1^ W® the 2000 American Lo Mans crown and wot* runner up for df-itthe famous Le Mans enduro.

f.

"I had a very successful and happy time when I was with Audi previously, while Le Mans is a very special race and dear to my heart," said McNish.

"The Audi R8 has been further developed since I raced one and is an outstanding Sportscar. But Le Mans glory, in tbe actual 24 Hour race or the new Series, will not be easy we'll need to fight hard for victories."

Turner will race for the team in the LMES and is the team's reserve driver for Sebring and Le Mans. He, McNish, Davies and Kaffer will be the team's line-up for the new series.

by.the floodwater that swept across central and southern areas of the north island last week.

The track has suffered severe damage to the surface and edges and will require substantial repairs.

Apart from the track's current commitments, the damage is likely to affect plans for the track to host a V8 Supercar round in the near future.

The floods have been called the worst to hit the country in 50 years.

In some areas, more that 200mm of rain fell in 24 hours, destroying building, sweeping away bridges and cars and sending items including cattle - down the main streets of small towns in torrents of water.

18

moiorsDon ntws

THE WAITIS OVER! ALP!NE5TARS BOOTSAND CLOVES IN STORE NOW!

OFFICIAL AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR

nmu/nON RACEGEAR

FRSECAU 1800 804 778 TO REACH YOUR NEAREST STORE.

Walking wounded

THE Suzuki MotoGP team missed

previous Sepang tests on January 22, but Tamada was able to avoid a crash.

Phillip Island's MotoGP test last week following Kenny Roberts's recent testing crash in Malaysia.

The former SOOcc world champion suffered a bruised collarbone in the

Team-mate John Hopkins was already out of action after suffering double ankle fractures in a crash

get-off, which happened at the end of the long back straight on the Sepang track. The American had just passed Jeremy McWilliams's factory Aprilia when the Suzuki had a rear tyre blow out,sending Roberts down the track.

The incident was the second pre-season crash directly attributable to a Bridgestone rear tyre failure. Makoto Tamada's RC211V Honda suffered a similar problem at the final day of the

during a Supercross event near his home in California last weekend. At first, the 20-year-old, above, was thought to have suffered only sprains before hairline fractures showed up on X-rays. He was treated in San Jose by noted racing surgeon Dr Art Ting.

Both riders were due to take to the PI track on Monday for a four day test, where the team was to be joined

by Kawasaki and Proton.

Rossi's wa

Biaggi tops PI test but Vale - and L

DON'T count The Doctor out of contention for the 2004 MotoGP Championship.

That was the loud and clear f

L PERFORMANCEPROPUCTSi fff,

w

\\W tt.’- SA

!T5ctr!?cool!ngfa^^ CSI PRO FLOW COOLING FANS ARE THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY, JUST ASK USI AVAIUBLE IN ALL SIZES RANGING FROM 9"-10" -12“-14"-16" THEY WORK BOTH WAYS, PUSH/PULL. DIGITAL TEMPERATURE GAUGES & CONTROLLERS

, HI TORQUE REDUCTION STARTERS] g

CSI OFFERS THE ULTIMATE IN HIGH TORQUE GEAR REDUCTION STARTERS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN IN BOTH STREET AND RACING CARS. WILL HANDLE ALL TYPES OF COMPRESSIONS WITH 1.6 -1.9 n 2.6 HORSE POWER STARTERS.

message that came from last week's three-day test session at Phillip Island. After suffering some engine problems on the opening day, Valentino Rossi set the second-fastest time on Day 2 before Honda opened the floodgates on Thursday,setting the four fasfest times.

Max Biaggi led the way, despite suffering from a cold, ahead of Colin Edwards,Sete Gibemau and Nicky Hayden. Loris Capirossi, who topped the sheets on Wednesday, was fifth fastest overall.

"Tm quite happy," mused Biaggi, above, after the test,"we have a good rhythm, good lap time and things are working very well. A lot of confidence,so at the moment, Tm looking okay."

FOR SALE

"billet hi flow water pumps ^ AVAILABLE IN CLEAR - RED - BLUE TO SUIT CHEV - FORD CHRYSLER - PONTIAC - HOLDEN FACTORY TESTED FOR 5,500 CONTINUOUS HOURS, THE BEST BY FARI

WATER NECKS AVAILABLE IN CLEAR n RED n BLUE TO SUIT MOST ENGINES HI FLOW THERMOSTATS ARE A MUST IN ALL TOUGH VO'S

Performance World Pli: 02 9030 2333 Outlaw Speed Shop Ph: 08 8231 8413

Eagle Auto Spares 03 9793 554A Chris fVlills Performance Ph: 08 9353 1155

www.highperformanceworld.GOin.au 20

2003 Carrera Cup Car 5th in 03 championship 1 of only 4 cars to win a race in '03 Ready to Race and priced to sell. POA. Phone Paul Cruickshank 07 5591 1301

motorspon news

c

BIKE NEWS

Equally happy was his arch-rival Rossi, who was about a second faster than all the other Yamaha riders on all three days.

"This test's been quite good and we have already improved a lot since we began testing," he said. "I still need more horsepower and it is more difficult to ride at the moment because I have to push much harder."

In the red camp,Capirossi was almost a second quicker than Troy Bayliss, who is still getting used to running a 16.5 inch front tyre.

"I did my quickest laps in the morning, while in the afternoon I lost a little bit of feeling with the front, but for the moment it's OK," declared Capirossi.

Phillip Island MotoGP test Bike Honda Honda Honda

Time Day 1m30.27s 3 lm30.45s 3 1m30.60s 3

Honda Ducati Yamaha Honda Ducati Troy Bayliss Yamaha Carlos Checa MakotoTamada Honda Marco Melandri Yamaha

1m30.60s 3 lm30.71s 2 lm30.76s 2 lm30.88s 3 1m31.56s 2 lm31.80s 2 1m31,25s 2 lm31.70s 2

Rider MaxBiaggi Colin Edwards Sete Gibernau

pning

ucati- are closing

Nicky Hayden Loris Capirossi Valentino Rossi Alex Barros

Shane Byrne Neil Hodgson Norick Abe

Aprilia lm32.28s 3 Ducati 1m32.44s 3 Yamaha 1m33.72s 3

Don’t settle for second best Sparco’s new FIA approved helmet range is the result of an intensive research and development program covering all forms of racing. Drivers can choose from a range of Wind Tunnel Tested full-face models to open face designs complete with communication capabilities. Of course all Sparco helmets are made using state of the art materials and manufacturing systems to ensure they meet the most stringent safety requirements.

Call 1800 797 344 now for your nearest dealer. Imported and distributed by 25 February 2004

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

AUSSIES could be in for a

Pirelli rubber was invaluable and

strong season in the World Superbike Championship.

While Frenchman Regis Laconi topped the recent Valencia test on his Fila Ducati. Steve Martin (DFX Ducati) was second overall and one of three Aussies in the top seven riders. Troy Corser, above, was fifth fastest on his Foggy Petronas while rookie Chris Vermeulen took seventh fastest on Flonda's new CBR1OOORR.

was Impressive throughout, even it he did experience a couple of gremlins on the final day.

On a private Ducati (compared to Laconi’s factory machine), Martin showed his experience on

SBK TESTING TIMES VALENCIA Ducati 1 Regis Laconi Ducati 2 Steve Martin 3 James Toseland Ducati Ducati 4 Leon Haslam 5 Marco Borciani Ducati Petronas 6 Troy Corser 7 Noriyuki Haga Ducati 8 Chris Vermeulen Honda 9 Sergio Fuertes 10 Ivan Clementi

Suzuki Kawasaki

lm35.393s lm35.574s lm36.162s 1m36.201s 1m36.303s lm36.310s lm36.676s 1m36.907s lm37.023s lm37.186s

PRO JET l #1 best seller l Great Price l Extremely comfortable

WTT-F1 l Pinnacle of the Sparco range l Inc Peltor noise reducing eaicups l As used by FI drivers in 2004

FORMULA l Tried and tested l Lightweight l Extremely comfortable l Wide eye port

l Fitted with Peltor noise reducing earcups l Wide eye port l Includes aerodynamic spoiler kit

TOP RACE l Small antiglare visor l Suit sedan race or rally l Great Price

l Wind Tunnel Tested l Great ventilation l Wide eye port l Includes spoiler kit

PRO RALLY l Anatomically designed shell expressly for intercom systems l A real winnerl l Peltor noise reducing earcups

WTT-RF l Intercom/Orinking Straw port l Includes spoiler kit

SN2000 l Snell 2000 approved l Includes aerodynamic spoiler kit l Enhanced ventilation 21

Like father, like son sutton’imsf’es.com

Three years ago, Dale Earnhardt Jr lost his father In the Daytona 500. A fortnight ago though, as MARTIN D CLARK reports, ‘Little E’proved his undeniable talent to claim the race that took his father 20 years to tame

D ey

ALE Earnhardt Jr captured his first Daytona 500 win in only his fifth attempt on February 15,six years to the day that his late father captured his only win in 20 tries in the 'super bowl'of NASCAR racing.

"In a way it feels like I'm closer to Dad," remarked Junior.

"But at the same time it feels like it's a reminder of losing him all over again. I've seen this race been lost by my Dad so many times, I was taught so many lessons about this place, now I don't have to worry about it anymore."

Earnhardt Jr stopped on the front stretch to celebrate with the fans and his crew after the race. He ploughed up some grass then headed to victory lane for 90 minutes of celebrating.

Oh,and he won the rain-delayed Busch Series race the next day too!

'Little E'led for 59 laps, grabbing the lead for the final time with 19 of

We're ready for take off! Michael Waltrip was among the massive 10-car wreck on the back straight. And Flight 500 is ready for take off... the 200 laps to run from drafting buddy Tony Stewart.

"You know I'd have loved to have won the race," said Stewart,"but considering what this kid went through, losing his father in this race, and knowing how good he's been here, it's nice to see him get his victory here too.

"When he decided to pull the pin.

he pulled it and made the pass, there was nothing I could do."

Due to the new,softer Goodyear tyre, many teams were struggling with a pushing car, adjusting for the push using front camber though only for right side tyres to peel apart on the outer edge.

The softer tyre separated the good handling cars from those struggling to

USA MOTORSPORT EXPERIENCE 21 DAYS/6 EVENTS

IMDY 500 Arguably the biggest one-day sporting event in the World! You'll have an opportunity to see final practice, Gasoline Alley, the legendary Hall ol Fame Museum and the famous 500 Festival Parade before catching the most famous race in the world - the INDY 500!

MHRA POWERADE ROUTE 66 NATIONALS Attracts drivers like Kenny Bernstein, Larry Dixon Jnr, Doug Schumacher, John Force, Tony Pedregon, Whit Bazemore & Doug Kalitta. Classes include Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock & Top Alcohol.

O'REILLY WORLD OF OUTLAWS SERIES This 5/8 mile dirt circuit hosts the Outlaws every year with drivers like Steve Kinser. Danny Lasoski, Joey Saldana, Donny Shatz and many other USA stars.

NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES MBNA 400 See “Good o! Boys" like Matt Kenseth, Dale Earnhardt Jnr, Jett Gordon, Dale Jarrett, Tony Stewart, Rusty Wallace, Ryan Newman, Bobby Labonte & Mark Martin compete on a 1 mile banked concrete oval.

CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES MBNA AMERICA 200 This year Toyola joins Dodge. Ford & Chevrolet to make it a 4 horse race.

BUSCH SERIES MBNA AMERICA 200 See great new talent like Kyle Busch and bobby Hamilton Jnr snapping at the heels ol established drivers like Kenny Wallace & Michael Waltrip.

PRICING $9,950 per person. A single room supplement is available for an additional cost of $2,950. Your package includes international tlights (ex. Sydney 20/5/04), all domestic flights in the USA (5), airport transfers, accommodation, breakfasts, all taxes, race tickets, track transfers and tour host. Early payment discount: Pay in full before Friday 19 March, 2004 and get $300 off the price. Group discount: Save an additional $200 per person with group bookings of 5 or more. For a brochure, further details, additional Iravel options or to reserve your place please contact: Bruce Fisher, Trawelscene Padstow Licenced Travel Agent No. 2TA002742, 3A Faraday Road, Padstow NSW 2211 Fa: 02 9792 1866 Ph: 02 9792 1511 Email: toppadstow@smartchal.net.au

Books - rare, out of print, unusual motoring and motorsport.

Magazines - back issues from 1950s to present, too many tiles to list. PLUS Race Programs, motorsport memorabilia collectables - posters-rare and unusual items.

Shop 10,101 Station St Ferntree Cully 3156 pitsandpieces@hotmail,com Open Tuesday to Friday 10-5:30, Sat 10-4pm

Ph 03 9752 2452 moiorsport news

AYTONA 5

Move it back

nnn

POLE-SITTER Greg Biffle was one of a handful of cars moved to the rear of the field for the '500. The Roush pilot changed an engine, prompting him to move to the tail of the queue.

He was in the lead pack at the final pit stop, only to receive a drivethrough penalty for speeding in pit lane and subsequently dropped to 12th. n Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Elliott Sadler won their respective Gatorade Twin 125 mile qualifying events that set positions three through 30 in the Daytona 500.

'Little E' easily won his race, passing team-mate Michael Walthp and holding off a closing lap charge from Tony Stewart.

Michael Waltrip on his top after three . tumbles and complaining about the safety crews lack of knowledge to extract him from his severely battered DEI Monte Carlo after 10 minutes.

said Walhrip.

"All they had to do was flip it over and I could get out. They were cutting bars; I don't know what bar they thought they were going to cut that would have got me out."

After the wreck there really wasn't much racing going on, with 16 cars completing 177 laps or less, among them Jamie McMurray,Sterling Marlin and Ryan Newman,who all had strong cars.

The Roush Fords of Mark Martin

"I didn't appreciate the way the safety crews were going about it,"

and Jeff Burton were both on the sidelines with engine failures by lap

find the correct set up and lessened the bunching of cars, but the inevitable 'big one' still occurred on lap 71 after a couple of smaller wrecks.

Rookie Johnny Sauter in the Richard Childress AOL Chev got loose off turn two, resulting in a 10car melee on the backstretch that left

25,leaving the other six Yates-Roush engine-powered teams concerned, but all held together, three finishing in the top 10. But to no-one’s surprise, the Chevs were dominant again.

Rookie Scott Wimmer overcame a

n After a poor qualifying effort, Jeff Gordon hit a fast-stopping rookie Kasey Kahne on pit road during his Gatorade 125 race and later suffered overheating issues.

Gordon started the 500 in 39th,

tough lead-up to the big race(having been arrested on drink driving charges), but placed his CAT/Davis Racing Dodge in third spot, having taken on two new tyres in the last pit stop to Earnhardt Jr and Stewart's four.

Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson finished fourth and fifth, completing a total of six Chevs in the top 10.

utilising a provisional starting slot for only the second time ever in his career, which spans some 366 races.

Only two entrants failed to make the 43 car field. Kirk Shelmerdine and Andy Hillenburg were the unfortunate pairing.

- MARTIN D CLARK

RACEGEAR SALE OMP RACE GEAR mCK

OMP-AGVSNEU SA2000 HELMETS

>7REND 2 tripto layer Nomex Suit >Oubman Suede F.R. Lined Boots >Contatto Nomex Gloves >Choose colours: Red / Black / Blue Wl items with highest RA Homologations

>Nomex linitHl >RbrcQlass shell >3mm Anti-Scratch Visor >Tear-off posts irtciuded >Sizes: S-XL >Two models: Formula/Vision

VALUE PACK $1290

TOP VALUE

$999

other SncUSA2000 helmets from S99. All RA approved

100 Free Tearoffs with Formula & Vision Helmets

SAFETY GEAR

ERG Nomex Balaclava |FIA Comp.)

R VALUE

BUY MU 3 mm TBurmB r.cETM spaumi munneuTwomt anmrntt

$39

ERG

V

WlndwNetRaib<w/Wrt Rjbbpn/Net-togte.trmrt liWog Wte P^By^^type LateWlink type

NEWI SWITCH COHTHOL PANELS

Other OfiffP Seats: EC0...S466 GRIP...S930 WRC...S96e PISTA...S1299 Side Mounts from see TOPQUAUTVfiU/WAMTffl) Above offer nxplnn 30.04.04

POST m SPEEDZONE

GIFT cehuficates

An easy way to surprise your racer mate next occasion ...You nominate the value ...Speedzone does the rest!

2S Februiry 2004

l^hpn/^.^pn lff*|Qn«t|rl+.iT?Mie. lgnffipn«tart + 2TogBlp tgnitlon/Start4-3Toggle

YOUR FRIENDLY Dealer Network.

un

MELIOHUK

mmvBanLmr 03£553.4200

miriSLUO 03.^16011

snm

UffAMUr-

OlSmJUS

O7M31S8S0

ram

nmm

OSMUAW

0a.8332M11

Hum mmam

MUCMST

6MUMN

i3.S234.iM4

S7M74.SS11

S2M22.Sm

UUAlUr

mmimmmrs 03.5332M22

minmim

23

r

5parca Racesuits [Fully FIA Approved) all Namex from $899

II

f 2DD4-2DD9^ ^ KLIPPAN :HARNE55E5 factory 9, 19-eS Grange Rd iheltenham VIC Fax D3 9585 53E8 Ph D3 9585 5340 ^ now available

Ui

5parco Crew Runner Shoes

Sparca ^ Helmets' ~

o

[Fully FIA Approved]/ Mamex

from $148

i

Check our new

reduced prices an ithe entire range of

from $E5Q

products

New EDD4

parco loves Fully FIA Dproved] Mamex from $99

Eparcu Racebuuts [Fully FIA Approved] Namex from $2EO

[Fully FIA

range nf products nuw available

r j ^

IL

from $11

Approved] Limited time

V

\ft-

only from $3

FI

Eparca Mechanic Gloves

rr ^ 4 hL~'J

Sparci

SparcQ Rac .

IHarness

^ MU I Racing

[Fully FIA Approved] Mm| MI _ .

from $399

^ JL

m

/I li J Steering^^^VY W

I il

>

MOTORSPORT VIDEOS Urban Assault 2

r factojC,>

King of the Streets They somehow survived Ihe lirsl ussault, bul Ihey coulduT help Ihemselves They hud lo oonio back (or more Please kids, do not try Urban Assault 2, King of Ihe Streets at home For those tirat like to live on the edge, this psychotic sequel is youi middle name A whole host ol death *— ●» 'O’Sand! ¥ chealitig dare devils join 'Mr Hollywood', stuntman Jason Rrillon in n wild ride Ihrougli ttie streets, car parks and PAR tNTAL higliways ol Southern t FEATURES; ' HWltVi SPE ILMotlhDVD M« Culllornia oyp Matorii of Bon 1 lie DVD contains 20 minutes ol bonus malenal Running Time: 70 minutes and a tokin' soundirack lo boot' Glassilicallon, Parental Advisory Rut please don't call us and ask Explicit Lyrics whrjiii Ihe poljco were we liave no

THrStREETS

The Evolution of Rallying Fifty Years Sideways This DVD captures Rallying at Its glorious additive best You will watch Ihe film four, five, or SIX times, and still learn something new about the world rallys rich history It's all about the stars Ihe cars ttie locations the atmosphere And this DVD delivers it all From it's humble, hobbyist beginnings, to the awesome sophistication of Ihe modern era Rallying has gone through plenty of change in the past five decades, and Producei Helmut Deimer spent 120 days in the edit suite, trawling inrough 500 hours ol archive footage from all over the world to capture this It's absolute best wonderful sport

Running Time 90 minules Classification Exempt tiom Classili' ilion

Freecal l 1800 815 834 or order on-line www.motorsport.net.au 24

motorsport news

Rea^^

Network Ten’s resident guru does a bit of2004 crystal-balling

T

he pecking order in V8 Supercar racing is not going to change an awful lot this season, in my view.

The two strong teams will still be Stone Brothers Racing and the Holden Racing Team, as they were in the last couple of years. Both of them have good continuity: not a lot has changed in the way they are run.

Any additional pressure is likely to come on from Ford Performance Racing, while I expect that Triple 8 will come on strong as well, if they can get on top of the unusual nature of a V8 Supercar compared to most other racecars in the world.

After that, it is a little bit difficult to know what will happen. But I doubt that much will change.

Some might be saying that there will be a conservative, 'points' approach to the championship by some, especially in the early part of the season. I think that is a symptom of the fact that everyone is pretty relaxed during the off-season - they have colour in their faces and have all taken their positive pills. The truth is that, when the light flicks green, all the "I am going to do this and that" planning goes straight out the windQw! They get on with racing; that is in a racing driver's nature. They race as hard as they can in every single motor racing they go into.

Look at the Netspace race at the Grand Prix. There are no championship points on offer but it is always willing: the boys are 25 Fibtuary 2004

always having a go, unless you get dropped off the back early for some reason. More conservatism?

Don’t think so. What makes racers racers is personal pride and commercial pressure. I do not think that is going to change. the title? It's Who to tip for really a guessing game. The sport is always on a knife edge and there are a lot of things to be uncovered.

Marcos Ambrose's car always goes well (unless you recall it going off-song at Indy). Skaifey's another like that, but he got clouted by Forbes in Perth last year. You can't factor those things into it. It’s not 'expert analysis', it's 'bloody good guessing' trying to factor the unknowns into it all.

I don't think it is easy to call.

All the teams make incremental gains year-by-year but the leading teams make them at roughly the same rate. We probably saw HRT knocked off balance last year by a variety of things. I expect they will be stronger this year; if they are, they might avoid the mid-season they had last year, when things got a bit tough.

If you slapped me around, I’d go for HRT - by a whisker. But only a wally would try and pick the winner from here ... n Formula One, it looks great, doesn't it?

All the big players from last season look to be back plus Renault is on the pace and BAR'S jump onto Michelins has helped the cause.

"No-one really talks much about Rubens. He never seems to feature in all the pre-season hype. But he Is going to be quick It

Williams has looked good all winter and, at the end of last week. Jaguar jumped into the frame - which is what they were saying they would do all along.

There were question marks all the way through their early tests but they are looking better now.

There has been another technical shuffle, with Mike Gascoyne going to Toyota. It will take a while for him to have a technical influence.

As always, the big question is how Ferrari will go. The team tends to do most of its serious testing in hiding. We will not really see the 'true' Ferrari until they pull it out of the garage in Melbourne.

That is part of the team's whole approach to the business; they do their own thing, do not make a fuss, get it right and then go public.

It will be hard to top last year, with eight different winners and Michael winning a sixth title.

Everyone in Europe is talking about tyres; the question is going to be what kind of gain Bridgestone has made with its dry tyres, compared to Michelin. It was pretty obvious over the back half of last season that Michelin

4

Motor Mouth with Neil Crompton

had an edge there but that was not matched with their wets or intermediates.

Looking back over that period late last year, I think that one man who had a lot of influence from Silverstone onwards was Rubens Barrichello.

No-one really talks much about Rubens. He never seems to feature in all the pre-season hype.

Looking back at the results sheets, the qualifying times and the overall performance of all the drivers over the period, you can only come to the conclusion that he is going to be strong this season. He is a confidence driver and he will be confident because the team renewed his contract early: they have wrapped their arms around him for another season. He is going to be quick.

Like our V8s, it is pretty hard to pick a favourite. On both fronts, it is going to be a big year and I can't wait to get started.

25

The View fr

A

T this time of year, I like to spend a few afternoons doing absolutely nothing except lying on the couch,zapping the television from channel to channel and eating comfort food.

It is not something I ever really do but the rapid approach of the new Formula 1 season seems to demand a moment or two when I spoil myself before the inevitable moment when I have to pack up my troubles in my old kit bag and march off to the war.

I have to admit that I am rather fond of the Fashion Channel. It is somehow reassuring to know that if all else fails in life, one can still make a living by dressing up skinny girls in egg boxes, silk and feathers. Not that I am complaining about life as a Formula 1 reporter. It is a great life but there are still inevitable moments when the FI circus animals drive one to distraction.

The funny thing is that this year there has been precious little pre-season silliness.

Everyone has been getting on famously. Perhaps this is because last year there was so much trouble and strife; perhaps it is because of all the talk that there is a commercial settlement in the offing and everyone is waiting for the big cheque that they assume to be in the mail. It may even be because even the dimmest FI team bosses have finally realised (although perhaps not admitted publicly) that Max Mosley's rule changes at the start of last year were exactly what the sport needed.

When you think about it, the lack of political upheaval has meant that the spotlight has

been on what they call the "technical packages". The cars.

And, when I stop to think about it, it is a bit frustrating because I want to grab the book about Formula 1 in 2004 and read the final page ... to find out what happened.

Back in 1939, they invented concept called The Phoneya War. France and England had declared war on Germany, but nothing was happening.

The British had sent aa army to France; children in British cities had been sent off to live in the country in case of bombing raids; but there were no battles.

The Germans lured a couple of British agents(one of whom wore a monocle) to a village close to the Dutch-German

’m Formuli 1 we have a phofity war every year in the weekt before ttw Formula 1 season gets utNierway"

Readers'Pop Quiz: Why was the McLaren MP4/11 so quick in testing and so slow in races? And, for bonus points, who is driving it here?

border and then kidnapped them. They took them back to Germany; a U Boat sank the HMS Royal Oak up in the Scapa Flow naval base; the British navy trapped the German battleship Graf Spee in Montevideo harbour and forced the Germans to scuttle it. But it was not the real war.

Everyone waited.

In Formula 1, we have a phoney war every year in the weeks before the Formula 1 season gets underway.

The teams meet at various different test tracks around Europe and try to mislead one another about the level of performance of their cars. Each evening, there is a flurry of press releases giving the latest testing times and we are left to wonder what they all mean. Or indeed if they mean anything at all.

Is the BAR really that fast? Is the Jaguar really that slow?

And what about the McLaren?

1^1 -

e C uch Does the MP4-19 really have problems or is the team sandbagging so it can give everyone a shock when they turn up in Melbourne.

0

ver the years we have seen some spectacular pieces of theatre in the weeks before the start of the Formula 1 season.

Casting back in the memory banks, I think of 1994 when the McLaren-Peugeot MP4/9 was more than a second faster than its opposition in a pre-season test at Barcelona and yet, when the fighting began, it was nowhere near the pace.

Two years later I remember the MP4/11 was fastest in pre season testing at Estoril but was a big disappointment for the rest of the year. In 1997 there was evidence that Williams deliberately kept the FW19 from showing its true potential until Australia.

More recently, I remember a

stunning lap at Barcelona by Jarno Trulli in a Prost which hinted at great things for the French team in 1999. The results were rather less startling. Early in 2000 Pedro de la Rosa put an Arrows at the top of the timesheets and then Eddie Irvine had his Jaguar going much faster than the established stars ...

The message is that one can never take testing times too seriously.

What have we seen this winter? There was a McLaren that looked good at the start of the winter testing and then seemed to be off the pace as the new Williams drove into the spotlight. The BAR-Honda was spectacularly fast while

the Jaguar looked like a bit of a dog and we wondered whether Mark Webber and Christian Klien were heading towards big trouble. And then one day from Valencia came news that suddenly Klien had lapped just a few tenths slower than Juan Pablo Montoya. Twenty-four hours later and we had Raikkonen set a new lap record with Mark Webber only a fraction slower than the Finn.

Are we to surmise from this that McLaren and Jaguar Racing are right up there in the picture?

The truth is that I don't actually know and I suspect that I will have to wait until qualifying in Melbourne is over

'1 pcmsmbep a stunning lap at Bapcelona by Japno Trulli in a ppost which hinted at great things lor the French team In 1998. The results were rather less startling

The witli BoxJobSeat Siwird to find out the early 'rankings' for this season. Most teams seem to have taken a step forward from where they ended last year (which is logical) but we do not yet know what the new pecking order will be.

In a few days some of these questions will have been answered. We will have new stars to cheer and new stories to write.

But for now I am enjoying the couch ... in a frustrated kind of way.

Five minutes with...

Jim Richarils

The sev&i-Onw Bahwrst whiner m niatang the2004 OreatOace a tamiiy attah* hyjoinhm son Steven in a CastroiPerkiim Commotiore.

He toU AAOOniNOOimiahoutit MOTORSPORT NEWS: A change of oil brands for you when it comes to V8 Supercar endurance race drives this year,jumping from Mobil to Castroi. Why re-join Steven and leave HRT7 JIM RICHARDS: Well, with Castroi I get to run with a V8 driver who is a current V8 driver and probably as good as anybody out there.

With HRT, it's a fantastic team, Skaifey and everything has been perfect, but to me to have a realistic chance of going up there and winning (Bathurst), which is something I try to do each time I'm up there, I need someone who is better than me and not someone that's as quick as me.

MN: Any emotion in the decision to link up again with Steven?

JR: Heck no, I couldn't give a buggerl I'd rather drive with Steve than anyone else there but at the same time, if Steve wasn't capable of winning, I wouldn't be driving with him.

And if Larry didn't think that I was capable of adding something he wouldn't have me there I I think Steve and I, in that car, have got an opportunity to win.

MN: When did all this spring up as a chance of occurring? , JR: Because Larry wasn't going to run again, they asked if I was available. It was basically a decision where 'who could Larry get that's any better than me'.

You might be able to come up with a few names, but what I mean is someone that's been around there long enough.

I qualified up the front last year so there's nothing wrong with my pace.

They may have been able to hunt around for a young guy with the pace, but not 28

Heck no, l couldn t give a bugger!

-Richo underplays the emotional side of driving with his son and guarantees himself a cheap Father’s Day present necessarily the experience and that's the reason why I'm there.

You've got 30-odd years of experience there, you're still fast enough and in a good car.

MN: And it's not the first time you and Steve has paired up either.

JR: Exactly. We had a second place in the V8 race for GRM in 1997. Don't get me wrong either, I was more than happy at HRT. We had a great car and Tony (Longhurst) and I had a great car up there last year, but at the end of the day. I'd like to try and win the race.

I followed Steve in Larry's car around enough last year to know that the car was every bit as quick as the one I was driving.

MN: Just when you thought you were getting away from Mr Longhurst, he's popped up with the Castrol/Perkins team as well!

JR: Well, yeah I I suppose you'd say that came as a bit of a shock

- I thought he'd given it awayl (laughs) MN: But before you can worry about the enduros, you've got a Carrera Cup to retain. A new car for this year; what's the differences between the 2004spec machine and the one you won the title in last year?

JR: There's no difference in the speed of the cars. But the roll cage looks a little bit different and that's about it. Mechanically, the engines, transmissions and the like are the same.

MN: Is it going to be a little easier this year considering that the young guys who took a while to build up their pace like Marshall and Leahey have moved to other things this year and the new rookie crop has to start from scratch?

JR: I don't think so, I think it's going to be harder. With Alex Davison back here running as well, Allan Simonsen apparently going to run a few races, I think

it'll be harder.

Matt Halliday beat us in New Zealand on quite a few occasions, so he'll be there too.

The competition we had in New Zealand was harder than we had here in Australia last year.

Charlie O'Brien's now as quick as we are and Craig Baird proved that you can get into one of these cars and be „● competitive.

Last year we realistically had one guy to try and beat and this year I'd say it'll be three or four.

MN: And not only is the competition growing, but the category is on the whole as well.

JR: It's fantastic. To have 30 cars at the Grand Prix is unbelievable. I'm saying realistically, that we've got a 45 minute practice session now rather than a 20 minute session, so it gives those younger and newer guys a chance to get on the pace and I think that's what they'll do. moiorsport news

- -

rt;

il

>1 :=

}

4

"■-4'

.t

Five minutes with.

Jason Bangwanna

mw hmHy mitrmhmtasa hum ^lysfmmsaiww t^m-mate Uisseasm m Marti Wmtentmtmn and die prospectof die Orrcon tern runidng two BAs.PIH.BRAnUGANspoke to hkn

MOTORSPORT NEWS:There have been a lot of changes at Larkham Motorsport in the off season. We know about some of them,like Mark Winterbottom; what are the ones we don't know about?

JASON BARGWANNA: We will have to wait and seel We have been concentrating very hard on getting the cars' performance right and there is no doubt that the guys have been doing a very good job, We will definitely have more horsepower than we had last year.

There has been a lot of work done in the area of shocks and brakes.

We are confident that it will pay dividends.

MN:There were glimpses of speed from the Orrcon BA last year. Is that something that will continue to progress this year?

JB: The speed came late in the season and that was good. It was indicative of the genuine progress that we as a team had made. It was not just flash-in-the-pan stuff that had us wondering what had changed and why. That gives you confidence for the future.

What we need to do is become more consistent. We need the car to work the tyre harder for qualifying and get more speed out of the car for qualifying. That way, we will be starting up the grid and from there the results only get better. That is what we want to achieve for this year.

MN: How much does it help you individually to know that the team's two cars are similar this year?

JB: It's a big step forward. We knew that was always going to be the case, from the time that we started running the team with two AUs, then got the first BA on the track. We were always looking forward to the time when we were running the second BA. Now, the team has expanded and 30

changed, with Frosty (Mark Winterbottom) and Larko now running the team on a full-time basis.

What we have achieved so far, and the changes that we have made to the team, will allow us to continue to make forward steps.

That gives the whole team a positive outlook and that is one of the most important things.

MN: You have seen Winterbottom like we have in the past,from the outside.

What is he like to deal with up close and is he everything his reputation says he is?

JB: Absolutely. He did a fantastic job last year with the Stone Brothers Team; he proved to be a super talent in the Konica Series and he continued that progress when he stepped up into the BA for the endurance races.

I think that he can bring some great things to the team. He is a great young guy and some of the things he has learned over the last 12 months or so can rub off on us, and vice versa. I think that it is going to work out to be a good combination.

He is hungry, he wants to win and that is always something that a team wants a driver to bring with him. I am looking forward to it.

MN: Is it an especially motivating factor for a racing driver to have a fresh team mate?

JB: That is a hard question to answer. I do not find those kinds of things to be a motivating factor; I am always looking to get motivation from within and I am motivated to get results for myself. I don't care who my team mate is, to be honest.

MN: How do you get on with him?

JB: I don't really know him that well!

We have had him around to the house for dinner when he was in Melbourne and it is starting to get to be a good relationship. I have only just met him but I have followed his career. We have a few things in common; we have both driven for Mike Borland in Spectrum Formula Fords in the past and we both moved into V8s at the same stages of our career and at the same age. That gives me confidence that it will turn out to be a good relationship.

'1 am always focused on looking out the wbidscreen, not in the mippop" - Bargs gets all philosophical MN: You seem to share a common background then?

JB: Funny enough ... when he was around for dinner, we discovered a few things. His dad raced a car that my dad ended up buying a few years later, back in the mid-80s. Obviously, our histories are similar. Formula Ford into V8s.

I think that will come into its own when we get into the endurance races.

MN: What is that situation? Will you be paired in the endurance races?

JB: That has not even been discussed yet. We will get to that as the year progresses. It would be silly of me to make any comment about that before then.

MN: Mark and the other younger drivers coming into the championship. Does that make you feel like one of the senior drivers in the championship nowadays?

JB: No doubt. I have a bit of experience now and that is one of the natural progressions in life.

I feel like I am driving as well as I have in the past but I feel like there is still quite a bit to come from me. You asked me this before ... lam always focused on looking out the windscreen, not in the mirror.

MN: What are the realistic goals for Jason Bargwanna this year?

JB: I think that, if we keep the speed we had at the end of last year and add to it with the progress we have made, we can improve in the championship quite a bit.

I am not a big one on making predictions. I think that it comes down to hard work; do that and the results should come. There is plenty I want to do; I want to win the championship and whether that happens this year or somewhere down the road, we will have to wait and see.

MN: You have been on the Ford side of the fence for a whole year now. Do you feel like you have been accepted by the Ford fans?

JB: No doubt at all. That happened at the first race last year. It has been amazing that such a lot'of people have started coming up to me straight away and started to talk about the Ford thing, the BA and so on. The success that Marcos Ambrose and Stone Brothers Racing had last year has shown pretty well that the Ford side of the fence is the best one to be on.

MN: Does all that add to the pressure?

JB: I reckon I can handle a fair bit more pressure. At the end of the day, pressure is all about what you expect of yourself. I am out there trying my best all the time.

There is no pressure that anyone can put on me that outweighs my own desire to win the championship. That is enough to do it for me.

Roiorsoort news

INTERVIEW

RREUIEW 111

All to Play fop

I ,

●\-k‘

The 2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series iooks different to last year’s. Ford and Marcos Ambrose are defending a title; Holden will be the challengers. We look at what has changed in the off-season and what might happen this year

T

HE Greatest Show on Earth, the V8 Supercar Championship Series, heads into almost unknown waters in

2004, with a Ford driver defending the title he won in a hard-fought battle last season.

While Marcos Ambrose will be an understandable benchmark, there are still plenty of people aiming to dethrone the Pirtek driver from the top of the tree. Holden Racing Team will be there; so will Kmart Racing.

Expect an assault from Ford Performance Racing; from Steven Richards; a renewed Orrcon team; and maybe Garth Tander.

We could go on. It is actually unfair to single out drivers of teams, such is the state of play at the moment. Last year, more than a third of the drivers in the series appeared on a podium at least once and there were a handful of others that could have, like Simon Wills and Jason Richards at Sandown.

Things have changed this year, in as much as the mission for the last five seasons has been the same; beat HRT and you win the title. Now, if you beat HRT, there are still two SBR Fords waiting for you.

Ambrose and Russell Ingall go into the new season in fine shape. The team has rebuilt their Barra in the off season and has another, identical brand-new car completed, waiting to turn a wheel for the first time. The only reason the team has not run the car yet is that, by running three cars on one day, it would cost two of its eight allocated test days to do so.

"We will sit on it for a while," said team boss Ross Stone.

"This is new territory for us, to be defending the title. We have never had to do that before. All we can do is to give it the best that we have got and go on from there. It gets tougher and tougher every year."

Internally, there have been few changes to adjust to the departure of long-time engineer Campbell Little to Triple 8. Race engineering and structure will be as it was at the final 2003 race at Eastern Creek, though there is a new Technical Director in Ken Douglas. Otherwise, Ford's 32

number one team is as it was in the

does not deliver, new Ford Australia

past.

boss Tom Gorman is likely to have some serious questions, along with the fans. Another ordinary season (by his previous standards) will leave Lowndes, once again, looking like just another Falcon driver.

While Gorman will now be the

Right, so SBR has not changed a lot. What has?

Team Brock is gone, sort of. The Kees Weel-owned team is now PWR Racing. Betta is gone, in as much as the deal was only ever something that came up when the team's deal with the Defence Forces fell over, literally, at the last minute 12 months ago.

The Lansvale Smash Repairs team has morphed into Tasman Motorsport, with two new co-owners joining Steve Reed and Trevor Ashby.

Jason Richards jumps into his third team in three seasons to steer the team's Commodore.

●

1

V/‘*

public face of The Henrys, Holden will have a new man as well. Fellow American Denny Mooney steps in as the head of Holden and seems to be enthusiastic about the sport; one of his first jobs when he came to Australia being to leap into a Commodore for a lap of Mount Panorama with one P. Brock.

And the Holden/Ford balance of

WPS Racing appears where Team ICS once sat, with Mark Noske and David Besnard in the driving seats once the team sorts out both of its licences. The team's Fords are ex-00

MtLBOURHE

RAUA

MELBOURNE

Motorsport and are based in Queensland. The Briggs Motorsport to Triple 8 thing happened last year but the big news there will be the appearance of new BAs for Paul Radisich and 'returnee' Max Wilson, the team having also acquired long time SBR tech man Campbell Little.

Ford Performance Racing has undergone significant change during the summer months. The team moved into its new Melbourne shop in early December and now has streamlined its effort from three cars to two.

That will help the team in terms of testing (it was always virtually impossible to test three cars at once) and its pit strategy plus, of course, FPR has a race-ready BA waiting in the wings, should it be needed. Craig Lowndes is confident (see pages 3639) and finally goes into a season with the same team he finished last year with. That has not happened for four years.

Tlie big thing that the team does not have is excuses. Ford has spent a lot of money getting Craig into a competitive Falcon and, with Prodrive's not unsubstantial involvement, expectations are high, very high. If the slimmed-down FPR

the category has been tipped 18-15 in favour of The General, aided predominantly by Toll Racing's move from its own Falcon to a Perkins Commodore for Anthony Tratt. There will also be a third Castrol Commodore for Tony Longhurst, back full-timing after a year off. The team should maintain its current 'seeding'; Longhurst has raced well but struggled in qualifying in the past so Steven Richards looks like the team's likely leader, while Paul Dumbrell still

waits for a VY to replace its sole VX. There has been something of a test track change during the summer.

Both HRT and Kmart Racing have left the hard stops of Winton behind, in favour of Phillip Island's fast sweeps.

On the teclmical things are different in the side, engine compartments. A number of items have been subjected to specification changes in the off-season, the aim being to cut the costs associated with

motorsport news

I

V8 SUPERCAR

IS YOUR RACING GEAR FIA 8856-2000 APPROVED? AIbi tr^, 31 - August 2001

ax

% New year, new paint: And some new numbers. Skaife, above, will run #2 this season while Ambrose, right, gets to slide a #1 onto his SBR Barra. Kmart Racing has the same numbers, left. but will they paint their VYs?

7

engine development to the teams.

One of the net effects of that will be a slight evening-out of the field between those teams that had a horsepower edge previously and those which did not. There is also the matter of Holden teams updating to the new Holden Motor Sport(HMS) engines, which will be an ongoing process throughout the year.

So, there is plenty at stake. Can Ambrose win it all again? What will Skaife do and how will he juggle his increased responsibilities this season? Will Murph continue to be the Stewards' fall guy? Will Paul Morris's aircon set a trend? And will anyone new show up with ICS on their car?

Whatever the answers are to any of all of these questions, the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship looks like being the most competitive yet. We say that every year, 1 know, but we are usually right...

25 FehtHirv 2004

m It) sec

Stand21

O

Ph: +B13S5S31109 Fax:+B13353310BB Email:lnfo@atand21.com.eu www.Btand21.com.au 302 New St.Brighton VIC Australia 31BB SATtTY ANDQUAl I I Y.

... If M£ANs mmHim ro us.

33

2

If 3-

A CAT among ... the pigeons?

Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton, left, will be looking for better results this season. Can Steven Ellery, above, translate his endurance form to the shorter races?

/I

■/‘.V'W". '

Oils aint oils: Former Castro! man Russell Ingall, left, is in his second year with Ford while former Caltex man Tony Longhurst, above, now suits up for... Castrol.

Staying and going: Triple 8's Paul Radisich, right, has Max Wilson to play with this season while Garth Tander, above, has Cameron McConville joining him at CRM. 34

moiorsnoit news

c

^WOFtLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2 6-28 MARCH

2004

Phi l l ip Island

Cam ping Corporate & Genera Inform at ion Ph; (0 3) 5952 2710 www.phil l ipislandcircuit .com .au Grandstand & General Admission Bookings Ticketmaster? on 1 300 1 36 1 22

o

There goes tt At the end of his amazing six -year stint with Holden, Craig Lowndes had nearly won half of the races he contested.Since defecting to Ford, he has won just one round. Is 2004 the year'The Kid' returns to the top?

GRANT ROWLEy spoke to the three-time champion

MOTORSPORT NEWS: You've been out of the winner's circle on a regular basis since your defection from Holden to Ford in 2001. Are you frustrated?

CRAIG LOWNDES: Well, not frustrated. The whole decision to change was all about the challenge of growing and building with another team.

This year will be the first time the structure of my team has stayed the same so in that respect, it's probably been hard.

But at the same time it's been rewarding, especially last year when Glenn (Seton) and I had the great result at Bathurst, finishing second.

We've had our wins but we haven't been as consistent as we would have liked to be. Not being part of a team for consecutive years has been the biggest problem.

MN:So this year is the year to deliver?

CL: Definitely. I think this year we are a lot more confident than

we ever have been.

I'd love to win a couple more championships if I can. But the competition is becoming a lot stronger and a lot more heated.

Every year we always say that but the category is proving that.

We have 12 months knowledge with the BA; we are in the same team and working with the same engineer with the same people around us. We have a lot of confidence within and we want to win races consistently.

MN: It must be a relief to have continuity with Ford Performance Racing after driving for the Holden Racing Team, Gibson,00 and FPR all in four years?

CL: In a sense, the Gibson swap to 00 Motorsport was minimal.

Most of the boys were the same, but management had changed, so things were a little unstable. Nobody really knew their job security and everything else.

This time around, it's been a

matter of getting on with making the cars go faster and the boys down at FPR are doing that. It's the first time that I've been with Ford that I've had the stability, which is fantastic for the new year.

MN: There's been an influx of British racing teams invade our series, including your team. What's your thoughts on the likes of Prodrive and Triple Eight coming to play in our game?

CL: Well, I can't really talk about Triple Eight, but for us, it's been an eye-opener.

Prodrive had come out of Formula 1 and various other categories from Europe and they are still quite surprised at how competitive it is and how strong V8 Supercar is.

They are also a little frustrated sometimes at how restricted the formula is compared to what they have come from. And that's what makes the category so competitive.

They always comment on how unique V8 Supercar is compared to the rest of the world.

We took the Poms for a run around Phillip Island on our last drive day and they were surprised at how much 'feel' the cars generate back to the driver.

They didn't expect the sensation the cars give. They have been brought up with Formula 1, heaps of aerodynamics and horsepower. With us, it's different. Skinny little tyres, fairly good horsepower and the cars weigh a bit.

MN: Ford Performance Racing will build their engines inhouse this year. This will surely be an advantage?

CL: It was always going to be the case having Prodrive in the UK initially help us get the development up and running because that's their job. It makes our life a lot easier when they are doing that side of it and we can concentrate on other things.

2004: Ford Performance Racing's key men - Glenn Seton, technical director John Russell and Craig Lowndes unveil their new war-paint.

36

moioriport sews

leir Her^

Ifj; itObam

'A

["We have a lot of confidence within and we want to win ^ paces consistently" - Lowndes on the lead up to the ‘04 season When the engines came back to Australia, which they have, we will service them, maintain them and continue our own development, so between the two companies, we should be able to find further gains.

MN: What's the new factory like?

CL: Bloody big! It's the biggest workshop I've ever been involved with. It's got a lot of wide-open spaces.

Last time I was there, which was a couple of weeks ago, it was still getting fitted out. It's still got a lot more room to be used, but between the workers and engineers, they'll find things to fill it up.

It's an awesome factory and it officially gets opened at the end of February so everyone can come have a look.

MN: Does living in Queensland affect your communication with your Victorian-based team?

CL: The only thing it impacts is the phone bills. I talk to the guys every day, virtually.

It's not frustrating, but it would be nice to drive down the street and call into the workshop but I love living in Queensland. The climate up here is what I've always wanted to be in.

Because we only have eight test days, it doesn't really affect us; it's just the day-to-day interaction with the workers that I miss.

But as I say, I ring them nearly every day of the week, keeping up to date with what's going on and discussing things we are going to try at our next test day.

2S (ebruary 2004

MN: Any changes within the team?

CL: Not really. Little Matty Roberts, who worked on David's car last year is now on my car, and the guy I had last year will be Glenn's number one so there's a little bit of shuffling but we all work together anyway.

At least I'm not changing teams again! (laughs) MN; Last year you scored a win, three podiums and finished fifth in the series. Was that as much as you'd expected from a brand-new team?

CL: I was hoping for the top six finish and we were able to do that, although we technically finished sixth but we were elevated after Russell (Ingall) got points deducted. So in my eyes we finished sixth.

We had a couple of podiums, I had my best result at Bathurst for a long time and it was encouraging for Glenn, who had never stood on the podium at Bathurst. That in itself was a memorable moment because that was what I went up there for, to help Glenn stand on top of the podium and receive the feeling I had in 1996. We didn't quite get the win, but at least he felt what it's like up there.

We always said that we'd build towards Bathurst and it was going to be a big year for all of us to get the operation up and running.

Considering we started the year with one BA and two AUs, it really ruined valuable test days. We never got down to designing, building and changing continued on page 38

I'.*'

w

Cfi

c

ivsca tBMMHT

nn 2000: Craig's final season in Holden Red netted third outright. It was the last year Lowndes campaigned the 'number one'.

WF

■,Wt

1

■■ Q ■ f

●■tgrs I oni nrj 2001: The defection. The start of a new career with Cibson Motorsport and the Blue Oval. He finished 11 th.

2002: Same colours, different team. 00 Motorsport helped Lowndes to seventh in the championship.

2003: Finally, success. One win and a handful of podiums with the factory Ford team has given Lowndes a tonne of confidence for '04.

37

continued from page 37

CL: Yeah, it will. I feel sorry for David (Besnard) because he was the one who was left out. But he has got a drive now which is fantastic for him. The three of us all got on really well and the data side of it was great, we all put input in and we all listened to each other although at times we joked about it ...

The strategy and the boom aspect will be a huge benefit this year. At one time or another, we all got hung out to dry.

In New Zealand, we decided to stay out because Glenn and David were coming in. In hindsight, it was the wrong decision. But at other circuits, we were lucky and David was hung out.

Three cars is just an oddball.

But we've got a spare car now which will be very handy.

parts. That's why this year is looking a lot brighter.

MN: FPR has scaled back to two cars this year. This will have a positive affect with the pit-boom situation but it will cause an adverse affect with the amount of data you collect.

MN: You are renowned for your 'lazy' driving style and some of your in-car footage is classic. Are you even

conscious that you drive like that?

CL: It's probably something I realised in 1994 at Bathurst. I was actually physically drained, I couldn't get out of the car, I couldn't let go of the steering wheel and I could hardly walk.

The only thing that worked was my mouth. As soon as I got on the podium, it wouldn't shut up.

It was an amazing feeling.

I'd grown up playing cricket and AFL and I thought I was fairly fit but I struggled at Bathurst. It was a 50/50 situation. 50 percent of me struggled due to match-fitness, and the other 50 was because I was so tense. I was gripping the steering wheel and trying to push the throttle pedal through the floor. I was burning up too much energy in areas that I didn't need to and that's probably where I've learnt to relax myself.

It's not that I'm going to sleep or going on a Sunday drive, but

\\

The only thing that worked was my mouth. As soon as I got on top of the podium, it wouidn't shut up"

CL, BA and CAT: All the ingredients are in place for Lowndes to perform well in '04.

-‘The Kid’on his speech after finishing second at Bathurst in 1994 with Brad Jones

J-

''w

i'

fT*:

T/’ fi. r

'7

"Your One Stop Motorsport Resource"

'f!i

Products...

Services..

Toyota Specialists

TIG Welded Roll Cages to CAMS/FIA Regulations 't

Motorsport Photography Race Car Construction & Assembly Engineering Design & Manufacture

W

J.

FACTORY 7/1 7 FRIARS ROAD, M00RABB1N VIC 3189 £ 03 9553 4200 l FAX 03 9553 4270 l EMAIL saies@m-msport.com.au R HOURS SERVICE AND APPOINTMENTS PLEASE CONTACT 0412 988 842

t

/

t"'r

moiorspon news

US SUPERCAR I'm conserving energy for when I need it.

"Whatever they've got, whatever they do and however they do it- they did it hotter than us If

- Nobody could touch Stone Brothers racing In 2003

■SKI

»

I

o4

IL

w

/♦"I ^

MN: Last year, Marcos Ambrose and the Stone Brothers were the shining light. Where do you think their advantage was?

CL: I think they had their equipment together a lot earlier than any other Ford team, which gave them a huge heads-up.

But even when you look back at their AU, it was a very quick car considering the AU was deficient in a lot of areas compared to the Fiolden. They had it working exceptionally well. Whatever they've got, whatever they do and however they do it - they did it better than us but we know the product can do the job.

MN:So, who will you be looking out for in 2004?

CL: Everyone! The Melbourne Grand Prix is a great way to look at the base that we are at and see where everyone else is. It gives us a good feel going into Adelaide.

It will be interesting and tough. There's no doubt that the two strong teams will be FIRT and Stone Brothers.(Greg) Murph will be eager to go one better for Kmart. Fie did a tremendous job at Bathurst last year and can't be discounted.

Whoever wins the first couple of rounds usually goes on to win the championship, but that doesn't always happen ...

MN: Your deal with Ford runs out at the end of 2005. Would you be happy to stay with the blue oval for another term?

CL: Yes, no doubt. Ford have been fantastic. I have no ambition of leaving them at all. They have been tremendous, ever since I signed with them in 2001. They have gone through the highs and lows as well as I have.

I remember the first two

-

IV*/,

weeks of me signing up. Geoff Polities walked me through.the whole factory. I met just about everyone at Broadmeadows and Geelong and saw the Ford Territory in clay form, which is due out later this year. It was amazing. Geoff had a lot of focus on turning the brand around and although we haven't been able to quiet do that yet, Marcos and the Stone Brothers certainly stepped up. Now it's time for Glenn and myself to take that next step.

f V

m I

lAftRY PERKINS

ED

% VWumtOn* J»'

a

r^'

ALLAN MOfFAT

maxin.

► INDIVIDUALLY NUMBERED fr AUTOGRAPHED

I

^ ONLY 1000 AVAILABU PER DRIVER ► 24 CARAT GOLD FIRED DECALS

I ^

*■ VOLUME ONE 6 TWO AVAILABLE NOW *■ MINTED MEDAUIONS

Coramic Innovations pays tribute to these groat Australian racing legends with this superbly presented and packaged Collector Series. This five volume sot will bo limited to only 1000 per volume. The enclosed decanter is decorated with a specially minted "Legends of Bathurst” medallion on the front, and driver details, including Bathurst career highlights, printed on the back. Also included with each SOOmL decanter is a personally signed certificate and a Bathurst career biography.

8«p«nta vohimM oomot be ontond prior to releaee. Hemwar, IndMduai volumM wN) be ouarenteed on tho purchsao of o full aet. Moniae dfvwn on the role«M of each new vohimo vie cra^ card or fi^ payment via oheque, money onfer, ate.

Unv P»fMn« Vol 1 Allan Moffat \A>! 2

$175.00 $175.00

Add poitago/handling wUhJn Australia In mullipics at two products at 81S.00.

L

Total Amount Enclosed

$ $

C

*7

t

in

I

DICK a JOHNSON M

1

* ' i;

Name: Address:

jm RICHARDS

.

Postcode:

Telephone:

□ cheque □ money order □ bankcard □ mastercard QVISA

Card: □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ Card Name:

1^

.

./... V

Card Signature:

Most Cfodit Cards 'AVkonw. Choqtios inedQ payablo to Cersmic Innovations Pty. Ltd.

2S Fabmary 2004

9 Kq

OPTION 1 ● Full Set (discountod to include P&H)

□ Please debit my credit card $175 [ on the releaso of each volume L option 2 TOTAL IQTY EACH

L

I

I

rrr ers' t3.-*

TO ORDER:

23 Nelson Street, Moorabbin VIC. 3189 Tel: (03) 9555 9011 Fax: (03) 9553 0602 Mail, Telephone, or Online www.ceramicinnovations.com.au

39

Changes to the Formula AS with any other form of motor racing, the V8 Supercar Championship Series attracts a fair bit of attention regarding its rules and regulations.

This season the changes that have been made have been are, compared to those of previous years, minor. The pointscore, which caused so much discussion last season, stays as it is - with two exceptions. The actual points allocation will be the same as last year, with 192 points up for grabs at each race and splits of six from there.

But now, you must be classified as a finisher (ie, complete 75 percent of the race distance) to gain points.

Previously, anyone who complete 50 percent got points.

Also, all rounds count; the controversial dropping of the worst score has been dropped.

No points system is perfect and there are always going to be criticisms made of the 2004 system, depending on who is advantaged or disadvantaged, and when. But the 2003 system did bring about what it was designed to do; stop a driver

r

'

'

► ●

I

/ wish that I could choose to drop this round: Now, you can't. All rounds count for the 2004 V8SCS. running away with the title early in the season. As ever, the emphasis will be on finishing as many races as possible.

There will be some changes in race formats. To fit in better with television schedules, some races will be shortened.

Adelaide will still feature 250km

2004 V8 Supercar Championship ENTRY LIST Marcos Ambrose 2 Mark Skaife 3 Jason Richards 5 Glenn Seton 6 Craig Lowndes 7 Tony Longhurst 8 Paul Dumbrell 9 Russell Ingall 10 Jason Bargwanna 11 Steven Richards 12 John Bowe 14 Craig Baird 15 Rick Kelly 16 PaulWeel 17 Steven Johnson 18 Warren Luff 20 Mark Winterbottom 21 Brad Jones 22 Todd Kelly 23 Mark Noske 29 Paul Morris 31 Steve Ellery 33 Cameron McConville 34 Garth Tander 44 Simon Wills 45 TBA 50 Jason Bright 51 Greg Murphy 75 Anthony Tratt 88 Paul Radisich 99 David Thexton 888 Max Wilson 40

Falcon BA Pirtek/Stone Brothers Racing Commodore VY Holden Racing Team Commodore VY Tasman Motorsport Ford Credit/Ford Performance Racing Falcon BA Falcon BA CAT/Ford Performance Racing Commodore VY Castrol/Perkins Racing Commodore VX Castrol/Perkins Racing Falcon BA Caltex/Stone Brothers Racing Falcon BA Orrcon/Larkham Motorsport Commodore VY Castrol/Perkins Racing Falcon BA OzEmail/Brad Jones Racing Commodore VY Team Kiwi Racing Commodore VY Kmart Racing Team Commodore VY PWR Racing Falcon BA Shell/Dick Johnson Racing Falcon BA Shell/Oick Johnson Racing Falcon BA Orrcon/Larkham Motorsport Falcon BA OzEmail/Brad Jones Racing Commodore VY Holden Racing Team Falcon BA WPS Racing Commodore VY Sirromet Racing Falcon BA Super Cheap Auto Racing Commodore VY Repco Valvoline Cummins GRM Commodore VY Repco Valvoline Cummins GRM World Industries Team Dynamik Commodore VY World Industries Team Dynamik Commodore VY Commodore VY PWR Racing Commodore VY Kmart Racing Team Commodore VY Toll Racing/Perkins Falcon BA Team Betta Electrical/Triple 8 Falcon BA Thexton Motor Racing Falcon BA Team Betta Electrical/Triple 8

races on Saturday and Sunday and the Creek will still have a solo 300km race. In Auckland, there will be the usual 100km Saturday sprint race and two 150km races on Sunday while Darwin will still have a 20 minute dash on Saturday and two 100km races on Sunday. Same for Perth except the Saturday race is 100km.

Queensland Raceway will have the first change, a solo 280km race on Sunday, while Winton stays at 300km. Oran Park now has two races of 140km each (1x300km last year), Sandown and Bathurst stay unchanged and Surfers now has one 100km and one 150km.

In Shanghai, plans are for a Saturday 100km race and two 150s on Sunday, while the Main Event at the Creek changes to one 100 and two Sunday 150s, On the judicial side, as they were at the end of 2003, all cars will be fitted with the TEGA developed in-car camera system, which is designed to aid officials in determining who did what and when.

Apart from that, same as before. There will be tyre stops as per last year, same with fuel stops in the longer events and Top 10 Shoot-outs in all the races, though some are still listed as To Be Announced.

Sounds simple, huh?

We have done Shakespeare: David Besnard, left, and Mark Noske are back in black for tbe new WPS Ford team. moiortport newt

Pricing from $359* per person Four day reserved Grandstand ticket Grandstand ticket and accommodation from $657* per person Qantas Holidays air, ticket and accommodation Packages (Ex Sydney) from $939*" per person * Conditions apply Subieci to avaiiabiiily Puces based on a 3 night minimum slay twin share accq^modaiion (5. 6 & 7 Mat 2004) and Clatk or Waite Grandstand ticket Upgrades iimiabto Qantas return economy airfare Otter ends 20102104 unless sold out prior Licence No. 2JA003004

The Premier Sufjport Category atthe 2004Foster’s Australian GrandPrix.

GPHoWnecall131641 or visit www.grandprix.com.au

AlbertPark Melbourne 4~7March2004

lQj

FOSTERSAUSTRALIAN OHAHD PUX2004

s jmmtiBJii pint!

I

%

Cdnifidi

Team Brock may be gone - but Je that PWR Racing c an match his ch PHIL BRANAGAN spoke to him ab

MOTORSPORT

DZ86R

44

DZ02G

► SP73R

SP85R

DOU

Supersport Race

QUEENSLAND Queensland Raceway Champion's Way Willowbank QLD 4306 Tel 07 5461 9100

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Kostera’s Tyre Service 7 Mead St Kalamunda WA 6076 Tel 08 9293 3500

TASMANIA Fulton Enterprises 41 McKenzie St Mowbray TAS 7248 Tel 03 6326 9199

SOUTH AUSTRALIA City Discount Tyres 147 Sherriffs Road Reyneiia SA 5161 Tel 08 8387 8233

VICTORIA Stuckey Tyre Service 828 Sydney Road Brunswick ViC 3056 Tel 03 9386 5331

NSW & ACT Gary’s Motorsport Tyres Unit 3,13 Penny Pi Arndeii Park NSW 2148 Tel 02 9676 8655 moiartpon news

U8 SUPERCAR

1

I ●V ●

son Bright is confident\ ^mpionship ambition^} yut the conning season \

1

V

4

I ^

\ 1

I1i h

u

4

I H l‘4 'I

i

New car, new paint...

Bright and Paul Wee! head into 2004 with things they have not had before: Yys, testing days ...

We got a great start to the '03 season and we got a btt of a break over some of the other title contenders" - Brighty on his 2003 season

2S Fabruiry 2004

MOTORSPORT NEWS: New season, new car, new look. Is it a different approach this year?

JASON BRIGHT: I would not say so. We are certainly better prepared for the season than we were at the same time last year, by a long way. All the guys have worked together for a year now so, as a team, we are in much better shape than we were last year.

We go into this year with a log book full of test days, rather than half-full or worse, and we had to shake the cars down the day before we go to the Grand Prix last year. It is a . big difference in that respect.

MN: From a driving standpoint, how do you attack 2004 compared to 2003?

JB: I don't think there will be a hell of a lot different in that respect this year. We got a great start to the '03 season and we got a bit of a break over some of the other title contenders. It was pretty tough in the middle of the year, one way and another but the way we were able to get the speed out of the VX at the end of the year showed that the team was starting to find its feet.

When we did manage to get those couple of test days in, we made good ground from it, which showed late in the season.

The other thing is that we all know and understand the points system a lot better now, I think that will show up in the approach that a number of drivers take to attack the championship; there will be a few guys who might be a little more conservative on the track this year than they were last year.

MN: What about changing cars? Are you starting with a clean sheet when you start testing the VY? JB: Pretty much. As I said before, the team was finding its feet last year. I had two years' experience with the VX and nearly every other person in the team. My engineer, Phil Keed, had come to the

team with a background in rallying, so he needed some time to learn things.

We were quite blind last year, compared to where we are now.

We have to learn what the new car wants. We need to make it do what we want from it.

Falken Tyres

Perform

on the open road - in wet and dry conditions

MN: Does that make the drivers' approach different as well?

JB: We will be, for sure.

When we are at the first few test days, or the first few races for that matter, we need to learn the car, rather than try to find anything ground breaking.

We need to have the car reacting to all our changes and learn from that, so that it puts us in better shape for the early races, until we know the car better.

MN: Is it daunting going into a VY after what happened last year?

There were examples that the car can be a little two-faced; Greg Murphy was virtually untouchable at Bathurst but, a few months later at Eastern Creek, the car just would not work.

JB: Not really. The VY is a step forward.

Eveiyone sets up their cars differently.

Sometimes, I can see people in cars that are not set up that well and we learned from that, even last year. What makes a car work in different areas can vary but we could understand that with the VX, so I think we can come to grips with the VY. Murph's car can look . . . I can see on the track that he likes a car different to the way I like my car. It's the same with Skaifey. We have to learn the car for ourselves and develop it for me.

MN: As a driver, do you expect to be working harder this year than in the past?

JB: For sure. It's more competitive every year; this year is going to be more competitive. We all know that.

You have to fight that little bit extra all the time.

Last year was one of the

AZRT215

Proven High Performance Tyres

From your nearest Tyre Dealer or CALL:

continued on page 46 45

MINI; How did that affect your motivation?

JB: It was frustrating. I have never been in that position before. As far as I know, every team I have drive for, from Formula Ford to Indy Lights, when you go to a race meeting you have your best stuff in the car. No expense spared.

You do not go testing with an engine that does not have enough mileage to do a full day's testing. You spend what is required to do the best job possible. It costs a lot of money to put the team there and the car on the track and you give it your best from there. There were possibly a few times last year when that was not happening. I believe that those things are sorted out this year.

continued from page 45 toughest years of my career; we were not able to test and we were stuck with the VX all year.

That made me push harder to try and get back some of that deficit.

1 think that when you push that hard in those circumstances, you get accustomed to that level of effort. I think that will transfer to the VY; it can go from year to year. The VY came out of the box pretty quickly with some teams and less so with others. But, by the end of the year, at Eastern Creek, we were easily closer to him, and Ambrose, there than we had been earlier in the year. That had a year's development with the VY and the BA and no-one expected there to be any more in a VX. The team did a great job; that gives you confidence for this year.

MN: You can go testing this year. How much different ground will you and Paul (Weel) have to cover between different set-ups?

JB: There will be a bit. The first couple of test days will be for trying to investigate set-up as much as possible, so that we can learn about what he likes in the car and what changes work. On the first few days of testing, we will probably go in different directions on set-up so we can learn about them.

MIM: Are you spending more time in the gym?

JB; More time getting ready for this year but not all in the gym.

Last year was a little out of control; we got into it late. But fitness was no real problem and 1 am as fit as I was this time last year.

The big problem is the heat.

The cars are not super-physical to drive, it is the heat inside the cars that makes it hard work. At places where the temperatures are lower there are never too many problems. When you go to places like Darwin, Adelaide and so on, and it gets 20 degrees hotter inside the car; it becomes really hard work. It is tough to condition yourself to that; you train hard in the off-season, do everything you can and get to Adelaide early in the year, saying, "Crikey, I forgot how hot it is in this place!"

MN:So do the journos! You are in the final year of a twoyear deal with the team.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

JB: That all depends on what opportunities are available. My priority has always been to be in the most comfortable and competitive environment I can be in. That has never changed. If that looks like being where I am now, I will be there.

But if that changes, I want to be somewhere competitive. I am pretty sure that the team will be right up there this year and I am sure that will work out.

MN; You made some comments last year that it was tough, with the testing 46

'1 can see on the track that Murph likes a car different to the way I like my car. Ifs the same with Skaifey II

- Brighty, above, thinks about VY set-ups

problems and the level of funding needed to be competitive. Was that frustrating and has it changed?

JB: I am not sure that I said 'funding'. It was not really that.

We had the funding we required to do it properly. It was more a matter not having the componentry that we wanted.

At one stage I had a pretty

good lead in the championship and whether we should have had a VY during the year, better engines ... I do not know whether that was a funding issue, that is not up to me. But everything else was there to do the job that we wanted to do and there were times that we did not have what we wanted, for one reason or another.

MN: What are your realistic ambitions for the season?

JB: I would not be out there if I did not think that I could win the championship.

I have said the same thing all the way along; with the right funding and equipment, we can do the job. We proved we can have enough speed to win the championship. What we have to do is get through the year without any mid-year slumps; we had a shocking mid-year last season, we had, I think, three races in a row with either DNFs or we got tangled up with someone. That cost us points and we cannot afford to have that happen again.

I think that, every time we had an hour-and-a-half session, we had a problem with something that stopped us from getting the best out of those big, important sessions. We went into the weekend with not only no testing, but missing the track time that we might have had otherwise. That hurt us. That held us back.

Everyone is focused on making sure we do not have that happen this year. That should keep us in good shape. molorspori news

1, I

»'●>

V i'\'»»^

/ >

V, 7//.

fl .

I

; \

I

m

i. '

■S

■',■

\\

^

'

.'V

■;vV^i%v''

-

V

*<●'r

<

m \-

V»

l\

'^-1?

V- >

7M VI

. 'Y- .● w-jfet-

<r^.

>

>i.r’ '.^ly

>

■

? .Jf/.^'T'

\

^

n’-

n

li

-V -.

V

f

f ?><

.C». , '

V\ r ..M

mA

(k .

■s;

\

V.

/:

fer

\

i!iii>*i\'

r vx ●»\j

Fl

-^^1

P-

I

\'

.0

I

1-4.

w-.'

i

Yl} '^’

● Af

-,i

●'4,

<?

k

1

*

/,,

i WmV

\

ix,'r, r-

■i

:.vv*;

« v;'.

V

rfjii'

\

A

9

»1

s

/

\

I

■k

■iV,

f'

.(;

:s/ \

,\

V

i

:v

‘>

'W

>'

i \S

r.i

V

S-.

t

I

s”

V

\

I

V;

■?

i

||flM\<*'' I' r-Ml'lS^ j

w c.iAW w y

I ●’

■

M■

.A-**'--

>

■<iS-

i.y V t :●! !

w

i

4

I'V

*■

i'

J’ ●●f * '

i //

V ft

●● 'i

Vi

●»

That’s Hag’s Breath Cafe!

PREUMEW

Ml

If I could The AGP kicks off what is looking like a fascinating 2004 FI season next week.

CHRIS LAMBDEN sifts through the intelligence, gossip and fact to put ■together the MNews form guide

I

N just a few days, the cars will be wheeled into their garages at Albert Park to signal the start of the 2004 Grand Prix season.

Those are the obvious big questions and - until the chequer is waved by Stephanie Sheene on Sunday afternoon, March 7 - the answers are,

As usual, Melbourne will be the

at best, opinion. And FI does have the knack of occasionally throwing up a big unscripted surprise or two...

Over the following pages, we canvass the views of some FI people who know what they're talking about.

Adam Cooper looks at the rule changes - both with respect to the cars and the running of a GP weekend - in some detail, while Saward talks to

focus for every serious petrol-head world-wide. Not just because it's the first GP of the season, not because it's considered one of the best, but because it provides the first genuine chance to see how the pecking order has changed in the off-season and just what effect the significant rule changes wiU have in that process.

Pre-season testing is one thing, race weekend number one another. While our own man in FI, Mark Webber, has given us his pre-season thoughts (see page 52/53) based on his close-up perspective of what's been going on over the past weeks, he's also the first (along with our FI correspondent Joe Saward - see Box Seat, page 26) to remind us that it is only testing.

No-one really knows what spec teams have been running. There are some out there running 'light' to impress whoever it is they need to impress. There are innovative ways to throw up an impressive lap time - one engineer explained to me recently that if you halve the tliickness of the undercar 'plank' that FI cars are compelled to race with, you can gain an instant three-quarters of a second (lower ride-height and so on).

Apparently teams (no names!) have in the past used this device to provide an 'impressive' testing result for a wellheeled but less-than-talented debutant So, to take the recent testing outcomes as a reliable guide is, well, a less than reliable option. But tlrere are still some pointers from the off-season changes worthy of consideration.

There are a number of intriguing questions, to which Albert Park may provide the first real insight: Is this the end of Michael's reign?

Will tyres be the deciding factor for Maranello? Will the Big Three Ferrari, Williams and McLaren remain at the top of the tree? Who are the likely challengers? Who has any show of winning the championship?

48

perhaps the most respected FI team boss of them all - Frank Williams.

Which leaves us to weave together the intelligence to date; to speculate on just who will be the form horse when the FI circus comes to town next week.

OfMichael one thing there is little Schumacher anddoubt.

Ferrari won't have simply 'lost it' since Suzuka last year. The F2004 seen to date looks a modest evolution of last year's car, but Michael is professing his satisfaction with it. It won't be an uncompetitive car, and Michael himself is, after a refreshing break, as motivated as ever.

No, the problem will, if any, be tyres. To be fair, a couple of MchaeTs dominant years were, to a great degree, courtesy of Bridgestone as rivals McLaren and Williams waited for Michelin to come good. Now they have and the boot is on the other foot.

Like last year, there will be occasions when the Japanese rubber stars - maybe it will still be in semi wet conditions - but over-all the inside chat from Europe is saying that Michelin has kicked some big goals.

If that is so, then 2004 will be the sternest test of Schumacher's resolve.

There are those who believe that his loyal team-mate Rubens Barrichello may play a more significant role in the 2005 championship than he has in those to date. Certainly he outqualified Michael on occasions in 2004 and put together some strong races but, as long as Ferraris are painted red, Michael will be the one with the

points at the end of the season.

Over at Williams the FW26, witli its distinctive 'walrus' nose, is seen as being a small but worthwhile step forward from the FW25. On its day in 2003, the FW25, with reputedly the best engine in FI and Michelin tyres, was the best car out there. Many believe the FW26 will be the car of 2004. The team's weakness, as it was in 2004 will be the drivers.

Across the garage is Ralf, who's getting his mind arormd accepting a massive pay cut if he wants to stay at Williams beyond Christmas. Ralf, who seems to have a problem racing his brother when it really matters; Ralf, who also fronted for testing a few kilos on the wrong side of the ledger

There are still people within the industry stunned that Juan-Pablo Montoya will actually line up for the Australian GP in a Williams. The armouncement of Iris 2005 McLaren

Michelin-shod, BMW-powered Williams will be the class of the field.

There should be no excuses ...

contract before 2004 pre-season testing had even begun was, and is, amazing.

Many believe it's just a time bomb with a random actuating device.

Yes, they're all professionals, but how can any team talk frankly in a technical sense to a driver they already know is off to one of their fiercest rivals at the end of the year?

Add in considerable ego (it has been revealed that it was the French GP radio shouting-match and subsequent disciplining of JPM by Williams which confirmed his decision to leave Williams) and then the fact that Montoya has fronted for testing in, reportedly, less than pristine physical shape, and it's not hard to reconcile reports that the atmosphere at pre-season testing has been... tense.

Both drivers are under pressure.

The conventional wisdom is that the

The sihiationCaught at McLaren is quite confusing. out last year by the late (and ultimately non-)delivery of its new car, the team was first out of the box this time. Little un-McLarenlike problems have beset the team, not tire least being the inability of its regular test driver, Riccardo Zonta, to fit into the tight confines of the MP419. Even the diminutive Kimi Raikkonen has struggled to get comfortable.

On track, performance has been mixed, although it was Raikkonen who set the best lap right at the end of testing at Valencia last week. Quite confusing.

And tire drivers? Kinri undoubtedly quick, but prone to some silly decisions under pressure, especially in qualifying. David "It's my year" Coulthard? Knows now he's malorsporf news

FORMULA

EQ

like Mike

out at the end of the year. A big test.

MNews'FI insiders reckon the Maccers are the most vulnerable of the Big Three teams and that Renault is the most likely challenger.

While some derided the new Renault engine as a tricked-up version of the old 72-degree Mecachrome engine, they were clearly wrong. From the day it first tested, the new Renault was strong and powerful. The chassis was terrific in 2003 and, despite the departure of guru Mike Gascoyne to Toyota,should shll be.

About the only negahve affecting this team is the banning of launch control. Renault had it down pat I electronically - now it's up to the drivers to get off the line, the starts up

1 s

E

I I S

Red, blue or silver?

Ferrari and Michael Schumacher, left, still set the standards but will the opposition catch up? The Williams FW26 looks different while McLaren's MP4/19, below. has run a little hot and cold in preseason testing.

continued on page 50

Key things to watch out for n Third drivers working hard on Friday while the rest limit mileage on their 'one-engine-per-weekend' power units n The reaction when the first of the 20 race engines blows changing it invokes a 10-spot penalty on the grid n With the second of the two qualifying sessions following just minutes after the first, how many will bother running light fuel in the first? Teams are more likely to make the first run a proper trial run n The Start. Now down to the driver. No electronic launch control permitted. Some will be fare better than others n The tyre war. It will rage, as ever. Michelin ended 2003 with an edge but do not expect Bridgestone, below, to just lie down n Pit stops. Faster pit lane entry and higher pit lane speed limit means shorter stops and thus more of them. Expect this to be a three-stop race n Late-race. This is a tough race, especially if it’s hot. Driver error through lack of race-fitness might just be an issue in some cars while some of the 800km engines might struggle over the last 50km

m fP---.

IB

bliiaij

< 49

PREUKEW , continued from page 49

Fisi, while Massa's pedigree (from the 2002 season) isn't brilliant.

and down the grid have the potential to be a bit ragged ...

Fernando Alonso cemented his

Points every now and tlien would be a good outcome.

position as Renault's coming man last season and should make further progress, although there were a few mumbles from within the team lateseason about a bit of over-cockiness.

sL

TurAfUil' Off

o

For Jamo TruUi,2004 is his last stand.

Blown away by Alonso and he's gone; some consistent race performances and he has a future.

B

AR is a team which,if its pre season form hasn't been a con,

could puU off some big surprises.

There is no doubt that Dave Richards is pulling the team together now that the disruptive influences of Jacques ViUeneuve and his manager are out of the picture. Honda has made good progress, the chassis has had some good reviews and, crucially, Richards has engineered a swap from Bridgestone to Michelin at what would seem to be just the right time.

Jenson Button has been assuring the British media that the recent impressive testing times haven't been a case of smoke and mirrors and he is without doubt a motivated young man to whom the team is looking to deliver. It is unfair to write off team mate Takiima Sato as being totally Honda-imposed on the team. He is certainly the best Japanese driver yet to appear on an FI grid and should provide strong back-up to Button.

Race winners? Unlikely. Podiums?

Quite possibly.

Jaguar to may - or may notspring a surprise. So laborious was the R5's pace in early testing that many of the experts wrote it off. The team said wait and see, we're working to a planned schedule.

If the latest testing is anything to

J

~ordan is steadily sliding back into Minardi's clutches. Lack of budget Isn't going to produce a chassis to make good use of the same Cosworth engine as Jaguar has and, like Sauber and Minardi, the team has to face the reality that Bridgestone's priority is Ferrari and Ferrari alone.

Nick Ffeidfeld is seen as a journeyman driver these days and Pantano, while well-credentialled in

72 degrees and fine: Renault, and Fernando Alonso, look threatening. go by,then it's Jaguar Racing 1, Experts 0. The arrival of the R5's definitive aero package within the last 10 days seems to have made the difference, with our man Webber also reporting worthwhile progress in terms of the rear tyre problems that affected 2003 race performances.

Cosworth has delivered a reliable 'one-engine-per-weekend' power plant.

Webber himself continues to grow in stature. Williams is after him, but there's still a job to be done at Jag. He's been talking up new team-mate Christian Klein and rates him as the best team-mate to date.

But then, he said nice things about Antonio Pizzonia and Justin Wilson too - and Alex Yoong and Anthony Davidson before that. It's a bit of a hot seat, the second slot at Jaguar ...

As in '03, expect a couple of eyebrow-raising qualifying efforts from Webber and - if circumstances (including engine reliability among the Big Three) play into his hands, a potential podium or two.

For a team with a reasonably modest budget, that would be a good year's work.

Toyota remains anof enigma.

Budget isn't one its worries.

Getting the whole package together

terms of F3000,is very new to it all.

Minardi faces another tough year as Paul Stoddart waits for the

is.

commercial breakthrough which would allow his little team to take a

Some confusing appointments in past years sees the team still, in FI terms,'seeking to optimise its potential'. The poaching of Gascoigne from Renault will pay big dividends, but not for a while, so the team will soldier on much as before,

major step forward. A team that is funded solely from the FOM TV money and pay-driver input is always going to struggle. And while Minardi retains its reputation as a starting point for some pretty successful current FI drivers, Messrs

Toyota acknowledged going in that to develop engine and chassis and team from scratch would be a

Baumgartner and Bruni simply aren't destined for a Webber-like career path.

big job. It is.

Drivers Olivier Panis and former CART champ Olivier Cristiano da Matta are competent, neither brilliant. 2004 is going to be a slog but watch out in 2005.

Sauber's performance follows a predictable pattern each year.

Inheriting Ferrari's best from the year before allows the team to look good at the start of the year, less so as time - and lack of further development - goes on.

Both drivers probably think (or hope) they're doing time, waiting for Michael to retire and open up a Ferrari slot. It's getting very late for

Many things about the 2005 FI season remain completely unpredictable. How many races will be weather-affected? Will the oneengine rule kick off with a spate of unreliability? Does Bridgestone have something up its sleeve? Will it, at last, be David Coulthard's year? It's certainly his last year ... Can Juan Pablo and Williams possibly last 16 races together?

Next week's season-opener may answer some of those. You'll just have to watch carefully - and pick up MNews'comprehensive post-race analysis issue, on sale March 10 ...

Phillip Islam

Presented by Shannons & Tattersall’s

iFeb 2Bth a zath moPerntTs / oTc. J'

●our And^m^igy rt0jre

IF

I

moiorsport news

FORMULA

file Guys from HinwiI IT is easy to overlook Sauber.

Apart from the fact that Switzerland is right up there with Hawaii as a home of motor racing excellence, the blue cars have been ... well, underwhelming since Peter Sauber and his team arrived in Formula One T1 years ago. Heinz-Harald Frentzen's third place at Indy last September equalled five other thirds as the team's best race result to date. Yes, Kimi Raikkonen helped the team to fourth in the constructors' title three years ago but... Sauber win a GP? Come off it.

Will that change this year? Probably not, but there are good reasons to wonder. The C23 is as close to a Ferrari as you are going to get; similar engine and gearbox, aero and the same Bridgestone tyres. The big difference this year is the drivers.

Giancarlo Fisichella won a race last season (okay, it was a bizarre weekend in Brazil but he still won) and has been highly-ranked by many in FI since he arrived on the scene 124 races ago. He is as good a driver as the team has ever had except, maybe,for Kimi.

In Felipe Massa, Sauber has the next big Brazilian thing, if you believe the talent spotters. A year testing with the Scuderia has given him not only mileage but an intimate knowledge of the workings of that team, which can only be of great value to Sauber.

There is also the likelihood that Luca Badoer will log miles in the blue cars his year, strengthening the ties between team blue and team red.

Still, it will be worth a watch. Even if podiums and points do not flow, a battle between an established star like Fisi and a new young turk like Massa, below, is always fun to see. If Fisi wins, it could be next stop, big time. If the kid wins, Fisi's hopes of a stellar career are down the drain.

And this time last year, anyone would had scoffed at the idea of a Jordan winning a race, so \say never.

EQ

FI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro Ferrari F2004 D 1 Michael Schumacher Br 2 Rubens Barrichello BMW Williams FI Williams-BMW FW26 Col 3 Juan Pablo Montoya D 4 Ralf Schumacher West McLaren Mercedes McLaren-Mercedes MP4/19 5 David Coulthard GB Fin 6 Kimi Raikkonen Renault R24 Mild Seven Renault FI Ita 7 Jarno Trulli E 8 Fernando Alonso BAR-Honda 006 Lucky Strike BAR Flonda GB 9 Jenson Button J 10 Takuma Sato GB T Anthony Davidson Sauber-Petronas C23 Sauber Petronas Ita 11 Giancarlo Fisichella Br 11 Felipe Massa T TBA (Luca Badoer?)

Jaguar Racing Jaguar-Cosworth R5 14 Mark Webber Aus 15 Christian Klien Aut S T Bjorn Wirdheim Panasonic Toyota Racing Toyota TF104 16 Cristiano da Matta Br 17 F Olivier Panis T Br Ricardo Zonta jo'J'/.

Jordan-rurd £J''4 18 Nick Heidfeld D 19 Ita Giorgio Pantano T Timo Glock D Minardi Cosworth Minardi-Cosworth PS 04 20 Gianmaria Bruni Ita 21 Hun Zsolt Baumgartner TBA T

»

RACE CAR DYNAMICS S DATA ACQUISITIDN SEMINARS It is nearly as bad to be on pole and notknow why as itis to be at the back of the fieldand not know why either.

- Claude Houelle If you don’t know why you are quick, you won’t know why you are slow.

This internationally recognised course has been developed to advance the skills of young engineers, maximising the effectiveness of set up time on the racetrack and, importantly, reducing costs. The key to Claude's teachings is the focus on understanding how, why and ftowmucA certain factors effectvehicle behaviour, rather than relying on experience and intuition. This seminar helps participants improve their ability to understand, analyse and predict race car performance, which translates to faster lap times and better results.

oftires, kinematics, aerodynamics, dampers and data acquisition It is delivered in a manner that is easy to follow for participants at all levels, with explanatory diagrams and examples to help simplify even the most complex theories.

Previous participants include Ford, General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, Peugeot, Sridgestone-Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin, AP Racing, Dynamics, Penske Shocks, Hendricks, Jaguar, Ohiins, Oreca, Porsche, and many other companies and individuals from all levels of racing. Visitwww.motec.com.au for testimonials.

The comprehensive three day seminar covers a range of topics including the nature of performance, definitions and terminology, forces and characteristics

Cost: AU0$1,485 (NZD$1,400). Includes lunch, morning and afternoon teas, plus a complete 300 page binder with technical notes and illustrations.

'4SJ5. lirrii miss our25 February 2004

'1'

I

'Aid:

supporieab/

To register your place, please contact MoTeC Research Centre: Tel: D3 9761 5050 l Email: training@motec.com.au l www.motec.com.au 51

Hie View from #t

r I

With pre-season testing completed last Thursday, Mark Webber spoke exclusively to CHRIS LAMBDEN that evening about Jaguar's form surge and his from-the-cockpit view of the FI field, the likely winners, and losers ...

MOTORSPORT NEWS: I guess the FI media was,shall we say, confused by Jaguar's seeming lack of pace three weeks or so ago, but the last few days would seem to have produced a positive turnaround ...

MARK WEBBER; The main thing we had to do coming into the testing at Jerez and Valencia was to get the most

mileage we could on the car.

All the components needed to be tested in extreme conditions. A lot of them you had to run almost to failure, to get a 'window'for all the material we're taking to the first few races.

That's all we were after.

Outright times didn't matter.

The last couple of weeks have produced, as you say.

Long runs are our clear ppiopitit Thars what we'pe thinking ahout lop the fipst lew pacespeplopming weii on Sunday"

11

something of a turnaround.

We did have some reliability issues with the R5 that cost us a lot of running time, which was unfortunate.

But in the past week we've done some very good mileage [Webber did 144 and 115 laps respectively over the last two days of testing at Valencia], which leaves me hopeful that we've got most of the bugs out of the system; things that might have caught us out over the first few races.

MN; On this final day of testing before Melbourne you've popped in a light-fuel lap and come up second,just a tenth shy of Kimi Raikkonen, who broke the lap record in his McLaren. That's pretty respectable one-lap pace how has the car been on long runs, particularly in terms of looking after its rear tyres, one of the concerns from 2003?

MW: Michelin are a lot happier with us now that we've started to optimise the set-up a bit more on the R5. The one thing we did need to improve was our tyre management situation. It was difficult for us to get a grip on last year and, while I don't think we're out of the woods, we're definitely making some progress in terms of the rear degradation we had last year.

Engine reliability is going well - it could be a lot, lot worse. You could argue that it couldn't be much better at the moment[Ed: both Webber and team-mate Christian Klein completed 800km+ on engines during this test).

Today's run was good to check that we have a reasonable set-up for practice and qualifying at the opening rounds. But the long runs are our clear priority. That's what we're thinking about for the first few races - performing well on Sunday. That's what it's about.

MN:The engine, as you say, is proving reliable. Any idea where you stand in the performance stakes compared with the opposition?

MW; It's tricky, because you have to look at the engine as a whole package - outright horsepower, driveability, reliability, fuel consumption.

We have a good engine.

The most important ingredient right now is reliability and the fact that Cosworth has achieved that, while at the same time having to supply another team with engines, is a big achievement.

To answer the question, it's tough out there. Honda, Renault and the big guns (Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW) are doing a phenomenal job. I wouldn't want to speculate where we fit in that group, but we do have pretty sensible reliability and that's the important baseline - there's been a fair few of the others being towed back to pit lane this week. Of course you always want more horsepower, better fuel-consumption, and they're still working on those.

MN: The other main problem last year appeared to be aero-related top speed. Has the latest aeropack on the R5 gone a reasonable way to addressing that?

MW: Yes, that was a problem area and yes, we have definitely made some progress. Again, it's down to two factors - the drag of the

FORMULA car (the aerodynamics) and the power of the engine. And it's something we're working hard on, to make sure that our EOS (End of Straight) is competitive.

The R5 is definitely better in that area. Whether it's enough ... I'm a little bit concerned about it.

MIM: What now between here and Melbourne for you?

MW:That's it as far as testing goes. What we've got now is what we've got. I'll be shaking the cars down on Monday (as MNews closed for press) and then they - and I - will be heading south!

MN: A quick look at the opposition. You're in a unique position to evaluate them on track; when they're doing long runs etc. Will the Big Three remain and who are likely to be their main challengers?

MW: It is going to be an incredibly tight championship.

With the Big Three - Ferrari, McLaren and Williams - I think they're in such a massive battle with each other that they could drag themselves back down into the teams that are doing a sound job, like BAR and Renault and, potentially, us.

We can do a good job, but we don't have the experience to go there for the whole season.

Michelin are doing a phenomenal job, no question about it, and they are going to

be very strong over the 18 ® races, which is a big plus for McLaren, Williams and Renault.

What is the big plus for Ferrari is their reliability - and Michael. Those two things together are a great asset.

Michael's had one enginerelated retirement in four years ...

Whether the new one-engine rule will expose them a little bit remains to be seen.

Williams are stronger than McLaren, I think. Renault have been doing a reasonable job and may threaten them (McLaren) a bit, although they

achieve the levels they've set for themselves. I hope we can race with them.[ED: that's Webber-speak for beat them!]

Melbourne will be interesting, as it will be the first chance we all have to see exactly where we stand.

Jordan and Minardi will struggle.

MN: Because of the number of changes in rules, there's a great deal of anticipation leading into Melbourne, where a number of questions and uncertainties may be answered. For example, given the one-engine rule, do you

"Michaers had one engine-related retirement in four years. Whether the new one-engine rule will expose Ferrari a KtUe bit remahis to be seen tt

- MW on Ferrari and Schumacher

probably can't fight week-in, week-out like Williams can with Ferrari.

But it will be a very interesting scrap.

BAR are doing well, showing good progress. The move to Michelin was the best decision they've made. We're in there somewhere, I guess, going along okay.

Sauber are going okay ...

MN: Toyota?

MW: Toyota are going ... okay.

Yeah,just okay, for Toyota.

They need more time still to

think many will take a punt on running higher rpm in qualifying, as they used to? Or is reliability, this early anyway, the over-riding issue?

MW: Over the last three months a lot of the teams have done a lot of simulation work and are going into Melbourne with a lot of homework behind them - ie we know what we can do and we know what we can't do.

Melbourne will not be the place to experiment. We have our guidelines, they're the numbers we have - those are

EQ

the revs you can have for that particular session.

That's how it will work, and it will develop as the season goes on and the teams get more confidence with their engines.

The one-engine rule is very harsh in that, if you do have any problem, you get a huge penalty in terms of grid position - 10 places back - so I think you'll see people limiting their running on Friday to make sure they see the chequered flag on Sunday.

MN:In the case of the'bottom' six teams, you have the advantage of having a third car and driver on Friday. If your two main drivers are limiting their laps, the work done by that thirds driver becomes quite crucial, doesn't it.

MW: Exactly. It's nice that you don't have to worry about the engine in the third car and so you can get as much mileage as you can with it during the two one-hour sessions.

It can do a lot of tyre work, a lot of brake measurement, and get some aero sweeps done.

There's a lot of responsibility on the third driver. He has to be giving us sound information.

It's going to be interesting over the first few races to see how we, and the opposition, play that one. If [Ferrari tester] Luca Badoer can be wheeled out in the third Sauber, that could potentially be a very big card for Michael ...

B

EFORE the start of last season the FIA threw away much of the FI rulebook and

introduced one lap qualifying and pare ferme conditions.

On the face of it the changes for this year are not so dramatic, but a closer look reveals that some fascinating scenarios could unfold. So what can we expect to see at Albert Park and beyond?

The biggest rulenow, change affects engines.

Until a driver would use one engine on Friday and another on Saturday morning. A fresh race engine would then be fitted for the 15 minute warm-up prior to qualifying. From that point, to the start of the 305km race it would probably do no more than a dozen laps (including 'ins' and 'outs') and have to last around 350-360kms.

Manufacturers routinely tested engined to 400km before they were deemed reliable.

Now the requirement is in the 700750kms range,because all practice laps on Friday and Saturday morning have to be included. Many team insiders insist that it hasn't proved as hard as expected to achieve this, but it remains to be seen if the reality matches their expectations.

"We think we are reliable," says Toyota designer Gustav Brunner, "but we don't know,of course. The winter is nice and cool, but if it's hot, it could be a different story."

The big unknown is to what degree each supplier has had to compromise performance, if at all, in order to double the life expectancy.

"I don't think there will be much

with mileage,so the fewer laps run beforehand, the more consistent the power will be through the race.

A

rticle 58b confirms that the teams that finished fifth and below in

last year's championship can run a third driver and chassis in both Friday sessions,even in a different livery, should they so wish.

Although they are limited by also having only three sets of tyres each, you don't have to be Einstein to realise that these third drivers can do

mXRCHea

nc

a huge amount of priceless data gathering, possibly enabling the race drivers to do fewer laps and save their engines. They wUl also be rurming in 'real time' with all the main contenders, rather than only in the cool morning and on a green track, as Allan McNish did last year with Renault.

iV; ^

think the public cares too much ..."

In fact, there could be some fascinating side effects. Even allowing for development, the chances of failures in a race -

..pi

The only catch is that third drivers cannot have started more than six Grands Prix in the previous two years. Toyota's Ricardo Zonta and BAR'S Anthony Davidson are extremely capable testers whose teams have experience in running multi-car tests. By contrast. Jaguar will be stretched to run its third car effectively, although the team has been practising at tests. For Jordan and Minardi, it will essentially be a fund-raising exercise.

The big question surrounds Sauber. It was no surprise when rumours surfaced that Ferrari will

.

lot diWei

of rule ihanges thalviinaffeiM tti A^AM tOO^takes a loc Busy Men: The new rules will mean a lot of work for people like Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta, above, and Renault Executive Director of Engineering Pat Symonds, left with Fernando Alonso.

place Luca Badoer in its sister team's third car, for the tyre information he could take back to the Maranello camp will be worth its weight in

gold.

A

rticle 86 states that the FIA will seal each driver's nominated

especially at high stress circuits like Spa, Monza and Indianapolis - must surely be higher than in the past.

That in itself could make the results

engine at the start of each race weekend, in order to 'ensure that no

more interesting, because we are less likely to see the top four teams consistently filling the top eight positions.

Reliability is not the only issue.

Engines tend to lose performance

significant moving parts can be rebuilt or replaced.'

In theory we won't see the controversial in the field surgery that Mercedes conducted early last season. However,crews can service

S4

1

P‘,

backing off on revs," insists Renault engineering boss Pat Symonds."It's very much like when we have a little aerodynamic change. It arrests development, and instead of making an improvement over the winter, you hold steady for a year.

"I suspect that most teams will be arriving in Melbourne with very similar power to Suzuka last year.

But it's no secret that we'll have more power!"

David Coulthard says the engine rule is unlikely to create much excitement:"Do you think the public are going to go,'I really like FI now because tire engines last for 700kms instead of whatever it was!' 1 don't

V

or replace ancillaries whose failure would previously have led to a complete engine change.

"You can't change the main 'frame' of the engine," says Symonds,"but if you have a pump fail you are entitled to change it. In the past we wouldn't even have considered doing that, we would have taken the engine out and put in another one. But it's not something we're expecting to do, and we've beefed everything up because of the new rules."

If a driver does have to take to the track with any other engine - up to

"I suspect that most teams will be arriving in Melbourne with very similar power to Suzuka last year. But its no secret that we'll have more power!"

- Renault’s Pat Symonds and including qualifying - he will be assessed a penalty of 10 grid positions. A second offence will cost another 10 places, effectively putting him to the back of the grid.

The engine data analysts will be under extreme pressure get their sum rights. If on Saturday morning the numbers suggest that something is amiss, it might be better to opt for an immediate change and take the penalty, rather than risk a failure 40 or so laps down the line - in the

moiorsRon n«ws

FORMULA there's another intriguing prospect.

Drivers are under no obligation to tackle their first run with a minimal

Js);

fuel load, in order to set the fastest possible time. They can instead opt to carry a race load and thus get a better feel for the car in its true qualifying set-up. That didn't make sense last year, but now the two runs could be just minutes apart, in similar conditions, so a final dress rehearsal could be beneficial.

If the fuel question is not enough to make Part One seem almost meaningless, consider that Article 119 notes that any car which stops on the circuit - through say a spin or simple electronic glitch - cannot be retrieved and used in Part Two. The driver will thus have to use his spare car (and new engine), and take the 10 place drop. That won't exactly encourage anybody to tests the limits on the first run. Clearly if

ent in 2004,thanks tn aintlfMOtr 9 way race weekcitas-MiiliAe run, k at some of the newML niies i

I I

middle of the race. Even in this computerised age a driver's gut feel can sometime provide a warning of problems ahead, and that could be to the benefit of those with more experience.

It's not just mechanical failures that could prove costly. Now when possible teams will salvage the engine from a crash, clean it up, and put it into the T-car. That might not be so easy if the car has had a rear impact, has been bounced across a gravel trap, or has been doused in extinguisher powder. Thus a big shunt early in a race weekend could prove far more costly than ever before. All eyes will be on whether a driver takes his original engine with him when he swaps chassis.

"We'll have the spare car sat in the garage with no engine in it," says Symonds.

As last year, the first qualifying lap determines the starting order for the second, but the format is very different, with both runs now on Saturday afternoon.

Officially it is a single session divided into two parts (not first and second qualifying), with a twominute interval. To speed things up the gap between each car leaving the pits has been reduced, and the TV ad breaks after the fifth, 10th and 15th runners are also shorter.

2S rabruary 2004

"if a driver does have to take to the track with any other engine - up to and inciuding quaiifying - he wiii he assessed a penaity of 10 grid spots"

I

ma

a driver does go off in Part One, he'll do anything he can to drag his wreck back to the pits under its own steam, whatever the damage ...

Anyone who messes up their second qualifying lap (or is caught out by rain), and is doomed to start at the back of the grid, can always change engines before the race. As noted earlier, the penalty for so doing is ... being put to the back of the grid! There is literally nothing to lose, and much to gain.

In contrast, as last year a switch of chassis at this stage, or even a simple set-up modification that breaks pare ferme rules, means a pit lane start.

There's a grey area here, for during an engine change a team might just 'inadvertently' adjust something else which should normally - if spotted by officials - entail a pitlane start.

Here's a final thought. There's nothing in the rules to say that teams must only build engines that are good for 750kms. After alt, if you change just before the race, your target is only 305kms, plus a couple of reconnaissance laps.

"A lot will become apparent at the first race," says Stubbs. "There will be things that we've never thought of and the FIA haven't thought of. It's going to be fairly tense up on the pit wall, 1 can tell you ..."

Throughout 2003, title contenders Michael Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen were handicapped by always going first on Friday, but now the running order is determined not by the championship positions, but by the results of the previous race. Thus in Melbourne, Suzuka wirmer Rubens Barrichello will be first out, while Zsolt Baumgartner, who has the highest race number of those who didn't race in Japan, will go last.

If Zsolt sets the slowest lap time, he will be out for his second run in two minutes. Getting the car fuelled and in effect race prepared will be a frantic process, and FIA sources concede that they might have to break their own rules and wave the last cars through the compulsory weight check, in order to give the teams a realistic chance of getting ready.

Others will have more than an hour to tinker with the car between their runs - an advantage if they have a lot of set-up work, perhaps less so when there's a change in track conditions. As before, nobody can adjust their fuel load after the second runs start.

Having two runs so close together should help the rookies and those who found it hard to cope with the one lap system. But

COSIUORTH

Dreams of I After a tough debut with Jordan in 2002followed by a year oftesting with BAR(and one race as Jacques Villeneuve's replacement), a return to full-time racing cannot come quickly enough for Takuma Sato. MARK GLENDENNING spoke with him about the year ahead MOTORSPORT NEWS: It's always hard to tell at this time of the year, but it appears that BAR has had some encouraging results in testing over the past couple of weeks?

TAKUMA SATO: Yes, it looks very encouraging. All of the testing that we've done has been mostly successful.

We had a concept car at the end of December which we tested over the month and then we got the new car, and it worked straight away. We did some performance runs, and even broke the lap record both of us (he and Jenson Button, at Valencia). That was nice to see on the page!

So we are just learning so many things together. At the moment, we have to do a lot of work with the tyre issues, because we have to learn so much. But all of the testing has been successfully done, so we very happy going into Melbourne.

WIN: I was going to ask about the tyres - have you had any problems adapting to the WIichelins?

TS: Certainly over one lap, it hasn't been a problem for us.

We can carry so much speed over the first lap, which is good.

But now we have to concentrate on the consistency, and mostly for that you need experience in how to set up the car to help understand how the tyre is working. So I would say ... you never know until you get to Melbourne, but we have some ideas. I think it will be OK. Maybe we need a few races to learn it, but after that it should be no problem.

WIN: Does testing have a greater sense of purpose now that you're doing it to improve your own race car, rather than doing it to improve someone else's, like you were last year?

56

TS: Obviously, I was a test driver with BAR Honda last year, and I was helping to develop both cars all the time.

So I know how to develop a Formula One car, and also how the BAR team approaches both testing and the race. So I'm totally familiar with all the things in the team. As a driver, Jenson is in his second year with BAR, and he has got five years of experience in Formula One,so it's good to have someone speedy who I can try to beat.

Obviously, I am very fresh, and very excited about my second full season on Formula One. And we also have Anthony Davidson as a test driver, and he's doing all the Fridays. That's going to be a very important issue. We are all getting along very well, so everybody is very optimistic about things. Certainly I'll be trying to do my best.

WIN: But it must mean more to you when you go testing now than it did last year, because you know that this time you are going to be racing, unlike last year where it was almost all testing?

TS: Absolutely. It was difficult to keep the motivation up, especially when you go to a Grand Prix and do nothing. You just have to hang in there.

But on the other hand, you can see so many other things, because you don't have the same pressure at all. So you can feel how the team operates, and how a Grand Prix operates.

So it has given me some good ideas. I’m totally ready to go head-to-head with anybody.

WIN: Towards the end of your time with Jordan, you were hopeful of retaining a race seat somewhere for last year, in retrospect, do you think that spending most of 2003 as a test driver was a good thing?

TS: Yes. At the time, we knew that we could remain in a race seat somewhere, but it's not always the right thing to do.

You know, you can be desperate to have a race seat, or you can go to a good test role and make your future by yourself. So obviously it was a tough decision as a race driver to go back to the test position and do no racing during the year.

But I was just desperate to come back, so I just did my job, and built up a good relationship with the team, and at the end of the day you can see that I have come back to racing. So it has all worked out pretty well.

WIN: So after all those test miles, are you coming back as a better driver?

TS: I think that in every circumstance,from a human point of view, you are growing up all the time. Every minute.

So every time you get into the car, you get something from it. I certainly feel more relaxed, more focused, and more confident. I had some good experiences through the testing, and obviously I have already had a full season of Formula One, so I have some idea of what it is all about.

So it should be much better than my first year! (laughs) WIN: Your first year in FI was a bit like your first year in F3. Do you find that you need that first season just to work out the limits of the car and yourself?

TS: Yes. I think maybe that was my style, you know, I'm just going absolutely flat-out all the time! One hundred percent.

Sometimes, just trying to balance things is quite difficult, but once you have experience, you have some idea and you can balance yourself a bit more comfortably without losing speed.

That is what I did in Formula

Three, and hopefully I can do it again in Formula One! WIN: You are a bit better prepared this time, too. You didn't have a lot of testing before you arrived in Wlelbourne with Jordan two years ago ...

TS: No. To be honest, we were just rushing to build up the new car, and there was just the minimum amount of testing.

As the season went on and we were struggling to stay on top of the budget situation, we had to stop all of the testing. So that was really tough for me, but I totally understand why it was a difficult year for the team. I didn't blame them, but obviously coming to Melbourne this time I am much more satisfied with everything.

We have prepared everything well. Right now I am in Valencia in Spain, and we are just doing the final preparations and final testing before we arrive in Melbourne. So it's a much better position than two years ago.

WIN: I was talking to one of your engineers from the Carlin days, and he said that one of the things that he remembered about you was that you were extremely technically-minded. Does that come naturally to you, or is it something you've made a point of working hard to develop?

TS: Well firstly, I am very interested in anything to do with the car. Not only driving, but also all the technical issues.

And also. I'm just keen to learn it. I enjoy working with engineers. When you jump in the car you just drive it, and when you jump out you can think about it and talk about it with the engineers or designers. I quite like it, it comes very naturally.

WIN: It's interesting that you say that, because sometimes motorsRon news

I

)

I

FORMULA ONE

^ower you find that very technically-minded drivers say that they 'think' their way around the track to get a fast lap, but you're saying you drive completely by feel.

TS: I don't think about anything! When you're driving, you think about nothing. If you think, it's too late! (laughs).

It's all natural reaction and natural rhythm. When you get into the car, you get so much information from the outside and it just affects your concentration. You just drive totally naturally, and you can't remember anything that you're doing in the car.

But then, when you jump out of the car, you have a memory (of the session), and if you have some laptops showing you some data from a lap, then you can describe to the engineer exactly what happened to you.

So all of that works very naturally. Then obviously, you try something to find an advantage, so see if you can improve your set-up or fix a little problem, and I think that's a thing you have to work on very hard.

MN: There was a bit of a stir mid-way through last year when you were quoted as saying that you knew that you'd be in a race seat this

25 February 2u04

year, well before Jacques Villeneuve departed. When exactly did you learn that you'd be racing?

TS: Well, have a three-year contract with BAR. One year of testing, and an option on two years of racing.

So basically, at the end of the year, the team had to decide on whether they were going to take up the option or not. Just before Suzuka, everything just happened so quickly. After Indianapolis, the United States Grand Prix-well, much earlier than that the negotiations were going on, but just after the United States Grand Prix the team decided that they were going to take up my option.

When I left for Japan, something happened. I was on the bullet train to go down to Suzuka, and it was then that David (Richards) told me, 'yeah, you are driving this weekend'. It was a big story, but everything happened only a week before.

MN: From your perspective, it could not have been a better place to make your debut with the team;

TS: Yes! In a third driver situation, you have to be ready any time, under any circumstances. But to be honest, I wasn't expecting to drive at Suzuka, because there was no reason to be - I didn't know that Jacques was leaving at that time.

So David told me that I'd be in the race, and I was obviously very happy to help bring BAR up to fifth in the constructors' championship. And also for myself, to be able to race in front of such a huge crowd at such a fantastic place. I absolutely loved it.

MN: Do you have a big following in Japan?

TS: I think generally that people are getting more interested in Formula One now. Around 10 or 15 years ago, we had a massive number of fans of Formula One because of Ayrton

Senna and Honda dominating.

But since then it has dropped off a little bit, but over the last few years it has come up again.

Now, I think everybody is very interested in what is going to happen in Australia in two weeks time.

MN: Will Jock Clear be looking after your car this year?

TS: Yes. MIM: Is the environment within the team different to last year?

TS: Um ... no. The position I'm in is that I'm moving from test driver to race driver, so it looks very different, but I think that all of the management are very satisfied with where they are.

Obviously we are in a much stronger position as a total package, because the BAR team and Honda is closer than ever. continued on page 56

continued from page 55 Last year, BAR developed their things, and Honda developed their things, and it was a bit like there was a competition inside the team.

Which is not a bad thing, to have a competition, but then if you spend all your energy on the wrong thing then you waste a lot of time.

Now,they work absolutely together. They design things together, and are aiming at just one goal, and I think it will all work a lot better like that.

MN: On the driver side of things, there seemed to be two distinct camps within the team last year -

s ^ tuckvsisi '.^

n

Jacques and his supporters, and everyone else, is everybody more unified now?

TS: I don't know about it. I'm certainly comfortable with where I'm sitting now.

Working with Jock is absolutely no problem, I'm very, very pleased about it.

Everybody is working, they are all really upbeat and really excited about this year. It's really a good atmosphere now.

MN: Is there much exchange of data between yourself and Jenson?

TS: Yeah. It's an interesting approach, because none of the drivers have exactly the same set-up but ours are close. We can both drive the car (in each configuration).

It's no problem. If he finds something good we can try it, and if we find something good he can try it. So with some things, you work together and so far it all looks

You're invited to be part of Australia's fastest growing motor sport Why not see what it’s all about for yourself? Attend a race meeting at your local club and talk to the drivers and crew. There are classes to suit almost everyone from 7 years to 77 +.

Midgets 7-11 years Rookies l0-12years Juniors* 12-16 years in TWO weight divisions Seniors* Over 10 classes of varying power & driver weights to choose from. * Other more powerful classes available for experienced racers.

58

MN: BAR spent most of last year fighting with Toyotas and Jaguars, so this year you are targeting the Renaults?

TS: Yes. I think that Renault will be a very direct rival. They are also looking very strong in testing, and the top three teams are very strong also. If we can follow them, we'll have a good chance to be competitive.

MN: Finally, most drivers start out in karts, but you began your racing career in cycling. Is there anything that you learned back then that you can apply now?

TS: There is absolutely no connection between a pushbike and Formula One! I think what you learn comes from the mental point of view.

I was someone who desperately, desperately wanted (to race cars) but never got the opportunity, that's why

good.

I didn't do any karting or racing. If I had been in that kind of situation, I would have

MN: What sort of championship result do you think you'd be

been doing go-karting stuff (instead).

But I didn't, that's why I rode on the bike and did my best

happy with at the

with that. Those sort of things

end of the year?

TS: I'm basically

teach you to keep your concentration up. And then if

following the team's ambition

championship, but challenging the top three teams.

you find some chance, then you just grab it, and do it 100 percent, then one day you can have your dream. So I think it's a 'never give up' situation.

It's difficult to say.

Technically, nothing helps from the bicycle to Formula

I'm exactly the same, but for a personal goal, 1 think to do that I have to finish on a

One. But mentally, you are more confident, and you know that you've done something that people don't normally do.

That gives me confidence.

which is aiming for fourth in the constructors'

f

podium one day!

So the personal goal is to finish on the podium this year.

Wah

The new one-engine To find out more at

MOTORSPORT NEWS: What does your new role as BAR Honda's Friday driver mean to you? Do you see it as something distinct from your normal test role?

ANTHONY DAVIDSON: Oh,for sure, definitely. It's going to be a lot more e.xciting than just the normal testing that we do for me on a personal note. And it's going to be great to be able to learn all of the circuits, and actually feel like a more integral part of the team when we're actually away at the races.

Instead of just being involved in the meetings and briefings that go on,I'm actually going to have a proper involvement in the procedure of the weekend and the performance of the car, as well. It's

Contact your state's karting office for details

'l

The Australian Karting Association Inc For informalion .iIkiuI karling and how lo gel started In your State or Territory call

130D 30 5278 (1300 30 KAOTI Npv» South Wales VkVr-w.jlaiMw.kartingmislfjlia.com.ju ViclorU wvirw.vkj.jsn.au Qvwmbnd www.jkjqld.jso.Ju Tasmania South Australia WestfTii Australia www.kmlnf^a.rorn.Ju Northern fenltorln South Australia Tasmania

nioiorspori naws

FORMULA ONE

ing in the Wings

I

' rule places huge responsibility on the shoulders of the team's third driver. )Out it, MARK GLENDENNING spoke to BAR test driver Anthony Davidson going to be a big responsibility but also a lot of fun.

AD: Well ob\ iously the drivers will concentrate on getting to grips rvith the car on that circuit, just making sure that all the systems are OK,and that everything runs smoothly.

I'll probably end up doing the majority of the tyre work, which will be long-distance stuff- just checking degradation of tyre wear and the performance from the tyres, and anything else that we'\'e got to try that will require many laps or more engine mileage than what the two race cars could do.

MN:How involved were you in things like the drivers' briefings last year?

AD: Well, last year I would go to all the briefings and meetings that led up to the race weekend, but you'd feel like a little bit of an outsider, just because you didn't have any invoh-ement at all in respect to driving the car.

Whereas at least now, you get to do a bit of the tyre work, or engine work,or whatever they want me to test when I'm there, and hopefully make improvements and help the race drivers for the weekend ahead.

Obviously they're going to be limited on engine mileage because of the new engine rule, but the third car can actually do as many miles as its wants, because the third driver is in

MN: How is the team likely to divide the Friday workload?

it. So basically. I'm going to get given all the work that needs a lot of laps to find good results.

MN: Which is especially handy for you,considering that you'll be visiting a lot of tracks that you haven't driven on before.

AD: Definitely, yeah. I'll be getting a lot into two hours, that's for sure.

MN:Is it going to be frustrating, though, to have those two hours out there in the car and then spend the rest of the weekend spectating?

AD: Yeah, 1 guess it will he. But at least, like I said. I'll be feeling what's going on now, instead of just talking about it. It's not going to be as frustrating as not being able to get out there at all.

It's going to be good for me - it's a brilliant way to learn. I know the team very well, we all get on well and we work fantastically well together. It's been really good so far and it's going to continue to be like that in Melbourne.

That's what you need - you need a really strong team in all aspects, and especially with the driver line up, it will be.

MN: Looking back over the last couple of years, it seems that FI testing roles, and I guess Friday driver roles as well now, are

j --..T

*■

i.’V

L (J

becoming more important than F3000 as that final step between F3 and FI. Is that a fair call? .AD: Yeah, I think so. At the end of the day, it's a very important job to take on. You've got to be lit, you've got to ha\ e good feedback, you've got to be fast, you’x e got to be consistent above all things. It's prettyhard wt)rk.

You're there for a lot of days at one \ enue, and a lot of days on top

surjsm

of each other. It's a lot of hours that go into it, and I think it's a brilliant place to learn, but also it can be a little bit frustrating at the same time for the test drivers out tliere. Even though it is a whole job in it's own right, to actually get to a race drive is where we all want to be, and some of them have been there.

The thing that's different for me is that I'm still only 24,so I'm still on the way up. There are other guys out there who ha\ e been there and done it, like(Luca) Badoer and (Marc) Gene. They'\'e been there and done it and come back, whereas I'm still striving to get up there.

But it is a job in its own right, really. And to get noticed in a junior formula to even get the chance to become a test dri\'cr is prettydifficult, too.

MN: Have you taken your McLaren test yet, or are you just keeping that one in the bank?(Davidson won a McLaren FI test awitcn he was named McLarenIAutosport Young Driver of the Year in 2000) AD:(laughs) I might approach them at my next test! Go and and say,'oh, by the way, Ron ...' No, I'll wait and see how they go mid-season, and go and approach them then!(more laughter).

It's a bit of a strange one, that. We sort of got the BAR contract tied up really early, at the end of 2000. So I've been there a pretty long time now.

In 2001 I didn't do many test days at all with the team, probably only three days. It was 2002, really, before it became a full-time effort for me, because in 2001 I was still in F3.

NOBCPOy PLUMBS

wumspn[ ●pi ms Hose - Braided Rubber, Braided Teflon Rubber, Hose Ends, Adaptors, Oil Coolers, Separators 'P' Clamps, In-line Filters, Quick Disconnects, Radiator Necks, Lockwire, Tape and much more, Earl's has Australia's biggest range.

WINNERS WORLDWIDE RELy ON EARL'S

Distributed throughout Australia by EARL'S PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ] 2 Stanley Street, Silverwater, NSW 2128 Australia Phone; (02) 9748 6011 Fax: (02) 9748 6241 Email: earls@ozemail.com.au Call in on our website at www.earls«com 2S (ebruary 2004

Teflon is a trade mark of dupont 59

I

i

mi

Master Racer

ii

Wmllliams

^^!fbok off the tag of ‘battler' by ^ming his first Grand Prix. But, he burningjust Kid JOE SAWARD, theas firebrightly is still I-

who can best sustain a development

4

program.

"That is really important nowadays. I am curious to see where BAR finish up. We just don't know.

What we do know is that we have a

iM -

more competitive car than last year but we don't know the improvement that others have made.

You would be a fool to write off McLaren. 1 think this year is going to be very exciting."

Like last year then?

Williams admits now that his

F

OR most of the winter, the BMW Williams team has been talked about as the favourite for the 2004 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

But mention that to Sir Frank Williams or Patrick Head and you will get a stern reply. Their feet are so down on the ground that you sometimes feel that they are stuck in solid concrete. Williams and Head have seen it all before. Co into a season with too much confidence and you can lose.

Down in Grove, Williams is definitely not the favourite to win the World Championship.

"Ferrari are the favourites," says Frank Williams."Renault has been a big surprise. At the moment McLaren and Williams are struggling to catch up. 1 think we will run strongly but we have to see

60

opposition to Max Mosley's rule changes at the start of last year was misguided.

"1 was wrong," he says, Butl still disagree with the manner in which Max did it."

Williams agrees with Mosley on more things than he likes to admit.

He looks at the new rules in 2004 as a challenge and worries about the never-ending rise in the costs of Formula 1.

"The costs are driven up by the money being available," he says.

"The problem we have is that we have to spend our money carefully.

We are not like the other big teams.

We have no-one to go if we don't have enough money. The other big teams are all owned by manufacturers. We are a private team. We spend more money in a year on testing than we do on racing. That is really because we do more mileage.

I

FORMULA ONE

3

'jMw.wmuw»^<’● '

"So to cut costs, the best thing would be to cut testing. But we cannot do that because Ferrari has a test track right outside their factory.

It is a big advantage. They are not going to give it up just like that.

Why should they? I understand the attitude. I don't have a problem with teams selling cars to other teams. If fighting spirit is anything to go by, the smaller teams will survive but we need new teams in the sport."

Williams knows that success is really all that matters in FI and, inevitably the conversation turns to drivers. The Williams team is going into 2004 with two drivers who will i

probably not be with the team in 2005. Juan Pablo Montoya is already signed with McLaren and the team cannot agree financial terms with Ralf Schumacher.

"The situation with Juan is inconvenient," says Williams. "He was uncomfortable in the team after one or two incidents last year. I think that Juan and Ron Dennis will be like two bulls in a field but then they will get on and live with one another and get on with the business of winning.

"Juan is hard-headed and he fears no-one. I would imagine that he and Kimi (Raikkonen) both have a very similar level of performance. They both have phenomenal car control.

Human nature suggests that Kimi looks brilliant because he's at

another team and you always worry about the opposition. I don't know what his strengths and weaknesses are, but he obviously looks blindingly quick. But then so does Juan, and Juan has this amazing ability to do the unexpected and find overtaking opportunities that are invisible to others.

"We'll give him a racing car, show him the pit lane exit, and he'll get on with it. Obviously in the second n

He'S a funny guy. There were some races last year, notably Japan and Hungary, when he would pass people as if they were not there, which he n normally doesn't do - Williams on Ralf Schumacher

half of the season, he won't get all the information of what we're looking at for the future. But he'll obviously get the latest developments."

And Ralf?

"He's a funny guy," says Williams. "There were some races last year, notably Japan and Hungary, when he would pass people as if they were not there.

which he normally doesn't do. 1 guess he's not aggressive enough on the other occasions. But it's easy to be critical of anybody if you want to be but he's fearsomely quick in the right circumstances. Where he's very good is that he understands his car very well. Good feel for tyres, good feel for changes."

Williams says that Schumacher remains the team's preferred choice.

But not at any price.

"We have agreed to park the problem of money for quite some time and review it mid-season

[

onwards. We'll look at everybody.

We won't talk about it again until the second half of the season. Once that is underway, we will see where we are in the championship and get back to fighting over the money."

Which leads the $64,000 question: if Juan and Ralf are not there who will be driving for Williams?

Frank will not say.

"We have a list," he says.

Jenson Button?

"He's a very fine driver," says Williams, "but I wouldn't admit to talks if I'd had them. When he was with us in 2000 he was charming and uncomplicated. Now he seems more mature."

Any regrets at letting him go?

"We had to make a choice and we had such an investment in Juan that we decided we had to go with him."

And Mark Webber?

"We have always thought he was

very good," says Williams. "A great charger. He clearly is a driver on a charge and he is going places.

Drivers are inevitably coloured by the equipment they have but I think that in a winning team, he will win races."

Antonio Pizzonia?

"He is a funny guy," says Williams. "He's very quick. After 15 laps with the carat normal weight he was going quicker than our regular drivers. And consistent. One worries about what happened last year but we don't really know the story of what happened to him at Jaguar Racing.

"There is no hurry," says Williams. " We will see."

61

Gupp lt*ucks on thi The Konica Minolta V8 Series fired back up at Wakefieid T Park on the weekend and MARK GLENDENMNG was there to see Aian Gurr take his first V8 Supercar win

T was hot, it was cold, and it was

scrappy. But at least last weekend's opening round of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series at Wakefield Park was not boring.

Alan Gurr took home the biggest chunk of silverware after taking the ; outright win in his Konica Minolta l Series debut, but he did it by the , smallest possible margin.

The Smiths Trucks VX Commdore driver ended the weekend equal on points with Luke Youlden, but earned his spot on the top of the podium on a countback by finishing fourth in the final race, three spots ahead of his rival.

While the down-to-the-wire nature of the battle for outright honours gives some hint of how tight the margins were,it only teUs a small part of the story - this was an event that could just about have been anybody's.

None of the half-dozen or so drivers who underlined themselves as serious contenders for the win had a

Diri: Klvnsmith

perfect weekend,and everyone came away with a story of how different the result could have been, but for some small misfortune or another.

Gurr, baby, Gurr: While Owen Kelly took race wins for the Smiths Trucks team in

Forty degree temperatures and gusty wind created a less-thancomfortable environment for

2003, it was Aian Gurr who took

qualifying on Saturday, however it seemed that the tyres were suffering more than the drivers were.

Cameron McLean made a dent in his allocation of rubber for the

the Ballarat-based operation's first round win in the Konica Minolta V8 Series at Wakefield Park.

Wonder if Paul Morris gave his employee the day off or not...

Qualifying^

Minolta

POS HO KONIf

konica AAINOITA

OUTRIGHV \N\tH4tR RCXIND 1

wakeiheld park >r-.,w

Noi \ ■'VI

IvONICi

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

12 27 70 28 71 60

DRIVER

Andrew Jones Cameron McLean Alan Gurr Matthew White Owen Kelly Brad Tilley Jose Fernandez 55 Mai Rose 56 Kevin Mundy 111 Mark Porter 98 Grant Elliott 30 Luke Youlden 64 Tony O'Alberto 65 Marcus Zukanovic 90 Phil Scifleet 80 Michael Olsen 72 Lee Holdsworth 96 KurtWimmer 68 Shane Beikoff 40 Brett Peters 66 Gary MacDonald 89 Adam Wallis 32 JayVerdnik 76 Dean Wanless 37 Mark Howard 46 Michael Caruso 110 Jamie Cartwright

TIME

CRR

59.8707 1:00.1527 1:00.2844 1:00.4168 1:00.5809 1:00.6527 1:00.8427 1:00.9515 1:00.9910 1:01,1302 1:01.1930 1:01.2913 1:01.3749 1:01.4519 1:01.6410 1:01.6801 1:01.7382 1:01,9210 1:01.9700 1:01.9973 1:02.0099 1:02.1160 1:02,3536 1:02.6803 1:02.7815 1:02.8769 1:07.1879

BOC Gases/BJR Falcon AU Howard Racing Falcon AU Smith's Trucks Commodore VX Gulf Western/MWR Falcon AU Team Fujitsu Falcon AU Speed FX Racing Falcon AU Team Fujitsu Falcon AU Rupprecht M’Sport Falcon AU Actron Air/PCR Falcon AU Hydraulink/Kiwi Commodore VX Sydney Star Commodore VX Super Cheap Falcon AU IRC/Wynn's Commodore VX Actron Air/PCR Falcon AU Rupprecht M'Sport Falcon AU Olsen 4x4 Falcon AU Smith's Trucks Commodore VX Young Lions Commodore VX Diseltech Falcon AU Greenfield/Century Falcon AU Kanga Loaders Falcon AU Rupprecht M'Sport Falcon AU Hi-Trans Commodore VX Wastecorp/MWR Commodore VX Howard Racing Falcon AU Young Lions Commodore VX Chance of a Lifetime Falcon AU

Round 1 lllfaltefield Park 62

moiorsport news

U8 SUPERCARS

s?

-t

7 4' r*- ●

J

■5

k. 3-

'0{

tiks

®,

» ^V- *.

Competition for pole was fierce, . but in the end it was the BOC Gases AU Falcon of Andy Jones that took the honour with a 59.8707s effort the only lap of the session to dip under 60s.

McLean's Howard Racing AU was second, ahead of Gurr (one of only two Holdens in the top 10, the other being Mark Porter back in 10th), Matthew White, Owen Kelly, Brad TiUey, Jose Fernandez and Mai Rose, who did a sensational job to secure a fourth-row starting slot after qualifying in the bottom 50 percent.

While things looked set to heat up on the track for the races, the meteorological situation was rather different. Proving that Melbourne is

Ford front runners: Luke Youlden bounced back from a bad qualifying performance to take second, left, while Cameron McLean made his

not the only place in Australia capable of undergoing a complete seasonal change in just a few hours, Sunday in Goulburn dawned overcast and chilly.

After a slight delay courtesy of an errant helicopter that chose the oneminute board as a cue to attempt a landing on the infield, the first race got underway.

At least, it did for everyone but Jones, whose hard-won pole went out the window when the Albury driver stalled on the line. By the time he got going, he was stuck in the mid-field and had a lot of work to do.

But that's not to say that the guys at the front were having an easy time of it. After a number of position changes amongst the top order, Kelly had established a decent lead at the wheel of the Fujitsu/DJR Falcon, only to have it slip through his fingers when the car was left beached by a gearbox problem on lap 10.

JET-HOT^

Heat Management Ceramic Coating

Orders ^

1800 700 4

JET-HOT Hi-Lustre; ● Reduced Engine Bay Temp ● Corrosion Protection ● improved Performance ● Streamline Gas Flow ● Looks that don’t compare ● Other colours available

JET^HOfmmCT Hi-Performance Pre-Coated Headers For JET-Hot listings of car makes and models see the

JET-HOT web site at www.jet-hoi com..nu Wob: www.let-hol.com.auwww.bulldastreetmachlne.com. www bulldaholrod.com 25 February 2004

i«

Tl >ri

«

>*1,

weekend after blowing two Dunlops, while just about everybody else reported that the conditions gave them about two laps to get the best out of their tyres before they turned to mush.

'M

KMV8 debut, above. He copped a 28-second 'virtual' drive through for contact with Andy Jones, below, in race two.

Kelly's misfortune played into the hands of Gurr, who was sitting in second place, and tlie Paul Morris employee capitalised on the sihiation and went on to take a comfortable win.

In his wake was a furious threeway battle between White, McLean and a recovering Jones for the remaining podium slots, and despite the latter's best efforts (which included a huge, but unsuccessful move on McLean in the penultimate lap), the trio finished in that order.

Fernandez was hot on their tail in the second Fujitsu/DJR car for fifth, just ahead of Youlden, who had bounced back brilliantly from an awful qualifying session that saw the Super Cheap Auto Racing Falcon wallowing way back on grid 12.

Going into the second race, the weekend had not started well for Holden Young Lion Michael Caruso.

continued on page 64

GmP Racing Products now has supply of the HANS DEVICE in 20", 30" and 40' models along with the Schroth HANS Device Harnesses. Prices start from $1899. ^ We are also stockists ■ for the Bell K1SV Ultra " and the Aral GPS. These helmets are approved for use with the HANS device.

GMP Racing Products 37a Fenton St Oakleigh Vic 3166 P: 03 9543 6222 F: 03 9543 6244

NSW GMP Stockist 2/109 Airds St Minto NSW 2566 P: 02 9820 4255 F: 02 9820 1544

WA GMP Stockist Unit 5/ 138 Radium St Welshpool WA 6106 P: 08 9358 0050 F; 08 9358 0059

OLD GMP Stockist 4 Darnick Close Underwood OLD 4119 P: 07 3341 9911 F: 07 3841 2014

bmail amail@gmpracingproducts.com.au

website www.gmpproducts.com.au 63

continued from page 63 Race 1 (17 laps) 17m26.7340s 1 Gurr 2 White l 17m31.0582s 3 McLean 17m35.3700s 17m35.5999s 4 Jones \S 6 I7 8 9

Fernandez 17m36.0434s Youlden . 17m363312s 17tti37.6587s Porter Sciflea . 17ni38.2310; D'Alberto 17m38.7949s 17ni39.6038s 17m45.1487s 11 Elliott 2 Holdsworih 17m46 1233s 17m50.5298s 13 Peters 17m53 2565s 14 Olsen 15 Wallis 17m53.9058s 16 Zulonovic 17m54.153ls 17m55.2376s 117 Verdnik 17iii55 8426s 18 Wimmer 119 Beikoff 20 Rose i21 MacDonald 1 23 Wanless 24. Howard 25 Caruso

18m00.2644s 18m01.8097s 18m05.6401s 18iril7.7552s 18m19.9860s 18ni23.9741s 16 laps 9lai

Race 2(12 laps) 12m42.953l Rose 2 Caruso 12m45.0228s 12ni46.?850s 3 Vuuldeii 12m50.0568s |4- Porter 5 felly 12m50 6404s 12m56.3997s 18 Wallis 7 Fernancte.

8 Wimmer 12m57.8747s 9 DAIberlu 10 Howard 13m07.6016s 13m09 8101s I Gun 12 Elliott 13m13.9199s 14 Verdnik 15 WhiU 16 McLean 17 Olsen 18 Peters Tilley

20 Zukanovic 22 Beikoff 13 Mundy DNF Wanless Jone^ DNF Scifleet

13m14.9748s 13m15.2968s 13m17.4938s 13ml7.9835s 13ml8 13m23.1908s 13m44.7695s I laps 6 laps

60.2288s 3 60.4079s 3 60.8747s 2 60.5121s 8

The reigning Australian F3 Champion's laps had been restricted on Saturday by an overheating problem,and his first race had been 60.7671s 10 ruined when he was forced to pit 60.9335s 2 with a puncture.

61.1058s 12l Courtesy of his misfortunes, 61.0941s 4 Caruso was the polesitter for the 61.1441s | 8 61.1718s 15 Reverse Grid race and the young 61.3442s 4 I Sydneysider made a good start to lead Mai Rose into the first comer.

61.2767s 4 61.5928s 7 Rose reeled him in and slipped 61.6743s 6 past to take the lead at the final 61.9679s 6 corner on lap two,but Caruso hung 60.9951s 3 on to his tail. While Rose was never 61.6669s 5 headed, the HYL car was passed by 61.1447s 7 Youlden, McLean and Kelly in the 62.0093s 9 closing laps.

60.9826s 4 A bit of good fortune came 62.2582s 12| 61.0419s 3 Camso's way, though, when 62.6575s 13 increasingly heavy rain led to the race 62.7816s being red-flagged after 12 laps, and 61.4249s 8 he regained his second place on 60.1033s 7 countback.

Youlden was the best of the 61.5635s. 7 61.6539s 5 61.5265s 9 61.6326s 7 60 9098s 8 62.2608s 5 61.7980s 7 62.2531 63.4322s 3 i16146s 10 62.0260s 4 62 0914s 61.7935s 9 61.7490s 5 61.3840s 8 62.931 1s 9 62.2502s 9 61.8242s 62 1123s 62.8793s 62.1265s 62.2768s

5 5 5 4

Race 3(14 laps) 1 Jones 17ml3.5982s 1m12,4119s 9 Willie i7miD.0216s lml2.368Zs 5 3 McLean 17m27.8777s 1 ml 2.7742s 5 :5i.s lnil2.7437s I 5 Scifleet 17m30.3427s 1 ml 2.5599s 11 Hoiuawoilh I iml3b^6i) B 17m41.5424s 1 ml3.5120s 9 7 Youlden 8 fetnaiioez l/m49.0748s.

9 D’Alberto 17m50.8103s lm14.5860s 12 zukaiiuviu 17iii3Z.5479i> Iiiii4.563is.i4 11 Wallis 17m54.9793s 1 ml4.0456s 5 ivid.LUUDdiU

13 Wanless i4

115 Peters iU VciJitlh

17 Rose m

19 Howard !1L_ 21 Porter Beitall

' -rl

18m05.0569s 1 ml4.2682s 7 1% .imi4,1.922}). 8 r8m05.9599s 1ml4.3394s 8 18mZUfiQ2s- i i 18m24.8964s 1m14.9023s 5 I8in26.2464s. 118m28.9303s lm16.2730s 6 18ai28.9363a iuii 5.66455 12 13 laps 1 ml5.8288s 5 13 miIt .lull9.42lbs / 13 laps 1ml3.4362s 6

KMV8SS 1 Wakafield 64

outright contenders in third spot, and finished just ahead of McLean on the track. But the Howard Racing driver had an appointment with the stewards after plowing into the back of Jones at the first comer, sending the BOC Gases car onto the DNF list with a broken rack.

McLean was penalised 28s (the equivalent of a drive-through), which dumped him down to 16th and promoted Porter to fourth ahead of Kelly.

It was also a tough outing for White, whose Gulf Western Falcon was stuck down in 15th after getting caught up in someone else's spin at turn one, and Gurr had a similar story in 11th after being nailed by Actron Air driver Kevin Mundy "Someone else had hit me and my mirror had been knocked in, so 1 couldn't see anything," explained Mundy."1 took my normal line and didn't realise that Gurr was having a go, and ... crunch."

Up to that point Mundy had been battling problems of his own. In addition to a puncture,an electrical problem early in the weekend,(which was later traced to the starter motor refusing to disengage), had been draining the car of its charge every time the team started the Falcon up.

Having the best aggregate results from the first two races earned Youlden the reward of pole for the final, ahead of Porter, Fernandez, Gurr, White and Tony D'Alberto (who was reaping the benefits of doing a better job of staying out of trouble than just about everybody).

But the grid would ultimately prove academic, because increasingly heavy rain eventually saw the race red-flagged to allow the field to change to wets(something which the Konica Minolta teams are not generally well equipped to do imder

MI4.

\

muERaHl

mLFvmtii HoeSBEHHWt

'V.

Close your eyes and wish it all away: Andy Jones, right, couldn't convert pole position in Race 1 but Matthew White, above, converted the weekend into a podium spot. Mai Rose, below right, took a strong win in Race 2.

racing conditions).

Proceedings were restarted from scratch a while later, with a grid based upon the race positions at the time that the red had been shown great news for McLean, who was leading and would launch from pole.

Jones was alongside him on the front row after a spirited, if controversial, drive through the field from 20th. The BOC Gases car had already made a couple of daring moves that saw Jones pass two cars at once,and he was having a crack at doing it again when he collected Youlden,sending the Super Cheap car into a spin and dumping it well down in the order.

When the restart got underway, Jones beat McLean into turn one to take a lead that he'd hold to the end.

McLean dropped a few more spots on the opening lap, and while he managed to get most of them back.

White had managed to sneak through to fake a second place that he would retain for the rest of the race.

SupowicpciMi

McLean managed to stay ahead of a charging Gurr for third, and Gurr's cause was further helped when Smith's Trucks team-mate(and fellow Konica Minolta debutante) Lee Holdworth managed to get ahead of Youlden in the late stages of the race, denying the Super Cheap driver of the two points that would have seen the round honours fall in his favour.

Meanwhile, a great drive from Phil Scifleet resulted in the Rupprecht Motorsport Falcon picking up a swag of points for fifth place.

Elsewhere in the field, Kelly's weekend took another turn for the worse when his windscreen fogged up so badly that he had to pit to get it cleaned, and the promising Saturday form of ETYL driver Kurt Wimmer

ended in the sandtrap prior to the red flag.

While last year's series had a clear favourite in the friendly shape of Mark Winterbottom, the opening round of the 2004 Championship suggests that we could be in for the most open Konica Minolta series ever.

The field is so tight that the smallest of problems could potentially ruin a weekend, and it was their good fortune in avoiding catastrophe that helped Fernandez and D'Alberto finish fourth and fifth for the round. ffloiorsport news

FORMULA FOR

□I

Washington's Wakefield

Francis takes two wins in up and down series opener A

\

N

t

by AARON NOONAN

Adelaide will play host to the Konica Minolta circus when it reconvenes in a month, and if you thought Wakefield Park was eventful, then just wait until the concrete canyons of the City of Churches comes into play ...

Championship points: Gurr/Youlden 166, White 160, Fernandez 158,^0'Alberto 144, Holdsworth/ Porter 136, Wallis 134, Jones/McLean/Rose 122, Caruso 116, Scifleet/Zukanovic/Pelers 106, Verdnik 104, Mundy 96, Howard 92, MacDonald 90, Elliott 86, Wimmer 80, Kelly 78, Beikoff 74, Tillc/Olsen 70, Wanless 60, Cartwright 0.

25 Fsbtuarii 2004

SOUTH Australian Bryce Washington, has taken first blood in the Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Championship after a topsy turvy opening round at Wakefield Park.

Last year's Rookie of the Year didn't win a race on his way to his first national series round victory, though kept his ADRAD/Sonic 2004 Van Diemen clean to take the title lead.

"It's pretty good to get this win," said VVashington, above. "\ struggled in that last race when the rain came and I couldn't quite keep the same pace. But still, to finish fourth in that race was what we needed."

After taking pole position, Washington had to concede to VIP Petfoods driver Brett Francis (Van Diemen RF02) in the first two races, the Queenslander getting the jump in both to claim two wins over Washington.

Any chance of Francis winning the round went out the window at the start of race three, he and Sonic driver James Small making contact at turn two on lap one.

The result saw Small and team-mates David Reynolds and Michael Trimble all involved (Reynolds a DNF), while a later spin saw Francis finish out of the points.

"I had the suspension bent after a hit under the Safety Car but the spin after the contact with Small was a case of just pushing too hard," said Francis, who holds second in the title chase.

■● ■yy

17 :

iUrJjjlirM

Fightbacks and fall-outs: Tim Macrow and Glenn Welch starred in race three, above, while David Reynolds was the innocent party among the carnage, below. fobn Mqrris/Mpn It was an up and down weekend for the Sonic team, with Small taking fourth for the round and a spin in Race 2 ended Trimble's hopes of a strong result.

Things were even worse for the works Spectrum team and its new 010 chassis, but at least their weekend improved.

In the first race, the returning Steve Owen had a stuck throttle that resulted in an engine failure, while team-mate Tim Macrow suffered engine overheating, which slowed him on the final lap to limp home in ninth.

Things turned around for Macrow as the weekend progressed, working his way into the front of Race 3, going on to win despite the arrival of a mid-race shower that turned the race into a lottery.

While Owen scored no points from the round, there was a shining light for Spectrum in the shape of karting graduate

r-

Andrew Thompson, Armed with the superseded 09B Spectrum, Thompson stayed out of trouble and pieced together a top 10 resu lt, which included a sixth in Race 2.

After the turn one incident between Small and Francis, Race 3 was an incredible event.

The only Mygale in the field , a 1998 machine steered steadily

by Glenn Welch, worked its way towards the front and a boil-over looked likely in the damp conditions, though Macrow had enough to hold on, winning from Welch, Kiwi Jason Liefting and Washington.

Championship points: Washington 45, Francis 40, Macrow 32, Small 28, Reynolds 24, McNally/Welch 17.

65

Back To The Drawiiig Board 4 <

/

DRASTIC redesign and re-engineering work is underway on Mitsubishi Motorsplart's new Lancer WRC 04.

The company is currently enacting a range of changes to the Lancer ahead of the first gravel event of the year, the Rally Mexico in March.

A number of major weaknesses have been identified, including the car's gearbox and front suspension and the team is working day and night to fix the machine as soon as possible.

Mitsubishi Motorsport technical boss Mario Fornaris has identified the need to strengthen the car's gearbox as the number one priority, after gearshift problems sidelined both Gilles Panizzi and Kristian Sohiberg on the opening leg in Sweden.

Despite telling the world that the 12-month break in 2003 would enable the team to climb back to the top of the WRC, a championship they dominated in the late 1990s with four-straight championship wins, Ralliart is now saying that the new car is unlikely to be competitive this year, after the current fixes are in place.

"When I see what we still have to do in terms of design to improve the car, I will be astonished to be at this top level this year," said Fornaris.

"Then, you never know. If one special stage you go with the right tyres and you have people going off everywhere (you might win), but on a regular basis, I don't think we will be In a position of challenging the top guys.

"We are working on improved front dampers and improvements to the anti-lag system as well. We have an enormous workload, and we will just see how we go."

- JON THOMSON

A Happy IVIan VETERAN Spanish star Carlos Sainz has declared that he is finally comfortable with the Xsara WRC. The 41-year-old never felt at ease in the Citroen on loose surfaces, but says that recent suspension revisions have delivered a much better package.

66

"Even when I was competitive on rallies last year, I was never 100 percent coiifident," said Sainz.

"In Sweden though, I had a very good feeling with the car, so I hope 1 can translate that onto the gravel.

And if that happens,I am sure 1 can

be quick."

- JON THOMSON

We Want One CITROEN will reveal its plans for the 2005 WRC when it reveals the new C4 WRC at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

The often quirky French maker, part of the giant Peugeot PSA family of companies, has firmed as a favourite for the 2004 championship following the performance of the current Xsara in the hands of Sebastien Loeb on the opening two rounds.

The current Xsara shares the same platform with the Peugeot 206 WRC but with the larger sibling now running the 307 CC as its platform, Citroen will be forced to step up to the C4, which is on the same platform as the 307.

Citroen has often used the Geneva Motor Show to debut its new competition machines. A year ago it showed its 'concept car' based on the C2 model which turned out to be the prototype of the C2 Super 1600 contender.

And, if you always wanted a rally car of your own, we hear that there will be a roadgoing version, with all-wheel drive, a seven-speed gearbox and 280 French neddies under the bonnet. RWX, out of ze way ...

The C4 is expected to go on sale in October with the new rally contender expected to debut in Monte Carlo next January.

- JON THOMSON

RoC Revamp

ORGANISERS of the Rally of Canberra have moved to increase the potential starting list and its revenue base by launching a category that will allow non FIAhomologated cars to run this year.

Rally of Canberra will run a National Rally category alongside the international rally competitors as a support event to the opening round of the Asia Pacific Championship.

It is believed the National Rally category was partly prompted by the desire to have Canberra local and crowd favourite Neal Bates, along with his new team-mates Simon Evans and Ben Barker included in the raUy As an international event run as a round of the FIA Asia Pacific, only homologated cars have been able to run in Canberra in recent years, limiting the field and ruling out many star attractions.

"The introduction of the National Rally is particularly important, as it

allows all manufacturers to compete for manufacturers points in the ARC," said ARCom chief Garry Connelly.

The national event will be open to all vehicles that comply with PRC, Group N,including N(P), and classic rally car regulations.

Dominic Teakle, Event Manager for the Subaru Rally of Canberra, says the end result will be more competitors,increased spectator appeal and maximum manufacturer participation.

However, the organisers stress that some PRC vehicles that can qualify or can be easily modified to meet FIA Group N or A specifications would not be accepted into the national event to protect the international status of the APRC event.

The competitors in the National Rally will be seeded behind the APRC field, with a IS-minute gap between the two fields.

- JON THOMSON

ffloiorsport naimg

RALLYINC

Ben on board TOYOTA has confirmed the expansion of its ARC team and a new comittment to Production Car racing with its Corolla Sportivo.

As reported in MNews last issue, Toyota has committed to running a third Corolla Group N Prototype for Ben Barker. Barker will run alongside the two lead cars of Neal Bates and Simon Evans in this year's ARC. Barker will be co-driven in the third Corolla by Damien Long, who called the notes for Rick Bates last year.

Rick will this year concentrate on circuit duties with Daihatsu.

Leanne Perrier joins the Toyota fold to drive a Corolla Sportivo in this year's Australian Production Car Championship. It is understood that Rick Bates will play a role in helping run the circuit racing team.

PEUGEOT tas bartoifid Freddy Loix in ^odH^ , Haiti for ths upcoAIng Rally of Aceordftffl to fi statemonf, the team is "lakintj n ad'^htago of being allowed to alt^mato the tear" .n the setxjrid (fSh siitj''ihrtt it was undeciOod nn tn« tyt-Ko 0' dfiv’dis, saying only that Lo:* ieft wc ..i.i remain "m a programme which wih txt

dettidddoitTaJaf^r dat«."

RPVgtifwie won the Rally of Mexico for Peugeot in 2^2.

It wes a round of the WRC. Sine* ttiwn hs-dtavs infroqopinttv lor tho team before being ^ti^roppod at the end of last year, when team boas f-^orrodo Provnra accused him of having a "mental j^|ntMtance"

n Classic rallying has been given a major boost with the establishment of a new category for historic cars to be run in conjunction with the ARC this year.

Ross Dunkerton, a five-time Australian Rally champion, spearheaded the fight to get the Classic established as a stand-alone category.

The Classic Rally category will feature a maximum 15 car field at each round of the ARC, and it is hoped will attract a range of crowd pleasers such as Escort BDAs, Datsun Z cars and Datsun 1600s, not to mention some of the great drivers of past eras.

- JON THOMSON

;yYOKOHAMA MOTORSPORT From circuit to tarmac, gravel and dirt, Yokohama develop Motorsport tyres to suit your race car.

For professional service and expert advice contact: NSW/ACT Gordon Leven Motosport Tryes 02 4735 4500 03 9764 281 1 VIC/TAS Traction Tyres 07 3262 7833 QLD TyreTech Australia A032R

J

(i

A005

V

ijI 25 Fabruiry 2004

A006

J ,1

SA North Terrace Tyres NT Darwin Tyre Service WA Victoria Park Tyre & Brake

08 8362 4417 08 8981 831 1 08 9361 2044

Join th

by GREG BOSCATO i|

—y.(ear

SPRINTCARS and Speedcars shared the bill at Parramatta City Raceway last Saturday night.

After storming back through the sprintcar A Main field, Adam Clarke took a superb victory while Sydney's Mark Brown in his Gaerte-powered Stealth won the Speedcars 'Champion of Champions' International.

Clarke had his machine perfectly placed in the final part of the 30-lap Sprintcar feature. With just five laps remaining, he forged past both Craig Brady and Trevor Green to take control.

Former Northern Territory resident Danny Porter was the early race leader, dominating the first 10 laps, but Green, who started out of

Adam Clarke had two big weeks ofhas speedway action, claiming the Sydney Showground Thunderama Speedcar classic recently and finally winning a Sprintcar A Main at Parramatta City Raceway.

Clarke was a champion kart racer, and won the Suzuki GTi series in 1995 before turning to speedway.

In his eight years of midget racing, he won just about everything, including victorys in the USA. Clarke won his second Sprintcar feature last Saturday night, his first at Parramatta, and extended his points lead in the prestigious PCR Track Championship.

Clarke started the 2003/04 season with Garry Rush's team, but after Rush decided to park the car early this year, father-inlaw Barry Graham came to the rescue and offered him his spare #41 Maxim, "Barry gives us our freedom," Clarke said.

"It’s his car, his engine, he owns the whole deal. We are running it out of Newcastle. I have friends there who help me work on the car. Without Barry we wouldn^t be running."

Clarke’s victory at 68

few big shows."

And a NASCAR desire?

Thunderama against one of the "We will keep chipping away strongest speedcar line-ups to do that, but if not, I will just seen in this country was keep getting more seat time in undoubtably a career highlight. a Sprintcar and midget and "It has to be up with there as enjoy my racing." one of the best wins," smiled In the winter, Clarke will Clarke. return to the US, but most of "The competition level would the details of his trip are yet to have to be the toughest. We be confirmed. had five strong Americans, "We are going to the 'States seven Kiwis - it was the best but what we race, I don't really the world had to offer. know. I'll probably do a bit of "It was hard to pass at the 360 stuff around North Carolina Showground, but I came out of and maybe do a midget deal sixth in my first heat and won, with (Steve) Smithy." then out of three in my second and won it. When we came up to lapped traffic, it just took a little while. You had to be patient."

So what does the future hold for the young Novacastrian?

"We are going to run the rest of the season in the Sprintcar, and hopefully win the club championship.

"Right now we are trying to do a deal to run our own Sprintcar team next year. Our plans are for Sprintcar in the future. I will not hihii.Uumi M;>u discount running a Giving it everything: This is how Adam Clarke midget at all - if we can shuffle around drives to score a sprintcar win ...

position 15, used the highline to power past.

Porter dropped back through the field, while Brady moved into second with Brett Loadsman slotting into third.

But after almost flipping over on lap five (see inset picture on opposite page, left), Clarke forged his way up into the lead. Green and Brady scored the minor places, followed by Troy Little, Adrian Maher and Loadsman.

The Main was marred by a couple of crashes. Canberra's Darren Saillard took a very nasty dump on the back straight, demolishing his Sprintcar. He emerged from the wreck and was quickly transported

Nigh

by DANIEL POWELL

NEWCASTLE'S Adam Clarke proved that he hasn't lost any of his ability in a Speedcar by demolishing the international contingent at the inaugural Thunderama Speedcar spectacular on the tight Sydney Showground venue recently.

Due to time constraints, officials were forced to drop the scheduled 50-lap main event down to 30-laps, which saw Clarke start from pole position beside Kiwi veteran Graham Standring.

At the green, Clarke powered away and it didn’t moiorspori news

HOTUNE

(oim Mwrts/Mpi\

!

Disaster: Darren Sailliard was having a stellar evening until a horrifying crash in the A-Main. Meanwhile, the 'Champion of Champions'Speedcar race was taken out by Mark Brown, below, wbo led home Tony Elliott. to a local hospital.

Young Mitchell Dumesny was impressive, winning the B-Main, but got tangled up with Mark Blyton in the main. Both flipped over at turn two. The B Main also saw a few crashes with Bruce White and Peter Bastow joining the 'upside down' club in separate incidents.

The 'Champion of Champions' Speedcar International saw the NSW Speedcar top guns joined by new Australian Champion,American Tony Elliott.

Steven Graham was out early in the 30-lap Main. After running in a top position, his Stealth flipped over

purchased all of the assets to the world’s most popular form of speedway racing, the World of Outlaws.

This transaction, originally structured as a stock purchase, changed to an asset purchase transaction with a newly-formed subsidiary of Boundless (which will be called ‘World of Outlaws Inc.’, or ‘New WoO’).

Paul Kruger will be the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of New WoO. For 2004, WoO has scheduled 100 sanctioned races at over 50 tracks in the United States.

in the back straight, badly damaging his car.

A brakeless Brown took the win, followed by Elliott, who stuck his nose alongside Brownlarte in the race, right, but to no avail.

"I had no brakes and 1 got off the gas the last six of so laps," said Brown after the race.

"I did see him peek under me but if I stayed straight, he was never going to get me on the bottom."

Brett Morris was third, Nathan Smee finished fourth while Clarke salvaged fifth after suffering ignition problems. Peter Bourke made up the top six positions.

t of Flight take long for carnage to erupt when on the opening turn, 21year-old West Coast charger Scott Glazebrook rode the infield.

New Zealand's Michael Kendall and American Cory Kruseman were battling for fourth when the pair touched at turn three. Kruseman came off second best and rolled twice, ending his race.

With 17-laps remaining, the final restart saw Clarke heading Standring, Dene McAllan, Kendall and the impressive New South Welshman Mark Brown.

Clarke had his rival's measure at the restart, and despite being slowed by lapped cars, held on to score the $20,000 winner's 25 fabruary 2004

pay-out.

As the race drew to a close, Brown moved into third with some daring passes.

Standring and Brown rounded out the top three, while Kendall, McAllan and newly crowned Australian champion Tony Elliott from the USA made up the top SIX.

Dave Darland, Steven Graham, Lance Beale and Dave Lambert completed the top 10.

Earlier in the night, the tight layout claimed a number of victims, including domestic racers Steven Brown, 17-yearold Dean Thomas and Mark Collins. None of the incidents were serious and all three drivers walked over from their crashes unharmed.

rjiSCOBBaRKr r >■<

lohn Morrh/Mph

The Showground's back: Clarke took the spoils, top, while the some of the boys tried to perform simultaneous crashing on the tight layout, above.

69

■-

Controversy CONTROVERSY reigned at the 2004 Grizzly Dyno Shocks Australian AMCA Nationals Championship recently.

Two of the top three placegetters failed post-race scrutineering, which left Victorian 'wildchild' Chris Campbell with the number one trophy after two previous runner-up results.

Campbell,above, who crossed the line second on the track, took the

HotPP

... But Farr won'i plans until the

victory. Fellow Victorians Ricky Barrand and veteran Kevin

lohn Morrii/Mim

Little not the margin

But Reed continues Eureka stranglehold

WINDSOR youngster Troy Little demolished the field in Round 10 of the Eureka Super Sprint Series at Wagga International Speedway two weeks ago.

After starting from third in the final, Little hit the front on the opening lap and stretched out a huge lead over the field. As Little cleared out, the battle for second placed raged between series leader front runners Matthew Reed and John Vogels.

The pair swapped positions throughout the main event, with neither giving an inch in a racelong battle.

Reed eventually gained the upper hand over Vogels, which also moved him further ahead in the overall series standings.

Vogels claimed third ahead of David Murcott, who was driving the #21 car owned by Frank Ramsdale. Murcott's original ride

in Adrian Parr's # 77 Schnee was dogged by fuel problems.

The team parked the car after the heats and Murcott took the reins of the Ramsdale car for the feature.

1991 Victorian champion Ken Veal continued his push in the Eureka series standings with a fine fifth place ahead of impressive Sydney youngster Ian Loudon.

The hard luck story of the night was Canberra’s Darren Saillard, whose opening heat saw a DNF with fuel dramas. In his remaining two heats, Saillard took two classy wins. For the feature, he worked his way up to fifth and looked set in that position until two laps from home when he blew an inside left rear and eventually coasted home in a unfulfilling eighth place.

- DANIEL POWELL Points: Reed 2919, Vogels 2630, Saillard 2444, Veal 2386, Troy Shiells 2190.

Peachey completed the top three 'legal' cars in a 30-lap event where only five cars actually took the chequered flag.

Campbell's win was no fluke. He had the car consistently at the front end of the field and survived a couple of near-misses that claimed many others, including pre-race favourite John Cartwright.

Cartwright ran a smart-paced race but was taken out two laps from the end after leading the majority of the race. Adelaide young-gun Ricky Maiolo spun on the front straight while leading and Cartwright couldn't avoid Maiolo, clipping his strandard car and cutting his right rear tyre.

The controversy continued as Maiolo was sent rear of field with just two laps to run. Maiolo refused to obey the decision and was black flagged. He also disobeyed this flag and the race was red-flagged so that Maiolo could be removed.

Michael Miller's joy turned to disaster when scrutineers deemed his car illegal, stripping him of his first place finish. The same fate befell provisional third finished Sam Hughes, who'd qualified into the feature via the B-Main.

- BRETT SWANSON

American : NO-ONE could not etnp Amaricen eaneiinun Tony' am taking the ^03/04 Smorgon Steel ig Auitralian Spoedcar Title at Adelaide^ /ay City.

Btacted tha#fture from pole and -.ed to lead the ZO-ear fiald of 17 ittallana and two Kiwle.

The battle for aecond proverl to he a close affeir as D Lamt^rt and Ken Sanaway quickly musiJud tlieir way past Sydney trio Mark Brown, Derrer Jenklwe and Steven Qraham.

Laabert and Stanaway claehed while dnellira for aanend, uatting off a (dieln reaction that brought eboui am end to Grahar^ raoe.

frw i

AUSTRALIAN Sprintcar Title holder Robbie Farr has quashed rumours that he will leave Krikke Motorsports at the end of the speedway racing season.

Farr, 30, recently stated that his plans for the 2004/05 are still up in the air, and won't be finalised until after mid-year.

"I've been approached by four or five car owners," said Farr.

"But I'm not willing to discuss next season until this season is over.

I'm on contract now and I'm

li

Th Bnatt* star fllpfw hli^tealth _ ^ ur four after l claah with Warrenna Ekim, the high-line to carve through the field from to fourth.

Efclna'a chorT)* canta to an «d when h« ●uatainad au^iantlon ctaMaga, Jnkini, Brown . and Stanaway toon followed in rttkIiS to the ' Infield.

Elliot took win. Brett Morrtl Oniahod aaoimd, wfilte l^i Lance Etelc oroeaed third.

Young W«at Auatralien Dene McAlttn todt the fourth eiid final podium po^dn. viLWElan d» Way Jordan od Pml Farrell were next, while Jqitiii±niAy ftfitefaad seventh after rxmning out df ^et on in peuultimate lit -PffltIBC ,ium

i

. fi-

I

SPEEDWAY

operty

confirm 2004/05 end of season

Farr Storms Stampede

Robbie takes maiden win in NEWLY crowned Australian Sprintcar Champion Robbie Farr gave his number 1 its maiden win in the Australian Sprintcar Stampede at Adelaide's Speedway City.

Farr and Max Dumesny, Australia 1 and 2 respectively, lined up on the front row in the final, and the two screamed into turn one.

Dumesny, on the high side went in hot, making contact with the Farr, resulting in the Valvoline Maxim flipping.

This set off a chain reaction involving the majority of the cars on the outside. Six cars crashed while trying to take evasive action. Luke Dillon, Stephen Bell, Allan Barlee, Darryl Downing and Ken Sartori were all involved.

At the restart, Farr was able

at Speedway City

to lead the field away, taking the $10,000 winner's purse from Phil March, who had fought his way through the pack after starting last.

Andrew Scheuerle got the better of Luch Monte in the end, edging him out for third.

Behind the lead quartet, Brooke Tatnell worked his way forward, taking fifth in his last race in Australia before jetting off to America.

Bell turned in a creditable sixth ahead of Phil Johnson, Dillon and Ian Lewis, who spun while holding fifth only a few laps from home.

Local rookie Leith Ahifors turned in his best performance yet, recording a top 10 finish.

- PARIS CHARLES

Australian Distributors for

Xoosifr

^^ RACINC5 TIRE

For more Information on Hooshr Dmg and Speedway Tyres caik

NSW;02 9679 1990 l Fox 02 9679 (187 VIC:03 9331 6477 l Fax 03 9331 7444 SA;08 8332 0800 l Fax 08 8364 0296

25 Feliruiry 2004

DEFENDING WoO Champion Steve Kinser kicked off his Outlaw campaign in fine style with an all-theway victory last weekend at the inaugural Cactus Classic at Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ. Kinser led the entire distance with ease to win by 15-car lengths ahead of Tyler Walker and Donny Schatz.

Jason Sides, Tim Shaffer and Paul McMahan rounded out the top six.

The night before, Tyler Walker won the 25-lap preliminary feature and celebrated the victory with his signature back flip. Walker downed Steve Kinser and Tim Shaffer. n Local Todd Auton blitzed the field to take the ASCF Australian Street Stock Title on last weekend at Latrobe Speedway in Tasmania.

Defending Champion, Mt Gambier's Steven Lines finished runner up, with Greg Lynd third.

Tony Wynne claimed the inaugural Mini Sprint Nationals, followed by fellow banana-bender Brad Hilder.

Mitchell Freeman stood tall for the locals with third. n For the third time this season, Sprintcar hard charger Darrell Hodges claimed the feature race honours at Brisbane International Speedway.

Youngster Cameron Gessner continued his consistent season, taking the runners-up spot, while Terry Bracken placed third.

quite happy where I am. I've got a great relationship with the team."

Farr, who finished fourth in this year's World Series Sprintcars, confirmed that he will drive for the Reeve Kruck-owned Titan Garages team, above, in the coming months because his current Western Australianbased Krikke Motorsports team doesn't race on the east coast at this time of the year.

"I am doing some racing at the end of the season with Titan and these rumours of me going to Titan next year are coming from this.

"My future hasn't been discussed and it won't be until the end of the season. I don't know what I'm doing until I sit down and assess the options I have."

- GRANT ROWLEY

Max Dumesny Motorsport

Kinser claims opening scaipe

n Further up North in Queensland at Mac's Speedway, Mackay, controversy reigned supreme when the returning Anthony Lambert claimed the Sprintcar feature win ahead of Brisbane sibling's Adam and Brodie Tulloch in second and third respectively. n One of Sydney's favourite sons Peter Craft returned to the driver's seat last weekend at Parramatta City Raceway aboard the # 86 Eagle driven this season on the WSS trail

by Brad Heywood.

Not since the 1999 Victorian Easter Trail had Craft driven on a competitive basis.

- DANIEL POWELL

2003/04 EUREKA SRA CHAMPIONSHIP international raceway

2003/04 STANDINGS

15/02/04

1. Troy Little

,N20

6. Ian Loudoun .

.N18

2. Matthew Reed

.V92

7. Troy Sheills ..

.V74

3. John Vogels ..

4. Frank Ramsdale

.V70

8. Darren Saillard

,N9

.V21

9. Marcus Nelson

.V23

5. Ken Veal

.V96

10. Colin Barker .

V6

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

john Vogels Oorren Saillard ...

Ken Veal Troy Shiells Rod Matthews ..

Rob Rankin Charles Hunter ...

David Van Bremen.

Colin Barker

2630 2444 2386 2190 2153 1763 1554 1300 1347

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Marcus Nelson .

Ron Dalton....

Brett Antili....

Erin Crocker ...

Allen Barlee ...

Frank Ramsdale Tim Hutchins ..

Adrian Redpath.

Paul Bastow . ..

1196 1141 1119 074 866 803 750 698 637

71

%

■aiional

\

yg

scene

edtedby

Grant Rowley

The King Lives

Emery fends off D'Agestin in opening Commodore Cup ciasii

by MARTIN VAN REE

vf

THE king of Commodore Cup looks to have a tenuous hold on his crown after round one at Wakefield Park.

Geoff Emery is determined to keep the number one proudly displayed on the side of his car, but Christian D'Agostin looks the man most likely to depose the monarch.

A late charge from D'Agostin in Race 1 saw him snatch victory. But joy was to turn to pain when D'Agostin spun on the warm up lap for the final race. Forced to start from the rear of the grid, inspired wet weather driving netted him third and second overall.

Chinks in the king's armor showed up early in the weekend when Emery completed only tw'O laps in the first practice session with a best time more than 9.0s off the pace set by Daniel Richert.

But come qualifying, Emery was back at his best, placing his Alternative Freight Services Commodore on pole with a ImOSs

lap.

Richert had trouble keeping his Commodore pointing in the right direction, spinning in both races. Tlie first came as he was embroiled in a battle for the lead in Race 1. He had a

C .1

Return to the throne: Geoff Emery embraced the coverted number 1, leading the field in all types of conditions. crack at Emery for the lead and the two traded paint for almost half a lap before Richert left the racing surface.

Richert recovered from his lap five spin and went on to finish the 14lapper in third place.

His graceful pirouette on lap eight, while running fourth in Race 2, was performed with aplomb as he kept all

four wheels on the track and

second event.

continued on without dropping a position.

Another banana-bender to shine in the wet was Brett Holdsworth in his

David Gittus put in another solid performance with a fourth and a seventh in the racing debut for the new-spec VS. So, for now Emery remains king but with challenges coming from all directions, he will have to be at his

Get Wet Racing machine.

Holdsworth finished fifth in the opening race and made his way up to second, 2.6s behind Emery in the

peak to retain the throne.

Richards claims NZ PorscI ) -V

MATT Halliday and Craig Baird shared the spoils during the final round of the Porsche Trans-Tasman GT3 Cup at Pukekohe recently, but Jim Richards, through unrivalled speed and consistancy, claimed the NZ Tasman title.

Richards entered the round with a handy points buffer, and despite an average weekend by the 56-year-old's standards, secured his second Porsche championship in three months.

"We would have loved to won all three races this weekend, but we had our own little problems," said Richards.

"When you add it all up though, we had some great wins during the series."

New Zealander Halliday secured the runner-up trophy after scoring pole position and two race wins. His first race win came "nice and easy."

"That's how you want every weekend to go," Halliday said after Race 1.

"Qualify on pole and win the first race nice and easy . . ."

Team Kiwi V8 Supercar front man Craig Baird made big strides throughout the meeting, taking the win in Race 3, which added to his fourth and second

moiorspori news

l

NATIONAL SCENE

rOiAll r.i*<

Hot Stuff Heat takes its tail at Morgan

i®D(2Xo)Dt] (g§][Fg 5®[AfD

\M/©[k(l-(?D©fl(2]

DESPITE trailing Luke Norris home by four seconds in Race 3, West Australian Grant Johnson secured the round win in Saloon Cars at Wakefield Park last weekend.

Johnson's Commodore had the better of Norris in the sweltering heat of Saturday afternoon in Race 1 and led every lap on his way to victory in the second.

In Race 3, Norris took his VN Commodore by the scruff of the neck on a track greasy from a heavy shower just prior the race. But the bold drive was not enough to topple Johnson from the top of the points table.

Matthew Lovell got his weekend off to a good start when he put the Batteries Direct EA Falcon on pole but could not convert that to a solid haul of points.

- MARTIN VAN REE

k.

Short weathers WRX

Uebergang while in the second race, an intense dice of five cars saw

MARK Short showed the Improved Production car field the right way around Wakefield Park last weekend.

Short, below, driving his Datsun 120Y snared the opening two heats, before rain set appon the Goulburn course.

The Subaru WRX of Gavin

Fazakerley took to the wet track like a duck to water, and scored a comfortable win from Nick Dunkley and Scott Bucton.

Dunkley and Bucton were extremely consistent throughout the weekend, finishing second and third respectively in each of the three races.

UNDER heat wave conditions, the first round of the Queensland State Championships got under way at Morgan Park Raceway on last weekend.

home Mark Maczek (Anderson 250) and Tyrone Gautier(Tag Racing 250). Bob Roberts(Stockman MR2 125 and Jason Smith (Gladiator 80) took the class wins.

The first Improved Production race saw a total Mazda domination.

In Race 2, Roberts was second ahead of Geoff Nothdurft

Stephen Thompson took the win from David Skillender and Adam

(Stockman MR2 125). Russell Jamieson (Gladiator 80) won the 80cc class.

Thompson head home Justin Keys and Scott Duncan. Bruce Cook's Sierra Turbo-powered Escort crashed heavily at the start after Mark Thomas got very loose in turn two.

Dick Johnson Racing junior development driver Ryal Harris(EA Falcon) took his first circuit racing victories in Saloon Cars.

In Race One,Troy Hoey finished second after an incident between Hoey(VN Commodore)and Brendon Tucker(VN Commodore) put Tucker and Nicolas Lararcy(VN Commodore)out. Tory Norris(EA Falcon) was third, and then second in the next race ahead of Tucker.

Peter Saunderson (Radical) won the Sports Car as former national Sports 1300 champion John Campbell(Hooper-Suzuki)drove from last to second ahead of Steve

le Title place finishes. Halliday held the lead during the first quarter of the final race of the series, but Baird snatched it from him with a daring pass at the hairpin.

"It's always easier when you are chasing," Baird explained.

"The track was very dirty down there at the hairpin. We were both op the ABS. I was on the outside and obviously I had a bit more grip."

Charlie O'Brien picked up a second place finish in Race 1, followed by two thirds in the remaining races.

Final points: Richards 894, Halliday 876, Baird 672, O'Brien 612, McIntyre 561.

25 februan 2004

MOPRO Mix-up The wet conditions of the final race provided a mixed bag of results in the MoPro Cup at Wakefield Park.

Yams Derurns took the Race 1 wm. ahead of Andrew Fisher,

Morcombe (Westfield SEi). Campbell then blitzed tire second race to win from Saunderson, Morcombe and Peter Hill (Bulant Mk7).

Historic Touring Car saw the XUls squabble over tire wins.Simon PhUlips won the first from 20-year-old rookie Josh Brown and Bruce Dummett. Brovrir won his first event in Race 2from Phillips and Dummett.

Grant Wilson was next in the Camaro.

Carlo Chermaz(PVP 250) won the two Superkart races, leading

In Formula Vee, Tristan Hughes (Elfin Crusader) won the first race from Grant Bromley in the non championship Formula First Jacer.

Shane Hart(Bee Cee Jabiru) drove from the back after a jump start to finish second ahead of Ross Loudon (Bee Cee Jabiru). The second race saw Hart decimate the field.

Bromley, Matthew Mackelden (Elfin) and Paul Kellaway (Bee Cee) claimed the minors.

Two Gemini wins went to defending Champ Nick Rangeley, defeating the eight car 'Job's On' team. Nick Lange took two seconds for the team while the thirds were shared by Michael Dawes and Steve Wall. Rebecca Dawes and Christopher Lloyd crashed in Race 2, elimating both.

Paul McCahon took a pair of wins in HQs,ahead of Dion Cidoni and Justin van Twest in Race 1. Cidoni and Bob Fullerton filled the minors in the second race.

Trent Usher(Van Diemen RF97) and Tony Lemessurier (Stealth RF94)shared the two Racing Car victories, while in another four car field, Charlie Senese(Ford Falcon EF)defeated Colim Smith (Rover Vitesse-Chev) and Luke Marinelli (Ford Anglia-Rotary) in Sports Sedans both times.

-MARK JONES

risher conqueied the slippery circuit to take out Race 2, 8s deai of Mark Roseiiauor's MG David Griffin managed to be liie fuel Daewoo driver to lead an MG home He was follijived by Shelton L.oughrey ●and Chris Butler

- MARTIN VAN REE

I

s.

Stalled future: The two Mike Kilpatrick Futureracers which turned up were reduced to demonstration laps only due to status clarification.

13

Mlffl l!M|t8

JARNO Trulli will spend a day at the Corio Karting Complex at Geelong in the week leading up to the Australian Grand Prix.

Trulli will be on hand at the drive and test day to offer advice and assistance to Australian Trulli Kart owners.

Trulli importer Remo Luciani said that Geelong was chosen as the venue as it is the location for the opening round of the Dunlop CIK Championship on March 28.

It is a private test exclusively for Trulli Kart owners," he said.

Jarno will be there to offer advice on driving, racing and chassis setup.

The chances of Jarno getting behind the wheel himself. however, are slim. Renault wouldn't be too impressed if JT put himself through a fence a few days out from the opening FI GP ...

- MARK WICKS

Huge Winter Cup Italian kick-off attracts big grids THE international karting season kicked off with the traditional Winter Cup at Lonato,Italy, recently.

The fields were massive in the three championship classes,95 entrants in Junior ICA,74 in Formula A and a whopping 115 Senior ICAsall vying for the 34 available grid positions for their respective finals.

Britain's Ben Hanley (Maranello/Maxter) narrowly won a

thrilling FA final ahead of Arnaud Kozlinski(SodiKart/TM) and Jonathan Thonon (CRG/Maxter).

Finland's Ate Mustonen (Birel) won ICA and Alessandro Ruggeri (Italsistem) took the Junior ICA spoils.

While listed in the Formula A entry, expat-Aussie Ben Florstman's Biesse team did not compete.

-MARK WICKS

Tyre and Fuel Contracts

THE CIK announced recently that it has awarded exclusive contracts for the supply of tyres and fuel for a number of its championships in 2004.

Vega tyres will be mandatory in the various Junior and Senior I'Intercontinental' class championships while Panta will supply fuel for most of these events, plus the Formula A World Championship.

- MARK WICKS

r m

4

red/onetnMfit^.t

Definitive Signing JOSH Scott has signed for Definitive Racing Team BRM for the upcoming Dunlop CIK Championship series.

The Newcastle teenager, who had previously raced Junior Clubman with Azzurro, will compete in Junior Intercontinental A for the first time at Geelong’s opening round.

Team boss Steve Pettaras has high hopes for Scott.

“I think he will go very well,” Pettaras stated.

“I reckon he’s got what it takes."

The BRM team will continue to field Justin Ruggier in 125gearbox Intercontinental C. Both drivers will use BRM’s DK9 model chassis.

Pettaras will also sponsor Anthony Preston in Formula Ford.

Preston, who will drive for the Autonova team, will compete in the AGP support races before taking on the NSW State Series and selected National rounds.

- MARK WICKS 14

aiMiiiiAilii T 'Tf ^

Novacastrian with BRM: josh Scott shows off his new team colours at Goulburn.

CLUBMAN fields are on the upswing in 2004, if recent events in NSW and Victoria are any indication.

The opening rounds of the respective Premier State Cup and Golden City Power Series saw large and competitive fields in all of the Clubman divisions Junior, Light, Heavy and Super Heavy plus Over 40s in Victoria. The standout category at both events was Clubman Heavy, the class oversubscribed for both circuits, necessitating two divisions at both tracks for the heat races to determine a grid for the final.

At the Goulburn circuit in NSW,Peter Lawler (CRG), above, had it all his own way

in one division while Brett Hobson (Top Kart) and Ryan Ashby (DAP) duelled ferociously in the other.

For the combined final, Lawson proved too quick, driving away to a comfortable win as Hobson again had to deal with Ashby for second.

Meanwhile at Numurkah in Victoria, it was a groat day for Monaco chassis scoring a one-two. Remo Luciani held the advantage over Roger Polak and Andrew Pugliese (Arrow). In extremely hot conditions, both meetings attracted a healthy number of entries, nearly 250 at Numurkah (across 15 classes) and over 280 at Goulburn (across 12 classes).

-MARK WICKS motorspon psws

NATIONAL SCENE

Ferrari Favourite

by BRIAN REED IF you had the task of picking a favourite car from the kbulous collection of racing machines coming from overseas for the Phillip Island Classic this weekend, it would be hard to go past the superb 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO of American Tom Price. After all, it's one of only 36 built, and is valued at a cool $12 million - and that's American dollars!

The beautiful Ferrari was the last

front-engined Ferrari racing car, and carried forward the famous company's enviable record in GT racing established over a seven year period. The arrival on the scene of the lightweight Jaguars, Aston Martin Zagatos, Cobras and Porsches meant the team from

250 GTO,above, was the company's first serious attempt to address the importance of aerodynamics.

Under the very low bonnet line is a three-litre, single overhead cam V12 Colombo-designed engine, fitted with six twin-choke

Until then, Ferrari had relied on

downdraught Webers, producing 302bhp at 7500rpm - enough to propel the car to a top speed of almost 290km/h.

Tom Price, who runs an extensive

brute strength to keep ahead of the pack, but with these new challenges, it had to think smarter. The resulting

network of very successful car dealerships throughout America, competes regularly in the 250 GTO at

Maranello had to come up with something very special to maintain its domination.

Sir Jack's Tales COINCIDING with the Australian FI Grand Prix, two

of the most eagerly awaited books about two of Australia's legendary drivers will be released.

'The Jack Brabham Story', right, is by prolific British motorsports author Doug Nye. It's a personal account of Brabham's extraordinary motor racing career that led him to be the first and only driver to capture the world drivers' championship and the Formula 1 constructors' title in a car that bore his own name.

The launch of 'The Jack Brabham Story' will take place at the Technical Book Shop, 295 Swanston St, Melbourne

historic meetings in Europe and the USA,and ran at the Goodwood Revival Meeting late in 2003.

His car was originally owned by Frenchman Pierre Noblet and in its first competition outing in the lOOOkms race at Monthery, the car finished fourth.

Other eagerly awaited overseas entries coming to the Phillip Island Classic include two Indy 500 cars, three Lolas, an Ecurie Ecosse D-Type Jaguar, the ex-Jo Siffert Cooper BRM, an Alta and no fewer than four priceless ERAs.

on Friday, March 5 from 5pm with the opportunity to have your copy signed by Sir Jack himself.

'Lex Davison - Larger than Life', by leading motor sports journalist Graham Howard, is a limited edition book due for release on Saturday of the GP weekend.

The book traces the life of one of Australia's most successful racing drivers and will be released at Albert Park to coincide with the 50th anniversary of his first Australian GP victory at Southport in 1954.'Davo' went on to win three more Australian Grands Prix - the only man ever to achieve such a feat.

'Davo' lost his life in a practice accident before the 1965 Tasman Series round at Sandown Park.

- BRIAN REED

Sll. I

Top Gear Classic at QR QUEENSLAND Raceway recently hosted the Top Gear Classic, the inaugural Queensland AASA sanctioned meeting.

A thin field of 40 vehicles fronted for the weekend, but most were either cars new to circuit racing or cars not seen in some time.

Three vehicles in particular struck a chord with historic fans, as Porsche racer Peter Harburg introduced his ex-Bib Stillwell 1961 AGP-winning Cooper T51 2S fshruani 2004

Climax to Queensland audiences.

Of even greater impact were the two cars fielded by Rob Sherrard in the custody of race tuner Wayne Park. An ex-John Wyer Gulf GT40 was joined by a Lola T70,freshly imported from the US. Teething troubles kept the magnificent sports cars sidelined for much of the weekend however, allowing Peter Turnbull (Turnham Ford Sports) to take overall Sports Car honours from Trevor Bassett

(Ferrari 275 GTC4)and Doug Angus (Lotus Europa).

The first corner of the meeting saw a collision between Vern Hamilton (Elfin 623)and Ross McBurnie (Elfin 620). Hamilton was sent to hospital with cracked vertebrae, ribs and a collapsed lung.

Greg Couzens (Van Diemen RF86)took the racing car honours from event host John Tetley(PRS FFord) and Geoff Wiseman (Cheetah Mk8), while Mark

Taylor’s thundering XA GT Falcon won the Sedan Group ahead of Angela Lechner (Escort-Capri Sports Sedan) and Steven Mergard (Saloon Commodore VN).

Terry Longley (Toyota Sprinter) was the top regularity competitor.

With each Battle Group allocated nine races, there was plenty racing to be had, but the sweltering 35 degree temperatures took their toll on cars and drivers.

- MARK JONES IS

MARKET PLACE

Cost Effective Data Logging LECTROMCS

l Logged data displayed graphically, numerically & real time through dash

Lightweight Aluminium Alloy

TECHN

l HANS compatible models availal Trrr T I

/

Call now for your nearest dealer Ph:1800 797 344

J

Competition LSD’s & Gears

Vic 0395534200 Vic 039887 3833

QU> 07 3274 4797

WA 08 9331 8488

I

Hi Flow Alloy Heads

● Available for early and VN Style V8 ● Super flow potential compared to ported Iron heads ● Greater thermal efficiency and half the weight of iron

Ph 03 9555 5522 Fax 03 9555 4152 WWW.yellaterra.com.au

m

MG V8 Racecar preparation Spares for Capri, Datsun/Nissan 240Z, 260Z, 280ZX, 300ZX, 231,32

RACING TYRES

03 9710 1091 9710 1887 caprizedspares 1 ©optusnet.com.au

Distributors for Victoria and Tasmania Your high performance tyre and suspension specialists - 4 stage pumps It $1505.00 :+GST l Racer Price

nV

Race car preparation & storage

DRY SUMP OIL PUMPS

PERFORMANCE CAMS^ S^ALyEJRAm0MPJ)NENTSj2 eesuwassjewasmim MQ Phone 07 3808 1986

West Australian Made ^1-5 stages available 3 CAM or BELT Drive

or visit our ivebsiie for your nearest aistributor.

www.jjerfoiwancewlwlesale.coni.au

P(08)9258 7700

The ultimate power fix for your Holden

3

pn

;yYOKOHAMA Ayri

cni.

8A 08 8340 4333

i

I

1 65 Keliets Rd Rowville 3178 Ph 03 9764 281 1 Fax 03 9764 8740

I

NSW 024577 2400

Ph;(07)5493 7444 Fax:(07J5493 7131 email; ianandlou@powerup.com.au 'all prices include GST. Freight is additional.

Official distnbuti of MKhelin Motorsport tyres Australasia

●'.I . ●p .T

Vic 039873 5400

r.-

0418 548 578

T/?ACr/OA/

l World's #1 range of race car sea' l Largest range of colours and styl l Latest materials for driver safety l Ergonomic design for ultimate driver comfort

QUE

34C industrial Drive. Braeside VIC 3195 Ph: 03 9580 0303 Fax; 03 9580 7220 Frevor She ack -Technical Support

For further details ph;102]46480030 or email sales@msedata.com.au

«>

I

^5295*

l Low Saddle Height l Tested and approved to Australian Standards AS-2615-1995 l 12 month warranty l Weight 17kg

EUROPEAN

l Technology gained from over 10 years logging data

'■Si

l 1000kg Capacity

f-of Motorsport tyre requirements contact:

l Overlay Data from previous laps or sessions

c

fiA///i

W‘'MICHELini

1^

l Up to 13 inputs plus 2 outputs

CROWCAMS

● Fast profile design service to your requirements ● Custom ground roller, solid and hydraulic I

● Matching race valve train components ' including PSi (USA) valve springs and a huge range of one piece super duty pushrods

r SipEEDFLOW

■1 Premium Motorsport Hose & Fittings!

profiles using unique computer controlled machines for unrivalled accuracy

r

CAMS'

£

Ph 03 9357 0469 or Fax 03 9357 0001

Contact your state distributor...

Harciimem Auto Supplies (02) 9771 5877 Motorsport Connections (02) 9838 7272 Victorian Speed Pro (03) 9794 5177 Performance Wholesale (07) 3808 1986 (08) 8363 5566 Crane Technologies Cogear Racing Services (08) 9443 4400

Visit our website: wmi.crowcams.com.au

ONE PIECE RACE PUSHRODS

O,

As used by top touring car. speedway & drag racing teams. ● .080" wall chrome moly

The True Performance Alternative

' ● Extremely durable bonded dampening matenal ● Easy to read computer etched timing marks II ● Availabie In economical cast iron Street, all steel SFI approved Race and new Serpentine for Chev, LSI. LTl etc Ph 02 6937 88B8 Fax 02 6921 7536 Visit out website www.precisionparts.com.au

● one piece construction ● available in Ms" & W' diamett

‘‘

COMPOMOr/V£ MoroASPOPr wHecLs

VIC 03 9386 S331 NSW 02 9676 8655 SA 08 8387 3522 WA 08 9293 3500 TAS 03 6273 7555 NT 08 8941 5388 QLD 07 3217 1188 www.stuckey.com.au

● .050" length steps

\ \

1

from 6.00" to 10.00" (/" famt. ● .000" wall hardened steel i —'

NEW street race version^^ also available ^

p:03 9357 0469 f:03 9357 0001 visU^u^^website^^jvv^^crowcams£om^^

r P' 'f.CtKci'itf S^uxee ”

'Contour forgod' 2«1 B alloy Precite top ring groove mechining Pressure lienee groove ideei skirt indexing to pinhole A skirt^to-skirt polarity Precise CNC pinhole machining

IFABUE!

Custom Made To Specification

c

WLMtmiWate.flat7Mll5StmigWa»Ufc^<

Queensland 07 3341 9911 Sydney 02 9609 1101 Melbourne 03 9326 6088

Eocejv bralces

Competition disc pads ● Race brakes ● Pagid ● Hawk ● Endless ● Performance Friction

Over 10 years experience of brake modifications and upgrades for road and race. Caliper conversion 1. 2, 4 & 6 piston. Custom made disc rotors.

M2mur«((wr*rf ● dtsMbuton of nco,

High parfor

B raring diu hrahat

moiorsport newt

CLASSIFIEDS

mrace shop

RRCESHOP gives you the opportunity to promote your products and services to the widest possible range of motorsport competitors and enthusiasts. Advertising in RACESHOP costs as little as $60 per issue! Call Brendon Sheridan on 03 9550 0870 now!

Heat Control COOL m I Products

OXTNMjOF MOTORSPORT

[GMRYtfS

''.'//AMSDW

Aluminium Competition WIiGel Nuts 0-60 Tyre Pressure Gauges iMww.rocketlnd.com

GROWERS

www.garysnnotorsporttyres.com.au

Pit

/

P rHHC>

r a)

EVERY PART FOR f

IMc MitiaaacMt n nil UIS nil taut ula ncUnicM

www.rocketind.com fgfeP/tO. i

Auttrallm'a Itrgatl range, ^ tor over 400 engine appHcattona Ph.CQ97M l966toCI397S»llS5tmMll

The first choice of Engine Re-Buitders for Toots & Equipment l Cylinder Boring & Honing Equipment l Cylinder Head Rebuilding Tools l Crack Detection & Repair Kits l Engine Assembly & Machining Tools l Measurement & Test Equipment ♦ Specialist Tools

AYROSS

Bold in Aust by

t.’E’' f

7/TE

A

10 Carnegie Place Blacktown NSW 2148 p 02 9676 8655 f 02 96765300 l e garydunlop@ozemail.com.au

GOODSON

/

ENGINE BEARil

MOTORSPORT TYRES MOW IN STOCK

me eMHiniwaiK ntiiiJiiiinniaaisiKs.ttainiUM

Cuvire

Specialists in

Ph 03 9437 0377 Honing Tools S. Equipment

Steel Main Caps to suit most V8 applications Manufactured in USA by Pro-Gram Engineering

MAT LAEOaiM

Engine building Vehicle & engine development & machining service

For your engine tuning and development needs

Postal Address PD Box El Gisborne VIC 3437 Tel/Fax B3 54SB 1123 Mobile 0408 834 EG5 Email KDDLKAR5@bigppnd.com.au

Dry brake connector Available in all sizes -3 thru to -12 Hi-Flow „

PERFORMANCE GASKETS,

Gasket Sets M■ & Seals

■ ■

TMe mmiaikaM n IIIlUDIINiiiei da niUMuo

www.rocketind.com

Sold in lAustralia by

4

r

DESIGNED FOR RACE APPLICATIONS Ph03 5339 5159 Fax 03 5339 2/44

1800 242 910

r ●CompetitionValves a Components o -N <!■»

>

jt

^ec«K www.rocketind.com TnietiamtMiUMniiinwsitNwKuitt nutaucii

ft

PERFORMANCE FILTERS

Worlds Best Air & Oil Filtsrs

Exclusive Australian Distributor

DELWESTTITANIUMVALVES! Aur.traUa 'a /oroc'sF Stockist of HlQh f'erformanci' ro<j/nr* Partte

^*&ERFORMANi /wholesale

I

a

tv

I t

Specialists in ● Turbochargers ball P bearing and non ball bearings ● Kits & K overhauls available ● High (low E intercoolers and kits ● Link engine z ^ managernenl systems ● Oil coolers and 5 ^ oil coolers kits* Silicon hoses and E bends ● Tein suspension kits : . ^

JF "

57 Taunton Dr Cheltenham VIC 3192 i Ph 03 9584 4499 Fax 03 9584 4008 I Email avo@bigpond.com :

pmmPommAMcm

RADIATORS, INTERCOOLERS & OIL COOLERS ● Offroad cars ● Motorbikes ● Boats ● Hot Rods ● Street Cars ● Circuit Cars utfvm.r||Cketlnd-cpifi 25 Fabruary 2004

Contact 07 55 981 499 or Fax drawings to 07 55 984 398

Hi;(07)3;iO58Hf«ic(07)32»0S»i WWW.^ri.HiEiMlI

iyl.lilz

77

CLASSIFIEDS

m race shop r

nows

“ 7i£e Pxtma.%^ Stutee "

I

Supartor strength Exact Aent to seat concentricity Closely controlled margin heights Fully machined combustion faces Swirl polished underiieads Hard chrome stems Hard tips

State Distributors

Austratlar) Importer and distributor;

Ph: 08 8363 5566 Fax: 08 8363 5633 TECHNOLOGIES ^PTY. LTD. www.cranecams.com.au

T! Wt.at7»1966r«i.(UBmn5Stn>«l

IharropI

RUSSELL PERFORMANCE * FAI Homologated Chrome Moly rollcages * Aluminium and stainless steel TIG welding * EFI installation and tuning Ph: 03 9544 1249 Mobile: 0402 127 243 39 Renver Road, Clayton Vic 3168 adam.russell1@bigpond.com

PLASTICS

● Full range of Industrial plastic materials

Nylon, Acetal, Teflon, Polythenes, PVC etc ● Racecar windows “cut to size" & moulded ● Perspex & polycarbonate sheet ex-stock ● Polyurethane & Delrin for suspension bushes

PLASTICS FOR INDUSTRY DANDENONG VIC 03 9706 381 1

i

m

-

’'

No pre-requisites. 40 laps at Oran Park.

A 9 International Racing Drivers School For more info ph 02 9873 1773, fax 02 9871 1018 or email peter@finlays.com.au wvvw.finlays.cam.au

ALL ROUNDS ALL CLASSES

Fully enclosed custom built race car transporters

● Supreme quality at sensible prices

Professional race car logistic and event specialists Security for car and equipment

1

on 0418 474 816

4

m

1

race(3)tnt, com.au

Remarkable Windows of Opportunity for Engine Experts

Eastern Raceparts ● Mocai

● Accurate, Repeatable, Versotile ● Take manual control or hands-free ● Local design, support, development, instollotion ond on-site training ● Top nomes demond top equipment (users inc NIZPRO, HSV, HRT & John Sidney Racing) ● Engine, chassis, go-kart or motorbike

DynoLog

I

Contact Neil Griffiths

1 I liLUTliJ-t-*— Call now for your nearest dealer Ph:1800 797 344

Dynamometer

sales@simpsonraceproducts.com.au

Race logistics Smcx RACE LOGISTICS interstate transport

● Full FIA range in stock ● Available in Red, Black or Blue ; Bolt down, detachable or wrap around

ms

Ilf Ph 02 9756 0202 Fax 02 9756 0203

ICE PAOOUCrS

1

www.uicstateracl^rGom Formula Ford Test Drives - $695 in our cars.

IM

Telephone <03) 9474 0900 Fax (03) 9474 0999

if;

CAMS racing and rally licence courses @ Oran Park monthly $650 in your car.

Includes lecture and OLT.

2008 expiry, lightweight buckle, 3” webbing, clip in ends Black, Red, Blue 5 point - $539 l 6 point - $579 FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY Aust 5tandard 4 point belts fr $145

HARROP ENGINEERING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

demon!

i.

FIA HARIUESSES

SPECIAL

PERFORMANCE & RELIABIUTY ●NEW NODULAR CASTING PRECISION CNC MACHINED. GROUND TO EXACTING TOLERANCES ’SUIT 308 RODS, BALANCER, FLYWHEEL, LIP OR ROPE MAIN SEAL

‘

I

* Turbo manifolds, inlet plenums & intercoolers

\fWNO

MCSCASt < IN USABU TOBOUt

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTORS

HI-PERFORA4ANCE 308-355 C.l.

STROKER CRANKSHAFT

Engineering IkT ,5X A

■ ►

* Race car preparation and construction

Simpson Safety Equipment Australia 11/62 Newton Road Wetherill Park NSW 2164 Ph 02 9756 0202 Fax 02 9756 0203

CRANE

kWKtfKtuimtepoMeddaUtMorteri

Motorsport preparation and fabrication

World's leaders in Motorsport Safety Technology Helmets l Suits l Boots l Gloves l Harnesses l Crew Gear l and all accessories for all motorsports Quality l Price l Service

NSW:(02) 9678 9977 OLD:(07) 3808 1986 VIC:(03)9794 5177 WA:(08) 9353 1155

● Aircraft Bolts ● Girling ● Goldine

iHei

● Silverline

ARE! Comixjting rO Box I SI Monline Vic 3765 Hi0397SIIM2 Fox0397SI2173 Mob 0408 OSS S4I

Ph/Fax 02 9526 6666

Ph Byran Miller* Mob 0417 274 507* Ph 02 9524 3369 ● 1 Tamba Place Lilli Pilii NSW 2229 ● Email easternraceparts@hotmail.com

(noil otldii«rm(lbp< oig »

llollcu

Sandman Technical & Racing Services \ Low cost, high availability IT systems for all levels of motorsport.

Check our IBM T series notebooks, featuring super strong titaniutrunagnesium alloy casing.

All systems sold come with an APC Surge Arrest powerboard valued at $100.

Category managers - Want on site support for race weekends? Bulk buys for categories are available, enquire now. Our national supplier network can also deliver goods to your door in any state within 24 hours on in stock items.

hh

e sniantech(g>tpg.com.au p 0419 369 748 (24 hours)

www.holley.com

I

Holley Performance System Distributors

Call 08 8132 1888 for your nearest distributor

\

RACEMASTER CAM DRIVES BY AUSTRALIAN MUSCLE PARTS

^ffi?Australia Raced in the USA www.ausiralianmuscleparts.com.a&' HIBRED TIMING BELT DRIVE SYSTEMS ♦ PH 03 59(0 2337 78

● All new 2(W4 nmge now available (9 modolsi ● Suitable for all forms of motorsport ● Innovative design, latest materials and manufacturing processes are used to ensure ultimate comfort and ventilation ● Lightweight without compromising strength and ^fety This space could be yours

Call now for your nearest dealer, Ph:1800 797 344 '''

noiorsport news

CLASSIFIEDS

Classifieds online classifieds 7

m

2ZZZZ7

Find hundreds more race vehicles and parts for sale at www.my105.com

your motorsport vehicle, parts, memorabilia with our all-new combined magazine/internet classified service.

Courtesy of an agreement between Motorsport News and internet classified service my105.com, your advertising will appear in both for as little as $25.

Yes 3 months on my105.com AND one insertion in Motorsport News for just $25! HOW?

Just log on to www.my105.com and follow the prompts!

Alternately, you can still use the classified form on these pages (surcharge applies for the service of entering the ad onto my105.com)

LOG ON NOW — IT’S THE SMART WAY TO SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT!

2002 Tanzam Corvelle DTM

www.my105.com/1O26

Ready to race and win again. DTM Carbon/Keviar body, Chrome moiy chassis, 3 X way Penske shocks fuiiy fabricated in chrome moiy rear with 9inch Ford, 5 speed Wiseman. TC gear box. BBS 3y pease wheeis AP 6 pot brakes, 6 iitre Hendrick 700 hp engine, dry sumped, 180 degree exhaust system. Oniy the very best has gone into this car.(No duty to pay car of new Zealand origin ).

ADD $135,000 with spares. Peter (NZ) ph 0064 3963 1381- fax 0064 3366 0133.

Honda Civic, Ex Australian Championship Winning car with FIA approved cage, MotecECU. Hewland gearbox with Mugen LSD, Proflex suspension, magnesium wheels, carbon/kevlar seats. Plus much more. With spares. $25000. Dave 0894443833 276 www.my105.com/79830

f

i

XU1 Spbrts Sedan, 1st In 2003 NSWRRC 6cyl Championship.

Fast,Reliable,Consistant Car Recent Rebuild/rewlre Registered Trailer Comprehensive Spares Package Good fun on a low budgetll. $8500.00 Or Best Offer.

278 Troy 0410480534 www.my105.eom/64005

2S Fabrutry 2004

Carrera Cup Car - Sale or Lease

www.myl05.eom/75078

●asm noi Huitua

Sedans/Sports Cars

Race Winning Saloon Car, 4 years development, many race wins, pole positions and lap records, New engine and gearbox, spares including 2 sets of wheels, one of the best In the country. $22,000 Or Best Offer. Kurt 07 3368 1188 / 0419 705531 280 www.my105.com/62825

from just $25

SOI

Commodore VS Future Tourer, Built to a standard, not a price with all new Harrop components. Immaculate 5 meetings old.

Sandown 20.8. Calder 63.2, Winton 32.4, suit new Wakefield Park Series, Champagne Rallies, Sprints Sports Sedan or fantastic Shell for new Commodore Cup series. A ready to go competitive car with spares package. Price - Talk to me!. Brett 0402 456 281.

279 www.myl05.com/73276

*,r

Torana XU1 Tarmack Rally Car, LMS, has great history, classic Adelaide top 10 outright comes complete less engine - this car is fully sorted and ready to go - engine available if required, $25,000. John 0412 8234 442 . 28Owww.my10S.com/40932

Super Tourer 1997 Vectra, 2nd 2000/2001 Championship. Ray Maliock Built. Large Spares package including 22 wheels.

Excellent Cond. Ready to win. New televised series commencing March 04.

Reduced for quick sale. $35,000. David 0428 255 456 278 www.my105.com/24467

(«■

for sale, peugeot 405 super-tourer (95) complete rolling chassis, with hewland 6speed sequential,plus zytec engine managment system,19inch wheels 8 piston brembo brakes and much more. $20,000 Or 278 Best Offer, bryce 0416172762. www.my10S.com/83814 Suburu WRX STI, Victorian WRX 2003 super modified class winning car. All club lap records, six point Chrome moiy cage with s/bars, motec, cobra race seats, six point harness, front mount intercooler, garrett turbo, AP racing six piston front brakes, 8 x OZ racing rims, kusco suspension, fast reliable club or race car.

29,500 including GST ONO. Andrew 0418 324951.

278 www.my105.com/26770 13B-P/P Sport Sedan, Very fast car, recent rebuild, brand new hilux rear end, semi floating axles, 57's OR short, 1.18 long track, 1.08 Warwick, Ready to race, lots of spares. $12500 ONO. Michael 0438700898.

278 www.myl05.eom/70879

Move into the 2004 Carrera Cup with this highly competive front running car.

RT Motosport has for saie or iease this weii prepared and presented Cup Car. Fuli car preparation or car oniy ieases avaiiable. Parts and franchise also included. Richard Baskus 0408 911 541.

for sale, peugeot 405 mi16(920model(ex brock 12hr car).set up for impproducUon or 2litre sportssedans.quad throttle bodeis,motec m48pro,motec edi, fully adjustable suspension plus many spares.

18,500 Or Best Offer, bryce 0416172762.

278 www.my105.com/12247

Group A, Original Group A Cams Log Book Ground up rebuild just completed. Complete with 5lt BRE race engine.Jerico g/box, Brembo brakes, Simmons wheels, onboard air jacks, group C body kit and the list goes on. This is an original Les Small built car to same specs as the Chickadee commodore.

279 $35,000. Wayne 0413 446 122. www.myl 05.com/66004

1977 Holden Torana SS, 500hp 350Chev, 9"diff Recaro seat . 6 time state class HilldimbChamp, Aust class title winner twice.

Trailer Included. Records held everywhere.

Too many spares to list. Proven winner. $20,000 ONO. Dennis 0421 99 11 33 279 www.myl 05,com/50452

19

Open Wheelers I. -I

.5' Commodore Cup Race Car, Very well maintained race car. 3rd in 2003 National Series. 20,000 ONO. Lee Holdsworth 0408177936. 279www.my105.com/14881

Mazda RX7 Improved Production Car, Log Book and Good Pedigree, 12A Bridgeport, Needham close ratio. Engine gearbox suspension brakes exhaust all recently new, 2 sets wheels, 120 litre tank, new interior, adjustable brake bias, quick and well balanced. $13,000 Not Neg, Kevin 0418 246 972.

278 www.myl05.com/39174

Open Wheeler, Westfield Clubman, Booth prepared, Toyota3SGE, Motec, Hollinger 5Spd with Loveday remote Quickshift, Ford Motorsport LSD + more. Spare race wheels & gearbox components. Giant killer which Is ready for 2004 Sportscar Championship.

C/W enclosed trailer. 35,000 Neg. Adrian 0417 327 988. 279 www.my105.com/77394

PORSCHE GT2 TURBO, Spectacular and fast. Ideal for Porsche Drivers Challenge. $130,000 plus GST. Paul 0418 61 85 61.

278 www.my105.com/8972 Lancer Evo 5 RS, EX Mark King Australian GTP Title Car. All ralliart bits, LSD's, Motec, 02 Mags (12), new steel cage, $4000 exhaust, new paintwork and interior. As new condiUon. $46,000 ONO. Ray 0412644780 278 www.my105.com/16327 Mazda RX7, Improved Production car, 13B Bridgeport, 51mm Webber, Turbo 5spd box and Hilux diff, online suspension, series 5 brakes, race clutch, log book, competitive car, new envy 15x7 wheels. Matthew (07) 3846 6560 / 0411 736 980 278 www.myl05.com/29632

HILL CLIMB/ FORMULA LIBRA, FAST COMPETITIVE HILL CLIMB SPECIAL, LINK ECU, 4WHEEL DISK BREAKS, NEW OMP HARNESS & STEERING WHEEL, 4 NEW TYRES, TURBO, INTERCOOLED, ON UNREGO TRAILER. READY TO RACE IN 2004 HILL CLIMB SERIES. $8900,00 Or 280 Best Offer, kym 0402144828. www.myl05.com/37151

1981 Cheetah Mk 7, 1981 Cheetah Mk7, spares & log books come with car. Running in AF2 , or Histories GpR with some work.

Pole at Oran Park Nov'02 with Dallara 395 Mugen In field. Brian Shead built car. Very good history. Reluctant sale due to class change .Engineer: Tom 02 9588 9443 . $25,000 Neg. Brendon 0409 952 905.

278 www.my105.eom/57004

TURBO ROTARY RALT, Dowied, ported, IllanettI ceramic seals. Ball bearing turbo, external w/gate,multi plate clutch,alloy flywheel, microtech.dual bosch pumps,4 stage dry sump, huge spares, pi dash, 8 wheels, ratios, tyres, arms, moulds. d/shafts,disos,pads,wings. 600hp awesome to drive. 75000,00 Or Best Offer. Michael 0411676429. 278 www.my105.com/52281

— Porsche GT3 FACTORY Cup CAR, Series 2 Car with all 2001 upgrades plus carbon bonnet / guards and boot lid and transmission cooler. 5hrs on fresh bottom

Porsche g13, perfectly maintained & lightly raced. Includes lull road kit spare gearbox & 3 sets light weight wheels. Full particulars contact engineer on 0414582104. $175,000 278 Neg. neil 03 98036050. www.my105.com/1Q469

end. PCA Dyno sheet. Lots of spares and special goodies. Will be a frontrunning car in Prod/Marque spoils or Group 2 nations cup. Very lightly raced and never crashed.

278 $160,000 Neg. WAYNE 0295241199. www.myl OS.com/98267

HILLCLIMB / SPRINT SPECIAL, Suzuki Fuel injected, W/cooled. lOOOcc V/twin engine, with self diagnostic engine management. 6 speed sequential g/box.

Viscous LSD. Fully adjustable Inboard suspension, adjustable brake bias, quick ratio steering, race seat, Avon slicks. CAMS L/Book. Winner of the Formula Libre up to 1300 class at 2003 Vic H/Climb Championship. As new. $14500.00 ONO. BRETT 0356625400 / 0419566690. 278 www.myl05.com/24704

Formula 3, 398 Dallara TOMS Toyota Very competitive oar, full Motec dash and ecu, professionally maintained, set-up data supplied, large spares package included including dozens of ratios. Ideal for either class in Australian F3..$69,000 ONO. Mike 0403 046 403.

278 www.myl05.com/54874

7]MFwayto sell your gearl From just$25* justlog on

(*$25 applies to ads entered directly onto my105.com) Advertising can aiso be supplied using this form ($10/$15surchagetotextoniyAext + pic advertisements) Advertisements will appear in next possible issue of' 1 oi o;s ; PLUS the ’ com website forthree months.

Please read & cross the desired services and calculate the total.

online classifieds Category: □ Sedans □ Open Wheelers □ Speedway

news Description:

□ Parts □ Engines □ Trailers

□ Wanted □ Photographs

□ Drag

□ Jobs

□ Other

Please keep ads to no more than 50 words, plus up to 6 photos if desired.

S3 standard ad and one inlusion into Motorsport News □ Plus Photo Processing fee $5 ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:□ Extra issues X $25 per issue □ Feature ad on Motorsport News and my105.com homepage for $75 per issue

= $35

TOTAL = $

I enclose a clieque/money onjer/credit card details for the payment of the total amount above.

□ Amex □ Bankcard

□ Visa or □ Mastercard

Card no_ Name _ Address Email Ph( 80

)

Signature

Exp

I.

Card Name Forward your classified to: lax 02 96471177 email mnews@my105.com postal address My105, PO Box 6751 Silverwater NSW 2128.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Please use the form provided and prim clearly. Please note we are unable to return photographs supplied for use in classified ads. Ads wiB appear as soon as possible after receipt. MN/fflyl06.com ciassifteds are for the safe of private goods and vehicles only, not business advertising Photos marked ‘pfooT will not bo used.

moioriport news

CLASSIFIEDS Engines

Cheetah MKT Formula 2, Ex-Hugh Gartley - Trick pushrod Celica, Penske Shocks, Pagid pads. Firebomb. Totally refurbished & re-engineered to an exacting standard. 4 sets of wheels, 20 ratios, uprights, springs, engine & g/box spares. Available with all original bodywork and trailer. Complete package nothing to spend, eligible grp R Historic - Immaculate - Urgent Sale, $28,000.00 Neg. Bruce 0418824282. 278 www.myl05.com/71187

Formula Vee, Attractive Jabim. Nationals and 4 State Title winner, including Victorian 2003 Open Pointscore. Numerous Pole positions and race victories. Latest Elliott Engine. Complete Short and Long Gearboxes, Numerous other spares. Enclosed tandem trailer. No expense spared preparation makes this one of the fastest and most successful packages In Australia. 18000 Neg. Tony 278 164279.

(0419) www.myl05.eom/60988

Multiple AF2 Championship Winner, AF2 State Championship winner 2002 & 2003, Reynard 903, On board data logging & timing, heaps of spares incl ratios for all NSW tracks, 3 sets of wheels, new wets, spare wings. Setup data and assistance provided. Moving O.S. Will you be the 2004 Champion? Priced for immediate sale. Ted 278 0419254380. www.my105.com/86757

428 ci Chev Small Race Engine, block,Prepared by Neil Bums.Motec engine pro system,Racer management heads,Rocket block,Dry sump system,fresh rebuild 730hp with dyno sheets,very fast and reliable.call bob for more info 0418 321 219. $35,000 ONO. Stuart 0438 701 483.

276 www.myl05.com/92461 Escort twin cam engine, lotus twin cam engine plus 2000e gearbox engine has not been run since re build re bored + 30 thou new pistos& rings this is a complete engine apart from cluch plate& housing suite escort, anglia, cortina. 6,995,00 ONO. Steve 278 0404194911 www.myl O5.com/16647 Cosworth Ford 1300cc, Cosworth head,rods,pistons, dry sump oil pump, BDA steel Crank&flywheel, 40 mm Webers,exhaust for open wheeler Dyno sheets 130hp, 5 meetings since freshen up, spare new rings/bearings, $7800 Neg. Malcolm 0418835206/0882702592.

278 www.myl05.com/51000 Engine, 18° Bowtie heads (new), CNC ported by CFE. Titanium valves/ retainers & PSI springs. T&D (light weight) rockers. 4 barrel manifold to suit - (ported by CFE) Roller lifters (off-set) - Crane Camshaft & roller cam bearings Tappet covers - CNC engraved with Patterson Racing. Will make 850 - 900 hp. Call for details & prices.

Michael 0418 228 438.

278 www.myl05.eom/32590 SUZUKI HAYABUSA ENGINE, Suzuki GSXR1300R Hayabusa Engine. Suitable for Hill climb / circuit car. Complete Engine with ECU, dash & wiring loom modified to suit car.

Comes with airbox, oil cooler, radiator, exhaust system. $5,750 ONO. BRETT 0356625400.

277 www.my105.com/40833

Parts for sale (new), Battery box - Suit Oddesy Aerospace CNC - billet 230.00 Carby: Tool tray Moroso 710-65800 160.00 Carby - Gold Claw - 825 Barry Grant 7423010 1450.00 Dip stick - Billet (suit Chev) Billet Specialties 120.00 Distributor plug Pro billet MSD 8513 190.00 Distributor hold-down clamp CSI 870R 55.00 Flywheel - Aluminium & 11" clutch (suit Chev)800.00 Fluidampner 7 1/4" for internal balance 712430-002 620.00 Fuel Pressure regulator - 2 port Aerospace CNC - billet 200.00 Gauge - Fuel tank level Autometer Pro Comp 5417 230.00 Gauge - Fuel pressure Autometer Pro Comp 5461 360.00 Gauge Speedo Autometer Pro Comp 5154 280.00 Gauge - Tacho Autometer Pro Comp 6851 700.00 Gauge - Trans temp Autometer Pro Comp 5451 180.00 Gauge - Vacuum Autometer Pro Comp 5484 140.00 Mounts (engine) - Eurathane TCI Suit Chev 355-31114R pair 200.00 Mount (trans) Eurathane TCI T-350 355-3-1108R 60.00 Oil filler cap - Billet Stefs 69500E 50.00 Oil filter; re-usable Systems-1 180.00 Oil filter Adapter Barnes 8909 100.00 Oil pump Blueprinted (SBC) Moroso 22112 270.00 Pedals - Brake & Clutch Aerospace CNC billet pair 550.00 Shifter - Quarter Stick Hurst Suit 350+400 316-0006 350.00 Shifter Solenoid -1-2 shift Hurst Suit above 226-0020 250.00 Shifter cover - Hurst Hurst Suit above 130-0055 120.00 Shifter knob Hurst Hurst Suit above 163-2006 70.00 Sway bar kit - for rear Jerry Bickel JBRC1038 820.00 Telescopic fuel log - billet DaVinci Suit 950 Carb 330.00 Thermo Switch Moroso 63760 60.00 Trans Shield Kevlar CSI Turbo 350 833 680.00 Trans Sump - Aluminium Stefs Turbo 350 4003 360.00 Trans Cooler + 10” fan Perma-Cool 12311 380.00 Trans Dip stick - chrome Turbo 350 80.00 Trans Dip stick - Billet Turbo 350 160.00 Water filler neck - for AN hose Aerospace + radiator cap CNC billet 165.00 . Michael 0418 228 438. 279 www.myl05.eom/29920

www.my105.com/9474

Parts

“'\. .V

Maxim Sprintcai', 1999 Maxim Sprintcar.

Complete rolling chassis. Currently run as 360 car, with very little use. Straight car, with near new Winters rear end and all good running gear. 25 Gal. Outlaw Fuel Cell, wings and Sander wheels. Phone 0418 502 277 498. 16,500. 0418 502 498. www.myl O5.coin/12329

25 (Bbruanf 2004

Collectable/Memorabilia Motoring Books - Collectors' Clearance, Vast range - over 1200 titles at Discount prices. New lists each month - call now for January list ... chrismx@bigpond.net.au or (02) 9997 8428, fax (02) 9979 5799. 276 www.myl05.com/79192

Driver/Crew Apparel Racing apparel. Dual layer racing suit Medium, fireproof u/wear and socks, size 11 boots. Bell composite helmet Large. New cost more than $2,000. $1,200 ONO. Grant 0408 841 680 / (08) 8255 9767. 272 www.myl05.com/51380

For Lease Drive Available - Formula Ford, Qld Championship, Bathurst and Indy Championship winning Team. Greg (07) 5446 7611 / 0411 052 944. 281

Visit f.i

E

o o CD C

RACE WHEELS, Randy race rims (4) 7.5" X 13" X .5" offset. 3 piece, lightweight.

Escort stud pattern. Near new. $750 neg.

Email kitcarssa@bigpond. com. au Mob 278 0411772180 Dave. $750 NEG. www.myl05.com/24542 Avon Hillclimb Tyres, 2 sets, one set are A45 fronts A40 rears in full cut wets, used for one run. Size 2 x 9 x 21 x 13 fronts and 2 X 12 X 23 X 13 Price $1,200, Second set are A15 fronts A15 rears in slicks used for one meeting. Size 2x9x21x12 fronts and 2 X 12 X 23 X 13 rears. Price $1,000 , 280 Andrew (03) 5443 0810. www.my105.eom/17516

Speedway

Race Car Transporter, can fit three open wheelers and/or one sedan, includes generator, fridge, shower, loo many extras to list, no expense spared. John 0418 577 710. 278 www.my105.com/53371

www.myl05.eom/60813 Parts, Strange Diff parts - (new) Suit 9 inch. Case - Aluminium N-1904-B. Pinion Support - Aluminium N-1920-D. Aluminum spool (9inch) - 35 Spline D-1565-H. Studs For centre section H-1112-A. Shims - For pinion depth N-1962-D. Bearing - For pinion tail N-1940-D Ring - For pinion tail bearing N-1941-D. . Will sell the lot for $1970 ONO. Michael 04 18 228 438.

278 www.myl05.eom/2590

HTG Formula 2, Rolling Chassis or with short motor. Mounted wets, heaps of ratios, body moulds, perfect FT200. Front running AF2 or ideal for Hill climb. You can't go this fast for less money! May separate if necessary. Going O.S. Priced for immediate 278 sale. Ted 0419254380.

Transporters/Trailers

Nissan Exa N12 Racing Shell, Gibson GPC type, non sunroof model, in excellent condition. Ideal 2lltre s/s or FWD Drag car. $700. Joseph (03) 5257 1058 / 0408 232 725.

278 www.my105.com/87005 Coswoth, cosworth cylinder head 2wd with valves & cams verniers fitted, red top cam cover, coswoth crank and fly wheel, cosworth con rods x 4. cosworth block, cosworth exhaust manifold new. cosworth inlet manifold new. offers please must sell change of plans, offers. Steve 0404194911, 278 www.my105.com/B3429

o t: o Sports Sedan, VR body complete including alt metal and fibreglass panels, spare front spoiler +undertray and all perspex windows.

277 $3,000. Tony (02) 4721 8125. www.myl05.com/40580

00

o

(/>

Toyota 3sge complete head. Race prepared 3sge Head, fully prepared and ported by Phil Ryal. Ivan Tighe billet cam shafts,with vemea adjustable cam wheels, shim under buckets(shimmed for cams), iskidarian double row valve springs, under cut valves, fully ported, custom inlet manifold and 20v throttles & trumpets. Fuel rail and injectors more. $2,200.00 Neg, Justin 0416 008 898.

276 www.myl05.eom/75720

Thank you for your help.

The car is sold, your ads work well.

-MPelers I found a buyer for my Clubman through My105. Great service and thanks for your assistance.

- Gerry

i

■uorspott EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor: Phil Branagan ● editor@mnews.com.au Deputy Editor: Mark Glendenning ● mark@mnews.com.au News Editor: Aaron Noonan ● noonz@mnews.com.au National Editor: Grant Rowley ● grant@mnews.com.au

PRODUCTION

Adv & Graphics Co-ordinator: Viv Brumby ● viv@mnews.com.au

ADVERTISING

Brendon Sheridan - PR Driven Tel; 03 9550 0870 Fax: 03 9550 0816 mobile: 0407 007 286 ● ads@mnews.com.au

ADMINISTRATIOH

Managing Director/Publisher: Chris Lambden ● publisher@mnews.com.au

CONTRCTS 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

Megan and Michael ... but where’s Webber?

Grand Prix fever is almost here and I cannot wait to see the cars in action at Albert Park.

But there is one thing I cannot figure out. In all the advertising that I have seen for the big race, on television and in the papers, has anyone seen Mark Webber?

The orily Aussie we seem to see in the ads is Megan Gale and fine, she is a looker. But my wife reckons Webber is a hombag and it is pretty obvious that he can cut it with the best drivers in the sport.

If Jaguar's new car is up to it, points a Albert Park (maybe even a podium)seem possible.

We have waited aU this time for an Australian in FI and now we have one, a really good one.

Has anyone told the Grand Prix organisers that?

Love the magazine, the only one worth paying money for. Keep it going!

Jamie Peterson

Box Hill Vic

CONTRIRUTORS

FI: Joe Saward, Adam Cooper, Paolo Filisetti Europe: Quentin Spurring, Gary Watkins, David Addison US; Phil Morris, Martin D. Clark Speedway: Brett Swanson, Julie Pearce, Geoff Rounds, Wade Aunger, Tony Millard (UK), Greg Boscato Rally: Jon Thomson Histories; Brian Reed Drag Racing: Greg Ward, Jon Asher (USA), Dave Ostaszewski (USA), Nick Nicholas, Steven White, Ken Ferguson National: Mark Wicks, Sean Henshelwood, Mark Jones, Dave Conole, Chris Jordan Photographers: Sutton Motorsport Images, Dirk Klynsmith, Bothwell Photographic, Marshall Cass, Nigel Snowdon & Diana Burnett, AFl Images, Neil Hammond, Slipstream Photographic, Allsport, John Morris/Mpix, Frank Midgley, Peter Bury, Mike Patrick (UK), Chris Carter, James Smith, Paris Charles, Bob Potts Motorsport News is published by Australasian Motorsport News - ABN 55 125 120 702 Publisher; C Lambden Printed by; Offset Alpine Printing Pty Ltd, Lidcombe, NSW. Distributed by: NDD Ltd Material published by MOTORSPORT NEWS is copyright and may not be reproduced in full or in part without the written permission of the publisher. Freelance contributions are welcome, and while all care will be taken, Australasian Motorsport News does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of material submitted. ●Opinions expressed in Motorsport News are not necessarily those of Australasian Motorsport News or its staff.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Australia {incl GST) Overseas (Air Mail); New Zealand, PNG, Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillippines, Hong Kong, Japan US, Canada, Europe

1 year $143

AS195 AS250

2 years $275

$370 $480

Post your cheque/money order to the address above, fax your credit card details (Bankcard.

VISA, Mastercard, or Amex) to 03 9596 5030 or email to mnews®mnews.com.au

82

Why, why, why?

The question must be asked, why are there so many red Commodores in this year's V8 field?

Would the real Slim Skaifey please stand up?

I have just read MNews Issue 276 and it states that 'Mister High Almighty' Mark Skaife has booted Todd Kelly out of his car number 2. Is this really true?

Mark was the one that lost his number so why should Todd loose his number as well? Of course it is

because Mark thinks he is too good to take a lower number.

I challenge Skaife to show us what a man he thinks he is and leave Todd with number 2 and take the number 52 for yourself.

Good luck Ambrose for '04.

Jody Maitland jmaitIand@hotmail.com Ed: Well after MNews went to press last issue, the Holden Racing Team purchased number 22 from Paul Cruickshank, which Todd will run this year, leaving Mr Skaife to use number 2... Note: It's the teams who own the numbers, not the drivers.

The only Holden Motorsport team that don't run predominate red are the Kmart team, but still,

converter Send us your thoughts: mail: PO Box 7072, Gardenvale, VIC 3186 fax: 03 9596 5030 email: mnews@mnews.com.au Positive and Negatives

Isn't it great to see the Richards family back together for another crack at mountain glory.

I remember egging them on when they finished second at Bathurst in 1997. Seven years later, I hope they can go one better. Go Team Richo!

But on the other hand. I'm a little concerned at the four-car Perkins operation. If LP's team goes and smokes the opposition this year, will that encourage more outfits to run four-car teams. This can have a positive and negative affect.

On the positive, most of the 'David Thexton's' racing in the series will be forced out. We've seen a great influx of British teams come to Australia to race, why can't we get more professional teams like them out here?

On the negative side, will we be left with only a dozen teams?

Td hate to see teams and franchises like team Dynamik and Larkham forced out because one of the wellfunded or well-employed teams step up to four cars.

Also negatively, it makes it harder and harder for well-prepared Konica teams to make the grade to full Supercar status.

Edivard Rowland Kings Langley NSW

■I

●● ●

' '''Mrr.

I

J

Larry's cars look even worse. The colour red shows up really well on television, but how are we to tell these cars apart from a long distance?

But anyway, we won't need to look at these cars. Marcos Ambrose will be up the front, followed by a horde of fellow Falcon runners...

Troy Tomkinson Campbelltown NSW

RIP - Villenueve With the loss of Jacques Villeneuve from the FI scene recently, it has signaled the loss of another of FTs great characters - and one who could actually drive a car brilliantly.

JV's legacy will be that he rocked the establishment to the extent it feared him so much, it pushed him away.

Villenueve told it like it was, if he didn't like you, he told you. If he liked you, he told you. All this in a sport so politically correct it's bordering on a joke. But on track. I'll never forget that pass he made on Michael Schumacher at Estoril in '96.

On the outside, the dirty line with a back marker and with dirty air. He absolutely nailed it, and this was in his rookie year. A move which was better than his brilliant move a year later in Jerez...

Villenueve legacy is that of a fighter. A man of honour and pride, and a man who knew how to drive an FI car over its limits and still do great things, no matter what many of the so-called expert journalists say in the sport's papers and drivers who should NOT be in FI.

CART, before the hearse

9

i

■S] N

r

they be a little more original. The Paul Weel cars look awful and

There'll only be one Jacques Villeneuve. As Sir Frank put it, "he was as good as anyone we've had."

Shaun Melbourne Vic

T

I

tliey have red on them as well.

It goes without saying that red is Holden's colour, but still, can't

'■

yr-

Man's best friend: Jacques Villenueve, now in the Formula One wilderness, has more time to do 'regular people' things ... like this.

I read your interview in the last Motorsport News and I am delighted that the CART series is going to continue. Can you tell me when the Australian round of the series will be?

M. Jacobsen email address ivithheld by request Ed: October 23/24 will see the Champ Cars return to the streets of Surfers.

moiorsDori news

Racers Choice Inc.

Offers a huge range of safety equipment and racing products for ail types of motorsports.

To see the full range goto:

www.rocketind.com 4

Sysl-em 1

I

ALLOY SEATS & COVERS

1

l 3" POLYESTER WEBBING PROVIDES LESS ELONGATION UNDER LOAD. l HIGH STRENGTH ALLOY STEEL HARDWARE

Available in cam lock or latch type in 5 or 6 point systems.

The platinum series harnesses y come in Y-type and V-type or wrap w around styles and include mounting hardware.

POLLY SEATS & COVERS

ALLUMINIUM FUEL CELLS

.FUEL JUGS, FUNNELS & ACCESSORIES

NOMEX UNDERWEAR n RACE SUITS

HELMETS

WINDOW NETS

i

Fan:[02188251911 Email:sales@rock8tind.eom

Why do champion motorsport drivers choose Yokohama tyres?

Performance That’s

a

a

V,

i £

●/

\\

i ■y

r/

<*

'Vi ■-4'«

. t

Available from Yokohama key dealer 131 509 Bob Jane T-Mart 13 26 25

●j :<●

▲

A